//------------------------------//
// Chapter Seventeen 
// Story: Rainbow Connection 
// by ahilty 
//------------------------------//

Chapter Seventeen


“We’ll have to launch a bigger attack on the Royal Paradise.”  Gusty paced, frowning.  “Even if we can’t get the Princesses free, at least we can possibly steal the Heart back.”
“What would we do with it once we got it?”  Galaxy mused.
“Well there has to be some way to purify it?”
“…we could take it back to Equestria.  I can get my unicorns to work on purifying it.  We do have quite a few resources at our disposal.”  Celestia said.
“Hmmm…” Gusty looked at Galaxy.  “I don’t know much about magic…what do you think?”
Galaxy nodded.  “Since we do have them as our allies, I see no reason why we shouldn’t ask for their help.”
“What about the Rainbow of Light?”  Megan asked, frowning in concern.
“We may have to figure out a way to defeat Tirac without it.”  Celestia said thoughtfully.  “Normally I would suggest the Elements, but our Elements were rendered unusable as well.  I’m not sure what will do without them.”
“We will just have to think of a solution.”  Galaxy said.  “I-“
Galaxy was abruptly interrupted by a sudden pop, and Twilight Sparkle and the others poofed into the room, still holding onto the ropes attached to Dream Valley Applejack and Ember.  Galaxy reared, startled and screamed, not expecting this little display.  Quite a few of the other Ponylander’s screamed at well at the sudden intrusion, and Equestrian Applejack jerked back, staring at her counterpart.
“Okay, that’s weird.”  She said.
“Eeyup.”  Big Mac blinked, rather like a large confused red owl.  It was weird, seeing this odd pony that was almost the twin of his own sister.  It was even worse seeing her snapping at the others, attempting to attack them.
Twilight grunted slightly as Ponylander Applejack attempted to take a chunk out of her neck.  She resisted the urge to nip her back.  Instead she summoned more magic rope and tied Dream Valley AJ’s mouth shut.  Twilight Sparkle panted and moved away.
“This is crazy.”  She shook her head.  “What are we going to do with them?”
“Unfortunately this place clearly wasn’t designed for holding prisoners.”  Twilight Sparkle looked up to see Majesty and Wind Whistler arriving.  Majesty sighed.  “Although to be fair Dream Castle didn’t have dungeons either.  I never got around to building them.  And it’s filled with Grundles now either way.”
“What are Grundles?”  Rainbow asked.
“Allies.”  Galaxy said.  “We originally thought there were only a few left, but more and more started to turn up after word spread that they had a home again.”
“We can house them in Equestria, and that other one to…Magic Star, right?”  Shining pointed out.  “We do have dungeons, not to mention more guards.  I’d volunteer the Crystal Empire, but…”
“There could be leftover dark energy from King Sombra’s reign, and though the Everfree does have quite a bit as well, Canterlot itself is filled with mostly light energy, due to our presences.”  Luna remarked.  “And the castle itself does have a holding area.”
“We shouldn’t give Tirac any more opportunities to harness dark energy over in Equestria, especially since his followers can apparently zap over there at will.”  Shining mused.  
“Well…what was your name, miss?”  Galaxy asked, looking at Shining.  He blinked in surprise.
“Er…I’m a stallion.”  He stammered.
“You are?  But you’re so…thin compared to him.”  Galaxy nodded at Big Mac, who looked a bit embarrassed.
“Everypony looks thin compared to him, he’s massive!”  Shining waved a hoof at Big Mac, then winced.  “Sorry, no offense.”
“None taken.”  Big Mac said, not sure what to make of this.  It wasn’t everyday a unicorn prince referred to you as massive.  “Besides, I thought Fizzy here was a stallion when I first met her.”
Fizzy blinked at him.  “You did?”
“Eyup-oof!”  Big Mac winched as Applejack (Equestria) hit him.  
“Mind yer manners.”  She said.
“Oh, it’s okay!”  Fizzy grinned.  “I don’t mind.”  
“Stupid as ever I see, hey Fizzy?”  Dream Valley Applejack launched a kick at the younger unicorn, who sidestepped with a puzzled look.  “You-“
“I think I’ve had enough of the name calling.”  Majesty’s horn suddenly glowed, and a cloud of dust appeared over the two corrupted ponies and dropped on their heads.  The two of them sneezed, swore, hurled promises of doom, and then slowly fell asleep.
Morning Glory, who had been sitting near the window letting sun hit her still gooey wings, blinked.  “…how much magic do you know?  I’ve only known unicorns to have a limited amount of magic.”
“They say my ancestor, the first Queen Majesty, could do much more.”  Majesty said.  “Things like turning goblins into soap bubbles and witches into trees…or was it the other way around…” she shrugged.
