7 heroes with super powers. 3 super villains teamed up. One big threat. One test of the heroes' bond.
The Masked Matterhorn. Fili-Second. Radiance. Mistress Marevelous. Zapp. Saddle Rager. Hum Drum. These seven heroes protect Maretropolis from all kinds of threats. They were as close as friends could be. That all would change when three of their most hated enemies team up against the Power Ponies and unleash a threat that no pony can stop. The Power Ponies' friendship will be put to the test when they are on the brink of the end.
This is Maretropolis. It is a city of crime and hope. It is a city of fear and friendship. It is a city of power and ponies. Here, six ponies and a baby dragon take on superhero personas and protect the city from all sorts of threats. The Masked Matterhorn is an alicorn can shoot all sorts of blasts from her horn. Fili-Second can run faster than you can blink. Zapp’s amulet can help her control the forces of nature. Radiance can luminate hard light from her bracelet. Mistress Marevelous is a country girl with a psychic link over her rope. Saddle Rager is a very shy Pegasus, but get her angry enough, and she becomes a super-strong, hulking beast. Hum Drum doesn’t have any powers and is usually branded as the clumsy sidekick of the team.
One night, the citizens of Maretropolis waited at the town square with the news. The pony leading the news is a Pegasus with blue hair named News Flash. The crowd awaited their heroes to make their entrance. In the meantime, they entertained themselves with a song.
“This is the city of lights,” the citizens asked,
“So enjoy the sights
And capture the moments forever
Welcome to Maretropolis
There are streets of gold
So grab on ahold
And don’t forget to stick together
Welcome to Maretropolis
Don’t worry about a crime spree
There are ponies protecting you and me
They’re looking out for us
Protecting us from all things dangerous
The Power Ponies shine like the star
OH, LOOK! THERE THEY ARE”
Suddenly, 6 costumed ponies and a costumed baby dragon appeared with proud poses.
“This is News Flash,” an orange Pegasus with a blue mane said, “Giving you the next event. Behold, the Power Ponies. First off, here’s a super-fast pony that with a childish personality: Filli-Second. The next one can control her rope with her mind: Mistress Marevelous. Here’s one shy pony with anger issues: Saddle Rager. This light-materializing girl loves herself, sometimes a little too much: Radiance. Don’t make this Pegasus your enemy or she’ll reign down the forces of nature on you: Zapp. And the beam-blasting alicorn leader: the Masked Matterhorn.”
“Uh, actually, I think you forgot…” the baby dragon said.
“Well, thanks for coming, Power Ponies,” News Flash interrupted.
“We’re glad to be here, News Flash,” the Masked Matterhorn said.
“Excuse me,” the baby dragon said. “Uh, my name is Hum Drum and I’d…
Suddenly, the pony citizens continued their song.
“The Power Ponies are with us to the end
Couldn’t ask for a better set of friends
WELCOME TO MARETROPOLIS
WELCOME TO MARETROPOLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS”
The Power Ponies went back to their headquarters, Power Tower, and entered the control room.
“Well, that settles our news appointment,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “Now, we got a lot of patrol time to make up for.”
“I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” Zapp said. “Don’t forget, we haven’t had a single crime for two weeks. No pony’s been trying to destroy the city or rob a bank. No pony even attempted to steal an old lady’s purse.”
“We can’t take any chances, Zapp,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “Don’t you remember that the day before the crime stopped, the Mane-iac, our archenemy, escaped from prison? You know that her twisted mind made her determined to destroy Maretropolis.”
“Still, you’re working us to death, sugar cube,” Mistress Marevelous said. “We need a break. We were just introduced on TV.”
“I wasn’t,” Hum Drum said. “I was ready to be mentioned, and no pony gave me the presence of mind.”
“Hum Drum, darling,” Radiance said, “Don’t take it too personally. I mean, News Flash didn’t mention my Opal either.”
“First of all, it’s a cat,” Hum Drum said. “Secondly, you don’t even take her on our patrols. We don’t take any of the animals.”
“Not important, Hum Drum,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “The point is, the Mane-iac is planning something big. I can feel it.”
“Yeah, and Princess Luna can turn evil again,” Zapp said with a giggle.
“I’m serious,” the Masked Matterhorn.
There was a blinking light at the control panel. Saddle Rager looked and gulped.
“Uh, girls,” Saddle Rager whispered.
“Just because you’re an alicorn, it doesn't mean you can boss us around,” Zapp said.
“That’s exactly what it means,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “It’s why the princesses gave me my powers.”
“There’s a light and it’s…” Saddle Rager whispered.
“So does that mean your power is better than the rest of us,” Radiance asked angrily.
Then, the Power Ponies were shouting at each other. Saddle Rager softly tapped on all their shoulders, but she didn’t get any response. She then had one alternative. She breathed in and shouted.
“WAAAAAIIIIIIIIIT,” Saddle Rager shouted in a monstrous echo.
“And then I said, ‘OATMEAL? ARE YOU CRA…’” Fili-Second said before shutting up.
“Oh, sorry,” Saddle Rager said in her own voice.
“No, I’m sorry,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “I guess I was a little out of line.”
“I said some stuff I didn’t mean either,” Zapp said.
“Guess we forgot why we became the Power Ponies,” Radiance said.
Everyone pulled out their necklaces. Hum Drum had a tiny piece. He placed it in between the other necklaces. The Masked Matterhorn’s necklace had an amulet with three stars on it. Fili-Second’s had balloons on it. Radiance had diamonds on it. Saddle Rager’s had butterflies on it. Mistress Marevelous’ had apples on it. Zapp’s had a cloud with a rainbow lightning-bolt on it. The pieced connected to make a circle with Hum Drum’s piece at the middle.
“Individually, we are the friendliest, fairest heroes in Equestria,” they all said, “But together, we are the Power Ponies.”
Suddenly, Fili-Second saw the blinking light.
“HEY,” Fili-Second said. “The light is going on and off and on and off.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to…” Saddle Rager said.
“That’s the alarm for the Maretropolis Museum,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “It’s being broken in.”
“Looks like we got some action after all,” Zapp said.
Ponies ran out of the Maretropolis Museum and screamed. Inside, there was a dark-green pony with crazy, red eyes and a black outfit. The most noticeable thing about this pony was the fact that her green mane are long and elastic. She was using them to get around the room.
“THAT’S RIGHT,” the pony shouted. “RUN! RUN IN FEAR OF THE MANE-IAC!” She looked and saw a small box made of rock. She picked it up and giggled. “I’ve got it.”
“Didn’t take you for a box lover, Mane-iac,” the Masked Matterhorn shouted while appearing with the rest of her team.
“And I don’t care what you accessorize with,” Radiance said. “It’s not going to do you good.”
“The Power Ponies,” the Mane-iac growled.
“And we weren’t even wearing ‘Hello, My Name Is’ stickers,” Hum Drum said.
Filli-Second looked at her costume and saw a sticker on it. She removed it saying, “And once again, I did not get the memo.”
“So what’s your endgame this time,” the Masked Matterhorn said.
“Whatever you’re up to will lead to trouble,” Zapp said.
“Oh, I’m just getting to good, old-fashioned world domination,” the Mane-iac said. “And this box is all we need.”
“Well, I…” the Masked Matterhorn said. “Wait. Did you say, ‘we’?”
“Please tell me you’re talking about you and the voices in your head,” Zapp said.
“Not just that,” the Mane-iac said. “I brought a couple of your old friends!”
Suddenly, a blue unicorn with a blue mane and a glittering cape and mask appeared. Then, a gryphon with a red outfit soared from the sky and landed.
“The Sinister Sorceress,” the Masked Matterhorn gasped.
“And Gryphon Galore,” Zapp gasped.
“So that’s why crime’s been dropping lately,” Mistress Marevelous said. “You were assembling your own team of super-villains.”
“You can call us the Sisterhood of Evil,” the Mane-iac said. “Catchy, isn’t it?”
“Why would you go through all this trouble for a slab box,” Radiance said.
“It’s not the box itself,” the Sinister Sorceress said. “It’s what’s inside it.”
“Enough talk,” Gryphon Galore said. “We’re leaving with the box.”
“Not while we’re here,” the Masked Matterhorn said.
Then, the Power Ponies and the Sisterhood of Evil clashed. They fought and exchanged super powers. The Sinister Sorceress can cast menial spells with her horn. And Gryphon Galore can absorb kinetic energy and use it to super-charge her strikes.
After a few minutes of fighting, the Sisterhood saw an opportunity and reunited with each other.
“NOW, SORCERESS,” the Mane-iac shouted.
The Sinister Sorceress lit up her horn and a light flashed. The Sisterhood of Evil disappeared.
“They’re gone,” Saddle Rager said.
“Well, that’s one for the memory books,” Hum Drum said.
“HUM DRUM, LOOK OUT,” Radiance shouted. She tackled Hum Drum and they both dodged a falling pillar.
“You… You saved my life,” Hum Drum said. He looked at Radiance and couldn't help noticing how beautiful she was. He blushed and giggled.
“Hum Drum,” Radiance asked. “Is there something…”
“OH, NO,” a male voice shouted. It was the museum curator. He was panicking around the exhibit where the box was. “THE BOX! PANDORA’S BOX IS GONE!”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Zapp said. “Calm down. What’s so big about this box? I mean, what’s inside it?”
“The end of our world,” the curator shivered with fear.
Meanwhile, high above Maretropolis, there is a flying fortress. The Sisterhood of Evil appeared and laughed.
“Oh, this is so exciting,” the Mane-iac said. “We finally got the box. Now, if what you say about it is true, Sinister Sorceress…”
“It is,” the Sinister Sorceress said placing the stone box at a nearby counter. “You better stand back.”
Cautiously, the Sinister Sorceress creaked open the top half of the box. All of a sudden, she slammed it open and took a step back. After a few seconds of quiet, everyone lowered their hooves and stared at the open, empty box.
“Well, that was a dud,” Gryphon Galore said.
“It’s empty,” the Mane-iac shouted. “Why is it empty?! You said there was something inside!”
“Be patient, Mane-iac,” the Sinister Sorceress said. “He should come out any moment. I bet he’s just doing this as a sick joke.”
“Just face it,” the Mane-iac said. “All you’re talking about is just a bunch of hocus pocus.”
“You wouldn’t know real hocus pocus if you held in that pile of split ends you call a mane,” the Sinister Sorceress said.
“Couldn’t the two of you take this outside,” Gryphon Galore asked.
“At 5,000 feet in the air,” the Mane-iac asked.
“Precisely,” Gryphon Galore said.
The Sisterhood of Evil argued with each other for a while. During their argument, a pair of eyes appeared from inside the chest.
“Hmm,” a voice said. “What? Oh, yes. YES!”
Suddenly, a blast of light sprouted from inside the box. The Sisterhood gasped when they saw it. The Mane-iac quickly grabbed the box and brought it with her. The light began to take a form. The light changed into a tall creature. It had a pony face, a fang sticking out if its mouth, a horn, an antler, a lion paw, an eagle claw, a bat wing, a feathered wing, a goat leg, a reptile leg, and a red snake tail. Its cackle echoed and the lights flickered simulating lightning.
“I… am… ANAR D,” the creature proclaimed with an evil grin and a sinister laughter afterwards.
“Legend speaks that 10,000 years ago,” the museum curator said, “There was a frightful spirit called Anar D. He had this special magic that allowed him to break the laws of reality and spread his twisted brand of chaos throughout the land. He tried to take over Equestria. One day, a brave unicorn named Pandora found six powerful jewels called the Harmony Gems. With them, Pandora stood up to Anar D and sealed him within a stone box. According to legend, since Anar D is bonded with the stone box, any pony who holds the box commands Anar D to do whatever he or she wants, whether it’s bring peace to every pony, or, in the Sisterhood of Evil’s hooves, take over the world.”
“THAT IS THE WORST BEDTIME STORY EVER,” Fili-Second shouted.
“Do you really believe such a creature like Anar D exists,” the Masked Matterhorn asked. “I mean, the legend could be just that, a legend.”
“It’s still a risk,” the curator said. “If the legend is real, then we are all in grave danger.”
“All right,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “Power Ponies, let’s go back to the tower. We’ll keep an eye out for anything on this Anar D.”
“Right,” the Power Ponies said before leaving.
Meanwhile, at the Sisterhood of Evil’s flying lair, Anar D looked around the area while the villainesses watched in amazement.
“Nice digs,” Anar D said. “’Though, it wouldn’t kill you girls to install some windows.”
“So… you’re Anar D,” Gryphon Galore said, “The legend is real, and now, you’re out.”
“Congrats,” Anar D said, “You deserve to be Detective of the Year.”
“But you didn’t get out the moment we opened the box,” the Mane-iac said.
“If opening the box was enough to free me, I’d be out centuries ago,” Anar D said. “No, see, there’s only one other condition: a tension must rise. While the box is open, ponies outside of it have to get into a conflict to free me. To me, strife is strength and life put together.”
“That’s an interesting quote, but don’t forget, you work for us now,” the Sinister Sorceress said. “While I hold Pandora’s Box, you have to obey.”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Anar D said. “But know that you won’t hold onto it forever. If I hold the box, I can do whatever I want whenever I want. But for now, I’m your servant.”
“Well, before we can rule the world, we’ve got to get rid of our enemies,” the Mane-iac said.
“They call themselves the Power Ponies,” Gryphon Galore said. “We need them gone.”
“Don’t worry,” Anar D scoffed. “I’ll get rid of them for you. But only if you allow me to observe them.”
“Fine,” the Mane-iac said. “Go do it.”
“I’m not answering to you,” Anar D said.
“WHAT,” Mane-iac shouted. “BUT I HAVE…”
“Nothing in your mane,” Anar D interrupted. “You see, your blue buddy has my box, so I can only answer to her. Have I made a rhyme?”
“Well, then,” the Sinister Sorceress said, “I, the Sinister Sorceress, command you to spy on the Power Ponies and find out their weakness.”
“I get the jist,” Anar D said. “I’ll be right back.” With a snap of his lion paw and a white flash of light, he disappeared.
At Power Tower, the Masked Matterhorn was going over her computer with Hum Drum at her side.
“Masked Matterhorn to Saddle Rager,” the alicorn hero said talking through the radio. “Have you got any leads?”
“Well, keep a look out,” Matterhorn said. She then changed the frequency. “Radiance, what did you find?”
“YOU’VE GOT TO SEE THIS, MATTERHORN,” Radiance shouted. “IT’S MARVELOUS! THESE EARRINGS WOULD GO PERFECTLY WITH MY COSTUME! Oh, but I can’t find the Sisterhood of Evil.”
“Well… keep up the good work,” the Masked Matterhorn said. She switched communications. “Fili-Second, I…”
“Yes,” Fili-Second asked right next to the Masked Matterhorn and Hum Drum.
“How long have you been here,” Hum Drum asked.
“Since Matterhorn just called me,” Fili-Second said.
“You were supposed to stay there, Fili,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “Anyway, what did you find?”
“A bakery,” Fili-Second said eating a cupcake. “And I also found a bit and a bank and a…”
“What does this have to do with finding the Sisterhood of Evil,” the Masked Matterhorn asked.
“Nothing, silly,” Fili-Second said. “You just asked what I found. I didn't find anything on the bad guys.”
“Well, you've got to go and find something that will lead us to them,” the Masked Matterhorn said.
“Okay,” Fili-Second said. “Just let me head to my room and feed Gummy.” Quick as a flash, she left the room.
“I swear, Fili-Second has more voices in her head than the Mane-iac,” the Masked Matterhorn said.
“Hey, we all have our faults, MM,” Hum Drum said. “Zapp has an ego as big as her storms, Radiance is drawn to all things beautiful, Saddle Rager is scared of her own shadow when she’s not too angry to go out of control, Fili-Second gets crazy ideas in her head, Mistress Marevelous is juggling with her hero work and her community farm work, and you’re a little too focused on your work.”
“You forgot yourself,” the Masked Matterhorn pointed out.
“I’d think it’d be obvious,” Hum Drum said. “I’m a klutz. I’m almost always accidentally giving the bad guys what they want. Whenever I screw-up, every villain goes, ‘Thank you, Hum Drum. Thank you, Hum Drum. Thank you, Hum Drum.’”
“It’s all right, Hum Drum,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “Say, why don’t you go out and visit Pony Island to ride the roller coasters and eat cotton candy? I think you deserve the day off.”
“Thanks, Matterhorn,” Hum Drum said. He walked out of the room and passed a potted plant.
As Hum Drum’s back was on the plant, it started to grow a face. Anar D’s face was revealed right next to the door where he could hear anything in the other room. He watched Hum Drum walk away and he chuckled in his throat as he whispered, “Thank you, Hum Drum.”
Later that night, Hum Drum entered the Pony Island carnival and walked through the crowds. He was amazed at how bright the rides were.
“HUM DRUM,” a voice echoed. “HUM DRUM! SPECIAL RIDE FOR HUM DRUM!”
Hum Drum looked and saw a stallion with a carnival hat and a megaphone standing in front of a roller coaster he didn’t recognize. The sign said, “The Blender”. Hum Drum approached the stallion.
“Were you calling for me,” Hum Drum asked.
“That’s right,” the stallion said. “I’m a huge fan.”
“That’s a first,” Hum Drum said. “You really appreciate me.”
“You’re my favorite of the Power Ponies,” the stallion said. “In my opinion, the littlest things are often the most important.”
As Hum Drum got in a roller coaster cart and pulled the bar in front of him, the stallion continued singing.
“I’M GLAD YOU DECIDED
TO GIVE THIS A TRY
AND I’LL PHOTOGRAPH YOUR BRAVE FACE
IF YOU DO NOT CRY
DON’T FORGET TO SCREAM LOUDLY
WHEN YOU GO FILI-SECOND FAST
SO PLEASE, ENJOY THE BLEEEEENDEEEEEEER”
Suddenly, the ride started and the cart Hum Drum was in moved. As soon as the cart was out of sight, the stallion grinned and his face changed into Anar D’s.
“For it might be your laaaaaaaaaaaast”
Meanwhile, Hum Drum screamed with joy as he entered a tunnel.
“THIS IS GREAT,” Hum Drum shouted. “I’M SO HAPPY, I TOTALLY LOST ALL MY FEAR!”
Suddenly, Hum Drum felt a sudden tug around his waist. He flew out of the cart and saw a green rope of hair around his torso. Hum Drum exited the tunnel and gulped when he saw the Sinister Sorceress, Gryphon Galore, and the Mane-iac in front of him.
“Oh,” Hum Drum whimpered in fear. “There it is.”
Meanwhile, in Power Tower, the Power Ponies were looking over the computers. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
“I’ll get it,” Mistress Marevelous said.
The western hero approached the door and looked through the door and widened her eyes when she saw a green, elderly earth pony. She opened the door and pulled her in.
“Granny,” Mistress Marevelous said. “I haven’t seen you in forever.”
“Oh, it’s nice to see you too, AJ,” Granny said. “I mean, look at you. You’re a big-time superhero now.”
“Marevelous,” the Masked Matterhorn said, “I didn’t know your Granny was coming over.”
“It’s a surprise for me as well,” Mistress Marevelous said. “What are you doing here, Granny?”
“Well, I’ve got bad news, worse news, and good news,” Granny said sullenly. “The bad news is, the crops started dying and the animals are in a frenzy. Everything’s gone topsy turvy.”
