Ponyville - Train Station
It wasn't long before everypony got ready to head off to Canterlot. Already, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were waiting for a certain unicorn. Twilight showed nothing but calmness as she waited, Rainbow Dash was growing impatient and the rest knew that by how she was hovering above their heads, flying around in circles, Applejack was just staring into space, Pinkie Pie was digging into her saddle bag to see if she forgot anything like it would matter, she only brought sweets with her for the trip and Fluttershy stayed quiet as usual.
"What's taking her so long?" Rainbow Dash griped.
"It's Rarity," Applejack told. "She's probably finding somepony to carry her thirty bags now that Spike's gone." She joked.
"Or maybe she doesn't want to come," Fluttershy added.
"Ha! Rarity would never miss out on a trip to Canterlot," Pinkie Pie laughed. "If that happened then I'd assume the real Rarity was replaced with a phoney!" She concluded.
It appeared that the talking between the girls had distracted them from the playing the waiting game for Rarity because she had arrived with only one bag, and she was the one carrying it.
"Sorry to keep you all waiting," Rarity said. She was using her magic to pull the handle of the luggage bag.
"That's it?" Rainbow Dash said with surprise. "Just one bag?"
"Of course!" She replied. "Why?"
Applejack gave a weak laugh. "Well, we were expecting a little more."
"Applejack, please," Rarity said with ease. "This is a matter of saving little Spikey-Wikey and I don't plan on any distractions. I don't need to be presentable just because I'm going to Canterlot, I'm focusing on my friends and not my charm!"
"Wow, Rarity!" Twilight spoke. "This is a sudden change."
"What's in the bag anyway?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"This bag holds the very same clothes Fluttershy was wearing when you entered my boutique half an hour ago. In case you're all wondering, this is used to disguise yourself with the environment, blend in with nature. I plan to make more for our safety or if we ever need to make a quick get away."
"That's pretty neat, Rarity," Rainbow Dash complimented.
"Why thank you, Rainbow!" She was pleased to hear Rainbow's opinion. "However, this bag is a little hefty than what I would expect it to be. Spike would carry a dozen of these and not let out a complaint. Here I am complaining about just carrying one." She weakly joked.
The conversation came to be satisfying and distracted them from their agonising wait for the train to arrive. The train carefully approached the station with ease as the wheels squeaked on the rails it contacted with. The doors to each of the train's carriages opened and out came a few ponies either coming for a visit or for better refuge. Ponyville was a small town, but being next to the capital of Equestria, Canterlot and now becoming a kingdom it wasn't such a good idea to come if they were hiding. However, the protection was building up with the guards being transferred from Canterlot. Everypony hopped onto the train and took their seats. The carriage that they were on was empty, only six of them took up the seats. Twilight took a seat by the train's window and rested, pondering on what cruel game awaited for her. This announcement that involved Spike was drilling into her skull, she needed to see Spike and she needed to know if he was okay. Fluttershy took a seat next to her, however, she decided it would be best not to intrude on her thoughts. Rarity and Applejack took a seat opposite them while Rainbow and Pinkie Pie were behind them.
Ten minutes passed and now they were approaching the mountain side of Canterlot. Rarity and Applejack were having a conversation while Pinkie Pie was sharing a few jokes with Rainbow Dash to lighten up the mood.
"Achoo!"
Rarity turned her head to Applejack while slightly backing onto the train's window to stay clear from her sneeze. "Oh! Bless you, Applejack." She added.
"Umm, that wasn't me," Applejack said.
Rarity then turned her head back to Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie sitting behind them. They were aware of the sound but just shrugged. Her mind snapped as she looked at the luggage bag below her.
She used her magic to unzip it and out came Sweetie Belle who was huffing and puffing loudly. Rarity's eye widened while her sister came out of the bag. The moment her sister appeared before her very eyes, she was in shock.
"Finally, I can breathe!" She exclaimed.
"SWEETIE!" Rarity snapped. Her screech caught the attention of Twilight and Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie popped their heads up to see what the commotion was about. Applejack was stunned to see a filly fit in her bag like that.
All eyes were sharpening on Sweetie Belle as she nervously let out a weak excuse for a laugh. "Hey, sis... Heh..."
Rarity grew frustrated to see her sister on the very same train she was on. "Do you mind telling me what you're doing stuffed in my bag!" She growled.
