The train was ten minutes out of Canterlot with an expected two hour travel. Greg and the others shared a private car near the front, courtesy of Celestia, who had also given him a map of the area surrounding the crystal castle. The area was circular, and the castle itself seemed to be focal point, as if it were a satellite dish pointed skyward.
A quick flash of light enters the car, and Discord appears. "Hello, my little ponies!" He yells, giving Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie a hug. The others looked frustrated by his presence. Greg on the other hand, continued studying the map. Annoyed by this, Discord snaps his fingers and the map vanishes. "It's rude to ignore people, you know."
Greg shakes his head. "And you want an apology?" He asks.
Discord teleports himself into the seat next to Greg, resting an arm on his shoulder. "Don't be so quick to judge, Mister Sanders. I'm only here to help."
"We don't need your help, Discord." Rainbow Dash hisses out. "We've dealt with the Changelings before."
Discord chuckles. "It's not just Chrysalis and her hive this time. She's being assisted by, who I have grown to call him, the 'King of Darkness' himself."
"Sombra." Greg says flatly. "I figured out a way to bring down the queen, but I don't know much about him."
"In order to overcome darkness, one needs light." Discord says cryptically.
Greg scans the ponies one by one. "The Elements of Harmony." He says.
"Eh... they won't be enough." Discord adds. "That would be under normal circumstances, though."
Greg chuckles. "This is one of those rare times when evil should fight evil?" He asks, looking toward the bizarre creature.
Discord nods. "I know these ponies have no chance to bring themselves to that level," He says, pressing a claw on Greg's chest, "you, however, are a creature capable of the most ruthless of atrocities."
"Ah know that." Applejack says. "He did blow up a ship full of scientists. But what else could your people do, Greg?"
"We're warmongers, plain and simple." He says, shaking his head. "We kill each other over land, resources, racial or spiritual differences, or just for the hell of it."
"Oh, this is wonderful!" Discord yells out. "You need to tap into that if you want a fighting chance against Sombra."
Greg looks back at the ponies, they were understandably shaken by what he said, but he smiles. "No... I won't." He says, looking back to Discord. "If you think for a second that I'll let wrath take me over, you're mistaken."
Discord presses a claw against the underside of his chin. "You're getting there already." He says, teleporting himself to the center of the car. "It was a pleasure talking to you, but I will come back when the time to destroy him comes." He says before disappearing.
The map reappears in Greg's hands and continues to examine it as if nothing happened. "So..." he says, "where were we?"
The group feels the train's brakes kick in. Greg looks outside and sees nothing but tundra. "I thought we were going directly to the empire." He said in confusion.
"Geographically speaking, this station is within the empire's limits." Rarity explained.
Greg looks back out and sees no other structures. "Well where's the rest of it?" The ponies look at each other in confusion. "It is an empire, right?" They nod. "Where's the rest of it?" He repeated, showing them the map of their destination. "This can't be all there is to it."
Something clicked in Rainbow Dash's head. "Oh yeah! I remember Princess Celestia telling us something about that."
Rarity nods. "Of course!" She exclaims, looking over to Greg. "The only part of the empire that survived was the castle and everything in a three mile radius."
Greg examines the map once more, swallowing hard. "Hence the lack of structures..." The train comes to a complete halt. "I should've worn something heavier." He comments, checking out his more springtime apparel.
The train conductor enters the car. "Everypony going to the Crystal Empire had better get off." He says.
Greg stands up. "I have a better idea." He states, walking up to the conductor. "Is there a station closer to the castle?"
The conductor nods. "Sure." He answers. "But I am not flipping the track switch just to give you a full ride there."
Greg moves the conductor out of his way, looking back to the ponies. "You ladies stay here, I'll flip the switch." He says, sliding open the door. A strong, howling wind blows into the car. "This train WILL reach the castle!" He assures them.
Canterlot, before the train
A Unicorn servant knocks on the door to Greg's quarters. He opens the door. "I have a package for you, Mister Sanders." The Unicorn says, floating a box to him.