“Either way, with your permission, I would be happy to take them back to Equestria while we find a solution.”  Celesta said, looking at Galaxy and Wind Whistler.  The two looked at each other and nodded.
“You may.  I can’t think of a better solution at the moment.”  Galaxy said.  “My Queen, can you put Magic Star to sleep so we can transport her as well?”
“Of course.”  Majesty nodded and turned to head up the stairs.  “Ill be right down.”
Galaxy looked at Morning Glory.  “Are you wings well enough to get back home?  Honeysuckle and Lily are outside with Posey, if you want to head back to Flutter Valley.”
Morning Glory got up.  “I think I should, if only to tell Queen Rosedust what is going on.  If Tirac is back she’ll need to know.”
“I could come along if you need help…ummm, I mean…if that’s alright.”  Fluttershy said, eyeing Morning Glory’s wings with concern.  “I have some of my potion with me…”
“Of course, I’d love to introduce you to our home.  I think you’ll like it.  We have a wonderful colony of butterflies in the north.”  Morning Glory smiled.  As she was talking her fellow Flutter Ponies finally made their way inside.  Honeysuckle smiled and rushed over, then noticed Morning Glory’s wings.  She snorted.
“What?  Who did this?!”  She snorted and looked around the room aggressively.
Rainbow opened her mouth, but Morning Glory smoothly interjected.  “It’s alright, Honeysuckle.  We fought Arabus in the other world, and I got a hurt a bit.  But these ponies helped me.  Especially this one.  Her name’s Fluttershy.”
Honeysuckle blinked.  “You fought Arabus on your own?”
“No, I was with them.”  Morning Glory pointed at the Equestrians.
“…what is that stuff?  It’s not honey is it?”
“It’s a potion.  Her wings got a bit…ummm…torn…you see I made it for butterflies an…” Fluttershy squeaked a bit, and Morning Glory smiled reassuringly at her.
“You’re a wonderful healer, miss Fluttershy.”  Morning Glory said gently, and Honeysuckle, who finally figured out she had somehow managed to scare Fluttershy, nodded.
“Just never seen anything like it.”  Honeysuckle said.  She looked at Morning Glory.  “You ready to go?”
Morning Glory stood up.  “Give me a second.”  She approached Rainbow and nudged her.  “You’re very brave.  I would do it again, if I needed to.”
Rainbow smiled, happy that Morning Glory didn’t hate her, her confidence coming back.  She landed near Fluttershy.  “You gonna be okay?”
“Of course.”  Fluttershy smiled at her.  “I…am a bit curious about the creatures here and…” she turned her head and eeped, ears flying upwards.  Rainbow looked and blinked.  Posey had finally decided to peek in to see what was going on, and while Rainbow knew by now that they had doubles wandering around, at first the Ponylander did startle Rainbow.
“Wow, is that another Fluttershy?”
Posey looked up at Rainbow.  “No.  I’m Posey.”  Rainbow then noticed that her Cutie…er symbol, was a collection of pink tulips instead of butterflies.  And Posey was apparently an earth pony.  Rainbow also noticed that while Posey seemed quiet, she didn’t appear to be as almost cripplingly shy as Fluttershy.  “I’m a gardener.”
“Ah, cool.  I’m Rainbow, and that’s Fluttershy…I guess you probably guessed that.”
Posey nodded politely at Fluttershy, then backed out the door.  “I have roses I have to check on.”  She trotted right back out the door, frowning.
“…ooookaaaay.”  Rainbow blinked.
“She’s not used to different creatures.”  Galaxy said.  “Even after the crabnasty incident she’s more comfortable around plants.”
Fluttershy let her hair fall over her face.  “Umm…it’s fine…” She followed the Flutter Ponies as they trotted outside as well.  “I’ll see you later, Rainbow.”
“Right!”  Rainbow waved as the four of them fluttered, even Fluttershy’s shy flaps could be considered a flutter, upwards.  Fluttershy let the Flutter Ponies lead the way, eyes focused on Morning Glory’s wings, making sure she would hold out.  Fluttershy briefly looked down to see the two Spikes out on the Estate’s front yard.  The two of them were blowing fireballs at each other, and at first Fluttershy thought they were fighting, then she heard the pinkish Dream Valley dragon laugh.
“Ha!  I told you my fire was hotter!”
“No way!  One more round!”  Equestrian Spike grinned toothily.
“Just don’t burn down the trees!”  The male human creature, Danny, laughed.  “But yeah, our Spike is up by five points!  You think you can keep up, Equestria?”
“Heck yeah!”  Equestrian Spike reared back and blew a long stream of fire out of his mouth.  Dream Valley Spike stood next to him and did the same, and Danny darted to the side, trying to visually measure the flames.
