//------------------------------//
// Prison-Book Escape 
// Story: The Taking of Tartarus 
// by Rakoon1 
//------------------------------//

	A few weeks had passed since the events with the Wraith, but the Lord of Chaos wouldn't let ponies enjoying peace for a long time. Under his orders, Chrysalis and her Changelings began attacking Ponyville, trying to feed from the villagers and also trying to catch Twilight's friends and bearers of the Elements of Harmony.

However, the Changelings had opponents that were making his mission difficult, like Thunder Night and Shadow Claw. Rainbow Dash also gave some of her punches, as well as Applejack. But that didn't stop the dark creatures of subdue and arrest the five bearers of the Elements of Harmony, who were with their necklaces. The two stallions were trying to go to help them, but the Changelings who they were fighting were not leaving them do it so. A wicked laugh was listened and Chrysalis landed in front of Twilight’s friends.

"Looks like you were caught by me" she said. "Finally, we will rid the Lord of Chaos from the scum that is trying to prevent him from conquer this world."

"Watch who are you calling scum, scum" Rainbow Dash replied, trying to break free, but in vain.

"You're not going to get away with this, Chrysalis" Applejack said. "Twilight and the Generals of Order will beat you."

"When that day happen, you won't be here to watch" Chrysalis replied, turning then to her subordinates who were arresting the five mares. "Deal with them!"

The Changelings prepared to begin feeding from the five mares’ love, when magic beams appeared suddenly and hit on some of the Changelings.

"What?!" Chrysalis asked, turning.

And she faced with Princess Twilight (wearing her Crown), Golden Paladin, Mirror Coat and Heartbeat.

"Hello, Chrysalis" Twilight greeted cynically. "Were you talking about me?"

"You..." Chrysalis said.

And, with an immense speed, Heartbeat knocked the other Changelings who were arresting Twilight's friend down.

"Girls, now!" Twilight exclaimed.

And, acting quickly, each of them put themselves up around Chrysalis who immediately realized what they were going to do.

"No…" she said. "Don't even think you're going to defeat me."

She tried to move forward Twilight to attack her, but Mirror Coat used his magic to create a defensive barrier that made Chrysalis be thrown to the ground when she hit it.

Twilight and her friends started to activate their elements, each one being linked by the rainbow tentacles coming out from Twilight’s crown. She then unleashed the power of her element, powered by others’, and launched a rainbow that hit Chrysalis that moaned, as she felt the elements’ power burning her skin. 

When Twilight’s element’s power ceased, disconnecting the other elements, the Queen of the Changelings were lying on the ground, filled with burns caused by the power of the Elements of Harmony. Twilight approached her and said:

"I'm sorry, Chrysalis, but this comes to an end. You may have helped me in the struggle against Dark Hole, but I can't forget your crimes and the fact you serve the Lord of Chaos."

"You... you're going to pay for this" Chrysalis said, panting, to Twilight.

"I don't know that" Twilight answered. "But I won't let you hurt my friends and other ponies without paying the price."

And, having said this, Twilight invoked the cell blaster and, with it, started sucking Chrysalis to the life cell that was there. After arresting her on the life cell, Twilight invoked the prison-book and inserted Chrysalis’ life cell inside.

Realizing that their Queen had been captured, the other Changelings began to flee.

"Don't let them escape" Twilight said to three Generals who were with her.

"Certainly, Princess" Golden Paladin said.

And, after a few seconds, the three Generals had captured the Changelings who had attacked Ponyville with Chrysalis.

"Wow, and we couldn't even bring down so many at once in a minute" Shadow Claw said.

"After all, they are the Generals of Order" Thunder Night said, trying to hold not only the pain caused by the injuries he made in the fight against the Changelings, but also the burns he was getting from the sun.

Twilight hugged her friends and told them:

"I'm glad I made it in time to save you."

"Don't worry ‘bout it, sugarcube" Applejack said. "We would made it by ourselves."

"Yes, after all they were just a branch of Changelings" Rainbow said. "I can defeat an entire army sleeping."

"Girls, don’t be like that" said Rarity. "The truth is that we were in serious trouble. If Twilight and the Generals had not arrived, we'd be right now serving as a meal to Changelings."

"That's true" Applejack admitted.

"Thank you, Twilight" Fluttershy thanked.