"Ah told yall this was a bad idea," Applebloom said, her head popping out of the bag.
Applejack was now just as shocked to see her sister too. She had disobeyed her orders and ignored the warnings of danger that they were going to confront.
"Applebloom!" She snarled.
"It was your idea, though!" Sweetie Belle argued back to her friend.
"Can you guys hurry up and get out! I don't know how long I'm gonna last in here!" A muffled voice was heard within the bag, easily recognisable. The voice belonged to Scootaloo. The two fillies jumped out of the bag which allowed Scootaloo to jump out as well. "Heh, hey Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo greeted, looking rather embarrassed.
Rainbow Dash frowned as her response to the young pegasus. It was clear that the three ponies were disappointed to see the three fillies. Twilight seemed distressed as well, however, Pinkie Pie was laughing a little to see a good surprise and Fluttershy was alarmed thinking that they were in danger.
With the three fillies out of the bag, leaving the six ponies speechless to how they could all fit into a bag like that, they were surprised.
"How in Equestria did you all fit into that bag!" Rarity demanded.
Again, Sweetie Belle nervously giggled. She showed regret to inform her about how they had to get in. "Well, we were planning to all fit in with your materials and the clothes you packed, but is was rather cramped so we needed to make space." She innocently smiled.
Rarity turned the bag upside down and nothing came out. The prototype for her camouflaged outfit was left back at Ponyville. Her eye began to twitch in frustration and anger as she turned at the three fillies who were innocently smiling at her.
"This entire time... I was carrying you three!" She shouted.
"What are you three even doing here!" Applejack demanded.
"You better have a good explanation to this!" Twilight told.
"Didn't you listen to a single word of what we said back in Ponyville!" Rainbow Dash reminded.
"We did!" Applebloom argued. "We just wanted to help."
Twilight sighed. "Girls, if this is about Spike-"
"Of course, it's about Spike!" Scootaloo told.
"He's our friend too ya know!" Applebloom said. "We aren't the ones who drove him away!"
"Applebloom!" Applejack scowled.
"Enough!" Twilight shouted. Luckily for them, all nine of them were the only ones in the carriage. She took a deep breath and heard out the three fillies. "Now please, all three of you explain why you were hiding in Rarity's bag and ignored what we said."
The three fillies bowed their heads in shame and Scootaloo began. "Twilight, I know what we did was wrong but even if you don't see it, but we miss Spike just as much as you."
"We snook into my sister's bag because we wanted to help him. We're determined to get him back just like you."
"I know what we did was stupid, disrespectful and bad, but we just want to help," Applebloom added.
The girls couldn't really find a way to argue back. They were speaking the truth and they were quite touched by their devotion to helping them. However, their honesty seemed to have touched Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were still a little angered that they disobeyed their orders and warnings.
"Umm, Twilight?" Fluttershy spoke. "What are we going to do now?"
There really was no other option but let the CMC tag along.
"It's too late to turn back now. The only option we have is to let you three come along."
The three fillies' faces expanded with a smile. They were delighted.
"You three are going to have to do what we say, we don't want you running off and doing something wild like you always do."
"Please, Twilight," Scootaloo said. "We've already got our cutie marks."
"And that doesn't mean trying to prove yourself while putting others in danger!" Applejack told.
"Okay! We understand and we'll be on our best behaviour!" Applebloom said. The three fillies agreed to their conditions and were happy to help.
Rarity shot a glare at her sister who was smiling happily.
"Oh yeah, sorry about throwing out your materials," Sweetie Belle apologised.
The CMC took a seat on the train and talked among themselves. The situation had been sorted out, but this meant Applejack and Rarity had to keep a close eye on their little sisters, carefully watching them. As for Rainbow Dash, she had full confidence that Scootaloo would be on her best behaviour but this still meant she had to watch over her.
Canterlot - Holding Cell Chamber
Celestia stood tall with Luna beside her as they waited for Shining Armour to finish his interrogation. They were informed by Cadence who had sent them a letter, she said that the guards located a tomb within the Crystal Mountains but the place was emptied. All they saw were two changeling scouts who quickly scattered away from their sights. They must have known they were coming since Rover gave away information on the hideout.
"Has Shining Armour gotten anything out of that Diamond Dog leader?" Celestia asked.