Fluttershy smiled.  At least they seemed to getting along.



“Bright Valley is attacking!”
Scorpan, who had been aggressively filing his nails in an attempt to keep them somewhat human looking, looked up at the elf scout in shock.  To the scout’s credit he didn’t mention the fact that his ruler had taken a sudden surprising interest in nail care, nor did he comment on the fact that Scorpan was now looking distinctly hairier.  Though the prince was not fully monstered yet, he was started to think that, free mind or no, the physical manifestation of the thing he had once been was coming back.  He didn’t like it, but on the other hand he had been a bit stronger as the monster version of Scorpan, and he could fly then.  Flying had been kinda nice.  
But still, this was far more important.
Scorpan took up his blade and turned.  “What is going on?  Why would Bright Valley attack us?”
“I’m not sure, but there’s an odd mist with them.”  The scout said.  Scorpan nodded and rushed out the door, sword in hand.  He darted to the gates.  Villagers were rushing through, attempting to take refuge in the fort.  Far Stride trotted to up to him from the direction of the stables, and Scorpan swung onto his back.  With a few well practiced leaps Far Stride had cleared the heads of the villagers and was galloping across the drawbridge that led over the moot.  He reared as the last few villagers passed across the bridge.  Scorpan’s eyes narrowed as the strange dark mist flowed closer.  He could pick out a few ponyish shapes in the darkness and he gritted his teeth.  Was that his imagination, or were his teeth getting shaper and longer?  He could hear more hooves, and a small squad of his knights crossed the bridge as well, lining up behind him.  Scorpan calmly watched the mist, but inside his stomach was churning.  He knew what this was.  
“Tirac.”  He snarled.  Far Stride gasped and looked up at Scorpan.  “Are…are you sure?”
“Positive.”
Far Stride shivered, but only for a moment.  “I’m with you, Prince, don’t worry.”  Far Stride pawed the ground.
The mist stopped right before it reached them, as if it had a mind of its own.  Scorpan squinted, and growled.  Yes, he could see it.  There were not only pony shapes in the mist.  He heard the clop clop clop of hooves approaching, and out of the mist stepped…he had shrunk.  His eyes were yellow now.  Glowing yellow.  But it was him, or at least a being very much like him.
“Tirac.”
“Hello, Scorpan.  Did you think I’d forgotten you?”  
“I had hoped you were dead.”
“I was, for a while.”  Tirac smiled.  “You can feel it, can’t you?  I can even see my spell starting to manifest in you again.  But…to bad.  I’m not taking the risk again.  Your knights, your people, will be mine…but human or monster, you’re head is going on a pike.”
Scorpan gripped his sword and pointed it at Tirac.  “Com on, then, my people will never betray me!”
“Oh no?”  Tirac looked behind him and nodded.  Something else strode out of the mist, something that made Scorpan almost drop his sword.
“Rep?”
The chameleon smiled at Scorpan.  His grin grew as Catrina, who had been watching from the parapets, suddenly leaped down and charged across the bridge till she was next to Scorpan.  
“Rep!  What…what are you doing!”  
“The mist has improved, Scorpan.  It takes over your mind…though it does only minor changes to the body.  Still, they are much more loyal then you ever were.”  Tirac smiled.  “Join us, witch.  Your friend is already a willing servant.  Why not?  I know how to give you the power you once craved.  You can be powerful again.  And, you will have your friend back.”
Catrina stared, and Scorpan didn’t like the thoughtful expression on her face.  He gripped his sword even tighter.
“I…”  Catrina shook her head.  “No.”
“Why ever not, Catrina?”  Even the evil version of Rep seemed surprised by this.
Catrina gave him a long look.  “…for the same reason you did.”  She said, her voice choking.
“Very well, witch.  You will all die…” Tirac raised his hand, his new army of Bright Valley ponies emerging from the mist.  They glared at the small collection of knights, pawing at the ground and snorting, ready to charge.  It seemed like the whole population of Bright Valley was there.  Further into the mists Scorpan spotted other figures.  Some looked like the undead skeleton ponies that Scorpan heard rumors about.  Some were troggles.  Scorpan even thought he saw a few Scree.  They were surrounded.  They were outnumbered.  Even if he fielded his entire company of knights…
Scorpan leaned forwards.
“Far Stride, go for Tirac.  We’re taking a piece of him with us.”
“It’s been an honor, Prince Scorpan.”
“Thank you.”  Catrina hissed quietly.
Scorpan just nodded, to choked up to speak.
Tirac raised his hand, and then dropped it, pointing his finger at the small group huddle before him…
And then an extremely large transparent fishbowl dropped over the fort, including the area were Scorpan and his allies had been standing, just barely missing Tirac’s hoof.
