> Power Ponies 2: The Eternal Bond
>  by Epicdiscord214
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> New Powers
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"WHAT," Radiance screamed. "How come our story isn't as popular as we hoped?"
"You're telling me," Zapp said. "The Christmas story has more views than us. Not to mention, the fans are still favoriting it... EVEN AFTER THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER!"
"All right, y'all," Mistress Marevelous said. "Let's not overreact. Maybe our story wasn't as epic as we made it out to be."
"It was a super-hero reenactment of our adventures," Hum Drum said.
"Hold on," Anar D said. "As it so happens, our writer happens to plan a sequel story for Power Ponies: Harmony Forever."
"Really," Saddle Rager asked.
"OH, BOY," Filli-Second shouted. "I CAN'T WAIT TO KICK IT AGAIN!"

"It's a super sequel," the Masked Matterhorn sang,
"We're going to make another
A tale that trumps the other"
"It's a super sequel," the Power Ponies sang,
"A second hero story
Now, our fans will never
Have to worry
It's a super sequel
Just one written work more
Come on and let's give the fans
What they asked for
After lots of thumbs up
We realize it's not enough
We've got to do it all again
Until the very end
We've got to show our friends
That we can do it all again
It's a super sequel
A new tale we're creating
Even if it won't have
The exact same rating
It's a super sequel
How bad can it be
We can't do any worse
Than Spider-Man 3
It's a super sequel
We're going to go through
While the people wait for Disney
To make the Incredibles 2
After lots of thumbs up
We realize it's not enough
We've got to do it all again
Until the very end
We've got to show our friends
That we can do it all again"

"Now, let's see what story plots we have," the Masked Matterhorn said.
"Got it," Apple Bloom said. "A tale about three little girls who get lost from home and have to team up with a wolf to go home."
"Apple Bloom, this is a superhero story," the Masked Matterhorn said.
"I know," Derpy Hooves said. "It's about 3 of your enemies bringing back an evil draconequus so that the Power Ponies would split up, when in secret, the draconequus has his own hidden agenda."
"Derp, that was in the last story," Zapp said.
"It's about..." Diamond Tiara said.
"NEEEEXT," Hum Drum shouted.
Suddenly, three human girls appeared. The leading on approached the Power Ponies.
"Hey, girls," Serena said. "How about the Power Ponies travel in search of new heroes?"
"THAT'S PERFECT," the Masked Matterhorn shouted.

"After lots of thumbs up," the Power Ponies sang
"We realize it's not enough
We've got to do it all again
Until the very end
We've got to show our friends
That we can do it all again
IT'S A SUPER SEQUEL
IT'S THE ONLY THING LEFT TO DO
SO, FANS, GET READY
FOR THE POWER PONIES 2
IT'S THE POWER PONIES TOO
WITH THE POWER PONIES 2
IT'S THE... POWER... PONIES...
TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"





The sun blandly shined on the prison in the mountain. Three guards in gold armor rode on top of a lifting platform.
"I'm getting a little nervous about this," one guard said.
"You must be new," another guard said. "There's nothing to worry about. This is the highest security prison in all of Equestria. Even if he does get past these walls, the mountain would be too steep to climb down. And the best part, our job is easy because there is only one prisoner."
"Yeah, but that prisoner is Darkmatter," the scared guard whispered.
Suddenly, the platform stopped and the guards were in front of a little entrance of a cell. They approached and a ragged, black unicorn was standing near the bars. He had green, glowing eyes and sharp teeth. Where his horn should be, there's a metal shell covering it.
"All right, Darkmatter," the leading guard said. "You know the drill."
"Yes, I get to the back of the wall while you give me my monthly food," the unicorn said. He then stepped away from the bars. "You know, if you just let me out of here, I can promise you a swift, painless fate."
"Don't make me laugh, Darkmatter," the lead guard said. "You can't escape and that blessed iron around your horn prevents you from using your powers."
"One day, I'll find a way out of here and I'll make you eat your words," Darkmatter growled. "And once I'm done with you, I'm finding the little monkey, Twilight Sparkle. And then, I'll..."
Suddenly, a loud screech was heard. The guards looked and gasped in fear. Suddenly, three large, pony-like beings flew from the sky and knocked back the guards. Darkmatter was interested and kept watching. The beasts then changed to three human, teenage girls. One girl had blue hair and a ponytail. Another had purple hair and a double-ponytail. The final one had big, orange hair.
"Humans," Darkmatter said. "Well, now, it gets interesting."
"Who are you," the head guard asked pulling out his sword.
"I am Serena," the orange haired girl said. "These are my sisters, Carol and Melody. And now, let's dance."
"Uh, Serena, I don't think we have time to dance," Carol said. "I think we should curse these guys. I'll dance with you later, though."
Ignoring what Carol said, the girls began to vocalize and the red gems around their necks began to glow. They blasted a red beam that covered the guards in light. When the light cleared, the guards were still and covered in stone. The girls turned to the cell and sang again. The door then suddenly opened and Darkmatter walked out.
"Darkmatter, it's a pleasure to be in your presence," Serena said. "We're all happy to meet you... except for Melody."
"I'm never happy," Melody said.
"Your magic came from your singing," Darkmatter asked. "You're sirens, aren't you?"
"Yes," Serena said. "And we have a special job that we need you for. Have you heard of Arcanus?"
Darkmatter widened his green eyes. "YOU WORK FOR HIM?!"
"I'm thinking he has heard of him," Carol said.
"I promise you, it will all be worth it," Serena said. She held onto Darkmatter's capsule covering his horn and sang. Suddenly, the metal broke into pieces revealing a black horn with a red tip. "After all, you've been locked up in here because of Twilight Sparkle. Now's your chance to get her. Well, all you have to do is play along with our plan and you get to have the girl alive and all yours. Word is, she has a powerful set of friends, so it's obvious you can't get her on your own now."
"Very well then," Darkmatter said. "I look forward to seeing the little monkey again."





Three weeks later, at the edge of Maretropolis, there was a forest that Hum Drum, the Masked Matterhorn's sidekick, would usually take the Power Ponies' pets out for their walk. One day, Saddle Rager's pet rabbit, Angel, mysteriously escaped from his leash. Hum Drum dragged the other pets through the forest looking for the bunny.
"ANGEL," Hum Drum shouted. "ANGEL, WHERE ARE YOU?! Oh, if I don't find that horrible hare soon, Saddle Rager will be angry with me. And when it comes to her, you DON'T want to make her angry." He sighed. "Look at this. I went from a big-time hero to a pet-sitter. That's just a smack on the head."
Suddenly, an acorn hit Hum Drum on his head. He looked up and saw the rabbit on a ledge up the rock mountain.
"How did you get up there," Hum Drum asked. "It doesn't matter. Get down here now!"
Suddenly, Angel disappeared in a flash of light and a popping sound. Hum Drum shook his head in shock.
"WHAT THE..." Hum Drum asked.
Suddenly, Angel reappeared in a similar flash of light. Hum Drum looked at the rest of the pets and he gasped when he saw the animals' new abilities.
Gummy, Filli-Second's alligator without teeth, changed into a hard metal and didn't move. He didn't even wag his tail. Opal, Radiance's cat, retracted her claws and swiped at the air. Light waves the shape of scratch marks went through a tree and it was scratched down. Wynona, Mistress Marevelous' dog, became more clear and her leash collar went through her. Tank, Zapp's turtle, started to fly, even with his propeller fan off his shell.
Finally, Owlolicious, the Masked Matterhorn's owl, spun his around and created a tornado like the Tasmanian Devil. Of course, Owlolicious was still attached to his leash, so Hum Drum spun with him. Hum Drum let go of the leash and hit the mountain very hard. He looked up and saw a pile of boulders shaking. Hum Drum was worried until he saw the boulders calm still.
"Whew," he exclaimed. He looked at the pets with confusion. "Since when did our pets get super-powers?" He sighed and bumped his head on the wall behind him.
Suddenly, he heard a rock break apart. He looked up and saw his error when the boulders above him begin to slide. Hum Drum covered his head with his arm and prepared for the worst. The rocks hit him and completely covered his body.
The pets looked at the rock pile. Angel cheered in excitement. The excitement ended when the large boulder on top of the pile begin to break apart. As soon as the rock was broken, Hum Drum was still standing.
Hum Drum looked at himself and gasped in bigger shock than before. His scales and costume were changed to a gem outline. He could feel the diamonds where his skin should be. He looked, and there was not one chip on his body. Then, his shiny layer changed to his usual scales and costume fabric. He was completely shocked, terrified, and confused at the same time.
"What's going on," Hum Drum shrieked.
> Old Enemies
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The bankers at the First National Bank of Maretropolis were frightened when they tucked underneath their desks. Outside were two supervillains. There was a gryphon in a red outfit named Gryphon Galore. She can supercharge her fists to make her punches stronger. There was also a psychotic Earth pony with mutated, long, green mane called the Mane-iac.
"That's right," Gryphon Galore shouted to the bankers. "Now, some pony better open the vaults for us or else your friends get it."
"How about you mess with a different set of friends?"
The two villains looked and saw their enemies at the doorway: the Masked Matterhorn, Mistress Marevelous, Filli-Second, Radiance, Zapp, and Saddle Rager.
"Oh, no," the Mane-iac gasped. "Power Ponies!"
"Mane-iac," Radiance said.
"Zapp," Gryphon Galore growled.
"Gryphon Galore," Zapp said.
"Filli-Second," the pink hero declared.
"So we've got the crackpot who needs a mane-cut and a gryphon with anger management issues," the Masked Matterhorn. "There seems to be one pony missing in your Sisterhood of Evil."
"Not really," the Mane-iac said. "See, we left the Sinister Sorceress behind."
"Mane-iac," Gryphon Galore said sternly.
"A few weeks ago, she started talking nonsense," the Mane-iac explained. "She kept talking about how it's the end of us all. It got too crazy, even for me."
"Mane-iac," Gryphon Galore growled.
"So as soon as the chance came, GG and I left prison, but left SS behind," the Mane-iac continued. "Now, we call ourselves the Diabolical Duo."
"Except we shouldn't waste any time talking about our escape and spend it on fighting our enemies," Gryphon Galore said strictly.
"Oh. of course," the Mane-iac said.
And so, the heroes and villains charged at each other. They started their battle.
Gryphon Galore tackled Zapp and they struggled over the room. Meanwhile, Filli-Second ran really fast around the Mane-iac.
"I am here," Filli-Second said, "I am here."
The Power Ponies used their powers to throw down against the Diabolical Duo. During the battle, Hum Drum and the animals arrived and the dragon approached the Masked Matterhorn, who was fighting off a strand the Mane-iac's mane.
"Uh, Matterhorn, there's something I need to show you," Hum Drum said.
"Can't it wait," the Masked Matterhorn asked. "Gryphon Galore and the Mane-iac are back."
"Really," Hum Drum asked. "Then this is perfect! Throw me at them."
"I'm not throwing you at dangerous criminals," the Masked Matterhorn said. "I'll just head to the ceiling and take the height advantage."
"Please, you've got to trust me," Hum Drum said. "Look!"
Hum Drum closed his eyes and strained. Suddenly, his skin and costume changed into diamond. The Masked Matterhorn widened her eyes when she saw it.
"Hum Drum," she gasped. "How... What..."
"We'll talk about this later," Hum Drum said. "Right now, throw me!"
Confused, the Masked Matterhorn levitated Hum Drum and threw him toward the psychopath. When the Mane-iac looked and saw the diamond-skinned dragon, she couldn't react fast enough. Hum Drum rammed into her head and she toppled over.
"Hum Drum with superpowers," the Mane-iac said. "I've gone crazier than ever."
"You've got powers," the Masked Matterhorn shouted.
"THAT'S GREAT," Zapp shouted during her test of strength with Gryphon Galore. "THINK YOU CAN USE THAT TO HELP ME HERE?!"
"Right," Hum Drum said turning back to scales.
Hum Drum leaped up into the air and threw himself above Gryphon Galore. He changed himself to diamond and fell on Gryphon Galore's head. Mistress Marevelous used her rope to hogtie the two villainesses together.
"Well, looks like we're getting an extended time with our psychiatrists," the Mane-iac said. "I've been meaning to tell him about my middle-school days when my imaginary friend kept stealing my lunch money."
"Oh," Gryphon Galore groaned in annoyance.
The Power Ponies approached Hum Drum when he changed his skin back to scales.
"Hum Drum," Radiance gasped. "Where did you..."
"It's not just me," Hum Drum said. "The pets have powers too."
Suddenly, the pets started doing their powers also. Their owners were surprised when they saw it.
"Well, that's disturbing," Saddle Rager said.
"You see them too," Filli-Second asked.





Later on, in Power Tower, the Masked Matterhorn put Hum Drum and the pets through a few scans.
"This is astonishing," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Your powers seem to be imprinted into their cells. You can change your skin into diamond, Angel can teleport, Owlolicious spins around super-fast, Wynona can be intangible, Tank can fly without his copter, Gummy can change his skin into solid rock, and Opal can slash energy beams into the air. And I can't seem to tell the origin."
"Could it be some sort of side-effect from Discordant Convergence," Mistress Marevelous asked.
"Doubtful," the Masked Matterhorn said. "That was three months ago."
"Then it's obvious," Filli-Second said ominously. "This is all orchestrated by an evil demon that's capable of making us weak and making himself stronger. And once he's done with us... he'll destroy us all!"
"You and your wild imaginations," Zapp said.
"Hum Drum, how did you and the animals get these powers," Saddle Rager asked.
"I don't know," Hum Drum said. "Last night, I took the pets out for a walk, but I just lost track of the next few minutes."
"Something must have happened during that time," the Masked Matterhorn said. "We've got to figure it out as soon as possible and try to put a stop to it."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Hum Drum said, "And if you know where I'm going with this, whoa. Why would you want to stop this?"
"These new powers have an unknown origin, Hum Drum," the Masked Matterhorn said. "We still don't know if there are any downsides."
"I can change myself with diamond-hard skin and become indestructible," Hum Drum said. "And since I'm a dragon, I'm impervious to extreme heat. I can't be hurt. I see no downside. Come on. This is what I've dreamed of for years.

"I see it being time
For me to fight crime
That looks like a job for Hum Drum
A signal in the sky
Will show the criminals why
This looks like a job for Hum Drum
I used to be a super zero
But now, I put the "super" in superhero
Criminals better shake in fear-o
That looks like a job for Hum Drum"

"Hum Drum, be serious," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Think about it...

"If this gets stranger
We might be in danger"
"That sounds like a job for Hum Drum," Hum Drum sang.
"I still expect," the Masked Matterhorn sang,
"There to be some side effects"
"That sounds like a job for Hum Drum," Hum Drum sang.
"We just don't want to lose our oldest chum," Zapp sang.
"Calm down. Relax," Hum Drum sang,
"I'll do heroic acts
That's a job for Hum Drum
Any crime should beware
For if they cause despair
I'll stand up
If any bank is robbed
I will make it my job
To use my stuff
I'M GREATLY EXCITED
VERY SOON, I'LL BE KNIGHTED"
"THAT SOUNDS LIKE A JOB FOR HUM DRUM," Mistress Marevelous sang nervously.
"SAVING EVERY TYKE," Hum Drum sang,
"NOW, THAT JUST SOUNDS LIKE
THE PERFECT JOB FOR HUM DRUM"
"WE DON'T KNOW IF THE WORST IS YET TO COME," the Power Ponies sang.
"PUSHED AROUND, NO MORE," Hum Drum sang,
"THAT SOUNDS LIKE A JOB FOR
HUM DRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUM"

"Look, Hum Drum," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Will you just allow us to at least figure out where your powers came from?"
"Eh," Hum Drum said. "I suppose that's fair."
"Good," the Masked Matterhorn sighed. "All right. Here's how it will go: Saddle Rager, you stay here and keep an eye on our... Power Pets."
"Don't worry, Matterhorn," Saddle Rager said. "You can count on me. And I can give you all appropriate super-hero names."
"Filli-Second, Zapp," the Masked Matterhorn said, "You two help escort the Mane-iac and Gryphon Galore to prison."
"I'd be glad to," Zapp said.
"I'm down with that, homie," Filli-Second said.
"Radiance, Mistress Marevelous, you and I will go with Hum Drum to retrace his steps," the Matterhorn said. "Maybe we can figure out where these powers came from. We'll contact each other when we're done."
"Right," the Power Ponies said.
"And remember," the Masked Matterhorn said, "We've got to be ready for any possibility."





Meanwhile, in a wide, empty field, there was a sound of electricity crackling. A light flashed and six figures appeared and dropped to the floor. They looked like Timberwolves, but their outer layer was made of metal and they were standing on their hind legs.
"We're back," the leading wolf said. "We're in Equestria."
"Ooh, while we're here, let's go on a roller coaster," another wolf said.
"We're not here to go on any rides, Masque," the leading wolf said.
"Don't be scared," Masque said. "I'll hold your claw, big baby."
"Devastate," the big wolf said.
"You're probably right, Devastator," Masque said. "We've got a mission and as the Mighty Machines, it's our mission to complete said mission."
"Let's just get to Canterlot and find Princess Celestia," the leading wolf said. "She has to be warned."
> The Song of Evil
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sealed doors opened wide and a squad of police officers entered through. Behind them, the Mane-iac and Gryphon Galore were pushed through in stretchers by Zapp and Filli-Second.
"I escaped before, you rainbow-maned lame-o," Gryphon Galore said. "No jail can hold me."
"Yeah, most prisons may not be wide enough to hold you," Zapp said, "But we've been preparing a special cell since you escaped. The bars are electrified with a force-field a few inches in the front. Only guards can get through with your food. As for the walls, it's laced with a titanium/platinum/osmium compound. You can't possibly break out."
"Uh, Ms. Zapp," a guard said, "Should you really be making the prisoner angry like that?"
"Don't worry," Filli-Second said. "Zapp does this a lot and a lot and a lot and..."
"I think they get the idea," Zapp said. "Tormenting Gryphon Galore is one of the best parts of my fued with her."
"When I break free, I shall..." Gryphon Galore said.
"Hey," Zapp interrupted. "Ever heard of the right to remain silent?! The Mane-iac is being silent."
"Actually, ma'am," another officer said looking at the Mane-iac, "I think she's just sleeping."
"What," Zapp asked. "Well, at least she has the silent thing down."
"AAAAAAAHHHHH!"
"What was that," Filli-Second asked.
"That must be the Sinister Sorceress," a guard said. "She's been acting up for a while now."
"May we see her now," Zapp asked.
"Go on ahead," the guard said. "She's right next to you."
The Power Ponies looked and saw an electrifying field with the Sinister Sorceress behind it. Her hooved were covering her head violently and she was yelling loudly.
"IT'S BREAKING," she screamed. "THE BALANCE IS BREAKING!" She opened her eyes and had fear gazing in them. "AND HE'S COMING!"





"Okay," Hum Drum said walking down the city street. "I got the pets on their walk and we stopped at the groomers for Angel. After that, we..." He stopped when he saw a singing club in the block corner. "We had a few minutes to kill, so we got into that club."
"Well, let's see what you did there," the Masked Matterhorn said.
The four approached the front door, but a large stallion appeared and held his hoof out.
"You're the Power Ponies," he said.
"Cool," Hum Drum said. "We're V.I.P.'s."
"No, you're not welcome here," the stallion said. "No one with super powers gets in. Club rules."
"Club rules," Hum Drum asked. "But I was in there last night. I remember walking through those doors."
"Only one entry per customer," the stallion said. "The Siren Sisters are strict on these terms."
"The Siren Sisters," Mistress Marevelous asked.
"Serena, Carol, and Melody," the stallion said. "They're humans and they've got the best voices in Equestria. In fact, they performed a little number for me before I decided to work for them." Suddenly, his eyes began to flash green. It creeped the Power Ponies out.
"Uh, all right," the Masked Matterhorn said. "We'd better go."
The gang walked away with wierded faces.
"Something's going on in that club," Mistress Marevelous said, "And we gotta find out what."
"But how," Radiance asked. "I don't know if you noticed, Marevelous, but they're not letting anyone near the front door."
"Then we go from above," the Masked Matterhorn said.





A few minutes later, the Power Ponies climbed up to the roof of the club.
"All right," the Masked Matterhorn said creeping forward. "We go in quietly and carefully."
"Matterhorn, look out," Hum Drum exclaimed.
Suddenly, the Masked Matterhorn bumped into something. She looked and saw a taller stallion with pegasus wings and a blue costume. He had a blue mask.
"Who are you," the Masked Matterhorn asked. "Have we met before?"
"Uh, no," the pegasus said. "My name is... uh... the Blue... Comet. That's right. The Blue Comet."
"Never seen you before," Mistress Marevelous said. "Are you a superhero like us?"
"Hero, yes," the Blue Comet answered. "Super, not even the slightest. I usually don't go into this costume, but a... friend of mine is investigating new superpowers popping up from all over town."
"What," Hum Drum gasped. "So it's not just me?"
"No," the Blue Comet said. "Apparently, a few dozen random ponies gained superpowers all of a sudden. The only thing they have in common is that they all came in here on the same night, but they don't remember what happened here."
"So that must be why they don't want super-powered ponies in here," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Whatever they're doing in there, it doesn't effect us if we already have superpowers."
"If I go in, I might not remember what happened," the Blue Comet said. "You four go on in. And tell me what happened after you're done."
"All right," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Come on, Power Ponies. Let's sneak in."
The four climbed on down and hid behind a pile of barrels. There were tables filled with ponies chatting. Behind the stage curtain, three human girls were preparing for a show. The leader, Serena, peeked through the curtain and chuckled.
"This is it, girls,"  Serena said. "The moment we've been waiting for all day."
"Dinner," Carol asked.
"No," Serena said. "We're going to do our enchanted performance."
"Ooooooh," Carol said.
"So we do the exact same thing we did last night," Melody said. "That's a lot more ponies than there were last night."
"Which only makes it better," Serena said. "When these ponies make Lord Arcanus strong enough, not even the Power Ponies can stop him from getting back."
"But we can still have dinner after, right," Carol said. "It's Pizza Friday."
"Just follow my lead," Serena said.
"Or my lead," Melody said.
"MY lead," Serena growled.
The Siren Sisters took their positions and listened to the host.
"Ladies and gentlecolts, here is the main event! Managed by Dr. Mark Tate, the beautiful, fabulous, and dazzling... SIREN SISTERS!"
The curtains rose up and the Siren Sisters began to vocalize. The ponies stared in amazement. The Power Ponies were confused when they watched. The band in the side was playing jazz music. The Siren Sisters stopped vocalizing and began to sing. Serena sang first.

"Hello, every pony here
In this world of heroes"
"Don't you wish that you were one," Carol sang,
"'Cause then, everything goes"
"For heroes can fly up high," Melody sang,
"While the rest of you crawl"
"You citizens can have that wish," they all sang,
"When you hear the Siren's Call"
"Don't you wish you had super speed," Serena sang,
"Or is it strength that you need"
"Do you want control over death," Carol sang,
"Or perhaps some super breath"
"Is telekinesis your desire," Melody sang,
"Or do you prefer control over fire"
"You can have powers," the Siren Sisters sang,
"And feel 10 feet tall
But only if you listen
To the Siren's Call
Whenever words fail
You don't have to fall
But only if you listen...
Only if you listen to the Siren's Call"
"Diamond-hard skin, you crave," Serena sang,
"When you know there's a day to save"

At that line, Hum Drum widened his eyes and remembered his powers.

