The Original Mad Scientist in Equestria

by Br0nyb0y123

Rating: teen
Tags: Rarity, Other, Romance, Adventure, Tragedy, Twilight Sparkle, Dark, Human, Main 6, Drama, Changelings, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 91673

Nikola Tesla creates a machine that malfunctions and teleports him to Ponyville, seeing that he has become an equine horse. Will he make it back home?

Nikola Tesla in 1912 has created a machine that's able to transport an object from one location to another. When Tesla himself volunteers to see if the machine is able to transport humans from one location to another. The machine malfunctions and instead transports him from his lab in Colorado Springs to Ponyville, Equestria. Changing his form and appearance to that of an equine pony, he comes across the Mane 6 and tries to recreate his machine in Equestria. Will Tesla succeed and go back home, or will he be forever stuck in Equestria?

DISCLAIMER: This is no way historically accurate or scientifically accurate. This is a Science Fantasy story, so I can do whatever I want. And if you are wanting to avoid possible spoilers before reading the story, then do NOT read the comments

Rated Teen for:- Scenes of Violence, Light Gore and Strong Language

Published 2013-11-15 01:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2018-10-16 23:00:06 UTC

Chapter 2: Welcome to Equestria

Tesla hid himself in another alleyway, thinking of how he ended up in this strange world, he knew the machine back in his lab was malfunctioning as soon as he disappeared but he never would've thought it could transport him to a different world and change his appearance,

"OK, this can't be possible, horses can't talk, and I'm not even a horse, I'm just going to think I've passed out and this is all just a strange dream, I just need to wake up" Tesla spoke to himself.

Tesla rubbed his forehead with his hoof, it felt weird for him. He thinks that if he punches himself in the face, then he'll wake up. So he hit himself in the face. And did it again. And again. And again. Nothing changed, except Nikola's face started to hurt a little. He leaned on the wall nearest to him and slumped onto the ground like a half-filled sack, he sighed in annoyance and started to slam his arm against the wall behind repeatedly,

"DAMN IT!" He shouted.

He seethed his teeth in anger, and looked over to the way leading out of the alley, where several ponies were passing by, some even looking into the alley, glancing at the angry Serbian-American inventor. Tesla regained his cool and relaxed against the wall, closed his eyes, and just gave in to the fact that he couldn't wake up, because he was already awake in this world

Tesla continued to relax on the wall until he heard a voice from around the corner, the voice got louder as the seconds went by, meaning the pony was heading closer toward the alleyway, the voice sounded familiar, it was squeaky and quite high pitched, it was Pinkie Pie,

"So Twilight, he was all grumpy and he called me a fiend" the pink mare said, "He looked awfully confused as well"

Tesla recognised the voice and sighed,

"Oh no, please. No" he begged.

Pinkie continued to talk to what Tesla thought were her friends, he already knew this was going to end badly. Pinkie Pie along with her friends, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy passed by the alleyway, but Rainbow Dash floated back to see the depressed Tesla against the wall,

"Yo, Pink!" She called out, "Is this the dude? He has a moustache and looks well groomed as you said"

Pinkie and the rest of her friends went back to Rainbow Dash and all looked down the alleyway to see the now not caring Nikola. Pinkie's friends looked at her, awaiting her response to Rainbow Dash's question,

"That's him" Pinkie said.

The six mares approached the ponified inventor in the alleyway, and Twilight asked,

"Excuse me, sir?"

"Funny, now that's the second horse that's spoken to me" Tesla said to himself.

"I beg your pardon?" Twilight asked.

"I created a machine that transported me to a different universe, now I'm a horse and I'm speaking to horses" Nikola replied calmly to Twilight.

Twilight looked Tesla in confusion, then she looked at her friends, who were just as surprised as her, and she shrugged,

"Em... I came here to ask you to apologise to my friend for calling her a fiend, please" Twilight said.

"I mean, horses can't talk, right?" Tesla continued from his last sentence as he stood up from the ground.

Twilight and her friends became slightly more baffled than ever at Nikola, somehow the apology Pinkie was hoping to get didn't matter anymore,

"Darling, are you alright?" Rarity asked, "Are you lost?"

"Oh, for Christ's sake, I'm fifty-six years old and I'm getting asked if I'm lost as if I'm some fucking child" moaned Tesla.

"Mind yer language, hon" Applejack told Tesla.

Tesla sighed, "I'm sorry, Miss. And also to you, Miss Pie, I apologise for calling you that name" Tesla politely apologised as he tried to get passed the six female ponies, "Now if you'll excuse me, I need figure out how I'm going to get home"

He walked passed them and made his way out the alleyway. Twilight looked at her friends in complete and utter surprise. How could a pony not know he's a pony at fifty-six years old? Why was he yammering on about alternate worlds? And finally, why was he surprised that ponies could talk? It surprised all six of the ponies, so Twilight being as curious as she usually is decided to try and figure it out, she went out the alleyway, her friends followed,

"Excuse me, Mister!" She called out.

Tesla who was halfway down the sidewalk, stopped in his tracks and turned around to face Twilight,

"Listen, I think I can help you!" Twilight shouted from thirty feet away, "You just need to come with me"

Tesla stood quietly to think of answer, would he rather wander this strange world he isn't used to, or would he rather try and find a way to get back to his own world? He chose the latter.

Tesla and the six mares were now at Twilight's library/home, and Tesla is trying to describe how he managed to end up in Equestria,

"Can you please repeat that?" Fluttershy asked quietly and shyly.

"Pardon me, Miss?" Tesla couldn't hear.

"Sorry, she's a little bit shy around new ponies" Rainbow Dash said to him, "She asked if you could repeat again, please?"

"Of course" Tesla replied, "OK, so I created a machine, a pod of sorts that allows me to move one object from the pod to another location. The first experiments were successful, the machine was able to transport simple solid objects, like metals and woods, we then moved onto doing the experiment with a watermelon before testing it out on people, just because the watermelon has the same density structure as a skull, the melon transported successfully without any negative consequences what so ever. Then it was on to people experiments, and I was at the right place at the wrong time. I volunteered to try the experiment out myself, but malfunctioned once I was in it, the malfunction had created a powerful surge of electricity, much more powerful than it was intended to be. The surge was meant to transport me to the other end of my lab, but instead I was transported to here and the thing I don't know is how my appearance was changed" Tesla explained.

"I think I have a book somewhere about trans-dimensional traveling" Twilight said, "Spike! Can you come here please?"

The baby dragon Spike came into the main lobby of the library where Tesla, Twilight and the rest were,

"Yes Twilight?" Spike asked.

Tesla then got startled at the sight of the dragon, he has never seen one before, so he was surprised. Nikola backed away towards a book shelf and pointed at Spike,

"What the hell is that?" Tesla questioned.

"Who, me?" Spike asked, "You never seen a dragon before, buddy?"

"Dragons? They exist in this world? Aren't they meant to be fearsome monsters?" Nikola asked.

"Most of them are" Spike muttered to himself, crossing his arms, and knowing the fact that he isn't as monstrous as other dragons.

"You don't need to worry about Spike. He's just a little sweetheart" Rarity said.

Spike smiled and shrugged, "Thanks Rarity" he blushed, "But anyways. You called for me, Twilight?"

"Oh yes" Twilight realised, "Can you get me that book on trans-dimensional travelling please?"

"Sure thing, Twilight" Spike replied.

Spike went over to the wheeled ladder and moved it over to the section labeled T-V, he climbed up the ladder and took the book out of one of the shelves and slid down the ladder and went to Twilight and handed it to her,

"Thanks Spike" Twilight said.

"You're welcome, Twilight" Spike replied.

Spike leaned over to Twilight to whisper in her ear,

"Who's the dude with moustache?" Spike quietly asked.

"You know what, I don't actually know" Twilight replied, "Excuse me, mister. I don't believe we got your name" Twilight said to Tesla.

"Oh yes, my name is Nikola Tesla" Tesla introduced his name.

"Nikola what-what?" Pinkie asked.

"Tes. La" Nikola replied to the pinkette slowly.

"Oh, OK" Pinkie said.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Tesla. As you probably heard from Spike, I'm Twilight. Twilight Sparkle. Pinkie already introduced herself to you earlier" Twilight said.

"Hello" Pinkie said.

"My name is Rainbow Dash" RD said.

"I'm Rarity. It is good to meet you as well Mr. Tesla" Rarity added.

"Name's Applejack, Nikola" She introduced herself as she raised her hoof, expecting a hoof shake.

Tesla looked at her hoof and felt like he was slightly cringing, Tesla hates to shake hand, it's apart of his OCD, he also has a strong disliking of jewellery and round objects. He seethed and teeth and said,

"Sorry, Miss Jack, but I don't like to shake hands....I mean hooves, I'm going to decline you hoof shake, sorry" Tesla politely apologised.

"Oh that's OK" Applejack replied.

Tesla looked at all the ponies and noticed they all had strange names, and the ponies themselves thought his name was strange as well. He noticed he hasn't learned all the ponies names, he looked at all the ponies once again, and noticed that one name he hasn't learnt was the small yellow Pegasus' one, Tesla went over to Fluttershy and greeted her,

"Hello, I'm Nikola. What's your name?" He asked politely.

"I'm Fluttershy" she said really quietly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that" Tesla replied.

"I'm....I'm Fluttershy" she spoke much louder.

"Well it's nice to meet you, Fluttershy" Nikola smiled.

Fluttershy felt happy and gave him a small smirk, still as shy as she usually is. Tesla turned back to face Twilight and said to her,

"Should we look in that book?"

Twilight nodded, "Yes, we should"

Twilight opened the book and flipped through a few pages as Tesla waited for her response. Twilight stopped at a certain page and then asked Tesla,

"Nikola, can you come here please?"

"What is it?" Tesla asked.

"There is nothing in this book that says anything about dimension jumping with electricity, however, you can dimension travel with magic, if you know the right spell" Twilight explained.

"Magic?" Tesla questioned in a joking tone.

"Yes, magic. Why is that so hard to believe?" Twilight asked.

"Twilight. Magic is illusion, it's a game of trickery and wits" Tesla replied.

"Ah, but in my world, it's real, there is no tricks or wits about it. It is real, pure magic" Twilight told him, "I don't think it's possible to transport a person with science anyways"

"That's funny, because they said that in my world, and I managed to make it possible" Tesla nonchalantly replied to her.

"Whatever" Twilight shrugged, "But anyways the book says that you can't teleport home because all the spells names have been forgotten or lost"

"Damn it" Tesla exclaimed, "Guess I'm going to be stuck here for a while until I can recreate my machine and experiment"

"Where are ya gonna stay?" Applejack asked.

"Don't know" Tesla replied.

Tesla placed his hoof under his chin and tried to think of where to stay,

"Is there any hotels around?" Nikola asked.

"That wouldn't be any use, darling" Rarity said, "You don't have any money, do you?"

"Shit, you're right, Miss Rarity" Tesla realised he didn't have any of his dollars, which wouldn't be useful as the ponies currency is bits.

"Well, you're welcome to stay in my home for the time being" Rarity told him.

"Thank you for the offer, Miss Rarity, but I also plan to conduct experiments in the place I'm staying, and I might be a burden on you" Tesla explained.

Rarity thought about his reply and agreed not to let him stay at her home. The other ponies thought of reasons of how Tesla couldn't stay at their homes,

"You can't stay at my home because its pretty far of the ground" Rainbow Dash told him.

"There's no space in mah house, sorry Nikola" Applejack apologised.

"My landlords, so to speak, wouldn't allow it" Pinkie said.

"My home is really small and I have a lot of pets that don't neccessarily like other ponies" Fluttershy explained to him.

Tesla wasn't bothered by their excuses, whether if they were truthful or lies. He itched his moustache with his hoof and thought of what Byron is doing in his own world,

"You can stay here if you want" Twilight said, "I have space in my basement where can sleep"

"Yeah...sleep" Tesla said remembering his bad sleeping habits, "Do you like I would be able to conduct experiments down there as well?"

"You can try, technology wouldn't be considered advanced enough for conducting the kind of experiment your plan to do" Twilight said.

"It wouldn't be considered advanced in my world either, yet I'm still able to do it" Nikola replied.

"Fine" Twilight smiled.

It was now night time in Ponyville, every pony was in their homes and a lot of them were asleep. Twilight went downstairs along with Nikola to the basement, she opened the door and the basement was in a bit of a mess, there was cardboard boxes with pieces of metal, Hearth's Warming decorations and old photos in them, there was also a chair there and the room didn't have any lamps but instead the room was drunk in neon lights,

"Well, welcome to your new room for just now, Nikola" Twilight said.

"Thank, Miss Sparkle. I very much appreciate it" Tesla thanked.

"It's the least I can do" Twilight smiled, "Sorry, but there's only a chair instead of a bed here, hope you don't mind that"

"Nah, it's fine" Tesla said, "Thanks again, Twilight"

Twilight stretched and yawned, "Well, I'm going to bed, Nikola. See you in the morning"

"Goodnight, Twilight" Tesla said.

"Oh, and one last thing" Twilight realised.

"What?" Tesla questioned.

"Welcome to Equestria"

Chapter 3: It's all about the Science

It was a bright but cold day in Ponyville, the Sun was shining but the winds kept the heat away. Twilight had woken up from her slumber, her mane in a mess and feeling groggy. She looked down at her assistant, Spike who was sleeping in his smaller bed beside Twilight's, was snug and cozy, Twilight smiled at the sight of her dragon sleeping. Twilight stretched and yawned and got out of her bed, she approached her mirror and looked into it, at her reflection,

"Wow, my mane is a wreck just now, it's like I've dragged myself through a hedge" Twilight spoke to herself.

She magically opened her drawer and levitated out a brush and comb, and brushed her mane then combed it and put the brush and come back in her drawer,

"Much better" Twilight said as flicked her mane and got it sitting in her typical fringe.

She went downstairs and went over to her desk to try and finish a letter to Celestia she started the night before,

Dear Princess Celestia,

I do regret to inform you, but neither me or my

friends have learnt anything about friendship, but instead, we've seem

to have found a strange pony who says he is from an alternate world,

he is a very eccentric individual who is a bit ou

The letter finishes there, as Twilight isnt sure to describe Nikola, having just met him. Twilight doesn't know much about Tesla other than the fact that he seems rather intellectual but unstable. She isn't even exactly sure why she let him stay in her home, she kind of takes him as a bit of crazy pony, though Twilight is friends with Pinkie Pie and craziness pretty much surrounds her daily routine.

Twilight decided she wanted to make breakfast, not for herself, not just now anyways, but for her pet owl, Owlwiscous. She went over to a cupboard which had most her breakfast foods in there along with Spike's food and her pet owl's. Owlwiscous' diet mainly consists of mice and worms, so Twilight has a box of dead mice in the cupboard, and this is when being a Unicorn has its advantages so she doesn't have to touch the dead mouse and just use her magic to levitate to Owlwiscous' cage. Once she made it to the cage, she opened the cage door and placed the deceased rodent in her pet's cage.

Twilight thought if she wanted to ask Nikola if he wanted breakfast, she decided to see if he wanted breakfast. She made her way down the stairs that led to the basement, she opened the door that was at the end of the stairs, and inside she saw Tesla working on a large piece of machinery, and then placed the large piece into a much larger machine, fitting the piece into an empty space as if it was a piece fitting into a jigsaw puzzle. The machine was unlike anything Twilight had seen before, it was large and a scary looking, she felt uncomfortable around it,

"Nikola, what the hell is that?"

"Oh, Miss Sparkle" Tesla said as he realized Twilight was standing at the door, "This is a um....machine I made last night"

"How the f..." Twilight almost cursed, "Where did you get the parts to make this?"

"In that cardboard box over there..." Tesla pointed out.

"Wait, that was just bits of scrap metal, don't tell me you just made this out of the scrap in the box?" Twilight was stunned.

"No, I went round to a scrap yard as well, got some metal and other bits and bobs there" Tesla replied.

"Wait, you did this all last night? You went to the junk yard last night? Did you not get any sleep?" Twilight asked.

"To answer all your questions, Miss Sparkle. Yes, I did this all last night. I did go into the junk yard and no, I did not get any sleep" Tesla answered as he continued to add another extra piece to the machine.

Twilight wanted to get angry at Tesla, but she couldn't. The machine was too grand for her to get mad at Nikola, she was highly impressed with the machine,

"Does it work?" Twilight asked with curiousity.

"Partially" Tesla replied.

"Partially?" Twilight questioned.

"Yes, the machine can transport objects from one place to another, however, it can only transport small objects..." Tesla began to explain.

"Example?" Twilight asked.

"I don't know, something like a tea cup, or a pencil" Nikola replied, "Something among those boundaries"

"Still, this is brilliant, you've able to transport an object without Magic" Twilight praised.

"Miss Sparkle, it's not about the Magic, it's all about the Science" Tesla replied.

"Magic is more powerful than Science, Nikola" Twilight said.

Tesla laughed sarcastically at her comment,

"Magic? More powerful than Science? You're talking rubbish" He said.

"I am not. You see, Nikola, Science isn't as powerful because there isn't as many uses for it as there is for Magic" Twilight told him.

"That's because all of you ponies have seemed to rely more on Magic and simple ways to live rather than trying new things with Science, which is exactly why my machine can't work as well I was hoping it to be" Tesla replied.

Twilight thought about his reply and she was intrigued of how his machine couldn't work as well,

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"I mean, your people's technology isn't as advanced as it is in my home world, it seems to be all over the place, if you get my idea. My machine needs a strong electrical pulse, which is how I was able to transport much larger objects in my home world from one place to another, and it generated a much more powerful and larger pulse and transported me here, and that pulse is something your world doesn't have yet" Tesla told her, "I was able to create the electrical pulse in my home world and..."

"So, how come you're not able to create it in this world?" Twilight interrupted and asked.

"Well, Twilight, it took me seven months of my precious life to get it created in my world, and as you can see, I'm a horse now, it's going to take me much longer to get it created in the form I'm in" Tesla replied.

"But you managed to create this, last night" Twilight said as she pointed to the machine whilst still facing Tesla.

"Well, Miss Sparkle, this machine is simple compared to the large pulse. It took me nine hours to make this machine in this pony form" Tesla explained as he pointed to himself, "It only took me three and a half hours to make this in my home world"

Twilight decided not to continue on this conversation as she thought it would end up in a heated argument between the much more intelligent inventor, so she changed the topic,

"Well, the reason I came down here is because I was going to ask you if you want any breakfast?" She asked.

"No thank you, Twilight" Tesla replied.

"Are you sure?" Twilight asked.

Tesla thought for a minute if he was hungry or not, and then made his decision,

"Actually, can I get a glass of milk, if you have any, please?" Tesla asked.

"Of course. Is that all?" Twilight made sure.

Tesla nodded at her to confirm,

"OK then" Twilight said as she exited the room and made her way up stairs.

She desperately needs to tell her friends about what Tesla has made.

Author's Note

My humble apologies if my stupid dialogue doesn't make any sense. Also, if you see any spelling errors, bad grammar or missing words, please let me know.

Chapter 4: Ponies, Machines and Broken Things

The day was growing ever more increasingly cold. The Sun was now obscured by the grey clouds, it was possibly going to rain later on. Twilight has called on her five friends to meet her at her home, so she could tell them about Tesla's invention.

They all arrived at different times. Fluttershy came first, worried about Twilight had to say. Pinkie came second, with her pet alligator, Gummy chomping at her tail with his toothless gums. Rainbow Dash arrived thirdly, hoping it was something worth her time. Rarity came fourth, much to Spike's approval. And lastly, came Applejack, she was curious of what the big commotion was,

"So, what's this about, Twi?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah, Twilight. It's about to piss down with rain and I'm probably going to get in bother from the Mayor because I haven't cleared up the clouds and was sleeping on the job" Rainbow Dash said.

"That's your problem then, Dashie" Twilight replied, "But anyways, to answer Applejack's question, I called you all here, because, well....Tesla has made something...." Twilight paused to find the right word, "...Phenomenal"

"Really?" Pinkie asked.

"Yes, really" Twilight replied.

"Ah'm interested ta see what it is, Twi" Applejack said.

"Wait, we're talking about 'The weird dude from yesterday' Tesla, right?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I wouldn't really consider him weird, just..." Twilight began to reply.

"Out of place?" Rarity suggested.

"Yes, that!" Twilight agreed.

"Should we go downstairs then?" Spike asked.

"Yes, we should" Twilight replied, "Girls, please follow me"

Twilight made her way towards the door that led down to the basement, all of her friends followed, except from Fluttershy, once Twilight made it to the door she was about to open it, but looked behind her to see that her anxious friend was trailing behind before she could open the door,

"Fluttershy? Come on" Twilight said.

"I'm worried it's not going to be good" Fluttershy responded.

"Don't worry, Fluttershy. Everything is going to be fine, I promise you" Twilight reassured.

Fluttershy sighed, "OK" She replied to Twilight, still not sure about what might happen.

"OK then, let's go" Twilight said.

Twilight opened the door that led to the basement, and she continued her way down the stairs and her friends followed her. They made it to the bottom of the stairs to the second door which led into Tesla's temporary room.Twilight was thinking to herself about the promise she made to Fluttershy, saying that everything would be fine, but Twilight wasn't too sure herself if it will be OK, she hasn't seen Tesla test the machine out yet, so she isn't sure of what the consequences might be.

Twilight then opened the door that led into the room, she went in, her friends followed her inside. They all saw the sight of a sleeping Nikola Tesla on the chair with his head resting against his hoof; it's the first time he's slept in four days. They also saw the machine, the pod, the big metal teleporter, the sight was so powerful that the floating Rainbow Dash's wings snapped shut and she fell to the ground in shock at the sight of the pod, Everypony's mouths were gaped open,

"Twilight. What the hell does this thing do?" Applejack asked.

"It can transport object from one place to another, without Magic" Twilight quietly replied, so she doesn't wake up Tesla.

All her friends turned to look at her,

"Without Magic?" They all questioned.

Twilight nodded,

"Twilight, what else can Tesla make?" Rarity asked.

"Don't know yet, but this is brilliant" Twilight replied.

"Wait, have you actually seen this thing work?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"No, but I believe Tesla" Twilight told Rainbow Dash.

"Can we try it out?" Rainbow asked.

"And probably cause the machine to do something we don't want it to, yeah, be my guest and accidentally destroy my home" Twilight sarcastically replied.

"That wouldn't be a good idea anyways, RD" Applejack said.

"Yeah, we don't know how to work a machine with this kind of magnitude" Rarity said.

"How hard can it be" Rainbow Dash said.

Rainbow Dash made her way towards the machine, none of the other ponies tried to stop her, as they all knew that she wouldn't be able to do it. She went over and looked at the switches, it confused her greatly, she didn't know how to work the machine. She looked back at her friends, in which Twilight and Applejack gave her smug looks. She gave up with trying and came back to her friends,

"Gave up?" Applejack asked in a joking tone.

"Shut up" Rainbow Dash replied.

"Look, once Tesla wakes up, I'll ask him if we can see the machine in action. OK?" Twilight made clear.

"Seems reasonable" Applejack said.

"Yeah, I'm cool with that" Rainbow Dash added.

"Um...OK" Fluttershy also added, but no one heard her.

"Well, let's go back upstairs, until Nikola wakes up" Twilight said.

"Of course" Rarity replied.

Twilight then led her friends back upstairs, but they seem to have left a small, green toothless reptile up to his own devices.

Twilight and her friends were now just relaxing in her home, with the sound of battering rain on the outside of the tree home. Rainbow Dash was reading a Daring Do novel, Twilight was sorting out books, and the rest were all talking to each other about Tesla,

"Which universe do you think he comes from?" Rarity asked her friends.

"Ya know those 'human' things that Lyra girl is always yammering on about?" Applejack asked.

"Yes" Rarity replied.

"Ah think Nikola might be one of them and from a world ran by them" Applejack said.

"Nonsense, Applejack. He's far too smart to be a human" Rarity replied, "From the way Lyra describes them, they don't seem as intelligent as our friend sleeping below us"

"Maybe he's an extremely smart human" Applejack said.

"Maybe he's not even human" Rarity countered.

"He probably is" Applejack replied.

Rarity leaned closer,

"Isn't" She said.

Applejack leaned closer,

"Is" She replied.

Rarity came even more closer,

"Isn't" She told her.

Applejack came close enough to Rarity to the point where the two mares were butting heads,

"Isn't" She said.

Then the two mares, both aggravated at each others opinions, backed away from eachother and turned to Fluttershy, and they both asked her at the same time,

"What's your opinion Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy, being as shy and anxious as she usually is, doesn't like to pick sides, especially with her friends, it puts pressure on her and she really doesn't like it, at all, so Fluttershy decided to say something else,

"I don't really....um....have an opinion" Fluttershy quietly replied.

"Darling, you must have some opinion" Rarity said.

"Yeah, c'mon Fluttershy, do you seriously think Tesla ain't human, from the way Lyra describes them, they sound like dumber versions of hi..." Applejack almost finished before Pinkie done something strange.

The strange thing that Pinkie was doing was that she was shuddering, this shudder comes in the form of her Pinkie sense that tells her that there is going to be a real doozy. Everyone in the room started to notice, Rainbow Dash put the Daring Do book and Twilight stopped sorting her library books out and they both went over to Pinkie. They were all worried, Rarity and Rainbow Dash may not have seen the shuddering before, but they have heard about it and they were told a bad event usually follows in its place, but were told nothing more. But the one who was worried the most was Twilight, as she remembered what happened during the last doozy, and she started to panic,

"Oh no! Oh no! I'm going to burst into flames again!" She panicked.

Rainbow Dash and Rarity looked at their purple friend in confusion,

"What?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"You burst into flames?" Rarity asked.

"It's a long story, we'll tell ya both later" Applejack said.

"Um...OK then" Rainbow Dash replied, still puzzled to how Twilight was able to erupt into flames, as was Rarity.

"Oh God. Oh God. It's going to end bad" Twilight continued.

"Twilight, hon. Calm down! Let's think about this first" Applejack said.

Twilight reassured herself and calmed down slightly, "OK" She breathed calmly.

"M-m-maybe t-this is a different s-s-s-super doozy" Pinkie said as she was still rumbling around.

"Maybe, Pinkie. Maybe it has something to with..." Applejack started.

"Tesla?" Twilight added and then thought to herself, "Oh no" She said to herself.

Twilight then pointed to her hyperactive pink friend,

"Pinkie! Where's Gummy?" She asked.

Pinkie gasped as she realized that her pet Alligator hadn't been around her for sometime, she then stopped shuddering, and regained her ability to speak properly,

"He was with me the entire time until we...until we..." Pinkie struggled to figure out where he lost him, despite the fact that she hasn't been in Twilight's home for very long.

"Spit it out, Pinkie!" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"I think we might have left Gummy in the basement" Pinkie said quickly.

"The Machine!" All the ponies except from Pinkie exclaimed.

They all quickly ran towards the the door that led to the basement, stormed down the stairs, opened the door to the inside of the room and saw Gummy on the slanted pad attached to the machine, flicking switches with his tail, unaware of what he's doing and Tesla was still asleep,

"Pinkie. You tell him to get down from there, he's your pet, he'll listen to you" Twilight told Pinkie.

"OK, Twilight" Pinkie replied.

Pinkie approached her pet slowly,

"Gummy, get down from there please, you're not meant to be up there" Pinkie told her pet.

Gummy, looked at his owner with his large light purple eyes, emotionless. He wasn't aware of what he was doing on the slanted control pad of the machine. He also doesn't know how he got up on the pad. All he was doing was walking on the pad and flicking the switches with his tail from turning around,

"Pinkie, just grab him!" Rainbow Dash commanded.

"No, Dashie, I need to do it slowly, or I might frighten him" Pinkie told her impatient friend.

"Fine, just hurry the best you can" Rainbow Dash replied.

"It's hard to do that, Dashie, when you keep talking to me" Pinkie said in an aggravated tone.

Pinkie then decided to approach her alligator quicker, but not as quick to make her pet feel frightened. What Pinkie was intending to do, was to keep her pet still by moving to him slowly, just in-case he flicks a switch that will set off something they don't want to see, yet. But just as soon as she got over to the pad, Gummy slumped down, on the pad, moving one of the switches with his tail, unfortunately, it was the machine's trigger switch.

The machine made a slight rumble, then sparks came out of the top of the pod-like machine. Tesla woke up from his slumber, his eyes quickly adjusting to his surroundings, he was surprised to see all the ponies in his temporary lab and as soon as he noticed his machine was on, he bounced off of the chair he was sleeping on and jumped to the chase,

"Twilight, what the hell is going on?" Nikola asked.

"Pinkie's pet alligator accidentally switched on your machine" Twilight replied.

"Alligator? What the hell is an alligator doing in here!?" He loudly asked.

"He's only a baby alligator, Mr. Tesla" Pinkie said, "He didn't know what he was doing"

"Sweet Jesus, I go to sleep for about an hour and a half, and already, my machine's being tampered with" Tesla said to himself.

He went over towards Pinkie,

"Pinkie, can you get back from the machine please" Tesla regained his cool.

"Okey dokey lokey" Pinkie replied as she backed away.

Tesla continued to the approach the machine, with a plan to fix it in mind. However, his plan backfired when another crackle came from the top of the machine, and a spark came from inside the pod-like machine,

"Jesus Christ! How many switches did he turn on?" Tesla asked.

"I don't know" Pinkie replied.

"Girls, get back further" Tesla ordered whilst waving his arm backwards.

"Can you get Gummy?" Pinkie loudly asked.

"I'll try, Pinkie" Nikola told her.

Nikola approached the machine again, towards the pad, which Gummy was, strangely enough, still standing on. He went over to the alligator, and lightly nudged the reptile off the pad and Gummy bounced off the ground, and crawled back to his owner, leaving Tesla to try and fix the machine,

"Damn it!" He shouted to himself.

"What's the matter?" Twilight asked.

"The machine's switches and buttons are all jumbled up, it's not going to turn off unless it transports something" Tesla told her, "Whilst it's transporting something, it'll give me enough time to get the switches back in it's default setting, then I can turn it off without the machine malfunctioning"

"What will it transport?" Twilight asked.

"Anything, as long as it's small, like a can or anything like that" Tesla replied.

"OK" Twilight said, "Girls, find anything small" Twilight ordered her friends.

Applejack reacted quickly and picked up the closest thing near her, and what she got was a medium sized rubber ball, like the kind that can fit into the palm of your hand,

"Nikola!" Applejack shouted.

Nikola snapped his neck to face the orange mare, his body then twisted to face the same direction,

"Catch!" She shouted.

She then chucked the ball over to Tesla, who barely just caught it with his two hooves. He then proceeded to place the ball into the machine, he closed the door to keep the sparks and the ball inside, then as soon as Tesla, a familiar vacuuming sound occurred; familiar to Nikola, but new to the ponies. They've never heard anything like it, after the vacuum, Tesla heard a pop, and that indicated to him that the machine has made the ball disappear and he has about forty seconds before the machine starts with the sparks and crackles again, and thanks to Tesla's photographic memory, he managed to get the switches back to their original setting in fifteen seconds. He then re-opened the pod door, for him and ponies to see that the machine had made the ball disappear,

"Where's the ball?" Rarity asked.

"Well, Ms. Rarity. Currently, the ball has been split up into millions of tiny little pieces, floating above us in the atmosphere, if we give it another ten seconds, it will reappear in that spot" Tesla explained to Rarity as he pointed to a certain spot.

"How do you know, it will reappear there?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Because it's where my previous experiments have reappeared at" Nikola replied.

Then a bright surge of light appeared where Tesla was pointing, then a crackle and fizz followed with the surge, then the light died down to reveal the ball was there,

"Sweet Celestia" Rainbow Dash spoke, stunned.

Everypony's mouths were gaped open, they couldn't believe what they saw. They were used to seeing teleporting objects by magic, but never by science,

"Wow" Pinkie uttered, "Can you do that again?" She asked with smile.

Author's Note

I know this chapter is complete garbage, so, I apologize for my truly appalling writing. Also, I apologize for taking this long to get this chapter ready (It was complete hell this week, so please don't blame me for it). And one other thing, just letting you all know that the ending chapter will be extremely dark and I will probably have to change the rating to mature for I've got planned, but you don't need to worry about that just now, we still got a while to go before the end. If you want to, try to guess the end.

Chapter 5: Bidding his Thanks

It was now a new day in Equestria. The weather was still bad, yet it was getting better. It's Tesla second day in Equestria, and since the machine incident yesterday, he's managed to get it back to top condition. And as of his second day, he's trying to construct the electrical pulse that's transported him to Equestria in the first place, though with Equestria current technology, which is all over the place, he's finding it rather difficult to do so.

Twilight has thought more about Tesla and his invention, thinking of how much this could advance Equestria's technology. His demeanor and intelligence is also something Twilight thought, so much so that she thinks he might be unstable, though she isn't too sure.

Twilight was still trying to write her letter to Celestia, though she had changed some of the words in the letter,

Dear Princess Celestia,

I do regret to inform you, but neither me or my

friends have learnt anything about friendship, but instead, we've seem

to have found a strange pony who says he is from an alternate world,

he is a very eccentric individual who is ~~a bit ou~~ a very

intelligent individual as well. And with his intelligence, he has done

something truly spectacular, he has managed to make an object transport

from one place to another, without magic. Yes, I'm fully aware that it seems,

well, unreal but let me assure you, Your Highness, it's real, and I have my

friends to back me up on that. I believe this could bring Equestia up to an

outstanding technological height, but I just want you to see for yourself

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight then heard a knock at the door from her desk, with her knowing that Spike was closer to the door, she asked him from her desk,

"Spike, can you get the door please?"

"OK, Twilight" Spike replied.

As Spike went over to see who was at the door, Twilight used her magic to fold over her letter to the Princess and slid the letter into an envelope, whilst she was eavesdropping on who was at the door. As it turns out, it was one of her close friends,

"Oh hi Applejack" Spike greeted.

"Howdy, Spike. Is Twilight home?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah, she is. I'll call her" Spike replied, "Twilight! It's Applejack!" He called out.

"I'll be there in a second" Twilight said from her desk.

Twilight levitated her ballpoint pen and wrote Princess Celestia on the front of it. She then laid the letter on her desk and hoisted herself up from the pillow she sits on whenever she writes a letter and then she trotted over to her front door,

"Oh hey, Applejack" Twilight greeted.

"Howdy Twi" Applejack greeted back, "What were ya doing before ah interrupted ya, sorry about that, by tha way" The country mare apologized.

"Oh no, it's OK, Applejack, I was just finishing off a letter to Princess Celestia" She explained.

"Do you want me to send it, Twilight?" Spike asked.

"Please Spike" Twilight replied.

Spike nodded and went over towards her desk so he could transport the letter through his magical flame to Equestria's highest authority, whilst Twilight let Applejack inside her home and closed the front door behind her,

"Brr" Applejack said as she shrugged off the cold from the outside, "So, what subject of friendship were ya learning about that ya had ta send ta Princess Celestia?" Applejack asked with curiosity.

"Well, to be truly honest, Applejack. It wasn't about friendship. It was about..." Twilight paused, "It was about Nikola"

"Oh, right" Applejack replied, "What did ya say about 'im? Ah think that is a good idea to tell the Princess about him, considering that he comes from a different world. Did ya mention the incident yesterday?"

"Yes" Twilight nodded, "She has to know about these things"

"Ah agree" Applejack said.

"Anyways, are you wanting a coffee, a drink, maybe?" Twilight changed the subject.

"Nah, thanks though. I just wanted to come around and talk" Applejack said.

"What do you want to talk about then?" Twilight asked.

"Well, did ya hear about the big snow storm heading this way?" Applejack asked.

"No, but that doesn't surprise me, despite all the bad weather we've been having already" Twilight replied, "Don't you have like apples to buck before some deadlock? You told us about it last week, do you need any help at all?" Twilight asked.

"Nah, ah'm pretty sure me and Big MacIntosh can finish by the time the storm rolls around" Applejack told her friend.

"Horseapples, Applejack." Twilight sighed, "Don't start this thing again, last time this happened you barely held on, we can help you. Don't let your pride get the better of you again"

Applejack sighed, "Fine, Twi. Yer right, ah need help, ah keep thinking ah don't, but ah do. Thanks"

"It's not a problem" Twilight smiled, "We'll try and get Nikola out to help as well, he needs out of the house"

"Yeah, the more, the merrier" Applejack replied.

Meanwhile, Tesla was continuing to work on the electrical pulse to upgrade his machine, he had wires that he was carefully connecting to the small sockets, he had to be even more careful since he is in his pony form. Tesla stopped working on it and took a short rest, and at this point, he heard a knock on the door,

"Come in" He said.

Applejack entered, much to Tesla's surprise, he was expecting either Twilight or Spike to be the one who knocks,

"Oh, hello Applejack" Tesla greeted.

"Howdy, Nikola" She greeted back.

"How are you doing?" He asked.

"Ah'm doing fine, what about yerself?" She asked back.

"I'm OK. I never got to thank you for passing that rubber ball yesterday, you helped save the machine pretty much" Tesla said, "And for that, I bid you my thanks"

"We all tried to help" Applejack smiled.

"You did the best though" Tesla said, "But anyways, is there anything else you want to say to me?"

"Actually, ah was hoping to ask ya something" Applejack told him.

"Go ahead" Tesla replied.

"Well, there's an nasty snow storm heading for Ponyville, and ah work for ma family's business, we buck apples, sell them off in pies, fritters, all that good stuff. We have to get our apples packaged, baked, sliced and sold off to all corners of Equestria by a deadlock. And ah would have been doing all the work with ma brother but Twilight insisted to help, and she's getting the others to help as well. She also told me to tell you, that you have to help" Applejack told him.

"Really? Well, I guess since you were the one who actually did something to save my machine, the least I can do for you is to help you" Tesla said before coming with an idea.

Tesla thought to himself for a little bit about his idea, he looked down at the pulse and then to his main machine and back at Applejack, he then sighed and said to her,

"You know what, since this damned pulse to my machine will take me a while to complete, I'll come round to your home tomorrow and build you a machine that can help you with your business, it'll be much quicker" Tesla offered.

"No, it's fine, thank you though" Applejack declined.

"No, you saved my machine, I'm going to help you in return by making you a machine, OK?" Tesla made clear.

"Well, since ya insist" Applejack chuckled.

"OK, I'll have to build the machine over at your home, considering the fact it would be too big to build in here and an even bigger chore to move it out, so I'll have to build it there, sorry" Tesla apologized.

"No, that's fine" Applejack accepted, "Thanks for doing this" Applejack thanked as she extended her foreleg.

Tesla looked down at her foreleg and then looked back at her,

"Miss Applejack, remember, I don't like to shake hooves" He reminded her.

"Oh yeah" Applejack remembered as she placed her foreleg back on the ground, "Sorry"

"It's OK" Tesla replied, "Also before you go, what's the name of your address?" Tesla asked.

"It's a farm called Sweet Apple Acres, ya can't miss it" Applejack told him.

Author's Note

I know, such a long time for such a short chapter. I've been insanely busy with studying and Christmas stuff so that's why it took so long, apologies

Chapter 6: Broken Memories, Capacitor Banks and Apple Slicing Machines

Tesla's third day in Equestria. It was approximately one week before the storm arrives in Ponyville and Tesla along with Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, Fluttershy and Rarity were heading over to Sweet Apple Acres to help Applejack buck down a certain number of apples and have them sliced up, so they can baked in pies, fritters and be used for other things by the certain deadlock when they have to be sent over to places all over Equestria, but more importantly, they need to send them there before the snow storm arrives. Since Tesla has been out of Twilight's home, he has been struggling to walk in his Pony form, as he has spent most of his time in Twilight's basement trying to perfect his machine which doesn't give him a huge amount of space so he doesn't move around as often, even when he stole junk from the scrap yard he had difficulty doing so,

"Nikola, are you alright?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just this body is hard to walk in" Tesla replied.

Pinkie then bounced beside him and observed how he was moving, she hopped alongside him and asked him,

"Nikola, do want some help?" Pinkie asked.

"No. Thank you, Pinkie. But I think I'll be able to walk by mys..." He said before almost falling to the ground, "Jibati!" He cursed in Serbian.

"Oh yeah, by yourself, works like a charm" Rainbow Dash sarcastically joked.

"Rainbow, don't be mean to him" Rarity told Rainbow Dash before turning to Tesla, "Listen, Nikola darling, you're not doing the best. Me and Pinkie will help you, there's a technique on how to walk like a pony" Rarity told him.

Tesla sighed, "Fine. The help would be great, thank you"

Rarity went over to Tesla and stood next to him on his right, whilst Pinkie was on his left,

"OK, so the way to do it is, you have to lift your left foreleg and move it forward and just before you place your left foreleg on the ground, you lift your right hind-leg, then you do the same thing only with your right foreleg and left hind-leg" Rarity explained, "Watch me and Pinkie, then try it yourself, OK?"

"Of course" Tesla replied.

Rarity and Pinkie then proceeded to walk forwards, Pinkie and Rarity walked in a very similar way, they were both light on their hooves, bouncing slightly with every step they made, Rarity did it to show her elegance whilst Pinkie did it because she loves to bounce while she walks, but either way, Tesla wasn't going to do that,

"OK, Darling, now you try" Rarity said as soon as she and Pinkie stopped.

Tesla took a deep breath before moving forward, he followed Rarity's technique and moved his left foreleg, then right hind-leg, and after that he moved his right foreleg and then the left hind-leg. He repeated the technique again and again and did exceptionally well in Rarity's eyes, even through he lunged over every now and again but still did well,

"That's it, you're doing it" Rarity praised.

"Thanks, Rarity" Tesla replied.

"Not a problem, darling" She said, "Question though. How do you walk, back in your home world?"

"Like Spike, with two legs, it's easier for me that way" Tesla replied.

"I would struggle with two legs" Rarity said.

"It gives you more freedom, strangely enough" Tesla told her.

"How so?" Rarity asked.

"Since people in my home world are similar to Spike, that means we also have arms, with our arms it's easier to do things, but in this pony form I feel like my arms are tied behind my back" Tesla said, "It keeps me from doing other things"

"I feel sorry for you darling, me and Twilight have horns, so we can use magic to our advantage" Rarity said.

The mentioning of magic made Tesla roll his eyes, after he rolled his eyes, he moved his eyes to look at Twilight who was actually glancing at them and shaking her head in reminder of their argument back on Tesla's first full day in Equestria,

"What's the matter, Nikola?" Rarity asked after she saw him roll his eyes.

"It's just...." He paused, "It's just that magic is something completely new to me, for the most part"

"Do you not have magic in your world?" Rarity asked.

"Well, yes, but it's more illusion than fantastical in my world, in my world magicians pretend to do what you Unicorns can actually do" Tesla replied.

"Your world seems interesting" Rarity said.

"Pfft" Tesla replied, "Hardly. the most interesting thing about it, to me anyways, is the evolving sciences"

"I'd like to visit your world, even if means slipping into a new body" Rarity said.

"Oh yes, I hope once I get transported back to my home world, I'll go back to my original form, that's the only thing I'm not sure on how it happened once I came here" Tesla realized.

"Maybe we both try to look on how it happened, together tonight?" Twilight optioned.

"No, I don't know how long it's going to take for me to complete Applejack's machine, it could take me all night" Tesla replied.

"You're seriously not planning on staying the entire night to try and complete the machine, Nikola?" Twilight questioned.

"If it requires for me to do so, then yes, I am serious" Tesla responded, "Twilight, I am usually the man who will not stop until it's complete, how I got coaxed out of stopping my work on the pulse is another story"

"Well, that's very kind of you, Nikola" Twilight smiled, "I'm sure Applejack will appreciate that very much"

"I hope she does" Tesla said.

Tesla, Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, Fluttershy and Rarity finally made it Sweet Apple Acres, where they were greeted by Applejack,

"Howdy everypony" Applejack greeted.

"Hi Applejack" All the ponies said, apart from Tesla who greeted her with a small nod.

"OK, so the amount of Apples we're trying to get bucked within three days, is approximately fifty thousand, and on the final few days before the storm, we can get the apples sliced up with Tesla's machine and we'll get them baked, packaged and sent. That is if Nikola can finish the machine by then" Applejack said, "Think ya can do that by then, Nikola?" She asked the inventor.

"Yes, of course" Tesla replied.

"OK, thank you Nikola" Applejack thanked, "What things are ya going use to make it?"

"That's what I was going to ask you, Applejack" Tesla replied.

"Ask me what?" Applejack questioned.

"Well, if two of the girls can with me to help me get my equipment, it would speed up things" Tesla told her.

"I'll go" Rainbow Dash spoke out.

"Nah, RD, ah need ya here to help, yer good at bucking apples so ya'd be good to help" Applejack said.

"Can I go? Can I? Can I? Can I?" Pinkie asked energetically.

Applejack stood there and thought for a little bit, she thought about how well Pinkie worked, Applejack admired her energy, though she tends to struggle a bit with kicking after she get's tired from bouncing too much,

"Yeah, you can go, Pink" Applejack replied.

"Yippee!" Pinkie cheered.

"Can I go please?" Rarity asked.

Applejack thought to herself again, this time about Rarity's working performance, she is a strong pony and would be able to get the job done if she wasn't afraid to get her hooves a little dirty, but unfortunately, she is, and that slows her down in her performance, but Applejack still decided to keep her,

"Yer strong, Rarity, ah kinda need ya here, please" Applejack said.

"Fine" Rarity said before sighing, no pony could tell if she was sighing over the fact she couldn't go with Tesla or that she didn't want to get her hooves dirty whilst bucking down apples, none of them were sure.

Applejack thought of who the second pony Tesla should take along with him to get the things he needs, she then thought of the weakest worker, which happens to be Fluttershy. It ain't because she's a bad worker, Applejack thought to herself, She just gets so frustrated that she ends up being bored of it, ah don't wanna put her through boredom again,

"Fluttershy, how about ya go along with Pinkie and Nikola to get the equipment, hon?" Applejack optioned to her shy friend.

"Em...OK" She replied softly.

"Alright then, me, Twi, Rarity and RD will go help my workers and my brother, we'll all see ya when ya come back" Applejack said.

"OK, bye" Tesla said.

"Bye, girls" Fluttershy followed.

"Bye-bye, everypony" Pinkie finished as she bounced in the direction of where Tesla and Fluttershy were walking to.

Tesla, Pinkie and Fluttershy were now behind a scrapyard, where Tesla managed to gather resources for his previous machine during his first night, they took a way toward the back of the junkyard, where they would less likely be caught. Tesla knew how to get in behind the scrapyard, as there was a piece of wire fence that had been lifted up, leaving an entrance for Tesla, Pinkie and Fluttershy. Tesla was calm whilst sneaking in, as was Pinkie, but Fluttershy was nervous about getting caught,

"Em...Nikola, are you sure we should be here?" Fluttershy asked.

"We'll be fine, Fluttershy. I've been here before, no one found here the last time I was here, so we'll be fine, I promise you" Tesla replied.

"OK, Nikola" Fluttershy said.

"Oh, Nikola. What exactly do we need to get?" Pinkie asked.

Tesla thought to himself, "A few blades, or something sharp like a blade, try to find a large piece of metal, that resembles a bowl if you can and finally a cylindrical piece of metal that resembles a barrel, and if not, then I'll just work with the best I got" Tesla told them.

"OK, I'll get right to it" Pinkie said before diving into a pile of junk, how she never got any cuts or bruises, is anypony's guess.

Fluttershy nodded at Tesla's request and started to dig through the scrap to find what Tesla wanted, and Tesla started to do the same thing.

Five minutes and they still haven't found anything in the piles of metal and scrap, they all stayed in silence for the majority of the five minutes, until Tesla himself broke the silence,

"So Pinkie, what exactly do you do for a living?" He asked.

"Well, I work at bakery" Pinkie said, "I used to work at my parents' rock farm but I moved away from that"

"What about you, Fluttershy?" Tesla asked.

"I work as an animal caretaker, I have plenty of pets back in my cottage, some animals just need some looking after" Fluttershy said.

"I know what Applejack and Twilight do, but what about Rarity and Rainbow Dash?" The inventor asked.

"Rarity is a fashion designer and Rainbow Dash works with weather" Fluttershy replied.

"But what she really wants to become the greatest flyer in the WHOLE OF EQUESTRIA!!" Pinkie said whilst making hoof gestures.

"Do you mean with her wings or with a plane?" Tesla asked.

"With her wings of course" Pinkie said happily.

"What do you mean by plane?" Fluttershy asked.

Tesla realized asking if it's either her wings or a plane was dumb. Of course they haven't even heard of planes, this isn't my world, planes aren't even popular in my world yer, damn Wright Brothers, though rest in peace Wilbur, Tesla thought,

"Nothing, planes are something in my world, you wouldn't know what they are, sorry" Tesla apologized.

"It's OK" Fluttershy accepted and smiled.

"Rarity's right, your world does seem interesting" Pinkie told him.

"Your world is interesting, Pinkie. It's very strange and fantastical" Tesla replied.

"Well, to us, your world sounds the same" Fluttershy said.

"Speaking of Rarity" Pinkie said, "I think she seems to have something for you..."

"Yeah, I think that too" Fluttershy added.

Tesla shook his head at their remarks whilst keeping it to himself, he knew what they were talking about,

"Maybe she likes you, Nikola" Pinkie said.

"She's only known me for three days now" Tesla replied, "I think she's just fascinated by where I come from"

"You and Rarity would make a good couple though" Pinkie smiled.

"I'm fifty-six and she's at least twenty-odd years old, besides, she's a pony and I'm a human in a pony's skin" Tesla explained, "I don't usually date people anyways"

"Why's that?" Pinkie asked with a puzzled tone in her voice.

Tesla sighed, "Because I made a promise to a woman a long time ago"

"Who? Are you married?" Fluttershy asked.

"No...no I never married" Tesla told them, "But this woman I met when I was twenty-three, that was the only time, ever in my life, when I felt truly in love with anyone, her name was Ana"

"What was the promise you made to her?" Fluttershy asked.

"I made two promises, one of them I kept. The promise I kept was that before Ana succumbed to death, I would think about her for the rest of my life. The promise I never kept was that I would move on from her. But I couldn't. It hurt" Tesla told them.

At this point, Tesla was starting to have memories of Ana, most prominently, her death, she died aged twenty-eight, Tesla was twenty-nine at the time, he remembers how she died, she died peacefully in her deathbed due to cancer, she had no family members, Tesla was her only family.

It made Fluttershy cry a little and Pinkie sniffed,

"I've always been prone to keeping to my work, it's gotten the better of me for many years now, it causes me to be, somewhat, a loner, I have many friends, though I'm not a very sociable man, most of my assistants are the ones I'm sociable to the most. I've had many assistants, my most recent one, Byron, I can't imagine what's going between him and people in my world over me" Tesla said.

Fluttershy and Pinkie both didn't know what to say, so they continued to search through the scraps, leaving Tesla to his memories for a short while before he once again broke the silence,

"Girls, sorry about that" Tesla said.

"It's...it's OK" Fluttershy replied.

"Let's just keep on searching for the equipment" Tesla said.

It was nighttime, and Tesla had to go back to the scrapyard for one last trip in order to get another piece for the machine, once he arrived back at Applejack's, it was just her, Rainbow Dash and Twilight left at her home, everypony else decided to go home. Tesla was half done with the machine, and Applejack was happy, but she felt like Tesla needed to rest as well,

"Nikola, stop making the machine now. Ya've done well enough, thank you" Applejack said.

"I can't stop, I will complete it in a few more hours" Tesla said.

"No, c'mon, you need to rest as well, go back to Twilight's, get some sleep, come back tomorrow, finish it off" Applejack said.

Tesla sighed, "But I said before, I'm the kind of person that work until the project is finished"

Applejack went outside the barn, which was where Tesla was building the machine, she went over to Twilight,

"Twi, talk to Nikola, he's not listening to me" She told her.

Twilight sighed, "I'll talk to him, AJ"

"OK, thank you, Twilight" Applejack thanked.

"It's OK" Twilight said.

"You know what girls? I think I'm going to go home, get some shud-eye, tell Nikola I said bye" Rainbow Dash said.

"OK, Dash, see you soon" Twilight said to her.

"Bye, Rainbow" Applejack added.

Rainbow Dash then hovered away from Sweet Apple Acres, leaving Applejack and Twilight outside the barn,

"I'll go inside, Applejack" Twilight said.

Applejack nodded as Twilight entered the barn, once she entered, she saw Tesla still working on the machine,

"Nikola" Twilight said, but Tesla didn't hear.

"Nikola!" Twilight spoke louder, getting his attention.

"Hello Twilight" Tesla greeted.

"Come on, let's go back to my home, you can continue working on the pulse, I'll need to go to the bank first, if it's open, I'm not sure if it is, but we'll check" Twilight told him.

Instantly, as soon as Twilight said "pulse" and then "bank", he got an idea for his teleportation machine and the pulse, an idea which could possibly help him in the greatest way,

"What did you say?" Tesla asked.

"The bank, just need to check if it's open..." Twilight began to say.

"No, Twilight. You've just given me a great idea. We need to get back to your home, pronto" Tesla told her.

"Wait, what idea?" Twilight asked.

"A bank" Tesla replied.

"A bank?" Twilight replied, puzzled.

"That's the thing my pulse needs, a capacitor bank" Tesla replied, feeling energetic.

"Em...." Twilight hummed.

"Let me explain. If my intentions are to generate a extremely large pulse of electricity into the machine, it needs a capacitor bank, it will store energy that isn't needed, therefore it will not explode or cause any sort of hysteria" Tesla told her.

"That's....that's brilliant" Twilight said in surprise.

Tesla then stormed out of the barn in a hurry, and Twilight awkwardly followed, once Twilight stepped outside, Applejack said,

"Thanks for getting him out, Twi" Applejack said as she saw Twilight try to catch up to Tesla, who, despite his age, was walking at a very fast pace, "What's the rush?" Applejack asked.

Twilight turned around and shrugged and said, "Long story", before turning around to catch up to the inventor,

"Nikola!" Twilight shouted, "Wait up!"

"Twilight, you're going to help me make this bank" Tesla said as soon as she caught up to him.

"We're going to make this thing now?" asked Twilight.

"No, I'm going make it now, you're just going to help" Tesla replied.

"Why do I get the feeling this is going to end badly?" Twilight asked herself.

Author's Note

Happy New Year, friends. Also, a thanks to thezebrachemist, who gave me the idea of the capacitor bank

Chapter 7: It's 3:00 am In The Morning

"It's just a large, metal box, Nikola" Twilight told him.

"You don't understand, Twilight" Tesla said, "It's storage, it will keep the electricity from overflowing, what can't you understand about that?"

"I'm tired, Nikola, we've been at this thing for seven and a half hours!" She shouted, "I want to go to bed, it's three o'clock. In. THE. MORNING!"

"I'm fully aware of that, Twilight. But this can get me a few steps further to finishing off my machine" Tesla told her.

"Yes, I know, but couldn't you do it later? You seem to be very impatient" Twilight replied.

"I would, but I have a machine for Applejack to build, and that took me a while, so, the more we get complete out of the bank, then I'll be able to proceed with completing Applejack's machine later on. Come on, just one more thing left to do" Tesla explained.

Twilight sighed, "There's no stopping you, is there?"

Tesla shook his head, "There isn't"

Tesla had recently brought in a table to Twilight's basement so he could work on the pulse, it's also where him and Twilight are currently working the capacitor bank on,

"Twilight, could you come to the other side of the table please, and help me finish this?" Tesla asked.

"What's the problem?" Twilight asked.

"Just come here please" Tesla said.

Twilight did so and approached him at the other side of the table,

"Could you help me push this final piece into the box, it needs more pressure applied, if it's going to be able to get into the machine" Tesla told her.

"Okay, then after this, I can go to bed?" Twilight made sure.

"Of course" Tesla replied.

"Okay, what do I do?" Twilight asked.

"You seen that empty space between my hooves? Place one of your hooves in-between, then place your other hoof above the hoof left between mine" Tesla ordered.

Twilight nodded as she followed Tesla's orders, after she did so, she asked,

"What now?"

"Alright, now, at my count to three, I want you to push this piece as hard as you possibly can into the box" Tesla instructed.

"Okay" Twilight replied.

"One..." Tesla started.

"Two...." Tesla added as he got ready to push.

"....Three!" He shouted.

As soon as Tesla shouted three, they both pushed against the piece until it slotted into the box after about thirty seconds of pushing, afterwards, Tesla banged his armed against the piece to check if it was fully fitted into place,

"Fits like a jigsaw puzzle" Tesla told himself.

"That's it over?" Twilight asked after catching her breath.

"Yes. Thank you very much, Twilight" Tesla thanked.

"No problem" Twilight replied before sighing out of exhaustion, "I'm going to bed now"

Twilight made her way towards the door, feeling very tired, and just before she managed to escape out of her basement, Tesla asked her another question,

"What's the deal with the tattoos?" Tesla asked.

Twilight became confused. She then turned around back to face him,

"What tattoos?" She asked him.

"The tattoos on the sides of your legs" Tesla replied.

"Oh, these?" She asked as she realized what he was talking about, "This is my cutie mark, I have it on both my hind legs, it symbolizes my special talent"

"Which is what?" Tesla asked.

"I'm great at magic" Twilight said.

Tesla rolled his eyes at the word, "magic". It's still not a thing he's used to yet,

"You still don't like magic, do you?" Twilight asked.

"It's not that I don't like magic, it's just that it's not something I'm instantly going to get used to in this world" He replied.

"Well, you're going to have to, every Unicorn uses it, and it's one of the most popular things we use in our economy and society" Twilight told him.

"Does everyone have a cutie mark?" Tesla asked so both he and Twilight don't go off-topic.