“What?”  Tirac snarled and looked up.  “…it can’t be…”
“Hahaahah!  Oh you should see your face!”  Scorpan blinked as the oddest creature appeared on the side of the fishbowl, leaning on it with a huge irritating grin.  “She was right!  It is just as fun on the other side!  Hahahaha!”
“Discord.”  Tirac said, his tone slightly surprised.
“Ohhh!  So you DO have his memories!  Or her memories?  Or is that mummeries…” Discord chuckled.
“What…is that?”  Far Stride blinked.  The creature suddenly teleported in front of them.
“Weren’t you listening, get the keys out of your ear.”  Discord reached into Far Stride’s ears and pulled out a set of jangling keys, making Far Stride’s eyes bug a bit in shock.  “Discord.  Spirit of Disharmony and Chaos.  At your service.”  At this a top hat and a monocle appeared on Discord’s head, and he bowed to Scorpan, tipping the hat.
“You…you are the great evil that the princesses of Equestria fought a thousand years ago.  Why are you on their side now!  They are your enemies as well!”  Tirac bellowed, and Scorpan shivered a bit as the tone started to give him a mild flashback.
“Oh Tirry Tirry Tirry.”  Discord suddenly teleported till he was facing Tirac…upside down.  “I’m the spirit of –Disharmony- and –Chaos-, not evil.  I don’t –have- to be an evil monster.  I spread chaos.”
“…and Tirac isn’t chaos?”  Catrina blinked. 
“Why not at all!”  Discord grinned.  “Tirac here is a thing of Order!  Dark and evil and oppressive order, but Order just the same.”  Discord floated around Tirac, still upside down.  “You would put everyone in a little cage and lord over them, micromanaging their lives until they were little golems parading around for your amusement.  As dull and boring as dear old Sunbutt is, at least her side has something I like.  You, Tirac…”  Discord blew a raspberry at Tirac, an actual fruit falling from his tongue to bounce on Tirac’s nose.  “Are boring.”
Tirac roared and attempted to claw at Discord, but Discord poofed away back underneath his fishbowl.  He then blew…an entire fruit salad at Tirac.
Scorpan rubbed his eyes.  What the hell did they just get themselves into?
Tirac turned and paced back into the mist.  He looked at one of the Bright Valley ponies.  “Half of you will stay here.  He will become bored eventually.”
“Yes Master.”  The Bright Valley pony bowed, and Tirac gathered his remaining forces.  He smiled.  It was just a small delay.  It was time to move against the Estate.  By the morning all of Dream Valley would belong to him once more.



Fluttershy knew she would have to come back here at some point, when the crisis was over and she wasn’t so terrified.  If only to visit her friend the Stoneback again.  She had doubted that the others had noticed, but the friendly creature had huffed off a few minutes after they had come.  Fluttershy, who was starting to understand the huffs, if only in a general way, knew that he was going to find his friends, and bring them back to the Estate to help with the crisis if they could. 
Fluttershy could see several creatures down in the trees.  Squirrels, birds, mice, and other normal critters she would love to get acquainted with.  She wondered what other strange and wonderful creatures inhabited this place, and despite the danger she was eager to learn more.  However, now was not the time.
Fluttershy looked up as Morning Glory tapped her and pointed ahead of them.  “We’re almost there.”
Fluttershy nodded at her, then made the mistake at looking on ahead in the direction of Flutter Valley.  What she saw made her let out an eep, then her wings froze to her sides.  She dropped a few inches before Morning Glory and Lily had to grab her.
“What’s wrong?”  Lily looked over Fluttershy.  “What’s wrong with your wings?”
“Cha-cha-Changelings!”  Fluttershy pointed to the sky.  Lily looked in the direction she was pointing and blinked at the black swarm closing in on their Valley.  She frowned and looked at Fluttershy, who had got her wings to work again, only to dart under a log in fear.  Lily sighed.
“Look, I can’t do the Utter Flutter.  I’ll stay with her.  You two go warn Queen Rosedust.”  Morning Glory said as she ducked down to the log.  Honeysuckle sighed in irritation, but nodded.  Honeslty, why in the world did this skittish pony come with them if she was going to choke like this.  Heck, even when Morning Glory choked it was due to some misplaced feeling of kindness.  Honestly, Equestria must be the most sheltered land in the world!  With this unkind thoughts racing through her head, Honeysuckle turned, but paused as Morning Glory poked her head out of the log to shout at her.
“Use the Utter Flutter, it will strip away their disguises!”  Morning Glory shouted.
Honeysuckle nodded and fluttered fast, buzzing her wings towards the Valley.  She started to shout as soon as she got within range.  She noticed several of her fellow Flutter Ponies poking their heads out of their homes, and Queen Rosedust flew out to meet her.
