//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3: Warring Malice's First Appearance 
// Story: Enough of the Drama Queen 
// by JusSonic 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 3: Warring Malice’s First Appearance


Twilight and her friends, along with Smartscar, Arthur, Jenny, Terrorcreep, Rushstrike, Drillmap, Jan and 20 Mystic Soldiers, continued walking across the darken and dirty woods of Land of Dirt. No animal sounds are roaring, screeching and humming; just a cooling breeze and gentle blowing. Quiet...

Arthur turned to Smartscar, looking worried as he speaks, "Brother. I think we should stay close and be careful. I've got a bad feeling about this."

"What? You sure," Fluttershy ask in concern and worry.

"Well, I think our enemies may try to use this time to strike." Spike said seriously.

"Smartsacar, we may have to hide you." Big Macintosh said seriously to Smartscar, "Because you could be out in the open like this."

Smartscar smirked, chuckling as if this was a joke to him, "If they want to attack me, then so be it. Right now, we have a little colt to rescue. But if there is one who can defeat me, I will gladly hand over the reins."

Smartscar headed off, Drillmap, Rushstrike and 20 Mystic Ponies followed him. Rainbow whistles, "Wow, he seems...confident."

"Yeah, that I agree," Scootaloo remarked, nodding in agreement with her teacher/idol.

"That sounds odd." Dinky said, wondering why Smartscar not worried for his safety.

"Why is Smartscar not concern of his safety?" Rarity asks her friends in disbelief. Shouldn't Smartscar be concerned for his safety?

Twilight agreed, saying, "I agree with Rarity. If there were enemies, Smartscar shouldn't be going alone in handling the problem by himself; I wonder why?"

"Our lord... He is putting the fate of Earth Intelligence Force in balance. If he's killed, then our organization will be out of control." Jenny said with a frown, not approving of this.

Arthur sighed in concern, "And sometimes... Whenever there's trouble, he remain so calm. He frightens me."

"That is to show your enemy that our Lord fears nothing." Terrorcreep explains clearly to the others as to why Smartscar is so calm and confident. "That is the test. A test of what our Lord strive and destine of why he is chosen as Mystic Counilpony of Earth."

Jan sighed, "I really wish my father can be like my uncle."

"And be merciless as he is, Jan? Forget it." Arthur snaps to Jan in annoyance. He is not going to be a merciless creep like Smartscar, not a chance!

Jenny sighed, shaking her head while saying, "Oh... my lord... What am I going to do with you?"

"Strive and destine of why he's chosen?" Twilight ask as she stopped for a moment. "Why am I chosen as an Alicorn?" She begins looking at her wings, pondering. "What am I striving for as a princess? Why..."

"Twilight?" Ben ask Twilight in worry. His love is getting a bit worried again like she does when the Alicorn has doubts.

"It's nothing."

Smartscar smiled, calling out to the others, "Time to continue with our mission."

Twilight, her friends and allies continued marching through the hollow and hallway-like dark forests and found dark and creepy places waiting for them. Sweetie Belle spotted a grayish Unicorn dressed in a brownish Chinese robe with scary eyes turning to the front. The filly pointed at the front, asking, "Who’s that?"

Scootaloo shrugged while responding, "Beats me; must be Smartscar's units."

Apple Bloom nodded while commentating, "Yeah. Ah mean 'de Land o' Dirt is under Smartscar's control 'ta look an' watch over. We could use more backup."

"Drillmap; did you send more units to be awaited for our arrival?" Smartscar ask Drillmap suspiciously. Something about this scene doesn't seem right. Did his subordinate called for backup?

"No, my lord," Drillmap said with a frown, not liking this at all.

Sure enough, the mysterious figure glares as he booms, "Smartscar! For the Earth Intelligence Force, you must forfeit your life! Get him!"

Purple Demonic armored ponies jumped off from the trees to the ground, holding their swords and spears, charging at Twilight and her friends. Twilight yelps, "Holy Celestia!"

"Great tarnation! Why ain't Ah surprised 'ta see 'dis?!" Applejack groans a bit. It's like every villain in Equestria wants a shot at the heroes.

"Better get ready, every pony!" Ben calls out as he got his Master Sword out, preparing for battle. "This isn't a social call!"

Smartscar smiled, saying calmly, "So, Tong Fa... You finally decide to attack me... even in exile, you still hold a grudge against me."

Tong Fa groaned angrily, "Not after what you had done to our organization and former leader! You must pay the price, traitor! Get him, boys!"

Tong Fa and his minions charged right at Twilight and her friends. Smartscar scoffed, "Foolish Tong Fa... Trapped in the old ways as always... Drillmap?"

Drillmap nodded his head, taking out a small bomb out from his saddlebag, along with his Drilling Lance that appeared on his hoof. The stallion exclaims an attack, "Drilling Explosion!"

Drillmap threw his bomb to the front and jumped up high. Tong Fa spotted the attack and quickly headed to the front, along with six Rogue Mystics.

BOMB!

Some of Tong Fa's Rogues jumped, being shaken off from the ground. Drillmap's bomb exploded, along with his drilling lance on the ground hard.

"Don't think it's easy! Try my STARE!" Tong Fa exclaims furiously, preparing for some sort of attack.

Smartscar, knowing what's coming, yells out to his allies, "Cover your eyes!"

Smartscar and his Mystic Ponies covered their eyes with their bare hooves. Tong Fa had his eyes opened in anger, staring and glaring at Twilight and her friends. They gasped in shock and fear.

"Can't move," Rainbow shivers a bit, freaking out as she is paralyzed on the spot.

"Nnnope," Big Macintosh exclaims, shaking a bit in fear.

"What is he doing?!" Rarity asks frantically, getting scared and freaked out.

Pipsqueak screamed in fear, "Don't let him use the Stare on us!"

Fluttershy groaned in anger, charging to the front of Tong Fa, using her Stare. She yells out, "Listen here, mister! Don't you even dare try to Stare my friends! That isn't nice and I am not going to stand for it! Now stop what you're doing right now or I am going to get ugly on you like the Red Dragon thing back in Total Drama EQUESTRIA!!!"

Fluttershy's Stare appears to overcome the villain, making Tong Fa screamed in fear, "Okay! I give! I give up! Don't hurt me! How could a mere Equestria Pony beat me easily?! No one can!"

"Well done. Terrorcreep, did you bring the Pandora Box?" Smartscar ask Terrorcreep, preparing some sort of way to capture these things.

Terrorcreep smirked and take the Pandora Box out. The Vampire Pony yelled out, "Pandora Box!" The Pandora Box's top opened, revealing a vortex, absorbing most of Rogue Mystics and Tong Fa into it. "That caught them."

The Mane Six manages to recover from the paralyzing stare. Applejack ask in confusion, "What 'de hay is 'dat all about?"

"Right, who are those goons?" Phobos asks Smartscar in bewilderment.

"Right and how do they know you?" Nyx ask Smartscar in concern. Whoever Tong Fa and his pals are, they have one major grudge against Smartscar.

Smartscar looks sternly as he explains, "Those were just Rogues, Mystic Ponies who were neither Dark Mystic's side nor Mystic's, but themselves since they cannot share the same view as mine. Tong Fa and his troops were once Earth Intelligence Force's members, following the old and excusable Councilpony before me. He placed too much faith in that old fool, or else the organization would have been destroyed."

"Still... I don't think Tong Fa was alone." Arthur said, suspecting that Tong Fa may not be alone. There may be more ambushes waiting.

"Agree. We need to be careful when crossing these areas." Jenny said seriously, knowing that that the heroes need to be careful from here on.

"Let us continue." Smartscar advises as the heroes move on their way.

-------------

Meanwhile back in Ponyville, Pinkamena was in her dungeon room with the others doing their things. Then she felt something that earn her attention which stopped her reading.

"Hmm; Seems like a whole lot is going to happen. And we better be ready for when the place shakes." Pinkamena issued this out from having a Pinkie Sense telling her of what's to come. 

The others stopped what they are doing as they were puzzled. But Goldie stated that this would happen occasionally as they know that she thinks just being Pinkie Pie. So Sombra & Autumn Gem continue with some reconnection effort for the reform king, Omega & Harvis continued their fighting techniques while Golden Heart join in.

---------------------

The group are getting closer to Button Mash's location but it didn't take long for the next attack to occur. Rogue Mystic Pegasus flew in to the ground, arming themselves with their bows and arrows. One who led them was a purple Pegasus female dressed in dark purple armor, glaring at Smartscar.

Smartscar knows who this mare is, speaking, "Feng Huang...Nice to see you falling around."

Feng Huang groaned angrily, "I'll make you suffer! Archers! Full scales arrow attacks!"

Rushstrike gasped, "Everypony! Take cover!"

Twilight and her friends quickly hide behind rocks and trees before thousands of arrows flew and struck down at them. Feng Huang and her Rogues continued shooting their arrows on the enemies for few times.

"Okay, can't we go anywhere without any jerk attacking us?!" Spike asks his friends in frustration.

"These Pegasus make us good Pegasus look bad!" Rainbow complains angrily, upset of how these Pegasus's evil are making a negative intact on the gang.

"But who are these new ponies? They aren't Earth Ponies like the previous attackers!" Twilight exclaims, suspecting that something's not right here.

"Terrorcreep! Drillmap! Rainbow Dash! Distract the enemies from behind!" Smartscar exclaims, dishing out orders as he begins a plan to counteract this attack. "Rarity, Twilight, Nyx, Arthur, Rushstrike, Jenny with me. Perform your Unicorn Bursts! We will blow our enemies off in the sky!"

Rainbow groaned, "Give me one good reason why I follow you?!"

"If the enemies get their hooves on my Intelligence Force, you can say goodbye to your home as base for them!"

"Good point."

Drillmap, Terrorcreep and Rainbow Dash flew in high speed, passing Feng Huang and her archers in spinning turn. The attacker shook her head hard and groaned, "I shall get you for that, brat! Get them; the rest of you continue firing!"

