"Destroy Maretropolis," the Masked Matterhorn asked in shock. "They can't be serious!"
"I'm afraid they are," Timberwolf said. "In fact, they told me to tell you to turn to Channel 3 News in Maretropolis."
Shining Armor reached the remote and turned on the television nearby. The news showed dreadful things happening to the Power Ponies' hometown. Three, spectral sirens flew through the air and their screams would shatter anything they were aimed at. Anar D was also there turning fire hydrates into gum waiting to explode by the water pressure underneath.
"I can't look," Saddle Rager said turning her head from the screen.
"This is News Flash here with an emergency update," the reporter said. "Maretropolis is under siege. It would seem that..."
Suddenly, Darkmatter appeared right next to News Flash. The reporter gasped when he saw him.
"Make this broadcast worldwide," Darkmatter said. "I want to be certain my little monkey sees me."
"Y... You heard him, Close Up," News Flash told his camera-colt. "Extend this broadcast."
A few seconds later, Darkmatter took the center of the camera frame.
"Princess Twilight Sparkle, or may I call you the Masked Matterhorn," Darkmatter announced, "Surrender yourself to me. Your reward: your town will live. My accomplices are only stretching their legs for now. There is no time limit, but the longer you keep hiding..."
Anar D appeared in front of the camera with a deranged look on his face.
"...The more we get to have our... jollies."
"Turn yourself in now," Darkmatter said. "In the meantime, we're in control of Maretropolis and with just the right touch...
"This is the perfect time"
"To bring out the perfect crimes," Serena sang.
"Murder, theft," Melody sang.
"Devastation," Carol sang.
"This calls out for celebration," Anar D sang.
"The sounds of annihilation here," Serena sang.
"Makes our point perfectly clear," Darkmatter sang.
"Change starts on this very day," the Order of Change sang.
"Good-bye, truth, justice, and the Equestrian way
HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA
Now, we're in charge
Now, we're in charge
It's the point you won't forget
On your mark. Get set
Now, we're in charge
We cause tricks
To get our kicks
You used to be strong as a barge
Now, we're in charge"
"Even those who hate each other can work as one," Melody and Carol sang.
"With our dark magic, peace comes undone," Serena sang.
"Excellent work," Darkmatter said.
"Better run in cower," Anar D sang,
"'Cause we have the power"
"You better have every peaceful moment spent," the Siren Sisters sang.
"'CAUSE NOW, YOU'RE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT," everyone sang.
"NOW, WE'RE IN CHARGE
NOW, WE'RE IN CHARGE
HERE, TROUBLE COMES TO SIT AND THRIVE
TURN AROUND AND RUN FOR YOUR LIVES
NOW, WE'RE IN CHARGE
EVERY CORNER WILL BE BLOWN
FROM NOW ON, EVIL'S LIVING LAAAAAAAAAARGE"
"TURN AWAY," Melody shouted.
"ARREVEDIRCI," Anar D shouted.
"WE'LL DESTROY THIS TOWN," Serena shouted.
"TURN YOURSELF IN, MONKEY," Darkmatter shouted.
"NOW, WE'RE IN CHAAAAAAAARGE," the Order of Change sang.
"NOW, WE'RE IN CHARGE"
The ponies in Maretropolis ran away. The heroes kept watching until the screen went blank.
"This is monstrous," the Masked Matterhorn gasped. "Can't the princesses do anything about it?"
"Darkmatter's covering that to," Timberwolf said. "He said that if he sees any princess other than you approaching Maretropolis, he'll destroy it faster."
"There's got to be a counterpoint to it all," Shining Armor said. "We can't let Darkmatter win. I'll contact the princesses and inform them of the situation."
"Shining," the Masked Matterhorn said, "I think... I think I should let him take me."
"What," everyone gasped.
"Absolutely not, Twilight," Shining Armor said. "It's too dangerous. After Darkmatter gets what he wants, the Siren Sisters will release Arcanus. And Darkmatter knows how to kill you."
"Anar D thought he knew," the Masked Matterhorn said, "And he was wrong."
"It's still too dangerous," Shining Armor said.
"Come on," the Masked Matterhorn said. She turned to her friends. "Guys, you all support me, right?"
"Uh," everyone said awkwardly.
"Actually..." Zapp said.
"We do love you," Radiance said.
"But the thing is..." Mistress Marevelous said.
"We don't know what Darkmatter's method is," the Shadow Blot said. "Maybe it is best if we just find another way."
"I don't believe it," the Masked Matterhorn gasped. "I thought you would support me."
"We do," Hum Drum said. "It's just that... If anything happens to you, there won't be anyone left standing against the Siren Sisters."