"Yeah, and it was amazing when we beat Chrysalis using our elements to create that colorful rainbow that just makes me want to laugh a lot" Pinkie Pie said, excitedly. "You should have seen her face when the rainbow hit her. Wait, but you saw. After all, we were there too."

That did Twilight take a laugh and say:

"I'm just happy that we have finally defeated Chrysalis."

"Yes, I'd pay to see the Lord of Chaos’ face when we know we made him look like an idiot again."

And they laughed.

The Lord of Chaos and Fire Punch were seeing that, with the former not liking Rainbow Dash’s comment.

"It seems that Chrysalis also failed to defeat Princess Twilight and her friends" Fire Punch said. "But of course I already knew that she was going to lose. If I was still Dark Hole..."

But he didn’t finish, because he saw his master looking at him with his cold and hard look. Instead, he chose to say:

"You know, master, it's a little disappointing to see all the villains that you send falling like that, even when they are so close of concretize your will. It seems that there is no villain who can win your brother’s followers. And after so much work to draw up schemes and stratagems to conquer this world, after so many villains, even those of the solitary, all that is gone. Puff!

"Keep talking, Fire Punch and someday you’ll... puff, disappear!” the Lord of Chaos exclaimed, rising up.

That made Fire Punch tape his mouth with his hooves, as he shook with fear before the impetuosity of his lord and master. Ignoring Fire Punch’s state of fear, the Lord of Chaos said:

"I really need something to tilt the balance of power again in my favor."

"Like before, master, remember?" Fire Punch said.

"Before?" the Lord of chaos repeated.

"When it seemed that Princess Twilight defeated you when you tried to steel her star seed’s light, you riposted" Fire Punch said. "You took Tartarus and freed all the villains imprisoned. Of course, most of them were recaptured, even most of the villains of the solitary, and now you has almost no villains to use. But you showed to those followers of the Order what happens when they mess with the Lord of All Evil."

"Fire Punch, you..." the Lord of Chaos started, making then a thoughtful air. " You're probably right. What I did once, I can do it again. It will be like if history was being repeated."

"What do you mean?" Fire Punch asked.

"I'm going to open the prison-book and steal the life cells of my villains that were captured" the Lord of Chaos said. "I will get my army of villains again to attack the pony world of in a viler and crueler way."

"But, master, the prison-book is well kept in the Light Kingdom" Fire Punch said. "No villain of yours will be able to enter even in the kingdom. And even if they do, the prison-book is in the dungeon of the castle, guarded by Cerberus."

"You're right" the Lord of Chaos said. "I have to find a way to overcome these barriers first. But how?"

And, having said that, he made his mirror show the part of the dungeon where the prison-book was. Cerberus, Golden Paladin’s three-headed dog, was sleeping peacefully, while at the same time he was attentive to anything that could approach the cell where the prison-book was stored, along with the cell blaster and the life cells that have not yet used. 

It was then that Cerberus’ three heads woke up and the big dog rose up, sitting and wagging its tail of contentment. The entrance door to the dungeon opened and Spike entered, carrying with great effort a huge bowl of dog food. Upon entering the dungeon, he landed it on the floor and dragged it to the edge of Cerberus.

"Here we go, Cerberus, this is your ration for today" Spike said.

When Spike stopped dragging the bowl to the place ahead of Cerberus, the three-headed dog started eating happily.

"That’s it, eat" Spike said. "You have to keep those evil villains that are in that book that’s in that cell. You know, we, dragons, used to be used as guardians of safes filled with jewels and precious stones. No one would steal any preciousness, knowing they would have to face a dragon to get there. Of course, according to the legend, after the Dragon King used his control over dragons to use us against the ponies, we lose that job."

But Spike noticed that Cerberus was still eating, like if he didn't hear him.

"But why am I talking to a dog? It's not like he knew what I meant."

And, having said that, he left.

"Oh, young dragon, Cerberus may have no interest in your words, but I have" the Lord of Chaos said, dropping a laugh. "You just gave me the best idea to steal the prison-book. And I'm sure you will give me a hand, or rather, a claw to help me."

"What do you mean by that, master?" Fire Punch asked.

"You'll see" he replied.

And, using his mirror, he tried to communicate with the villain that was going to help him realize his new plan.

"Dragon King" the Lord of Chaos called. "I summon you."