“Honeysuckle?  What’s going on?”  The queen asked.
“It’s those Changeling creatures!  They are heading for us!”  Honeysuckle pointed.  “Use the Utter Flutter!  It will take away their shapeshifting!”
“How do you know that?”
“The real Morning Glory is back!  She told me!”
Queen Rosedust nodded.  She turned to the other Flutter Ponies and spread her wings.  “Form up, Flutter Ponies!  Shift into Utter Flutter!”
The other Flutter Ponies flew up into a formation behind their leader, fluttering their wings and spreading the Utter Flutter around them.  Queen Rosedust looked up at the descending Changelings, then blinked.
“There are bees among them!”
“What!”  Honeysuckle looked up.  “…drat, they must have gotten to them!”
“They?  Who?”  Queen Rosedust asked.”
“I’m not sure on the details, but something corrupted Magic Star.  They think Tirac is back, and he’s changing good creatures to evil.  He must have already gotten to the bees!”
Queen Rosedust snorted.  “Flutter Ponies, try and spare the bees.  If they are under control they may yet be saved!  Eliminate the Changelings!  Now, FLUTTER!”
The Changelings and bees dove, but they soon found themselves hitting a wall, of sorts.  The air churned around them as the Flutter Ponies combined wing power whipped up tornados of magical wind, harshly lashing at the Changelings with their magical might.  The Changelings front line was scattered, but the bees managed to fight back, as they had faced Flutter Ponies before.  Several of them burst through the magic wind, slamming into Flutter Ponies and driving them to the ground.  Queen Rosedust looked down and gasped.  Some sort of odd mist flowed from the trees, and her people started to scream.  Gritting her teeth the Queen of the Flutter Ponies dove, but one of the other Flutter Ponies leaped from the ground to smack Rosedust in the chest.  She was nearly brought down, but Honeysuckle managed to ram the other Flutter Pony and knock her away.
“That’s the corrupting mist, isn’t it?”
“Yes!  I think so!”
Rosedust looked up to see most of her ponies being driven to the ground by either bees or her own people.  
“Reform!  On me!”  She bellowed, and the few Flutter Ponies still loyal to her darted her direction.  Their formation was ragged now, and she only had a few Flutter Ponies left.  She gritted her teeth.  How had they managed to overcome her so fast?
“Hahaha, you aren’t much of a Queen are you?”
Queen Rosedust looked to see a large Changeling, larger then all the rest.  Chrysalis smirked at her.  
Queen Rosedust looked at her rapidly dwindling people, and made a quick choice.  She leaned down to Honeysuckle.  “Get the others.  Don’t let them fall into their hands.  Lead the others to the Estate.”  Honeysuckle stared at her in shock, but nodded.  Queen Rosedust spun quickly and flew for Chrysalis.  The Changeling Queen’s eyes widened as Rosedust turned to the side at the last minute, magical wings kicking up a blade like tailwind that slashed into Chrysalis’ side.  Chrysalis stared at her side as a cut emerged on her chitin, and ooze began to flow out.  She screamed, and turned for Rosedust, who was banking to face the Changeling.
“You insect!  I’ll kill you!”  Chrysalis’ horn glowed, and the army of Changeling and corrupted Ponylanders turned and watched.  The Corrupted Flutter Ponies realized somewhere that this was their queen fighting, but the evil compulsion made them cheer for Chrysalis with eagerness.
Rosedust darted for Chrysalis again, and Chrysalis turned at the last moment, expecting Rosedust to side swipe her again.  However, instead Rosedust came to a sudden and abrupt halt, spraying Utter Flutter in Chrysalis’ face.  Chrysalis screamed and covered her eyes with her foreleg, attempting to keep it out of her eyes.  She grunted slightly as Rosedust whirled around and kicked her in the face, darting away right after her slim hooves thumped against Chrysalis’ skull.  She turned again and fluttered rapidly, producing a small tornado of flutter which she launched at Chrysalis.  Somehow the Changeling Queen managed to bear down and take the blow.
“For a weak thing…you are surprisingly durable.”
