Who knew A single Kidnapping was enough to spark off the biggest changeling invasion in Equestrian History?
On a fateful day, Equestria becomes doomed under the attack of a brand new hostile changeling horde after a failed defense in a civil war between Queen Chrysalis and King Thorax. The secret? It was the kidnapping of a 15-year old, innocent, adorable girl from an entirely different dimension.
Meanwhile, back in Primp Town- The Land of Puyos, 16-year old Arle Nadja and her sidekick buddy Carbuncle receives a secret message through magic. She was not the only one to receive the invitation on the adventure- So did her other friends that got sucked into the journey in Equestria.
The power of Friendship mixed with the Magic of doing what Arle’s crew does best- Popping magical creatures named Puyos- A joint force with no fear. And the more they battle on, the more they begin to uncover about the missing girl, and just what she has contributed to the invasion...
The Power of Love.
Inspired by a game named Puyo Puyo Chronicles. And no, this is not a Games Ponies Play Episode. Nathan (The main character of the series) Does not appear in this story. Just a pure, fun tale of fantasy.
The Official Games Ponies Play Episode will debut on a later day.
*sigh* I still can’t comprehend what’s happening to me. It’s been a week now since I left my world- And I still don’t understand how I got here.
A week ago, while I was exploring, a swarm of creatures that I’ve never seen before attacked me. They spit this... Gross, green, creepy gel on my body, and I wasn’t able to get myself free. I got tired, and I slept- And the next thing I saw when I woke up, was a bunch of the same kind of creatures staring intensely at me...
Among them, a large one of their kind appeared. She introduced herself as a Queen of the Changelings. She was rude- I’ve never seen someone like that. Someone? Something? Somecreature? I don’t even know. I still don’t know anything about this mysterious tribe. They are fierce- And I’m scared and not bothered to ask them. They don’t want to answer me. How rude of them to hiss at their guest! Okay, I’m a prisoner to them, but still, treat me with slight respect! It’s not like I’m asking them questions that will bring them danger!
*sniff* I feel so alone... When will someone- Anyone, come to rescue me? My magic won’t negate my lack of living standards for long... I don’t know what to-
“What is that?”
Queen Chrysalis entered through the prison door into the now unlocked caving. She noticed her captured victim writing on something. The victim, a young girl, immediately hid it behind her back and turned to the queen.
“N-Nothing!”
She innocently smiled back.
“You better not be doing anything behind my back, little one. Or else.”
“No! Why would I want to make my situation any worse, am I right?”
Chrysalis tilted her head as she slowly stepped toward her, and circled around the girl.
“Hm? I don’t believe this situation you’re having is bad. You are helping us take over Equestria.”
“*sigh* Against my own will.”
Chrysalis gave her a stare.
“*eeps* My apologies!”
“Thank you,” Chrysalis relented, “I need your love magic on the front line. 5 minutes. And don’t be late.”
“Yes, your highness...”
Chrysalis left after a huge slam on the door. The girl let out a tiny sigh and continued writing on her journal.
*sigh* The Queen has always been talking about War. Something along the lines of invading the rest of the Kingdom of Equestria, I don’t know much. But, it’s clear that these changelings are taking advantage of me in some way- And they’re sipping my magic away, drop by drop... *grunts* hurts me just thinking about it...
Today, I’m fed up. I need to get to the front line to ‘Supply her majesty’s troops with the power of love’. I’m not sure why would she want to do something so cruel. Not that I know the rest of this Kingdom of Equestria is a bad thing and she's doing something good, but by their greedy personality, there’s no way. Anyway, I’m done with this. I need to get out of here- I don’t wanna die!!
Alright. Letter in my handbag I brought with me, thank heavens I did that before going on that adventure! Wish me luck...
~Ally
**Bang bang bang**
Changelings let out growls outside the cave in the new Changeling hive, signaling it’s time for Ally to go. Ally sighed and followed them.
****************
“Everypony! Retreat! Hurry!”
The mane six were evacuating the city of Canterlot. The capital of the Pony Nation was once again suffering from a sudden seige by the Hostile Changeling horde. Despite the attempts by the Royal Guard and of course, The Elements of harmony, in trying to defend, the horde was multiple times bigger and stronger than the ponies have ever known before. It was absolute chaos as the changelings steamroll through every last pony that was not fast enough to escape the looming force.
Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer were staying behind with the princesses to defend. Magic beams flashed everywhere, but unlike the last invasion a few years ago, these changelings were different. They were capable of repelling attacks- Not just intimidating pawns anymore.
“*grunts* There’s so many of them this time!” Starlight said, “We can’t do this!”
Twilight just blasted out another large chunk, but the raging force would not die down. “Princesses, I stand by my friend on this one- We need to fall back and do this another day!”
Celestia looked at her. “If we don’t defend, Canterlot will be in Chrysalis’ hooves!”
Luna shook her head. “And if we stay and defend, we’ll eventually be completely done for!”
Twilight and Starlight hesitated to leave, seeing their Capital city just get perished just as suddenly as it had started. Celestia only had seconds to make the decision- And even she had to admit to their defeat. The group retreated to escape the attack before they get captured by the Changelings. They wouldn’t want to risk being enslaved and having their love drained away.
But, as Twilight ran close to the train station, noticed something in the bushes. It was a letter. A letter in a place like this. When she grabbed it with magic, it read, ”Top Secret”. She knew this must be an important message.
“Twilight! Come on!” Starlight yelled.
The princesses teleported it back to her castle, and continue running off.
***************
A few days later, and meanwhile...
In a whole other world, far away from Equestria, everything was peaceful. It was completely unknown among the pony kingdom- A world they never knew existed.
It was a very unique planet- It was special for a magical creature living on it, known as Puyos.
Puyos are magical in that world. It grants its people to be able to do extraordinary things with magic. It’s the one thing that solves pretty much everything on their planet. Magic from popping Puyos is what helps them to survive.
Puyos aren’t really a mythical creature, per se. To normal people, it looked like round blobs of jelly with intimidating eyes. Its magic cannot be utilized until it is popped. By arranging the same color Puyo in a linked group of four, they will disappear with a pop. Rumor has it that popping a bunch of Puyos in a chain large enough can potentially send so much magic for people to teleport and thus travel between worlds.
The Puyo world usually doesn’t have a lot of problems. But a group of people still fight against many threats. Why?
Because the problem lies in a completely different place. Most of the time.
In the town square of Primp Town, a signature area of the Puyo World, a Girl was having fun with her little buddy. The girl was about 16-years old- And she always looked fantastic. Her clothes were mostly blue and white- Blue skirt, blue boots, a white shirt, blue wristbands, and sometimes even a blue chestpiece when she’s in a Puyo Battle! Her hair looked awesome in a ponytail, too.
“*giggles* Hey, that tickles!” She cried as her friend tickles her. “Stop it, Carbuncle!”
Carbuncle, or Carby for short, as she calls him sometimes, was a very interesting creature. He looks strikingly like a yellow-colored rabbit. Long ears, stubby arms and legs, a small tail, and very distinctively, a hexagonal gem on his forehead. No one knows why, but he can only speak in some mysterious language that only his friend understands, for no reason.
The two have had their adventures together. They also have two other friends- One lives in Primp Town as well, while the other is in a whole other place away from the town. When a Puyo adventure comes about, the four seem to always find their way back together. They’re like best friends and they’re the Puyo Squad, after all. They returned from their last adventure just around a few months ago, where they explored yet another planet and brought peace to said world.
As the two were having fun, a letter dropped from a portal in the sky.
“Huh?” She asked. “I wonder... What is it this time?”
She takes hold of the letter. Carby sits close to her.
Dear Adventurer Arle Nadja,
The following is a redirected message from someone we assume you know. We recognize neither you nor the sender of this letter, but we hope you can find it useful.
Hope we could meet you soon and talk about this matter. It would be great to have more people on our side!
Sincerely, Twilight Sparkle. Princess of Equestria
“A redirected message?” Arle wondered. “But why from a place I’ve never heard of?”
Carby nudges her to continue reading. When Arle realized who was the one who sent the message, and continued reading, she almost had a heart attack.
“Ally!?” Arle gasped. “Hold on! I gotta read this!”
Hi, Arle.
How’ve you been? Good? I’m certainly not...
I know you guys left me on a happy note that day after we brought peace to my world. Yet, I’m not too sure about that one. I’m really scared right now...
I got kidnapped. I don’t know why or how. I just did- And now I’m in this whole other world called Equestria. From what I’ve seen before, it seemed... Very interesting. A world with mythical creatures I’ve never seen before. While I really hope we can explore more there, I don’t think we’re doing that at all. Just pains me thinking about it...
If you’re really reading this, I’m so glad it found its way to you. I really need your help. I hope whoever found this letter brought it to someone I can trust.
To whoever received the letter, please, I beg you, I am an innocent girl held hostage by the Changeling tribe... I don’t think I can get out of here until the Queen is overthrown. The person to redirect the message to is on the envelope. Please...
Sorry, Arle. Just needed to give the recipient a heads up. I know you’re not going to somehow find where I am exactly- The universe a huge place. I just wanted to write to you to see if there’s any chance you and your friends can help. This world I’m in also has its own magic- I hope they have sent this to you.
Will you help me? Please?
~Ally
Arle gasped. When she was on her latest adventure, Ally was her best friend. She met her out in the woods when the quest first began, and they got along fast. Ally was a very silly girl- She had a very funny catchphrase and she thought love was the solution to everything. She was great friends with the Puyo Squad while they were in her world. Separated by the distance between their worlds, they thought they wouldn’t hear from each other again.
Until this letter came about.
All of a sudden, thunder strikes were heard, and the clouds turned grey. Arle and Carby look around in a panic to process what was happening. The strikes seemed to all be hitting the same spot of the Town- And it was not too far away from the Town Square.
With great curiosity and a hint of fear, they rush towards the source. The lightning strikes were all zapping the exact same place- A portal to a whole other world.
Equestria.
Arle and Carby look at each other, then turn back to the portal. Gingerly. The girl walked to the portal and put her hand through it. Felt pretty weird. To her absolute surprise, Carby was blown by a gust of strong wind straight into the portal. Arle gasped and tried to reel him back in, but before she could, the portal pulled her in as well.
Little did she know, that her friends would suffer the same fate. And so, their next quest begins.
"I've heard you girls talk about the many portals connecting between Sunset Shimmer's world and ours, is this one of them?"
"I'm not sure. We have never seen someone like this, or I don't recall seeing her."
"I see... Well, you should probably stay if anything happens, Twilight."
"Understood, Celestia."
**Door closes**
Arle laid down on a bed in a guest room of the Friendship Castle. After entering the portal, she passed out. When she heard, though not clearly, the conversation between the Princesses, she realized she's alive and seemed to be well. She barely opened her eyes after a deep sleep, seeing a flank of a certain purple Alicorn.
"Wh-Wha...?"
Twilight's ear perked up and turned her head to face the girl. Arle's vision was a little bit clearer now, and to her big surprise, she saw not a human, but a pony... With wings? And a horn?
"Who... Who are you?"
Twilight smiled. "You may know me from the letter I sent you."
The moment she started speaking, Arle jumped out from the comfort under her blanket and let out one heck of a yell.
"You talk!?"
"Ehhhh, I do?" Twilight tilted her head.
"No way! Many worlds and adventures I have been through... I've yet to come across someplace like this, with talking creatures! Well, except my buddy, Ca-"
Then she gasped.
"Wait, where's my buddy, Carby?"
Twilight was very much confused about the situation, and all she could do, though unwilling to, was to calm her down with a spell.
"I'm not your enemy, don't panic."
Arle took a moment to take a breather and digest the scene happening before her.
“Okay... Hoo, I’m alright,” She dusted herself off before getting off the side of the bed, wearing her shoes. “So uh... Seeing how you pointed that out, you must be Princess Twilight Sparkle?”
Twilight nodded. “Just call me Twilight. I don’t actually like when ponies sound so formal.”
“You mean your people?”
“Yes, Exactly.”
Arle just realized her hair wasn’t tied while she slept. She found her blue band beside the bed and moved on with her words as she tied it.
“Am I in your kingdom? Equestria, correct?”
“Yes, what I said in the letter,” Twilight explained. “We actually did not expect you to come.”
“My vision was a bit blurry... Could you fill me in?”
*************
Twilight’s POV.
A week ago, I was walking through the Everfree Forest. Ever since the return of the Changelings and our failed defense, they’ve sacked the capital of Equestria. We cannot risk another loss to Chrysalis. Patrols were done regularly by what’s left of the royal guard after the invasion, as well as other ponies who Volunteered. We needed to make sure surprise attacks are detected and notified of at a minute’s notice.
I just felt like doing something to help with the routine as well, just in case.
Near the end of my intended shift, I hear magic. I quickly found out its source and it led me to an open area. All I saw was a girl. A human girl, actually. She did not seem to be conscious. Her eyes were shut, and she looked weak. I couldn’t stand there and not help her, even if I wasn’t sure if she’s an enemy.
I carefully carried her on my back to my Castle.
*************
**Normal POV.**
“How long was I out for...?”
“Only a day or so. You’re lucky.”
“Th-Thanks,” Arle said, relieved. “All I could remember was that I went into a portal, and soon everything went white... And suddenly I felt myself crashing on somewhere as my vision snapped.”
“I see,” Twilight replied. “Anyway, let’s get into the main topic. I’m willing to guess you are Miss Arle Nadja?”
“Yes, but just call me Arle.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Next thing, do you recognize the sender of the letter we have redirected to you, by any chance?”
“Oh, Yes!” Arle exclaimed, half-excitedly yet half-worriedly. “Oh, Ally... She’s my best friend in one of my recent adventures. She loves everything in the world and was the best buddy you could ask for. Who would ever kidnap her?”
“I will say,” Twilight said, unintentionally cutting her off, “Your friend really needs our help somehow. She also mentioned she was being used. I wonder if you know why?”
“Hmmm, I’m not sure. We both have things to fill each other in on, Twilight. Perhaps we could have a good chat and exchange information about the situation?”
“That will be very much appreciated, thank you,” Twilight nodded. “Regarding your friend’s-“
**Hissing**
“Gah!” Arle was startled by the sudden noise. “What was that?”
Another hiss followed. This time, Twilight saw the culprit through the window.
“Changelings!” She alerted. She cleared her throat for a Royal Canterlot Voice. ”All hooves on Deck!”
Arle temporarily covered her ears. “Wow, how did you do that?”
“Magic. It’s essential here, it’s good for you to know, Arle. Now please, stay inside as this short attack is put down. Surely they wouldn’t go all out right away on a small town like ours...”
“Understood, Princess. I will wait.”
“And, if any of my friends see you while coming out, don’t worry, I’ve given them the gist as to not freak out in front of you.”
Arle nodded as Twilight exited through the door.
Despite the small and minor target, the Changelings dispatched quite the number of troops to occupy Ponyville. Many were already terrorizing the locals, as another hundred or so Changelings marched right to the Castle.
Then Twilight realized- They weren’t here for the territory. They were here for her.
Because the Royal Guard was concentrated on the bigger cities, the mane seven came over to put down the commotion. Clearing the front line to the castle was extremely easy- All it took was some blasting of magic and some direct combat, not to mention how quickly they decide to fall back. For a while, the raid seemed too easy, but once the front line was completely exterminated, they move on back into town. Citizens were trapped in their puddles of goop left behind by the Changelings, ready to become their victims of sucking away their love.
Of course, Twilight was the first to reverse their plea. The group split up to free the citizens of their town. But as they were doing this, the Changeling army quickly encircled the main town from all sides, blocking the route back to the Castle and any exit to another city. They couldn’t even fly either since some were in their way. The group fell right into their trap- They got flanked from all sides when they least expected it.
But in the midst of chaos, someone came.
”Ice Storm!”
Soon, a part of the Changelings froze up, encased in ice. Twilight blasted through the stunned troops to make their escape from the blockade. When they do, they found the attack was done by someone special.
“Arle!?” Twilight gasped. “It’s dangerous here! Why did you-“
“I’m an adventurer too,” Arle scratched her head. “I have my ways!”
She brought up some kind of virtual board- One that the ponies certainly haven't seen before. She starts arranging given sets of little blob-like things into a pattern.
“What is that?” Starlight questioned.
“I’m from a world called the Puyo World. This is what we do- When we have some kind of conflict we couldn’t solve, we’ll settle it with a Puyo Battle!”
For the time being, she cut off her explanation as she made her move after creating a combo of clearing Puyos.
”Fireball!”
A shower of fireballs attacked the incoming herd. In the confusion, the ponies retreat along with Arle. Losing their main target, the Changelings were going to press on against the locals, but they withdrew according to their given plan from Chrysalis.
"That's... Honestly, a lot of information to take in," Applejack said.
The group was at the throne room, with Arle next to Twilight as she's the first that the human met. Arle just finished explaining most of her background information to everypony, about where she came from, what she does, and why she wanted to come, albeit not knowing how she got here through the portal.
"But how will you return to your world?" Fluttershy asked.
"Then I'll just have to hope I'm not the only one among my friends here. I know someone who can help, but I won't bet on it 100%," Arle replied.
That seemed to relieve most of the group.
"At least the Changelings retreated now," Rainbow said, "What's our next move?"
"Firstly," Twilight interrupted, "Arle, you have our thanks for getting out of that raid. Second, Now that they've taken Canterlot, it's more important than ever that we need to fight back, but it will be difficult since most of the nation's best-trained guards have been captured in the raid. We need some way to defend against upcoming raids, so we have time to gather up hooves and fight back."
"You mean gather up arms, right?" Arle whispered.
"It's a Ponish thing." Twilight replied.
The group went into thought mode for about a minute or so, brainstorming their own plans for defense and counter-attacks. But what Twilight said was right- They've lost their best shield. Without it, defeat could be imminent. This fact diminished the group's optimism.
Well, except one.
"Uh, hellooooooo?" Pinkie giggled, gesturing towards Arle.
"Who? Me?" Arle was confused.
Twilight gasped. "That's right! Arle, you said you know how to pop... What are they called?"
"Puyos."
"Yeah, you said when you pop Puyos in a Puyo battle, you get magic to cast powerful spells," She continued, "Maybe if we learn how to do it under your command, perhaps we would get stronger!"
"Even for the Non-Magic type of the group may get stronger, is that correct?" Rarity questioned.
"Yes, but the Puyo magic only lasts for a short period of time, fueling your strength or your magic if you already possess it."
"That's why," Starlight said, "If we know how to do it, we can give ourselves that power anywhere we wish."
Arle thought for a bit. "It took me a long time to really master the tricks of Puyo. Could you all do the same...?"
"I'll learn first, just to digest the details," Twilight volunteered. "I'll tell everypony later on. And you said you might not be the only one of your group here, so perhaps we can focus on offense while you and your friends fuel us with magic! Simple!"
"Sounds like a plan!" Arle nodded. "Seems like my adventures weren't over after all."
"When you're in Equestria, it's impossible to escape from adventure."
“By the way, was what you said true? About the fact you wear the same things all year?”
“Pretty much. Although, I didn’t bring spare clothes here since this was so sudden so I might abuse my magic just a tiny bit.”
Arle was talking with Twilight as they walk into the Everfree Forest. It’s the next day and the Princess was eager to learn something. Their place of choice was due to the fact Changelings would have a significantly lower chance of planning sneak attacks there due to its packed and easily obstructed environment so it would be safe for Arle to show her the ropes of Puyo Battles. And this gave the two quite a bit of time to just get to know one another. First conversations between people can get packed with info you don’t understand.
“I’m going to need some more time getting used to this.”
“What?”
“Your kind doesn’t wear clothes. Well, given you are ponies, so...”
Twilight shrugged. “We do, just not often. Anyway... About your friend, Ally. Who is she?”
“Oh, she’s the best friend you can ask for,” Arle blissfully said, cupping her hands and raising to her chin to make a cute face. “She’s so kind, so caring, and so optimistic. *sigh* It’s been months since we last saw each other, yet I remember her very well. Whenever you speak anything about love to her, she gets quite enthusiastic. She loves everything and everyone. Well, so much for the Everyone part.”
Twilight stopped dead in her tracks.
“Come again?” She asked, turning to Arle behind her.
“Ally is very into all things about love,” She said again, “Her catchphrase is so cute- ‘Let’s Fall in Love!’, She would say. She thinks love conquers all, and I absolutely believe it.”
“*sigh* Well, I’m not sure about that one.”
“O-Oh?”
Arle caught up to Twilight. They reached their designated open clearing, as Twilight continued explaining.
“I suppose it’s a good time to tell you who the Changelings are,” The princess said, “The Changelings are a hostile race in our kingdom, Equestria. They are shape-shifters that terrorize our people to satisfy their unlimited greed of love, led by their tyrannical ruler, and in a way, their mother, Queen Chrysalis. Her reasoning for invasions was always the fact that the hunger of love of the Changelings can never be satisfied, and thus she’s always back for more, drawing away the love of our subjects from our very being for their own survival.
“*gasp* To use love against the innocent... How cruel!” Arle gasped.
“This is why when I heard your description of Ally, I was worried. They must’ve somehow found a way to her world, knocked her out, and kidnapped her. If Ally is filled with so much love, sympathy, and excitement, she would be the Changelings’ perfect weapon against us. No wonder they’ve gotten stronger...”
“But Ally would never do that! Not for the sake of evil!”
“When you’re threatened, you will do anything.”
Arle couldn't argue with that one. She has encountered these situations several times during her adventures.
"Now," Twilight said, beginning to brighten up, "Shall we begin?"
Arle nodded. She summoned a Puyo board for herself and Twilight virtually, like a holographic image.
"Since you don't come from my world, I'll have to have you and your group to initiate the Puyo Battle setup instead of you all initiating it yourselves," Arle explained. "Moving on, I have explained what Puyos are yesterday, right?"
Twilight nodded. "Jelly-like blobs with different colors, correct?"
"Yep! So, the idea is that puyos can come in combinations of two, either with same or distinct colors. You'll have to place a set of puyos down to the bottom of your board to start setting up attacks. I think you can just use your own magic to do so, we humans need to move our hands to move them."
Twilight did exactly as she was told as she saw a set of Blue and yellow puyos. She controlled it with her magic.
"Whenever four of the same kind of Puyo is connected up, they will disappear with a 'pop'! And that would fuel a bit of magic."
Twilight followed again, dropping some more sets of puyos, and the outcome was exactly as she heard.
"A local filly likes playing this kind of stuff," Twilight joked, giggling. "I wonder if he has played this?"
"I dunno," Arle shrugged. "Anyway, when you pop puyos, you'll get magic. However, the real challenge to this game is to build strategic chains. When puyos pop, whatever puyos above will fall to the bottom unless a Puyo is in its way. If you place the puyos in a certain way, with one set of puyos, it's possible to initiate a chain reaction."
"Hence the name chain?"
"Exactly! The longer the chain you want, the higher the difficulty, but the magic will be stronger. Here, let me show you."
Arle's board showed a bunch of puyos, in all sorts of colors.
"Sometimes they may look placed at random, but with good thinking ahead, you can really keep the pressure on."
She navigated a blue Puyo to a spot and set off a combo of 7 groups.
“This will need some time getting used to,” Arle said. “Maybe I can teach you and your friends how to effectively build these attacks on a later day.”
“Sounds good!” Twilight smiled.
“Now, I will go easy on you and have a practice match with you so you’ll get caught up to speed, okay?”
“Practice makes perfect.”
They were about to start when they were interrupted by a scream.
”Kyaaaaaaaaah!”
“What was that?” Twilight asked.
Arle recognized the voice. “*gasp* Could that be...!” She tried to distinguish where the sound came from. “Hey, girl! Where are you!?”
“Arle?” She yelled back. “Over here!”
Arle made a mad dash towards the sound. Twilight quickly took pursuit as well, as they reach a separate, bigger clearing. They saw another girl trapped by a few Changelings, one whom Arle seemed to recognize.
“Heeeeeeeeelp!” She cried.
Arle quickly popped more Puyos for a spell.
”Mind Strike!”
Suddenly, the Changelings stopped threatening her, and after a bit of mind control by Arle from the spell, they were compelled to leave the area without a fight.
“Amitie!” Arle cried, “Are you okay?”
“Ughhhh... I’m fine,” Amitie said, trying to get herself out of the goo she was stuck in. Arle landed a hand on that. “Phew, Thanks.”
“You’re welcome! So, you got- Oof!”
Amitie pulled her into a hug.
“Oh, I’m so glad I’m not the only one here! I was so frightened just now...”
“Hey, don’t worry, girl,” Arle chuckled, breaking free. “You got sent here too?”
“It’s a long story...”
Twilight found it a good time right now to join the conversation.
“A friend of yours, Arle?”
“Yeah, Indeed.”
Amitie looked about the same age as Arle did. The first thing Twilight noticed was the hat she was wearing- It looked like a red Puyo, with two giant adorable looking eyes like the Puyo itself. She had blonde hair and green eyes. A pretty prominent feature in her choice of clothing was the use of pink and hearts. She looked like the cheery kind of person- One that’s very energetic, seeing how big her reactions can be.
“*gasp* You look like one of them!” Amitie said, pointing to Twilight.
“Eh? Me?” She asked. “Those creatures are nothing like us normal ponies!”
“I thought so too until they changed forms right in front of me!” She yelled, “I can’t trust you yet! What if you’re one of those things!?”
Amitie summoned her Puyo board. Arle put a hand on her shoulder.
“Amitie, she’s with me, don’t worry!”
“Wait, Arle. This can be good practice on my Puyo play, let’s see how I do,” Twilight said.
“Oh? Well, go ahead, then. I’ll be your attacker.”
Arle helped Twilight summon her Puyo board, ready for a Puyo Battle.
“Go easy on her. I just taught her how to play.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t!” Amitie giggled.
**Game Start!**
Random Puyo sets started dropping from both boards. Both players made their moves, but it was obvious to see Amitie outplaying Twilight. Whenever Twilight made an attack, Amitie countered it immediately. Yet luck seemed to be on her side- If only she had a concrete strategy.
Time was not in her favor, though.
”Cyclone!”