And it was then that reddish eyes, injected with blood, appeared and a rough and scary voice asked:

"What do you want, my master."

"Dragon King, your mission is to make the baby dragon that lives in the castle of the Light Kingdom to steal the prison-book so I can release all the imprisoned villains" the Lord of Chaos said. "And don't forget that failure is not an option."

"Control a baby dragon did not record any challenge to me" the Dragon King replied. "But how will he steal the prison-book if the Light Kingdom is where the Generals of Order and Princess Twilight live?"

"Using something to make them get out the Light Kingdom" the Lord of Chaos said. "Create a diversion that makes everypony leave it long enough for the baby dragon to take the prison-book to the border."

"Understood" the Dragon King said, whose image disappeared.

In the Light Kingdom, in the throne room, Heartbeat told everypony how she had captured the Changelings. Hearing her tell the story were all her General siblings, Twilight (who was sitting on her throne), Blue (who was next to her) and Star (who was in his mother’s lap).

"You should have seen" Heartbeat said. "I punched one and kicked another, and in a few seconds, all Changelings had been defeated."

"Aren't you exaggerating?" Purple Smoke asked. "Man, what cocky."

"The pot calling the kettle black" Melody told her, making Purple Smoke gave her a cold look.

"Well, obviously, you didn't do it all alone, Heartbeat" Leaf Mane said.

"And she didn’t" Mirror Coat said. "I and Golden took one or two down, each."

"What makes me the most effective" Heartbeat said.

"Well, if you want to put it in that way, Heartbeat, then I think Twilight was the most effective" Blue said, putting his foreleg on his wife’s shoulders. "After all, it was her who imprisoned Chrysalis."

"I have to agree with Prince Blue Sword on this" Golden Paladin said.

The other Generals nodded, agreeing, even Heartbeat.

"Mommy the best" Star said, hugging his mother.

"Thank you all" Twilight thanked. "You too, my little one. But the truth is that I couldn't have done it without the help of my friends."

"What would you not have done without the help of your friends?" Spike asked, coming into the throne room.

"I and the others defeated Chrysalis and I imprisoned her in the prison-book" Twilight said.

"Great!" Spike exclaimed. "It's more a villain down."

"By the way, Spike" Golden Paladin said. "How is Cerberus? With all my work I don’t see him very much."

"He's fine" Spike answered. "But I have a question for you, Golden. Why do I have to give to eat to that giant dog? After all he is your dog."

"Spike, don't say that" Golden Paladin said. "Cerberus likes you."

"If he likes me the same way he likes his food, so I'd rather avoid the dungeons until he gets back to Tartarus" Spike replied.

That made everypony laugh.

Suddenly Heartbeat’s alarm began to soar.

"Seriously?!" Heartbeat asked. "Can't we get some rest."

"It is the Lord of Chaos that we are talking about" Melody said. "I don't think he's going to give us pauses to rest."

"Is it another villain from the solitary?" Blue asked.

"I don't think so" Mirror Coat answered. "The alarm was not loud enough. I'll check."

And, using his magic, he created a mirror whose image divided into several factions that reflected different places of Equestia, all suffering from the same bad.

"Dragons?" Heartbeat asked. "Why do they have to be dragons? I hate dragons. They are ugly, greedy and fire-breathing animals that cannot stay calm when they see a jewel that doesn’t belong to them."

That made everypony look at her. Feeling herself watched, she asked:

"What?"

"I don't know if you noticed, but we have one of those ugly, greedy and fire-breathing animals right here" Purple Smoke said, motioning to Spike.

"Oh, of course" Heartbeat said, somewhat embarrassed. "Sorry, Spike."

"It's okay" Spike said. "I also think the same about dragons. Fortunately, I’m not like them."

"Spike, I think you're forgetting about the time you get so greedy that you ended up turning into a not so nice giant dragon" Twilight said.

"Come on, it only happened once" Spike said, making a look somewhat offended.

"And when you overloaded yourself to take care of Owlowiscious and the other animals just to get more jewels?" Twilight asked.

"Okay, twice" Spike admitted. "But that doesn't make me a bad dragon."

"Well, you're right" Twilight agreed. "It doesn't."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I think we have more important things to care of" Golden Paladin said, motioning to the the Dragon attacks that was happening.

"Yes" Twilight said, a little embarrassed. "Apparently, there are too many places being attacked. It seems that we have to move all our forces."