"Well, no one is born with one, they appear after we've discovered our talent, you have yours, didn't you notice?" Twilight asked.

"No, I didn't notice" replied Tesla as he looked at his flank to see his cutie mark was an electrical circle, colored purple, "What does it mean?"

"It probably has something to do with science" Twilight smiled, "Goodnight, Nikola"

"Goodnight Twilight" Tesla replied.

Twilight was heading upstairs to her bed; tired, exhausted and groggy. She went over to her bed and saw Spike sleeping on his smaller bed, beside hers. On her bed, she saw a piece of paper with another piece of paper stuck on it, a small post-it note. Twilight pulled of the small post-it note that was on the paper and read it. It said,

Twilight, this is Celestia's letter that she sent back, was going to give it to you once you came in, but you and NickNiky Nikola stormed in and went down to the basement to do something. But anyways, here you go - Spike

Twilight levitated the post-it note into a small bin used for notes that aren't needed, after she did that, she levitated Celestia's letter and unfolded it, it read as such,

Dear Twilight,

Thank you for informing me about this pony, I am

interested in meeting said fellow, only when you

have the time. If you think he could advance our

kind forward in a technological advance, then I

should see this for myself and then tell you what

I think. Please do reply when you have the time.

Kind regards, Princess Celestia.

Twilight levitated the letter over to her desk and finally rested herself on her bed, she let out a gasp of air and relaxed in her bed, and quickly drifted off to sleep.

About thirty minutes after Twilight settled to sleep, Tesla was bored, he didn't want to continue with the pulse, or anything else, and due to his sleeping habits, he was stuck like this, bored out of his mind. He got up from the chair he was sitting on and paced himself back and forth, thinking of something to do, until he finally came up with something,

"I guess I should finish off Applejack's machine, it'll save her extra time" He spoke to himself.

Tesla then made his way to the door that led him out of the basement and he quietly approached the upstairs and made his way towards the window beside the front door, he then exited out of the window, so he doesn't alert Twilight or Spike, and was hit with a cold gust of wind as soon as he left the tree home,

"Okay, let's get to the machine" Tesla said to himself.

He made it over to Sweet Apple Acres, he was pretty much trespassing on the Apple family's land, he sneaked into the barn, where the machine still was, he then went inside, placed his hoof against the half done machine, he then moved around the machine until he stopped and saw something that caught his eye, it was a small, wooden go-cart. Tesla went over to inspect the go-cart and it said something on it's side, it said,

The Cutie Mark Go-Cart by Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle

At first glace, the cart looked terrible, one of the wheels had fallen off and the wood look corroded, but it actually wasn't. As soon as Tesla saw it, he shook his head in disappointment, and once again, another idea came to Tesla.

It was around six o'clock now, and Tesla had finally finished the apple slicing machine, and also completed something else, he upgraded the Cutie Mark Crusaders' go-cart and gave it an engine using spare scraps of metal that were meant for the larger machine, thinking to himself,

"What until the kids see their cart now"

He then sneaked out of the barn just as soon as Applejack woke up, he then made it back to Twilight's home through the window and back down into the basement, and then continued to develop his pulse, which would pretty much be his plan for the rest of today, or so it would seem...

Author's Note

Just a quick filler chapter. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 8: Hay and Grass

Later on during Tesla's fourth day, he was still working on the pulse, he was still in the basement of Twilight's home, and he was losing track of time. He wasn't too sure on what the time was, and despite him frequently checking the time outside the basement due to his OCD, he somehow didn't want to do it, he wasn't feeling himself today. He finally stopped working on his machine and checked outside the basement on the time, it was 11:00 am, he has been working on his pulse for five hours, since he came back from finishing off Applejack's machine earlier that day. He went outside the basement and made his way upstairs, where he saw Twilight sitting on her couch, reading a book and Spike was sleeping against a wall whilst sitting on a wooden stool. Once Twilight saw Nikola open the basement door, she greeted him,

"Morning Nikola"

"Good morning, Twilight" Tesla said in a somewhat dazed tone.

"Are you okay?" Twilight asked, concerned.

"Yes, I just feel tired..." He began.

"Up all night again?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, I feel hungry as well, it's strange because I never feel hungry or tired" Tesla explained.

"Go get some breakfast then, then have a nap afterwards, I won't mind if you have some food" Twilight told him.

Tesla walked around until he stopped to look out the window, where he saw a few Pegasi moving clouds in the sky,

"Why don't they just let nature do it's thing?" He asked himself.

Twilight was once again, curious of what Tesla was talking about, so she stopped reading her book and flipped it over, leaving it on the page she was reading,

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.

"Doesn't the weather just control itself?" He asked back.

"No, the Pegasi control it, we have a weather team who does so, Rainbow Dash is apart of it. The only place I know, on land anyways, that has weather moving by itself, is the Everfree Forest, a place where no pony should go" Twilight told him.

"Well, if Pegasi can control the weather, how come they can't stop the incoming storm?" Tesla asked.

"Storm came in strongly from the seas, at sea the weather moves on it's own, it came in too strongly" Twilight explained.

"Oh right" Tesla replied.

"Does the weather in your world move by itself?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, that's why I was puzzled to why your's doesn't" Tesla replied.

"Who do you miss the most from your world?" Twilight changed subject.

Tesla sighed, "My friends mostly"

"Did you have any family back home?" Twilight asked.

"Most of my family died before I moved away from my home country, my father was a war general and my mother was a maid, I didn't have much family besides them" Tesla told her.

"You didn't have a wife or anything?" Twilight asked, "At the age your at?"

Tesla then thought of his lost love, Ana, and sighed once more,

"No, I never married, though there has been plenty of women who have fallen head over heels for me" Tesla told her.

"I had a boyfriend a few years ago, he's currently taking an astronomy course, that's why we broke up, you would've liked him, he's interested in a lot of the same things you specialize in, like psychics and all that good stuff" Twilight said.

"What's his name?" Tesla asked.

"Comet Tail" Twilight replied.

"Well, that's sounds nice. But another quick question" Tesla said.

"What is it?" Twilight asked.

"Where do you keep your food?" He asked back.

"In the cupboards in the kitchen, and also the fridge" Twilight told him.

Tesla went into the kitchen and searched through the cupboards and found several types of food that could suit him, such as bread, milk, honey and vegetables. And other foods more specifically for ponies, such as hay and grass. Tesla was curious as to what hay tastes like, and considering he's a pony, it must taste different for him now,

"Twilight? What does hay taste like?" Tesla asked from the kitchen.

Twilight once again, found his question weird. But she quickly thought more about his question and came to the realization that Tesla came from a world where people do not eat hay,

"It em....tastes sweet" She replied.

"Sweet, eh?" Tesla questioned.

Tesla then took several stalks of hay and munched on them, he chewed on it for another few seconds, and he thought it tasted quite nice. He then came back into the main room, seeing Twilight continuing to read her book,

"This is nice" He commented on the hay.

"Thought you'd like it" Twilight replied.

"What's that book you're reading?" Tesla asked.

"It's a crime book, about these two guys who managed to make one million bits in eight months, just by conning out ponies" Twilight told him.

"Sounds interesting" Tesla replied.

"You could read it once I'm done with it if you want, it's the first in a trilogy" Twilight said.

"No thank you. I have this obsession that whenever I read one author's work, I feel compelled to read the rest of his or her works" Tesla explained.

"Oh, right" Twilight said, "Don't worry, I have bad habits like that as well"

"Such as?" Tesla asked.

"I can't stand things that don't go as plan, whenever I make a to-do list for the day and the tiniest goes wrong, then I just get extremely aggravated" Twilight said.

"Well, we all have our habits, like I can't sleep for more that two hours. Speaking of which, I might go to sleep back in the basement" Tesla said.

"You can't sleep for too long though, we're going back to Applejack's to finish the machine" Twilight told him.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, it's completed" Tesla replied.

"What? It's completed?" Twilight questioned.

"Yeah, I...I did it last night" Tesla said, "Well, technically it was earlier in the morning"

"Oh my God, Nikola..." Twilight said as she facehoofed.

"Yes, but I did tell you I'm the kind of person who doesn't like to stop until one thing is complete" Tesla replied.

"You did say that, to be honest, I should've expected it" Twilight said, "You are still coming around to help out though, right?"

Tesla whilst Twilight was speaking made it over to the door that led to the basement,

"Of course, I'll just catch up with you, okay?" Tesla made sure.

"Yeah, that seems good" Twilight replied.

"Well, I'll probably see you there. You're probably going to leave in about half an hour anyways, right?" He asked.

"Probably" Twilight replied, "Spike will be awake by the time you wake up, so you won't need to lock the door behind you when you leave"

"Or I could just climb out the window again" Tesla said to himself in a joking tone.

"What was that?" Twilight asked as she didn't hear him.

"Nothing" Tesla quickly said.

Tesla opened the door to the basement, but before he left the main, he bid Twilight a short farewell,

"I'll see you at the farm Twilight" He told her.

"You too, Nikola" She replied.

It was about two hours since Tesla slept, he never usually sleeps for more than two hours. Once he woke up he quickly got himself up and went upstairs to see the time was now 1:20 pm. Once he was in the main room, he saw Spike sitting against the wall, bored. Bouncing a rubber ball against the other wall, he then looked over to Tesla whilst playing with the ball due to boredom,

"Hey Nikola" He greeted.

"Hello Spike. Twilight's already at the farm?" Telsa replied and asked.

"Yeah, she told me to look after the library whilst she's gone, no pony usually comes in on a Sunday anyways" Spike told him.

"Do never go along with Twilight to anything at all?" Tesla asked.

"At times, she usually leaves me up to my own devices though" Spike said.

"What do you usually do?" Tesla asked.

"I read, sit around, eat, play with this.." Spike replied as he shook the ball in his hand, "It's strange, nothing strange has happened in Ponyville in a while"

"What do you mean?" Tesla asked.

"Me and my friends' life cycle usually consists of anarchy and craziness. You being a visitor from another world is the strangest thing to happen in months, usually there's pandemics, disasters, monsters, hell, I've even seen the definition of chaos" Spike said out of frustration.

"Definition of chaos?" Tesla questioned.

"Yeah, I've the being, chaos. And his name is Discord" Spike said, "You know what? I think you'd get along with him"

"The embodiment of chaos? Getting along with me? And I thought my jokes were bad" Tesla said.

"Seriously, you would get along with him, he tried to bring the world to it's knees, twice, ended by friends with Fluttershy and now he's fine, I think" Spike said.

"Well, he seems like an interesting fellow" Tesla said, "But I got to go. Me and Twilight will probably be back later"

"What were you and Twilight doing this morning, like early in the morning? Because she made a certain noise before I fell asleep. You two weren't...?" Spike almost finished.

"NO!" Tesla interrupted, "I wasn't....I wasn't doing what you think with her, she was helping me make something to go with my machine" Tesla explained.

Spike shrugged and continued to bounce the rubber ball off of the wall again,

"I'll.... get going then" Tesla slowly said.

"Okay, dude. See you later" Spike replied.

Tesla then proceeded out of the library home and muttered to himself,

"That was undeniably awkward"

He then continued to make his way for Sweet Apple Acres, and noticed he's perfected how to walk like a pony, and felt proud of himself.

Once he made it to Sweet Apple Acres, he saw that the barn's door was slightly open and he heard the sounds of machine blades slicing,

"Are they trying it out already?" He pondered to himself, "Without help from me?"

He then went inside the barn to see Applejack, Twilight and Pinkie looking at the machine, and not sure what to do to turn it off,

"Need help?" Tesla asked.

The three mares turned around to see Tesla, they were all surprised and relieved he was there, Pinkie rushed over to him and said to him,

"Nikola! I accidentally turned on the machine and now and we don't know how to turn it off and..." Pinkie said, but extremely fast, too fast for Tesla to catch up with.

"Pinkie! Calm down, tell me what happened, say it slower though" Tesla said.

Pinkie then took a deep breath,

"I turned on the machine by accident and we don't know how to turn it off" Pinkie said slower.

"Okay, let me see it" Tesla said as he passed Pinkie.

Tesla approached the machine further and the violent slashing sounds of the blades inside the machine became louder, he went over to the button pad and tried to fix it,

"Can you fix it, Nikola?" Twilight asked.

"We'll see" Tesla replied.

He looked at the pad and instantly remembered where the buttons and switches were previously at, he then tried to use the safest way to turn the machine off, with the buttons and switches having to be turned in a specific order if it is willing to turn off without exploding or any other major effect. Luckily, he was able to get it turned off safely, and all the mares let out a sigh of relief,

"That machine is hard to handle" Applejack said.

"Well, I'll tell you how to use it later" Tesla replied.

"Oh yeah, speaking of which, why did ya sneak on my property instead coming back to finish it later?" Applejack asked.

"I have tendencies to complete machines once I've started them, that only goes against machines that take me a while to make" Tesla replied.

"Well, despite ya sneaking onto my land, ah'm grateful ya did that, thanks, Nikola" Applejack said.

"You're welcome, Applejack" Tesla replied.

"We're almost done working in the fields, then we're doing something later on, want to come with?" Twilight asked.

"Depends, what are you doing?" Tesla asked back.

"My l'il sister and Rarity's l'il sister and their friend are just going off to a go-kart race, they asked us to come around and give 'em extra support, want to come?" Applejack asked.

Tesla thought about that for a second, as much as he wanted to get his pulse more evolved, he also wanted to see his engine come into play in the Cutie Mark Crusaders kart race, it was an opportunity he couldn't pass on,

"Of course" Tesla said.

"Great. They said they built an extension to it, ah can't wait" Applejack said.

"Neither can I" Tesla replied.

Author's Note

I'm sorry for the long delay, but with me studying, I haven't had a lot of time to do this, again I apologize.
In the next chapter, it will introduce and solely focus on the main villains. The chapters focusing on the villains will also intertwine with Tesla's story.

Chapter 9: The Banished Brotherhood

Meanwhile...... On the outer borders of the Badlands, laid a small hut fifty miles away from the Changelings' hive. Where several Changelings were hiding, banished from their home by the Queen, Chrysalis. The hut was cold, and grimy, and already lived in by previous ponies, there was a table for a plan, several chairs and couches, a fridge and several pillows scattered across the floor, and this was only the main room. Three of the seven Changelings in the hut were surrounding the table, organizing a plan, but for what? Two of the seven Changelings were scavenging for food, another was in another room, and the last one was quietly sitting down on one of the dirty couches,

"Brothers, Masai finally has a plan" One of the Changelings said.

"When's he coming, Vaako?" Another one asked.

"About a minute, Mimic" Vaako said.

"Has he told what he wants to do, Vaako?" Mimic asked.

"Not yet, brother" Vaako replied.

Much to the four Changelings' ingorance, the two scavenging Changelings finally came inside, but not with food, but with a visitor. The being the two scavengers came in with was another Changeling, not from the Brotherhood of course, but from the Hive. They stormed in, with the unknown and unconscious Changeling being dragged by the arms,

"Lavo. Incognito. Who the hell is this?" The third Changeling at the table questioned.

"Kephri, we saw this Changeling wandering in the woods, he was lost" Incognito replied, "Me and Lavo both recognized him, it's Revi, from the fleet"

"Revi? We haven't seen him since our banishment" Kephri replied.

"We should wait until Masai comes out of the room he's in" Vaako said, "Until then, tie this piece of scum up to a chair"

Lavo and Incognito did so. They took a while to do so as the unconscious Changeling was heavy, but when they finally did, they went back to the other Changelings around the table, until Masai, the leader of the Brotherhood came out of the room he was in towards the table and asked,

"Brothers, I heard a loud commotion from my room, what's happening?" Masai asked.

"Masai, me and Incognito have brought in someone who was lost, we recognized him and thought you'd want to see him" Lavo replied.

"Well, who is it?" Masai asked again.

"Masai. You'll never believe it. It's Revi" Vaako said.

Masai chuckled slightly and stroked the large scar that ran across the left side of his face, a the scar that left his left eye grey and blind, he chuckled even more as he approached the chair that the unconscious Revi was sitting on. Masai hoofed him. And then again. And again. And again. Until Revi woke up to pained jaw and coughed out two of his teeth, his eyes adjusted to the few lights in the hut and noticed the silhouetted figures just midst the light. He looked around until he caught sights of a grey eye that had a sickly pale glow in the dark hut. Masai lit more lights until Revi saw him in the light, and became scared,

"Oh no. No. NO. NO!" Revi exclaimed.

"Revi!" Masai greeted him calmly, "How the fuck are you doing?"

"I thought you were dead. I thought all of you died out in the damn snow!" Revi shouted.

"Revi" Vaako said, "Keep your voice down, buddy"

"What you doing so far from home, Rev?" Kephri questioned in a joking tone.

"Fuck you, Kephri. Fuck the lot of yous" Revi said.

"That's not very nice, Revi. I asked you a fucking question and this time you're going to answer it, and you're also going to answer Kephri's question as well" Masai told him, "How are you doing, Revi, and why are you so far away from the Hive?"

Revi looked at Masai with frown, Masai in turn, looked at him with an angry smile. Revi's mouth had small drips escaping from his gums, though his lips and to the floor. Revi opened his mouth and looked as if he was going to reply,

"Well, answer me" Masai ordered calmly.

Revi didn't reply, but instead, spat on Masai's face. Masai closed his eyes as Revi's chuckled slightly. The other members of the Brotherhood looked at Masai and then at Revi, in shock, as they knew what was to come next. Masai wiped off the bloodied saliva off of his face, then looked to his left slightly and chuckled with content, then just like that, a demon unleashed inside of Masai. He repeatedly punched Revi in his jaw, Masai's brothers watch in horror as Masai left Revi's face a bloodied pulp. Masai showed sickening enjoyment for this and laughed maniacally as he punched Revi multiple times,

"ARE YOU GOING TO FUCKING TELL ME NOW?" Masai asked furiously.

"Please stop!" Revi pleaded in a now slurred voice, "I'll tell you, you fucking psychopath!"

"Go on then!" Masai said with anger and his teeth gritted.

"I'm not doing so well now, you fuck! And to answer Kephri's question, I was sent by the Queen, not to here, but to the Dragons, I got lost" Revi replied whilst he coughed in pain.

"Well, Revi. You are lost, you took the wrong fucking direction" Masai told him.

"Please just let me go, Masai. Fuck, I'm sorry" Revi said.

"Sorry?" Masai questioned as he paced back and forth, "You're sorry? HAHAHAHA! Oh my God!" He laughed.

"Please, I want to go home. I want to see my wife, my kids, my friends, I won't tell anyone you here, I promise" Revi said.

"Oh! You want to see your wife? Your kids? Fuck you, Revi! We all had families, my brothers here, had families" Masai told him, "Vaako had a wife and kid, what happened to them? Got killed on orders of the Queen by your fleet because me and my brothers wouldn't commit genocide on a small village. Mimic lost his Uncle, the only Changeling left in his family by blood, Rev, killed because we wouldn't commit genocide on innocents" Masai said, "You remember this? This scar on my eye? The one you gave me, Revi, do you remember it?" Masai asked intensely.

Revi looked at the small pool of blood left on the ground and then looked at Masai and nodded,

"I'm blind in this eye, you fuck. And you think I'm just going to let you go?" Masai asked, "Give me one good reason as to why?"

"Because he isn't worth it" The Changeling from the couch called out.

The Changeling on the couch was observing the whole ordeal from there, he watched Masai lose his cool and saw the rest of the Brotherhood in shock, The Changeling wasn't in shock,

"Ozymandias, what are you suggesting then?" Masai asked furiously.

"Masai, brother. Why are we wasting our time on this scumbag?" Ozymandias asked back.

"Because he is one of the reasons we are in this hut, Ozymandias" Masai said.

"All the more reason you should leave him for one of the last you kill, brother" Ozymandias said.

"You're right, brother" Masai said, "But we can't let this bastard go unpunished. Maybe he should know how it feels to be blind in one eye"

"No. Please no!" Revi begged, "Don't do it, Masai. I can help you get back into the Hive"

"You think this is about getting back into the hive, Revi?" Masai asked, "No no no. It's about vengeance, I'm willing to test my vengeance against you, Chrysalis, the entire Changeling race and also the ponies. It will be my legacy, my brothers' legacies, we will be known as the Brotherhood who brought down Equestria to it's knees"

"You're a madman" Revi said.

"Do you know what madness is, Revi? Because I have a plan, I call it Project Anarchy. Firstly you need madness, take me for example, I'm unstable, have many behavioral problems and I am on the verge of killing everything in this decrepit world. And then we add a bit of chaos, take Discord for example..." Masai said.

"You're not serious thinking of bringing Discord into this? He's changed, the Bearers of the Elements changed him" Revi interrupted him.

"DON'T YOU EVER TALK ABOUT THE BEARERS OF THE ELEMENTS IN MY PRESENCE!" Masai balled, "They'll get theirs" He chuckled with insanity, "But as I was saying, Discord is chaos, he is able to make the world crumble at the snap of his fingers. So if we take madness and chaos and wrap them up into a nice ribbon, then we have anarchy, and that's my project. Project Anarchy"

Masai pulled off an evil grin towards Revi, Ozymandias watched with no emotion, and the rest of the Brotherhood cringed,

"It won't work, I'll tell the Queen about this" Revi said.

"Yes, you will. Lavo will teleport you back to the Hive and you can tell Chrysalis all about this, and it's not like you know where we are, you passed out in the middle of nowhere, fifty miles away from your home. I know what I'm doing, Revi" Masai said, "Now let's slice your eye"

"No. No!" Revi pleaded.

Revi was still screaming in pain, but his new scar was covered by a bandage Masai left. Masai was enjoying it, Ozymandias looked at the rest of the Brotherhood and said to them,

"To the table, brothers"

They all surrounded the table and left Masai to finish off telling Revi instructions,

"Now, Revi, buddy. When you get back to the Hive I want you to tell everything to the Queen, and tell them The Banished Brotherhood sends their regards. Do you understand?" Masai asked with a calm but intense rhythm in his voice.

"Y-yes, M-Ma-Masai" Revi stuttered in pain.

"Lavo!" Masai called, "Come here please, brother"

Lavo left the table and went over to Masai,

"Yes, brother?" He asked.

"Can you send this bastard back to the Hive or as far as you can get to the Hive?" Masai asked back.

"Of course, Masai" Lavo said.

"Thank you, brother" Masai said as he went over to the table, leaving Lavo to teleport Revi away.

Lavo, being the most skilled out of the Brotherhood in magic used his powerful magic to transport Revi back to the home of the Changelings. After he did that, he reunited with his brothers at the table,

"So brothers" Masai began, "Let that be a lesson to you all. The ones responsible will die last before we bring this world to nothing but fire and ashes"

"Are we going to kill everyone, Masai?" Kephri asked.

"No, Kephri. We will leave a legacy behind us. Ponies and Changelings alike, will remember us, even greats like Luna, Celestia and Discord will remember us as the last thing they will see" Masai told him.

"How are we going to get Discord to help us?" Mimic asked.

"I'll think of a way" Masai said.

"Why should we let the world burn instead of taking it over?" Ozymandias said, "Brother, once Chrysalis, Luna, Celestia and all the rest of the rulers are dead we can seize Equestria, and let ponies and Changelings worship us under our hooves"

"Ozymandias, the only thing that will be under us by the time this is over is the bones of ponies and Changelings underneath the rubble we'll leave behind" Masai told him, "We're not changing the plan to your pathetic rubbish"

"What are we going to do then?" Incognito asked.

"You and Mimic are going to remain undercover as Canterlot guards, do you still remember your names?" Masai asked.

"Yes, I'm Archimedes" Incognito replied.

"And I'm Artemis" Mimic added.

"Good, my brothers. For we wait until it is right to proceed with the project. And in the next few months, Equestria will pay" Masai told them.

Author's Note

These Changelings' story will intertwine with Tesla's. Ozymandias and Masai will be the more prominent of the antagonists, with the both of them being Tesla's so-to-be rivals. This will be the last chapter for a while because I've got four exams in the upcoming week, it sucks

Chapter 10: Hell on Wheels

Tesla, Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie made it over to the dirt track just outside of Ponyville that the Cutie Mark Crusaders' go-kart race was being held, the track was wide and in the line-up was five carts, one belong to Dinky and Noi, another to Pip and Button Mash, the third to Snips and Snails, the fourth to Truffles and Featherweight and the last to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, which was concealed underneath a blanket, which looked as if they were going to surprise the audience. Speaking of which, the audience was not really large, with the audience mainly consisting of ponies that were family members or friends supporting the racers, the only one who didn't have a dog in anypony's fight was Nikola, he was only interested in seeing what his engine could do, he doesn't see it selfishness, he sees it as a compulsion, a compulsion to see if his works work, to the point where it almost drives him slightly crazy.

With Nikola not knowing what the Cutie Mark Crusaders look like, he decided to ask Twilight which ones they were, Twilight was standing beside him on his right, Rarity was standing to his left,

"Twilight, which ones are Applejack's sister and Rarity's sister?"

"You see the yellow filly with the red mane and the bow?" Twilight asked back whilst pointing to Applebloom.

"Yeah" Tesla said.

"Well, that's Applebloom, she's Applejack's little sister" Twilight told him.

"I take it the white one is Rarity's sister, if I'm not mistaken?" Tesla made sure.

"You're right, that's Sweetie Belle" Twilight said.

"Who's the orange one?" Tesla asked.

"That's Scootaloo" Twilight replied.

"Is she a relative of any of yous?" Tesla asked.

"No, she's just a great friend to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle" Twilight said.

"Oh right" Tesla replied.

"You feeling okay, Nikola?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah, I'm just...um...tired" He replied.

"You didn't need to come with us to this, you could've went back to the tree and slept" Twilight said.

"I wanted to come, I didn't have anything better to do" Tesla replied.

"Okay then" Twilight shrugged off.

The announcer and commentator of the race was on a stage and happened to be a kid, it was the grey Pegasus, Rumble. Rumble then cleared his throat and began the introduction,

"Fillies and gentlecolts, it is my pleasure to introduce the competitors for this race, all very good ponies and some of my closest friends, in the cart furthest away from me we have Dinky and Noi, beside them we have my two good pals, Pipsqueak and Button Mash in their cart, then we have Snips and Snails, two more of my friends, then we have Truffles and Featherweight and finally, the underdogs, and the ponies I personally want to win, The Cutie Mark Crusaders!" He said.

After he said that, he and Scootaloo shared a little wink from the stage to the track. Then The Cutie Mark Crusaders unveiled their kart and the distant and quiet chatter of the crowds turned into complete silence as they saw what was attached to the back of their kart, and it was a large metal engine made from scraps, which still strangely looked like they were in great shape. Everypony's mouths were gaped open, lost for words, all except from the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Twilight and Tesla.

Twilight just saw something like this coming just from her conversation with Tesla a few minutes ago. She along with the rest of her friends turned to look at Tesla,

"Nikola. What the hell is that?" Applejack asked about the machine.

"It's an engine" Tesla said whilst still looking at the kart.

"Oh my God, this isn't going to end well" Twilight said as she facehoofed.

"It'll be fine, Twilight. This engine isn't powerful, I made it like that so it will be safe for the children" Tesla explained as he faced Twilight.

"Are you sure?" Twilight asked.

"I'm positively sure" Tesla replied.

"Guys..." Pinkie interrupted.

"Pinkie, not now" Twilight said.

"..Why is Sweetie Belle enchanting the engine?" Pinkie continued.

"What?" Twilight and Tesla both said at the same time.

All seven of the ponies looked over at the Cutie Mark Crusaders' kart and saw Sweetie Belle let out a small spark of blue magic and it swiftly encased itself around the engine. With Tesla having little to no idea about what magic can do to his engine, he decided to ask Twilight,

"Twilight, what exactly can magic do something like my engine?" Tesla asked.

"It depends, really. I take it she's probably increasing it's power" Twilight said, worrying for the worst.

"Oh Christ..." Tesla said in shock.

The competitors of the race were set in their karts and Rumble was about to make the announcement to get the race started, and with Tesla and the rest being behind several ponies, they couldn't do anything,

"Okay, racers, on your marks..." Rumble began.

"Get set..." He continued.

"Fuck!" Tesla exclaimed.

"Go!!" Rumble shouted.

The racers went ahead, but the Cutie Mark Crusaders were gone in an instant, leaving two horizontal lines of fire left from the speed of their kart,

"Holy..." Twilight said slowly.

"Rainbow! Pinkie! After the girls, quickly!" Rarity ordered.

"Got it" Rainbow said.

"Wait!" Nikola intervened.

"What is it, Nicky?" Pinkie asked.

"Once you get near the kart, get the girls out first, then try to to stop the kart, use a blockade or something" Tesla told them.

"Me and Pink will get to it" Rainbow said before she and Pinkie sped away.

The kart was speeding out of control, zooming fast past the trees and approaching Ponyville, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were in their kart, with the wind violently battering against them. The girls were sitting in a row, Scootaloo at the front, Applebloom in the middle and Sweetie Belle at the back, whilst they were going at a fast speed, Scootaloo decided to try and be humorous, only it was the wrong time to be like that,

"We should have tested it out before we raced!" Scootaloo shouted.

"Oh, ya think, Scoots!?" Applebloom sarcastically replied.

"Help should be coming, Rainbow Dash will help!" Scootaloo told her friends.

"Yeah, ya're right!" Applebloom said.

"Oh my gosh, this is my fault" Sweetie Belle uttered.

"No, it ain't, Sweetie Belle.." Applebloom replied.

"It is. I enchanted the thing..." Sweetie Belle continued.

"Which is exactly why we should've tested it out before you did that, it's all our faults" Scootaloo said.

"Girls, if this ends horribly, which I think it will do. How about we split the pay for damages in threes?" Scootaloo said.

"Deal" Sweetie Belle and Applebloom said at the same time.

The Crusaders' conversation was stopped by two fast whooshes, it was two fast flashes of color, a flash of rainbow on the right, and a flash of pink on the left, both flashes looked like smudged chalk. Instantly the Crusaders knew that help had came to them in the form of Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie just realized they past the Cutie Mark Crusaders. At the speed they were going at, they were in time with each other, one didn't look smudged colors to the other whilst they were moving, but they both knew they had to slow down,

"What's the plan, Rainbow?" Pinkie asked.

"Nikola's plan, we'll get the girls out the kart first, then stop the kart" Rainbow replied.

"Since you're airborne, Dashie, you get the girls out of the kart, and I'll try to stop the kart" Pinkie said.

"Okay!" Rainbow agreed.

Rainbow Dash slowed down slightly until she was in time with Crusaders, Pinkie still raced ahead of the kart. The Crusaders were relieved to see the talented cyan mare be in time with them,

"Rainbow Dash!" The fillies all cheered.

"Hey, little ones, I'm here to save you" Rainbow Dash said as she hovered above them.

"What about the kart? Won't it destroy somethings?" Scootaloo asked.

"Pinkie's going to take care of the kart whilst I get yous on safe ground" Rainbow told them.

"Okay" Sweetie Belle said.

"What I want you girls to do is get on my back one at a time" Rainbow Dash told them, "Okay?"

"Sure" The three Crusaders replied.

"Okay, Applebloom, you get on first, then Sweetie Belle second, Scootaloo, you last" Rainbow told them.

"Alright" Applebloom replied.

Rainbow Dash then hovered herself to the side of the moving kart and continued to keep herself in line with the kart. Since she was flying very low, she had to avoid obstacles, such as large rocks and bushes. Applebloom was meant to go first, so she got herself ready and awaited Dash's orders,

"Okay, so Applebloom, on my count to three, I want you to hop on my back, then I'll count another three, Sweetie will then hop on, and the same with Scootaloo, got it?" Rainbow made clear.

"Yes" Applebloom said before Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said after her.

Applebloom placed her front hooves on the side of the kart and steadily got herself to stand on the fast moving kart, she felt like she was going to get blown away by the winds, but she was fine standing,

"Okay, one" Rainbow Dash paused, "Two.." She paused again, "..THREE!"

Applebloom then pounced onto Rainbow Dash's back, Rainbow Dash lost control slightly, but she continued to fly,

"Sweetie Belle, on the count of three, get on my back" Dash said.

"Okay" Sweetie Belle replied nervously.

Sweetie Belle followed Applebloom's method of staying steady on the kart by holding on to the sides, Rainbow Dash did another count, and Sweetie Belle landed carefully on Rainbow Dash after the count of three. Now it was just Scootaloo left, to hop on,

"Scoots, on three. Okay?" Rainbow wanted to make sure.

"Okay" Scootaloo nodded worriedly.

"One..." Rainbow began.

"Two.." She continued.

Scootaloo got herself ready to leap onto the flying mare's back, the kart moved faster due to only one pony on it,

"...THREE!" Dash shouted.

Scootaloo leaped on Rainbow Dash and as soon as Scootaloo swiftly landed on Rainbow Dash, Rainbow Dash slowed down until she was walking on firm ground again. The Crusaders all got off of her as soon as she stopped, and they all watched the kart move faster towards Ponyville,

"Will Pinkie stop it?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"We're just going to have to wait and see, kiddo" Rainbow Dash replied.

With the kart having no one inside it, it became faster because it was lighter. With Pinkie galloping at the speed she's at, she's didn't expect the kart to zoom past her, but when it did, she knew she ultimately had to try and catch up with it, but it was tiring her out. Pinkie is no stranger to the strange, she can make herself go slow, be one step ahead of everypony else and even appear in places you wouldn't think she'd appear, but the pace she was going at was extremely tiring, even for the energetic pony that is Pinkie. But she had to push on and stop the kart, or else it will inevitably be the first pandemic Ponyville has had in ages,

"Good God!" Pinkie gasped as the kart darted past her, "Damn it. I should've saved the kids and Dashie could have stopped this thing, it's too fast" She thought.

She looked further ahead to notice Ponyville was not too far from her reach, she had to do something, think of something and do it quickly. She looked to see two object she could use for stopping the kart, a plank of wood and a barrel. With Pinkie's surprising intelligence, she thought of something quickly, she needs to get the plank on top of the sideways barrel, then catapult the kart away from the town, but how she was going to set it up was something she wasn't sure of. How is she going to place the plank on the barrel before the kart gets there? Pinkie knew a way.

Once she caught up to the kart, she climbed in it, it was kind of small for her, hoping the plan she's come up with will work. As she passed both the plank and the barrel, she grabbed them and placed the barrel in front of her in the small amount of space she had and put the plank beside her. She entered the village, riding the kart, she moved her body in different directions, making the kart ease in her direction, dodging civilians and objects. Sometimes she didn't even need to dodge other ponies as they would just pounce out the way,

"Sorry!" Pinkie said as she passed multiple ponies.

She was soon coming to a part of Ponyville that plenty of open space, how she can come to phase two of her plan. She tossed the barrel quite a few feet ahead of her, then followed it up by throwing the plank with extreme precision, and it perfectly landed on the barrel. As the kart rapidly approached the plank and barrel, Pinkie took a deep breath and said,

"Let's do it!"

The kart moved up the plank and Pinkie jumped out of the kart and as the kart went on the side of the plank in front of her, she stomped down with extreme force on the opposite side, and she watched as the kart flew through the air. She waited about forty seconds before finally hearing what sounded like the impact. Then she saw smoke in the horizon,

"I guess I should get Twilight" She said.

It was now night time, with Tesla back at the library with Twilight. He was back in the basement, pondering to himself of something that fascinated him earlier on, how the magic that Sweetie Belle used towards the engine that somehow made it faster. He was sitting on the chair that was in the basement, he was surrounded by equations he left on several blackboards that he stole from the dump, along with many scrumped up pieces of paper on the ground,

"How did magic make the engine work better than it should have?" Tesla asked himself.

He then heard a knock at the door, he knew it was Twilight,

"Come in" He said.

Twilight opened the door and stepped inside,

"Hey Niko-" She began before noticing all the blackboards, "Em, where did you get these blackboards?"

"From the dump" Tesla replied.

"Em...okay" Twilight said slowly before shaking her head and going back to what she was meant to say, "Listen, me and the girls agreed not to tell anyone else about the engine. But the thing I wanted to know is, why did you make it in the first place?" Twilight asked.

"When I first saw the kart, it looked like a train-wreck, it felt embarrassing to even look at it" Tesla told her, "It wasn't meant to go as fast as that, I just wanted to amp the kart up a little"

"Well, you sure did amp it up. The damned thing almost torn through half of Ponyville" Twilight said.

"It wasn't meant to go as fast as that, whatever Rarity's sister did made it go faster" Tesla reminded her.

"Oh yeah, sorry" Twilight apologized.

"Tell me Twilight, can magic make things more advanced?" Tesla asked.

"Depends on the kind of spells you use" Twilight replied.

"I think magic can actually a science in your world, I need to study it more. Have got any books related to spells that can advance objects, so to speak?" Tesla asked.

"Um...yeah, I've got quite a few of them upstairs. How many of them are you wanting?" Twilight asked.

"All of them" Tesla replied, "I need all of them, if I'm wanting to make my pulse more advanced"

"Okay, but your pulse needs to be finished before I'm probably able to enchant it" Twilight said.

"Oh right, well that's fine then" Tesla said.

"I'll get the books for you" Twilight smiled.

"Thanks" Tesla replied.

Twilight turned around and approached the door that led up to the main room, but before she was able to leave, Tesla stopped her before she could,

"Twilight" He called.

She turned around to look at Tesla,

"There's something else I've been wondering since I came here, besides all the science and magic" Tesla said.

"And what's that?" Twilight asked curiously.

"Why did you want to help me?" Tesla asked back.

"I guess it is in my nature" Twilight shrugged and smiled, "You seemed odd and kind of an out-cast the first time I met you and I guess I could relate to that. To top that all off, you're from an alternative universe, so...."

"Well, I just wanted to say thank you, for everything, to you, the girls and maybe Spike" Tesla said.

"It's okay, it's the least I could do" Twilight replied, "I'll get you the books"

"Okay, thanks again Twilight" Tesla thanked once more.

"You're welcome"

Chapter 11: The Cold Day In

SEVERAL MONTHS AHEAD....

The small hut to the Banished Brotherhood. Masai has committed a highly dangerous crime against the whole of Equestria. Two of his brothers are dead, one has abandoned the Brotherhood, and he now holds The Bearers Of The Elements Of Harmony captive in his home, all of them tied to a chair, Spike was in the basement, chained to wall. But Tesla was nowhere to be seen,

"....Now, Twilight" Masai continued from an ongoing speech, "Me and the Brotherhood have almost brought Equestria to it's bare bones, and now I have you six sitting in front of me, right where I want you to"

"Go to hell, Masai" Twilight replied.

"Hell? Tell me something, Twilight, my darling. Can you really differentiate hell and what's currently happening to Equestria right now?" Masai asked calmly.

Twilight said nothing, she looked at him coldly, as did the rest of her friends,

"Thought not" Masai grinned.

"You think we're going to do anything for you, you worthless scumbag?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Well, Rainbow Dash, my dear. Considering the fact that two of my brothers are dead and one has left us, I guess we need more helpers..." Masai chuckled.

"Fuck you" Rainbow Dash replied.

"Oh you have no choice, if you don't do what I want, then I'll kill you all, one by one, starting with the adorable little Fluttershy" Masai said as he faced Fluttershy with a disturbing smile on his face.

Fluttershy hung her head in fear but her friends backed up for her,

"Ya lay a single hoof on her, and ah swear to Celestia.." Applejack began.

"You swear to Celestia?" Masai asked jokingly, "Hahahaha. I can bring her head to you, and then you can swear to her"

"If I get out of here, then I'll tear you to pieces" Rarity threatened.

"And you can get out of here, mule" Masai insulted.

That one word just hit Rarity like a brick wall, she didn't say anything after that, and almost cried,

"You can all get out of here, every one of you" Masai said, "It may seem stupid, but all you need to do is tell me one thing"

"And what's that?" Twilight asked angrily.

"Tell me where Nikola Tesla is" Masai replied.

SEVERAL MONTHS BACK

A week has passed since the go-kart incident, in the time span between that until now, the snow storm had came, Twilight, Spike and Tesla were now snowbound in the library. Tesla was still in the basement, working on the pulse and studying magic, Spike was sleeping and Twilight was writing a letter to Celestia,

Dear Princess Celestia,

I am currently writing this letter to you because

I was wondering if I would be able to take Nikola Tesla over to Canterlot

to meet you and let him tell you about his teleportation device and how

it could advance technology for out kind. I hope you can get back to me

and I'll try and get to Canterlot once this snow has been cleared away

Your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle

Twilight levitated a ribbon over to her, she then scrolled the letter up and tied the ribbon around the scrolled letter and placed it on her bed. Now she was bored. Twilight doesn't like when she's bored, and with her having read pretty much all her books, she couldn't be bothered getting up and reading a book she's probably read plenty of times. So, she wanted to check on Tesla, for the hell of it. She went down to the basement, but this time, she didn't knock, when she went inside, she saw Tesla writing on the blackboards, he was writing down sentences about magic and Unicorns. Twilight approached him slowly from behind and said,

"Hey, Nikola"

Tesla jumped with a fright then turned around,

"Oh, hello, Twilight. You gave me a fright" Tesla replied.

"Sorry about that" Twilight chuckled.

"It's okay, I was just researching more about magic. It's a very interesting thing, the more I think about it" Tesla told her.

"You finally believe it, now?" Twilight asked.

"I guess so, it's just a cultural thing in your world, I thought it was just fake rubbish" Tesla replied.

"Well, it's just a natural thing for us Unicorns, I can help explain it to you" Twilight said.

"No, I have a clear understanding of what happens" Tesla replied, "Magic is generated through a nerve on your back, you then push it through until it exits through your horn"

"You have been doing your homework" Twilight said then chuckled.

"I try" Tesla shrugged and smiled.

"Are you needing help with anything at all?" Twilight asked.

"No, but thanks, Twilight" Tesla replied.

"Oh, well, I'll be going then" Twilight said as she turned in the opposite direction.

"No no. You don't need to go, you can stay here and just talk if you want to whilst I work on this damned machine" Tesla said.

Twilight then turned around and thought that was a great idea, as she couldn't speak to Spike, who was still sleeping, and she didn't want to read any of her books,

"Sure, why not?"

"...So tell me again, this Discord person. He is a....what now?" Tesla asked.

Twilight cleared her throat, "He is a Draconequus. Strange breed of creature, he's an absolute genius though, almost destroyed my town at the snap of his fingers. If he was in a room with you, it would be a clash between two great minds" Twilight said.

"I'm probably smarter than him anyways" Tesla chuckled.

"I'm not too sure, I never really defeated Discord the first time, he let himself lose against us, he's probably got a lot of untapped potential, so to speak" Twilight said.

"Any other villainous beings you fought before?" Tesla asked.

"Yeah, there was these creatures who I encountered in Canterlot, during my brother's wedding, they're called Changelings, a bunch of shape-shifting insect-like things, their queen tried disguising herself as my sister-in-law and then there was massive raid, it was all just chaos" Twilight said.

"I thought chaos was Discord?" Tesla asked.

"This was different, it felt more..." Twilight struggled to find the right word.

"Anarchic?" Tesla optioned.

"Yeah, that" Twilight responded.

Tesla added an extra piece to the pulse and it made a small spark flicker off the end of it,

"Careful" Twilight said.

"I always am" Tesla replied.

"You know, you're an odd being, Nikola" Twilight said.

"Didn't we have a similar conversation like this a few days ago?" Nikola asked.

"Yeah, you thanked me for helping you" Twilight said.

"Oh yeah, thank you again" Tesla smiled.

"Yeah.." Twilight replied.

Then there was the silence, Twilight looked down at the ground and then back at Tesla, smiling. He smiled back. Then another flicker occurred from behind him, he turned his neck to look at it,

"Huh, still flickeri-"

He was interrupted by something soft touching his lips, it was Twilight's lips on his. His eyes were bulged open, he wasn't expecting Twilight to do that, he tried pulling away but she kept him forward. The kiss felt good for Twilight but for him it felt uncomfortable, he wanted it to end quickly. When she finally ended the kiss, Tesla looked at her in shock,

"Twilight?" He said slowly.

Twilight just realized she did something wrong,

"Oh my God. I....I...couldn't control myself. I'm sor..I'm sorry" Twilight stuttered.

"Twilight. Why?" Tesla asked whilst puzzled.

"I...I.." Twilight stuttered once more with her cheeks blushed, "I...need to go upstairs"

Twilight stormed out of the basement, mortified of what she just did, leaving Tesla in the basement to take in the strange event that just happened.

Chapter 12: Express

Tesla stood in the basement, trying to take in what just happened to him,

"Why did she kiss me?" Tesla thought to himself.

He went over to his chair and slumped down onto the soft cushioning, with one of his forelegs resting on the arm of the chair, which itself was keeping his head a rest on his hoof. Whilst trying to comfort himself, he sighed to himself, he looked over to his machine, then the pulse, then the several blackboards and finally looked over at the open door Twilight exited out of. He sighed once more,

"Maybe she wants to be more than friends?" Tesla asked himself.

Twilight went over to her bed, she moved the scrolled letter from her bed to her bedside table and dived face first into her pillow,

"Oh my God!" She screamed into her pillow leaving nothing more than a muffled yell.

She turned around, so that her back was on her bed, she tried to relax herself, but started to fidget more. She felt embarrassed about what happened only a few minutes ago. Twilight doesn't know how to feel about her own feelings for Tesla. She found him fascinating, handsome and felt as if she could say anything to him. But she never knew why she kissed him, it felt like she had no control over it, like it happened spontaneously for her. She lied on her bed, staring at her ceiling, closed her eyes for about a minute before reopening them with glistening tears,

"I shouldn't have done that" Twilight said to herself in regret, "That was so damn stupid"

She dragged herself up from her bed and decided to to go downstairs and sort herself a glass of water to ease the tension and anxiety she was feeling. She opened her cupboard to see only four glasses left in there, she levitated one out and put it in the sink, she moved the tap just above the glass and turned the knob that released the cold water into her glass, she levitated the glass took a big sip until a familiar voice called from the main room,

"Twilight?"

Twilight recognized what was Tesla's accent, which she found attractive, once she heard him, she knew he was going to talk to her about the kiss, it made her swallow her water wrong and she ended up coughing, which made Tesla follow over to her,

"Twilight?" Tesla tried to get her attention, "We need to talk"

Twilight looked away from him, she was still embarrassed about the kiss, she couldn't look him in the eye, it was painful for her to even do that,

"Twilight. Please listen to me. I'm not angry and you don't need to feel angry or embarrassed about it, let's just talk it out" Tesla said.

Twilight sighed, "Okay"

"You have feelings for me, I never knew that. Why do you like me?" Tesla asked.

"I guess, I can...well, relate to you" Twilight replied.

"How?" Tesla asked.

"You're kind of a loner and weird, I was like that. You're also really smart and sort of... good-looking for somepony of your age, I would've kept my feelings to myself, but I couldn't control myself down in the basement. I guess I started to like you a bit more" Twilight told him.

Tesla chuckled at the thought of how many times women have desperately fell for him, to him, it felt uncountable,

"What's so funny?" Twilight asked anxiously.

"So many women have developed romantic feelings for me in some way. It's maddening" Tesla joked.

"I can't imagine why they do. You're a nice pony" Twilight smiled.

"I'm not a pony though" Tesla said.

"I guess..." Twilight said.

"Twilight, I know you have feelings for me, but we have stay just friends, okay?" Tesla told her, "I'm a man, you're a pony, it won't work, and to top that off, you're about thirty years my junior"

Twilight sighed, "You're right"

"Look, don't feel bad about it, Twilight. If I did get together with you, I'd eventually have to leave, and that would just hurt you even more, and I don't want to do that to you" Tesla said.

"Promise me you won't tell any of the girls what just happened please?" Twilight made sure.

"I promise" Tesla said as he began to exit the kitchen.

"Oh, also..." Twilight stopped him, "..Before you go, I wanted to say, our ruler, Princess Celestia, wants to see you about the technology you've made, so I've arranged to go see her soon, you okay with that?" Twilight asked.

Tesla wasn't too sure. He felt that Twilight should have discussed this with him first before agreeing to meeting up with the Princess. He assumes he doesn't really have much of a choice anyways,

"I guess so" Tesla said.

"Okay, she'll probably get back to me about it soon" Twilight told him.

"Alright, I'm going to go back to the basement, Twilight. Bye" Tesla said.

"Bye.." Twilight said.

Tesla exited the kitchen and made his way towards the basements and closed the door behind him and he went back to his pulse, leaving Twilight alone in the kitchen,

"...I love you" She said to the inventor who wasn't there.

Another week passed. Tesla's nineteenth day. The snow was cleared by a team of weather Pegasi, and it was now the day for Tesla, Twilight and the rest to go to Canterlot and visit the Princess. They stood at the train station, awaiting for the express,

"What's this town called again?" Tesla asked.

"Canterlot" Twilight replied.

"It's a very nice place, Nikola darling. Very sophisticated. A seemingly well-classed stallion like yourself should love the little visit" Rarity told him.

"Sounds very nice, Rarity" Nikola said.

"It ain't too great" Applejack mumbled.

Pinkie was bouncing up and down beside the hovering Rainbow Dash, Pinkie then stopped and slumped to the ground and moaned,

"God!" She said slowly, "When is this train going to arrive? I'm sooo bored"

"It'll be here soon, Pinkie" Rainbow Dash told her.

"Oh, okay then" Pinkie replied as she shot back up and waited patiently.

"Pinkie, you are so..." Rainbow Dash began.

"Random?" Pinkie asked, "I KNOW!" She said as she jumped in the air, "It's great being random!"

"Yeah, sure" Rainbow said whilst cracking a smile.

Fluttershy was worried, she had left her pets with Spike, she was worried that he wasn't going to be able to handle them all, Spike even had to look after Owlwiscious, Tank, Opalescence, Winona and Gummy as well, he had a lot to do,

"Do you think the pets will be alright?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yeah, Fluttershy. They'll be fine, Spike has looked after his own pet for a while, remember his pet phoenix?" Twilight reassured.

"Oh yeah, you're right Twilight" Fluttershy said, feeling more calm.

About a minute passed until the train finally arrived, when they entered the carriage, they handed their tickets to the conductor and they sat in the seats they wanted to. Tesla sat in a seat that was closest to the window, beside him was Rarity, and on the two seats across from them was Twilight and Applejack, in front of them was Fluttershy and Rainbow, and on the seats across from them and in front of Rarity and Tesla was Pinkie,

"So Twilight, am I going to have to rebuild the teleportation machine?" Tesla asked across to Twilight.

"Yeah, just for a brief demonstration" Twilight replied loudly.

"Do you want me to swap with you, Twilight, so you can speak to Nikola more clearly?" Rarity asked.

"Okay Rarity, thank you" Twilight thanked.

"Not a problem, dear" Rarity replied as the both of them swapped seats.

Twilight was now sitting beside Tesla, the kiss the two shared a week prior was still one Twilight's mind, but she was hoping he forgot about it, even though she knew that he wouldn't forget about the kiss that quickly, but she still hoped,

"So yeah, as I said, you'll need to rebuild the machine for a brief demonstration, it shouldn't take you too long to make it, right?" Twilight asked.

"No, it took me nine hours to do it the last time, but I'm used to my pony form, it should take me about three to four hours" Tesla replied.

"Oh okay then" Twilight whilst staring out into space.

There was a silence between the two, with only the steam of the train being released as it slowly moved onwards to Canterlot and the chatter between the other ponies in the carriage,

"Twilight, you're still thinking of last week, aren't you?" Tesla asked.

"What? No, of course not" She lied.

"Look, you've been acting strange since it happened, let's just act like how we were before the incident, okay?" Tesla asked.

"Okay" Twilight replied.

"How does this train journey take?" Tesla asked.

"About fifty minutes" Twilight said.

"Okay then, I'm going to have a little doze off, I haven't slept in about four days" Tesla told her.

"I'll wake you up once we get there" Twilight assured.

"Thank you, Twilight" Tesla replied.

"You're welcome" Twilight smiled shyly.

"Also, Twilight?" Asked Tesla.

"Yes?" She asked back.

"Try not to see what you did last week as a bad thing, okay?" Tesla replied.

Twilight sighed, "Okay"

Chapter 13: Incognito and Mimic

Back in the Badlands.... Masai is instructing two of his brothers to infiltrate the Princess' palace, this is around the thirtieth they've done so, with the Changelings' ability to shape-shift into other ponies and self created ones. The most skilled of the shape-shifters are Incognito and Mimic, they pose as two royal guards, with Incognito posing a light brown Unicorn guard named Archimedes and Mimic posing as a white Pegasus named Artemis,

"Okay, brothers. You know what to do again, right?" Masai asked.

"Yes, Masai" Incognito replied.

"Yeah, patrol the palace and if anything is unusual then..." Mimic began.

"..Once you come back here you inform me of the unusual things" Masai finished for him.

"Oh Masai!" Vaako said beside him.

"Yes, Vaako?" Masai asked.

Vaako leaned over to whisper in his ear,

"Oh.....uh huh.....yes, yes. Thank you, Vaako" Masai said.

"What is it, Masai?" Incognito asked.

"Incognito, Vaako has told me that the guards have upgraded their security, and they are beginning to use codes to signify each other" Masai told them.

"What are the codes?" Mimic asked.

"Kephri knows them" Vaako said, "Keph, buddy. What are the codes?"

Kephri got up from the couch he was sitting on and made his way towards the four changelings who were organizing the plan,

"Well, there is a fuck-tonne of them, but I can plant them all in both of your minds so remember which codes to use at which place on the palace grounds" Kephri told them.

"Okay, thanks, man" Incognito said.

A green glow came shining through Kephri's holey horn and then two puffs of green escaped from his horn and went through Incognito and Mimic's foreheads,

"Did it work?" Mimic asked.

"Let's check.." Kephri said, "What's the pass-code for the palace gardens?"

"Alto, Tenner, Tenner, Alto" Mimic replied from his memory.

"Good, brother" Kephri said, "Nito, what's the code for the palace library?"

"Base, Soprano, Base, Tenner" Incognito also replied from memory.

"You both seem fine, good luck, brothers" Kephri wished.

"Thanks, Kephri" Incognito and Mimic both replied.

"Okay, brothers. Transform" Masai ordered.

Mimic and Incognito obeyed and then they both transformed into their respected aliases. Masai always found their transformations impressive, as he and the rest of his brothers can't transform into original creations so easily, unlike real ponies,

"You! Light brown Unicorn! What's your name?" Masai asked to make sure they remember.

"Archimedes!" Incognito replied.

"And you! White Pegasus! What's yours?" Masai asked Mimic.

"Artemis!" Mimic replied.

"Good, my brothers. You're going to do well, me and the rest will continue to plan the preludes to Project Anarchy whilst you're gone, okay?" Masai told them.

"Yes, brother" The duo replied.

"Lavo!" Masai called over.

"Yes, Masai?" Lavo asked.

"Send Mimic and Incognito just outside Canterlot, brother" Masai ordered.

"Of course, Masai" Lavo replied.

Masai, Kephri, Vaako and Lavo wished Mimic and Incognito good luck as Lavo teleported them away from their hut and over to Canterlot using his extremely talented magic skills,

"Okay, now on to the next part, we need Discord" Masai said.

"Haha" Ozymandias laughed from the other side of the room.

"What are you laughing at, Ozymandias?" Masai asked in a serious tone.

"You're still going through with trying to get Discord on our side, aren't you?" Ozymandias asked jokingly.

"Oz, keep your mouth shu-" Vaako tried to tell him before Masai stopped Vaako from speaking.

"Yes, I am, Ozymandias. You think it's not going to go through?" Masai asked.

"I do think it's not going to work, back when Revi paid us a friendly visit, he said he was changed by the Element bearers. He made a good point and I agreed with his point" Ozymandias told his superior.

"You're telling me that you agree with our enemy rather than what I have to come up with yet?" Masai asked angrily.

"That's exactly what I'm saying" Ozymandias said in a manner that suggested he wanted to push Masai over the limit.

"Fuck you, Ozymandias" Masai said coldly.

"You think I'm scared of you, Masai?" Ozymandias asked him.

"You fucking well should be, brother" Masai replied.

"Why's that?" Oz asked with a smirk.

"Because I'm going to blackmail Chaos" Masai replied.

Ozymandias looked at Masai in confusion and also shock, Ozymandias does not get shocked so easily either,

"What do you mean?" Ozymandias asked.

"If Discord doesn't join us, I will threaten to assassinate the one and only friend he has, my brother, and that one and only friend of his is a little pony called Fluttershy" Masai told his comrade with a devilish smile on his face.

Outside of Canterlot. On the side of the stone mountain slopes, near the railroad tracks, Mimic and Incognito appeared just a few metres away from Canterlot. They were in their pony forms, looking across to several rocks which led to a wall in which the two can climb over to enter the city,

"You ready, Mimic?" Incognito asked.

"Yeah, man. Let's go" Mimic replied.

"Wait, brother. Your eyes are blue, they're not to be like that" Incognito told him.

"Oh shit, they're green, aren't they?" Mimic asked.

"Yes, Mimic. Also, call me be my alias from now on, okay?" Incognito made clear.

"Yes....Archimedes" Mimic replied.

"Good, Artemis" Incognito said.

The duo made it over towards the rocks that left an entrance for getting over the wall, once they both made it over the wall, they were an alley cast in shadows, in which the duo went over their plan once more,

"Okay, so, same as always, Artemis. We go in, do our patrol for about five hours, we go back, once we go both go back we tell Masai of any unusual things if there was any, okay?" Incognito asked.

"Sure, brother" Mimic said.

"Remember, I'm Archimedes, you can't call me brother during the shift" Incognito said.

"Okay, Archimedes" Mimic said.