Feng Huang's rear archers turned and fired their arrows against Rainbow Dash, Drillmap and Terrorcreep. They kept on dodging and flying around, while attacking the Rogue Mystic archers a few times, punching and knocking them down for a few times, making it difficult and hard for Feng Huang and her archers to fire against them and Smartscar and his units. Twilight Sparkle, Smartscar and the Unicorns gathered their energies through their horns.

Feng Huang groaned angrily, struggling in firing their arrows against Rainbow Dash, Drillmap and Terrorcreep in high speed of flying around. The mare yells out angrily, "Stop flying around! This is getting annoying! You're not even attacking me hard enough!"

"Who said we need to?" Rainbow asks Feng Huang with a mischievous arrogant smirk.

"Now," Smartscar ordered. Rainbow Dash, Drillmap and Terrorcreep moved to the sides. Smartscar, Twilight Sparkle and the Unicorns aimed their horn at their targets, it didn't take long for Feng Huang to realize what's about to happen.

"Oh no," Feng Huang exclaims in alarm.

"Fire at will!"

Twilight and the Unicorns blasted their Unicorn Bursts at their targets, blowing and blasting the bad guys in the air. Terrorcreep came to the front of spinning and whirling around the Rogue Mystics. He opened the Pandora Box and trapping them within. Terrorcreep smirked as he remarks, "That was easy."

"The enemies... They grew more relentlessly in against me..." Smartscar remarks as if concerned. But then he smirked, continuing, "It matters not... These soldiers need some lessons to get through. And I would personally handle that."

"I don't know about that... Maybe... you should negotiate with them, talk with them. Make them understand your purpose." Twilight said to Smartscar in hesitation. These attacks are getting out of hoof here. It won't take long before there will be various deaths happening.

Smartscar huffed, dismissing Twilight's suggestion, "If these fools only listened to reason first... For my purpose was to build the new military strengths of Earth Intelligence Force, not making the same mistake as before."

"Why is that?"

"My family executed the former Councilpony of Earth." Smartscar said, making Twilight and her friends gasped in shock. "My reason is just. He has shown to be irresponsible and foolish in wasting his time in leisure than tending to both administrative and military affairs. And also, he planned to overthrew our Jade Emperor. This had made us attack him. And thus, we did. My family became the Council of Earth.

"Well, this explains why these ponies are attacking us." Ben said seriously.

"My goodness; How horrifying!" Rarity exclaims, freaking out and scared.

"Oh dear, I don't like the sound of that at all." Fluttershy said in fright.

"Nnope," Big Macintosh remarks in agreement.

"That must be hard one." Rarity remarks with a deep frown.

"A little bit. But it needs to be done, to defend the Mystic Realm and protecting our land at all cost, even if it means betraying some of my former friends." Smartscar said seriously. The Councilpony is explaining how one must do what it takes to defend a home, no matter what it cost.

"Even them..." Twilight said in worry, considering some of the past actions she has made in the past that are risky and dangerous, especially when it comes to friends.

"Yes... But unlike you, you see a much bigger picture. And for them...They were blind to the old ways and loyal to that buffoon."

"No...those who wants more powers than others is the enemy. You... you did what you can to help and save the Mystic Realm."

"Yes... Let us go..." Smartscar said seriously. He and the Mystic Ponies went on ahead, leaving the ponies a bit behind to lag behind, pondering a bit.

"Wow, who knew what that guy did to keep his home safe?" Pipsqueak asks his fellow CMC members in fright.

"Right, that's spooky!" Sweetie exclaims in agreement. Nyx looks concerned at her mother's thinking, wondering if she too must betray friends to keep Equestria safe at all cost.

As the Mystic Ponies were elsewhere while the Mane Six and their group of friends were handling other issues…unknown to them, something of the most ‘unexpected’ event would play out here in their lively moment.

“Grusvhvmmfrusvhmmm…” Suddenly without warning, a corridor of darkness appeared from beneath the floor, lightning effect volts around it before appearing as some dome form.

“Eeek; Wha…Wha is that?” Fluttershy yelped in seeing something that almost looked…familiar and scary to them.

“Some sorta dark….liquidly…egg-shape thing,” Phobos slowly described this thing to them.

“Frsushvmm-Frusvhmm….” Then without another warning, the corridor of darkness vanished and in it’s presence came something that...surprised all the ponies & baby Dragons in the area. It was a young Earth pony mare with moderate red color fur coat, pointed devil-like ears, red short flowing mane to her neck & long messy tail, and vivid orange eyes. She wears gold hoof shoe-wear and has around the ankles that are golden brackets with emerald center pieces. And on her flank looks like a lit fire blaze, as her Cutie Mark. Course, the mark maybe some kinda symbol of what her personality & field course is than being an Element User as she just has a style in being and using fire base subjects; but the gang doesn’t know that. Also, she is dress in the same black cloak outfit as someone else that the Sparkle Family came across who wore the same stuff. Afterwards, a background song called; ‘Thirteenth Discretion’ from Kingdom Hearts Re-Chain of Memories that was heard during this active moment.

“Hello!” Warring Malice waved off her right hoof to the group with a strange forward approach of a ‘meet & greet’ approach with a smile.

“Oh, hello there,” Pinkie Pie smiled off to say her own hello.

“PINKIE; you don’t say hello to a strange pony appearing out of nowhere like that!” Rainbow Dash scolded her friend for being friendly to someone they don’t know that came out from something unfriendly.

“Why? I do it all the time?” Pinkie Pie asked off in not getting the picture here.

“But ye don’t appear fro' some weird dark magic dome thingy.” Applejack pointed out an honest fact, which is true, whoever this mare was….seem to be capable of performing dark magic acts.

“That ability, it looked almost like what my brother Lorcan used.” Spike spoke off in recalling something vaguely like how his brother Lorcan got around, a work of using darkness it seem.

“Oh you mean using a Corridor Of Darkness, true, though his…was more emerald flame, not all dark.” Warring Malice spoke off to say without a care about how hers and Lorcan's are two different types.

“Hold on, we saw something almost like that once too….and that cloak you’re wearing.” Nyx said, recalling something. She remembers how she herself, her parents, Spike and Phobos met someone similar to this newcomer...as in the Superior back in the Equestria Girls world! “There’s only one villain we know of that shares those abilities. Are you in league with the Superior and the Apocalypse Ponies?”

“Maybe…maybe not; what, is it against the law to wear black cloak garments?” Warring Malice shrugs off to say in hiding the truth of such a fact.

“How did you come here? That magic….” Twilight raised a suspicious eyebrow in thinking this mare was up to something and clearly hiding it too.

“You should know by now princess, magic…is not limited to just unicorns and Alicorns. There are those with…certain…qualities.” Warring Malice wiggled her front hoof off in teasing Twilight to know better, there are many that can do magic…with the right handy work that is.

“Okay, so what do you want?” Ben asked off in changing the subject, who was this mare and why was she here before them?

“I came here because I felt it was unfair that so many have been hogging the hero…or heroes, in this case.” Warring Malice remotely issued this fact off that seem to lead to more questions than answers now.

“Hoggin’ heroes?” Big Mac raised an eyebrow at repeating that, but it sounds like…this new pony ain’t precisely on the side of good.

“That’s right, now it’s my show now, Wielders of the Elements of Harmony & Triforce.” Warring Malice declared off to say this much while waving off her front hooves. “Who am I?” She pointed to herself in knowing the group has gotta be asking this question about now. “Oh, my name’s Warring Malice.” She waved off her front hoof to her chest to state this. “Got it memorized?” She held her right hoof to her forehead in stating for the group to remember that.

“HEY! That’s a famous liner she’s using from Kingdom Hearts!” Pinkie Pie broke the fourth Wall to say this while earning some weird attention from her friends.

“Again, you are so random Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes in seeing her friend could pretty much say things at random.

“Uh…sure,” Twilight slowly responded off in finding this stranger making herself know seems a bit…awkward, and who she was, they haven’t a clue.

“Good, you’re a quick learner. As expected of Twilight Sparkle,” Warring Malice responded off with a smile in seeing that Twilight learns fast here. “So princess, now that we’re all getting to know each other better…” She spoke off to point her right hoof to her forehead in seeing how the group has now started to know who each of them are as they got the basic terms of meeting down.

Then without warning, Warring Malice was suddenly lifting her front hooves up as if she was trying to lift an invisible force. But suddenly, the entire area began to shake all over.

“Waaahhhh,” The CMC yelped from the strange shaking that was affecting the whole room here while they duck and cover themselves.

-------------

At this moment, the Mystics felt something that was off that drew in their attention. Warring Malice’s magic was felt active at the moment that shook the outside part of the area they are at while further from where the Mane Six party are still at.

“Something’s wrong. Find the Equestrians now!” Smartscar spoke with a deep and serious face in sensing something way off.

“Brother, what could this feeling be? This magic feels….hollow, but powerful. And also…an outside boost of forces?” Arthur asked his brother, there was something off about the magical force that they sense.

“It might be an enemy movement.” Smartscar issued in what he can vaguely guess was happening here. “It might just be…the 3rd group outside the Dark Mystics & Grimmore.” He stated in having a feeling that only two groups of the Three Lords of Equestria have made movements, some from Grimmore’s Army, other times from the Dark Mystics…but this time…it was another group entirely.

Hearing that made them all the more quickly begin to move as fast as they can. They can only hope they make it in time, if the Equestrians are facing the 3rd organization of the Three Lords: the Apocalypse Ponies, then their valor may truly be tested if they can be ready to handle such foes….or die trying.

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Meanwhile with the Mane Six’s situation, things were looking a bit extra rowdy from whatever Warring Malice was performing here.