"And you can count on me for this fight, my dear" Blue said.

"Thank you" Twilight thanked. "Heartbeat, can you take Star to his nanny?"

"Of course, Your Highness" she replied, saluting.

Twilight turned to her son and told him:

"Be a good colt, my son."

And she gave him a kiss on the forehead.

"Yes, don't give a lot of work to your nanny" Blue said, therefore misaligning his son’s mane, making him drop a sweet laugh.

Twilight gave the baby to Heartbeat that left the throne room with her super-speed, returning seconds later. The alicorn princess turned to Spike and asked him:

"Spike, can you take care of the fort?"

"Of course, Twilight" he replied, putting a firm stance. "You can trust me."

"Thank you" the princess thanked, turning then to her generals. "Let’s go."

Mirror Coat invoked one of his mirror portals and all those who were going to face the dragons came through it.

The Lord of Chaos, seeing that, became pleased to see that the plan was going perfectly.

"Perfect" he said. "The baby dragon will be alone in the Light Kingdom, while the others are treating the dragons the Dragon King sent to distract our beloved princess and her generals and friends. Dragon King!"

The Dragon King’s bright eyes appeared in the Lord of Chaos’s mirror.

"It's time" the Lord of Chaos told him. "Start the second phase of the plan."

"Certainly" he replied.

And his eyes disappear.

Spike was walking through one of the corridors of the castle, carrying a tray full of gems that he had picked up in the kitchen. He went through a light guard who greeted him:

"Hello, Spike."

With a full mouth and therefore unable to articulate words, Spike waved him, returning the compliment, and continued his way. After swallowing what was in his mouth, he prepared to put more gems in the mouth, when the Dragon King's voice echoed in his head saying:

"Listen to me very carefully, my young servant. You're going to do exactly what your rightful King will tell you to do."

Hearing the Dragon King’s voice, Spike entered in a kind of trance, with his eyes lighting up with a green glow.

"Yes, my king" he said.

In Equestria, the dragons were attacking everywhere, from Vanhoover to Appleloosa, which forced Twilight, Blue and the Generals to separate. All the other alicorn princesses also came to help, as well as Shining Armor and other members of the various Royal Guards and the Wonderbolts. However, the dragons were too many, all big, fast, strong and with their fire-breath.

In Baltimare, Golden Paladin and Mirror Coat were dealing with the dragons that were there. While Golden cast his magic beams, he said:

"You know, all these Dragons make me think."

Heartbeat appeared suddenly with her super-speed to help her two older brothers, asking:

"Are you thinking they are being controlled by some higher authority? Because if it that’s so, it can only indicate just one being that is able to control dragons and force them to do his will. We're dealing with…"

"The Dragon King" Mirror Coat said, attacking a dragon that was around.

"Hey, I wanted to say it!" Heartbeat protested.

"Yes, it can only be the Dragon King" Golden said, while attacking dragons. "Only through him the Lord of Chaos could control so many dragons. If it is him, then we need to find him as soon as possible. Heartbeat, will warn the princesses and then goes with Purple Smoke find the Dragon King. He has to be close."

"Yes, sir, Goldy sir" Heartbeat replied with a salute.

And, having said this, Heartbeat moved away at full speed.

Spike, under the Dragon King’s control, down to the dungeons of the Light Kingdom, where the villains were kept before Tartarus was created. He met with Cerberus that, seeing Spike, ran to him with a quite happy air and gasping of contentment, while shaking his tail happily.

"Subdue Cerberus" the Dragon King ordered.

"Cerberus, sit" Spike ordered.

Cerberus sat quickly. After Golden Paladin, Cerberus seemed to obey Spike better, since the two have created a kind of relationship of friendship, while the baby dragon was feeding the giant three-headed dog.

"Cerberus, lay" Spike ordered.

And Cerberus laid and, after that, Spike started petting him with his claws, something that Cerberus loved. But it was then that Spike reached the place that was one of Cerberus’ few weaknesses, something that could only be discovered playing with him. With Spike scratching beneath the middle head’s chin, the head that acted as the main one, Ceberus fell on the floor, asleep.

"Amazing" the Lord of Chaos said, observing the scene. "I never thought that Cerberus could be subdued in this way. Of course this can only be achieved if that mutt trust the person he faces."