“A bloated thing like you could never best me in the air.”  Queen Rosedust said a she appeared to charge again.  This time she folded her wings and dropped like a rock before Chrysalis could swipe at her, Rosedust fluttered upwards as soon as Chrysalis passed over her.  She impacted on Chrysalis’ underside, making Chrysalis gasp in winded pain.  Rosedust could see Honeysuckle and the remaining Flutter Ponies fluttering away.  She ducked a blast of green energy from Chrysalis, and darted upwards.  While a part of her wanted to continue to fight her new rival, Rosedust knew that even if she beat Chrysalis then her changelings and corrupted forces would simply attack her en masse, and Rosedust knew that only Flutter Pony, even the Flutter Pony Queen, could not stand up to that.  Dodging and weaving Chrysalis’ magic, Queen Rosedust soared upwards, ducking into a cloud.  She noticed a few of the Changelings turn into Equestrian pegasi and attempt to move the cloud, but their hooves passed through them.  She wondered briefly if this would be true for a real Equestrian pegasi, but she decided that this wasn’t worth thinking about.  She instead turned towards the Estate, fluttering blind through the clouds.
“Go ahead!  Run!  I’m the Queen of your lands now!”  Chrysalis roared.
I’ll be back.  Rosedust thought.  And next time, I’ll destroy you.




One of the Changelings turned to his fuming Queen with a raised eye chitin.  “I thought you wanted Equestria, not butterfly pony land.”
Chrysalis stared at him.  “Oh shut up.”




Applejack watched as the three corrupted Ponylanders were carted through the mirror by a group of Crystal Guards.  The past few hours had been busy.  Celestia had gone across back to Equestria, in the hopes that her own mages could free her horn and her magic.  Luna had elected to stay, feeling that she owed the Ponylanders, and not quite willing to leave yet.  Celestia had planned to take the mirror on their side back to Canterlot as soon as she got there, but not before Shining had gone back through and organized a group of Crystal Guards.  While he wanted the mirror out of his city and in Canterlot, that didn’t mean he didn’t want to help.  A squad of Crystal jousters and archers had been deployed to help the Ponylanders, and they had set up a patrol around the grounds of the Estate.  Most of the Ponylanders had been fascinated by the Crystal ponies.  North Star had been especially interested in the archers, who had planted their bows at strategic points around the estate.  She ended up talking to one of them, a mare named Sure Shot, about Equestrian archery for the past hour, and the Crystal guard had been happy to talk to her.
Applejack, however, had other plans.  Even though the other mirror was technically in motion, Celestia and Distance had assured them that this would not result in any loss of limbs or sudden mutations or alarming poofings from the mirror.  Applejack didn’t understand the fancy smancy unicorn magic yap that Celestia had spouted at Twilight Sparkle, but she trusted both alicorns to know what they were doing.
“Are ya sure you don’t wanna come back with us?”  She asked her friends.
“I wanna stay here for a while!  It’s fun!”  Pinky said cheerily.
“I want to help with the defense efforts as much as I can.”  Twilight Sparkle said as she glanced at Shining, who was handing out orders to his troops.
“I’d like to stay until Fluttershy gets back.”  Rainbow said.
“You’ll be back in Ponyville soon though, right?”  Scootaloo asked in a worried tone.
“You bet squirt!  But I gotta make sure Fluttershy is alright!”  Rainbow said.  “Besides, these ponies need a hero!”
Applejack rolled her eyes.  “Ah’ll come back after I get these young’uns home.”  She said to Twilight Sparkle.
“We’ll all be relived to see them back.”  Twilight Sparkle smiled.  She looked at Rarity and Big Mac.  “Are you two coming back?”
“Well I have to, darling.”  Rarity said.  “I need to get Sweetie back to our parents, but I’d be a horrible friend if I left all of them here to that horrible Tirac character.”
“Nnope.”  Big Mac patted Apple Bloom.  “Ya’ll can take care of it.”
“Before you go, I want to thank all of you.”  Galaxy walked up, having overheard of bit of the conversation.  “And I’m sorry for the earlier misunderstandings.”
“Aww, ain’t your fault, like we said before.”  Applejack smiled.  “And Ah’ll keep an eye on your friends too.  Make sure they make it ta Canterlot safe.”
Fizzy trotted up to them as well.  She looked at them, then focused on Big Mac.  “I…guess you’re going home, right?”
“Eyup.”  Big Mac nodded.
“So, this is goodbye?”  Fizzy said, looking a bit sad at this.  Big Mac shook his head.
“Nnope.”  He gave a gentle nudge.  “See ya later.”
Fizzy’s ears perked.  “So you’re coming back?”
“Eyup.”
“Oh!  Okay, I’ll see you then!”  Fizzy beamed at him.
“Eyup.”
Fizzy trotted back off, smiling, probably to talk to someone else for a bit.  Applejack sort of blinked.
“…We’re gonna have a talk later.”
Big Mac sighed in exasperation.  “Eyup…”
“…anyway.”  Applejack looked at Galaxy.  “Ah’m said goodbye ta Whizzer and Sweet Stuff, so Ah’ll be off…is Whizzer okay?  She’s acting a bit distracted…”
Galaxy frowned.  “I’ll keep an eye on her.  Again, thank you for everything.”