"I'm afraid not," Luna informed. "He's quite resistant."
"How long has he been in there?" She asked.
Luna appeared to have lost track of time, therefore she could not answer.
"Princesses!" A guard approached. "Princess Twilight along with bearers of the elements are here to see you. Also, three fillies."
The guard was dismissed and in came Princess Twilight along with her friends accompanied by the CMC who were kept supervised.
"Princess Celestia, Luna," Twilight greeted. "Please excuse us if we were late, but-"
"You're far from being late, Twilight," Celestia calmed her.
"I'm afraid that I must inform you all that this Diamond Dog hasn't revealed any information to us," Luna informed. "However, the hideout in the Crystal Mountains you had uncovered from Rover has been abandoned. The Crystal Empire's guards searched the place clean and somehow, whoever was in that tomb knew they were going to get caught so they made an escape."
"News must travel fast," Pinkie Pie joked.
"Who's interrogating the Diamond Dog?" Fluttershy asked.
Just before Celestia could answer that question, it was answered by Shining Armour himself. He did not answer it directly, though.
"WHY WON'T HE TALK!" He shouted from the holding cell. Shining Armour opened and furiously closed the cell's door and revealed his presence to the three princesses and the rest. "Oh, hey." He greeted with calm.
"Still no luck?" Celestia said.
"He won't speak! Everything I do is useless," Shining Armour informed. "All I've gotten is his name and it's Fido, but that's nothing!"
"Shining Armour," Rainbow Dash spoke. "What methods of interrogation have you tried doing anyway?"
"Well, we tried doing the good cop, bad cop method, but that wasn't working so we tried intimidating him but nothing's working. He just keeps insulting and laughing at us."
"I know how we make him talk," Rainbow Dash said.
"You do?" Twilight said.
"Oh yeah, but it requires Rarity's secret weapon," All heads turned to Rarity in curiosity. No pony knew her secret weapon and she seemed oblivious to is as well.
Rarity giggled as she assumed on what Rainbow Dash was thinking. "Oh please, Rainbow, my charm is no interrogation method."
"I wasn't referring to your charm. I was referring to your whining,"
Rarity blinked in realisation to what Rainbow had said. She let out a growl. "For the last time I complain, not whine!"
"Sounds a lot like whining to me," Sweetie Belle added.
"Whining? Really?" Shining Armour said in confusion.
"Of course!" Pinkie Pie joined in. "You were taken by the Diamond Dogs once and you managed to get them to work for you instead of you working for them!"
"You can outsmart him!" Twilight said.
"But I'm no interrogator," Rarity confessed. "I don't even wish to get close to a dangerous ruffian like a Diamond Dog. And they smell nauseating."
"But you do want to find Spike, right?" Applebloom reminded.
Rarity turned to Applebloom, the worries Rarity was facing faded away. This wasn't about her, it was about Spike.
"Very well," Rarity said. "I will do my best to get any info out of this dog!"
"Let him have it, Rare!" Rainbow Dash pumped confidence into her.
The blank and strong walls surrounded Fido as he sat on a chair in the centre of the room. He rested his paws on the table before him as he kept giggling to himself, making Shining Armour mad was the best thing he could have done. He refused to tell any info on Fright's plan and it was working! He was no rat! He was a dog, a Diamond Dog, loyal and strong.
The door opened and Rarity introduced herself.
"Well, isn't this a surprise?" Rarity introduced. "I believe we've met before haven't we?"
Fido's eyes darted the white unicorn with fear. This was the exact same unicorn he called a mule and I don't think she recovered from that insult. Fido began to shiver upon hearing Rarity's regal voice.
"If I remember, you took me deep into the mines underground and had me working as a slave?"
Fido stared endlessly at the unicorn, he was terrified, but somehow kept his cool.
"There's two ways this can go: You can either answer my questions which are easy or I can squeeze it out of you!" Rarity threatened.
"Forget it!" Fido refused. "I told your prince friend out there that I wasn't telling him anything so why should I tell a whiny mule like yourself!"
Rarity frowned at the insult, she was being nice but this dog was being ignorant and stubborn. He wasn't cooperating.
In a loud and strident voice, Rarity spoke. "But why?" She made sure her voice echoed through Fido's ears.
...
