> The Evil Bunch
>  by Puzzling Frost
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue: A  different ending and a new beginning.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“This is bad, right?” Cozy Glow said staring up toward the sky at the large rainbow laser beam of death. This day was meant to be an important moment in equestrian history. The transfer of powers from the old to new. The princesses of the Sun and Moon, Celestia and Luna were going to give up their eternal rule over Equestria to the young Twilight Sparkle. A former unicorn apprentice turned national hero, turned alicorn princess/school head mare and world hero. She was a powerful magical being in her own right. But not in the way you’d think. No, she had the power to unite the creatures of the world under the banner of friendship and harmony. Truly she is a pony worth writing about.
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But I’m the author here and I choose who to write about gosh darn it!

No, our story is of the three evil villains said hero is facing! Meet the Mean Three, a group of villains who attacked, disrupting the ceremony and nearly conquering Equestria. First, among them we have Lord Tirek, the evil magic eating centaur from a distant unknown land. He was imprisoned in Tartarus after being betrayed by his brother who sided with the ponies when they came for Equestrian magic. After escaping Tartarus over a year ago he went on his merry way gaining power and strength. Biding his time till he could gain enough power to take over Equestria. Using his cunning and sly silver tongue he convinced the power being Discord to side with him. With the chaos lord at his side, he was able to absorb the magic of the equestrian citizens with ease. Even banishing the princesses to the very same prison he was sent to. He betrayed Discord after absorbing the draconeques' friend's magic, stealing his powers for his own. 

Tirek then went on a one monster rampage to find Twilight sparkle, the last and only pony who could stand up to him. After destroying her home the two clashed in a battle the likes of which have never been seen before, (unless you watch dragon ball but I digress). The two were evenly matched, Tirek having absorbed the raw magical energy from every being in Equestria and Twilight who had the combined magical powers of all four alicorns. Tirek had nearly won the day as he forced the young princess to give up her magic in exchange for her friends. But Tirek ultimately let his hubris get the better of him. Instead of destroying them there and then assuring his victory, he’d let them escape to the Tree of Harmony where it awoke the harmony magic within them. Using their newfound power, Twilight Sparkle and her friends banished the fiend back to Tartarus. Having been foiled the fool had been forced to live out the rest of his days within his dark prison. Until a letter reached his jail cell.

Enter Cozy Glow, a former student of the School of Friendship. This little one was just your average everyday pegasus filly. However she had a dark secret, she was power-mad and wished for nothing more than to rule Equestria as the Empress of friendship. In secret, she contacted Tirek via mail and became his protege. From him, she learned the means of how to drain magic from others, and in a scheme many called insane, she plotted to drain all of Equestria of its magic, rendering the magic reliant world magicless. She was unfortunately discovered by a group of fellow students who undid her plan, exposing her as the power-mad filly she was. Ultimately sentencing her to a permanent field trip to Tartarus. There she became neighbors to the evil centaur, where she tried to befriend him in hopes of using his friendship to aid her escape from the prison. However, whatever plot she had was rendered pointless when she and the old centaur found themselves freed from the prison by an unknown being. There at the place they were summoned, they met the illustrious Queen, pardon me, former Queen Chrysalis. 

Chrysalis the master of deception, queen of mean! A changeling with a heart as empty as her stomach. As a changeling, she needed to feed off the love of others to survive, and as Queen, it was her job to find food for her subjects. She discovered Equestria, a buffet of love that could fill her and her changelings for generations! After kidnapping the bride to be, Princess Cadence, she transformed into a copy of the mare and plotted to take the capital during the royal wedding. Her plan was working until an annoying little unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, saw through her disguise! Can’t seem to get away from that mare, can we? After trapping her in the mines beneath Canterlot, Twilight freed herself and Cadence just in time to stop the wedding. Fortunately for the queen, her plan was already in action. Her changeling drones descended upon the city in mass! Attacking everything and everyone on site. After defeating Celestia in one on one combat, her children had invaded and captured Twilight and her friends preventing them from saving the day. However, it was Princess Cadence and Shining Armor who saved the day. With the power of their love combined, they banished Chrysalis and her changelings sending them flying off into the sunset. 

But that bug horse must have been part cockroach because she returned with a vengeance. This time improving her previous plan, she kidnapped all the royalty including Twilight and her friends and replaced them with her loyal drones. However, she underestimated the abilities of Starlight Glimmer, the student of Twilight Sparkle. Gathering a ragtag group of side characters, she along with Discord, Trixie ‘the great and powerful’ Lulamoon, and rogue changeling Thorax they stormed the Changeling hive. But what should have been an easy task with a being as powerful as discord on their side turned sour as they soon learned that only changeling magic worked within the hive. Thanks to Chrysalis’s throne which negated all other magic.
….
....
What? The ponies aren’t the only ones allowed to have a magical MacGuffin. 

Together they ventured forth, with no plan, no magic, and stormed the hive. After many shenanigans, they arrived at the throne room. There Chrysalis was waiting for them, in all her terrifying glory. Ultimately, Starlight with the help of Thorax convinced the rest of the hive to turn on their oppressive queen. Where they transformed into pastel-colored beetle bug horses. Chrysalis was offered the chance to befriend the ponies, but rather than become a child’s first art project given form she escaped swearing vengeance not only on the ponies but on Starlight Glimmer herself. Fleeing off into the distance, she would later create evil clones of Twilight and her friends. In an attempt to take the power of the Tree of harmony for herself. But it seems she did too well in making evil doppelgangers, who turned on their creator in an attempt to take Equestria themselves. Until in a terrifying surprise twist, the Tree destroyed the evil clones rendering them to colored logs. Having her latest plot foiled she fled off into the wilderness and began to lose herself to her anger and slowly began to give in to madness in her isolation. But this was not to be her fate.

No these three fiends were brought together by an even worse being! The evil Grogar! ….Who was Discord in disguise. He planned to use them to boost Twilight’s confidence as a ruler by having them attack during her coronation. But as a surprise to no one, they backstabbed him using the power of the real Grogar and his Bewitching Bell to steal his power for their own. Together these three evil-doers attacked Equestria and divided its ponies against each other. They nearly succeeded but thanks to the teachings done by Twilight at her school the youth of Equestria and the six who stopped Cozy united all the races together to stop these evil fiends. Giving Twilight the strength she needed to defeat these dastardly three where we find ourselves now conveniently!





The trip could only look on in horror as the Rainbow of Friendship dispelled the windigo’s brought forth by the division of the ponies. As it arched up and down toward them they could only brace themselves for the attack. However, just as they were to taste the rainbow, a voice cried out in defiance. 

“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS NONSENSE?!!!” A voice boomed across the valley. Light exploded from the bell behind the three, a magical shield extended forth around the three villains shattering the rainbow upon contact. With a boom, the heroes were sent flying back toward the crowd of shocked creatures. The villains opened their eyes in confusion as they looked around them.

“What happened? What is this?” Tirek asked confused.

“Chrysalis did you do this? Why didn’t you warn us!” Cozy yelled annoyed staring down the queen.

“Don’t look at me! I didn’t do this!” The changeling hissed in anger.

“What...I don’t...how?!” A voice cried out, drawing the three stooges' attention. “The rainbow should have defeated them! It always defeats them!” Twilight gasped in shock and horror. Her friends and allies rushing to her side in visible worry but hiding it under a mask of concern and anger toward the villains. 

“HA! Fools! We cannot be stopped!” Chrysalis laughed taking advantage of the change of events. All stared at her in fear or her allies' case, confusion. “Your pathetic Rainbow of friendship couldn’t harm us! Now you fools will know the true meaning of pain and suffering!” She laughed her muzzle contorting into a sinister grin. Tirek, and Cozy following her lead and laughing. Whatever had happened could wait, they had enemies to defeat and a kingdom to conquer! The three charged with a war cry toward the crowd of creatures all preparing for another assault. 

“Raaaaaaa-*BANG*Ow what the?” Only for the three to run headfirst into the yellow shield still surrounding them. Tirek shook his head and looked back to the shield. He raised a hand to it and found it as solid as rock. 

“What is this?!” He began to bang his fist against the shield in a fruitless effort to break free. “I will not be trapped again!” 

“Let me out of here!! I want to wail on some ponies!” Cozy said blasting the shield with her magic. 

“I am a Queen! No prison can hold me!” Chrysalis roared transforming into a large mole and started digging under the shield. “Blast it all it goes through the ground as well!!” The three fruitlessly attempted to escape their surprise imprisonment as the elements and citizens of Equestria looked on in confusion.

“Um...what the hay happening?” Rainbow asked perplexed.

“I don't quite know darling?” Rarity said taking this brief moment of pause to fix her mane and coat. 

“Are you doing this Twilight?” Pinkie asked scratching her head. 

“It’s not me! I’m not doing this!” Twilight said her mane starting to stick out of place from her confusion.