“Pruussfrrsusuvhmmm….” Suddenly, two explosive flames erupted from Warring Malice’s front hooves while a surge of black electricity course around them. They were seen rotting at a spinning rate until they finally spark off to vanish the blowy action to be replaced as something for her to wield. They appeared as a pair of Chakrams that have a circular main wheel with a black, cross-shaped handle. The edge of the main wheel sports four spikes shaped like the spikes on the Nobody Pony sigil and a small ring that is bisected by the main wheel. Another spike identical to the other four is attached to each of these rings, making a total of eight spikes. The interior of the main wheel & the outer edge of the half of each of the four rings that are on the interior of the wheel are red, as are the inner edges of the other halves of the rings. The rest of the charm is silver. During the moment of everyone’s sudden surprise and confusion of this Earth mare’s magical firry abilities, another background music is heard called ‘Face It’ from Kingdom Hearts Re Chain Of Memories just now.

“Gaaughh….” Rarity yelped in seeing such a feat, just who was this Earth mare anyway?

“Wow! Now this whole situation feels like a Kingdom Hearts game!” Nyx responded in also breaking the fourth wall here.

“Nyx, I think we have bigger problems than you speaking your aunt Pinkie Pie’s random moments.” Ben spoke this off in having a feeling, things are about to get seriously busy here.

With that, the Equestrian gang of the Mane Six group of fighters started to take up their battle positions and even bring out their weapons for a fight on their hands, or hooves. Ben summoned his Master Sword, Twilight has her horn glow, Nyx magically transformed into her Battle Form, Rainbow Dash brought out her Magical NunChuck Guns, Applejack had her Diamond Lasso ready, Rarity brought out her Eternal Gemstones, Fluttershy had her Rosin’ Crystal Petals on standby, Pinkie Pie brought out her Party Cannon, and Spike & Phobos had their smoke blow out their nostrils and showed their sharp claws. Big Macintosh also was stomping his hooves to get ready while being the front guard to the Cutie Mark Crusaders so they don’t get hurt here.

As for Warring Malice, she stood there before raising her head upwards to smile off towards the gang. “Now…don’t you go off and die on me now!” She spoke that off with such a casual and eager feeling of her mysterious, stoic and calm demeanor of liking to lit up this party. Like she was actually gonna fight for the kill and treat it like a raring feeling of fire that wants to lit things up. “Oh, and this will be between us only, so if you were expecting those Mystics to come to your aid, then lets change our scenery, shall we?” The mare responded to suddenly feeling they’re gonna have company interrupt them, so it’s better they don’t be here when that happens; all while still having a jolly smile on her face.

Then in a sudden moment, the entire area was wobbling in a strange motion that made the gang almost feel like they were gonna be feeling dizzy. Then before they could yelp or scream or shout, they all vanished without a trace by some dimensional rift spell that was performed here. And at that moment, the background music cease playing here. And also during the moment, the Mystic Ponies enter the area where they hoped to find Twilight’s band and other friends, but…they were gone; just like that.

“Where are they?” Terrorcreep asked off in not seeing where the Equestrians are, no signs of the Mane Six, Ben, the baby dragons, the CMC, Big Mac., NOTHING!

“I don’t see them! Or sense them!" Jenny spoke with worry, they can’t see or sense where the gang are; not good.

“Father; Uncle; they can’t be dead, right?” Jan asked in feeling a bit worrisome, their friends can’t be long gone in the afterlife, right?

“No, this was most likely a spell that teleported them to a realm in-between dimensions of sort.” Smartscar issued in knowing what they are witnessing at this moment; a special spell that takes one and group into another realm-dimension where they fight outside of where they were temporally in. “Problem is, there are too many to count, and since the enemy used this, we need to know who we’re dealing with to sense their presence.” He explained that the problem to deal with isn’t easy for them to handle with what they know at this time.

“But since whoever was here, and with an unusual magical flow, we can’t tell where they are.” Arthur stated in seeing they can’t track what they don’t know or understand it, it’s like a needle in a haystack.

“Then that means, they’ll have to fight and get back on there on.” Rushstrike stated in realizing what this will actually mean for the Equestrians. “That’s just great. They better not die on us or our alliance will be for nothing!” He complains in seeing if their new allies die off, then their alliance will have gone to waste from having such hopes in new heroes in the Equestrians.

This cause many of the Mystics to go silent, they can only wait and hope the others return….what, where, what, when, how and why, the Mystics don’t know. And with that, everything goes dark with much things to ponder…if the Mane Six group will be alright.

------------------

At this very moment, the Mane Six band along with Ben, Adult Nyx, the baby dragons, along with Big Mac. & the CMC, found their new location to be….very unbelievable to their eyes. They were in a strange realm of crimson red and black in the theme of darkness. And in the center was a floor and pillars of a structure of white design features that serve as the center piece. And if that wasn’t enough, a new sound is heard in the background called: ‘The 13th Struggle’ (Extended Version) from Kingdom Hearts Re-Chain of Memories. The Mane Six, Ben, Adult Nyx & the baby Dragons were in a battle position before Warring Malice as she was just twirling a bit of her Chakrams around, as if getting ready for a fight.

“My word, look at this place!” Rarity gasped off in seeing this place for the first time.

“Where are we?” Fluttershy asked off in not knowing where they even are here.

“This looks like a battle stage from the second Kingdom Hearts Game, Re-Chain of Memories.” Pinkie Pie broke the fourth wall in thinking of what was happening here.

“Seriously; you wanna be acting random when in this situation?” Rainbow Dash asked off in shock by how Pinkie Pie chooses to be random when they are gonna fight whoever this character was.

“Any thoughts Twilight,” Applejack asked her friend in finding this situation almost familiar, but from a bad memory it seems.

“She must have used a dimensional transport spell to bring us to a realm outside our reality. But the last one foe we fought who did that was…” Twilight was explaining what she knew about their whereabouts, and how this might be a realm that only a strong and powerful magic user can cast, the last time they went through this was from ‘one’ old foe.

“My brother, yeah, when Shining Armor, Big Mac and Ben fought Lorcan,” Spike nods in knowing what Twilight would say; that about sums this up.

“Should we stand ready for whatever move she makes, mother?” Adult Nyx asked her mother Twilight of a plan to go by here.

“I think so too Nyx.” Twilight lightly nods in seeing they need to know how strong Warring Malice is and figure out what to do about it.

“Well then let’s get this on the road gang, you’re about to learn why I’m nicknamed: The Warring Mare!” Warring Malice issued forth in preparing to deal with the first blow to the heroes, “Huuaagh!” Soon she thrown one of her Chakrams out that was ignited into flames right at the heroes.

“INCOMING!” Phobos shouted out in seeing an attack was coming at them…HOT!

The gang quickly either ducks or scattered out of the way while that attack missed. Soon that burning weapon made like a boomerang and return to Warring Malice where she caught it with ease.

“Boy; that was close.” Sweetie Belle sighs in relief, that was a very close call indeed.

“Too close if you ask me.” Scootaloo stated from seeing how they almost got toasted.

“Crusaders; Get ready!” Apple Bloom signal to the little CMC band to prepare for battle, but….;

“Oh no! Ye ain’t facing some pony who might as well darn be a high rank villain like de Superior!” Applejack protest her sister and pals from entering this brawl match, Twilight’s group fought a hard battle against the Superior, this Warring Malice seems like someone who may almost be in the same league; too dangerous, “Big Mac, watch them like a hawk!” She pointed to her brother to watch over and keep their sister safe from harm.

“But Applejack, can’t I help?” Big Macintosh asked off in feeling that his tough strength is needed to fight.

“Ye can help by keeping our sister an’ their friends safe!” Applejack sternly pointed out what the big brother of the Apples can do.

Feeling he can’t argue with that logic, Big Mac nods his head while the Mane Six’s forces focus on fighting against Warring Malice. Which as we speak, Ben was taking some swings with the Master Sword against the mare’s Chakrams.

“Don’t think that just cause you got a good sword, it’ll beat my weapon; Eternal Flames.” Warring Malice issued off to say while taking more swings of two hooves while Ben managed to block or counter as best he could.

“Oh really, then maybe this will.” Ben smile doff to say in having another use for this as he jumps away while two little surprises leap over him towards Warring Malice.

“Hugh?” Warring Malice stared in confusion of when Ben duck away and now sees two baby Dragons taking a deep breath before….

“Dragon Breath/Moon Breath,” Spike & Phobos announced their attacks before they were breathing out their fire attacks of emerald and blue colors. “Prysshfruvhmmm…Bammgruvhmmm….” Soon both baby Dragons fired off their large spheres of flames that exploded right around Warring Malice’s spot.

“Oh yeah; She just got…FIRED!” Phobos smirked proudly in stating what they just gone and done here.

“Seriously; you used that liner?” Spike raised an eyebrow in hearing Phobos used such a pun liner.

“Well would you prefer I say ‘Burn, Baby Burn’ instead?” Phobos asked off in feeling like his catchy one-liner wasn’t good enough and he should have gone with a different one.

“Hey, hey, settle down you two.” Warring Malice’s voice was heard from within the still burning flames.

“Hugh?” The baby Dragons stops their arguing to bear witness a shocking feat; Warring Malice was walking out of the flames and WITHOUT getting burned. HOW?

“The fun’s just getting started.” Warring Malice smiled off to say this from having more ways this can get interesting. “Frusvhmm…Claspfruvhmmm…” Then she swung off one of her Chakrams that made contact with the baby Dragons.

“Gaaaaughhh….uuugh…” Both Spike & Phobos were tossed off across the field to roll around and stop afterwards.

“Uuuuugh, how did she not get hurt from our flames?” Spike groans from feeling achy now, but why didn’t their fire attack work?

“Did I forget to mention fire doesn’t harm me?” Warring Malice smiled off in stating a little fact that she can’t be harmed by fire from others while catching her thrown weapon. “But it sure can harm you.” She teases off to say in taking a little moment to enjoy the battle here.

“You’ll pay for that!” Adult Nyx shouted from flying above as she was gonna attack next.

