Chapters Episode I: Night of Darkness
It was a crisp cool night over Equestria as Princess Luna soared high above the clouds beneath the light of the full moon that washed over her body as she flew gracefully watching over the night while every other creature slept. The fact that every pony and creature slept during the night no longer bothered her since the defeat of Nightmare Moon and her rebirth as the Princess of the night ruling Equestria at the side of her older sister Celestia. Luna was just content to know that she was free and loved once again throughout Equestria. It would seem like nothing interesting had occurred since the Royal Wedding a few months back that seemed to be more exciting than she had anticipated it would be. She wished that she could have been at her sisters side to combat the Queen of the Changelings but what’s done is done and in the end it all turned out well thanks to Twilight Sparkle and the love between Princess Cadence and the now Prince Shining Armor. Just as she was finishing this thought a cry for help from below in the woods reached Luna’s ears. Without a moment of hesitation she swept down to where she heard the cry for help come from. Through the darkness she sees a young pony cowering on the ground and looking the other way. “What is wrong young pony?” Luna asks. “Why are you alone in this forest during the night?”. The young pony does not answer and seems to begin to cry as Luna approaches her to get a better look. Luna notices that it is a unicorn with silver hair and what appears to be a light blue body . Just as she is about to put her hoof on the pony she feels something move against her legs. She looks down and sees what appears to be a red mist move n between her legs. As she attempts to fly the mist grabs her by all four of her hooves and plants her firmly on the ground. The mist then quickly begins to spread up her body and engulf her up to her neck. Unable to break free with brute force she tries her magic but finds that it has no effect on the red mist. She looks up to see what appears to be a tall pony like figure wrapped in a hooded tunic manipulating the red mist with only its hooves, no horn at all is visible. “Who are you and what do you want from me!?” Luna yells at the figure standing before her. Luna turns to see that the unicorn that was in distress is now facing her but with a wide grin across her face. A third figure then appears from behind the pony like figure manipulating the mist. “Princess Luna we’ve been waiting for you all night and now you wish to leave before we can even have a chance to talk?” says the third figure. Luna surprised turns to face the third figure in the shadows, “I don’t know who you are but know that you are foolish for attacking your Princess and you shall be punished for your crimes against me!”. The third figure steps out from the shadows into the light of the full moon. Luna can now see it is a unicorn mare with a long white colored mane and red colored body. “Allow me to introduce myself princess, I am called Siren. My hooded companion who you already seem to have met is Zartanis but he doesn’t speak much. I see no need to name our young pony actor for if all goes well you will know her name by the end of this night.” Siren speaks in a calm orderly fashion while addressing the trapped princess. Luna struggles again against the red mist but still can’t break loose. “Now Luna you are going to join our group and help us rise up against Celestia and throw all of Equestria into Disharmony.”. Luna stops struggling and turns to face Siren eye to eye, “You’re mad if you think I will ever help you do such a thing. I would rather be destroyed than help you accomplish your plan against the kingdom of Equestria!”. Siren lets out a short laugh into the night before returning her gaze to Luna. “It’s a pity that you don’t have a choice Princess for you see I don’t want you in particular to help me.” Siren rubs her hoof down the side of Luna’s face and then speaks in a harsher tone, “I want Nightmare Moon to assist me in my plans. Not a weak pony princess such as yourself! To think that you used to be the all-powerful ruler of the night whose power was on par with that of Celestia’s!”. Siren takes a long breath before regaining her calm composure. Luna turns her gaze away from Siren. “You are foolish, Nightmare Moon was destroyed long ago by the Elements of Harmony. There is no way for you to bring her back.” Siren takes a long look at Luna as if she is studying the princess. “ Now princess to prove you wrong you shall be the first to feel my power and in turn see just how wrong you are.” Siren begins to walk behind Luna, “ You see I know that you became Nightmare Moon out of envy over your sister and scorn for those who would sleep during your beautiful night.” Siren stops walking just behind Luna and pauses, “I know you are still sore from your banishment and being the only one awake during your night which you work so hard towards making beautiful. I will amplify that soreness that you still keep in your heart and mind until it consumes you and you become Nightmare Moon again.” Siren puts her hoof on the back of Luna’s head and in an instant releases a red and white colored magic from her horn onto the princess. Luna struggles violently shaking her head and rocking her entire body as the magic takes effect on her. The memories of her sister and her new friends vanish and memories of her thousand year banishment return and consume her mind. All love leaves her heart and envy consumes it. Noticing that her spell is successful she signals Zartanis to release the princess. Zartanis complies and the red mist that had kept Luna trapped dissipates into thin air. A black bubble engulfs Luna as inside it she continues her transformation into a darker more sinister form and the moon above her glows darker. The bubble breaks and from it Nightmare Moon rises her head and opens her eyes to a now darkened full moon. Nightmare Moon takes a moment to look at her body and then turns to face Siren, Zartanis, and the silver haired unicorn. “Welcome back my princess of the night and may I say that it is a pleasure to see you restored to your full power.” Nightmare looks at Siren before turning her body into a purple mist and slithers towards her before taking shape again. “It was you wasn’t it? It was you who reawakened me from my slumber and released me onto this land again!”. Siren who seemingly is unaffected by Nightmares proximity turns to face her. “Yes Princess it was I who freed you and I who set you on this land again. I am about to begin a plan which will see the fall of Celestia and the complete collapse of Equestria . If you join me and my group you will get your vengeance against Celestia and all ponies who would dare sleep through you beautiful night.” Nightmare steps away from Siren and ponders the proposition. “Very well, I shall assist you and your group in defeating Celestia, but I want something in return.” Siren turns away from nightmare and begins walking towards Zartanis, “ Very well princess, I’m sure we can come to some agreement but for the moment…” Siren is interrupted by the Silver haired unicorn before she can finish her sentence, “ Well I believe I did an excellent job in tricking Luna to come close enough to the ground don’t you think? I mean with my great acting who wouldn’t fall for my tricks? Every pony town I visit always fall for the same lame story that I feed them. I think my performance deserves a greater reward, don’t you think so Siren?” Siren turns to face the unicorn and appears to be rather annoyed by her boasts. “Don’t worry, you will be greatly rewarded for what you have done for this group so far Trixie, and you will continue to be rewarded as long as you continue to be productive towards my goal.” Trixie struts in front of Zartanis with a wide grin across her face, “I’ll keep working for you as long as you keep your end of our deal.” Siren turns back to look to Nightmare Moon who has been following behind her. Nightmare Moon walks up right next to Siren but does not face her, “So what is this plan who have Siren? It had better be worth my valuable time.” Siren undeterred from this remark continues walking, “Don’t worry princess, all will be explained on our way to Canterlot. Besides, we still need to meet up with another member of our group outside of Canterlot and still free another future member.” The group continues towards Canterlot which can be seen in the distance under a dark starless night.
