> My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 13
>  by twilightsparkle3562
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Episode 1: "Megatron Makes His Move, Part 1"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

In the kingdom that they had claimed as their own, the Predacons were in the midst of planning heo rescue of two of their comrades. Gathering in the throne room that once belonged to King Vorak, they all watched as Megatron towered over them in his dragon mode. In addition to planning this rescue mission, he had something else to say to his loyal minions. "I suppose you're all wondering why I have called you here tonight," He remarked while sticking out his dragon claw. "And at this hour."

"Is it because we intend to rescue Terrorsaur and Laserbeak from those strange creatures?" Scorponok asked. "'Cause if so, why are we standing around here? We could rescue them no sweat."

"It's not because of that, Scorponok," Megatron corrected in a commanding voice. "It is because for too long we have been following the orders of Emperor Grogar." Transforming from beast to robot mode, Megatron took a piece of parchment from the throne and tossed it into the air. While still airborne, he fired his dragon head at the parchment, destroying it.

"Are you crazy, boss?!" Quickstrike cried while jumping back slightly. "Grogar is our master, you know that!"

"I'm sure he has a good reason." Soundwave remarked while glancing over at the Predacon fuzor.

"Indeed I do, Soundwave!" Megatron declared as the burnt up parchment landed on the steps of the throne. "When Grogar declared himself leader of the Predacons, I vowed to myself to seek revenge. So we will take this land of Equestria for ourselves! Yes!"

As he spoke, Megatron stepped down from the throne steps and proceeded to place his transmetal foot on the burned parchment.

"I would strongly advise against it!" A voice belonging to Tarantulas called out, much to Megatron's annoyance. "These creatures have powers beyond our imagination!"

"What did you say?" Megatron quietly asked before proceeding to pick Tarantulas up with his dragon mouth.

"I mean…they could easily find a way to stop us!" Tarantulas coughed as Megatron tightened his grip on Tarantulas' torso. "They must've figured something out if they could capture two of our own."

"You lie!" Megatron snarled before letting Tarantulas fall to the ground. "The ponies of Equestria have no defense against our powers. But it won't be easy with Optimus Primal and the Maximals assisting them! However, we are no strangers to the Maximals, are we?"

"Indeed not." Dinobot 2 growled with a sinister smile coming onto his face, much to Megatron's delight.

Stepping up to the Predacon he created, Megatron tapped him on the shoulder before turning back to his Predacon army. "Do you see? This is what I want all of you to have…fearless determination! Yesss…"

With some support from within his forces, Megatron then proceeded to take a look at the viewing globe that sat next to his throne. The globe from which he would get his orders from Grogar. Just as Megatron was about to take the globe and destroy it, he was stopped again by another all too familiar voice.

"Hold it, boss!"Quickstrike cried, causing Megatron to growl at him anew. "That…that belongs to the goat with the bell!"

Putting the globe down on its pedestal, Megatron walked over to Quickstrike and aimed his dragon head at him, firing a blast of fire at him and sending him flying back into a wall.

"Anyone else care to object to my decision?" Megatron asked his forces but got no response. With his message aired, Megatron walked to the globe, picked it up and threw it into the air. Once again aiming his dragon head, he destroyed the globe, causing it to explode into a million pieces. With the globe destroyed, Megatron turned to the task at hand. "Now we do things my way!" He declared, walking back up to the throne and firing flames from his dragon head. "To the conquering of Equestria in the name of Cybertron!"

With the cries of their leader, all the Predacons embraced the mission that had been assigned to them!

…

…

At the Castle of Friendship the next morning, Tempest Shadow was overseeing the transfer of the two captured Predacons, Terrorsaur and Laserbeak, still trapped in their beast modes. All the broken horned unicorn could do was shake her head in disgust at them as they were loaded into a portable jail box.

"I've tried everything, Princess Twilight," Tempest sighed as the Supreme Princess of Equestria approached her. "But nothing seems to work. They won't talk."

"It's not your fault, Tempest," Twilight acknowledged. "They chose to be in the position they are in. And now, according to the intelligence we've received, Grogar or Megatron are planning to make a move."

As the door to the wagon was slammed shut, Twilight realized that there was one more way to get the captives to open up. Tempest was quick to notice.

"You're left with no choice, aren't you?" Tempest asked, catching Twilight by surprise.

"What's that?" Twilight questioned.

"They need to be placed in the torture chamber in Canterlot? The same one where some of the Storm King's soldiers were interrogated?" Tempest inquired. "Only a pardon from you spared me from a similar fate."

"Tempest," Twilight answered with a sigh. "As Supreme Princess of Equestria, it is my duty and that of my friends and co-princesses to protect our subjects from all threats of any kind. I'm not holding back on anything. The sooner we end this war, the better. If they continue to remain defiant…then they must be done away with. I only hope it doesn't come to that."

Not wanting to challenge her supreme commander, Tempest saluted Twilight as the wagon containing the captured Predacons was taken away to Canterlot. Once the wagon was gone, Tempest was dismissed and Twilight returned to her castle.

…

"Spike, I cannot hold back any longer," Twilight sighed as her little brother and royal advisor was waiting for her in the doorway. "If those two Predacons are a sign of what's to come…"

"Yeah, I can understand you on that," Spike interjected. "But from what we managed to get in the recent interrogations, Megatron seems to be the one making his first move. Don't Optimus and the Maximals know this?"

"We've given them all of the intelligence that isn't classified to just us, Spike," Twilight sighed. "But, it's not just about intelligence anymore."

Immediately, Spike sensed what Twilight was going through. "It's about not holding back, isn't it?" he asked. "About not wanting to shed blood of our enemy?"

"Spike, I'm left with no other choice," Twilight sighed as she walked up the stairs towards her study. "If my friends and I have to take the forbidden route, then we have to take it when it comes to dealing with prisoners of war. The Predacons refuse to cooperate and refuse to change."

"You mean, you're planning on doing what Celestia did with Instant Justice?" Spike blinked in disbelief.

The memories of Equestria's former minister of Justice and his obsession to seek revenge on Tempest after the Storm King's invasion of Canterlot were still fresh in Twilight's mind. "If it comes to that, Spike," Twilight sighed as she removed her large crown and placed it on her desk. "And maybe such extreme measures will be warranted. But…I can't really think about those measures right now. I want to hold out hope that it won't come to that."

Walking over to her bookshelf, Twilight pulled out the book of memories Starlight gave her during her mental health breakdown. Sitting down, she opened the book and proceeded to look through it. "I mean, think about it, Spike," She continued, gesturing the young dragon to come over to her desk. "Look at these pictures, are these the pictures of ponies who wish to use excessive force? It's not us, but we're princesses now. Sometimes we need to do things we don't want to do and it's hard!"

Taking a deep breath, Twilight continued to mentally prepare herself for the growing conflict ahead.

"It's never easy for anypony or anycreature for that matter," Spike insisted, placing a claw on Twilight's shoulder. "Take Gallus for example."

"Yeah, Gallus," Twilight sighed again before closing the book. "He wanted to be a soldier for Equestria, but he lacked patience and understanding. I…if he and anycreature else his age wants to fight against Grogar, then they will need to see what they are getting themselves into. I don't want to be responsible for sending children into battle or plunging Equestria into war."

Just then, Twilight and Spike heard the sounds of jets flying through the window of Twilight's study and they saw Optimus Primal fly in with Silverbolt and Tigerhawk.

"Optimus, you do know there's a door you can enter through, right?" Spike asked while placing a claw on his face.

"Honestly, this is more convenient." Tigerhawk remarked as the transformer split back into Tigatron and Air Razor.

"What's going on, Optimus?" Twilight asked the Maximal leader. "Is there any more intelligence that I should know about?"

"Megatron is planning on making his move soon," Optimus replied. "Apparently, he's planning to mount a rescue to save the two Predacons in your custody."

"Terrorsaur and Laserbeak?" Twilight realized. "I just ordered them to be moved to Canterlot for further interrogation. In fact, I'm already considering the possibility that lethal force may be needed."

This caused both Tigatron and Air Razor to look at each other with concerned looks on their faces.

"But why?" Tigatron asked. "Isn't there any other way?"

"There may not be any other way," Twilight sighed to the two Maximal lovers before turning her attention back to Optimus. "I've tried everything to get them to open up about what Megatron has planned, but they are still defiant. Optimus, if you were dealing with a defiant prisoner, what would you do?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Optimus struggled to process Twilight's question. "Personally, I would use extreme methods, but I'd much rather not," Optimus said, a hint of reluctance in his voice. "It's not in the nature of the Maximal to take the life of another life form without reason."

"I take it that death is somewhat involved?" Spike guessed as a shiver ran down his spine. "Or worse…" Feeling slightly afraid of the discussion, Spike offered to excuse himself and was allowed to leave the study.

"What's wrong with him?" Silverbolt asked after Spike had left.

"He's afraid that someone will someday pluck off his wings," Twilight answered and Silverbolt recoiled in equal fear. "We both have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of what we endured against the Legion of Doom."

"I see," Optimus sighed, quickly realizing he needed to change the subject. "Well, there is another matter that we need to address."

Twilight spun around and blinked. "What's that?"

"Since Megatron is making his move," Optimus explained. "I recommend that the Maximals fortify both Ponyville and Canterlot to protect against any possible Predacon strike. It would avoid a repeat of the Rainbow Falls ambush."

Taking a deep breath, Twilight sighed and realized that she would have to take the recommendation as seriously as possible. "But what about our subjects?" She asked. "They are going to…?"

"They are going to have to shelter in place until further notice," Tigatron instructed. "There's no other way."

"It's for their own good," Air Razor added. "None of your cities or towns are equipped to handle what the Predacons are capable of."

Taking another deep breath, Twilight desperately sought to protest the Maximals' decision. "Optimus, let me see what my friends think of your suggestion. Nothing against your decision, but this will be our decision and our decision alone. We're the rulers, you're honored visitors."

"Very well then, your highness," Optimus replied as Tigatron and Air Razor remerged into Tigerhawk. "Just remember that time is of the essence when it comes to Megatron. You've seen what he's capable of."

Turning back to the window that they came into, Optimus activated his prime jets and flew out of the study with Silverbolt and Tigerhawk following behind.

With time ticking away, Twilight turned her attention to bringing her fellow princesses to her castle at once!

…

…

Once Twilight had gotten her message out, her fellow princesses dashed to the Castle of Friendship!

"Twilight, are you sure about this?" Rainbow Dash asked as they all gathered in the throne room and sat down in their respective thrones.

"I'm very positive," Twilight replied while activating the map. "Optimus recommends that Ponyville and Canterlot be placed under Maximal guard in addition to our own guard."

"Well, to be honest," Pinkie Pie remarked. "Our royal guard hasn't really been as successful in the past against major threats…"

"Couldn't we just do what your brother did as captain?" Fluttershy questioned. "You have the magic to produce a shield spell around Ponyville."

"I don't have the kind of magic that would be necessary to produce a shield over both Ponyville and Canterlot," Twilight protested with a shake of his head. "Optimus says that the Maximals will be divided to cover both Canterlot and Ponyville. As for how many Maximals per location, that remains to be seen."

"So what can we do about it?" Applejack asked.

"All we can do is lockdown the capitals," Twilight declared, producing a makeshift barrier around Ponyville and Canterlot. "Nopony goes in and nopony goes out. I want the loss of life to be minimal at all times."

A mixed reaction followed amongst the six princesses. Half of them wanted their subjects to be safe from the impending attack, but the other half were not so sure.

"Look, Twilight," Rarity began. "I'm all for protecting our subjects, but don't you think that a full lockdown would…?"

"I think it's necessary, Rarity," Twilight firmly interrupted the Princess of Generosity. "The Maximals want our subjects to shelter in place until further notice, a lockdown at least would let them go out and about within city limits.."

Rarity protested. "I'm only saying that a full lockdown is…"

"…It's necessary, Rarity!" Rainbow Dash declared in a firm tone of voice. "And Twilight's right, I'm not going to risk my short time as a princess by allowing some robotic freaks of nature to come in and tear our homes apart because we're holding two of their own as captives!"

"I agree with Twilight and Rainbow Dash," Applejack added. "Until those Predacons have been defeated for good, we gotta keep our subjects safe by any means necessary!"

Although they felt it was against their better judgment, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were left with no other choice.

But then Pinkie Pie had an idea. "What does Spike think of this?" she asked, catching Twilight off guard as she pointed towards Spike's empty throne. "Shouldn't he be here?"

Just then, Spike entered the throne room having overheard what was being said. "You guys are meeting and didn't tell me?!" He asked as he sat down at his throne next to Twilight's.

"I didn't want you to be scarred in any way, Spike," Twilight replied and apologized. "But we're all in the middle of a vote to order a full lockdown of Ponyville and Canterlot ahead of a likely Predacon attack."

The six mares all looked over at Spike with eager glances, causing the young dragon to become uncomfortable. "So, why look at me?"

"You are the deciding vote," Twilight declared, causing Spike to gulp nervously. "You'll decide whether we go through with it or not."

"Oh boy." Spike remarked as he began to shiver nervously at the decision he was being forced to make. It was much like the dilemma he'd faced with Thorax at the Crystal Empire.

…

Back on the moon, Grogar was pacing back and forth across the throne room seemingly waiting for news. A few moments later, the Predacon Inferno came into the throne room, causing Grogar to stop pacing.

"Royalty, I have news!" Inferno loudly declared.

"Is it news about why your former superior is ignoring me?" Grogar asked. "Why he chooses to ignore my orders?"

"My queen wishes to act on his own will," Inferno answered, only for Grogar to activate his magic and throw Inferno against the back wall. "Royalty…"

"You say that he wishes to defy me?!" Grogar thundered. "Why?!"

"He feels like you are…" Inferno coughed. "Stealing his glory! You've already stolen the colony from him!"

Growling, Grogar released his grip on Inferno and snarled quietly to himself, going into a deep thought about what was happening. "He must have destroyed his communication globe," Grogar whispered to himself, turning his back away from Inferno. "It makes perfect sense to me. Well, he won't get away with this. If Megatron defies me he will die from his defiance."

"Royalty?" Inferno questioned.

"Inferno, I'm sending you on a mission," Grogar declared. "You are to find Megatron and bring him to me dead or alive!"

"Royalty," Inferno asked as he got to his feet. "What do you plan to do with my former queen if I capture him?"

"That is none of your concern, Inferno," Grogar ordered. "All you are assigned to do is bring Megatron to me, and I will ensure that you will not be alone in this mission."

Stepping back from Inferno, Grogar stamped on the floor three times and at that moment, the doors opened to reveal Sombra on the other side.

"Has the punishment of Lord Zedd and his minions been carried out?" Grogar asked.

"Yes, my emperor," Sombra answered with a nod. "All has been done according to your instructions. What do you wish to ask of me now?"

"I wish for you to help Inferno bring the traitor Megatron back to me," Grogar ordered. "And to ensure this, I wish for both Lavan and Arabus to assist you."

"Why them if you don't mind my asking?" Sombra asked with a confused look on his face.

"Because I wish for them to demonstrate their loyalty to me!" Grogar bitterly explained and stomped a hoof. "Now go, and bring Megatron to me dead or alive!"

"What about Lord Zedd and his crew?" Sombra questioned.

Grogar smirked. "I shall deal with them later myself. I may have use of them now that Megatron is no longer needed."

All the fire ant Predacon could do was gulp nervously at the thought of betraying his former commander to Grogar.

…

…

Back at King Vorak's kingdom, Megatron was standing in front of a mirror in his quarters and brushing the teeth of his dragon head now that he hoped to conquer Equestria for himself. "Yes, yes," Megatron whispered to his dragon head. "Be hungry for life, my pet. This land and all its inhabitants will soon be mine to rule."

Just then, Megatron was greeted by the sounds of knocking at the door. "Enter!" He called and the door opened to reveal Soundwave. "Yes, Soundwave?"

"The forces are mobilizing, Lord Megatron!" Soundwave reported.

"Excellent," Megatron laughed while turning to face Soundwave. "Hungry for life, aren't they?"

"Indeed," Soundwave replied as Megatron emerged from his quarters and saw his Predacon forces mobilizing for total warfare in the throne room, much to Megatron's delight. "They are ready to move on your orders!"

"All hail Megatron!" Barricade shouted, throwing his triceratops head into the air as the other Predacons followed suit (including Rampage and the Pirhanacons).

The cries of loyalty made Megatron laugh in delight. "Yes! Yes, my minions!" He declared while standing up on Vorak's throne. "Rejoice, for we shall be the ones to make Equestria our own! And together, we shall make Grogar and his minions bow down to us!"

Yelling, Megatron shot fire from his dragon head further fueling the Predacons into embracing their newfound destiny. "But first," He declared. "I shall send a warning to this land's rulers! Oh yes!"

…

Looking at the ponies had he come so close to, Spike was left with a choice.

"What will it be, Spike?" Twilight asked her little brother and royal advisor. "Make the right choice."

Taking a deep breath, Spike looked at Twilight and raised his right dragon claw. "I choose a lockdown," He declared, much to Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy's dismay. "I don't want anypony or anycreature getting hurt from the likes of Megatron or Grogar."

Spike then looked over to a flabbergasted Rarity who couldn't believe Spike would make such a decision. "I'm sorry, Rarity," He sighed. "I want what is best for Equestria and besides…it won't last long, I hope."

"Very well then," Twilight declared, producing a scroll and quill. "I will draft a declaration ordering a full lockdown of Ponyville and Canterlot until Megatron is defeated once and for all."

The five princesses and their royal advisor watched as Twilight quickly drew up the declaration. Once she had signed it, Twilight passed the declaration around and each princess signed their name on it, including Pinkie Pie, who drew up a Pinkie Promise.

"As of this moment," Twilight started to say. "Equestria is under…"

Suddenly, the throne room began to rumble, causing several shrieks to come out from the six ponies! A few moments later, streaks of red fire crossed through to the center of the map and a red fire sphere began to form in the center!

The princesses watched in sheer horror as the sounds of Megatron's laughter came from the sphere. "Princesses of Equestria!" He shouted. "You have a pair of my troops in your custody!"

"Out of the question, Megatron!" Twilight shot back. "You will never have your troops back! They are our prisoners!"

"So, you've decided that you are not going to release Terrorsaur and Laserbeak to us?" Megatron snarled. "Do you have any idea who you're dealing with, ponies?!"

"Listen, metal dragon boy!" Rainbow Dash snarled back. "One of your 'pals' traumatized a Wonderbolt and there is no way I'm going to let him go! Not in a million years!"

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Megatron remarked in a sarcastic tone. "And I'm sorry to say that I don't take kindly to threats!"

"Well, how about some cupcakes with poison in them?" Pinkie Pie cried, holding a pair of poisoned cupcakes in her hooves.

"Your threats mean nothing to me, pony!" Megatron firmly replied. "So be warned! My Predacon forces are coming one way or another. And we will not only rescue our comrades, but we shall make you all our slaves!"

"Equestrians will never be slaves!" Applejack thundered while slamming her foreleg on the map. "IF you want to enslave our subjects, you'll have to kill us first!"

Feeling amused by Applejack's threat, Megatron snickered to himself. "That might be arranged, yes," He declared. "But since I'm feeling 'generous' I shall give you all one and only one chance. free Terrorsaur and Laserbeak and I shall not lay waste to your home. But if you do not comply, Equestria will be attacked. I shall come at sunrise tomorrow so be warned!"

As Megatron finished his words, he let out a loud and long evil laugh, hopeful of his impending triumph and leaving Twilight with very little choice.

"What do we do?" Fluttershy asked as Twilight sat back down in her throne.

"We prepare for battle!" Twilight declared. "Send a message to Optimus Primal. Tell him that the defense of Equestria from the Predacons is about to begin!"

Taking a deep breath, Twilight looked at the map of Canterlot and Ponyville, the shared capitals that she and her friends had yet to declare as such. All she could do was hope for the best as the time started to tick down before the Predacons would arrive."May the maker protect us all." She declared.

…

…
> Episode 2: "Megatron Makes His Move, Part 2"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

PREVIOUSLY ON "MY LITTLE PONY"

…

…

Megatron: "When Grogar declared himself leader of the Predacons, I vowed to myself to seek revenge. So we will take this land of Equestria for ourselves! Yes!"

Quickstrike: "That…that belongs to the goat with the bell!"

Twilight Sparkle: "According to the intelligence we've received, Grogar or Megatron are planning to make a move. If they continue to remain defiant…then they must be done away with."

Spike: "You mean, you're planning on doing what Celestia did with Instant Justice?"

Optimus Primal: "Megatron is planning on making his move soon. I recommend that the Maximals fortify both Ponyville and Canterlot to protect against any possible Predacon strike."

Grogar: "You are to find Megatron and bring him to me dead or alive!"

Spike: "I choose a lockdown."

Megatron: "I shall come at sunrise tomorrow, so be warned!"

Twilight Sparkle: "May the maker protect us all."

…

…

In the Canterlot dungeons, Terrorsaur and Laserbeak were placed on two separate racks, their wings and legs stretched out and unable to transform. Both Predacons were exhausted and unable to escape, but their spirits were still willing.

"Never give in…" Terrorsaur gasped, his voice screeching briefly. "Never give in…"

Laserbeak said nothing, but he was also determined to not give into the pressures of being imprisoned.

A few moments later, the doors to the torture chamber opened and in stepped Rodiums Primal, glancing at the two Predacons that were weakened from their captivity. "Well, well, look at this," He chuckled as Mudflap and Skids followed suit. "Two Predacons bound up with no way to escape. Do you both know why you're here?"

"Yes, you want to question us…" Terrorsaur replied. "About our involvement in that attack. I can assure you that we had nothing to do with it. You're barking up the wrong tree."

Snarling, Rodimus grabbed Terrorsaur by the throat. "You lie! Of course you had something to do with it, beak brain!" The lion Maximal growled. "And I am going to get every single bit of information out of your thick skull if it's the last thing I do!"

A few moments later, a pair of pony guards came into the torture chamber and stood on one each side of Terrorsaur. Stepping back, Rodimus motioned for the guards to begin stretching Terrorsaur out.

"Ooh, this is gonna hurt, brother!' Skids cried while recoiling slightly.

"You…you won't get away with this!" Terrorsaur shouted as the rack stretched him out further. "Killing me won't…"

"Then answer this!" Rodimus demanded as Terrorsaur yelped further and further in pain. "What is Megatron planning to do? Is he planning to attack Ponyville? Canterlot, perhaps?"

Remaining defiant, Terrorsaur didn't answer and the rack was stretched further.

"Well, are you going to answer?" Rodimus remarked with his arms folded. "Or do I have to keep stretching the rack further?"

"I…I won't give into you! I've suffered worse!" Terrorsaur screeched as he began to feel his beast mode be torn away from him.

"Youse very brave for a Predacon!" Mudflap remarked. "Isn't he, Skids?"

"Yeah! Too bad he can't escape as fast!" Skids replied, causing the two Maximals to share a laugh.

Rodimus took notice of their laughter quickly. "Silence!" He ordered with a glare. "Prepare Laserbeak for interrogation!"

"Right boss." The two Maximal brothers saluted and prepared Laserbeak for interrogation. Meanwhile, Terrorsaur was being stretched beyond his limits and was now begging for mercy.

"Do you realize that some ponies in Rainbow Falls are dead because of you Predacon scum?!" Rodimus Primal asked. "Do you have any remorse…any shame of your actions?!"

Terrorsaur said nothing as he felt his left wing beginning to rip, exposing the wiring underneath him.

"All right, that's enough! We can't risk losing him before we've extracted a confession," Rodimus ordered to the Pony Guards. "Take him down! This isn't working, but perhaps there is another way to get him to open up."

…

Meanwhile, Twilight and her friends emerged from the throne room at the Castle of Friendship, still shaking from the encounter with Megatron.

"I'm all for guests," Pinkie Pie shivered. "But he freaks me out!"

"He's no different than any of the enemies we have encountered already," Spike replied. "But anyone who impersonates a dragon like that is bad news."

"Yes and we can't take any chances," Twilight firmly declared as she made her way to the front door of her castle and activated her horn. "We're locking down now! If Megatron thinks he can just waltz in and destroy Ponyville, he's got another thing coming!"

Stepping in front of her castle, Twilight aimed her horn into the sky and shot a beam of her alicorn magic, which began to rain down magical particles over Ponyville.

The sight of the magic beam caught the attention of the School of Friendship's students and staff. Watching from their dormitory window, Luster Dawn and several of her fellow classmates were amazed by what they were seeing.

"What's going on?!" Gallus gasped, amazed by what he was seeing. "What's with Princess Twilight's magic?"

"Something must be happening, guys," Smolder cried, beginning to get a sense of what was going on. "And I think I know who's coming. It's got to be that Megawhat'shisface."

And no sooner did Smolder say those words than did Luster Dawn feel a summons from her horn.

"Luster, what is it?" Ocellus questioned as Luster read off a scroll quietly. "What does the scroll say?"

"Twilight and her fellow princesses are locking down the school and all of Ponyville," Luster answered. "All students are to remain where they are until further notice and lock the doors."

"Says who?" Silverstream asked as she immediately embraced Gallus in a tight hug. "What's happening?"

"It's from Headmare Starlight," Luster Dawn explained, throwing the scroll aside and immediately locking the door. "Apparently, all she's saying is that it's coming from an outside threat."

Confused, Yona looked out at the window as the magical barrier Twilight was placing continued to envelop the school grounds. "Yona not know what outside threat is!" The young yak cried, looking over to her friends with a worried glance.

But Gallus had a hunch that what was about to happen was something that he had been hoping to get involved in for some time.

"What are we going to do?" Ocellus asked in a terrified voice. "Is it Grogar? Is he on his way? Is the final battle here already?"

"I don't know," Luster Dawn answered while ensuring that the door in front of her was locked tight. "But we need to wait and see. Even if it isn't Grogar there's very little we can do, much as it pains me to say it."

…

Stepping outside the school, Starlight, Sunburst, Trixie and the ex-royal sisters also aided Twilight in producing a barrier around Ponyville and Canterlot.

"Do you think this will hold, Starlight?" Sunburst groaned as his horn spakred.

"It has to hold, Sunburst!" Starlight urged while slightly groaning from the pain of the magic that was draining from her body.

"Trixie has her doubts!" Trixie whimpered

"Well, keep those doubts to yourself!" Starlight ordered in a sharp voice. "Our students' safety is at stake!"

Meanwhile, in the skies over Canterlot, Celestia and Luna were producing the barrier over their former home.

As she covered Canterlot, Celestia couldn't help but shed a small tear. "Look at this," She whispered to herself. "This is what it all comes down to, doesn't it?"

"Sister!" Luna called out, catching her sister's attention. "That should hold Canterlot from the Predacons!"

Looking towards her younger sister, Celestia couldn't help but produce a guilty look on her face.

"I can understand your pain, sister," Luna sympathized, wiping a tear away from her sister's eye. "But we don't have a choice! This was a decision made by our successor, and for better or for worse we must respect it. It won't do good to go against it and risk making it seem like we question her authority."

"Luna, if we ever live through this…" Celestia cried as she watched her former subjects close the doors and windows of their homes and businesses. "Remind me to ensure that Equestria is never threatened this way again! We've been sidelined one time too many!"

Feeling even more guilty for her older sister, Luna silently agreed. Then, as the moment faded, the two sisters caught sight of several airborne Predacons out in the distance coming towards the shared capitals!

"We'd better get back and warn Twilight that they are coming," Luna suggested. "Come on, sister!"

…

From out in the distance, Megatron and his army of Predacons drew near the limits of Ponyville while also keeping a close watch on Canterlot. Seeing the magic barriers erected to undoubtedly thwart entrance, Megatron felt amused. When he then saw Optimus and several other Maximals heading towards the Castle of Friendship, he got even more amused. "They never learn," he remarked, looking through a telescope. "Such a pity. Oh yesss…."

"What do you think, boss?" Quickstrike asked, his body covered with slight burns after being burned by Megatron earlier. "Do we attack?"

"Not yet, Quickstrike," Megatron replied while passing the telescope onto him. "We wait until our enemies are ready for battle, then we make our move!"

"How long will that take?" Rampage asked while ensuring his gun was fully loaded. "I'm itching to kill me some four legged creatures!"

"When I say it's ready!" Megatron roared back in a defiant voice. "Let's give them a false sense of security, shall we? Those magic barriers can't hold forever!"

So the Predacons waited at the borders of Ponyville. But little did they realize that at that moment, Inferno was hiding from behind a bush along with Lavan and Arabus. Inferno looked at his former royalty…his "queen" in lament, knowing he would have to betray him to Grogar.

….

….

Back in Ponyville, Twilight and her friends continued to oversee the magic barriers being placed just as Optimus and the Maximals arrived on the scene.

"Princess Twilight!" Optimus called, catching her attention as he landed in front of her. "We came as soon as we heard the news!"

"Thank you, Optimus," Twilight replied with a smile. "Can you have some of your Maximals spread out around the Ponyville borders? We'll need their help if we're going to stand any chance of driving Megatron and his forces away."

"Affirmative," Optimus nodded, motioning for Rattrap and Dinobot to come over to him. "Rattrap! Dinobot!"

"What's up, Fearless Leader?" Rattrap said as he got off Tigerhawk's back while he transformed to robot mode.

"Rattrap, I need you and Dinobot to cover the borders of Ponyville," Optimus ordered. "We can't let Megatron pass through without a fight."

"If that's what you want, boss, consider it done." Rattrap acknowledged in a reluctant tone and much to Dinobot's chagrin.

"Silverbolt, Blackarachnia and Cheetor will accompany you," Optimus continued, before turning over to Rhinox. "Rhinox, you're with me and Tigerhawk in defending the castle and the School of Friendship!"

Just then, the Maximals were welcomed by another of their kind as Depth Charge landed in front of them with his gun ready. "And what about me?" He asked, much to Optimus and especially Twilight's surprise.

"Depth Charge, what are you doing here?! You were sent to Mount Aris." Twilight asked in a surprised voice and much to Optimus' annoyance.

"Got fired," Depth Charge replied in a matter of fact tone of voice. "Queen Novo sent me packing. Didn't like what I had to say."

But Optimus had reason to believe that Depth Charge had gone back to his old ways, it wasn't like the bounty hunter Maximal to just be "fired" from something over a disagreement. "We will discuss whatever got you fired from your post later," He reluctantly replied in a low tone of voice. Then he called out "Cheetor!"

Hearing Optimus' voice, the young Maximal raced over to him. "What's up, big bot?"

"You will stay here and defend the castle with Rhinox and Tigerhawk," He declared while looking over to Depth Charge with a firm glance. "Depth Charge shall go with the others to aid in defending the Ponyville borders."

But Depth Charge saw otherwise. "Trying to get me slagged huh, Optimus?" He guessed. "Well it won't work. I'm not afraid to play by my own rules!"

"Just go do as you are told, hardhead! And try to keep the body count low if you don't mind." Optimus sighed.

Depth Charge reluctantly nodded to indicate his agreement, transforming into his manta ray beast mode and following Silverbolt to the borders.

"Yeah, I can't help but wonder either, big bot," Cheetor remarked. "Border duty doesn't seem suited to him, I'm much a faster fighter than he is."

"He needs to be taught a lesson," Optimus firmly replied. "A lesson on the proper way to fight in war, and that even in war are there some lines you don't cross."

"It makes little difference to me what he does," Twilight declared. "Right now we need to defend from the Predacons and whoever else is coming! If his methods get results at the expense of the Predacons, so be it!"

"I agree with Twilight," Rainbow Dash added. "No reason to keep fighting amongst ourselves! The Predacons came here looking for a fight, and we'll give 'em a fight they'll never forget!"

Doing as they were told, Rattrap and Dinobot accompanied Depth Charge to the edge of Ponyville where all of the citizens had been forced into lockdown. Not a single soul except for the Maximals and the pony guards were out and about.

"Oh great, since when did they show up?" Rattrap groaned as he ran alongside Dinobot, soon spotting Depth Charge. "Hey, you ain't getting in here, Megadip!"

"He will find a way, vermin!" Dinobot replied while readying his swirling sword. "Or perhaps your crash landing in this world scrambled your circuits."

"Eh, there's a part of me that wishes you were still dead," Rattrap remarked while taking out his gun and cocking it. "Telling it like it is, Chopperface. You have no idea how much of a pain in the diodes Depth Charge was."

…

On the other side of the barrier, Megatron could only groan in disgust at the arrival of Rattrap and Dinobot. "Blast that traitorous Dinobot!" He groaned. "Again he defies me," Megatron then realized that there was a way to get into Ponyville and turned his attention over to Dinobot II. "But at least I have some…inspiration. Dinobot II, prepare to start digging!"

Laughing evilly, Dinobot's clone transformed into his beast mode and began to dig into the ground.

"As for the rest of you," Megatron ordered. "Prepare your weapons! We're gonna start cracking at that barrier! It will fall! Yessss!"

Meanwhile, Inferno led Lavan and Arabus as quietly as he could. "I can't believe I'm attacking the royalty," Inferno said as he and his comrades hid in a ditch. "I feel like a traitor."

"He is an enemy," Lavan cautioned flexing his flaming muscles. "And anyone who is an enemy of Grogar's is an enemy of mine."

"I second the motion," Arabus added while the green gem on his forehead gleamed brightly. "I outta blow them right out of here right now, all of them! We could eliminate both our enemies at the same time."

But Inferno was beginning to have second thoughts about carrying out his mission. This caught the attention of Grogar back up in his palace on the moon, who was beginning to sense Inferno was trying to back out.

"I can read your mind, Inferno," Grogar whispered while tapping into his bell's powers. "And I will not allow you to think another thought on it! I will not have another servant betray me!"

Going into Inferno's mind via his viewing globe, Grogar updated Inferno's processor to make him an obedient soldier. "Good, my loyal warrior," Grogar laughed. "Now obey me and do as you are told. Capture that traitorous Megatron dead or alive!"

Much to the shock of Lavan and Arabus, Inferno cocked his weapon despite having just displayed hesitancy at what was in front of him. "Yes, my emperor," Inferno declared in a monotone voice, causing both Lavan and Arabus to be taken slightly aback. "I shall obey you and carry out the mission assigned to me!"

"Excellent," Grogar laughed. "You are going to complete your mission and be successful. Failure will not be an option."

To Lavan and Arabus' further shock, Inferno began to make his way out of his hiding spot and cocking his weapon again, aimed it at several Predacons in the back of the army! Aiming his weapon, Grogar ordered Inferno to strike at the army. "Now, my servant, fire!" Grogar commanded and the mind controlled Inferno aimed his weapon and fired his weapon several times, the blasts hitting several Predacons and catching Megatron by surprise!

"What was that?!" Megatron demanded, taking to the air with his gold dragon wings. The Predacon leader was shocked and outraged by what he was seeing. "Inferno?! You traitor! Pirhanacons, deal with him at once!"

Several of the Pirhanacons heard Megatron's cries and proceeded to take down Inferno. Still weakened from being rescued from the sea, however, the Pirhanacons were sent back flying from the mind controlled Inferno's blasts.

"The rest of you, focus on breaking that barrier!" Megatron further ordered as he and Shockwave proceeded to go after Inferno. "Shockwave, deal with the traitor!"

Before the crocodile Predacon could deal with Inferno however, Lavan and Arabus emerged from their hiding places! Lavan fired blasts of flame at Megatron and using his wind powers, Arabus sucked up Shockwave and fired through his arms of wind! Arabus sent Shockwave flying into the magic barrier, causing it to crack slightly.

"In the name of Emperor Grogar, you are under arrest, Megatron!" Lavan cried.

"Grogar can just kiss my tail!" Megatron thundered, aiming his dragon head at Arabus and firing a shot at him! "No one controls me! No one!"

"We shall see about that," Grogar declared. "Inferno, attack your fellow Predacons! Show no mercy!" He forced Inferno into the sky.

…

Not seeing what was going on behind them, the Predacon army was forced to scatter.

"What in the…?" Quickstrike cried as he got to his feet. "Since when did fire varmint decide to attack us?"

But Grogar was having the time of his life as he continued to pilot the hypnotized Inferno via his bewitching bell. Aiming his gun at Megatron, the mind controlled Inferno hit his former superior in the chest, sending him back into the barrier and further cracking it!

"That's it," Megatron thought, looking at the cracks in the barrier. "Maybe Inferno has some use after all!"

Tapping into his wind powers, Arabus transformed into a tornado and proceeded to throw several Predacons in different directions.

"Dinobot II!" Megatron called down from the sky, causing Dinobot II to stop digging. "New plan! I order you to start cracking at the barrier!"

"As you command, Megatron." Dinobot II declared as the barrier began to crack more and more! Soon the Predacons would break through and make their way into Ponyville!

…

…

Back in Canterlot, the badly injured Terrorsaur was placed in a dunking machine where the tank was filled with water, water that could seep in and ruin his inner circuits.

"Terrorsaur, this water is dangerous to you," Rodimus explained. "Tell me, why does it seem dangerous?"

"You intend to destroy my inner body," Terrorsaur gasped, weakly lifting his head up. "Well, you will never succeed, no matter how hard you try!"

"I beg to differ. We will find a way to preserve your spark. We will get a confession out of you one way or another." Rodimus declared and motioned for the dunking of Terrorsaur to begin.

Doing as they were told, the guardspony pushed down hard on the dunking machine, sending Terrorsaur into the pool of water. The water creeped into his system and upon being pulled out electricity could be seen circulating throughout his body.

"What does Megatron have planned for Equestria, Terrorsaur?" But after not getting an answer despite several minutes passing, Rodimus motioned for Terrorsaur to be dunked again.

"We can keep this up," Rodimus cautioned, walking over to a wall and leaning against it. "Or I can hear what you have to say."

Still, Terrorsaur remained defiant. Then he got himself an idea, turning his attention over to Laserbeak.

"Perhaps seeing your friend being dunked as well might make you see otherwise," Rodimus remarked. "Skids, Mudflap, place the condor in the dunking tank. Let's see if he'll talk!"

Doing as they were told, the two Maximal brothers placed Laserbeak in the dunking tank and Skids pushed him down hard into the tank, the water already corroding his metallic body.

"Laserbeak, what does Megatron have planned for Equestria next?" Rodimus demanded. "Tell me!"

Screeching, Laserbeak felt the cold, raw water course through his body, further impacting his ability to transform and escape.

"Don't suppose that rescue is coming for you both," Rodimus remarked while looking at each of the captured and tortured Predacons. "There is a barrier that is keeping the Predacons from rescuing you! unicorn and alicorn magic are what is keeping you our prisoners!"

"Megatron, please help us!" Laserbeak thought to himself, his electric circuits fusing out further.

…

Back at the Castle of Friendship, Twilight continued to stand in front of her castle with her friends and realized that something was wrong with the barrier.

"Optimus, look!" Rarity suddenly cried as she noticed something! "The dome! It's cracking!"

"Then that means the Predacons will get inside," Applejack cried in disbelief. "Twilight, we need to do something!"

Acting fast, Twilight fired her horn at the crack, trying to at least stop it from widening! "I don't know how long it will hold! Megatron must already be cracking at it somehow!"

Suddenly, Optimus heard his radio go off. "Optimus here, come in," He declared into his radio. "What is it, Rattrap?"

Listening, Optimus took in what was being said. "Megatron is under attack…by Inferno?!" hH remarked in a confused tone. "What?! No, keep holding your ground unless I tell you otherwise! We'll deal with them! Maybe them being distracted will be a good thing!"

Hastily turning off his radio, Optimus took to the air once more. "Princess Twilight, wait here. I'll be back! Something unexpected's come up." He declared before powering his prime jets to the position that needed his attention.

But no sooner did Optimus leave than did more cracks in the barrier begin to appear, and Twilight became worried as pieces of the barrier began to fall on the castle.

"What was that?" Fluttershy shouted in a panicked voice as another piece of the barrier almost fell on top of her. "The dome…we've got to save it!"

"Anypony have some super glue?" Pinkie cried as she saw more and more cracks form throughout the barrier. "Cause I think we are going to need some!"

"Twilight!" Starlight frantically called as she ran over with Sunburst and Trixie. "The barrier! It's…"

"I know," Twilight interrupted in a calm and scared voice. "It's breaking! I'm afraid it's only a matter of time until things really start to take place! The real battle is about to begin!"

Looking up, the barrier which had been intended to better protect Equestria's soon to be announced shared capitals was now falling apart. Now, Twilight and her friends were left with the possibility of being confronted by the Predacons again…on their own home field!

…

…
> Episode 3: "Megatron Makes His Move, Part 3"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

PREVIOUSLY ON "MY LITTLE PONY"

…

…

Terrorsaur: "You…you won't get away with this!"

Rodimus Primal: "What is Megatron planning to do? Is he planning to attack Ponyville? Canterlot, perhaps?"

Twilight Sparkle: "We're locking down now! If Megatron thinks he can just waltz in and destroy Ponyville, he's got another thing coming!"

Ocellus: "What are we going to do?"

Luster Dawn: "Even if it isn't Grogar there's very little we can do, much as it pains me to say it."

Twilight Sparkle: "Depth Charge, what are you doing here?!"

Depth Charge: "Got fired."

Grogar: "Now obey me and do as you are told. Capture that traitorous Megatron dead or alive!"

Megatron: "Inferno?! You traitor!"

Rarity: "The dome! It's cracking!"

Twilight Sparkle: "It's breaking! I'm afraid it's only a matter of time until things really start to take place! The real battle is about to begin!"

…

…

While the crumbling dome of magic was beginning to fall, Twilight and her friends along with the Maximals realized that they couldn't hold their advantage any longer. Standing in front of the Castle of Friendship, they were left to consider their options.

"If they keep this up," Rhinox remarked, looking over at Optimus and Waspinator with his rotating guns drawn. "The dome could fall any cycle." Looking up to the sky, they saw a piece of the dome fall and land right in front of Twilight, causing her to jump back.

"Waspinator thinks it's already falling!" The former Predacon whispered. "Waspinator not want to get scrapped!"

"No one is getting scrapped! Not on our watch!" Optimus declared. "Ready your weapons, Maximals! Megatron will show no mercy, so we must be prepared not to show any to him or the Predacons!"

Suddenly, they saw a blast of Predacon fire from the other side hit the dome!

Acting fast, Twilight took to the air. Charging her horn, she fired a blast of her alicorn magic through a crack in the dome! She struck several Predacons on the other side as some were forced spinning into the air by Arabus, including Quickstrike!

"Hey, what's this varmint up to?!" Quickstrike cried. "I can't see anything!" Suddenly, he felt a fellow Predacon grab hold of his leg. "Hey, what in tarnation?!" He cried before seeing Tarantulas. "Let go, Tarantulas!"

"I helped you..." Tarantulas cried back.

"With what?" But before Tarantulas could answer the question, he suddenly lost his grip and continued to spin into the tornado.

Attempting to charge his cobra head, Quickstrike aimed it right at Arabus and judging his moment, fired a green blast of energy at Arabus, hitting him right in the face!

Yelling in pain, the wind creature released his grip on the tornado that had trapped Predacons.

Hitting the ground hard, Quickstrike and several other Predacons (including Shockwave) charged at Arabus while the wind creature shook off the hit he took.

"Take this!" Shockwave shouted! Leaping into the air, Shockwave stuck his crocodile tail gun into Arabus' back, attempting to mortally wound him. But the creature of wind expected this.

"Fools!" Arabus shouted while throwing Shockwave hard onto the ground. "You can't stop the power of wind! You will all suffer a painful expiration!"

Rising to his feet, Shockwave fired his crocodile tail gun several times while trying to aim for a weak spot. But he couldn't find one.

To make matters worse, Lavan was gaining the upper hand on the Predacons he was fighting against, including Soundwave. Shooting flames from his hands, Lavan burned multiple Predacons at once, all but melting their bodies completely as they yelled in pain! Finally, he came face to face with Soundwave. Unafraid, Soundwave fired his shoulder gun at Lavan, striking him in the face.

"Feel the power of fire," Lavan growled, forming a ball of fire in his hand and throwing it at Soundwave, who jumped into the air and opened fire once more, rolling onto his side while airborne. But the bullets quickly melted. "You can't defeat me! You overgrown metal piles will soon be melted down for scrap!"

Landing hard on the ground, Soundwave ran towards Lavan, determined to kill him at all costs.

Meanwhile, Megatron was struggling against the mind controlled Inferno. "After all I have done for you, sub-commander," Megatron snarled while picking Inferno up by his head. "This is how you repay me?! Repay your 'royalty'?!"

Reacting fast, Inferno grabbed his gun and fired into Megatron's chest, sending him backwards! "Grogar…wants you destroyed," Inferno coughed, making sure his weapon was fully loaded. "I'm sorry, my queen."

"I warned you never to call me that!" Megatron cried, firing at Inferno and striking him hard in the chest. But Inferno stayed on his feet, determined to carry out the mission assigned to him. "Now get out of my way, yeeeesssssss!"

Still Inferno remained defiant against his former superior. He fired another series of rounds at Megatron, but Megatron remained on his feet due to his transmetal two body protecting him. Cocking his dragon head again, Megatron proceeded to fire a cold ice blast at Inferno with the intent on freezing him.

Charging his gun again, Inferno turned it into a flamethrower in an attempt to push Megatron back. But Megatron's power was far too great and he sent Inferno flying into the crackling dome again, causing it to crack even further! "I never wanted to do this, Inferno," Megatron quietly remarked while aiming his dragon head at the downed Predacon. "But if I am to take what is mine…I must destroy you! So it shall be to all traitors!"

From up on the moon, Grogar was watching what was happening and needed to act quickly. "Get up, you fool!" He shouted at Inferno before, tapping into his bell's powers. "Get up and fight for me! Fight for your king!"

Almost like a puppet, Grogar forced the badly damaged Inferno to his feet, forcing him to aim his gun at Megatron. Then, Grogar tapped into his powers again. "Megatron!" He cried, talking through Inferno's body. "You've defied me! A mistake you will soon regret!"

Hearing Grogar's voice, Megatron stopped suddenly, shocked and amazed by what was happening before him! "Grogar, you dared steal my title away from me!" He snarled. "Now I shall take it back! Yeeesss!"

"No, you shall never become leader of the Predacons again!" Grogar cried, forcing Inferno to fly into the air. "They are mine!"

Using his powers again, Grogar proceeded to power Inferno's gun and send a rain of fire down on the Predacon forces. The heat of the flames began to melt some of the Predacons that hadn't encountered Lavan, including Tarantulas and Quickstrike.

"It's roasting in here!" Quickstrike cried, coughing slightly and seeing his cobra head beginning to melt. "What's happening?! I'm…I'm melting! Hey, bug boy! What are you doing?! Stop! We're on the same side, aren't we?!"

But with all the confusion going on, two Predacons had managed to carry out their task of digging under the barrier. "We've…done it!" Barricade coughed, feeling the heat from Inferno's flames as they began to melt his Triceratops head. "We're through!"

Sensing this, Megatron aimed his dragon head at Inferno and once again fired a blast of ice at Inferno's mind controlled shell.

But Grogar wasn't backing down. "No, you shall not defeat me that easily!" He declared, slamming his hoof down hard on the table and shaking the viewing globe! "I shall destroy you first, Megatron! No one but me shall have the privilege of exterminating Princess Twilight and her friends!" Growling, Grogar used his powers to make Inferno's gun break through the ice, but Megatron's will was just as strong as his.

"I think not!" Megatron shouted while transforming into a dragon and throwing Inferno against the barrier! A move which sent Inferno right through and made him land right in front of the Maximals at the edge of Ponyville.

"Get back!" Silverbolt shouted and the assigned Maximals did so!

Jumping to their feet, Rattrap and Dinobot looked down to see what was happening. "Okay, this just got really creepy," Rattrap muttered to himself, but Dinobot had a good idea of what was happening. "Since when did Inferno decide to go rogue?"

"He's not rouge, vermin," Dinobot replied. "Grogar is controlling his body!"

"Grogar?" Rattrap cried.

"Warn Optimus!" Dinbot ordered. "Inform him that Grogar has joined the fight!"

And no sooner did Dinobot order Rattrap to move than did Grogar push Megatron off of Inferno's body. He made Inferno fire several more rounds from his gun, of which were deflected thanks to Megatron's gold transmetal wings.

"Grogar, I will not be denied my destiny!" Megatron roared while charging towards Inferno's body and throwing it to the ground, throwing punches at it. "Mark my words!" And Megatron continued to do whatever he could to eliminate the creature who he believed had stolen his glory!

"Uh, Twilight, I think we should do somethin'!" Applejack cried out. "These varmints are goin' to break through at any moment!"

Just then, Twilight looked over to see some of the Predacons not affected by the mind controlled Inferno starting to break through! Gasping, she called out to her friends! "They've breached the wall! The Predacons have breached the barrier! All hooves on deck, we can't let them win!"

Knowing that the School of Friendship was not protected, Starlight and Sunburst realized that they needed to get back. "We've got to defend the school!" Starlight cried, immediately teleporting away followed by Sunburst when he hesitated for a second. "Come on, Sunburst! Move! We're sitting ducks out here!"

Sunburst quickly followed suit once he'd regained his composure.

With Starlight and Sunburst gone, Twilight used her magic to alert her royal guard in both Ponyville and Canterlot to aid the Maximals. "Don't let them in any further! Stop them at all costs!" Twilight shouted in her royal Canterlot voice.

But Megatron wasn't buying the call. "Megatron!"

Hearing Twilight's call, the Predacon leader looked up at her with an angry stare. "YOU…SHALL NOT…PASS!"

And then Twilight fired her magic at Megatron, seemingly intending on destroying him!

…

…

Not fearing the impending beam of alicorn magic coming towards him, Megatron quickly countered Twilight's beam with his frozen blast. Nearly becoming frozen, Twilight ceased her firing and ducked out of the way!

Angered, Megatron attempted to chase her down, but the mind controlled Inferno quickly stopped him. "Take your stinking hooves off of me, you damn dirty goat!" Megatron snarled, pushing away Inferno's claw. Roaring loudly, he punched Inferno in the mouth and took to the sky, determined to hunt down and kill Twilight just as Celestia and Luna came onto the scene.

Seeing Megatron, Celestia's motherly instincts took hold and she charged down at him, landing on all fours with her horn glowing in matching anger. This made Megatron back away slightly. "You want to get Twilight?" She cried with her eyes glowing red with rage. "Then you'll have to get past me! You won't be so lucky this time, Luna and I are wise to your tricks."

"Ooh, I love a challenge!" Megatron chuckled, seemingly unfazed by Celestia's anger. "But, I've got more important things to worry about. And I'll start with freeing two of my captured Predacons…yes."

Taking to the air, Megatron flew overhead and fired beams of fire at Celestia while the elder alicorn fired her magic at Megatron, to which he managed to deflect with his wings.

"If I can lead her to Canterlot," Megatron thought. "I can get to Terrorsaur and Laserbeak, yes." Feigning being victimized, Megatron darted towards Canterlot, but Celestia was more than determined to hunt him down.

Seeing her sister, Luna followed suit. But little did she realize that Rampage had snuck in through the barrier. Climbing up the top of the tower, he waited until she was directly overhead, then he jumped on top of Luna and caused her to shriek in fear!

"Hello, pretty pony." Rampage cackled, placing his gun at the side of Luna's head as she scrambled to try and throw him off. Her shrieks were heard by Rattrap and Dinobot as they beat back a pair of donkey soldiers.

"Hey, look up there!" Rattrap cried!

Hearing Luna's screams, Dinobot jumped into action, firing green beams from his eyes and striking Rampage in the side before he could pull the trigger.

Seeing Rampage sitting on top of Luna, Depth Charge also jumped into action as he saw his chance to finish off his rival once and for all!

Transforming into his beast mode, Depth Charge pushed Rampage off of Luna and onto the ground below.

Grateful for the rescue, Luna flew down to Rattrap and Dinobot.

"You all right?" Rattrap asked.

"Yes, thank you," Luna replied before seeing Celestia charge after Megatron. "I've got to follow my sister. She's chasing Megatron! And I suspect that's what he wants."

Suddenly, Luna felt Rattrap climb onto her back. "Well you ain't going after Megadip yourself, lady. He's not the only one who can set up a trap" Rattrap declared. "Shall we?"

Before Luna could take off, she felt Dinobot jump on her back as well. "What's the meaning of this?" She demanded in bewilderment.

"If I know Megatron," Dinobot declared. "He'll be going after Rodimus Primal. We must stop him."

Using her alicorn magic to provide some weight reduction, Luna took to the air as fast as she could while Twilight watched (while battling Scorponok and two of the Pirhanacons).

"Optimus!" Twilight called to the Maximal leader as he took out two Predacons with Rhinox. "It's Megatron! He and Celestia are heading to Canterlot!"

"Rodimus! He'll be a sitting duck!" Otimus cried out in fear. "Rhinox, I've got to…"

But before he could act, Optimus was hit by one of Scorponok's cyber bees and fell to the ground. Groaning, Optimus attempted to move but the venom prevented him from doing so.

"Going somewhere, Optimus? I don't think so." Scorponok laughed as Rhinox fired at Scorponok with his guns in a fit of rage.

But just then, Lavan turned his attention to Scorponok and the two Pirhanacons. "Grogar has ordered your destruction!" He shouted, producing a molten lava ball that he threw at Scorponok!

And before the scorpion Predacon could react, the ball hit him and caused him to start burning up quickly! His screams were quickly drowned out by the growing flame. It was an all too familiar experience for him!

Seeing what was going on before them, the two Pirhanacons attempted to run! But Lavan was quick to hit them as well with a breath of fire.

…

Meanwhile, Cheetor, Waspinator, Silverbolt, Blackarachnia and Tigerhawk were all now helping several royal guardsponies defend both the castle and the School of Friendship.

"We can't let them near the school!" Tigerhawk shouted to his comrades! "There's innocent creatures inside!"

"Easy for you to say, bird cat!" Blackarachnia remarked while continuously firing her leg blasters at the onslaught of Predacons.

"No young creature shall get past me!" Silverbolt declared, only to get hit by a blast on his wing that came from a nearby Soundwave as he and Barricade charged towards the school together!

"SILVERBOLT!" Blackarachnia cried out, quickly turning only to also get hit by the two Predacons.

"Waspinator, do something!" Cheetor shouted!

Embracing his bravery, the former Predacon darted towards Soundwave and Barricade. He reached out his hands to grab their throats, only to get struck himself courtesy of Tarantulas! "Hey, what gives?"

"Oh, just thought I'd pay myself a visit," Tarantulas cackled before turning his attention to the downed Blackarachnia and placing a foot on her chest. "You know, it's such a pity, Blackarachnia, that your life ends like this."

Weakly opening her eyes, Blackarachnia prepared for the impending strike of her former partner in crime.

But little did anyone know that Luster Dawn and her fellow students had snuck out of their dormitories and were armed with anything that they could throw. They'd decided they were going to fight back anyway, regardless of what they might be able to accomplish.

"Ready?!" Luster Dawn cried, armed with several large objects such as desks and chairs.

"Let's go!" Gallus shouted, and together the students threw down the objects at Tarantulas, hitting him and knocking him down to the ground, much to his shock. "Hey, bug breath! I got something for you!"

"What was that?!" Barricade shouted.

"Up there!" Soundwave cried, seeing the students throwing objects at the Predacons.

"Come on up here, tough guy!" Cherry Tomato bellowed as he threw a desk down at Soundwave. "I've got a little something for you!"

"Yona kick your flank!" Yona shouted while throwing an entire bookshelf out the window.

"Leave the Maximals alone!" Smolder added. "You're gonna pick on someone just because they're your enemy?"

"Oh yeah, I've got something for your flank!" Icarus shouted, throwing another desk that hit Tarantulas and knocked him down hard onto the ground.

Silverstream chimed in! "You mess with the Maximals, you mess with the School of Friendship!"

"You mess with one of us, you mess with all of us!" added Gallus

Cheetor was quick to see what was happening and he proceeded to open fire along with Tigerhawk on Soundwave and Barricade, their combined blasts mortally wounding Barricade as he collapsed on his hands and knees, roaring in pain!

As oil poured from his body, Barricade attempted to fire at the school, only for a blast from Tigerhawk to finally finish him off.

And due to hovering overhead in pursuit of Megatron, Optimus was able to dive down and fire his guns at Soundwave, before picking him off the ground and throwing him back down!. "Hasta La Vista, Soundwave!" He declared as he threw Soundwave down screaming to the ground below, causing him to break apart upon landing, and causing the invading Predacons to back away from the Castle and School of Friendship while Starlight, Sunburst and Trixie fired their unicorn magic at the retreating forces.

However, seeing that his brother was in impending danger, Optimus quickly resumed flying as fast as he could!

Meanwhile, Celestia continued firing her magic at Megatron as he continuously ducked out of the way. Finally, a blast of magic hit Megatron in his wing, causing him to stop and face Celestia. "Now I shall make you pay for what you almost did to Twilight!" Celestia snarled. "There won't be a need for her or the Maximals to get involved. I'll finish you off myself!"

"You know, I'd love to deal with you right now, sunbutt," Megatron laughed in a taunting tone. "But. I've got some pressing business to attend to elsewhere." Tapping into his transmetal two powers, he flew away from Celestia at lightning speed before she could react.

Arriving on the scene, Luna along with Dinobot and Rattrap, saw what was happening.

"We have to stop him!" Celestia cried out in an angry tone of voice! "I want Megatron destroyed!"

"Don't we all?" Rattrap remarked. "You ain't the only one, sista. He's been a pain for everyone since the day he was created."

"He's heading for that castle!" Dinobot cried out. "Rodimus won't know what is coming for him."

"Then we have to hurry!" Celestia replied, immediately flying at fast speed. "Come on! One way or another, it all ends here in Canterlot!"

So, Luna along with her two Maximal passengers attempted to keep up with Celestia just as Megatron drew closer and closer to his target!

…

…

Down in the torture chamber, Rodimus Primal was now overseeing the double interrogations of Laserbeak and Terrorsaur, their bodies nowdamaged beyond posible repair. "I've given you so many chances," He remarked with his arms folded. "I've given you the benefit of the doubt, but you still refuse to answer any questions I've asked of you. So I am left with no other choice."

"Boss, maybe we should stop?" Skids suggested. "Homeboy here is getting waterlogged."

A warning from within Laserbeak revealed that his jeopardy level was at extreme as was Terrorsaur's. In fact, all Terrorsaur could do was gasp and glare at Rodimus as the pain from his torture was too much to bear.

But Rodimus showed no mercy to Terrorsaur. All he could do was look down at Terrorsaur with disgust and disappointment. Letting several more sharp gasps, Terrorsaur attempted to speak but all he could do was screech out his final words. "Choke on it!" Terrorsaur screamed. "Choke on it!"

"I gave you plenty of chances," Rodimus sighed. "I gave them to you."

Suddenly at the moment, Rodimus, Skids and Mudflap heard the sounds of loud beating footsteps coming down the stairs towards the torture chamber! "What was that?!" Rodimus cried!

"I think we's got company!" Mudflap cried in a scared voice! Sure enough, the doors to the torture chamber were blown open as Megatron stepped into the room with a look of anger deep in his face.

"Megatron!" Rodimus whispered as Megatron stepped closer and closer to the three Maximals.

Seeing the now dead Terrorsaur and the near dead Laserbeak, Megatron knew that something needed to be done to avenge his fallen soldiers. Without saying a word, Megatron transformed into his dragon mode and before Rodimus or his comrades could react, Megatron blasted a deadly beam of fire at them.

Seeing the streaks of fire coming from beneath the castle, the royal sisters came to a screeching stop along with Optimus realizing what had just happened.

"Rodimus? Rodimus?!" Optimus cried in a panicked voice, trying to reach his brother via radio. "Rodimus, do you copy?! Rodimus!" But Optimus only got the worst possible news any family member could receive. "Unit Rodimus Primal, terminated." All Optimus could do was get a sensation of both sadness and anger deep inside of him. His brother was dead and a final confrontation with Megatron would soon begin…

…

…
> Episode 4: "Megatron Makes His Move, Part 4"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

PREVIOUSLY ON "MY LITTLE PONY"

...

…

Optimus Primal: "Ready your weapons, Maximals! Megatron will show no mercy, so we must be prepared not to show any to him or the Predacons!"

Arabus: "You can't stop the power of wind! You will all suffer a painful expiration!"

Megatron: "This is how you repay me?! Repay your 'royalty'?!"

Grogar: "You've defied me! A mistake you will soon regret!"

Dinobot: "Warn Optimus! Inform him that Grogar has joined the fight!"

Twilight Sparkle: "YOU…SHALL NOT…PASS!"

Celestia: "You want to get Twilight? Then you'll have to get past me!"

Dinobot: "He'll be going after Rodimus Primal. We must stop him."

Terrorsaur: "Choke on it!"

Rodimus Primal: "I gave you plenty of chances. Megatron!"

Optimus Primal: "Rodimus, do you copy?! Rodimus!"

Maximal Computer Voice: Unit Rodimus Primal, terminated."

…

…

As the smoke billowed from underneath Canterlot Castle, Optimus Primal was almost overwhelmed with a powerful mixture of sadness and anger. His brother was dead, murdered by his mortal enemy. "No…" He whispered. "It can't be. It can't be!"

Looking over to the saddened Maximal leader, both Celestia and Luna immediately sympathized with him.

"Man," Rattrap commented. "Talk about a…slagging times ten."

Suddenly, all saw Optimus' hands turn into fists. "Optimus," Celestia declared. "Optimus, I'm sorry. I'm sorry about your brother." But Optimus turned away from her.

"He may…he may still be alive," Rattrap suggested while trying to keep hope alive.

"You heard Sentinel, Rattrap," Optimus somberly replied. "Rodimus is dead. That's all there is to it. And his killer is still at large, free to carry out more terminations," And all saw Optimus' prime jets begin to power up, "So now, I will destroy Megatron myself if it's the last thing I do! No more innocents shall have to suffer because of him!" He shouted as he flew off towards the inner city grounds within Canterlot.

"We should follow him," Dinobot suggested to Celestia and Luna. "He may need our support."

Back in Ponyville, meanwhile, the battle between Equestria's leadership and the Predacons continued as both sides were taking on casualties. In the town square, the battle between Rampage and Depth Charge was beginning to escalate.

"You don't quit, don't you?" Depth Charge asked his rival. "You just don't know when to give up huh, X?"

"Of course I don't," Rampage replied while picking up his gun and pointing it at Depth Charge. "Unlike you!" Firing his gun, Rampage watched as Depth Charge dove out of the way and his fire hit the roof of Sugarcube Corner, destroying it!

Getting back onto his feet, Depth Charge dove at Rampage and pushed him to the ground! But Rampage had more strength than Depth Charge. Lifting himself up, Rampage pushed Depth Charge onto his back and threw several punches at him

Before he could throw another punch, the Predacon was interrupted by the sounds of a shrieking pony behind him. "NOOO!" A voice belonging to Pinkie Pie screamed, a terrified look plastered on her face. "Sugarcube Corner! It's…ROOFLESS! You monster! The Cakes could've gotten hurt!"

Terrified, Pinkie raced over to her home and place of employment, trying to kick open the doors to see if everypony inside was okay.

Hearing Pinkie's cries for help, Depth Charge pushed Rampage up and attempted to race over to Pinkie, but Rampage grabbed onto his leg. "Where do you think you're going?" Rampage asked, before he suddenly felt a hot flame strike him in the back. "Ahh! Who dares strike me with fire?!"

"A pony loving dragon like me, that's who!" Spike declared as he flew down towards Rampage, proceeding to spit out some more flames at him.

And then Rampage was hit in the back again! Looking up, he saw the mind controlled Inferno towering overhead with his gun drawn. "Protoform X." Grogar announced through Inferno's body.

"Emperor Grogar," Rampage cried out. "What…what are you doing here? Why are you controlling Inferno?"

"Because I'm cutting off some dead weight," Grogar declared, making Inferno point his gun right at Rampage. "And you are among the ones that shall be destroyed!"

As Grogar towered over Rampage, Spike seized the opportunity and dashed over to Pinkie Pie to try and help her break down the door.

"Hello! Mr. Cake?! Mrs. Cake?! Pound Cake?! Pumpkin Cake?! Anypony in here?!" Pinkie Pie shrieked, forcefully trying to pull the door open! "Spike, help me!"

Using his strength, Spike attempted to pull open the door only to find it wouldn't budge. But then he got an idea. "Pinkie, can you jump over the roof?" He asked, but Pinkie was too hysterical to answer. So he just grabbed her, pulling her up and into Sugarcube Corner.

Once inside, Pinkie rushed to the basement! "Hello?! Somepony answer me!" She cried as they slowly turned into sobs as she feared the worst. "Please!" She heard nothing for a moment. But then suddenly, she heard the sounds of hoofbeats coming up the stairs. Much to her relief the basement door opened to reveal the Cakes with their twins, all safe and sound.

"Oh, Pinkie!" Mrs. Cake cried as she and her husband pulled their apprentice and daughter in all but name into an embrace. "Oh, Pinkie Pie…"

But meanwhile, Spike heard the sounds of gunfire and screaming from Rampage! And he dashed out to discover what was happening. Looking on in horror, Spike saw Rampage lying on the ground, mortally injured as Grogar used his magic to force Rampage into the air!

"Any last requests before I carry out your sentence?" Grogar asked in an evil tone while Depth Charge watched. Coughing, Rampage attempted to speak only to be silenced. "Too late!" And with a quick jerk, oil spilt out of the Predacon's body.

"You killed him," Depth Charge gasped upon seeing Rampage. "You killed Protoform X! He was meant to be mine to kill, Grogar!" Not wanting to be denied his opportunity, he fired several rings from his chest at Grogar, but Grogar effortlessly dodged them.

"Fool!" Gorgar laughed while effortlessly using his bell's powers to control Inferno like a puppet. "There is a reason why I am more powerful than you. Why I possessed the power to terminate Protoform X where you did not."

Seizing an opportunity, Grogar dove down and before Depth Charge could react, the rogue Maximal was stabbed in the chest. Gasping for air, Depth Charge was lifted up and as Spike looked on in horror, Grogar then proceeded to blast Depth Charge back onto the hard ground below.

"Now, does anyone else wish to challenge me?" Grogar asked, only to receive no reply. "Very well then. Now I shall go see who else I need to dispose of. Let this be a warning to all who would defy me! I do not tolerate rebellion lightly." Then he made Inferno fly away, leaving Spike to care for Pinkie and the Cakes.

…

Meanwhile, at the Ponyville borders, Twilight and the rest of her friends were doing battle with Dinobot II and Quickstrike, both of whom had sustained serious injuries.

"Okay, you big stack of dog bones!" Applejack thundered as she tossed a large rock at Dinobot II. "Take this!"

Before the rock could hit Dinobot II, the Predacon clone blasted the rock away with his eye laser.

Tapping into her alicorn magic, Twilight shot a beam at Dinobot II, hitting him in the chest and making him roar in pain as he fell.

As he tried to get back up, Dinobot II suddenly felt another surge of pain…this time in his chest where his spark was. "What's…what's happening to me?" Further groaning in pain, Dinobot II fell to one knee as he began to get weaker and weaker.

"Somethin''s happenin'!" Applejack suddenly cried out upon noticing this. "It looks like he's in pain!"

"Of course he is!" Grogar cackled as he flew Inferno's mind controlled body overhead. "I destroyed his half-brother, Rampage! Now he will suffer the same, as will the rest who serve Megatron!"

"What do you mean, Grogar?" Twilight demanded, firing her magic at the mind controlled Predacon only for him to swat it away.

"Just you watch, Princess Twilight." Grogar declared, using his powers to force Dinobot II into the air. Too weak to move, Dinobot II watched as Grogar administered the killing blow once more.

Both Twilight and Applejack were mortified at what they just saw before their eyes. "Grogar! What have you done?!" She shouted in disgust and disbelief at seeing a life be taken so abruptly, and without a chance to fight back!

But without saying a word, Grogar flew away.

Suddenly, Twilight noticed her cutie mark was glowing and then Applejack's cutie mark started glowing too.

"Twilight, what's happening?!" Rainbow Dash asked as she flew over to Twilight and Applejack. "Why are our cutie marks glowing like crazy?"

"Something urgent's happening in Canterlot!" Twilight realized! "We need to go at once!"

"And leave Ponyville to the Predacons?!" Rainbow Dash cried in shock and disbelief.

"There's no choice!" Twilight shot back. "If what Grogar is planning to do is true, Ponyville may not be our only concern! Now come on! We'll have to trust that the rest of the Maximals can hold the line!"

Using her teleportation spell, Twilight transported herself and her friends away from Ponyville and over to Canterlot!

…

…

Back in Canterlot, Optimus flew towards Canterlot Castle and landed in front of the smoke filled castle. Taking his wrist blasters, he fired several rounds into the basement and opened a hole big enough for him to enter. All he wanted was to find his brother's remains (and hopefully Megatron himself). "Megatron?! Megatron! Where are you?!" he called, amidst the smoke and fire. "I know you're in here! Come out and show yourself so we can end this war!"

Finally, Optimus found himself staring into the torture chamber and there he saw his brother's sparkless husk. And as he looked at it, he felt a sharp thud hit him in the back, causing him to fall forward. Looking back up, he saw Megatron towering over him with a sinister smile on his face.

"You monster…" Optimus gasped, growling as he made a fist and attempted to punch Megatron in the chest. But the transmetal two body deflected the punch, causing Optimus to yell in pain.

All Megatron could do was laugh in amusement of Optimus' vain attempt to harm him. "Well, well, well, so it all comes down to this, Optimus," Megatron laughed. "The Beast Wars are about to be decided once and for all. Not on prehistoric earth, but in this small room, yes…"

"Why did you do it?" Optimus demanded in a hushed voice before raising it. "WHY DID YOU KILL MY BROTHER?!"

"Because he was torturing my minions that's why, him and those two idiot Maximals that were assisting him." Megatron coldly replied. Then, growling,he took his dragon head and grabbed Optimus by the chest, He threw his enemy across the torture room.

"Now, I shall torture you to death, Optimus!" Megatron declared. "Just like your brother tortured Terrorsaur and Laserbeak to death! And without your transmetal body, I shall enjoy crushing you with ease!"

Thrusting his dragon head, Megatron attempted to hit Optimus with it.

But the fearless Maximal leader ducked out of the way, firing his shoulder guns at Megatron and knocking him back ever so slightly. He then took a flaming piece of wood and swatted Megatron with it, attempting to burn him.

But, it was no use as Megatron retorted by throwing Optimus into the dunking tank. Struggling, Optimus attempted to get himself out of the tank, but the water was already seeping into his body.

"How does it feel, Optimus?" Megatron gloated. "How does it feel to be just like those two tortured Predacons?"

But then suddenly, Megatron was hit with a beam of alicorn magic as Celestia, Luna, Rattrap and Dinobot came into the torture chamber.

"A lot better than you're going to feel when I'm done with you, Megatron!" Celestia roared in her royal Canterlot voice! She proceeded to shoot her magic at Megatron, hitting him over and over again repeatedly! "I shall make you pay for nearly killing Princess Twilight! Nearly killing the daughter I never had!" A beam of Celestia's magic then struck Megatron in the chest, opening a wound and exposing a portion of his body.

Wincing in pain, Megatron proceeded to take on Celestia, transforming into his dragon mode and flying right to Celestia, pushing her and Luna out of the torture chamber as Rattrap and Dinobot helped an unconscious Optimus out of the tank.

"Optimus?! Optimus, hang on!" Rattrap cried as he and Dinobot pulled Optimus out of the torture chamber. "Chopperface, we gotta do somethin' and quick! We can't lose boss bot now!"

Just then, the two Maximals noticed a spark in Optimus' chest starting to glow.

"Wait! What is that?!" Dinobot asked. "Do you see what I see?"

"Yeah," Rattrap cried. "It's…" But without warning, the spark exploded and engulfed Rattrap and Dinobot in light!

Meanwhile in the skies over Canterlot, Celestia and Luna stood down against Megatron with their horns glowing in united rage. Firing at Megatron, the two alicorn sisters were determined to defeat Megatron by any means necessary.

"Ohh, you are strong," Megatron declared in a sarcastic tone as he used his transmetal dragon wing to shield himself from the blast. "But not strong enough! Not against me! Clearly, you didn't learn your lessons from our first encounter." And he proceeded to fire a beam of flame at Celestia, to which she quickly produced a magic shield to protect herself and Luna.

Seizing the opportunity, Luna took to the air and spun around to generate a tornado, catching Megatron and sending him spinning around like a top! "Feel the wrath of the night!" Luna cried as she continued to spin Megatron around! Finally, after a few moments, Luna pushed Megatron down onto a street, ending her attack.

"Did we get him?" Celestia asked, but her question was premature as Megatron raised his dragon head and shot fire at the two sisters, the flames hitting Celestia's left wing and causing her to scream in pain!

"Celestia!" Luna screamed as Celestia fell to the ground! "Sister, no!"

Getting back to her hooves, Celestia's eyes once again glowed an angry red as she charged at Megatron, her horn now glowing an angry red as well and using its magical power to repeatedly strike at Megatron over and over again!

With each blow, Megatron could see his transmetal two body starting to take on damage. It only served to further anger him, prompting him to clutch Celestia by her neck with his dragon head in an attempt to choke her! "Enough of this!" He roared! "I shall enjoy killing you, pony!"

"NOOO!" Luna screamed and raced to her sister's side, only to be swatted away by Megatron's arm!

Suddenly, however, Megatron heard a loud scream from overhead as he suddenly was hit by a sharp beam of alicorn magic again, this time from Twilight!

As Megatron was sent flying into a building, Twilight flew down and helped her mentor and mother figure up to her feet.

"Celestia, are you…?" Twilight cried.

"I'm fine," Celestia coughed as she quickly used her magic to heal the neck wound. "Thanks to you, Twilight."

Struggling to his feet, Megatron felt that enough was enough and he needed to take decisive action.

"Stand down Megatron," Twilight declared, standing in front of her mentors and her friends, protecting them from Megatron. "Surrender while you still can in the name of Equestria. There's no need for you to be added to the casualties."

"In the name of Equestria?" Megatron remarked. "Why should I consider surrendering to a bunch of pathetic equines like you? You will all be my slaves eventually, yes!"

"You really should surrender, dragon breath!" Rainbow Dash added while flying next to Twilight. "Because we have a magic greater than any power you could comprehend!"

"Let me guess," Megatron sighed. "Is it friendship?"

After a brief silence, Twilight answered Megatron's question. "Yes."

"Pathetic," Megatron declared, stretching out his dragon head at them. "Friendship…will be your ultimate downfall. It won't save you!"

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a towering figure emerged from underneath the castle and Megatron could not believe what he was seeing! It was the figure of a transformer, a transformer that he thought was lost forever. "By the pits, you live again!" He screamed in horror!

…

…

Taken aback by what he was experiencing, Megatron immediately began to cower at the sight of the figure in front of him: It was Optimus Primal but in the transmetal form he'd once had.

"By the power of Optimus Prime," Optimus cried out with his voice slightly mechanical. "Optimal Optimus Primal has returned!"

Opening his large hand, Rattrap emerged, once again regaining his own transmetal look. "Whoo hoo hoo!" He laughed while cocking his gun. "I'm back, baby! Back!"

Dinobot also followed suit, standing next to his comrade. Just then, several more flashes appeared and Cheetor, Blackarachnia, Silverbolt, Rhinox, Tigerhawk and Waspinator also appeared with Cheetor and Blackarachnia having regained their own transmetal bodies.

"I think we should step back and let these guys take over." Fluttershy suggested.

"No," Celestia insisted. "Luna and I will fight! We'll help the Maximals finish off Megatron!

Standing in front of his enemies, Megatron could only wonder how he could defeat one group of Maximals now that they had retained their transmetal bodies.

"It's over, Megatron!" Optimus said as he and the Maximals drew their weapons on him and Celestia and Luna charged up their horns. "Surrender while you still can or else!"

"You think I will just easily surrender, Optimus?" Megatron declared as sparks began to pop out of his body. I do not surrender…I CONQUER!" Loudly roaring, Megatron charged towards the group!

The Maximals opened fire on their enemy while Celestia and Luna fired their horns' combined magical energies as Twilight and the others all looked away.

Finally, just as quickly as it had begun, the bombardment stopped and the Maximals stood down. All that remained of the Predacon leader was a sparkless husk.

"It's over," Optimal Optimus sighed. "The Beast Wars have finally come to an end not on Cybertron or prehistoric Earth…but Equestria."

While all this was going on, Grogar had finally managed to finish off most of the Predacons loyal to Megatron. Throwing down Inferno's body that he no longer had a use for, Grogar teleported himself to the outskirts of Ponyville and turned to Arabus and Lavan.

"Emperor Grogar," Lavan cried, bowing down in respect. "What a pleasure to…"

"Silence!" Grogar ordered the lava demon. "Find me any Predacon survivors and bring them back to my moon palace immediately! They will serve me or be destroyed," Grogar then noticed Inferno coming back online and walked back over towards him. "Including you, Inferno."

"Royalty," Inferno blinked. "What happened? Where am I?"

"That is none of your concern," Grogar coldly replied. "Take him." As a pair of donkey soldiers came to take Inferno into custody, Grogar turned to a far more pressing matter as he needed to do away with Megatron's spirit.

…

Back in the torture chamber as the fires were put out, Optimus bent down and picked up the husks of Rodimus Primal as well as those of Skids and Mudflap. "Brother," Optimus declared. "I promise you will be honored for your loyalty to the Maximal cause on Cybertron."