Warring responded by throwing one of her Chakrams at Nyx, but she turn into a nighty dust cloud that slip pass the attack and scattered something around the foe; like scatter night stars.

“Night-Star Implosion,” Adult Nyx shouted from appearing a good distance away from the foe.

“Boomfruvhmmm….” Large numbers of explosions were happening where the black mare had made her attack explode without delay.

“Did that get her?” Adult Nyx asked off in wondering if that attack was enough to do the job.

“Frusvhmmm…Frushvmmmm…” Suddenly from the clouds, two Chakrams were thrown off to almost hit Nyx.

“Wooh,” Adult Nyx ducks down while air board to avoids being hit.

“Frusvhmm…” Then appearing behind Adult Nyx by a pyro ball with dark electrical surges, appeared none other than Warring Malice. She caught her two Chakrams and held them tight while in mid-air. “Slasshfruvhmm…” Then she delivered a quick slash work against Nyx from her expose backside.

“Gaaaughh,” Adult Nyx cried out from when she hit the ground without knowing the enemy could teleport.

“Good plan kid, but I’m a pony that knows how war goes from such tactics.” Warring Malice issued off to say this to Nyx’s efforts, they were good, but still not good enough.

“Nyx, honey,” Twilight ran to her daughter to check on her to make sure that she’s okay.

“I’m fine mother, a bit hurt, but fine.” Adult Nyx spoke from slowly getting up, this opponent seem strong, very strong.

“Eternal Style - Gem Assault,” Rarity was soon next to attack, as she used her diamonds and fired them off.

“Oh, ah, man, for some pretty stones, they hit hard.” The enemy foe was not able to react fast from Rarity firing a bunch of her gems at her. “Now here’s mine. Firetooth,” Warring Malice calls out. “Frusvhmm…” Then she launched her Chakrams that morph into two fire balls right at Rarity.

“Waaaughh,” Rarity squealed before ducking while both flaming Chakrams went over her head, and not a hair was lit. “Fewww….. Close one, not a mane torch I hope.” She spoke in fearing if that were to ever happen to her.

“Eat Party Cannon!” Pinkie Pie shouted out in aiming with her cannon now out. “BOOM-BOOM-BOOM…Bamruvhmmm….” Some of Pinkie Pie’s attacks were blowing up some spots by Warring Malice, but the foe was just teleporting as best she could to get out of the line of fire.

“I see someone likes to party, then let’s party!” Warring Malice smiled off to say this while getting herself ready now. And she throw out her Chakrams to spin while burning towards the pink pony.

“Yikes! Woah,” Pinkie Pie yelps to duck at least two times from that move, “New PLAN! Party Streamers,” Pinkie Pie declared in seeing she needs a new plan of attack here. “Pufruvhmm…” Then the pink pony managed to fire streamers from the cannon and they were getting the enemy all…tangle up.

“Gaaaugh….hey, what’s this?” Warring Malice yelped from seeing that she ws caught…and by party streamers; seriously?

“Great job Pinkie! Now I’ll blast her!” Rainbow Dash smiled in getting herself up for the next action, ready get her game on.

“Frusuvhmmm…..Clasprrufhvmmm…” Then without warning, Warring Malice made a magic aura glow that reacted like fire, as it completely burn the pink pony’s steamers to ashes. “Oh I’m sorry, did I just burn up your chances?” She issued off in seeing that someone had a plan, and it went up in flames, oh well.

“Haaaahhhhh,” Rainbow Dash made an angry face in being annoyed now as she was diving down with her nun-chucks, as she was swinging. The dare-devil pony was swinging each time, but the Chakrams managed to block and counter all attacks while Rainbow was trying to just hit, “Guuuaaghhh!” But the enemy managed to slip pass and knocked Rainbow across to land near Applejack.

“’Dis gal’s about as tricky as a lighter. If we approach her, she could roast us!” Applejack stated in being honest here, this enemy seems very hard to handle.

“Uuugghhh, well they feel the burn, but I think this pain is too much.” Phobos groans from feeling all achy from what hit him and Spike.

“Come here then little ponies, I’ll make it all stop.” Warring taunted to challenge anyone to come near her as she’ll make the pain stop for them.

“Stop this!” Rainbow Dash snapped off to say in preparing to deal in giving some payback now. “Bang-Bang-Bang-Bangfruvhmmm….” She was firing her nun-chuck guns off that was gonna hit sooner or later.

Warring Malice was soon rushing around with such speed and grace and teleporting by a pyro-type form of magic, nothing was getting by.

“Happy Trails, To You,” Applejack took her magic hat, and soon thrown it off to tackle the enemy.

“Guuuagh,” Warring Malice yelped from the impact when AJ’s hat smacked across her chest when she didn’t see it coming.

“YEEEHAAAAHHHH; I got her there!” Applejack cheered in seeing she got the target, nicely done.

“Good aim, now try mine. Firetooth,” Warring Malice smirked to say before quickly launching her burning Chakrams off against AJ and then summoned another pair of Chakrams that were ignited and then started constantly barraging.

“Applejack, hang on! Infinity Shot!” Flutterhsy stood near her friend in preparing to help out. “Thous-Thous-Thous…” The shy pony was firing off needle shot mane points that were just stopping the enemy’s attack.

“Thanks Fluttershy!” AJ replied off to sigh in relief for that one.

“Everyone, we need to keep hitting her with attacks that aren’t fire-base, they’re ineffective against her!” Twilight stated to tell the others in having basically figure out how Warring Malice attacks.

“Right Twilight, I got just the stuff to do it!” Ben responded before bringing out the Hero’s Bow, “Ice Arrows!” Ben announced the name of an attack he’s going to unleash here. “Prusfruvhmmm…” Then he fired off an arrow of magical ice, heading towards Warring Malice.

“Woooah,” Warring Malice yelped to dodge a bit, but the after cold effects got her that made her weaken a bit when it was near a pillar, “You trying to ice me, Benjamin?” She asked off in seeing what was going on here. “Then allow me to turn up the heat!” Suddenly, she vanished to appear in the center of the stage here, focusing some magic. “Let the Flames Bust! Fire Wall,” Warring Malice commanded out from moving her front hooves out which shot off jet streams of flames from below.

“Pruufrsuvhmmm…” At that moment, Warring had created a wall of flames that moved towards her opponents.

“Ggaaaughhh….” Much of the gang yelped from this action as they either ran or brace from the impact. Either way, that attack hit them all and sent the gang off a bit on the ground. Warring was staring at her work, enjoying what she managed to do.

“You all may think your cool, but you’re not so hot from where I’m standing.” Warring Malice smirked off to say in seeing her work was cooking up the gang nicely.

“Brother….I’m really starting to get a burn off here with here.” Rainbow Dash snarled a bit in really getting annoyed by the opponent.

“Join de club.” Applejack replied off in knowing that at this rate, they’ll be reliving a worse moment of so much fire from Lorcan’s evil Dragons.

“Waaaaughhh! My Mane…it’s all…frizzled!” Rarity screamed out in seeing her mane was a bit sizzled from the overheated flame work.

“Aw, it’s not bad, it’s like my mane!” Pinkie Pie smiled off to say this, bad choice of words actually.

“That pony is going to PAY for running my lovely decorum!” Rarity scrunch her eyes in starting to get mad here, no pony messes with her mane and gets away with it.

As the fighting continued, Big Mac was looking a little impatient with concerns now, like he couldn’t just do nothing; But he has to stay and protect the CMC, what should he do in this situation?

“Come on Big Brother! We gotta help out!” Apple Bloom spoke in encouraging her brother that they gotta step in.

“But, I can’t leave ye alone & unsafe.” Big Mac spoke in feeling that he has to protect the little ponies.

“Then let us ride you while you’re charging!” Scootaloo issued off in what the group can do, if he’s to watch them then they’ll go with him.

“Right, if we put our weight to it, we can do it!” Sweetie Belle nods off to say in trying to think positive.

“Well….okay.” Big Mac shrug off to say in feeling like he may as well give that a shot

As the fighting continued, Ben was now trying to use another method of an attack, as he summoned forth his Gale Boomerang. But once he used it that produced a large cyclone of wind that impacted the target whoever….IT BECAME A FIRE CYCLONE! And worse off, the attack was taken over by the enemy which redirected it back at Ben’s spot.

“YIKES!” Ben yelped before recovered his boomerang and then used his Hero’s Bow to fire off some Ice Arrows which were slowly making the attack sizzle out into nothing but a harmless mist. “Well that didn’t work.” He stated from seeing that plan was a bust on his behalf.

“Gotta learn, fire grows stronger by wind, the more wind, the stronger the flames! Now, who else wants a go?” Warring Malice casually explained this while awaiting for anyone else to come at her.

“Twilight Star Shower,” Twilight shouted out her attack which was already above them. “Bam-Bam-Bamfruvhmmm….” And once they were impacting the ground, were exploding around Warring Malice….but she was trying to escape the punishment.

“Wow, princess seems to be really going at it, but it’s useless if you can’t even…Gaaaughhh!” Warring Malice was saying from skipping around, until a surprise tackle by Big Mac and the CMC knocked her to be stunned and…

“Boom-Boom-Boomfruvhmm….” That left the mare to take on the impounding attack of what she didn’t finish dodging.

“Ugghh…..hugh…Waaaahhh….” Warring Malice was trying to recollect herself, but felt her tail was grabbed from behind when she was distracted.

“Nrrruaaghhh,” Suddenly, Big Mac was seen spinning the enemy and thrown her high in the air.

“Big Macintosh,” AJ raised an eyebrow in seeing her brother in the fight, but…

“Hurry,” Big Mac issued that they had to fight back now.

“Payback time,” Rainbow Dash shouted as she flew up fast, brought her nun-chucks together to act like one solid bat. “Homestar Runner!” She announced this attack that was gonna be her next blow to the foe. “Powwwfruvhmmm…” She delivered a smack down attack that sent the enemy falling down to impact the ground.

