//------------------------------//
// Episode 39: The Cutie Remark and the Scorpion's Sting Part One 
// Story: The Pony Guard (Season 5) 
// by MXCDarkHorse2020 
//------------------------------//


Episode 39:

The Cutie Re-Mark and the Scorpion's Sting Part One


One hour earlier…

Both Shining Armor and Cadance were already getting things ready for their new little foal’s arrival which is just right around the corner and they were both eagerly excited as they have been counting down the days to her expected date. From every wall, corner, every inch of the place is filled with baby toys and accessories. It is certainly a day they have been dreaming of ever since the day Cadance became pregnant and something that’s about to become a reality.

"Ooh! I can’t believe it! The day is almost here!” Shining happily expressed with giddy foal-like excitement as they made their way to the throne room.

"I know!” Cadance jerked over a bit due to the baby’s excited kicking but still maintained her smile. “It sure is to be a very powerful blessing we are soon to be gifted with. I’m sure Twilight will be just as excited as we were.”

"No kidding! I’m sure she is still bouncing with excitement since the day we told her. And speaking of excitement…” He pulled out a letter from Princess Celestia and Luna themselves. “...we have just received invitations to the upcoming Kumbuka celebration at Pride Rock this weekend.”

"Oh! Sounds exciting! I remember hearing Kion talk about the last time we saw him. It was all about the day his father Simba defeated Scar and saved everyone from starving to death after he had ruled the kingdom into ruin. And from what everyone who was there that day had to say, they all can live to tell the tale.”

"Yes, dear. Many of the lionesses, Nala, his mother, his friends, all can live to tell how they helped Simba gain the courage to confront his uncle after he was mistreating everyone due to his past grievances.”

"And the best part about is, we can definitely make it before we check you in so you can birth to our precious foal.” Shining Armor happily added.

"Yes there is that.”

"So I should go ahead and write back to Celestia and Luna that we can make it?”

"Yes, dear.”

"How very sweet of you both…” Scar’s voice spoke as fire began surrounding them inside suddenly appeared with his fiery head appearing before both of them. “...too bad I got have a say in the matter and I’m afraid that you two won’t be able to make it next weekend.”

“Scar!” Shining Armor returned angrily.

"Shining Armor. Princess Cadance, As always good to see you both and I’m so sorry about the rude and unexpected welcome but I have plans to make that day as well. You see you both appearing there proves to be a very big conflict of interest since of course I have plans of my own wanting to say otherwise.”

[i"]Well whatever you’re planning Scar, we’re here to stop you!”

"So you’d better get out of here if you know what’s good for you!”

Both Shining Armor and Cadance defiantly returned.

"Stop me?” Scar returned as if it’s a joke. “Like you two, they invited me.” Shining Armor quickly charged at him and Scar leaped forward with his full fiery body by tackling him to the ground. At one point, he had the unicorn in a hold. “By planning to make a holiday celebrating the day Simba took over what was once my achieved destiny they challenged my strength. Well now I’m using this opportunity to play their game.” He draws his fire powers into forming a sword right on his enemy’s neck holding right in the middle of his throat.

"Don’t even think about!” Cadance fiercely shouted while catching him with a side attack that forced him to let go of her husband. As soon as she swooped in her wings produced a gust of air that put out the flames surrounding them.

"Too late!” Scar quickly reflected the fierce barrage of attacks the princess is throwing right at him before returning the favor back at her. “Already am!”

Shining Armor charged in and unleashed his most brutal force of magic against Scar to force him to back off as he kept forcing the lion and alicorn on the defense. With the combined might of the two ponies they left no room for Scar to defend himself as he finds himself backed into a corner.

But Scar not having split his full energy into four bodies just to come and lose, mustered up a powerful shock wave that slammed his opponents back into opposite corners of the throne room causing them to suffer busted backs and severe immobilization in their bodies.

The two could only look on with defiant and weak glares at the enemy who now has them at their mercy. “My apologies your majesties, but much like criminal work, business is business.” He hoists the couple by their throats with his telekinesis magic. “But don’t worry, you two will still get to see Twilight one last time, that is of course under what I have in mind…”





Back in the present, the shock from the aftermath of what Scar alongside Starlight did in the Canterlot Throne Room is still raw as everyone is still trying to understand how this all happened while everyone else was occupied back in the Pride Lands. With Luna the sole survivor alongside Nala and Kiara, she was the only one who knew what went down just earlier before they’ve arrived.

“I don’t understand…” Twilight spoke trying to regain her composure while still tearing up and crying. “...How did they do this?”

“Like you, I could ask the same question, dear Twilight Sparkle.” She replied sympathetically while wrapping her in a for much needed and comforting hug. “And like both Shining Armor and Cadance it just happened all so suddenly. We were just meeting up with both Nala and Kiara to talk about what’s been going on at the castle lately and catching up with one another while we were at it. And then just when we were talking about what’s about to happen next...that’s when Scar attacked in his unholy and fiery glory.” As she recalled the memory it all played out in it’s magical glory through the power of her magic. “We tried to fight him off, but he was too quick…” 





Through the power of fire he managed quickly strike down Celestia before she could even have a chance to react and then wasted no time in engaging her sister in combat who could only force up a force field in order to keep herself from getting her chest suddenly scorched too. All while she looks on completely unprepared and terrified with what he did to her sister.

Upon watching the scene from the side Nala and Kiara tried to keep watch over the fight hoping there is someway they can stop this attack from getting any worse. But just before they could move they were suddenly separated and knocked aside after narrowly dodging a magical attack by none other than Starlight Glimmer who is not having any of them stand in her way towards them trying to interfere with her boss’s plan.

“I don’t think so!”

“Starlight Glimmer!” Kiara spoke in shock.

“So you’ve heard of me, how flattering. Well I am infamous.” Starlight chuckled before getting back to being serious. “But all joking aside, if you both try to fight me, I’m going to have really hurt you both.”

“Then I suggest you be prepared to back those words up because you’ve just messed with the queen.” Nala returned with a stern glare before moving to charge at her.

Starlight looked on smugly before firing off a few magical blasts at her thinking she can strike her down as easily as Scar can. But to her sudden surprise much like with Sunset, she found the lioness is quick on her paws and successfully dodging each and every one of her attacks like she is dealing with prey that isn’t hard for her to catch. Not to mention, she now finds herself on the defense as she finds herself barely dodging her claws as she attempted to swipe and strike her. It got to the point she had resort to teleporting herself away before she could actually connect with her attacks.

Once she was able to catch a breather because of it, Starlight resumed her taunting by smiling and being cocky to her fierce face even blowing a raspberry to her. It’s pretty clear she is taking pleasure in toying with her right now.

Kiara could only look on with a disgusted look on her face at the sight of arrogance oozing out of her from that smile of hers alone. “At least Twilight never had the audacity to act like that in our sparing matches. Hmm…” She then recalled her past sparing matches of how she almost got the drop on Twilight back then. “...I wonder.” She thought of how she can play this ongoing fight to her advantage to tip the scales in her mom’s favor.

