//------------------------------//
// Attack of the Clones 
// Story: Friendship is Epic - Book 3: Blessings of the Night 
// by FlareGun45 
//------------------------------//

It’s been a week since our big moment, and a couple of days after the Summer Sun Celebration, but it looks like that moment maybe coming to an end, because we’re in big big trouble now! The trouble all started last night at Sugarcube Corner. Mr. and Mrs. Cake were getting all cleaned up for the night, when suddenly their babies started crying….. again! They started playing rock, paper, scissors to see who should be the one to comfort them. They both kept picking rock, and since it was a tie, they both decided to go up to calm them down together. While they were upstairs to calm down their babies, somepony mysterious appeared from under one of the tables, and started stealing the candies and the baked goods, but the thief wasn’t quiet about it, and the Cakes ran downstairs to find the thief. The mysterious thief jumped out of nowhere, and stares at them mischievously. The Cakes start screaming, and the thief runs away. They got really upset, and called the town police; the ones that were never seen by human eyes before.

But the Cakes weren't the only ones that experienced thievery. Over at Sweet Apple Acres, there was a thief inside the farm, stealing some cider barrels, and crates with other apple products inside; plus Big Mac's plow. Somehow the thief was trying to get noticed, because it was making so much noise, and it woke up the family. AppleJack, Big McIntosh, Winona, and Granny Smith bursted into the barn, wanting to defend their products. AppleJack was carrying a rake, Big Mac was carrying a spade, and Granny Smith still had her blind fold on, and was carrying spoon to defend. "Y'all get off my lawn ya wipper snappers!" Granny Smith cried. 

"Granny, there's only one of them." AppleJack said. The thief showed his face, and ran off. AppleJack was in shock after she saw the face of that pony. "It can't be!" she said. Winona chased the thief out of the Apple property, and the thief got away.

Another thief snuck into Carousel Boutique and started stealing the gems, the sewing machines, and the dummies. I can understand why a thief would want a sewing machine and dummies, but why the gems? Unless the thief was a dragon, that would probably be the case; although the thief wasn't a dragon, I can tell you that much. The thief was making so much noise, but Rarity sleeps with ear plugs on, and a blind fold, which seems to be a pretty riskful move when you're trying to sleep. You may get peaceful sleep, but what if thieves break into your home? Opal woke up though, and saw the thief, and then she hid in a pile of clothes on the floor in fear. I don't know what the big deal was for the thief, because the thief TRIED to get Rarity's attention. The thief tried to wake her up by playing trumpet, a drum, an air horn, and even an obnoxious cell phone ringtone. The thief was concerned to why Rarity didn't wake up, but then she saw the ear plugs on her ears. The thief removed the plugs, and made noise which woke Rarity up. Rarity got frightened and screamed. The thief showed thier face at her, which made her faint in shock. The thief left the shop shortly after.

The next day came, and Psyche just got up and drank some coffee, but then there was a knock on his door. He sighed and said; “Oh that better not be Twisted Sister again!” He complained.

A cutaway gag shows Psyche a few weeks ago, answering to a knock on the door, who was Dee Snider and his band on the other side, and he yells; “YOU WON THE DEE SNIDER WEEKEND!”

“WOOOOOO!” Another pony yelled from behind Psyche. The entire band runs inside, turning up the volume of the stereo, and started dancing in his living room, knocking everything over, and throwing food on the ground. One of the ponies stands on top of a speaker and shouts; “I WANNA ROOOOOCK!” He jumps off the speaker and fellyflops on the floor.

“What is going on here?!” Psyche asked.

“Call 1-800-STEAMER!” Dee Snider sang.

“I’m good!” The pony that bellyflopped off the speaker said in pain. 

Just then a pony that works at Stanley Steamer comes in, and cleans up Psyche’s carpet, and the TV announcer says in the background; “No one cleans the rock ‘n’ roll out of your carpet like Stanley Steamer; for carpet, wood, and tile!”

“Stanley Steamer gets YOUR HOME CLEANER!” Dee Snider sang, as the Stanley Steamer van drives by. The gag ends.

Psyche opens his front door, and a couple of Royal Guards were standing outside. “Can I help you with something?” Psyche asked.

“You Psyche Illusion?” one of the guards asked.

“We represent the Canterlot Royal Guard.” The guard said.

“Duh! It’s pretty obvious, bro! He can tell by our armor!” the other guard reminded his partner.

“Y-yeah, can I help you with something?” Psyche asked.

“Sorry, Mr. Illusion, but you’ll have to come with us.” The first guard said.

“Going where?” Psyche asked.

“Canterlot prison, awaiting your trail.” The guard said.

“TRIAL?! For what?!” Psyche asked.

“For attempted robbery.” The guard said.

“But I didn’t attempt any robbery!” Psyche confusingly said.

“Yeah, we have many reports saying you did. Come along quietly, sir.” The guard said, as they led Psyche to their carriage.

Wasn’t just Psyche that was arrested. Aqua was taking a shower when suddenly, the guards bursted through his bathroom door and yelled; “FREEZE, AQUATIC ARMOR!”

“Do ya mind?! Have any of ya heard of knockin?!” Aqua complained. The guards just stood there, looking at eachother, and one of them knocked on the door that was already kicked opened. “Come in.” Aqua said in a disturbed tone.

After Aqua was arrested, they arrived at Engie’s house and knocked on his door. Engie opened the door and said; “Yes?”

“Red Engineer? Please come with us.” One of the guards asked.

“Ya have a warrant?” Engie asked. The guard showed the warrant to Engie, and he said; “Oh…. Ah see…. Well, if that’s the case; ah hope ya realize y’all are at a house with- A BUNCH OF SENTRY GUNS IN HIS LAWN!” Engie pushes a button on his remote, and a bunch of sentries pop up, and aimed their sights at the guards.

“Sir, it’s going to take a lot more than a bunch of turrets to hold us hostage.” One of the guards said.

“What do ya mean?” Engie asked.

“You hold us hostage, a bunch of reinforcements will show up and take you by force.” The other guards said.

“Ya sure ‘bout that? Not if ah just shoot ya now!” Engie smirked.

“You wouldn’t dare!” the first guard stood up to Engie.

“Oh yeah? TRY ME!” Engie shouted, and pressed another button on his remote to signal the guns to fire at the guards, but only water squirted out of the guns, and spun around Engie’s lawn. Engie felt really embarrassed. “Oh would ya look at that! Ah accidentally activated mah sprinklers.” Engie said embarrassedly.

After Engie was arrested, Blaze was next. Blaze was flying high in the sky with speeds over 120 mph, and that was his cruise speed! He’s probably going as fast as Comcast internet service! Well…. I dunno about you, but that connection is fast for me. I dunno, I never tried AT&T, so I can’t explain if that speed is even faster. Hey, any speed is better than Dial-Up on a Windows 98 computer! Now as Blaze was flying by, some royal guards were flying just as fast as him. “You Blaze Goldheart?” one of the guards asked.

”I could be.” Blaze said.

“You’ll need to come with us.” The other guard said.

“Oh? And why is that?” Blaze asked.

“Attempted robbery. Please come along quietly.” The first guard asked.

“Sure, I’ll do it…. If you can beat me in a race to Cloudsdale power plant! Ready, set, go!” Blaze yelled as he flew really fast. One of the guards takes out a tazer and just electrocutes Blaze.

“We don’t have time to race with criminals.” One of the guards said.

“I didn’t even do anything!” Blaze yelled as he was getting tazed.

“Don’t say ‘I didn’t do anything’, it’s no use saying that. It never works.” The guard explained.

Blaze was done for, now all that’s left was Crystal Iceblast, whom was sharing a chocolate shake with Thunder. “Crystal Iceblast?” the guard asked Thundy.

“No, I’m Black Thunder. That’s Crystal Iceblast.” Thunder said, pointing at her.

“Good job, Thunder. You just got your marefriend arrested, and ruined her trust.” The guard teased as he hoofcuffed Crystal.

“THUNDY?! HOW COULD YOU?!” Crystal cried.

“I didn’t know! What did you do wrong?” Thunder asked.

“NOTHING! But one thing’s for sure, Thundy…. I blame you for whatever is going on here.” Crystal said, as the guards took her away. Each of my five closest friends have each been arrested, and taken to the prison in Canterlot, but the thing was, I wasn’t arrested unlike them, and I didn’t even notice until I was told. Rainbow Dash was flying through town, kicking some of the clouds away, when suddenly her cell phone rang. Her ringtone was ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ from Wizard of Oz. Wow, that’s pretty embarrassing! I would’ve thought she had a rock ‘n’ roll song?