Amitie initiates a strong gust of wind to knock Arle back. Suddenly, a bunch of grey Puyos fell on Twilight’s board.
“What in the- Huh?”
“I forgot to mention!” Arle said to Twilight, “The grey Puyos are what we call garbage Puyos. They can only be cleared by clearing an adjacent Puyo!”
Twilight didn’t give up. She navigated a few color Puyos and quickly churned through the few lines of garbage on her board, sending small bursts of attacks to keep her foe at bay. When she was back in action, she unintentionally gets a chain of three.
“Good!” Arle gave a thumbs up. ”Fireball!”
Arle shoots fireballs back at Amitie.
”Tempest!”
Swiftly, Amitie counters with a spell of her own from a chain of five. With that damage, Twilight panicked for a while before filling up the board, causing her to lose the match. The board dissipated, and Amitie disabled hers since she had won.
“Amitie!” Arle said, a tiny bit annoyed.
“Your friend needs some more practice, haha!”
“Yeah, I guess I do,” Twilight said, scratching her head. “So, you’re Amitie, one of Arle’s friends?”
“Yep!” She winked. “Now that we’ve done a Puyo Battle, I think I can trust you. You are?”
“Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
“Oooooh! How noble, your highness.”
“Please, I’m more used to ponies- People calling me my first name.”
“Oh, by the way, Amitie...” Arle said, a little tense, “Have you seen Carby anywhere?”
“Ah! Actually, I did! I found him earlier but when I was attacked, he ran away...”
Arle was about to sigh when she heard the familiar sounds.
“Gugugu...”
“Huh? Carby?” Arle asked, calling for him.
A minute later the little guy finally found the source of the voice, and the two were reunited. Carby hops over and jumps into an embrace with Arle. Arle snuggles him a little bit before letting go.
“That’s Carbuncle,” Amitie said to Twilight.
“I was just about to ask,” Twilight replied. “But What is he speaking? I can’t understand him...”
“I don’t know either, only Arle knows for some reason. They’ve just been friends for a long time.”
Arle came over to join them.
“Hey, Amitie, you said you saw those creatures attack you, right?”
“Uh-Huh! They were scary! Eep!”
“It’s a long story. How’d you even get here in the first place?”
“Oh, I was practicing my Puyo and I may or may not have initiated a powerful enough chain to send me between words again...”
Arle was surprised. “That’s surprisingly convenient!”
“So you can even travel between worlds with Puyo?” Twilight asked. “And What are the odds... You came straight to our world, too.”
“How long have you been here? I’m worried!”
“Oh, for all I know it’s only been a few hours, but I think I passed out when I came over.”
“You could’ve been kidnapped, Amitie! And in the open, too!”
“I know, so I’m glad you both came to help me! Hehehe!”
Twilight let out a small chuckle. “Amitie, Arle, it would be a little inconvenient for us to continue talking like this here. Mind if we retreat back to my castle? Then I can teach my friends some Puyo while you two exchange information.”
For the rest of the day, Twilight has been experimenting and getting the hang of playing Puyos, and teaching the crew the basics as well. That gave time for Arle and Amitie to exchange information about their next possible adventure, which they are already thrown into by then.
They agreed to talk in the Castle library.
"So you came over because of my portal...?"
"Yeah, at least I think so. You must've channeled a really really big chain to get that to happen! There were lightning strikes and everything!"
Amitie blushed and scratched her head.
"I was teased into doing a chain of twenty..." She giggled.
"Twenty!?" Arle exclaimed. "How is that even possible...?"
"Off screen puyos," Amitie said, shrugging. "Anyway, Arle, you've got some explaining to do! I was so afraid just now!"
"I can't blame you," Arle replied. "You were attacked by changelings. Twilight told me they are a hostile force in this world, Equestria. They want to feast on the love of all her people!"
"Goodness me!" Amitie gasped.
"This is no small deal. We really need to help our new friends as soon as we can, or else the entirety of this world will be doomed!"
"*sigh* I wish our other friends also joined in. Don't get me wrong, but I hope they saw me making that portal here so they can come. Actually, one of them did."
"Oh?"
"I was teased by someone," She clarified.
"Who?"
Shut up, no spoilers.
"Amitie?"
"Eh? You didn't hear me just now?"
"N-No... That's strange... Well, we'll find out sooner or later anyway."
"Uh... Okay... Anyway! What to do?"
"We need to overthrow the Queen of the Changelings. The King lost in a civil war and surrendered, so we have to somehow get him back to power. Twilight told me he's reformed, so he's good with them once we win."
"Seems like our adventures aren't over yet!" Amitie said happily.
"Hey! I said the exact same thing yesterday!"
The two laughed. Then, they heard a knock on the door.
"That's our call," Arle said.
**Door opens**
The two were greeted by a few more faces than just the crew as soon as they enter the throne room.
"Girls, these are my mentors, also the rulers of our kingdom," Twilight explained. "Princess Celestia and Luna."
The two bow and were down on one knee as a greeting.
"We've heard about your appearance in our world, Arle," Celestia said informally, to relieve the tense atmosphere, "And your friend is?"
"Amitie," Arle replied. "I'm with her, and she's an ally. Don't worry."
Luna nodded. "Usually we would disgrace at an act of trespassing, let alone from another world, however, Twilight has explained the situation, so please, fear not."
Amitie breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, I was getting worried, too."
"So, the reason why they're here, and why I've gathered everypo- *Clears throat* Everyone, is because not long after your arrival here, ponies have also been reporting sightings of people similar to you," Twilight explained, "The characteristics seem undeniable... Creatures walking on two legs, most with sophisticated clothing, and with distinct powers similar to that of Unicorns."
"If you can show us in detail their descriptions, maybe we can figure out who they might be!" Amitie said.
"Sure," Twilight replied. On the table were six lists. "It's only been a few days but reports ran high, which is reasonable since we've never seen a human in our world that's not transformed into a pony."
"Aaaaand boy it took us forever to summarize all of them into something we can all understand!" Pinkie said.
Arle and Amitie took a look at each list, all describing different people- But, to their absolute surprise, they were very, very accurate. Accurate descriptions of people they knew back home and from their adventures.
"Uhm, is it just me?" Amitie looked at Arle.
"I... I don't think so..."
After taking another look, the fact was crystal clear.
"They're all our friends!" They both yelled at each other.
Everypony gasped. "Ehhhhhhh!??"
"Your friends also came?" Rainbow asked.
"Are you sure about that?" Applejack seemed to agree.
"It's true!" Amitie cried. "We know all these people! The description matches completely with the appearance of our friends!"
Arle gasped. "This means our friends are here! In this world! We have to find them!"
"We also kept the location they were last seen in for the report," Celestia said. "Six of your friends have been reported to be spotted throughout Equestria. Las Pegasus, Appleloosa, Kirin Village, Cloudsdale, Manehattan, the Crystal Empire. We are not sure about their connection with their location, but these are the places they were seen in."
"Cloudsdale and the Kirin Village are hard to capture or hard to find," Fluttershy pointed out. "If we are going to find their friends, that's a good place to begin."
Rarity shook her head. "Manehattan and Las Pegasus have been bombarded by Changelings! If we don't save the ones in those places first, they'll be in danger!"
"The remaining two are somewhere in the middle," Luna continued. "The Crystal Empire is also heavily defended, so it's also a safe spot."
Amitie looked at the choices they’ve got. “Arle, you’ve got a plan?”
“So many choices... I wonder, in order to save time looking for our friends, we can split up to look for them,” Arle suggested. “Twilight, is there a way we could keep in contact over the large distance of the empire?”
“I suppose I can find a way to make it work,” She replied. “This plan would work pretty well- You see, each of us have a significant connection with one of the six places your friends have gone to. If we go to our respective fields, we’ll be at an advantage of being more familiarised with the place we go to. That’s just a bonus passage for communication with the locals if we ever need it.”
“Awesome!” Amitie said, “Are we set, then?”
“Not quite,” Twilight responded. “My friends and I still need to get more used to the ropes, and I wish that we can send 3 teams to 3 places at the same time, so we don’t leave Ponyville too undefended. Celestia and Luna can only teleport back and forth between towns so many times. I don’t want to trouble them so much.”
“Right,” Celestia said. “Changeling invasions can happen anywhere at any given time, so if this is your plan, make sure you all are well prepared to not fall into enemy hands.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“And for two of the teams, we’ll be there to assist!” Amitie said happily.
“I don’t see why not,” Arle showed no objection. “Once we successfully rescue our friends, return to Ponyville and we can discuss more plans.”
Luna nodded. “Due to the fall of Canterlot, we have ordered a shut down of the friendship express. However, for the mission, we will grant you special access to it for easier trips back and forth, as well as equipping the inside with remaining royal guard members to ensure your safety.”
“Sounds great!” Arle replied. “Are you all in?”
“It’s not like we can refuse,” Starlight said.
Day 12 of being kidnapped.
Because I couldn’t perform magic when my energy is drained, I got a chance to grab a bite today. Better than nothing, right?
Now that the Capital is firmly in their hands since I’m forced onto their side, I’m allowed to enter there as well. I wonder if the Queen would allow the chance I’ve gotten today more frequently, I’m always starving even with my magic negating that feeling!
Still, I wish my friends would come soon. I have no idea if my letter got to its intended recipient but I just have to hope it did. Oh, Great Hero Arle... Where are you?
~Ally
Ally closed her diary as Queen Chrysalis came momentarily.
“You must be really satisfied that I gave you the chance to rejuvenate that power of yours.”
“Yeah, I am,” Ally replies bluntly. ”Tch, just to help you on the battlefield...”
“Well, we plan to lay reinforcements on Canterlot, and you’ll be moving there too for safe protection. Don’t want my biggest weapon undefended.”
“Okay, Fine. I mean, Understood.”
Chrysalis gave her a bit of a suspicious stare before making her exit. Suddenly, as no one was watching, Ally’s pendant glowed.
“Huh?”
She looked at her little crystal pendant.
“I wonder... Does this mean something good happened? Oh, please tell me it's her...”
“You said this was an amusement park plus a resort? Awesome!”
“You should come again sometime later when it’s safer, this place is the absolute go-to place of Equestria!”
Amitie and Pinkie Pie were going to Las Pegasus, in search of one of the Puyo crew members as identified the previous day. Las Pegasus was rumored to have been attacked by the changelings not too long ago, making this trip more of an adventurous mission rather than a day to relax and chill instead.
As soon they reach the station via (heavily guarded) Friendship Express and get off, Pinkie’s tail was twitching.
“Huh?” Amitie pointed to her tail. “What’s your tail doing...?”
Pinkie was in full focus. She sniffed. “I sense danger nearby, and that likely means changelings!”
“Ch-Changelings!? Already?”
Amitie was shivering. Luckily, Pinkie’s tail twitched slower and slower.
“Why do you have these sort of powers anyway?”
“It’s my Pinkie Sense,” Pinkie said, winking. “I’m a speeeeeecial pony. Nopony knows how they work!”
“Eh? Okay...”
“I can use this to our advantage, maybe it twitches whenever changelings are close!”
“P-Please let us get out of here without combat...”
“No problem!”
Pinkie trotted out the station, peeked out to sense danger, and signaled to Amitie it was okay to come out. The usually cheery and crowded resort has turned silent fast due to the Changeling invasion. The streets were empty. The Changelings have already laid siege here earlier, draining out the power of everypony’s love for their conquest across the nation. The two could tell- Nopony wanted to come out in fear of walking into enemy view.
“It sure is quiet here. Oh, what have they done?”
“Cheer up! All we have to do is find your friend and move on! We’ll have plenty of time to explore later,” Pinkie said, patting her on the back.
“Thanks,” Amitie smiled and the encouragement. “Do you have the report?”
“Somewhere in here,” She pointed to her mane, starting to ruffle it. “Let me find it... Aha!”
She pulls a scroll out. Amitie was confused.
“What? Pinkie physics!”
“*chuckles* I’ll get used to it at some point.”
Amitie scouted out for dangers while Pinkie studied their hints.
“So... Where do you think this Ringo girl is hiding?”
The report, now accompanied by hand-drawn pictures of their targets, showed a girl aged around 15, whose name was revealed to be Ringo by Arle and Amitie. She had red hair tied into two ponytail curls, dressed pretty nicely in a yellow sweater vest, white shirt, red skirt with white trimming, with white and red boots to accompany, like a typical junior high student. She was last seen in Las Pegasus, but no exact location was given.
“Does this place have any sciency or nerdy places?” Amitie asked, scratching her chin.
“Not really,” Pinkie said. “Why’d you ask?”
“Ringo is the type of girl who’s pretty nerdy and realistic about things,” Amitie explained, “I hope she wouldn’t get too frightened by the Changelings...”
“Eh, everypony would be scared of them. The bad ones, not the good ones."
"Speaking of which, what happened between the two factions of the same race? Why was there a civil war?"
"Oh," Pinkie whined, "Don't talk such serious things with me... I'm just a party pony who sometimes goes on saving Equestria, that's all."
"Sorry, I'm just curious."
As they walked into the main hotel, Pinkie felt an unwelcomed presence. Her tail was twitching like crazy the moment they step into the lobby. But, to the duo's surprise, there was no one out of the ordinary to be found- The place fell silent. They knew this territory has already surrendered to the Changeling Horde, and its residents were trapped in fear of Changeling patrols stationed around the town, refusing to come out. They had to take a few detours to prevent being spotted.
But this situation was even more strange. Pinkie had a terrible feeling about what's to come.
"Are you okay?" Amitie asked, trying to grab onto her tail to stop it's twitching.
Pinkie didn't stop. Amitie found a few staff members around the area, as the hotel was not closed. She was going to ask the receptionist for any information, but Pinkie stopped her.
"Careful of changelings!" She whispered.
The moment she said that the staff turned to look at them, suspecting their actions. Pinkie knew they would not give her those glares had they been regular ponies, so she caught on.
"Follow me, let's move."
The two were going to make their move to find Ringo. However, not long after, they felt ponies trailing right behind them through the corners.
"Uhhh, is it just me, or...?"
Pinkie twisted her head backward quickly, barely catching a glimpse of a changeling transforming.
"Faster!"
They dashed up the next staircase. Their presence did not go unnoticed. However, they couldn't do this forever- It's only a matter of when the Changelings catch up and corner them if they are forced to run through the hallways and facilities of the hotel endlessly.
That's why Amitie had a plan.
"Can we get back on the ground floor?"
"That's crazy! You will have to face them head on!"
"I'll distract them, and you'll get outside as soon as possible!"
A minute later they got right back down to where they started, and to exit the venue, they must go through the entrance, which is now blocked by changelings, making sure the discovered duo has no chance to escape.
But the Puyo apprentice had a trick up her sleeve.
As soon they got down and Pinkie in position to make her mad dash, Amitie summoned her Puyo board, quickly made a chain of seven with style and ran out.
"Luminescence!"
A bright light enveloped the group, Amitie included. While her flashbang worked its magic, Pinkie quickly escaped in the confusion as Amitie continued her offense.
"Tempest!"
She stirred up a gust of high winds, further confusing the horde as Changelings collided back and forth. She made her exit soon after, meeting up with Pinkie.
"What now?"
"While they're distracted, we need some way to get up to a higher floor on the hotel for our search."
"Ooh! Ooh! Idea!"
Out of nowhere (Because Pinkie Pie), Pinkie pulls out her upgraded party cannon.
"I'll give you a boost!"
"Wh-What!?" Amitie was scared. "No way! What if it goes wrong?"
"Don't worry, it won't harm you, and I have an idea for the landing, you'll have to set up your board for me first!"
"Huh?"
"Quickly!"
"Okay! Okay!"
Amitie did as she was told, and Pinkie proceeded to break the game, taking out the puyos on the board. "Any way to make them bigger?"
"Ohhhhh! I think I know what you're doing, teehee!"
They waited for a giant Puyo from the board, snatched it, and placed it into the cannon with other puyos to merge the Puyos together. Pinkie blasted the cannon, and amazingly, one huge blob of Puyo launched up in the air, straight onto a balcony of one of the rooms.
"There! Should be good now! Ready?"
"*chuckles* Yup!"
Amitie anxiously but excitedly climbed into the device.
"Three..."
Amitie closed her eyes.
"Okay go!"
**WOOSH**
"WAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!" Amitie yelped as she flew through the air, but safely landed on the big blob. She turned to her friend after calming down. "Okay! We’re good!”
But the second she was waiting for Pinkie to come up, someone called.
“A-A-A-Amitie!?”
Amitie turned towards the rest of the room as Pinkie blasted up, shocked at the figure in front of her.
“Ah! Ringo!?”
Pinkie looked back and forth between the two before the two girls both screamed out an “Ehhhhhhh!?” And proceeded to tumble back. Ringo was noticeably more shocked than Amitie was.
“D-D-Don’t hurt me, whatever you are! I’m not in the mood!”
Amitie came to hug her.
“Ringo, it’s me, Amitie! I’m not a fake!”
“Are you sure...?”
Amitie let go and summoned her Puyo board. Ringo knew- Only people from the Puyo World knew how to initiate Puyo Battles, so at that moment, Ringo knew the one in front of her was her friend. Relieved, Ringo tucked Amitie into an embrace with a sigh.
“Thank goodness someone I know is here!” Ringo said.
“*chuckles* No prob!” Amitie innocently smiled. “Oh, and let me introduce you to my friend!”
Pinkie didn’t even wait for her to finish. She bolted right up to say hello.
“Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie, I’m a party pony who sometimes goes on suuuuuuper awesome adventures with my friends to save Equestria!”
Ringo took a second to process what she just heard.
“Uh-Huh... So you’re telling me that animals talk in this world!?”
Amitie slapped a hand over her mouth. “Shhhh! We’re not completely safe here! Changelings could bust in here at any moment!”
“Changelings? Is that the name for all those creatures I’ve seen downstairs?”
“You met them?” Pinkie asked, “What did they do?”
“Well, I was just back in my world, relaxing and having a good time with popping Puyos, when suddenly I was compelled to make a huge chain. In fact, it was such a big chain that I made a portal, and now I have no idea where I am!”
Thank me for that.
“Don’t worry, Ringo,” Amitie patted her shoulder. “Let’s go. We’ll tell you everything on the way home.”
“H-How? I heard the town’s been raided! There are so many ch-changelings!”
Pinkie puffed up her chest. “Then we’ll just have to fight them! Let’s go!”
”Fairy Fire!”
The trio made a mad dash back to their escorted train at the train station, escaping from the changelings in the area. The longer the chase, the more changelings noticed their presence and joined in. Amitie had to run and play Puyo at the same time just to get magic to buy them time by fending off the horde. That was combined with Pinkie throwing cupcakes at them (Because she always has spare cupcakes anytime, anywhere).
They were just getting close to the station when they spotted changelings guarding the entrance. Ringo stepped in after popping some Puyos.
“No time for you!” Ringo said, ”Calculus!”
She casts a unique spell, putting the guards in some kind of drugged state.
“For some reason, my nerdy spells can make enemies confused and unable to think straight,” Ringo explained, shrugging.
The group quickly boarded the train before the horde has a chance to catch up. So far, so good.
The Changeling Queen said to a small group of her loyal servants, who turned in the message that the capture of the duo in Las Pegasus had not gone as planned. Chrysalis flew down from her new throne upon the news.
“Very interesting,” Chrysalis muttered, clearly annoyed. “Was this the doing of the young girl we’ve captured?”
The changelings look back and forth to each other.
“Keep a close eye on her actions. If you find anything suspicious, tell me,” She demanded. “For now... We’ll have to expand the scope of our conquest. And I’ve already made my move- This time, that fiend would not stop me.”
Applejack stepped off the Friendship Express to the place she knew best out of any other pony of the group- Appleloosa.
The familiar Wild West vibe was present, and from a distance, she could see all was well in the town. Locals were around tending to their usual business of the day, no one seemed terrified, making her place a firm bet the town has yet to be invaded, which made her job much easier despite the absence of either Arle or Amitie.
She, on her own, was entrusted to find a relatively tall teenage boy by the name of Lemres. Dubbed the “Comet Warlock”, he looked like a wizard, evident from his distinctive hat, cape, both dark green on the outside and tinted orange on the inside, a wand with a comet-shaped tip, and he was also especially pointed out as “Having magic fuelled by confectionary”. The mare did not understand why this is, but the information was there.
Besides all that, he wears pretty casual clothes on the inside, either dark green and orange to suit his other garments. His right eye was strangely obstructed by his tannish hair, though.
The cowgirl entered the town, seeing everything in order. At the corner of her eye, she saw a familiar pony just wandering about.
“*gasp* Braeburn!”
The two met up and start to chat.
“Ah, cousin Applejack!” Braeburn said, “What brings you back to good ol’ Appleloosa?”
“Well, It’s a very long story, but have you seen someone like this in town recently?” Applejack asked, showing Braeburn the report of Lemres from her saddlebags. “Twilight came to me about this.”
The stallion nodded his head. “Sure did!”
“Really! Where?”
“Just at the pub, chatting with the locals. Hey, let me tell ya, this new guy’s got some real good attention from us locals.”
“Why so?” Applejack asked as she followed.
“You can ask the special guest himself,” Braeburn said.
As soon as she entered Applejack heard quite a lot of chatting. That’s normal until she noticed it all came majorly around the table near the bartender. Ponies gather up near a very distinctive figure as he casually leans against the table while chatting, enjoying a slice of what seems to be apple pie.
During the conversation, Applejack had to get his attention.
“*clears throat* ‘Scuse me everypony,” She called, “Princess Twilight wishes to find the one y’all are talking to, for serious matters.”
The ponies look to one another, shrug, and made way upon hearing it was royalty’s order. ”I mean, I was just sent by her, but I’ll take that,” Applejack thought.
“You called me?”
The teenage boy looked at her.
“Ah, Yes,” She replied, sitting on the stool next to him. “You must be Lemres, the one my friend was talking about.”
Lemres nodded. “Yes, it is me,” He said, before offering a slice of pie. “You want?”
“Why not, thanks,” She accepted. “Now, let me explain why I’m here. I am Applejack, a friend of Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
“Friend of the Princess, eh?” Lemres unintentionally cuts her off. “The locals told me about her.”
“Oh, that sure saves a lot of explanation. Basically, she sent me here to find you, in hopes of us solving a crisis throughout Equestria.”
“Changelings.”
Applejack gasped at his response. Lemres shrugged.
“I’ll start from the top,” He said, “A few days ago, I-“
“You got teleported from another world?”
“Uh, Yes. So, I was dropped off here, and soon I see a nearby town seemingly getting attacked by a sinister force. I kinda pushed away my confusion for a moment about this world and went to help them fend the horde off. Aaaaaaand apparently I’m the talk of the town after saving them. I’d be interested to find a way back home but I can stay for a while.”
“You possess great Puyo skills, huh?”
Lemres turned upon her mention of the world Puyo. “Oh? How did you know?”
“I’m here because I want you to come with me back to Ponyville to meet Twilight. Two people, who we assume are your friends, met up with us a few days ago, and we found out there’s a whole lot of you guys out here around Equestria. We’re trying to recruit you all to counter-attack the same horde you faced.”
“Ah, so I’m not the only one here. Predictable.”
“Your friends did mention you all, like my friends and I, go on adventures often.”
Lemres shrugged. “That’s our Friendship in a nutshell, I guess. Well, there’s still much I can tell you but if it’s a serious adventure we’re talking about, and if it means my friends and I can regroup, I’ll spare it for later.”
Applejack was about to say something else when a flood of terrifying screams rang from outside.
“They’re here!?” She gasped. “We need to get back on that train right now!”
Lemres whipped out his wand. “As a part of the Puyo Gang, I’m not entirely sure I can watch this place fall to their hands. Give me a minute and I’ll catch up.”
“Wh-What?”
“Relax, you’ll see why.”
Out in the open, as some ponies were immediately sent into a panic, the stronger ones started engaging in close combat, putting their bucking skills into the mix. Applejack was not slacking off at the situation at the slightest, joining the defense. Meanwhile, more locals fell back to launch the artillery, and by artillery, it is more like tossing apple pies right in the face of the invading changelings.
This strategy did succeed on stopping the front line, where changelings were either knocked out cold by the pie trays that came with the pies, or the desserts themselves confused them, leaving for an open window for close attacks. However, wave after wave of changelings came forth after the earlier groups exhausted the townsponies.
About 10-15 minutes later, the changelings successfully flanked the group from behind while unnoticed. The second they launched a backstab the horde was able to close in. Precisely, the remaining ponies not harmed by the initial move would be trapped in the Changeling's goo in minutes.
Unless they do something about it.
"Parfait!"
Lemres jumped right in the middle of the group and blasted whipped cream at every last changeling within his view.
"Lemres!"
The teen re-positioned the wand he held. "Told ya to give me some time."
He continued his Puyo building as the ponies begin to fight back as a diversion. It was a brilliant move of the wizard to step in as the artillery soon started running low on ammo. Another 5 minutes later the front-line of the defense was gassed out, and Lemres was full on ready.
"I got this," He said, coming out from his cover of the artillery.
A flick of his wand and several twirls along with it spawned an abundance of pies, floating in the air like cannons about to launch a decisive blow. The changelings caught on, stopped in their tracks, and were ready to flee.
"Cream Pies!"
And chaos followed. Pies splattered everywhere as the devastated horde attempted to flee. What's worse was that the cream on the pies was expanding, engulfing its prey. And with another command of his magic and a snap of his fingers, the creamy substance blew up.
Poof.
Every attacker dropped to the floor, first extremely dizzy, then utterly unconscious.
The ponies had won. They celebrate and free the trapped ponies from the goo, thankful that the horde did not steal their love, now able to continue fine and well. Applejack was about the thank the young one when she realized he was not feeling well either. He was down on one knee.
"You alright, sugarcube?"
He panted. "I'm good. Phew... I literally could use some sugar right now."
Applejack let out a chuckle. "So this is what your friends told us about- That your magic is fueled with sweets, eh?"
"Yeah. I just needed time to absorb some more magic, that's why I was late to the party."