“Discord?” Fluttershy asked looking to the draconequus. 

“Don’t look at me! I still don’t have my magic!” He said waving his claw and paw up in defense.

“Are any of y’all doing this?” Applejack asked looking around. All the gathered creatures shook their heads and began looking to see if someone was casting a spell.

“That would be my doing.” A voice called out, everyone turned their head in the direction of the voice. A cloaked figure walked out from the trees carrying a travel bag. The being appeared to be slightly larger than Celestia as it trotted forth. Its voice carried annoyance, it coughed clearing its throat, sounding like an old bagpipe exhaling air. “Now, I’ll only ask this once.” He said lifting a hoof to all in attendance.  “WHY DO YOU HAVE MY BELL?!!” The figure shouted with force startling all. 

“Your bell??” Cozy asked looking back to the Bewitching Bell to see it glowing above them. The shield radiating from it. Her eyes widening as she put two and two together. “Wait you’re!!” She gasped hopping on top of Tirek’s head trying to hide behind his horns. The figure lifted his hood, as the cloak fell everyone’s jaw fell at what they were seeing. 

“Of course it’s my bell! I made it you fool!” The old blue ram shouted, his long curled horns hanging over his head glowing with magic. His gaze showed annoyance and anger.

“GROGAR?!!!!” Shouted the three fiends shouted in shock. This was gonna be a long day.
> Chapter 1: A confusing day all around.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today has truly not gone to plan. First, I found out Discord was Grogar the whole time, then our plot to divide the ponies brought the windigos of all things, then these annoying ponies pulled an army out of their flanks and now this?! Chrysalis thought, staring slack-jawed at the apparently still living legend before her. “You’re-”

“ALIVE?!” Discord shouted cutting off the villainess. “How?! You died over 3000 years ago!” Discord gasped all the color draining from his face.

“Of course I’m alive you fool! And I shall have words with you later.” Grogar growled pointing a threatening hoof toward the chaos lord. He trotted past all the shocked creatures as he marched up to The Mean 3. “As for you three, how and where did you get my bell?!” He stomped shaking the ground as his patience was wearing thin. Chrysalis snarled and leaped at the ram, planting herself at shield between them.

“I don’t care if you're the real Father of Monsters or not! Release us! We control the bell, and don’t take orders from some old fool!” She snarled horn pulsing with magic. Grogar raised an eyebrow and turned to the two behind her. 

“Does this insect, speak for all of you I assume?” He asked barely phased by the queen’s threat. 

“Insect?! HOW DARE YOU!! I WILL TURN YOU TO ASHES YOU POMPOUS-” Chrysalis’s rage was cut short as her muzzle was magically snapped shut by the ram’s magic. Not even bothering to give her attention he looked toward the other two still waiting for an answer.

“Well, I mean….” Cozy began intimidated by Grogar’s unwavering glare.

“Oi! Do you mind?! We’re in the middle of something here!” Rainbow Dash shouted from behind. The ram groaned in annoyance and turned to the crowd behind him.

“And what pray tell, am I interrupting?” Grogar asked not wanting to deal with anyone’s crap today. 

“We’re in the middle of an epic battle! If it weren’t for you we’d be done already!!” Rainbow shouted hovering above her friends. Grogar looked between the three villains and the crowd of gathered creatures. 

“Battle? I see no battle? All I see are bickering children fighting over the use of MY bell.” Grogar said. 

“Children?! Why I otta!!” Rainbow yells charging at the ram only to be stopped by someone grabbing her tail. She turned expecting Twilight or Applejack, but to her surprise, it was Discord, who had terror spelled all across his face.

“Rainbow please, you do not want to mess with him! He’s more dangerous than you know!”  Discord pleaded, taking a glance toward Grogar. 

“Hmph, it seems you still know your place Discord,” Grogar said smirking. “Now if we're done with these games I’d like to find out how three buffoons stole my property.” He said turning back to the trio. 

“Well, we sorta found it on top of Mount Everhoof?” Cozy explained, touching down. Chrysalis giving her a glare for revealing their secrets. 

“Mount Everhoof? So that’s where that mare hid it.” Grogar muttered under his breath. “How did you know it was there?” He asked. 

“Well, you or rather Discord told us where it was.” Cozy replied pointing to the draconequus. Discord gulped and jumped behind the Mane six in fear. 

“What do you mean I showed you?” Grogar questioned, he already knew the answer but he wanted to hear it from the horse’s mouth. No pun intended. 

“Discord, in whatever idiotic scheme he thought up in his head, united the three of us together to take over Equestria. Where he would have us fail, all in an attempt to give Twilight Sparkle more confidence as a leader.” Tirek summarized. “All while posing as you, so he could have plausible deniability I assume. Honestly, a stupid plan, if you ask me. When we used the bell on him and drained his powers I thought he was planning to reform us or something to impress his so-called ‘friends’. Clearly, I overestimated his ability to come up with a reasonable plan!” Tirek mocked. Grogar growled and turned to the Chaos Lord who sheepishly smiled. 

“You….YOU DARE IMPERSONATE ME?!” The ram roared, stomping his hooves to the ground making the earth shake. With the light of his horns, Discord was flung forward toward the former emperor’s hooves. 

“Now now! Let’s not do anything hasty- ack!” Discord choked as he felt his throat begin to collapse as Grogar squeezed him with his magic. 

“You are many things Discord, but even I didn’t think you were this much of an idiot.” Grogar growled, “After all I’ve done, this is how you repay me? First, you helped that blasted mare steal my bell, then you usurp my throne and take it for yourself, and now you go and disgrace my name by posing as me!? You ungrateful brat!! I should’ve let those hunters kill you long ago!” He shouted putting more pressure on his throat. 

“Let go of him you monster!” Fluttershy cried out. She flew toward the two at lightning speed and stared him directly in the eye. “I won’t let you hurt my friend!” She yelled, tears running down her cheeks as rage-fueled her eyes. Grogar paused staring at the bold mare. He released the draconequus, falling to the ground Discord gasped for air. Fluttershy turned and flew to his side. Checking him over for any other injuries. 

“You consider this fool a friend?” Grogar said staring between the two. 

“Yes, and I won’t let you hurt him!” She said defensively standing in front of him. 

“Fluttershy…” Discord said in awe of the little mare.

“Well, color me surprised. After all these years you finally made an ally without bewitching them.” Grogar snickered barely phased from the mares glare. “I didn’t think you had it in you my son.” 

“SON?!!!” Practically everyone shouted. 

“He’s your son!?!” Cozy exclaimed. 

“Yes, yes he's my son, though adoptive son would be more accurate. I found him when he was a child. Cornered by some monster hunters I rescued him and raised him to be my assistant. Though he rarely followed my directions. Even when they were for his own good.” Grogar huffed. “I gave him a home, food, I even taught him some magic, and what does he do? Stabs me in the back so he could take my place as ruler of these lands.” Grogar snorted glaring at the two. “Then again, I suppose I would have done the same. But you will still pay for your impersonation of my identity.” He glared. 

“Yeah well, we aren’t scared to fight you too you old goat!” Rainbow said as Twilight teleported Fluttershy and Discord back to them. 

“First off, I am a ram you stubborn mare. Second, I have no interest in conquering Equestria.” Grogar proclaimed.

“What?” The elements said.

“It’s true! I honestly have no ambition to rule this or any other land. I took over long ago so I could go about and experiment as I pleased. But it proved to be more trouble than it was worth.” Grogar sighed. 

“Then why have you appeared now?” Celestia demanded trotting forward. 

“I sensed my bell being used, I came to investigate. Simple as that.” Grogar explained. “After the loss of my bell, I scoured the world for wherever Gusty the Great had hidden it. As the years passed by I realized the pointlessness of being a ruler. If I was deposed once, it could happen again. Besides I never did like dealing with the rabble and problems of others. I was more focused on my study of magic and the arcane.” 

“But what about your reign of evil over all the ponies in the land?” Twilight asked. 

“You ponies were the ones who forced my hooves. You kept taking more and more land, leaving little for anyone else. You had an extreme supremacist way of thinking back then. I didn't really care, but it became more and more annoying to go out and about without running into your idiotic guards, who wanted to attack everything that wasn't a pony, including myself. That and they kept trying to steal my stuff. So using my immense power I showed your arrogant ancestors that they were not at the top of the food chain.” Grogar deadpanned.

“That’s a lie! Our ancestors were stubborn but they weren’t conquerors!” A random pony shouted. 

“Oh please, you ponies always think you're so high and mighty that you never do wrong. Well, you’re wrong. You can be just as bad as anyone else. I figured the best way to deal with you would have you fall to your own follies. Though I never thought you’d make those ice spirits so strong.” Grogar bemused.

“Ice spirits? Wait you mean the windigos? You created them?!” Starswirl exclaimed his hat having deflated a bit from that realization.

