In Equestria, harmony stands strong, and love is in the air! But disharmony also lives on, as a new villain rises with destructive motives. They'll all learn the hard way that ones greatest enemy is their inner demons.
Welcome back to Equestria, the magical land of friendship! The team of four returns once again in all new adventures and slice-of-life stories. Equestria continues to bring many new things such as a new romance, a new pet, a new ally, and a new villain.
They'll learn the hard way that one of their greatest enemies are their inner demons.
Watch as our heroes continue their adventures, and soon learn the importance of choosing love and forgiveness over hate.
It was a new day. The light from the rising sun started to bathe the town of Ponyville, and also began to reflect off of the large castle that reformed villains Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow currently lived in.
In the Cutie Map room, Tirek sat on the ground in front of a table, lifting a dumbbell with ends as big as his fists.
The doors opened, and Chrysalis walked in, her mane showing signs of bedhead.
"Good morning," Chrysalis greeted with a yawn. "Doing another morning workout?"
"You know I like to stay in shape..." Tirek said. "After all, I do have a special some...um... ling."
Chrysalis chuckled, sitting on the seat next to where Tirek sat.
"Well, is it a problem that I didn't do the same?" she smiled.
"Messy mane or tidy mane, I still love you."
Chrysalis sighed.
"What's wrong?" Tirek asked.
"I'm just worried about Leo..." said Chrysalis. "He still hasn't came back. I know the whole incident with those clones happened last night, but knowing Leo still isn't here just... bothers me."
"Relax, Chrysalis," Tirek assured. "He's probably either far away or... um... imprisoned..."
Chrysalis gave him a glare.
"But that doesn't mean we don't have hope," Tirek continued. "When the Princess sends her search party, perhaps a couple of the guards can accompany us. Maybe even their captain himself."
"I suppose so... but what if we're found? Sure, we'll probably have a lot of guards with us, but with the combined strength of Grogar, King Sombra, the Storm King, and now our own evil duplicates, we'd be outnumbered in terms of magic. Plus, we've never been beaten by royal guards in the past."
"But all of that stuff with us always beating guards was 20 years ago. Obviously, the Princess acquired new recruits along with a new captain."
Chrysalis let out a brief chuckle and rubbed a forehoof over her eyes.
"You're right..." she said. "I should probably work on thinking about what could go right in situations like this, huh?"
Tirek put his clawed hand on Chrysalis' back.
"And if you need help, that's what we're here for," he said.
Chrysalis smiled from the encouragement.
"So..." Tirek stood up. "Should we wake the kid?"
"Probably," replied Chrysalis.
"No need," a voice nearby said as the doors opened yet again. Tirek and Chrysalis turned their heads and saw Cozy Glow enter, looking awake, and ready. "I'm already up, and I'm ready to go."
"Could we maybe... let me get ready first?" Chrysalis requested.
"Right! Sorry..." Cozy sheepishly smiled.
... Intro ...
Gallus led the reformed trio into the throne room where Spike, Twilight, and over a dozen guards waited.
"Thanks for waiting for us," Cozy thanked.
"She does stick to promises," Spike said.
"Alright, so... here's what we know or believe," Princess Twilight started. "Your friend, along with my student and her own friend, are missing. They vanished when we were all brought under attack."
"That is correct," Chrysalis nods. "And considering last nights incident may have been linked to Grogar, there's a chance that they're being held captive in his lair."
"So if they were to be there, we'd have to bring as much help as we could," Gallus said. "We'd need you three, and all of the royal guards. The Princess and Spike have agreed to come with and help."
"Now, you three have been in Grogar's lair before, so you should know where it is, right?" said Twilight.
"Correct," Tirek nods. "It's in a swamp far away from here."
"Then we better get to it," Gallus opened his wings. "We'll have to go by flight if we want to make it fast. We have enough carousels to carry the guards without wings. Though..." He pointed at Tirek. "I'm not sure if they'll be able to carry you."
"I wouldn't worry to much," Tirek said, before gesturing to Chrysalis. "I already have my own method of transport..."
"Oh, yeah..." Spike muttered. "Changeling."
Grogar's Sephtis' lair...
Last night, Grogar was overthrown. And Sephtis, an evil clone of Leo, took charge. Before everyone went to sleep, he gave the message that Grogar was no longer the leader. His second course of action was to give the evil clones their own name.
Evil Cozy's new name was Lilith Dazzleglow. Evil Tirek's name was now Alagmir Behemoth, and Evil Chrysalis was now known as Cicada Grizelda. Mean Twilight also got a new name, now being dubbed Nightfall. The rest of the Mean 6 are, at the moment, nameless.
At the moment, Cicada, Lilith, Alagmir, and Nightfall were all in the middle of the main room, waiting for Sephtis. King Sombra and the Storm King were there too.
"When is that pathetic pony going to start this little get-together..." Cicada hissed angrily.
"Be patient, insect," Nightfall spat. "He's still trying to make those other incompetent clones actually useful!"
Cicada leapt and landed in front of Nightfall. Nightfall wasn't fazed by the threatening glare she gave her.
"Call me insect again, and I swear on my behind, I'll turn you back into the paperweight you once were!" Cicada hissed.
"Now girls," Lilith intervened, appearing next to them. "I understand you've had your differences... even if one of you didn't exist at the time... but now is not the time to bicker. After all, Cicada, we both have the memories of our goody-four-hooves counterparts, and we both remember having our own desires to destroy each other before teaming up."
"I suppose..." Cicada groaned.
"Plus, you also remember your original counterpart also carrying Nightfall around when she was a log."
Nightfall raised a brow.
"She wasn't some annoying sow who thought she could outsmart me!" Cicada barked.
"I hate to break up this argument," Alagmir began, seeing the fain red glow in the nearby hall. "But he's coming."
"This isn't over," Cicada grumbled into Nightfall's ear.
Sephtis exited the hallway, carrying a book and the Bewitching Bell with his magic. When Sephtis entered, five familiar ponies... the rest of the Mean 6... came out of the hallway behind him. However, something was off... they appeared to be in a trance, and they were quiet. Were they being... obedient?
"Join the audience," Sephtis ordered.
The five ponies nodded, and did as they were told.
"He actually did it..." Nightfall muttered. "He made them useful."
Sephtis sat behind the crystal ball.
"Alright, so... I might as well do a quick roll-call to remind you all of your new names," Sephtis started. "Along with the Storm King and King Sombra, we have... Cicada Grizelda, Alagmir Behemoth, Lilith Dazzleglow, Nightfall, and... the other five clones. Now, unlike Grogar, we're not just going to sit around and do nothing. I already have a plan. Not something to give immediate conquest, but... it will help. Now make way... I'm coming down."
Sephtis came down from the spot. He lifted the Bell off of the table it sat on. He launched a beam of magic at it, causing it to shake, before shooting a beam of its own.
Instead of hitting what was in its way, the beam stopped, and a portal opened.
"Where are we going?" asked the Storm King.
"You'll see..." Sephtis grinned, before entering the portal.
... ...
Sephtis stepped out of the portal, and then everyone else did.
When the portal closed, everyone looked around. They appeared to be in a cave. A cave big enough for the Storm King and Alagmir.
"Where are we?" Cicada asked.
"Deep in the belly of a cave no equestrians have set a hoof in before," Sephtis explained. "A place where nopony will find us, and where we can perform the required spell."
Sephtis lifted the book.
"This book contains a spell... a very important spell... a spell that will lead our way to victory!" he explained with a dark grin.
"What does this spell do?" Nightfall asked.
"All we need... is this..."
Sephtis tapped the bell.
"So..." Lilith said. "We're draining magic?"
"No. We're going to be doing something else. It will be our own portal to another realm, allowing us contact with whatever's behind. I will set it to where the most vile Equestrian creatures are, and we can go from there..."
"But the bell doesn't have the power of every creature in Equestria..." Sombra explained. "Just Grogar's magic, as you told us, and the magic it already had."
"Well, that's another reason I brought you all here..." Sephtis grinned. "You all are going to be assisting as well... all you need to do is access your inner hatred and disharmony... after all, the Elements of Harmony are symbols of friendship, and the magic of friendship lives in everyone. Even though we have no symbols of disharmony, well... you know what that means."
"Will those five even help?" Cicada pointed at the clones who were dazed.
"They will help because I'll tell them to," Sephtis said. "Now... I need someone to head back to the lair and grab a quill and ink. I haven't put the finishing touches on the spell yet. Any volunteers?"
Sephtis looked at the group.
Meanwhile...
The large army of guards and carousels soared through in the air. And in front of them all, with Twilight and Spike flying above them, were Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow. Chrysalis was a large roc, and Cozy and Tirek were riding her back.
"There!" Tirek pointed down at the swamp underneath them. Something caught his eye. "I think that's it!"
"Should we all go down with you?" Princess Twilight asked.
"Me, Torek, and Cozy will go in!" Roc Chrysalis said. "Just stay up there and circle the area! We'll let you know what we find out."
"If there's trouble, we'll signal," said Cozy.
"On it!" Spike saluted.
"Grab on, you two!" Chrysalis instructed. "We'll land so you're out of sight,
Chrysalis started to fly down, Cozy and Tirek tightening their grip, but not gripping to tight to avoid hurting Chrysalis.
Chrysalis lowered down to the trees, but she was too big to get through.
"No worries," Tirek assured. "The trees aren't that high. Just get as low as you can."
Chrysalis did that, and Tirek leapt off. He stomped right through the short swamp trees, before landing on the ground.
Cozy flew off and lowered herself, and when that was done, Chrysalis returned to normal and flew down to the ground.
"Alright, when the lair is in sight, I'll put on a disguise and see if Leo and the others are being kept," Chrysalis said.
"Gotcha!" Cozy nodded.
And so they were off. It only took them three minutes before Tirek signaled for them to stop walking.
Chrysalis hovered up off the ground and gave Tirek a quick peck on the cheek.
"Wish me luck," Chrysalis whispered, before green flames engulfed her. When the flames were gone, a ladybug was in place.
And Chrysalis flew off.
Tirek and Cozy, although they couldn't see Chrysalis enter the lair due to her size, kept their sight on the stone structure.
"I hope we can do this..." Cozy mumbled.
"I know we can do this," Tirek said.
Silence.
"So..." Cozy whispered. "You and Chrysalis, huh? Finally starting a relationship with her?"
"Indeed," Tirek replied.
"Are you worried about messing up?"
"I was worried at first, but I'm going to try my best to make it work."
"I think it can work," Cozy shrugged.
More silence.
"So, Cozy..." Tirek started. "About your parents-"
"Is that Chrysalis?" Cozy pointed to the incoming insect. "That was fast."
The ladybug stopped and hovered in place when it was close to Cozy and Tirek, and with a whisk of green flames, Chrysalis returned to her form.
"He's not here," Chrysalis informed them. "None of them are."
"What?" Tirek cocked a brow.
"Yeah. When I arrived, a portal was in the process of closing. I didn't see who entered."
"Should we get the others?" Cozy suggested.
"It may be a trap," Chrysalis warned. "After all, he has that crystal ball. He may have been watching us."
"Would it be better if we went alone?" asked Tirek.
"Considering the power and allies Grogar has, maybe it would be best if we brought everyone?" Cozy asked.
"I have no clue..." Chrysalis muttered. "If he really does know what we're going to do, he's going to have a plan that could make things even worse."
"And with his allies, it will be tougher for us to win..." Tirek pondered. "Even with all those guards, including the princess and her dragon.
"So what do we do?" Cozy questioned.
Chrysalis sighed. "I don't know..."
"Pssssst!"
The quiet sound from a nearby bush brought everyone's attention.
"Did you hear that?
"PSSSSST!" the sound said again, even louder.
"Who's there?!" Tirek balled his fists.
Just then, a figure poked its head out of the bush. None of the trio could see who it was. It was a hooded figure, likely a pony, and it appeared to be wearing a satchel.
"Who are you?" Chrysalis asked.
The pony didn't answer. It lifted its concealed hoof and motioned for them to follow, before ducking behind the bushes.
"What does it want?" Tirek wondered out loud.
"I think..." pondered Cozy. "I think it wants us to follow."
And so they started for the bushes.
... ...
In Sephtis' lair, a portal opened up, and the trio consisting of Cicada, Lilith, and Alagmir stepped out.
"So I guess if he's not here, then he ran away?" Lilith asked.
"I doubt he'll help our enemies," said Alagmir. "If anything, he's probably running out on his own again."
"He should have learned from last time," Cicada grumbled. "He'd be a fool to think he'd win. He would have two sides against him, both of greater proportions."
"So what should we do about him if it's true?" Lilith asked. "Destroy him?"
"It may be an option," Alagmir shrugged. "Before we look for him, let's first bring Sephtis what he needs."
"I'm on it!" Lilith said, before flying around the room looking for the quill and ink.
"I don't see why she looks so happy," Cicada scoffed. "Personally, I hate the fact that I'm agreeing to work with all of you, especially Sephtis. At least Grogar had some importance in history, but him? He only started existing a week ago."
"As much as I feel the same way, he's also managed to outsmart Grogar himself," Alagmir pointed out.
"That still doesn't make him special. It just means he's smart and knows what he's doing."
"I guess you're not wrong on that," Alagmir shrugged.
Lilith came back with a quill and ink in her magical grasp.
"Got 'em!" she said. "I'll also grab this..." The crystal ball floated over to her. "...just to be sure."
"Are you sure he'll know what to do with that?" Alagmir asked.
"Beats me," Lilith shrugged.
"Well, we might as well get to it, then," Cicada said.
Cicada, Alagmir, and Lilith all returned into the portal, and when they were through, it closed behind them.
Meanwhile...
Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow continued following this hooded figure.
"Wait!" Cozy called out. "I forgot! We need to get the princess!"
The figure paused and looked back at the trio. It slowly shook it's head.
"Then we shouldn't trust you," Chrysalis said, lighting her horn just in case.
The figure turned around.
"Can you even speak?" Cozy asked.
It nodded.
"Do you choose not to?" asked Tirek.
Again, it nodded.
"Alright, I guess we're doing this..." Chrysalis muttered. "Are you here to help us?"
The hooded figure nodded for the third time, before motioning to them to follow.
"Wait, but why can't the Princess know?" Cozy asked.
The figure continued forward.
"I'm not sure if we should keep going," Cozy whispered.
"Just go along with it," Tirek replied. "He may not want the Princess included, but this may be important..."
"It may be a trap," warned Chrysalis.
"Well then, we'll just have to be ready..."
Chrysalis sighed. "Alright."
The trio continued to follow whoever was leading them through the woods. It wasn't long before they finally reached a small clearing, with the top completely covered by trees.
The figure stopped, but did not turn.
"So... is this it?" Cozy asked.
The ground started to shake. And all around them, black crystals suddenly grew out of the ground.
"I knew it!" Chrysalis shouted.
The crystals formed a wall that surrounded the trio and the pony, preventing any escape through running. No crystals grew above them, giving the trio the potential to fly away.
But they didn't want to do it... yet.
The pony turned around and sat down.
Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow all lit their horns and got into battle-stances.
"We now know who you are!" Tirek growled. "Show yourself!"
The figure lowered it's head, before lifting it's hooves, and bringing down the hood, revealing the face of King Sombra himself.
"I am not here to pick fights," said King Sombra in a calm, yet slightly stern voice.
"Then what are you here for?" Chrysalis questioned.
"The reason I brought you three here was to warn you!" Sombra explained. "And after that, I'm going to... to..."
Sombra swallowed.
"I'm going to help you three," he finished.
"Huh?!" Chrysalis, Cozy, and Tirek exclaimed in unison.
Princess Twilight: Your friend, along with my student and her own friend, are missing. They vanished when we were all brought under attack.
Chrysalis: And considering last nights incident may have been linked to Grogar, there's a chance that they're being held captive in his lair.
Sephtis: Unlike Grogar, we're not just going to sit around and do nothing I already have a plan.
Chrysalis: He's not here. None of them are.
(The hooded pony motions for Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy to follow)
Tirek: What does it want?
Cozy: I think it wants us to follow.
(Crystal wall rises)
Tirek: We now know who you are! Show yourself!
(King Sombra reveals his face)
King Sombra: I'm going to help you three.
Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow: Huh?!?
... Intro ...
"So let me get this straight..." Cozy began. "You want to help us?! I don't believe you."
"I'm telling you the truth!" King Sombra exclaimed. "I understand you don't trust me, but you have to! I know where your friend is! Or, at least, where I last saw him."
The trio gasped and their horns stopped glowing.
"Alright, so allow me to explain... As you know by now, Grogar created clones of the three of you, including your friend Leo. He also revived clones of Twilight and her friends that, from what I know, were created by you."
Sombra pointed at Chrysalis.
"So when Grogar sent your duplicates out to take you down, he took your friend, along with the Princess' student and a third pony as well. He sent them to an abandoned temple underneath a desert far from here. Miraculously, in spite of all the power we had and the fact they were outmatched, they won... mainly because they scattered around like ants. The last we saw them was when the temple collapsed, and from what I saw, they may have gotten out in time. Anyway, after it all, Leo's clone managed to outsmart Grogar. The whole time, the Bewitching Bell was hidden, and Grogar wore a fake. So after the battle, the clone took the bell, stole Grogar's power, turned him to stone, and took charge of us all. He renamed the other clones, and gave himself the name Sephtis."
"So Leo was never here in the lair?" Tirek asked. "He's... somewhere?"
"And this clone now possesses the Bewitching Bell?" Chrysalis queried.
"Correct," Sombra nodded. "Earlier today, Sephtis decided to go ahead and start right away with a new plan. We brought us all to a cave, and he had a spell written, promising a victory for us. He's been lying."
"What are you talking about?" questioned Cozy.
"When Sephtis took control, something inside of me gave off the feeling that something was wrong with him. Something felt different. So when he was asleep, I risked snooping around. I noticed a book near him... the book he was going to use for the spell. And so I took it, brought it somewhere where I couldn't be found, and I read it. There wasn't just a spell... it was also a journal! And that's when I learned the truth."
"The truth?" Chrysalis asked.
"Yes... the truth. Listen, I want nothing more than to destroy you, your Princess, and then take the Crystal Empire... and maybe Equestria... for myself. But the reason I'm helping you is because Sephtis doesn't want to conquer Equestria... he plans on destroying it."
"Destroying it?" said Cozy. "Seems far-fetched."
"But it's true! The book itself said this: 'When things have come full circle, Equestria will be nothing'. I swear on all things Celestia... or Twilight, whatever you say these days... that his intentions are just that! As for why, I don't know. Listen, I want the Crystal Empire to be built in my image, along with the rest of this world, but without Equestria, I'll never be able to complete my plans."
"Do the others know?" Tirek inquired.
"No. They probably wouldn't believe me."
Chrysalis cleared her throat. "Could you excuse us for one moment?"
The three huddled.
"What are we gonna do?" Cozy whispered. "What if he's lying?..."
"That may be so, but if this 'Sephtis' really wanted to destroy Equestria, he wouldn't have told us if he wanted to help," replied Chrysalis.
"But then again, it could be a lie," Tirek pointed out.
"How about this..." Cozy began. "If this is some sort of lure for an attack, then we'll try to get away as soon as they attack first. We'll go get the Princess and the guards, and then enter another battle... again."
"Alright then, we'll do just that..." Chrysalis nods.
The trio turned back to Sombra.
"King Sombra..." Chrysalis started. "We have a deal. We'll help you."
"Excellent! First thing's first-"
Suddenly, large ruby-colored bolt from the sky shot through the trees and onto the ground.
Everyone looked up, and saw Evil Cozy flutter into view.
"Golly!" she started. "It's a good thing we found you! We were getting so worried!"
"Gah! Not you!" Cozy shouted.
"I go by Empress Lilith now!"
Cozy, Tirek, and Chrysalis all glared at Sombra.
"Wait! This wasn't my doing!" Sombra exclaimed. "I genuinely wanted to-"
Just then, a part of the wall burst, and small shards of crystal flew everywhere. Luckily, no one was hit.
"And I think you'll remember Lord Alagmir and Queen Cicada..." said Lilith as Alagmir and Cicada stood in the gap.
The trio lit their horns.
"And for you, Sombra..." Lilith flew next to him. "Mister Sephtis would like to have a word with you."
"You three don't know who you're working for!" shouted Sombra.
"Speak for yourself..." Cicada rebutted. She all of a sudden shot a bolt at Sombra, but a crystal rose in front of him, deflecting it.
"We can take you three, easily!" Cozy growled.
A ruby beam shot out of Lilith's horn, heading straight for Cozy, but Cozy shot back, the two beams colliding, and neither moving back or forward.
Alagmir leapt for Tirek, fist raised, but Tirek lifted a shield. Alagmir's fist smashed on it. Alagmir yelled and shook his fist, before Tirek shot a large beam at his stomach, sending him back and stunning him. Alagmir crashed on the crystal wall.
Tirek smiled, but then a beam hit the back of his head and he fell. When he landed, he was out cold.
"TIREK!" Chrysalis shouted, before she turned her head and saw Cicada grinning smugly.
Chrysalis growled. "You..."
She and Sombra exchanged glances and nodded. They both charged for Cicada.
Sombra kept using his crystal magic to either trap or stun Cicada, but she kept getting away, dodging or blocking his and Chrysalis' magic. She occasionally fired a few shots back.
Meanwhile, Lilith and Cozy’s duel continued, as Lilith kept shooting mini-beams at Cozy.
But Cozy was then struck by a beam from Alagmir, and she tripped on her hooves. She slid on the ground and stopped.
Lilith hovered to the ground, smugly looming over her fallen foe when she landed.
She then glanced over to Chrysalis and Sombra.
Chrysalis finally managed to gain the upper hoof, and knock Cicada down. The evil changeling rolled onto her back, and saw her foes approach her, ready to take her out completely.
But then Lilith flew up behind them, with her horn lit. The moment Chrysalis and Sombra looked, Chrysalis was struck by Lilith's magic, and Cicada recovered quickly enough to finish off Sombra as well.
Sephtis...
Sephtis saw it all through the crystal ball. Everything. And he was impressed with what he saw.
"Hmmm... you've surprised me, Sombra..." he mumbled. The Bewitching Bell, tied around his barrel with a string, began to glow. "It's time for the plan to commence..."
... ...
Chrysalis' eyes slowly opened. She groaned.
"T-Tirek?" She whispered. "Cozy?"
In spite of feeling dazed and her vision being slightly blurry, Chrysalis could see Tirek and Cozy Glow recovering as well.
"Where are we?" Cozy asked.
"Why..." a voice said. "You're my guests."
Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy all perked up. They found themselves in a transparent cage, fabricated by pure red magic. They turned their heads to face whoever spoke to them.
It was Leo. And yet it wasn't. Instead of lime green, his coat was a light shade of red, the same shade of red on a rainbow.
"You must be Sephtis..." Tirek said.
"Indeed, you are correct," replied Sephtis. "And you three are Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow themselves."
"What is this place?" Chrysalis inquired. "Where's Sombra?!"
"I'm glad you asked," Sephtis said. "This place... is the cave where it all started."
"What are you talking about?" questioned Tirek.
"This place. This cave. It all started here. Equestria! When long ago, the Fire of Friendship defeated the Windigos and brought all pony tribes together!"
"It's a lot bigger than what I've heard..." Cozy grumbled.
"As I found out, the cave went deeper than you all knew. A secret entrance, that was carved here by an unknown being. It led further and further down, until eventually, it led to here... this giant room, where we all are now. Where my plan will come together!"
"Why here?" Chrysalis asked.
Sephtis chuckled. "You'll see..."
He turned and walked away.
"Wait!" Cozy called out. "What about Sombra?!"
Sephtis took a look back at the trio, and then pointed his hoof upwards.
Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow all turned and saw King Sombra, encased in a green cocoon hanging off the ceiling.
"What are you going to do?" Tirek asked.
"I'm going to use him as an example of what happens when you leave the team... just like what his purpose was twenty years ago."
Sephtis then turned back around and finally left.
There was a brief silence among the trio.
"So..." Tirek began. "He wants to do his plan... here? In this cave. Where, many years ago, and closer to the exit of this place may I add, Equestria was first born..."
"But why?" Cozy wondered out loud. "What does he want to do here? What's the purpose."
"Every villain has a reason for something..." Chrysalis muttered.
Cozy peered out of the cage. Nopony or creature was around. Sephtis was nearby, writing in a book with a quill. Cicada, Alagmir, Lilith were all chatting with the mean Twilight and the Storm King. All of them were giving the trio occasional glares. The mean versions of Twilight's friends stood around the cage in a trace.
The trio looked back at Sephtis, who closed the book that he held. They all saw the Bewitching Bell that was carried with his magic.
"Sombra wasn't lying about Sephtis..." Cozy grumbled.
Sephtis closed the book, and bellowed, "It's time! Cicada, take him down!"
Cicada rolled her eyes and shot the cocoon with her magic. The green casing shattered, and Sombra fell to the ground. The hard impact caused the trio to wince.
When King Sombra slowly got up onto his hooves, red chains manifested around them, preventing him from getting away.
Sombra's gaze met Sephtis' snarl.
"Do you really think it would be that easy?!?" Sephtis hissed.
"Wait! Listen! All of you! Do you even know who you're working for?!" Sombra called out. "He's-"
Sombra's lips were zipped shut by Sephtis' magic.
"That's enough out of you..." said Sephtis. "You betrayed me and went against our plans. You helped our enemies. And for that, I think a punishment is necessary."
Sephtis, with an evil grin, lifted the bell. "I think this will do it..."
Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, and Tirek all gasped. Sephtis' horn lit, and he ignited the bell.
A blazing yellow light was the last thing King Sombra saw.
... ...
King Sombra collapsed on the ground, his usually flowing mane and tail now dull and lifeless. The red chains around his hooves were gone.
"You can't do this!" Cozy shrieked. "Listen, he's trying-"
A sound-proof bubble formed over the cage.
"They're just trying to get to you," Sephtis scoffed, before opening the book once again. "Now... first, I must make the markings..."
Sephtis looked up from the book and hit his horn. He shot a beam at the wall in front of everyone, but instead of destroying the wall, the beam was absorbed. A rune formed, glowing red.
"And next, we all take our places..." He pointed at Nightfall and the Storm King. "You two go there..." Sephtis moved his hoof to the right. He then pointed at Cicada, Lilith, and Alagmir. "And you three take a step closer."
They all took a step closer, Cicada angrily mumbling something no one could hear.
"And now, for the final touch..." Sephtis lifted the bell. "Something that contains immense magic... this!"
He placed it in front of them.
"There's always that large chance that it won't work and instead banish us all..." Sephtis said.
"Wait, what?" said Lilith.
"...But I'm willing to take my chances..." Sephtis finished. And then he lit his horn.
"I'm starting to have second thoughts about this..." muttered the Storm King.
And Sephtis blasted the bell with a large bolt of magic.
The bell started to shake, it's glow starting to crackle with magic. It vibrated.
Sephtis braced himself.
"RUN FOR IT!" Lilith shrieked.
And then they were all lifted up the ground, including Sephtis. Floating, they all went up, bellow, left, and right of Sephtis, forming a vertical circle, which faced the bell.
Sephtis was in the middle.
"This is intriguing..." Nightfall murmured.
"I don't like this..." Cozy said from the now sound-proof cage.
White magical vines then burst from everyone that surrounded Sephtis and struck him.
"I can feel it..." he strained, before shooting his magic at the Bewitching Bell once more. The bell absorbed the magic, and then turned and faced the wall with the rune. Everyone's eyes started to glow white.
And a small portal started to open.
"SOMBRA, GET UP AND HELP US!" Chrysalis pleaded, even though she couldn't be heard. "PLEASE!"
Luckily, Sombra, who had been laying on the ground and watching, heard this and staggered to his hooves, not removing his eyes from what was going on.
And then it happened. White cracks started to appear on Sephtis' body, before he burst.
Sombra and the imprisoned trio gasped.
All of Sephtis' outer pieces, which floated like eggshells were orbiting something that floated in his place. Nobody could see what it was due to the bright light, but that didn't stop everyone from being shocked.
Sombra gazed at the Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow.
And then he ran.
He ran around the chaotic mess. As the portal got wider and wider, a screeching could be heard from the other side.
When Sombra stopped, he lowered his head, and picked up a rock. With his might, he whipped his head and released the rock, which hit the bell, sending it to the ground. The magic carrying everypony and creature vanished, and they all fell.
The shell-like pieces floating around the entity suddenly snapped back into place when it fell, once again forming the body of a red Alicorn stallion.
Sombra raced to get the bell.
"What happened?..." the Storm King grumbled.
As all of the villains recovered, Sephtis looked up and saw the portal quickly close.
"No..." He then looked at his hooves, and smashed them on the ground. "NO!!!"
"Hey!"
Everyone's heads turned and saw King Sombra, standing in front of the domed cage, waving the bell.
"Looking for this?" he teased.
Sephtis growled.
"Minions..." he said to the clones guarding the cage. "... Get them!"
The clones of Twilight's friends moved, before Sephtis lit his horn and shot at Sombra. He jumped out of the way, the magic instead shattering the cage (somehow), creating a gap for Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, and Tirek to get out.
"How did..." Cozy began.
"Magic can destroy magic, I guess," Tirek shrugged.
Cicada fired a beam, and Cozy blocked it with a shield. Lilith and Alagmir joined in, and Chrysalis and Tirek helped Cozy with her shield.
Chrysalis noticed Sombra running for his life, before he was struck by a beam and sent to the ground. He was stunned, but not harmed.
That likely wasn't going to last, since Nightfall and the Storm King were both closing in.
That's when Chrysalis sprung into action. "Hold up the shield. Sombra's in trouble!"
With great speed, she zoomed out of the shield and right for Sombra. The Storm King and Nightfall were ready to fire. Sombra couldn't run. He braced himself.
And then he felt himself get snatched right up in the air.
He looked up, and he realized what had happened. Chrysalis saved his life. He also noticed that she was strong, since she didn't change her form at all... she was carrying him with her own forehooves.
"You... saved me..." he quietly said.
Chrysalis returned to the shield, luckily dodging any hits, and set Sombra down.
"We need to get out of here," Chrysalis said.
"What about them?!" Cozy asked, pointing to their enemies.
"We can deal with them later," replied Sombra. "You have to get this bell to the Princess!"
"What about you?" Tirek asked.
"I'm not going. I'll block out the exit, and let fate come to me."
"Come with us!" Chrysalis said. "I know you don't want anything to do with helping us after this is said and done, but you've come this far. Don't turn back just because we're close to our victory."
"If you want to know what it's like to win, you're already nearing that chance," Cozy Glow pointed out. "You don't have to turn back and allow yourself to be caught by Sephtis. You'll feel free. Free from yourself, free from him, free from everything."
"But what if I don't want to!??" Sombra rebutted. "I'm a king! I was born to rule the Crystal Empire, along with Equestria! It was part of my plan to help you and then return to our rivalry!"
"I know you want to do what you've been doing," said Tirek. "But if you come with us, you'll never be beaten again!"
"And how do you suppose I can do that?"
The shield started to crack. And the villains all stepped closer.
"You better hurry up!" Cozy warned.
"Sombra..." Chrysalis looked into Sombra's eyes. "Take this from me... Let go of your hate. Don't go down the path that we once went down. It's never going to be enough."
Sombra was quiet. The cracks on the shield spread.
"Teleport somewhere, and give me back my magic!" King Sombra instructed. "After this, we escape. I can make a crystal wall to stall them and to give us time."
The trio looked at each other. That's when they decided that they couldn't waste any more time.
"Alright, hold on..." Tirek's horns lit.
Everyone huddled close to Tirek, and they teleported. The shield shattered.
"Took them long enough..." Alagmir muttered, looking around the room.
A yellow light started to shine.
"THERE!" Nightfall pointed, allowing everyone to see the Bewitching Bell give Sombra his magic back.
Lilith shot a massive beam right when it was done. Tirek blocked the attack, grabbed everyone, and teleported them away. When they reappeared, they were in front of the tunnel.
Sombra's horn lit, and a crystal wall rose, blocking them.
"We can't get out," Tirek said, looking up the cave. "I'm not small enough."
"Alright then, we gotta hurry!" Cozy exclaimed.
Tirek, who held the bell, activated it. When he did, something hit the wall, and it cracked.
"Go faster!" Chrysalis barked.
"I can't really control how fast this thing works," Tirek replied.
The bell shook, and the portal started to open.
And then the wall burst, prompting everyone to turn around.
"You pathetic, lying traitor..." Cicada growled.
"It's a shame we're going to have to destroy you now," Lilith said with her fake smile.
"Get into the portal..." Sombra said to the trio.
His allies didn't move. Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow just stood.
"What?..." Sombra cocked a brow. They were... staying with him?
"Me too!" Tirek agreed. "Never leave a friend or ally behind.
"Me three!" Cozy opened her wings and lit her horn. "We're all in this together!"
Sephtis laughed.
"How sweet... they're actually going to stay... for you!! They're actually going to help someone who tried to conquer Equestria?"
"At least I don't want to destroy it!" Sombra spat, stomping a hoof. "You're lying to all of us!"
All of Sephtis' allies looked at him.
"I think he's trying to trick us..." Nightfall glared at Sombra.
Lilith looked at Sephtis. "Is he?"
Sephtis stepped forward.
"I don't want to destroy it. I want to rebuild it for all of us," said Sephtis. "So you all can have your own regions of Equestria, all made in your image. Isn't that what you wanted? You could finally get the Crystal Empire that you've desired... it will be yours."
"You're lying!" Sombra hissed. "I read your journal! You've never wanted to do what you were going to do for our benefit! You were only doing it for yourself!"
Sombra stared coldly at Sephtis.
All of Sephtis' allies, except for the dazed five clones, turned to Sephtis, and lit up their horns, claws, and paws.
"What are you doing?..." Sephtis growled.
"From the start, there was always something about you," said Alagmir. "In fact, here's a bit of a surprise..."
"We've all been plotting against you," Lilith continued. "The moment we knew you overthrew Grogar, we knew we had to do something. So during those few moment where we knew you couldn't listen to us... the time where you brainwashed the other five clones, the times you went to sleep... we all plotted to get rid of you, and catch you by surprise."
"It's easy to quickly plan when we're one team," Cicada smiledd. "In fact, since your plan failed, it makes this even easier to dispose of you."
Sephtis didn't even flinch. He just scoffed, and for a brief moment, it appeared that he smirked.
They all fired. The beams collided with each other.
When the beams were gone, so was Sephtis. The trio, and Sombra, expressed their shock a little more than the villains.
Cicada turned and glared at Tirek. She lit her horn, snatching the Bewitching Bell from him.
"Now that he's gone, we'll be taking this," Cicada proclaimed.
Chrysalis snatched it back. "I don't think so!"
Cicada tried to take it back, but Chrysalis kept her hold. So now the two changelings were pitted in a tug-of-war.
Alagmir joined Cicada. Tirek joined Chrysalis. And then Lilith and Cozy joined, helping their respective sides.
The bell started to shake.
Nightfall and the Storm King started assisting their villainous allies.
But Sombra didn't go. So the bell started to slowly get closer to the villains.
"Sombra!" Cozy shouted. "Help!"
"Don't listen to them!" said the Storm King. "You can still help us! Just forget those three and help!"
King Sombra looked back and forth between the two teams.
"We need all the help we can get!" Tirek yelled.
"You'll fail if you help them!" Cicada barked. "You're outnumbered!"
Sombra looked back and forth.
And then he made his choice, one that even he didn't expect to make. He stepped closer to the reformed trio, and with all his strength, pulled the bell with his magic.
Because they were still outnumbered, the bell wasn't going closer to them right away, but it was slowed down.
"Such a foolish choice!" Nightfall hissed.
The bell slowly got closer, moving very slightly each second.
Suddenly, a small sound emmitted from the bell. The sound of cracking. A squiggly line started to engrave itself in the bell, and some light began to shine from the crack.
Chrysalis, Sombra, Cozy, and Tirek tugged with all their might. And for a second, the bell went closer to them before drifting away. Another crack appeared during that.
More cracks began to appear.
"What's going on?!" Lilith asked.
More cracks began to appear.
The bell was even closer to the villains.
Sombra knew that it was time for plan B.
The cracks spread around the bell.
And then, using a bit of his extra strength, Sombra formed a dark crystal, intending to have it shoot out of the ground and knock the bell out of everyone's grasp.
But that was only the intention. The effect was way different.
When the crystal struck the bell, it suddenly exploded, sending everyone back into many directions. The shards of the bell flew everywhere, along with pieces of the crystal.
Everyone was on the floor. Chrysalis was the first to recover. Groaning, she looked up. Her eyes went wide. Orbs of magic flew in the air. As everyone recovered, they noticed too.
And suddenly, the orbs all flew out the cave.
"What..." Cozy mumbled. "Was that?"
"I think that was... the magic of the bell..." Sombra explained.
"Well now what?!" Tirek exclaimed. "They're getting up! How are we going to-"
"Uh... can't we just... use all of our power to teleport far away from here?" Chrysalis brought up.
Everyone looked at her.
"Ugh! Of course! How can we forget that!??!" Cozy Glow exclaimed.
Just then, a large beam of green magic zipped past Cozy. The heroes turned their heads and saw Cicada, buzzing in the air. The rest of the villains were still recovering.
"Teleport at the same time!" Tirek shouted. "To Grogar's lair!"
Cicada leapt for the team of four, growling with rage. The other villains unleashed their own ammunition-attacks.
Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow all lit their horns. Tirek lifted Sombra with telekinesis, and grabbed him with his massive arm.
"No, wait!" Sombra shrieked in defiance.
And just then, right when Cicada was close to her enemies, they all burst in a massive spark.
Lilith got up. And she saw that all of her enemies were gone.
Including Cicada.
Grogar's lair...
The spark burst in front of Grogar's lair, and right when Tirek, Sombra, Cozy Glow, and Chrysalis appeared, Cicada flew right past them, nearly hitting Tirek and Chrysalis. She slid on the ground.
She stumbled onto her hooves.
"You..." she growled. "You four will not escape this easily!"
"*ahem*..."
Cicada paused and turned around. Behind her stood Princess Twilight Sparkle, her dragon Spike, and multiple royal guards.
"You're outnumbered, Cicada!" Chrysalis proclaimed. "Attacking us will not do you well."
Cicada looked around her. Everywhere, royal guards surrounded her, and those with magic had their horns lit.
She growled.
"You haven't seen the last of me!" she bellowed, lighting her horn.
But before she could make her escape, a small purple spark burst on her head. And when that happened, Cicada no longer felt the surge of magic.
"What-"
"Magic inhibitor ring," Princess Twilight said. "It was Spike's idea to bring those just in case..."
A bunch of Royal Guards pointed their spears at Cicada.
"What should we do with her, your majesty?" Gallus asked. "I say it's to the stone statue for her!"
"Me too..." said Chrysalis, glaring at Cicada.
"We can deal with her later," Princess Twilight said. "Let's just keep an eye on her at all times, for now."
Twilight approached Chrysalis, Tirek, Sombra, and Cozy Glow.
"Now..." she began. "I'd be worried that King Sombra was here with you three... but from the looks of it-"
"He helped us," Tirek finished for her.
"Yes," Sombra admitted, showing no emotion. "I did. And now that I've helped you, our alliance has come to a close!"
"Wait, Sombra!" Cozy cut in. "We keep trying to tell you this. . We made a pretty good team. And you finally got to experience a win... of sorts."
"Yes, that is true... but I'm a tyrant! I don't befriend ponies or creatures... I conquer them! I do alliances if it's for my benefit!"
"But think about what we've done for you!" Chrysalis exclaimed. "We saved you, we stood beside you, and you chose to help us instead of the others when Sephtis was gone!"
"Well... um..."
King Sombra was starting to reach a standstill.
He looked at the three former villains. He looked at Princess Twilight. He then looked at Cicada, who was being watched by a bunch of royal guards, including Spike himself.
Sombra, seeing no way out of this, turned into his Umbrum form, and fled the scene.
"Wait!" Cozy was ready to run after him, but Princess Twilight grabbed her tail to stop her from getting farther.
"Let him go," Twilight said. "We'll try to make sure he doesn't do anything. But something tells me he's not fleeing just to plan."
"Let's just hope he doesn't decide to continue being evil..." said Chrysalis.
"So..." Twilight began. "Should we resume our search for the others, or-"
"Princess!"
Everyone turned their heads. The reformed trio's hearts started to beat in excitement.
From behind some nearby trees, Luster Dawn appeared. Leo and Magma Burn were both beside her. Their coats were matted, their manes were messy, and they looked tired, but they were still standing unharmed.
"Luster!" Spike shouted, flying over to Twilight's student. Twilight ran over to Luster and hugged her.
"Hey," Leo waved.
Magma Burn just watched.
"So..." Luster began when she and Twilight released their embrace. "What did we miss?"
They all looked at Cicada, now completely surrounded by guards left, right, and above her.
Meanwhile...
Lilith paced left and right. Everyone was still in the cave... when Nightfall looked into the crystal ball, she saw that their base was surrounded.
"So, now that our leader is gone, which one of us should be in charge?" Alagmir asked.
"I think I should be in charge," Lilith proclaimed.
Nightfall scoffed. "I've been acquainted with this world longer than you have."
"Yeah, well, I've actually tried to conquer Equestria twice, and nearly succeeded both times!"
"That wasn't even you!" the Storm King pointed out.
"Poor fools..." A voice said. "You all will fall apart unless I'm here..."
Everyone turned and saw the familiar figure approach them.
"You!" Nightfall shouted, lighting her horn. Alagmir, the Storm King, and Lilith did the same.
"Oh, come on..." Sephtis scoffed. "If I really was going to flee, these five wouldn't be in my control..."
The rest of the Mean 6 stood motionless.
"Anyway, that doesn't matter!" Sephtis exclaimed. "I'm here to make a deal."
"What kind of deal?!" Lilith inquired.
"You three tried to destroy me because of my power," Sephtis began. "Normally, I would swear vengeance and destroy all of you in the darkest of ways. But all of you... save for Cicada... have potential. So that's why I'd like to make a compromise... we continue to be a team, with me being in charge. We can conquer Equestria and put it in your image, or we can destroy it entirely and then do the former... somehow. If you still don't trust me, I give you full permission to access my private journals and spells. All of them. And besides, I have far less power without the Bewitching Bell. I can go through with your plans, as long as they are reasonable for all of us. I can allow you to do as much as you please, as long as it's not some conspiracy against me. I can give you more magic if I repair the bell. I can let you do what you want to your enemies. Everything. I can go on and on. In short, let's put my old motivations and our tension aside, and resume our teamwork. So... do we have a deal?"
Let me give you the short rundown of it... I went with my friends to Princess Twilight's reunion with her friends. But then I, Luster Dawn, and her friend Magma Burn, were all taken by Grogar and his goons. But apparently, not only was King Sombra and the Storm King working with him, but an evil clone of me as well. Believe it or not, we won... only to find ourselves completely in the middle of nowhere. We knew we needed sleep, so we set up a small (but safe) fort out of the rubble behind us. It was very cold, so we had to find ways to stay warm and sleep. I did fall asleep at some point, and when I woke up, it quickly got hot. When everyone was awake, we were on our way. We would take breaks to calm down our aches, but those would last for a few minutes before we continued onward.
"Dear Celestia... Twilight... whatever... it's hot out here..." I mutter.
"I wish we had a map..." Luster groaned. "I don't know if we're in old territory, or something new. If we had a map, we'd know how close we are to some form of civilization..."
"Magma, how good are you with directions?"
"I've had some work in a form of finding directions, which would prove useful..." replied Magma. "... if I could get a sense of North, West, South, or East. Now, let's see here..."
Magma squinted while looking at the sun. He mumbled to himself.
"That's North..." he pointed in a direction. "Then West, South, and East."
"Which one would lead us to where?" Luster asked.
"That's the best I can gather... I have no clue which direction will take us to a place like Kludgetown, or some sort of better-conditioned place to allow us to survive, or anything."
"Well that's just great!" I exclaim. "We have no sense of direction, it's boiling out here, and did I mention we have no sense of direction?! I think I did!"
"Just get ahold of yourself!" Magma Burn hissed. "We'll get home... somehow... and then I'll go back to trying to protect Equestria from your so-called friends. And maybe even you."
"Oh, here we go again! You and your grudge against my friends! What's your justified reason, huh?!"
"That's none of your business!"
"Hey, hey!" Luster cut in. "Stop! Both of you! If we're going to get home, you two are going to have to stop arguing."
"Fine..." I mutter.
"Very well," said Magma.
"Good..." Luster smirked. "Now... let's head... um... this way!"
"Are you sure?" I ask.
"Um... heh... no. Just a feeling..."
Magma and I exchanged glances before we set off.
... Intro ...
It felt like hours.
My whole body was sticky with sweat, and all of my legs were sore. My moist mane started to undo itself, and started to cover my face. Luster was also hot, her wheezing feeling more and more strained as time passed. Magma Burn was the least affected. He didn't appear to be in the same condition we were, but he was sweaty as well.
"Legs... aching..." I groan. "Heat... intensifying..."
"Hey," Luster slowly lifted a hoof. "I think I see something..."
"That's probably a mirage..." said Magma.
"No!" Luster lifted a hoof. "Look!"
We both looked ahead. Indeed, there was something over there that I couldn't make out. It did look rippled, but if Luster was hallucinating, we wouldn't see it... unless she put the image of it in our heads.
However, it was Magma Burn who convinced me, mainly because of how resistant he seemed to this heat.
"Well I'll be..." he said. "There is something over there! Let's head over."
And we continued onward.
***
When we got there, we entered more steppe-like territory. Because it had to lead somewhere, we continued along the way. Soon, we started to see trees. They were small, frail, and nimble, but as we continued, the vegetation got bigger. And soon, we saw what looked like a forest, or jungle, in the distance.
I kept mentally praying that this was real. I wouldn't want this to be some mirage fake-out that our weakened minds wouldn't realize until we started drinking sand, thinking it was water.
"You'd think the area separating the forest from the desert would be bigger..." I mumbled.
"But on the bright side, we're near vegetation... and maybe water," Luster said.
"There may only be ponds there, and I don't think it's a good idea to drink pond water..." said Magma. "Eating, we'll do fine without, but we'll eat vegetation in emergencies."
"Are we really hungry?"
"Surprisingly, not too much for a guy that's just been in a desert for a long time," I reply.
"I can wait another few hours."
"See?" Luster smiled. "We'll be fine... sort of... we just need to find water."
"Well, hopefully this forest is small..." I said. "We don't know where we are..."
"Actually..." Luster lifted a hoof. "Look around... see those sand mountains?"
I looked. There were some sand mountains, some big, some small.
"If this is what I think it is..." said Luster. "We were in the Bone Dry Desert. And if my assumptions are correct... this could be the Forbidden Jungle."
"Is it safe to go in there?" I ask.
"We just defeated all-powerful beings..." Luster pointed out. "If we stay alert, we'll be fine."
"Then let's go..." said Magma, already on the move. Luster and I followed.
We pressed on. The vegetation close ahead was a refreshing sight, but I really wanted some food and water, and I could tell Luster felt the same. And Magma Burn? Either he's very strong when it comes to these situations, or he's just a professional at hiding his feelings of discomfort. It was still very hot, but it wasn't as bad as the desert.
If only he could hide his feelings when he's around my friends...
"I really hope there's a lake, and not just ponds and swamps..." Luster whimpered.
"I know," I reply. "So... how's it been with... you know... learning friendship and all?"
"She's been doing fine," said Magma.
"Heh... yeah... what he said..." Luster put on a fake smile. "And... how have you been with friendship?"
"Well, I've already known some stuff, but the School of Friendship is a great way to refresh my mind, or encourage me to keep up with what I've been learning."
"Interesting..."
"Yeah..." I then sighed. "Luster... what do you think is going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you think... do you think things are alright back home?"
Luster didn't say anything for a moment. She looked up ahead.
"I don't know," she finally answered. "But I think your friends, the Princess, and many others wouldn't go down too easily."
I didn't smile. But I did agree with that.
"Maybe you're right."
Magma Burn, didn't say anything the whole time. He just continued leading the way.
... ...
Time felt like it was going slower and slower, the more we moved. We were finally deep in the belly of the forest, allowing us to get some shade. I really wanted to stop and eat some grass and leaves, but that would be weird. Again, Magma said we should do that in emergencies when things really get desperate.
We sat down, catching our few-minute break.
My stomach felt like it was in knots. It was not a fun feeling, and it's worse when I think of the fact that nothing in a pony's diet is here.
"Why..." I whined. "Why are we in a jungle close to a desert? I'm so hungry and thirsty... I'll do anything! I'll drink pond water and eat leaves! Anything!"
Magma slapped my face.
"Pull yourself together!" he snapped, while I rubbed my cheek. "I'll admit it! I'm hungry too! Let's just..."
He pulled some leaf-filled branches off of a few trees.
"Dig in."
"Wait, are you sure this is even safe?" said Luster. "These could get us sick!"
"I mean, some of these leaves should be edible... maybe?" I shrug.
"We either starve, or we risk it," Magma determined. "Which one is it gonna be? These trees looks safe. It's not like it's poison joke or anything. It looks fine!"
I plucked a leaf off of a branch.
"Well..." I groan. "You heard him..."
I took a bite. Luster and Magma followed.
***
Well, my stomach wasn't 100% better, but I wasn't as hungry as I was earlier, so that's a plus.
The remaining heat in the shade of the forest slowly started to die down, much to our relief.
"I'm not gonna lie," I said. "I thought it would take much longer for us to get to somewhere like this. We must have been closer to this forest than we thought."
"I think so too," Luster agreed.
Magma Burn stopped. We both stopped too. He turned to the left.
"What is it?" Luster asked.
Magma Burn lifted a hoof and said only one thing: "Water."
Luster and I looked to where he was pointing. From behind some bushes and trees, we saw a small glistening light. The three of us ran through the bushes, and saw a large stream of water.
"How strong is that?" Luster asked.
I went over and dipped my hoof in. "I think we'll be fine! Hop in!"
I leapt into the water. I heard Luster run over and then I was sprayed with water as Luster jumped in.
"We may not be able to drink this, but at least it's refreshing," I smile.
"Actually..."
I didn't know what Luster was getting at. She grabbed a stick, and lit her horn. The stick wobbled and shook... before it changed into the form of a cup.
That's right! Transfiguration spell!
Luster then used the cup to scoop up some water. She then kept her focus on the cup, the water inside starting to shake.
And then, Luster handed me the cup.
"Drink it."
"Wait, why?" I ask, reluctantly taking the cup. "This is stream water. It's dirty."
"It was dirty," Luster smirked. "But with this water filtration spell, I beg to differ."
"Water... filtration?" I took a sip, and my dry throat suddenly felt full of life. "Wow! It's so... refreshing! And... clean! I don't think I've ever been able to tell the difference that much... even though I didn't try it while it was dirty. But... wow! A water filtration spell? Is there a spell for everything here?"
"Well, we do have a princess that raises the sun and moon."
I took an even bigger gulp of water, and then gave her the cup.
"Your turn," I said.
Luster scooped up some more water, and repeated the process, before gulping down the cup.
She did it again, gave me the cup, and I dumped the water on myself. The only liquid on my body for the past few hours was sweat, so this was the perfect way to rinse off, and cool down even faster.
"Come on in, Magma!" Luster shouted.
"Um, you two... go on ahead," Magma turned. "I'll just... stand guard."
He left, going past the bushes.
Luster and I exchanged looks.
"I'll... go talk to him," I volunteered. "But after one more drink."
After Luster scooped and filtered the water, I gulped it all down and left the stream.
"Don't go anywhere!" I order.
"Where am I gonna go?" asked Luster.
"... good point."
I then went past the bushes, and saw Magma Burn sitting nearby.
"Hey," I said before sitting next to him. "What's going on?"
"It's nothing..." Magma growled. "Go back to what you're doing."
I didn't move. Magma Burn and I both shared our silence. He didn't shoo me away, which was fine.
Finally, I spoke.
"Do you hate me?"
"It depends..." Magma replied, picking up a pebble and tossing it at a tree. "Are you one of them? A villain?"
"No."
"Then why do you live with them?..."
"Because... they're my friends!" I proclaimed.
"That's a lie... you're being controlled, or you're with them and lying. I don't really know... you're lucky that I'm not going to exterminate you, and that I'm trusting you with Luster."