“Gaaaugh….” Warring Malice yelped from taking that hurtful beating now.

“My turn; Heavy Buffalo Roam,” Applejack was seen wielding back her right hoof that was glowing a heated red flow of magic before landing a blow. “Powwfruvhmm….” And with that, AJ delivered a strong burning punch right in the mare’s gut.

“Ghuuaagh…Aaahhh!” Warring Malice was knocked across the floor, the heat may not harm her, but the strong punch certainly did.

“Party Blast,” Pinkie Pie was nearby with her party cannon already set and ready to fire. “Powwfruvhmmm….” And from that party cannon, it fired a big blast at the target.

“Wuuuaagh….” Warring Malice was knocked a bit back before she stopped herself.

“Sonar Screech; Waaaaaaaughhhaaahhhhh,” Fluttershy was standing near before taking a deep breath to unleash a powerful sonic wail wave.

“Wooooh, aren’t you the loud one?” Warring Malice yelped to cover her ears in feeling the pain now.

“You want loud? HERE’S MY LOUD FURY FOR MESSING MY MANE!” Rarity was seen looking so mad that she was already nearby to give her fury out, “Eternal Style - Scepter Mode!” She already used her gemstones to form a scepter to give the next hurtful blow. “Boinkfruvhhmmm….” And boy when she was mad, her strength increased to even catch Warring Malice off guard.

“Gwoooouch,” Warring Malice skipped across the field before rebalancing herself.

“Now, hit her with all we got!” Twilight instructed the others that this was their chance, “Unicorn Burst!” She spoke from charging her horn for a piercer spell attack.

“Night Blast,” Adult Nyx announced from charging her own horn for an attack.

“Sword Beam,” Ben had charged up his sword to take a swing now.

Soon a three way attack was shot off and all heading for the target that was still a bit stun. “Kurpowwfruvhmmm….” And from that effort, they all imploded around Warring Malice in a dome of an explosive cloud that scattered around.

“Did that work? Please tell me it works.” Phobos asked off in hoping that did the trick.

Then the answer came when appearing in a sphere of flames from outside the smoking attack of where that last attack hit…was Warring Malice.

“Not yet. Man, she’s tough.” Spike stated from seeing this was one enemy that was really tough to beat.

“Looks like I need to turn up the heat again.” Warring Malice issued from seeing she has to go all up, as she was in the center, and charging up another attack, “Burn! Fire Wall,” As she announced this, she was gonna make another wall of fire to get the gang.

“Powfruvhmmm…CLopvhm….” Suddenly, a Clawhook grappler was fired by Ben that caught and stopped Warring Malice’s attack.

“What?” Warring Malice yelped in seeing this, and saw that was Ben who had her caught.

“Sorry, we don’t wanna be well done today!” Ben pointed out to mention this little fact here.

“If you’re not interested to continue to feel pain, then if you come here, I’ll make it all stop!” Warring Malice spoke off in actually inviting the challenge here.

“More like we keep yew posted!” Applejack sounded off before she soon wrapped her rope around Warring Malice to in keeping her tied up. “Good luck breaking out o’ dat rope; its solid diamond!” She spoke off that now their enemy can’t do anything at this point.

“Perhaps you forgot….I can produce fire….and you’re about to get burn….by what you hold onto!” Warring Malice stated this with a calm and collective face, as she had another trick up her sleeve.

Soon at the moment, Warring Malice was producing flames around herself. And that heat was flowing across Ben & AJ’s connectors by chain & rope, and they begin to cringe from the what.

“Keep her steady guys! I’m locking on!” Rainbow Dash stated from having her nun-chucks transformed into their bombardment cannon form, “Unicorn Cannon!” She spoke this out from having lock on to the target that was pin. “Powwferuvhmmm-Powwfruvhmmm…./MURUHAHAHAAAAUGHHHHH!” Soon the two energize unicorn heads were fired off and heading for Warring Malice which Ben & AJ let her go before the attacks hit.

“KURBAAMMMFRUVHMMM…./Guuuaaaughhh….” From the implosive force from Rainbow’s heavy attack, many heard Warring Malice yelping from the impact by the sounds of it.

“Did that finally do it?” Fluttershy asked off hopeful in thinking that was it.

“I hope so; anymore of this heat will make my fur too puffy,” Rarity spoke from trying to fix her mane that was a wreck from the heat.

“Well I don’t mind.” Pinkie Pie smiled off to say which made Rarity roll her eyes.

Then coming out of the smoke again by skipping at a fast paste of scoring flames left behind, was Warring Malice, as she reenter the center stage before the others could stop her.

“Let the flames burn you! Fire Wall,” Warring Malice issued from already finishing her own preparation for a familiar attack. “Prrufruvhhmm,mm….” And with that, she unleashed another wall of fire that was sent across the entire field.

“Guuaaaughh….” Much of the gang was again scattered from being impacted by that powerful attack that either hurt them or slightly burn them a bit which was closely put out from their rolling across the floor.

Before Warring Malice could do anything else, Big Mac was rushing towards her with the CMC riding on him; But she threw her Chakrams off to the attacking stallion, but the weapons spin around that they aim below his hooves that made him trip. Big Mac was seen skidding across and smacked against the CMC like a bowling ball hitting the pins, as they lie scattered around.

“Ouch.” Big Mac replied off a bit dizzy from being hurt this way while the little ponies were a bit dizzy.

“Sorry, fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. So why do you and the kiddies sit this out, this is between only the tong chosen wielders of the elements.” Warring Malice issued off to say this to those that had thought they could get away with trying that same pattern from before, she is focusing on only the Mane Six party.

“Uuurrgh….” Ben was soon standing up along with Spike & Phobos, they managed to somehow survive the longest from that last attack.

“You know, I could almost rank your performance.” Warring Malice smiled off to say this with a slight smile. “But as far as I can see, you can’t even beat a pony that’s just on a 3rd rank of other tough foes you’ve yet to meet.” She was issuing this fact out while not mentioning about her rank as a member of an order she works in.

“Wait? We can’t beat someone that’s only a 3rd rank?” Phobos asked off in thinking they were just insulted.

“What does she mean by she saying that she’s only third strongest of someone else?” Spike asked off in trying to understand something.

“Well maybe….or maybe I’m pulling your legs, since there are only three of you.” Warring Malice shrug off to speak more riddles to confuse the boys.

“We’ll deal with the matter of what you say after we beaten you!” Ben spoke off while wielding his sword, they aren’t gonna lose; there’s too much rallying up in this fight.

Now as those that were now fighting continue to beat Warring Malice, but she was still ever going without stopping. And at the moment, Adult Nyx managed to move about to check on the others.

“Mother, are you and aunties alright?” Adult Nyx spoke to her mother if she and the others are okay.

“Yeah, but now we need a new plan.” Twilight slowly responded to say while trying to think up a way to handle this.

“I hope it’s soon mother, I think we’re almost all exhausted here.” Adult Nyx responded in looking back at the fight now and those around, they have nearly used up all their strength and many are hurt and injured.

Now Twilight was really trying to think quickly here, they were already feeling used up from taking beatings, getting burn a bit, and it was lucky that they are seriously burned at all. Right now, what can they do, Warring Malice seem as tough as the Superior, they wore the same cloak getup, and the only difference Twilight had was with the Elements Of Harmony from the Magic that help her and…Wait, that’s it! There was a move that did help out, but if now was a time to risk things on a gamble, it’s now.

“Girls, I have an idea!” Twilight spoke to her friends around her, getting them to listen. “We’ll have to try to perform the Rainbow Strap move.” She issued this to her friends in what they’ll have to do here, use a move that is built from the strength of their elements.

“But I thought that could only be active when we have our elements active?” Rainbow Dash asked off in knowing how that technique works.

“Right, an’ we don’t have them neither, so we can’t do it, right?” Applejack nods that they gave their elements to the Tree of Harmony, so that move’s a no go, isn’t it?

“Not at full force, but just a tiny bit to stop her movement for a second.” Twilight stated in what they can use, the move might not be as strong as it once was, but it could still work a bit for their new foe. “I used that move with your other selves against the Superior, and if this enemy is not as strong as him, it can only last for a few seconds to give Ben the time to hit her with all he’s got.” She explained the course of what her plan will be, and that if it works, they can turn this battle around.

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s get the party started!” Pinkie Pie smiled off to say in raring to go for this.

“Oh, I hope this work; we’ve tried to use everything we got.” Fluttershy spoke in feeling worried if this will be enough.

“Yes, but can Ben really make it in time before it’s all over?” Rarity spoke in concern if Ben can deal with the final blow if their only shot left can even last long.

“Gonna have to find out.” Twilight spoke in feeling serious, they need to take a gamble, it’s do or die time…let’s hope it’s not the dying part.

Soon we see that Ben, Spike & Phobos were dodging much of Warring Malice’s Firetooth attacks, you think the baby dragons would be okay, but….you be wrong. “Plowwfrvuhmm…” The impact from just the fireballs still dealt damage that knocked the two Dragons off.

“How degrading; we’re supposed to be fine against the heat!” Phobos complained from feeling like the Dragons can’t even bet this mare’s fire.

“Apparently what she’s using seems more powerful.” Spike stated from seeing that Warring was having more powerful fire base attacks and spells that even Dragons might not handle against.

“I haven’t felt this heated tension since our fight against Shendu. But if we could take on the Fire Demon Lord, then we can handle a pony that’s got a lot of fire magic to dish out.” Ben spoke off in stating how the last time he felt such heat was against one Demon Dragon, but right now, this was an opponent that might be even hotter to handle under the collar, but that don’t mean that they’ll give up.

“Bold words, from Celestia’s child; I’ll remember that after I’m through with you.” Warring Malice spoke off to say this much towards Ben before preparing to attack again.

“Rainbow Strap,” Suddenly, Twilight spoke out a familiar technique when she used a spell from her horn to zap the rest of her five friends while they scatter around in a circle formation.