“Oh, dear,” Marevelous gasped. “That’s terrible.”
“What’s the worse news,” Zapp asked.
“With all these troubles happening, we’re stuck on money,” Granny said, “And if we don’t pay for our farm in a month, the Pish-Posh Brothers are going to buy us off.”
“Who’s the Pish-Posh Brothers,” Saddle Rager asked.
“Pish and Posh are in charge of a big oil company in the country,” Mistress Marevelous said. “There’s a large amount of oil underneath our family farm and the twins want it for themselves. They’ll tear down the farm and drill it out if they buy the farm.”
“Well, what’s the good news, Granny,” Radiance asked.
“If we work double-shifts, we can possibly gain enough cash to keep the farm,” Granny said. “However, we’re going to need the entire family.”
“You mean I’ve got to go back,” Mistress Marevelous asked, “For a month?”
“Maybe longer, to get the farm back under control,” Granny said.
“I… I don’t know what to say,” Mistress Marevelous said. “Right now, my friends are at a crisis and…”
“Look, Marevelous, if you leave, it won’t change anything,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “We can find the Sisterhood of Evil. We won’t stand in the way of your family’s work.”
“Well, I…” Mistress Marevelous was about to speak.
Suddenly, the computer beeped.
“Incoming transmission,” Fili-Second said looking at the screen. “It’s from Hum Drum. And the screen looks tasty.”
Ignoring the last sentence, the Power Ponies went to the computer and answered. But instead of their favorite baby dragon’s face on the screen, they saw the Mane-iac’s.
“THE MANE-IAC,” the Power Ponies gasped.
“Where’s Hum Drum,” Matterhorn asked.
“Oh, he’s alive… for now,” the Mane-iac said. “If you want to see him again, come to Pony Island and rescue him, if you dare.” She cackled loudly and ended the transmition.
“You know this is a trap, right,” Mistress Marevelous said.
“Obviously,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “But Hum Drum is one of us. We cannot turn our back on a Power Pony.”
“Exactly,” Zapp said. “All for one…”
“And two for tea,” Fili-Second declared.
A couple hours later, the Power Ponies arrived at Pony Island and found it deserted.
“It’s quiet,” Radiance said.
“Yeah,” Zapp said, “A little too quiet.”
“Well, what do you expect,” a starstruck voice declared. The Sisterhood of Evil was seen standing at the front entrance of a Hall of Mirrors. The Sinister Sorceress said, “The ponies took one look at us, and they ran faster than any cake that Fili-Second encounters.”
“THAT ONLY HAPPENED 15 TIMES AND YOU KNOW IT,” Fili-Second shouted.
“Enough, Sisterhood,” the Masked Matterhorn shouted. “Where is Hum Drum?”
“Oh, you mean him,” Gryphon Galore said holding Hum Drum with a rope and a gag.
“Release him, you swine,” Zapp shouted.
“Come and get him, Power Ponies,” the Mane-iac said.
The Sisterhood of Evil ran inside the Hall of Mirrors and dragged Hum Drum with them.
“LET’S GET ‘EM,” Zapp shouted.
The Power Ponies ran past the entrance door before the Masked Matterhorn stopped.
“Wait,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “I’ve got an idea! I saw 5 other entrances and exits of this attraction. We each take separate entrances and corner the Sisterhood.”
“Good idea,” Zapp said flying toward the outside. “I’ll take the one here and…” Suddenly, she hit something hard.
“What happened,” Radiance asked.
“I hit something,” Zapp said. She extended her hoof and felt a glass surface.
“Who puts glass where you’re supposed to enter through,” the Masked Matterhorn asked. “This doesn’t make sense.”
Suddenly, a chortle echoed through the Hall of Mirrors. Nobody could see where it came from.
“Make sense,” a voice echoed. “Oh, what fun is there in making sense?”
“Who said that,” Saddle Rager asked.
“It doesn’t matter,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “As long as we’re together, nothing can stop us from saving our friend.”
“RIGHT,” the Power Ponies shouted.
Suddenly, 5 walls appeared between the six ponies. They were separated. No matter how hard they struggled, the wall wouldn’t move.
“What’s going on,” Radiance asked.
“Don’t let this craziness blind us, team,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “We’ll simply find each other and Hum Drum at the same time.
Radiance was galloping down a hallway of mirrors and couldn’t find anything.
“This is just plain dandy,” Radiance said. “The Sisterhood couldn’t just take Hum Drum through a flower shop or a beach. They had to take him to a creepy hall of mirrors.”
Suddenly, Radiance heard a clanking noise. She looked up and saw a large, metal pipe falling down. Radiance shrieked and covered her head. When she looked up, the pipe changed into a flower that landed in her mane.
“What…” Radiance asked.
“I changed that pipe before it got into your beautiful mane,” an unfamiliar voice said. Radiance looked and dropped her jaw.
Beside Radiance, there was a white stallion with a golden-yellow mane. He was large and wore a blue costume and had a blue mask across his eyes.
“Hello,” the stallion said. “I am Blue Star. I am new to Maretropolis. And you are…”
“Gorgeous,” Radiance giggled. “OOPS! I mean, my name is Radiance. I only said that because you’re gorgeous. Wait, what?”
“It’s all right,” Blue Star said.
“What are you doing here,” Radiance said.
“Well, I was exploring this new city when I happen to hear a kid screaming,” Blue Star said. “I followed it to this place.”
“That was Hum Drum, our friend,” Radiance said. “Uh, question: how’d you turn a pipe into a flower?”
“It’s my power,” Blue Star said. “I use my horn to change any form of matter into something else.”
“Well, thank you for coming,” Radiance said with a blush. “So… are you going to help us find Hum Drum?”
“If it’ll make you happy,” Blue Star said.
As soon as they left, Anar D come from a mirror behind them. He saw the two walk away and he chuckled in his throat.
“One down,” he said, “Five to go.”
Mistress Marevelous walked through the hallway. She looked everywhere.
“Oh, where’s Hum Drum when we need to find him,” she said.
“You will find him, that is true,” an exotic voice said. “But the question is, what’s in store for you?”
Mistress Marevelous looked and saw a zebra with a hood on. Her head was above a cauldron with a glowing concoction.
“Who are you,” Marevelous asked.
“Since I was born and throughout my life, I have always been called Madame Stryfe,” the zebra said. “I have come because I’ve seen… that your future isn’t so peachy keen. I came to warn with a voice full of harm… that you’re in danger of losing your farm.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard all that before,” Mistress Marevelous said. “If you can see the future, can you tell me what will happen to my farm? I can pay…”
“I’m not asking at all for any pay,” Madame Stryfe said. “For free, I’ll reveal your farm if you stay. Black water, I see, covering the ground. Machines drilling will be the only sound. Currency rising for two twins of greed. And all because your family didn’t have what they’d need.”
“WHAT,” Mistress Marevelous shouted. “WHAT DO THEY NEED?!”
“Calm down, hero, or I’ll have to sue,” Madame Stryfe said. “Now, what your family needs… is you. You must hang your rope and mask for good… to save your birth neighborhood.”
“I’ll…” Mistress Marevelous breathed heavily “I’ll think about it.” She turned and left.
“She really believed this plot I did tinker,” Madame Stryfe said. Then, her body changed into Anar D. “Well, for her, I say ‘hook, line, and sinker’.”
Zapp was flying through all the hallways. She dashed past the mirrors and looked left and right and every direction. Suddenly, she heard a little whisper and stopped.
“Psst. Pssssssst.”
Zapp followed the sound and shrieked when she saw Anar D in front of her.
“Why is everyone so frightened by my appearance,” Anar D asked. “Or is there something in my teeth?”
“Who are you,” Zapp asked.
“Oh, did I forget to introduce myself,” Anar D asked. “My name is Anar D.”
“OF COURSE,” Zapp shouted. “That explains all the craziness happening! The legend is true! Put ‘em up, buster!”
“Hold your horses, zippy,” Anar D said waving a small, white flag. “I’m just here asking for your help… assuming it’s just you and not your anchors that you call friends.”
“Hey, no pony talks to them that way,” Zapp shouted. “Now, tell those villains your helping to let Hum Drum go!”
“Helping,” Anar D asked. “I didn’t want to be with them. What do you think I am? Bonkers? They just have Pandora’s Box.”
“So,” Zapp asked.
“So… as long as one of them holds on to the box, I have to do whatever they say,” Anar D said. “If I don’t, the box gives me a painful shock. They’re going to force me to fight you and your friends, but I don’t want that. I’m simply asking you, and you alone, to get my box from them and give it to me. If I have it, I’m free.”
“So why are you asking me alone to do it,” Zapp said. “There’s a better chance for me working with my friends to get it.”
“I don’t believe that,” Anar D said. “When I first heard of you, I thought you were just an underdog. But after seeing your powers firsthand, I realize that you’re the greatest hero in the team. Personally, I’m surprised you’re being lead by a purple unicorn with wings. So she can freeze things with her mind; big whoop. You control the weather. You’re not just awesome, you’re epic. I’m trusting you to get my box. So what do you say?” He extended his lion paw for a handshake.
After a few moments of silence, Zapp extended her hoof and placed it in Anar D’s hoof. Suddenly, a jolt of electricity shocked Zapp.
“Oops,” Anar D chuckled revealing a joy buzzer in his paw. “Sorry. Force of habit. Anyway, the deal’s set, right?”
“Of course,” Zapp said. She flew away.
“Like shooting ponies in a barrel,” Anar D chuckled with a devilish grin.
Fili-Second had a faster search than her friends. She stopped for a minute to take a breath.
“Phew,” Fili-Second said. “This searching-for-friends stuff is hard work.”
“So get it done quickly,” a little voice called. Fili-Second looked around, but she couldn’t see who said it.
“Who’s there,” Fili-Second asked.
“Your inner voice,” the voice said.
“My inner voice who,” Fili-Second asked.
“It’s not a knock-knock joke, Fili-Second,” the voice said. “Listen to me, you care for Hum Drum, don’t you?”
“Yeah,” Fili-Second said. “What’s your point?”
“Then if you want to save your friend sooner, you must save him quickly,” the voice said. “Have no hesitation. Don’t stop for anything. Do you understand?”
“Every word, voice in my head,” Fili-Second said.
Fili-Second ran quickly. Behind her, Anar D grew from microscopic size to his normal size.
“Is it just me or was that too easy,” Anar D asked.
Saddle Rager wasn’t five feet away from the entrance when she creeped forward. She was whispering to herself with fear and terror in her voice. Suddenly, a bat flew out of nowhere and screeched in Saddle’s face.
“Oh,” Saddle Rager said in an adorable voice. “Did you get lost?”
“What,” the bat asked. “But I’m a bat! A terrifying bat!”
“Not that terrifying,” Saddle Rager said. “If you want terrifying, you should see what happens when I skip out on filling my Angel Bunny’s food bowl.”
“Wait,” the bat said, “So you’re not going to run away out of fear and hide and never come out when your friends need you.”
“Of course not,” Saddle Rager said. “Even if I was out of my mind with fear, I won’t let it stand in the way of helping my friends.”
In a flash of light, the bat changed form. Anar D was in the bat’s place with an angry face.
“OH, FOR GOODNESS SAKE,” Anar D shouted. He reached out his eagle claw and poked Saddle Rager on her head. She then wobbled back and forth and side to side. “I tried scaring you out, but now, it seems I have to pull out Plan: B. ADIOS!” He vanished.
In an instant, Saddle Rager opened her red eyes and growled as she started to grow.
“Oh, this is ridiculous,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “I swear, I’ve passed this mirror five times.” She stopped walking when she heard a loud roar echoing from down the hall. “Hang on. I know that roar.”
Suddenly, the wall next to the Masked Matterhorn broke down. A large, hulking pony in a ripped costume was revealed when the dust settled.
“SADDLE RAGER,” the Matterhorn said. “Oh, boy. am I glad you’re like this. We can break through the walls and…”
Suddenly, Saddle Rager threw her arm towards the Masked Matterhorn. The Matterhorn didn’t see the arm and she was smacked forward. She got up and looked at Saddle Rager.
“Saddle, what’s gotten into you,” the Matterhorn asked. “Wait… You’re not in control! Saddle, you’ve got to calm down!”
Saddle Rager didn’t listen. Instead, she roared loudly and leaped toward her friend. The Matterhorn dodged and heard a voice.
“Someone call for a hero,” Zapp shouted.
Suddenly, the rest of the Power Ponies and Blue Star appeared from the broken wall.
“If anyone’s wondering,” Radiance said, “This guy is Blue Star and he’s agreed to help us.”
“Yeah, that’s great,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “NOW, HELP ME OUT! SADDLE RAGER’S GONE OUT OF CONTROL!”
“Hehehe,” a familiar voice said. The ponies looked and saw Anar D with a bag of popcorn. “Guilty.”
“Anar D,” Zapp said. “You did this?”
“I had to,” Anar D said. “I told you, I’m a slave to Pandora’s Box.”
“You talked to him,” Mistress Marevelous said.
“Not the matter at hand,” Zapp said. “Anar D, how do we help Saddle Rager?!”
“I can’t tell you that, kid,” Anar D said pointing up. “They won’t let me.”
The Sisterhood of Evil appeared out of nowhere with evil grins. The Mane-iac had Hum Drum tied up with her mane.
“The Sisterhood,” Zapp said.
“Well, it’s ain’t the princesses,” the Mane-iac said.
“Now that we’ve reunited,” the Sinister Sorceress said holding up the box. “Anar D, take them down!”
“I’m going to pretend you said please,” Anar D said before materializing a machine gun in his hands. “Just know this, girls: this isn’t my idea.”
The machine gun fired many bullets that the ponies had to dodge. The Masked Matterhorn saw a bullet and thought it suspicious that it was yellow. She picked it up and put it in her mouth.
“THIS IS CHEESE,” the Matterhorn shouted. “IGNORE IT!”
“Cheese,” Gryphon Galore asked. “Really?”
“These ponies look like they need dairy,” Anar D said. He pulled the trigger again, but nothing shot out. He looked inside and growled. “Jammed! Cheesy gun!”
“Now, await my command to…” the Masked Matterhorn said.
“CAN’T WAIT,” Fili-Second said before charging at the villains.
Anar D snapped his fingers and a brick wall appeared in front of Fili-Second at the last second. Fili-Second ran right into it while Anar D was laughing.
“AND ANAR D SAID LET THERE BE A BRICK WALL… and there was.”
“I got him,” Zapp shouted.
“Zapp, wait,” the Masked Matterhorn shouted.
“I’M BUSY,” Zapp shouted. She held up her amulet and shot lightning at Anar D. Anar D kept dodging.
“I’ve got a question,” Anar D said, “While you’re busy with us, who’s watching over your giant beast?”
The Power Ponies looked and saw Saddle Rager glaring her angry eyes at her friends.
“SADDLE RAGER, WAIT,” Radiance shouted. She shot a stream of energy from her bracelet and created rope.
The rope wrapped around Saddle Rager and tightened. Suddenly, Saddle Rager broke the rope apart and Radiance fell back.
“Are you all right,” Blue Star asked.
“I don’t understand,” Radiance said. “My rope is usually stronger than that.”
“Let me give it a shot,” Blue Star said.
His horn began to glow and he blasted a blue ray at Saddle Rager. At the last second, the Mane-iac picked up a mirror and used it to bounce the blast at the floor below Mistress Marevelous. The western hero slipped and saw bubbles on the floor.
“Soap,” Mistress Marevelous said. “He was going to turn Saddle Rager to soap!”
After a few more minutes of the Power Ponies tripping over each other, Anar D yawned.
“Well, that’s about enough mayhem for today,” he said. “We can leave the kid here and get the lead out.”
“WHAT,” Gryphon Galore shouted. “No! We have them at our mercy! We have to finish them now!”
“First of all, you’re not the villainess with the box, so I don’t have to answer to you,” Anar D said. “Secondly, they can’t die now. Trust me, it’s all planned out.”
“Very well,” the Sinister Sorceress said. “Mane-iac, drop the dragon.”
“Oh, poo,” the Mane-iac said. She released her mane and Hum Drum dropped to the floor.
“Toodles, Puny Ponies,” Anar D shouted. With a snap of his eagle claw, he and the Sisterhood of Evil disappeared.
“EVERYONE, STOOOOOOOP,” the Masked Matterhorn shouted.
Suddenly, Saddle Rager’s eyes turned back to normal. She looked around the damaged room and began to tear up.
“I’m sorry,” Saddle Rager said in a monstrous voice. “I… I need to go.” She jumped and made a hole in the ceiling. Her tears were seen.
“Saddle Rager,” Hum Drum shouted.
“Let’s give her time,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “In the meantime… ZAPP, FILI-SECOND, I HAVE A BONE TO PICK WITH YOU!”
“What did I do,” Zapp asked.
“Are you kidding me,” the Matterhorn said. “I was giving orders and you two didn’t listen to me!”
“I couldn’t afford to hesitate,” Fili-Second said. “The voice in my head said so after we played knock-knock jokes. He wasn’t very good at them.”
“I know that I could’ve beaten them on my own,” Zapp said. “I had the greatest power in this group. Anar D said so.”
“I had a flawless plan all thought out,” the Masked Matterhorn said, “And you did it all on the bases of a voice in your head and Anar D?!”
At the other side of the room, Mistress Marevelous confronted Radiance and Blue Star.
“That stallion is a loose cannon, Radiance,” the western said.
“Why, Marevelous, how could you say that,” Radiance gasped. “Blue Star didn’t mean to make you slip on soap.”
“It’s not that,” Marevelous said. “His specific spell was soap! He tried to turn Saddle Rager into a non-living thing!”
“It was a nervous reaction,” Blue Star said. “I had no idea the beast was your friend.”
“Good point,” Radiance said. “It was all a just a simple misunderstanding.”
“SIMPLE,” Mistress Marevelous shouted angrily.
All the Power Ponies were shouting at each other. Their arguing was full of volume and growing anger toward each other. Hum Drum tried to break up the fights, but he couldn’t be heard.
“ENOUGH,” the Masked Matterhorn shouted. Everyone fell silent instantly. “I put together this team to show every pony that even the most different ponies can work together. Now, I see I was wrong.” She raised her wings and hovered toward the hole in the sky.
“Matterhorn, wait,” Hum Drum called. “I’m sure we can find a middle ground. We can pick up this mess we’re in.”
“For now,” the Masked Matterhorn said, “But what about the next time we argue or the next or the next. It’s an endless cycle. Look, Radiance is clean. Mistress Marevelous doesn’t mind getting her hooves dirty. I belong back in Canterlot. Fili-Second belongs in the party circuit. Zapp is full of herself. Saddle Rager is only noticed when she changes form. We can’t be a team if we can’t be compatible. I’m sorry, Hum Drum, but as far as I’m concerned… the Power Ponies are over.” She hovered to the air and disappeared into the sky.
“Well, the farm needs me more than Maretropolis does,” Mistress Marevelous said miserably.
“I guess I should go pack,” Fili-Second said miserably. “Shouldn’t take me more than 2 seconds.”
“Well… Cloudsdale might be in need of some heroic deeds,” Zapp said.
“Radiance, I…” Blue Star said.
“I know,” Radiance said. “Let’s go.”
Being silent, all the Power Ponies left the room and sulked miserably. Hum Drum was alone in that circular room with broken mirror shards around him. He looked up at the moon and stars and began to tear up as the moonlight was shining on him.
