CANTERLOT
King Eclipse huffed in agitation as he knocked the Wonderbolts away with a blast of platinum magic. It seems that their legendary stubbornness hasn’t faded out of the blood of the Wonderbolts over the last two millennia. The Shadowbolts came in for another dive from the left as the Royal Guard continued to shower him with spells. Honestly, can’t they take a hint? Obviously what they’ve tried isn’t making me back down, so they should try something else. He knocked the Shadowbolts away once more, and caused the Royal Guard to fall over. King Eclipse scoffed as he saw them preparing to attack once more. This is getting stale. Time to put an end to this. Just as he was about to let out a wave of platinum magic, a cold snap pulsed through the area, covering his assailants in clear blue ice. Eclipse balked at what had happened, but didn’t let go of his spell. “What is the meaning of this? Show thyself!”
A peal of dark laughter echoed, and a disembodied male voice spoke. “Ahahahaha! Oh, this is amusing. However, just rest easy knowing that I’m on your side. I’m here to give you a message.” The cold wind coalesced into the shape of a stallion’s head, and his mouth sported a cruel grin. “I hope that this will suffice for now, oh king?”
King Eclipse huffed. “It will.” His six wings fluttered slightly. “Speak, what message is so important that you interrupted mine crusade to reclaim mine city?”
The stallion head chuckled. “Oh, seven ponies are on a journey to that old castle in the Everfree Forest to obtain the Elements of Harmony. You know, the place that your treacherous daughters stood up to you last time.”
King Eclipse glared at the stallion, but his rage was directed past him. “That blasted Kirin! She’s convinced some fools to try and stop me! This will not stand!” He then lifted into the air, and shouted across the city. “Oh fair Canterlot, I depart your presence for now. I must go and deal with some fools who dare try and usurp my throne! Farewell!” He then soared towards the Everfree Forest.
The disembodied stallion head chuckled, and spoke as it disappeared. “Now, my pawn is finally in place…”
EVERFREE FOREST
The group of seven traveled for a little ways until they were engulfed in an oppressive darkness that they could feel. Janice spoke first. “Wh-what’s going on?”
Cloudkicker then shouted in reply. ”I don’t know! How are we supposed to get to the Castle of the Royal Pony Twins now?”
Melia looked around, confused. “How come I can’t see through this? I’m a thestral! My night vision should see through this!”
Concerta started to whimper. “Oh, it’s hopeless! We can’t go on like this!”
Roseluck started to cry. “How am I supposed to get back to see Lily and Daisy now?”
Zecora nickered. “This situation is most precarious. I fear a force quite nefarious.”
Maestro then shouted. “Enough! We didn’t come this far to give up now!”
Janice started to reply. “But Maestro, how are we supposed to get through this? It’s far too dark!”
Maestro shouted. “Then just follow my voice! I’ll get us outta here!”
Melia then huffed. “What’s the point? We might as well give in.”
Concerta then piped up. “Yeah. We should just give in to despair. There’s no way we’ll ever make it through this darkness.”
Maestro snorted in agitation. “No! We can do this! C’mon, just believe in yourselves!”
Roseluck responded. “But how can we? We can’t do anything right now.”
Zecora then spoke. “I fear I must agree; we are lost for’er in the Everfree.”
Cloudkicker started to laugh. “We might as well accept defeat! There’s nothing that we can do!”
Maestro growled in agitation. “Grrr, I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this, but… HIT THE MUSIC!” All of the sudden, an invigorating synthorock tune erupted into existence, and Maestro began to sing.
“I didn’t come this far just to turn back now;
It’s time that you man up, I don’t care how;
I won’t let you give up, I won’t let you give in;
As long as I’m here, I’ll ensure that we win!”
Gradually, the group lifted their heads up, and the soul of the music surged through them. Maestro’s words cut to Melia’s core and caused her eyes to brim with hope.
“You all have a burning fire in your soul;
It’s time that you unleash it to reach our goal;
I won’t let you hold back;
It’s time to go on the attack!”
As Melia started to sway in time with the music, Zecora’s eyes brightened in realization of some great fact.
“I know that you can soldier on;
It’s why I urge you by sayin’ C’mon;
So let me see the fire in your eyes;
Perhaps one day you’ll touch the skies!”
As Zecora started to tap out the rhythm with her hooves, Cloudkicker’s heart brimmed with a compelling belief.
“I know that all seems quite hopeless and lost;
But if we give in the world’ll suffer quite the cost;
We have to rise up, we have to fight;
In order to set our country right!”
As Cloudkicker started to hum along, Concerta started to smile despite herself.
“It’s time to embrace your fire;
To reach on ever higher;
In this world, we’re required;
To put down the darkly aspired!”
As Concerta supplied a backup melody with her violin, Roseluck cast aside her doubts completely.
“We must roll with the punches to reach our goal;
And we’ll fight with our very heart and soul;
Otherwise the world will suffer the cost;
And all will be for’er lost!”
As Roseluck supplied backup vocals, Janice finally lifted her head completely, and her despair abated.
“So! C’mon, C’mon, C’mon!
It’s time for us to go!
C’mon, C’mon, C’mon!
We’ll put on quite the show!
C’mon, C’mon, C’mon!
We’ll defeat this threat to our hope!
C’mon, C’mon, C’mon!
We’ll put him at the end of his rope!
C’mon, C’mon, C’mon!
Show me that fire!
C’mon, C’mon, C’mon!
And strive ever higher!
C’mon, C’mon, C’mon!
We’ve got nothing to lose!
C’mon, C’mon, C’mon!
And a Destiny to choose!
C’mon, C’mon, C’mon!
Let’s get goin’!
C’mon, C’mon, C’mon!
And set the power flowin’!
C’mon, all together, with me!”
The group then walked through the darkness as they sang together.
“We’re going to show our fire;
And strive on, ever higher;
There’s nothing for us to lose;
And a Destiny to choose;
We won’t give up, we won’t give in;
And together, we will win!”
The seven cheered as they exited the darkness on the other side of a rickety bridge. Janice was the first to speak. “We made it! Thanks, Maestro!”
Maestro waved a hoof dismissively. “Ah, it was nothing! I just couldn’t sit back and watch you guys give in when we’d gotten as close as we had.”
Melia then pointed a hoof. “Guys, is that the Castle of the Royal Pony Twins?”
They all turned, and gasped at what they saw. Before them was an ancient structure, long lost to time. One could tell that it was once made of immaculate obsidian and marble and decorated with pristine banners of solar and lunar motifs. However, time had not been kind to this structure. The walls were covered in ivy, and the floors were crumbling in certain places. The roof had holes peppered throughout, and everything was covered in an excessive layer of dust. And this was only the view of the foyer through the void that was left by the lack of a front door. Maestro clicked his tongue. “Yeppers, this is the Castle alright. Definitely old enough for it.” He gestured with a hoof, ushering them along. “C’mon! The Elements of Harmony aren’t far off now!” They then entered the decrepit structure.