"Invisibility can be for you," Carol sang,
"It's a power anyone can see through"
"Laser eyes for every one," Melody sang,
"FLY HIGH INTO THE SUN," the Siren Sisters sang,
"You can have powers
And feel 10 feet tall
But only if you listen
To the Siren's Call
Whenever words fail
You don't have to fall
But only if you listen
Only if you listen to the Siren's Call"
"Growing high must feel great," Serena sang,
"Yet, shrinking is no small trait"
"Changing shape can change your role," Carol sang,
"It's be mesmerizing with mind control"
"Teleport to any place," Melody sang,
"Disappear without a trace"
"THERE ARE MORE POWERS," the Siren Sisters sang,
"YOU CAN USE TO HAVE A BALL
SO SIT BACK AND LISTEN
TO THE SIREN'S CALL
WITH ALL THESE POWERS
YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL
SO SIT BACK AND LISTEN...
LISTEN...
LISTEN...
TO THE SIIIIIIIREEEEEN'S CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL"

The Power Ponies looked and all the other ponies had glowing green eyes. They stared at the Siren Sisters, who were floating in midair.
"Perfect," Serena said. "Now, for the big finish."
Suddenly, the Siren Sisters' hair grew longer and red, demonic wings came out of their backs. They then chanted a dark incantation.

"ARCANUS
ENCHANTUS
CHANGE ALL OF NATURE'S RULES
GO FROM INFERIUM
TO GRAND SUPERIUM
GIVE OUR GIFTS TO THESE FOOOOOOOOOOLS"

Suddenly, the Siren Sisters started to change form. They looked like pony phantoms. They flew around the room and circled the audience. The Power Ponies saw the ponies start to glow. As they turned and started to climb out of the room, they heard the Siren Sisters' evil laugh echo through the club.





"So the Siren Sisters actually are siren sisters," the Blue Comet asked. "Weird. The name should've tipped me off."
"But I've often read that sirens only sing to make other ponies fight making them stronger," the Masked Matterhorn said.
"Well, they've gotten a change in the natural order," Hum Drum said. "'Cause they're giving other ponies, like me, superpowers."
"But why," Radiance asked.
"I don't know," the Masked Matterhorn said. "But there's someone who may have the answers: Princess Celestia. Call up the rest of the Power Ponies. We're leaving for Canterlot immediately. Comet, you stay and protect Maretropolis while we're gone."
"Wait," the Blue Comet said. "Masked Matterhorn... be careful."
The Masked Matterhorn tried so hard to hide her blush. "You too."
The Blue Comet jumped and flew away. The other Power Ponies looked at the Masked Matterhorn with grins.
"Is it just me, or do you have a crush on the guy," Mistress Marevelous asked.
"Whaaaaaat," the Masked Matterhorn asked nervously. "No, no, no. You got it all wrong. It doesn't matter if he comes to me as charming and handsome and mysterious and..."
"AH-HA," Hum Drum exclaimed. "That's enough for us."
"Don't we have a trio of evil divas to expose," the Masked Matterhorn asked with nervousness.
> Pieces of the Puzzle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadence were looking out of the windows in worry.
"I don't know what is happening, sister," Princess Luna said. "These New Heroes have no memory of how they gained their powers."
"And it doesn't stop here," Princess Cadence said. "There are reports in the Crystal Empire as well."
"I'm getting worried," Princess Celestia said. "How can so many ponies gain powers so quickly? I'm about to send a message to the Power Ponies. Hopefully, they have something that can help us."
Suddenly, the door burst open and the Power Ponies ran in.
"What a coincidence," Princess Luna said. "We were just about to summon you."
"Your majesties, there are superpowers showing up all over Maretropolis," Hum Drum said. "A lot of folks have it, including me."
"It's not just Maretropolis," Princess Celestia said. "Canterlot. The Crystal Kingdom. Saddle Arabia. Thousands of ponies from around the globe are gaining powers. We just don't know where it came from."
"We do," the Masked Matterhorn said. "It was a trio of human girls calling themselves the Siren Sisters; Carol, Melody, and..."
"Serena," Princess Celestia whispered in shock. "Luna, the sirens have returned."
"That is impossible," Princess Luna gasped.
"You know them," Princess Cadence asked.
"I'm afraid so," Princess Celestia said. "10,000 years ago, Discordant Convergence struck. We were prepared for the worst, but nothing happened. There was no earthquake, no flash flood, and no hurricane. We thought there was nothing wrong. Suddenly, we found three young ponies radiated by Discordant Convergence. They were dying. Suddenly, a unicorn came out and cast a spell on the girls. The girls changed into humans."
"The Siren Sisters," Mistress Marevelous said.
"Exactly," Princess Celestia said. "We thought that was the end of it, but Discordant Convergence's effect wasn't done. At will, the sisters could change into sirens and change society with their singing. It had to stop. So, the unicorn that saved them opened a portal and they were banished to a realm with no one for them to harm. We thought it was the end of it... until now."
"Well, how did they escape," the Masked Matterhorn asked. "And why are they creating superheroes?'
"We don't know," Princess Luna said, "But it seems we're going to need some additional help."
"Like who," Saddle Rager asked.
"The very unicorn who banished the sirens in the first place," Princess Luna said.
"But that was thousands of years ago," Radiance said. "How can he still be alive today?"
"Because to this very day, that unicorn is..." Princess Celestia said, "Anar D."
The Power Ponies gasped.
"Anar D," Mistress Marevelous asked. "As in Anar D, Anar D."
"When he turned Serena, Carol, and Melody into humans, I offered to teach him magic," Princess Celestia said. "He declined, but said that his sister, Pandora, was more powerful. And when D banished the sirens, Luna and I saw him, Pandora, and their friends as the next Heroes of Harmony."
"Let me guess," the Masked Matterhorn said. "That Discordant Convergence that created the sirens was the same one with the bit of magic that D found that eventually made him into Anar D."
"Of course," Princess Celestia said. "And as long as they're here, the balance is in danger."
"Balance," Zapp said. "Wait, that's what the Sinister Sorceress said when we got in the prison."
"What," the Power Ponies asked.
"It's true," Filli-Second said. "She was all 'it's the end of the world' and we were all 'whatcha talking about, Willis'."
"We never said that," Zapp said.
"I was paraphrasing," Filli-Second said.
"Anyway," Zapp said, "The Sinister Sorceress said the balance is broken. When we asked how, her exact words were 'the creator is going to escape'. No pony understood what she meant."
"Creator," Princess Celestia asked. "I wonder..."
Suddenly, a hard knock echoed from the door. Princess Celestia summoned him, and he was revealed to be the Masked Matterhorn's brother and Princess Cadence's husband, Shining Armor.
"Shining Armor," Cadence exclaimed with joy. "What are you doing here?"
"We've got to get Twilight out of here," Shining Armor said.
"What," the Masked Matterhorn asked.
"Explain," Princess Celestia commanded.
"I just got word from the West Mountain Prison," Shining Armor said. "Darkmatter escaped."
"What," the princesses gasped.
"After some investigation, we discovered that he was released by sirens," Shining Armor continued.
"No," Princess Celestia gasped. "That's how they've been traveling so fast. We all know how powerful Darkmatter is alone, but working with sirens, he's unstoppable."
"WOULD SOME PONY INCLUDE ME HERE," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Who is Darkmatter and how am I in danger?"
The princesses and Shining Armor looked at each other and sighed.
"Very well, sis," Shining Armor said. "Shortly after you were born, you displayed phenomenal magic. As soon as you did, a black unicorn calling himself Darkmatter approached the princesses applying to be your magic teacher. But they saw darkness in his heart and refused. Enraged, Darkmatter claimed that he knew the secret of killing a princess. At first, we didn't believe him, but he seemed to sure. We then caught him trying to kill you, but we captured him. We tried to make him confess how to kill you, but he wouldn't crack."
"So that's why you've been protective of me," the Masked Matterhorn said.
"Wait a minute," Mistress Marevelous said. "At the siren's show, the host said their manager was named Dr. Mark Tate. Scramble the letters, and it says..."
"Market Dart," Filli-Second asked.
"No," Mistress Marevelous said. "Darkmatter."
"So he is working with the Siren Sisters," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Look, maybe if I try to talk some sense into Darkmatter."
"Absolutely not," Shining Armor said. "I'm sorry, but you can't reason with a madcolt. No one can change."
"Not true," a hysterical voice echoed. "I changed." Suddenly, Anar D appeared in a flash of light.
"Anar D," Princess Celestia said.
"Princesses," Anar D said.
"FILLI-SECOND," Filli-Second shouted.
"What are you doing here, Anar D," Zapp asked.
"Oh, wouldn't you believe it," Anar D said. "I was off on my investigation--you know, the one where I'm trying to figure out who the Changelings were working for--when suddenly, I came across this odd bunch who are looking for you, Celestia. One of them even claims to be an old friend of yours."
"A friend of mine," Princess Celestia asked. "Send them in."
Suddenly, the door opened wide. The Mighty Machines were standing there. The Power Ponies looked and they screamed in fear.
"See," Masque asked. "I told you this haircut was a nightmare, Dusk."
"I GOT THEM," Zapp shouted.
She charged straight at them until, suddenly, Anar D puled out a large bubble wand. Zapp flew through it and was surrounded by a bubble.
"Calm down, Zappy," Anar D said. "This is the odd bunch I just told you about. They're just as friendly as you Power Ponies are."
Zapp's bubble popped and Zapp flew back to her team.
"Celestia," the leading wolf gasped in joy.
"Do I know you," Princess Celestia asked.
"It's me," the wolf said. "It's Ricky."
All of a sudden, Princess Celestia widened her eyes and gasped in shock.
"Is it really you... after all these years?"
"You've got to be kidding me," Princess Luna said.
"What's going on," Radiance asked.
"Ricky there was a classmate of my sister in school," Luna explained. "One day, Discordant Convergence came, and multiple portals opened up to random places. Ricky fell through and he hasn't been heard from since."
"What happened to you," Princess Celestia asked.
"He has a new body," Anar D explained. "He's become a robotic werewolf; a 'wirewolf', to say."
"I can't explain how this happened," Ricky said. "I guess it must be a side-effect from crossing a portal created by Discordant Convergence. I was trapped in a Netherealm of eternal darkness. I guess I don't age there, either, cause I've been keeping this look for millennia. Over time, other wirewolves appeared out of nowhere. Together, we formed a peace-keeping team to protect the animals of the Netherealm."
"There are animals there," Princess Luna asked. "I always thought it was a barren wasteland."
"Discordant Convergence brought them there too," Ricky explained. "Since we became heroes, we got new names. For example, I am the Shadow Blot, able to create other creatures from my body as long as they're not too big. The one with the cider is Timberwolf, a healing multiplier that's a bit... accident-prone."
"I get blown up a lot," Timberwolf said. "Thankfully, my healing powers can put me back together.
"The one with the grin is Masque," the Shadow Blot introduced, "A shape-shifter who's part Changeling (don't ask). That one is Rodan. With his phoenix DNA, he can shoot fire and glow brightly. The scary guy is Dusk. Imagine a shadow version of Masque and Rodan combined. Last, but not least, the big guy is..."
"Devastate," the large one said.
"Rrrright," the Shadow Blot said. "This is Devastator. He can combine himself with other technology to augment himself. And if he has to, he'll swallow everything he sees."
"Devastate," Devastator said.
"What he said," Rodan said.
"But, he just said devastate," Saddle Rager said.
"Not really, kid," Timberwolf said. "Devastator has a very limited grasp on the English language. Devastate is pretty much the only thing he can say when it's not 'Devastator smash'. We wirewolves are the only ones who can understand him."
"Well, why have you returned, Ricky," Princess Celestia asked her old friend, "After all these years?"
"We're here to warn you," the Shadow Blot said. "Arcanus is coming! Equestria will perish!"
The Princesses paled in horror "No." whispered Luna, hoping against hope she had misheard, or that there was some mistake.
"Arcanus is coming," Princess Celestia asked in shock. "This explains so much. Now, all the pieces of the puzzle have fallen into place!"
"Uh, Princess Celestia," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Who's Arcanus? He sounds like a master of magic."
"More than that," Princess Luna said. "He's one of the creators of magic."
The room fell silent at the sound of that.
> The Journey Begins
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Long ago," Princess Celestia said, "Before magic was created, there was a time of great darkness. Everyone relied on brute savagery. Our parents, the previous rulers of Equestria, consulted two strange brothers: Scorpio and Arcanus. Scorpio was happy to give his services, but Arcanus refused to get involved without a price. My parents promised them a place on the council. Satisfied, Scorpio and Arcanus collected many rare herbs and brewed up a concoction. The result let out a vapor that created magic and gave our parents their alicorn powers. And to ensure the peace, Scorpio materialized the elements for harmony and created the Harmony Gems. They were praised and the two brothers were given their places on the council. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to satisfy Arcanus. He attempted to take the magic from everything in Equestria. To stop him, our parents and Scorpio banished him far away from Equestria and chained him with the Harmony Gems. But before we sealed the portal, we heard Arcanus vow to return and plague Equestria with 1,000 years of darkness."
"I take it back," Filli-Second said. "THAT is the worst bedtime story ever!"
"Now, it all fits," Princess Celestia said. "Arcanus is the one who sent the Changelings to invade Equestria. It was all so that they could free him."
"And since Scynder failed, he's sending in his next team to free him," Princess Luna said.
"Of course," Princess Cadence said. "This is all orchestrated by an evil demon that's capable of making us weak and making himself stronger. And once he's done with us... he'll destroy us all!"
"My wild imagination, huh," Filli-Second scoffed at Zapp.
"There's still one thing I don't understand," Mistress Marevelous said. "How could the Sinister Sorceress know Arcanus was behind this?"
"Arcanus and Scorpio created magic," Princess Luna said. "With the Sorceress' augmented magic she gave herself to be more powerful, it must give her some kind of psychic connection to Arcanus' arrival."
"Did I miss something," Anar D said.
"Yes," Princess Cadence said. "Your old enemies, the sirens, they work for Arcanus and escaped."
"They're giving out superpowers to many ponies," Hum Drum said, "Including me and our pets."
"And they're enlisting the help of an evil unicorn who has the secret of killing an alicorn," the Masked Matterhorn said.
"I leave you all alone for a few months, and look what happens," Anar D said. "Everything's gone to pot."
"Anar D," Princess Celestia said. "You were tasked on discovering the secret of the Changeling invasion. Now, since you were the one who defeated the Siren Sisters before, you are to stop them from releasing Arcanus."
"Oh, sure," Anar D said. "No prob. It'll be a piece of cake."
"It's probably best if he has some supervision," the Shadow Blot said. "Timberwolf, go with him."
"Me," Timberwolf asked. "Uh, Ricky, are you suffering from oil loss? I'm accident-prone and Anar D is the almighty accident."
"Never been called that before," Anar D said.
"Why can't you just send Dusk or Rodan or anyone else," Timberwolf asked.
"Because I don't want to do it," Rodan said.
"Come on, Timby," Anar D said. "Are you afraid of divas?"
"I'm not afraid of divas," Timberwolf said. "I'm afraid of blowing up again."
"You're a superhero," Zapp said. "Isn't it your job to risk blowing up?"
Timberwolf sighed. "All right. Let's go."
"Hold on," Anar D said popping a book out of nowhere. "I almost forgot to give the Power Ponies this." He balanced the book on the Masked Matterhorn's horn. "This book chroniclized my whole trek over the past three months. Since I don't need it anymore, I hope you might find some good reading material from it. Let's go."
Suddenly, Anar D and Timberwolf disappeared.
"I'm starting to thik that the reformed Anar D is even more obnoxious than the old Anar D," Mistress Marevelous said.
"Your highness, what about us," the Masked Matterhorn said.
"You and the Mighty Machines are tasked with finding the New Heroes and send them here to Canterlot," Princess Celestia said. "We don't know why Arcanus wants them around, but we've got to protect them."
"We'll be happy to round up these New Heroes," the Masked Matterhorn said.
"Yeah," Zapp said. "Just wait until Arcanus eats dirt when his plan fails."
"For an... old friend, anything," the Shadow Blot said with hesitation in his voice.





Later that afternoon, Shining Armor brought the Power Ponies and the Mighty Machines to the hanger. There, the sunroof opened wide and everyone stared in amazement at the large, purple blimp with their logo on it.
"What is that," Mistress Marevelous asked.
"I call it the Harmony Wind," Shining Armor said. "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had me and some other guards to commission this transport after the Changeling invasion. The only problem is, each passanger is only allowed to have one carry-on."
The Power Ponies turned to Filli-Second and saw that she had three suitcases and a surfboard on her shoulders.
"These airlines are out of control," Filli-Second said.
"And you're okay with letting us on," the Shadow Blot asked, "Even though we're... different."
"Here in Equestria, we don't care what you look like," Saddle Rager said. "It just takes some getting used to. I remember when I transformed for the first time."
Devastator sighed.
"And just in case we run into Darkmatter or the Siren Sisters," Shining Armor continued, "The princesses have already put the Harmony Gems on board." He turned to his sister. "Uh, Twilight, with Darkmatter out there with an obsession for your demise, it's only fair if I accompany you."
"Oh," the Masked Matterhorn said. She looked down. "All right. You all go on ahead. I'll catch up." She approached a window and looked at the city of Canterlot outside. She didn't see her fellow princesses approach her.
"Is something troubling you," Princess Celestia asked.
"Oh, it's just..." the Masked Matterhorn sighed. "...Well, I don't really feel like I make really much of a difference."
"How can you say that," Princess Cadence asked. "You're one of the greatest heroes in history. You're also a princess."
"Yeah, well, it's not hard for everyone to realize my secret identity now that I'm an alicorn," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Actually, I wasn't the one who saved Maretropolis from the Changelings; Anar D was. It wasn't me who brought the Power Ponies back together; it was Hum Drum. And now, there's a mad unicorn after me and everyone's trying to protect me. It kinda maked me question if I'm really worthy of my titles."
"My student, do you really believe that we're protecting you because we think you're not worthy of anything," Princess Celestia asked. "We're protecting you because we care."
"I know it doesn't seem like it, but you've played a big part when it always mattered," Princess Luna said. "You raised Hum Drum to care enough to get the team back together. You put the flame of friendship inside of Anar D."
"I didn't do that," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Saddle Rager gave him Pandora's Box."
"But who gave it to Saddle Rager," Princess Cadence said. "Your judgement in your friends makes you worthy of the crown. In a way, you made Anar D good."
"Really," the Masked Matterhorn asked.
"Indeed," Princess Celestia said. "My father always told me, 'as love has a place in every heart, you'll play your part'. And the only way you do that is if you keep your friends with you, no matter what.

"A great event that bonds two friends
Can be a large leap forward
Of being able to master
The battle against discord
And the friends that you have gathered
Would they all let you down
When it came to your struggles
That run you to the ground
So life has a way to test your bond
As you can plainly see
You will have your peace of mind
And then, you will find...
And then, you will find your destiny"
"La, lalala, lalala," ponies in the background sang,
"Lalalala, la, lalala
La, lalala, lalala
Lalalala, la, lalala
La, lalala, lalala
Lalalala, la, lalala
La, lalala, lalala
Lalalala, la, lalala"
"A loyal friend can get you out," Princess Luna sang,
"And honesty is true
When generosity is fortunate
Then, there's hope for you
If laughter has vanished from the world
Will it be broken in your mind
Or will you be able to repair it
Just by being kind
And that's why your friends belong together
That is how it should be
If you're imprisoned by your inner darkness
The greatest magic...
The greatest magic will set you free
And lead you to your destiny"
"And that's why your friends will not give up," Princess Cadence sang,
"And you can't give up also
For if you can't get up
They can help you go
Isolating yourself from everyone else
Isn't worth to try
If the elements of harmony thrive in you
Then you can really fly
YOU CAN REALLY FLYYYYYYYYYYYYYY"
"La, lalala, lalala," ponies in the background sang,
"Lalalala, la, lalala
La, lalala, lalala
Lalalala, la, lalala
La, lalala, lalala
Lalalala, la, lalala
La, lalala, lalala
Lalalala, la, lalala
LA, LALALA, LALALA
LALALALALA, LA, LALALA
LA, LALALA, LALALA
LALALALALA..."
"YES," the Masked Matterhorn sang joyously,
"THANKS FOR HELPING ME SEE MY WORTH
NOW, I KNOW THE BEST IN ME
AS LONG AS MY FEATS ARE WITH MY FRIENDS
IT'S MY DESTINYYYYYYYY"
"IT'S YOUR..." Princess Celestia sang.
"IT'S YOUR..." Princess Luna sang.
"IT'S YOUR..." Princess Cadence sang.
"DEEEESTIIIIIIIINYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY," they all sang.

The Masked Matterhorn entered the blimp and the ship prepared to take off. She looked out the window and saw the other princesses waving at her. The Masked Matterhorn was approached by the Shadow Blot.
"Don't worry, kid. If there's one thing about Celestia that I know, it's that she's always right."
"You support her a lot, don't you," the Masked Matterhorn asked.
Ricky looked out the window and stared directly at Princess Celestia. He had a small grin.
"I guess I do, don't I," he whispered to himself.
The blimp hovered out of the hanger and flew out of sight. Their search for the New Heroes have begun.
> The Deal With The Divas
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later that night, outside of another city, the Siren Sisters approached it.
"Behold, our final city that we shall enchant: Manehattan," Serena said. "And once we're done here, we shall pay the Power Ponies a visit. This will be ironic because this town is said to be home of the symbols of everything these modern ponies hold dear."
"Don't call me dear," Melody snapped.
"Let's go," Serena said.
Suddenly, they saw an elderly pony in front of them. He was wearing sunglasses.
"Excuse me," the old pony said. "Could you spare a few coins?"
"Out of our way, old colt," Serena said. "We've got no time for the elderly."
"Oh, no," the old pony asked bowing his head down. "Then how about..." He popped his head up and revealed Anar D's face. "...ME! Hello again, sirens."
"AAAAHHHH," Carol shouted. She pointed at Anar D. "IT'S THE BOOGEYMAN! QUICK, GET THE GARLIC AND SILVER BULLETS!"
"Carol, that's Anar D," Melody said. "You know, the guy who used to be D, the unicorn who banished us to the Netherealm?"
"Oh, right," Carol chuckled.
"Glad to see you girls haven't changed much," Anar D said. "And just so you know, garlic and silver bullets wouldn't even work on the Boogeyman."
"What are you doing here, Anar D," Serena asked.
"Whaaat," Anar D asked with an obvious tone. "You mean I can't occasionally see what my old enemies are up to."
"Oh, please," Serena scoffed. "Something is rotten in Topeka... wherever that is. Now, what are you up to?"
"About 6 feet," Anar D said. "Give or take a few inches. Get it?" There was a drum and cymbal sound in the air. "All right. I'm here to capture you. And I brought a friend."
Anar D reached his eagle claw into his mouth and pulled Timberwolf out of his mouth. The wirewolf was covered with saliva.
"Yuck," Timberwolf said. "Draconequus spit. We could have driven, you know."
"I get better mileage," Anar D said.
"What a coincidence, D," Melody said. "We brought a friend too."
Anar D looked and Darkmatter was behind him. Darkmatter's horn glowed and blasted a red beam. Anar D split his head and dodged it. "You must be Darkmatter. In that case..." He then popped up a matador costume and held up a red blanket. "Torro. Torro."
"Oldest prank in the book," Darkmatter said.
Suddenly, a group of skates appeared underneath Darkmatter's hooves. The unicorn didn't see them coming, but he still skated toward the cape. Anar D moved the cloak and Darkmatter tripped over the Siren Sisters.
"Ole," Anar D exclaimed.
"So much power," Serena groaned. "And yet, you continue to get your pride-card taken away. Clearly, you threw away your true nature to wallow in their good graces."
Anar D was strumming a harp with a halo over his head. When he realized what the blondie said, he threw the harp away. "I have done nothing of the sort." He then wafted the halo away.
"Oh, please," Darkmatter said. "I've seen it all before. You're falling into the same trap that befell my brother."
"Brother," Timberwolf asked. "No one said anything about your brother."
"Quiet, beast," Serena said. "The sensible ones are talking. Anar D, we share the same origin. We got our powers from the same Discordant Convergence. You should have the same ideals as us not to befriend the ponies. Help us bring back our master and you'll be rewarded with something far greater than... friendship: freedom."
Anar D arced his eyebrow. "Freedom, huh? That does sound tempting."
"D, you can't listen to them," Timberwolf protested. "They're evil. Listen...