"Alright that's it!" I get up and stomp a hoof. "Why, huh?! Why are you always so bitter, distrusting, and delusional? Why is it your mission to protect Luster? Tell me!"
Magma Burn blinked. And then he sighed.
"Sit down..." he told me. "I have a story to tell you..."
... ...
As a child, I was skilled in heat magic and martial arts. It was a struggle at first, but... I was a fast learner. I was a fan of comics, believe it or not... the Power Ponies were really fun. It was always so exciting when the main bad guy would be defeated, and the world was saved. And Princess Twilight... she was my idol. It was a dream of mine to meet her. In fact, I was excited when I was going to go to Twilight's School for Gifted Unicorns... named after her when Former Princess Celestia and Former Princess Luna passed her the throne, and ownership of the school. There, I met... her. Luster Dawn. She was the only one who made me feel like I existed. She asked me for directions... and that's when our friendship began. We'd always play games like superheroes and all that. I considered her a friend, but she was always skeptical when calling me that same name. Because she didn't really see friendship the way others do until only months ago. She just considered herself a partner, or one who just hangs out. But either way, I cared about her.
But one night... on my way home... there were some ponies surrounding Luster... teasing her. This may come as a surprise to you, but she struggled a bit with spells, in spite of being accepted to the school. I tried to stop them, but they didn't listen. They just wanted to pick a fight. And when I saw the fear in Luster's eyes... I took action. I tried to fight... and I stunned them all. When I took the last one down, they saw the rage in my eyes, and ran off.
When I took Luster to Donut Joe's, I was conflicted. Do I forgive or forget? Or do I continue wishing the worst for what they did, and have the desire to send them to the aether, or put them in stone?
Anger made my choice for me.
After I went home and had dinner, I read the latest edition of Equestrian history. As I kept digging, I learned of it all. One villain after another, and yet half of them got away with no comeuppance. Discord... Starlight... Trixie... I felt betrayed by the Princess, and saw her for being weak.
That's when I decided to take matters into my own hooves.
I took a book on Elemental Magic, in order to learn how to wield a type of elemental magic. Considering my family, I knew mine was fire. This magic was so powerful, that not even Starswirl himself perfected it yet. I kept learning... and then, one day, it happened. When I demonstrated my newfound power in front of my class, my cutie mark appeared, right on my flank.
Time passed, and when I finally graduated, I went out into self isolation to train myself. When I knew about Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow, I became suspect as to the fact that they'd return. I went into training... increasing my power, day by day.
"Luster would always visit me, telling me that this was crazy... trying to reason with me," Magma Burn concluded. "And one day, when she started caring about friendship, she finally called me a friend. It increased my determination to protect her. You can only imagine how I felt when learning that she was the one sent to reform the villains... I put on an act in case she was controlled, before concluding that she was simply manipulated. I vow to save her, because I... I..."
"Love her?" I ask.
Magma nodded.
"Well... this was a lot to take in..." I begin. "But let me tell you something... it's always your goal to keep Equestria safe, keep Luster safe, and spread the message of justice. But all of these former villains that now live peaceful lives... they want that too. And if you can't see that, and forgive them... than that makes you a villain yourself."
Magma Burn had no words.
Luster then appeared from behind the bushes surrounding the lake, soaking wet.
"You... won't believe... what I just saw..." Luster panted.
"What?" I got up.
"A hot-air balloon... I checked it... it may be usable." Luster cleared her throat. "If it works, we can finally get home."
"Well what are we waiting for? Come on, Magma! Let's get this thing to work."
***
"There it is..." Luster presented the balloon, covered in vines and moss.
"Why is it... here?" Magma wondered.
"Probably something that happened a while back..." I say before pulling off the vegetation. "Help me set this up."
And that is what we did. We cleaned up the balloon, and double-checked for damage. Surprisingly, there wasn't much damage done to the balloon... it was perfectly preserved in all the moss and vines.
We got in. Luckily, Luster and Magma knew how to use the thing, because I didn't. At first, it was a struggle in getting it to lift.
But then it started to lift off the ground.
"It's working!" I beam, before crouching down. "Now, if you'll excuse me... let me know when we land again..."
I hated heights. Fight me.
I felt the balloon carry off the ground and soar up.
"Wow, we actually did it..." said Magma.
"The view's nice too," Luster admired. "Leo, you need to see it."
"No!" I whined. "I hate heights..."
We continued going through the sky.
"Wow..." I heard Luster say. "Who knew this view would be so beautiful..."
Time continued to pass. My heart kept thumping as I quietly prayed that things would go well.
And then, it happened.
"What's that?" I heard Luster say.
"Huh?..." I squeak.
Just then, a loud buzzing sound flew past us, and I heard a loud POP!!!!
And I felt the balloon start to go down.
"We're gonna crash!!!" Luster shrieked.
"Brace yourself," Magma warned. "This is gonna get bumpy!"
I felt myself slide around the balloon basket as I tried my best to keep a good grip. But then, I felt myself get pulled close to Magma, and right when the area around me went red, we crashed into the trees. I felt myself bounce around, and hit my head on the shield, before everything went still.
"Is everypony ok?" asked Luster.
"Yep..." I groaned.
We all lifted our heads. The basked dangled from a branch on a tree.
"Where are we?" I pondered.
"Looks like a swamp..." Luster said.
We all hopped off the basket. When we were all on the ground, Luster's ear twitched.
"Shhh..." she lifted a hoof. "Listen..."
We did as we were told, not making a sound. I started to hear it... talking, yelling, whatever.
"Someone's nearby!" I hiss. "Let's head over!"
And we did. Walking at a fast-pace, we all went past some trees.
All of a sudden, I heard Luster scream, "Princess!"
What we saw made me feel a mix of happiness and confusion. Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow were all there, along with Princess Twilight and Spike. A bunch of royal guards, including Gallus, surrounded what appeared to be an evil Chrysalis clone.
"Luster!" Spike shouted, flying over.
Cozy, Chrysalis, and Tirek said nothing, but I could see the relief they had to see me again.
Magma Burn just watched. No one approached him.
"So..." Luster began when she and Twilight released their embrace. "What did we miss?"
"It's a long story..." Tirek chuckled.
"Who is..." Magma Burn raised a hoof at the evil Chrysalis. "...that?"
"That's... my evil clone..." Chrysalis sheepishly said.
"Very... interesting..." Magma Burn slowly proceeded to stomp forward.
"Should someone... stop him?" Cozy asked.
As Magma Burn got closer, his hooves started to leave charred prints in the ground.
The evil Chrysalis showed no fear.
"Allow me to take care of her..." Magma Burn growled. "I can take it from-"
He was interrupted when Luster tackled him, and they rolled on the ground.
"Not today, Magma!" Luster shouted. "She's evil, but don't do this now!"
"Fine..." Magma mumbled under his breath (I could tell), and both ponies got up on their hooves.
After the events that spiraled yesterday, I got my well-deserved sleep, back in my own comfortable bed.
The next day, after showering and bringing my hair back to its style, I went down to the cutie-map room to start my day. Chrysalis and Tirek were already there, chatting away.
I sat down in one of the seats across from them.
"Good morning..." I yawned.
"Leo, we're glad you're up," said Tirek. "We've wanted to discuss something with you now that things are back to normal."
"I'm all ears!"
"Well..." Chrysalis held up a phone.
"Alright... that's a clone of my phone," I said.
"Yes," Tirek nods. "And we were thinking... you said that some of the things in this phone were inaccessible due to certain aspects. Correct?"
"Yup."
"So... Tirek and I have been thinking, and... we've decided to begin phase 2 of our business," Chrysalis explained. "And make everything here accessible."
I rubbed my hoof on my chin. "Hmmm... alright, let's think about this. You're telling me that you're going to make every app able to be used, by making internet and data... correct?"
Chrysalis and Tirek nodded.
"Well, this is a pretty big step," I continue. "Not as big as releasing these phones in general... but it's big. Now, I'm all for this idea. There are things I can't do on this device that I miss. But I'm not the main one to ask about this. I have an idea on how it works, but who knows if the items we need are scattered around the world? I may be wrong, but we may need a giant antenna, and a box."
"I think we should do research on how it works," suggested Tirek. "If we're able to do it, we'll need to know how it functions, first, or else it will be a waste of time."
"But how can we research it?." Chrysalis pondered.
"No need. I think I know of a way we can pull this off. We'll need the Princess' permission for this."
"So what's the idea that we'll need the Princess here for?" asked Tirek.
"Well..." I begin. "You know that... thing, that we were told not to touch? The thing under the tarp in the library?"
"Yeah?" Chrysalis listened intently. Tirek, too.
"Well... as long as we get the Princess' permission to use it... we're about to use something that will be out of this world, if you know what I mean..."
Tirek and Chrysalis exchanged glances.
... Intro ...
"What could be under there?" Cozy asked, while we all sat near the hidden structure in the library.
"You'll see..." Leo patted her shoulder.
Just then, the doors to the library opened. Princess Twilight, along with Spike, entered.
"Hey, Princess," Cozy waved. "Hey, Spike."
"What's up?" Spike greeted.
"So, I got your letter," said the Princess. "You wanted me to see something?"
"Yes," Chrysalis nods. "We were wondering if we could have permission to use whatever's under that tarp."
"Oh, that thing? Let me show you..."
Princess Twilight went over to the concealed structure, and pulled off the tarp, revealing a mirror connected to a bunch of mechanisms. Only I recognized it, even before the tarp was removed.
"That's it?" Tirek said. "A mirror?"
"Not just any mirror... a portal," Spike pointed out.
"I suggested that they could use it, because they wanted to put the next phase of their business in motion," Leo explained. "But since they don't know much on what to do, I figured we could go over there and have them try it out, learn about it, all that. Heck, there may even be an item or two we can bring back to help with that."
"Hmmm..." Twilight tapped her chin. "I would let you through, though there's just one problem... the last time someone tried to go through the portal, it wasn't working. We tried to fix it, but it never turned out to be a success. So we eventually gave up and decided to keep it here in case-"
ZZZZZzzzzz
Everyone turned their heads, and saw the mirror glass replaced with a swirling pink vortex.
"Um... how did you do that?" Spike asked.
"I just put the book sitting nearby in," Leo said. "Isn't that what I have to do?"
"It is, but it wasn't working the last time the steps were followed. Someone must have did something in order to get it to work!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Maybe someone worked on it when nobody noticed?" Chrysalis suggested.
"I'm going to talk to Starlight about this..."
"Wait!" Leo piped before Twilight left. "Since it's very likely that it works, can we please go through to do what needs to be done?"
"Yes," Twilight nodded. "You may. Spike, would you be fine with looking after the portal?"
"Yes, ma'am," he saluted.
"All right!" Leo cheered, before entering the portal.
"Well, I guess we should follow him," Cozy shrugged. She then followed Leo into the portal.
Chrysalis went next.
"Wait!" Tirek shrieked. "How am I even going to-"
Chrysalis vanished into the portal.
Tirek sighed and went over. He expected to not fit, but once his claw touched, he was sucked in.
"Huh... so that's what it does to big creatures..." Spike mumbled.
Canterlot High...
My mind felt like it was spinning as soon as all the whirling, twirling, and body-stretching stopped. When my vision blurred, I groaned, and looked at my hands.
Wait... Hands!
I stood up on my feet and looked over my body. Most of what it was like the last time I was human was the same... I was wearing the same clothes I had on the day I first went to Equestria. Although my skin was green, my hair was still long, and I was a cartoon, those are the only differences I found.
I sighed. "It's good to be back..."
My attention was brought to the sound of groaning from the other three. I turned and saw them shakily get up on their feet.
"It's a good thing you three briefly had experience being humans," I said. "Otherwise I would have had to..."
Cozy lost her balance and fell on her hands and knees.
"... teach you."
"I got it..." Cozy assured.
"Hey. There's no one here," said Chrysalis.
I looked around. Chrysalis was right... the area was empty.
"Should we be worried?" Cozy asked.
"I don't think so," Tirek replied. "Things look pretty normal, here. It looks like we're at a school, and today's supposed to be a Saturday... unless days are different back at Equestria."
"I think we'll be fine," I shrug. "We just need to find someone to talk to. It's not that hard."
"But wouldn't it be weird if we just approached a random stranger?" Cozy pointed out.
"Hmm... fair point. We should probably think this through a little..."
"There should be someone who's a bit more close to the world of Equestria than others," Tirek said. "If that was the case, then it's a shame the Princess didn't tell us..."
"Actually..." I begin. "There is someone that's like that. "
"Really? Who?" Cozy asked.
All of a sudden, we heard the doors open. We all looked.
A female human with amber-colored skin and hair that was red and yellow stepped out. She didn't see us as she stepped out (she had her head turned to look behind her), but the moment she did see us, she slightly jumped, and paused.
"Um..." I raised a hand. "Hi?"
The woman, who found that first meeting a bit awkward, also raised her hand to have. "...hi. Can I... help you with something?"
"Um... yeah," Chrysalis said. "You see, we're from Equestria-"
"Hold on..." the woman squinted her eyes. "I recognize you... wait a minute... Twilight told me about you three..."
"Uh-oh..." Cozy gulped.
"Listen, before you come to any conclusions, we're-"
"-reformed," the woman cut off Tirek, and gave a slight smile. "I know. Twilight told me about that too." She pointed at me. "And you as well. Why don't we all go to my office?"
Office?
"Um... sure, why not?" I reply.
And so, we all followed Sunset Shimmer as we entered Canterlot High.
... ...
We were all led into Sunset's office, which turned out to be the Principle's office. So at least I now know where Sunset wound up in life... as the new Principal. Honestly, I'm surprised and not surprised at the same time. But now I'm left wondering about what happened to Twilight's human counterpart...
Anyway, Cozy and I took our seats in the two chairs, while Chrysalis and Tirek stood behind us.
"So... you're the Headmare of this school?" Tirek asked.
"Here, we call it 'Principal', and we don't refer to one another as mares," Sunset politely replied. "Ever since Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna retired."
"So Celestia and Luna's alternate versions were 'Principals' here..." Cozy mumbled. "If being a Principal is a high-figure, then I'd expect Twilight's counterpart to be in charge instead."
"Cozy, be polite," Chrysalis reprimanded.
"No worries," assured Sunset. "I kind of felt the same way. But I suppose the position of Vice-Principal is close enough, isn't it?"
"I suppose so... another question... it's Saturday, isn't it? How come you're here?"
"I always come here on Saturdays. Usually to take a trip down memory lane, since some of my fondest memories are here."
"Oh."
"You appeared to have heard about us," Tirek said. "How?"
"Through contact with Twilight, of course. I've never spent my whole life here. I lived in Equestria once. But that changed. I used to be like you once. The three of you. I too, was a villain. I wanted Twilight's crown. I stole it and escaped to this world, where I bullied plenty of others who didn't deserve it. One transformation and defeat later, Twilight helped me see the light."
"How was it?..." Cozy asked. "Looking for forgiveness?"
"It was... something," Sunset chuckled. "But... I'm here now, aren't I? If anything, I'm right where the three of you stand. A former enemy turned into someone living a more normal life... though I've had my share of saving the world. The first occasion was what gave me my confidence around the time."
"Us too," Chrysalis said.
"How is it that we're similar to nearly every reformed villain?!" Cozy exclaimed.
"Because that's how it goes in your world, and here too, I suppose. It's like a sequence of stages... when you reform, you feel unsure and doubtful. And then, you change and gain confidence from one thing. That stage doesn't happen to everyone... but it can happen even after your guilt goes away. And then, you go and live a normal life like you're supposed to."
"Or it's just coincidence," I pointed out.
"That too. Anyways... what brings you three here?"
"Well, thanks to our friend Leo here, something new and advanced was brought to Equestria, and Tirek and I decided to collaborate on it," Chrysalis explained. "They're these glowing bricks called-"
"-phones."
"Phones. Yes. And since they're limited in ability, we learned that this would be a good place to go to to unlock the rest of their abilities."
"Weird way to word it," I said.
"We were hoping that we could figure out how to complete our business, and maybe even get some of the supplies," Tirek clarified.
"Well, it's not easy," said Sunset. "If you want to have access to things requiring internet and service... the things you need... it's a bit of a process. Although one of the things you need qualifies as a simple household item, there's also tall towers, and even satellites... structures you put into space."
"Seems complicated," Chrysalis muttered. "How do you... acquire those?"
"It's a long process. First, you need the materials, and then you need to build what's needed, and finally, launch the satellite. I wish I could do more, but unfortunately, I don't have any access to blueprints."
"Well..." Tirek tapped his chin. "I think that's all we need to know."
"I also told them that data isn't an option because... you know," I chime in.
"Well, I'm sorry that I can't help much, but at least you now know what to do. In time, we may think of something."
"Honestly..." Chrysalis began. "With how new they are to Equestria, I think we'll be fine. It just means that all the excitement the residents have will linger on until further notice."
"Yeah. Anyways, it was nice to finally meet you."
"You as well," Tirek replied. "Well, I suppose we should head back?"
"Not now," Cozy said. "Can we just stick around for a little bit longer?"
Chrysalis and Tirek exchanged looks.
"I suppose so..." said Chrysalis. "But what would we do?"
"We could just get ice cream or something," I shrugged.
"Alright."
"I'll come with you." Sunset stood up.
"Really?" Cozy tilted her head. "Why?"
"Because... why not? Besides, there's so much out here in this world that I would love to tell you about. And maybe we can even share some stories."
"You have our interest," Tirek said.
With Sunset right behind us, we all proceeded to leave.
... ...
"So you actually managed to defeat the Sirens?!" Cozy beamed. "That's amazing!"
"It sure is," said Sunset. "But I'm not the one that confronted and defeated the actual Father of Monsters."
"I guess we all have something in common," Chrysalis said.
"Well, not me..." I point out.
"You said that there's been moments of reoccurring magic in this world..." Tirek started. "What kinds of magic?"
"Well for starters, the most obvious one, the portal to and from Equestria. And then throughout my first years here, I figured out that a special kind of magic would be unlocked when you show the trust part of yourself. Then there's the discovery of these geodes with magic originally from Equestria itself. I could go on, as every so often, I'd always discover something new."
"Wow. I didn't expect a place like this to have that much magic," Cozy said.
"There's more, too... I have a little 'special ability'. Through physical touch, I would be able to see your thoughts, memories, and feelings."
"That's nice," I nod (even though I knew that).
"Does anyone want me to try?"
We all looked at each other, before Cozy shrugged.
"Eh. Why not?"
She reached out her arm.
Sunset went closer to Cozy, and then took Cozy's wrist. Her eyes all of a sudden began to glow white.
Sunset...
When Sunset finally regained her sense of surroundings, she took a moment to see where she was.
It was definitely different than what she expected.
She was in a house. Not big or fancy. But just a small, simple house, reminiscent of a classic Ponyville house.
Sunset proceeded to walk around, wondering just how this whole setting was related to Cozy Glow herself.
And then she turned a corner into the hallway.
There was a bunch of picture frames hung up on both hallway walls. Sunset stepped closer to the first frame and took it off the wall.
It was a picture of Cozy, along with Chrysalis and Tirek. All three standing together. Like...
"...One big happy family," Sunset murmured.
Sunset put the picture back and continued down the hall. She saw some more pictures, a few of them excluding her other friend, while others included him.
Sunset suddenly heard something call to her. But this was different.
It seemed sinister.
And it was right around the corner at the end of the hallway.
Sunset didn't want to check it out, but she knew she was fighting a losing battle with her curiosity. She finished her trek across the hallway, turned the corner, and saw nothing more than a cellar door.
Sunset immediately knew that whatever she was feeling was inside that door.
She wasn't sure if it would be a good idea to enter.
But Sunset ended up taking a deep breath, opening the cellar door, and going inside.
Meanwhile...
"...How long does she do that?" Chrysalis asked.
"I dunno," I shrug.
"I really hope she doesn't find any private things in there..." Cozy grumbled. "The moment she touched me, I immediately regretted it."
"What sort of things?" Tirek asked.
"...Private things. As I said."
Suddenly, Sunset pulled her hand off of Cozy, her eyes returning to normal.
"Hey, you're back!" I said. "What did you see?"
"Oh, you know..." Sunset scratched the back of her head. "...Basic things. Nothing private."
"Really?" Cozy crossed her arms. "I don't believe you."
"I'm being honest. I know what stuff to stay out of, and what to look at... um... *ahem...* it looks like it's getting late, so I think it's time you all head back."
"Aw..." I whine.
"Don't worry, you'll be able to come back anytime," said Chrysalis. "...I think. We may have to talk with Twilight on that."
"I think you can as long as we're both fine with it," Sunset replied. "Come on. Let's go."
... ...
"Bye Sunset," Leo waved. "Thanks for the trip."
Leo entered the portal. Cozy followed. Chrysalis was ready to go next, but Sunset grabbed her arm.
"Don't tell Cozy that I'm telling you two this..." she began. "But after that little trip in her mind, I want you two to promise me something."
"What is it?"
"I wasn't telling her the truth when I was saying that I didn't see anything private. I did... but it stays between us. I saw memories of her past."
"Really?" Tirek's brows raised.
Sunset nodded. "Listen, I'm not going to tell you about what exactly happened... but could you please, please promise me, that you'll give her a happier life then what I saw?"
Chrysalis and Tirek looked at each other.
"We will," Chrysalis promised.
Sunset smiled. "Thank you."
Chrysalis and Tirek bid her goodbye and returned into the portal.
Equestria...
"Well, as much as it was nice learning new things, it's a shame that we didn't advance the phone business," Tirek said.
"Honestly... considering how new and different they are... I think it will be a long time before ponies and creatures want more. Besides... it's better to wait until the world is ready for something in order to make a difference."
"Yeah, perhaps we may have started things a bit too early..." Chrysalis chuckled.
"Don't worry... someday, changes will be made."
... ...
Hard, gusty winds blew around the apocalyptic rubble that was once Equestria. A pony dressed in all black, along with a cloak flowing in the wind, stood motionless as it kept its gaze on a fallen structure.
It made no movements or sound... all it did was breathe.
Then, it looked off into the distance, and ran away, leaving behind the fallen structure that was once Equestria's first phone tower.
At this point, royal guards like Gallus no longer lead us to Princess Twilight's throne room when she calls us. So we were mostly on our own when we opened the doors to meet up with Twilight and Spike. Spike stood nearby while the Princess paced.
"You called us?" Tirek asked.
"Yeah, she did," said Spike.
"Why during school, though?" I questioned.
"It's a funny story, really..." Twilight stopped pacing to speak. "So... earlier today, I received a letter from Princess Celestia-"
"Hold up!" Cozy interrupted. "She's still here?"
"Yes. Her and Princess Luna."
"But... I thought when they gave you the crown, they... you know..."
"I won't blame you for thinking that way. But it's much different than what you think. Yes, when Celestia and Luna fused their crowns to pass on to me, it took some of their magic, the magic enabling them to do what their jobs were, and all that. However, their lives still have a very long way to go. Even when an Alicorn is mortal again, their lifespan is still very long. In fact, we don't know when... or if... they'll pass, but it's something that we keep in mind."
"Good to know, good to know," I nod.
"And here you'd think that the lifespan would be accelerated," said Cozy.
"We thought the same thing, too," Spike chuckled. "But Equestria is full of surprises."
"You do seem concerned about them coming, Princess," Tirek said.
"Well... I am..." the Princess admitted. "They've trusted me to look over Equestria, and when I first heard about it, I felt prepared. But even when I finally accepted it, there's always been this itch... this small voice telling me that it would be my fault if something happened, and... well... something has happened. Three times. I'm just worried that when they arrive, they'll be upset or something."
"Twilight, I don't think there's anything to worry about," I replied. "Take that from me. I'd worry a lot about something stupid, too. Everyone makes mistakes, and those mistakes don't always mean you'll disappoint your friends and family. Huh... a lesson before the problem even started. Now that's new."
"I do wonder, though... they've been absent all those times that we could have needed their help," Tirek said. "I mean, were they taken by Grogar and left for a very long time, or were they just... gone?"
"It is a question that will indeed be answered," said a voice that caught our attention.
Twilight and Spike looked past us, and we turned around.
With a few royal guards, including Gallus, by their side, the former Princess Celestia, and the former Princess Luna, approached us. Twilight wasn't kidding when she said they wouldn't look too older... you could barely tell.
Princess Twilight quickly flew over us and landed in front of the Princesses to give them both a big embrace. Celestia and Luna shared the hug back, and then looked at all of us.
"Um..." Cozy slowly raised and waved a hoof. "...Hi?"
... Intro ...
During their embrace with Twilight, Celestia and Luna lifted their gazes to focus on us. When they finally parted from Twilight, they went up to us.
"Well, this is awkward," said Tirek. "Um... long time no see."
"Do you... need a long explanation?" Cozy coughed. "Or... something?"
"No." Luna shook her head. "No we do not. We know everything. When something big happens anywhere in Equestria, news can spread like wildfire."
"It's very odd seeing you three here, and not feeling a sense of danger," Celestia spoke. "And honestly, it will take some getting used to for us."
"Completely understand." Chrysalis scratched the back of her head. "Since you were among the ones we hurt the most, and we haven't correctly made amends yet..."
"In spite of your past actions however..." Celestia's warm smile made a slight return. "...you three have saved Equestria, and gained the trust of my former student. If she trusts you, then we'll both give you three a second chance as well."
"And as for you..." Luna raised and pointed a hoof at me. "Your sudden presence in Equestria was the second thing that spurred our attention. Where did you come from?"
I gave down the quick rundown. "Earth. Was a different creature. Tons of magic made me into an Alicorn. Can't go home for who knows how long. Long story."
"Well we happily welcome you into Equestria with open hooves," Celestia said.
"Well, this is a nice reunion and all, but I have just one question..." Cozy began. "Where the hay have you two been?"
"Yeah... I mean, were you two captured by Grogar and only just now got released?" I asked. "What happened?"
"Not to be rude or anything, but did any of you even remember to call for our help?" Luna pointed out.
She had us there. None of us could form a rebuttal for that.
"It wouldn't have mattered, anyway," said Celestia. "We actually got into a little adventure of our own," Luna continued. "Twilight, do you remember the last letter you received from us before everything happened?"
"Yes, I do."
Over a month ago...
The letter was whisked away in Celestia's magic as it was sent to Princess Twilight.
"Do you have everything packed?" she asked her sister.
"I do." Luna lifted the bag with their stuff packed inside. "It's been quite a while since we've been out. Not only that, but we're counting on going farther out of Equestria's borders. And you're sure it's a good idea?"
"Well, why not? We've always been at some place that we've heard about or are familiar with. Besides, even after all of Twilight's discoveries, there's still so much more left to explore."
"I suppose you're not wrong there. Besides, it could be worse. It could be a whole lot like our first vacation when we didn't have a middle ground."
"It's more of an exploration trip. Even though we're retired, we've barely been out in recent years. I just want the spark back, especially since we've still got many years left in our lives."
"I want that spark back, too..." Luna replied. "More than that, actually. Ever since we retired, I've always had this... small, nagging fear that the more we stay hidden... the less that we do something... the more that the memory of us just fades away from others, due to everything else. Being on the moon for 1,000 years and realizing that I was mostly forgotten just... left a mark on me that only now I admit. I do believe Twilight has done a fabulous job, I know she'll always remember us, and I know that history books exist for a reason, but... it couldn't have been that hard to be forgotten about. Unless you spread some sort of rumor so that parents would never tell their children about me, which lets face it, I know you would never do."
"Listen, Luna, today is a much different type of day than... over 1,000 years ago," Celestia assured. "Of course you'll be remembered. There is nothing to worry about. I promise."
"Yes, I know... um... look... how about we head out? I... think we finished what we needed to get done."
"Of course."
The sisters left Silver Shoals, and began their venture to the nearest train station. When the train arrived, they got on, and the train set course for the farthest station to the west. When the train reached its destination, Celestia and Luna got off, and resumed the tour on hoof, occasionally stopping to eat or rest.
And soon, they came across the forest that bordered them from the Undiscovered West. They both stood, their gazes kept into the
"Are you even sure about this?" Luna asked.
"As long as we stay together, we'll be fine," Celestia answered. "Maybe this isn't a good idea... but maybe we'll find something good. And if we get in trouble... we'll know what to do."
"You're right."
Celestia made her way forward, and it didn't take long for Luna to follow close behind.
... ...
Celestia and Luna's trip into the forest started off uneventful. At some point, both of them heard the sound of scuttling, and were prepared for action, but it turned out to be a false alarm, and they continued onward.
But it wasn't long after that event, when they started to reach a larger clearing, where Luna started to feel a sense of dread. She looked behind her, feeling like she was being followed.
"Celestia, maybe we should-"
When Luna turned her head back, the whole landscape was suddenly different. It was nothing... just a dark void, and a familiar white surface underneath.
"I can't be back here... no... no..."
Luna stumbled around. She felt stuff touching or poking her hooves, but it was hard to tell what it was.
"Celestia! Somepony! Anypony!"
"Luna!"
Hearing Celestia calling her, Luna darted left, only to suddenly stumble on something, and then fall into... something.
Right after Luna felt herself fall, she then felt the hard impact on her belly. Groaning, she got up onto her hooves.
Luna looked around the hole she fell in. She expected it to be basic... just a small room with nothing special to it. But that was not what she saw... instead, she saw that she was in a tunnel, which wouldn't seem so artificial if it wasn't for the torches on the wall.
THUMP
Luna heard something fall, and she could have an easy guess as to what it was. Luna opened her wings, and flew out of the hole. She did not think that she'd see Celestia get up off a bush when she got out, with twigs in her mane. Celestia's facial expression worried Luna... her sister looked like she saw something.
"Sister... are you okay?"
"I'm... I'm fine... I just... we'll talk about it later. Perhaps we should maybe head back..."
Luna was surprised. Celestia wasn't always the one to drop everything and leave. Whatever she saw must have been that bad for her, though Luna decided to save the subject for later.
"Well... before we go and do that..." Luna began. "I found something that I think you may want to see."
Luna brought Celestia over to the hole leading to the tunnel. She flew inside, and Celestia followed. She allowed her sister to have some time to look around. Celestia's apparent worry for whatever happened was gone, and replaced with interest.
"I would go and say that these are just tunnels, but..." Celestia grabbed a torch. "This may prove otherwise."
"Would it be a good idea if we took a closer look?"
"That may be a good idea."
Celestia put the torch back, seeming eager to do it. Luna wasn't sure if it was because of the possibility of discovery, or something entirely different.
And then they finally began their descent deeper into the tunnel.
It seemed to go on and on. For a while, there was nothing but torches, and the occasional splits in the path, which had Celestia and Luna discuss which paths they preferred to take.
"I wish we could have recorded what was North, South, West, and East on the surface..." Luna said. "We'd have an easier time telling where we are."
"Well either way, this leads somewhere. It has to. Maybe it's not important, but... it's definitely better than the surface."
Those last few words were more of a mumble, but Luna was able to understand.
Finally, they came across another split in the path. But this one was in a larger variety than others, and it was more like a large room. There were much more tunnels, amassing to a total of six potential paths. hen Celestia looked behind her, there was a sign above the tunnel they were just in that said EXIT. However, the word was in another language that Celestia vaguely remembered learning.
Celestia and Luna looked around. They peeked into all of the tunnels, and aside from the direction they went to, they all looked the same.
Clip, clop, clip, clop
The sound of approaching hoofsteps began to grow and echo, and both sisters knew that there was no place to hide.
"What do we do?" Luna asked in a low hiss.
"We take the risk, and we introduce ourselves."
"Are you crazy?! We don't know what we could be getting into."
"We've done just fine with every other creature..."
"And that's something to thank Twilight and her friends about that, but what about us?"
"How would it be different?"
"We're not perfect. And for all we know, they could be supportive of Twilight or any of her friends, but not u-"
Luna stopped herself when the approaching being came into view. It was a pony-like figure, its body wrapped in cloth.
"Um... hello," Celestia greeted. "I am Celestia, and this is my sister Luna. We come in peace, as we've been exploring the Undiscovered West in hopes of discovering new civilizations.'
"Are you a friend, or a foe?"
The thing that could only be assumed to be a pony briefly said nothing, but then it, turning out to be female, said "Friend. Right this way."
She beckoned for the sisters to follow, which is exactly what they did.
As they kept going, questions started popping up in their heads.
"What are these tunnels for?" Celestia asked.
"Passageways... passageways to our home," the pony explained. "For centuries, our families have lived in these tunnels. This underground civilization."
"Why?" inquired Luna.
"I suppose because our ancestors saw something. And they wanted to hide."
Luna wasn't sure if this referred to Celestia or not.
"Do you have a name?" Celestia asked.
"Thorn."
"Thorn? That's an odd name?" said Luna.
"It's what they gave me."
"Your family?"
"The whole civilization. Speaking of which..."
Thorn, Celestia, and Luna all turned a corner.
"We're here."
Celestia and Luna's jaws dropped.
It was a large underground area, with plenty of ponies wearing the same concealing clothing as thorn. Along the walls and ground were more tunnels, and small homes appearing to be made out of dried mud and clay. The only things that gave out light were torches and lanterns, and there was a large column in the middle for some odd reason.
As the three made their way down the spiraled ramp, the other concealed ponies raised their heads to watch them. The attention Celestia and Luna were getting was slightly off-putting, but they went along with it.
"So, this is where we live," Thorn clarified.
"Is this all there is?" Celestia asked.
"Actually, some of the tunnels in this area lead to some places like a library, a cafeteria, and some more homes for us to rest. Would you like to see more?"
"What do you think, Luna?"
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt much if we explored."
"Very well," said Thorn. "I suppose we should go to the library next."
And so the three continued, Celestia and Luna ignoring the looks the hidden ponies were giving them.
... ...
Celestia and Luna were enjoying some relaxing time, reading some of these books that the underground ponies had. They were notified that they were more ancient than some of the more current ones, piquing their interest a little more.
So far, things seemed the same as they read. Until Luna came across one of the history books that they had.
"Hm... this is odd."
Celestia looked up from her own book. "How so?"
"Some of the pages in the beginning have been torn out," Luna replied. "But the first one still there has a beginning similar to our history books."
"So what are you implying? That it's missing some parts of history that we've never heard of? Maybe it's out of order."
Luna flipped through and speed-read some pages.
"I don't think so, sister..." she shook her head. "Whether they've retrieved this from some sort of source, or they've always had it, either way, it could potentially mean that, somewhere out there, someone knows... or knew.. something that we've never looked into."
"We can take that back with us when we leave after this," said Celestia. "We'll see if there's anything else when the time comes."
Luna tucked the book aside and joined Celestia as they left the library. They went back to the main room with the columns and homes, where Thorn was waiting for them.
"All done?" she asked.
"Yes, we are," Celestia confirmed. "I would like to thank you for allowing us to visit the library before we left. If it's alright with you, we'd like to take one of your history books home with us."
"That is perfectly fine! There's just one little thing I'd like to mention before you go."
"What's that?" Luna asked.
Thorn giggled.
"We're not going to let you leave. Hit it!"
Celestia and Luna's reactions went as far as head turns, before one of the ponies raised a green crystal and jammed it into the column. All of a sudden, the tunnels closed, and it was as if they were never there.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Luna demanded.
Thorn raised a hoof and pulled off all the cloth and items covering her face, revealing that she wasn't a pony at all! Instead, she was an unreformed changeling, who oddly looked like one of the former students at the School of Friendship... Ocellus.
Celestia and Luna gasped.
"You have questions... don't you?" Thorn tossed the coverings to the ground. "We are the renegade changelings. We've always found Chrysalis to be a questionable leader, so when we were all cast away from Canterlot, that was the final straw in deciding to leave the Hive forever. So we moved here to the Undiscovered West, feeding off the love of wild animals or creatures that dare cross our paths. We've been waiting quite a while for ponies like you to show up..."
The rest of the ponies removed their masks and coverings, revealing their changeling faces.
"...Our diet has been getting quite boring."
"Perhaps you've forgotten just who you're dealing with..." Celestia opened her wings, and Luna did too.
"There's plenty more of us... even if the power of one of us is unmatched, there are plenty of us."
"So be it, then..." Luna lit her horn.
And so, the battle began. All the changelings charged, some of them donning disguises of ponies from their past. Celestia and Luna's horns both shot out shockwaves, sending back the changelings in front of them. To avoid being caught, they immediately darted forward, blasting away any changelings that would get to them. Some more changelings pounced, but Celestia and Luna stopped quickly dodged their conveniently high pounces. But right when they recovered, multiple duplicates of them leapt onto them in an effort to pin them to the ground.
Desperately, they used their magic to yet again fend them off, and their brawl got a little more physical with the lookalikes... hooves being swung, hind legs, being kicked.
Eventually, Celestia's hind legs kicked a Luna lookalike to the ground... which turned out to be the real Luna.
"Hey!"
"Sorry... got too into it... it's been forever since we did this." Celestia helped Luna up right after she deflected an attack from a Luna look-alike. The look-alike changed back into Thorn as she got up.
"You can't fight forever!" she yelled. "We're not afraid to get back up again."
The fight continued. More changelings were being knocked down, and more kept attacking. However, just like the changelings, Celestia and Luna persisted.
Before long, one of the changelings were thrown to the wall. When it got up and hissed, it stopped. So did everyone else.
A crack drew from where the changeling struck the wall to the floor.
"Should we... be worried?" Luna asked.
"Our families have been in these tunnels and caves for generations," Thorn scoffed. "There's no reason to be-"
All of a sudden, the ground under some nearby changelings gave in, and they fell, screaming. All the other changelings fell as well. However, Luna and Celestia were quick enough to propel themselves into the air. And so was Thorn, who quickly flew at Celestia's face and jammed her hind hoof into her cheek, knocking Celestia down, and causing her to fall, unable to recover control.
"Celestia!" Luna dove down to get her, missing Thorn's attack.
Luna picked up speed as she tried to catch up to Celestia and catch her. She could see all the changelings falling safely into a large underground stream that was somewhat hidden under the room... an odd thing since no one ever found it.
But something about catching her sister to save her was what made Luna determined.
Thorn latched on to Luna's hind hoof, but one blast from Luna's horn got rid of her.
Luna was finally able to reach Celestia to wrap her in an embrace, but all three of them landed in the stream.
Even while being whisked by the stream, Luna went out of her way to help Celestia. When she rose up to the surface, she had Celestia wrapped safely in her forehooves.
"I got you, sister..." Luna assured. "We'll be safe."
Thorn sprung out of the water and latched on Luna.
"I told you... I'd get you..." she hissed. "You'll pay... you'll all-"
Celestia's elbow shot up and struck Thorn in the muzzle, knocking her in the water.
Luna saw Celestia's eyes open. Celestia looked at her sister and winked.
"You're okay..." Luna smiled.
Eventually...
The sisters found a shore-like place in the stream to crawl on. Thorn was still unconscious, but they decided to go easy on her, and drag her body onto the mound of mud and rock.
"We'll leave her here," said Celestia. "She'll find her own way out."
"From the looks of it..." Luna looked around. "None of these tunnels are artificial."
"We're going to have a long journey ahead of us..."
Present day...
"And so that was how it went..." Luna continued. "We've lost track of time... we kept exploring the tunnels, searching for any potential exits. And when we did... as it turned out, a day later, the day you three beat Grogar, we had no idea where we were, but we were eager to get back. We continued searching for our way back, and when we had a sense of direction, we returned back. We've never had an encounter with those changelings again..."
"Well, that explains why you've been gone during Grogar's attack..." said Cozy Glow. "But what about the rest of the month? Were you just absent, or something?"
"No, actually," Celestia answered. "We've... ended up on another adventure. We never encountered those changelings again, but we've had another encounter with our fears... the manifestations we mentioned earlier. And all of that brought us closer together, after we finally told each other what we saw."
"Tell us!" I beg.
"That will have to be for another time. In the meantime, Luna and I would both like to hear what you all have been up to."
"Well, prepare yourselves for some long stories..." Chrysalis said.
"There's just one more thing I don't understand, though, before we begin..." Tirek spoke. "Over a couple times now, you mentioned these... fear hallucinations?... I believe we may have encountered something like that before..."
One Month Ago...
"Keep going!" Chrysalis barked. "We gotta get as far away from that unicorn. Like I'm gonna succumb to her little... lessons!"
"Hmph! Friendship..." mumbled Tirek. "The chances of me ever even caring enough to listen would be as likely as the idea of being cast to another world..."
"Maybe we should head back?" Cozy suggested. "Something doesn't feel right..."
"Oh quit tucking your tail!" Chrysalis spat. "We'll be fine..."
As the villainous trio trekked through the woods, none of them noticed a concealed passageway that would lead into a series of tunnels, and maybe something else.
It was the night before Nightmare Night, and the only sounds that Starlight Glimmer could hear were the sounds of the night-time breeze from outside.
She never expected herself to be up so late, but there she was. She had a lot of work to do... and she also wanted to read some of the horror stories that the students at the School of Friendship wrote for fun. It was something that they started to do every Nightmare Night... because why not?
Starlight set the current story down and reached for the next one.
"Not bad..." she mumbled to herself. She reached her hoof for the next story.
RING RING RING/i]
Starlight's ears perked. The phone was ringing. Not the phone that she got from Chrysalis and Tirek, though... the older one on her desk that hasn't been used for quite some time now.
She wasn't sure if she wanted to pick it up, so she continued minding her own business, waiting for the phone to stop.
RING RING RING
The phone once again started to ring, and Starlight could feel herself getting annoyed. She huffed, and picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Starlight..." an unfamiliar voice spoke. "Do you want to play a game?"
"How do you know my name?"
"Because we've met before... I just have a little frog in my throat..."
"Nice try. You're crazy if you think I'm going to talk to somepony or creature I've never even met."
Starlight hung up the phone. But right when she picked up the next horror story she was going to read, the phone rang again. Starlight aggressively picked up the phone.
"Stop calling me!"
"I will stop when you answer my question... do you want to play a game?"
"Alright, fine. What game do you want to play?"
"How about hide and go seek?"
"But... you're not even here."
"I could be right outside your school..."
Starlight felt her heart skip a beat. She rushed over to the window, but nothing was there.
She started to back away, and then stood still. Her discomfort was slowly turning into fear, and she started to feel her stomach churn.
"Or..." the voice said. "I could be right behind-"
Starlight wasn't going to have it anymore. She hung up the phone, snatched it off the desk, and threw it to the wall.
She panted, keeping her gaze on the damage she just did. But she didn't care... she wanted to get out of the school as soon as possible.
All of a sudden, Starlight felt an urge to look behind her.
She gulped and turned around. There stood a pony, wearing a green jumpsuit-like outfit, an open dark-blue jacket, and a hood poking out from underneath the jumpsuit that went over its head. It wore a mask in front of its hidden muzzle, which was pure white, with black curved eyes, and a large gaping mouth curved into a smile.
Starlight quickly attacked, blasting a ray of magic at the intruder, and sending it to the wall. Quickly, Starlight bolted out of the office, and down the hall. It felt like it went on and on... and Starlight still felt that presence of dread.
She turned the corner, and screeched to a halt, until her muzzle was right in front of the masked enemy. Starlight prepared to run, but when she turned, the intruder tackled her to the ground. Starlight tried squirming away, but she was forcefully rolled into her back, being forced to stare into the eyes of her attacker. It slightly pulled down its mask, revealing its face, and Starlight found herself too shocked to attack back.
And that's when Starlight felt her magical essence being pulled right out of her.
... Intro ...
It was now lunch period, and that's when, Cozy, Chrysalis, Tirek, and Leo all met up... only Chrysalis and Tirek share the same class, while Cozy and Leo were separated.
"Jell-O shaped like it has a face in it..." Chrysalis mumbled when sitting down. "I kind of like it."
"Can someone trade with me?" Cozy asked. "I don't like Jell-O..."
"I thought you liked it," said Tirek.
"I did... until I got food poisoning from the last Jell-O I had. Ugh..."
"I'll take yours."
Leo took the Jell-O and placed it next to his.
"I feel like something's off today..." Chrysalis said after swallowing some cake with candy corn on it. "We usually greet Starlight Glimmer in the morning, but today, she's been highly absent."
"Is that why Sunburst and Trixie have been busy?" Leo inquired. "I haven't seen them for a while, either."
"I passed them in the hall," Cozy explained. "I asked what they were doing, and Sunburst told me that Starlight was gone. Apparently, she wasn't in her office, but they found this piece of paper..."
Cozy raised her phone.
"...I took a picture to show you when we got here."
Cozy showed everyone the screen, showing a drawing of a spooky face, with dark curved eyes, and a smile.
"That's all?" Leo raised an eyebrow.
"It means something. Sunburst and Trixie then told me that if they didn't find her or if she didn't show up, then they'd have to cancel the Nightmare Night party."
"Aw, what?"
"Well, it is what it is," said Chrysalis. "I mean, disappearances are very serious issues. One should never sit behind during a situation like that."
"I suppose so."
"Some to think of it..." Tirek began. "I don't think Starlight is the only one absent. Isn't there a substitute here because one of the teachers vanished without notice?"
"Yeah, that's right. Two days ago." Leo slurped a spoonful of jelly. "Are the staff still searching for her?"
"Why wouldn't they?" Chrysalis asked. "Do I have to repeat what I said?"
"Right. Sorry."
"And there's also one of the flower ponies missing from the market, too," Cozy said.
"So I guess Starlight's not the only one too... this has to be connected," Tirek suggested.
"If it is, something better be resolved soon..." said Chrysalis. "I'd hate for one of us to be next."
Later... in the Headmare's office...
Sunburst and Trixie both sat in Starlight's office, waiting for her to come back. But so far, they haven't seen her all day. When they couldn't find her after finding that she was absent, they decided to give her a little more time to show up.
"Well, what should we do?" Trixie asked. "We've searched for her in this school, and the castle, and we haven't found her. We've been waiting here for over an hour and we haven't found her either. And you know Trixie doesn't always prefer to wait."
"Be patient. Look, if she doesn't show up, then we'll have no choice but to cancel the Nightmare Night party and join the search parties. She's among the many others to have disappeared, and I'm starting to get concerned about her safety, and the town's. We've been putting this off and leaving it to the others for so long."
"Yeah, I guess you have a point..."
The door knocked.
Sunburst got up. "Hello?"
No answer.
"Probably one of those pranks the students like to play..." Trixie muttered.
"Likely. Anyways-"
The door knocked again.
Sunburst sighed and got up. He went to the doors, opened them, peeked out, and then saw Starlight's tail disappear around a far corner.
"Starlight!" Sunburst turned to Trixie. "I saw Starlight's tail!"
Trixie got up. "Well, what are you waiting for?"
Sunburst and Trixie both ran out of the room.
"This way!" Sunburst turned around the corner, and Trixie followed. When they both turned the corner, they saw Starlight's tail disappear around another corner.
Both of them continued following her, until they finally found themselves at the library, which was supposed to be closed for the day... only the way in was opened, as usual.
"Isn't the library closed?"
"Not according to her..." said Sunburst. "Maybe she's getting something from there."
They entered the library.
"Should we split up?" Trixie asked.
Sunburst shrugged. "It does increase our chances of finding her, but... does anything about this feel off?"
"We'll be fine. You go this way, I go that way."
"Wait, Trixie wa-"
Trixie turned behind a shelf. Sunburst sighed and continued the search.
Meanwhile, Trixie continued going around the shelves to find Starlight.
"Starlight!" she called out. "Starlight?"
THUNK
Trixie jumped and yelped loud enough for Sunburst to hear from afar.
"What was that?!"
Trixie noticed the book on the ground.
"Just a book that fell... don't worry!" Trixie called out. Using her magic, she raised the book, looked at the spine, and attempted to put it back in the shelf. The only problem was that she usually isn't in the library as much as Starlight, so she didn't have much of an idea as where to put it.
But then the glow of Trixie's magic was replaced with a blackish glow, and the book was then placed back into the shelf.
"Um... than-"
Trixie's sentence was cut off when she felt herself get pulled back by a strong magic force.
Even later...
Cozy Glow left the janitors closet, humming a merry tune, and carrying some paper towels she volunteered to get for the classroom (since the class ran out). But during her trip, she soon encountered Sunburst, ruffling his cape.
"Sunburst?" Cozy spoke. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, um... nothing... I just... went looking for Starlight with Trixie, and now I can't find her..."
"Oh, no! She's gone too?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Well, what should we do?" the filly asked. "Listen, not much disappearances have been happening, but the fact that they've been happening more frequently for the past few days isn't something we should ignore. Should we cancel the Nightmare Night celebration to take care of it?"
"I don't see a need in doing so, as long as a search party is out. I can go out along with the other teachers, and leave you and your friends in charge."
"Um... I get the other three... mainly Chrysalis and Tirek... but aren't I a bit too young?"
"Nonsense! You've all saved Equestria more than once! You'll be fine. In fact, remember to bring those decorations you promised after school, alright?"
"Um... sure?..."
"Excellent!" Sunburst patted Cozy's head. "Well, I'm off to continue the search. See you."
"But-but-"
Sunburst ignored Cozy and continued down the hall.
Cozy blinked. The way Sunburst acted was... very strange.
She was gonna let this slide for now, but if he kept acting like this, she was going to have to start asking some questions.
After school...
"So, remember what you have to do, right?" Chrysalis said to Cozy while they, along with Leo and Tirek, stood beside the door.
"Yup!" Cozy nodded. "We go over to the castle to receive the decorations we promised, while you and Tirek help out with Sunburst. Though remember what I told you... he was acting odd when I encountered him earlier."
"We'll talk to him," Tirek promised. "In the mean time, you two run along. We'll be waiting."
"Will do," said Leo.
So after that, Leo and Cozy left, and soon made their way to the castle. When they entered, Cozy felt a shiver.
"I don't feel safe..." Cozy whimpered.
"Stay close to me. I'll keep a lookout. The decorations should be in the closet on the second floor."
The two of them went upstairs and down the hall, where they passed multiple doors until they found what they believed they were looking for. Leo opened the closet door and saw the box of decorations on top of the shelf.
“Bingo!”
Leo went inside the closet and used his telekinesis to grab the decorations. But when he turned around to leave the closet, Cozy gasped.
“What?”
“B-b-behind you!”
Leo turned his head, and his gaze was met with the stare of a mysterious masked pony-like figure, it’s blank white mask visible in the dark closet.
“Cozy, run...”
“But-“
“Run!” Leo shouted. “Run now! I’ll try to take care of him! Get help!”
Cozy, although she didn’t want to, did as she was told and bolted down the hall. She went down the stairs, and up to the door. However, when she tried to get out, it wouldn’t budge at all.
RING RING RING
Cozy Glow’s heart stopped. She slowly turned her head, and saw an old-fashioned Equestrian phone sitting nearby. She slowly, and regretfully, approached the ringing device, and answered it.
“H-hello?” she stammered.
“Hello, Cozy...” a sinister voice spoke through the speaker. “Do you want to play a game?”
“No! What do you want from us?! What did you do to Leo!?”
“You’re little friend is just fine... but not for long. I will see to it that I catch you next.”
“You can’t get to me. I know where you’re coming from.”
“Oh... are you sure about that?”
The sound of trotting echoed throughout the room, and Cozy felt a foreboding presence behind her. She slowly turned her head, and she dropped the phone.
The intruder was right behind her.
Cozy screamed, and prepared to run. The enemy was already hot on he tail. As Cozy ran up the stairs, she grabbed multiple pictures that Chrysalis hung up, silently apologizing, and threw them at the intruder one by one, slowing him down. When Cozy threw the last one, her chaser caught it, and tossed it aside.
Cozy Glow got to the top of the stairs, and ran down the hall in the same direction she and Leo went to earlier.
“Somepony! Heeeeelp!”
... ...
Cozy put in all her effort to escape the intruder, but she could tell that he was gaining on her. Seeing no other alternative, she had another idea, one that she should have thought of from the start.
Horn lit, she looked behind her, and shot at the enemy in an effort to stun him. She got a direct hit, striking him in the barrel. He skid across the floor, before he stumbled into his hooves, glanced at the filly, and then vanished.
Right when the intruder vanished, the closet door opened, and Leo fell flat onto his body. Cozy Glow ran to his aid.
“Are you okay?”
“Ugh...” Leo got up onto his shaky hooves. “Where did he go?”
“He got away...” Cozy replied.
“We need to talk to Chrysalis and Tirek, right now!”
Soon...