Then without warning, each of the Mane Six held up a hoof that shot off a line of magical energy of their respective element color. And those lines soon grasp around Warring Malice’s hooves, her body and her neck; thereby having her completely entangle in a bind.

“Hey….wha-what’s going on?” Warring Malice yelped from suddenly getting hit by this move as she was seen trying to struggle for her freedom to move here. “HUURRAAGHH…/Frsusuvhmmm…” She was unleashing a powerful burst of heat, but since what held her was not an object but pure magical energy, the flames could not follow back to burn the connectors at the end.

“Twilight, is that the move from what you used against the Superior?” Ben asked off stump surprise, he hasn’t seen that move in who knows how long.

“Yes, but without the elements, this magic spell isn’t fully strong.” Twilight nods to say while she and her friends are seen having a harder time to struggle with control.

“She’s right father! This move barely kept the Superior in check; it won’t even last long against someone who’s just as strong as him!” Adult Nyx nods to say while she and many of the others were hugging the Mane Six to pull from behind to keep the tightness on Warring Malice from pulling them.

“Ben darling, you have to land the final blow!” Rarity spoke in asking that Ben deal with the issue now.

“Right, give it all ye got partner, let her have it,” Applejack odd to say in wanting the stallion to deal with the major blow.

“Cause if you miss, then we’ll kiss our flanks goodbye!” Rainbow Dash shouted off what will happen if they lose here.

“And boy, will we need mouthwash afterwards.” Pinkie Pie randomly said which made much of the others stares at her weirdly in her being herself.

“Hurry Ben; we’re holding out…as best we can!” Fluttershy pleaded from trying as best as her weak little self can to hold out.

From seeing this scene, Ben nods with a firm expression to get serious to not let this effort go to waste.

“Alright, here goes,” Ben announced in preparing to end this fight here and now. “Time I put everything in this one attack!” He spoke from holding his sword as he began to charge himself up with all he’s got left to give.

Warring Malice began to see Ben’s golden aura shine a bit, and much magical energy was being focus around him and his sword. He heard and saw this move before from the Superior who fought against Ben last time, and the stallion has gotten stronger and that means…

“Uh oh; Looks like this here could be serious. Time to really turn up the heat,” Warring Malice spoke from seeing this, this looks like a serious move by Ben, she’ll have to bring up more of her A-Game than she thought now, “Firetooth,” Soon the mare launched some fireballs from making a few Chakrams from the first two, to four, then six, and that number managed to impact against the Mane Six trying to keep her tied up.

“Gaaughh…” The gang was knocked back, as the effects of the Rainbow Grasp were slipping now around their target.

“Now, Burn,” Warring Malice she issued in preparing to finally bring down the heat at last. “Fire Wa…” But that attack never came because…someone moved quicker.

“Triforce Slash!” Ben shouted out as he was completely covered in a golden aura clot of his magic pump to its highest, “Haaahhhh!” Then Ben charged off near Warring Malice, trapping her in a golden triangle prism case and was delivering countless sword strikes. “Gwaaaaauughhh/Slassfrvuhmmm….” Then with one last pull back, he swung his sword against the trapped enemy with all his might that not even Warring Malice could stop.

“Trisssvhmmm….." Suddenly, all was in a slow motion when Ben delivered the strongest attack that dealt right around Warring Malice’s waist.

“Give me a….break.” Warring Malice was heard making these small moanful cries while everything felt like…she was suffering defeat.

"Trusvhmmmsshhmm…." Everything was in slow motion now suddenly; the only one moving quickly in the spot was Ben himself. Warring Malice was slow on the response of the attack as she was falling backwards from her opponent in front of her, that dealt with the best attack possible to take her down.

“Wrruusssfrupvhmmm…” Then a flash of bright light shined over all over the realm itself, covering everyone in sight before they could even think, blink or act or do anything as the entire frame of the realm began to vanish away from everyone’s views of both the combatants and the standby guest that came with them. But one thing that might be easiest to say is…with Warring Malice’s defeat, the work of bringing all others to this place are fading and are sending them….back from wench they came from? At this moment, even the background extended song was finally coming to an end now…

-------

Suddenly at the moment when everything of color return, what the Mane Six gang found was that they were not in a weird realm dimension anymore. They appear to be back in the Land Of Dirt, or at least a spot where it looked like it was fitting for the commendations, an area that was large for everyone to be in as they look around.

“Hey, we’re back!” Pinkie Pie smiled in seeing that the ponies were finally back.

“Right, back in the Land of Dirt,” Spike pointed out in where the heroes are here.

“Oh…ya…more dirt,” Rarity rolled her eyes remotely in seeing that the ponies are now back where there’s more dirt around.

“Still haven’t come over it, have ya Rarity?” Applejack raised her eyebrows to her friend making a complaint about getting dirty.

“Boy, I sure wouldn’t wanna face another roughy like that again.” Phobos sighed in feeling like that’s the last strong enemy of the day.

“Sorry to burst your bubble Phobos, but that seems out of the question.” Adult Nyx shook her head ’no’ in feeling that wasn’t the end they hoped for.

“Hugh?” Phobos responded confused, what was Nyx talking about?

“Nyx is right; Warring Malice was beyond an average pony, her moves, fighting style, her abilities in using fire magic. They were all so different.” Ben spoke with a deep thought of how they fought Warring Malice. “We were very lucky to have managed to beat her.” Even Ben felt that fighting someone like Warring seem like it was thanks to luck that they won.

“Oh yes, I almost felt like we would have lost.” Fluttershy spoke with much concern and caution in how their fight almost didn’t seem like they win.

“Well, whatever happened, we’ll have to remember to be careful of ponies that can do magic without unicorn horns or Alicorn transformation spells.” Twilight explains. “After all, we need to be ready, in case we come across any tough opponent. We’ll have to go at this as a steady pace to keep going ahead.” The smart mare exclaimed forth this matter of what they’ll have to do from now on.

“That’s right.” A sudden familiar voice was heard speaking out from out of nowhere…

Hearing that voice made almost everyone yelp and freeze, that couldn’t be who they think it was….only to be proven correct; For across the area, leaning against a wall’s pillar structure, there it was, the user of that voice; Warring Malice. With her back legs holding her up against the back and her front legs crossing her chest, she look calm, cool, and more than anything else…..appeared well. There were no signs of her aching in pain or even being hurt from the battle that happened. And even more so, ‘Thirteenth Discretion’ from earlier was heard again in the background.

“Warring Malice,” Rainbow Dash responded off loudly in seeing this unusual pony again, but they defeated her, didn’t they?

“But….we’ve beaten her.” Adult Nyx gasped off to say in not believing this, how did Warring Malice survive that last blow given to her?

“It’s just like the time I struck that final blow to the Superior….only he instantly recovered like he wasn’t really hurt.” Ben spoke with a serious expression on his face in seeing this and recalling a similar past event. “So I guess what we thought about is true, there are those that are just as powerful as the Superior, twelve members, and we’ve just met one.” He heard that the Superior would have made Sunset Shimmer the 14th member, but she didn’t meet the accruements, so that meant twelve members of the Apocalypse Ponies stand almost near the leader’s strength, but not much.

“Wait! That means there are eleven more like her? Or most likely somewhat as strong,” Pinkie Pie yelped in picturing things, if Warring Malice is this strong, then the other eleven members must be just as much while the Superior is even tougher.

Then Warring Malice got off from leaning against the wall to slowly walk a bit into the middle of the area of the rest of the Equestrians. “Did you really think after that introduction, I would give up oh so easily?” She stop halfway when the gang brought out their weaponry and fighting stances as the cloak mare tap her chest with a right front hoof and then wave off both hooves, in exclaiming that after they finally meet, this would be her end; unlikely. And for some of the heroes, they began to have second thoughts that…Warring Malice WASN’T even trying that hard, like she held back her TRUE strength.

“So then…you were testing us.” Twilight issued the matter of what this mysterious cloak mare was doing all along here.

“TEST; But I forgot to study!” Phobos yelped in hearing this to panic a bit.

“She means that Warring tested us.” Spike rolled his eyes to tell Phobos of what this pony foe here meant by testing them out in battle than in mind.

“Correct. And you passed. Congratulations, Twilight Sparkle and to many of you! The Mane Six, Ben Mare, and even a little credit for Nyx & the baby Dragons too.” Warring Malice waved off her front hooves in congratulating the bunch for passing so well in their fight against her. “You’re just about ready now…ready to take on the first of many obstacles leading up to a battle against the Three Lords of Equestria.” Hearing these things said made some of the gang members feel puzzle and confused, was Warring Malice trying to have them be prepared against Equestria’s three great forces.

“They are?” The CMC responded a bit puzzled in hearing this, was this test to find out how strong the gang are supposed to be?

“You will need to undergo even the most treacherous of hardships in your future battles, survive and evolve. Keep it lock inside and let the memories be your guide.” Warring Malice tap her right hoof to her chest in issuing this matter of what those here will need to do. “Trust in what you remember the most and seek what you may have forgotten.” She waved down her front hooves in stating more of this puzzling riddle to Twilight’s group. “Then pretty soon, one of you, you will find some pony very special.” Warring Malice stated off to say this last part against the still active bunch.

But much of the Mane Six and their pals were very much left in the dark, what was Warring Malice talking about. And what was that comment about ’some pony very special’ matter? It sounds so mysterious that its mind blowing to even ponders it.

“Somepony very special,” Sweetie Belle repeated off confused in what is said.

“Wha in tarnations does he mean?” Apple Bloom asked off in not following a lick of this.

“Beats me; I don’t think we’re missing any pony here.” Scootaloo shrug off to say in not having a clue either.

“Um, are you talking about either of us? Or just one of us,” Fluttershy meekly asked this in thinking that the gang were short of understanding the message right.

“Yeah, cause we know that Twilight got her special pony with it being Ben here.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes to state this fact; this foe was probably messing with them.