"Hey, Anar D
Can't you see this is wrong
They want you with them
Just so they could stay strong
Nothing they say is true
This isn't the right thing to do
Look at them
How can you think it's where you belong"

Anar D used his chaos powers to illustrate the song. Timberwolf continued singing.

"Right from the start
They had you to hate
Don't believe there's a sudden partnership
That they just want to create
I know you feel very enticed
But I'm telling you, this deal has a price
A price that you can't pay
So stop before it's too late"
"Hey, Anar D," the Siren Sisters sang,
"Are you losing your mind
Over these friends you find
You're not meant to be kind
You're meant to do what you want
Until it's gone
Do not neglect
And do not forget
What you know, Anar D
So use your brains
And friendship nearly got you locked up
With unbreakable chains
So now, you're in a fix
You can keep doing lame tricks
Or you can finally have your kicks
And remove this friendship pain"
"Where is the right," Timberwolf sang.
"Which one is my side," Anar D sang.
"Where is the right," the Siren Sisters sang.
"What can each provide," Anar D sang.
"Who is the one," Timberwolf sang.
"The one I can trust to tell me what's right," Anar D sang.
"Where is the right," Timberwolf sang.
"What is it they said," Anar D sang.
"Friendship's a blight," the Siren Sisters sang.
"Friendship's a blight," Anar D sang,
"And the sirens are wicked
That's the fight I've got in my head"
"Hey, Anar D," Timberwolf sang,
"Can't you see in your soul
There's a part for you
And this just isn't the right role
We can't control what you play
But think of what Pandora would say
About the path you choose
Whether or not you're in control"

Anar D held up a picture of his long-passed sister and shed a tear. The song continued.

"Where is the right," Timberwolf sang.
"Which one is my side," Anar D sang.
"Where is the right," the Siren Sisters sang.
"What can each provide," Anar D sang.
"Who is the one," Timberwolf sang.
"The one I can trust to tell me what's right," Anar D sang.
"Where is the right," Timberwolf sang.
"I'm in a jam," Anar D sang.
"But the ponies spite," the Siren Sisters sang.
"They spite who I am," Anar D sang.
"You're the king of strife," the Siren Sisters sang.
"And by giving this box, I'll swear my life," Anar D sang holding up Pandora's Box.

"NOOOOO," Timberwolf shouted. But he was too late. Anar D had already gave Pandora's Box to Serena. The draconequus turned to the wirewolf.

"Maybe it's true," Anar D sang,
"They used to want me gone
But three months is enough
It's time I do what I want
This friendship is not for me
Now, I am what I'm meant to be
THE SPIRIT OF CHAOS
AND CHAOS IS MY DESTINY
CHAOS IS MY ONLY FRIEND"
"CONGRATULATIONS, ANAR," the Siren Sisters sang,
"YOU'RE FREEEEEEEEEEEEE"

"And as for you," Anar D said appearing behind Timberwolf. He materialized a screwdriver and tapped the wirewolf's head with it.
Suddenly, Timberwolf's head popped off and flew into the air. He landed in the nearby ground.
"I hate when this happens," Timberwolf screamed.
"Excellent work, Anar D," Serena said. "And I promise, we won't use the box against you like the Sisterhood of Evil did."
"Whatever," Melody sighed.
"Welcome to the show," Carol said. "Ooh, that could be a good song name!"
"We are about to change the world," Darkmatter said. "Welcome to the winning team. Welcome... to the Order of Change."
As Anar D grinned wickedly, the villains left the scene and entered the town. Timberwolf's head watched them leave then he turned his eyes to his still body.
"I've got to get back on my body," Timberwolf said straining his head forward. "Must... warn... the others." He then rolled until his snout was in a puddle of mud. His words then made bubbles. "This may take longer than I thought."
> The Traveler's Prophecy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

  "All right, everyone," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Where do we go first?"
"According to the radio," Dusk said, "The closest town with any report of a New Hero is Sweet Apple Acres."
"That's where I'm from," Mistress Marevelous said. "What June bug would gain superpowers there?"
"Only one way to find out," Zapp said. "Now, how long before we get there?"
"One hour, three minutes, and twelve seconds, I'd say."
The Power Ponies and Mighty Machines gasped in shock. They didn't see the Earth pony standing there before. He had a brown mane and a white collar and black tie. His Cutie Mark was an hourglass. He took out a pocket watch and opened it.
"AAAAHHH," Masque screamed. He pointed his claw to the strange pony. "STRANGER DANGER! STRANGER DANGER!"
"Who," Radiance stuttered, "What... Why... How... Where..."
"Wrong questions," the stallion said. "The real question is, when?"
"What's your name," the Shadow Blot asked.
"Hmm," the stallion pondered. "I've been traveling for so long, I've seem to have forgotten my name. Well, until further notice, just call me the Doctor."
"We should call him a good therapist," Zapp whispered to her friends. She then turned her attention to the Doctor. "What are you doing here?"
"That depends," the Doctor said. "Which event is happening now?"
"I don't know if you hear the news lately," Rodan said, "But there are New Heroes in the world and we're looking for them."
"Ah, of course," the Doctor exclaimed. "And let me guess, you've sent Anar D and Timberwolf to capture the Siren Sisters."
"Wait a minute," Filli-Second said. "How did you know who the bad guys are or who we sent after them?"
"Yes, I probably should have lead with this," the Doctor said. "I'm from the distant future. I used to make my living off of research. On day, due to a series of circumstances, I gained the powers of time-travel."
"No, really," the Shadow Blot said crossing his arms.
"You're a wirewolf who used to be close to this world's Celestia," the Doctor said. "Are you really that surprised?"
"This world's Celestia," Shining Armor asked.
"Of course," the Doctor said. "There are countless other worlds across the time-stream. There's a world where you are ordinary ponies who face similar problem, a world where good and evil are reversed, a world where we are all humans, and so on. I make it my mission to travel to each time point in each timeline and observe past events, or in your case, present or future events."
"So why are you here," Mistress Marevelous asked.
"I've been trying to observe your battle with Arcanus," the Doctor said. "It appears that I made a wrong turn and arrived early."
"There won't be a battle with Arcanus," the Masked Matterhorn said. "We're going to rescue the New Heroes from his hidden agenda and he won't return."
"So naive," the Doctor said. "Even if you could prevent Arcanus from escaping, the worst is still yet to come."
"What do you mean by that," Dusk asked.
"I can't reveal too much information directly," the Doctor said. "However, I leave with these words..." He then spoke more ominously. "After the battle with Arcanus, Anar D will unknowingly give his kin's box to himself, but at the same time, it will have a new host. And that will be the perfect leverage for the Red Eye."
"What," Masque asked. "What does any of that mean?"
"It's a prophecy, Sherlock." the Doctor said. "I was trying to be mysterious. Well, I'll see you all in a couple of weeks... or sooner." Suddenly, a bright light glowed from his body. When the light dimmed, he wasn't there anymore.
"That was strange," Hum Drum said.

In Manehattan, the Siren Sister's final performance was done. The curtain closed and the sirens changed back into their human forms. Anar D and Darkmatter were congratulating them. Anar D materialized some chocolate milk glasses and gave them to everyone.
"A toast to... whatever it is what you just did," Anar D said.
"It's called enchanting, idiot," Serena said. "Tomorrow, Manehattan will be swarming with New Heroes."
"Wait," Anar D said. "So you WANT your super-powered victims to be heroes? I don't get it."
"Of course, you don't," Melody said. "You're too stupid to realize what we're doing."
"Duh," Carol said. "We're making them heroes because we also put something else in our spells." Serena stroked her fingers across her throat angrily. "What? What did I say?"
"Come on, Serena," Anar D said. "We've known each other for 10,000 years. Couldn't you tell little ol' me?"
"Don't bother," Darkmatter said. "They're not telling me."
"All you need to know is that we are called the Order of Change because that's what we're going to do to the world," Serena said.
"Oh, yeah," Carol said. "What she said is what I meant... to say."
"And it's what you would've said if you weren't so lame," Melody groaned.
"You are," Carol argued.
Serena grabbed both her sisters' hair and pushed their heads against each other.
"Forgive them," Serena said. "They're idiots. D, just lead Darkmatter to where the Power Ponies are for their death. We'll catch up."
"Fine," Anar D complained. "Then I won't teach you the lyrics to Glass of Water." He disappeared.
Darkmatter glowed his horn and vanished in a flash of black. Serena turned back to her sisters angrily.
"Oh," Carol ached. "You almost made me bit my lips."
"Then next time, keep them shut," Serena snapped.
"What did I do," Melody asked. "I didn't almost blab about the plan?"
"If one siren makes a bad move, everyone should be punished," Serena said.
"Then shouldn't you be punished," Melody asked.
"I am," Serena said. "I'm still stuck with you two."
"I don't get it," Carol said. "Why don't we tell Anar D what we're up to?"
"I trust the guy who banished us to the Netherealm as far as I can throw him," Serena said.
"For realzies," Carol said. "Don't you think we should give him a second chance? After all, if he hadn't transformed us into humans, we'd be dead."
"If he hadn't transformed us, we'd be spared the humiliation," Serena shot back. "Don't you remember about how all the other girls kept making fun of us behind our backs."
"And sometimes, in front of us," Melody said.
Carol was getting creeped out as her oldest sister approached her closer with anger burning in her eyes.
"Equestria betrayed us, Carol," Serena said. "And as soon as we get the chance, we'll pay them and D back."
"Really," Carol asked. "But... But he swore his loyalty to us. He even gave us his box as a sign of his trust."
"And that was his mistake," Serena said.

"We're here," Shining Armor declared landing the blimp in a wide field. The Power Ponies and the Mighty Machines exited the Harmony Wind and looked out at the field.
"What was that Doctor guy talking about," Masque asked. "Anar D giving his box to himself and there would be a red eye. That makes no sense at all."
"We can worry about all that later," Mistress Marevelous said. "Right now, we got to find the New Heroes before..."
Suddenly, there were loud screams. The Ponies and Machines followed the origin of the screams and saw a large creature. It had three heads: a tiger, a goat, and a snake.
"A chimera," Mistress Marevelous gasped. "But they're not allowed out of their territory."
"Well, let's send this creep packing," Zapp said.
The heroes began to use their powers, but before they could unleash them, they saw something they didn't expect. Six long, green vines sprouted from the ground and wrapped themselves around the chimera's limbs. It tried to struggle, but it was no use.
Then, without warning, punches were flung at the tiger head, but there was no one there. When the beating stopped. It felt dizzy and wobbled out of control.
"Hey, get ahold of yourself," the goat head shouted. "What's wrong with you?"
"No, I can't march in the pudding parade," the tiger head said in a British accent.
"What," the snake head asked.
Suddenly, a burst of rockets were heard. A small pony with rocket skates appeared out of nowhere and ran right into the chimera. The vines broke off and the chimera fell down unconscious.
Suddenly, three young ponies landed in front of the ponies and wirewolves. There was a yellow Earth pony that rose with vines, a white unicorn that materialized slowly, and an orange pegasus with rockets on her skates. They were wearing costumes and masks that matches their manes.
"Fear not, Sweet Apple Acres," the yellow pony declared. "We are on the job to protect you. Seedling!"
"Nowhere Mare," the white unicorn declared.
"And Turbo Girl," the orange pegasus declared.
"C.R.U.S.A.D.E.," the three shouted.
"And who are we really," Seedling shouted. "The world may never know!"
"Apple Bloom," Mistress Marevelous asked in shock as she recognized the yellow one as her little sister.
"Sweetie Belle," Radiance asked in shock as she recognized the white one as her little sister.
"Scootaloo," Zapp asked in shock as she recognized the orange one as her biggest fan.
"HEY," Apple Bloom shouted revealing herself. "You just broke the secret identity code!"
> Trust Issues
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The three young ponies were in for the talk of a lifetime from their idols.
"APPLE BLOOM, HAVE YOU LOST IT," Mistress Marevelous shouted.
"WHAT IF YOU'D GOTTEN HURT, SWEETIE BELLE," Radiance shouted.
"MY FAN CLUB'S ALREADY TOO SHORT WITHOUT YOU RISKING YOUR LIFE, SCOOTALOO," Zapp shouted.
"Look, we know you're upset," Apple Bloom said.
"You think," Radiance said. "Sweetie Belle, when you told me you were invited to spend the weekend at Sweet Apple Acres, I thought you'd be playing safe games!"
"It started out that way," Sweetie Belle explained. "But then, we woke up from a night that we don't remember, and we had super powers. I can turn invisible."
"And I got plant powers," Apple Bloom said. "I can just think it, and the plants can do whatever I want."
"I got super stamina," Scootaloo said. "At first, I didn't think of any use for it, but I realized it made it easier to stay conscious after I use these super skates with rocket boosters."
"Where did you get those anyway," Zapp asked.
"Cousin Babs knows a guy," Apple Bloom said.
"Now, we're superheroes like you," Scootaloo said. She pulled out a small card. "We even have a team name: C.R.U.S.A.D.E."
"What exactly does that stand for," Saddle Rager asked.
"I don't know," Scootaloo answered. "Anything we want."
No one knew that in a bush behind them, two sets of eyes peeked out and observed them.
"Oh," a small, snarly voice said. "The big unicorn has some fine jewelry on her."
"Can we take it now, Spot," a bigger snarl said.
"Not now, Fido," the small snarl said. "Let's just watch until the right time."
"Our powers can make us just like you guys," Sweetie Belle said.
"Hate to break it to you," Hum Drum said, "But your powers came from sirens."
"The loud noise that comes from emergency vehicles," Scootaloo asked.
"Not that kind of siren," Hum Drum said palming his forehead. "I'm talking about evil magical singers. Their singing gave lots of ponies superpowers like me."
"You've got superpowers," Apple Bloom shouted. "That's so awesome!"
"What can you do," Scootaloo asked.
Hum Drum sighed. "This." He changed into his diamond form.
In the bushes, the two pairs of eyes widened.
"Forget the pony," the higher snarl said. "We must have... the dragon."
"After we deliver the dragon," the lower voice said. "Can we get ice cream?"
"Sure, sure," the high voice sighed. "We can have ice cream. Now, be quiet." The two sets of eyes moved and the figures left the bush.
"Look, C.R.U.S.A.D.E.," the Masked Matterhorn said, "We've got a situation. The Siren Sisters undoubtedly has an agenda for the New Heroes all over Equestria. That's why we're here. We've got to tell all New Heroes to head to Canterlot and..."
"CANTERLOT," Sweetie Belle shouted with glee. "You hear that, fellow members of C.R.U.S.A.D.E.?! We're going to Canterlot!"
"YAY," the other two shouted.
"We'll get packed," Scootaloo said.
Quick as a bullet, the three young heroes left the area. The Power Ponies and the Mighty Machines waited by their blimp for the kids. Mistress Marevelous was pacing with worry.
"Oh, how could I leave my little sister in the hands of the Siren Sisters," Mistress Marevelous asked. "If anything happens to her, I'll make a noose out of my rope and hang it by Serena's..."
"Calm down, cowgirl," Zapp said. "Aren't you a little too worried?"
"Zapp's got a point," Radiance said. "You seem to be a little overprotective."
"Are you kidding me," Mistress Marevelous asked. "Apple Bloom is my sister. Seedling or not, she shouldn't put her life in danger. Come on, Radiance. You worry as much as your sister's well-being as I do with mine."
"True, I don't completely approve of Sweetie Belle's hero status," Radiance said, "But since it's something she loves, I'm willing to accept it."
"Well... what about you, Zapp," Mistress Marevelous said. "Scootaloo is the closest thing you have to a sister."
"That's true," Zapp said. "But I really do enjoy how the kid's decided to follow in my hoofsteps."
"Marevelous, if you give your sister a chance, you'll learn that everything and everyone will be all right," the Masked Matterhorn said.
The cowgirl hero sighed. "You're probably right. After all, she hasn't given me any reason not to trust her."
"I wouldn't be too sure of that," Filli-Second said. "See, I've got some good news and some bad news."
"What's thebad news," Mistress Marevelous asked.
"I traveled to the shadow Zone," Filli-Second said, "You know, the in-between word where I can't be seen. Anyway, I saw C.R.U.S.A.D.E. carry a bag full of coins. I then learned from hearing other ponies that the three have been profitting off their heroics."
"WHAT," Mistress marevelous shouted in shock hoping she didn't hear what she thought she heard.
"IMPOSSIBLE," Radiance shouted as awell.
"MY LITTLE SCOOTALOO," Zapp shouted.
"Okay there," the Shadow Blot said. "Maybe the good news is bigger. Filli, what's the good news?"
"I found a nickel," Filli-Second said holding up a small coin.
"I can't believe our own sisters would do something so selfish," Mistress Marevelous said.
"What do you mean?"
C.R.U.S.A.D.E. was standing behind the group. Mistress Marevelous wasn't happy at all.
"Devastate," Devastator whispered to Dusk.
"Indeed," Dusk said. "This is awkward."
"I know about the profitting, girls," Mistress Marevelous said.
"Oh," Seedling gasped nervously. "I can explain."
"Explain what," Mistress Marevelous asked, "How you've only been protecting the town because you were paid to?! And I bet the chimera attacking was part of your ruse, wasn't it?"
"No," Nowhere Mare insisted. "That wasn't us!"
"Look," Turbo Girl said. "We didn't want to work for hire at first, but when we stopped our first crime, the citizens were asking if we wanted something in return. The temptation was too strong."
"I can't believe you'd keep the truth from me," Mistress Marevelous said. "An Apple is always honest."
"I was afraid of what you'd say if I told you," Seedling said.
"As opposed to what I'm saying now that I found out another way," Mistress Marevelous asked. "I am very angry with you kids; so angry, I can't think of a punishment harsh enough."
Suddenly, everyone felt a shift in the ground. In a blink, a large hole appeared beneath C.R.U.S.A.D.E. and the three fell down. Mistress Marevelous looked down and saw them half-conscious.
"That's good enough."
The ground shook again. Suddenly, two creatures appeared from the ground behind Hum Drum. They had uncanny dog-like appearances and raggy jackets. Their collars had diamonds on them. They grabbed Hum Drum and held on tight.
"HELP," Hum Drum cried out.
The Masked Matterhorn heard her sidekick's cry for help and turned her attention to it. She saw the dogs trying to hold onto Hum Drum completely.
"LET ME GO," Hum Drum shouted.
"NO," the little one said. "Our king would want to meet you!"
"PUT HIM DOWN," the Masked Matterhorn shouted.
"GET DOWN," the little dog shouted.
Suddenly, the dogs dived into the dirt and Hum Drum disappeared with them. The Masked Matterhorn tried to dig down, but she lost all trace of them.
"Well, this just got a lot more complicated," Masque said.
"Oh, no," she gasped. "We've... We've got to find him."
"What were those things," Radiance said. "And why would they want Hum Drum?"
"I think I've seen them in a book somewhere," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Maybe I brought it with me." She luminated her horn and a bag full of books appeared in front of her. She then levitated the books and flipped through their pages. "Let's see. Poison Joke, no. Breezies, no. AH, HA!" She held up a book with a manticore on the cover. She went through it and gasped when she saw a certain page.
"What," Mistress Marevelous asked. "What did you find?"
"I know what those things are," the Masked Matterhorn said with fear in her voice, "And I know why they want Hum Drum! And I know that if we don't find them, Hum Drum won't make it out alive."
> Gone to the Dogs
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The dogs removed the duffel bag from Hum Drum's head. He looked and saw that there was no light except from the torches hanging from the dirt wall. He could tell they were underground. Hum Drum looked around and saw an army of armored dogs surrounded a golden, jeweled throne. A skinny dog in a red jacket sat in the throne. The two dogs holding Hum Drum threw him in front of the leading dog. He tried to move, but his wrists and ankles were chained together.
"Do what you want with me," Hum Drum shouted. "You'll never torture me into giving you what you want!"
"Torture," the dog in the red jacket asked. "Kid, the only thing I want to torture is this foot fungus. It's one of the disadvantages of living underground." He got up from his throne and approached Hum Drum. "Spot, Fido, why is the dragon chained up? We don't want him as our prisoner! Release him!"
"Huh," the two dogs asked. The leading dog glared closer at them, so the two removed the chains off of Hum Drum.
As the dragon rubbed his wrists, he felt confused. "Uh... Thanks, I guess. Who are you guys?"
"Oh, forgive my brothers," the dog said. "They're not big on manners. We are an underground tribe of jewel-worshipping mutts called the Under Dogs. I'm the Alpha of the pack. The name's Rover, but everyone calls me the Under King."
"I guess you're in charge," Hum Drum said.
"You catch on fast, kid," the Under King said. "Now, I want you to do something: change."
"Change," Hum Drum asked.
"Yeah, change," the Under King said. "My brothers, Fido and Spot here, claim that you can change into diamond-hard skin. Can you?"
"Uh, sure," Hum Drum said. He closed his eyes and suddenly, his skin changed. The Under Dogs were astonished at the sight. Hum Drum changed back and saw the Under Dogs staring at him.
"Did I do something wrong," Hum Drum asked.
"On the contrary, kid," the Under King said, "You've done something legendary. Throw this dragon, Hum Drum, a feast!"
The Under Dogs cheered. The shout made Hum Drum smile a little.

"We've got to get to Hum Drum and quickly," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Who knows that the Under Dogs might do to him?"
"But how are we going to find them," Dusk asked. "I don't know if you noticed, but there's a lot of ground and even more dirt underneath. It'll take us forever to find them."
"Maybe not," the Shadow Blot said. "I have a plan, but Marevelous might not like it."
"What do you mean," Mistress Marevelous asked.
"I was thinking that since your sister is connected with the plants," the Shadow Blot said, "Maybe she can make a plant that's connected to where Hum Drum is."
"ARE YOU NUTS," Mistress Marevelous shouted. "I'm ticked off enough since I realized that my sister was using her powers to make a quick buck."
"Applejack, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please," Seedling begged. "Don't make me beg."
"You are begging," Mistress Marevelous said.
"Then please, make me stop," Seedling said.
"We just want to help," Nowhere Mare said.
"We promise we won't misuse our powers again," Turbo Girl said.
"I don't know how to believe," Mistress Marevelous said. She then held up her rope. "This rope responds to the responsibility I know I have. As long as I'm always true, this rope will always answer to me."
C.R.U.S.A.D.E. turned their eyes to the rope and felt strange. They saw it glow in a rainbow of colors. They felt the same glow coming from their eyes.
"You're right," Seedling said. "We shouldn't have sold our services."
"We were just too tempted," Nowhere Mare said. "It's so easy, but we just couldn't stop."
"But give us one last chance," Turbo Girl said, "And we will never lie again."
Mistress Marevelous, Radiance, and Zapp sighed.
"All right, fine," Mistress Marevelous said. "But I expect the truth in the future."
"No problem, sis," Seedling said. "In fact..." She pulled out a gold coin and gave it to her sister. "I got this from dishonest means. I'm giving this to you as a vow to always be honest like you."
"Thanks, I guess," Mistress Marevelous said accepting the bit.





Hum Drum looked in wonder at the table with plates full of gems in front of him.
"All of this... for me," Hum Drum said. "I don't understand."
"Like I told you, we Under Dogs worship gems," the Under King said. "That makes you a perfect guy to worship."
"You mean my powers," Hum Drum asked. "Sure, it's special, but I don't see what all the fuss is about."
"It's what you can turn into that matters," the Under King explained. "Haven't you wondered what kind of diamond you can turn into?"
Curious, Hum Drum changed into his diamond-form and observed himself. "Do you know?"
"Of course," the Under King answered. "That particular diamond is Tarastone, the rarest and most precious gem in all of Equestria."
"Really," Hum Drum asked. "Wow, talk about luck."
"So as soon as we heard you were coming," the Under King said, "We cleared our vaults and gave you a feast of gems big enough to satisfy 10 grown dragons. And if I may give you a suggestion, eat your gems while you're in your diamond-form. You'll get better resiliance while you're eating."
"You emptied your vaults just for me," Hum Drum asked. "Won't you guys go broke?"
"Oh, we can always mine for more," the Under King said. "And I have a feeling we'll hit the jackpot very soon. Just don't worry about us.