“This is Rainbow Dash! Your day just got 20% cooler!” Rainbow Dash said, as she answered her phone.

“Dashie…. I…. I have a bit of a problem.” Blaze said. As soon as Blaze explained his situation, one of the only ponies she can turn to was me. She flew to my shop, and flew inside fast. “Flare? We have a big problem here! It turns out some friends of yours have been- are you reading?”

She was right, I was reading a book. I held up a hoof signal, telling her to wait a second, and after a few seconds, I turned over to get her attention. “Hmm?”

“Well, this is certainly a change. I didn’t know you started reading on your free time.” Dash said, feeling impressed. “Welcome to the egghead club, Flare!”

“I didn’t read this by choice, the magic 8-Ball told me to.” I said, showing her my 8-Ball.

“Magic 8-Ball?” Dash asked.

“Yeah, I was going through my personal chest, to check on my old stuff, and I found my old 8-Ball! Instead of making my own decisions, the 8-Ball is going to make my decisions for me, Dashie!” I said.

“Cool! Anyways, did you hear the news about the Noble Six being arrested?” Dash asked.

“I dunno, let me ask the magic 8-Ball! Oh magic 8-Ball, did I hear that the Noble Six got arrested?” I asked it, and then I started shaking it, and it gave me my answer. “No, I didn’t.”

“Seriously?” Dash asked.

“Well the 8-Ball actually said, ‘How about asking someone that’ll actually know the answer?’ But I knew what it meant.” I said.

“Flare, FOCUS for a second! Your friends got arrested by the Canterlot royal guard, and are now being taken to the Canterlot prison! You need to go and see them!” Dash said.

“Alright, sure. Magic 8-Ball, should I go see my friends at the prison?” I asked it, and shook it and it gave me my answer. “It says; ‘Ask me again tomorrow.’ Alright then, maybe I’ll see them tomorrow.”

“UGH! C’mon, Flare!” Dash groaned, picking me up, and started flying me all the way to Canterlot so I can see the Noble Six. Before we were there, each of the Noble Six were talking to their most beloved companion.

“Blaze, how can this happen to you?!” Candy Cotton asked Blaze in a worried tone, chatting with him behind a glass.

“I don’t know, Candy. I just don’t know! Something is definitely up.” Blaze said.

“Well, when you finally get out, I have an awesome new trick to show you! Rainbow taught me how to barrel-roll while holding a barrel of water, without spilling a drop!” Candy said.

“A barrel of water? Isn’t that pretty heavy?” Blaze asked.

“Unfortunately, Rainbow is only making me hold a BOTTLE of water while I’m doing the trick.” Candy complained.

“Really?” Blaze asked.

“Yeah, it sucks, doesn’t it?” Candy asked.

“Umm…. Yeah, I guess so.” Blaze said.

“Aqua, I don’t understand. How is it that they don’t allow armor polishers inside prisoners?” Wind Racer asked.

“Ah’ve been tryin to find that out, but they think it’s a prisoner escape tool. Really? How can a polishers be considered a prisoner escape tool?!” Aqua complained.

“Somepony used one to clean the steel bars, and he cleaned them so good, they’re as clear as glass, and were more breakable.” One of the guards said.

“Ah don’t know how that is possible.” Aqua said with a derp-look on his face.

“Oooo, Psyche! Why are you in here?! They won’t let me come in and hug you!” Pinkie complained.

“It’s ok, Pinkie. You can try hugging me on the glass.” Psyche suggested.

“That won’t be the same at all! I tried hugging the bronies through the glass, but it never seems to work.” Pinkie explained.

Psyche started to chuckle. “Yeah, bronies. Yeah, those, ummm….. they’re a type of bird, right?”

Pinkie giggled. “Psyche, you’re so silly!”

“Says the sillier one.” Psyche teased.

“So I got 294 bits with me. You think that’s enough to bail you out?” Thunder asked.

“Thundy, don’t waste our money on getting me out.” Crystal said.

“You think I can survive out there all by myself, Crystal?! You know how hard it is to find another special somepony?! I’m gonna be miserable and alone for the rest of my life!” Thunder panicked.

“Well that isn’t good at all. Quick, Thundy! Bail me out of here! NOW!” Crystal demanded.

“Will you two relax?” Engie asked. “Thunder, Crystal bein in prison won’t affect yer relationship at anyway.”

“Oh…. That’s a relief!” Thunder said, wiping the sweat off his forehead.

“Sure is! Can’t be stuck in this filthy place alone! They expect us to share a toilet in here!” Crystal noted.

“Oh that is disgusting!” Thunder said.

“Well, your relationship won’t change, as long as Thundy doesn’t forget you, and leaves you in here.” Engie noted.

Crystal gasped. “Thundy, you better come and visit!” she demanded.

“Don’t worry, Crystal! I’ll be here every day! I ain’t leaving you here alone. I love you, Crystal!” Thunder said, holding his hoof against the glass.

“Awww, Thundy!” Crystal smiled, and placed her hoof on the glass with his.

“Hey, just be lucky y’all have somepony to visit ya, Crystal. Nopony came to visit me!” Engie complained.

“Wow, this is very shocking.” I said to Rainbow. “Seeing all my friends in jail! Oh, look, even Consuela’s son is doing time.” I pointed out.

“I see you soon, Rodrico.” The Hispanic maid said to her imprisoned son.

“Si, mama.” Her son said, and they both hung up their phones, and Consuela sprays Windex on the glass, and cleans it. So I went over, and I sat down with Blaze to see what went on with him.

“Sup brah?” I asked him.

“Terrible, man. I can’t fly in jail, you know.” Blaze complained.

“Ok, why is it that you always talk to Blaze first?” Engie complained.

“What happened, brah? It’s not like you to commit a crime.” I said.

“I don’t remember doing a crime at all.” Blaze said. “I guess, that was some heck of a party, huh Flare?”

“You were at a party last night?” I asked.

“No, I wasn’t really. I was making a joke. If you don’t remember commiting a crime it must mean you drank a lot of cider at a party or something. You know what happens when you drink too much cider, right Flare?” Blaze asked. I just stared at Blaze, and made a sarcastic laugh, which sounded like two quick in-hales. Blaze just sighed and facehoofed himself, shaking his head. “Can’t you let me have anything, brah?”

“Hey, you’re the one that’s in the Wonderbolts! I’ve been trying to get in that group for ages, but for some reason, Spitfire won’t let in.” I complained. A cutaway gag shows me in the Wonderbolts Academy, in Spitfire’s office.

“I’m sorry, Flare. But you’re really not Wonderbolt material, so I’m going to have to ask you to go.” Spitfire said.

“Why not?!” I asked.

“First of all, you’re not a Pegasus, you’re a unicorn.” Spitfire said.

“But I do have a jet-pack.” I said.

“That was the second thing I was going to say, the academy isn’t the wealthiest organization in Equestria. We can’t afford gas.” Spitfire said.

“Oh…. Well, I guess that explains it.” I said, turning in my badge. 

“I can’t believe Flare got to be lead pony as well!” Rainbow Dash complained. The cutaway ends. Soon after, I went to Aqua and had a talk with him.

“So they wouldn’t let you have an armor Polisher in there?” I asked him.

“A what?” Aqua asked.

“A Polisher.” I said. You see, he was confused because instead of ‘polisher’, like nail polish, I said ‘Polisher’, like Poland Polish.

“Umm…. Ah dunno, Flare.” Aqua said.

“So what happened? Why are you in here?” I asked.

“Ah dunno! Ah was takin a shower, then the guards bursted in and arrested me!” Aqua explained.

“Did they have a warrant?” I asked.

“Yes they did.” Aqua nodded.

“Maybe you were using up all the hot water. If that was the case, it explains it.” I said.

“Um, yeeeeah, I doubt that.” Aqua said.

“Well what could the reason be? That would pretty much be your crime. Using up all the hot water.” I said.

“Ah was arrested for stealin.” Aqua said.

“So yeah, I was right. You were stealing all the hot water in town for yourself!” I said.

“Sure, whatever ya say, mate.” Aqua said, wanting to end the conversation.