The pony insisted on helping him up. "Well, you'll be delighted to know one of my friends, then. I wonder why she wasn’t the one coming to recruit you, though.”
He shrugged. “Dunno. Who is this friend?”
“She’s a party planner. She operates a bakery back at Ponyville, where we’re going back to.”
“Ah, interesting. Shall we make our departure?”
“Yup! We’ve got an Equestria to save! Come on.”
Lemres nodded and followed her lead to the station. The moment they board the train and about to turn left into the carriage, someone awaited them.
“Lemres!” Amitie gave a wave.
He took a seat next to her. “Hey, Amitie. You’re here too?”
“Mhmm! Pinkie and I just picked up Ringo. Applejack, I assume mission is a success?”
“Apart from nearly being ambushed by Changelings, yep!”
The group all had a laugh except Ringo, shivering at the thought.
“Pinkie, right?” Lemres asked.
“Yup!” She giggled, pulling a cupcake out of nowhere. “Want one?”
“Gladly, I need it for my magic. Was drained from that fight.”
“I’ll do you bigger once we get back to Ponyville. You’ll love my recipes!”
“Cool. Looking forward to that.”
“Other than that, we better recruit the others soon,” Ringo interrupted, “We are in the middle of an adventure. It’s not like we can’t take a break but still...”
“Pinkie, how are Fluttershy and Arle doing?” Applejack asked.
The pink pony pulls out her magic walkie talkie from her mane, created by Twilight with the idea from Arle. (Just Because.)
“Psst, this is Agent Pinkie, copy?” She said in a dramatic voice.
“This is Arle. What’s up?”
“How are you and Fluttershy doing?”
“Just about done. When the train comes around I think we’ll be ready to come on board.”
Arle was on the train with Fluttershy, along with her best friend Carby. They were heading to the Kirin Village.
“Fluttershy, I’ve heard you work with animals a lot. Do you know what Carby speaks too?”
“Oh, I don’t think so, sorry. Carby is a special animal friend. Although, he does look cute!”
“Gugu!”
Carby seemed to like that.
The train pulled into the bottom of the mountain concealing the secret tribe. They got off, and Fluttershy led the way, tracing back the steps she took when she came to the village the first time. They trek through the mountain and admire nature, as they walk through flowers and crossed rivers on large, smooth stones. It was almost too tempting for them to relax to their heart's content with the thoughts of Equestria’s future behind them. It must come first.
“So we are looking for a girl,” Fluttershy said, reading the report. “A girl that looks like an angel but isn’t...”
Arle let out a sigh. “Harpy? Is that who we’re looking for?”
“Y-Yeah, why?”
Arle looked at the picture of Harpy. She was a yellow-winged humanoid, wearing an elegant white dress like an angel. She has pink yet slightly magenta hair and a pair of emerald colored eyes. Oddly, she was barefoot in the picture.
“Well, it’s hard to explain,” Arle said sheepishly. “Harpy, well... She likes to sing. A lot. But the problem is she’s not very good at it exactly. I mean, she once ruined someone's voice, and it's a shame since that someone's voice was so good."
"Aw, don't pick on her like that..."
"I know, she is our friend, after all," Arle's expression brightened up. "I'm just worried that the locals would not like it. You said these 'Kirins' liked to sing a lot, too- Hopefully they keep an open mind about her."
"I hope so too."
"Gugugu..."
"Don't worry, you both, even if things don't go well, I might have a plan."
Soon they step into the village. Although the Kirins have dispelled their spell of silence, the place was still very much quiet and peaceful. Everycreature was out and about, feeling quite carefree in their well-hidden territory despite having to hear the towns around them in Equestria fall.
Yet, there was no sign of Harpy.
They were about to start a search when a familiar, cheery Kirin spotted them.
"Fluttershy!" She trotted over. "Good to see you! Why are you here out of all places?"
The mare insisted on shaking her hoof. "Nice to see you too, Autumn Blaze, it's been a while. Oh, and this is my friend Arle, with her buddy Carbuncle."
"Gugu!"
"He's just saying hi," Arle translated.
"Hmmm, you look like someone we recently stumbled upon!" Autumn said, "She also walked on two like you do, Arle. *sigh* I wonder where she ran off to...?"
Arle gasped. "What did you just say? Someone that's similar to me?"
"Yeah! Like us, she seems to possess great love for singing. We heard her from afar and..."
"That's got to be Harpy!"
"But..."
Fluttershy put on a quirked face. "But what?"
Autumn paced for a bit. “W-We have a problem.”
“Gugugu?”
“What is it?” Arle said, translating Carby’s words.
“We May or may not have told her off,” The kirin blushed, scratching the ground with a hoof. “Like, we are pretty good at singing, but I overheard naïve kirins criticizing the young one’s vocals. *sigh* Some just never learn.”
“Oh no!” Fluttershy gasped. “Arle, you called the bluff!”
“Totally,” Arle sighed, face-planting. “We’ve got to find her somehow. Autumn, you have any idea where she might be?”
“I can’t say for sure. Though, the closest safe place she might run off to is my temporary hideout, when I moved away from the village for a while. Changelings might be on the lookout and if she ran into any, probably that’s the most sensible place she’d hide in now that I don’t return there.”
“We have to start somewhere,” she said. “Come on, Fluttershy. Let’s track down the angel.”
“And before the changelings discover her, too.”
“Harpy!” Arle called throughout the forest, “Where are you?”
The two went onward to Autumn’s old hideout, just near the outskirts of the village. That didn’t stop them from trying to call for their friend. It’s probably been 5-10 minutes since they started the search when they finally picked up a sign.
”*singing* I’m so saaaaaaad...”
“*gasp* Huh?” Fluttershy was more sensitive to sound from her career, so she picked it up first. “What was that?”
”*singing* Why must people be so mean to me...?”
Arle picked up the signal too. “I think we’ve got her. Come on!”
They ran through and between the trees, straight out to an open clearing as the voice echoed and ringed throughout the Forest. There, on the ridge of the waterfall, sat a girl. A singing angel. However, to their surprise, her voice was not the terrible singing voice Arle had described. It sounded genuine- Sweet yet sad. They laid low for a little longer for her to finish her lamenting.
”*sigh* I just wanted to get along with music... Too much to ask?”
She cupped her face in her hands as she cried. Arle, unwilling to see her in that state, decided to emerge from the bushes she was hiding in, and cheer her up. And she knew just the trick.
“Wow... I have never heard you sing so well before!”
“*half-singing* Stop lying to me...”
“No, I’m serious, Harpy!”
Harpy stopped. “Eh? *gasp* Arle?”
“Hi! Didn’t expect me, huh?”
Harpy stood back up to embrace her. “*half-singing* Oooooh! Good to see you!”
“*chuckles* Haha, mind if you stop that sing-speak style for just a moment?”
Happy nodded, though a bit reluctantly. Arle motioned for Fluttershy to come out, now that the mood was brightened up and the target acquired had calmed down.
“This is my friend Fluttershy.”
She gave a wave.
“So, Harpy...” Fluttershy asked, “What happened between you and the kirins?”
“I-Is that what they are called?”
“Mhmm.”
“*sigh* Oh, I feel hurt by their words,” Harpy said gloomily, breaking into sing-speak mode again.. “Is my singing really that terrible? I just like to sing wherever I go...”
She sat at the edge of the waterfall. Arle pondered for a bit, finding the right words to say without hurting anyone’s feelings.
“But I heard you singing while we tried to look for you, and I have never heard you sing like that before!”
“Oh?”
Arle and Fluttershy smiled as they sat next to her.
“Your voice can be amazing if you really put your heart into it,” Fluttershy said, “I used to sing for a group too, and when I found myself devoted into the performance, I sang even better than when I used to!”
Arle nodded. “Harpy, your love for singing is immense. I know you like singing all the time, just not necessarily good, no offense. But that’s what makes you so unique! You have a style of expression none of us in the Puyo World do. You sounded so brilliant just now, and I’m betting it’s because you put your emotion into it, huh?”
“I-I... I was feeling sad, so...” Harpy blushed.
“Don’t be,” Fluttershy said kindly, “Everypony has to start somewhere.”
Harpy finally regained a smile.
“There’s the Harpy I’m looking for,” Arle chuckled.
Harpy began to laugh too. “Thanks, girls! *singing* Ahhh I’m so happy now! Someone appreciates my singing~!”
The angel proceeded to stand up, start twirling in a circle in pure joy. The two shrugged.
“By the way, Arle...”
“Hmm?”
“Why are you here anyway?”
“Oh! I almost forgot,” She facepalmed and giggled. “We’re bringing the Puyo crew together to go on another Puyo adventure again. Long story short, we are in a kingdom that is currently being invaded by this hostile race called the changelings and we have to fight back."
Fluttershy looked at the time. “We should get going, the train may come soon.”
“Can I join you both~?”
Harpy cupped her hands together and begged.
“Of course! You’re why we’re here, we came to find you!” Arle tucked her into a hug.
“Oooooh, this would be fun~ Where to?”
“Well, all we have to do is climb back down this mountain to the train station,” Fluttershy replied. “Shouldn’t be hard to-“
The echoes of hissing were heard in the distance.
“*gasp* Changelings!” She cut herself off.
“And from the direction of the village!”
Harpy gasped as they made a move. “Heeeeeeey~ Wait for me! I wanna help too!” She called, following.
At first, it looked like a false alarm. No changelings were in sight. And frankly, no one was actually there.
"Huh?" Arle said, scratching her head. "That's weird..."
Harpy suddenly had an idea. "Maybe there's no one because they were waiting for me! Oh, how wonderful of them to change their mind~ Here I go!"
"Harpy, no!"
Before Arle can slap her mouth shut, Harpy already put her vocal cords into action. Her booming, yet irritating off-key voice drowned everyone's ears. Carby, Fluttershy, and Arle all cupped their ears shut due to how loud she was. The little sidekick even dropped to the floor.
But then, in an astounding miracle, they hear irritated and annoyed hisses all around. Kirins here and there crawled out of their cover, covering their ears. In seconds they de-transformed. Those weren't Kirins- Those were changelings!
"It's working!" Fluttershy yelled over the noise, "They are being lured out! I'll go and make sure everycreature is safe!"
She flew off as Arle gave her approval, taking Carby with her. "Harpy, keep going!"
"*singing* Lalalalala! I can sing however I want! I'm so happy to see you all coming to watch me!"
As Harpy was still in her own world, Arle gritted her teeth to set up her attacks as the horde was stunned in place by the angel.
"Ugh..." She said, trying to bear the noise. "Judgement!"
She sends out a blast of magic beams towards the enemy. It knocked them far back, and because Harpy's voice was still ringing in their ears they didn't have the focus to fly back into battle.
Meanwhile, the angel continued her "Performance". As the wave came close, she had a trick up her sleeve.
"*singing* Arle~!" Harpy called, "A little help with magic?"
"Sure th-thing!" Arle chuckled.
Arle built a large chain of ten and sent her friend the power.
"Have an Encore!"
Amazingly, she swooped her arm across the air, sending a shockwave of musical notes against her opponents, knocking them straight out of existence.
"Oh no..." She pouted, "Now they're all gone..."
Arle was going to comfort her before the angel let out a gigantic, harmonious laugh.
"I'm kidding! I was fighting them for you, after all!"
"*laughing* Nice thinking, they are not going to mess with you for a good while."
“So it was a Changeling!”
Harpy was chatting with Autumn Blaze as the group left.
“The other kirins told me they had said nothing, or they didn’t even see you. I wouldn’t criticize anypony soooo I’m pretty sure whoever trash-talked about you must’ve been a Changeling.”
“So that means they have found this place already before we came! You all could’ve been ambushed!” Arle said, disconnecting the walkie talkie Twilight had given her.
“Gugugu!”
“We know, and we are really thankful you all came.”
Fluttershy smiled. “You’re so welcome. This is what we do from time to time.”
They got back down to the bottom of the mountain, right near the train station. The crew had to make their exit. They all gave a wave before entering the train.
“Harpy?” Autumn asked.
“Mhmm?”
“When you all are done saving Equestria, would you... Kindly perform for us? I heard from Fluttershy, you can sometimes sing well.”
The angel’s eyes sparkled in delight. “Really!?? I’ll be practicing till then!”
Arle was peeking out the door and giggled. ”Looks like we might be staying here for a bit longer before we return...”
"And then they all got blasted out into oblivion!"
Everyone burst into laughter. After the victory, Arle, Carby, and Fluttershy made sure the village was kept in good hooves (Or hands), accepted their thanks for the defense and moved along with their plan. They brought Harpy along onto the train as they make the trip back to Ponyville.
"I'd say, though," Lemres said, "I wouldn't expect Harpy to be with us out of all people."
"Heeeeey! What do you mean?"
"But you've been proven very useful, it seems," Ringo commented, "Our team will be much stronger by the time we face the Queen."
"How many more of you all are we rescuing?" Fluttershy asked.
"Three more. But we might as well take a break and return to Ponyville," Ringo continued.
"Yeah, things might get kinda hectic from here on out," Applejack cautioned.
"Don't worry about it!" Amitie reassured. "We've been on many adventures and they have saved a nation several times, is there anything we can't do?"
Pinkie giggled. "Can't argue about that!"
**SLAM**
Around half an hour later, it was like they jinxed themselves. A loud bang on the train woke up the group, who were all taking a nap. Arle let out a groan as she woke up.
“Ughh... What in the-“
**CRASH**
“KYAAAAAH! CHANGELINGS!” Amitie screamed.
“WHAT!? EVERYONE PANIC!” Ringo yelled.
“WHY IN EQUESTRIA ARE WE YELLING!?” Pinkie joined in.
What happened was that a Changeling broke clean through the window, as more rushed in to attack. The creatures hissed at the group as they threatened them. Ringo and Amitie already lost their minds, Fluttershy dove between the seats in fear, and even Harpy was overwhelmed by their hostility.
The guards on the train were quick to react. When they came, the remaining ones of the group moved out of the way, helping at a small distance as they fend them off with a Puyo Battle.
“Hey, you meanies!” Harpy said, trying to look brave. ”Listen to This!”
She drew a musical note in mid-air, then directed the projectile to hit the incoming force. The other two players took the chance to pounce on the changelings, now frozen in place.
”Parfait!”
”Ice Storm!”
The cream from Lemres’ spell was frozen by Arle’s spell. Applejack dashed to buck the iced up enemies into their own teammates, knocking the rest at the back.
“Hey! Lemres! Gimme a boost!” Pinkie pranced up and down excitedly.
Lemres nodded, quickly setting up a 6-chain.
”Fudge cakes!”
Chocolate fudge shot from a flick of his wand. Pinkie caught every one, and it gave her the sugar rush she needed to put her Pinkie physics in action. She spun in a spiral motion in mid-air, drilling through the horde that the guards were fending off.
“There’s no end to them!” The guards alerted. “You all must disembark, fast!”
“Well, we need a distraction!” Ringo called, finally standing up. “Harpy!”
“On it!”
”Algorithms!”
”Have an Encore!”
Both attacks stunned the changelings attacking from both sides of the carriage, putting them to an unconscious state.
”Cyclone!”
Amitie took the time to push some out of the way so they can reach the door and get off. Once everyone was out, they ran as fast as they could. They were not too far from Ponyville- All they had to do was get there.
“Twilight!” Arle said, whipping out her magic walkie-talkie.
“Yeah?”
“We have a major problem!”
“We have a problem too!”
“What!?”
“Changelings are raiding Ponyville!”
“Ehhhhh!? We just got back!!”
“We’ll meet you all at the center of town. Gaaaaah! *static noises* I’m okay! Changelings attacking!”
Arle stopped responding and ran faster. The rest of the group did the same. When they got into town, changelings were ready to ambush them on the spot. First Harpy and Fluttershy at the back, then as the group turned to look, both of the remaining ponies got caught in the sticky goo, unable to free themselves. As some of the changelings started to get excited, smacking their lips and ready for a treat, they start to suck away their prey's love.
"What are they doing!?" Ringo exclaimed.
"I have no idea, but that does not look good!" Arle replied.
Amitie mustered up her courage for an attack.
"Tempest!"
The winds blew away the enemy temporarily. She did another one for the other side.
"You girls okay?" Lemres asked, freeing Pinkie and Applejack.
"Behind ya!" Applejack shouted, pushing him out of the way and bucking an incoming changeling. It crashed into a dozen more.
Pinkie narrowed her eyes. "Lemres," she called.
"Can do."
A minute later, Pinkie opened fire with the cream pies that Lemres has given her from his spell. It succeeded in distracting much of the front line, giving the allies time to push forward towards the castle. As the confectionery duo bombarded the front, the three ponies rushed in to attack. The remaining were at the back, watching for any surprise flanking techniques.
Right before they enter the final stretch, though, somepony attacked. She ambushed the front and back with magic.
"Twilight!?" Arle exclaimed, seeing the figure attacking.
She shook her head with a laugh. "You're close."
She de-transformed, revealing the tall and mighty changeling ruler. Everypony gasped, and before they have a chance to speak, Chrysalis charged her horn and fired on the group. It sent all of them flying- Three to the back, three to both left and right.
"Where is she?" Chrysalis demanded as she stepped towards Arle, the closest to her.
"Wh-Who!?" Arle yelled.
Whoops! Not yet!
“Princess Twilight. Where is she?”
"Why must I tell you? You're the enemy, after all."
"No matter, I'll just make you do so."
In a flash, all of Arle's friends were encircled. Changelings outnumbered the group, ready to feast on their love. Arle was no exception- Now she is trapped by the eerie larvae from the Queen's subjects. Both her and Carby trembled in utter fear. The Puyo crew could not use their spells, for their hands- The very thing that allows them to pop Puyo is engulfed within the goo.
"Why?" Arle pleaded.
"This, little one," The Queen giggled, "Is the 'art of vengeance'. Your new friends... The ponies of the land... I once sought for your love for my subjects. It is the very essence that keeps them going. But they- Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, and all the others... They ruined absolutely everything."
Arle can hear the distant sounds of ponies screaming as their love slipped away.
"Gugugu!?"
Arle held Carby tighter in her embrace.
"All I wanted was my people to be happy. But you all denied that- You shut us all out of society. Your friends tore the hive apart, my kingdom now lost. And yet... One of you gave me power. Power that is beyond my wildest dreams."
"*gasp* No..."
"She's like you, apprentice Arle," Chrysalis said, taunting the girl by holding up her head. "Someone that walked on two. Oh, she was a present sent from heaven, when we found her. She was cheery, caring, and of course..." She licked her lips. "She's full of delicious love."
"She's... *cries* She's..."
"Capturing her was the best decision we've made. She was the fountain of love... Endless love. She fed my subjects. My new troops all rejoiced in cheer. But you know what? Now with this newfound power, I'll use it- To make all of them pay for their exclusion on us. You will see just how painful it can be, when we take absolutely everything from you, like how you treated us. You'll all be under my grasp, as we hatch a new era of Equestria."
Arle can only watch as her friends were wrapped in cocoons from top to bottom by the changelings, completely unconscious. She was startled at their hostility and viciousness.
"I won't tell you what we're planning. You wouldn't win this fight."
Chrysalis tilted her head. "But I already did."
"You think? Watch it, once we break free, you are going to regret doing all of this. We will protect the righteous changelings- We will bring the overthrown king back!"
"You do not speak of that traitor in front of me!" The Queen huffed. She opened her mouth and was ready to devour Arle's power. Traces of love slipped away, seemingly taking away her powers as well.
"Ahhhhhhh!" Arle screamed.
"Gugugu!!" Carby held onto her tightly.
The changelings next to her sensed friendly love between the two. They took the chance to affect Carby too.
"Surrender!" Chrysalis laughed. "You can't be saved!" Then she noticed something inside the goo she was trapped in. "Wait a minute, what in the world are you holding?"
Arle smiled coldly. "Be careful of your words..."
As if on cue, someone joined the fight.
"Shockwave! Haaaaaaaaaaah!!"
**BOOM**
**CRASH**
The sudden attack shook the area, knocking out every changeling, freeing everyone from the goo in seconds. Even Chrysalis was sent flying off to the side to the forest.
"You are reckless sometimes, Arle."
Arle looked up after finding out she’s fine. Before her, she saw a teenage boy, a sword in his hand, like a majestic knight. He smiled at her.
“Schezo!”
He offered a hand to help her up. “Are you alright?”
“No, I am not!” She yelled jokingly, “But thank you!”
“Heh, you should be.”
From afar, Queen Chrysalis was about to fire on the two.
“Watch out, Arle!”
Twilight zipped over and defended them with a shield.
“Sorry for being late to the party,” Twilight said innocently, “We had our own fight to deal with...”
“Your Highness,” Schezo said, bowing. “Allow me.”
“You must be the one I saw earlier! In the Forest!”
“So that’s what you were talking about on the call,” Arle said.
“The call?” Schezo questioned.
In fact, while Chrysalis was blabbering on and on about her plans and aspirations, Arle had sensed vibration and sounds of the walkie talkie even inside the goo. Twilight had been warning her of the sighting of Schezo nearby. For the whole time, Arle dragged on the Queen’s monologue and delayed her task at hand for him to come and make the comeback.
“What can I say? I’m smart in dire situations,” Arle giggled.
They looked around- With the crew set free, the allies attack full force on the horde, including the rest of the mane seven. From close-range to magic to artillery, they balanced both sides of the fight. This horde proved stronger than the ones the group had faced in the recruit missions, as it was a larger one and they were more vicious. They switched tactics to having the Ponies being the decoy as the Puyo crew have time to land devastating attacks and diversions.
As they started getting excited, Chrysalis drew near.
“*hiss* You dare do such a thing to me!” She roared. “I’ll see if you have the guts to go against me.”
Schezo drew his dark sword. “Try saying that again. Bring it, I don’t lose a single sword fight.”
“I don’t play fair.”
“Oh? Are you giving up, then?”
Chrysalis groaned. Caring less, she opened fire right away. With lightning reflexes, Schezo deflected the shots as he made his advance. He barely missed her as she strafed back. She came into terms and got one of her changelings to temporarily transform into a makeshift sword. As the two sparked off a fight, the rest of the group used this diversion to drive away the rest of the horde.
As the defense became more manageable, the allies switch tactics yet again- Just like they had planned, Ponies at the back providing support and the Puyo members focusing on the combat side. Despite their inexperience, the ponies did succeed in giving them magic for their attacks, as they also fuel their magic themselves as a backup. Changelings were fleeing after the allies started to fight back.
Meanwhile, Schezo was dealing with the vast majority of attackers still left in the battle. With his own wits, he slashed his sword into all that tried to attack him, knocking them all out. He backed up, regaining his magic and taking a breather.
”Shadow Edge!”
The tip of his sword emitted a black orb of magic. Then it shot out, blasting a bunch of Changelings into oblivion.
“*groans* Why must you ponies stand in my way every time!?”
She charged her magic. Before it can hit Schezo, Twilight and Starlight teleported over and backfired the attack, their lasers matching the Queen’s. They pushed on hard, and just when they were about to hit their limit, they successfully broke the stalemate, knocking Chrysalis out temporarily.
The group gathered.
“Is she...?” Arle asked.
Schezo drew his sword, ready to finish her off. However, Chrysalis twitched. Her horn lit up, and she was sucking up magic from a distant source. She then rose back up, as if nothing happened to her. She scratched her eye before letting out a hiss.
“You’ve won this time,” She grunted. “But the games are over.”
She called for her subjects to retreat. The allies have won- Kinda.
“Oh come on!” Rainbow Dash moaned, “That’s it?”
“It’s better than nothing,” Twilight said. “At least she’s fended off for now. But I don’t understand... How could she suddenly feel like nothing thing happened to her?”
Nobody had an answer.
“Well,” Arle looked at Schezo. “You’ve got some explaining to do.”
He inserted his sword’s tip to the ground. “Gladly. I came to save everyone, after all.”
“Oh, totally, Dark Mage. You obviously came because of me.”
“I most certainly did not!”
“Magic portal took you here?”
“That I can agree on.”
“Okaaaaaay!” Twilight said, seeing their conversation being tense, “Why don’t you introduce yourself in a minute. We need to regroup and draft out our next move anyway. Everypony okay with that?”
No one seemed to object, so everyone followed Twilight back to the Castle. But, as they walked, Carby was pulling on Arle’s leg.
“Twilight, I’ll catch up in a moment,” Arle said. Twilight gave a nod. “What is it, Carby?”
Her friend pointed in the direction of the woods. The two snuck away from the group. Hiding behind trees and bushes, they hear two voices.
”Do you have any idea what could’ve happened!?”
“You’ve been using me far too much! Stop it!”
They could tell- One of them was Chrysalis. The other was someone familiar- A girl. Arle wanted to peek, but Carby shook his head no.
”You are under my control. Get on with the plan.”
“Why must you take all of the people’s love away? You took mine, and now them, too? When will you be satisfied?”
“When those ponies are defeated under my hooves.”
“You all can never be satisfied no matter how much love you try to take from me. That’s because you all are devoid of love yourself!”
“Silence!”
**Slap**
“*cries* Ahhhh!”
A thud was heard.
“I’ll make sure you won’t escape again. Now, follow. You have disobeyed me long enough.”
The sound of Chrysalis’ hooves echoed. The girl sighed. Meanwhile, Carby was trying hard to tug Arle back so she doesn’t blow her cover. But she couldn’t resist- She knew it must be her, the one who helped Chrysalis do all this. She recognized her voice. The signs were crystal clear.
Finally, she flung Carby off, uttering a “Sorry” quietly. But that caught the girl’s attention. She turned.
They gasp as they saw each other.
Arle was right- The girl was whom she recognized. She had green eyes, orange hair curling in the back, wearing an elaborate mini dress, though it looked more like a long-sleeved shirt, colored with a mix of light and dark green with a yellow pattern. Yellow leggings covered her legs, and she wore green boots with yellow wing patterns. On her neck was a purple pendant.
“Ally...” Arle gasped in disbelief.
Ally’s eyes welled up with tears. She bolted off running, fearing the Queen finding her with Arle.
“W-Wait!”
Arle wanted to chase, but she knew if she did, she’s running straight into the horde. So, in absolute despair and heartbreak, all she could do is look down, and return to the castle.