"You don't have to hold your tongue back
You're already worthy
We cleared our vaults
Without any halts
Because you're our celebrity
We can always get more gems
Guaranteed to be very soon
We'll all be alright
I swear by Luna's moon"

At that moment, Hum Drum changed into this diamond form and began to eat any gemstone on the table. The Under King kept watching and singing.

"Keep it up
Take in all the rich stuff
I want to make it all
Take it all
Go
Yeah, keep it up
Until there's no more
It's like your dad's a rock
Then, you're a chip off the old block"

As soon as the verse was done, Hum Drum was laying on his back with a belly full of gems.
"Oh, thanks, your majesty," Hum Drum said. "I don't know how I can repay you."
"Oh, you already are," the Under King said. "GRAB HIM, BOYS!"
"What," Hum Drum asked.
Suddenly, the Under Dogs jumped and grabbed Hum Drum. When he came to, he was tied up in ropes. He looked up and saw the Under King above him. Hum Drum tried to move, but he just couldn't and he also couldn't change back into his dragon form.
"Don't bother," the Under King said. "With the large buffet you scarfed down on, you're too lazy to succeed in changing back."
"Hey, what's the big idea," Hum Drum asked. "I thought you worshipped me."

"Well, everyone worships jewels," the Under King sang,
"So let me be crystal clear
What we're going to do
Is chip all of you
Until there's nothing here"

Meanwhile, just outside of the dancing crowd, the Power Ponies, the Mighty Machines, and C.R.U.S.A.D.E. entered the area and listened in.

"So, every dog, pick up an ax
Get ready for our greatest find
Pick it all
Have a ball
We've got a dragon to mine"

"Just as I thought," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Just one shard could set those dogs up for pony lives times dog years. They're going to pick off the diamonds until there's nothing left."
"Oh, that cur," Masque growled. "He gives dogs a bad name. I'll stuff him with his own pickaxes. I'll make him watch game shows. I'll..." He stopped growling and his shoulders were following the music. "Oh, for a bunch of dirty dogs, they make great musicians."
"We'll hire them for weddings later," the Masked Matterhorn said. "All right. We're going to make a distraction while Sweetie Belle..."
"Uh, hem," the little unicorn cleared her throat.
"Nowhere Mare... *sigh* ...will turn invisible and release Hum Drum. Is everyone celar on the plan?"
"Oh, yeah," Masque sighed carelessly. Everyone panicked when they saw him strolling down the hallway with each step going along with the music. "I'm gone."
"NOT YET, MASQUE," the Shadow Blot panicked.
The heroes tried to catch him, but they saw Under Dogs carrying Hum Drum closer to the end of the hallway. They hid and waited for their friend. The Masked Matterhorn reached out to him, but before she could catch him, the door slammed open in her face.
"HEY!"
The door slowly closed and the heroes saw a female Under Dog dance out of the doorway and scatting. They saw the robotic tail behind her, so they knew it was Masque in disguise. The tail turned into a dog's and Masque continued scatting. Fascinated, the Under King danced and scatted with Masque.
"Getting mad, baby," Masque said.
They continued scatting until every Under Dog went to the big finish.

"KEEP IT UP
TAKE IN ALL THE RICH STUFF
I WANT TO MAKE IT ALL
TAKE IT ALL
GO
YEAH, KEEP IT UP
UNTIL THERE'S NO MORE
LIKE YOUR DAD'S A ROCK
YOU'RE A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK"

"TAKE ME HOME, DADDY," Masque shouted.

"LIKE YOUR DAD'S A ROCK
YOU'RE A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK"

"ONE MORE TIME," the Under King shouted smacking Masque on the back.
Masque didn't notice that the hit messed up his disguise. Now, every Under Dog looked and stared as Masque was dancing not knowing he wasn't in disguise.

"YEAH," he sang alone,
"LIKE YOUR DAD'S A ROCK
YOU'RE A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOOOOOOOCK"

He continued scatting until he took a good look at his body. He stopped dancing when he saw that the jig was up.
"Man," Masque said.
"HEY," Spot shouted, "THAT GUY WAS WITH THE POWER PONIES!"
"GET HIM," the Under King shouted.
The Power Ponies and Mighty Machines jumped out of hiding. They grabbed Hum Drum and untied him. Suddenly, a loud, thunderous noise filled the room at the same time as the wall blew apart. The Under King growled and turned to the Power Ponies.
"YOU," the Under King said. "YOU DID THIS!"
"What," Zapp said. "No, we didn't."
"Wait," Hum Drum said. "If we didn't do it and you didn't do it... who did?"
When the smoke cleared from the wall, there was a unicorn standing in the hole. Darkmatter was standing tall. The Siren Sisters were behind him.
"Good evening, dogs from the deepest dumpsters," he said. "We are tonight's entertainment. I only have one question: where is the little monkey, Twilight Sparkle?"
"You've got to be kidding me," Shining Armor whispered.
> Underground Fight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Uh, Shining Armor," the Masked Matterhorn whispered to her brother, "What's going on?"
"We better find a way out of here quickly," Shining Armor whispered back. "That's Darkmatter, the unicorn I warned you about."
"That's him," Zapp asked. She flew toward the black unicorn. "You're the big, bad unicorn that's trying to kill Twilight?"
"No, I'm the big, bad unicorn trying to sell you cookies," Darkmatter said sarcastically. "Now, if you don't mind, hand over your Masked Matterhorn friend and I'll leave you be."
"Whoa, there, Nellie," Mistress Marevelous said. "We're going to need some answers."
"Why are you after our friend," Radiance asked. "Why were you so insistent on teaching her magic? And why would you throw a temper after the princesses said no?"
"That is none of your concern," Darkmatter said. "Just give her to me."
"Back off, Darkmatter," Shining Armor shouted jumping in front of his sister.
"Shining Armor," Darkmatter said. "Why, I haven't seen you since you since you were no higher than my legs. How's life been for you?"
"How did you find us down here," Shining Armor asked.
"Well, it wasn't hard to find a large blimp with a hero essence and follow a trail underground you left near it," Darkmatter explained. "Now, hand over the little monkey now."
"Stay away from my sister," Shining Armor said.
"Oh, that's so sweet," Serena said, "But she's too threatening for us to let live."
"WHAT'S GOING ON," the Under King shouted.
"Hey, girls, look," Carol said. "It's the same dog we performed for last week."
"You did what now," the Under King asked.
"Enough talk," Darkmatter shouted. "Hand us the little monkey and we'll be on our way."
"LET'S GET OUT OF HERE," the Masked Matterhorn shouted.
"GET BACK HERE WITH THAT ALICORN," Serena shouted.
"GET BACK HERE WITH MY DRAGON," the Under King shouted.
You can imagine a hallway with 5 doors on each side. The Power Ponies, the Mighty Machines, C.R.U.S.A.D.E., Shining Armor, Darkmatter, the Siren Sisters, Anar D, and the Under Dogs chased each other through each door and had completely random scenarios. The last one was when C.R.U.S.A.D.E. was chasing Serena.
"WAIT A MINUTE," Serena shouted.
The chase continued until they entered a room full of Under Dogs. The villains entered, but they couldn't see anything but Under Dogs.
"Under Dogs," the Under King declared. "Where are the Power Ponies and their friends?"
No one answered. The heroes couldn't be found.
"Oh, I can't believe this," the Under King said. "How am I going to get what I want?"
"And I thought this mutt had an attitude when we performed for him," Melody said.
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT," the Under King shouted. "I'VE NEVER MET YOU BEFORE!"
"Well, you might as well know now, mutt," Melody said. "See, our performances give others amnesia after we give them their powers."
"Powers," the Under King asked. "Are you saying that I have superpowers? What kind?"
"We don't know and we don't care," Serena said. "Random powers are chosen. Just stay out of our way."
"No," the Under King said. "Those ponies are mine to kill!"
The villains scattered across the crowd. A few minutes later, Darkmatter came across a familiar shape of wirewolves. The only problem was, they were brown. Darkmatter took a closer look at one remembering it resembling Masque.
"An odd breed of Under Dogs," Darkmatter said.
"Uh... We're from Minnesota."
That didn't fool Darkmatter. The unicorn's horn glowed and a gust of wind blew the dirt off of the Mighty Machines.
"I didn't think you'd go any lower," Darkmatter said.
"I don't think anyone would go lower than this," Masque said. "We're underground."
"HEY, DORK-MATTER!"
Zapp appeared out of nowhere and pointed her amulet. Lightning bolts shot out of it, but Darkmatter kept dodging them.
"Wow," Zapp said. "For a unicorn, this guy's pretty fast."
"I'll show you fast," Filli-Second shouted running toward Darkmatter. Darkmatter blasted from his horn and a red rope appeared and tied her hooves together. "Shall we try that again?"
"You want to match rope skills," Mistress Marevelous shouted. "Try mine." She levitated her rope and threw it against Darkmatter.
All of a sudden, Serena appeared and grabbed the rope. She snapped the rope like a whip and that snap knocked Mistress Marevelous backwards.
"HEY," Saddle Rager shouted. Serena glared at her and the pegasus whimpered. "Uh... I'm a rock."
"Just like he said," Serena said. "All bark and no bite."
"He," Radiance asked. "You can't be talking about Arcanus 'cause he's never met us. So who's he?"
"I'll worry about him," Darkmatter said. "You worry about me. Just give me the princess... NOW!"
The Masked Matterhorn appeared in front of the evil unicorn and illuminated her horn. A purple blast hit Darkmatter and slammed him to the wall. A crack rose from him and it hit the ceiling. Many rocks began to fall from the sky. A large boulder appeared and was headed directly to the Under King. He closed his eyes and prepared for the worst.
After a few seconds of not feeling any pain, the Under King opened his eyes and was astonished at the Mighty Machines holding the rock up.
"You're... helping me," the Under King asked, "After I tried to break your friend into pieces."
"Devastate," Devastator said.
"What did he say," the Under King asked.
"He said dogs of a pack have each other's back," the Shadow Blot said.
The Under King looked at the boulder above him. He saw it glow in a rainbow of colors. He felt the same glow from his own eyes.
"I'm sorry," the Under King said, "For everything that I've done."
"Just get out from underneath quickly," the Shadow Blot said. "This rock is heavier than it looks."
"Seriously," the Under King asked. "It doesn't look that heavy to me. I'll give you a paw."
The Under King placed his paws underneath the boulder with the Mighty Machines. Suddenly, the Mighty Machines didn't feel anything heavy in their claws anymore. They looked and the boulder was 6 inches from their claws. Only the Under King had his paws on the boulder.
"Under King," the Shadow Blot gasped, "I don't believe it."
"I know," the Under King said. "Amazing what teamwork can do. Thanks for the help, guys."
"Uh, King," Dusk said, "We're not doing that. You're lifting it all on your own."
"What," the Under King asked. He looked and saw that the Machines were right. He was lifting the whole boulder on his own. And just as easily, he put it safely on the ground.
"What was that," Rodan asked. "Some kind of placebo effect or..."
"No, wait," the Under King said. "The humans said their singing gave me a superpower. My superpower must be..." He raised his fist and slammed it to the ground. A large hole was broken through and he didn't seem to react to how hard the ground was. "SUPER STRENGTH!"
"That's... AWESOME," Masque said. "Now, will you help us?"
"Sure thing," the Under King said. "SPOT! FIDO!" His brothers appeared in front of him. "Change in plans. We're the good guys now. Spread the word. Surround the humans and the black unicorn."
"Really, your majesty," Spot said.
"No," the Under King said sarcastically. "Actually, I want to play 'Let's Pretend'."
"Oh, goodie," Fido shouted. "I love Let's Pretend!"
"Yeah," Serena said rubbing her chin. She pointed at the Masked Matterhorn. "Let's pretend she's on fire!"
"Oh, yeah," Carol said. "Put out the Matterhorn! Put out the Matterhorn!"
"I don't think so," the Masked Matterhorn said.
Suddenly, she felt a tug on her tail. She was grabbed by Fido and she was slammed left and right of him.
"Put out the Matterhorn! Put out the Matterhorn!"
"Hey, Darkmatter," Serena said, "Four out of five villains say we should be leaving now!"
"No," Darkmatter said. "I've come too far to be stopped now!"
"We're much better if we escape now," Serena said. "We're outnumbered and outmatched."
Darkmatter growled. "Another day, my little monkey."
The Siren Sisters and Darkmatter exited the area. The Power Ponies caught up to the Masked Matterhorn swung around.
"What'd we miss," Saddle Rager asked.
"I put out the Matterhorn," Fido said.
"If it wasn't dangerous now," the Under King said, "I'd smack you in the head."
"So... you're on our side now," Radiance asked.
"Yes," the Under King said. "In fact, I'd like to offer my services in your search for the New Heroes. I'll send Under Dogs to every corner of the globe in search for those the Siren Sisters enchanted. Also..." The Under King reached into his pocket and pulled out something. "The pups in Arts-N-Crafts made this. I want to give it to you as a sign of my change for the better."
In Radiance's hoof, the Under King gave a thread spool with a string wrapped around it. The string was covered with different colors like a rainbow.
"Now, that's generous," Radiance said.
"Under King," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Since you're a New Hero, I've got good news and bad news."
"The good news is, I named my nickle Phillip," Filli-Second said holding up a coin.
"What's the bad news," the Under King asked.
"It's a girl nickle," Filli-Second declared.
"No," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Since your powers came from the Siren Sisters, then you're in danger. We don't know how, but they're going to take advantage of you. You're going to Canterlot. Take C.R.U.S.A.D.E. with you. They need adult supervision... and you're the closest thing we've got."
"I can live with that," the Under King said.
"Uh, Radiance," Hum Drum said pointing at the rainbow thread. The rainbow colors glowed for a second.
"What the," Radiance asked. "How come..."
"It's not just you, Rade," Mistress Marevelous said pulling out the bit her sister gave her earlier. The coin glowed in a rainbow also.
"I don't believe it," the Masked Matterhorn said. "This is just like the pendant Anar D gave me after the Battle for Maretropolis."
"Hey, wait," Zapp said. "How come that joker didn't stop those guys yet?"
"Oh, don't worry about it," Saddle Rager said. "I have complete faith that Anar D will do the right thing."





Outside of the Under Dog mine, Anar D was reading a magazine. He then heard the rest of the Order of Change exit the underground.
"So how'd it go," Anar D asked.
"You could have helped," Darkmatter growled angrily.
"I don't believe in spelunking," Anar D said.
"It doesn't matter," Serena said. "There's more than one way to trap a mare. When we catch her..."
"Actually," Darkmatter said. "I'm through chasing after her."
"You're not backing out, are you," Melody asked.
"Absolutely not," Darkmatter said. "I'm just tired of chasing her. For over a decade, I've been going after her. I think it's time that she... came to me."
> Wolf Tales
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Bye," Filli-Second called as the blimp hovered from the Under Dogs. "Take care of C.R.U.S.A.D.E.! Bye!"
"It's all right, Filli," Mistress Marevelous said. "I think they get the message."
"Well, this is interesting," the Masked Matterhorn said looking through the book Anar D gave her. "I think I found a connection."
"A connection to what, exactly," Rodan said.
"Our items," the Masked Matterhorn said, "The ones that glow even after we found the Harmony Gems. I don't know what they're for, but I know how they're connected."
"You lost me there," Zapp said.
"It seems that during Anar D's 3 month search, he stumbled upon some everyday object foretelling. Each object represents the elements of friendship as the Harmony Gems do. There's the Amulet of Magic, the Coin of Honesty, the Thread of Generosity, the Pin of Loyalty, the Toy of Laughter, and the Flower of Kindness."
"So how do we find them," Hum Drum said. "Is there a map or something, because going after New Heroes and avoiding evil sirens at once it tiresome already."
"Actually, we can't find them. According to the scriptures Anar D found, the Heroes of Harmony aren't allowed to find these things."
"Well, that's a rip-off," Masque said. "Then who can find them?"
"My guess is, the ones who give them to us. Think about it, Anar D didn't give us Scynder's amulet until he learned what being a friend is all about. C.R.U.S.A.D.E. had to learn to do honest work with their powers before they give that coin to Mistress Marevelous. And the Under King needed to learn about how to generously give his life for others, and then, he gave his thread to Radiance."
"So who are the other three guys who are going to give us more mysterious objects," Filli-Second asked.
"I don't know. But something tells me we're going to find out really soon."





Later that night, the blimp was still hovering in the sky. The Power Ponies and Mighty Machines are getting ready to sleep.
"There's still one thing I don't get, Machines," Hum Drum said, "We know about Ricky's past. What about the rest of you?"
"Oh, really," Rodan said. "Well, those are strange stories. I was born a couple of centuries ago, back when the ponies first discovered DNA. I was severely injured by a manticore. The doctors decided the only way to save me was to replace my broken parts. Unfortunately, they could only reach phoenix DNA. The next thing you know, I had phoenix-like powers in my bloodstream. Discordant Convergence came and blasted me to the Netherealm."
"But how are you a wirewolf," Hum Drum asked.
"The same thing with the others," Rodan said. "The Netherealm couldn't accept ponies in its atmosphere, so I was changed into a freak of nature."
"As far as a dog like me goes," Dusk said, "I just like the dark."
"Come on, Aaron," Rodan said. "Tell the kids the truth."
Dusk growled and sighed. "I came from a generous family, but I was always the black sheep. Seriously, while the rest of my family were kind enough to get involved, I didn't see any point to even lend a hoof. Anyway, when Discordant Convergence came to my town, something inside me got a kid out of the way of a blast. Suddenly, I was blasted to the Netherealm. Even when I turned into a wirewolf, I was injured. The Mighty Machines found me and cared for me. To save my life, Masque and Rodan gave me a bit of their powers, but I got the dark versions of it."
Filli-Second laughed. "You're real name is Aaron?!"
"Seriously," Dusk said. "That's the only thing you got from that. Hey, the Shadow Blot's Ricky, Timberwolf's Terry, Rodan's Marty, Masque's Joe, and Devastator's..."
"DEVASTATE," Devastator shouted.
"Sorry, big guy," Dusk said. "Look, if you want Saddle Rager to know, it's time she knew now."
"You want me to know what," Saddle Rager asked.
Devastator sighed. "Devastate."
"What did he say," Mistress Marevelous asked.
"Saddle Rager," the Shadow Blot said, "Do you remember when you were very young, and you had a little dog with a big chin?"
"Yeah," Saddle Rager said. "That dog was the very first animal I ever took care of. He inspired me to help out all the creatures, great and small. One day, after a storm, he disappeared. I wish he was here right now."
The Mighty Machines then looked at Saddle Rager sternly and pointed at Devastator. As soon as Saddle Rager understood what they were trying to say, her face fell in shock. She cheered and hugged Devastator.
"IT'S YOU," Saddle Rager said. "ALL THESE YEARS, AND YOU CAME BACK!"
"Devastate," Devastator said hugging his old friend.
"That's your dog," Zapp asked in shock. "Wow."
Masque started to get water-eyed.
"Are you going to cry," Radiance asked.
"No," Masque said. "I can't cry. I'm a robot."
"What's Masque's story," Hum Drum asked.
"Trust me on this," Rodan said. "You don't want to know. Ricky, don't tell him. You shouldn't have told me, but you did. And now, I'm telling you ponies, you don't want to know."
"And... Timberwolf," Shining Armor asked.
"What's to tell," Masque said. "He was always clumsy. Discordant Convergence came. It brought him to the Netherealm."
"Sounds like these guys got it easy, Blot," Zapp said. "After all, you were a classmate with Princess Celestia. That must have ben awesome."
The Shadow Blot gave no answer. He got up from the floor and left the room silently.
"Was it something I said," Zapp asked.
"I'll check up on him," Hum Drum said.
He followed the Shadow Blot down the hallway and found him looking out of the hangar window.
"Is something wrong, Blot," Hum Drum asked.
"I... I guess I'm a little haunted by the past," the Shadow Blot explained.
"If there's something about what Zapp said that you find offensive," Hum Drum said, "I'm sure she didn't mean to..."
"It's not that." He sighed. "I need to tell some pony this. ...I... have a crush on Celestia."
Hum Drum gasped. "No way! Are you pulling my leg?"
"No. Ever since our first day in class together, I had a thing for her. The only problem was, I used up all the free time I had catering to her every need, but she didn't even notice my feelings. Do you know what that's like?"
"Are you kidding me? You're practically me with metal parts. Four months ago, I developed a crush on Radiance. After the Battle for Maretropolis, I did a lot for her affection, but she seems to take me for granted."
"Perhaps you can just tell her how you feel," the Shadow Blot suggested.
"If it's so easy, smart guy, why don't you do it to the princess?"
"Because it's too late for me," the Shadow Blot said. He looked at his metal claw and sighed. "I should have said something back then, but before I grew the nerve to do anything, I got trapped in the Netherealm. I changed into this... beast. No mare would want to go out with a 6-foot tall, robotic, talking wolf. But you, Hum Drum, you can change into Radiance's favorite minerals. You have your greatest chance. Don't let fear run your life as it did mine."
Hum Drum changed his claw into diamond-form and sighed.
"I guess you're right. But tell me, Ricky, if life was different for you, what do you think it would be like?"
The Shadow Blot opened his eyes when he heard a question he's never considered before. He sighed and expressed his answer.

"I guess I'd be a hero
With tales and stories awaiting
A legend, I'm creating
In the palm of my claw
Or else, I'd be an explorer
And set sails to the high seas
Feeling the ocean breeze
Like never before
I'd find new lands. I'd make a map
I'd see unseen creatures
I'd never have to put up with all this strife
These iiiiimpoooooossible featuuuuuures
In another life
In another life
Or I could be a writer
With many tales within me
And they could always see
Past the cover of the book
And to the ponies, I'd tell 'em
And as I'd interpret
They would never forget
To take a second look
I'd write sagas and romances
Everything I've ever dreamed of
I'd express myself with all that I would be
A heeeeaaaaart fuuuuuuull of true love
But in reality
But in realityyyyy
A monster stays away
As told in any story
A wolf always gets chased or skinned
WITHOUT ANY GLOOOOOOOOORYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
So yes, I'd be a hero
And if that day would come
I'd search for the one
My heart is set upon
Of course, I'd be a hero
And I would always start
By following my heart
To the one that I want
Don't care for the obstacles
I would eventually face
I'd save the day. I'd get the girl
And I'd say with grace
...'MY LOVE, I'VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF THIS
FOR YOU TO BE MY WIFE'
THEN, WE WOULD KISS
I'D GET A WHOLE NEW LIFE
AND HAAAAAAAVE A HEEEEEEEERO'S ENDIIIIIIIING
A PEEEEEEERFECT HAAAAAAAPY ENDIIIIIIIIIING
THAT'S HOW IT WOULD BEEEEEEEE
ONCE AGAIN, THE DAY IS SAAAAAAAAAAAAVED
But not by meeeeeeeeeeeeeee"

Far off, in Canterlot, Princess Celestia was going through some old stuff. She pulled out a yearbook and opened it. She saw a pony's picture labeled "Ricky". She closed the book and sighed miserably. She did not now that she was singing the same tune as the Shadow Blot.