Episode II: Unpleasant Reunion
After a seemingly long and peaceful night Twilight Sparkle was in no rush to get out from beneath the covers of her cozy bed. Looking outside at the sun though she realized that she had to get through the day she had planned out meticulously in advance. “It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day again Spike”, Twilight said in a mumbled voice as she got out of bed. “Spike what’s on today’s list of things that need to get done?” Looking over at Spikes basket Twilight notices that the little dragon was still fast asleep. Opting to let the little guy sleep Twilight makes her way downstairs toward the library to fetch her list of the day’s activities, “Okay it looks like today I have breakfast with Fluttershy, help Rarity in finding some baby blue sapphires , and then finish up the day at Sweet Apple Acres for a picnic with the girls.” Just as Twilight was about to leave for breakfast she is interrupted by the sound of Spike running down the stairs. “Twilight wait! I have a message for you from Princess Celestia. It seems urgent since she never seems to send messages this early in the morning.” That was all Twilight needed to hear before she used her magic to levitate the message, with Spike to clinging to it, towards her the rest of the way. Spike letting go of the message lands flat on his face as Twilight opens the message. “Spike, Princess Celestia wants me and the girls to meet her in Canterlot as soon as possible. She says that is very urgent that we get there as fast as possible.” With that Twilight rushes out of the library after telling Spike to stay behind and heads all over PonyVille to gather her friends. About an hour and one train ride later Twilight, Apple Jack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash run though Canterlot to the royal castle to meet the Princess. Although something is notably off about Canterlot. “Hey, what gives? Why is every pony arguing and fighting?” Pinkie exclaims as they run through the city center. All around them it seemed that all ponies were arguing with one another to the point where some arguments seemed to have gotten physical. Twilight looking around shows a look of confusion and concern on her face but doesn’t stop to assess the situation, “I don’t know Pinkie, maybe it’s the reason why Princess Celestia summoned us to meet her.” As they approached the castles gate Rainbow Dash, who at the time had been flying ahead, noticed that the guards were missing. “Hey guys the guards aren’t here! Did they abandon the Princess? What a bunch of lazy ponies.” As they arrived at the gate they found that it was shut and locked. Twilight looked up towards the gate house and realized that without the guards manning the controls the gate wouldn’t open. “Rainbow fly up to the gate house and open the gate for us. Hurry! The Princess might be in trouble!” Without another thought Rainbow did just that and with a swift kick to the lever the gate opened and they all rushed inside. Almost immediately as they stepped foot inside a loud explosion came from the garden followed by as flash of yellow light. “What in tarnation was that? Whatever it is it sure is giving me the heebie jeebies.” Apple Jack broadly states. Twilight being caught off guard by the sudden explosion and light tuned to look at her friends. Most of which were shaken but fine except Fluttershy who had fallen to the ground frozen with her wings clamped shut against her body and her eyes tightly closed. Rarity haven noticed Fluttershy’s current state moves to get her on her feet again. “Fluttershy darling you simply must get up, the princess is waiting on us.” Fluttershy opening her eyes slowly starts to get up. “I’m okay girls; I was just a little startled.” Fluttershy obviously making it seem better than it really is by the how soft she speaks. They begin again to make their way through the court yard toward the throne room where the Princess waits. Upon entering the throne room they notice the Princess pacing back and forth with a worried look on her face. “Princes we hurried here as fast as we could once I received your message.” Celestia now standing in front of them seems a bit more relieved but still won’t dismiss the worried look on her face. “Twilight Sparkle, my most prized and loyal student. I fear that a great evil is about to spread over Equestria.” Twilight and her friends share a confused and worried look on their faces after hearing this. “What do you mean Princess? What evil is about to spread?” Celestia turn to look to look at Twilight and her friends, “Last night I awoke from my sleep when I could no longer sense Princess Luna. Worst still a moment after I could no longer sense her a great evil power emerged from somewhere in the Ever Free forest. I fear that Nightmare Moon has somehow returned.” With this bit of news a look of shock and fear begins to spread across the girl’s faces. Rainbow Dash shakes of the fear and flies over to the princess, “But that’s impossible! We all saw the elements of harmony destroy that grump and turn her back