When Ally caught up, Chrysalis wasn’t that happy. The changelings had her chained, now forced to stay with the troops as they marched back to Canterlot. Her tears fell like raindrops, one by one.
”Arle... I’m sorry... How can you forgive me, though?”
“Since you’re going to Cloudsdale with Rainbow Dash, you’re going to need a few useful spells cast on you.”
After the raid of Ponyville and the allies’ triumph, they all took some time to rest and discuss plans for what they should do next. Three more members were still out in the open, waiting for the allies to recruit them and confirm they aren’t a threat to the Ponies. Ultimately they decided to make use of the new friends they’ve recruited in their expeditions, bringing them along for an extra line of defense if things don’t go their way. It would also make way for better negotiating with their allies if needed, as some have a connection with each other.
Their next target was Cloudsdale- And Dash cannot say no to that.
“When you are on Cloudsdale,” Twilight explained, “The floor is made out of fluffy, but fragile clouds. It is designed for Pegasi to walk around on, so you’ll have to be put under a spell for you too to have this ability. Don’t worry, it’s not high enough to the point you can’t breathe, so you should be fine.”
To prove this point, Rainbow already carried over a cloud from high up, as they were already outside and ready to go. Arle stepped on the cloud without sinking.
“It sure works!” Arle gave a thumbs up. “I wonder if I step on a Puyo like this, will it engulf me?”
Twilight shrugged. “The spell doesn’t last forever. I’ve prepared for the worst and gave the spell a few hours to work with. You should be fine, right?”
Before they set off, someone called with a loud voice that almost deafened them.
“Heeeeeeeeey~!” Harpy called. After realizing what she did she covered her mouth. “Sorry!”
“Wh-What is it...?” Arle asked, feeling dizzy.
“Can I come with guys? Pleeeeeeeease~?”
“You haven’t found a partner?”
“No...” Harpy twiddled her fingers.
“Fine,” Dash replied, waving a hoof. “But if you deafen my ears again I am throwing you off the clouds.”
“She can fly,” Arle clarified, before getting tackled by an overly excited Harpy. “Waaaaah! *chuckles* Okay! Okay! We’re glad to have you come with us, Harpy.”
The two got up, sharing a giggle.
“Oh, and by the way, Rainbow,” Twilight said, “Arle can’t fly. And don’t even try to just carry her up with a cloud, I don’t want her to accidentally fall.”
“What!?” She moaned. “But the hot air balloon ride takes so long!!”
“Nope! I am not trying to carry her up!” Harpy shook her hands. “I don’t want to drop her!”
Not too long after, Arle and Harpy hop aboard the hot air balloon to get to Cloudsdale while Rainbow was up there explaining the situation to some ponies she knew well, specifically, the Wonderbolts. Harpy could fly up too but she did not want her friend to be alone, so she followed her anyhow.
The ride gave Arle and Carbuncle a bird’s eye view of the town below them.
“Wow...” Arle said, admiring the view. “So this is what it feels like to be in the air all the time?”
Harpy shrugged. “I’m not always up in the air, but I get what you mean.”
Once they’ve risen above the clouds, the trio can see Cloudsdale not too far away. Then, two members of the wonderbolts came over. Turns out, they were working on border control. After the changeling invasion had been heard of, they’ve been securing Cloudsdale perimeters to make sure changelings are discovered and taken down on the spot if any tried waltz past security. Would be a huge problem if any did.
Luckily, thanks to Rainbow giving her team members a heads up, Arle and her friends were allowed right in with hardly any additional trouble besides identification. They flew in via the hot air balloon and landed just near the runway, where the Wonderbolts were just finishing up practice. They stepped off on solid ground, so there was no trouble of falling through the clouds, just be safe.
“Took you all long enough,” Rainbow joked, waving to them.
“It’s not my fault I can’t fly,” Arle shrugged. “So I’m guessing you got them to let us through?”
“Well, how can you stop efforts on trying to save Equestria, miss?”
A voice came from behind. Rainbow stepped aside to reveal Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts. She took off her shades and walked over.
“The name’s Spitfire,” She said, “Crash right here told me a lot about you all.”
Harpy spat out a small giggle. “Uhm, ‘Crash’?”
Rainbow rolled her eyes and nudged her. “Don’t call me that in front of them!”
“Right, right. So, Miss Arle...”
“‘Miss’ isn’t necessary.”
“Alright. So, *clears throat* Dash told me you’re here for something- I mean, someone.”
“Gugu,” Carby nodded.
Arle showed Spitfire another report. The picture this time showed a green-haired dragon hybrid, with all the traits- Wings, horns, tail, you name it.
“Draco Centauros,” Arle said. “We’ve been told she came here.”
“Ah, yes,” Spitfire nodded. “It was me who sent the Princess that we’ve seen her. It’s complicated, really. We had her kept within our grounds since we spotted her in Cloudsdale. Truth be told, we’ve mistaken her for an actual dragon who had flown into our place by accident. Ever since the changeling invasion began, we’ve had strict protection along the borders, even to Equestria’s allies, so we were originally going to keep her locked for trespassing.”
“I couldn’t blame her,” Arle replied. “She gets cranky when she doesn’t know what’s going on and when things don’t really go her way.”
“But not to worry, because she’s technically not a dragon. She explained to me and the others herself she’s not of this world, and the fact she’s here is a complete accident. We decided to keep her on watch after I reported this to the Princess, who responded with the fact you were recruiting such people recently, and we should keep her safe.”
“Gugugu gugugugu?”
“So where is she now?”
Rainbow cut in. “She’s at the Wonderbolt Academy. At least, that’s where I saw her earlier when I was there with Spitfire.”
“Well, no time like the present!” Harpy smiled, “Let’s go~!”
They waited for quite a while in an interrogation-style room before hearing the signs that she was coming.
“Look, I’ve told you all, I’m not your enemy at all!”
“We know, Miss. We just had to make sure, and we did.”
“Then what’s with you all being so secretive?”
The door opened and Draco came in. Her expression immediately changed from an annoyed look to a surprised one.
“Draco!” Arle waved to her.
“Ooooooookay!” She let out a sigh of relief. “I see what they meant by ‘Someone wants to see me’ now.”
The door closed behind her, leaving the group alone.
“Let’s cut to the chase,” Rainbow said. She then proceeded to introduce herself quickly, then said, “You got questions or something?”
“Yes, a lot,” Draco said, a bit annoyed. “Firstly, they are your colleagues or somethin’? Psssh, they locked me up until I explained the situation to them.”
“I’d like to interrupt,” Arle said, “There’s a reason for that. But first, there’s a lot of backstories you need to know about. Rainbow?”
And the explanation followed.
“Aaaaaaaaaand now the Changelings are trying to conquer Equestria.”
“What we’re trying to say is that their stricter border controls must’ve denied any outside access of po- I mean, creatures, from entry. Sooooooo Yeah,” Harpy continued.
“Ahhhhh, that definitely makes much more sense,” Draco nodded. “So, what now?”
“Well, Draco,” Arle said, glancing at Harpy. “I bet you kinda get where this is going since I’m here, Harpy is here, we’re in a whole other world with a giant threat...”
Silence.
Carbuncle faceplants himself on Arle’s head with a “Gugu...” And then Draco finally caught on.
"Adventure!" She pumped her fists in the air.
"Yeah it is!" Harpy celebrated. "Now come on and let's go~!"
They left in a hurry. Arle and Rainbow just shrug at each other.
But the moment they made their exit and were going back from where they came, all seemed far too quiet for them to think they can safely get back down.
"This doesn't feel right," Arle said, seeing no one was on the runway.
Suddenly, they saw the hot air balloon they took to get up here- The balloon was draped across the floor.
"Well, we're going to have to find another way," Rainbow said. "I'll be right back, going to go gather some clouds for you all to get back down no prob."
Seconds after she took flight, she immediately regretted it and came back.
"What's the matter?" Draco asked.
"That's the matter!"
Rainbow pointed to the sky- Changelings were infiltrating the place. No one had any idea why the Wonderbolts somehow did not catch them before they got in, but now that they're in, they needed to do absolutely everything to keep them from landing, or else they're toasted.
“New plan?” Arle asked.
“Yuuuuuup.”
The timing could not have been better- The Wonderbolts just showed up.
“We need them out of this place ASAP,” Spitfire commanded. “Crash, take your friends with you.”
“Will do, but I have to get you all to cover me while I get massive clouds to get them back down.”
She gave a nod and they bolted right into action.
“Stay. We’ll take care of this!”
Rainbow did not want to miss out and flew off right away. The rest of the group stayed near the runway.
"Shouldn't we maybe help them, though?" Harpy questioned.
"We'll see how things turn out first," Arle replied.
Five minutes of quiet, but still an enthralling wait, Rainbow came over with a relatively massive fluffy cloud. It was big enough to hold them all. The group stepped on the cloud.
"Careful up here," Rainbow warned, "We're getting out of here pronto!"
As soon they all get into a comfortable and safe position, Rainbow got her friend Sorin over, and started pushing away the cloud off. The moment the cloud left home territory, the changelings took notice. They had to stop its advance at all costs- They will not allow another member to get recruited by the allies safely.
"Gugugu!"
"We've got company!" Arle panicked.
Rainbow nodded, and the two were going faster. "Tell Twilight to get over here!"
As Harpy was too busy rubbing her face all over the squishy, but firm cloud, Arle rolled her eyes and picked up her transmitter. "Twilight, come now!"
"Chased?"
"Yes!"
"Will do! Hang in there!"
The group had to go in circles for a while- Until Twilight and her friends come to take the cloud down safely with magic, they can't get down- And now, they additionally need to outrun the chasing horde. Despite the two Pegasi's full strength, it was only a matter of time before they would naturally slow down. The changelings, however, managed to catch up.
"Why are they not tired yet!?" Rainbow moaned.
Draco, seeing the situation becoming tense, wore an excited smile. "Well I guess we're doing it the more exciting way!" She said, flames bursting from her hands. She set up her puyo board immediately to fire the artillery.
"Got an idea," Arle winked. "Let me attack first."
Draco nodded after setting off her chain. Arle quickly completed hers.
"Ice Storm!"
With impressive accuracy, every frozen projectile hit a changeling, freezing them in mid-air. By then, Draco was ready.
"Inferno!"
She raised her hands and threw them back down to summon a shower of fireballs. The blazing heat melting the frostbite of their foes dealt more damage to the horde, disrupting their focus. But, what they don't realize is that changelings were right underneath their feet, ready to ambush them. They poked their hooves through the cloud and grabbed Draco's feet without anyone realizing.
"Gaaaaah!"
"Draco?" Arle said, realizing what's going on. "She disappeared!"
It was a shame- Twilight just came to the rescue to bring the cloud down.
"Twi!" Rainbow called to her, "They're getting away!"
"What? We need her back here right now!"
Harpy, being the only other one who can fly, leaped off without thinking. "I'm on it! You all get down!"
As an angel, Harpy flew with haste and caught up to the two changelings, who have turned to pegasi for better grip on the now struggling Draco.
"Let go of me!" Draco yelled.
The struggling gave time for Harpy to find her. "Hey, you meanies!" She shouted.
The moment the changelings turned to look, Draco pounced on the distraction to fling herself upward, barely enough to hit them with her feet. That paired with Harpy's attack with her music, stunning them and letting them fall to their doom.
Harpy reached out a hand to grab her friend.
"Thanks!"
"You can fly too...?"
"Oh, right, haha!" Draco flapped her wings. "I'm just thanking you for the rescue."
"You're welcome!"
They quickly flew back down on the ground to meet with the rest of the group.
Puyo Fanatic Draco Centauros has Joined the Party
**Meanwhile, in the Canterlot Castle.**
Ally looked out of her new room window- Now that the situation is becoming nonetheless tense, she was sent by Chrysalis to the Changelings' main base for better protection. However, all she could see outside was chaos- As unconscious, love-drained ponies draped across the streets. Changelings roamed- and they were terrifying.
She sighed at the hopeless sight. A world brimming with hope and love, all taken away because of her. If only I can go free... She thought. If she never got caught, this place would be fine and well. But now that she knew the Puyo Crew have somehow showed up, she knew they're coming to save her. She would be free very soon.
But until then, she could only wait.
Today was a rather interesting day for Ally- As she looked outside, observing Canterlot, a pendant she wore around her neck was glowing.
"Wh-Huh? What... What is this?"
She touched the purple crystal resting in it.
Ally...
"Huh?"
I'm worried...
"Who's that?"
Eh? What? You can hear me?
"Rafisol? Wh-Where are you? I thought I-"
The pendant. Why can you hear me?
"I... I don't know..."
What are you up to now, Ally?
Ally heard a knock on the door.
"Okay, I don't know what's happening, but please don't scare me like that next time!"
Oh, sure I will.
"Please? Please don't? Not now, I'm already worried sick of my safety since like, two weeks ago! *hmph* I need to go."
It’s been a couple of hours, and Ally has returned to her quarters for the night, now safe from the view of the changelings. She thought she’d use this time to investigate what her pendant’s problem was- Something happened hours ago and she could not take her mind off of it.
She gave the crystal a tap.
“Rafisol?”
What?
“Good, you’re there. Thanks for not putting me in trouble.”
Ugh, you’re lucky I’m not in the mood to.
Rafisol’s voice seemed to be coming from the pendant, and only Ally could hear her since she’s the one wearing the pendant.
“Sounds like you still haven’t gotten over the fact I put you in the pendant,” Ally said.
Well... Kind of. I kinda deserved it, after all, for harming you.
Ally sat on her bed.
“I never wanted you to be trapped in the pendant, to be honest.”
You seem to be happy about it...
“I only did it for you to learn what love really is, so you don’t have to take my powers to exist. But deep down... I didn’t want to come to that.”
Rafisol was silent.
“How did you even get to me in the first place?” Ally asked.
Simple, Your Powers are being weakened. My powers now rival yours, and perhaps once I overpower it, I can set myself free once more. For now, I’ll be able to talk to you. Don’t expect me to, though.
“Why not?”
Because... Well, come on. I hate you, you know that’s how counterparts work.
“So what...? I don’t hate you, Rafisol.”
They both went silent.
“It’s been a few months since that adventure when we faced off against each other. But... I did not mean to harm you in any way, I would never do something like that. *sigh* I just want you to understand love... Can’t we just get along? Please, Rafisol?”
Ugh, Fine...
“Phew, Great. I mean, we both don’t have anything to do, why don’t we try and... You know, start over and chat together? At least, before I go to sleep tonight?”
I’m not really going to like this, but you have a point, I really don’t have anything better to do.
**The following day.**
“Why do I have to deal with the one place invaded by changelings beforehand again?”
“Please, darling, it can’t be that bad.”
Amitie, Schezo, and Rarity were on their way to the big city of Manehattan- The other of the two places of their list that has already fallen into the hooves of the changelings. Because of this and since Manehattan is such a big place, Amitie knew she needed a third person to help, and they decided Schezo was the perfect person for the job if they need to get out a tough situation.
As soon as they got there, Schezo quickly checked outside for any threats. To his absolute surprise, there wasn’t anyone- Nopony was out, for whatever reason.
“We’re clear,” He said.
Rarity and Amitie exited the train.
“Any plans?” Amitie was awaiting directions. “Rarity, you know this place well, where do you think she’d be hiding in?”
“Since she’s on the run, she might not be hiding in just one specific place. Changelings could discover her if she’s not careful, so she could be anywhere.”
“With such a big place, it’s hard to know where to start,” Schezo said, “Since we have our devices, let’s split up and look for her.”
For the next hour, they were looking around the streets for any trace of their next ally member. It was extremely surprising to see no one on the main streets, not even carriages- The typical things that should be happening. But rather than dwelling on that question, they decided the best explanation for that is the fact Manehattan had been occupied, and no one wanted to come out to face the horde.
This made them eager to free the city as soon as possible.
The even bigger issue on the table was the fact that Changelings could be disguised as anything, and could be watching them every second. So they all kept their guard up with their own ways to avoid being suddenly attacked, even though given the insanely quiet environment one scream would be heard throughout the region.
Amitie was spinning round and round and round just so she could get a 360-degree view of everything around her as she walked to be safe. Needless to say, she was very dizzy.
“This is so tiring~~” She muttered under her breath.
She had to stop temporarily on the pavement, near a narrow alley. Oh, what a mistake that was- Because changelings we’re ready to ambush her on the spot, unveiling from their trash can disguises. But the girl realised their presence quick enough, turned around, and shot two fireballs right into the eyes of two changelings. It was lucky that she had magic stored up.
“Phew... Any more?” She called out, trying to sound threatening. “Come out, Changelings! I-I’m not scared of you!”
Gingerly, she took a few steps forward. She cranked her focus and caution to full alert as these kinds of places are the best locations for ambushing moves. Soon, she could hear footsteps from around the corner. She took one peek behind the wall to make sure she’s safe.
“Phew, it’s just you, Schezo.”
“How did you manage to end up in these narrow passageways anyway?”
“Oh, well, I almost got ambushed by changelings just now, and I thought their presence could lead me somewhere,” She replied. “But then again, I don’t think this would be the place she’d run to.”
“No, she might be. She’s on the run- She could be anywhere trying to hide from-“ He paused, “The changelings. So, we better check everywhere to make sure.”
Amitie agreed and they continued their detailed search. However, it only took a few minutes for her to realize something was up. Schezo was reluctant to go back on the main streets to search, and he also always walked behind her- Which was very not like him as he’s always prepared for a challenge. Her instinct told her to turn right around and blast him in the face with a spell to reveal he’s a changeling, but she’s so innocent and nice, and she still wasn’t sure.
“Uhm, Schezo,” Amitie asked. “We’ve already been searching around these hallways for at least 10 minutes by now, why are we not going back to-”
**Whoosh**
**Tackle**
“KYAAAAAAAH!”
Amitie was quickly pinned down by an ambush from behind. Changelings hissed at her as she was surrounded, her body now covered in changeling goop. And then, Schezo de-transformed into a changeling. They were all set to start the love stealing process when suddenly...
”Frost!”
Frozen projectiles freeze the changelings in ice and the goop was frozen solid. Amitie used a flame spell to melt it and get out. In seconds the same person that inflicted the attack grabbed Amitie by the arm and dragged her. After running for around 20 seconds she dragged the girl into one of the buildings, or more specifically a very specific shop.
Amitie was still trying process what just happened and had her eyes closed because of fear.
“*sigh* You’re such a handful, Miss Amitie...”
“Huh? *gasp* It’s you!”
A teenage girl had her hands behind her head, and when she turned over to see Amitie, she struck the pose of a diva girl. She had long pink hair, curled into three huge bangs at the back. She wore her loose, orange and yellow attire, a white shirt underneath with a purple bow, an orange skirt, long socks with stripes matching the color of her overalls, and a pair of orange shoes.
“Raffina!”
Amitie went to hug her. Raffina rolled her eyes.
“Geez, I can hear your screams from a few blocks away. And danger is all around, too.”
“I- No, we came to get you! Give me a break!”
She playfully hit her.
“We? You and who?”
As if on cue, Rarity and Schezo just arrived right at the doorstep. Amitie, fearing they’re changelings since the timing could not have been better, bolted right up to Schezo and tried to bash him in the face.
“Whoa whoa whoa! Hold it!” He said, bringing up his Puyo Board for confirmation.
“S-Sorry...”
Rarity trotted over to the new lady in the room. “What are the odds that you just so happened to stumble by my shop here in Manehattan?”
“Oh, really?” She asked. “I have to say, this place looks great. I wanted to come over and check this place out when I heard Amitie screaming.”
Amitie chuckled. “She saved me while I was trying to find her! And also, I’m not surprised you’re here, Raffina. You’re the diva type, after all.”
She shrugged. “Not so much here.”
“Oh?”
Explain, my friend.
“I’m not the one to explain things from the top,” Raffina said, “But believe me when I say that this girl, right here, is the reason we’re all here.”
“You did this?” Rarity asked.
“Well...” Amitie scratched her head. “It’s a very long story...”
Back on the same day Arle and Carbuncle were transported to Equestria, Raffina just beat Amitie in another Puyo match.
“*pants* Sometimes I just never get how you’re so good at Puyo than me...” Amitie panted.
Raffina posed bashfully. “Oh, because I am- Ohoho!”
She gave Amitie a hand to pull her back up.
“Honestly, is that all you’ve got?” Raffina poked her friend. “I mean, I’m not saying you aren’t a worthy opponent, but still.”
“Oh, watch this!”
She brought up her Puyo board again and was ready for a rematch. Raffina, sensing a challenge, caught on and joined the battle. This round, however, she sensed something very strange with Amitie. She was moving pieces in such lightning speeds that she, too, was amazed. When the chain came- Something was very, very off. She has never seen Amitie pull off such a huge chain.
“Amitie?”
“You scared?” She cocked her head, giving a wink.
“How many more puyos do you have?”
“A lot.”
Raffina disabled her board immediately. “Wait! You’re going to-”
Too late. Amitie finished her chain of twenty, and all of a sudden she amassed unimaginable power- Enough to send her cyclone spell with possibly the force of a legitimate hurricane!
“Holy moly!” Amitie was so surprised that she can’t even stand well. “Oh no... I don’t think this is a good idea after all...”
Raffina gasped. “Amitie! Don’t-!”
Oh you bet she’s gonna go save Equestria.
The moment Raffina got close, Amitie unintentionally fired her magic into action. And in seconds, a huge storm gathered. Amitie clung onto her friend, terrified at what she caused as the two tried to hold their ground. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t help but get pulled closer and closer to the tornado. Amidst the wind was some kind of rift- a portal.
“Kyaaaaaaaah!” Amitie cried, “What is that!?”
“It looks like some kind of portal...” Raffina replied, “But to where?”
“I have no idea!!”
Please for the love of god just go in.
Suddenly, it was like the wind got stronger. They were being pulled in no matter how hard they’re resisting. Out of luck, Amitie got pulled in first, but Raffina didn’t give up. As she almost got pulled in, someone offered a hand and she grabbed on.
”That was a close one, wasn’t it?”
“Who in the world are you?”
It was a teenage boy that she did not recognize from any of her adventures with Arle and Amitie. He stood there with a sinister smile.
”Tell Princess Twilight- I’m coming.”
“Who now?”
”You shall meet her soon,” He said, inflicting a weird spell on her. ”The change will come. Just you wait.”
Raffina was absolutely confused. The second he finished speaking, he let go, leaving her to be defenseless against the storm.
Alright, now let me call the rest of the crew here.
“So Amitie was the one who got us all here in Equestria,” Schezo said.
“Correct,” Raffina clarified. “But about this person I saw... I have no idea what he was saying...”
Amitie just gave her a hug. “That doesn’t matter, you’re here and we found you, now we can go back to Ponyville and regroup!”
“I’m not really liking the locals here, though,” Raffina said bluntly, “They’re all treating me pretty badly, always trash-talking at how I look so different and weird as a human. I try to clarify my race but they didn’t seem to care- How dare they!”
“It could be that they’re changelings,” Rarity explained. “Please, darling, we would never be that cruel to visitors from a whole other world as long they are innocent.”
“What?”
“The creatures you just helped me get out of,” Amitie filled in, “A race that could shapeshift into anything and anyone they desire, even our own friends! I almost got schemed by a fake Schezo!”
“Oh my!” Raffina gasped. “So you’re saying I got baited by Changelings!”
Schezo nodded. “Seems to be it.”
Raffina was annoyed. “Oh, they are going to get their payback from yours truly, alright!”
As soon as she said that, they heard changelings from outside. Rarity motioned for them to take cover in the staff only portion of the shop just behind them. When the changeling patrols came to check and found no one suspicious in the shop, they turned back towards the door, and Raffina sprang from the back to roundhouse kick the changelings into the streets.
“What’s the plan?” She asked.
“Cover us all the way to the station!” Amitie replied.
“I’m all ready,” Raffina gave a wink and sprinted out. “Hey, Changelings! Come at me!”
She held a fighting stance. Moments later she found herself in the middle of an attack by the whole occupation force. One by one she would handle off like it was nobody’s business- Blasting away all that tried to come close to her. The crazy thing is that this was not the power of Puyo- She was handling the attackers herself with her own strength. Even upon the shapeshifting advantage, the attackers can’t touch her.
“I’ve never seen a diva who’s also this powerful!” Rarity couldn’t help but gasp.
“She’s distracting them, we need to make the run right now!” Schezo said.
They made their move and were easily spotted in 10 seconds. Raffina saw it and made a leap on the weakened changelings.
”Scorch!”
She fired a spell similar to Amitie’s flame spell, but more devastating and it spread easily. The group continued to be on the run. Schezo packed an extra punch to the forces with his own magic, firing at will as they ran along. When they finally got to the station, they saw more changelings at the entrance, blockading the only efficient way out of the city.
Raffina had a bright idea- She grabbed a changeling that was about to attack her from behind and swung it upwards like it was a tennis ball.
”Fireworks!”
She kicked it with incredible timing into the group, and boom goes the defense. She ushered the three in to hop on the train as she was ready for one last beatdown.
“How terrible you all are,” She chuckled, ”Rainbow Deluxe!”
She did a series of flips, kicked a bunch of changelings, and a huge force pushed the horde away as the projectiles hit every corner of the group that showed up.
“Who’s the weak one now?” Raffina gives a wink and proceeds to follow her friends.
Puyo Warrior Raffina has joined the Party
“And that’s basically love in a nutshell!”
Ally just finished happily explaining what love exactly is to her new companion. She spent most of the day just talking to Rafisol.
I guess it explains why I feel unusually happy whenever you feel such an emotion.
“Oh, it’s amazing!” Ally said, clapping her hands. “It’s one of those emotions that just make people feel relaxed and appreciated.”
Right... *sigh* I wish I could be loved too.
“Maybe you just haven’t realized it. I’m sure someone would love you...”
Ally put a hand to her pendant, and one to her heart, and smiled.
Would someone really like me, as a dark existence?
“Why not?”
Ally chuckled. Then the sun started going down.
“We should probably stop chatting before they find out. It’s sundown.”