“Alright, so repeat to me what happened...” Chrysalis said after hanging a streamer.
“Leo and I went to get those decorations, but when we found them, we were attacked,” Cozy explained.
“It was this... masked pony. He knocked me out, and then went after Cozy. Luckily, she scared him off.”
“Thank Twilight...”
“We can’t sit here and pretend this didn’t happen!” Tirek exclaimed. “Something must be done!”
“I may have a lead on who we’re dealing with. Earlier today, when I confronted Sunburst, he was acting very strange. And not the weird kind of strange you become when someone’s missing or something. It was... not settling.”
“You think Sunburst did this?” Leo asked.
“Maybe. Is he still here?”
“Unfortunately, I went to look for him earlier...” Chrysalis said. “He’s gone. He left a note on Starlight’s office door notifying us that we went to look for her and the others.”
“He may potentially be behind all the other appearances!” Leo suggested. “I don’t think we should just let him roam town!”
“I’ll go,” Tirek volunteered.
“No!” proclaimed Chrysalis. “This isn’t something you should do alone.”
“I can take care of him...” Tirek flexed his bicep. “Isn’t it obvious?”
“I insist.”
“If you say so...”
“Then it’s settled!” Cozy nodded. “Tonight, you two go out, and Leo and I stay here. If anything happens, then call us. We’re in an unpredictable situation, where anything can happen.”
“Cozy’s right,” said Leo. “But we’ve always won our past battles. No twist of events are going to prevent us from ensuring everyone’s safety.”
“We shall finish these decorations, and commence with our plans,” Chrysalis declared. “This intruder chose the wrong town to mess with.”
Nightmare Night Party
The sun has fully set, allowing the atmosphere of the Nightmare Night celebration to come to a completion.
Cozy stood at the entrance to the cafeteria as she welcomed the guests that continued to enter.
“Welcome to the party...” she repeated for each guest.
Everyone, ponies and creatures, chatted while playing games. In fact, when Cozy’s time greeting the guests was over, she went over to Leo, who was busy talking to others.
“So, yeah, they call it ‘Halloween’ where I come from...” he said. Then, he noticed Cozy next to him. “Excuse me...”
Leo and Cozy moved to an area where they felt confident that they wouldn’t be heard.
“Alright, so the guests are here, and the party’s going strong!” Cozy whispered.
“Good! I’ll check in on Chrysalis and Tirek, and then all we have to do after that is keep our eyes peeled.”
“Alright. Sounds good. We’ll just enjoy ourselves while we can.”
Leo nodded, and left.
Cozy looked around the party area, the guests all conversing or continuing their activities.
Cozy was ready to join one of the games, but out of the corner of her eye, she could have sworn that she saw something slink away into a closet.
Outside...
“Magma!” Luster searched the outside of the school in an effort to find her friend, who was nowhere to be seen. “Magma! Where are you?!”
Nearby, something slinked in the bushes nearby. The close crackle caught Luster’s attention.
She looked at the bushes, which remained frozen in place. Shrugging, she was about to continue.
But a few steps later, she heard the sound of the bushes rustling again, followed by a THUMP behind her.
She turned around.
“BOO!”
Luster’s heart jumped, but she quickly calmed down when she realized it was Magma Burn himself, playing a harmless Nightmare Night Prank.
“Seriously?”
“Oh, come on...” Magma said. “It’s Nightmare Night! I may not go out for candy, but the pranks are fun.”
“Well, you do you, I guess. You clearly seem happier. Just... don't do it too much."
"Alright. Hey, I'm going to get some snacks. Wanna come with?"
"Nah." Luster shook her head. "You can just bring me some."
"Alright, will do."
Magma turned and left, leaving Luster alone. Not having much to do, Luster decided to practice some magic, since she wasn't too interested in the party at the moment. Though she did plan to go in later.
She noticed a flower nearby, appearing to slightly wilt due to the changing season. Squinting her eyes, she lit her horn, and concentrated on the flower.
Seconds later, it bloomed, its petals illuminating brighter colors then what it had.
"Not bad..." she mumbled.
*Rustle*
Once again, a nearby bush shuffled around in place. Luster looked at the bush and sighed.
"Really funny, Magma..." she mumbled. "Come on. What did I just tell you?"
The bush did not move. Luster stepped closer.
"Magma. Get out of there."
Nothing.
"Magma?" Luster poked the bush. It started to rustle.
Luster stepped back, before she was suddenly tackled by something that was definitely not her friend. She stared deep into the eyes of the white mask that stared back. It reached up its hoof to pull down its mask, before it was struck into the side by Magma's attack.
Cozy...
Cozy peeked into the closet. There was nothing in there. All that was there was an open window.
Wait...
Cozy ran over to the window and looked out the window. There, she saw Magma Burn and Luster Dawn standing right across the same attacker from earlier in the day. The attacker got up on its hooves.
Magma Burn charged, but the enemy stood still. Right when it seemed like the enemy was about to get struck, he grabbed Magma's front hoof with his magic, flipped him in the air, and slammed the bulky unicorn on his back.
"NO!" Cozy heard Luster scream. Luster charged, but the attacker froze her in place with a black shade of magic. He looked back into Magma's eyes.
And that's when Cozy knew she had to help.
The filly opened her wings and flew down. "HEY! UP HERE!"
The intruder looked up, and saw Cozy Glow up in the air. When he returned his gaze to Magma, a burst of magic struck his jaw, flipping him in the air.
Luster and Magma both got on their feet. The intruder's head darted back and forth, looking at each of them as they closed in.
And then the intruder hightailed it, and ran away.
"What's going on?" Luster asked.
"I'll explain later! We gotta go after him!"
The three of them chased after the intruder, though the intruder was faster than they thought. After turning a couple of corners, the attacker ran into the school.
"Uh-oh!" Luster exclaimed.
"Don't give up now!" Cozy shouted.
The three of them entered the school, and continued running down the halls to catch the intruder. However, things took a turn for the worse when they soon entered the cafeteria... and among the many guests in the party, the intruder was nowhere to be seen.
"Nopony or creature is safe in here..." Cozy said.
"What's even happening?" asked Magma.
Cozy didn't answer the question, though, because right then, she saw the best way to get everyone to safety...
The fire alarm lever.
Cozy wasn't sure if it was going to be a good idea or not to do it, but whatever the case, she rushed over, and pulled down the lever, causing the alarms to blare loudly.
"EVERYPONY AND CREATURE OUT!" she screamed. "LEAVE IN A CALM AND ORDERLY FASION! STAY OUTSIDE UNTIL YOU HAVE THE ALL CLEAR!"
The confused party guests proceeded to exit, mumbling in confusion as they left.
Cozy went around making sure that everyone was leaving. Soon, the last guest was outside, and Cozy, Luster, and Magma Burn were the only ones left in the room.
"Alright, now that all this is over, could you please explain to us on what's going on?" Luster asked.
"Listen..." Cozy began. "Ponies and creatures have been going missing because of that masked intruder. Your mom's one of them. We may believe... that your dad's behind it."
"What?" Luster gasped, stepping back. "I... I don't believe you."
"She's probably trying to get under your skin..." Magma grumbled.
"Cozy."
Cozy Glow turned around. Chrysalis and Tirek were entering the cafeteria. Cozy ran over to them,.
"Sunburst came here and tried to take Luster and Magma out," she explained. "We chased him into the school, and so we had to evacuate the students. I'm telling them that Sunburst is the enemy, and they don't believe me."
"They're right," said Chrysalis. "It wasn't Sunburst."
"Huh?... Then... who?"
Chrysalis slowly raised her head and grinned.
"Us."
Tirek shot a beam of black magic, trapping Luster and Magma in a crystal cube.
Shocked, Cozy stepped back.
"No..." she stuttered. "It's... it's not you... it can't be..."
Cozy turned and ran, but when she opened the exit door, Leo stood there.
"Leo!" Cozy yelped. "Chrysalis and Tirek... they're... they're the intruder... or intruders... they lied!"
Leo smirked and lifted a small device. He spoke into the device, but the voice that came out was very familiar.
"Surprise, Cozy..."
The voice that spoke was the same face from the phone. Leo tossed the remote over to Tirek, who spoke into it.
"What's the matter, Cozy," Tirek hissed. "Are we too scary for you?..."
Only a disbelieving squeak came out of Cozy's mouth.
... ...
"I don't understand..." Cozy sputtered. "Why?"
"Why?" Leo scoffed. "I guess I suppose we had... an awakening, I'll call it."
"We want to do whatever it takes to keep this world a safe place... and to do that, we need power," said Tirek. "Sometimes, sacrifices just have to be made for the greater good."
"I can't explain it, but..." Chrysalis sighed. "It just... happened. This feeling... this surge... these dark desires with no reasoning. They're there. And the itch has to be scratched."
"No... no, you'd never say that. None of you would. This isn't like any of you. Good or formerly evil. How... how did you all even do this?"
"It's simple!" Tirek said. "I was the one who always spoke on a phone... or planted it."
"And Chrysalis and I did all the other work..." Leo explained. "We would take turns donning the costume and then going after unsuspecting victims. Of course, Chrysalis would transform herself into her pony persona so it would seem like a one-pony job. She also disguised herself as Sunburst to trick you."
"I can't believe... no... I don't want to believe this. Something isn't right..."
"Come along with us, Cozy," Chrysalis offered. "Help us make Equestria a better place... sacrifice yourself... or help us."
"I'm not doing either of that..."
"You don't have any other choices in the matter," Leo said.
Cozy knew they were wrong. She did have a choice. One that she was going to do right away. She was going to run.
And that was what she did.
She dashed forward, using teleportation to get past Chrysalis and Tirek.
"Get her!" Cozy heard Chrysalis shout.
Once again, Cozy ran and ran in an effort to save herself. She ran fast... and the many corners she turned served as an advantage. Fortunately, there was an open closet up ahead. Cozy dove in, shut the door, and secured it... though that effort, Cozy knew, would be futile.
Panting, Cozy backed up. She heard loud, thundering hoofsteps approach the door.
Cozy gulped, but she felt something rub against her leg. Something familiar. She picked up the dark-blue jacket and white mask.
Outside, Tirek continued his approach to the door, before he soon stopped. He grabbed the handle, and jiggled it. It didn't budge.
Using all his strength, Tirek tore the door off... only to be pounced on by a filly wearing the costume (that's slightly too big for her). Tirek grabbed Cozy and lifted her off of him, but he was then met with a powerful blast to the chest. He flew backwards to the wall and crashed through it while Cozy lowered herself to the ground.
Leaving the mask on, Cozy approached Tirek, who sat himself up in a daze.
"C-Cozy?..." he groaned.
Cozy Glow tilted her head, wordless. Tirek scratched the back of his neck, only to feel something hard and crumbly. When he brought his hand back, there was something in his fist. When he opened it, it revealed small scraps of metal, something slightly reminiscent of the technology that made up the smart phones.
"I don't... understand..."
"What do you mean?" Cozy pulled off the mask. "You worked with Chrysalis and Leo to capture ponies and creatures due to some absurd awakening."
"I... I wouldn't do that! I think... this... this little electronic thing did something to me."
"Likely story."
"I'm telling the truth..." Tirek got up onto his hooves. "All of the ponies and creatures... they're in a closet upstairs. The magic we took is hidden in a different room, inside of a piece of the Bewitching Bell that we found earlier when under the influence of these things."
"The Bewitching Bell is still active while broken?"
Tirek nodded. "Listen. Chrysalis and Leo are still under the influence of the devices. I really need you to trust me so we can take them down and end this madness."
"Why didn't they come with you?" Cozy asked.
"We agreed to split up. You ran fast, and this school is nearly as much of a maze as the castle..."
"So? If you're telling the truth, then let's find them and snap them out of it."
"I have a lead on where I last saw Chrysalis," said Tirek. "We will start there."
Chrysalis... later on...
Chrysalis stalked down the hall, searching for Cozy Glow. She peeked into a closet, and then closed it when Cozy turned out to be absent.
"Show yourself, Cozy!" Chrysalis bellowed. "Make this easy on the both of us!"
Chrysalis stopped when she heard upcoming hoofsteps behind her. She saw Tirek and Cozy approach her, side-by-side.
"So... it looks like you chose the easy way, huh?"
"Yep..." Tirek replied, before grabbing Chrysalis with his magic.
"What is this?! Put me down!"
Chrysalis attempted to flail, but couldn't. Tirek searched through her mane, while the changeling growled.
"AHA!" Tirek's claws grabbed something, and then yanked it out of Chrysalis' mane. Chrysalis yelped, and Tirek could feel her calm down in his magic grip. He allowed her to look back at him.
The look in her eyes was enough to convince Tirek to put her down.
"Thank you..." Chrysalis wheezed. "Cozy, I am so sorry."
"Don't be..." Cozy assured. "What matters more is to repair what's broken. We need to defeat Leo and then save the prisoners."
"Oh, that may seem easy..." Leo's voice spoke, as he revealed himself from around the corner. "...but I've had some practice with my magic and abilities when our reign began."
"I doubt you'll do well against us, even if you practiced," replied Tirek.
Leo charged his horn, the magic around it immediately starting to radiate with magic. "Have it your way."
Leo took a big leap toward the reformed villains, his wings opened wide, and his horn lit very brightly. Cozy, Chrysalis, and Tirek were all ready to fight back... but then Leo fell flat on his belly on the ground.
"I'm... not sure if he even did enough practice..." Chrysalis said.
Cozy approached Leo and bent down. The green Alicorn raised and wildly shook his head. Cozy could then see something off in the chunk of his mane hanging down the side. Cozy used her magic to keep a tight grip on Leo's head, rustled through his mane, and yanked out the device.
"ACK!" Leo squeaked.
Cozy backed away and allowed Leo to have some time to recover.
"Ugh... thank goodness that's over..." Leo muttered.
"What even happened with you three?" asked Cozy.
"I don't know," Chrysalis said. "We just... woke up with a bit of that mindset a few days ago, and we came across a shard of the Bewitching Bell. It's a bit complicated to remember..."
"We better retrieve the others before we get further into this," Tirek suggested. "Where's the shard?"
"We hid it in my room, remember?" Leo answered.
"I'll go get it."
Tirek gave Chrysalis a nod of approval before she headed out.
*Ten minutes later...*
Tirek, Leo, and Cozy all worked together on comforting the prisoners (Starlight, Trixie, Sunburst, and some others) and releasing them from the bonds that tied them up.. Soon, Chrysalis finally entered the scene, carrying the shard.
"It's about time..." Trixie groaned.
"I will say this again... I am so, so, so, sorry," Leo apologized.
"Alright, could you three get behind me so I can do this?" Chrysalis requested.
Leo, Tirek, and Cozy did as they were told and moved. Chrysalis raised the glowing shard, and used her magic to return the stolen magic to the rightful owners.
When it was over, Starlight stood up and dusted herself.
"Alright, now that that's all over... what the hay was that all about"
"I don't know. I, along with Tirek and Chrysalis, just woke up with this mindset. Weird motivations and all that. And we soon found a shard of the Bewitching Bell just... lying there. We felt a calling... a need to test it. And so we did with a random civilian... and things went crazy from there. And we have this to blame..."
Leo raised the device that he's been carrying the whole time. Starlight took it, analyzed it, then gave it to Sunburst.
"Hmm... this is quite odd," said Sunburst. "This device looks simple, but if it's able to do something bad to you three, then whatever it does is past our understanding."
As everyone talked about the device and the situation, Cozy saw something in her peripheral vision. She glanced at the window. An unfamiliar silhouette, one that wasn't a pony, stood there... though it appeared to be holding itself there instead due to everyone being on a higher floor. She could see two red dots on the figure staring back at her.
Cozy returned focus to the conversation.
"I could feel some instability in the shard when I grabbed it," Chrysalis explained. "So it's weaker than when it's whole, but it can still be dangerous."
"In the wrong hooves, it can definitely prove disastrous," said Starlight.
Cozy Glow checked the window again, but whatever she saw there was now gone.
"Now, um... if you'll excuse me..." Tirek backed away. "I have to go... tend to Luster and Magma."
"You encountered them too?" Starlight asked.
"More like knocked them unconscious... uh... I'll be back..."
Tirek ran before Starlight could do or say anything to him.
"Hey, if I may ask..." Cozy examined the costume on her body. "Where did you get this?"
Leo gulped, then chuckled.
"Eh... there may be a chance that the costume, mask, coat and all that were... stolen... um... we should probably bring those back..."
"Don't need to tell me twice..."
"If Hearthswarming is going to be this crazy, then I'm going to stay inside..." said Chrysalis.
"Let's just fix what's been broken and call it a night," Sunburst said.
"And end Nightmare Night on an odd note? No way!" Starlight exclaimed. "I may have an idea..."
Later...
The guests partied and chatted, though the former victims of the whole situation were understandably skeptical of Tirek, Chrysalis, and Leo. Cozy relaxed near Starlight, who spectated the whole thing.
"So, basically just telling everyone to come back inside was your idea?"
"Well, it is something..." Starlight shrugged. "Besides, coming up with an excuse of an actual fire nearby is sort of an idea too."
"Yeah, yeah... well... I think I should have a little bit of fun..."
Cozy pulled the mask over her face, piquing Starlight's interest.
"What are you doing?"
"Going to celebrate Nightmare Night with some scares."
Starlight grabbed some fallen streamers and wrapped them around her face. "I'll join you."
"Because you don't trust anyone who wears this, or for fun?"
Starlight shrugged. "Why can't it be both?"
Cozy tapped the mask's chin. "Eh. Fair enough."
And so the two of them snuck away, ready to hide in a closet to scare unsuspecting ponies and creatures.
"And so this is pretty much the whole garden," a royal guard said, while showing the new guy around the area. "Some stone statues here... flowers there..."
"Alright... hey... wait a minute... what's that?"
The new guard pointed a hoof at the stone statue nearby, showcasing a familiar changeling queen in a pose as if ready to pounce. Her mouth was open, her snake-like tongue appearing to point at whoever stared into her eyes.
"I thought Chrysalis was no longer in stone, along with Tirek and Cozy Glow," the new guard said.
"They aren't. This is Cicada Grizelda... Chrysalis' evil duplicate. According to the Princess, her Royal Advisor, and Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow themselves, she was created by Grogar. Before she was caught, however, she was part of a team led b Seph... Serphtis?... I forgot the name, but you get the point."
"If she used to work with a team, then aren't they going to come and free her?"
"Doubtful," the first guard replied. "We have guards on watch around the castle, and the Princess has used her magic to ensure that no intruders can enter the garden. Only we can get in."
"Well that's not too bad, but what if something happens and she's somehow free? Like Discord?"
"Also doubtful. Discord was highly powerful. If she were to get out on her own, something powerful would have to have a part..."
"Oh, alright."
"Anyways, now that we've explored the Garden, it's time to explore the more local area of the area. Right this way..."
The two guards left the stone statue behind.
Meanwhile...
Yawning, Tirek went into the kitchen ready for a late-night snack. He didn't expect to see Chrysalis in there as well, sipping a cup of juice.
"Oh... you're up?"
"Tirek!" Chrysalis jumped. "You startled me."
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah. I'm just excited... Tomorrow's our first date, and all. It's something I've been anticipating for quite some time."
"Staying up won't allow you to be completely ready."
Chrysalis chuckled. "Yeah, right. You're up too."
Tirek shrugged.
"Hey, so um..." Chrysalis coughed a little. "I know we agreed to save our next romantic kiss for our date, but... could I at least have one on the cheek, or something? Or a hug?"
Tirek crouched down and opened his arms. "Come here, you."
Chrysalis ran into his embrace, and they both squeezed each other. When they pulled back, Tirek gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
Chrysalis could feel her heart flutter.
Back to the garden...
A crack burst on the Cicada statue, right where the heart was located. Cracks began to run around the statue, and chunks of stone peeled off her body and fell onto the ground.
When all the stone was completely shattered away, Cicada pounced off the statue, and crash-landed on the ground. Her body and hooves shaking, she slowly stood up, coughing.
"I'm... I'm free?" Cicada's head darted in all directions to see if it was true. And indeed it was... she was free. "I'M FREE!!!"
Cicada laughed.
"So... let's see what the other me is up to..."
Using the power of the hive-mind, Cicada concentrated in order to get a sense of Chrysalis' thoughts.
She could hear a conversation between Tirek and Chrysalis. It seemed they were talking about... something. However, Cicada finally got her answer when she heard Chrysalis mention a date. A date between her and tirek.
"Interesting... it appears Chrysalis is planning a... date with Tirek... hmm... this could very well be perfect. Not only will I exact revenge on my other half, but this will serve as an opportunity to drain the love radiating of of her and Tirek! And this time... I will ensure that I won't be stopped!"
Cicada again laughed, only more maniacally.
... Intro ...
Chrysalis and Tirek did all they could to prepare for the evening. And they didn't prepare alone. Leo and Sunburst were there while Tirek got ready, while Cozy, Starlight, and Chrysalis went their own way of getting ready.
Cozy continued setting up Chrysalis' mane as a future reference for it's official style later on.
"Now, I'm no Rarity..." Cozy began. "But I believe my experience of curling my mane will serve as an advantage."
"I trust you," Chrysalis replied.
"So... first date, huh, Chrysalis?" said Starlight. "How do you feel?"
"It's just... unbelievable... For years, my goal has been to drain love. Feed off of it. I never wanted to know what it was like to share love. And... I've never experienced actual love or feeling. So this... this is something that I've been wanting to experience ever since my feelings first came about."
"I'm happy for you, Chrysalis. Really, I am. You've sure come a long way. All three of you."
"Thank you Starlight."
"Alrighty, Chrysalis..." Cozy raised a mirror. "How did I do?"
Chrysalis covered her mouth in astonishment. Her mane was all beautifully done up, most of it having streaks that are curled up and spiraled similarly to a ribbon, and the rest was put up in a bun.
"It's beautiful, Cozy... thank you."
"No problem. Hm... maybe I should work for Rarity, after all..."
The Guys...
"Well?" Tirek presented himself in his suit-top. "What do you think?"
"I think the tailor did a good job," Sunburst approved. "Just... don't make any messes."
"I won't. Trust me... it cost me a bunch of bits. So... any more advice?"
Sunburst and Leo exchanged looks, and Leo shrugged. Sunburst cleared his throat.
"Well, let's see here... Be sure to respect your date. That's a definite priority."
"Yeah!" Leo piped. "And... um... have good hygiene. Gotta have that good impression, you know?"
"Make generous offers too. Though if she makes the offer first, then... uh..."
"Listen, you'll do great, Tirek. Just play the easy game... play it safe, pay attention, and don't mess up. Don't fully devote yourself to her, but at the very least, make yourself a gentle...centaur? Gentlecentaur."
"I suppose I can make things work..." said Tirek.
"That's the spirit!" Sunburst beamed.
"How much longer until we need to leave?"
Leo looked at the clock on the wall. "Around fifteen minutes."
"Alright, Tirek, that's your cue."
"But would I be able to get past the girls fast en-"
Leo and Sunburst tapped their horns, allowing Tirek to catch on.
He snapped his claws. "Right!"
Tirek then teleported out of the room.
"Come on. Let's go meet up with him."
"Wait, he gets to teleport, but we're going to walk?!" Leo exclaimed.
"We're not the ones going on a date. And we can't use magic for everything."
"I guess..."
Leo and Sunburst proceeded to leave.
Chrysalis...
"Alright, you two, open your eyes."
Cozy Glow and Starlight uncovered their eyes, and they gasped. Chrysalis stood there in a beautiful dress, styled in a way that accents her being a changeling.
"That looks amazing..." Cozy said. "A little too amazing, though. This is a date, not a wedding."
"Now, Cozy Glow. Good impressions are always good assets to a date... even if both of them know each other. Besides, look at her mane... you did that."
Cozy blinked, then nodded. "Fair point."
KNOCK KNOCK
"Come in."
Tirek, dressed up in the suit he promised to wear for the date, stepped in.
"Tirek!" Chrysalis blinked. "What are you doing in here?"
"Just thought I'd check in, is all. See how things are coming along."
"They're going along smoothly," said Starlight.
"Um... Chrysalis... when you're done... and before we leave... I want to show you something. Something private and important, that I want you to be among the first to see with me."
"Oh... I don't see why not. I just need an extra minute-"
Chrysalis joined up with Tirek and they left the room together.
"You look beautiful," Tirek said.
Chrysalis giggled. "Thank you."
There was a moment of silence between the two.
"Tirek... does anything seem strange to you?"
Chrysalis didn't want to bring it up, but ever since she woke up, she's been sensing something that she couldn't understand.
Tirek shrugged. "Anxiety? This is our first date."
"Yeah..." Chrysalis didn't want to tell him that he wasn't correct, but maybe he was.
Tirek soon lead Chrysalis into the library, made sure that there was no one around, and then he closed the doors.
"The library? What are we doing in here?" Chrysalis asked.
Tirek grabbed a table and pulled it off with ease, revealing a small hole inside big enough for Chrysalis to fit. The changeling came over and looked inside while Tirek backed away to make way for her.
"I apologize for the endless questions, but... where does that go?"
"Your prison."
Those two words echoed in Chrysalis' ears. And even after she was suddenly knocked unconscious by Tirek's magic, those two words were still there.
Tirek approached Chrysalis' body before engulfing himself in green flames, and transforming back into Cicada.
Cicada grinned. Revenge has finally begun once again.
... ...
Chrysalis' eyes groggily opened. Her mind was fuzzy, and she felt enclosed. Not only that, but her vision was clouded with green, and everything else was distorted.
She tried to move, but her limbs felt bound to her body. However, although she couldn't exactly feel anything, she could tell that something was crawling around her.
Suddenly, a familiar face appeared in front of her, hugging whatever it was that she was wrapped in. Chrysalis could see a streak of green goo coming out of the thing's mouth.
It all flooded her mind... Chrysalis was trapped in a green cocoon prison, and the one who captured her was none other than Cicada herself, who was hugging the cocoon upside down.
Chrysalis wanted to speak, but she couldn't do that either.
"Finally..." Cicada's muffled voice spoke. "I've got you right where I want you. And nopony knows that you're my prisoner!"
Cicada released the cocoon and used her flight to straighten herself. She returned to the cocoon
"You've become gullible. You've lost your touch..." Cicada spat with venom. "I've made my point clear before. I will make it clear again... you are a disgrace. And I will ensure that I take everything from you, before moving on to the others that have defeated me..."
Cicada engulfed herself in flames before turning into Chrysalis... even sporting the dress and mane style.
"There's another reason I'm targeting you first... food. Even from afar, I can feel the strength of the love that you and Tirek share. Enough to sustain me for at least the time being. I will stop at nothing to get it! And I will stop at nothing to destroy your friends afterwards!"
Cicada then teleported out of the room, while Chrysalis only watched in terror.
Later...
Tirek, Leo, and Sunburst all waited outside for Chrysalis, Starlight, and Cozy Glow.
"What's taking them so long?..." Tirek mumbled. "They should be out by now."
"This things take time, I guess," Sunburst shrugged. "All we can do is be-"
The castle doors opened, and everyone watched. Chrysalis stepped out, and then Cozy and Starlight followed closely behind her, the two of them standing close together.
Tirek kept his focus on Chrysalis' choice of style... mane and dress. Leo and Sunburst also kept their eyes on Chrysalis and her escorts... though they both mentally questioned her choice of fancy style.
"Are you sure you can handle wearing that during the whole trip?" Leo asked.
"Trust me... I'll be just fine."
"Well, I think we'll leave you two to it," said Sunburst. "Have a great time, you two."
"And thank you all for the help and support," Tirek nods. "Come on, Chrysalis. Let's make our way to Canterlot."
"Yes, let us do that."
Chrysalis and Tirek were now on their way, and everyone waved goodbye. As they left, meanwhile, Trixie stepped outside the castle.
"Um... what did I miss?"
Soon...
Time went by a little slowly as things were taking place. First, Cicada and Tirek took the train to Canterlot. Throughout the train ride, Tirek and Cicada went on conversing, and Cicada did her best to pretend to be her other self. When they got there, they set off to Twilight's castle, where they planned on eating a nice dinner on one of the balconies of the Canterlot Castle... something Cicada learned during one of the conversations on the train.
Cicada had to try her hardest to not let her guard down... sharing Chrysalis' memories, she remembered all to well on how she wasn't at her best when impersonating Princess Cadance. She wasn't going to drop the act this time.
The guards welcomed them both as they were led inside. Soon, both Princess Twilight Sparkle and Spike brought them to one of the nicest balconies. A table with candles and chairs had already been set up... all that's missing is the food. The balcony they were on had a beautiful view of what was beyond the Canterlot mountain... and underneath the balcony was the large slope that went down and down into the trees far below.
"I'll make sure that the food is here as soon as possible," Twilight promised.
"Relax, Princess," said Tirek. "You're a Princess, not our servant."
"Well, she is also a friend," Spike pointed out.
"I hope things go well for you two."
"It will," Cicada said. "Trust me..."
Twilight and Spike then left the two alone.
"So... first date..." Tirek chuckled. "Things do change, don't they?"
"Yes, indeed."
But change doesn't always stop bad things from happening... Cicada thought, suppressing a smile. And change doesn't always stop me from returning in some shape or form...
Chrysalis...
Chrysalis shuffled around in her cocoon prison in an effort to get out, but it seemed impossible. The best that she could accomplish was a small wiggle while inside. The whole time she was trapped, whether she moved or remained still, thoughts went through her mind.
It seemed as if every time Chrysalis was put through something... every time something bad happened... she started to gain more of an understanding as to what everyone else went through. The annoyance of enemies always returning. The discomfort of being put in a prison... like the situation she was in now. And then the fear of failing. The lost hope. But Chrysalis has always gained the feeling that every time something happens, she has a little more hope of success than the last. And that's one of the things reformation promised her.
She will get out. All she needs is a little more motivation. A push.
Something that started to become more dull to her mind.
Cicada...
Cicada and Tirek waited for their food to be served, and to pass the time, they talked. Just like on the train, Cicada made sure to mask who she really was the best she could. All she kept doing was seeming interested, or risking it with whatever things Tirek brought up or asked... and somewhat always getting it right, making Cicada realize that her mental link with Chrysalis was stronger than she thought... a combination of their shared DNA, along with the fact that they're both meant to be changeling queens.
Eventually, Tirek finally did something than other to attempt bonding with Cicada. He looked out the balcony and got up.
"Soon, that sun will fully set," Tirek began. "I don't say this often, but... it looks nice."
It was then than Cicada took another risk while Tirek was distracted. Unbeknownst to Tirek, a small streak of a pink aura as thick as a thread was spooling through his chest, and right through Cicada's teeth, only slightly exposed by slightly open lips. Cicada was quick enough to stop the moment Tirek turned his head back.
Chrysalis...
Chrysalis lost all track of time. Her body felt weak, her mind felt weary, and her eyes were droopy.
She didn't expect to all of a sudden feel a familiar tingle inside her body... mainly her brain.
Some of those mental feelings were highly familiar to her. A feeling of satisfied hunger.
The feeling a changeling gets when love was being drained from another.
Images of Tirek started to fizzle in her mind.
Chrysalis obviously wasn't there. But conclusions were easily forming in her brain. And they were making her angry.
Her teeth began to grit, and Chrysalis started to exert an extreme amount of force in the cocoon. Her muscles pounded as she tried to break free. Her voice gargled as she groaned in her determined intent to escape.
When it felt like her body would collapse, the whole cocoon broke, and Chrysalis fell on the ground, landing on her back. The impact was at its worst with her elytra and wings, but it would have been way worse if they were opened. Chrysalis got back on her hooves, and shook off the bits of slime and goo attached to her.
"I'm coming for you..." she growled.
Chrysalis scanned the area for where the exit potentially was, and when she believed she found it, she tore off the pieces of the dress concealing her sore elytra and wings. And then, Chrysalis revealed her slightly rippled wings, and flew upwards, horn lit. The table that covered up the hole was in the air for a brief second before colliding on the floor. In no time at all, Chrysalis was out of the hole.
"Chrysalis?"
Chrysalis saw Cozy, Leo, Sunburst, and Starlight all nearby.
"Chrysalis! I thought you were with Tirek!" Leo exclaimed.
"That was Cicada! And I won't let her get away with what she's been doing!"
Not taking time to listen to the others or answer their questions, Chrysalis flew straight out of the library, her flight slightly wobbly.
She wasn't going to let Cicada hurt Tirek or her friends. Not now, and not ever again.
Back in the library, the other four stared at the door Chrysalis darted out of.
"She still has the dress on," said Leo.
"And the done-up mane..." Cozy Glow mumbled.
... ...
Cicada and Tirek were served their food not too long ago. Their servers were now exiting the room, leaving the two of them alone. Cicada concealed the discontent she had with the salad placed in front of her. She obviously had better food that was sitting right across from her.
"I haven't brought this up yet, but you seem different," Tirek said. "Is everything alright?"
"Of course it is. This is just something I need to process, you know? I've been waiting for quite some time."
"Have you?"
"Indeed! The love that you have for me... I feel it. And it's strong. Probably something that I'd be after if I was still evil. Or, you know... Cicada."
"Right. Hey... before we eat..." Tirek took Chrysalis' hooves. "I'd like to say I'm happy where I am. And you. And Cozy. Even Leo, in spite of why he's here. When we first met, I felt nothing... though this slight belief of something changing stuck around with me. I didn't care about it though. I ignored it. I had better things to deal with... or so I thought. Now I see that now only have I made new friends and changed for the better... but I have also met someone special to me. And both of those factors are my motivation for moving forward."
Cicada wanted to gag, but couldn't. She was so close to her goal. She just needed the right opportunity. Instead, she cracked a smile.
Tirek then started to lean in, close his eyes, and get ready to kiss.
This was that time for Cicada. She quickly returned back into her old form, and opened her mouth. A much larger pink aura started to come out of Tirek's chest. Tirek's eyes opened the moment he heard the sound of Cicada changing.
But before Tirek's love could get into Cicada's mouth, something struck her side, and both her and her attacker tumbled across the ground.
Cicada was on her back, and Chrysalis towered over her.
"How did you escape!" Cicada hissed.
"Determination. Not only is it how I escaped, but also how I got here so fast. Though I also did some transforming into big or fast creatures to get here as we-"
Cicada used all four hooves to push Chrysalis off of her body. Chrysalis sprang back up, horn charged. Tirek charged up his magic.
"Don't!" Chrysalis held a hoof at him. "This is between us."
"We fight together."
"Not this time."
Cicada charged at Chrysalis. Chrysalis flew outside before she could get hit. Cicada quickly flew out the balcony as well.
"Why can't I ever just stay down?..." Chrysalis grumbled.
Cicada launched a ray of magic at Chrysalis. Chrysalis dodged and retaliated. After, Cicada then turned into a roc and darted for Chrysalis, talons open, and ready to grab her. But Chrysalis had a way out of it. The moment where it seemed that Cicada would succeed, Chrysalis transformed into a smooze, and Cicada collided with the large green slime, getting stuck. Both of them started to fall. But Cicada escaped her imprisonment by returning to her original form, freeing herself.
Smooze Chrysalis however, landed right into the trees at the bottom of the slope. Cicada saw a small explosion of green slime, and bits splatter throughout the trees.
Cicada went down to where Chrysalis was, and landed in a spot not far from the green mess. However, the slime started to move on its own, and put itself back together. When the Smooze was all together again, it turned back into Chrysalis.
Immediately, Cicada turned into a Timberwolf and pounced at Chrysalis, claws ready to strike. Chrysalis quickly dodged the attack, and Cicada's claws instead swiped at a tree, taking out some of the bark.
Chrysalis attacked back with a beam of magic, which actually hit Cicada and blew her to pieces. Being a Timberwolf though, she ended up putting herself back together as well. Chrysalis then turned into an Ursa Minor, picked up a tree with her massive paw, and then hurled it at Cicada. Cicada jumped over it, and when she landed, she was back to her original form. Chrysalis returned to her original form as well. Both changelings then shot continuous magic beams that collided, and they both stepped closer, the force of the magic making it harder and harder with each step. The collision point stayed in the middle, only occasionally moving to Chrysalis or Cicada before going back to where it was.
Their power was equal. They may be different, but they're still the same being. The victor would be determined by motivation and determination.
Chrysalis used it before to get out of a jam. She was going to use it again. Images of Tirek and the others popped up in her mind, along with other things like the changeling kingdom. Groaning loudly, Chrysalis pushed the collision point to Cicada, and it exploded in her face. Screaming, Cicada's body flew through the air, before landing in a nearby pond.
Chrysalis slowly approached her evil self. Her dress wasn't badly tattered due to Chrysalis being in a different form during the fight, but it wasn't as clean as it was earlier. Especially with the holes she tore for the elytra. Her mane, however, was now completely undone and messy.
Cicada stumbled out of the pond, coughing.
"You..." she wheezed. "It's about time you... understood..."
"What are you talking about?"
Cicada coughed again, and when she spoke, her voice was clear and loud. "You've made many enemies during your time... good and evil. And every so often, you'd assume which one was your worst." Cicada's voice got more aggressive. "Celestia... Twilight... Cadance... Grogar... and let's not forget Starlight Glimmer. But I think it's time you realize this... they were never our greatest enemy. It's always been you. Me! I doubt that you've ever been this angry and vengeful ever since you reformed. But just because I placed a simple hoof on that airheaded centaur, you want nothing more than to tear me apart. Don't hide it... I can feel it as well. This is how it's mean to be. Me... yourself... your greatest enemy. It's always been like that. And it always will be..."
Cicada quickly ran away, deep into the trees. Chrysalis was about to follow her, but then she heard Princess Twilight's voice call her name. Chrysalis turned around, and both Twilight and Spike approached her.
"Hey..."
"Are you alright?" Twilight asked. "Tirek told us what happened. Though he's not down here because... obviously..."
"I'm fine."
"We heard everything," said Spike.
"Oh... well... I don't want to admit it, but... with the way I'm feeling... maybe she's right. I am my greatest enemy. The way I feel about her... the way I was trying to take her down..."
"Well, even if that's true, don't let her bring you down," Twilight said. "Even if Cicada's your greatest enemy, don't let your determination to end her ruin your date night. After all, you're not her."
"Yeah, I know. But it wasn't just because of Tirek and the others... though that's the main part. Cicada's also a walking reminder of who I used to be. And all I want is to forget it and move on."
"You can't forget what you've done... it will linger in a way. But the past isn't always what defines you. Your present and future actions will also determine who you are. And from what I've seen... your determination to protect Tirek is strong. Your motivation for the others is powerful. And that will be there with you in the long run."
"... Maybe you're right," Chrysalis admitted.
"Well now that we've found you, there's a centaur up there waiting for you..." Spike pointed at the castle with a claw-thumb.
"But what about Cicada?"
"We'll look for her," Twilight assured. "And if we can't find her, then we'll wait for her. I think it's time that you finally relax."
Chrysalis didn't want to let Cicada run around. But Twilight was right. This was a moment that she's been waiting for.
Tirek...
Tirek looked out the balcony, waiting for whatever was going to happen next. But finally, he could see Spike, Twilight... and Chrysalis... flying upwards for the balcony. He made way for them to land, and he and Chrysalis embraced.
"You look beautiful," he said.
"Do I? Even with the dress and hair?"
"Doesn't change a thing."
"Now... for real this time... we'll leave you be," Twilight promised.
Minutes later...
Chrysalis and Tirek stared up at the night sky. They had finished eating, and now they were just going to sit back and watch the night sky.
"Are you sure everything is okay?" Tirek asked.
Chrysalis smiled. "It is now."
For a moment, the two only gazed at each other. But soon, Tirek leaned down, and Chrysalis extended herself slightly upwards. Seconds later, their lips met in a brief but heartwarming kiss.
When it was over, they only smiled, and continued staring up at the night sky. A shooting star passed by and twinkled as it did.
The first sound I woke up to was the sound of a rooster.
Literally.
My heard pounded when I heard the rooster screaming in my ear. Shrieking, I jolted upwards, breathing heavily.
"A rooster may crow..." said a voice that caught my attention. "But the Hen delivers the goods."
That's when I finally saw him for the first time in my life... Discord, standing near my bed, cooking eggs over... a stove...
"... Discord?!" I squeaked.
"It looks like somepony knows their trivia..." Discord flipped the eggs up in the air, and they ended up flying right into his gullet, and out of sight. When he swallowed the last egg, he snapped his talons, and all the kitchen stuff vanished.
"What are you doing here? In fact... what are you doing in my room?"
"Oh, your friends are out and about, and so is Fluttershy. And because I've never taken the time to bond with someone who has little experience with being a pony, I figured I may as well pay a visit."
"Where did my friends- oh yeah. Cozy has a dentist appointment."
"And Tirek's at the gym," Discord pointed out.
"No surprise there..."
Discord slithered up next to me. I could feel a small brush along my wing, which made me shiver for whatever reason.
"So..." Discord began. "What should we do today?"
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, I don't know..." Discord popped out of existence, and reappeared in another spot dressed as if he was playing baseball. "Play some good ol' sports?..." Discord threw the baseball from his paw, and it whizzed by my hair. It would have smashed into the wall had Discord not reappeared in its path and catching it. He then reappeared next to me with a cup of apple juice. "Or maybe share some juicy secrets..." He sipped the juice and offered some to me.
"I'm good... wait... is that pulp?"
"What can I say? I like pulp in my juice."
"Yeah, but... apple juice, though?"
"I thought you knew who I was?..." Discord smirked.
I sighed. "...Good point."
... Intro[/iI ...
I tapped on my phone screen, sitting all by myself near the Cutie Map. Discord did... whatever he does... before eventually appearing next to me, startling me a little bit. He held a newspaper... which appeared to be related to my world. Don't ask me how he got that...
"You Earth humans are so interesting..." he mumbled, adjusting his reading glasses. "Devices... events... politics?"
"Where did you get that? Isn't the Earth link sealed?"
"I have my ways..."
Well, he's not wrong... he is Discord.
"I doubt asking will do much..." I mutter.
I heard a dinging sound and looked up. Discord, dressed up in a fancy outfit and top-hat, stood next to a screen saying "right on the money". The screen rung as if I won a game show.
"Correct!" Discord cheered. "Right on the money!"
He pulled a rope leading to... nowhere... and a bunch of bits started to rain down on me. It hurt... a little... but Discord came to my rescue when an umbrella popped up over me, protecting me.
"Look, Discord..." I tried speaking loudly over the sound of cluttering coins. I was about to do something that I don't always do. "...I get it. You're chaotic. And that's fine. But could you at least tone it down just a little..."
DING DONG!
The loud sound of a doorbell was heard over the clattering coins, which finally stopped when the sound rung.
Wait...
"Hang on, we don't have a..." I stopped and looked at Discord. He shrugged. "You gave us a doorbell, didn't you?"
"Maaaaaybe..."
I exhaled and went to answer the door. Discord stayed behind. When I opened the doors, Tempest Shadow stood outside. A surprise guest, for sure.
"Wow. I didn't expect you all to have a doorbell," she said.
"Wasn't us. You can tell that to Discord."
"Oooh, alright."
"Anyways, how did you know we lived here? Or where this place was?"
"I'll have you know that I've been here before," Tempest said.
"Oh, I see... so... what are you doing here?"
"Just paying a visit. We haven't seen each other in a while since we first met"
"And your other friends?" I ask.
"I visit them too."
"Ah, okay. Well, come on in."
Tempest didn't hesitate as she went into the castle, and I brought her to the Cutie Map, where Discord waited.
"Well, look who decided to visit," said Discord, playing cards with multiple clones of himself.
"Hello, Discord," Tempest greeted, not in an aggressive manner, but not too cheery, either... though her mood made it obvious that they were on good terms.
The other Discords coughed. Tempest sighed, and rolled her eyes with a small smile.
"And Discord, Discord, Discord, Discord, and... Discord. Hey, where's the other three?"
"Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow are out today, so it's just us. Feel free to stick around."
"OI can come back later. I'm in no hurry. As I said, I just thought I'd see how things were going. Especially after all that is going on."
"What do you mean?"
"You know, with the Storm King, the Canterlot Attack, and from what I've heard from the Princess, some... red version of you?"
"Oh. Well, no need to worry about us," I assured. "We're fine."
The doorbell rung again.
Now what?... I mentally groaned. "I'll be right back. Someone's at the door..." Again...
I went back downstairs, and when I answered the door, I saw another unexpected character facing me... Magma Burn.
"Magma Burn? What are you doing here?"
"I'm here because Luster left something here, and for whatever reason, sent me to get it... no matter how much I tried to get her to go."
"What did she... leave?"
"Something important to her, I suppose..." Magma Burn went inside, bumping past me. "Somewhere on the second floor or something..."
Oh no! If Magma Burn finds Tempest or Discord, then things are definitely not going to end well. I really didn't want to go through any of this again! I went after him, and walked alongside him up the stairs.
"Um, how about I go get it?" I offer.
"I'll do it myself..."
"Are you sure? I mean, after all, we got some reformed villains you don't like up there, and-"
"And I'm no coward. Now let me go on."
Magma Burn again proceeded onward, pushing past me, and having me stumble a bit on the stairs.
Knowing that I didn't have the motivation to continue trying, I ran up the stairs, down the hall, and into the map room. Due to my lack of exercise, my chest puffed and deflated as I took deep, exhausted breaths.
"Well, you seem in a hurry for something," said Tempest.
"Someone's here... doesn't like you... had to... warn you..."
"Who?" Discord asked.
"I may have a feeling..." Tempest mumbled.
The doors swung open behind me, and Magma Burn stomped in.
"You were going somewhere... where were you-"
He stopped. I could tell that his focus shifted past me, and over to someone else behind me.
"... you..."
His hooves thundered on the ground as he stomped past me.
"Long time no see, Magma Burn..." Tempest hissed.
"You two met each other?" I asked.
"More than met," Magma explained. "We dueled."
"D-dueled?"
"One year ago. And I came out the victor..." Tempest smirked.
"You think you're so right just because you have a broken horn, and won a duel in spite of that (and your age). You were a villain. A threat. I'm doing what's right."
"Oh, here we go again! You and your... morals."
"I demand a rematch with you, Tempest!" Magma barked. "Same place."
"I wouldn't go there after what happened."
"Oh, alright, then! We'll be more secluded."
"Forget about it!" exclaimed Tempest. "I'm not going to go through all of this with you. Nor am I going to risk giving you satisfaction of being, quote-on-quote 'right'."
"What? Are you afraid? I've already won if you decline this battle."
Tempest groaned. "You know what? Fine! I'll be there!"
"I knew you'd take it..."
Magma Burn then stomped4 out. I didn't want to say anything to Tempest, but I soon finally got the courage to do so.
"Um... listen-"
"I'm going to go," Tempest interrupted. "I'm sorry it had to be like that. I can't stand doubters... those who go too far like him. We'll talk later."
Tempest then ran out of the room, leaving Discord and I all alone.
I blinked. But then a talon holding a cup slid into my view.
"Apple juice?"
I glared at him.
... ...
"What did happen, last time?" I asked. "Do you know?"
"Oh, they fought..." Discord explained, while a hovering file did its work on Discord's talons. "Battle went a bit too extreme. Carried on to other places. Some buildings were destroyed. Tempest got the last hit before the Princess finally intervened."
"Should we be worried? I mean, they're at a safe spot... no towns will get destroyed."
"But they will get hurt." The file popped out of existence. "Would you want that?"
"Um... well... Magma... not sure, maybe not... but definitely not Tempest."
"Now listen, I'm all for chaos, bu-"
Suddenly, the phone started to ring. Not my phone... the one put on the wall that will remain there until we get this whole technology thing taken care of.
I went and picked it up. "Yes?"
"Hello."
"Tirek?"
"I'm just calling to see how things are going back at the castle."
"Alright, I guess... Discord's here, and I think there's about to be-"
"What? Sorry, the phones aren't perfect here, and I'm multitasking."
"What are you doing?"
"I'm at the gym. What else do you think I'm doing? Keeping up my strong appearance, of course."
"Of course..."
"So, what is it you're trying to say?"
"There's about to be a fight between Tempest and-"
"Oh mother of Celestia!"
I heard a loud clatter from the phone, a loud crunching noise, and then the line went dead.
"Tirek! Tirek!" I shook the phone. "Discord! Do something! What happened?! Is he ok!?!"
Stroking his beard, Discord brought up a crystal ball and looked into it.
"He lost his balance and crushed the phone with a weight."
I raised an eyebrow. "...seriously?"
Discord nodded.
I sighed.
"Well... back to what we're talking about.... what should we do?"
"You're going to do something about it, of course," Discord replied. "For their safety, and in case things get out of hand."
"Why do I have to do it? If I were to do this, I'd want your help too!"
"Well... um... oh, alright..."
"Good."
"I already have a solution. You can talk to Magma, and I'll speak with Tempest."
"I am not going to talk to Magma!" I exclaim. "He hates me!"
"He hates me too. And unlike me, he's worked with you before."
"How did you- oh right, you're Discord, and also have contact with the Princess. And all have you know, it's not 'worked with me', precisely. More like 'had to be with me while we were far from home'."
"It's still something."
"I don't want to..."
"I already agreed to help you. Now you do something for me."
I groaned. "Fine! Fine... we'll stop them before they fight, and we'll try to settle things down before they get hurt. Let's go."
Discord snapped his talons.
Field...
When I reappeared, I appeared right in front of Magma Burn. He sjumped, and glared at me with his horn glowing red.
"Oh..." Magma's horn immediately dimmed back down, to my relief. "It's you."
"Listen, Magma, I know we're not on perfect terms. But..." I coughed in my hoof. "Any chance you and Tempest can just... not do this?"
"Why? We were much closer to a town last time. We're far out in this field."
"Yeah, but someone's gonna get hurt. Tempest... even you. If I was told long ago that I'd feel like stepping between a fight to stop it, then I'd probably be alright with it, but... here I am. Trying to stop this confrontation."
"What's your true reasoning? Besides us getting hurt... which, let's face it, you're not thinking much about."
"Um... uh..."
"You're probably doing this because he put you up to it... Discord. The Lord of Chaos. Trying to do 'right'. Simply to mask his deceptiveness."
"Listen, either way, don't do this."
"If you think that you can change my mind, then you clearly forgot our past encounters. I'm ignoring you."
Magma then stomped off.
"Drat..." I grumbled. (Though it was actually something else that I will ignore for young eyes and ears).
... ...
Magma Burn waited for Tempest to show up. His hooves felt rooted into the ground as he pressed them inside.
But finally, he saw who he was expecting to see... Tempest approaching from the distance, and coming closer. Along with the clothing he last saw her wear, he also saw some extra scarves around her neck and barrel.
Soon, she stopped, and there was a moment of silence.
"I'm not going to fight you!" she shouted.
"Why not?!"
"It's not worth my time to prove myself right!"
"And yet you come here, instead of returning home!"
"I'm not a coward! I'll save you the trouble of hunting me down!"
"If you're no coward, then why leave?"
"Sometimes, it's best. Now enjoy your day!"
Tempest turned to leave. But all of a sudden, something hot zipped past her ear. A fireball landed on the ground, leaving a scorched burn-mark on the grass.
Tempest looked behind her, and saw Magma coming closer. His horn was glowing red with fury, and she could see small burn marks act as hoofprints.
"I don't want it to come to this..." Tempest warned.
"I have to ensure justice..."
"This isn't justice-"
Another fireball passed by Tempest.
"Have it your way..." Tempest's broken horn started to crackle. A blue flash struck the ground, causing Magma to jump.
Magma retaliated. He stomped his hoof, and a streak of fire ran across the ground, coming for Tempest. She proceeded to run, but the trail followed her.
Tempest was quick to figure out that Magma's concentration was controlling the fire... so she lit her broken horn again, and launched her firework-sparks at Magma, eliminating his concentration so Tempest could get a breather.
It delved into a back-and forth, after that. Magma Burn continued releasing bursts of fire and magma at Tempest. And Tempest either continued to stun him or attack with bolts of crackling blue bolts. However, none of them have gotten hit, as they managed to dodge even close direct shots with jumps, flips, or teleportation.
"Why are you so angry with me!?!?" Tempest screamed. "What's your problem with villains?!"
Magma didn't respond. Instead, he shot a burst of magma at Tempest, but when she struck it with a bolt of lightning, drips of magma spattered all around her. A drop nearly touched her hoof, but she stepped back before it could.