into Luna!” Celestia turns away from Rainbow and motions the rest of the group to follow her. “I do not know how Nightmare Moon was brought back but we must hurry to the Elements of Harmony so that you may defeat her again. Twilight was just about to speak when suddenly a flash of yellow light blinds her and the rest of her group. As soon as the light has disappeared she notices that Princess Celestia has grown to five times her previous size. An attempt to speak results in a, “Hoo Hoo…” Realizing that she cannot speak Twilight notices that her hoofs are now gone and have been replaced by brown feathered wings and two claws. Twilight realizes that she has been turned into an owl. Looking around at her friends Twilight notices that they too have been turned into animals. Rarity has turned into a white Persian cat, Apple Jack into a border collie, Pinkie into an alligator, and Rainbow into a tortoise. Celestia walks in between the animals with a confused look on her face. Celestia prepares to speak but is interrupted by an ominous laugh and a voice she recognizes all too well. “HA HA HA HA! Oh my sides hurt so much right now that its making me laugh even more. Who doesn’t love the turn the ponies into their pets gag? Oh Celestia you should see the look on your face. It’s truly priceless!” In another flash of light a twisted figure appears before Celestia. “Discord!? What have you done to them and how did you escape your stone prison?” Discord flies up and down the hall playfully paying no attention to Celestia and instead amuses himself by turning the walls different colors. “Answer me Discord and change them back!” Discord finally seeing that Celestia will not laugh at his mischief lands right next to her, “Oh Celestia you really must calm down. Don’t you know stress adds wrinkles and takes a few years of your life?” Celestia has enough of this and fires a ray of golden energy from her horn towards Discord who reflects it away with a mirror he pulls out from behind him. “Easy now Celestia, I wouldn’t want my favorite pony Princess to get hurt.” Celestia prepare to fire again but thinks better of it. “As for how I escaped AGAIN from my prison I want to say that it was because of my good looks but I can’t take all the credit now. Isn’t that right Chrysalis?” Hearing her name being called Chrysalis comes out from the floor behind Celestia in a green ball of flame. “Oh so true dear Discord. After all it was my disguised minions that got the ponies to fight each other creating enough chaos to release you from your prison.” Celestia turns to face Chrysalis and sees that she is in her true form. “Chrysalis!? How is it that you dare return to Canterlot after your failed attempt to conquer Equestria?” At this remark Chrysalis laughs to show that she does not fear Celestia. “You have a horrible memory don’t you Celestia? Why should I fear you when it was I that brought you down from your mighty seat of power? Something that your sister and this piece of abstract art failed to do!” At this Discord stops from his amusement of juggling Rainbow Dash in her tortoise shell and prepares to speak but is cut off by a new voice, “Don’t take it to heart Discord. After all we’re all friends here right?” At the sound of this new voice Celestia turns to face a Unicorn standing at the door with a hooded figure at her right side and Nightmare Moon at her left. “Discord I believe you’ve had your fun. Turn them back into ponies so that we can proceed with the plan.” At this Discord makes a stink face but listens and turns Twilight and the rest back into ponies. Celestia quickly rushes over to the ponies to check if they are alright. Twilight shakes her head and looks over her body to make sure that she doesn’t any extra wings or claws. “We’re all okay Princess Celestia.” Twilight quickly turns her attention to the group of six villains now standing before them. Twilight looks through the group and realizes that she recognizes every pony there, well almost every pony when she notices the Unicorn and the hooded figure standing in the middle of the group. Twilight is about to inquire who the Unicorn is but is stopped before she can get a single word out. “Allow me to introduce myself, I am Siren the Unicorn and this hooded fellow right here is Zartanis. As for the rest of my group I’m sure you’ve already met them before since they seem to be dying to meet you again.” At this Twilight realizes the severity of the situation they are in at the moment. “What do you want? Why have you attacked Princess Celestia? Why have you brought Nightmare Moon back, freed Discord, and joined forces with the Queen of the Changelings and Trixie?” Twilight’s mind races with questions and the possible answers to them. Siren taking notice of Twilights current state decides that it is finally time to unveil her plan to the world. “You are Twilight Sparkle, Celestia’s prized student and protégé. Know this Twilight Sparkle, by the end of this day you will have witnessed the fall of Celestia and the complete collapse of Equestria and the hands of Disharmony.”