“Wasn’t that obvious? I am the Father of Monsters after all. Honestly, I just gave your negative emotions the ability to take physical form. Did you ever even wonder why they looked like you?" A long pause fell over the crowd. You could practically see the gears turning in their heads. Grogar face hoofed.

"Ugh believe me, or don’t, I could care less. I won’t deny that I didn’t indulge in some ‘evil’ business. But I mostly did so out of annoyance or boredom.” Grogar said rubbing his head. “But no you had to go and pry into other people’s business.” 

“Okay, so you're not here to take over. Then why did you stop us from defeating those three?!” Rainbow asked pointing at the Mean 3. 

“They have my magic and I’m not gonna let you fools, disperse it into the aether. Or lock away my property! We all know Celestia and Luna are notorious for hoarding away knowledge and ancient artifacts. Most of which they have so-called adventurers steal away from their original owners!” Grogar huffed. If you listen closely you could hear a certain pegasus cough.

“You dare call us thieves!?” Luna said taking a defensive stance.

“Oh I would call you worse you idiotic mare, but I don't have the time nor enough energy to care. I only want what is mine and mine alone!” Grogar said, rolling his eyes. Turning away from the angry alicorn, who was being held back by her sister. Grogar looked back to the three villains still trapped in his shield. Cozy and Tirek had reluctantly given up while Chrysalis continued her fruitless efforts. “Now I believe you three have something that belongs to me?”  Grogar said grinning.

“RAAH! I won’t give up this power I worked so hard to acquire!!” Chrysalis hissed bashing her body against the shield. Grogar simply shook his head as his magic took hold of the bell. The shield fell just as the queen tried to break through it resulting in her falling face-first into the dirt. 

“Tsk tsk, a former queen of vermin now a queen of nothing. Face in the dirt with no power left in her name. All because she couldn’t get past her petty grudges.” Grogar said as his magic grabbed hold of all three of the beaten foes. Struggle as they might even with their newfound power they couldn’t break free. 

“And you…” Grogar said turning to the centaur. “A so-called lord, just trying to show he doesn’t need his daddy’s approval. Taking whatever he wants just so he could hide his pain, caused by the fact that his own brother chose these ponies over his own flesh and blood.” Tirek raged he kickback and swung at the ram. With a flash of his magic, the bell blasted the two and reduced them back to their previous forms. 

“And finally this little one,” Grogar said looking toward Cozy. Rather than struggle, she whimpered in fear of him. “Poor little filly, all alone. Not a friend to turn to. Just these two failures that you rely on. But I’m assuming they at least paid you more attention then your parents did?” Grogar said calmly. A gasp drew his attention. “Oh, so no one bothered to look into her history?” Grogar asked, turning back to face the Army of Harmony. The elements and princesses remained silent. “No? I was the only one who investigated why a foal wanted to take over Equestria? Or where she came from?” No one said a word. The student six looked to their teachers hoping for an answer. But they were just as clueless as them. “You only thought of her as another villain?” Grogar asked, his tone full of disappointment.

“Did...did no one think to look into her past?” Gallus asked, his voice wavering hoping his teachers didn’t simply cast her aside. Then again, he and his friends didn’t pay her any mind either. Nor did they care when she was shipped off to Tartarus.

“We...well…” Twilight began but couldn’t remember any time she tried to look into why Cozy became bad.

“Of course you didn’t. You simply locked her away, in TARTARUS. Next to the very being that fueled her dark ambitions.” Grogar said the princesses looked surprised. “What? Just because I've been gone for so long doesn't mean I haven't been aware of recent events. It's not as if I've been hiding under a rock for all these centuries.” Grogar sighed. He looked back to the young filly, he set her gently down on the ground. Much to her and everyone's confusion. 

“Child, I know of your deeds and your brilliant cunning. To be able to fool not only the princesses but also the heroes of the land is no easy task. Well, maybe not that hard considering they never noticed what you three were doing under their noses.” The mane six deadpanned at this much to the rams amusement. “But to keep the ruse up for so long and have no one suspect? That requires patience, knowledge, and skill way beyond your years.” Cozy didn’t know whether to be happy to be praised or on edge from how well Grogar seemed to know her. 

“How do you know so much about me?” She asked, her curiosity overtaking her fear. 

“My dear I’ve lived long enough to see a prodigy when it’s staring me in the face. And you are one. Your cutie mark is of a chess piece, the rook. A strong piece of a very strategic game. But also a very lonely and vulnerable one as well.” Grogar explained, kneeling to her level. “And your eyes...your eyes tell me all I need to know.” He said staring into her eyes. No malice, no hate, no anger. Just pity and concern. 

...

...

...


*sniff sniff whimper*

A silence filled the air as Cozy’s quiet cries filled the air. Luna ceased her wrathful attempts to attack. The creatures gathered looked on in surprise at seeing the normally sadistic filly cry. Fresh tears flowing down her cheeks. Tirek and Chrysalis, still in Grogar’s grip ceased their struggling and turned to their young ally. They never had seen her cry like this.  Was this just a ploy to lower the ram’s guard? No, this seemed different. This felt real. 

Grogar sighed and patted her gently on her head. “Worry not child. I won’t pry any further, nor take my magic back from you. Yet.” He said letting that last word fill her mind. Letting her know that she will have to return it to him, one way or the other. Standing up straight and clearing his throat he turned to the Army of Harmony. 

“Now then, I’d like to make a request, from both the current and the future to be rulers of Equestria,” Grogar announced. The ram waited for a response from the leaders. Twilight turned to Luna and Celestia who slowly nodded their heads. The three stepped forth with the elements, pillars, and a reluctant Discord in tow. 

“What request do you want? Surely the first ‘Emperor of Equestria’ need not ask for our permission.” Celestia asked, remaining on guard. 

“Simple princess. I want custody over these three.” Grogar said pointing to the three villains behind him. 

….

….

….

“WHAT?!!”
> Chapter 2: Well that escalated quickly.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“So this is what my life has come to.” Tirek groaned as he carried the last of several boxes out into the middle of a field. It had been a week since their defeat and subsequent change of pace. He still could barely believe any of it actually happened.

*Flashback*

“What?!” The princesses shouted. 

“Do you ponies need to get your hearing checked?! I feel like I’m always repeating myself.” Grogar groaned. 

“Why in the name of Faust would you want to keep these three in your stead?!” Luna exclaimed. 

“And what makes you think we would let you hold onto these three fiends?!” Celestia demanded. “They must be punished!”

“Oh please, what would you do? You have no magic, but I do!” Grogar reminded them as he placed his bell onto his necklace. “You have little to say in the matter.” Grogar chuckled. 

“You forget, you stand alone! We stand united in friendship!” Twilight said proudly, the army behind her cheering. Grogar simply lifted an eyebrow. Cozy quickly took the opportunity to move away from the possible blast zone that was to be where Grogar stood. Twilight not giving up fired a beam of magic toward Grogar. Right as the beam came inches to his face, Grogar simply took a step to the side, lazily dodging the alicorns' magic. 

“Seems you must learn the difference in our powers princess,” Grogar said in annoyance. Turning his head he looked and saw the ruins of Canterlot. With his horns glowing he fired a beam of magic toward the city. The ponies gasped fearing their beloved capital would be further destroyed. But upon reaching its target, instead of destroying what was left, the city was bathed in a magical glow. Suddenly the destroyed buildings began to repair themselves. The pieces of debris flying back into place. In less than a minute the entirety of Canterlot was repaired. A loud thud was heard as the ram turned to see everyone's collective jaws drop. “There I fixed your castle, now I demand two more requests as payment,” Grogar said nonchalantly. The princesses starred on in shock at how easily the ram repaired the damage. 

“How...huh?” Luna said dumbfounded by what just happened. “Was that time magic?!” 

“Indeed, a little rewinding of time in a small concentrated area can do wonders for repairs. As long as you know how to control it.” Grogar said proudly, “One wrong move and you could rupture the space-time continuum! Thankfully I am a master in all things magic, unlike some creatures.” Grogar said giving a deadpan glare to Starlight, who sheepishly chuckled. Shaking her head Celestia returned her gaze toward the powerful ram. 

“Three things?! You’ve already demanded to keep these three in your care, what more could you want?!” Celestia demanded. 

“Oh, just a bit of land so I can build a new home. I’d stay at my original lair, but it seems as the years past it changed from a nice little hideaway to a desolate swamp and I don’t wish to trot through mud and muck just to walk to and from my front door.” Grogar sighed. “And a guarantee from all of you that you will leave me to do as I wish.”

“And what makes you think we’ll even let you do any of those things?!” Applejack said glaring at Grogar. Grogar simply chuckled. 

“Simple my dear,” He said lifting up his bell for all to see. “I still have both the princesses and Discord’s magic. Don’t you want it back? Or do you prefer I keep it all to myself?” Grogar laughed. The elements growled at the ram’s outlandish demands. Before they could voice their opinions however Grogar cut them off. “Need I remind you, I also was able to cancel out your Rainbow death beam? The one thing that has never failed you before? Hm?” 