“Of course whatever I say! I’m so smart!” I said. After that, I went over to talk with Psyche next. “Psyche, brah, what are you doing in there without me?”

“I was wondering the same thing. How can we be arrested, but not you?” Psyche asked.

“You’re not suppose to go to prison without me, man! We’re cell buddies, remember?” I asked.

“Well, it doesn’t seem that way right now. It sure is quiet without you though at least.” Psyche smiled.

“Aww, Psyche! All the quietness in there, you must really miss me don’t you?” I asked. “Don’t worry, brah! If I can’t get you out, I’ll get myself arrested, so you won’t have to decent into madness with all the silence!”

“Oh I can hardly wait.” Psyche said sarcastically.

“So how did you get arrested?” I asked.

“I just woke up this morning, had some coffee, then the guards knocked on the door and arrested me.” Psyche said.

“Did you make that Stanley Steamer cutaway like I told you?” I asked.

“Yes I did.” Psyche nodded.

“Alright good! That’s another gold star on your chart! One more, and you get that free keychain!” I said, placing a star sticker on a ‘Favor chart’ with each of my friend’s names on them. I have the most stars, because I do most of my own favors more than anypony.

“Huzzah!” Psyche said.

“You’re not Luna. That’s minus one gold star.” I said, removing the star from his name. After that, I went over to Crystal, but she was too busy nuzzling on the glass with Thunder. I just awkwardly went over to Engie to talk with him.

“Ah know, ah find that pretty awkward too.” Engie said.

“So what are you charged for?” I asked.

“Well ah was charged for thievery, but then ah was charged for attempted hostage situation.” Engie said.

“Let me guess, you tried using your security to stop the guards, but you ended up using your sprinklers.” I assumed.

“NO….. maybe…..” Engie said.

I just glared at Engie, then I took out my Magic 8-Ball and asked it; “Magic 8-Ball, how should I respond to this?” I shook the ball, read it, and then I took out a garlic roll and smashed it on the glass.

“What was that?” Engie asked.

“I tried to stuff a garlic roll in your mouth, but it seems this force field is in the way.” I said.

“Ya mean the glass?” Engie asked.

“No if it was glass then I would either be seeing blurry, or drinking a nice cool iced tea right now.” I said, as I started to stare into space, thinking about that iced tea. “Hmmm!”

“Uhh…. Are you alright, partner?” Engie asked.

“I’m doing great, why?” I asked.

“So are ya gonna find a way to help us out of here?” Engie asked.

“But of course! But first, I’m going to get myself some iced tea! Not like one of those fruit-flavored iced teas! Freshly brewed! Mmm, mmm!” So I just turned around, and I walked out of the jail so I can get that iced tea.

“I hope Flare helps us out of here, and finds the real criminals behind this.” Aqua said.

“Just him?” Psyche asked.

“No, by himself he ain’t gonna do well, but if the Mane Six go on and help him, that might be our only solution.” Blaze said. So I came back eventually with some iced tea, and a snow-cone, because I wanted a snow-cone too. Mixture flavors!

“Where have ya been?” Engie asked.

“Me? I told you, I was getting some iced tea, but at the same time I wanted some snow cones.” I said.

“Flare, we need ya to go to the Mane Six.” Engie requested.

“Look, I can’t always keep going to them for help. We can take care of ourselves!” I said.

”Ya think we can take care of ourselves while we’re in here?” Aqua asked.

“Flare, you gotta go to them. They’re our only hope if we’re to get out of this dreadful place!” Blaze said.

“Perhaps I could, perhaps not. Let me ask the magic 8-Ball!” I said as I took out my 8-Ball and asked it if I should go to the Mane Six for advise.

“Ugh!” Psyche groaned and facehoofed himself.

“Alright, I’ll go!” I said. “The ball said, ‘I wouldn’t bet on you’, but I knew what it meant. 

It meant you couldn’t do this by myself, and right now, the Mane Six are pretty much the only ones that can help?” Aqua asked.

“Actually, I thought it meant I should go play Roulette while wearing red and white polka-dotted bowtie while gnawing on a pretzel stick looking like it’s a cigar, but your idea sounds better!” I said.

“Good. Now, we’re going to be on trial tomorrow morning at 10. You think you can get this done by then, brah?” Blaze asked.

“Hey you rhymed! Alright, I’ll do my best. But I should really do that bowtie and pretzel stick thing.” I thought.

So I went back to Ponyville, and went over to Golden Oak Library to ask for the Mane Six's help. "Twilight, you've been reading that book for days now, I think you should take a break." Rarity suggested.

"I can't take a break right now, Rarity." Twilight said. "I have to find out about this chest from the Tree of Harmony, and where to find the keys. I'll look all week without break if I have to."

"I dunno, maybe you're just reading it upside down." Pinkie said from behind Twilight's desk. "Here, let me help." Pinkie flips the book over to her direction and says, "There we go, that's better!" Twilight rolled her eyes and used her magic to flip the book back over to her direction.

"Twilight, Celestia and Luna said that finding these keys will take time." Spike said.

"Exactly! They'll obviously show up at a random time during our adventures." Rainbow Dash said.

"And I believe we'll find out what's in that box during the season finale." Pinkie said.

"Pinkie, you just get weirder and weirder each day." Rainbow commented.

"Maybe, or maybe you're getting less weirder and weirder each day. Ever thought of that, Dashie?" Pinkie asked while leaning close to Rainbow Dash's face.

Meanwhile, I started knocking on Twilight's door. Knock, knock, knock; "Twilight?" Knock, knock, knock; "Spike?" Knock, knock, knock; "The other five?"

"Awww, why did Flare have to put me in 'other'?" Pinkie whined.

Spike walked over to the door and opened it. "Hey, Flare! What are you doing here?"

"Oh I'm sorry. Do you not want me here?" I asked offendedly.

"No, of course not!" Spike said. "I mean.... yes? Wait, how am I suppose to answer that question? Is it yes or no?"

"Come in, Flare." Twilight said.

"Thank you, princess." I said as I walked inside.

"Flare, you don't have to call me that. I don't like it when my friends call me that." Twilight said.

"Exactly. That's why I did." I said.

Twilight rolled her eyes and asked, "What do you need?"

"I know you girls are obviously busy with your six-key chest that's obviously going to open in the season finale after the Equestria Games episode." I said.

"See? Told you!" Pinkie said. Rainbow Dash facehoofed herself.

"I am so confused right now." Fluttershy said.

"But I need some personal help." I said.

"Well, shoot, sugarcube; y'all can always ask help from us." AppleJack said, placing her hoof around me. "After findin' out yer friends turned out to be trespassin' criminals, it must be really hard bein' alone."

"You see, that's the thing. They're not trespassing criminals." I said.

"Don't be in denial, partner. It's ok." AppleJack said.

I moved AppleJack's hoof off my back and said, "What you don't understand is, it's not their faults. I never told you girls this story, but when I went to Mareami to rescue Crèmepop from Dr. Swinebutt, there was actually a reason why he kidnapped her. He was doing cloning experiments of me and my friends. He needed hair or blood samples to make them. He was able to make the clone of me. His name is Darth Flare."

"Wait, wasn't that your name when Discord cursed you back in Chaos Mountain?" Rarity asked.

"Ok, first of all: it wasn't a curse, it was one of Swinebutt's mind controlling devices." I said.

"And the second of all?" AppleJack asked.

I paused for a second and thought. "Oh. There is no second of all. I don't know why I said that."

"Flare, sometimes I don't get a word you say. You're confusing me more than the time Twilight and I went to go find the crystal heart and had to walk up that hundred story staircase." Spike mentioned. A cutaway shows him and Twilight climbing the stairs to the tower where the crystal heart is when King Sombra was attacking, and Spike tiredly asked; "Who the hay..... puts a crystal heart.... on hundred flights of Luna-damned stairs?"

"C'mon, Spike. Maybe the crystal heart.... maybe it's made of chocolate." Twilight teased and tiredly chuckled, and Spike glares at her. The cutaway ends.

"So yer sayin' Swinebutt made an evil clone of you?" AppleJack asked.

"Yes." I said. "Later on, Darth Flare betrayed Swinebutt, and stole the clone samples from him; and now, I believe he created the clones of my friends himself, and are now ruining my friend's lives."

"Flare, I'm sorry, but.... Princess Celestia told me that cloning yourself is only a myth." Twilight said.

