Author's Note

The adventure continues as Twilight and Mallow find the fiendish Crocodile. And, save Canterlot from an invasion force more creepy than the Changelings.

2. A Croc and a Star

Twilight Sparkle and her companion, Mallow, travel through a forest area outside Canterlot called Bandit's Way. An area where a thieving crocodile, who stole a coin from Mallow, is hiding out.

"By the way, Twilight." Mallow said. "Aren't you part of a team called the Mane Six?"

"I see that you heard of us." Twilight answered. "Yes. I am part of the Mane Six, as we're referred to."

"Then, where are Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy?"

"After that giant sword landed in the middle of the Castle of the Two Sisters, my friends scattered in fear. It must be from those creeps from the Smithy Gang."

"The Smithy Gang? Who are they?"

"We'll figure that out later. Right now, let's keep looking for that crooked crocodile."

The two friends keep looking along the way. They soon we're confronted by living mushrooms.

"Those are Goombas!" Twilight said. "They're usually found in the Mushroom Kingdom."

Confronted by the Goombas, the friends have no choice but to battle them. Between Twilight's horn and Mallow's punches, the Goombas soon fell. But then, they confronted two turtles who wear helmets and carry hammers.

"Eek!" Mallow shouted. "Hammer Brothers!"

The two brothers are ready to strike. "It's HAMMER TIME!"

The Hammer Brothers charged into the heroes. Twilight avoided one of them by jumping up. She then landed on that turtle's head. Mallow gave a punch into the other brother. The twin turtles were shocked to see these smaller creatures fight back. They ran away. Twilight saw that they left one of their hammers behind. Using her magic, Twilight picked up the hammer."This could come in handy."

The travelers soon spotted the vicious crocodile who stole the coin. Twilight soon jumped the thief.

"You have something that doesn't belong to you, Croco!" Twilight said with authority.

"Oh yeah?" Croco said. "What are you talking about?"

Mallow stepped up to answer him. "The coin you stole from me!"

"I remember you. You're that little wimpish tadpole."

"I won't be afraid of you anymore. Me and my new friend will take my coin back!"

Croco soon got into a battle stance. "Try and take it!"

Croco soon charged into the heroes. Twilight jumped up as Mallow protected himself. At that moment, Twilight pounced on his head. This made Croco angry. He soon charged again, and struck them again.

"I'll help us, Twilight." Mallow said. "Health Rain!"

Mallow made a rainfall appear to heal them. Croco was annoyed with this rain. Meanwhile, Twilight took out the hammer she obtained, and hit him on the head. As Croco recovered, he realized what Twilight was.

"A horn AND wings?" Croco gasped. "Must be one of them alicorn critters." He soon took out a big green coin and tossed it at them. "Here's your coin back. I'm getting out of here!"

Croco ran away fast. Mallow picked up his coin and jumped happily. "I have my coin back. Thank you, Twilight."

"You're welcome, Mallow." Twilight said. "I'm glad to be helpful."

The friends hugged each other. Then, Twilight got Mallow's attention. "Let's head back to Canterlot. The princesses must be worried."

As soon as they enter Canterlot, however, they see the place crawling with masked red creatures on pogo sticks. And, they are scaring everybody.

"What are these things?" Mallow asked. "This is terrible."

"I don't know." Twilight answered. "We better head for the castle and see what's going on."

Twilight and Mallow battled their way through the streets of Canterlot. They fight through waves of these ghostly creatures. The many ponies are grateful for what the noble pair is doing. When they reached the castle, they make their way to the throne room. But, they see Celestia and Luna bound and helpless with their magic surpressed. In front of them is a small helmet creature riding a miniature version of the giant sword.

"I am Claymorton." The creature said. "I claim this castle and all of Canterlot in the name of the Smithy Gang!"

"We don't take kindly to invaders anywhere in Equestria." Twilight Sparkle said with authority. "Even from those not of this world."

"Oh yeah, Princess Twilight Sparkle? Let's see you stop me!"

Using it's sword like a pogo stick, Claymorton hopped up and pounced on the heroes. As they recover, Twilight's necklace started to glow.

"When this necklace Luna gave me starts to glow," Twilight realized, "I can call one of my friends." She then shouts in the air. "Applejack, I need your help!"

Like magic, Applejack appeared to help in the battle.

"I'm here to help, Twi." Applejack said as she turns to Claymorton. “Time for you to meet Bucky Migillicuddy and Kicks McGee!"

Applejack gave a hard back kick to Claymorton. Applejack soon disappeared while the Smitty fiend is recovering.

"It's my turn." Mallow said. "Thunderbolt!"

Mallow made some electricity appear and strike at Claymorton.

"NO!" Claymorton shouted. "I can't move!"

"It's time for my NEW move." Twilight said proudly. "Fireball!"

Twilight fired a bunch of fireballs out of her horn and struck Claymorton. The evil sword riding thug soon was defeated. This defeat freed Celestia and Luna from their imprisonment. Suddenly, something came from behind Celestia's throne. A bright blue star came out. Everyone looked at this star with amazement. Then, it shot up to the sky.

"I didn't know you had a star behind your throne." Twilight said.

"I didn't." Celestia replied. "That Claymorton creature brought it with him when he came to our castle."

"Perhaps this star is connected to that sword that's stuck in our old castle." Luna figured.

"You think so?" Twilight asked.

"I do. This Smithy Gang you speak of are worse than the Changelings were. And, that's being nice."

"If we only knew more about the Smithy Gang." Celestia said. "Then, we can connect them to this star that went up into the sky."

Even Twilight was a little confused. Mallow then made an idea. "Maybe my grandfather might know. He's a very wise frog."

"That's a good idea." Twilight cheered. "He might shed some light on this mystery."

"Grandpa lives in an area called Tadpole Pond. It's in a forest area outside Canterlot."

"Twilight," Celestia said, "it's up to you and Mallow to unravel this situation."

"We need to know more about this Smithy Gang before they cause anymore trouble." Luna added.

Knowing their duty, Twilight Sparkle and Mallow head out to find some more information about this adventure they're in. Will Mallow's grandfather be helpful? They hope so.