She moved to take cover in the nearby rumble and flames while being very careful not to touch them along with breathing the nearby smoke while trying to sneak around the throne room to look for that opening. She also remembered she also has trouble of being stealthy without making a sound which is how she fumbled up most of her attempted hunts in the past while being careful not to touch the rocks and pebbles on the ground.

But she had the misfortune of touching the rocks she didn’t see until too late thus alerting the unicorn’s ears and drawing her attention towards. Acting quick, she used one of her paws to kick up burning embers and dust right up towards her face to which the unicorn barely had time to avoid. She didn’t get burned nor got dirt in her face but it did do just enough to distract her. Before she realized it, Starlight was just pounced on by Nala who managed to slam her down into the ground.

There, the lion queen had finally managed to subdue the unicorn to the point she can barely light her horn due to the tight grab the former has on her horn. And probably for the first time since facing Twilight, she found her life flashing before her eyes in the face of someone who can literally rip her to shreds if she wanted to. She practically felt herself frightened to the point she made a wet spot on the carpet when she cringed and groaned.

But just before she could decide of what to do with Starlight, she was suddenly yanked off of her courtesy of Scar’s magically grabbing her with his telekinesis spell. He was just in the midst slowly bringing Luna down once more and saw this as his perfect moment to seize a quick and swift opportunity to ensure a quick resolution.

“Stand down or else!” He warned while hoisting a magical sword to the lioness's throat.

Luna was already panting in pained exhaustion from having to fend off her enemy’s attacks could not give her up unless she wanted Kiara to suffer heartbreak alongside her. With no other choice she canceled the glowing aura around her horn and flew down to the ground to signal to Scar that she is standing down now.

“Come on, Starlight! We’re done here.” He flew off ahead while letting Nala go who literally dropped and crashed to the ground right into the rubble.

Starlight followed suit while returning a brief smug smile towards the defeated group of heroes before following after him with the power of self-levitation.

Luna upon seeing them go can only look on so devastated by the grief she is now feeling along with feeling like a failure for letting everyone around her down mirroring her current expression in the present day right now.





Back in the present day, with all of what had happened now told, everyone is now left to wonder what Scar is up to now and what he is planning.

“So he managed to appear before himself in four places at the exact same time.” Twilight realized. “I should have known!” Her riled up rage had her incinerating the nearby rubble with dark magic. She was now mentally slapping herself for not accounting for the idea that Scar could master that spell so fast. “That clever lion / alicorn! That clever, clever lion / alicorn!”

“Twilight…” Kion spoke with concern and caution. “...are you okay?” Twilight glared at him heatedly for asking that so soon forcing him to stop before he says another word.

“That’s a no.” Fuli told him before trying to approach Twilight herself trying to help her calm down. 

“And it’s pretty clear that Scar has regained his previous magical strength and has gotten stronger.” Sunset added as she examined the bodies while silently praying the attacks weren't fatal.

“Scar is stronger?” Bunga commented now dreading the idea of seeing him again.

"Yep."

“Hapana!”

“What do we do now?” Fluttershy asked in worry while Ono is huddling him right behind her in fear for his life.

“I wish I knew what.” Twilight replied with her rational mind and vengeful side at the crossroads in her mind again as Fuli helps her out with her deep breath exercises. “The whole divide and conquer plot to distract us while having Starlight assist him in taking out half of the royal family is just a start. He didn’t seek out any of us yet.”

"But he could have killed us if he wanted to."

“For now.” 

Both Sunset and Rainbow Dash chimed in.

“So that means he must be planning something else as the next part of his new endgame.” Applejack deduced. “He’s planning on picking us off one by one so that once we’re eliminated, he’ll be able to conquer and reconquer both kingdoms.”

“Which means what happened here today is a warning.” Luna also deduced. “A message telling us that our days are numbered starting with Celestia, Shining Armor, and Cadance unless we surrender to him.”

“Like any of us would even dream of doing that?!” Rainbow asked as if he’s treating this like they have no other options. “Who does he think we are?”

“Apparently someone he thinks will comply with his unreasonable demands if we don’t give him what we want.” Rarity said. 

“Wait till I get my hooves on him…!” Rainbow angrily vowed before being restrained by the tail courtesy of Applejack.

“No!” Kion asserted. “We can’t just confront him!”

“I can if Applejack would just let go of my tail!”

“She means if any of us try to confront him in the Outlands then we’d might us well finalize our wills because that’s exactly what he wants us to do.” Sunset explained as even as mad as everyone else for a good reason, she does have the smarts to know what exactly is suicide.

“Especially me.” The princess understood Rainbow’s anger but couldn’t act on it. “I’d hate to admit it but if anyone even me alone were to charge to that volcano to confront Scar right then and there, he’ll definitely kill us on the spot. Just like he tried to do to us last time we did exactly that.” 

Rainbow grunted in frustration as Applejack finally let go of her tail. “Why must things like this be so hard?!”

“Harsh truths in life, Rainbow.” Ono commented with no sympathy. “Especially when the threat we’re dealing with has become even more dangerous than before.”

“Indeed he has.” Luna agreed with a tone of grave seriousness as she moved to work her healing magic on the bodies with the same glimmering hope they can be saved after seeing Sunset sensing life inside of them. “Join me!” She commanded of Kion, Kyoga, Sunset, and Twilight after sensing some very faint breathing from the bodies on the floor. “Together we can try to at least buy them some time.” They all wasted no time doing just that as they poured a lot of magic in trying to revive them.

While this was happening, Beshte moved to press this question with the others. “So what’s going to happen in the meantime?”

“For now, we carry on as usual on high alert…” Simba answered. “...we’ll take turns patrolling the Pride Lands and Equestria up to where the sun touches every inch of the kingdom from dawn until dusk. Princess Luna and a handful of guards will take up the night shift. As for others who want to volunteer they can scout around as well provided they remain at their homes when off duty. And most importantly, no matter what nobody is to enter the Outlands, and by that I mean nobody but nobody. If today is any indication, then it’s pretty clear nobody is safe now.”

Those not tending to the ones on death’s doorstep can only look on at the desperation on Twilight and Luna’s faces as they try their hardest to revive their loved ones. All while looking around at the smoke and rubble around them inside the trashed throne room which has become the site of many, many, emotional tragedy’s thus far.





One week has passed since the whole divide and conquer plot of Scar’s, seven times thanks to Princess Luna, both the sun and moon have come up and down accordingly. Though she is still spending as much time as Twilight in trying to work their healing magic on Celestia, Shining Armor, and Cadance in an effort to keep them alive. While successful, they can feel their spirits slipping away. They don’t have much time and they need another remedy to help them and fast.

Through constant patrols of the Pride Lands and Equestria, everyone was able to keep watch on anything Scar and his army located in the Outlands might be doing. They so far have laid low ever since then but there is no way of knowing of when he might strike again. Hopefully not during the upcoming Kumbuka celebration which is right around the corner and something everyone’s going to want to celeberate because as if it weren’t for Simba defeating Scar that day none of the Pride Landers today would be here right now.