"Optimus?" Twilight asked as Optimus turned to face her. "I'm really sorry about Rodimus. Please know that…"

"My brother wouldn't want me to be sad or any of us to be sad," Optimus interrupted. "We are at war, Princess Twilight, and this is how war goes."

"So what is going to happen now?" Twilight asked. "Will you go back to Cybertron?"

Taking a deep sigh, Optimus realized that the true threat of Equestria was still out there. He didn't want to leave just yet, he wanted time. "For now, yes, once we find a way," Optimus answered. "But we will be back if you ever need us to help you again. You can be assured of that."

Rising to his feet, Optimus carried the remains of Rodimus out of the torture chamber and Twilight went back to overseeing the cleanup of Canterlot and Ponyville that the battle had caused.

As she flew overhead of the soon to be confirmed shared capitals, Twilight couldn't help but wonder if the final battle against Grogar was looming just over the horizon.

Meanwhile, up on the moon, Grogar sat on his throne and looked into his bell, hearing the screams of Megatron and the captured spirits of his loyal Predacons. "Listen to their pathetic screams, Scarface," He remarked. "Megatron refused to play by my rules, and thus he is here in my bell for eternity along with the rest of his minions."

Stepping down from his throne, Grogar walked over to the balcony and looked out his telescope, pointing it towards Earth. "And now, Equestria," He said to himself. "I turn my attention…to getting you back." And as he watched the Autobot shuttle carrying the Maximals leave, Grogar could only laugh to himself. He was convinced his ultimate conquest would soon begin!

…

…
> Episode 5: "Making it Official"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

The citizens of Ponyville and Canterlot were now left to pick up the pieces of the recent battle against the Predacons. The bodies of the ones once fought were now being dumped in a mass grave on the edges of the two locations. Looking down at the mass grave on the field where she had once fought Tirek, Twilight could only stand and reflect on what had just happened.

"Your highness?" A voice called out, interrupting Twilight's train of thought as Tempest Shadow approached her with a salute. "A majority of the Predacon bodies have been recovered."

"Excellent, Captain," Twilight acknowledged as she saluted Tempest back. "Now see if anypony needs help repairing any damages."

"I am already on it as we speak, Princess." Tempest declared.

"Good," Twilight replied as several guardsponies threw the body of Scorponok into the mass grave, causing Twilight to think about the allies who'd done so much for Equestria. "It's too bad Optimus and the Maximals had to leave so soon. We could have used their help."

"They had their reasons, Princess," Tempest remarked while sighing slightly. "But if I could make a suggestion."

"What's that, Tempest?" Twilight inquired.

Tempest then directed Twilight over towards Canterlot Castle, which was slightly damaged from the final confrontation with Megatron. "Grogar and his legion must know that no quarter will be given to them," She explained, memories of her time with the Storm King coming back to her. "If you are going to win this war then you must do so. Declare it to your subjects and to Grogar, if he ever listens. Soon, we will have to consider going on the offensive for a change."

Smiling, Twilight sent Tempest on her way and flew back towards the Castle of Friendship. But in her mind she knew that she needed to send a clear message to Grogar and his Legion of Doom. A message that they would never succeed in taking her home from them.

…

…

Flying back towards the Castle of Friendship, Twilight was trying to figure out just how she could make out a declaration that would send a clear message to Grogar.

Looking back down at all of the damage the battle with the Predacons had caused on Ponyville, Twilight could see the determination of Ponyville's citizens deep in their eyes. It was something that she liked to see greatly and the more she looked down at them, the more inspired she had become.

Twilight then decided to make a stop at Sugarcube Corner to check on the Cake family "Mrs. Cake?" Twilight asked as she stepped into the shop. "Mrs. Cake? Is anypony home?"

"Princess Twilight!" Mrs. Cake called as she came up behind the counter. "I…I wasn't expecting you to come by! You obviously have seen our roof…"

"Yes," Twilight remarked, approaching the blue female earth pony. "You don't have to tell me twice. Pinkie told me what happened."

"Well, dearie," Mrs. Cake sighed, briefly looking away from Twilight. "It certainly was a great deal to Pinkie Pie. She thought we'd been killed."

Twilight immediately offered. "Look, if there's anything I can do to help…"

"I think we'll manage. But thank you for asking, Princess," Mrs. Cake replied while walking behind the counter. "In fact, the mayor was kind enough to give us temporary housing near her office, at least until the roof is fixed."

"There's going to be a lot of ponies who won't be happy over not getting their treats for a while," Twilight remarked, before remembering what she'd originally stopped by the bakery for. "Look, Mrs. Cake, if Pinkie has any time later…"

Mrs. Cake nodded in confirmation. "Of course, dearie. I'll send her to your castle right away."

With those words, Twilight left Sugarcube Corner and proceeded to return back to the Castle of Friendship, which despite some broken windows remained virtually undamaged in the attack. Walking back inside, Twilight immediately saw workers hard at work on restoring the windows, supervised by Spike.

"Looks like the dome did its job," Twilight said as the workers continued to tend to the windows. "Despite being damaged."

"Yeah, you might say that," Spike replied. as he approached Twilight from behind. "Could have been worse, you know."

"Hey Spike," Twilight greeted her little brother. "Your timing is most opportune, actually. I've been doing some thinking."

"About what?" Spike inquired.

Following Spike to her throne room, Twilight sat down in her throne and looked at the large friendship map. The more she looked at it, the more she began to get an idea. "About sending a message to Grogar," she declared. "A declaration that we will not now or will ever bow down to him and his allies. No matter what!"

"And how do you propose to do that?" Spike asked, looking at his big sister with a confused expression.

Looking back at the map, Twilight particularly focused on the locations of Ponyville and Canterlot, the two locations that had been her home for pretty much her entire life. Then Twilight began to think back to when she'd been in the hospital following her mental health crisis. Of a proposal that had caught her interest originally.

…

Later that day, Twilight gathered her friends in the throne room for an emergency council meeting to share her idea.

"Officially making Ponyville and Canterlot shared capitals?" Rarity asked. "I thought that Celestia was only saying that because we were being crowned princesses alongside you."

"Yeah, at least that's what I remember." Applejack added.

"But it wasn't made official, yet," Twilight replied. "Now that all of us are princesses, we have a chance to show Grogar and whatever allies he still has how strong we are on our own. If he plans to attack one kingdom, he will have to attack a combined capital of Equestria." Activating her magic, Twilight produced a scenario where a combined flag of Equestria showed not only the engravings of Celestia and Luna, but also herself and her friends as well in the center of the flag.

"Okay," Rainbow Dash blinked. "And how do you propose writing up a statement that'll make Grogar think twice about attacking us? I don't even know if he'd care to listen."

"Yeah," Pinkie Pie chimed in. "Maybe we should just say to him that if he ever wants a party to welcome him here, he isn't going to get it. It would have the same effect, right?"

"I don't plan on giving him a party, Pinkie," Twilight declared with a shake of his head."The only party he is ever going to get is a party celebrating when he is defeated once and for all."

"Oh, well when you put it that way then…" Pinkie commented and started thinking of how such a party might come to be (and how best to celebrate such an occasion).

"Twilight, if I could also make a suggestion," Fluttershy spoke while raising her hoof. "Perhaps we can write a declaration and not only show it to our subjects, but also maybe display it to inspire them?"

"Why would we do that?" Spike asked.

"Discord suggested it. He mentioned how in the world Sunset Shimmer comes from, similar declarations have been used as inspiration for creatures living under all kinds of rulers. One of them even preserved such a declaration for all to see and be inspired by." Fluttershy answered.

Taking all of this into account, Twilight sat back down in her throne. The more she thought about it, the more she thought about how much of an impact it would make if something as important as a document could send a strong, clear message. "Very well then," She said at last. "I propose we start work on this declaration immediately. What do you think, Spike?"

Looking over to Spike, Twilight and her friends awaited his response. "I say go for it!" Spike answered and the task to write a declaration to Grogar was about to begin!

…

…

As Twilight lowered the sun on Equestria that night, all of her friends were gathered in the castle's library, ready to come up with ideas for the declaration.

"All right, so how do y'all want to write this?" Applejack asked, looking down at a blank sheet of paper. "It's no different than writin' a letter or note."

"Personally, I view this as nothing short of creating a couture for a very important client, darling," Rarity replied. "The possibilities are endless!"

"But we have to send a message that will inspire our subjects," Fluttershy cautioned. "Now, if only I can remember what Discord said about that framed declaration…"

"Discord said what?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Fluttershy blinked. "I don't remember exactly. But it was something about holding truths to be self-evident and all being created equal."

Just then, Twilight walked back into the library. "Okay, the sun's down," She declared while joining her friends on the floor. "Let's get to work, everyone."

"Fluttershy was just thinking of something on how to start our declaration," Pinkie Pie pointed out. "Something about being created equal, I think."

"Well, just remember," Twilight cautioned. "We need to write all of this in our own words. It cannot be copied from something else. This is a declaration intended primarily for an audience of one, Grogar."

"Yes, indeed," Rarity added while thinking back to when Suri Polomare had stolen a concept of hers. "It has to be original."

"But we can be inspired from what Discord mentioned," Fluttershy proposed. "Maybe we could start with 'In the course of the history of Equestria' or something like that."

Taking the notes down, Twilight waited for the next phase to be written down.

"'And among the powers of Equestria and beyond,'" Rainbow added. "'No creature shall ever bow down to anyone who claims they're cooler than another,'" This caused the others to glare at her with blank expressions. "What?"

"I think that will just throw anycreature off. This ain't really about coolness and I doubt Grogar will care," Applejack remarked. "Personally, I don't know what y'all think, but the sentence is fine if it ended with 'Thus, we hold that Equestria shall never give in to those who would bring it harm.' or somethin' like that."

"Sounds much better to me." Spike declared

"Okay, that's a start. What else did Discord see that leaped out at you?" Twilight asked Fluttershy.

Fluttershy scratched her head. "Something about 'Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness'."

"I say we include it," Rarity chirped, writing down the three words mentioned. "Maybe not exactly like that, but something similar. Those values are a part of Equestria."

"Okay," Twilight nodded. "How about this for a start: 'We, the six princesses of Equestria, declare that in the course of Equestrian History: All creatures are made equal and entitled to: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Thus, we hold that it shall never give in to those who would deny any creatures such rights.''" And all nodded in agreement.

"I've got another idea," Twilight added. "How about this: 'It is our right, it is our duty, to fight off such tyranny, and to provide new guards for our future security.'"

"That sounds powerful," Spike agreed. "Considering how many tyrants are out there. Who knows how many other Grogars or Storm Kings are lurking just below the surface, hoping to take over when Grogar falls?"

"But Grogar is more than a mere tyrant," Twilight cautioned as she grit her teeth. "He is a monster who has committed crimes far beyond imagination, more so than any of our enemies who now serve him in the Legion of Doom."

"Should we list every single itty, bitty thing he has ever done then?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Because if we do, we'll be here all night."

"I agree with Pinkie Pie on this one," Fluttershy cautioned. "We don't want to bore anycreature with a list of crimes Grogar has committed. Besides, he'd take that as a sign that he's gotten under our fur."

"So how do you want to put it?" Rainbow questioned. "We need to make sure everyone knows how bad Grogar is for all time, and that's why we're making such a statement."

"I think it should be something like this:" Fluttershy suggested. "'The history of the past 'Emperor' of Equestria, is a history of repeated injuries and insults to its legacy. Marked by the obvious intent to establish absolute tyranny over Equestria.'"

"That's it?" Applejack blinked while raising an eyebrow slightly. "I'd expect more than that."

"Fluttershy has a point, Applejack," Twilight cautioned. "I've always learned that small isn't always more powerful when it comes to writing a document. Celestia taught me that when I was her pupil."

A series of murmurs came among the six princesses upon hearing that from the supreme princess.

Twilight eventually spoke up and declared. "I propose this: 'So we hereby declare our intent to oppose any attempted return to that past, and our intent to hold Grogar and all enemies of Equestria accountable for their actions.'"

"Sounds fair to me." Spike remarked while yawning slightly as Twilight wrote down her notes.

"Okay, now how do we finish this?" Rainbow asked. "We need something powerful to rally everyone and let Grogar know that we mean business." And all tried hard to think. For a full hour, all sat and were thinking about what they were going to say in the declaration next. But the more they thought about it, the more difficult it became

"Come on, y'all, we gotta think of somethin'!" Applejack groaned. "How do we finish this here declaration?!"

"I think," Twilight began before letting out a loud yawn. "We…we…" But her exhaustion was too much to overcome. She fell asleep as the others began to feel tired as well.

"Now you're passing it onto me." Pinkie whispered as she fell onto her back and fell asleep.

Soon, all six princesses were asleep and Spike, who was also getting tired, decided to turn himself in for the night. As he left the library, he saw Luna walking down the hallway with a cup of tea in her aura.

"I trust the declaration is going smoothly, Spike." Luna inquired.

"Well, it was," Spike answered before letting out a loud yawn. "Except now we're stuck. But we can restart in the morning. Good night."

As she watched Spike walk past her, Luna proceeded towards the library and opened the door to see Twilight and her friends lying on the floor fast asleep. This made Luna step into the library and look down at them with a forlorn expression on her face. "Hmm, the joys of being a princess," she sighed with a small smile on her face as she placed her cup of tea down on Twilight's desk and picked her and the rest of her friends off the floor, taking them to Twilight's bedroom and producing several beds for them to sleep in. "Rest well, my beloved friends."

Leaving them in Twilight's bedroom, Luna returned to the library and read over the notes that they had written. "For a declaration," Luna sighed. "It's direct and to the point. Seems like something Celestia or I would write for our subjects. Well, might as well put this all together for them."

So gathering up the notes, Luna proceeded to put the declaration that Twilight and her friends created together, hoping that it would be the declaration they needed to send a message of defiance to Grogar.

…

…

The next morning, Twilight opened her eyes to find herself in her bedroom and her friends in various beds alongside her. "Ugh," She groaned while stretching out her forelegs. "I can't believe it, girls. We fell asleep."

"You're telling me," Rainbow Dash added. "And just before we could…"

"I needed to have my beauty sleep anyway," Rarity interjected. "But at least we have a whole day to finish the declaration."

"And now, hopefully, we have a sense of direction," Twilight declared as she climbed out of bed. "Let's get some breakfast, and then get back to work."

But just as they were about to leave Twilight's bedroom, they were all stopped by Luna, who stood in the doorway with a large parchment in her aura. "Do you mean this?" Luna asked, causing Twilight's jaw to drop open in surprise!

"Luna, what is that?! Did you…?" Taking the declaration, Twilight carefully looked over each word that was written down. "It's all of our notes," Twilight cried in realization. "Luna, you wrote up our declaration?!"

"Well, it is still your declaration," Luna chuckled. "I just thought I'd do the heavy work for you."

"But…but why?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Isn't this supposed to be our writing or something?"

"It is your writing, Rainbow Dash," Luna answered. "I just put all the pieces together." Luna then directed them to look at the bottom of the declaration, showing them a spot where they would each sign their names.

"Well, it was nice of ya to leave us a spot to sign our names," Applejack remarked. "But you know ya didn't have to do this, Luna."

"Oh, but I felt like I had to, Applejack," Luna declared while draping a wing over her friends. "Just because you are all princesses doesn't mean that Celestia and I can help you all from time to time. Remember that we were in your shoes once too, you know. You're always welcome to ask us for advice."

With those words, they followed Luna down to the dining hall where they saw that Celestia and Starlight Glimmer had already read the declaration.

"For being princesses," Starlight remarked as they came into the dining hall. "You certainly made your case pretty strongly."

"Do you think that everycreature will embrace it?" Twilight hopefully asked.

"Of course they will embrace it, Twilight," Celestia chuckled while holding the declaration in her aura. "After all, you six are possibly the most important ponies in Equestria ever since Luna and I retired."

"Well, we aren't trying to steal your thunder," Pinkie Pie added before chuckling slightly. "No offense."

"You're not stealing anyone's thunder," Starlight Glimmer pointed out. "In fact, I'm even suggesting you sign the declaration at the school of friendship in front of the students. I can't think of a better way to get the point across."

"Thanks, Starlight, but I think it would be better if we signed it in Canterlot," Twilight began before realizing that something else was missing. "Wait a minute. Luna, what did you write to conclude the declaration?"

Passing the declaration back to Twilight, Celestia and Luna watched and listened as Twilight finished reading the last paragraph: "And with a firm reliance on the protection of the maker, we hereby declare that the city of Canterlot and the town of Ponyville will be united as one kingdom."

"That's pretty strong writin' there, Luna," Applejack remarked, her eyes wide open.

"Well, you can imagine why I am a great wordsmith." Luna chuckled and despite her small amount of jealousy for her younger sister, Celestia couldn't help but show some respect for her sister's work.

…

Sure enough, a few days later, Twilight and her friends stood before a packed assembly in the throne room in Canterlot. Their crowns were on their heads and they were all dressed in their coronation gowns while the declaration rested in front of them, sitting on a table. Stepping forward first, Twilight read the declaration aloud.

"In the course of the history of Equestria, among the powers of Equestria and beyond no creature shall ever bow down to anyone Thus, we hold that Equestria shall never give in to those who would bring it harm. We, the six princesses of Equestria, declare that in the course of Equestrian History: All creatures are made equal and entitled to: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Thus, we hold that it shall never give in to those who would deny any creatures such rights."

It was every bit as powerful as intended. The words chosen from the night before ringing out clear and concise.

"The history of the past 'Emperor' of Equestria, is a history of repeated injuries and insults to its legacy. Marked by the obvious intent to establish absolute tyranny over Equestria. So we hereby declare our intent to oppose any attempted return to that past, and our intent to hold Grogar and all enemies of Equestria accountable for their actions. And with a firm reliance on the protection of the maker, we hereby declare that the city of Canterlot and the town of Ponyville will be united as one kingdom."

As Twilight finished the reading, the audience burst into applause and cheers as they all felt a huge sigh of relief leave their shoulders. Then, with a quill in her aura, Twilight signed her name at the bottom of the declaration, before passing the quill onto her friends and fellow princesses as they each signed their name one by one

It was official! Equestria now had two shared capitals and it was all thanks to Twilight Sparkle and her friends!

…

…
> Episode 6: "Jailhouse Flock"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

The pony formerly known as Spoiled Rich sat in a courtroom as the jury of her peers walked back in with the verdict in hoof. She had been on trial for abusing Diamond Tiara as she saw fit and was now about to face the consequences of her actions.

"Has the jury reached a verdict?" Judge Fair Trial asked.

"We have, your honor." The jury forepony replied as she stood up looking at the judge.

"Will the defendant please rise?" Judge Fair Trial requested.

Doing as they were told, both Spoiled Milk and her defense attorney rose to their feet. In the gallery, Diamond Tiara and Filthy Rich watched with disapproving glances as well as disgust.

Taking a deep breath, Spoiled Milk anxiously awaited her fate.

"On the charge of foal abuse in the second degree," The judge asked the jury. "How do you find the defendant, Spoiled Milk?"

"We, the jury," The forepony answered. "In the aboved and titled action, find the defendant Spoiled Milk…guilty as charged."

Spoiled Milk darted her eyes back and forth in shock and disbelief!

"I understand that the prosecution wishes to revoke the defendant's bail?" Judge Fair Trial inquired.

"Yes, your honor, we do." Fair Justice the prosecutor answered.

"So ordered," The judge nodded. "The defendant's bail is revoked and she is to be placed in the Canterlot Dungeons until sentencing at a later date to be announced. Court adjourned."

As the gavel sounded and a guardspony came forward to throw the hoofcuffs on Spoiled Milk, she turned to see her ex-husband pulling his daughter's view away from her. "Filthy, I…" She pleaded with tears in her eyes, but Filthy Rich was having none of it. "Please…"

Getting up from the courtroom, Filthy Rich took Diamond Tiara away as Spoiled was hoofcuffed and led away back to the Canterlot Dungeons.

"All right, let's go." The guard pony instructed as Spoiled Milk was led out.

From the prosecution table, Fair Trial watched with a disapproving glance. "Unbelievable," He sighed as he gathered his papers. "If there is one thing I can't stand, it's ponies who abuse fillies."

"Easy for you to say," Spoiled Milk's defense attorney replied, catching Fair Trial's attention. "You'd be surprised at how many clients I defend…that don't deserve defending."

"Was this another one?" Fair Trial asked.

"Yes, Fair Trial, it was." The defense attorney nodded.

Watching the defender leave the courtroom, Fair Trial placed all his papers in his suitcase and was just about to leave when he was suddenly stopped by the judge.

"Fair Trial?"Fair Justice called, motioning for him to come forward. "I wish to see you before you go."

Confused, Fair Trial came forward and followed Fair Justice into his chambers. "What is it, your honor?"

"We are not in session, Fair Trial," Fair Justice replied. "You can call me by my normal name."

"Yes, of course, brother," Fair Trial whispered. "What is it?"

"It's about that changeling who took the changeling kingdom hostage over a year ago," Fair Justice answered . "Her highness suspended the writ this morning."

Fair Trial realized what had to happen next. "On charges of terrorism, threatening to physically harm among other things. What happens now?"

"Hopper is hanged." Fair Justice declared

"What has that to do with me?" Fair Trial wondered.

"I want you to ensure that the sentence is carried out in accordance with Princess Twilight's wishes," Fair Justice firmly replied, much to his brother's shock! "It is to serve as a warning to Grogar and all who aid him what fate awaits those who threaten Equestria or its allies without remorse."

…

…

Exiting the courtroom, Spoiled Milk was led back to her cell in the Canterlot Dungeons where she was alone with only the rats and the guards around her cell for company. As she was ushered back into her cell, Spoiled noticed several of the guards carrying planks of wood in their magical auras. "Excuse me," She asked one of the guards who'd escorted her back to her cell. "What's going on?"

"There is to be an execution to take place at sunset," The guard pony answered. "A rogue changeling."

"Hold that cell door!" Another guard called as two guard ponies escorted the changeling prisoner down towards Spoiled Milk's cell. This made the ex-rich pony indignant.

"What's going on here?" Spoiled Milk demanded. "Why are you leaving me here with this disgusting bug?!"

"A chance at repentance according to the supreme princess," One of the guards answered as they threw the changeling inside the cell. "Perhaps you might give him some last minute company at least."

"But, but…" Spoiled Milk pleaded, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. "I don't want to be left with this creature! Changelings are evil! Please, don't do this to me!"

Rising to his feet, the changeling looked over to Spoiled Milk, coughing up some absorbed love that he had consumed.

"I don't know and I don't care who you are," Spoiled Milk protested in a loud firm voice before it fell silent. "You are not consuming any love I have in me…which I don't really…have."

"Of course you don't," The changeling coughed. "I can't sense any inside you, pony. It's too bad, really."

He then proceeded to walk up to Spoiled Milk, but she backed away towards the wall of her cell. "Who…who are you?" Spoiled Milk cried while standing against the wall on her hind legs. "And what do you want with me?"

"A chance at repentance before I am hanged," The changeling answered. "Ever since my comrades and I were arrested, these ponies have…destroyed my self-confidence. All I ever wanted was to restore our queen to her rightful throne. Thorax was a disgraceful usurper that had no right to call himself our king."

Going back on all fours, Spoiled Milk suddenly remembered who this changeling was. "Wait a minute!" She gasped! "You're the one who took the entire Changeling Kingdom hostage. You're Hopper!" Suddenly frightened, she dashed to the bars and cried out to the guards. "HELP! SOMEPONY GET RID OF THIS CHANGELING! HE'S A MONSTER!"

"They won't listen to you, pony," Hopper sighed. "When Princess Twilight makes up her mind, she sticks to it. They will hang me at sundown either way. They've already done the same for my brother and my friends."

…

Returning to their home amidst a scheduled downpour, Diamond Tiara and Filthy Rich were left to absorb the trial that Spoiled Milk went through.

"How did it go, sir?" A butler asked as he removed Filthy Rich's raincoat.

"Guilty as charged, Randolph," Filthy Rich solemnly answered. "She kind of deserves it after all the abuse she inflicted on my little Diamond."

Diamond Tiara said nothing and instead just looked down at the floor in sadness.

"Diamond?" Filthy asked. "Do you want to…?"

"I just need some time alone, dad," Diamond said sadly as she made her way up the stairs to her room. "I just feel so…conflicted right now."

Filthy Rich could tell that his only daughter was struggling internally.

"By the way, sir," Randolph went on. "Princess Twilight and Diamond's friends will stop by later. Apparently, the princess feels that there are two ponies that can help Diamond Tiara."

"Who are they, Randolph?" Filthy inquired. "This better not involve more therapy, I'm already payin' a lot as it is for the two of us for therapists after what Spoiled did."

Randolph only answered. "She didn't say, sir. It doesn't sound like therapy will be involved, at least not in the official licensed sense."

"Listen, uh, please let us know when Princess Twilight arrives," Filthy Rich said to his butler. "I'm just goin' to rest in the study for a while."

"Yes, sir." Randolph saluted.

Leaving his butler alone, Filthy Rich secluded himself in the study to reflect on the verdict of his ex-wife just as Diamond Tiara was doing in her bedroom.

Meanwhile, up in her bedroom, Diamond Tiara laid down on her bed and looked up at the ceiling. All she could do was reflect on how this moment had come about. Her mother had molded her into the pony that she was and Diamond was now trying to picture herself as a different pony, what she could've been if not for her mother doing what she'd done.

"Look at me," Diamond thought to herself as she looked at a picture of herself and her mother at a high society event. "What did she turn me into? What did you force me to become, Mother? Because of you I turned into a bully, into a monster and yet…you were still my mother. I couldn't bring myself to say no to you."

Placing her hoof on the picture, all Diamond could do was turn the picture face down on the nightstand. The more she looked at it, the more she could hear her mother's sharp and abusive words play out in her head.

"Diamond Tiara! Why are you making that face? That is not the face of a winner." Spoiled Rich had sneered when Diamond Tiara lost the class president election.

"Because... I didn't win." Diamond Tiara had quietly said.

"What?!" Spoiled Rich had gasped in shock and anger. "You mean I hefted all these party supplies to celebrate nothing?!"

Hearing her mother scold her like that caused Diamond Tiara to tremble in her bed. She could feel every bone in her body shake.

"Sorry, Mother." Diamond had apologized, but it wasn't good enough for her then mother.

"It's bad enough you lost to that transplant from Trottingham, but imagine if you'd lost to one of those 'blank flanks'," Spoiled Rich had sternly colded. "As a Rich pony you must always think of your social starts here in Ponyville and reaches all over Equestria. Don't ever forget that, Diamond Tiara. Ever!

The scolding sounds of her mother's voice caused tears to form in the corners of Diamond's eyes. She was an abused pony and the scars were present as she could only cry into her pillow.

…

…

Back in the dungeons, Spoiled Milk and Hopper were left alone to think about their respective fates.

"So," Hopper asked, looking over at Spoiled Milk. "What are you in for?"

"Foal abuse," Spoiled Milk sighed while looking up to the ceiling of her cell. "To which it wasn't really my fault. It was how I was raised and I felt that my daughter should be raised the same way."

"It seems like physical harm is not favored by those around us," Hopper sighed while looking down at his holed hooves. "But it's how we get our power and authority. It's how I was taught by my queen."

"The jury saw it otherwise," Spoiled Milk bitterly remarked. "I had the right to raise my daughter as I saw fit. I tried to make it seem like I would only use it if necessary but they didn't see it that way. Because of it I've had everything I ever worked for taken away from me."

"Just like when that no good Starlight Glimmer dethroned my queen to make room for that traitor, Thorax! A total pushover who suggested we make 'friends' with the ponies!" Hopper snapped before spitting down at the floor, causing Spoiled Milk to recoil in disgust. This made him look over at Spoiled Milk. "What's the matter with you?"

"Can you please not do that?" Spoiled remarked and gagged. "It's disgusting!"

"Get used to it, pony! It's how these prisons work!" Hopper snapped right back. "Besides, chances are you won't have me around for long."

Wiping sweat off of her brow, Spoiled was forced to take in the behavior that comes with being a prisoner. "Hopper," She asked him. "Did you ever...?"

"Did I what?" Hopper coldly interrupted. "Spit on the floor? Of course I did!"

"I don't mean that," Spoiled corrected. "Did you ever feel like there was a chance where you felt like one day your actions would haunt you?"

"Well, it didn't take too long for you to start repenting, did it?" Hopper sneered. "Guess me being here is starting to get to you."

"No it is not," Spoiled sighed again. "I guess after my husband ended our marriage following my arrest, I've been thinking…maybe I did go too far on my daughter. I beat her when she failed at something, but all I could see in that was discipline."

"The discipline I enforced made us tougher and more loyal to our queen," Hopper complained. "Otherwise we would never have served our queen the way we did. Life was better when she was in charge of our kingdom and I still believe that!"

As she listened, Spoiled Milk could only wish she would go back and erase what she had done to Diamond Tiara.

…

Back at the Rich family mansion, the rain continued to pour down on Ponyville as Twilight's carriage landed in front of the mansion.

"Are you sure that this will work?" Spike asked as Twilight stepped out of the carriage. "Gentle Gust and Gentle Breeze taking on another patient."

"It has to work, Spike," Twilight replied. "Diamond Tiara needs help…professional help. Beyond what we can give. I'm sure they'll both be willing to offer their services to Filthy for a reasonable price." With an umbrella over her head, Twilight made her way to the front door of the mansion and knocked on the door with her hoof.

A few moments later, a maid answered the door and gasped loudly at Twilight and Spike. Hastily, she gestured to Twilight, allowing both her and Spike to come inside while bowing respectfully to them.

Just then, Radolph came into the front hall and immediately bowed down to Twilight.

"At ease," Twilight suggested while raising a hoof. "Is Filthy Rich home?"

"He's in the study," Randolph replied while gesturing for Twilight to follow him. "I'll take you to him."

In his study, Filthy Rich could only look at the pictures of his family before it had been split apart forever. The more pictures he looked at his ex-wife, the more disgusted he felt. For the first time, he could only see a monster in his pictures, a guilty monster at that. Just then, he was interrupted by the sounds of a knock on the door and he placed the book on the coffee table.

"Enter!" Filthy called, and Randolph came in followed by Twilight and her entourage. Seeing the Supreme Princess of Equestria, Filthy Rich lowered his head in respect. "My home is blessed by your bein' here, Princess Twilight."

"I shall leave you both alone. If you require my presence again, just call." Randolph declared as he left the study.

Once the door was closed, Twilight was left alone with the distraught Filthy Rich. Right away, Twilight got down to business as she sat down next to him. "How was the verdict?" She asked while looking directly at him.

"Guilty," Filthy Rich bitterly answered. "She deserves it after puttin' my child through such torment. I can't believe I ever saw anythin' in her," Then he looked up. "I…I understand that you have somethin' to offer me?"

"I do," Twilight declared while motioning for Spike to join him on the sofa. "You see, Filthy Rich, there are two ponies that I go to for my mental health. They've helped me and Spike, and I am sure they can help Diamond Tiara too."

Filthy blinked slowly. "Who are they?"

"Their names are Gentle Gust and Gentle Breeze, but I'm sure you've already heard of them." Twilight declared.

Filthy nodded again. "Yes, yes, I remember from when you were hospitalized, Princess," Rising to his hooves, he began to pace back and forth in front of Twilight and tried to process the information. "Do you…do you think they can help Diamond Tiara?"

"I can promise you that they will, and for a very reasonable price too," Twilight answered. "Gentle Gust and Gentle Breeze are two of the nicest ponies I have ever come across. In fact, the first time I met them they offered me a cup of hot cocoa."

"You might say it's their way of making you feel welcome." Spike added as Filthy Rich took in what Twilight said, taking a deep breath.

To him, Filthy just wanted to see his daughter healthy and happy again before this nightmare that had begun to play out before his eyes. "Princess, I think we'll…take you up on your offer. But, what if Diamond doesn't want to go? What if she views this as somethin' different from what you're makin' it out to be? I don't want her to end up hatin' me too."

"I can assure you that she will love them, Filthy," Twilight said in a gentle voice. "In fact, I view them like grandparents to me. You have my word."

"I think this is…this is probably the best for my daughter, given all of the circumstances that are happenin' with this war and all," Filthy Rich sighed. "But what if she doesn't want to go? What will she think…?"

Suddenly, all heard the sounds of tiny hoofbeats enter the study and there in the doorway stood Diamond Tiara, disheveled and with her eyes red from crying.

…

…

Both Twilight and Filthy Rich stood up in surprise when they saw Diamond Tiara standing in the doorway.

"Diamond, were you cryin'?" Filthy asked while bending down to her level.

"No, just had something in my eye," Diamond Tiara lied, sniffling slightly as she wiped away at her nose. "It's nothing, really." But Filthy could see through the lie in a heartbeat. The truth was evident upon his daughter's face.

"Diamond, your father and I were just talking," Twilight explained as she bent down to her level as well. "There are these two ponies named Gentle Gust and Gentle Breeze who helped me when I had my mental health breakdown. I think it would be good for you to go and talk with them about what you've been going through."

Diamond Tiara looked away in anxiety.

"It may be good for you and it may be good for me too, Diamond," Filthy Rich encouraged. "Sometimes we all need somepony to lean on."

"Will they…will they hurt me in any way?" Diamond asked, tears once again forming in her eyes. "Because I think I've been hurt enough!" Lightly sobbing, she was helped back to the couch by her father as Spike pulled over to let her sit down.

"No, Diamond, they won't hurt you," Twilight reassured her young subject as the filly audibly sobbed into her father's chest. "They just want to help you the same way that they helped Spike and I. As supreme princess, the last thing I want is to see one of my subjects treated so badly. What your mother did at the celebration was completely unacceptable."

"But…" Diamond sobbed while looking back at Twilight. "It's how she was raised."

"Honey, your mother's family was twisted in every sense of the word if that's how they approached child raisin'," Filthy Rich remarked. "I have personal standards that I follow on a daily basis and I never…never…raise a hoof at anypony. I may get angry with you sometimes, but I will never strike you! You have my word on that."

"These are the kind of things that you can and should talk to Gentle Gust and Gentle Breeze about," Twilight gently encouraged. "And if it feels better, we can have all your friends go with you: Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Silver Spoon, all of them! It worked for me, so it can work for you too. What do you say?"

"They have hot coco." Spike added.

For the first time all evening, Diamond Tiara's face produced a small tearfilled smile.

Just then, a guard pony came into the study, catching Twilight's attention. "Your highness," He declared while saluting Twilight. "The warden is awaiting your order for the execution of the Changeling, Hopper."

Taking a deep breath, Twilight knew that she had a royal duty to carry out and a personal one at that. "Is everything ready?" She asked.

The guard pony nodded. "Yes, your highness."

Without saying a word, Twilight motioned for the execution to be carried out.

"Twilight, they'll be waiting for us," Spike advised. "The execution can't be carried out unless you are there."

"Very well then," Twilight said to her royal advisor before turning to Filthy Rich. "I need to go to Canterlot for the execution. But, if you need anything at all.."

"Don't worry, I will contact you if anything changes, Princess."Filthy promised. Hugging Twilight and Spike, both Filthy Rich and Diamond Tiara watched Twilight leave

…

Back in the dungeons, Spoiled Milk and Hopper continued their little conversation

"Of course it gives you power," Spoiled Milk cried. "But it's power that ultimately leads you down a different path. My daughter's purpose was to maintain our social standing, be among the best of the best."

"And my purpose was to bring our queen back to power," Hopper declared. "There…there was something about inflicting pain on others that…that gave me a sense of pride in what I do to serve my queen. But I guess all that's for nothing now, as I go meet my maker."

Sighing, Spoiled couldn't help but feel sorry for him. "Who knows what will happen to me?" She asked herself. "I won't end up like you, but I will probably spend the rest of my life in a jail cell in Tartarus, all because I raised my daughter the way I wanted to raise her."

Stopping for a moment, Spoiled took another deep breath. "Honestly, I'm scared for what the sentence is going to be," She whispered to Hopper. "You may not be scared of your sentence, but I am."

Almost as if on cue, the doors to the dungeons opened and the warden along with a pair of guard ponies stood in the doorway of the cell. "Hopper the Changeling?"

Without saying a word, Hopper rose to his feet and faced the warden and the guards.

"It's time." Opening the door, the guards pulled Hopper in their aura and carried him out of the cell. All Spoiled Milk could do was watch Hopper being carried away and thinking of what her own fate was going to be.

But the Warden had one last bit of news for Spoiled Milk. "Sentencing is tomorrow morning," He told her. "But there may be a chance at escaping a worse sentence."

Not knowing what it was, Spoiled Milk was left to ponder what the outcome was going to be. She could only hope she would not end up like Hopper, who was on his way to the gallows.

…

…

Meanwhile, Hopper was led to the gallows where Twilight and Spike along with Thorax, Pharynx and Ocellus were there to witness his execution. Hopper looked up at the roped noose that hung from the gallows, waiting for his neck to be placed through.

"Hopper the Changeling," said the overseer of the execution. "You have been convicted of an act of war against Equestria and her allies. To this end, you are hereby sentenced to be hanged by the neck until death. Is there anything you wish to say before sentence is carried out?"

Saying nothing, the noose was placed around Hopper's neck and looking to Twilight, the overseer saw her motion to begin the execution. Looking towards the executioner, the overseer silently commanded him to pull the lever and with a sudden jerk, Hopper was dropped, and the sounds of bones in his neck cracking were heard.

Hopper, leader of the rogue changelings, was dead.

…

…

END OF EPISODE

…

…
> Episode 7: "Twilight's New Recruit"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

Being princesses of Equestria had its perks for Twilight and her friends. For one thing, they didn't have to always travel like all the other ponies that they watch over. But the transportation they had was old and sometimes even old royal modes of transport needed updating.

This would come true when one day, Twilight and Spike were in Appleloosa, meeting with Sheriff Silverstar over reports of spies from Grogar's forces hiding at the edge of the town.

"So, this is all true, yer highness," Sheriff Silverstar declared, detailing as much information as he possibly could while Twilight listened with. "They looked more donkey than pony from what my sources told me."

"Did you get all that, Spike?" Twilight asked her royal advisor as he drew on a sketchpad.

"Well, I'm not exactly the best artist," Spike replied as he showed Twilight what he had been drawing. "Is this it?"

Twilight looked at Spike's drawing which was a hybrid between a pony and a donkey. "Sorry if I couldn't get all the donkey," Spike apologized, much to Twilight's slight embarrassment. "But hey, 'A' for effort', right?"

"I can assure you, yer highness," Sheriff Silverstar declared. "These donkeys have been snoopin' around here for days. I've sent posse after posse, but they are nowhere to be found. I'll bet you anythin' those donkeys did somethin' to 'em."

"Well, I'm going to tell you what, Sherriff," Twilight declared at last. "I'm giving you the authority to find these donkeys and ship them right over to Ponyville for questioning. But we need them to be kept alive, that way we can interrogate them for information. "

"Right," Sheriff Silverstar acknowledged. "You have my word, princess. I'll supervise the next posse I send out and make sure we're prepared."

With the meeting over, Twilight returned to the staton and boarded the royal train. But she couldn't help but hear the sounds of creaking coming from the front. She went over to investigate.

"Princess, what can I do for you?" The engineer asked as he peaked out from behind the cab as the squeaking sound was heard again. "This here squeaking sound's been here for a while now."

Studying the bulk of the engine, the young princess could see the age of the equipment showing outwardly. It seemed like it was barely holding together and functioning properly with how much rust it was coated with. "Seems to me like this engine may need to be replaced soon," She replied to the engineer. "Do what you can to get us back to Ponyville, but as soon as we return this engine will probably need to be retired."

Patting her engineer on the back, Twilight returned to boarding the train and joined Spike in the main royal car."Twilight, I know that I am not the best artist, but…"

"It's all right, Spike," Twilight said, sitting next to the young dragon advisor. "At least you put the effort into it." And then she said nothing more as the train began to move slowly away from the Appleloosa station.

For the rest of the journey, Twilight continued to try and listen for the sounds of creaking coming from the engine. Eventually, she spotted a royal attendant pony coming down the aisle. "Excuse me, Peppermint?" She asked, catching the young green unicorn mare's attention. "Have you noticed anything unusual with this train lately?"

Peppermint became confused at her princess' odd question. "Unusual? No, nothing I have noticed, your majesty. But if you want my opinion, this entire locomotive could benefit from an overhaul. I can't recall the last time it was sent for repairs."

Suddenly, they heard the sounds of the engine squeaking again followed by the sights of gray smoke drifting past the windows.

"Funny, there shouldn't be smoke coming out that way." Spike commented to Twilight.

Twilight just walked towards the front of the royal train, the sounds of squeaking continuing to grow louder and louder. Finally, she arrived right behind the locomotive and the sight of thick, black smoke greeted. One billow hit the unsuspecting alicorn in the face, causing her to cough loudly. "Ugh!" She cried, trying to get the smoke out of her eyes with her alicorn wings. "Okay, that settles it!"

Opening the front door of the car, Twilight turned her attention to the engineer and the stoker before activating her royal Canterlot voice. "SMOKEY! STEAMER!" She called to the two ponies, immediately catching their attention. "HAVE THIS ENGINE BE INSPECTED UPON ARRIVAL INTO PONYVILLE!" As yet another squeak was heard, another billow of dark black smoke hit her in the face.

…

…

"Princess, what are you doing up here?" Tempest Shadow asked as she entered the front car. "You know that you must be in the royal car at all times for security."

"Well, this is more important right now, Tempest," Twilight declared while trying to brush the smoke's residue off of her face. "I think it's time we get a new locomotive."

"Are you sure about that, Twilight?" Spike asked. "This is the same locomotive that served Celestia and Luna while they were princesses."

"A train that's been around for years and years has to be retired eventually," Twilight answered as more strands of smoke came out from the leaking engine followed by more squeaks, causing Twilight, Spike and Tempest to cover their ears. "And I mean right now! If this keeps up it might break down and strand us in the middle of nowhere, or worse."

Just then, the train neared Ponyville and by the time it reached the station the smoke began to grow more and more with each puff. The smoke continued to billow out onto the platform, causing other ponies standing on the platform to back away.

Seeing the smoke billow, Smokey and Steamer immediately set about shutting down the engine as quickly as possible.

"Get some water, Smokey!" Steamer shouted, pointing to the hot burning coal. "Or these ponies are going to be inhaling smoke all night!"

Taking a bucket of water, Smokey ran onto the platform and filled up the bucket with cold water, immediately throwing it onto the fire, causing it to slowly burn.

"Ugh, a tough nut to crack, Steamer!" Smokey groaned, strands of smoke already blackening his long orange beard.

"Yeah, I think we need another locomotive to pull our princesses around, don't we?" Steamer suggested

"Well, you can't pull them yourself!" Smokey remarked while pointing to Steamer's rotund figure.

"Hey, are you calling me fat?" Steamer retorted.

"Hakuna Matata, Steamer!"

A little while later, the engine was cooled down and then towed back to the roundhouse in Canterlot. But, Smokey and Steamer still remained in Ponyville.

"With all due respect princess," Smokey declared as they stood before Twilight in her study. "Steamer and I can't just keep driving this engine anymore. Sooner or later, something might happen to it that in turn would harm you. Nothing short of a complete overhaul may be needed, and that could take ages."

"Guys, I would love to get a new engine for my train, but it isn't that simple," Twilight replied. "There is a lot of tradition when it comes to the royalty of Canterlot. The engine must be fit to royal standards."

"They have a point, Twilight," Spike suggested. "I mean, don't you kind of represent the fact that traditions were made to be broken?"

"Some, not all, Spike," Twilight corrected. "The changes that were done were built around my mental health."

"But begging your pardon, your highness," Steamer suggested while taking off his hat in respect. "Your royal advisor does have a point. There's a lot of bad stuff inside some of the smoke that was coming from the engine."

"What kind of poison?" Spike asked with a slightly terrified look on his face.

"Carbon Monoxide, all that sort of stuff," answered Smokey. "Trust me, my pal and I are exposed to carcinogen all the time. Why…"

Almost as if out of nowhere, they began to sing:

When he was a young big colt

When I was a young big COLT!

The loud note caused some of the overhead windows of Twilight's study to crack slightly, much to the embarrassment of all except Steamer.

"Very nice," remarked Smokey, twisting a hoof in his ear to see if he still could hear.

"Thanks!"

"In other words, you are exposed and yet you are still here working for us," Spike declared. "That's dedication!"

Taking a deep consideration, Twilight felt that her two engineers had a point. There was a matter of safety involved that no long standing tradition could cover. "Now that you mention it," She commented while briefly looking over at Spike. "I think we may need to bend the rules again for the sake of personal safety. Spike, there's a train leaving for Dodge Junction in the morning."

"What's in Dodge Junction… uh, if you don't mind my asking?" Smokey asked.

"We have a friend there who runs a cherry farm out there and who may have a train that we can hire," Twilight answered as she began to think of the one pony who could help her in the search for a replacement engine. "It's a very special one from what I hear."

…

The next morning, Twilight and Spike left the Castle of Friendship and arrived at Ponyville Station to catch the morning train to Dodge Junction, but they weren't going to be alone.

"Sorry we're late, Princess!" Smokey gasped as he pulled Steamer behind him. "Little late finishing breakfast, you know how it is!"

"Uh huh," Twilight remarked while trying to stay focused on the task at hoof. "So, you guys know what needs to be done, right?"

"Twilight, are you certain Cherry Jubilee will be able to give us one of her engines?" Spike asked with concern.

"I'm sure of it, Spike," Twilight whispered to her royal advisor. "If there is anypony who can help us out, it's her."

As the Friendship Express arrived, the supreme princess, her royal advisor and two engineers boarded the train bound for Dodge Junction.

"At least this time we aren't searching for Applejack again," Spike remarked. "And without Applejack, there will be no broken Pinkie Promises. So, what kind of engines are we looking for, Twilight?"

"Just one that can do the job as required," Twilight answered while looking down at a book of train engines. "Something that is dependable and willing to learn how to be a royal engine."

Twilight then turned towards Smokey and Steamer with pained and hurt looks on their faces. "Guys, I'm not going to fire you," She chuckled much to the relief of the two engineers. "In fact, you are going to be the ones who will drive whatever locomotive we get."

"That's a relief." Steamer sighed, before rising from his seat.

"Smokey, remind me to put him on a diet," Twilight muttered. "Or at least have you two switch roles."

…

Very soon, the Friendship Express arrived in Dodge Junction and Twilight deboarded the old locomotive, much to the delight of all who were gathered.

As they rode towards the ranch in a carriage, Twilight and Spike along with the two engineers were amazed by how each and every citizen was being respectful. Although to Twilight, it was slightly embarrassing. Eventually, they arrived at Cherry Hill Ranch just as an old gold colored engine was leaving the ranch with a shipment of cherries.

"Excuse me," Twilight called to the old engine as he struggled with his load. "Do you happen to know if Cherry Jubilee is anywhere?"

"She's somewhere, youngin'," The old engine replied with a smile. "If anythin', she's probably in the sorting room. Be sure to tell her old Jebediah directed you to her. I owe her a lot for my new lease on life. Not many places will take an old timer like myself even though Doc says I'm in good workin' order for my age." Laughing and coughing, the old engine departed.

"Definitely too old for what we're looking for." Spike declared as all proceeded towards the sorting room where Cherry Jubilee stepped out and felt her mouth drop when she saw Twilight.

"Why, feed me a cherry pie!" Cheery excitedly gasped while bowing down to Twilight. "If it isn't the Supreme Princess herself! It's so nice to see you again."

"It's nice to see you again too, Cherry," Twilight laughed while gesturing for the mare to rise to her hooves. "I see you are busier than ever."

"'Fraid so, but we all enjoy it, don't we, y'all?" Cherry declared. As she spoke a group of cherry sorters walked out of the room and waved at their boss. "Now, what can I do for you?"

"Well, you see," Twilight explained. "We were wondering if maybe you could allow one of your engines here to replace the royal engine I've got. It's seen better days to put it mildly."

This made Cherry's eyes widen in slight shock! Twilight was asking a big request of her. "You want me…" She gasped! "To give one of my engines to you?"

"That is the point," Spike added. "You see, our old engine is being taken out of service and we need a…"

"Oh, Tillie will be so happy to hear of this opportunity!" Cherry declared with a smile.

"Who's Tillie?" Steamer asked while scratching his head.

"Must be an engine with a name," Smokey answered to his friend, nudging him on the side. "Don't you always name everything?"

"She's over in the roundhouse," Cherry said excitedly. "Come on and meet her, Princess! She loves to make new friends."

Feeling slightly confused, Twilight and her companions followed Cherry Jubilee to the roundhouse in the back of the ranch. It was a roundhouse painted in rich brown western colors with areas of red and yellow representing the two types of cherries grown on the property.

"All right, Pete! Let's get going!" A loud voice belonging to a tall tower shouted as a red burgundy engine emerged from the roundhouse, letting out puffs of smoke as he coughed. "For Pete's sake, Pete, watch that smoke! How many times do I have to tell you that?!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Pete muttered and coughed under his breath. "Where to today, boss?"

"See those loads of cherries? Over to the Crystal Empire! In fact, it should have been done two days ago!" The tower grumbled. "Now get goin'!"

"Nothin' to it boss, be back in a while." Pete declared as he continued to blow out smoke that caused the tower to sneeze quite audibly.

"Tillie, where's Farnsworth's load?!" The tower roared once it had composed itself. "It should have been here an hour ago!"

At that moment, all saw a small blue switch engine struggling to pull in a load of freight cars. "Right here…Tower!" Tillie gasped, but Tower wasn't impressed. "I told you I can do it!"

"I've said it before and I'll say it again," Tower said while glaring down at the young engine. "You are too little, kid! Yard work's where you belong, not tryin' to pull entire trains!"

Uncoupling herself from the cars, Tillie puffed away past Twilight and the others as a small tear came down her face. Immediately, Twilight realized that something needed to be done.

…

"Since when does anyone or anypony take that kind of abuse?" Twilight cried, feeling shocked over what just transpired as Cherry Jubilee shared in Twilight's sympathy. "How long has this been going on?"

"It's been going on for a while, princess," Cherry Jubilee sadly commented. "Tillie and the others all came from a roundhouse far away that was closed down. In fact, Tillie did something that none of the others had been able to do. She was able to pull a special birthday train over a dangerous mountain, all by herself no less. And it was after all the other engines either couldn't or wouldn't pull it."

"Something tells me these guys are jealous," Smokey remarked. "Nopony deserves such disgusting garbage!"

"Do you think that maybe she could be the one?" Spike asked Twilight. "This engine named Tillie?"

"She may look small, Spike," Twilight replied. "But I like her determination! I sense great things in her."

"Oh, of all the nerve!" A voice belonging to a tall diesel engine with a horn nose groaned. "That little switch engine is feeling sad again because she can't face the truth!"

"Whatever, Farnsworth!" Tower snapped. "Just get your express shipment over to Canterlot, all right?"

"Consider it done, old man!" Farnsworth declared. And with a laughing noise from his horn, he took off.

Cherry Jubilee had heard enough as she went over to her supervisor. "Tower!" She remarked, causing the foreman to look over at her. "What is going on here?"

"It's that Tillie, Ms. Jubilee," Tower sighed. "She thinks that just because she took the birthday train over the mountain to the town, she deserves to be working like the rest of the engines. Well, I say different!"

"And I say you are forgetting who the boss is around here, whistle nose!" Cherry Jubilee snapped, reaching up to Tower's whistle nose and pulling him down to her level. "It's clear to me that there is a lack of respect amongst my engines lately and I say that stops now! Now, where is Tillie?"

Just then, they saw a small brown bird flying towards them from the roundhouse. Immediately, Cherry Jubilee recognized who it was. "Ms. Jubilee?" The brown feathered bird declared. "It's Tillie, she's all upset and crying to herself again!"

"Oh, the poor dear," Cherry Jubilee sighed. "Thanks for letting me know, Chip. I'd better go check on her." As Cherry Jubilee made her way over to the roundhouse, Twilight, Spike and the engineers followed.

…

Inside the roundhouse, Tillie was left alone to sulk at her latest round of abuse from the other engines.

"Tillie?" Cherry Jubilee asked as she walked into the roundhouse. "Oh, Tillie honey, I'm sorry this has been happenin' again."

"I don't get it, Ms. Jubilee!" Tillie cried, a puff of gray smoke coming from her smokestack. "Why can't I get the respect I deserve? It's what I have been asking myself ever since I came here. I thought for sure things would turn around after I got the birthday train over the mountain, proving to everyone that I can pull trains just like the other engines. But of course, Tower still doesn't think so."

"Tillie, I've been telling you this for a long time now," Chip declared as he landed on her lamp. "Why are we even here if you think you're better than the other engines? I know you're better than most of them, Cherry knows it too. I mean, you pulled the birthday train and aside from Georgia and Jebediah, they still don't respect you!"

"I feel that I have to agree with Chip, sweetie," Cherry Jubilee spoke up. "I know you are a hard worker and have accomplished so much already, Tillie. Still, it's hard when your equal had to retire unexpectedly."

Tillie looked over to the far end of the roundhouse where another one of her fellow engines had once rested. "It's too bad she isn't here with me right now," Tillie sadly sighed. "I could sure use Georgia's advice. I always thought Jebediah would be the first to retire given how old he was. I didn't expect Georgia's breakdown to be that bad." And she could still remember the last words Georgia had said before the old railway and roundhouse had closed.

A still bandaged Georgia smiled as she did her best to show a brave face to the little engine who had helped her so much. "You'd know I'd join you in a puff if I could, Tilly. But Doc says my days of pulling trains aren't coming back anytime soon. But I know you'll make a fine engine on your own with your own trains to pull, just like with the birthday train."

Clearing her throat, Twilight approached the young blue engine, determined to give her as much of a chance as possible.

"Who…who are you?" Tillie asked.

"The pony who is going to give you the respect you deserve," Twilight firmly answered. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, Supreme Princess of Equestria!"

Letting out a sharp gasp, Tillie immediately bowed back to Twilight except for Chip. "Chip," Tillie muttered under her breath. "Bow down to Princess Twilight." Realizing his error, Chip did as he was told.

"I can see that you are an engine filled with spirit and confidence, Tillie," Twilight declared. "I am looking for a replacement locomotive for my royal train and I believe you're just the engine to do it. I would be honored to have you at the head of my royal train."

Tillie could not believe what she was hearing!

"Will you accept my offer?" Twilight asked the little blue switcher.

Without any hesitation, Tillie loudly blew her whistle longly in triumph!

"Well, I guess we'll take that as a 'yes'." Spike remarked.

…

Immediately, preparations were already underway for Tillie to be moved from Dodge Junction to Ponyville. Smokey and Steamer inspected the cab and found that it would be too small for one part.

"All right, you," Smokey said to his partner. "If you are going to drive this gal, you are going to need to lose some weight."

Smokey pointed to Steamer's gut and although he was downhearted that he needed to lose weight, Steamer was looking forward to driving Tillie. Smokey was just as equally excited about stoking into the heart shaped hole containing Tillie's fire.

Getting right to work, Smokey and Steamer drove Tillie out of the roundhouse as several Cherry workers placed a coach for Tillie to couple onto.

"I told you that you will always get that second chance someday, honey," Cherry Jubilee said with a smile. "Come back and visit me soon!"

"Thanks, Ms. Jubilee." Tillie declared as she whistled at her former boss one last time.

Then Cherry turned to Twilight. "She's a hard worker, Princess," She declared. "I can promise you that she won't let you down."

"I have no doubt about it," Twilight replied. "I have no doubt about it."

Soon, they were on their way back to Ponyville with Twilight finally finding her replacement engine and Tillie finally getting her second chance at being more than just a switch engine…she was now a royal engine for Equestria's six princesses and she couldn't be any prouder for starting her new life in Equestria!

…

…
> Episode 8: "A Hen into the Wild"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

All she could do was run for her life through the Everfree Forest. Being a chicken, she could run fast. But this was different for this chicken. She had a weasel on her tail, with a look of hunger on its face. Taking shelter behind a tree, the chicken looked down at the small baby bird she had in her wings. "It's okay baby," She panted in a hushed voice, looking out to see if the weasel was no longer in view. "It's okay. I'll get you out of this…somehow."

Just then, the chicken poked out from behind her hiding spot to see a glowing eye from behind one of the bushes. Taking a nervous gulp, the chicken sharply turned away and realized that she was trapped and there was nowhere left to run. The next move she could make would be her last.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are!" She heard the voice of the weasel cry out in a taunting voice. "Not like there's anywhere for you to go."

Hearing the weasel's voice caused the chicken to shake with fear. She needed to get out of this situation and fast! Suddenly, the chicken saw a small light in the distance at the edge of the forest! Looking down at the baby bird in her possession, she closed her eyes and prepared for the daring escape she was about to make.

But before she could move, the weasel came out from the bushes, his teeth sharpening and his one eye glowing right at the chicken's chest. "Well, well, well, chicken," The weasel laughed as he advanced towards the chicken. "There's nowhere left to run!"

Knowing that she still had an opportunity, the chicken closed her eyes and bent down.

"Come here!" The weasel growled, letting out a sharp yell! But the chicken jumped over the weasel and ran towards the light. "You won't escape from me, chicken!"

Panting loudly, the chicken ran further and further towards the light, not knowing who or what was the source.

Meanwhile, Fluttershy was fast asleep in her bed when she suddenly began to get a feeling all over her body. Slowly opening her eyes, she turned her attention over to Angel Bunny, who was lying in his basket next to her. "Angel?" She whispered, trying to get the baby bunny's attention. "Angel!" Trying to sleep, Angel pulled down his ears and turned on his stomach. "Angel! Do you hear something?"

Not wanting to keep her number one pet from getting a decent sleep, Fluttershy walked over to her bedroom window and began to hear a faint sound of growling in the forest behind her cottage. "Oh no!" Fluttershy whimpered and without a sudden urge, she darted out of her bedroom going faster and faster towards the back door of her cottage.

This caught the attention of one of her guardsponies who was guarding the back door. Seeing the door open, he stopped her from going further. "Your highness, what are you doing?" He asked, holding his spear out to stop Fluttershy.

"Let me through!" Fluttershy cried. "There's a creature in trouble out there! I command you to let me pass!"

But the guard wasn't convinced until he suddenly heard a sharp growl and saw a chicken race out of the forest with a one-eyed weasel right behind.

As the chicken struggled against the clutches of the weasel, the guardspony allowed Fluttershy to pass. Taking to the air, Fluttershy opened her eyes and used her animal disciplinarian technique known as "The Stare". This caused the weasel to become entranced immediately.

"Capture the weasel!" Fluttershy cried to her guardspony in a commanding voice. "Now!"

Acting on her orders, the guardspony immediately detained the weasel by containing it in its aura. With the weasel secured, Fluttershy turned her attention to the chicken and the young baby still clutched in her wings.

"It's okay," Fluttershy whispered to the chicken. "You're safe now." But the chicken was still too frightened to acknowledge Fluttershy and the Princess of Kindness realized that this chicken had psychological damage that was not an easy fix.

…

…

Looking down at the frightened chicken, the first thing Fluttershy needed to do was to get her away from the weasel.

"Your highness, what shall I do with the weasel?" The guardspony asked.

"Cage him for now," Fluttershy answered while looking over to the weasel still entrapped in the guard's aura. "I'll deal with him later."

Turning her attention down to the chicken, Fluttershy attempted to touch her, but the chicken pulled away. "Don't touch me!" The chicken cried, her eyes still closed tightly. "Don't touch my baby! Just leave us alone!"

Slightly taken aback, Fluttershy felt nothing but sympathy for the chicken. But she needed to get the chicken and her baby inside the cottage where they would be safe. Just then, Fluttershy noticed that the chicken was not only shivering but sweating as well.

"Listen to me," Fluttershy whispered, bending down on the chicken's level. "Open your eyes. I'm not going to hurt you."

Slowly opening her eyes, the chicken looked up at Fluttershy with a blank expression, partially due to her frozen fear. "What…what do you want with me?" The chicken asked, but Fluttershy didn't answer. Instead, she gently picked up the chicken and her baby with her forelegs and standing on her hind legs, carried them into her cottage.

Terrified, the chicken began to tremble even more in fear as Fluttershy began to feel the chicken's sweat dripping onto her body.

…

Once inside the cottage, Fluttershy laid the chicken down on her back on the kitchen table and turned on a lantern to inspect the chicken for any injuries.

"Please…don't hurt me, whoever you are," The chicken whispered. "I just want to protect my baby!"

"Why would I want to hurt you?" Fluttershy remarked as she took a damp washcloth and placed it on the chicken's forehead. "I found you being hunted by that weasel. He would have killed you had I not found you."

"He killed his parents," The chicken gasped with her eyes locked on Fluttershy. "I wasn't going to let him take my baby!"

Right away, Fluttershy began to diagnose the chicken's profusion sweating. "Well, I promise that I will do everything I can to protect you," Fluttershy promised, feeling slightly confused. "But I can't help but wonder something. What were you doing out in the woods?"

"Well…" The chicken gasped. "I…I was tired of my past life. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life in a chicken coop. I just knew I had to go somewhere else, somewhere safe."

Turning her attention over to the baby bird, Fluttershy inspected it for any injuries, but couldn't help but notice that this baby bird looked different from the chicken. "How is he?" The chicken asked.

"He's fine," Fluttershy stammered. "But there's something different about him. He's…"

"-He's not like me," The chicken interrupted in a gasping voice as she slightly sneezed. "I was told to take care of him by his father…before he was killed by that weasel."

Looking down, Fluttershy placed her hoof on the baby bird. "He's a duckling," She declared in a shocked voice. "You mean this is your adoptive…?"

"Yes," The chicken cried with tears forming in the corners of her eyes. "He's my son!"

Immediately, Fluttershy was stunned by this revelation. She had rescued a chicken raising a small duckling!

…

The next morning, Fluttershy had the chicken and the duckling placed in a small basket next to Angel Bunny, who suddenly felt drips of sweat on his back, causing him to wake up and stare at the chicken. Slightly confused, he turned over to Fluttershy with a shocked expression.

"Now Angel," Fluttershy cautioned as she climbed out of bed. "She's only to be with us temporarily. Please be respectful."

To Angel Bunny, that was easier said than done as he curiously went over to inspect the small duckling.

But just before he could touch the duckling, the chicken used one of her claws to pin Angel Bunny to the floor! "Keep away from my baby!" She cried in an angry voice, causing Angel Bunny to cower slightly. Releasing her grip on Angel Bunny, the chicken turned her attention over to Fluttershy, who had heard what just happened. "You hear me?!"

"Calm down," Fluttershy cried as she raced over to the chicken. "Angel may be mischievous but he was just curious about your baby."

Looking over to the duckling, the chicken saw him climb out of the bed and wander around, trying to get a sense of his surroundings. "He's been through enough," The chicken cried to Fluttershy. "Look at him!"

But Fluttershy saw nothing wrong with the baby duckling in terms of serious injuries. "He wasn't hurt badly from what I can see," Fluttershy said in a reassured voice as the chicken got up. "In fact, you are very lucky to be alive, uh…uh…"

"Leafie, my name is Leafie." The chicken said as she walked over to collect her duckling charge.

"Okay, Leafie," Fluttershy said. "Either way, you are very lucky to both be alive. Had we not rescued you from the weasel…"

"Where is he?" Leafie asked as she suddenly let out another sneeze. "Where did you take him?"

"Somewhere where he won't hurt you and your young," Fluttershy replied. "But you're safe here until we find your home."

"I don't want to go back to where I was," Leafie protested, suddenly letting out another sneeze. "I want to put it all behind me. My old land was dominated by monsters from the king of monsters himself, Grogar. That weasel was one of his worst creations."

Just then, Fluttershy heard a knock on the door as a guardspony came into her quarters. "Your highness?" He asked while peeking into the bedroom. "The veterinarian has been summoned."

"Good," Fluttershy acknowledged. "Have her meet me at the sanctuary."

The guard nodded. "Of course."

Hearing this, Leafie suddenly became scared again. "What are you doing?!"

"I just want Dr. Fauna to take a look at you, Leafie," Fluttershy instructed. "You've been sneezing a lot and I feel that you being away from your home might have something to do with it."

All Leafie could do was shake some more, fearing what was possibly going to happen.

…

…

Making her way over to Sweet Feather Sanctuary, Fluttershy placed Leafie on a wooden table while the rest of the animals looked on at what was happening. "This is my own sanctuary, Leafie. My dream come true," Fluttershy told her. "This is where all my animal friends live."

Leafie gulped. "Are they all…?"

"Most of them are friendly," Fluttershy chuckled. "But they all came here to make a new living for themselves."

At that moment, a bright flash in front of Fluttershy and Leafie revealed Discord wearing farmer's attire and holding a bucket of scraps. "Of course they do," Discord declared. "Oh, Fluttershy. Who do you want me to give these scraps to? You know, aside from the pigs."

"Well, I think the boars would like them," Fluttershy nodded and then gestured to the chicken. "Discord, this is Leafie. Leafie, this is Discord."

Discord placed his lion paw on Leafie and immediately felt the perspiration of sweat coming out of her. "Seems to me like this chicken is not of this world," He declared, producing half of a magnifying glass. "Where exactly did you find this chicken, Fluttershy?"

"A weasel tried to attack her and her adopted baby duckling last night," Fluttershy answered. "I just want Dr. Fauna to look them over to make sure there's nothing wrong with them."

"Do you mean that weasel caged in your basement?" Discord questioned. "I've heard about weasels, they are sneaky and extremely dangerous creatures to mess around with."

As Discord spoke, Leafie let out another sneeze and Fluttershy placed a hoof on Leafie's forehead. "Oh my!" She cried while letting out a yelp of pain! "You're running a fever!"

"A fever?" Discord remarked. "It can't be! It's not hot out today!"

To prove his point, Discord pulled the sun towards him and shined it right on the animal sanctuary. "Discord!" Fluttershy cried out in a stern voice and Discord returned the sun to its place in the sky.

"All right, all right," Discord remarked. "I'll go feed the boars. Honestly, I don't know why you keep two sets of pigs when I have one half of my magic. I'm surprised Grogar hasn't already figured out what to do with the other half." With a snap of his lion paw, he disappeared and left Fluttershy alone with Leafie.

At that moment, Dr. Fauna arrived on the scene escorted by two of Fluttershy's guards.

"Thanks for coming, Dr. Fauna." Fluttershy cheerfully greeted.

"It's my pleasure, Fluttershy," The vet replied. "So this chicken, you say you found her being attacked by a weasel?"

"Yes, last night," Fluttershy answered as Dr. Fauna placed her stethoscope on her ears. "I was lucky to get her when I did. Her name is Leafie by the way."

Dr. Fauna blinked. "Leafie?"

Fluttershy nodded. "Yes, she told me as much. And this is her adopted offspring," Fluttershy showed Dr. Fauna the small duckling "His parents were killed by the same weasel."

"Shameful," Dr. Fauna sighed as she began to examine Leafie, placing the stethoscope on Leafie's chest to listen for a heartbeat. "All right, give me some deep breaths."

Leafie gave Dr. Fauna some deep breaths, only to cough a few times. Dr. Fauna then proceeded to feel Leafie's stomach. "Bowel movements seem slightly out of place," Dr. Fauna remarked, taking the stethoscope off. "From the looks of it, this is a domesticated chicken that intentionally strayed away from wherever she came from. Do you know of anypony that might be missing a chicken?"

Fluttershy shook her head. "The only one I know who raises chickens is Applejack, but I've never seen Leafie there before. If I did, I would have known immediately."

Dr. Fauna then proceeded to look through Leafie's feathers and she saw bite and claw marks from the weasel. "Oh dear," She muttered with a concerned look on her face. "The marks here…they are from a rabid animal."

"As in…rabies?!" Fluttershy gasped in horror! All Dr. Fauna could do was nod her head in confirmation of Fluttershy's worst fear not just for Leafie, but of her animals as well. "Oh, my!"

…

…

Fluttershy had no idea of what to expect. The chicken she had rescued was now possibly infected! "Rabies in my animal sanctuary?! This is bad! Very, very bad!" She began to pace back and forth!

"Well, rabies can be prevented," Dr. Fauna advised, causing Fluttershy to stop pacing. "Tell me, have you ever considered having every animal here vaccinated against rabies and other infectious diseases?"

"Well, I'd considered it even before I became a princess," Fluttershy answered as she walked over to Leafie and stroked the top of her head. "But I just haven't had the time to think about it."

"I would strongly recommend it, Fluttershy," Dr. Fauna advised as she pulled out a syringe from her medical bag. "Rabies is a dangerous disease and if it spreads, it would not be a good thing for every animal here. If they got infected and then attacked somepony, they could contract it too, and that would be a whole new problem."

Fluttershy then watched the vet take a vial containing the vaccine out of the bag. Seeing what was happening, Leafie became nervous.

"If you could just roll her on her side, Fluttershy…" Dr. Fauna encouraged, and Fluttershy gently rolled Leafie over on her right side while Dr. Fauna gently rubbed alcohol on Leafie's wing. "This will only hurt for a second or two, it's for your own good."

Closing her eyes, Leafie felt the needle go into her wing for a second.

"Great job, Leafie. You were very brave." Fluttershy whispered as Leafie let out another sneeze.

"Now, Fluttershy," Dr. Fauna declared. "About this weasel you captured…where is he?"

"He's under guard in my basement, why?" Fluttershy asked with concern.

Dr. Fauna sighed. "Well, I hate to say this with Equestria being at war and all, but…"

Fluttershy could tell on the look of Dr. Fauna's face that something was about to be aired and it wasn't a very good something. "I think the weasel needs to be put down."

Fluttershy took an enormous gulp upon hearing those words "Put…down? But, what if the weasel has young? What if he…?"

"What if he bites another one of your animals?" Dr. Fauna declared. "The virus will spread like wildfire and soon ponies will end up getting it. Plus, rabies can do terrible things to the animals that contract it."

Fluttershy realized that as one of the princesses of Equestria, it was her duty to protect her subjects from any threat. "Very well then," Fluttershy sighed. "I'll take you to him."

Honoring Dr. Fauna's request, Fluttershy led the veterinarian down into the basement, only to be stopped by Discord. "Fluttershy, what's going on here?" He asked. "I was feeding the boars when I felt a strange vibe."

"I have to put a rabid animal down, Discord," Fluttershy solemnly replied to her chaotic friend. "The last thing Equestria needs right now is an outbreak of rabies. Keep an eye on Leafie and her duckling until I get back." She declared, leaving Discord alone with the sick Leafie who coughed up some more and began shivering.

Leafie then opened her eyes and began to feel scared of Discord. "Who are you?"

"Shh, shh, shh. It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you," Discord whispered. "I'm a friend of Princess Fluttershy's."

Leafie was anything but convinced. "A friend?"

"It's a long story, but…Fluttershy wants me to protect you, so…" Snapping his fingers, half of a police uniform was placed on Discord, much to Leafie's confusion. After she let out another sneeze, Discord then proceeded to produce half of personal protective equipment. "Hey, you don't want me getting sick, don't you?" Discord remarked.

…

Down in the basement of Fluttershy's cottage, the caged one eyed weasel paced nervously back and forth while he was flanked by two guards. His solitude was interrupted with the arrival of Fluttershy and Dr. Fauna.

"Good," The weasel muttered, thinking he was going to be freed. "I suppose you came to get me out of here."

"Mr. Weasel," Fluttershy solemnly declared. "You have an illness that is dangerous to other animals. To that end, there is only one course of action."

A few moments later, there was silence as Dr. Fauna placed a hoof on Fluttershy.

"It's over, Fluttershy," Dr. Fauna whispered. "It's over."

"What do you wish us to do, your highness?" A guard asked.

"Have him buried in the cemetery behind the sanctuary," Fluttershy answered. "He may have been evil, but he is an animal nonetheless. He deserves a proper burial."

Returning to the sanctuary a moment later, Fluttershy saw Discord anxiously awaiting her return.

"How is she, Discord?" Fluttershy asked.

"Fine, just sneezing up a storm, if you ask me," Discord said, wiping away the half of a visor he had on his face. "Okay, not a literal storm, but still…"

"Leafie," Fluttershy said, bending down at her level. "Are you sure that you don't want to leave here?"

"Fluttershy…I can't go back to the life I used to live," Leafie whispered. "I want my adopted son to grow up among creatures who will care about him as much as I do."

"But you can't do it alone in the wild," Fluttershy cautioned. "If you do, then you are going to be more sicker than you already are. Besides, all the animals here are friendly and they will accept you and your son for who you are."

Leafie then saw her duckling son clutch himself onto Discord's goat leg, much to the chaotic creature's confusion.

"That's funny," Discord remarked as he looked down at the duckling. "I never expected to be huggable."

After sharing a brief chuckle, Leafie then thought of something else. "You know, it's funny," She declared. "I never thought of giving my adopted son a name."

"Oh? What were you thinking?" Fluttershy asked.

"His father's name was Wilson," Leafie declared. "So, maybe that's what I will call him…Willie."

So, Leafie now accepted the fate that she and her son had in front of them now. She was now going to live her days with her son in Fluttershy's sanctuary.

"Sounds like a good name to me. Here he'll be safe from Grogar's monsters." Fluttershy smiled as she welcomed the newest member of her animal sanctuary.

…

…
> Episode 9: "The Luna Call"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

Ever since she had helped him get over his family's downfall, Gallus had developed a strong newfound respect for the princess turned professor Luna. One day, he sat in Celestia's class looking down at a picture he'd drawn of Luna, thinking of how he might show his appreciation for her.

"Communication," Celestia explained while directing the class to look at the word on the board using a pointer, the sound causing Gallus to take his focus off of the drawing. "Why is it essential for friendship?" No one answered.

"Because, my faithful students," Celestia continued. "Communication keeps friendships stronger and ensures they stay healthy for many years to come. That's why I have an assignment for you all this weekend."

Some of the students groaned upon hearing this. "But not in the way you think," Celestia laughed, causing the groaning to stop. "You are to come up with your own communication skills and present them to the class on Monday. It can be any kind of communication that you so desire as long as it fits with school standards."

To Gallus, this assignment was a gold mine. Immediately, he began to think of ways to get Luna to notice him. "Um, Professor Celestia?" He asked while raising his claw.

"Yes, Gallus?" Celestia inquired, suspecting nothing.

"Can we…I don't know…practice our communication skill in front of anycreature?" Gallus asked in a sheepish tone.

"Of course you can, Gallus," Celestia remarked with a small smile on his face. "In fact, I highly encourage it to all of you. Practice makes perfect after all."

Delighted to hear this, Gallus took his professor's suggestion in stride as the bell rang. "Remember students, it must be within school standards! Nothing inappropriate or naughty!" Celestia reminded as the students left the classroom.

Gallus barely heard it as he caught up with Silverstream. "Hey Silverstream," He greeted while fidgeting with his claws. "I've…I've got an idea on how to practice my communication skills."

The young hippogriff was surprised to hear this from her boyfriend. "Already?" She wondered while looking over at Gallus with a puzzled expression on her face. "What do you have in mind?"

Gallus grinned and puffed out his chest. "Well, it's like this…"

But Silverstream interrupted. "Why don't you demonstrate it after school today? I can't wait to hear it, though! I hope it's based on that whale song I've been trying to teach you."

Sighing deeply, Gallus had to wait another several hours before he could relay his plans to his friends. And his respect and admiration for Luna grew with each passing hour, further fueling his crazy idea for appreciation.

…

…

Sure enough, once the school day had ended, Gallus joined his friends at the Treehouse of Harmony, determined to show off his new call. "Boy, everyone's gonna get a kick out of this!" He chuckled to himself as he flew towards the treehouse and landed on the front steps. Making his way inside, he saw Sandbar in the doorway with Ocellus. "Hey guys, got something for you!"

"What is it?" Ocellus asked. "Is this about that communication exercise Professor Celestia wants us to come up with?"

"Even better!" Gallus excitedly answered. "You guys are gonna like this."

Taking a deep breath, Gallus prepared to make his call only to have Sandbar stop him.

"Uh, why not save it for the others when they get here?" The earthpony colt suggested. "They should be here any minute."

Sighing deeply, Gallus had no choice but to accept Sandbar's suggestion. "If you say so. But uh, while you guys are here…can I ask you something?"

Ocellus questioned. "About what?"

"About…well," Gallus paused, looking around to see if anyone else was listening in. "You guys know about the great respect I have for Professor Luna, right?"

"You mean ever since she made you make amends with your dad?" Sandbar guessed. "That respect sure hasn't gone away. What about her?"

"Well, this new call that Professor Celestia wants us to make," Gallus explained. "I have an idea that will not only impress Professor Celestia, but also Professor Luna."

But Ocellus wasn't convinced. "Are you sure about that, Gallus?" She asked as they made their way up the stairs. "You should also know that Professor Luna doesn't like to be bothered by any distractions, especially with the war against Grogar."

"This isn't a distraction, Ocellus," Gallus said. "It's a two for one deal. I do the homework that Professor Celestia assigned me to do and I show my appreciation for Professor Luna with no one being any the wiser. Easy peasy, isn't it?"

Making their way into the workroom, Gallus placed his school bag down on the desk just as Silverstream arrived along with Yona, Smolder and Luster Dawn.

"Hey Gallus, sorry we're late," Silverstream explained. "Had to make some pit stops."

"Yona drank a lot of water today." Yona replied in a slightly embarrassed voice.

"Right…" Gallus blinked. "Well, anyways, I just wanted to share with you all my communication assignment."

"Already?" Luster Dawn asked. "That was fast."