“That was just dumb luck! You won’t be able to do it twice in a row!” Rainbow shouted confidently. The heroes gathered into position and began to glow. 

“Oh no, not again!” Cozy said taking cover behind her still bound allies. The three braced themselves for the attack. Grogar simply laughed as the hero's lifted up into the air. 

“Go ahead! Give it your best shot!” He shouted, not even bothering to shield himself. The Pillars, Student six, Mane five and Spike again fired off rainbows toward Twilight who unleashed an even larger rainbow then the last one. It arched up into the sky as the gathered creatures behind them cheered in victory. It descended upon the former emperor with incredible speed. 

“Heh, fools.” Grogar laughed as he lifted the bell and activated his spell. The bell rang out as a yellow and black beam fired from the artifact colliding with the rainbow. The two beams clashed in an epic struggle for power. The Army of Harmony gaped at the spectacle as the two beams fought for dominance. The representatives of harmony began to sweat as the beam struggle took its toll. 

“Why isn’t this working?! It should be working!!” Rarity said straining to keep up the fight. 

“Keep fighting friends we can beat him!!” Rockhoof shouted trying to boost morale. 

“Okay, this is some bullspit! How is this guy so strong!!” Smolder shouted growing more annoyed by the second. 

“He must be struggling as much as we are! Right?” Spike questioned taking a look at the ram. The color from his face drained as he saw Grogar conjure a lawn chair, drink, and sunglasses. The ram sat on the chair and started to relax, barely paying the epic beam battle any mind. 

“Ahh. This is nice.” Grogar said, taking a sip from his drink. “So, dumb luck that I beat you was it?” Grogar laughed as his beam slowly pushed the rainbow back. The villains looked on as their jaws practically fell off from what was happening in front of them. On the ponies side the collective leaders and Army of Harmony fell over in shock, and in Discord’s case, fainted. “Are we done here?” Grogar shouted, pushing down his sunglasses. The heroes kept up their fight despite the odds. Grogar groaned and zapped his bell once more. The beam from the bell took the form of a giant claw and grabbed the rainbow. With what some would say cartoonish effect, it began to spin the rainbow, dragging along the heroes like they were tied to the end of a rope. Spinning faster and faster until the hero's connection to the rainbow snapped away, sending them flying into the crowd like bowling balls. With a thud and crash, the heroes groaned as they lay on the ground sore from the fall. The claw then grabbed hold of the rainbow and dragged it back into the bell absorbing the magic. The bell then returned to Grogar’s necklace and locked into place. 

“Now are you ready to talk?” Grogar chuckled walking up to the crowd, dragging Tirek, and Chrysalis with him. Cozy trotting behind, not wanting to be left out in the open for an attack. Celestia looked between her allies and the amused ram, she sighed in defeat. 

“Fine, you’ve proven your point.” Celestia reluctantly says. 

“Sister! You can’t be serious!” Luna gasped. 

“What choice do we have Luna? He’s demonstrated his power, and we cannot leave our magic in the hooves of this monster. As much as it pains me to say it, we must give in to his demands.” Celestia sighs before turning to Grogar. 

“Good, good. But I’ll need confirmation from every leader here to leave me alone. Just because you agree doesn’t mean they will.” Grogar says looking to the other world leaders. They gulped under his gaze and nodded their heads profusely. “Excellent! In the name of the ancient ones, do you agree to my terms?” Grogar said lifting a hoof. Celestia gritted her teeth and shook his hoof, a magic swirl flashed across their forelegs as they did so. 

“I agree to your terms.” She growled. The magic wrapped around their legs forming a magical chain before disappearing. Celestia quickly takes her hoof back in disgust.

“Excellent!” Grogar points his bell at the alicorn sisters, with a ring from his bell the magic within was returned to them. Grogar turned to take his leave. 

“Wait what about me?!” Discord yells running up to the three after recovering from his fainting spell. Grogar looked behind him and smirks. 

“Oh? You want your magic back? Very well I shall return it to you.” Grogar says turning around. Discord smiled as the ram faced him. “In a year.” 

*glass breaking*

“Huh?” Discord said as despair overtook him. 

“I shall return your magic as I agreed, but I still haven’t forgiven you for impersonating me!!” Grogar growled glaring at the poor chaos lord. 

“But...but. How will I get home? I need my magic! I’m defenseless without it!” Discord cried out. Grogar simply grinned. 

“Then next time you will know not to impersonate other people hm?” Grogar laughed, as the draconequus starred in horror. However before he could leave, Fluttershy flew out in front of him. 

“Please don’t do this! He’s been tortured enough!” She begged. The ram raised an eyebrow and turned to see the pathetic fool curl up in a ball and rock back and forth. 

“Ugh, fine. I’ll give him some of his magic back if only to stop this pathetic display of idiocy.” The ram turned, with another ring of his bell he gave discord a portion of his magic back. “There, you have enough magic to at least to go between here and your home. But the rest stays with me until I’ve decided that you’ve learned your lesson, boy.” Grogar growled. Discord nodded and quickly backed away with Fluttershy following suit. Grogar turned to his new companions with a grin. “Come along now you three. We have much work to do. I’ve already picked out a perfect spot for my new lair.” Grogar laughed trotting away, carrying the two as Cozy trotted close behind. 

*End of Flashback*

Tirek was snapped out of his stupor as Grogar stomped his hooves. He trotted over to see what was to be done next. Grogar stood holding blueprints with magic. Chrysalis sat stubbornly kicking a rock away in annoyance. While Cozy munched on a sandwich.

“Alright, that’s everything. Now comes the hard part. I want this place built in three days. Between the four of us, we’ll be able to finish it by then. I’ve already set up a makeshift camp for us to sleep in till the lair/house is built. If I see any of you slacking, I won’t make you any food.” Grogar said conjuring a hard hat upon his head. “And I highly doubt you’ll be able to find a place anywhere else that’ll be willing to serve you food. So get to it!” He ordered conjuring three more hard hats on top of the three stooges. 

“I really hate you.” Chrysalis hissed. 

“Yeah, well you're not fun to be around either. Now get to work!” Grogar ordered hoofing over copies of the blueprint. Turning he wandered over to the temporary camp. The three looked at each other and sighed. 

“Well, on the bright side, at least we aren’t being punished by the ponies?” Cozy said trying to lighten the mood. 

“Honestly I’d prefer that over this humiliation.” Tirek groaned rubbing his temples. 

“What do you think they were gonna do with us in the first place?” Cozy asked.

“Probably something like banishing us to Tartarus or going to that disgusting friendship school.” Chrysalis shuddered. 

“I doubt it, I was half expecting them to turn us to stone,” Tirek said grabbing some wood. 

“Stone? Maybe you two, but I’m just a kid! They wouldn’t do that to me. Right?” Cozy asked, grabbing some tools with her magic. 

“Please, those fools were out for blood. I wouldn’t put it past them if they were going to do that immediately after they bested us.” Chrysalis huffed looking over the blueprints. “They did banish you to Tartarus after all.” Cozy whimpered at the thought. The other two gave pause as she collected herself. 

“Well, whatever the case, let's just get this done and over with,” Tirek said laying down the wood for the foundation. 

"Ugh, our misery will never end will it?" Chrysalis asked as she buried her face in her hooves.

"Nope." Tirek and Cozy sighed.
> Chapter 3: Work and Lunches
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The day was dragging on slowly. Tirek, Cozy, and Chrysalis found themselves growing more and more annoyed. Seemed Celestia or Twilight or whoever was controlling the sun was still miffed about the event many have called, “Grogar’s return/Friendship gets rekt.”, as the heat seemed to continue to grow with each passing minute. The foundation of the new lair was finished, and now came the framework. 

“Okay, I may be no architect, but these schematics don’t make sense!” Cozy groaned as she stared at the assorted blueprints for the thirteenth time. “UGH! Why couldn’t we just stay in the old place?!” Cozy growled. 

“Ask Grogar. He’s the one who made us carry all these items and supplies from the old lair to here.” Tirek said hammering a nail into a wood beam. 

“Why did he pick this place though?” Cozy asked she flew up looking around. They were mostly surrounded by green hills, few trees, and a large river stream. “It kinda feels out in the open.”

“It appears the real Grogar doesn’t care for secrecy or being hidden, given how he displayed the massive power gap between him and the ponies,” Chrysalis said as she sawed some wooden boards. “A far cry different from how Discord portrayed him.” She snarked.

“Heh, did you see his face when Grogar showed up? He was so terrified!” Cozy giggled as she brought over more supplies. Tirek and Chrysalis chuckled at that. 

“Shows him! Pompous upstart thinking he was so high and mighty! Serves him right for all the trouble he put us through.” The queen laughed. She looked to her pile beams and groaned. “Ugh, though it seems he wasn’t that far off for how the real Grogar acts, That ram wants to work us to death!” She huffed. 