"Yeah, unless you use the Mirror Pond which has been sealed up after an 'unfortunate innocent'." Rainbow said, glaring at Pinkie.

"What are you looking at me for?" Pinkie asked.

"What we're trying to say is: Cloning evil versions of somepony cannot be done." Twilight said.

"You're bluffing. Please tell me you're joking with me, Twilight." I begged.

"I wish I was." Twilight said upsettingly.

"Seriously? C'mon, any of you believe me?" I asked.

"Oh, I can believe you if you want me to." Fluttershy offered.

"But do you believe me though?" I asked curiously.

"Well.... I.... no." Flutters said sadly. "You're not mad are you?"

"Of course not. Alright fine, I don't need your help. These clones maybe too dangerous for you to handle anyway. Sorry, I even came to you." I said upsettingly.

"We're sorry, darling." Rarity said.

"It's ok." I said. "I know you have your own affairs to deal with, and I won't keep you from it."

"'Ey, Flare? Quick a question: Umm..... we didn't see you when the Everfree Forest was attackin'. Where were you durin' that time?" AppleJack asked.

"Oh that time? I didn't really care for the vines attacking the town. My friends and I were too busy planning Doctor Whooves' birthday party." I said. A cutaway shows the my friends and I decorating my shop with birthday decorations.

"Oh this party we have in plan for the Doctor is going to be really fun!" Engie said.

"Yeah, I was looking forward for this for a long time." Psyche said.

"Hey, did any of ya even notice what's goin' on outside?" Aqua asked.

"What? Those spikey things? Relax, the Mane Six will take care of them. They always do." Crystal said.

"Alright! Everything looks perfect!" Blaze said. "Alright, let's go pick up the Doctor. Can't have the party without the guest of honor!" When we got outside, the vines from Everfree were attacking the town, but we didn't care about them, despite all the ponies screaming and being tangled by them.

"Alright, so the Doctor should be right oveeeeeeeeeer.... here!" Engie said, pointing to an empty spot on the ground.

"Hey, where is he?" Blaze asked. "The Doctor always parks his TARDIS here."

"Wait, there's a note." I said as I picked it up from the ground and read it. It reads: "Gone for the 50th Anniversary Special. Please leave me some cake."

"Awww, but we got the party set up for him already!" Blaze whined.

"Hey look what I found!" Crystal said, holding up a cane of some sort with a ruby on the bottom and Twilight's head on the top.

"Oh my Faust!" Blaze complained as he facehoofed himself. "I am so tired of seeing references to that cane. If I see that cane again, I'm going to punch somepony in the face."

"Whatever. I'm gonna keep it!" Crystal said. 

"Ah dunno why everyone cares about that cane so much. Ah love this princess robe." Engie said as he was wearing Twilight's robe that Discord made for her. The cutaway ends.

So as I failed to gain help from the Mane Six, I lost hope of gaining help of finding the source of these shenanigans. I decided to just go and find the source by myself. I'd rather not, but the magic 8-Ball told me to. I started off by going to Sweet Apple Acres to gain information of what the apples saw. Unfortunately, the apples couldn't tell me what they saw, counting they can't communicate with me in anyway other than falling on my head, or choking me after the juice inside goes down the wrong pipe, so instead I had to talk to the Apples who ran the farm.

I went up to the door, ran the doorbell many times until Granny Smith answered the door. "Yeah, yeah! Ah hear ya, ah hear ya!" Granny said as she opened the door. "Hello, dear! Ah'm so glad y'all have come! Come in, come in, ah made pie!"

"Thanks, sista! I could use a little pie to help my thinking! What kind of pie did you make?" I asked an obvious question, as I followed her in.

Just then, Granny starts hitting me in the head with her cane saying, "Hello? Hello? Anypony home? Think, Aqua! Think!" 

"Ow! Ow! I'm not Aqua! I'm Flare!" I corrected her.

"Eh? Ya unicorns always look the same to me." Granny said, as she walked into the kitchen to get the pie.

"What is that suppose to mean?" I asked her with an offended tone. Don't worry, I wasn't really offended, this stuff doesn't really bother me. Besides, all senior citizens are racist.

"Don't worry, dear! Sit, sit! Have some pie, and ah'll tell you of the time ah met mah husband." Granny said, as we both sat on the table, and she started cutting me a piece of apple pie.

"Actually, Granny, I need to ask-" I was about to say, but she interrupted me.

"Celestia rests his soul, that stallion was a true gentlecolt! Ah sure do miss him a bunch!" she said.

"That's great, but I got something to-"

"Aww, ah remember when he asked me to go to the Grand Gallopin Gala with him. It was the most romantic night of our lives!" Granny said, interrupting me again.

"Granny, I-"

"Oh hush now, Aqua, let me finish mah story!" Granny said. So I just let Granny Smith tell the rest of her story, but she kept blabbering on for hours and hours, and I started to really get bored and tired. I'm quite surprised she didn't notice that my mind was somewhere else because I had that obvious look on my face that I wasn't really listening to her. My mind was so into space (SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE! Heh! I had to do that!), Winona came up to my face and started licking my nose. I don't feel comfortable around dogs, but my mind was nowhere right now. Oh.... wait, did I just say it was in space? Well, space and nowhere are kinda the same.

After a while went by, I looked up to the clock which said 3:49, I used my magic to change the clock to 7:00. "Oh would you look at the time, Granny Smith! I'm so sorry to interrupt your story, but this is the time I normally feed my fish, so I really better get going now." I lied.

"Well then! Time really does fly when yer havin fun! Have a good night, Aqua!" Granny said.

"You too!" I said, as I ran off as quickily as I can out of the orchard, and I headed over to Sugarcube Corner to ask the Cakes their side of the story. I went inside, and I almost stepped on Pound Cake. "Well, I'm pretty ashamed!" I said.

"Good afternoon, dear! What can I do for you?" Mrs. Cake asked.

"Well first, you should keep a closer eye on your kids. I almost stepped on ol Poundy here." I complained.

"Goodness! I am so sorry! He wanders off pretty good for his age!" Mrs. Cake said as she picked him up.

"I envy Pumpkin. When I was a baby, I only knew one spell. She knows alot! I wouldn't be surprised if you put her in Celestia's school." I said.

"Well, Carrot and I have been thinking that, and putting ol Poundy here to Flight Camp." Mrs. Cake said.

"Possum grade awesome!" I said. "Anyways, I need to axe you a few questions."

"Axe away, but be careful how you swing!" Mrs. Cake teased.

"Funny. So, about the robbers from last night." I started.

"How did you know about the robbers?" Mrs. Cake asked.

"Are the robbers back, honey?" Mr. Cake asked, jumping out of nowhere with a big spoon.

"Really, Mr. Cake? You use a spoon as a weapon?" I asked.

"Oh it's pretty effective, trust me." Mr. Cake said, lowing his guard.

"Your microwave is pretty effective too; it helped Spike and I travel in time once. So, do you two have any information about the robbers from last night?" I asked.

"Well...." Mrs. Cake started, but got interrupted by her husband.

"Oh you would love that, wouldn't you?" Mr. Cake asked.

"Lawl what?" I asked.

"It's always questions, questions, questions with the cops! Why don't you all just mind your own business? Ask the criminals questions, and leave us be!" Mr. Cake yelled as he grumpily walked upstairs.

"What was that about?" I asked Mrs. Cake.

"I am so sorry, Flare. My husband has been so grumpy after the robbers broke in. What's ironic is, they didn't steal anything." she said.

"It's understandable, and- wait, what? Did you say 'didn't steal anything'?" I asked.

"Yes, why?" Mrs. Cake asked.

"Rarity said the same thing to me. A robber broke inside her shop, but didn't steal anything." I said.

"Could it be, Engineer again?" Mrs. Cake asked.

"No, she said it was Aqua, but I'm telling you, it wasn't them! They're innocent!" I said.

"I know they're your friends, Flare, and you're really upset and wanting to help them get out, but we just have to face the facts that it was them that trespassed." Mrs. Cake said.

"NO! I keep saying, no! It was evil clones of them!" I yelled. "When I was rescuing my marefriend, Cremepop over at Mareami, Dr. Swinebutt made an evil clone of me, and now the evil clone of me has made evil clones of my friends, and they're trying to ruin them!"

Mrs. Cake sighed, and held me close to her. "Flare, dear, I know you feel in doubt right now. Why don't I make you a nice cup of hot tea? My treat!"