It then returned to a back-and-forth, along with a brief moment where Magma and Tempest dueled with a hot beam of magic, and a shivering beam of lightning colliding. Soon, though, they stopped.4
Leo's POV...
Discord and I reappeared in the field, since he suggested that we go there for whatever reason, and when we got there, a blue bolt of magic nearly hit my nose.
Magma Burn and Tempest Shadow were dueling it out.
"I thought you said that Tempest was gonna skip the fight!" I exclaim.
"I... may have been wrong."
"I'd question that, but... you did get tricked by three villains that you should have known will be deceptive. And don't say you were disguised."
"I lost my touch, I get it."
A flaming hoof suddenly whizzed past us, and was heading right for Tempest. However, she took a huge, parkour-like leap off to the side, the flaming hoof only grazing her mane.
"Come on! We have to do something!"
I stepped in between the fight.
"Guys! Stop right now!"
"Leo, step aside!" Tempest barked.
"Magma, whatever happened to our discussion and bonding back when we were separated from our homes!?"
"Forget about that!" Magma shrieked. "I've already gave you the message...I can't! I can't forgive them for all that they've done! Justice is all I know!"
"But this isn't justice!"
"I need you out of my way! You're lucky I'm sparing you!"
Magma tossed me aside, and I shrieked. I landed in a net, and then a referee Discord popped up, tweeting a whistle.
"That's three points for Magma Burn!" he bellowed.
I groaned. I tried to get up, but I was stuck. "Discord!"
I saw Magma shoot a fireball at Tempest, who again dodged it... but then a second fireball Magma launched struck Tempest in the side, and she was sent back.
I gasped, and the next I was held in vanished. I fell, and luckily landed on my flank. I was ready to get up, but then Discord stopped me.
His lion paw was replicated into many duplicates, and all of them pointed at the scene ahead.
Magma Burn slowly approached Tempest. Groaning, she pulled away the gash that the impact left on her clothing, and it revealed a patch of a sort of armor.
"You came prepared..." I heard Magma say.
"Just in case... though it did pack a bit of a punch..." Groaning, Tempest got up. "Congratulations... you won. I surrender."
Tempest got up, and was about ready to head back with Discord and I.
I could see Magma take a look at me. I saw something in his eyes, but I wasn't entirely sure on what it was.
He raised a hoof and called out. "Tempest! Wait!"
Tempest glanced at Magma, stepping forward to her.
I expected him to rub it in. I expected him to continue putting up a fight. Anything negative, for the matter.
But he shocked me. And likely everyone else.
"You are a villain," he began. "Villains would do anything to save their skin. Prove themselves superior. Like when Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, and Tirek saved Equestria to hide their image."
I rolled my eyes.
"But... you were the first apparent ally of Leo's that I challenged in a while. You put up a fight. And you easily admitted defeat. I don't know why... or how... but I feel a bit of respect for you. Don't think it means anything, but... it's there... *sigh*... now enjoy your day..."
Magma turned around, gave us one last look, and then teleported away.
"So... he has a bit of respect for me for admitting defeat and putting up a fight... and yet he apparently still holds resentment for your friends..."
"So hypocritical," said Discord.
"I don't know..." I start. "I mean, maybe it is, but... he's never faced off against my friends. He probably sees it as a coward move. He fought Tempest, and won. But Tempest was a good sport and admitted defeat. It's complicated, but... let's say we're both right. Honestly, I wish it wasn't like this... we made a good team when we worked together. If it was just me and Luster during the Canterlot attack, we would of lost."
"Perhaps you could be right... but I'm not sure..." Tempest said. "Let's put this aside and go back to the castle."
One hour later...
Chrysalis opened the doors to the Cutie Map room.
"We're back! Finally..."
She, along with Tirek and Cozy Glow (who had a puffy cheek, and a cloth wrapped around her head), went into the room.
"You seem like you had a long day," Chrysalis said, sitting down.
I took a look at Cozy Glow. "I can say the same for that."
"Yeah, the appointment took longer than expected... waiting-wise, and, um... while it was happening."
A pained groan was heard from Cozy.
"Tempest had a run-in with Magma, today," I said.
"How did that go?" inquired Tirek.
"Odd... after the duel... Magma won, by the way... he said he had a slight respect for her."
"I can't say if it's hypocritical, or somewhat a decent move," Chrysalis mumbled.
"I agree..." I nod.
"Only time will tell if he will solidify himself as a friend or foe," said Tempest. "From what I understand, he's had his moments of both."
A bunch of us nodded.
"Well, it's been fun hanging out today..." Discord stretched, a few of his positions rather... odd. "But I shall return. I believe Fluttershy will be back at any minute now."
Discord vanished with the snap of his lion paw.
"Oh yeah!" Tirek piped. "How was Discord today?"
I chuckled. "Well... he was surprisingly decent before you got here. Can't say the same for when I first woke up today... here's what happened..."
Cozy Glow, Chrysalis, and Tirek were all in the library, bored. Tirek blinked, trying to stay awake, while Chrysalis leaned against him reading a book. Cozy bounced a small ball off of the wall.
"What a way to spend the morning, am I right?" she chuckled. "Is this what waiting does to us?"
"Beats waiting in the map room..." Chrysalis mumbled while reading. "At least there's something to-"
The library doors swung open, and Leo stumbled inside, panting. Everyone else's eyes went wide, but not at his condition.
"...what?" Leo wheezed.
"You... have a beard?" Cozy slowly pointed.
Leo rubbed his chin.
"Hey! It's finally back... grew back fast."
"Um..." Chrysalis blinked. "What?"
"Oh, um... back when I was a human, I had a beard."
"We've never seen you with a beard," said Tirek. "Human, and pony."
"I shaved the day before you guys got to Earth. And as for my lack of beard while I was a pony... um... I don't know. My phone also burst out of my horn, if you remember, so I guess Bewitching Bell magic can make a transformation a bit... yeah. Anyways, Celestia and Luna are still not here?"
"If they're running late, they should have good reason," Chrysalis said. "It wouldn't be like them to be late just be-"
"Hello?..."
Celestia's voice was heard from the hall, followed by a set of hoofsteps. Leo made way for when the former Princesses finally entered. Princess Twilight and Spike were with them both as well.
"Twilight? Spike? You two are here, too?" Cozy asked.
"We haven't heard the rest of the story yet," Spike explained. "We figured we could all hear it together."
"What held you four back?" asked Tirek. "We've been waiting for an hour."
"Daylight savings time..." Luna chuckled. "...Forgot to change the clocks."
"Well, at least you're here now." Chrysalis raised the plate of snacks. Some small sandwiches, slices of fruits and vegetables, and some dip. "Made these for the occasion. Hopefully they're still good."
"Thank you," Princess Twilight nods, before sitting down along with the others.
"So, what should we do first..." Celestia begins. "Pick up where we left off, or catch up on what we've been up to."
"Is that a beard?" Spike pointed at Leo's face.
"Not the big focus, right now..." Leo muttered.
... Intro ...
It's been around a month since Celestia and Luna's encounter with the renegade changelings, and it's left its mark on them in numerous ways.
For Luna, she had no intention of returning to the forest. Not just because of what happened, but the presence of something sinister in the forest that led her to seeing something she wanted to ignore. On the surface, it wasn't bad, but there was a deeper meaning behind it, and she was glad it didn't get worse. Luna couldn't tell if Celestia had that experience, but there was plenty of evidence that would convince her it was true.
The other thing that remained was the book. In spite of all that happened, Celestia and Luna managed to return with the book in mostly good condition (though it was highly soggy and scratched, so they had to let it dry). They didn't prioritize the missing pages, but that was going to change today.
"Another one of those days, sister..." Luna yawned while in bed. "A day where retirement is... highly boring."
“Well, we don’t need to come to conclusions too quickly,” said Celestia. “I may have a clue on the origins of this book... mainly, where the writer originally was.”
“Oh, good.” Luna got up. “I was starting to think that this whole thing was a silly task.”
“Take a look at this...”
Celestia opened the front of the book, where a lower corner on the inside of the cover was loose. Celestia peeled it back entirely, revealing some writing on the material.
“It appears that whoever made this left their location written on the inside... for whatever reason that definitely isn’t for our convenience...” Celestia continued.
“Likely because it was required in where they came from... it looks as if the covering on this book was added on a much later date to preserve it.”
“Most likely. And here, this book came from... Ramania.”
“Ramamia? Never heard of it.”
“Me neither. But at some other point in the writing, it gives us more specifics on what this place is... the village of the Rams.”
“Interesting. Could this place have any relations to Grogar himself?”
“Through all my research on Grogar, there’s barely ever been a mention of Ramania. This is a new place as a whole. A place that has this book that those changelings somehow managed to get.”
“Perhaps there was another reason it’s been taken from its home.”
“Maybe there is,” Celestia said. “But that’s nearly all I can find. I don’t know if the changelings, rams, or if anyone else did this. But since the other remaining pages have everything our books covered, I want to know what exactly we’re not finding.”
“If we are going to consider finding this place, then how exactly would we find it?”
“I’ve researched all possible locations throughout Equestria... and the only conclusion I have is that we’ll have no choice but to return to the Undiscovered West.”
Luna resisted a gulp. She didn’t really have much intentions to return to the area. Not because of what happened with the changelings... that’s only slightly the reason... but also because of whatever happened before that encounter.
“And... you’re sure we have to go back there?” Luna asked.
“If we were to return, we’d enter in a very different spot... farther then where we went in. Besides, I think we’re going to use the balloon for this one.”
“Very well,” Luna nods. “I’ll get ready.”
Later...
The hot-air balloon hovered over the large area consisting of the Undiscovered West. Luna and Celestia both used telescopes they brought to look down. In spite of everything, Luna and Celestia both enjoyed the journeys and explorations... that is, when they weren’t disastrous.
“See anything?” asked Luna.
“Nothing for me.”
Luna took another look. She was about ready to take a break, when she saw something scurry in a small opening, before disappearing in the trees.
It wasn’t easy to tell, but whatever ran by was definitely something Luna hasn’t recalled seeing before.
“I saw something! It was brief, but I saw it! It’s close to a landing spot, too.”
“Alright, Luna. I trust you. Lead the way.”
Luna lead the balloon down into the opening where she saw the passerby. On the way down, she tried to remember which direction the thing went so they could go after it.
Soon, the balloon landed (remarkably without a puncture), and they got off.
“I tried keeping track of where it went,” said Luna. “I believe it went this way.”
“Alright, then,” Celestia replied. “Let’s go.”
The sisters proceeded onward into the forest, Luna trying her best to lead the way. Luna was also hopefully prepared for any occasion in which she experiences whatever she experienced last time.
They soon started to lose track of where they were even going.
"Well, this isn't going how I anticipated..." Luna groaned.
"Wait!" Celestia hissed, before pointing with a hoof. "Look!"
Luna could see something past the leaves and bushes, and both she and Celestia went over to take a look.
Behind all that brush was a village, and Luna and Celestia could see unfamiliar creatures roaming around or talking with each other... Goats!
Celestia and Luna carefully emerged from the bushes, and slowly approached the village. All the Goats turned their eyes to them. That's when both sisters realized that they didn't plan their introduction.
"Greetings..." Celestia began. "I am Celestia. And this is my sister, Luna. We come from the more eastern side of Equestria, and we were hoping we could speak to somegoat about-"
"Wait just a minute..." burst one of the goats, his voice gruff and stern. He approached the former princesses, any goat in his way moving aside. He was a skinny brown goat, and one of his eyes was concealed with an eyepatch, with both ends of what appeared to be a scar poking out. "We don't usually welcome outsiders."
"Listen, all we're here for is to talk to the leader of this village about a book that was originally from here," said Luna.
"I am he."
"You are understandably concerned, but we mean no harm," Celestia spoke. "We once held authority over a portion of eastern Equestria, if it makes you feel any better. All we want to do is talk about this book, and then maybe something else too. After that, my sister and I will be on our way."
The Goat Leader scrunched his face. "Oh, alright. Only if it's quick. I ask for you to set all or any of your belongings that you have no desire to show me into the bin on your way. We also have magic inhibitor rings in case of times like this, so put those on before getting settled."
Celestia and Luna exchanged looks. Luna shrugged.
"Alright..." Celestia started. "Very well."
Goat Leader's Hut...
The Goat Leader examined the book, peeking at the pages that remained, then glancing at the ones that were gone, and then returning to the book. He also compared it to another history book that Celestia and Luna brought... their own edition.
"So you're telling me that... the events that are still in this book... is coincidentally everything in your history books... making it apparent that we know something you don't. Is that it?"
"For the most part, that is correct," Luna said. "Though how come your history book has similar details than what we went through?"
The Goat Leader set the book down. "Back then, our ancestors lived somewhere close to you ponies. We wanted to keep track of the Windigos. Research them. But we never wanted to be found. We always hid. So when the Windigos left, some of our own followed them while staying out of sight. But let me tell you, judging from your version of the history book, and ours, either your kind was ignorant, or too focused on their own problems to understand what was going on."
"What do you mean?"
"There was one key detail in history that we've always remembered. But you have forgotten. You see... there were never three Windigos. There were four."
Both Celestia and Luna went "Huh?"
"Yes. Four. Long before they left to go after those that kicked off your history, there were four. This fourth one was not like the others. He was small. And, since the other three continued without him, pathetic."
"What happened to it?" Luna asked.
"Even we don't know. One day, it just... vanished. Never seen or heard from again. Obviously, it was for the best. And considering how everything has been fine to this very day, we doubt it will ever have any relations to any life again. It's gone. Forgotten history. As for why these pages were torn out... I don't know."
There was a quick clopping sound from outside, and all of a sudden, a little gray goat burst into the hut.
"Master..." he wheezed. "Something else is here... it's so scary... come out, quick!"
The Goat Leader, along with Celestia and Luna, all ran outside. To the left of the hut from a distance, stood a creature unfamiliar to even Celestia, Luna, and the Goat Leader. This thing continued stepping forward, closer to where most goats stood.
As he got closer, Celestia and Luna could see emerging details about it... likely a 'he'. He appeared to be feline-like... pointy cat ears, whiskers, white maw... though this was nothing like any other feline. He sported some sort of purple getup, similar to a tunic, with a rusted gold chestplate on it. He was an unbelievably massive, getting bigger the closer he got. Even more details could be seen... but none of them were natural anymore. Some of his body appeared to be either metallic, shiny, or inorganic, and there were holes and gashes on his body, as if he was battle-damaged. Some wounds simple revealed a layer of metal. But there were other wounds with something coming out of them... red, white, and blue strips. As he got even closer, they could all see copper, or bronze, or something of the sort come out of the ends of the strips. Not even his black fur, visible on his head and legs seemed real... it was like he had a carpet for skin. And the wounds were simply tears or holes. His eyes... his glowing red eyes... reflected the sunlight like shiny balls made of porcelain. There was an unnatural red glow with the iris's and pupils. Like there were lights in his eyes. Every movement he made came with an odd creak or whir.
Whatever he was, there was no way he was made of flesh and blood.
He finally stopped, where he was completely face-to-face with the crowd. He towered as high as the Storm King.
There was an eerie silence.
"Who are you?!" The Goat Leader suddenly barked. "State your name!"
What happened next shocked everyone.
Out of his back came eight metallic tentacles with claws at the end. Two of them planted themselves in the ground, hoisting up the creature. The rest all turned, targeting the terrified crowd.
"We need to get out of here..." Celestia hissed. "Now!"
One of the claws shot right for her.
... ...
Celestia, Luna, and some of the goats, jumped out of the way, and the claw buried itself into the soil.
Luna quickly looked at this metallic attacker. He raised another claw, and some sort of energy ball manifested on it... and it wasn't like magic. When the energy ball was launched, Luna deflected it with her magic, before continuing to run.
The creature leapt at Luna, but a yellow-like shield got in his way, and he slammed right into it, falling on the ground.
"Quick!" The Goat Leader's voice shouted. "In here!"
Luna saw Celestia (whose horn was dimming) standing next to the Goat Leader, standing near an open door in the ground. Goats were all running into the door.
To make sure that the creature was held back, Luna launched another attack on the creature, aiming for the eyes. The thing blocked it with a tentacle, but Luna quickly, and continuously, continued shooting, while backing away to the door. Celestia was quick to join and help. Soon, both of their repeated blasts turned into two long beams, holding him down.
While the creature was blocking with multiple tentacles, one of them rose, and a blade of plasma formed. When it slammed down, Celestia and Luna quickly dove into the trapdoor, and shut it. Celestia was able to form a shield around the door to keep it more stable, and Luna helped.
The Sisters backed away. They, and all the goats, could hear a run, and a thump. The shield rippled, and the door cracked. The plasma blade then sliced through the door, and the shields, but Luna and Celestia focused more, and the shield ended up cutting off the blade. It wasn't over yet. There was an odd charging sound, and the door was suddenly blown apart. However, the shields remained. The creature looked inside, forcing everygoat (and the sisters) to look into his piercing red eyes. The last thing it saw was a quivering young goat. Its expression appeared to have slightly softened, and then it left.
"What..." one of the goats panted. "What was that?"
"It was like something that shouldn't be alive... but is alive, anyway," a female goat squeaked.
"I don't think it's gone..." said a third goat.
"Let's check..." Celestia mumbled. She and Luna lowered the shield. They immediately heard a metallic running sound, forcing them to put it back up. The creature showed itself again, before vanishing yet again.
"Whatever it is, it wants to destroy us for sure," the Goat Leader said.
"Where could it have come from?" Luna asked.
"I don't think this will be something we'll ever find out..." replied Celestia.
"Unless you talk to him," a fourth goat spoke.
The sound of another goat smacking the back of his head was heard.
"I think we should do that," Celestia said.
Luna gave her a look.
"Are you insane!?" the Goat Leader shrieked.
"If it doesn't leave, perhaps it could be talked down to. It's worked before with Twilight."
"Well, in Twilight's case, Starlight Glimmer wasn't as crazy as that... thing," Luna chimed in. "We don't even know who we're dealing with, either."
"Trust me, Luna... when we get out, and it charges, we'll take it down and make sure it doesn't try anything. Do you goats have a secret exit somewhere in here?"
"Why, yes, but it would take quite a while to find. We never used this hideout before. Wait, why won't you just come with us?"
"Somepony needs to stay behind to hold it back. Plus, we need to know what we're up against... whether it's just him, or a higher power."
Throughout the whole thing, Luna didn't want to speak. She didn't want to take a risk that would end things so soon. The thought that she already served her purpose started to push in, but Luna quickly pushed it back.
Luna also knew that Celestia was right. And plus, Luna wasn't one to run. She would always stay in the shadows, get captured, or not fight. If she were to go out, she would at least put up a fight.
"Alright, sister..." Luna sighed. "We'll do this. Our fellow goats, please work as fast as you can."
Celestia and Luna then lowered the shield, and got outside. Already, the creature charged. But Luna and Celestia were both fast enough to once again knock it down... first by distracting it, and then, when he was focused on one of them, the other send an electric pulse right for the beast, causing him to twitch, and slowly fall to his knees and claws. The sisters then formed magic chains and stakes around the creatures tentacles, securing him to the ground. He tried to get up, but he couldn't get too far. He was forced to be on his claws and knees.
"Stop right now!" Celestia ordered. "And even if you can't, you at the very least could talk to us."
"That is, if you can..." said Luna. "And if you don't... um... we'll tear your extra limbs off."
"A bit extreme, don't you think?"
"...as a matter of fact..." the creature suddenly spoke. "I can speak."
His voice sounded broken. There was a metallic effect to it, apparently like most of his body, and there was also a hiss.
"Who are you?" Luna demanded. "And who do you serve?"
"My name is Gizmos..." the creature started. "And I serve no one."
"Why are you here?" Celestia asked. "Where did you come from?"
"My, my... so many questions," Gizmos hissed. It was like he didn't care that he was, for the most part, trapped. "Let me give you the short version... I'm here, because organic creatures like you are a toxic... pathetic... corrupted stain to humanity. I am to eradicate it, and also save innocent young ones before they go down your twisted path."
"Another one?"
*Present Time*
"What?" Luna paused her turn on telling the story due to Cozy's interruption.
"Another villain that has a problem with... something... and wants to get rid of it?" the filly ranted. "Are villains like those gonna be the only new ones we'll deal with?"
"I mean, we've had some with other motivations," said Chrysalis. "They mentioned some renegade changelings a while back."
"Grogar, too!" Leo chimed.
"We'll focus on that later..." Twilight said. "Now... *ahem*... please continue."
Back to the story...
Celestia's response to Gizmos was, "Well, you're clearly misguided on what you've been doing..."
"...And there's no point in continuing," Luna resumed. "We've already outdone you this quick. You may as well surrender."
Gizmos chuckled a mechanical wheeze.
"Oh, my dear ponies... I have everything I need to get out of these predicaments... I'm not organic... but I have one trait that you also sport..."
"And that is?"
Gizmos pupils all of a sudden opened up, revealing two black shiny objects, one in each eye. They started to fizzle and glow, in a manner that was very familiar to the Alicorns.
Unfortunately, Luna started to feel a similar sensation that she dreaded to feel again. Her whole world rippled, and became clouded in black. A white spotlight lit itself above her, and many ponies started walking past her.
"You've been wearing a mask," Gizmos' voice was heard. "Pretending everything's alright. Pretending you're fine with where things left off. But you know... how would you not?"
A pony was heading straight for Luna. She went in front of it and waved, but then the pony walked right through her.
"For one, you dread being forgotten. The day you're finally gone, you will be a memory that fades. It seems impossible when said... but you were, after all, forgotten when you were back on the moon..."
Luna turned and found herself back on the moon yet again.
"It's just another illusion..." she grumbled, shutting her eyes. "Just like last time... it isn't real..."
"When you were her..."
Luna's eyes shot open. She was still on the moon, but she felt very different. She took one look at her body.
Her coat was black. Her limbs were slimmer... and maybe even longer... and she had sparkling turquoise guards on her hooves.
She raised her head, meeting face-to-face with a mirror. The face of a terrified Nightmare Moon stared back at her. Dark purple-ish clouds started to swirl. Luna curled into a ball.
"How does it feel? Knowing that you, after some grand and wholesome return, never even got the chance to make up for missing your reign. Only having a few years being back, before finally ditching the one job that made you, you..."
"NO!!!!"
Something forced Luna to attack, even though she saw nothing there. The fear was too much... she just wanted it to stop.
Unknowingly to her, that very attack struck Gizmos in the chest, entirely diverting his focus away from what he was doing.
Everything fizzled back to normal... the land around Luna, her physical form... all of it. The first thing Luna did when everything reset, was that she looked at Celestia, who was staring back at her like she saw a ghost.
Both sisters ran and hugged each other.
Luna didn't have much of a reason as to why she did what she'd do next, but it happened anyway.
"Celestia... do you think I'll be forgotten again?"
"Oh, Luna... I promise you, things will be different."
"But it happened before... I don't want it to happen again. I'm... a little afraid. And I don't want to be."
"We'll get through it together. I promise. But every pony and creature has their own fears, as do I... losing everything good about Equestria... losing those I have faith in and care about... and losing you."
Luna and Celestia hugged tighter, but that was suddenly interrupted.
Gizmos was getting back up. And the magic chains were gone. They must have vanished when Luna and Celestia were being put through those illusions.
The mechanical beast growled, raised half of his tentacles, and they all lunged after the sisters. They both teleported out of the way, and the claws at the ends of the extra limbs all snapped shut.
Gizmos quickly spawned a plasma blade and swung around himself. He nearly succeeded in getting the sisters, but he missed. However, he finally managed to put focus on Luna, and he fired plasma blasts at the Alicorn. She missed most of them, though one of them burned off the tip of her tail.
When both Luna and Celestia attempted to fire back, Gizmos took cover in an energy shield of his own. He blew it apart, the shield shards disappearing before making contact with anything else. The force, however, was enough to send the sisters back very slightly. They quickly recovered.
Celestia flew right up to Gizmos, and before he was able to do anything, a large flash, along with a hard impact by something, blinded one of his mechanical eyes. He frantically looked around for his enemies, and soon caught sight of Celestia. He grabbed her by the neck with one of his tentacles and slammed her on the ground. He raised a tentacle, prepared to strike, but then a bolt from Luna severed one of his arms clean off. Celestia then blasted him in the chestplate, and then Luna's magic struck a blow to his head. Celestua and Luna then landed beside each other, across from the enemy.
Gizmos recovered, and straightened himself back up. The sisters lit their horns, but they then hesitated.
When Gizmos glared back at them, his maw started to do something strange. Both his nose, and his jaw, opened in half, and extended outward and further from where they were meant to be. A bunch of metal was revealed where his gullet should have been, and right in the center of his 'throat', something red was glowing, and getting bigger each second. Pipes extended out the back of his head, and started to smoke.
Celestia and Luna wanted to run, and wanted to get away. But then the red orb shot forward like a beam, and struck the sisters.
Oh so it seemed, as the beam enveloped around the shield Celestia and Luna formed.
Whatever was being fired at them was enough to make the shield crack.
"We can do this..." Celestia encouraged. "We can succeed."
"And if we don't... well..."
"I promise, we will live on, even in memory."
Luna nodded. She and Celestia ignited their horns, and then fired right at their own shield, breaking it even faster. The ginormous red beam pushed forward, pushing Celestia and Luna's attack back, and nearly ending the battle there. But the sisters persevered, and used their strength with great might. The beam slid forward, but when it hit the midpoint, Gizmos increased his own strength. The red beam turned orange.
Beads of sweat formed on the two Alicorns, but they fought back, stepping closer, and tapping in even closer to their power. Again, it equally rivaled all Gizmos had.
Gizmos, yet again, managed to increase his own power... the beam turned yellow, and when the sisters had to try even harder, the yellow beam turned green. In spite of not touching anything, the grass underneath the beam started to burn.
The collision point with the beams went closer, but not as fast. So the beam then turned blue.
Screaming, Celestia and Luna tapped into their strength far greater than ever... the exhaustion it gave them, and all the effort they put in, was far greater than even raising and lowering the sun and moon.
Gizmos' finally tapped into 100% of his possible power. The beam turned purple.
It stayed like that for what felt like forever.
But in a sudden turn of events, the sisters started to overpower Gizmos... their combined attack pushed closer to him, while the mechanical feline started to appear limp. All his limbs started to fall, and by the time his back slouched, he fell. Luna and Celestia, also tired, finally gave up, and fell.
Both attacks faded before anyone got hit.
And then everything was silent.
Minutes later, the trapdoor creaked open, and a small goat peeked outside. He opened the door even wider.
"Somegoat get the others! It's over!"
He, and other goats, including the leader, filed out of the trapdoor. They all approached the fallen sisters, but only the Goat Leader got close enough to stand over Celestia. He said nothing. Just waited.
As he silently hoped, Celestia's eyes started to open. Luna followed. They both got up, rubbing their heads.
"Did we... do it?" Luna groaned.
The Goat Leader pointed to Gizmos' fallen body.
"We did it..." Celestia muttered.
"You did, indeed..." For the first time, the sisters saw the Goat Leader smile. "We are grateful that you've helped saved our village, and we are happy to be in your debt."
"Oh, thank you... but I think we could pass on that offer. Though I suppose if we ever need help, we could keep in touch."
"Depends on what it is, but I agree to those terms. Again, thank you very much. You two may come back anytime."
Present Day...
"...And that's the end of our little adventure," Celestia concluded.
"Wow, that might have been crazier than the first one," said Spike.
"I'm happy that you two addressed your fears," Princess
"It's quite odd that you and Luna actually had to fight something so... advanced," Chrysalis said. "The only advanced technology we have are the advanced phones."
Princess Twilight spoke up. "Technically, I had a mind-measuring device back then, but I guess it's not as advanced, and it's been destroyed by Tirek, anyway."
Tirek sheepishly chuckled.
"The appearance of Gizmos was a surprise to be sure," Luna stated. "Celestia and I both felt this... darkness, when we fought, and experienced those illusions. Something like Sombra's magic. Along with... something else we can't decipher. We don't know who made him, why he was made the way he is, or where he came from. All we know is that this may not be the last we hear of anything... or anyone... related to him."
Two weeks ago...
Gizmos' finally awoke once again, his systems booted back up. He sat up on his rump, confused. When he was last awake, he was in a village battling two Alicorns... he wasn't in what appeared to be a rocky lair.
"You're finally awake..." a feminine voice said.
Gizmos turned and saw what appeared to be a black changeling, sitting beside his spot, as if she was spectating.
"I was wondering when you'd..."
"Where am I?!" Gizmos demanded.
"Just relax. You've been out for quite a while. You're lucky Sephtis was able to find you and..."
"Hush! Not another peep! Unless you'd prefer for your destruction to be the complete opposite of silent..."
The changeling gulped.
"Okay, Thorn..." a red Alicorn revealed himself from around the doorway. "I'll take it from here. Go meet up with the others."
Thorn quickly nodded and ran out.
"So... you're some sort of... robotic cat thing, or something?"
"Who are you?" Gizmos hissed.
"My name is Sephtis. And you better clean up your act. You're lucky I even discovered your existence in the first place and retrieved your broken body from the creek down in the Undiscovered West. You're lucky I took the time and effort to bring you back. You're lucky that I'm letting you stay here, in spite of the cost."
"What cost?..."
"Listen here, you non-sentient piece of scrap metal..." Sephtis spat. "...Or should I say, Gizmos, judging by the name etched under your rusty armor... you work for me now. And there's no point in getting away from it."
"You are no boss of my decisions and loyalty," Gizmos growled.
"I knew you'd say that... so I'm going to cut you a deal. Tell me... what is your desire?"
"My desire? Such a way to go, don't you think?"
"I promise my allies to have what they want."
"Well, they're not going to get it if they want to conquer. I want to annihilate the things in this world that bear souls, and replace it with my own mechanical utopia."
"Hmm... I think I can go along with that..." Sephtis tapped his chin. "All of my other Allies are going to conquer certain parts of Equestria and beyond. I know you can't have what you want... but whatever area of land I can take and pass to you, you may do whatever you desire with the land and its inhabitants."
"That's not enough..."
"Whatever you say... I do want to let you know, though, that I have... oh... five powerful beings standing outside this room right now ready to shut you down and do whatever they please."
Gizmos' grumbled.
"Take it this way... you get something... or nothing..."
"Fine!" Gizmos exclaimed. "Fine! I'll help."
"And you're sure you won't destroy us all when we let you loose?"
Gizmos had no reply.
"Hm... thought so..." Sephtis mumbled.
"I promise. I really do," Gizmos said. "I already got bested by two Alicorns. I'd rather not practice with more than one enemy at the moment. Especially since I feel my abilities are weak."
"I'm still keeping my eye out on you. I'll ensure you don't leave us. Now... with all of that out of the way... I'd like to discuss one more thing before we go out."
"And that is?"
Sephtis smiled.
"Weeeelll... Nightmare Night is in a few weeks, and I'd like to ask... how good are you at inventing or making stuff?"
"I actually have a secret place where I keep many scrap parts I made and found. Why?"
"Because... I want to test the formula, and see how a plan goes without most of my magic or spells involved. Let's get to work. I think four certain enemies, and many more, aren't prepared to see the scares that I have planned..."
Things were already tense among the villains for the past few days, so the new morning was no different.
All of the villains (aside from the rest of the Mean 6 and Sephtis) were all together, eating their breakfast… consisting of some stolen pie, and some oats in stone bowls. Gizmos stood aside, overseeing the whole thing.
Lilith took a taste of her cereal, and she figured it could be better.
“Um…” she started. “Could someone get me some sugar?”
“Get it yourself, filly!” Thorn snarled.
Lilith scowled, and then forced her eyes to water. She started to fake-cry, hoping her faux emotion would convince the villains to give in… the new ones were more susceptible.
“No… no, no, no!” said Alagmir. “This little 'cute-sy wute-sy' trick of yours isn’t going to work. Everything goes stale. Sometimes, in the case of you little ponies, even special talents. Depending on who you’re dealing with, of course.”
“Seriously? Since when did you all develop a grudge against me?”
“I guess we just got tired of you…” the Storm King mumbled. “Believing you always know what you’re doing, saying you’re ‘cute and lovable’… while, let’s face it, you’re neither when you’re angry.”
“Plus, you’ve been trying to take us to another one of your… meetings… even though we don’t really need it as much as you think we do,” Nightfall said.
“Oh, give the child a rest…” Gizmos made his way over to the table. “She’s just being herself. No need to bring her down just because she does things you don’t prefer.”
“Speak for yourself, scrap-heap,” Thorn snarled. “Your first plan to use your little gadgets on three of our enemies on Nightmare Night not only failed, but now we lost a shard of the bell. We need that if it still retains its abilities.”
Gizmos scoffed. “I’ve got no time for these lousy arguments. I’m getting back to work.”
Nocreature or pony even bothered to ask as Gizmos left. When Gizmos disappeared around the door, Sephtis came in.
“Good morning. Judging by your moods, I’d say there was a little bit of tension at this table.”
Nightfall spoke up. “Yes, because-“
“Don’t care,” Sephtis interrupted. “Now, I need a volunteer. I have a task for them, and I’m too busy to take care of it on my own.”
“What exactly is making you busy?” Alagmir questioned.
“A little project. You’ll know more when I get a result. Now, I’m going to say it again… I need a-”
“I’ll do it!” Lilith raised her hoof with a big smile.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Whatever you say, child. Come along.”
Lilith hopped out of her seat and followed Sephtis.
“Wow, she’s one hay of a suck-up, isn’t she?” Nightfall chuckled.
“Tell me about it…” grumbled the Storm King.
… Intro …
The reason Lilith volunteered so quickly was because she felt challenged by the others back at the table. If she could somehow get more power, more than any of them, then perhaps they’ll listen to her. And, if she’s really lucky, get Sephtis’ respect… though that, she could care less about. Unless she wanted to perform a betrayal of sorts.
“Alright, Lilith…” Sephtis began when the two of them entered the designated room. “Your task is to go through what is in these shelves, and dispose of any useless garbage.”
Lilith blinked. “Seriously? Are you kidding me!?”
“Oh, quit your whining. Again, I’m too busy to do it.”
“We didn’t agree to work with you to do chores!”
“Now listen here, you little runt…” Sephtis spat. “You live under my roof, you live under my command! You obey me!”
“You’re not Grogar.”
“Maybe I’m not, but I shouldn’t be tested. Look… if it makes you feel better, there may be some stuff that could be useful to us. Find it, and I’ll allow you to be in charge of it, that is if you use it responsibly.”
Lilith perked up her ears. “You really mean that?”
“Yeah, sure, I suppose.”
That was enough to convince the filly clone to follow through.
“Okay, I’ll do it.”
“Good,” Sephtis smiled. “Have fun.”
Sephtis then left, leaving Lilith all by herself.
The filly then began her task, sorting through whatever was in there. She would peer at whatever seemed interesting, and set it aside. Whatever didn't look useful, she set aside. And that was most of what she was finding. Useless junk.
That is, until she accidentally slid a book off of the shelf.
Lilith picked up the book, and examined the pages it landed on. Immediately, it piqued her interest.
"Hmmm..." she pondered as she read. "This must be a guide on accessing places where others are banished or sent. Let's see here... Tartarus... been there (sort of), seen it... the aether... limbo..."
Lilith set the book aside. She had a nagging feeling after reading that last word, but it was a bit hard to think about, and she felt that it wasn't possible.
When she then grabbed a box, she lost her grip, and the whole thing fell, scattering the contents.
Lilith yelped, but then she stopped.
All of these things looked slightly burnt, but Lilith could immediately tell what they were, as they retained some color and plenty of shape. Scattered on the floor were the following: a dead flower, a scrap of cloth with dried green stains on it, a half of a shield, the head of a large shovel, and a mask, with a large gash in the front of it. And, lastly, a weathered journal.
"How did he get these?..."
That was a question Lilith knew would probably never get answered. She had no idea where these came from, and she didn't even know if Grogar, Sephtis, or someone else retrieved them. All she knew was that they were there.
She remembered, also through Cozy's memories, hearing the story about the Pony of Shadows being banished there once, returning, and then the shadows being separated from its host before being banished once more. A wicked smile drew itself on her face.
It was a stretch. It really was. The place where the Pillars and Pony of Shadows were freed, the Temple of Ponehedge was likely far away. And all of the talismans were damaged. Plus, the Pillars roamed free... that is, if they are still alive. However, this is what Lilith needed. And she was determined to give it a try, even if it is doomed to fail.
Lilith proceeded to finish the task. She could've walked out if she wanted, but she didn't want to risk dealing with Sephtis. Speaking of him, she didn't really feel like telling him what she was up to. There wasn't really much of a reason, other than that it didn't always have to be his business on what was going on. It was going to be more or less a surprise. And even though she would be gone for a long time, she didn't think they'd care. They were villains, after all, and none of them bothered to do anything about Cicada when she was taken.
After what felt like a long time, Lilith finally finished her chore. She grabbed the book, and teleported out of the lair, right in front of the entrance.
Meanwhile...
Gizmos decided to take a break from what he was doing and return back to the main area. But when he got there, he noticed that the whole area was empty. But when Gizmos saw the open doorway to the lair, he saw somepony outside, apparently leaving the place, and it didn't take much thinking for him to figure out who it was.
Fearing for her safety, Gizmos decided to follow her. However, he was going to keep quiet... he wanted to know exactly what the filly was up to.
Lilith...
Lilith, being in a swamp, had little to no idea as to how to get to where she was going. She knew that she'd need to ask for directions at the first place she got to in order to have a lead. By the time she finally did get somewhere, her hooves were sore. She also decided to remove her curls before then so any suspecting ponies would believe she was the real Cozy Glow. Although she could say that she was reliving an old trend, she wasn't going to take any chances. Same applied for if they even knew her... take no chances. Either solidify a victory, or take a risk and fail. After many losses, that is what she learned.
It was a long journey. Too long to get into. In fact, it even took more than a day. However, the short run of it is, is that her charade as the original Cozy Glow made things easy, and to her knowledge, didn't get caught once. And in her spare time, she looked through the old journal, and luckily, the pages she needed were mostly there. Some were smudged, but she was still able to figure it out.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she finally reached the Temple of Ponehenge. Remembering the necessary procedures and ignoring the unnecessary ones, she put everything in their places. And when she finally placed the book where it needed to go, it was time.
Lilith had no help, but she suspected that Twilight had it. That meant that she had to tap deep into her power, and use a bunch of it... even though it would certainly drain her energy. But sometimes, you have to do tough things in order to succeed.
And that is what Lilith did. She charged up her magic greatly until her head hurt, and fired.
It all happened so fast. All of the artifacts were raised, connected by white rays forming a hexagonal shape, and then there was a flash of light, and it was over.
Lilith's eyes quickly adjusted. There was nothing there. Luckily, she didn't somehow re-summon the pillars... that would have been awkward, and most likely bad.
"Dang it!" she stomped. "It didn't wo-"
CRACKLE, BANG
A massive flash of lightning shook the land, and Lilith's heard pounded. Clouds started to appear, but those weren't the only things that were forming. A black mass started to form, and as it got bigger, it became more unstable. Tendrils shot out, whipping the air, before retreating. A loud, dark groan could be heard.
Just then, one of the tendrils grabbed Lilith's back leg, and started to drag her towards the mass.
"GAH!!!"
It started to drag her towards it. As it pulled her closer, its groans started to become laughter.
The Shadows, the same shadows that once transformed an infuriated stallion into the Pony of Shadows, have returned.
... ...
The creature were about ready to consume Lilith when something happened.
A large creature, turning out to be Gizmos, leapt out of the bushes and landed in front of the scene. Raising one of his arms, he shot a plasma beam at the black mass. The beam struck the Shadows, and it let Lilith go.
"Are you okay?!" he bellowed. "What in the name of the maker were you thinking?!?!"
"You've been following me!?" Lilith snapped back. "What I was doing isn't any of your business!"
"You could've been hurt, or... taken, by that thing!"
"Whatever. I'm gonna go talk to it."
"No! I'm taking you back to the lair."
"You're not my dad, you metal-made weirdo."
Lilith ignored any more of Gizmos' warnings, and approached the shadows, which has shrunken and hidden its eyes.
"*ahem*... um... hello, there!" the filly greeted, getting a piercing gaze from the shadows as a reply. "... Can you speak?"
"Of course I can speak..." the Shadows wheezed. The mold of a pony-like head formed, and two bright white eyes opened, but that was all that changed... aside from the rest of its body getting slightly smaller. "I can't make an official form for myself, but I can speak."
"What are you?" asked Gizmos. "Do you have a name?"
"A long time ago, I was a legend! Though, I had more of a different origin than I really had, but that's not the point! I was once known as the Pony of Shadows... I was made of the anger and vengeance that one weak little unicorn had. That is, until Twilight Sparkle, Starswirl the Bearded, and all of their little lackeys separated me from my original host and sent me back to Limbo. But then... you freed me."
"Hey, I want revenge on Twilight Sparkle, too!" Lilith piped. "That is, and some others. I'd be happy to take you back to our little hideout!"
"Pass."
"Really? You'd rather pass up an opportunity in the condition you're in? Listen, even without a host or vengeful being, you're guaranteed to have power once you join our side, with or without some angry pony to take over. And when we do finally conquer Equestria, you can plunge your whole territory into darkness for all we care."
"And would you rather have me when I'm this weak creature, or when I'm fueled by rage and darkness?"
"Listen, I promise you... the first chance I get, the first pony or creature I see, I will make sure that you get to them."
"Like I can trust a small filly, and... whatever you are. I have better things to do than a little team up."
"I'm a mechanical beast!" Gizmos hissed. "And I don't trust you, either. Listen to me, Lilith, this is absurd! That thing tried to merge with you!"
"What other choice did it have? It doesn't have a body anymore. It's just a mass of shadows. But if it comes with us... we could give it more!"
Both Lilith and Gizmos expected the Shadows to continue refusing. But instead, it scoffed.
"Fine. Fine! But if it takes a long time for me to find a body, then I'll go my own way... and maybe use one of you as a body, instead."
"You touch Lilith, and I swear I'll-"
"Great!" Lilith interrupted.
"So... where is this 'lair' of yours?"
"Golly, I'm glad you asked. It's in a swamp far away from here! I managed to get here out in the open, but I'm not sure about how Gizmos got here, and with two large creatures, returning home won't be easy.."
"If you're assuming I got here undetected, then you are correct," confirmed Gizmos. "And I guess I'll... help you get back undetected."
"I'll come with too!" Lilith said. "Just to make sure things go a-OK."
The Shadows let out a very quiet groan.
Much, much later...
Sephtis stepped out of his chamber, and he was immediately approached by Nightfall. The other villains were not in the room at the moment.
"For a while, you've been just as busy as Gizmos, and you've said nothing. What's going on!?"
"Patience, Nightfall," Sephtis replied. "In time, more will be revealed. I've been working on a highly complex plan, and it requires all of my time and focus."
"I'm interested. Tell me more."
"I won't do so until everything is in place. I'm just waiting for Lilith and that scrap heap to return, since they left without notifying me."
"Good luck with that." Nightfall rolled her eyes. "They've been gone for an overwhelming amount of time. For all we know, something happened to them."
"I could care less if that's true. Besides, with Grogar's crystal ball, I've been able to keep an eye on them. Last I checked, they're not far, and they've got an apparent new ally in tow. That's why I'm out here waiting for her. In fact, here they are now."
Nightfall gasped when she saw who was tagging along with Lilith and Gizmos.
"Well, here we are!" Lilith smiled.
"Why did you bring that here!?" Nightfall exclaimed.
"Now, now, take it easy," said Sephtis. "You must be the... shadows, I take it? Former Pony of Shadows?"
"Lucky guess," the Shadows hissed quietly. "Who might you be, and how do you know that?"
"My name is Sephtis. And as for how I know... I know plenty of things about Equestrian history. Now, Gizmos, would you do me a favor and retrieve the others?"
"If you say so..." Gizmos raised two of his claws to his mouth. "SEPHTIS IS CALLING A MEETING! YOU ALL BETTER GET YOUR RUMPS OVER HERE!!!"
"Not like that!" Sephtis shrieked. But before he could do anything, Thorn arrived.
"Do you seriously have to call us over by screa-"
She stopped when she saw the Shadows.
"What in the name of the hive is that?!" she shrieked.
"This, my dear ally-"
Alagmir and the Storm King arrived, interrupting Nightfall. After giving them a mean glare, Nightfall continued.
"Make that allies... is what is left of the Pony of Shadows. The useful part, anyway. The filly and her apparent bodyguard went out to get it... them... him?"
"So, let me get this straight... you left, without even telling us, to retrieve that?" Alagmir said.
"Yep!" nodded Lilith.
"Well, thank you for sparing us a large amount of time from your little antics," the Storm King smirked.
In response, Lilith scowled.
"Well, Lilith, since you brought the Shadows here, you can give them the tour," Sephtis instructed. "Bring it up to date on everything that's been going on, too."
When the Shadows took a glace at Lilith, the filly was grinning right back at it.
Ten minutes later...
The tour around the lair was very small. All there really was for Lilith to show was the bedrooms, and some other random rooms. The only room she skipped was Gizmos'. However, when the tour was nearly over, Lilith brought the Shadows to one of the more secluded rooms in the area.
"...And that's it for the tour!"
"Very interesting... place you got here. Small and rocky, but not the worst thing in the world, I gue-"
"Okay, listen here. You said you wanted a pony to take over, right? Well, I volunteer."
The Shadows were slightly taken aback by this response.
"You're joking, right?"
"Nope." Lilith shook her head. "You did try it before, right?"
"I couldn't see anything. I just felt that there was something around me. I didn't know that I was about to take over a filly."
"The last pony you controlled wasn't an Alicorn, though. If you were powerful when you controlled an average unicorn, imagine what it would be like if you took over an Alicorn."
"I still find it odd that you're willingly giving me complete control of your body," the Shadows admitted.
"Well... not complete control. You see, in exchange for me allowing you to control my body in the first place, I still want to have at least 50% control."
"And what makes you think I will go along with that deal?"
"I was already prepared for that."
"She did, indeed," said a voice. "She's a smart child, indeed." Sephtis revealed himself before continuing. "When she left, I wanted to know what she was up to. So, when I wasn't experimenting or anything, I'd be checking in on her with the crystal ball. At first, I thought she was making a poor decision to go without plenty of help, but I decided to let it play out. However, one of the times I checked in on her, I did it at a convenient time. Because she started speaking, even though there wasn't anyone for her to speak to. But when one of the first things she said was my name, I knew that she had an idea on what she was doing. So she said that if I heard her and all went well, I'd meet you two here after the tour to ensure that both of you keep your ends of the deal. Otherwise, well... I have my ways. Pieces of magic-absorbing relics, a whole team to help me, anything."
"So..." Lilith smiled. "Do we have a deal?"
... ...
A few hours later, it was dinnertime, even though it was a bit later in the day. Thorn went and placed some more stolen pies on the table. The only ones absent were the 5 brainwashed clones, Sephtis, the Shadows, and Lilith. Gizmos once again stood aside.
"Oh, great..." the Storm King sarcastically scowled. "Pie again."
"You know, ever since the filly came back with the Shadows, they haven't been present," Nightfall pointed out.
"Must be a long tour or something. I don't know..." said Alagmir.
"There's no way it would take that long. I feel like something's up... she's always been very untrustworthy."
The moment Nightfall finished her sentence, Lilith smugly entered the room and sat in her usual spot.
"Took you long enough..." Thorn grumbled.
"Pass me a slice of pie, please," Lilith requested.
"Are we seriously going to have to go through this again!?" exclaimed the Storm King. "Get it yourself!"
Lilith snickered. "I said..." Suddenly, a black mass enveloped Lilith's body entirely, first emerging from her eyes, and then covering the rest of her. When she was fully covered, she was twice her size, her curly mane was wavy and flowing, her eyes were pure white, and her lips were sharp. "...PASS ME A SLICE OF PIE!"
Everyone jumped, and Gizmos' eyes went wide.
"MOTHER OF FATHER!!!" Alagmir bellowed. "YOU MERGED WITH THAT THING?!"
"Indeed, she did merge with me..." the Shadow Lilith said, her voice a combination of the Shadows' voice, and a deeper version of Lilith's voice. "And she was right. I've felt more power than I ever felt when I was controlling that pathetic unicorn! However, every advantage comes with a price. We've agreed that we'd share control of this body, and our power. Now, when I'm in control, I go by the Cozy of Shadows! Based off of my previous name, and hers."
"Could we maybe talk to her?" Thorn requested.
"Very well..." the Cozy of Shadows shrunk, but Lilith was still covered in the black mass. However, the face retreated, revealing Lilith's original face.
"What in the name of Tartarus were you thinking!?" Nightfall shouted.
"Golly, I don't know, let me think..." Lilith mockingly tapped her chin. "How about these few facts... for one, you should have known that I'd try to gain more power one way or another, secondly, you all treat me like I'm one of the worst villains ever, and... um... that's pretty much it, but you get the point. Oh, and by the way, I prefer Mistress of Shadows for a name, thank you very much."
"I agree that this is a little overboard," said the Storm King.
"Well, what's done is done..." Lilith proceeded to grab a pie of her own, ironically after what she wanted, but then she saw Gizmos leaving the room, looking a bit sullen.
Lilith was still for a moment. While the other villains looked down on her or saw her as an equal, Gizmos acted like her guardian. It was honoring. Lilith realized that she went against Gizmos' wishes. And there was a part of her that wanted to talk to him about the whole thing.
"I'm actually going to pass on dinner. I'm not hungry."
Lilith got out of her seat, the Shadows entirely retreating, and she followed Gizmos.
*Gizmos*
Gizmos rested his little Cave room filled with scraps of metal, wires and some weird metallic parts on the ceiling. After leaving the scene, he was currently resuming construction on something that not even Septhis or anyone knows. Not even little Lilith, who he planned on telling about this device first.
Outside, Lilith knocked on his room for a little conversation about what happened. She gulped her, and asked him for his permission to enter.
“Um, Gizmos can you let me in? I want to have a chat with you.”
She had reasons to worry. No other villain ever saw what his room looks like, nor do they have a good relationship with that… thing. He only has decent respect towards her whenever he’s near her. She often wonders why Gizmos has good graces on her, while the others he treats like dirt…
All of the screeching and whirring noises behind the door stopped as he heard the voice of Lillith. He slightly opened his door wide enough for her to fit in.
“Come on in child, I do like a break." He responded with his usual mechanical voice, but this time with a hint of warmth, something he rarely talks like this around the other villains.
Lilith proceeded to enter the massive door and into his room. Upon her entrance, she was amazed at how advanced his room looked like. Two weeks ago the room was a very dank old place, but now it looked like it was straight out of some science fiction comic book. And Gizmos stood there, wiping his eight long shining tentacles on his back, purring to him as he wiped the grime off from their sharp beaks. He smiled at Lilith and waved a little.
“Greetings child! Come take a seat” he chirped. He used one of his tentacles to lift one of the chairs from behind, and offered it to her. She snorted from the word child, but nodded at his offer, grabbing the seat and looking at him.
“I’m not a baby you know!” she pouted, making Gizmos chuckle under his mechanical whizz in his throat.
“Oh yes I forgot, Mistress of Shadows, hehe,” he commented at her previous work on trying to free the Pony of Shadows, succeeding, and eventually merging with the beast. She couldn’t help but giggle. She was also pleased that she was called her more preferred name when the shadows were in control.
After some pleasantries passed on, both become silent. In his red optic eyes Gizmos stared at her with a worried look and some relief.
“You... freeing that creature and bonding with it… that was stupid of you…” he Complained while placing his tools in his toolbox. “You’re lucky that it even agreed to give you partial-” he was interrupted by Lillith’s rants.
“I was trying to help, ok!? First off, I was demanding something during that meal but they refused… so I left on my own to prove to them that am a big deal too, and that I can do more than just manipulate. Plus, there's the fact that I always want more power, so... should have expected that."
“But from what you have done nearly spooked all of us!! YOU made me Worried sick!” His booming voice rung all around the room, which hurt Lillith’s ears.
“Ow!!”
Gizmos after what he did, stopped what he was doing, closed his eyes, and knelt lower to her level to apologize. “Look, I’m sorry I shouted at you… I was worried about you. All I want is to see if you’re alright…”
Lilith looked into his eyes with a small bit of comfort. All villains tended to bully her whenever they felt like it, so she often tries to get them back. But Gizmos, he gave her something that no villain will ever have. Some comfort from his presence.