"Very well" the Dragon King congratulated Spike. "Now, get the prison-book."

"Yes, master" Spike replied.

He advanced to the cell where the prison-book was. He went in there and found it, landed in a pillar. The cell blaster and a stack of empty life cells were also there, in another part of the cell.

"Master, why don't we take also the cell blaster?" Fire Punch asked. "After all, without it, our enemies will not be able to arrest the villains."

"That thing can only be used by the Generals and Twilight" the Lord of Chaos replied. "Nopony beyond them can even touch it. We will limit ourselves by the prison-book. That's enough for now."

Spike approached the pillar where the book was and picked it up. As soon as he did that, the Dragon King said:

"Now, take it to the border without anypony knowing and give it to the envoy the Lord of Chaos will send."

"Yes, master" Spike replied.

And, with this, Spike abandoned the cell with the prison-book, putting it in the middle of the jewels he was eating, and then left the dungeon.

"Now it’s time!" the Lord of Chaos exclaimed, rising up. "Fire Punch, get ready. The prison-book cannot leave the Light Kingdom without Princess Twilight and the Generals’ magic. You go there and get the prison-book. As soon as you have it in your hooves, open in. I don't care how. As soon as you do it, I will start to bring the life cells to here."

"Yes, master" Fire Punch answered, bowing respectfully his head.

As soon as he said that, Fire Punch disappeared.

Twilight, the other alicorn princesses, the Generals and all the others arrived to MacIntosh Hills, where Heartbeat and Purple Smoke were waiting at the foot of that chain of hills.

"We found him, he's..." Purple Smoke began.

And then a huge dragon landed in the area where they were. It was a giant dragon, a lot bigger than any full-sized dragon. His scales were red as a ruby and the spines on his back were extremely sharp. On his head, he contained two pairs of curved horns (the superior upward and the inferior downward), being that they were united in a junction located on the dragon’s forehead, seeming to be a kind of crown. That was the Dragon King.

"Right here" Heartbeat completed.

Those who did not know the Dragon King were quite impressed with his size and appearance.

"This Dragon is colossal" Shining said.

"I don't think that even describes what I’m seeing" Blue said.

"We meet again, Dragon King" Golden Paladin said. "We haven't seen each other in a long time."

"Since you put me in that filthy prison" the Dragon King replied.

"What do you wanted us to do?" Golden Paladin asked. "You enslaved your dragons and forced them to attack ponies. You condemned your subjects to live as greedy and fierce monsters."

"And that's the way it should be" the Dragon King said.

"You're wrong" Golden Paladin said. "But we can solve this in the best way. Send your dragons to retreat."

"No way" the Dragon King replied.

"So I guess we have no choice" Golden Paladin said. "Attack!"

And all who were there began to attack the Dragon King. However, he managed to sweep practically with all the Royal Guard and hit the Wonderbolts with his blazing fire that, despite it didn’t kill them, left them unable to continue fighting.

"Is this all you have to give?" the Dragon King asked.

He then faced the four alicorn princesses flying right in front of him.

"Don’t forget that you're also fighting alicorn princesses" Celestia said.

And, with this, the four mares launched their magic beams against the Dragon King.

Spike get out of the Castle and then of the Light Kingdom, walking toward the border of the dense forest. There, Fire Punch waited impatiently.

"Finally, your sample of dragon" he said, while Spike was approaching. "I thought you were lost on the way."

Upon reaching his edge, Spike extended the prison-book. Fire Punch received it, saying:

"Finally, the prison-book is under our power. Now, I just have to open it and the Lord of Chaos can take all the life cell."

But it was easier said than done, because, as much as Fire Punch tried, he couldn't open it.

"Damned book..." he said. “Open up!"

However, the battle against the Dragon King continued. The princesses were giving enough fight to him, since, together, they were very powerful. However, the Dragon King’s scales seemed to be able to withstand all attacks.

"I don't know how long they will hold him" Blue said. "We have to do something."

"Golden Paladin, how did you manage to defeat him?" Shining asked.

"Using the same strategy that we're about to use" he replied, turning to Purple Smoke that was sitting on the floor, motionless and with his eyes closed. "How are we, Purple Smoke?"

"I'm ready" he replied, rising up.