In fact, that’s part of the topic discussed when Twilight, Kion, along with the rest of the Lion Guard were present at Celestia’s school for magical unicorns for a school-wide presentation about it while the rest of the Pony Guard along with the royal Guards do last security check around the borders to ensure the celebration will be safe to proceed forward as planned.

"If somepony had told me when I was a blank flank that one day I'd give a speech to a class at Celestia's School of Magic, I wouldn't have believed it, but…" Twilight briefly stopped and searched one for the correct flash card that had the right notes that had what she wanted to say next. "I hope that I've been up to the task, because I can tell that all of you are, and that the future of Equestrian magic is in good hooves."

There was small clapping in the room, courtesy of Spike. Twilight, Spike, Kion, Fuli, Beshte, Bunga, and Ono were at the School of Magic auditorium, which was empty right now. Twilight was now currently practicing the speech she plans to give to the students, but wasn’t completely satisfied with it, mainly because she can’t go through with it without going through the flash cards even once. 

Spike slowly stopped his clapping before speaking. "Wow, heheh. That was even better than the first eleven times." The dragon cleared his throat and smiled encouragingly, though he was really just saying that to try to help make her feel better.

“It sure was.” Fuli sarcastically and dully remarked in a whisper. 

“Very convincing.” Ono remarked in the same tone under his breath.

“I think you did it pretty well this time around.” Beshte complimented.

“Yeah! You did it so well you got me so excited!” Makini also complimented just as she moved to approach her just after having arrived and managing to witness her latest speech.

Twilight smiled briefly as thanks before groaning and frowning while stepping away from her podium, "Mmh, I don't know, Spike, Beshte. I'd like to be able to get through the whole speech without looking at the cards!"

"Still thinking about your family? I mean your royal relatives." Kion hesitantly asked, though it was a question he already knew the answer to.

“Yes. They’re still in a life-threatening coma and it has been going on for  week now. Luna, Kyoga, and I have been healing them 24/7 ever since it all happened but I can feel them slipping away. We even got their siblings along with Rafiki and Makini to try out their homemade remedies but nothing has gotten them to wake up.”

“Then I suppose it’s a bad time to point out Cadance is due to have the baby anytime now?” Ono asked.

“Yes it is.” She had to muster up her strength to keep herself from collapsing in devastation once more before remembering the deep breathing exercise Cadance taught her. “If she doesn’t wake up by then, then there won’t be a new baby to look forward to. Going into labor at her current state will definitely kill them both.”

“Hapana! I mean...sorry I…” Ono stuttered before giving up. “...dully noted.”

“It’ll be okay…” Makini attempted to assure with a smile. “...someway somehow we’ll figure something out. We always do. I mean we’ve been in tighter situations before.”

“We have.” Kion replied. “But unlike before with me, when Scar struck them down he infected them with dark energy that’s currently destroying their souls inside. And it took the power of all four alicorns and Kyoga to revive me and as part alicorn alone. So believe me when I tell you I’d be lucky if that happened to me again.”

“I understand.” Makini replied fully knowing of what’s at stake. “And we are trying really hard to help heal them, Twilight, Kion. If only we knew how but we just haven’t figured out the best way to heal them.”

“I know.” Twilight acknowledged and hugged her. “And I appreciate everything you’ve done so far.”

“We all are.” Kion also agreed. “And I’m sure if she were here Celestia would want you here to set a positive example for all of the future magical and powerful unicorns helping spread magic all across Equestria and soon throughout the Pride Lands.”

“Well said…” Twilight said now looking and trying to be more upbeat. “...and don’t forget that you too have your speech to deliver too Kion.”

“I haven’t forgotten about it, Twilight.”

“That is so true!” Bunga exclaimed in excitement himself. “The whole story of how we first met along with how the whole Kumbuka celebration today is all about.” He moved to step up to the podium showing off some of the hand drawn pictures from the paintings back in the Lair of the Guard. “Scar was the worst lion ever to rule the Pride Lands! But he didn't stand a chance against my uncles!” Given that this is Bunga’s usual silliness everyone else chuckled in amusement.

Though Makini given that they are dealing with important and true history moved to correct the honey badger. “What? Timon and Pumbaa? They didn't defeat Scar.”

Kion, Beshte, Twilight, and Ono after getting over that moment of laughs moved to agree with her.

“Makini's right, Bunga.”

“Yeah. Everyone knows King Simba defeated Scar.”

“History doesn’t lie.:

“Common knowledge, really.”

“Pfft!” Bunga scoffed. “Everyone says Simba defeated Scar, but he...”

“That's because it was Simba who defeated Scar.” Makini asserted mid-sentence before displaying the correct slides of her tapping on the paintings which Twilight recorded in preparation for today’s presentation. “When Nala told Simba what Scar had done to the Pride Lands, Simba knew he had to return. So Simba confronted Scar, and defeated him after a big battle.”

Even still Bunga felt the need to argue. “Yeah. But Simba couldn't a done it without my uncles!” Bunga displays the slide of Timon doing the dress and drag while doing the hulu performance alongside Pumbaa. “See? Uncle Timon did a dance for the hyenas.”

Fuli sighed with stoic annoyance at this point. “And... How did that help?”

“It distracted them so they wouldn't help Scar.”

“Yes. And while Timon danced, Simba defeated Scar. And reclaimed the Pride Lands as the true king!” Makini repeated once more with assertive emphasis.

“And that’s what today’s Kumbuka ceremony is all about.” Kion said.

“Yeah, well, you have your story. I have my uncles'.” Bunga commented.

“And while it is an amusing story of theirs, I’m sorry to say that it won’t be included in today’s speech, Bunga.” Twilight politely and gently informed. “Maybe someday but not today.”

“Well, one thing's for sure. Scar was really bad news.” Beshte then said seriously. 

“He still is.” Fuli commented in agreement. “And let’s hope we’re ready for what happens next.”

“Let’s hope so.” Ono shuddered hoping the same himself as Scar alone gives him the creeps.

“Me too.” Kion also agreed while hoping himself they don’t have anymore grievances to deal with today.

If only some things are easier said than done, then things would be at peace by now…





...that said and true to everyone's concern, Scar is indeed making plans of his own in preparation for today. The day he has been preparing for all year long.

Today he has summoned Janja, Reirei, Kiburi, Mzingo, Ushari, and Starlight inside the caldera in the Outlands Volcano where he personally informs in his fiery form of what will be going down in the next few hours from now. 

“Friends, today, we will end Simba, Luna, and Celestia's reign, and destroy the Lion and Pony Guard.”

Hearing this had them delighted and eager to do their part in it.

“Great!”

“Finally.”

“Yeah.”

“Capital.”

“Tell your followers to be ready.”

“Uh, Scar? Just one question.” Janja spoke up curiously. “How do you…” He quickly corrected himslef. “...We plan on takin' down Simba, and the Lion and Pony Guard in the same day?”

