Nearly one month later, a small figure entered the Manehattan Apartments Building. He went to the front desk and held up a picture of a pony.
“Do you know where this mare is,” the small figure asked the lobbyist.
“Oh, her,” the lobbyist said. “Yeah, she’s staying at Room G5.”
“Thank you,” the figure said.
The figure reached the elevator at the end of the lobby and rode it to the G floor. He followed the room numbers until he found G5. He knocked at the door and waited a few moments. The door opened and a white stallion with a blonde mane was there. He looked down at the figure and recognized him.
“Hum Drum,” the stallion said. “What are you doing here?!”
“I’m sorry,” Hum Drum said. “Do I know you?”
“It’s me,” the stallion said. “I’m Blue Star.”
“Oh, right,” Hum Drum said. He brushed his feet against the floor. “So… You’re living with Radiance now?”
“Actually, she hung up her cape and went back to being plain, old Rarity now,” Blue Star said. “At the same time, I went back to being Blueblood.”
“Well, Blueblood,” Hum Drum said, “I came all the way from Maretropolis to talk to Rarity. Is she here?”
“Uh… no,” Blueblood said. “She just left for groceries. But don’t worry. When she gets back, I’ll tell her you came by.”
“Okay,” Hum Drum said. “Tell her that I’m staying at the hotel next door. And tell her that it’s very, very important that I must speak with her.” He turned around and went back to the elevator.
Blueblood went back inside of his home and heard a wake-up yawn. He went to the bedroom and saw Radiance without her costume in her bed.
“Who was at the door, sweetie,” Rarity asked.
“No one important,” Blueblood said. “No one important at all.”
At the lobby, Hum Drum passed the lobbyist.
“Call the hotel next door when the blue-maned unicorn comes home,” Hum Drum said.
“But young boy,” the lobbyist said, “She is home.”
“What,” Hum Drum asked. “But Blueblood said…” He widened his eyes. “Oh, no. Anar D is using him. I’ve got to get back to that room.” He pulled his backpack off his back and zipped it open. “And I know just how to do it.”
A grappling hook latched itself in the window of G5. Hum Drum used the hook to climb up the side of the building and strained his arms trying to pull himself up.
“It’s times like these that make me wish for flight,” Hum Drum said.
A few minutes later, Hum Drum made it to the end of the rope and opened the window. He jumped in and hit the floor.
“Oh,” Hum Drum groaned. “That’s the last time I try wall-climbing without a harness.”
“That voice,” a friendly voice called from the other room. “Hum Drum? Is that you?”
“RADIANCE,” Hum Drum shouted in joy. “OH, IT’S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN! WE GOT A LOT TO CATCH UP ON!”
“No argument here,” Rarity said approaching the room. Hum Drum looked at the beautiful unicorn, but changed his expression to shock when he saw that she was sitting on a chair… with wheels. Rarity was pushing the wheels to move forward.
“Rarity,” Hum Drum gasped. “What… What happened to you?”
“The doctors couldn’t figure it out,” Rarity said. “I’ve been this way for 2 weeks. A lot can happen in just one month.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” Hum Drum said. “In fact, that’s why I’m here. Maretropolis is in danger.”
“What do you mean,” Rarity asked.
“The day after the Power Ponies split up, the Sisterhood of Evil gathered up all their henchponies and led an organized crime ring,” Hum Drum explained. “Since there are no superheroes anymore, I thought I had to stop this crime stuff by myself. Wasn’t my brightest idea, but it was the best I had. I found the Sisterhood’s hideout and sneaked in. I was going to jump them, but Anar D arrived. And this is what I overheard…”
I was behind a trash can during the whole conversation. It was an advantage to being small. Anyway, I saw the Mane-iac, the Sinister Sorceress, and Gryphon Galore sitting on top of a pile of money. Anar D was at the bottom of the pile looking up at the Sisterhood.
“Today, Maretropolis,” the Mane-iac declared. “TOMORROW, THE WORLD! I’ve always wanted to say that.”
“Yes, yes,” Anar D said. “We’re all so happy that the criminal underworld is ours. Now, I believe it’s time for you to let me free.”
“I don’t think so, Anar,” the Sinister Sorceress said. “You were supposed to end the Power Ponies. And so far, they’re still alive.”
“For now,” Anar D said. “Trust me; they’ll all be gone by the end of the month.”
“Why,” Gryphon Galore asked. “What happens at the end of the month?”
Anar D chuckled. “Don’t tell me you didn’t figure it out. I rigged them to reach their demises. By the time the month is over, the Power Ponies will be dead. And then, the real fun begins.” He laughed loudly.
Shocked upon hearing what I heard, I sneaked out of the hideout.
“After that, I made it my mission to save my friends,” Hum Drum said. “And I believe that Anar D has something to do with you being in a wheelchair.”
“What can we do about it then,” Rarity said. “It’s not like we can just bring the Power Ponies back together.”
“Actually…” Hum Drum said, “That was my plan the whole time. If we’re going to stop Anar D, we’re going to have to work together again.”
“Yeah, I don’t think so,” Rarity said. “I’ve looked in a mirror, and I don’t think I’m cut out to be a hero.”
“If I recall,” Hum Drum said, “That’s what you thought the day you got that magic bracelet. Remember?”
“Yeah,” Rarity chuckled. “Those were the days. I used to be an ordinary seamstress in Maretropolis. One day, I stumbled upon a mine of beautiful, ancient gemstones. but the most precious of the gems were on a bracelet that was sitting upon a pedestal. I don’t know why, but I felt drawn to it. As soon as I approached it, it latched itself upon my wrist. Turned out, it was a powerful artifact with powers bestowed only on the fairest in Equestria. That’s when I became Radiance.”
“And why did you become a hero,” Hum Drum asked.
“To… To give the people all the happiness that I got,” Radiance answered.
“Exactly,” Hum Drum said. “But now, we can’t do that without the rest of the Power Ponies.”
“You’re right, Hum Drum,” Radiance said. “You go get my costume from the closet. I’ll call Blueblood and let him know we’re leaving.”
“Actually,” Hum Drum said, “About Blueblood… There’s something you need to know about him. He’s not as nice as we thought he was.”
“Saaaaaaay what now,” Rarity asked.