That late already? Wow. Alright, go do whatever it is that you do.
“*sigh* Yeah...”
Ally was about to take off her pendant to leave the conversation.
Ally?
“Hmm?”
Perhaps we can... Talk more tomorrow?
“Oh? Sure! I’d love to!”
Rafisol seemed to like that, evident from her chuckling. Ally tried to call for her again, but she seemed to have ignored her. She shrugged and took it off, and went to write a diary entry like always.
Day 16 in Equestria.
Today, I’ve found myself a familiar companion- Rafisol! How nice of her to somehow be able and willing to talk to me for most of today. When you’re trapped in the possession of a hostile tribe as a kind of slave you can get lonely and depressed from time to time, and I’m super happy to have her with me.
We still had a lot of differences and it took a while for us to get along and catch up since she still kinda hates me. I’ve been hearing that my Puyo friends have come and the ponies seem to be very focused on rounding them up, so just maybe, I’ll be free soon!
I really hope I could get closer with Rafisol. She’s a great friend to be around, actually.
After recruiting the two new members the allies had to regroup to discuss their move after the final member in the Crystal Empire will be recruited, as they want to take a break from the action earlier and they can take the fight straight to Canterlot once the last mission is completed and they return to Ponyville.
Amidst the meeting, of which the Royal Sisters also showed up to, the sighting of a specific person was addressed.
"By the way," Celestia said, "Even until now, we still couldn't figure out what caused the attack in the first place..."
"Queen Chrysalis has been missing for quite a while now, somehow she must have schemed something in her exile," Luna added, "However, without an actual horde, this attack came for earlier than we expected it to."
"I might actually have an idea," Arle spoke up, grabbing everyone's attention. "Actually, the whole Puyo crew knows."
"We do?" Amitie was confused.
"But we have no evidence or-"
"I do, Twilight," Arle said, "So, the whole Puyo crew at this point knows what is the main essence of the Changelings' power, right? And who do you think has so much of that power, that even until now, the changelings aren't able to drain?"
"That certainly narrows it down to someone," Raffina replied.
"Back in the Ponyville invasion recently, while we all went back here, Carby saw something out of the ordinary. And then, I saw the source. The source of their power- and I was not surprised, seeing we're all here. Matter of fact, it's not an it. The source is a she."
"A person?" Starlight asked. "Is she a part of your group, too?"
Everyone didn't need to wait for the answer to that- The Puyo crew knew who it had to be.
"It's Ally!"
"Gugu!" Carbuncle gave a nod.
Twilight gasped. "That was the same person who left that letter I sent you, Arle!"
"Wait, but who is this 'Ally' Person?" Pinkie questioned.
"She's on their side, too..." Fluttershy said sadly.
"No way!" Draco shouted in disbelief. "Ally would willingly help the enemy!?"
"Absolutely not," Ringo commented. "She must've been forced."
The crew was tossing around possible reasons why she helped them instead of her friends, but the ponies were absolutely confused as they were so caught up in worrying they didn't even bother to explain who she is.
At least until Twilight addressed that.
"Okay, from the top," Arle said. "Ally- She's an adventurer we became friends with a few months ago, from a different world than all of us. Why she would be the most perfect target for the changelings is because she is pretty much the very being of love, from top to bottom. She filled her world with that gracious power. There are a lot of things that happened in between but that's for another day."
"But how in Equestria did she manage to get here?" Rainbow asked.
Uhm, because I'm a thing?
"Maybe the same way I did," Ringo shrugged. "I was just suddenly compelled to make a huge chain and ended up here."
"Then how could she possibly have ended up in the hooves of the Changelings?" Luna questioned further.
"No one would know," Arle facepalmed herself in frustration. "Only she and Chrysalis knows that part. The point is, Ally must have gotten captured and used by the Changelings, draining away her limitless amount of love! That's why they're so powerful!"
Harpy gasped. "How cruel!"
"That's our Changeling race for ya, alright," Applejack moaned.
Twilight started to think. "So all we need to do is rescue Ally from the possession of Chrysalis to shorten their power source, and once they don't have access to her powers, they will be limited to the power they already have. Changelings are very hungry for love, though- So not only will they still relentlessly attack for that power, they will eventually lose the power they already accumulated. Once they do, we can drive them away."
"Sounds like a plan," Schezo said. "Without their powers, they are pretty much worthless."
Everyone gave a nod to that.
"Great!" Twilight said with a smile, "Then, let's continue with discussing our plans on our Liberation of Canterlot siege. Tomorrow, Lemres, Ringo, you're coming with me to the Crystal Empire. Everyone else, make sure the place is safe and sound, and be ready when we make our return because we will go straight to Canterlot afterward."
A round of nods was given once more.
“It sure is cold here,” Ringo said, shivering.
The very next day, as planned, Twilight went with Ringo and Lemres to the Crystal Empire. However, the station was quite a walk away from the actual Empire after it was moved further away just so by the off chance any Changeling who snuck onto the train would not break in the city easily. The north of Equestria was still relatively cold, even in this time of year.
“Usually the Crystal Empire’s surroundings are kind of cold,” Twilight explained, “Come on, it will be better when we get there.”
The good news was that it was not very windy, it’s just cold, so the group had little trouble traversing through the icy lands to the Empire itself.
However, there, they came across unexpected resistance.
"Halt!" It was the Crystal Empire guards, stretching across the entire border.
Twilight was rather confused at why she would be suspected of trespassing but quickly dismissed the thought as she remembered the ability of the changelings, so she soon understood the defensive approach.
"*clears throat* I understand your duty here at the border," Twilight had to magnify her voice. "Fear not, I am the real Princess Twilight Sparkle."
"And how shall one prove that?" One asked, guarding the entryway.
As Twilight began to get nervous, since she did not expect this, Ringo and Lemres stroke up a reason for coming since the news about them and their friends in Equestria has been spreading like wildfire in the past few days.
"We are here to retrieve someone," Ringo explained.
"She is a part of our team- A girl that would not mean any harm," Lemres added.
The guard gasped. "Your highness, are you certain the two of them are not our enemy? We have recently captured said kind of creature and she does not sound friendly at all. Perhaps it could also be a Changeling."
"I am 100% sure that-"
Lemres lightly poked her to grab attention. "Not going to lie, she is like that."
Before any suspicion continued, the one pony that could prove their innocence came. When he came, he charged a spell and shot Twilight.
"Hey! What was that for, brother?" She yelled.
Shining Armor nodded. "Drop the defense, everypony. It's her." He turned back to her. "Sorry. Cadance briefed me on this spell to dispell any changeling disguise. You don't seem to respond with that effect, so it must be you."
Twilight rolled her eyes and hugged him. "How could you not tell it's me?"
"Just making sure, like how you always say," He replied. "Now, follow me, I know you're all here for Cadance."
A few security measures later by the Crystal Empire guards and they were allowed to enter the throne room with hardly any effort. Princess Cadance, overjoyed to see her sister-in-law, got up to meet her the second she came through the doors. A hug proceeded.
And because they've been doing it since forever...
"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!"
Ringo and Lemres looked on with a hint of playful laughter.
"Is this normal?" Ringo asked Shining Armor.
"They go a long way back," He replied.
Twilight snapped them all back into reality. "Okay! I suppose you both know why we're here?"
"Judging by the recent events regarding changelings, pretty sure," Cadance responded, nodding.
"Great! Then I don't need to explain. Anyway, we've been told by Celestia and Luna that someone we're on the lookout for came here."
"By the way, Twilight, you haven't told us who we are recruiting this time yet," Ringo interrupted.
Shining Armor sighed. "The princesses told us about her as well. We have been keeping her under watch for a good while, originally for trespassing and suspicion of being a changeling, but when she told us the creature was not a threat and you're coming to get her, we relented and only did so to keep her safe. There is only one problem."
"Oh? Twilight cocked her head.
"She was not very amiable towards us," Cadance worried. "She did explain she is a bit goth but she is somewhat hostile to us capturing her despite our change of plans."
"So it's Feli?"
Lemres propped up his hat as he said that.
"You know her?" Shining Armor questioned.
"Certainly, I do," Lemres said, "And knowing her, it's not a surprise she acted that way. She gets cranky often and her mysterious personality can be a little misleading."
"*gasp* She must've thought you all were hostile to her first!" Ringo panicked.
"We did try to explain ourselves, but she doesn't listen much," Cadance said sadly.
"Well, we're just going to have to convince her we're not in the wrong, then," Twilight said, determined, "Ringo and her friends need Feli for our liberation attack on Canterlot."
Cadance gasped. "You want to attack Chrysalis?"
Twilight gave a nod. "They have proven to be much more dominant over the changeling horde. Surely, even with the power boost of the changelings since their last major assault on Equestria, we would hold them off."
The princess had to think for a moment, before saying, "How much more do you know about the current situation, Twilight?"
"Why'd you ask?"
"Nopony has really found out why the changelings could attack and beat us so suddenly-"
"I know. Ringo's friend Arle cracked their plan."
"Really?"
Twilight nodded.
"How about this. Twilight, you need to tell us how much more you know about Chrysalis' secrets on their invasion, perhaps you have things we can make use of," Shining suggested. "Ringo, Lemres, you must go convince Feli to join your side. She’s under our watch in one of the guest rooms in the Castle, you’ll be guided by the fellow guards. Twilight needs all the help she can get, and we don’t want to make things more complicated than now.”
"Wouldn't bet on that, but alright," Ringo nodded.
They left after that.
It had only been about 15 minutes since the two Puyo members left and they came back.
"Already?" Twilight was surprised.
“Nope,” Lemres replied. “She would not even let us get close. That’s not like her.”
Cadance sighed. “Looks like things never go easy. What happened?”
***********
**knock knock**
“Feli?”
Ringo knocked on the door to Feli’s room.
“What now?”
“It’s us, we came to-“
“I know that voice. Go away.”
Ringo was surprised. Lemres made his attempt.
“Feli, I know they put you under watch and that can be uncomfortable, but-“
“You stay away from me too.”
Lemres cut himself off. “Something’s not right,” he whispered to Ringo.
“Are you guys actually still there? I’m busy here.”
“B-But...”
A whoosh sound came and magic surrounded the doors. In seconds, they were locked shut. That sent a clear message Ringo did not have to plead further.
*********
“Feli isn’t the type to be that mad at Lemres,” Ringo said. “Something is up with her.”
Lemres shrugged. “I know her well, and I could always tell she has a soft side for me, like a fluffy cream puff, you know what I mean?”
Twilight rolled her eyes at the sweets reference. “Basically, you’re saying she’s acting very differently towards you?”
Lemres nodded.
“The fact we’ve been keeping her under watch for a good while might have made her quite uncomfortable and threatened. Perhaps it’s best if we let her go before things get any worse,” Shining suggested.
Cadance agreed. “Whether she wants to help you all for Canterlot, that’s not our prerogative to be involved, I’m afraid.”
The three thought for a while before Twilight broke the silence. “Give her a night to calm down. If we try again, we will not achieve anything. Perhaps tomorrow?”
No one had any objections to that.
“Very well,” Cadance said, “You all can stay for the night, and we’ll make sure to have guards on standby if anything happens. Just making sure!”
“Why do you both like copying my attitude so much?” Twilight wondered aloud.
The three shared a hearty laugh. Ringo, seeing things going alright, picked up her transmitter. “Guys, this is taking a while. We’re going to stay in the Crystal Empire tonight.”
“Got it, Ringo!” Amitie said on the other side. “You all be safe!”
“Will do.”
**Squealing**
In the middle of the night, Twilight was woken up by someone’s cries.
“Huh?”
**Crying**
The sound continued to echo. After a couple more cries she knew who it had to be. She gasped and ran out the door.
“Shining! Cadance!” Twilight yelled.
As if on cue, they were right beside her a moment later. They dashed through the hallways, which they’ve found to be completely draped over by several unconscious guards. Worriedly, they push the doors open to a room. There, they see the most horrifying sight.
“Mama!”
Flurry Heart was levitated in the air with a purple aura, and next to her was a girl casting a spell. The girl, with long violet hair, dressed in an interesting fashion of Gothic Lolita. In her hands were two crooked metal rods. The moment the girl noticed the ponies’ presence she stopped her spell.
“Who dares to interrupt my ritual?” She asked, turning to them and pointing at them.
Twilight told the others to remain calm as she dealt with the situation. “Are you Feli? The one my friends were-“
“Yes, I am,” She interrupted. “And you all better stay away...”
The three look to each other with much confusion.
“Why the hostility?” Feli demanded.
“What?”
“You two,” She continued, “You trapped me in for so long, not allowing me to leave. What’s your intention? Are you trying to accuse me of being a threat in your little war? Pfft.”
Cadance stepped up. “With all respect, we did not mean to harm you in any way, all we ask is for confirmation of you not being a threat. Your friends, who we have confirmed their innocence, have come to help you, so-“
“Shut it, Princess,” Feli interrupted.
Cadance gasped at her attitude. Shining was going to fight, but Twilight halted him.
“All you did was mistreat me, treat everyone you fear and don’t know about an enemy,” She continued, “And to think your lands are a paradise of harmony and friendship, free from discrimination towards anycreature. Well, we are indeed one of those kinds you discriminate, huh...”
“In a War like this...” Twilight said regrettably, “Even the closest of friends could end up in betrayal, and we want to make sure everycreature is safe and sound.”
“Must I prove my strength?”
Feli was up for a fight and was ready to blast magic at everyone. Twilight gasped, and quickly tackled her, performing a teleportation spell to save her brother’s family. She teleported the two of them straight to the throne room, now in complete darkness. The moment Twilight lit up the area, she was met with a kick to the face that sent her right into the wall.
“Owww...”
Feli fired two magic projectiles that nearly hit her, had she not used a shield to defend herself. She sprang into action once more, firing on the girl. She missed every single shot by a split second- and she would be beaten up several times from behind as she did so. When she finally caught on, Feli would disappear again, and the cycle just never seemed to end.
Needless to say, Twilight got tired fast. Feli saw the chance and fired. Direct hit.
“Ahhhhh!”
The poor princess got blasted right against the throne. Feli once more shoots magic at her, which Twilight defended from. As she held her ground, she noticed something off- The magic Feli was blasting was green. Lemres and Ringo never mentioned anything about that to her, and no one on the Puyo team could channel magic without the use of Puyos.
But she quickly lost her train of thought as Feli overpowered her magic, and in her confusion and exhaustion, grabbed her and threw her, leaving her sliding along the floor.
“Vengeance is sweet, isn’t it?” Feli asked with a sinister smile. “To unleash your fury on those who mistreated you.”
Twilight was going to get up, but Feli stepped on her back, forbidding her. The girl charged her spell to finish the pony.
“You shouldn’t have been so hostile to me...”
**BANG**
”Significator!”
A spell left Feli confused and prone to a subsequent magic blast. Twilight took the chance to get up and see who it was. It was Cadance, with the two Puyo members, and someone that left her confused as ever.
“Huh? Feli?”
Feli smirked. “I’m the real one,” she clarified.
“Wh- Huh???”
Right behind Twilight, the imposter was about to charge magic again. Feli saw it and leaped high.
”Principal Star!”
She crossed her sticks and launched some kind of giant star against her doppelgänger. The latter was left completely unconscious. Feli got up and spun her sticks in circles with style.
“I knew I’d win,” She said with confidence.
Twilight, completely astounded by what just happened, came up to her. “You’re the real one? Then... *gasp* She must be...!”
And she was right. The copycat de-transformed, revealing Chrysalis.
“I’m surprised you’re so clueless, Princess,” The Changeling said.
Twilight was furious at the deception. She tried to attack, but Chrysalis transformed again to defend from the attack.
“What!?”
A few more rounds of magic came from Twilight and Cadance, but shockingly, the Queen went from being Schezo to Raffina and Feli herself, dodging all the magic.
“What do you think, huh?”
Ringo and Lemres were ready for a Puyo match on the spot.
“Not cool,” Ringo said, determined, “Mimicking our friend? That’s not cool at all.”
Chrysalis shrugged. “Alright, not fair, right? Fine... You all can’t defeat my horde anyway. Ha, matter of fact, it was so easy to get the poor girl’s disguise. So easy, I tricked her friend into-“
Feli went right up to her and slapped the Queen.
“Don’t. You. Mention. It.”
She pointed her crooked sticks right up her throat.
Chrysalis raised an eyebrow before transforming into Celestia herself and blasting her away with immense power.
“Feli!” Twilight cried.
“See? Powerless, you all are.”
Lemres was already building up magic. “You hurt her one more time and I will-“
Before he could finish, he was blasted by magic too.
“Lemres!” Feli gasped. “Grrr... You are unforgivable!”
But the Queen didn’t seem to care, evident from her paying no attention to Feli. Twilight was at the end of her rope.
“Trying to tear their friendship apart...” Twilight muttered, “That’s the worst thing anypony can do!”
“Oh, why not? You denied me of Friendship long ago. So it is only fair that I get to deny people it’s magic as well, don’t you think?”
“You have absolutely no right to,” Feli growled, getting up. “You dare to manipulate me to trick me into fighting against my dear friend Lemres... You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into. When you broke in, tried to harm me and disguise as myself, I was beyond furious when I was saved by Lemres and Ringo. I couldn’t be more thankful- They helped me when I was in trouble in those dungeons, despite all the fear I may have given them and their friends.”
Ringo nodded. “She’s right. She may have been kind of mysterious, goth, threatening, even... But she’s still a friend to us, a friend we care about. She only needed someone to reach out to her, and that was Lemres. And look where she is now.”
Twilight contemplated on those words the moment she heard it.
“We could all just calm down and talk it out,” Lemres said, “Might as well, have a cake or two. Just to mellow the tension here, Kay?”
That last part got Chrysalis laughing on her butt. Cadance, in defense of the crew, fired at her foe’s act of teasing.
“Hmph. Whatever you say, the horde will not bow to your kingdom... One who is devoid of love for its foreigners.”
Twilight shook her head. “We will take Canterlot back. And when we do, love will flourish through Equestria again...”
Ah, Twilight, looks like you’ve made an oopsie.
“...Once we rescue their friend Ally, and with her help, we will defeat you.”
Chrysalis blinked twice. “What did you just...”
Ringo gasped, “Twilight! What have you-!”
“Ally’s on your side!?” Chrysalis roared. “Oh, she will pay for her betrayal!”
She immediately took off. Twilight just shook her head in disbelief.
“Why did you say that!?” Ringo screamed in despair.
“I have no idea!” Twilight cried. “I’m sorry! I don’t know why! I didn’t mean to blurt out those words at all- I didn’t even think about saying it!”
Everyone was confused.
“Well... Whatever the case,” Cadance said, “Now Chrysalis knows your attack is imminent.”
Feli gave a boastful chuckle. “Then we’ll just have to kill her first!”
Twilight nodded. “We need to get back to Ponyville and meet up with the others fast. We’re going straight to Canterlot without delay once we get everyone on board.”
“I’ll lend you all a hoof. The Crystal Empire’s express train is much faster than the Friendship express, and you’ll get back quickly,” Cadance said, smiling.
“Thanks so much, Cadance!”
“And just maybe, I’d be there to give you some help during the fight, Twilight.”
“Great! Hope to see you there!”
A brief hug later, the group ran off, sprinting back to the Castle entrance and leaving the city. Their time is about to arrive.
Puyo Divinity Feli has joined the Party
“She’s been gone for a while... I hope my friends are okay.”
Ally said to herself. A while ago, Chrysalis left her on watch by the changeling guards for an operation that “Only she could do”. She’s lost quite a bunch of her powers after that, but she’s been healing and doing fine. Much of her day was now spent on talking with her new friend, Rafisol, the spirit in her pendant.
Though only a few days, they’ve slowly developed a rather passive attitude towards each other, despite what they’ve been through in a past adventure.
”I don’t want to stop existing... I want to live, and your power would give me the ability to!”
Rafisol, in utter frustration, fired projectiles toward Ally. Arle defended against it with a spell.
“You can’t! Ally will die!”
Amitie stepped in. “You can’t only think of yourself! What would happen to her if you did such a thing?”
“You don’t understand... My lack of love is something that only Ally could fulfill, and only once I obtain that magic can My existence be stabilized!”
She charges magic in her palms.
”Snatch!”
Rafisol levitates Ally with magic, attempting to suffocate and force her into submission to her desire.
“No!”
Ally, Amitie and Ringo banded up to Fire their most powerful spells, disrupting Rafisol’s focus and allowing Ally to counter-attack. They eventually settle it with a Puyo Battle- Where the squad reigned victorious after around 20 minutes of vicious magic combat.
“Grrrr... Disorder!”
”Love’s Light!”
Two big projectiles, cyan, and lime-colored respectively, collided in an explosion that sent both of the girls flying.
“Why? Just... Why?” Rafisol cried. “That power... Why would you reject me from getting it?”
“Because you don’t understand it,” Ally explained in regret. “I know how much you need this. But I want you to understand how much more it can be than just simply fulfilling your desires. Love is something special, powerful, and it’s not something you can achieve alone. It’s meaningless...”
Rafisol’s eyes welled with tears.
“I don’t want to die... *sniff* I was shunned out for so long... I just wanted that warm feeling again, to experience what it’s like...”
She tried attacking again, but Ally protected herself.
“Your hunger for Love is true, isn’t it?” Ally wondered aloud. “I can see... You do want to love...”
Rafisol continued attacking.
“But you’re led so astray by this desire... You need to realize it’s magic, it’s power, it’s beauty...” Ally said, deflecting projectiles left and right. “There’s only one thing I could possibly do, Rafisol. I don’t want to see you go, but I can’t let you hurt my friends.”
As soon as she stunned her opponent, Ally took the chance to activate her now recharged pendant.
“Come, I’ll teach you. You won’t have to be alone again... And we can fall in love as friends together, okay?”
Now, it’s been a few months since that adventure.
And it wasn’t until now had they really become friends.
Ally wondered why it took so long for Rafisol to open up to someone as nice as her. She was never mad at Rafisol for anything. All she wished was for them to stop fighting, and for this spirit to learn to love the ones around her, to know that love was beside her the whole time, and all she had to do was be a part of the moment to feel its power.
“Oh, Rafisol...”
She chuckled, placing her hands on her heart as she closed her eyes.
“There’s no need to fear that I hated you. I never did. I always had a secret wish in my heart, we could be something special. You and I are the same person, you know that? You’re that part of me that represents my negative emotions. Hurt... Fear... Sadness... All those. I don’t feel right sometimes, despite it's great being optimistic all the time. And you’re the same- Long have you been left to your loathing, depression, and loneliness. I’ve always been here for you, don’t you see? I’ve always been your happiness and the one who cares about you. You’re not alone.”
She smiled.
“You always reject my claims you like me. But in truth, I know you do. You just don’t realize it. And you know what? I love you the same way I did when I wanted you back in my pendant. It’s because I know you can be someone better, we can be friends, and I care about you so much, that I did so. I wanted you to realize how heartwarming love can be. I like you, because of how kind you actually are. And I’m sure you like me back because of the same reason. You’re actually very nice, and deep down, you’re so gentle, and you gave me comfort, and even love- when I’m at such a low point in my life.”
I didn’t realize you think that way. Really?
Ally’s eyes reopened when Rafisol spoke. “Y-Yeah.”
*chuckles* Thanks, I guess. But I don’t need your pity, Ally. I’ve been used to being emotionless and a bit awkward.
“You’re not awkward,” Ally giggled. “You’re only special. And that’s another reason I like you.”
Why, Though?
“Everyone’s special in their own way. People just don’t know how to appreciate you, I guess. I’ve always thought you and I are very special in the eyes of others. They feel you’re threatening and want to go away. For me... I’m a little too enthusiastic about love all the time. It really does feel like the two of us are the same person. We make the other feel complete when you’re here with me.”
Please stop with this talk...
“Aw, why?”
I... I hate this... *chuckles* You’re not supposed to be glad I’m here...
Ally couldn’t stop laughing like a child.
Stop with the laughter! *chuckling* Why am I laughing now?
“It’s called joy, Rafisol. There’s a kind of joy you only find with someone dear to you, you see?”
*growl* I hate you, Ally...
The adventurer sighed blissfully after her laughter died down.
“I hate you too, Rafisol, you know that for being so cruel on me before,” Ally giggled sarcastically.
Ally looked outside her room- She could feel the arrival of the train. Changelings were on their way there for the final defense. She smiled, knowing that it’s the allies. She’ll be saved soon.
What’s happening outside?
“They’re here... They’re here to save me!”
Oh, good. I’d prefer you safe over... Yeah.
“Oh?”
Ally looked at her pendant.
W-Well, I mean... You are the one bringing around the pendant, who is essentially me...
“*chuckles* I don’t have to be the one wearing it, but if you say so.”
She continued staring blankly out the window.
Ally?
“Yep, Rafisol?”
Silence occurred.
How should I go about this...?
“About what?”
I-I... *sigh* There’s something that I’ve wanted to tell you, for a while. And this isn’t just because we started talking, okay?
“Yes...?”
Okay, so... I hate you but at the same time... I don’t understand why, but...
A pause.
Th-Thank you.
“Huh? Why all of a sudden?”
I don’t know, it’s just... The whole time after you defeated me, I was trapped in the pendant and... Well, you became the only one I could really talk to, I guess.
“So you feel lonely?”
I... I’m not sure. It felt as if I’ve spent so long alone in the pendant that when I did come out of it that one time and I got to know you, the one who’s been carrying me around... It feels rather... What’s the word?
“Good?”
Something like that. I don’t know why, or how, but whenever you feel happy, I seem to feel that happiness. When you’re sad, like the past few week or two, I could sense the pain you’re having. The surprising thing is that... I-I want to share that feeling, too.
“So you’re saying you could feel the same emotions I do?”
I think so. Some of those days, I wish... I honestly wish you could brighten up. I’m not used to seeing you being gloomy and hopeless.
“Really? Th-Thanks, I guess...?”
I mean it, Ally. I didn’t want to admit it to you because I thought you’d be so shocked and you wouldn’t know what to do about me, now that I’m trying to be... To be... Ugh, I can’t say it.