"Can't we wait for Cherry Tomato to get here?" Smolder suggested, much to Gallus' growing annoyance. "He had to…"

"Fine, fine, whatever," Gallus sighed in annoyance. "I don't like to be kept waiting, that's all. This is so important to me!"

Fortunately, at that moment, Cherry Tomato arrived.

"Okay, now if everycreature is all present and accounted for…?" Gallus said, taking yet another deep breath and cried out in a loud natural voice. "Luna!"

"Um, that makes you sound like you are screaming at her," Ocellus suggested, causing Gallus to give her a dirty look. "Just saying."

Taking another deep breath, Gallus made another call. "Lu...hoo…hoo…na!" The call made the others feel somewhat awkward, but Galus insisted on repeating it twice.

"Um, I don't get the point of that call," Silverstream blinked. "It sounds like you're doing a bird call. Or is that the point?"

"What's the difference?" Gallus remarked while looking back at Silverstream. "You're a bird…somewhat."

"So are you, half lion and half eagle or half panther and half hawk or something like that." Silverstream blinked in confusion.

"Only Gustav Le Grande is a mixture between a panther and a hawk…or a falcon," Cherry Tomato pointed out. "I think."

"Who asked you?" Gallus asked the Mustangia native before clearing his throat. "Look guys, the fact is that Professor Luna has already made a huge impact on my life, and I want to show my appreciation for her. But I don't want it to be too obvious. If I say it's for the communication exercise, no creature's gonna bat an eye."

But the others didn't see it Gallus' way. "Isn't Professor Luna already making an impact on you, Gallus?" Luster Dawn asked.

"Well, you're just saying that because she helped you and Quiet Play come to an understanding, right?" Gallus pointed out. "It would be not unlike if you wanted to show your appreciation to Princess Twilight or to Headmare Starlight for letting you come here."

Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, Luster Dawn backed away.

"Well, as long as Professor Luna feels comfortable. Just try not to overdo it. You know, so you don't lose your voice or damage your vocal chords." Ocellus suggested and Gallus felt his creativity flow once more.

…

…

The next morning, Gallus awoke bright and early with his cousin, Icarus and proceeded to the front door of the Castle of Friendship. "Professor Luna is going to love this," Gallus laughed quietly to his cousin. "Imagine…a call made by me in her honor!"

Icarus eagerly encouraged. "Go for it, cuz!"

Stepping forward, Gallus took a deep breath and cried out in a loud voice. "Lu…hoo…hoo…na!"

A few moments later, the door flung open and Luna angrily stepped down the stairs towards the two griffons. "You are not calling a duck!" She thundered with her wings spread open in frustration. "What's the meaning of this, Gallus?"

"Oh... just something that I am practicing for Professor Celestia's class," Gallus replied. "In your honor, of course."

But Luna wasn't convinced. "Is this about your assignment that my sister gave you?" Luna inquired, her right foreleg tapping. "The one about communication?"

"Well, yeah…" Gallus noticed his professor's temper start to rage and right then and there, he felt like escaping. Before he could do so, however, Luna pulled him and his cousin into her aura.

"Indeed…then I suggest perhaps you try a different call that you can do at a normal voice, young griffon," Luna scolded. "Ideally, something that doesn't involve waking me up early in the morning when I'm not in a good mood. Do I make myself clear?!"

Feeling that his plan backfired as evidenced by his professor's annoyed tone, Gallus quickly left the scene with Icarus in tow (once they'd been released from Luna's magical hold).

Once they were gone, Luna rolled her eyes and went back into the castle.

"Luna, what was all that about?" Celestia asked her younger sister.

"A couple of duck callers," Luna muttered much to Celestia's slight concern. "Two students of yours."

Once the calling was over, Luna begrudgingly sat down at the breakfast table thinking of the precious moments of the morning she had lost because of Gallus' calling.

"Um, Luna?" Twilight asked as she walked into the dining room. "I heard some strange calls this morning. Is somepony playing a trick on you?"

"Who, Discord?" Luna asked sarcastically, much to Twilight's surprise. "Oh sure, he's probably just standing right outside the door and…?"

"Uh-huh…" Twilight muttered, taking a sip of orange juice while raising an eyebrow. "Are you sure it was Discord? Because it looked like Gallus and his cousin Icarus to me."

"Of course it was Gallus and Icarus," Luna grunted to her little sister figure with a slight snarl. "I'm all for creatures great and small showing their appreciation towards me, but there are limits… What Gallus and his cousin are doing is too much!"

Begrudgingly, Luna drank her cup of coffee as Celestia and Spike made their way into the dining room.

"It seems to me like my lesson about communication must have gotten to Gallus' head," Celestia remarked only for Luna to glare at her older sister. "Certainly not what I had in mind, honest."

Immediately, Twilight tried to change the tone of the conversation. "With all due respect, Luna, you have made a huge impact in Gallus' life. More so than any other of my former students, or Luster Dawn and her friends for that matter."

Luna groaned. "Yes, but that is no excuse for disturbing what sleep I can get. I'm a pony with personal boundaries that are not meant to be crossed. Everypony and everycreature knows that, right, Celestia?"

Seeing her sister's irritation, Celestia felt like she had gone too far with her class's homework assignment. "Well…uh…yes, yes I understand, Luna. If you'd like, I can pass word along to Gallus advising him to do something else. And if he insists on doing it anyway I can give him a zero for the project."

Just then, Starlight and Trixie entered the dining hall having heard everything. "Is this about the duck calls?" Trixie wondered. "Because Trixie thinks that…"

"A student was going beyond and above when they were really annoying me?" Luna sneered as she took another sip of her coffee. "Yes, those were the ones."

…

Meanwhile, Gallus and Icarus flew all the way to the center of Ponyville and took shelter in the back of Sugarcube Corner.

"That…wasn't what I expected, cousin." Gallus gasped while trying to catch his breath.

"Yeah. I totally agree, cousin. Is this really how she repays your show of appreciation? It was an honest mistake." Icarus panted as the door opened to reveal Pinkie Pie bringing out garbage.

"Oh hey guys, what's up?" Pinkie asked, seemingly hearing what was being said as she bounced right past them. "Hiding?"

"Yeah," Gallus remarked as Pinkie placed the trash in the dumpster. "From Professor Luna."

Pinkie Pie blinked. "Now why do you want to hide from Luna? She's not a princess anymore, she can't banish you just for getting on her nerves. The worst she can do as a professor is give you both detention… I think."

"Right…" The two griffons stared at each other at the awkward response that they'd just gotten from the princess of laughter.

"Is it because of some assignment on communication?" Pinkie then questioned.

"How did you know that?" Gallus wondered, placing his claws on his side as he flew up to Pinkie's level.

"Celestia told me yesterday," Pinkie explained. "Communication is a big part of friendship, you know. Take it from me and the other princesses, we have our moments."

"But how can we…?" Gallus started to ask.

"Now, if I told you, how else will you learn about friendship?" Pinkie laughed. "Good luck on your assignment! And if I were you, I'd work on that bird calling at Fluttershy's sanctuary or somewhere else where Luna's not gonna be around to hear it. Maybe you'll even learn something from studying actual bird calls." And then, humming, she went back inside.

"Well, a lot of good Princess Pinkie's advice does us after Professor Luna already yelled at us!" Icarus huffed. "What now?"

"I've seen this before," Gallus declared, getting himself an idea. "Maybe we need to rethink our decision and do another approach that's much better. It sounds like this incident I heard about with Princess Pinkie Pie and something called a yovidaphone, whatever that is."

"Um, I hate to break it to you, Gallus," Icarus remarked as he nervously took to the air. "But I think you should handle this part on your own. It was your idea after all."

"Hey, where are you going?!" Gallus called out as he saw his cousin flee.

"Back to the school before I get into any more trouble," Icarus declared. "See ya!"

Watching his cousin fly away fast, Gallus flew off to think more about his actions. Why did it seem like whenever he wanted to do something to show the ponies how much they meant to him, it always backfired?

…

Back in the Castle of Friendship's dining room, Luna continued to grumble over Gallus and Icarus' actions.

"Now Luna," Starlight nervously suggested. "I'm sure that Gallus didn't mean you any harm. You know he really admires you after all you've done for him. He's made no secret of it in private."

"Yes, Starlight Glimmer," Luna nodded in reply. "I'm well aware of that fact. But who can ever claim that there is a pony who has a poster of me on his wall in his dormitory and a few other places?"

"A poster of you in his dormitory?" Starlight blinked in surprise and concern. "I don't necessarily see anything wrong with that unless…maybe he doesn't understand personal boundaries like some of the other students."

"Yeah, Trixie believes that is the case," The magician turned counselor replied. "After all, I have two ponies who used to like following me around all the time. I appreciated all that they'd do for me, but even Trixie gets uncomfortable sometimes." And as she spoke she felt a chill run down her spine.

"When did this all start, Luna?" Celestia inquired.

"Right after I took Gallus to visit his parents' grave in Griffonstone," Luna calmly answered. "There have been times since then where I've overheard Gallus singing my praises and says that there will never be another professor like me. I may be an alicorn and a former princess, but I know when enough is enough. And it's only been growing stronger in recent weeks."

"Haven't you ever spoken to him about it?" Celestia asked again.

"I tried to, Celestia," Luna unhappily sighed. "But the more I try to put my hoof down, the more I worry about upsetting him in the way that he might misunderstand me. Just this morning, because I was so sleep deprived I almost slipped into my Royal Canterlot voice in front of him."

"Well, if you ask me I'd say that now is as good a time as any to get him to understand," Spike suggested. "You might as well find Gallus, wherever he is."

Taking another sip of coffee, Luna felt that she needed to say her peace with Gallus. Tapping into her alicorn powers, she sensed where Gallus was going and began to focus on finding him there. "I think I know where he is going," She declared. "Please excuse me. This is a discussion that's been a long time coming." Then, rising from the table, Luna departed the dining hall leaving Celestia and the others alone.

"I hope she doesn't do anything rash," Spike said to Twilight. "Maybe somepony should follow her."

"I'll go," Celestia volunteered. "If anything, I'm partially to blame for this situation by encouraging Gallus to practice his calls." And with those words, she departed from the dining room to follow her sister.

…

…

Returning to the Treehouse of Friendship, Gallus continued to come to terms with his failed attempt to do both a homework assignment and show appreciation for his biggest idol. "Okay, maybe the call was too much," Gallus said as he paced around his room in the treehouse. "What do you think, Archie?"

The green cockatrice shrugged his shoulders when he couldn't come up with an answer to his master's question.

"Of course not, you are not the one with a problem. I am," Gallus replied. Then, taking his attention off of the cockatrice, Gallus resumed his pacing. "It's just that…Professor Luna has done so much for me since she retired from being a princess," He then proceeded towards a statue of Luna on a bookshelf that was entirely dedicated to Luna with books, pictures, drawings, you name it. "I just wish I could show her how I feel about what she's done for me."

Just then, Gallus heard a knock at the door and proceeded downstairs. "Who's there?" He asked.

"Open up, Gallus. We need to talk," Luna answered and taking a deep breath, Gallus opened the door. This made Gallus gulp nervously and step back in slight fear. "So here you are."

"P-Professor Luna…" Gallus stammered. "About what happened this morning…"

"-I haven't forgotten it, Gallus," Luna interrupted as she stepped into the treehouse. "But I don't think you understand that your actions can be bothersome to me," Then she requested. "Please show me where your room is, if you wouldn't mind."

"Yes, Professor Luna," Gallus gulped as he led Luna up to his workroom. Stepping inside, Luna was immediately taken aback by the small shrine Gallus had made in her honor. "This is it. What do you think?"

"It's nice, Gallus," Luna answered while walking up to the small shrine. "Very nice, indeed. You can get a lot done in this room of solitude. But, uh…what importance is this tribute to me?" Luna tapped the statue in her likeness gently, trying to make sense of it.

"It symbolizes how important you are to me, Professor." The young griffon explained.

"But all these pictures…some of them aren't really good pictures of me," Luna remarked before she went up to the shrine and saw a small figurine in her likeness. Inspecting it, she found that the figurine was poorly made and looked nothing like her at all. "Who made this figure?" She asked.

"Some griffon in Griffonstone made it," Gallus answered. "It's not the best, but…"

Slightly taken aback, Luna walked over to Gallus and draped a wing on his left shoulder. "Gallus," She confessed. "I appreciate you showing all your love and support for me, but…if I can be totally honest with you, it can be a little too much for me, especially when you take it this far."

Gallus merely looked away from Luna in shame of his actions. "Was what happened this morning…my homework assignment…just a little too much for you?"

Sighing, Luna thought of what she could say to Gallus. After a few moments, she did. "If I can confess, yes and no."

Gallus opened his eyes wide and turned his attention back to Luna upon hearing this."What do you mean?"

"I mean your invented call…anycreature can make that call," Luna explained. "Annoying, yes, but it's a call nonetheless. But that's beside the point. The fact is, Gallus…I request that you no longer display any more evidence of your…" She paused in uncertainty before deciding to state it for what she felt it was. "Love towards me."

This made Gallus jump back in shock, nearly backing into a wall! "Love?!" He cried and coughed. "Why would anycreature think that? You are my professor, my teacher! Why do you think that I would love you in any kind of romantic way?! It wouldn't be appropriate."

"I may not necessarily see it that way, but there are others who might, young griff," Luna cautioned. "I just don't want any rumors spread around the school or around Ponyville for that matter, because there are going to be creatures who will see the situation differently. Intentional or not, your worship of me could be mistaken for romantic affection."

"Yeah," Gallus sighed after thinking it through. "I suppose you are right, Professor. Besides, there's only one creature that I truly love, and that's Silverstream." He then made his way over to the bookshelf and removed all the knick knacks that he had of Luna. And he just was about to remove the statue when Luna stopped him.

"Wait!" Luna cried, grabbing the statue in her aura. "Why don't you leave this? It's greater than any picture or book about me." Placing the statue back on the shelf, Luna admired its place as Celestia came into the treehouse. Curious, Celestia looked down at the knick knacks of her younger sister and couldn't help but feel slightly amused by one of them.

"What are you looking at?" Luna asked in a stern sounding voice as she snatched the tired picture of her from Celestia's aura. "I'm throwing this out!"

"Come on, Luna!" Celestia laughed. "Have a little sense of humor, why don't you? In fact, I think Gallus' call is probably something that I should use when you are unable to hear me."

"Now just a moment, big sister," Luna cautioned, looking at Celestia right in the face. "Only Gallus can use that call as long as I am not in the middle of something important like sleeping in late in the morning after a long week."

Hearing this for the first time, Gallus felt slightly embarrassed that he used his created call at the most inopportune time. "Uh, heh-heh, sorry." He nervously chuckled as he stepped back against the doorway of his room."

"I think you might get yourself an 'A' for your creativity, Gallus," Celestia chuckled before turning to her sister once more. "Although, Luna?"

"What is it, sister?" Luna asked, noticing her sister's raised eyebrow.

Celestia coughed into a hoof. "I think you owe all the ducks in Equestria an apology."

Luna blushed. "Right…that."

…

…
> Episode 10: "The Equestria 500"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

Being a colt, Shining Armor had deep interests that he greatly enjoyed. Among them was derby racing which included the annual Equestria 500. By a stroke of luck, this year the race was held in the same stadium where the Equestria Games were held not too long ago.

"Check it out, Cadence!" Shining Armor cried excitedly as the carts were placed at the starting line while they watched from the VIP section. "Take a look at them, the best of the best! The crème de la crème!" Then he noticed something and gasped! "Oh my Celestia, it's Hot Rocket!"

Hot Rocket was a brown coaxed unicorn colt wearing a gray driving suit and helmet. He boarded a silver and black colored kart with the number seventeen printed on it to the roar of the crowd.

"He seems to be…your personal favorite, dear." Cadence stammered. She wasn't much of a fan of events such as this.

"Come on Cadence, he isn't that bad," Twilight replied, sitting next to her sister-in-law. "Hot Rocket is one of the most passionate and approachable drivers out there. See? Even Flurry Heart is interested!"

The alicorn foal opened her eyes in delight, paying very close attention to her father's passion for racing.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts," The announcer cried in a booming voice. "Welcome to the Equestria 500! The competitors are taking their places at the startling line and the race will begin momentarily!"

Boarding their carts, the drivers prepared to make their move as the lights in front of them went from red to yellow. Once the lights went to green, the race began!

"COME ON, HOT ROCKET! YOU CAN DO IT!" Shining Armor excitedly screamed!

"Hot Rockitty!" Flurry cried as she flew over to Shining Armor and the father and daughter cheered excitedly.

"Was that her first word…?" Cadence muttered to Twilight in disbelief.

"I think her first word was 'Daddy'," Twilight replied while nudging her sister-in-law in the side. "If I'm not mistaken. No need to worry yourself."

Cadence begrudgingly agreed with Twilight but had no idea that her husband's passion for racing would be brought into their personal life.

…

…

As they watched the race, Cadence continued to endure her husband's loud cheers as the checkered flag flew after one hundred laps.

"And it's Hot Rocket by a nose!" The announcer cried as the cart with the number seventeen edged out a cart with the number twenty four on it, much to Shining Armor's delight.

"Yes, he won! He won!" Shining Armor cheered as he tossed Flurry Heart into the air several times, making sure to catch her with his magic! Then he teleported away from the box.

Both Twilight and Cadence grabbed Flurry Heart and followed Shining down to the winners circle where Hot Rocket was celebrating the win with his pit crew.

"Boogity! Boogity! Boogity! Another win in the books, y'all!" Hot Rocket cheered as his crew sprayed milk all over him. "We took the big prize! Whoo! I'd like to thank all the fans who came out here to support us! We couldn't have done it without you guys!"

Appearing in front of the winner, Shining Armor excitedly made his way up to his favorite driver. "Well, who do we have here?" Hot Rocket laughed.

"Hot Rocket, I am a huge fan of yours!" Shining Armor replied with a smile. "And I just wanna say, you were tremendous out there!"

"Uh, who is this guy?" Hot Rocket wondered as Shining Armor shook his front right hoof. "Is he a fan?"

"I reckon he's the Prince of the Crystal Empire," Aacrew member replied. "And your biggest fan!"

Realizing who he was, Hot Rocket understood right away. "Well, if it isn't the Prince of the Crystal Empire himself," he laughed. "Delighted you came all the way down here to see me and celebrate my win, your highness!"

"It's such an honor to meet you, Hot Rocket! I've been a big fan of derby racing ever since I was a colt!" Shining declared before chanting. "Boogity, boogity, boogity!"

"Boogity, Boogity, Boogity!" Several ponies cried out as Twilight and Cadence appeared along with Flurry Heart.

"Hot Rocket, on behalf of the Crystal Empire," Cadence declared, trying to hide her disinterest through a forced smile. "I would like to congratulate you on your victory!"

The presence of two princesses made Hot Rocket bow to them.

"Why, thank you so much, Princess Cadence," Hot Rocket remarked. "You know, I've always wanted to meet you but never really got the chance to."

"Well you see, I'm not much of what you call a racer," Cadence nervously chuckled. "But I try to tolerate it for my husband's sake."

"Heh, racing is fun for anypony," Hot Rocket declared. "Here, have some milk." Taking a bottle of milk, Hot Rocket popped the cork and milk squirted out right in Cadence's face.

For a moment, the crowd was shocked by what happened, but Cadence swished the milk away from her face. "Yes, thank you," Cadence nervously chuckled.

As he left the stadium to return to the castle later on, Shining Armor continued to revel in the fact that he finally got to meet his favorite driver. "I will look back on this day forever, Cadence," He happily declared with Flurry Heart on his back. "Imagine you, Twily, Flurry Heart and I meeting a racing legend."

"Yes, I get that. Especially with the milk." Cadence awkwardly replied as she tried to squeeze some more of the milk out of her mane.

Shining just replied. "Come on Cadence, how often do we get to witness let alone meet a celebrity of racing?"

But Cadence still was having trouble processing her husband's racing interest. "Probably not a whole lot of racers," She said while trying to be as honest as possible. "It makes you wonder if you would ever drive one of these carts one day, not that I hope you will."

"Maybe Spike could help as well," Twilight suggested, much to Shining Armor's delight. "He would make a great crew chief!"

Of course, Cadence could only roll her eyes in disgust at this suggestion.

…

…

The next morning, Cadence was at a sewing machine in her quarters making a dress for Flurry Heart to wear when her daughter would take the first big step in her life since being born. "Mistmane, won't this be a cute dress for Flurry?" Cadence asked as Mistmane walked into the room while Cadence held the garment up.

"It should be," Mistmane nodded. "Flurry Heart will love it, Cadence. My, how foals grow up so fast."

"Well, there is no better time to start an education than by looking your best," Cadence remarked to the Pillar of Beauty. "Although, if yesterday is any indication she'll probably grow up wanting to do what her father enjoys. Seriously, Mistmane, what does Shining Armor see in racing carts?"

"It's just something he enjoys, child," Mistmane explained Just like Starswirl enjoys lecturing others," She then whispered to Cadence. "Although between you and me…I think it's stupid."

This caused the two mares to share a chuckle. Just then, Shining Armor came into the room with a look of wonder on his face.

"Well, if it isn't the Crystal Empire's number one racing fan." Cadence remarked in a playful tone.

"Nice to see that you acknowledged that," Shining grinned. "What's that you got there?"

"It's a dress for Flurry Heart to wear for Preschool." Cadence explained as she held it up with her magic

Shining Armor inspected the pink dress closely and it further caused him to think more about his current situation. "It's…nice," He remarked. "It's got your color, Cadence."

"That's all?" Cadence blinked in surprise and concern.

"No, that's not all," Shining nervously replied. "It's just that…well, this may not be a good time considering we have a pillar here standing right here with us."

"Oh, what are you talking about?" inquired Mistmane.

"Well…how shall I put this?" Shining Armor paced back and forth in front of the two mares for a few moments before finally stopping. "Have you considered our daughter's future education, Cadence?"

This made Cadence and Mistmane share another chuckle much to Shining Armor's bewilderment.

"I'm serious, guys!" Shining Armor protested. "There is no better time to start getting the bits we need now to secure Flurry's college education. I mean…her wings are already at the college level!"

"She's an alicorn, Shining Armor," Mistmane remarked. "She's going to grow into them."

"Not to mention she's already a child prodigy," Cadence added. "Trust me, dear. Why worry about her education when Flurry is only a foal?"

"She'll be a mare one day, Cadence and I'm going to do everything in my power as a father to make sure Flurry Heart has everything she needs for an education," Shining declared. "And it just so happens that there's already a good way to do it."

Almost immediately, Cadence rose from the sewing machine and looked her husband deep in his eyes, knowing exactly what he was going to say. "Shining Armor, I forbid you from…"

"-It's the only way," Shining declared. "I'm going to race in the next Equestria 500!"

Cadence's eyes widened with shock and disbelief about what her husband had just said!

…

…

"Racing in the Equestria 500?!" Cadence replied through a series of sharp gasps. "I…I…I…ohh!" Then she spread her wings and fell to the left, needing to be caught by Mistmane's magic to avoid hitting the floor.

"I think she took it well." Mistmane remarked as she held onto Cadence.

"It's the only way, Cadence!" Shining firmly insisted. "If I win the race, I can secure the money for our daughter's educational future! You want her to go to college someday, don't you?"

"Shining Armor…are you insane?!" Cadence gasped, trying to look into his eyes as she got to her hooves. "Racing for our daughter's future when there are other ways to raise money? What's the matter with you? She hasn't even started preschool yet, college is a long way away."

"Come on, Cadence! You would do the same for me if I was in Flurry Heart's position," Shining protested. "The first prize for this week's race is 500,000 bits. That's more than enough for a head start. And I know I can win!"

But Cadence remained steadfast. "Out of the question, Shining Armor! If something were to happen to you out on that racetrack…"

"I would just use a spell to save myself! Besides, those carts are designed specifically to protect the racers in any accident." Then she sighed deeply and buried her face in her hooves. She grunted as Mistmane stuck her hoof on Cadence's shoulder to console her. "Shining, please, you must reconsider!" But her husband had already left.

Making his way out onto the streets of the Crystal Empire, Shining Armor remained determined to compete for Flurry's education. "I can't understand it," He said to himself as he sat down at a café table. "Why won't Cadence see that I'm trying to be a good role model to Flurry Heart by competing in this race? Even if I don't win the race, I will still get something! It's just one race, a chance to prepare our daughter for the future."

Then Shining got an idea. "Wait, didn't some of Twilight's friends help their sisters compete in the Applewood Derby back in Ponyville? Maybe they can help me!"

…

Sure enough, a few days later, Shining Armor sent for three of Equestria's princesses and their sisters to meet him in the Crystal Empire along with Spike and Twilight. Aboard the royal train, they were all eager to expect the outcome of this summons.

"Tryin' to win somethin' for your niece, Twilight?" Applejack remarked. "I think your brother is either insane or out of his mind."

"Well, you guys know that once Shining Armor makes up his mind, he usually sticks with it." Twilight replied.

"If you ask me, maybe he's trying to prove a point to Cadence and the Empire," Spike suggested. "That he can do more than just be a prince or even captain of the royal guard."

"Spike, you know that Shining Armor has always been into these kinds of activities. We grew up with him, remember?" Twilight pointed out.

"I still think gettin' our sisters to compete in the Equestria 500 is a bit much, but I think you're up for the challenge to qualify. Right, Apple Bloom?" Applejack asked.

Polishing her driving helmet, the youngest of the Apple family agreed wholeheartedly with her big sister. "At least Shinin' Armor was nice enough to let us use our carts from the derby do over for the race," She added. "Unlike your previous carts."

"Well, at least Shining Armor is trying to do a good thing for Flurry Heart," The Princess of Generosity chimed in. "Securing her financial future."

"My concern is mostly for Cadence," Twilight spoke up. "Some wives can't handle the desires that their husbands have, sometimes for good reason. But my brother has good intentions, even if he's jumping the gun on this."

As the royal train pulled into the Crystal Empire's train station, Shining Armor eagerly awaited the arrival of his helpers.

"I trust you have some interest in racing, Shining Armor?" Twilight asked as they deboarded the train. "Like when you were a colt?"

"It's more than a desire, Twiley," Shining whispered, bending down to her level and the level of her friends. "I need to get Flurry Heart prepared for her future education and to do that…I need that prize money. If I can get it by doing something I like, I don't see what's so wrong about that. I'll be careful."

Then, teleporting them to the castle, Shining Armor had gathered Twilight and her friends in the main courtyard along with the CMC's cars. "Guys, I really need your help here," He told them. "I may not be much of a racer, but I'm going to give it a shot."

"Well, what can we do about it?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Can you guys pit crew?" Shining Armor asked, taking a deep breath. "As in maintain the cart, keep it running and ensure that it runs properly?"

"Well," Rarity chuckled nervously. "We can certainly try if you want. Of course, we'll have to work fast and…"

"-Just pretend you are trying to meet a deadline for one of your fashion shows," Shining Armor interjected. "Instead of fashion, it's automobiles. Applejack, can you and Rainbow Dash do tires?"

"Yeah, I can do left and Applejack can do right, right?" Rainbow questioned her fellow athlete.

"Hold it, hold it, RD," Applejack declared while stamping her right foreleg down. "I work better on the left side, you do the right."

"But…"

However, Twilight was quick to silence the both of them with a clearing of her throat. "Just help out my brother, alright?" She remarked to the two friends/rivals.

"And Twily?" Shining Armor asked. "Since you are my little sister and served as my best mare for my wedding…can you be the crew chief?"

"I'll do my best," Twilight replied. "And Spike will be co-crew chief with me."

"Aw thanks, Twilight." Spike declared while. blushing slightly.

"But uh, Shining Armor," Sweetie Belle asked. "This is all great and all, but…do you even have a cart?"

Almost as if on cue, Shining Armor teleported them again, this time to the lower rooms of the castle. There, amongst the crystal caverns was a derby racer. It was white with red, white and blue stripes in the center and the number fifty three painted on the hood and doors.

"Well, what do you think?" Shining Armor asked, eager to get the opinion of Twilight and her friends. "Did your brother build himself a nice racer or what?"

Twilight stepped forward to inspect the car, delighted by her brother's hard work.

"It's a great cart, Shining Armor," Twilight said as she walked around the car. "What's with the number though?"

"Had a dream about a cart that came alive and it had the number fifty three on it, so I used that number." Shining explained.

"Do you think it's capable?" Rainbow Dash wondered.

"Of course it is, I've spent all my free time day and night working on this since Sombra was defeated for the second time," Shining proudly puffed out his chest. "It's bound to win something!"

But Twilight had one more question for her brother. "B.B.B.F.F., I think you've certainly outdone yourself," She remarked while looking back at him. "But have you ever tested it for safety purposes?"

"Of course I have, Twily. I never do anything major unless I test it," Shining insisted. "It's just like with that castle security system I created. Now let's get some rest, we all have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."

…

…

All night long, Cadence couldn't sleep. The thought of her husband racing in the Equestria 500 was too much for her to take in. "All this for our daughter's future? To do something dangerous as racing for prize bits?" she questioned herself in the darkness of her throne room dressed in only her nightgown. "I just don't think it's safe for him to be doing this."

Just then, the door opened and in stepped Mistmane, wearing a silver bathrobe. "Mistmane, did I wake you?" Cadence asked. "Sorry if I did."

"No, no, I was awake anyhow," Mistmane replied. "You've been very troubled tonight, my dear."

"Mistmane, what am I going to do with him?" Cadence sighed. "I've tried getting Shining Armor to change his mind ever since dinner and he still is adamant about this silly racing. What if he gets hurt doing it? I don't want him to think I'm being unsupportive or that I'm not worried about obtaining bits for our daughter to go to college, though. He's right that we need to consider that."

"I understand your concerns, Cadence" Mistmane sympathized while placing a hoof on Cadence's shoulder. "Sometimes there are things that a pony must learn on their own. It would appear this is one of them."

"I hope he doesn't have to learn anything aside from the fact that this is silly. But it's only qualifying tomorrow…not the race itself." Cadence sighed in concern.

Just then, the two mares were startled by the flashing of a light that came in through the window and emerging was Luna, having sensed what was happening.

"Aunt Luna, what are you doing here?" Cadence asked.

"I sensed that you are troubled, Mi Amore Cadenza," Luna answered as she hugged her adopted niece. "This is about Shining Armor and his passion for racing, right?"

"It is," Cadence sighed while walking back towards the throne and sitting down. "I don't think he should be doing this. But I'm afraid that if I say something, he'll just get upset about it."

"I agree with what Mistmane says that he needs to figure this out on his own," Luna suggested. "But don't be surprised if I am also commenting on the race itself."

Cadence became surprised by this revelation! "You, Aunt Luna?"

"Of course," LUna nodded. "I need to do something aside from teaching. In fact, the students encouraged it."

Suddenly, Cadence began to get herself an idea on how to make her husband come to his senses. "Aunt Luna, can I ask for your help with something?" she asked, beckoning her to step forward. "If there is only one pony who can make Shining Armor understand how dangerous racing is..."

…

The next morning, Shining Armor arrived at the Crystal Empire's stadium dressed in a navy blue racing uniform.

The best drivers in Equestria were doing last minute preparations on their carts before the qualifier. And as Shining Armor's cart was rolled in, Hot Rocket was astonished to see that the Prince of the Crystal Empire was attempting to qualify."Hey there," he called out to Shining Armor, catching the prince's attention as he rolled out from underneath his cart. "Hey your highness!"

Hearing the voice, Shining Armor walked over to Hot Rocket's garage.

"Morning, Hot Rocket! See anything different?" Shining greeted.

"Since when did you start driving?" Hot Rocket asked.

"I've always had a knack for it," Shining Armor answered. "But honestly, I'm just trying to compete for the prize money. I need it for my daughter's education."

Getting up, Hot Rocket made his way over to Shining Armor's cart and walked around, carefully inspecting it. "It's not bad for a first time entry," he remarked.. Have you tested it?"

"Yeah," Shining Armor answered, trying to fib his way around it. "I tested a few days ago."

"Look, your highness," Hot Rocket remarked. "I respect you for trying to follow in my hoofsteps, but…do you think it's worth getting hurt for something as silly as prize money?"

"It's not silly," Shining Armor nervously chuckled. "I've been putting this cart together for a good while now."

But Hot Rocket couldn't help but notice that one of Shining Armor's wheels was loose. Then he noticed that the seat belt was not properly secured. "You might want to reconsider, buddy," He advised his fellow stallion. "I've seen how these carts work and to tell you the truth…" Almost as if on cue, the car suddenly began to shake and fell apart right in front of Shining Armor who could only look on in horror!

"Oh dear!" Twilight muttered.

"I don't think that cart is going anywhere." Spike added.

"It…it can't be!" Shining Armor cried. "How could this happen? My cart was perfect! I inspected it myself."

"Apparently, that's not good enough." A voice belonging to Cadence said as she walked towards her husband who could only tremble with fright. But he was not prepared for what was to happen next!

"Attention!" Luna shouted from the press box using her royal Canterlot voice. "The number fifty three cart driven by Prince Shining Armor has been disqualified due to failing inspection!"

"What?!" Shining Armor cried. "Did…did you do this, Cadence?"

Cadence stood steadfast. "No I did not, Shining Armor. The cart was not sabotaged. You failed to understand that just because you love something doesn't mean you can live it."

"Cadence is right," Mistmane added as she and Flurry Heart arrived on the scene. "Sometimes, we all can get caught up in the moment and don't always fully understand the dangers of our passion."

"Yeah, I'm going to have to agree on this one," Hot Rocket declared. "If you had taken this cart out on the track…you very likely would have lost more than a chance at prize money. I've seen more than my fair share of crashes where the racer unfortunately doesn't trot away to race another day. Far too many have been taken before their time, and their carts undergo far more rigorous inspection than what your cart had to endure today."

Having found this epiphany, all Shining could was sink to his hooves. "What in Equestria was I doing?" he asked himself, his eyes filled with a blank expression. "I could have…"

"Ended up in worse shape?" Hot Rocket replied, tapping him on the shoulder. "Word of advice, your highness, just focus on what matters…being a prince and standing by your wife's side. There are plenty of safer ways to save for college, especially when your little one's not even out of diapers yet."

Getting to his hooves, Shining Armor ran over to Cadence and hugged her tightly. "Sorry, Cadence," he whispered. "You and Flurry Heart are more important than some silly contest. I just got so swept up with the realization of where that first day of preschool would lead, and because the race was so fresh in my mind I thought..."

"-Well, at least you know how I felt," Cadence whispered back. "I love you, Shining Armor." Seeing her parents hug, Flurry Heart flew over and joined them while the others looked on.

…

…
> Episode 11: "How the Starlight Stole Summer Vacation"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

...

…

Luster Dawn arrived at the School of Friendship one morning like she had always done several times a week. Half the time, she was home and the other half was in the school's dormitory. To her, things were normal until Trixie called out to her.

"Good morning, Luster Dawn," Trixie called, catching the young unicorn's attention. "You aren't doing anything important right now, aren't you?"

Luster felt taken aback by this question. "Um…not aside from trying to get to my first class, Counselor Trixie," She sheepishly answered. "What's up?"

"How can Trixie put it this way?" Trixie muttered, trying to think of what to say, but Luster had an idea.

"This is about my exam for Professor Stygian, isn't it?" Luster asked. "The one where I knew I flunked?"

Trixie blinked. "How do you know that?"

"Because I used a prediction spell." Luster willingly confessed.

"Oh," Trixie remarked, before clearing her throat. "Well, since Trixie has been beaten to the punch…you might as well come with me."

Luster took an enormous gulp as she followed Trixie while the other students made their way to class..

Approaching Starlight's office a short time later, Trixie gestured for Luster to have a seat at a chair right outside the office. But she wasn't alone for very long as Cherry Tomato also arrived.

"Cherry, what are you doing here?" Luster asked.

"Got told to come here by Professor Celestia," Cherry answered, sitting down at the chair on the other side of the doorway. "Something about that test that Professor Stygian had us do."

"You mean, the one about the founding of Equestria? Because I had a hard time with that too. I mean, I know some…but not a whole lot." Luster confessed.

Cherry Tomato said nothing and looked up at the ceiling with a puzzled look. "Beats me, Luster," He replied. "I'd much rather focus on the future than the past."

Trixie pretended she hadn't heard the remark and made her way into Starlight's office." This will just be a minute," She told the two students. "Don't go anywhere."

"I mean, I'd much rather look towards the future because the past is just awful," Cherry Tomato further confessed. "History and culture is just boring to me."

"Why?" asked Luster Dawn.

"Because it is, Luster! I didn't expect a kind of Equestrian Inquistion!"

Almost as if on cue, followed by a jarring chord, Trixie jumped out of the office and faced the two students.

"Nobody expects the Equestrian Inquisition! Their chief weapon is surprise, fear and surprise; two chief weapons, fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency! Er, among their chief weapons are: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, and near fanatical devotion to the Monarchy! Um..."

A firm clearing of Starlight's throat made Trixie come to her senses.

"Headmare Starlight will see you now," she said to the two students in a slightly embarrassed voice.

…

…

Stepping into Starlight's office later, Luster and Cherry had no idea of what was to happen. But they just had to go with the flow of what was about to take place.

"Um, good morning, Headmare Starlight," Luster Dawn nervously greeted as Starlight looked back at them while they sat down in front of her desk. "I think you know why we're here now."

"Yes, I think so too, Luster," Starlight replied while holding their exams in front of her. "It seems to me like you both really don't know a whole lot about the founding of Equestria. I mean the founding of Equestria is a really important piece of history."

"Yeah, but it's not like we're going to remember it forever, right?" Cherry Tomato remarked, much to Starlight's irritation.

"What was that, Cherry Tomato?" Starlight asked in a quiet and stern voice, causing him to shiver slightly.

"Nothing…just speaking my mind." Cherry stuttered.

"I see…" Starlight murmured. "It seems to me like you weren't even trying, Mr. Tomato. These answers prove it. Although, Luster Dawn, I will give you credit for at least putting in some effort."

"But it still wasn't enough, right?" Luster groaned. "I mean, I'm trying very hard, really…"

"-I know you are, Ms. Dawn," Trixie interrupted while walking behind her. "History can be a bland part of a young creature's education. Believe me, I know. But it's something we all have to do to get an education, isn't it?"

"Yeah, you're right," Luster said, before thinking of what her parents were going to think of her performance. "Mom and Dad aren't going to be happy about this."

"Well, as a matter of fact," Starlight spoke up, gesturing the two ponies to look at her. "There is a way you can both help yourselves overcome this obstacle. My dad runs a museum in my hometown of Sire's Hollow and I think a field trip would help you both out."

"Isn't Sire's Hollow where you…?" Cherry Tomato started to ask only for Trixie to cast a silencer spell

"Don't interrupt Headmare Starlight!" Trixie growled, before nodding at Starlight to continue.

"As I was saying," Starlight went on. "I think you two would gain a better understanding of Equestrian History by volunteering at my dad's museum this weekend."

"This weekend?" Cherry Tomato protested. "But Postcrush is having their concert in Canterlot Saturday Night!"

"Sorry, Mr. Tomato," Starlight declared. "But education takes priority in this case."

"Headmare Starlight…" Cherry Tomato whined, but Starlight was having none of it.

"There is another alternative…" Starlight firmly warned.

"Yeah, if you want to end up in detention." Luster Dawn added.

"Thank you, Luster. I was just about to say that," Starlight smiled. "And it would be Saturday detention. All day!" She then took out a pair of envelopes and hoofed them to Luster and Cherry. "I want these permission slips signed by your parents tonight."

"My mom is going to kill me," Cherry Tomato whispered and then sighed. "So much for PostCrush."

"I'm sure PostCrush had their education put first over their own free time when they were growing up," Luster Dawn added. "Besides, I used to visit museums like this once a week back when I was living in Canterlot."

Cherry Tomato said nothing.

"Now, off to class with you both," Starlight gestured as Cherry Tomato begrudgingly left the office followed by Luster Dawn. Once the door closed, Starlight and Trixie were left alone.

"Something tells me that Cherry Tomato clearly has a lack of respect for history," Trixie remarked. "Do you think this museum field trip will change his mind?"

"I think it will, Trixie. I hope it does. I mean… nocreature can graduate unless they learn about Equestrian History." Starlight insisted.

"Yeah. Unlike Luster, on the other hoof…" Trixie protested.

"Luster seems like she enjoys history," Starlight declared. "She just needs a deeper refreshment of her knowledge. I see a lot of myself in her. And after all, who better to help young creatures understand history than my own father, the head of the Sire's Hollow Preservation Society?"

"At least Sunburst is with his mom in Silver Shoals this weekend," Trixie thought to herself. "He doesn't have to be a part of this for once."

…

Later that night, Luster returned home with the permission slip that her parents needed to sign. She was actually looking forward to spending time in Sire's Hollow being surrounded by history, even if she wasn't pleased to tell her parents that she had indeed failed a test (and that this was the alternative to Saturday detention to make up for it).

"Well at least you're back in your element, Luster," Fire Blaster smiled as she signed the form in the living room. "Maybe all that hype about PostCrush did something to your mind."

"Yeah, I think it did," Luster replied. "I'm usually so organized with my assignments. I don't know why one test gave me so much trouble."

"We've all been there, honey," Moon Dusk remarked. "Besides, you aren't that big into pop music anyway. Sometimes, I wonder about that friend of yours…"

"Cherry Tomato? Yeah, I sometimes worry about him too," Luster Dawn nodded. "I like him, but he's got to be flexible with the interests of those around him. if I had a choice, I wouldn't have seen PostCrush anyway. But I agreed to it because I didn't want to disappoint him. It was all he'd talk about for weeks."

Both Fire Blaster and Moon Dusk felt that their daughter had more to love about Cherry Tomato.

"But Headmare Starlight is right! Education has to come first!" Luster Dawn declared. "And even though I was not flexible about coming here in the first place, I'm starting to be more open about living in Ponyville."

"Being flexible means, we all have to do things we don't want to do, Luster," Fire Blaster remarked. "Your father and I are proud of you for doing just that. You've come a long way. At this rate, you may someday end up becoming Princess Twilight's personal student."

"I just hope Cherry Tomato sees that," Luster Dawn sighed as she made her way upstairs to her bedroom. "Good night, guys. I love you."

…

A few days later, Luster Dawn arrived at the train station and waited for Cherry Tomato and the others to arrive. She was looking forward to visiting Sire's Hollow's museum and getting over her failed test. At that moment, she saw Starlight and Trixie arrive on the platform as well.

"Good morning, Luster," Starlight greeted. "Um…where is…?"

Luster shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, Headmare Starlight. Maybe he's…"

Just then, all saw Celestia and Luna walk up to the platform holding Cherry Tomato with rope.

"Thanks for bringing him here, professors," Starlight declared before turning her attention to Cherry Tomato. "Trying to get of out this field trip even if it meant detention, were you, Mr. Tomato?"

"It's not important to me, Headmare Starlight," Cherry Tomato muttered. "I've got better things to do."

"Such as ignoring the history of Equestria?" Luna narrowed her eyes. "You cannot run from history, young colt. As somepony who enjoys history and culture, I find that offensive! Those who don't learn from history are very much doomed to repeat it."

"Must you always raise your voice when asserting your authority, sister?" Celestia remarked while feeling slightly embarrassed.

"I don't like my interests being insulted, Celestia, that's all." Luna replied.

"Seriously Cherry Tomato, what is the matter with you?" Luster Dawn questioned walking over to him. "You know that I love history and all things culture."

"Yeah, I do! You've said it before!" Cherry Tomato sharply cried at Luster. "It's just that I find it a lot more boring than you do."

At that moment, the train pulled into the station and the passengers prepared to board.

"Maybe visiting Sire's Hollow will knock some sense into you," Luster Dawn declared. "There is more to life than just PostCrush. There will always be other concerts, you know."

…

…

Aboard the train, Starlight and Trixie noticed the pouting look that Cherry Tomato had on his face. Still, Starlight remained determined to make Cherry Tomato understand that education came first over any pleasure.

"He's got to understand it, Trixie," Starlight sighed, looking back at them. "I'm sorry that his plans for some concert got ruined, but in the real world you don't get ahead by shirking your studies for concerts. He's such a promising student, why does he want to throw it all away on something like PostCrush? Is he planning to become a rock star or something?"

Starlight then turned to Celestia and Luna, seated towards the front of the car. Getting up, she made her way to them. "Thanks again for coming with us." She said.

"It's our pleasure, Starlight," Luna replied with a small chuckle. "I mean, I share Luster Dawn's deep interest in museums and culture as much as most anypony does. How is our escapee?"

"Still feeling bitter about being dragged away from something he loves," Starlight remarked. "I gotta tell you, I was like him once when Sunburst wenta away to magic school. In fact, I was way worse. I turned into a hater of cutie marks as a result. And being ignorant of history led to me almost destroying it completely."

"Culture is important to everypony," Celestia nodded. "Even if it can seem boring to others like our friend back there."

"Well, culture is going to be the one who makes or breaks Cherry Tomato this semester, guys. His grades in everything else aren't exactly stellar. At least Luster Dawn's grades can qualify for passable, but I don't know if their friendship will survive if I have to hold one of them back a grade." Starlight sighed, looking back once more at the sulking Cherry Tomato.

"Look at them," Cherry Tomato pouted as he looked towards the front of the car. "Probably discussing my distaste for the arts. I'd much rather have taken the detention."

"Why don't you stop grumbling, Cherry?" Luster Dawn advised. "Seriously, it's just a museum and Headmare Starlight's dad seems like a pretty nice guy. Isn't it worth putting up with it all for the sake of your grades?"

"I just don't do museums, Luster, plain and simple. Why can't everypony respect my decisions and desires?" Cheery grumbled.

The train arrived at Sire's Hollow a short time later and came to a stop at the station. The passengers disembarked and Starlight brought her group towards the gates of Sire's Hollow.

"Welcome to Sire's Hollow!" A mechanized voice rang out as Starlight pushed the gate open, much to her chagrin. "I honestly thought that Stellar Flare was going to get rid of that!" She huffed.

"I thought it was interesting," Celestia chuckled while playfully nudging Luna in the side. "It's too bad we couldn't have something like that in Canterlot. Right, Luna?"

"It would have been annoying, just like those guard geese." Luna replied.

As they made their way into the town, all saw the modernized section of Sire's Hollow developed by Stellar Flare and Cherry Tomato couldn't help but feel enraptured by the sight of ponies doing the activities of the future.

"Well, at least you're out of the dumps." Luster Dawn remarked as Cherry Tomato took in the sights.

"Pinch me, I'm dreaming!" Cherry Tomato gasped. "We never had any of these things in Mustangia!"

He stopped to look with his eyes widened in shock. However, the magic was short-lived as Luster dragged her friend away. "Oh come on, Luster!" He whined.

"We'll stop here after the visit, come on!" Luster Dawn firmly replied.

However, Cherry Tomato wasn't going to go quietly. Without Luster Dawn even noticing, he quietly tiphoofed away back towards the futuristic area.

A few moments later, the group finally arrived at the museum run by Starlight's father. Upon entering, they were greeted by Firelight himself standing in the doorway.

"Well, well, well! Good to see you Pum… er Starlight!" Firelight excitedly declared as he hugged his daughter. "And I see you've brought some friends along."

"You must be Starlight's dad," Trixie greeted while approaching the stallion. "I'm Trixie…the Great and Powerful Trixie when I'm not being a guidance counselor."

"Yes, Starlight told me so much about you," Firelight replied in an awkward glance before turning his attention to the two alicorn sisters, bowing before them. "Your highnesses…"

"Former highnesses," Celestia chuckled as she corrected. "You don't need to do that unless Twilight or her friends are present. Luna and I are professors now."

"O-of course, of course," Firelight stammered. "Starlight tells me you are big into the arts, Princess…er, Professor Luna."

"And it's just Luna, fair peasant," Luna chuckled, tapping on Firelight's shoulder. "And yes, I love the arts and I love the museum, much like Luster Dawn here."

But just as Luna turned to introduce Luster to Firelight, Cherry Tomato was missing!

"Uh, where is Cherry Tomato?" Luna asked with a blank expression, much to Luster Dawn's slight embarrassment. "Luster Dawn, where have you last seen him?"

"Darn it, Cherry! Do you not want to graduate or something?!" Luster Dawn cried as she ran back to find her friend.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Starlight turned to her father.

"Sorry dad, I've got a student missing," Starlight laughed as she teleported away. "Be back soon!"

…

…

Racing away from the museum, the five mares went out in search of the missing colt.

"I can't believe that Cherry Tomato!" Starlight cried in frustration. "When I get my hooves on him…"

"I don't think violence is going to solve anything," Trixie cautioned, trying to ease her friend's anger. "You're already getting over a back issue!"

"Look, I'm thinking we each search a store," Luster Dawn suggested as she tried to break up the tension. "There are five shops and five of us. He must have gone into one of them."

"Good idea," Luna quickly agreed. "Let's go!"

Meanwhile, Cherry Tomato had found himself at the museum after all. But he wasn't alone. With him were two female earth ponies: One with a light cerulean coat and the other with a pale yellow coat.

"So, this is what you do when you are struggling with finding inspiration?" Cherry Tomato asked the light cerulean pony.

"Yes, that is why," The cerulean pony answered while looking over to Cherry Tomato. "After our performance got cancelled we decided to come here…it's a great way to rejuvenate our creative spirits."

Cherry Tomato looked at a painting of the three pony tribes declaring Equestria for what it was and the more he looked at it, the more of a fool he realized he had become. "Look, K-pop, Su-z," Cherry Tomato confessed. "I…I only wanted to see you guys perform in Canterlot and instead, I find you here."

"Well, there is more to us than just our music, Cherry," K-Pop spoke up. "Both of us admire culture as much as anypony. In fact, I think there is more to culture and history than you think. You just have to give it a chance. Find something that appeals to you and go from there."

The more Cherry Tomato spent time with his favorite singers, the more he began to connect with them and he realized just how much of an idiot he was becoming.

"If you want," Su-Z offered. "You can have free tickets for our next show in Canterlot…"

"Really?!" Cherry Tomato asked, feeling quite giddy at the opportunity.

"If," K-Pop advised. "You do better on your grades."

But at that very moment, Cherry Tomato was picked up by Starlight's magic aura and he soon found himself face to face with the angry headmare.

"Cherry Tomato," Starlight hissed angrily at her student. "You have some serious explaining to do!"

…

So it was that Cherry Tomato found himself explaining what happened to the group outside of the museum. "And that's the whole story, Headmare Starlight," He told her. "Turns out even my favorite band loves culture as much as anycreature. They even promised me free tickets if I do better in school."

Starlight then looked over to the two musician ponies with a firm, yet polite glance. "Is that true?" She asked.

"Well, we want our fans to succeed at anything," K-Pop answered. "Even academics. Our parents constantly breathed down our necks growing up for us to get good grades. Initially, we started out as a rock band on the side as an after-school thing."

"And Cherry just needed a little boost from his favorite celebrities." Su-Z added, causing Starlight to drop some of her anger.

Then, Starlight got herself an idea. "Well in that case," She suggested "How about you two perform at the next Amity ball?"

"We'd be up for it, right Supernova?" K-Pop asked. "I'm sure you have plenty of students who are fans of us. When your ball arrives, hit us up."

"Now if you'll excuse us, we have to get back to our break," Su-Z declared. "See ya!"

All watched the two ponies leave and once they were gone, they made their way into the museum to do what needed to be done.

But on the way back to Ponyville, Starlight had some last minute words for Cherry Tomato. "Well, Cherry Tomato, I hope you understand the trouble you are in," she said firmly as they sat at the front of the car. "You wandered off on your own!"

"Yeah. And I can only say, I'm sorry, Headmare Starlight," Cherry Tomato sincerely apologized. "I never knew how culture is important to anycreature until I met PostCrush."

Sighing, Starlight could only feel nothing but disappointment towards her student.

"At least the Amity Ball isn't for another few months," Cherry Tomato declared.

"Yes, but you must promise me in addition to your month-long detention, that you will focus more on your grades: History especially," Starlight warned. "If you do that, then I will let you attend the Amity Ball and see PostCrush perform. If not, detention may be the least of your academic worries."

Taking in what was said, Cherry Tomato accepted Starlight's challenge. "You got yourself a deal, Headmare Starlight," He agreed looking back to the area of the car where Luster Dawn was sitting and reading a book. "Um, can I go back and sit with Luster Dawn?"

But Starlight remained steadfast. "No. You're lucky you can still graduate with her after how badly you flunked your last history test." She firmly declared, and Cherry Tomato began his month-long punishment at that very second.

…

…
> Episode 12: "The Return of Zeb"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

Grogar could sense that the time to retake Equestria for his own was drawing nearer. As he inspected his donkey soldiers, thoughts of conquering his former kingdom was deep in his mind. "At ease!" He commanded the donkey platoons while his minions watched from the side. "Now then, you've all proven to me that you are capable of aiding in the retaking of Equestria. I sense that the time shall come sooner than you think!"

Grogar then sharply turned to his minions. "But there is still more to be done! We are still vulnerable!" He shouted in a commanding voice. "You, my most loyal minions, must demonstrate your leadership to me in the battle that is to come! With the loss of the Predacons and the Storm King, we can afford no more mistakes!"

The command in Grogar's voice made Cozy Glow feel nervous, but Tirek placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her down.

"To this end, I am assigning each of you a type of creature to attack," Grogar explained, "You shall take a piece of my army and conquer that specific creature's kingdom! Now, follow me at once!"

Leading the Legion of Doom out of the courtyard, each member of the legion eagerly anticipated the assignment that they would be getting. All…except for Lavan. For in his mind, it wasn't the impending invasion of Equestria, but of something else as he looked up staring at the horizon.

"Well, Emperor Grogar," Adagio Dazzle laughed as she and the other Dazzlings greeted him at the doorway. "I see we're about ready to conquer Equestria."

"Oh goody!" Sonata Dusk squealed with delight! "I'm longing for some fun as it's gotten boring around here!"

"Shut up, Sonata," Aria Blaze muttered. "This isn't a game. This is war!"

Scarface then growled, licking his lips. "Patience, my pet," Grogar remarked to the bear. "Your time will soon come."

Still, Lavan chose not to listen to them. He needed to find a way to bring his friend and confidant back to life.

"Hey," Cozy whispered to her father figure. "What's up with Hothead there? He looks sad."

"It's that friend of his, the one called Zeb," Tirek whispered back. "Lavan just can't seem to get it out of his head. Since Zeb was killed he hasn't been the same."

"Do you think we should help him?" Cozy Glow asked. "He could be a valuable ally for our own schemes."

Tirek looked back to Lavan. "As much as I want to help him, Cozy, I can't put us at risk of Grogar's wrath. Especially with a giant bear at his disposal," He explained. "We must be careful about who we trust."

The mention of Scarface's name caused Cozy's back to shiver. However, the thought of helping Lavan didn't go far from her mind. "He needs his friend back," Cozy thought to herself. "And that's just what we are going to do!"

…

…

Gathering in the throne room, Grogar activated his map of Equestria to give out his anticipated assignments to his minions. "Each target has been carefully selected according to your abilities," He said, pointing to each location with his bell's powers. "Chrysalis!"

Chrysalis eagerly gave her attention to her emperor upon her name being called. "You shall be responsible for conquering the Changeling Kingdom!"

"As you command…my emperor." Chrysalis remarked while bowing down to him.

"Lord Tirek!" Grogar shouted to the centaur. "You and your little friend there shall be responsible for overpowering the Yak kingdom!"

"The yak kingdom? You mean Yakyakistan!" Cozy cried, feeling somewhat flabbergasted by her assignment. "But, but they smell! And it's so cold up there! I'm just a filly!"

"Their strength is powerful, far too powerful to be left unchecked," Grogar explained further while stamping his hoof down. "So get used to it! You will face much harsher climates before all's said and done."

Gesturing to Cozy, Tirek stood her down as Grogar snorted through his nose.

"Lavan!" But Lavan was too busy focused on Zeb to give Grogar his undivided attention. "LAVAN!"

"Ye…ye…yes, Emperor Grogar?" Lavan stammered. "You bellowed?"

"Pay attention, fool!" Grogar snorted. "I'm assigning you to attack the Dragonlands!"

"Oh," Lavan remarked in an uninterested tone. "Yes, of course, my emperor!"

But Grogar was not convinced. "Why do you show no interest in your assignment?" He demanded.

"It's…it's nothing, my emperor, "Lavan insisted. "I was just thinking about something else. I am interested in conquering the Dragon Lands, thank you. I will not let you down!"

Grunting, Grogar turned back to the assignment at hoof. "Arabus," He said to the swirling wind creature. "I give you permission to pay the griffons at Griffonstone a little visit!"

"Of course, my emperor!" Arabus laughed with glee. "I shall blow them away for you!"

"And their dislike for one another shall come to your advantage!" Grogar nodded. "As for Squirk, he shall conquer Mount Aris and Seaquestria. This time, the Maximals will not be around to stop him."

"And what about me, my emperor?!" King Sombra eagerly inquired. "Surely, you have a kingdom for me to conquer!"

"Yes, I do," Grogar happily nodded. "As my second-in-command, you shall assist me in conquering our prime targets: The now joint capitals of Ponyville and Canterlot!"

"And what about the…?" Sombra began.

"The Crystal Empire's Crystal Heart is stronger than ever according to our latest report from our spies in Equestria," Grogar interrupted while directing Sombra to look at the Crystal Empire surrounded by pink magic. "Besides, you attempted to conquer Canterlot yourself, didn't you?"

"I did, but..."

"-So you shall attempt to conquer it again," Grogar insisted. "And I…shall be one to take out the Supreme Princess Twilight Sparkle, and her meddling friends!"

Sombra felt somewhat insulted by this assignment, but he had to go with what Grogar had planned.

Still, not every member of the legion of doom had a strong interest in the job ahead. With Grogar not watching him, Lavan turned around to leave the throne room. But he was being watched by Cozy Glow.

Flapping her alicorn wings, the young pegasus turned alicorn dashed over to the fire creature's side. "You miss him, don't you?" Cozy asked Lavan. "You miss your friend, huh?"

"What do you know about my friendship with Zeb, filly?!" Lavan snapped back at her. "You…you're not even old enough to understand!"

"Yes, but I can understand your feelings, Mr. Hot Stuff!" Cozy answered in a babyish voice while flying in front of Lavan upside down. "You sense that your friend is still alive, but you don't know how to get him back, right?"

Thinking back to when she and her parental figures had found Lord Zedd's diary, Cozy felt she could do the same for Lavan. "I can help you!" She declared while seeing the stairway that led down to Grogar's workroom. "Follow me!"

Lavan watched as Cozy Glow flew towards the basement door. He felt confused at first, but came to an understanding that if Cozy Glow could bring his friend back to life, he had to at least give her a chance.

Little did either of them know, however, that they were being watched by the Dazzlings.

"They seem to be up to something," Adagio whispered as she, Aria and Sonata hid behind a wall. "We'd better follow them!"

Aria blinked. "But what about…?"

"Grogar must not have his plans interfered with," Adagio firmly insisted. "So we'll stop them ourselves!"

"Adagio, are you sure this is a good idea?" Sonata asked much to Adagio's annoyance. "I mean, it's his…"

"The last thing Emperor Grogar wants, stupid, is to have any outside interference!" Adagio protested. "Do you want to go back to being a powerless teenage girl in that other world?"

Silently, Sonata shook her head no.

"Good," Adagio smiled. "Now follow me, and do exactly as I say! When we inevitably expose these traitors, Grogar will surely reward us."

So the Dazzlings followed Cozy and Lavan down to the workroom, determined to stop Zeb's return at all costs.

…

Going down the stairs, Lavan and Cozy Glow reached Grogar's private workroom and found themselves in the room surrounded by shelves of books and spells along with the magic cauldron used by the emperor.

Lavan blinked in amazement. "This is his workspace?"

"It is," Cozy Glow whispered. "He must have a resurrection book or two somewhere."

While Cozy searched for a book, Lavan began to hear a faint sound coming from Grogar's cauldron.

"Help…" The voice faintly cried out from the cauldron. Walking over to the cauldron, Lavan looked down and stuck his hand inside of it. "Help me…"

"Zeb?" Lavan asked in a surprised voice. "Zeb, is that you?!"

"Help…" The voice cried out again.

"It's me! Lavan!" Lavan called out!

"Lavan?" The voice replied. "It's good to see you again!"

Lavan frantically called out! "Where are you?! Speak to me!"

"I'm in some kind of spirit world that Grogar created!" Zeb's voice explained. "Can you help me out of here, brother?"

Sharply, Lavan turned to Cozy Glow who was still looking for a spell book on resurrections. "Can't you find something, filly? He needs help!"

"Sorry," Cozy cried while frantically picking books off of the shelf! "He's got a thousand of these books here, you know! It seems he has books for spells for everything under the sun!"

Lavan only protested! "Just find any book that can bring him back to life! Hurry!"

Pressured, Cozy eventually decided on a green book that she had found. Bringing it over to Lavan, she hoofed it to him and he began to search frantically for a spell to bring his friend back to life.

"Okay, okay!" Lavan remarked while scrambling through the pages before settling on a spell. "There's this incantation here that's in some strange language. It has to work!"

Looking into the book, Cozy saw that the spell was written indeed in a different language. "Yes, it's in old ponish!" She replied, snatching the book away before realizing that she could still help out Lavan. "Maybe if I tap into my alicorn powers…"

"What?" Lavan asked.

"Stand back!" Cozy Glow ordered and Lavan stood back as her alicorn horn began to charge up. "And you may want to cover your eyes."

Doing as he was told, Lavan covered his eyes as Cozy aimed her horn at the water inside the cauldron.

Outside the workroom, the Dazzlings each slithered their way towards the door and as Cozy activated her spell, the blinding light from the spell hit the Dazzlings. "Ahh, my eyes!" Sonata Dusk shrieked while Aria Blaze and Adagio Dazzle cried out in pain, their eyes blinded by Cozy Glow's strong magic!

…

…

When the light toned down, Cozy lowered her alicorn powers and at that very moment, Lavan opened his eyes to discover a Zebra dressed in tribal attire standing right in front of him. The lava demon couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Zeb?! Is that really you?!"

The zebra returned the remark with a smile. "What's up, you old lva head?!" He asked!

Overjoyed, Lavan ran over and hugged his friend tightly while Cozy Glow looked on!

"Um, Mr. Zeb sir?" Cozy Glow asked. "Lavan has been thinking about you for some time now."

"Who are you, missy?" Zeb blinked in confusion.

"I'm Cozy Glow," The filly declared with a bow. "A member of Grogar's Legion of Doom. And we are always welcoming new members."

But suddenly, Zeb's face turned sour upon hearing Grogar's name. "Grogar? Legion of doom? What's going on here?" He asked as Lavan released his grip from him.

"Grogar has recruited us to help him take back Equestria from Twilight Sparkle and her meddlesome friends," Cozy Glow answered. "You are welcome to join us, you know. In fact, we were actually having a meeting just now. Why don't you join us? I'm sure Grogar will accept you."

But Zeb was hesitant on the idea.

"Zeb, what's the matter?" Lavan asked as they started to leave the workroom.

"Why would you help someone that kept my spirit prisoner?" Zeb blinked. "It's not cool!"

"Because, Zeb, this is the one chance we get where we can build a new life for ourselves," Lavan answered. "Don't you see? Don't you get it? Do you even want to be amongst those rhyming striped equines of yours?"

Zeb said nothing.

"Isn't that what you wanted, to be independent of them after they threw you into that volcano long ago?" Lavan protested. "Twice I have saved you. Haven't you ever wanted to be free? To get back at them?"

Suddenly, Cozy's eyes widened and she slowly started to back away nervously, moving out of the workroom. "Well, yeah, of course. That is what I want, but…"

"Then let's go!" Lavan declared.

As they left, Cozy saw the moaning Dazzlings lying on the foot of the stairs with their eyes blinded by her spell.

"My eyes! My eyes!" Adagio cried as Cozy Glow looked down on them in a sarcastic manner. "I can't see!"

"Better shut these loudmouths up," Cozy thought to herself, before turning back to Lavan and Zeb. "Stand back a second!" Activating her horn, Cozy aimed it at the Dazzlings and fired another blinding spell at them. When the magic cleared, only a snow globe remained where the Dazzlings once laid. Picking up the snow globe, Cozy looked at the three Dazzlings floating helplessly in their confined space.

"That oughta keep you three quiet. Maybe I'll let you guys out someday when you can promise not to tell," Cozy remarked as she shook the snow globe, causing Sonata Dusk to turn green. "All right, let's go!"

…

Making their way back up the stairs, the fake alicorn, lava monster and his zebra friend quickly and quietly returned to Grogar's throne room as the demonic ram continued making his final preparations.

"It sounds like he's finishing the meeting," Cozy whispered as she placed an ear to the door. "I've got an idea."

Once again, Cozy activated her horn and cast a spell to make the snow globe containing the Dazzlings disappear, then cast another spell on herself and the two reunited friends. Then she proceeded to make her way through the door much to Lavan and Zeb's surprise.

"Well?" Cozy whispered while peeking through the door. "Come on!"

Shrugging his shoulders, Lavan led Zeb into the throne room where Grogar had just dismissed the meeting.

"And where have you been, young filly?" Grogar demanded, while looking right at Cozy Glow. "And where have you been as well, Lavan? The both of you dare to leave a meeting as important as this unannounced?!"

"Um, golly, Emperor Grogar," Cozy Glow protested, flying up to him as the rest of the Legion cleared a path for her. "I can explain, honest! You see, there's this old friend of Lavan's…"

"Silence!" Grogar shouted as he looked right back at Lavan and saw Zeb hiding behind his back. "Lavan, who is that behind you?"

Knowing that he had been caught, Lavan reluctantly stepped forward. "My emperor," He explained. "I heard the sounds of my friend here, and…"

"Your friend from the zebra village, yes?" Grogar asked, looking right at Zeb. "The one called Zeb?"

Stepping down from his throne, Grogar pushed Lavan aside with his bewitching bell's powers and towered over him. "You were crying out from the spirit world, weren't you?!" He inquired. "After I rescued you from purgatory, you decided to come back?"

"L-look, my emperor," Zeb pleaded in protest. "I know you kept my spirit protected, but…?"

"But what? You didn't like the accommodations?" Grogar snarled.

"Well, I was taught that spirits never really die, so I sensed that Lavan was recruited by you and…" Zeb nervously explained.

"And you seized the opportunity to come back to life, yes?" Grogar concluded with another snarl.

Zeb silently nodded that everything he had said was indeed true.

"Hmm, so it seems that you both went behind my back to bring a last minute recruit into my ranks," Grogar remarked to Cozy Glow and Lavan. "As much as I am appreciative of your efforts, you disobeyed me nonetheless and must suffer the consequences."

Stamping his hoof, a small platoon of donkey soldiers stepped forward and they all grabbed at Cozy Glow and Lavan, forcing them down to their knees. Sensing that Cozy was about to be harmed, Tirek had to think of something quickly.

"Place them against the wall over there. You know what comes next." Grogar ordered, directing the donkeys to place Cozy and Lavan against the wall to the left of Grogar's throne.

"What are you doing?!" Zeb cried as Sombra held him back with his magic. "Leave them alone, I beg you! I'll do whatever you want, Grogar, but don't hurt them!"

Sharply turning around, Grogar stared the zebra in the face. "Let me explain something to you, zebra," He coldly hissed. "When I have servants who disobey me, they must suffer the consequences. Perhaps there is no better time to learn than now!"

"No!" Tirek cried out as he suddenly came on the scene, catching Grogar's attention!

"Impeding my orders, Tirek?" Grogar asked. "Why don't you share the punishment?"

"I'll take it all," Tirek pleaded, fearing for Cozy Glow's safety. "Please. Think of it as my punishment for not teaching Cozy Glow better."

"Tirek, no!" Cozy Glow cried, but the centaur remained defiant. "You don't know what you are doing!"

…

…

"Would you now?" Grogar remarked, circling around Tirek. "And what would prompt such an act of charity from someone like yourself, Tirek?"

Tirek then looked over to Cozy Glow and took an enormous gulp. No one was prepared for what he was about to say.

"She's my daughter," Tirek whispered, much to Grogar's surprise. "She's my daughter."

Cozy was amazed by what had just come out of Tirek's mouth! Even Grogar was surprised and suddenly, he began to laugh heartily. "What a development this is!"

"No," Tirek protested, shocked at what Grogar was asking him to do. "No, I won't!"

"The cat's out of the bag, Lord Tirek!" Grogar shouted. "Your issue will feel its sting at my hooves…or your own hands! One way or another, you will learn that no one defies me!"

Tirek felt the pressure mounting at what Grogar was trying to make him do. He was being forced to hurt the pony that he'd taken under his wing and treated like his own daughter.

"No." Tirek whispered and Grogar's smile turned to a scowl.

"Very well then." Grogar said as he prepared to strike only for Tirek to stop him.

"No!" Tirek cried, nervously stepping forward to face the back of his daughter and Zeb. Even the violence loving Chrysalis was horrified by what was happening before her eyes.

"Tirek…" Chrysalis cried as the centaur looked back to his girlfriend nervously.

"I'm sorry, my daughter. Forgive me." Tirek whispered.

Once the lashing was over, Cozy and Zeb were thrown to the floor. But Grogar was not done. Turning his attention to Lavan, he motioned for him to be positioned next. "Bring him forward!" Grogar demanded and Sombra brought Lavan against the wall.

"Allow me, my emperor." Sombra offered, licking his lips. And Grogar happily obliged.

"You are all dismissed," Grogar said to the rest of legion once Lavan's lashing was complete, and then turned his attention over to the downed Cozy Glow, picking her up with his magic. "As for you, young filly, let me explain to you that you had it easy with your father administering the punishment. But next time, I may not be so forgiving."

Then he had one more question for Cozy Glow. "Now, where are the Dazzlings? I know you did something to them! I sensed the magic you used."

"I disposed of them," Cozy hissed. "They got in the way of what needed to be done. And you'll never see them again!"

"You lie!" Grogar snarled. "They are still alive! You can't hide anything from me!"

"Of course they're alive," Cozy weakly whispered, magically producing the snow globe containing the three dazzlings. "See? There they are. But they'll be of no use to you, I've shut them up!"

Grogar furiously released his grip on Cozy upon hearing this, throwing her to the floor. "You two," He ordered to Tirek and Chrysalis. "Get this backstabbing brat out of my sight at once! I see I was wrong to give her alicorn powers. Clearly, she cannot be trusted."

Doing as they were told, Tirek and Chrysalis took the wounded Cozy Glow out of the throne room while Sombra continued to stand over Zeb and Lavan.

"What shall I do with these two, my emperor?" Sombra asked.

"Throw them in the dungeon until I say otherwise," Grogar answered. "Let's give them some time to catch up before we launch our invasion! Maybe they'll still be of some use to us."

Smiling, Grogar watched as Sombra led the two wounded friends out of the throne room while being picked up by the donkey soldiers.

…

Meanwhile, Cozy was taken back to her quarters as Tirek and Chrysalis attempted to care for her wounds.

"Grogar is dangerous," Tirek declared to Chrysalis. "He clearly doesn't play by our rules."

"Of course he doesn't Tirek," Chrysalis replied as she placed a washcloth on Cozy's back while the alicorn filly winced in pain. "What Cozy Glow did was add another ally to our ranks. Only a fool like Grogar would see that as a negative."

"Yes, I completely agree," Tirek whispered as he looked up to the galaxy. "Even Discord when he was masquerading as Grogar never did such a thing. It's clear that Grogar regards us all as disposable. That's why he is sending us out to invade these kingdoms before him. He has no intention of letting us keep them, he intends for us to fail. Chrysalis…I…I think we need to…"

Suddenly, Tirek felt one of his girlfriend's armored hooves touch his hand.

"I'm thinking the same thing, Tirek," Chrysalis declared as they continued to look down at their daughter figure. "We have to do something before it's too late. It is we should rule all of Equestria, not that old goat!"

Both of Equestria's most dangerous villains decided to take matters into their own hooves and hands against Grogar!

…

…
> Episode 13: "How Discord Got His Chaos Back"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

For over a thousand years, Grogar had been trapped on the moon after being sentenced for crimes against the ponies of Equestria. And now, at long last he could feel the time was drawing near to take back what was rightfully his. "Look at this, Sombra," Grogar said as he looked over the balcony of his moon palace. "My bell's powers are nearing their full power. Soon, I will have powers far beyond any imagination."

The overthrown king of the Crystal Empire also sensed his master's growing hunger. "Amazing!" Sombra gasped while looking at Grogar's glowing bell. "And with the Predacons out of the way, we can move in for the kill. How I long to get a piece of Equestria."

Sensing his second-in-command's equal hunger, Grogar gave him an evil smile. "And so you shall," Grogar chuckled. "If there is one thing the Predacons did right, it is was show how to conquer and attack your enemies to the fullest extent. Now, with them out of the way because of their stupidity, we can finish what they started."

At that moment, the two villains looked down to seeing Grogar's army of donkey soldiers preparing to mobilize for the journey to the Distant Lands.

"My emperor," Adagio Dazzle declared as both Grogar and Sombra turned to see the sirens, freed from the snow globe that Cozy Glow had put them in. "The army is anxious to return to Earth."

"Good my minions," Grogar remarked. "We leave shortly. Spread the word to my generals."

"At once," Aria Blaze replied as they all bowed. And as they left, the sirens had one last thing to say to Grogar. "Oh, and thanks for getting us out of that snow globe prison."

"Yeah, it was really uncomfortable." Sonata Dusk added as she shivered.

Once the Sirens were gone, Grogar sighed contently as he prepared to put away his things for the journey ahead.

Meanwhile, Chrysalis and Tirek were cleaning out their quarters per orders that they had received. But they had something else on their mind and it wasn't taking Equestria back for themselves.

"So Grogar wants to return to Equestria now?" Tirek muttered. "And of all places where he wants to set up a base is on my former homeland? What is he thinking?"

"He's thinking of toying with you, Tirek," Chrysalis sighed as she placed a picture of herself, Tirek and Cozy Glow in a saddlebag. "You saw what he did to our daughter."

Tirek felt himself taken aback by his girlfriend's words.

"Why do you consider Cozy Glow your daughter?" Chrysalis inquired.

Feeling somewhat confused as to how he could answer Chrysalis' question, Tirek let out a deep sigh. "It's…it's like she is my daughter, I can't explain it," Tirek answered. "And I think she sees me as more than a mentor, just like you see me as your lover."

"Well unless you want to be food for Grogar's bear," Chrysalis warned. "You'll keep those feelings hidden. Remember, we have to take Equestria for ourselves. We deserve to rule far more than old goat does."

As Chrysalis returned to the task at hoof, Tirek felt deep down that retaking Equestria didn't really matter to him anymore.

…

…

Meanwhile in Canterlot, Twilight Sparkle was in her royal suite going over notes that Moondancer had taken during a meeting. She could sense that Grogar was preparing to make his move and knew she had to be prepared to stay one step ahead of him.

"Twilight?" Spike asked as he came into the suite. "I, uh hope I'm not bothering you in any way."

"No you're not, Spike," Twilight answered as she looked over her secretary's notes. "What is it?"

"It's about the meeting with your generals today," Spike explained. "The strategy to defend all the targets Grogar has planned to attack…do you really think it will work?"

Taking her eyes off the those Twilight motioned for Spike to join her on the sofa. "Part of me thinks that it won't be perfect, Spike," She told him. "All that matters is we keep our subjects safe as much as possible…with minimum loss of life. I don't want a repeat of what happened the last time Grogar's forces attacked." The memories of the loss at the Distant Lands was still fresh in her mind.

"Neither do I," Spike added with a shiver going down his spine. "Still, it would be nice if we could get intelligence or an idea of Grogar's plans. Is he going straight to the Distant Lands…or is he coming here?"

This gave Twilight an idea for that having fresh intelligence on Grogar would give Equestria much needed time to act. At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

"Who could that be?" Twilight asked. "Spike, go answer it."

Doing as he was told, Spike flew towards the front doors of the suite and opening the door, he found Discord being kept at bay by two guardsponies holding spears.

"He comes in peace, guys," Spike declared, trying to get the guards to stand down and let Discord in. "You can stand down now."

"If anything Spike, I'm still just as much a threat as I've ever been," Discord somberly remarked before tapping into the half of his powers that he had to walk right through the barrier. "But at least I'm trying to be helpful. Is Twilight available for requests?"

"Requests?" Spike wondered. "What requests?"

"The requests that are not that hard to ask, of course. And yes, before you ask, Fluttershy knows I am here." Discord explained.

Bewildered, Spike led Discord into the suite and Twilight looked back to see Discord enter the study.

"Discord, what are you doing here?" Twilight asked in a confused tone. "Shouldn't you be…?"

"-Fluttershy knows," Spike interrupted, echoing Discord's words. "He's come with a request for you, Twilight."

Putting the notes down on the sofa, Twilight walked over to Discord. "What do you wish of me, Discord?" She asked in a firm tone of voice. "Speak up."

"How shall I put this?" Discord asked, trying to come up with the words to say to Twilight. "It's like this, your majesty. How would you feel if you had half of your magic taken away from you and you are beaten to within an inch of your life?"

As he spoke, Discord suddenly turned himself into an inch tall, much to Twilight's confusion and then proceeding to show bandages covering his mismatched body. "That's exactly what I have been feeling ever since Grogar found me out." Discord finished.

Immediately, Twilight got a very good idea of the request Discord was asking of her. "You wish to confront Grogar to get the rest of your chaos magic back?" Twilight guessed and a bell ringing sound was heard to clarify Twilight's correct guess.

Discord excitedly announced. "Exactly!"