He opened his eyes and activated his magic. When he did this, he was involved by his purple smoke, something that predated any of his transformations. The purple smoke increased to proportions of the size of the Dragon King and, when it's gone, it could see that Purple Smoke had turned into the dragon, although the scales, instead of red, were purple.

"Princesses, out of the way" he said to the four alicorn princesses. "Now, I'm the one who will battle him."

They did so and the Dragon King said to Purple Smoke:

"If you think you can defeat me again, you're wrong."

"That's what we're going to see" Purple Smoke said.

And the two began their fight. It seemed to be well balanced, until the Dragon King use his fire breath, hitting Purple Smoke that hastened to retreat. Encouraged by the others, Purple Smoke opened his mouth and, instead breathing fire, he launched against the Dragon King his smoke that hit him and began to infect him with its toxins, something that left him a little dizzy.

"I managed to improve my transformation abilities a lot since the last time I saw you" he said. "I hope you enjoy the effects of my smoke."

Taking advantage of that moment of weakness of the Dragon King, the Generals of Order attacked him simultaneously. The attack was so strong that the Dragon King succumbed and fell to the ground, causing a loud bang. With his fall, Purple Smoke returned to his original form, panting for being tired of both the fight and the transformation. The Dragon King tried to get up, but Golden Paladin used his magic and gold chains appeared from the ground and arrested him.

"Game over, Dragon King" Golden Paladin said. "Now, you’ll go back to your cell and the dragons that are under your control will be released."

However, much to the surprise of all, the Dragon King laughed and said:

"It doesn't matter. Go ahead and arrest me. It doesn't really matter. It's too late."

"Too late for what?" Twilight asked, not liking the tone he had used.

But the Dragon King simply laughed. It seemed that he would not reveal anything. So Golden Paladin invoked the cell blaster with a new life cell and began to suck the Dragon King to there. After the process was completed, he tried to invoke the prison-book, but he didn’t manage to do it.

“Golden, what are you waiting for? " Leaf Mane asked. "Lock him up in the prison-book."

"I can't" he said, trying to invoke the prison-book again, but in vain.

"What do you mean you can't?" Melody asked.

"I don't know, it seems like..." Golden Paladin starte. "Someone took it of its place."

"But that's impossible" Mirror Coat said. "The prison-book is safe."

"Does this have to do with what the Dragon King said?" Celestia asked.

Golden Paladin meditated for a while and then he realized:

"Spike!"

And Twilight also eventually realize what he meant.

"Oh no!" she exclaimed.

On the border of the Light Kingdom, Fire Punch continued to try to open the prison-book. Then, with the defeat of the Dragon King, Spike was freed of his control.

"But..." he said, a little disoriented. "Where am I?"

And that's when he saw Fire Punch trying to open the prison-book.

"Oh no!" he exclaimed, advancing to the follower of the Lord of Chaos. "Hey, drop that book!"

Seeing that Spike was released and was advancing to him, Fire Punch mockingly said:

"Or what, runt?"

With only one hoof, Fire Punch stopped Spike touching him on the forehead and then pushed him against the floor, laughing at him. Infuriated, Spike stood up and said:

"You'll see."

And he breathed his fire. Having no time to dodge, Fire Punch used the prison-book for protection. The fire hit it and the book flew from Fire Punch, and in the air, it opened, falling open on the ground. It could see the cell that contained Oogie Boogie where the boogeypony was in front of the bars, curious about what was going on the exterior.

"Yes!" Fire Punch exclaimed.

"No!" Spike exclaimed.

The Dragon tried to take back the prison-book, but Fire Punch put himself in his path and stopped it.

"It's all yours, master" he said, looking at the prison-book.

Seeing that through his mirror, the Lord of Chaos says:

"Good job, Fire Punch."

And he raised his spear, starting the spell that would bring the life cells. And then, one by one, a lot of life cells started to coming out of the book. Fire Punch watched it with great pleasure. 
Spike couldn't believe that he was seeing all the work that Twilight and the Generals had to capture all those villains was being undone and it was his fault. But he wasn't going to stand by and let the Lord of Chaos to take all those villains. By focusing on all the courage he had, Spike bitted one of Fire Punch’s fore legs, making groan of pain, and, taking advantage of this, Spike ran toward the prison-book, caught it and closed it, breaking the chain of life cells that were coming out. It could hear the sound of the lock of the book closing again.