“Where did things go wrong,” he sang silently and sadly,
“Why can’t we get along
How did the greatest friends turn into dust
When did the world seem strange
How did our lives just change
Where is the friendship and where is the trust
I know there was a chance
To change our circumstance
After all we’ve been through. After coming so far
The choices we made are bad
Made when we were confused and mad
Now, the friendship’s disappeared from the stars
We were close as kin
And nooooooow, we’re not
We went through thick and thin
So how is it we forgot
Why are we bitter
The shine can no longer glitter
Our friendship was important and it still is to me
I have no power
But I know that our
Choice in friends is what gives us our destiny
We were close as kin
And nooooooow, we’re not
We went through thick and thin
So how is it we forgot”
Meanwhile, all the other Power Ponies were leaving Maretropolis in different directions. They took one look back at their city and sang individually.
“What happened to our fun,” Fili-Second sang.
“Is our friendship done,” Zapp sang.
“How did everything just suddenly go wrong,” Mistress Marevelous sang.
“I’m sorry that I lost control,” Saddle Rager sang.
“My heart just gained a hole,” Radiance sang.
“DID WE JUST FOREVER BREAK OUR BOOOOOOOOOOOND,” the Masked Matterhorn sang.
“WE WERE CLOSE AS KIIIIIIIIIIIIN,” everyone sang,
“AND NOOOOOOOOOOOW, WE’RE NOT
WE WENT THROUGH THICK AND THIIIIIIIIIIN
SO HOW IS IT WE FORGOOOOOOOOOOOOT
How is it…
How is it…”
“How is it we for… goooooooooooot,” Hum Drum finished.
Hum Drum curled up into a ball and started to sob. His cries echoed throughout the Hall of Mirrors.
At the city limits, Anar D looked through a periscope and saw the Power Ponies leaving.
“Excellent,” Anar D said in an evil tone. The periscope disappeared and stared into the horizon. “Just you wait another month, Power Punies. By then, you’ll all be done for. And then, the Harmony Gems will never be used against me ever again.” He materialized an umbrella and opened it, but it was open upside down. “Looks we might be due for a big ol’ storm of CHAOS!” He laughed loudly into the night sky full of pride and insanity.
Nearly one month later, a small figure entered the Manehattan Apartments Building. He went to the front desk and held up a picture of a pony.
“Do you know where this mare is,” the small figure asked the lobbyist.
“Oh, her,” the lobbyist said. “Yeah, she’s staying at Room G5.”
“Thank you,” the figure said.
The figure reached the elevator at the end of the lobby and rode it to the G floor. He followed the room numbers until he found G5. He knocked at the door and waited a few moments. The door opened and a white stallion with a blonde mane was there. He looked down at the figure and recognized him.
“Hum Drum,” the stallion said. “What are you doing here?!”
“I’m sorry,” Hum Drum said. “Do I know you?”
“It’s me,” the stallion said. “I’m Blue Star.”
“Oh, right,” Hum Drum said. He brushed his feet against the floor. “So… You’re living with Radiance now?”
“Actually, she hung up her cape and went back to being plain, old Rarity now,” Blue Star said. “At the same time, I went back to being Blueblood.”
“Well, Blueblood,” Hum Drum said, “I came all the way from Maretropolis to talk to Rarity. Is she here?”
“Uh… no,” Blueblood said. “She just left for groceries. But don’t worry. When she gets back, I’ll tell her you came by.”
“Okay,” Hum Drum said. “Tell her that I’m staying at the hotel next door. And tell her that it’s very, very important that I must speak with her.” He turned around and went back to the elevator.
Blueblood went back inside of his home and heard a wake-up yawn. He went to the bedroom and saw Radiance without her costume in her bed.
“Who was at the door, sweetie,” Rarity asked.
“No one important,” Blueblood said. “No one important at all.”
At the lobby, Hum Drum passed the lobbyist.
“Call the hotel next door when the blue-maned unicorn comes home,” Hum Drum said.
“But young boy,” the lobbyist said, “She is home.”
“What,” Hum Drum asked. “But Blueblood said…” He widened his eyes. “Oh, no. Anar D is using him. I’ve got to get back to that room.” He pulled his backpack off his back and zipped it open. “And I know just how to do it.”
A grappling hook latched itself in the window of G5. Hum Drum used the hook to climb up the side of the building and strained his arms trying to pull himself up.
“It’s times like these that make me wish for flight,” Hum Drum said.
A few minutes later, Hum Drum made it to the end of the rope and opened the window. He jumped in and hit the floor.
“Oh,” Hum Drum groaned. “That’s the last time I try wall-climbing without a harness.”
“That voice,” a friendly voice called from the other room. “Hum Drum? Is that you?”
“RADIANCE,” Hum Drum shouted in joy. “OH, IT’S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN! WE GOT A LOT TO CATCH UP ON!”
“No argument here,” Rarity said approaching the room. Hum Drum looked at the beautiful unicorn, but changed his expression to shock when he saw that she was sitting on a chair… with wheels. Rarity was pushing the wheels to move forward.
“Rarity,” Hum Drum gasped. “What… What happened to you?”
“The doctors couldn’t figure it out,” Rarity said. “I’ve been this way for 2 weeks. A lot can happen in just one month.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” Hum Drum said. “In fact, that’s why I’m here. Maretropolis is in danger.”
“What do you mean,” Rarity asked.
“The day after the Power Ponies split up, the Sisterhood of Evil gathered up all their henchponies and led an organized crime ring,” Hum Drum explained. “Since there are no superheroes anymore, I thought I had to stop this crime stuff by myself. Wasn’t my brightest idea, but it was the best I had. I found the Sisterhood’s hideout and sneaked in. I was going to jump them, but Anar D arrived. And this is what I overheard…”
I was behind a trash can during the whole conversation. It was an advantage to being small. Anyway, I saw the Mane-iac, the Sinister Sorceress, and Gryphon Galore sitting on top of a pile of money. Anar D was at the bottom of the pile looking up at the Sisterhood.
“Today, Maretropolis,” the Mane-iac declared. “TOMORROW, THE WORLD! I’ve always wanted to say that.”
“Yes, yes,” Anar D said. “We’re all so happy that the criminal underworld is ours. Now, I believe it’s time for you to let me free.”
“I don’t think so, Anar,” the Sinister Sorceress said. “You were supposed to end the Power Ponies. And so far, they’re still alive.”
“For now,” Anar D said. “Trust me; they’ll all be gone by the end of the month.”
“Why,” Gryphon Galore asked. “What happens at the end of the month?”
Anar D chuckled. “Don’t tell me you didn’t figure it out. I rigged them to reach their demises. By the time the month is over, the Power Ponies will be dead. And then, the real fun begins.” He laughed loudly.
Shocked upon hearing what I heard, I sneaked out of the hideout.
“After that, I made it my mission to save my friends,” Hum Drum said. “And I believe that Anar D has something to do with you being in a wheelchair.”
“What can we do about it then,” Rarity said. “It’s not like we can just bring the Power Ponies back together.”
“Actually…” Hum Drum said, “That was my plan the whole time. If we’re going to stop Anar D, we’re going to have to work together again.”
“Yeah, I don’t think so,” Rarity said. “I’ve looked in a mirror, and I don’t think I’m cut out to be a hero.”
“If I recall,” Hum Drum said, “That’s what you thought the day you got that magic bracelet. Remember?”
“Yeah,” Rarity chuckled. “Those were the days. I used to be an ordinary seamstress in Maretropolis. One day, I stumbled upon a mine of beautiful, ancient gemstones. but the most precious of the gems were on a bracelet that was sitting upon a pedestal. I don’t know why, but I felt drawn to it. As soon as I approached it, it latched itself upon my wrist. Turned out, it was a powerful artifact with powers bestowed only on the fairest in Equestria. That’s when I became Radiance.”
“And why did you become a hero,” Hum Drum asked.
“To… To give the people all the happiness that I got,” Radiance answered.
“Exactly,” Hum Drum said. “But now, we can’t do that without the rest of the Power Ponies.”
“You’re right, Hum Drum,” Radiance said. “You go get my costume from the closet. I’ll call Blueblood and let him know we’re leaving.”
“Actually,” Hum Drum said, “About Blueblood… There’s something you need to know about him. He’s not as nice as we thought he was.”
Later that night, at the rooftop of the apartment, Blueblood went to the top and saw Rarity’s wheelchair.
“Rarity, is there something wrong,” Blueblood said. “You called me and told me there’s something wrong.”
“There is,” Rarity said. Suddenly, the wheelchair turned and Rarity was wearing her Radiance costume and bracelet. A purple light blasted out and wrapped around Blueblood. Hum Drum walked from behind the wheelchair.
“Darling, what’s the matter,” Blueblood said.
“You are a liar, that’s what,” Radiance shouted. “You told me that there was no one important at the door, but Hum Drum is very important to me. And you told him I wasn’t home. I thought you were good, but you were working for Anar D the whole time. Somehow, you put me in this wheelchair!”
Blueblood sighed. “You weren’t supposed to find out this way. Well, when worse comes to worse…” With very little effort, the stallion broke out of the hard light and Radiance was shoved out of her wheelchair.
“How’d you do that,” Radiance asked.
“Your greatest desire gives me strength,” Blueblood said. Suddenly, Blueblood shot a green light around him. When the light dimmed, a new body emerged. It had the shape of a pony, but it had holes through its legs and it had a black body and no hair. It had blue eyes. Its horn was swirled and twisted. On its back, insect wings were sticking out.
“It’s a hideous pony-bug,” Radiance shouted. She then gasped. “AND I KISSED IT!”
“I am a Changeling,” the bug said. “We feed on love and emotion, which you’ve been giving off for the whole month. If you would’ve given us a few more days, we’d drain so much strength from you, you’d be too weak to breathe. But that won’t matter. Soon, Anar D will give us a great, big buffet. And now, you die.”
The Changeling flew into the air and changed direction toward Radiance. She tried to move, but her lower legs slowed her down. She covered her head and prepared for what would come.
Suddenly, just as the Changeling was about to strike Radiance, Hum Drum jumped at the Changeling’s face and attacked it. The Changeling zigzagged in the air trying to get Hum Drum off.
“GET OFF ME, YOU ANNOYING GECKO,” the Changeling shouted.
Just then, the Changeling lashed its head to the side and Hum Drum fell off and landed hard into the wheelchair. Hum Drum tried to get up, but his back was in pain. Radiance saw the Changeling shake its head and she saw Hum Drum in the wheelchair.
When Radiance stared at the wheelchair, she could see a flash of many colors coming from it. She could had the same feeling coming her eyes. At that moment, she had an idea.
“Hum Drum,” Radiance said, “Take my wheelchair and get out of here!”
“WHAT,” Hum Drum said. “But this is your only method of transportation.”
Up in the air, the Changeling regained its senses and looked and saw Radiance and Hum Drum.
“Right now, it’s the only way you can escape,” Radiance said. “Take it and go and find the rest of the Power Ponies! They must be warned!”
“I’m not leaving with your only way to escape,” Hum Drum protested.
The Changeling was gaining speed and it was getting closer to its enemies.
“HUM DRUM, THERE’S NO TIME,” Radiance shouted. “I KNOW IT MEANS A LOT TO ME, BUT YOU NEED IT MORE THAN I DO!”
Suddenly, she felt a feeling inside of her. At that moment, she floated in the air and glowed a rainbow light. Her confidence was refilled and she faced the Changeling. She pointed her bracelet and a large fly-swatter appeared and whacked the Changeling to the wall. Radiance and Hum Drum were amazed by it.
“Well, now,” Radiance said. “I think it’s time for ‘Blueblood’ and I to make this break-up official.”
The Changeling crawled out of the wall and saw Radiance using her powers greatly.
“I hate this part,” the Changeling gulped in a cowardly tone.
For the next few minutes, Radiance attacked the Changeling with all sorts of hard light images. The Changeling was attacked by a bag of bricks, a jet, a pair of Rock-Em-Sock-Em Robots, and more. The battle ended when a giant golf club smacked the Changeling far out of Manehattan.
“AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH,” the Changeling shouted until it was out of sight.
Then, Radiance landed on the rooftop with all four legs working.
“I can walk,” Radiance said. “I CAN WALK!”
“Congratulations,” Hum Drum said limping out of the wheelchair.
“Are you all right,” Radiance asked.
“No problem,” Hum Drum said. “I’ll walk it off.”
They stared at each other for a few moments before clearing their throats.
“So um…” Hum Drum said.
“We’ve got to find our friends,” Radiance said. “Who knows what Anar D left for the other 5.”
Radiance and Hum Drum then left the rooftop and headed towards the end of the city. Neither of them noticed that Radiance’s pendant with diamonds started to glow with a rainbow light.
“I just have one question,” Hum Drum said. “Where did Anar D get a Changeling?”
In the Sisterhood’s flying fortress, Anar D was laying back in a hammock taking a snooze. Suddenly, he woke up because of a demonic voice.
“Anar D,” the voice called. “Anar D!”
Anar D picked up a handheld mirror and saw a large female changeling on the reflective surface. She was taller and she had a dark-green mane.
“Ah, Queen Scynder,” Anar D said. “Don’t worry; the invasion will come as scheduled just like we agreed.”
“Actually, that isn’t why I’m here, trickster,” Queen Scynder said. “I felt a disturbance.”
“In the Force,” Anar D asked wearing Jedi robes and carrying a green lightsaber.
“FROM THE CHANGELING YOU BROUGHT TO YOUR WORLD, YOU IDIOT,” Queen Scynder shouted. “I just got word from him. The unicorn defeated him!”
“How is that possible,” Anar D said. “It’s nearly been a month now. She has be too weak to do anything.”
“The Changeling said that she gained a bigger amount of power,” Queen Scynder said. “Do you know what this means? The ponies you’re against have begun gaining the power of the Harmony Gems!”
“Oh,” Anar D shivered. “That might prove to be a problem for our master plan.”
“You think,” Queen Scynder asked. “Think about how much of a problem the Harmony Gems did to you last time. Unless the Power Ponies are gone, the Harmony Gems will return, along with the Harmony Crown. THEN, WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU?!”
“Don’t get your wings all tangled up,” Anar D said. “So what if the unicorn survived? The rest of the Power Ponies’ deathtraps are completely foolproof.”
“For your sake, you better be right,” Queen Scynder said. “You know how much failure isn’t suitable for… him. You think you know madness. If you fail, we’ll make sure you wish for something as sweet as madness.”
“You know, you still never told me,” Anar D said. “Who is that guy at the mountain? Who are you working for?”
“You’re just like all the rest, Anar D,” Queen Scynder said. “You think you’re the most powerful thing in existence. You have no idea.” She ended the call and looked at her Changeling swarm behind her.
“Do we invade now, my queen,” a Changeling asked.
“Not yet, my little ones,” Queen Chrysalis said. “Wait until Anar D gives the signal. Then, Equestria will be ours.
“I remember back when we were a race
That was on top of the food chain
The love, the emotion
And all the devotion
Would give us a filling gain
Then, the Harmony Gems defeated us
They stopped us in our tracks
Now, thanks to Anar D
Equestria will see
That Queen Scynder and the Changelings are back
We’ll have total control
Of every mare and foal
No one shall stand in our way
It will all be mine
My personal design
And we’ll be there to stay
So Changelings, prepare
To go back there
Now, I’ve always considered another path
And changing my own creed
The trouble is, no matter what
I had to have fought
I can’t fight the desire to feed
So now, I must to whatever
To go back where we came from
And as for the ponies
Who left us lonely
We’ll send all of them to kingdom come
We’ll have total control
Of every mare and foal
No one shall stand in our way
It will all be mine
My personal design
And we’ll be there to stay
Out of thin air
We’ll go back there”
At that moment, the Changelings celebrated and danced along. They marched across the room and gazed at their queen who had a confident face.
As soon as Hum Drum and Radiance left Manehattan, Radiance made a hard-light plane and they took off.
“Okay,” Hum Drum said observing his room. “The plane, I understand. But why do I have to ride in coach?”
“I’m fair, but firm,” Radiance said. “So, where to now?”
“The nearest Power Pony is Zapp,” Hum Drum said. “From what I heard, she headed back to Cloudsdale and joined the Pegasus superhero team, the Wonderbolts.”
“How would Anar D get Zapp to die if she’s with another team,” Radiance asked.
“I don’t know,” Hum Drum said, “But next stop: Cloudsdale.”
For the next few hours, the plane went across the map. You can picture the plane leaving a purple trail on the map.
“Hum Drum, stop playing with the map,” Radiance said. “We’re here.”
Radiance and Hum Drum looked out their windows and saw a floating city made entirely of clouds.
“How are we going to enter there,” Radiance asked. “Only those with wings can walk on these clouds.”
“Honestly, I didn’t think that part through,” Hum Drum said. He kept thinking. “I got it! Use your power to make a floating platform for us to travel in. We can use it to find Zapp.”
“Worth a shot,” Radiance said.
The pegusi on the streets had confused faces when they saw Radiance and Hum Drum floating on a purple platform. They were carried across the streets while they were getting glaring eyes.
“So how do we find Zapp,” Radiance asked. “Do we have to wait for a crime in progress?”
“No need,” Hum Drum said holding a brochure. “According to this brochure of Cloudsdale I got before I left Maretropolis, the Wonderbolts have their own headquarters like we do. They should be right about… HERE!”
The platform stopped and there was a large, blue tower with a W letter at the top.
“This is the place,” Hum Drum said.
Zapp was looking out her window with a sulk. She crossed her front hooves and sighed.
“ZAPP,” a stallion’s voice called.
“Yeah, what is it, Soaron,” Zapp replied.
“There’s these two, Radical and Eardrum here to see you,” Soaron shouted.
At that moment, Radiance and Hum Drum opened the door and entered Zapp’s room.
“SOARON,” Zapp shouted.
Soaron appeared from behind Radiance and Hum Drum. He had a pie in his hoof.
“They distracted me with this,” Soaron said. “Hum Drum, how did you know my weakness?”
“Every pony loves pie,” Hum Drum said.
“What are you two doing here,” Zapp asked.
“First of all, thank you for the warm welcome,” Radiance said. “And glad to see you’re not in a wheelchair. Secondly, we’re here to save you.”
“Save me,” Zapp repeated with confusion. “From what? Wait, did you say, wheelchair?”
“Anar D’s deathtrap,” Hum Drum said. “I overheard him and he said that he’s leading you and the others to a complicated trap for each.”
“Yeah,” Radiance said. “Blue Star is really an emotion-eating bug who tried to feed off our relationship. I would be dead by now if it if wasn’t for Hum Drum. And now, we’re here to save you.”
“Why would Anar D go through so much trouble,” Zapp asked.
“We don’t know, but it doesn’t matter now,” Radiance said. “The point is, Anar D tricked us into splitting up. He found our weaknesses and backfired them on us. We’re not meant to split up. We’ve got to come back together.”
“Can’t do that, Radiance,” Zapp said. “Some things were said.”
“Anar D tricked us into saying those things,” Radiance said. “But we can be better ponies, just like when you got your powers.”
“Heh,” Zapp chuckled. “Yeah. I remember back when I was just Rainbow Dash, doing air tricks with my partner, Gryphon Galore who was called Gilda back then. We were two of a kind. Our willpower got the attention of a special druid. He gave us powerful artifacts that interact with our willpower. My pendant allowed me to control the forces of nature while Gilda’s could make her strong enough to punch the lights out of a chimera.”