"Discord," Twilight sighed, trying to set a good example. "I know you want to get the rest of your magic back, but you know Grogar has gotten more stronger since we last faced off against him and his forces. Besides, with the power he has you may get yourself killed."

"I need to take this chance, Twilight," Discord pleaded, placing his eagle claw and lion paw on Twilight's shoulders. "If you are going to win this war, you have to let me get back to full power! There's no other way!"

But Twilight remained steadfast.

"Look, before you ask, no I did not talk to Fluttershy about this yet," Discord protested. "But she has an idea of what I want to do! Please Twilight, you've got to give me this opportunity! Let me go spy on Grogar again!"

"Discord, I can't be responsible for the loss of a close friend such as yourself," Twilight sighed. "I get that you want to keep atoning for causing me to go into the hospital and delaying my coronation, but you must understand that the past is in the past and we have to move on. This isn't going to solve anything."

Getting exasperated himself, Discord ran his lion paw through his face. "Then…I guess there is no talking any further then?" He asked before bowing and turning to leave. "I'll see myself out."

"Discord," Twilight firmly declared, stopping him from going any further. "You will leave when you are dismissed."

Turning back around, Discord did as he was told. "Besides, I just got myself an idea. It's a crazy idea, but I think it may be the next best thing for you."

Turning to Spike, Twilight gave her command to him. "Spike," She instructed. "Have Starswirl and the Pillars come here at once."

Then she turned to Discord. "If you are determined to get your powers back from Grogar, then you will not be going alone."

Discord took a gulp knowing very well of what Twilight had in mind.

…

…

"You're not serious? You want Starswirl and the Pillars to have Tirek's daddy come with me? The one you despised for not accepting help?" Discord gasped with a surprised tone on his face.

"I'm just as baffled by this as you are, Discord," Twilight replied, seemingly regretting her own decision. "But if there is anyone who can help guide you through the distant lands, it's King Vorak."

"Twilight," Discord protested, again placing a paw on her shoulder. "I get the fact that you and Vorak…don't really get on very well. Can't say I blame you for it. He always was a stubborn fool to begin with."

"What I don't understand is why Vorak would come back and be begging Starswirl to give him a second chance?" Twilight pondered. "If it was up to me, I would say no!"

"Maybe there's something about him that you don't understand," Discord remarked, producing a red book with the words "The Book of Vorak" on the cover. "I mean look at this, the Distant Lands aren't exactly the best place in Equestria to go for a vacation."

Twilight swatted the book away with her wing and huffed loudly. "Vorak cannot be trusted, Discord," She firmly protested while stamping her hoof down. "I don't see why he would even be wanting a second chance to begin with. But, considering that Grogar is coming to the Distant Lands, we could always look at having an extra spy."

Suddenly, Spike stood in the entrance to the study with Starswirl and the father of Lord Tirek standing behind him. "Um, Twilight?" He called, catching her attention. "Starswirl and Vorak are here."

Turning sharply, Twilight faced her idol and the resurrected centaur king standing next to him.

"Twilight, I understand that this is not the best idea…" Starswirl tried to explain. "To bring back King Vorak…"

"Starswirl, I understand what you were trying to do," Twilight interrupted as the lead pillar stood aside. "But some creatures are not like the others."

The centaur king took an enormous gulp at the supreme princess of Equestria's firm and angry glare.

"Princess Twilight," Vorak remarked, clearing his throat. "Before you say anything, please understand that…"

"-Because of you we are at war with Grogar?" Twilight snapped. "If you had only listened to me and accepted my help…"

"I'm sorry, Princess! I'm sorry…" King Vorak cried. "All I ask is a second chance. Being killed by my eldest and sent to the land of the dead made me realize what I did was wrong. I was a bad father and an equally bad ruler."

"A father who beat his charges to assert his dominance?" Twilight asked, her voice seething with fury. "You're lucky that I didn't deal with you myself!"

Starswirl was shocked by Twilight's reaction! "Twilight, please…you have to understand…" Starswirl cried. "Excuse me, Vorak and Discord…I need a few minutes alone with the Supreme Princess." Using a disappearing spell, Starswirl sent Discord and Vorak away, leaving him alone with an angry and betrayed Twilight.

"Look, I know you are upset by this development," Starswirl said, trying to stay as calm as possible as Twilight paced back and forth. "But you must hear me out…"

Twilight only snarled! "Starswirl, how could Vorak be given a second chance? He must have been trying to trick you so he can come back to life and further tarnish the efforts we are trying to do to win this war!"

Starswirl tried to say. "I can assure you that…"

"Assure me what?" Twilight snapped in a loud voice, her horn glowing with rage beneath her large crown. "That he will refuse to be a team player? That he will bring actions that cause great damage to my subjects?"

Realizing her error of yelling at her idol, Twilight immediately calmed down. "S-sorry, Starswirl," She stammered while taking deep breaths. "It's just that…I refuse to work with others that won't help those around them. You understand, don't you?"

Stepping forward, Starswirl could only sympathize with what Twilight was going through her mind. "Yes, but don't forget that I was once in your horseshoes too, Twilight," He told her as he and Twilight sat down on the sofa. "In fact, all of us were. Had we opened up to Stygian fully, he would never have become the Pony of Shadows."

Taking another deep breath, Twilight took in what Starswirl was saying to heart. "I…I guess you're right, Starswirl," She whispered. "But Stygian isn't like Vorak. Unlike him, he understood the error of his ways. Vorak isn't like that. But, who am I to question you, Starswirl?" She asked. "If you say that Vorak has changed, then he needs to prove it to me. All he needs to do is to be there for Discord and nothing else. If he crosses the line or backstabs him, then I will deal with him myself. Is that understood?"

Not saying anything, Starswirl obliged to Twilight's command.

…

Activating his spell, Starswirl brought both Discord and Vorak back in front of Twilight.

"All right," Twilight began, sitting on her sofa and gesturing them to stand in front of her. "I've made my decision. Vorak, you shall accompany Discord to your kingdom and report to me any movements that Grogar will make or do. If I hear you defecting for any reason at all…there will be consequences. Is that clear?"

The sounds of authority in Twilight's voice gave Vorak a pretty good idea. "Yes…your highness." He replied with a hint of fear in his voice.

"Good," Twilight nodded before activating her teleportation spell. "Now go!" Using her spell, Twilight teleported the two creatures away. Once they were gone, she turned back to Starswirl.

"I hope you know what are you doing, Starswirl," Twilight sighed. "Then again, I haven't questioned you yet."

"Sometimes, I've questioned matters myself, Twilight," Starswirl sighed. "Vorak may have a reason for coming back…but I don't know the whole truth."

Having heard enough, Twilight felt her time in Canterlot was completed for the night.

"Spike?" Twilight asked in a tired voice as he came back into the study. "We're heading back to the Castle of Friendship."

Nodding, Starswirl teleported himself away while Twilight and Spike proceeded back to the Castle of Friendship.

…

…

Meanwhile, Grogar had just finished packing everything in the throne room when he suddenly got an idea. "Sombra," He declared as he looked at the empty throne room. "The time is drawing near for us to leave."

Sombra nodded. "Of course, my emperor. Our homecoming will be so sweet."

"But there is one thing that I must ask of you." Grogar added.

Slightly confused, Sombra placed a confused look to Grogar. "Yes, my emperor?"

"I want no interference in the plans ahead," Grogar firmly declared. "Bring me the three troublemakers and that hothead with his zebra friend. I must make an example out of them!"

"My emperor?" Sombra asked in a confused tone.

"Would you care to repeat what I said?!" Grogar asked in a firm tone.

Saying nothing, Sombra complied and left the empty throne room to carry out Grogar's orders.

Meanwhile, Tirek and Chrysalis were just finishing up with their packing when Cozy Glow appeared. "Okay," she said to her parental figures. "I've discussed everything with Lavan and Zeb and I think we should strike as soon as possible."

"As soon as we get to our destination, I presume?" Chrysalis whispered to her daughter figure. "The Distant Lands?"

"Of course," Cozy Glow replied. "The sooner the better."

"With Grogar disposed of, we'll win this war by our rules and our rules alone," Chrysalis declared in a hushed voice. "That will show the rest of them that we are not disposable!"

Suddenly, they heard the sounds of footfalls coming down their hallway. Peeking out the window, Cozy went to investigate what was going on. "Uh, guys?" Cozy asked in a timid voice. "Sombra's coming down with some donkeys. Must be time to leave, I guess."

"Good," Tirek whispered. "As soon as we get to the Distant Lands, we take out Grogar!"

So the three readied themselves to leave, but Sombra instead stood in the doorway, towering over them.

"Um, King Sombra, sir," Cozy Glow nervously began. "Are we preparing to move out?"

"Yes," Sombra answered with an evil smile. "I trust you know your assignments?"

"Yes, I pay a visit to my kingdom and dispose of that traitor, Thorax." Chrysalis declared.

Sombra then asked. "And Tirek?"

"Cozy Glow and I take care of the Yaks in Yakyakastan." The centaur nodded.

Nodding back, Sombra prepared for what he said next. "So you think," he murmured as the sounds of struggling could be heard coming from down the other end of the hall. Looking to the side, all saw several donkey soldiers pulling Lavan and Zeb down the hallway, bound and gagged!

Suddenly, the three one time united threats all became scared of what was to happen next. Without warning, Sombra activated a binding spell on the mean three, forcing them down to their knees as the donkey soldiers surrounded them and placed shackles!

"What's the meaning of this?!" Chrysalis furiously demanded. "Release me at once!"

"I don't think our emperor will like that," Sombra declared while chuckling slightly. "You're all under arrest for plotting to assassinate our beloved emperor."

"Who told you that?!" Tirek demanded, and Sombra nodded to the bound and gagged Lavan and Zeb.

Having done what he had set out to do, Sombra brought the five backstabbers to the throne room where Grogar was standing in the area where his throne once stood.

"Quite an interesting gathering," Grogar remarked while inspecting them. "Plotting to assassinate me, will you? Well, clearly that isn't going to be happening, is it? Sombra, take them to the dungeons and place them in irons."

This made both Tirek and Chrysalis give each other a double take.

"We haven't been heard from, Grogar," Tirek cried before raising his voice. "Haven't we got the right to be heard from, my emperor?"

"Oh yes, you do," Grogar said. "At your court material in Canterlot where you will be heard right up to the moment of your final fate."

"You…you won't get away with this!" Chrysalis snapped, struggling in vain against her bonds.

"Sorry, I'm afraid I already have," Grogar declared while tapping into his bell's powers. "Anyone who doesn't play by my rules or who tries to backstab me…is out."

Suddenly, the bell released its magic on Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow, draining them of their enhanced powers once more, reducing them to the forms where they had been turned to stone. "Sombra," He then ordered. "Do as you are told."

"Of course." Sombra replied and motioned for the donkeys to bring the five villains down to the dungeons.

With his bell charged, all Grogar could do was turn his attention to the major battle that was about to transpire. "And I can assure you!" Grogar shouted as they left the throne room. "That I shall win this war by my own rules and that no one…not even you can stop me!"

And as Grogar laughed evilly, the five villains took one last glance at Grogar as the doors to the throne room were slammed…signaling the beginning of what was to transpire from the moon to Equestria!

…

…
> Episode 14: "The Midnight in Me, Part 1"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

Gentle Gust and his partner Gentle Breeze held a major responsibility for helping ponies deal with their mental health. Ever since they'd taken on Twilight Sparkle as a patient, they'd both felt more important than ever before in terms of their position.

Early one morning as Gentle Gust arrived at his office, he stopped at the newsstand right outside Canterlot Hospital. "Chim chiminee chiminee, chim chim cheeroo," He sang to himself as he approached the stand. "I does what I likes and I likes…what I do."

"Morning, Dr. Gust," The news attendant greeted as he handed the elder pony his daily newspaper. "How are things at the office?"

"Oh, fine, fine," Gentle Gust reapplied as he paid with a bit. "Another day of keeping an eye on my special patient."

"You might want to check out the front cover," The news attendant nervously advised and Gentle Gust studied the front cover showing a picture of Twilight with the headline "SUPREME PRINCESS MENTALLY FIT TO RULE" on the top. Below the picture was a small picture of Hopper, the Changeling Twilight had executed.

"What in…why are they putting this in as a headline?!" Gentle Gust asked himself. "Don't they know her highness is…?"

"Yes, I've often wondered about that myself, Dr. Gust," The news attendant remarked. "What is wrong with the news of Equestria?"

Taking his eye off the newspaper, Gentle Gust bade the news attendant good day and made his way into the hospital. Deep down, he had a feeling that Twilight was once again going to end up back in his care again. Stepping into the office, he placed the newspaper down on the desk as Gentle Breeze came in.

"Well, I can't seem to understand it, Gentle Gust," Gentle Breeze declared, causing Gentle Gust to turn around and see that his partner was holding the same newspaper in her aura. "How could…? Oh, it seems like you've read."

"Yes, Gentle Breeze. Why would they write such a comment about Twilight?" Gentle Gust remarked. "I don't understand it either."

"Personally, I have a feeling that Twilight's going to be affected strongly by this. What someponies will do to make a living." Gentle Gust sighed deeply and once again looked down at the newspaper headline.

…

…

All Twilight could do was stand in front of her mirror with a troubled look on her face. She had not gotten the newspaper with her picture on the front page, but had a suspicion that her recent decisions were about to come back and bite her in the flank.

"Hey Twilight," Spike said as he made his way into Twilight's bedroom. "Did you…?"

"I had not, but I have a suspicion that the latest news isn't good," Twilight declared, turning away from the mirror. "They're after me, Spike, and with a war coming."

"Don't they understand about your mental health and how sensitive you are?" Spike remarked. "So you made a bad decision? Why dwell on it now? It's not gonna change it."

Twilight placed her crown on her head and proceeded to look down at Spike some more.

Immediately, Spike thought of a way to diffuse the situation. "Well, there are plenty of ponies and creatures who approve of your leadership so far in the war against Grogar."

"Yeah, you guys," Twilight huffed as she stepped out of her bedroom. "Grogar is the most dangerous enemy to Equestria, and all this one paper can do is attack me, saying that I am a bad leader and that I am worse than Celestia or Luna. Well, at least I can try and defend myself at the press conference later today."

All Spike could do was take a deep gulp, fearing that his big sister would be suffering another mental breakdown.

…

Meanwhile, Grogar sat on the throne of his new base of operations in the Distant Lands. The predacons may have conquered them, but he was the true ruler. "Take a look at this, Scarface," he said to his pet bear, stroking his head. "This kingdom will serve as my launching pad for our ultimate conquest."

The grizzly huffed as he let out a small sneeze. "But after discovering those fools attempting to assassinate me, I cannot tolerate such treason," Grogar remarked. "No, I shall deal with them in due time. But, there is always room for one more servant…" Looking down at his bewitching bell, the wheels in his head were once again turning with an evil idea. "SOMBRA!" he bellowed, his voice loud enough to cause a crack in the throne room roof. "SOMBRA!"

Just then, the deposed king of the Crystal Empire floated into the throne room, bowing down to Grogar. "You summoned for me, my emperor?" Sombra asked, looking up at Grogar.

"Yes, you simpleton!" Grogar declared while gesturing for Sombra to rise. "I have an idea and I want you to listen to me."

"Can I first give you the news that Arabus and Squirk have already taken up their positions?" Sombra asked.

"That's not important right now." Grogar replied.

"Then what is important, my emperor?" Sombra wondered. "Are we planning to attack Canterlot soon?"

Sensing Sombra's hunger, Grogar chuckled to himself in amusement. "Not quite, my friend. I have an idea to bring strong leadership to our legion. Tell me, what are your thoughts on Princess Twilight's…mental capacities?"

This caused Sombra to become slightly confused at his emperor's question. "I…I know not, my emperor. But she seems to be strongly supported by those friends of hers. I should know, they sent me back to the ether."

Tapping his rear hoof, Grogar summoned a donkey servant to bring forth a journal with a brown cover on the front with a picture of the old Equestrian flag bearing Celestia and Luna.

"What is that, my emperor?!" Sombra gasped!

"This, Sombra, is The Journal of the Two Sisters," Grogar explained while opening the cover. "A story of the former royal sisters whose parents banished me to the moon."

"And the same royal sisters who turned me to shadow," Sombra grumbled before questioning. "Why must you obtain this journal?"

"Because…" Grogar answered, turning to the section where Celestia described Luna becoming Nightmare Moon. "The princess formerly known as Princess Luna had issues that hindered her ability to rule alongside her sister and thus…became the creature known as Nightmare Moon."

Still, Sombra was confused."So?"

"What if I were to create such a physical manifestation of Princess Twilight?" Grogar asked, closing the book. "An evil manifestation that will serve me and only me? It would be the perfect weapon!"

"My emperor, such sounds like when the traitor Chrysalis created clones to obtain the Elements of Harmony," Sombra cautioned. "I wish you would reconsider. It did not end well for her, and it won't end well for us. Such a clone would surely try to destroy us and take over."

But Grogar remained steadfast in his decision. He was going to have another minion under his command whether anyone liked it or not. "I will have a manifestation of Twilight Sparkle if it's the last thing I do! It'll be the perfect way to bring Equestria to its knees!" Grogar declared, rising to his hind legs and activating his bell's powers. "And I know just who to recruit to help me."

Swinging his bell back and forth, Grogar chanted an incantation and Sombra stood back, wondering just what Grogar was going to do. Sure enough…a green smoke came out and formed in the shape of a changeling. But not just any changeling. It was Chrysalis with her green armor, crown and green eyes.

With his servant released, Grogar let out an evil laugh as Sombra grew more and more confused.

…

…

Aboard the royal train to Canterlot, Twilight continued to ponder the possibility that the Equestrian press was out to destroy her reputation as supreme princess. The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became.

"Guys, I'm really concerned about Twilight," Applejack said to the rest of the princesses as she looked from the end of the train car. "These rumors of that newspaper saying all this stuff about her is really gettin' her down."

"Yes, I can't seem to imagine why such ponies would do such a thing," Rarity added in a hushed voice. "For that matter, why don't they target us along with Twilight? We've been supporting her decisions, have we not?"

"Because they think we're just side acts and she's the main act," Pinkie Pie remarked, causing her friends to give her a stare. "What? That's probably true for them. And Twilight has been making a lot of decisions on her own lately."

"Well we can't let her go through with this alone!" Rainbow Dash declared, flexing out her wings and hooves in preparation for a fight. "If those press ponies want to give her a hard time…"

"Careful, hothead," Applejack cautioned. "Don't forget that they may be goin' after you next. This ain't the time to be fightin' with each other."

"Whatever you say, AJ." Rainbow replied.

Soon the train neared Canterlot and immediately, the press was already waiting on the platform.

Twilight took an enormous gulp as the door to the train car opened. Following two guardsponies, Twilight walked past the flashes of photographs and the screaming of questions from reporters. The more she walked, the more uncomfortable she felt about what was happening.

A few moments later, Twilight and her friends boarded the chariot for the short ride over to Canterlot Castle for the weekly press conference.

Upon arrival, Twilight and her friends proceeded to the throne room where the press was already in place.

"They sure are hungry for information," Fluttershy declared, herself feeling her knees shaking. "Ooh, I can only imagine what Twilight is feeling."

"We have to face it, girls," Twilight firmly replied. "Follow me and let's get this over with."

So all did as they were told and proceeded into the throne room as the trumpets sounded, announcing their arrival.

Standing in front of the microphone, Twilight began the press conference. "Good morning, everycreature," She began. "I'm sure that you are probably all wondering the latest on where we go with how we stand against Grogar. To this end, I have ordered that strict lockdowns will occur from sunset to sunrise. In addition, the Equestrian forces are continuously taking applications for any type of service. Every bit counts."

As she spoke, Twilight noticed a pair of ponies with pencils on their ears looking right at her. "Furthermore, I also wish to report that intelligence reports claim that Grogar is planning to attack neighboring kingdoms using his minions. To this end, I implore that all kingdoms up their defense. All we can do is work to the best of our ability to defeat Grogar. This is it, the war is finally about to come home! We must be alert if we're to prevail!"

Once Twilight finished her sentence, one of the two ponies took down notes on a notepad. Twilight tried to ignore them as she continued the press conference. "Finally, I wish to point out…" But a clearing of the throat from one of the pencil eared ponies caused her to direct her attention towards them. "Yes?" Twilight asked. "You wish to ask me something?"

"That is correct," One of the reporters replied. "I'm Dirty Scoop, Canterlot Chronicle and this is my partner, Dirty Laundry. Both of us were wondering about something…"

"Do you think these strict lockdowns will be enough?" Dirty Laundry asked in a grouchy voice. "Or are you just tooting your own horn? Be honest, do you really believe the citizens of Equestria will support such measures?"

Twilight gave them a nervous glance as she tried to politely answer them. "The lockdown measures my fellow princesses and I have imposed are only meant to help protect, not hinder innocent ponies. You know that along with everypony else in this room."

"Perhaps you also are aware that your failures to protect the Distant Lands are a sign of things to come?" Dirty Scoop proposed.

This caused Twilight to be taken aback. "Why is that even a question?"

"Because, your highness, the ponies of Equestria would like to know," Dirty Scoop answered. "If you…the supreme princess of Equestria…are making the right decisions in defending her subjects."

"What?!" Twilight asked in a shocked voice. "What does that have to do with anything we are talking about?!"

"Because the public has a right to know," Dirty Laundry remarked. "The decisions you've made as of late have given many ponies cause for concern."

Immediately, Twilight began to feel the pressure turn up and her friends began to notice.

"And it's to our opinion," Dirty Scoop added. "That you seem to be mentally unfit to be supreme princess. The writing has been on the wall for a long time now."

Appalled, Twilight could feel the anxiety starting to creep back up inside of her along with a growing anger.

"Any other questions?" Twilight asked other journalists, trying to ignore the two journalists. This caused the other princesses to become nervous as well.

"Princess Twilight," Dirty Scoop asked again. "Your recent decision to execute the changeling criminal, Hopper. My partner and I believe that decision was made because you were out of character."

"The decision to execute Hopper was based on the fact that he committed a war crime!" Twilight argued! "I didn't like doing it, but it had to be done. He was too much of a dangerous influence to be allowed to live."

"A war crime?!" Dirty Scoop remarked while chuckling slightly. "I doubt that because we weren't really at war then. Grogar hadn't launched an attack, Hopper was no threat to anyone anymore."

"The verdict was clear and precise," Twilight nervously cried. "He threatened to pull off my wings for one. I… I couldn't let that stand! It would've been an insult against the crown!"

"So it was for your own personal revenge then?!" Dirty Scoop cried. "Well, that further clarifies our decision to put your decision to execute Hopper on the front cover. How could you stoop so low, princess? You used to believe in second chances!"

Right away, Twilight stepped back from the podium, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

"Tell the truth, your highness," Dirty Scoop demanded. "We have a right and the rest of your subjects have a right to know, what has happened to the Twilight Sparkle we once knew? Why isn't she here now, leading us instead of this impostor?!"

Shocked and appalled, the other princesses came to Twilight's side as Rainbow Dash flew up to the podium, her eyes darted on the two journalists. "Hey you!" Rainbow Dash yelled into the microphone, her eyes locked on them. "Leave this meeting at once! You're not helping anything!"

"Princess Rainbow Dash, we are well within our rights as journalists to get the truth," Dirty Laundry protested. "Princess Twilight is clearly unfit to rule Equestria. She should just admit it!"

"Why don't you ask me that?" Rainbow Dash hissed, angrily glaring at them with her wings stretched out. "Come at me, I'm a mare! I'm a princess! I'm a wonderbolt! Why don't we take this outside?!"

But this only added fuel to the fire. "Why don't you just stick with the wonderbolts, then?" Dirty Scoop asked. "I'm sure balancing being a princess and a Wonderbolt is a lot for you."

The sounds of the yelling caused Twilight to further start shaking and crying and soon, she was curled up into a ball while her friends looked on.

Immediately, the other reporters became concerned and Applejack took charge of the situation. "Sorry, everypony," she said. "We are ending the press conference early."

But Twilight's cries continued, causing further concern. And at that moment, several guardsponies ran over to Twilight's aide to surround her and the other princesses. Then the rest of the guardsponies began to usher the ponies out of the throne room.

"What do we do?"Rarity asked in a concerned voice.

"Better get her over to the hospital," Spike said solemnly with a deep concern in his voice. "Aww, Twilight…"

And once again, Twilight was on her way back to the hospital because of another mental health breakdown.

…

…

Meanwhile, Sombra could only watch in disbelief as Grogar admired the clone of Chrysalis that he created.

"I am Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings," The clone declared while bowing to Grogar. "Here to serve you."

"Yes, yes," Grogar laughed, pointing to the clone. "You shall serve me well as I have created you. You shall serve me by retrieving a sample of the blood of Princess Twilight Sparkle."

"As you command, my emperor," The clone laughed. "It shall be done."

"Wait!" Sombra cried running in front of the Chrysalis clone, feeling his position deeply. "I don't understand, my emperor! Why must you create a clone of a traitor?!"

"Because I need a traitor's clone to serve me. That's why, you weakling!" Grogar thundered, using his magic to move Sombra out of the clone's way. "Now stand aside! This clone will obey me, I shall personally see to it. I have ensured that this clone has no desire to do anything other than obey my commands."

As Sombra got to his feet, Scarface let out a growl that caused Sombra to nervously back away.

"Now my loyal servant," Grogar instructed to the Chrysalis clone. "You shall infiltrate Canterlot Hospital and bring me a vial of Twilight Sparkle's blood, so I can create an evil servant in her likeness."

"Twilight Sparkle's blood shall be yours, my emperor." The Chrysalis clone declared, bowing to Grogar once more.

"Good, now go at once!" Grogar ordered, using his magic to send the Chrysalis clone away. Then, Grogar was left alone with Sombra once more. "Nothing against you, Sombra, but you cannot always get the glory that comes with being my second-in-command, yes? For I need another second-in-command for my planned conquest of Equestria. Somepony that can take out the princesses themselves."

And Grogar walked over to his map of Equestria, looking down at the spot on the map where Ponyville and Canterlot stood.

"And who do you plan on naming this clone of Princess Twilight's, my emperor?" Sombra asked.

"All in due time, my friend," Grogar muttered, turning to Sombra with a sinister smile on his face. "All in due time." And Grogar tapped into his bell's powers yet again, this time teleporting him and Sombra out of the throne room.

From a corner of the throne room, a large flag hung over along with several other flags. The flag somehow jumped off and landed down on the floor before manifesting into Discord. "A clone of Twilight?" He remarked, running his lion paw through his face. "Oh, boy. As if things weren't bad enough for her."

"I propose we take out Grogar and his fools at once!" King Vorak's voice declared as another large flag fell and landed next to Discord, before manifesting into Vorak himself. "The throne is left unguarded!"

"Are you stupid, you silly centaur?" Discord whispered, hastily covering Vorak's mouth with his lion paw. "It doesn't go that easily! Besides, you heard the orders, we are to spy and provide intelligence on Grogar's moves! We if try to make a move on Grogar we'll blow our cover and be of no help to anyone."

"Now you listen to me, spirit of chaos!" Vorak retorted. "I only joined with you to reclaim my kingdom, not to help Equestria!"

But Discord looked flatly at the stubborn centaur. "Yea of little faith," Discord said, briefly transforming into a pea. "Says the old centaur who has a pea for a brain."

"What?" Vorak blinked in confusion.

"It's the truth," Discord hissed, turning back to his normal self. "Now be quiet and help me gather more intelligence. If Grogar thinks what he is trying to do…"

"It doesn't concern me what happens to the ponies of Equestria," Vorak declared, much to Discord's shock and dismay.

"Doesn't concern…doesn't concern you?" Discord cried in a frustrated voice. "Look, I've dealt with many stubborn ignoramuses in my life…but you take the cake! You were even brought back to life, you got a second chance!" And to prove his point, Discord turned into a cake.

"So what if I am being stubborn?" Vorak grunted as Discord turned back to his normal self. "I am not a part of this war…"

"Oh, yes you are, Vorak!" Discord cried while grabbing Vorak's beard. "You lost your kingdom to Grogar, or have you been so blinded by your desire to eliminate your eldest son? I'm beginning to wonder just how much of a sourpuss you really are. Furthermore, I don't really get the picture of why Starswirl listened to you. You weren't trying to redeem yourself…"

"Can't we just end this please?" Vorak groaned as Discord teleported himself onto the throne with a glass of chocolate milk in his eagle claw.

"Of course we can end this, but it won't be the way you wanted it to be," Discord cautioned. "In many cases, you will probably end up like the Storm King…who just happens to be buried right here in this kingdom."

Snapping his eagle claw, Discord produced a picture of Grogar and Sombra standing in front of a makeshift grave.

"So what? Grogar will join him and all his ilk," Vorak cried, turning his back on Discord. "And I don't care if anyone else hears me…"

Suddenly, they heard the sounds of the doors opening and Vorak could not believe what he was seeing before his eyes.

"I care," Sendak declared, much to Vorak's dismay. "How could you be so selfish, my king?"

Vorak said nothing, but could only look at the disappointment on his counselor's face.

Meanwhile the Chrysalis clone proceeded closer and closer to Canterlot as Twilight was being admitted. Very soon, Grogar would have a new lieutenant to serve him.

…

…
> Episode 15: "The Midnight in Me, Part 2"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

"PREVIOUSLY ON MY LITTLE PONY"

…

...

Gentle Gust: "Why would they write such a comment about Twilight?"

Gentle Breeze: "Personally, I have a feeling that Twilight's going to be affected strongly by this."

Twilight Sparkle: "They're after me, Spike, and with a war coming."

Grogar: "Tell me, what are your thoughts on Princess Twilight's…mental capacities?"

King Sombra: "So?"

Grogar: "What if I were to create such a physical manifestation of Princess Twilight? It would be the perfect weapon!"

Dirty Scoop: "I'm Dirty Scoop, Canterlot Chronicle and this is my partner, Dirty Laundry. Both of us were wondering about something…are you just tooting your horn? Your recent decision to execute the changeling criminal, Hopper. My partner and I believe that decision was made because you were out of character."

Twilight Sparkle: "I didn't like doing it, but it had to be done. He was too much of a dangerous influence to be allowed to live. He threatened to pull off my wings for one!"

Rainbow Dash: Come at me, I'm a mare! I'm a princess! I'm a Wonderbolt! Why don't we take this outside?!"

Spike: "Better get her to the hospital."

King Vorak: "I only joined with you to reclaim my kingdom, not to help Equestria!"

Discord: "In many cases, you will probably end up like the Storm King…"

King Vorak: "I don't care if anyone else hears me…"

Sendak: ""How could you be so selfish, my king?"

…

…

Weakly opening her eyes, Twilight found herself awakened by the sounds of monitor beeps and her forelegs were once again stuck with needles containing medication and fluids for her body. She also found herself surrounded by her fellow princess, her mother and big sister figures and her parents as well.

"Oh Twilight, my baby!" Twilight Velvet cried with raw emotion in her voice, bending down to hug her daughter. "Thank goodness!"

"Mom, easy…" Twilight groaned as Twilight Velvet released herself from Twilight. "Wha…what is this place?"

"You're in the royal suite now, Twilight," Celestia warmly explained. "We all came immediately after we heard the news. How can some ponies be so cruel?"

"Yeah, I wanted to teach them a lesson!" Rainbow Dash snarled while pounding her forehooves together. "Nopony makes a mockery of you Twilight and lives to tell the tale! If I ever see them again, I'll…"

"Easy there, hothead," Applejack cautioned, raising an eyebrow to her fellow princess. "Remember, there may be others watchin' you."

"Who?" Pinkie Pie asked, jumping to the front door to see if there was anyone coming down the hall. "Who? What? Where?"

Grateful that she was surrounded by those she loved, Twilight sighed with content.

"Who were those ponies that asked those horrible questions?" Luna asked Twilight, sitting on the edge of her bed. "I would like to have some words with them."

"They were from the Canterlot Chronicle," Rarity explained. "I mean…we are doing all we can to keep our kingdom safe, right?"

"We are," Spike replied. "I get the fact that someponies are hard headed, but there was no reason at all for what just happened."

"It's…it's all part of being a princess, Spike." Twilight weakly insisted.

"Yeah, glad I decided to stop becoming one," The young dragon muttered, remembering how he'd used Twilight's position at the royal Equestrian summit to make himself look good. "I wouldn't have taken those questions head on. Especially…" But he could only think back to when his wings were threatened to be pulled off by the Legion of Doom.

Just then, Gentle Gust and Gentle Breeze came into the room with a phlebotomist holding a butterfly needle in her blue aura.

"Let me guess, you want a blood sample?" Twilight guessed, weakly trying to get her foreleg ready. "Take some, I'm already getting used to it."

Little did anyone know that the phlebotomist had an extra vile for Twilight's blood and that this phlebotomist wasn't what she really seemed to be.

"Just a small pinch, princess," the phlebotomist said in a gentle voice, her voice sounding like Trixie's as she placed the needle into Twilight's foreleg. As the blood was being drawn, Night Light was confused by the presence of another vile.

"Um, Dr. Gust?" Night Light asked. "Is there any particular reason why there is an extra tube?"

"Just to check on the other organs in her body for any sign of nerve agents, nothing too serious," Gentle Gust answered. "Can't really be too careful when dealing with mental health patients."

Soon, the needle was extracted and Twilight was bandaged up yet again.

"By the way, Twi," Applejack declared. "I have some apple mash that I've been meanin' to give ya. Reckon it'll help you feel better."

"Thanks, AJ," Twilight answered, moved by the gesture. "I probably will be in here for a day or two, so I can use the mash."

Then, despite her condition, Twilight turned her attention back to the war itself. "Has anypony seen Tempest Shadow anywhere?"

"Why do you want her?" Fluttershy asked. "She's responsible for overseeing the security measures."

"I want her to start a correspondence with Discord and King Vorak. Any messages that those two have for me must be shared with us, is that understood?" Twilight explained.

…

Meanwhile, Discord and King Vorak were greeted by Sendak, the elder centaur who had betrayed Vorak long ago.

"How could I?" Vorak remarked. "How could I be standing in front of the one who turned my eldest son against me? I should have executed you when I had the chance, Sendak!"

Sendak only gave a disapproving glance at Tirek's father. "Grogar has given me a second chance and I ask you to respect that, sire," He protested, much to Discord's dismay.

"Wait a minute," Discord remarked, waving his paw and claw as he stepped off the throne. "When did Grogar ever give you a second chance? He's probably going to dispose of you when he achieves his goal."

To prove his point, Discord transformed into a garbage can as a green furry creature popped out. "Yeah," Discord said in a grouchy voice. "Grogar doesn't give a flying feather about others aside from himself."

"Yes," Vorak added. "This is my kingdom, Sendak! If there will be anyone to take down Grogar, it is I!"

"Excuse me?!" Discord cried, stamping his goat leg in impatience. "What did Princess Twilight say? She didn't send you alone…did she?"

"It doesn't matter," Vorak stammered, glaring at Discord. "This kingdom is mine and no one…not even you, Sendak…will stop me from getting back what is mine!"

Exasperated, Discord stepped back from Vorak. "And until you do, hotshot," Discord cautioned, producing a quill and parchment with the word "Correspondence" at the top. "We are only meant to gather intelligence for Twilight and the girls…capiche?"

Rather than complying, Vorak snatched the parchment and ripped it up with his claws.

"Well, of all the nerve!" Discord gasped. "I'll see to it that Twilight knows about this when we get back!"

…

Little did they know that at the same time, Grogar and King Sombra were in a small courtyard where a grave containing the remains of the Storm King was buried.

"Take a good look, Sombra," Grogar declared. "This is the place where the bodies of Equestria's rulers will be buried as prisoners of war."

Taking in the delight of seeing a possible future grave, Sombra relished the possibility. "And I know the first one to be placed," Sombra declared, pointing to the right of the Storm King's grave. "Right there. The future home of her highness, Princess Twilight Sparkle! I can just see the epithet now "A pony truly unworthy to be a princess!"

This made the two villains share a laugh with one another. "I love the way your demented mind works, Sombra," Grogar said, nudging him in the side. "But my pet here will want to have the biggest feast of his life. Isn't that right, Scarface?"

The grizzly roared loudly at the declaration of Grogar's words. Unfortunately, the roars were heard back in the throne room.

"What was that?" Vorak cried! "Is that the bear?"

"It is and he is targeting you both as his next meal!" Sendak cautioned as Discord wrote up the latest intelligence.

…

Back at the hospital, the phlebotomist who had taken Twilight's blood brought it to the hospital's pathology lab. With no one looking, the phlebotomist took one of the tubes, holding the red liquid in front of her eyes. "Now Grogar has everything he needs." She declared, placing the remaining tubes in a tube holder before she activated her sickly green magic, teleporting herself and the bottle away.

Meanwhile in the royal suite, an incapacitated Twilight was still trying to process how to deal with the two reporters who'd gave her the anxiety attack.

"Clearly those ruffians need to be punished," Rarity suggested as she sat in a chair and sewing another Equestrian fashion. "Nopony deserves to be abused in such a way."

"Maybe they just need to be fired and nothing else," Fluttershy added. "Celestia, Luna, what would you do in this situation?"

"When we were princesses, we dealt with reporters just like those two," Celestia answered. "Starswirl taught us that sticks and stones may break our bones, but words can never hurt us."

A few moments later, the doors opened and Gentle Gust stepped back into the room.

"What's the latest on the bloodwork?" Twilight Velvet asked.

"Everything seems to be normal," Gentle Gust explained. "You had some nerve agents discovered in the area around your heart, Twilight. But not enough to cause a heart attack."

"Thank goodness," Spike sighed, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "Don't go down that path, Twilight."

"However, I did discover that some of the nerve agents managed to get into your cholesterol, Twilight," Gentle Gust continued. "Have you been stress eating lately?"

"At times," Twilight answered as honestly as she could. "Being a princess can be stressful, you know."

"We're going to recommend that you try and limit as much of your stress eating as possible," Gentle Gust cautioned. "In fact, exercise can really help you control your mental health and reduce the risk of panic attacks."

As supreme princess, Twilight took her doctor's advice to heart. Anything she did would be monitored by her subjects.

"Don't forget why I made your friends all princesses, Twilight," Celestia advised. "So you can have as much of a stable life as possible. In fact, maybe you and I can do some walking days. Walking is really good for the body more than anything."

All Twilight could do was chuckle slightly at her former mentor's suggestion. "Says the pony who likes to get extreme."

The room lit up with laughter at Twilight's remark and even Celestia herself couldn't help but manage a small chuckle.

"And there is another recommendation that I believe I should make." Gentle Breeze suggested.

"What's that?" Twilight Velvet asked.

"I would recommend to the Canterlot Chronicle that the two journalists who did this to you, Twilight, face disciplinary action or even termination from their jobs." Gentle Breeze explained.

But despite this, Twilight was reluctant. In her mind, she would be possibly denying two ponies their ability to make a decent living. "I do think that they should be held accountable," She acknowledged while clutching onto Celestia's hoof. "But I am not going to be the one to say that they should be fired, guys."

…

Back in the Distant Lands, Discord finished writing up the latest intelligence, sending it away with the snap of his lion paw. "Hope she gets it in time," He said to himself. "If you say that Grogar's teddy bear will be coming for us..."

"-Heh, he will get more than that when he's done with you both," Sendak cautioned. "Grogar is going to make things better for our world and there is nothing you can do to stop him!"

"Now Sendak, honestly," Discord scoffed. "Perhaps you don't know about your protégé and what he is up to right now."

"I know what he has done," Sendak retorted, as he walked towards the throne and turned around to Discord and Vorak. "Tirek was planning to assassinate Grogar."

Both Discord and Vorak were shocked to hear this news!

"Him and his girlfriend and that daughter figure of his. They were planning to kill Grogar, but I wasn't sure how." Sendak explained.

Then, Discord got himself an idea on how to get to the bottom of the situation.

"If you'll excuse me for one moment," Discord said as he snapped his lion paw once more and produced a television screen and several stickers were placed on Sendak's head. "Might as well get to the bottom of this."

Tapping into his chaos powers, Discord made the screen come to life and then the screen produced a picture of Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow gathered in their quarters.

"He's going to not honor our wishes," Tirek said as he paced back and forth. "He is far too dangerous. We must end him now."

"But what about the others?" Cozy Glow asked. "What about them?"

"They shall pay with their lives if they choose to interfere," Tirek remarked. "If we let Grogar continue with this, he shall carry out death orders and there will be no one left to rule over."

"Yes," Chrysalis added, stamping her hoof down on the floor. "We must have live subjects to rule over."

"Then is it agreed?" Tirek asked before extending his left arm out. "We carry out the plot as soon as possible?"

Following Tirek's lead, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow placed their hooves in front of Tirek's arm.

With the memory finished, Discord snapped the television screen and the stickers away.

"I can't let him go through with it," Sendak protested. "Grogar is the best thing that has happened to our world and…"

"You choose to rat out your own protégé?" Discord remarked, shaking his pony head in disapproval. "Tsk tsk. Shame on you."

Feeling the pressure, Sendak felt that he needed to defend himself. "I had to do something," The old centaur cried. "Grogar must carry out his plans for taking over Equestria and her allies."

Enraged by what he had just heard, Vorak drew out his sword, ready to administer the killing blow on his former advisor. "You pig!" He roared! "I shall kill you for this!"

Acting fast, Discord jumped in between Sendak and Vorak and snapping his lion paw, turned Vorak's sword into a pinata stick that struck Discord and broke off of him. "Now Vorak, is that any way for you to treat your servants?" He asked. "Shame on you!"

"Granted," A voice declared as the three creatures turned to see Grogar, Sombra and Scarface standing in the doorway. "But I think that any outside interference is bad for any conquest."

"Grogar!" Vorak cried. "I demand you to release my son to my custody at once!"

"So you can kill him yourself?" Grogar asked. "I don't think so, for the one place you truly belong, Vorak, is in here."

And Grogar tapped into the powers of his bell and it's sickly green energies approached Vorak and surrounded him. Struggling, Vorak attempted to free himself from the confines of the energy but to no avail!

"Scarface," Grogar commanded once he'd absorbed Vorak. "Kill."

Doing as he was told, Scarface walked over, and this gave Discord the signal to leave. "See ya, Sendak!" Discord said as he tapped himself away from view while Scarface feasted on the body of Vorak while Grogar and Sombra watched with delight.

…

…

Once Vorak was disposed of, Grogar and Sombra left the throne room and at that moment, the clone of Chrysalis arrived with the vial of Twilight's blood.

"Ah, you've succeeded," Grogar remarked, taking the tube in his aura. "Well done, my servant."

"Anything for you, my emperor," The Chrysalis clone answered, bowing to him. "I am here to serve you."

With the blood of his enemy in his grasp, Grogar proceeded to the next phase of his plan. Leaving the throne room, he headed down to the castle's dungeons.

"Take a good look, Sombra," Grogar declared. "This shall be the creature that will lead the attack on the capitol city, Ponyville!" Activating his magic again, Grogar produced one of his large black cauldrons used for bringing souls back from the dead.

"Bone of the father, unknowingly given," Grogar roared and holding the bone of one of his victims, he threw the bone into the cauldron. "Blood of the enemy, forcibly taken." Holding the tube of Twilight's blood, he dumped it into the cauldron and the bubbles began to boil at a fast pace.

"Now, rise and serve your new master!" Grogar shouted as the dungeons began to shake, rattle and roll! As Grogar and Sombra watched, a dark purple mass of energy roared out of the cauldron followed by the presence of Twilight Sparkle's cutie mark, now darkened with evil.

Watching closely, Grogar and Sombra saw the cutie mark go down into the cauldron. And almost as if on cue, the head of a pony with dark purple fur and a purple and pink flowing mane came out, followed by large black alicorn wings. Opening her eyes, the figure displayed light blue glowing eyes with purple irises.

"Yes, yes! Welcome…welcome to my ranks…MIDNIGHT SPARKLE!" Grogar shouted as he let out a long, evil laugh knowing that he had created the creature that would help him finish off Twilight Sparkle once and for all!"

Climbing out of the cauldron, Midnight Sparkle stared evilly up at her new master, embracing the life that had been given to her.

…

…
> Episode 16: "Freedom of the Press"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

Returning to the confines of her Castle of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle stood in front of her bedroom mirror remembering her recent anxiety driven hospital stay. Everything that was discussed in the royal suite was racing through her mind. As a princess, Twilight had expected to be criticized in her royal duties. It was the nature of the game, but it didn't have to have been the way it did.

"Ah, Spike," Twilight said as she saw her royal advisor come into her bedroom. "Tell me something, this hearing that the Canterlot Chronicle is putting together…how do you think it will be?"

"Well…these two journalists…they did get hard on you. It's just the nature of the game of being a princess. That's their living." Spike replied.

"That's just it," Twilight sighed, turning to face Spike as she adjusted her large crown. "I want them to understand that sometimes journalism can cross the line. I don't want them to lose their jobs because of me. You're my royal advisor, what do you think I should do?"

It took a moment for Spike to think, but he eventually came up with an answer. "If I would say anything,"He proposed "I would say that if you are to attend another one of the royal press conferences, you need to remember your p's and q's as well, not forgetting to dot the I's and cross the t's."

A sour look fell on Twilight's face when she heard that.

"Plus, that's just your opinion on what happens to them," Spike remarked. "It's really the Canterlot Chronicle itself that will make the final call."

"Yes, I just hope it's the right one. Those journalists did put me back in the hospital, but I can't just see them be fired because of what they did to me. It wouldn't be right." Twilight insisted.

Spike scratched the back of his neck in confusion as Twilight made her way down the stairs to her dining hall. He could sense that Twilight was conflicted in seeing the journalists being merely disciplined and not being fired for conduct unbecoming to a journalist.

As Twilight came down the stairs, she saw Celestia answer the door and a dark brown pony with a curly mane and black rimmed glasses and wearing a white shirt and black tie stood in the doorway.

Right away, Twilight could see that this was no ordinary pony. "Fair Press?" She whispered to herself. "What's he doing here?"

…

…

Stepping into the castle, Fair Press looked up and saw Twilight on the stairs. Immediately, he lowered his head in respect. "Princess Twilight?" He asked. "I just thought I'd come by and…"

"No need to explain, Fair Press," Twilight acknowledged as she came down the stairs. "I think I know why you are here. It's about those two journalists of yours."

"Yes," Fair nooded. "Being a judge of character, I wanted to prepare you for what's to come and answer any questions you may have."

"Fair Press insisted he'd come for your sake, Twilight," Celestia added. "He's a respected journalist in Canterlot and has a son who has issues similar to yours."

Immediately, Twilight felt a sense of respect for the Canterlot Chronicle's head of operations.

"Shall we go to the dining room?" Twilight offered and Fair Press followed her along with Celestia.

Stepping into the dining room, Twilight found that Luna and the rest of her fellow princesses were seated around the dining table, while Grubber brought in an extra chair for Fair Press to sit down at.

"Um, what are you all doing here?" Twilight asked.

"I asked them to come here and support you," Celestia answered. "Besides, it gives Grubber something to do in the kitchen, right?"

The personal hedgehog chef of Twilight nodded in acknowledgement and left as Twilight sat down in her usual seat while Spike joined her on her right.

"Well, I do appreciate you going out of your way to speak with me," Twilight nodded. "And thanks for your concerns regarding my recent hospital stay."

"The Canterlot Chronicle has a ton of respect for you, Princess Twilight," Fair Press replied, taking a sip of coffee. "However, some of our journalists do have the audacity to go beyond their job description. Let me be the first to tell you that we are not a bully organization."

Rainbow Dash, still angry over how Twilight was treated, snorted in disgust. "Heh, that's the understatement of the day," she grunted. "If they still want me to come and fight them, I'll…"

"-Rainbow!" Twilight sharply interrupted the Princess of Loyalty. "Please! Not here!"

"With all due respect to Princess Rainbow Dash," Luna declared. "I would be sorely tempted to do the same thing if journalists like that attacked my reputation or your reputation, Celestia or any of your reputations."

"Indeed, I had to reprimand the journalist who wrote that article about you not wanting fillies to go on their field trip." Feeling slightly embarrassed, Luna slid back from the table, only for Celestia to pull her back.

"I have my reasons, Celestia," Luna said, pushing herself from the table again, only for Celestia to push her back to the table. "What? I don't want to relive that moment."

Taking her glance off of her younger sister, Celestia rejoined the conversation. "What I don't want is any forms of retaliation whether they be physical or not," Celestia cautioned. "I say that as a princess and I say it now as a private citizen."

"The same here," Applejack raised her hoof in solidarity with Celestia's decision. "I play by the rules, even if I am severely provoked."

The rest of the table nodded in agreement. "Forget Ms. Hothead over here," Pinkie Pie remarked to Fair Press. "She took it kind of personally."

…

When the formalities were concluded, Fair Press began the meeting.

"Now I just want to give you a picture of what is going to be happening," Fair Press began. "There will be a disciplinary hearing because both Dirty Scoop and Dirty Press performed not to the standards of journalism but of their own personal intent. The Canterlot Chronicle performs by the rules and these two did not do so."

Clearing his throat, Fair Press turned his attention over to Twilight. "Princess Twilight," He declared. "Given that you were the target of my journalists, is there anything you would recommend in terms of suspensions or even terminations?"

Without hesitation, Twilight gave her immediate response. "I don't want terminations," she said firmly. "Whatever you do, I refuse to see ponies lose their jobs over something like this. What they said was harsh, but it was part of their jobs."

All the ponies at the table were taken aback by this declaration, including Spike.

"Twilight, remember that these were the ponies that put you in the hospital," Spike cautioned. "They can't just be let off scot-free."

"Yes," Twilight replied. "But I also know that they need to make a living. I mean, what would you do if they were in their horseshoes?"

The entire table fell silent and shocked by such a suggestion from Twilight herself.

…

…

"Twilight!" Celestia gasped! "How could you say that about the ponies who did this to you? You know how we all feel about your mental health!"

"Yeah,," Spike added, touching Twilight's right front leg. " I speak for all of us when I say that I can't stand seeing you curled up on the floor again and crying your eyes out."

Twilight took in a deep sigh knowing firsthoof what her royal advisor meant.

"Yeah, that's Fluttershy's job, right?" Pinkie Pie asked Fluttershy, who merely took a sip of tea.

"I've been working on it, Pinkie," Fluttershy replied. "Besides, I've got other things to worry about, such as Discord spying on Grogar for one."

"I say we forget the hearing and just go right to the chase!" Rainbow Dash declared. "If you don't like it, then that's your problem! Excuse me!"

"Sorry about that, Fair Press," Twilight chuckled with an embarrassed look on her face. "Rainbow's not called the Princess of Loyalty for nothing."

"I understand," Fair Press acknowledged quietly. "She does have a right to be angry though considering you are one of her closest friends, Princess Twilight."

"But again, we play by the rules," Applejack reminded. "I say we teach them a lesson and be done with it. That's my honest opinion."

"If you say so, Applejack," Rarity sighed. "A line should be drawn somewhere, but I don't know if it should be by our hooves."

"Yeah, if you say so." Pinkie Pie added.

"Still, I agree with what Twilight said about forcin' these ponies out of work because of their behavior," Applejack declared. "That ain't how we do things! Mind ya, that this is the first time we've been confronted with this here behavior."

"I'm afraid this has happened before, Princess Applejack." Fair Press sighed, taking off his glasses for a moment and wiping them with a napkin.

"It has? When?" Rarity asked and a clearing from Luna's throat caused the entire table to turn to her.

"Luna?" Twilight remarked. "When did this happen to you?"

"There was an article that was written about me after the Tantabus incident," Luna sighed. "Whoever wrote that article clearly had it in for me and said that I was not fit to be a princess, that I should still be up on the moon. It was a slap in the face, but I didn't say anything about it out of respect for my self respect and dignity."

Celestia felt shocked at such a confession from her own fur and blood. "Luna, why didn't you tell me about this?!" She gasped.

"It was my burden to bear, Celestia," Luna answered to her shocked sister. "Not yours because you didn't rule the night."

"Well, did you see who wrote the article?" Celestia questioned. "Luna, they may be the same two ponies who interviewed Twilight!"

"That's because they are the same two ponies," Fair Press confessed, much to Celestia's horror. "Dirty Scoop and Dirty Laundry have been known to cross the line a few times with their stories and I will confirm that they did write that story about you, Luna. I specifically disciplined them afterwards and warned them not to cross such a line again, but it seems my warnings fell on deaf ears."

Suddenly, the princesses all began to get a sense of déjà vu, remembering the Gabby Gums incident involving Applejack and Rarity's younger sisters, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. But this time the target was not just Twilight but also Luna.

"But,like Twilight," Luna spoke up. "I don't wish to see them fired. Perhaps a demotion, but not a termination."

Fair Press felt conflicted by this suggestion and realized that he had been put into the lion's den. "Um, of course…" he stammered, rising from his seat. "I will take into consideration all of what you have said for the hearing later today."

"Good, you may go." Twilight said, dismissing the journalist from the dining hall.

Once he was gone, Twilight and her friends finished their breakfast and were soon on the royal train to Canterlot for the hearing.

"Luna was targeted by these guys because she was unfit for the throne?" Twilight sighed, looking up at the ceiling of the train car. "What is wrong with these ponies, Spike?"

"Not everypony or everycreature will have the same vision as you, Twilight," Spike remarked. "I mean, if I was running a newspaper, I would not take this kind of behavior lightly."

Still Twilight felt conflicted at what was in front of her and as the train neared Canterlot, she continued to ponder the possible outcome in front of her.

…

At the Canterlot Chronicle headquarters, Dirty Scoop and Dirty Laundry sat in their office looking over their notes for their soon to be published article about Twilight.

"Hey Scoop?"Dirty Laundry asked, catching his partner's attention. "Is it just me or am I starting to get second thoughts?"

"About what?" Dirty Scoop asked in a gruff voice. "That what we said about Princess Twilight wasn't entirely true? Maybe, but at the end of day, we're just doing our jobs."

"But do we have to do it at the expense of a pony's mental health?" Dirty Laundry asked, looking back down at his notes. "I mean, seeing you bring her highness down like that…it just doesn't seem right. What were we solving going after her so much?"

This made Dirty Scoop drop what he was doing and turn towards his partner. "What did you say?" He furiously asked, leaping out of his chair and slamming his partner against the wall of their office.

"I'm saying that there are lines that we should not have crossed," Dirty Laundry answered. "Did you see her highness being whisked away? Did you hear her crying out? I…I refuse to accept the fact that we witnessed it."

But Dirty Scoop merely smirked in sarcasm and dropped his partner on the ground. "Refuse to accept it?! You saw what happened, idiot! Seeing a story like that drives up the profits, and ponies are going to be buying this story left and right! We can't pretend we never wrote it or never saw what we clearly saw."

Releasing his grip on Dirty Laundry, Dirty Scoop watched him clatter onto the floor and stepped back, determined to stick to his guns. "Why must you be in such denial, Dirty Scoop?" Dirty Laundry questioned. "Tell me, why?"

Straightening his tie, Dirty Laundry kept a close watch on his partner as a knock on the door to their office was heard.

Opening the door, a reporter peeked into the office."Their highnesses are here, guys," he said. "Better get down to the conference room."

So, both unicorns proceeded to their hearing with one still in denial and the other wanting to set things right by any means.

…

…

Making their way down to the conference room, the two colts stood in the doorway flanked by four of the building's security guards. Knocking on the door, Dirty Scoop and his partner awaited anxiously for the meeting to begin.

"Come in," Fair Press called and the two unicorns peaked through the doorway towards the conference room with its lights turned off, except for the table itself. "And take your hats off!"

Doing as they were told, they took off their hats and closed the door. They entered the room and approached their superior, the six princesses and the two former princesses seated with the other heads of the newspaper.

"Good day, your highnesses and gentlecolts." Dirty Laundry stammered in a low voice.

All Fair Press could do was look at the reports in front of him and shake his head in disappointment. "Do the both of you understand why you are here today?" He firmly asked, but the two colts didn't answer. "Well, do you?"

"Yes, yes, I think I do, Mr. Press," Dirty Laundry nervously replied. "It's because we harassed her supreme highness, Princess Twilight, over her restrictions meant to defend us from Grogar, and brought up things that were not the subject of that conference. I can assure you that…"

But Dirty Scoop was silenced from a raised hoof from Fair Press.

"I don't think we need to be reminded of that," Fair Press declared. "The both of you have been here before because of similar actions in the past, such as writing an article about a former princess who just happens to be with us today."

The two unicorns turned their attention over to Luna, who gave them both a scowl of personal disgust.

"I can assure you both that we, the heads of the Canterlot Chronicle, will not tolerate such conduct by our journalists," Fair Press remarked. "Your recent behavior at the royal press conference was not done with the respect of this organization. Do you deny it?"

"I do not deny it, sir." Dirty Laundry answered.

"I deny it!" Dirty Scoop coldly answered. "Because it's my opinion that the supreme princess is not fit for the throne! Not after what she's done!"

"Your opinion?" Celestia angrily asked. "I'll have you know that…"

"Celestia, not now!" Fair Press advised, motioning her to stand down. "Why do you deny your actions, Dirty Scoop?"

"Because a journalist has the right to say what he or she wants to say!" Dirty Scoop explained. "The public deserves to know that their ruler is doing these stunts for attention. And I believe that the killing of Hopper the Changeling justifies my beliefs!"

Suddenly, Twilight sharply rose from her seat in anger!

Dirty Scoop shot back. "I am sick to death at your incompetent leadership and the decisions you and your royal cronies display! You are not princesses fit to lead this kingdom into war!"

"So we would much rather surrender to Grogar?" Twilight asked. "Is that it?"

"We will not win this war with your leadership," Dirty Scoop declared. "Your actions have proven that."

"We weigh the pros and cons and make the best decision we can," Twilight remarked. "But you are right. My soldiers are not just soldiers. Yet they have put their trust in me. And I, not you, Dirty Scoop, command this army along with my friends."

"Now you hear me and you hear me well," Twilight continued after taking a deep breath. "You both may have had a point and I forgive you both. Maybe some of my actions were not the right call to make. But fighting me over them won't change them. It won't bring Hopper back from the dead."

"Dirty Laundry," Fair Press answered. "Out of the both of you, I see that you are remorseful for your actions, both involving Princess Twilight and former Princess Luna. To this end, you are to remain where you are, but you will undergo retraining in accordance with our policies."

All Dirty Laundry could do was sigh in relief at his second to Twilight and the others, he turned and left the room. Once both were gone, Twilight took a deep sigh of relief.

"Glad that's over," She sighed. "I hate to admit it, but they were right. I thought executing Hopper would send a message to our enemies, but what it really did was unnerve our allies. All I can do now is work to undo the damage."

"So, what else do we do besides that?" Spike asked Twilight.

"We move on towards preparing for the confrontation with Grogar," Twilight answered. "And whatever the consequences may be, we must be prepared to face them!"

…

…
> Episode 17: "The Great Escape"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

In the dark confines of the castle that once belonged to Emperor Grogar, the Legion of Doom were left to rot out the rest of their natural days in the dungeons along with their fellow prisoners. Once they had conspired to rid themselves of Grogar, now they were facing the consequences of their actions and had been stripped of their enhanced powers.

But they still had a desire to escape and finish what they started.

"Ugh, this is so annoying!" Cozy Glow groaned as she looked out the small window of her cell. "Here we are, stuck in a dungeon, reduced to nothing and left to rot! If only I could get my hooves on that Grogar…"

"Had it not been for those teenage mongrels, I er... we would have succeeded," Chrysalis added, stretching out her wings while playing a card game with Tirek. "If only I can get my claws on them…"

"Face it, Chrysalis. We just can't give up because of three stupid humans who claim to be different creatures," Cozy Glow declared, trying to keep the spirits of her parental figures up. "I mean, who else can…?"

But as Cozy Glow spoke, the sounds of banging on the cell doors were heard, shaking up the Legion of Doom.

"Shut up in there, you idiots!" Adagio Dazzle bellowed, catching the Legion's attention. "You're supposed to be rotting in silence! Those are Grogar's orders until he comes back for you! So if you don't want to suffer the consequences…"

"…We suggest you zip it." Aria Blaze added, giving the Legion of Doom a mocking smile.

Feeling insulted, Cozy Glow flew away from them. But as she did so, Cozy began thinking of a way to escape their situation.

"Just face it, Cozy," Tirek sighed. "Why keep fighting when it appears that all is lost? Grogar will kill us eventually."

However, Cozy remained steadfast. "No he won't!" She protested. "Listen, we've been in worse situations before, haven't we? What happened to the team I used to care about? We had a victory once, remember? Blowing up Canterlot Castle in front of Twilight and her friends? Why don't we get victories like that again?"

"Because Grogar is relentless," A voice from the cell across from the Legion's called, a voice that belonged to Tirek's younger brother, Scorpan. "Remember those apes that sat in my cell? The ones you took prisoner from that other planet? Grogar killed them all for his own amusement using methods worse than what our father used, Tirek! Don't you understand that?! When Discord was 'pretending' to be Grogar, he didn't bother to understand how cruel the real Grogar could be. He's merciless, he can't be beaten!"

Tirek refused to acknowledge his brother's presence and turned his skinny back on him. But even he was beginning to understand the gravity of their situation. He needed to escape…they all needed to escape and take care of Grogar themselves! It was better than inevitably being disposed of when they had outlived their usefulness.

…

…

"Maybe your brother has a point, Tirek," Cozy spoke up, trying to boost up morale. "Even so, there has to be a way to get out of here without getting killed. We just have to have some faith inside of us, right? Everyone has a weakness or a weak spot, no one's invincible. Right?"

Tirek ignored his daughter figure and turned his focus to Scorpan. "Scorpan, I'm well aware of what our father did to administer punishment. I received most of it, remember? Look at the scars on my back! I'm not like my father, Scorpan! He drove me to do what I did, so shut up! You know nothing of what I suffered!"

Feeling insulted, Scorpan stepped back and turned around, banged his claw on the wall of his cell. "Tirek, why can't you be like what you used to be?" He whispered to himself in frustration. "The brother I used to care about? Are you too far gone to see any sense? Father is gone now, and soon you will join him if you continue down this path of revenge."

Back in their cell, Cozy Glow couldn't help but feel sorry for Scorpan. In her mind, she knew her father figure played by the rules of evil. He had escaped the confines of a cell before and would be perfect to lead an escape from Grogar's old dungeon. "You know, maybe you should hear Scorpan out, Tirek."

"Yes, he's your brother," Chrysalis advised, placing a hoof on his shoulder. "I think we should give him a chance if we are to take Equestria for ourselves. As the saying goes: The enemy of my enemy is my friend, much as I despise the idea of having friends. Besides, the Sirens have love that I can taste from in here. He could be just the ticket towards helping me get it, and then there'll be no stopping me… us!"

Still, Tirek stuck to his guns. "Out of the question," He declared, much to his lover and daughter figure's collective shock. "Grogar is far too powerful with that bell of his…a bell that we recovered for him from Mount Everhoof not once…but twice. If what my brother says is true, it doesn't matter who we recruit or what powers we obtain."

Sighing in frustration, Chrysalis activated her magic and forced Tirek around to look at her and Cozy Glow. "Now you listen and you listen good, Tirek!" Chrysalis cried, using her magic to slam her lover against the wall of their cell! "I've come too far to just give up now! Equestria will be ours one way or another! Yet you are choosing to admit defeat to Grogar! Well, I refuse to surrender and would much rather die than serve Grogar a second longer!"

"Yeah, what she said!" Cozy Glow added. "I consider you my daddy for a reason, Tirek! Who else was the one who taught me how to survive in Tartarus even though I drove you crazy? Who was the one who gave me the knowledge I needed to drain all the magic in Equestria?"

Taking his daughter's words to heart, Tirek began to let his guard down a little bit.

"So are you just going to let Grogar win after what he did to us?" Chrysalis added. "I love you, Tirek, and will follow you to the ends of the universe if necessary! Isn't it time you did the same for me?!"

"Chrysalis, I…I…" Tirek stammered. "I want to fight back, but I want to do it with dignity and honor."

"Dignity and honor?!" Chrysalis remarked while backing away from Tirek slightly. "We're villains, we don't have dignity and honor!"

"Well, I do!" Tirek shot back, much to Chrysalis' shock. "Am I against friendship? Yes! But I don't consider myself a monster! I only consume magic from ponies and whoever else I come across! If I killed anycreature, then what difference would it make to me? I would have no one to rule over! That's what separates me from my father and Grogar," He then coldly explained. "I never kill, not even if it would benefit me. You two may not care about that, but I do! I want subjects to be alive so I can rule over them with an iron hoof. My father was the only exception, and he left me no choice."

Backing away in frustration, Chrysalis felt as if she was starting to lose her grip on her beloved. She wanted to escape from her prison as much as her love and her daughter figure, but she wanted to do it her way.

"Brother, I will say this," Scorpan said from the cell across from them. "You are going to have to fight for the right to survive and you will need to kill if necessary. That's one thing I had to learn the hard way from being in here. You killed our father even though you didn't have to! You've taken a life already, so what's a few more if you get what you want?! Far as I'm concerned, you became dead to me when you killed our father and sided with that monster."

"Besides, I still believe we have a chance, right?" Cozy Glow coyly. asked "I've never backed away from a challenge and I don't intend to start now!"

"Look, I can still help you, brother," Scorpan suggested. "You cannot get far without support for one another. That's another thing I had to learn in this war. Once you're free, you won't have to worry about me ever again and neither will I have to worry about you. At least someone will still be there to rule over our kingdom, much as I despise the idea of you getting what you always wanted."

Folding his arms, Tirek considered everything that was being said. He had to take the help to escape, but whether he would be a team player remained to be seen.

…

…

Pacing back and forth, Tirek took in the possibility of what those around him were suggesting. But then Chrysalis had another thought about what was going through her lover's mind.

"Maybe you are also afraid of Grogar's main weapon," Chrysalis suggested after nodding briefly to Cozy Glow. "That bear of his?"

"Yeah, that sack of fur," Cozy Glow added, causing Tirek to stop pacing back and forth. "The one Grogar says he would threaten to feed us to."

"It's…it's just that…yes, I would much rather not be fed to the bear. But I just have this fear of Scarface. I mean, how can I kill something as powerful as Scarface?" Tirek grumbled. "No amount of magic can protect me as long as Grogar has that bear at his beck and call."

"You can defeat him with teamwork," Chrysalis answered. "With teamwork we can do anything, including taking Equestria for ourselves! We did it before and we can do it again! And with the ponies distracted fighting Grogar, we'll have the perfect opportunity to do so. We can pick off the winner while they're isolated and weak.".

"Chrysalis, there is something else I want to confess," Tirek added, much to her shock. "I…I don't want to conquer Equestria anymore."

Both Chrysalis and Cozy Glow's eyes widened with shock at what Tirek had revealed!

"Not want to conquer Equestria?!" Cozy Glow gasped! "Golly, what a spoil sport!"

"What gives you the right to make such a confession?!" Chrysalis bitterly demanded! "Isn't that what you always wanted?! To rule over Equestria?!"

"Maybe for you…but not for me!" Tirek cried, flailing his arms in anger before realizing he had raised the tone in his voice and frightening Cozy Glow slightly. Taking a deep breath, Tirek slowly confessed. "All I've wanted is to survive and not live in my father's shadow anymore. That's all. The magic of the pony races is like food to me…it helps me to survive. Conquering the land was just a way to satisfy my hunger. Wouldn't you feel the same way about love, Chrysalis?"

"And getting revenge on Starlight Glimmer?" Cozy Glow added, suddenly getting an understanding about what Tirek was getting across to them. "Like that's ever going to happen."

Taking a deep sigh, Chrysalis herself also contemplated the validity of her own goals. "I suppose you're right," She sighed. "But I am a queen, I demand respect from my subjects and getting the ultimate form of respect…"

"-Is by giving respect to others," Scorpan added. "You give respect to gain respect. It's better to give than to receive. You may not embrace friendship, but respect is much greater than friendship."

"Not…fear?" Chrysalis asked, looking back at Scorpan, who nodded that what he said was the correct answer. "That's what I declared to Princess Twilight when we were defeating them in Canterlot. Fear is how I always ruled over my subjects, and it served me well until those ponies decided to intervene."

"What does it matter?" Cozy Glow asked. "Let's just get out of here and get rid of Grogar before we decide to embrace respect, if it all."

"You can respect each other by helping each other to escape," Scorpan declared. "I can help you all."

Tirek wanted to protest, but Cozy Glow stopped him. "We need to trust him, Tirek," She remarked. "If there is any way we are going to escape…we have to trust him. We don't have a lot of other options at the moment."

Looking towards his brother, Tirek was left with no choice. "Very well then," He reluctantly sighed. "We'll do what you say, Scorpan. For now."

…

Later, Sonata Dusk paraded between the two cells and looked to see the occupants inside lying fast asleep.

"All right, prisoners are asleep and I've got a taco with my name on it," She giggled as she sat down in a chair right beside the Legion of Doom's cell. "Dinner time!"

Opening one of her eyes, Cozy got up and quietly flew over towards Sonata Dusk as she was biting into her taco. Taking one of her forelegs, she wrapped it around Sonata's mouth to prevent her from screaming. "Okay, grab the keys! Quick!" She sharply whispered to Tirek and Chrysalis who grabbed the keys with her magic while Tirek drained Sonata's magic and regained some of his stolen strength.

Taking the keys, Chrysalis placed them in the lock and opened the door, allowing her, Tirek and Cozy Glow to escape. Then, snatching the keys from Chrysalis, Tirek reluctantly proceeded to open his brother's cell.

"Scorpan, I hope you know what you are doing." Tirek declared.

"Trust me, brother," Scorpan replied as he got out of his cell. "You have to trust me. You are the only family I have left. I don't want to believe there is no good left in you, no matter how much my heart tells me so. If only so we can both be free of that monster, I'll help you out."

"Now where do we go?" Cozy Glow asked as Scorpan turned his attention towards the farther end of the dungeon.

"This way, come on!" Scorpan cried as he took to the air followed by Chrysalis and Cozy Glow. "Take out the guards, quick!"

As they attempted to escape, several donkey soldiers charged and pointed spears at the prisoners!. But Tirek, with his newly acquired strength, managed to easily defeat them and consume their magic, regaining more of his power.

"Where are we going?" Cozy Glow asked.

"There's a door that I was brought here through," Scorpan answered. "It leads to a loading dock!"

"A loading dock?!" Cozy cried!

"Yes, a loading dock! There should be something there that can help us. Hurry!" Scorpan answered.

But just as they were about to get to the loading dock, the group was stopped by Aria Blaze and Adagio Dazzle.

"Going somewhere?" Adagio asked evilly as she and Aria stared down Scorpan and the mean three. "I don't think so! You'll pay for what you did to Sonata, pay with your lives that is!"

"What do we do now?!" Chrysalis frantically asked Scorpan. "Where are we gonna go?!"

"I'll tell you where you're going," Aria Blaze answered. "Splatsville! Prepare to suffer my wrath!" Hissing, Aria then lunged at Cozy Glow!

But Tirek was quick to intervene, grabbing the Dazzling by her neck and clutching it tightly.

Adagio charged towards Tirek, only to be stopped by Chrysalis. Loudly hissing, Chrysalis pressed the leader of the sirens on the ground while Scorpan and Cozy Glow moved forward.

"The ship is gone!" Scorpan cried!

Cozy blinked in confusion. "What ship? I don't see a ship."

Scorpan explained. "The ship that brought me here! I know it was here! I saw it with my own eyes!"

Cozy Glow groaned in annoyance. "Great! There's no way out of here! Now what?!"

Suddenly, Scorpan got another idea. "Follow me!" He declared, flying towards the outer reaches of the castle's areas. "I think there's another way out if we move fast!"

Cozy wanted to follow, but all of a sudden she heard a loud scream coming from Chrysalis as Adagio Dazzle stuck her fangs into her throat!

Hearing his lover's scream, Tirek attempted to go towards her, but Aria was quick to stop him, wrapping him up to choke him.

"Chrysalis!" Cozy Glow cried, flying over to her mother figure as fast as she could!

But Adagio Dazzle took her tail and wrapped Cozy Glow around, attempting to choke her.

"Cozy Glow!" Tirek coughed, trying to get himself out of the grip that Aria Blaze had him in! "Let... go... of me!"

"Never! This is going to be fun!" Aria Blaze laughed as she kept up the pressure.

Realizing he needed to act fast, Scorpan dashed back into the castle!

Tirek saw his brother leave them and felt nothing but betrayal was left to the mercy of the Sirens along with his lover and his daughter figure.

…

…

Scorpan retreated back into the castle and proceeded towards the empty throne room! "There's only one way to escape now!" He cried, amd letting out a loud roar he used his strength to bang a hole into the spot where the throne once stood. Looking down into the hole, Scorpan dove in and found himself in a large cave that only had small torches for light. "If what I heard is true…"

Following the dimly lit torches, Scorpan soon found himself standing in front of a tall monstrosity with the body of a serpent. "Incredible!" He gasped, admiring the tall structure before proceeding to a small door at the bottom of the structure. Climbing up through the structure, he bypassed several rooms and joints before finally making his way towards the cockpit. "Hold on, brother!"

Meanwhile, the mean three continued to struggle with the two Dazzlings and all Tirek could do was watch helplessly as Adagio released her fangs from Chrysalis' neck, the wounds looked nasty.

"Grogar will reward us handsomely, Aria!" Adagio declared "When we bring him what's left of these three traitors! And to think, we could pull it off without that annoying idiot Sonata getting in the way."

"Time to finish you off!" Aria hissed as she prepared to bite at Tirek. "Then I'll take all your magic, including the stuff you stole from Sonata!"

But then suddenly, the ground beneath them rumbled and the Sirens lost their balance and grip on their opponents.

Inside the dungeons, Sonata Dusk came to and quickly got up to leave, but not before picking up her prized taco. This was a mistake as the ceiling began to collapse around her!"OH NOOOO!" she screamed as the ceiling caved in on her and the taco!

With a look of horror on their faces, Adagio and Aria looked up to see a giant, green robotic creature towering over them!

"What is that?!" Cozy Glow cried as the metallic creature roared. "Is that a dragon?! Where are its scales?!"

Just then, a beam of green light hit the mean three and pulled them up towards the creature's mouth.

"Don't let them escape!" Adagio shouted as she and Aria prepared to give chase. But just then, the creature's left leg rose up and moved forward towards the two sirens. Both Adagio and Aria screamed in horror as the creature's foot moved down on them!

Meanwhile, the mean three were brought into the cockpit of the creature as Tirek looked up and saw Scorpan piloting the creature. "Scorpan, what is this monstrosity?!" He demanded of his brother.

"This is Serpentera II!" Scorpan answered. "A creature built by the previous occupants of this castle. But it has a very limited battery life."

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Cozy Glow cried. "Let's get out of here before that… thing runs out of juice!"

Powering the thrusters, Scorpan lifted Serpentera II into the moon's atmosphere while the castle crumbled beneath them.

…

Once they were clear of the moon's atmosphere, Tirek went to the cockpit and approached his brother. "Scorpan," He bitterly demanded. "Was this all you wanted to teach us about respect? By having us nearly get killed?"

Turning his head to Tirek, Scorpan sighed to himself. "Brother, what I said earlier was a lie. I believe there is still some good in you," He explained. "Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday…the good in you will come out fully. Besides, the time will soon come for you to face your fears. Father is gone now, it's time for us both to move on."

Tirek was not convinced, but he had a strong indication of what his brother had planned for him and his companions. "Well, let's hope that doesn't happen," He remarked. "I'm just grateful to be out of that dungeon."

Turning his back around to the front, Scorpan had one more message for his brother. "Your lover needs you to tend to her wounds. Go to her. At the least you have learned how to get along with others, that is a start." He reminded, motioning for him to leave the cockpit.

Doing as he was told, Tirek left the cockpit.

In another part of Serpentera II, Cozy Glow had placed several bandages on Chrysalis's neck much to the Changeling's annoyance.

"All better!" Cozy Glow declared in a joyful voice.

"Yes, of course," Chrysalis muttered. "Doesn't change anything about what just happened, however."

"What matters is that it is over, Chrysalis," Cozy replied. "We can now focus on finishing off Grogar, right?"

"Yes, but all this talk about respect…it's making me sick," Chrysalis gagged. "I need love, not respect!"

"But respect will help us survive," Tirek remarked as he stood in the doorway. "Now that we are free from Grogar's dungeon, we must embrace the thought of respecting one another. It's the only way we can survive."

"Maybe rescuing your brother was a mistake," Chrysalis bitterly muttered. "It's made you soft."

"Scorpan and I may not be on good terms, but he helped us to escape," Tirek declared. "We need to take that into consideration. Besides, respect is what we might need to survive what is to come next."

Sighing deeply, Chrysalis had no choice but to accept what was to come as Serpentera II traveled towards Earth.

…

…
> Episode 18: "Diary of a Dictator"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

As she lowered the sun and raised the moon over Equestria, Twilight Sparkle reflected on her recent confrontation with the Canterlot Chronicle, and the next step in the fight against Grogar and the Legion of Doom. With her wings stretched out, Twilight finished her duties and retreated into her bedroom where Spike was sitting on her bed. "Okay, that should do it," she sighed. "Another day done and another confrontation over."

"At least we took care of it before it became a distraction," Spike replied as Twilight removed her large crown. "Killing Hopper may not have been the best move, but he did do the unthinkable. And it's not like we can rewind time to undo his death. We both know how much of a mess time travel is."