“For once, I gotta agree with the hyena.” Reirei commented once more taking Janja’s side in the matter. “It ain't gonna be easy. Not to mention the still active alicorns hovering around.”

“You can say that again considering I recently tried to take down Simba on my own.” Kiburi also commented in agreement.

“Yes, I know.” Scar acknowledged rather annoyed but still remained confident in his latest plan that’ll ensure all mitigating factors are decisively dealt with. “Which is precisely why I have brought in some help.” He smiled while turning to said help arriving to greet them. “And here it comes now.”

They all turned their heads to greet someone roaring as he crawled inside. Something big, something fierce, something looking rather deadly with black skin and red eyes, something…

...rather small.

“Scorpion!” Janja screamed while leaping onto Reirei, then Starlight, and finally Kiburi’s backs in fright of it. “Look out! Comin' through!”

“Hey!”

“Watch it!”

Both Starlight and Kiburi expressed with annoyance as Scar equally annoyed moved to assure the frightened hyena he has nothing to worry about.

“He's not going to sting you, Janja.”

“Yesss.” Ushari spoke up in agreement. “Sumu's venom is reserved for a more Royal target.”

“A.K.A. King Simba himself.” Starlight added.

Scar nodded in approval before turning back over to the scorpion responsible for carrying out this deadly task. “You know what to do, Sumu. 

“And do it, I will.” He vowed while swinging his tail into the ground before heading out to carry out the fiery lion’s orders. 

Even with nothing to worry about Janja still couldn’t help but shudder upon seeing this scorpion. “Is he gone yet?” He asked Kiburi.

“Yeah. Now get down.” He moved push the hyena off of his back already getting tired of having to carry his weight as the hyena grunted in pain when it happened.

“The Pride Landers foolishly celebrate today as the day Simba defeated me.” Scar said with bitter resentment that even happened before smiling and perking up with a thirst for revenge coming up. “But soon it will be known as the day I returned once more. And stopped Simba, Celestia, Luna and the Lion and Pony Guard once and for all.” He chuckled evilly before turning to Starlight as his next focus. “And you remember what I taught you, Starlight?”

“Yes. Yes I do.” Starlight returned with an equally malevolent smile as she levitates the envelope Scar gave her the other day along with the written plans the latter got her the following day.

To her and like her master, Starlight Glimmer herself is ready to do her part in taking down the Lion and Pony Guard and the remaining Royal Family as revenge for losing control of the town she once ruled over. And much of that focus is on the one pony who defeated her, Twilight Sparkle.





Sometime later, the whole audience of students along with her Canterlot friends all gathered inside so they can watch as both Twilight and Kion give their speech. After Kyoga and Sunset gave them the all clear message via a telegram through teleportation the two were both ready to begin. 

While the Pony Guard minus Twilight were tasked alongside Kyoga and Sunset with keeping watch around them while this was going on, the Lion Guard took front row seats alongside Spike and Moon Dancer, who is also taking notes during the presentation.

"Obviously the long term effects of the simultaneous acquisition of cutie marks has yet to be determined, but…! Ahem, next slide, please." 

In the middle of her speech, Twilight cleared her throat to get Spike's attention. Said dragon fell asleep during it. 

“Little S.” Beshte gently said to him. “Little S!” He repeated louder who immediately woke up that time around and immediately he quickly changed the slides.

One of which depicted him lounging on a beach before changing to one of the Lion and Pony Guard after Twilight received her castle. Thankfully, nobody else cared nor noticed this. At first the following picture was upside down before he quickly adjusted it before anyone can notice that too.

"I can speak from my own experience that the power of cutie mark magic is very real, and in the instance of my friends and I, it can be traced to a single event!" Twilight explained, as the slide changed to depict each and every one of her friends on the very same day they received their cutie marks, thanks to the miraculous Sonic Rainboom.

"Without Rainbow Dash's race to defend Fluttershy's honor, this rainboom wouldn't have happened. Fluttershy might never have discovered her love of animals. Applejack might never have realized that she belonged on her farm. And Pinkie Pie might never have decided to leave hers. It must be hard to imagine Rarity without her sense of fabulousness. But it's even harder to fathom what my life would be like. Without this rainboom, I might not have gotten into magic school. Celestia wouldn't have taken me on as her pupil or sent me to Ponyville to meet my friends."

She turned to Kion by her side at the podium while nodding at him to allow him to continue her speech next. "The most powerful thing about Cutie Mark Magic that we found is the connection we share with them. A bond so powerful it could transcend even dimensions." The slide changed to depict Kion before he became an alicorn along with another slide of him as a young cub. "Even before I became an alicorn, I had a strong connection with friendship itself. What it’s all about, how it works, and how it affects everyone around me. I didn't know it at the time, but even back before meeting Twilight and becoming the leader of the Lion Guard, friendship has always been strong among us. Between me and my friends, we’ve always had the bond that allowed us to work together as a team, even when as babies.”

The slide changed to show an image of the Lion Guard when they were babies, including Ono before and after he hatched from his egg which were both shown together on the screen. The image then shifted to the Lion Guard just after they officially formed with another slide featuring the Pony Guard just after they formed officially.

“Amazing how a simple friendship between us is what brought us together and it was the very thing that saved Ono’s life that day. And not only that it would go on remain stronger than ever which proved to be crucial in our part of saving Equestria from eternal darkness along with helping create the very first Pony Guard in Pride Lands and Equestria history.”

The slide changed once more to show the image of the stain glass window featuring the Lion and Pony Guard defeating Nightmare Moon.

Twilight then took another turn in speaking. “Ever since then we have fought and against and triumphed many times against the Outsiders while fighting to keep the peace going in both the Pride Lands and Equestria. And with the growing and spreading magic across both kingdoms, the Lion Guard started to earn cutie marks of their own which further help cement and realize their destinies in life just like me and my friends.”

As the speech carried on, Ono’s eyes shifted to the side and caught a glimpse of something to the sides

“Huh?”

He immediately checked again near the top corner of the auditorium along with the roof, seeing a mysterious cloaked figure hiding in the shadows watching the presentation unnoticed. He squinted his eyes noticing the very familiar purple hairs with aquamarine streaks on it. That very color scheme he has seen twice before, and that was something that got him alarmed. Especially when the very familiar purple eyes looked directly at her for a brief second. 

“Hapana!” He gasped.

"Ono? Everything okay?" Beshte asked, getting the egrets attention. When he looked back the mysterious pony was gone.

“Uh...yeah...yeah...everything’s okay for now.” He replied rather uneasily.

While Beshte and the other Lion Guard friends were curious of what he meant by that and that he truly saw something unnerving, Ono himself couldn’t help but wonder what the pony he thought he saw was doing here.

"But, the real question about Cutie Mark Magic is who it seems to affect."

Twilight Sparkle's voice was enough to divert the egret along with the rest of the Guard’s attention back to her. And while she did briefly get a glimpse of Ono’s reaction, that is something that’ll have to wait until after the speech is over with it.

Unbeknownst to them said pony, took the time to make a magical phone call to Scar who is listening intently back inside the volcano.