"Good, let's stay in character" Incognito told him, "Follow me"

Incognito led the way to the castle, passing through crowds of both sophisticated and ordinary ponies, whilst walking over to the palace, the duo decided to talk about their thoughts on Project Anarchy,

"Hey, Archimedes, what's your opinion on the plan?" Mimic asked.

"My personal opinion is that I think it will go well" Incognito replied.

"What about Oz's idea, taking over?" Mimic asked quietly.

"Oz is a power hungry sociopath with a massive ego, I don't think his plan is going to come into commission anytime soon" Incognito replied, "I respect the dude as much as everyone is in Brotherhood but he's got to stop testing Masai or he's either going to get killed by Masai or kicked out of the Brotherhood"

"Yeah, that's true, Archimedes" Mimic said.

"We're almost there, Artemis, I'll do all the talking and you just stay in character" Incognito told him.

The two disguised Changelings made it to the Palace gates where they saw two guards at the gate,

"You two, halt!" One of the guards ordered.

"Yeah, sorry man, we're just going in" Incognito replied.

"Not without the passcode, friend" The guard told them.

"Oh yes, I forgot. Base, Base, Base, Tenner" Incognito replied.

"Okay, guys you can pass. You guys are late as well" The other guard said.

"Yeah sorry, we were stopping off for donuts" Incognito lied.

"Didn't save any for us?" One of the guards asked in an annoyed tone.

"Em...." Incognito paused.

"Nah, I'm just pulling your tail, man" The guard chuckled, "Oh yeah, before I forget. Your armor isn't in the lockers, they taken it to the laundry room to get them shined, just beside the library"

"Okay, thanks, man" Incognito said.

The duo both walked over in the direction where the library was, they both passed by several guards and then the duo, just as soon as they as they made it to the library, saw Princess Luna approaching them from the opposite direction,

"Keep cool, Princess heading" Incognito said.

"Okay, Archimedes" Mimic replied.

The two kept cool until Luna stopped them in their paths,

"Excuse me, you two" Luna said, "I couldn't help but notice but you're not in uniform"

"Oh, sorry, your Highness, but me and friend here came in late, and we were just picking up our armor from the laundry room, they were getting shined" Incognito replied.

"Oh yes, as you were, soldiers" Luna said, "Try not to be late next time"

"We won't, Princess" Mimic said.

"Good, as you were" Luna said as she passed them.

Mimic let a small sigh of relief as he thought that the Princess of the Night was going to see through them, luckily, she didn't,

"You alright, man?" Incognito asked.

"Yeah, I thought she was going to see through us" Mimic replied.

"Nah, man. Our disguises are perfect, no one is going to see past it"

Mimic looked behind him to see Luna walking away,

"Damn, for a pony, she's pretty attractive" Mimic said.

"Keep focused, Artemis" Incognito replied.

"Sorry" Mimic apologized.

The duo entered the laundry room, and saw a few sets of armor laid out on a table,

"Which ones are ours?" Mimic asked.

"Our names should be engraved on the helmet and body armor" Incognito told him.

"Okay" Mimic said as he searched the armor, "I think I found yours"

Incognito went over to where Mimic was and saw his alias' armor, he levitated it up and placed his helmet on his head and his body armor across his torso. Mimic did the same with his armor, he leviated it, but no one noticed, if they did, they would find it strange for a Pegasus to use magic,

"Where to now?" Mimic asked.

"We continue with the shift, we're going to the throne room" Incognito replied.

"Okay, Archimedes" Mimic said.

The duo walked down the hallway and made it over to the throne room after passing the library, the kitchen, the downstairs to the gardens and the grand staircase. Once they made it to the throne room, they opened the door and saw two guards in the place of it,

"Hey, we're here to take over throne room duty" Incognito said.

"Code" One of the guards said.

"Tenner, Soprano, Tenner, Soprano" Mimic said.

"Okay, just stand guard" The guard told them.

The two guards exited the room and Incognito and Mimic took their place, they saw Celestia and Luna talking from across the room, the duo both eavesdropped in on their conversation,

"So, sister. Twilight is visiting along with her friends?" Luna asked.

"Yes. She is also bringing over a new friend you and I have not yet met" Celestia replied.

Incognito and Mimic both looked at each other, they can both tell what each were thinking just by their facial expressions,

"Who is her new friend?" Luna asked.

"An inventor from another universe" Celestia said.

The Changeling duo opened their eyes a bit wider towards each other,

"Twilight has also said to me that the inventor can make objects teleport from one place to the other..." Celestia continued.

"There is nothing special about that, dear sister" Luna interrupted.

"..Without magic" Celestia finished.

The duo looked at each other once more and they both realized they had to tell Masai about this,

"But...." Luna paused, "...That is impossible"

"We'll have to see it for ourselves, Luna" Celestia told her.

As did the Changelings, they had to see this for themselves before leaving to tell Masai.

Chapter 14: Tesla In Canterlot

The train journey to Canterlot was almost over, they were arriving earlier than expected. Tesla was asleep, as was Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Applejack. Rarity was reading a fashion magazine that she found underneath her chair, Fluttershy was just looking out of the window and Pinkie was playing a harmonica,

"This journey is so long!" She sung before playing a little melody, "So I'm singing this song!"

"Pinkie, darling" Rarity said, "We've got about another five minutes before we get there, just be a bit more patient"

"OKAY, Rarity!" Pinkie said as she bounced in her seat.

The train went through another tunnel, whilst in the darkness, Twilight's head listed lazily to the side as it fell on Tesla's neck. Once the train exited the dark tunnel, Applejack's head was now bumping against the seat in front of her, Rainbow Dash was now upside down in her chair and Pinkie's harmonica had been replaced with a saxophone and she was playing the solo to "Baker Street" whilst wearing sunglasses and a black fedora hat, how she did that was anypony's guess, but they ignored it, because it was Pinkie and that's what she does. Rarity looked over beside her to see Applejack's head bouncing off the chair in front of her, the sight made Rarity chuckle, then she looked over to her other side to see Twilight snug against Tesla, it made Rarity slightly jealous but she still laughed. Rarity nudged Applejack twice, Applejack dozily woke up until she adjusted to her woken state,

"Applejack, look at this" Rarity said as she pointed to Twilight and Tesla.

"Huh, two lovebirds" Applejack chuckled.

Pinkie looked behind her seat to see them snoozing together, Pinkie slid her sunglasses down her snout slightly to see more clearly,

"Aww, they look soooo CUTE!" Pinkie said.

"Yeah.." Fluttershy said quietly.

Rarity leaned over the open space between her and Twilight and gave her a small tap on her foreleg,

"Twilight. Wakey wakey" Rarity loudly whispered.

"Huh....?" Twilight questioned.

She looked around to see all her friends, with the exception of Rainbow Dash, looking at her with small joking smiles,

"What's going on?" Twilight yawned to all her but was looking at Pinkie.

Pinkie moved her eyes to the pony beside her, "See for yourself, Twilight"

Twilight moved her eyes in the direction Pinkie's eyes were moving towards, until she saw Tesla beside her, with her on his neck, her eyes widened, she looked down Tesla, then up again, then her eyes widened more, she shot up to sit up straight, and blushed as she fixed her fringe to cover her face slightly from her friends,

"Oh um...." Twilight stuttered.

"Twilight, it was just a small accident, you moved in your sleep, it's okay, dear" Rarity said.

"Yeah, hon. We won't tell anypony about it" Applejack said, "You should also wake 'im up"

Twilight shook Tesla lightly whilst saying his name in order for him to wake up, after shaking him for about twenty seconds, he finally woke up,

"Are we there?" Tesla asked.

"Yeah, Nikola. We just arrived" Twilight replied.

"Well, let's hope this journey wasn't all for nothing" Tesla said as he stretched his forelegs.

Stepping out the train station onto the streets of Canterlot was different for Tesla, gone was the cottages and gone was the dirt paths. He felt much more, at home here than he did in Ponyville. Tesla was impressed by Canterlot,

"It's very nice here" Tesla said.

"I knew you would like it here, Nikola" Rarity told him.

"It's very..." Tesla tried to find the right word.

"Sophisticated?" Rarity optioned.

"Yes, that" Tesla agreed.

"More like snobby" Applejack mumbled to herself.

"Twilight, since we're a little bit early, is it okay for me to show Nikola around Canterlot for a little while?" Rarity asked.

"Yeah that's fine, Rarity" Twilight said, "Just be at the palace in half an hour"

"Thank you, Twilight" Rarity smiled, "Come on, Nikola. I'll show you around"

Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie and Applejack arrived at the palace gates, they approached the two guards at the gate,

"Excuse mister" Twilight said to one of them, "Can we please see Princess Celestia?"

"Of course, Miss Sparkle. The Princess' will be pleased to see you again, welcome back"

"Thank you mister" Twilight smiled, "Oh, also, if you see Rarity with another pony, please let them both in"

"Of course, Miss Sparkle" The guard replied.

The five mares entered to the Palace grounds and made their way towards the throne room, as they all knew that's where they would be waiting. Once they made it in there, the five were first greeted by a light brown Unicorn guard standing beside a white Pegasus,

"Welcome back" The guard said.

Then they were greeted by the two Princesses,

"Hello, girls. You're early" Princess Celestia greeted.

"Greetings, girls" Princess Luna greeted after her older sister.

"Yeah, the train got here earlier than expected" Twilight told Celestia.

"Where is this Nikola fellow you've been telling me about?" Celestia asked, "And Rarity for that matter?"

"Rarity insisted on showing Nikola around Canterlot, since we were early I thought why not. Besides, if Nikola were here, it would take him about three or four hours to make the machine for the demonstration anyways" Twilight told the Princess.

"Well, I don't have much to do today, I can wait until he finishes making it. But how come he couldn't bring the other complete machine?" Celestia asked.

"It's in my basement and it's fairly large, it would take forever to dismantle it a bring it here bit by bit" Twilight explained.

"Okay then" Celestia said, "I'll wait"

"Ooh Nikola, darling. You look devilish handsome in that suit" Rarity said to Tesla, complimenting the suit he was wearing.

The two were in a men's clothing store, Rarity had coaxed him to go in there, stating that wearing a suit would be "better for presentation", Tesla actually agreed, as he almost always wore suits in his home world, especially during presentations for his inventions and experiments,

"You think it looks good?" Tesla made sure.

"Very" Rarity replied, "I'll buy it for you. It's my treat"

"Thank you Rarity" Tesla said.

"Pleasure's all mine, Nikola" Rarity smiled.

Rarity paid for the suit, it cost her forty bits, which is a fairly small price for a high quality suit,

"Looks good enough for presentation, no?" Tesla asked again.

"Well, come to think of it, there's one thing missing" Rarity said.

"And what's that?" Tesla asked.

"Your tie" Rarity said.

"Oh, the suit came with a tie?" Tesla asked.

"Yes, it should be in your jacket pocket" Rarity told him.

Tesla got the tie out of his pocket and tried to put it on, he struggled to sort it out,

"Need help with that?" Rarity asked.

"I've got it" Tesla said as he struggled more with tying his tie, due to his hooves.

"Come here" Rarity said.

Tesla gave in and went over to Rarity and she fixed up his tie with her magic,

"There. Better" She said.

"Thank you Rarity" Tesla replied.

"Your welcome" Rarity smiled, "We should probably start heading to the palace, darling"

"Lead the way" Tesla said.

Tesla and Rarity were walking over to the palace, on the way there, they were just casually chatting,

"So, Nikola. How are you enjoying your time in Equestria?" Rarity asked.

"I'd be enjoying it more if I was in my human form" Tesla told her.

"Damn it, that's another bet I lost" Rarity said to herself under her breath.

"Pardon me, Rarity?" Tesla questioned.

"Oh, yes, me and Applejack made a bet to see if you were human or not, turns out you are so I guess I lost" Rarity told him.

"Wait, there's humans in your world?" Tesla asked.

"No, sorry I got your hopes up, but there isn't, not to my knowledge at least, though there is this girl I know called Lyra, she's obsessed with humans, that's how I know about them" Rarity said.

"Oh right" Tesla said.

"You miss your home?" Rarity asked.

"Kind of, I was never really always in the same place, I was always moving, I never had much of a proper home" Tesla said.

"That's a shame" Rarity said.

"Well, at least I sort of have a temporary residence here in Equestria, I suppose" Tesla told her.

"Yeah, that's a good thing" Rarity said happily.

The two made it over to the palace gates, in which one of the guards greeted Rarity,

"Hello, Miss Rarity. Is this the stallion who's meant to meet with the Princesses?" The guard asked.

"He is" Rarity replied.

"Okay, just making sure" The guard told her.

The two walked onto the palace grounds and walked their way to the throne room, whilst Rarity was getting greets and glances from the guards,

"Should be almost there" Rarity said.

Once they made it to the throne room, all of the ponies in the room looked at Tesla in his new suit, it made an impression. All of them, even the two guards in the room, thought he looked good. It made Twilight feel funny, and also Princess Luna, she thought he was already making a good impression and he hasn't said a word yet,

"So, you're this Mr. Nikola Tesla Twilight has been telling me about?" Celestia asked.

"That I am, your Highness" Tesla replied.

"Twilight has been telling me you have a machine that can transport objects without magic" Celestia said.

"And she is correct, Princess..." Tesla paused.

"Celestia" She told him.

"...Celestia. Twilight has been telling you the truth, but with my machine being very large, it would have been difficult to transport it over here, your Grace. But I am willing to build another, even if it is just for a brief demonstration" Tesla told her.

"Yes, Twilight informed of that, Mr. Tesla" Celestia said, "She also told me, it would take you three hours or more to make?"

"Yes, I'll try and get it complete as fast as I can, your Highness" Tesla said.

"Take all the time you need" Celestia said.

Two hours and fifty minutes later, the machine was complete. It looked almost identical to the one in Ponyville. Tesla gathered his resources with the help of Twilight and the rest from the Canterlot junkyard, then they helped him developed the machine together. He was now making his demonstration to the Princesses look like a professional presentation, it made him feel like he was back in his own world,

"Princesses, this machine that you see before your very eyes, is a machine that can change Equestrian history and Human history, forever, with that said, it will be revolutionary for Equestria as it can transport objects without magic and it will be revolutionary for Human history as the machine that can transport objects though science. Before we begin, I need a small object" Tesla told the Princesses.

"Oh, um..." Luna paused.

"Well, me and my sister have our metal slippers, if that's any use to you" Celestia optioned.

"Wonderful. If I may?" Tesla asked.

"You can borrow mine, sir" Luna said as she raised her hoof.

Tesla approached Princess Luna and slid off her silver slipper from her hoof,

"Thank you, Princess" Tesla thanked.

He went back to the machine and placed the slipper in the pod-like machine, he then went back to his presentation,

"If we take this small silver slipper, I will turn on my machine and the slipper will disappear" Tesla told the Princesses, "But do not be alarmed, Princess Luna. Because within two to three minutes, it shall re-appear on the other side of the room"

Luna leaned forward as she was more interested in the machine,

"Are you watching closely?" Tesla asked.

Tesla flicked a few switches on the machine before a few sounds came from the machine. Then several streams of electricity surrounded the slipper, before it popped away in a bright yellow flash. Celestia still kept her neutral face, but Luna was more surprised, the two guards at the door were also surprised,

"Artemis" The light-brown one whispered.

"Yeah?" The white one whispered back.

"That just fucking happened?" He asked.

"Yep" He whimpered.

"We're leaving in ten minutes, okay?" He quietly made sure.

"Right behind you"

After another three and a half minutes, a small fizzle came from the far right side of the room, before it erupted into a large flash of light, and midst the light, the slipper re-appeared. Luna's eyes widened as she saw her slipper re-appear there, she then looked at Tesla and back at her slipper,

"What do you think?" Tesla asked the Princesses.

"I haven't made up my opinion yet. I'll get back to you later, Mr. Tesla" Celestia said.

"Of course, your Highness" Tesla replied.

Later on, in a storage cupboard. Incognito and Mimic were discussing what they saw during the presentation,

"Okay, there's no way that was possible" Mimic said.

"Dude, we both saw it with our own fucking eyes!" Incognito said.

"It must've been a trick" Mimic said.

"It wasn't any fucking trick, brother. We need to tell Masai" Incognito told him.

"Tell him what? That we saw a guy make something move from one place to another without any magic? Nito, he'll never fucking believe us" Mimic replied.

"He said report to him the unusual stuff" Incognito said.

"This is beyond unusual, brother" Mimic said.

"Wait. Kephri knows a spell that can help Masai see it, it can like show a projection of what we saw" Incognito explained.

"Brilliant, because we need to tell him about this. I'm just worried about how he's going to react"

Author's Note

if you don't know the song "Baker Street" that Pinkie was playing, then here's a reminder, you'll know the song when you hear it

Also, next chapter will be called "The Inventor and Chaos"

Chapter 16: Crazy Hoofful of Nothing...

Incognito and Mimic were standing outside of Canterlot in their normal Changelings forms, waiting for Lavo to arrive and take them back to the badlands, they were both sitting on these two small boulders that were out on the rocky plain whilst they were waiting for Lavo. Mimic was thinking about what he saw back at the palace and then that led him to think more cautiously about Masai's Project Anarchy,

"Hey Nito" Mimic said.

"Yeah, Mimic?" Incognito asked.

"How do feel about about Project Anarchy?" Mimic asked back.

"I think you asked me about this this morning, I said I'm willing to do it, I feel optimistic about it" Incognito said, "How do you feel, Mick?"

"Excited.." Mimic replied.

"That's good, brother" Incognito nodded.

"..but it's not a good kind of excited" Mimic continued.

Incognito let out a deep breath, "How so?" He asked.

"I....I feel like this is the kind of excitement you get going into battle, a battle which you feel you're going to win but ultimately die in the end. Nito, I feel like my life will inevitably lead to that moment, I want to see the Changelings and Ponies get what's coming to them and then I'll die..." Mimic said.

"Look, Mimic. All of us have been affected by what's happened to us after the genocide incident, you've been affected after your uncle got killed, I've been affected after they killed my wife. But Masai is a ticking time bomb and brother, I'm sorry, but we're going to be there to witness the boom" Incognito told him as he leaned forward.

Mimic nodded slowly as he looked to the ground, he then looked back up at Incognito,

"What about Oz?" Mimic asked.

"What about him?" Incognito questioned.

"He's power hungry, as you said earlier, he might betray Masai" Mimic said.

"If Ozymandias had the faintest fuckin' idea on how to betray Masai, we'd all see it coming, if Oz even tries something like that, he's officially labeled a dead Changeling even before Masai gets to him, and if Masai does get to him I don't even want to think on what the consequences may be" Incognito said.

"Yeah, but Oz isn't scared of Masai, he openly taunts him in front of all of us. I've seen how just coldly stares him right in his one good eye and openly tells him what he thinks of Masai's plans and Oz thinks he's a better leader than him" Mimic said.

"Look, Masai knows what he's doing, but he's very unstable, but his plan will work" Incognito said.

"What about Discord and the...the fucking machine we saw just there? Discord is the goddamned embodiment of chaos and fucking Nikola what-what back there has a powerful piece of machinery" Mimic said, "I think Masai is carrying a crazy hoofful of nothing"

"Discord isn't chaos anymore, he hasn't been chaos for a long time" Incognito explained.

"What if he kills us? He's powerful, he's god-like for fuck sake!" Mimic shouted worryingly.

"Discord hasn't killed anyone in years, decades, centuries, eons, the list goes on. Besides he won't kill anyone for a long time now, he's gone soft" Incognito said.

Just then, a bright green flash occurred about two feet away from them, as a figure was silhouetted in the green mist that the flash left behind, the mist cleared revealing the figure to be Lavo,

"Hey, brothers" Lavo greeted.

"Hey Lavo" Incognito said.

"What's up, man?" Mimic asked.

"I'm doing fine. Cite anything unusual?" Lavo asked.

"Yeah, we did actually" Mimic replied.

"What did you see?" Lavo asked again.

"You'll never fucking believe it" Incognito told him.

"I don't fucking believe it" Masai said.

"Masai, trust me it's true" Lavo said.

"I double checked with my mind projection spell, it's real, Masai. And it's amazing" Kephri said.

"Let me look for myself please, brother" Masai said.

"Of course" Kephri replied.

Incognito came over and offered himself for the mind projection spell,

"Keph, do the projection spell on my mind" Incognito said.

"Of course, Nito" Kephri replied.

Kephri shot a bright array of purple light from his crooked horn against Incognito's temple and then the projection played out against the wall of the hut, it got all the Changelings' attention spans, including Ozymandias and Masai,

"Are you watching closely?" Nikola Tesla said on the projection.

They all watched the projection play out, they saw Tesla placed Luna's slipper into the machine, turn on the machine and finally the watched the streams of bright yellow electricity vanish the slipper,

"What the fuck..." Masai uttered.

Kephri knew it would take a while before the slipper would reappear, so he fast forwarded the projection until it was thirty seconds before the slipper reappeared. When Masai saw it, his mouth was open and he looked like he was lost in a daze, but the sudden dryness of his eye made him snap back to reality,

"What was that pony's name?" Masai asked.

"He's not a pony, he's from a different world" Mimic said.

"His name, not his origins" Masai ordered.

"It's Nikola Tesla" Incognito told him.

Masai chuckled once, then gave an evil smile,

"Brothers, I'm going to make some alters to Project Anarchy" Masai said, "We will get this Tesla after we get Discord, tomorrow night. I called him for a 'Business Arrangement'"

Masai didn't sleep the night before Discord was going to arrive at the hut, Project Anarchy became his current obsession, he couldn't stop thinking about it, the thought of Equestria burning makes him feel excited and joyful, he also can't wait to manipulate Discord, the thought of that also makes him feel excited, if he gets Discord to join him, then Masai will see that as a great feat and will then feel more confident in his Project. Most of his Brotherhood are willing to go through with the Project, they greatly respect Masai and Masai respects them, except from Ozymandias. Ozymandias hasn't showed any significant amount of respect to Masai since they were banished, and they used to be good friends when the two were in the army, they had each other's back and all that, but after they were banished, it all changed, Masai went mad and wanted Equestria in ashes and Ozymandias became hungry for power over Equestria.

Masai and the rest of his brotherhood stood outside the hut, awaiting the famed and legendary Draconequus. The clouds were dark, the sky was a pea-soup green color. The Brotherhood heard thunder, it was going to rain later. Masai stood in front of the Brotherhood and saw Discord poof amongst the trees and walked over to the Brotherhood,

"You must be Masai" Discord said.

"That I am" Masai replied.

"I'm sure I don't no introduction" Discord told him.

"Some of my brothers don't know who you are, if you kindly introduce yourself to them, I'd be much obliged" Masai replied.

Discord looked at the rest of the Changeling brotherhood and then grinned,

"Of course" He said to Masai before turning to the Brotherhood, "Gentle- uh...lings. I'm Discord for those who don't know"

The Brotherhood said nothing, they just stood there. Discord just nodded there silence off as he asked Masai,

"Should we discuss the business arrangement inside?"

"Of course, if you would follow me, Mr. Discord?" Masai asked back.

"Lead the way" Discord said as he started to float in the air in his coiled, snake-like form.

Masai turned around facing the door, he nodded to signal the Brotherhood to go inside, he followed after them and Discord followed after him. Once they were all inside, Masai led Discord to a table with two chairs, both on opposite sides of the tables, Masai sat down,

"Take a seat" Masai told Discord.

Discord sat on the seat opposite Masai, Masai had his forelegs crossed and Discord had his hands on the table,

"So you called me over about a business arrangement, wasn't it, Masai?" Discord asked.

"Yes, I want to discuss something with you" Masai replied.

"Something about the cosmic post office and you want a package sent over somewhere confidential?" Discord asked.

Masai chuckled, "No, that was a lie, Discord. The thing I'm actually wanting to discuss is a Project I want you to be apart of. You are, what they say, is chaos, correct?" Masai asked.

"I am chaos" Discord happily explained, "But I don't do that stuff anymore, I'm reformed"

"You don't understand, Discord. This isn't a matter of me asking you to help me, you ARE going to help me" Masai said calmly.

Discord got out of the seat and approached the door, but all of the Brotherhood, apart from Ozymandias and Masai,

"If you don't cooperate with us, Discord. Innocents will die" Masai told him with a smile on his face.

Discord looked down, he felt regret, he didn't want innocents to die, but he thought Masai was bluffing,

"Get out of my way" Discord told the Changelings at the doorway, "If you all know what's good for you"

"Not going to happen, chaos" Vaako said with bravery as he shook his head.

Discord tried to teleport out of the hut and make his escape, but it didn't work, he made several faces of concentration, wanting to escape from everyone in the hut, but as much he tried, he was met to no avail,

"Trying to escape, Discord?" Masai asked sarcastically, "My brother there, Lavo. Enchanted our area, so that no magic, from any being, whether that would be Alicorn, Unicorn or even Draconuus would work, except of course, Changelings. It's pretty high standard magic, but it gets the job done"

Discord was close to losing his cool, something he never usually does, but he felt uneasy around the Brotherhood,

"Have I got your attention now Discord?" Masai asked.

Discord looked down at the ground once more, but regained his cool, he turned his neck over to Masai and said to him,

"Yeah, and your brothers are going several broken bones so I have YOUR attention, Masai" Discord said as he smiled evilly.

Masai wasn't phased. But his brothers were, they knew their plan of action. Attack. Vaako charged towards Discord and attempted to upper cut him, his attempt, failed. After he tried to uppercut him, Discord dodged to the left and gave Vaako a rage-fuelled smile before swiping Vaako across the face with his right fist, his lion paw, breaking several of Vaako's teeth, and knocking Vaako to the ground. Discord shifted his small red irises towards the other four, targeting them all with laser like eyes. They all charged at him, thinking they could get him all at once, bad idea. Discord swung his tail taking out Incognito and Lavo, the force of his hit was strong enough to send them flying over to the wall, then bucked Kephri with his horse leg, before finally grabbing Mimic by the neck and slamming him against the wall, off the ground, with his lion paw,

"Discord, you do anything to Mimic and I swear to fuck...!" Masai began to say.

Discord didn't listen, he got his eagle claw and jammed it into Mimic's forehead, almost sickly enjoying what he was doing, he haven't done anything like this in centuries, it felt good for him, but for Mimic, it felt like three claws piercing through his skin and slowly tearing open, releasing blood as he felt Discord's claw scrape against his skull, it was safe to say that Mimic was feeling like shit,

"AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!" Mimic released a bloodcurdling scream.

"DAMN IT, DISCORD! CUT THIS BULLSHIT OUT, RIGHT NOW!" Masai yelled with fury, "Or else the innocent ponies that will die, will begin with your best friend" Masai said as he seethed his teeth, then laughed maniacally.

Discord stopped instantly, he froze. He let Mimic go, as Mimic slid down the wall, crying, screaming, his forehead a mess. Discord turned around slowly with his mouth slightly gaped open, he couldn't possibly believe he meant who he thought he meant,

"You..you don't mean.." Discord started.

"Yeah" Masai nodded, out of breath from his yell, "Fluttershy"

Discord crunched his knuckles, he looked at Masai with rage, then at Ozymandias, who was sitting on the couch, oddly relaxed. Oz , whilst looking at Discord tilted his towards the direction of Discord's chair,

"You best sit down, Starswirl" Ozymandias said, calmly.

"What did you call me?" Discord asked softly, but with anger still in his voice.

Masai stood up, he pointed at Discord,

"You! Sit your snake ass in that fucking chair" He ordered.

Masai then pointed at Ozymandias,

"And you, Ozymandias. Shut the fuck up! Or I'll kill you right where you're sitting"

Ozymandias gave a smug grin, he didn't care. Masai sat back down in his chair, as did Discord,

"Listen Discord. If you don't cooperate with us, I'll make sure one of my boys here tortures Fluttershy before leaving her raped, beaten corpse in my meat locker downstairs, in which I'll want to feed it to the dragons all the way across in the other mountains" Masai told him, "If you still don't cooperate, I'll make sure to do it myself"

"I'll kill you" Discord replied.

"Kill? When's the last time you killed anyone, great and powerful Discord?" Masai asked sarcastically, "Last time I heard you killed anyone was back over ten thousand years ago, and even then that was an accident. You probably don't even have the guts to kill anyone anyways, they made you soft"

Masai got up from his chair and walked around the table to get behind Discord,

"Think it about, Discord, let it be one last chaotic antic. Is that not what you want, to return to your roots?" Masai asked, "You've became pathetic, Starswirl. I know you hate that name, after the whole curse thing, you've left that persona, pursued chaos, got turned to stone, a wonderful legacy to leave behind. But when I hear that the great Discord gets released from his stone prison, starts terrorizing Ponyville, I was like, 'this is legendary', then you let yourself lose. Pathetic" Masai said.

"Get to your point" Discord said.

"If you do this one last antic with me and my brothers, I'll make sure no harm goes to any of your friends" Masai lied.

"You promise me?" Discord made sure.

"I promise" Masai lied once more.

Discord sighed, "Okay" He said slowly, "What do you want me to do?"

"It's a project called Project Anarchy for starters, what you need to do is..." Masai began.

Author's Note

Any spelling errors, please tell me. Also, I am sorry if this chapter is too violent. Also, I know some of you aren't into my "Blackmail Discord" route, but it's happened, so I'm sorry for that.

Chapter 17: Scars

SEVERAL MONTHS AHEAD....

A Hospital room in the Crystal Empire's general hospital. The Crystal Empire is under a new rule, Cadence and Shining Armor imprisoned and Sombra has returned, but is hospitalized and unable to use his dark shadow magic. He laid in his hospital bed, dying. He was summoned back into the world by the Brotherhood, but was betrayed by one who promised him the Crystal Empire once more.

A hooded figure entered Sombra's hospital room, Sombra's eyes then became fixated on the figure who entered, he realized who it was, he saw through the figure's dark, shadowed face left by the hood,

"What the hell are you doing here?" Sombra asked with a deep voice.

"Sombra, I came here for your help" The hooded pony replied.

"You are partially one of the reasons I lay here dying" Sombra growled.

"Sombra, I know you hate me. I know you want to see me dead" The figure said before removing his hood.

The figure revealed himself to be Nikola Tesla, now sporting an unkempt beard and his mane in a mess, unaccompanied by Twilight and the rest,

"I'm not meant to be here yet, but there's something I need to finish. And I need you to help me" Tesla said.

"Why the hell should I help you?" Sombra asked.

"This is revenge for the one you love, Sombra" Tesla said, "Because even though you hate me, I'm willing to bet there's someone you hate even more"

Sombra tried to sit up in his bed, but it hurt him. He was interested,

"Tell me more" Sombra demanded.

"I'm going to kill the same one we're talking about right now. I need your help, will you do so?" Tesla asked.

Sombra nodded, "What do I need to do?"

"Let me go through the plan..." Tesla began.

PRESENT DAY...

Tesla, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity have all returned back to Ponyville, disappointed by Celestia's final verdict on Tesla's machine, they all stood at the train station. Most of them knew what they were going to do now,

"Well, I'm going to head back to the Acres" Applejack said, "I'll probably see ya'll tommorrow"

"Bye, Applejack" They all said as she headed home.

"Yeah..." Rainbow spoke after, "I'm going to head home as well. I need to hit the hay"

"I need to revise for my chemistry exam" Pinkie said.

"I need to check on my pets" Fluttershy said.

"Okay, bye girls" Twilight said.

"Bye, darlings" Rarity followed.

"Bye" Tesla finished.

The three parted away from the train station, off to do what they said they would do, leaving Tesla, Twilight and Rarity at the train station. Tesla wasn't too bothered about Celestia's opinion on the machine, but Twilight felt annoyed about it,

"What are you two off to do now?" Rarity asked.

"Dunno" Twilight shrugged.

"I'm probably going to continue with the machine back in the basement" Tesla said.

"How do you feel about Princess Celestia's verdict, Nikola?" Rarity asked.

Tesla shrugged, "I'm not that fussed about it"

"Well, I still think your machine is still great" Rarity told him.

Tesla smiled, "Thank you, Rarity"

"What are you going to do when you get home, Rarity?" Twilight asked.

"Probably going to finish a dress order" Rarity replied.

"Okay then, we'll both see you later, Rarity" Twilight said.

Rarity nodded before moving on towards her home, and it was just Twilight and Nikola left at the train station. Thunder rumbled twice, a storm was two miles away from Ponyville. Twilight sighed, then went over to a bench and sat on it. Tesla was wondering what was bothering her, so he went over beside her on the bench,

"What's the matter, Twilight?" Tesla asked her.

"I'm okay" Twilight replied.

"No, you're not. Something's bothering you, what is it?" Tesla asked.

"Celestia's verdict on the machine, seemed like a waste of time" Twilight replied.

"She had reasons not to go through with it" Tesla told her.

"Like what? She didn't tell us them. How do you know?" Twilight asked.

"Well, Celestia never said anything to me, but Luna told me everything" Tesla replied, "She said that her sister didn't want us to use this kind of advanced technology, because you'd be skipping evolution, Twilight"

"Fair point" Twilight said.

"Twilight, do you want to go home? Or get something to eat? I haven't eaten since yesterday, you know donuts aren't really my type of food" Tesla suggested.

Twilight felt a little more happier, "Yeah, let's get something to eat, that would be nice"

Tesla and Twilight were now at a small cafe called Mocha la Coca. They were both sitting indoors, in a booth next to the window, Twilight was having a grass sandwich with a daisy placed carefully on the top of it and a coffee, Tesla had the same, but removed the daisy from the sandwich and gave it to Twilight. They both sat in silence for most of the time they were eating, until Tesla broke the silence,

"You on the day you kissed me..." He began.

"Don't start with that" Twilight replied.

"I wasn't. I was going to say we were having a conversation before you did so, about the threats you and the girls faced, the conversation seemed unfinished Twilight. Do you want to continue it?" Tesla asked.

"Yeah sure. Which part did I get up to?" Twilight asked back.

"You got to the part about the Changelings and their queen, and how she disguised herself as your sister-in-law" Tesla told her.

"Oh yeah, they didn't believe me at first when I told them that my sister-in-law was acting evil, when the truth came out that she was the queen in disguise, madness broke out, me and the girls stopped her, that was the last time I saw her" Twilight explained, "She was trying to take over Canterlot with her changelings, but there was something else to it"

"Which was what?" Tesla asked.

"Her husband, the Changeling king, was killed by Princess Luna over nine thousand years ago in the Great Equestrian War, that led the Changelings to lose the war" Twilight replied.

"Wow, did she manage to make it to Luna during the Canterlot raid?" Tesla asked.

"No, Luna wasn't there to see what happened during the Canterlot incident" Twilight replied.

"Any other threats you faced?" Tesla asked.

Twilight thought about the threats she faced, both the major and minor ones, literally, the major and minor ones,

"Well, they're was a threat that was kind of major and minor at the same time" Twilight told him.

"Elaborate" Tesla said.

"Well, about four weeks after the Nightmare Moon incident, they're was this magician pony, Trixie, she was a phony magician..."

"You have magicians here as well? I thought it was..." Tesla began.

"Yeah, I don't really want to go into that part right now. Either way, Trixie was a show-off and a bad one at that, she said stuff that most ponies were gullible enough to believe, I saw through it all, it didn't seem to get past the heads of these two young guys, Snips and Snails. What they did was, they brought a threat over here and thought Trixie would defeat it, that's when everypony found out she was a liar" Twilight explained.

"What was the threat?" Tesla asked.

"It was called an Ursa Minor" Twilight replied.

"The star constellation?" Tesla questioned.

"The creature was named after that, it was a large star-like bear creature, it was a big, big thing, about twenty-five feet tall" Twilight said.

"Fuck" Tesla said in shock.

"Fuck indeed, and the funny thing is that wasn't even the adult, it was the cub" Twilight said.

"Wow" Tesla uttered.

Twilight took a sip of her coffee before thinking of other threats, she's faced many but only two stuck out in her mind the most, so she decided to talk about the cutest threat she faced,

"And another four weeks passed and then me and the girls encountered Parasprites. At first, I thought they were absolutely adorable, I kept one as a pet, the night passed, then there was over a hundred by the time I woke up" Twilight said, "Believe it or not, the one pony who knew about these things and how to stop them, was Pinkie. She saved the day after the Parasprites multiplied rapidly with music, I couldn't do anything because I went kind of mad and almost let them win, but Pinkie saved us, I wasn't expecting that"

" Is that all?" Tesla asked, "All the threats I mean?"

"No, there's one more. There's this other kingdom in Equestria, currently ruled ruled by my brother and sister-in-law, it's called the Crystal Empire, before they took over rule, I never heard of the kingdom, it was shrouded in secrecy for hundreds of years, the previous ruler was this demonic Unicorn, Sombra, the story is that his heart became as black as night, he was a horrible ruler, so Celestia and Luna imprisoned him in the Arctic North. They never told me how he became evil though. He came back to try and reclaim his kingdom, but he was defeated, in fact, I think he's the only threat I've faced that's dead" Twilight told Tesla.

"How killed him?" Tesla asked.

"This crystal heart object powered by my sister-in-law's magic" Twilight replied, "I think Spike was affected most by it because he was almost killed by Sombra, he doesn't like to talk about it much, I think the incident might have scarred him"

"Poor Spike" Tesla said.

"That's all of the threats I want to talk about, there's been more. But it's too much" Twilight said.

"I understand" Tesla said as he took a small bite from his sandwich.

"What do you want to talk about now?" Twilight asked.

"Can you tell me more about this Crystal Empire?" Tesla asked.

BACK IN THE BADLANDS....

Mimic was in the bathroom of the small hut which he was residing in, he looked in the grimy cracked mirror at the three deep cuts that ran down his forehead left by Discord. He got some cotton and ran it under the dirty water of the filthy tap, he dabbed the wet cotton on his scars and seethed his teeth as he felt the stings. He wiped the dried blood off his forehead,

"Fuck, that's going to leave a mark" Mimic said to himself.

He then heard three knocks at the bathroom door,

"Hey, Mick. You okay?" Vaako's muffled voice asked from the other side of the door.

"Yeah, Vaako. I'm just wiping the blood off my forehead" Mimic replied.

"We're just waiting on you brother. Masai's going to tell us the rest of the prelude plans" Vaako told him.

"Okay I'm coming" Mimic said.

Mimic went over towards the door and opened it, he saw all of the Brotherhood surrounding the planning table, except from Vaako, who was just calling on him,

"Shit, Mimic. Fuck, you should flaunt that scar or something" Vaako said.

"Yeah, maybe" Mimic said with a slight chuckle in his voice.

The two made it over to the table, almost all of them there were impressed and shocked by Mimic's scars,

"Mimic, that shit is cool" Kephri said.

"How does it feel, brother?" Incognito asked.

"It feels exactly how you think it would feel" Mimic said.

"Okay brothers, I know we're all impressed by Mimic's new scar, but we have to get back to business" Masai said.

"Yes, Masai" All of them, apart from Oz replied.

"Okay, with Discord now on our side. We need the bearers of the Elements and Nikola Tesla to witness the unleashing of..." Masai began.

"We barely just got Discord on our side, Masai" Ozymandias interrupted.

"Ozymandias, shut your mouth before I nail it shut" Masai told him.

"If Discord finds out we're going to betray him, he's not only going to dig his claws deeper into Mimic's skull or make sure Vaako swallows more of his teeth. He's going to target you especially" Oz said, "And he will murder you"

"Oz, whatever you're willing to share with all of us, go ahead and fucking share. Because so far, you've not done shit. You want power? I don't care, we want revenge, we want to see Equestria in it's bare bones. And if you don't want that, Oz, get the fuck out of here and die out in the wilderness. I'm sick of your bullshit. If you keep pestering me with your shit, I'll kill you myself" Masai said.

Masai went back to thinking on the plan, until Ozymandias said one more thing,

"You're all bark and no bite, Masai" He said.

"Why do you say that asshole?" Masai asked.

"You keep threatening me, but you never do what you say" Ozymandias replied, tauntingly.

Masai chuckled, "Because, if I was to bite, you'd be in a world of hurt"

"I can fight you right now and win, Masai" Oz said with cockiness.

"Let's make a deal, Oz. If you win a fight against me, I'll let you take the reigns of this operation, if you lose, we go through with the rest of my plan and you keep your fucking mouth shut" Masai said.

Ozymandias smiled evilly and happily, "It's a deal"

"Make your way towards the door, we'll fight near there" Masai ordered.

Ozymandias followed Masai's orders for once, and made his way to the door, before Masai was able to make over to the door, he was stopped briefly by Vaako,

"Brother, we can help you" He said.

"Help isn't something I'll be needing, but thanks for your concern, Vaako. I can take Ozymandias by myself" Masai told his brother.

Masai walked over to the opposite side of Ozymandias, Ozymandias had been waiting to do this for a while and was pumped up for the fight, Masai stood in front of him, calm,

"Oz, since you've been wanting to do this for so long. I'll let you have the first hit. Hit me" Masai said.

Ozymandias grinned, he got his hoof ready, then charged at him, he tried to pull a swing towards the right side of Masai's face, but Masai dodged him,

"Oz, I said hit me" Masai taunted Oz after he dodged his attack.

Ozymandias became slightly frustrated. He tried to uppercut Masai, then swipe him from the left, Masai dodged him both times. Masai laughed at Oz's attempts at hitting him, he thought he is a terrible fighter, rather than Masai thinking that he, himself, is a good dodger,

"Am I speaking a foreign language, Oz? Or are you just too stupid to understand?" Masai asked.

"FUCK YOU!" Ozymandias roared before attempting to strike Masai once.

Ozymandias' strikes all failed, he tried an uppercut there, a left hook there and a right hook there, but he was met to no avail. He tried to left hook him again, but Masai countered and grabbed his foreleg, then Oz tried to right hook him, but Masai countered once more and grabbed his other foreleg,

"Come on, Oz. Stop trying to hit and just FUCKING HIT ME!" Masai shouted.

Oz headbutt Masai and then there was a crack, Masai felt blood pour down from his nose, to check if it was really blood, he licked just above his upper lip. Ozymandias was smiling, enjoying the fact that he broke Masai's nose. Masai then looked into Ozymandias' eyes, then Oz's smile drained away into a frown,

"Bad idea" Masai chuckled whilst shaking his head.

Masai unleashed the demon hidden inside of him, similar to how he went crazy after Revi spat in his face. He punched Oz, knocking him down to the ground, then continue to punch him repeatedly from there, he punched his cheek then moved on to his nose, breaking it. Then placed his foreleg across his Oz's neck, and pressured his weight against, choking him. Masai was now laughing maniacally,

"YOU'RE GOING TO THROUGH WITH MY PLAN, EH OZ!?" Masai shouted, "Come on, nod! FUCKING NOD!"

Ozymandias nodded as he felt air lock itself out of him, he was making a clicking sound from his throat as he choked. Masai then released his foreleg from off his neck, leaving Ozymandias to lie on the cold floor, gasping for air,

"I knew you wouldn't beat me, Oz. That's why I threaten you, to keep you in check, and just as much as I love to beat the living shit out of you, I can't kill you, you may be a disrespectful, cocky and selfish asshole, but you're still a brother" Masai said as he stood up and walked back to the table, "Brothers, take Oz as an example of what will happen if you all double cross me. But at least see it like this, I won't enjoy beating you to a pulp as much as I have with that asshole lying down there, you understand, brothers?" Masai asked.

"Yes Masai" They all said.

"Good, now back to planning, we need to pay Chrysalis a visit" Masai told them, with cruel intentions in mind

Chapter 18: 1906

Nebraska, September 1906. Nikola Tesla was invited to a convention to show the people of Nebraska something they've never saw previously, The Tesla Coil. Nikola arrived with his assistant at the time, Avery Davidson. The venue for the convention was a hall near a vineyard, it was just as cold inside the hall as it was outside in the snow, Tesla had just finished his third presentation of the day, he was booked for six presentations just in-case some people missed it out the first time. His fourth presentation was in forty minutes, so he decided to wonder around the convention with Avery,

"Mr. Tesla, you did another fine presentation back there" Avery complimented.

"Thank you, Avery" Tesla replied.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot to inform you, Mr. Tesla. Whilst you were presenting the Coil, I was told that a certain Mr. Mark Twain has came here to visit you" Avery told him.

"Mark is here? I haven't seen him in ages, I'll go see him, thanks for informing me, Avery" Tesla thanked, "You can come with me if you want to, I know you love to read Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn on our breaks" Nikola said.

"Sure, Mr. Tesla. It would be an honor to meet the man" Avery replied.

The two made it over to Mark Twain, who was talking to two other gentlemen, one who was fairly old and had a slightly long beard, the other one was another fairly old man, but he was also rather plump. When Tesla and Davidson arrived, Mark Twain looked happy to see Tesla,

"Nikola!" He greeted as he went over to him.

"Mark! How have you been?" Nikola replied.

Twain came and gave Tesla a brief hug for greeting. Tesla thought it was better than shaking hands as he doesn't like to do that,

"Nikola, that was a fine presentation for what I saw of it" Twain said.

"Thank you, Mark. How's your biography coming along?" Tesla asked.

"It's coming along well" Mark replied.

"How many pages have you done?" Tesla asked.

"Over seven hundred" Twain replied.

"That's really good, Mark" Tesla said, "Oh, this is my assistant, Avery Davidson"

Mark Twain looked at Avery and smiled, he then leaned forward to shake hands with the young man,

"It's nice to you, Avery"

"It's an honor to meet you, sir. I'm a big admirer of your work, Mr. Twain" Avery said.

"Please, call me Mark. An acquaintance of Nikola of an acquaintance of mine" Twain replied.

"Thank you, sir...I mean Mark" Avery said.

Twain focused his attention on Nikola again, "Oh, Nikola, here's two men I'd like you to meet"

"Hello, Mr. Tesla. My name is Hiram Maxim, I'm fond of your work. This is my colleague, Benjamin Hotchkiss" The man introduced himself.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both" Nikola said.

"We think what you've done for science is outstanding. If you could spare just a minute of your time, me and Hiram would like to share a blueprint with you" Benjamin said to Tesla.

"Of course" Tesla said, "Is it a piece of machinery?"

"Yes, we both figured you might find it interesting" Hiram said.

"What's your machine called?" Tesla asked.

"We were hoping you could help us with that" Benjamin replied.

Back in Twilight's basement. Tesla was sitting down on his chair, staring at a piece of metal that he stole from the junkyard to make the machine that read "No. 1906", it made him remember what happened during that convention. He was bored in the basement, he thought he was going to work on the pulse some more after he and Twilight came back from getting something to eat, but he didn't feel bothered to do so. He just procrastinated as he felt the minutes tick away, he got up from the chair, paced around for a little bit and laid on the floor, only to get back up again. He then decided to do something stupid, for the hell of it. He wondered if he could walk for one side of the room to the other, on two legs. He went to the back of the room and lifted his torso up with the chair and a shelf near it, he was now on two hooves, but shaking as he tried to keep himself balanced,

"I'm probably going to hurt myself doing this" Tesla thought to himself, "Well, to hell with it"

Tesla took his first step, he lunged over, but regained his balance whilst still shaking, he kept moving, he thought he was doing well,

"Yes! I'm doing it!" He cheered for himself.

He was almost to the other side of the room, but he felt a slight tingle in his left leg, he then lunged over more and more, until he realized his leg can't take it,

"Oh shit" Tesla uttered before thudding to the floor.

He then laid on the floor once more, this time with a pained chin. From the angle of where he was lying, he looked grumpy. Then, Twilight came in after she heard him hit his foreleg off the machine before thudding to the ground, but when she came in and saw Nikola, she began to laugh,

"Oh my, Nikola" She chuckled, "What happened?"

"I tripped" Tesla replied in a grumpy tone.

Twilight continued to laugh a bit more, "You look so sad from down there"

"I'll get up" Nikola said as he pushed himself up from off the floor.

"How come you're not working on the thing?" Twilight asked.

"I'm bored, simply put" He told her.

"How did you trip?" Twilight asked jokingly.

"I...slipped on...a.." Nikola tried to make an excuse.

Twilight looked at him with a slightly raised eyebrow and a smirk,

"Is that really what happened?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah...yeah, of course" Tesla replied.

"Okay then" Twilight smiled smugly.

"Okay, I tried to walk on two legs" Tesla said.

"Why did you do that?" Twilight asked smiling still.

"I miss my old body" Tesla replied.

"Oh" Twilight uttered, with the smile gone from her face.

"I saw this number on a piece of metal, it reminded me of something that happened about six years ago, in my world of course. In fact, I need to ask you something, Twilight" Tesla said.

"What it it?" She asked first.

"It's a type of machinery, it's pretty advance though" Tesla replied.

"What's it called?" Twilight asked.

"My friends called it, the Mark V" Tesla replied.

Author's Note

The first part of this chapter, though it doesn't seem like it, will tie in with the final act of the story

Chapter 19: The Hive

The Badlands. The Changelings Hive. Queen Chrysalis was sitting in her throne, bored. With the Changeling villages outside the hive being fed up of her rules and their poor job wages, she fears that they might strike a revolution against her, and with the minutes ticking away, she fears it's close, too close. She sighed, with her people planning revolution against her and The Banished Brotherhood planning to destroy everything, she has a lot on her plate,

"Revi!" She ordered, "Come here"

"Yes, my Queen?" Revi questioned.

"Please, come with me" Chrysalis said as she got up from her throne.

"Yes, my Queen" Revi said.

Chrysalis walked her way out of the throne room, Revi followed after, it took them two minutes before they made over to Chrysalis' room, she wanted to discuss matters more privately. They both went inside, and she asked,

"Revi, how are villagers?" Chrysalis asked.

"They're not coping your Highness, they say they have a plan, it comes into fruition in a few days" Revi replied.

"And Masai?" She asked.

"We haven't heard anything from him since he attacked me" Revi replied.

"How's your eye, Revi?" Chrysalis asked.

"It's getting better" Revi said as he gently touched his scarred eye left by Masai.

"Poor you" She said as she came closer to him and stroked his cheek.

The room was dark and shadowy, the two Changelings' little tender moment was interrupted by a loud throat-clearing, the two looked around the shadowy room until they saw the one thing out of place, a sickly pale glow in the shadows, it was Masai's blind eye. Masai chuckled softly, then it became louder,

"Revi, did you miss me?" Masai asked sarcastically, "How's the fucking eye?"

"What the hell are you doing here?" Revi asked frightened.

"I thought I'd pay the Queen a visit" Masai replied.

"GUA-" Chrysalis began to shout before Vaako grabbed her mouth from behind.

All of the Brotherhood stepped out from the shadows in all directions,

"Call on the guards, and we'll kill the both of you" Masai told them.

"What do you want?" Chrysalis asked.

"I want you to send a message" Masai said, "You can do it after you've fucked Revi"

"Fuck you" Revi uttered.

"I should be more impressed, you're cheating on your wife with the goddamn Queen, Rev" Masai chuckled, "You know what, I like the scar on your eye, we can be twins, you know?"

"What happened to your nose?" Revi asked as he noticed his nose was broken.

"That doesn't matter. I just want you send a message to Celestia, tell her that the Changelings want to meet the pony that can teleport objects without magic" Masai told them.

"Pardon me?" Chrysalis questioned.

"They'll know what we're talking about, also, make sure the bearers of the Elements meet up with us at the Dragon's Volcano" Masai said.

"What the fuck are you planning?" Chrysalis asked.

"A surprise" Masai smiled, "I also want the letter to sound threatening" Masai ordered, "If you don't, I kill you, simple as that"

Revi gulped and Chrysalis became worried, they knew he was being serious,

"I'll be back in two days, if you've sent it, you'll be fine, if you haven't, I'll make sure you do so" Masai explained.

"Look, Masai, I can get you back in the hive" Chrysalis said, "You can all come back and we can forget this ever happened"

"My family is dead because of you" Masai spoke, "All of our families are dead. We only got each other left. I don't want back in the hive, Queen. I want to get back at the hive"

"That was stupid telling me that" Chrysalis said.

"Was it stupid? You don't know what is going to come, you only know that something is coming. That's all I can tell you" Masai said.

"Masai, please don't do this" Revi pleaded.

"Too late, it's going to happen" Masai replied.

"And it's going to fail" Ozymandias muttered.

"Shut the fuck up, Oz" Masai told him, "Do you want me to make another example out of you"

Ozymandias shook his head ignorantly,

"Then watch your tongue, brother. Or I'll cut it out" Masai said.

Revi chuckled, "Your Brotherhood is crumbling, Masai"

"I beg the differ, how long do you think it will take before the villagers kill everyone in the hive?" Masai asked sarcastically.

Revi went silent after that comment,

"I'd give it a few days before it all kicks off" Masai said.

"Are you meaning your plan or the villagers?" Chrysalis asked.

"Both" Masai replied, "Lavo, get us out of here, brother"

"With pleasure" Lavo replied.

Lavo let out six beams of magic, which all surrounded his brothers, then they all disappeared in a small blink of light. He then surrounded himself with a beam and said to Revi and Chrysalis,

"Get ready for hell"

FLASH. He was gone.

The Brotherhood reappeared at the hut. All at the same time. They felt satisfied by what they did,

"Yes! Brilliant! We're one step closer to Project Anarchy starting" Incognito said.

"Yeah. Masai, what do we need to do now?" Vaako asked.

"I know what I need to do" Masai replied as he looked at Ozymandias.

"What?" Oz asked whilst Masai looked at him.

Masai came over to Ozymandias and hoofed him in the jaw,

"Ow! The fuck, man?!" Oz exclaimed.

"You don't fucking learn, do you, you idiot?" Masai asked, "Keep your fucking mouth shut when I'm doing the business"

"You didn't need to hit me" Oz replied.

"You interrupt me whilst I'm taking again and I'll cut your fucking jacobs off" Masai threatened, "We clear?"

"Crystal" Ozymandias replied.

Masai turned around,

"It better be" Masai said.

Ozymandias then became annoyed, and decided to think more about his own plan of taking over Equestria. He had an idea which he thought could fit in with Masai's idea,

"Brother" Oz uttered.

"What?" Masai asked angrily.

"I have an idea" Oz told him.

"I know, and we're not going through with it" Masai replied.

"No. Not my plan, I have an idea for your plan" Ozymandias explained.

"Tell me" Masai said.

"If Discord isn't able to do what you want him to do. Maybe, he might need a boost from someone almost or just us powerful" Ozymandias said.

"Who do you have in mind?" Masai asked.

"Sombra" Oz replied.

Everyone in the room turned to look at Ozymandias in shock, surprise and confusion,

"You're fucking kidding us, right brother?" Vaako asked.

"Yeah, we can't get King Sombra to join us, he'll murder us all" Incognito added.

"Look, Oz, I know you mean well, but are you out of your fucking mind, man?" Kephri asked, "Sombra is a monster, with Discord it was different, he doesn't intend to kill people, well to be honest, neither was Sombra. But he was fucking ruthless"

"Brothers, let Ozymandias talk" Masai said.

"We can trick him as easily as we tricked Discord, he's dumber than Discord after all. We can promise him the Crystal Empire back, he'll do his bidding, we let him go" Ozymandias said.

"Wait, isn't he dead?" Mimic asked.

"Holy shit, you're right, man" Incognito said.

"Listen, no biggie. Lavo's got a spell that can bring him back from the dead. Don't you Lav?" Oz asked.

"Wait, resurrecting the dead? That's fucking voodoo shit right there brother" Lavo replied, "I can try and do something like that, but it's really fucking powerful and dangerous"

"Then you'll have no problem" Oz chuckled.

"You sad fuck. I just said it's powerful and dangerous, trying to resurrect him can fucking kill me" Lavo said.

"Why can't all of us do it?" Vaako asked Lavo.

"The slightest fuck up if we all do it together, with it being either one of us losing our concentration or the magic beams get twisted, then we all go bye-bye" Lavo explained.

"Look, Lavo. You can practice the magic technique, it'll be a few days before we meet Twilight and Nikola Tesla anyhow, it'll give you enough time" Masai said.

Lavo sighed, "Okay, Masai"

Masai felt strange for what he was about to say, but he felt like he need to say it anyway,

"Oz, I can't believe I'm saying this, but we'll try and go through with it" Masai said.

"Thanks" Oz replied.

"But if you're trying anything funny, and I mean anything, I kill you for real this time" Masai explained.

"Of course" Ozymandias replied.

Masai felt he was going to regret this in the future, but yet again, what if Discord does struggle? Masai wasn't too sure on what might happen with Sombra, but Ozymandias has something planned the dark-hearted king, but even then, Ozymandias wasn't too sure on what the consequences might be.

Author's Note

An idea. Who wants a Q&A?

Chapter 20: The Letter

Tesla was in the basement once again, still working on the machine. He didn't know how long he was working on the machine for, but it felt like a long time,

"It must be morning" Tesla said to himself.

He suddenly stopped working on the machine, and decided to go upstairs to check the time. Once he made it upstairs, he saw from outside Twilight's windows that the Sun was shining bright in the blue sky, he was working the entire night. Twilight was sitting at her desk in her room the floor above,

"Hey Twilight! Where are you?" Tesla called out.

"I'm in my room, Nikola. What's up?" She asked.

"What's the time?" He asked back.

"About eleven" Twilight replied.

Tesla then went up and came into her room,

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"I just want to talk" Tesla replied.

"Em...okay. About what?" Twilight questioned.

"I just want to know how you're doing and everything" Tesla replied.

"I'm doing fine, Nikola. This is odd of you" Twilight said.

"Odd of me to do what?" Tesla asked.

"Usually you just ask me something real quickly then go back to doing what you usually do" Twilight replied, "I'm just pointing that out"

"Well, I'm bored, I thought I'd talk to you" Tesla said.

"Well, I'm just studying some spell, I guess I can still speak to you" Twilight said.

Tesla pulled another seat near Twilight's desk and sat beside her,

"What does the spell do?" Tesla asked.