Episode III: The Elements of Disharmony
The fall of Princess Celestia and the collapse of Equestria to Disharmony? Twilight was having trouble wrapping her head around these concepts. The fact that Siren states this with so much confidence is what truly bothers Twilight. Looking at the group of villains that stands in front of her Twilight realizes that Siren has the potential to back up her claims. Twilight gathers her thoughts and addresses Siren, “Exactly how do you plan to do all this? How can you possibly bring disharmony to all of Equestria?” Siren seems content enough to answer Twilight’s questions believing that there is no way that any pony could stop her plans now. “You see Twilight, what I’m about to do is very simple. I’m going to seal the Elements of Harmony away forever and make as you, your friends, and Celestia watch as the world you crumbles around you.” At this Rainbow Dash speak up having had enough of Siren’s trash talk, “If you think that we’ll stand by and do nothing as you attempt to do all this then your obviously mental.” Siren ignores this little remark from Rainbow and walks towards Twilight, “I suppose you plan to use the Elements of Harmony to stop me. Don’t you Twilight Sparkle?” Twilight looks behind her and realizes that they are in Canterlot Tower where the elements are kept. “It doesn’t matter if you retrieve the Elements form the vault. I guarantee that you will not be able to use them, Go ahead, go retrieve your precious elements, I’ll let you have them.” At look of surprise washes over both the ponies and the villains at this boast. Trixie who had been idling behind Discord speaks up against this boast, “Are you crazy? You’re going to give them a chance to fight back? You should have let Discord keep them as animals just to be safe. It doesn’t make any sense to me why you would let have their greatest weapon to use against us.” Annoyed at this outburst from Trixie turns to face her which makes Discord step to the side to give Siren and good view of her, “Calm yourself Trixie, if you doubt my motives then feel free to leave but know that if you decide to leave us you will lose your reward and share the same fate of these ponies.” At this Trixie turns away in silence not willing to put up any more objections. Celestia who was listening this whole time speaks to Twilight and her friends, “If this unicorn wants to give us a chance to defeat her quickly then fine, let us be done with this.” Celestia turns to the magical vault where the elements are kept and breaks the spell protecting them by inserting her horn into the lock. The vault opens and Celestia retrieves the box with her magic and brings it to Twilight. Before Twilight can even open the box though she is interrupted by Siren. “The Elements of Harmony are an interesting thing. From what you believe they keep balance over Equestria but how can they keep balance without a form of energy to oppose them? You see I know that Celestia and Luna found the Elements of Harmony and used them to defeat Discord and later used by Celestia to banish Nightmare Moon a thousand years ago. “At this Discord and Nightmare both wince and turn their attention to Celestia. “The thing that you never realized Celestia is that with light there must be dark. There must be evil to oppose good. Without these factors there cannot be balance in this word. What you failed to realize is that with the Elements of Harmony another set of objects were created to make sure good did not completely win over evil. To ensure that good could never truly win the Elements of Disharmony were created.” A silence falls over Celestia, Twilight and all of her friends. Seeing that she is getting the reaction that she hoped for Siren continues, “That’s where this group of villains that you see before you comes in. They all represent one of the Elements of Disharmony.” Siren turns to face her group of villains. “The element of Chaos is represented by Discord, the element of Power represented by Queen Chrysalis, the element of Deceit represented by Trixie, and the element of Envy by Nightmare Moon.” As Siren was naming each element a black light began to shine from each of the villains named. Siren realizing that she should no longer keep every pony waiting decides to finish her speech, “Of course Zartanis and myself make up the last two elements. Zartanis representing the element of Fear and myself representing the element of Magic.” With this a black light begins to shine around Siren and Zartanis. Twilight and her friends are frozen with fear and shock from what they are witnessing; only Celestia makes a move and opens the box containing the Elements of Harmony. What appear to be black stones now revolve around the villains. Celestia tries to get the elements on each girl but is stopped by a flash of light. The black stones revolving around Discord, Trixie, Chrysalis, Nightmare Moon, and Zartanis form around their necks into chains with ancient symbols dangling from the end of each. The stones revolving around Siren form into a dark crown on her head. Celestia is now too frozen in place at the sight of this. Siren and the villains levitate in the air in a small group with black light and electrical currents moving around them. Siren with her eyes closed speaks to the group of terrified ponies watching, “Now witness the end of Harmony in all of Equestria by my hooves.” Siren opens her eyes which shine with a dark glow and in that instant a beam of energy shoots towards Twilight and her friends. Still frozen in place Twilight and the girls take the blast head on and yell in pain and agony at the effects of the blast. Their bodies appear to be electrocuted as their limbs spaz out and move unnaturally from the blast of dark energy. The blast ends and Twilight with her friends fall to the ground. Twilight opening her eyes looks over her body and realizes in horror that her cutie mark has disappeared from her flank. Looking around at her friends Twilight notices that their cutie marks have also disappeared. They each yell in surprise and agony at what has happened to them. Siren, who is still levitating in the air with the villains, laughs at their horror before speaking, “You see Twilight Sparkle? I have taken what was dear to you. I have erased your cutie marks and left you blank.” Siren content with herself looks over at Celestia who is staring in disbelief and horror over what has happened. “You see Celestia? Even your prized student can’t save Equestria or you!” Twilight regains her train of thought and looks over at the where the Elements of Harmony lay hoping to retrieve them and use their power against Siren and the villains. When Twilight spots her element she realizes that it has begun to turn to stone. Looking around her she also sees that the other elements begin to turn to stone as well. Twilight speaks without realizing it, “The Elements of Harmony! Why are they turning back into stone?” Siren answers Twilights question to further drive the point home, “I didn’t just erase your cutie marks, I also severed your connection to the Elements of Harmony so that you may never use them again. It doesn’t matter though since in my next attack I will erase you and your friends permanently from existence!” Siren closes her eyes to focus the dark power around her into a new blast. “With you out of the way I will be able to throw all of Equestria into Disharmony and make Celestia my prisoner for all ponies across this kingdom to see that her kingdom has fallen.” With this Siren opens her eyes once more and fires the blast of dark energy towards Twilight and her friends. Moments before the blast hits the girls Celestia flies in front of them and creates a shield of light to block the blast. The blast hits the shield dead on and begins to crack it. Realizing that there isn’t much time Celestia yells instructions and Twilight and her friends, “RUN girls! Leave Canterlot and go to where it is safe! I can’t not hold this blast off much longer. You must escape from this place!” Twilight and her friends are frozen unable to comprehend what the princess is telling them. Celestia yells once more, “GO! LEAVE THIS PLACE NOW!” At this Twilight tells her friends to gather around her as she prepares her teleportation spell. Moments later Twilight and her friends vanish in a flash of pink light away from Canterlot. Seeing that her student and friends are safe Celestia ceases her shield spell and is hit by the dark energy blast. Her body is consumed by the darkness and slowly she begins to turn to stone. Celestia takes one final look at Siren and the group of villains before closing her eyes as her body finishes its transformation into stone. She falls to the ground petrified as the sun sets outside Canterlot.