“Thanks…” she thanked him. "I guess sometimes, I should consider someone's opinion on the risks before I do something... especially if they care about me."
Gizmos nodded.
“Speaking of caring about me, why are you treating me better while you treat those around you like dirt?” she asked.
“Because you are a more important priority than anyone in this group."
“Even to Sephtis?”
“Even to that Red Equine… I will not be his slave again, not in a million years…”
“Slave again?” That fact now had her more interested in his background story.
“Do you want to know about the origin of my creation?” he asked.
Lilith didn't want to tell him to tell her his life story, but he’s a machine, so why not?
“In the sense, yes, so tell me!” Lillith pleaded with puppy eyes.
Gismos couldn't take the full brunt of her puppy eyes. so he agreed. “Alright if you insist…my existence was created-”
Just as he was about to tell his life story, he was interrupted by Storm King’s knocking on his door.
“Hey, Toaster! Pipsqueak!" he barked. "Septhis want us to return to the meeting room, so don’t be late!” He then left.
To Gizmos, a mention of the word toaster was an insult to his kind, causing him to growl for a moment.
“Bah!" scoffed the mechanical beast. "Another time, Lillith. It seems like Sephtis want to talk about something more important than me…” He sighed in disappointment.
Lillith was disappointed, but she was hoping to still get a scrap of information. “Daw please! Just tell me at least something”
"Another time. Say! To make up to you want to ride on my back?”
Lilith felt it was too much of a baby-ish thing to ride on somecreatures back, but she decided to do it anyway.
“It would be my pleasure, o Lord of Machines!” She mockingly did a little greeting pose, and proceeded to climb on his back, with help with his Tentacles helping her up.
“Heh, much obliged o' Mistress of Shadows!” he chuckled.
Both Gizmos and Lillith got out of his room and proceed to go to the Meeting Room. When they arrived, the others were already there. When Lilith got off of Gizmos' back, the shadows covered her once more, leaving a bit of her face exposed.
Sephtis sat in front of them all, his back turned. He then stood up.
Dominance
Sephtis: *speaking voice* Alright everyone, it’s time to get to work. As in time, our reign will begin to lurk. Chins up, eyes and ears focused, mouths shut. And please… no ifs, ands, or buts.
*singing voice* Every day and every night, what have I seen? Incompetence, failure, such a pathetic scene. It’s clear I’ll need to whip you all into shape. And don’t even run. There’s no escape.
Every record and every book, it’s all the same. Pages and pages of you with a bad name. And the one team-up that has formed… Has formed one friendship that I abhor.
So prove to me that you all learned. And that this world is something you earned.
Lilith: Resist weakness and temptation. And remember our desired designation. No time for tomfoolery or arguing, And definitely no time for any losing.
Gizmos: Bring upon our perilous plight, And take down whoever tries to fight. Rule the world with an iron fist. And destroy any who try to resist.
Sephtis: We strive for dominance. For too long, we’ve been inactive, yet ominous. It’s time to break out of our shell. And use all our might, even with no bell.
*-Instrumental-*
*all speaking*
Alagmir: What if they are stronger?
Sephtis: Then dark magic, you will conjure.
The Cozy of Shadows: They may try to get through to us.
Sephtis: Perhaps you could play with their trust.
Thorn: I like your planning, but why the wait?
Sephtis: We have to let them take the bait!
*back to singing*
Nightfall: Stand tall above the weak ones. Spread darkness until it covers the sun. If you try to run, go ahead, but we will find you. And we’ll consider you one of them too.
Sephtis *speaking*: I like how she’s thinking! Now continue onward!
The Storm King: We strive for dominance.
The Cozy of Shadows: For too long, we’ve been inactive, yet ominous.
Gizmos: It’s time to break out of our shell.
Lilith: And use all our might, even with no bell.
Alagmir: All power is ours! Our enemies will cower!
Nightfall: Smiles will be frowns, Our enemies, they’ll bow down.
Lilith: Our names will be known! And we’ll all have our thrones!
Gizmos: Our darkness will spread! There will be nothing but dread!
Thorn: We’ll have our revenge! Our failures, we’ll avenge!
Lilith/The Cozy of Shadows, Nightfall, Alagmir, Gizmos, Thorn, and the Storm King: We strive for dominance. For too long, we’ve been inactive, yet ominous. It’s time to break out of our shell. And use all our might, even with no bell.
*-Sephtis disappears around the corner so he can’t be heard-*
Sephtis: And the best part to come out of these days… Is you’ll all have to do exactly as I say…
In the map room, Chrysalis rested in Tirek's arms while they sat on the floor, I read a Power Ponies comic that I found hidden in the castle, and Cozy Glow simply read a spell book.
"Yeah," I nod. "No villains. Little to no work. Just chill. Absolutely nothing to interrupt our-"
I was suddenly interrupted when Princess Flurry Heart stumbled into the room out of nowhere. She seemed a bit loopy, and was also sniffing and rubbing her nose, which was red and puffy... just like her horn.
Chrysalis raised her head. "Flurry Heart? What are you doing here in that condition? You could have notified us that you were sick and couldn't come over today!!"
"No, no..." Flurry denied. "I'm not sick, I'm totally fi-i-a-a-WACHOO!"
A yellow burst of magic, and what looked like yellow glitter, whizzed out of Flurry's horn and struck a nearby mouse, and as a result, the mouse's tail grew fur, while the rest of it became completely bald.
"What in the name of father?!" Tirek exclaimed.
Cozy Glow analyzed Flurry Heart as she thought.
"Red horn... red nose... magic-sneeze outbursts with glitter and sparkles... and weird spells when in contact with the magic? I know what this is! I read about it! According to what I found in a book I recently read, it's an Alicorn sickness caused by things like spring allergies, though it can more rarely happen outside of Spring."
Flurry Heart sneezed again, and a second mouse flipped upside down, and its legs retreated into its tummy and grew out its back.
Cozy continued. "And sneezes like that end up casting random spells..."
"Wow, and they call ponies like Starlight and Luster the 'second Twilight?'" I tease. "We just discovered our bookworm of the group."
"How did they even let you leave the Empire when it's obvious that you're sick?" inquired Tirek.
"First of all, I flew out my window and all the way here. And secondly, I already said, I'm not sick!"
"Then why did you fly out the window in the first place?" Chrysalis asked.
"Because the guards said I was sick and wouldn't let me leave."
"Exactly! You're sick! So if you were told that, then why would you still come here instead of cancelling your visit?"
"Because I'm not sick, I keep tell... I keep... ah... ah... AH..."
Flurry attempted to hold in her sneeze by pressing a hoof on her nose. And for a brief moment, it seemed to work.
"Flurry..." I started. "You need to go ho-"
"WACHOO!!!"
Before I could even finish my sentence, Flurry's massive sneeze kicked in, and in a split second, the whole room was enveloped in a gold light, with specks of sparkles everywhere.
And then we all blacked out in an instant.
... Intro ...
I wasn't out for long. A moment after everything went dark, I could hear muffled screaming from Flurry.
"Oh Celestia! Oh, no! I'm so sorry!"
And then, the headaches came. It wasn't bad, though... it just felt like I had a head cold or something. Moaning, I slowly stumbled onto my hooves.
"Chrysalis!" Flurry exclaimed, running over. "Are you okay?"
Now, this was when things got odd... even though Flurry was calling out to Chrysalis, she was meeting up with me, instead.
"Flurry?" I groaned. "What are you doing? Chrysalis is over-"
I stopped. I was going to motion to Chrysalis, but... she wasn't there. Not only that, but I wasn't even where I stood. I stood right next to Tirek, who was out cold. And at the table, both unconscious, were Cozy Glow, and... myself!?
I could see Flurry Heart's pink-ish eyes as wide as plates, as she looked up at me. Wait, weren't we around the same height?
And that's when I saw my body. One thing was for sure, I clearly do not remember being taller, nor do I remember having light peach shell-like skin, orange fuzz around my barrel, or a much longer turquoise mane with a green end.
I ran over to the table, and saw what I could of my reflection. The stunned face of Chrysalis stared right back at me.
"What the hay?!?!?" I shrieked. "What happened!?!?! Why am I Chrysalis?!?!"
"Leo?!"
"Yeah, it's me! What the heck did you do!?"
I heard a familiar voice moan, and I turned to the table. My body...my body... started to slowly come to. When it opened its eyes, instead of revealing my original eyes, it instead revealed eyes that were nearly completely turquoise, with black slitted pupils.
"What in the name of the maker just happened?..." Chrysalis' voice mumbled from my former mouth. "How did I get- wait, why am I over there? Why am I green? What happened to my body!?"
"Chrysalis!" I exclaim. "Is that you?"
"Leo!? Why are you me? Am I you?! Did we switch bodies!? Flurry, what did you do?!?!"
I don't think I ever saw Chrysalis this panicked before. Even though she was... well... me, now.
"I'm sorry!" Flurry squeaked, before sniffling out of sickness. "I didn't know it was going to happen, I swear!"
"You just had to deny being sick, didn't you..." Chrysalis scowled.
"Hold up!" I paused everyone. "If Chrysalis and I switched bodies... and voices... then what about..."
We all looked at Cozy Glow and Tirek, both of them starting to wake up. Tirek's black, yellow-pupiled eyes were now pony-like ruby eyes, and Cozy Glow's eyes were now mostly black, with white pupils.
"Golly..." Tirek squeaked in Cozy Glow's voice. "Did everything just get smaller?"
"Urgh..." Cozy Glow grumbled with Tirek's deep voice. "What just happened? Since when did I get in this se- what the??!"
Cozy Glow and Tirek analyzed their new bodies. Cozy Glow looked at her (or his) massive clawed hands and screamed. Tirek raised his (or her) new, pink-ish hooves, and screamed.
Actually... I'm just going to use their original pronouns.
"I'm a giant buff centaur that can't fit in chairs!" Cozy shrieked.
"And I'm a tiny filly with no visible strength!"
"Hey!"
Now, the idea of Cozy Glow and Tirek swapping bodies was goofy enough. But seeing them speak with their voices, in opposite bodies, was enough to make me laugh.
"BWAHAHAHAHA!" I broke down laughing. "Okay, that is great! Those voices and minds do not belong where they are now! Hehehehehe..."
Flurry sneezed, and another sparkle blast struck the wall, this time replacing the wall with one you'd likely see in a retirement home.
"You..." Tirek growled. "I will not go about my day like this! I want you to fix it!"
"We have places to be!" I said. "I have to go to work in five hours, and I'm not going to do that thing where we assume our roles! That never ends well..."
"And Tirek and I have to go meet with our boss to sign some forms about our stand at the market," said Chrysalis. "If we don't, we could potentially lose our jobs!"
"I can't reverse it!" Flurry exclaimed. "I don't know how to reverse it, and even if I did, who knows if it's even reversible?"
"If we can get rid of your sickness, then we have a chance," said Cozy. "All we need for a quick reversal is some working medicine."
"And where do you suppose we're going to get that?" Chrysalis asked.
"I don't exactly have a definite spot, but I have a hunch. I remember Fluttershy once telling us about a friend of hers that's a zebra... and I'm certain she visited the School of Friendship once when I first went there. She knows a bunch of things about medicines, and all sorts of other things."
"Can't we just find a spell to reverse this, instead?" I ask.
"I'll do it..." Chrysalis volunteered. "You three go along for the cure."
"Are you sure you don't want help?" Tirek inquired.
"I can do it by myself. Trust me."
"Alright, you do you. Anyways, Cozy, where do we go for the medicine?"
"She lives somewhere in the Everfree Forest," replied Cozy.
"Well what are you waiting for?!" I sprung up. "Let's go!"
The three of us were about to leave.
"I'll come with!" Flurry piped.
Chrysalis shook her head. "Oh, no! You're staying right here, in the guest bed! You're sick."
"Aaaaw, come on!"
"I said no!"
We shut the doors, and then we heard Flurry suddenly crash into them. Judging from the turquoise ripple on the shield, I'd say Chrysalis quickly ensured that Flurry couldn't leave (and when we switched bodies, voices, and eyes, we also swapped the color of our magic).
"Sheesh, where's Cadance when you need her?" Cozy grumbled.
"Hm..." I tapped my chin. "Never thought of that..."
*Everfree Forest...*
We didn't really go to ask someone for help on finding Zecora's place, but it was too late at that point, since we here already getting deeper into the forest. So far, the feeling of a different body really didn't feel all that different... aside from switching genders and species, I wasn't too bothered with what went down. Felt weird at first, but not anymore. Unfortunately, not all of us were in the same page. Cozy Glow started to get pretty annoyed at being more vulnerable to loose branches.
"Bleh..." she swatted them away with her new massive arms. "Tirek, how are you not annoyed by this?"
"It's just something I've gotten used to, I suppose. Though being the shortest one out of all of you, and...cute, instead of handsome... is something I refuse to give in to."
"Are you going to be making jabs at my size and look all day? I'm just a kid."
"Look, let's not get into an argument about something that we didn't even cause," I said. "Let's focus on what matters. How far is Zecora's house?"
"It's um... it's... I told you to let me handle it."
"Could someone take a look?" I ask.
"I would... but I can't," replied Cozy.
"I don't know a thing about how you fly," Tirek said, stating the obvious.
"I'm not doing it, either!" I refused.
"Well, someone has to-"
"Hey, I see a light over there!" Cozy pointed.
We all looked, and we all saw exactly what Cozy saw. And the same thought must have entered all of our heads, because seconds later, we were approaching the source of the light. And I could instantly tell what it was.
"Is this it?" Tirek questioned when we got there.
"It's gotta be..." I said.
"Only one way to find out..."
Tirek went up to the door, closed his hoof, and was about to knock, but stopped.
"Do you think she knows about our story?" he asked.
"I mean, everyone who knows Twilight and her friends well has to!" I assured.
"Besides, from what I remember, she's a pretty mellow zebra," said Cozy.
"I hope you two are right..."
Tirek knocked on the door, and we waited. But we got nothing.
"Hm... maybe she isn't home?" I suggested.
"I can only assume that you four are looking for me..."
We all jumped when he heard the voice that likely I only found familiar. To our relief, Zecora herself was standing right behind us. Even though there were some differences with her (longer mane, clear age, and more rings). She looked a bit confused, but I doubt that she's in an unwelcome mood.
"...and judging from your eyes, something must be wrong, I see." she finished.
"Zecora!" Cozy exclaimed, which immediately caused her to blink in shock to a giant centaur sounding like a kid. "We really need your help! You see, Princess Flurry Heart, you've probably heard of her, came to our castle all sick, and sneezing, and-"
"Now, now, your story is already intriguing for sure. But first, we should go inside, I assure."
"Why?" I ask.
That's when it started to rain.
"Oh..."
... ...
Chrysalis scrolled through yet another book she pulled of the shelf, and tossed it aside, grumbling to herself. She's already been through many books, and still found nothing on how to reverse Flurry's spells. She eventually decided to try a shelf out of her reach, but when she opened her new Alicorn wings, she struggled to fly.
"Ugh... Leo needs to exercise his wings more..."
Then, she heard a book fall on the ground, and Chrysalis saw Flurry rummaging through the shelf.
"Flurry, what are you doing?!"
"Trying to help."
"No. You're supposed to rest! You already done enough."
"But-"
"Go!"
"Fine..."
Flurry Heart left the library, and Chrysalis got back to work.
*Zecora's...*
"... so, you see, Zecora," I concluded. "We're hoping you can help us, since you know a bunch about medicines, types of illnesses, and all that."
"Hmmm..." Zecora pondered. "This is quite the predicament, for sure. However, I'm not sure if the full solution is a cure."
"What do you mean?" asked Tirek.
"I will ask if you recall, if you have inhaled the sparkles at all?"
"Is that what I felt?..." I said. "It felt like I swallowed something and had to cough, but couldn't..."
"I felt it too..." Cozy admitted.
"Well I am afraid to say, my dear old friends, that there's a good chance the medicine won't bring an end. If you've inhaled the particles into your throats, then the idea of medicine reversing the spell, is nothing but a hoax."
"Woah, woah, woah!" Cozy exclaimed. "So you're saying there's a chance the medicine won't fix this?!"
Zecora nodded, before continuing. " I myself have a way of switching brains, but the resources I need are currently not available around the terrain. The other solution, as far as I can tell, is nothing more than a powerful spell. I can still make the medicine for your friend of course, but just remember that the cure may not be a source."
"Well, that's just great!"
"We did let Chrysalis stay back to find a spell," Tirek explained. "So maybe we can go back and meet her at the castle. If she finds nothing, we'll find a different library."
"Should one of us stay to bring back the medicine?" inquired Cozy.
"No need to stay, if you feel your situation is dire. You may come back, when your problem expires. Just stay away from the one that is sick, and if she's close to a sneeze, just get away quick."
"Thank you, Zecora..." I got up. "We'll be back for the medicine as soon as this whole thing is over."
"Yeah, thank you," Tirek followed suit. "Take care now."
Zecora smiled and waved, and we all exited the house, only to remember that it was raining. So I opened the door again and poked my head in, meeting eye contact with Zecora.
"Um..." I begin. "Do you, by chance, have any umbrellas laying around somewhere for use?"
Zecora, not dropping the smile, pointed a hoof at some pretty unique looking umbrellas. I went over and grabbed a few, before proceeding to leave.
"Thank you."
*Chrysalis... a while later...*
Chrysalis continued to look through more and more books, putting some away, and soon going to the point of tossing them on the floor. She started to lose patience, and it was getting really tiring flying with wings that were barely exercised.
"Just... please... let me find one..." she groaned.
She then pulled out the next book... one that looked a bit older than the others... and quickly flipped through it. However, when she caught sight of a certain page, she flipped back to where she saw it, and grinned.
"YES! FINALLY!"
She returned to the ground and examined the spell.
"Must be aged or something..." she mumbled to herself. "Some of this I can't see too well...oh, well... I hope the others get here soon..."
Moments after Chrysalis said that, her friends finally returned.
"Great! You're here! I think I found our solution... unless the zebra is able to help?"
"Sadly, she couldn't, so we came back at a perfect time," Cozy replied.
"Let's get this over and out with," Leo said. "I gotta work in a few hours, remember?"
"We know!"
"Alright, so what has to be done?" asked Tirek.
"All you three need to do is just stay close to me and allow me to concentrate," Chrysalis explained. "I'll take care of the rest. I really need to focus right now... some of the writing is a bit hard to read, and I need to get it right.."
"Okay, we'll let you do your thing..." said Leo, before he sat down, along with the others.
Chrysalis gave a nod and proceeded to closely read through the book. She had to squint and look closer, however, so waiting took a little longer. I know she could have speed-read, but she said it herself.
After waiting for a few minutes, Chrysalis proceeded to do the spell, lighting up her horn and everything. And then, things started to feel fuzzy. I could feel myself starting to drift. Now, I've never had an out-of-body experience, but it probably felt like this. My vision started to get blurry, and my thinking was getting cloudy.
And, once again, everything went to black.
*Third Pony POV*
Chrysalis and Cozy Glow... their bodies... were the first ones to get up. However, when Chrysalis' body opened its eyes, they were the same as last time... only instead of hazel, the irises were ruby-colored. As for Cozy Glow, her eyes were completely turquoise, with only slitted pupils being shown. They looked at each other, then themselves, and back at each other.
"It... it didn't work?..." Cozy's voice stuttered out of the changeling's mouth.
"It should have," Chrysalis said, now in control Cozy Glow's body. "I need to see that book again... this doesn't add up."
Tirek finally stirred, starting to get up, and holding his head. However, for whatever reason, his back legs were unresponsive and he fell chest-first. Cozy Glow rushed to his aid.
"Tirek?"
Tirek opened his eyes, which were once again the way they should have been. He took one look at his hand.
"Well would you look at that?... I'm back in my body... I suppose I can't say the same for you..."
"Are you okay?" asked Cozy.
"I don't know... I'm feeling a sort of pounding pain in my head, and I can't move my back legs..."
Tirek pushed himself up with his hands and front hooves, and right when he stood up, he fell again, this time on his rump.
"Good thing this castle has strong floors..." Cozy mumbled, referring to Tirek's large size. "Wait... Leo!"
She rushed over to Leo, still unconscious, and tried shaking him awake.
"Leo?"
Nothing. She rolled him over, only to see that his eyes were completely blank... just two white voids of nothing. She gasped.
"Leo?... No... what happened to you?..."
Suddenly, Tirek's back legs started to spaz out, making it hard for him to stay balanced while sitting. They slowly tried to get up, forcing Tirek to stand. Chrysalis peeked up from the book to watch.
"Tirek, what's the matter with you?!" exclaimed Cozy.
"I'm not doing this!" Tirek exclaimed.
"Well then, how-..."
Cozy paused. She noticed Tirek's back legs yet again moving, this time in an unnoticeable manner, and the movements seemed more... independent, somehow.
"Leo!" she called out. "If you can hear me, repeat after me!"
Cozy did a specific, generic knock on the floor. Tirek's eyes widened when his back legs did the same thing.
"What's going on? I'm not doing anything!"
Chrysalis lowered the book. "I believe you, Tirek... I think... I may have accidentally merged your brains, or something along the lines of that..."
"That explains the headache, and lack of control on the legs, then..." Tirek muttered.
"Oh, I wish Leo knew some sort of morse code..." Cozy whimpered. "It would make for an easy way to communicate."
"I don't understand what went wrong with this spell," said Chrysalis. "I did everything I had to do, I did the correct process, read the right variables... what did I do wrong?"
"Let me see that book..."
Cozy took the book and read through it. A few times, she squinted closer, before she shut the book.
"A few of these variables are too hard to read to get right. Some look faded, and I think this one looks different because the page is messy. Chrysalis... you didn't improvise, did you?"
"I would never do such a thing! I had to go with my gut, and use what I thought was right. Isn't going with your gut sometimes the right thing to do?"
"I mean, it is, but... *sigh*... I don't know. It is the right thing to do, but I think you made a mistake with a few of the variables, which ended up making the spell take a completely random turn, and to add to it, also resulted in that..." Cozy motioned to Tirek. "After all, some changes to spells renders it useless, and others end up causing things out of your control to happen."
"You're right. I'm sorry. You can go with your gut, but not rush. I'll keep that in mind."
"Here." Cozy held out the book. "Here's the book so you can try again. And hopefully, nothing else bad happens."
Chrysalis took the book. "I hope you're right..."
Just then, the phone on the table started to ring. Cozy went to the table and looked at the screen. "Oh, no... we forgot!"
"Forgot what?" Tirek asked.
"That your meeting got rescheduled to a few hours earlier!" she shrieked. "You only have five minutes to get there!"
"You've gotta be kidding me..." Chrysalis groaned.
... ...
"We need to get to the market, now!" said Chrysalis.
"But what about the spell?" Cozy asked. "What about our bodies? What about Leo?!"
"There's no risk for if we hold off, aside from simple awkwardness," Tirek replied. "We need to do this! You know the risk. We're already going to be a bit late due to the distance between here and Ponyville, and performing the spell will just make our arrival even later."
"But... but-"
*One minute later...*
The library entrance swung open, and Chrysalis and Cozy both ran out. Tirek took a while, since he and Leo needed to work together to allow him to easily walk.
"One, two... one, two... one, two..." the centaur mumbled as he (technically they) proceeded down the hall.
"Oh for crying out loud..." Chrysalis grumbled. She grabbed Tirek, dragged Cozy over by her tail, and they all teleported outside.
"Let's go!" she took off, and Cozy followed.
"Just run like how you usually do... and turn when I say to turn." Tirek mumbled, hoping Leo would follow through. Sharing control of his back legs was not easy at all. "In three, two... one."
Tirek's front legs moved, and so did his back legs. He stumbled a little and nearly tripped, but he started to pick up speed.
They all continued to run as fast as they could, and when they got close enough to when the market was in sight, they picked up speed. When the stand they were supposed to arrive at was in Chrysalis' sight, she teleported right to the front, catching the Manager... the stallion that gave them the job in the first place... by surprise.
The Manager blinked, and that's when he saw Cozy and Tirek approach, Tirek still relatively behind.
"I'm... confused... she's Chrysalis."
"No, I'm Cozy Glow..." Cozy said. "There's been a whole body-switching issue, this and that, blah, blah blah. We plan on fixing it when we get back... heh..."
The Manager was at a loss.
"And then Tirek's... got another pony's brain in his head... has no control of his back legs," Chrysalis continued. "So... two extra guests, but... we're here now."
"Oh, right! Right! Um..." the Manager reached up and flipped a sign, which now said In Business.. "So... as you two know by now, your booth has mostly served its purpose, and your gadgets have expanded to the ponies in town and beyond. However, you want to keep it going for the travelers, or to provide input, or to recharge them if the others are unable to. Unfortunately, your rental's being cut short, but this meetup is being held in case you want to expand it... with extra pay."
"Of course, we do," Tirek nods. "It's our only job. Only the most severe of ailments will take us away from that."
"I'm glad you're agreeing to this. I myself wasn't a fan of the idea, but... the pony in charge of me made those choices after some issues and misunderstandings, and there was no going back."
"It's fine, it really is," assured Chrysalis. "As long as it doesn't ultimately destroy everything we've set up, we should be just swell.
"Alright. So..." the Manager placed some papers on the table. "These are just some forms you need to fill out before you leave."
Chrysalis raised the quill nearby out of the ink bottle, took the first form, and proceeded to fill it out. Some passing ponies that were nearby gave some confused looks, likely because of the fact that Chrysalis and Cozy had different voices.
"So..." Cozy started. "Why is your area all out in the open?"
"I, uh... I don't even know," the Manager shrugged, while Chrysalis handed Tirek the quill to sign. "But surprisingly, the customers know when to not bug me. I'd get a bad egg or two, but it's rare."
Chrysalis went to the next page, and took the quill from Tirek.
"So, how did you end up like this?" the Manager asked.
Tirek once again was handed the quill. "Powerful spell from a sick princess," he answered.
"I see, I see..."
Chrysalis flipped to the next page, and took the quill back once again.
"It wasn't originally the cause, though," Cozy explained. "When Chrysalis tried to fix it, it switched our bodies again, merged Leo's brain with Tirek's, and right when we were going to fix it again, we had to come here."
"Oh... well, I'm sorry that I had to interrupt it."
"It's alright," Chrysalis shrugs after giving Tirek the quill. "It's not like it's going anywhere. Nothing needs to be taken care of immediately, if there really aren't any further consequences."
"Yes, yes indeed."
"Okay, and... done!" Tirek put the quill away. "Anything else that needs to be worked with?"
"No, nothing at all. I'll just take these forms for review, and send you on your way. Good luck with your... situation."
"Thank you," Cozy thanked.
"We'll see you soon," Chrysalis waved. "Same time and days as usual."
The stallion waved goodbye and flipped the sign.
*Castle... fifteen minutes later...*
"Finally..." Cozy huffed when she finished fixing the variables. "These should be easier to use, now."
"I still can't believe a few messed up variables switched my body with Cozy's, and merged your brain with Leo's," said Chrysalis.
"Anything happens when it comes to magic," Tirek replied, while his back legs tapped the ground.
"Do you want to do this, Chrysalis, or should I?"
"You can do it, this time."
"Okay. Get in your places, then."
Chrysalis and Tirek did as they were told, but not before Chrysalis dragged Leo's body closer to where they'd perform the spell.
"I hope this works..." Cozy mumbled. She lit her horn as she read through the book, and the moment she finished reading, she proceeded with performing the spell. Everyone once again went through the same process that they went through when Chrysalis did the spell... light-headedness, clouded vision and thinking, and then blacking out.
And then, there was nothing. But seconds later, Cozy Glow got up, and opened her eyes... and the eyes were as they should be.
Cozy looked at her hooves, and then hoof-pumped. "YES! I'm back! Finally!"
Chrysalis and Tirek got up, and their eyes were as they should have been, too... though it didn't matter as much for Tirek since he was already that way. They looked at themselves, then each other, and smiled.
Cozy ran over to Leo, still unconscious, and shook him. He was unresponsive.
"Leo?"
Nothing.
"Oh come on!" Cozy slammed her hoof on Leo's side.
"OW!" Leo suddenly sat up, catching Cozy by surprise. "You couldn't have just pried my eye open? That would have sold it for the joke!"
"Sorry..."
"Whatever. It's good to be able to speak and have complete body control."
"What was it like being fused with Tirek's mind, anyway?"
"I could see, and I could move my back legs, but that was it. I could feel everything Tirek felt, and know exactly what he was thinking about. When it came time for us to walk, I had to remember what it was like being human, and combine it with... leaning forward, or something like that."
"That didn't sound too appealing," Chrysalis said, her and Tirek joining up with Leo and Cozy.
"Good to have you back, and not have pounding headaches," said Tirek.
"Thanks."
There was a brief silence.
"You know," Cozy started. "We've been through so much with body switching, and I don't think we learned anything too important."
"Oh, um... it's a matter of when it's appropriate to go with your gut?" Chrysalis suggested.
"No, no..." Tirek shook his head. "How about... um... If there's no consequence to a situation, you shouldn't rush things?..."
"We're not very good successors to Twilight, aren't we?" Cozy asked.
"Not at all," Leo replied, not usually admitting something not-so positive.
There was another silence.
"Should we go see if Zecora has that medicine ready?" Cozy brought up.
"Oh, shoot!" exclaimed Chrysalis. "You're right! We better go!"
"I wonder how Flurry Heart is doing..." Leo pondered.
*Flurry Heart...*
Flurry Heart started to stir awake, still not feeling too better. As soon as she woke up, she could feel another sneeze coming on. She sniffled, and was about to burst, but then it seemed like it calmed down. And then, Flurry suddenly sneezed, once again being tricked by her own sickness.
Some of the sparkles hit yet another mouse, and all of a sudden, the tiny rodent grew by two inches, and even grew some muscles. The mouse checked out its new build, and smirked.
"*sniff*... They really need to fix their mouse problem..." Flurry groaned.
I knocked on the door, and waited. No answer yet, but what I did get immediately after was two chaos portals opening on both sides of me, before a jelly fish (not the animal jelly fish, a fish made of jelly!) leapt out of one portal, over my head, and down the other.
I was about to knock again, but thankfully, Fluttershy finally answered the door.
"Oh... hello, Leo!"
"Hey, Fluttershy. Just thought I'd stop by for something."
"I'd like to hear it. Would you like to come in, first?"
"Eh..." I shrug. "I don't see why not."
I entered Fluttershy's cottage and shut the door for her. Now, to all of you who want to know what the inside of Fluttershy's cottage is like 20 years later, lemme tell you... it's pretty much like the outside. Most of the overall structure and contents from 20 years ago hasn't changed one bit, but it was very clear Discord's influence was all around the area. Some furniture either had reverse-gravity, and some stuff had no gravity at all. Some of the animals were also more... chaotic... but I could pick out a few original ones as well. I took my seat on one of the normal couches, checking to ensure I didn't sit on anything alive first.
"So, what brings you here?..." asked Fluttershy.
"Well... I was wondering if I could maybe, um... take one of your animals back to my place?... As a pet?"
Alright, now hear me out... the reason why I'm visiting Fluttershy for a pet is simple... there's no place to get one in Ponyville. I'm not sure if there was ever a place for that, or if those places closed (yes, Dr. Fauna's place was related to... y'know... pets, but her animal hospital doesn't give pets for adoption). But apparently, Fluttershy's a good pony to talk to for a pet from what I've heard at school, and since I didn't have much options, I decided to try it (in spite of the feeling I was taking advantage, which isn't true). After all, she has a sanctuary, and I heard that became a good place to snag a pet.
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Fluttershy exclaimed in her calm, soft voice. "What pet would you like?"
"Hmmm... you have cats and dogs, right?"
"Um... I'm sorry, but... we don't have any cats or dogs here, or at the sanctuary... not at the moment, at least..."
"Okay, then."
I went into thinking mode, and immediately after, I got an idea.
"Well... you've gotta have birds, right?" I ask.
"Oh, I have lots of birds! Parakeets... canaries... conures..."
"Conures, eh?... Hm... I'd like to know your options... I may be close to a decision."
... Intro ...
"I'm back!" I shouted mere moments before I joined my pals in the library. But I wasn't alone...
"How did the pet hunting go?" Cozy Glow put down her book. "I don't... see any pets."
"Oh, I got one all right. He's just hiding."
"Hiding?" Chrysalis and Tirek put down their card game and approached me.
"Easy now... don't want to spook him..." I warned.
Suddenly, from what I could tell, a little grey and green head with a large black beak and beady eyes poked his head out from behind my hair.
"A bird?" Chrysalis blinked (though not in a negative way). "You got a bird?"
"He's cute," said Cozy.
"Thanks. Fluttershy didn't have any of the basic pets, so I got the next best thing. I had two birds back home, so why not?"
"What's his name?" Tirek asked.
"Ollie," I reply. "There's something special about him too... he's missing one of the claws on his talons, so he's only got seven toes! Makes him a little unique."
Ollie made a noise.
"How did you get him home so easily?" Chrysalis inquired.
"Well, thanks to Fluttershy's ability to speak to animals like him, she convinced him to stick with me until we got back, and to try to not be so timid around us. She also made him give consent to hold on to him if I was near any place that may spook him. Luckily, we got home safe and sound."
Ollie nibbled on my hair.
"But... we don't have anything to put him in!" Tirek realized. "He's got nowhere to go."
"Fluttershy offered to hook me up on that. She's going to have Discord bring some stuff later."
"Great... let's see how that plays out..." Cozy's eyes roll.
"Give him a rest, he's not all bad. Sure he... nearly ended Equestria a couple times, but last time we met, he did something right. Kinda."
"That's the minority," replied Chrysalis. "But anyways, until that cage gets here you better keep an eye at him at all times. All of us. We don't want to spook him."
"No worries, Chrysalis. We'll keep that in mind."
*Time passes...*
The group tries doing whatever they can to bond with the bird. They let it run around on the table, they tried to give it attention... though it was much less timid then it should have been, since Fluttershy successfully convinced the bird to not be too scared around them. A time or two, the bird did end up getting spooked, but likely it wouldn't go far. One of the things they did later on was share their food with him as they ate. Considering the circumstances, Leo had to let Ollie nibble on his own food.
"Just don't feed him chocolate or sugar, or anything," Leo warns.
"I know," Cozy Glow replied. Ollie took another bite out of the bread on Leo's sandwich. "Wow, he really likes your food."
"Yeah, my old birds were like that. They'd go nuts for cheese and crackers. Though they can get a little defensive sometimes. I used to say, 'Hey, this is my food!' We'd say other things to at other times, like 'There has to be another way,' or we'd just give them nicknames."
Tirek chuckled. "Bird owners are strange."
"And you're one of them now," Chrysalis smirks. "Besides, I know how you feel about birds."
Tirek crossed his arms. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You know dearly well what I mean. You catching that bird combined with your reformation gave you an interest that's been hidden for quite a while."
The centaur made a motion with his hands. "Psssshh."
"Cozy, hand him the bird," Chrysalis ordered.
Cozy raised Ollie with her magic and placed him in Tirek's open hands. The bird seemed understandably shaky, but when it was placed on Tirek's hands, it didn't run.
"That's one heck of a sight," Leo said. "Anyways, I better get going. I got work."
"Really? Already?" Cozy's eyebrow raised.
"Please keep an eye on Ollie and keep him safe, okay? I mean it! I'll be really mad if he's gone!!!"
"But he's afraid of us!" exclaimed Cozy.
"Don't worry, Leo, you have our word!" Chrysalis promised. "We'll keep your bird safe and sound."
"Promise?"
"Promise..." Tirek nods.
"I'm trusting you... You lose him, you regret it. See you!"
And then Leo left the map room. All alone, the trio looked at Ollie, who scratched his head in Tirek's hand. It was cute.
"So what do we do?" Chrysalis asked.
"Could I take him up to my room for a bit?" asked Cozy Glow.
"Sure, but just remember to keep him safe, okay?" Tirek held out the bird.
"You got it!"
Cozy approached Tirek, and he held out his hands. After a bit of soft beckoning, the bird hopped onto Cozy's head, and she left.
"Thanks, Tirek! I'll keep him out of trouble!" Cozy proceeded to leave. "You can count on me!"
*Cozy Glow's Room*
"Well, Ollie, here we are..." Cozy went into her room, with Ollie still clutching onto her mane with his talons.
The filly went over to her bed and lowered her head, allowing Ollie to hop off.
"I remember Leo telling us that you tend to play with, or explore random things... I should see what I have."
Cozy went around the room to find the perfect plaything for the bird, and it didn't take long for her to find it. On her new dresser was a small bag, which contained some miscellaneous stuff she tended to bring to school. She flew up to her dresser, and grabbed the bag.
However, Cozy Glow ended up making one of her greater mistakes. She ended up grabbing just the handle of the bag, and when she dragged it off the dresser, the bottom gave out, and the contents of the bag gave out. It wouldn't of been so bad if one of the contents wasn't a really big book. And when the book landed on the floor, Ollie went crazy, and he began to fly all around the room. Cozy tried to catch him, but then the bird zoomed out an open window, and into the sky.
"GAH! NO!!!" Cozy Glow shrieked.
There wasn't anything she could do... Ollie was too fast, and when she got to the window, he was already out of reach.
"Uh-oh..."
... ...
Cozy Glow tried to return to Chrysalis and Tirek as quickly as possible. Luckily, they were just about to leave the map room right as Cozy was about to enter.
"We... have... a problem..." the filly wheezed.
"What's wrong?" asked Chrysalis.
"I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to! I accidentally scared the bird, and he flew out the window!"
"Mother of Father..." Tirek groaned, with a facepalm immediately after.
"We've got to go look for it!" Chrysalis exclaimed.
"How?" Cozy replied. "There's no way we're gonna get him back! I just told you he flew out the window!"
"But what if he returned to where he originally came from?... It could be Fluttershy's house, or it could even be her sanctuary... doesn't she have one?"
"Yeah, but... ugh! You're right. We might as well try and not immediately throw in the towel."
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Tirek stood up. "Let's go get that bird!"
Fluttershy's house...
In a rush, the trio tried to get to Fluttershy's house as quickly as possible. However, when Cozy Glow knocked on the door, she got no answer. When Chrysalis tried jiggling the doorknob, it didn't budge.
"She must be gone," Tirek realized. "Discord to, probably."
"Well, we might as well head off to the sanctuary." Chrysalis turned.
"Wait!" Cozy stopped them. "Listen... I can hear birds in there."
Tirek and Chrysalis both listened. Cozy was right... there were birds in there.
"You know..." Tirek started. "We could... you know... try to get in there, anyway."
"You can't be serious..." said Chrysalis. "That would be breaking and entering in a mare's cottage!"
"But we're not stealing anything, and it's for a good cause! You could use your changeling powers to-"
"I agree with Chrysalis," Cozy interrupted. "It's probably a bad idea to break into her locked cottage. Sure, she's kind and all, but... what if we risk losing her trust, you know what I mean?"
"Fine. We'll check the sanctuary... we know where that is, right?"
"Hm..." Cozy pondered. "I think she took us there once for a field trip when I first when to the School of Friendship. I don't think it's too far, but it may or may not take a bit to get there."
"Better then breaking into a mare's cottage..." Chrysalis jokingly glared with a grin.
"It was only an idea!" Tirek rebutted.
*Sanctuary...*
"Wow, this place is really nice..." Cozy Glow admired.
"It's also really nice that we're given easy access..." Chrysalis said.
"Already, let's fan out and find that bird," said Tirek. "Remember... he only has seven toes. That's a clue."
Cozy and Chrysalis nodded, and began to search. Avoiding any other animals, they checked the trees, behind rocks, under and occasionally around other animals too. The other animals simply watched out of curiosity.
Chrysalis eventually found a whole group of birds, each and every one of them looking at her. She eyeballed each and every one of the little creatures, but none of them were Ollie's kind, so she had to keep looking.
Cozy Glow flew up above some of the trees, and scanned the area. She also saw some birds, but once again, none of them were a match. She also didn't feel right grabbing any birds to check out their talons.
After a while, they all had to give up and regroup.
"Ugh, we'll never find him..." Cozy groaned. "It's over!"
"Maybe Fluttershy can help when she gets back," suggested Tirek.
"We'll see. Let's check if she's home, first," Chrysalis said.
"You're suggesting we go back there?" replied Cozy.
"What have we got to lose?"
"Alright, fine... but judging from today's luck, she may still be gone."
*Fluttershy's cottage...*
"Told ya!" Cozy said the moment it became obvious that the cottage was still empty.
"Well, that was a huge waste of time..." Chrysalis mumbled.
"At least we got exercise, though," Tirek pointed out.
"That's the least of our worries. We still haven't found the bird!"
"Should we just... head back?" Cozy asked. "Break the news to him, and... deal with the consequences?..."
"It may have to be that way, I'm afraid..." Tirek nods. "We can't always get lucky. That's just life."
"Yeah... I know..."
... ...
"It's a shame we lost the bird," said Chrysalis. At the moment, they were all exhausted, and were making their way upstairs. "I liked him."
"Imagine how Leo's going to feel..." Cozy muttered. "I don't think I've ever been this anxious for how somepony's going to feel about something."
"Well, here's the plan... the moment we meet up with him again, we'll tell him," Tirek instructed.
When they entered the map room, they paused. Leo was on the table reading a comic book.
"Oh, hey guys!" he waved. "Where have you been?"
"Oh, well... um... w-we've just been out in town, is all!" Tirek stuttered.
"Smart move," Cozy sarcastically hissed.
"Oh... well... I take it you left before Discord brought Ollie's cage?" Leo asked. "It would be bad if you left him all out in the open, you know."
"Well... you see... we did leave because..." Chrysalis gulped. "We lost the bird."
Leo put down the comic book, and they got an icy glare.
"You... lost him?"
The former villains nodded.
"Well, I'd be furious..." the Alicorn started. "But I'm not as mad. Know why? Because Ollie's in his cage right now."
"HUH!!?!?!"
*squark*
That's when, for the first time, the trio noticed the cage nearby. Even though Discord brought it, it looked like a basic bird cage... aside from some wacky toys. And what was in the center of the cage was none other than Ollie. Cozy Glow ran over to examine the bird. Without taking him out, she scanned the creature as best as she could. And immediately afterwards, she found what she was looking for... a missing toe!
"That's him, alright..." she mumbled.
"But... how?!" Chrysalis exclaimed.
"I'll tell you how..."
Leo got off his seat.
"...I told Discord to keep a close eye on you guys in case you lost the bird. The moment he was gone, Discord managed to get his paw and talon on him, and bring him back."
"So... you didn't trust us?" Cozy inquired.
"You're right. I didn't. I mean, look at this place. It's a massive castle, with open windows, and none of you have had experience with birds before."
Leo wasn't angry... his voice was calm, and collective... but that didn't stop the trio from getting defensive.
"Then why did you get a bird, if you didn't think it would be safe?" Tirek argued..
"I wouldn't have considered it as much if it weren't for Discord."
"That's kind of a jerk-ish move, if you ask me," said Cozy Glow.
"But you all like the bird, don't you?"
"Yeah, but-"
Leo interrupted Chrysalis. "So if you liked him, isn't it a good move that I told Discord to watch you guys?"
The trio said nothing. Then Chrysalis and Tirek faced Cozy.
"You're with him too much..." Tirek said.
"Hey, I haven't done that stuff in months! Don't look at me!"
"Okay, listen Leo..." Chrysalis started. "...There could have been a better way for you to handle this. You could have told us Discord would be watching us. You could have waited to get the bird. Or... you could have trusted us, even if we'd make that mistake. Even if not trusting us has a good outcome in the end, trusting a friend is more or less the better thing to do."
"Wow, Chrysalis. That's not a bad moral," Cozy admired.
"Thank you. Something that just popped up in my head."
"Okay, okay...look, let's just be happy about the fact that Ollie is safe and sound, alright?" Leo piped. "You've done stuff, and I've done stuff. We'll keep our windows closed, and a minimum of two of us can watch over him when he's out."
"You're going to go all-out with watching the bird, aren't you?..." Tirek crossed his arms.
"Can you really blame me?"
The trio exchanged looks. Chrysalis sighed, and then smiled.
"...I suppose not."
"Besides, this is a very cute bird..." Cozy looked into the bird's eyes. "Welcome to the family, Ollie!"
Princess Twilight and Spike were all alone in the throne room, passing time by going through some of the unopened scrolls and forms they’ve obtained throughout the morning.
“What do you want to do with this one?” Spike asked, holding up a scroll.
“What does it say?”
“Let’s see here…” Spike opened up the scroll and proceeded to read it, quietly mumbling the whole time. Finally, he gave Twilight a quick rundown of the scroll. “Griffonstone is hoping you’d stop by for another Friendship-rally.”
“When?” inquired the Princess.
“Hmmm… next Wednesday, begins at three, expected to end at five.”
“Of course! I’ll be sure to let them know I’ll be there.”
The doors to the throne room opened, and Gallus poked his head in.
“Your majesty?” he spoke. “Your friends are here.”
“Great!” Twilight beamed. “Thank you for the notice.”
Gallus nodded and left.
“It’s not that often where you and the others are able to get a bonus day,” said Spike, as he proceeded with putting the scrolls in a bag. “Oh, sure, your visit with them for the next moon is still underway, but it’s a bit earlier than our usual scheduled date…”
“…Which, by the way, is still happening.”
“…yep! Anyway, here’s hoping today doesn’t go wrong like the last visit…”
“I’ve got all of our guards on high alert, and I've ensured that I'd get an alert if things do go wrong..”
“But we know that there’s still villains out there. And when things are silent for over a month, something’s bound to happen… um… what should I do with this bag?”
“You can leave it beside you for the time being. And for your last statement, I guess I can see where you're coming from. But I don't think there is a need for too much..." Twilight smirked. "Twilight-ing..."
Spike snorted, nearly laughing outright. It's always been a rare occurrence for Twilight to use her own verb… one that’s barely been needed for years.
The doors to the throne room opened, and one-by-one, the rest of the Mane 6 filed in, with Pinkie and Rainbow Dash being among the first.
"Hi, Twilight!!! Hi, Spike!!!" Pinkie bounced, as jolly and happy as she's always been.
"Hey girls!" Princess Twilight stood up. "I'm so glad you five could be here!"
"Oh, Twilight, darling, it's our pleasure," said Rarity. "The moment we found out that all had some time to ourselves, how could we not stop by?"
"Besides, it would totally make up for what happened last time," Rainbow Dash said.
"Ah' agree!" Applejack nods. "It didn't really end on a high-note."
"Well, trust me girls, things will be different!" Twilight assured. "I promise, that nothing will interfere with our time together."
"I hope you're right..." Fluttershy said.
But meanwhile, outside Canterlot, an unexpected guest was on his way to meet up with the Princess.
... Intro ...
The Mane Six, along with Spike, all enjoyed themselves at their old favorite picnic spot. They laughed, ate, and sometimes did their own thing on the side, just like how things have always been. The girls were currently catching up on what's been going on since they last met, and Spike sat and listened, occasionally dropping comments here and there. They all laughed after reminiscing about the first Running of the Leaves that occurred when Twilight was in Ponyville.
"It's still amazing how athletic we are, and yet Twilight still beat us!" Rainbow laughed.
"We sure learned our lesson," said Applejack.
"One of the first few out of many," Spike said.
"...Speaking of the Running of the Leaves..." Princess Twilight spoke up. "Today's the day where it's finally happening after those delays. Where do you all stand on us making a little visit there, later today?"
"Well, I wouldn't mind stopping by today," Fluttershy replied.
The rest of the Mane Six gave a similar answer.
"I'll probably need to dress a little more appropriately for an occasion like that," said Rarity.
"Ooh, this will be exciting!" Pinkie grinned, speaking in her usual fast tone. "I mean, not like a great ultra spectacular birthday party exciting, but still more like a hanging out and doing something fun with my best-est friends exciting!"
Twilight and Spike shared glances and smirks while her friends discussed the activity at hand.
"Some things never change..." Spike smiled.
"Then it's settled!" Princess Twilight said. "We'll get this cleaned up, I'll check on the castle, and then we'll be on our way!"
"Sounds good!" Rainbow Dash hovered a bit higher. "See ya then!"
She then zoomed away, without warning. However, moments later, she returned, and was met with raised eyebrows from her friends.
"Heh... my bad. I'll lend a hoof."
Castle...
"...so I'll be gone for a little while longer today, Gallus. Do you think you can handle that?"
While her friends and Spike waited outside in the carriage, Princess Twilight made sure to let Gallus know she'd be out in Ponyville. She usually doesn't do it often, but since it was out of schedule today, she made an exception.
"You can count on me, your majesty," said Gallus.
"Thank you."
The Princess turned to leave, but two guards then ran in without warning, seeming highly alert.
"Princess!!!" one of the guards exclaimed. "We have some very urgent news! It's King Sombra!"
Princess Twilight became more alert, but not as alert because of what happened the last time they met. "...and?"
"He's back! He showed up here today, but... he surrendered! More of us are keeping him captive outside! He's requesting you."
Twilight glanced at Gallus, and the griffon nodded in response.
"Okay..." she finally said. "Take me to him."
The guards led Twilight outside, while Gallus stayed behind. They didn't get far before they finally met up with King Sombra. He was emotionless, but at the same time, he didn't even move a muscle while he had spears pointed at him. There was also a familiar ring placed on his horn... a magic inhibitor ring.
"Greetings, Princess..." he greeted, not seeming like he was itching for a fight.
Twilight didn't act threatening to him either.
"King Sombra... I wasn't expecting to see you hear. Apparently, you... surrendered?..."
"Indeed... you seem surprised to see me. "
“I am. I really am. It’s so shocking to see you here without picking a fight."
"Understandable, I suppose..." King Sombra said.
"But... why are you here?..."
"After being alone, contemplating what I should do, I've decided to come here."
Twilight, even though she should have expected something like this, was partially stunned. It seemed completely off for King Sombra, of all unredeemed villains, to show up and surrender out of the blue. But as she recalled, she herself agreed to give him time. Perhaps she just wasn’t expecting this to be the outcome. Or it was always destined to be a shock.
"What should we do with him, Princess?" one of the guards asked.
"... bring him to the cells. We'll figure out what we'll do with him later. He can't do anything, anyways."
"Um... about that Princess..." a female guard spoke up. "The cells are contaminated. We don't know what the source of the problem is, or what it even is in general, but it's not safe to take prisoners in there."
"Well, then... just keep an eye on him," Princess Twilight suggested.
"Or I could come with you..." Sombra suggested.
"What do you mean?"
"You're all about friendship, am I wrong? If I really want to reach a verdict, I might as well learn from somepony that knows all about it."
Again, Twilight found it extremely seedy. It was really tempting to say no, but if it wasn’t for what happened the last time he was involved with something, she wouldn’t have the urge to say yes. Still, something was off, especially since this was King Sombra she was dealing with. And yet... she felt a desire to let him tag along.
"Don't worry princess," a third guard said. "A few of us will join you if you decide to take him."
Twilight took another look at King Sombra, his emotions still hidden. Whatever decision she was going to make, she knew the situation was going to be off either way.
Plus, she wasn't always a fan of letting the Princess part of her life interfere with a fun time with her friends.
... ...
After what felt like ages, Twilight’s friends finally saw her approach the carriage.
“There you are!” Applejack exclaimed.
“What took you so long?” Fluttershy asked.
“Well… it’s kind of a long story…” said the Princess. She was holding her tongue, but she knew she had to be honest. “Long story short… we have some guests coming along with us.”
“Oooh, some surprise guests!” Pinkie grinned. “Who is it?”
Twilight wasn’t looking forward to this part. “It’s… um… it’s King Sombra and a few of my guards… heh…”
All of Twilight’s friends, including Spike, shrieked. ”KING SOMBRA?!?!”
“Wait, I’m confused…” Rarity spoke. “…King Sombra? I know about the part where he’s returned, but I thought he was working with Grogar now!”
“I haven’t… really caught up with you all on that. You see, a day after what happened at Canterlot, Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow had to save the day… again… but they weren’t alone. I took part, and so did Spike and a majority of our royal guards, but the three of them did the heavy lifting with some other help… King Sombra’s help.”
“… and according to the three of them, King Sombra had a new leader,” Spike continued. “A red clone of Leo. But King Sombra found out a thing or two about this clone leader that, for some reason, caused him to ask for their help and make a brief truce.”