"UGH! SUPER GROANS!" I yelled. "Tea isn't going to help solve my problem! Tea is for when I'm upset, I'm not upset! I'm outraged!"

"So..... hot cocoa?" Mrs. Cake asked.

"YES!" I yelled and slamed on a table. "With marshmallows!" So, Mrs. Cake made me a hot cocoa on the house, and after all the outrage I experienced today, I just wanted to go home.

Meanwhile, Water and Crèmepop walked on over to my trailer, carrying a bunch of shopping bags and giggling. "You think Flare will love these ear rings?" Crèmepop asked.

"Of course he will!" Water said.

"I'm just so glad that I made myself even prettier than before." Crèmepop said.

"Crème, Flare would always think you're pretty." Water said.

"That is true." Crèmepop said.

"Regardless, it's a fact! You're beautiful!" Water said.

Crèmepop giggled. "Thank you, Water!"

"I'm dead serious, you're gorgeous! Flare is lucky to have a mare like you." Water said.

"Water, stop! I'm sure there are many other mares that Flare would think are more attractive than me." Crèmepop said.

"Are you kidding? I'm surprised the whole town didn't hit on you!" Water said.

"Flare thought Pinkie was prettier than me when he went out with her." Crèmepop said.

"Flare doesn't care about looks; he cares about the humor the most. Flare kept saying how awesome you were, but he thought you were just too good for him." Water said.

"You really mean it, Water?" Crème asked.

"If I didn't mean it, I would've said 'kidding' after I said that. Duh! Don't be a dummy!" Water said in an obvious tone.

"Hey! Who you calling a window model?" Crème complained.

As Water and Crème approched my trailer and went inside, they both heard Imperial March playing really loud in my bedroom. 



"Oh no!" Water complained.

"What's wrong?" Crème asked.

"That's Flare's 'I'm angry, and I'm about to destroy the planet' music." Water said in an annoyed tone. "C'mon, let's just hang in the Lounge for now."

"Wait, if he's upset, shouldn't we talk to him?" Crème asked.

"Shouldn't we talk to him? Have you learned nothing in this past year you've known him for? You know most of his anger is nonsense." Water said. Regardless, Crème just turned around and walked over to my door and opened it. I was sitting on my desk, using my computer wearing an afghan. By that, I didn't mean the computer was wearing the afghan, I was wearing it.

"You ok, sweetie?" Crème asked me.

I just turned around and glared at her. "There's ominous music playing, and there's an afghan over my head. I dunno where you're from, but where I'm from, that means I'm not doing ok." I said.

"You want me to make some tea?" Water asked.

"Tea is for when I'm upset, I'm not upset. The Noble Six were framed and sent to prison. I'm outraged!" I said.

"So.... cocoa?" Water asked.

"Mrs. Cake made me cocoa already." I said.

"Wow, normally cocoa cheers you up this must be serious." Water said.

"UH, YOU THINK?!" I yelled at her sarcastically, then I jumped on my bed with my head on my pillow.

"Yeah, this is serious. He never puts his head on the pillow he keeps his hind hooves on." Water said as she turned off the music. She and Crèmepop both sat down on the sides of my bed to help cheer me up.

"What's wrong, baby?" Crème asked as she started rubbing my back.

"No! Don't rub up, my fur will be all messed up! Rub downwards." I demanded.

"Sorry." Crème said, and started rubbing the opposite direction. "So what happened to the Noble Six? Why did they go to prison?"

"Because of the evil clones Darth Flare made!" I said.

"What did they do?" Crème asked.

"They broke into certain places around Ponyville, didn't steal anything, and just revealed who they were, and ran away. Now the Canterlot Guard arrested all my friends and took them to prison." I explained.

"Why would they do that?" Water asked.

"Probably to ruin the lives of my friends, and I think I'm next!" I said.

"Why don't you ask for help?" Water asked.

"Nopony believes me, sis! I tried reasoning with the guard, the Mane Six, other ponies around town, but nopony believes me! They think this whole 'clone' thing is a bunch of nonsense!" I complained.

"We believe you. Don't we, Crème?" Water asked.

"Yeah, we saw Darth Flare with our own eyes!" Creme said.

"You guys were there, of course you believe me. Nopony else believes me because they never seen a clone before. Dr. Swinebutt was the first to ever successfully make them, or so I know of." I said.

"Then get Swinebutt to help you." Water suggested.

"Are you mad?!" I yelled at Water.

"I'm not mad, I'm just concerned." Water said. "Why would I be mad?"

"No, I mean are you insane?!" I yelled. "Swinebutt's not going to want to help me! Even though Darth Flare did betray Swinebutt, Darth Flare is still doing what he wants, to ruin the lives of me and my friends!"

"If nopony else will help, we'll do this ourselves then!" Crème suggested.

"That's the plan. I've been doing it myself, but nopony is cooperating with me in giving me enough information." I said.

"We'll just have to try harder then." Water said.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! What's with this 'we' business?" I asked as I sat up on my bed.

“Aren’t we going to help?” Crème asked.

“Negetive.” I said.

“Can you at least think about it?” Water asked.

“Uhhh- No!” I said.

“Why not?!” Water whined.

“Because, like I said during the disharmony beast crisis, it’s not safe for you!” I said.

“Oh phoey, Flare!” Water whined. “Oh! Phoey Flare, that sounds pretty good.”

“Come on! We’ve been through these situations before. Remember when Swinebutt captured me?” Crème asked.

“Yeah, and remember when I saved your flank when Fonz was totally owning you?” Water asked.

“Those were different. We’re talking about SIX evil clones right now! We’re not talking about an abusing stallionfriend, or a psycho pig!” I said.

“And what makes the clones any different?” Crème asked.

“You know that my friends and I can take care of ourselves, well these clones have the same exact powers and intelligents as us, but just evil! If they get a hold of you, you won’t stand a chance.” I explained.

“Like it or not, we’re coming with you, and that’s final!” Crème demanded.

“That’s right, Flarey! We know we mean the world to you, but at the same time, you mean the world to us, and it’s our duty to keep you safe just as much as it’s your duty to keep us safe.” Water said.

“Sigh.” I said. “Alright, fine. You two can come, but you must follow my lead and all times! Do whatever I say, and don’t wander off.” I demanded.

“We read you loud and clear, Mr. Bossman!” Water said.

“Just so we’re clear, I’m only letting you go because the magic 8-Ball here told me to.” I said.

“Fair enough! Now where shall we start?” Crème asked.

“Because they need to keep clear of the Noble Six during their arrest, I doubt they’re still in town.” I said.

“So I guess we start off at the transportation centers. Bus station, trainstation, or airport.” Water said.

“Not airport, too risky. Airport’s got so much security, and I know these clones aren’t stupid enough to enter a place full of feds.” I said.

“So it’s either the bus station or trainstation.” Water said.

“Most likely trainstation. Let’s start over there.” Crème recommended. So the three of us went over to the trainstation, and walked on over to the conductor whom was standing there with his pocket watch.

“Excuse me, sir? We need some information.” Water asked him.

“Water, please. I told you, I wanted to do all the talking.” I demanded.

“But of course! What can I do for you ponies?” the conductor asked.

“First, mind I ask, why are you looking at a pocket watch?” I asked.

“To keep a close eye on the time. Next train arrives in 3 minutes.” The conductor said.

“Alright, but do you think you need to look at that watch, when there’s a clock right there on the wall already?” I asked. “Not to mention, the clock tower is just right over there?” I pointed to the south.

“Look, I’m just here to do my job. Is that all you need?” the conductor asked.

“Yeah, pretty much! Thanks for your time!” I said as I was about to walk away, but Water stopped me.

“Wait, Flare! What about the clones?” she asked.

“Oh yeah, right!” I said as I finally remembered the main reason why we were there. “Have you seen any ponies come by here that looks like this?” I asked the conductor as I showed him a picture of Twilight, Spike and his former pet phoenix.

“Well I know that one is Princess Twilight Sparkle before she was princess, the dragon looks familiar, the phoenix, never seen an actual phoenix before in my life.” The conductor said.

“No, I’m talking about their species. One of my friends is a pony, a dragon, and a phoenix. I was wondering if you seen one of them come by here.” I asked.

“Uhhh…. Ok, what were you saying again?” the conductor asked.