Twilight remarked with a hint of fear in her voice. "I know. I had to do something though, I couldn't just let him walk away after he threatened to pull my…"

"-I-I know what he threatened to do," Spike stammered as he cut off the sentence. "I mean, he was dangerous, right?"

"Yeah," Twilight sighed as she climbed into her bed. "You don't have to tell me twice. I might issue a formal statement of regret or something tomorrow, not that it'll help. Anyways, have Discord and Vorak sent any more intelligence regarding Grogar's next move? They've been unusually silent."

The young dragon merely shrugged his shoulders as he flew off his big sister's bed.

"I take that they didn't," Twilight guessed. "Well, knowing Discord, he probably wants to do things his way. Oh well, I will worry about it in the morning. Good night, Spike."

Pulling the covers over her, Twilight attempted to fall asleep after a long and grueling day.

…

At the same time, Celestia was down in the kitchen, producing a cup of tea with her mind focused solely on Twilight and her latest mental health scare. She was soon approached by Luna as she also came into the kitchen, preparing to make herself a cup of coffee.

"Luna, how many times must I tell you that coffee is not good for you at night?" Celestia asked, her eyes focused on her tea.

"It keeps me alert, sister," Luna sighed as she got to work on her coffee. "You know that very well. I mean, given the state of our kingdom at war you've got to be prepared for anything."

"But sleep is important too, Luna." Celestia protested.

Luna said nothing and as the two sisters made their favorite drinks, she couldn't help but wonder about another pressing issue. "Not to change the subject, Celestia," She remarked, turning to face her sister. "But has it ever occurred to you that there is a truth about Grogar we don't know about?"

With her tea in her aura, Celestia leaned back against the kitchen and stood on her hind legs, stretching out her forelegs.

"It's just that, when Mother and Father banished him to the moon," continued Luna. "It seemed like the rest of Equestria didn't get a chance to know the whole truth about him. In a way, Grogar was kind of like me. There must've been a reason for him to suffer that fate. You only did it to me when I became Nightmare Moon. Mother and Father must've been in a similar situation with Grogar, no?"

This made Celestia look wide eyed in surprise at her sister's confession. Putting the cup of tea back on the counter, she absorbed what her sister just said. "How could you say that, Luna?" She asked in a shocked voice. "What makes you think you can relate to Grogar? He's a monster…you are not."

"Yes, but there has to be a reason why he became who he is," Luna declared. "No one just wakes up one day and decides they'll be evil. I've been in the library for several days and nights trying to figure out more about Grogar. Where did he come from? What was his background? Why did he become who he is? All this time and we still don't know everything about him or what history he had with our parents."

Using her magic, Luna produced a series of books all about Grogar.

"You did ask Twilight if you could borrow those books, didn't you?" Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow. "Tell me the truth."

"I did, but don't you see?" Luna declared. "None of these books hold the truth about Grogar!t None tell how he became the monster he is! What was it that sent him down that dark path of no return?! I know it's not possible for him to be redeemed, but perhaps we could be prepared if one of our own should be showing signs of becoming like him?"

"You know, you can be just as crazed as Twilight can be," Celestia chuckled at her sister. "It's almost amusing."

Suddenly, there was a knocking at the front door, catching the attention of the two alicorn sisters. Leaving the kitchen, they made their way to the front lobby and opened the doors to find an old ewe being held back from entering.

"Stand down," Celestia ordered to Tempest Shadow and the two guards. "What's happening here?"

"This old sheep claims that she knows something about Emperor Grogar," Tempest explained. "She requests an audience with her highness, but she is currently in her chambers and not to be disturbed Those are orders."

Luna looked right at the ewe. It seemed in her mind that she and the rest of Equestria would finally get some answers about Grogar!

…

…

Feeling dismayed that she was about to be denied her audience with Twilight, the old ewe was about to turn around and leave, but Luna stopped her. "Wait!" Luna cried, catching the ewe's attention. "Who are you? Where did you come from? What reason have you for seeking us out?"

Turning around, the ewe looked back to Luna and smiled. "Princess Luna?" She whispered, much to Luna's confusion.

"Um, I am not a princess anymore, fair ewe," Luna explained. "I've retired from the throne along with my sister here. But we can still help with whatever you need."

"Thank you," The ewe declared, looking at Luna with a small smile. "I have come a long way to seek out the ones who are leading this war against Grogar."

Both Luna and Celestia gave each other a confused look, but they weren't going to turn the old ewe away. Tapping into her alicorn powers, Luna could detect that the old ewe had a connection to Grogar…a very personal connection. "Let her pass." Luna commanded and Tempest reluctantly stood down along with the two guards.

"Should Princess Twilight be informed?" Tempest asked.

"No, she is asleep," Celestia answered. "I'm sorry my dear, but anything you have to say you can say to us."

"I'm sorry, Princess Celestia," The ewe protested while shaking her head from side to side. "I must speak to her highness at once. It's urgent! It has to do with Grogar."

"Sister, she seems desperate in her tone of voice," Luna warned, looking over to Celestia. "We should at least…"

Suddenly, Luna noticed something in the old ewe's saddlebag. It was a large red book with gold lettering at the top. "Your book!" She remarked. "The one in your saddlebag. I can't help but notice…"

"That's why I came all this way here from Sheepskin Pass," The ewe replied, taking the book out with her mouth. On the cover were simply the words "My Diary."

Opening the covers, Luna was stunned by what was written inside! "How long have you had this diary?" Luna asked. "It has…"

"Yes," The ewe answered. "Grogar was once one of our own!"

Both alicorn sisters were shocked by what they heard and realized only one thing that needed to be done…they had to bring the ewe to Twilight at once!

…

As she slept in her bedroom, Twilight finally felt a chance to relax and unwind after her long and trying day. She was dreaming about competing on a trivia trot game show all about Equestrian lore and popular books.

But as she continued her dream, Twilight was rudely awakened by the pounding sound on her bedroom door. "What..wha…what is it?" Twilight cried as she fell out of bed and bumping her head on her nightstand, causing her to wake up. "Ow! Who's there?"

"Twilight, are you in there?" She heard Celestia cry out on the other side.

"What is it, Mom?" Twilight groggily asked as she begrudgingly got up from her rude awakening. "Is Shining Armor reading my diary…?"

Walking over to her bedroom door, Twilight answered it and saw Celestia, Luna and a strange ewe on the other side. "Guys," Twilight yawned. "Do you know what time it is?"

"Twilight, I apologize for having to wake you but it's important!" Celestia replied. "This old ewe claims to have information about Grogar."

Taking the book in her aura, Twilight yawned again and tiredly looked through each and every page. Suddenly, her tired eyes widened when she got to a part of the book that had a name written down! Her exhaustion was gone and her princess authority was back! "You have information about Grogar?" She immediately asked. "Come with me to the library, Ms…"

"Maa, call me Maa." The ewe replied.

Having gotten the identity of the visitor, Twilight motioned for Maa to follow her to the library with Celestia and Luna following close behind.

…

…

Making their way into the library, Twilight and Maa made their spot in the library's middle portion. Sitting down under the library's dome, Twilight took the book again and looked through each and every page carefully once more.

"Forgive me for disturbing you, your highness," Maa acknowledged. "But this was the only time I could make it here."

"It's quite alright," Twilight replied as Spike entered the library, having also been awakened by the loud banging. "Normally, I wouldn't accept visitors in the middle of the night, but this is an exception."

"What's going on here?" Spike asked. "Who's the old sheep?"

"Spike, this is Maa," Twilight said to her royal advisor. "She's an ewe and she claims to know something about Grogar."

"I do," Maa replied. "This is a diary, a diary of the one known as Chirin. I should know, as he used to live with us before he lost his way."

Joining Twilight in the center of the library, Spike looked at the book closely.

"Um, can I ask you something, Ms…Maa?" Twilight asked. "If you know who this Chirin is, how are you still alive?"

"What makes you ask me that, Princess Twilight?" Maa remarked. "Chirin had me killed along with the rest of the rest of our flock. It was thanks to a spirit named Gusty that I was brought back to life."

"Gusty?!" Luna gasped as her eyes widened! "As in Gusty the Great?!"

"Yes," Maa answered with a nod. "Gusty brought me back to life to seek out you, Princess Twilight."

"Gusty? How?" Spike wondered. "I mean…didn't she die? I thought she disappeared long ago, not unlike Starswirl and the other pillars, until I read otherwise"

"Gusty was murdered by Chirin shortly before he killed all of us ewes," Maa remarked. "Yet he was not like this to begin with. He was not born the father of monsters."

Turning the pages back to the beginning, Maa directed Twilight, Spike and the two sisters to look at the opening entry to the diary. To get a firsthoof feeling, Twilight activated her alicorn horn to produce a male voice that read the opening paragraph.

"Dear diary, I am Chirin. I have more energy than all the other lambs in the pasture put together. I wear a ringing bell around my neck, and although I like the sound, it is there to help my mother find me if I get lost... or fall if I don't watch where I am going."

"Okay, so it seems like a good start," Spike commented. "Still don't see the picture though. How did this 'Chirin' become Grogar?"

Tapping into her alicorn powers again, Twilight transported herself and the others to an open pasture where several young sheep frolicked around and Twilight then turned her attention to a young sheep with a bell wrapped around his neck.

"Hmm," Spike remarked. "Are you sure that's Grogar? It hardly looks like him."

"It is him," Maa remorsefully answered upon noticing the similar fur color. "Oh, he was so happy to be alive back then."

As they watched the young sheep frolic around, they spotted a white ewe following him around. Seeing the ewe, Maa could feel tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

"When we are young, we don't know a lot of things," The male voice continued, reading off the words in the diary. "But the small amount of knowledge we do possess makes us happy. Knowing our home, our friends, how to get places and maybe how to get back. The world is a strange new place; A great puzzle. Sights, sounds and smells are it's pieces. We see things that we know nothing about; Things that surprise us and sometimes sadden us. But as we explore and grow, the time comes when we learn; We learn about the world and we grow older."

"What's he up to?" Spike asked, flying over to the ewe and the young sheep where the ewe was seen scolding the young sheep.

"He always liked to explore the world around him," Maa explained. "Naturally, he would always be berated by his mother for strolling away from the flock. That fell to me often, for I was the one tasked with raising him."

"You must never wander from the flock," Maa's past self sternly warned the sheep. "What if the Wolf King were to find you?"

"The wolf king?!" Celestia asked and Twilight turned to her alicorn magic once more, activating it and instead transporting them all to a barn at night.

Shutting her eyes and turning her head away, Maa couldn't bear herself to watch what was about to happen next. Without warning, a creature of black night descended on the barn and with a loud roar the creature began attacking sheep after sheep and soon, only the white ewe and her young charge stood in the way.

As the wolf charged at the young sheep, the white ewe leaped in front of her charge in a last ditch attempt to protect him. "Chirin! CHIRIN! No!" The ewe shouted!

At the sound of her cries, all Twilight and the others could do was look away in horror. Once the carnage was over, they saw the young lamb mourning loudly over his mother's death. Feeling slightly disturbed, Twilight activated another voice spell on the diary.

"I couldn't understand what my mother had done to deserve dying at the paws of the Wolf King," The voice kept on narrating. "What did any of us sheep do for that matter? But the wolf still came and the sheep still died; Helpless at the fangs of their enemy. Nature had been unfair to me... and to my mother. In one fell swoop, it had robbed me of the world I had known, thrusting me into an uncertain future."

As she watched in disbelief, Luna couldn't help but feel slightly emotional and buried her head in Celestia's shoulder.

Just then, the scene then turned to the young sheep leaving the barn and then the scene turned again to where the young sheep sought out the wolf.

"Didn't he just see that wolf kill his mother?" Spike asked in slight confusion. "Why is he in front of it?"

"He's seeking guidance," Maa sadly answered. "From the creature who killed his mother. He was becoming different. He was becoming a monster. He turned to the only thing he respected, the unknown."

Then they all watched as the scene shifted to the young sheep transforming from a cute and cuddly creature into a creature with big horns and a blue coating.

"One night, they returned," Maa explained as the scene shifted back to the barn. "The Wolf King tried to convince Chirin to attack us, but he refused at first. Then, suddenly, he turned against the Wolf King…and killed him."

Twilight and the others watched as the ram impaled the wolf king with his horns, before turning his attention back to the other ewes in the barn.

"What's he doing now?" Spike asked. "Is this where he…?"

With a loud bellow, the ram charged and used his horns on each and every one of the sheep. Twilight tapped into her powers to activate the voice again.

"I tried to tell the frightened sheep that I had once lived with them in the meadow, but no one believed me," The voice narrated in a furious rage! "The creature they saw before them was not one of their kind. So I was neither wolf or sheep, I was an animal who caused fear and terror. I will never find a home again with the sheep of my youth. And without the Wolf King I have now realized that I have no home at all. The world sees me as a monster, and so it seems I am destined to be alone for the rest of my days."

Feeling disbelieved, Twilight watched as the scene shifted to a snow covered mountain as they saw the young ram make his way up to the mountains. Then she activated the voice once more.

"The snow has now fallen for days without letting up, covering the ground with a smooth, white blanket," The voice narrated. "Whatever I have done on that mountain, whatever happened in that meadow, has since been covered up without a trace to remind those who had witnessed it of what I had done. And later, some claimed to remember me as a lamb while others said I was a spirit from the mountain. But they were too wrapped up with their own lives to worry about it for long."

The scene changed as the voice concluded. "Then one night, during a terrible blizzard, the gentle sound of a bell was heard. But the sheep in the meadow will never see the one called Chirin ever again. Instead, a new creature from these mountains has been born. One that is the monster they chose to see me as. I am the darkness…I am the evil…I AM GROGAR!"

Once the ram made his way up to the top of the mountains, a flash of lightning caused Twilight to break down her spell and find herself and her group back in the library. "Wow!" Spike cried. "So that's why Grogar is what he is, isn't he? All because of him losing his mother."

…

Having just returned from experiencing the diary, Twilight was left to ponder what she and her companions had witnessed.

"So, that's the whole story of the one you now call Grogar," Maa explained, taking the diary back and placing it in her saddlebag. "He is a creature of pure evil. I apologize for the initial misleading. Grogar did not kill me, but I feel as if he did by choosing to dishonor all that I had done for him by siding with the Wolf King. Yet, I still feel as if there is goodness within him, somewhere."

"Goodness?" Luna remarked. "He's worse than any evil we've dealt with before. He has many of them working for us."

"Luna, please!" Celestia cried, silencing her.

"No, it's okay, Celestia," Twilight said to her mother figure, raising a hoof to calm her down. "It's okay."

Then Twilight turned back to Maa. "Grogar is a creature of pure evil, yes. But, maybe he could be redeemed somehow?"

"Twilight, are you mad? Spike burst out! "I don't think that…"

"Not in this life, Spike," Twilight sharply replied. "Not in this life. If he is to be redeemed, we have to destroy him. In the afterlife, perhaps reunited with Maa and the sheep, he might be able to find his way again."

"Twilight, think carefully about this," Celestia warned. "I don't want you making hasty decisions that could come back to bite you like you did with Hopper. Destroying Grogar will not be easy should you choose to go down that route."

"I'm trying to not go that route, Celestia," Twilight replied. "Grogar is really the one called Chirin and the only way his spirit can be freed is if we rid him of this world. I take no pleasure in that fact, but I see no other way. I see no way to save him in this life after all the horrible things he's done. I regret what I did to Hopper when he was no longer a threat, but Grogar has shown to be too dangerous to be kept alive. I mean it."

Maa gratefully nodded her head in Twilight's declaration.

"Maa, is Gusty's spirit still in the spirit world with the other sheep?" Twilight inquired. "Perhaps she might be of assistance?"

"She is in the spirit world, but only if you obtain her spirit and seek her guidance can you free Chirin from his corruption," Maa cautioned. "And it would be in the afterlife. For too long, he has been consumed by evil. Now, he must come back to where he belongs once and for all to face judgement." Just then, they all noticed Maa beginning to slowly disappear in front of them.

"Hold on, where are you going?!" Spike asked.

"I am returning to my fellow ewes in paradise," Maa explained. "Farewell, and thank you."

"Maa, wait!" Twilight cried, but Maa quickly disappeared from view.

"So what do we do now?" Spike asked as Twilight returned to her bed.

"We focus on trying to free the darkness that corrupted Chirin into becoming Grogar," answered Twilight. "And to do that, we need Gusty the Great to destroy him once and for all."

So Twilight turned her attention to seeking Gusty's spirit from the spirit world, for only she could be the key to stopping Grogar and his Legion of Doom forever…

…

…
> Episode 19: "Desperately Seeking Gusty"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

Twilight's late night visit with Maa had made her aware that Grogar was not all pure evil. But she knew that the only way Grogar could truly be free was to destroy his earthly form and free his spirit. Gathering her friends and fellow princesses at the Castle of Friendship the next morning, Twilight relayed her story of Maa's visit.

"Let me get this straight," Rainbow Dash questioned, looking over at Twilight. "Some sheep comes here in the middle of the night and then just disappears before your eyes? You sure you weren't just having a bad dream while you were awake or something?"

"I don't think Twilight was having a bad dream because I was there to witness it too Rainbow," Spike replied. "I mean, here we were asleep and all of sudden, Maa comes and relays the truth about Grogar."

"Spike has a good point," Twilight declared. "Grogar is a creature of evil, perhaps the most evil foe we have ever faced, but we can try and help him."

"And how do you propose we do that?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Invite him here for cupcakes and tea? Some party that would be."

But Twilight wasn't thinking of a party. She had far better ideas in mind. "It will not be a party, Pinkie," She explained. "If what Maa said is true, then Grogar must be rid of this earth, even though it may seem crazy. But I'm thinking that we can try and find Gusty the Great and bring her back from the dead. She may know how to help us."

"Not by digging up Gusty's grave, right?" Spike shivered, feeling his scales stand up on end. "I don't think a night in a cemetery is a good idea."

"I should certainly hope not." Rarity added, recoiling at the thought of setting hoof in a cemetery.

"We aren't looking for Gusty's earthly remains, just her spirit," Twilight reminded, activating her horn and producing a large purple cloud over the friendship map. "This spell that I am casting can detect living spirits in the afterlife."

"Is Granny Smith in there?!" Applejack excitedly asked. "Is she, Twilight?!"

Suddenly, Twilight motioned for Applejack to look at a green orb on the spot where Sweet Apple Acres was. Seeing her grandmother's spirit made Applejack feel slightly emotional.

"Take it easy, Applejack," Rainbow Dash advised, patting the Princess of Honesty on the shoulder. "Take it easy."

"So what do we do, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked.

"I propose we go into the spirit world and bring Gusty back here for this one mission," Twilight firmly answered, looking carefully at the spell she had cast on the map. "The fate of Equestria...is at stake."

…

…

"Going into the spirit world?!" Pinkie Pie gasped! "But isn't the spirit world where ponies go to die?"

"Yes, but under certain circumstances they can be temporarily brought back to life," Twilight explained, stamping her hoof down on the friendship map. "Take a look at the spell I cast on the map."

Doing as they were told, all the princesses looked down at the map. All saw floating dots representing the spirits of deceased ponies and creatures.

"Each dot represents a floating spirit that now resides in the heavenly Equestria, the afterlife" Twilight explained. "Gusty is among these spirits."

Just then, a white dot flashed on the spot where Canterlot Castle was located.

"Was that Princess Platinum?" Rarity asked. "And she's living in Canterlot in the other life?! I'm so jealous!"

A pink dot flashed as Pinkie looked towards the spot on Sugarcube Corner. "Chancellor Puddinghead must like cupcakes," She remarked, already fantasizing about meeting the Chancellor. "What I wouldn't give to sit down with her and have cookies and donuts."

"Look, I get that we all want to see the ones who went before us," Twilight spoke up. "But just remember whom it is we are seeking...Gusty the Great."

"And where is Gusty supposed to be?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Which of these dots does she represent?"

Twilight looked all over the map "I can't tell," She said while squinting tightly. "But this is the one and only way by which we can seek her out…"

Immediately, Spike stood up at what his big sister was about to say. "And how do you propose we do that, Twilight?"

"There is only one pony who can help us," Twilight replied. "And she just so happens to live here in this castle, and help take care of it while I am in Canterlot."

…

...

Knowing what needed to be done, Twilight made her way next door to the School of Friendship just as the day was coming to an end. Once the students had all left, Twilight made her way to Luna's classroom and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Luna called and Twilight stepped into the classroom as Luna was packing her things up at her desk. "Oh, Twilight. I wasn't expecting to see you until later."

"Hi, Luna. This may seem like an inopportune time to ask as I know you are getting ready to leave, but it's important." Twilight greeted.

Sensing the concern in her younger sister figure's voice, Luna stopped what she was doing and gave Twilight her undivided attention. "Of course, Twilight," She offered. "Even though I live next door and…"

"-I have to ask you," Twilight interrupted in a gentle voice. "My friends and I have made a decision."

"What decision?" Luna asked, sitting down behind her desk and undoing the bun in her flowing mane.

"There is only one way we can win this war against Grogar," Twilight said. "We need to go into the spirit world and bring back Gusty the Great."

Luna sat back in her chair silently and took in what Twilight had just said, trying to process how to respond. "Twilight Sparkle," She sighed, lowering her head slightly. "Are you sure that this is what you and your friends wish to do? Gusty has been dead for as long as I can remember."

"We have to take this chance, Luna!" Twilight firmly declared. "She's the only one who can help us. I mean, you've been to the spirit world before haven't you?"

Luna reluctantly answered. "Yes, but…"

Twilight could sense that Luna was keeping something from her. "What is it, Luna? Please, you have to tell me!"

"The gatekeeper of the spirit world also happens to be a creature that I created, a creature that you helped me to defeat." Luna confessed

Twilight's eyes widened with shock and her jaw dropped!

…

…

"The tantabus?!" Spike cried as he and Twilight were in the library. "Since when did the tantabus get mixed up in all of this?"

"The tantabus was exiled to the spirit world after its defeat and forced to serve as gatekeeper," Twilight explained, as she looked through her book of memories to the moment when Luna confronted the tantabus. "Do you remember that after Luna forgave herself, we had the tantabus extracted from her body and sent away? There was only one place it could go when it no longer dwelt inside of Luna. A place where it could no longer have a chance of escaping into the real world."

"Still can't believe we even did that," Spike remarked. "And now we're seeking it's help in seeking Gusty the Great? You're forcing Luna to reface her past again! You must be out of your mind!"

"Not exactly, Spike," Twilight protested. "Gusty the Great is the only one who will know how to defeat Grogar. Confronting the Tantibus was never part of my plan until I learned it was the gatekeeper."

"Twilight, I really think we should think of something else here," Spike cautioned. "You saw how difficult it was for Luna to let go of her past last time."

"But I also saw how resilient she was in doing so," Twilight said, shutting the book. "We need to face the Tantabus again, and seek it's help in getting Gusty the Great back to help us. I see no other way."

Not wanting to be anymore a part of the conversation, Spike decided to leave the library. "Twilight, I want to support you on this decision, but…" He sighed, stopping at the door and turning to her. "You know better than to disturb the dead. And what if Gusty doesn't wish to help us?"

"She will help us, Spike! Against Grogar of all creatures, how could she pass up the chance?" Twilight declared. "Only if she refuses to help will I know that I made the wrong choice."

This made Spike stay at his friend's side, but he could only wonder what Twilight was thinking at that point in time. "So what happens now?"

"Tell the rest of us to meet me tonight after sunset," Twilight ordered. "We all have to do this together."

And so, reluctantly, Spike left the library to carry out Twilight's orders.

…

…

When Twilight lowered the sun and raised the moon, all she could think of was hoping that Gusty would join their cause. It made sense to her seeing as Gusty was the one who defeated Grogar before, and would be more than willing to defeat him again, at least in Twilight's mind.

Once the moon was in position, Twilight returned to the Castle of Friendship's throne room and saw her friends were all gathered along with Celestia and Luna.

"You all know your presence here is voluntary," Twilight reminded them. "If you wish to leave now, you may do so," She waited for an answer or an objection, but no one said anything and so she continued. "Thank you for joining me," She went on, before looking over to Celestia. "Um, Celestia, are you sure you wish to join us? You have no power over the realm of sleep."

"That's not true," Celestia said while turning to Luna and giving her a look. "I do have some power now thanks to Starlight. It's a lingering side effect of the swap. Plus, that swap made me realize I was foolish to relinquish full control over the dream realm. Besides, you are my daughter-figure. There is no way I would let you do this all alone."

Having heard this from her mother-figure, Twilight stepped forward and looked over to Luna, who took a gulp and activated her alicorn powers.

"Is everypony ready?" Luna asked and everyone nodded. Closing their eyes, all felt Luna's energies envelop them. Ssoon, in a flash of light, all found themselves in what looked like Ponyville, but the town was now inhabited by ponies and creatures that had once been amongst the living.

"Is this the spirit world?" Applejack asked, admiring the surroundings that they were now in. "I've never seen these ponies before."

"These are all ponies who lived long before any of you were born," Luna explained. "Now come, we must seek out Gusty the Great."

Immediately, Twilight couldn't help but notice Luna's distressed look as they walked through the spiritual town square. Soon, they passed Sugarcube Corner and there in the shop was a pink pony wearing a pudding hat.

"Sorry," Pinkie excitedly apology. "I've got to go! No way I'm missing this chance!" Dashing into the shop, Pinkie hastily grabbed a cupcake and joined Chancellor Puddinghead at the table. "Chancellor Puddinghead, such a super duper delight to meet you!" She squeaked. "I played you once and…"

"Ohh, so you are the one who portrayed me for that pay on Hearth's Warming Eve? Did everypony like it?" The chancellor

"They sure did," Pinkie answered, her eyes catching one of the cupcakes on the table. "I mean, not everypony was interested, but…"

"Pinkie, what are you doing?! We can't take a cupcake break!" Rainbow Dash cried from afar! "We've got to find Gusty the Great!"

"Who are these guys?" Chancellor Puddinghead muttered. "I don't have enough cupcakes for them."

"They are my friends and fellow princesses, silly!" Pinkie declared in a joyful voice, much to Chancellor Puddinghead's confusion. "Oh, didn't anypony tell you? I'm a princess now!"

"Yeah," Puddinghead sheepishly replied while nodding his head. "So, who or what did you in?"

"No one and nothing did us in, Chancellor," Twilight explained. "We actually are from the land of the living and…"

"-You mean you used to be from the land of the living, right?" Puddinghead insisted. " All right, be honest. Who did you in? Was it that mean goat?"

"Grogar? No, he didn't kill us or set some kind of illness upon us!" Applejack cried in protest. "He's back and is plannin' to take back Equestria for himself!"

"In fact, he's declared war!" Rarity added, leaping forward and clutching Puddinghead's shoulders. "Please, you've got to help us find Gusty!"

Suddenly, Rarity felt herself pulled by Celestia's aura as Twilight stepped forward.

"Chancellor, this is really important," Twilight firmly declared as she approached the table. "Grogar is already launching attacks on Equestria and we have to stop him before he goes another step further!"

"Okay, it seems like you really do want to seek Gusty's help, don't you?" Puddinghead asked.

"Does it look like we have a choice?" Applejack snorted. "I don't want that goat and his goons messin' up my farm! In fact, my grandmother is buried on the grounds!"

"If you are looking for Gusty," Chancellor Puddinghead explained. "Chances are, you'll have to seek out the head honcho around here."

"Do you mean…?" Luna asked as she suddenly felt a sudden chill down her spine and a shadowy black figure hovered behind her and the others. "No, it can't be!"

"Um, I think I'd better be going now," Chancellor Puddinghead nervously declared as he stood up. "Hi, Mr. Tantabus, sir! Lovely day, isn't it?"

As Chancellor Puddinghead magically disappeared, Twilight and the others stared at the cloaked dark figure.

…

…

Twilight and the others looked up at the Tantabus nervously, but no one was more nervous than Luna. The creature of her creation was standing before them.

"So, we meet again," Luna remarked, taking a gulp. "The creature of my own making."

The Tantabus looked over at Luna with a firm glance, before turning back to Twilight and bowing its head in respect of the supreme princess. "Your highness," It acknowledged. "The ruler of the living Equestria."

"Ain't that a shock?" Applejack whispered to Rarity in a hushed tone. "It knows who Twilight is?"

"I understand you have a request to make of me," It remarked. "You wish to bring the one known as Gusty the Great back to the land of the living?"

Twilight was briefly taken aback by this confession. Up until that moment, neither she or her friends were aware that the Tantabus was omnipotent.

"And before you ask why," The Tantabus added. "I have the gift of knowledge from my creator." He then turned to Luna, who backed away slightly, only for Celestia to push her back towards it with her wing.

"Yes, we are seeking Gusty the Great," Twilight firmly explained. "Grogar has returned to Equestria and has declared war."

"Grogar is free?!" The Tantabus remarked in a confused voice. "Grogar is a monster. If we do not hurry, your homeworld is doomed. Follow me. I shall take you to Gusty the Great."

Turning into a shadow, the Tantabus floated out of Sugarcube Corner and Twilight reluctantly followed.

But Luna was still uneased by seeing her creation. "Celestia, it knows too much," She whispered, looking over at her big sister as they proceeded through the other world's version of Ponyville square. "How can that be?!"

"Well, you were a creature of knowledge, Luna. Never forget whose knowledge it inherited." Celesita explained.

Proceeding behind the Tantabus, the group was led to an all too familiar place for Twilight and Spike...it was a stumpy tree that had an all too familiar setting.

"Tantabus, is this the Golden Oak Library?!" Twilight asked, shocked at what she was seeing.

"Of course it is, Twilight, it's got everything from the interior to the beehive," Spike added. "Spooky."

Manifesting in front of the group, the Tantabus looked over at them. "The library was reborn in this world and it has become the home of Gusty the Great ever since." It then motioned for Twilight to step forward.

Nervously, Twilight obliged.

"Do you think Gusty really lives here?" Pinkie asked, catching the Tantabus by surprise. "I mean...these trees don't grow overnight."

"In the spirit world anything is possible," The Tantabus replied. "I have made it my purpose to make anything possible for whoever comes here. That has been my responsibility since I became the gatekeeper."

Taking a deep breath, Twilight knocked on the door three times and a few moments later, a white colored unicorn mare with a flowing ivy green mane emerged from the other side. "Who might you be, man?" Gusty asked, causing all to be taken slightly aback.

"Gusty the Great?" Twilight acknowledged. "I am Princess Twilight Sparkle, the Supreme Ruler of Equestria."

"Ay Caramba, so you are," Gusty chuckled. "The Tantabus here told me so much about you."

"Did it?" Twilight asked. "And why are you living here...in my old library?"

"Needed to go somewhere, man," Gusty answered. "Can't be a wandering spirit forever, man. Come on in, man."

Despite being slightly distrubed by the constant use of 'man' Gusty's sentences, Twilight followed her into the library with her friends right behind.

"Um, Gusty," Twilight asked. "What is this word you keep using? 'Man'"?

"It's a bit of lingo I use," Gusty answered as they walked right up to the fireplace at the further end of the library. "Care for anything? Any soda or booze?"

"I don't think any of them drink that, Gusty." The Tantabus replied.

Just then, Twilight looked up at a picture of Gusty staring down Grogar in what appeared to be a confrontation. "Gusty, I'm sure that the Tantabus briefed you on what has happened?"

"He's returned hasn't he?" Gusty inquired. "Grogar is back?"

"Yes, and he's going to make us bow to him if you don't help us," Rarity pleaded. "There's so much at stake if we lose!"

"You'll have to excuse her, Ms. Great," Rainbow Dash acknowledged, flying in front of Gusty. "Rarity can be a little over dramatic at times."

"Eh, I'm used to it," Gusty remarked, shrugging her shoulders at Rainbow Dash. "I'm also used to how Grogar acts. The guy is dangerous. I should know, I fought against him." As Gusty spoke, she walked up the stairs to her bedroom and came back down holding what appeared to be a large red book.

"What is that?" Twilight asked.

"A diary I have kept since I passed on," Gusty answered. "You aren't the only one who published a journal, Princess Twilight."

Looking at the journal, Twilight was stunned to see that it was the same journal that Maa had shown her. "This is the same journal that Maa had!" She gasped. "Where did you get this?"

"Maa asked if I could make copies to share with the other spirits. Apparently, she wants to ensure that Grogar is brought back to the spirit world in one piece," Gusty explained. "She also thinks that Grogar is a good dude. But I don't believe that for a second, man."

"He isn't a good soul, at least not now," Twilight protested. "He's dangerous and we must do whatever we can to stop him. In fact, he's recruited our greatest enemies to join in his conquest."

"Sombra's his second in command." Applejack added.

"Tirek, Cozy Glow and Chrysalis have been freed from stone." Rarity chimed in.

"And he's got a mean old bear!" Pinkie Pie concluded. "A really mean old teddy bear!"

"You mean, Scarface?" Gusty remarked, turning to a section of the book that showed Grogar and Scarface. "Took him in after killing the wolf king. Apparently, Scarface was an orphan...his mother killed by a hunter."

Stepping back slightly, Twilight absorbed what had been said and immediately understood that both Grogar and his pet had one thing in common. "So both their mothers were killed?"

"Indeed," Gusty replied. "But I can't sympathize with Grogar or his pet. Not after what they've done."

"And those donkeys, what about them?" Fluttershy asked.

Turning to another section of the book, Gusty showed them the picture of a small village that was once inhabited by donkeys. "The donkeys used to live in a village not far from Ponyville, called San Donkeyo. They were a poor village and Grogar promised them riches if they would serve him." Gusty explained.

"Promises that obviously weren't kept." Spike remarked.

"Gusty, you can see why we need your help," Twilight pleaded as Gusty placed the book on the base of the unicorn statue in the center of the library. "I've read this journal and the more I remember, the more help my friends and I need to stop Grogar."

"Of course you do!" Gusty declared. I can never truly rest in peace until Grogar is defeated once and for all, man!"

"So what do we do now?" Luna asked as Gusty activated her magic and gathered several more books along with several swords and shields.

"We return to your world," Gusty declared. "And prepare for our fight with Grogar. If you are going to defeat him, you are going to need some help. Tantabus, take care of things while I am gone."

"At once." The Tantabus acknowledged as it disappeared.

Activating her magic, Twilight transported herself, her friends and Gusty out of the spirit world and back to the world of the living.

They all had returned, but Gusty found herself in a very familiar position. Opening her eyes, she found herself in an earthly form. "Am I back, man?" she asked, trying to get to her feet.

"You are back in Equestria, Gusty," Twilight answered, helping Gusty to her feet. "Welcome to my Castle of Friendship."

All Gusty could do was take in what she was seeing before the real training was about to begin.

…

...
> Episode 20: "20,000 Leagues Under the Seaquestria"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

As a dense fog settled over Mount Aris, the hippogriffs and seaponies spent another day of being on guard for any sign of attack from Grogar's forces.

As she slept in her quarters, Queen Novo had a suit of armor on standby along with a harpoon and a shield amongst her other weapons. The hippogriff was more than ready for any sign of trouble, even to the point of staying awake at night (which she did). Groaning, she got out of bed and walked over to her suit of armor, taking her battle helmet into her claws. Novo looked down at it and took in the feeling that danger could strike at any moment.

"I will do whatever it takes to defend my subjects," Novo declared in a whispered voice, her eyes locked up to the ceiling. "No matter what. May the maker watch over me and my subjects in the battle to come."

Just then, Novo turned her attention out to the open waters. She could see something floating in the distance and a scowl came upon her face for she knew who that was. "Squirk," She seethed. "So, it seems like you are ready to fight at last. And this time, there will be no interference from that loathsome Depth Charge."

At that moment, Novo heard a knock on her bedroom door, turning around to face it. "Enter!" She called and General Seaspray, Novo's most trusted military officer, came in. "General, he's here again."

"I am aware of that, your highness," Seaspray acknowledged. "Squirk has indeed just returned to launch an attack."

"Grogar must have ordered him to carry out an attack against us," Novo said as she prepared to don her armor. "How are our forces?"

"They are awaiting your command to strike Squirk." Seaspray replied.

"When I give the command, Seaspray, that loathsome creature will feel my fury," Novo declared before asking. "Where is my daughter?"

Seaspray immediately answered. "Princess Skystar has been moved to shelter in accordance with your wishes.."

"Good, she can stay there until the threat is neutralized," Novo firmly declared before sighing. "If anything were to happen to me…" Suddenly, Novo stopped putting on her armor and had a small epiphany: what if she would not survive the battle to come? That was the question that was going through her mind at a rapid pace.

"Your highness?" Seaspray asked, causing Novo to break out of her short trance.

"Never mind," Novo corrected herself. "We will defeat the creature Squirk once and for all. Prepare to attack, Seaspray! Return to your post!"

"Yes, my queen." Seaspray replied. Bowing to Novo, Seaspray left to return to his post while Novo finished donning her armor. Once again, the thought of being killed and leaving her daughter motherless was going through her mind.

…

…

Off the shores of Mount Aris, Squirk sat underwater as sea creature warriors in the form of sharks continued to arrive. As Squirk watched his forces mobilize, he felt a summons and saw a floating orb floating in front of him.

"Squirk?" The voice of Grogar was heard in the orb. "You know what must be done?"

"Yes, my lord and emperor," Squirk replied. "The volunteers you are sending me are dedicated to serving me. I will not fail you."

"Of course you won't. These soldiers are willing to give up their donkey bodies for those of sharks and each one is a dedicated killer," Grogar's voice added. "Now, give me Mount Aris and bring me Queen Novo as a sign of your accomplishment."

Laughing evilly, Squirk watched as the orb disappeared and continued to wait as his makeshift army continued to mobilize.

…

Meanwhile, Skystar was taken below to a secure location along with Terramar, away from the danger that would soon transpire.

"This is so...boring!" Skystar protested as she paced back and forth. "I should be out there fighting alongside Mom! Why won't she let me fight? I've proven myself capable."

"Maybe it's because you're next in line to the throne, cousin," Terramar sighed as he laid down on a cot. "I'm just glad Silverstream isn't here to be a part of this. It would bring back bad memories."

"Come on, Terramar," Skystar pouted. "You know what I always say: one small thing can make a big difference. I mean, you've heard about me helping to fight against the Storm King, right?"

Terramar nodded before replying. "Skystar, your mom wants what is best for you just like what my mom and dad want for me. Besides, I want to be there for my sister when she inevitably comes back here.."

Skystar sighed as she continued to pace back and forth around the bunker. She wanted to once again prove herself to her mother that she was more than capable of fighting in the battle. "What do you think Shelly and Sheldon?" Skystar asked her two inanimate seashells friends as they sat on a nightstand. "I think they believe I should fight."

"I don't think even if they back you up that your mom will say yes," Terramar nervously declared. "Please, think this over before you do something really crazy."

Skystar refused to listen. In her mind, she was going to fight no matter what. But she wasn't sure how.

…

Up on one of the highpoints of her castle, Queen Novo looked out through a telescope and saw the fog starting to slowly lift off of the ocean. In her mind, she was certain Squirk would strike once the fog had lifted.

"The rules of battle are not for Squirk, your majesty," A hippogriff soldier insisted. "Let us attack now while it's dark and we have the advantage.."

"No, we will only attack when I give the command," Novo firmly replied. "We attack at dawn and my decision is final."

In silence, the soldier backed away and returned to his post. Novo was not going to let any screw up take place as long she was still queen, not after what had happened with Depth Charge."

"What does he mean by the rules of battle are not for Squirk?" Novo hissed as Seaspray approached her from behind. "Of course the rules of battle are for Squirk! It's for anycreature that wishes to fight! How dare he say such a thing!"

"They all want to have an advantage, your highness." Seaspray spoke up.

"Well, nocreature will have an advantage over the other," Novo declared as she donned her battle helmet. "Because…" She then reached into her scabbard and pulled out her sword, pointing it into the sky. "It just does not work that way."

But Novo then turned towards the sky and saw that the sun was just starting to come up. At any moment, Squirk would be making his move to conquer Mount Aris for Grogar. "Have our forces be at the ready," She commanded. "The sun is rising."

…

But back at Vorak's kingdom, Grogar sensed what was happening and decided to up the ante.

"Not for long," He laughed, tapping into the powers of his bewitching bell. "It's time to bring nature into its course...mine!"

Swaying back and forth, Grogar began chanting an incantation through his bell and on Mount Aris, Queen Novo was shocked and taken aback by the formation of storm clouds. She could feel the wind starting to blow strongly and thunder was heard in the distance!

"Grogar must be trying to bring the elements into his favor!" Novo shouted to Seaspray as a strong gust of wind blew at her armor! "He's trying to weaken us, but we are much stronger than he is! No matter what, no one abandons their post! Understand?

"As you command, your highness." Seaspray reluctantly replied.

From beneath the sea, Squirk readied his tentacles and sinisterly growled at the approaching conflict. Sensing this, the donkey turned shark soldiers heeded their commander's call. "Prepare to attack!" He commanded. "Now, advance!"

Moving forward, Squirk and his platoon advanced slowly towards Seaquestria where the Seaponies defending the underwater city readied themselves to attack. Waiting for the moment to strike, the underwater forces of Queen Novo mentally prepared themselves for what was to come.

"As they get closer," A seapony commander said to the soldiers, raising his sword high into the air and judging their movements. "Commence firing!"

Acting on his orders, the Seaponies opened fire on Squirk, throwing spears and firing rocks at his army.

But Squirk was prepared. Letting out a loud roar and extending his tentacles, he grabbed at whatever seapony he could get. He eventually managed to grab one seapony and throw him to the ground, beating him into submission! The shark/squid hybrid then looked up to the surface and proceeded to jump towards it.

"You half deal with these creatures!" Squirk shouted, turning to a group of sharks that had not been able to attack yet. "You half come with me! Novo is mine!"

"Don't let him get to our queen!" The seapony commander shouted, and one of the seapony soldiers threw a spear at Squirk, which deflected off of him. Others attempted to strike at Squirk, but their weapons were not enough as the shark soldiers lunged their teeth into some of the seaponies.

…

Meanwhile, as the rain came down Novo could see Squirk moving faster and faster towards the surface! Raising her sword, she let out a loud shriek that could be heard throughout Mount Aris! This gave the rest of the forces the signal to ready their weapons.

Letting out another shriek, Novo motioned for the hippogriffs to begin firing their weapons at Squirk. "Aim for the eyes!" Novo screamed. "That's where he's vulnerable!"

But the harpoons missed their target and a frustrated Novo grabbed a harpoon and took to the air, much to Seaspray's shock.

"Your highness!" Seaspray shouted over the roar of the winds, trying to get Novo's attention. "Please wait!" But he received no reply.

As Novo got into the air, Squirk emerged from the water and roared loudly, causing some of the hippogriffs to fall deaf from the loud noise. But Novo was not afraid. Raising her harpoon, she aimed it right at the weak spot between Squirk's eyes.

Screeching loudly, Novo threw the harpoon, but it missed its target. Frustrated, Novo flew back down to retrieve another arrow, but Squirk waited for the opportunity and thrust one of his tentacles at her!

"MY QUEEN, WATCH OUT!" Seaspray shouted, but it was too late as the tentacle wrapped around Novo!

Angered at what just happened, Seaspray gathered several other hippogriffs and prepared to do battle with the dangerous sea creature. "You're all with me! The rest of you deal with the sharks! Don't let them win!"

Doing as they were told, the party split up and Seaspray led the charge against Squirk, taking to the air as he was determined to save his queen at all costs!

…

…

At the same time, Skystar overheard the commotion and the cries of war. "Did you guys hear that?" She asked, turning to face Shelly and Sheldon with a look of fear in her face and a sound of fear in her voice. " Sounds like Mom's in trouble!" Just then, the sounds of thunder and a flash of lightning were heard, further causing fear to flow through Skystar's veins.

"Aunt Novo's in trouble?!" Terramar cried, suddenly climbing out of bed and seeing several hippogriffs race out of the bunker. "Is that why everygriff…?"

But Skystar silenced her cousin with her wing and saw the two guards guarding the shelter still standing at their posts.

"On the count of three, we move," Skystar whispered, leaving Terramar with no choice but to comply with his cousin. "Ready? One...two...THREE!"

Charging, Skystar threw open the door and pushed the two guards aside, throwing them into the walls on either side of the shelter. "Sorry, but this is important don't you know? I have to save Mother!" She apologized.

Just then, Grogar could sense that Skystar and Terramar were joining in and decided to up the ante further. Tapping into the powers of his bewitching bell once more, Grogar began to cast another spell on Squirk.

Seaspray and the hippogriffs trying to free Novo from Squirk's grasp were shocked at what they were seeing! Squirk was beginning to grow before their eyes!

"Impossible!" Seaspray gasped as cold rain hit him in the face while one of Squirk's tentacles sent a hippogriff soldier flying down hard! But he knew he had to stay focused on saving his queen. Taking to the air, Seaspray charged to his queen. Avoiding the other tentacles, he took an axe he held in his claws and began to try and free Novo by attempting to cut the tentacle holding her.

"Hang on, your majesty!" Seaspray cried as he began to cut into one.

Reacting to the pain, Squirk turned towards what was happening and taking a deep breath, fired several spurts of ink, hitting Seaspray and sending him crashing into the waters below. "Kill him you fools!" Squirk shouted to the shark soldiers below as he attempted to further crush Novo! "Now's your chance!

…

Arriving on the scene, both Skystar and Terramar were stunned by the sight of Squirk!

"MOM!" Skystar shouted over a thunderclap and she could see her mother, tied up in Squirk's grasp! "Mom, hold on! I'll save you!"

But before Skystar could act, Squirk threw another hippogriff at her and Terramar, nearly flattening both of them!

Seizing a moment, Terramar checked on the hippogriff and found a site that made his very fur crawl. "Skystar!" Terramar shouted, a look of his own fear frozen onto his face. "His face...it's gone!"

Fearing that was going to be happening to her mother, Skystar grabbed a harpoon on the ground and charged towards Squirk. "Hey, fish face!" She shouted, catching Squirk's attention. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size, you big bully?!"

"Skystar!" Novo gasped even as the tentacle tightened its grip on her lungs. "How dare…"

Growling, Squirk lunged forward at Skystar, opening his jaws and attempting to devour her! "I shall kill your daughter first before I deal with you!" Squirk shouted, trying to sink his teeth into Skystar.

"Save the princess!" A hippogriff soldier called from a high cliff and several hippogriffs flew down from their post, each of them trying to hit Squirk.

But Squirk was prepared, throwing his tentacles at the soldiers and spitting black ink, sending whoever was hit into the water below!

Still, Skystar was determined to fight as she narrowly escaped Squirk's teeth. She was certain that there was only one way to save her mother. "Terramar!" She shouted down to her cousin. "Cover me!"

Terramar gasped and blinked in confusion. "What?! Cover you?!"

"Just try and clear a space for me to hit the eyes or something like that!" Skystar shouted back to him. "You've got to distract him!"

Trying to remember what was just said, Terramar flew around and attempted to battle Squirk's enormous tentacles.

Meanwhile, Skystar flew down and grabbed one of her mother's spears in preparation for another attack.

But Squirk knew what his foe was trying to do, and was determined to stay one step ahead of her. Taking a deep breath, he fired several spurts of ink at Skystar, which the crafty hippogriff narrowly dodged.

Seizing an opportunity, Skystar then turned her attention to the waters below and dived in at breakneck speed! Assuming her seapony form, Skystar battled the shark soldiers standing in her way by punching them and headbutting them in the face.

The shark soldiers were too busy battling other seaponies to realize Skystarwas bearing down on them until it was almost too late. They fought back valiantly, but Skystar managed to escape their clutches after knocking a few of them out.

"Forget it," A shark soldier said at last. "We'll leave Squirk to deal with her. Let's finish off the seaponies here while we still can."

Skystar, meanwhile, came up out of the water again and regained her hippogriff form. Then she suddenly noticed what appeared to be a small hole in Squirk's back. "He's got a missing scale," She thought to herself. "On his back! Better use this to my advantage!"

Clutching her mother's spear, Skystar took a deep breath and threw the spear at the open spot on Squirk's body! But the spear missed.

"Terramar!" Skystar shouted as she tried to think fast! "On his back! He's got a weak spot!"

Watching from his throne via a crystal ball, Grogar sensed this revelation and what it would mean. "I don't think so, young hippogriff!" He shouted, and through his bell he tried to warn Squirk! "Squirk, finish her off before she can exploit your weakness! Her death will demoralize the rest!"

Growling, Squirk roared and sharply turned to Skystar, throwing her off and nearly causing her to crash into Mount Aris!

Racing down to her aunt's weapons, Skystar grabbed a quiver of arrows with one of them being a black arrow.

After just barely regaining her senses, Skystar managed to swoop down and clumsily throw the quiver onto her back. She then grabbed an arrow and fired one at Squirk without looking, managing to hit him in the side. "I hope this works." She whispered to herself as the storm continued to rage on.

Skystar knew she had to work fast if she was to save her mother from Squirk's grip!

…

…

With her mother's arrows on her back, Skystar began firing arrows at Squirk in an attempt to distract him. Finally, she came around and saw the bare spot again on Squirk's back.

"Skystar!" Novo cried, trying to look at her daughter. "Skysta…"

Knowing that her mother was more than likely suffocating from Squirk's tight grip, Skystar realized her time was running out. That meant that there was only one thing to do! She had to hit the weak spot and fast! "There's only one way to save you, Mom!" Skystar declared as she grabbed the black arrow from the quiver.

Taking another deep breath, Sky pointed the arrow right at the weak spot, hoping that the arrow would hit its mark. Closing her eyes, she fired the arrow and to her, it seemed like an eternity for it to hit.

Looking up at her daughter, Novo realized that she was near death from lack of oxygen. She closed her eyes, preparing for the end. Then, suddenly, she heard a loud roar of pain and the tentacle beginning to loosen its grip on her. She then was released and fell down into the water below as Squirk roared loudly in agony and turned towards Skystar.

"Wretched child!" Squirk shouted, attempting to fire ink at Skystar! "I shall kill you for this!"

As Squrik attempted to attack Skystar, Terramar saw that Squirk's armor was beginning to chip away. "His armor! It's chipping away!" He shouted to the other hippogriffs and seaponies that were not busy dealing with Squirk's forces. "Aim for the exposed areas, quick!"

Taking Terramar's suggestion, the army threw spears into the exposed areas as Squirk continued to roar loudly in pain while trying to kill Skystar.

But with each exposed area that was hit, Squirk began to grow weaker and weaker even as he swatted away several hippogriffs and seaponies. Eventually, he lunged at Skystar one last time and opened his jaws. Then with one last breath, he fell forward and wound up hitting the ocean below.

Squirk, the king of the seas, was dead.

…

…

Once Squirk had been defeated, Grogar's storm faded away and the hippogriffs were left to pick up the pieces, tending to their small number of wounded and burying their considerable amount of dead.

Meanwhile, Novo had been recovered from the sea and was back in her quarters. Opening her eyes, she saw Skystar and Terramar along with Seaspray hovering over her.

"Mom?" Skystar cried with tears in her eyes. "Mom, it's me! Skystar!"

"I...I know you are here…" Novo coughed, her eyes weakly opening. "You...disobeyed me!"

"But Aunt Novo, she saved your life!" Terramar protested. "She found Squirk's weakness and…"

Weakly, Novo silenced her nephew by holding a claw. "Yes, yes Terramar," She gasped, her eyes still locked on Skystar. "I...I was wrong about you, Skystar. I should have known you were capable of defending yourself. Perhaps...this is one of those times where...I'm glad you disobeyed me. I can't believe I owe you my life."

Feeling the satisfaction bestowed upon her, Skystar smiled through her tear stained eyes. It seemed like for the first time in her young life, her own mother was starting to realize Skystar's capabilities.

"Oh Mom…" Skystar cried, throwing herself on her mother's bed as Terramar and Seaspray looked on. "I love you so much!"

…

Meanwhile, as the hippogriffs and seaponies marked their defeat over Squirk, Grogar was now brooding over his minion's failure.

"My emperor?" King Sombra called as Grogar beckoned him to come into the throne room. "...You summoned me?"

"Yes, Sombra," Grogar answered. "Squirk failed to carry out the mission assigned to him. Although his army successfully thined the ranks of the hippogriffs and seaponies, he was unable to kill their queen. Please ensure that any survivors from his platoon are severely punished. They had a chance to stop his killer and they let her get away."

Sombra gulped. "All of them, my emperor? They're some of our best soldiers when they were donkeys."

Grogar stomped a hoof down! "You dare ask me to repeat the order?!"

Sombra said nothing and merely backed away in slight fear. "Good," Grogar remarked. "And be warned that if any more in our ranks fall to our enemies, anyone who survives shall suffer the same fate. And those that refused to be punished…" Grogar then turned his attention over to Scarface, growling at Sombra. "Shall be left to deal with my pet. Is that clear?"

"I shall do as you command, my emperor." Sombra said, bowing slightly at Grogar before turning away to leave the throne room. Even as Grogar's second-in-command, Sombra couldn't help but feel nervous at what Grogar had planned for him and the other members of the Legion of Doom.

Once Sombra had gone, Grogar got up from his throne and proceeded over to his map to plan his next attack, hoping that he would succeed the next time Squirk had failed. Soon, Grogar would launch his next attack, hoping for better success.

…

...
> Episode 21: "I Fell Into a Burning Ring of Fire"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

In the confines of the dungeons of Vorak's castle, Lavan the Lava Demon sat with his arms held up in shackles. He had expressed defiance and was now suffering the consequences of his actions. His companion Zeb also sat in the same cell, forced to sit on his flank.

Just then, the sounds of hoofbeats echoed towards the dungeons and both Lava Creature and Zebra knew who those sounds belonged to. The shadow of an all too familiar demonic ram breached the bars and hung over the two prisoners.

"I trust you are enjoying the accommodations," Grogar remarked, activating his bell to produce a light that showed his angry scowl. "Traitors!"

"Why must you do this?" Lavan asked. "Tirek and Chrysalis were right, you...you are a monster!"

"Aren't you a monster as well?" Grogar questioned, leaning towards Lavan with his breath landing on the creature. "Spending time with those fools must have taken the animal out of you. Well, it doesn't matter. You were a fool to think you stood a chance against me," Grogar turned away from Lavan and turned his attention to Zeb for a brief moment. "Your replacements are going to carry out my plans for me while you rot for your treason."

"Why don't you leave us alone?" Zeb spoke up, glaring at Grogar. "We're your servants, aren't we?"

"Excuse me?!" Grogar asked the zebra, using his magic to pick Zeb up. "Who are you to tell me what to do?! I am the emperor here, you are just the underling. You are only fit to do as I tell you and nothing more."

Grogar then spat on Zeb, his spit landing in his face as he forced him back down on his flank.. "An emperor is respected for who he is," GHe continued. "Unlike you. And now I will show you what greatness you could have achieved had you not disobeyed me."

"Disobeyed you?" Lavan seethed, struggling against his chains. "You were planning to kill us all after you'd conquered Equestria! We were just disposable pawns for your little game!"

Angered, Grogar used his bell's powers to force Lavan into the air! Then he twisted his foreleg to force Lavan to turn around, bending his arms and causing Lavan to screech in pain!

"Leave him alone!" Zeb shouted!

Surprisingly, Grogar complied, releasing his grip on Lavan. "Yes, I'll leave you both alone," He mockingly taunted. "At least until I strip you of your lives from your pathetic bodies once Equestria and its allies are at my knees. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a conquest of the Dragon Lands to oversee. And hopefully the results will be in my favor."

Without saying another word, Grogar turned and left the two friends in their cells, slamming the door shut as he plunged them back into darkness.

"They were right, Lavan," Zeb sighed while lowering his head in shame. "Goat boy doesn't play by the rules."

"Of course he doesn't play by the rules," Lavan countered in a sharp voice. "After all you and I have been through, all I ever wanted for us to live a happy life together, Zeb. Is that too much to ask?"

"I wonder the same thing myself," Zeb sympathized. "Do you think that we…?"

"Yes, I would have given the dragons a chance to surrender, Zeb. Because you and I...are creatures of honor," Lavan commented. "Something that Grogar is not and never will be. And thanks to Tirek, Chrysalis and their charge, Cozy Glow, I now see the light! It may not be too late for us after all."

"Yeah, but how...how do we get out of here?" Zeb wondered.

…

...

"My emperor," Sombra spoke up as Grogar emerged from the dungeons. "Have you…?"

"Yes, I have shown those traitors what they should have done in the first place," Grogar bitterly answered. "Are their replacements in position, Sombra?"

Sombra nodded. "They are, along with our latest forces donning their new forms. Honestly, we should've just done this in the first place."

"Well, make sure they use their newfound gifts and aid our clone of Lavan! He must launch the attack at once!" Grogar sternly declared. "Have them bring me the dragon lord as a sign of their conquest! I will not tolerate failure!"

Hearing this, Sombra laughed in delight of Grogar's order as they entered the throne room. "As you command, my emperor."

Walking to the throne room, Sombra tapped into Grogar's crystal ball and, activating his horn, sent Grogar's instructions to the clones of Lavan and Zeb. "Your instructions on their way, my emperor. Everyone knows what to do and how it should be done."

"Good. Very good, Sombra," Grogar smiled. "Now let's wait for the moment that the dragons fall, and my clones do what Squirk failed to do!"

Sitting down on his throne, Grogar kept one eye on his crystal ball, hoping for the best in conquering the dragon lands for himself.

…

Back in the dragon lands, several dragons flew over their territory as they were keeping a lookout for any sign of Grogar's forces.

"All's quiet on the western front," Garble (who was leading the platoon) declared. "No sign of Grogar's forces in sight, yet."

"Yeah, what's the whole point of locking down the dragon lands to begin with?" A pink scaled female dragon remarked. "It's not like Grogar is going to do anything. If he was he would've made a move by now."

This caused Garble to turn around and face his equal with a disappointed look on his face. "You think he's going to just leave us alone?" He bitterly remarked. "I don't think so! The self-proclaimed Father of Monsters has already conducted attacks elsewhere. The dragon lands may be next. So shut up and keep patrolling. We need to be ready!"

"Whatever." The female dragon remarked with a snort.

Soon, the patrolling group came to the borders where all of the dragons were stationed and ready to defend the land at any moment.

"Everything is in place, Garble!" A dragon declared as he prepared a catapult of molten lava rocks. "Any intruders who come here will be sorry!"

"Let's give Grogar a run for his money!" Another dragon roared! "We'll show him we're not to be trifled with!"

Garble then led his platoon towards a high rock where Ember and her father Torch sat on a perch overlooking the army of dragons. Ember was clad in the same armor she'd worn when a;; the dragons had competed in the Gauntlet of Fire years ago.

"No sign of those dudes yet, Ember," Garble sighed as Ember removed her helmet. "Do you still want us to attack at the first sight of trouble?"

"Of course I do, Garble!" Ember snapped in a sharp voice, briefly spooking Garble. Realizing her error, she immediately calmed down. "Sorry, sorry. It's just that...this is the first time I have ever been put in such a position. It's not easy."

"Perhaps now would be a good time as any to get used to it," Torch said as Ember looked up at her enormous father. "You must now learn to lead in the defense of our homeland."

"Yeah, I know, I know…" Ember replied while turning away from her father. "Dad, have you ever... been scared to fight? You know, like in a battle where your home is at stake?"

"Of course I have, Ember," Torch replied. "But a good leader must do whatever it takes to protect his or her kind from harm. It's okay to be afraid, but you gotta work through that fear or you're useless to anyone who depends on you to lead the way."

Ember took her father's words to heart as she continued to anticipate the growing conflict ahead. She then looked at her helmet, remembering how she'd once demonstrated her capability to lead the dragons. "I kind of wish Spike or Thorax were here," She thought to herself. "I could sure use their help. They always seemed to know what to do."

Just then, everyone heard a voice from overhead. "Ember!" The voice called as all looked up and saw Spike arriving with a squadron of pony guards. Spike was even dressed in silver armor along with a matching helmet.

"Spike?" Ember asked as he landed next to her. "What are you doing here?"

"Twilight thought you could use some help," Spike declared, showing off the pony soldiers who came with him. "She doesn't want you running into this alone. Especially after Mount Aris and Seaquestria just narrowly fended off an attack by Squirk."

"That the one who runs the school, right. Or is that someone different?" Ember questioned.

"Ember…" Spike groaned, planting a claw on his hand.

"Sorry, sorry, I'm just nervous!" Ember replied and quickly apologized.

"Don't be nervous," Spike spoke up. "I'd say the only thing really you gotta worry about is getting your wings pulled off…"

Ember then noticed a bothered look on Spike's face and the thought of getting her wings plucked off caused a shiver to go down her spine. "You aren't just saying that to motivate me, are you?" Deep down she knew that Spike was probably somewhat telling the truth. In her mind, she never envisioned dragons losing anything because of the enemy.

"I guess not," Ember sighed when she didn't get a response, accepting her possible fate. "Garble, take Spike's forces and spread them out across any weak spots. Spike, you stay here beside me."

"How come…?" Garble asked. But Ember gave him a glare and the red scaled dragon did as he was told, taking Spike's forces and spreading them out along the battlefield's perimeter as he saw fit.

Torch then had something he wanted to say to Spike. "If anything happens to my daughter on your watch," He warned. "I will have myself a midnight snack!"

Suddenly, one of the dragons cried out as a blast of fire went off in the distance! "They're coming! They're heading right for us!"

Heeding the call, Ember and Spike took to the air along with Torch. They looked out to see an army of rather ugly looking brown and gray scaled dragons flying towards them.

"Prepare for battle!" Ember declared as she donned her helmet and drew out her sword. "And remember, don't fire until you are fired upon!"

As the army grew closer and closer, the dragons readied their weapons and their fire breath...preparing for the battle that had now arrived in the dragon lands!

…

…

Hovering overhead, Ember and Spike waited until the advancing army was well within firing range.

"Wait for my signal!" Ember shouted, raising her sword high in the air. And once the army got within range, she knew the time had come! "Commence firing!"

On Ember's call, the dragons opened fire, splitting out fire and tossing molten rocks, managing to knock several of the enemy dragons out of the sky.

Yet with each dragon that fell, another took its place.

And Spike and Ember had a far more pressing issue that quickly rose to the forefront of their minds. "Where's Lavan?" Spike shouted as he frantically looked around for any sign of the lava demon. "Twilight said he would be here!"

But what neither Spike or Ember were expecting at that moment, was for a blast of molten lava to almost hit them! Regaining their composure, they saw Lavan on the edge of a cliff in the distance.

"There he is!" Ember shouted! "Let's get him! He picked the wrong lands to invade!"

Taking flight, Ember and Spike proceeded after the Lava Demon while the rest of the dragons began to engage in physical combat with the invading enemy dragons.

Torch also joined in the fight, keeping a close eye on his daughter. "Take no prisoners!" He shouted as he landed on top of several enemy dragons and crushed them.

As he engaged with the enemy dragons, Garble also had an eye set on Ember and Spike as they confronted Lavan. But he couldn't keep his eye on him for very long as the enemy dragons continued to deal blow after blow to him.

Just like that, the memories of Dinobot II's attack came flooding back to him and Garble was determined he wasn't going to be defeated soundly again. As one enemy dragon opened its jaws to bite on Garble, Garble managed to grab both ends of the dragon's jaws and roaring loudly, managed to pry them apart! "No dragon makes a fool out of me!" He declared and proceeded to follow Spike and Ember. He wasn't about to let them face Lavan alone.

…

As Spike and Ember drew closer and closer to Lavan, a fleet of enemy dragons formed a barrier to protect their commander from Ember and Spike. It seemed they were quite determined to keep Lavan out of the fray no matter what the cost might be.

"Spike, we're gonna have to break through their ranks!" Ember declared before raising her sword. "Ready?! Stay by me, this is gonna get hot!"

Lowering his visor, Spike charged towards the enemy dragons with Ember! They swung their swords fiercely, determined to fight through the army at all costs!

Garble also arrived on the scene and began to engage the enemy dragons as well, breathing fire and throwing punches.

From beneath the barrier, Lavan opened fire on Spike and Ember, attempting to hit them while also firing on his own forces without concern. "Grogar will have your head, dragon lord!" He shouted, promptly leaping into the air and pushing Ember down onto the rocks below.

"Ember!" Spike and Garble shouted, trying to fight off the enemy dragons that swarmed all around them and prevented them from aiding the dragon lord themselves.

Landing on the rocks below, Ember struggled against Lavan. She tried to use all her strength to fight him off: Throwing punches and kicks and even trying to use her flame breath. But Lavan was too smart for her. He proceeded to pin down Ember's arm, preventing her from reaching her sword.

Growling, Ember managed to seize the moment and threw Lavan off of her. Grabbing her sword, she attempted to take to the air again! But Lavan used his powers to send her flying back into the cliff.

"You are strong, but not strong enough!" Lavan cackled, promptly using his fire powers to clip Ember's left wing. "Let's see how you fare without the aid of flight!"

Screaming in pain, Ember found herself suddenly losing part of her ability to fly as she badly limped off of the cliff!

Seeing what was going on, Spike realized he needed to think of something fast and quick! "Ember, I'm coming!" He yelled, clawing past the enemy dragons in his way and frantically rushing down to her!

Lavan, meanwhile, threw himself back onto Ember and pushed her hard into the ground!

"Take your claws off of her, hot head!" Spike roared as he tried to draw close, only for Lavan to swat him back!

"I'll deal with you soon enough, you puny runt!" Lavan declared. "But first I'm going to teach your lady friend a lesson in pain!" Forming a fist, he ripped Ember's helmet off of her head as he prepared to carry out the mission he was assigned to carry out. Before that though, he decided to force Ember onto her side as he grabbed her right wing and forcefully bent it.

Screaming loudly in pain, Ember continued to be punched and kicked by Lavan, each blow more hurtful than the last. But she was still determined to fight back somehow. Using her arms and legs, she did everything in her power to combat Lavan by any means.

Alas, the sharp pain in Ember's wings prevented her from concentrating or taking flight, and she continued to suffer burning and painful blows. In desperation, she tried breathing fire at Lavan only for him to absorb it like a sponge. Weakened badly, Ember fell to her knees in pain. She then realized what was about to happen to her.

"Let's get this over with," Lavan declared as he walked up to Ember to do the deed assigned to him. "You're not getting away from me now."

…

…

As Ember struggled to her feet, the pain she felt through her body left her battered and bruised. All she could do was prepare for the inevitable.

Taking his hand, Lavan placed it around Ember's neck and forced her up, intending to choke her. "Say goodbye, Dragon Lord Ember!" But suddenly, he felt a pair of claws pull him away from Ember! He turned and saw Spike and Garble behind him.

Growling, Lavan threw Spike and Garble off of him, turning his attention from Ember to them. "You dare interfere with me?!"

"Yeah," Spike replied. "Just like when you tried to burn down Ponyville!"

Snarling, Lavan breathed fire at Spike and Garble, determined to keep them from reaching Ember. "You can't stop me, little dragon! But I'll enjoy crushing you all the same."

Taking his sword, Spike swung it hard at Lavan, trying to hit him in the chest.

"Foolish dragon, you shall suffer the same fate as the dragon lord!" Lavan yelled, forming a fist and punching Spike in the cheek, causing him to lose a tooth.

Angered, Spike briefly winced before he flew towards Lavan and punched him in the stomach.

Before he had a chance to recoil, Lavan felt himself being picked up by Garble who subsequently threw the lava demon back down onto the ground below.

This gave Spike a chance to get Ember to safety. "Ember, let's go!" He pleaded, trying to help her up.

But Ember refused to leave. "Not... until... he is... defeated," Ember declared, picking up her sword just as Lavan got to his feet after being thrown to the ground.

As Lavan starred down Ember, Spike and Garble, both sides were now taking casualties as dragons and some pegasus ponies were dropping like flies. Suddenly, all three dragons noticed a strange substance leaking out of Lavan's chest. Said substance trickled down Lavan's leg and onto the rocky surface below.

"So you want to do things the hard way...don't you?" Lavan gasped, suddenly feeling himself beginning to lose strength. "I shall defeat...you all for Lord Grogar." But suddenly, Lavan was clutching his chest while trying to face the three dragons in front of him. He staggered forward some more, only to drop to one knee and began to vomit some more of the black substance.

"Long live...Emperor Grogar!" Lavan gasped as he suddenly fell forward and landed on his back, his blue eyes staring up into the sky.

Spike then noticed the black substance on the ground at his feet. Taking his claw, he picked it up and studied it as Ember painfully walked over to the downed Lavan.

Ember then took her sword in her claw, knowing that she needed to carry out the final blow. Closing her eyes, Ember raised her sword and finished off Lavan for good! "You messed with the wrong dragon lord, Lavan! May the maker have mercy on your soul!"

…

…

Staring over the dead body of Lavan, Ember could only take several deep breaths as she, Spike and Garble watched the remaining enemy dragons retreat in defeat.

"You hurt, Ember?" Spike asked, wiping some dirt off of his face.

"Just my wings, Spike," Ember sighed and groaned as she looked down at Lavan's corpse in disbelief. "But we won...that's all that matters," She then beckoned for Garble to come forward. "Do a headcount, Garble. Find out who is still alive and who is dead."

Garble gave a salute. "You got it!" Taking to the air, Garble carried out Ember's orders as Spike joined his fellow dragon at her side.

But Ember wasn't prepared for what Spike said next. "That's not really him!" Spike declared, much to Ember's shock.

"What?!" Ember asked with a shocked look on her face. "What do you mean that's not him, Spike?!"

"He's a clone. The real Lavan must be somewhere else," Spike explained. "Otherwise, how else can this be black blood? There's no record of Lavan having such blood, all records indicate his blood is as red and hot as he is."

Ember could only still stand there in total confusion over what Spike had said. Though even if had been a clone, the defeat of it was hopefully still a blow to Grogar.

…

…

"Idiots!" Grogar thundered, slamming his foreleg on the armrest of Vorak's throne and firing magic from his horns in rage into the ceiling. "Another battle lost! I don't understand it. First the Predacons, then Squirk and now this."

"My emperor...it's only a loss. We will win eventually, I'm sure!" Sombra tried to reassure Grogar, only to be met with a growl.

"Of course we will win, we just have to do whatever it takes and keep trying," Grogar angrily declared. "Princess Twilight is responsible for this! She's probably encouraging them all to embrace friendship and her silly ideologies! It's the only explanation."

Suddenly, Grogar took another deep breath. "Well, two can play at that game, Sombra," He declared, looking over towards his map of Equestria. "I can break friendship just as easily as Princess Twilight and her friends build it!" He then turned his attention towards Griffonstone, seeking an all-important victory in his conquest of Equestria!

…

...
> Episode 22: "Gales of Griffonstone"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

It was a well known fact by now that Griffonstone was not like other kingdoms throughout the world. And so it was that, while all the other kingdoms were on high alert as the advances of Grogar's forces seemed to become endless, the griffons didn't do anything. For them it seemed to be life as usual, complaining and moaning about the world around them. They were too stubborn and prideful to accept help from others in rebuilding their once proud heritage.

And so it was that another average day in Griffonstone unfolded with Gilda doing what she'd been doing for a long time. "Griffon scones, get your griffon scones here. Whoop-de-doo," Gilda remarked as she went about her business attempting to sell the baked goodies. "Not that anygriff really cares about 'em."

As the griffons walked by, Gilda anticipated not getting enough customers. To her, she was used to it.

"All right, Missy, what are you doing?" A familiar old griffon with one eye croaked out as he landed by Gilda's cart. "Selling this trash again, aren't you?"

"Ya think?" Gilda sneered. "It's all I do unless Rainbow Dash is here visiting with that Pinkie Pie. A griffon's gotta make a living."

"Ahh, don't even bother with your friends' thoughts," The old griffon bitterly snapped. "They have more important things to do than visit this trash heap! If they'd really cared they would've come back by now like you said they would."

As she listened, Gilda couldn't help but feel bad for the times she had treated Rainbow Dash's friends so poorly. Now more than ever with the fact that Equestria was at war. It felt to her like that was enough to warrant that the behaviors around Griffonstone needed to change for the better.

Just then, however, Gilda looked up and saw rotating clouds beginning to circle around the village center! Immediately, Gilda felt her survival instincts start to kick in! "Grandpa Gruff, look up there!" She shouted, directing him to point up to the darkening sky. "Do you see that?!"

"Ahh, it's probably another windstorm!" Grandpa Gruff huffed. "Do as you always do, ya…"

But suddenly, there was a flash of lightning followed by a loud bang of thunder! Gilda began to get a bad feeling that something was about to happen. And she was right, the winds grew stronger and the clouds began to spin around as well! "Time to bail!" Gilda screamed as she prepared to leave her spot just as a tornado began to come on down towards the ground!

"Scared of a little wind, chicken?" Grandpa Gruff sneered, looking over at the fleeing Gilda. "It'll pass just like this…" But just as he prepared to finish speaking, the twister expanded and all Grandpa Gruff could do was attempt to flee, but it was too late! A massive tornado was bearing down on Griffonstone, and the old griffon was caught out in the open!

…

…

Running away and taking shelter in the basement of her home, Gilda understood right away that this was no ordinary windstorm! "Griffonstone doesn't get tornadoes!" She said repeatedly to herself. Suddenly, she heard a loud crashing noise followed by the sounds of snapping wood and branches! Then as quickly as it began, it ended, with darkness followed by a tense silence.

The storm was over.

"Is it over?" Gilda asked herself, taking a match and lighting a lantern with it. "It's gotta be over." Slowly taking the lantern into one of her talons, the young griffon slowly climbed up the stairs of her basement and found that at the top of the basement stairs only her door was left standing. The shock of what just happened sent a chill down her spine. Her house was gone and the cloudless blue sky hung overhead.

"No way!" Gilda gasped! "No way!"

Stepping through the door, Gilda was shocked to discover that not only her house was gone, but all the other structures in Griffonstone. Buildings had been ripped from their foundation and the sounds of screams could be heard from beneath the rubble. "Grandpa Gruff?" She called, but got no answer. "Anygriff?"

A sickening feeling befell Gilda's stomach at what just happened. Griffonstone, her home, had been completely destroyed. "It's gone," She cried. "It's really gone!" Just then, she heard a loud cry coming from one of the destroyed buildings and immediately flew over to investigate.

"Anygriff up there?" A frightened voice cried. "Help me!"

Immediately, Gilda recognized the voice's owner. "Gabby?! Is that you?!" Gilda shouted as she began to dig through the rubble of Gabby's home with her own strength. "Can you hear me, pipsqueak?"

"I'm trapped in here!" Gabby called. "Help me, Gilda!"

Try as she might though, Gilda found herself unable to lift anymore debris. "Gabby," She panted. "I...I can't do this alone! There's too much debris!"

"Get somegriff to help us!" Gabby cried, but there was no one else around. "Please!"

A look of fright befell Gilda's face both for the fear of her fellow griffon trapped under the rubble, and the fact that Griffonstone was completely leveled. There was nothing that Gilda could do at that moment. She couldn't save Gabby or anygriff by herself.

…

Meanwhile, Gallus had been pulled out of one of his classes and was brought down to Starlight's office. Just then, he discovered that he was not the only one. "Icarus? What are you doing here?" Gallus asked with a confused look on his face. "You got in trouble again?"

"No, not quite cuz," Icarus answered while sitting down next to his cousin. "Right in the middle of Professor Spitfire's gym class, I was pulled aside and told to come straight to the office."

"Really? What were you doing?" Gallus questioned.

Icarus shuddered briefly as he replied. "The Dizzitron."

"Interesting, that's only only for winged flyers though, right?" Gallus remarked. "I wasn't really interested in Professor Styigan's class, anyway. I'm glad I got pulled out of it."

Icarus couldn't help but question. "What were you doing?"

Gallus bluntly remarked. "Poetry." And then both griffons groaned at the prospect of learning the art form.

Just then, the door opened and Starlight peaked out from behind her office door. "Hey guys, come on in," She called, beckoning the two griffons to come inside. Once inside, they saw Sunburst, Trixie, Celestia and Luna all standing around Starlight's desk.

"Um, what's going on here?" Gallus nervously asked, suddenly fearing he had done something wrong. "In fact, what are you all doing here?"

"There's something we need to...to tell you both," Sunburst sighed, shrugging his shoulders. "It's about Griffonstone."

"You brought us here for that?" Icarus remarked, but Gallus could see that it was a serious matter and nudged his cousin on the side.

"Ixnay, Icarus," Gallus grunted before turning to the four ponies standing in front of him. "What's really going on here? If we didn't get pulled out of class…"

"We pulled you out of class for your ears only," Trixie said, much to the griffon's confusion. "It means we have something important that only you need to hear. And it concerns Griffonstone."

Still the griffons were confused.

"Let me explain it like this," Starlight said, silencing Trixie. "There was a confirmed tornado in Griffonstone yesterday. A pretty bad one."

Both Gallus and Icarus were shocked by the news, their eyes widened with disbelief at what just happened!

"A tornado?" Gallus cried, his claws moving to his face in horror. "Is anygriff hurt?! What about my parents' grave?! Well, my mother's mostly…"

"They are still assessing the damage, Gallus," Luna somberly informed him. "But we didn't want to start a panic because…"

"Because you wanted to tell us, is that right?" Gallus sighed, looking back at Luna with a bitter expression on his face. All the older ponies realized that Gallus was an orphan, but they had every reason to be mindful of the damage Griffonstone had sustained.

"The tornado was no accident, was it? Who caused it?!" Gallus angrily demanded! "Was it one of Grogar's goons?! Is that what you wanted to tell us?"