"It's a spell that can create solid objects out of water, I can't seem to get it right" Twilight said, "There's a lot of concentration involved and it's just a nightmare to pull off"

"I think you can do it" Tesla said.

"It's not that easy" Twilight replied.

"Think about it. Nothing really is easy. I can help you" Tesla told her.

"Okay, that'd be nice" Twilight happily replied.

"I noticed you tend to multi-task, Twilight. You have a tendency to focus on more than one thing at a time, maybe do that less and it could improve your focusing on the spell" Tesla told her.

"Thanks, Nikola, I'll keep that in mind" Twilight said.

Spike was sleeping in his smaller bed beside Twilight's, until he woke up to burping out a letter from Celestia,

"Oh morning Spike" Twilight greeted.

"Morning Twilight" Spike yawned, "Morning Nikola"

"Hello Spike" Tesla said.

"Spike, can you do me a favor and read that letter for me please whilst I read about this spell?" Twilight asked.

"Sure Twilight" Spike replied.

Spike unraveled the scroll-like letter and began to read it. His reaction started neutral, but then turned into more worried and shocked reactions. It was important what he was reading,

"Twilight?" Spike asked.

"What is it Spike?" Twilight asked back.

"You have to read this" Spike told her.

"Spike, I need to read about this spe.." Twilight began.

"No, Twilight, this is big news" Spike interrupted.

Twilight got out of her seat and went over to Spike, she then levitated the letter and read, he reactions became shocked and worried, like Spike's. She quickly put the letter down and began to race out of her room,

"Spike. Nikola. We're getting the girls together and we need to get on the next train to Canterlot" Twilight told them.

"Wait. What's happening?" Tesla asked.

"We need to go!" Twilight said in a panic.

"Twilight, calm down" Tesla said as he got up from his seat, "What's wrong? Tell me"

Twilight took a breath,

"Princess has told me that she has gotten a letter from the Changelings, she says we have to go to Canterlot so she can explain it more, the only big thing she told me was that the Changelings know who you are" Twilight explained.

"Wait. The Changelings? The fucking shape shifting monsters who raided Canterlot, know me?" Tesla asked.

"Yes, get ready, we're leaving now" Twilight told him.

"Fuck" Tesla muttered to himself.

Tesla, Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy and Spike were now at the Palace, Celestia was telling them about what the letter was about, Luna was standing alongside her, worried as anyone would be,

"It was a letter from Chrysalis, Twilight. They know about Nikola somehow. They want to meet all of you in a week at..." Celestia paused.

"Where?" Rarity asked.

"The Dragon's Volcano" Celestia told them.

"No way" Rainbow Dash uttered.

"I'm afraid you have, all eight of you, or else Chrysalis will commit another raid" Celestia said.

"How do the Changelings know about me?" Tesla asked.

"I'm not sure, Mr. Tesla. But they want to see you about your machine" Celestia replied, "It's best if you stay here in the palace before parting to the volcano in a week, discuss your plan of action"

"Yes, Princess" They all said.

"Chrysalis herself said she wasn't going to meet you there, but she's sent seven of her minions to meet you" Celestia told them, "They want to meet you in the Volcano's caves"

Spike's reaction became scared once he thought about the caves. With Spike having been to the volcano before, the volcano is nothing but a crater, that hasn't erupted in years, but underneath the flat terrain was the two largest dragons in Equestria, and the volcano was their prison,

"Spike, are you okay?" Rarity asked in concern as she noticed he went pale at the thought of the caves.

"No" Spike replied.

"You know the most about the volcano. What did you hear about the caves underneath?" Celestia asked.

"The caves underneath the top of the volcano are a prison to Lyth and Umberoth, the two greatest dragons in Equestria, they lie beneath the volcano, if they were to be released, mayhem will ensue, that's what one of the dragons told me when I was at the volcano" Spike explained.

"God damn" Nikola spoke.

"Nikola, Spike, girls, let's discuss this later on" Twilight said.

"Okay, Twilight" All replied but Tesla.

The girls and Spike all made their way out of the throne room, all but Twilight and Tesla,

"Twilight, are we dealing with?" Tesla asked.

"Something awful. And if the dragons are going to be involved, then it will be a whole lot worse" Twilight told him.

Tesla looked down to the ground and sighed,

"Hey" Twilight said as she lifted his chin up with her hoof, "I'll make sure that doesn't happen, I promise" Twilight smiled.

"Okay" Tesla replied, "Thank you Twilight"

The Brotherhood were outside their hut, all discussing the summoning of King Sombra. Lavo was the one to be summoning him with a resurrection spell, he was feeling nervous as the spell could kill him,

"Okay, so Lavo will use the resurrection spell to summon Sombra back from the dead. Since Sombra was incinerated and has no proper burial, that gives us the advantage of Lavo summoning Sombra wherever he pleases, instead of having to resolve to grave-robbing" Masai told his brothers, "Why he is doing this outside, for those who are about to ask, is because the spell Lavo is about to perform involves fire, and we don't want our residence burning down, do we, brothers?"

Some of them shook their heads and others muttered no. Mimic then raised his hoof, wanting to ask a question to Masai,

"Yes, Mimic" Masai pointed at him.

Mimic flopped his hoof back down to the ground, "Why do we all need to be outside to see this?"

"Good question, Mimic. You see, with Sombra being a demonic and rather violent individual, it's best if we stay as a group and intimidate the bastard, and with our awesome scars, that could intimidate him more" Masai said with a smug smile.

"That seems fair actually" Mimic replied.

"Pfft" Ozymandias let out.

Masai turned to Ozymandias,

"Oh, and Oz. Before you laugh sarcastically or make a smartass comment towards this plan of action, do remember that this was YOUR idea and that if your idea happens to go fuck-up, then I will make sure Sombra kills you before any of us" Masai told him.

"Your loss" Ozymandias replied.

"I won't give a damn if you die because of Sombra, it will make me smile if it does happen. So it's your loss" Masai said.

Ozymandias couldn't think of anything else to say to Masai, Masai turned away and then went towards Lavo,

"Lavo, are you sure you can do this?" Masai asked.

"Yes, brother" Lavo replied.

"If you need more time to practice, that's okay with me, we have a few more days before meeting Tesla" Masai told him.

"I'll do it now and get it over and done with" Lavo said.

"Okay, brother. Good luck" Masai wished.

"Thank you Masai" Lavo thanked.

"Brothers, stand back and give Lavo some space" Masai said.

Lavo took a deep breath then proceeded to go on with the spell, he placed his horn on the ground and his horn glowed a bright green color against the dirt ground, then small particles of dust formed a small tornado in front of Lavo, more dirt and dust gathered into the tornado, and soon they couldn't see through the tornado, Lavo then raised his head and with his magic he set the tornado ablaze, Lavo felt weak but had to continue with the spell, the heat of the flames weren't helping him. A dark shadow formed in the tornado of fire, the Brotherhood knew who the shadow belonged to. Lavo's head felt sore, the pain increased as the shadow continued to form. Once the shadow formed completely, the shadow let out a blood curdling roar, signaling Lavo to stop with the spell. He did so, and with him feeling really weak from using his magic, he collapsed to the ground,

"Lavo!" Mimic shouted as he went over to his brother, "It's alright, man. Let's get your ass up"

Mimic got Lavo's foreleg and placed it over his shoulder then hoisted him up and pulled him away from the smoke.

The smoke began to clear and the silhouetted figure slowly became more visible, the figure's eyes flashed green with flexes of red in the irises. Masai looked at the figure and realized it was Sombra, Masai felt confident enough to approach him, though he knew he wasn't going to be easy to talk to, unlike Discord,

"Hey big guy" Masai greeted, "Welcome home"

Sombra let out a raspy growl, "Who are you?"

"I'm Masai, of the Banished Brotherhood" Masai replied.

"You're a Changeling. I hate Changelings" Sombra said.

"I do as well" Masai said, referring to all but his Brotherhood and maybe Oz.

"Why did you resurrect me?" Sombra asked with a harsh tone in his voice.

"Because, we need your help" Masai told him calmly.

Sombra grabbed Masai by the neck,

"Why should I help and bunch of Changelings scum? I can kill you all right here and let the world know you made a fatal mistake resurrecting me" Sombra told him.

Masai showed a smug reaction towards Sombra, "Well, if you kill us. Start with that one there, it was his idea to resurrect you" Masai said as he pointed as Ozymandias.

Sombra looked over at Ozymandias and then Oz became scared, Sombra let go of Masai then towards Ozymandias and grabbed him by the throat,

"Fine, I'll kill him first" Sombra smiled.

"Fuck you, Masai!" Ozymandias cursed.

"Well, Sombra, I was going to make a deal with you" Masai said.

"I don't make deals, especially with Changelings. And from your group's title, you must've done something terrible if Chrysalis no longer wants you in her society" Sombra replied.

"Well, let's just say the deal I want to make with you involves you to be ruler of your kingdom once more" Masai told him.

Sombra let go of Ozymandias, "The Crystal Empire?"

"I have your attention now, don't I, big guy?" Masai asked, "Let's just say that if you help me and my brothers with this operation I have planned, then me and my brothers will help you overthrow Princess Cadence and Shining Armor and reclaim your throne" Masai told him.

"What exactly do I need to do?" Sombra asked.

"You will need to be at the Dragon's Volcano with us..." Masai began.

Author's Note

Finally, after 20 chapters, we will finally see Nikola and the Brotherhood meet in the next chapter.

Chapter 21: The Volcano

The night before the journey to the Volcano. Tesla was not sleeping once again in his room. He felt nervous about what he was going to do the next day, he sat on his chair again and thought to himself about going to the volcano, he didn't know whether to feel scared or excited about the whole ordeal, but he knew he doesn't feel good about it,

"I might die tomorrow" He sighed to himself.

The thought of being killed seemed horrible for him, and knowing he could die before completing his machine makes it seems very anti-climatic for him. He then heard a knock on the door, and then looked at the clock to see the time was eleven forty-five. He was surprised someone besides Luna was still up at this time. He went over to the door and then opened it, it was Twilight there,

"Oh, hello Twilight" Tesla greeted.

"Hey Nikola. Listen, is it okay if I talk to you about something?" Twilight greeted back and asked.

"Of course, do you want to come in?" Tesla asked.

"Please" Twilight nodded.

Twilight stepped into the dark room, with the lights coming from the outside city being the only source of light,

"What is it, Twilight?" Nikola asked.

"Listen. I'm..I'm so sorry you had to get mixed up in all of this" Twilight replied.

"Twilight..." Tesla began to say.

"If you're going to say it's okay. It isn't. It's my fault you got into this" Twilight interrupted.

"It's not your fault, Twilight" Tesla replied.

"I need to say something to you, it's just I've thinking about this whole event, I feel like I need to say this" Twilight told him.

"What do you want to say?" Tesla asked.

"I..I.." Twilight stuttered as she turned away from him, "I..love you. I just needed to say that, in-case we might get killed tomorrow.."

"Twilight, this isn't your fault" Tesla said.

Twilight nodded slightly and then a tear slid from her eye,

"Twilight, are you okay?" Tesla asked, concerned for her.

She nodded, then more tears formed from her eyes, she looked down, trying to hide the tears from Tesla,

"Twilight. Look at me" He said softly.

Twilight did so, and slowly looked at him with eyes that twinkled with her tears,

"I said it's not your fault, you don't need to cry" Tesla told her.

Twilight nodded slowly, she sniffed, and wiped her tears with her hoof,

"Don't feel bad about it. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine" Tesla told her.

Twilight looked at him puzzled, "How?"

"I just happened to come into your life and it all went fuck-up from there, the machines I built got me here and when I got here, somehow the Changelings knew about me, here we are now, getting ready to trek to a volcano with dragons" Tesla told her.

"You coming into my life has been interesting, and not what you would call a fuck-up" Twilight replied.

"Well, like it or not, there has been a lot of things I have fucked-up in my short time here in Equestria" Tesla said.

"How?" Twilight asked.

"How my machine almost exploded in your basement and also the kart race, that ended with the town almost being destroyed by my machine" Nikola replied.

"Gummy almost caused the explosion and Sweetie Belle enchanted the kart, neither of those incidents were your fault"

"I made the machine" Tesla told her.

Twilight chuckled, "Once again, there's no arguing with you"

"No, there isn't" Tesla chuckled back.

Twilight started to giggle a little, she felt better now,

"You okay now?" Tesla made sure.

"Yeah, I'm fine now. Thank you" Twilight replied, "You know what? I should get some sleep, you should as well, Nikola"

"I'll walk you to your room, if you want" Tesla said.

"It's only five rooms down from your room" Twilight replied.

"It's your choice, Twilight. I'm just optioning it" Tesla said.

"You know, I'd like that, thank you" Twilight said.

Tesla went over to the door and opened it, he allowed Twilight to exit before him, he followed after her,

"You feeling okay about the volcano?" Twilight asked.

"I don't know how to feel about it. It just feels.... weird" Tesla said.

"It's normal to feel that way" Twilight replied.

The two made it over to Twilight's door, Twilight stepped inside her room, then turned to look back at Tesla. Tesla then extended his hoof, wanting a hoof shake,

"I don't usually do hoofshakes, nor do I like them. But I'm wanting to give you this one for luck" Tesla said.

Twilight thought of something different, she didn't give him a hoofshake and instead gave him a hug. It was abrupt for Tesla, so he didn't know how to react at first, but once it settled in, he hugged her back, and he prefers them to hoofshakes anyways,

"Good luck, Twilight" Tesla said.

"You too" Twilight replied.

They stopped hugging then both shared a silence, before Tesla gave her a small nod, a way of saying good night without saying anything, she nodded back, then she closed the door behind her, leaving Tesla out in the hallway alone, or so he thought. He turned around to the direction of his room, and much to his surprise, he saw Rarity,

"Oh, hello Rarity" Tesla greeted.

"Hey, Nikola" Rarity greeted back.

"What are you doing up?" Tesla asked.

"I was just coming back from the bathroom" Rarity replied.

"That's nice" Nikola said, "To avoid any awkward silences, you did just see that?"

"Yes, I saw the hug, but that was about it" Rarity said.

"It was for good luck, you know for tomorrow" Tesla told her.

"Yeah, I know" Rarity replied.

"Good night, Rarity" Tesla said as he walked passed her.

"Actually, Nikola..." Rarity stopped him.

"Yes, Rarity?" Nikola stopped, knowing what was coming.

"Can I....em.." Rarity paused, "You know what, it doesn't matter. I'm going to go to bed"

"Rarity. Do you want a hug?" Nikola asked.

Rarity nodded, "Please"

Tesla opened up for Rarity to hug him, she did so really quickly,

"I'm actually terrified of what's going to happen tomorrow" Rarity told him.

"Haven't you fought things like this before though?" Tesla asked.

"Yes, but two massive dragons under a volcano of dragons and Changelings negotiating between you is awful" Rarity replied.

"You don't know they're negotiating about me" Tesla said.

"Nikola, darling, I don't see why they would call us up there and say you have to be there too if it wasn't about anything important" Rarity explained.

"We'll be fine though, Rarity" Tesla said.

"You can't promise that" Rarity replied softly.

"I know" Tesla replied.

The both of them didn't know they were hugging for a while, the conversation they were having makes it seem short,

"You know, Nikola. I know about Twilight's feelings for you" Rarity whispered.

Tesla's eyes widened a little, "You know about it how?"

"I don't know everything, but I've seen the way she looks at you" Rarity said, "I can tell she likes you. Everypony may not see it, but I can"

"She told me she loves me" Nikola told Rarity, "Even in this world, women can't help themselves over me"

"She likes you because she can relate to you" Rarity said, "It's strange actually"

"That's what she told me" Nikola said.

"I won't tell anyone about her feelings to you, don't worry" Rarity said.

"Thanks Rarity" Tesla thanked.

They both stopped the hugging each other, then Rarity glanced at Tesla's suit. then chuckled,

"When we're at the volcano, you better not get that suit ruined, I spent forty bits on it for you" Rarity smiled.

Tesla laughed, "I'll probably not wear it there then"

Rarity then leaned over to Tesla and just like that, she gave him a small kiss on the cheek,

"I'll see you in the morning" She said before parting to her room.

Tesla was once again left alone, this time no one was around at all, not even guards, they were somewhere else in the palace. After Rarity closed her door behind her, Tesla sighed once more and walked off back into his room, still feeling strange about what he has to go up against tomorrow.

The Brotherhood were standing outside the volcano's caves, it was early morning. They were awaiting for Discord and Sombra to arrive and get to their positions for Project Anarchy to commence,

"Well, brothers. It soon begins" Masai said.

"Project Anarchy. Fucking hell, so long we've planned and now it's happening" Kephri said.

"I'm excited for it" Vaako added.

"Hey, Lavo, you feeling alright man? How's your head?" Mimic asked.

"Still a little dizzy" Lavo replied.

"You did good brother. I can understand that the spell was really tough to pull off, are you sure you are ready to be apart of Project Anarchy?" Masai asked.

"Yes, Masai. I can do it" Lavo replied.

"Good brother" Masai said.

About three minutes later, both Sombra and Discord arrived. They both flashed right in front of the Brotherhood, but it was coincidental that they arrived at the same time,

"Ah, Sombra, Discord. How nice of you to come on time" Masai greeted.

"What the hell is this snake doing here?" Sombra asked in a gruff voice once he noticed Discord.

"It's great to see you again as well, Sombra. How long has it been? Eleven thousand years?" Discord sarcastically greeted back.

"Twelve thousand" Sombra replied.

"We should catch up" Discord said, smiling.

"Not after what happened back in Trottingham" Sombra replied.

"Woah, guys" Masai cut in, "Don't fight, we're here to have fun"

"I'm here so after this, you help get the Crystal Empire back. I don't want to have fun with this clown around anyways" Sombra said.

"Clown?" Discord acted shocked, "I'm offended, Sombra" Discord said as he face turned droopy, resembling a sad clown.

"You'll be far away from each other, I assure you both" Masai said.

"Good" Sombra replied.

"I'll show you to your positions" Masai explained.

With the train system taking no routes towards the Badlands, where the Dragon's Volcano was Tesla, Twilight and the rest had to travel on hoof, and in Spike's case, on foot. The journey so far has been two hours long, it was tiring, and cold. Spike, Twilight, Rarity and Rainbow Dash led the way towards there, since they are the only ones who have actually been to the volcano, Tesla was walking alongside Rarity, the two were talking,

"So, you been to this volcano before? What was it like?" Tesla asked.

"It was intense. Me, Twilight and Rainbow had to go incognito in a dragon costume, all in the costume together, so many dragons, but strangely enough, not much lava, the top of the volcano must've been closed off for years, but I never thought that underneath us were the two largest dragons in the whole of Equestria being kept imprisoned" Rarity said.

"Why did you do that last night?" Tesla changed the subject.

"Did what, darling?" Rarity asked.

"You kissed me on the cheek" Tesla whispered.

"I know. I did that as a little friendly gesture" Rarity said, trying to ignore that.

"Rarity" Tesla said, "Please tell me the truth"

Rarity sighed, "I wanted to say last night, that I've started to grow feelings for you as well, but I...I couldn't"

"Hey, it's okay. I understand. Twilight was the same" Tesla told her, "We'll keep this between you and I, yeah?"

"That would be good" Rarity smiled.

Twilight and Spike, who were in front of everyone, stopped in their tracks and Twilight said,

"Let's take a rest, everypony, and get something to eat" Twilight told them.

"Sounds good, Twi" Applejack said.

"Pinkie. Have you still got the food?" Twilight asked.

"Yep, Twilight" Pinkie said as she hoisted her saddle pack off of her back, "There should be enough for everyone in my saddlepack"

They were all near large rocks, rocks that can used as seats. They all sat around each other, and with the cold, Twilight created a fire using nearby sticks. Pinkie didn't pack up fatty foods for the first time in a while, instead it was sandwiches and some bottled water,

"So Pinkie, how well did you do in your exam?" Fluttershy asked.

"I think I did reasonably well. I hope I passed" Pinkie said.

"Nikola, are you a chemistry kind of pony?" Rainbow Dash asked, "Maybe you and Pinkie should work together"

"I know a lot about chemistry, but I'm more a physics guys" Tesla replied.

"We can still work together. I know quite a bit about physics" Pinkie said.

"Maybe, Pinkie" Nikola said.

"The reason you know a lot about physics, Pinkie, is because you can defy them" Rainbow Dash uttered.

"So can you, Dashie" Pinkie smiled.

"Yeah, but you can literally defy the rules of gravity. Didn't you slow yourself down whilst diving into a lake to avoid splashing?" Rainbow asked.

"Oh yeah" Pinkie pondered.

"Nikola, how come your not eating?" Rarity asked.

"Not hungry" He replied.

"Come on, eat something, Nikola. You need to keep up your strength, we'll be at the volcano in about half an hour" Twilight told him.

"I need a drink" Tesla said.

"Drink water then, we have plenty" Twilight told him as she levitated over a bottle of water to him.

He quickly took the bottled water and thanked Twilight. He then quickly gulped half of it down, then poured the rest of the water over his face to refresh himself. He looked over to see the volcano was not far, he felt nervous. He stood and walked away from the group and took a closer look at the volcano,

"You okay, Nikola?" Spike asked.

"Yeah, I just need to take a breath" He replied.

The Brotherhood were waiting at the entrance to the cave of the volcano, up the slope a bit was where the dragons were residing. They patiently waited for Tesla and the rest to arrive. Masai looked down the slope to see several figures approaching them, he knew who they were,

"Brothers, keep to the plan" Masai told his brothers, before Tesla's group arrived in front of them.

Tesla's finally made to the entrance to the cave of the volcano, and were standing in front of the Banished Brotherhood. Masai chuckled, then began to say,

"Fillies. Gentlecolt. And dragon. Welcome" Masai greeted, "My name is Masai, these are my brothers. May I introduce you to Lavo, Kephri, Incognito, Mimic, Vaako and Ozymandias" He said as he pointed to his brothers, whilst listing them out.

Masai stepped forward and approached Twilight first,

"Twilight Sparkle. It's a pleasure to be meeting you" Masai smiled before moving to Rarity, "Miss Rarity, as divine as your name suggests. Applejack, it's good to be meeting you too. Fluttershy, no need to be shy, I'm a friend. Pinkie Pie, you and I share a common trait, I love to organize parties so to speak. Rainbow Dash, most talented flyer in Equestria. Spike..." Masai paused, "...a dragon"

Masai then looked over Tesla, who was actually cringing at the sight of the Changelings. Masai smirked, then approached Tesla,

"And Mr. Nikola Tesla. I've heard little about you. But little can mean a lot, Mr. Tesla" Masai said to him.

"Why did Chrysalis call us here, if she wasn't going to turn up?" Twilight asked.

Masai turned to look at Twilight, "Well, Twilight. Chrysalis didn't call for you. I did"

"You? Why would one of the Changeling Queen's drones call for me and my friends?" Twilight asked.

"Because, I'm not a drone, not anymore, neither of my brother's are either" Masai said, "And if you would, I would like to discuss matters inside the cave, it's starting to get chilly out here, inside a volcano should be much more cozy" Masai said in a sarcastic tone.

"How do you know about me?" Tesla asked.

"I have my ways" Masai replied, "But, if you would, please follow me"

Masai and the brotherhood led Tesla's group into the cave, it was strangely bright in the cave, there was long, thick bridge in the cave, underneath it, there was an auburn mist with shadows creeping in it, large shadows, dragons shadows. It felt increasing warmer with the boiling hot magma below them. Masai approached the bridge along with the Brotherhood,

"Please, step on the bridge, it won't crumble, just be careful not to fall" Masai said.

"Again, how do you know me?" Nikola asked.

"Nikola, if I were to tell you how, then I'll have to tell you my entire story in order for it to make sense and also avoid any possible benign questions that could come from your friends" Masai said, "You understand?"

"I do understand. I just want to know" Tesla said.

"Me and my brothers were formerly soldiers for the Changeling Army, we were banished after....a..misunderstanding between the Queen, our families were killed. Furthermore, about six months later I decided to come up with a project, part of that project required two of my finest to go undercover at the Princesses palace, that's how I found out about your machine" Masai explained, "And I'm impressed by the machine, a machine that can transport objects without magic"

"Get to your point, Masai" Tesla said.

"I want to make a business proposition with you" Masai began.

"I decline" Tesla replied.

"Are you sure about that, Nikola?" Masai asked.

"I am sure, I don't want to have any involvement in what you have planned" Tesla told him.

"Wrong answer" Masai said.

"Pardon me?" Nikola questioned.

"I believe all of you are familiar with Discord?" Masai asked all of them.

Everyone's eyes widened in shock, Fluttershy's eyes widened the most at the mention of Discord's name, she felt scared of what he's gotten himself into,

"What did ya do to him?" Applejack asked furiously.

"It's not what I've done to him, it's what he is doing for me" Masai replied.

Discord was over a gap to the left of Tesla's group, the gap was wide, and he wasn't easy to see,

"Isn't that right, chaos?" Masai asked from across the gap.

"What are you doing, Discord?" Twilight asked, "Why did you join this guy, I thought you were reformed"

"They said they'd hurt you if I didn't join. Beginning with Fluttershy, I'm sorry" Discord apologized, he was close to tears.

"Discord.." Fluttershy began.

Masai smiled at the site of this, he then to his left to look over to Sombra,

"I'm also pretty sure you are familiar with the King Sombra" Masai told them.

Their eyes widened more, but not in shock anymore, in fear, they looked over to see his green eyes and his shadowy features,

"He...he's supposed to be dead" Spike uttered, he was frightened.

"Is he? My boy, Lavo here, resurrected him" Masai smirked.

"You're mad. What are possibly planning that involves Discord and Sombra?" Twilight asked in a scared way.

"Come on, Twilight, you're a pretty and smart girl. Discord and Sombra are two of the greatest users of magic, in the WHOLE OF EQUESTRIA! And I brought them to the dragon's volcano" Masai chuckled, "You're right, Twilight. I am mad. I am madness and DISCORD is chaos, and Sombra will be the ribbon that ties us all in together, and all I need now is Mr. Tesla's fantastic contraptions and you seven to get a front row seat for opening ceremony. This is Project Anarchy, Twilight, my dear. And I will release the great dragons, Lyth and Umberoth!"

"Everyone..." Twilight began, "GET OUT OF HERE!"

Twilight and everyone backed away from the Changelings then sprinted for the exit behind them, they couldn't escape, Lavo, Kephri and Vaako teleported in front of them, in their way, they couldn't get away now,

"Ponies and dragon, you weren't supposed to run. But since you tried, I'll let Discord and Sombra do their thing" Masai said before signalling Discord and Sombra to do their actions, "GO ON, FELLAS!" Masai laughed.

Discord used his chaotic power to make the rocky ceiling above them crumble, Sombra used his dark magic to make the ceiling crack. Masai was laughing maniacally, everyone else, including his brothers, were actually scared.

"HAHAHAHHAHAHA!" Masai burst as the great dragons roared underneath them, praying for freedom, "YOU LIKE THAT, EH DRAGONS?! WOOOHOOOO!"

"Masai, you fucking nutball! We need to get out of here or we're going to die in this damn cave!" Ozymandias shouted.

"OZ! Shut up!" Masai yelled, "Lavo, Vaako, take care of Discord. Oz, Kephri, Nito, take care of Sombra" Masai ordered.

"Yes, Masai" Lavo, Vaako, Kephri and Incognito replied.

"Fucking fine" Ozymandias said.

Fluttershy stepped forward,

"Wha..what are you going to do with Discord?" She asked nervously.

"What do you think?" Masai asked back, out of breath from his maniacal yelling.

"You monster" Rarity exclaimed.

Lavo and Vaako approached Discord, who was finishing his magic, he didn't hear Masai order for him to be killed due to the sound of his chaotic magical powers,

"Discord" Lavo said.

"We need to get out of here" Discord told them.

"Discord, Masai no longer needs you or your services" Vaako explained, "We're going to have to dispose of you"

"Sorry" Lavo said.

"What?" Discord questioned, "He set me up?"

"Well, we haven't hurt Fluttershy..." Vaako paused.

"..yet" Lavo finished.

Discord clenched his fists and attempted to strike one of the two Changelings, they both dodged. With Lavo being the more skillful at magic, he took one blast at Discord's abdomen, it began to turn to stone, unlike other times when the Elements of Harmony turned him into stone and it was quick and painless, this time it was slow and painful,

"Masai!" Discord shouted, "You coward!"

"Love you too, Starswirl" Masai replied jokingly.

Discord felt a nasty pain in his gut, his organs going solid as rocks, he got down on the ground and ached in pain. The stone curse went from his abdomen to the end of his tail, and the stone magic also approached his neck,

"Fluttershy!" Discord yelled for her.

Fluttershy looked over to him, she was sad and scared,

"If I never see you again. I want you to know you're my best friend and..." Discord paused as he felt his stone pain sink in more.

Discord seethed in pain before he was able to finish what he was going to say to Fluttershy, he took a deep breath and continued from what he was going to say to her,

"And...I'll miss you, Fluttershy" He told her.

"Discord.." Fluttershy uttered as a tear rolled down her eye.

Discord screamed as he was in the final stages of turning completely into stone. And then, for about the third time for him, he turned into a stone statue. Lavo and Vaako went to the side of the stone Draconequus and pushed him into the cataclysmic fiery pit in which resides the great dragons that await their freedom,

"Nooo!" Fluttershy screamed as she saw Discord fell down into the depths of the volcano.

Tesla now looked at Masai in anger, and Tesla doesn't usually go angry. And as Ozymandias, Kephri and Incognito, Tesla approached Masai, who began laughing maniacally again and then Tesla, out of anger, leaped towards Masai and knocked himself on top of Masai on the ground,

"You killed him!" Tesla shouted before punching Masai, "You asshole. Why did you do that?"

Masai smiled, "Because he'd find out sooner or later I was lying to him about the deal we made"

"What was the deal?" Tesla asked.

"I promised not to hurt Fluttershy" Masai replied.

Tesla got more angry at the thought of Masai hurting his friends. And punched Masai again and again, but it looked like Masai didn't feel a thing, the more Tesla punched his face, the more Masai was cackling,

"Face it, you can't beat me, Nikola. Join me, and win with me" Masai said.

"I'll never join you. You psychopath, you'll probably just betray me like you're doing to Sombra and Discord" Tesla replied.

"How much strength do you like to think you have, old man?" Masai asked, "Are your hooves getting sore? I don't feel a thing, so give yourself up now" Masai ordered.

Nikola stood himself up and then spat on Masai,

"I'll never join you" Nikola told Masai.

Masai smirked. Then he teleported behind Tesla and countered him from behind, knocking Tesla to the ground. Masai with an expressionless face, proceeded to punch Tesla in his left eye. Twilight and Rarity tried to approach Masai and stop him from punching Tesla, but Lavo and Vaako reappeared to block their way,

"NIKOLA!" Twilight cried.

Whilst all that was happening, Ozymandias, Kephri and Incognito approached Sombra, attempting to kill him. Kephri and Incognit were ahead of Oz slightly,

"Sombra..." Incognito began.

"You Changeling scumbags promised me my kingdom, and now you're going to kill me. I really should've expected this" Sombra interrupted.

Kephri then replied, "Shut up Sombra. I'm going to fucking ki.."

A blast came from behind Kephri, Kephri then felt blood leak from his stomach, it felt cold, he turned around and realized Oz shot him,

"Why..." Kephri uttered.

Kephri collapsed and fell into the pit. Incognito then looked as he saw his brother fall into the pit, then turned around and looked at Ozymandias in shock,

"What the fuck, Oz?!" Nito asked angrily at him.

"Get the fuck out my way, Nito" Oz ordered with his horn pointed towards Incognito.

"Huh, I never thought you'd have the guts to actually betray us. I even said you wouldn't even have the faintest fucking idea on how to do it" Incognito said.

"Well, I do have a faint idea" Ozymandias replied, "And I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to kill you in order to go through with that plan" Oz explained.

"I'll see you in Hel.." Nito was too late to finish his sentence.

Sombra looked in confusion as he saw Ozymandias eliminate his allies. Incognito slumped to the ground, with a deep wound in his neck, then Sombra asked,

"Why are helping me?"

"Because my idea was also a promise, I'll help you reclaim your kingdom" Oz replied.

"How can I trust you?" Sombra asked.

"You can't" Ozymandias replied, "But I'm the best option for escape you have and trust me, you're no match for my other brothers, especially in terms of magic like Lavo"

The bridge began to crack, Lyth and Umberoth couldn't wait any longer, they want their freedom. With Nikola knocked over on the other side of the bridge, he was separated from Twilight and the others, who were on the other side of the bridge. Masai stood in the middle of the bridge, observing the damage he's done to Tesla's now swollen left eye. He then saw Ozymandias approaching the opposite exit in the cave, Sombra has teleported himself out,

"Ozymandias. Where are you going?" Masai asked.

"I'm getting out of here" Ozymandias replied.

"Where's Kephri and Incognito?" Mimic asked.

"They're gone" Oz told him with a sadistic smile on his face.

The remaining members of the Banished Brotherhood all looked at Ozymandias in horror,

"What did you do?" Masai asked angrily.

Ozymandias ignored his comment and smirked. Ozymandias then proceeded to make his way towards the exit, angering Masai even more,

"Oz, what the fuck did YOU DO?!"

Ozymandias passed Tesla and left through the exit that was over the bridge and opposite the entrance Tesla's group came in. Tesla stood up and instead of escaping, he went back to his group, if his friends were going to be taken prisoner, then he'll be taken prisoner with them, and if he escaped, he'd have no clue where he would be going anyways.

But unfortunately for him, and Masai for that matter, who wanted him captive, the middle of the bridge began to crumble, leaving a large gap,

"Masai, we need to get out, quickly" Lavo told him.

"We need Tesla!" Masai shouted.

"Brother, we're going to fucking die in here man, I can't teleport myself there, it will take too much time!" Lavo replied.

"Fuck!" Masai gave in.

Masai, the Brotherhood and the rest of Twilight's group ran towards the entrance they came through. Masai and Twilight stopped,

"Tesla. I will fucking find you!" Masai shouted.

"And I will save my friends from you!" Tesla loudly replied.

Twilight, during the worst of moments, smiled when Tesla said that, she felt a little worried,

"I promise, Twilight! I will save all of yous!" Tesla told her.

"I know you will!" Twilight replied.

Masai shoved Twilight,

"Get the fuck out of here, now!" Masai ordered.

Tesla watched as Twilight exited the cave and Masai followed. And with the cave crumbling, and the great dragons soon to be released, Tesla looked down the tunnel-like exit Ozymandias went through and ran down it, and he hopes to find light at the end of it.

Author's Note

Hey guys, if you could, I'd like for you to vote if I should write a prequel to this story or a sequel, here's the blog post, post your vote in here please:
http://www.fimfiction.net/blog/293964/should-i-make-a-prequel-or-a-sequel-to-the-original-mad-scientist-in-equestria

Chapter 22: The Lone and Level Sands....

ONE NIGHT PRIOR....

Tesla entered his room, trying to take his kiss from Rarity just a few minutes ago,

"It wasn't as abrupt as Twilight's kiss at least" He thought to himself.

Tesla looked down at his suit and thought about what Rarity said to him about getting his forty bit suit ruined at the volcano,

"It'll probably annoy her" Tesla chuckled to himself, "I'll take it off"

He did so, he then opened up the wardrobe in his room and see two coat hangers, he placed his shirt and jacket on one of the hangers and put his tie in his jacket pocket, and yet again he was bored out of his mind. He paced himself back and forth. He then opened the balcony door to let in some air and then sat on a nearby seat. Tesla's attention span didn't last long though, shockingly enough. So he decided to go outside on the balcony and did so, but as soon as he stepped outside, so did another pony on the balcony beside his balcony, it was Princess Luna,

"Oh hello Mr. Tesla" Luna greeted.

"Hello, your Highness" Tesla greeted back.

"It's nice to see you here again" She said.

"You too" Tesla replied, "You out for another smoke?"

"No, I need to quit the stuff, I came out for fresh air" Luna told him, "Why are you outside?"

"Bored" Tesla uttered, "Also, I guess I need the air"

There was a short silence that followed after, Luna broke it,

"Are you feeling okay?" She asked.

"Yeah, I guess" Tesla sighed.

"You nervous about the volcano?" Luna asked with concern.

"I am. I feel a bit nauseous because of it" Tesla replied.

"It's normal to feel like that, Nikola" Luna said.

"You ever done anything like this before?" Tesla asked.

Luna thought to herself for a bit,

"Yeah. The more I think about it, the reason you're going up to the volcano is because of me" Luna told him.

"How, Princess?" Tesla asked in confusion.

"Chrysalis probably not only wants to make an arrangement about you, but about me as well.." Luna began, "You see, Nikola. I'm the reason for most of the big threats; I became a threat as Nightmare Moon, I killed the Changeling King and Sombra..." She teared up

Here we go again, another crier, Tesla thought to himself, though he knew he had to try and make her feel better. But he also wanted to know the truth about Sombra, since Twilight left his story very vague,

"What happened with Sombra? Twilight told me he was a monster" Tesla asked and explained.

"He wasn't always like that" Luna replied.

"What happened?" Tesla asked.

"Sombra and I were good friends about...I don't know, a few thousand years ago. I guess he wanted to be more than friends, he developed more romantic feelings towards me. Huh, I never felt that way. When he finally decided to tell me about how he felt, I didn't know what to say, I seriously didn't. He then felt a little annoyed after that, a few months later, his parents died, he became heir to his family's throne, but he also became more unstable. It wasn't until I was shortly losing it when he finally snapped, he began ruling his kingdom with an iron hoof, some me and Tia had to stop him. I hurt me more to do that than it was hurting him" Luna told Tesla, "I feel worse about it because he's dead now"

"God, that must have been horrible for you" Tesla said.

"It was horrible" Luna sighed.

Luna closed her eyes and continued to think about how she and her sister defeated Sombra all those years ago, it saddened her. With her eyes closed, she tried to hold back tears,

"I need a cigarette" Luna uttered.

"I thought you were trying to quit?" Tesla asked.

"I don't care. I need one" Luna replied as she went into her room.

About twenty seconds later, she came back outside, levitating a packet of cigarettes and a box of matches, she got out a match, swiped it against the sandpaper and lit another cigarette. She inhaled her cigarette, then exhaled, she felt a little bit better,

"I've really never understood the appeal of cigarettes" Tesla said.

"They relieve tension. It takes off edge. They may not be good for my health, but it doesn't really matter, I'm not going to die for a long, long, long time anyways" Luna replied.

"Do you want to talk about something different?" Tesla asked.

Luna nodded, "Yeah, but what can we talk about?" Luna asked back.

"That's up to you" Tesla said.

Luna had a think of a subject, "Do you ever miss anybody from your own world?"

Tesla nodded,

"Who?" Luna asked.

"A lot of my friends, my assistants, but most of all I miss my lover" Tesla replied.

"Were you married?" Luna asked.

"No, me and her never got a chance to, she died almost thirty years ago in my world. So told me to move on, but I couldn't do it" Tesla explained, "It was tough to let go, I guess I still never did"

"I miss pretty much everyone I knew before I was banished to the moon, my friends all died and the ones that are still alive, aren't really my friends anymore" Luna replied.

"You know, almost everyone here has became a good friend of mine, even though some are a little too eccentric. It's a shame, after this is all over, once I visit the volcano, fix up my machine and pulse back at Ponyville, I'm out of here" Tesla said.

"You going to miss your friends here?" Luna asked.

"Yeah, I will. No one will ever believe what I have to say when I get back home" Tesla chuckled, "Maybe I can visit here again, though it could be unlikely"

"You have a big day ahead of you in the morning, Nikola. You should probably get some sleep. I'm going to walk around the palace anyways"

Tesla yawned, "You're right" He said as he approached the door, "Got any advice before I head out on the big expedition?"

"Just try not to get hurt" Luna replied.

"Right" Tesla said.

"Also, good luck" Luna wished.

"Thanks"

SEVENTEEN HOURS LATER...

A bruised and battered Tesla walks out of the other exit of the volcano, his left eye swollen from Masai's punches. As he stepped outside, his right eye adjusted to the bright sun, which was almost obscured by cloud clouds, after he stepped out from the dark cave exit. With Twilight and the rest separated from him, he was on his own, with no sense of where he was meant to be heading, but quickly, he came up with a plan,

"That changeling and Sombra head out this way, I'll tail them, whatever plan they have, I'll just eavesdrop in, then make my way back to Canterlot" Tesla spoke to himself, "And maybe I'll just speak to myself, because that's not weird at all"

Tesla then felt the ground shake beneath him, along with a roar from Lyth and Umberoth. Tesla's time was limited and he realized it. He then thought to himself, Fuck, I haven't got long. I need to get away from here, and fast, I hope everyone will be okay.

He then made his way down a steep looking slope. His left eye was annoying him a lot and it was also seeping a small amount of blood,

"You just had to follow one piece of advice, don't get yourself hurt. And you know what you did, Nikola? You got yourself hurt" He spoke to himself.

He struggled to keep himself up whilst going down the slope. Once he got to the bottom, he looked ahead and saw Canterlot on it's slope. He was hesitant on trying to tail Ozymandias and Sombra, worrying it would too much time, he needs to get back to Canterlot to tell the Princesses what's happened. But when he went ahead, he heard voices in the distance, he then followed the voices.

Large shadows shaded over him, Tesla looked up and noticed that the shadows belonged to dragons, who were flying away from the volcano in fear of Lyth and Umberoth's release. As he approached the voices' direction whilst listening to the roars of fear come from the dragons, he stopped when he saw the two figures who's voices he heard, it was Ozymandias and Sombra,

"What's the plan, Ozymandias?" Sombra asked.

"Well, with Lyth and Umberoth soon to be released and the Brotherhood separated from me. I know a place where there is creatures dumb enough to help us regain the Crystal Empire" Ozymandias replied.

Tesla hid behind a large rock, listening to the two's plan,

"Why did you help me?" Sombra asked.

"I'm done with Masai's plans, I'm done with the Brotherhood, they want destruction, I don't, and you want power. I, unlike my brothers, I keep to my promises, and I'm going to help you take back your kingdom and I'm fucking out of here for good" Ozymandias replied.

"In addition to helping me, you killed two of your friends" Sombra said.

"Friends? I don't need any" Ozymandias replied, "Besides, those were two bad scumbags, they needed to die"

"Whose to say you're not a scumbag either?" Sombra questioned.

Tesla looked the two, and thought to himself, Masai's former friend is more crazy than he is, he's not really going to keep his promise to Sombra. Maybe I can sneak behind him, knock Sombra out and interrogate Ozymandias? No, that's a stupid idea, Nikola. They surely can't kill me because they both know Masai will find out, and Masai needs me alive for whatever the fuck he wants to make. Tesla then sighed, realizing the little dilemma he's got himself in. But then he came up with an idea with another idea, he picked up a small stone beside and chucked it a little bit behind Ozymandias,

"What was that?" Ozymandias asked.

"I don't know" Sombra replied.

"I'll scope out, you keep facing forward, they could be surrounding us, okay?" Ozymandias made sure.

"Sure" Sombra said.

Ozymandias approached to where he heard the rock hitting the ground, which the direction heading towards the boulder Tesla was hiding behind. Get over here you son of a bitch, he thought to himself.

Ozymandias passed by the boulder Tesla was at, then Tesla sneaked up behind him and dragged him, behind the boulder, so he would be out of Sombra's field of vision. Tesla had his hoof over Oz's mouth,

"Tell me Masai's plan. Full detail. You have a minute" Tesla quietly told him so he wouldn't alert Sombra, "When I move my hoof away from your mouth, you better not yell for help or I swear I will kill you. You understand?"

Ozymandias calmly nodded his head as Tesla released his hoof from off his mouth, making Ozymandias have a small gasp for air,

"Talk" Tesla ordered.

"Masai is wanting you to build machines for him" Ozymandias told him.

"What kind of machines?" Tesla asked.

"Weapons, teleportation shit, among other types of rubbish, I'm not exactly sure" Oz replied.

"I know you're not really going to keep your promises to Sombra" Tesla said.

"Changelings are good liars. Just look at what happened to Discord, he's not going anywhere" Ozymandias chuckled.

Tesla got angered, remembering what happened to Discord. He then proceeded to punch Ozymandias in the face, oblivious to the fact that Sombra was now paying attention to the impact Tesla was making across Oz's cheeks, it drove Sombra towards Tesla,

"Hey!" Sombra yelled.

Tesla stopped punching Oz and looked over the boulder,

"Fuck" Tesla uttered as he tried to back away.

As Tesla tried to get away from Sombra and Ozymandias, Sombra went one step ahead of him and teleported in front of Tesla, with Ozymandias catching up to him, with Oz's nose bloodied for about the third time in the course of two months,

"You're going to be in a world of hurt now, Nikola" Ozymandias told him.

"I hate my life" Tesla said to himself.

Sombra and Oz looked at each other and gave each other small smirks, right before Sombra lamped Tesla in his left eye, knocking him to the sandy ground where Sombra and Ozymandias proceeded to kick Tesla on the ground. But Tesla wasn't going to lose to them without packing in a few punches. He saw a rock near to him as he felt the repeating kicks dig into his stomach and spine, he picked up the rock and chucked it at Sombra's head, hurting him and knocking him back a few steps, giving Tesla enough room to throw sand in Oz's face, which got him moving a few steps back as well. Tesla then stood up and got into a scrabble with Oz before Sombra attacked Tesla from behind, but Tesla retaliated with a buck to the Dark King's jaw. But Ozymandias managed to get the upper hand and knocked him down to the ground once more, Ozymandias then stood beside Sombra and attempted to do a transportation spell which would send him to another location, but Tesla didn't stay down for long, as the inventor managed to pounce into the spell portal as soon as it closed off.

The three reappeared and rolled on the Canterlot Palace's grounds. The palace was not where Ozymandias was intending to go, but with Tesla jumping into him and Sombra whilst performing, it must have confused the spell. When the trio appeared, Sombra rolled furthest away, with Tesla and Ozymandias, still fighting whilst rolling across the ground. Ozymandias kicked Tesla off of him, but Tesla quickly got himself and punted Ozymandias in the side of his face.

The guards patrolling the palace saw the three beings fighting, it took the guards a few minutes to recognize one of the fighters was Tesla, as his bloodied face left him almost unrecognizable to the guards. Some guards went over to help Tesla, but as soon as they saw Sombra, they backed away in fear. The guards were impressed with Tesla's fighting ability despite his age and body structure.

Sombra regained his strength and went over to Tesla and lifted him up off the ground,

"I would kill you here, Nikola. If only I knew that Masai would find out about it and kill me" Sombra threatened.

"STOP!" A stern female voice called from afar.

The female's voice came Princess Celestia who was coming down the stairs that led to the outside part that the three men were fighting on, Luna was there as well, and trying to make out the pony grasping Tesla, and she finally recognized him,

"Sombra?" She asked.

Sombra instantly recognized the voice and looked over to her, he then dropped Tesla,

"Luna" Sombra replied in shock.

They both looked at each other, for the first time in over thousands of years. They smiled at each other, until Luna looked at the bloodied pony at Sombra's hooves,

"Oh my word, Nikola!" Luna yelled, "What happened?"

"I got into a fight with King here and that Changeling behind me" Tesla coughed.

Ozymandias stood up but limped, his jaw pained from Tesla's kick to the face,

"Sombra. We need to get the fuck out of here" Ozymandias told Sombra as he realized guards were closing in for him.

Sombra didn't listen, he was still looking at Luna,

"Luna.." Sombra began, "I'm sorry for everything that I did before..."

"Fuck this" Ozymandias uttered.

Ozymandias set himself up for a really powerful magic attack,

"Sombra. Come with me, or I'm fucking leaving you" He told the Dark King.

"I thought you were going to help me?" Sombra asked.

Ozymandias breathed out his nose and let out a small smirk. Then blasted Sombra with a dark blast of magic, and just before Sombra had the fraction of a second to react, the spell paralyzed him as he collapsed to the ground,

"News tip, Sombra. I was lying" Ozymandias told him, "If I wasn't going to tell you now, it would've been later"

Ozymandias then looked down at Tesla, then Luna and smirked with arrogance, before finally vanishing with another transportation spell, this time to a place he's intending to go to.

Tesla was surprised as Sombra collapsed to the ground. Sombra was out cold. Luna's eyes widened as she screamed,

"SOMBRA!"

She stormed passed her sister and many guards in order to get to Nikola and the unconscious Sombra. Once she made it over to the two of them, she cradled Sombra in her forelegs and began to cry,

"Oh no" She winced and whispered, "Is he dead?"

Tesla, who of course was no doctor, did manage to tell that Sombra wasn't dead,

"No, he's out cold though" Tesla told her.

She laid Sombra back down gently, then helped Nikola up,

"What was it that Chrysalis wanted?" Luna asked worryingly, "You look horrible" She said in a panic.

"It wasn't Chrysalis, Luna. Try to calm down" Nikola told her.

She breathed quickly, with the knot in her throat, her breaths felt bumpy. A tear dripped from her eye as she gave Tesla a hug. A hug out of worry,

"Who was it then?" Luna asked.

"A few Changelings, they said they were banished from their Hive. Luna, listen to me, Discord is dead and they plan to release Lyth and Umberoth" Tesla told her.

"WHAT?!" Luna asked in horror as she recognized the names of the great dragons.

A loud rumble then came from the distance, everyone at the palace grounds looked over to where the sound was coming from, and it was coming from The Dragon's Volcano.

The volcano had been missing an upper part of it, Lyth and Umberoth crawled out of the large crater left of the volcano. The size of the Dragons was monumental to say the least, their size and magnitude was a terrifying, everypony was scared. Both of the Dragons were about the size of Ponyville. As one of them roared from the volcano, it was so loud it could be heard from Canterlot. Then the two dragons leaped up and flew away from the volcano, the flapping of their wings were powerful, like two tornadoes being formed.

Tesla felt Luna come closer towards him, she was terrified of what was now to come,

"Nikola..." She whispered, "...we have to evacuate"

Author's Note

Next chapter will focus on the Mane Six, Spike and the remaining members of the Banished Brotherhood and what they did after they got separated from Nikola

Chapter 23: ....Stretch Far Away

Masai, Lavo, Mimic and Vaako left the volcano with Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Spike captive. Masai and his brothers were still angry on how Ozymandias killed Vaako and Incognito and left with Sombra,

"Next time I see Oz I'm going to fucking kill him" Mimic said.

"Get in line" Lavo replied.

"I hope he gets mauled by timberwolves" Vaako uttered.

"Brothers, I want Ozymandias dead just as much as all of you, but we need to get away from this damn volcano" Masai told his brothers.

"Fuck sake, I hate this. Nito and Kephri are dead. Oz is gone. Sombra is gone..." Mimic continued.

"Mimic. Calm down brother" Vaako said.

Mimic closed his eyes and got down on his knees,

"He killed my best friend..." Mimic spoke, "He fucking killed Nito"

Masai went over to him,

"Mick. Listen to me, we'll get back at Ozymandias. I promise you. We'll also hold a funeral for Nito and Kephri, but we need to get off this goddamn volca.." Masai said before being interrupted.

The thing that was interrupting him was the ground shaking, followed by the roars from Lyth and Umberoth. Everyone became scared slightly, except from Masai, who remained calm,

"Lavo. Can you transport us out of here?" Masai asked.

Lavo shook his head, "There's too many of us. The best I can do is eight and there's eleven of us"

"Shit. Well, I guess we're taking the slope down" Masai said.

"Should we let the Elements of Harmony and the dragon go down first?" Vaako asked.

"I have a name you know!" Spike shouted.

"Shut up!" Masai yelled back, "Yes, Vaako that's a good idea. Lavo, when we get close to the HQ use your blindfold spell, you can still do that right?"

"Yes, bro" Lavo replied.

Masai looked at the ponies and Spike,

"Also when we get to the bottom of the volcano, use your chain spell on their necks and forelegs" Masai told Lavo.

"Sure, man" Lavo replied.

"Alright, you seven" Vaako said to the ponies and Spike, "Get moving"

Once the eleven make it down to the bottom of the hill, Masai and Vaako led the front of Twilight's group whilst Mimic and Lavo looked from the back,

"There's no use trying to escape. One of us will stop you" Masai said.

"Why are ya doin' this?" Applejack asked.

"Reasons" Masai replied.

"A very vague answer" Rarity uttered.

"What was the deal with your friend back at the volcano?" Twilight asked.

"Ozymandias? I'd rather not discuss it" Masai told her.

Fluttershy spoke quietly, "Why...wh..why did kill Discord?"

"I had no use for him anymore. I was going to do the same thing with Sombra, until he escaped with Oz" Masai smirked.

Rainbow Dash then flew in front of Masai and came up close to his face, looking angry and pointing at him,

"Listen here, jerkass" Rainbow began, "Me and Discord may not have had the best relationship, but he was still my friend. And was one of Fluttershy's best friends..."

"Get back in the line Da..." Lavo interrupted her.

"Let her speak, brother" Masai told him.

"...and you better not hurt a single one of my friends or..." Dash continued.

"Rainbow Dash. You're not threatening me, are you?" Masai asked in a sarcastic manner.

"So what if I am?" Rainbow Dash asked back.

Masai didn't care about Rainbow's threats, and just smirked at her. He then turned around to face Fluttershy, then approached her, with cruel intentions. He took hold of Fluttershy, who became scared as soon as he put his hooves on her. He gave one last glare at the frowning Rainbow Dash before kissing Fluttershy on the lips. Rainbow Dash tried to stop him but she was held back by Vaako and the rest of her friends were held back by a magic vice from Lavo. Vaako made Dash watch as Masai let in his slippery, snake-like tongue through Fluttershy's lips. Fluttershy felt extremely uncomfortable and tried hitting Masai to get him off, but to him, the hits were very soft. Fluttershy began to cry, and her friends couldn't help her, they could only watch as she was getting hurt by Masai. After about a minute and a half of kissing, Masai let go of Fluttershy and then came up to Rainbow Dash, who was still held by Vaako's forelegs,

"Because if you are threatening me, Rainbow Dash, then you shouldn't. In fact, you should really watch your tongue, it can get your friends in trouble" He told Dash before facing Fluttershy, who was lying on the ground crying, "Ain't that right, Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy didn't reply, she curled up and felt used. She was crying so much, it hurt for her friends to even listen to her,

"You better keep up, everyone" Vaako told the ponies.

Applejack and Rarity helped Fluttershy back up on her hooves,

"C'mon sugar cube. It's okay now" Applejack tried to comfort her.

"Fluttershy, just stay close to us, okay darling?" Rarity made sure.

Fluttershy nodded hesitantly, "Okay"

They all continued on the journey to the Brotherhood's hut. Fluttershy was still shaking from what happened and Rainbow Dash felt angry at herself, if she didn't threaten Masai then that wouldn't have happened to her.

They were on the outskirts of the Badlands, but yet, they were about seven miles away from the Brotherhood's hut. The eleven decided to take a rest,

"Okay everyone, if you need to stretch your legs, now is the time. We're going to take a rest, and maybe catch a glimpse of the dragons being released" Masai said as he sat down on the sandy ground, "Also, don't try to escape"

"Sit down" Vaako ordered the ponies.

Twilight and her group slumped down onto the cold and sandy ground,

"Now that we're resting. Now could be a good time to tell us why you're doing this? I mean a more descriptive reason. You're double crossing your own race and mine, you practically killed Discord, you're committing a crime so heinously big that you even had to get both Sombra AND Discord involved, you harass my friend, and for what?" Twilight asked.

"Reasons" Masai replied, being deliberately mysterious.

Twilight sighed, realizing he wasn't going to give a more descriptive reason for his plan,

"I hope Nikola is okay" Rarity spoke out.

"Me too" Twilight said.

"Where do you suppose he could be?" Masai asked.

"I have no clue" Twilight replied.

"You should probably eat something from Miss Pie's saddle pack, because it's either a good sandwich from there or some tainted meat from our freezer back home, and I know how much ponies don't like eating meat" Masai told them.

"Masai, what should we do with the ponies once we get back to the hut?" Lavo asked.

"Chain them, tie them to chairs, just as long as they don't escape and I'll be satisfied" Masai replied.

"Oh Masai" Lavo whispered.

"Yes, Lavo" Masai replied.

"Mimic hasn't said a single thing since the volcano. I tried speaking to him, he won't talk though. Can you try please bro? Maybe he might speak to you" Lavo asked.

"Yeah, sure man" Masai said.

Mimic was sitting a few feet in front of everyone else, just staring out into the distance, he felt awful, he missed Kephri and Incognito a lot, and they both died just forty minutes ago. Masai went over to Mimic and sat down beside him,

"Hey brother" Masai greeted.

Mimic took a while before greeting back to Masai, "Hi, Masai"

"You feeling okay?" Masai asked.

Mimic shook his head, "I feel awful. I can't believe the both of them are dead.."

"Hey, Mick. It's okay.." Masai began.

"It isn't. They were my friends, Nito was my best friend. And I thought Oz was my friend too" Mimic said, tearing up, "My family is dead, my best friend is dead, I don't know what to do now, Masai" Mimic sniffed.

Masai breathed out his nose, then said to Mimic,

"You need to hang on. We've all lost our families, Mimic. I lost my girlfriend and my brother, by blood, Vaako lost his wife and kid, Lavo lost his daughter and I know you lost your uncle. Kephri and Incognito did what they could, and you know what? They died for us, for the Brotherhood, and I will remember them as great friends until the day I die" Masai told Mimic.

Mimic quietly cried and nodded. Twilight's group was watching Mimic cry, they never seen a being that has done so many bad things and cry over two deaths. Masai came closer to Mimic and gave him a hug, Mimic clenched tightly onto him and cried into his shoulder,

"It's okay, man. We'll get back at Oz, I promise you. He'll die. Once this is all over, once Equestria is in ashes, we'll all be with our families and friends soon" Masai said.