Ally knew what she was about to say, and all she did was nod.
“Why couldn’t you have told me this a few days back? Was really frustrated then.”
I was worried...
“Why?”
I thought you hated me, honestly. But now... I can see you never did. And... I’m really happy about that. I still can’t believe you gave us the chance to start over, really. I think... I think you’re much more kind than I thought you were. I just hope you can say the same for me and we can move on.
Hearing this, Ally cried a few tears. She put the pendant close to her heart.
“Awww...”
I can feel that you know. Ugh, feels weird.
“*giggles* Thank you, Rafisol. You know what? You’re kind too. You just never knew that about yourself.”
Without a word, the Queen motioned for her servants to come in. Rudely and harshly, they just grabbed the girl by all four limbs and walked out as she struggled.
“Hey! What are you doing!?” She cried. “Let me go!”
One of them hissed at her.
“I’m not falling for any more plans just because you’re scary!”
But they didn’t listen. They carried her right to the throne room of the castle before she was released. And she can’t even escape because the Queen had her in her magic grasp.
“You know why I brought you here...”
**SLAP**
“Oooof!” Ally cried.
“Tell me. Who’s side are you on?”
“Y-Yours, your highness!”
“Then tell me why Twilight’s friends, who look SO similar to you AND seem to have a connection with you, came from a whole other world just to save you!”
“Eep!”
Chrysalis tilted her head.
“It was you who did it, isn’t it. You called for help during that raid, didn’t you?”
“N-No! That’s not true! I-”
She was raised into the air.
“Stop lying!” Chrysalis demanded. “That Arle and her own allies would not have come into this world without your help! No one outside our world would ever know about us, and you’re the only person that does not belong here who could possibly have contacted them!”
Ally was thrown back onto the ground. She got up weakly.
“I knew I should have kept a closer watch on you whenever I had the chance to. You somehow managed to contact Princess Twilight without knowing her in person to give her the details to foil my plans!”
The girl had enough. She just spread her arms out angrily.
“Well if you think I’m the reason why your race will perish, then just kill me!”
She let out a tear without realizing it. She has never been this mad at anyone before. Rafisol, in the pendant worn around her neck, felt a sense of flame and heat, as well as pain.
Ally...
“All you did was use me, taunt me, and lied to me about having a great life under your rule,” Ally cried, “I don’t want anything right now! I just want to see my friends alive and well, and go home! I don’t want to be here serving for you! You don’t understand what you’re doing, love is not meant to be stolen! It’s meant to be shared, and what you’re doing to me, taking all my magic and using it to obliterate everyone you hate, is the exact opposite of what love is about! When your tribe is so well-fed with love, others aren’t, and what is love when you can’t share it to make everyone happy? Do you have to see Equestria, all those who you have such grave hatred and vengeance on, perish under your own hooves to be satisfied?”
“Tell me! What do you think is love!?” She screamed.
This time, no one dared to step even near her. Now, it was a waiting game. Ally didn’t want to touch any one of them, and neither did the Changeling guards want to touch Ally. Chrysalis, absolutely shocked at how furious such a gentle and sweet-looking girl can get, couldn’t utter a word.
“See? You don’t even know,” She hmphed, bringing her arms down. “The very essence that keeps you all alive- You don’t even understand what it is. If so, I have no reason to support you all with something you don’t need. Go ahead- Kill me with your magic, because you don’t deserve the love you so desperately want- Not mine, not my friends, not anyone in this world, because you are devoid of love yourself.”
She was ready to make her exit.
Uhhhhh, how about no.
Chrysalis felt a weird tingling. She then proceeded to use her magic and grab onto Ally right before she could open the door. Ally struggled, but she couldn’t resist the strength of the pull.
“What a lovely speech you gave,” Chrysalis giggled. “And so naive, too. I’m not the one devoid of it, the ponies are who’s devoid of it. Ask them- They all shut me out. Where is that genuine love you’re talking about? I don’t see it.”
“If you can stop being so hostile to them, maybe they will learn to love you, too!”
“But they wouldn’t ever do that. The princesses will never allow it. They won’t ever give me a chance. So, you forced me to. And as for your request... How about I go about it the hard way?”
There was some kind of changeling larvae cage attached to the top of the ceiling, connected with strands of changeling goo along the ceiling that seemed to stretch outside the castle entirely. With magic, a struggling and frightened Ally was lifted towards the capsule. She was soon entrapped in it, sealed in, and seconds later she let out a deafening scream. She glowed a vibrant pink, her magic seeping away bit by bit.
Chrysalis let out one terrifying laugh when she saw her contraption had worked.
“The longer you stay there,” Chrysalis said, “The more magic you’ll heed to me... And once you run out of it to give... You will start to perish.”
“*grunts* No!!!”
Ally closed her eyes, and she went unconscious.
Ally!
Chrysalis was done laughing to herself. “Now, I know just the perfect ones to transfer that first burst of magic to. Come on, Princess Twilight! Show me and what your friends can really do when I have all that power amassed right behind me!”
She and her servants left with a bang on the door. And there she was- Ally, trapped in a coma, the only way setting her free being to tear it open from the outside, it seems. In her pendant, knowing Ally’s fall, Rafisol gasped, then she went speechless, and then to her own surprise, tears dropped down her face, one by one. Someone so important to her, is about to fall, right here, and right now. She clenched her heart- Wishing as hard as she could that she could just burst out of the pendant like she did the first time and save her.
Please... Someone... Anyone, save her...
Rafisol started crying- A cry that no one would be able to hear.
The train made its stop at Ponyville station, bringing back the final member of the Puyo Crew. They were about to get up and make their exit when they saw that all their friends were already waiting. Twilight gave a wave and made a gesture from them to hop aboard.
“So everyone is here and accounted for?” Twilight questioned as they all took their seats.
Arle gave a nod. “Yep! We are totally ready! Right, everyone?”
Everyone let out a “Yeah!” In response, including some cheering. Then they went back to chatting with one another. Twilight, who has only just paid attention to how large the group had gotten, was brimming with pride and confidence. As if the seven of them ponies wasn’t enough, their joint force was doubled in numbers. Throughout all that has happened over the past few days, she’s just glad they finally stand a chance of taking back the kingdom. It has, so far, been quite a smooth ride, like every adventure that she had been on.
And she hoped that this would be the same.
The train left the station, and Twilight had her eyes on Canterlot- The capital of Equestria. In a few hours, the group would have to penetrate through the most grueling takeover of their mission thus far. As it is the heartland, the town must be heavily defended from the outer walls all the way into the castle interiors. However, Twilight had a plan- She knew the castle inside and out, and during the ride, she made her plan known to the masses. Everyone approved, and all there was left to do was wait.
Despite going on what’s probably their toughest challenge to date, the Puyo Crew did not let that stop themselves from having fun with the Ponies. Pinkie, being a confectioner, was talking with Lemres. Ringo kinda opened up to Applejack as a start. Fluttershy was talking with Harpy on singing. Raffina and Draco got along with fashion designer Rarity. Rainbow tried to get along with Schezo, interested by his might and strength. Being associated with magic, Amitie and Feli chatted with Starlight, but Feli was kinda awkward for that one.
Arle, seeing all her friends preoccupied, hung out with Twilight instead. She saw Twilight, looking off into the distance out the window as the train whooshed past.
“Gugugu?”
Carby tugged at Twilight’s hoof. The princess looked at Arle for a translation.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing. Just admiring the view.”
Twilight continued staring. Arle sat next to her.
“Hey, Twilight?”
“Yes?”
“When we had the fight with Chrysalis... She told me something.”
“What?”
“She... Well, she only wanted her own people to be happy. It is you all who lashed out at them for invading your nation in desperation for what they strived for. All she wanted was to let the Changeling tribe flourish and live well with no problems. What you all did... Apparently clouded her vision.”
“What?” Twilight asked, “Please, don’t be silly now, Arle.”
“I’m not! Listen, her defeats made her hungry for revenge. I’m sure she was forced to invade upon you all out of desperation to care for her subjects as a ruler. She loved and cherished her people, it’s a fact. No matter how bitter you think she is, in her heart, she knows what love is. But before she could show that love towards her subjects... That must’ve been when the invasion was.”
“And we kicked her horde out.”
“Exactly. It only got worse when Starlight destroyed their hive. By then, her thirst for revenge must’ve overpowered her true reason for all of this. If she knew what her goal was, why didn’t she stop after she took Ally?”
Twilight contemplated her words.
“We gave her chances. But... I’m not sure if it will work any longer.”
Arle thought for a bit. “Why did Chrysalis and her horde have to take all the love from you all anyway? Why couldn’t they get love between themselves, if love existed everywhere?”
That made Twilight go numb. Arle smiled.
“See, as I said, Chrysalis loved her subjects. She didn’t want to leave her hanging. But when she knew their hunger of love couldn’t be satisfied, they came to you all in search of it. However... Some changelings must’ve misunderstood how powerful love can be when you share it with one another. They take it away- But they never share it. If they knew... Maybe they wouldn’t have to be so hostile? Maybe... You all can co-exist? Like how you said the former King once made happen?”
“It’s possible to purify the changelings, but not her, as far as I know. She’s kind of stubborn.”
“Gugu...”
Arle patted her friend as she carried on. “She had a sense of love for her subjects and she had her intentions of coming to your land. However, you treated them as a threat and kicked them out. Since then, she did not care- Helping her subjects reign on was only a side project, while all she wanted was revenge on what you’ve done to her. She is devoid of love. If we keep going at her with this attitude, we won’t win. Like how Ally once told me before- Love can be the solution to everything. Why not?”
Twilight listened carefully. She’s right- When did they ever consider Chrysalis’ intentions of invading Equestria? If they knew that might have been the key to persuading the upstart villain back then from switching her plans, why didn’t they make the chance count? Chrysalis had attacked the ponies time and time again, and the destruction of the hive and reformation of changelings was nothing but a pure message to her that she had no right to be here- Not with the ponies, and not even her own people.
They’re the elements of harmony, banishing every force against it. But does it mean they have to be their enemy? Is there no other way? Is harmony fought by hatred between the two sides truly harmony?
“You’re right- In a way.”
“Mhmm, to an extent. Oh, how I wish Ally is here to hear this. I’m anxious about how she’ll feel about this, though.”
“Don’t worry. Rescuing her would mean our decisive victory.”
“I hope we do, and fast. I’m so worried...”
*Thump**
Twilight was about to respond when they suddenly stopped. The train was still a bit away from the station, so they hopped off on the mountainside to investigate. They saw a large, green bubble forcefield that stretched across the entirety of Canterlot. The train was stopped for Exactly this reason- It cannot progress with that in place.
“Changeling Magic?” Starlight questioned.
“No, this can’t possibly be,” Twilight replied. “Though, they might have found the remains of Chrysalis’ throne that we have kept, which has the ability to restrain anyone from using magic inside its field. But now they’ve made it into a legitimate forcefield.”
“This must be Ally’s Power,” Ringo said, “Chrysalis must’ve taken all her love away for herself and strengthened her spells!”
Rainbow Dash can only moan. “Oh come on! It’s going to take us forever to get through this! We are locked out of our own capital!”
”Not if I could offer you all a hand. But I can’t.”
“Who’s there?” Schezo was ready for a fight.
Suddenly, a navy, eerie gel was attracted into mid-air, forming a blob-like creature, like a giant Puyo. Then it started to take shape, into a figure that the Puyo crew recognized. The figure looked like it was made of some kind of dark space matter, with dark navy skin with cyan highlighted on its hands and feet. His head has a wispy tail, he had big cyan eyes with a question mark that looked like a third eye on the forehead. His chest had a spirally, Star-shaped cyan marking.
The figure floated in mid-air as he opened his eyes.
“Ecolo!” Ringo exclaimed, “What are you doing here?”
He shrugged. “Why not? I can traverse between space and time and dimensions.”
“No! What we mean is you seem like you’re not on our side right now!” Draco shouted, “What is it this time!?”
“Ah, well...” Ecolo grinned. “I was just chilling when all of a sudden I felt a huge surge of power coming from Primp Town. I was sucked into a portal and-“
“We all know already,” Feli moaned, “Can you cut to what actually happened?”
“Fine. So this weird Queen tried to put me under hostage and wanted me to work for her, but I proved way too hard for her to convince. Yet, when I found you all were in this plan, too, I was interested. Besides, I needed to meet up with you all somehow anyway.”
“So you’re the one that made this barrier?” Applejack questioned.
“No, I can’t do that, it was she that made it. Buuuuuuuuut she did tell me to be on guard to stop your advance, so I’m doing exactly that.”
“We have no time to bicker with you!” Arle said, pointing a finger. “If it’s a Puyo Battle you’re looking for, you’re going to get it!”
“Wait, Wait,” Ecolo halted them. “This place ain’t big enough. I’ll do you one better.”
He snapped his fingers, and everyone was blinded by a bright light.
Twilight woke up in a vast space of nothingness.
She wasn't on her own- She had her pony friends. But the Puyo crew were nowhere to be seen.
"Where are we?" Fluttershy asked.
"Where are our other friends?" Rarity added.
"I don't know," Twilight replied, "But this can't be a good thing."
"Oh, why of course it isn't."
The group turned, to find Ecolo hovering in mid-air. Twilight stood around 10 feet before him.
"Ecolo, right?"
He nodded. "You all are with the Puyo crew and I suppose you all are on their side. Well, truth is, I'm on their side too. I just needed to make sure you all can take her down. Don't want my friends going with some people I don't know about."
"Oh, please, we've beaten tons of threats to Equestria before!" Rainbow said.
"Rainbow," Twilight reminded, "This may be different. They have all of Ally's power, they can do anything."
"Speaking of her, I know what happened to the poor girl. If you win, I'll spill the beans. If you don't, you'll just have to hope I'm in a good mood and let you move on."
"Eh, I'm sure we got this, I'll just call in-" Pinkie stopped when she realized the Puyo crew wasn't there. "*gasp* They're gone!"
Everyone gasped.
Oh, what the heck. Of course you're alone on this fight.
Ecolo made a curious face for just a second, then turned back to the group. "Since you're going to use your powers against me, I've brought a little power from mine. This- Is a virtual reality. You all are trapped with me until one side loses this Puyo battle. And to make it fair, I've purposefully split the group so you all have to deal with me."
"So where are they, then?" Starlight asked.
"Oh, don't worry. They're fighting against a clone of themselves- Her Majesty's most hard-hit Changelings that morphed to become just like them, but in a dark form."
"Now then..."
Ecolo brought up his board, with a determined face.
"Ready to play?"
Twilight stepped to the front, ready to attack. Everypony set up their boards as well. If this was going to be against such a powerful foe, she needed all the magic she can get.
"Born ready."
**Game Start!**
The puyos travel their way down to the bottom of the Puyo boards. Ecolo was playing like an absolute professional. He was setting up for some long chains to blast out one huge attack against the allies. Of course, they knew sabotage is needed somehow in order to protect themselves from being overwhelmed by Puyo. And they got a plan- They’ll overwhelm him back with numbers.
The mane seven had the player number advantage in this round, enabling them to deal several attacks at the same time. Due to their inexperience and difficulty in making larger chains, they used the tactic Arle called “Harassment”. They would make chains of three, send the magic to Twilight, and let her attack. It also made sure Ecolo was constantly dealing with garbage puyos, delaying his attacks.
Before the battle, Twilight already realized her normal magic was disabled. However, even by only relying on the magic from the Puyos, she made a notable attempt of attacking.
Keyword- Notable.
Twilight blasted magic at him. Yet, his entity seemed to absorb it.
“Huh?”
”Fraud!”
Ecolo backfired the attack with ease, hitting Twilight. Now the Ponies’ attack was delayed with garbage puyos. And that was really bad timing because Ecolo dug himself out of the mess they’ve made for him and set off one, giant chain of twelve.
”Imitation!”
Ecolo summoned changelings, who have turned into clones of the mane seven.
“What in the-!?” Twilight gasped.
“Attack!”
The clones charged at their counterparts. Their focus on the Puyo game had to halt- They had enemies to deal with and they’ve got nothing but their wits against them now that their only way of magic is Puyos. But they were not backing down and showed no fear. Not only did they successfully fend off the clones, but they stood their ground for offense even in exhaustion.
They continued with their strategy and were faster than when they started the fight. Twilight continued firing away until she hit a specific spot on Ecolo’s body.
“Ouch!” He said, “That was bad!”
Twilight gasped. “It’s that rift-like symbol on the front! That’s it!”
She continued her next few shots, focussed on that spot. It was the only spot where she could damage and weaken him. That seemed to impact his gameplay, too- He seemed unfocused and was making a lot of misplaced drops. On the other hand, the group got the hang of it and in this confusion, we’re ready to deal the decisive blow.
”Trickster!”
Ecolo fired a big projectile. Twilight got magic and defended. Surprisingly, even against a chain of six, she successfully holds her ground.
“Now lay it on him!” Pinkie yelled.
Everypony got at least a chain of four, Starlight even pulling off the first chain of seven. With that kind of damage, Ecolo’s board was filled and he dropped to the floor.
“How did yo-“
Twilight silenced him by firing away. She concentrated her attack on one spot. Around ten seconds later, she was out of magic, but it did its work. Twilight fluttered back on the ground.
“Wow... We did it!” Twilight said joyfully.
“But... What about him? He looks...” Fluttershy pointed out.
On a side, Ecolo was shrunken down to look only like the symbol on his heart. Soon after, he regained his form. The ponies steadied themselves for another fight, but he just shook his head no.
“Good,” He shrugged. “That was fun, actually.”
“So are we through now?” Twilight asked.
“Yep, you all can take quite a good beating- I’m sure you’re only gonna be stronger with the Puyo crew at this rate.”
“Great!” Rainbow celebrated. “Now let’s go and kick Chrysalis’ butt!”
Ecolo snapped his fingers to return them to where they left off.
"You all are okay!"
Twilight was relieved to see the rest of the crew safe and sound. They were all accounted for and back in the real world.
"Oh please," Raffina chimed in, "They were no match for us at all!"
"They may look like us and can perform the same spells, but in fact, they cannot play Puyo! At all!" Amitie added.
"Perhaps this has something to do with your ability to do so in your world, that they could not replicate."
Pinkie nodded. "You did that once when we found Ringo!"
In the midst of the conversation, Ecolo appeared in front of them. The Puyo crew was ready, but the ponies halt their attack as they have already proven him they're worthy.
"Sometimes I really underestimate you all," Ecolo beamed. "Alrighty, I'll open up the town for you all to pass. However, your pony magic will still be disabled."
"Why so?" Twilight asked.
"The Queen explained to me that this barrier can only be truly destroyed by deactivating her throne's magic from the inside. And since you've won, I can tell you more about what she is planning to tinker with Ally's magic."
"Ally!" Arle said, "What happened to her?"
"She's completely controlled by Chrysalis. I’ve heard that her power will be drained away to power up the throne and her magic, as well as the strength of the changelings. Ally is in the throne room of the palace."
"Well, that's simple!" Draco exclaimed, "Let's just storm right up there and-"
"Not quite," Ecolo hasn't finished. "I've seen how hectic the town's defenses are. You all are gonna need to throw in everything you've got. And for that reason, including for you all to get back home safely after all this is done, I'm in."
"*gasp* That's wonderful!" Twilight replied.
"I just feel kinda guilty for throwing you all into fighting me as an ally. Don't wanna be killing people that I know are good people."
She nodded and gave him her thanks. Everyone returned quickly into the train as Ecolo stayed outside. After channeling a chain of fifteen, he had enough power to manipulate the barrier into creating a hole just big enough for the train to pass through. With that, the allies push on forward to their rightful capital as Ecolo swooped in right before the hole closed. They don't know how tough this fight will be, but if this was going to be anything like the Storm King Invasion then the ponies knew they could deal with any threat if they successfully did the former.
The Puyo crew, anxious about their friend for every passing second, knew all they need to do is fight their way up to the palace, and save the source of the nation-wide invasion. Once done, all this will be over.
Pinkie, already hyped up more than anyone else for the battle, yelled out the signal for the allies to charge out the station and into Canterlot, starting the liberation. On the train, the Puyo crew had been stocking up magic from popping puyos while the ponies scouted the surroundings, planning their opening move, and they were ready to send in the barrage of spells and attacks.
The moment they stormed out, three Puyo members charged for their first blood- One to the left, one to the right and one in front, to knock out the opposition stationed as defense.
"Inferno!"
**WHOOSH**
"Shockwave!"
**BOOM**
"Principal Star!"
**BANG**
None of them stood a chance. They were transformed, but it quickly got dispelled at the might of the overpowered spells, some even dropping unconscious to the floor.
"Coast clear!" Schezo shouted.
"You all know the plan," Twilight said, gathering everyone. "Three groups: Team Alfa on the West, Bravo on the East, Team Charlie is with me. Follow each path as soon as possible and get to the palace in three different ways- Got it?"
They all nodded. As Starlight led the East, Ecolo led the West, and Twilight went with the most hard-hit members for a direct attack at the main entrance.
For an hour of which seemed like an eternity, the allies, in three groups, bashed head-to-head with the main Changeling army. For this raid, it was easy to see Chrysalis had gone all out. Not only was the number of changelings terrifyingly high, but they were also ruthless because of their newly gained powers. There was a lot of ground to cover before entering the palace, and every wave the group had to face became stronger than the last. Some of them nearly got wiped out and overwhelmed along the way.
Even so, Team Alfa And Bravo did not have to face the strongest division, and they took secret passageways that were surprisingly left mostly undefended to breach the castle, they had no trouble at all on their part.
Team Charlie, however- Not so lucky.
They just stumbled on the highest area of town, just before the actual palace. There, they see a horrific sight- A horde of Storm King Creatures- Who they perceive to be Changelings, ready to wipe them all out.
“Oh boy,” Schezo took in a deep breath. “THIS is going to be fun.”
Draco snapped her fingers with an idea.
“Cover me, I got a plan.”
Twilight nodded and took off. She initiated a blinding spell on the horde.
“Go!”
Schezo drew his sword and charged with little hesitation. While the horde was blinded, he went for as many changelings he could pick off.
”Starstrike!”
He waved his sword and gave the ground a smack. A short earthquake followed, further weakening the focus of the changelings.
”Thunderstorm!”
He summoned thundering clouds, striking his foes.
“Feli!”
”Significator!”
Feli channeled magic with her crooked sticks and cast a spell against the enemy. Now in total confusion, the gate for attack is wide open for the mighty Dragon hybrid.
“Everyone! Run away!”
Twilight flew even higher as the other two take cover on the staircase.
”Hear me Roar!!!”
Draco fired up the battlefield- Literally! She blasted flames out her palms and breathed fire on close-range targets. She spun around like a total maniac, forcing every Changeling who dared challenge her to flee before they burn to death under her scorching spells. They had shields as Storm King troops, but there was no way for them to resist the burn.
When it finally stopped, the rest came over.
“How’d you like that!? Woo!” Draco laughed triumphantly.
Twilight was absolutely astounded. ”Why can’t even Princess Ember do that?”
She received a response on her magic walkie talkie. It was Harpy. “You okay over there!?”
Schezo snatched the device. “Just Draco Having way too much fun.”
“I think what she meant was are you guys in the castle yet?” Arle’s voice came out.
“We’re almost in. The coast is completely clear,” Feli reported.
”Mind Blast!”
Arle had no time to deal with Changelings since their group was already inside. She was with Amitie, Raffina, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, and Starlight. As they traversed through the hallways they attacked every lone Changeling and confused all that were in groups.
“How far in is this throne room?” Arle asked.
“We’re almost there, just run for a little longer! We need to hurry!” Starlight replied.
“The faster we get there, the sooner we save Ally!” Amitie added.
A minute later they finally found the door to enter. However, the doors were jammed shut by Changeling goop. Applejack tried to buck it to open, but she had no chance.
“Anyone can bust this thing open?” She asked.
“I could,” Raffina shrugged. “But Twilight told us to wait for them.”
As if on cue, she got over. “Someone called?”
“Twilight!” Rarity said in relief. “Were you all Alright? Harpy was worried.”
“We’re Okay,” Twilight said, trying to get Team Bravo to pick up. “Are you all in position?”
“Yeah, just give us a minute,” Rainbow noted. “We’ll tell you when to get ready.”
“Alright, then!” Arle said. “Raffina?”
“Gladly.”
She backed up, ran towards the door after a series of sick acrobatic moves, and made her assault.
”Rainbow Deluxe!”
The huge force she sent kicked the doors wide open. And thus, they were in. Right away, they saw the most shocking sight. The throne room was covered with strands of green, clear Changeling goo. The Changeling throne was remade, which was what triggered the forcefield. Above it, someone was stuck to the wall in a cocoon. More strands of the goo seemed to be carrying pink magic away, which the group deduced right away to be love for the changelings. The poor girl looked like she’s struggling, and her eyes were closed.
“*gasp* Ally!” Arle gasped.
No response.
“She won’t be able to hear us from inside,” Twilight said sadly. “We have to free her- Now!”
She bolted into action and was ready to blast magic at Ally's prison to break her out. But before she can fly up there and break it, someone else interfered and shot her. Twilight's wings gave out, and she plopped to the ground. Arle turned to find the one who shot her.
"Your Highnesses!?" Arle gasped.
Princess Celestia and Luna were there. However, they didn't seem to be happy.
"You can't destroy it!" Luna protested.
"Wh-Why?" Twilight stood back up.
"It's a trap-" Celestia warned, "If she breaks free it will be anarchy! You've seen what she has done to help the changelings. Surely Chrysalis took it one step further if she was able to do something like this."
"What more can she do other than to give love to them?" Raffina asked, "If we set her free, they won't get the love and power they need to fight!"
Luna shook her head. "She can turn on you all if Chrysalis somehow managed to control her. If she could force her into this right here," She pointed at the cocoon. "What's next?"
"How do you know...?" Starlight questioned.
The princesses went silent for a few seconds.
"Please, we have no idea what she will do," Luna begged. "She could be controlled. There's no turning back if we break it."
"Ally would never do such a thing to us!" Amitie insisted, "She's the kindest person ever! When she sees us she'll recognize us! I- No, we are sure of that!"