“Oh quit your bickering Chrysalis. At least you’re not back in the woods all by yourself with your logs.” Tirek laughed. Chrysalis growled and lit her horn, subtly moving the centaur's thumb in the way of the hammer. 

*poink* “YEOH!” Tirek shouted, pulling his hand away. His thumb looked redder than usual. “How dare you!” He yelled as the queen whistles innocently. Aiming his hammer he tossed it toward the support legs of the queens cutting board causing it to collapse.  

“Really?! I was in the middle of cutting wood, you buffoon! I nearly sawed off my leg!” Chrysalis hissed. Tirek laughed at her plight. Chrysalis roared in anger and leaped at Tirek knocking him over. “You dare?! I am a queen! You no good buffoon!” She hissed as she began to snap at him. Tirek, using his four legs pushed the queen off him, sending her flying toward a stack of boxes. The queen hissed before transforming into a bear. Using her new form’s strength she lifted the box over her head and threw toward the centaur. Tirek dived out of the way as the box crashed down and exploded into pieces, spilling out several bags of cement across the ground. 

“Ha, you’ll have to do better than that!” Tirek grinned, before receiving a wood beam to the face. “Thank you, dear, may I have another?” Tirek groaned, he shook his head and grit his teeth. The two yelled and charged toward each other. Their angry fighting resulted in a dust cloud of limbs and debris flying everywhere. Much to Cozy’s annoyance and slight amusement. However, before she could intervene a voice interrupted. 

“I leave for twenty minutes and you are already at each other's throats?!” Grogar snapped as he trotted toward them, his voice echoing across the small construction site. Tirek and Chrysalis freeze as the ram approaches. Tirek with a hammer in one hand while trying to pry off Chrysalis who was preparing to bite his other arm. 

“Uh...I can explain.” The two said at the same time, the ram lowered his eyebrows in annoyance as he pulled the two apart with his magic. 

“I need to keep you fools on a tighter leash.” Grogar groaned as he sat the two in front of him. Meanwhile Cozy began to fix their mess. “I need both of you to get along, starting now!!” Grogar said stomping his hoof. 

“Well, we would be if someone wasn’t so petty!” Tirek snarked. 

“Petty!? Says the one who allowed that draconequus to get under his skin and allow our prisoners to escape!” Chrysalis hissed back as the two glared at one another. 

“Okay enough of this.” Grogar huffed as he lifted the two and banged their heads together. 

“Gah/Ow!” The two groaned as their heads spun from the impact. 

“Now if you two are done bickering like children, get back to work! The longer this takes the longer we all go without a roof over our heads!” Grogar shouted as he dropped the two. 

“Ugh, and who’s fault is that?” Chrysalis rebuttal as she dusted herself off. “Why did you ever wish to move in the first place?!” Chrysalis asked as she stared down the ram.

“I wanted a new change of pace, and I didn’t want to live in a swamp.” Grogar deadpanned.

“Oh please, what’s the real reason? You’re hiding something.” Tirek accused. Grogar rolled his eyes as he went back to camp. 

“Remember who’s in charge here fool, now I am going to go finish making lunch, and if the support structure isn’t done by the time I get back then you two can forget about me serving you food and you’ll also spend the first week sleeping outside the lair!” Grogar yelled stomping off. The two muttered curses under their breath and returned to work. 

“About time! I don’t wanna pick up your guy's slack!” Cozy yelled from above as she was already putting together the mainframe for the front wall. 

“Quiet you welp! You’d be annoyed too if you had been reverted back to your weaker form! Oh, wait, you don’t know because that ram felt pity for you!” Chrysalis hissed. Cozy rolled her eyes and continued working. 

“Honestly, why did he decide to move locations? It's not as if the old lair wasn’t too bad. We may have caused a bit of damage here and there, but it wasn’t in shambles.” Tirek asked lifting more wood from the boxes. 

“Perhaps he did want a change of scenery?” Cozy guessed as she hammered some nails. 

“Please, that old fool is up to something. I don’t know what, but there’s more going on than he’s letting on.” Chrysalis accused as she secured the beams into the ground. The three continued working for another three hours. 

“Alright! Lunch is ready!” Grogar yelled from across the hill. The three sighed in delight as they dropped their tools and ran over to the camp. None of them would admit it but, the building process had taken more out of them then they thought. When they arrived they saw that Grogar had at least been pulling his weight. A decent campsite was set up with a small unlit campfire, makeshift outdoor kitchen, a large enough table for the four of them, and four tents for all of them. Chrysalis narrowed her eyes at the tents, most notably the large blue one. 

“Let me guess the big one’s yours?” She said Grogar chuckled as he approached, carrying food with his magic. 

“Only the best for the best after all.” Grogar laughed much to the annoyance of the three of them. “Now, here you are. I take it the lack of explosions or yelling for the past few hours means you’ve gotten some work done?” He asked setting the covered plates in front of each of them.

“Yes, sir mister Grogar! We’ve been working very hard today!” Cozy said, doing her best to warm up to the ram. 

“Don’t patronize me filly,” Grogar said, making Cozy drop her act as the four sat down. Tirek sitting closest to Grogar. Tirek eyed the Bewitching Bell hanging from his neck. “Don’t try it,” Grogar stated plainly. Tirek jerked as the ram seemed to read his mind and turned his attention to the plates. 

“Ahem, so what did you make for us?” Tirek asked trying to change the subject, Grogar grinned. 

“Well for you, I’ve prepared a...” He began as he lifted the cover, “...corn on the cob with butter, along with biscuits, three small cheese sandwiches and a glass of water.” Grogar turned to Cozy. “And for you, I’ve made a hayburger with fries, ketchup, mustard, and a soda.” The two were surprised by the old ram’s display of cookery. Grogar then turned to Chrysalis who cut him off before he could speak. 

“Yes, yes good show and all that. But if you forget I am a Changeling. A REAL changeling not those traitors under that pony loving grub.” Chrysalis hissed. “While I may be able to consume regular food, I require Love to sustain myself, and unless there’s a pony under here, then I highly doubt whatever you’ve made can satisfy me.” The former queen groaned. Grogar simply smiled at her. 

“Oh believe me Chrysalis I didn’t forget about your needs. I prepared this just for you.” Grogar said as he lifted the cover to reveal an assortment of strange green glowing gems.

“Uh, you know she’s not a dragon right?” Cozy said already eating her fries. But to her surprise, Chrysalis’s eyes widened as she stared at the plate before her. 

“It can’t be, there’s love radiating from this! How in the world did you do this?!” She said as her mouth began to water. Grogar smirked with confidence. 

“Please, as the Father of Monsters I am well versed in all manner of creatures and their diets. I might have not created your species but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t able to study your people’s abilities and unique nature.” Grogar grinned. “What sits before you is a creation of my design. These crystals are similar to that of the crystal heart. Capable of containing, growing, and releasing love energy. All you need to do is either suck up the energy normally or if you are in desperate need of energy you can consume them like rock candy.” Grogar stated. However, when he looked up he saw the changeling not paying him any mind as she devoured every crystal, much to the amusement of her companions. 

“I think she likes it.” Tirek laughed. Chrysalis stopped midway through her meal and looked up. Her ears dripped in embarrassment quickly eating crystals stuffed in her mouth. 

“Oh har har. You would do the same if you felt as hungry as I did every day.” Chrysalis hissed returning to her cold attitude. 

“No need to thank me,” Grogar smirked, Chrysalis huffed and went back to eating. Grogar rolled his eyes and lifted his cover, revealing a plain peanut butter and jelly sandwich with milk and apple. The three stared at him in confusion. 

“Huh,” Cozy said drawing the ram’s attention.

“What?” Grogar asked as he cut his apple into slices.

“Nothing, I just thought that you would be eating something a little more, I dunno refined?” Cozy said raising an eyebrow.

“What’s wrong with PB&J?” Grogar asked as he ate one of the apple slices. 

“Nothing, I just thought the former ‘Emperor of Equestria’ and the ‘Father of Monsters’ would eat something a little more different? Like one of those fancy dishes in Canterlot?” Cozy said shrugging. Grogar rolled his eyes at the foal.

“Child, just because one has such a high status, doesn’t mean they can’t eat ordinary food,” Grogar said simply, taking a bite out of his sandwich. 

“True, though I’m with filly here. Except I thought you were going to eat something more carnivorous.” Tirek stated. 

“Like what?” Grogar asked, taking a sip of his milk.

“Um, a cooked hydra-head or deep-fried cockatrice?” Tirek said shocking the old ram making him choke on his milk.

“Why would you give that idea?! I’m a ram for Faust’s sake.” Grogar coughed before composing himself. “My diet is strictly vegetarian. I can’t eat meat, and even if I could I doubt I’d like it.” The four resumed their meal and sat quietly as the summer breeze passed through the air.