"We aren't sure, Gallus," Celestia replied. "Details are still sketchy, there aren't many witnesses willing to testify at the moment, and most of the work is going into looking for any survivors trapped in the wreckage. But I can assure you both that Princess Twilight and the other princesses are doing everything in their power to find out what happened. Emergency aid to Griffonstone has already been approved."

"It was Arabus, wasn't it?" Gallus replied. "That rotating dude with the green forehead?! I heard about him once, how he had the power of wind and storms. Griffonstone's never had tornadoes, especially not ones that spin up out of nowhere."

Immediately, all Gallus cared about was finding out the truth. Had Arabus or some other sinister power been responsible? Was it a not so cleverly disguised attack on Griffonstone? Or was it really just a natural disaster, perhaps caused by some malfunction at the weather factory?

"Now Gallus," Starlight cautioned, sensing that Gallus was about to revert back to an old habit. "This isn't going to make you think about…?"

"No," Gallus firmly answered, looking away from the administration and his closest teachers. "No, it won't."

"Are you sure about that?" Trixie asked. "Because Trixie doesn't believe that…"

"No, you don't have to worry about a thing," Gallus firmly insisted. "You all don't. I don't plan to join the Equestrian forces at all because of this. Even if this was an attack, it's one Griffonstone never saw coming. It never stood a chance."

At that moment, Gallus turned and prepared to leave the office.

"Gallus!" Starlight firmly called. "I have not dismissed you yet."

"I'm aware of that," The young griffon replied.. "But I know there's something else I can do to contribute to what just happened."

"And what's that?" Celestia asked.

"I want to go to Griffonstone and help anygriff out," Gallus declared. "And don't any of you think about stopping me from thinking otherwise! After the day is done, I leave for Griffonstone. No ifs, ands or buts about it."

The sounds of firmness in Gallus' voice made all the adult ponies quiver in slight fear. Even Icarus was taken aback. "Cuz, maybe we should wait until they say it's okay," He cautioned. "Let the grown-ups handle this in case it's still really bad."

But Gallus said nothing, the look in his eyes confirming his intentions to make his longstanding contribution to the war against Grogar.

"Very well, Gallus," Starlight reluctantly sighed upon sensing the griffon wouldn't be deterred. She promptly sat back down at her desk. "You can go to Griffonstone to help out, but you will not be going alone."

"I didn't plan on going alone anyway." Gallus firmly (and somewhat aggressively) replied.

"I'll go with you, Gallus," Luna offered, stepping forward. "And if you like, I can try to persuade some of your other friends to join you."

"Please do, Professor Luna," Gallus added. "My friends will not deny helping me in any way."

"In that case," Starlight sighed. "You and Icarus can go back to class now. Professor Luna will meet you at the Castle of Friendship after the day ends for your departure to Griffonstone."

Bowing his head in acknowledgement and respect, Gallus left the office with Icarus in tow, determined to carry out what he felt he needed to do to help his homeland.

…

…

When the school day ended, Gallus waited in the lobby with Icarus. All he could think about was what he was going to see in Griffonstone.

"Cuz, you've been pacing back and forth for the past ten minutes," Icarus pleaded. "Give it a rest."

"I can't," Gallus replied. "I can't stop pacing until I know if anygriff is still alive. That wind demon caused this somehow, I know it."

Icarus was not so sure. "It could be just a natural disaster as far as I am concerned."

Gallus ignored his cousin's remark.

Still, Icarus persisted. "Come on, cuz. Maybe it's not as bad as you think, it's been a day at least. There should've been time for help to arrive. Besides, we aren't going into this alone."

At that moment, the sounds of hoofbeats approached the two griffons as Luna approached with Silverstream, Ocellus, Sandbar, Yona and Smolder all in tow.

"Thanks for coming guys," Gallus gratefully greeted. "There's no time to lose!"

"Remember to stay together," Luna advised, opening her wings. "Who knows what we might find in Griffonstone?"

The doors opened and Luna, Smolder, Silverstream, and the two griffons took to the air. Ocellus took on the roll of a bugbear and carried Sandbar and Yona in her claws.

During the journey over, Silverstream kept a close eye on her boyfriend, his eyes still showing fear and anxiety. "Gallus, how are you feeling?" She nervously asked, not wanting to risk upsetting him any further.

"Better now that you guys are with me," Gallus slowly and reluctantly answered. "But I can't shake the feeling that this was no random storm. That Griffonstone was targeted knowing that the griffons couldn't fight back. And part of me thinks that maybe what my dad attempted to do was really a lost cause all along," He then saw that he was caressing his dad's ego and quickly corrected himself. "What am I saying, Silverstream? Forget what I just said, all right?"

Gallus then had another thought come into his mind. "I'm more concerned with saving anygriff who survived and checking on my mom's grave."

"What about your…?" Silverstream questioned.

"Whatever happened to his grave isn't important to me!" Gallus cried! "I'll still...never forget what he did."

Silverstream remembered very well how Gallus confessed his father's actions had brought Gallus, her and their friends together.

"We should be nearing Griffonstone, students!" Luna called out as they all flew over the rocky terrain boarding Griffonstone. "I can see smoke and rubble now! Be careful!"

Gallus took a deep breath, anxious about what he would be seeing just up ahead.

…

…

Meanwhile, Gilda continued to struggle with getting Gabby out of her destroyed home. Despite the fact she had managed to pull up a good deal of debris, she found could not get anymore out. All her strength had been used up.

"Gilda, are you still there?" Gabby weakly cried in fear.

"Pipsqueak," Gilda gasped, collapsing forward from exhaustion. "I can...I can't free you, there's too much debris. I need help and there's no griff around!"

From underneath the debris, Gabby's eye began to well up with tears. "I'm scared, Gilda!" She bawled. "Where's Grandpa Gruff? Is he with you?"

Breathing heavily, Gilda collapsed couldn't help but feel afraid of how to explain to Gabby of all griffons about what had happened to Grandpa Gruff. She hadn't seen him where she had last remembered seeing him, which could mean only one thing to her.

"Gilda... is he?" Gabby asked, fearing the worst.

"He's...he's not here," Gilda weakly sighed. "He's not here, doofus. He's gone, forever." For the first time in a long time, Gilda felt her tough nature start to slowly leave her body. Her futile efforts to free her fellow griffon all but evaporated what will she had to keep going. The sun was starting to go down and time was running out for Gabby.

Gilda feared the worst, that Gabby would not survive and she would have lost the only other griffon in Griffonstone willing to talk to her.

At the same time, Gallus and his friends arrived at the outskirts of Griffonstone and were mortified to see the entire kingdom reduced to rubble. All but a few structures no longer standing, and even those that were standing looked badly battered and in danger of possible collapse.

"Stay close as we land, young ones," Luna cautioned as she landed on the rough surface. "There's debris everywhere, don't touch anything!"

"Wow, look at this place!" Smolder gasped! "It's gone!"

"Do you think anyone survived?" Ocellus asked in a worried voice. "It doesn't look like it to me, but for once I hope I'm wrong."

Tapping into her alicorn powers, Luna activated her Royal Canterlot Voice in an effort to attract attention. "IS ANYONE ALIVE OUT HERE?!" She called, her voice echoing through the canyons. "CAN ANYONE HEAR ME?! IS ANYONE ALIVE OUT HERE?!"

But all the group got was silence.

"HELLO!" Gallus frantically shouted as he took to the air. "Is anygriff alive?! Can you hear me?! Hello?!" But he got nothing but silence. There was no response, no voice of a griffon crying out in fear. Had they all perished? Were he and Icarus the only griffons still alive?

"Professor Luna, maybe we should split up," Sandbar suggested. "There's got to be somegriff around here to rescue, right? Maybe they're too far away to hear us?"

Luna stood in thought. She didn't want to risk her students being put in harm's way. She activated her Royal Canterlot Voice again. "HELLO! CAN ANYONE HEAR ME?! PLEASE SPEAK UP IF YOU ARE ABLE!" Still, there came no replies.

"We might as well face it, young creatures," Luna sighed. "There may regretfully not be any survivors."

"I don't believe it, Professor Luna," Ocellus cried. "Maybe there are griffons still under the debris. I can try and lift up the rubble by transforming and…"

"It may be too dangerous for anyone to be alive under the rubble," Luna declared, proceeding to activate a light from her horn. "Still, I'm not holding out hope. If strength is needed, then we have a strong creature who can help."

Luna then looked down at Yona, who was grateful to be recognized.

"Yona willing to rescue any griffons in need of rescue!" Yona declared! "Just like yaks help dig each other out of snowbanks when yaks stomping cause avalanches. Yona and Ocellus work together to free all trapped griffons!"

Suddenly, Luna felt a summons on her horn and detected movement coming from one of the destroyed buildings. "This way, young ones," She called, motioning for the other students to follow her. "I sense something, something alive!"

…

…

Back at the destroyed home of Gabby, Gilda slowly started to fall asleep out of exhaustion.

"Gilda?" Gabby asked. "Gilda?" But she heard nothing. Had Gilda given up and left her due to her inability to free the trapped young griffon?

Unknown to either griffon, help was on the way!

As Gilda collapsed onto some of the debris she'd hastily made into a pile, the light from Luna's horn drew closer and closer to the destroyed property. "It's coming from over here!" Luna cried, but Gallus flew ahead of her followed by Icarus. "Gallus, Icarus, wait!"

But the two griffons wouldn't wait, they arrived on the scene and found Gilda collapsed on the debris.

"We gotta get her off of there! She must be hurt!" Icarus shouted! "Ready. cousin?!"

Nodding, both griffons flew onto the collapsed body of Gilda and gently lifted her off.

"Huh, is anyone up there?" Gabby called out in hope when she heard the sound of wing flaps overhead. "Who's up there?!"

"We're here to help you!" Luna called back. "Don't move, we'll get you out as soon as we safely can," And she then instructed. "Smolder, Ocellus, work on lifting the debris. Silverstream, stay in reserve with me. Yona, try to break down any hard spots. Sandbar, you help Yona."

"Right professor!" The group all said at once and rushed to carry out their assigned task.

"We'll help too!" Gallus and Icarus called as they finished rescuing Gilda.

"Good, you two stay with me," Luna ordered. "Once the path is clear, we'll go in and help whoever's trapped underneath. We must be careful not to risk further collapse."

Working hard, the students used their strength and their abilities to clear away the debris from Gabby's destroyed home.

At long last, a path was cleared. And then illuminating her horn, Luna led Gallus and Icarus into the remnants of the destroyed home.

"Watch your step!" Gallus cried as he felt a stair give way underneath. "Who knows when this place will collapse?"

"Gallus! Gallus are you there?! Oh thank goodness you've come!" Gabby cried behind a wall of debris. "Get me out of here! I'm trapped! I don't like this! It's dark and cramped in here!"

"Gabby! Gabby, hang on! I'll save you, I promise!" Gallus shouted as he and Icarus proceeded to dig through the debris!

Suddenly, all heard a loud creaking noise that Luna was quick to take notice of! Activating her shield spell with a flick of her horn, she protected Gallus, and Icarus from a falling table that would've landed right on top of them!

"We're coming up!" Gallus shouted to his friends as he and Icarus pulled the injured Gabby up from the debris. "Get ready to help! Gabby's hurt badly!"

"You heard the griffon! Let's go, gang!" Silverstream shouted as the rest of the students lined up to help their professor and fellow students get Gabby out. Carefully, all worked together to pull Gabby to safety. Just then, several platoons of guardsponies arrived on the scene with Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Gusty leading the charge.

"Ay caramba!" Gusty gasped! "What happened here?! Man, I've never seen anything like this!"

But Twilight said nothing and instead flew towards Luna and the students. "Luna, what's going on?" She inquired of her big sister figure. "Celestia said you were coming here with the students! She didn't say anything about this!"

"We found this griffon in the wreckage of this house," Luna explained. "She's hurt, but she'll survive thanks to the students' quick thinking."

Immediately, Twilight took off her battle helmet, recognized Gabby and walked over to her. "Gabby!" She gasped in a hushed voice. "Gabby, I'm so sorry!"

All Gabby could do was look away in sadness, not wanting to have Twilight see her in such a sad state.

"Twilight!" Rainbow Dash called and Twilight and Luna both saw Rainbow Dash lifting Gilda onto a stretcher. "Gilda's hurt! Really hurt!"

Twilight then turned to several guardsponies. "Get a stretcher for Gabby, now! She's going to need one too!" She commanded the guardsponies, who obeyed without question.

"It...happened so suddenly…" Gabby panted while wincing in pain. "It just...came out of nowhere!"

Gently, Gallus and Icarus placed Gabby on a stretcher while the guardsponies took her away to be checked out by a medical team.

"Arabus was behind this, this has all the hallmarks of his doing. A tornado that spun out almost out of the blue" Twilight declared as she watched Gabby be taken away and briefly scowled. "The griffons should not have ignored our warnings the way they did! We could've prepared them."

"I can't understand it," Gallus sighed as he sat down. "Was rallying the griffons to defeat the Legion of Doom not enough? I thought I inspired them to fight back against any evil! Maybe I should have done it some more…"

"You did all that could be done, Gallus," Luna reassured him, placing a hoof on his shoulder. "They believed you, but...it seems they wanted to fight their own way, I guess."

…

For the next hour, the search and rescue continued around Griffonstone. Those who were found dead were lined up with blankets covering their bodies. As time went by, the search for survivors continued to move slowly more and more towards a recovery mission. There weren't many survivors and it seemed even those who had survived the initial disaster had mostly not been reached in time to be saved.

Still, Gallus found the time to visit his parents' grave. Their stones were still intact, but as usual, Gallus turned toward his mom's grave. "Glad to see you're okay, Mom," He said to himself as he cleared some of the debris away. "Thank Celestia you didn't have to live through this." Gallus then turned over to his dad's grave and said nothing.

At that moment, a loud noise went off in the distance Gallus and saw several guardsponies carrying a body underneath the battered and partially torn flag of Griffonstone. Flying over, Gallus was stopped by Icarus who held him back. "Is that…?"

Icarus nodded. "Yes, it's Grandpa Gruff. They found him."

"Where?!" Gallus frantically asked.

"In the abyss where the idol fell into or something like that. Princess Rainbow Dash led the group that found him," Icarus explained. "He never had a chance, caught out in the open."

A look of emotion befell on Gallus' face in disbelief that the griffon who'd not only led the griffons, but had raised him after his parents' death was dead. And now he was left alone to pick up the pieces. "What happens now?" He asked. "His place was the closest thing I had to a home."

"I don't know, cuz," Icarus sighed. "Guess maybe this is gonna get chalked up as a loss in this war. Don't know who you might move in with."

…

…

Meanwhile, back in the Distant Lands, Grogar was delighted to hear about Arabus' recent victory. "Arabus, I want to congratulate you on your accomplishment," The ram laughed as he sat on his throne while looking through his crystal ball. "Those griffons made it easy for you."

"Of course, my emperor," Arabus gleefully reported. "They didn't even have any defenses set up, which made it all the more easier. They fell like tin soldiers."

"Excellent, but your work is not done yet," Grogar replied. "Bring whatever survivors you have captured to me. I can always use more forces. And Griffonstone's demise will serve as a warning to the rest, all will fall before me eventually."

Acknowledging, Arabus disappeared from Grogar's view as he floated the ball back to its proper location next to the map of Equestria.

"Well, how does it feel to finally get a victory again, my emperor?" Sombra questioned as he entered the throne room.

"Let's hope it's the beginning, now that Griffonstone has been completely decimated," Grogar answered with a sadistic smirk. "With Griffonstone defeated without even putting up a fight, there will be a ripple effect that will help bring Equestria to its knees once and for all! The dragon lands and the joint kingdoms of Mount Aris and Seaquestria will soon learn that their earlier victories were flukes."

And Grogar laughed loudly at his first triumph and looked to ride the momentum to the next phase of his conquest!

…

…
> Episode 23: "Captain Tirek, Part 1"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

Lord Zedd was doing whatever he could to cope with his new surroundings. Here he was, now living with his father in law (who was a creature he most sincerely despised). To him it was nothing like living in the Moon Palace and fighting against the Power Rangers. In fact, to him it was torture.

"Zeddy!" Zedd heard his wife, Rita, shriek. "Daddy wants you downstairs for dinner!"

Reading a novel, Zedd tried to ignore his wife but was unsuccessful. "Tell him I am busy, Rita!" He grumbled as Rita stepped into his quarters. "Besides, I don't always have to be present for dinner."

"Oh come on, Zedd!" Rita rolled her eyes. "Applejack has prepared us a really great meal and it involves apples."

"Everything is apples or pears...what I wouldn't give for a nice bag of spider chips." Zedd complained.

"Now don't insult Applejack, Zeddy!" Rita playfully remarked while placing her hands on Zedd's shoulders. "I mean...you never insulted my cooking did you?"

Zedd reluctantly sighed. "No…"

At that moment, Mean Pinkie Pie knocked on the door and peeked her head in. "Hey!" She snapped while stamping her hoof down. "Get your butts downstairs! The master is waiting for you!"

Insulted, Zedd rose to his feet in fury. "What did you say to me?! I happen to be a creature who deserves respect!"

"You heard me, radiator face!" Mean Pinkie Pie snapped. "Master wants you downstairs! So move!"

As mean Pinkie Pie walked away, Zedd let out a loud groan and sat back down. "Remind me to have that abomination turned into glue or something," He groaned as he placed his face into his hand. "I don't get any respect around here anymore!"

"Technically, you are in my father's house." Rita pointed out.

"Of course we are stuck here living with your father," Zedd remarked. "Personally, I would much rather be serving Grogar than him…"

"Zeddy, don't you think this feud between you and daddy has gone on long enough?" Rita inquired. "Ever since we stepped foot in here, you've always wanted to destroy one another. But if it weren't for him, we would still be wandering the galaxy. Besides...he's letting you drive the camper again."

All Zedd could do was groan in disgust. "It's too bad that we couldn't access Serpentera II. It would certainly have been helpful. What I would not give to have it back beside me again." Little did he understand that his wish was about to come true.

…

…

Aboard Serpentera II, Scorpan continued to pilot the enormous zord through the galaxy with the destination set to Earth, in particular, Equestria. Stepping into the cockpit, Tirek walked towards his brother carefully.

"Why are you here, Tirek?" Scorpan asked, catching Tirek by surprise. "You should be resting after your harrowing escape."

"I thought you could use some company," Tirek whispered as he sat behind Scorpan. "Listen, brother, I've been thinking…"

"-I know what it is, Tirek," Scorpan interrupted, silencing his brother with a raised paw. "You think that after we are truly free, you plan on killing me the same way as you did Father. You want to be truly free of your past, free from ever having to think of it."

Tirek suddenly felt taken aback by this decision. "Why would you assume that? I obviously don't plan on killing my mentor, Sendak! And he's a part of my past!" He gasped. "You're my brother, Scorpan, despite our differences. And besides…" Tirek then looked back towards the door to the cockpit and suddenly began to think of Chrysalis and Cozy Glow. "What I really want is for Chrysalis and Cozy Glow to be safe. Surely, you know how it is, brother?"

"Why am I hearing this from you, Tirek?" Scorpan inquired. "You...a creature who would once stop at nothing to get all the magic in Equestria for yourself! Chrysalis may be right...you're getting too soft due to having feelings for her."

Tirek refused to believe the truth and felt he needed to prove Scorpan wrong in some way.

…

…

Back on the M51 Galaxy, Lord Zedd came downstairs and joined his wife, father-in-law and his minions at the dinner table.

"All right everyone, eat up!" Master Vile declared. "Can't let this food grow cold."

"Ah, dinner fit for a princess!" Nightmare Moon laughed , only for Daybreaker to slam her hoof down on the table.

"You mean, for two princesses?!" Daybreaker snapped. "Don't forget who provided the fire for the feast, sister!"

"Whatever," Nightmare Moon muttered. "We both know I'm the prettier one. You copied me because you were jealous."

"Hey, don't feel bad, it's all gunky!" Evil Applejack laughed, leaning forward and eating her own dish. "See, what did I tell you?"

"Thou doesn't insult me,. Nightmare Moon muttered again.

"Well, at least someone appreciates what I do," Daybreaker remarked. "That's why I came first."

"Oh, stop your bleating," Zedd snapped. "I can't hear myself eat with all your insistent jabbering!"

The entire table was taken aback by Zedd's sudden rage. Even Master Vile was slightly surprised by this development.

"You'll have to excuse Ed, Pop," Rito nervously chuckled. "He's usually like this when something is stolen from him. Why, I remember…" Before he could finish, however, Rito heard a clearing from his sister's throat followed by a motion to silence him.

"Why is old radiator face so down in the dumps, hmm?" Evil Fluttershy sneered. "I know it's not because of me. I should be the only one making others feel down."

"It's because I am reduced to nothing, you flying fool," Zedd muttered. "When I came back to life, I thought for sure that I would get back what I'd lost. But that seems like a lost memory now."

"Hey, as long as we are together that's all that matters, right Ed?" Rito asked. But Zedd said nothing.

"Yes, as long as you are all here with me, yes?" Master Vile laughed, ignoring the complaints. "Now eat, all of you! This food won't stay hot forever."

As the villains resumed eating, they all heard a knock at the door which interrupted their dinner.

"Now who can that be at this time of day?" Master Vile asked, putting his spoon down. "Globber!"

"Globber?" Goldar asked. "Since when did he get back in the picture?"

Just then, a blue monster of dripping slime wearing a black bow tie walked into the dining hall. "You rang, boss?" Globber asked.

"Yes, go answer the door and see who it is," Master Vile instructed and Globber complied as Master Vile turned his attention to the mean six. "After his original form was destroyed by the Power Rangers, I just had to make another one of him. He was the only company I had."

"I certainly wouldn't want him for my collection," Evil Rarity sneered. "He's so disgusting and hideous!"

Slightly insulted, Master Vile let out a small growl at Evil Rarity.

A few moments later, Globber returned to the dining room. "Uh, boss," He nervously said. "It uh... appears that we have some guests who... collapsed at the front door. Can someone help me bring them in?"

Unhestitantly, Master Vile turned to his son and most trusted warrior. "Help him out, you two!" Master Vile ordered and they complied. "Whoever it is is probably dead by now. But they may still be of some use to us."

"Whatever you say, Dad." Rito casually remarked.

Following Globber to the front door, both Goldar and Rito saw three human girls lying down on the front step, seemingly unconscious.

"Okay, so how do you want to do this?" Rito asked Globber, who could only shrug in confusion.

Bringing the three girls inside, Globber, Goldar and Rito dragged them towards the dining hall where they immediately caught the attention of Master Vile and his entourage.

"Here are the guests, boss." Globber said as he dragged in the unconscious body of Adagio Dazzle.

Immediately, Zedd rose to his feet in shock as he recognized the human girls! "Put them down at once, Rito!" He commanded.

"Uh, okay." Rito replied as dropped Adagio on the ground.

"Wait!" Master Vile called, motioning for Rito to pick Adagio back up. "Pick her back up, Rito!"

"All right, if you say so." Rito muttered as Master Vile got up from the table to inspect the unconscious girls.

Taking his staff, Master Vile placed it under Adagio's throat and he could immediately feel a pulse in it. "She's still alive," He murmured as he then walked over to Aria Blaze and placed his staff on her throat too. Feeling a pulse, he detected she was alive too. Then, he made his way over to Sonata Dusk, placing his staff on her throat as well. "They are all still alive. Incredible. Who are they?"

"Servants of Grogar, Master Vile," Lord Zedd explained. "They call themselves the Sirens and also apparently The Dazzlings."

Master Vile pondered the presence of his guests with keen interest. "Sirens, you say?" He asked himself. "You mean, creatures that can force others to listen and obey against their will? Creatures able to turn others against each other through song?" It was then that Master Vile gave himself an idea. "Globber!" He commanded.

"Yeah, boss?" Globber hesitantly asked.

"Listen to me," Master Vile instructed as an idea came into his mind. "It is time to get these creatures to join our ranks. Take them to the dungeons and wake them up!" Then, activating his staff, he sent Globber and the three sirens away..

"What are you planning to do, daddy?" Rita asked her father.

"I have a plan to regain all that was taken from us, my dastardly daughter," Master Vile laughed as he turned around to face Rita. "But first, we need some form of transportation, don't we? And I know just the thing."

…

Back on Serpentera II, Tirek made his way down to the cabins and saw Chrysalis in front of a sleeping Cozy Glow. "How is she?" He asked the overthrown changeling queen, catching her attention.

"Asleep, and have been for a long time," Chrysalis muttered as she stroked Cozy Glow's mane. "Listen, Tirek...I've been thinking."

"What?" he asked. "What are you talking about?"

"Well, it's...it's just that... you're right, about us having standards," Chrysalis explained. "Something that I didn't have with my hive. In fact, what good is trying to take Equestria for ourselves? We'll never get it back in this position...and I don't think we ever will get it back, period. All I want is my hive, the rest of Equestria is no longer my concern. As long as I have enough love to sustain me forever, I could care less if Grogar destroys the rest of the world."

Entering his girlfriend's cabin, Tirek placed his hand on Chrysalis' shoulder and sighed deeply. "You're probably right about Equestria," He said softly. "At this point, taking it for ourselves just seems like a complete waste of time. Even if by some miracle we could defeat Grogar, the ponies would make life miserable for us until they inevitably tried to overthrow us. I want what is best for me, for you and for our precious charge. If that includes going back to Tartarus, then that's what I think we should do."

Tapping into her powers, Chrysalis could sense something not just in Tirek, but in herself as well. "Yes, I guess you're right. If we can have our own lands to ourselves to be left in peace, nothing else matters," She sighed. "But Grogar still needs to be eliminated, he's much too dangerous after all he's done and tried to do to us. And whoever else stands in his way must also fall. We can't have any enemies left to oppose us."

It was then that both Tirek and Chrysalis agreed on a common ground...that Grogar needed to be eliminated. However, there was something else that was on his mind.

"In a way," Tirek said as he walked back to the door of Chrysalis' cabin. "Every time I see Grogar...I see my father."

"King Vorak?" Chrysalis asked.

"Yes, Chrysalis. My father was a monster to me...I was abused...humiliated...told I would never amount to anything in life," Tirek grumbled. "Far as I'm concerned he made me the monster that I am today, Chrysalis. And I see that with Grogar now that I think about it. Nothing would give me more satisfaction than to drain Grogar of his powers...and then kill him." As Tirek spoke, he formed a fist in his right hand, trying to hold back the range of raw emotion he had in his soul.

"No, not like that," Chrysalis suggested, placing her hoof on Tirek's fist and pushing it down. "He needs to suffer more than that. He needs to understand that fear is greater than anything. Power alone is not enough."

"You are right," Tirek sighed, looking back to Chrysalis. "But I need to prove to myself and to you that I can cause fear in others. I will not rest until I see Grogar fall and perish!"

As Tirek spoke, both he and Chrysalis heard Cozy murmur in her sleep. "And you are not the only one I need to prove it to." He softly added, remembering his brother.

…

Back in the dungeons of Master Vile's castle in the M51 galaxy, Adagio Dazzle opened her eyes slowly and found herself surrounded by Master Vile and his legion of villains.

"Why isn't she dead yet?" Mean Pinkie Pie bitterly remarked. "Come on, why isn't she dead yet? I wanna poke her."

"Shut up, you fool!" Mean Twilight snapped. "They are waking. Master Vile obviously sees great potential in them. So for now at least, we'll trust his judgement."

"Wha...what happened?" Adagio moaned. "Where are we?"

"You are in the presence of Master Vile, ruler of the M51 galaxy." Master Vile declared as Adagio tried to sit up only to find that she couldn't.

"M51 Galaxy?" Adagio moaned, feeling her head spinning as she tried to get her balance in place. "Is that where we are?"

"Of course, my child," Master Vile nodded. "Why, where else would you be?"

"In Equestria," Adagio mumbled. "I'm Adagio Dazzle, leader of the Sirens also known as The Dazzlings. What else do you need to know?"

"You claim to be creatures that feed on emotion," Nightmare Moon spoke up with a grin. "Are you not?"

"Yes we are," Adagio sleepily muttered. "Weren't you listening?"

"You'll have to excuse my sister," Daybreaker sneered, giving Nightmare Moon a dirty look. "Her cognitive functions are always clouded in darkness."

All Nightmare Moon could do was growl slightly at her sister's dirty remark.

"Hmm," Sonata Dusk moaned as she opened her eyes and tried to sit up, only for some slime to come out of her mouth. And suddenly, without warning, she turned and vomited into the bucket next to her.

"Oh, that's just peachy! Someone throwing up in my presence!" Lord Zedd cried, throwing his arms up in disgust. "Me! An emperor of evil! I've never been so humiliated!"

Once she finished, Sonata Dusk laid back down on the table. "Guess those tacos didn't sit well." She groaned.

"Of course they didn't," Adagio remarked. "I told you not to eat before we left Grogar's old palace. Don't you ever listen to me, Sonata?"

Rito then placed his hand on Sonata's forehead and could feel a sensation that almost burned him. "Uh, Dad. She's got a fever."

"Of course she does, son," Master Vile replied, walking over to the downed Sonata. "I can see that quite clearly. But, I must ask, children...why did you come here?" He then placed his staff at Adagio's throat and the lead siren briefly gulped nervously at the idea of being stuck in the throat.

"We...we were overpowered," Adagio gasped! "Those three fools…"

"What three fools?" Zedd questioned and the rest of the villains began to get an idea of what was going on. "Come on, out with it!"

"Tirek...Chrysalis...Cozy Glow..." Adagio willingly confessed.."They overpowered us and escaped. And they probably think they destroyed us because of that."

"Those blundering fools!" Nightmare Moon growled with her mane rising in anger. "I should have known they would have done something like this!"

"Yeah, well, they'll turn on each other!" Mean Rainbow Dash sneered, floating in midair while lying down. "Just you wait and see! They've betrayed everyone else."

"They plan on killing Grogar…" Adagio pleaded. "We have to stop them! They stole Serpentera 2!"

Hearing this made Zedd growl in fury and glow in equal anger. "They WHAT?!" He thundered with his visor turning red! "They stole MY ZORD?!" In a fit of rage, he couldn't believe what he was hearing. His own zord was stolen from him!

"Your what?" Adagio whimpered.

"My zord, you fool! Serpentera 2 was my own personal zord!" Zedd growled again and then furiously demanded! "Where did they take it?!"

"After goatface…" Sonata groaned as she leaned forward to vomit some more into the bucket.

Just then, Aria Blaze was awakened due to the sound of the excessive yelling. "What's with all the yelling?" She moaned. "Where are we?"

"Aria, glad to see you're finally awake," Adagio nervously greeted, currently feeling intimidated by Zedd. "But we've got an angry red creature in our faces!"

"This guy?" Aria laughed with a small smile on her face. "He doesn't scare me!"

"You should fear me, fool!" Zedd angrily glared at Aria. "Because I am going to see to it you suffer the consequences of my wrath unless you recover my zord! Where are those three taking it?!"

"I told you already, Equestria!" Adagio protested, causing Zedd to growl in frustration. "We...we were trying to find it when the riggers of space caused us to fall unconscious! If it hadn't been for that, we would still have gone after it."

It was then that Master Vile took command of the situation. "And so, you shall go after it once again," He declared before looking over at Nightmare Moon and Daybreaker. "I shall see to it that Serpentera 2 is recovered and returned here to us. You two shall lead the mission!"

Feeling that a sense of pride was given to them, both Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon stepped forward. Master Vile then turned to the attention of the Mean Six. "You shall be responsible for assisting in the mission," He commanded to them, pointing his staff at Mean Twilight. "Do whatever it takes to ensure Serpentera 2 is brought back to me! And destroy anyone who gets in your way!"

"The proper term is "everypony" just so you know!" Mean Twilight declared, before bowing to Master Vile in respect. "And yes, we shall do whatever it takes to retrieve your weapon, master."

"Excellent," Master Vile smiled. "Bring me Serpentera 2 and you shall be greatly rewarded. But fail, and you will suffer the most unspeakable of consequences!"

"Ooh, what are they?" Mean Applejack sarcastically asked.

Master Vile only replied. "If I told you then they wouldn't be unspeakable, would they?"

"Don't worry, Master! We shall do as you wish of us. We will not fail. Not with me leading the charge!" Nightmare Moon promised.

Satisfied with the commitment, Master Vile sent the six evil clones of the princesses and the two evil clones of their mentors away, leaving him alone with his core minions and the Sirens. "Now, as for the rest of you," He commanded. "There is much work to be done."

"What kind of work, my dreaded father?" Rita asked.

"The kind where we take what is ours for the taking," Master Vile answered. "Now, follow me!"

Following Master Vile, Rita, Zedd and their own minions complied, wondering what Master Vile had planned as he left the Sirens alone in the dungeon.

"What's happening?" Aria asked Adagio.

"I don't know, Aria," Adagio sighed. "But until we get our strength back, we're stuck here."

And right on cue, Sonata vomited some more at Adagio's words.

…

…

Back on Serpentera 2, Scorpan continued to pilot the enormous zord when he suddenly saw several dots on the radar coming toward them. "What in…?" He said to himself, before frantically pressing a button in the cockpit. "Tirek! Come up here at once!"

Down in the cabins, Tirek heard his brother's plea.

"What's going on?" Chrysalis asked.

"Stay here," Tirek answered. "I'll be back," Leaving Chrysalis and Cozy Glow alone, Tirek retreated up to the cockpit and answered his brother's call. "Scorpan, what is it?" He asked. "Why did you call me up here so fast?"

"We are about to have company." Scorpan urgently explained. "Prepare yourself to boarded!"

Then suddenly, a sudden jolt downwards caused Tirek to fall to the floor of the cockpit. "You're telling me!" He groaned as he tried to get back up to his feet. "Whoever it is is already here!" And sure enough, he could hear the sounds of hoofbeats coming towards the cockpit. Reluctantly stepping out, he saw Nightmare Moon and Daybreaker standing in his way.

"Hello, old villain friend!" Nightmare Moon cackled as she and Daybreaker charged up their horns. "We come to take what is rightfully Master Vile's!"

Tirek could only stand in front of the cockpit door, trying to figure out what to do. He was being invaded and the lives of his brother, lover and his daughter figure would be in his hands. "Don't take another step!" He desperately commanded, trying to sound confident. "Or else you'll regret it!"

"We should have expected this!" Daybreaker sighed and turned around, motioned for the Mean Six to bring a bound and gagged Chrysalis and Cozy Glow forward. "Your 'family' here didn't even bother to put up a fight. How sad, and pathetic."

Tirek was horrified and shocked to see the creatures he was so close to bound and gagged against their will.

"Look at us," Nightmare Moon whispered. "Look at us, foe!"

Tirek didn't look at Nightmare Moon and instead focused on Chrysalis as she struggled to talk to Tirek along with Cozy Glowm all while the Mean Six held onto them.

"Look at us!" Nightmare Moon thundered to Tirek in an angry voice!

"I am looking at you!" Tirek cried. "What do you want?!"

"We're the captains of this ship now!" Daybreaker smirked with triumph. "So you will do as we command...or else your 'family' will pay the price for your insubordination!"

Motioning to Mean Twilight, Daybreaker forced Tirek to watch as Mean Twilight placed a knife at Chrysalis' throat.

"So, what will it be, Lord Tirek?" Nightmare Moon cackled evilly along with Daybreaker as Tirek became fearful for the safety of the creatures that he was close to!

…

...
> Episode 24: "Captain Tirek, Part 2"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

PREVIOUSLY ON "MY LITTLE PONY"

…

…

Lord Tirek: "Listen, brother, I've been thinking…"

Scorpan: "You think that after we are truly free, you plan on killing me the same way as you did Father. You want to be truly free of your past, free from ever having to think of it."

Lord Tirek: "What I really want is for Chrysalis and Cozy Glow to be safe."

Globber: "It uh... appears that we have some guests who... collapsed at the front door."

Lord Zedd: "They call themselves the Sirens and also apparently The Dazzlings."

Lord Tirek: "Every time I see Grogar...I see my father."

Lord Zedd: "They stole MY ZORD?! Where did they take it?!"

Scorpan: "Prepare yourself to boarded!"

Daybreaker: "We're the captains of this ship now! So you will do as we command...or else your 'family' will pay the price for your insubordination!"

Nightmare Moon: "So, what will it be, Lord Tirek?"

…

…

Tirek stood with a tough decision...surrender to the invading clones of Equestria's royal sisters and his most despised enemies, or risk losing the creatures he had become close to. The centaur could only fear for the safety of Chrysalis and Cozy Glow as Mean Pinkie Pie held a dagger to Chrysalis' throat. Hearing a muffled scream from Cozy Glow, he realized that he had to make his decision and fast.

"Well, what do you say?" Daybreaker cackled in a sarcastic tone of voice. "Do you surrender, or are these two about to be missing a head?"

Taking a deep breath, Tirek came to the sensible conclusion. "Scorpan," He instructed. "Get out of the cockpit."

Scorpan blinked in disbelief. "But Tirek…"

"I SAID GET OUT!" Tirek shouted and Scorpan complied, rising from the cockpit seat and raising his claws up to join his brother on his right side.

"A wise choice," Mean Twilight sneered as she then gestured for Mean Rainbow Dash and Mean Fluttershy to capture Tirek and Scorpan. "Alas, your greatest strength is your greatest weakness, centaur."

Tirek kept his eye on Mean Twilight with a glare of anger as he was pushed to join Chrysalis and Cozy Glow along with Scorpan.

"Take them back to their quarters," Nightmare Moon ordered. "Master Vile will want them alive for when we arrive."

"Master Vile?" Scorpan asked. "Who are you talking about?"

"Oh, you shall see soon enough, gargoyle," Daybreaker chuckled as she and Nightmare Moon entered the cockpit. "In due time, you shall see. Take them away!"

Complying, the Mean Six did as they were told. They pushed the captured villains away while Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon settled themselves into the cockpit.

"Very nice," Daybreaker laughed as she sat in the pilot's seat. "A weapon of such power, such strength! I wouldn't mind getting used to this. Oh, the destruction I would command."

"Who says you have to pilot?" Nightmare Moon remarked, catching Daybreaker's attention. "I helped lead the mission! I should be in charge now!"

"Aanh! Wrong answer!" Daybreaker cruelly mocked. "Master Vile assigned us to lead the mission together and we will continue to do so. So as the older sister, what I say goes. Now, let's set a course for the M51 Galaxy! Let's bring our prisoners home and get our reward."

Nightmare Moon watched as her sister set a course for the M51 Galaxy and their new home. All she could do for now was seethe with anger and resentment at Daybreaker treating her like this.

…

Meanwhile, Tirek and his companions were herded back into their quarters and were left with Mean Applejack and Mean Rainbow Dash standing guard right outside. Seizing the opportunity, Tirek removed Cozy Glow's gag off her face, giving her the opportunity to breathe.

"Are you all right, Cozy?" Tirek asked in a tender voice.

"Yes, thanks to you," Cozy Glow answered while trying to catch her breath. "Who...who do these ponies think they are? I thought Grogar banished them far away!"

"Clearly they survived, somehow," Chrysalis coughed as Scorpan removed her gag, her face filled with rage. "And they will be sorry they ever came back from the dead if I ever get my hooves on them! They seem to enjoy defying me every time they get half a chance."

But Tirek felt that they needed to escape quickly. "There's no time for that now," He protested. "We need to get out of here!"

"And leave Serpentera II to these clones?!" Scorpan protested. "No way! We should fight back!"

"It's too dangerous, Scorpan! We're outnumbered and out powered! Fighting back would only result in our ends," Tirek countered. "Now listen to me, all of you. What these invaders have in mind is something that involves us not surviving in some way. I would much rather leave this machine to them instead of being put to death. I have no intention to give them the satisfaction of ending me."

"I second that, Tirek," Cozy Glow said, much to Chrysalis' annoyance. "Besides, getting rid of Grogar is more important. We'll never do that if we're stuck here."

"Are you crazy, all of you?!" Chrysalis asked with a shocked expression on her face. "Do you even realize what you are all doing?! Why, with this weapon, we can not only defeat Grogar, but also take Equestria for ourselves! If there's even a chance we could regain control of it, why not fight the good fight?!"

But Tirek just stared at Chrysalis. As far as he was concerned he had far more important matters than just a machine to worry about. "Chrysalis," He sighed while walking up to the former changeling queen. "Why must you think of yourself at a time like this? I don't like this decision any more than you do. But it's what is best for all of us right now. Besides, whoever this Master Vile is he is not our target, it's Grogar. And as for Princess Twilight and her friends...they are not important to us. And if we're lucky, they never will be if we can get what we want.."

Chrysalis was shocked at Tirek's confession. Up until that moment she had admired him, but now she felt like she was stabbed in the back.

"Now, I don't want to hear another word about this," Tirek firmly insisted. "We are doing things my way and my way only. Is that understood?"

Both Scorpan and Cozy Glow nodded in reply. But Chrysalis remained stubborn, leaving Tirek with very little choice on how to get through to her. "Chrysalis," He sighed before asking. "Do you love me?"

"Why do you ask me that?" Chrysalis asked while rising to her feet. "Of course I love you, Tirek!"

"Then would my lover get herself clouded in something that her significant other would say no to?" Tirek went on asking. "I want us to be happy, Chrysalis. You, Cozy Glow, and I, we all want to be together, right?"

Hearing this made Chrysalis flinch. She really did want to be with Tirek for the rest of her life, and she now found herself in a situation where she had to make a choice: Go rogue and cause a situation that would jeopardize her romance, or go along with Tirek's choice and possibly survive to be with him forever at the cost of her own ambitions. Defeated, she reluctantly submitted to Tirek's plan. "Fine. For now, I guess I'll support you, Tirek."

"Very good," Tirek smiled, satisfied with the answer he received. "Now then, here's what we're going to do…"

…

Back at Master Vile's castle in the M51 galaxy, word arrived that Serpentera II had been recovered.

"Oh, Zeddykins," Rita sang out as she made her way up to her bedroom that she shared with her husband. I have some good news for you."

"What is it, Rita?" Zedd pouted, still seething with anger over his zord being stolen. "Has Serpentera II been recovered?"

Rita grinned as she taunted. "Maybe…"

"Don't play with me, Rita!" Zedd snapped, putting a book that he was reading down on the table with a throwing motion! "Has my zord been recovered or not?!"

"Oh come on, Zedd!" Rita remarked as she entered the bedroom. "I was just trying to lighten the mood a little bit. But yes, your zord has been recovered. Those creatures Father sent out are bringing it back here as we speak."

"Finally!" Zedd sighed as he rose to his feet. "Your father did a good thing in this case. But just to be safe, I want to have my zord inspected for any damage or sabotage, understood?"

"You seem to really want that zord, don't you, Zedd?" Rita questioned. "Maybe it's for something else?"

Zedd had his intentions, but he wouldn't reveal them to his wife until the moment was right. "Who is piloting Serpentera II?"

Rita answered while scratching her head. "That flaming maned pony, whatever her name is. Daybreak...is it?"

"Good," Zedd appeared to smile. "She needs to bring it right back...No stops, no nothing! Tell that to your father. If she lets anything happen to my zord, nothing will save her from my wrath!"

Rita still had her suspicions about her husband's behavior, but she complied and left Zedd alone in the bedroom. "He must be up to something, that's for sure. But what?" Rita thought to herself.

Rita had no way to know that she would find out in due time.

…

…

Back aboard Serpentera II, the enormous zord had successfully been steered away from Earth and now instead was making its way towards the M51 galaxy. In the cockpit, Mean Twilight entered and caught the attention of both Nightmare Moon and Daybreaker. "The prisoners are secured, your highnesses," She bowed to them. "Shall I order the execution?"

"What execution, pray tell?" Nightmare Moon asked.

Mean Twilight smirked with sadistic pleasure. "Why, the execution of the prisoners, of course."

"Not until we deliver the zord and the prisoners to the master." Nightmare Moon coldly answered.

"Yeah, it wouldn't be as fun to do them in now, would it?" Daybreaker remarked. "Besides, I could use a little...excitement when the job is done."

But Mean Twilight had her own reasons for wanting to carry out the executions. "Don't forget that we have some unfinished business to attend to," She flounced, turning her back on the evil alicorns. "Something that doesn't concern either of you."

With a snout, Mean Twilight left the cockpit and proceeded towards one of Serpentera's many rooms where Mean Rarity, Mean Pinkie Pie and Mean Fluttershy were making preparations.

"I love bringing an end to pathetic prisoners' lives," Mean Fluttershy cackled. "This is going to be fun!"

"Who cares what some rogue says we should do?" Mean Rarity remarked. "I get dibs on cheese legs' legs!"

"We each get a part of the prisoners as a souvenir when all is done," Mean Twilight cautiously explained. "And the sooner we get this done, the better."

Mean Twilight then looked over towards a series of weapons on a black table. Each weapon had been forged with one purpose...to carry out a form of torture. "Now, which one should be used on that filly?" She wondered as she inspected the weapons. "Whatever one causes the most pain, I guess?"

…

Back in their quarters, Tirek prepared his family for their escape plan.

"Hey, when do you think we are going to get back to M51?" Mean Rainbow Dash asked. "I need to stretch my wings."

"Probably in ten days, tops." Mean Applejack chuckled in a sarcastic tone.

"Ugh, whatever," Mean Rainbow Dash sighed while rolling her eyes. "You're probably lying like you always are."

Mean Applejack scratched her pear cutie marked flank in non interest.

"Besides, we gotta finish plucking those wings off that small pony." Mean Rainbow added.

Just then, the door to the prisoners' quarters slightly opened. Without warning, Scorpan took one of his legs and kicked Mean Rainbow Dash in the flank quickly before retreating back inside. He'd moved too fast for Mean Rainbow Dash to see him.

"Hey, what did you kick me for?!" Mean Rainbow Dash snapped as she turned to Mean Applejack!

"I didn't kick you, I was kickin' somethin' else!" Mean Applejack replied, and the door silently opened again as both Tirek and Scorpan kicked both clones in their respective flanks before they retreated back inside.

"So, you kicked me again, huh?" Mean Rainbow Dash snapped as she grabbed Mean Applejack. "I'll teach you…"

As the two clones fought it out, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow took a pair of hammers that had been left lying around and threw them down on Mean Applejack and Mean Rainbow Dash, knocking them both out cold.

…

With the two clones knocked, Tirek peaked out the door. "All right, the coast is clear," He whispered and turned to Cozy Glow and Chrysalis. "Have you tied them up yet?"

"It's already done," Cozy snickered as she and Chrysalis finished tying up Mean Applejack and Mean Rainbow Dash with gags on their mouths. "Now what?"

"We head for an emergency exit at the tail of the zord," Scorpan answered in a hushed voice. "Now stay close, we've got no time to lose!"

Emerging from their quarters, the three villains and Tirek's gargoyle brother quietly proceeded towards the emergency exit, trying to navigate the long narrow hallways that made up Serpentera II's body.

"How long is this hallway?" Cozy asked while bringing up the rear of the group. "I don't recall it being this long."

"You just have never been down this hallway before," Scorpan remarked while letting out a small chuckle. "There's always a first time for everything, I guess."

Suddenly, the group began to draw near a room where the rest of the Mean 6 were waiting to carry out their "assignment".

"Wait!" Tirek whispered, causing the group to stop. "I sense something coming from that room down there!"

"What is it?" Cozy asked in a somewhat frightened voice.

"Wait here," Tirek ordered. "Scorpan, come with me." Gesturing his brother to come forward, Tirek creeped against the wall, trying to not let whoever was in the other room hear them.

"What do you sense, Tirek?" Scorpan questioned.

"Those clones, they must be planning to execute somecreatures." Tirek answered as he could hear hoofbeats from inside the room.

"Who is?" Scorpan asked again.

But at that moment, Mean Twilight and her remaining companions stepped out of the room. "Why, us of course," Mean Twilight laughed. "Leaving without saying goodbye, are you? We can't have that."

Before Tirek and Scorpan could turn around, Mean Twilight used her magic to grab them while Mean Rarity, Mean Pinkie Pie and Mean Fluttershy grabbed Chrysalis and Cozy Glow.

"Take your hooves off of me!" Chrysalis growled as Mean Rarity and Mean Fluttershy held onto her. "Traitors!"

"You see," Mean Twilight explained, a smirk plastered on her face. "We have some unfinished business to attend to. Right, Cozy Glow?"

Mean Pinkie Pie cackled as she forced Cozy Glow into the room along with the rest of the group with Mean Twilight determined to finish what she had started long ago.

…

…

Being forced into the room, Cozy Glow, Tirek and Chrysalis were forced to look up as they saw various ominous looking weapons displayed all around.

"As you might surmise, we have a plan to surprise Master Vile with your deaths," Mean Twilight explained. "You shall be broken into tiny little pieces by the time we're done."

"You're not going to get away with this!" Chrysalis angrily hissed.

"Why not? Master Vile would have no use for you in his army when he has us. We're simply sparing him the trouble of having to dispose of you himself," Mean Twilight said as the weapons were drawn. "Any last words before your sentence is carried out?"

Knowing he needed to act fast, Scorpan quickly came up with an idea. "As a matter of fact, I do," He spoke up, catching Mean Twilight's attention. "I say that what you are doing is barbaric and unbecoming of yourselves!"

Slightly taken aback, Mean Twilight stared at Scorpan with a blank expression on her face. Little did she know that Scorpan had a small knife hidden deep in his fur.

"Who are you to say that this is barbaric?" Mean Pinkie Pie snapped. "I enjoy watching others squirm! Does that make me barbaric? I think not."

"Well I say that there is another way to handle such a thing. A far more efficient way at," Scorpan answered. "If you come forward, I will whisper it in your ears!"

Rolling her eyes, Mean Twilight stepped towards Scorpan, not noticing his left paw reaching behind his back. "All right," She sighed while leaning towards Scorpan. "I'm listening...what is the secret?"

Gesturing, Scorpan motioned for Mean Twilight to get closer and closer while the rest of the Mean 6 watched. Tirek saw that his brother's hand was behind his back and right away, he had a premonition of what was to come. Looking towards Chrysalis and Cozy Glow, he silently motioned an idea to them and they quickly agreed.

"Come closer," Scorpan asked again and as Mean Twilight leaned a little more closer, the gargoyle quickly made his move. "It's…"

Suddenly, Mean Twilight felt a sharp object plunge into her stomach as she suddenly began gasping for air! Before the rest of the Mean 6 could react, the captured trio swung forward and broke free!

"All right, let's go!" Scorpan hastily shouted! "Come on!"

...

Leaving the wounded Mean Twilight and her knocked out companions on the floor, Scorpan led Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow out of the room and towards the main emergency exit. They soon neared said exit: A long chute through Serpentera II's tail. Scorpan then raced up to a control panel and began to type in a code.

"Scorpan, what are you doing?" Tirek asked.

"I'm setting a course for Earth," Scorpan answered. "The tail will direct us towards it."

With the course set, the hatch opened and Cozy Glow was the first to go through. "See you on the other side!" She shouted before jumping through the exit. Chrysalis was next to go, followed by Tirek and finally Scorpan.

Passing through the tail, the four creatures were out of Serpentera II and were now on their way to Earth.

But up in the cockpit, Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon had just discovered that the emergency exit had been activated.

"Look, up there!" Nightmare Moon called to Daybreaker.

"Impossible!" Daybreaker gasped while activating the security cameras. "Who would want to jump out of such impending fun?" But then she saw that the Mean 6 had been overpowered and the quarters that once held the four prisoners was emptied, with only Mean Applejack and Mean Rainbow Dash still there, bound and gagged..

"They're gone!" Daybreaker cried! "The prisoners are gone!"

Acting fast, Nightmare Moon teleported from the cockpit and found herself standing in front of the activated emergency exit. But she realized that she was too late to thwart the escape attempt, the alarm had not been raised soon enough. She then retreated into the room where Mean Twilight and the others were. Struggling to her feet, Mean Twilight looked up weakly at Nightmare Moon.

"They've...escaped," She gasped. "Gone." Taking another deep breath, Mean Twilight collapsed leaving Nightmare Moon to wonder what had happened.

"Master Vile is not going to like this." Nightmare Moon thought to herself, looking over at the disabled security camera in the corner of the room. But for now, her concern was on trying to prevent Mean Twilight from succumbing to her injury.

From inside the cockpit, Daybreaker shared the same feeling as her cloned sister. Tirek and the others had escaped and they would most likely be giving an explanation to Master Vile of what had transpired. And they were sure to catch an earful for not doing more to prevent the escape.

…

Meanwhile, Tirek opened his eyes and found himself and his companions on a sanded surface. "Where are we?" He asked while groaning slightly. "Are we back in Equestria?"

Soon, Scorpan, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow also awakened and also took in what Tirek was seeing. "Tirek...I have a feeling we're not in outer space anymore." She declared.

"Cozy Glow, my daughter," Tirek remarked, looking down at her. "When you are right, you are right."

"Well, what do we do now, brother?" Scorpan asked.

"We find out where we are and who or what else is out there," Tirek simply stated. Now come on." And all attempted to make their way through the desert to find the nearest help they could find. Though they were out of one danger, they were in another since they now were in a very unfamiliar area.

And the impending final battle against Grogar was growing closer and closer.

…

...
> Episode 25: "Mutiny on the Grogar, Part 1"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

Grogar had gathered all of his legion together in the dungeons of Vorak's kingdom for a purpose: To force them to watch what would happen if they failed him. His recent defeats against the dragons and the hippogriffs had left the ram in a bad mood, and there was only one thing that could fix it. With Lavan and Zeb tied up and facing the dungeon walls, he motioned for the clone of Queen Chrysalis to step forward with a lash.

"I want you all to pay attention to what is about to happen," Grogar warned in a moody voice. "If you fail me, you all suffer the consequences!"

"Why do you punish us?" Lavan weakly asked, scars from previous lashings and beatings visible onto his back.

"Silence, traitor!" Grogar snapped, the sounds of his voice causing Lavan to tremble slightly. "You are nothing more than an object to me because of your defiance and disobedience! Sombra, step forward!"

Snickering, Sombra stepped forward towards his emperor as Grogar proceeded to give him his own lash to use on Zeb. "Proceed with the punishment, show no mercy." Grogar ordered.

"As you command...my emperor," Sombra laughed as he straightened out the lash to be used on Zeb.

Using their respective magics, the Chrysalis clone and Sombra flung the lashes onto the backs of the fire creature and his zebra friend while the others watched.

"You're going too lightly, Sombra!" Grogar remarked. "Lay on 'em with a fury, or you will take the zebra's place."

Snarling, Sombra flung harder on Zeb. The zebra winced in pain as he and his friend were bombarded.

Little did Grogar know that just outside the dungeons, Midnight Sparkle was watching the entire event unfold.

"Why can't I be as good as he is?" Midnight whispered to herself, stretching out her dark purple alicorn wings. "I will never be until he is removed from the equation. He created me, yet he hasn't given me anything to do," Suddenly, Midnight began to get herself an idea as an evil sneer came onto her face. "Of course, there is always a way," She laughed as she looked down at herself. "When all is said and done, Grogar will be no more! Only I can truly defeat the Princess of Friendship, because I came from her and so I know how she thinks! That's something Grogar will never be able to comprehend."

...

…

Meanwhile, news of the recent events at Mount Aris, the Dragonlands and Griffonstone had spread like wildfire. All of Equestria's cities had proceeded to further tighten their defenses. From Canterlot to Manehattan and beyond, every citizen of Equestria was prepared to do his or her part: Buildings were shuttered, ponies were enlisting to fight for their sovereign supreme ruler and her fellow princesses, and last wills and testaments were being made in case ponies and creatures did not survive battle.

"It's almost time, Spike," Twilight said as she and her royal advisor proceeded to walk through the streets of Ponyville. "The final battle will soon be upon us. I can feel it."

"Yeah, I guess you're right, Twilight," Spike replied as he felt the uncomfortable nature of his bandages on his abdomen. "That Grogar...he certainly doesn't play fair. Still, that clone of Lavan was a shock. Makes you wonder if there are other clones out there, doing his bidding or waiting for the chance to strike. Heck, what if Grogar has cloned himself?"

Twilight took in a deep sigh at the thought of her greatest enemies being cloned. It shook her to her very core. But she couldn't allow herself to be controlled by fear anymore than she could let her anger overcome her. Soon afterward, while still deep in thought, she came across Luster Dawn's house on the site where Golden Oak Library used to sit.

"Twilight, what's up?" Spike asked.

"I'm going to check on Luster Dawn and her family," Twilight answered, walking over to Luster's home. "This won't take long. I need to know how they're doing, it'll give me a clue as to how the rest of Equestria feels about the increased security."

Walking up to the door, Twilight knocked on the door and a few moments later, Luster's mother, Fire Blaster, answered it. "Princess Twilight!" She gasped while immediately bowing. "W..what brings you here? I'm sorry if my house isn't…"

"It's all right," Twilight replied while raising her hoof to Fire Blaster. "I was just checking to see how Luster was doing."

"Oh, she's fine…" Fire Blaster responded.

"Mom?" Luster Dawn asked as she came down the stairs. "Mom? Princess Twilight? What's going on here?"

"Hey, Luster," Spike greeted. "Twilight just wanted to check on you and see how you and your family were doing with the shut down of the School of Friendship and all."

"It's different...to be honest with you," Luster sighed. "Seeing all of us be forced out so suddenly…"

"Well, it's only temporary, Luster," Twilight interrupted, draping a wing over her protege as Luster looked up at her with hopeful eyes. "I can assure you that we have the strongest army in Equestria ready to fight Grogar, and we will beat him! You just have to have faith in my friends and I. When the time comes, Grogar will fall as all who have threatened Equestria have fallen in the past."

Luster took an enormous gulp at her mentor's words. She had only been in Ponyville for a short time and was afraid that she might never see all of her friends again. "L-look, Princess Twilight," She stammered back to her mentor. "I-ff there's a-anything I can do…"

"All I want you to do is be safe and stay away from danger, Luster," Twilight firmly replied. "If anything were to happen to me…"

"-Don't say that, Twilight!" Spike cried, causing her to look back at the young dragon. "Don't say that! Remember how Shining Armor reacted when you said those words before?! Don't even think about that possibility, we can't lose you!"

But Twilight had to prepare for the possibility of not being able to survive the impending battle. It was something she didn't want to think about, but the threat was there. There were seldom guarantees in war.

"Princess Twilight, I mean it! I can help fight! I mean...we fought those Predacons...me and my friends did and we survived, right?" Luster questioned.

While Twilight was impressed by Luster's bravery, she still remained steadfast in her decision. "Yes, Luster, but you were lucky. I need you to listen to me very carefully," She sighed before bending down to Luster's level. "Grogar is nothing like any enemy that my friends and I have ever faced before. He's very dangerous and is not afraid to kill anycreature that stands in his way, even you and your friends. He is without mercy or restraint, no one is safe from his wrath."

Feeling somewhat a sense of defeat, Luster lowered her head in disbelief, seemingly being denied the chance to fight alongside Twilight.

"Princess, what should we do?" Fire Blaster nervously asked. "My husband is coming back with supplies shortly and…"

"The important thing is for you to find a safe place to ride out the coming battle," Twilight ordered. "Ponyville could very well end up in the crossfires like Mount Aris or Griffonstone. This structure has a basement that you can hide under, in case you weren't aware of it yet."

"Twilight, I completely forgot about that," Spike remarked. "That's where you used to keep all your scientific equipment."

Twilight promptly walked over to the basement door and looked down at the large area that greeted her eyes. Seeing the space couldn't help but make her sentimental for the past. "This basement will provide you with the best protection," She said to Fire Blaster, gesturing for her to come forward. "Stay here until you get an all clear."

"We will do that, Princess," Fire Blaster said just as Moon Dusk came into the house with supplies. Among them was what appeared to be an enchanted spear! "Moon Dusk, really?!"

"I had to do it, Fire," Moon Dusk firmly declared. "This is the only way we can be safe!"

But Fire Blaster was not convinced. "Moon Dusk, I will not allow you to have that object in this house. Get rid of it!" She commanded, only for Twilight to stop her with a wing.

"I am afraid that there are going to be exceptions made to some rules," Twilight replied. "Many ponies throughout Equestria are having the same idea, especially after everything that has come before."

Having been given the all clear for the time being, Moon Dusk took his weapon downstairs as Luster looked over at Twilight and her mother once more.

"Princess Twilight," Fire Blaster declared. "The very minute this war is over, I want him to get that weapon out of this house!"

Twilight said nothing and only responded with a silent nod of her head, acknowledging Fire Blaster's words. Then, after hugging Luster Dawn, Twilight proceeded to turn and leave through the front door, leaving Luster and her family alone.

…

…

Back in Vorak's kingdom, Zeb and Lavan were thrown back into their cells as water was splashed on top of their wounded backs by a pair of donkey soldiers.

"This is what happens when you disobey me," Grogar explained while growling sinisterly. "Don't any of you ever forget that! You are all dismissed."

Doing as they were told, the rest of the Legion left Grogar alone with Sombra and the two prisoners.

"How…" Zeb coughed, weakly turning back to face Grogar. "How long do you plan on doing this, man?"

"Until there is not a speck of life left in you," Sombra replied in a mocking voice. "Someone has to be the example for the others, don't they?"

Groaning, Zeb turned his attention away from Grogar while Lavan didn't even try to look at him.

"Let us leave them be for the time being. We shall resume their punishment before long" Grogar said to his second in command, and so Sombra obeyed..

Yet as they made their way up the stairs, Grogar and Sombra began to think of another far more pressing issue.

"My emperor," Sombra wondered as they stopped in the middle of the stairs. "What troubles you, may I ask? Something seems to be on your mind."

"It's that Midnight Sparkle, that clone I created" Grogar whispered. "I have this sudden feeling that she is trying to kill me. She has been suspiciously absent from my presence since I created her. And I fear she may intend to kill me."

Sombra blinked in disbelief. "Kill you, my emperor?"

"Yes, you idiot!" Grogar remarked. "I cloned her from Twilight Sparkle to serve me, but there may be something I am overlooking."

Suddenly, Sombra began to become confused by Grogar's sudden behavior. "My emperor, I assure you," Sombra chuckled nervously. "That Midnight Sparkle is surely just getting acquainted with her new form. After all, she was created from the blood of Princess Twilight herself. She is not purposed to harm you in any way, shape or form."

But Grogar was anything but convinced by Sombra's words. "I beg to differ on that, Sombra," He remarked as he made his way back to the throne room. "Check on what that clone of Princess Twilight is planning to do. If she is planning to do something to me…"

"I disagree with your idea, my emperor," Sombra protested before sighing. "But if this is what you want…"

"-Good, now go at once!" Grogar commanded and Sombra left.

Once he was alone, Grogar proceeded towards the throne and sat down. So much was going through his mind and the more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became of Midnight Sparkle.

"My emperor…" Said a voice as a figure came into the throne room. "Forgive me for disturbing you, but I couldn't help but overhear…"

"-I know it's you, Sendak," Grogar sighed, rolling his eyes in disgust. "I know you were trying to be nosy about the situation!"

The elder centaur stepped into the throne room and saw the blue coated ram expressing his troubled mind through his body language. "My emperor, I wasn't trying to be nosy," Sendak remarked as he came into the light of Grogar's bell. "I was just wondering if you needed any help."

"Help? With what?" Grogar questioned.

Sendak smiled and bowed his head. "Why, to get rid of Midnight Sparkle, of course."

"And what would you suggest?" Grogar grunted.

"Something that would involve a painful, yet simple way to remove the problem," Sendak suggested while approaching the throne. "This Midnight Sparkle is probably just like those others who tried to overthrow our beloved king. And they all met with the same fate."

Suddenly, Grogar began to get himself an idea of how to get rid of Midnight Sparkle by any means necessary. "What would you propose, Sendak? How would you get rid of my problem?"

Snickering, Sendak felt the wheels in his old head turning the more he thought about Grogar's problem.

...

Meanwhile, Sombra made his way across the castle, looking for Midnight Sparkle by using his horn to track her movements. Finally, he came across one of the castle's large banquet halls. And there, sitting at the end of a long table, was Midnight Sparkle in all her evil glory.

"Well, well, well," Midnight remarked, lowering her chin onto her forelegs. "If it isn't the high and mighty King Sombra. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

Clearing his throat, Sombra walked into the dining hall only for Midnight to gesture to a spot at the far end of the table. "Please, sit. I insist."

Right away, Sombra felt his instincts begin to kick in. He could tell just by looking at her that Midnight was up to something, and it wasn't good. Still, he sat down at the end of the table with his eyes locked on Midnight Sparkle. Least he give her reason to suspect he was onto her.

"Tell me something, King Sombra," Midnight remarked in a not so innocent tone of voice. "Have you ever wanted to rule Equestria for yourself?"

"Um... y-yes, I have," Sombra stammered. "But I am really here on account of Grogar suspecting…"

"That I am trying to overthrow him?" Midnight guessed in a sarcastic tone. "Hmm, maybe…" She paused and then finally let out an evil chuckle. "Oh, I almost forgot! He is just too darn powerful and…"

"Midnight Sparkle!" Sombra shouted in a loud commanding voice, before lowering it. "It has come to our attention that you don't want to play by the rules. The rules of our divine emperor, is that it?"

Rather than answering the question, Midnight merely laughed to herself, feeling amused. "Divine emperor? That old goat?" Midnight mockingly remarked as she kicked her legs back up on the table. "He's an emperor all right, a dummy emperor! I've read all about him, how he became evil when his mother died at the jaws of a wolf!"

Right away, Sombra began to get premonitions of his own son's murder in the Crystal Empire.

"Speak hooves for me!" Casca screamed. As Julius recoiled from the sudden strike, the other conspirators followed suit! Finally, near death, he staggered over to Brutus with his back turned.

Yet when Julius attempted to touch him, Brutus shrugged his former friend off while looking Julius right in the face.

"Brutus, even you betray me?!" Julius asked while gasping, the last thing he would say.

Brutus delivered the finishing blow, striking his former friend in the chest. "Fall, fiend! The throne shall never belong to evil."

With no more life left in him, Julius fell face first onto the floor.

"Of course," Midnight continued while stretching out her wings. "You had a similar fate yourself with your own child, no?"

Shocked, Sombra felt his heart sink. "How did you know what happened to my son?!" He furiously demanded.

"Because I know everything," Midnight replied, sitting herself upright in the chair. "I love to study everything...especially magic!"

"But...but...what do you want with me?" Sombra asked, stammering in fear of what Midnight was saying.

Midnight just snickered and grinned. "I want you to help me throw Grogar out of the picture, permanently."

Enraged at being asked such a request, Sombra rose to his hooves! "Never!" He angrily shouted even though Midnight was unfazed. "I don't understand what you are planning, but it's not going to work!"

"Is that so?" Midnight said, activating her horn and causing a dark mass to cover the dining hall. Sombra looked up to see the entire room changing around him. He realized at that moment that he was no longer going to be playing by his own rules. "By the time I am done, you will be serving a new empress, me!"

And Midnight cackled at the prospect of overthrowing Grogar while Sombra trembled in fear of betraying Grogar.

…

…

Back in the throne room, Grogar became eager to hear what Sendak had to say. "If you want to rid yourself of the clone," Sendak explained. "You must do exactly what my king used to do when traitors threatened his reign."

"Trial without jury?" Grogar asked, seemingly taken aback by being asked about something he already knew. "Why is that any different to me? I did it plenty of times."

"Yes, but this will be different," Sendak went on explaining. "With the powers of your bell, you can easily destroy that would be traitor!"

Grogar looked down at his bewitching bell and contemplated the thought of having Midnight Sparkle's powers inside of it. But then, he had a suspicion. "Wait!" He protested, forcing Sendak to look him right in the eye and bow to him. "I can sense that you want something out of me…"

Shocked at the guess Grogar had made, Sendak had no choice but to reveal his plans. "You are correct. I'm more than willing to help you get rid of Midnight Sparkle, on one condition."

Grogar reluctantly asked. "What is it?"

"That you restore the powers of my protege and his allies the same way you took them away." Sendak dec;ared, causing Grogar to snarl in disapproval.

"Why do you wish such a request?" Grogar asked in an angry tone. "Those fools tried to overthrow me the same way as that Princess Twilight's clone is undoubtedly trying to do right now!"

Sendak was shocked as his eyes went wide in disbelief! "But my protege…"

"-Your 'protege' is a backstabbing rat along with his lover and his daughter," Grogar snapped. "I refuse to give him the power to overthrow me!"

"He's…he's…." Sendak stammered, backing away in fear. "Tirek was never like this. My king abused him and made him weak in his own eyes. Tirek needed a father figure in his life and he needed me! I guided him when no one else would. He doesn't realize what he's doing or how great he had it serving you. Restore his power and I promise he and his allies will never threaten you again."

"SILENCE!" Grogar roared, slamming his hoof on the throne's armrest. "Lord Tirek is nothing short of a minion to me, someone that I can easily dispose of, just like you, Sendak!"

"But he will not survive without his power! The ponies will surely take him in as a prisoner and see fit to throw him back into Tartarus to rot away," Sendak protested. "I implore you, my emperor…"

"Your request is denied!" Grogar cried while ising to his forelegs. "Now leave my sight before I summon Scarface to feast upon you!"

It was then that Sendak decided to become defiant of Grogar by any means necessary. "I dare you to do it!"

Grogar blinked in confusion. "What?"

"I dare you to sic that bear on me!" Sendak boldly declared, spreading his arms out and exposing his chest to Grogar. "I never feared you, Grogar. Always have and always will. I will lay my life on the line for my protege if need be, and there is nothing you can do to stop me!"

Snarling, Grogar felt like he was left with no other choice.

…

Back in the dining hall, Midnight rose from the table and stared at Sombra, now standing completely still and seemingly hypnotized.

"I hate to have to do this, Sombra," Midnight laughed as she walked around the stilted Sombra. "But I will get my way by any means necessary. You've always been the most devoted to Grogar, so it only seems fitting that you be the one to do him in," Midnight leaned herself onto Sombra and looked into his sickly green eyes, a sign that he was under mind control."Besides, didn't you want to use this to attempt to take over Equestria? I seem to recall that being part of your plan. Now you are getting a taste of your own medicine, a chance to feel what it is like to be controlled!"

Twirling her left foreleg, Midnight forced the hypnotized Sombra to leave the dining hall. "Now, bring me to the emperor! We have some unfinished business to settle." She cackled and followed the hypnotized Sombra towards the throne room.

…

Meanwhile, Sendak remained defiant, daring Grogar to kill him in an effort to restore his protege and his companions to their enhanced powers.

"So you have chosen death over obedience, Sendak?" Grogar asked, powering up his horns. "So be it!" Aiming his horns, he prepared to administer the final blow! "I shall have you be the first to suffer a trial without jury! Your sentence is to be destroyed!"

But just as Grogar prepared to fire, the doors suddenly flung open! "What's this?" He questioned as he saw Sombra slowly approaching him. "Sombra? Have you done as you were told? Where is Midnight Sparkle?"

"Right here, of course," Midnight cackled, walking around the mind controlled Sombra. "But I don't think your right hoof is!"

And Sombra opened his eyes to reveal to Grogar that he was indeed being mind controlled.

"What did you do to him?!" Grogar furiously demanded.

"I simply made him understand that there is only room for one ruler of Equestria!" Midnight laughed as her horn charged dark magic while Grogar turned his attention away from Sendak. "By the time I am done with you, Grogar, you will wish you never had created me!"

As Grogar stepped down from his throne, he could sense a mutiny was happening and he had to stop it by any means necessary if he was to rule Equestria for himself!

…

TO BE CONTINUED

...
> Episode 26: "Mutiny on the Grogar, Part 2"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

Previously on "My Little Pony"

…

Midnight Sparkle: "Why can't I be as good as he is? I will never be until he is removed from the equation."

Twilight Sparkle (to Spike): "The final battle will soon be upon us. I can feel it."

Moon Dusk (to Fire Blaster): "This is the only way we can be safe!"

Grogar: "I have this sudden feeling that she is trying to kill me. She has been suspiciously absent from my presence since I created her. And I fear she may intend to kill me."

Sendak (to Grogar): "I was just wondering if you needed any help."

Grogar: "What would you propose, Sendak? How would you get rid of my problem?"

Midnight Sparkle (to Sombra): "By the time I am done, you will be serving a new empress, me!"

Grogar: "What did you do to him?!"

Midnight Sparkle: "By the time I am done with you, Grogar, you will wish you never had created me!"

…

…

Grogar stepped down from his throne with his horns glowing in rage at the act of treason that was playing out before his eyes. "Midnight Sparkle," He snarled. "So this is how it's going to be?! You're planning to overthrow me and rule Equestria yourself, aren't you?"

"You hit the nail right on the head, goat boy!" Midnight taunted as she pushed the hypnotized Sombra to the side of the throne room. "So, how would you like me to destroy you? Do you want it to be quick or painless? Or it can be neither if you want to play it that way."

But Grogar did not answer. Instead, he stamped his hoof down three times and a few moments later, several loud roars were heard as Scarface ran through the doors to protect his master.

"Well, what is this?" Midnight Sparkle laughed, seemingly amused. "You brought me a teddy bear? Oh, you shouldn't have!"

Charging her horn, Midnight fired a blast of dark magic at Scarface, but the large grizzly moved out of the way while his master shielded himself with his bewitching bell's power. Charging again, Scarface attempted to pounce on Midnight, but the evil alicorn took to the air and blew a raspberry at him.

"Nyah, nyah, nyah!" Midnight mocked. "You can't catch me, you can't catch me! Silly old bear! All that time by your master's side has made you weak."

Angered, Grogar used his powers to force Midnight down to the floor.!

But Midnight managed to push herself upm breaking through Grogar's spell much to his frustration.

Running, Grogar lowered his head and attempted to headbutt Midnight, but Midnight once again jumped through his rampage.

"Well, Sendak, aren't you going to do something?" Grogar asked, glaring over at the old centaur.

However, Sendak didn't answer and instead folded his arms. "Not until Tirek is restored to full power." He insisted, causing Grogar to growl at him as Midnight flew down and pushed Grogar against the back of the throne room.

Grogar kept his eyes on Sendak, angered by his insubordination as he once again kicked Midnight off of him. Firing a blast of his magic, Grogar missed Midnight as she rolled over to avoid the beam of magic.

"You oughta listen to your friend," Midnight laughed as Grogar looked over to Scarface, directing the bear to swipe at Midnight's alicorn wings. "Because it might just save your life. You wouldn't want to leave him to fend for himself, would you?"

And Midnight fired a beam of magic at Scarface, hitting the bear in the chest and causing him to yelp in pain.

"Sendak, I will have your head for this!" Grogar yelled as he got to his feet. "Mark my words!"

…

Meanwhile, Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow found themselves at the edge of a small town in the desert. Still dazed and weak from escaping Serpentera 2, they walked into the town and quickly became engulfed by the large population of cats that occupied it.

"Golly!" Cozy gasped. "What...what is this? What's with the cats?"

"This is obviously a town inhabited by such creatures," Tirek remarked. "I know this place...it's called Klugetown. I heard about it once."

"Klugetown?" Cozy wondered, looking at her father figure. "What a strange name. But now that I think about it, Headmare Twilight once mentioned it when talking about the Storm King."

"Everything is strange around here," Chrysalis muttered. "But at least we're back on our planet...for the time being."

"So what do we do now?" Cozy asked her mother figure. "I'm starving!"

Slowly, Tirek walked through the marketplace and while there were cats, there were also various other creatures. As they walked, the trio were given strange glances from the residents.

"Hey, you!" A voice suddenly called out, causing Tirek to turn around and see a fish-like creature standing behind him. "You, old dude! Yeah, you!"

"What did you just call me?!" Tirek asked in an insulted, quiet tone before storming over to the fish creature. "I'll have you know that I am Lord Tirek, son of Vorak and brother of Scorpan."

"Son of who? Brother of who?" The fish creature remarked. "You must be crazy! Neither of those names ring a bell around here. Seriously, what do you want here?"

"Spare the jabber and help us!" Chrysalis demanded in a loud voice, storming over to him. "We need help!"

"Help? Why should we help you?" The fish creature snarled. "You look like something that just got dropped on the floor!"

"Dropped?"! Chrysalis gasped, charging her horn as it sparkled with its sickly green color. "I'll have you know that I am the rightful queen of the changelings...AND I DEMAND SOME RESPECT!" Firing her horn, Chrysalis strongly blasted the fish creature with her magic, engulfing him in it.

Once Chrysalis was done, the fish creature was covered in burns and could only stand in fright and fear. "Okay…" He meekly croaked. "I'll give you respect!"

Blowing the steam from her horn, Chrysalis accepted the offer. "Very good," She replied before turning to the other residents of Klugetown. "Now listen well, all of you. Who is in charge of this town? Take us to him."

"Well, we used to have a leader...but well, he's seen better days," Looking to their left, the trio saw a brown cat-like figure on two legs and wearing a long red coat emerge from behind one of the stands. Name's Capper...your majesty." And Capper bowed to Chrysalis, much to her delight.

"You'll have to excuse Mori here," Capper apologized, looking over to the fish creature. "He can let his mouth run wild. Now, what can I do for you?"

"We need help," Tirek explained, walking up beside Chrysalis. "It's a long story, but we need to fight against Grogar."

Almost immediately, the entire town locked their eyes on the trio.

"Goat dude?" Capper asked. "The goat dude?"

After an awkward silence, Cozy Glow answered Capper. "Yes, that 'Goat Dude'."

…

…

With all of Klugetown watching their conversation, the trio quickly came to realize that the citizens all knew Grogar to some degree. And that only further fueled the desire they had to find a way to get Grogar out of the picture forever.