“What if she’s talking about Megan or maybe King Spykoran?” Rarity asked off in thinking that Warring Malice was addressing other special ones that the good ponies know or have connections to.

“What about Hoboken Joe? Or maybe some other friend we consider special?” Adult Nyx questioned this from trying to understand the message, but there could almost be a lot of special someone, but who to narrow it down to?

“Hmph…” Warring Malice let off a sly huff as if finding the answers a bit humorous, as if knowing the answer that even this group of heroes doesn’t know. “You will just have to give some more though to who it is that’s…most important to you. It could be even something you share, or….is related to you.” Warring spoke more of her mysterious words of riddles that aren’t as hard as Zecora’s rhymes, but just as difficult to grasp for an answer

Everyone was very much at a lost, they can’t figure out what this enemy was even trying to tell them.

“For you see, our most precious memories lie so deep within our hearts…that they’re out of reach.” Warring Malice waved off her front hooves in stating this tricky statement about one’s memories, that what is important to the person is so important, they are buried away. “But I’m sure that perhaps you can help find yours, Twilight.” When she was finished, she was stating this other fact towards the Alicorn member of the group.

“Hugh? Twilight,” The Mane Six replied off in hearing this with some confusion.

“Why me,” Twilight asked off, was Warring Malice saying that out of the others, there’s something about her that is drawn to attention.

“Hmph, while many of the others seem to slowly have grown, you’re the last to follow even if you were first when you changed…since the beginning.” The mysterious mare issued this statement that was kinda puzzling but also a clue to Twilight it seem. “You have lost sight of the light within the darkness. And it seems that you’ve forgotten that you forgot.” Warring Malice waved off her front hooves and shaking her head in stating these issues of what Twilight has undergone lately.

“Wait? She forgotten that she forgot? But how can she know she forgot to remember that what she forgotten?” Pinkie Pie asked off a bit more random and confused over the issue.

“Oooohhh…my brain hurts just trying to think about it!” Phobos cringes to hold his head in feeling that just thinking about this technical stuff is not healthy for the mind.

“The light within darkness…” Twilight slowly lowered her position in wanting to fight, as she now was seen in being utterly confused. Was there something that she wasn’t seeing? Was there some pony special she has been overlooking that she hasn’t kept in memory to remember that she forgot? And an even more important issue, was this somewhat tie to the mysterious chest that the Tree of Harmony presented. So many questions and Twilight truly has no answer even being the smartest member of the group, and it was even eating her up from being a new princess ruler that she hasn’t solve much about being.

Warring Malice saw that Twilight was in a serious dilemma about knowing this while not knowing how to respond. “Would you like me to give you a hint?” Warring Malice held up her right hoof in speaking with a casual smile expression, suggesting that she could ease the trouble by giving out a simple hint to get things started.

Now even more utter silence was happening, the gang looked to Twilight if she would almost take a hint given by an enemy, worse, a possible enemy from the Apocalypse Ponies. But then again, if the enemy was being true than being deceitful, then maybe the risk is worth it. The pressure was weighting down on one member’s shoulders to make the right calling here.

“Um, Twilight…do ya need it?” Fluttershy asked his friend in sensing caution and concern, Twilight seems very hesitant to reply of wanting a hint.

Twilight stares up towards Warring Malice, she still showed that blank face and her hoof was still awaiting for if Twilight would reach out for a temptation too good to resist….but….

“It’s true, that if I took a hint, it help me solve all my problems a lot quicker, but…” The princess was speaking with starting to build a firm tone. “I’m gonna figure it out for myself.” Twilight patted her chest in stating with a serious face, that she will figure things out on her own, she won’t take a hint given to her by the enemy, that’s desperation which ’she’ is not. “And if you or you order or any of the other enemies are in our way….” She was getting herself back into position here as she was gonna fight the mare before them again, but…

“Don’t worry, Twilight! We’re here to protect you!” Ben steps in front of Twilight in issuing this matter with a serious face

“You do the same for us in any pinch, we’re with you!” Rarity smiled to say in how they are there for their friend.

“Cause we’re friends, Twilight!” Applejack nods with a determine face in who they are.

“We won’t let any enemy try to get in our way!” Pinkie Pie nods in agreement and got serious.

“No matter how scary or terrifying they are….mostly.” Fluttershy meekly spoke with some encourage words.

“Right, so you heard us! We don’t need your STINKIN’ Hint!” Rainbow Dash snapped off to rub this in Warring Malice’s face that they can get by without a hint.

Warring Malice still showed her blank face in hearing such bravo words from Twilight and her group; which caused her to ‘huff’ a little giggle smile on her face. “Hmph. Good answer.” She stated to point her hoof off to Twilight’s band for responding, “Just what I’d expect from the new Alicorn princess and her band of friends & family.” Warring responded off in not sounding disappointed, but rather intrigued by this change of course to shrug off her shoulders. Oh well, they don’t want a hint to make it easier; it’s fine.

The group got into their battle potion in preparing to have another round with Warring Malice. Whatever she’s got cooking, they’ll put a stop to it. But the cloak mare instead lowers her hooves to the ground, almost like she’s done fighting.

“But be forewarned…” Warring Malice spoke off with a shrouded voice of an anonymous being giving a message. “When that which sleeps within you, within your memories of who you truly are to be awaken, you may no longer be who you are now.” She spoke with such an empty tone that sounded as if a fair warning to the group of what will come will possibly not be a pleasant matter. “Truussppfrovhhmmm….Pluurguvhhmmm…” Soon the Corridor of Darkness emerged from below her, and then after encasing her, vanished as Warring Malice was gone from the group just like that.

This left the group in a deep bind that they feel unable to contemplate, what was Warring Malice talking about. What was the whole deal with the test? Why was this all happening now? Just what is it that the gang is about to face that might be overly difficult? And it was also here, that the music in the background ceased being heard.

“There you all are!” A voice snaps the gang out to see the Mystics coming up to them. “We finally found you!” Rushstrike sighed in relief, as he was the voice that called out from spotting them.

“Where were you all?” Jenny asked off in what happened to the gang here.

“You wouldn’t believe us if we told you.” Phobos shrugs off his shoulders to say it like that.

“Is it that bad?” Arthur asked off in thinking what happened was bad.

“Eeeyup,” Big Mac responded off with a nod, it was bad alright.

“For now, let’s keep together to avoid any more enemy traps.” Terrorcreep suggested what they do from here on to make sure that the Mane Six aren’t taken out of their sight. “Trust us; we don’t wanna lose much of you, especially if the enemy got hold of the chosen wielders of the elements.” If they lose sights of these ponies, the enemy will have the elements and Ben’s too.

“Jan, take them to a rest place and help them recuperate for a while.” Smartscar instructed his niece in what to do here.

“Right away uncle,” Jan nods in understanding that message.

Soon Jan was helping along with Jenny & Arthir to help take the Equestrians to a room to help recuperate what had happened to them. But Smartscar was being left behind with other issues on his mind.

“By the looks of it, something happened, more than a battle, there seem to be a distortion in their minds, what did the enemy say to them?” Smartscar spoke off puzzled and confused, unsure if something truly went down or not; but they’ll question that for later.

For now the scene goes dark for the matter here is settle, but still many questions remain that will be needed to figure out…eventually soon.

--------------

A while later, after they all rested, the gang continued on their way through the Land of Dirt.

"Boy, that Warring Malice was some fighter!" Applejack remarked.

"Tell me about it. If she is a big meanie, I hate to see the rest of the Apocalypse Ponies." Pinkie remarks a bit.

"But what does she means by 'someone related', mommy?" Nyx ask Twilight in concern.

"I don't know...so far, I got you, my parents, Shining, Cadance, and the princesses, as well as the Princess Ponies, who are my relatives, "Twilight said sadly. "There's Starlight but...he's dead."

"Not to mention Solar Moonlight, your clone." Rainbow remarked.

"I got a feeling that we will be dealing with more like her and the Superior in the future." Ben said seriously. "And I got a feeling that she attacked us to keep us from that chest that the Tree of Harmony gave you girls. Whatever is inside, our enemies don't want us to open it."

"Maybe it's something that's connected to the Elements of Harmony!" Apple Bloom suggested.

"Or something awesome like my mane!" Rainbow exclaims, waving off her mane. "Come on, golf team, you gotta admit: rainbow sounds like a pretty cool weapon."

Big Macintosh looks up ahead, speaking, "Heads up. We done got a problem."

Sure enough, up ahead is a big muscular and brown Earth Pony dressed in Roman Armor and a helmet, leading his Rogue Mystic Ponies, he glared at his enemies.

Smartscar groaned angrily, "Temutai."

"Traitor! Prepare yourself! You will be punished!" Temutai roars in fury as he prepares to fight like the last two pony groups before him.

Smartscar took his sword, aiming at Temutai. The councilpony orders, "Dispose of these traitors!"

Smartscar and his Earth Intelligence Force charged at Temutai and his Rogue Mystic Ponies, battling and fighting against each other. Terrorcreep swung his axes against the enemies while flying to the top to kill some of the Mystic Pegasus. Jenny threw her throwing knives at some couple of the enemies, while protecting Jan. Rushstrike blasted his magic Unicorn Burst against a couple of charging Unicorns while swinging his long sword against them. Drillmap swung his drilling lance against his enemies.

Smartscar and Arthur fought against Temutai. The two brothers jumped over Temutai when charging at them. The villain turned to swing his curved sword and attacked Smartscar and Arthur, who blocked the attacks by swinging their swords. Temutai swung his sword against Smartscar's to a hard tree. He then swung hard against Arthur's sword very hard. Temutai punched and kicked the pony for a few times. He then grabbed Arthur's tail, preparing to punch his face.

Arthur slammed his head against Temutai's head hard, making him let the brother go. Arthur jumped and kicked Temutai three times, before slamming his sword, knocking Temutai to the ground hard. Smartscar charged in and punched the enemy's muzzle and face for a several times, before kicking at his enemy's chest hard. Arthur punched Temutai's face back to Smartscar, who quickly kicked his chest back hard.