Mimic felt better, but was still feeling depressed over Kephri and Incognito. Masai stood up and then looked at Twilight,

"You want to know the reason for why we're doing this, Twilight?" Masai asked.

"Yes" Twilight replied.

"Back when me and my Brotherhood were part of an army platoon, we were sent with Chrysalis to commit the Canterlot raid. You remember that, right?" Masai asked.

"My brother's wedding, yes, I remember that" Twilight said.

"There weren't many casualties on the Changelings side, there was none on the ponies side. That disappointed me, and many other Changelings. Before all this, they was more of us in the platoon, they would've been in the Brotherhood if they didn't die so early, among them was my brother, my real brother, by blood. He was killed during the Canterlot raid..." Masai paused, "...by you, Twilight, and Pinkie"

Twilight and Pinkie's eyes widened,

"Yeah, that's right. After Pinkie went all rapid fire with your magic, it hit many Changelings, including my brother, when we retreated it was too late, my brother died and we fucked up the raid. My depression kept on sinking in and it strained my relationship between me and my girlfriend" Masai continued, "A few weeks later, Chrysalis was still angry about the botched raid, she went nuts, and I mean fucking apeshit nuts. She ordered my platoon to go kill a bunch of villagers outside the hive, out of anger, we couldn't do it. So, what she did was, she sent another platoon, to kill everyone we knew instead. That's how most of the platoon were killed, same with our families, it's also how I gained this scar on my eye here. Chrysalis spared us and banished us, it was winter, we nearly died in the cold. We found a hut and planned Project Anarchy there. It was all meant to run like clockwork, until Ozymandias fucked all that up" Masai explained, "And here we are now, just sit back and relax and watch the volcano. It shouldn't be long now until Lyth and Umberoth are released"

A loud rumble came from afar, the dragon's volcano had exploded at the top. The six ponies and Spike watched in shock as they saw Lyth and Umberoth escape from their prison, Masai casually turned around and smirked at the sight. Masai then went over to Pinkie's saddle pack and got a bottle of water from it. Then sat back down and watched the dragons fly away and roar,

"It begins" Masai uttered.

Author's Note

Next chapter will focus solely on Ozymandias, after he left Sombra and Canterlot.
Chapter 24: Canis Crystallum

Chapter 24: Canis Crystallum

A baron, rocky cliff about five miles outside of Ponyville. The cliff was quiet and peaceful, but the Dragon's volcano had exploded and many dragons, including the two greats, were heading in all directions. The peace on the cliff was interrupted by dark green light flashing, which was Ozymandias escaping from Canterlot. He was still in pain after his fight with Tesla, his jaw ached, his eyes were stinging and he just felt tired. Ozymandias sat down on the cliff and saw multiple dragons, including Lyth and Umberoth heading in all directions. He gazed at Lyth and Umberoth. Lyth was smaller than Umberoth, with dark green scales and bright yellow irises that resembled large fireflies and each of his wings were as big as Appleloosa. Umberoth was larger, but not by much. He had fiery red scales with eyes as green as emeralds, and claws like spears that can go through bone like a knife goes through butter. Ozymandias looked at the great dragons who were flying to who knows where, he felt impressed by Masai's first part of the plan, but Oz feels that dragons aren't going to stop him from fulfilling his own plan, gaining power. His plan was partially botched as he needed Sombra to help him gain the Crystal Empire before eliminating him, but Sombra was lost in his emotions whilst seeing Luna for the first time in centuries, so Oz had to dispose of him from his plan, but Oz was still puzzled as to if he killed Sombra or not,

Ozymandias seethed in pain, "Ouch! My jaw. Damn Tesla got a few good hits on me"

Ozymandias found a dirt path and followed the direction away from Ponyville, which was leading towards a steep hill, Ozymandias knew where he was going. But he wasn't sure exactly where he was needing to go in order to find the beings he's looking for. Once he made it up to the top of the hill, he saw holes in the ground, deep ones and shallow ones. Ozymandias knew he had to be careful when talking to the ones he intended to meet, the Diamond Dogs,

"Where the fuck are they?" Ozymandias whispered to himself.

Ozymandias continued to search for the dogs. Until his search was interrupted by a very loud rustle in the bushes, it gained Oz's attention as he knew it wasn't windy. Ozymandias went over towards the bushes and check around it, nothing was there,

"DIAMOND DOGS! Get out here! I need to ta-" Ozymandias shouted before getting whacked on the head with a solid object, knocking him out completely.

Ozymandias woke up groggily whilst he was moving on something, he looked around to see how he was moving, and it turns out he was being carried by a black bulldog, who was wearing dirty armor. Ozymandias noticed another bulldog guard walking alongside the one who was carrying him, Oz had no clue where he was heading, but he did notice that he wasn't out in the open but was underneath it, in the Diamond Dog's tunnel routes. Ozymandias' hooves on his hind-legs and forelegs were tied together with rope,

"Hey, mutt! Put me down!" Ozymandias ordered as he struggled to break free from the rope.

Ozymandias was met to no avail, he gave up and relaxed on the dog guard,

"Can I at least know where I'm going, dog?" Oz asked.

"To see the leaders" The dog replied.

"Great" Oz sighed in relief, he needed to talk to the leaders.

After another two more minutes of being carried, Ozymandias was chucked on the dusty and rocky ground. He then got himself back up and looked at the three canines who were looking at him. There was a small brown bulldog, a large bluish dog and medium sized grey one wearing a red jacket. All three of the mutts had crystals stuffed into their pockets and were wearing diamond-studded collars with elongated forelegs/arms that gave an ape-like look. The dog with the red jacket approached Ozymandias and then asked the dog who carried him,

"Taz, who is this?" The red jacketed dog asked.

"I found him outside, he was shouting some words, I couldn't really hear what he was shouting though, Rover" The guard replied.

Rover sniffed Ozymandias. Ozymandias felt awkward around the dogs. Rover then gazed at him,

"He's a Changeling. I haven't seen one of those for years" Rover uttered.

"A what?" The small brown bulldog asked.

"A Changeling, Spot" Rover told him, "I only know what they look like. I'm not sure what they do"

"Can they find gems, Rover?" The big blue dog asked.

"Not sure. He has a horn. Maybe he can do magic" Rover replied.

"Yes, I can do mag-" Ozymandias began.

Rover slapped Oz in the face before he can finish,

"Quiet!" Rover ordered.

"The fuck, man?!" Oz asked angrily whilst pressing his hoof against his cheek.

"I said quiet!" Rover screeched.

Rover went over towards the other dog leaders and then said to them,

"Spot. Fido. Group huddle" Rover told them.

Rover, Spot and Fido all turned away from Ozymandias and where whispering what their plan of action should be,

"Look, we should keep him locked up. He might actually be a good jewel finder. But we remember the last one we had, right?" Rover asked.

"Oh no. Don't bring her up again" Fido pleaded.

Spot chuckled, "Remember when you spanked her butt and called a mule?"

"Shut up!" Rover shouted, "Don't bring that up again, Spot"

"Sorry" Spot giggled.

"What should we do then, Rover?" Fido asked.

"We'll lock him in one of the cells, then let him out when we need to" Rover told him.

"Sounds good" Fido nodded.

Rover, Fido and Spot turned around and then Rover said to the two black bulldog guards,

"Patch. Taz. Take this Changeling to a cell" Rover ordered.

"Yes, Rover!" The two guards barked.

"Wait. I need to speak to you three!" Ozymandias told Rover, Fido and Spot.

One of the bulldog guards hoisted Ozymandias over his shoulder and walked away,

"Put me down, you dumb canine!" Ozymandias shouted.

The dog did no such thing, and instead, continued to take Oz over to a cell.

Ozymandias was thrown into a small cell, he was now in shackles instead of rope this time. Ozymandias was at the cage door and was shaking at the bars,

"Let me out, assholes. I need to speak to Rover!" Ozymandias yelled.

"They won't come back for you" A voice told him.

Ozymandias turned around to look at the darkness in his cell, the voice came from there,

"Who's there?" Ozymandias asked worryingly.

The figure stepped out of the shadows, it was stallion, and an old one at that. A brown Unicorn sporting a white beard and the cutie mark of an unraveled scroll,

"Who the hell are you?" Ozymandias asked.

"Before I answer your question. Answer mine, what is a Changeling doing so far from his hive?" The old pony asked.

"A long story" Ozymandias replied.

"You and I have both plenty time to spare. As you see, we are not going anywhere" The stallion told him.

Ozymandias looked at the old pony, Ozymandias didn't know what to make of him. Though Oz thinks that the stallion has been in these cells for far too long, he was skinny, he hasn't eaten in ages,

"I used to be from the Hive, I was banished along with my....friends. There was thing about a dragon, I ended up here" Ozymandias explained, whilst leaving out most of the details.

"Where are your friends now?" The old one asked.

"I was separated from them" Ozymandias replied.

"Is that so Ozymandias?" The old pony made sure.

Ozymandias became frightened, he never told the old man his name. Who is this stallion speaking to Oz?

"How do you know my name?" Ozymandias asked worryingly.

"I know a lot, young Changeling" The old pony asked.

"How much do you know?" Oz asked.

"I know you betrayed your friends, killed two of them and betrayed the Dark King himself" The old pony replied.

"Who the fuck are you?" Ozymandias asked.

"I am known by many names, some call me The Messenger, others call me The Coffin Jockey. But most beings called me The Truth" The pony told Ozymandias.

"The Truth?" Oz questioned.

"Yes, friend" The Truth replied.

"How long have you been here, Truth?" Oz asked.

"Not long. I've been waiting for you, Ozymandias" The Truth said.

"Waiting?" Ozymandias asked.

"Yes. I've been needing to say something to you, Ozymandias of the Banished Brotherhood" The Truth explained to him, "It's a poem from Nikola Tesla's world, and it has your name"

Ozymandias became curious,

"Can you recite the poem?" Oz asked.

"That I can, Ozymandias" The Truth told him, "I met a traveler from an antique land-" The Truth began.

The Truth's poem recital was interrupted by the dog guards approaching Ozymandias from behind and barking at him, making Oz turn around,

"The leaders want to speak to you, Changeling" The guard told him.

Oz turned back around, but The Truth was gone, he's disappeared. He might've sneaked back into the shadows, but the guards would've notice and the guards didn't make any eye contact with The Truth,

"Where the fuck did he go?" Oz whispered to himself.

"What was that?" The dog asked.

"Nothing" Ozymandias replied.

"Come with me" The dog ordered as he opened the cell door.

Oz stepped outside the cell and followed the guard to where he was meant to go, he then looked back into his cell as he trotted away, and there was no sign of The Truth anywhere.

"So listen, Changeling" Rover told Ozymandias, "I need you to work for us and give us gems"

"We said that you should start working right now" Fido told him.

Ozymandias was currently thinking of what he was originally meant to be hear for. He needs to get the Diamond Dogs on his side for taking over the Crystal Empire

"I don't want to work" Ozymandias uttered, "I want you three to work for me"

The three leaders looked at Oz in surprise, no one that they have caught has spoken back to them before, with the exception of a marshmallow Unicorn,

"You will find us gems, Changeling" Spot told him.

"My name is Ozymandias and I will find you gems, not here, of course" Ozymandias replied.

"Not in the caves?" Rover asked.

"But that's where all the gems are" Fido said.

"You all don't get out of the caves very often, do you?" Oz asked.

The three dogs looked a little anxious when he said that,

"Thought not" Ozymandias spoke, "Let me just that I know of a place that is made completely out of diamonds, crystals and gems. A kingdom, no less"

"You lie" Rover said.

"I'm telling the truth. It's called the Crystal Empire, the castle is made from crystals, the environment is made from crystals, hell, even the ponies are made of diamonds" Oz said, "If you help me take this Empire over, I will grant your entire race a residence in the Empire. Think about it Rover, having as much diamonds that can last you a thousand lifetimes. Doesn't that sound good?" Oz tempted.

Rover felt ambitious to take up Oz's offer, along with Fido and Spot,

"Will you help me?" Oz asked.

Rover thought for a sec, "Yes, I'll help"

"Me too" Fido added.

"I'll help as well" Spot finished.

"Excellent" Oz smiled

Author's Note

Next chapter we go back to Tesla and Luna trying to get everyone out of Canterlot in...
Chapter 25: Evacuation

Chapter 25: Evacuation

Nikola Tesla, Luna, Celestia and the Royal Guard stared at the Great Dragons as they flew away from the volcano on the Palace grounds. Sombra was unconscious at Tesla and Luna's hooves and Luna just whispered to Tesla that they need to evacuate. Because from what it looked like, a large red dragon was heading towards Canterlot. They don't have long,

"Luna, you're right. We need to get the hell out of Canterlot" Tesla told her, "Can you send ponies out to tell everyone about this or send an alarm?"

"Tia usually sends the alarm" Luna replied.

"Tia?" Tesla asked.

"Celestia" Luna told him.

"Okay. Em.. send a few guards to several houses around Canterlot and GET the ponies out of Canterlot as soon as possible" Tesla ordered her.

"Sure"

Tesla quickly paced over to Celestia. Celestia typical commanding look was gone, her expression was that of a frightened one, she has dealt with many threats before, but this was different, dragons were different. She looked at the approaching red beast and it gave her shivers down her spine. Tesla made it up to her and tried to gain her attention, but her eyes were fixated on the red reptile heading towards her home,

"Your Highness. You need to send an alarm, right now! Alert everyone and make sure they all leave Canterlot!" Tesla said.

Celestia didn't pay attention, she was looking at the red dragon, Umberoth, who was heading towards the Palace with powerful speed,

"PRINCESS!" Tesla yelled, finally gaining her attention.

"What?" She panicked.

"You need to send an alarm" Tesla firmly explained to her.

Celestia breathed rapidly, "Okay" She replied to Tesla with a nod.

Tesla walked back over to Luna, who was kneeling over the unconscious Sombra,

"Luna, I'm going to help ponies get out of Canterlot. Find me outside Canterlot" Tesla said, "I'll be out there"

"Nikola. What about Sombra?" Luna asked.

"Get him on a stretcher, we'll get him to a hospital somewhere other than here. Send some guards to get ponies out of the hospitals" Tesla said.

"Be careful this time, Nikola" Luna replied.

"Hey, it's not like my face is going to get any more bruised, bloodied and swollen" Tesla joked.

"Try to be careful this time then" Luna said with slight chuckle in her last three words, "Clean your face quickly at a fountain, you could scare the ponies away"

"Okay, Luna. You be careful as well" Tesla replied.

Tesla quickly made it out of the Palace, his face was still bloodied from his scuffle with Masai in the volcano, he saw a drinking fountain just a few feet away from him, he went over to it and sprinkled his hoof with some water, he wiped his face with his wet hoof and managed to get most of the blood off of his forehead and most of it across his face. He then had a quick sip from the fountain and then approached the streets of Canterlot, where he saw terrified crowds of ponies struggling to head towards the gates that led outside of Canterlot whilst being led by the Canterlot Royal Guard. Tesla decided to stop a guard and ask him something,

"Excuse me" Tesla said.

"Yes, Mr. Tesla?" The guard questioned.

"Is there anyone at anyplace that needs help getting out of Canterlot" Tesla asked.

"I'd recommend for you not to do that, sir" The guard said, "It's very dangerous right now, and to be honest, I'm terrified of that thing heading towards us"

"I'm scared as well. But I want to help" Tesla said.

"Well, some of my regiment are still clearing out neighborhoods in Peach Street" The guard told Tesla whilst pointing in the streets direction, "You can help them there"

"Thank you, mister" Tesla thanked.

"Not a problem" The guard replied before parting back into the crowd.

Tesla looked over to the direction of Peach Street, which just so happened to be the opposite direction as to where the screaming crowds of ponies where heading. Tesla knew already it would be a struggle to get past all of the ponies to get to South Street, but he felt like he had to, to help others.

Tesla pushed through other ponies to make it to Peach Street, where he saw multiple guards escort ponies out of there homes and led them to the streets leading out of Canterlot. Tesla passed by multiple houses with open doors, he already knew that the ponies in the houses were evacuated,

"Damn it" Tesla said out of breath from running.

About five ponies ran past Tesla as he stood still, catching his breath, one of those five shouted to him as he went past,

"YOU NEED TO GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE, MAN!"

Tesla watched the five ponies merge with the exiting crowds, he then he heard the sound of what seemed like crying. Curious of what was making the crying sound, Tesla turned around to see it was a young, blue Unicorn filly. She was kneeling on the pavement, crying to herself, Tesla came over to her, he wanted to help, and seemed like this little was the only one he felt like he could help at this moment,

"Excuse me. Are you okay?" Tesla asked the filly.

The filly sniffed, "My mom..." She stuttered, "Me and my mom got separated in the crowd. I don't know what to do. I tried asking for help, but everyone kept on running past me"

Tesla felt sympathy for the poor filly,

"What's your name, little one?" Tesla asked.

"My mom calls me Junior" She said.

"What's your mom's name?" Tesla asked.

"T..." She began before being interrupted by a loud dragon roar.

Tesla looked over to the direction of where the dragon's roar was coming from, then looked at Junior, then the crowd,

"Okay, kid. Listen, we'll both get out of Canterlot then we'll try and find your mother out there okay?" Tesla made sure.

Junior nodded, "Okay, mister"

"Okay kid. Hop on my back, we'll get out quicker that way. Can you also what your mother looks like" Tesla said.

"She's blue, has a pale mane and a cutie mark of a crescent moon and a star" Junior told him.

Tesla crouched down and then Junior climbed onto his back,

"Okay, let's get out of here before that dragon comes" Tesla said.

Tesla and Junior were now in the crowds that were heading out of Canterlot. Ponies were crying and screaming and rushing to get out of Canterlot. The Great Red, Umberoth, was at the bottom of the mountain on which the city lies upon, digging the razor-like claws into the rocky mountain and dragging himself to the top of the mountain, and let out a thunderous roar as soon as he made it to the top, everypony was scared,

"Junior, keep your eyes closed!" Tesla shouted.

Junior did so, she kept her eyes shut tight as she clutched onto Tesla, she was let out a yelp whilst Umberoth was roaring, but the yelp she made was inaudible because of the loudness.

Several guards stood on the Canterlot walls, trying their best to protect their home from the reptile of legend. They tried launching spears at his face, but to Umberoth, the spears felt as light as the wind. With the guards angering the Red One, they galloped away in fear on the walls, before being incinerated by a breath of auburn flames left by Umberoth, the guards turned to dust. Tesla looked at the dragon, his scales as red as rubies, Umberoth crumbled the rest of the wall with ease and made his way towards the palace, crushing every home and building that lied on his path. Tesla watched as Umberoth entered the palace gardens, Tesla hoped that everyone got out of there okay.

On the dirt paths that led out of Canterlot, Junior was off of Tesla's back, but she was walking alongside him, they were trying to find Junior's mother. The crowds were more spaced out now on the dirt paths, some ponies that Tesla past by where sitting down at the side of the moving crowds, sobbing to themselves about their homes, for some it wasn't just their homes, it was also their family members, whether some where missing or dead, they didn't know, and that just made it worse for them.

Tesla didn't know where he was heading with the crowd, he looked behind him and saw Canterlot in flames, but Umberoth wasn't anywhere to be seen, either he was hidden or gone, but that didn't matter to Tesla, he felt defeated. Masai did what he set out to do, and even though Oz partially messed it up, Equestria was still taking damage from the effects left The Brotherhood,

"Mom!" Junior called out, "MOM!"

Tesla looked at ponies in the crowd and the ones sitting outside of the crowds. He needs to find a blue Unicorn with a crescent moon and star as her cutie mark. Tesla then realized it would be to his and Junior's advantage if Tesla learned her mother's name,

"Excuse me, Junior" Tesla said, "I think it would be easier to find your mother if you tell me what her name is"

"Oh, okay then" She quietly replied, "Her name is..."

"TRIXIE JUNIOR!" A voice called out.

Junior turned around to the sound of the voice, and then both Tesla and Junior saw where the voice was coming from, and a blue Unicorn with a pale mane and a cutie mark of a crescent moon and a star came towards them,

"Mom?" Junior said.

"Oh gosh, sweetie" Junior's mother, who was revealed to Tesla to be called Trixie said.

The mother and daughter went over to each other and gave each other a hug,

"I'm sorry, mommy" Junior teared up, "I should've stayed with the whole time..." She squeaked.

"Sweetie, it's alright. It's not your fault" Trixie comforted her daughter, "It's okay now"

The two stopped hugging each other and then Junior said to her mother,

"Mom. This is the man who helped me out of the city"

"Oh my word. Thank you very much, sir. How can I repay you?" Trixie asked.

"No need, miss. I was just trying to help anyone I could" Tesla said.

"Well, anyways, thank you, mister..." Trixie paused.

"Oh, Tesla. Nikola Tesla" He introduced.

"Oh, I've heard of you, you're that inventor from Ponyville" Trixie said.

"Yes. How do you know...?" Tesla asked curiously.

"My brother-in-law works for the Royal Guard he told us that you and Twilight Sparkle and her friends were showing the Princesses a machine" Trixie said.

"You know Twilight?" Tesla asked.

"You could say that" Trixie replied, "Well. Thank you again for getting my daughter out of there, I'm really grateful"

"You're welcome, miss" Tesla said.

"Come on, sweetie, let's go" Trixie told her daughter.

"Okay, mommy" Junior said, "Thank you, mister" she thanked Tesla as both she and her mother began to walk away.

"You're welcome, kid" Tesla replied.

Tesla looked as they both walked away, before heading out of the moving crowd to sit down at the side of the crowd, he took a breather and thought of how Twilight and Rarity and the rest of the girls were doing in Masai's captivity, he knew he was keeping them for something but he didn't know what. Tesla then got annoyed at himself, he should have asked Ozymandias what Masai was up to whilst interrogating him at the bottom of the mountain, but it was too late, Tesla then heard the sound of a faint wing flapping near him, he looked beside him to see it was Luna landing to the ground,

"Hello Nikola" Luna greeted, "I'm glad to see you made it out okay"

"You too" Tesla replied, "What about everyone else? Celestia? Sombra?"

"Not everyone else made it out there alive, some guards gave their lives in order for us to get out of there" Luna said as she approached Tesla and sat down beside him.

"My heart goes out to them" Tesla said.

"Mine too" Luna replied, "Nikola, listen. Tia is leading the crowd to Ponyville, she sent me to find out what happened at the volcano. If Chrysalis didn't want anything to do with this, who did?" She asked.

"Well, it was this Changeling, Masai. From the get-go he is pretty insane individual, he has this Brotherhood that he leads, he says that Chrysalis banished them after some tragic event. He's angry at everyone, I think, at his race, but he also seemed to be angry at the ponies, he wants to destroy Equestria using those dragons, I believe. He managed to get Discord and Sombra on his side. He blackmailed Discord and killed him, he was going to do the same to Sombra until one of his friends betrayed him and killed two of Masai's friends. And long story short, me, Sombra and Masai's friend, Ozymandias got separated from the rest of Masai's brotherhood and he still holds the girls and Spike captive. So I got into a small fight with Ozymandias and Sombra, and ended on the palace grounds by the time the dragons were about to be released. And here we are" Tesla explained.

Luna stayed silent, she didn't really know what to say to that,

"I'll find him. I'll find Masai, his Brotherhood, everyone. I'll save my friends. And there isn't going to be a damn thing in Equestria that will stop me. I promised Twilight, I promised all of them that I'll save them" Tesla explained.

"You need to be more careful out there though, Nikola" Luna told him, "The way you appeared back at the palace, you were barely recognizable. You need to rest, the state you're in now will only get worse if you keep going in the pace you're going at. Nikola, I know you want to find Masai, but we have two extremely large problems right now in the form of the Great Dragons"

"If I rest now, that will give Masai more time to plan" Tesla said.

"Masai will probably need to rethink his plans, two of his friends were dead you said and another left him. He'll be struggling. And you need to rest at Ponyville, that cut on your eye is disgusting and you've lost a lot of blood from the look of it" Luna told him.

Tesla said, "Okay, I'll rest. But I'm still staying true to my promises, I'll find Masai and I'll save the girls"

"I know you will" Luna smiled.

Author's Note

Sorry for the long delay

Chapter 26: Tainted Meat

Masai and the Brotherhood finally made it back to their home with the Element bearers and Spike. It was cold outside, and it wasn't much warmer in the Brotherhood's home. As soon as Twilight and the rest entered the hut, they were all hit by a horrible stench. The stench was so foul that Rarity and Fluttershy began to gag,

"Oh gosh. What's that smell?" Rarity asked as she covered her nose.

"It's food in the freezer below us, you'll get used to the smell eventually" Vaako replied.

"It reeks" Rainbow Dash uttered.

"Quiet" Lavo said.

"What should we do with them Masai?" Vaako asked.

"Tie them" Masai ordered, "I need to ask them some questions"

Lavo used his magic to sustain Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie and Applejack in a magical vice, whilst Vaako took Rainbow and Fluttershy, and Mimic held Spike. Masai used his magic to pull out several chairs, one at a time for them to be sat in. Lavo then used his magic to tie a stream around all of the Brotherhood's prisoners, then concentrated further with his spell and turned the streams into rope,

"Okay, so now it's question time" Masai said.

"I'm not answering any of your questions" Twilight replied.

"One of yous will" Masai told her.

"Why are you keeping us alive? I thought you wanted to kill us?" Twilight asked.

"Not here, no, but you see, Twilight dear, I want you and your friends to witness Equestria burn to the ground before meeting your fate, but if you were all to die in this shit-heap, it would be very anti-climatic for all of yous, I'll let you stay around for maybe a few months. Also, if Mr. Tesla was here, he would be building my some of that fine machinery I've heard so much about" Masai said, "Which is why I need to you, what other machines can he make?"

"I'm not telling you" Twilight replied stoically.

Masai smirked at her, "Fine then, Twilight. I'll ask your friends"

Twilight frowned and then looked at her friends in worry, she was terrified for who Masai was going to interrogate. Masai first started at Spike,

"So, little non-threatening dragon. Do you know what else your friend Nikola can make?" Masai asked.

Spike didn't look at Masai straight in the eye and instead ignored him. Masai then decided he needed to break him,

"You're an embarrassment to your race, you know that?" Masai said, making Spike look at him.

Masai grinned as soon as Spike looked at him,

"A dragon? That's what you say you are? You're not a dragon, Spike. You're an embarrassment. Dragons are meant to be monsters, you're not a monster. But you know what you really are? An atrocity. You follow the dragon code, right?" Masai asked.

Spike nodded,

"You shouldn't follow it. You're a pony in reptilian form and that's all you'll ever be. And to top that all off, you're a pet and slave" Masai insulted, "Now tell me, what else can Tesla ma-" Masai continued to ask before being interrupted by Spike, who spat on his face.

Masai wiped off the saliva from his face. But something different happened, he managed to keep his cool, the demon he would usually unleash was still concealed, but there was no telling on how long he can keep it concealed. He then turned around and moved away from Spike and then turned back around to face the prisoners whilst keeping far from them,

"Vaako, untie the dragon" Masai ordered.

Vaako was unsure of what his leader was going to do to Spike, but he didn't question his brother's motives and followed his orders. He untied Spike and held his arms behind his back,

"Put him over there" Masai said as he pointed to a space between Masai himself and his prisoners.

Vaako pulled Spike over to the spot Masai pointed at,

"Leave him, Vaako" Masai said.

"Yes, brother" Vaako replied.

Spike looked at Masai and was both curious and worried as to what he was to do to him. Masai smirked once again and then said to Spike,

"Turn around, dragon"

Spike hesitantly did so. Spike faced his friends as Masai came up from behind him,

"Get on your knees" Masai ordered.

"What?" Spike questioned.

"Now" Masai replied.

Spike was still trying to piece what Masai was about to do. He still followed Masai's order and got down on his knees. Masai stood next to Spike and then asked him,

"Tell me again, Spike. What else can Tesla make?"

"I don't know" Spike replied, with fright in his voice.

Masai looked at his prisoners in front of him and looked at the expressions on their faces, Twilight's expression was angry, Rainbow Dash's was angrier, she was gritting her teeth so much it looked like she was going to break them, Rarity had a worried expression on her face, she was worried for Spike, Pinkie closed her eyes, she didn't want to look, Applejack had a frown on and Fluttershy was quietly sobbing to herself,

"You're loss" Masai told Spike as he got Spike's hand in a magical vice. Masai then slid one of the holes in his hoof around Spike's index finger.

Spike instantly knew he was in trouble, he tried pull his hand out of the magic's grasp, but it was too late. SNAP! Masai pulled his hoof back along with Spike's finger, breaking it in the process. Spike yelled as he felt his finger break, he fell to the ground and held onto his finger, trying to fit it back into place,

"SPIKE!" Rarity screamed.

Masai stood over Spike and laughed, angering both Rainbow Dash and Twilight. Twilight tried to use her Unicorn magic but it wasn't working for her, and Rainbow Dash tried to break her ropes loose, she struggled and tried to wiggle herself free, but she ended up toppling her chair to the cold and grimy floor,

"Don't you dare touch him again Masai!" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"Care to vouch for him, Rainbow Dash? All I'm wanting to know is that if your friend Tesla can make anything else besides machines that transport objects. Anything will do" Masai replied.

"Why isn't my magic working?" Twilight asked herself.

Masai chuckled, "Oh Twilight, my dear. The reason your magic isn't working is because I had my brother Lavo enchant this little place here to be ridden of all magic from all beings, except Changeling" He explained, "But anyways, none of yous have gave me an appropriate answer to my question, and if you want Spike safe from harm, you better answer quickly"

"He made me a machine" Applejack uttered.

Masai looked over at Applejack and then approached her,

"What kind of machine?" Masai asked.

"It was just a machine that chopped apples, that's all" Applejack replied.

"Was it big?" Masai asked.

"Ye-yes, it was" Applejack stuttered.

"What did he make it out of?" Masai asked.

"Ah don't know, some blades, scrap metal, all that stuff" Applejack replied.

"Okay then, I see" Masai said, "Well, due to Twilight's pet's attitude towards me asking him a question. I don't really feel like asking any more questions just now. Lavo, Vaako, Mimic. Chain in the basement"

Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Spike were now in the basement of the Brotherhood's home, they were close to the freezer, they all felt cold, and Spike felt cold and in pain. Twilight was sitting beside Rarity and Twilight said,

"I love him" She said quietly.

"Pardon me, Twilight?" Rarity questioned.

"I love Nikola. You know how Changelings can replicate the identities of some ponies loved ones?" Twilight asked.

"Yes" Rarity replied.

"Well, I might as well admit to all of you, to avoid the big reveal that could come" Twilight said.

Rarity sighed, "I have feelings for him as well, Twilight"

"Really?" Twilight asked, "What do you like about him?"

"He's smart, he's sophisticated and he's...he's..." Rarity lost herself.

"He's what?" Twilight questioned.

"...Dreamy" Rarity uttered in her daze.

Twilight chuckled at Rarity being love-struck like that, her typical personality,

"I guess he is" Twilight joked.

Twilight and Rarity then shared a brief laugh with each other, it felt weird for them to share a laugh in the situation they were in. After the laugh was over, they both looked at their friends, they weren't happy. Fluttershy and Spike looked the worst, Spike was still in pain and Fluttershy was frozen, staring into space, it was like she was catatonic. Pinkie sighed,

"I never managed to find out my results on my chemistry test" She uttered.

"We'll get out of here, Pinkie" Rarity comforted her.

"The fuck we will" Rainbow Dash cut in.

"Rainbow..." Applejack tried to stop her.

"No, let me speak. This guy is nuts, he's won though, we've lost" Rainbow Dash continued.

"Nikola will save us" Twilight told her.

"How do you know that?" Rainbow asked.

"Because he's a friend, he promised he would save all of us, and he will, he keeps to his promises" Twilight said.

"You know what?" Rainbow Dash asked sarcastically, "Yeah, let's wait for the fantastic Nikola Tesla to save the day, it's not like he hasn't done it enough times, with the kart race, rig..?"

"Be quiet, Rainbow Dash" Fluttershy interrupted her.

Rainbow Dash turned to see Fluttershy still staring into space,

"What?" Rainbow asked surprised.

"Please be quiet, all of you" Fluttershy told them, "I have been violated by that monster who keeps us prisoner, he used me because Rainbow Dash couldn't help herself to get in Masai's face. Don't mock Nikola by saying he's 'saved the day countless times', because you're no different with your big mouth, Dash. So shut up, and keep what you're going to say to yourself"

All of them looked at Fluttershy with shock and surprise, they've never seen this kind of behavior associated with her. But they could understand where she was coming from, even Rainbow Dash, she was touched by Masai, her good friend Discord was murdered and she couldn't put up with the conversations that were going on around her.

It was at this time that the door that led up to the ground level, burst open as both Vaako and Mimic came down the stairs,

"Alright, shit heads!" Vaako called the ponies and Spike, "Time for lunch"

Vaako and Mimic opened the door to the freezer and both of them entered it, after about two minutes the two Changelings exited the freezer, whilst carrying a large chunk of meat, the two then dumped the large piece of meat in front of the prisoners,

"What is this?" Rarity gulped.

"Deer" Vaako said.

"We can't eat this" Twilight said, "We're all vegetarians"

"This is the only thing we have" Vaako chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Seeing all six of you ponies here" Vaako replied, "Eating meat. It's either tainted meat or you starve, ponies. The choice is yours"

Rarity and Fluttershy both barfed in their mouths then swallowed it back down again, it felt uncomfortable to do that. Twilight then noticed the scars on Mimic's forehead,

"Excuse me, but how did you get them scars?" She asked.

"Oh these" Mimic said, "These were given to me by...um..."

"Who, Mimic?" Vaako asked jokingly, "Tell them"

"Discord" Mimic uttered.

Everyone looked at Mimic, even Fluttershy broke out from her frozen state and looked at the scars his forehead, Fluttershy never could have thought that a being as nice as Discord was to her, could be capable of mutilating a Changelings forehead. Mimic turned and approached the door atop the stairs that led to the ground floor and Vaako followed him before finally turning around to face the prisoners once more,

"Enjoy your meal" Vaako laughed as he closed the door behind him.

Everyone was left without the Changelings once again, they all looked at the deer meat that lied in front of them, they knew that they would eventually have to eat, and this was the only option. Fluttershy looked at the meat whilst thinking Discord, his unfinished last words before finally being plunged into the volcano, she then began to cry, she thought this was like a nightmare, but she couldn't wake up from this one, and she knew it would eventually get worse and worse

Chapter 27: The Truth

Ozymandias, Rover, Fido and Spot were in the Diamond Dog caves, due to Oz's manipulative techniques, he was able to convince the three leaders of the Diamond Dogs to help him achieve his goal, gaining power over the Crystal Empire, though due to the lack of intelligence from the Diamond Dogs, it was easy to trick them for Ozymandias,

"So what exactly is the plan again?" Spot asked.

"Well, to break things down, we get the dogs together, we'll simply break into the palace at night, where they we can use the night to our advantage and seeing as the palace is actually in the middle of the town, it would be easier for us. Once we get into the palace, we will kill most of the royal guard and take over the palace" Ozymandias explained, "And I'll finally achieve my goal"

"And what do we get out of this again?" Rover asked.

"You of course, get residence to the Empire and have as many crystals you want, my friend" Ozymandias told him.

"Sounds good, when should we go forward with the plan?" Fido wanted to make sure.

"As quick as we can, I mean as we all know, the great dragons have been released and they could be heading anywhere" Ozymandias replied.

"What? They've been released. When?" Rover asked in shock.

"Today" Oz replied.

"Well, if that's the case, then I guess we'll get all the Diamond Dogs together and then raid the palace as quick as we can"

"Excellent" Ozymandias scoffed.

"We should get some sleep though" Rover said, "It's midnight and we need rest"

"Where should I sleep?" Ozymandias asked.

"There's plenty of empty cells, sorry but they're not comfy" Rover apologized.

"It's okay, I'm used to sleeping in uncomfortable places" Ozymandias said.

Ozymandias was now lying on a large stone slab where other prisoners would usually sit on or sleep. Oz couldn't sleep, he knew he was close to approaching his goal of becoming a king, it made him excited, he finally has a chance to put the past behind him, The Brotherhood, Masai, everything. But he had mixed feelings on leaving the Brotherhood, because despite his words to Sombra on saying he didn't consider the Brotherhood friends, they were his friends, and killing two of them made Oz feel slightly bad. Ozymandias thought about his time in the Changeling army, he had good times with his platoon who would eventually become The Banished Brotherhood, but after the genocides, it broke him on the inside, and he blamed it on Masai, a Changeling who, before everything went to shit, was Oz's best friend in the platoon. Ozymandias realized he's not the most sane individual, and he uses his psychopathy as an excuse for Incognito's and Kephri's deaths, to keep himself from regretting murdering them,

"I'll show Masai and fucking everyone else. I'll be a fucking king and I'll be a great at it, he'll see" Oz muttered to himself.

"You know, Ozymandias, it's very annoying when people mutter. Especially to themselves" A voice echoed in the cell, when gave Oz a fright.

Ozymandias stood up from the stone slab and walked forward slightly,

"Who's there?" Oz questioned out to the voice.

"Me, friend" The voice replied from behind Oz.

Ozymandias turned to see it was The Truth on the stone slab,

"Hello Ozymandias" The Truth greeted.

"Fucks sake, where did you disappear to?" Ozymandias asked, "And in fact, how the fuck did you get there?"

"I've always been here Oz. I'm everywhere" The Truth croaked.

"Why are you targeting me with this stupid bullshit?" Oz asked.

"Cause you need this bullshit" The Truth said, "You're plan of attack is absolutely awful, it's piss poor. You seriously think it's going to work?"

"I don't think it's going to work, I know it's going to work" Oz retaliated.

"And I know you're plan is awful" The Truth said, "Leading a bunch of dogs who have little to no knowledge of Equestria, apart from their caves, Rover seems to be the most intelligent of the dogs but even then, he is not very smart"

"You think you're so smart, don't you, Truth? What kind of a name is truth anyways?" Oz asked.

"I am smart, I know everything. And my name is The Truth because that is what I am" The Truth explained.

"I'll become a king, I'll be the King of the Crystal Empire" Oz said.

"I'll be king. I killed my friends for my own selfish needs. I can lead dogs" The Truth mocked him, "You're a traitor to your friends, you killed two of them..."

"They were not my friends, old man. I don't need friends!" Ozymandias shouted.

"They were your friends, but you're just not tough enough to admit it. You're a conniving, dirty, backstabbing weasel with a thirst for power and has no respect or honor" The Truth told him.

Ozymandias gritted his teeth and then thought about attempting to punch The Truth, but held back on the thought,

"Let's say you do become king" The Truth said, "Let's say that happens and what happens then? You think Masai is going to stay out of the spotlight? You think Celestia will just let that go in stride? She'll wage war with you and Masai will plan to kill you, and seeing the way you act, you're people will plot to overthrow you as well"

"I have an army, what does Masai have?" Ozymandias sarcastically asked.

"Masai has three close friends who hate you with a passion as well. And you say you have an army, you don't have squat, you're leading dogs, dogs that a bred for finding jewels, not war. Celestia will triumph over you and your reign as 'king' will be short lived" The Truth explained.

"You're an asshole, you know that, Truth?" Oz said.

"I get that a lot" The Truth said, "You will not succeed in your goal, unless you rethink your strategy, Ozymandias"

The Truth's points has made Ozymandias open his eyes more, and he realized The Truth was right, he needed to rethink his strategy,

Ozymandias sighed, "Then what would you do?"

"I can't tell you that, Ozymandias" The Truth told him, "I can only tell the truth"

"Fine. I'll rethink my strategy" Ozymandias said.

"That's good" The Truth replied.

"Truth, before you leave again, can I just ask you a few questions?" Ozymandias asked.

"Of course, friend" The Truth said.

"What are you? I mean what are you really? Are you some sort of spirit or something?" Ozymandias asked.

"I am not alive nor dead, I am not real nor imaginary, I just simply the truth" The Truth said, being vague and mysterious as ever.

"Right. Who were you before you became you are now?" Ozymandias asked.

"I remember that my name was long and that I was a merchant of sugar, tobacco and spices, but that was over sixty centuries ago, Ozymandias, it's difficult to remember things like that" The Truth replied, "How many more questions do you have left, my son?"

"Just one more" Ozymandias said.

"Proceed" The Truth allowed him.

"Can another piece of advice please?" Oz asked.

"Are you familiar with chess, Ozymandias?" The Truth asked back.

"Yes, of course, I'm pretty sure everyone is" Ozymandias replied.

"Chess is a game of strategy, it's very much like conducting an army for war" The Truth began, "A complex game, you have your kings, queens, bishops, pawns and rooks, and your objective is to get to that checkmate. What you need to do is use all your pieces, make a sacrifice, you could win or you could lose, it just depends on how you play. Were you ever good at chess?"

"I wasn't too bad" Ozymandias said.

"Just brush up on your skills" The Truth said, "I'll be going, other people will need to see me"

Ozymandias sighed as he turned around to look outside the cell,

"Oh shit!" Ozymandias realized something, "I have another question"

Ozymandias turned back around to the face the inside of the cell, but The Truth was already gone,

"I wonder what that poem with my name in it was about?" Ozymandias asked himself, disappointed about The Truth's departure.

"You'll find out when the time calls for it, Ozymandias" The Truth whispered in the winds.

Chapter 28: The Closest Place To Home

Tesla was in a crowd of ponies that headed towards Ponyville, the crowd was split into three, heading to different places, Tesla didn't know where the others were heading though. Luna walked beside him, they both walked in silence, she wanted to talk to him, but he didn't want to talk, it wasn't the time for talking. Walking on the dirt path made Nikola think to himself, he was desperate for a confirmation that Twilight and the other girls were okay and he kept on thinking about that and that caused him to worry a bit more. Tesla looked ahead to see Ponyville just ahead of him, he sighed in relief at the sight, it wasn't destroyed by the dragons, yet,

"You promised you would take a rest once we get there, Nikola" Luna said, "I'm just reminding you"

"I know. I'll take a rest once I get to Twilight's home" Tesla replied.

"How's your eye?" Luna asked.

"It stings" Tesla told her.

"Do you want to go to a doctors?" Luna asked him.

"No, I'll just clean the cut and dress it" Tesla replied.

They continued walking in silence for another short while, until Tesla broke the silence,

"Fuck, I'll need to tell their families" Tesla sighed.

"It's okay. I'll come with you to tell them" Luna said.

"No, I'll do it myself" Tesla replied.

"Are you sure?" Luna asked.

"Yeah" Tesla nodded.

Another ten minutes passed until the crowd of ponies reached Ponyville. The residents looked at the arriving ponies in worry as they came into Ponyville, some sad, slightly bloodied, and some covered in small burns.

Tesla looked and saw the Sun was hiding behind grey clouds, it was gloomy, and he felt as if it seemed fitting with his current mood. He then saw Twilight's home, he approached it and departed from the crowd, Luna reluctantly followed him. Tesla looked under a welcoming mat and found a key to the back door,

"You don't need to follow me, Luna" Tesla told her.

"I want to help you" Luna replied.

"With what?" Tesla asked.

"Your eye" Luna told him, "If your not going to go to a doctors, then the least I can do is stitch it, your cut is really deep"

"I'll just clean, it'll be fine..." Tesla began.

"I'm not taking no for an answer, Nikola" Luna said.

"Well, if you insist. Please follow me, Luna" Tesla ordered her.

The two entered Twilight's home from the back door, they came through the kitchen, Tesla closed the door behind him and then went through the refrigerator and then found a large bottle of apple cider at the back of it, he pulled it out, opened it and drank it,

"What the hell are you doing?" Luna asked him grumpily.

"Resting" Tesla replied as he took a large gulp of cider.

"Look, don't drink though" Luna told him.

"Why not?" Tesla asked.

"Just don't" Luna said.

"I'm depressed, Luna" Tesla began, "My friends have been kidnapped, dragons have been released and I think any person in their right mind would drink at a time like this" Tesla explained to her.

"Look, we'll talk this over, we'll think something, just don't get yourself drunk" Luna said.

Tesla ignored her and continued drinking from the bottle, which annoyed Luna further,

"Give me the bottle Nikola" She ordered.

"One last sip please" Tesla replied.

"Fine" Luna said.

Tesla took a sip, which led onto a large gulp, and then almost the bottle of cider, right before Luna snatched the bottle away with her magic, which made Tesla dribble out some cider,

"I said you can have a sip, Nikola" Luna told him.

"Luna, maybe getting drunk will ease the pain from getting my cut stitched" Tesla made an excuse.

"Or, I can use magic to make you feel less pain and just stitch it from there, so you don't have to be drunk" Luna smiled sarcastically.

"Ouch!" Tesla exclaimed as he felt the needle release from his skin.

"Just three more stitches, Nikola" Luna reassured him.

"I thought you said the magic would make it less painful?" Tesla asked.

"I thought I did" Luna replied.

"Still hurts" Tesla moaned.

"Quit whining please" Luna giggled.

"Thank you, Luna. For helping me" Tesla told her.

"It's the least I can do" Luna replied.

"Shouldn't you be..." Tesla continued but paused as the needle pierced through his skin again, "...Aren't you meant to be helping your sister with all that's going on outside?"

"I will" Luna told him.

Luna finished stitching the cut on his eye, it still felt painful but not as painful as before, it also felt itchy, but he resisted the temptation to itch it. Tesla was still in the kitchen whilst Luna was stitching his eye, he looked over at the time and saw it was six o'clock in the afternoon,

"Thanks for that, Luna" Tesla thanked her.

"You're welcome" Luna replied, "Be careful with what you're doing with your eye, in-case the stitching comes out, I don't want to need to re-do it again, because to be honest, it looked disgusting"

"Okay, Luna" Tesla said.

"Well, I should be going. You better get some rest after what you've been through today" Luna told him.

Tesla nodded. Luna nodded and smiled back,

"Goodbye Nikola" Luna said as she turned around to approach the back door.

"Wait" Tesla stopped her.

Luna turned back around to face him,

"Yeah?" Luna questioned.

"Am I a good person?" He asked.

"Why do you ask that?" Luna asked back, puzzled.

"I just don't think that I'm a good person" Tesla told her simply.

"You are a good person though, you have a good heart, Nikola. You're willing to give your life for your friends and I've lived a long life, so I know bravery when I see it" Luna replied, "Don't say you're a bad person, you're a really good and nice person Nikola"

"Thanks Luna" Tesla said.

"You're welcome Nikola" Luna smiled.

"Can I just ask you one more thing please?" Nikola asked.

"Of course" Luna replied.

"I don't tend to sleep well. Is there any spell you can use that could help me?"

"There is" Luna told him, "You better find someplace comfortable"

"I don't mind sleeping at a kitchen table" Nikola chuckled.

"Fine then" Luna chuckled back.

Luna came closer to Nikola and explained to him,

"I don't know any sleep spells that require my horn, I know one which involves my lips though"

"Any kissing involved?" Nikola asked sarcastically.

"There is, in fact. The spell is called the kiss of sleep" Luna replied.

"Oh" Tesla smirked.

"Stay there" Luna said as she approached his lips, "Valou luo kaste lī inpradinna" She spoke the mystic words as then locked her lips against his.

The kiss was quick, and then Luna instantly backed as she saw her spell take over Tesla, his eyes that rolled began to close as he rested on the kitchen table,

"Rest well, Nikola" Luna whispered to the sleeping Tesla as she sneaked out the back door

Author's Note

sorry for the long delay, has exams

Chapter 30: Wendigo

TWO YEARS AGO:

Every five Winters, the Wendigoes appear, from the deep South and the icy North. This is the South's side of the story. Ponies don't usually see the Wendigoes in the Winter, as there is only one thing keeping the Wendigoes on their side of the South; The Badlands. The Changelings' side of the badlands to be exact, the coldest side of the Badlands, far and away from the hot temperatures of the Dragons' residence.

We see a young Changeling, about twenty-two, itching his bottom lip with one of his fangs and his bat-like wings covering him from the freezing Winter air that seeped through the doors of the small army base he was in, he was sitting beside the rest of his platoon, about fourteen other Changelings were crammed inside the base with him. The young Changeling can hear the screams and cries of others who are battling the wailing and demonic Wendigoes.

At this point, the General of the Platoon stepped forward,

"Arise men" The General commanded.

The fifteen arisen on the General's orders, the young Changeling unwrapped his wings from around him and tucked them back into place,

"Men, I need to tell you about the Wendigoes before we head to battle..." The General began, "...They're quick, calculating and will kill you brutally if you're not careful"

As the gruff-voiced General continued his information on the Wendigo, the young Changeling notices a shimmer of green light spark from the horn on the Changeling beside him, and that Changeling then pulled a large silver flask and drank from it. The young Changeling became curious as to what was inside it,

"Excuse me?" The Changeling asked the drinking one.

"Yeah?" The drinking Changeling questioned once he finished his gulp.

"What's in that?" He asked.

"Wine, I don't why I put it in there, I'm just drinking before I might die on the field" The drinker responded, "Know what I'm saying?"

"Yeah, I know what you mean, man" The other Changeling said.

"Want some?" The drinker offered.

"Sure, thanks" The Changeling replied as he himself took a gulp of wine, "It's good" He said after he took a sip.

"I got out of my girlfriend's wine collection, she's an Oenophile" The drinker told him, "She takes trips around Equestria whilst taking on another form"

"What's your girl's name?" The Changeling asked.

"Felina" The drinker said, "I'm fighting for her....well, not just her. For the rest of food and supplies stocked up at the Hive, not like Chrysalis is going to give them willy-nilly though"

The young Changeling chuckled slightly at the drinker's comment to the Queen,

"What about you, man?" The drinker asked, "Got anyone you're fighting for?"

The Changeling chuckled once more and shook his head, "Nah, man. No-one, this is the most eventful things that happened in my life so far. A friend of mine said if I'd join the army, then the Queen would give herself to the dudes who survive the battle"

The drinker laughed, "Jeez, I wish"

The young one and drinker then began to laugh with each for a while. Even as the General was still speaking, but grant it, all of the Changelings were speaking,

"You know what? You're alright, you got a name, pal?" The Changeling asked the drinker.

"Name's Masai. What's yours?" The drinker introduced himself as Masai.

"Huh, it's a long name" The young Changeling said.

"Go ahead man" Masai said.

"Ozymandias" The young Changeling introduced himself.

"That's a badass name, that" Masai told him.

"Thanks" Ozymandias smiled.

"Hey, Oz, do you mind if I call you that?" Masai asked.

"Everyone does, so go ahead" Ozymandias replied.

"If we make it out this battle alive, I'll buy you an ale" Masai told Oz.

"I'd like that. But hey, if we die tonight, at least I'm dying alongside a nice guy like you" Ozymandias said.

"That's goes the same for you, man" Masai replied.

PRESENT DAY:

Ozymandias was once again in the Diamond Dogs prison chambers, as that was still his bedroom. He was pondering to himself about his first encounter with Masai during the battle. Afterwards, he got to know more of the platoon, including the two Changelings he killed not long ago,

"Damn fools" Ozymandias muttered to himself, "They should've stayed out the way"

"Fuck sake, man. What happened to you?" A recognizable voice in the air spoke out.

"Truth, just come out, and cut it out with all the hiding and stuff" Ozymandias told him.

At this point, The Truth suddenly appeared beside Ozymandias on the stone slab of a bed,

"What happened between you and Masai?" The Truth asked.

"You know a lot, why don't you tell me?" Oz asked back.

"Because I want you to admit it" The Truth said.

"I'm not telling you" Ozymandias replied.

"You were reminiscing on the first time you met him" The Truth said.

"How do you know that?" Ozymandias asked in an annoyed tone.

"I can see it in your face" The Truth explained, "I've lived long enough to know that"

Ozymandias got up from the slab and paced himself from one end of the room to the another,

"You were close to Masai at a point, weren't you?" The Truth asked, "What happened?"

"Shut up, old man" Ozymandias told him.

"I've been close to many ponies and beings before and after I became who I am today" The Truth said.

"Yeah, like who?" Oz asked.

"I was once friends with many ponies, Luna and Celestia for example, even their parents. I was also close to Sombra and Chrysalis, but I haven't spoken to them in decades, they probably don't even remember me" The Truth told him.

"And I wouldn't blame them" Oz sarcastically said.

The Truth smirked, "There was a Wendigo I met once..."

"I hate Wendigoes" Ozymandias uttered.

"Let me finish" The Truth said, "I met this Wendigo, his name was Bjorn, and he was a good man gone bad, he became corrupted by jealously and paranoia, he became leader of his group of people. The other Wendigoes in his group adored him, but his power got to him, and voices in his head ordered him to kill his friends. As the years went on, Bjorn became even more madder than ever, it was then, he was the first of his people to be assassinated. And right there, as he laid there, I was beside him and he said to me, 'I wish I never killed them'. He regretted his actions towards his friends, and he only realized it when he was dying" The Truth finished.

Ozymandias looked at The Truth with a cold expression, Oz knew what he was talking about, but he wanted to make sure,

"What are you getting at, old man?" Ozymandias asked.

"You're going to die, that's inevitable. And when you do, Ozymandias, you will regret everything you've done. I've said this before to many beings and I'll say it again, life is better with friends. And people like you will only realize it when you draw your final breaths" The Truth explained.

The Truth nodded to Oz, whose cold expression dropped into a sad expression, as Ozymandias looked down, he heard a gust of wind and looked back up, Truth was gone. Oz seethed his teeth in a moping tone,

"The old man has no clue what he's talking about" He said to himself.

Author's Note

Next chapter, we will return to Tesla.

Chapter 31: Stand

Morning soon came, a gloomy morning. Tesla had his head on Twilight's kitchen table as he slept with his mouth open, leaving a river of drool under his cheek. He slowly opened his eyes and found his head still on the table when he became fully awake, he didn't want to get up.

About ten minutes later, after he woke up, he got his face off the kitchen table and then went over to the sink to wash the drool off the side of his face. He made his way to the living room, where he checked on the time. It was twelve forty five. He made his way over to a nearby mirror in Twilight's home, he looked at his stitched eye, he dabbed it slightly, and felt a sting,

"Ah" He quietly winced as he stopped dabbing his eye. He noticed he was growing a slight beard as well, "Maybe I should shave"

He went back to the kitchen, his throat was drier than the boonies of Appleloosa, he needed a drink. He opened the fridge to find several bottles of cider, a carton of orange juice and a carton of milk. He decided to get the hardest drink, cider.

Tesla sat back at the table, with a bottle of cider with him, sipping it slowly. Tesla usually likes to be alone, but now he doesn't, not now at least. He actually wants someone to talk to, whether if it was Twilight, Rarity, Luna, hell, even Spike would be great for him to talk to at this point.

He itched his beard, and took another sip, then thought about Masai and his Brotherhood, and soon realized that they're the first of his problems, with Oz and the Dragons loose, God only knows what they're doing at the moment.

Once he finished his drink, he got himself back up once again. He made his way to the front door, but he stopped in his tracks when he realized something was happening, there was a faint sound of yelling outside. Nikola pressed his ear against the door, and then he mumbled,

"What the hell is that?"

Tesla then proceeded to open the door, and the sounds became more clearer. He peeked his head out of the door and looked to the left, only to see tents that have put up for the ponies who lost their homes in Canterlot. He then jerked his head to the right, to see a mob of ponies near the town hall. He exited out of the house and closed the door behind him. He then approached the mob, and was curious to what they were doing.

Once he made it up to the mob, Tesla nudged a nearby female Unicorn,

"Excuse me miss, what's happening here?" Nikola asked her with curiosity.

"We're waiting for the damn Princesses to tell us what the fuck we're going to do" She replied with an angry and harsh tone in her voice.

The mare then continued to shout out for the Princesses along with the rest of the confused and angry crowd. The poor souls didn't know the hell was going to happen now.

Nikola pushed his way through the crowd, until he saw a large stand, and it was about seven feet high and ten meters squared, right near the town hall, with a large curtain behind it. Telsa was able to get behind the curtain where he saw Luna talking to the Mayor. He was able to eavesdrop on their conversation,

"Your Highness, I'll go up first and talk to them, then you can tell them what's going on" The Mayor said to Luna.

"Okay, Ms. Mayor, thanks" Luna said before the Mayor parted to the stand.

Tesla went over to Luna, who was beginning to smoke another cigarette. Tesla tapped her on the side, making her jump at first, she then turned around and calmed down at the sight of Tesla.

"Oh afternoon, Nikola. H-how are you?" Luna asked quite quickly, "How's the eye?"

"I should be asking how you are, you look worried. What's wrong?" Tesla asked.

"Celestia left for The Crystal Empire to tell my niece about the Dragons, she wanted to tell her face to face. Celestia left me here to deal with all this shit around Ponyville. And to be honest..." She paused.

"What?" Nikola questioned.

"I don't have a fucking clue what to tell them" Luna whispered intensely to him.

"Just tell them what happened, Luna. I'll tell them as well" He replied.

"Excuse me, your Highness" A guard called out to Luna.

Luna looked over to the guard, who then approached Luna and Tesla in a hurry,

"Your grace. Mr. Tesla" the guard stoically greeted.

"Yes?" Luna replied.

The guard paused, as if he couldn't find the right words to use to explain to Luna what was going on,

"Go on" Luna commanded.

"We have bad news from Baltimare and Manehattan..." The guard paused once more, "They've been destroyed, Your Highness"

Luna closed her eyes, she wanted to shout at the guard, but she knew he didn't deserve a scolding. She just closed her eyes and took a deep breath,

"How many casualties?" Luna asked.