“The speech is underway.” The mare reported.

Hearing this is exactly what Scar wanted to hear. “Good.” He then turned his head towards Sumu’s precise location as he makes his way towards Pride Rock where the upcoming celebration is to be held. “Proceed, Sumu!” He told in a whisper in his ear who nodded in response before continuing on to do his thing.





Later back in Ponyville...

"Starlight Glimmer?" Kion asked once they left Canterlot and were on their way to Twilight's castle so they can drop off the things they don’t need before heading on out to join the others at Pride Rock for today’s Kumbuka celebration. 

"I know it sounds crazy, but I think she was there."

“You sure?”

“Absolutely sure! The purple hair with aquamarine blue streaks along with the purple eyes that go with it. For a split second I was able to catch that before she was gone.”

“I believe you.” Twilight said knowing full well that he is telling the truth. “And yet this is still very disturbing news.”

“I wonder what she could up to this time?” Bunga wondered.

"Nothing good, I bet." Spike replied with narrowed eyes. "I heard she wasn't very happy the last time you saw her."

“Define what you mean by last time.” Bunga spoke up unsure of what specific ax she has to grind with Twilight about. “Defeating and beating her up once she was exposed as the creepy cult leader, or when Sunset managed to beat her another time, along with the time both Kion and Twilight beat her while trying to distract them?”

“All of the above.” Fuli replied as she begins thinking more about what Bunga just said. “And with all things considered she is really getting off on her rocker more and more ever since we first met her.”

“You’re right.” Kion agreed. “But we did what we had to do in all of those instances.”

"Forcing everypony in her village to have the same cutie mark wasn't right. We had to do something!" Twilight further justified.

“And if my hunch is right, then Starlight Glimmer is coming back for revenge!” Bunga further said with great certainty. But he looked on and stopped himself once he noticed Ono and Twilight trembling in fright in place at the very idea. “Uh I mean, or she was just really interested in your speech!"

While Ono was really shaking in fright, Twilight however had a sudden gut feeling inside of her like she just came to a horrifying conclusion.

"Honestly I'm not really sure what I saw." Ono commented as he tried to calm himself down before suffering an anxiety attack.

“As long as we have each other, I know everything will be all right." Kion assured his nervous friends before turning back to the lavender mare. “Right, Twilight? Twilight?!”

Said mare quickly rushed off ahead to the castle with so much adrenaline kicking in right now to the point she left behind a cloud shape of herself behind.

“I think she just realized what Starlight is up to.” Bunga commented.

“You think?!” Fuli returned rather annoyed before following after Twilight with the same speed she took off with.

“Let’s go!” Kion commanded of the others before quickly catching up with both Twilight and Fuli with the others quick to follow after them.

At the same time the very dark looking figure with red eyes seems to have his eyes locked on another royal target as he watches from just above the ground while the Lion Guard along with Twilight head on over to the castle.





Twilight and Fuli were the first to arrive at the castle with Kion arriving seconds later. But by then, the former’s sudden worries were proven true as soon as she opened the doors and found what she feared. Both Kion and Fuli also gasped in shock with what they are seeing in front of them.

“But come on!” Bunga tried to call out to the others in an effort to backpedal what he just said. “Starlight Glimmer coming with an evil plot for revenge even while knowing that she can’t take on and win a fight against Twilight and Kion! That’s so silly!”

"Or it's totally true!" Ono said otherwise once he and the others arrived on the scene in order to see what everyone else is seeing…

Starlight Glimmer waiting for them while lounging on Fluttershy’s throne  with her back legs lifted up onto the table and her front hooves against the back of her head, smugly and arrogantly smirking as always.

"Welcome home, Twilight!"

“I knew it!” Ono exclaimed with wide eyed fright.

Twilight was the first to react by spreading open her wings, flaring her nostrils and stomping her hoof to assert her authority as someone who shouldn’t be messed with.

"You again, Starlight?! What do I have to do to get a restraining order to truly defeat you for good?!"

“Now, now, Twilight. That won’t be necessary. After all you arrived just in time for the true party taking place today, and both you and Kion are the guests of honor.”

With her horn glowing, stronger than ever before, she levitated a scroll into the air. The paper itself began to glow before shooting a beam of light towards the rounded table which revealed the three dimensional map of Equestria.

"What are you doing?!" Kion demanded with his wings spread out, horn flared, and with a gritted teeth growl. While he fiercely stood by Twilight’s side the others got in fighting stances ready to fight her when necessary. And considering she’s harder and tougher than most of the Outsiders combined they are still not going to underestimate her this time around.

“Watch and learn, prince of fire.” She levitated the scroll and crumpled it before tossing aside to the floor. "Won't be needing that any more."

As the now crumpled up piece of paper rolled over to the ground the map suddenly reacted. A powerful wind surrounding them, making their tails, fur and manes bellow against it as bright rings began to emerge from the map itself. Twilight attempted to shoot at it with her magic but the beams only deflected her attempts instead.

The beams merged together from above and a large round opening suddenly tore open with a transparent dome appearing over it surrounded by clocks with stars. Starlight's eyes gleamed with ambition intent as the sound of clocks ticking as the clocks around the orb moved to showcase various different times. Bright bolts of lightning began shooting from the inside.

Starlight's body began to glow, becoming surrounded by her own magical aura. She smiled wickedly at her foes, gave them a taunting salute before pushing her body forward and entered the vortex, which magically closed and disappeared right before their very eyes. The winds ceased and everything seemed to look the same as before but Starlight Glimmer was now gone. 

"Where'd she go?" Spike asked, looking up to where the unicorn had disappeared to. 

"I don't know.” Kion replied trying to figure out the answer to the question herself before turning her attention to the scroll Starlight had left behind. “But I think I have a pretty good idea it had something do with the spell she had just used.”

“You mean this piece of paper?” Bunga asked as he approached it. "I guess we could start with this!" He commented while picking up the crumpled up scroll Starlight had just thrown away.

"Bunga, no! Don't touch that!"

The moment his claws made contact with the scroll, the spears around the map emerged once more and the vortex Starlight had just escaped to opened once more. Suddenly, the scroll unraveled and the powerful winds began to pull Bunga and the scroll upwards to the vortex. He tried to fight it but couldn’t stand his ground against it’s strength.

“Bunga!”

“Little B!”

Kion wasted no time in rushing forward and leaping up on Beshte’s back in an effort to grab him with the both Ono then Fuli, and Twilight also leaping forward grabbing onto each other tail to tail, leg to leg, paw to paw while Beshte tries to firmly plant himself to the ground in an effort to resist the vortex’s power.

Twilight tried her hardest in using her magic to stop the vortex from sucking them inside along with Kion grunting with all of his might to save everyone around them but it’s power was just too much for them. That along with Kion’s magical concentration being broken when he felt something painful in his tail to the point he suddenly didn’t feel well as soon as it happened. He ended up passing out but was quickly caught by his best friend Twilight grabbing him before he could fall just when the vortex closed up after they were all sucked inside.