Temutai quickly grabbed Arthur, slamming him to the ground and beating the pony hard and quick. The attacker grabbed Arthur's leg, and slammed it right on Smartscar's face for a few times. Temutai slammed Arthur onto his brother onto the ground hard.

Temutai jumped up high, and down to slammed his enemies down. Both Arthur and Smartscar moved to the sides in time .The brother nodded to Smartscar, who nodded his head right back. Close one!

Arthur yells out, "Gaia Ball!"

Arthur waved his sword up, creating a cyan giant ball. He then kicked it at Temutai's face hard, sending him right to Smartscar.

Smartscar yelled out, "Devil Groundshaker!"

Smartscar's body glowed in dark crimson, aiming his sword in front of him. He waved his sword up, creating spiky thorns from the ground that begin firing at Temutai for a few times like launching arrows out.

Temutai was thrown up high. Terrorcreep flew up high, holding the Pandora Box. Smartscar and his Mystic Ponies hid behind the trees as Terrorcreep fired it at Temutai and his Rogue Mystic Ponies into it, sucking in the last of the enemies.

Terrorcreep nods in satisfaction, saying, "That takes care of it."

Terrorcreep landed on the ground gently, meeting up with his allies. Arthur, relieved that that's over, spoke, "What now?"

"Find them now..." Smartscar said seriously, referring to the enemy's HQ. Button is close by, he can sense it.

--------------

Warring Malice sighs, heading back to her room. She ponders how to tell the Superior that the Earth pony didn't kill Twilight's group as ordered. Well, Warring Malice can make up an excuse but one certain Demon isn't pleased by the endgame.

"Why did you not use my ability and finish them off?!" Shendu snaps angrily to Malice in spirit form.

Malice, undeterred, waves a hoof at Shendu, saying, "Chill, Shendude. The boss said to test them, not kill them. Got it memorized? Besides, I've made a promise to Trixie."

Warring Malice got herself electrocuted through black surges of lightning. Once Shendu stop, he snaps, "Fool! I do not want this so-called 'friendship promise'! I want to finish BEN MARE and SPIKE! And you refuse to let me do it!"

Malice, recovering, spoke up, "Chill off, dude; and trust me... the last thing you want is to be sent back to the Realm of Demons. And trust me... One slight wrong move, you're going solo!"

Shendu groaned angrily, "Very well." The Demon will play Warring Malice's game...for now.

----------------

The group are getting closer and it appears that all is quiet for now right after the ambushes and the attack by Warring Malice. However, those who has been in these kind of situations before knows that peace doesn't last forever! 

Screaming sounded in Twilight and her friends' ears. They turned and found Rarity and Cutie Mark Crusaders who had been held by levitation by an unknown pony, who armed himself flying swords at his enemies. Arthur knows this stallion, frowning as he snaps, "Swordstruck!"

"Long time no see. Gentleponies." Swordstruck taunts his enemies sinisterly.

"Who is this guy?" Twilight ask in worry. This jerk is going to harm Rarity, Nyx and the little ones!

"Hey, let my fan and her friends go!" Rainbow exclaims angrily as Applejack looks furious at her sister being held by this creep.

"Swordstruck was one of my generals. But he betrayed me when he tried to gain more powers when I give the high position to Drillmap," Smartscar explains in concern to Twilight and those not captured yet. "I did that so he would control his stupid obnoxious nature."

Swordstruck huffed, "Too bad... It didn't work. And you exile me! I will make you suffer!"

"Don't even tried to test my patience!"

"Don't try first!" Swordstruck taunts as he is holding the swords at Rarity and Cutie Mark Crusaders. This causes the others to freeze, knowing that one false move will end the captives' lives. "Make one wrong move and they will die."

"Yew yellow-belly coward," Applejack exclaims furiously. "How dare yew using Rarity, mah sister an' their friends as leverage!"

"Eeyup," Big Macintosh snaps in agreement, snorting out steam from his nose.

"Release Rarity and the others or I will go Dragon Age on your flank!" Phobos exclaims in fury, preparing to fight this creep.

"Right," Spike exclaims, fighting mad.

"As the newest princess of Equestria, I won't allow you to do this sinful act!" Twilight exclaims, preparing to jump in and attack to get the captives back.

"Get ready to die! Thousands Swords Strike," Swordstruck exclaims as he waved his flying swords, striking at Twilight and her friends through creating duplication of Flying Swords. They quickly hide behind rocks and trees from the attacks. "Ta-ta, fools. I hope you lose. Starting with... reconsider giving the powers to me and I will trade them for you..."

Swordstruck chuckled arrogantly, disappeared in silver smoke. Ben exclaims in shock, "Nyx, girls!"

"Rarity!" Spike exclaims in worry. This isn't good. The bad guy took the others as hostages now.

"Relax, everypony, we will get them back." Fluttershy said meekly and worried. "Not like this is the first time it happens."

"Right, no pony kidnaps my pony buddies and get away with it!" Pinkie growled, taking out her Party Cannon. "It's time to PART-AH!"

------------------------

"Good work, Swordstruck," The Superior said in a portal. Dark Curse is in another portal as the villain Swordstruck gives his report. "It seems you took leverage."

"Your servant Warring Malice didn't do well in her task to finish them off." Swordstruck remarks to Smaug with a scoff.

"Relax. Even if she was testing them though I told her to kill them, it will give you a chance to finish the job. Do whatever it takes but get rid of Twilight Sparkle. She and her friends must not open that chest!"

Swordstruck nods as he ends communications. Yes, the Rogue Mystic Pony will have his revenge on Smartscar soon enough...and get rid of the new princess. As long as that chest doesn't get open, its power will not be a threat to the Three Lords of Equestria.

"Ooooh, where am I? These chains are rusty! Why don't you clean them first," Rarity whines a bit, making Swordstruck a bit annoyed as he turns towards her. "And has this place been cleaned? And where's my hotel PJs?!"

"Enough! I am no Diamond Dog and your whining isn't going to freak me out!" Swordstruck snaps furiously. Turning to his minions, he snaps, "Throw her and the brats with the remaining brat."

At the dungeon, two Rogue Mystic Ponies throw Rarity into a cage with the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Button Mash. The white unicorn groans a bit. So much for whining so badly that Swordstruck will be forced to do what she said.

"Button Mash, it's good to see you!" Sweetie giggles as she hugs her old pal. "But where were you? You were missing for days!"

"It's kinda a long story." Button Mash said to Sweetie with a chuckle. "But it's good to see you."

"Well, we found you...but how will we get out?" Dinky ask in worry, glancing at the anti-magic collar around her, Rarity, Sweetie and Nyx. "Those guys took good precautions to keep us from using magic."

"Knowing those creeps, they will want to kill mommy and keep her and aunties from opening that chest." Nyx said in worry. She knew what's going on. Swordstruck will most likely be given orders to kill Twilight Sparkle to keep her from finding the last key...thought the ponies in retrospect doesn't realize that they are close to opening that chest yet. "We got to get out."

The door was opened...Rarity and the Cutie Mark Crusaders turned and encountered a silver armored yellow Earth Pony, his Cutie Mark is a black pony figure in a high speed symbol. They turned to the big pony as he saw the newcomer nodded his head. The big pony nodded back and headed out. The armored Earth Pony approached them. What does this guy want?

"What do you want?! Have you come to challenge me?! Well, guess what?! Forget it! You can't make me!" Rarity scowls angrily to the newcomer pony. "If you think I'm too dramatic, I admit it. But it doesn't mean that you can harm me!"

"Shh... I'm not your enemy." The newcomer pony insists. Everyone looked confused. "My name is Armorspear. I'm working for Smartscar. I'm his secret agent, keeping an eye on Swordstruck should he tried to do anything funny."

Armorspear opened the cage, letting Rarity and the Cutie Mark Crusaders out. Apple Bloom remarks, "Oh well, 'dat works too."

"Yeah! We're saved." Sweetie giggles sweetly.

"Thank goodness. You saved us." Rarity said in relief and gratitude, happy to be out of this dreadful cage.

Armorspear nodded his head as he whispers, "Listen to me. We had to get out of here quietly. The last thing I want is Swordstruck to find out what's going on. I already alert Lord Smartscar and the rest to know where we were."

Armorspear guided Rarity and Sweetie Belle out at once. Suddenly a growl is heard. Pipsqueak in concern asks, "What's that?"

Suddenly Armorspear yelps as something grabs him, pulling the Earth pony into the air. It's some sort of bigfoot like creature with leaves on parts of him that roars at him. Scootaloo gasps, "Holy cupcakes!"

"Armorspear is in trouble, must be one of Smartscar's boys!" Nyx exclaims angrily as she prepares to go into Battle Mode. The Alicorn and her pals must fight to get out of here now.

"Wait, wait, stop; He's a friend!" Button Mash exclaims, stopping Nyx from transforming. As the others look confused, the colt goes up to the creature. "Wuzubu; it's okay, it's okay. Armorspear was rescuing me and the others. Put him down, please."

Wuzubu growls then nods as he put Armorspear onto the ground. The Earth pony got up, sighing in relief, "I just saw my life pass before my eyes!"

"Button Mash, you know this creature?" Rarity asks, arching an eyebrow at Button Mash, realizing that this colt knew this guy.

"Sure, he's my friend ever since I came here. This is Wuzubu, the protector of the animals." Button Mash laughs as Wuzubu put his friend onto his shoulder. "He came here to rescue me, friends to the end."

"Wow, he looks nice when he isn't provoked." Apple Bloom said impressed. Whenever Wuzubu doesn't seem upset or peeved, he is a good friend apparently.

"Yep; Wuzubu now wants to help us cause trouble for these creeps!"

"Well, if we're done with this, we must be going." Armorspear said seriously, time to get out of here and fast.