“So why did you want to move and make a new lair?” Cozy asked, breaking the silence. Grogar raised an eyebrow. “I mean, the one we had was good enough, and it was well hidden.” Cozy pointed out. Tirek and Chrysalis looked between the two waiting for a response. 

“Well, while it is true the old lair was structurally sound, it wasn’t exactly so secretive anymore,” Grogar said wiping his mouth with a napkin. “Thanks to that idiot Discord and the three of you it’s been swarmed with guards since we left. No doubt he blabbed to the princesses of his failed plans and your betrayal. They, along with most if not all of the most powerful heroes in Equestria now knew where my home was.” Grogar said annoyed. The mean three sweatdropped at this. 

“But this place isn’t exactly so secretive either,” Cozy said, motioning to the large empty green hills and fields. “We’re out in the open. They could attack us at any moment!” She said worriedly. 

“Fear not little one. My deal with Celestia still stands.” Grogar said, he stood up and trotted toward the outdoor kitchen with his plate in tow. “I ensured that we would remain undisturbed while she still reigns. I bound us together in a magic contract to show I was serious.” He said as he cleaned dishes. 

“But Celestia isn’t going to be ruling much longer, Twilight Sparkle will become the ruler of Equestria,” Chrysalis said finishing her meal. “What’s to stop her and her ‘friends’ from storming over here and locking us all in the dungeon?” 

“Do you have brain damage from or something? Or did you forget how I single hoofedly defeated her and her friends.” Grogar said as he levitated the queen’s plate over to him. Her eyes twitched in annoyance. 

“No, how could we forget? It was both terrifying and satisfying to watch.” Tirek said as he continued to eat. “That mare finally got her just comeuppance, finally seeing what it’s like to be on the wrong side of an instant win magic spell,” Tirek said teleporting his plate to the ram. “However, given how paranoid she could be, I highly doubt she would let us run around freely.” 

“An astute point Tirek, which is why I need this lair built asap,” Grogar said. “While you three finish construction I will ensure no one can just walk in and attack us in our sleep.” Grogar grinned. “As for your other question, I chose this area specifically because of where it’s located,” Grogar said, the three tilted their heads in confusion. “Have none of you bothered to look past the forest surrounding this meadow? Two of you can fly, just go up high and look around!” Grogar sighed. Cozy decided to follow the ram’s advice and took to the air. Flying higher and higher she finally saw what Grogar meant. She gasped and flew back down. 

“You put us right between Ponyville and Canterlot?!” Cozy proclaimed, Tirek and Chrysalis looked to the ram in shock. “Why?!”

“To mess with them.” Grogar grinned. “Just imagine it, every time they look out their window, there we’ll be just a few miles from them. With nothing but a forest between us. Besides, from what I’ve heard everything crazy and hilarious happens with them.” Grogar laughed maniacally, Cozy returned to the ground and looked at the ram in terror. 

“You’re nuts!” She yelled Grogar shrugged. 

“Not nuts, just bored. I need some source of entertainment around here and with you, three under my care, that paranoid princess and her friends will bring the entertainment to me!” Grogar laughed. “That and I can make sure to keep them in my sights at all times.”  He said, taking Cozy’s plate. “Now go! Lunch’s over, get back to work!” Grogar shouted. The three villains sighed at the ram’s antics. One by one the three went back to the site. Cozy gave the ram one last look before leaving. Once the three were gone Grogar chuckled to himself. 

“All the pieces are falling into place, now all I need to do is watch. ” Grogar grinned.
> Chapter 4: Arguments and trespassing oh my.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Ugh, I hate the sun.” Chrysalis hissed as she heaved more stone slabs into place. Lunch had gone surprisingly swell, though she would never admit it. The heat continued to grow as she and her cohorts continued to build their base. With the boost of love energy she received the work had gone much faster for her, however, they were still nowhere near done. The framework had been finished, now they just needed to fill in the walls. She had ceased her fights with the centaur, fighting amongst themselves didn’t help in the past. It wouldn’t help now. “That ram’s horns must be too large for his head! Pinning us between Canterlot and Ponyville? That's utter madness!” She huffed.

“Well not much we can do about it now,” Cozy said. Her horn glowed and the stones began to heat up and merge sticking to place.

“You’re getting the hang of magic very quickly aren’t you?” Chrysalis said as she pulled out more slabs. 

“Eh, it's not that hard. I just think about what I want to happen and my horn does the rest. I’m honestly surprised I got the hang of it so quickly.” Cozy said, shrugging. “I mean all the unicorns I’ve known have always said that magic takes years of practice and patience and even then it can be hard to cast spells.” 

“That may be due to Grogar’s magic flowing through you,” Tirek said, carrying four bags of cement. “That or it's due to your extreme intelligence. His magic is extremely powerful, I was able to control it due to my familiarity with absorbing so much magic, but even still I felt the power overwhelming.” Chrysalis nodded her head in agreement. 

“Indeed, I never felt so much power in my life, not even during my invasion of Canterlot did I feel such power.” Chrysalis sighed. “I felt the entire world was within my grasp. But our power high seemed to have blinded us from obvious flaws in our plans.” She groaned. 

“Yeah, now that I’m thinking about it we ignored several red flags,” Cozy said. “We should’ve taken all of their magic in the bell or at least have Tirek eat it. Maybe then Starlight wouldn’t have freed the elements and their dragon.” 

“We should have dealt with them the moment we had them in our clutches! Ugh, it was a complete repeat of my rampage across Equestria. I let all that power get my head when I should’ve destroyed those pathetic ponies!” Tirek growled as he crushed a brick in his grasp in anger.

“Next time I get a chance, I’m taking them out without hesitation! No monologue, no maniacal laugh, no stalling, just destroy them!” Chrysalis chuckled a bit. 

“If we get another next time.” Cozy pointed out drawing her allies' attention. “Grogar has us under lock and key. With the bell in his hooves, he could drain us dry and leave us in the dust. He could take us out even without the bell!” Cozy said, lowering her head in defeat. 

“Please, he may be powerful, but he’s no god,” Tirek said, rolling his eyes. 

“Um, I’m sorry did you see a different battle then we did? Grogar wiped the floor with the Elements! Even when they used their magical rainbow death beam, he kicked their flanks and barely even sweat! He was drinking lemonade and sat like he was on a beach for goodness sake!” Cozy huffed. 

“And yet he let them go. Who’s to say they won’t try again and win next time?” Tirek pointed out. “If I’ve learned anything from fighting those obnoxious fools is that they don’t forget and forgive so easily.” Cozy looked to her centaur cohort in confusion.

“Um, aren’t they all about the whole forgiveness and redemption thing?” Cozy asked.

“I mean toward beings like us who won’t fall for their schemes and make us complacent puppets!” Tirek sighed.

“Please, after the beating we gave those ponies, I bet they’re glad not to mess with us,” Chrysalis said.

“You mean the beating HE gave them.” Cozy pointed out.

“We did our fair share of destruction and damage! We divided the ponies! We stole Celestia and Luna’s magic! We destroyed Canterlot!” Chrysalis hissed. 

“And then the students of Twilight’s school knocked some sense back into everyone, bringing every last creature on the face of the planet to help defeat us! I told you two we should’ve dealt with the students at Twilight’s school as well! Without them, the ponies would still be at each other's throats and the wendigos would have deterred any outside forces!” Cozy said.

“Well if you were so worried about it why didn’t you do anything about them?” Tirek questioned.

“I thought Chrysalis would handle it! I even asked her to take care of those six stubborn teens while she went and attacked the school! But I guess revenge was more important than tying up loose ends!” Cozy said turning and getting in the queen’s face. 

“Grr watch your step their brat! I wasn’t the one who was almost overwhelmed by six mares and a baby dragon! If it weren’t for Tirek and my arrival you would’ve been defeated!” Chrysalis hissed back, Tirek took a step back as the two looked ready to kill each other.

“Those ‘six mares and a baby dragon’ were the ones who defeated all of us multiple times!” Cozy growled back horn glowing threateningly. “Tirek had to deal with the Pillars, I stormed Canterlot first by myself! I faced down the royal guard, the princesses and those seven!! All you had to do was take out the Headmare and her scared students!”

“Please, the royal guard is a pathetic excuse of a military! They fell easily to multiple conquest attempts, and those sisters never did anything! The first time Celestia tried I beat her with just the love I feasted off Shining Armor! And that Headmare, turned my entire hive of loyal changelings against me in less than a minute! Of course, I would focus on her! She turned my hive against me!” Chrysalis yelled as her horn began to glow. The two locked horns and flew in the air just waiting for the other to try something. 

“ENOUGH!!” Tirek yelled, drawing their attention. “Keep this up and you’ll bring Grogar’s wrath down on all of us!” Tirek stomped. 