What everyone doesn’t know of what really happened was that Sumu the scorpion had managed to sneak his way in the castle and ended up injecting his deadly venom in Kion’s system just before he was sucked up inside the vortex. How he managed to avoid getting caught in the vortex is anyone’s guess.





The group held onto one another as tightly as they could. Bunga held onto Ono who in return held onto Spike as they all screamed together. Fuli held paws and hooves with Twilight who is still hanging onto the now unconscious Kion with no way of knowing what had just happened when they have no idea where the vortex is taking them as they pass through an hourglass along the way. At the bottom of the group Beshte is trying his hardest to remain calm by positioning himself underneath the group ready to plant his feet into the ground so he can ensure his friends have a safe landing on top of him. It wasn’t too long before an opening at the very end of the spectrum.

They saw daylight, blue skies and flurry clouds, but to them, not quite what they’d expect it to appear.

The vortex finally opened and the group fell from the portal, which closed in mid air thus causing them all to fall down at a high speed. Thinking fast, Twilight used her magic to create a large pink dome below them so that Beshte doesn’t break his legs upon landing. After struggling to hold onto to both Spike and Bunga his grip gave out leading to them to fall down towards the dome.

“WHOA!” Both screamed.

“Hapana!”

Luckily for him, the two landed safely not that it helped Ono’s mind to be put at ease. He still felt a bit shaken up inside feeling had it not been for Twilight’s magic can through to their aid once again it could have gone down a whole lot fatal.

“We’re okay!” They both stated in assurance.

Twilight was able to hold to her grip on both Fuli and Kion with the former noticing that her friend isn’t doing well right now as they all landed gently onto the nearby ground below them. Said ground happens to be a runway, one that looks very familiar to the group of friends wondering what had just happened.

The very first matter of business is Twilight and Fuli both tending to Kion who doesn’t seem to be waking up.

“Kion! Are you okay?!”

“What happened?!”

“My...tail…” He briefly and weakly uttered just when the others rushed on over in concern for one of their best friends.

Twilight turned her head towards his tail and ended up finding the red bump the scorpion’s sting had left behind. She gasped upon realizing and recognizing what had happened. “You have been stung by a scorpion.”

“And judging from the look of that sting it’s got to be from one of the most deadliest in all of the Savannah!” Ono further deduced upon further inspecting the sting mark that was left behind.

“Not just one of the most deadliest Ono, the deadliest in the Savannah.” Twilight corrected. “This is Sumu’s doing.”

“Sumu?”

“Who’s he?”

Both Bunga and Beshte curiously asked.

“And how do you know him?” Fuli also asked equally curious and somewhat suspicious for this recently accurate knowledge shared with them.

Twilight looked around the group of friends who are expecting the truth out of her this time around while mentally berating herself for her own personal slip of the tongue. After exchanging looks similar to when her pony friends did to her when asked about her knowledge of Nightmare Moon, Twilight moved to confess how she knows him.

“Back when I was working with Scar, I was scouting the Outlands for new recruits to join his army. During one of my scouts, I nearly came across his deadly stinger at one point when I first met him.” She recalled said memory where she was trotting along the Outlands pathway when she heard the scorpion’s voice call out to him.





“Hey!” She froze in her tracks and found her front hooves just an inch away from the scorpion’s stinger. “Watch where you’re going!”

“Oh! I’m so sorry!” She quickly scooted herself a few steps back to avoid getting stung herself with a nervous and sheepishly forced grin. “Good thing you warned me when you did, otherwise that could have ended pretty bad for me.”

“Not to mention deadly.” He further emphasized his point by nearly stabbing the alicorn on the tail to which she swiftly and instinctively had it dodge the stinger. “If I had actually stung you’d be dead right on the spot. If lucky should someone take you to the volcano over there you’d live to tell of the tale of how you survived it.”

“Really? You don’t say.” Twilight remarked sounding impressed with her sudden discovery. “Well, now that you mentioned it, I happen to know a friend who would really be interested in properly utilizing this special talent of yours. Maybe perhaps on someone who you have a beef with or a grudge against?”

“Yes…” He commented rather darkly as he has a mindset filled with venomous intent. “...I do.”

“Do you?” Twilight deviously smiled liking what she is learning about him already. “Well, lucky for you said friend of mine is around and would be very interested in investing in your services that this if you are equally interested as well.”

Sumu slammed his stinger into the ground once more to cement his decision. “I’m in!”

“Perfect!” Twilight moved to shake Sumu before quickly going for the delicate approach on the tail to avoid touching his stinger again with the former apologetically smiling once more before it turns into a more dark and pleased one. “If you would just huddle together with me, we’ll get on over inside the volcano where my friend should be at and will be very eager to meet you.”

Sumu did as she asked just when Twilight worked her magic in doing a teleportation spell on over there.





Inside the volcano, Twilight appeared right inside the caldera where Scar turns around from looking on at the boiling lava pit as he sees her along with the new Outsider she has just met.

“Ah, Sumu.”

“Scar.”

"Welcome back."

The two shook each other paw to stinger while Twilight looks on curiously that the two are well acquainted with one another before meeting each other.

“You two know each other?”

“Of course, Twilight.” Scar confirmed with a nod. “Sumu here was an old friend of mine back when I was a teenager during my Lion Guard years or more accurately during the time I took many patrols on my own. We met each other on during one of those patrols where I happen to come across him face to face.”





He recalled meeting up with him just after he had killed the strange lion and his cobra companion who is responsible for giving him his scar and killing his mother along with painting him as the bad guy who his family and friends turned on back when trying to act all friendly and stuff.

“Hey!” He barked just when the fuming lion striding right past him when they were walking in opposite directions. “In a hurry!”

“Sorry, I was just taking care of some needed justice to someone who deserved it.” He replied as he briefly stopped and turned back to face him.

“Uovu along with sneaky snake ally? Sounds about right considering I just heard you roaring at something or someone while causing that volcano over there to erupt.” He pointed his stinger towards said volcano that is now covered with lava. “Along with the fact that he took away something you used to care about. Hit you where it hurt.”

“And how would you know something like that?”

“Pride Lands gossip spreads fast and there is the fact with what I heard and saw that I can read you just like a fiery flame. And from what I’ve also heard is that your family never understood you, Your friends they all turned your backs on you. You couldn’t take it anymore and you’ve decided you no longer want anything to do with them.”

Scar looks on impressed. “Wow! Three out of three! Impressive!”

“I’ve seen it enough to know what’s what. So now that you have taken care of the traitor’s to the crown, what are you going to do now?”

“Much like with earlier, I still have more justice I need to carry out.” He answered as he looked on ahead in Pride Rock’s direction. “The very much needed kind of justice.”

“Sounds interesting. Ever thought of taking up others who would be willing to help you?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean considering you’re going up against a mighty prince and a very powerful king of the beasts, it would certainly be a very daring task to challenge them.”

“It would but there would no way the rest of the Guard would be willing to side with me when it is clear they prefer and favor Mufusa more.”