“These days, Gilda would rather punch our lights out,” Radiance said. “As soon as you joined the Power Ponies, Gryphon Galore felt like you abandoned her and became a villain. When we first fought her, she offered you the choice to join her in her life of crime. And what did you say, your exact words?”
“I said…” Zapp said. “I said, ‘My friends need me a lot more than crime does’.”
“See what I mean,” Radiance asked.
“All right,” Zapp said. “Hey, Soaron, you don’t mind if I go back to my team, right?” She saw Soaron crying. “Soaron?”
“THAT’S THE SWEETEST STORY I’VE EVER HEARD,” Soaron sobbed. “YEAH, OF COURSE, YOU CAN GO BACK! IT’S WHERE YOU BELONG!”
“Thanks, I guess,” Hum Drum said. “Now, let’s pack you up and…”
“ZAPP, SOARON,” a voice shouted. The two pegusi looked at their wrist-communicators and a red-maned Pegasus was shown.
“What is it, Heatwave,” Zapp asked.
“It’s the rainbow factory,” Heatwave said. “The workers reported a busted gas main. Now, the building’s on fire.”
“If that fire crosses with the chemicals that makes the rainbows, the explosion could take Cloudsdale with it,” Zapp said. “We’re on our way!” She turned off her wrist-com and looked at her friends. “Just need to do this one last thing, and then, I’m coming with you. Say, care to help?”
“The more, the merrier,” Hum Drum said.
“All right,” Radiance said. “One more save won’t kill us.”
The rainbow factory had smoke coming out of the windows. Radiance, Humdrum and Zapp followed Soaron to the factory where the other 3 Wonderbolts were. The leader was Heatwave, who had the power to control fire. The other one was Gemini, who could create a copy of herself. The last one was Zigzag, who could change her body into lighting when she flies. The heroes approached the Wonderbolts.
“How bad is it,” Zapp asked.
“Disastrous,” Heatwave replied. “These fires are too big for me to control and there are still some workers in there.”
“I’ll handle it,” Zapp said. She lifted her amulet and made it glow. A strong gust of wind blew and separated some flames at the doorway. “Radiance, Hum Drum, and I will get in and save the workers and chemicals.”
“Just the three of us,” Hum Drum said.
“Yes,” Zapp said. “If we fail, the Wonderbots will have to do their best to keep the explosions from reaching the rest of the city.”
“I knew I should’ve brought fireproof boots,” Radiance said. “Then again, they don’t match my costume.”
The Power Ponies ran into the building and past the flames.
“I’ll get the workers,” Zapp said. “You two get the chemicals!”
“Why do we have the more explosive job,” Hum Drum asked.
“Okay, you save the workers and I’ll save the chemicals,” Zapp groaned. “It doesn’t matter! Let’s go!”
The Power Ponies separated to different rooms. Hum Drum and Radiance hovered on their hard-light platform. They found 4 workers and carried them out of the door.
“Is that everyone,” Radiance asked.
“Yeah,” the worker answered. “Yeah, that’s everyone.”
Meanwhile, Zapp entered the lab and found the chemicals with flames getting closer.
“Well, time to save Cloudsdale,” Zapp said. She leaned forward to walk, but she couldn’t move. Her front right hoof was stuck to the floor. “Hey, what gives?!” She tugged with all her might, but she couldn’t lift her hoof.
“Oh, no,” Zapp cried. “I can’t move. And with the chemicals in front of me, I have a front-row seat of a big explosion! HELP! HEEEEEELP!”
That cry was heard by everyone outside, including Radiance and Hum Drum.
“Zapp,” Radiance shouted. “Come on, Hum Drum!”
Radiance and Hum Drum hovered to the floor where they heard Zapp and saw her with one hoof on the floor.
“What’s the problem,” Hum Drum asked.
“IT’S MY HOOF,” Zapp shouted. “I CAN’T GET IT OFF THE FLOOR!”
Radiance and Hum Drum grabbed ahold of their friend and pulled with all their might. Unfortunately, Zapp’s hoof wouldn’t budge.
“I don’t understand,” Zapp said. “How is this even possible?”
“Anar D,” Hum Drum gasped. “He must have done something to you! We’ve got to find a way to get you out!”
Zapp gazed her eyes at the rainbow chemicals and saw the rainbow colors glow brightly. She could feel the same light glow from her eyes. That’s when she made a decision.
“Get out of here,” Zapp said. “Radiance, use your powers to cover the building in a shield. Get out now!”
“Not without you,” Radiance said.
“You have to,” Zapp said. “You need to survive and find the rest of the Power Ponies.”
“You’re a Power Pony,” Hum Drum said. “The team needs you!”
“I know it does,” Zapp said. “And the team also needs me to do… this!”
Suddenly, Zapp extended her wings and pushed Radiance and Hum Drum out of the window. Zapp looked at a flame dropping into a flask full of chemicals and closed her eyes.
Outside, Radiance and Hum Drum landed on a hard-light platform and looked back. Suddenly, they saw a large explosion coming from the window where they fell from.
“ZAPP,” they both shouted.
They both couldn’t help but notice the explosion getting bigger. In reaction, Radiance pointed her bracelet and formed a large dome made of hard light. The dome completely covered the building before the explosion emerged. After a few seconds, the explosion ended and Radiance released the dome. They looked at the ruined building, but Zapp was nowhere to be seen.
“I… I can’t believe it,” Hum Drum said beginning to tear up.
“There wasn’t a Wonderbolt as noble as Zapp,” Heatwave said. “She was willing to give her life to save her friends. We shall honor her name greatly. We will build a monument dedicated to her noble sacrifice and mark of heroism.”
“I’m not quite sure the city budget covers it,” Zapp said from the side of the crowd.
“Nevertheless, you did die for us and…” Heatwave said before widening her eyes.
Everyone looked and saw Zapp standing beside them. Everyone cheered and approached Zapp. No one was happier to see her alive than Radiance and Hum Drum.
“Easy, every pony, easy,” Zapp said trying to push the crowd away. “I only need one shadow.”
“But… the explosion,” Soaron said. “How did you survive?”
“I have absolutely no idea,” Zapp said. “I was stuck, waiting for the explosion. Suddenly, I started to glow in a rainbow of colors. My hoof was free and I flew out of the building. I don’t know where the rainbow came from.”
“Well, it’s good that you’re alive,” Radiance said.
“Yeah,” Zapp said. “Now, let’s head to the doctor’s office. I have a feeling we need to know what’s going on with me?”
“Well, I can’t explain your rainbow transformation, Ms. Zapp,” the doctor said. “But I did manage to find something when I was examining your hoof.”
“What did you find,” Heatwave asked.
“Stuck Shock,” the doctor said. “It’s a rare form of electric power that allows the shocked part to get stuck onto the first thing it touches. The only condition is if the Stuck Shock is surrounded by extreme heat.”
“An electric shock that only works when it’s hot,” Zapp said. “When could I have gotten it?”
“Anar D must have given it to you and you didn’t know it,” Radiance said. “What did he do when you met him?”
“Barely anything,” Zapp said. “He found me, told me he was reluctant and he wanted my help, I extended my hoof in agreement and…” Her eyes were wide open. “Of course. He had a joy buzzer that nearly electrocuted me. That must have been the Stuck Shock. He was waiting for me to get stuck in head until I was burned alive.”
“I don’t think it was waiting,” Heatwave said. “Doctor, is this Stuck Shock thing temporary?”
“The Stuck Shock is only active until one month after she was exposed to it,” the doctor said.
“Just as I thought,” Heatwave said. “It couldn’t have been a coincidence that a fire happened where Zapp was needed before the Shock went away. Someone started the fire.”
“Really,” Zapp asked. “Well, who was there?”
“When I got to the factory, the only one there who wasn’t a worker was…” Heatwave widened her eyes in surprise. “ZIGZAG!”
Everyone saw the Wonderbolt try to open the door. Zapp tackled her and pinned her to the wall.
“You tried to have me killed,” Zapp shouted. “Why?!”
“Why do you think,” Zigzag said. “Anar D told me to. A month ago, he came to me and told me that he could save me if I allow you into the Wonderbolts and lead you to your death.”
“Save you,” Hum Drum asked. “From what?”
Zapp dropped Zigzag and the traitor was surrounded by all the heroes, so there was no escape.
“He told me there was an invasion coming,” Zigzag said. “It was an invasion that could bring the end of pony-kind… except for me, Anar D says. I didn’t want to do it, so I waited for you to get into a hot spot on your own.”
“But with the deadline coming, you couldn’t wait anymore,” Gemini said. “You set up your own fire and made sure Zapp would go in.”
“I couldn’t do anything about it,” Zigzag said. “Anar D is more powerful than you know. He really is capable of bringing an invasion. What choice did I have?”
“Every pony has a choice,” Heatwave said, “Just like it’s my choice to leave one spot empty for the Wonderbolts.”
“Make that two spots empty,” Zapp said. “I’m sorry, Heatwave, but my friends reminded me where I belong. I’m resigning from the Wonderbolts and going back to the Power Ponies.”
“If that is what you choose, I’ll support you,” Heatwave said. “And if you ever need our help, just give us a call.”
“Will do,” Zapp agreed. When she extended her hoof, she knew who to trust.
No pony noticed the Power Pony pendant Zapp kept in her costume. It had a flash of rainbow light for a brief second.
At the same time, in Maretropolis, the Sisterhood of Evil was building a large machine. Suddenly, from the side, Anar D turned from a devious smile to a sudden shudder and wiggled.
“Whoa,” Anar D moaned. “That can’t be right.”
“What can’t be right,” the Sinister Sorceress asked.
“Oh… nothing,” Anar D answered. “Carry on.” He whispered more softly so that no one could hear. “That was loyalty I felt. I think I should consider the possibility of the Power Ponies coming back.”
“Welcome to Fillidelphia,” Zapp said as she and her friends entered the city. “Not only does it have good food and entertainment, it’s also where Filli-Second is living currently. Is that right, Hum Drum?”
“According to my research, yes,” Hum Drum said. “Let’s make sure if we can’t find our friend.”
“She shouldn’t be that hard to find,” Radiance said. “Finding Filli-Second should be like finding a haystack in a haystack.”
“Let’s save that for when we find Mistress Marevelous,” Hum Drum said. “In the meantime, we’ve got a pink pony to search for.”
The Power Ponies split up around the city. They looked around for a few hours.
“We’ve got a friend to fiiiiiiiind
We’ve got a friend to fiiiiiiiind
We’ve got a friend to find
We’ve got someone
That we’re looking for
She has to be somewhere
Behind any door
Or a window or an alleyway
We’ve got to find her sometime today
We’ve got a friend to fiiiiiiiind
We’ve got a friend to fiiiiiiiind
We’ve got a friend to find”
“We have a friend,” Radiance sang,
“So where could she be”
“She shouldn’t be so hard,” Zapp sang,
“For the three of us to see”
“If she exists,” Hum Drum sang,
“She exists somewhere”
“She couldn’t have just vanished,” they all sang,
“Out of thin air
WE’VE GOT A FRIEND TO FIIIIIIIND
WE’VE GOT A FRIEND TO FIIIIIIIND
WE’VE GOT A FRIEND TO FIIIIIIIND
WE’VE GOT A FRIEND TO…
…
FIND”
The Power Ponies reunited at the town square.
“Any luck,” Zapp asked.
“Sorry,” Radiance said.
“Nothing,” Hum Drum said.
“Where is Filli-Second,” Zapp asked. “She’s got super-speed and she has a stand-out personality. Why can’t we find her?”
“That’s because no pony can,” a rough voice said. The Power Ponies looked and saw an orange stallion with a brown mane. Most of his body was covered with a black trench-coat and cowboy hat. He had a rubber chicken on his back.
“And you are…” Hum Drum said.
“My super hero name is… Slapstick,” the stallion said. He then extended his rubber chicken. “And this here is my sidekick: Stretch. I’m one of the heroes here in Fillidelphia.”
“Well, what do you mean when you say that no pony can find Filli-Second,” Zapp asked. “What happened?”
“It began a month ago,” Slapstick said. “I had just defeated my arch-enemy in battle of checkers. All of a sudden, Filli-Second ran to me and asked for directions to a hotel. I pointed it out and she ran off. For the next few days, she’s been assisting me in fighting crime. But I couldn’t help but notice that she kept missing her old team. She grew depressed. And then, yesterday, I came to her hotel room for a cup of sugar until I realized, she wasn’t there anymore.”
“Maybe she checked out,” Radiance said.
“Not according to the hotel records,” Slapstick said. “As far as security is concerned, Filli-Second is still in town. The problem is, no pony can find her. But my Slappy-Sense are tingling that she should be close by.”
“Slappy-Sense,” Hum Drum asked.
“It’s this 6th sense I have that I use as a guide,” Slapstick said.
“Sounds awfully like Filli-Second’s Filli-Sense,” Zapp said. “Anyway, we’ve got to find her. Do you think you can help us?”
“Oh, I don’t think so,” Slapstick said. Then, he pulled off his coat and hat revealing a yellow costume and brown mask over his eyes. His tone also changed from rough to excitable. “I KNOW so! Come on, every pony! Let’s go find that pony!” He then ran.
The Power Ponies noticed that Slapstick was running at super speed.
“Is it just me or does that guy remind you of…” Radiance asked.
“Let’s not envision it,” Zapp said. “Let’s just find Filli-Second.”
Meanwhile, in Maretropolis, the Sisterhood of Evil was still building their machine. Gryphon Galore entered the room with a newspaper and approached her team.
“Well, would you look at this,” Gryphon Galore said. “According to the news, the Power Ponies are getting back together.”
“WHAT,” the Sinister Sorceress asked with a jolt. As soon as she jerked, she also hit her head on a metal surface. “OW!” She got out from under the machine she was building and rubber her head. “Tell me it’s not true.”
“Afraid it is,” Gryphon Galore said. “That little dragon already brought back the unicorn and my ex-partner. They’re currently in Fillidelphia.”
“Why that little…” the Mane-iac growled. “Anar D needs to be punished for this.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” the Sinister Sorceress said. She pulled out Pandora’s Box and opened it.
Suddenly, cotton candy spewed out of the box and created a vortex. The cotton candy cleared and Anar D was washing himself in a shower.
“It never fails,” Anar D said. “You try to take a shower, and someone opens the box. Hello?”
“ENOUGH,” the Sinister Sorceress shouted. “The Power Ponies are coming back and you’re calm about it.”
“They’re coming back,” Anar D asked. “Didn’t notice.”
“Why don’t you just snap your fingers and kill them already,” Gryphon Galore asked. “You have the ultimate power.”
“Does this look like Aladdin’s lamp,” Anar D asked pointing at Pandora’s Box. “Even my powers have limits. I can’t kill them, but I can provide the means of killing them. Anyway, the Power Ponies be coming back, but they won’t reach their destination.”
“What makes you so sure,” the Mane-iac asked. “How are you so confident that we can succeed in this army you’re giving us?”
“Because all of the Power Ponies need to be together to beat us,” Anar D said. He reached behind him and pulled out a purple box. “And I know one of the Power Ponies won’t come back without this.”
“A purple box,” the Mane-iac asked. “And they say I’m the crazy one.”
“Just look inside,” Anar D said.
Anar D opened the box and the Sisterhood looked inside with amazement.
“Is that…” the Sinister Sorceress asked.
“Uh, huh,” Anar D replied.
“Belonging to…” the Mane-iac asked.
“The same,” Anar D answered.
“Then this means…” Gryphon Galore said.
“Obviously,” Anar D said.
“Well, Anar D, I must admit, I had my doubts,” the Sinister Sorceress said. “But now, you really do deserve to stand by the side of the Sinister Sorceress!”
“Sheesh, what an ego,” Anar D whispered. “Well, with any luck, I won’t have to worry about it for too long.”
When the Power Ponies and Slapstick reunited, they were just as clueless as anyone else.
“We couldn't find any trace of Filli-Second,” Zapp said. “Any luck with you guys?”
“Nope,” Radiance replied.
“Uh, uh,” Hum Drum said.
“What they said,” Slapstick said. “Perhaps I should take time and think in the Shadow Zone.”
“The what,” Hum Drum asked.
“The Shadow Zone,” Slapstick said. “It's this other plane of existence I go to whenever I run fast enough. It's a lot like our world, except we can't see or hear anyone in the Shadow Zone. It's a good place for some privacy.”
That very explanation left Radiance, Zapp, and Hum Drum with their jaws on the floor.
“So there's this other world,” Hum Drum said, “You enter it with super speed, it has ponies we can't see or hear, and it's where you can go to be alone like if you were a pink Power Pony grieving over the loss of her team?!”
“Yeah,” Slapstick said. “What's your point?”
“THAT COULD BE WHERE FILLI-SECOND IS,” the Power Ponies shouted simultaneously.
“Ooooooh,” Slapstick realized. “I'm thinking... the Shadow Zone is factoring in.”
“JUST TAKE US THERE,” the Power Ponies shouted at the same time.
“Sheesh, all right,” Slapstick said. “Ponies, dragon, grab a hoof.”
The Power Ponies placed their hooves on Slapstick's and waited for him. Quick as a flash, Slapstick ran forward. In a few short seconds, Slapstick ran fast enough for there to be a white flash pass by. Slapstick stopped and every pony let go.
“What is this,” Zapp asked. “It looks the same as before.”
“But it's very different,” Slapstick said. “Watch.”
Slapstick extended his hoof toward a wall and it just phased through.
“Wow,” Zapp said. “Okay, let's find Filli-Second from a different angle. Where do we start?”
“Uh, team, I don't think a search is necessary,” Hum Drum said pointing his claw at a pink pony glooming at the ground.
“FILLI-SECOND,” Radiance and Zapp cheered when they approached their friend. They gave her a hug, but Filli-Second barely responded.
“Oh, hey, girls,” Filli-Second said with gloom. “What's up?”
“Look, Filli-Second, we've got to get out of here,” Radiance said.
“Why,” Filli-Second asked sullenly. “It's too bad of a world to live in. So I moved here and took a vow of silence.”
“Filli, you're still talking,” Hum Drum said.
“Yeah,” Filli-Second said, “So when that didn't work out, I've removed the want for food and water.”
“You can't do that,” Zapp said. “If you go three days without anything to drink, you'll die of thirst. This is suicide.”
“So,” Filli-Second asked. “I don't care.”
“Filli, you're being completely irrational,” Radiance said, “Even more so than before.”
“This isn't you talking,” Hum Drum said. “This is Anar D's handiwork. He's leading you to your death just like the others.”
“He tried to feed me to a giant bug,” Radiance said.
“And he tried to blow me up,” Zapp said.
“And now, it looks like he's making you sad enough to starve,” Hum Drum said. “You've got to break out of his influence.”
“Why would I do that,” Filli-Second asked. “Maybe I like it this way.”
“The only thing you like is humor,” Hum Drum said. “Don't you remember how you got your powers? You were the daughter of a famous comedian. You wanted to be funny like your father, so your traveled the globe to learn from the humor masters. One day, one of your lessons gone horribly wrong... or in this case, greatly right since you gained your super speed in the process. With it, you completed your laughter training 10 times as fast. When you returned to the city, you felt it was your duty to use your speed and humor to protect the ponies of the world.”