The Masked Matterhorn turned away and entered her cabin. She picked up a pillow and screamed into it. She fell onto her bed and put on a sad face.
"Don't cry, young one. Your friends only want what they think is best?"
The Masked Matterhorn looked and saw a familiar stallion beside her.
"Doctor? I thought you were coming back the day we fight Arcanus."
"Did I," the Doctor asked. "Oh. Well, I did meet you there. And then I traveled to other points in time. This one time, in another Equestria, Applejack's little sister tries to scare me into buying some apples. But I digress."
"Well, what are you doing here," the Masked Matterhorn asked.
"The better question is, what are you doing here," the Doctor said. "Didn't Darkmatter threaten your hometown if you didn't surrender to him?"
The Masked Matterhorn sighed with a heavy breath. "He did. The problem is, everyone who I think should support me on my decision thinks it's best if I stayed out of it. I just don't know what to do. It's getting too hard to explain things anymore. My brain is all confused with all that's going on."
"Well, answer me this," the Doctor said, "What does your heart say?"
"That I should save my city... and all my friends."
"I hope you're right. By the way, before I leave, I'd like you give you this piece of advice: a friend is always loyal to you, no matter what he does. Farewell."
The Doctor disappeared leaving the Masked Matterhorn alone in her room.
"Why would he tell me something I already know," the Masked Matterhorn said. She looked at the window and realized what she had to do.
"And they'll destroy Maretropolis quickly if anyone other than the Matterhorn enters," Shining Armor told the other princesses through screens.
"This is a predicament," Princess Luna said.
"What does the Masked Matterhorn have to say about this threat," Princess Celestia asked.
"Actually..." Shining Armor said, "She wants to surrender herself, but we said no."
"What," Cadence asked.
"Well, we had no choice," Zapp said. "We don't want to lose our friend."
"Yeah," Masque said. "She owes me $10."
"No, she doesn't," Rodan corrected his friend.
"Hey, I wanted to be part of the conversation," Masque said.
"If only she understood how grave the situation is," Shining Armor said.
"Well..." Cadence said, "Maybe it's time she learned the truth... about Darkmatter."
"What," Radiance asked. "What truth? He... didn't really offer to teach Twilight magic?"
"He did," Shining Armor said. "Everything we said was true. There were just... some parts of the story that we left out... for her protection, of course."
"Shining Armor, she's a big girl now," Princess Celestia said. "Tell her the truth about Darkmatter and we'll see what her choice is."
"All right," Shining Armor agreed. "I'll tell her."
Shining Armor hung up the communication and walked across the blimp. The Power Ponies and Mighty Machines waited for a minute until they heard a shout.
"NO!" Shining Armor returned to the group with fear filling his eyes. "TWILIGHT IS GONE!"
The Power Ponies and Mighty Machines gasped.
Anar D changed Power Tower into a darker, more menacing shape. The Order of Change stood on top of it.
"Well, would you look at that," Anar D said looking through a telescope.
"Give me that," Darkmatter said taking the telescope. He looked through it and saw the Masked Matterhorn approaching the outskirts of town.
"Ah," Darkmatter said in joy looking through his telescope, "My monkey, the Masked Matterhorn, has made it. Marvelous.
"Oh, that was a good tongue-twister," Carol said. "Try this one: the Sinister Sorceress sent six super-sized skates and silk socks to Soaron."
"This is no time for silliness," Darkmatter said removing the telescope from his eye. There was a white circle surrounding his eye. Anar D giggled at that.
The Masked Matterhorn landed right in front of the Order of Change and confronted the evil unicorn.
"Welcome home, little monkey," Darkmatter said. "Have you come to surrender?"
"Before I answer that, I have a question," the Masked Matterhorn said. She turned to the draconequus. "Anar D, how could you betray us like that? I thought we were friends."
"The Siren Sisters offered me something better than simple tea parties," Anar D explained. "For the past three months, I've worked my tail off because of a favor for you and the others. I thought it was because we were friends. Now that I think about it, when I returned you didn't ask me how I was or say 'welcome back'. You didn't even give me a hoof bump. Personally, if I had to choose where to be imprisoned between friendship and Pandora's Box, I'd choose the latter."
"Face it, dear," Serena said. "Anar D is on our side now. True, we used to be enemies, but since he gave his box to us in exchange for us not using it, it's all water under the bridge."
"And the worst part is," Melody said, "You left your other friends in the dust."
"Too bad," Carol exclaimed. "So sad."
"Now, if you would come with me," Darkmatter said. "I moved all my lab equipment in this tower."
With a hanging head, the Masked Matterhorn followed the Order of Change inside. At the top of another building, the Blue Comet watched the villains carry the alicorn inside.
"I don't think so," Blue Comet said sternly.