Greg grabs a hold of the box. "Thanks." He says. The Unicorn trots away and Greg walks back to the bed and sets the box on it. "USO" was written on the upper-left corner. A care package from the people who sent him to Equestria. He tears the paper off, revealing a case. He opens it up and inside was a pair of hunting knives, holsters for the knives, a belt and a note.
Mister Sanders,
Forgive us for not digging deeper into Princess Twilight Sparkle's situation. We would offer to help, but all of our agents are preventing attacks on the homefront. The knives in this case should be adequate enough to handle the Changelings as well as Sombra.
Best of luck,
Deputy Director Leonard Morse
'Knives?' Greg thought. 'Why would they just give me knives and not a gun?' He thinks about that scenario and shakes his head. "Nope... that wouldn't work out too well." He thought aloud, then feeds the belt through the loops on his pants as well as the holsters before stuffing the knives into them and securing the holsters.
Now
Greg makes his way to the track switch, trudging through ankle high powder. Looking at the nearby hills, he thinks that this area would be great for skiing and snowboarding, but he was on a mission. He grabs the switch and moves it, allowing the train to be directed to the station by the castle. After he switches the track, he hears the buzzing of what sounds like a bug's wings flapping. He looks above and sees a trio of Changelings.
"Ah crap." He swears under his breath.
Rainbow Dash trots to the car's exit. "What the hay is taking him so long?" She asks out loud. She looks out the door toward the switch. "Changelings!" She shouts before taking off. She was followed by Applejack.
As the two approach Greg, a Changeling is thrown their way. It lands on the snow in front of them. Its green blood soaks into the snow. "Did he just kill a Changeling?" Rainbow asks, mouth agape at the sight of the dead Changeling.
They finally get to his side as he wipes the remaining Changeling blood off of his knives using some packed snow. "Good gravy, Greg!" AJ yells. "Was that really necessary?"
After closing the eyes of his attackers, Greg stands up. "It was either them or us."
The group reboards the train. "Get this train moving." Greg says to the conductor. "Consider it an order from Celestia herself."
The conductor swallows hard before returning to the engine. Moments later, the train starts back up and slowly begins moving forward.
The train arrives at their intended destination fifteen minutes later. "Alright, listen up, everyone." Greg begins. "Once we get inside, we need to split up."
"There's seven of us." Spike observed. "What are you thinking?"
"Rarity and Rainbow Dash; Fluttershy and Applejack; Spike and Pinkie Pie." He says.
"But that leaves you alone, darling." Rarity comments.
Greg nods. "I know." He admits. "I can handle myself."
"Then Ah suppose ya want us to search for Princess Cadance and Twi's brother." AJ adds.
"Right on the nose." Greg says as the group stops at the entrance.
"Come on, everypony!" Rainbow Dash yells out. "We've got ponies to save!"
"It's way too quiet in here." Greg says to himself. "No resistance... what is going on?" He asks, clenching the knives tighter in his hands. He approaches a stairwell and hears the faint clopping of hooves against the stone. He looks around to find a hiding spot and finds a pillar with a side covered in shadow, so he takes it.
After a short while, he hears some giggling. "Those fools think they can defeat us?" The voice asks. It had to have been Chrysalis. Who is she talking to though? Greg chances a quick peek and sees Chrysalis, to his surprise, alone. She looked happy, skipping through the hall. "That creature was easy enough to fool... but for how long?"
"Not long enough." Greg says, stepping out of the shadows.
Chrysalis jumps and turns. "You will not live to see tomorrow!" She hisses. She fires a beam of magic at him, but Greg rolls out of the way.
As he recovers from the roll, Chrysalis was on the move. "Damn it..." He cusses under his breath. He holsters his knives and the chase begins.
Greg climbs up the winding staircase Chryslis took him to and exits to a balcony, hoping to find the Changeling queen there, but instead...
"Kate?!" He calls, seeing his long dead girlfriend. He immediately knew that this was the Queen trying to trick him.
"Greg!" She yells, running up to him. "I'm so glad to see you!" She adds, hugging him.
He knew it was a trick, taking her form so that she could feed off of his love for her, but he couldn't help himself. A tear runs down his face as he holds the imposter's face. "Thank you," he says, sliding his hands down to her neck, "and forgive me." He adds, squeezing her throat. The sudden action forced her to drop the façade. "But I am not easily fooled."