Episode IV: Escape From Canterlot
Princess Celestia lay on the ground in her stone form as the group of villains gathered around her. Discord moves up to her faster than the others, “I must say Celestia you do pull off the petrified stone look better than I ever did. I only wish you had kept your eyes open so I could see the look of terror on your face for eternity. But you had to be the buzz kill that you are and closed them ruining my fun.” After saying this Discord flies close enough to Celestia to give her a swift kick but as his foot hits her stone body he reels back in pain grabbing his hurt foot. “Even in stone form you still manage to bring me discomfort.” Discord moves away from the stone princess to nurse his now swollen foot. Chrysalis takes this opportunity to get in closer to Celestia, “Oh Celestia how arrogant you were as a princess and now once again I see you lying on the floor weak and defenseless. Serves you right believing that your pony kingdom was untouchable from outside forces.” Chrysalis turns away laughing very content over the princess’s current state. Trixie takes a look at Celestia but turns away without saying anything, her face showing no emotion at all. Nightmare Moon stands over Celestia’s stone body and looks at her for a long time before speaking, “What do you plan to do with her Siren? It was not in the plans to turn Celestia to stone. We were going to keep her as our prisoner for all the world to see after we eliminated Twilight Sparkle and her friends.” Siren takes some time to create a response to this question before she looks at Nightmare, “This changes only a few minor things, we still have Celestia as our prisoner and in a weaker state then she was before.” Trixie moves next to Siren intent on reminding her that one part of the pan has changed substantially, “Well what about Twilight and her friends Siren? They managed to escape from you and are probably planning a way to rescue Celestia as we speak. From experience I know that Twilight will not give up so easily and will probably begin looking for a way to free Celestia.” As Trixie finishes her sentence all the other villains stop what they are doing and look at Siren with a look of worry on their faces. Siren realizing that her plans have changed comes up with a quick solution, “Don’t worry so much Trixie, while it is true that Twilight and her friends managed to escape with Celestia’s sacrifice ill make sure they never get a chance to begin to plan to rescue Celestia.” With this Siren turns to face Zartanis who has been standing behind her watching silently, “Zartanis, do me a favor and go finish off Twilight and her friends for me. I doubt they got far with that teleportation spell seeing how weak Twilight was at the moment.” Zartanis nods his head in approval and heads towards the door. After Zartanis leaves Siren turns to face the group of villains to begin the next phase of her plan, “As for the rest of you I think it’s time we move ahead with the original plan. I will stay here in Canterlot with Zartanis to watch over things. As for the rest of you by using the Elements of Disharmony you have become even more powerful than you were before. Now head out into Equestria to claim the rest of your rewards and take your new roles as governors of those parts to heart.” With this Discord vanishes in a flash of yellow light, Chrysalis disappears in a ball of green flame, Nightmare Moon turns into a puff of purple mist and disappears into the night, and Trixie with the new power that she possesses now teleports out of Sirens view in a flash of blue light. With them gone Siren heads to the top of the highest tower in Canterlot to look over the land that she had just conquered, “At last I’m now one step closer to achieving what I could not do all those years ago before I left Equestria.” Siren takes one last look over the city before heading back down towards Canterlot’s archives.
Coming out of Twilight’s teleportation spell the six ponies fall towards the ground. It is not long before tears fill each of their eyes. Apple Jack turns to Twilight and reveals a face that Twilight does not recognize, “What do you reckon we do now Twilight? With the princess gone I’m finding it rather hard to see any good in all of this.” Rainbow Dash flies to up over her friends in a furious manner, “There’s NOTHING WE CAN DO. It’s over and we lost! Princess Celestia is gone and to top that off we’ve lost our cutie marks and to make matters even worse we’ve lost our connection to the Elements of Harmony, the one thing that might have been able to fix all this.” Droplets of water fall from Rainbow’s face to the ground. Pinkie Pie wipes her tears from her face to look at Rainbow Dash, “How can you say that Dashie? Have you really given up hope for the first time in your life? We need to stay with hope no matter how hard it is or we really will have lost.” Rarity wiping her tears on a handkerchief turns to look at Rainbow Dash too, “Pinkie is right Rainbow. We simply cannot afford to lose our hope right now. We need to stay strong for the princess’s sake.” With this Rainbow falls to the ground unable to control her tears. Fluttershy looking at Rainbow Dash stops crying and moves over to hug Rainbow, “I know its hard Rainbow but I know in my in my heart that we will find a way to make things right again.” The rest of the girls move in and share a group hug. Twilight looks around her and realizes that they have not put that much distance between them and the villains decides to keep moving. “Come on girls, we can’t stay here or they are going to find us. It looks like we are actually only a few blocks away from the train station. We need to get on that train and head back to PonyVille, once there we can figure out what to do next.” The girls nod in agreement and they begin their run towards the train station. Once at the station the girls run into a mob of ponies trying to board the train and escape Canterlot. Twilight and her fiends push towards the train when something catches Twilights eye, a unicorn with a light and dark blue mane with a white body. Twilight changes direction and rushes over towards the unicorn calling his name, “Shining Armor! Shining Armor!” Hearing his name being called Shining Armor turns around in time to see Twilight hug him viciously. “Twilight? What are you doing