"A monster stays away
As told in any story
A wolf always gets chased or skinned"
"YOU'VE GOT NO GLORYYYYYYYY" Hum Drum sang.
"GLOOOOOOOOORYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY," everyone sang.
"SO YES, I'D BE A HERO," the Shadow Blot sang.
"AND IF THAT DAY WOULD COME
I'D SEARCH FOR THE ONE
MY HEART IS SET UPON
OF COURSE, I'D BE A HERO
AND I WOULD ALWAYS START
BY FOLLOWING MY HEART
TO THE ONE THAT I WAAAAAAAAAAAAANT"
"ONCE AGAIN, THE DAY IS SAAAAAAAAAAVED," everyone sang
"THAT'S THEEEEEE PEEEEEEEEEERFECT...
LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFE"





Meanwhile, at the outskirts of Manehattan, Timberwolf's disembodied head was using his teeth to reach up to his neck. He strained as he pulled himself up.
"Got to get there," he muffled. "Got to get to town and warn the others."
"Warn the others about what exactly?"
Timberwolf saw the Order of Change behind him and gasped. His teeth let go of his knee and he fell back to the ground.
"If you're going to finish me off, just do it."
"Finish you," Anar D said. He picked up Timberwolf's head. "Oh, no. Actually, we're going to put you back on your body."
"You are," Timberwolf asked. "Why?"
"We need you walking," Darkmatter said. "We have an important message for you to deliver to the little monkey, Twilight Sparkle aka the Masked Matterhorn."
"What sort of message," Timberwolf asked preparing for the worst.
> Rock
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Here we are, team," the Masked Matterhorn said as the Harmony Wind landed in a barren land. "THis is the next location for the next New Hero: the Pie Rock Farm."
"REALLY," Filli-Second said running around with excitement. "OH, YES! THIS IS IT! THIS IS WHERE I WAS RAISED! THIS IS WHERE I GOT MY HAPPINESS! I LEARNED IT WHEN..."
Filli-Second's mouth was covered by Zapp's hoof. "Yeah, I'm guessing this is your old home."
"First, my home," Mistress Marevelous said, "And now, Filli's. I'm sensing a theme here."
"Well, let's see who it is here," Radiance said.
Suddenly, there was a shake in the ground.
"Oh, no," the Shadow Blot said. "Not this again."
The ground started to crack before it settled down and stopped. A large rock appeared from the top of a hill and landed on the Masked Matterhorn. She wobbled and fell to the ground.
"Matterhorn," Hum Drum gasped. "Are you all right?"
The Masked Matterhorn's head shook and woke up slowly. "This is the second most painful moment of my life."
"What was the first," Saddle Rager asked.
"Put out the Matterhorn. Put out the Matterhorn."
"What was that shake," Rodan asked.
"I have no idea," Hum Drum said.
"I'm definitely not sensing any natural force of nature here," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Perhaps if we follow the crack."
"Hold on," Zapp said. "You're suggesting that we follow this trail to whatever's strong enough to nearly cause on earthquake."
"We've got powers, Zapp," the Masked Matterhorn said. "I don't think it'll be a problem."
The team followed the crack down the forest. They came to a large clearing and saw a gray pony in the middle of the field. She had a gray mane, a gloomy face, and a dark-green turtleneck sweater.
"MAUD," Filli-Second shouted. She zipped really fast toward the pony and hugged her. The gray pony didn't react. "OH, IT'S BEEN SO LONG! HOW HAVE YOU BEEN?!"
"Pretty good," the gray pony answered blankly with no emotion at all. "You can tell how happy I am."
The Power Ponies and Mighty Machines walked out of the bushes and approached the two ponies.
"Filli-Second," the Shadow Blot said. "Do you know this pony?"
"You're darn right, I do," Filli-Second said. "Power Ponies, Mighty Machines, I'd like to introduce you to Maud Pie, my sister."
"SISTER," everyone gasped.
"Yeah," Filli-Second said. "I know what you're thinking... We're probably twins!"
"Not exactly the word I'd use," Hum Drum said.





In another town not too far from Pie Rock Farms, ponies screamed in fear. They ran from Timberwolf.
"Hold on," he insisted. "I just want to ask a question. Have you seen the..." He sighed. "How am I going to find my friends when everyone I ask runs away from me?"
"I've seen weirder, my friend."
Timberwolf was startled when he saw an earth pony behind him.
"Who are you," Timberwolf asked,
"The Doctor," he said. "Mind telling me what you're doing out in public?"
"I've got to get to my friends, the Power Ponies and the Mighty Machines," Timberwolf explained. "I need to warn them of something very, very bad. Do you know where they are?"
"You're asking very little from me," the Doctor said. He pulled out a pocket watch and looked into it. "Judging by the time... Ah, of course. They should be in the Pie Rock Farms just West of here. Shouldn't take you more than a couple of hours if you use your full speed."
"Thank you, doc," Timberwolf said. He was about to run to the farm, but he stopped and looked at the doctor. "Hold on. How come you haven't run away like the other ponies?"
"I can't really be scared by a wirewolf," the Doctor said, "Not when they've got lots of potential. Just remember, when the dark storm rises, the only way to put it out is if the hounds work as one. Farewell, my friend." He walked away.
"Dark storm rises," Timberwolf repeated cluelessly. "What does that mean?"





The heroes were in the Pie Family dining room enjoying a good dinner.
"I always enjoyed your cooking, Maud," Filli-Second said.
"I can tell," Maud said blankly. "And might I say, it makes me jump for joy for you to pay me a visit."
"Really," the Shadow Blot said. "No offense, but you don't look like you're celebrating."
"I don't know if you noticed," Maud said, "But I don't really express my feelings the same way my sister does."
"So what are you doing back here, Maud," Filli-Second asked. "I thought you left to learn Rockology in college."
"I did," Maud said. "But when I went ahead on my research, the campus board decided I go on vacation back home. The rest of the family are off in a rock festival far from here. Anyway, what have you been up so, Pinkie?"
"Oh, where do I begin," Filli-Second asked. "We split up, but Hum Drum brought us back together, we reformed a draconequus, we stopped a Changeling invasion, and now, we're searching the world for New Heroes with superpowers. *GASP* Say, have you developed any powers lately?"
"Now that you mention it," Maud said.
"Well, don't be shy, lady," Masque said. "Show us what you can do."
Maud reached into her pocket and pulled out a rock. "This is Boulder, my pet. Watch this." She pointed her hoof and suddenly, the rock hovered in the air. She waved her hooves and Boulder kept moving in different directions. The heroes were astonished by it, even after Maud stopped.
"Whoa," Zapp said. "You can move rocks with your mind?"
"It's called geokinesis," the Masked Matterhorn said.
"Or, in other media, Earthbending," Filli-Second shouted.
"So wait," Dusk said. "That earthquake we felt earlier... that was you?"
"Yeah," Maud answered. "Sorry about that. I was just practicing my powers and I just got excited."
"Well, now that you have powers, there are some things we need to go over," Radiance said.
"Yeah," Filli-Second said. "You need a superhero name. I'm thinking... Terrania."
"Terrania, huh," Maud said. "Good enough for me."
"That's not what I meant," Radiance said. "Look, Maud, we know where you got your powers: sirens."
"A trio of them have been giving random ponies superpowers," Hum Drum said. "If that's not bad enough, they've also got a big plan for these New Heroes. So we're gathering them up before the Siren Sisters do anything."
"So will you head to Canterlot," Filli-Second asked. "I know you'll make new friends there, but watch out for the Under Dogs. They've got fleas!"
Maud Pie chuckled for a nanosecond. She then looked at her sister and looked closely at her smile. She saw the smile glow brightly in a rainbow. She felt the same feeling in her own eyes.
"Well, if it was any pony else telling me this, I'd say they've lost their mind. But when I hear this from you, my dear sister, everything makes sense."
"They do," everyone said.
"I'll leave for Canterlot first thing in the morning," Maud said. "And I'll make a superhero costume on the way... made of rocks. And one more thing..." She pulled out a case and opened it. There was a rubber chicken inside of it. "This is for you. It reminds me of the laughter you always bring me."
Suddenly, the chicken started to glow brightly in a rainbow of colors.
"The Toy of Laughter," the Masked Matterhorn gasped. "Maud, where did you get that thing?!"
"Found it in the toy shop window," Maud said. "I thought of Pinkie. The store clerk said he didn't recognize it, but he sold it to me anyway for 5 bits. I don't really care about toys... but I do love my sister, the hero."
"Never change, Maud," Filli-Second said hugging her sister. "Never change."





Later on, the Power Ponies, Shining Armor, and the Mighty Machines were about to enter the Harmony Wind. Suddenly, they heard a protest.
"WAIT! WAIT!"
Timberwolf appeared from the forest. When he stopped running, he was out of breath.
"Timberwolf," the Shadow Blot asked. "What happened to you?"
"Where's..." he panted, "Where's Twilight?"
"I'm right here," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Is there something wrong?"
"Where's Anar D," Saddle Rager asked.
"Everyone, we put too much faith in Anar D," Timberwolf said. "He betrayed us. The Siren Sisters convinced him to be evil again. He works for them now."
"WHAT," the Power Ponies gasped.
"No," Shining Armor gasped. "Darkmatter knows the secret of killing an alicorn, the Siren Sisters can change society with their voices, and Anar D can defy the laws of reality. Together, they can bring down the entire world."
"And they want the Masked Matterhorn," Timberwolf said.
"I won't let Darkmatter get his hooves on my sister," Shining Armor said.
"Or our friend," Zapp said.
"They won't be giving you a choice," Timberwolf said. "They let me go if I gave her a message."
"What message," the Masked Matterhorn asked.
"Unless you turn yourself in to them, they'll attack Maretropolis. They'll be taking their time making sure that every room in every building is burned to the ground. If you don't give yourself up, the Order of Change will burn your home to the ground."
The heroes' faces fell and fell silent, but were still in shock.
> The Masked Matterhorn's Choice
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Destroy Maretropolis," the Masked Matterhorn asked in shock. "They can't be serious!"
"I'm afraid they are," Timberwolf said. "In fact, they told me to tell you to turn to Channel 3 News in Maretropolis."
Shining Armor reached the remote and turned on the television nearby. The news showed dreadful things happening to the Power Ponies' hometown. Three, spectral sirens flew through the air and their screams would shatter anything they were aimed at. Anar D was also there turning fire hydrates into gum waiting to explode by the water pressure underneath.
"I can't look," Saddle Rager said turning her head from the screen.
"This is News Flash here with an emergency update," the reporter said. "Maretropolis is under siege. It would seem that..."
Suddenly, Darkmatter appeared right next to News Flash. The reporter gasped when he saw him.
"Make this broadcast worldwide," Darkmatter said. "I want to be certain my little monkey sees me."
"Y... You heard him, Close Up," News Flash told his camera-colt. "Extend this broadcast."
A few seconds later, Darkmatter took the center of the camera frame.
"Princess Twilight Sparkle, or may I call you the Masked Matterhorn," Darkmatter announced, "Surrender yourself to me. Your reward: your town will live. My accomplices are only stretching their legs for now. There is no time limit, but the longer you keep hiding..."
Anar D appeared in front of the camera with a deranged look on his face.
"...The more we get to have our... jollies."
"Turn yourself in now," Darkmatter said. "In the meantime, we're in control of Maretropolis and with just the right touch...

"This is the perfect time"
"To bring out the perfect crimes," Serena sang.
"Murder, theft," Melody sang.
"Devastation," Carol sang.
"This calls out for celebration," Anar D sang.
"The sounds of annihilation here," Serena sang.
"Makes our point perfectly clear," Darkmatter sang.
"Change starts on this very day," the Order of Change sang.
"Good-bye, truth, justice, and the Equestrian way
HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA
Now, we're in charge
Now, we're in charge
It's the point you won't forget
On your mark. Get set
Now, we're in charge
We cause tricks
To get our kicks
You used to be strong as a barge
Now, we're in charge"
"Even those who hate each other can work as one," Melody and Carol sang.
"With our dark magic, peace comes undone," Serena sang.

"Excellent work," Darkmatter said.

"Better run in cower," Anar D sang,
"'Cause we have the power"
"You better have every peaceful moment spent," the Siren Sisters sang.
"'CAUSE NOW, YOU'RE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT," everyone sang.
"NOW, WE'RE IN CHARGE
NOW, WE'RE IN CHARGE
HERE, TROUBLE COMES TO SIT AND THRIVE
TURN AROUND AND RUN FOR YOUR LIVES
NOW, WE'RE IN CHARGE
EVERY CORNER WILL BE BLOWN
FROM NOW ON, EVIL'S LIVING LAAAAAAAAAARGE"
"TURN AWAY," Melody shouted.
"ARREVEDIRCI," Anar D shouted.
"WE'LL DESTROY THIS TOWN," Serena shouted.
"TURN YOURSELF IN, MONKEY," Darkmatter shouted.
"NOW, WE'RE IN CHAAAAAAAARGE," the Order of Change sang.
"NOW, WE'RE IN CHARGE"





The ponies in Maretropolis ran away. The heroes kept watching until the screen went blank.
"This is monstrous," the Masked Matterhorn gasped. "Can't the princesses do anything about it?"
"Darkmatter's covering that to," Timberwolf said. "He said that if he sees any princess other than you approaching Maretropolis, he'll destroy it faster."
"There's got to be a counterpoint to it all," Shining Armor said. "We can't let Darkmatter win. I'll contact the princesses and inform them of the situation."
"Shining," the Masked Matterhorn said, "I think... I think I should let him take me."
"What," everyone gasped.
"Absolutely not, Twilight," Shining Armor said. "It's too dangerous. After Darkmatter gets what he wants, the Siren Sisters will release Arcanus. And Darkmatter knows how to kill you."
"Anar D thought he knew," the Masked Matterhorn said, "And he was wrong."
"It's still too dangerous," Shining Armor said.
"Come on," the Masked Matterhorn said. She turned to her friends. "Guys, you all support me, right?"
"Uh," everyone said awkwardly.
"Actually..." Zapp said.
"We do love you," Radiance said.
"But the thing is..." Mistress Marevelous said.
"We don't know what Darkmatter's method is," the Shadow Blot said. "Maybe it is best if we just find another way."
"I don't believe it," the Masked Matterhorn gasped. "I thought you would support me."
"We do," Hum Drum said. "It's just that... If anything happens to you, there won't be anyone left standing against the Siren Sisters."
The Masked Matterhorn turned away and entered her cabin. She picked up a pillow and screamed into it. She fell onto her bed and put on a sad face.
"Don't cry, young one. Your friends only want what they think is best?"
The Masked Matterhorn looked and saw a familiar stallion beside her.
"Doctor? I thought you were coming back the day we fight Arcanus."
"Did I," the Doctor asked. "Oh. Well, I did meet you there. And then I traveled to other points in time. This one time, in another Equestria, Applejack's little sister tries to scare me into buying some apples. But I digress."
"Well, what are you doing here," the Masked Matterhorn asked.
"The better question is, what are you doing here," the Doctor said. "Didn't Darkmatter threaten your hometown if you didn't surrender to him?"
The Masked Matterhorn sighed with a heavy breath. "He did. The problem is, everyone who I think should support me on my decision thinks it's best if I stayed out of it. I just don't know what to do. It's getting too hard to explain things anymore. My brain is all confused with all that's going on."
"Well, answer me this," the Doctor said, "What does your heart say?"
"That I should save my city... and all my friends."
"I hope you're right. By the way, before I leave, I'd like you give you this piece of advice: a friend is always loyal to you, no matter what he does. Farewell."
The Doctor disappeared leaving the Masked Matterhorn alone in her room.
"Why would he tell me something I already know," the Masked Matterhorn said. She looked at the window and realized what she had to do.





"And they'll destroy Maretropolis quickly if anyone other than the Matterhorn enters," Shining Armor told the other princesses through screens.
"This is a predicament," Princess Luna said.
"What does the Masked Matterhorn have to say about this threat," Princess Celestia asked.
"Actually..." Shining Armor said, "She wants to surrender herself, but we said no."
"What," Cadence asked.
"Well, we had no choice," Zapp said. "We don't want to lose our friend."
"Yeah," Masque said. "She owes me $10."
"No, she doesn't," Rodan corrected his friend.
"Hey, I wanted to be part of the conversation," Masque said.
"If only she understood how grave the situation is," Shining Armor said.
"Well..." Cadence said, "Maybe it's time she learned the truth... about Darkmatter."
"What," Radiance asked. "What truth? He... didn't really offer to teach Twilight magic?"
"He did," Shining Armor said. "Everything we said was true. There were just... some parts of the story that we left out... for her protection, of course."
"Shining Armor, she's a big girl now," Princess Celestia said. "Tell her the truth about Darkmatter and we'll see what her choice is."
"All right," Shining Armor agreed. "I'll tell her."
Shining Armor hung up the communication and walked across the blimp. The Power Ponies and Mighty Machines waited for a minute until they heard a shout.
"NO!" Shining Armor returned to the group with fear filling his eyes. "TWILIGHT IS GONE!"
The Power Ponies and Mighty Machines gasped.





Anar D changed Power Tower into a darker, more menacing shape. The Order of Change stood on top of it.
"Well, would you look at that," Anar D said looking through a telescope.
"Give me that," Darkmatter said taking the telescope. He looked through it and saw the Masked Matterhorn approaching the outskirts of town.
"Ah," Darkmatter said in joy looking through his telescope, "My monkey, the Masked Matterhorn, has made it. Marvelous.
"Oh, that was a good tongue-twister," Carol said. "Try this one: the Sinister Sorceress sent six super-sized skates and silk socks to Soaron."
"This is no time for silliness," Darkmatter said removing the telescope from his eye. There was a white circle surrounding his eye. Anar D giggled at that.
The Masked Matterhorn landed right in front of the Order of Change and confronted the evil unicorn.
"Welcome home, little monkey," Darkmatter said. "Have you come to surrender?"
"Before I answer that, I have a question," the Masked Matterhorn said. She turned to the draconequus. "Anar D, how could you betray us like that? I thought we were friends."
"The Siren Sisters offered me something better than simple tea parties," Anar D explained. "For the past three months, I've worked my tail off because of a favor for you and the others. I thought it was because we were friends. Now that I think about it, when I returned you didn't ask me how I was or say 'welcome back'. You didn't even give me a hoof bump. Personally, if I had to choose where to be imprisoned between friendship and Pandora's Box, I'd choose the latter."
"Face it, dear," Serena said. "Anar D is on our side now. True, we used to be enemies, but since he gave his box to us in exchange for us not using it, it's all water under the bridge."
"And the worst part is," Melody said, "You left your other friends in the dust."
"Too bad," Carol exclaimed. "So sad."
"Now, if you would come with me," Darkmatter said. "I moved all my lab equipment in this tower."
With a hanging head, the Masked Matterhorn followed the Order of Change inside. At the top of another building, the Blue Comet watched the villains carry the alicorn inside.
"I don't think so," Blue Comet said sternly.
> The Adventurer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"We've got to head to Maretropolis," Hum Drum said. "The Masked Matterhorn's in danger."
"Agreed," the Shadow Blot said. "How do we get there fastest?"
Mistress Marevelous pulled out a map. There were several paths around a forests.
"We could move down this path and we should get to..."
"Wait," Zapp said. "Why not just cut through this forest here?"
"Because that's the Everfree Forest," Mistress Marevelous explained. "Legend says that any pony who enters is never found again."
"But still, we've got to save my sister," Shining Armor said. "I say we take the risk."
"Besides, we don't have to enter the forest," Dusk said. "We can just fly our blimp over."
"All right," the Shadow Blot said. "I'll make course."





Twenty minutes later, the team saw a large forest completely shrouded by black, barren trees. They hovered right above the trees.
"You see," Hum Drum asked. "If we just go above the trees, nothing can happen to us."
"Devastate," Devastator said. Timberwolf widened his eyes in fear.
"Did you just say this is easy? You never say it's easy... ever!"
"Devastate," Devastator asked.
Suddenly, there was a sudden shift that tripped the heroes over. They looked out the window and a lot of black vines from the Everfree Forest below and wrapped around the blimp.
"That's why," Timberwolf said.
The heroes shouted as their ship was dragged down into the forest.





When they came to, the Power Ponies, the Mighty Machines, and Shining Armor awoke from bring knocked out. They looked around and saw the ebony-black trees surrounding them. There was barely any light left.
"We're in the Everfree Forest," Filli-Second said. "I've heard rumors say that it eats your brain and rots your mind... Kind of like cartoons."
"Wait," Zapp said. "Did you hear that?"
The heroes overheard shouting from a short distance. They followed the sound and saw a mare in a hat angry at a zebra in front of a tree hut. The zebra had a few golden rings on her body and there was a bronze box behind her. The mare had a bright-orange body and a brown mane. She was dressed as an adventurer.
"No way," Zapp gasped.
"Do you know who that is," Radiance asked.
"Sort of," Zapp said. "That mare is the spitting image of my favorite fictional adventurer: the Lone Mare. Although, I don't recognize the zebra."
"I do," Mistress Marevelous said. "Four months ago, the night Anar D split us up, he disguised himself into that very zebra and called himself Madame Stryfe. That must be the real one."
"Come on, lady," the Lone Mare said. "What do I have to do to get the artifact you're guarding?"
"Listen here, I've already told you," the zebra said, "The only, simple thing you must do is solve my riddle, and that is all. There's no need for you to bawl"
"But your riddle didn't make any sense," the Lone Mare said. "How exactly is it simple?"
"I said that it was simple, not easy," the zebra said. "I apologize, but that's how it should be."
"Need any help," Zapp called out flying from the bushes. The Lone Mare and the zebra saw the heroes beside in the bushes.
"No, thank you," the Lone Mare said. "I work alone. It's in my name."
"Speaking of," Zapp said with giddy excitement in her voice. "I have so many questions! I thought you were just a storybook character."
"That is not a question, kid," the Lone Mare said. "But... I suppose you deserve to hear the truth. You see..."
"OOH," Filli-Second shouted. "You're really A.K. Yearling, the author of the Lone Mare stories. You took a trip to Maretropolis last week and there, you entered a club, but you couldn't remember what happened. The next day, you woke up with the same abilities as your book character and now, you're using them to make the Lone Mare real and you've come here in the Everfree Forest for a mysterious artifact that is said to be the source of the curse of the Everfree Forest, but before you can get to it, you've got to solve the riddle of this zebra guardian so she can give you the box behind her which holds said artifact! *SQUEE*"
The Lone Mare dropped her jaw and widened her eyes. She couldn't believe what the hero had said because it was exactly true. She turned to the other Power Ponies.
"Yeah," Hum Drum said. "She amazes us to."
"Wait," Zapp said. "So you're A.K. Yearling... and you're a New Hero who can turn into the Lone Mare?! THAT'S SO AWESOME!"
"Glad you think so, kid," the Lone Mare said rolling her eyes. "Now then..." She turned to the zebra. "Madame Arocez, give me the riddle again."
"If that's what you wish, it will be so," Madame Arocez said. "Let's hope that this time, you will know. 'I always stick, but I'm not glue. You don't choose me, I choose you. No matter what, I'm here in the end. Just accept and see me as a friend'."
"You see what I mean," the Lone Mare asked. "Nothing about this riddle makes sense. All right. 'Always stick, but not glue'. Is it sap?"
"No," Madame Arocez said.
The Lone Mare groaned loudly and sulked to the ground. "What am I going to do? I can't solve this riddle."
"Maybe not alone," the Shadow Blot said. "But what about with us?"
"Listen to me," the Lone Mare said. "Clearly, you didn't hear me before, so I'll enunciate. I... work... alone."
"Look," Zapp said, "Just because the Lone Mare in your books work alone, it doesn't mean you should. So what if going solo works in your stories. This is real life. If you allow us to help, it'll be easier."
"Just give me one good reason why I should accept your help," the Lone Mare said.
"Well, loyalty is always tricky," Zapp explained, "But the main idea is, you'll always know where to find a friend."
Interested in Zapp's words, the Lone Mare looked at the box that the artifact was in. She saw it have a rainbow glow and she felt the same feeling in her own eyes. She smiled and looked back at Zapp.
"Thank you, kid," the Lone Mare said. She turned to the zebra. "Madame Arocez, ask me again."
The zebra smiled with confidence. "'I always stick, but I'm not glue. You don't choose me, I choose you. No matter what, I'm here in the end. Just accept and see me as a friend'."
The Lone Mare breathed in confidence and declared. "The answer is... Loyalty!"
"That is..." Madame Arocez said, "...Correct." She reached to the box behind her and presented it to the Lone Mare. "All your worries are now put to rest. With this, you all can leave the forest."
"Good," Shining Armor said, "Because I've got a sister in trouble."
"If that's so, I want to help," the Lone Mare said.
"Not yet," Zapp said. "You see, the New Heroes are probably in danger. They're all rounding up in Canterlot until we can be sure it's alright. You should go there too."
"All right," the adventurer said. "But first, I'd like to give you this." The Lone Mare reached into her pocket and pulled out a little pin with a lightning bolt. "I got this collectible from my superhero idols, the Wonderbolts."
"You're a Wonderbolts fan too," Zapp gasped.
"Yes," the Lone Mare said. "I'm giving it to you because I trust you enough to stay loyal."
"Thanks," Zapp said taking the pin. Suddenly, the pin glowed in a rainbow of colors and Zapp was surprised. "This must be that Pin of Loyalty."
"What's the treasure in that box anyway," Mistress Marevelous asked.
"Let's look together," the Lone Mare said.
She opened the lid and the box was open. She pulled out something that made everyone confused.
"That's it," Timberwolf asked. "That's it?! That's what this Everfree Forest gets its creepiness from?! That little, hollow cylinder?!"
"I'm going to have to do research on this," the Lone Mare said. "But in the meantime, I'll be off to Canterlot."
The heroes approached the end of the forest. Since the blimp had been destroyed, the Power Ponies, the Mighty Machines, and Shining Armor had to make the rest of the trip on hoof. The Lone Mare then left in another direction. Madame Arocez watched them all leave with a face full of worry.
"They leave now, but don't understand. Let's hope the piece doesn't fall in the wrong hands. What that artifacts brings is much more dangerous than the Siren Sisters and their master, Arcanus."