The Queen tries hitting Greg's arms with her forelegs, hoping to get away from him. Moments later, a swarm of her subordinates encircle the two. She looks back at Greg and forces a smile on her face. "You kill me, they'll kill you." Greg looks around at the other Changelings. His grip loosened slightly and the Queen brings her forelegs up between his arms and pushes them apart. She bucks him onto his back and hovers above him.
They hear some kind of explosion and look around to see Chrysalis' subordinates blowing up. "What's the meaning of this?!" She asks.
The faint laughter of King Sombra echoes against the balcony. Chrysalis turns and sees him appear. "I have what I've come for." He says with an evil grin as his horn powers up. "You have outlived your usefulness, Chrysalis." A beam of magic pierces Chrysalis and flings her past Greg, back into the castle. "Now... on to Canterlot." He cackles, then vanishes.
"Jesus Christ..." Greg quietly says, picking himself up and re-enters the castle. He runs up to Chrysalis and kneels next to her.
"We... we were used..." She says weakly. She closes her eyes tightly and a tear runs down her face. "How could I have been... so... blind?" She opens her eyes and looks to Greg and rests her foreleg on him. "Twilight Sparkle..." Her breath grows weaker. "In the cave... to the north..."
Her breathing stops. Her leg slumps down. Applejack and Fluttershy were the first to find him. "Ya got her!" She says with a whoop. Greg closes the Changeling's eyes as AJ trots up to him. She sees the look in his eyes and her excitement died. "Greg? What happened?"
Greg sits and rests his face on his hands. "Sombra killed her, AJ. It wasn't me."
"What?!" She gasped. "Are ya sayin' that-?"
"It was a doublecross." He finishes. "He only needed her to gain access to the heart." He looks to her and forces back a tear. "His next stop is Canterlot."
"Oh my goodness." Fluttershy says with a squeak. "I hope Celestia will be okay."
"We need to find Twilight..." AJ says, helping Greg up, "and fast."
Spike and Pinkie Pie approach. "Cadance and Shining Armor are fine." Spike says. "Rarity and Rainbow Dash are taking them to the conference room."
Greg nods. "Then let's head to the conference room."
Greg, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Princess Cadance, Shining Armor and Spike are gathered in the conference room. "Does everyone know why we're here?" Greg asks.
Everypony nods. "We need to find my sister." Shining says.
Greg nods. "Exactly." He says, unrolling a map of the region. "Before she died, Chrysalis said Twilight was being held in a cave to the north."
Shining Armor nods and levitates a quill and some ink to the table. "I know which one she's talking about." He says, circling the place. "It's not far from the castle."
Greg nods. "Alright." He says, standing upright. "Shining Armor and I will head to the cave. The rest of you help the guards secure the castle."
Cadance trots up to Shining Armor and gives him a kiss. "Be careful, my love."
Greg clears his throat. "You wouldn't happen to have something for me to wear out there, would you?"
Rarity giggles and heads to the door. "I think I can fix up something for you."
"It's alright, Rarity." Shining Armor says. "I've been to that location enough times to teleport us directly there."
Greg claps his hands and rubs them. "Let's do this." He says, walking up next to Shining Armor.
Shining Armor's horn powers up and the two disappear.
The two appear outside of the cave. Greg pulls out his knives and shivers. "Let's get in there."
"Agreed." Shining Armor says before the two enter.
The two make their way through the cave. Shining Armor keeps his horn powered to provide light in the immediate vicinity. "Are you sure Twiley's in here?" He asks.
"Chrysalis was dying and I'd like to think that even her last words would be truthful." Greg says. "Then again... it could've been another ruse."
The two turn a corner and begin hearing muffled screams. "Twiley?!" Shining asks, pointing the light to the source of the noise. Sure enough, Twilight was still hanging in the cocoon.
The two race to her and Greg cuts a hole into the cocoon, big enough for Twilight to slide out of. He slowly lowers her onto the ground. "Twilight... are you okay?" He asks.
Twilight coughs a few times as she takes in the fresh air. "Greg?" She asks weakly. "Is that really you?" She looks over to her brother. "Shiny?"