Filli-Second looked at Hum Drum with complete confusion. “None of that ever happened. I was a rock farmer and my powers came from birth.”
“I know,” Hum Drum said. “I just thought you might want a laugh.”
At that, Hum Drum, Zapp, Radiance, and Slapstick started to chuckle. Their slight chuckle turned into a loud laughter. Filli-Second was confused.
“I don't get it,” Filli-Second said. “What's so funny? Come on, Hum Drum obviously put a lot of thought into that story and I just ruined it with...” She stopped when she saw a rainbow flash coming from Stretch. She had the same feeling coming from her eyes. She then started to grin. “...something... completely... different.” One moment later, Filli-Second's mouth exploded with laughter. “THAT WAS SO FUNNY! WHAT DELIVERY!”
A moment later, the pink speedster had a bright flash of rainbow colors and a ball of gas flew out of her mouth.
“What is that stuff,” Zapp asked.
“Hold on,” Slapstick said. He reached out his arms and dragged a table full of lab equipment. He took a few moments to examine the gas before coming to a conclusion. “According to my Slappy-Sense, this appears to be a gas form of misery. Anyone who has this couldn't stop being gloomy.”
“How long has that thing been in me,” Filli-Second asked.
“A month, I bet,” Radiance said. “Back at the Hall of Mirrors, you claimed there was a voice in your head. My best bet is that it was actually Anar D who was not only telling you to be impatient, but was also putting that gas in you.”
“We are dealing with an evil genius,” Filli-Second gasped.
“I don't get it,” Zapp said. “Why is he going through all this trouble? What did we ever do to him?”
“Beats me,” Hum Drum said. “But onto the matter at hand. Filli-Second, I'm going to ask you a question and given that you're back to normal—well, your brand of normal, at least—let's hope you can give this some thought. Wanna get back together?”
“Okay,” Filli-Second replied instantly.
“Good,” Radiance said. “Now that we've mended fences for now... WOULD SOME PONY GET OUT BACK TO REALITY!”
Filli-Second chuckled. No pony noticed that Filli-Second's Power Pony pendant was glowing in a rainbow of colors.
Inside Pandora's Box was a world that didn't make sense. There were eyeballs in the sky, cotton candy clouds that rained chocolate milk, and trees that were bent in a curve. There, Anar D was sitting on his throne bored out of his mind.
“Oh, so bored,” Anar D said. “True, I can do whatever I want in this world, but it's so small... and it's not the same. I can't wait until I get that box out of the Sorceress' hooves. In the meantime...” He pulled out the purple box he showed the Sisterhood earlier and opened it. He pulled out a glowing, yellow orb with a familiar pony's head inside. “I'll just settle with tormenting you... Saddle Rager.” He laughed as he had the kind pegasus hero's head in an orb.
“Next is Saddle Rager,” Hum Drum said. “Now, I’m not 100% sure I know where to find her, but there have been some sightings of her in the Rallystone Forest.”
“Ooh, and we’re right above it,” Filli-Second said looking out of her plane window.
“I’ll be landing now,” Radiance said.
The plane landed and all the Power Ponies were on the ground.
“Say, Hum Drum,” Zapp asked, “About those sightings… what were they about exactly?”
“Let’s just say it’s not pretty,” Hum Drum said. “Let’s just find Saddle Rager before something happens to her.”
As they left the scene, they didn’t notice a giant pair of red eyes watching them from the bushes.
Anar D laughed while he was tossing the glowing orb with Saddle Rager’s head around.
“Oh, this is so much fun,” Anar D said. “Tell me, Saddle Rager, how are you enjoying your new home?”
“It’s terrible,” Saddle Rager said. “When are you going to let me go?”
“Hmm,” Anar D said. “What’s today?”
“Wednesday,” Saddle Rager answered.
“Thursday…” Anar D counted, “Friday… NEVER!”
“Don’t make me angry, Anar D,” Saddle Rager said. “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”
“Or what,” Anar D asked, “You’ll sing and send bluebirds to cover me? Ooh, that’s scary… NOT!”
“You want to see scary,” Saddle Rager asked. “Just wait until I get big.”
“Yeah, you can’t do that now,” Anar D said. “Do you know what that orb you’re in is for? You see, when I encountered you in the Hall of Mirrors, it seemed like I knocked you out. To clear the air, I actually separated you from your monster form. It was your kindness that made your alternate self compassionate and without it, it’s mindless wanting nothing but destruction.”
“You let my monster form loose on the world,” Saddle Rager gasped. “How could you?!”
“Helloooo,” Anar D said trying to make it sound obvious. “I’m the bad guy. And this is only the beginning. Your friends are getting back together, but when they find your monster body… Well, use your imagination.” He laughed evilly.
“Oh, this is taking forever,” Zapp said.
“I’d think you of all ponies would wait however long to find Saddle Rager,” Radiance said. “After all, you’ve known her the longest. She’s your best friend.”
“I know,” Zapp said, “But still, I wish we’d find her now.”
Suddenly, a large figure landed right in front of the Power Ponies. It was Saddle Rager’s monster form.
“Saddle Rager,” Filli-Second cheered. “Oh, it’s good to see you, you big lug. How was your month? Let’s get this out of the way. Anar D split us apart and is leading us to our deaths. Thankfully, Hum Drum gathered us up and now, we’re getting the old gang back together. What do you say?”
Saddle Rager bent down and roared straight in Filli-Second’s face for ten seconds. When she was done, Filli-Second was covered in monster saliva.
“Do I take that as a yes,” Filli-Second asked wiping the monster spit off of her. “I can’t be certain.”
“Uh, Filli,” Hum Drum said. “Don’t you think it might be possible that Saddle Rager is stuck as a mindless MONSTER?!”
A chase scene happened. The Power Ponies zipped through the forest trees that Saddle Rager kept breaking down. The chase ended with a loud tank shot. A large bullet nearly hit Saddle Rager and she turned and ran. The Power Ponies looked and saw a group of tanks. Out of the front one, a minotaur emerged wearing a military uniform.
“General Titanium’s my name,” the minotaur introduced himself. “The Equestrian way is my game.”
“What a darling little catchphrase,” Radiance commented blankly.
“You must be the Power Ponies,” General Titanium said.
“You know about us,” Filli-Second asked.
“Are you kidding,” General Titanium shouted. “The whole land is talking about your reunion. So tell me, what are you doing on hunting grounds?”
“Hunting,” Zapp asked. “Look, general, I’m sure you’re doing your job with… whatever the reason is that you’re here, but that’s our friend, Saddle Rager, out there. I don’t know how, but an enemy of ours made her out of control.”
“Sorry, but I don’t see that thing being Saddle Rager,” General Titanium said. “Besides, that thing has caused several degrees of property damage. So far, there are no life casualties, but we can’t take that risk. We must… take it down.”
Suddenly, Filli-Second started dancing. Everyone stared at her with confused looks. Even the background soldiers were weirded out.
“Filli-Second, what are you doing,” Hum Drum asked.
“Well, the minotaur just told us to break it down,” Filli-Second said, “And you know how much I can dance.”
“Not break it down,” General Titanium said smacking his face. “I said, ‘take it down’. You know, get rid of it. Make it sleep with the fishes. Kill it. I can’t be any clearer than that.”
“You can’t do that,” Radiance protested.
“Of course, I can,” General Titanium said. “All I have to do is give a simple command and the soldiers fire their tanks at it.”
“I seriously doubt you can blow up something with invulnerable skin,” Hum Drum said. “The only way to kill it is if you coat your weapons with Flutter radiation, the same energy the monster’s made of. Everyone knows that.”
“And now, he does too,” Zapp growled.
“Thanks for the tip, kid,” General Titanium said. “Men, you know what to do. Move out!”
The soldiers got into their tanks and drove through the trees leaving the Power Ponies behind.
“Thanks for the help, genius,” Zapp said smacking Hum Drum upside the head. “You just gave that horned bully the way to kill Saddle Rager.”
“I didn’t mean it,” Hum Drum said. “It was just a slip-up.”
“Well, we better find Saddle Rager and convince her to change back before they find her first.” Radiance said. “Come on.”
Watching the whole scene, Anar D enjoyed seeing what was happening with the Power Ponies. He was eating popcorn while the orb holding Saddle Rager’s head watched also.
“Oh, they can’t save you,” Anar D told the head. “They’re going to ruin the show… and the spin-off.”
“What spin-off,” Saddle Rager asked.
“Once Colonel Mustard takes your monster form out,” Anar D explained, “The you in this orb goes also.” His confident laugh filled Saddle Rager with fear.
“Let’s be careful,” Hum Drum whispered as he crept through the forest. “We have to keep quiet if we want to talk some sense into Saddle Rager.”
“Right,” Filli-Second agreed. “We’re in stealth mode. Trust nothing.” She then gazed at long, flowing, pink fur hanging from the bushes. “Ooh, something pink.”
“FILLI-SECOND, DON’T,” the Power Ponies shouted.
It was too late. Filli-Second gave the pink hair a tug and Saddle Rager’s monster’s head popped from out of the bush. Realizing her mistake, Filli-Second chuckled nervously.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for… red eyes.”
Saddle Rager rose from the bushes and roared loudly. She then charged at the Power Ponies.
“Saddle Rager, it’s us, your friends,” Hum Drum shouted.
“We’re a team,” Radiance said.
“We’re peas of the same pod,” Filli-Second said.
“Saddle Rager, you’ve got to remember us,” Zapp said, “Or at least me. We used to train at flying camp together. That was before you were called to watch some animals at a Flutter radiation lab. You couldn’t stand the animals being used as lab experiments, so you set them free. However, the bunny got his foot stuck where they would release a Flutter radiation blast. You pushed it out of the way, but got blasted in the process. Now, whenever you get angry, you become this. I don’t see you as a monster; I see you as a friend. So please, trust us.”
No word she said made Saddle Rager more calm. She prepared to charge again, but then General Titanium showed up with soldiers and tanks.
“Thanks for warming her up,” the large minotaur said. “We’ll take it from here. READY! AIM…” The tanks aimed their guns. “FIRE!”
The tanks fired giant, glowing bullets from their guns toward Saddle Rager. They were close on getting her, but Radiance used her bracelet to make a wall between her monstrous friend and the bullets. Saddle Rager saw what Radiance did and grew a confused look.
“WHAT,” General Titanium shouted. “WHY’D YOU DO THAT?!”
“Because this is our friend,” Radiance said. “I won’t allow you to harm her.”
“She’s always been kind to us,” Zapp said.
“And now, we’re returning the favor,” Hum Drum said.
“And we’re being kind back too,” Filli-Second said.
“That’s what returning the favor means, Filli,” Zapp told her friend.
“Oh, yeah,” Filli-Second said.
Suddenly, a rabbit stood beside Hum Drum.
“Angel Bunny,” Hum Drum said. “What are you doing here?”
The bunny placed his paw into his mouth and whistled loudly. Suddenly, five other animals appeared. There was a cat, a toothless alligator, a tortoise with a helicopter on its back, an owl, and a dog.
“Opal,” Radiance shouted with excitement.
“Tank,” Zapp shouted.
“GUMMY,” Filli-Second shouted.
“And Wynona and Owloicious too,” Hum Drum said. “I guess you girls somehow left these animals behind after you split up. They must have followed me in trying to find you.”
The animals stood ground with the Power Ponies behind the hard-light wall.
“Well, look at that, general,” Zapp said. “It looks like you’re outnumbered.”
“If any pony stands in my way,” General Titanium said, “I must blow them away! KEEP FIRING!”
The tanks kept on firing at the wall. Behind the Power Ponies, Saddle Rager actually calmed down. She looked at the wall and saw it shine in a rainbow of colors. She felt the same feeling in her own eyes. She then whispered a soft word that no pony heard.
“Friends.”
Meanwhile, in Pandora’s Box, Anar D and Saddle Rager were watching Anar D’s spell showing the Power Ponies’ current activities. Anar D was at the edge of his seat with a bag of popcorn in his lion paw.
“The suspense is killing me,” the Lord of Chaos said.
Suddenly, he saw a bright rainbow light from behind him. He looked and saw the light covering Saddle Rager’s orb. Then, the orb broke to pieces and Saddle Rager’s disembodied head floated up the sky.
“HEY, GET BACK HERE,” Anar D shouted. He aimed his eagle claw and blasted fire out of it. It hit Saddle Rager, but it rebounded and hit Anar D in the face and exploded. Anar D had a singed face. “Is it hot or is it me?” He brushed off the soot and looked back at the head, which disappeared into the sky. "Oh, that can't be good."
Meanwhile, General Titanium’s troops continued to shoot at the hard-light wall. It began to crack.
“I don’t know how long this field will last,” Radiance said. “We’ve got to stall for time!”
“Got it,” Hum Drum said. He turned to General Titanium. “HEY, YOUR MOTHER WEARS ARMY BOOTS!”
“How’d you know,” General Titanium asked.
“Okay, wrong insult,” Hum Drum said. “You know, I’ve been thinking about your appearance and…”
“Look, little guy,” General Titanium said, “If you nothing to say nice, don’t say nothing at all.”
Hum Drum kept quiet for a few seconds.
“What,” Titanium continued. “No other insult? No snappy comeback?”
Hum Drum still didn’t speak.
“Oh, I get it,” Titanium said feeling annoyed. “You’re pretending you got nothing to say nice by saying nothing at all. That’s real cute.”
Hum Drum’s lips did not move at that.
“You… really got nothing to say nice,” Titanium asked. “That’s mean.”
“I know, right?”
General Titanium followed the unfamiliar voice and saw Saddle Rager’s disembodied head behind him.
“I’ll take it from here,” Saddle Rager said.
Saddle Rager’s head floated through the field, went through Radiance’s hard light, and everyone saw the head inside of her monster body. The monster roared loudly before shrinking back to normal.
“SADDLE RAGER,” Hum Drum cheered. “YOU’RE BACK!”
“Why, yes,” Saddle Rager said. “Anar D took my kindness was waiting for my physical body to be destroyed.”
“So… you’re not a monster,” General Titanium said.
“Nope,” Saddle Rager answered.
“Are you sure you’re not a little bit of a monster,” General Titanium asked.
“I’m sorry, but no means no,” Saddle Rager said.
“No means no,” General Titanium repeated. “No pony ever said that to me before. Huh, I gotta remember that one. That’s a good catchphrase for my next squad.”
At that, the minotaur and his troops disappeared into the trees. The animals reunited with their owners.
“Angel Bunny,” Saddle Rager said. “Sorry I left you behind. What can I do to make up for it?” The bunny reached it stomach out and everyone heard it growl. “Oh, you’re hungry. Sorry, Angel, but I don’t have anything for you.”
“Hey, you can have my carrot,” Filli-Second said pulling out a carrot. “I never leave home without my carrot.”
The Power Ponies stared at their pink friend with confusion.
“Darling, where do you keep that,” Radiance asked.
“I’ll never tell,” Filli-Second responded.
“Well, we’ve got work to do,” Saddle Rager said. “It’ll be so good to see the rest of my friends again.”
No pony noticed Saddle Rager’s Power Pony pendant glowing in a rainbow.
“You’re telling me you literally had Saddle Rager in your hands,” the Sinister Sorceress said, “And you just let her escape?!”
“I did not let her escape,” Anar D protested. “I did try to stop her. Look, there’s nothing to worry about. If they’re heading for Sweet Apple Acres, their deaths are secured.”
“What makes you so certain,” Gryphon Galore asked. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t pound you into pudding.
“I’ll give you two,” Anar D said. “The Pish-Posh Brothers.”
The Sisterhood of Evil dropped their jaws and gasped with terror.
“You stuck a deal with Pish and Posh,” the Sinister Sorceress asked. “They’re the biggest crime lords in the countryside!”
“They cover their operations well,” Gryphon Galore said. “The law can’t find any evidence against them.”
“And no criminal would dare cross their path,” the Mane-iac said. “Even I’m not crazy enough. How’d you get their attention?”
“They think they’re so high and mighty,” Anar D said. “They’re no different from any mortal. You jingle a few coins and they’d sell their own mother. That, and I told them that they could be involved with the destruction of their most hated enemy. I convinced them to set up a surprise at Mistress Marevelous’ farm inspection. And when the country girl gets close enough… KABLOOEY!”
“Well, this I have got to see,” Gryphon Galore said.
“Funny you should mention that,” Anar D said. He snapped his fingers and a large screen appeared in midair. They saw the Power Ponies in their hard-light plane with their pets. “We can see it.”
“Why didn’t you show us this before,” the Mane-iac asked.
“Because you were busy constructing the wormhole generator,” Anar D said. “I didn’t want to distract you before it was complete or else we’d not finish it in time for Discordant Convergence.”
“Good point,” the Sinister Sorceress agreed with an evil grin. “After their deaths, we wait for that chaotic event so we can have our army. But for now, let’s watch.”
“Looking good, Applejack,” Granny told her grand-daughter. “Just keep painting that fence.”
“Will do,” Applejack said miserably.
From behind her, Granny and Applejack’s siblings, Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom, saw her sad face.
“Do you think she’s okay, Big Mac,” Apple Bloom asked.
“Nope,” Big Macintosh answered.
“If only there was some way to get her happy again,” Granny said.
“There is!”
Applejack recognized the voice and the Apple Family turned behind them. Hum Drum, Radiance, Filli-Second, Zapp, and Saddle Rager were standing proudly in their costumes.
“Oh, dear,” Applejack sighed. “Don’t tell me we’re getting the team back together.”
“Mistress Marevelous,” Hum Drum said, “We’re getting the team back together.”
Applejack smacked her own face with her hoof.
Later, the Power Ponies and Applejack were at a restaurant with an outside table. Applejack heard the whole story.
“…And that’s why we’re here,” Hum Drum said. “We need all the Power Ponies back if we’re going to stand up to Anar D.”
“Look, y’all,” Applejack said, “Even if I did want to come back, I couldn’t. The farm needs me. It took me a month to settle down the craziness.”
“Craziness,” Saddle Rager asked.
“Of course,” Applejack said. “As soon as I got here, I realized that Granny wan’t holding anything back when she explained the problem. Cows sang opera instead of give milk. The wood in the barn turned to rubber. Chickens have been marrying… for love. The farm did go all topsy-turvy for no reason at all.”
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about your problem,” Hum Drum said. “And I thought of something: what if Anar D messed with your farm giving you a reason to return to your birthplace? Anar D’s method of killing you must be at the barn.”
“How would he kill me with chores,” Applejack said. “True, I’ve been working myself to death, but I wouldn’t call them fatal. Look, if there is something wrong with my barn, I’ll simply get rid of it when I win it back.”
“You mean… IF you win it back.”
The Power Ponies saw a pair of skinny stallions. They were dressed like half of a barber-shop quartet. One had a red mustache and the other had a clean face.
“If,” the other stallion said. “If is good.”
“The Pish-Posh Brothers,” Applejack said. “What brings you here?”
“Just trying to settle something,” Pish said. “After all, we keep hearing that the Power Ponies are getting back together.”
“I keep hearing that the circus was in town,” Posh said. He looked at all the Power Ponies “Now, I see I was right.”
“Hardy, har, har,” Radiance said.
“I’m surprised you’re considering going back to them, Applejack,” Pish said.
“Indeed,” Posh agreed. “After all, if you go back to the city, who’s going to keep your farm from our hooves?”
“Food for thought,” the brothers said at once before leaving.
