Back in Seaddle, Xenxus continued his rampage as Timaeus defended the city. Using every bit of his magic, both Xenxus’ and Timaeus’ power began to decrease greatly. Knowing they were reaching their limit, each one took a corner and quickly rested to regain their strength.
Soon, The Archivist and Doctor Hooves finally arrived at the city. Though they had their fears, they were able to breathe a sigh of relief that it remained mostly intact and that the fight was taking place near the waterfront.
As they hurried to the waterfront, Timaeus landed nearby to meet them, but he was breathing hard and even his legs were shaking a little. The two ponies then ran to the exhausted Guardian.
“Master?” Doctor Hooves asked worriedly.
“Highly unusual for me… to lose my strength… but Xenxus is weak. We need to force him further out of the city,” Timaeus panted.
The Archivist then noticed Timaeus was wounded on his right side of his body.
“Master, you're hurt!” The Archivist said, eyes wide. “You aren't all powerful. You can't afford to keep draining all your magic like this!”
Timaeus smiled.
“You needn’t worry. Xenxus is in the same state as I. My only focus is weakening Xenxus to make him immobile,” Timaeus replied. “He must at least be slowed down.”
“What about the Princess?” Doctor Hooves asked.
“I believe she is on her way as we speak,” Timaeus replied. “Let’s keep Xenxus occupied until they arrive with the Element. Can I count on you two?”
“Yes, Master!” both the Archivist and Doctor Hooves replied.
Now recuperated enough to engage Xenxus once more, Timaeus, the Archivist, and Doctor Hooves looked around the city area for the pale, hidden alicorn. They didn't have to look far. Xenxus crashed to the surface, unleashing a shockwave, that knocked the three of them down, as well as nearby structures. As the dust and debris fogged their vision, Xenxus took flight and circled around like a vulture. Suddenly, a cyan lightning beam shot from below, blasting a hole through Xenxus’ wing. With a screech, the alicorn plummeted through the layer of debris in the air and slammed into the pavement below. He looked at his singed wing and snarled.
“You will pay for that, you idiots!” Xenxus yelled out.
Caught off guard, Timaeus and The Archivist summoned a grappling spell to hold Xenxus in place, but even so, it was not fast enough to catch Xenxus for on hoof, he was fast. Trying the best they can, they could only feel exhaustion from all the fighting.
Finally, arriving back in their point in time, Twilight and her friends landed within the ruins of Canterlot. They rushed out of the castle and hurried to one of the structures, housing ponies that have been injured. There she noticed Princess Celestia, still caring for her unconscious sister.
“Princess? Are you okay?” Twilight asked.
Celestia could only think about her reputation as a leader being in shambles after the attack and the welfare of her sister.
“Twilight, I have to be honest with you. I have never thought in all my years that I would let my kingdom fall to an ancient creature. You must stop him before he causes anymore harm,” she said.
Twilight knew what she meant and felt sorry for her.
“Princess, please, you need to know we think you did the right thing,” she said. “If Xenxus had managed to do anything to you or Princess Luna, we'd never be able to raise the sun or moon again and the whole planet would be done for.”
Celestia looked like she was still feeling guilty. Fluttershy tapped Twilight's shoulder.
“Show the Princess what we got. I think she has the right to see it,” she said.
Twilight nodded and presented the Element of Time, surprising ever pony in the room. Princess Celestia’s eyes widened.
“Is that…?”
“Yes. It's the Element of Time,” Twilight responded.
Immediately, she realized that time was of the essence. She looked at her mentor.
“Where did they go?” she asked.
“I don’t know. The monster fled, followed by the alicorn that saved you.”
“Timaeus…” Twilight whispered. “Maybe I can...”
She closed her eyes and thought hard, directing her energy towards Timaeus. She wasn't sure how to explain it, but she felt a connection.
Timaeus spoke telepathically.
“Twilight Sparkle, welcome back. Hurry to the city of Seaddle,” he said.
Twilight jumped and quickly ran to the doorway.
"I know where they are. Come on,” She said, jolting out.
Her friends watched as she disappeared in the night.
“Is it me, or is she getting, ya know? Weird with all these tele… whatever it’s called?” Rainbow Dash commented.
Celestia thought back to Doctor Hooves’ words, then The Archivist. Confused for the moment, she stood up.
“Where she goes… we will follow?” she muttered.
“Princess?” the ponies said.
Celestia looked down at her unconscious sister.
“I’ll be right back, sister. I promise,” she said, rubbing her head on Luna’s.
Explosions were heard by the waterfront as Xenxus continued his rampage, using all his strength to take down Timaeus, The Archivist, and Doctor Hooves. Eager to take the trio down, Xenxus unleashed his defense mechanism, his electro-magnetic pulse. Slamming his hooves on the guard, his shockwave took everypony by surprise, knocking out both magic and electricity. Blacking out the city, Xenxus saw his advantage: darkness. Able to move like a bat, he knocked Timaeus into a building, the Archivist into a pond, and Doctor Hooves inside a local store. Seeing his success for the moment, Xenxus sensed the presence of the Element coming closer. He knew Twilight and her friends were coming for him. He flew up to a tall tower, with a disc like top. He roared out, echoing through the night.
On the way, Twilight heard the sound only to fly faster to the city. Followed from behind, the other ponies heard the sound and continued their pursuit. Passing Ponyville, Spike looked out from the balcony and called out to them. Rainbow Dash flew over.
“Spike!” she said.
“Where’s Twilight?” Spike asked.
“Heading to Seaddle,” Rainbow Dash replied. “Hop on!”
Spike jumped on Rainbow Dash’s back and continued to follow. Down below the town square, some ponies awoke from the sound drawing them outdoors in confusion. Mayor Mare walked outside and looked around. Soon she noticed Princess Celestia, traveling with Twilight’s friends.
“Princess? This is an unexpected surprise. ” Mayor Mare spoke.
“I apologize for waking all of you, however I must ask that all ponies stay indoors. Something has been prowling the skies and I fear it will continue,” Princess Celestia asked.
“A what?” one pony asked.
“Oh… just some ancient monstrous alicorn with a nightmare face, named Xenxus bent on destroying Equestria, ” Pinkie Pie said flippantly.
Immediately, hearing those words, everypony ran into their homes and locked their doors and windows. After a minute or two, the town was silent. The ponies looked around.
“Whoa… that was fast!” Pinkie Pie said as she happily hopped off out of the town.
Mayor Mare looked up to the Princess.
“You don't need to worry, Princess. We’ll keep safe. Good luck,” she replied as she returned to her home.