The Masked Matterhorn woke up and she was trapped in a large tube. She was bound in electric shackles. She had a metal container covering her horn.
"Don't bother trying to teleport out of there," Darkmatter said from outside of the tube. He was standing with the Siren Sisters and Anar D. "That metal around your horn is made to contain your magic. It's similar to what I was forced with during my days in prison."
"Darkmatter," the Masked Matterhorn growled.
"Good," Anar D said. "You're awake."
"Good," the Masked Matterhorn repeated mockingly. "You're an evil traitor."
"Yes, I'm a traitor," Anar D said, "But you're the one shackled and bound for death."
"He has a point," Carol said.
"At long last," Darkmatter said, "After all these years, I finally got back my little monkey."
"Okay, stop calling me that," the Masked Matterhorn said. "That's the craziest pet name ever, especially for a diabolical supervillain like you. Why in the wide, wide world of Equestria would you call me a monkey?"
Darkmatter chuckled. "You really don't know? Shining Armor never even told you?"
"Tell me what," the Masked Matterhorn asked.
"The truth about us," Darkmatter said. "You see, I call you a monkey, because that makes me..." The Masked Matterhorn was not prepared for what he said next. "...A monkey's uncle."
The princess hero widened her eyes and tried to believe that he didn't just say what she thought he said. But she knew what she heard.
"Whoa," Anar D chuckled in shock. He had a pair of 3-D glasses and held up a bag of popcorn. "I'm going to need more popcorn."
> Darkness Falls
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I'm sorry," the Masked Matterhorn said, "But it sounds like you're saying that you're my uncle."
"That's exactly what I'm saying," Darkmatter said. "Your father, Night Light, is my older brother."
Anar D turned to the Siren Sisters. "Did you three know about this?"
"Of course, we did," Serena said. "That's why we recruited him."
"But..." the Masked Matterhorn said nervously, "...How is that even possible?"
"How's about one last bedtime story before eternal slumber," Darkmatter said. "It all started when your father and I were young. We started off on trying to make a few good coins. Your father was a genius, but he never had the guts to do what was needed. Like you, I found some friends. The only difference between yours and mine is that mine were usually involved with some... illegal affairs. I tried to convince your father to join us, but he turned his back on me. It was then that I learned that it was every pony for themselves. I worked my way up to the gang until I became the head of it all. Years later, you were born and you displayed more incredible magic than any that I have seen."
"Let me guess," the Masked Matterhorn said, "You couldn't stand seeing my dad with a powerful unicorn baby while you got squat. That's why you offered to teach me magic, because you thought you could raise me better than your brother."
"You're kidding me," Anar D said with a disappointed tone. "You're telling me that this whole thing was all about jealousy? You're weirder than I thought. And what about your little method for killing alicorns? You know, there was a very, very small chance the kid was going to be princess."
"You think I didn't know that," Darkmatter asked. "My method wasn't for the child; it was for the other princesses in case they could stand in my way. But I was captured before I got the chance. Now that you're a princess, my little monkey, and it's too late for me to train you my way, I guess I'll have to kill you."
"Oh, yeah," the Masked Matterhorn asked. "I faced sinister sorceresses, an army of Changelings, a dragon made of my own magic... even Hum Drum's morning breath. I can handle anything."
"I don't think so," Darkmatter said. He approached a cabinet and opened a drawer. "You see, I learned that nothing can match the power of an alicorn. So I figured, the only way to kill an alicorn is with the power of another alicorn."
"You're going to turn yourself into an alicorn," the Masked Matterhorn asked. "Forget prison. You're going to the funny farms. You'd have to be an alicorn to have their magic."
"Do I," Darkmatter said. "Not as long as I have this!" He held up a little necklace. At the front, there was a red jewel surrounded by a decorative, black alicorn on it. The Masked Matterhorn gasped when she saw it.
"The Alicorn Amulet! You found the Alicorn Amulet?!"
"I've had it hidden in my original lab for years," Darkmatter explained. "After we took over Maretropolis, I had my supplies moved here. Yes, this is the Alicorn Amulet, forged by a dark alicorn to store his power in case of emergency. Legend says that any unicorn can have the magic of an alicorn with this thing."
"Seriously," Melody groaned. "Why didn't you use that thing back at the Under Dog caves?"
"Because there's a side-effect of the Alicorn Amulet," Darkmatter said. "The more you use it, the more it takes influence over your body. I can't risk my mind."
"What mind," the Masked Matterhorn asked.
"Instead, I've got a weapon in storage upstairs that'll work," Darkmatter continued. "It absorbs the magic from any artifact and makes into a focusing beam."
"So when you put the Alicorn Amulet in the machine," Serena said, "It becomes some kind of... death ray for alicorns."
"And anything else," Darkmatter said. "Anar D, you stay and watch the prisoner. We'll retrieve the death ray."
"Yes, sir, captain, captain, mister, man," Anar D said.
"Keep pushing me, D," Darkmatter growled as he left the lab with the Siren Sisters.
"Whew," Anar D sighed. "I thought they'd never leave. Now, then..." He approached the control panel and started to push buttons. There was no reaction.
"What are you doing now," the Matterhorn asked in anger.
"Oh, what does it look like I'm doing," Anar D asked trying to tug a piece of the tube off. "I'm trying to get you out of here so we can stop them from freeing Arcanus."
"What," the Masked Matterhorn asked in confusion. "But... I thought you betrayed us."
"You actually bought all that," Anar D asked in a chuckle. "Kid, the last thing I want is to join forces with the very girls who tried to kill me 10,000 years ago. I'm still on the side of truth, justice, and the Equestrian way and all that jazz."
"But why..." the Matterhorn asked.
"Look," Anar D said. "I promise, I'll explain it all later. Right now, we got to stop them before the sirens reach the top of the tower."
"Why," the Masked Matterhorn asked.
"Because that's where they're going to bring back Arcanus from," Anar D explained. "I convinced them to tell me they're plan. When they gave the New Heroes superpowers, they also put in a life-draining spell that takes away their essence. Once they're at the highest point here, which it the top of the tower, they'll use the essence of superheroes to open a portal and break the chains off of Arcanus at the same time. And if that happens, the New Heroes are goners!"
"Well, don't just stand there," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Get me out!"
"Just give me a minute," Anar D said. "I have no idea how this works. Maybe this button."
Anar D pushed a button, and everything the Masked Matterhorn said couldn't be heard.
"Oops," Anar D said. "Soundproof. Maybe... OOOOWWW!" He screamed when he felt a chomp of metal teeth. He looked at his cloven hoof and there was a little, metal imp gnawing at his ankle. He shook it off. "Where did you come from?"
"From me."
Anar D didn't see the Power Ponies and the Mighty Machines coming from the window. He gasped when he saw them.
"It's my power," the Shadow Blot said. "Now, release the Masked Matterhorn before I make a metal manticore to chew you like gum."
"Hold on," Anar D said. "I can explain."
"GET HIM," Zapp shouted.
The Ponies and wirewolves attacked Anar D, but the draconequus didn't try to fight back. Dusk blasted shadows from his claws into D's face. Masque tripped Anar D with his tail. Timberwolf ripped off his arm and smacked Anar D with it. Filli-Second ran in a circle around him making him dizzy. Radiance formed a hard-light flyswatter and smacked him with it. Hum Drum turned into diamond form and punched him with it.
"THIS IS FOR BETRAYING US," Saddle Rager shouted turning into her monster form. She and Devastator punched Anar D back and forth between each other like a ping-pong ball.
Finally, Mistress Marevelous levitated her rope and hogtied the draconequus.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Anar D shouted. "Where's the fire!"
Suddenly, Rodan reached out his claws and fire came out of it blasting Anar D. The fire cleared and the draconequus was covered with soot.
"Is it hot or is it me," Anar D asked. "Look, everyone, I'm still on your side."
"Yeah, right," Zapp said. "And I've been lobbing with the Pish-Posh Brothers."
"You took my head off," Timberwolf said.
"Oh, you've lost your head plenty of times," Anar D said. "I thought you'd be used to it."
"Devastate," Devastator shouted.
"Hey," Anar D said. "Did I insult your mother?"
"Listen to him."
Blue Comet flew from the cieling and landed in front of Anar D.
"Blue Comet," Radiance asked. "What are you doing here?"
"And why are you defending this creep," Hum Drum said.
"Because he's telling the truth," Blue Comet said. "He tried to get the princess out of there. I saw the whole thing."
"Then why didn't you save me from being clobbered," Anar D asked.
"Back when you were evil, you trashed my living room," Blue Comet said. "That was payback."
"Let's just get your friend out of that thing and stop the bad guys," Anar D said.
Suddenly, everyone screamed when they saw Darkmatter at the doorway. Next to him was a large, mechanical cannon with the Alicorn Amulet in a capsule on top.
"So, Anar D cannot be trusted with anything," Darkmatter said. "Therefore, you must be destroyed along with the little monkey." He pulled a lever and the cannon started to hum.
"What is that," Shining Armor asked.
"A death ray powered by the Alicorn Amulet," Anar D said. "It's the weapon he has that can kill an alicorn... and, in the crossfire, us."
"Devastator, I think this is your moment to shine," Saddle Rager said. "I can count on you."
Determined, Devastator reached the front of the group and faced the death ray. Suddenly, the death ray blasted and headed towards the big wirewolf. Then, Devastator opened his mouth really largely. The inside of his mouth had boring tools. The blast went right inside of the big guy. As soon as the cannon stopped firing, Devastator closed his mouth. Darkmatter was astonished when he saw that Devastator's belly was glowing.
"But you're a mindless beast," Darkmatter said nervously. "How?"
"Devastator..." Devastator said. He then opened his mouth pointed at Darkmatter. A larger blast shot out of his mouth and he shouted the rest of his sentence from it. "...SMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!"
The red beam covered Darkmatter and his death ray. Darkmatter screamed wildly as he felt major pain flowing through his body. When the blast cleared, the death way was gone, but Darkmatter was standing with cracks covering him. He looked at the Power Ponies with complete anger.
"Kids."
Darkmatter fell to pieces and into a pile of dust. After that, Shining Armor went to the control panel and pushed one button. The capsule the Masked Matterhorn was in opened up and she was released.
"Show off," Anar D complained.
"Hey, Anar D," Saddle Rager said, "Why didn't you just use your magic to teleport Matterhorn out?"
"AW, MAN," Anar D shouted.
At that moment, the Masked Matterhorn hit Shining Armor on the head.
"OW," Shining Armor shouted. "What was that for?!"
"For not telling me Darkmatter was our uncle," Matterhorn said.
"Oh," Shining Armor said nervously. "He told you, didn't he?"
"Let's just get going," Anar D said. "We've got New Heroes to save."





On top of Power Tower, the Siren Sisters looked at the city and beyond. They were grinning.
"Ready, girls," Serena asked her sisters.
"Ready," Melody said.
"What she said," Carol said.
"Not so fast, Siren Sisters," the Masked Matterhorn shouted as she bursted through the door with her friends.
"Looks like we got some rats," Serena said.
"They're not rats," Carol said. "They're 8 ponies, 6 wirewolves, and a draconequus."
Melody groaned. "Go back to sleep, Carol."
"All right," the Masked Matterhorn declared. "Let's Power Pony up!"
The heroes and villains charged at each other. The Siren Sisters were tougher than they looked, so despite the numbers, it was an even battle.
"I'm putting you down," Melody called out to the Masked Matterhorn. She shot a red beam from her jewel and aimed it toward the alicorn.
"NO," the Blue Comet shouted as he flew in front of the beam. He was pushed toward the Masked Matterhorn. He didn't pass out, but his mask slipped off of his face when they hit a wall. When she saw his face, the Masked Matterhorn gasped.
"News Flash," the Masked Matterhorn asked, "The TV reporter? But why..."
"Talk later," News Flash said putting his mask back on.
The battle continued. Soon, the Siren Sisters were back-to-back with each other.
"NOW, RADIANCE!"
The unicorn heard the Matterhorn's words and formed a hard-light cage around the trio. She also created some clamps around their mouths so they couldn't be heard.
"We... We did it," Anar D said. He then celebrated. "WEEEEE DID IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT! WE WON AT LAST!"
"Hold it, Anar D," the Masked Matterhorn said. "You've got some explaining to do."
"Oh," Anar D said. "All right. Ask me anything, friends?"
> Happy Ever After... or Not
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back on ground level, the Power Ponies and Mighty Machines were talking to Anar D while Shining Armor was reading the Siren Sisters their rights.
"It was all a set-up that I made," Anar D said. "I came up with it on the way to apprehend them. We still didn't know why they wanted the New Heroes and I knew they would try to convince me to join their side, so I played along and gained their trust until I could learn their plan. After that, I'd reveal myself as a double-agent."
"So... this whole thing was an act," Mistress Marevelous asked. "What about all the devastation you brought here in Maretropolis?"
"I only pulled some harmless pranks," Anar D said. "Think about it. I popped off Timberwolf's head, but that happens to him all the time. I could've followed the Order of Change into the Under Dog catacombs to capture you, but I didn't. And during our siege for Maretropolis, no one got hurt because of me. Those should've been obvious signs."
"Obvious," Mistress Marevelous asked. "Anar D, those were as subtle as a black spot in the dark."
"Wait," Timberwolf said. "What about Pandora's Box? I saw you give it to them as a sign of your loyalty."
"Like Scynder's pendant," Anar D asked. "What you saw me give them was a fake box. I got the real one right here." He pulled out an identical box. "Those girls can't tell sedimentary from metamorphic. By the way, I decided to let the Siren Sisters keep the fake on during their time."
"Don't you think this should've been something you could've told us," the Masked Matterhorn asked. "You should've kept us in the loop. Why didn't you let us in on it?"
Anar D sighed and revealed his intention. "Because it was personal. During my 3-month investigation, I have learned a terrible secret. When Arcanus was banished, he placed a curse on Equestria to suffer from Discordant Convergences every three years until he returns. He knew that one day, the result of one could lead to his release. So, in a way, Arcanus is responsible for turning me into a draconequus and bringing the wirewolves to the Netherealm and... seperating me from my sister. I did it on my own because it was personal and I didn't want you all to get involved."
"So... you're still our friend," Saddle Rager asked.
"Of course, Saddle Rager," Anar D said. "You're all my first friends in 10,000 years. You're all like family to me. Personally, if I had to choose between getting what I want and friendship, I'd choose the latter."
What they didn't know is that Carol, the blue-haired siren, listened in on the whole conversation. She lowered her head with her mouth covered.
"Well, thanks for the truth, Anar D," the Masked Matterhorn said. "And... I guess what you said was right. We do seem to take you for granted. From now on, we'll act out to be more friendly to you."
"That's all I ask," Anar D said. "Now, if you'll excuse me..." He placed the Siren Sisters in a large cage with wheels. He held onto the strap. "I'll be taking these three to Canterlot." He whistles as he left the area.
"And as for you," the Masked Matterhorn said approaching the Blue Comet. "I thought you were just a TV reporter. What are you doing being a superhero without the super?"
"Don't look at me," the Blue Comet said. "I had no choice. My chief editor always had me work onw unimportant stories unless it was happening right now. For once, I wanted him to send me investigating a conspiracy, but he wouldn't let me. So when I heard of the New Heroes amassing, I knew I had to check it out. And since my editor wouldn't let me do anything, I went in under a new persona. That's when you found me and the rest is history."
Suddenly, without warning, the Masked Matterhorn leaned in and pecked her lips on his cheek. The Blue Comet jerked his head in shock.
"W... What was that for," the Blue Comet asked.
"It's to say thanks... for taking that blast for me earlier."
"Oh." The Blue Comet was nervous. "Well... I'd best be off. My boss would be furious when I miss attendance again." With that, he flew away and the Masked Matterhorn sighed happily.
Hum Drum watched the whole thing and glared at Radiance. He  took a deep breath and approached her.
"Hey... Radiance," he said getting her attention. "I was wondering... would you be interested... for a nice dinner?"
Radiance took a moment to think, but she then smiled. "All right."
"Really," Hum Drum asked. "Great. I'll make the reservations." He turned away and left the scene. He then cheered loudly. "YEEEEEEEES!

"I'VE DONE IT! I STOOD UP
AND FINALLY GREW THE STUFF
THAT WAS A TOUGH JOB FOR HUM DRUM
I'M HAPPY IN MY HEART
NOTHING CAN PULL IT APART
I'VE DONE THE JOB FOR HUM DRUM
AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THIS COURAGE CAME FROM
HERE I GO
CAN'T WAIT
GOT A
BIG DATE
THIS IS DEFINATELY A JOB FOR...
HUUUUUUUUUUUUUM DRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUM"





On the way to Canterlot, Anar D dragged the wagon with the Siren Sisters' cage behind him. There was no one else in the wide open field. It was the middle of the night. Anar D materlialized a drinking mug and extended it to the Siren Sisters.
"How'd you like some coffee," Anar D asked.
"Is it poison," Melody asked.
"Yes, kid," Anar D said sarcastically. "I pretended to be by your side, gave you a fake box, hesitated on arresting you, and spared your lives when you were arrested... so I could then poison you."
"Why are you dragging us to Canterlot," Carol asked. "Couldn't you just warp us there?"
"I could," Anar D said, "But I'm just doing this to make you think about what you've done."
"I'm still surprised that you are stuck in this prison called friendship," Serena said. "You said it yourself, you'd rather be stuck in your box than stay a friend."
"Pay attention, will you," Anar D said. "It was all an act. Now that your plan is foiled, you can't bring back Arcanus."
Serena started to chuckle. Then, she laughed loudly. "You really thought you stopped our plans?"
"Well, technically, it was the Power Ponies who stopped you," Anar D said. "Oh, come on, face it. You told me your plan word-for-word and we stopped every bit of it from happening."
"We did tell you we were going to blow up the New Heroes, didn't we," Melody asked.
"Actually, the true plan has only begun," Serena said. "And all you have to do is let us out."
"Why would I want to do that," Anar D asked.
"Because of this," Serena said pulling something out of her jacket. In her hand was a rock box with a hatch on it.
"The box I gave you," Anar D asked. "Again, pay attention! I gave you a fake box! That thing has as much control over me as a rubber ball."
"If you know what's best for you, you'll free us now," Serena said clutching onto the box.
"I'm not listening," Anar D cried out covering his ears. "Lalalalalalala! Lala... AAAAAAHHHH!"
Anar D felt a great jolt of pain coarsing through his body. It was like the inside of him was being electrocuted. He looked at the box and was terrified when he saw it glow.
"Surprised," Serena asked. "You didn't really think we'd trust the very guy who turned us into freaks of nature, did you? We guessed your little charade and made a little switch during our Maretropolis takeover. Now then, open the cage and let us go."
Struggling with the pain, Anar D pushed through and opened the cage. As soon as he did, the pain stopped and he breathed heavily. The Siren Sisters walked out and grinned.
"Good boy," Serena said. "Now then, bow before us."
Anar D sighed and placed his knees and hands on the ground. He nearly shed a tear when he bowed his head.
"Just like we thought," Melody said. "Now, we can get on with our real plan."
"Real plan," Anar D asked. "You mean, you weren't planning on killing the New Heroes?"
"Not yet," Serena said. "There are still some... loose ends that we need tied up."
The Siren Sisters grew their wings from their back and formed a red glow. Anar D was terrified to see the determination in their eyes. They then sang in unison.

"PURE EVIL
IN OUR WILL
SHALL TAKE YOUR CONSCIOUS SOOOOOOUUUUUUL
ARCAYA, SIORIS
MENTORO, ADORUS
NOW, WE'RE IN CONTROOOOOOOOOL"

Out of their red gems, a green mist shot out and bolted through the area. The Siren Sisters laughed loudly at the shifting mist while Anar D turned his head away in shame.





The used football arena was used as a meeting place for every New Hero.
"All right," Shining Armor said sending the latest New Hero across the field. He looked at his clipboard. "Let's see. We've got the vertigo-creating Camera Woman. We've got the Iron Buffalo, who can change his skin into iron. And we've got..." He squinted at the last name on the list. "The Muffin Mare?" He turned to the gray, cross-eyed pegasus with the brown costume. "What's your power again?"
"Watch and learn," the Muffin Mare said. Suddenly, muffins materialized in the pesusus' hooves. "Muffin creation!"
"Ooooookay," Shining Armor said. He turned back at his clipboard. "Well, it took a lot of work, but we've finally gathered every New Hero the Siren Sisters have created. Now, all I have to do is find a way to make up to my sister about Darkmatter."
Suddenly, green mist brushed past him and he was curious at what they do. He wasn't prepared when he saw the smoke enter the New Heroes' noses and mouths. Suddenly, the New Heroes jolted straight up and their eyes were glowing green. They all then spoke in unison.
"ALL HAIL ARCANUS!"
"What's going on," Shining Armor asked. "I got to get out of here!"
Shining Armor ran out of the door with the help. He then looked back and saw the New Heroes break through the walls and ceiling. They swarmed over Canterlot and attacked everything they saw. The civilians were frightened by it.
"I GOT TO WARN THE PRINCESSES!"
Suddenly, a large vine appeared underneath him. He was tied up and C.R.U.S.A.D.E. approached him with their green eyes glowing.
"ALL HAIL ARCANUS," they shouted.
Shining Armor looked across the street and saw other New Heroes attacking. He recognized Terrania...
"All hail Arcanus."
...And the Lone Mare...
"ALL HAIL ARCANUS!"
...And even the Under King.
"ALL HAIL ARCANUS!"
Shining Armor was horrified at what he was seeing.