“But there’s more," said Twilight. "After all that was said and done, King Sombra ran off. But not before we tried to tell him that he could abandon his ways, keep the truce permanent, and learn friendship along with the other three. He refused. But it wasn’t in his usual way… whatever happened during that fight, it made him more hesitant. We let him go… maybe it was a good choice, maybe not… and now, he’s back.”
"And you're all of a sudden giving 'him the benefit of the doubt?" Applejack asked.
"Listen, I completely understand... it's sketchy, weird, out of his character, and unexpected. But I feel like I should give him a chance. Just one."
"After one encounter?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"Listen, Twilight, we understand you're the princess and all that, but we're your friends, too," said Rarity. "We're fine with how some of your royal duties have to follow us to our activities... granted, it's not the best, but we respect it... but you bringing King Sombra just feels so... risky."
"I have a bunch of guards to keep an eye on him, and he's not resisting anything we implement on him," Twilight explained. "Listen I agree with you, but... could you all please give this a chance? Like with Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow?"
"Technically, King Sombra did too. He didn't do it with good intentions entirely, unlike when the trio stopped Grogar, but he chose to do it."
"Hey..." Spike realized. "Has anyone seen Pinkie?..."
*Meanwhile...*
"...and while Twilight and her friends were talking about you, I decided to come over and see for myself. I was like, 'I don't know, he's been a big meany-pants before, I don't know if I can trust him.' And don't get me wrong, I'm still skeptical, but as I said, I was curious, and..."
As Pinkie Pie rambled on and on about her reaction to Sombra's surrender, her distrust, and her story about approaching him and meeting him, King Sombra whispered to a guard.
"... how often was she like this?..."
"...About half as often as she was twenty years ago..." the guard replied. "I guess aging and having a foal can do that to ya."
"She has a child, now?... I wonder how much the father puts up with it..."
"The father's very similar, actually..."
"So, here's the deal, I still don't trust you..." for a split second when she said that, Pinkie suddenly went from bubbly to serious and stern, and pressed her muzzle against Sombra's. She quickly pulled back though, and her grin returned. "...but as we learned, everypony deserves a second chance! If you're lying and you don't want one, we will be ready for you, but if you truly want one, then we'll become best friends! I could throw you a huge reformation party! But wait, I didn't throw one for the trio, either... oh, no! I'm overdue!"
King Sombra silently wished that he was still in the aether.
*Twilight...*
"...remember one of the lessons we learned? About second chances? Why don't we just give him a chance?" Princess Twilight said. "Listen... we'll take him. But we'll be prepared for if he really tries to undermine us. If he does, I'll assume responsibility for the problem."
"That's one of the reasons why we're against this," Fluttershy replied. "We don't want you to be directly responsible for the problem."
"I'm glad you're all looking out for me, but sometimes, mistakes are a way of learning. You five don't always have to have my flank. I'm putting effort to keep him contained. I won't let him interfere with our time together. And if he tries anything funny... I'll be ready. We'll all be ready. And we won't be alone. Like I said, I agree with you on the situation, but I'm doing this because there's evidence out there that he truly doesn't want to cause trouble. You don't have to trust him, but I ask of you to please give him one chance, like I am."
Twilight's friends wanted to continue protesting, but they were already losing most of their day, and besides... with Twilight's precautions, the villain can't do much. They all exchanged unsure looks, and whispered a little. It was Applejack who spoke up.
"Alright, Twilight..." she started. "...we'll give him a chance. And if he tries anythin' at all, we'll be gal'darn ready."
"Thank you. I'll let them know about the verdict. And then, find Pinkie Pie... wherever she wound up."
*Running of the Leaves...*
By the time they all got there, there was already a decent crowd around the starting line. Everycreature and pony parted to make way for the Princess and her friends, though there were understandably a few stares and whispers due to Sombra's appearance. A few ponies were about to go out, but a changeling pointed out that if he was with Twilight and imprisoned, then it was under her control (though a filly still threw an apple at Sombra's head, causing him to silently growl.
"No problems, nothing to see here, just watching the show!" Rainbow Dash said, flying around the group in an attempt to quiet everyone down.
"Got quite an assortment of runners today," Rarity analyzed.
"Huh... look at that," Spike pointed. "Tirek's here!"
Over at the starting point, Tirek stretched his limbs, getting ready to take part in the event.
"HI TIREK!!!" Pinkie climbed on top of Spike and waved. Tirek noticed them and waved back, though for a moment, it was clear that he spotted King Sombra.
"Very interesting, indeed..." Sombra muttered. "So what is it that you all do here in this event?"
"We, the audience, watch them, the runners," Spike answered. "That's... pretty much it."
"Do we follow them, or-"
"Nope!" Applejack shook her head.
"Interesting way to spend an event..." King Sombra rolled his eyes.
"It's not always about the event," said the Princess. "It's about the time you spend with your friends."
Sombra snorted. The Mane Six and Spike decided to ignore him, and talk about other things. Sombra just scanned the whole area, ignoring the questionable gazes, while the guards near him stood close.
The air horn started to play, and two heads poked up from the hot air balloon above.
"Racers, take your places!!!" Luster Dawn's voice boomed. Up in the balloon, Leo cowered in the basket.
"Why... why did they make me do this?..." he gulped.
"Didn't you insist on doing it?"
"Well now I regret it... why can't you just let me down?..."
"Sorry, Leo, but I gotta keep this thing up for the race. I told you that."
Leo whimpered.
Down below, the racers started to group up. As the Mane Six, Spike, the guards, and Sombra all witnessed what was going on, Starlight Glimmer approached her former mentor.
"Aw, I like seeing all of you together..." she smiled. "Though..." Starlight leaned forward and whispered to Twilight. "Why the hay is King Sombra here?"
"Long story. Giving him a chance, even though it's probably a bad idea," Twilight responded.
"Then, why do it?..."
"Because I felt an impulse to do so. Anyways, how are things going at the school?"
Starlight wanted to continue, but she decided to shrug it off for now. "It's all going pretty well. Most of the students are passing, and we're working well with those that need it. I was actually hoping to talk to you a little bit about the school's future... you know... events, and classes, and new teachers. All of that stuff. You can say no, but I promise it will be quick."
"Sure, I can do that." Twilight focused on her friends. "Um... girls? I'm going to have a small conversation with Starlight. Is that okay?"
"Yes, that's okay," Fluttershy nods.
"You bett'r be quick though, if you don't wanna miss the race," said Applejack.
"You have my word..."
Twilight and Starlight then stepped aside, leaving the Mane Six and Spike with Sombra and the guards. When all of Twilight's friends looked at them, he was giving them a cold stare right back at them.
... ...
"On your marks, get set, go!!!"
The racers took off, the ground thundering when Tirek ran. When the race started, so did the quiet personal conversation between Twilight's friends.
"I can't take this. I'm going to confront him, face-to-face," Rainbow hissed.
Applejack stopped her. "Now hold it there, Rainbow Dash, Ah' feel the same way you do, but we're in a public place here, and we're not about to cause drama."
"Yeah, he's a big party pooper, but we don't want to be party poopers, too!" Pinkie whispered louder than the others.
"You're whispering a little loud, Pinkie..." Rarity said through her teeth.
"I hear it all," King Sombra interrupted. "You're all whispering a little loud."
More eyes were focused on the group.
"Let's just take this somewhere else... a little far from the crowd," Spike suggested. He then pointed a claw at one of the guards. "You! Could you stay behind so you can tell Princess Twilight we're we'll be if she comes back?"
The guard gave a salute and nodded.
"Come on, girls."
Spike led Twilight's friends, Sombra, and the few other guards away from where they'd likely be heard. By the time they were out, the crowd was visible, but Spike was confident that they were all out of earshot.
"So?..." King Sombra said. "Spit it out already!"
"Well... you see..." Fluttershy started, not seeming as miffed as the others (aside from Pinkie Pie).
Before Fluttershy could finish, Rainbow Dash cut to the chase. "We don't trust you!"
"Of course you don't!" King Sombra rebutted. "I mean, how could you not, when a tyrant like me shows up out of nowhere, suddenly claiming to have that desire to change for the better?
"AHA! So you are faking!" Pinkie pointed.
"Just because I say the word 'claim' doesn't mean I'm faking anything. But do you really want to know!"
"We'd like it if you were honest..." Spike's arms crossed.
"Fine! Yes, when I first came here, I did have malicious intentions."
Twilight's friends all gasped, and the guards around Sombra all raised their spears.
"BUT!" King Sombra slowly lowered a spear with his hoof. "... I couldn't do it."
Rainbow Dash burst out in laughter.
"I'm sorry..." she wheezed. "But I'm not buying that!"
"It's true! I was prepared. Magic charged, all my hate and rage channeled, a whole entire plan mapped out to take the Canterlot Throne... because after all, with your Princess out of the picture first, things will be slightly easier even though her personal fighters would try to stop me. After Canterlot, the Crystal Empire, and the rest of Equestria as we know it. But as I advanced closer, ready to strike, I remembered the dream I had..."
"Dream?" Rarity asked.
"Mind you, it's a bit difficult to fully remember, but I just remember seeing a familiar face. Somepony too familiar to me. She spoke to me, tried reasoning, all of that. It wouldn't have entirely worked, if it wasn't for who that pony was."
"Who was she?" inquired Fluttershy.
For the first time ever, all of Sombra's witnesses could see him in an unfamiliar mood... genuine sadness? Bittersweet reminiscence? Both? Either way, it was new for all of them. Sombra's eyes diverted away, but only for a brief moment.
"You could say, she's the only light in a void of darkness."
Applejack was ready to ask another question, but right then, Twilight found them.
"There you all are! What was going on?"
"Oh, we just had a little chat, is all..." the tyrant answered.
"We'll talk about it later," Rarity said.
"That's just fine. Anyways, do you all need more time?"
"Nah! Ah' think we're good, for now. Ah' wanna see how the race ends."
"Tirek's probably gonna win..." Rainbow betted.
*End of the Race...*
When Tirek got past the finish line, the ground thundered once again, and the banner got tangled on his horns.
"Called it!!!" Rainbow Dash hoof-pumped.
"And Tirek's the winner!" Luster Dawn's voice echoed.
Princess Twilight leaned closer to King Sombra. "Sombra, a word with you please?"
"Are you bringing the guards?..."
Twilight nodded, and straightened herself up. "Girls, I'll be right back. I have some business to attend to with King Sombra."
"Aww..." Pinkie whined.
"I'll be quick. I promise."
"You can go, Twilight. It's okay," Fluttershy assured.
"Thank you, Fluttershy. Follow me..."
For the second time, King Sombra was lead away from the group, in order to have his second private conversation.
"Yet another private conversation?..." Sombra said. "What is it now?"
"Listen, King Sombra. Whether you truly want to change or not doesn't change the fact that you've put Equestria in danger multiple times. You destroyed the Tree of Harmony, and you've acted as an accomplice to Grogar."
"So, what? Are you sentencing me? To my knowledge, the other three never got sentenced!"
"Technically, the other three already served their sentence before they reformed... they didn't do anything when they were finally released afterwards. You, on the other hoof, have done plenty of harm after returning from the Aether. I don't normally sentence those who want to change, or already changed, but I'm afraid I have to make an exception for you until I know for certain I can feel safe letting you free. That's why I am going to sentence you to, at most, a month-long imprisonment in Tartarus. I'll figure out your fate as the month carries on, and if I decide to let you go, then I'll go and do just that... though that won't be the end of things."
"But... wh-..." King Sombra stammered a little before he finally sighed. "Very well... I suppose it's better than the Aether, anyway."
Twilight felt like commenting about how Sombra barely argued back, but she decided to let it slide. Don't judge everything by a lack of argument.
"I'm thankful of your cooperation," Twilight nods. "Now let's go return with the others."
*Rest of Twilight's friends...*
"So... what do we do now?..." Pinkie asked her friends.
"Maybe we should... apologize?" Fluttershy suggested.
"Apologize?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "Fluttershy, he's a tyrant!"
"But he hasn't caused us any trouble the whole time!"
"I agree with Fluttershy on this one," Rarity piped up. "I can't read minds or anything, but I feel like I should give him the benefit of the doubt... he's said he's hesitated an attack, he didn't run away, and, like Fluttershy said, he's been giving us no trouble at all."
"Ah' dunno..." Applejack mumbled. "He seemed kinda' sketchy to me, but there's clearly two sides on the situation, here."
"I think we should give him a chance," Pinkie said. "I mean, sure he nearly destroyed us all a buncha times, but what if he is reeeeaaally sorry?"
"I will believe it when I see it." Rainbow crossed her hooves.
"Well sometimes, you need to believe it to see it," said Spike. "Look, even if we don't trust him, at the very least, giving him one more chance may be a good move. And if he does still plan on doing evil things, then... well... we'll be ready for him."
"I mean... it's just hard to. I don't know. Maybe I am cutting to the chase because of how out of place this is for him, but is trusting a notorious tyrant really a good move?"
"As I said... we'll be ready in case."
Princess Twilight and the others returned.
"We're back!" she exclaimed. "I was informing King Sombra about his sentence."
"What are you going to do with him?" asked Fluttershy.
"He'll be spending a month in Tartarus, while we figure out what to do with him."
"I see..." Rarity murmured.
There was a silence among them while the crowd continued either occasionally watching them, or proceeding with their own discussions and activities.
"Uhm... King Sombra?..." Applejack started. "Ah' wanna be among the rest of the first to say that... while Ah' still don't trust you... I'd be willing to give you a chance... just one."
"Me too," said Fluttershy.
"Me three!!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"Me as well, I suppose," Rarity spoke.
Rainbow hesitated, but she gave in. "Oh, alright."
King Sombra's head tilted. "You... you're all really willing to give me the benefit of the doubt?"
"Of course, we don't condone your actions..." Rarity started. "But if you're truly sorry, then we'll be willing to give you a chance in time.
Sombra didn't know what to say. Giving him a chance? His feelings about it were on-par with how they felt about his return... shocked and skeptical. More feelings and thoughts started to surface, but he mentally tucked them away... he'll get back to them once he's alone.
"...Thank you." Was all that he said. "I suppose if I want those around me to forgive me after doing so much and barely atoning, I must give it time, effort, or both."
Twilight smiled and nodded.
"Should we head back to the castle?" Fluttershy asked.
"We could..." Twilight began. "...Or, we could enjoy our time in Ponyville just a little bit longer."
"Oooh, I would like that! Anypony up for some Sugarcube Corner treats?"
Twilight laughed. "Of course, Pinkie. Spike?"
"What about King Sombra?"
Twilight scanned the area. It was bustling with activity, and many ponies and creatures began to roam a little bit farther away since the race was over.
"Take him to Tartarus," Twilight told the guards. "Have a trusted ally join with you."
"Right away, your highness!" a guard saluted.
"Thank you. Come on, Spike. Let's relive old times once more!"
The guards started to lead King Sombra away, likely to a powerful or intelligent being that can help keep him in check in case he slips up. Along the way, he saw up ahead the team of four, consisting of Tirek, Chrysalis, Leo, and Cozy Glow. While Leo and Cozy Glow talked, so did Chrysalis and Tirek, before they wrapped in a hug.
Sombra could recognize what it was. Love. Perhaps it was a contributing factor to what made them better beings. Better examples for what reformed villains can become.
And deep down, seeing that love on the outside was something that he knew, he could potentially find... if those circumstances were to ever be true.
He took a final look at the Princess and the others, advancing further away from him, becoming more like dots in the upcoming sunset haze.
And even from a far distance, he could see their smiles and laughter.
*Meanwhile... far off in the lair...*
Gizmos sat at his large bench, resuming the process of making his secret creation. The one that would be part of his upcoming plan, if all else fails with Sephtis. Slowly, he went to insert a green lens in its left optic until…
“Boo!” Lilith spooked him.
“Gah!”
Startled, Gizmos accidentally severed the iris into the horn section, ruining the iris. Gizmos was unamused, while Lillith simply laughed.
“Hehehehe! Did I get ya?” Lilith giggled.
Gizmos fixed his robe up. “Little bit… although you could’ve knocked, then I would have let you in. You’re welcome to peruse my room you know.”
“Well I just like messing with creatures,” Lilith remarked, while Gizmos simply rolled his eyes.
Gizmos uses one of his tentacles to reach for another green lens. Lilith was curious. “Whatcha makin?” she asked.
“Secret”
“A secret even to your little friend?” Lilith used her puppy eyes to coax him to spill the beans. Gizmos easily surrendered.
“Fine…” he said. “It’s my… passion project.”
“Passion project? Tell me more!”
“It's my project to recreate SB-001.”
“SB-001?”
“My faithful companion…she was my sword for the war against divinity of the Organics, in the distant future…” he explained, motioning to his work-in-progress project on the table. Lilith was impressed at the design.
“So cool!”
Gizmos smiled. “Thank you Lilith. It means so much to me…”
His optics gazed away intensely, the memories of that devastating war… the war that he unleashed.
Lilith waved a hoof in front of him to get his attention.
“Hello! Earth to Gizmos! Are you there?”
“Wha? Oh, sorry! I wasn’t paying attention…” he scratched behind his head.
“So this war against divinity…” Lilith started. “What caused that catastrophe? And does it involve your creators?”
The word creator internally stuns him, his memories flooded with the horrible experience of him being separated with someone he-.
A loud banging erupted from the door.
“Hey, scrap-heap! Get out here! You too, filly!”
The sound of Thorn's voice broke his train of thought. He looked at Lilith with a disappointed glare, due to being interrupted yet again. He then shook his head.
“Perhaps some other time… though I must warn you Lilith, my story is not a happy one… come, now… let’s go.”
He lent his hand once more to let Lilith climb on his back yet again, and left the room. As he closed the door, he looked back on his creation with a smile.
Distant bells in the distance rung, and could be heard throughout all of Ponyville. It was the perfect tone to introduce the atmosphere that Leo, Chrysalis, Starlight, Tirek, Cozy Glow, Sunburst, and Trixie all had while they set up for the Hearth's Warming Season in the castle. It was enough to cause Cozy Glow to break out in song, while Leo, Chrysalis, Starlight, Tirek, Sunburst, and Trixie all set up.
When it's Hearth's Warming
Cozy Glow:
Holiday bells ring their jolly tune!
Starlight:
The time of cheer comes very soon!
Chrysalis:
Cold weather with the bright white snow!
Trixie:
A warm fire's surely the place to gooooo!
Leo:
Lights of all colors left and right!
Tirek:
Why need to worry for any plight?
Sunburst:
When you have friends and family, it's surely a treat!
Everyone:
When it's Hearth's Warming, how can that be beeeeaat?
*Distant bell rings quite a few times. While Chrysalis and Tirek are decorating, Tirek intentionally sets up mistletoe above him and Chrysalis, and she blushes. She ends up flying up to him and gives him a quick peck on the lips. Others are shown decorating or enjoying their surroundings Princess Twilight and Spike were in their respective seats in the throne room.*
Twilight:
Once upon a time, pony kinds were at each others throats... While the coldness of the Windigos seeped through their cloaks and coats...
Spike:
But when they united, and changed history, The Windigos were cast away, ending misery...
Twilight and Spike:
What better way to celebrate, with gifts and feasts and friends? Proving harmony stays strong, even past the very end...
*Bell rings once more, and the townsfolk in Ponyville proceed to sing*
Townsfolk:
Holiday bells ring their jolly tune! The time of cheer comes very soon! Cold weather with the bright white snow! A warm fire's surely the place to gooooo!
Lights of all colors left and right! Why need to worry for any plight? When you have friends and family, it's surely a treat! When it's Hearth's Warming, how can that be beeeeaat?
Just the Ponies:
When history changed its course, it set our lives in stone, As times have changed and we all grew, we knew we weren't alone.
Other creatures:
And although it would be many years, until we joined the crowd, We help to have that friendship flame thrive under the winter clouds!
Townsfolk:
What better way to celebrate, with gifts and feasts and friends? Proving harmony stays strong, even past the very end...
*Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, Leo, and Tirek all exit the castle, singing the chorus while the Townsponies sung*
Leo, Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, and Tirek:
Holiday bells ring their jolly tune! The time of cheer comes very soon! Cold weather with the bright white snow! A warm fire's surely the place to gooooo!
Lights of all colors left and right! Why need to worry about any plight? When you have friends and family, it's surely a treat! When it's Hearth's Warming, how can that be beeeeaat?
Leo, Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, Tirek, and the rest of the Townfolk:
Holiday bells ring their jolly tune! The time of cheer comes very soon! Cold weather with the bright white snow! A warm fire's surely the place to gooooo!
Lights of all colors left and right! Why need to worry for any plight? When you have friends and family, it's surely a treat! When it's Hearth's Warming, how can that be beeeeaat?
When it's Hearth's Warming, how can that be beeeeaat?
When it's Hearth's Warming, how can that be beeeeeeaaaaaat?
... Intro ...
Everyone in the castle was hard at work trying to set up the castle for the evening get together for Hearth's Warming Eve. Starlight led the whole process, giving instructions as they went along.
"A little higher..." she muttered, instructing Cozy Glow, who was hanging up some holiday-themed streamers.
"Like this?" Cozy Glow raised the streamer.
"Perfect!"
"Starlight, how am I doing?" Leo asked, wrapping tinsel around the stair rail.
"It's coming along real nicely."
"Can you believe this Tirek?" Chrysalis said while she and Tirek worked together in their own area of setting up. "It's already our first Hearth's Warming together-"
"That we'll actually celebrate and not typically brush off," Tirek finished.
"Exactly!"
"Back in my world, we had a holiday that was pretty much like this one," Leo explained. "The only differences were one or two different methods of practice, and the reason why the holiday exists in the first place."
"Wow, really?" Cozy piped. "Well, we're sorry you can't celebrate your holiday back home."
"It's fine, I guess..." Leo shrugged. "Just a shame I can't get much stuff I want... I'm missing out on a bunch."
"There's more to these holidays than just gifts, you know..." said Sunburst.
"Of course I know that!"
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"I'll get it."
Leo carefully set down the tinsel, and went over to the doors. Luster Dawn and Magma Burn were waiting for him on the other side.
"Oh! Hey, Luster! Um... hey, Magma."
Magma snorted. Any likely development Leo had with Magma definitely fizzled away a little after Nightmare Night... even though Leo did try to explain himself.
That's when Leo also noticed Magma wasn't wearing any winter gear.
"...Magma? You're not wearing any gear?... It's freezing out!"
"Don't need it..." Magma Burn insisted.
"But, how do you not-"
Leo stopped himself when he saw Magma light his horn. Leo briefly thought Magma was gonna do something to him, but then he looked down and saw steam surrounding his hooves, and the snow under him appearing to melt.
"Well... point made!" Leo exclaimed. "Anyways, what are you two doing here?"
"We're here to help you all set up for Hearth's Warming, of course!" Luster replied. "Of course, I had to drag Magma over here..."
"...like you always do."
Luster had to ignore Magma's remark. Although they were close, he was getting tired of being included into whatever his "enemies" were up to. And not just the reformed trio, or Leo. But Starlight, or Discord, and maybe even Princess Twilight herself on some extent.
"Well, come on in you two!" Leo stepped aside. "We could use all the help we can get."
Luster and Magma entered, but Magma slightly brushed past Leo.
"Yipe!" Leo quickly rubbed the spot on his shoulder where Magma got him. It felt like his shoulder was really close to fire, which wasn't all too bad.
"So, what do we need to do?" Luster asked.
"Most of what we have is already done," Sunburst explained. "We just need to apply some finishing touches before we consider our work finished."
"Like what?"
"Anything, really," Chrysalis answered.
"Ooookay..."
"Come to think of it, last I checked, I think we could add a little more decorations to the outside," Cozy Glow began.
"Then we'll go and do that."
"Perfect!" Starlight smiled. "Everything is already out there (since Trixie never thought of bringing it inside). Good luck."
"Thanks, Mom. Let's go, Magma."
When Luster turned around, Magma Burn rolled his eyes before joining her.
When they closed the doors, Luster decided to speak up about the situation.
"Magma, I understand that all you want is justice, but I really think you should give your morals second-thoughts."
"Listen, Luster, I just want you to be safe," Magma explained. "It seems like ever since those three came back, they've had something to do with the problems Equestria has been having?"
"Are you listening to yourself? For one thing, they've had nothing to do with Grogar, aside from being cast out of Equestria for no good reason. If anything, they're the reason we're still here. And then Leo helped us out with defeating Grogar and his goons. Then, there's Nightmare Night. Sure, they attacked us, but I forgave them because it wasn't their fault. It was whoever was pulling the strings."
"I don't forgive easily. Forgiveness is a sign of weakness."
"You always say that!" exclaimed Luster. "You know what? This has gone on for long enough!"
"What are you talking about?" Magma asked.
"Unless you give them a chance... my mother, my friends, the Princess... I don't think we can be friends, anymore."
Magma felt his heart shatter. Luster turned and went up to the supplies, and began to search through the box.
"But..." Magma stuttered. "You're all I have!"
Luster sighed. "Maybe you need to branch out more, then..." She pulled out some garland. "You can stay. Or you can go. You're right. I can't keep dragging you into things including my friends if you don't want to be included. I guess that's another friendship lesson I just learned."
And even though Magma just stood there and watched, Luster didn't say another word.
... ...
The sun went down, and everypony/creature began to gather, entering the castle one by one, some singing to themselves, and others catching a quick glimpse at the decor. Meanwhile, some of the ones that made it possible oversaw it all.
"Does anyone think we overdid it with the decorations?" Trixie asked.
"I think we did just fine," said Sunburst.
"So remember Trixie," Starlight started. "When mingling time is over, you go outside on the balcony, and you do your thing."
"Starlight, please, I got this," Trixie assured.
"I know you do."
"Is Magma Burn still outside?" Sunburst asked Luster.
"I don't know. It's been a while since I checked. I can only guess that he returned home."
"Will you be okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be? Sure, he was among my first friends, but I really think he needs a wake-up-call right now."
"That's fair, I guess?" Sunburst replied. "I'm gonna be honest with you though, you seem a little aggressive."
"I'll be fine. Trust me."
"Okay..."
Downstairs, Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow went back inside the castle after running some errands. When they got in, they had to shut the doors as quick as possible since they were letting in cold air, and there was a large crowd nearby watching them.
"Sorry, everyone," Cozy apologized.
"The weather sure dropped down the past few hours..." said Chrysalis.
Tirek made sure the doors were fully shut. "I'll say. I don't enjoy the wind, especially at this time of night and weather. But I suppose it's nice to experience it for the first time in years."
"Trust me. It'll grow very old," Cozy Glow promised. "In a year or so, that first half of your sentence will be the only thing you say."
"Well, that's what Hot Chocolate is for." Chrysalis took off her scarf and hat and hung them up. "I'll probably make some for the crowd later."
"If you need help, then I'll surely be happy to help," Tirek insisted.
"Are you sure?"
"Certainly."
"If you two do that, I'll go meet up with the others then," Cozy Glow said.
"Very well. Tirek... to the kitchen we go!"
*Meanwhile...*
Fluttershy was leaning forward to the cage, listening to Ollie's chirps.
"Ollie says he's been enjoying his stay so far," she explained.
"Glad to hear it," said Leo. "It's great to actually know what they're saying. Birds sometimes have this sense of mystery... they're cute, but mysterious."
Fluttershy didn't say anything.
Leo decided to toss in another sentence. "But that's just my take."
Fluttershy decided to change the subject. "I'm not Rarity, but I will say that you all did a great job decorating for Hearth's Warming, this year."
"You think that's all we did? Please. We got quite a bit left in store. In fact... what time is it?"
Fluttershy and Leo both glanced at the clock on the wall.
"It's almost time for the speech. Let's go."
Fluttershy cocked her head to the side. "Speech?"
"You'll see."
Leo and Fluttershy left to go down the hall. Fluttershy intended to rejoin the crowd, while Leo intended to meet up with Cozy Glow.
Meanwhile, Chrysalis and Tirek returned from the kitchen after a second trip, carrying two large teapots and a bunch of cups. Chrysalis raised a sign to give the ponies notice that the Hot Chocolate was ready to be served. Immediately, some ponies already started to form a line. Chrysalis and Tirek proceeded with carefully passing out two to four cups at once. Starlight also arrived.
"Are you sure you'll be able to serve this whole crowd hot chocolate?" Starlight inquired.
"You don't need to worry about us," Chrysalis assured. "This is no different than when we sold phones to plenty of guests a few months back, or just holding a very popular stand in the marketplace."
"Besides, some of the guests won't have hot chocolate, anyways," said Tirek.
"You're right. Carry on," Starlight said. "But we're pretty close to our big event."
Chrysalis handed a cup of hot chocolate to a Hippogriff, and at the same time, a second cup to a random pony. "You keep thinking about what happens before the event. We plan on serving more Hot Chocolate afterwards."
Nearby, Leo finally rejoined with Cozy Glow. Fluttershy was already back with the crowd.
"You nearly ready?" he asks her.
"Almost."
"Are you nervous?"
"No." Cozy shook her head. "No I'm not."
"Well, then... you know what to do. I think we're pretty much set to go."
Cozy Glow smiled, opened her wings, and hovered into the air, a few feet above the crowd. She lit her horn, and cast a spell on herself to amplify her voice, since she didn't have a microphone.
"...Hello? Can I have everypony and everycreature's attention?"
A large majority of the crowd turned their head upon hearing the filly, but the rest of the crowd needed to be reminded by others that their attention was needed.
"Can everyone hear me?... Am I too loud?... Great! So... before I begin, I would like to let all of you know, if you don't know already, that Chrysalis and Tirek are over there giving away Hot Chocolate, so if you would like some, then feel free to get it before you leave for the night.
:Anyways, you all probably know me by now. Cozy Glow. One of Equestria's former threats-turned-protectors, you could say. Now, I'm not going to get all sappy and tell the same exact story yet again... you all probably know it by now if you've been keeping up with the news for the past couple months. I'll just cut to the chase...
"Harmony is something that keeps everything tied together into a neat Hearth's Warming Bow. Harmony is the reason I am a completely different filly than before. Harmony is the reason why ponies and non-ponies live together, in what I hope is eternal friendship. Harmony is the reason why the different pony tribes formed... making friendship, and harmony the reason why Equestria exists in the first place.
"I'm happy. I'm thankful. And I know I'm not the only one. Although a majority of you weren't anything like me, I think we can all agree that when Harmony thrives, we are all much happier, and much better examples of who we should be. An example of how peace makes us much happier than if we were focused on bitter rivalries or destruction. So let's allow Harmony to continue until the end of time!"
Everyone clapped and cheered. All of Cozy Glow's close accomplices smiled.
"Now, although the get-together is far from over, we've all prepared a special surprise for everyone! Please make your way out of the castle, and gather around the front. Thank you."
Cozy Glow reversed the spell, and she took the path to get outside. Leo followed, and so did the crowd. It was slightly chaotic, but there weren't any incidents as all the guests make their way through the castle, and eventually out the door. Meanwhile, Starlight rushed to the balcony, eventually deciding to teleport to the balcony, which caught Trixie and a few dragons they hired (two of them being Smolder and Spike) off-guard.
"GAH!" Trixie yelped.
"Sorry, Trixie," Starlight apologized. "But the show is about to start. Are you all ready?"
"As ready as we'll ever be!" Smolder raised a small bottle of red liquid. "Bottom's up, fellas!"
Smolder, along with another dragon, drank their own bottles of red liquid. Another dragon, however, drank green liquid instead. Spike didn't drink anything.
"Lucky for me, I don't need any," he said.
"We know. You said that already," said Trixie.
"Thanks for agreeing to do this, by the way," Starlight thanked.
"No problem."
"Where's Twilight?"
"Right here!" Princess Twilight landed on the balcony. "You didn't think I was going to miss this, did you?"
"Of course not!" Starlight exclaimed. "Will you be up here, or..."
"I think I'll just watch from the crowd. The view is better. I just wanted to thank you, Sunburst, Spike, Chrysalis, Tirek, and everyone else for doing this."
"I'm glad you're liking it already," Starlight smiled.
"Good luck. I'll be up when the show's over."
"Thanks again."
"Bye, Twilight!" Spike waved farewell.
Trixie waved too, but she just genuinely smiled.
Princess Twilight flew off, and went to join the crowd where the New Mane 4 resided.
Starlight stepped back and nodded at Trixie. It was time!
The four dragons flew off into the night sky, and began to do an assortment of things, while they each proceeded to breathe fire... Smolder and one dragon breathed red, and Spike and another dragon breathed green. They swirled around in the sky, went around in a halo-like circle, went at each other before flying off to the side at the last second, and many other things. And the whole time, Trixie's horn burst out red, green, and white sparks, swirling up into the sky. Eventually, the sparks and swirls of magic became booming fireworks, which the dragons weren't even affected by in the slightest. The massive crowd watched with wonder and excitement. The show was massive, and exciting, and it felt like it was lasting forever... which was something that no one cared about.
But, all good things had to come to an end, and the show soon came to its massive conclusion. Amplifying her voice, Starlight made sure to remind everyone about the Hot Chocolate, before everyone made their way inside.
Luster was, of course, with her friends and the Princess in the back.
"That was phenominal!" she piped. "They did so well!"
"Yeah, it was one of the biggest things that we had to plan for the night," Chrysalis explained. "It definitely went off with out a hitch..."
Luster stopped listening. She stopped. Nearby, in the faded dark, she could see Magma Burn sitting in the snow, his back hunched, and his face hidden. Everyone else seemed to notice too.
Luster wasn't sure if he was there all day, or if he came back and had to sit, but either way, she decided to do something about it. She was going to go talk to him.
"Would you excuse me for one moment?"
Luster didn't bother with hearing their responses. She just went off, intent on hopefully finding out if Magma Burn was worth keeping around, and having as a friend.
... ...
Luster wasn't sure if Magma Burn would be aggressive to her, but she was cautious anyway. He didn't move or speak, which scared her, but at the same time left her curious.
But when Luster Dawn was close enough, Magma Burn finally managed to speak.
"...All I wanted is to keep Equestria safe," he started. "...keep the innocent safe... and keep you safe."
"But I am safe!" Luster exclaimed. "I, like many others, feel safe around them... my mother, the reformed trio, Discord, all of them! They've done so much to help save Equestria in their own ways. They've rarely done anything. Okay, yes, Discord made some slip-ups, but... everything's okay!"
"And you're certain they're not just... waiting... to pounce?"
"It's been well over a couple of months since our last incident, and everything's been fine."
There was a sound of hoofsteps in snow, and Luster and Magma saw Chrysalis, Tirek, Cozy Glow, and Leo walk up to them. They didn't say anything however. Instead, they allowed the conversation to carry on.
"Listen. One of my most recent friendship lessons was that we don't have to agree with everything to be friends. And it's true. We don't have to agree on everything. But your vision of justice isn't like different opinions on a story. It's holding onto the past, which isn't just harmful to them, but harmful to me... and even you! This is Hearth's Warming! A time where we celebrate Harmony! Not a time to want the worst for those who have changed. Maybe, yes, the reformation of Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow was among the most unlikely... but it happened! Same for Discord, same for everyone else. And if my mother never changed... then I wouldn't even be here today."
"I've been around you plenty of times... especially when we were stranded," said Leo. "Considering it's obvious that you still have a grudge with me, I can pretty much say that you're simply not giving them, or us, any chance at all. You're not willingeg to take time to get to know us. And when we're together, you're here because you don't have a choice."
"Come with us, Magma," Chrysalis encouraged. "Open your mind. Calm your beliefs. And if you get to know us, maybe you'll feel different..."
Leo was the one to extend his hoof as a sign of a peace offering.
Magma stared. He felt the same urge he always had to ignore the offer, and leave. Yes, it came with a cost... he'd lose his closest friend. But what if... what if he tried something new? Maybe it would open a door. It was a risk.
But Magma Burn took risks before.
He took Leo's hoof, and he stood up.
"Let us proceed," Tirek said. "We'll go inside for some Hot Chocolate, and go from there."
"Do you by chance have any... specific pastries?" Magma Burn asked.
"Like what?" inquired Chrysalis.
"Maybe some... donuts, perhaps?"
"I have some leftover's from Pony Joe's," Cozy Glow shrugged. "You could have some if you want."
What happened next was a surprise. For the first time, they all saw Magma Burn smile.
"Yes..." he starts. "I like that a lot..."
And they all went aside, but for a few extra moments, Leo stopped when some snow began to fall. He looked up, and watched as the night-time Hearth's Warming Snow began to fall. From the distance, he could see some Pegasi kicking the clouds to allow the snow to fall.
Just then, he heard his name get called, and he quickly retreated inside.
Cozy Glow and I waved goodbye to Chrysalis and Tirek, who were both leaving to go on a personal overnight vacation. Once the doors were closed, Cozy Glow stated the obvious.
“So… we’re still on our Winter Break from school… I don’t have any work days for the time being… Chrysalis and Tirek are gone… Starlight, Sunburst, and Trixie are out doing who knows what… we don’t really have much to do.”
“Yeah. Everything can get boring pretty quickly,” I said. “Offline phone games… reading… and card games are more fun when there’s more than two of us around.”
“I’m with you there,” Cozy agreed. “Maybe we could go watch a movie at the theater?”
“Nah, I’m not interested in any of them…”
“We could go shopping.”
“I suppose. There aren’t as much eye-catching stuff unlike what Earth had, but I am getting interested in the comics Equestria has an offer. I wouldn’t mind going out to get some more.”
“And the arcade! Don’t forget that!”
“Yeah, that’s right. I could grab some bits.”
“See, there’s plenty of things we can do when we leave the castle!” Cozy exclaimed.
“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll go grab some money.”
I ran off to get the bits, but as I made my way to my room, I could of sworn I heard a door close. I looked behind me, but there was nothing there.
I approached the door. I could have sworn I saw or heard it shut. But when I opened it, there was nothing there. Just a bunch of loose items and boxes… dang closets.
Still unsure about what just happened, I closed the door, and went to my room to get my bits. I grabbed the money, and made my way back to Cozy Glow, taking a quick peek at the door on my way back.
"Are you ready to go?" Cozy asked.
"Y-yeah."
"What's wrong?"
"I could have sworn I heard a door shut..." I said. "But when I checked, there was nothing there..."
"Strange..."
"Should we be worried?"
"I mean, we could double-check, but if there's nothing there, then maybe it was just... wind, or force?"
"Duh! Silly me! Why wouldn't it be? Okay, I... guess we can go out."
We both grabbed and put on our winter gear. In spite of sounding more or less confident when saying that, I still had that small nagging feeling that something was amiss.
... *Intro* ...
It was fun while it lasted, but Cozy Glow and I soon decided to return home to the castle. But on our way back, we couldn’t resist stopping by to greet Apple Bloom, who was taking care of a mobile apple stand (complete with some apple treats suitable for the season) a block or so away from the castle. From the looks of it, she was nearly done putting everything away.
She spotted us the moment we got to her stand. “Cozy Glow! Leo! How goes it?”
“Nothing much,” Cozy replied. “We’re just on our way back after spending a couple of hours in town. What are you up to?”
"Nothing much. Just fillin' in for Big Mac and Sugar Belle while they take a break from the business."
"Oh, nice," I nod. "How are they doing?"
"They're doin' pretty good... taking care of their kid very well, maintaining the farm pretty well..."
"Cool."
"Hey guys!" a fourth voice piped.
Cozy and I stepped aside when Diamond Tiara showed up at the stand.
"Diamond Tiara? What are you doing here?" Apple Bloom asks.
"I thought I'd come by and say hi," she replies.
"Huh... Twenty one years later, and it still feels weird when you're genuinely nice."
"I'm sure its weirder with me and the other two," said Cozy Glow.
"You're right on that part."
"Winter afternoons like this sure are beautiful, huh?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"Yeah. I myself am a fan of cloudy days, with fresh snow all around," Leo replied. "Though it's better before Hearth's Warming, I'll tell you that much."
"Eh, it's alright," Apple Bloom shrugged.
Diamond Tiara started talking, but that's when I noticed Cozy Glow space out. Far off in the castle window, she could see a faint red and yellow glow coming from one of the windows. Although it was faint, she could make it out very well. When I (and then the other two) noticed, they stopped talking as well.
Cozy took one glance at me, and said, "We have to go!"
Without giving me a chance to respond, she darted off to the castle.
"Cozy! Wait!"
I took off after her, running as fast as I possibly could (though still not using all my effort). When Cozy Glow finally made it to the castle, she stopped once she got inside. I caught up to her, panting.
"Cozy... *huff*... what's the big idea?..." I wheezed.
"What are you talking about, Leo? You saw it too!" exclaimed Cozy.
"A little notice would have been nice..."
"Well excuse me for assuming you thought there was danger."
"... Well-"
Out of nowhere, Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara barged through the doors.
"AH-" I yelped. "What are you two doing? What about the stand?"
"Ah' already got it all put away, anyway," Apple Bloom replied.
"You seemed pretty concerned with whatever was going on, so we decided to come over," Diamond explained.
"You didn't really need to, though..." said Cozy. "This may or may not be your place for this."
"We insist," Apple Bloom said.
"Just let them hang out..." I told Cozy. "Maybe what we're expecting is something that they can have a role to play in, or maybe it's legitimate danger that you and I have to handle like always. We'll just have to see."
"Of course, we'll help if we need to!" Apple Bloom piped.
"We will?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"Listen, the longer we sit around, the longer it takes for us to know what's even going on," said Cozy Glow. "Let's go."
We all followed Cozy Glow down the hall, since we expected her to know which room the commotion ensued. However, we soon came across the map room, which we were originally going to pass. But Cozy Glow ended up coming to a stop, and the rest of us did too.
Starlight Glimmer stood in front of the map, across from the doorway. Staring.
Cozy Glow walked into the room, and we followed her.
"Welcome, dear friends..." Starlight greeted in an odd manner.
"... Starlight?" Apple Bloom asked. "Are you okay?"
"Never better!" she smiled. "Why don't you all come closer?"
We all started to back away.
"Actually, we have some things to do..." Diamond Tiara lied.
"I said... come closer!"
The doors slammed behind us, and we were all dragged over to the table. Although it was magic, I don't think Starlight's horn was lit... and the magical aura was red.
"What's going on?" Apple Bloom squeaked.
"I'll tell you what's going on..." Starlight... and what appeared to be a second voice... simultaneously said. I looked up, and that's when I saw a familiar red face peak out from behind the tree roots hanging from the ceiling. The pony flew down, and landed next to Starlight, holding a scroll in his magic. "... you simply arrived at the perfect time."
"Sephtis!" Cozy exclaimed.
Starlight's eyes suddenly flashed red, and she passed out. Sephtis must have had her under his control!
"Of course, I wish Chrysalis and Tirek were here, but... I could make do with this, I suppose," he cooed.
"What is that?" Cozy pointed at the scroll.
"Why don't you all find out?! This may be familiar to some of you..."
Laughing, Sephtis blasted the scroll, and it raised up high above the table. Red magic began to swirl around the piece of parchment paper, and then absorbed into it. The scroll then shot a laser of it's own right smack in the middle of the table. The magic spread all around the table, exposing the whole map of Equestria.
I knew what he was doing. And so did Cozy Glow, as she was told the story quite a few times. We both squirmed to try and stop Sephtis, but his magic was too strong. In fact, he even chose to add insult to injury by pinning the four of us against the wall.
"This time..." the red Alicorn snarled. "... I'll make sure you don't use this."
Sephtis tore up the scroll into many pieces. He glared at the table, and with the sudden raise of his body, the table began to emit pinkish magic. Rings continuously emerged from the table and faded away when they were close to the ceiling, forming a barrier of sorts. In spite of being pinned to the wall by magic, I started to feel an indoor breeze. Finally, to cap it all off, there was a sudden spark, which formed into a ball of light, which then formed into a blue portal, looking like a gaping hole that had little to no end. I don't think I need to describe the rest of it to you... I assume you all know where this is headed.
Sephtis waved goodbye. "Have fun..."
He teleported away, leaving behind a small echo of his laughter. Once he was gone, we all fell to the ground.
"What is that thing!?!?" Diamond Tiara shrieked.
"We'll explain later!" Cozy replied. "But we need to get out of here!"
"Wait!" I exclaim. "Starlight!"
Meanwhile, I could see Starlight begin to stir, slowly standing up. I saw the realization set in as she discovered what was going on.
"Wuh... what?... Oh... oh no... what is going- AGH!!"
We all gasped. Out of nowhere, Starlight was whisked right into the gaping hole of reality. You'd think that we'd have time to get out of there.
But no. The moment Starlight was taken, Cozy Glow was also swept off of her hooves, and sent into the portal. Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom were next, but a rare moment of reflex took over, and I grabbed both of their hind hooves. That ended up being futile, as it only made it quicker for me to get dragged in as well.
... ...
It was like a flippin' rollar coaster! Travelling through time felt somewhat similar to when I visited the Mirror World, but something about the different situation made it seem more surreal.
Fortunately, it finally came to an end, and I flew out of the portal. Unfortunately, there was nothing that could serve as a crash pad, so I was in for a rough landing. But hey, at least I was in a position where it wouldn't hurt as bad or break anything important, so that was a plus.
Diamond Tiara and Cozy Glow also had it easy. Apple Bloom and Starlight? Not so much. Apple Bloom easily dusted it off, but Starlight was still dazed and shocked.
"N-NO!!" Starlight panicked. "What the hay happened?!"
"You don't remember?" Apple Bloom replied. "We saw some suspicious activity comin' from the castle, and when we all went to investigate, you were just sittin' at the table. Then this red Alicorn that looks like Leo came along and did... this!"
"He sent us through time... that's what happened," Starlight answered. "He went through my memories, found the spell I wrote, and used it against all of us!"
"Wait, we time travelled!?!" Diamond Tiara exclaimed. "Okay, I'm dreaming. There's no way this is real..." She started to hobble around, clearly shocked that she got roped into something this extreme. "...I'm just a regular Ponyville citizen that's the daughter of very rich parents... hehe... I don't get into situations with time-travel, red Alicorns, crazy magic-"
Apple Bloom grabbed Diamond Tiara and shook her.
"Will... you... snap out of it?! This is real. Ah'm not a time-traveler either, but this is real!"
Diamond shook her head vigorously. "Okay... okay... I'm good, but... Starlight, how did you manage to make a spell this extreme?"
Starlight sighed. "A long time ago, I was an enemy of Twilight's just like Cozy Glow. Before I changed for the better, I used time travel as an attempt to destroy Twilight's friendship with her friends. Even though the experience has made me a better mare, I still feel a little uncomfortable with the subject..."
"Well, there's nothing you can do about it now," I replied. "What's done is done. And how do we fix what's been done? We just have to rewrite the spell in order to get back to our time."
"Easier said than done," said Starlight. "We need some parchment paper, and I need to refresh my memory on what the spell exactly was..."
"Wait, you don't remember the spell?" Cozy asked.
"When Sephtis searched my memories for the spell, I'm pretty sure he erased all my memories about what it was, because now I know nothing about it!"
"So what do we do?" Apple Bloom asked.
"I don't know... But maybe if I find the original spell by Starswirl, it could either jog my memory, or at least give me something to work with."
"Then that's what we'll work with," Cozy proclaimed. "So... where are we, anyways?"
"Technically, it's 'when' are we," Apple Bloom pointed out. "But 'where' works too."
Of course somepony was bound to say that.
"I think I may know where we are," said Starlight. "We're-"
"Hey!" Diamond Tiara piped. "I can see a village from here!"
We all joined up with Diamond Tiara. I could hear Starlight say "What she said..." before joining us.
We all looked over the ledge, and could see a village not too far away. It had two rows of the same building, and at the end of the village was a bigger house. I recognized it. And so did Starlight.
"My old village..."
"Wait, you had a village?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"There's a lot you don't know about her," said Cozy.
Starlight's horn lit, and her eyes began to glow blue.
"... what's she doin'?" Apple Bloom inquired.
"A sight-amplifying spell," Starlight answered. "It's sort of like turning your eyes into binoculars."
"Oh yeah, I remember that spell!" Cozy exclaimed.
I watched as Starlight studied the village, before she blinked, ending the spell. She did not look too excited.
"I know what time we're in..." she started. "This was back when I was in charge... back when I stole the cutie marks of that entire village!"
"Okay, now I really need to know your story," said Diamond Tiara.
"There's no way any of you are going there."
"Does it really matter?" I replied. "I mean, we can't be seen either way."
"This is different, though. Being seen by a pony comes with a consequence that can easily be reversed. But being seen by any of the villagers, especially my past self, will make it harder, maybe even impossible, to get back!"
"Listen, Starlight, I get that you don't want anything to do with this, but does the village have parchment paper and ink?" Cozy Glow asked.
"Yes, but-"
"Do you have any spell books from Starswirl?"
"Do I... wait a minute, I think I remember having some hidden in the floor. But I-"
"Then I'll be right back!"
Cozy Glow flew off.
"Wait, Cozy!" Starlight shouted, before stopping herself. She then turned to me. "Someone needs to go get her."
"But none of us can fly," I said.
"Don't you have wings?" Apple Bloom pointed out.
"Yeah... and I know nothing about using them!"
"We can't let her risk getting caught!" Starlight declared.
"For the last time, Starlight, you're overreacting!" I exclaim. "She's saved the world from Grogar, and evil clones. I'm sure she'll do just fi-"
I was cut off when a large chunk of the ground underneath me crumbled, and I started sliding and rolling down the rocky hill, screaming. At some point, I bounced off a rock and then bounced on my wing, before the rolling continued. I finally reached the bottom, but it definitely felt like I've seen better days. Groaning, I stood up. Cozy Glow must have noticed, because she landed on the ground the moment I got back up on my hooves.
"Are you okay?"
"Never better..." I whimper. "Come on, we need to go back."
"Why?"
"Come on, Cozy! You're smart. You should know that approaching Starlight's village when it was in it's equality period is a bad idea."
"Well... yeah! But as you said... I'm smart! So that means I can easily be crafty in this kind of situation."
"You're not listening..." I mumble. "You-"
I quickly stopped myself when I noticed something from the distance. That's when I realized that we were gonna get into some trouble unless we did something.
"Hide."
"What?"
"Incoming crowd. Hide!"
I pointed, and Cozy Glow looked. There was a bunch of ponies making their way down from a path on the hill, advancing to the village. We couldn't see them, but we could see their shadows, which were getting bigger by the moment.
"Where would we hide?" Cozy hissed.
"Do you know any invisibility spells?"
"Do you?"
"Well... no... I haven't practiced that part just yet."
"Shoot... wait a minute..." Cozy peered to the side of the hill. "Hide behind that rock!"
I looked, and she was right. There was a rock there. We both ran over to the rock, ducked behind it, and peeked. We hid just in time... Starlight's past self was the first pony to show herself, and the rest of the crowd followed her... all of them were grinning wide smiles. Up until now, I never found it disturbing, but I guess witnessing events in the flesh with your own eyes changes things.
We watched as Past Starlight and the others advanced closer and closer. We both decided that it was safer to quit peeking, and wait for the crowd to pass. So we ducked down, and listened. The hoofsteps got louder, and we held our breath. But then the steps came to a sudden stop.
Cozy Glow and I exchanged looks. The hoofsteps stopping could only mean one thing. I moved to look, but when I turned, I was met face-to-face with the past Starlight Glimmer. Her muzzle was only a couple inches from mine, and she had a wide smile.
"NYAH!" I yelped.
"Hi there!" she greeted. "Wow, what do we have here? I've never seen a stallion Alicorn before!"
"Well, I'm not really royalty or anything, but-"
Cutting me off, Past Starlight spoke to Cozy Glow.
"...and you must have ascended early."
"Well, sort of, yes, but I'm not royalty either."
"Non-royal Alicorns? Then how did you get your wings?"
"Magic," I shrug. "Listen, we're kind of busy right now, and we need to get goi-"
"Nonsense!" Starlight piped. "We'd love it if you'd pay our village a visit!"
I was about to pull the 'This is an emergency!' card, but one of the villagers already got to talking. I knew who this guy was, too... it was Double Diamond.
"We always get excited when we meet new travelers, and we want our town to be one of the most welcoming places you could find!" he grinned.
I was getting antsy. I could tell Cozy Glow was too. I don't know what the others are doing, but I hope they're getting ready to help us out.
"Perhaps giving them our 'welcome' song will do just the trick!" Past Starlight beamed. "Come on, everypony!"