"That isn't the point. Anything can happen when someone is controlled."
"Uhhhh, guys?"
The chat was cut short by Applejack.
"We have a problem..." Pinkie said, shivering.
**Thunk** **Thunk** **Thunk**
They all gasped.
"Gugugu?" Carby shivered at the sound.
**BANG BANG BANG**
"They're coming!!' Starlight alerted.
Starlight, Feli, Amitie, and Arle rushed to seal the door shut with magic as Pinkie, Applejack, and Rarity all pushed themselves against the entrance to the throne room, blocking any entry. Draco, Raffina, and Schezo were ready for a fight if anything went wrong.
"We don't have time for this!" Twilight shouted.
She fired at the cocoon, only to be blocked by Celestia again.
"We're so close!! If she turned on us we'll hold her off!!"
As both sides struggled to attack or defend respectively, Celestia made a cold giggle.
"You are too loyal."
They de-transformed- Revealing two very unexpected figures.
"*gasp* You two!?"
Thorax and Pharynx stand before Twilight. However, something was off about them. She couldn't shake off the vibe that they are being controlled since they would never oppose the ponies after Chrysalis had previously been overthrown.
"You're controlled, aren't you?" Twilight struggled to utter out the words.
"*groans* We had no choice..." Thorax said, a hoof to his head in pain, "It was us or our remaining people, we will rather sacrifice ourselves to that ruthless Queen than to watch our people die..."
Pharynx transformed back into Luna and lunged at Twilight. She barely dodges.
"And now," Pharynx said, "We heed by her command- To protect and to assist."
Both changelings fired their magic as Celestia and Luna. Twilight had absolutely no chance, despite her struggling to hang on. She got blasted right to the door.
"Twilight!" Arle gasped.
They were ready to blow up the door and let the troops in to surround the allies.
"Where are they!?" Feli asked impatiently.
Twilight desperately called out to them. "Rainbow! Come over!! Now!!"
"Got it! Cover your ears!!!"
"What!?"
"Just do it!!"
Everyone heard the booming voice and plugged their ears shut. In an astronomical miracle, the worst and most well-timed thing happened.
"*loud singing* STOP HURTING MY FRIENDS~~!"
**CRACK**
"Ahhhhh!!!" Everyone yelled in despair.
Suddenly, the signal and team Bravo finally came.
"INCOMING!!"
**CRASH**
The window panes around the throne room all suddenly shattered at an instant. Rainbow Dash carried Lemres behind her as she dashed right in through one of the windows, dropping him off. Unexpectedly, Fluttershy came soon after, carrying a nearly startled-to-death Ringo. Ecolo and Harpy whooshed in a second later as they flew.
”Cream Pies!”
Lemres blinded the changelings.
“Now!”
Ecolo, in the confusion, jumped through the door with a portal and started wrecking all the incoming forces outside the room. He summoned portals that warped them into the oblivion of spacetime.
“Woo! That was fun~!” Harpy pumped her fists in the air as she got up. “Can we do that again~?”
At that moment, a flustered Cadance flew in as well. “Please don’t...”
“Cadance!” Twilight gasped, helping her up. “You made it!”
“Haha... Your friend needed help with the plan, after all. So I helped magnify her voice.”
Ringo was still dizzy. “Don’t ever do that again...”
“Why not~?”
Before Ringo could answer she was pounded by magic from Celestia (Who was Thorax). Twilight shot back along with Cadance. Luna (Pharynx) backed Celestia. It was the battle of the Alicorns.
“You can’t beat us,” Celestia demanded. She had been completely controlled. “Surrender to the Queen.”
“Ugh... No!” Twilight protested.
When the magic of Twilight and Cadance dwindled, the others took notice. When Ecolo opened the doors and gave them the clear, they left him in charge, shut the door and went to help.
”Judgement!”
”Static Shock!”
”Flame!”
Arle, Raffina, and Amitie all fired spells that increased the power of the allies. They were in a standoff.
“Our hope is lost,” Luna said, struggling. “There’s no choice but to submit- And she shall grow a new era of Equestria. It shall be that this world will be a beautiful place, brimming with harmony and love, without all this constant hostility. Is that not what you all wanted? For the rifts between us to be sealed?”
Twilight was determined not to give in. She pushed harder along with the four.
“Long have ponies been a hostility to us, the changelings. We only wanted to co-exist with you all, too- In harmony and peace. But you shut our race out like we don’t deserve to be a part of Equestria. This is what our Queen wanted, a revenge plot- To exterminate the Pony Nation and build a new empire, for all the suffering you’ve brought upon her. It is time you all realize how she felt.”
Celestia was going to power up her magic. The allies struggled.
“All you need to do is keep her there,” She continued. “You love your friend, you know what’s best for her. We promise, when we reign victorious, she will live in happiness with us. She shall graciously fill the new Equestria with love, and she will be the most respected one of all as the fountain of life of all changelings. That doesn’t sound bad, now does it? And through all of this magic draining... Eventually, it will also take her memories away. Now, she has lost much memory. Is she still the one you all know?”
“You can’t do that...”
Arle said in her struggle, determined.
“Ally loves everything. She loves us, her friends, and she would’ve loved you too. But never will she hand over her powers willingly to the hands of evil. Will she be willing to live in an empire under someone she doesn’t want to serve?”
Everyone was too focussed and concerned about the group to notice, but for a second, Ally twitched in her cocoon.
“You all are willing to go to such extreme lengths to steal her love away for yourselves. The selfish one here is you all, and not us. She may be the one behind all this. She may have lost her memory of us. She is suffering, right now, right here. However, no matter what happens to her, we are all here, together, with the goal of freeing her from your grasp, Queen Chrysalis.”
Luna gasped. “You knew?”
“Of course we did,” Twilight said, “Thorax, Pharynx, you both are controlled by her. Remember who you were. You taught how to share love and reformed the changelings. They need you both back. If they know how to share love, and feel love on their own... Perhaps all this can be avoided. We can all be friends again, and just maybe... She might learn to accept us, too.”
Arle nodded. “We fight, because not only do we love each other as friends, we love this kingdom, and we strive for harmony. This, is the real power of love.”
The allies finally started to push back.
Nope! They won’t accept this cliche again!
Out of nowhere, Celestia and Luna regained their stand with a burst of magic, blasting away the attackers to the wall.
“Pathetic Speech,” Celestia said. “Now, with no more distractions...”
Luna blasted some projectiles to stun everyone in place so they can’t move. Celestia was ready to make the kill.
However...
”Stop it!”
No one said anything. They were all startled- Who said that?
”Arle! I’m here!!”
Upon hearing her name, she caught on. Ally, in the cocoon, was struggling.
“*gasp* Ally! Are you okay!?”
She smiled. “Arle... *sobs* You’re here...”
Arle smiled back at her, despite being threatened.
“*chuckles* Thank you... Thank you all...”
Suddenly, it looked like the cocoon was cracking. The strands of wires carrying her magic started overflowing, breaking them at once. Ally put her hands to her heart. Finally opening her eyes, she broke free.
**BOOM**
The goo all shattered into solid pieces. Some kind of huge shockwave was sent throughout the castle, which blinded everyone. When the vision was finally clear, everyone can only gasp. There she was, free from her prison, fluttering down to the ground with joy.
“Such tremendous love...” Ally said, looking at her hands. “I feel... I feel so... So happy!”
Had this not been the middle of a fight, the group will be celebrating. Ally turned her vision towards the decoy princesses, but with a smile.
“You like my love so much?” Ally giggled, popping Puyos. “Go on, take it!”
She initiates a chain of seven.
”Love’s Light!”
She drew a love heart with her hands, then blasted a stream of magic towards the two. It fuelled the changelings with an incredible amount of love, enough for them to de-transform and overpower their controlled minds, returning them to a normal state. The ponies rush in to check if they’re okay.
“Are you both Alright?” Twilight asked, nervous.
“*cough* I... I think so,” Thorax said. “I don’t feel controlled now. Do you, Pharynx?”
“Not at all,” He replied. “What happened?”
Pinkie Pie was about to start a stream of explaining, But Twilight stopped her. “Basically, we had a fight, we won, and we got you both back thanks to our new friend.”
Ally smiled adorably as she was praised. Arle, being her best friend, dashed over with no hesitation.
“Ally!”
“*gasp* Arle!”
The two embrace the other tightly. They haven’t seen each other in Months, and it was glad to finally rescue her from the changelings. Ringo and Amitie also joined in.
“*sobs* *sobs* I’m sorry...”
“*chuckles* Awwww, for what?” Amitie asked, “You didn’t make the decision!”
“You’re lucky we somehow came to save you,” Ringo joked. “I think we have a lot of things to explain to each other now.”
“That can wait!” Arle said excitedly. “Ally is here!”
“Mhmm! Gee, thanks, girls... You really helped me out of there...”
“Actually, come to think of it, how did you get out?”
That question got some nods all around. The ponies were done with their part and turned to Ally. The girl blushed- There were a lot of familiar and unfamiliar faces. She didn’t know where to start with all that has happened. Twilight, noticing this, stroke up a conversation.
“You must be Ally, the adventurer of love?”
Ally nodded. “Ah, did the great hero Arle tell you about me?”
Twilight had a quirky smile. “ The ‘great hero’? Arle, I didn’t know you had a title!”
Arle rolled her eyes. “Ally calls me that.”
That earned a chuckle. “W-Well, I’m going to need some time to get to know all of you, but... *sigh* For now, I can’t say anything other than sorry. Sorry for all the trouble I put you all through. I know they are a dangerous race and I was forced into helping them.”
“Oh, that’s fiiiiiine!” Pinkie giggled, bringing Lemres close. “We would’ve never met each other and knew just how close friends we could be if it weren’t for this!”
“And we all got to kick some Changeling butt!” Rainbow said excitedly.
“Tell me about it,” Raffina flipped her hair. “And we were no match for them- Ohoho!”
“Actually, other than sorry, I want to thank everyone. Not for just saving me, but helping me as I tried to break free. When I heard you guys all banded together to fight for the Nation and your friends... I was so warmed. I can sense love very easily and as you all defended your side, I felt a surge of magic through me. I was starting to seemingly forget who you all are, too- But your love reminded me how much you all mean to me, and restored my powers to the point I could overpower the Queen’s plea of stealing my powers from the tranquilizing magic from the cocoon, and I broke free.”
Everyone was glad to hear that.
“So... That’s it, then?” Applejack asked.
“Chrysalis is nowhere to be seen,” Rarity added. “So Canterlot should be liberated.”
“Not quite,” Thorax alerted. “Chrysalis is not gone.”
Everyone put their gaze on the changelings. Ally was at first confused and nervous, but Arle told her to keep calm as they were on their side.
“The Queen left us in charge after imprisoning Ally,” Pharynx explained. “She said she would return to her new hive if anything were to go wrong. Since you all showed up, she must have escaped.”
“Where is she now?” Schezo demanded an answer.
“She took over the old Storm King Castle. But Nopony has ever been there before, so we have no idea what you’re up against,” Thorax explained.
Twilight turned to the direction of the door. “Well, there is only one way to find out. And another day of her there can mean another day of disaster. However... Before that, I have a request.”
She looked at Ally.
“Oh? Me?”
“Ally, you have the power of sharing love. You are our biggest weapon- But I want you to use it for good and purify the changelings. By letting the changelings realize how powerful and more fulfilling legitimate love can be, perhaps we could purify them and let them join our side.”
Thorax seemed to like that idea. So did everyone else. Ally nodded and took a bow.
“I need to fix my own mess anyway,” She said, smiling.
Everyone had a laugh.
“Well, then!” Arle said, turning to the direction of the door. “Now that everyone’s finally gathered here, and Ally saved, all that’s left is Chrysalis herself!”
They all gave a nod of confirmation.
“For our friends!” Amitie said.
“For our home!” Thorax continued.
“For Equestria!” Twilight commanded.
They all stepped forward, gave a nod to Ally, officially recruiting her to their side.
Merely over two weeks ago, Equestria was in near total disaster.
Now, with their new recruit, the ponies began to fight back.
The allies’ liberation of Canterlot had been a resounding success. Not only was the capital successfully taken back, they also freed and teamed up with Ally- The source of Changeling power in this war. Without it, the Changelings fell weak and desperate, completely open to attack. This was the perfect time for the group to sweep the entire nation, purifying changelings by giving them warmth, realisation and care through sharing love.
In days, Equestria was rid of the hostile race. The reformed changelings turned to a new leader in hopes of turning over a new leaf, making the Changeling Kingdom led by King Thorax much more supported. It also got the approval of the neighbouring tribes, too- Who realised his rule as the sole legitimate Changeling race once more, further securing the support and ties with them.
Yet, even after all of this, Chrysalis was still a looming threat.
When the group was finishing up their liberation conquest, Thorax sent Celestia a request. Long have he wanted to finally put the civil war of changelings to rest, so that his counterpart can never again threaten his pony allies. It was a declaration of a joint war, and the ponies have been invited into the ring. Eventually, the other powers also found out, and while not directly taking part, they all urged her to accept the request. For what the Queen has done to Equestria and the fear sent by said invasion to even their own people, as allies, they wanted her torn and broken apart.
Celestia approached Twilight and Arle about the idea.
“This is a golden opportunity!” Twilight exclaimed, “With the power we have now, we can finally banish her!”
“Are you sure? We don’t want you all throwing yourselves into a battle you’re unsure about.”
“We’ve had our fair share of adventuring experiences,” Arle pointed out. “We know what to expect, and we will win this fight. But, I do have a thought in mind.”
“Oh?” Twilight asked.
“Ally told me again Chrysalis’ intension for these invasions, especially this one. She has been clouded by revenge on you all for so long, that my friend thinks if we are willing to show we are not the enemy, and we can co-exist.... Perhaps we can just hug it out? Maybe?”
Celestia tilted her head. “I’m not so sure, giving our previous experiences.”
“Wait, Celestia,” Twilight said, “Maybe she’s right. They may have started it, but back then they were naive and clueless. They were led astray by Chrysalis. But ever since Starlight taught them the art of sharing love, we see that they can be like us, completely normal. Being the leader, Chrysalis must have had a hard time submitting to ideas she doesn’t like. She’s stubborn, especially about us- Because when she sees us, she thinks of nothing but vengeance.”
Arle nodded. “We have to make her see that we are not her enemy and we want the best for her subjects too. We fight, not because we want to destroy her, but we fight because we know she can be someone better, someone who has a chance to change. If she knew how we have ever since gave the reformed changelings such a splendid life filled with love of which they so needed, perhaps she’ll have a change of heart.”
Celestia found no reason to disagree with that, even after they’ve tried it once.
“That’s a good point,” She commented, “I do too, wish to put our hostility toward the changelings to an actual end. It’s now a battle of vengeance for Chrysalis, and we need to help her out of the mindset because we’re trying to find a way that we can co-exist peacefully in Equestria.”
“So that’s our Plan?” Twilight asked.
“Yes, that will be the plan,” Celestia nodded. “Fight with the nation’s best interest at heart- And unless necessary, set aside your hostility with her and resist defeating her.”
I would say kill but Celestia would not say that.
And so it was decided. Now at last, the decisive battle between the two factions had finally, finally come. For the first time in Equestrian History, the ponies held the attackers side of the fight against Chrysalis and her horde.
Just before dawn, the royal guard, now with the pony-Puyo allies, have been busy setting up their first strike on the shore facing the former Storm King Realm, which was a big island not too far out in the ocean. Thanks to Ecolo they got there swiftly through a portal. The land crew set out with Arle, Raffina and Twilight leading the way as they froze the water in a straight line, creating a slippery, But very firm path for them to cross over quickly. Meanwhile, the Pegasi soldiers took flight while the sun slowly dawned from the horizon.
They flew the air as silently as they could through the early morning fog. Luna, who was leading them, used her magic to detect any invisible barriers, in fear of flying into anti-magic territory, which can very well destroy their plan. But somehow, it was an open door- No forcefield, and no barriers. She excitedly told the army to get into a formation to transfer a signal that the coast was clear. Celestia intercepted the message and raised the sun for visibility. When it came out, they got their signal, and the battle began.
The pegasai had a simple job- Knocking out the changelings at the border as quickly as possible. The more they pick off, the easier the ground crew’s job will be. They struggle at first, but Luna did a wonderful job holding her ground, and Celestia flew in immediately to join the fight once she finished positioning the sun.
Minutes later, the rest of the army finally got through, with their secret weapon in hoof- Puyo magic. With eleven players, some were heavily protected as they were in charge of sending everyone magic to power them up. Some others took part in the fighting and even led some of the squads of the royal guard. The allies pushed hard against the Changeling army, though proven to be difficult, but if they’re ever going to rid the tyranny of Queen Chrysalis out of Equestria, this was the one and only chance they’ll come close to it, and they’re going to penetrate whatever she sends out with everything they had.
It wasn’t long until Ally came into very, very good use in this battle. When Changelings started becoming dizzy and tired, Ally used her magic and power of love to purify them by sharing it, turning her enemies into allies. It was also around this time King Thorax led the new changelings from high above into the fight, aiding the side of the ponies. The newly reformed changelings switched sides, too- So it feels like the more Chrysalis tried to attack, the more she is weakening herself. But it was one chaotic operation of counter-moves, deception and betrayal as changelings left and right tried to disguise as each other, making it impossible to tell who is who in the fighting.
However, despite this, the allies tried to hold themselves together. And somehow, they did. After about an exhausting hour, the path right into the castle was left undefended.
“Now’s your chance!” Twilight yelled across the battlefield.
The first to pick up on the news was Draco. “Harpy!! Where are you!?”
After a couple, but maybe one too many more alerts by Twilight, Harpy finally picked up and gave everyone the signal. She sang like there’s no tomorrow, and every Puyo player on the field responded to gather up arms and infiltrate the castle as the allied forces continue to fight.
”Imitation!”
The second they enter Ecolo felt a strange presence. He used a spell to dispel all transformed changelings. Turns out, there were heaps of them disguised as changelings, who fell to the ground. They tried to attack him.
”Emission!”
Ally swooped over and fired love hearts all around as she purified the incoming changelings. Then more of them joined the scene. Raffina dashed out.
”Static Shock!”
She kicked one into a group, sending a string of electric shock through them. They scramble up the staircases to try and find the throne room. The sooner they find it, the sooner they can end everything and go back home. Precisely, they’re not worried about the latter, but they are worried for Equestria and their friends’ safety, after all.
There were a couple of interferences, but they were so easy to deal with and throw out of the window back into the hellhole of the war they never bothered, even though the changelings can shapeshift. The moment they got to the throne room, they were so eager for their attack that they bursted open the door immediately after everyone got there.
**BOOM**
That was a laser spell.
The crew was sent flying, some even breaking past the wall behind them in the hallway into another. When the smoke cleared, Chrysalis was seen on her throne, laughing hysterically.
“I can’t believe you all fell for that!” She laughed.
Schezo was furious. He dashed right at her, jumped high and was about to chop away her head. However, she fired just a tiny bit of magic and nearly broke him through the roof.
“What the-“
Lemres was next.
”Cream Pies!”
But this time, Chrysalis manipulated and derailed the attack to hit Lemres in the face. Harpy and Arle’s combo attack were next.
”Have an Enco- AHHH!”
Harpy was tackled and had her mouth shut with goop by another Changeling before she could make her move. Without the distraction, Arle, even with Carbuncle helping her with more magic, can’t attack with her fireball spell. Once again her attack was derailed, and sent her flying.
“Arle!” Ally cried. “Schezo! Lemres! Harpy!”
She ran over. Chrysalis fired a shot that was just an inch away from hitting her, had she not dove out of the way. She couldn’t bear to see her friends get beat up so pathetically by the tyrant she had worked for. The Queen noticed who she was firing at and growled.
“You fiend!”
Ally stepped up to face the Queen.
“You know, I treat those who betray the hive very, very viciously. And now... You’ll know just how it’s like.”
She fired.
”All For Love!”
Ally put her hands out, touching the glowing ball of magic that was about to hit her. In a flash, she felt her hands grabbing on, and she threw the projectile back at her. A massive explosion followed, but somehow not big enough to blast the wall open like Chrysalis did just now.
“Go!” Ally said.
Amitie And Ringo rushed out. The group started their improvised battle plan.
”Luminescence!”
”Calculus!”
They blind and confuse her at once, leaving her prone to attack. But she was ready and called for backup before either of the two could lay a hit on her. Storm troops, who are actually changelings, marched out to deliver a major blow to the girls. They knew she would do something like this, and so they’ve come prepared.
”Inferno!”
Draco scorches up the battle scene. But somehow, the changelings didn’t budge.
“What!?” She exclaimed before getting impaled by magic.
Seeing the situation unnerving, Feli charged in as soon as the flames died out. Raffina helped her ready herself for an attack and covered her.
”Fireworks!”
She roundhouse kicked one of the troops, ready to send it into the bunch and initiate an explosion. But before she could, she was already blocked and countered. Chrysalis fired at Feli before she could make the shot.
“Got you,” Feli said, charging an attack. ”Reformation!”
She reversed all the damage Chrysalis had done to her group. Back on their feet, the group continued their fight against the changelings and Chrysalis herself.
“Why are these things so strong!?” Schezo groaned.
“I have no idea!” Arle yelled.
Oh, I don’t know, because I made them to be?
Ecolo popped his head in from behind. “She’s much stronger now! She must have absorbed all of the remaining magic from Ally when we fought Thorax!”
OH WHAT THE- Ugh, I’m going to shut up.
The group had to continue fighting. Once more they land attacks one after the other. After about ten minutes the allies finally got the hang of pushing back the troops. But at the same time, Chrysalis found out what they’ve been doing behind her back- Just outside the throne room, Ecolo was stacking up Puyos along with Carby who has decided to fall back as well. They were bringing magic into the fight for the allies.
If she could kill their game, she will win.
So Chrysalis made a mad dash for the hallway. Everyone tried to stop her, but the Queen resisted brutally, flinging all her enemies to the walls and ceiling. When Ecolo realized, it was too late- Chrysalis punched him in the face without giving him time to react. His focus was disrupted and in the confusion, he killed his game and had to wait before he could set up another board. Carby had the same fate. Without their powers, the two were easily beatable.
They all lost their powers and were ready to manually start popping Puyos, but Chrysalis allowed no chance for them to do that- She fired a blast that cut off their focus, and destroyed all their virtual boards. Everyone fell to the floor because of the blast impact.
“You all think this would be so easy,” Chrysalis giggled, slowly turning into an uproar of laughter. “You underestimate someone who has risen back up time and time again. This war is far from being over in your favor, because you simply cannot defeat me no matter how hard you try.”
A tear rolled down Ally’s eye.
“Your biggest weapon against me...” She teased, chuckling, “You got it back too late. I’ve already amassed huge power from you little fellow. Your love gave me such strength and power... It was absolutely phenomenal, what you can help me accomplish. Here I am, about to suck away the love of all of you for myself. And with those extraordinary powers you have... You shall tell me the ways and heed under my command.”
“N-No!”
She opened her mouth wide. Strands of magic seeped out of everyone, leaving them screaming in pain. The Queen took it all- She drained their powers to the absolute core. When she was done, she licked her lips before speaking.
“I can see the looks of your faces,” She said, unamused. “Looks like you all still don’t understand.”
With her enhanced magic, she fired a blast that could kill everyone at once.
”Brave Heart!”
**CRASH**
“*gasp* Ally!” Arle cried.
Ally got up in front of everyone, defending them with a giant heart forcefield. She struggled and was screaming in exhaustion. Everyone gasped at her courage- They would use this time to attack, but she was the only one with her powers intact, and all they could do was give her the encouragement she needed to push on.
“What!?” Chrysalis roared, gritting her teeth.
Ally tried to smile, despite being tired. “You didn’t get my powers, Chrysalis.”
“How!? I obtained all of it before you were saved!”
She powered up her attack. Ally yelped.
“Equestria has done nothing but to tear my tribe apart, and they will pay by getting the same done to them! And you... All of you... I will abolish all that tries to stand against me. Your love will be mine. If you really wanted to keep your powers, you should’ve left and never returned here. But now... You can see, love has only made me stronger and more powerful, and you still believe it is your winning key.”
The beam was getting closer and closer, the forcefield starting to break from the incoming force. Sweat rolled down Ally’s cheeks and her back as she struggled to keep the shield intact.
“Come on! Harder!” Schezo shouted.
“You can do it!” Draco cheered.
“We shall reign victorious~~!” Harpy cheered on.
Arle touched Ally’s shoulder. “We’re all with you, Ally!”
The group was chanting her name and yelled out words of encouragement to her. Ally couldn’t give up- Her friends were all behind her, supporting her, even after everything she had put them through... She felt a sense of great power. Their friendship started to combine with her unique powers of of love. With that boost to her magic, she soon held the line and stopped the attack from advancing, albeit with immense strength.
“We won’t give up...”
Ally muttered under her breath.
“No matter how many times you think you can return to harm my allies, we will always be here to stop your plea. You have put this world under your tribe’s terror long enough. And you know what? Your powers aren’t love. You all, with broken, empty hearts, don’t actually have the power I possess. You take it away, but do you really understand it? No. You blindly take advantage of love’s power, but you will never know just what you can achieve with it, you’ll never look on what good it can do to all of us, but only yourself.”
Faintly, the group heard the cheers of ponies rejoicing. They must have won their fight.
“We aren’t your enemy, Chrysalis. We’re here to show you how magical love really is. That’s all we’re trying to do. Love takes more than just one person, and if your tribe isn’t willing to share that power, then how is it love? Don’t you see? Love goes beyond yourself. It affects others too. It’s a friendly connection between everyone. And all we wanted was to let your tribe understand that. Look at how well the Changelings flourished under King Thorax. They’re all happy and carefree, filled with actual love that they can get without harming anyone. They can do it, so can you.”
Ally’s passionate words fuelled her with power. With it, she repaired the forcefield and even pushed back.
“*grunts* You all don’t understand...” Chrysalis groaned, trying to attack. “They have done nothing but to banish me out of existence... They want me gone... They destroyed my everything... You call that spreading harmony?”