The guard gulped, "Over two thousand dead, in both cities, it's unknown how many are injured"

"What direction is Lyth heading?" Luna asked.

"A...about that, Princess. Lyth has..um...disappeared" The guard awkwardly told her.

Luna opened her eyes slowly and looked at the guard with anger, intimidating the young guard,

"Disappeared? Lyth, one of the two largest dragons in Equestria, a dragon who is forty feet, has disappeared?" Luna questioned.

The guard nodded, "Yes. But there's more news, Your Highness"

"Go on" Luna answered with annoyance.

"The Crystal Empire has been taken" The guard told her.

"What do you mean taken?" Luna asked furiously.

"It was taken from Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor. There was a siege" The guard anxiously told her.

"My sister is there" Luna mumbled to herself.

"It was a Changeling who took the kingdom, and... I found this hard to believe Your Highness, but it was one Changeling and all the Diamond Dogs" The guard said.

Damn, it must've been Ozymandias. How could I let that slip my mind?, Tesla thought to himself. I can't tell Luna that I knew about his plan, she'd go mad at me. I'll tell her it was him though,

"Luna, it has to have been the Changeling who injured Sombra" Tesla told her.

"How do you know for sure, Nikola?" Luna asked.

"He betrayed the rest of them right in front of me. It must be him" Nikola replied.

"I'm still surprised as to how the Crystal Empire was taken over by a Changeling and the Diamond Dogs" Luna mentioned.

"Ozymandias is a smart Changeling" Nikola said, "He's an unpredictable creature"

The Guard nodded as Nikola and Luna were talking, he left them by quietly sneaking away,

"Look, Nikola. Tia was in the Crystal Empire, I don't know if she was taken along with Cadence and Shining Armor or if she was able to escape, but I can't go up there and tell all of them that the Princess has been taken hostage, that the Elements of Harmony are gone and dragons are loose in the Country. Nikola, I'm terrified..." Luna explained to him.

"Luna, all of us are terrified at the moment. I'll help you tell them, you know we need to do this" Tesla consoled.

Luna looked at him nervously and then anxiously nodded, "Yes, you're right. We'll both do it though, together?"

"Of course" Tesla replied.

The Princess and the Serbian Inventor stood on the stand, Luna was in front of Tesla, overlooking a crowd of angry ponies, who were all shouting over each other. Luna was nervous to even utter a single word, she gulped her throat in worry and then said,

"Ponies, please calm down"

She spoke too quietly, they didn't stop yelling. She then remembered to use her more threatening voice, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath,

"QUIET!" She blared out as she opened her wings and her eyes as the turned completely white.

This time, she was able to shut the crowd up. Tesla had never seen her that loud, it sent a shiver down his spine. Her eyes turned back to normal and she had a quick gasp for air. She looked at the crowd, then wanted to say something but they couldn't,

"Listen, fillies and gentelcolts. I know you are confused as to what is happening..." Luna began.

"You're darn right we're confused!" A stern male voice called from the crowd.

The crowd then began to mumble to each other once more, then started to argue again, Luna decided to continue her speech before the crowd gets out of control again,

"I know you're confused about what's happening, but I'll tell you..." Luna paused, "The two largest dragons in Equestria have been released and are now active in Equestria"

"Then why can't you stop it!?" A blue male Unicorn called out.

"Or Princess Celestia!?" A female pegasus shouted.

"Or the Elements of Harmony?" The Cutie Mark Crusaders asked.

Luna began to hesitate with what she was going to say to the crowd, "Princess Celestia, Princess Cadence, Shining Armor and the Elements of Harmony have all been held hostage. The Crystal Empire has been taken and we have no clue where the great dragons are..." Luna told the crowd with little confidence.

The crowd then began to angrily shout at Luna and argue with each other. Luna backed away and stood beside Tesla, she looked sad and faced away from the crowd. Tesla looked at her and couldn't bare to see her that way. He stood in front of Luna and cleared his throat before saying,

"People.." Tesla began as the crowd listended to him "You probably don't know who I am, or where I'm from, but that doesn't matter. I know the men who have the Princesses and the Elements hostage. They're a group of Changelings..."

"Damn the Changelings. Chrysalis should be..." A voice in the crowd began.

"It wasn't Chrysalis. It was seven Changelings. Only seven, two are dead though and another one has...he has taken over The Crystal Empire.." Tesla told them.

The crowd began to murmur once again,

"Everyone! Before you lose your heads. I ask of you to calm down and let me explain. The Elements of Harmony are being held by four of the Changelings and Celestia and the other two are being held the other Changeling and the Diamond Dogs. These guys are smart and they won't be easy to beat, but I'll beat them" Tesla explained to the crowd.

"How are you gonna beat them?"

"Yeah, you're just one guy" A deep voice in the crowd uttered.

"I know. The Changelings are smart but not smart enough, I'm smarter. I made a machine that can teleport objects without magic and I came into this world through the same machine" Tesla said, "I will stand up to and beat these Changelings, and they will pay for their schemes"

The crowd looked at him in silence and with blank expressions, they didn't know what to make of his words there, all they saw was a feeble looking pony who wants to make a stand against a bigger enemy,

"I will save The Elements of Harmony and the Crystal Empire, but you need to take my word for it" Tesla said, "I promise you all that your country will be safe again. I'll die trying if I have to..."

Chapter 32: The Idiot King

Morning came for Ozymandias and The Diamond Dogs, a bleak morning for them. The clouds were dark around where they were, atop of a hill very near the Crystal Empire. They were preparing for the raid. Ozymandias stood alongside Rover, Spot and Fido as they looked over the quiet empire in the gloomy morning,

"Run by this plan with me again, Ozymandias" Rover ordered.

Ozymandias turned around, facing away from the empire and walked away, he expected the Diamond Dogs to follow him but they didn't. The three Diamond Dog leaders didn't want to turn away, they've never seen so many gems and jewels, it was a glorious sight for them to behold,

"Walk with me, Dogs" Ozymandias commanded.

They then followed his order. They hesitantly turned around and followed him,

"I was able to pick up a powerful spell from my former brother, Lavo. It's a spell in which I put all over the empire, it makes all the ponies magic useless. Quite a strong trick if you ask me. It will make them weaker, however, they are still strong, be sure to kill them quickly, rip to pieces like you animals do" Ozymandias told them.

"You said there wouldn't be any killing" Spot pointed out.

"I lied to you, of course we'll need to kill some of them, not the Prince or Princess though, they and the rest we can put in the dungeons" Ozymandias said.

"You lied?" Fido screeched.

"Yes, but you want the crystals, right, Fido?" Ozymandias questioned him.

"Yeah..." Fido honestly replied.

"Then you will kill" Ozymandias instructed him, "Tell the rest of your men that, because we'll be heading forward in half an hour"

"Yes, Ozymandias" The three responded.

twenty minutes later...

Celestia flew herself quickly to the Crystal Empire to talk her niece and nephew-in-law, she didn't pay attention to anything in her sights. She quickly galloped to the front gates and the guards instantly let her in. She entered the palace and made her way to the throne room to meet Cadence and Shining Armor,

"Aunt Tia. Thank goodness you're here" Princess Cadence said as she approached her aunt.

"I needed to get the word across to you in person, Cadence" Celestia told Cadence as she hugged her.

"We got word of the Dragons" Shining Armor said, "Have you got any word on Twiley?"

"I'm afraid not, Shining. I don't know if she's okay" Celestia replied, "She and her friends are being held captive by a group of Changeling terrorists"

Shining Armor sulked in worry for his sister and her friend's safety. His wife tapped his shoulder to get his attention, and give him a small smile, which was a way of saying she's probably fine,

"What else has happened, Tia?" Cadence asked her.

"Canterlot has burned down. Sombra has returned..." She told them.

"No!" Shining Armor shouted, "H-he can't be. He's dead"

"No, he was resurrected by the terrorists, he was meant to be killed though, the terrorists were going to betray him along with Discord, he's dead. Luna told me this" Celestia explained.

"Where did she get the information from?" Cadence asked.

"From an inventor by the name of Nikola Tesla" Celestia replied.

"I've heard about this Tesla guy, Twilight seems to like him.." Shining Armor said, "She told me about him in some her letters"

"She admires him very much, so does the rest of her friends" Celestia told him.

"Is Chrysalis not involved in this?" Cadence asked.

"No, she isn't. It's seven banished Changelings who are just wanting to cause mayhem" Celestia told her.

The three members of the royal family's conversation was halted when a guard burst into the throne room. He was gasping for air, and sprinkled with blood,

"My lord! Diamond Dogs are raidin-" The Guard began.

A sharp spear flew through the guard's neck and ended up lodged in his throat, he choked as blood squirted out his neck, he collapsed as Shining Armor, Cadance and Celestia looked out the throne room door and down the hallway to see the Diamond Dogs charge towards them. Shining took immediate action and stepped in front of his wife and aunt-in-law, and prepare for an attack, he tensed himself up for a spell, but only sparks flew out of his horn, he looked at his horn on his forehead and spoke out,

"What the heck?"

Ozymandias appeared from the crowd to face the three royals. The Diamond Dogs circled them to make they didn't escaped, some of the dogs carried corpses of guards, others held them alive. Ozymandias looked at Shining Armor with intensity then glanced at Cadence and Celestia, some of the dogs carried spears, drenched in blood and pointed them at the royals. Ozymandias smirked and then began to talk,

"Well, it's a surprise seeing Celestia here. I thought you would have been helping your sister" Ozymandias said.

"My sister can handle matters on her own, I wanted to pay my niece a visit and tell her what you and your friends were doing, face to face.." Celestia told him.

"Well, I'm not with my brothers anymore. Two of them are dead, thanks to me. Oh, tell me, is Sombra dead?" Ozymandias asked, wanting a confirmation if he killed him or not.

"No, he lives. But he's weak, he's slowly dying. The doctor's say he'll die in seven months" Celestia told him.

"Where's my sister, jerkass?" Shining Armor wanted an answer.

"With my brothers" Ozymandias said as he approached him, "I noticed you tried to do magic when we stormed up the hall, you're wondering why it didn't work?" Ozymandias questioned.

Shining Armor frowned and nodded at him,

"I enchanted the entire kingdom to not use any pony magic" Ozymandias explained, "So you, nor your wife, nor Princess Celestia, can not use any magic"

Ozymandias then looked at Cadence, who jerked her head away as Ozymandias looked at her,

"Speaking of your wife. She's a pretty thing, ain't she?" Ozymandias smirked.

"Stay away from her" Shining Armor ordered.

"Fido. Spot. Please restrain Celestia and Shining Armor from what I'm going to do" Ozymandias told them.

Fido and Spot nodded and quickly went to them. Fido held Shining Armor whilst Spot held Celestia,

"Stay away from her. Stay the fuck away from her, man!" Shining Armor shouted as he tried to break out from Fido's vice.

Ozymandias approached Cadence and made her feel uncomfortable. He put his face right in hers, and then intensely whispered,

"Do you know who I am?"

She shook her head, she was scared of what he might do,

"My name is Ozymandias. I'm the new king of this empire as of now, do you understand that?" Ozymandias made sure.

"Yes" Cadence replied as she rapidly shook her head.

"Say my name" Ozymandias told her.

"What?" She shook.

"Say my name" Ozymandias told her in a more demanding voice.

"Ozymandias" Cadence replied.

"My full title" Ozymandias said.

"Yes, King Ozymandias" Cadence responded.

"Better" Ozymandias uttered.

Ozymandias backed away from, and she gasped for air in relief. Ozymandias then looked at Shining Armor with a sly smile,

"You thought I was going to rape your wife?" Ozymandias asked, "Maybe give her a kiss or something? I don't like ponies, so she's safe"

Shining Armor wanted to hit Ozymandias, but couldn't through the Diamond Dog's powerful grip,

"Why haven't you got a crown, Shining?" Ozymandias asked.

"I don't like to wear them" He replied.

"Every ruler needs a crown" Ozymandias told him.

"I earned mine, but I didn't like to wear it. You don't deserve it, you don't even go out of your way to even earn it" Shining Armor told him.

Ozymandias looked at him with a hint of anger,

"I do deserve a crown, I deserve everything that's coming to me" Ozymandias replied.

"You deserve to be executed" Celestia uttered.

"I want my death to be bombastic. And if I do die, I want to die before you, Princess" He explained to her, "Dogs. Take them and the remaining alive guard to the dungeons. Once you've done that, feel free to roam this kingdom at your own leisurely pace"

two hours later...

Ozymandias sat on the crystal throne, he's had a busy morning, and spent the night prior making his way to the city. He closed his eyes and breathed slowly and dozed off, right before something came into his vision,

"Hello Ozymandias" The Truth greeted.

"Oh shit, you again" Ozymandias uttered, "Well, what do you want, Coffin Jockey? Are you going to criticize me again?"

"No, not yet. Ozymandias, you actually done pretty well, you took the kingdom and you imprisoned the royals" The Truth said.

"Yeah so?" Ozymandias asked.

"What next?" The Truth asked back, "What are you going to do now, that you're king, and hell, I use that word loosely. Are you going to exploit your power? What are you going to do if the Dragons come here, or worse, what if Masai comes here?"

"Masai can't do anything. He's busy enough as it is" Ozymandias told him.

"Busy enough as it is? You're kidding me. Oz, Masai has only accomplished one part of his project. Word will get to him a certain Changeling has labeled himself King of the Crystals. Lavo can get him here..." The Truth told him.

"And I'll wait" Ozymandias interrupted him, "I know Masai well, I've known him for years. If he comes to me, wanting to kill me. I'll be ready"

"What about Sombra?" The Truth asked.

"I thought you were smart, Truth? You know he's weakened by me, he's dying. If he comes here, he won't be able to use his magic against because no one can, except me" Ozymandias replied.

"He won't need magic to slaughter you, Oz. Sombra has killed ponies with other methods" The Truth argued.

"You know what? Fuck you, I don't actually care if he does come to try and kill me" Ozymandias cursed as he stormed off the throne.

Ozymandias paced himself angrily back and forth, not paying attention to The Truth. Ozymandias was muttering to himself as The Truth made his way to the throne. Ozymandias looked at The Truth, who was now sitting on the throne. Ozymandias' expression grew sour and his frowned intensely,

"Truth, what the fuck are you doing?" Ozymandias asked angrily.

"You tell me, Oz" The Truth responded, "What am I doing?"

"Get off of my throne" Ozymandias coldly commanded.

"No" The Truth calmly replied.

"Get off" Oz began, "Now!"

"Make me, Your Highness" The Truth said.

"I'll kill you, then get you out of my life for ever" Oz threatened.

The Truth let out a single muted "ha" before saying,

"Good luck with that"

"That's my throne" Ozymandias told him whilst pointing to himself.

"Last time I checked, it was Cadence's" The Truth replied.

"Why are you doing this?" Ozymandias asked.

"Because I want you to understand that there is a storm coming for you, Ozymandias" The Truth replied.

"I told you I don't care. I sent a message to Luna and Masai that I've taken the Empire. I'm admitting to being ready for everything, Masai will come, that's inevitable. But Luna will negotiate for her family's safety so..." Ozymandias explained to him.

The Truth banged his hoof off of the arm of the throne, making a loud thump that echoed in the room, shutting Ozymandias up,

"Your stupidity that led me to do this, son" The Truth interrupted, "I'm going to tell you that keeping members of the Royal Family hostage, nor Sombra wanting you dead, nor Masai also wanting you dead are the worst of your problems, Ozymandias. Hell, even the Dragons aren't the worst of your problems. You were meant to find out the worst of your problems yourself, but you've driven me to tell you anyways"

"What is going to be the worst of my problems then, old man?" Ozymandias asked with curiosity.

"Nikola Tesla..." The Truth replied.

Chapter 33: A

Masai stayed up all night, he didn't sleep for anything. His many thoughts raced through his mind as he sat on a couch in his damp and dirty little hut, thoughts of destruction, hatred and anger. He thought his plans would go smoothly, though they didn't, now he has to add another two things to his list of objectives, find Nikola Tesla and kill Ozymandias.

His few remaining brothers slept in the chairs littered around the place. He got up from the couch and silently made his way to the stairs that led to the basement. He sneaked downstairs and past the sleeping ponies, and quietly made it to the freezer. He stepped inside the cold room and searched for food, he was running out. He did manage to find a few scraps of deer meat for he and his brothers' breakfast. He levitated the lumps of venison with him back up the stairs. He got out several cracked plates from a nearby cupboard and roasted the meat with his magic before placing them on the plates. With the plates of meat still levitating, he stamped his hooves on the grounds,

"Alright boys, time to wake up!" He shouted, "I made you guys breakfast, today's a big day!"

The three slumbering Changelings abruptly shot up at Masai's calling,

"Aw, fuck brother. What time is it?" Mimic asked.

"Don't know, for we have no clock and no way to look at the sky to be able to tell the time" Masai replied.

"How not?" Lavo asked.

"Clouds" Masai told him.

"What's for grubs, man?" Vaako questioned.

"Deer, a hearty feast boys, enjoy while you can, it's the last few scraps we have" Masai explained to them.

Masai levitated a single plate of deer to each of his remaining brothers, and had his own food as well,

"Should we wake up the ponies after this?" Lavo asked as he munched on his food, "Oh, and the dragon?"

"Yeah, big day today, Lavo. We're going to interrogate those stupid little horses on Tesla's whereabouts and then we're going to track down Oz" Masai told him.

"What about Chrysalis, brother?" Vaako asked, "When are we going to get her? And the rest of the royals for that matter?"

"Chrysalis is going to get her's coming up soon.." Masai paused, "Actually, if we get word on Ozymandias' whereabouts, we'll deal with Chrysalis and Celestia and all of them before we get to Oz, I want to see Ozymandias in fear of our actions before we get to him"

"You know what? I want a scar" Lavo randomly said, "Across the face, all that shit, I hope that Project Anarchy gets me one"

"Is that so, man?" Masai questioned.

"Really?" Mimic asked.

"I don't mean to be a drag but, and I'm pretty sure Mimic can vouch for me on this, but getting these scars hurt like hell" Masai told Lavo.

"I agree" Mimic said with his mouth full.

"But they look good, brother" Lavo said.

Masai and Mimic looked at him with smug expressions,

"I don't mean good in the sense you look good... but I'm not saying that either..." Lavo stuttered.

"What do you mean then?" Masai asked with a chuckle in his voice.

"I mean they look cool" Lavo explained.

"Well, Lav, when Revi gave me this scar it hurt like a goddamn bitch. You were there when it happened and Revi had just killed Vekeeli, remember him?" Masai asked.

"Shit, Vek. Rest in peace, brother" Lavo said in his memory.

"Yeah, it was after Revi killed him, then he came to me with a rusty blade, and ran it across my eye. It blinded it, turned it grey, it wasn't good. And I let out possibly the most violent scream I've ever done" Masai told him.

"Yeah, it wasn't good, man, they made us watch that happen to you" Vaako nudged him.

Masai nodded at Vaako then continued, "And then there was Discord scarring Mick. When he dug his claws into Mimic's forehead and then...Mimic let out a scream, it reminded me so much of what happened to me that...that.." Masai paused once more.

The three Changelings budged closer towards him, as they where curious to hear what he has to say. Masai's mind, however, was in the clouds, he tried to find the right words to express the anger and pain he felt as he watched his friend get scarred like that,

"...that when I furiously yelled at Discord, I couldn't bare to see something that happened to me, happen to my friend, I just snapped at him" Masai said, "Lavo, you don't want yourself to get a scar on your face, they may look cool but... you have to realize it'll never leave you" Masai told him.

The three surrounding Changelings looked at him with saddened expressions, they understood what he was saying to them, that the scars run deep, the experiences will never leave them. But Masai realized he couldn't just sit and reminisce about his past, he had to focus,

"But anyways, enough about that, brothers" Masai said, "Let me tell you what we're doing today..."

Masai's talk was interrupted by a flash of green light that appeared near the doorway and out of nowhere, an envelope appeared at the doorway, attracting all four of the Changelings' attention,

"What the fuck is that?" Vaako asked with shock.

"Looks like an envelope" Lavo replied to him.

"H-how is there a bloody envelope there?" Mimic questioned with worry, "Who knows that we're here?"

Masai sparked up and realized who could've sent it, but he wanted someone to make sure for him before he checks himself,

"Lavo, pick it up and give it a read please" Masai told him.

"Okay, Masai" Lavo followed.

Lavo got up from the seat he was in and made his way to the door, he picked the envelope using magic and opened it whilst it was floating in the air, he slid the paper out of the envelope and unfolded it, then began to read it, Lavo's face spoke annoyance, frustration and anger as he read it, making Masai's curiosity rise even more,

"Who's it from?" Masai asked.

"Him" Lavo replied, "It's from Oz"

"Can you give it to me, please brother?" Masai requested.

Lavo nodded and passed him the letter, Masai held it in a magic vice and then began to read it aloud,

Dear Brothers,

I'm just sending a letter to tell you I've achieved my goal of ruling a kingdom,

that's right, I've taken over the Crystal Empire and I'm holding Princess Cadence,

Shining Armor and Princess Celestia hostage, and if you dumb fucks don't trust

what I'm saying, I dare you to visit me. And one last thing for each of you, Vaako,

you're dumber than a bag of hammers. Lavo, you're an obnoxious scumbag who

thinks he's good at magic. Mimic, I killed your best buddy, and there's nothing

you can do about it. And finally, Masai, I hate your guts, simple as that. And if

any of the four of you comes here, I'll be waiting.

Yours truly, Ozymandias.

"That fucking pig" Mimic uttered.

"When I see him, I'm gonna beat the shit out of him" Vaako added.

"I'm gonna kill him" Lavo said.

Masai didn't say anything, he just sat in his seat, with his eyes shut and stayed silent,

"Masai, you okay, brother?" Mimic asked.

Masai breathed deeply, "I'm fine, I'm just... angry. That stupid sect thinks he's above us. We'll prove him wrong, we'll outlive him" Masai said, "But we have other matters at hand. I can't believe I'm saying this, but Oz will have to wait. We need our names spread across Equestria first, we'll start by finding out where Tesla is from the ponies, we'll announce our names at his location. Okay, guys?"

"Yes Masai" His followers agreed.

In the cold and damp basement below, Twilight and her friends were sound asleep. However, for them, it was uncomfortable, with the shackles at their hooves and sleeping on each other. They were awoken by the door at the top of the stairs opening aggressively, and Lavo and Vaako storming down the stairs and taking up all of the ponies with a joint magic vice, they however, left Spike as he was still in pain from his broken finger. Lavo and Vaako placed them all onto chairs, as they adjusted to getting up, they felt horrible, with their stomachs in pain from the deer meat. Masai came up to them and then said to them,

"I need information from you, Elements of Harmony"

"You ain't gettin' it" Applejack groaned as she yawned.

"One of you will croak" Masai replied as he glanced over to Fluttershy with a creepy stare.

Fluttershy looked away in fear, she was terrified of the Changeling. She felt queasy around him, and was worried he might do something similar to yesterday's events when he kissed her,

"What information?" Twilight asked.

"Tesla's whereabouts" Masai told her.

"I said to you before, we don't know" Twilight told him boldly.

"An idea. Give me an idea of where he could be" Masai ordered.

"I don't know...probably Canterlot" Twilight replied.

"Canterlot is gone, Twilight" Masai smirked.

Twilight felt a sudden shiver crawl through her spine, she couldn't believe, her birthplace was destroyed,

"What happened?" Twilight asked quickly and curiously.

"One of the dragons made it crumble" Masai sneered.

"N-no. My..my parents where there..." Twilight uttered.

Her friends looked at her with sadness, they felt sorry for Twilight, and worried for their own families as well,

"Now, Twilight. Me and the Brotherhood have almost brought Equestria to it's bare bones, and now I have you six sitting in front of me, right where I want you to" Masai told her.

"Go to Hell, Masai" Twilight replied with anger.

"Hell? Tell me something, Twilight, my darling. Can you really differentiate Hell and what's currently happening to Equestria right now?" He asked her as he came closer to the point where they almost butting heads.

Twilight stayed silent, she was actually outsmarted by the intelligent insect,

"Thought not" Masai smugly grinned at her.

"You think we're going to do anything for you, you worthless scumbag?" Rainbow ragingly asked her.

"Well, Rainbow Dash, my dear. Considering the fact that two of my brothers are dead and one has left us, I guess we need more helpers..." Masai replied to her a silent chuckle.

"Fuck you" Rainbow Dash replied.

"Oh you have no choice, if you don't do what I want, then I'll kill you all, one by one, starting with the adorable little Fluttershy" Masai said.

Masai turned to face Fluttershy with a disturbing smile, causing Fluttershy to hang her head with fright and dread, she then began to weep,

"Ya lay a single hoof on her, and ah swear to Celestia.." Applejack threatened.

"You swear to Celestia? Hahahaha. I can bring her head to you, and then you can swear to her" He told her with bitterness in his voice.

"If I get out of here, then I'll tear you to pieces" Rarity told him.

Masai thought it was cute when the ponies tried to threaten him, and rather funny, he doesn't fear them,

"And you can get out of here, mule" Masai insulted her.

The word "mule" hit Rarity like a hammer to the head, she froze and felt like crying. The same with when the Diamond Dogs said it to her, but she knows that she can't cry herself out of this situation, because she knows Masai or his followers won't care one bit,

"You can all get out of here, every one of you. It may seem stupid, but all you need to do is tell me one thing" Masai told them.

"And what's that?" Twilight asked angrily with gritted teeth.

"Tell me where Nikola Tesla is" Masai replied.

"I told you, I don't know" Twilight winced, "If he's not in Canterlot, he's in Ponyville. Check there, that's the best we can do, Masai"

"We will" Masai told her.

Twilight was worried for Nikola, as was the rest,

"Why do need him anyways?" Twilight questioned.

"What?" Masai asked back.

"Why do you need Nikola?" Twilight asked again.

"Weapons, my dear. I was impressed with his machine, he can probably make much more explosive devices" Masai replied.

"But aren't you doing enough damage already?" Twilight asked, with a plan in mind to protect Nikola, "The Dragons? Society crumbling? Everything else? You even have us in your sight. Why do you need Nikola?" Twilight asked.

Masai listened to Twilight's point, and he realized something, he doesn't actually need Tesla. He is already doing his job well as it is, but he doesn't need weapons. However, Twilight's reasoning gave Masai a different, and more sinister idea,

"You're right, Twilight. I don't need to get weapons from Tesla. However, that doesn't mean he shouldn't be more involved in this ordeal" Masai told her.

Twilight became frightened again, "What are you talking about?"

Masai didn't reply. He just stared at her, and as his idea become more thought of in his mind, he began to chuckle, and frightened the ponies even more, then the chuckle turned into a horrific laugh, and the ponies didn't know what to make of it.

Chapter 34: Алкохол

Nikola Tesla was in the basement of Twilight's home, sitting on the chair he brought down there, staring at his unfinished machine. It was mid-day, and he was stressed already, he just said to the entire village that he was willing to make a stand to the enemy. He didn't have a clue how to do so though, for the first time in his life, he didn't have an idea. He doesn't know where Masai and his goons are, not to mention there are dragons covering towns with the shadows of their wings. He closed his eyes and thought about his friends and if they were safe or not, but he snapped out of his thoughts once he heard the sound of door knocking from the floor above. He got up quickly from the chair and went upstairs and towards the front door. He answered the door and saw it was Luna at the door,

"Hello Nikola" She greeted once he opened the door.

"Hello Luna" He greeted back.

"Can I please come in, if that's okay? Are you doing anything?" Luna asked.

"Oh no...no, of course not, come in, please" Tesla told her.

Luna entered the house and Tesla closed the door after she came in, he then made his way to the kitchen and she followed,

"How are you feeling, Nikola? How's the eye?" Luna asked.

"Eye's feeling a little weak. I am feeling alright overall though, Luna" Tesla told her.

"That's good" Luna smiled.

"How about yourself? How are you feeling?" Tesla asked her.

"I'm not too great, Nikola. I'm stressed out. I just wanted to come around and talk to someone" Luna told him, "You were the first one who came to mind"

"What do you want to talk about?" He asked.

"Have you ever felt like your life has never been too memorable?" Luna asked him.

"What do you mean?" Tesla asked back with curiosity.

"I've lived for over twenty-eight thousand years, I've told you that, right?" Luna made sure with him.

"Yes you have" Nikola nodded.

"Well, um...in the time I've been living, I've always been in my sister's shadow, I've spent most of my life being jealous of my sister, every now and then there'd be a battle, I'd fight in it and win. But I grew and more jealous, and lost control of myself. Celestia sent me to the Moon, where I stayed for a thousand years. I was alone Nikola, and staying there made me think about everything I done, and I regret it. But once I came back, I realized the world had changed and I had to adapt to it, then all of this started happening, it's like the end of everything and it was caused by seven angry Changelings. I just feel like my life has been all for nothing. Because I know they're aren't going to stop until most of us are dead" Luna explained to him, "You ever felt like that?"

Tesla thought to himself about what Luna is saying, and realized that he's kind of felt the same way,

"You know what, Luna? I guess I have felt the same way. Most of my life has been devoted to my work, I've never really done much else" Tesla told her, "I guess I think I can make a change, and save my friends in this world, after they helped me, I'll save them from Masai, and your sister from Ozymandias. Then I'll probably leave this world. I just don't know how I'm going to save them, for the first time in my life, I'm stumped"

"You know, when you said you'd save them in front of the crowd. You were being brave, very brave" Luna said.

"Someone's got to be brave at a time like this, Luna. In fact, we all have to at least try to be brave" Tesla replied to her.

"Yeah, I guess" Luna sighed.

"There's some cider in the refrigerator, want some?" Nikola offered her as he got up from his seat.

"Nah, I'll stick to smoking, I don't drink, well only on special occasions" Luna declined.

"Alcohol is better than nicotine, Princess" Tesla told her.

"Enlighten me on how?" She asked with a smirk.

"Well.." Nikola began as he got a bottle of cider out of the fridge, "Different alcoholic beverages have their own merits. Take red wine for example.."

Tesla made his way back to his seat and sat down with a now opened bottle of cider,

"I'm listening" Luna told him.

"Red wine, is good for the blood" Tesla told her.

"What about cider, what's good about that?" Luna asked.

"Cider is as healthy as an apple, same nutrients, just with alcohol. Of course, you shouldn't drink excessively or there will be health problems" Tesla told her as he took a sip.

"Hmm, never knew that" Luna replied, "But you mentioned we have to try to be brave?"

"Yeah, Luna. Try to be brave" Tesla replied to her as he took a gulp of cider, "I want to see positive aspects in bad situations, it can help others"

"I see what you mean" Luna said.

"My machine could be complete in a few months time. But I'm not going to continue developing it until everyone is safe" Tesla told her.

"You're a good person, Nikola" Luna said to him.

"You told me before" Tesla chuckled.

"I know, but you are. I just wanted to say it again" Luna replied.

"You're a good pony, Luna" Tesla smiled.

"Thanks" Luna replied.

Something sparked into Tesla's mind, something he'd been wondering for a while,

"Luna, sorry if this question might upset you. But..." Tesla began.

"But what?" She questioned.

"How are feeling now that Sombra has returned?" He asked her.

"When I saw him for the first in many centuries, my heart skipped a beat. I was happy to see him, but then I saw you underneath him, I froze a little bit" Luna told him, "Then that Changeling shot him. That was just awful to watch"

"How's Sombra doing?" Tesla asked.

"Not good, the blast of magic the Changeling gave him, what's the Changeling's name again?" Luna asked back.

"Ozymandias" He replied.

"Yeah, the blast Ozymandias gave Sombra was unlike anything I've seen that's magic related. Doctors said the blast is slowly killing him" Luna explained, "It's ancient, dark magic, wherever he learnt it, it must've been from one of the older books"

"Older books?" Tesla questioned.

"Yeah, magic books before my parents' time, they were used by the Changelings Elders eons ago. In one of the wars, most of the books were burned. though very few still remain" Luna told him.

"You think he has one?" Tesla asked her.

"It's either him or one of his friends" Luna replied.

"Right" He uttered.

"I don't want Sombra to die, despite everything he's done before" Luna said to Nikola.

Tesla took another gulp of his cider, "What kind of pony was he in his later years?"

Luna gulped at the thought of Sombra when he lost his edge, she felt bad just thinking about it,

"He was a monster, the sweet prince I knew before was gone, he was just a monstrous shadow of his former self" Luna told him.

"Luna. Two nights ago when we were talking about this stuff. Our friends and everything, how we miss them, I'm glad I made friends in this world, I'm proud to have you as a friend" Tesla smiled.

"Thanks Nikola, you're a good friend too" Luna smiled back.

Tesla was about to take another gulp of cider when he realized as he sucked the bottle that it was empty, he grunted a little bit and then got up and went to the fridge, he opened it to see there was no more cider, and sighed. Luna went ahead and asked the obvious question,

"All out?" Luna chuckled.

Tesla turned his head to the side and slowly nodded,

"Yeah, all out" He confirmed with her, "I might go out and get some more, I don't have any money though"

"I know a bar where you can get really good drinks, I'll buy you one" Luna offered him.

"No thank you, Luna. I think one drink might be enough" He replied to her.

"Alright then" Luna smiled.

"You know what? Since you offered, why the hell not? Let's get a drink" Tesla said, "Thanks Luna"

"Not a problem" Luna replied.

Gospić, Croatia, 19th April 1879.

A younger Nikola Tesla sat at a table alone, staring out of the grimy window in sadness. Tesla felt sad over the death of his father, Milutin Tesla, who died only two days prior. Tesla just sat there, motionless, until his lover came into the room, Ana.

Ana was a pretty girl, a year younger than Tesla. She had dark brown hair and quite skinny. She came into the room he was sitting in, a living room. She came up to him and greeted him by saying,

"Hello Nikola"

Tesla stayed silent, he didn't want to talk to her. Not just now at least. He just wanted to be alone,

"Darling, please talk. I want to help you" Ana told him.

Nikola closed his eyes and shook his head gently with his fist under his chin as his elbow began to rest against the arm chair,

"I don't want to talk about it, Ana" Nikola told her.

"It usually helps" Ana replied.

Nikola sighed as Ana sat on the wooden stool beside him,

"I just wished I could've been there to see him" Tesla explained.

"Nikola. You can't blame yourself for that" Ana replied to him, "Nikola, people just die, and we have to get on with our lives"

"But he was my father, Ana" Tesla told her.

"I know, and he was a good man. But death occurs everyday Nikola and sometimes we can't stop it" Ana said to him, "Getting over him won't be easy for you, I understand. But we have to let it pass us by"

Tesla sighed, he knew she was right, "Ana, my love, you're right"

Ana smiled in order to try and cheer him up, "I know I am"

Tesla chuckled at her as she came closer to him,

"Cheer up, Nikola" She told him as she placed her gentle hand on his cheek, "Please, darling"

"Okay Ana, I'll cheer up" He smiled.

She smiled back at him and then held his other cheek and gave him a passionate kiss on the lips. She then giggled afterwards,

"What's so funny?" Tesla curiously asked her.

"Your mustache, it tickled my nose" She told him.

"Oh, I'm growing a mustache? I'll shave it..." He said.

"No. No. Don't. I like mustaches" Ana interrupted him.

"Okay then" Nikola smirked.

"You feeling better, Nikola?" Ana asked him with a concerned look on her face.

"Yeah. My father's health wasn't great I admit. I'm just aggravated at myself I couldn't be there to at least try to help him" Tesla told her.

"Nikola, some people can't be saved. But most can, just remember that Nikola" Ana spoke back.

"Most people?" Nikola questioned.

"Nikola. You have a good heart. You care deeply for your family and friends, I know you'd be willing to save most people if you could" Ana replied.

"You think that?"

"I don't think that, I know that, my love" Ana corrected him.

Ana got off of the stool and then hooked her arm around Nikola's neck and sat on his knee, leaning into him. He found it comfortable,

"What do you want to do now, Nikola? I got some wine for us to drink" She whispered to him as she kissed him on the cheek.

"Wine? I don't think I should be drinking just yet" Nikola told her.

"Red wine is good for our blood" She replied to him, "But I know something better for mine"

Tesla chuckled, "Oh yes? And what may that be?"

Ana smiled, "You", she told him before giving him another kiss on the lips.

Chapter 35: Tasks

Nikola and Luna made their way over to the bar from Twilight's home and Nikola's temporary residence. The sky was dull and cloudy. It took Nikola and Luna about five minutes to make it to the bar, on the way there, they saw that the roads of Ponyville were crammed with ponies from Canterlot and other places, their faces read sadness and it hurt for Nikola to even glance at the ponies who lost so much that they've almost got nothing to lose now. Nikola stopped in his tracks to look at the overcrowded paths of Ponyville, he felt sorrow for the ponies and he hoped he could make it right by stopping the Brotherhood,

"Nikola? You okay?" Luna asked him with care.

"Yes, Luna. I'm worried for your people though" He replied to her.

"I'm worried too" Luna uttered softly.

The two then began to walk again in the direction of the bar as they still talked,

"So many ponies lost their lives because of the Brotherhood, Nikola" Lune told him.

"I saw some ponies burn defending Canterlot, Luna. The ones that survived, may or may not have people they can go to" Nikola replied to her.

"I don't know when this will end Nikola" She winced.

"It'll end soon Luna, all wars end" He assured her.

She sighed and then changed the subject, "How's your eye?"

"Still sore" Nikola told her, "But it would be much more painful now if you didn't help me, Luna" He smiled at her to try and lighten the mood.

Luna faintly smiled back, she was happy that Tesla appreciated her help,

"I'm glad to help" She told him.

"I helped someone through this event" Nikola told her back.

"Who?" Luna curiously asked.

"A little girl, I helped her find her mother" He said.

"That's good of you, Nikola" Luna replied as she gave him a bigger smile.

"I couldn't leave her there by herself, but she was terrified, I had to help her" Tesla explained, "I wished I could've helped others though"

"Nikola, you are helping others, you're giving them hope, you said you'd beat them and I have my faith in you" Luna told him.

The two made it to the outside of the bar, The Trapdoor pub, they then looked at each other and then Luna nudged him,

"Drinks on me" Luna told him.

Nikola nodded, "Sure"

Back at the Brotherhood's HQ, the four remaining members had shackled the ponies back down in their grimy basement. Masai had something planned for Nikola Tesla, which was unknown for the ponies and to his brothers. Lavo was reading through old books based on dark magic. Mimic was analyzing how large how scars were on his forehead. And finally, Vaako was pondering to himself what Masai had planned,

"What have you got in mind for Tesla, Masai?" He asked.

"It's a surprise, brother" Masai told him.

"Come on, brother. Please" Vaako begged.

"It'll come very soon Vaako" Masai chuckled.

Vaako then muttered to himself as Masai laid down on the wrecked couch in the hut to relax for a little bit. Vaako then became bored all of a sudden and then approached Lavo, who was still reading his book on dark magic,

"Hey Lavo" Vaako greeted.

Lavo turned and then said, "Hey man"

Lavo turned back to his book and flipped through the pages, trying to find a page on a certain dark spell. But then Vaako spoke to him again,

"What are you reading, brother?" He asked.

"One of the ancient books on dark magic" Lavo replied.

"Oh cool" Vaako said as he tried to get a peek of what's written in the book, "Can I have a look"

Lavo instantly closed the book and then moved it away from him and Vaako,

"No, no chance in fuck, my friend" Lavo told him.

"Why not?" Vaako questioned.

"This book" He said as he pointed at it, "Is a book, only few should have a chance to look upon. I've been looking at books like these since I was five, this book was also written by the dark ones, such as Chrysalis' great-great-great-grandfather, books like that carry the secret to the darkest of dark magic. Fuck, I won't even let Masai look at them or anyone else again"

"Come on" Vaako said as he reached for it, "What's Chrysalis' old boy gonna do? He's dead"

Lavo stopped his friend from getting to it,

"Vaak, cut it out. They're not good to read if you just jump right into it" Lavo told him.

"Fuck, fine" Vaako gave up.

Vaako then went away from Lavo before turning back and asking,

"What was the name of Chrysalis' gramps?"

"Lezaron" Lavo replied, "Some even say he was part dragon, though, I think that part is bollocks"

"Right" Vaako said as he went away, "Alright, see ya man"

Masai then sat back up from lying on the springy, damaged couch. He needed to lie down just for a little bit, but forgot that he had to feed the ponies, so Masai then asked,

"Vaako, are you bored?"

Vaako shrugged, "A little"

"I'm gonna feed the horses, wanna come with?" He offered.

"Yeah, thanks man" He replied.

Masai got off the couch and then he headed towards the basement stairs, and Vaako followed after him,

"So, can you tell me the plan please bro?" Vaako begged as he and Masai went down the stairs.

Masai chuckled, "Not yet, Vaako. Especially not here near them"

Masai then looked at and jokingly winked at Twilight, who in return gave him a cold stare. Masai smirked and then headed to the freezer and entered it, letting out a chilly breeze. Vaako followed after him and the two Changelings searched for something big enough to feed all the ponies and Spike. After searching for about two minutes, the two found a large chunk of meat, a large chunk of wild lynx. The two Changelings hoisted the meat over to the ponies and then Masai roasted it with magic from his horn,

"Best eat up ladies" Masai told them.

"You disgust me" Applejack said.

"Why, Miss Applejack?" He asked.

"Ya couldn't just find us some plants or something?" Applejack asked back.

"Trust me, if you tried the plants around these parts you'd either be hallucinating or poisoned. I've tried. Like one time, me and my brothers tried this leaf..." He started.

"I don't care" Applejack interrupted.

Masai stopped and then stared at Applejack with a smirk, "Bitchy one, aren't you? Well, considering your current situation, I don't necessarily blame you"

"You should learn your fucking place, orange one" Vaako told Applejack.

"Screw off" Applejack said.

"HEY!" Masai intervened before facing Vaako, "Vaako, buddy. Get the ladies here some water, get the pale"

Masai then noticed Spike holding his broken finger in the shadows, Spike gave him a frightened glare,

"Also, before you get the water for them. Get the lizard some ice for his finger please" Masai instructed.

"Sure, bro" Vaako replied before going off to the freezer again.

Vaako made his way to the freezer once again and found an icicle on the wall, he snapped it off and went back with the levitated ice for Spike. He gave it to Spike and then Masai said to Spike,

"Alright scaly, keep it on the most painful part of your hand, it'll numb the pain"

"Thank you" Spike said.

"What are you going to do to us, Masai?" Fluttershy muttered in worry.

"Nothing. Well, I can't promise you that Fluttershy" Masai scoffed.

Vaako went up the stairs to get the ponies and Spike a pale of water. And Fluttershy gulped in fear at Masai's cold sentence,

"You better stay away from her" Dash threatened.

"You better watch your fucking tongue or I'll do something much worse" Masai told her, "I've warned you about that"

Dash's eyes widened and she remained quiet. As did most of the ponies, except Twilight broke the silence,

"Have you got any word on anything?" Twilight asked.

"Well, did I mention to you girls yesterday that my former brother has taken over The Crystal Empire and imprisoned..." He paused and thought, "...Your brother, your sister-in-law and your mentor"

Twilight frowned, "No..."

"Don't worry, he hasn't hurt them. But knowing Ozymandias, he probably will" Masai told her.

Masai got up and made his way up the stairs before stopping and turning and then finally saying,

"Whilst you girls let that sink in for a moment, I'm also going to say I'm visiting Nikola later and who knows, he might come around and talk for a little bit" Masai told them before he went back upstairs and closed the door leaving the ponies and Spike by themselves.

The ponies split the meat between each other and silently ate the meat, upsetting their stomachs more as they waited for the potentially dirty water that they'd have to wash the meat down their throats with,

"I'm sorry..." Dash whispered.

The other ponies and Spike turned their attention to her, confused as to why she said that. She didn't look at her friend, but just stared at the piece of lynx, and began to sniff and cry,

"I'm sorry..." She wept and repeated.

"Darling, what's wrong?" Rarity asked her friend.

Dash sniffed, "I couldn't keep my mouth shut again"

"It's not your fault hon" Applejack comforted her.

Dash cried more before muttering, "I just don't want my best friend to get hurt because of me again. I don't want any of you to get hurt because of me"

"Rainbow Dash, it's okay" Fluttershy assured her, "I got angry before because I just felt horribly used. I appreciate you for trying to help me"

Fluttershy came closer to Rainbow and hugged her, and Rainbow held on tight and cried into her shoulder. The other ponies and Spike have never seen Dash like this before, even when she is even a little bit sad, she remains strong, but now, she's broken. She hasn't got any hope left in her and the others can see why.

Back in Ponyville, Luna and Nikola sit in the Trapdoor pub, sipping from large tankards of peach cider at the bar, just to go over their plans for what they should do to stop the Changelings and save everyone,

"You got any ideas for taking out the Brotherhood?" Luna asked him.

"I need to find out where he is before I make a plan" Tesla told her.

"Why are you just referring to one of them?"Luna curiously questioned.

"I want Masai out for good. He's nuts" Tesla replied, "I'm a little nuts as well though"

"You're not nuts, Nikola" Luna said as she took a sip.

"I'm worried for everyone" Tesla uttered.

"You're making them believe we can beat them, I believe you can" Luna said, "It's normal to fear them"

"I don't fear them, I fear for the people's safety" Tesla told her.

Luna sighed, "Me too"

"But you know what? That isn't even my biggest fear" Tesla explained as he downed his cider.

The bartender came over and took Tesla's empty tankard away,

"Can I get a refill?" Tesla asked, and then the bartender nodded.

"Aren't you drinking a little too much, Nikola?" Luna asked, "You've had five ciders already"

"I'm need to drink" Nikola replied.

"You need to calm it with your drinking" Luna chuckled.

"I'm Serbian, I'm never calm" Tesla told her.

Luna was stoked, "I don't know what that means"

Tesla shrugged, and then the bartender came back with a refilled wooden tankard with peach cider. He started to get a little tipsy,

"You said you have a bigger fear" Luna began, "What is it?"

"Peas" Tesla firmly told her.

"What?" She giggled.

"Peas. I hate them, I can't look at them, I can't touch them, they're so disgusting" Tesla explained.

Luna began to chuckle a little more, "That's so odd"

"Have you got any big fears Luna?" Tesla asked with a slight slur in his voice.

"Being alone" Luna replied, "I've spent a lot of time alone to realize that"

"What's the moon like?" Tesla asked.

"It's beautiful, but cold" Luna replied as she took a sip.

"Huh, I know plenty of people like that" Tesla said.

Luna became intrigued, she actually found Tesla to be an interesting and sophisticated person, with a lot of mystery surrounding him,

"Oh yeah, like who?" Luna asked.

"My lover's sister. She was one of the harshest people ever" Tesla chuckled, "Always going on about how I wasn't good enough for her younger sister"

"What was your lover like?" Luna asked as she took a gulp of her cider.

Tesla sighed, "She was beautiful. Ana, was her name. She was kind and generous, she stuck by me through thick and thin"

"You told me she died thirty years ago in your world" Luna began, "Damn, thirty years ago in this world I was still stuck in the moon"

Tesla took another big gulp of his cider and then got more tipsy,

"The spell you cast on me" Tesla began, "Did there have to be kissing involved?"

Luna blushed slightly, "It was the quickest spell I thought of"

"Really?" Tesla smiled, "Come on Luna, don't be nervous, I won't judge you. You're the third one who's given me a kiss in this world"

"Who were the others?" Luna asked.

"Twilight and Rarity" Tesla replied.

"Oh" Luna said.

"Did I not tell you that already?" Tesla asked.

"No" Luna said.

Tesla gulped more of his cider until the tankard was empty, just as he was about to call the bartender again, Luna stopped him,

"Come on, Nikola. Don't you think you've had enough? Remember who's paying for them" Luna told him.

"Who's paying for them?" Tesla asked with a mumble.

"Me, silly" Luna replied.

"Oh" Tesla began, "Luna, I think I'm drunk" He chuckled.

"You are" Luna smirked.

Got up from off her seat and put Tesla's foreleg around her neck and then said with a smile,

"Come with me, my friend. Let's get you home"

A flash erupted in a dark alley in Ponyville. Nightfall came. Masai and Lavo appeared in the shadows, camouflaged in the dark. Trying to see if the coast was clear for them to sneak around over to the tree house,

"You alright, Lavo?" Masai asked.

"Yeah man. You sure Mimic and Vaako can look after the ponies?" Lavo asked back.

"Of course, Vaako will tend to be violent towards them though" Masai replied.

"Is the coast clear?" Lavo asked.

"Yeah" Masai told him as he looked around the corner, "Let's hustle"

Masai and Lavo were about to move ahead before Masai caught sight of someone important, Tesla, being helped to get home by Luna,

"Wait, hold up Lavo" Masai ordered.

"What is it, Masai?" Lavo asked.

"I see him, I see Tesla. And Princess Luna" Masai explained.

Lavo whistled as he peek his head around the corner, "Damn, Mimic wasn't kidding. She's pretty for a piece of pony flank"

Masai chuckled, "Focus, man"

"Sorry" Lavo shook his head to focus again.

"Let's follow them" Masai told him.

"Right behind you" Lavo replied.

Tesla and Luna entered the dark tree library, with only the moonlight shining through the windows as the only source of light, and Tesla was as drunk as the typical homeless stereotype, and came up with an idea,

"Don't you just have a spell that stops me from being drunk?" Tesla slurred.

Luna sat him down on a nearby seat and then said,

"Yeah, but there's only one problem with it" Luna said.

Tesla hiccuped, "And what's that?"

"It feels like you're having a hangover" Luna explained.

"Lovely" Tesla sarcastically commented, "Well, let's get it over and done with"

Luna smirked, "Alright, hold still and close your eyes"

Tesla followed Luna's instructions and breathed deeply. Luna placed the tip of her horn on his forehead and proceeded with the spell, as a purple and smoke-like vapor escaped from Tesla's head and Luna quickly stopped,

"It's over, Nikola" Luna told him.

"Well, that's all good..." Tesla began before seething, "Ow, my head"

Luna chuckled,

"It's not funny" Tesla said.

A deep and sinister laugh came from the shadows of the library, alerting Tesla and Luna,

"It was pretty funny, Nikola" A familiar voice spoke.

"No..." Tesla uttered.

"Who's there?" Luna asked cautiously.

Masai stepped out of the shadows and into where the moonlight was shining, along with Lavo,

"Who are you?" Luna asked.

"Has Nikola told you about the Brotherhood?" Masai asked back.

"Wait, you're Masai?" Luna questioned.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Princess" Masai greeted as he mockingly bowed.

"What are you doing here?" Tesla asked furiously, "Where are the ponies and Spike?"

"At my little home, Nikola. Safe and sound" Masai told him.

Masai came closer and Luna positioned herself for an attack before Masai,

"Oh no, Luna. I wouldn't do that" Masai told her as Lavo positioned himself for an attack.

Luna backed up,

"Wow, did I do that to your eye?" Masai asked Tesla with a laugh in his voice.

Tesla seethed his teeth, "Why are you here, Masai?

"I want to make a little arrangement with you, Nikola" Masai replied.

"What is it?" Nikola asked with anger.

"A series of tasks" Masai told him.

"You're being vague, Masai. I need more details" Nikola said.

"Then come with me and Lavo back to my place. We'll discuss the larger details there" Masai explained.

"Will I see them?" Nikola asked, "Will I see the girls?"

"If you want" Masai optioned.

Nikola turned to Luna,

"I need to do this, Luna" Tesla told her.

"I understand" Luna replied.

"I'll be back in a bit" He explained.

Luna came closer to Nikola and hugged him tightly, he hugged her back,

"Be careful this time, okay" Luna began as she let him go, "Don't return with another eye for me to stitch"

"I'll be careful" Tesla told her.

Tesla turned back to Masai,

"I'm ready to go" Tesla told him.

"Alright, Mister Tesla. Come with me" Masai replied.

Chapter 36: The Hut

A bright green flash occurred just outside the familiar changeling hut in the badlands, the flash erupted into a bigger fiery source of light, and out of it came three figures; Masai, Tesla and Lavo. The leading changeling stepped out the green fire, followed by the pony and the other changeling,

"Well, Nikola," Masai began as he turned to face Nikola, "Welcome to my humble abode."

"Well Masai, I didn't know you to expect what humble is," Tesla uttered, "Where are we?"

"If I told you that, I'd be putting me and my brothers in more risk. I'm not as dumb as you think, Nikola," Masai told him.

"You're still dumb. You're already at risk. You, your brothers and Ozymandias are currently the most wanted men in Equestria," Tesla told him.

"Did you get a letter from Ozymandias as well?" Masai questioned.

"Yes," Tesla replied, "He failed at killing Sombra."

"He's a failure at most things," Masai said.

Masai, Lavo and Tesla made it up to the door, Masai opened it and then pointed to the inside and then said,

"After you, gorgeous."

Nikola glared at Masai with a confused expression, then looked at Lavo,

"I'm pretty sure he was talking to you," Lavo told the inventor.

Nikola hesitantly stepped into the filthy pigsty of a hut. The roof looked like in had the texture of charred wood, and the smell from beneath them made Nikola's eyes water and his nose nip. Masai and Lavo went ahead of him, whilst the two other changelings, Mimic and Vaako, glared intensely at his arrival,

Once Masai made it up the same table where he made his arrangement with Discord, he said, "Take a seat."

Tesla, whilst remaining silent, quickly paced himself over to the chair that Masai directed him to and sat in it. Masai then sat across the table in front of Nikola,

"Where are the girls and Spike, Masai?" Nikola asked very forwardly.

"In good hands," Masai replied.

"Don't test me," Tesla stated.

Masai smirked, "How's the eye Nikola? Does it sting?"

"Yes," Nikola replied.

"Shame really, you didn't even put up a good fight," Masai told him.

"You cheated, you teleported behind me," Tesla explained.

Masai laughed, "If I didn't you still wouldn't be able to kick my ass, old man."

"Why did you bring me here? Are you still needing me?" Nikola asked.

"Needing you?" Masai asked, "No. I don't need you. I want you to do a series of tasks though."

"What do I get in return for these tasks, Masai?" Tesla questioned.

"Your friends," He replied, "Temporary safety, at least."

Tesla got puzzled. Why let them go? If you plan to kill them anyways?, he thought,

"Nikola. Each task you will do whilst I'm spreading my name across this wretched country will result in you gaining two of your friends back, and when you have only one friend left to get, you can just come here and get him or her," Masai explained, "Chances are it will be a her."

Tesla nodded, "Okay."

"They'll only be released from me so they can get ready for the real anarchy that will come."

"Alright," Tesla said.

"Do you have anything to ask?" Masai asked.

"Can I see them?" Tesla asked back.

"Who?" Masai questioned, "The ponies?"

"Yes."

Masai looked at Vaako and then asked him,

"Vaako, can you open the door to the basement?"

"Sure Masai," Vaako said.

Vaako trotted his way over to the basement door and opened it. Nikola got off of his chair and looked at Masai,

"Go ahead, Nikola," Masai told him, "Go see them."

Nikola went over to the open basement door and looked down the stairway to see Twilight and the others. Twilight turned her head to see him, the look on her face cried rejoice,

"Nikola..." She wept with happiness.

Everyone turned to look at him, as he smiled at them, he then approached them as they all spoke his name in relief,

"Nikola!" Some of them screamed.

Once Tesla made it down there, he greeted them all with hugs as they surrounded him, except from Spike, who was still clenching his finger,

"What are you doing here, Nikola?" Twilight asked.

"I'm making arrangements with Masai, he says you can be released if I'm able to do a series of certain tasks," He explained.

"Darling, it's wonderful to see you again," Rarity told him.

"Same with you, Rarity," He smiled gently, "Are you all okay?"

The smiles on the ponies quickly faded into sad expressions,

"Spike's finger was broken..." Pinkie began.

"...and Masai..." Fluttershy paused, "...he...used me..."

Nikola's face turned angry all of a sudden and grew concern for his friends and Masai came down the stairs along with Vaako, once he made to the bottom, Tesla stood up and turned to face him,

"What did you do to them?" He growled.

"Oh, I broke Spike's finger and I..." Masai paused as he smirked evilly at Fluttershy.

Tesla looked at Fluttershy, whose face cried worry and sadness, he looked back at Masai,

"HEY!" He shouted, "What did you do to her?"

Masai smiled at him, "Nothing she couldn't handle."

Nikola set up for a swipe to Masai's face and Vaako stood in his way,

"I wouldn't, old boy," Vaako told him.

"I'll hit you instead," Nikola replied.

Vaako's eyes widened as Nikola made a left hook to his face, before Masai shoved Vaako out of the way and blocked Nikola's attack,

"If you wanted to fight, Nikola. You should've just asked," Masai told him, "Doesn't mean you get to hit my brother."

Tesla grew more angry and then attempted to hit Masai again, Masai dodged,

"Come on, Nikola. Luna said she doesn't want to stitch your other eye."

Tesla stopped and stood his ground, Masai smirked again,

"Got any other questions you want to ask about the tasks?" Masai asked him.

"What's my first task?" Tesla questioned.

Masai glanced at the ponies, "Before we discuss that, we should go back upstairs."

Masai made his way up the stairs along with Vaako, Tesla looked at the girls and Spike,

"I'll get you all out of here. I promise you all," Nikola told them with a small reassuring smile.

"I know you will," Twilight replied with a similar smile.

Nikola turned back and made his way back up the stairs, the basement door closed behind him, and Mimic directed him but to his seat back at the table,

"Why didn't you just tell me in the basement, Masai?" Nikola asked as he placed himself on the rickety chair.

"I don't want to scare them," Masai explained, "You see, Nikola darling. I've got a big task for you."

Nikola sat forward, "I'm listening."

Masai chuckled, "How do you feel about slaying a dragon?"