“A pony that’s part dragon, and he has phoenix powers. Have you seen that pony?” I asked, still holding the picture up.

“Flare, I think you’ll need to give more details than that. Not everypony knows who Blaze is.” Crème said.

“Alright, fine.” I said, as I put away the picture and took out another one that showed an ice machine with the word BLAST on, and it’s located at the Crystal Empire.

“Ok, that’s the Crystal Empire, an ice machine, and it has the word blast on it.” The conductor said, observing the picture. “So one of your friends is an ice machine that transported to the Crystal Empire?”

“NO! This is my friend’s name! Crystal Empire, ice machine, the word BLAST!” I explained.

“That seems like a long name for an ice machine, wouldn’t you think?” the conductor asked.

“Flare, you’re really making it hard for this conductor. That is NOT Crystal Iceblast. Not show the friendly conductor an actual picture of one of the Noble Six.” Water ordered.

“Alright, alright! This one is pretty obvious!” I said, as I took out a picture of a bull sitting on a toilet.

“I don’t know!” the conductor observed it, starting to get even more confused than usual. “I haven’t seen a bull around here in ages.

“NOOOOO! Psyche’s not a bull! I’m talking about what’s inside the toilet!” I said.

“Alright that’s enough!” Crème said, pushing me aside. “We’re looking for five ponies by the names of Crystal Iceblast, Red Engineer, Aquatic Armor, Psyche Illusion, and Blaze Goldheart! Have you seen them?”

“Well, I don’t normally remember names right off the bat. Let me go check the archives.” The conductor said, as he walked inside the station to check his files.

“And that is how you do it.” Crème said, winking at me.

“I didn’t think saying the names would be enough. Not everypony remembers everypony’s names.” I said.

“Well it seemed to give more information than those stupid pictures you showed him.” Water said.

“Are you sure? First time I saw those pictures, I automatically knew what they were talking about.” I said. 

The conductor came back with a file and said; “Ok, I found the names of the ponies you were looking for. They took a train to Canterlot.”

“Then it’s settled! We’re going to Canterlot!” Crème said.

“Now hang on! For all we know, he could be talking about the real Noble Six that were transported there by guards.” I corrected her.

“I didn’t see any guards with them, although they did all have strange looks on their eyes. I didn’t like it. Kinda worried me.” The conductor explained.

“That is them! So they went to Canterlot too! That must be where they’re basing.” I said.

“In that case, three tickets to Canterlot, please!” Water asked. The conductor gave us the tickets, and we waited for the next train to Canterlot.

“So once you see Darth Flare again, aren’t you gonna teach him a lesson? Gonna give him a great big POW and KICK, not to mention a KEE-YAH?!” Crème yelled, doing some fighting movements.

“No! Last time I he tried to hurt me, he got himself hurt in the process! The strange thing about clones is, it turns out the nerves are connected. I feel what he’s feeling. That’s probably why he tries to stay away from me.” I explained.

“Science works in so many mysterious ways, doesn’t it?” Water asked.

“Well, we’ll find out what’ll actually happen once we actually find them.” I said. So the three of us finally made it to Canterlot by nightfall, and the streets were deserted. I mean, I knew there wouldn’t be many ponies around, but I would think there would be at least a few. We were walking through the empty streets to see if we can find anything that’ll prove useful for hunt. “Anything yet?” I asked.

“Not yet, Flarey.” Crème said.

“I think I stepped in some gum.” Water said.

“Canterlot’s a pretty big city, they could be anywhere!” Crème said.

“My legs are really tired.” Water said.

“We’ve only started walking 5 minutes ago.” Crème said to her.

“But it doesn’t help doing this in the middle of the night. I need my beauty sleep.” Water said.

“You calling having a mud mask on your face ‘beauty’ sleep?” I teased, and Crème giggled.

“Rarity says it really helps the face.” Water said.

“Oh yeah? Normally when I get mud on my face, I get pimples.” I said.

“HALT!” a voice yelled as they shined their flashlights on us.

“GAH! Looks like Darth Flare done his duty! The guards are gonna arrest me now! Oh well, at least I tried.” I said.

“Flare?” Wind Racer said.

“Wind Racer? Thundy? Am I glad to see you!” I said feeling relieved.

“What are you three doing out here?” Thunder asked.

“We’re looking for the clones.” Crème said.

“Don’t tell them that! They won’t believe us!” I said to Crème.

“Don’t worry, we believe you completely!” Wind Racer said.

“What?” I asked.

“Aqua never talks crazy. For what he saw at the time Crèmepop got captured by Dr. Swinebutt, I never doubt him.” Wind said.

“Crystal talks crazy, but I believe her.” Thunder said.

“Awesome! See that Flare? I believe these two want to join us on our adventure!” Water said.

“It’s bad enough you two are at risk staying with me, but now these two want to share the risk?” I asked.

“I’d do anything to get my baby out of jail!” Thunder said.

“Prison’s no place for a pony like Aqua! I have to do all I can to get him out! We can totally take down the ones who are responsible! We can take care of anything! We’re a team!” Wind Racer yelled as she stuck her hoof out in the middle, and Thunder joined along, as well as Water and Crème.

I just stood there and said, “Really? We’re doing this? We’re doing this hoof all together thing?” I asked.

“C’mon, Flare! Join the party!” Water said.

“Uhhh…. Magic 8-Ball? Should I?” I asked it, then I shook it. “Done and done!” I was about to stick my hoof on top of everypony else’s, but before I did that, I placed a wet-wipe on top of the pack, and stuck my hoof on it. “LET’S DO THIS!”

“Why did you place a wet wipe on top?” Thundy asked.

“I have no idea where your hooves have been. Besides, Water said she stepped on gum.” I said.

“With my hind hooves, not my front hooves!” Water corrected me.

“So you guys have any ideas of where to go?” Crème asked.

“Think about it! If there were evil masterminds in Canterlot, where’s the number 1 hiding place where nopony will ever go to?” Wind Racer asked.

“The castle?” Water guessed.

“Really, Water? The castle?” Crème asked.

“It’s where the Cadance imposter was.” Water said.

“I assume it’s Donut Joe’s shop.” Crème said.

“No, no, no! The stadium is where it’s at!” Thunder said.

“Those are all stupid! C’mon! The hidden base is obviously at the Ponyville Express building.” I said.

“Ponyville Express? Flare you’re a moron.” Water said.

“You guys took all the good places in Canterlot.” I complained.

“No we didn’t, you forgot the Canterlot Garden.” Water corrected me.

“That’s a convention in Strongsville, Ohio.” I said.

“That’s also part of the castle, and you said castle already.” Thundy said. As we were all arguing, Wind Racer started to lose her patience.

“Yeah, he’s right, sis.” I said.

“Why you taking his side?” Water asked.

”That’s not taking his side! THIS is taking his side!” I grabbed Thundy’s side and tried to rip it off him.

“OW! OW! What are you doing?!” Thundy yelled.

“Will you all quit it?!” Racer yelled. “I was talking about the Canterlot mines!”

“Canterlot’s got mines?” Crème asked.

“Where did you think all the explosions came from?” Thundy added.

“The caves, guys! The caves! That’s where Queen Chrysalis hidden her prisoners during the royal wedding, and since she’s not there now the clones should be down there!” Racer explained.

“Right! That’s where we’ll find the Anti-Noble Six!” Thundy said.

“Oooo I like that name! Anti-Noble Six!” I said.

“But where we gonna find these caves, Wind Racer?” Crème asked.

“Uhh, they’re right here.” Racer said, pointing to the boarded up entrance.

“I still don’t know why they decided to abandon them.” Thundy said.

“So let’s go in, Flare would you please do the honors?” Water asked. I knew what she was saying, so of course I had to do my super tiresome Shoop spell to break the boards. “Thank you, bro!”

“If you call me mary-sue, I’m kicking you out of my trailer before you’re ready, because I’m telling, that spell is ALWAYS hard to do. COUNT ON IT!” I yelled at her.

“I wasn’t gonna say anything.” Water said.

“Let’s go in, c’mon.” Racer said, leading the way into the cave. We trotted along inside the mines. It was dark, wet, there were the sound of bats and dripping, and lots of rusted mine carts, and I was also in the mood for some cottage cheese, but no time for that now. On the way to finding the clones, I stepped into some sticky goo and got myself stuck.

“Ew, I think I stepped in something!” I said.