Shining Armor smiles. "Hey, Twiley. It's good to see ya again."
Twilight gasps. "Chrysalis and Sombra!"
She tries to move, but Greg won't let her. "Easy, Twilight." He says. "Chrysalis is gone and Sombra is on his way to Canterlot."
"We need to hurry." Shining Armor says before powering up his horn.
The three re-enter the Conference room. "You lead the way, boss man." Greg says.
They make their way through the hallways. Rainbow Dash catches up to them. "Twi!" She yells, hovering next to them. "Hang in there, I'll go get some help.
Shining Armor opens a door. "This room will do." He says. They enter the room. "Put her on the sofa."
Greg obliges. "I'm gonna try to find someone." He says.
As he tries to leave her, Twilight pulls him back with a hoof. "Don't leave me, Greg."
Greg nods. "I won't."
Shining Armor leaves the room, leaving the two alone. "How long have you been back?" She asks.
"A couple of days." He says. "I heard you had quite a journey."
Twilight forces a smile. "You have no idea."
Moments later, everyone was entering the room, followed by some medics. "We'll need to clear a space." One says.
Shining Armor clears a large table. "How's that?"
"That'll work." Another medic says, levitating Twilight off the sofa.
"Let's get out of here." Greg suggests. "Let them do their job."
Greg walks by the room he and Shining Armor took Twilight and peeks inside. The doctors were gone and Twilight moved herself to a sofa and was curled up on it. Greg looks to see if anypony was around. No? He slowly walks into the room and toward the sofa.
"Hi, Greg." She says, slowly opening her eyes.
"Hey, champ." He says with a smile on his face, he kneels next to her and runs his hand along her barrel. "How are we feeling?"
Twilight nods. "Better now that I'm here with my friends and family." She says, her smile disappearing and tears forming in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Greg asks. He already knew the answer, but he felt like he needed to ask the question.
"Many things." She answers. "The Changelings abducting me; what Chrysalis has done in my absence; Celestia and Luna..." she trails off, starting to cry. He gets closer to her and gives her a reassuring hug.
Greg nods. "Yeah... I'm a little worried about them myself." He says. "Sombra's getting close to full strength, but I think we still have a shot."
Applejack enters the room. "Hey you two." She greets. Greg releases his hug and looks back at her.
Twilight wipes the tears from her face and starts smiling again. "Hey, Applejack..."
AJ trots up to the two, places a leg on Greg and looks at him. "Ah had a feelin' you'd be here."
Greg chuckles. "Am I that easy?"
Twilight looks back to Greg. "How did you find me, anyway?"
Both Greg and AJ lower their heads. "It was Chrysalis who gave us your location." He explains. "After Sombra killed her Changelings and shot her in the back."
Twilight grimaces. "We need to get to Canterlot."
Greg nods. "We will, but you should relax." He advises. "Come on, AJ."
AJ nods. "We'll be close by if ya need anythin'."
Twilight nods. "Thanks, you guys."
One hour later...
Everyone's waiting patiently, all except for Pinkie Pie. "Why are we sitting around here for?" She asks. "We need to get to Sombra and kick his flank!"
Greg lets out a low hum. "I have to agree with you, Pinkie." He says. "But we should at least stay until we know for sure Twilight will be okay."
And speak of the devil, Twilight is escorted by a medic. "I'll be fine." She says. "I was a little drained, but now I feel like I can help you finish this." She flares open her wings and flaps them a few times.
"Twiley, you should be resting up." Shining Armor pleads. "Let us handle Sombra."
Twilight shakes her head. "Not this time. I want to see him dead for what he's done to me, my friends... and my family."
Greg stands up. "Then let's head to the train station." He says.
Twilight chuckles. "I can teleport us to Canterlot."
"But Twiley!" Shining Armor yells.
Twilight puts a hoof on her brother's mouth. "No buts, B.B.B.F.F. We're all going to Canterlot."
Everyone, Shining Armor, Princess Cadance, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Spike and Greg circle around Twilight as she prepares her teleportation spell.
"Let's finish what we started!" Shining Armor yells out.