“Then why stop there when they have to listen to you since you’re their leader. You don’t have to rely on the king or the prince to tell you or them what to do when you have the power to command them into doing what you think is right. Even if they don’t care about what you want, you have the right to do of what you think is best for everyone especially yourself.”

Scar gave it some good thought and after a minute of thinking he decided that he was right. At this point he is done listening to what any of his friends, his father, along with his brother have to say about what is best for everyone. They didn’t trust nor cared about what he had to say and because of it the queen, their mother is now dead. So why should he continue to follow their orders in the name of what they define as “good.”?

“You’re a very smart scorpion.” Scar said to him with a pleased smile as he held out his bared paw so they can shake on a deal together. “In fact, I would feel honored if you’re also willing to help.”

“Anything for the true and rightful king, your majesty.” He replied while returning the shake in kind.

“Excellent.”

“And before I forget my name’s Sumu, Askari.”

“Please…” The lion politely insisted. “Call me Scar.”

As the two shook on it, from there a partnership was formed. One that would help carry out Ahadi’s last day of life when it is clear he has nothing else to live for in life with all that has happened, leading to his own son taking his life once the poison had done it’s work.





Back in the present, everyone is now fully processing what Twilight had just told them. 

“When he told me of how they met he never specified what kind of deal they made together. It is only after he casually slipped out that he personally killed his ill father of what it truly was.”

“Whoa!”

“Un-Bunga-veilable!”

“Didn’t see that coming!”

“Me neither!”

“At least that now explains half of what’s going on now.” Twilight solemnly explained mentally berating herself for introducing Sumu to Scar in the first place. “And it took this long for Scar to actual utilize Sumu’s venom against one of us, soon to be two, actually.” She then turned to their sick friend with such sorrow. “Oh, Kion. I am sorry this happened to you. You and your dad.”

“Don’t worry, Twilight. It’s all in the past. Right now we just need to focus on the best course of action from here so we can stop Scar and Starlight and save both Kion and Simba.” Fuli quickly assured they have no hard feelings directed at her for what she did back then. “We’ll get through this I promise you.”

“Like my dad always says “You can’t dwell on the past too much, only keep moving forward with the present looking ahead into the future.”” Beshte optimistically added.

Now Twilight felt better with moving forward. “Thanks.”

"So now that we know what is going on, where are we?" Bunga asked, looking at their surroundings as he was already to move forward with the issue at hoof and paw. 

“Well Bunga, it’s…” Ono tried to answer before being cut off mid-sentence.

The honey badger’s eyes widen as he suddenly realized. “What a second! I recognize this place! It’s Cloudsdale!” 

“Yes, it is Cloudsdale, congratulations Bunga.” He commented rather stunned for once that he managed to figure it out that fast, again.

"Starlight doesn't even have wings!" Spike commented. "Why would she come here?"

“My best guess is that she is here to try to ruin something here on Scar’s orders.” Twilight commented as she tried to further understand and analyze the other half of Scar’s plan. “But what exactly?

“And how can she fly with just magic?” Fuli asked equally confused as everyone else gathered around them.

"I don't know, Fuli. But the answer is here somewhere." Twilight replied as she still tries to sort everything out by analyzing the scene around them.

Just then the answer came speeding right past them to the point both Spike and Bunga nearly fell to the ground through the clouds. 

“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!”

Luckily for them, both Twilight and Fuli were quick to whisk them away from the edge of the runway.

“Whew!”

“Thanks!”

“You’re welcome!”

“No problem!” Turning her attention back to the speedy filly she suddenly recognized something familiar. “And was that Rainbow Dash?”

Spike pulled out his binoculars from his backpack so he can take a closer look himself. “Looks like it.”

“Let me see!” Bunga snatched the binoculars as he took a look himself. “Oh holy Timon! It is Rainbow Dash!”

"Did she look really young to you?" Twilight asked, with her tone filled with worry. "And I didn't see a cutie mark…" She then realized with a gasp. “Sweet Celestia! That’s it! The Sonic Rainboom!”

“What do you mean?” Spike seized back the binoculars to get a closer look at the young Rainbow Dash talking to a couple of young colts, while defending a young Fluttershy. Both are indeed without their cutie marks. "Oh! It is her! And Fluttershy. Only, filly Fluttershy. You don't think…"

"…We traveled back in time to when Rainbow Dash raced the bullies who made fun of Fluttershy and performed her first sonic Rainboom? But that also means..." Ono also concluded, his eyes widening in horror,."Oh great King Simba! We traveled back in time!"

“But how?” Fuli asked. “I thought that was a very rare hard to achieve kind of spell?” 

"She can't!" Twilight answered. "Only Star Swirl the Bearded could do something like that, and even his spell just went back a week! How could Starlight do more than the greatest wizard in Equestria?"

The sound of paper rustling caught their attention and Spike lifted up the scroll that Starlight used to make it possible. 

"With this."

Twilight's eyes widened as she read the words in silence, her wings slightly raising up in alarmed awareness. "Star Swirl's spell! Oh no!"

"But why would Starlight bring us to this specific moment?" Beshte asked.

“So she can stop the moment it all happened!” Twilight exclaimed in horror. “The very moment of what allowed me and the other girls to obtain our cutie marks at the exact same time and the very moment that had you all working as a team together for the first time.”

“When I was saved by the hyenas as an unborn egg” Ono asked as Twilight nodded with her face still looking on in horror. “But if that’s what she’s here for then…” He then gasped. “Hapana! Then I’ll never be born!”

“Then that also means we will never meet the Pony Guard!”

“And that both the Pride Lands and Equestria will never be together as one!”

The others realized as the horrifying gasps come out when it all sinks in just how massive a change like this was have on everyone going forward.

“Oh, no! We have to stop her!” Bunga was quick to rush on ahead before being frozen in place by Twilight. “Hey! What gives?!”

“Like before, blending in without sticking out and scaring the fillies here.” She replied before working her magic to make proper disguises so they won’t cause too much of an alarm here in Cloudsdale.

With a bright sparkling glow, his along with Ono, Beshte, Fuli’s, and Kion’s bodies were all covered in her magical magenta aura. In a sudden bright flash the crew all had new appearances. Pegasus pony appearances where the Lion Guard all had the same body color and eyes, with manes and tails in their place.

Fuli had a short brown top with a long brown tail with yellow streaks. Beshte has a plump appearance with a short black mane and tail. Bunga has a medium length white mane and tail. Ono’s much like Beshte is a short mane and tail with the hair on his white body being orange much like his feathers. Spike has a slighty chubby body with a purple body and a short green mane and tail. Kion’s red mane and tail is just as long as Twilight’s while the alicorn herself appeared nearly the same with the sole exception being is that her scar has vanished.

“Wow!” She commented to herself upon seeing herself without her scar though she is perfectly aware that it’ll reappear in time. “Never thought I’d see myself like this anytime soon.”

“Me neither.” Fuli agreed as she examined her pony body while floating from the ground, given that she has had some flight experience having wings once before. “Along with appearing like a pony myself.”

