”How about a trade, Princess Twilight?” asked Tirek.
He snapped his fingers, and seven bubbles appeared around his head, each holding a single occupant. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Spike, Fluttershy, Rarity, Discord, and Pinkie Pie.
“Their release,” he demanded, “for all the alicorn magic in Equestria. What's it going to be... Princess?”
Twilight could hear her friends shouting... objecting. On some level, she knew that they were telling her to keep the magic, to fight on against Tirek. Encouraging her, even while they knew that their lives may be forfeit.
But it made no difference. Her decision had already been made, the moment Tirek had revealed his hostages. Twilight Sparkle had never intentionally scored less than full marks on any test in her life; and that meant that no permanent loss was an acceptable outcome.
Magic could be regained. Her friends, if killed, could not.
“ENOUGH!” yelled Tirek. “I want an answer, and I want it NOW!”
Twilight took a moment to look over her friends again. None of them appeared to have been harmed, apart from having their magic extracted. And they couldn't be changelings – magicless changelings wouldn't be able to maintain any shape but their natural insectoid ones.
Still, it was only prudent to take a moment to consider her options one more time – was there any way to ensure the release of her friends and defeat Tirek, right now?
...no. There was not.
“I will give you my magic,” she said, “in exchange for my friends.”
“As you wish,” said Tirek, smugly; while her friends gasped in shock.
Six out of the seven bubbles dropped to the ground, and popped, leaving Discord floating alone.
“All of my friends,” insisted Twilight, firmly.
“After the way he has betrayed you, you still call him... a 'friend'?” asked Tirek, shocked.
“Release him!” insisted Twilight.
“If that's what you want.” Tirek snapped his fingers, and Discord's bubble dropped and popped.
“Thank you, Twilight.” said Discord. He turned to look at Fluttershy. “I'm sorry.” he added.
“I know.” said Fluttershy, tears gathering at the edges of her eyes.
“Your turn.” grinned Tirek, opening his mouth and swallowing more magic than he knew what to do with.
...Twilight had been half hoping that the combination of alicorn magic with the rest of the magic in Equestria would be too much for Tirek's body to absorb, that the sudden influx of power would detonate the centaur demon and restore everypony's magic. But, as the creature grew larger and larger, it was obvious that that would not happen; instead of overloading, Tirek's body simply grew to accommodate his now magical might.
“Twilight,” said Spike, rushing forward with the rest of her friends, “what were you thinking?”
“Tirek tricked me into believing that he could offer me something more valuable than friendship,” said Discord, sadly. “But there is nothing worth more. I see that now. He lied when he said that this medallion was given as a sign of gratitude and loyalty. But when I say that it is a sign of our true friendship,” he continued, placing the medallion about Twilight's neck, “I am telling the truth.”
The medallion glowed all the colours of the rainbow for just a moment, which struck Twilight as a little odd.
And, just then, a bubble popped into existence around her.
“Twilight!” called out Applejack, as another bubble appeared around her... and around all of the others as well, lifting them up, separating them from each other.
“Oh, come now.” said Tirek, with a nasty grin. “After all the trouble you lot put me through, you didn't expect me to just let you all go, now, did you?”
“But you said you would release my friends!” objected Twilight.
“I did.” agreed Tirek. “I never said I wouldn't recapture them, once you no longer had the power to stop me.”
He snapped his fingers, and suddenly Twilight was tied to Celestia's throne.
As were all her friends.
Even Discord.