"You know him?" Cozy Glow asked Capper. "Golly! That's quite a coincidence."

"It's no coincidence. Of course I know about him," Capper replied. "Rarity told me about him in her most recent letter to me. We write to each other once a month, you know."

Hearing Rarity's name made Cozy Glow land on the ground in disbelief!

"I can't believe this," Chrysalis sighed, briefly turning away and muttering under her breath. "A cat allied with one of Twilight Sparkle's comrades. What next? Are we seriously supposed to work with them?"

"We want to help fight him," Capper declared, much to Chrysalis' further shock as he tried to encourage the rest of the Klugetown residence. "Don't we, y'all?"

"But Grogar is too dangerous to fight by yourselves!" Tirek warned, turning around to face all the vendors. "We know what he is like! He doesn't play by the rules and he hurts others to get what he wants! As of now, he is mere moments away from launching an all out attack on Equestria! You must believe us!"

"Yeah," Cozy Glow added, once again taking to the air to support her father figure. "Plus Grogar's got a big old bear with a scar on his face that he isn't afraid to use! Why...he even fed the Storm King to that big old sack of fur!"

Several townsfolk didn't take the words seriously and began to laugh, much to Tirek and Cozy Glow's annoyance.

"The Storm King?" Capper remarked with a hint of scoff in his voice. "The last time I heard about the Storm King, he was lying in pieces in Canterlot!"

"He was brought back to life, you foolish cat!" Tirek protested. "Then he was killed by the bear after my father's kingdom was conquered by Grogar. Grogar has the power to bring creatures back from the dead as well as clone those who were insubordinate to him! His power is all but limitless!"

"Who knows?" Cozy Glow added again, flying over to a stand and picking up a mirror and showing the reflection of a merchant in the mirror. "He may even clone some of you!"

"Don't you see?" Tirek added, trying to further make his case to the townsfolk. "Regardless of what…" He briefly looked over at Capper for a moment, who was starting to understand the gravity of the situation. "...the Princess of Generosity says, we've seen what Grogar is capable of. You cannot go through this alone. You need us!"

Placing his hands on his chest, Tirek took a deep breath and began to think of another way to rally the townsfolk to his cause.

Even Chrysalis was starting to feel her lover's pain and frustration.

Then Tirek began to sing out:

Do you hear the ponies sing?

Singing the song of angry mares?

It is the music of the ponies,

Who will not be slaves again!

When the beating of your heart,

Echoes the beating of the drums.

There is a life about to start,

When tomorrow comes!

Motivated by her father figure's message, Cozy Glow joined in.

Will you join in our crusade?

Who will be strong and stand with me?

Beyond the barricade,

Is there a world you long to see?

Then, amazingly, Chrysalis joined in, motivated to share the same feelings as her lover and daughter figure.

Then join in the fight,

That will give you the right to be free!

With the passion building inside of them, the three sang together.

Do you hear the ponies sing?

Singing the song of angry mares?

It is the music of the ponies,

Who will not be slaves again!

When the beating of your heart,

Echoes the beating of the drums.

There is a life about to start,

When tomorrow comes!

Enraptured by their passion, Capper stepped forward to take their side.

Will you give all you can give?

So that our banner may advance?

Some will fall and some will live,

Will you stand up and take your chance?

The blood of the martyrs,

Will water the meadows of home!

Finally having been convinced, the merchants and citizens of Klugetown emerged from their homes and businesses ready to fight!

Do you hear the ponies sing?

Singing the song of angry mares?

It is the music of the ponies,

Who will not be slaves again!

When the beating of your heart,

Echoes the beating of the drums.

There is a life about to start.

When tomorrow comes.

A little while later, the trio Capper along with the citizens left Klugetown behind and began to march through the desert, prepared to aide the ponies in the fight against Grogar.

…

Back in the throne room, Grogar and Midnight Sparkle continued their fight while Sendak watched from the sidelines. It was now becoming obvious that the edge was starting to go to neither opponent.

"You are powerful...for a goat!" Midnight Sparkle gasped, trying to catch her breath while also trying to remain defiant towards Grogar. "But I have more power than you! You created me to be the most powerful of all your creations!"

"So you say," Grogar whispered, looking down at his bewitching bell. "But do you see this bell? In it contains magic far greater than yours, Midnight. It's the magic that brought you to life, and the same magic that will end your miserable existence!"

Suddenly, Midnight Sparkle began to scowl at the words Grogar had spoken. She refused to believe that her creator was stronger than her. "Lies! Nothing is more powerful than alicorn magic," She sneered, looking over to the hypnotized Sombra standing next to Sendak. "Just ask your second-in-command."

"I beg to differ," Grogar replied with an evil smile on his face as Scarface slowly crawled up to Midnight from behind. "For if there is one thing that the Wolf King taught me...always stay one step ahead of your enemies. Scarface, now!"

Turning around, Midnight saw the large grizzly bear stand on its hind legs and before she could react, Scarface swung his claws at Midnight's wings, scratching them and causing Midnight to cry out in pain! As the scattered feathers from her wings fell on the floor, Midnight collapsed onto the ground, unable to fly.

Weakly, Midnight turned to look up at Scarface who had a look of death in his eyes as he looked down on her.

"Now you see, my clone," Grogar said as he stepped forward with his bell powering up. "That I will not tolerate insubordination and treason. Perhaps now, you will understand for yourself! You will never see the light of day again, you will remain my prisoner and your power will strengthen me!"

Ringing his bell, Grogar summoned two long green claws to grab at Midnight Sparkle.

Painfully, Midnight tried to flee, but it was no use. With her wings crippled, sje could not escape as the claws pulled her into the bewitching bell. As she was dragged into the bell, Midnight kept her eyes on Grogar, both sad and angry of her defeat. "You will regret disposing of me like this. Without me, you'll never stand a chance against that miserable Twilight Sparkle!"

With Midnight Sparkle gone, her spell on Sombra was broken and he was freed.

"What...what...what happened?" Sombra asked, trying to get his boundaries in place. "My emperor, I…"

But Grogar raised a hoof to silence him. "It doesn't matter now," He declared. "Midnight Sparkle has been dealt with. She's back where she belongs, inside of me. But there is still one bit of business that I need to take care of."

"What's that, my emperor?" Sombra asked as Grogar turned towards Sendak with an angry look on his face.

"Emperor Grogar, I beg of you," Sendak protested. "Please restore…"

"Silence!" Grogar demanded angrily as he approached him. "It seems that Midnight Sparkle was not the only one who has been insubordinate to me. Am I correct, Sendak?"

Frightened, Sendak walked back towards the wall, leaning against it as Grogar got closer and closer to him. "Tell me something, Sendak," He commented. "Who was the one that freed you from your imprisonment?"

Gasping and sweating profusely, Sendak could not answer Grogar's question.

"Was it Tirek?" Grogar asked before raising his voice loudly. "No, IT WAS I! I freed you from the imprisonment that King Vorak bestowed upon you! And now you wish for me to return the powers that I granted your protege and his lover, along with their charge?! I giveth and I taketh away anything that I please! You shall join Midnight in the bell!"

Realizing what was about to happen, Sendak watched as Grogar tapped into his bewitching bell's powers, ringing it as Sendak felt his body start to lose its feeling. Then as quickly as it began, Sendak's body collapsed onto the ground while Grogar absorbed the new powers he had obtained.

"My emperor!" Sombra gasped as he walked over to see Sendak's body on the ground. "What did you do?!"

"I punished Sendak the same way I punished Twilight Sparkle's clone: because I will not tolerate insubordination." Grogar explained.

"You...extracted his soul from his body?" Sombra guessed.

"I did," Grogar said quietly as he stepped back from Sendak's body. "And I will ensure that he never returns to it, unlike Midnight."

With a sudden jerk, Grogar turned to Scarface."Scarface…" he said. "Dinner."

Turning to Sombra, Grogar motioned for him to leave the throne room.

"Now, we prepare ourselves for the final solution," Grogar declared to his second-in-command.

…

…

Meanwhile, in the middle of the night, the six princesses of Equestria had gathered in the Castle of Friendship's throne room. New intelligence had come in and it was related to Grogar's next move.

"I don't see why this new intelligence had to come in the middle of the night," Rarity moaned as she let out a yawn, who only came to the meeting in a bathrobe. "Doesn't Grogar know it's rude to wake up ponies in the middle of the night?"

"Rarity, you know Grogar doesn't play by the rules," Pinkie Pie said. "He's a rulebreaker, right? A really mean one at that."

Rarity said nothing as the door opened to reveal Twilight, Spike and Gusty the Great with urgent looks on their faces.

"Sorry I had to drag you out of bed at this time of the night guys," Twilight apologized as she sat down in her throne. "Intelligence just came in and it's breaking."

"You mean intelligence is broken?" Pinkie asked, trying to lighten up the situation by producing a bottle of glue. "Do you want glue to fix it? I have some right here!"

"No, it probably means it's urgent," said Rainbow Dash, the wonderbolt in her starting to come out. "Doesn't it, Twilight?"

"It appears so, guys," Twilight replied as she opened a scroll and laid it out across the friendship guys. "As of tonight, Grogar is starting to mobilize his forces. They are on their way here, right now."

The rest of the princesses sat in their thrones and absorbed the gravity of this major development. Equestria's most feared enemy was now on his way.

"I don't think it's going to need glue now," Pinkie chirped, referring to the intelligence.

Then, Gusty took control of the meeting.

"Twilight and I have come up with a strategy according the intelligence," she said. "It appears that Grogar is going to be coming in from all directions, with each direction using an old ancient battle technique."

Using her magic, Gusty began to produce a series of drawings on the Friendship map. All of them were of the same drawing of a head with horns on it.

"Grogar's classical forms of attack are in the shape of a buffalo horn," Gusty explained. "The horns, the chest or head and the loins. What he plans to do on each side is to encircle and pin us with younger soldiers who will play the role of the horns, the main force will be the chest and the loins...they are the ones who will finish the job once the other two have done their jobs."

"It's, uh...jolly simple, isn't it?" asked Rarity. "Do the buffalo of Appleloosa know about this? That they are being used as pawns?"

"Not quite," Spike answered. "You guys remember the time Bloomberg got taken by the buffalo and I also got taken by mistake?"

"How can I forget?" remarked Applejack.

"Well, when I was with the buffalo," Spike said as Twilight produced a memory spell to show Spike's time with the buffalo. "I had a chance to get to know some of their battle strategies when they were planning to attack Appleloosa. The battle techniques they have are the same ones that Grogar has."

"I've already sent for Sheriff Silverstar and Chief Thunderhooves to be on standby in case we need their help in understanding the formations," Twilight said as she deactivated the memory spell. "All of our allies are also on high alert with the same instructions."

Immediately, a tense feeling began to develop amongst the six princesses. The battle that they so feared and anticipated was getting closer and closer.

"So what do we do now?" Fluttershy asked.

Taking a deep breath, Twilight resigned to their impending fate.

"We prepare for battle," she sighed, trying to keep her own anxieties in check. "We prepare for battle and may the maker help us all."

With those words, Equestria's forces mobilized in all its cities and towns throughout the night for when the night became morning, Equestria's greatest battle would soon begin.

…

...
> Episode 27: "Grogar's Endgame, Part 1"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

Grogar could feel the powers of his bell growing to their fullest potential. Standing outside the walls and on the drawbridge of King Vorak's former castle, his recent assumption of both Midnight Sparkle and Sendak had left him with nothing but confidence that his greatest conquest was upon him.

"My emperor," A voice called and Grogar turned to see Sombra stepping out of the castle. "The army is in position, hungry for victory."

Snickering, Grogar looked back down to his bell. "Good, very good," He chuckled. "And my pet?"

"Same as he always is, ready for his next meal," Sombra said with a devious smile. "I can assure you that he will be satisfied when all is said and done."

Turning back around, Grogar watched as the rest of his generals followed: Clones of Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow. And Arabus himself. Behind them, attached on a leash held by Lieutenant Bray, was Scarface.

"This is a day of honor, my friends!" Grogar declared, raising his right foreleg in confidence. "A day when we will take what is rightfully ours! When it is over, the princesses of Equestria will be no more!"

"Your will be done, master." The Chrysalis clone said, bowing to Grogar in respect, much to his delight.

"Now, do you all know your assignments and your targets?" Grogar questioned as a strong gust of wind blew on the bridge, nearly sending the clone of Cozy Glow into the moat below.

"Yeah, Grogar, sir," Cozy replied while hastily keeping her balance in check. "I'll ensure that I take out Twilight and the others!"

"Good," Grogar replied, before turning to Tirek's clone. "Tirek, you will take your squadron and eliminate the Pillars!"

"As you command, master." Tirek acknowledged.

Then Grogar turned to the Chrysalis clone. "You! Chrysalis!" He commanded. "You and your squadron are to take out the School of Friendship's headmare! Her magic is extremely powerful, so be on your guard!"

"With pleasure, master." Chrysalis replied while licking her lips.

"Sombra, you are to eliminate any threat the citizens of Ponyville pose," Grogar ordered. "Show no mercy to any who would resist!"

Sombra chuckled quietly to himself, delighted with the task that had been given to him.

"Now, all of you carry out your assignments," Grogar declared as he charged up his horns. "And together, Equestria will be ours!" Letting out a loud laugh, Grogar unleashed a teleportation spell on himself and his forces out of Vorak's kingdom and to an area in the Everfree Forest. The mere presence of Grogar was enough to make even the most fearsome creatures of the Everfree Forest cower in fear.

From her hut in the Everfree Forest, Zecora saw the advancing army and grabbed a spear as she prepared to defend herself. Stepping outside, she ran towards Grogar, determined to stop him from advancing any further. "Halt!" She shouted, pointing the spear straight at Grogar. "Get back, get back you evil folk! What you are doing is not a joke!"

But Grogar didn't take Zecora's warning seriously and fired a shot of magic at Zecora, sending her flying into a tree and knocking her unconscious without breaking a sweat. "Forward!" He called and his army advanced through the forest, inching closer and closer to their target.

…

…

In her bedroom at the Castle of Friendship, Twilight stood in front of a mirror as her servants...the same ones who'd dressed her for her coronation were now dressing her for battle against Grogar. "Make haste." She ordered to one of the servants as she fastened Twilight's armor.

"It's difficult with these small laces, it warrants an old mare's hooves." The servant replied.

"A young mare's hooves are better today, Greensleeves." Twilight suggested.

From the right corner of the bedroom, Spike stood and held Twilight's battle helmet, amazed that his big sister was actually donning battle armor.

"Spike," Twilight asked upon seeing him in the reflection of the mirror. "Has any more intelligence come in yet?"

Taking a gulp, Spike stepped forward and approached his superior. "Well," He hesitantly replied. "The latest reports are that Grogar has already left Vorak's kingdom."

"Are they going to still be using the horns of the buffalo?" Twilight questioned.

Spike gulped. "Well…"

"Are they or are they not, Spike?" Twilight asked in a firm voice as Greensleeves finished fastening Twilight's armor.

"I..I don't know, Twilight," Spike confessed. "Grogar is probably going to come up with something surprising, given his nature. He's probably on his way here as we speak."

As she stood in the mirror, Twilight couldn't but think of the last time she'd fought Grogar. King Vorak had turned down her help and as a result, the Distant Lands had fallen to the evil goat. "Spike, I want to make things quite clear once and for all," She declared while turning around to face her royal advisor. "Nopony or nocreature even thinks about backing out of this. If they choose to fight, it's their commitment to this battle!"

Having heard those words, Spike handed Twilight her helmet.

Taking the helmet with her magic, Twilight placed it on her head as Greensleeves backed away, allowing Twilight to look in the mirror.

"Vorak must be on your mind, Twilight," Spike remarked. "What happened last time…"

"...is in the past," Twilight interrupted. "It's clear that Starswirl and the Pillars failed to reform him, so we can't dwell on him now."

Just then, there was a knock on the door and in stepped Celestia, dressed in gold battle armor from her time as a Princess. In her aura, she carried a long sword with a silver blade.

"Celestia," Twilight acknowledged, seeing her mother figure in her own battle armor to the point where she bowed her head in respect. "I trust that is the legendary Excalibur you have in your aura?"

"It is, Twilight," Celestia replied with a hint of anxiety in her voice as she hoofed the sword over to Twilight. Standing back, Celestia watched as Twilight drew the sword in her aura. "Excalibur has been an instrument of last resort in war since the founding of Equestria. Now, you are the one who will wield it against Grogar."

Holding the sword, Twilight could feel the overbearing responsibility of her entire nation squarely on her shoulders. "Make no mistake, Celestia, my friends and I will not let my subjects down. Together, we'll prove that we are stronger than Grogar!"

Taking Excalibur, Twilight placed the sword in a jeweled scabbard that was attached to her armor.

At that moment, Tempest Shadow came into the room wearing her royal captain's armor. "Princess Twilight," She declared while bowing to her fellow mare. "Intelligence has come in from Starswirl and the Pillars."

"And what do they say?" Twilight asked.

"Grogar is making his way through the Everfree Forest as we speak," Tempest explained while looking up to Twilight. "He has already attacked one creature...a zebra."

Immediately, an angered look came onto Twilight's face as she now learned that one of her other friends had already been attacked. "Are my friends here now?" She sternly inquired..

"Yes. They are down in the throne room waiting for you." Tempest confirmed with a nod.

"Good. Come on, Spike," Twilight said firmly as she left her bedroom, leaving Tempest and Celestia alone, but not before giving her royal guard captain one last instruction. "Tempest, I want every single square inch of border between our capitals and the Everfree Forest guarded. Grogar and his forces will not get past us. Understand?"

Obediently, Tempest acknowledged the order and went to carry out Twilight's orders.

…

Making her way down to the throne room, Twilight saw her friends gathered in the throne room along with Gusty the Great. All of them were wearing their own battle armor reflective of their respective elements.

"No time to waste, girls," Twilight declared urgently as she made her way over to her throne along with Spike. "The action will begin with the rising of the sun at dawn. I've already come up with a strategy based on the latest intelligence."

Activating the map, Twilight produced the plans with each princesses' cutie mark in each location and the regiment that she would each be facing. "Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy," She instructed. "I want you to face off against Arabus and his regiment."

"That blowhard won't get by us, Twilight," Rainbow Dash eagerly replied as she brought her front hooves together! "He needs to pay for what he did to Griffonstone!"

"Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity," Twilight ordered. "I want you to focus on dealing with the combined strength of Chrysalis, Tirek and Cozy Glow. No doubt they will be at the same strength or even stronger than the last time we faced them."

"They won't get by us, Twi!" Applejack firmly declared. "Even if they're strong. We're just as strong as they are!"

"Um, what about us, Twilight?" Spike asked, causing Twilight to look at him. "What are we going to do?"

"Grogar will be coming for us, or at least me specifically since I'm Equestria's chief ruler," Twilight told Spike. "But if we each do our part, we can reconvene on my position in Canterlot and together we can take him on the moment he steps inside. Until then, I'll do my best to hold him off"

"It seems foolproof, but I think it's manageable, man," Gusty suggested while pointing her sword at Grogar's current location "Besides, you aren't doing this alone, are you?"

"No, no I'm not. We are all doing this together, right?" Twilight questioned. "All of Equestria's allies are on standby and willing to lay down their lives for us. And I suggest we do the same. I'm pretty confident it won't come to that, but we must be ready for any possibility."

All of Twilight's fellow princesses acknowledged the declaration. "Mark my words, everypony," Twilight then said. "Grogar will not in any way take back what we now possess, and that is Equestria itself. If he's going to take it, he'll have to take it…" Reaching into her jeweled scabbard, Twilight drew Excalibur and raised it high over her head in an impressive manner. "FROM OUR COLD, DEAD HOOVES!" She shouted and the rest of her friends swore their loyalty to Twilight and her decision.

…

Outside the throne room, Celestia and Luna were listening into what was going on and both sisters had their own thoughts on the strategy.

"I don't think I've ever heard Twilight so determined," Luna remarked, dressed in her own armor matching the darkness of the night. "Sister, I can't let Twilight go at this alone with Gusty."

"Neither can I, Luna," Celestia nodded in agreement. Not with Sombra at Grogar's side along with that bear of his. Twilight and Gusty won't stand a chance in a fair fight, and Grogar most certainly won't make it a fair fight if he can help it."

"What are you saying?" Luna asked, immediately sensing what Celestia wanted to do. "Are you thinking...?"

Silently nodding, Celestia was just about to knock on the door when Starlight Glimmer appeared on the scene along with Trixie. Each of them were in their own protective armor.

"Celestia, Luna," Starlight greeted, sounding nearly out of breath. "I was just going to let Twilight know that the School of Friendship is officially locked down."

"Although, Trixie doesn't see why it should be locked down," Trixie added. "Isn't the barrier you two put up strong enough?"

"Not forever, Trixie," Celestia explained. "The barrier will fade eventually.

"Yeah, just like what happened at Cadence and Shining Armor's wedding from what I heard," Starlight added. "Besides, Chrysalis will be coming for me just like last time. She will not get inside the school and go after our important artifacts to use against us. And most importantly, she won't go after our students now that they've all safely been evacuated."

"Not all your students. There are some who want to fight!" A familiar male voice declared and the two unicorns and two alicorns saw Gallus and the rest of his friends standing behind them wearing their own hastily made armor. All four mares were stunned by what they were seeing before them.

"I tried to talk him out of it." Silverstream said with a sheepish look on her face.

…

…

"Guys, I appreciate that you're willing to lay your lives on the line," Starlight nervously replied. "But this is not safe for you all. Don't your leaders know where you are?"

"They were fine with it. They're all joining the fight anyways so it's not like we wouldn't be in danger if we stayed with them," Smolder shrugged. "Besides, we belong here...with you guys!"

"We can each contribute in our own way," Sandbar added. "You know that, Headmare Starlight. We defeated Cozy Glow almost entirely by ourselves. And Equestria is going to need all the help it can get."

Starlight found herself conflicted over how to react to this sudden situation. "Yeah, but this is different. You could all get hurt or worse, killed! I don't know how I'd explain that to your leaders, or to Twilight!"

"If we did get killed, then at least we'd die as heroes!" Gallus declared while puffing out his chest. "Besides, I need to get back at Arabus for destroying Griffonstone! If it's the last thing I do, I'll make him pay!" And to prove his point, Gallus drew a small sword out of his holster and raised it up over his head.

"Celestia, Luna, aren't you going to say something?" Starlight asked in a shocked voice, turning around to face the princesses turned professors.

"No," Luna firmly replied to Starlight. "If anything, they want to protect Equestria as much as we do. Most importantly, they will want to protect the school."

"Of course we want to protect the school," Smolder eagerly proclaimed while taking to the air. "It's our home away from home! We'll defend it to our last breath if we have to!"

At that moment, the doors to the throne room opened and Twilight along with her friends stepped out. But seeing the six students standing in the doorway caused Twilight to stop suddenly in her tracks.

"They're going to help fight," Celestia explained to Twilight, but Twilight wasn't convinced. In her mind, these six were putting themselves in great (and perhaps mortal) danger. "Twilight, please!"

"Whose idea was this?!" Twilight icily demanded while glaring at them. "Well? Whose was it?! Tell me!"

Undeterred, Gallus raised his claw causing Twilight to direct all of her attention to him.

"Gallus, if I warned you once, I have warned you a million times…" Twilight started to say to him.

"Twilight!" Luna cried in a sharp voice, causing Twilight to turn to her fellow alicorn. "They want to fight, and nothing is going to change their minds."

"Luna is right, Twilight," Celestia added. "If we fight, we fight together. If we die...then we die together."

Taking a deep breath, Twilight knew that she couldn't pick an argument with anycreature. "All right, if you really want to fight," She sighed in defeat, addressing the students. "Then assist Headmare Starlight and Counselor Trixie in defending the School of Friendship from Chrysalis. But you do as you are told, and that means running away if you must."

As the rest of the students walked over to join Starlight and Trixie, however, Gallus stayed behind.

"Gallus, aren't you coming with us?" Silverstream asked, but Gallus turned all of his attention to Rainbow Dash.

"No, Silverstream," Gallus replied to his girlfriend. "There's something I need to take care of. Something personal."

Taking to the air, Gallus flew over to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy and right away, the two pegasi realized what was on Gallus' mind.

"You sure you want to do this?" Fluttershy asked. "It's going to be extremely dangerous. Arabus is not to be underestimated."

"I'm well aware of that, Princess Fluttershy," Gallus answered. "But I want to avenge my home. Griffonstone didn't have a chance, and I'll see to it that he doesn't have a chance either!" Extending his claw out to Rainbow Dash, Gallus was showing his commitment to the impending fight.

Taking a deep sigh, Rainbow Dash extended her foreleg out and accepted the help that Gallus would be giving them. "Guess we both are on the same page, aren't we?" Rainbow Dash asked and Gallus replied with a small nod.

…

Meanwhile, Starswirl and the rest of the Pillars were at the borders to Ponyville and Canterlot with a small regiment of royal guards. They knew very well that Grogar was getting closer and closer to their location. Using his telescope, Starswirl looked out to see if Grogar and his army were in range, but he could find nothing.

"Starswirl," Flash Magnus asked, landing next to him. "You doing okay?"

Sighing, Starswirl turned to his fellow pillar. "I just can't understand it, Flash," He said while lowering his head in shame. "He just wouldn't listen to us."

"Hey, Vorak was beyond help," Flash Magnus replied. "We all knew that, you just gotta move on. We did the best we could under the circumstances."

Still, Starswirl had his reasonings and feelings. "I know, I know. But it's Twilight that I'm worried about, for her sake more than mine."

"Twilight will be fine," Mage Meadowbrook added as she approached the Pillar of Sorcery. "She's got her friends and family to help her fight, Starswirl."

"But her mental health, her ability to lead," Starswirl nervously replied. "It's all going to be tested."

"Hey, didn't you worry about Celestia and Luna before we went into Limbo?" Flash reminded the old sorcerer.

"I...I suppose you are right, Flash," Starswirl nervously chuckled. "I'm just...anxious, I guess."

"We're all a little anxious," Mistmane remarked with a small smile on her face. "This is the greatest battle Equestria has ever faced, right?"

Starswirl couldn't help but feel anxious at what his fellow pillars were reminding him. Still, the events with Twilight's mental health were still fresh in his mind.

Suddenly, they heard a voice cry out.

"He's coming!" Somnambula shouted, hovering overhead while holding a pair of binoculars. "Battle stations!"

"All right, gang! Battle stations, let's move!" Flash Magnus ordered as the border patrol prepared for the impending arrival of Grogar's forces, forming a barrier covering all areas of the border line!

"Remember, friends," Starswirl declared as he tried to put his anxieties aside. "They got by us once, but they won't get by us again! We won't let them!"

And so, the Pillars anticipated the arrival of Grogar. But little did they know that from inside the Everfree Forest, Grogar was planning a move of his own.

…

…

Standing at the edge of the Everfree Forest, Grogar couldn't help but chuckle in amusement at what was happening in front of him. "They never learn," He laughed, seeing the Pillars and the royal guards standing in front of the magic barrier over Ponyville. "Such a pity."

"Give me the order, my emperor and I shall crush them!" Sombra declared, but Grogar had other ideas. "My emperor?"

"I have something different in mind for you, Sombra." Grogar said as he motioned for Lieutenant Bray to move several donkey soldiers up to the front with wands in their hooves.

"They are ready, my emperor." Lieutenant Bray declared.

Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Grogar slowly focused on the first wave in front of them. "Begin!" He commanded and the donkeys fired beams of magic towards the Pillars!

As they rained down, the Pillars and the guards began to fight back, firing magic and spears through the air!

"Counter attack, my friends!" Starswirl cried as he fired beams of magic at the advancing donkey soldiers! "This is the calling card of Grogar!"

Hearing his name being called, Grogar stepped forward with Sombra to his right and Scarface to his left. His eyes were focused right on Starswirl and a small, evil smile came onto his face.

Charging his horn, Starswirl prepared to unleash a powerful spell on Grogar. "YOU...SHALL NOT...PASS!" He shouted as he fired a powerful blast of magic at Grogar!

But Sombra had expected this. Activating his own dark magic, Sombra lifted himself, Grogar and Scarface by creating a tower of dark crystals. "You're going to have to do better than that." He taunted as Grogar motioned for the clone of Tirek to come forward.

"Oh no, not again!" Starswirl gasped as the Tirek clone advanced on him, causing him to get flashbacks to the last time he and the Pillars were in this position. "Somnambula!"

Her attention being caught, the pillar of hope flew down to Starswirl. "Go to the Castle of Friendship, now!" Starswirl ordered. "Warn Twilight and the others that Grogar is here! We must ensure our message is not intercepted this time."

"I'll do as you wish," Somnambula replied. "Be careful, Starswirl!" Then, Somnambula flew away through a small opening in the barrier.

But Grogar had expected this to happen, and from high above he motioned for the bulk of his army to move towards Ponyville.

"The rest of you," He shouted down to the remaining donkey soldiers. "Prepare to break down the barrier!" And he watched as the soldiers obeyed

"You and your friends can't hide from me forever, Princess Twilight!" Grogar cried in a loud voice as he watched Somnambula fly towards the Castle of Friendship. "Once this barrier is destroyed, there will be no use hiding from me!"

As Grogar spoke, his bewitching bell began to activate and emulate a smoky substance that began to erode the magic barrier and speed up its fall.

Very soon, Grogar would be inside!

…

...
> Episode 28: "Grogar's Endgame, Part 2"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

Previously on "My Little Pony"

…

…

Grogar: "This is a day of honor, my friends! A day when we will take what is rightfully ours! When it is over, the princesses of Equestria will be no more!"

Twilight: "I trust that is the legendary Excalibur you have in your aura?"

Celestia: "Excalibur has been an instrument of last resort in war since the founding of Equestria. Now, you are the one who will wield it against Grogar."

Tempest: "Grogar is making his way through the Everfree Forest as we speak."

Gallus: "If we did get killed, then at least we'd die as heroes!"

Rainbow Dash: "Guess we both are on the same page, aren't we?"

Starswirl the Bearded: "They got by us once, but they won't get by us again! We won't let them!"

Grogar: "They never learn. Such a pity."

Starswirl: "YOU...SHALL NOT...PASS!"

Grogar: "Once this barrier is destroyed, there will be no use hiding from me!"

…

…

Flying as fast as her wings could carry her, Somnambula raced towards the Castle of Friendship to warn Twilight and the others of Grogar's arrival. With Grogar's forces already on the move, time was of the essence. "I just hope Starswirl and the others will be okay without me." She thought to herself. However, no sooner did she approach the castle than did one of the guardsponies surrounding the castle take notice of her impending arrival.

"Captain Tempest!" He bellowed to Tempest Shadow who immediately came over. "Unidentified flying creature coming towards us!"

The broken horned unicorn captain of the guard dashed over to the guard upon hearing the call. Looking out, Tempest couldn't see what was happening. "It might be an invader. Take it down," She ordered to the guard, who replied before turning to the other guardsponies. "Prepare to fire!"

Readying their horns, the guardsponies prepared to fire their spells at the approaching Somnambula. Raising her sword, Tempest waited until the figure was in range. Suddenly, she took a closer look and saw that the creature was not an enemy at all. "Hold your fire!" She called while walking in front of the guards. "It's one of the Pillars!"

But one of the guards got too eager and opened fire accidentally, sending a beam of magic straight at Somnambula!

Seeing the beam, Somanmbula quickly ducked out of the way and the beam caught the attention of Tempest. "I said hold your fire!" The unicorn shouted, much to the guardspony's embarrassment. With the clearance given, Somnambula landed in front of Tempest and took a moment to catch her breath before the unicorn asked. "What is it, Pillar?"

"Grogar…" Somnambula panted, lowering her head for a moment before raising it back up. "He's here! He's trying to break down the barrier! I came to warn Princess Twilight and the others. Starswirl and the other Pillars are trying to hold the line as best they can."

Looking back to the castle, Tempest gestured for Somnambula to follow her inside while ordering the guards to stand at their positions.

…

Banging on the door, Tempest waited for the door to open and sure enough, Spike opened it up.

"Tempest," Spike greeted. "I heard some sort of commotion outside. What's going on?"

"Spike, Somnambula has a message for the princesses," Tempest explained. "Where are they?"

"Right here, Tempest," Twilight replied, stepping into the castle's lobby with her friends, mother and big sister figure. "At ease."

Stepping back, Tempest allowed Twilight to approach Somnambula.

"Somnambula, what's going on?" Twilight asked. "Has Grogar arrived?"

"He has, Princess," The pillar of hope replied. "He's already trying to break down the barrier as we speak."

Taking in this intelligence, Twilight turned back to her friends.

"Twilight, what are we going to do?" Fluttershy nervously asked. "It's only a matter of time before the barrier falls. Grogar's not the type to let up easily."

"Then we have to make the most of the time we have," Twilight declared, looking up to the castle windows. "Hopefully the barrier stays up long enough to deplete some of his army's strength. But I think I have a better idea on how to weaken Grogar further."

"What do you have in mind, Sugarcube?" Applejack asked.

"If we split up between here and Canterlot and divide our forces accordingly," Twilight suggested. "Grogar will become confused and further weakened, hopefully."

"But what about…?" Rainbow Dash began to ask, thinking that she was no longer going to be working with Gallus and his friends.

"You stay at your post with Gallus, Rainbow Dash" Twilight reminded the Princess of Loyalty. "Spike and I will go to Canterlot and wait for Grogar there. If anyone else wants to come with me, now is the time to decide."

Suddenly, Discord materialized before their eyes dressed in an army uniform. "Are you serious, Twilight?!" He cried in disbelief. "Retreating from the battle?! now?! Some supreme princess you are! You do know that Grogar won't be fooled by your strategy, right?! I mean, he has half of my magic! He's going to find out one way or another."

"And what would you suggest, Discord?" Twilight asked, looking up at the draconequus. "That we just sit here and wait for Grogar to get us all at once? I disagree because I refuse to turn belly up and beg! The Pillars will hold the line here in Ponyville with assistance from my friends. Spike and I will go to Canterlot and take a small unit to reinforce the city. With a little luck, we can pin down some of Grogar's forces and leave only him to oppose me."

"What are you...a fish?" Discord remarked, turning into half of a fish and flapping about wildly. "Because they are the only ones who belly up and beg when they are out of the water."

Rematerializing, Discord looked down at Twilight with an honest expression. "Twilight, all joking aside," He insisted, placing a lion paw on her armored shoulder. "I want to try and get my powers back from Grogar. I may not have my powers now, but I can still do some damage. Please give me a chance. It could be the thing to decide the battle."

"Discord, if we are to beat Grogar for good we have to work together. If it's any consolation, you stay here with Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie Pie to defend the castle alongside our students," Twilight instructed. "Perhaps maybe you can try and deal some damage to the advancing forces to draw them into battle here."

"Yay!" Discord proclaimed, producing half of a #1 sign. "Go Discord! Go Discord! Go Discord!"

With Discord assigned, Celestia and Luna were the next to approach Twilight.

"Twilight," Celestia pleaded "If you're going to Canterlot, Luna and I are going with you. If we know Grogar, he will surely head to Canterlot when he doesn't find you here."

"And Sombra will most likely be with him," Luna added. "Not to mention Scarface. He's not going to travel alone."

"Luna's got a point there, Twilight," Spike remarked, causing Twilight to get yet another idea. "Maybe if we split Grogar and Sombra up…"

"Hold it, Spike!" Twilight suddenly cried. "That gives me an idea. Maybe we can try and get the Crystal Empire involved in distracting Sombra. No way he'd be able to resist a chance to reclaim it. Cadence and Shining Armor might be able to do what they did the first time King Sombra returned, and create a shield to keep him busy. Then he won't be able to aid Grogar. Celestia, can you or Luna send a message to Cadence and Shining Armor about my plan?"

Nodding, Celestia and Luna agreed to the decision.

Suddenly, Pinkie Pie looked up and saw the barrier above the castle starting to crack. "Um, guys, I hate to be a party pooper,"She meekly commented with a nervous expression on her face. "But you might want to take a look at the barrier! It's not looking so good."

Seeing the cracks that were growing wider by the minute, Twilight knew that everyone had to act now!

"Twilight?" Spike asked. "What are your orders?"

"Tempest!" Twilight ordered to her captain. "Prepare to defend the castle by any means. Send one rank of soldiers to the border to aid Starswirl and the other Pillars if you can. As for the rest of you…"

For a moment, Twilight dropped her princess side and silently showed her vulnerable pony side. "Good luck...and may the maker protect us all."

Touched by Twilight's words, they all came together for an embrace, not knowing whether this was going to be the last time that they would all be together.

Then, breaking apart, Twilight, Spike and Rarity teleported away to Canterlot with Celestia and Luna. Meanwhile Fluttershy, Applejack and Pinkie Pie remained along with Discord, and Rainbow Dash went to the School of Friendship to help Starlight and the students in its defense.

…

Back at the borders, Starswirl and the other Pillars continued to try and hold off the advancing army of Grogar's.

From high above the dark crystal pillar that they were standing on, Grogar and Sombra saw the streaks of light coming from Twilight and her companions heading towards Canterlot.

"Sombra, that cowardly Twilight Sparkle is heading for Canterlot! I'm sure of it!" Grogar declared. "We must stop them! They're trying to split us up, thinking they can pick us off in smaller numbers!"

But before either villain could act, they felt the tall pillar shake beneath them as Rockhoof began to swing his shovel at the pillar, trying desperately to knock it down!

"Scarface, get him!" Grogar ordered to the bear!

Letting out a loud roar, Scarface jumped down towards Rockhoof.

Looking up, the Pillar of Strength ducked out of the way of the grizzly bear as he nervously held his shovel in defense. "You don't scare me, bear!" He cried. Then, letting out a yell, Rockhoof swung his shovel at Scarface! "Take this!"

With each strike, Scarface dodged the blows coming from the shovel and when he seized a moment, he swung a claw at Rockhoof, striking his red beard and slicing off a part of it!

"Rockhoof, hang on!" Flash Magnus shouted as he took out several donkey soldiers with a series of punches! Flying fast, Flash took his shield and banged it down on Scarface's back in an attempt to distract him!

Quickly taking notice, Scarface snapped his jaws at Flash Magnus in an attempt to bite him.

Thinking fast, Flash placed his shield into Scarface's mouth, trying to keep the grizzly's mouth from clamping down.

Racing down to his fellow pillar, Flash pulled Rockhoof out of the way as Scarface chomped down on the shield and spat it out in pieces.

"Thanks, laddie! Shame about your shield, though." Rockhoof cried as Scarface charged at them while several donkey soldiers struck at the two pillars, sending them crashing into the barrier and causing further damage.

"Don't mention it," Flash cried as he and Rockhoof confronted the donkeys. "The shield can be fixed. You're irreplaceable."

From high above the crystal pillar, Grogar turned his attention to the cloned Tirek. "Tirek!" He shouted as the cloned centaur used his strength to crush several pony soldiers. "Drain their magic and their strength at once!"

Delighted, the Tirek clone looked down on Flash Magnus and Rockhoof and opened his mouth, targeting them.

As they finished off the donkeys, both pillars felt their strength start to leave them and Rockhoof suddenly found himself getting smaller, being reduced to his younger self. "Flash," Rockhoof cried in a high pitched voice. "What's…?"

Cackling, the Tirek clone looked down at the two drained pillars. "Scram, runts! The big stallions are playing!" He taunted as both Rockhoof and Flash Magnus huddled each other in fear. But they wouldn't run away.

Then, right out of the blue, the Tirek clone loudly yelled as he punched into the barrier causing it to crack more just as a rank of soldiers from Twilight's castle descended on the border.

"Yes, yes!" Grogar cried happily. "Break it down! We are getting closer! It won't be long now!"

…

…

Retreating to Canterlot, Twilight, Rarity, Spike, Celestia and Luna gathered themselves in the throne room. They had every reason to believe that Grogar would be coming for them in the throne room, remembering the last time they'd fought the Legion of Doom.

"Okay, so now what?" Rarity questioned. "We've split up and…"

"Now we plan a sneak attack," Twilight explained. "Spike, you and I will sit on the throne and wait for Grogar and his minions. The rest of you hide from view until I give the order."

"Twilight, are you sure about this?" Luna nervously. "There's nowhere to hide unless it's up on the ceiling!"

Just then, they looked up and saw some of the security geese hiding in the hidden areas.

"What do you think, Luna?" Celestia asked in a sly voice and took to the air, much to Luna's annoyance.

"Show off." Luna muttered under her breath as she reluctantly joined her sister in their hiding place.

"I'll hide behind your throne," Rarity suggested. "Although it will be disappointing to not show off my fabulous armor."

"Your armor is meant to protect you," Twilight cautioned. "Not to be a fashion statement. Now hide until I say so! This could be our only chance to get the battle on our terms."

"Do as she says, Rarity. We need to be careful." Spike added and Rarity obeyed, taking shelter behind the throne.

With their friends in their hiding places, all Twilight and Spike could do was sit and wait for Grogar to arrive so they could spring their trap.

…

Back in Ponyville, the rest of the princesses continued to anxiously wait. The barrier was only just holding on as more and more chips began to fall.

"Okay, so we have a barrier coming down and a deranged goat coming towards us," Pinkie Pie thought out loud as she loaded one of her party cannons. "At least we have my party cannons to defend ourselves with. and thankfully Grubber and Hannibal are helping me out."

Just then, the hedgehog cook and his storm creature assistant brought out several party cannons containing whatever confections were inside.

"Uh, Princess Pinkie," Grubber asked. "Were there any more cakes and pies you want added? I think we have what we need."

"I think we have all that we need in terms of pie and cake types," Pinkie replied. "You can place them at each window. When our enemies try to get in here, they'll be in for a big surprise!"

Doing as they were told, Grubber and Hannibal placed the cannons at the lower windows of the castle.

"Pinkie, are you sure these cakes are going to slow down the advancing army?" Discord asked. "Not to say that I think cakes aren't a deadly form of defense or anything, but..."

"-Why wouldn't they be of use here?" Pinkie remarked, randomly pulling out a slice of cake. "I've used cakes all the time to defend against encroaching enemies and this is no different, right?"

Taking the cake, Discord gulped the slice in one bite and helped Grubber and Hannibal place the cannons at the windows. "Of course, there are others who can help us out," Discord proposed. "I'm sure you remember my old friend from the Gala…"

"Him?!" Applejack gasped, her eyes widening as Discord snapped his fingers and managed to produce his friend, the Smooze, in whole.

"Yes, I'm pretty sure Smoozey can use his, well, Smooze to engulf the encroaching army," Discord explained. "It doesn't hurt to try, right? Anything to even the odds in our favor."

Suddenly, they all saw a large piece of the barrier break off. Another sign that Grogar was getting closer and closer to breaching the border.

"Uh, if you are going to get Smoozey involved," Pinkie Pie suggested while looking out the window. "Maybe have him get involved now?" No sooner did Pinkie say those words than did another piece of the magic barrier break off.

"Of course," Discord suggested before donning a lion tamer's outfit and turning to the Smooze. "Smooze, sic em!"

The Smooze proceeded out of the castle, going through the castle doors much to the shock of the guards outside. Then, Pinkie felt her tail twitching, another sign that the enemy was breaking through.

"Everypony, battle stations! Pinkie Pie called and all took their positions at the nearest party cannon! "He's coming! He's coming!"

…

…

From the border, Grogar looked down at the further crumbling barrier and felt that the time had come to start making his move.

Looking down at the pony soldiers defending the border, he powered his horns and started firing down on them below!

"Aim for Grogar, Mistmane!" Starswirl cried as he directed the Pillar of Beauty towards the crystalized pillar Grogar and Sombra were standing on.

Charging her horn, Mistmane fired a blast at Grogar, but Sombra sensed the beam and countered it with a blast of magic of his own.

"He blocked it!" Mistmane cried as sne and Starswirl felt a strong gust of wind coming from Arabus as he started to pull in both pony and donkey soldiers into his twister like arms! The gusts caused more and more pieces of the barrier to break off and it was clear that time was running out.

Just then, Mistmane felt a sharp pain in her shoulder and collapsed. Turning around, Starswirl saw the clone of Cozy Glow with her alicorn horn charged up. "Golly, we must pay attention, Starswirl," She taunted. "Or else...look what happens."

Angered, Starswirl fired his magic at the clone and managed to repel her, only to be blindsided by another beam of dark magic, this time from the clone of Chrysalis.

Struggling to his feet, Starswirl tried to charge his horn up again but couldn't. The lead pillar could only retreat as the clone of Tirek threw away several pony soldiers and proceeded to drain Mistmane of her magic. "Mmm, magic seasoned with age," He laughed. "Delicious! A valiant effort on your parts, but ultimately futile."

Just then, several donkey soldiers brought forth Somnambula and Mage Meadowbrook, taken prisoner along with the drained Flash Magnus and the weakened Rockhoof.

Looking from the Crystalized pillar, Grogar could see that the first phase of his plan was coming together nicely. With the pillars disposed of, he could easily breach the border and proceed towards Ponyville. "Sombra, the Pillars have been defeated," He declared, looking to his second-in-command with an evil smile on his face. "The barrier is about to fall! Prepare to advance!"

Heeding Grogar's order, Sombra raised his horn and proceeded to further blast the barrier down. At last, the barrier could hold no longer and it started to crumble. With their protection gone, the pony soldiers at the border were left exposed to the advancing army.

Using his bell, Grogar called for the army to regroup on his position as he and Sombra jumped down off the pillar and onto the ground below. "With the barrier gone, you stand no chance against me!" Grogar shouted to the remaining pony soldiers. "Take this!" Using his horn, Grogar fired several lethal blasts of his magic, powered by his bewitching bell sending the remaining soldiers flying through the air.

Grogar cackled with delight as he, Sombra and Scarface led the army past the border and towards Ponyville.

…

From Canterlot, Twilight could see that the barrier was no more. "It's gone," She whispered as Spike also stood next to her with a blank expression. "Grogar...is heading towards Ponyville. Let's hope our friends can hold the line."

With the magic barrier gone, the battle for Equestria's defense against Grogar was about to be taken towards Ponyville itself.

…

...
> Episode 29: "Grogar's Endgame, Part 3"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

Previously on "My Little Pony"

…

…

Guardspony: "Captain Tempest! Unidentified flying creature coming towards us!"

Tempest Shadow: "Take it down."

Twilight Sparkle: "Somnambula, has Grogar arrived?"

Somnambula: "He's already trying to break down the barrier as we speak."

Twilight Sparkle: "Then we have to make the most of the time we have."

Celestia: "If you're going to Canterlot, Luna and I are going with you."

Luna: "He's not going to travel alone."

Pinkie Pie: "He's coming! He's coming!"

Grogar: "With the barrier gone, you stand no chance against me!"

Twilight Sparkle: "It's gone. Grogar...is heading towards Ponyville. Let's hope our friends can hold the line."

…

…

As the battle for Equestria against Grogar raged on, Tirek, Chrysalis, Cozy Glow and Scorpan were all leading the citizens of Klugetown through the western edge of the Everfree Forest, determined to stop Grogar at all costs.

"I can't believe we're actually doing this," Chrysalis commented to Tirek. "Me, a queen who ruled through fear, fighting for my enemies."

"Remember what is at stake here," Tirek cautioned. "If we can't rule Equestria then neither can Grogar. Besides…" Tirek then turned to his love and with a firm yet sentimental expression he added. "I would much rather settle down with you," He sighed, causing Chrysalis to blush slightly. "Start a family, live amongst these ponies because they have more to offer than just magic. At this rate, it seems far better than constantly having to fight them and always lose."

Watching his brother, Scorpan couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction that Tirek was finally starting to see the error of his ways coming to fruition.

Suddenly, all stopped and looked down at a hoof sticking out from a bush that was right in their path.

"Whoa, buddy! Look at that!" Capper cried, stepping back in slight fear before going over to the hoof. Pulling the bushes back, Capper reached down and saw what appeared to be a donkey soldier. "It's a donkey!"

Racing over, Tirek bent down and studied the wounded soldier. It was clear to the centaur that Grogar had arrived in Equestria. "He's already here," Tirek whispered before turning around to the army and beckoning Chrysalis and Cozy Glow to come over to him. "This soldier is dying, what should we do?"

"What do you think?" Chrysalis remarked.

"At least he can provide me with a service," Tirek said, opening his mouth and draining the dying donkey of his strength. As Chrysalis and Cozy Glow watched, Tirek slowly regained his strength, going back to his third form.

With his strength drained, the donkey collapsed and died right in front of Tirek's hooves. "Scorpan!"

Hearing his brother's call, Scorpan came over.

"Have some of the residents dig a grave for this soldier," Tirek commanded. "I want him to be respectfully laid to rest."

"Of course, Tirek." Taking the donkey's body, Scorpan and several Klugetown residents went to bury the corpse.

"Where do you suppose he came from?" Cozy Glow asked.

"If my memory serves me right," Tirek answered, remembering the final battle with Twilight before she became supreme princess. "The border to the shared capitals. Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, spread your brigades across the forest. We attack on my order, get moving! We must have the element of surprise on our side!"

Doing as they were told, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow went to carry out Tirek's orders. Walking to the edge of the forest, he saw several ponies and donkeys continuing to fight with the captured pillars being guarded.

"If we are to get inside," Tirek thought to himself. "We need support. I might have an idea on how to get the Pillars freed. Then they'll owe us one."

…

…

Meanwhile, Grogar, Sombra and their forces had crossed into Ponyville as Tempest watched from behind Sugarcube Corner.

"You are not getting past me," Tempest whispered, before rising to her feet and pointing her broken horn at the advancing army, crying out in a loud voice. "Halt, Grogar!"

Stopping, Grogar could only feel amusement creeping up on him. "Well, well, well," Grogar laughed. "If it isn't the Storm King's former stooge. Still slumming it with the ponies, I see. Please step out of my way. I have a kingdom to take back."

From all the buildings surrounding him, the pony soldiers aimed their horns at the army, ready to fire on Tempest's command.

"You stop right here!" Tempest commanded, her blood boiling with rage!

"Should you really consider it?" Sombra taunted. "I certainly would not if I were you. You're horribly outclassed."

As Sombra spoke, Grogar activated his bell's powers and released a strong wave of dark magic that caused the building around the army to crumble!

Tempest could only watch in disbelief as her army was decimated before her very eyes! Still, it wasn't going to stop her from trying. Charging up her broken horn, Tempest unleashed a barrage of uncontrolled magic on the army, managing to hit several donkey soldiers!

Just then, the windows of Sugarcube Corner were broken and the pony soldiers inside opened fire on the army. Several blasts were aimed at Grogar, but he used his bell's powers to barricade himself, Sombra and Scarface from them all. "To the Castle of Friendship!" He commanded. Then, forming a gold barrier, Grogar marched his forces right past Tempest as she fired another blast of uncontrolled magic at Grogar, trying in vain to break through.

Chuckling, Grogar shot a blast of his own magic at Tempest, but she managed to duck out of the way. Turning to a few of his smaller brigades, Grogar ordered them to keep Tempest and her forces at bay. "Keep them pinned! We don't want her joining any other armies that will try to oppose us. The rest of you, come with us!"

With Tempest and her forces held down, Grogar turned his attention to both the castle and the School of Friendship. All the windows in both buildings opened as he advanced, revealing party cannons filled with cakes, and other kinds of warfare weaponry.

…

"He shouldn't be too far, Gusty!" Discord declared. "Do you think we'll have the edge?"

Looking through a pair of binoculars, Gusty wasn't so sure. "I don't know, man," Gusty whispered to the lord of chaos. "Still, I won't go down without a fight. I couldn't stop him completely before, but I'll try my hardest to make sure he goes down for good this time," Then something caught her attention as she looked at the buildings again. "Ay, caramba! The buildings are falling!"

"Has he no respect for private property?!" Pinkie Pie asked, snatching the binoculars out of Gusty's aura with her hooves! "If he took out Sugarcube Corner, I'll…"

Just then, they saw another explosion and Pinkie angrily took out a sword, ready to fight! "Ready the CANNONS!" She screamed, her shrieks causing Discord to warble. "NO ONE WREAKS SUGARCUBE CORNER AND GETS AWAY WITH IT!"

Doing as they were told, the rest of the princesses stood at the ready as Grogar and his forces drew closer and closer.

Back at the School of Friendship, Starlight and Trixie stood at the front entrance with the battle ready students and Rainbow Dash. They too, heard Pinkie's screams and prepared themselves at the ready.

"Okay, does everycreature know their assignments?" Starlight asked.

"Right, Headmare Starlight!" Smolder answered while pounding on her chest. "Those guys won't know what hit them!"

But Gallus had his own eye on one particular enemy. "Come on, Arabus," he thought to himself, making sure his claws were sharpened. "Come out and pay for what you did to Griffonstone!"

Acting on Starlight's orders, the students took up their positions as Starlight and Trixie waited for the impending arrival of Starlight's main enemy. "She's getting close, Trixie. I can feel it!"

Suddenly, the entire army was well within range and Grogar lowered the protective barrier surrounding him and his army.

"Would you believe that Chrysalis is...looking right at us?" Trixie asked nervously as they both saw the clone of Chrysalis looking dead square at them.

At the front, Grogar smiled as he stood right in front of the castle. He had arrived at his destination, but little did he know of the surprise that was awaiting him courtesy of Discord.

…

...

"PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE!" Grogar bellowed in an amplified voice that shook the castle inside as well as the Smooze. "COME OUT AND FACE ME! YOUR CREATURE OF SLIME DOESN'T SCARE ME!"

"What do we do?" Fluttershy asked, her hoof shaking nervously on the party cannon.

"I don't know," Applejack replied, looking back at Gusty. "I reckon he wants Twilight. But we have to do our best to hold him at bay here and weaken his army."

"So," Discord declared, snapping his lion paw and turning into Twilight Sparkle, battle armor and all. "We'll give him what he wants and yet not give it to him, right?"

"Discord!" Fluttershy cried, running over to him and clutching the forelegs. "Please reconsider! Grogar's too dangerous and you don't have all your magic back!"

Bending down, Discord forced Fluttershy to look him straight in the eye. "You need to trust me on this, Fluttershy," He whispered. "Don't worry, I'll be all right. Just be ready to fire the party cannon when the time comes! One way or another, Grogar's not getting to the real Twilight without a fight!"

Nervously, Fluttershy complied with Discord's suggestion and the disguised Discord turned to the door. "Open it up," He declared and Gusty opened the castle doors. "Wait here until the order is given. It shouldn't be long."

Seeing the door open, Grogar and his army watched with eagerness as their "target" stepped out of the Castle of Friendship.

"Well, that was easy," Sombra remarked with a smug grin on his face. "Say her name and the supreme ruler comes running."

"Smooze, stand down," Discord ordered in Twilight's voice. "Grogar...would be emperor of Equestria, we meet at last."

Snickering, Grogar stepped forward along with Scarface, delighted that his "enemy" would surrender so quickly.

"Twilight Sparkle," Grogar said in a quiet voice. "The Supreme Princess of Equestria...come to die. Thanks for sparing me the trouble of having to search for you."

Charging up his bell's powers, Grogar aimed his horns right at his target...ensuring that his powers were at the maximum. Letting out a loud roar, Grogar released a deadly blast of magic at "Twilight" "Goodbye, your highness!" He declared as the blast struck Twilight, the light from the blast blinding everyone for a moment!

When the light faded, Grogar thought he had easily defeated his enemy. But he was shocked to discover that there was someone else standing in front of him.

"Surprised?" Discord asked, seemingly unfazed by the blast of magic much to Grogar's irritation. "I should know. I came up with the idea," Then Discord switched to his firm side. "Now, you have something that belongs to me," He declared. "Hand it over, now!"

Angered, Grogar was having none of this monkeyshine business. "Never! Your magic is mine for eternity!" He seethed and with his eyes filled with anger, he gave one order to his army in a quiet and scary voice. "Kill them all! Take no prisoners!"

On his order, Sombra yelled and began to run towards the castle of friendship along with the clone of Tirek as Discord quickly teleported away.

"She's not here, Scarface," Grogar said angrily to his pet bear. "But I shall deal with her myself, wherever she may be hiding! She can't escape me, no one can!"

Teleporting away, Grogar left the battlefield as Discord retreated back into the castle. "Well, that got them riled up," The spirit remarked. "What do you think? Shall we…?"

"FIRE THE PARTY CANNONS!" Pinkie screamed and on cue, the party cannons were fired at the encroaching army! The pies, cakes and other confectioneries each struck the approaching army, knocking several soldiers down.

Suddenly, the army split up as half turned towards the School of Friendship. Arabus stretched out his tornado arms and began to suck up donkey soldiers surrounding the school.

Standing in front of the school's doors, Starlight motioned for Trixie to get inside.

"Starlight, are you nuts?!" Trixie cried over the roar.

"You have to let me do this, Trixie," Starlight whispered as she spotted a familiar looking changeling nearby. "Chrysalis will want me, not you. And if it's me she wants, it's me she's gonna get!"

"But…" Before Trixie could protest further, Starlight used her magic to shut Trixie inside the school as she turned her attention to the cloned Chrysalis amidst the barrage of magic blasts flying between them.

Landing, the clone of Chrysalis landed in front of Starlight, licking her lips, determined to do away with her mortal enemy.

…

...

"So here we are again, face to face." The clone of Chrysalis said in an evil vocal tone.

"Eye to eye," Starlight replied, her horn charging with rage. "And once again, you didn't make an appointment. Haven't you learned?"

"No, and it doesn't matter, because you have no hope of winning!" The clone shouted, her horn glowing a sickly shade of green. "By the time I'm through with you, I'm going to sap every ounce of love from everyone here in this school, by my emperor's will! Starting with you!"

Feeling angered that her school was about to be threatened, Starlight prepared to strike. "You'll have to kill me for that to happen, Chrysalis!" She snarled.

"So be it!" Chrysalis growled and fired her magic at Starlight, who quickly produced a protective magic shield! But the blasts overpowered Starlight and sent her flying back into the door!

From up above, the students and Rainbow Dash saw what was happening.

"Headmare Starlight!" Silverstream cried, looking over to Ocellus. "We should do something, now!"

Suddenly, a beam of magic hit the window where Silverstream and Ocellus had been standing in observation.

"We can't!" Ocellus cried, taking note of the encroaching donkey soldiers and Lieutenant Bray. "We gotta keep them at bay! Headmare Starlight won't stand a chance if those soldiers get through!"

Aiming the party cannon, the two friends fired at Lieutenant Bray, causing him and his squadron of donkeys to be caught off guard. "Fire up there!" he ordered, but then another cannon hit one of the donkeys, knocking him down. Looking up, Bray saw Yona and Sandbar firing a cannon at them.

"Oh yeah! Bull's eye, Yona!" Sandbar cheered. "Load up another pie, quick!"

Not wanting to be outdone, Bray raced towards the school, only to be beaten back by several barrages of cannon fire again! This time from Smolder, who then flew down and proceeded to breathe out fire!.

"Aim for the dragon!" Bray shouted to several donkeys who fired magic at Smolder, but to little avail as she evaded with ease.

From up above, Rainbow Dash flew down to Bray and his platoon. Using her strength, Rainbow pushed the donkeys high into the air and dropped them hard onto the ground! "Not so fast, donkey!" Rainbow Dash cried as she flew down fash again, this time catching Bray in her forelegs and lifting him high into the air. "No one does that to my friends and gets away with it! No one!"

Flying high above the ground, Rainbow Dash picked up Bray and letting out a loud yell, she threw the donkey underling screaming down onto the ground and landing hard, causing a shockwave that sent several donkeys flying!

…

Meanwhile, Starlight and the cloned Chrysalis continued to duel around and above the school. Starlight fired multiple rounds of magic at the clone of her mortal enemy, who quickly dodged them.

Acting fast, Starlight darted down at the clone and pushed her through the roof of the building, crashing into the school's attic!

Angered, the clone pushed Starlight off and onto her back. Coughing the clone of Chrysalis rose to her feet, blood trickling from under her nose. "You'll…" She coughed as dust and blood flew out of her mouth. "Pay for that!"

Getting onto her feet, Starlight rose to her feet, her own body covered in cuts and bruises. "Put it on my tab, Chrissy. There's more where that came from," She taunted defiantly as the Chrysalis clone lunged at her like a bobcat, sending her flying into the wall.

"Let's finish this! You and me, one last time!" The Chrysalis clone shouted! "Only one of us will walk away from this encounter, and it won't be you!"

From the school lobby, Trixie saw several bodies of both pony and donkey soldiers break through the windows while fighting each other. And the more she stood there, the more the magician became convinced that Starlight would die if she didn't intervene.

Managing to get a sense of where the two powerful combatants were, Trixie teleported up to the attic and just before the clone of Chrysalis prepared to throw another blow down on Starlight, Trixie stood in the clone's way. "You'll have to get through Trixie first, you overgrown bug!" Trixie shouted, deflecting the clone's move.

"Trixie," Starlight gasped as she coughed up some blood. "What are you…?"

"If you think Trixie is gonna leave you alone to fight her like last time, think again," She cried, looking at the clone before turning to her best friend as she extended a hoof to help Starlight to her feet. "This time, we will fight together!"

Although she was hesitant, Starlight realized that arguing with Trixie was not going to work out. They had to fight together, no matter what the cost.

"Okay. Together then," Starlight agreed, looking at Trixie before both mares looked at the clone. "We fight together. And together, we will win!"

"Very well then, if that's how you wanna play it," The clone of Chrysalis, her horn glowing in rage once more. "Two for the price of one!"

…

Meanwhile, Twilight was sitting in the throne room along with Spike while Rarity, Celestia and Luna were hiding.

"Spike, Grogar's coming here," Twilight quietly declared. "I want you to hide when he gets here."

"Twilight, are you sure?" Spike asked in a worried voice, but Twilight stood steadfast. "I mean, what if..?"

"Trust me, Spike. It's all part of the plan," Twilight instructed. "Now hide."

Gulping, Spike went behind the throne and joined Rarity as Twilight waited patiently for the doors to open.

"I don't like this." Rarity gulped.

Luna replied. "Twilight must have a reason to want Spike and all of us to stay hidden. She must be hoping to bait Grogar into a one on one fight."

Celestia just nervously commented. "If it even looks like it's going wrong, I'm not going to stand by. One way or another, I'm ready to put my life on the line to protect Twilight!"

Then, much to everyone's surprise, a purple cloud appeared and out stepped Grogar and Scarface.

Looking up, Twilight was now face to face with her mortal enemy. "Oh yeah," She remarked in a sarcastic tone. "You're much more of a Grogar from when last we met."

"Indeed," Grogar remarked. "Megatron is no more, and the Maximals have left. The time between our last meetings has extracted a heavy toll. Still, Megatron and the Predacons accomplished their mission. They gave me an excellent base of operations. And without the Maximals to protect you, you're quite vulnerable."

"You may regret thinking that," Twilight remarked, sitting casually on her throne. "Now you're face to face once again with the supreme ruler of Equestria herself. And don't think I'll just let you take over the land. I will give my very life if need be to stop you."

Unfazed, Grogar stepped forward, urging Scarface to remain close by him in case Twilight had any surprises.

"I know who you are, Grogar," Twilight declared. "Or should I say...Chirin?"

This made Grogar stop dead in his tracks!"What did you call me?" he asked in a shocked voice.

"Chirin...that's your true name," Twilight admitted. "You witnessed your mother being killed by the wolf king and then...you asked him to train you...to become a killer."

Taking a deep breath, Grogar sighed, and tapping into his magic he produced a surrounding of his former home in the farm where he once lived. "It didn't have to be this way, Princess Twilight," Grogar explained. "My mother was my world, the reason I came into being. Her murder struck me, made me realize my true purpose."

"To kill anycreature that stood in your way?" Twilight scoffed. "Oh yeah, I trust your mother would have liked that!"

"I did what I had to do, Princess Twilight," Grogar continued, causing the illusion to disappear. "I wanted to rule Equestria so that I could make every single pony feel what I felt. The wolf king ruled with fear, and I chose to follow in his footsteps! I killed the founders of the three pony races…"

Hearing this from above the ceiling, both Celestia and Luna were stunned to hear this confession!

"No wonder our parents took the throne so suddenly!" Luna thought to herself in realization!

Grogar continued, "...And I erased everything that they ever worked for. Then...two ponies who looked up to them organized a mutiny, drove me from the throne and sent me to the moon where I remained...until now that is."

Twilight remained steadfast, feeling both anger and sympathy for Grogar at the same time.

"You stand in the way of my ultimate goal, Princess Twilight," The evil goat snarled. "By the time I'm done with you, I will return Equestria to the way it was before I was exiled. And then everycreature: The wolf king, you and your friends, shall all suffer for what you did to my mother!"

Twilight merely shook her head back and forth in disbelief as she knew Grogar was in denial. "We never killed your mother," She declared. "You've let your hate and anger consume you, Chirin. How sad."

"Don't call me that name!" Grogar snapped. "Chirin is dead! He died along with my mother that night...because ponies like you failed to protect them!"

Seeing Grogar's horns beginning to glow, Twilight rose to her hooves and slowly approached him.

"But…" Grogar said as he continued to approach Twilight. "The hardest choices require the strongest wills."

"I think you will find or will…" Twilight whispered as her horn charged. "Is equal...to yours!"

"Our?" Grogar

And right out of their hiding places, Spike, Rarity, Celestia and Luna all descended on Grogar and Scarface. The true ultimate battle of Equestria had now begun!

…

…

TO BE CONTINUED

…

...
> Episode 30: "Grogar's Endgame, Part 4"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

PREVIOUSLY ON "MY LITTLE PONY"

Tempest Shadow: "Halt, Grogar!"

Grogar: "Still slumming it with the ponies, I see. Please step out of my way. I have a kingdom to take back. To the Castle of Friendship!"

Starlight Glimmer: "She's getting close, Trixie. I can feel it!"

Trixie: "Would you believe that Chrysalis is...looking right at us?"

Grogar: "PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE! COME OUT AND FACE ME!"

Discord: "Now, you have something that belongs to me. Hand it over!"

Grogar: "Never! Your magic is mine for eternity! I shall deal with her myself, wherever she may be hiding! She can't escape me, no one can!"

Twilight Sparkle: "You're much more of a Grogar from when last we met. "Or should I say...Chirin?"

Grogar: "Chirin is dead! He died along with my mother that night...because ponies like you failed to protect them! The hardest choices require the strongest wills."

Twilight Sparkle: "I think you will find our will…is equal...to yours!"

Grogar: "Our?"

…

…

Like a sudden storm, Grogar and Scarface were tackled by Celestia, Luna, Rarity and Spike. The two alicorns, unicorn and dragon each grabbed a hold of Grogar in an attempt to restrain him. But Grogar would have none of it and used his magic to send them all flying!

"You are strong," Twilight whispered before raising her voice and charging towards Grogar. "But guess what? You're not strong enough to stop us!" Then after charging her horn, Twilight fired her magic at Grogar (who hastily summoned a shield to protect himself).

Getting to their hooves, Celestia and Luna raced over to Twilight's side, but Grogar sensed this. "Scarface!" He ordered. "Take care of the ex-royal sisters! Go! I will see the supreme ruler fall before me!"

Acting on his master's command, Scarface charged towards Celestia and Luna!.

"Luna! Stay by me! We'll get rid of this oversized teddy bear!" Celestia cried and she charged her horn as Scarface rose on his hind legs, ready to pounce! Letting out a loud roar, Scarface dashed towards Celestia, but she managed to duck out of the way along with Luna, then she turned to Rarity and Spike. "Spike, Rarity! Go help Twilight! Luna and I will handle the bear!"

As the pony and dragon looked on, Scarface let out another deafening roar!

"Are you sure that's a good idea?!" Spike yelled, fearing that his adoptive mother would be killed.

"Do as I say, Spike!" Celestia commanded, lowering the visor on her helmet as she held her spear with her magic. "We've got this."

Acting on Celestia's orders, Spike and Rarity raced over to Twilight's side as Grogar ran towards Twilight and headbutted her in the chest, sending her flying towards her throne and knocking it over!

Grunting, Twilight pushed Grogar back and extended her wings as she took to the air, using her left forehoof to throw a punch at Grogar and hit him in the face.

Despite losing a tooth, Grogar brushed off the impact. "Is that all you can do?"

"Hey, goat boy!" Spike called, hovering over Grogar! "How about a little warm up before the main event?"

Taking a deep breath, Spike fired a blast of fire at Grogar! The flames hit the goat dead on and caused him to yell out in pain!

With Grogar distracted, Rarity took a piece of the floor and hurled it at the demonic ram. "Take this, you hideous beast!" Rarity cried as Grogar turned around and using his bell, proceeded to turn the rock into a bubble, much to Rarity's shock. "Impossible, only Discord could do that!"

"I have half of that fool's magic, remember?" Grogar laughed as Spike flew down towards Grogar, only to be caught in Grogar's aura and thrown back at Rarity. "And it's time I started using it!"

"Rarity, look out!" Spike cried, but both unicorn and dragon were saved by Twilight, stopping them from crashing into one another.

"Foolish mare!" Grogar sneered, catching Twilight's attention and using a blasting spell as he sent her flying against the wall of the throne room. "You ruined my attack!"

Coughing and wincing in pain, Twilight drew Excalibur and calculated that Grogar's bell held the key to his power. "Did I, now?" She remarked in an unconcerned tone. "You're going to lose a lot more than that soon, Chirin!"

Swinging the sword, Twilight attempted to slice the bewitching bell off of Grogar's necklace. But Grogar dodged every attempted strike that Twilight would give to him.

Seeing Twilight trying to remove Grogar's bell, Spike and Rarity joined in the fight.

"She must be going for the bell!" Spike realized.

"Then we'll do our part to help her get it!" Rarity said, using her magic to jump from wall to wall like a spider in an effort to catch Grogar off guard.

But Grogar just grabbed Rarity with his magic, her Rarity across the throne room and onto the floor. Then he turned to Scarface who was swinging his claws back and forth while the two sisters faced off with him.

"Luna, let's lead him away from here!" Celestia shouted down to her sister. Through the window!"

Seeing a broken window, Celestia fired a beam at Scarface and hit him square in the shoulder.

"Follow me, Luna!" Celestia cried before flying through the shattered window. The two sisters led Scarface outside as the bear angrily charged at them.

Seeing this, Twilight could only hope for the best as she continued to battle against Grogar.

…

Back at the School of Friendship, Rainbow Dash looked down at the body of Lieutenant Bray with a look of anger deep in her face.

Seeing that Bray was dead, the donkeys proceeded to turn their attention towards Rainbow Dash, hurling spears at the Princess of Loyalty!

But Rainbow's speed made that impossible. "You're going to have to do better than that!" She taunted as she flew back to the School of Friendship to rejoin the rest of the students.

"They're not stopping!" Ocellus cried with worry as she loaded another pie into the cannon. "No matter what we try, they just keep coming!"

"And I think we're running out of pies!" Silverstream added, as Rainbow Dash turned to several textbooks on a bookshelf. "What are you doing?"

"Use these textbooks, they might deal some more damage than these pies," Rainbow suggested while hastily bringing the books over to them, much to the students' confusion. "What? I never liked these books anyway."

"It's worth a shot," Sandbar declared as he dashed to get the books. "Grab them and load 'em up! We can't let them through!"

Getting the books, the students loaded them into the party cannons just as Rainbow Dash heard the sounds of yelling coming from the lobby. "Guys, sounds like we've got company downstairs!" She shouted! "I need one of you to come with me to check it out, it might get ugly!"

"I'll go!" Silverstream shouted even as Gallus flew in front to try to stop her. "Gallus, please! You need to stay here with the others! You're more helpful to them than you are on your own."

"Silverstream…" Gallus said in a low and concerned voice, but reluctantly relented. "Fine, just be careful down there. Don't let anything bad happen to you."

"I won't, Gallus. Don't worry yourself, we'll be back before you know it." Silverstream declared, then followed the Princess of Loyalty down to the school's lobby as they saw several donkeys attempting to break in, overpowering the pony soldiers protecting the school.

"Silverstream, take them on!" Rainbow cried and the young hippogriff did as she was told, throwing punches and claws at the encroaching donkeys while Rainbow Dash did the same thing Although she was hesitant about it, Silverstream did as she was told, using whatever she could use to beat back the donkeys.

While Silverstream and Rainbow Dash handled the donkeys, back in the attic the duel between the clone of Chrysalis, Starlight and Trixie continued.

Their horns glowing, the Chrysalis clone, Trixie and Starlight all fired beams of their magic which all deflected off of each other.

"Child's play," The Chrysalis Clone laughed, her green eyes darting towards Trixie and leaping into the air. She then pushed Trixie against the wall of the attic!

Using a foreleg, Trixie punched Chrysalis back and then proceeded to kick her with one of her hind legs. "Daddy trained in martial arts before he became a magician, and he taught me all his 'tricks'." Trixie remarked as Starlight rose to her hooves and engulfed the Chrysalis clone in her aura.

Then,Starlight attempted to force the Chrysalis clone into a tight bond. "You see, Chrysalis, two heads are better than one," She said with a mock smile on her face. "Something that you never had with Tirek and Cozy Glow. You were always arguing over who should lead and who should rule."

"Is that what you think?" Chrysalis asked, before forcefully releasing herself from Starlight's grip! Then she took an old Equestrian chafing dish and threw it at Starlight, who quickly cast a spell to protect herself from being hit. "I can do much better than either of them combined, because I serve only Grogar! I'll get my revenge on you, and your little 'friend' as well!"

Hissing, Chrysalis took her green armored forelegs and punched Starlight in the face before doing the same to Trixie. Both mares tried to counter with their magic, but the Chrysalis clone was too quick for them.

Struggling to get back to their hooves, Starlight and Trixie once again attempted to combine their magic to fight their mortal enemy.

"Wait!" Trixie shouted before looking over at Starlight.

"You don't mean…?" Starlight guessed.

"Trust me," Trixie whispered. "No magic. Only strength."

Going along with her friend's idea, Starlight ceased using her magic and decided right then and there to do what Trixie was planning to do.

"Come on, admit it," The Chrysalis clone laughed. "You two can't stop me!"

"Not with magic," Starlight declared and then smiled as she looked over at Trixie. "But maybe with this!" Charging, Starlight and Trixie let out a loud yell and before the Chrysalis clone could react, the two unicorns pushed her out the attic window and they all fell onto the school's courtyard below!

…

…

Meanwhile, over at the Castle of Friendship, the encroaching army under Sombra's command attempted to make their way to the castle, only to be knocked down by the flying pies and cakes.

"Keep it coming!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "Give them all a TASTE!"

"You know, I don't think sweets are going to keep someone like Sombra away," Discord reminded Pinkie as a cannonball went flying through one of the windows and he managed to pull Pinkie away at half speed just before it would've struck her. "I know this is all an attempt, but…"

"But what?" Pinkie asked. "They attacked Sugarcube Corner, my home and the home of my second family! They must pay! And I'll make them pay no matter what it takes!"

"Yes, of course. But sometimes we have to take off the white kiddie gloves as it were …" Discord answered, literally taking a white glove off of his lion paw. "...Sad, but true."

As Discord spoke, another cannonball went through a window and sent Grubber flying back into a wall. "I'm...okay…" The hedgehog groaned.

"So, what do you believe we should do, Pinkie Pie?" Discord asked as the army got closer and closer.

"NEW PLAN!" Pinkie shouted, causing the party cannons to cease. "Take it outside! Bring the pies to them! No more running and hiding!"

Confused, the rest of the princesses did as Pinkie commanded, taking whatever pies and cakes they had and leaping through the windows, proceeding to fight the advancing army.

Stepping outside, Discord waited for the opportunity to make his move in getting his chaos powers back. He needed to get close to Grogar by any means necessary and he needed a hostage. Then, he proceeded to turn his attention to the cloned Cozy Glow.

"Discord, aren't you gonna do somethin' here?! We ain't gonna last long fightin' like this!" Applejack shouted as she began to tangle with a donkey soldier.

Saying nothing, Discord snapped his lion paw and just as the cloned Cozy Glow blasted away several pony soldiers as she advanced to the castle, he materialized into a cage and landed on top of her.

"Hey, what's the big idea?!" The Cozy Glow clone grunted as she futily threw herself against the bars of the cage. "Let me out of here!"

"Sorry, young filly," Discord said in a menacing voice, his face appearing at the top of the cage. "You're going to help me get my chaos power back and defeat your master. It's nothing personal, you understand."

"Wait, wait!" The clone shrieked as Discord teleported her away. "Let me…"

As she took out a donkey soldier, Gusty saw what Discord did and realizing what he was planning to do, decided to teleport away to follow him. Very soon, like Discord, Gusty would come face to face with Grogar himself.

…

Meanwhile, at the borders of the shared capitals, Tirek watched from behind the bushes and saw five of the six pillars of Equestria bound and guarded by several donkeys.

"What are you going to do?" Cozy Glow asked.

"What I always do when I encounter a living creature," Tirek answered his daughter figure. "Absorb their magic and strength."

"Well, why don't you just drain them here and now?" Cozy pointed out.

"No," Tirek firmly protested. "We need to bring them here so we can use them to our advantage. Remember, we need the element of surprise if we're to succeed. Chrysalis!"

Hearing her lover's call, Chrysalis teleported herself over to Tirek..

"I need you to pretend you are one of those donkey soldiers," Tirek instructed. "Can you do that?"

"Of course I can," Chrysalis replied. "If it means getting Grogar out of the picture, I'll do whatever it takes!" Just as Chrysalis prepared to transform, she suddenly had a thought. "Wait, what if they sense me?"