Applejack squeezed her chair arms with great force and growled. “Those two have been getting on my nerves since before I got my powers.”
“You’ve known them that long,” Zapp asked.
“I never told you how I got my powers,” Applejack said. “It started a few years ago. The Pish-Posh Brothers just moved to town and attempted to buy the farm from Granny. Of course, she refused. The Pish-Posh Brothers then tried to contaminate the water supply with chemicals. I didn’t realize it until I fell in with my rope. I spent a couple days in the hospital, but when I woke up, I felt myself linked to my rope. I tried using it to expose the Pish-Posh Brothers’ sins, but I had no success. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I was protecting the innocent with y’all.”
“If getting back at the Pish-Posh Brothers was all that mattered to you, why’d you stick with us all these years,” Saddle Rager asked.
“I… I don’t know,” Applejack said.
“BARK! BARK!”
Applejack looked at where the sound came from and her dog jumped to her and licked her face.
“Wynona,” Applejack cheered. “I can’t believe I forgot all about you.”
Suddenly, Wynona closed her mouth at Applejack’s hat and snatched it from her head.
“Hey,” Applejack laughed. “Give that back.”
Wynona dropped the hat right in front of the Power Ponies. Applejack picked up the hat and attempted to return to her seat, but Wynona stood in front of Applejack. The cowgirl tried to go around her dog, but Wynona stayed in front of her.
“Wynona, what’s the matter with you,” Applejack asked. Then, she looked around her and saw her standing with her friends.
“I think she’s showing you the truth,” Saddle Rager said.
“Truth.” Applejack stared at her dog and saw a flash of rainbow coming from her dog. She felt the same feeling in her eyes. “You’re right. I’ve been lying to everyone, including myself. True, I want to get back at the Pish-Posh Brothers, but the truth is, I want my friends even more. After I get my farm back, I’m joining back to y’all in a heartbeat.”
“That was faster than I thought,” Hum Drum said.
Watching the whole conversation, the Sisterhood of Evil exchanged to angry faces and glared at Anar D, who was drinking chocolate milk… or at least, the glass of it.
“Girls, girls, relax,” Anar D said. He threw his chocolate milk behind him and heard it explode. “It’s only half-time.”
The farm inspector arrived at the front gates of Sweet Apple Acres and pulled out his clipboard. He saw the Apple Family, the Power Ponies, and the Pish-Posh Brothers.
"Okay, ponies," the inspector said. "I'm going to look over the place and see if this place is acceptable in the Apple Family's care."
"Dear, sir," Pish said. "I couldn't help but notice that the Apple Family have outside help when the rules state that no one outside of the Apple Family shall interfere."
"These are the Power Ponies," Applebloom protested.
"Power Ponies or not, they're not part of the family," Posh said.
"Actually, they are," Applejack said. "I've stood beside them on several occasions and cared for them as much as they cared for me. In my eyes, they're family like no pony else."
"Inspector, you can't listen to this," Pish said.
"Well..." the inspector said. "I suppose the rules didn't say whether or nor she couldn't bring her figurative family. All right. They can come, but they have to behave themselves."
"Of course," Hum Drum said.
"Next to manners, behavior is my favorite thing," Radiance said.
"We'll behave," Saddle Rager said.
"No problem at all," Zapp said.
"Can't make any promises," Filli-Second said, "But I will try. I have one condition."
"Yes," Applejack asked. She blinked and her fast friend had a fake mustache on her face. "No."
Filli-Second sighed. "Suit yourself."
"Well, I'm feeling more confident now," Applejack said happily. "What do you think, boys?"
"To speak farm, don't count your chickens before they hatch," Pish said.
"Yeah," Posh said. "We don't care if every super hero in Equestria are willing support you. The farm will be ours."
The inspector looked around the farm and wrote notes on his clipboard. The inspection took three hours. After that, the inspector was alone talking through his phone. The call took a while.
"This is so boring," Zapp complained.
"Are you kidding," Granny said. "This has been so intense the whole time."
"Oh, yeah," Zapp asked. "Then why are the barber-shop duo so calm?"
The Pish-Posh Brothers didn't have any worry on their faces. They stood calmly and had glasses of apple cider.
"Yeah," Hum Drum said. "Why are they? I'll be right back."
Hum Drum walked from the group and went inside of the barn. As soon as he left, the inspector came back.
"Well, I just gave my review to my boss," the inspector said. "He is impressed with how much the Apple Family have fixed this farm from these chaotic anomolies on such short notice. He has approved that the Apple Family can keep their farm."
"YES," the Apple Family and the Power Ponies cheered.
"In your face, Pish and Posh," Applejack declared.
"Applejack," Granny said. "That is not nice. But still... IN YOUR FACE, PISH AND POSH!"
"The head of the household just has to sign her name on this deed," the inspector said holding out a piece of paper.
"Will do," Granny said.
"WAIT," Hum Drum shouted. He was carrying a metal device on his back. "WAIT! YOU CAN'T SIGN THAT NOW!"
"I thought you supported me," Applejack said. "And, what is that on your back?"
"IT'S A BOMB," Hum Drum shouted. "I SAW SOME PONY SLIP IT IN THE BARN!"
Suddenly, everyone heard a beep. A voice came from the bomb.
"Mistress Marevelous detected," the voice said. "Countdown in 30 seconds."
"Oh, no," Applejack gasped. "What do we do?! We've got to take it apart!"
"I tried," Hum Drum said. "I opened it up, but there are hundreds of wires with different colors!"
"PISH-POSH," Applejack shouted. "Tell us which wire to pull!"
"What makes you think we know," Pish asked confidently.
"Because you had this built," Applejack said. "Anar D told you to build this so you can blow me up! Now, reveal the information!"
"Or what," Posh asked.
"I got this," Filli-Second said running and pulling the twins closer to the bomb. "If we go, you go too."
"Wait," Pish protested with fear. "You're... You're bluffing."
"Applejack, you'll tell the truth," Zapp said. "What do you say?"
"You better tell us which wire to pull before this countdown ends," Applejack shouted.
The Pish-Posh Brothers had frightened expressions. It then turned into a rushing conversation.
"The blue one," Pish shouted.
"Pull out the blue one," Posh said. "It will stop the bomb!"
"They're lying," Radiance accused. "They don't know how to stop this bomb!"
"Yes, we do," Pish shouted.
"And we're not lying," Posh shouted.
"How do you know," Applejack asked.
"BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT," both brothers screamed. "WE DID ORDER THE BOMB! WE WERE TRYING TO GET RID OF YOU! NOW, PULL THE BLUE WIRE!"
Applejack had a glad expression. "No."
"What," Pish asked. "But..."
Suddenly, a green light emitted. The bottom of the bomb popped open and a cupcake was inside. Filli-Second grabbed the cupcake and ate it.
"Is it just me," she asked, "Or do those two have a problem with cupcakes?"
"What's going on," Posh asked.
"We found your worker with the real bomb on our way here," Applejack explained. "We caught him and he confessed to everything before we laid a hoof on him. By the way, thank you, Silver Shill."
The inspector removed his had and put on a pair of glasses.
"It was my pleasure," the stallion said.
"I'm confused," Pish said.
"This is Silver Shill," Radiance introduced. "He's an actor we hired to play the inspector."
"The real one called before you two got here," Zapp said. "The inspection's been delayed until next week."
"Chief," Applejack called.
Suddenly, several police officers came from the bushes and pulled out two pairs of handcuffs.
"Got all you needed," Saddle Rager asked.
"Every word," the police chief said. "Pish, Posh, you're under arrest."
"You... YOU TRICKED US," Posh shouted. "WAIT! I KNOW MY RIGHTS! JUST..."
The police carried the twins out of sight leaving the Power Ponies and the Apple Family laughing.
"And that's the end of the Pish-Posh Brothers," Granny said.
"Granny, there's something I gotta tell you," Applejack said. "You see, I know this place is my home, but I have another home. And right now, it needs me more than ever. And I need my friends."
"Honey, if you're asking if I'll let you return to Maretropolis, my answer is yes," Granny said.
"Really," Applejack said. "I would've thought you'd be worried."
"Of course, I'm worried," Granny said. "It's my job as a grandmother to be worried. But it's also my job to believe in you, to trust that you will make the right decisions. If you made your decision, then I'll support you for every second." She turned to Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh. "Kids, will you support your sister?"
"Of course, I'll support her," Apple Bloom said.
"Yup," Big Macintosh said.
"Thanks, y'all," Applejack said.
Applejack went into the farm. A few minutes later, she came back in her costume and carrying her rope.
"No pony is going to hurt my friends," Mistress Marevelous declared.
No pony noticed Mistress Marevelous' Power Pony pendant glow a rainbow light.
The Sisterhood of Evil had their jaws on the floor (Anar D's jaw was literally on the floor) when they watched the police reading the brothers their rights. The girls glared their eyes at Anar D.
"I... know how this looks," Anar D said nervously.
"You idiot," the Mane-iac shouted. "Now, there's only one more Power Pony they need to take back and you didn't go anywhere near her!"
"Okay, okay, look," Anar D said. In an instant, he snapped his eagle claw. "Don't take your anger out on me. I didn't need to be near the Masked Matterhorn to curse her."
"Curse," the Sinister Sorceress said. "Anar, cursing a unicorn alone could provide possible collateral damage. Mixing magic never ends well. Can you imagine what would happen if you cursed an alicorn?"
"Of course, I can," Anar D said. "That's why I cursed her. Don't worry, there will still be a world for us to rule."
"How big is this curse you put on her," Gryphon Galore said.
"You remember Radiance's Changeling, Zapp's Stuck Shock, Filli-Second's misery, Saddle Rager's monster form, and Mistress Marevelous' bomb," Anar D explained. "Well, combine them together and think of something a dozen times worse."
"It's that bad," the Mane-iac asked.
"No," Anar D responded with a diabolic grin. "It's worse."
“Final stop before going home: Canterlot,” Hum Drum declared.
Everyone saw an entire city with palaces and a big castle. Everyone explored the town.
“I could just stay here for weeks,” Radiance said.
“No time for that,” Mistress Marevelous said. “We’ve got to find the Princess Twilight Sparkle and convince her to dress back into the Masked Matterhorn ensemble.”
“Maybe we should ask those palace guards in front of the hospital,” Filli-Second said.
There were two royal guards at the front of the hospital. They approached it and recognized one of the guards.
“Shining Armor,” the Power Ponies said.
“Hey, you’re Twilight’s friends,” the head guard sid. “What are you doing here? I thought you all split up.”
“We did, but we need to get back together,” Hum Drum said.
“Exactly,” Zapp said. “We need the Masked Matterhorn.”
“I think you might find that conversation to be a little… one-sided,” Shining Armor said.
The Power Ponies was inside the hospital with Shining Armor, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadence. They were standing next to a bed that Twilight Sparkle was sleeping in.
“A coma,” Saddle Rager asked.
“I’m afraid so,” Princess Celestia said. “She’s been like this for three days now. She returned to Canterlot and entered her word. She didn’t say what happened, except that she’s sorry. By the time she came out, she tried to practice her magic, but they’ve always been weak. One day, she just collapsed and she couldn’t wake up. No one could explain it. The three of us tried using our magic, but there were no results.”
Zapp growled angrily. “Oh, when I get my hooves on that Anar D, I’m gonna…”
“Anar D,” Princess Luna asked. “What does he have to do with this?”
“Everything,” Mistress Marevelous said. “That mixed-up bully got out and he’s taking us out one by one.”
The princesses were terrified of these news. They looked at each other knowing that they were worried.
“Anar D has returned,” Princess Cadence said. “If he carries out his invasion…”
“Invasion,” Radiance said. “Princesses, is there something we’re supposed to know.”
The princesses looked at each other again and Princess Celestia sighed. “There is. It happened long before Princess Cadence became a princess and it began with the unicorn hero, Pandora.”
“The one who defeated Anar D,” Saddle Rager asked. “What about her? We know all about her.”
“Not everything,” Princess Luna said. “You see, Pandora was…”
“AAAAAAAHHHHH,” Twilight screamed suddenly. Her arms waved in the airs. “STOP IT! STOP THE PAIN!”
“TWILIGHT,” the Power Ponies shouted.
Suddenly, a purple light emerged from the purple alicorn’s horn. The light escaped out the window. When all the light escaped, Twilight opened her eyes and saw her friends.
“What’s going on,” Twilight asked.
“YOU’RE AWAKE,” the Power Ponies shouted hugging her.
“How long have I been out,” the princess asked.
“A few days,” Hum Drum said. “I don’t get it. Why would someone put you in a coma if you’re going to wake up after?”
Suddenly, everyone heard a loud roar and several screams outside. They looked and saw a purple, glowing light at the top of a building. It had a shape. It’s enormous wings individually bigger than it’s gargantuan torso. Its claws digged into the building it was on and its spiked tail waved in the wind. Its long neck was attached to a monstrous head with a pointed mouth. It roared into the air.
“WHAT IS THAT THING,” Twilight shouted.
“It’s… a dragon made of your magic,” Princess Celestia said.
Anar D laughed as he and the Sisterhood watched the dragon attack Canterlot.
“So during the fight at the Funhouse, you put a curse that contained the Masked Matterhorn’s magic,” the Mane-iac said.
“Uh, huh,” Anar D said.
“And putting her in a coma was necessary to contain the magic,” Gryphon Galore said.
“You’re on a roll,” Anar D said.
“And with enough of her magic contained, the curse would release it in the form of a beast made entirely of magic,” the Sinister Sorceress said.
“You’re three for three,” Anar D said. “Wanna go for four?”
“There’s more,” the Mane-iac asked.
“Of course,” Anar D said. “That dragon is made of every last bit of magic that the alicorn has. As long as it exists, the Masked Matterhorn cannot use magic because she has none left.”
“That’s genius,” the Sinister Sorceress said.
“Oh, please,” Anar D said. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
The dragon continued rampaging throughout Canterlot. The guards did their best to stop it, but they were no match.
“WE’RE IN SERIOUS DANGER,” Hum Drum shouted. He pulled out the Masked Matterhorn costume. “TWILIGHT, YOU’VE GOT TO PUT THIS ON AND STOP THAT MONSTER!”
“I can’t,” Twilight said in gloom.
“Are you kidding me,” Zapp said. “I did not travel all the way across Equestria so you could say no when we’re almost done!”
“Don’t you see,” Twilight asked with tears in her eyes. “My magic is gone. That thing’s going to destroy the city and I can’t do a thing to stop it. I’m powerless.”
“So,” Hum Drum asked. “I’m powerless myself and I mess up all the time. Twilight, you’ve been a hero long before you became a princess. Remember that cat in the ditch? Remember that baby crib you stopped from falling off a cliff? …Remember when you saved me from those poachers? I didn’t become your sidekick because of your magic; I became your sidekick because you are a hero.”
Twilight looked at her costume and saw it flash in a rainbow of colors. Her eyes flashed the same color.
“You’re right, Hum Drum,” Twilight said with confidence. “I don’t need magic to be a hero.” She put on her costume with pride. She then pulled out her Power Pony pendant. “I tried throwing this away, but I just couldn’t.”
“Same with me,” Mistress Marevelous said holding out her pendant.
All the Power Ponies pulled out their pendants with their Cutie Marks engraved and put them together. Hum Drum pulled out his cylinder and placed it in the center.
“Individually, we are the friendliest, fairest heroes in Equestria,” the Power Ponies pledged, “But together, we are… THE POWER PONIES!”
Suddenly, the Masked Matterhorn’s piece flashed a rainbow. Then, the whole circle glowed with several colors.
“What’s wrong with it,” Zapp asked.
“It’s so pretty,” Filli-Second said.
“I… I can feel it,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “It’s telling us… to confront the monster.”
“All right,” Zapp said.
“Power Ponies,” the Masked Matterhorn declared, “LET’S POWER UP!”
“Ooh, cool catchphrase,” Filli-Second said.
The Power Ponies hopped on rooftops and flew through the skies toward the magic-made dragon. They stopped when the beast finally saw them.
“YOU ARE MADE OF MY MAGIC,” the Masked Matterhorn shouted. “YOU ARE MINE TO CONTROL!”
The dragon roared and kept its jaw raised. It flung it toward the Power Ponies. The Power Ponies closed their eyes and waited to embrace.
Meanwhile, the Sisterhood of Evil and Anar D’s screen started showing static. They couldn’t see anything.
“What’s the matter with this screen,” the Sinister Sorceress asked.
“It’s not showing their death,” the Mane-iac said.
“This always happens during the best part of the movie,” Anar D said. “Do not attempt to adjust your settings. I’ll fix it… if I can find the cause.”
The Power Ponies opened their eyes and saw an entirely different background. They were floating and there were star-shaped lights all over the black environment.
“We’re in outer space,” Filli-Second asked. “I’ve always wanted to go in outer space.”
“You’re not in space. You are still in Canterlot.” A female unicorn appeared out of bright light. She had white skin and a silver mane. “I brought your spiritual forms here after you stood up to the magic beast. As soon as you did, the magic that forms it grew apart and was attracted back to your heart, princess.”
“Who are you,” the Masked Matterhorn asked.
“My name is… was Pandora,” the unicorn said.
“You’re Pandora,” Radiance asked.
“But Pandora existed thousands of years ago,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “How come we’re seeing you?”
“I am contacting you from the afterlife,” Pandora said. “I am here to warn you more about Anar D.”
“What’s there to know,” Zapp asked. “He’s a crazy spirit who can bend reality. You stopped him, but he escaped and now, he’s after us.”
“Actually, there’s something else,” Pandora said. “There is more about Anar D than you realize.”
“How do know that,” Saddle Rager said.
After Pandora took a deep breath and explained, the Power Ponies gasped loudly. Nothing could’ve prepared them for this revelation.
“YOU’RE ANAR D’S SISTER,” the Power Ponies shouted.
“Yes, I am,” Pandora said.
“Anar D is your brother,” Saddle Rager asked in shock.
“But… you locked him away,” Mistress Marevelous said.
“Only because I had to,” Pandora responded.
“But you’re a pony,” Hum Drum said, “And he’s…”
“Different,” Pandora asked. “Yes, but he wasn’t always like that. Back then, he was just called D, but that was before Discordant Convergence.”
“Disco Conference,” Filli-Second asked.
“Discordant Convergence,” the Masked Matterhorn corrected. “It’s a cosmic event that creates certain chaotic events when it passes by Equestria. It only happens once every three years. What does this have to do with Anar D?”
“You’re kidding, right,” Pandora asked. “A cosmic chaos is mentioned and you’re wondering how the Lord of Chaos is involved? Well, if you must know, I’ll show you everything.” Her eyes began to glow and the Power Ponies began to see the same scene and Pandora narrated.
Thousands of years ago, me and my brother, D, were closer than any other brother and sister. We’d always watch each other’s back. The whole thing changed on this day.
I was invited by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna in Canterlot. I was a prized pupil to the both of them. One day, they called me over to their throne room. During my meeting, D was listening in from the other room. I approached the two ready for whatever they have to tell me.
“Pandora,” Princess Celestia addressed me, “Over the many years of your service and loyalty, it is time for you to advance to the next level.”
“What do you mean,” I asked.
“You have made plenty of friends here in Canterlot,” Princess Luna said. “It’s time we let you in on a secret: the secret of the Harmony Crown.”
“The what,” I asked.