“Aww, it was nothin’.”  Applejack smiled.  “Yall’re a nice group a ponies, and it was really nice ta meet all ya’ll.”  She turned to Twilight.  “The rest of ya will be safe, right?”
Twilight Sparkle nodded.  “We’ll be fine.”
Applejack nodded and turned the mirror.  “Ya said your goodbyes, Apple Bloom?”
Apple Bloom nodded.  “Yep!”  Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo nodded as well.
Applejack wasted no more time.  She urged her sister and her friends through the mirror, and soon they were gone.




A few nauseating spins of the Rainbow later, and Applejack found herself landing on a train bound for Canterlot.  She judged they were about halfway to the mirrors new home, and the closest stop to her home.  And entire cargo car had been converted to hold the mirror, as well as the still caged corrupted Ponylanders, who were still asleep.  The only other Ponylander there was Twilight Unicorn.  After regaining consciousness she had refused to leave her friends, and Celestia had been more then happy to let her come.  Twilight Unicorn looked up at the Apples and nodded politely, but didn’t seem inclined to talk.
“Hey, ya gonna be alright?”  Applejack asked.
“I’m find I…just want to be alone.”  Twilight Unicorn looked outside the window, but Applejack had the feeling that she wasn’t really looking at the landscape.  Applejack nodded, upset that she couldn’t help but not knowing what to do, Applejack led the rest of the family, and Rarity, Sweetie and Scootaloo, to the next car, which was a passenger car.
For a while they all rode in silence, but eventually Applejack slide over to her brother.  
“Hey, Big Mac?”
“Eyup?”
“What’s that goin’ on between ya and that unicorn?”
“Huh?”
“Fizzy.”  Applejack narrowed her eyes at her brother.
“She’s nice.”  Big Mac shrugged.
“Is that all?”
“Eyup.”  Big Mac gave her a steady look.  “Found her when she didn’t know we were allies.  She was alone and scared and she didn’t know how to talk Equestrian.  She may got creepy eyes and she looks like a stallion, but I couldn’t just leave her out there.  Not when timberwolves were a’prowlin’.”
“Ya sure there isn’t anything else?”
“Applejack, before there be ‘anything else’ Ah’d haveta get ta know her first.”  Big Mac said.  “Right now I just wanna be her friend.  If somethin’ more happens so be it.  But ya know I got plenty of mare friends without havin’ anything weird…cept that time with Cheerilee.”
“…technically that was Apple Bloom’s fault.”  Applejack smiled.
“Eyup.”  Big Mac nodded.
Reassured, Applejack settled back and proceeded to enjoy the rest of the trip back.
It was good to be home.




Twilight Sparkle let out the breath she had been holding.  She had almost expected something bad to happen to prevent their departure.  However, it was all going pretty smoothly.  Nothing was amiss, at least as far as she could see.  While she wasn’t here at a normal peaceful time here in Dream Valley, she did think it was pretty quiet so far.  Twilight Sparkle decided to trot around the Estate to see what the others were doing.
She smiled as she saw her Spike helping the other Spike organize some odd fluffy creatures called Bushwoolies into erecting a sandbag wall around the Estate to serve as a defense in case somepony attacked.  Most of them agreed that at some point Tirac would attack the Estate, as this had apparently happened before.  Dream Valley Spike had actually been the first to come to this conclusion, and had started to organize the Bushwooly creatures.  After a few moments the Diamond Dogs had pitched it, and with all of them helping it was going rather smoothly.
“You okay, Spike?  Er, my Spike?”  Twilight asked her dragon.
“It’s going pretty well!  These Bushwoolies are kinda strange-“
“Yeah!  We’re strange!”  One of the Bushwoolies piped up.
“Really strange!”  
“Odd!”
“Er…do you always do that?”  Twilight Sparkle asked.
“Yep!”
“All the time!”
“Every day!”
“You get used to it.”  Dream Valley Spike said.  “But they’re really nice!”  The Dream Valley dragon smiled as the Bushwoolies chorused their affirmatives to Twilight.  Twilight nodded.
“Are you going to build the wall over the river?”  She asked as she waved towards the river, which was only a few feet away.
“Not sure.  Need to ask the Sea Ponies if they-oh here they are!”  Dream Valley Spike hopped off the sandbag he had been standing on and waved as several pony heads emerged from the river with a rather frantic chorus of ‘shoo-be-doo.’  Dream Valley Spike frowned.
“Hey, Seawinkle, what’s wrong?”  He leaned forwards to talk to them.
“They’re coming!  They’ve taken it all!”  Seawinkle shouted.  “Get the others to the pool!  You need to hear this!”  Quickly the Sea Pony ducked back underwater.