"Your filthy dragon!" Fire Punch exclaimed, turning furiously to him. "How dare you to bite me and get in the way of the will of the Lord of Chaos?! You're going to pay!"

And he started heading toward him. Spike trembled scared, holding firmly the prison-book. It was then that something punched Fire Punch and he was thrown against the floor. It was Heartbeat who appeared quickly.

"No, you will" she told him.

Fire Punch tried to get up, but gold chains appeared and arrested him, in the same way as they arrested the Dragon King.

"Not so fast, Fire Punch" Golden Paladin said, appearing with his siblings, Twilight and Blue. "You're right where I want."

"I'm glad you are back" Spike said, turning to Golden Paladin. "I'm sorry, it’s my fault. I gave to Fire Punch the prison-book and accidentally I opened it with my fire."

Golden Paladin took the book with his magic and used the cell blaster to put the life cell with the Dragon King in there. After that, he opened it and watched it.

"Oh no!" he said. "About a third of the villains we captured was released."

"What?!" everypony asked.

"And the villains of the solitary?" Melody asked.

After a quick check to their cells, Golden Paladin said:

"Luckily, they're all here. Well, except Adagio, but without her sisters, her power is quite weak. But even so, the Lord of chaos recovered a lot of villains."

Fire Punch laughed, which made everypony turn to him.

"It seems that in the end, the Lord of Chaos managed to gets his way" he said. "Understand that there's nothing you can do to stop him."

"Your..." Blue Sword started, wanting to beat his old enemy.

But he was stopped by Golden Paladin who said:

"Don't waste your energy on him, Prince Blue Sword. He's not worth it. After all, I don't see his master trying to get him out of my chains."

That made Fire Punch undo your smile, realizing that Golden Paladin was right.

"Since you have so much interest in the life cells, then look at this one."

And Golden Paladin invoked a new life cell on the cell blaster, preparing to catch Fire Punch.

"May I have the honor, Golden Paladin?" Twilight asked.

"Of course, princess" he replied, extending to her the cell blaster.

Getting it with her magic, Twilight pointed the cell blaster to Fire Punch.

"Your days of freedom came to an end, Fire Punch."

And she began to absorb him into the life cell. He tried to resist, but in vain. When he was absorbed, Twilight sealed the life cell in the prison-book.

"From here he will not get out" Blue said.

"It seems that the Lord of Chaos will have to find a new company" Purple Smoke said, making everypony release a mild laugh.

In the Lord of Chaos’ room, he wasn't interested in saving Fire Punch. He and the Dragon King had been only sacrifices in his plan to retrieve the villains who had been imprisoned in the prison-book. Despite not being able to recover all of them, the Lord of Chaos was glad to have released at least a portion of them.

"Finally, my army..." he said, lining up the life cells he had stolen in the air.

Images of villains in them appeared holographically. Among the villains released, apart from Adagio, was Medusa, Oogie Boogie, Pandora and Chrysalis. The Lord of Chaos laughed while contemplating his rescued villains.

In the Light Kingdom, everypony was in the throne room, except Golden Paladin who went to guard the prison-book. He appeared and said:

"The prison-book is back to its place with its lock now being dragon-fireproof. I also woke Cerberus up and added some extra defenses."

"Perfect" Twilight said. "I think now will not have more escapes."

"I’m so sorry" Spike said to everypony. "If it wasn't for me, maybe this wouldn't have happened. I understand if you want to demote me from my position as Cerberus’ keeper, Golden Paladin."

"What are you talking about Spike?" Twilight asked. "It's not your fault."

"Of course" Blue said. "It was the Lord of Chaos, nobody else."

"They are right" Golden Paladin said to Spike. "After all, you're a dragon and dragons can't handle before the Dragon King’s manipulative power. You had no other choice. Besides, you protected the remaining life cells fairly brave."

"I did?" Spike asked, getting an approved nod from everypony, something that made him smile.

"And I might add that there's no one more suitable than you to deal with Cerberus" Golden Paladin said.

"Is that means I can keep my job as Cerberus’ keeper?" asked Spike excitedly.

Golden Paladin waved with a smile. That made Spike drop a roar of joy and then he hugged one of Golden Paladin’s forelegs, saying:

"Thank you, thank you, Golden."

But realizing what he was doing, he dropped him, blushing slightly and saying:

"Oops, sorry."

That made everypony loose a laugh.