Meanwhile, in the Netherealm, Lord Arcanus was still bound to his chains, but that didn't bother him anymore. He had a diabolical grin.
"It has begun."
> Unlikely Help
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Power Ponies and the Mighty Machines were comparing notes with each other on top of City Hall.
"So wait," Saddle Rager said. "Guys, if Arcanus can't escape the Netherealm, how did you six?"
"Devastate," Devastator said.
"Through the skin of our teeth," Masque said, "...If we had teeth... and skin."
"You'd be surprised what scrap metal we'd find around the Netherealm," Timberwolf said. "We salvaged as much as we could to build a generator that could bring us to Equestria and warn you about Arcanus. Of course, there's the fact that the generator could only have enough power for one trip, but we made it in one piece."
"You know," the Shadow Blot said, "For the first time in millennia, we've got nothing going on with us. There's no monster trying to eat us. There's no dark dimension we're trying to survive. There's no more threat. We... we don't have any trouble."
"FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVEEEEEER," Masque shouted.
"Hey, Radiance," the Masked Matterhorn said, "Shouldn't you get ready for your dinner with Hum Drum tonight?"
"There's no hurry," Radiance said. "My beauty comes naturally, you know."
"Still," Mistress Marevelous said, "You should know how much it means to Hum Drum."
"What do you mean," Radiance asked.
"Uh, Rade," Mistress Marevelous said, "What do you think this dinner is?"
"A celebration dinner," Radiance said. "It's our way of celebrating for stopping Arcanus from returning."
The Power Poines and Mighty Machines had awkward faces.
"Uh, Radiance," Zapp said, "We're not invited. It's just you and Hum Drum."
"How come," Radiance asked.
"Because..." the Masked Matterhorn said, "...It's a... date."
The moment was silent. Suddenly, Radiance spoke.
"A date? As in, two people get together to be even closer to be each other's special some-pony?"
"Yes," the Shadow Blot said. "You see..." He stopped when he jolted up.
"Ricky, what's wrong," Timberwolf asked.
"HIT THE DIRT!"
The Shadow Blot pulled everyone to the ground. A green mist bolted over them.
"What was that," Rodan asked.
"It's heading for Power Tower," Zapp exclaimed.
The green mist hit Power Tower and it completely disappeared.
"Well, the headquarters looks okay," Dusk said.
"Let's get in," the Masked Matterhorn said. "Hum Drum's inside."





The Ponies and Machines were inside Power Tower and walked through its hallways.
"Sensors indicate... spooky," Masque said. "In fact, I'm going with, very spooky."
They entered a room and Hum Drum and the Power Pets were standing with their backs at the heroes.
"Hum Drum, are you all right," the Masked Matterhorn asked nervously. "Hum Drum?"
Suddenly, Hum Drum and the Power Pets revealed their glowing, green eyes.
"ALL HAIL ARCANUS," he shouted.
"That's spooky," Masque gasped.
"Like what you found."
The Power Ponies and the Mighty Machines looked and saw the Siren Sisters behind them.
"You again," Radiance asked. "What did you do to Hum Drum?"
"You see, we've hidden a mind-control spell inside of the superpowers of the New Heroes," Serena said. "We couldn't activate them sooner because we needed time to kill when you foolishly bring all New Heroes into Canterlot."
"You mean you're controlling every New Hero in Equestria," Dusk asked. "You're mad!"
"What about Anar D," Saddle Rage asked. "What happened to him?"
"Glad you asked," Serena said.
Suddenly, a sudden shift was felt. Everyone looked outside and saw Anar D 50 stories high. He grabbed Power Tower and lifted it from the ground.
"ANAR D," Saddle Rager shouted. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
"Sorry, kids," Anar D said with a voice full of regret. "They took the real box."
Anar D flew into the sky with Power Tower in his hands.
"SIRENS," the Masked Matterhorn shouted. "AS PRINCESS, I ORDER YOU TO STOP AND RELEASE THE NEW HEROES!"
"Ah, but there's a new order now," Serena said, "Arcanus' order." She then stroked Hum Drum's scaled. "Besides, Hum Drum doesn't seem to mind change, don't you, boy?"
"ALL HAIL ARCANUS!"
"TAKE YOUR STINKING HANDS OFF OF HIM, YOU DARN, DIRTY SIREN," Radiance shouted.
"I got this," the Masked Matterhorn said. She fired an ice-blast from her horn towards Serena, but the human smacked it into another direction with a backhand.
"Don't bother," Serena said. "The more New Heroes that are under our spell, the stronger we are. You can't stop us and when we bring you to the rest of the original heroes and princesses, we will drain the life force out of the New Heroes and bring forth Arcanus. And when he gets here, he'll have a fresh buffet of energy we prepare for him. We just need to gather all the original heroes. And guess what... YOU'RE LAST!"
At that moment, the Siren Sisters transformed into their other forms and roared.
"Sheesh," Filli-Second said. "It's times like these that make you wish you hadn't gotten out of bed."
"MAKE FOR THE WINDOWS," Rodan shouted.
The Ponies and the Machines turned to the window and jumped out. Saddle Rager turned into her monster form and grabbed the Power Ponies while Devastator grabbed the Mighty Machines. They had a rough landing, but they made it safely on the ground.
The Siren Sisters turned back into humans and watched them land safely on the ground and growled.
"Are we going after them," Carol asked.
"But what about the Power Ponies," Melody asked. "We need all heroes destroyed."
"Don't worry, Melody," Serena said. "They'll come to us."





On the ground, the Power Ponies and Mighty Machines watched Anar D fly off with Power Tower in his lion paw. Soon, a familiar pegasus in a blue costume arrived onto the scene.
"Blue Comet," the Masked Matterhorn said.
"What happened," Blue Comet asked.
"Oh, nothing much," Masque said. "It's just the Siren Sisters mind-controlling the New Heroes and box-controlling Anar D. You know, the usual Tuesday routine."
"If the Siren Sisters are forcing the New Heroes to hunt down the originals," Radiance said, "That means we're the only ones yet to be captured."
"We've got to take the fight to the Siren Sisters," the Masked Matterhorn said.
"But how," Timberwolf said. "I don't know if you noticed, but there are three sirens with mind-controlled New Heroes ate their disposal and a draconequus they can control and we've got no one left to help us. We're six ponies, six wirewolves, and one powerless pony. That's an unlucky 13; count them."
"Are you sure there's no one left to help us," Blue Comet asked.
Everyone took a moment to think. Then, they came up with an idea that is very risky.





The jail cells were filled with many supervillain criminals. They all turned their attention to the Power Ponies when they entered.
"All right, everyone, listen up," the Masked Matterhorn declared. "Most of you here aren't stupid!"
"That'll win them over," Zapp said sarcastically.
"Some of you may know there's something wrong," Matterhorn shouted.
"We knew before you did," the Sinister Sorceress said.
"Yes, I'm sure," the Masked Matterhorn groaned. "But the point is, if we don't stop this threat soon, it won't matter if we're friends or enemies because we're all going to be dead. The only way for us to stand a chance is if we join forces... for the moment."
"Is that so," Pish, one of the Pish-Posh Brothers asked. "What do you think, brother of mine?"
"Well, I seem to recall that the Power Ponies locked us in here in the first place," Posh said.
"You're lucky it was just prison," Mistress Marevelous said.
"Look, how's about this," the Masked Matterhorn said. "I'm a princess. If you help us fight the Siren Sisters and get the New Heroes back, I will personally testify for you all in your parole hearings."
The supervillains looked at each other and instantly, they knew their answers. A few minutes later, the supervillains gathered their weapons and costumes from the evidence locker.
"Ooh, this is making my mane stand up," the Mane-iac said. "Today only, heroes and villains are putting aside their differences to fight a common threat to ponykind. Too bad that threat isn't me."
"If we live through this, Zapp," Gryphon Galore growled, "I'm pounding you into the ground."
"Well, that's too bad," Zapp said, "Because we're probably not going to live through this."
> Second Thoughts
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Heroes were surrounding Canterlot Castle underneath the dark of the night. They were not letting anypony in or out. The only other ponies inside were the princesses and the original heroes. They were standing in the gardens all worried about what what might happen next.
"I wonder what they've got in store for us?" Heatwave said.
"Stretch here discovered that the Siren Sisters hypnotized all the New Heroes," Slapstick said, "And they brought us all here to get rid of us."
"Do you believe everything your rubber chicken says?" a fancy unicorn with a monocle and blue mustach asked.
"Ever since I ignored him when he told me my cat, Mr. Featherbeak, was actually a parrot." Slapstick replied. "Took us all by surprise. And who are you anyway?"
"The Dirigeant." the fancy hero said. "I have the power of mind control."
"Well, then why don't you snap the New Heroes out of it?" Soaron asked.
"I tried." the Dirigeant said, "But I just can't seem to reach them."
Suddenly, Anar D appeared in the sky holding up Power Tower. He shoved it inside the castle and the Siren Sisters appeared on the balcony looking down at the original heroes. Serena was in front and glared marvelously at the hostages below.

"This day is going so perfect
The kind of of which I dreamed since I was small
EVERY HERO AT OUR MERCY
AS HELPLESS AS THEY'RE MEANT TO BE
AND SOON, ALL OF EQUESTRIA WILL FAAAAAAAALL"

"Serena, Carol, Melody," Princess Celestia declared, "Release us now!"
"Not going to happen, princess!" Serena said. "Carol, give us our amulets!"
"Oh," Carol said nervously. "Actually, I think I left them inside the tower."
"You left them inside the tower?!" Serena asked angrily. "Seriously, why did I think you could do this, this one simple thing? It's like I'm talking to a chicken."
"Hang on," Carol said.
"A really, really, big, stupid chicken named Carol," Serena growled.
"Ouch," Carol said.
"And do you want to know something else," Serena asked. "I never liked your tacos!" That made Carol gasp. "NEVER!" That very comment made Carol whimper.
"Hey, losers," Melody said, "You're embarassing us in front of the doomed."
Serena sighed heavily. "Carol, get inside and get the stones."
Carol turned around and entered the tower. She went across a few rooms and found the red rocks. She picked them up and sighed for a second.
"What am I doing," Carol asked herself. "I work myself to death doing the best I can, but Serena and Melody can't see it. The Power Ponies are failing right now, but they're not yelling at each other. And another thing, I'm finally going to get what I want out there, so how come something so right could feel so... wrong."
"Maybe because it's not right."
The Doctor appeared out of nowhere and right in front of Carol.
"Who are you," Carol asked.
"The Doctor."
"Well, doc, what are you talking about," Carol asked. "What do you mean that nothing I'm doing is right?"
"Because it's not what's meant to happen," the Doctor said. "And I think you know it also. Why in this entire Multiverse would you want to hurt innocent ponies?"
"Serena said that it's because they hurt us in the past," Carol said. "We're just getting even."
"You really think getting even will change what has happened," the Doctor asked. "Child, you're blaming the world for your life being saved when you can use your gift to spread kindness to the world."
"But it would've been nice to just go back to the way things were," Carol said, "Just to not be different; just to be... normal again."
"Are you kidding me?" the Doctor asked. "Everywhere I go, ponies I meet would attempt to make themselves very noticed. They want to feel special. You're lucky, if you ask me. Answer me this: why be different when you can be rare?"
Carol looked at the rocks in her hands. She then see them glow in a rainbow of colors. She felt the same feeling coming from her own eyes. She knew just what to do.





Outside the castle, the Power Ponies peeked in and saw Serena and Melody at the Power Tower balcony waiting for their sister.
"All right," the Masked Matterhorn whispered. "As soon as they're vulnerable, we strike. We'll force them to release the New Heroes."
"What if they send Anar D after us?" Zapp asked.
"You're talking about me, I presume?"
Anar D appeared right next to the Power Ponies.
"How'd you know we were here," the Shadow Blot asked.
"I could sense another alicorn a mile away," Anar D said. "Look, I can't help you here." He changed his head to Serena's. "I'm a slave to the blonde bugaboo now." He changed his head back. "What are you going to do?"
"Just stall them until we get to them," the Masked Matterhorn said.
"That, I can do," Anar D said. He warped himself right next to Serena.
"What do you want," Serena asked. "You know you can't escape me while I have the box."
"That's true," Anar D said nervously. "I was just wondering... what time is it? Remember, I get regular coffee breaks."
Carol walked out onto the balcony with the red stones in her hands. Her head hung low.
"Good girl, Carol," Serena said. "Now, let's get this party started."
Anar D was sweating and he gulped.
"No." Carol sighed.
"What," Melody asked. "What do you mean, no?"
"Lord Arcanus expects us to release him tonight," Serena said.
"I... said... NO," Carol shouted. "You two are the worst sisters in history! And everything the other ponies said was true! Like how you're a couple of..." To keep the story child-friendly, this part of the dialogue can't be revealed. Everyone was surprised at what they heard. Even the heroes and villains outside were shocked. "Well, here's something for you: I'm sick of being evil, sick of being loyal to Arcanus, and most of all, I AM SICK OF YOU! SO... I QUIT!"
"Preach, sister," Anar D exclaimed. "PREACH!"
"And guess what," Carol continued, "Arcanus will never return because he needs all three of us to cooperate. So now, you two are going to pucker up..." She pointed at her backside. "...and plant a big, wet one on my..."
Suddenly, Serena bent her knee and kicked Carol off the balcony. Slapstick caught her, but Carol dropped the red stones at the balcony and Serena picked them up.
"Stupid Carol." Serena said. "We don't need her specifically. Anar D..."
"Whoa, no way!" Anar D said. "You CANNOT make me sing back-up!"
"No!" Serena shouted. "I just want you to create a copy of Carol with the same Siren magic."
"And give her an estimated I.Q. of 0." Melody added. "That way, she can be smarter than the original."
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!"
Suddenly, the Power Ponies, Mighty Machines, and supervillains appeared and entered the gardens. They stood with the original heroes and the princesses.
"I'm impressed, Masked Matterhorn." Princess Celestia said.
"You're not the only one with an army." Zapp said.
"Looks like you've got some upgrades," Melody said. "But it doesn't seem like you had to scrape the bottom of the barrel for these amateur villains." The villains growled.
"Actually, we have an edge," Serena said. "The only way you can reach us is if you get past the New Heroes. And you wouldn't dare hurt them."
The New Heroes moved. They gathered up around Power Tower and turned to the original heroes and the supervillains.
"ALL HAIL ARCANUS!"
"Well, I have no problem with hurting them," Gryphon Galore said. "Never was a fan anyway."
"All right, every pony," the Masked Matterhorn said, "We've got to get to those Siren Sisters before they drain the life force out of the New Heroes! Save the New Heroes! Save each other! SAVE EQUESTRIA!"
At that moment, the heroes and villains charged toward Power Tower. The New Heroes charged at the other and an all-out battle exploded.
> Musical Showdown
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The battle was ferocious. The Power Ponies made it to cover where Carol was hiding.
"So you're on our side now?" Radiance asked.
"Ye.," Carol said. "We've got to stop my sisters before they sing their song!"
"But how?" Mistress Marevelous asked. "One of them was able to kick our tails since they started controlling the New Heroes!"
"WAIT!" Carol shouted. "That's it! Their singing is enchanted, but they can be stopped. If the New Heroes hear a song more magical than my sisters', they'll break out of their control."
"But how do we enchant our singing?" Filli-Second asked. "It's not like I have a magic cannon. A party cannon, of course; but not a magic cannon."
"The Harmony Gems!" the Masked Matterhorn realized. "Of course! All we have to do is use them to help us in a counter-performance. We just need a little more time so we can get into the castle and get them."
"Leave that to me." Carol said. She changed into her siren form and flew towards the Power Tower balcony.
"Look at that." Serena said. "It looks like Carol wants a shot at us. Anar D, is her counterpart ready yet?"
"I'm working on it." Anar D said molding a glob of primordial ooze.
"Are you working as fast as you can?" Serena asked.
"You didn't tell me to." Anar D said.
"THEN WORK FAST!" Serena shouted. "In the meantime, Melody, take care of our traitorous sister."
"I thought you'd never ask." Melody said cracking her knuckles. She changed into her siren form and charged at Carol.
The two sirens struggled against each other around the castle. They fought between and around castle towers.
"Why are you making this so difficult, Carol?" Melody growled trying to grab the blue siren with her teeth. "We're only trying to change the world."
"You're trying to tear me apart!" Carol said dodging her sister's bites.
"Arcanus can put you back together again." Melody said. She pushed her on top of a tower. "He'll make you smarter, and not so fond of tacos."
"I LOVE TACOS!"
Suddenly, the roof of the tower broke and the sirens fell onto the floor below. Incidently, they changed into their human forms. Melody looked around and knew that Carol was underneath a pile somewhere. She turned over a few debris looking for her.
"You could do with a make-over. You could've had mom's good looks like I did, but let's face it; something went wrong."
Suddenly, Carol, in her human form, broke out of a pile and tackled Melody and they both fell out of a nearby window. They changed into their siren forms and landed in the city. They were still in siren form, so Carol picked up a blue bug car.
"BLUE PUNCH BUGGY!" She swung the car and smacked Melody into a wall. "No punch back!" She then pushed the car into Melody's siren stomach.
Melody changed into her human form and crawled over the car. She looked up and saw Carol charging in. Suddenly, Melody slammed the trunk of the car open and dodged her sister's ram. Carol fell right inside of the trunk and her sister slammed it shut. Carol tried to break out of there.
"I've been wanting to do that since the day you were born."
Melody then changed into her siren form and flew back to Canterlot Castle. She changed into her human form and landed next to Serena.
"Is it done?" Serena asked.
"Carol won't be able to bother us again until it is too late." Melody said.
"Good." Serena grinned. "Because Anar D just finished."
There was a figure next to her that looked exactly like Carol.
"Can she sing?" Serena asked.
"As you requested." Anar D sighed regretfully.
"Perfect." Serena said. "Now, let's finish this little concert."
The sirens put on their amulets and started to vocalize. During the time, the New Heroes stopped fighting and stiffened. In the sky, the nighttime clouds spiraled and started to glow green. Anar D, the princesses, the original heroes, and the supervillains were horrified that they were too late.

"It's the winds of chaaaaaaaange
Where everything, we'll rearraaaaaaaaange
You've lost your gaaaaaaaame
The world won't be the saaaaaaame
From now on, you'll live
From the orders we'll give
Your losses won't be vain
It's for the perfect gain
WE'LL ADJUST THE WORLD
LIKE NOTHING YOU'VE SEEN BEFORE
YOU CAN'T TRUST THE WORLD
WHEN IT CAN EVOLVE INTO MORE
PLAY YOUR ROLES
GIVE YOUR SOULS
BRING BACK LORD ARCANUUUUUUUUUUUUUS"

Suddenly, many New Heroes started falling. Green apparitions emerged from their bodies and flew into the clouds. The vapor's glow of green got brighter. Only Hum Drum was left standing.
"That one has strong resistance." Melody said.
"Indeed," Serena said, "But it doesn't matter. He won't escape us anyway. I... Wait! Do you hear that?"
There was a sound of bright music in the air. The Power Ponies appeared singing next to Power Tower with their Harmony Gems glowing with each tune.
"That's our friends." the Shadow Blot said with a smile.

"I used to wonder what friendship could be
Until you all shared its magic with me"
"There are always pals to trust in," Zapp sang,
"Loyal 'til the end"
"And, if given the chance," the Masked Matterhorn sang,
"I'd meet them all again"
"And we can give each other faith," Mistress Marevelous sang,
"That is not pretend"
"There are tons of fun," Filli-Second sang,
"Even more to send"
"You always must have," Radiance sang,
"A generous hoof to lend"
"So bet your kindness," Saddle Rager sang.
"TO SAVE YOUR FRIEND," everyone sang.

"What's their problem?!" Melody asked. "They're superheroes, not superstars!"
"They really think they can save their friend." Serena asked. "Well, let's give Hum Drum a little push."
The sirens continued singing.

"IT'S IN WITH THE NEW
AND OUT WITH THE YOU
GIVE IN TO THE VILLAIN'S REQUEST
IT'S WHAT YOU DO BEST"

Suddenly, Hum Drum collapsed onto the ground. Everyone gasped when his soul flew out of his body. The Siren Sisters were delighted to se it heading for the green vortex.
"NO!" Radiance shouted in despair. She pointed her bracelet and created a hard-light platform underneath her. She hovered up and created a block above Hum Drum's soul. He couldn't get through it. Radiance confronted him in the air.
"Hum Drum, don't leave. I know you've liked me for a while, but I didn't notice. I just want you to know that I will do whatever I can to make up for all that. Just... don't leave!"
Radiance leaned in her neck and planted her lips on Hum Drum's soul's. Suddenly, Hum Drum's eyes stopped glowing green and he gasped. He felt nervous when he saw what Radiance was doing.
"Oh, Radiance! I, uh..."
"It doesn't matter now!" Radiance said. "Just get back into your body."
"NOOOOOO!" Serena shouted with rage.
"What?" Hum Drum asked the siren. "You got something against kisses?!"
"We will claim control again!" Serena shouted angrily. "You still have your powers, so you can still give us what we want!" The Siren Sisters kept vocalizing trying to gain control over Hum Drum.
"Not... this... time!" Hum Drum shouted. He then sang trying to resist the Siren Sisters' control.

"You cannot bring me down
I'm still around
I won't let you take my soul
'Cause I'm in control"
"That is where you're wrong," Melody sang,
"Soon, you'll be long gooooooone"
"Never mess with a super lizard," Hum Drum sang,
"I'm just as tough as any fighter or wizard
I won't let evil win
I'm going back into my skin"

Watching the show, Anar D was impressed. He looked at the Siren Sisters and got an idea of how to help.

"This ends," Hum Drum continued,
"My friends
Will never let me go alone
Those girls are my home"
"DON'T YOU DARE MAKE ME LAUGH," Serena sang,
"IT IS ALL FOR NAUGHT
IS THAT ALL YOU'VE GOT"
"IT'S TIME TO FINISH YOOOUUU," all three sirens sang.
"I know exactly what I have to do," Hum Drum sang.