“The Harmony Crown is the symbol of harmony here in Equestria,” Princess Celestia explained. “Attached to it are six Harmony Gems. Each one symbolizes a different element of our way: magic, loyalty, laughter, kindness, honesty, and generosity. Using the Harmony Gems is easy, but to unleash their full power, the Harmony Crown must be held on by friends who’s bond equals to the power of the gems. Behold.”
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna opened a secret compartment and revealed to me a diadem with six different colored jewels inside. D saw the gems from the hallway and were astonished.
“Your next lesson is to prove you and your friends worthy of these gems,” Princess Celestia said. “If you can do this, then you can be Heroes of Harmony.”
Of course, for the next few months, I’ve been hanging with my friends. I knew my brother represented Laughter since he always told jokes. The kind one was an Earth pony named Sea Breeze. The generous one was a unicorn named Charity. The honest one was a Pegasus named Golden Rule. The last one was a loyal Pegasus named Red Scarlet. We were very, very close friends.
However, come Discordant Convergence, it didn’t last. The one we survived had ended and we were terrified of it. My brother thought differently. He looked around the chaos site and found a small fragment of the Convergence energy and stored it in a little jar. I didn’t know about it until I found it in his drawer.
“D,” I shouted, “What are you doing with this?!”
“I found it,” D said. “I didn’t think there was a law on collecting cosmic energy.”
“D, this is dangerous,” I said.
“Pandora, it can’t be dangerous if we learn to control it,” D argued. “Look, I may have an idea. If we can use the Harmony Crown to keep the chaos in this jar under control, we can use it to do whatever we want.”
“We’re not using the Harmony Crown until we get the princesses’ blessing,” I said. “Now, I want you to bury this jar and I better not find it in your hooves again!” I stormed out.
Of course, D didn’t listen. Later that night, he put on a stealth costume with the chaos in his pocket. He sneaked into the throne room and opened the princesses’ container with the Harmony Gems. The guards saw him before he could have the chance to take them and chased him throughout the city. I was distraught when I heard what came next.
D thought it was best for him to hide in the Canterlot Zoo. He tried to release the animals to confuse the guards, but his plan backfired. The animals attacked him, but when that happened, D’s chaos jar broke to pieces and surrounded them. When the guards found him, D had changed, both internally and externally. He emerged thinking he felt better than ever.
“YEAH,” he shouted. “Look at me now! I can’t control chaos. I AM chaos. I am disharmony. I am anarchy. No, wait. I am… ANAR D!”
“Get down, you beast,” the guard shouted. “Stand down or else.”
“That’s a lot of threats from ponies with rockets and roller-skates,” Anar D said. He snapped his eagle claw and rockets and roller-skates appeared attached to the guards. The rockets fired and the guards rode out of the zoo. Anar D looked at himself. “Strange. Rockets and skates haven’t been invented yet, but I knew what they were. With this powers, no pony would tell me what to do. I can do anything!”
“Indeed, you can.”
Anar D looked around finding that hissing voice. “Who said that?”
“I did.” A large portal appeared and a tall, female Changeling appeared. “I am Queen Scynder, ruler of the Changeling hive.”
“I’m Anar D, comic relief,” my brother said. “Now, what do you want?”
“To help you,” Queen Scynder said. “I’ve been watching you holding onto that chaos and never letting it go, and now that you have become it, I know you have what it takes.”
“To do what,” Anar D asked.
“To take over the world,” Queen Scynder said. “I have a Changeling army for you to command. My master doesn’t mind if you take control. With it, all of Equestria will be yours.”
“OH, REALLY,” Anar D asked joyously. “YES! THIS IS PERFECT! FINALLY, A CHANCE TO…” He stopped being excited for a moment. “Wait, wait, wait, wait. What do you get out of this?”
“Believe it or not, this world we’re currently in is not an ideal abode,” Queen Scynder explained. “We were banished here by the Harmony Crown. My children are supposed to feast on emotion, but there’s nil of that anywhere here. Simply wait for the next Discordant Convergence and you can gather enough power to break the seal between the two worlds and we can be free.”
“How do I know you’re not trying to pull the wool over my eyes,” Anar D asked. “I’ll need some more persuasion.
“How about this,” Queen Scynder asked glowing her horn. Suddenly, a golden, triangle pendant with strange markings appeared in Anar D’s eagle claw. “This is a peace offering. If you agree to free me and my children in the next Discordant Convergence, it shall be a symbol of my gratitude and loyalty.
“Ooh, I do love a good accessory,” Anar D said. He looked up and brushed his goat beard. “I suppose that’s Charity’s influence.”
“So what do you say,” Queen Scynder asked.
“Oh, it is on like Comic-Con,” Anar D shouted.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Queen Scynder said. “In the meantime, have your fun.”
And he did. Anar D would travel all over Equestria creating much turmoil. It came down to me and y friends to try to talk sense into him.
“D, you can’t do this,” I said. “You’re hurting innocent ponies.”
“Innocent, Pandora,” Anar D asked. “Sister, no pony is innocent. I’ve learned that in Transformers Animated.”
“I don’t know what that means, but I’m begging you,” I said. “Don’t make me do something I’ll regret.” I extended my hoof. “Just please, take my hoof. Take my hoof, D.”
“STOP CALLING ME THAT,” Anar D shouted. “I am Anar D now! And what are you going to do? You can’t use the Harmony Crown without the Element of Laughter. Who knows what the result would be?”
“I have an idea,” I said. I reached into my bag and pulled out the Harmony Crown with the Gems inside. “And I’m prepared for it.”
I concentrated my magic into the crown. The Gems glowed except for the laughter. I had enough power to place a spell on Anar D. He didn’t see it coming when I created a stone box and pushed him in.
“Hmm, what are you doing,” my brother asked. As soon as his tail began to be pulled in. “Oh, no!” He dug his fingers into the ground, but he was still pulled in. “NOOOOOOOOOOO!” He continues screaming until the lid on the box was sealed shut.
The crown fell off of my head as I collapsed onto the floor. My friends gathered around me and watched as I closed my eyes, but never opened them again.
For the next few days, all my friends, family, and everyone in the royal court attended my funeral. Princess Celestia stepped up and addressed the kingdom.
“It’s a never-ending battle. We are all involved in a conflict between harmony and chaos. Some of us are bound to question whether or not this battle is worth fighting. Pandora’s sacrifice reminds us that there are things worth fighting for. The Harmony Crown and Gems weren’t found after her sacrifice, but we know that Pandora gave us a reminder of what we’re fighting for. She may not have been official, but Pandora proved herself to be a true Hero of Harmony. Pandora, may you rest in peace.”
The Power Ponies came out of the vision and looked at Pandora.
“Wow, you were right,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “There was more to Anar D than we thought.”
“Do you know what’s been going through my mind throughout my afterlife,” Pandora said. “I just kept thinking that there might be some bit of my brother in that creature he’s become. I was hoping. Lately, I’ve felt a disturbance and I realized that my brother had been released under the control of criminals who plan to use his powers for an evil purpose.”
“The Sisterhood of Evil,” the Masked Matterhorn growled. “They must have found out about Anar D.”
“Those three are fools,” Pandora said. “They think they’re controlling Anar D, but in reality, Anar D’s been deceiving them the whole time.”
“So the box doesn’t really control him,” Zapp asked.
“No, it does,” Pandora said. “Actually, Anar D is convincing the thugs to build a machine that will open a portal to the Changelings’ world and bring them to yours. The Sisterhood thinks they’re going to control the army, but the Changelings will only be at their queen’s command.”
“Oh, no,” the Masked Matterhorn gasped. “I can’t believe I completely forgot that Discordant Convergence is near!”
“It’s not just near,” Pandora said. “It’s tomorrow.” The Power Ponies were frightened. “And my brother wants to get you out of the way before that.”
“Why us,” Saddle Rager said.
“Because Anar D knows that your friendship matches the Harmony Gems,” Pandora explained. “He considers you capable of using them. That’s why he’s been so desperate on splitting you up and getting rid of you.”
“But where are the Harmony Gems,” Mistress Marevelous asked. “Princess Celestia said she couldn’t find them.”
“You’ve known where they are the whole time,” Pandora said. “Now, it is time to send you back.”
“Wait,” Filli-Second said. “What are you talking about. I can’t believe I’m saying this but… MAKE SEEEENSE!”
“Just take a look around,” Pandora said. “The view might just take your breath away.”
Suddenly, Pandora disappeared into thin air. The Power Ponies were shifted to the side. They looked around and they saw images of all their adventures together. They saw the action, the drama, and the heartfelt moments they all shared.
“Hey, everyone,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “When we last saw each other, I said some things I didn’t really believe. When we kept arguing, I didn’t think anyone would care what we’d say.”
“That’s not true, Matterhorn,” Radiance said. “Hum Drum cared.”
“I knew something was wrong and I couldn’t sit back and do nothing,” Hum Drum said. “You’re all my friends and my family. I would never let you go.”
They continued looking at all their flashbacks and gave a happy sigh.
“We will get into some arguments,” Matterhorn sang.
“Friendship isn’t always easy,” Marevelous sang.
“But despite all the chaos,” Radiance sang,
“What is the unaffordable loss
Not having my friends with me”
“It’s no secret that we’re different,” Saddle Rager sang.
“But we can see it differently,” Zapp sang.
“Even though we’re water and oil,” Filli-Second sang,
“I can get through all the turmoil
By having my friends with me”
“Friends with me,” the Power Ponies sang,
“Together, we are
A group of bright stars
Friends with me
We may have different shapes, but we fit perfectly”
“So our jokes are a little extreme,” Zapp said.
“And some of us enjoy too much flying free,” Radiance sang.
“But here’s without a lie,” the Power Ponies sang,
“We don’t need a ‘me, myself, and I’”
“But we do need an ‘us, ourselves, and we’,” Hum Drum sang,
“Plus without each other’s help
We would never have found ourselves
I just want my…”
“Friends with me,” the Power Ponies sang,
“We’ve all been through
A whole lot to do
On occasions, we’ll fall in anarchy”
“Like we’re stuck in a jail,” Marevelous sang.
“And my dress is a fail,” Radiance sang.
“And my kindness is never free,” Saddle Rager sang.
“But when we hit a bump,” Filli-Second sang.
“Then we just have to jump,” Zapp sang.
“And I’ll only do it with my…” Matterhorn sang.
“FRIENDS…” the Power Ponies sang,
“WITH…
MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE”
Suddenly, the Power Ponies’ real eyes opened. They saw the princesses staring at them.
“We spoke with Pandora,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “She told us everything about Anar D.”
“She talked to you,” Princess Celestia asked. “Did she explain where the Harmony Gems were?”
“She said we knew the whole time,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “But I don’t understand…”
“HEY, TEAM, LOOK,” Filli-Second shouted. She held up a pink jewel shaped like a balloon. “I found this where my team pendant should be.”
“Wait a minute,” Mistress Marevelous said.
The Power Ponies pulled out their necklaces and saw gems shaped like their Cutie Marks. Hum Drum pulled out his necklace, but instead of his cylinder, he pulled out a crown.
“The Harmony Crown and Gems,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “They’ve been with us the entire time and we didn’t even know it.”
“What now,” Saddle Rager asked.
“What else,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “For the past month, we’ve been making mountains out of molehills. And why? Because Anar D turned said molehills into mountains. He split us up and tried to kill us. And now, we’ve got the Harmony Gems. Now, we take the fight to Anar D.”
The Sisterhood of Evil still couldn't see what was happening to the Power Ponies. Suddenly, the Mane-iac's henchmen slammed the door's open and approached the villainesses.
"We've got trouble," the henchman shouted. "It's the Power Ponies! They're coming back here!"
"WHAT," the Mane-iac shouted. "Let me see!"
She headed toward the window and looked through a telescope and saw a tiny ship in the far distance.
"Well, I don't see anything wrong. They won't get here before Discordant Convergence."
"Other way, imbecile," the Sinister Sorceress growled.
The Mane-iac turned the telecope the other way and gasped when she saw the Power Ponies heading toward the city limits.
"THEY'RE COMING," the Mane-iac shouted. "THEY'RE BACK AND THEY'RE COMING!"
"Not when we have ten minutes left," the Sinister Sorceress growled. She pulled out Pandora's Box and opened it. Anar D emerged wearing a space costume.
"What now, ladies," Anar D said. "I'm trying to audition for Star Trek. There's something about that Q guy that I admire."
"Stop fooling around, Anar D," the Sinister Sorceress said. "The Power Ponies are almost here! Stop them!"
"Uh, oh," Anar D gasped. "Don't worry. I'll stall them." He then changed his costume. He had a black cloak and carried a green staff with a yellow sphere at the tip. He put on two, long, black horns on top of his head. "And let's add a bit of Disney into the mix."
Anar D diappeared and re-appeared on top of the Sisterhood's lair. He waved his staff and a bunch of black seeds circled over him.
"A forest of thorns shall be their tomb
These seeds shall carry out their doom
Now, go, my seeds and serve me well
'Round Maretropolis! CAST MY SPELL"
Suddenly, as the seeds buried themselves under the city limits, giant black vines with thorns grew out of the ground. The ponies of Maretropolis were frightened at the sight of the thorns rising. The news reporter turned on his news camera and went live across the city.
"THIS IS NEWS FLASH WITH A SPECIAL BULLETIN," the reporter announced loudly. "A WALL OF DARK VINES HAS GROWN AROUND THE WHOLE CITY! HOW DO WE MAKE IT OUT OF THIS ONE WITHOUT..."
Suddenly, an explosion blew a hole in the thorn wall. The pony citizens were amazed at what they saw: the Power Ponies breaking through and entering the city. News Flash told his camera pony to redirect the camera to their heroes.
"This just in," News Flash announced. "There might be hope again because we are witnessing the return of... THE POWER PONIES!"
The Power Ponies landed in front of the crowd. The Masked Matterhorn approached News Flash. "All right, News, where did the vines come from?"
"The sky," News Flash answered.
"The sky," the Masked Matterhorn asked. She then widened her eyes. "Of course. That's why we could find them before. Power Ponies, grab any friend who can't fly and head up!"
The Power Ponies grabbed each other and flew up toward the sky.
Meanwhile, the Sisterhood of Evil were trying to work on their machine. They were in a rush.
"Hurry it up," the Sinister Sorceress shouted. "The Power Ponies could trace Anar D's thorn wall stunt up here! They'll be here any minute!"
Suddenly, an explosion destroyed the door. The Power Ponies jumped out of the smoke and stood tall.
"WRONG," the Masked Matterhorn shouted. "WE'RE ALREADY HERE!"
Without warning, a cage materialized around the Power Ponies. Anar D appeared with a ring full of keys. "Well, that just ruined your entrance."
"Anar D," Hum Drum growled.
"Well, it ain't Mr. Mxyzptlk," Anar D responded.
"We know all about you," Mistress Marevelous said. "Pandora contacted us from the afterlife and told us your whole story."
"She did, huh," Anar D asked confusingly. "Did she... say anything about me?"
"Yes," Saddle Rager said. "She knows you're still her loving brother who just has an attitude. And judging by the way you asked about her, it looks like she was right."
Anar D shook his head. "The dead are in the past. Now, even a reunited Power Pony team won't stop the invasion of the Changelings."
"Not while we have these," the Masked Matterhorn said pulling out the Harmony Crown and Gems.
"You found them," Anar D gasped.
"That's right," Zapp said. "Let's light this candle."
Suddenly, the Mane-iac extended her mane and swiped the Harmony Crown. She threw it to the ground.
"NO," the Power Ponies shouted.
"Oopsie," Anar D said. "Now, what can you do? In five minutes, Discordant Convergence will be in perfect alignment and we'll use the energy to open the portal."
"For now, Anar D, get the Harmony Crown and throw it away," the Mane-iac commanded.
"Can't do that," Anar D said. " I can't touch the Harmony Gems. If I do, they'll vaporize me. I'm pure chaos. It's not just because the Sinister Sorceress has the box and you don't."
The Power Ponies then got an idea. They looked at each other and grinned.
"You know, we've spent the past month having an argument," Hum Drum said. "At least you Sisterhood girls worked everything out. I'm glad you decided to make the Sinister Sorceress your leader."
"Her," the Mane-iac asked. "Don't be ridiculous! I'm your arch-enemy. I'm the leader."
"A psychopath like you," the Sinister Sorceress askde. "Preposterous."
"What about you, Gryphon Galore," Zapp asked. "I've gone toe-to-toe with you on several occasions and I know you're tougher than both of them combined."
"That's so true, it hurts," the gryphon said.
"Oh, it's obvious that the Sinister Sorceress is the leader," Mistress Marevelous said. "After all, she's the only one who's ever held onto Pandora's Box, the only way to control the most powerful creature in Equestria."
"Hey, you're right," Gryphon Galore said. "Sorceress, you weren't planning on keeping the box for yourself, were you?"
"Only one can control Anar D at a time," the Sinister Sorceress said.
"It's true," Anar D said.
"You've been hogging the box the whole month," the Mane-iac shouted. "Give it to me!"
The villainesses started fighting over the box. Anar D materialized a bag of popcorn.
"Well, I wondered what it would take for ladies to fight over me," Anar D said.
"ANAR D," a demonic voice shouted. Queen Scynder's face appeared suddenly. "Where is the portal?!"
"I just need the Sisterhood's word," Anar D said. "The portal can't open without my power and I can't use my power unless they say so."
"MASTERS," a hench pony shouted crashing into the door. "WE GOT AN AIR STRIKE ON THE WAY!"
"What," ANar D asked. "This is too much detail, even for me."
"GO, SORCERESS," the Masked Matterhorn said. "KEEP THE FIGHT GOING AS LONG AS IT HAS TOO!"
Anar D could see that the Power Ponies were encouraging the Sisterhood to fight long enough. Anar D could also hear Queen Scynder trying to shout at him to open the portal. He could also hear the hench ponies asking about the air strike. It was too much for Anar D to comprehend. And then, in a sudden moment, Anar D snapped.
"EVERY PONY, JUST... SHUT UUUUUUUUUUP," he shouted. Every pony fell silent and listened to Anar D. "THAT'S IT! I'VE HAD IT! There's only so much crazy I can possibly muster!"
"Anar D, what are you talking about," the Sinister Sorceress asked.
"Come on, girls," Anar D said gesturing around the room. "Look around. This crazy is out of control, and I know a thing or two about out of control. If going through all this madness is what it takes to rule the world, then I'd rather take my chances as just a common trickster. It's less complicated."
"You can't be serious," Gryphon Galore said.
"For the first time ever, I'm dead serious," Anar D proclaimed. "Tink about it; what's so great about ruling the world? You'd have too much land to keep track of. There would be a daily routine. You'd have nothing more to gain. I'm not looking forward to any of that."
"You can't say things like that while we're on the brink of our rise," the Mane-iac said. "I want to be a queen."
"Well, tough turkey, because I don't want to live in a controlled world," Anar D said. "Whether or not I do rule anything, I'm still greatyly notorious. I'm one of the most famous legends in Equestrian history. I'M ANAR D, THE SPIRIT OF CHAOS, AND I DIG IT! I have everything I really need, and that includes immortality and the power to defy the laws of physics. This is who I am, Sisterhood. This is me."
"Well, that's very inspirational," the Sinister Sorceress said, "But you forgot one thing." She picked up the stone box. "You're still bound to Pandora's Box. You have to do anything we say, reluctant or not. So stop wasting our time and open the portal now!"