“Oh please, old big horns back there went off to gather more supplies. Besides I’ve wanted to test out more of my magic, and miss queenie over here is just asking for a magic blast to the face!” Cozy said as her horn began to glow. 

“Need I remind you that magic you wield is Grogar’s? He did say he would take it back from you eventually, and I don’t think you’d want him to come back and see the two of you duking it out and destroying his new property!” Tirek pointed out, crossing his arms. The three glared back at each other before relenting. Tirek sighed in annoyance as he turned back to work. However, a noise drew his attention. He looked over to his left and stared at the nearby treeline. 

“Tirek could you hand me more bricks?” Cozy asked. She turned to see the centaur ignoring her. “Ugh, I’m not going to call you Lord every time I need your attention Tirek!” She said. The centaur still didn’t look to her, eyes twitching she flew over to the centaur. “Hello? Anypony home?” She said waving a hoof in his face, the centaur shook from his stupor and grabbed the filly before crouching down. “Hey! What are you-” 

“Shh!” Tirek hushed, clamping the fillies mouth shut. “There’s something watching us.” He said as he motioned over to the treeline. Confused Cozy followed his gaze and starred toward the trees. 

“Hmm? Ma Mon’t Mee Momhing?”  She tried to say as she removed the centaur's hand. 

“There’s someone there. I know it.” Tirek huffed back. Keeping his eyes on the treeline something caught his eye. “There!” He shouted before firing a blast of magic, the blast hit a nearby tree and with a boom, its top half was destroyed. 

“What in Tartarus is going on here?!” Chrysalis buzzed having been drawn by the explosion. The three looked on as the smoke cleared. A male pegasus in burnt camouflage groaned as they stumbled out from the smoke. 

“Mommy, can I get off the swing now?” The pegasus groaned before plopping down face-first into the dirt. They groaned and looked up to three annoyed villains looking down on them.  

“Well, what have we here? A spy perchance?” Chrysalis hissed as her horn glowed lifting the stallion by his wings. 

“Oh, I’ve been waiting for a chance to let off some steam.” Cozy grinned manically. 

“What are you doing here pony? Tell us or prepare for a world of pain.” Tirek growled cracking his knuckles. The pegasus yipped at the sight of the three, desperately trying to run only to fling around in mid-air as Chrysalis’s magic held him.

“Ahh!! I don’t wanna die!” The pony whimpered. 

“Oh be quiet you blundering fool! Who are you!?” Chrysalis hissed.

“S-s-s Swift Wa-Wing.” The stallion stuttered in fear.

“Well then, ‘Swift Wing’. Why are you out here?” Tirek huffed making the stallion flinch.

“Uh...I was lost. I was trying to find my way to the nearest settlement for directions!” Swift gulped. 

“Tsk tsk. Now that’s not a nice thing to do. Lying won’t help you now.” Cozy singsonged in her ‘sweet’ voice. 

“It’s the truth! Honest, I swear!” Swift said sweating profusely. 

“He’s lying! He was spying on us for the ponies!  Why else would he be out here? In camouflage no less?!” Tirek said pointing accusingly at the stallion. 

“I was trying to hide yes, but from the local wildlife here! I didn’t know anypony was out here! Please don’t hurt me!” He begged. 

"Hiding? Hiding from what exactly?" Chrysalis asked. Suddenly the ground began to shake as roar came from the tree line. The four turned to see a pride of fifteen Manticores marched out of the treeline. 

"From them!" The pegasus gasped. One of the Manticores looked around and saw the crater left from Tirek's attack. It turned to the four and growled. 

"What's got them so miffed? Cozy asked. 

"This entire section of the forest is Manticore territory! Didn't you all see the claw marks on the trees?" Swift asked in a panicked voice. 

The three villains looked to each other and looked back at the nearby trees. Indeed several tree barks had various claw marks on them. Including the one Tirek destroyed. 

"Oh....so that's what those were." Cozy deadpanned as the pride roared and charged toward them.  

"Gah! We're all gonna die!" Swift cried out. Tirek rolled his eyes and stomped his hoof in the ground making a hole. He grabbed the pony by his mane and shoved him into the hole with his head sticking out. 

"Stay here and don't try anything! I've been needing to release some pent up frustration." Tirek grinned as he cracked his neck. 

"Agreed." Chrysalis hissed as her horn began to glow. 

"I always wanted a Manticore rug." Cozy grinned maniacally, "Get them!"
> Chapter 5: Pest Problems
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The manticores roared as the trio charged. With a flash, Chrysalis transformed into a tiger leaping toward a manticore and began swiping at its face. Tirek rammed into two charging felines extending his arms out catching them on their necks before spinning and tossing them at a third. Cozy laughed as she launched spell blast after blast at the oversized cats making them dance to avoid the attacks. Swift Wing could only look on in shock as the trio fought off the pack.

“I really did cross into the wrong neck of the woods didn’t I?” The buried pegasus gulped.

“Yeperoonie!” Cozy laughed as she forced another manticore to slap another with her telekinetic magic. Two more leaped toward her flapping their large wings flying toward her.  She dodged as they chased her across the sky.

Chrysalis growled in her tiger form as her claws dug into the manticore’s face. The manticore roared as it charged toward a tree to try and slam her against it. Shapeshifting into a snake she slithered off the beast's face just as it slammed into the tree. It walked away with stars in its eyes as a large red bump appeared on its forehead. Chrysalis chuckled before being grabbed by another beast. It growled as it threw her toward the ground. Hissing she transformed into a Cragadile, the manticore thrust its scorpion tail toward her only to recoil in pain at hitting her rock-like scales. With a snap of her jaw, she grabbed the manticore by the tail and flung it toward its still dazed companion. 

Tirek lifted one of the beasts and tossed it away, another charged behind him. He reared his forelegs and gave a mighty buck backward, only for the beast to catch one of his hooves in his mouth. Biting down Tirek yelped in pain trying to kick it off with his other hoof. After three kicks and a black eye the beast let go, shaking its head it roared leaping toward him. With a blast, Tirek sent the beast flying off. 

Up above cozy continued to fly circles around the two manticores that chased her. Grinning she began to spin around them causing a draft of wind to catch them and send them spinning. Cozy laughed as she watched the two catch themselves while looking a bit green. A roar from behind her drew her attention as a manticore flew past her into the other two. The three went crashing down with a thud. Cozy snickered at their stupidity before three more flew around her in a circle. Rolling her eyes she feigned defeat in a mock voice, “Oh no! I’m surrounded! What will little old me ever do?!” The three beasts roared and charged. 

Cozy ignited her horn and teleported away causing the three to collide headfirst and fall into an ever-growing pile of defeated felines. She reappeared above them with a smug grin. “Oh, right I can teleport! Heh, dumb cats.” She laughed. But before she could think another appeared behind her and smacked her with its paw. “Wah!” She shouted in alarm as she was flung toward another, who proceeded to slap her back toward its partner. The two proceeded to perform a midair tennis match with Cozy as the ball. Grunting her horn glowed as she bathed herself with electricity. Before the manticore could stop itself it hit Cozy causing the creature to ignite with electricity. Its fur burnt black as it floated in the air for a moment before falling with a wheeze to the ground. 

“I am not a toy!” Cozy huffed dusting herself off.  “I am an Alicorn! The future Empress of friendship! I will not be some flying feline’s plaything!”  However, her rant was cut short as the other manticore took her by surprise and bit into one of her wings. 

CRUNCH

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!” The screams echoed across the meadow. Tirek and Chrysalis immediately paused as the sound of Cozy’s painful cry filled their ears. They turned above and looked on in shock. As the manticore dug its fangs into her wing, bloody feathers fell from her wing as she struggled to break free. Acting on pure instinct Cozy aimed her horn at the beast's face and unleashed a torrent of magic. The beast was sent flying off her however the fangs of the Manticore remained embedded in her wing blood from being ripped out of the beast’s mouth. Cozy wobbled in the air for a moment before the pain overtook her and plummeted to the ground.  

“NO!” Chrysalis yelled, transforming back into her original form and making a beeline for the filly. She flapped her insect wings as fast as she could before swooping in and grabbing hold of Cozy. The two went tumbling as they rolled across the ground. Chrysalis took the brunt of the damage as she held the filly close to her body, trying to ensure no more damage met her small frame. Shaking her head Chrysalis looked down to the foal, she was unconscious. A roar drew her attention as a manticore charged toward them. 

“Enough!” Tirek shouted leaping over the two and grabbing the beast by its torso. Using his moment he pulled the feline over his head and suplexed it face-first into the ground. Standing up he grabbed the monster by the leg and tossed it toward the last two pair standing. One of the beasts roared a retreat and the herd fled into the forest, mostly limping. Tirek stomped his hooves, blasting a line in the ground nipping at the tails of the retreating beasts, “Stay out! You foul pests!”  He yelled as an act of dominance. Huffing he turned back toward his allies. Chrysalis winced as she set the unconscious filly down on the grass. Her left wing was a dark red as blood poured out from the wound where the fangs still remained. 

