Luna paced back and forth in the throne room, thoughts ever worrying her so. We have caught Changelings. But why would they be here anyway? Are they trying to attack Canterlot again? No, they would be utterly foalish to do that. If they tried to attack then why would they only send seven, anyway? Maybe, their were scouts sent to oversee this operation. Or maybe, they are just distractions to keep us from discovering their actual plan. She thought of many reason to attack and none of them just quite didn't make sense. She finally sat down and collected her composure. Sighing, she looked up at the skylight and gazed at the prominently shining, silvery moon shining.
In Canterlot, somewhere away from the Fashion Show are the Elements eating in a classy restaurant. They all picked their meals and ate theirs in questionable silence. Cole's outburst made them not want to talk and he agreed happily. Then out of the blue, Rainbow put her fork down loudly, gaining the attention of the table and a few others.
"Alright, I'll say it since nopony wants to, what the buck was that Cole?" She asked the Conduit, who was currently eating Prench Cuisine.
"What?"
"You're outburst with Hoity."
"Oh, that. Well, like I- You know what, I'm going to straight up say this now or else I'll never say it. Girls, I'm not a 'hero'. I HAVE killed innocent people. " They gasped as he sighed sadly. "I only cared about power back then and I got it by killing. The more I killed, the power I got. When I came here, I was given a second chance. I wanted to right the wrongs that I committed. Because of that, I.. I can't... Later." He stood up, leaving a pouch of bits and left, leaving them to themselves. He walked outside in the cold air once more and walked back to the castle, occasionally looking at ponies on the streets. He got to the castle and the Guards let him in. He went straight to the throne room to see Luna sitting there. "What are you doing?" He sat down with her.
"The Changelings. Why would they come here with only seven?" She puzzled.
"I have no idea. It could be some ploy or something else. Hey, I'm sure we'll find out, right?" He smiled lightly.
"Yes, we will. I have been thinking and maybe, it is a plan. Could those be distractions?" She pondered.
"Could be, you never know. Actually, that makes sense. From what Twilight has told me, they have strength in numbers. If that's true, why only send seven? It makes no sense." For hours, they went back and forth with ideas and they began making a plan of their own to explain to Celestia. The Elements came to the castle after they finished their meal and found a half-awake Luna and a sleeping Cole on the throne room floor. There was a chalkboard with writing on it, determining a plan and such. It was highly incomplete but very tactical. They let them do whatever and went to their own rooms.
Cole woke at sunrise after hearing his name called. "Huh, what?" He looked around and saw nothing. Turning backwards, he saw Celestia there, smiling almost like- "It's not what you think." He began but she raised her hoof.
"I know. The plan you started is excellent if the Changelings plan to attack. So, why don't you go over it and I can help add more to it. After all, Luna usually stays asleep for the daytime, you know." She stated, Cole stretched and went over the plan. Every instance of weakness in the plan, she added a foundation to it. About eleven, the plan was roughly complete.
"And with that, we have our plan." Cole yawned and gave a surge of electricity around on habit. "I think it's pretty good. Should I go wake up the Elements?"
"Yes. I think they should see this." Cole nodded and left to the Elements. He asked a guard and found their rooms. It took some time but they woke up. They all came back to the throne room and Cole went over the plan to the Elements so they knew. They understood it and the knew the plan.
"Okay. That is that. So, what now?" Cole pondered.
"That is up to you. You may stay in Canterlot, if you feel but I'm sure you all have duties back in Ponyville." Celestia exclaimed.
"Yes. We should head back, I have a order to do. Well, everypony has things to do." Rarity stated.
"Yeah, Rarity's right. Ah got the orchard ta git back to." Applejack explained.
"So, we'll head back. Alright then, let's get to the train station. Everyone, pack up!" Cole and everyone went to their rooms and packed up. They said their goodbyes and left for the train station. They left for Ponyville shortly and they arrived hours later. "Here we are." Cole said to himself as the train went along the tracks, turning right into the Ponyville train station. They got off and went to their own places. Cole came back to the orchard, seeing Applejack already out on the farm.
"Good, you're here. Ready ta git started?" She greeted and asked the stretching Conduit.
"Yes, I am." He smirked. And they began working. Cole would send small charges throughout the trees and the apples would fall off into the baskets. Once many filled, he would pick them up and put them on a cart. They did this for many hours and only stopped for breaks.
Celestia was currently in her throne room, observing statistics about health when she felt a cold breeze enter the usually warm room. She turned her head away from the papers and saw a dark figure shrouded in smoky darkness.
"Sombra." She stared at the mist.
"Princess Celestia. How are you today?" The darkness asked.
"What do you want?"
"You know what I want, my Empire." He growled.
"That isn't your empire anymore, Sombra." She declared and the mist began walking back and forth, gaining the form of the king.
"Yes, that would be true, wouldn't it? But, rightfully, I OWN that kingdom and your pathetic CADENCE stole it from me. So, I am going to take it back. Whether you or Cadence have to say about it. It is the time to begin something anew, Princess. There will be staining blood on our hooves. This is will test your willpower and strength towards threats against your entire nation. Prepare yourself, Celestia. This will end badly for both of us." And with that, the darkness dissipated, leaving a somewhat worried Celestia behind. She sighed and called for a guard. One arrived to her calling.
"Prepare a letter to Shining Armor and Cadence. King Sombra... is back."