“What they have done was to teach you harmony. You can compromise and you all can just... You know, hug it out. Why all the fighting? Because you never learn.”
“Shut up!!”
The Queen wanted to put in all she had left. But Ally, amazingly, got it under control.
“If you embrace that power, you’ll come to know all we’ve done is for the better. You’re the one devoid of it yourself. That’s why, even with what you envision as the power of love, you still can’t beat me- I have it’s true potential. I love my friends... my allies... This world brimming with hope and harmony and love... This passion of mine, to protect them, to protect all I hold so dear...”
She let out a big smile.
“That’s what the Power of Love is about!”
Suddenly, Ally’s magic overpowered Chrysalis.
“Wh-What!?”
A heart materialised within the thickened forcefield. Ally pointed at Chrysalis, with a wink and in excitement.
”Now, my friend! Let’s fall in love!”
**WHOOSH**
Chrysalis was knocked back as the giant heart shot out of the forcefield, and proceeded to stun her with purifying magic. She went dizzy for a second, feeling her powers slip away. The crew managed to get their mojo back, their powers restored. The Queen could only lie on the floor and watch as her magic disintegrated, giving her the clear message she had utterly lost. Any more fighting now and she will only be hurting herself.
“I... I’m the one devoid of love?” Chrysalis asked.
Ally, to everyone’s horror, stepped close and crouched to face her.
“No one wants to fight with you. Not me, not my friends, not the ponies. You know? Time and time again, you may have risen back up, but they will prevail and they will always win, no matter what you do. You may have their power, but like I said- You can never use it to the fullest. You wanted the best for your subjects, and what they need is love. Well... The ponies have plenty of that to give. You just need to accept that.”
“But...”
“You have to move on, your Highness. Revenge wouldn’t get you anywhere. You are only hurting yourself. *sigh* I once knew someone like you. She’s...” Ally looked at the pendant around her neck. “She’s special. She did not understand what love truly was. She wanted my powers, too- She needed it to survive, to continue existing, just like you all. She almost succeeded, but my friends saved me with the same power I used today. Yet, in time, I- No, both of us, learnt to understand each other, and I was able to show her how wonderful love really was. You see, I never hated her. I loved her, even- She’s a part of me, my counterpart. Aren’t you and the ponies in the exact situation? You all share the world together, those who strive for harmony and the ones that don’t. But just because you’re different, doesn’t mean you are enemies.”
Unknown to Ally, when she spoke those words, Rafisol, the spirit in her pendant, was listening to all she said.
“It’s how things are, we’re all so different. But love drew everyone together. And I’m certain the ponies would not object to your tribe to be a part of the family. They would want to solve it in peace- And they learnt to love their enemies. With that, and in time, enemies can become friends, too. After all you’ve been through... Isn’t love and respect what you want the most?”
Ally offered a hand. Chrysalis didn’t seem to want to take it, shaking her head. But when she tried to set aside her hatred for the ponies and actually thought about it, she couldn’t deny- All she wanted really was just respect from everycreature, wishing for them to treat her own tribe not as an enemy. They didn’t have to be friends, but she just wanted everyone to stop shutting her out. And Ally’s right- She wanted her people to be happy. If her subjects are happy with Thorax, then she would be satisfied, wouldn’t she? Her tribe is getting the love they want- And it is genuine, warming love, not stolen love, making them even happier and more satisfied.
For so long she has forgotten what actual love feels like. Now, Ally reminded her of that.
Chrysalis finally gave in and took her hand. Ally helped the Changeling up, smiling.
My readers will kill me if I reform her, so... Heck no!
A sudden shot of pain invaded Chrysalis’ head. She dropped to the floor.
“Chrysalis?”
“What’s happening?” Arle came over, just as worried.
“*groaning* I-I... What is h-happening t-to..” She grunted, trying to ignore the pain. Then, her eyes showed a pure white. ”I will not forgive the ponies.”
Everyone gasped. Chrysalis fired at will, knocking the two back to the group. Ally’s pendant was about to crack.
“*gasp* Ughh! What am I-“ She couldn’t finish her words. ”You all will die along with them, shall you oppose me.”
No one dared say a word. A second ago, Chrysalis was fine- Now, she has gone insane again. What is happening to her?
Whatever the case, she fired at will, aiming for Ally.
”No...”
“I won’t let you...!”
“I need her!”
**SPARK**
**BANG**
Out of nowhere, the group was saved yet again. When the smoke cleared, someone appeared in front of them, holding her hand out, like she had just countered Chrysalis’ attack. She looked similar to Ally, but with sharper hair and her dress had sharping trimmings in comparison to her.
Ally looked at her pendant- Now broken. She knew who it was.
“R-Rafisol...?”
She didn’t even look back to respond. All she did was prepare for another spell before her foe can counter attack.
”Takeover!”
A mini tornado was sent towards the Queen, blasting her to the wall. The crew took this chance to attack while she was stunned.
”Cyclone!”
”Conjunction!”
Chrysalis suffered two hard blows before having a chance to get up and get her thoughts straight. Fearing a retaliation, Schezo, Lemres and Harpy pinned her down with their own spells, confusing, blinding, all in between.
“Aren’t you attacking?”
Rafisol said flatly to Ally, levitating in mid-air. Ally nodded.
”Melody scale!”
The magic of music reached Chrysalis’ ears and stunned her. While everyone else kept attacking and stunning her, the two awkwardly looked at each other, confused.
“How did you...?”
Rafisol turned away. “None of your business.”
“Oh... So wait, you’re on our side? Why? I thought you...”
“Because...” She gulped, ”Because I need you...”
“*hmphs* Because I’m the one who wants your power, and I’m not letting her get it.”
Ally was puzzled. “Okay, I guess...”
“Ugh, do you want to go home or not? I’m doing you a favor here and you should be glad you didn’t get killed.”
“Hmph, Fine,” Ally said bluntly, which was new territory for her.
At that moment Chrysalis got herself free of the allies pinning her down. She marched towards the two.
”So this is who you’re talking about. Your frenemy.”
Rafisol blushed. Ally noticed this and was confused, until a shot from Chrysalis snapped her focus back into place. She barely deflected it. Rafisol pounced on her mistake and fired flares of magic. She kept spinning, throwing her projectiles as she went. Soon, Ally saw an opportunity.
”Star Rain!”
She summoned a shower of stars to attack, diverting her attention.
”Ice Storm!”
Arle hit Chrysalis with a frozen blast. Raffina jumped in to kick her right to the wall.
“Everyone, get out!”
Rafisol charged her magic.
“Run!”
They all retreated as told. Before Chrysalis could find out what is going on, the magical girl already readied her big move.
”Disorder!”
**BOOOOOOOOM**
She was sent flying out the castle, the blast breaking down the entire wall behind her. Meanwhile, Twilight and the others was still in the process of evacuating the reformed changelings when they heard the explosion, turned, and saw the big bug about to crash land right into the battlefield.
“Incoming!!!!” Pinkie panicked and notified everyone.
**CRASH**
After directing the changelings away, Twilight and the others gathered up to check if Chrysalis was dead from the fall or not. The creature opened her eyes, and faintly saw the faces of those who she hated. She immediately sprang up and hissed at them, ready to fire. But before she could, Rafisol plopped down on the ground, levitated herself, then put a forcefield up, defending the attack with hardly any effort.
“Are you with them?” Twilight asked, seeing as she has never met Rafisol.
“You can say that, or maybe not.”
Chrysalis stopped firing and charged for them instead.
”Domination!”
Rafisol initiated a huge shockwave, knocking everyone within ten meters of her range far away. Chrysalis was about to attack once more before Twilight, unexpectedly, darted over to use magic and chain her up along with Celestia and Luna. Chrysalis struggled as the three alicorns hover up high, keeping the grip on her secure. Soon, Twilight’s friends, the royal guard and the Puyo crew all surround her from all sides. Every Puyo member had their attacks lock and loaded, ready to beat the living skull out of her.
“Surrender at once!” Celestia demanded.
“We have every Changeling off this island. We will keep you here, trapped for all eternity if you so please!” Luna added.
Twilight tightened her grip. “You can defect to our side and change. We are giving you one last chance- You take it, or leave us no choice!”
Chrysalis had nothing more to give. Here, she’s trapped- Surrounded and on her own, like how she always was before Ally came. Ally was going to remind Chrysalis of what was most important, and persuade her once more to join them. But Rafisol did not like that idea at all, and halted her. She could only mouth the words, ”The decision is yours!”
The Queen stayed stagnant for a while. Seeing the situation becoming tense, the group already knew what her reply was going to be. Guards started leaving, knowing it’s a ‘no’.
“I...”
Celestia had herself on full focus, praying for her to make the right decision.
“Very well.”
Everyone gave a sigh of relief.
Wrong.
”I refuse,” She repeated.
Twilight gasped. “What? You...”
”I REFUSE, OKAY!?”
Chrysalis broke out of her chains. The ponies fled quickly as Ecolo already spawned them the portal to go straight back to Canterlot. Everyone left, except Ally. She took one look at the poor villain, in utter pain from her fury and hatred.
“Come on!” Rafisol yelled.
“But...”
“I don’t know why either. But Ally, we have to go!”
Ally let a tear shed out from her eye, and jumped in the portal. It closed, and the princesses stayed behind to deal with the Queen. They flew up high to prepare themselves for the spell that will win them the war.
“Twilight, are you sure you can do this?” Luna asked. “It’s a very tiring spell- Only Celestia and I have ever done a spell like this.”
“Yes, when you faced Sombra. But the more the better- We need her locked there, never to threaten us again. Right, Celestia?”
“Right,” She said. Then she sighed. “Honestly, I did not want it to come down to this. But this is the only way we can end this safely.”
Twilight comforted her mentor. “Sometimes people just never know to let go.”
The princesses all charged up their magic, fired at the same spot in mid air, and in seconds, a magical dome was visible around the island, held together by a giant lock the spot where the Alicorn magic was focussed at, in mid air.
Now, Chrysalis could never again threaten Equestria.
While the intended result of purifying her didn’t happen, the main goal of the ponies was achieved.
With the Changeling civil war put to rest once and for all, everyone had more time to spend on knowing how Equestria works, and so, even after the final battle, the Puyo crew took some more time to explore and have fun with the ponies. From venturing into Seaquestria from the south, to the Northern expedition to the Crystal Empire, and every place in between.
The group was more focussed on going to the places they’ve once been for their rescue missions. Some places look exactly like before, while some were finally seen in its usual state. Everyone thought it was very, very fun- They get to have lots of fun with their friends just before returning home. Why not go for a dive in Seaquestria? Or sightseeing around the city of Manehattan? Or perhaps watch a match of intense buckball? All these interested the Puyo cast and for a whole week, they’ve been doing whatever they wanted.
All but one, actually.
“Miss Rafisol?”
Twilight popped her head through the entry to the balcony of her castle one evening. The girl stopped hovering and meditating and turned.
“What’s your business?”
“N-Not much. I just have a question to ask about you.”
She returned to her levitating state as Twilight paced around.
“Rafisol, why wouldn’t you go with anyone to have fun? Looks like they’ve been having an amazing time here.”
She tensed up. “I-I’m not interested, that’s all.”
“Ally told me you both have had your differences in the past. Is it something about that?”
Upon mentioning Ally, Rafisol stepped back on solid ground. Reluctantly, she nodded. “It’s a very long story, to how we found each other and all. It’s complicated, too.”
“I can take it. Is there a problem you’re having?”
“Yes, actually,” Rafisol said, “Well, about the two of us. During her adventures with Arle, I tried to take away Ally’s power of love for myself. I needed it to continue existing in this world. I would’ve succeeded. Ally trapped me inside of her pendant after I failed numerous times to obtain her powers. But... ugh, how do I put it, I felt... weird and oddly pleased about residing in the pendant.”
“Oh?”
“I started to think that Ally and I are actually the same person split into two extremes. You see, Ally is someone who is always brimming with love and excitement. Then for me... I’m just this dark existence, who doesn’t know anything about these joyous feelings. It felt... It felt right, residing with her. Even though I am trapped, I felt happy because it feels as if I’m with the other half of myself. I feel complete with her by my side. That’s why when the Queen tried to threaten Ally, I jumped out of the pendant to save her.”
“Actually, how did you do so anyway...?”
“You don’t need to know,” Rafisol said. “Well... I’m just worried now, about all these thoughts I have for her. I can’t find the words when I face her. I just can’t... How would she think of me?”
Twilight smiled.
“I’m sure your friends, Ally included- Would welcome you into their team very much. The more the merrier, right? However, you must take that step towards friendship on your own. If you have such feelings for Ally... You should tell her. From what I know, she never treated you as an enemy, but she wants to treat you as a friend.”
“Really?”
“Her love really amazes me sometimes,” Twilight said, letting out a giggle. “It extends to her enemies, too. I’ve been doing the same thing with the magic of friendship for years, but she has given me a new understanding of what my friends and I should be achieving in our quest for harmony. I still don’t understand what happened that caused Chrysalis to refuse at the last second, but it’s absolutely true that love conquered our fight, and it can mediate any conflict.”
“Now, you can either keep your thoughts about Ally to yourself, or you can actually be friends with her. I’ll leave whether you want that up to you.”
Twilight gave her a smile, and left. Rafisol just stood there, thinking about her next move.
”Maybe... Just maybe?”
“On behalf of Equestria, we express our deepest thanks for your hard work in reviving our kingdom.”
It was the last day of the crew’s stay in Equestria. The princesses and the pony crew were there to send them off. Celestia bowed to Arle and Ally- The ones who led the pack.
“It has been our honor to be a part of this adventure,” Arle replied. “And I’m sure this isn’t the end of our journey, either. When you all are in trouble again, we hope to come back and help once more.”
Twilight nodded. “Then you’ll need to find some way to connect with us. I’ve been talking with Ecolo and we’e exchanged locations of our worlds for making portals and communicating and whatnot.”
“That’s perfect!” Amitie said happily. “We can come back anytime!”
“This May be farewell,” Cadance said, “But I’m sure our people wouldn’t forget the hard work you’ve put into helping us recover from the Changeling invasion and pursuing peace once more for the land.”
Ally was beaming. “I’m glad to hear that! Now, everyone, since we’re about to separate, let’s all fall in love, shall we?”
Ringo giggled. “You mean we’re all just going to say our last goodbyes, right?”
“Yeah, cut the cheesy wording,” Schezo joked.
Following that was a session of tearful goodbyes. Some hugged, some shook hands and hooves, both sides expressing their wish for each other to be alright and happy as always, to keep their spirits up even in the darkest times. Not long later, Ecolo created a giant pair of doors. It was a portal back to the Puyo World, now that their mission was complete and they can return. One by one, they all wave to Twilight and her friends as they made their exit.
The last to go was Ally, since she found it hard to leave. But, she did anyhow.
“Thank you, everyone,” Ally said, putting on a cute smile.
“It’s what we do,” Twilight said, stepping close to give her a hug, which she gladly accepted.
“We’ll meet again sometime soon, won’t we?”
“Maybe we will. Now, go with your friends, Alright?”
She nodded excitedly as she waved, entering the portal. And so, the Puyo crew were all gone, and peace to Equestria has been restored.
“Well, What do we do now...?” Starlight asked.
“Isn’t it obvious???” Pinkie giggled. “Come on! We gotta celebrate!”
“We’ve been doing that all week, Pinkie!”
“No excuses! Let’s go!”
Everypony else had a laugh. Typical Pinkie. While on their way back to the station since they were in Canterlot and had to return to Ponyville, Twilight was chatting with Celestia.
“So will she be alright?”
“She will be, it’s just that she can never exit that barrier.”
“Phew. Looks like she’s finally taken care of.”
“Yes, our people are safe, and the changelings once again thrive. I’m glad about that- I hate sending my people to war, honestly.”
“Who doesn’t? That’s why harmony and love between the tribes is so important.”
Soon, the Puyo crew all returned to their respective hometowns when they reached the Puyo World, and the group was separated like always after the adventure was done. Ever since, thanks to Ecolo, they have been experimenting with gathering everyone together for some fun times and quality chit chat. This was how Ringo and Ally, despite the long distances from Primp Town- Where the rest of the group lived, was able to still connect with the group.
Everything was peaceful again- Nothing much happened since their adventure in Equestria. They did go around telling their other friends who did not join the fun about it, and they would eventually get to visit Equestria, but it wasn’t something they did very often as they didn’t want to disturb everycreature there. Besides, they’re a huge deal, they don’t want to be running straight into crowds anyway- They preferred a more simple life.
They all took something away from this experience- From Ally herself. There are differences between people and can tear them apart into enemies. But if they’re willing to open up to the other, just maybe they could become friends. Love could heal any rivalry and bring people together. It was never meant to be used as a weapon to combat people- It was something to be shared, something to cure people of their grudges towards each other, to forget about being enemies and fall in love. Not literally, but you get the idea.
Her point was proven- After her adventure with the ponies.
Ally was out for a walk on a bright sunny day. She thought about all the happy times she had after she was rescued in her adventure. She was both very relieved and carefree to be back in her world. The gentle breeze gave her a sense of relaxation as she walked along the pathway near the forests.
She eventually caught sight of a lake. There, she found someone she recognized.
Rafisol was at the edge of the pool of water, not moving. It felt like she was staring blankly at something, or she was thinking about a lot of things- How thankful she was, how much she actually liked her, and her wish to be friends with her counterpart.
“Rafisol?”
She turned.
“Oh, I’ve been expecting you.”
Ally stood next to her. She tensed up just a little, but Ally didn’t notice.
“Why are you out here of all places?”
“I... I had some things on my mind.”
Rafisol was noticeably blushing. Ally saw it. “Are you...”
“I-I’m not!”
“You are, Rafisol. Something you want to say?”
She hmphed and turned away.
“No, even if I do, you wouldn’t like it anyway.”
“What?”
“I don’t know how to tell you this. I really don’t.”
Ally and Rafisol stare blankly at each other. After a bit, Ally smiled and stroke up a conversation.
“You know,” She started, “During the days I got trapped, you were talking with me a lot from inside my pendant through thoughts. I... I’m glad I had someone to talk to. I was all scared and alone. Now that you’re here, I can’t help but feel like something changed about you.”
“What?”
“You went from trying to kill me, no offense, to... Actually supporting me. That isn’t like you. I’ve been wondering... How did you suddenly change?”
Rafisol was going to smile, but she resisted the urge to.
“When you trapped me in the pendant, I was in this virtual world with nothing and no one in it. But through time... I felt unusually.... *sigh* How do I put it... I just felt pretty fine about being there. It’s great at least for me to continue existing.”
“You’re hiding something. Come on, don’t be shy.”
Ally sat on the pale green grass. Rafisol was going to levitate, but she thought she would act normal for once, so she followed suit.
“Whenever you commit an act of love and care... For some reason, I feel the warmth as well. I started to think why you’re so into spreading love. Then I realized- You seem to make people very happy. I... I wish to have that happiness too. I looked up to you, being so keen on spreading joy and love. I always wanted to tell you all that, but I can never find the words.”
“So why did you suddenly break out of my pendant then?”
“Because... When I heard you talking with Chrysalis, you mentioned something about me that left me think about a lot of things. You... You said that you never hated me, you wanted to be my friend, and you wanted to teach me to love. I didn’t believe you at first, but I soon realize that you never tried to hurt me, even after I tried to hurt you first. I... I feel bad for having this attitude towards you. You really care for me, don’t you?”
Ally nodded. “I just hoped that you’ll understand I didn’t trap you to save my friends from danger, I wanted you to reflect, too. I mean what I said- Even Though you’re my enemy, I don’t mind, I want to be friends with you.”
“R-Really? Even after...”
“Quiet, you,” She giggled, putting a finger over Rafisol’s mouth. “So How did you come out?”
“Right. When you said all those things about me, I felt a strange feeling from you. You... It seems to be love, believe it or not. You loved me... I felt so, so happy. And when she tried to threaten you, I don’t want to see the one person that has cared for me all along to perish. I found a way out since your magic to keep me in there was so diminished, and I took it to save your group. *sniff* I thought I’d show you just how much you mean to me, knowing you cared for me when no one would.”
“Awww... You’re welcome...”
“But, you’re here because you have to return me to the pendant, aren’t you?”
“What? No!”
Rafisol was surprised.
“I don’t want to. Especially after all you’ve told me. You’ve changed a lot, it seems. I guess you finally learned to embrace the power of love, huh?”
“Yeah, I guess so... Hey, can I.., Can I tell you something? Since I’ve already gotten this far.”
“Go ahead.”
“Ally... I... Oh, you’re gonna hate me for-“
Ally touched her hand.
“You love me?”
Rafisol immediately blushed and covered her face.
“D-D-Don’t say that so loudly! Come on!”
She shrugged. “Whoa... Really?”
“I don’t know why either. But... Seeing you’ve been caring about me so much, and I’ve been residing beside you for quite a while, I felt... I felt glad to be around you. You know? We are like counterparts. You are all about love and I’m not at all. It felt like... We’re the same person, just split into two extremes. That’s why when I’m with you, I... *sigh* Yeah, I feel really happy and I like you as a companion, since you and I are meant to be the same person together.”
Rafisol smiled. Ally gasped and smiled too.
“That’s what I’m saying- Even the worst of enemies could change into friends if they’re willing to embrace love and friendship. It’s hard to imagine it at first, you’ll need time to let the feeling set in. When you do, you might just find the one you care for most beside you. Listen, Rafisol, you know I don’t hate anyone, not even you. You and I had our differences, but when I realized you wanted my powers to exist, I wanted to give it to you without any fighting, that’s why I returned you into the pendant. Whenever I feel love, you’ll feel it too, and you would learn, won’t you?”
“Mhmm.”
“But now that it’s been a while, and I think your act of helping me and my friends in the battle tells me you’ve changed quite a lot. You do have a sense of love for me and my friends, you want to protect us. I’ve been thinking- Maybe I don’t need to return you to the pendant. Maybe... Maybe you can be with me, and with my friends, and just live a normal life.”
“Really? But... But will you all accept me? I’m just literally a dark existence, and that won’t change...”
“If I could accept Chrysalis, why not you? You’re not a dark entity from my pendant. You’re just Rafisol. You’re a normal person- A friend I care for.”
Rafisol couldn’t deny that. And Ally seemed very cheery, she didn’t want to hurt her feelings.
“I can tell from that face,” Ally giggled, standing up. “You’re not hurting my feelings at all.”
Rafisol rolled her eyes and did the same. “Fine, fine. You know... Thanks, Ally. For being there for me.”
“What can I say? You’re a part of me, I’ve been with you the whole time.”
Ally put her arms around her friend.
“What are you doing?”
“It’s a hug. Don’t you feel warm and glad like this?”
“*chuckle* Y-Yeah, I guess so.”
Rafisol was blushing, and she tried her best not to make Ally realize that. Slowly, she mimicked the action. She smiled, closed her eyes, and hugged her tighter. She started tearing up.
“This feels so nice... I feel so loved like this...”
“*giggles* Who wouldn’t. Hey, I can feel that tear, you know.”
“What? No! I-I’m not crying!”
Rafisol let go and playfully pushed her away. Ally just let out a laugh.
“Ah, Arle and the others are coming soon. You want to come?”
“Hmmm, maybe. Just to be around and... Well, spending time with you all and see what happens.”
Ally shrugged, then came back to face her friend.
“So what have we learned from all this?” Rafisol asked, “Just asking.”
“It’s obvious. Love conquers all, doesn’t it?” Ally giggled. “Now, since we’re friends... Rafisol, let’s fall in love?”
She puts out a hand. Gently, Rafisol pushed it away. Ally was confused until she spread her arms wide and turned the handshake into an embrace. This was really the first time Rafisol had been so open about her feelings since they’ve become friends, and Ally was brimming with joy as she complied and huddled up, as she was tightly wrapped in the hug.
In her heart, Ally knew- She understood Rafisol’s fears of being the odd one out, ‘special’, threatening... The poor girl, born as a magical entity from her pendant, alone and gloomy in her prison... And she left the impression of being a hoarder and a force to be feared when she first broke free to fight Arle and her friends. Shunned out for so long, she knew Rafisol was desperate for a Power she possessed. However, instead of fighting her to protect this power, she shared the warmth and care of it- The Power of Love. Only then, she thought, would the one who takes this power truly be satisfied.
Frankly, this was the same attitude she had for Queen Chrysalis, she wished the Ponies could just hug it out with her, but the Queen just didn’t seem to admit this time. But she was determined- She knew the ponies would never give up on her, just like she never did for Rafisol.
It hindsight, they just want to steal this power. But deep down, all they wanted was in some way, to be loved.
“I’m so happy, Ally...”
“That’s good to hear, Rafisol. So? Love or not?”
“Friendly love, Okay? I feel weird loving someone that is actually myself.”
“Oh, True!”
Ally chuckled, and the two, in a warm embrace, shuffled as they share a hearty laugh.
Behind the nearby trees, the four were watching secretly.
“*eeps* Awwwww!” Amitie covered her big smile to stop herself from screaming.
Ringo gave a thumbs up. “Looks like Ally and Rafisol made up. The power of love really is amazing.”
“Gugu~” Carby seemed to agree, hopping up and down excitedly.
Arle looked at the two girls, once enemies, now seemingly best friends. All she could do is smile and watch as the two let go, and chatted while holding hands. To see how love bonded these two counterparts together was the most fascinating thing she had ever seen.
“Can we maaaaaaaaybe just let them be for a bit? So they get some time to themselves and each other,” Amitie suggested. “Plus, I wanna see them together!”
Arle rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I guess we could.”
”My enemies may not love me back...”
“Like Chrysalis, there are those who can never embrace the power of love...”
“Those who are lonely, outcast, marginalised... So much, it burns into their mindset.”
“They don’t love, they think they don’t deserve to be loved.”
“But that’s why, deep down, when they are loved, their happiness may be kept to themselves, yet in reality, their cheer was, indeed, in full bloom.”
“That’s why I love...”
“That’s why I’ll keep loving...”
“To protect harmony, to protect the smiles of everyone.”