“Argh! That’s changeling goo! I can recognize that goo from anywhere!” Crème said.

“Since when was there changeling goo down here?” I asked.

“Didn’t I just say that the changelings used these caves once?” Racer reminded me.

“Right.” I said.

“Don’t worry, bro! I’ll help get you out!” Thundy said.

“No, no, no! I ask the 8-Ball to help me!” I said, taking out the 8-Ball.

“Flare, will you give that 8-Ball a rest?” Water asked.

“The 8-Ball was the one that recommended me to get you two to spend more time together, if you haven’t noticed.” I said. “Oh magic 8-Ball, how do I get out of this sticky goo?” I shook it up, then I took off my shoes and jumped out.

“What did it say?” Crème asked.

“It said: ‘I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes’, that means it recommended me take off my shoes and I’m free, and it worked!” I said.

“Awesome!” Thundy said, bro-hoofing me.

“Oh you poor shoes!” Water said, pitying my shoes that are stuck in the goo. The five of us continued on until we saw five familiar looking ponies up ahead there.

“Look, up ahead!” Crème pointed out.

“Is it a bird? Is it a plane?” Water asked.

“No! It’s, Aquaman!” I yelled. Just then, one of the ponies came out of the shadows, and he looked exactly like Aquatic Armor.

“Well, technically that IS Aquaman.” Thundy teased.

“Aqua?! What are you doing here?” Water asked.

“No! That’s not Aqua! Aqua doesn’t have those….. those eyes!” Racer said, feeling creeped out.

“What’s wrong, Wind Racer? Scared?” Water teased.

“I’m not never scared, Water!  You know that!” Racer said. The clone of Aqua’s horn started to glow in the color red, and so did his eyes.

“Oh dear Faust!” Water said. Just then, the other four clones popped up from behind us, and were about to attack. 

“C’mon! Let’s give ‘em all we got!” Racer yelled.

“NO! If we attack them, they’ll hurt the real Noble Six!” I said.

“What do you mean?!” Thundy yelled.

“Darth Flare tried to hurt me once, and it backfired on him. Clones share the same nerve as the host, if we want to make sure our friends don’t get in harms way, we have to retreat!” I explained.

“There’s no way we’re backing out of this!” Wind Racer said.

“Yes we are! You punch that Aqua in the nose, real Aqua will end up with a bloody nose. C’mon! We have to get moving!” I yelled. So we all started to run away as Who Let The Dogs Out played in the background. We all ran in circles, from top to bottom. We tried to barricade ourselves in a cave, so we all past rocks to eachother to try to block the cave, but unaware that clone Blaze and clone Engie were also helping in the barricade, and once we found out, we dug out faster than the speed of Flash to get away from them. Thundy even tried the mustache and newspaper trick when clone Crystal came by, and it worked, but when he took off the mustache to try to sneak away, clone Blaze spotted him and chased him.

After all that chasing, just as we thought we were almost in the clear, Crèmepop tripped over a rock and landed on Thundy and both fell on the hard cave ground. The clones were almost on top of those two. Water popped out from the blue, which was also the color of her skin, and used her tidal wave spell to wash the clones away, like the Eensy Weensy Spider. The thing that confuses me about that song is: if a spider goes up a water spout, which is an ocean tornado, how can rain wash it out?

I went to help Crèmepop up and asked, “You alright, babe?”

“I’m fine, Flare! Thank you!” she said and smiled.

“Uhhh, what about me? Aren’t you concerned of my well-being?” Thundy asked.

“Oh, right. How you feeling, Thundy?” I asked him.

“Well I’m feeling-“ he said, but I interrupted him.

“That’s nice, brah. Now, I know you four helped me great, and I really appreciated it, but I think it’s best that I encounter the clones on my own.”

“C’mon Flare, we did great! We didn’t hurt ourselves at all!” Water said.

“Y-yeah…. We didn’t!” Crème said, faking a smile and holding her knee.

“What’s wrong, Crème?” I asked worriedly.

“I’m fine, Flare.” Crème said.

“Don’t lie to me, Crèmey, show me your knee.” I demanded.

“No, I’m fine! It’s…. just a scratch.” She said.

“Oh, I thought it was an arrow.” Thundy teased. I moved Crème’s front hooves, and I saw the scrape on her leg.

“Oh what do you know! I didn’t notice that before!” Crème lied and chuckled embarrassedly.

“You see, this is why I didn’t want you guys to come! I didn’t want four of my closest backup friends getting hurt like this!” I complained.

“Flare, it’s fine! It’s just a little scrape! I’ll survive!” Crème said.

“If that’s the damage tripping a rock can do, you guys obviously aren’t fit to fighting these clones.” I said.

“Backup friends?” Racer asked feeling offended.

“Flare, you see how many scrapes I have? I got more scrapes then her! Why aren’t you worried about me?” Thundy complained.


“You’re a skateboarder, brah. You’re used to it.” I said to him. “Now listen, I put you all in danger too much already. You gotta trust me on this! These clones are no laughing matter. You all did a fantastic job, I admit, but I don’t want you all getting hurt. Now I want you all to leave this cave at once, wait for me outside, and you can try to make sure nopony escapes. It’s the least you can do for me.”

“Flare, we can do more than that! We’re not the Noble Six, yes, but we can handle ourselves! You remember in Hoofture, when all those paranoid seaponies were coming after us? We made a pretty good team there!” Racer explained.

“Yeah, and you seen me tackling Cheerliee after she was about to do something she would regret when you accidently released her wild side.” Thundy said.

“And let’s not forget when Fonz-“ Water was about to explain.

“I heard you and Crème’s already a few hours ago, Water.” I interrupted.

“What we’re saying is, we can take care of ourselves, and if you go in there alone, you’re screwed.” Racer explained.

“Racer, these clones are replicas of my friends, I know what they’re like, and I can take them. Now all you, GO! If I catch you following me, no ice cream after this!” I demanded.

“WHOA! We gotta have the ice cream!” Water panicked. “Ok, Flare, we’re leaving!” Water picked everypony up with her magic and started running out of the cave. That’s a good girl, Water Gun. So I went deeper into the caves to see what I can find. 

After a while went by, I entered a cave that was really steamy, I was coughing and wheezing and said, “Dang! I haven’t been through this much steam since the time I went to the sauna with Ditzy!” A cutaway shows me sitting in a sauna with a towel around my waste, when suddenly Derpy comes in, sits down, and starts reading. As she was reading, smoke started coming out of her ears. I held my nose and asked, “Pee-you! Are you thinking again, sista?” The cutaway ends.

As I continued walking through the steam, I knocked myself into a large medal machine, I couldn’t get a good look at the machine counting all the steam (ooo rhyme), so I used my flares to light up the machine and I saw a black circle with a red ‘S’ on it, and on the bottom laid the words ‘Swinebutt Industries’. So this was one of Swinebutt’s machines, I didn’t know for sure what it was, but if I had to guess, it’s the cloning machine. After some of the steam cleared off, I got a better look at the machine, and I do recognize it. It was the same cloning machine I saw back in Mareami, the one that created Darth Flare. I gasped.

“Well, you sure know your way around the caves, don’t you Crimson?” a voice said from behind me.

I turned around fast and I saw it was me, but not me, it was my clone. “Holy Wizard of Hope! Darth Flare!” I said.

“We meet again, at last!” Darth Flare said evilly.

“We sure do, brah! I was wondering when I’d see you again. Knowing me, I thought I would’ve just forgotten about it and moved on with life?” I assumed.

“You thought, replica! You see, even though I left Swinebutt, we still share the same idea. I get rid of you, and take over as Crimson Flare Gun!” Darth Flare said.

“Of course clones would think that, we all watched that episode of Doctor Who.” I said.

“Oh, and check this out!” Darth Flare said as he punched me in the shoulder.

“OW!” I yelled. “That hurt! Wait…. Aren’t you hurt?”

”Nope! I found an antidote! We no longer share the same pains. After using Swinebutt’s blood-changing machine, I changed my blood, hoof-prints, whatever, that’s how we share the same pain, so it’s now like we’re two different ponies!” Darth Flare explained.

“Well I’m glad that’s settled, but you’re not totally like me, you have that dark outfit, those yellow and red eyes, and that red ‘S’ scar on your eye representing Swinebutt!” I said.