Past Starlight started to coax us into unwillingly coming with her, while the town started their song (even though we weren't even in the village yet). Cozy Glow and I had no choice... we had to come with them.
*Top of the cliff*
"No, no, no, no..."
Starlight carefully watched over the cliff as her past incarnation, along with the rest of the village, started to sing their song, while guiding her friends to the village.
"This is what happens when nopony listens to me..." Starlight mumbled through closed teeth, before turning to the others. "We need to do something!"
"Don't ask me!" Diamond Tiara exclaimed. "I just got roped into this."
"Diamond, if we're gonna work together to get out of this, you're going to have to play a part. Both of you. It doesn't matter whether you both belong in these situations. You're both here now, and doing nothing won't get us back."
"She's right, y'know..." said Apple Bloom.
"I know..." Diamond mumbled.
Starlight glanced over at the crowd again. While the villagers were heading for the town, they continued to sing, and she could see a few of them dance or try to make the song more lively.
"Well, now we might as well steal from my old home... since those two are in some hot water already..." she mused. She faced the other two mares. "Hm... I mean, I want to send you two down there, but I'm risking your safety."
"Would it be safer if you went?" Diamond asked.
"Maybe..." Starlight shrugged. "Though... we don't have the makeup or brushes we need to change my mane or make me look younger..."
"There's no magic for that, or anythin'?" Apple Bloom asked.
Starlight shrugged. "If there is, then I'll need to think about that..." She peered over the cliff. "We may have to give it a chance... if all goes wrong, I'll have to choice but to take some risks..."
... ...
By the time Past Starlight and the villagers finished their tune, we were already in the belly of the beast. Cozy Glow and I were seated at the bakery where Sugar Belle used to work... I had to refrain Cozy Glow from recognizing her out loud. Past Starlight and Double Diamond actually stuck around with us, since they never really got to explain the whole story for a while (because they dove right into the stinkin' song instead of giving us time). While Sugar Belle baked our muffins, Past Starlight concluded the story about the village.
Until now, Cozy and I never brought up the whole cutie-mark thing, and since Past Starlight didn't yet entirely, so I went ahead and did it.
"Ah. So that explains the... cutie marks."
"Right on!" Past Starlight exclaimed. "Here, in our town, we feel that equality is one of the best solutions in order to achieve harmony and peace across the village. And what better way to express and take part in it, than getting rid of our cutie marks?"
"Riiiiight..." Cozy replied.
"You don't sound too convinced," said Double Diamond.
"Let's not worry," Past Starlight replied. "I think if they stay, they'll warm up to it really quick."
"We still really need to go-"
"We'll stick around and think about it!" Cozy Glow cut me off.
"Wonderful!" Past Starlight clapped. "I'll leave you two on your own! Enjoy yourselves!"
Past Starlight and Double Diamond left, finally allowing Cozy and I to return to our thoughts. For the most part, the villagers went back to doing their own thing. So far, Cozy Glow and I have mostly been roped into what Twilight went through, and if it carries on any longer, we're toast. While Sugar Belle made the muffins, Cozy Glow and I went through with discussing our plan... quietly.
"Why, Cozy... Why are you bringing us deeper into this situation?"
"Relax, Leo," the filly assured. "Once I get the spell and parchment out of Starlight's home, we'll make our getaway. We'll even erase some memories, if we have to!"
"I get that," I said. "I know you're just trying to help. But you can't always be so... complex, or daring, or risky to pull something off! Sometimes, it's just easier to go easy on things."
"I'm not like that all the time, though."
"I know. But in a situation like this? Don't be like that. How will you steal from Starlight's old home, anyway?"
"Hel-lo?" Cozy Glow tapped her horn. "I'll make myself invisible, sneak in, and swipe everything as fast as I could."
"Well, if you follow through, you better make it quick. Otherwise, we'll lose our cutie marks, and everything... our fate, our plan, and the future... is hosed."
Cozy Glow nodded, and as she did, Sugar Belle returned, smile still wide, and she placed a plate of dull-looking muffins on our table.
"Here you are..." she set down the plate.
"Wow, that was fast," I admired.
"Thank you," Cozy thanked.
"You're welcome. I'll admit, I'm not that much of a good baker... but I hope you enjoy them anyway... after all, I'm not any better than anypony else..."
I could of sworn she said that last sentence to Twilight.
"We'll enjoy them to the fullest extent!" I lied.
Sugar Belle smiled, but even though nobody was watching us (*cough*, Double Diamond), I could still see the worry in her eyes. "Well... enjoy the village! I think you'll both love it here..."
Sugar Belle then left Cozy Glow and I to our own thing. At first, I wondered why she didn't stick around as long, ask us questions about our friendship or bickering, or even try to get us to go to the basement! But then I remembered something... she witnessed Twilight and her friends expressing their friendship to the fullest extent, from disagreement, to reconciliation. She decided to give them more time. Cozy Glow and I... she never caught us doing anything. Plus, we never gave her a long introduction either. She took part in the song, we were brought to the bakery, we ordered the muffins, and that's it. And honestly... it's for the best.
Anyway, that bit of info was unnecessary moving on!
Cozy Glow raised a muffin, ready to eat it.
I stopped her. "Don't eat that."
"Huh?"
"Trust me. Pinkie said cardboard tasted better."
"Okay then..." Cozy Glow set the muffin down. "So... we'll follow through with the plan?"
"I guess so... but I want you to remember something... don't always take the daring route, because you'll end up getting in more trouble than you barg-"
"Hello!"
For the second time, Past Starlight caught us both by surprise.
"Oh!... Um... Hi, Starlight!" Cozy Glow waved.
"Have you two been enjoying your stay, so far?" Past Starlight beamed.
"I mean, we've been at the table this whole time, but yes..." I nod. "Yes we are."
"Great!" Past Starlight then nudged her head over to the direction where her house was. "Why don't you two come with me?"
Cozy raised a muffin. "But... the muffins!"
I had to give Cozy Glow credit there. Using muffins as an excuse to stay.
"Oh, my apologies! I don't mean to interrupt your meal!" Past Starlight lifted the plate. "We can just take them with us."
"But don't we have to pay?" I ask.
"I'll cover for you," Past Starlight insisted. "Come on."
She turned away and left. I quickly glanced at Cozy Glow, gestured to my horn, and quickly made a sleepy face. She understood. When we looked at Past Starlight again, she was looking back at us with a grin.
We got up and we followed her. If there was the slightest chance that my secret message was confusing, here's the scoop... Cozy Glow and I were going to cast Past Starlight into a sleep spell. We'd deal with the other villagers later, but Past Starlight is our first target.
We arrived at her home finally. She opened the door for us, and we all walked inside. She then closed the door behind her, leaving us all on our out.
I couldn't help but keep wondering about what Starlight and the others were up to. Whatever they were doing, I hope they have a good reason as to why it was taking too long, because if Cozy Glow and I fail, then it's all on them to save us.
*Time portal opens, everyone is soaring through the portal*
Diamond Tiara: There's no way this is real...
Starlight: My old village...
*Cozy Glow flies down the cliff*
Starlight: Wait, Cozy!
*Leo tumbles down the hill*
Past Starlight: We'd love it if you'd pay our village a visit!
*Leo and Cozy Glow are following Past Starlight*
Past Starlight: I think if they stay, they'll warm up to it really quick."
*Evilly grinning, Past Starlight shuts the door to her home*
... *Intro* ...
Starlight stared into a pair of binoculars, watching her village from where she was. Not having anything with her in the first place, Starlight was lucky that she knew transfiguration, otherwise she wouldn't have as much of an easy time trying to piece things together to solve the problem.
"Transfiguration is such an interesting spell..." Diamond Tiara said. "She turned that rock into a pair of binoculars!!"
"You seem very amused," Apple Bloom replied.
Diamond Tiara sheepishly grinned. "I don't... see complicated magic that much these days."
While Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom kept talking, Starlight watched everything unfold. Although she was far away from the village, she was able to get a decent view of Leo and Cozy Glow. She watched as her past self proceeded to lure her friends into her old home, before shutting the door behind her. Starlight closed the binoculars.
"I'm going down there," she proclaimed.
"You are?" Apple Bloom replied. "We'll come with!"
"No! Stay here! There's already enough of us getting in trouble. I don't think anypony will be passing by this area, so don't worry about hiding."
"But Starlight-"
Apple Bloom cut herself off when Starlight suddenly turned and leapt off of the ledge. The two other mares gasped, and ran for the edge. Peeking over, they saw Starlight fall, almost like a dive, but right when it seemed as if she'd land on the ground, she disappeared in a spark, and when she reappeared, she was facing onward to the village instead of the ground, and she slid on her hooves.
"Next time..." Starlight wildly shook her head. "Just teleport regularly..."
*Past Starlight's Home...*
Past Starlight shut the door behind us. The inside was just as I remembered seeing it as... a mostly bland area, with a cabinet, bookshelf, messy curtains, and a couple of pictures of... equal signs. It felt a bit depressing and unwelcome.
"If it isn't too much trouble asking..." Past Starlight started. "I've been noticing that the two of you seemed distant during your stay here. Are you not enjoying yourselves?"
"Oh no, we are!" Cozy Glow nodded.
"Yeah. I mean, never judge a book by it's cover, am I right?" I said. "We're just... always like this in new locations."
"Hmmm..."
Something tells me that this conversation was just getting started. She giggled, and walked over to one of the picture frames to straighten it.
"You two are not from here, are you?" she asked. "From Equestria?"
"What makes you say that?" asked Cozy Glow.
"We in our town would know if there were two new Alicorns in Equestria... the last time we heard of one, it was somewhat around a week since the day her transformation was announced. So unless you transcended very recently before getting here, then... where did you two come from?"
Cozy Glow and I had to improvise. The more we kept the lie going, the better things could be.
"Oh yeah, we're new Alicorns," I quickly nod. "We just changed... yesterday!"
"Really? Why?"
Starlight had us there.
"Alright, that's it!" Cozy stomped.
Without warning, she suddenly charged up her horn and send a blast right at Past Starlight. It struck her in the barrel, sending her back to the wall, and knocking her out instantly before she hit the wall.
"What did you do that for?!" I shrieked.
"Come on. Did you really think that we'd keep up a ruse when we're alone with her?"
"...Fair point. And hey, at least the curtains are closed."
Because if they weren't, we would, of course, get caught.
"Right!" Cozy Glow said. "Now let's grab the stuff and get out of here."
"How about we just go?"
"We'll be fast!"
"Mother of- Fine!" I groan. "Make it quick."
Cozy Glow and I began the search. While she searched the floor for any secret spots, I checked the cabinets and drawers for anything useful. When I couldn't find anything in my area, I had to look somewhere else. It took Cozy Glow a lot quicker to complain than me.
"I can't find anything!" she groaned. "Starlight hid the books very well..."
"I didn't know she hid spell books here," I said.
"Me neither. I don't think anyone but her knew."
I continued looking for the parchment paper, and the next time I saw Cozy Glow, it appeared that she found something. She was looking down at one of the large stones that made up the floor, underneath a large corner of the carpet. It appeared loose... there was a border around it. Cozy Glow smirked, and pulled up the stone. There, it led to a deep hole, with a few dirty, musty books underneath it.
Cozy Glow proceeded to speed-read through the books. When she finished the third one, she snapped the book shut.
"Found it!"
"Cool!" I nod. I opened the other drawer that I was about to open, and there was plenty of parchment paper in there. I grabbed that, and when I noticed some ink and quills on top of the drawers, I grabbed them. "I got my stuff too!"
"Great! Let's erase some memories, and get out of here!"
*KNOCK KNOCK*
Our attention was turned to the window, worried that somepony felt that something was wrong after Cozy cast the sleep spell, but there was nopony there. Just ponies roaming around the village.
"What was that?" I asked.
Cozy Glow shrugged.
While we were watching the window, we heard the knocking again. We jumped, and I wasn't sure if I should run or check out the sound. I'm pretty sure Cozy Glow felt the same way.
The door slowly opened, seeming as if some unseen force was managing it. The sound of running hoofsteps was heard around us, stopping our hearts. We both stood still, watching the door, and looking around us. Cozy Glow finally made a move to approach the door and close it. When she did, I noticed a blue hue from behind me.
I turned around, and Starlight... our Starlight... manifested into the room.
"Starlight!" I exclaim. "You're here! How did you-"
"Invisibility."
I facehoofed. "DUH! Of course!"
"Hey Starlight!" Cozy Glow raised the book. "We got the stuff."
"Yeah!..." I said, before pausing. "You had books under your floor?"
"Y-yeah..." Starlight stuttered. "I... had those underground for a while. I don't think I had a specific reason for it. Anyways, we need to get out of here!"
"We can't leave yet!" Cozy proclaimed.
"Are you kidding me?!"
"Chill out, Starlight! Let me explain... we can't leave unless we erase their memories. If they have their memories, it may cause problems."
"I wouldn't... go out of my way to hunt you two down," said Starlight. "The villagers wouldn't, either... I think?"
"Better safe than sorry. They'll all be easy to take care of," Cozy Glow said. "Your past self was the hardest obstacle, and..."
Cozy Glow motioned to Past Starlight's body.
"Alright, but we have to make it quick," Starlight told us. "I don't want to be here any longer than we have to."
"None of us do," I agree. "Come on, let's get out of here."
We all turned around and went for the door. But when I went to open it, I could hear the sound of someone getting up. I, along with the others, turned around and saw Past Starlight get on her hooves.
"You're... not going... anywhere..." she growled.
... ...
I slowly backed away closer to the door. I wasn't sure if Past Starlight would break her act or not, but I wasn't taking any chances. My answer was confirmed when I glanced at the door, and it was suddenly covered in blue magic.
Instead of demanding that we stay or anything, Past Starlight instead eyeballed our Starlight. Starlight allowed her past self to approach her, and take a quick glimpse of her cutie mark.
"...who are you?..." she asked.
Starlight sighed. "I'm you from the future."
"The... future? How?!"
"Because..." Starlight paused. "You eventually lose your village by a pony named Twilight Sparkle..."
"...the new princess," Past Starlight confirmed.
"Yes... that's right. You lose your village to her, and as a way to seek revenge, you update a time-travel spell from Starswirl the Bearded in order to exact revenge. You nearly succeed, but Twilight talks you down, and decides to mentor you in learning friendship. You make amends, save Equestria, and live a better life. Now look, I know this is all confusing and all of that, but you need to trust me on this. All you need to do is let us go, let us erase your memories, and things will go the way they're supposed to. Please."
Past Starlight pondered. For a moment, I thought she was going to do what our Starlight asked her to do, and I hoped she wouldn't be stubborn and refuse to hear things out.
But then she spoke with a questionable smile. "I have a better idea..."
"What's that?" Cozy Glow asked.
Suddenly, Past Starlight grabbed Starlight, and raised her in the air. She tossed her future self, and Starlight hit a shelf, causing everything to topple on her. To top things off, Past Starlight then trapped Starlight in a crystal-cube trap. I thought Starlight would break out, but... nothing was happening.
"You two are next!"
Cozy Glow tried to put Past Starlight to sleep again, but she deflected the beam. Past Starlight growled.
"What are you going to do?" I asked. "You can't simply force us to go to your Cutie Mark vault. Once we spill the beans and reveal you're a fraud, we'll take you out easy."
"You're right... but I already know what I'm planning to do."
"What's that?" Cozy asked.
Past Starlight grinned. "Use brute force."
Now I was worried. Remember when Starlight put Twilight's friends under her control to solve her problems? She learned how to do that afterword, so there was no way she was going to do mind-control on us. So what was she going to do?...
I was never going to find out, because Past Starlight's horn flashed, and I blacked out.
*3rd POV...*
Past Starlight admired her work when staring at Leo and Cozy Glow's bodies. She never intended on doing this to any villager, but if she wanted to maintain what she had with the village, she had to take a risk and go past her boundaries. But she wasn't going to deal with just them... she had to get rid of her future self. She wasn't one for destroying ponies, but as long as she kept her future self imprisoned or maintained, things would go smoothly.
She approached the crystal cube.
"I have different plans for you..." Past Starlight started. "Once I get rid of your cutie mark, I'll make sure you're hidden somewhere where nopony else will find you. You're too much of a danger to my plans to keep around. Unless, I potentially erase your memories, and change your mane or something like that. Whatever works..."
Suddenly, the cube exploded. Past Starlight was showered with shards, books, and pieces of wood. Starlight stood up, and met the vengeful eyes of her past self, who was already prepared to send another dangerous blow, this time meant to knock her out.
It struck Starlight right as she teleported away.
Past Starlight stomped and growled, but then she heard her door knock, with Double Diamond's voice on the other side.
"Starlight? Is everything alright?"
Past Starlight took a few deep breaths and massaged her cheeks. Even though she didn't really need to, she allowed her fake smile to return.
"Everything's okay!" she beamed. "One of our guests accidentally knocked some stuff over."
"Are you sure?"
"Yep! Just peachy!"
"Alright then! How are the guests?"
"They're doing just fine!" Past Starlight lied. "They're just talking in private about the likelihood of joining us."
"Really? That's great!" Double Diamond beamed. "Should I go round up the town?"
"I'll do it. You can just go do your own thing, and continue being happy!"
"Can do!"
Past Starlight listened and waited for Double Diamond to leave, and when she did, she turned and approached the pile of books on the ground. She picked one up, and started to read it.
"Let's see..." she mumbled to herself. "I could remove their cutie marks while they're asleep, but it may not be the best option... I need to figure out some way to control them..." Past Starlight checked out another book. "Hmmm... I could use the Fiducia Compelus spell... with Cogeria and Persuadere... yes! I think that would work just fine..."
*Meanwhile...*
"Come ooooon... tell me!" Diamond Tiara pleaded.
"Nope!" Apple Bloom refused.
"Why? Is it too personal, or something?"
"Well..." Apple Bloom rubbed a back hoof on the ground. "Kinda."
"Oh... well... if you don't want to share it with me, then that's fi-"
"If Ah' were to go back in time..." Apple Bloom started. "It would be when my parents were still around."
"Oh..." Diamond blinked. "... you're right. That was personal. I'm sorry."
"It's okay, it's okay... Ah' mean, we're friends. We can share things with each other."
*POOF*
Their conversation was cut short when Starlight appeared out of nowhere, limp on the ground. Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom rushed over to her, only to find that she was unconscious.
"What just happened?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"How should Ah' know?!" Apple Bloom shrugged. "I'm guessin' it wasn't anything good, though..."
"At least she's okay... right?"
"I dunno... Starlight?" Apple Bloom poked her. "Starlight!"
Diamond Tiara leaned in. "Yeah, she's fine, but I'm not sure if she'll be easy to wake up..."
Apple Bloom stood over Starlight, grabbed her cheeks, and shook her a little. "Nope. Nothin'."
"We could splash some water."
"I don't think we'll find any water for miles."
"Well, doing anything physically harmful to her is definitely not a good idea..." Diamond Tiara paused. "...Unless?..."
"No-no! Why would we do that?"
"I don't know."
"Listen, we shouldn't just think about Starlight. Leo and Cozy Glow are still down there!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.
"You're right. We should... probably help them first, since they're likely in more danger."
"We don't know what's going on with them, though. And we don't have anything that we could use to see closer. There's nothing we can- wait..."
"Wait, what?"
"Ah' remember..." Apple Bloom started to reflect. "Ah' remember being told the story about when Starlight was in charge of the village, how everything worked, and what happened with Twilight and the others...."
"Really? What did happen?"
"Ah'm pretty sure she kept them around... and then took them to a cave to remove their cutie marks."
"So we can just go to the cave and then?..." Diamond Tiara awaited the answer.
"That Ah' don't know... we need to help them, but also preserve the time-line. One screw-up, and we're doomed. Plus, we don't know where the cave is."
"We could follow them."
"That's true, but then what?"
"I don't know... being an Earth Pony instead of a Unicorn makes this a bit tougher..." Diamond Tiara mumbled.
That gave Apple Bloom an idea. First, she looked around her surroundings to make sure it was promising. Then, she spoke up.
"We may not have magic..." Apple Bloom started. "But as Earth Ponies, we have strength."
"You do," Diamond Tiara replied. "I don't think I do..."
"Ah' may have an idea. It's a stretch, and Ah' don't know if it will work, but you'll have to trust me."
"Ooookay?... What's the idea?"
"First we need to wait for the villagers to leave..." Apple Bloom explained. "If Ah'm right, the path to the cave is the same path where we first saw the villagers."
"I hope you know what you're doing..."
... ...
The villagers left. And Apple Bloom was right... they took the same path where they were first seen. Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara had to keep ahead, so they'd run far ahead, hide when they could, and wait to see if the villagers would take the path they assumed. They miraculously avoided getting caught the whole time.
Eventually, the cave was in plain sight, but when they got there, they found it was too tall, and there was no way up.
"Way too tall..." Diamond Tiara scowled.
"Alright, Ah' got a bit confident, but Ah' always get excited when the stakes are high..."
"So now what?..."
Apple Bloom sighed. "We'll have to go at them head-on. Though Ah' think if we expose Past Starlight as a fake, maybe that would hel-"
"Woah, woah, woah!" Diamond TIara interrupted. "You want to expose Starlight to her village? We can't do that!"
"In case you forgot, Diamond Tiara, we're already hosed. If we expose her, we can just make sure nothin' happens, and the others can wipe their memories clean when all of this is said and done."
"It's a big risk, though, and we don't know about what happened with Leo and Cozy Glow. We ourselves can't keep her in that easily."
*Meanwhile...*
"We're almost there!" Past Starlight beamed, while she lead the villagers, along with Leo and Cozy Glow, to the vault.
"I'm very intrigued on how the process works," Leo said in a drone-like voice. "What do you do?"
"I'm glad you asked! You see, we use what is called the Staff of Sameness to remove the cutie marks off a pony. It's one of Mage Meadowbrook's nine enchanted items.
"Fascinating!" Cozy smiled, also with a drone-voice.
The cave was in view.
"And here we a-!" Past Starlight grinned, before noticing Diamond Tiara outside of the cave. "Wait... who's that?"
Past Starlight saw Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara discussing the problem, and how to handle it.
"You could get her seriously hurt if you knock her out with your bare hooves!" Diamond Tiara exclaimed.
The two mares paused, both noticing the villagers, Past Starlight, and Leo and Cozy Glow (apparently in a daze), staring at them.
"Whelp, nothin' we can do about it now," Apple Bloom shrugged, before tackling Past Starlight. The villagers gasped, and parted away. Apple Bloom and Past Starlight rolled on the ground, and Apple Bloom got up. While Past Starlight got up, Apple Bloom quickly ran around Past Starlight until her flank was in sight, and she spat.
"ACK! WHAT THE-"
Past Starlight realized what happened, and she watched the spit dribble down, smudging off some of her fake equal sign, and exposing her cutie mark.
The villagers gasped.
"You... lied to us?" one of the ponies (Party Favor) gasped.
"Of course she did!" a voice shouted. Everyone turned, and the future Starlight Glimmer approached the group. There was a murmur among the villagers.
"Starlight! You're awake!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "How did you find us?"
"I'm so confused..." mumbled Double Diamond.
"When you all were gone, I had the feeling that something was going on at the cave, and I wanted to get there before it was too late. Also, on another note, my past self probably should have made the sleep spell last longer..."
"Good thing you got here," Diamond Tiara said. "Apple Bloom's plan probably wasn't going to work out anyway."
"Oh, and you could think of something better?" Apple Bloom rebutted.
"You all think you're so smart, don't you?" Past Starlight snarled. "Well, you know what? Fine..." She grinned. "You just changed your future... You two! Attack her!"
Past Starlight then teleported away, and both Leo and Cozy Glow both flew into the air, and charged their horns.
"Should we... do something?" one of the mares (Sugar Belle) wondered aloud.
"No need," Starlight insisted, before Leo and Cozy Glow shot at her, causing her to she teleport away. Starlight reappeared behind the two, and instantly knocked them out.
"Alright... Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom... you two tell the villagers about what's going on, and take them back to their homes. We'll make them forget about everything when we're done. In the meantime, I'm going to take care of... me. She's not going to get away... just like what I tried..."
Starlight then teleported away. Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara all turned around to face the villagers. Instead of sporting creepy smiles, they were all understandably confused.
"What's even happening?" another villager asked.
"So, who's up for a story about what we've been up to today?" Diamond Tiara nervously chuckled.
*Meanwhile...*
Past Starlight could feel her breath shorten, but she kept going, now entering the more snowy area of the land.
"Sure, I could have done some extra stuff..." Past Starlight hissed through her teeth. "Had those two Alicorns attack, take some cutie marks, whatever I was able to. But there's one thing I get out of it no matter what... I'm changing the future!. I'm not sure how, but it had to of been something... maybe my future self and her friends would fade away, or maybe they would be sent back to the future to their new world. It doesn't really matter. Once I figure out where I go from here, I'm fre-"
Past Starlight stopped in her tracks and slid on her hooves when her future self appeared right in front of her.
"How did you-"
"This is the way I took last time, when I tried to run away," Starlight explained. "I was certain I would find you here."
Past Starlight took a shot at her future self. Starlight deflected it, and hovered herself into the air. Past Starlight lifted herself in the air, too. They took multiple shots at each other, and eventually, Past Starlight resorted to pelting some loose rocks and small boulders. Starlight kept dodging, deflecting, and fighting back.
Starlight eventually knocked her past self to the ground, and she lowered herself down. She looked into the angry eyes of her evil counterpart. A breeze started to pick up, carrying their manes.
"It would be easier if you just let me erase your memories of this whole thing," Starlight said. "Take this from me... if your story carries on the way it should, you'll understand everything that you're missing out on." Starlight lowered herself. "You get to be a hero. You will have many friends. You will be in charge of a school. And you will learn from all of your mistakes."
"What... are you trying to feed my motivations in order to convince me?..." Past Starlight snarled.
"Well, I'm not trying to do it exactly, but-"
That was just the distraction Past Starlight needed. She quickly snapped her head over to a large ledge of snow, and blasted it. In a flash, all the snow tumbled down, and covered Starlight, who only had seconds to react.
Past Starlight stared at the large pile, turned, and walked away triumphantly (in a familiar manner as well). However, a blue ray suddenly burned right through the snow, and the blue light was the last thing Past Starlight saw. Her body rolled on the ground, and came to a stop.
Starlight slowly walked out of the hole that formed from her attack. She approached her past self's body, looked down at it, and lit her horn.
*Later...*
Starlight, with her past-self in tow, appeared where she last was. Everyone except Diamond Tiara, Leo, and Cozy Glow were all gone.
"Hey Starlight!" Diamond waved.
"I'm guessing Apple Bloom took them back to the village?"
"Yep!" Diamond nodded. "It wasn't easy, though... we had to talk them into going back to their beds, not worrying about the cutie marks, everything is fine... we even tried to say they were dreaming, but... I'm not sure if they bought it."
"Oh... I see... well, hopefully making them forget all of this is easily. Luckily..." Starlight glanced at her past self's body. "I already took care of the biggest problem."
"Great!" Diamond beamed.
"Urgh..."
A moan was heard from Leo as he finally came to, and groggily got up on his hooves.
"Did... did we win?" Cozy Glow asked.
"I think... I think we did..." Leo mumbled. "Ugh... my head..."
"Did she have us under mind-control, or something?..." inquired Cozy.
"It looked like she did..." Starlight started. "And judging from how you two looked, and the likely after-effects of the spell you're experiencing, I think it's a spell I used before during my time as Twilight's student."
"Are you sure?" Leo asked.
"Not entirely. Plus... I don't remember having that spell in any of the books I had hidden. Either I forgot about it, or the book just showed up. I don't know. It's been twenty years."
"So... where's Apple Bloom?" questioned Cozy Glow.
"She just left to bring the others back to the village," Diamond Tiara answered.
"Speaking of which..." Starlight said. "We have a lot of memory-erasing work to do."
Leo whined. "Isn't there one powerful enough to just... do the deed one whole town at a time?..."
"Sorry, Leo. It is what it is. First, we'll need to make sure the villagers are calmed down, and then we'll take care of them."
*Village...*
"Everypony, calm down!" Apple Bloom pleaded. The whole time, during the walk back to the village, ponies just kept asking questions. She answered what she could, promising that they can ask more when they got back, but when she got to the village, things started to get out of hoof.
"Calm down?!" a Pegasus (Night Glider erupted) "I don't think I've ever had a day as confusing as this! I mean, two Alicorns? Two Starlights? The fact that the Starlight leading our village was lying to us?"
"I want my cutie mark back!" another pony wailed.
"Ah' know you're confused, but just calm down! My Starlight is going to help you all sort everything out! Just trust me!"
At the right amount of time, Starlight, Leo, Diamond Tiara, and Cozy Glow all entered the village as well, joining the crowd.
"Woah! Ah' didn't expect you two to be awake already..." Apple Bloom said. "Ah' also didn't expect you all to get here so fast..."
"Yeah, I took care of her pretty quick..." said Starlight. "Get behind me, Apple Bloom."
Apple Bloom followed the order without question, though she didn't know what Starlight had in mind.
Starlight stood before all of the confused villagers.
"I'm sorry," she said.
The villagers all looked at each other.
"...Sorry for taking away your special talents... sorry for lying to you all... sorry for not being the right kind of leader..."
"It's... okay?..." Party Favor assured, completely unsure if it was the right thing to say. "I can say that, right?"
Night Glider, Sugar Belle, and Double Diamond shrugged.
Starlight exhaled. "...and I'm sorry that I can't set you all free just yet."
That last apology started to settle, and some of the villagers started to back away.
Starlight lit her horn, and then sent a shockwave that struck each and every villager. They all were sent to the ground, and none of them got up.
Nopony did anything for a bit. But then Starlight gave the order.
"Cozy Glow... help me erase their memories of everything that happened," she instructed. "Leo, Apple Bloom, Diamond Tiara... get them into their beds afterword. When that's done, we'll grab the parchment and the spell, and then get out of here."
"This is going to be a long hour..." Leo mumbled.
*Time passes...*
And so, the hour passed. Starlight and Cozy Glow erased the memories of the villagers, one by one, and then Leo, Diamond Tiara, and Apple Bloom would bring them inside to their homes and to their beds. It was a long hour, but soon, it finally passed. When it was over, Starlight went inside of her old home, and worked to clean the mess... something she didn't do earlier. While cleaning, Starlight picked up the book that she knew contained the time-travel spell, and she flipped to the required page. She then grabbed a quill and ink, and went to work...
Outside, the rest of the characters sat and talked as a manner of passing time.
"So... Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara..." Cozy Glow started. "...how was this for your first big adventure?"
"Oh, let me tell you..." Diamond started. "...There's no way I want to be in situations like this again! Yes, it's satisfying and fun saving others, and it's a new experience, but... I'm just not that kind of pony."
"Ah'm with Diamond Tiara too," said Apple Bloom.
"What are you talking about?" Leo asked. "You've done stuff."
"Ah' did, but not like this. Ah' prefer to have more grounded situations and problems, or at least things that don't have anything to do with things like time-travel."
"Didn't you and the others turn yourselves into adults once, twenty years ago?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"Oh yeah... Ah' forgot Ah' told you that..."
"Whatever the case, at least we got out okay," Leo assured. "We got lucky."
"Don't say that..." Cozy Glow pleaded. "Everything goes wrong when you say that."
"Calm down Cozy. Jeez, why is everyone always so worried when I say that? Why?"
Cozy's eyebrow raised. "Even though it's happened to us before?"
"Exceptions exist."
"Whatever..."
Starlight suddenly appeared out of nowhere, a scroll raised high up in the air. "I DID IT!!!"
"GAH!" Diamond Tiara shrieked. "Did... did what?"
"Did what? The spell, obviously! Considering it took me seconds to clean, I went ahead and researched the spell. It actually didn't take as long to write it as I thought-"
"Wait, wait, wait..." Cozy Glow stood up. "Are you sure you got it right? I mean, you needed your memory for a majority of it, and it didn't really take too long for you to finish writing it-"
"I guess it just... clicked? Look, just trust me on this."
"The last time we trusted you... well... look around you," said Apple Bloom.
"Hey, Sephtis was there. But he's not here, so he can't mess anything up."
"Well, okay, we'll trust you..." Diamond Tiara said. "But if we get sent to the edge of time, it's your fault."
"That's fine... I'll accept that. So..." Starlight raised the scroll. "Are you ready?"
We all nodded, and said "Yes."
And then Starlight ignited the spell. Due to the lack of the Cutie Map, the process for starting the spell was a little different. This time, the scroll glowed, before imploding into a portal. When the portal opened, the scroll lowered to the ground, and Starlight immediately snatched it up.
"Here goes nothing..." Diamond Tiara muttered.
At once, all five of them were sucked into the portal, and swallowed whole. The moment everyone was in, the portal closed.
Unlike last time, where everyone was unwillingly sent through time and they were afraid, they all actually had fun.
She shut up. Everyone did. After all, how was it possible for anyone to feel free since Sephtis himself was in the same exact vortex, at that very moment, right in the middle of the group. He looked at Leo, his horn lit, and winked.
Then, he let all chaos unleash. He snatched the scroll from Starlight, and then sent a massive wave of force all around him, causing his enemies to all spiral out of their path, screaming.
Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara were the first to hit the wall of the vortex, sizzling out of existence. Leo and Starlight were next. And finally, Cozy Glow was last, vanishing into the wall all alone.
With his usual heartless grin, Sephtis giggled, and he let the vortex carry him onwards to the present time where he belonged.
Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara's screams came to an abrupt stop when they were spat out of a portal, and into a set of bushes, both of them landing back-first.
When Apple Bloom raised her head, she watched in horror as the portal closed.
"NO!" she screamed.
Apple Bloom struggled to get out of the bushes, with pointy twigs poking her body no matter how much she moved. She persevered, however, and got out of the bushes in no time. She checked on how Diamond Tiara was doing, and it seemed as if she was struggling even more than she was.
"Alright, Diamond Tiara, Ah' gotcha... this may hurt a bit..."
"Okay... I trust you..."
Apple Bloom grabbed one of Diamond's hind-hooves with her mouth, and pulled her out. Of course, Diamond Tiara couldn't resist expressing the discomfort she was getting by being scratched by twigs.
"Owowowowowow..."
Luckily, it was already over in seconds. Apple Bloom released Diamond Tiara's leg, and she got up on her hooves.
"Thanks..." Diamond groaned. "It hurt... but thanks..."
"No problem..." Apple Bloom looked around. "Where are we, anyways?"
"Hey, don't ask me! I'm just as confused as-"
"SSSHHH!!!" Apple Bloom hissed. "Listen..."
Both of them stood still and listened. They could both hear the sound of a cart being dragged.
"Should we follow?..." Diamond Tiara whispered.
"If we do, we need to be careful..." Apple Bloom replied. "You never know what could change the future..."
*Meanwhile...*
Starlight and I were in for a landing when the portal opened, but to our surprise, it wasn't that bad... at least for me. I managed to miraculously land on his hooves, and I celebrated with grin. But, no surprise, my excitement was short-lived, when Starlight landed right on top of me.
"A warning would have been nice..." I whimpered.
"Oh sure, blame me even though the growing volume of the screaming wasn't a hint..." Starlight hissed. She got off of me, and we both saw the portal close.
"Well, that's just great!" I huffed. "Dear Celestia, I'm done with this guy! What's the motive here, anyway!?!"
"Fun? Chaos? I don't know. Chaos is more in-line with Discord..." Starlight replied. "I'm lucky enough to remember the spell this time, but... the others! We need to find them?"
"But how?"
"I don't know yet, but I'll think of something. We always do. But on another note... what is this place?"
"I dunno. It looks like somepony's home."
Starlight and I looked out of the curtains that we were inside, and we got a good sight of the house's interior. Let me just say that it's not a run-of-the-mill house. I mean... it was! There was just some pretty weird knick-knacks around the place. There was a stand with a large cylinder that had silverware sticking out of it, and tied to the arch attached to the stand was a bunch of bottles. There were lots of weird pictures and choices of art, too.
Starlight and I were going to look around, but just then, we heard hoofsteps approach the doorway. Starlight and I ducked inside the curtains, but I guess we should have known they'd see moving curtains.
"Somepony's here!" an unfamiliar mare's voice piped.
"It came from those curtains!" a male voice said.
"Well where else would it have come from?..." a rough female voice mumbled loudly.
Starlight and I both held our breaths.
*Cozy Glow...*
Screaming, Cozy Glow fell and landed right smack in the middle of a table. She stood up, her gaze focused on what was beneath her.
"The... the Cutie Map?..." she squeaked, a smile starting to grow on her face. "I'm... I'm home! I'm home!!!"
"*Ahem*..."
Cozy Glow's celebration paused, and she finally focused on her surroundings. Yes, she was back in the Castle of Friendship. But there was a catch... Twilight Sparkle and her friends (consisting of the rest of the Mane Six, Starlight, and Spike), all sat in their respective seats surrounding her. They looked like the way they did back when Cozy Glow was evil, and none of them looked happy.
Cozy Glow knew where she was. She was twenty years in the past... a time where she was supposed to be imprisoned.
The filly nervously chuckled.
"Um... hello... heh-heh..."
... Intro ...
Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom peeked out of the brush and saw the source of the noise. All it was was just a cart, being dragged by two ponies that they couldn't see.
"We've seen enough..." Diamond Tiara insisted. "Maybe we should go back..."
"No..." Apple Bloom hissed. "That cart... it's an apple cart."
"And?"
"And... and... I dunno. We can turn back."
When Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara turned around, they heard a loud CRACK, and the apple-cart began rolling down the hill, right in their direction. Both mares jumped out of the way, and the car crashed right into a tree. Apple Bloom exhaled, but then she heard the sound of creaking, cracking wood. In horror, she looked up at the tree above her, and it started to fall... right in her direction. This was it... this was how it was all going to end.
But before Apple Bloom could think about anything else, she felt something snag her neck, and pull her out of the way. The tree crashed on the ground, but nobody was harmed.
Apple Bloom couldn't see the face of her rescuer, and the fact that they had their hoof around her made it harder to see.
"Sorry I had to do that..." a stallion's voice said. "But it was either that, or getting crushed by a dead tree."
"Those darn carpenter ants must have gotten to our cart..." said a mare. "We better keep a better eye out for those things... anyway, are you okay?"
"Yeah..." Apple Bloom gulped. The stallion let her go, and she got up. "Ah'm oka-..."
When she saw the welcome eyes of her rescuers, Apple Bloom could feel her heart drop to her hooves. She would consider it impossible, but again, she was in a situation with time-travel.
"Are you okay?" the mare asked.
"She's probably just a little shaken' up from what just happened," said the stallion. "Are you two lost?"
"I guess we are," Diamond Tiara replied.
"That's too bad..." the mare said. "How about you two come with us? After that, it's probably safer for you two."
"Plus, we could use all the help we can get... if that's okay with you two."
"I mean... sure, I guess," Diamond shrugged. "Just let me see what she thinks."
Diamond Tiara brought Apple Bloom out of the couple's earshot, so they could talk in private.
"So... it would be rude of us to not help them," Diamond Tiara started. "We'll give them a hoof, and if we end up getting rescued, we'll have Starlight erase their-... Apple Bloom? Apple Bloom, are you even listening?"
Apple Bloom stood and stared at the couple that helped her. They were busy picking up whatever they could, and talking about how they were going to handle this situation.
The more Diamond Tiara analyzed Apple Bloom, the more she realized the truth about who that couple exactly was. And Apple Bloom's soft, shocked voice confirmed it.
"Mom?... Dad?..."
*Cozy Glow...*
When Cozy Glow appeared, it was going to go in one to three ways... either Twilight and her friends would run, attack, or defend themselves immediately.
"Spike! Alert the Princesses!" Twilight ordered. Spike immediately ran off to get a quill and parchment.
"Wait! You don't understand!" Cozy Glow shouted. "Yes, I'm Cozy Glow, but I'm from the future! I'm reformed!"
"Likely story!" Rainbow Dash barked, already flying out of her seat. "Do you honestly think we'd believe that?"
Cozy realized that she was right. "Fair point. But you have to believe me! I'm-"
"Save it!" Starlight's voice shouted. Cozy Glow had little time to react, as a blue shield formed around her, trapping her in a forcefield. She tapped it, and realized that she was stuck inside.
"We'll keep her here until the Princesses arrive," Starlight explained. "She won't be able to use her magic in there."
"How is this possible?..." Twilight wondered. "How did she not only escape from stone, but also regain her Alicornhood?"
"Ah' dunno..." said Applejack. "But Ah' hope Chrysalis and Tirek didn't escape as well."
"It's a good thing that Discord is keeping the bell far away in his dimension!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"Pinkie!" Rainbow Dash hissed.
"Relax, Dashie, it's not like she knows how to get there."
Of course, Cozy Glow did know... she just wasn't the one that stole it.
"The Princesses will be by to pick her up," Twilight started. "They'll keep her contained, and we'll try to figure out what the hay is going on."
"Is nopony questioning why my curls are gone?..." Cozy Glow wondered out loud. "My curls are gone!"
None of them responded, so it was pretty clear Cozy's forcefield was sound-proof.
"They can't hear me..." Cozy said. "Eh. They probably wouldn't believe me about the curls either. I wouldn't have believed me either..."
She saw most of her former enemies give her mean glares... Fluttershy's was less apparent, but she could still tell that the usually kind pony didn't give her the benefit of the doubt as much as the others.
Cozy Glow wasn't sure what was going to happen to her, but she wanted to be gone as soon as possible.
"Where are they?..." she whispered.
*Leo and Starlight*
Leo and Starlight listened closely to the voices outside the doors.
"I saw something move behind those curtains!" the first mare's voice said.
"That's strange... I don't remember having anything behind my curtains," said another voice, this one squeaky and bubbly.
"Why would there be anything behind the curtains at all, Izzy?" the male voice asked.
"I dunno..."
"It's not rats, is it?" a fifth unfamiliar voice asked.
"Well, it's not impossible," the first voice replied. "It seemed a bit bigger than rats, though..."
"Well, you're not gonna find anything unless you open it," said the rough voice (that reminded me a little bit of Rainbow Dash).
"Alright, ladies, allow me to take care of this..." the male voice said. "Listen here! Whatever, or whoever's in there, come on out!"
Starlight and I looked at each other. We didn't really have much of a choice. Either we came out, or the stallion would barge in himself.
"Should we?..." I started.
Starlight sighed and nodded. We both came out from behind the curtains, revealing ourselves to the ponies.
It felt like looking into a different world, for one thing... and it was a different reason other than being in what looked like the inside of somepony's very weird and strange home.
In front of us stood five ponies. Four mares and a stallion. They all looked extremely shocked to see two complete strangers in their closet, but when they looked at me, they seemed even more shocked. I'm guessing they've never seen (or maybe even heard of) Alicorns before?
One mare with a hot-pink mane and a tangerine-ish coat approached us. She took a quick look at Starlight. And then, she looked at me, my horn, and my wings. Out of the five ponies that found us, she seemed the most shocked and interested.
"A-another Alicorn?... I-I never thought I'd see another one up close!" She then glanced at Starlight. "And... and you! You seem familiar, but... maybe I should ask some questions first-"
"Alright, Sunny, give them space," the stallion told her. "Before we ask them anything else, first they should tell us why they're in our friend's house."
"Would you believe us if we said time travel?" I blurted.
The five ponies all looked at us funny. I couldn't blame them. Of course time travel is possible in Equestria, but it's prone to seeming like a wild excuse anyhow.
"Hold up..." a white Pegasus (the one with the rough-ish voice) started. "...time travel?"
"Yes!" Starlight nodded. "Listen, it seems sketchy when you first hear it, but this is Equestria, after all! There's endless possibilities for many spells."
"What do you all think?" the pony called Sunny asked her friends.
"I don't know how comfortable I would feel about trusting two ponies that randomly appear in someone's home..." the stallion mumbled.
"I second that!" the white Pegasus agreed.
"Aw, come on you guys, I'd love to have some new friends!" the unicorn grinned.
Sunny looked at the only other pony that hasn't spoken yet. This one was a pink pegasus, and had very fluffy wings. "Pipp?"
Pipp looked up from her... phone? "Oh!... um... I'm not so sure... I suppose we could give them the benefit of the doubt..."
"You're not going to stream this, are you?..." the white Pegasus asked.
"No! Of course not! I've grown since then! I understand that streaming certain things can lead to consequences."
"Mhm... sure..."
"Come on Zipp, why can't you just trust me!?"
"Girls, girls, girls!" Sunny interjected. "Now's not the time for this. Okay... here's what I think... I think we should give them a chance. After all... if I never trusted Izzy... or you two... I never would have made some of the best friends a mare could ask for!"
She felt like Twilight to me. Very mushy, yet meaningful dialogue, along with that desire to learn.
"Alright..." said the stallion. "Alright, I'll give them a chance."
"Yeah, I guess I can too," said Zipp.
"Great!" Sunny beamed. "So... I have a lot of questions I'd love to ask! First of all..." Sunny looked around for something, but immediately gave up. "Oh... right... don't have the notepad... that's fine... anyway, first question, what are your names?..."
... ...
Cozy Glow felt incredibly nervous as the guards, along with Twilight and her friends, led her up to the Princesses' thrones. After the Princesses were notified, a few guards were sent to retrieve her, and they brought a magic inhibitor relic so Cozy couldn't do anything to fight back.
When they finally stopped, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna immediately stood up.
"Princess Celestia..." Cozy Glow said. "Listen, if you could just put aside my past and listen to me for just a second-"
"They know your tricks, Cozy Glow!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"I appreciate you speaking for us Rainbow Dash, but this is between us and Cozy Glow," said Princess Celestia, approaching the filly.
"What's the point of talking to her anyway, when she's clearly going to lie to you?" Spike asked.
Princess Luna joined up with Celestia. "Well, that's what truth spells are for..."
The Princess of the Sun approached Cozy Glow, her horn aglow. Normally, Cozy Glow wouldn't be the biggest fan of this kind of thing, but this time, she welcomed it... it would allow her to clear things up so she could have some actual help in finding her friends and getting home.
Princess Celestia proceeded with the spell, and Cozy Glow could feel a small tingle in her head and throat.
"Huh. Why didn't we do this in the first place?" Starlight wondered.
"Okay, Cozy Glow..." Celestia began. "...how did you manage to escape your stone prison?"
Cozy Glow didn't really need a truth spell to explain herself. If anything, this would just serve as a boost in convincing them that she's telling the truth.
"... I escaped from stone twenty years in the future," Cozy Glow explained. "A student of Twilight's, Luster Dawn, was sent to reform me, along with Tirek and Chrysalis. And it worked. Ever since then, the three of us have been learning friendship, and saving Equestria. We've also had a fourth friend help us along the way, but that's unrelated to the situation I'm kind of in. In short, I'm from the future, a red Alicorn trapped me here in the past, and I reeeeaaally need your help with getting back to my time."
There were a couple of different reactions among the Princesses, Twilight and her friends, and the guards. Some of them looked at each other. Others just stared with their mouths open.
"Are you sure you cast the right spell?" Luna whispered.
"Yes, I'm sure I cast the right spell..." Celestia muttered.
"It's true," said Cozy Glow. "In fact, if you go out and find my statue, I will still be there. If that isn't even enough, then all you need to do is set my past self free, and she'll be there."
There was a bit of chatter between everyone. And fifteen minutes later, they were outside, all standing in front of the statue. As to be expected, on the tippy-top of that statue, was a filly that looked like Cozy Glow, holding her hooves on her cheeks in fear.
"See?..." Cozy Glow motioned to the statue. "And as I said back inside, if that's not enough then just let her go, and then put her back inside... you can put her back in without Discord, right?"
"Yes, yes we can..." Luna answered. "Shall we, sister?"
"I suppose..."
Celestia and Luna then proceeded to free Past Cozy Glow by lighting their horns, and blasting the statue... specifically where she was supposed to be. The stone around Past Cozy shattered, and the filly fell onto the ground. She stumbled onto her hooves.
"Urgh... what the-" she looked around. "What are you all doing here?... Am... am I dreaming?... Is that another me?"
"Yes..." the original Cozy Glow said. "You are dreaming. But now you must dream something else. NOW!"
"Well... that's all we need to know..." said Celestia. She and Luna then worked together to bring Past Cozy Glow into her stone prison. What remained of her in the aftermath was a small statue of Cozy Glow holding up her hooves in defense.
"Well, we're probably going to have to erase her memories of that if we want to preserve the future..." Cozy suggested.
Everypony and Spike looked at her.
Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara...
The couple, Pear Butter and Bright Macintosh, led Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara down the trail. They all had apple products in some spare saddlebags, since they decided to go and finish with delivering the orders.
While walking, Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara kept a slight distance so they could privately discuss how things were going to play out name-wise. Apple Bloom, of course, couldn't share her name since she was their daughter. Diamond Tiara sharing her name wouldn't be a big problem, except she knew that Apple Bloom's family was known for doing business with hers.
"Well... maybe we weren't born yet," Apple Bloom said after a pause. "And they would know if we had familiar colors to our filly selves."
"It's too risky..." Diamond Tiara replied. "We'll have to make up names..."
"Like that will do anything..."
"Anything can happen. And it's the only way."
Apple Bloom's parents turned around and allowed them to catch up.
"Are you two doin' alright?" asked Bright Mac.
"Mhm..." the mares nodded.
"Thank you so much for agreeing to help us out, by the way," said Pear Butter. "We feel bad about not taking some time to get to know you two. What are your names?"
"Well, um... I'm..." Diamond Tiara struggled to come up with a name, but Apple Bloom decided to cut in.
"Her name is Twinkle Tiara..." Apple Bloom said, apparently enthusiastic... thought Diamond Tiara assumed otherwise. "And Ah'm Apple Red."
"Those are nice names," Bright Mac smiled.
"Thank you.
"You two go on," said Diamond Tiara. "I need to talk to... Apple Red... some more."
"You two have been talkin' together quite a lot," Pear Butter smirked.
"It's a very long, processing day..."
"Well, alright," Bright Mac said. "We'll check back if anything happens."
Apple Bloom's parents went ahead, and Diamond Tiara gave them a moment to give them some distance.
"I see right through you..." Diamond Tiara hissed.
"What do you mean?"
"You seemed impatient and stressed when you introduced our fake names."
Apple Bloom's apparent good mood faded. "Because Ah' don't want to spend my time waiting around for you to think!"
"Why do you seem so bitter all of a sudden?"
Apple Bloom sighed. "Ah'm sorry. It's just that... I think seein' them again is messing with my head. Not because they did anything, but Ah' want to do the task, and enjoy what Ah' can with my parents!"..."
Diamond Tiara nodded. "I understand... and hey, since I'm thinking about it right now, can I tell you something?"
The two mares decided to carry on with their quest.
"Go ahead," Apple Bloom said.
"Sometimes..." Diamond paused, but just for a moment. "Sometimes, as I grew up, I wish my life was a little bit more like yours."
"Huh?"
"It's... it's stupid, especially coming from me... Let's just catch up with your parents."
Diamond Tiara picked up her pace, and Apple Bloom went ahead and did the same. Apple Bloom could tell right away that this wouldn't be the last of both subjects.
... ...
Sunny paced around, and began to recount all of the answers that Starlight and I gave to her..
"Okay, okay... so let me get this straight... you two were sent here because back in your time, this red Alicorn named Sephtis sent you and your friends to a different time, and then did it again. Only this time he separated you from your friends. Your name is Leo... a stallion Alicorn that wasn't originally from Equestria in the first place... and your name is Starlight Glimmer, the one who was mainly behind the creation of that spell, and also one of the first students of Princess Twilight Sparkle!"
As Sunny finished her sentence, I could feel her excitement grow.
"I... I didn't tell you that last part," said Starlight.
"Oh, right... sorry... you probably need some more context."
"She's always been interested in everything that Twilight Sparkle did, from being sent by her own mentor, the Princess of her time, to unifying all of Equestria in peace and harmony," the stallion explained.
"My dad told me a lot of stories about her when I was little," Sunny continued. "And I remember him mentioning your name quite a few times. To this day, I remember nearly every single detail. Even after he..."
Sunny fell silent. I started to get the idea, but Starlight needed to process it a bit longer.
"After he... oh!" she realized.
"It's fine..." Sunny said.
I got curious. "So... you said you know a bunch about what Twilight Sparkle did... Has your Dad mentioned anything about me or my friends?"