Tesla froze as his eyes bulged open. What?, he thought. Masai didn't possibly mean that he had to slay one of the great dragons. Tesla looked around and saw that Masai's brother's expressions were just as surprised as his,

"You surely don't expect me to be able to take down who I think you're talking about, Masai?" Tesla asked him with worry.

"Why not?" Masai asked back, "There were ponies able to take down the great dragons before. Lyth and Umberoth are the only ones left because of them, why don't you think you can do it?"

"I don't know, maybe because they're huge!" Tesla sarcastically shouted at him.

Masai chuckled, "Nikola, I believe you can do it."

"That means a lot coming from someone as psychotic as you," Tesla said.

"Well then, that settles it. If you are able to kill Umberoth or Lyth, I will release two of the peeps who are down there. If you fail, well then, I guess you die and they're fucked," Masai explained.

"I won't do it," Nikola firmly told him.

"What else can you do, Nikola?" Masai questioned him, "You don't know where we are. You won't be able to take all of us out and take the ponies away with you. This is your only option, Nikola. It's fuck or walk, my friend."

Nikola realized Masai was right. What else could he do? Nikola sat there, knowing that this was his only option to save his friends. He couldn't do anything else,

"So, Nikola. Are you going to do it?" Masai asked.

Tesla sighed, "Yes."

"Good good, deary," Masai said.

Tesla shook his head in defeat,

"Why are you doing this?" Tesla asked him.

"This world has done nothing but betray us, we just want to mess around," Masai explained, "I have a vendetta against the Elements of Harmony downstairs, mainly because they're responsible for the death of my brother by blood."

"I'm sure they didn't mean it," Nikola defended his friends, "They were only protecting themselves."

Masai chuckled ignorantly, "Nikola, all changelings were raised to believe ponies are bad. I also see that changelings are just as bad."

"I know seven of them..." Tesla paused, "Oh wait... five."

Masai frowned and snorted, the rest of his brothers did so as well, "Don't you dare mention them, they died for the Brotherhood."

"They were killed by a brother, Masai," Nikola argued, "Discord died for your fucking dumb Brotherhood as well!"

Tesla then pointed at Lavo before taking a deep breath,

"He was killed by him..." Nikola added.

The pointed to Vaako,

"...and by him," He stated, "And you caused it."

"Don't blame me. Blame Chrysalis," Masai told him.

"Why would I blame her?" Nikola asked, puzzled, "I've never even met the woman."

"She's the reason you and I are sitting in this shitty little hut right now, Nikola."

"How come?" Nikola quizzed.

"Before we became the Brotherhood, we were a platoon in the Changeling army. And after the botched raid in Canterlot, Chrysalis went apeshit. Off her nut. She killed our families and most of our platoon before banishing us. Only us," Masai explained before blanking out in his own thoughts, "Only us..."

"Masai," Nikola tried getting his attention, but Masai's mind was elsewhere, "Masai!"

Masai snapped back into reality, "What?"

"Is that all you need to tell me, about my task?" He asked, "That I just need to kill one of the dragons?"

"Yes."

"Only one?" Nikola made sure.

Masai nodded, "You can't get help from anyone either unless you need it, and you can only ask one person for help."

"Alright," Tesla sighed.

"I'll see to Lavo's teleporting you home. I bid you luck, deary. You'll need it," Masai wished him.

Masai turned to look at Lavo and nodded at him as a sign of to take Tesla back to the treehouse. Tesla stood up from his chair as Lavo passed him by, and jerked his head forward to signal Tesla to come with him. Lavo opened the front door out into the cold dark wastes, and before Tesla was able to step outside, Masai stopped him for one last thing,

"Tesla. As a changeling I'll be true to my word," He told Tesla.

"If there is one thing I've learnt from changelings, Masai. It's that you're not true to your word. But this is the only option I have," Nikola replied.

Lavo proceeded to create a portal with his powerful magic, a black portal with green edges,

"Will this take me back to the same place?" Tesla asked Lavo.

"Probably," Lavo shrugged, "I'm not coming with you in case Luna attacks me."

"Fair point," said Nikola.

Nikola, without bidding farewell, stepped into the portal and the portal shut like a bear-trap. Lavo snorted and approached his home, and entered. As he passed by everyone, Mimic went over to Masai and asked,

"Think he'll actually beat one of the dragons?"

"Don't know, we'll just have to wait and see brother," Masai replied with a cheerful smile

Chapter 37: Iron Hoof

What did he mean Tesla is the worst of my problems?, Ozymandias thought to himself. What was The Truth trying to tell him? Oz didn't believe he was going to die just yet, or even die at the hands of Tesla. Because even though he suffered minor but painful injuries from Tesla, he thought he was just a frail, weak old man. Ozymandias couldn't put his new iron hoof on what the "Coffin Jockey" was trying to tell him. And it was annoying Oz as the old spirit wasn't around him to tell him what he meant, Oz actually kind of missed The Truth, the closest thing to a friend for him after killing Kephri and Incognito.

Oz sat on his throne, head on his hoof. Angry. But satisfied with his achievement. He got up from his throne, and made his way to his new bedroom to sleep. The hall was grand in his mind, he had never seen walls as wide or colors so vibrant in his entire life, mainly due to the fact he's lived most of his life in the badlands.

Whilst ascending the stairs, he glanced out of the window, looking out to the Crystal Empire, smoke rising from a building nearby. Oz stopped in his tracks and stared further into his city, with the ponies running in fear and diamond dogs running rampant in street in search of more and more gems. He smiled at the sight and moved onward to his room, but before he could step inside his room, he heard footsteps from behind him coming up the stairs. He hoped it would be The Truth, but he was proved wrong by the sound of raspy, dog-like breathing,

"King Ozymandias," The mutt said out of breath.

"Yes?" Oz asked as he turned around.

"We brought a pony who was mocking you through song, we need you to sentence him, my lord," The dog explained as he knelt to his superior.

"Stand, dog," He commanded.

The dog had risen at Oz's request, and stood straight like a soldier. Ozymandias enjoyed his new found sense of leadership, something that was absent in his time with The Brotherhood,

"What is your name?" Ozymandias asked.

"Wesley, Your Grace" The large bull-dog replied.

"Take me to this pony who mocked me."

Without hesitating, the dog nodded, "Of course, sir. Follow me."

Once he made it back to the throne room, Ozymandias caught sight of two of his guard, holding a turquoise blue crystal pony, with a violin underneath him, Oz became curious as to what this pony was singing about him. Oz made it to his throne, and sat himself comfortable in his seat. The turquoise blue pony widened his eyes in fear of his new king,

"Do you know who I am?" Oz asked the pony.

The pony stuttered, "Ye...yes, King Ozymandias."

"What is your name?" Ozymandias asked him in a seemingly nice way.

"Royale Strings," The pony introduced himself.

"If I have been mistaken, I hear you've been singing songs about me. And ones not in my honor," Oz interrogated.

Royale nodded, "Yes, my Lord."

"May I ask you to sing one of those songs?" Oz asked as he rested his chin on his hoof against the arm of his throne.

Royale gulped in fear, "N...now?"

"Yes, with your violin, Mister Strings," Ozymandias ordered before saying to his guard, "Let him be, guards. And let him play his song."

The dog guards followed their better's order, the blue pony fell to the ground. He glanced at Ozymandias who gave him an angry smile and slightly nodded. The pony found his hooves and stood up straight, with his violin in his hooves of his forelegs,

"Well, Stringy," Ozymandias began coldly, "Play."

Strings gulped before playing his violin and started to sing,

"Snaffle the gems, crack the grounds.

That's what Oz did, with his hounds.

And as he made us whine and groan.

He was on his way to take the throne.

He bottled us in and took our shards,

crashing through buildings and killing our guards.

He's dumber than Sombra and less than great,

And he's leading us to a stupid fate.

He's locked up the prince and princesses too,

And he'll have our heads if we say boo.

But cry as we must and cry as we may,

The Idiot King is here to stay..."

Ozymandias looked at the musical pony with a face that read impressiveness and disgust. The blue pony was worried already by what he sang to his new king. Ozymandias got up and made his way over to him and got right in his face,

"Impressive song..." Oz began, "But you must be over your fucking head, if you think I'm dumber than Sombra."

"I'm sorry, my lord," Strings winced as tears started to flood around his eyelids.

"Don't cry," Oz ordered.

"Sorry," He repeated and sniffed.

"I can't let you go unpunished, Royale Strings," Oz told him, "SO. I'll give you an option. Your tongue or your front hooves?"

"Pardon me, sire?" Royale questioned.

"You can only keep one."

Royale stammered, "N...no...I need my hooves for the violin..."

"Well then, that settles it. We'll take out your tongue. That way you won't be able to sing about this 'Idiot King'," Oz told him sarcastically.

"NO SIR! PLEASE DON'T!" The musician sniveled.

Ozymandias got off his throne and broken off a piece of shard by a nearby broken pillar, he went over to one of his canine guards and handed him the sharp shard and said,

"Cut off his tongue slowly," He told his guard as he looked at Strings, "Make sure he chooses his last words wisely before he never uses them again."

His guard dog nodded as he made his way over to Strings. The musician tried to run away but didn't make it far. Three dogs caught up to him. Ozymandias made his way to the stairs before was able to catch the dog guards forcing him to stick out his tongue, and as Oz ascended the stairs, he missed out the violence. And only heard the screams of terror that echoed throughout the palace.

Ozymandias grew more tired, but also grew more excited of his upcoming events. Against Masai, the Brotherhood, Sombra, Tesla, etc. He felt a shiver crawl up his spine after the wails of horror from Royale stopped as the cold silence took over, only the creaks from his opening doors that broke it.

He slept in Prince Cadence and Prince Shining Armor's room. A large, grand and comfy room, with a huge bed, and pretty shiny decor. It was far from what Ozymandias felt as "Homey", but that's because he's not used to brighter colors.

He made it up to his bed, or rather, their bed, he laid down on it as got himself comfortable as he sighed, yawned and closed his eyes. Thinking to himself that he's already won his battle and that no one could stop him, he was far from right,

"Hello Ozymandias," A voice greeted him from the thin air.

Oz opened his eyes and chuckled, "I almost missed you, Truth."

The Truth appeared on the other side of the bed, "Did you really?"

"Why even ask that?" Ozymandias asked harshly, "You know the answer anyway."

"You're right, for once, I do know the answer. I just like hearing people admit them," The Truth testified.

"Right for once?" Oz questioned, "Oh, you must've heard that shitty song as well."

"At least it was accurate."

"Fuck you. I'm not an idiot," Ozymandias told him.

"You're right, you're not an idiot. You're worse than that," The Truth replied carnivorously.

"I would so kill you right now if I know you weren't a figment of my... fucking stupid imagination," Ozymandias threatened.

The Truth turned aside on the bed,

"You're not even here and I'm just speaking to myself," Ozymandias gave in.

"I do exist though, king. I'm a time travelling, world jumping, sarcastic source of wisdom to many ponies and creatures alike," The Truth explained, "You happen to be one of my favorite victims."

"Stop bullshitting me, Truth."

"You really are an idiot king, I'm cursed to tell the truth, I can't lie to anyone. Sometimes it actually pains me to do so," The Truth told him.

"How does it hurt you?" Oz asked, with curiosity.

"Try telling a widower her husband isn't coming back from a battle. Try telling a father his daughter isn't going to make it," The Truth spoke.

Oz scoffed coldly, "I could do that easily."

"Unlike you, Ozymandias. I have emotions aside from hate and anger," Truth sarcastically replied.

"Fuck you," Ozymandias growled.

"I rest my case."

Ozymandias shook his head and annoyance, he wanted to insult The Truth more but realized that he would only snark back at him. Oz got off his bed and made it towards a near-by make-up desk which was Cadence's, Oz had left several bottles of alcohol for himself there in-case he wanted to drink some, and he took a bottle just then,

"Trottingham Red Wine from the second age. Expensive stuff," Oz spoke to himself before turning to The Truth, "Want some?"

"Thanks, but no thanks. I haven't drank any alcohol in a hundred years, I'm keeping that record up," The Truth explained.

Oz shrugged, "Suit yourself," He said as he opened the bottle.

Ozymandias went back to the bed with the bottle in his magic vice,

"What did you mean Tesla's the worst of my problems?" Ozymandias questioned.

"He's the one who's going to stop you," The Truth answered with vagueness.

"Tell me more," Oz commanded.

"I can't. I can't tell you more. I can't tell you whether or not if he's going to kill you, or just bring you to justice. I'm not allowed to say," The Truth told him.

"Why not?" Ozymandias asked in annoyance.

"I'm just... not."

Oz shook his head and gulped the wine,

"That's not how you drink wine," The Truth said.

"Fuck off," Ozymandias uttered.

"You know that pony whose tongue got gouged out was a married pony? Playing on the streets for his family, he has two kids," The Truth told him.

"Why should I give a shit?" Ozymandias asked him, "You trying to guilt-trip me isn't going to work, Coffin Jockey."

"I'm just saying, if you keep up the act of being a less intimidating Sombra. They could overthrow you when the time comes, that could when Tesla arrives," The Truth explained.

"Less intimidating? I don't think you saw the fear that was in Strings' eyes," The "King" told the old spirit.

"I did, I saw the fear. Sombra was worse though, he made the ponies scared to even think," The Truth replied, "And no matter how much you try, you are never, ever, going to exceed that amount of fear in your life. Because you are a worthless piece of scum, Ozymandias. And you can't seem to get that through your hollow skull, can you?"

"I'll prove you wrong," Ozymandias threatened as he downed his wine.

"That's the thing, you dense idiot. You can't. I'm the truth. It's. In. My. Name," The Truth thoroughly expressed.

"I can't un-fuck myself from this situation can I?" Oz asked, a little tipsy.

The Truth shook his head, knowing Ozymandias wouldn't remember this conversation due to the drink, "No, you can't son."

Ozymandias angrily gulped down what was left in the bottle. He was raging inside. After he finished his drink he smashed the bottle against the floor. He sighed and closed his eyes,

"I'll be waiting for everything that comes to me, just you wait, Truth. Just you wait," He said to the Truth.

Oz kept his eyes closed and realized the Truth wasn't answering. Have I finally shut him up?, He thought to himself. He opened his eyes and turned to his side. The Truth was gone. Vanished. And as Ozymandias knew that the Truth would be lurking in the winds, he repeated,

"Just you wait, Truth. Just you wait."

Chapter 38: Set

Luna was asleep on a chair in the kitchen, sleeping was untypical, even for her. She grew tired waiting for Tesla to come back, the stress of keeping control of the townsponies didn't help either. She was knackered. The ambiance of the entire tree library also helped her sleep. Silence. Everywhere. Until something occurred just a few paces away from the front door, a fizzle. A small spark of green light, which soon erupted into a dark conglomeration of black and green which happened to be a portal, and out came the hoof of Nikola Tesla, then his other hoof, then his entire body. The portal closed.

The noise woke Luna up in a fright, she pounced up from her seat to see Tesla coming out of the portal. She rushed to him as the portal closed and hugged him,

"Are you okay?" She asked him.

Tesla hugged her back, "I'm fine Luna."

"What happened?" Luna questioned, "Where's the girls?"

"They're still there," He began, "Luna. I need to tell you something."

"No way. You're kidding me," Luna couldn't believe, "They can't expect you to kill one of them, they're gigantic."

"It's the only way I'll be able to save them," Nikola said to her, "If I don't do this, they won't escape."

"Take into account that if you do this, Nikola. You can die..." She replied.

"I know the risks Luna. I need to try though," He explained to her, "Luna. I'm doing this for everyone."

"Let me help you!" She suggested.

"I can't get your help unless I really need it," Tesla spoke.

She tilted her head to the right, "You're going up against one of the largest dragons in Equestrian history, you'll need all the help you can get," Luna told him.

"And my help isn't important at the moment, Luna. The town needs you here. They need a leader. They need you to help them," He replied.

Luna sighed, "Nikola. Every friend I've ever had has either died or left. Promise me that you won't die. Please."

He gave her a small reassuring smile, "I won't die, I promise you."

She smiled as water flooded her eyelids,

"Cross my heart and hope to die," He joked.

Luna chuckled, "That's dark."

He chuckled back, "It is."

Luna pondered to herself before saying to Tesla, "What should we tell the townsfolk?"

"The truth, Luna. I'm setting off tomorrow for Canterlot, I'll take down Umberoth. Two of the ponies will come back."

"Alright," She replied, "Have you got a plan?"

"I've got an idea." Tesla told him.

"What idea?" Luna queried.

"My machine is still in the castle? Right?" He asked.

"Yes."

"Good. There's a capacitor bank in the machine. If I turn it on, it could explode. It'll be a big explosion as well. It almost happened during my first few days here, if I can just get Umberoth near it, the explosion could kill him." He explained carefully to her.

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea," She told him.

Tesla got up from the seat he was sitting on in the kitchen and got himself a drink for himself and Luna, if she wants one that is,

"You know," He began as he opened his bottle of cider, "I'm optimistic about facing Umberoth. Scared, but optimistic about taking him on."

"My grandfather once took down a great dragon," Luna told him.

"Is that right?" Tesla asked.

Luna nodded and hummed in confirmation, "Yeah, he was leader of the Equestrian Army for a while, and about four thousand years before my parents where born, he took down one of the great dragons all on his own after most of his army burned in the dragon's flames."

"How did he kill him?"

"There's different interpretations from different ponies but I believe this version is the most popular version of how my grandfather killed the dragon, he flew up high into the sky, taunting the dragon to come up and get him and then as the dragon flew up, just igniting his fiery breath, my grandfather darted down into his mouth and burst through his body before he could flame him," Luna told him.

"Wow. That's a big feat," Nikola uttered, "I definitely won't be able to do that."

"I believe you can. You're smart. One of the smartest I've ever met, you'll find a way," Luna replied with a gentle smile.

Luna opened her bottle of cider and took a sip,

"We shouldn't be drinking after all that's happened tonight," Luna said.

"I know. I should rest, I'll be leaving in the morning," Tesla replied with a sigh.

"I think you'll do okay, Nikola," Luna told him.

"You always have faith in others Luna. I respect that. Thank you," Tesla smiled.

"Come on, one last drink. You up for one?" Luna asked.

"Sure thing," Tesla replied.

The following morning came after a sleepless night for Tesla. He was anxious about setting off, but he had no other choice in order to save his friends. It worried him, but he knew he had to do it. I have to do this, He told himself. I have to do this, He repeated this mantra several times in his head before getting up from his chair in Twilight's basement. He sorted himself a saddle pack with food, drink and some tools that he thought would make his entrance into Canterlot much more quiet. He placed them on his back as he approached the stairs and then the front door as soon as he made it to the top of the stairs. He exited the treehouse and sought for Luna, who said she would be in the local hospital.

After making it there, he continued to look for Luna. After gaining directions to where she was, he headed to that very room, and then entered the room: Room 39b.

As he opened the door he saw Luna standing next to an unconscious Sombra in a bed, Luna looked over to Tesla as he opened the door,

"I thought you sent him to a different hospital in another town?" Tesla asked her.

She shook her head, "I wouldn't do that. Not now. Everything is just as bad or worse in other towns, there wouldn't be any point of moving him there."

"Right."

"How's your morning been?" Luna asked with a smile.

"It's been alright so far. I just got up like ten minutes ago," Nikola replied, "What about yourself?"

"Busy," She stated, "It was tough too. Ponies are still in distress, it hurts to see them like that."

"I can only imagine," Tesla replied with sorrow before asking, "How's he?"

Luna glanced at Sombra then looked back at Nikola, "He's dying."

"Oh..." He uttered sadly.

Luna nodded unhappily, "Yeah. Ozymandias' magic blast was near-fatal, it's poisoning his body Nikola. The doctor said he has one, maybe two months tops. I asked if they could do anything, but to be frank, they're all scared of him," She explained.

"He's a scary stallion. He would've killed me if he could," Tesla replied, remembering the fight between him and Oz and Sombra.

"What stopped him?" Luna questioned.

"Masai's threat..." He began, "...And you and your sister."

Luna approached the window in the room and stared out of it, looking towards her palace that lay upon a hill, she then began to weep,

Tesla looked over to her, "Luna, what's wrong?"

She sniffed, "When I saw you underneath him, it didn't look like you, you were broken. When I saw him I didn't know what to think, I didn't know if I should've felt happy, angry, sad or any of them. Then he got hit..." She sobbed, "...he got hit and now he's dying, and you're going to fight a monster. I don't want this to happen... I don't want him to die... I don't want you to die..."

"Luna," Tesla softly replied as he approached her, "You said you have your faith in me, I promise you I'll come back. I keep my promises," He gave her a reassuring smile.

"Nikola..." She choked as she cried before taking a deep breath, "...I don't want to happen. I don't want ponies to die. I don't want anyone to die. I won't take anymore of it if everything gets worse."

"Luna. You're the Princess of the Night, I've heard stories of you being brave, a leader of an army. You're strong Luna, you need to stay strong," He told her.

Luna gave him an optimistic smile, "Yeah," She nodded and replied, "I need... I need to stay strong."

"I know you'll stay strong," He smiled back, "But Luna, I have to go now."

"Oh, alright," Luna replied.

There was a brief silence between them. They stood a small distance away from each other, Luna approached him and hugged him, and Tesla gently hugged back,

"Good luck, Nikola," She wished him.

"Thanks Luna. I'll be back before you know it," He assured her.

"Okay."

The two stopped hugging and Tesla made his way to the door, before he left turned around to face Luna once more, and gave her a nod as a sign of goodbye right before saying,

"I won't be long."

And off he went.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders didn't want to go any adventures today, they were too depressed. Each of them were saddened by the announcement of their close family members and friends being hostages to the terrorist Changelings. They sat on the dirt outside Sweetie Belle's house, looking at the ponies surrounding them in set up tents for shelter,

"This sucks," Scootaloo spoke.

"You ain't kidding," Applebloom replied.

Sweetie Belle sighed, "I miss Rarity. I miss everyone," She whined.

Applebloom patted her gently on the back,

"It's okay, Sweetie Belle. Mister Tesla said..." Applebloom paused as her eyes went misty, "He said he'll save them."

"What if he doesn't, though?" Sweetie Belle asked back as her lips began to quiver.

"We don't know that for sure," Scootaloo answered, "I think he can do it."

It was at this point that Nikola Tesla was trotting past several ponies in order to get outside of Ponyville. The Crusaders saw him and then looked at each other,

"Where's he going?" Applebloom asked curiously.

"Don't know," Sweetie Belle sniffed.

"Should we ask him?" Scootaloo questioned.

"Yes," Applebloom and Sweetie Belle replied simultaneously.

The three fillied hopped up to their hooves and galloped over to Mister Tesla,

"Excuse me, Mister?" Applebloom tried to get his attention.

He turned to face down to her after stopping in his tracks, "Yes?"

"You're Mister Tesla ain't ya?" Applebloom asked with Southern twang, "You see, I'm Applejack's lil' sister..."

"Oh, you must be Applebloom," He said, much to Applebloom's surprise.

She nodded, "Yep."

He then faced Sweetie Belle, "You must be little Sweetie Belle, Rarity's sister I presume?"

Sweetie nodded and hummed, "Yes sir."

"And you must be Scootaloo. If I'm not mistaken?" He asked the young orange filly.

"Yes Mister Tesla," She replied.

"Tell me, what can I do for you girls?" He kindly asked.

"We just wanted to thank you for saying you'd save our family members and friends, sir," Sweetie Belle told him.

Tesla gave them a warm smile, "The Elements of Harmony have done so much for me. I will save them, I promise you."

"Where are you going Mister Tesla?" Scootaloo asked him.

Tesla paused and crouched down, "Okay," he whispered, "I'm heading back to Canterlot."

The trio's cute eyes widened,

"Where the dragon is?" All three asked at the same time.

Tesla nodded and whispered, "Yeah. But I need you three to keep it a secret for me. I'm going to slay the dragon, and in return for me deeds I'll be repaid with two members of the Element of Harmony. Can you three keep a secret?"

All three nodded, "Of course!" They whispered forcefully.

"Alright girls," He stood up straight and spoke in his normal voice, "I'm going to go now. Promise me you'll keep it a secret? I am trusting the Element of Honesty's sister along with her friends after all."

"You can trust us, sir," Sweetie Belle told him.

"Yeah," Scootaloo added.

"We'll keep it secret," Applebloom finished.

Tesla nodded at them with a kind smirk as they nodded back in return. And with that, he set forth on his journey to Canterlot, hoping he won't be set on fire when he arrives,

"I can do this," Tesla said to himself as he stepped out of the town.

Chapter 39: Rouge

About a mile away from Ponyville, and Tesla was already missing interaction between others. Weird of him to miss that, due to the fact he's spent so many years alone to himself and to his work, with the occasional friend and assistant passing by.

He trekked on the sea of dirt. It was quiet. Too quiet in fact. It felt that way, it felt like the world was empty and he was the only one left.

The nearby trees and bushes on the path lightly brushed against each other in the gentle breeze, no birdsong to be heard though however. Nikola listened to the sound of the trees as he looked ahead to Canterlot. Should take me another few hours, He thought to himself as he sighed at how far it was. And with that sigh he kept walking towards the castle on the hill.

The realization of his loneliness and isolation at this moment had hit him hard. He didn't want to be lonely, not now at least. His stomach twisted at the thought of how much time he spent to himself, alone. With hardly nobody to talk to, at least he got a few assistants and friends who respected him, but he wanted more than just a standard friendship, he wanted something more. But he didn't know what it was. Surprising for a man who is often considered one of the smartest people ever to walk the Earth by friends, accomplices and the general public. But for once, he didn't know what he wanted.

As he pushed on for another few hours, left with nothing but the sound of the tree leaves brushing in the gentle wind and his own thoughts. The scenery grew more dull as time passed by, as the trees and their peaceful green leaves have now turned into spit-roasts from one of the dragons' fire breath. Nikola saw that he was wrong about being there in a few hours, and nightfall came quickly for him.

He found a large but dead softwood tree that he could use for sleep. The tree was mostly damaged and the bark was easily taken off by Tesla and he made a fire out of it by using a lighter in his saddle pack for warmth in the night. He rested his head on his saddle pack and closed his eyes, thinking about what he'd do after all of this madness is over, if it ever ends. He thought about spending time with his friends, and completely his machine gradually before eventually leaving,

"That seems like a good plan..." He yawned as he began to drift off, "...a good plan, indeed."

SNAP. A crack of a twig. The sound made Tesla's eyes shoot open like a bullet, he got up on his hooves and looked around the darkness of the trees and picked up a nearby stick and lit the top of it with the fire. He struggled to find any traces of other life in the shadows, he also struggled to move holding the stick in his hoof, tucked in. He heard a rustling in the bushes as he approached them.

And then, much to his surprise he was shoved onto the ground and a dark red figure passed him swiftly and quickly and took his saddle pack and ran off into the deep and dark forest. Tesla quickly got himself up and bit onto the stick that was on fire and chased after the figure,

"Hey!" He yelled, muffled by the wood in his jaws, "Come back here!"

The figure in front of him was quick, but not quick enough. Despite his age, Tesla was fast on his hooves and was able to catch up with the figure in a matter of seconds, he threw the stick away and leaped onto the figure, causing the two to roll over in a struggle. Tesla managed to get on top of the figure and paused when he realized who he decked.

It was a girl. A female Earth pony no older than thirty at the most, with dark red fur and deep blue eyes, along with mane that was a hazy dark purple and almost black,

"Why did you try to steal my stuff?" Nikola asked, on top of her.

She bucked him off and then tried to reach out for the saddle pack. Nikola stopped her once again,

"Stop it," He told her.

"Get lost, man," She replied harshly.

"Why? It's my stuff you're trying to take."

"Can't a girl just make it by? What with all those dragons and what not?" She asked.

"I asked you a question first," Tesla told her firmly.

"Food, I was wanting food," She replied angrily before sighing, "I'm sorry."

The pony stood up along with Tesla, he was confused as to who this pony was. What was her story? What's her deal?

"You're wanting food?" He asked.

She nodded, "Yeah. Sorry for stealing your saddle pack. I've been out here for days, I've not eaten in a while. All the fruit on the tree are either gone or burnt. Please, have you got anything to spare?"

Tesla all of a sudden felt sorry for this poor girl. He didn't know if she was putting on an act in order to make him feel sorry for her but he gave in to it, nonetheless,

"I've got some food with me, and some water. You can come back with me to my fire and we can share some, if you like?" He asked with generosity.

The pony's face lit up like a child on Christmas morning, "Really? Thank you."

Tesla smiled back in reply, "It's nothing."

"Name's Rouge, by the way," She introduced herself before extending her hoof out.

Tesla debated for a little bit whether or not to shake her hoof, but he did so, "Nikola. Nikola Tesla."

The two were sitting around Tesla's fire whilst feasting on two sandwiches that Tesla packed for himself on his travels,

"So, Rouge. What's your story?" Tesla asked.

Rouge finished munching on her sandwich, "I'm a journalist. Well, was. I think I'm out of the job because of that monster."

"A journalist?" Tesla questioned.

"Yeah, for The Equestrian Trotter. I was reporting some cherry orchard festival near Canterlot. Riveting stuff," She deadpanned.

"That's nice," Tesla replied.

"Yeah, I was about when that beast came by," Rouge explained, "I panicked and ran out, I got lost in the woods and kept going further, I've been here for days."

"You didn't go with the evacuation groups?" Tesla asked.

"There was evacuation groups?!" She questions in shock, "I feel like a right idiot now."

Tesla chuckles, "It was quite a rush. I wouldn't be too surprised if there are ponies like you lost in the woods."

Rouge let out a single muted "Ha". Tesla finished his sandwich,

"What's your story then, Nikola?" Rouge asked with curiosity, "What's an old guy like you doing out in the woods? You've got an odd accent, no offense. What's your deal?"

"You ask a lot of questions," Nikola replied.

"Questions are apart of my job," She told him.

"Good point."

"Come on, spill. We're just two ponies talking. It's not like it's the end of the world," She said and then paused and pondered, "Well, it's not the end yet."

"My story is an odd one," He told her, "I'd doubt you'd believe anything about me."

"Ha. We'll see about that," Rouge laughed.

Tesla shrugged, "Don't say I didn't tell you."

"Fuck off!" Rouge exclaimed, "So let me get this straight, you're an inventor. From a different world. Who is helping the Elements of Harmony. Whom of which are currently kidnapped by a crazy group of Changelings. And you're going up against a dragon as one of the tasks they've set for you to save them?"

Tesla nodded, "Lock me up and call me crazy if you want. I'm speaking the honest truth."

"It's hard to believe," Rouge said with a hint of chuckle in her voice, "But it's interesting. Can I hear more?"

"What would you like to hear about?" Tesla asked.

"Those group of Changelings. I like hearing about crazy people," Rouge told him.

"Oh, these guys are crazy, that's for damn certain. There's Masai, the leader, I hate him the most. Lavo, the most skilled at magic and who I think is second-in-command. Mimic, a quiet one. Vaako, wannabe tough one. There's Incognito and Kephri, who were both killed by Ozymandias, who is, or shall I say, was, apart of the group," Tesla told her.

"This Ozymandy-man still about?" Rouge asked him with intrigue.

"Funny thing about Ozymandias. He has taken over The Crystal Empire. Currently right now, he's got Princess Cadence and Celestia, and Prince Shining Armor as his hostages. I need to save them too," Tesla explained.

"Well, seems you've got a lot on your plate," Rouge said.

"You have no idea," Tesla replied.

Tesla relaxed himself a little more by leaning against the softwood tree with his saddle pack beside him,

"I'm out of it for just now. I need to get some sleep before I head off to Canterlot again," Tesla told the red pony.

"Can I sleep here if that's alright?" Rouge asked.

"Be my guest. Just as long as you don't steal my stuff," Tesla issued to her as he pulled his saddle pack closer to him.

"I was just hungry, Nikola," Rouge chuckled as she laid down on the ground.

"Ah well, you got to be careful now, what with all these dragons and terrorists and ponies losing their minds over it. It's crazy," Tesla told her as he closed his eyes, "Night, Rouge."

"Night, Nikola."

Tesla woke up feeling horrible, sleeping outside is not the best thing for him. He woke up with a heavy head and a dust from the softwood in his mane. He dusted it away and got up to see it was a cloudy morning, and the flames went out too. Rouge was still asleep on the other side of the died out fire. Tesla sighed and got up and accidentally stepped on a twig, waking Rouge up,

"Morning," She grumbled.

"Good morning," Tesla said.

"What's your plan for today?" Rouge asked.

"I'm headed to the Palace to fight the dragon," Tesla told her.

"Well, let's get going," Rouge smiled as she bounced up to her hooves.

"Wait, what?" Tesla questioned.

"Let's go!" She exclaimed.

"You're not going," Tesla told her.

Rouge's smile dropped from her face,

"I'm sorry, Rouge. This is a battle I have to fight on my own," Tesla explained, "There's a village back the way I came, you should get there in about three hours."

"No, I want to tag along..." She replied with a frown, "Please?"

"The Brotherhood issued for me to kill the dragon by myself, and only by myself," He said, "Without any assistance."

"How are they going to know I'm going to help you?" She asked, "Can't I just tag along until we reach there? Please. I don't want to be alone, I just want someone to talk to. And I'll help if you want. Please, Nikola?"

Nikola felt sorry for the red pony. And he could sympathize with her too. He didn't want to be alone either, and in his head, he thought it might be nice for someone to tag along with him on the journey,

Nikola sighed, giving into his plead, "Sure. Let's get ready then," He smiled.

She smiled back, "Thank you. It'll be nice talking to someone on the road."

Nikola put his saddle pack on and signaled Rouge to follow him, and the two walked off onto the dangerous path to Umberoth...

Author's Note

Well, hey there everyone. It's back, and Nikola's got a buddy for his travels.

Chapter 40: The Dark and the Moon

Luna sat beside the unconscious King Sombra. Luna eyes and cheeks ripened with tears. His monitor beeped, his body was a shell. Luna still sat beside him, but she knew she'd have to leave sooner or later to deal with politics. She wept a little more,

"Huh, so you came back, Sombra?" Luna asked the unconscious body, "It's funny, you come back after all those years and you haunt your kingdom, then you die, and come back, and you're dying again..."

Luna's throat hitched, she almost choked those words out,

"Remember when we first met? Do you remember Sombra? All those years ago?" Luna questioned, "Those passionate nights... Sombra, I was in love with you. I'm still in love with you..."

Luna looked at him with sadness, and anger, and other mixed emotions. She didn't know how to feel,

"What's the use?" Luna asked as she stood up, "You can't hear me."

She scoffs at herself as she walks away from him and looks out the window, she spots ragged tents of the evacuees, smoke rising from the mountains, she could only hope Nikola was fine too, along with her sister, the Elements of Harmony and her niece and nephew-in-law. She shook her head and tears blurred her vision,

"Look at me, if you can, Sombra. I'm a mess, I've been a mess for more than a thousand years. I became a monster," She sniffs, "You're a monster too, I'm sorry to say. I mean, you come back after I had to kill you, that hurt, hurt like hell. Then you come back and die again. And now..." She lets out a dry, sad chuckle, "You come back and you're dying again."

Luna shakes her head and holds back her tears, she sniffs once more before walking towards the door,

"I'll come back, Sombra," She told him, "I'll come back again."

Luna opened the door with her magic, she wanted to look back, but she didn't. But just as soon as she stepped out of the room, she heard a deep voice call her,

"Luna..." The sick voice croaked.

Luna's eyes widened, she turned around to see Sombra, eyes half open, reaching out for her. She gasped,

"Sombra?" She asked.

She stepped back inside and closed the door.

"Come on, Tia!" A young blue pony shouted to her half asleep older sister, "We're going to the Crystal Empire today."

Her white furred, pink-maned older sister grumbled awake,

"Come on, Tia. Wake up," She told her.

"Ugh... Luna, go away, just give me five more minutes," Celestia huffed.

"But we'll be late!" Luna replied.

"Luna, sweetie, Mother or Father will wake me up, just please? I don't stay up all night like you," Celestia told her younger sister.

Luna sighed, "Okay, Tia."

"I'll be up, little sister," Celestia smiled before dozing off once more, "I'll be u..."

By this point she was fast asleep again. Luna then quietly paced out of her older sister's bedroom and walked down the grand hallway of her family's palace, she was a little disappointed that she couldn't get her sister up but she was nevertheless excited to go the Crystal Empire for the first time, and hopefully she'll meet new friends there too...

Luna was lost for words when Sombra woke up, she tried to find words as Sombra opened his eyes more. They both shared an uncomfortable silence, the sound of his monitor being the only thing making sound in the room,

"Wow," Sombra uttered, "It's been a while, Luna."

That's all he has to say? Luna thought to herself. Damn right too, it has been a while. Luna gave a calculated look at him, he looked around his room nervously,

"It has been a while, Sombra," She told him.

"I feel sore," Sombra changed the subject.

"You're dying," Luna winced.

"Oh," He spoke, "Well, that's what I get after I being summoned from the dead, huh?" He deadpanned. She didn't laugh.

"Yep."

"I need to go. That Ozymandias guy needs to pay. And that Tesla fucker too," Sombra spoke to himself as he adjusted himself in his bed.

"You're not going after Tesla. He's my friend," Luna told him coldly.

"He bucked me in the jaw..." He started.

"You and the Changeling beat him to a pulp," She retaliated.

"That wasn't just me and him, Luna."

Luna scoffed, Sombra adjusted himself in his bed once more,

"I can't feel my bottom legs," He said.

Luna sighed, "You're paralyzed. You're extremely lucky that magic blast didn't kill you."

"It's killing me though," Sombra replied.

"Why did they resurrect you, Sombra?" Luna changed the subject, "You can't stay gone twice."

"They needed help with their terrorist plan. They promised me my kingdom," Sombra told her.

"It's not your kingdom anymore, Sombra," Luna replied.

Sombra grumbled angrily,

"I'll kill them all..." He whispered to himself.

"Stop it."

"I'm serious. I'll murder all of them, Masai, Ozymandias, Tesla, those damn Elements of Harmony, and that little pipsqueak dragon," Sombra told her with a slight hint of anger.

"Sombra, you won't be killing anyone, not anymore, not ever. Ever since you became darkness you've been nothing but a monster," She grunted.

"I'm not the only monster in this room," Sombra firmly told her.

"What do you mean?" Luna questioned.

"Nightmare Moon," Sombra replied, much to Luna's surprise, "What? You think I didn't know about it? I was still watching where I was darkness, how did it feel being alone on that desolate chunk of rock in the sky?"

Luna closed her eyes. She felt like crying. How could he be so heartless?, she thought to herself. She shook it off, as hard as it was, she didn't want to cry, especially in front of him,

"Why say that, Sombra?" She asked him, "What good will it give you?"

"I don't know," Sombra replied.

"If you're going to mock me after spending what felt like eternity in the moon, then I'll just go," Luna told him crossly before turning around to face the exit.

"You don't want to," Sombra retorted, "And well... I don't want you to go."

Luna looked back at him, "Then don't insult me, Sombra."

"Luna, this is the first time we've properly talked in..." He pauses and ponders to himself, "I don't even know how long it's been."

"I remember our talks like it was yesterday though," She pulled off a small smirk.

He smirks back, "Remember when spent that night in the Emerald Gardens? Just talking about anything."

She smiles in reminiscence, "That was after you spilled the wine over your father," She chuckles.

Sombra lets out a deep laugh, "Don't remind me."

Luna and Sombra laugh in remembrance of that moment, before going silent and sad once again. Luna sighed,

"What happened, Sombra? With us?"

"We changed, Luna. I changed," Sombra replied.

"I was hoping you could change again after you came back," Luna told him.

"You can't hope for that, Luna. I've gone off the deep end," Sombra confirmed to her, "I've lost my mind. My soul spent so long in the Darkness it's taken it's toll."

Luna sighed, "Well, a girl can hope."

"An old lady more like it," Sombra mumbled.

Luna widened her eyes, "What was that, Sombra?" She asked sharply.

"Nothing," He said quickly.

"Hmm, may I remind you I'm a year younger than you, old man," She remarked with smugness.

"Well..." He paused, "We're both old."

"You're older," She laughed.

Luna turned around and made her way to the door,

"I need to go," She glumly sighed, "I need to tell the ponies Tesla is safe."

"Okay," He replied, "Bye, Luna."

Luna smiled sadly at him and then further exited the room,

"Luna..." Sombra halted her.

"Yes?" She replied.

"Are you afraid of me?" He asked with worry in his deep voice.

She paused to think, Sombra didn't like that, "I'm not afraid of you, Sombra. But others are. And I understand why they are."

She left the room, leaving Sombra to take in her words. He understood her, for the first time in years...

Celestia and Luna sat in the halls of The Crystal Empire, waiting on their mother and father, Queen Callista and King Sirius speaking to high council of the Empire. Luna sat bored on her seat, huffing and puffing as she stared at the small fountain in the middle of the hall,

"When are Mother and Father going to be done?" Luna whined.

"I don't know, Luna," Her older sister replied, her patience slowly decreasing.

"I'm so bored!" Luna spoke, a little louder than she hoped.

"Look," Celestia sighed, "Go and play for a little bit, come back to our room once you're finished, I'll tell Mother and Father where you are. Okay?"

Luna's mouth curled into a smile and then excitedly hugged her older sister. Her sister was overwhelmed by her excitement,

"WhereshouldIgo?!" Luna asked with a quick tongue.

"Well... um," Celestia struggled to speak with her sister's tight grip around her, "I'd go to the Emerald Gardens. That's where I went the last time."

Luna let go of her sister as Celestia gasped for air, Luna hopped off her seat and skipped away,

"Bye Tia! See you soon!" Luna cheered.

"Bye... Luna," Celestia choked out, almost laughing from her younger sister's overwhelming excitement.

Outside of the castle, within the glassy shrubs, a young foal stands looking across them, grey fur and a dark black mane, his eyes green and irises red, the young Prince Sombra stands, sighing at the sight. An older pony, his dark blue crystal-like body was shining brightly in the sun, stood beside him,

"Sombra," The older pony spoke.

"Yes, Kryon?" Sombra asked back.

"You realize your punishment now, yes?" Kryon questioned, "The one your father told you to do?"

"Yes, I'm completely aware of trite and banal punishment," Sombra deadpanned.

"Look, son. You know you shouldn't be in the armory at the age you're at, its dangerous," Kryon informed him with sympathy.

"But I'm an immortal being, Mother and Father can't control me forever," Sombra retorted.

"Biologically immortal, yes. Physically? No. You can still feel pain, a blade can still pierce your skin and kill you," Kyron told the foal, "You need to be more careful."

Sombra scoffed, "Whatever you say, old man."

Kyron sighed, "Listen, you need to water the emerald plants. It takes magic to water them, so..."

"I know how, Kyron," Sombra interrupted.

With a blank look on Kyron's face, hoisted a pale of enchanted water towards Sombra, who caught it within his magical grasp,

"Come to my quarters when you're finished," Kyron told him as he walked away.

"Of course," Sombra said as Kyron walked away from view, "Jackass."

Sombra walked into the garden, pale in tow, he sloshed against one emerald plant, then another, and another,

"Three down, one hundred and forty seven left to go," Sombra sighed to himself.

Meanwhile, another young pony, as blue as the ocean deep, pranced around in awe and wonder at the sight of the emeralds, as green as envy, as sparkly as the sky full of stars that match the light twinkles in her mane,

"Wow," Luna uttered.

Sombra was still drowsing the emerald plants in waves, not paying any attention to whatever is surrounding them. Luna continued to prance about the garden, her head in the clouds, the bright Sun shining down warmly against her, until...

SPLASH!

Water dowsed her and she quickly went cold, she shivered as her mane fell forward over her eyes. Sombra realized what he'd done,

"Oh no!" He exclaimed.

"Oh my, I'm freezing..." Luna shivered.

"Great Mogarth's ghost!" Sombra said as he approached her, "I'm so sorry."

Luna let out a small giggle, jittery from being cold, "It's okay."

Luna moved her mane away from her eyes and then met hers with Sombra's. Both stuck there, looking at each other,

"Hi," Luna greeted.

"Um... hi," Sombra greeted back.

Luna was awestruck by his green eyes, as bright as the emerald in the garden they stood in, she found herself lost in his eyes, and he found himself lost in hers too, her blue sapphire eyes, wet gemstones, he saw the stars sparkle within them,

"I-I'm Sombra. Prince Sombra," He introduced himself.

Luna smiled, "I'm Princess Luna."

And something beautiful started...

Author's Note

I dedicate this chapter to the late David Bowie, a fantastic musician and actor, known for his alter-ego Ziggy Stardust and his career of 51 years, his roles in Labyrinth and The Man Who Fell To Earth and he even portrayed the protagonist of this story, the great Nikola Tesla in Christopher Nolan's The Prestige.
RIP Mister Bowie.

Chapter 41: The Undying Flames

Nikola and Rouge trekked further for another good hour or two, before they finally stood at the gates of Canterlot. They looked upon the ruins of the once great city, now fallen, rubble, enlightened by the undying flames of a scaly hellbeast. Masai's plan had come through. Nikola and Rouge were struck with silence as soon as they caught sight of the city, they paced quietly into Canterlot, hoping they wouldn't burn with the other buildings. The sky was grey, death was felt at every corner. The castle of the once bright kingdom still stood tall, but just barely, the towers were slanted, almost falling, an endless smog fumed out of the windows, the constant and distasteful smell of charcoal hurt their snouts,

"I can't believe that... all of this happened," Rouge uttered, her voice stricken with fear.

Nikola couldn't find the words to respond to that, he couldn't believe it either. Almost the entirety of Equestria had fallen into... Chaos is dead, Tesla thought. The world had turned into something else. Something much worse,

"We need to keep moving, Rouge," Tesla told her, firmly.

Rouge sighed, "I know. But, Nikola..."

She stood in her tracks, staring down at the ash sodden ground, Tesla glanced at her with sympathy,

"I'm scared."

"I am too. But I need to do this," He told her, "Rouge, I never asked you to come with me. Ponyville is just a few hours away. You can head back, you'll be safe."

"No," Rouge denied, "Nikola. You need help to defeat this thing. This isn't just your cause."

"I can't risk another life for the sake of my own, Rouge," Nikola explained, "I understand your fear."

"Maybe... the fear can help us, Nikola," Rouge replied, "This is Equestria's cause. We need to stand together if we're going to face these monsters."

"We'll stand together, Rouge. I can guarantee that. But it's my fight against the Brotherhood," He told her, "They aren't going to stop until I stop them. I need as much help as I can, but they won't allow it."

Tesla continued to walk, she followed him, rubble, ash and hollow bone crumpled at his hooves,

"They'll kill my friends. Too many ponies have died because of this," Tesla continued, "They'll kill them if I don't stop Umberoth. No pony else deserves to die."

"You ever met a dragon before?" Rouge asked.

Tesla chuckles,

"I have. And he's one of the nicest people I've ever met. He's a small guy too," Tesla replies, his voice holding back a laugh.

Rouge still remained stoic, Tesla noticed this,

"Um... his name is Spike. He's Twilight Sparkle's assistant," Tesla explained.

"Ah, right." Rouge paused, "What are they like?"

"Who?"

"The Elements of Harmony," Rouge confirmed, "What are they like?"

Tesla smiles, "They're some of the most amazing people I've ever met. Pinkie Pie is a hilarious character, very energetic and lovable, caring too. She was the first person to come to me when I arrived here, I feel bad for being mean to her when we first met."

"What about the rest?" She asked.

"Applejack is a courageous mare, honest and kindhearted, she'll stick by her friends in a time of need. Rainbow Dash... she's brash, verbose, but she's loyal, she'd never give up on her friends. Fluttershy is remarkably sweet, I'm worried for her because she's the most naive, the most quiet, the most vulnerable. Rarity is sharing of them, a little bit snobby at times but, she's great," Tesla continued.

"What about Twilight?" Rouge questioned.

Tesla paused, and thought strongly about Twilight, trying to find the right words to describe her,

"Twilight... well..." He paused, "Well, she's... she's my best friend. Twilight's always been there for me, she gave me shelter when I had no place to go, she taught me the ways of this weird but wonderful world, she helped me to try and find my way back home, she's... she's the best."

Rouge smiles, "They sound great."

"They are."

The duo continued to trot across the grounds until they made it to the gates of the palace, the metal was corroded and bumpy from the fires of Umberoth, slanted open very slightly, not big enough to get through. Tesla went over and tried to pull the gate open, but to no avail. His hooves were stained in dirt and soot,

"No luck?" Rouge asked.

Tesla shook his head, Rouge began to walk another way,

"We should find another route in," She told him.

Tesla looked at his dirty hooves then at Rouge,

"Wait," He called to her.

She turned around and looked at him,

"What is it, Nikola?" She asked him.

"In this book I read about dragons, they have a fantastic sense of smell. But they won't recognize something if it smells like their environment," Tesla explains to her.

"Meaning?"

"Get dirty," Tesla told her.

Rouge went wide-eyed at his command, almost like he was hitting on her,

"Call it like you want it, eh?" She asks flirtatiously with a raised eyebrow.

"NO! No! I didn't mean it like that," Tesla retorts as he tries to defend his words, "I need you to be covered in ash to hide your scent, so you can go to my machine whilst I distract and taunt Umberoth."

"Distract and taunt him? That's a death wish, Nikola," She tells him.

"I'm good with my words," Nikola explains.

"You're very concise, I'll give you that," She chuckles with a wink.

Tesla sighs as she smirks at him. She turns around and goes over to a fallen cafe shop, roasted from fire, she digs her hooves into the soft wood, and then smears ash over her face. Tesla was shocked by her commitment to get covered in dirt so quickly. He looked away, grunting grumpily, he could almost hear her smiling from behind him,

"Nikola?" She calls him.

"Yep?" He replies as he turns around.

"I need some help," She tells him with jolt of song in her voice.

Tesla saw her, she was half covered in ashes, her lower body as dry as a bone,

"Can you cover me?" She asked.

"No," Tesla declines.

"C'mon..." Rouge tempted, "It'll be quick if you like."

Tesla rolls his eyes and goes over to Rouge, he dabs his hooves in ash, and then proceeds to rub the ash over her torso. He hears her giggles as he unintentionally tickles her, he passes over her typewriter cutie mark on her left hind leg, then does the same on the right, before heading all the way down with both legs. He leaves one part behind. Literally,

"Aww, stopping so soon?" She deadpanned.

"Christ's sake," He mumbles to himself.

"Hey, it's alright," She comforts him, "I'm covered now."

"I'm surprised you agreed to it so quickly," Tesla told her.

"Well, when you've been out in the woods for days without washing then you'll get dirty. Being covered in soot is the least of my worries," She explains to him.

"Seems reasonable," Nikola responded.

"Yeah," Rouge said, "Do you know another way in?"

Tesla thought to himself as he observed the environment, hoping he can find another way past the gates, he wasn't too sure the gates ended up the way they did anyhow,

"Let me think, please," Tesla requested.

Tesla looked at the charred buildings and carriages, and something sparked in Tesla's head once he saw a nearby one,

"Okay, we'll push that carriage," Tesla instructed, "We'll get it against the gate then it'll give us a boost to get over it."

Tesla goes over to the carriage, and leans against it, Rouge follows him and leans as well,

"Alright, on three. Push gently," Tesla ordered.

"Okay," Rouge agreed.

"One..."

The duo steadied their hooves,

"Two..."

They readied themselves,

"Three!"

The ponies pushed the carriage strongly but also gently, the wheels loosened and it moved unevenly until Tesla felt it soften against the other side of the wall, Tesla offered his hooves to Rouge,

"Want a boost?" Tesla offered.

Rouge nodded, "Yes, thank you."

Rouge stepped on his open hooves and then he hoisted her up. She lowered her hoof, Nikola jumped up and grabbed it and she pulled him up. They carefully began to tread on the top of the carriage until they came to the gate, Rouge climbed over it and Nikola followed after her, and with a quick thud they were over the gate, just more than thirty-five feet from where the dragon was hiding. Rouge felt an uncomfortable knot form in her throat that she tried to swallow down, and the sight of the disturbingly quiet castle sent shivers down Nikola and Rouge's spine, like a barrage of icy spiders. Nikola took one step towards the palace, Rouge reluctantly followed after him,

"When we get inside, what's the plan?" Rouge asked.

"I need you to find my machine. Its a tubular pod, red lever, many buttons, it is somewhere near the throne room. You got that?" Nikola made clear.

"Of course, near the throne room," Rouge repeats.

"Now, there'll be a large button on the right of the control pad, press that button then pull the lever upright, then get the hell from it and find somewhere safe," He continued.

"What are you going to do?" Rouge questions.

"I'm going to talk to Umberoth," He explains, "I'm going to lure him out. I have a plan."

"Tell me," Rouge requested.

"It's difficult to explain, you'll just need to trust me," Nikola replied.

Rouge sighs, "Okay."

Nikola continues to make his way to the entrance along with Rouge, taking each step with caution, they stopped in front of the door of the palace, they opened each of the heavy doors, a loud creak echoed throughout the empty grand hall, it chilled them to their bones, the hall was cold, each of their steps echoed silently. Rouge stayed closer to Nikola, anxious of what was to come,

"Okay, this is where I leave you, Rouge," Nikola told her.

"Don't go, please," Rouge begged.

A ragged sound blasted through from a dark corridor. Rouge jumped in fright and leaned into Nikola, they stared down the dark corridor,

"Is that...?" Rouge asked in fear.

"Yes," Nikola confirmed, equally as frightened.

Nikola walked away slowly from Rouge,

"Nikola?"

He stops in his place and looks at her,

"Be safe," Rouge says.

"I'll try," Nikola smiled, trying to remain confident.

Rouge nods to him and then walks further across the hall, she's got an objective. So does Tesla.

He paces slowly down the dark corridor, the loud snores of Umberoth increasingly grower louder and bombastic, Tesla then came across a stairway, leading him further to inside the hill, the treasury of Canterlot, he kept on trotting further into the depths of darkness... until he came across... him. The beast laid asleep on a mountain of coins and diamonds. Nikola felt the temperature rise. Umberoth was coiled up like a snake, his monstrous tail wrapped around several pillars of the underground treasury, his blood red scales, as tough as stone, shined against the gold and silver, the neck was long and slender, his head like a spear, his teeth a million unbreakable blades, his talons as dark as midnight. Nikola breathed shakily at the sight of him, he was terrified.

He slowly makes his way down the steps, his eyes are locked on the beast, the platform Tesla was approaching wasn't too far, it was held up with pillars, covered in jewels. With his eyes locked on Umberoth, Tesla didn't notice the chipped step near him. Tesla fell, right on the platform, knocking off several jewels to the ground below,

Fuck!, Tesla thought, afraid for his life, You stupid old man.

With a tinkle and a clang, the jewels hit the sea of treasure that led to Umberoth's mountain, Tesla quickly crawled behind the pillar as he heard Umberoth's spine-tingling snort. A low hum echoed the underground cave. Umberoth's eyes opened, as yellow as the sun. His monstrous breathing made Nikola's mane stand on end, smoke escaping his flared nostrils,

"Who is it that disturbs my slumber?" His deep baritone voice booms out.

Tesla steadied his breathing as he heard Umberoth stand, the coins shuffled beneath his magnificent claws, tinkering as he moved. Quakes filled the air which each gigantic step,

"I sense your fear," Umberoth speaks, "I smell your dread."

Each thump of his movement made Tesla's heart beat faster and faster, he was sure the dragon could hear his beating heart. The steps continued until they stopped, an eerie silence filled the air, Tesla calmed down, he breathing went shallow, quiet. He slowly peeked around the pillar and was confronted by two yellow,, giant, angry eyes,

"I recognized your scent," He growls, "I recognize it from the volcano."

Tesla gasped, his heart was thumping against his rib cage, his eyes widened in horror,

"How foolish could you be to return... to me, pitiful creature?" The giant red monster asked, his large head cocking sideways, almost curious.

Tesla was sure his heart stopped beating.

Chapter 42: Yellow Eyes

Tesla went pale, the dragon was staring down at him, eagerly awaiting Tesla's answer, his warm breath blasting at Tesla like a heatwave. Umberoth inhales, sniffing his potential prey, Tesla's blood began to boil, he wished he had a heart attack,

"Well?" Umberoth croaked, "Why did you... come back...?"

Umberoth sniffed once more and further analysed Tesla,

"You are pony... Yet... You are not," Umberoth observed, "What are you?"

Tesla opened his mouth, but words couldn't escape,

"Speak!" Umberoth ordered, "Who are you?"

"I'm... Nikola Tesla," He introduced himself.

"Tesla?" Umberoth questioned, "What a peculiar name. What are you?"

Tesla shuffled to the side, moving slowly across the platform, He won't attack yet, Tesla thought,

"I'm an inventor," Tesla told him.

"Inventor? So you are no warrior," Umberoth responded, "You shouldn't be a threat to me."

Tesla felt a cold sense of relief,

"But... I've yet to feast on any pony since my release from my desolate prison," Umberoth told Tesla.

Umberoth open his jaws, his mouth unhinging like a snake. Tesla smelt his foul, deadly breath and leaped out of the way before he could snap his jaws shut,

"Wait! Stop!" Tesla begged as he stood up.

"Stop?" Umberoth questioned, "You do not wish... to offer yourself as a meal?"

"No, I don't."

"Then why... did you foolishly return to Canterlot? You were begging to be roasted alive... by me. Why else... would you return?"

"Something belongs to me here," Nikola told the dragon quickly.

"You lie," Umberoth accuses.

"No! Of course not. I wouldn't lie in the presence of one of the remaining Great Dragons of Equestria," Tesla told him.

"I'm am... the only Great Dragon," Umberoth informed the inventor.