“No kidding!”

“Poa!”

“Interesting.”

Spike however shrugged in response. “Eh. I’ve seen better.”

“Cool!” Bunga remarked already liking his new pony appearance before moving to take lead. “Well what are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

"Go where?" Fuli asked.

"To watch the race. I don't wanna miss the Rainboom! Whoa!" Because he didn’t watch where he was going he ended tripping and nearly fell off of the runway and was left clinging on for dear life. “Twilight, a little help please?”

“Of course.” She then motioned towards the wings on his back with a stoic and deadpan look to which had the honey badger chuckling in embarrassment upon realizing he has the power of flight on his side here.

“Oh right!”

By flapping really hard he was able to lift himself up off of the ground and continued on.





With Twilight’s guidance, she was able to help Bunga and Beshte fly up to some nearby clouds when they struggled to gain control over their flight with both Fuli and Ono there to assist them. Ono already a flyer from birth had no trouble adjusting to his Pegasus body. And as for Kion well due to still being unconsciousness and ill from the scorpion’s sting is still being carried by Twilight who would frequently look on in worry for his well-being.

With volcanic ash being the only remedy that can cure him and with time against them, she needs to personally wish that she can defeat Starlight and get back to the present so she can stop Scar from succeeding in killing him and his father along with the rest of the Royal Family. Otherwise, the road will be paved and set for an easy take-over by his army.

After a much needed adjustment period, Twilight and the Lion Guard have all managed to find some suitable clouds for them to land on so they can all watch the race unfold. And once more, Twilight looked on at Kion in worry while steeling her emotional nerves so they can focus on the task at hoof.

“Hang in there, Kion.” Twilight gently said in his direction just when Fuli turns her attention towards them equally concerned and worried.

“We’ll get you healed as soon as possible.” Fuli added to which had the young lion barely moaning in pain yet unable to utter a word in reply.

“And we’ll get both Starlight and Scar to pay for this too!” Bunga furiously stated with pounded fists.

Just then the young Fluttershy held the flag in her mouth, signaling the racers to start. The young Rainbow Dash and her opponents, the bullies who teased Fluttershy, flew right past her so fast that she ended up spinning around and falling from the cloud she was standing on.

“Fluttershy!” On instinct, Ono readied to go and catch her, only to be stopped by Twilight, who silently reminded him that it has to play out like this and that she’ll be all right. Even still, seeing her fall is still a very hard sight to watch. Especially when he could have saved her	. 

Their attention returned to the speedy little Rainbow Dash, who was off to an early lead ahead of her opponent while the other fillies cheered her name loudly and repetitively. They flew across several clouds with many twists and turns where one of the bullies lost his balance and collided with a cloud. With him out of the race it was now down to both Rainbow Dash and Hoops.

Rainbow smiled while feeling the wind of her face and the adrenaline inside of her kicking in. But during this, she was suddenly and fiercely shoved aside by Hoops, who laughed and saluted mockingly before flying off. 

"Heh. Later, Rainbow Crash!"

"Hey!" In response to the bully’s cheating, Rainbow flapped faster than before, gaining so much speed that she was gaining momentum in being able to create the Sonic Rainboom.

But, one unicorn who managed to make her way around the clouds unnoticed was not about to let it happen. Unlike her foes, Starlight's pony body remained the same as it did before the portal open, making her be the only one who doesn’t blend in with the others, but even still she didn’t care about her appearance in the slightest. She slid from a cloud, smiling wickedly, levitating her body with her own magic as she prepared to her part in destroying the Lion and Pony Guard’s friendship.

"Aww, sorry about this!"

Rainbow was only seconds away from performing the rainbow but just as the sound barrier was about to break, Starlight shot a magic beam, freezing the pony in mid-flight. 

"Hey! What gives?"

The foals cheered when Hoops reached the finish line, and there was no sign of a Rainboom anywhere in sight. And already it’s ripple effect was already going underway.

Without the Rainboom, Fluttershy's animals had no reason to be scared, and thus she couldn't comfort them in any away and so they left much to her saddened shock.

Applejack looked on at the dreary city of Manehattan, the clouds looking as gray as her soul. There was nothing for her to look at out there so she closed the curtain behind her, never seeing her home nor wanting to return in a long time.

Pinkie rolled the rocks on her family's farm and looked up at the sky. There was nothing for her to smile about around here, and there never will be ever in her life going forward.

Rarity had followed her magic towards a giant boulder in the middle of nowhere. But, without a loud noise to break it apart in order to reveal the beautiful gemstones inside of it to use for her school play costumes, the unicorn tossed the rock off the cliff and walked away unsatisfied and with great disappointment.

Twilight Sparkle tried and tried as hard as she could, but there was no spark to make herself activate her own magic. No reaction or anything. She couldn't open the dragon egg, and thus she could not get into magic school. And she never became Celestia's student.

But while all of these events were happening in Equestria, somewhere in the Savannah, the young group of children were all left defeated with the hyenas all running off with Ono’s egg. Without the power of teamwork along with the Sonic Rainboom’s influence around to give them that much needed boost, the Lion Guard never came to be as much as the Pony Guard’s creation and friendship never happened.

At that moment in the current timeline Princess Luna gasped with sudden chest pain due to feeling this magical disturbance. 

Twilight too felt the same pain as she nearly stumbled and collapsed nearly dropping Kion when it happened. 

“What’s going on?!”

“Twilight!”

Fuli was quick to help catch Kion before he could fall while helping her back up to her hooves with everyone else moving to help her steady her footing until she could regain her balance.

“Are you okay?!”

“I’m fine.” With her fury ignited once more she spread out her wings and moved to quickly tackle the unicorn responsible for preventing the Sonic Rainboom and causing this catastrophic ripple in time.

"What did you do?!"

Starlight Glimmer only smiled in triumph feeling she has now succeeded with what she has done. "You are about to find out."

The powerful winds surrounded the group of friends once more and the time vortex opened above their head, sucking in Twilight, Spike, Kion, Fuli, Beshte, Bunga, and Ono along with it.





The friends (sans Kion) screamed as they fell from the portal, landing hard on the ground. The spell Twilight had cast wore off and their bodies returned to their original animal forms with Twilight’s scar reappearing.

"Aww! I just getting used to that body!" Bunga sadly remarked as he wiggles his fingers while clenching them as if they were pony hooves.

Twilight rubbed her head, realizing she had landed on some kind of chair. Her eyes widened when she saw the Cutie Map in front of her. Only problem is that it’s not exactly the same Cutie Map in the correct timeline. Instead of it’s calm and cool shade of bright blue, was a tainted and bloody shade of red. She studied the map, realizing that the Crystal Empire was now and somehow, have taken over half of Equestria.

“Oh, no!”

“What is it? What happened?!” Ono anxiously asked.

“Look!” Twilight pointed her hoof towards where she is looking where everyone else all gasped in shocked when they fully processed their surroundings.

While Equestria still looked as it did a few moments ago in Cloudsdale, flash like appearance and all, only…

The Castle was missing!!