here? What’s going on, all of Canterlot is in a panic.” Twilight lets go of him and points her gaze towards the train, “We need to get you and Cadence out of here now. I don’t have time to explain but you need to have all of Canterlot evacuated. Please just trust me!” Shining Armor shows a look of confusion on his face but nods in understanding. “Twilight get on the train while I give the orders to have the city evacuated. I’ll meet you on the train once I get Cadence from the house. I’m also going to prepare my troops to move out of Canterlot and into PonyVille for the time being.” With this Twilight hugs her brother one last time and heads back towards her friends. Minutes pass and the train is loaded full of ponies wanting to escape Canterlot. Eventually Shining Armor returns with Cadence at his side and boards the train as well. He gives the order for the train to begin to move. The train speeds out of the station as Shining Armor and Cadence make their way to where Twilight and her friends are seated on the train. Twilight seeing that her brother and wife are safe breaths a sigh of relief. Cadence smiles at Twilight before hugging her. Shining Armor notices Twilights friends and smiles at them before turning to face Twilight. “Now Twilight tell me what’s happened.” Cadence lets go of Twilight as she tells Shining Armor all that has happened. Some time passes as Twilight finishes telling of what she has witnessed. Cadence breaks into tears as a look of disbelief passes over Shining Armors face. The train approaches the edge of the Ever Free Forrest and begins to slow down to take a sharp turn. As the train begins to turn it is suddenly rocked violently from the outside. Ponies inside the train scream in terror, Twilight looks out to window to see what happening. She sees what appears to be a red mist hitting the side of the train cart that they are in. Twilight and her friends move to the next train cart but the red mist moves to hit that cart also. Realizing what is happening Twilight turns to her friends, “It’s after us! It’s hunting us in this train. We have to get to the caboose or else it’s going to take the whole train off the rails!” With this Twilight and her friends begin to run towards the back of the train but Twilight is stopped by her brother, “Twilight what are you doing?” Twilight turns to face her brother, “That red mist is looking for me and my friends. If we don’t move to the back then it’s going to take the whole train out.” The train continues to shake violently as Shining Armor realizes what Twilight is about to do, “I can’t let you do that Twilight! I won’t lose my little sister!” Twilight hugs Shining armor before closing her eyes and casting a stun spell on him. Shining Armor falls to the floor as tears begin to form in both his and Twilights eyes. Twilight looks away, “I’m sorry big brother but me and my friends have to do this.” Twilight runs to the caboose with her friends as the red mist follows. They reach the caboose and tell every pony there to get as far away from the back of the train as they can. The ponies leave and Twilight shuts the door behind them and locks it. Twilight turns to face her friends but only manages a glance before the caboose rocks violently back and forth. Twilight looks out the window and sees the red mist engulfing the entire caboose. In an instant the red mist rips the caboose from the rest of the train, which falls of the track and starts to move away from the attacking force, as it continues on its way to PonyVille. The red mist takes the caboose and throws it towards the Ever Free Forest. Twilight and her friends look at each in in midair flying around the inside of the caboose. The caboose slams on the ground and Twilight and her friends lose conscious as the caboose skids across the forest floor knocking over trees and demolishing rocks before it comes to a halt.
Episode V: Separate Ways(Part 1)
Twilight slowly regains consciousness as she looks around her and sees the aftermath of the crash. All around her trees lay on the ground broken into pieces, rocks lay overturned, and there is a large skid mark from where the caboose had rolled across the dirt. Behind Twilight the caboose, or what was left of it, was destroyed beyond recognition. Parts of it were scattered all across the area. Twilight could not remember what had happened initially but slowly as she collected her thoughts she remembered with horror what had just happened. She tries to get up but realizes that she does not have the strength to move and her body is in pain. She looks around for her friends but cannot see any of them. She calls into the night, “Girls!? Girls where are you?” Seconds pass and no response is heard. She prepares to call again when Apple Jacks voice comes from behind her, “Twilight? I’m over here with Pinkie but I’m banged up pretty bad. Can hardly stand at the moment.” Twilight looks over at the direction of the voice and sees Apple Jack moving towards her leaning on Pinkie. Twilight again tries to stand and manages to get off the ground, she slowly moves towards Pinkie and Apple Jack. Pinkie looks at Twilight, “Don’t worry Twilight; me and Apple Jack are okay, just few bruises that’s all.” They meet half way both Twilight and Apple Jack seemingly about to collapse. Apple Jack gathers the strength to speak, “Where’s the rest of the girls? I woke up collapsed on a rock. Didn’t manage to get up till Pinkie began shaking me.” Pinkie looks at Apple Jack, “I woke up next to you and immediately tried to get you to wake up.” Twilight looks around a look of worry showing on her face, “It looks like we were thrown from the caboose before it stopped completely. We should hurry and look for the girls they might be in great pain or…” Twilight did not dare to finish the sentence. She looked towards Apple jack and Pinkie, all three nod in agreement, nothing more needed to be said. They move around the crash site looking for their friends. Apple jack leans on a tree for support when she notices a purple mane sticking out from around the tree. “Rarity! Twilight I found Rarity! She’s unconscious though.” Apple Jack bends over Rarity to try and wake her up. Apple Jack shakes her violently to get a response. Finally Rarity shows signs of life and begins to wake up, “Apple…Apple…Apple Jack? What happened to your mane, it’s all