Tesla made it to another stairway, he carefully trotted down that one unlike the last,

"But what about Lyth?" Tesla quizzed, "Surely he's also worthy of the 'Great Dragon' title?"

Umberoth growled at Tesla, just as he was about to leap off of the final step, Tesla found himself between two monstrous black claws that Umberoth had placed on the platform,

"I've spent an eternity with that green-scaled invalid. He is nothing... compared to me. Ever since I was imprisoned I've endured his presence long enough. I had to return here, I almost expected the Princesses to fight back against me," Umberoth said.

"They fled," Nikola replied.

"Cowards," Umberoth stated, his voiced brimmed with venom and malice.

"They're not cowards. Their army wasn't big enough to face you, they had no choice," Nikola told him.

"Well... that is a pity. I know you're not a coward, inventor. You came back here," Umberoth said, "What is it that you returned for?"

"A suit," Tesla replied.

"A suit?!" Umberoth barked.

Umberoth began to laugh, a loud engine revving, Tesla was intimidated by it,

"You trek far and wide, you return here... all for a suit?" Umberoth queried, almost flabbergasted by the concept, "For an inventor you really are foolish."

"Got to keep up appearances somehow," Tesla lightly chuckled, nervously around the monster, "I left it here before I went to the volcano..."

"Who exactly did you... accompany on that journey? I gathered... several scents from underneath the bridge," Umberoth explained, "Several ponies, changelings and even a dragon."

"The ponies were my friends, the dragon was too," Nikola responded, choosing his words carefully.

"A pony, friends with a dragon? The times have changed I see."

"He's an assistant to one of my pony friends."

"So, in other words, he's a slave?" Umberoth asked, "He disgraces my race. No true dragon would ever subject himself to becoming friends... with ponies."

"He's not a slave," Nikola informed, "He's my friend, and he's the truest dragon I know."

"Well... I guess that makes all the difference," Umberoth sarcastically pointed out, "It seems... to me, you don't know any other dragons. Real dragons"

Nikola grew slightly angry at the old dragon's dry sense of wit, he knew fully he couldn't express his anger, as much as he wanted too, he let out a slight grunt,

"So, why... did you release me?" Umberoth asked.

"I didn't. The changelings did," Nikola told him.

"Changelings? Chrysalis wanted me released?"

"No."

"Hmm," Umberoth pondered, "If not her, then who?"

"A group of terrorists, they call themselves the Banished Brotherhood," Nikola replied.

"The Banished Brotherhood? What a silly title," Umberoth observed.

"Trust me, they're silly. Especially the leader, Masai," Nikola told him.

"If I recall," Umberoth began, "Masai is the one who spouted all that... foul language above me?"

Nikola nods,

"You recall correctly, great one," Nikola confirms.

Umberoth growls and leans towards Tesla, his large skull near two feet away from Tesla,

"Flattery will not... confirm your safety, inventor," Umberoth warned, "I only choose not to kill you, because you... intrigue me."

"Of course, Umberoth," Tesla nervously agrees, nodding his head frantically.

Umberoth pulls away his gigantic head and stares at Tesla,

"You are a very peculiar pony, inventor. When I caught your scent, I also mentioned earlier, you are pony, yet, you... are something different," Umberoth spoke.

"I'm... I'm a creature from an alternate world." Nikola stated before pausing, "I'm what they call a human."

"Human?" Umberoth asks, "I've never heard of them. Do all of them speak with accents like yours?"

"No, I'm from a different country but on my world, different languages, different dialects," Tesla stated, "You speak what I call English. But my first language is Serbian."

"English? Serbian? What odd titles for languages."

"I..." Nikola coughed, "I agree."

"Why did the changelings release me? Surely they must know of my hatred for those insignificant insects."

"From what I gather, they want to spread anarchy across Equestria as a means of revenge," Nikola informed, "They convinced Sombra and Discord to help you escape. It's a terrorist plot."

Umberoth grew wide eyed at that sentence, he exhaled, loudly and hokey,

"They managed to convince the Draconequus and that... that demon child to release me?" Umberoth asked, "Either Sombra and Discord are weak-willed, or that Brotherhood aren't as silly as you've led me to believe."

Nikola sighed and thought to himself, an idea sparked in his mind,

"Couldn't you kill them?" Nikola asked.

"What? No," Umberoth responded, almost shocked by the request.

"Why?"

"I hold the Brotherhood in veneration, they did release me after all. I have a code of honor unlike other beasts," Umberoth told him.

Nikola sighed again, more angrily, Damn,

"And can I give you advice, inventor?" Umberoth asked before approaching Tesla.

His yellow eyes glowed with malice and contempt, complete darkness and hatred hidden within his slit irises,

"Don't ask a dragon to to fight a pony's battle." He threatened.

"I apologize," Nikola gasped in worry.

"If you really returned here... for your suit, why did you come down here to see me?"

Nikola widened his eyes, Has he figured it out?

"I was intrigued to see what you looked like, Umberoth."

Umberoth growls, "Really? You haven't came here... to slay me instead? Because, inventor, that would be a very injudicious thing to do..."

"No, I wouldn't slay you... l-l-like you said, I'm no warrior..."

"But... you are brave."

The fuck I am...

Rouge quietly trotted along the desolate and Chernobyl-esque ruins of the once grand Canterlot palace, her hoofsteps lightly echoing with each movement, her body shivered with each gust of wind that seeped through the cracks and open windows, she would've enjoyed the castle much more if it was more organised and tidy, its lost its grandeur ever since the dragons were released. She continued her way until she caught sight of two massive doors, she desperately wished Tesla was with her,

Damn... to think I'd miss the cherry orchard festival.

She pushed against one of the grand doors, her soot covered body leaving a permanent shadows on the wooden door. She finally made it inside, she was in the throne room. She glanced around at the wide open space and she saw two thrones on the other end of the room, along with what seemed to be a metallic and glass tube. It was the machine. With a sigh of relief she galloped over to the machine and looked at the control pad,

Button to the right... lever upwards...

She repeated that mantra in her head, following Tesla's instructions, she pressed the button and pushed up the lever, and a metallic thunk and electric fizzle came about with the machine, Rouge jumped and looked at it, she knew now she had to hide.

Author's Note

Alright, alright, alright. I haven't heard much on what you lads and ladies think of Umberoth so far, so like me know in the comments. Also, I made Umberoth seem like he's very tired, which is the reason why a lot of his sentences are broken apart with ellipses. Alright, so, Nikola and Rouge will face off against Umberoth soon in;
Chapter 43: Capacitor Banks

Chapter 43: Capacitor Banks

Umberoth stared down Nikola, Nikola felt his inner self shrink, but Nikola still stood tall. He had a goal to achieve. To slay down this monstrous creature of scales and flames. Tesla looked into the dragon's ruthless eyes, those angry eyes, he saw it's teeth, as sharp as knives, yellowed white blades that could cleave Tesla in twixt,

"I wouldn't think of slaying you, great Umberoth," Tesla told him, "I'm smart enough to know that even attempting such a feat would grant me a grisly fate."

"You're not... as foolish as I thought then," Umberoth responded, his brows knitted into a calculating frown.

"You underestimate me, Umberoth," Tesla claimed.

"I do?" Umberoth questioned, "Tell me how, inventor."

Nikola sucked in a sharp breath, his stomach knotted and twisted,

"You undermine my intelligence," Tesla spoke with snark.

"Intelligence? Ha!" Umberoth barked a loud deep laugh before calming down, "I've met many intelligent ponies... more smart than you."

Umberoth faced away, walking away from Tesla, continuing his speech,

"Do you know how old I am, inventor?" Umberoth croaked.

"Older than me?" Tesla asked.

"Funny," the dragon chuckled, "I am. I'm older than the Princesses, I've met many beings in my life. I was born at the beginning, when I was an infant I saw gods fall, cities crumble, the beasts of Tartarus unleashed themselves..."

Nikola stood there, observing the creature and listening to him. Tesla's left ear pricked up to the light tap of footsteps, his eyes glanced sideways and widened to the sight of Rouge approaching the end of the stairs from the previous platform,

What the fuck is she doi-?

"It's on, Nikola," she mouthed to him, "The machine."

"Go upstairs," he mouthed back.

"I've seen... death, many times, it never kept me down," Umberoth continued, not noticing Rouge behind him.

Rouge turned her head and froze once she caught sight of the dragon. Her eyes widened and her mouth gaped open, breathless. She slowly turned to look a Tesla, who was jerking his head, signalling her to go back upstairs, she nodded, her eyes still wide and frightful, she quickly and silently backed away up the stairs, just before Umberoth was able to turn around,

"Let me tell you something, inventor. Whether you like it not, the Brotherhood will win," Umberoth predicted.

"I won't let that happen."

"It will happen, they've gone from pawns in an army to men of their own valor," Umberoth said.

"They're just very lucky, Umberoth," Nikola replied.

Umberoth chuckled, "Aren't you lucky? What are you to them?"

"I'm the one who's going to stop them."

Umberoth smirk until his eyes listed to his right, he caught sight of multiple black circles on the steps that led to the first platform. Nikola notices Umberoth's eye movement. Nikola swallows a lump,

"What are those, inventor?" Umberoth questioned with angry intrigue in his voice.

Nikola shrugs quickly, "I don't know."

Umberoth approaches Nikola and growls,

"Don't lie to me, inventor. Your luck... might run out. Is there someone else here? Have you... come to slay me?" Umberoth asked, his sharp teeth were grinding together.

Nikola opened his mouth, words didn't escape,

"That's right... choose your words carefully," Umberoth instructed him.

"I have come to slay you, Umberoth," Nikola responded, mustering all of his courage.

"Why?" He snarled.

"Because, you're a threat to Equestria. The Brotherhood told me to slay you," Tesla explained.

"You kill me... at your enemies requests? You really are worthless."

"I kill you at their request to save my friends and the rest of Equestria," Tesla responded, "Because after you rest, I know you'll terrorize this country as badly as the Brotherhood, probably even worse."

Umberoth paused, he wasn't curious anymore, he wasn't intrigued, he just stared at Tesla, those black irises, those empty black voids, only anger reflecting from them. The silence made Tesla uncomfortable, to think he wanted the beast to speak to him, and let him know of what the dragon has to say,

"Well..." Umberoth began, "If you think I'll terrorize Equestria. It has always been my dream to do so, I guess I shouldn't disappoint you."

Umberoth extended his neck, stretching like a spring, his spear-like skull bashing the rocky ceiling above him, slowly cracking with every bash against it,

"Equestria will burn, inventor! You will not stop me!" Umberoth roared.

Nikola gritted his teeth, he felt a sense of adrenaline rush through him, We'll see about that, Umberoth. I will take you down.

Nikola knew the first thing he had to was escape the treasury, before it collapses in on him. He galloped across the platform, up the stairs, across the primary platform and up the other flight of stairs. Tesla hoped he'd find Rouge before Umberoth broke through the floor.

Rouge felt a quake, something was happening underneath the floor. I hope Nikola is okay. She tried to find a place to hide, but, she didn't know where, it was all just open empty spaces. She quickly thought to herself when several thumps rumbled beneath her hooves, she needed to go upstairs. But something happened that made her heart skip a beat, the floor began to crack, dust began to rise, quickly, slickly, like a light brown ghost sneaking through the air,

"Oh no," Rouge whimpered.

The dust had risen to her eye level, she coughed violently, her eyes watered. She slowly moved about, she had no clue where she was going,

"Help!" she screamed.

She continued to trot slowly through the brown mist, her heart thumping, trying to escape her, the cracks grew longer, zig-zagging like a den of venomous snakes,

"Help!" she wailed.

"Rouge!" a distant and distinct voice called out.

"Nikola!?" she shouted, "Where are you?!"

"I'm coming, Rouge! Keep shouting!" Tesla instructed her.

"What happened down there!?" Rouge asked.

Tesla bumped into her from her left, making her jump before facing him,

"All part of the plan, Rouge."

Rouge wrapped her front legs around him, relieved he was okay, hugging him tightly, Nikola returned the favor, before releasing himself from her grasp,

"The machine was in the hall?" Nikola asked.

Rouge nodded, "Yeah. I turned it on, I ran away from it."

"Okay, we need to get there quickly," Nikola told her as he took her leg and placed it around his neck, "Hey, this way, you won't get lost."

Rouge nodded and the both of them made their way to where they thought was the throne room, and hopefully make it there before Umberoth finally erupts from the ground.

Past two grand doors, the dust was light in the throne, and a bright white spark flickered off and on on the machine, Rouge took her leg away from around his neck and approached the machine with Nikola, underneath the set of buttons was a latched opening into a part of the machine, Nikola opened it, he saw his capacitor bank glowing a whitish-blue,

"Nikola, what's happening to that box?" Rouge asked.

"This is a capacitor bank, I've managed to make one smaller, using an enchanted agent, I've been able to use more accelerated particles, the magic is keeping it from exploding-" Nikola explained.

"Exploding?!" Rouge asked loudly.

"Yes," Nikola casually responded as he pressed another button on the interface, a ice blast hit the capacitor banks, cooling it.

Nikola crouched over and took out the capacitor out of the machine,

"What are you doing with that?" Rouge asked.

"As much as I'd like to give you a science lesson, Rouge, we have to get to high ground, a tower," Nikola said, "Come on, follow me."

Rouge followed him, Nikola made his way to an opening at the corner of the throne room, leading to a spiral stairway to the top of the tower, the two of them began to gallop to the top, they finally heard Umberoth escaping,

"Inventor! Equestria will erupt into flames! I'll roast everything in path!" Umberoth bellowed in rage.

Nikola and Rouge noticed an orange flash of light at the bottom of the stairway, they ran faster up the stairs, approaching the top, flat ground at last. Nikola caught sight of Umberoth's wings spreading, gargantuan wings. He roared, loud enough that Nikola was sure he burst his ear drum, but luckily, he was still able to hear Rouge, even when Umberoth began to fly away,

"What do we do, Nikola?" Rouge questioned, her eyes widened in worry.

Nikola faced her quickly before looking at the flying dragon once again, he was heading towards Ponyville,

"Get back here, Umberoth!" Nikola wailed, failing to get the monster's attention,

Come on, Nikola. Think! Think!

A brainstorm came, Nikola knew what to do,

"Rouge, go down the stairs."

"What? No! I'm not leaving you here!" Rouge dismissed.

"Go! It's part of the plan."

Rouge hesitated, but she quickly went down the stairs. Nikola knew what to do, he had to call out but one word, one word that would surely bring the beast back. Nikola sat the capacitor bank at his hooves, unseen behind the wall that was keeping him from going over the edge. Nikola took a deep breath, before shouting the one word,

"Coward!"

Umberoth stopped, he kept himself floating in the air, but he turned to face Nikola. Those glowing, yellow eyes, the deep, black pupils, Nikola had finally true fury,

"You dare! You dare call me that word!" Umberoth barked, his low voice echoing.

"That's right!" Tesla shouted, a small smirk curled at the corner of his mouth.

"I was going to save you for my last meal, inventor," Umberoth growled, "But now, I won't wait any longer to kill you!"

"Come and get me then!" Nikola blared.

Umberoth flapped his monstrous wings, spearing closer to the tower, Nikola stood at the top of the tower, the bank at his hooves, but he waited, he didn't show any fear this time. Come on, you scaly hellbeast!

Umberoth flew closer and closer, gliding towards Nikola like a missile locked on his target. Umberoth's mouth gaped open, Nikola saw flickering flames at the back of the monster's throat. But Nikola had outwitted him, he grabbed the capacitor bank from at his feet and with all of his strength he threw it into Umberoth's unhinged mouth and quickly ducked down behind the wall, a wave of flames surfed above him and a loud boom was heard. Nikola then saw the dragon flew above him and veered up towards the sky, a burning and bloody chunk blasted out of his neck. Umberoth flew skyward, screaming in agony,

"AH! YOU BASTARD! INVENTOR!" Umberoth wailed in the worst imaginable pain.

The bank had exploded in the beast's neck, blood filled his throat, he gargled and choked. Umberoth flew, trying to cool his neck down, but he knew he had lost, the glow in his eyes faded and he fell back to the ground.

Nikola stared at the beast as he slanted down the mountain, rolling beside the ruins of Canterlot. Nikola sighed heavily, he heard the sound of hooves trotting up the stairs, Rouge stood beside him. She gasped at the monster that laid down at the hill, blood caked the remains of his throat. The wind blew, a moving silence.

He did it.

He slayed a dragon.

Author's Note

Well, the first task has been completed. What else will the Brotherhood have in store for dear Nikola? Which two ponies will the Brotherhood free? Find out next week, same time (probably not), same website!

Chapter 45: Am I a Monster?

Tesla and Rouge paced around the palace halls, crumbled and decayed. Rouge wanted to ask where they were going, but she saw the look on Tesla's face. His face was painted in courage, yet was fearing... something, at the same time. The awkward silence became too painful to bear.

"Where are we going, Nikola?" Rouge asked.
"I need to pick something up," Nikola replied, "My suit."
"Your suit?" Rouge questioned.
"Yeah, Rarity bought it for me. Forty bits."
"Huh, must be a crummy suit. No offense," Rouge joked.
"Nah, it doesn't look too bad," Nikola chuckled, "I'm still trying to get used to the currency here."
"How...? Oh, yeah, different world," she remembered.

Rouge and Nikola hopped over a large crack in the ground.

"What's your world like?" Rouge asked with intrigue.

Tesla thought to himself, he almost forgot what it was like back home.

"It isn't perfect, Rouge. It's a different world. Less threats like other species. It's other humans who can be monsters," he replied.
"No dragons then?" Rouge quizzed, "Huh, you guys are lucky then."
"I suppose we are. But we humans, we fight a lot."
"Ponies fight ponies too," she said.
"This world is full of weird and wonderful creatures. I suppose that's true for my world, but humans are the most intelligent, the most dangerous. If anything, we're the cruelest animal too," Nikola explained.
"Changelings are more dangerous and cruel, if the Brotherhood are anything to go by."
"I think it's time for me to get crueler in order to beat them," Nikola optioned.

Rouge stood in her place. Nikola dragged his hooves with a tired limp, he continued for five seconds before stopping in his place too and facing Rouge.

"You should keep a clear mind about this, Nikola. Don't stoop to their level..." Rouge told him, "You're a good person, Nikola. You've already done so much good. You can't let this get to you."

Nikola looked down, and with a sigh, he felt a sense of defeat. Everything felt like it was moving quicker than him, and as great as his mind was, it was tough to handle it all. Likewise, he felt the need to remain strong, for his friends, and for Equestria.

"Rouge, I'm sorry, it's just... all of this, it's..." Nikola paused, "To think Twilight used to deal with this all the damned time... I don't know how she did it."
"She had her friends, Nikola. She didn't have to do it alone," Rouge said, "Equestria, we'll band together. It's what we're good at."

Rouge smiled warmly at him. Nikola looks at him and smiles back. Rouge continued trotting, as did he. They continued their trek towards Nikola's quarters, when they finally got there, past the cracked floors and crumbling walls. The room smelt of stale ash, the bed Nikola once laid on now in pieces across the room, the windows were smashed and jagged and sharp. Tesla let out a sharp sigh, he was tired, his forelegs and back aching stupendously. He hoped to get rest eventually.

"I need this suit, I need it to keep appearances," Tesla uttered, to Rouge he seemed a little delirious.
"That's okay. Check in the closet," Rouge said.

Nikola opened the closet, his suit was still there, sat on a hanger, now sugared in dust and ash. His dislike of germs didn't matter to him anymore, all that mattered to him in that moment of time was his suit. He felt his mind begin to twist, he was eerily silent as he stared at the suit. Rouge was unnerved.

"Nikola?"

He glanced at her, a small smile crept on his face.

"I'm so tired, Rouge," he explained, "All of this is insane, I want to take out my brain and scrub it clean, get all of that bad stuff out of my head. I need to focus on Masai, the Brotherhood... Ozymandias... They can't... They can't do this..."
Rouge was tired as well, "We can rest before we head back to Ponyville."
"We should move," Tesla said, "The smell of Umberoth's carcass will keep me awake if we stay here, I guarantee it."

Rouge giggled at his wisecrack. Tesla let out a soft chuckle, he slung the suit off the hanger and quickly slid into it. The dust came off in flaky chips, he shrugged the last patches of ash off his suit. He was pleased with his look, Rouge was too.

"We'll rest once we're far from here, there's bound to be a few fruit trees on the way there," Rouge said.
"Yeah, I'm starving," Tesla said as his empty stomach nearly barked at him.

The journey back to Ponyville started with silence. Nikola wasn't in the mood to talk, Rouge was comfortable to just be in the company of another pony, especially that of a pony who can kill a creature as large and horrific as Umberoth. Tesla replayed Umberoth's demise in his head, over and over. From all angles. Something inside Tesla made him feel alive when it happened... the last screeching roar as the dragon's vocal chords drowned in crimson liquid, the sickly glow of his yellow eyes fading into wet grey stones, the thud his body made as he fell to the earth knocking Tesla back with a small concussion. Nikola was still surprised he could do it, it was a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time, in the moment when he killed the dragon, he felt power. He enjoyed it. He felt like any idea he could conjure up could become a reality. He thought further about his predicament, about Masai and Ozymandias, how he could take both of them down, and he would enjoy every minute of doing so...

No, he thought, Don't be like them. You're better than that. You sound like Edison.

Nikola stood still in his tracks, he looked back to see Canterlot, now far away. He smirked, one task was done. He was cautiously excited about the next one, but equally as nervous too.

If you die, Equestria will be done for, be careful.

"Rouge," Tesla said.
She stood still too, just a little in front of him, "Yes, Nikola?"
"I'm worried about something..." He paused, "I'm scared of becoming like Masai… I... Umberoth, I... I liked defeating him. I... Am I a monster? I fear I'm going mad."

Rouge was taken aback by his question, she felt a shiver. She looked at him intently, she didn't see the brave genius from this morning, what she saw was a hurt and tired man who had to take in a triumphant yet traumatic victory.

"I don't think you're a monster, Nikola," she said carefully, with sensitivity, "Take a step back and ask yourself this, 'why did you do it'?"

Tesla let this question sink deep into his thoughts. Why?, he knew why, it was his task from Masai. But something else let him know why.

"I love this country," he said, "I wanna protect it. This place gave me a home to stay in, food, shelter... friends. I've had so many good moments with them..."

That was it, Nikola had his mind back on track. His friends were the seed of all of this, the times he shared with them. The cart race, the apple farm, teaching him to walk like a horse, it was those moments he cherished the most. A thought that kept passing his mind was if he could never be able to get his machine to work again and go back home, then he thought to himself that he'd gladly stay in this new one.

Rouge smiled, "That's the difference between you and Masai. You cherish life, life for everypony. Even in the face of all of this, you care enough about your friends and the people Equestria to do this, even if you hurt yourself and your mind doing so."
"You know, Rouge, I've never done much with my life. I've always been plastered to my work, always dreaming about if I can do wonders for the world," he replied, "One man... back home, a rootless man told me I'd never amount, and I'd be forgotten."
"You won't. After this, I can guarantee you'll be known forever, at least over here in Equestria," she told him, "And that man who told you that you wouldn't amount? Fuck him."

Tesla laughed, he perked up. He was still tired yet he was more focused.

"And as for going mad? We're all a little bonkers," Rouge said, "There's nothing wrong with a little madness here and there."

Chapter 1: Electric Illusion

Colorado Springs, Colorado. 1912. A dark laboratory in the woods. The lab had chalkboards with mathematical equations on them, it had small electrical pieces littered around the place, and thousands of pieces of paper, with notes of experimental methods written on them. But the main object that stood out from all the other objects and pieces was the large machine in the lab, the machine was a pod with two large metal rods sticking out of the top, occasionally flashing a stream of electricity between the two rods. Nikola Tesla and his temporary assistant, Byron Mason were recharging the machine in order to attempt their next experiment, transporting a watermelon, from end of the room to the other, using the transporting pod of course,

"Excuse me, Mr. Tesla?" Byron asked the inventor.

"Yes, Byron" Tesla replied.

"What exactly are we attempting to do again, sir?" Byron asked once more.

"We're attempting to re-create the same experiment of transporting one object from one location to another, just simply with a watermelon this time" Tesla explained to his lab assistant.

"Why are we attempting the experiment the experiment with a fruit and not a wooden box or piece of metal this time?" Mason questioned.

"Because if this experiment works with the watermelon, Mason. Then we can finally see if this machine....." Nikola explained as he pointed to his invention, whilst still facing Mason, "....can transport humans"

"That can work?" Byron puzzled.

"That depends, Byron. You see, the watermelon has the same density structure to that of a human skull, so if we're able to transport the watermelon successfully from this end of the room to the other end of the room without any extreme consequences, then the chances of transporting a human can end successfully" Tesla added.

"That sounds amazing, Mr. Tesla" Byron complimented.

"Thank you, Byron" Tesla replied.

Tesla paced himself back and forth, rolled up his sleeves and placed his thumb and index finger on his chin, thinking of what the consequences would be if he transports a human from the flick of a switch. Tesla pondered to himself that the possibilities could be endless.Tesla had been working in this machine for five months, and hasn't slept in three whole days, his assistant, Byron, however, was allowed to go home to sleep and come back in the morning to help Tesla, and usually when Byron would return from the hotel he's staying in, there would be twice as many papers on the floor and three times as many equations on the black boards. Byron Mason met Nikola Tesla at a convention in North Dakota, when Tesla was showing off one of his new inventions at the time, Tesla learnt that Mason had a profound respect for him and Tesla offered Mason, who is a professional civil engineer, to work with him on the experiment he's currently working on, and much to Mason's surprise, he accepted Tesla's offer.

Tesla went over to the watermelon, picked it up and walked over to the pod with it, Mason opened the door for him and Tesla placed the watermelon gently inside the the pod and closed the door, sealing the watermelon in the pod. The door of the pod was made of thick glass, which the electricity can't penetrate through, the thick glass was also used for observing the teleportation of the object,

"OK, Byron, remember, if this experiment succeeds, then the human testing will most likely succeed as well" Tesla reminded his assistant.

"Yes, Mr. Tesla" Byron responded.

"Of you may, can you please get ready to flick the switch?" Nikola asked.

"Of course" Byron replied.

Byron walked over to the switch that was used to power the machine, it was at a ten foot safe pace away from the machine, so Byron wouldn't be able to get himself injured from an electrical shock at all,

"OK, on three, you flip the switch as always" Tesla said.

"OK" Byron replied.

"One....." Tesla paused.

"Two....." He paused once more.

"Three!" Tesla shouted.

Byron flicked the switch quickly and the electricity ran through the wires to the machine, through the metal rods and into the pod. Flickers of electricity ran inside the pod, through the watermelon and then finally a large flash of light appeared, leaving a vacuuming sound in it's place,

"Turn the machine off!" Tesla commanded.

Mason obeyed Tesla's instruction and quickly turned off the machine, the electricity died down along with the bright light inside the pod, once the light died down, Tesla looked inside the pod through the glass door to see that the watermelon disappeared, much to Tesla's expectations. He turned around to face the other side of the room, awaiting the watermelon to re-appear in that spot,

"Will it appear in the same place as the other objects?" Byron asked.

"Yes, I'm sure it will" Tesla replied, "In a few seconds I think"

Byron turned to face the same direction Tesla was facing, towards the other end of the room, to see the watermelon reappear there.

After three minutes, a bright surge of light occurred at the other side of the room, it crackled with electricity and beamed brighter and brighter until it made a small booming sound then the crackle and light died down. Tesla went over to the other side of the room and saw the watermelon in the place of the surge of light, the watermelon looked as if it was in the exact same condition it was when Tesla placed it in the machine, though Tesla himself wasn't to sure. Byron came over to the watermelon as well,

"Is it contagious?" Mason asked.

"Not quite sure, Byron" Tesla replied, "Lets check"

"OK, Mr. Tesla" Byron agreed.

Tesla put on gloves before picking up the watermelon and placed it on one of the many tables in the lab. Byron then got a large kitchen knife and passed it to Tesla, who then split the melon in half with the blade and then stuck a thermometer in the cut watermelon,

"Is there anything wrong with it?" Byron asked.

"Well, there is only one change in the watermelon" Tesla replied.

"What's the problem?" Byron asked.

"It's only three degrees colder than it's meant to be" Tesla explained.

"That's all?" Byron puzzled.

"That's all" Tesla replied.

"My God, Mr. Tesla, does that mean we start..." Byron started to say.

"Yes, Mr. Mason, the human experiments will begin" Nikola interrupted him before he could finish.

Byron placed his hand on his forehead,

"Oh my God, this is a miracle for Science, Mr. Tesla" Byron was overwhelmed.

"I know" Tesla said with confidence, "That's why we're starting the human experiments today"

"Mr Tesla, can we take a rest please, you need one as well, you've been working yourself out for hours" Byron tried to convince Tesla.

"Byron, listen to me, this is the final part of everything we've been working on, once we complete this final experiment, we will celebrate, I promise you" Tesla told his assistant.

"OK Mr. Tesla" Byron replied, "How will the the experiment plan out?"

"You're going to flick the switch whilst I'm in the pod, and we'll see if humans are capable of this kind of transportation" Nikola explained.

Byron had a sigh of confidence and took and took a deep breath, "OK, Mr. Tesla, lets do this"

Tesla and Mason both went over to the other side of the room, Mason went over to the switch of the machine, Tesla stood outside of the pod, feeling nervous yet optimistic about what the results may be. Tesla looked to his side at Mason, then he looked out the window further away, to see it was starting to rain, only very lightly though. Tesla stepped inside the machine, and rain went heavier, much to both Tesla and Mason's ignorance,

"Can you hear me from out there, Byron?" Tesla asked from inside the pod.

"I can, Mr. Tesla" Byron replied.

"OK" Tesla said before sighing, "Pull the switch please"

Byron pulled the switch and the electricity ran through the wires and to the machine, through the metal bars at the top of the pod and then inside the pod itself. The electricity didn't shock Tesla as the waves were very light, running through his body and giving him tingles through his bones.

Before Tesla was able to have his atoms moved from the pod to the other end of his lab, something bad happened. The rain outside has gotten into the electrical current outside the lab, which was connected to the switch that powered the pod.

As soon as Tesla just disappeared into thin air, the machine malfunctioned. Once Tesla disappeared, the machine broke and exploded, making Byron jump in fright,

"MR. TESLA!" Byron shouted.

Byron went up to the trashed pod and dug through the machine parts, but didn't find his boss' body. He searched for a good five minutes but found nothing, Byron then came to the conclusion that Tesla would reappear at the other end of the lab, he waited for about ten minutes, but Tesla didn't appear,

"I'm sorry Mr. Tesla" Byron spoke to himself.

A beautiful day in Ponyville, the Sun that Celestia had risen was shining off of the straw roofs of the cottages and sparkling against the lakes and rivers surrounding the town.

Behind the shops and small apartment complexes was an alleyway, an alleyway that hardly anyone went through as it was grimy and dirty and wet. A surge of light and a crackle of electricity came through in the alleyway, no one noticed, even when they walked passed, it was too far down the alleyway to see. The light and electric crackle fizzled away to reveal Nikola Tesla, who fell to his knees once he arrived in the new world.

He was sweating from his forehead and wiped his head with his hand, except it wasn't a hand anymore, it was a hoof. Tesla stood up and noticed he was on four legs, he started to become frightened,

"What is this?" He thought to himself in panic.

He tried to walked but stumbled onto the ground, not used to his new form. Nikola felt his face and noticed that he was no longer a human, but that of an equine horse. Instantly, he knew that he wasn't in Colorado Springs anymore, and didn't know where he was. He exited the alleyway, struggling to walk, he looked to see that everyone surrounding him where also equine horses, ranging from many different colors, some had wings and some had horns sticking out their forehead. He looked around until he saw a sign telling him where he is,

"Ponyville?" He questioned to himself as he came closer to the sign, "What kind of a place is this?"

He turned around and then saw a bright pink pony jump in front of his face, frightening him to high heaven,

"Well it's a very wonderful place!" The pink pony bounced around, "I just noticed you're new here, and I decided to speak to you because you looked confused and lonely and....."

Nikola was definitely terrified, not only has he been turned into a pony but now one was speaking to him. Tesla felt uncomfortably around this energetic pink pony,

"....but anyways, my name is Pinkamena Diane Pie, but you can just call me...... PINKIE PIE!" The young pony introduced herself in a gleeful tone, "What's your name?"

"Stay away from me, fiend!" Tesla backed away.

"That's not very polite" The pony called Pinkie Pie said, "I just wanted to know your name"

Tesla backed up slowly and watched other ponies pass by him, looking at him as if he was crazy. He looked behind him and then galloped off, away from Pinkie Pie,

"Well, what a strange pony, maybe I should ask Twilight about him, she'll know what to do" Pinkie Pie said to herself as she galloped away.

Author's Note

Sorry about any historical or scientific inaccuracies if there is any.

Chapter 15: The Inventor and Chaos

Tesla, Twilight and the rest had to stay in the palace for the night whilst the Princesses were still debating about Tesla's machine. Tesla couldn't sleep, he laid on his bed with his foreleg on his forehead, he wasn't in the covers. He dragged himself out of his bed and walked over to the his rain pattered window, with the raindrops that were sticking on the window glowing against the city lights of Canterlot. In the room he was in, there was a chair, so he decided to sit on it and with his head resting against his right foreleg's hoof, he started to think about his time in Equestria, and how strange of an experience it has been thus far for him. He then started to think about his home world, what Byron was doing, how the public are reacting to his disappearance and strangely enough, how Thomas Edison was. Tesla deeply hated Edison's guts with a passion, he found him disrespectful, greedy, a mocker, a plagiarist and even downright murdered a man to prove Tesla wrong on a theory, yet, Tesla misses the rivalry, he feel like he needs a rival to perfect his machinery, or simply just a rival that can match his smarts. He decided to go out onto the wet balcony for fresh air, he placed his forelegs on the railing and simply just sighed out of boredom.

Luna and Celestia were currently in the latter's room, discussing the effects of Tesla's machine

"Sister, seriously, you can't pass up this opportunity" Luna told Celestia.

"I just don't feel that we should use this machine just yet, it feels like we're skipping evolution" Celestia replied.

"Elaborate" Luna ordered.

"We can progress as a race gradually, we don't need machines with great magnitude like Mr. Tesla's to do so, we'll soon get there with like that eventually, Luna" Celestia told her sister.

"Eventually? Maybe in two thousand years, dear sister" Luna said, "It can transport objects from one place to another without magic. Without magic. It's an outstanding achievement in both science and soon for society"

"Yes, I understand that, but we can't skip evolution, it will be difficult to keep up with" Celestia said, "I had to banish you for a thousand years..."

"Here we go again" Luna complained.

"I had to banish you for a thousand years and when you can back you found it difficult to cope in society. You know why? Because you missed a thousand years of us evolving" Celestia explained.

"But.." Luna tried to say.

"No. Listen, Luna, you're my sister and I love you very much, but if this machine means we're going to advance rapidly, I don't think it will be good for our society, and especially for you, Luna, I don't want you to go through what you've just been through again" Celestia said.

"Okay" Luna gave up.

"Look, I need to get some sleep, Luna. I'll see you in the morning, okay?" Celestia asked.

"Okay, sister" Luna said as she approached her sister's bedroom door, "Good night"

"You too" Celestia smiled.

Luna exited her sister's bedroom and sighed to herself, she was hoping that her sister would let this machine make progress for Ponykind, but she didn't. And the worst thing was, Celestia is probably right, which sinks Luna's hopes lower. Luna took a five minute walk to get to her own room, it was beside the guests' bedrooms, she enter her dark bedroom and switched the light on, it was dim, but it would soon adjust itself and get brighter. She went over to her bed and looked under it, where she found a packet of cigarettes and a small box of matches,

"There you are" Luna happily said as she levitated box objects as gave a small kiss to the packet of cigarettes.

She went out to her balcony with her cigarettes and matches, and lit her cigarette and smoked away. But what she didn't know, was that Tesla was on the balcony right next to hers,

"What did your sister think?" He asked.

Luna jumped, almost letting go of her cigarette from her magic's vice,

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you, your Highness" Tesla apologized.

"No, it's okay" Luna said, "What was the question you asked me, sir?"

"What did your sister think of my machine?" Tesla asked.

"She thought it was an impressive piece of technology. But we're not going to go far with it, that's what she told me anyways. She says it will be too frustrating for our society" Luna told him as she blew some smoke away.

"That's a good reason why, your Highness" Tesla said.

"Please, call me Luna" She told him.

"Okay, Luna. She makes a good point, see it from her perspective" Tesla said.

Luna sighed out a breath of smoke, "I do, and it makes sense, I've been gone for a thousand years..."

"A thousand years?" Tesla interrupted.

"Yeah, I was the...um.." Luna paused.

"Oh yeah, the Nightmare Moon incident, Twilight told me about that" Tesla said.

Luna nodded and then got another cigarette from the packet, she lit it with another match and began to smoke,

"You still look pretty young, Luna" Tesla said.

Luna chuckled, "How flattering, it's just the Alicorn aging"

"Alicorn aging?" Tesla questioned.

"Yeah, I'm actually over twenty-eight thousand years old, yet I guess every one thousand years I age a little" Luna told him.

"Jesus Christ, I'm only fifty-six" Tesla said in shock.

"You look pretty young for fifty-six" Luna smiled.

Tesla smirked back as there was small silence, until Tesla broke it,

"So you say you were gone for a thousand years and then?" Tesla asked.

"Oh" Luna said as she inhaled and exhaled her cigarette, "Yeah, so I was gone for years and she just thinks it wouldn't be good for me since I missed out a thousand years worth of evolution, and it would be frustrating for both of us with the machine" Luna explained.

"Oh right" Tesla said, "So you're kind of an outcast?"

"Pretty much" Luna said.

"Well, you sure as hell are not the only one, I come from a different world, I'm not even meant to be a pony" Tesla said.

"Human, right?" Luna asked.

"Yeah, how do you know?" Tesla asked.

"Rarity told me she lost a bet" Luna replied.

"Oh right, that" Tesla remembered

"Um..do you smoke?" Luna said as she offered Tesla cigarette.

Tesla thought for a little bit, he doesn't smoke but he is also pretty bored, maybe this could pass the time for him,

"Sure" Tesla said as he pulled out a cigarette from Luna's levitating packet, "You got a light?"

Luna swiped a match against the sandpaper on the side of the matchbox and levitated the match to his cigarette, which she lit,

"Thanks" Tesla said as he inhaled.

"How come your not sleeping? It's one o'clock in the morning" Luna asked and told him.

Tesla coughed out the smoke slightly, "Yeah, I don't usually sleep" Tesla replied.

"Insomnia?" Luna asked.

"No, I don't have time to sleep" Tesla said, "How come you're not sleeping?"

"I'm the Princess of the Night, I'm not allowed to, I'm kind of a nocturnal pony" Luna chuckled.

"Huh, seems fair" Tesla as he eased into smoking his cigarette.

"Though I don't sleep much during the day" Luna said.

"When I sleep, I usually just doze off for an hour or two, to recharge my batteries" Tesla said, "You know what? After my cigarette, I'll do just that"

"Well, hope you have good dozing off, Nikola" Luna said.

"Thank you, Luna" Nikola thanked as he almost finished his cigarette.

"And also, I think your machine is amazing"

It was now morning in the Palace. Tesla and the rest were having breakfast in the palace kitchen, Rarity and Applejack got donuts and coffee from Donut Joe's for everyone's breakfast, but Tesla just had the coffee instead,

"Nikola, you not hungry?" Twilight asked.

Tesla shook his head, "No, I'm not too much a fan of sugary foods. The coffee on the other hand is pretty nice"

"You sure you're not going to eat at least one thing, darling?" Rarity asked.

"No thank you, Rarity" Tesla replied.

"So, what are y'all doing Friday night?" Applejack asked, "What to do something?"

"Like what?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I don't know, go for a few drinks, something like that" Applejack said.

"I'm up for that" Rainbow Dash said.

"Can't, I've got to babysit my sister" Rarity told her.

"I'll go" Twilight said.

"I'll come to" Fluttershy quietly said.

"What about you Pinkie?" Applejack asked.

"I've got an exam, I can't" Pinkie said happily as always.

Everypony looked at Pinkie in surprise and confusion,

"Exam?" Twilight asked.

"Yep" Pinkie replied.

"What kind of exam?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Chemistry" Pinkie squeaked.

"You're joking me? You do chemistry?" Dash asked.

"Yeah" Pinkie said.

"Oh, well um...good luck, Pink" Rainbow Dash said.

"Thanks, Dashie" Pinkie thanked.

Everypony else wished Pinkie good luck on her Chemistry exam, and then there was a knock on the door,

"Come in" Twilight said.

The door knocked again,

"Come in" Twilight said in a more frustrated tone.

The door knocked once more, Twilight sighed in annoyance and went over to opened the door, then a slithering creature burst through the door as soon as Twilight touched the doorknob,

"Hello ponies!" The slithering creature said as all ponies, apart from Tesla realized who it was.

"Oh my god" Twilight said as she facehoofed herself.

"Discord" Rarity mumbled.

"What are you doing here, Discord?" Twilight asked.

"I thought I'd just stop by" Discord said in his usual sarcastic tone.

"What the fuck is that?" Tesla asked of Discord.

Discord then looked over at Tesla,

"Oh my" Discord said as he poofed over beside Tesla, "Twilight, I haven't been replaced by this fine gentleman, have I?"

"No, he's...." Twilight began.

"I know him. You're Mr. Nicky Tesla, I've read about you from reading Twilight's letters to Celestia" Discord spoke out.

"What!?" Twilight asked angrily.

"But anyways, I've heard that you, Mr. Tesla, are a being from another world" Discord said, deliberately ignoring Twilight.

"Yes" Tesla said, "I heard you're meant to be pretty chaotic"

"Chaotic? No" Discord said as he disappeared.

Discord then seemed through the open part of Tesla's coffee cup, disguising himself as steam from the coffee,

"I am chaos" Discord whispered.

"Interesting" Tesla said as he blew the steamed Discord away, "I'm an inventor"

"Hmm" Discord hummed as he returned to his normal form, "I'm aware of your machine, Mr. Tesla. A machine that can make objects go to another place without magic, it's genius"

"But seriously, you went through my letters?" Twilight asked.

"I had to, staff regulations in the cosmic post office" Discord said innocently.

"Cosmic post office?" Twilight questioned, "That's the best you can come up with?"

"Well, whenever a letter is transported by magic, we at the cosmic post office have to check them before letting them pass through to their sent location" Discord explained.

Twilight gave up, "Fine, just don't read them whilst you're checking them"

"Fair deal, Twilight" Discord grinned.

Tesla finished his coffee, and observed this Discord creature, he looked odd to Tesla from first glance, Tesla also wasn't too sure about his very sarcastic manner,

"Anyways, my friends, I was just stopping by to say hello. I need to go now" Discord said.

"No pranks?" Twilight asked.

"No chaotic antics?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"No cotton candy clouds with chocolate rain?" Pinkie asked with a gasp.

"I'm sorry, my friends. But I have a business arrangement later tonight, I'm meeting seven brothers about a business arrangement" Discord told them.

"Well, have fun with that" Fluttershy wished for him.

"Thank you, dear Fluttershy" Discord said.

Fluttershy smiled, she was happy that Discord has remained a good friend of hers, though all the others still think he is untrustworthy,

Well, adios amigos" Discord said before snapping his fingers and disappearing.

"Em...does he usually do stuff like that?" Tesla asked.

"Yeah, he's just a sweetheart though" Fluttershy softly replied.

"Define sweetheart" Tesla said.

"He never usually leaves so quickly though" Twilight said.

"Yeah, that was strange" Rarity added.

"I wonder where he's heading. Seven brothers? I wonder where abouts?" Applejack asked.

Author's Note

Next chapter will solely focus on The Banished Brotherhood

Chapter 29: Brothers Till The End

In The Brotherhood's Hut, it was dark and quiet, almost everyone was asleep in the basement near the freezer, everyone except Twilight. She sat up against the wall, wide awake, she glanced over at her friends, and then stared at Spike, who slept in the most uncomfortable position, he slept with his broken finger tucked between his armpit to keep it straightened, it was an awful sight to see.

She needed to get to sleep, but she couldn't, something was keeping her up, but she couldn't put her hoof on it,

She sighed to herself, "This can't get any worse. It just...it just can't" She murmured to herself.

Her slight murmurings were enough to wake up Rarity, who was sleeping uncomfortably herself. She groggily looked around and realized she was still in the same basement, she felt as if it was a bad dream that she couldn't wake up from,

"Twilight?" Rarity whispered, "Are you okay, darling?"

"No, Rarity" Twilight sighed, "I'm feeling awful actually. I can't sleep"

Rarity sat up, and came closer to her friend. The cold and slightly rotting wall was rough to lean on for them,

"Nikola's gone, I'm not sure if he made it back to Canterlot or Ponyville. Masai still wants to know where he could be though. Discord's dead, Lyth and Umberoth are released and causing havoc, Masai's friend and Sombra have teamed up, Celestia knows what they're up to and Masai, he may just be the biggest threat we've taken on" Twilight told Rarity.

"Masai is just crazy, Twilight" Rarity tried to calm her down.

"He's too smart though, if we get out of this, it doesn't really matter, he wins" Twilight replied, "He doesn't care if he dies"

"I don't really know what to say then" Rarity sighed.

Twilight sighed along with her friend, she then looked over to her friends, and Rarity did so as well,

"They've all been through a lot. Fluttershy and Spike have got it the worst though" Twilight uttered.

"I know, they don't deserve this" Rarity replied.

"None of us do" Twilight said.

"Try and get some sleep, Twilight, okay? Chances are Masai will be interrogating us again in the morning" Rarity told her.

"I'll try, Rarity" Twilight replied.

Rarity laid herself back down on the floor and closed her eyes,

"Good" Rarity said before dozing to sleep.

Meanwhile, on the floor above....

"So, brothers, where do you think Oz and Sombra ended up?" Vaako asked.

"No clue, Vaako" Lavo replied.

"Oz runs solo, he's probably betrayed Sombra already" Masai said.

"Oz is smart, I don't know where he'd end up" Mimic mentioned.

"No, brother. He's not smart enough" Masai replied, "He can't get the Crystal Empire without an army"

"What makes you assume he's going for the Crystal Empire?" Lavo asked.

"Sombra, Oz wouldn't just say he'd help Sombra without saying he'd help him with gaining power again, he's using our fake promise. And with Ozymandias being a power hungry dick, you know he'd want to get the throne before Sombra gets it" Masai explained.

"What about Tesla?" Vaako questioned.

"He's somewhere. The ponies down below will probably know where he could've went" Masai told his brother, "I need him for weapons, just to cause more madness, brothers"

"Right" Mimic said in a kind of sulk.

Masai, Vaako and Lavo noticed Mimic's sulk and then they became curious as to why he was sulking,

"What's wrong, brother?" Masai asked Mimic.

"It's Nito and Kephri. We haven't given them a funeral yet" Mimic told him, "Can we give them a proper send-off please, brother?"

Vaako and Lavo's faces looked sad at the thought of Incognito and Kephri's murder. The three looked at Masai, who himself was also sad, he looked at Mimic and nodded,

"Yeah, we'll hold a quick funeral just now. Come on then, brothers. Let's go outside" Masai told them as the four went outside the hut.

The four changelings were outside the hut. They put in the time to make crosses out of sticks, and placed them on the ground, to represent their brother's graves, Masai stood in front of his brothers and faced them to make a speech in the dark and rainy valley,

"Brothers. I want you all to remember Incognito and Kephri. The first time I met Incognito, was in boot camp, my bunk mate, we trained and fought together, he was one of my long time friends. I met Kephri on the battlefield, and when we both got injured we ended up in the hospital, we then shared a few laughs after that" Masai said, "They never deserved the fate they got, by Oz, but we'll get him back. They both should have stayed until with us, and they would have died with us, together, as brothers. But they remained brothers till the end, and they will still be our brothers in death. To Kephri and Incognito"

"To Kephri and Incognito" The three remaining changelings said.

The rain then began to pour from the dark clouds above the hut. It was cold outside, but they didn't care. This needed to be done. The four stood outside in front of the two stick crosses for Incognito and Kephri and said their last goodbyes, before parting into the hut once more,

"Masai" Mimic called.

"Yes, Mick?" Masai asked.

"When we get back at Oz..." Mimic began.

"Yeah?" Masai questioned.

"..Just make him suffer" Mimic finished.

"I've been meaning to do that for a long time"

Author's Note

Sorry for the long delay, it's just I've been feeling down a lot with my cancer and I haven't been in the writing mood.

Chapter 44: Outside in the Cold Distance

All along the watchtower...

Rouge and Tesla stared at the body of the fallen great dragon, Umberoth. His neck was split open, busted open, dried blood filled the inside of what was left of his neck, his glowing yellow eyes faded grey and lifeless. Rouge was overwhelmed, she glanced towards Tesla, who was looking oddly silent and calculative. Her deep blue eyes lingered on him, right before he sighed and walked towards the stairway. Rouge followed after him,

"What happened to him, Nikola?" Rouge asked as they walked down the stairs.

"I threw the capacitor bank into his mouth, the heat signatures from his breath overheated the bank, with the electrons within the bank and the enchanted polyester to keep the electrons at bay for at least a good while, they were too much for the dragon's fire, the enchanted material mixed with the electrons and fire caused an explosion in his neck, he bled out," Nikola explained.

"You created a damn bomb?" Rouge asked, impressed, "You're a crafty stallion, Nikola."

Nikola smiled as the two of them continued down the stairs, Rouge's soot covered appearance had gradually shed off her throughout all of the mayhem,

"Where are we going now?" Rouge asked.

"Back to Ponyville, Rouge," he replied.

"You feeling okay?" Rouge asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I'm... I'm fine... I just..." He paused. "I never expected we'd slay him..."

"We?" She questioned, "Nikola, sweetie, that was all on you. I didn't do anything. I basically hid from him the entire time. I didn't slay a dragon, let alone a great one. Nikola, you've written history today. You did a great thing."

"You helped me though, if you didn't turn on the machine..." Nikola began.

"Stop being so humble. You're so nice that it's almost unbearable," Rouge interrupted, very happy with what's been achieved.

"I'm only doing what's right."

The two make it down the stairs, they enter the hall. Thin bights of dust fogging the room slightly, hazing away in the light gusts wind. Nikola stared at his machine, now powerless. He sighed and looked around and walked towards the exit of the throne room,

"You seem remarkably calm about all of this," Rouge told him.

"Trust me, I'm not. I'm stunned," Tesla replied, "I don't really know how to feel right now. I feel... kind of numb... I'm glad though that one problem has been taken care of, but I just defeated a giant monster. I don't know how to respond to that."

"Let others respond for you."

Tesla smiled, "I wonder how they will."

Princess kept their view...

Luna was shattered, her former lover had come back to her, dying, frail, a shadow of the stallion she once knew. Not to mention the daily political dealings, discussing refugee statuses with the Mayor. Writing letters to Manehattan, Appleloosa and Vanhoover for spaces for other refugees, only once she gets clearances for the railways to start running again. She was sleepy, she hadn't got a chance to sleep ever since Tesla left for Canterlot.

I hope he's okay. she thought to herself as she stepped into Twilight's library.

Twilight's library was colder than usual. She didn't know why she was still resting in Twilight's home even when Tesla was gone. She felt like she was intruding, but she left something important in Twilight's fridge, her old friend: Alcohol.

She opened the fridge to feel a sharp gust of icy air hit her, a wave of goosebumps surged through her as she levitated the bottle of spiced cider in her magical vice.

Shrink my liver all you like, old friend. You'll never kill me. She opened the bottle and sat at the kitchen table as cold air escaped the opened glass bottle. She took several big gulps, a strong aftertaste clouded her tongue and the back of her throat. She continued to drink her cider and felt a little bit sleepy, the more she drank, the more sleepier she felt. It felt comfortable for her to slowly drift off to sleep for the first time in a while and just relax...

...

...

...

...

"Sweet Celestia! Look at the mountain!" A shrill female voice screeched from outside.

Luna's eyes shot open. Damn it. She forced herself off of her seat and approached the front window, she looked out of it, a crowd of ponies looking towards her right, Luna grew confused and concerned, one face of a young foal and her mother struck out. Utter despair. Shock. Worry. She trotted to the front door and exited out of it, once outside she faced the direction to which her citizens were looking at. She saw her once proud kingdom, in smoke and ruins. A large scaled beast was approaching; crimson red scales, sharp teeth that can piece titanium, smoke escaping it's nostrils which was what was left of ember flames. Luna's eyes widened as she heard the rumbling roar echo through the air.

She paused.

Her fur stood on end.

But inside, Luna had known she had to take action.

She glanced at her soldiers, she saw that they were just as afraid as she was. With one gulp, she mustered whatever courage she had left to face against the dragon. She lifted herself from the ground, floating ever so elegantly, her starry mane caught surfing in the light wind. She felt the eyes of her people, her soldiers, her loyal subjects looking upon her. With another deep breath, she blared out,

"Men! To arms!"

She glanced behind her and saw her Pegasi clutch their spears close to their breasts, her Unicorn and Earth Pony soldiers would remain grounded however, magic at the ready, blades at the helm.

"On my mark, soldiers!" Luna blared as her pulse thundered like a jungle drum, "One..."

She heard the clattering of weapons behind her, spears at the ready, the beast flew forward.

"Two..."

She felt heavier. Her wings began to feel sore, she felt heavy with fear and worry, but she couldn't fall down,

"THREE!"

Just as she and her soldiers were about to fly and attack, Umberoth froze in his wake for a brief moment. Luna grew confused, and watched as Umberoth twisted around, a few seconds of fog in her mind cleared up as soon an idea in her head clicked together.

Nikola, she thought. He was still alive, What did he do to anger him? She heard a roar from the distance; loud, sharp and piercing. Umberoth flew towards the high tower of the palace, Luna and her public watched keenly. She then saw Umberoth fly upwards, his neck lighting aflame, anguished pains and screeches escape his monstrous jaws, and he fell down.

Luna lightly placed herself on the soil. She looked to the palace with her people. Silence.

No wind, no birds, no trees.

"THE DRAGON'S BEEN SLAIN!" A deep voice cheered from the crowd.

Luna then heard the cheers of victory from the men, women and children in the whole of Ponyville, they hugged each other, whooping and hitting the air. Luna looked at the palace, a small smile curled her lips and from the duct of her left eye, a small tear slid down her cheek.

"I knew you'd do it, Nikola," she said to herself.

A sigh of relief escaped her. But she wouldn't know what was to come.

Two riders were approaching...

The scabby hut in the badlands where the Changelings lived, snow rained down on them, light froths of white snow lightly feathered the roof, Masai and Mimic stood outside. Masai was ever so calm and stoic, Mimic was itching his scars,

"When do you think they'll be back?" Mimic asked.

"Soon, Mimic. they need to be discrete from us if they're going to interact amongst ponies," Masai replied, "I told them to meet back here in six hours"

It had been almost exactly six hours since Lavo and Vaako had went back to Ponyville undercover, holding the titles which Mimic and Incognito held previously. Masai and Mimic were both anxious to know of Tesla's current actions and whereabouts, Lavo and Vaako acted as Masai's spies.

A small burst of purple aura fizzled on the ground as it morphed into flame, slowly transforming light green. Two bodies jump out of the flames; Lavo and Vaako, in their normal forms. Their faces rang with sadness and worry, a trait not common within their circle. Masai noticed this,

"What's troubling you, brothers?"

Lavo and Vaako looked at each other, then back at Masai and Mimic, then back at each other,

"Should I tell him?" Lavo asked Vaako.

"If you want."

"What's wrong, boys?" Masai asked with cat-killing curiosity.

"Masai," Lavo sighed, "Tesla done it."

Mimic's eyes widened, Masai turned around and approached the inside of the hut, out of the snow. His comrades followed,

"He killed Umberoth?" Masai asked.

"Yes," Vaako replied.

"Are you sure?" Masai quizzed.

"Everyone saw Umberoth's body fall from the sky," Lavo confirmed, "I'm not sure how but Tesla done it."

Masai stopped in his place as soon he made it to the middle of the hut. He thought to himself, closed his eyes and made a decision before opening them once more,

"Get the keys to the chains, we need to make a decision of which two of our prisoners go home," Masai said.

"No! Masai, we can't just give into Tesla like this!" Mimic retorted.

"What else are we going to do, Mick?" Vaako asked, "You heard Lavo, the dragon's body fell from the fucking skies! Tesla busted open his fucking neck!"

"Then we should come up with a new strategy!" Mimic said, "We should kill him."

"Kill him?" Lavo questioned, "Mimic, he's a genius, he's probably got his own strategy if we come around."

The three brothers of Masai continued to argue as he continued to think for a new plan,

"Boys..." Masai was cut off by the others.

"BOYS!" He blared, gaining their attention.

Mimic, Vaako and Lavo looked at Masai, sighing out of breath with anger towards each other for that brief moment,

"Mimic, we shouldn't kill him," Masai stated, "He could be used as our weapon, we have what he wants. We have his friends, he'd probably slaughter a storm of Wendigoes to get to his friends. I wasn't expecting him to slay Umberoth, but I was optimistic that he would. We need to follow up on our word with this own, brothers. Because even though he killed the dragon, we still have friends."

Mimic, Lavo and Umberoth muttered in agreement,

"What should do next then, Masai?" Mimic asked.

"What next, Mimic?" Masai sighed, "We make the choice of who goes, Mimic, and then I've got a plan of what he can help us with next."

"What's he gonna help us with?" Lavo asked.

"Yeah?" Vaako added.

"Well, all I know is that you boys are going to enjoy this one."

The snow grew heavier, the storm was approaching, but all was calm now.

The wind began to howl...