"Very well," Anar D growled.
Anar D approached the machine and blasted magic from his paw and claw. Within a few moments, a the machine fired at the sky. Suddenly, a large, circle hole appeared in the sky. The Power Ponies were horrified looking at the Changelings flying from the portal. The invasion had begun.
The Changelings rained down toward Maretropolis and snarled when they landed on the ground. In the floating lair, the Sisterhood of Evil were grinning with excitement.
"This is better than I dreamed of," the Sinister Sorceress said. "Now, we have an entire army under our command."
"YOUR command?" Suddenly, Queen Scynder appeared in the lair. Everyone was horrified at her appearance. "Who said these Changelings were yours?"
"Queen Scynder, I presume," Anar D said. "Sorry, but I'm going to have to register my resignation. In more simple terms... I quit."
"He's under our control," the Sinister Sorceress said. "So, the Sinister Sorceress has legal rights to your army."
"Even if that was relevant, Anar D doesn't get the world anyway," Queen Scynder said. "When we made our deal, it was for Anar D to have the army in the Discordant Convergence after we struck it. Yet, he missed it."
"He was sealed in a box for 10,000 years," the Sorceress said. "It's just a technicality."
"Read my lips," Queen Scynder said. "No army for you."
"NO... ARMY," Gryphon Galore asked angrily. She attempted to strike Queen Scynder, but the Changeling queen blasted her and the rest of the Sisterhood in a closet which locked itself when it slammed shut.
"All too easy," Queen Scynder said.
"Well, now that those mad mares are out of the way, I can take my sister's box and go exit, stage right," Anar D said.
"I don't think so," Queen Scynder said swiping Pandora's Box from the floor. "Call it insurance."
"OH, COME ON," Anar D shouted. "THAT'S IT!" He snapped his fingers and the Power Ponies' cell disappeared.
"Can't believe I'm going to say this, but thank you, Anar D," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Now, let's get the Harmony Gems and blast these bugs back where they came from!"
"NO," Queen Scynder shouted as she dashed for the Harmony Crown.
The Masked Matterhorn and Queen Scynder grabbed the Harmony Crown at the same time. The two flew into the air trying to tug it away from each other. It was a matter of time before they crashed through the window and both the Harmony Crown and Pandora's Box fell to the city.
"NO," everyone shouted.
Queen Scynder glared angrily at the Masked Matterhorn and blasted her to a building underneath. The Masked Matterhorn shook her head and saw Queen Scynder flying in midair.
"You'll never defeat us," Queen Scynder said, "Because you're one of the good guys, and good guys never have the nerve to finish off the likes of us."
That speech ended when a whistle was heard. Queen Scynder looked and saw Soaron and Gemini above her.
"That is our friend," Soaron said. "Prepare to be beaten."
"Yeah," Gemini said. "What he said."
"Oh, how cute," Queen Scynder scoffed. "Two super pegusi coming to save a city that's not theirs."
"Hey, bug-witch..." Heatwave appeared and blasted a ray of fire into the sky. "Make that three super pegusi. And on the way here, we picked up a few friends."
Queen Scynder looked at the thorn wall and saw hundreds of ponies. She saw Slapstick and his rubber chicken sidekick, Stretch, General Titanium and his army, the royal guards, and other heroes.
Slapstick stepped forward, turned around and shook his tail toward the queen. "Neener, neener, neener!"
"My, my, my," Queen Scynder said. "Every hero and guard must be here. Whatever will I do... with all this emotion!? CHANGELINGS, ATTACK!"
Suddenly, every hero and Changeling charged at each other. It was a fearsome battle. The Power Ponies and Anar D jumped into the city below and landed safely.
"We've got to get the Harmony Gems," Radiance said. "They're the only things that can stop this."
"Right," Anar D said. "You do that and I'll find Pandora's Box and get out of here."
"Oh, no," Saddle Rager said. "You're not going anywhere until you help us find the Harmony Gems."
"But I can't," Anar D said.
"Are you listening to yourself," Hum Drum asked. "Look at all the trouble you caused. You have the power to do anything. You nearly killed us from a distance."
"Yeah, sorry about that," Anar D said. "I was just trying to survive."
"Just come with us, you baby," Filli-Second demanded.
"Now, listen," the Masked Matterhorn said. "I've got this figured out. Zapp, you find the pegusi and tell them to head to the thorn wall. Don't let any Changeling escape. Filli-Second, find Slapstick and you must take out the ground forces. Marevelous, Radiance, head to the rooftops and take out any passing Changelings. Hum Drum, Anar D, you two are with me to find the Harmony Gems. And Saddle Rager..."
"Huh," Saddle Rager asked.
The Masked Matterhorn pointed her hoof at the Changelings. "Smash."
Saddle Rager smirked and flew up. She then instantly changed into her monster form and attacked any Changeling she encounters. She then jumped in front of Queen Scynder.
"ENOUGH," Queen Scynder shouted. "YOU ARE, ALL OF YOU, BENEATH ME! I AM A QUEEN, YOU DULL CREATURE, AND I WILL NOT BE BULLIED BY..."
Scynder was interrupted when Saddle Rager grabbed the Changeling queen's mane and slammed her to the roof dozens of times. She ended when she threw her across the distance.
"Puny queen," Saddle Rager growled.
For the next 10 minutes, every hero was facing powerful Changelings. Slapstick were running fast confusing the Changelings until they ran into each other. The Wonderbolts used their powers at Changelings, even when the heroes were cornered. General Titanium's soldiers pulled out all their weapons and fired at the Changelings.
In the meantime, the Power Ponies beat up their share of Changelings. Mistress Marevelous tightened her lasso at a group of Changelings and spinned them like the Tazmanian Devil. Zapp used her powers to summon lightning and electrocute any Changeling getting near the thorn wall. Filli-Second kept zipping next to swarms of Changelings.
"Tag, you're it," Filli-Second said smacking every Changeling.
Radiance created many hard-light projections and used figures to beat up any Changeling she encountered. Soon, the Masked Matterhorn, Hum Drum, and Anar D found the Harmony Crown in the middle of the street.
"There it is," the Masked Matterhorn screamed. "Let's get it!"
Suddenly, a group of Changelings tackled the princess and the dragon. While they grappled with the giant bugs, only Anar D wasn't fighting a Changeling. He looked and saw Pandora's Box on the other side of the room. He looked at both the box and the crown and groaned.
"OH," Anar D shouted. "BLAST ME FOR A FOOL!"
Anar D picked up a brick and used it to push the Harmony Crown toward the Power Ponies.
"Hurry it up, my little ponies," Anar D shouted. "I'm feeling queasy from doing this!"
The Masked Matterhorn grabbed the Harmony Crown and put it on. The Changelings got scared and ran out of the area.
"All right," Hum Drum said. "Now, let's blow up this thing so we can go home!"
"NOOOO," Queen Scynder shouted. She swiped the crown from the Masked Matterhorn's head.
"I DON'T THINK SO," Anar D shouted. He picked up the brick and threw it up. The brick hit Queen Scynder in the head and she dropped the Harmony Crown.
In instinct, Anar D ran and jumped toward where the Harmony Crown was about to fall.
"NO," the Masked Matterhorn shouted.
But it was too late. Anar D had already grabbed the Harmony Crown and a big light emerged from it. Anar D screamed in loud pain as he felt tremendous pain flowing through his body. A black cloud came out of nowhere and surrounded them. In the distance, the rest of the Power Ponies and saw the cloud. They stopped fighting and headed towards it.
Inside, Queen Scynder grinned and watched Anar D struggling through the pain the harmony in the gems were giving him. The Masked Matterhorn felt a powerful wind, but she pushed through it and extended her hoof.
"ANAR D," she screamed. "TAKE MY HOOF!"
Anar D looked and saw a vision of her sister extending her hoof.
"Take my hand, D," Pandora said.
"Pandora," Anar D said in pain. "I won't make the same mistake again!"
He slowly reached out his eagle claw and grabbed the Masked Matterhorn's hoof. Suddenly, the pain flowing through Anar D was also felt by the Masked Matterhorn.
"MAGIC," the Masked Matterhorn shouted.
The rest of the Power Ponies came in and struggled through the force. Saddle Rager pushed through and grabbed Anar D's lion paw holding the Harmony Crown. She felt the same pain also.
"KINDNESS," Saddle Rager shouted in pain.
One by one, the Power Ponies struggled through and grabbed their friends' hooves feeling the same pain Anar D felt.
"LOYALTY," Zapp shouted.
"LAUGHTER," Filli-Second shouted.
"HONESTY," Mistress Marevelous shouted.
"GENEROSITY," Radiance shouted.
Hum Drum was last when he held onto Radiance's hoof. A minute of screaming later, the Power Ponies and Anar D's pain ended. They couldn't feel the pain anymore and the black cloud changed into the colors of a rainbow. They turned their faces confidently at a frightened Queen Scynder.
"BUT YOU'RE PURE CHAOS," Queen Scynder shouted. "HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?! HOW CAN YOU AND ANYONE YOU HOLD ONTO CONTROL THIS POWER?!"
"I'll explain that," the Masked Matterhorn said glowing in a rainbow with her friends. "There is one factor you and your Changelings never took into account..."
"FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC," all the Power Ponies shouted at once.
Suddenly, a rainbow blasted from the Harmony crown and went right through Queen Scynder. She disappeared and the rainbow did the same to all of the Changelings in Maretropolis. As soon as there were no more Changelings, Anar D dropped the Harmony Crown and the light show ended. Afterwards, the citizens of Maretropolis looked out of their hiding places and saw the heroes still standing. They cheered at them because the day was won and the heroes were victorious.
Saddle Rager changed back into pony form. “Did we win?”
“Yes, Saddle,” Zapp said. “Yes, we did.”
“WHOA,” Anar D shouted. “What a rush! Well, if you don’t mind, I’ll…”
“Hold on, Anar,” the Masked Matterhorn said. Her horn glowed and Pandora’s Box floated into her hoof. “There’s still a matter of you trying to kill us this past month.”
“Oh, that,” Anar D chuckled nervously. “I was just… Uh… I got nothing. Besides, I know when I’m beaten. Are you going to lock me in that box for the rest of eternity?
“Actually, that’s for Saddle Rager to decide,” the Masked Matterhorn said giving the box to her shy friend.
“Me,” Saddle Rager asked.
“Her,” Anar D asked.
“You have the best judgement of us all,” the Masked Matterhorn explained to her friend, “Especially when it comes to unique creatures.”
“I say you put him in a cat suit and throw him in the kennel,” Radiance said. “I’ll make the suit.”
“I say you let me feed him to an Ursa Major,” Mistress Marevelous said.
“Don’t do that,” Filli-Second said. “You know how comedic this guy is. He’ll taste funny.”
“I say you make him beat himself up,” Zapp said. “That’d be the perfect opportunity for me to say ‘Why are you hitting yourself’ over and over.”
“Classic,” Anar D chuckled. “All right, Saddle Rager. Let me have my punishment.”
“I have an idea,” Saddle Rager said. She flew towards Anar D.
The Spirit of Chaos was frightened of what might happen and closed his eyes. Then, he felt something placed in his paw and claw. He opened his eyes and saw that he was holding Pandora’s Box. Saddle Rager smiled when she let go of the box.
“So… I hold onto this for a while,” Anar D asked.
“No,” Saddle Rager said. “It’s yours to keep.”
“WHAT,” the Power Ponies gasped.
“Hold on a minute,” Filli-Second shouted. She pulled out a glass of water and drank it empty. She then spit the water out.
“But… you know that if I have it, I’m free,” Anar D said. “No pony tells me what to do again.”
“I know,” Saddle Rager said.
“I DON’T BELIEVE IT,” Anar D cheered loudly creating many celebration tools. “I’M FREE! I’M FINALLY FREE! I…” He stopped and looked at Saddle Rager. “This… This is the nicest thing any pony has done to me. And all I did was try and kill you all.
“It takes a lot of nerve to see through me
I can’t believe you’re giving my sister’s box to me
Saddle, why would you take the risk
After everything I did
All I’ve done to you kids
How… why trust me with thiiiiiiiiiiis”
“The same reason you helped us, D,” Saddle Rager said. “That’s what friends do.”
Anar D widened his eyes in shock. “We’re friends?”
“Of course,” Saddle Rager said. “You were willing to sacrifice your life to help us. That’s a friend to me.”
“Wow,” Anar D said with a cry. “I… haven’t had a friend for 10,000 years. I… I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused.”
“So… does this mean it’s over,” Mistress Marevelous asked.
“Not really,” Anar D said. “Every time I talked to the Changeling queen, she always spoke about a leader. She never said anything about him; only that he’s more powerful than anything else.”
“Then, Anar D, it is my royal declaration that you travel and investigate who this master is and what he wants,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “Return to us when you have some information.”
“Sorry, girls, but I’m done taking orders,” Anar D said. “Although, a favor, I will accept. One more thing…” he reached into his fur and pulled out a triangle, golden amulet on a string.
“The trinket from the flashback,” Radiance said. “Why…”
“Scynder lied when she told me that this would be a symbol of her gratitude and loyalty,” Anar D said placing it in the Masked Matterhorn’s hoof, “But when I say that I’m giving this to you out of change in my heart and a vow that I’m going to make things right, I am telling to truth.”
Suddenly, a bright rainbow glow came out of the trinket. Everyone was amazed at what they saw.
“Another rainbow flash,” Filli-Second asked.
“I don’t get it,” Mistress Marevelous said. “I thought that glow only occurred on the Harmony Gems we had. Anar, what does it mean?”
“What are you asking me for,” Anar D asked. “I only act like I know everything. Sounds like a question for another day. In the meantime… I’M OUT OF HERE! I’VE GOT AN EVIL MASTERMIND TO IDENTIFY, AND NO ONE CAN SAY OTHERWISE BECAUSE…
“WELL, LOOK AT ME
I AM FINALLY FREE
LOOK AT ME
I’M FINALLY FREEEEEEE
T.T.F.N.! ARREVEDIRCI
BUT THIS MUCH, I GUARANTEE
I’LL BE GOOD… LIKE I USED TO BEEEEEEE
YOU SAW THROUGH ME EVEN WHEN IT WAS TRAGIC
AND NOW, I’VE LEARNED THAT FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC
SO AAAAAAS YOU SEEEEEEEEE
I’M FINALLY FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE”
Suddenly, Anar D flew out of sight. The Power Ponies watched him leave.
“Are you sure you can trust him,” the Masked Matterhorn asked. “I mean, why would you set him free. No pony would’ve blamed you if you just buried the box in a hole and forget about it.”
“Matterhorn, despite how much trouble Anar D caused, his powers can be used for good,” Saddle Rager explained. “If we want Anar D to trust us, we have to give him a reason to.”
“And that’s by giving him the box and setting him free,” Zapp asked.
“No,” Saddle Rager said. “That’s by becoming his friend.”
“Well, I trust your judgment,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “If you truly think he has reformed, we’ll give him a chance.”
“Well done, Power Ponies.”
The other three princesses have appeared while the thorn wall dematerialized.
“Princesses,” Radiance said.
“We have already entered the Sisterhood of Evil’s lair and apprehended the villainesses,” Princess Celestia said. “You not only have saved Equestria from destruction; you also changed Anar D’s heart to what it was before. He did have some friendship in his heart after all. All of Equestria is in your debt, Power Ponies.”
“Thank you,” the Masked Matterhorn said, “But if there’s any pony to thank, it’s Hum Drum.”
Hum Drum widened his eyes while all the other ponies gazed their eyes at him.
“Me,” Hum Drum asked.
“Hum Drum, without you, we wouldn’t be here,” the Masked Matterhorn said. “You believed in us even when we didn’t believe in each other nor ourselves. You may be a dragon, but you’re as much of a Power Pony as the rest of us. So… Thank you, Hum Drum.”
“Thank you, Hum Drum, Radiance said. She kissed Hum Drum on his cheek and he blushed.
“Thank you, Hum Drum,” Saddle Rager said.
Hum Drum looked all around and heard every pony in Maretropolis thank him. Then, everyone picked him up and raised him over their shoulders. They carried him and he finally felt important.
Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadence watched everyone happy.
“It is official,” Princess Celestia said. “They are the new Heroes of Harmony.”
“But sister,” Princess Luna said, “What about the future? No doubt the battle today have attracted the attention of others from across the worlds.”
“I have no doubt,” Princess Celestia said. “But if they saw the battle, they also saw what our heroes are capable of. So now, the world where the Changelings came from know who the Power Ponies are; every world knows it.”
Suddenly, Anar D appeared out of nowhere right in front of the Power Ponies.
“Oh, before I leave,” Anar D said, “Can I make the first request I can make in 10,000 years?”
“NO,” the Masked Matterhorn shouted.
“What,” Anar D asked with a little grin. “I was merely going to ask for a teeny, tiny glass… of water.”
Far from Equestria, there was another world, a dark world with a barren wasteland. The highest point was a mountain with a few creatures at the top. There were two human, teenage girls. One had blue hair with a ponytail and the other had purple hair with a double-ponytail.
"Gee," the blue-haired girl said. "Serena's taking quite a while. We got to get out of this world as soon as possible."
"Oh, really," the purple-haired girl asked with sarcasm. "Because I really love it here!"
"Seriously, Melody," the blue-haired girl asked. "I think this place is the worst."
"I think you're the worst, Carol," Melody snapped.
"Well, I think..." Carol spoke.
Suddenly, an orange, horse-like beast appeared from the sky. It landed on the ground and started to change its body. It became another teenage human girl. She had large, orange hair.
"Serena," Carol said. "Did you gather the magic?"
"'Cause you know that HE doesn't like mistakes," Melody said.
"I know," Serena said. "Trust me. I've already gotten enough we need to free him."
The three girls climbed to the very top of the mountain and approached a shadowed figure completely tied in chains. The girls knelt on one knee each and Serena lifted her hand. She opened it and a small rainbow light was in her palm.
"Master," Serena said, "Queen Scynder has failed. She didn't deliver much magic, but enough have found its way here. I'll just..."
"Stop," the figure hissed weakly. Serena was immediately petrified. "Do not waste the magic."
"What," Carol asked. "But I thought you needed it. Sometimes, I just want you to make up your mind."
"Sometimes, I want Carol to have a mind," Melody snapped.
"ENOUGH," the figure growled loudly. "Yes, I do need it to break the chains, but I need magic for two purposes: breaking me from these chains and opening a portal back to Equestria. This magic is only suitable for one. How could Scynder fail?"
"It was the work of the new Heroes of Harmony, master," Serena explained. "And they even convinced the fool, Anar D, to be their friend too."
"Aw, man," Carol exclaimed. "That guy was a lot of fun when he was evil."
"New Heroes of Harmony, huh," the creature asked. "Well, they'll be dealt with soon enough."
"But we can't escape to deal with them," Melody said. "We're still stuck here without an army."
"Let me take a closer look at that magic," the creature said.
Serena leaned in and brought the glowing rainbow light toward the shadow figure. The glow emitted a light that revealed the creature's red face, black eyes with yellow pupils, gray beard, and gray nose-ring. His horns helped shine the rainbow light across the rest of his body, which had red arms and claws and black horse legs.
"I may not be able to escape," the red centaur said, "But you can. I have a special mission for you, my Sirens."
Serena grinned and bowed with her fist and knee on the ground. "What is your command... Lord Arcanus?"