After five minutes of Fido screaming to stop, Rarity continued to use her method of interrogation which felt like his eardrums were melting. Princess Celestia, Luna and Shining Armour were surprised, astonished to hear the Diamond Dog scream in agony. They were almost feeling sorry for him. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were looking at each other to see that Rarity's 'complaining' was working. Twilight could feel herself being lifted with hope if Fido revealed the location of where Spike and Fright was.
Rarity stepped out of the holding cell for Fido, and with a smile on her face, they already knew the interrogation was an accomplishment.
"He's ready to speak to you now, princesses," Rarity told as he bowed to the princesses.
Shining Armour was stunned, his intimidating strength was no match for Rarity's way of whining. "I'm impressed."
Celestia and Luna turned to each other and thanked Rarity for her cooperation. They stepped into the cell to see Fido stroking his ears.
Celestia spoke. "Will make this simple, tell us where our friend is."
"The small dragon," Fido began. "I don't know, no one knows. Only Fright."
"Then where's Fright?"
"He's always moving, up and about with his plan. The only way to know where he's going is to get ahead of him."
Luna approached Fido. "Garble mentioned something called 'The Breakout' and I assume you know what it means. Talk or I'll get Rarity back in here to scream down your ears!"
"Okay! Okay! Okay!" Fido panicked. "I'll talk! Fright's heading to Tartarus."
Celestia turned pale on hearing the word 'Tartarus' a place of nightmares, the holding cells for all creatures that produce pain and nightmares.
"He's going to free every demon and creature from Tartarus," Fido told with his voice sounding defeated.
"Why?" Luna asked.
"He never gave a reason, he's insane."
"Do you realise what's going to happen!" Celestia shouted. "We have to stop him! We know Fright has more than one hideout so spit out where they are!" She commanded.
"The Crystal Mountains and that's all I know," Fido lied.
"We checked and the place was emptied! You know more," Luna growled.
"I don't!"
"Rarity!" Celestia called out.
"OKAY! HE HAS A HIDEOUT IN THE BADLANDS! THAT'S ALL I KNOW!" Fido confessed. "Please! Just please don't let that unicorn get anywhere near me!" He begged.
Fido informed the two princesses with valuable information and now they have a chance to stop this madness. They left the cell where Fido would remain until his freedom was granted.
Twilight along with her brother, friends and the CMC awaited the news from Celestia and Luna. They explained Fright's plan about the breaking out every demon and creature in Tartarus which frightened Fluttershy along with Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.
"So hang on a minute," Rainbow Dash spoke. "Fright and Chrysalis are planning to break everyone free from Tartarus? That's impossible! Tartarus is guarded by Cerberus."
"That is correct, Rainbow," Celestia answered. "But with an army Chrysalis possesses they can easily throw that guard dog aside and break every sadistic soul from that prison free."
"We have to stop him!" Twilight exclaimed to her mentor. "Fido said there was another hideout in the Badlands, my friends and I can-"
"Nay, Twilight Sparkle," Celestia denied. "I can't have you risking your lives in a place like the Badlands. You have done so much and I wish you all to rest. I'm going to need to call in another to stop Fright before he sets foot into that abyss of evil. I'm calling Discord."
"DISCORD!" They all shouted in unison yet again, all except Fluttershy.
"Ah beg your pardon princess, but don't ya remember what happened last time when Discord tried to stop a bad guy. He ended up joining forces with em," Applejack reminded.
"He betrayed all of us and Equestria was almost destroyed! What makes you think he won't become corrupted with evil again?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Girls!" Fluttershy spoke up. "I think we need to put a little more faith in Discord. Yes, he may have betrayed us once, but he won't do it again, he's changed and this time I can see that, and I'm pretty sure you all can see that too."
"Fluttershy's right." Pinkie Pie agreed. "He certainly has been a lot more interactive with ponies lately and in the good way, not the chaotic way."
"What makes you think Discord will be able to stop him?" Shining Armour asked.
"Discord can break the rules of magic, if anything, he's more powerful than Fright and Queen Chrysalis. I have faith in him and all of you should too," Celestia spoke in a calm tone. "After all, he's our friend."
This was troubling for Twilight to hear. The worse thing to happen would be Discord joining Fright like he did with Tirek. But how could Fright persuade a God of Chaos? The rest were afraid of Fright's plan succeeding. Every evil spirit within Tartarus would be liberated, free to do what they want without a care in the world. Equestria was now on the edge of terror and destruction.