filthy.” At this Apple Jack smiles glad to see that her friend is okay, “My mane? You should look at yours first before you go and judge mine.” Rarity looks at her body and almost passes out again, she tries to stand but Apple Jack stops her, “Easy there Rarity, take it nice and slow now. Don’t want you to go and hurt yourself.” Twilight makes her way towards Apple Jack and Rarity but stops when she feels something thumping her on one of her hooves. She looks down and sees a small brown rabbit. As soon as the rabbit realizes it has her attention it runs off behind a fallen tree before stopping and thumping its foot furiously. This confuses Twilight at first but she soon realizes what the rabbit is trying to do. She moves towards the fallen tree and looks behind it. She sees Fluttershy on the ground with a group of small woodland creatures surrounding her. “Apple Jack! I found Fluttershy! She’s over here by this fallen tree.” At the sound of Twilights voice Fluttershy seems to begin to wake, she turns to face Twilight, “Twi…light? Is...that...you?” Twilight leans in to get a closer look, “Fluttershy are you in any pain? Can you stand?” Fluttershy takes a little time but with the help of some small woodland creatures manages to stand. “I don’t think I’m hurt that bad, just a few bruises on me.” Fluttershy looks around her remembering what had just happened and looks at Twilight and says in a weak voice, “Where are the other girls? Are they alright?” Twilight points her head towards the tree where Apple jack and Rarity are, “Apple Jack and Pinkie are fine and sounds like Rarity is too.” Her face changes to a look of concern, “We still haven’t found Rainbow Dash though.” Sadness creeps its way up Fluttershy’s face. “Come on Fluttershy, I’m sure she’s okay. We just need to find her.” Fluttershy nods and they move towards Apple Jack and Rarity. They arrive to the tree where Apple Jack is helping Rarity stand. They hug briefly but then prepare to continue to look for Rainbow. Before they can even start though they hear a faint voice coming from inside of the destroyed train cart, “Help…help” The girls move towards the cart as quickly as they can. Apple Jack gathers enough strength to climb over a broken section of the carts wall and look inside, “Its Rainbow Dash! She seems pretty hurt too.” Apple Jack jumps into the caboose and sees her friend there barely awake. “Rainbow! Rainbow! Come on Rainbow speak to me!” Rainbow slowly opens her eyes and looks at Apple Jack. “Hey there Apple Jack. Crazy ride wasn’t it? Remind me to thank Twilight for all the fun tonight.” Apple Jack smiles at this but then regains her focus, Rainbow can you move?” Rainbow quickly stands up but immediately falls from pain. She looks at Apple Jack, “I think my right wing is broken. Can’t seem to move it.” Hearing this Apple jacks puts her back towards a broken wall of the caboose and begins to kick it trying to make it fall. After a few painful attempts the wall falls and Twilight enters the caboose. She looks at Rainbow Dash and helps to put the downed pony over her and Apple Jacks back to carry out. They manage to get Rainbow out of the caboose but before any pony has a chance to say anything Twilight sees something out of the corner of her eye. Red mist begins to move from behind the trees. The red mist takes the form of Siren’s hooded accomplice Zartanis. Twilight turns to face him, “What do you want from us. Why have you been chasing me and my friends?” Zartanis does not answer and instead manipulates the red mist around him till it takes the shape of a serpent. The red mist suddenly lunges towards Twilight and her friends. Before any of them have a chance to react though a green mist shoots from behind them into the mouth of the red mist serpent making it fall to the ground and vanish. Zartanis is immediately caught off guard by this. A familiar voice comes from behind Twilight, “Attack my friends is what you intended to do. Unaware though that I was watching you.” From behind the girls Zecora emerges with a look of concern on her, “Are you all okay Twilight Sparkle?” Twilight looks towards her and nods her head. Zecora refocuses her attention towards Zartanis, “Long time it has been. Since I have seen my fellow kin.” A look of confusion spreads across the girls faces. Zecora looks towards the direction of PonyVille, “Asleep I was in my hut till I heard a noise that no longer allowed me to keep my eyes shut.” Zecora looks back towards Zartanis, “Zartanis why do you attack my friends with no repent? Do you no longer remember what you used to represent?” Zartanis removes his hood and reveals black and white stripes with a zebra mane, “Zecora my old friend. I did not expect to see you in a place like this. I see from rhymes a priestess you have become. Too bad my banishment prevented me from attending the celebration.” Zecora winces at this and steps forward, “Spare me your lies of what you pretend. What is it that you intend?” Zartanis gathers his red mist around his body while preparing to speak, “I am saddened Zecora that you live in this land since it is I that is helping to spread Disharmony through it. I give you chance old friend. Join me and I guarantee your safety.” Zartanis extends his hoof to Zecora. Zecora turns away from him, “True it is that my friend you were. But you are not the one I remember.” Zartanis lowers his hoof, “Then perish with these ponies!” The red mist launches towards Zecora engulfing her body. What Zartanis hadn’t realized though was that Zecora’s green mist had moved across the ground wrapping itself around one of Zartanis’s hooves. In an instant the green mist explodes and Zartanis falls towards on the ground in pain. The red mist that had covered half of Zecora’s body also explodes; she falls to the ground with wounds covering half her body. Twilight and the rest rush over to her to help. Zartanis with an injured hoof decides not to continue on, “Another time ponies and I guarantee that my former friend will not save you next time.” Zartanis’s body turns into red mist before flowing into the forest. Twilight moves over Zecora, “Fluttershy, and Pinkie. Help carry her back towards PonyVille. She’s really hurt.” Pinkie and Fluttershy nod in agreement and lift Zecora on their backs. They begin to move in pain and agony towards PonyVille under a starless night.