"They won't sense you. You play your part and I'll play mine." Tirek reminded his lover, and taking his words to heart, Chrysalis assumed the form of a donkey soldier.

Emerging from the bushes, the disguised Chrysalis came into the open, catching the other donkeys guarding the pillars off guard. "Where have you been?" One of them asked.

"Finding spies of the enemy in the Everfree Forest," Chrysalis answered in a disguised, deep voice. "Spies of the princesses."

Confused, Rockhooof looked over at Mistmane as he wondered just exactly what was going on. But he found out soon enough.

"Where did you find them?" Another donkey soldier questioned.

The disguised Chrysalis stepped back. "What?!"

"Where in the Everfree Forest did you find them?" The first soldier asked again. "The emperor will want to know!"

Not wanting to be interrogated any further, Chrysalis looked back towards the bush as the citizens of Klugetown waited to make their move.

"All right," Tirek whispered. "As soon as Chrysalis makes her move, we make ours. Understood?" The citizens nodded and agreed with Tirek's order. "I hope she doesn't mess things up," Tirek thought to himself with a worried expression.

...

…

"Aren't you going to answer?!" The first donkey soldier demanded of the disguised Chrysalis.

Sensing that her window of opportunity had arrived, the disguised Chrysalis simply stopped moving and replied. "Yes, this is what I found."

Suddenly, the donkeys watched as Chrysalis dropped her disguise and the signal was made!

"Traitor!" One of the donkeys cried as Chrysalis hissed loudly, taking to the air as Tirek, Scorpan and the citizens of Klugetown emerged from the forest. "We've been tricked!"

Attempting to fight back, the platoon of donkeys were quickly overpowered by the Klugetown citizens as Capper led them in eliminating the threat, beating them down with punches, kicks and scratches.

"What...what is this?" Starswirl asked as he came rushing to the scene! "I was on my way to inform the princesses of my pillars' capture, and now I find you three trying to steal them away!"

"There's more going on here than you realize, you silly old wizard," Cozy Glow replied. "But we don't have time to explain! We're going to free your friends so they'll fight for us, we have our reasons. You don't have to help us if you'd rather just stay on the sidelines and watch us get all the glory."

As Cozy Glow continued to try and untie the rope binding the weakened pillars, Tirek towered over the subdued donkeys and taking a deep breath, he absorbed their magic and strength, regaining some but not all of his third form.

"Okay, now what?" Chrysalis asked, looking up at her lover as Tirek looked towards the fires burning in Ponyville.

"We go aid the princesses," Tirek declared, taking an enormous gulp as the freed Pillars regrouped around him and the other Klugetown citizens. "If Grogar is to be stopped, we need to help them. 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.' After all, much as it pains me to say this."

Picking up a dead donkey soldier's axe, Tirek looked carefully at his reflection in the blade.

"Tirek," Starswirl asked, amazed what he was looking at. "Why are you doing this? Why are you all doing this?"

Lowering the axe, Tirek looked over to the Pillar of Sorcery.

"Because I am not the monster you think I am, Starswirl," Tirek sighed. "Not anymore. I realize that now. I tried to be someone I am not and paid the price for it. Now there's a creature far more dangerous than us on the loose, and we need your help fighting him. Will you join us?"

Slightly confused, Starswirl agreed to Tirek's request. The Pillars of Old Equestria were going to join forces and fight alongside the very same creatures that had defeated them.

"To the death of Grogar!" Tirek declared in a loud voice and began to slowly walk towards Ponyville, determined to finish off Grogar once and for all! "Forward!"

In a matter of mere moments, three of Equestria's most feared enemies would return, now fighting on the side of Equestria!

…

Back in Canterlot, Twilight and Grogar continued to fight each other with their magic. Neither side would concede an inch to the other.

"It appears we are at an impasse, Princess," Grogar said, blood dripping from his right eye. "Your magic is strong, but mine is stronger! You must realize that!"

"Yes, but the magic of friendship will defeat you," Twilight gasped as she tried to keep her strength up. "Not all of my friends are here now, but their spirits remain here with me! And with their help I will become stronger than you!"

"Is that so?" Grogar asked with an evil grin. "Well I hate to break it to you, but your fellow princesses are trapped in Ponyville, your mentors are fighting my pet and your idol has been subdued at the border. Face it, princess, your plans have failed! You've got no one left to help you! You have to fight little old me all by yourself, and therefore you can't win no matter how hard you try."

"Twilight, he's just playing with your mind!" Spike desperately cried out as he flew close! "He's trying to be like Sombra! Don't let him get to you!"

Hearing Spike's word It was then that Twilight got herself an idea. "Tell me something, Grogar," She declared. "If you are going to kill me and my friends, if that's really your true intention, then what message is that going to send your mother, your fellow sheep and the Wolf King?"

Grogar's scowl turned to a brief look of despair upon realizing what Twilight was planning to do. But before he could respond, a flash of white light came into the throne room and both princess and emperor turned over to see Discord standing in the spot where Twilight's throne was supposed to be.

"Discord, what are you doing?" Twilight asked. "Is that…?"

"Yes, it's Cozy Glow," Discord answered, holding the cage containing the cloned Pegasus filly. "And I have her here in this cage, Grogar. How careless of you to leave her unprotected on the front lines."

"You…" Grogar snarled as he prepared to fire his magic at Discord.

"Uh, uh, uh," Discord cautioned. "Fire and you'll hit the youngest member of your legion. You wouldn't want to risk any harm to her, now would you?"

This made Grogar stand down in anger.

"Of course, I'll be happy to let her go," Discord continued, before turning with his eyes glowing red with anger. "If you'll give something back to me...which is in your bell. Something that belongs to me!"

Grogar looked down at his bell and saw that Discord was referring to was half of his stolen chaos magic.

"So, what's it going to be, goat boy?" Discord asked, dangling the caged clone of Cozy Glow with his eagle claw.

Grogar could only snarl in anger at what was being offered to him. He wasn't going to be fooled and in his mind, if Discord was going to stand up to him, then the lord of chaos would suffer the consequences!

…

...
> Episode 31: "Grogar's Endgame, Part 5"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

"PREVIOUSLY ON MY LITTLE PONY"

…

…

Celestia: "Luna, stay by me! We'll get rid of this oversized teddy bear!"

Grogar: "Foolish Mare! You ruined my attack!"

Twilight Sparkle: "You're going to lose a lot more than that soon, Chirin!"

Trixie: "Daddy trained in martial arts before he became a magician, and he taught me all his 'tricks'."

Chrysalis: "You can't stop me!"

Starlight Glimmer: "Not with magic. But maybe with this!"

Tirek: "As soon as Chrysalis makes her move, we make ours. Understood? To the death of Grogar, forward!"

Twilight Sparkle: "Discord, what are you doing?"

Discord: "Fire and you'll hit the youngest member of your legion. You wouldn't want to risk any harm to her, now would you? So what's it going to be, goat boy?"

…

…

"Discord, what are you doing?!" Twilight cried, flabbergasted by what was happening. "What you are doing is dangerous! Cozy Glow may be evil but she's only a filly! Using her as a bargaining chip against Grogar is only going to make things worse!"

"Trust me, Twilight," Discord angrily seethed. "I know what I'm doing. I've waited a long time for this! Now, finally, I'm going to get my powers back one way or another!"

The lord of chaos kept his eyes closely on Grogar as he stepped forward, his horns glowing. "The chaos magic or the filly, what's it going to be?" Discord asked as the clone of Cozy Glow clutched onto the bars. "Better hurry before I decide to stop being 'generous'."

"Discord, it's not worth it," Spike cried as he and Rarity raced over to Twilight's side. "Stay out of this! We can handle Grogar and get your chaos magic back ourselves."

"Spike, don't try to convince me otherwise," Discord warned. "I've seen trades before like our freedom for the alicorn magic. This is just like that." Then he watched as Grogar stepped closer and closer towards him, growing more and more angry by the second.

"I'm not going to ask you again, Grogar!" Discord warned. "Hand over my magic or I might just snap little Cozy Glow here into oblivion!"

But Grogar was not going to submit that easily. In his mind, Discord had already signed his death warrant. Grogar then turned his eyes over to the clone of Cozy Glow, getting himself an idea in the process. He was going to free Cozy Glow even if it meant killing Discord.

"Discord," Grogar snarled. "You should know better than to mess with me. I have powers greater than your own! I will not submit to your demands! Not now, not ever!"

"Very well, then!" Discord coldly replied. "Say goodbye to one of your best assets!"

"Discord, no!" Twilight, Spike and Rarity all shouted together! But before Discord could carry out his threat, Grogar fired his magic at Discord, hitting him and sending the draconequus into the wall, releasing his grip of the cage and freeing the cloned Cozy Glow!

"Did you honestly think I was going to submit to your foolish demands, creature of chaos?" Grogar laughed as the Cozy Glow clone flew towards him while Discord struggled to his feet. "This is even more stupid than when you plotted to attack Princess Twilight's coronation to boost her confidence. It seems your overconfidence is only overshadowed by your stupidity."

"You...won't get away...with this!" Discord gasped. "I will get...my magic back if it's the last thing I do!" And Discord continued to stare down Grogar as the ram continued to tower over him.

…

Meanwhile in the streets of Canterlot, Grogar's pet grizzly continued to wander the deserted streets in search of his prey: The two alicorns that his master commanded to kill.

Hiding in an abandoned donut shop, Celestia and Luna watched as Scarface searched for them. Both sisters had scrapes and cuts on their bodies from going through the window, but they still had their fighting spirit.

"We can't hide from him forever, sister," Luna warned as they peeked from behind the counter. "He will find us eventually."

"Of course, we can't hide, Luna," Celestia nodded in reply. "Even so, Scarface may be a grizzly but even grizzlies have their weaknesses. To him, we are nothing more than hay burgers with a side of hay fries."

"What?" Luna asked in a confused tone.

"Never mind," Celestia corrected herself. "We just have to try and find a way to get him to expose his weak point."

"And how do you propose we do that, Celestia?" Luna asked, taking her helmet off to air out her mane. "We're just two ponies at the mercy of that monster. As powerful as we may still be, there is little we can do to take down such a beast."

Celestia then began to think of an idea. In her mind, she knew that Scarface was hungry and would eat just about anything. "I do seem to recall one thing," She remarked. "Grizzlies have a taste for meat, not just ponies."

"What kind of meat?" Luna nervously asked.

"Deer, cow, moose…any kind of meat, really." Celestia explained

Luna then questioned. "And how do you propose we find one?"

This made Celestia look over to her sister and realized that there could be a way to lure the beast into the open.

"Oh, no," Luna remarked upon seeing a sly look on her sister's face. "Wait, I know what you are thinking...don't you even... no!"

This made Celestia increase her sly look.

"Don't look at me like that!" Luna cried, backing herself against the wall on her hind legs. "You're getting nothing from me! I said no! I will not ever masquerade as a moose!"

But a little while later, Luna stood before Celestia wearing a pair of chair legs over her helmet that now resembled moose antlers.

"Trust me, Luna, this is the only way," Celestia explained "I mean...how else do you want to lure that bear out in the open?"

"Remind me to kill you later." Luna muttered under her breath.

"Now Luna, you are the best actress out of the two of us," Celestia responded while ignoring her sister's remark "Scarface won't kill you, I won't allow it. Besides, I'll be hiding with my killing spell. The moment he sees you, I will come out of hiding and strike at him. I wouldn't do this if I wasn't confident this plan could work."

Rolling her eyes, Luna was left with no choice but to comply with her sister's plans. "Okay, so where do you want me to go?" She asked before muttering. "Not that it matters to me."

Trotting over to the windows, Celestia looked out and saw the Canterlot Library out in the distance. To her, it was the perfect spot to carry out her plan. The area was wide open and she had the perfect hiding space in mind. "I have an idea." She declared and she quickly teleported herself and Luna over to the library.

Meanwhile, Scarface continued to prowl the streets of Canterlot in search of any sign of his targets. As he passed Cinnamon Chai's tea and cakes shop, he caught a scent and went inside the shop, breaking down the door with his paws.

Stepping inside the empty shop, Scarface sniffed around but found nothing, to his great disappointment. Then he picked up another scent and made his way to the back of the shop. However, instead of finding a pony he only found some cinnamon buns on the floor.

Snorting in defeat, the grizzly turned and left.

But no sooner did Scarface step outside than did he find another scent. This caught the bear by surprise and he followed the scent right towards the Canterlot Library where Celestia and Luna were waiting for him.

Little did Scarface know that he was walking into a trap!

…

…

Back at the library, Luna stood with her sister at the top of the library's entrance.

"Okay," Celestia declared while looking through a pair of binoculars. "He's picked up our scent. You know what to do, right?"

"What?" Luna blinked.

"Just walk around and pretend you're searching for aquatic plants to eat," Celestia hastily suggested. "Grizzlies don't have the best eyesight and we can use this to our advantage. In his mind, you are nothing more than a moose, Luna."

Rolling her eyes again, Luna stepped down the stairs while Celestia remained low to cover, her horn lightly charging up for a fatal shot.

"I hope this works." Celestia thought to herself as Scarface got closer and closer and Luna lowered her head, pretending to sniff about for any aquatic plants. In her mind, Luna couldn't help but feel not just embarrassed but also frightened in a sense. She was coming face to face with a bear and feared the worst that could happen.

Picking up Luna's scent, Scarface lowered himself down a little and prepared himself to make his move.

"Looks like the wind's changed direction," Celestia whispered as she slowly moved closer and closer down the steps. "Watch your scent, Luna!"

Suddenly, both sisters could hear the sounds of low growling! Luna wanted nothing more than to break character and flee, but she knew she had to stay in character.

"Come on, Celestia," Luna whispered, her eyes beginning to shake with fear. "Get into position already!"

"Just as he leaps," Celestia said under her breath as her horn charged. "Right for the heart."

Sure enough, Scarface crouched down in preparation to pounce on his target! Judging his moment, Scarface locked his eyes on Luna and let out a loud roar as he leapt right for her!

Seeing the bear move, Celestia charged her horn and fired a death beam of magic at Scarface! But in her haste, she missed her target and instead struck Scarface in the stomach, causing him to yelp in pain, still alive.

Angered, Scarface turned towards Celestia and the battle between alicorns and a terrifying grizzly would rage on!

…

…

Infuriated at being attacked, Scarface displayed a look of sheer death in his eyes as Celestia and Luna were now forced to take on the bear!

Taking to the skies, Celestia and Luna hovered over Scarface as the giant grizzly clawed his at the sisters.

"Bright idea, Celestia!" Luna cried, giving her sister a look as she ripped off the makeshift moose antler. "Are you trying to get me killed?! How could you have missed such an easy target?! He was literally three feet in front of you!"

"Just fight the bear, Luna! He moves quicker than he should for an overgrown bag of fur!" Celestia retorted while readying her spear as she raised it. Then she swung the weapon at Scarface, trying to hit him in the chest in the hopes of at least inflicting more damage to the blast area.

Growling, Celestia then swung her spear at Scarface's throat which only seemed to make Scarface even more angry.

Jumping into the fray, Luna leapt onto Scarface's back and wrapped her forelegs around his neck while trying to suffocate him! "Sister, I've got him!" She shouted as Scarface tried to shake her off, prompting Luna to do the only thing she could think of and bite Scarface on his right ear! "Aim for the heart, quick!"

But before Celestia could act, Scarface threw Luna off of him and sent her right onto her back! The bear charged right for Luna, but Celestia wasn't going to let her sister be killed.

Rushing forward, Celestia spreaded out her wings and threw herself onto the bear, trying to push him back into the stairs of the library! Snarling, she pushed her foreleg into Scarface's jaw, trying to forcefully close them!

Scarface didn't take such actions lightly and he pushed Celestia back while also swinging his claws at Celestia's wings. With a sudden swift swing, he struck Celestia's left wing, causing her to scream in pain as she fell to the ground while her helmet was thrown off her head!

"SISTER!" Luna screamed as Celestia was forced onto the ground, a noticeable gash wound appeared where Scarface had struck.

Struggling to her feet, Celestia tried to move, but the pain from her injured wing prevented her from doing so. Luna quickly realized she needed or else her big sister would surely be murdered at the claws of Grogar's pet.

As Scarface circled around the wounded Celestia, she looked weakly up at him and tried to light up her horn. "Luna, if I don't make it... tell Twilight…" She declared while trying to force her way through the pain. "I...went down fighting. I love you both!"

Rising to his feet, Scarface prepared to administer the final blow to Celestia! Then suddenly, he let out a loud roar of pain! Turning around, he saw Luna with her horn charged up, ready to defend her wounded sister.

In a fit of rage, Luna fired several blasts at Scarface, causing the grizzly to roar in pain with each strike of Luna's magic! Blinded by anger, Luna charged at Scarface with a ferocious yell as shades of Nightmare Moon began to emerge. Using her strength, she picked up Scarface and took him into the air, bringing him out to a waterfall in the mountains surrounding the city.

"End of the line, you beast!" Luna whispered as she charged her horn and plunged it right into Scarface's heart while the bear let out one final, painful roar! Luna then released her grip on the grizzly and watched him fall to the waters below.

"It… is finished." Luna declared and then flew back to check on her badly wounded sister.

…

Back at Canterlot Castle, Grogar suddenly felt a strange pain in him as he towered over Discord. It was apparent to him what had just happened. "No…" He cried while holding back tears.

"What's the matter, Grogar? Is that sadness I see in you?" Discord, taunted much to the cloned Cozy Glow's confusion.

"Golly, what is it?" The cloned Cozy Glow pondered.

Lowering his head down for a moment, Grogar felt tears starting to form at the corners of his eyes. "Scarface…" He cried in a low voice. "He's dead." Suddenly, he turned his attention over to Twilight, a look of death in his eyes. "MURDERED BY YOUR MENTORS ON YOUR ORDERS, PRINCESS!" He screamed before shooting a massive blast of magic of Twilight that sent her flying into the doors of her throne room!

"TWILIGHT!" Spike and Rarity screamed in horror as Twilight laid down and seemed ready to fall into unconsciousness from the powerful blast!

"No one kills my pet and gets away with it!" Grogar cried as Twilight struggled to her hooves. "I shall kill you for this, you murderer!"

Weakly drawing Excalibur, Twilight took to the air. Rallying quickly, she took the sword and swung it at Grogar, sending him back slightly. "Not if I free your spirit first, Chirin," Twilight whispered. "Surrender to me now, and I will make the transition easy for you! You might even be reunited with that overgrown teddy bear you cared so much about."

"Twilight, this is crazy! Don't do this!" Spike protested as Discord held out his eagle claw in front of Spike.

"No, she needs to do this," Discord advised in a low voice. "In order for Grogar to truly be defeated, this must be done!"

"What must be done?" Rarity asked and no sooner did she say those words did Grogar manage to cast a spell and causing the castle to start shaking. "What's happening?!"

As debris fell from above, the higher portions of the ceiling fell through the floor, causing the floor of the throne room to be exposed!

"We need the others!" Spike cried in concern! "This is getting too dangerous for Twilight to face on her own! This is bordering on suicide!"

But Discord did nothing and instead just stood there, biding his time for the moment to arrive. "Let things run their course, Spike," He calmly instructed as Twilight and Grogar stared each other down with only the large hole from the falling debris separating them. "Trust me on this. This is something Twilight must do herself."

"Chirin, let me help you," Twilight said in a steadfast tone. "This isn't what your mother wanted. Surrender your bell to me and I will give you a quick exit. You're not walking away from this fight, not on my watch!"

But Grogar wasn't listening. Turning back to the clone of Cozy Glow, he activated his bell and pulled the clone back into it.

"Hey, what are you…?!" The clone cried as she was sucked up into the bell screaming as Grogar suddenly began to regain some of his power back.

"Very well then," Twilight sighed, raising Excalibur into the air. "You've left me with no alternative. It seems you have no concern for anyone's life but your own anymore."

Taking to the air, Twilight prepared to administer the fatal blow by hitting Grogar in the spinal cord!

Reacting fast, Grogar leapt into the air and pushed Twilight back with his magic, sending her once again onto the ground on her side of the hole! Then, using his magic, Grogar floated over to the downed Twilight as he prepared to finish her off once and for all.

"Come on, Chirin," Twilight gasped, knowing what she needed to do next. "Let's finish this the way we started...TOGETHER!"

Throwing her forelegs on Grogar, Twilight pushed him into the hole, much to the horror of Spike and Rarity as the battle between Twilight and Grogar resumed once more!

…

...
> Episode 32: "Grogar's Endgame, Part 6"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

PREVIOUSLY ON "MY LITTLE PONY"

…

…

Discord: "Hand over my magic or I might just snap little Cozy Glow here into oblivion!"

Grogar: "You should know better than to mess with me. I have powers greater than your own! I will not submit to your demands! Not now, not ever!"

Discord: "I will get...my magic back if it's the last thing I do!"

Luna: "We can't hide from him forever, sister."

Celestia: "Scarface may be a grizzly but even grizzlies have their weaknesses."

Luna: "You're getting nothing from me! I said no! I will not ever masquerade as a moose!"

Celestia: "Right for the heart."

Luna: "End of the line...you beast. It is finished."

Twilight: "Surrender your bell to me and I will give you a quick exit. Come on, Chirin. Let's finish this the way we started...TOGETHER!"

…

…

"Starlight? Starlight?!" Starlight Glimmer could hear the faint whispers of somepony calling her name as she weakly opened her eyes to find Trixie: Her face covered in scrapes, motioning for Starlight to wake up.

Slowly awakening, Starlight found herself in a closet alone with Trixie, surrounded by various props and objects.

"What...what happened?" Starlight moaned as she slowly came to. "Where's...where's Chrysalis?"

"Still looking for us, hopefully," Trixie explained. "It was lucky of me to use that teleportation spell before we hit the ground."

Illuminating her horn, Starlight tried to mentally pull herself together knowing that very soon, her archenemy would surely be looking for them.

"I think she might be dead," Trixie whispered as Starlight opened the door to the closet, finding herself in one of the classrooms that had not yet been attacked by the donkeys.

Suddenly, Starlight felt pain in her back as she fell forwards, items falling in a loud clatter. "Starlight, are you crazy?! You want her to find us?"

"It's not my fault...Trix," Starlight groaned. "My...back...it's…"

Trixie realized that Starlight's back injury had flared up again as a result of their fight with the Chrysalis clone. But Starlight wasn't going to let her back woes bring her down.

"It's...it's fine," Starlight grunted, trying to get to her feet. "Can you still fight, Trixie?"

Trixie nodded. "I can. But what about you?"

Starlight could then sense that her enemy was coming towards them. "I'm not going to let my...ugh!" She started to say before falling back down again on one foreleg. "...back stop me! Just be ready in case she comes!"

Just then, the two mares heard a loud explosion from outside the classroom! The noise made Trixie wince as Starlight realized that the donkey soldiers were starting to make their way towards the school.

"I think we may have more urgent matters to worry about!" Trixie cried, her horn charging up in anticipation.

…

From outside the classroom, Rainbow Dash continued to valiantly fight the donkey soldiers, but her strength was wearing out.

At the same time, Silverstream also continued to try and fight her way against the invading donkeys. But to little avail. "It's no use! We've got to...fall back!" Silverstream cried before a donkey soldier beat her down with a club and proceeded to wail on her over and over!

"Silverstream!" Rainbow Dash cried as she too was knocked to the floor.

Seeing this, Trixie leapt into action! She threw the closet door open and proceeded to blast at the donkey soldiersL Hitting them repeatedly with her magic and sending them flying!

"Nopony hurts the Princess of Loyalty!" Trixie declared as she continued firing beams of magic from her horn, allowing Rainbow Dash and Silverstream to escape into a classroom. "Get inside, quickly! Trixie will hold them off!"

Dashing into the classroom, Silverstream and Rainbow Dash joined Starlight as Trixie shut the door behind her.

"Thanks, counselor Trixie," Silverstream gasped while trying to catch her breath. "We tried to hold them off as long as we could."

"Yeah, there's just too many of them. Even with their leader gone they just keep coming!" Rainbow Dash gasped. "Guess you and Starlight haven't fared much better."

"You think?" Starlight groaned, the pain in her back once again flaring up. "Chrysalis did this to us. She's a persistent bug, I'll give her that."

"Where is she now?!" Rainbow Dash asked, pounding her fore hooves together while remembering the last time she'd encountered Chrysalis in the distant lands. "I still have a bone to pick with her! She's not getting away this time!"

"Looking for us, probably," Trixie replied. "We all fell out of the attic window until I managed to cast a teleportation spell to get Starlight and I away. How is it out there?"

"You were just out there," Rainbow dryly remarked. "Dead and wounded donkeys, what else do you want me to say?"

Suddenly, all heard the sounds of hoofbeats coming down the hall at a frantic pace and Rainbow went out to investigate. Looking out the window, she saw a pony soldier running towards them with blood on his face.

"Hold it!" Rainbow Dash cried. "What's going on?! Why are you here?!"

"Princess Rainbow Dash," The soldier gasped. "It's Chrysalis...she's on the move!"

"Where is she?" Rainbow Dash inquired only for the pony soldier to grin evilly and drop his disguise revealing "he" to be a "she"!

Before Rainbow could react, Chrysalis trapped Rainbow in a sickly green aura and then threw her into the classroom, causing her to crash into several desks! This made Starlight and Trixie jump into action!

"Surprise!" Chrysalis cackled as she stepped into the classroom. "Did you honestly think you can get away from me that easily with that stupid teleportation spell?! I wasn't born yesterday, I knew you cowards had to have fled to somewhere!" She then turned her attention over to Starlight Glimmer, as the unicorn mare struggled to stay on her feet.

"Chrysalis!" Starlight gasped with a determined look on her face. "Don't you ever...quit?"

"I never quit until my goal is accomplished, Starlight Glimmer," Chrysalis declared as she slowly walked over to Starlight and towered over her. "And it seems like our little soiree in the attic has left you weak...as a kitten. Easy pickings."

Starlight could only wince some more in pain as she felt her back starting to slowly increase in intensity.

"Hey Cheese Legs!" Trixie called, preparing to fire her magic at Chrysalis, only for the Changeling to send Trixie back into the classroom wall and knock her out cold, much to Starlight's horror.

Before Starlight could react, she fell back down in despair and pain.

Licking her lips, Chrysalis forced Starlight to her feet. "Stand up, you wimp!" She demanded, forcing Starlight to look her straight in the eyes, her magic grip forcing itself onto Starlight. "I'm not done with you yet. Not by a longshot!"

Starlight felt her back starting to crunch, causing her to scream in agonizing pain.

"Headmare Starlight!" Silverstream cried before Chrysalis forced her back into the wall.

"No one is coming to save you this time, Starlight!" Chrysalis taunted. "Prepare to do battle, and prepare to lose it all!"

…

...

Meanwhile, Tirek, Chrysalis, Cozy Glow and the Klugetown citizens along with the pillars were making their way through the Ponyville square, walking amongst the dead already littered in the streets.

"There has been a great deal of death and destruction already done," Tirek sighed while looking down. "We must keep going, there's nothing we can do here."

Soon they came across the destroyed Sugarcube Corner and Cozy Glow suddenly stopped to gaze at the destroyed structure.

"Cozy Glow, what are you doing?" Tirek inquired of his daughter figure. "We have to move! We can't stay here"

"You heard your father, come on!" Chrysalis cried, but Cozy felt her eyes gaze on the destroyed structure.

"Wait," Capper said, silencing them. "I think...she's thinking of this place if you catch my drift." And slowly walking up to the child, Capper threw one of his arms around her shoulders.

"Capper, what's going on?!" Tirek cried in a demanding tone of voice. "We have to advance! Staying here will only leave us vulnerable to attack! This is war, it's not pretty! And it's time you got used to it!"

"You can go on," Starswirl gestured, sensing the pain that was in Cozy's body language. "But not this one. She's young, she's seen more than she's used to. She needs time to adjust."

"Starswirl?" Mistmane started to ask. "What…?"

Slowly walking up to Cozy Glow, Starswirl motioned for Capper to stand aside and join the others. "Go," He somberly declared. "I will stay here and catch up with you later. I assure you, I won't let any harm come to this child if we're attacked."

Acting on his orders, Capper rejoined the group and gestured for Tirek and Chrysalis to continue on.

"You know this place?" Starswirl asked Cozy Glow as tears began to form in her eyes.

"This is...this is where I first learned of friendship," Cozy began to sob. "I never realized before what would happen if Grogar got his way. How could he do this? Doesn't he care about anyone besides himself? Why be ruler of everything if there's no one left to rule over?"

Right away, Starswirl could sense that there was a change coming over Cozy Glow, a change that was more than likely to be a permanent one.

"I helped Mrs. Cake bake something...I don't remember what it was, but she was a nice mare to be around," Overcome with grief, Cozy Glow fell to her knees and wept, thinking that the worst had befallen her while Starswirl looked on. "Grogar...he told me to be strong, but not like this. Why did it take me so long to realize all of this? Why didn't I realize this sooner when I had a chance?" Cozy cried through quiet sobs.

It was clear to Starswirl that Cozy was emotionally scarred by what they were seeing.

Then, suddenly, he sensed t movement from inside the rubble of the destroyed property.

"Shh, listen!" Starswirl whispered to Cozy as he could hear faint sounds coming from below. "There's somepony alive in there!"

"What?!" Cozy Glow cried as Starswirl ran up to the structure.

"Hello?!" A male voice. "Hello?!"

"Get us out of here!" A female voice and Cozy Glow realized who it was!

…

Meanwhile, Tirek and Chrysalis along with Scorpan led the Klugetown residents towards the battlefield where Sombra and the rest of Grogar's forces were fighting.

Suddenly, Tirek looked over and saw his clone beating down pony soldiers and draining their strength.

"Brother, do you see…?!" Scorpan gasped!

"Yes," Tirek angrily declared as he clenched his paw up into a fist. "He's created a clone of me! The foul scum!"

Angered, Tirek turned to Capper and the Klugetown citizens. "To arms!" He bellowed! "Take no prisoners! I'll teach Grogar to make a mockery of me!"

Hearing the centaur's yells, Capper and the Klugetown citizens charged into battle and aided the defenders in fighting the encroaching army.

"He's mine!" Tirek cried with his eyes deadlocked on his doppleganger. "Grogar's not going to get away with this!"

Loudly roaring, Tirek ran towards his clone.

Chrysalis was about to join in when Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks! "It appears that I too have an imposter that must be dealt with." She thought to herself and before anyone could react, the former queen disappeared.

A few moments later, Chrysalis found herself in front of the battle ravaged School of Friendship and immediately set her sights on the source of her summons: The classroom where her clone was located, about to give the final blow to a weakened Starlight Glimmer!

"Any last words?" The Chrysalis clone asked in a sarcastic tone as she prepared to send a killing spell through Starlight's body. "No? Very well then, time to die."

With her horn glowing ominously, the Chrysalis clone was about to deliver the killing blow to an injured Starlight Glimmer, who shut her eyes as her entire life played out in her mind at a rapid pace.

Suddenly, the Chrysalis clone felt herself getting hit with a sharp beam of magic and released her grip on Starlight as she fell to the ground! "What?!" the clone snarled as she quickly regrouped to discover the real Chrysalis standing behind her. "YOU!"

The true Chrysalis looked to her clone with a defiant smirk on her face. "Yes, me. Me, me, me," She spoke with a dark chuckle escaping her lips. "You know what sucks about sequels? You can never top the original no matter how hard you try."

Starlight opened her eyes, and looked up to her savior, only to be startled by whom it was. "Chrysalis?!"

In response, the former queen turned to Starlight with a glance, much to Starlight's growing confusion."What…?" Was all Starlight could utter since she couldn't tell what was going on. And her back pain made it difficult to focus on much else.

"No one," Chrysalis resumed before she turned back to the clone, her expression grew serious as her eyes narrowed. "Has the right to live on this earth but me! Especially if it's some pale imitation like you!"

The clone seethed in rage upon the insult. "You DARE?!"

"You're darn right, I do," Chrysalis retorted with her horn glowing in rage. "Let's say we take this outside and settle who the real queen is!" Not waiting for a response, the real Chrysalis tackled the clone and teleported them both outside.

All the while, Starlight saw the whole thing unfold throughout, at a loss by what she saw.

Just then, Trixie came around and regained her consciousness. "Starlight, what...what happened?What's going on?"

"I-m-I'm not sure," Starlight stammered. "But I think Chrysalis-the real Chrysalis-saved our lives."

"But if that's her, who were we fighting all this time?!" Trixie nervously pondered.

Suddenly, sharp and bright blasts of sickly green magic blasted through the walls, causing Starlight and Trixie to cover their eyes! Much to their shock and amazement, the real Chrysalis had her clone pinned down in a magical lock.

"You know what is greater than fear?" Chrysalis cried as the clone looked on in horror. "DEATH! Especially for a cheap copy like you!"

Before the clone could react, Starlight and Trixie recoiled as Chrysalis bent down and snarled savagely as the Chrysalis clone cried out in horror! Then as quickly as it started, the clone was silenced

Rather than cowering in fear, Starlight weakly looked up and wondered just what Chrysalis was planning to do.

"Starlight Glimmer," Chrysalis said to herself. "We meet again."

Starlight said nothing, not realizing what was about to happen next now that the true Chrysalis had returned.

…

...
> Episode 33: "Grogar's Endgame, Part 7"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

PREVIOUSLY ON "MY LITTLE PONY"

…

…

Starlight Glimmer: "Can you still fight, Trixie?"

Trixie: "I think we may have more urgent matters to worry about!"

Silverstream: "It's no use! We've got to...fall back!"

Trixie: "Nopony hurts the Princess of Loyalty!"

Chrysalis clone: "Did you honestly think you can get away from me that easily with that stupid teleportation spell?! I wasn't born yesterday, I knew you cowards had to have fled to somewhere!"

Starlight Glimmer: "Don't you ever...quit?"

Chrysalis clone: "Prepare to do battle, and prepare to lose it all!"

Scorpan: "Brother, do you see…?!"

Tirek: "Take no prisoners! I'll teach Grogar to make a mockery of me!"

Chrysalis clone: "Time to die."

Starlight Glimmer: "Chrysalis?!"

Queen Chrysalis: "Let's say we take this outside and settle who the real queen is!"

Starlight Glimmer: "I think Chrysalis-the real Chrysalis-saved our lives."

Chrysalis: "You know what is greater than fear? DEATH! Starlight Glimmer, we meet again."

…

…

Starlight took an enormous gulp as Chrysalis, her sworn enemy, towered over her. "Well, if you're going to kill me," She weakly proclaimed, looking up at the overthrown Changeling queen. "Do it. Get on with it."

Looking back at the possible outcome, Trixie realized she could do nothing but wait for her best friend to suffer the same fate as the clone.

But much to the surprise of both mares, Chrysalis extended her hoof out to Starlight. "Why should I kill you now?" Chrysalis asked in a low voice. "It wouldn't be worth it. You're hardly in a position to fight back, where would the fun be in that?"

Still, Starlight was unsure. "Is this a trick?" She demanded while struggling to stand. "Because if it is…"

"No, it's not. Not this time." Chrysalis answered and she helped Starlight up, only for Starlight to fall back down in a scream of pain from her back!

The scream quickly awakened Rainbow Dash, who let out a loud yell as she tackled Chrysalis to the ground! "Get away from her, cheeselegs!" Rainbow Dash screamed while pinning Chrysalis down. "You want her?! Then get through me, first!"

"Rainbow Dash, wait!" Starlight cried as she rolled over, unable to stand. "She... she doesn't want to hurt me, it seems. Not now, at least."

But Rainbow didn't believe her as several pony guards came in and saw Rainbow towering over Chrysalis. Backing away, Rainbow watched as the guards forced Chrysalis to her feet. "I beg to differ!" She bitterly retorted. "Take her away! She'll pay for what she's done!"

"But Rainbow Dash…" Trixie pleaded, only to be silenced by the Princess of Loyalty with a firm glare.

"Take Starlight and Trixie to Canterlot Hospital," Rainbow ordered, her eyes still locked on Trixie. "I think they need to be looked over. I'll handle Chrysalis."

Acknowledging, Rainbow watched as the soldiers helped Trixie and Starlight away from the classroom.

At the same time, Silverstream was coming around and came to her feet. "Professor Rainbow Dash, what's going on?" She frantically asked. "What's…?" But then suddenly, she let out a shriek where she looked over the corpse of the Chrysalis clone. "What is that… that… thing?!"

"A clone of Chrysalis, or so it seems to be," Rainbow Dash replied, bending down to touch some of the strange blood. Then she turned to Silverstream "Can you still fight? Are you going to be able to carry on?"

Silverstream slowly nodded. "I... can. I think."

Just then, the two looked up to see the bodies of a donkey soldier and a pony soldier land in the courtyard stream below. Then they began to feel a strong gust of wind starting to circle around them and Silverstream immediately knew what was about to happen!

Soon, both saw the swirling tornado created by Arabus extending his tornado arms out to try and suck up the school.

"Gallus! The others!" Silverstream frantically cried! "We've got to help them!" Panicked, Silverstream took to the air as Rainbow Dash followed!

"Silvestream, wait!" Rainbow Dash cried, only to discover several wounded pony soldiers cornered by several donkey soldiers. Knowing that Silverstream would have to wait, she flew down to help them out.

…

Meanwhile, the other students were beginning to feel the strong winds of Arabus penetrate the interior of the school, sucking up the party cannons.

"Yona don't want to go! Yona don't want to go!" Yona screamed as she tried to hang onto a pipe! "SOMEONE SAVE YONA!"

"Ahh, it's only a matter of time before you all become trophies for Emperor Grogar!" cackled Arabus as Smolder turned around and shot a ball of fire at Arabus, hitting him in the face and angering him slightly. "And you shall be the first one, dragon!"

"Try me, blowhard!" Smolder snorted! "You think a little wind is going to stop me?! Think again!"

Fighting several donkey soldiers, Gallus looked up and saw Smolder about to be absorbed by the twister monster. A sense of rage built over him and seizing a dead donkey's spear, he threw the spear! Alas, Arabus sensed it and threw it down hard.

"Smolder, get back!" Gallus cried out in a loud voice! "He's mine!"

Feeling slightly amused, Arabus turned to the young griffon. "You?" Arabus laughed. "Are you expecting me to believe that you will defeat me? This is a pleasant surprise."

"You took…everygriff from me!" Gallus seethed, his eyes filled with revenge. "You took away what little traces of family I had left!"

"Are you kidding me?" Arabus laughed while folding his arms. "I don't even know who you are, little griffon!"

But Gallus remained defiant. "You will soon enough," He said quietly. Then, after letting out a loud screech, he threw himself into Arabus and knocked him back with a headbutt. "No one destroys Griffonstone and gets away with it!"

"Oh, this is going to be so amusing. I'll enjoy crushing you!" Arabus remarked, flexing out his muscles before turning to the donkey soldiers who were still alive. "Don't just stand there, you idiots! Get those brats and prepare them to become trophies!" Acting on his orders, the donkeys charged at the school while Arabus stood face to face with the smaller Gallus. "You are mine, punk."

Reaching into his scabbard, Gallus drew out a sword and prepared to fight Arabus to the death! Letting out a loud shriek, he took the sword and attempted to stab Arabus in his forehead, the source of his power.

But Arabus dodged the tip of the blade, much to Gallus' frustration. Looking down at the corpses of dead donkeys and pony soldiers, Arabus took his arms and began to suck up the corpses in an attempt to strike Gallus with them.

Firing the corpses at him, Arabus hoped for the dead bodies to bring Gallus down. But the young griffon wasn't going to go down that easily. Letting out another loud shriek, Gallus sliced and diced the dead bodies with his sword, much to Arabus' frustration.

Just then, Gallus darted into the air and prepared to aim his sword at the top of Arabus' head. "Hey windhead!" Gallus shouted, catching Arabus' attention. "Take this!" Darting down at the wind monster, Gallus had his eye set on the green jewel!

But Arabus sensed this and fired a beam of magic from the jewel at the young griffon, hitting Gallus in his right wing! Screaming, he hit the ground while Arabus looked down at him.

"NO!" The shrill voice of Silverstream cried as she flew down to her lover's side. "Gallus!"

Struggling to his feet, the pain in his wing was too much for Gallus even as he wanted to keep on fighting.

"Ah, the girlfriend," Arabus laughed as he blew away fighting donkeys and ponies on both his sides. "Why didn't you tell me you had a girlfriend, Gallus? That's your name, isn't it?"

"Shut up!" Gallus weakly cried in anger. "For a bag of wind, you certainly talk like one!"

"A bag of wind, eh?" Arabus remarked. "Well this bag of wind is about to suck you dry, little griffon!"

Channeling his powers, Arabus prepared to conjure up a storm just to focus on Gallus and Silverstream! "Any last words?" Arabus cackled as both Gallus and Silverstream hugged each other tightly.

…

Meanwhile, back in Canterlot, Luna was busy trying to close Celestia's wound she had sustained in their fight against Scarface. "There, that should hold until we get you to a hospital," Luna said as she tightened the bandage. "You aren't going to fly, so…"

"Do you think I don't know that, Luna?" Celestia interrupted, giving her younger sister a look. "If anything, Scarface took out a large amount of my feathers."

"Yes, he did," Luna remarked with a hint of amusement coming onto her face. "And until those feathers grow back, you are grounded just like what Mother and Father…"

"Luna," Celestia warned. "Don't go there!"

"I'm only kidding Celestia, but it's also true…mother and father would always ground you when…" Just then, Luna's moment of amusement abruptly ended as the two sisters looked up and saw the darkening clouds overhead.

"Celestia, what is it?" Luna asked, immediately getting an idea of what was about to happen. "Is it…?"

"It's Arabus," Celesita said in a whisper. "He's about to release a storm. Luna! I can't fly, but I can still teleport! Now come on!"

Activating her horn, Celestia teleported away from Canterlot, but Luna stood in confusion. It wasn't until Celestia stuck her hoof out and dragged Luna into the teleportation spell that Luna realized what was happening.

…

Back at the School of Friendship, the rest of the students soon found themselves overpowered by the donkey soldiers. Thus they could only watch as Arabus prepared to deliver the final blow to both Gallus and Silverstream.

"In the name of Emperor Grogar!" Arabus shouted in a commanding and booming voice that caught the attention of the other combatants. "I shall carve you both up as a dish fit for him!"

"Silverstream!" Gallus cried while hugging the love of his life tightly. "No matter what happens, I will always love you!"

"I love you too, Gallus!" Silverstream replied as she and Gallus shut their eyes, waiting for the end to come.

But just as Arabus prepared to unleash the fury of nature, he suddenly felt a pair of sharp beams of magic hit him in the back that caused him to lose his concentration! Growling, he turned to see Celestia and Luna (who had just teleported themselves in from Canterlot).

"You shall not do such a deed! You will claim no more innocent lives!" Celestia bellowed in her royal Canterlot voice, her horn raging.

"Arabus!" Luna called, catching the monster's attention. "If you want the young griffon and the young hippogriff, you shall have to pass through me!"

"Professor Luna, what are you doing?!" Gallus cried, suddenly getting to his feet and racing to his professor's side. "Are you mad?"

"I'm going to destroy this beast for you, Gallus." Luna declared with a smile, trying to reassure the young griffon.

"No!" Gallus retorted as he flew in front of her. "He's mine! He destroyed Griffonstone! He must pay! If it's the last thing I do, I'll put him down!"

But Luna remained steadfast.

"Please!" Gallus pleaded. "Let me fight him, at least alongside you! I may have a busted wing, but I can still fly!"

Not wanting to pick an argument, Luna stood down and allowed Gallus to fight alongside her.

"And I will fight too!" Silverstream added, joining Gallus and Luna in staring down Arabus.

"Very well then!" Arabus sneered. "It'll be three for the price of one!"

Celestia felt the urge to join, but she then saw the donkey soldiers holding the rest of the students captive. Trusting her instincts, Celestia charged towards the donkeys and used her magic to pull them away from the young creatures.

Rising to their feet, the donkey soldiers surrounded Celestia, but she tapped into her alicorn powers and her aura turned a sickly green color. Releasing magic droplets from her horn, the droplets struck the donkeys and they fell right where they were and ceased to move.

"Professor Celestia!" Ocellus crued, catching the elder alicorn's attention. "Are we glad to see you!"

"Now's not the time for celebrating! Come on!" Celestia shouted and urged the students to follow her as Luna, Gallus and Silverstream took to the air. "It's not safe for any of you here, things are about to get ugly."

…

Staring down the wind god, the alicorn, griffon and hippogriff each realized at once what needed to be done to ensure victory: Destroy the green stone on Arabus' forehead.

"Prepare to become tributes for my emperor!" Arabus declared, his gray rotation body becoming black.

Just then, Luna turned back and saw the ocean out in the distance. She had an idea to get Arabus' powers weakened. "You'll have to kill us first, you fiend!" She taunted and acting on her instincts, led Gallus and Silverstream away from the school and towards the ocean. "Come and get us for Grogar!"

Blowing a raspberry, Luna and her two students began to lead Arabus away towards the ocean.

Arabus bellowed "No one makes a mockery of me!"

Watching her sister and two of her students lead Arabus away, Celestia and the rest of the students set to work on rebuilding the defenses for The School of Friendship.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash had successfully defended the wounded soldiers from the donkeys and was now turning her attention over to them. "Can you guys get to safety?" She asked them.

"We can, your highness," The wounded soldier answered. "Thank you."

But Rainbow then turned to see several more donkey soldiers rapidly advancing towards her and the soldiers. Before Rainbow could react however, several pegasus soldiers dressed in blue landed in front of her.

"Crash, you okay?" The pony asked, lifting her goggles to reveal Spitfire.

"Spitfire! Thank Celestia you got here!" Rainbow cried as Spitfire helped her up. "Where were you?"

"Where else? In reserve, waiting for the moment to strike!" Spitfire chuckled. "The rest of the bolts are on their way as we speak!"

"Uh, boss?" Soarin asked, taking a small gulp as the donkeys advanced towards them with their weapons drawn. "I think these guys want to skewer us!"

"Crash, go help your friends! We got these guys!" Spitfire commanded.

"Are you giving me an order?" Rainbow blinked. "You forget that…"

But Spitfire only replied. "I think formalities are out of the question right now, Crash! Go!"

"We'll be fine," The wounded pony soldier declared, bowing his head slightly in respect to Rainbow Dash. "Go! Now!"

Not wanting to pick an argument, Rainbow reluctantly flew away leaving Spitfire and the rest of the Wonderbolts to take on the donkeys.

…

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Ponyville, another army was making their way through the Everfree Forest. But this army was different. This army was an ally of Equestria's leaders on both a royal and personal level.

"We're here," Princess Cadence declared. She dressed in pink crystal armor while standing next to her husband, Shining Armor. And their infant daughter, Flurry Heart was dressed in her own armor as she flew over Cadence's head. "What do we do now?"

"We advance and help out in any way possible," Shining Armor declared, drawing out his sword. "Let's move!"

In a matter of moments, the Crystal Empire army was about to make their move in the growing battle before them.

…

…
> Episode 34: "Grogar's Endgame, Part 8"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

...

...

PREVIOUSLY ON "MY LITTLE PONY"

...

...

Gallus: "You took…everygriff from me!"

Arabus: "I don't even know who you are, little griffon!"

Gallus: "You will soon enough."

Luna: "Celestia, What is It?"

Celestia: "It's Arabus. He's about to release a storm!"

Gallus: "Silverstream, no matter what happens, I will always love you!"

Spitfire: "Crash, you okay?"

Rainbow Dash: "Spitfire, thank Celestia you're here!"

Soarin': "I think these guys want to skewer us!"

Cadence: "We're here. What do we do now?"

Shining Armor: "We advance and help out in any way possible. Let's move!"

…

…

As the forces of the Crystal Empire descended on the battlefield, both Cadence and Shining Armor had one target deep in mind and that was one of their personal and sworn enemies, King Sombra.

"All right," Shining Armor commanded, turning around to his troops. "Half of you go to the north and the other half go to the south! Those of you in the middle will follow Princess Cadence, Flurry Heart and myself. Is that understood?"

Doing as they were told, each flank of soldier took up their positions. As they proceeded, Cadence saw the flames rise up from above the area surrounding her sister in law's castle. Then, she saw the all too familiar dark magic that belonged to King Sombra.

"We all know what is to be done, right?" Cadence asked her husband and daughter. "King Sombra will be taken…dead or alive!"

"Grandmother Misty…Auntie Twilight," Flurry Heart tried to say, her long alicorn horn charging. "Flurry Heart help them."

"Yes, Flurry Heart, you are going to help them," Cadence said in a reassuring tone of voice. "Just stay close to me and Daddy, all right?"

Nodding, Flurry Heart agreed with her mother's words. Just then, they heard a loud scream as a pony flew through the air, causing Shining Armor to cast a spell to break the fall!

"Flutter…Fluttershy!" Cadence gasped as Shining Armor broke her fall, the Princess of Kindness covered in battle wounds all over her body and being semi conscious. "Fluttershy, can you hear me?! It's us, Cadence, Shining Armor and Flurry Heart!"

Gently laying Fluttershy down on her back, Cadence could see the look of pain deep in Fluttershy's face. Then, Cadence saw several deep gash wounds around Fluttershy's stomach.

"She's wounded! Get help!" Shining Armor shouted to his troops as both rulers realized the gravity of the situation!

In fact, Cadence began to grow angry at who was likely responsible for Fluttershy's situation. "He won't get away with this!" She cried as she took to the air, her wings beating sharply as she looked to the troops. "Don't rest until King Sombra is deceased! Follow me! March!"

Slowly, Cadence advanced her troops towards the Castle of Friendship while Shining Armor followed. Suddenly, he came across Sugarcube Corner and saw Starswirl the Bearded along with Cozy Glow trying to help the Cake's out of their fallen home. "Hold it!" He shouted, catching Starswirl and Cozy Glow off guard. "Don't move!"

"Shining Armor, stand down!" Starswirl cried with his own horn charging. "This young pony…"

"Is a wanted criminal, Starswirl!" Shining interrupted! "Stand back!"

"You can do what you want with me, but these ponies here need help!" Cozy Glow cried. "Please! You must believe me! I… I wanna help!"

But Shining Armor wasn't convinced by Cozy's words. "And what makes you think that…?" He started to ask.

"Don't judge her now!" Starswirl interrupted. "Get these other ponies out of here!"

Taken aback by the sharpness in his voice, Shining Armor began to send several of his troops to help out the Cakes. But he wasn't about to let Cozy Glow off the hook.

"Shining Armor!" Starswirl gasped upon seeing his fellow stallion slap a pair of hoofcuffs on Cozy..

"She's a criminal," Shining Armor advised. "We're just following protocol."

Starswirl could hardly believe his ears. "But this is…"

"-Starswirl, please!" Cozy Glow interrupted pleaded. "Let them take me prisoner for now. I just want the Cakes rescued, that's all. We can work this out laer."

Nodding his head, Shining Armor gestured for Cozy to be taken into custody. Horrified by what he saw, Starswirl turned to the young prince.

"I'm sorry, Starswirl," Shining apologized. "But she's a wanted criminal and you know it. Focus on getting any survivors to safety, and make sure Cozy doesn't slip away. I'm going to find Sombra and the others."

With a sharp command, the remainder of the troops followed Shining Armor towards the castle as Starswirl couldn't help but feel somewhat taken aback by Cozy Glow's sudden arrest.

At that moment, Capper came out of the house with one of the Cake Twins, Pound Cake, in his paws. "Found this little guy, shaken up but otherwise unharmed," He panted. "Don't know about the others."

"Keep looking," Starswirl ordered. "They must still be alive, I can feel it!"

Handing Pound over to a soldier, Capper ran back into the destroyed property, this time yelling for several soldiers to form a chain as he looked down and saw Mr. Cake holding onto his wife, Mrs. Cake, who had been knocked unconscious. "All right," He gasped, extending his paws out to Pumpkin Cake. "Come on, sweetheart. I'm not going to hurt you. I promise."

Frightened, Pumpkin Cake refused to be touched, but Capper grabbed her anyway before turning to the open hole. "Some of you dudes get down here now!" He shouted and a pair of Klugetown residents came into the hole. "There's a mare over here and she needs help!"

Gently, the Klugetown residents each lifted the unconscious Mrs. Cake as Mr. Cake followed, trying to walk despite being injured. A few moments later, the Cakes were pulled out of the destroyed Sugarcube Corner, now having been brought to safety.

Now it was up to Starswirl to deliver the news to Cozy Glow that the ponies who helped her about friendship were safe. But would he be given the chance to even do so?

…

Back at the Castle of Friendship, Applejack, Tempest Shadow and several soldiers took cover in back of the castle. Their bodies were covered in cuts and bruises.

"I don't know how long I can keep this up," Applejack gasped as she turned to Tempest Shadow. "Each one you put down, they come right back up like it's no big deal."

"We have to keep fighting, Applejack," Tempest replied. "I swore to lay my life down if need be for you and the other princesses, and I will keep that promise if I have to."

Suddenly, they heard a sinister chuckle as a pair of gray forelegs stepped into their area. "You know you pathetic fools can't defeat me," Sombra said, a look of death on his face. "Why don't you just surrender and I will make your final moments easy?"

"Listen, King Stupid," Applejack cried. "Do you honestly think I will go down so easily?" Applejack then noticed a garden hose that was hanging around. "I've been through enough in my life and if you kill me now, I'll just go be with Ma and Pa and Granny Smith again. So go ahead, do your worst!"

Arriving on the battlefield at that moment, Cadence and Flurry Heart saw Sombra's crystal markings going around towards the back of the castle. Knowing she needed to act fast, Cadence turned to her daughter. "Flurry, get his attention for mommy."

Nodding, Flurry Heart took a deep breath and as Sombra reared on his hind legs to administer the final blow on Applejack, the loud sounds of Flurry Heart yelling caused him to fall off balance!

With Sombra knocked down, Applejack ran towards the garden hose and began to tie it around Sombra's forelegs, trying to bind him.

But Sombra would have nothing of it. "Get this off of me!" He demanded, kicking the hose away along with Applejack, hitting her in the mouth in the process! "It's going to take more than a garden hose to defeat King Sombra!" Suddenly, Sombra felt a sharp blast of magic hit him in the back of the neck! Recoiling, he turned around and saw Princess Cadence and Flurry Heart flying overhead.

"it's going to take two alicorns to do you in, King Sombra!" Cadence hissed much to Applejack and Tempest Shadow's relief. "Now you're going to truly pay for all the crimes you've committed against the Crystal Empire!"

Snarling, Sombra began firing dark magic at the mother and daughter as Tempest darted over to try and stop him, only to be sent flying back into Applejack! Running back around the castle, Sombra fired up his horn and began shooting wildly into the air at them along with any ponies that stood in his way.

"Talk about a poor shot," Discord remarked as he transformed into a bulls eye, large enough to catch Sombra's attention. "Hey, Sombra! How about a little target practice?!"

Angered, Sombra turned over to Discord, blasting away several injured or dying soldiers that lay in his way.

"Discord, what are you doing?!" Cadence cried just as Sombra fired beams of dark magic at the spirit that quickly bounced off. "Are you crazy?!"

"Trust me, Princess Cadence!" Discord said as he took to the air. "I'm buying you some time."

But neither Cadence or Flurry Heart were prepared for what Discord said next. "After all, he blasted Fluttershy repeatedly, didn't he?"

Now even more angry, Cadence darted towards Sombra and with a loud yell, tackled him to the ground! With all her might, Cadence fought against Sombra, kicking him in the abdomen several times. "You badly wound a princess of Equestria?!" She snapped. "For that you will answer to me!"

"So what?" Sombra sneered as he threw a punch at Cadence, who quickly ducked out of the way. "She was a coward and a fool to fight back against me!"

Seething, Cadence motioned for Applejack and Tempest Shadow to be on standby with the garden hose that Applejack had found. "Nopony calls a princess a coward and lives!" She cried. "I've been through worse and nopony has and will never ever call me a coward, Sombra!"

"Might as well listen to her, Sombra," Discord advised, having transformed into a helicopter and shining a light down on Sombra. "If you want to live, you might as well surrender!"

But Sombra had every reason to deny any requests that were being made of him. He was a warrior and was going to die as one. With his eyes glowing black, Sombra let out a loud roar and unleash a mushroom explosion of magic that sent Cadence and the others back. "I will never surrender!" He snarled. "Never!"

Using his magic once again, Sombra floated himself into the air and began to conjure up dark magic that he then used to draw a large hole in the ground, cutting himself off from the rest of the ponies. Then, Sombra activated another spell that caused him to rise into the air on top of a dark crystal peak. "Try and catch me now!" He taunted as Discord flew down at a sharp speed to try and push Sombra off his high perch.

But Sombra grabbed Discord by the stomach and sent him flying down onto the ground below. "Your efforts are futile! You will die!"

But just as Sombra said those words, he felt his giant pillar of dark crystal start to wobble as a large beam of unicorn magic nearly knocked him over.

"Are my efforts futile?!" Mistmane cried out with her horn glowing brightly! "I, a Pillar of Equestria?! Choose your next words carefully, Sombra, they may just be your last!"

"Mistmane, you couldn't have come at a worse time, you know," Sombra remarked with a sadistic smairk. "For now you shall join your friends in death! There's no hope for you now!"

Firing a beam of magic, Sombra expected the blast to hit Mistmane!

But the pillar of beauty managed to set up a shield that stopped the attack right in its tracks. "Flurry Heart!" Mistmane called to the alicorn filly. "Grandmother Misty wants you to try and knock Sombra off his high horse! Can you do that for her?"

Grateful that she was being spoken to by Mistmane, Flurry Heart turned her attention to Sombra. Before he could fire a beam of magic at her, Flurry Heart pushed Sombra off the pillar and onto the ground below.

Quickly coming around, Sombra aimed his horn and began to circle around, firing beams of magic at the ponies surrounding him. One of the beams intended for Cadence and Flurry Heart were deflected by Mistmane and sent flying into the Castle of Friendship, damaging it slightly.

"Yikes!" Pinkie Pie yelped, only just managing to dodge out of the way of falling plaster from the ceiling! "Watch it, you guys! This castle's getting too crowded!"

But at that very momen,t who should come running onto the scene but Shining Armor and several of his forces? They all surrounded Sombra with their horns, spears drawn at the dark hearted king.

"You are completely surrounded, Sombra!" Shining Armor shouted. "In the name of Supreme Princess Twilight Sparkle and the other princesses of Equestria, you are ordered to surrender!"

"Surrender?" Sombra snarled as he saw Discord got to his feet and run over to the circle of troops. "Prince Armor, you know I never surrender. Haven't you realized by now of how I fight? Of how I function?"

"I do, but I also know you pride yourself on your intelligence. A smart pony like you should know you can't hope to win. So surrender now, and we will make what happens next quick and painless as possible," Shining Armor warned. "Why prolong your suffering?"

But Sombra had one more trick up his sleeve. Looking down at a small scabbard just under his red robe, he noticed a dagger that had the ability to kill the target no matter where it struck. "Is that so?" He taunted while eyeing the dagger. "Then I say…merde!"

With very little choice, Shining Armor turned to his troops, knowing what needed to be done now. "All right," He said as Cadence flew over to her husband's side while Mistmane knocked down the crystal pillar. "Then you have left us with very little choice, Sombra! On my signal!"

As the crystal soldiers and their allies prepared to fire, the ground suddenly began to rumble loudly beneath them!

"What's happening?!" Shining Armor cried as Sombra produced a small smile. "What's going on?!"

"Your worst nightmare is about to begin!" Sombra cackled as all suddenly saw an explosion of fire come from under the ground and much to the shock and horror of all, Twilight emerged from underneath, her purple coat singed and her body covered in burns!

Then, much to the horror of all present, Grogar floated out of the ground, his bell ringing back and forth. "My emperor has arrived!"

A few moments later, Spike and Rarity came onto the scene along with Gusty who had been fighting on the other side of the castle.

"Twilight!" Spike shouted as Twilight struggled to get back up! "Grogar, you won't get away with this! If it's the last thing I do I swear…"

"You'll do nothing, young dragon!" Grogar cackled and tapping into his bell's powers, Grogar began to target his remaining minions and slowly began to drain them of their powers.

From across the sea, Arabus suddenly felt himself starting to grow weaker as Gallus, Luna and Silverstream watched while he groaned in pain.

"What's happening?!" Silverstream asked.

"Grogar's draining his powers." Luna answered in a worried voice.

"WHAT?!" Gallus and Silverstream gasped in horror!

…

Meanwhile, Tirek and Scorpan watched at the bloodied and bruised Tirek clone as its powers were also taken away.

"My emperor!" Sombra cried as Grogar suddenly began to grow several feet. "Why are you doing this?!"

"Because my loyal subcommander," Grogar answered. "The time has come for the final conflict. I need every drop of magic that can be spared, no exceptions!" And without saying another word, Grogar began to drain Sombra of his magic and strength!

Crying out in pain, Sombra could feel all of his strength and magic leave his body and be transferred into Grogar's. "Look before me, Princess Twilight!" Grogar said as she struggled to her hooves. "You may have had the advantage under the earth, but it all comes to an end for you. Equestria will soon be mine!"

Laughing evilly, Grogar relished in his newfound power and Twilight realized that her greatest fight was about to commence.

…

…
> Episode 35: "Grogar's Endgame: Part 9"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

…

…

PREVIOUSLY ON "MY LITTLE PONY"

…

…

Cadence: "We all know what is to be done, right?"

Shining Armor: "Hold it! Don't move!"

Starswirl: "This pony…"

Shining Armor: "..is a wanted criminal!"

Cozy Glow: "I just want the Cakes rescued. We can work this out later."

King Sombra: "Why don't you just surrender and I will make your final moments easy?"

Cadence: "Now you're going to truly pay for all the crimes you've committed against the Crystal Empire!"

Shining Armor: "In the name of Supreme Princess Twilight Sparkle and the other princesses of Equestria, you are ordered to surrender!"

King Sombra: "My emperor has returned."

Grogar: "The time has come for the final conflict. Equestria will soon be mine!"

…

…

Having absorbed the powers from his minions, Grogar towered over the battlefield with a smirk of evil deep in his face. The skies around him darkened thanks to the powers of his bewitching bell. All Twilight could do was look up at her enemy with a shocked expression! Yet while battered and bruised from her underground confrontation, she still refused to give up.

"BEHOLD!" Grogar bellowed in his own royal Canterlot voice, the noise reverberating across the battlefield! "VENGEANCE IS MINE! YOU ARE ALL ANTS AND I AM YOUR DESTROYER!"

Not wanting to stand by, Cadence took to the air and attempted to shoot at Grogar with her magic!

But it merely bounced off of him as he turned to the crystal princess. "Shoo, you pest!" He sneered, using his magic to force Cadence to the ground, much to Twilight's horror! "Your efforts are futile. There is no use in fighting me further, Princess Twilight! Surrender to me now and your end will be swift!"

Struggling to her hooves, Twilight looked up at her enemy and right away turned all of her attention towards Grogar's bewitching bell. "His power is in that bell," She thought to herself. "If I get that bell then he will weaken. I will have a chance to strike."

"Twilight!" A voice called as Spike and Rarity came onto the scene along with Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Rainbow Dash also followed suit. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Spike," Twilight insisted. "I've got an idea to get that bell. It may be our only chance," Then she noticed that Fluttershy was missing. "Where's Fluttershy?"

"She's injured, Twi," Applejack answered with a concerned expression. Knowing that they would be down one member of the elements of harmony, Twilight and her friends had their work cut out for them. "Badly."

Standing behind Grogar, Tirek had finished strangling his clone to death and like Twilight, was trying to think of a way to catch Grogar off guard.

"Scorpan," Tirek whispered. "If I can help Princess Twilight and her friends get his bell…"

"He's too strong, brother!" Scorpan interjected. "What are you proposing?!"

"Fly me up to his back!" Tirek firmly answered, calculating his move. "If I can get my magic back, I can put him at a disadvantage and make it easier for Princess Twilight and her friends. With any luck, helping them will allow me to secure their favor when all's said and done."

Reluctantly, Scorpan did as he was told and picked up Tirek with his claws. Together, the two brothers flew towards Grogar's back as Twilight and five of her friends continued to figure a way out of the situation that they were in.

"Well, do you surrender?" Grogar thundered as a thunderbolt clapped in the skies. "You have no chance!"

But amazingly, Spike was having none of Grogar's thundering rants. He continued to have his eyes locked up on the giant demonic goat, and he began to flap his wings.

"Spike, what are you doing?" Twilight asked nervously to her adopted little brother. "Are you nuts?!"

"Trust me, I have an idea," Taking to the air, Spike hoped that his idea would be carried out to help Twilight and the others. "You know, you sure talk a lot for a dictator!" He shouted. "Princess Twilight and her friends are more powerful than you will ever know, Grogar!"

This caused Grogar to look down at the young dragon. "What?!" Grogar shouted, the gust from his voice sending Spike back slightly.

"She has more power, and she can take it away from you!" Spike thundered back, his wings beating more.

"Spike, are you crazy?!" Rarity whimpered.

"Face it, Grogar!" Spike shouted. "You're still just…second best!"

Snarling, Grogar raised his left foreleg and stomped it down hard, the soundwave reverberating throughout the battlefield and damaging both the castle and the already heavily damaged school of friendship!

"You are a brave dragon," Grogar remarked, slightly chuckling. "But guess what? You're not good enough to stop me! None of you are!"

And in a fit of rage, Grogar reared up and let out a loud roar as he powered his bell up! Then, he suddenly was struck by a powerful beam of alicorn magic, causing him to roar in pain as he nearly fell while doubling over in pain. "Who dares strike me?!" He demanded as Luna, Silverstream and Gallus arrived on the scene. "You!"

"Luna!" Twilight shouted! "Keep him distracted!" Then she turned to the remaining fellow princesses. "There is one way we can weaken Grogar's powers," she whispered. "We need the six students and all the pillars here."

"What do you mean?" Rainbow Dash asked, before realizing what Twilight was planning to do. "You don't mean…"

"We're going to do the same thing to Grogar we did against Tirek, Cozy Glow and Chrysalis," Twilight firmly nodded. "But we need time if we're going to pull this off."

Just then, Twilight saw Celestia run by along with the other students. "Wait!" She called out to them. "You guys stay here!"

"What are you talking about, Princess Twilight?" Smolder asked with a snort of smoke. "Professor Celestia is going to need backup! That's where we come in!"

"Yona agrees!" Yona eagerly declared! "Yona ready to smash overgrown goat!"

"We have another idea," Twilight said firmly while gesturing to her fellow princesses. "The only way we can get Grogar weakened enough is if we knock the bell off of his neck. But to do that, we need you and the pillars!" She then saw Tempest Shadow leading several soldiers into battle against the giant Grogar. "Tempest, see if you can buy us some time while we get Starswirl and the others!" She ordered.

"I'll do what I can, supreme princess," Tempest saluted before turning back to the soldiers. "But time may be the one thing we don't have."

Acting fast, Twilight turned herself up to the sky and powered up her horn, preparing to cast a summoning spell to bring all of the pillars to the battlefield.

…

Back at the destroyed Sugarcube Corner, Starswirl watched as Cozy Glow was placed into a cage along with Chrysalis. He could sense that there was something different about them now, as if to say that they were no longer evil.

Then the wizard happened to look up, and saw Twilight's beam of alicorn magic. He knew at once what was happening. "Capper!" He called to the humanoid cat. "I'm being summoned by Princess Twilight and the others! Can you continue helping out here?"

"Sure thing, bearded dude!" Capper called back. "Just be careful!"

Activating his teleportation spell, Starswirl disappeared from Sugarcube corner as Flash Magnus and the still small sized Rockhoof also answered the call along with Mistmane, Somnambula and Mage Meadowbrook.

Meanwhile, Tirek and Scorpan continued to fly overhead, trying to find a spot on Grogar's back for Tirek to land on.

"Brother, I can't hold onto you much longer!" Scorpan grunted, sensing that he was beginning to lose his grip on Tirek. "Have you found a spot yet?"

At that very moment, Tirek noticed an area just below the back area of Grogar's neck. "There's a spot!" He called. "Down below his necklace!"

"What are you going to do?" Scorpan inquired. Little did Scorpan know that Tirek had a small knife hidden under his left shackle.

The centaur had a plan to get his magic back and weaken the enemy that had made him see the light of his actions. "Throw me down!" He demanded.

"But brother…" Scorpan protested.

"DO IT, SCORPAN!" Tirek thundered!

Acting on his brother's command, Scorpan threw Tirek onto Grogar's back!

Taking the dagger, Tirek stuck it into the back of Grogar's neck!

The sharp pain caused Grogar to growl! "Who dares strike me in so cowardly a fashion?!" He demanded as he wildly turned his head around, nearly striking at Luna who only just managed to duck out of the way.

But Luna seized a chance and fired a powerful beam at Grogar's left ear!

Rearing up, Grogar opened his mouth in an attempt to consume Luna, but was unable to as she quickly dodged out of the way again!

Knowing that he needed to work fast, Tirek opened his mouth and slowly began to drain Grogar of his magic. Suddenly, Tirek began to feel his strength return to him as his body began to grow.

But Grogar was quick to notice this. "YOU!" He snarled as he reared up once more and threw Tirek off of his back, sending him back onto the ground while managing to land on all fours, back in his second form. "You dare attack me, Lord Tirek?! And after all I've done for you?!"

"I play by the rules now, Grogar!" Tirek shouted in response. "You showed me that being evil gets you nothing!"

"LIAR!" Grogar shouted back as he fired a beam of magic at the centaur, who used a shield spell to protect himself. "I gave you everything! Power, glory and this is how you repay me?!"

"You…gave…me…nothing!" Tirek shouted as he slowly began to regain his third form!

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, Discord appeared to him. "Hey, that's what I once said to you, Tirek!" He remarked with a knowing smirk.

"Shut up and help me fight, Discord!" Tirek countered. "Princess Twilight needs to take him down! I don't care about anything else at the moment!"

"Well, someone did a complete 360 it seems," Discord replied, as he used his chaos powers to deflect the blasts from Grogar's power. "Wonder what made you change sides?" He thought, but kept said thoughts to himself as he continued to aid Tirek and the others in fighting Grogar.

Suddenly, as Grogar continued to fight, he suddenly began to feel himself getting weak as Celestia and Luna fired at his stomach area. "What?! What is happening?!" He thought aloud, then he saw Tirek back in his third form. "Tirek, you defy me further?!"

Grogar then tapped into his bell's powers again, trying to reobtain Tirek's power just as Twilight, her friends, the students and the pillars all assembled.

"Okay, we may not be at full strength," Twilight declared. "But we aren't to kill Grogar, we need his bell off of his neck. If we can do that, we might have a chance."

"What are you intending to do, Twilight?" Spike asked, before realizing what Twilight was intending to do. "You don't mean…?"

"We're going to free Chirin," Twilight firmly declared. "But we need to destroy Grogar first! Are you all in agreement of what is to be done?"

Looking around, Twilight got nods from the rest of her friends and together, they all looked up at Grogar's bell.

"You think we can pull this off without Fluttershy, Twilight?" Applejack questioned.

But there was no need to say such a thing, as Fluttershy happened to come fluttering forward at that very moment with Gusty the Great by her side. "I saw the summoning spell," She declared even as she winced in pain. "I'm ready to do my part."

"You sure you're up to this, Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash questioned. "You don't look well."

Pinkie Pie insisted. "Twilight obviously believes we don't need to do it exactly like we did it before. You don't need to risk yourself."

Fluttershy shook her head. "All of Equestria is at stake, we have to do this together! After all, our former students are counting on us." And she looked to Ocellus and Sandbar in particular who firmly nodded.

"Alright," Twilight reluctantly agreed. "On my signal we'll all stand together. This has gotta work!" Standing together, the three groups rose into the air as Luna and the airborne fighters watched them from afar.

"Everypony and everycreature ready?!" Twilight cried as the lights of the rainbow shone from above them. "Aim for the bell!"

The sounds of Twilight's command caught Grogar by surprise as he attempted to fire upon the three groups. Before Grogar could act, the rainbow emerged and fired down on him, striking him in the chest and hitting his bewitching bell as he roared loudly in pain while the rainbow began to consume him!

"NO!" Grogar roared at the top of his lungs, pushing back against the rainbow with all his might! "I do not concede! You will never defeat me! NEVER! Darkness shall prevail!"

Gusty the Great watched the development with great concern and alarm! "They're losing!" She gasped and quickly turned to the other princesses and Shining Armor! "Quick, you must help me! Project my voice across Equestria, I'll tell everyone to give these guys their support! It's the only way!"

"We'll do more than that!" Luna roared as she and her sister stood side by side and powered up their horns! "Every bit of additional power shall help!"

Celestia nodded despite her weakened state. "This is no different than our fight with Megatron! Grogar must be stopped no matter the cost!"

"I'm ready to help too, and so's the rest of my family!" Shining Armor firmly said.

Cadence nodded. "You're quite right, dear. We didn't come all this way just to be spectators." And she, Flurry Heart and Shining Armor all started to power up their horns as well.

Yet even with the additional magic joining the rainbow, Grogar still would not go down!

Flapping her wings and making use of the magic provided to her, Gusty shouted out above the fray! "Hey man, all you creatures of Equestria! Pony or otherwise, you must listen to me! Grogar needs to be stopped or there's no future for any of us. Now's your only chance, give all your power and support to Princess Twilight and the bearers of harmony past, present and future alike!"

"Sounds like we're not quite out of the fray yet," Trixie commented as she looked to Starlight Glimmer. "Shall we?"

"Just a minute," Starlight replied, teleporting away and returning with Sunburst. "He could be the difference between victory and defeat."

"I'm ready when you two are!" Sunburst declared.

Chrysalis shrugged her hooves. "Might as well, there has to be an Equestria left if there's going to be any love to feed on." And soon, she was joining the trio of unicorns in powering up their horns, sending every ounce of magic they had towards the bright rainbow they could see in the distance.

Now bombarded from various sides by magic of all sorts, Grogar found himself on the losing side for the first time in his entire life. "No! NO!" He protested as he dug into the ground! "You… cannot… defeat… me!"

"IT'S OVER, GROGAR!" A collection of voices belonging to the pillars, the students and the princesses all roared at once, overpowering even his own royal Canterlot voice!

With that, the bewitching bell began to crack and Grogar could do nothing to stop it! The rainbow enveloped him fully, draining every ounce of magic both his own and that he had stolen!

…

…

Then, just as quickly as the rainbow consumed Grogar, it disappeared as Grogar fell onto his left side, now reduced to his normal size. Opening his eyes, he saw that his bell was no longer around his neck.

Growling, Grogar rose to his feet as he saw the bell, his bell, in the possession of Twilight and her fellow princesses. Cracked and worn, but still whole.

"You see, Chirin," Twilight declared, holding the bell in her aura. "You will never rule Equestria! Every little ounce of power you once had is gone! Now, you will surrender and I shall make your return to your mother and your flock as quick and painless as possible."

But Grogar remained defiant, looking around to see most of his army either dead or mortally wounded. He then watched as Sombra and Arabus were taken captive by the pegasi and unicorn pony forces.

"Your forces are depleted, goat boy!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "Just admit it! You've lost"

"I will never surrender to you, Princess Twilight, nor to any of you," Grogar cried. "I shall get my bell back and destroy you all! As long as there is a single glimmer of light, there shall always be darkness. And where there is darkness there is evil."

"Chirin," Twilight sighed as she stepped forward, still holding the bell in her aura. "It's over. You've lost. It's time for you to go back to your family. They miss you. Haven't you caused enough damage and suffering for one lifetime? Don't you long to be with your own kind again?"

But Grogar still refused to surrender. He had one more final trick up his sleeve to finally defeat Twilight once and for all.

"Listen to Princess Twilight!" Celestia called as she limped over to him. "It's time to end this, Chirin!"

"So says the eldest daughter of the ponies who banished me to the moon all those years ago!" Grogar sneered, looking over to Celestia. "The same pony who banished her own sister to the moon herself!"

This caused Celestia to develop a hint of anger herself! "You dare to bring up Luna's banishment in my presence?!" Dark magic briefly seeped out of her horn! "For that you must be punished!"

"Celestia, wait!" Luna called as she landed beside her sister, draping a wing to stop her from doing anything rash. "We shall let Princess Twilight and her friends decide his fate. There's been enough violence for one day."

"Yes," Twilight said as she motioned for Tempest Shadow and several guardsponies to surround Grogar. "Grogar, in the name of me and my friends, the princesses of Equestria, you and your allies are all under arrest. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you."

Before Grogar could rise up on his hind legs and power up his horns again, Tempest and the guardsponies threw ropes over his back, forcing him back down onto the ground as Sombra, Arabus and even Tirek were taken captive.

"Take them to Canterlot," Twilight ordered to Tempest and her guards. "We shall put them on trial immediately for their crimes. Some of the defectors may be lucky enough to escape life in prison."

As they were being led away, Tirek looked over to Twilight with a look of repentance on his face. Even though he had helped defeat Grogar, he still was a wanted criminal along with Cozy Glow and Chrysalis.

"What happens now, Twilight?" Spike asked as Luna and Celestia joined them.

"For now…we recover and relish our victory, even though it doesn't feel like it," Twilight declared as she sighed and sat down on the ground, looking to all who had supported her. "We've won the day, friends. But there is another battle to be fought…according to the Equestrian laws of justice."

And it was clear that there was no mood for celebration from anycreature. As Twilight and her friends watched the villains being taken away, she could only think to herself one thought that summed up the entire battle that unfolded before them. "Next to a battle lost," She thought to herself. "The saddest thing…is a battle won."

…

…

…