“This S I’ve been trying to get rid of since Faust knows how long. I tried everything, but the strange thing is, it’s not a normal scar. No matter what I try it never seems to go away, and if you touch it, it doesn’t even seem like a scar, you can’t feel it. It’s like it’s not even there.” Darth Flare explained.

“Did you try peeling off your skin?” I asked.

“Oooo! That’s really painful! Trust me, I tried without blinding myself, but it seems the scar just comes back. This isn’t everyday technology, Flare, this is a type of magic, a very advanced type of magic that not even Twilight knows!” Darth explained.

“Wait, how do you know about Twilight?” I asked.

“I have all your memories from before I was made, duh!” Darth said.

“Something else confuses me, it’s been months since I last saw you, and you look the exactly the same. You were suppose to be a foal when you were made and age quickly, what happened?” I asked.

“The cloning machine has an aging device on it. I must say, Swinebutt is indeed a genius when it comes to creating stuff, and math, but he’s a fool in his social life, and plans. He should always think twice before creating a replica of somepony he betrayed.” Darth explained.

“Yeah, same goes with that Discord-Chrysalis-Sombra monster from a little while ago.” I said.

“Ah, yes! I heard of that! You used the same method to defeat them the same way you defeated Swinebutt and his goons. I must say, I am rather impressed of how music works.” Darth said.

“The power of polka compels you, brah!” I said.

“Indeed, and now that we have you here, time to end this!” Darth said, activating his hornsaber.

“Wait, just to ask, why did your other clones get my friends in prison, but you left me free?” I asked.

“I was going to do it, but I figured you’d find out where I was, and I can end you myself!” Darth said.

“Fair enough!” I said, activating my hornsaber. “Let’s do this thang!” So I had a little hornsaber battle with Darth, but no need to go into details, you’ve seen me do them before. Just then, the other clones showed up as we were battling and started to tackle me. 

“NO! NO!” Darth yelled.

“We got him! You can defeat him now!” clone Blaze said.

“No, Traehdlog Ezalb!” Darth yelled. “I was suppose to defeat him fairly! You ruined everything!”

“Wait, what did you just call him?” I asked.

“My name is Traehlog Ezalb.” Clone Blaze said.

“That’s Blaze Goldheart in reverse.” Darth said.

“Don’t tell him that you, idiot!” Traehlog yelled at him.

“If y’all won’t end him, WE WILL!” clone Engie said.

“Don’t you dare, Blue Engineer!” Darth yelled at him.

“Yes! Don’t you dare!” Wind Racer said as she popped out of nowhere, kicking all the clones off of me and spreading them across the room. The others also pop out of nowhere hoof-cuff the other clones while the clones were trying to regain their senses after being spreaded across the room.

“Need a hoof…. Cuff?” Thundy asked.

“See, Flare? You did need our help after all!” Water said, giving me a wink.

“No I didn’t! This isn’t safe! All of you leave before you get yourselves hurt!” I ordered them.

“Flare, we just took out Darth Flare’s entire clone support.” Crème said.

“I knew this was just too suspicious for Flare coming in by himself.” Clone Crystal said.

“Ya think ya will hold us for long?” clone Aqua asked.

“Actually, yes!” Wind Racer said. “You impostered my brother, got him into trouble and sent him to jail! Now I think it’s time for a prisoner switch!”

“Isn’t it prisoner ‘exchange’?” clone Psyche corrected her.

“Shut up, Psyche!” Water said to him.

“WHAT?!” Psyche clone yelled.

“Oooo, tough move, Water. You shouldn’t say shut up to clone Psyche. He’ll end you when he gets the chance.” Clone Crystal warned her.

“Well, it looks everything is going to be ok!” I said.

“Not quite.” Water said.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“You just let Darth Flare get away while you were talking to us.” Crème said.

“WHAT?!” I panicked. I looked in front of me, and he wasn’t there. “Oh for Wizard of Hope’s sake! I was this close! I made the replica of me get away!”

“It’s alright, Flare. We captured the Anti-Noble Six, this should be just enough proof to convince the regular Noble Six that they are innocent!” Water said.

“Anti-Noble Six, huh? Ah like that name!” clone Engie nodded. So we all took the Anti-Noble Six over to the courthouse at the last second. Phoenix Wright was already doing a great job in proving their innocence, but just to be safe, we turned in the clones, and the trial was a success. The Noble Six were finally free. We all felt so relieved of their return. We all walked outside the jail and hugged them and had a little chat with them.

“It’s about time you got us out!” Crystal complained.

”Hey, no need to complain! We helped you get out!” Thundy said.

“Yeah, that’s true. Thanks, Thundy!” Crystal said giving him a kiss on the cheek and hugging him tight, but after a few moments she pushes him away and says, “I’m still mad that you tattled on me.”

“Blaze, what was prison like? Did they torture you?” Candy asked.

“No, no they didn’t.” Blaze said.

“Did they stuff your head in the toilets?” Candy asked.

“No! This wasn’t even prison, this was just jail!” Blaze said.

“Did you have the ‘fun in the showers’, whatever that means?” Candy asked.

“CANDY! Who told you about that?!” Blaze asked.

“Shame on you, Aqua! You had me worried sick!” Wind Racer yelled at him.

“Wasn’t my fault! Ya know ah was impostered!” Aqua said.

“Well, you should be more careful next time!” Wind Racer said.

“What are ya, my mom?” Aqua complained.

“Oh, I’m so glad you all are safe!” Water said.

“Well, if it wasn’t for y’all, we would still be in there!” Engie said.

“That’s for sure! It was really a good idea for them to send Phoenix Wright to help us out in the trial! That dude’s a genius!” Psyche said.

“Yeah, but even though we captured the clones, Darth Flare got away.” I said.

“Look on the bright side! At least he’s alone, and the guards captured that cloning machine so Darth Flare won’t be able to make any more clones.” Engie said.

“And it’s all because of our help, Flare!” Crème said.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Flare, if you were just in there alone, you wouldn’ve never stood a chance. I know you want us to be safe and unharmed, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the good. If we were harmed, which we weren’t, at least it wasn’t in vein.” Crème explained. "So how about we charge up that Blessings of the Night?”

“Yeah, you helped us all out at once! I think we should all charge it up!” Psyche suggested.

“NO! That’s too much! I’d rather you all charge it up one at a time. I promise, next time I help you dudes and dudets out, you can all charge it up then, but for now, I think I should be the one to charge it up.” I said, as I took the Luna Blessings out of my pocket, leaned it against my heart, and charged it up. The Blessings started to glow, and I felt the friendship going inside me, the friendship…… of self. Once I was done, I put it back in my pocket.

“Why did you just it up yourself?” Water asked.

“Because I think I did great. I asked for your help, and I had complete faith in myself. It is always good to be your own friend, so the third pony that charged up the Blessings waaaaaaaaaas me!” I said.

“Ah guess that makes sense.” Engie said.

“And you didn’t ask for our help, we came to the rescue ourselves!” Water corrected me.

“But it was my instincts that told you to help me!” I said.

“Yeah, heh, sure!” Water said sarcastically, and we all laughed, except me.

“Wait, should we laugh?” I asked the magic 8-Ball, shook it, and read it. “Buddy, maybe you should ask somepony else for advise.”

“Why do you bother using this thing still?” Crème asked.

“HEY! Don’t talk about the magic 8-Ball that way! It was actually the one to tell me to leave you behind!” I said.

“Oh in that case.” Water grabs my magic 8-Ball and throws it over the Canterlot cliffs.

“HEY, sis! NOT COOL!” I said angrily. 

Later that day after we all went on home, I went over to the prison visiting area wearing some big trendy sunglasses, as the guards went by I said, “Sup brah?” in a creepy voice. The guards didn’t seem to care and just walked by. I went on over to a visiting booth with the clones. 

“Flare Gun, what brings ya here?” clone Aqua asked.

“I just feel so bad for bringing you too in this dreadful place, and I want to make it up to you by giving you a gift!” I said, as I placed little box in the slot, and clone Engie took it.

“Oh, what is this?” clone Engie asked.

“Just a little gift. I recommend opening it later.” I said.

“Well, I must say, thank you, Flare Gun!” Traehdlog said with a creepily smile

“It is my pleasure, brahs!” I said, as I lifted my shades revealing my yellow and red eyes and scar. Oops, this wasn’t me, it was Darth Flare in disguise! Nice twist, huh? So Darth Flare chuckled evilly and winked at the clones.