Canterlot Gardens
As Celestia wandered out into her beautiful and admirable garden, she looked up at the sky, slowly fading into dark night. Above her, her attention quickly turned to the draconequus who was lying down on a pink cloud, entirely made out of cotton candy. He looked peaceful, a side which Celestia rarely gets to see.
"Discord."
Discord's eyes snapped open as he heard the alicorn's voice.
"Oh, Princess Celestia, I was just gazing upon Lulu's night sky, it's very beautiful wouldn't you agree?"
"Well-"
"Personally, I think it would look a little better if the sky was pink and there were a few cotton candy clouds scattered across the sky, but hey-"
"Discord."
His head turned to see the seriousness in her eyes.
"We need a favour."
"A favour? If it's babysitting, there is no way!"
"Discord, please, this is serious! We've found out Fright's next move and it's a little dangerous for Twilight, myself and her friends."
His face grew concerned as he heard out Celestia's worried voice.
"His next move is?"
"He plans on breaking out every prisoner in Tartarus."
This time, Discord's face grew concerned.
"Tartarus? But why?"
"It's still unknown to me, but Twilight and the others risking their lives in Manehatten was enough, I can't have them doing the same in a monstrous place like the Tartarus. They could get hurt, they could fail or Fright could... Anyway, I need you to stop Fright."
"Why me?"
"You're powerful, you're cunning and you can easily outsmart Fright by bending the rules of magic. We need you stop him before he gets anywhere near Tartarus. We've got information that there's a hideout in the Badlands which could be where he's hiding."
"Celestia, you can count on me!" He said, giving a salute with his lion's paw as an army helmet appeared on his head.
"Remember, the whole of Equestria is now in your paw... and claw. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and I are putting our faith in you. The others are afraid because of what happened last time."
"I only did that because Tirek offered me freedom and in the end, I realised that there was nothing more important than friendship, so what could an egotistical maniac like Fright or Chrysalis possibly offer me that I probably don't already have?"
"Discord, please, we're putting our faith in you and we depend on you now more than ever."
"Oh, alright, fine! I will succeed, don't you worry your pretty, glowing little hair." He said, teleporting off with a snap of his lion's paw.
Celestia smiled. Her confidence and faith calmed her, she knew Discord wouldn't fail... right?
Half an hour had passed and Twilight with her friends and the CMC. Shining Armour continued his patrol around Canterlot and the princesses were out of sight.
"I can't believe Celestia is sending Discord out to stop Fright! Something bad's gonna happen, I'm telling you all that right now." Rainbow Dash warned.
"Please, girls," Fluttershy spoke innocently. "Can we try and think positive? I'm sure Discord will succeed, we just need to put a little faith in him."
"I agree with Fluttershy, you should have a little more faith in me, Dashie." A voice was heard, filling the room. Promptly, Discord appeared within a flash in the centre of the dinner table, presenting himself with a stupid grin that looked like it was hanging from his face.
"Discord!" Fluttershy exclaimed in joy.
"How's everypony tonight? Anticipated for Discord's victory?"
"Shouldn't you be stopping Fright?" Twilight reminded.
"What's the rush?" He asked, lifting Twilight's chin.
"The rush is that Fright is going to release every evil spirit from Tartarus, and we have a friend that is need of rescuing!" Rarity said.
"Oh right, I completely forgot about Spike." He laughed. "And by the way, Fright's nowhere near Tartarus, he's still in the Badlands, I know this because I checked twice! I'm that fast."
"What do you want anyway, Discord?" Applejack asked.
"Well, I was talking to Celestia and she told me that very few of you have little faith in me. Why is that? I thought we were friends?"
"Maybe it's because you betrayed us last time." Rarity responded.
"Okay, fine! The whole me betraying you all to join forces with Tirek was a bad mistake, but I won't allow the same mistake to happen again. Lightning never strikes twice in the same place." He grinned with his fang sparkling. "I'm off to bring this maniac to justice! Wish me luck," Discord waved his farewell.
"Good luck, Discord," Fluttershy said.
Discord snapped his claw and vanished from the dinner room. The whole of Equestria now rests upon Discord's claw... and paw.