“Of all the foolish-grah! What do we do now?” Chrysalis said. 

“We need to get her somewhere more secure. Ugh, Grogar will have our heads for this!” Tirek groaned as he checked the wound. 

“It wasn’t our fault! She was doing fine up until then!” Chrysalis hissed as she checked over herself for injuries. 

“You need to get her to a doctor!” A voice called out. The two looked up to see the still buried pegasus speak up. “If you don’t the wound will get infected! A wing injury is serious!” Swift Wing added. 

“Oh right, I forgot about him.” Chrysalis groaned, putting a hoof to her face. “What do we do about him?” She asked. 

“Why are you asking me?” Tirek said as he picked up the filly in his arms. Trying not to hurt her wing. 

“Well, as much as I’d like to devour his love for dragging those things here.” She hissed. “He’s a pegasus, and probably knows a lot more than we do about how to deal with a broken wing.” 

“Fine! Take him with us! We need to get Grogar either way!” He said as he began to trot forth only for Chrysalis to snatch Cozy with her magic. “What are you-” He was cut off as she put a hoof to his mouth.

“As the only one here who’s had the most experience with children, I shall take her. You take the terrified moron over there.” Chrysalis said, Tirek motioned to argue but she had already begun to fly back to camp. Tirek groaned and wandered over to the pegasus. Grabbing him by his head he yanked him out of the ground like a carrot. 

“Now you better not run off or I will make you wish the manticores had you for lunch,” Tirek warned, pointing a finger to Swift’s snout. The pony nodded as Tirek held him in his arm like a bag. Pinning his wings between his body and arm before trotting after the Changeling.
> Chapter 6: A lesson in Humility
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Hmm mm mm hmm.” Grogar hummed. The day had been relatively quiet for the ram, a few clouds passed overhead as a cool breeze passed over his fur. He stared down toward a set of smooth stones on a table. Etched on some of the stones was a symbol from a long-dead language that very few would be able to translate. Grogar picked up an unmarked stone and began to slowly carve a rune into the stone when the buzzing of wings caught his ear. “Ugh, what is it now changeling? I’m very busy at the moment so if you could just-” 

“I don’t care! Cozy is hurt! She needs medical attention!” Chrysalis shouted as she flew into camp. Landing quickly she ran toward the ram and pushed aside his work off the table. Gently she placed the filly on the table, Cozy groaned as she was laid down. 

“What the?! How did this happen?!” Grogar demanded. 

“Explanation later, heal her now!” Chrysalis stomped as she looked down at Cozy with worry. Grogar shook his head as he turned to the foal. His horns lit up as a box was pulled from his tent, carefully he pulled out some herbs, water bottles, rags, alcohol, and bandages. 

“Hold her down, I need to remove the fangs and clean the wound. She’s going to squirm from the pain.” Grogar said, Chrysalis nodded and held the filly down as the ram pulled out the fangs. Cozy screamed in pain as Grogar poured the alcohol on a clean rag. Pressing it against the wing, Cozy groaned and tried to get up. 

“Come on girl, you're stronger than that. A little pain won’t hold you down.” Chrysalis reassured, though if it was for herself or Cozy, Grogar couldn’t tell. Pulling away the rag he brought up some herbs and with his magic crushed them into a paste. Applying it to the wound Cozy began to calm down. 

“Chrysalis how is she?” A voice shouted from behind them as Tirek ran over the hill to them. A terrified pegasus in his grasp. Grogar ignored him as he wrapped the bandages around the fillies wing. Grabbing another rag and a bottle of water he cast a spell, warming the water slightly before pouring it on the rag. Gently he placed it on Cozy’s head. 

“Replace the rag every two hours, we don’t want her running a fever. Take her to her tent and help her rest.” Grogar said to the changeling queen. Gently she picked up the foal in her hooves and flew off to the small pink tent. Grogar sighed before turning to the centaur.  “Care to explain why I had to stop my work and play doctor?” Grogar said in annoyance. 

“Ask this one,” Tirek said, dropping the scared pegasus in front of the ram. Swift Wing could only shake in fear as the two stared at him. 

“Let me guess, you got lost, disturbed some creatures home, and got injured. Fled in terror and ran into my associates?” Grogar said before the pegasus could speak. 

“This fool led a herd of manticores right to us,” Tirek growled.  Grogar's face hoofed and sighed. 

“Ugh, manticores. I forgot they migrate south of this place around this time of year.” Grogar groaned. 

“How could you forget something like that?!” Tirek yelled.

“I was preoccupied with babysitting three morons!” Grogar shouted. Tirek huffed and said nothing. Turning back to the pegasus Grogar asked, “Now what were you doing out here?” 

“I was going to visit my sister for her birthday,” Swift said cautiously. “I was flying to her home when a rogue thundercloud came out of nowhere and knocked me off course. I landed in the forest and sprained my wing. Please I’m not a spy or anything! I didn’t even know anyone was out here!” The pegasus whimpered under the ram’s gaze. Grogar stared at him for a moment when his eyes widened. Grinning he leaned down to the cowering equestrian. 

“Now I believe we’re going to need some proof that you're telling the truth,” Grogar said as his horns began to glow. Over on the ground, several stones with runes floated over to the ram. Tirek looked to the ram with confusion as he began to sort through the various rocks. “Ah, here it is,” Grogar said with a grin, as his collar began to glow. Holding the rock in front of the pegasus the magic runes etched into his collar shot out beams of magic into the rock causing its rune to glow. Pulsating with magic rock cast a wave of magic onto the pegasus who flinched in terror. When Swift opened his eyes he saw his body was glowing the same as the rock. 

“Wha-what did you do to me?!” The pegasus panicked. 

“Where were you born?” Grogar asked, ignoring Swift. 

“What does that have to-” Swift suddenly stood up straight as his eyes glowed yellow, “I was born in Rainbow Falls, I moved to Cloudsdale when I was six, and moved to Fillydelphia when I left home.” The pegasus spoke. Tirek was startled by the pony’s sudden change in demeanor, Grogar laughed. 

“Another successful experiment!” Grogar said looking at the floating stone. “A truth-telling stone. Anyone who is affected by its magic is forced to tell the truth. Now, on to the matter at hoof. Why were you out in the middle of the woods.” Grogar demanded. 

Swift Wing stood at attention and spoke, “I was traveling to the town of Hayston to visit my little sister for her twenty-third birthday. She likes flowers so I thought I would get her some from this forest. When I flew to leave I was caught off guard by a rogue thundercloud and crashed into the forest spraining my wing. My crash disturbed a herd of Manticores and they chased me to this meadow where I ran into your associates.” The pegasus said without hesitation. Grogar nodded and deactivated the stone freeing the pony from its spell. 

“Ugh, my head feels like it was in a blender.” Swift groaned. 

“Hmm, slight nausea after usage. I’ll need to patch that.” Grogar muttered. 

“So this pony wasn’t lying to us.” Tirek surmised. “Still doesn’t excuse him for bringing a herd of manticores into our camp!” Tirek said, beginning to crack his knuckles. Swift gulped as he started to back peddle away from the centaur. 

“Let him go, Tirek.” Grogar said, holding out a hoof. “He’s no threat to us and my deal with Celestia still stands.” Tirek turned to the ram in frustration. 

“Your deal? You said the ponies wouldn’t bother us! This one clearly has!” Tirek growled. 

“The deal was that Celestia and her allies wouldn’t bother us if I kept you lot in check. If you harm this pegasus then our deal is off! Or would you rather I release you from my care, free for Celestia and Twilight Sparkle to imprison you again?” Grogar explained, the two had a silent stare-off. Tirek gritted his teeth in anger while Grogar narrowed his gaze, both waiting for the other to make a move. Relenting Tirek threw up his arms in defeat before stomping off in a huff. 

“So does this mean I’m free to go?” Swift asked cautiously. 

Grogar rolled his eyes, “Yes you’re free to go pony. But I’d like you to spread the word that this meadow and the forest surrounding it is MY territory. Any who dare enter with ill intent will face my wrath. Is that clear?” The ram said, looking back at the pony with an evil grin. Swift Wing nodded as he backed off. “Good, now leave.” Without a word, the pegasus spread his wings and took to the sky.

Sighing Grogar wandered up the hill and looked down at the construction site. The trio had done a fair decent job despite the interruption. The foundation of the building was in place and outer walls were nearly done. Looking over to the battlefield nearby Grogar ignited his horns and repaired the damaged area. Within seconds the land had looked like it was the day before. 

“For a bunch of idiots, those three did a decent job keeping the beasts away from the site. Perhaps there’s hope for them after all.” Grogar paused as the wind passed over his body. “I think they’ve had enough for today.” With that Grogar trotted back to the camp as the sun started to dip set before diving beneath the horizon as the night came.