"Um..." Sunny bit her lip in thought. "I don't... think so."
"Oh... strange..." I went quiet. "I'll have to look into this some more later..."
"So... now I want to ask some questions," Starlight started. "We've told you everything about us, so I'd like to hear about you and this... timeline we're in. Who are you, and where are we?..."
Sunny and her friends proceeded to either introduce themselves, or give them their full names.
Sunny's full name is Sunny Starscout.
Izzy's full name is Izzy Moonbow.
The Stallion's name is Hitch Trailblazer.
Pipp's full name is Pipp Petals.
And the white Pegasus is named Zipp Storm (fun-fact: she's Pipp's sister!)
"Wow. All of those are really nice names," Starlight said.
"Why thank you," Izzy smiled.
"As for where you are... let's see..." mumbled Sunny. "Considering the fact that Princess Twilight was still around where you two came from... you're many, many, many moons into the future."
"That means you're veeeeeeeeeery far from where you came from," Izzy said.
"Yeah, I figured..." I muttered.
"What's it like here?" inquired Starlight. "What kind of inventions have been introduced? Is friendship still going strong?"
"Well... um... well..." Sunny stuttered. "From what my dad told me... after Twilight was gone... things kinda went downhill."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Friendship... with creatures, but especially ponies... fell apart..." Sunny explained. "Magic was lost, and all three pony tribes lived either fearing, or hating each other. I don't even know much about the other creatures."
Starlight's eagerness fell. She processed what Sunny just said, and finally, she said what seemed to be a clear and understanding response.
"So... everything that we did... Twilight, her friends, me... turned into something that lead to nothing?"
"I wouldn't say that," said Hitch. "After all, if it wasn't for Sunny, her dad, and their fascination with Twilight and her actions, everything would still be like this. Because of that, all five of us were brought together, and things are changing for the better."
"Well... Sunny... I think that would make her very proud of you."
"Aawww, that's so sweet!" Pipp gushed.
"Friendship aside, there's a lot of new and exciting things here in the future that would probably fascinate you," Sunny said. "Since... you know... you're from what we call Ancient Equestria."
"Well, that..." Starlight pointed at Pipp's phone. "Doesn't surprise me?"
"It doesn't?" Zipp asked.
"I can thank Leo for that. He's the main reason why there's phones in Equestria."
"Wow... didn't see that coming," said Pipp.
"You're the one that invented phones?" Hitch asked.
"Considering none of you know who I am, I don't even know!" I exclaim. "And for the record, I never inven-... Um... yes. I did bring them here."
I wasn't going to tell them I was a human that brought phones to Equestria. I said I wasn't from there, but I never gave specifics.
"Well, we may have phones... but there's many other things that would surprise you," Sunny promised.
"I'd love to see it, but I can't," said Starlight. "We need to find our friends and get home. It wouldn't be as much of an emergency, but Sephtis could be causing havoc as we speak! And I need to have some time to make the spell I need in order to get the others."
"Hold up. You said that you created the time-travelling spell," Zipp said. "Why do you need to stay back and make a spell that you already know about?"
"I do remember the spell. But considering the fact that I don't know where the others are, I need to make some changes to the spell, or maybe even re-write it entirely, so I can find them and bring them back."
"Well, you do what you need to do," Hitch said. "I'd hate for us to be the ones to hold you back from doing the right thing."
"Thank you, Hitch. Now, I'll need to find something to write on, and something to write with..."
"What can I do?" I ask.
"Wait, you can't help her?" Sunny inquired.
"No... I may be an Alicorn, but Starlight is far better at this than I am."
"You could go out with the others and get to know them better," Starlight suggested. "You could also learn more about their time as well. I may not get to learn, but you could always learn yourself and tell me about it later."
"That's not a bad idea..." I shrug. "What do you all think?"
"I'd love to get to know you better!" Izzy beamed. "We could play games, tell stories, and do all sorts of stuff!"
"Well, first, we should show him around," said Sunny.
"So I guess it's settled," Starlight said "You all can go out and have some time to yourselves, and I'll stay here and try to make this new spell."
"How will we know when you're done?" Pipp asked. "Zipp, do you have your phone? You can give it to her and she can call us when she's finished."
"Sorry, Pipp, I don't."
"You can all just come back here at sunset," Starlight suggested.
"Sounds like a plan," said Hitch.
"Alright, everypony!" Izzy squealed. "Let's go!"
Izzy then ran out of her own home without warning.
"Wait up!" Zipp flew after Izzy, and the rest of them quickly followed.
I was last. Mainly because I took one last look at Starlight. She was giving me a confident smile, like she knew that things would play out well in the end.
I wasn't as hopeful, but I was at least happy that we had some new friends to keep us some company.
Starlight shut the door, and I ran after the others.
So... we were going to go to this place called Bridlewood, but there was a bit of an issue that caused the town to evacuate, so we were going somewhere else... Maretime Bay.
I had to hold my tongue when I heard it was a very long trip.
Why did Bridlewood have to be evacuated because of who knows what? I hate long walks... I mentally complained.
"How's it going back there?" Sunny asked.
"Great..." I smiled.
"So..." Zipp landed next to me after spending most of the walk hovering. "... how curious are you?"
"Curious about what?"
"About the future! You don't seem all that curious... if you're from Ancient Equestria, after all, I would have expected you to be a little bit surprised about Pipp's phone... or, correction, phones in general."
"Well... funny story... I might be the reason why phones are around in the first place."
They all stopped.
"You're what, now?" Pipp asked.
"Yeah. Where I came from... the... outermost regions of Equestria, only that place had things like phones. So when I came to Equestria, I brought my phone with me. One thing led to another, and... well... they're here now."
"That's not possible..." Zipp shook her head. "As far as we know, phones were invented way past your time. Plus, up until a while ago, they were commonly used in Zephyr Heights."
"Weird..." I mumbled. "Well, either way, we have phones in my time."
"How did you even have the materials or experience to make them?" Hitch asked.
"We were just ahead of our time," I said.
"What other things do you have in your time?" Sunny asked.
"Not much, I don't think... but I can guarantee you that plenty of what you have here, I had back home."
"Oh! Did any of you unicycle?" Izzy asked, continuously upbeat (she was also ahead of us)
"Uni... what?"
"It's the concept of taking recycled materials and using them to make new things," said Sunny. "And I'm pretty sure that's still more of a you thing, though others have probably done it in their spare time..."
"Didn't hurt to ask," Izzy replied.
"That explains your house..." I mumbled. "Anyways... how far are we from Maretime Bay? We've been walking for a very long time."
"Lucky for us, it's not that far," Hitch said.
"Wait, I think I see it!" Izzy exclaimed.
We all caught up to her, and we saw it. Up ahead of us was this really nice-looking town. On top of a hill next to the town looked to be a tall building, which of course had to be one of the most important places of the town. Surrounding a majority of the town was a rocky ledge that immediately dipped into the water below. I turned my gaze away from the town, and saw that Sunny and the others were already heading for the way leading into the town. Sunny looked back at me and motioned for me to join them.
Realizing it was still somewhat of a long walk, I sighed, and ran ahead to catch up with them.
... Intro ...
The Future Jingle
*Sunny, Leo, and the others have finally entered Maretime Bay. Sunny takes the lead and begins to sing*
Sunny:
Welcome new friend, to this world so new to you, New inventions, fresh new faces, all change isn't too few.
Izzy:
New places to stop by and say "hey!" to potential friends!
Sunny:
Everything we can show you is yet to have an end.
Pipp:
Our cities are bigger than anything you've seen!
Zipp:
If you want to know more, speak to our mom, the queen.
Hitch:
All ideas grew and grew, and became something more! I would call it perfect if it weren't for what came before.
Leo:
Now wait a minute, friends, don't get too excited now. Of course there's plenty of things that could make someone go "wow!" But I have a small secret, something between you and me. I'm not what you think I am, I'm different than what you se-
I wasn't watching. Or maybe I didn't react in time. But it didn't really matter... no matter what the cause was, somepony ran into me, cutting off the song. The pony rolled over me, and I could hear a bunch of things scattering around the ground. While I got up on my hooves, Sunny and the others ran up to me to make sure I was okay, though Hitch and Zipp checked on the other pony. I couldn't see him, but he was slower than I was getting up.
"Huh... not that often where we can't finish a song," said Zipp.
"Are you okay?..." Izzy asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine... I might need to give the ribs some rest..." I muttered.
We all looked at the pony that ran into me. He had a long white lab coat on, along with black pants. His hooves were covered, and so was his head/face due to a hood he had on underneath his coat. As he raised himself up, though, I started to see some of his face, his red coat, his brown mane, and his horn.
There was no way it was who I thought it was, but it felt like instinct to say his name.
"Sephtis!"
Then, I saw his face, and I felt a wave relief. He wasn't Sephtis. His facial features were different. It just lacked a lot of the mean, twisted feel that Sephtis would give off. He genuinely seemed like a nice stallion. Plus, I saw no trace of his wings. Should have considered that from the get-go.
"Who?... Oh, no, I'm... I'm not... whoever that is..." he stuttered with his slight accent. "I'm very sorry about that... I wasn't watching where I was going."
"Sorry, you just looked like him," I replied. "And apology accepted. I wasn't watching where I was going, either. Here, we'll help you."
I started to help this pony pick up his items, and Sunny and her friends pitched in.
It was mostly papers, but there was some metal and parts. In fact, the first two things I picked up was some metal claw-like arm that appeared unfinished, and there was a rolled up blueprint. Curiosity got the best of me, and I picked up the blueprint. I unrolled it, and it was a lot of content. The focus of the blueprint was this bipedal cat-like creature wearing some sort of tunic, and along with his casual clawed arms and legs, he had eight extra arms on his back. Subtitled under this character was "Beta Model 2.0".
Something about this thing seemed familiar. Almost all of the details reminded me of that mechanical creature Celestia and Luna told me about back then. But before I could check it out any further, the arm and blueprints were snatched away from me.
"This is all... private stuff... I'll take those back, please and thank you."
We gave him the rest of his stuff.
"Thank you..." the pony said. "Um... I have to get going, now."
The pony then ran off without saying another word.
"What was that all about?" Zipp asked.
"I dunno," Izzy shrugged.
"We should probably sit down," said Pipp. "There's still so much we should talk about."
We all went over to a nearby table and took our seats.
"So... Sephtis?" Zipp asked.
"Yeah, I thought that guy was someone I knew for a second. Sephtis."
"Is he the reason why you're here?" Sunny asked.
"Yeah. He's been around for quite a while, now."
"What's he like? What's his motivation?" inquired Pipp.
"Motivation? Well... some other friends of mine were the last ones to encounter Sephtis before he sent us through time. They had an unlikely ally, that apparently discovered that Sephtis really didn't have a motive when it comes to conquering the world or anything. Just pure destruction, turning everything into nothing."
"What does he look like?" Izzy asked, still more wonderous and curious than the rest.
"He's just me but red."
"Ooh! Is he a twin?"
I shook my head. "No, he's a clone."
"An enemy that's a red pony?... Hm... sounds familiar..." Zipp tapped her chin, as if she was being intentionally vague.
"Oh, stop it, Zipp..." Sunny waved it off.
"Hm?" I tilted my head.
"Oh, she's talking about Sprout," Hitch explained. "He's an old friend of Sunny and I. He wasn't entirely on board with the idea of ponies uniting. He even caused a bit of a military uproar with a giant robot and everything. It's a long story."
"In spite of all that, though, it worked out in the end," Sunny smiled "Unicorns, Earth Ponies, and Pegasi all united together."
"And she became an Alicorn," said Hitch.
"An Alicorn? But... I don't see wings or a horn, or anything," I replied.
"It's more of a metaphorical thing," Pipp suggested.
"Nah, I think it's legit," said Zipp.
"Well, Sunny, do you feel different?" I asked.
"Weeellll... yeah, kind of," she answered. "Ever since everything happened, I don't think I've felt the same since then. In a good way. So... maybe, yeah."
"I see, I see..." I mumbled.
"On another subject..." Hitch started. "Are you worried about your friends?"
I didn't say anything, but I found my honest answer really quick.
"It just depends on where they are, and who they trust..."
*Cozy Glow...*
Cozy Glow should have known that once it was clear that she was from a different timeline, Twilight would be asking all sorts of questions. She can mark than on her nonexistent list of undoing character development. She saw it coming the moment they left Canterlot to return to the Castle of Friendship.
It's been going on for thirty minutes.
"Okay, okay, okay..." Twilight paced. "...so... you come from twenty years in the future, correct?"
"Yeah, I said that... over ten times."
"Alright, alright... and you, along with Chrysalis and Tirek, learned about Friendship, saved Equestria multiple times, and also befriended a foreign creature that turned into an Alicorn?"
"Yes, yes, and yes. Anything that you asked that repeats what I said is a 'yes'."
"What even happened?" Fluttershy asked. "How did you get here?"
"Well, I was finally about to get to that part. An evil red Alicorn sent me here, and scattered some of my other friends across the timeline."
"Wow, there are a lot of Alicorns in the future, aren't there?..." Spike mumbled.
"It's only three extra, Spike, it's not that much," said Applejack.
"In Alicorn standards, it is."
"Listen, I know you're all probably interested in the future, or my new life and all of that... or... at least Twilight is," Cozy Glow said. "But I need to find my friends and get home. Granted, I don't think they're going to try nothing at all. After all, one of the ones that was sent across the timeline was Starlight herself, so she's probably trying something... but in the events that things don't work out or take a while, would you all be willing to help me? Starlight?"
"It's more complicated then it seems," Starlight stated. "Can I send you through time? Yes. I remember the spell. But do you even know where the others are?"
"Well... no."
"It will take some work, but Starlight and I will try to rewrite and alter the regular spell so tracking down your friends would be much easier," Twilight promised.
"After all, it's always good to have a spare!" Spike exclaimed.
"Exactly."
Cozy Glow smiled. "Thank you. *sigh*... I just hope the others are alright..."
*Back in the past...*
When the trip carried on, Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara decided to "break the ice" with Apple Bloom's parents. Although they both knew a lot about the Apple Family's life, they still smiled, nodded, and asked questions as Bright Mac and Pear Butter described their family and how things were going (with the exception of the revelation that Pear Butter was a pear pony).
"Yes, our little Applejack has always been honest for her age," said Pear Butter.
"It sounds like she's got a bright future ahead of her," Diamond Tiara said.
"It also sounds like she gets a little bit from you, D-... Bright Mac," Apple Bloom mentioned.
Bright Mac chuckled.
"So... you said you had three kids," Diamond Tiara started. "What's the third one like?"
Apple Bloom gave her a look, but didn't say anything.
"Oh, Apple Bloom? She's just a little filly, so there ain't much we can say about her," Pear Butter answered.
"Knowing how Big Macintosh and Applejack turned out, though, we're pretty hopeful about her future," Bright Mac continued. "But either way, we're excited to watch her grow up, along with the other two."
"Hit it where it hurts, why don't you?..." Apple Bloom grumbled.
"Hm?"
"Nothin'..."
Diamond Tiara decided to change the subject.
"Uh, hey, is that where he have to go?"
She pointed at a nearby sign.
"Eeyup!" Bright Mac nods. "We're almost there."
"We're lucky that we brought some spare pies," said Pear Butter. "Otherwise, we'd be a few short after that crash."
"You bring spare pies?" asked Apple Bloom.
"Usually for any emergency occasions where they may be needed, either as replacements if we lose one, or emergency food if we get in trouble," Bright Mac explained. "Never hurts to be prepared. Sometimes, we just bring a couple in case we get hungry."
"I never knew they did that," Apple Bloom whispered.
"You learn something new every day," Diamond Tiara replied.
... ...
After our long walk back from Maretime Bay, we finally returned to Izzy's house, where it was clear that Starlight's been waiting for us for a while.
"Starlight! How's the spell coming along?" I ask.
"Fillies and Gentlecolts, I believe I did it!" she proclaimed. "I did some thinking after you all left, and I think I found the perfect way to find a solution! You see, Leo, you and I aren't just time-travelers. We're anomalies."
"Anomal-what?" Izzy questioned.
"Anomalies," Zipp corrected.
"Stating the obvious, we're not supposed to be here," Starlight explained. "We're a disturbance in the timeline. We're disrupting how everything is supposed to play out. We're-"
"I get it, Starlight, we're anomalies," I interrupted. "I'm very familiar with the term."
"Alright then, Mr. Crabby Pants... Anyway, I figured out how to incorporate this fact into the spell. It will send us through time like normal, but if everything I did is correct, we'll be sent right to the first anomaly that the spell detects. Then we'll look for our friends, find them, and bring them back here."
"So... I'm guessing you didn't try it?" Hitch asked.
"Of course I didn't."
"So we don't know if we're going to find our friends, or end up in the belly of a volcano, or suffocate in space?" I said.
"Um... then... We'll just have to hope for the best?..."
"That's reassuring."
"Hey, I didn't test that spell the last time I rewrote it to my advantage, and it worked out well."
"I still don't know..." I muttered.
"Have you forgotten that, as a unicorn, I could give us some sort of magical protection that would give us enough time to return back the way we came?"
She had me there. "Good point, I guess."
"So are we doing this?" Starlight asked.
"I mean, we have to. We really have no other choice."
"Mhm. So..." Starlight turned her attention to Sunny and her friends. "Do any of you want to help?"
"I think I'll pass," said Hitch.
Pipp had the same response, but Zipp, Izzy, and Sunny were more interested.
"Miss an opportunity to jump through time? No way!" Zipp exclaimed. "I trust that you know what you're doing."
"I'd love to see what it's like beyond our time!" Sunny beamed. "Whether it's Ancient Equestria, or before that time, or maybe after our time! I'd love to learn."
"I wanna come with!" Izzy grinned.
"Alright. I need you all to group together, so I can give you your protection spell in case we end up somewhere unsafe," Starlight instructed. "The rest of you need to go outside, or at least hang on to something."
"We'll go outside and watch in any way we can," said Hitch. "Come on, Pipp."
"Good luck!" Pipp exclaimed.
She and Hitch both went outside, and right when the door closed, Starlight got to work. First, she lit her horn, and we were all coated with blue shimmering magic, which then faded away.
"Since I promised I'd give it, this is in case we end up anywhere dangerous," Starlight explained as she cast the spell. "Now, stand back..."
"Wow, advanced unicorn magic is sooo cool!" Sunny gushed.
"I know, right?" Izzy grinned.
Starlight then blasted the scroll, triggering the spell. Due to the lack of the Cutie Map, it started off in quite a different way. The scroll lowered itself, and it turned until the side with writing was facing the ceiling. Then, the scroll started to spin, increasing speed within' seconds. After that, the rest of the process carried on like it usually did, and then the portal was finally open.
"Here goes nothing..." I mumble, before leaping in. I heard the others follow suit, but it was hard to tell who went next.
After being in a time portal twice, I was much more used to the feeling... aside from the butterflies in my stomach. It's lucky that I don't throw up easy.
The trip through the portal soon came to its stop, and I had a relatively decent landing when I was out. I quickly ran away from the portal so I wouldn't get sucked in, and I looked around.
It looked like we were in the woods, with a relatively fall-colored atmosphere.
"Well, it looks like it worked," I said once Izzy was out of the portal.
"Where... are we?" Sunny asked.
"More like whe-"
"I don't know," Starlight interrupted Izzy. "We're in a forest, so there's that."
"So we just... look for whoever's here?" Zipp asked.
"Seems like it. We could split up while one or two of us stays here," Starlight suggested.
"Wait, we don't know who to look for," Sunny pointed out.
"Okay. We're looking for the following... an adult mare with a yellow coat and red-ish mane, another adult mare that's purple with a purple and white mane, or a small pink filly with a light sky-blue mane," I said. "That's... that's right, correct?"
"Even if it's not, we'll know."
"Alright, I'll stay here," Starlight proclaimed. "You four split up and look for somepony."
"On it!" Izzy then ran off into the bushes.
"I'll stay here too," Zipp insisted.
"Are you sure?" Starlight asked.
"I'll at least circle around the area and get back here if I see anything."
"Well, okay then."
Zipp flew upwards into the sky.
"Alright then, we better get to it," said Sunny.
I nodded, and we went off to look for whoever was here.
*Meanwhile....*
It was a pretty quick delivery. Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara checked to see if any apple products took damage, while Apple Bloom's parents explained what happened. After everything was taken care of, they all took their leave.
"Well, that wasn't so bad," Diamond Tiara said.
"We had nothin' to worry about in the first place," said Apple Bloom.
"Delayed time, potential food destroyed after the crash..."
"Well, I think you two deserve a little treat after helping us," Bright Mac smiled. He took off the saddlebags, reached in one of them, and pulled out a pie, with some writing on the tin.
"One of your spare pies?" Apple Bloom took the pie. "Thank you."
"It's... a little bit different than our usual pies..." Pear Butter said. "We added something in it."
Bright Mac leaned forward a little bit. "You're aware of that... feud, between the apples and the pears, right?"
"Yeah," Apple Bloom replied. "What, you added pears in here with the apples? That's totally okay! It's a silly feud. As long as this pie is delicious, then Ah' will for sure cherish it!"
"Thank you," Pear Butter thanked. "Are you two going to stay with us on our way back?"
"Why not?" Diamond Tiara shrugged. "Our home is on the same path, so we'll stick around."
"Alrighty then," Bright Mac nods.
And so they were on their way. When the trip started, it was close to silent, with the occasional small talk. However, out of the blue, a small sound was heard on the edge of the path.
"Psssst!"
Everypony stopped.
"Did you hear that?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Psssssst!" This time, the sound was more stern and loud. They all turned their heads, and an unfamiliar lilac unicorn popped her head out of her bushes.
"Hey!" she grinned. "My friends have been looking for you two."
Pear Butter and Bright Mac gave each other unsure glances.
"...Us?" Bright Mac asked.
"No, the other two."
"Oh, us," said Diamond Tiara. "Friends?"
"Yes, your friends! Come on!"
The unicorn vanished behind the bushes as quick as she popped out of them.
Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom didn't know what to do.
"Should we go with her?" Apple Bloom asked.
"You can go with her," Pear Butter insisted. "If... you think it's safe."
"Let's follow her," said Diamond Tiara. "If anything happens, then I'll never forgive myself."
"If it's what Ah' think it is..." Apple Bloom whispered. "Could Ah' at least say goodbye?..."
Diamond Tiara nodded.
"Alright, we'll be back," Apple Bloom said to her parents. "Would you stay here for a moment?"
"Sure, I guess?..." Bright Mac shrugged.
The mares then left the couple behind, and followed the unicorn the best they could. Every so often, they'd see her, and she'd dart off in a direction again (the first time they saw her, she said "catch me if you can".)
But finally, it all came to an end. Another pony, one that was more recognizable, could be seen.
"Starlight?!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.
Starlight's ears perked up. "Apple Bloom! Diamond Tiara! You're both here! Alright, that makes my job easier... is Cozy Glow here?"
"No. I guess she wasn't with you?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"No."
A white Pegasus suddenly landed on the ground.
"Are these the ones we're looking for?" she inquired.
"Some of them. Now, I need you and Izzy to go find Sunny and Leo. I'm going to get the portal ready."
"Can do. Come on, Izzy, let's go."
The Pegasus and the Unicorn, Izzy, left to go find their friends.
"Wait!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "That... that stuff about time changin' and all that if the timeline is severely changed... what if some ponies you encounter are close to their... final days?"
"Final days? What- oh... oh, no. Apple Bloom."
"Savin' them could be for the better!" Apple Bloom proclaimed.
"It could still have a negative impact on the timeline," said Starlight.
"What if we bring them back before whatever happens to them... happens?"
"Apple Bloom, you can't take every opportunity that's given to you, no matter how much it helps you or your family.. Besides, we don't know when this is. Taking them back before whatever happens will have similar time-changing results. And of course, you know about what happened to them, so there's not even a point in bringing that up."
Apple Bloom's ears flopped down. Starlight placed a hoof under her chin.
"...I'm sorry. I really am. But... I don't know. Even if we could somewhat bring them back, without consequence, it would hinder the learning experience."
"Learning experience!?" Apple Bloom stomped. Tears began to form.
"Okay, maybe I could have left that part out, but my point still stands... you can't have everything."
"Well, of course Ah' don't have everything! Taking them back won't change what I have!"
A familiar voice entered the conversation. "Apple Bloom..."
Apple Bloom turned around. Pear Butter and Bright Mac were looking at her with warm smiles.
"We couldn't help but be curious, so we followed you two," Bright Mac said.
Apple Bloom couldn't help but stutter, "H-h-how did you?..."
"Come on," Pear Butter smirked. "Did you really think we could be fooled by two mares, with one that looks like our daughter, and the other one that looks like the daughter of Filthy Rich?"
"And we were right... you did grow up a good mare," Bright Mac smiled.
"Well... um... do you two know about... your future?"
"We overheard your conversation, so we can take a hint."
Pear Butter soothingly looked into Apple Bloom's eyes. "We want to tell you that it's okay, Apple Bloom... Even if this is goodbye... at least it's a proper one."
"Okay, so am I going to have to alter your memories, or...?" Starlight asked.
"That wouldn't be a bad idea," said Bright Mac.
"Alright. Apple Bloom, you can say your goodbye, and then we need to get going."
Apple Bloom, tears in her eyes, looked at both of her parents. They held their hooves out, offering her a hug. And she accepted that offer, running into their hooves.
"We love you, Apple Bloom..." Pear Butter smiled.
"...we'll always be there," Bright Mac said.
Another tear rolled down her cheek, as Apple Bloom managed to utter the words, "I'll miss you..."
"Alright, Apple Bloom, step aside..." Starlight calmly ordered. "When this spell is over, they'll be asleep for five minutes. When they wake up, they'll remember everything they did since you got here, but they won't remember you two, as if you weren't here at all."
"...okay..." Apple Bloom whispered, before she parted from her parents and got out of the way.
Starlight then proceeded to cast the spell. Both Pear Butter and Bright Mac's eyes started to glow a bright turquoise blue, similar to Starlight's magic. Diamond Tiara comforted Apple Bloom as the spell continued, knowing that this was difficult for her.
When the spell was over, the parents collapsed on the ground.
"Okay, we have five minutes..." said Starlight. "Where could Izzy and the others be?..."
"Right here!" Leo's voice said. Leo, Sunny, Zipp, and Izzy all went over to Starlight. "Sunny and I met up since we couldn't find anything, and Izzy then found us."
"That's convenient."
"Who are those two?" Sunny asked, pointing at Apple Bloom's parents.
"My parents..." Apple Bloom answered.
"I see. Um... you don't seem that excited to be leaving."
"Yeah, this is... kinda my last time seeing them."
"Oh..." Sunny held a hoof to her chest. "I'm so sorry..."
"It's fine."
While they were talking, Starlight finally opened the portal.
"We need to go."
She then hopped in, and then Izzy followed suit. Leo went next, then Zipp, and then Sunny. Diamond Tiara was about to go, but then she saw Apple Bloom taking a final look at her parents.
"It will be alright..." Diamond said. "Trust me..."
"Ah' do..."
And both mares jumped into the portal together.
*The Future...
The portal in Izzy's house opened, and one by one, everyone was sent out of the portal, having safe landings. When Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom were out, the portal closed.
"Where... and when... are we?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"For the first part... this is the future," Leo answered.
"And for the second part... my house!" Izzy exclaimed.
"Having Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom will make this job quicker," Starlight said. "Now we just need to get Cozy Glow."
"Do you two want to come with?" I offered.
"I had enough of portal jumping," said Diamond Tiara. "I'll just wait it out."
"Alright then. You two will go outside," Sunny ordered. "Some of my other friends are outside since they insisted on staying."
"And I guess you, Zipp, and Izzy are still coming with?" Starlight questioned.
All three of them confirmed it, either verbally or with a nod.
"Come on, Apple Bloom. Let's let them grab Cozy Glow so we can go home."
Diamond Tiara was quick when she left, but Apple Bloom was a bit slower, clearly struggling a little bit over what happened back home.
"Alright, let's finish this!"
Starlight started with the spell.
*Cozy Glow...*
After Cozy Glow finally explained everything and settled down with Twilight and the others, she decided to show off her new, reformed personality to everyone while Twilight and Starlight worked on the spell.
She helped Applejack with some chores after offering.
"Woo-wee! Not bad!" Applejack said after Cozy Glow finished her portion of the chores.
"Just like how I was when we first met, except... I mean it this time," Cozy sheepishly smiled.
"Ah' hope to Celestia you ain't pullin' my hoof again, that's for sure," Applejack said.
"But didn't I just prove myself innocent back at Canterlot?..."
"Ah' know, Ah' know... there's just not much of a difference when it comes to willingly doin' chores."
"Good point."
Cozy Glow also showed some flying tricks in front of Rainbow Dash (she was impressed, but still gave pointers).
"Not bad, kid," Rainbow said. "Though some of your coordination was off during your loops... I saw a little bit of wobbling at that time."
"Do you know what you sound like, right now?" Cozy asked.
"No... what?"
Cozy smirked. "In your words... an egghead."
Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped.
"W-w-well, I-"
"It's okay. It may come in handy when you do some... coaching in the future."
Cozy winked.
She also had some time with Pinkie Pie, who could not stop rapidly asking questions about the future.
"Are there flying carriages in the future?"
"No."
"Are there larger cities in the sky?"
"I dunno."
"OOH! Are the deserts and birthday cakes bigger?"
"Pinkie I don't think time ever changes things like that. Besides, I'm from only twenty years in the future."
"Awwww..."
Soon, after her long day with Twilight's friends, Cozy Glow finally decided to return to the castle and check up on things. Twilight's friends met up with her along the way back, and Twilight herself was outside along with Starlight and Spike.
"Okay, Cozy Glow..." Starlight started when Cozy Glow returned. "I may have found the solution to your problem. You're lost in time. You don't know where your friends are. This spell will help. You see... you're an anomaly. You're not supposed to be here in this time."
"...and my friends are anomalies too?"
"Correct!" Twilight exclaimed. "If this spell works, it will be able to track down whatever timeline your friends could be in."
"And if it doesn't work?"
"Well... hopefully we don't end up anywhere dangerous?" Starlight smiled, clearly unsure.
Before Cozy Glow could reply to that, though, a portal suddenly opened nearby.
"Is that?..." Twilight started.
"...a time portal," said Starlight. "If that's your friends, then I guess we don't need this then..."
Starlight prepared to tear the scroll in half.
"Wait!" Cozy exclaimed. "Something's not right..."
Cozy Glow was right. The time traveler that came out of the portal was not a friendly face, but rather, the unsettling monotone face of Sephtis.
"Sephtis!"
"Hello, Cozy Glow... have you enjoyed your stay so far? If so, then I'm afraid I'm cutting it short..."
"What do you mean?" Starlight asked.
"What do you mean? I'm here for the kid."
"You better not lay a hoof on that filly," Applejack threatened.
"What, you care about her now? After all she did to you? This is the same filly that nearly ended Equestria with Chrysalis and Tirek."
"She's not the same Cozy Glow that we've fought against," said Twilight.
"She's from a time where she learned about her mistakes," Fluttershy said.
"Don't care. She's mine."
"You'll have to deal with us, first!" Spike shouted.
Sephtis shrugged. "If you insist..."
And without warning, he sent a bolt of deadly magic right over to Spike, who dove away in time. He took a look at Sephtis, who was already stomping towards him. However, before he could light his horn, Rainbow Dash quickly retaliated with a hind-hoof kick to his head. He rolled on the ground, but quickly recovered. But then he was showered with cake, as Pinkie Pie had a party cannon at the ready.
Applejack tossed a rope right at Sephtis' hind legs, but when Sephtis shot at her, she jumped out of the way. But the blast nearly grazed her tail.
"Whew... that was a close one."
Sephtis was ready to attack Applejack again, but when he tried again, a gem-shaped shield (courtesy of Rarity) formed in front of her, taking the hit.
"You're getting better at that, Rarity," Fluttershy complimented.
"I guess I am," Rarity said, smiling, but not taking her eyes off of Sephtis.
Sephtis snarled, and disintegrated the knot on the lasso. He quickly took notice of Spike, flying around him and just about to breathe fire. Since he saw Spike pre-attack, though, Sephtis was able to deflect it.
Spike didn't mind too much. He landed next to Twilight. Her horn was charged, along with Starlight and Cozy Glow's. They all opened fire, but Sephtis raised a shield. It seemed as if he was going to lose. Twilight's friends cheered her and the other ones on.
"Look at yourselves..." Sephtis hissed through his teeth. "...encouraging downfall of another being. You're just as bad as I am."
"We're... not trying to destroy you..." Twilight strained a reply. "We're just trying to make sure... you don't hurt anyone... by stunning you..."
"Of course it's obvious... it's 'friendship' this, and 'friendship' that... you don't want to destroy your enemies. But let me show you how stunning is really done..."
Suddenly, Spike and Cozy Glow were grabbed by one of the legs with Sephtis' magic, and they were tossed away, which briefly took Starlight and Twilight's attention. Sephtis crashed through his own shield off to the side. He formed magic chains around the two, and the chains immediately tightened, forcing them together. Sephtis then grabbed Fluttershy by a front hoof, and tossed her over to Rainbow Dash. They both crashed into each other and fell to the ground.
"My wing..." Rainbow Dash whined.
Both her and Fluttershy were suddenly knocked out cold with a spell from Sephtis.
Applejack tried to lasso Sephtis by the horn, but this time he allowed it to catch on him, and when it did, he snapped his head to the side so Applejack could lose her focus. She still didn't let go, so Sephtis started to fly up into the air, which took Applejack with him.
"Not agaaaaaaiiiin-" she yelped.
Sephtis looked back. Smirking, he took a sharp turn, allowing him to see Applejack and use the spell on her again, and it caused Applejack to let go.
Rarity went for another attempted attack, and Pinkie was ready to trigger the party cannon again, but Sephtis quickly teleported away, and even swapped places with Rarity... conveniently forcing her to run into the party cannon when Pinkie set it off. Rarity was sent through the air, covered in cake, and she screamed when she realized what happened, before being knocked out by Sephtis.
"Whoops..." Pinkie blinked.
Knowing what would happen next, Sephtis hurled a piece of cake at Pinkie's face. She licked it all off her face in one swoop of her tongue.
"Mmmm... vanilla!"
That made it easy for Sephtis to knock out Pinkie with another stun spell.
Spike and Cozy Glow were the only ones left. They both again tried attacking Sephtis, but he dodged their attacks, and they dodged theirs. But their turn didn't last long... they collided with each other, forcing them to fall to the ground as well.
"Well, you made that easier..."
Sephtis tossed Spike aside, grabbed Cozy Glow, and moved anyone else close to him away. He saw the piece of parchment tumbling along the ground, so he picked up, and disintegrated it. Then, he manifested a saddlebag, and pulled out another piece of parchment. He unrolled it, and then triggered the spell written on it.
But when that portal formed, another one formed, and five ponies exited it one by one... the first two familiar to Cozy Glow and Sephtis.
"Is that me?..." the chained-up Starlight asked.
"LEO! STARLIGHT! HELP!" Cozy Glow shrieked.
"You heard her... go get her!" Sephtis growled. He threw Cozy Glow into the portal, before teleporting away. Leo and Starlight quickly ran after and allowed the portal to take them in. Three other unfamiliar ponies that came out of the portal attempted to go after them, but right when it seemed that they were going to make it, the portal shut.
"That's... not good," a white Pegasus gulped.
... ...
I could feel a cold chill as I was approaching the upcoming time. In fact, when I was out of the portal, I landed face-first in snow. I tried to find my footing, but the portal was already shut by the time I was up.
"STARLIGHT!" I shouted. "COZY GLOW!"
"We're here!" Starlight yelled. She and Cozy Glow trudged through the high snow.
"We need the spell to get out of here!" exclaimed Cozy Glow. "It's freezing!"
"I gave it to Sunny," Starlight admitted.
"You what?!"
"How was I supposed to know we'd be sent here?"
SCREEEEEEEEEEE
We all looked up, and we saw them. Windigos, all circling the sky. All four of them.
"Wait... this isn't right..." Starlight realized. "According to Equestrian history and what we saw twenty years ago, there are three."
"Don't you remember that story we told you about Celestia and Luna?" asked Cozy Glow. "They found something that stated that there were four Windigos."
"...and it's true. But... I don't understand. We saw three. History books said there were three. What could have possibly happened to erase one of them from hi-"
There was a sudden crackle at the center of the Windigo circle.
"What's going on?" I wondered out loud.
The crackling got worse and worse, expanding by the second, before...
KABOOM!!!
A massive explosion burst in the Windigo circle, and there was a faint screaming. One of the Windigos was no longer in the circle... it was coming right for us, screaming along the way.
"TAKE COVER!" Starlight shrieked.
We all got out of the way, and we were quickly showered with a burst of snow. When we recovered and the dust- excuse me... snow settled, we all returned to where we were. There wasn't a Windigo in the ground, or a smaller version of it. Instead, there was simply a mound of snow, which was shaped like that Windigo.
"Well... now we know..." said Cozy Glow.
"We'll discuss this later," Starlight spoke up. "We need to find someplace where we have a chance of at least making it through the next hour or two."
"We better make it fast so they don't get us..." I say.
And so, with any strength we could, we ran away from our spot, hoping that the Windigos wouldn't come after us.
*Meanwhile...*
While Sunny and her friends tried to figure out what to do, the chains around Twilight and Starlight fizzled away, allowing them to move freely. Spike hobbled over to them.
"Oh Celestia!" Twilight yelped. "Spike, are you okay?"
"I'm fine... just a little sprain..."
They noticed Sunny approach them.
"Twilight Sparkle herself?... In the flesh?" Sunny's smile grew the closer she got. "Never in my life would I have thought of this happening..."
"Well, I guess it's an honor to meet you."
"You've inspired me... you've inspired my dad... because of you, I made wonderful friends, and together, we brought harmony back to Equestria after it's been gone for so many years."
"Okay, now I'm confused," said Starlight.
"We're from the future..." Izzy said in a majestical manner.
Twilight's head tilted to the side. "Wait-...huh? You're from the future... and you brought back harmony after it was gone for... years? Does that mean that all of our efforts-"
Zipp could see where this was going. "Uh, Sunny, you probably could have toned it down a bit...."
"Whoops... But hey, they're going to forget about this anyway when we're done."
"Probably for the best if we do," Spike shrugged.
"Listen, you probably saw what happened with our friends, and..." Sunny pointed at Starlight. "...you. We need your help to bring them back."
Twilight was clearly going to ask more questions, but instead, she shook off the shock of what the potential future of Equestria was.
"R-right. We'll help you... except... we don't have the spell!"
"We have one." Zipp unfolded a wing and their own spell fell out.
"Can I see that?"
Zipp gave Starlight the spell, and she looked it over.
"...I'm guessing I wrote this? Hm... seems nearly identical to what I tried to write..."
"Great minds think alike, am I right?" Spike said.
"Where do you think Sephtis sent them, anyway?..." Sunny asked.
"I don't know much about him, but from what I can understand... probably somewhere dangerous," Zipp answered.
*Back to the past...*
I started to lose tolerance for the cold weather, and I could tell the others were feeling the same way.
"It was never this cold when I brought them back with Chrysalis and Tirek..." Cozy wheezed.
"I can't see any shelter, or anything that qualifies..." I said. "Even without all this white-out, I don't think there'd be any place for miles..."
"Let's face it... we're finished!"
"Not without a fight!" Starlight shouted. "We just need to keep going..."
"Don't you see? There's nowhere to go!" I exclaim. I stopped walking, and so did Cozy. "And even if we were to find somewhere, there's no source of heat, no clothing, and no way to enclose ourselves! We're finished."
Starlight stopped as well.
"Well, we can work with what we can and wait until the others are able to get us."
"How?" Cozy asked.
"I saw Twilight and myself chained up. If they can't help us and the others, then..."
"Then we're just going to have to tough it out and freeze..." I mumbled. I wanted to sit down, but I didn't due to the snow and weather.
We didn't say anything. The only sounds we could hear were the gusty winds, and the screeching of the Windigos.
"Do you think everything that Twilight's done, and that we've done, would amount to nothing?"
"What are you talking about?" Cozy Glow asked.
"So... apparently, harmony eventually just... falls. All creatures and pony tribes disband, and the tension between all of them came back... and oddly, not the Windigos. But then Sunny Starscout, an Earth Pony that was fascinated and interested in Twilight's accomplishments, stepped forward. With the help of some new friends, they restored harmony... between pony kinds, at least."
"That doesn't sound like it amounted to nothing."
"I'm thinking the same thing," I said.
"Well... when you think about it... you're right," Starlight spoke.
"As long as there's someone out there that does something in your memory, it never amounts to doing nothing," Cozy Glow said.
"I think there's other lessons we can take away from t-this..." I started to shiver. "Like... sometimes, saying goodbye is hard, but even if you make time with them last longer, it's inevitable either way."
"Or maybe... um..." Cozy tried to think. "...when you prove things to ponies that don't trust you... they can... become friends when you need them?"
"Hm... does that count as a one-hundred-percent lesson?" I ask.
"There's more to it then that," answered Starlight.
"I think the cold weather is making it hard for me to focus..." Cozy mumbled. "That happens, right?"
"I don't know..." I shrug. I finally decided to sit down... I regretted it, but at the same time, I got used to it. "So... is this it?"
"Someone has to rescue us at some point!" Cozy exclaimed.
"Well, if not... then it was nice knowing you all," Starlight smiled.
"Leo... I'm sorry you never got to say goodbye to anyone back home."
"It's fine, I guess..." I mumbled. "Too bad, but whatever... I've had fun in both of my lives..."
"At least you're not alone," Starlight encouraged.
"...thank you."
Time passed. We tried to keep moving, but we soon gave up. We were too cold, and I was pretty sure the snow was getting worse. Cozy Glow had to fly since there was a point where the snow was too high.
It seemed like we were all on the verge of giving up. We were moving at a slow pace. I never expected this weather to weaken me and the others so much. I sneezed, and we all stopped for a break... or we were just finally ready to quit. "Hey, I think I see them..."
"I think I'm hearing things..." I groan.
"Let's get them back."
I could hear hooves running towards me, but I couldn't see who it was.
I started to make out the figures... and even though I felt a bit of doubt at first, one of them made me feel more confident that we were going home.
Sunny, Zipp, Izzy, and Twilight Sparkle... from twenty years ago... all approached us, and quickly went to our aid.
"You three don't look so good..." Sunny said.
"You think?" I uttered. "We've been out here for... how long?"
Starlight and Cozy Glow shrugged.
"Well, you don't need to worry about it anymore..." Twilight said. "We're getting you home."
She raised the scroll, and ignited the spell. The portal back home opened, and we were all whisked away to whatever time was up ahead of us.
*The future...*
I somewhat expected us to return to Twilight's time, but instead, we returned to the far future where I originally was. Hot drinks were immediately prepared for us, and while they were being made, we had to explain to Hitch, Pipp, Diamond Tiara, and Apple Bloom about what took so long and why Twilight was with us.
"It's a good think you all came when you did," Starlight said after sipping her drink. "I don't think we would have lasted much longer."
"Yep. If Sephtis never took care of Twilight and your other self, we probably wouldn't have had a way to go back in time and find you," Zipp explained.
"The more I hear about this the more I wish I would have gone..." said Pipp. "They would have been great photos."
Zipp glared at her sister.
"What?" Pipp shrugged. "It's not like I was going to post them."
"Wow, the future doesn't look that bad..." Twilight admired after looking around for a bit.
"So, what's the plan for you?" I asked her. "Are you going to erase you, your friends, and the Princesses' memories of everything?"
"Actually, Starlight from my time is already taking care of that. And then Spike will alert the Princesses so they can take care of their memories."
"That makes sense," said Starlight. "Otherwise, everything would be different. Since you're not even there, your memories, at the moment, don't matter"
"That's true..." I nod.
Twilight scribbled on her own piece of parchment, using our spell as reference, and she was just about done.
"Well... it's done. Before I go... Sunny?"
"Yes, Twilight?"
Twilight approached Sunny.
"I'm still not sure about how I feel on the fact that, when my rule as Princess ends, so does harmony all around Equestria... but since, from what everyone told me, you and your friends are working on bringing it back... I wish you luck. I think this 'future Equestria' is in good hooves."
"T-thank you. That means a lot."
"No problem... take care everypony."
Twilight then went outside. We all heard her cast the spell, and we also saw the brief flash from outside that came with it. When we were certain it was over, we finally went to tie up loose ends.
"So, Diamond Tiara..." I heard Apple Bloom ask. "What did you mean when you said that you sometimes, you wished your life was more like mine?"
"We'll talk about it later. Not here."
"Well, I guess this is it then." Starlight stood up. "Sunny, Izzy, Zipp... even Hitch and Pipp... thank you for everything."
"Yeah, thank you for showing me the future too." I thanked. "It was nice. In spite of the walks..."
"You're welcome," said Izzy.
"Since coming from the past to the future doesn't change... your future... you can come back anytime!" Pipp offered.
"Eh... don't want to be too risky," Cozy said. "It may not change our future, but... anomalies are always a form of interference. We'd be interfering with your time as well."
"I think the kid has a point," Zipp nodded.
"Come on, everyone, let's go outside," Starlight instructed.
The five of us grouped out, said our goodbyes to Sunny and her friends, and we proceeded to leave as we heard their goodbyes. I took one last look at them behind me, and then I closed the door.
*One time-travel trip later...*
We were finally home. It was such a refreshing sight to be back in the castle in the time where we belonged.
"Well, that was one hay of a ride..." said Apple Bloom. "Ah' had fun, though."
"I had fun, too..." Diamond Tiara started. "...but going on adventures is just not my thing."
"I'm glad you had fun..." a sinister voice hissed. "It's been an honor to give it to you."
We all turned around, and Sephtis stepped out of the shadows. He wasn't alone, though... with him was a giant cat-like mechanical creature similar to what I saw on the blueprints, a changeling that looked like an unreformed version of Ocellus, and finally, a shadow-y version of Cozy Glow, as if she was the Pony of Shadows.
"Apple Bloom... Diamond Tiara... get out of here!" I barked.
Both mares quickly turned, hopped off the table, and ran out. The mechanical creature was ready to go after him, but Sephtis raised a hoof.
"Let them go..." he ordered. "It's these three I want."
I could have sworn the creature scoffed.
"You lost!" Cozy boasted. "Your plan to have us travel in time and freeze didn't work."
Sephtis laughed. "Oh, Cozy Glow... did you really think I'd send you through time and do nothing? I could have sent you somewhere where you'd burn in lava, or be in space, or whatnot. No, no, no... listen, I'm a predator. I like to toy with my prey. So that's what I did... I sent you through time for fun, and when you quickly solved your problem, I went ahead and scattered you all throughout time."
"Why did you send us to my village at the time I was in charge?" Starlight asked.
"Because, why not? Besides, I wanted a reaction from you. I like getting a rise out of you all. Though, I must admit... that last place I sent you, the beginning of Equestria... yes, I wanted you to freeze... but I also wanted you to see."
"See what?..." Cozy asked.
"History. Beginning."
"The Flame of Friendship?" I inquired.
"Not that!" Sephtis spat. "The beginning of Equestria's greatest threat."
"The Windigos?" Cozy questioned.
"You're getting there..." Sephtis smirked. "You three saw it... four Windigos, with one being casted by his siblings, and left within' the darkness of abandoned history. That was the start of something else. Something that took years... decades... centuries... millenias... for that abandoned Windigo to unintentionally find his way back into flesh and bone... and be right in your presence at this very moment."
We all looked around the room, but we couldn't find any traces of a Windigo. However, it seemed as if Cozy Glow put two-and-two together.
"You..." Cozy started, raising a hoof at Sephtis. "You're a Windigo!"
Septhis didn't look like he was going to deny it. Instead, he presented himself, smiling.
"In the flesh..."
It seemed as if his allies were alarmed as well.
"But... how did you go from that..." Starlight pointed above her, and then at Sephtis. "...to that?"
Sephtis began to pace.
"You see, when my three siblings banished me, they turned me to snow. That was what the shaped mound of snow was. Me. I tried to manipulate the snow so I could reform my body, but it seemed as if my magic was also restrained and taken by them. When my siblings were defeated and cast away, all of their influence and snow melted. Including me. And when snow melts, it becomes water. And when it becomes water, two things happen... it evaporates, or it sinks underwater. Luckily, most of me managed to sink into the ground, and absorb into roots. Those roots grew into a healthy tree, where my consciousness lingered for as long as I could remember.
My whole life was spent, watching nothing but days and nights pass, with occasional passerby's. Even when I could tell my siblings returned, I still couldn't do anything. The tree was a prison. But then... he came along... Grogar. With the help of a picture of Leo, a strand of his hair, and a spell meant to turn trees into clones, I was born again in a new body!"
"Why would the other Windigos banish you?" Starlight queried.
"Two things... one, they thought I was weak. And two... in spite of my weakness, they knew that I had a wickedness greater than theirs. My desire to turn Equestria into ash instead of a land of snow!..."
Sephtis took a glance at his allies.
"At least some allies aren't willing to overthrow me..." he scoffed.
"Never trust a Windigo," the shadow Cozy Glow said, slightly backing away.
"Don't forget the consequences I will bring upon you if you dare fight me..." Sephtis threatened.
The mechanical monster (Gizmos! That's his name...) flinched it seemed like he wanted to fight, but resisted it.
"Now... with your return home, and my backstory out of the way, it's time for the finishing touch... closing this chapter! Gizmos... grab them!"
Three of Gizmos' arms launched at us, grabbed me and Starlight, and raised us up in the air. The third one was about to grab Cozy Glow, but it stopped.
"Gizmos, what are you doing? Grab her!!!"
The hesitancy Gizmos had was clear, but finally, his claw gently grabbed Cozy and lifted her up. She could have sworn that she heard him say, "I'm sorry, child..."
"Farewell, you three..." Sephtis lit his horn. "Unlike with Twilight and her friends... I won't go easy on you."
Before Sephtis could destroy us, though, a blue bolt struck his head from the side, and he looked at where it came from. Behind him, where the doors were, Chrysalis and Tirek stormed inside, both prepared to attack.
"That was a warning shot..." Tirek said. "I won't use one on you."
Chrysalis noticed the changeling nearby. "Thorn?"
"Hello again, my queen."
Sephtis thought about what he wanted to do next, but he appeared to have reached a verdict. "Very well. Gizmos, put them down."
Gizmos obeyed, and he dropped us on the table.
"Besides..." Sephtis grinned. "It's better if you see what I have in mind... let's go."
Thorn handed him a familiar shard. Sephtis lit his horn, and they all vanished in a bright yellow spark. Chrysalis and Tirek immediately went over to us.
"Are you two okay?" Tirek asked.
We all nodded, while Starlight said "Yeah."
"What happened to your getaway?" I asked.
"As it turned out, it got postponed," Chrysalis explained. "It looks like you all had a big day, though."
"No kidding!" Cozy Glow exclaimed. "There was time-travel, and Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara was with us."
"I think we all need to take this day as a warning," said Starlight. "Sephtis said that this was simply for fun... and you all heard what he said... he wants us to see what he has in mind."
"Indeed..." Tirek nods.
"Whatever it is, though, we'll take care of it together," Cozy Glow proclaimed. "As long as it's the four of us, along with all the help we can get, we'll take down Sephtis, and stop whatever he has in mind."
*Sephtis...*
"So..." Nightfall started. "You're a Windigo?"
"Indeed. What, you want to rise up against me or something? Go ahead and try."
"As much as I want to, I won't... I want to see how this all plays out. Now that you've made them all alert that you have a plan in mind... what are you going to do?"
"Wait!" Sephtis answered. "After all, my story's conclusion just needs a little more time. In order to veer their expectations and focus away, I need to let someone else take the spotlight... and I just know who..."
Sephtis looked into the crystal ball, where Cicada slept soundly under a tree.
*Gizmos...*
Gizmos ducked behind a corner after spying on Sephtis.
"Yes, indeed... let her story continue before your plan... for once, we agree on a method..."
Gizmos passed by his room and took a look inside. He smiled. After the few months where he's been under Sephtis' watch, he finally finished his creation.
"You'll be awake soon, my creation... and after we overthrow Sephtis, or ensure his defeat, we'll rebuilt Equestria the way we want."
He shut the door, his creation standing still in the dark.