“The pool?”  Twilight asked.
“There’s an underground river that leads to the Estate pool, it’s how the Sea Ponies get in and out…but usually just the babies are here…something’s really wrong.  Princess, can you get the others to the pool?”  Dream Valley Spike turned to the Equestrian Spike.  “Think you can keep the Bushwoolies and the Dogs working?”
Equestrian Spike blinked.  “Yeah, I guess.”
“Good, I’ll meet you all there.  I’ll go find Megan, Danny and Molly.”  The pinkish dragon charged off.
Twilight blinked.  “He’s very commanding.”
“You mean he’s pushy.”  Spike of Equestria folded his arms.
“Maybe.  He’s probably had to be more independent then you.”  Twilight Sparkle patted her Spike on the head.  “But you’re still the best number one assistant in either world.”
Spike grinned.  “You’re right!”  Spike smiled and jumped on the sandbags, directing Bushwoolies and Dogs.
Twilight spread her wings and soared into the air.  She scanned the ground, identifying Galaxy and Wind Whistler, who were standing in the middle of the lawn, keeping watch.  She soared downwards.  She hovered above them.
“There’s a Sea Pony who wants to talk to us in the pool area.”  Twilight shouted.  The two Ponylanders nodded and started shouting for more of their friends.  Twilight hadn’t gotten everypony’s name yet, but she did recognize Gusty and Fizzy running up at the calls.  Twilight then soared over the Estate and landed at the edge of the pool.  Luna soon joined here, followed by the three humans.
As soon as Wind Whistler and Galaxy, along with Ribbon, Gusty, Fizzy, Buttons, Masquerade and Paradise, who had poked her head out of a window to listen in, arrived, Seawinkle bobbed up.
“Seawinkle, what is wrong?”  Wind Whistler asked.
Seawinkle bobbed, then flicked her fins.  “The mist has spread everywhere.  Most creatures have been effected.”
“What?  So soon?”  Luna asked.
“Yes.  They have Bright Valley…we couldn’t even reach Scorpan’s kingdom.  We fear they’re lost as well.  It spread over the Manestifent forest, and we don’t know if they have the Dell Dwellers, but if not they are still deep in the earth.  We’ve seen the crabnasties join them, as well as the mice and rats.  The scree had joined willingly…”  Seawinkle sighed.  “We’ve even spotted Stratadons.”
“…so we are all that’s left in the area.”  Galaxy said.  “Could they have reached north, to the penguin kingdom?”
“We aren’t sure.  The mist came from the south, and the sea is becoming more and more dangerious.  The octopi and squid are started to become more and more agitated.  I’m scared to take our young out to sea…and soon the land may be in jeopardy as well.”  Seawinkle said.  “Galaxy…I have a favor to ask.  Can you reach the bobble head lands?”
“The mirror between Dream Valley and Equestria is open.”  Luna said.  “But why?”
Wind Whistler scuffed her hoof.  “…you think we will be enveloped by darkness, don’t you?  As it was in the old days.”
“And we can’t reach our old nesting grounds without going through the octopi.”  Seawinkle said.  “We adults are not cowards.  We will swim with you and fight Tirac…but I don’t want our babies to suffer.”
“I’m…not sure…are you asking what I think you are?”  Twilight Sparkle asked.
“It…makes sense.”  Wind Whistler said.  “You want us to take your babies to Equestria?”
“Just until we defeat Tirac.  They are getting to close to our nests.  I want to be safe.  We almost lost them when that drought occurred.”  Seawinkle said.
“I understand.  I wouldn’t want any of your babies to come to harm either.  We love them.”  Galaxy nodded.  “Is there any way your unicorns can help transport the baby Sea Ponies?”  She looked at Luna.
“Of course, we-“
“Galaxy!  Wind Whistler!  Megan!  The Flutter Ponies are back!  Flutter Valley had been lost!”  Mimic charged into the pool area, looking frazzled.
“What?  What about the Sun Stone?”  Galaxy asked.
“It’s still at the Valley…our people…many have fallen to the corruption.”  Honeysuckle landed, followed by the remaining Flutter Ponies and Fluttershy, who looked mildly traumatized.  Twilight Sparkle trotted over to comfort her shy friend.
Galaxy was about to reply when Lofty landed in the pool area as well.
“They’re coming!  I just saw them all!  It’s like the entire Valley is marching here!”
“Who is?”  Wind Whistler asked.
“Everyone!”  Lofty shouted.  “Crabnasties, troggles, grundles, goblins and trolls and elves and flories and EVERYONE!  Good and evil side by side!  They all have glowing yellow eyes!”  Lofty gasped for breath.  “He’s corrupted them all, and they’ll be here in half an hour!”