Hum Drum then grew strong enough to drop on down. The Siren Sisters tried to take control back, but suddenly, Anar D jumped up and covered Serena's eyes.
"Guess who?"
"LET GO OF ME, YOU BRAINLESS WORM!"
"That's not even close."
Suddenly, Hum Drum's soul slammed right back into its body and the dragon jumped back to his feet.
"HUM DRUM, YOU'RE BACK!" Radiance shouted with complete joy. She picked up Hum Drum and kissed him on the lips. Hum Drum was surprised for a moment, but was then happy.
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Serena roared with rage. "THIS CAN'T BE OVER!"
"Too bad it is." Anar D said. "And so, once again, the day is saved thanks to the Power Ponies!"
"The portal is still open." Serena said. "We just need one last soul. There's still some time to..."
"Stop being so desperate, Serena!" Anar D said. "Remember, you need the soul of a super-being and that same guy needs to give it up. Hum Drum was the last one and you can't control him anymore."
Suddenly, Serena widened her eyes. She grew a devilish grin and chuckled.
"On the contrary, D, we have one last super soul at our disposal."
"Oh, really?" Anar D asked. "Who?"
Serena grinned and turned her head to the draconequus. She clutched Pandora's Box in her hand. "You. Anar D, I'd like to make my final request from you. I wish for you... TO GIVE UP YOUR SOUL INTO THE VORTEX!"
The Power Ponies and Anar D were frightened at the sound of that.
"Oh, horse apples!" Anar D whimpered. He sighed. "All right. Your wish is my command. Here I go."
"NO!" the Power Ponies gasped. They ran and flew towards the tower.
But it was too late. Anar D blasted himself with his magic. He collapsed onto the floor and his soul hovered into the air. The Power Ponies watched him hover toward the portal.
"ANAR D, DON'T GO!" Saddle Rager shouted.
"Sorry, friends." Anar D said. "I have no choice. I just want you all to know that I'm completely sorry for everything that I've done!"
Anar D completely vanished into the portal and the vortex flashed brightly. A large blast appeared from the vortex and landed right in the middle of Canterlot Gardens. Everyone adverted their eyes from the bright blast on impact. As soon as the light dimmed, everyone slowly looked at where the blast was and saw a large figure.
It was a centaur: half-horse, half-man. He had blood-red skin and black horns. His beard and hair had the same silver color as the collar around his neck. He had a muscular build and the height of a skyscraper.
"Is that..." Zapp asked in fear.
"From our parents' description, I'm afraid so." Princess Celestia said fearing for her life. She breathed in the fear filling up her soul.
"Is he friend or is he foe, the ponies wonder." the large creature narrated with his brutish tone. "I assure you, I am no 'friend'. I am.. LORD ARCANUS! AND NOW, I WILL TAKE BACK WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA!"
> The Final Item
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Master!" Serena praised. She and Melody changed into their siren forms and approached Arcanus' face.
"Well done, my little ones." Lord Arcanus said. "The plan worked out perfectly. But wait... where is your sister?"
"Unfortunately, Carol is no longer loyal to our cause, master," Serena said. "But don't worry. She won't be able to stop us."
"Of course, she can't." Arcanus said. "It's far too late for anyone to stop me."
"HEY, HORN HEAD!" Arcanus looked down and saw the Power Ponies beneath him. Zapp was angry.
"Ah, you must be the Power Ponies." Arcanus said. "So you're the ponies that defeated my Changeling army months ago. As of yet, I'm unimpressed."
"Well, you haven't seen us juggling bowling balls while drinking a glass of water." Masque spoke out.
"And the Mighty Machines too." Arcanus said. "You have no idea how meddlesome you were to my plans back in the Netherealm. And now that I'm in full power, I can shroud darkness all over Equestria forever."
"Well, actually," Timberwolf said, "Legend says you're only allowed to cover the world in darkness for 1,000 years and..."
"FOREVER!" Arcanus shouted.
"Okay!" Timberwolf said with surprised fear.
"Don't get your hopes up, Arcanus." Princess Celestia said. "The Power Ponies are the current Heroes of Harmony and they will stop you."
"These children?" Arcanus asked. "Don't make me laugh. They're nothing."
"Well, actually," Zapp said, "Saddle Rager here's a good singer and..."
"NOTHING!" Arcanus shouted.
"Whoa!" Filli-Second exclaimed. "The guy has to be right all the time, doesn't he?"
"This time, not even the Harmony Gems will stop me." Arcanus said. "This time, I will change Equestria for..."
"FOREVEEEEER!" Filli-Second shouted. "Ha! See how you like it!"
"Master," Serena said, "We have something that might interest you." She extended her hoof and revealed a pile of soot as black as midnight.
"A pile of dust?" Arcanus asked. "Serena, how does this interest me?"
"These are the remains of our late ally, Darkmatter." Serena said. "He was destroyed by the energy of the Alicorn Amulet, but I can feel the Amulet's energy still coursing through this. With that much power, you can become unstoppable."
"Interesting." Arcanus said stroking his beard. "Very well."
"NO!" the Masked Matterhorn gasped.
The heroes tried to stop Arcanus and charged at him, but Melody appeared and created a sonic scream that pushed everyone back. Arcanus opened his mouth and a black smoke escaped the dust. The mist entered Arcanus' mouth until it was all gone.
Arcanus shuddered as he began to grow, until he was at least 20 feet taller then before, a flack almost fiery mane grew over his back, eyes glowing green with purple smoke coming from the corner. His roar of power shook the very earth they stood on.
"It's too late!" Princess Celestia gasped with fear. "Arcanus merged his magic with Darkmatter's!"
"Than he must be..." Filli-Second said, "DARKANUS!"
"Time for some appetizers," Darkanus growled in excitement.
"NO!" the Masked Matterhorn shouted. "YOU ARE GOING BACK WHERE YOU BELONG! GIRLS, GET READY THE HARMONY GEMS!"
The Power Ponies held out the Harmony Gems and made them glow. They hovered in the air and a large rainbow blast bolted toward Darkanus. He saw it coming... and he caught the blast. He rolled the energy into a ball. He tossed it into his mouth and swallowed.
"Ah, the taste of failure." Darkanus said. "Now, to cripple you insignificant insects."
Darkanust fired a red blast from between his horns and it knocked the Power Ponies out of the garden, but the Harmony Gems slipped off. Darkanus raised his fist and the Harmony Gems hovered in front of him.
"STOP HIM!" the Masked Matterhorn shouted in fear. Shortly after, the Power Ponies ran and flew their best towards Darkanus.
Darkanus fired a blast and hit the Harmony Gems. All of a sudden, the Harmony Gem of Loyalty exploded. It was destroyed.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!" Zapp shouted in pain. She fell to the ground.
"ZAPP!" the Masked Matterhorn gasped. Everyone ran toward her.
All of a sudden, the Harmony Gem of Honesty broke apart and Mistress Marevelous collapsed in pain also. The Gem of Kindness and Saddle Rager was next. The Gem of Generosity and Radiance came after. The Gem of Laughter was destroyed and Filli-Second screamed in pain. Finally, the Harmony Gem of Magic broke apart. The Masked Matterhorn fell to the ground and groaned loudly.
"Hehehehehe!" Darkanus cackled loudly. "Hahahahahaha! HAHAHAHAHAHA! HAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!" He turned toward the heroes and villains behind him. They were paralyzed with fear. "Now, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted..."
The heroes and villains tried to push back Darkanus, but nothing even phased him. One by one, he picked up each super-powered being and ate all their powers. Lastly, he drained the powers from the princesses.
"How does it feel," Darkanus asked, "To have all of Equestria fall under my thumb and being able to do nothing about it?"
"Don't be a fool," Princess Celestia said. "Nothing you want is worth all this destruction."
"Now, who's the fool?" Darkanus mocked. "This is necessary evil. You want to protect the world, but you won't allow it to change. You're all puppets tangled in... strings. But now, I am free. There are... no strings on me."
He turned around and saw the Power Ponies lying on the ground. The Mighty Machines were caring for them.
"I shall save you for last." Darkanus growled. "For now, I have errands to do, Canterlot is where I shall go first. You cannot stop me, do not even try, for I am darkness, and I. Am. Death."
Darkanus ran from the scene and into the populace. Everyone was horrified seeing their enemy leave.
"No." the Masked Matterhorn groaned in pain.
Shortly after, Carol walked from out of nowhere and approached the fallen crowd.
"Did we win?" she asked with plenty of annoyed eyes turned to her.
"We're too late." Hum Drum said. "Arcanus has returned and he destroyed the Harmony Gems." He held up the broken pieces in his claws. Carol was devastated when she saw them.
"So... this is what my sisters' plan ends with?" Carol asked. "If I had known..."
"It doesn't matter now, Carol." the Masked Matterhorn said sullenly. "Arcanus has returned, he absorbed the powers of Darkmatter and the Alicorn Amulet, and he destroyed the only way we can stop him. It's... over."
"Look, I may not be the smartest girl in the world," Carol said, "But I do know this: you didn't need the Harmony Gems to be a team, did you? You didn't need the Harmony Gems to change the hearts of others. You saved Sweet Apple Acres from the Pish-Posh Brothers. You saved Cloudsdale from a factory fire. You inspired other heroes to follow your friendship creed; the Under King, Slapstick, the Lone Mare, Anar D... and especially me. I've learned that respect doesn't come from power; it comes from being kind to others." She plucked a flower from the ground and presented it to Saddle Rager. "You know what I mean, right?"
Saddle Rager accepted the flower into her hoof and smiled. "I think I do."
Suddenly, the flower glowed with rainbow colors. Everyone was astonished when they saw it.
"The Flower of Kindness!" the Masked Matterhorn gasped. Everyone pulled out their items. "The set is complete!"
"But what does it mean?" the Shadow Blot asked. "What's the purpose of all these items?"
All of a sudden, the items in their hooves started to glow. They changed their shapes. When the light cleared, they looked like upgraded versions of the Harmony Gems.
"Ooooo." Filli-Second said. "Harmony Gems 2.0."
"THIS IS IT!" the Masked Matterhorn said. "All we have to do is use these against Darkanus!"
"But how do we hit him?" Timberwolf asked. "His new powers can grab the blast and throw it away."
"May I make a suggestion?"
The Doctor appeared out of nowhere.
"Doc!" Timberwolf gasped. "What are you doing here?"
"To tell you that now's the time for my suggestion I gave you the other day." the Doctor said.
"What's he talking about?" Dusk asked.
"Earlier," Timberwolf said, "He told me that when the dark storm rises, the only way to stop him is if we work as one. I have no idea what that means?"
Suddenly, Saddle Rager got an idea.
"Devastator, why don't you just grow yourself? If your powers to combine with other machines can grow your body, can you perhaps make yourself big enough to fight against Darkanus?"
"Devastate."
"He said that's never been tried before." Rodan said. "Besides, we don't know what it'll do to him."
"How about I tell you?" the Doctor explained. "There are electronic stores and automobile dealerships around the corner from here. Devastator will grow big and strong enough to fight Darkanus, but he won't be able to move. You will have to create control panels inside yourself for your friends to control your movements. There will also be an option where they can use their powers through your body. Do you understand, big one?"
Devastator looked at his friends and smiled.
"Devastate!"
"I'll take that as a yes." the Doctor said. "Good luck."
"Well, what are we waiting for?!" Zapp asked. "Let's save the day!"
"Matterhorn," Blue Comet said approaching the princess, "I... I want to wish you good luck and..."
"Don't worry." the Masked Matterhorn said. "I'll be back." She then pressed her lips to Blue Comet's.
As soon as the kiss broke off, the Power Ponies left the garden.
"This is strictly suicidal." the Sinister Sorceress said. "They're crazy."
"Maybe," Blue Comet said, "But they're heroes."
> The Rise of Harmony
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The ponies ran in fear when Darkanus attacked Canterlot. He laughed loudly while Serena and Melody watched everything while drinking sodas.
"I love the smell of carnage in the morning." Serena said. "We succeeded where Queen Scynder failed to do: we freed Lord Arcanus from the Netherealm."
"Yeah." Melody said. "I love it when the bad guys win."
Suddenly, thunderous thud was heard. Darkanus stopped rampaging when he heard it. Serena looked in her cup and saw the cup ripple with each thud.
In an instant, a wirewolf as big as Darkanus appeared and roared. Darkanus looked through a window in the torso and saw the Power Ponies and the Mighty Machines behind a control panel ready for battle.
"I have to admit," Melody said, "I didn't see that one coming."
"The surprises just keep on coming." Darkanus said.
"Darkanus," the Masked Matterhorn declared through the speaker, "You have caused so much suffering for thousands of years! Every three years, your Discordant Convergence would deliver you your pawns for your escape! Now, you've gone too far! Surrender now or we'll take you out!"
"AND WE'RE NOT TALKING DINNER AND A MOVIE!" Filli-Second shouted.
"You wish to test your power against my own?" Darkanus asked. He then posed for a battle. "Bring it on."
The two titans clashed toward each other and fought. The Power Ponies and the Mighty Machines made a conduit and flowed them through Devastator. The Siren Sisters watched the fight.
"Seems to be like the Power Ponies need to be brought down a notch." Serena said. "Melody..."
"I DON'T THINK SO, SISTERS!"
Carol, Blue Comet, and Hum Drum appeared out of nowhere.
"Carol!" Serena growled. "You shouldn't have interfered! You've always been weak and..."
Suddenly, Blue Comet extended his wings and flew towards the two. The wings knocked them to the floor.
"You talk way too much." Blue Comet said.
"ENOUGH PLAYING AROUND!" Darkanus shouted. "WITNESS... MY... POWEEEEEER!"
The demon fired a red blast toward the robot and it fell back. The robot fell to pieces and everyone fell to the ground. Devastator was wounded, but returned to normal size.
"I thought that would've worked." Saddle Rager said.
"So this foolish idea was yours?" Darkanus said. "Then you get to be the first to be destroyed."
"DEVASTATE!"
Darkanus prepared a blast. He fired it toward Saddle Rager. She was too petrified to dodge. Suddenly, at the last second, Devastator jumped right in front of his owner and took the blast. Devastator gasped and fell to the ground. His eyes turned off and he was no more.
"NO!" Saddle Rager gasped. "Are you kidding me?" She turned her head to Darkanus. "Are... you... KIDDING ME?! I mean, I know you're evil and everything, but you'd hurt my very first friend?! REALLY?! Why you're just a big, dumb... MEANIE?! THERE, I SAID IT! WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU'RE SO SPECIAL?! WHAT, THE RULES OF COMMON COURTESY DON'T APPLY TO YOU! WHY DON'T YOU PICK ON SOMEPONY YOU'RE OWN SIIIIIIIIIZE!"
Suddenly, the anger transformed Saddle Rager into her monster form and jumped toward Darkanus. He then knocked her aside with a backhand.
"Oh no," Hum Drum said. "Maybe I can..." He reached into his bag, but the only thing he could find is the little cylinder the Power Ponies found in the Everfree Forest. "Well, if you have magic, now's the time we use it."
Hum Drum approached the battle and encountered Darkanus.
"HEY, PSYCHO!" Hum Drum shouted. "EAT THIS!" He held up the cylinder and pointed it to Darkanus, but nothing happened. It was an awkward moment.
"Hehe," Darkanus chuckled. "You really think a little stick can possibly..." He then widened his eyes and was astonished. "Is that... WHERE DID YOU FIND IT?!"
"Uh..." Hum Drum said nervously, "Uh... IT doesn't matter! Now that I found your weakness, you will return back where you came from!"
"Oh, no." Darkanus said with a devilish grin. "You have no idea what that thing is, do you? It's what I want more than anything! AND I WILL HAVE IT!"
Darkanus raised his claws and tried to grab Hum Drum, but the little dragon dodged. Hum Drum saw Zapp and called out her name. He threw the cylinder to her and Darkanus tried to go after her. The Power Ponies and Mighty Machines kept throwing the cylinder to each other out of their reach.
"MASQUE!"
"MATTERHORN!"
"RODAN!"
"DUSK!"
"SADDLE RAGER!"
Saddle Rager caught the cylinder, but she couldn't throw it to anyone. Darkanus blocked her path. Darkanus prepared to fire.
"Prepare to join your pet in oblivion."
"LEAVE HER ALONE!"
Darkanus turned to where the voice came from. That was his mistake. A figure jumped and slammed its fist to Darkanus' torso and the villains bent forward in pain. The figure landed onto the ground and the heroes were astonished to see that it was Devastator still alive. And, for the first time ever, Devastator could speak in complete sentences.
"You ruined too many lives. You will never hurt anyone else ever again. NOW!"
The Power Ponies stared in shock, mostly happy that their friend was alive, but surprised he still was alive. "Girls! We have to focus!" said Matterhorn, snapping out of their daze. The other Power Ponies nodded, closing their eyes as they focused on their new Harmony Gem, the one who had given it to them, the trials they had to go through to get them, it was going to end, here and now. They began to glow with a holy light, Darkanus turned to look at them, having sensed the large amount of magic and his eyes widened in horror.
"NO! I WILL NOT LOSE!" he thundered, mustering up all the magic he could and blasting the Power Ponies with all his might, however a shield of Harmonic energy protected them as a bright rainbow beam surged forth from them, directly at Arcanus, pushing back his own beam of energy "No! NO! NOOOOOOOOOO!" screamed the centaur as his beam was overpowered by the Power Ponies own, as it washed over his form.
Darkanus had disappeared with no trace. He has been destroyed. The Siren Sisters were shocked.
"MASTER!" Serena screamed. "I'LL AVENGE YOU!" She tried to attack the Power Ponies, but Melody held her back.
"Don't be an idiot, Serena! You won't win!"
Melody dragged her sister from the scene and they disappeared.
In the sky, a bright rainbow appeared. Bright comets escaped from the rainbow and landed inside of the New Heroes. They woke up suddenly and full of joy. A bright one landed in front of the Power Ponies and Anar D came out of it.
"BOOM, BABY! I'M BAAAAAACK!" Anar D materialized a mariachi band and danced to their music.
"ANAR D!" Saddle Rager cheered.
"You were expecting maybe the Impossible Man?" Anar D asked.
"I'm just glad everyone's all right." Devastator said.
"Devastator... you can speak," the Shadow Blot asked, "And you're alive! How is this possible?"
"I brought him back." The Doctor appeared out of nowhere. "It wasn't his time to die yet. So I turned back the clock on him. And I gave him some upgrades to go with it."
"Thanks, Doctor." Saddle Rager said with a grateful tone.
"I just hope you know what judgement comes after." the Doctor said. He vanished in a bright light.
"WHO SAVED THE WORLD?!" Filli-Second asked loudly.
"WE SAVED THE WORLD!" everyone declared.
"I SAID, WHO SAVED THE WORLD?!" Filli-Second repeated.
"WE SAVED THE WORLD!" everyone repeated.
"I SAID..." Filli-Second said.
"Stop asking that!" Timberwolf growled.
"We saved the world." Filli-Second said.
"Oh." Carol gasped. She picked up Pandora's Box and presented it to Anar D. "I believe this belongs to you."
"What, this thing?" Anar D asked picking up the box. "True, it belonged to my sister, but this thing has brought me nothing but trouble. Now that I realize how dangerous this thing is, I'm no longer keeping it."
"What?" Timberwolf asked. "But it's connected to you. You're forced to be with it."
"Not if it's in another world." Anar D said. "I'm sending this thing into another dimension. I don't know where, but I won't care."
"Are you serious?" the Masked Matterhorn asked.
"I know I've never been serious before," Anar D said, "But now, I'm putting all the seriousness I've been holding in into what I just said. It will never bother us again."
Suddenly, the sun started to rise. Everyone stared at the sun. Anar D immediately materialized a rocket and put the stone box in the cockpit. The rocket blasted off into the sky. Anar D snapped his fingers and a green portal appeared. The rocket went through it and it disappeared. That was the last they saw of Pandora's Box.
"It's a new day." the Masked Matterhorn said. "Who knows what tomorrow will bring?"
> The Eternal Bond
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Half a year later, in Canterlot Castle, everyone was preparing for a big event. Everyone gathered around in the throne room. Anar D was at the front of the room with a large book in his lion paw and a suit over his body. Around him was a large alter. The crowd in front had many superheroes and citizens.
"Why is Anar D filling this role?" the Lone Mare asked.
"It's the least everyone could do for him after what he's been through." Terrania explained. "The bride asked and Anar D accepted."
Suddenly, the doors opened up. Blue Comet arrived and stood next to Anar D. A few minutes later, the Masked Matterhorn walked down the aisle and stood in front of Blue Comet. They were happy.
The Power Ponies stood right behind the Masked Matterhorn in their bridesmaid dresses. The Mighty Machines were standing with the princesses at the side. Carol stood by as the best mare (even though she was a human).
"All right, everypony," Anar D said. "Let's do this! I've got to get out of this monkey suit! Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a superhero wedding. We've all been through many events to get us on this fateful day and every second was worth it. So, do you, Blue Comet, take this heroine to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part... which isn't preferred?"
"I do."
"And do you, Masked Matterhorn, take this hero to be your lawfully wedded husband in all the terms I just explained to him?"
"I do."
"I thought so. Then, present the rings."
Carol pulled out a pair of rings and gave them to the Masked Matterhorn and Blue Comet. They gave each other their rings one at a time.
"Now then," Anar D said, "By the power vested in me by the past 10,000 years it took to understand friendship, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may... OH, JUST KISS! I CAN'T HOLD BACK THE TEARS!" He then sobbed.
The two kissed and everyone celebrated. It was the happiest day in anyone's life. Filli-Second starting crying waterfalls from her eyes. She immediately cheered up and suggested something.
"Hey, do you know what this calls for?"
"Filli, we're already throwing a party." Mistress Marevelous said. "It's called the reception."
Fili-Second giggled sheepishly. *SQUEE*
"One more thing..." Celestia said. She pulled out seven shining metals. She placed them around the Power Ponies and Hum Drum's necks.
"The blacksmiths of the Crystal Empire spend the past six months making you these." Cadence said. "They are made as a special congratulations for your service to every pony. Equestria needs its heroes and each hero needs their friend."
"Wait a minute," Anar D said, "Where's my medal?"
"I don't think you're quite there yet." Saddle Rager said.
"Well... all right." Anar D said.





Half-an-hour later, after the cake-cutting ceremony, the Under Dogs played their music for everyone. The Shadow Blot looked across the room and saw Celestia conversing with the other princesses. He approached her and got her to speak to him alone.
"Hey, 'Tia, I was wondering," the Shadow Blot said nervously, "Would you want to... get some coffee with me sometime?"
"Sounds lovely." Princess Celestia answered. "I'll let you know the time."
The Shadow Blot looked and saw that Hum Drum was watching the whole thing. Hum Drum turned into his diamond form and blinked a sparkle before turning back.
Meanwhile, Carol was encountered by Saddle Rager and Devastator.
"How are you doing, you two?" Carol asked.
"We're doing quite well." Saddle Rager said. "Isn't that right, Devastator?"
"Yes, we are." Devastator said.
"Hey, I know I'm not a pet expert," Carol said, "But shouldn't he have a brighter name than Devastator?"
"We're working on it." Devastator said. "In the meantime, what are you doing?"
"Realizing my sister was right about one thing," Carol explained, "The world is changing. And we've got to accept that or else something just as bad as Arcanus might show up."
"Whatever comes, we'll face it together." Saddle Rager said. "The world may be changing, but it'll always need somepony to help it accept change, no matter how rough things might become.

"There will be a night
When there's no shine to be found
Even Luna's moon above
Can't even gleam its glow
But there's always a light
That will never even dim down
We will always have our love
As long as we always know
We are all more than friends
We're family
We're far beyond
The eternal bond
We are always friends
As close can be
We're family
As you can see
We are...
We're family"
"When you're all alone," Carol sang,
"And no one would dare lend a hoof
You seem like your only place
Is deep inside the dark
But now, I am home"
"Now, I am home," Saddle Rager sang.
"Realizing my greatest goof," Carol sang.
"Deep in all, there is a trace," both sang,
"Of a good and friendly heart
We are all more than friends
We're family
We're far beyond
The eternal bond
We are always friends
As close can be
We're family
As you can see
We are...
We're family"

The Under Dogs began playing slow music and everyone danced gracefully. Slowly, the Under Dogs raised the music and everyone chanted. Soon, it got to the point every everyone at the event sang.

"WE ARE ALL MORE THAN FRIENDS
WE'RE FAMILY
WE'RE FAR BEYOND
THE ETERNAL BOND
WE ARE ALWAYS FRIENDS
AS CLOSE CAN BE
WE'RE FAMILY
AS YOU CAN SEE
YOU AND ME
WE ARE...
WE'RE FAAAAAMILYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
We are...
We're faaaaaamilyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy"

"WHO SAVED THE WORLD?!" Filli-Second asked.
"FILLI-SECOND!" everyone shouted angrily
Filli-Second chuckled. "Sorry."
> EPILOGUE
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I'm so proud of you." Shining Armor said. He started to tear up.
"Are you... crying?" the Masked Matterhorn asked.
"Of course not." Shining Armor denied. "It's liquid pride... a totally different thing. Anyway, what will you two be doing for your honeymoon?"
"Well, we were thinking..." Blue Comet said.
"Your honeymoon will have to wait." the Doctor interrupted appearing out of nowhere
"WHOA!" Blue Comet exclaimed in surprise. "A little warning next time?!"
"What are you doing here, Doctor?" Zapp asked.
"You may need to put a rain check on your honeymoon, Matterhorn." the Doctor said. "Right now, you and your friends are needed."
"You've got to be kidding me!" the Shadow Blot complained.
"Oh, well." the Masked Matterhorn sighed. "Who needs us?"
The Doctor sighed and rubbed his leg. Everyone saw that it was bruised.
"All of creation. Anar D, you accidentally sealed the fate of the entire Multiverse. And right now, there is nothing you can do right now to stop it. So tell me... where is the cylinder of the Everfree Forest?"





It was unknown where the figure was. The only thing is this: it had red eyes and it growled angrily with a demonic voice.
"Tirek has failed. Arcanus has failed. The Red Eye is the last herald and he better succeed."





Pandora's Box sat in the dirt nearly buried completely. Suddenly, a draconequus found it and picked it up from the ground. He looked exactly like Anar D, but he had a different name. He didn't see the slight glow between his hands and the box.
"Well, well, well." the draconequus said. "This will be quite a good souvenir. Discord, you always find the best treasures. I wonder where this box came from and what it was for?"