Episode V: Separate Ways (Part 2)
Twilight and her friends were exhausted from the rough night that they had just endured. From their altered escape from Canterlot, to their train cart being thrown into the Ever Free Forest, and finally to the brief encounter with Zartanis. Night was fading quickly but Twilight did not know what would come out of the horizon. With Princess Celestia turned to stone it was hard to say if the sun would rise at all. Twilight was horribly tired and she knew her friends were too. Having to carry an injured Rainbow Dash and Zecora was really draining their strength from them. Finally though Twilight and her friends reached Zecora’s hut in the forest. Twilight briefly considers resting in her hut but realized that it was not the safest option with Zecora being injured at the moment. “Come on girls we can’t stop now. I know we’re all tired but PonyVille is just a little further.” Rainbow Dash had fallen asleep while being carried by Twilight and Apple Jack. Twilight wasn’t sure if Zecora had fallen asleep or passed out from her wounds. Either way they had to hurry and return to PonyVille, once there they could decide on what to do next. About a half hour later Twilight received her answer about the sun as it began to rise over the horizon. It was a dim but at least it was there. Finally Twilight and her friends were at the foot of a hill that overlooked PonyVille. As soon as they reached the top though Twilight saw PonyVille different than from the previous day. It was completely crowded with ponies and guards from Canterlot were stationed at every corner. As they descended the hill Twilight and her friends made their way to the local hospital. They didn’t get far when from crowd of ponies Spike emerged, “Twilight!? Twilight! It’s you, I knew they were wrong! They told me that you had been taken out when the train from Canterlot was attacked. I didn’t believe them because I knew that you and all your friends would make It back.” Spike hugs Twilight but then realizes their bruises and injuries. He hadn’t notice that they were carrying Rainbow Dash and Zecora, “Twilight what happened out there? “ Twilight turns away from Spike to continue moving, “I’ll tell you what’s happened after but right now we need to get Rainbow and Zecora to the hospital.” Spike looks at Rainbow and Zecora and says no more following silently behind them. The group reaches the hospital and notice how crowded it is. They barely manage to get Rainbow and Zecora a room. Some time passes and Rainbow has her broken wing dressed and put in a cast. Zecora is put in a bed and monitored by the doctors whenever they have the time. Twilight and the rest are in the hospital room to keep Rainbow and Zecora company. Rainbow Dash is feeling better but annoyed to know that she won’t be able to use her wing for three days. Rainbow Dash comments on her current condition, “Aww man…stuck with a broken wing again. This is seriously lame.” Looking over at Zecora’s bed right next to her though Rainbow blushes and looks away. Twilight is about to speak when the door to the hospital room opens and Cadance walks in angrily towards Twilight, “How could you do that? How could you do that to your brother?” Cadance looks directly at Twilight with tears in her eyes. Twilight moves closer to speak to her, “Cadance we had to…” Twilight doesn’t get to finish her sentence as Cadance slaps Twilight across the face, “If you would have seen your brother after your cart was ripped from the train, he was emotionally spent. He wanted to stop the train and head out to search for you but realized that he had to get all the other ponies on the train to safety first.” Cadance turns away from Twilight, “As soon as the train pulled into PonyVille he got a search party and headed out into the Ever Free Forest to look for look. He’s still out there now.” Twilight rubbing her sore face moves next to Cadance, “I’m sorry but me and my friends had to do what was necessary in order to ensure that the train would make it back safely.” Twilights friends look at them but stay silent. Cadance looks towards Twilight and hugs her, tears still streaming from her eyes. “It wasn’t just your brother that was worried, I was afraid that I had lost you too.” Twilight closes her eyes, “I really am sorry for what I put both of you through.” Twilight backs up a little wipes the tears from Cadence’s eyes, “When my brother gets back we need to have a talk over what we are going to do.” Cadance closes her eyes and nods in agreement. A few hours pass before Shining Armor returns to PonyVille and hears the news that his sister has made it back from one of the guards. He runs towards the hospital at full speed until finally after opening the door to the hospital room he looks directly at Twilight. He grabs her in a great hug, “I thought I lost my little sister.” Twilight looks at him and apologizes. After explaining what had happened to them after their train cart landed in the Ever Free Forest Twilight moves towards the window. “I’m afraid that Equestria is no longer what we remember. Princess Celestia is still being kept at Canterlot and Princess Luna has once again become Nightmare Moon.” With this Twilight looks at Cadance, “The ponies of Equestria need a ruler to guide them. Cadance you must rule in Celestia’s place for the time being. You are the last princess.” Cadance is taken by surprise by this, “Me rule in Celestia’s place? I could never be worthy for such a task.” Shining Armor puts his hoof over Cadance, “You have to rule in Celestia’s place. Twilight’s right, the ponies of Equestria need a pony to rally under.” Cadance looks at Shining Armor and agrees. Twilight now turns her attention towards Shining Armor, “I’ve been talking this over with my friends and we realize that Siren is hunting us and will bring harm to any pony in her way to get to us.” Twilight looks towards Zecora before looking back at Shining Armor, “After me and my friends were hit by the dark blast from the Elements of Disharmony we lost our cutie marks. Not only that we lost our ability to use the Elements of Harmony. Without the elements, fighting against Siren would be useless since there is no way we could win .Me and my friends have agreed that in about three days we should split up into three groups and leave PonyVille for the time being in order to ensure that it won’t be attacked. We have heard rumors from other ponies in the hospital that three other cities in Equestria are experiencing strange things. So we’ve decided that we will head to the cities of Manehatten, Appleloosa, and Las Pegasus in groups of two to investigate these claims. We hope that by leaving PonyVille we’ll avoid bringing Siren’s destruction down on the village.” Shining Armor looks at Twilight sternly but then lets his gaze fall to the floor before sighing, “I understand why you need to do this and I could not be prouder of you and your friends.” Twilight walks up to Shining Armor, “Thank you big brother. I need you to stay here and guard the village while me and my friends are gone.” Shining Armor brings his gaze back up, “You can count on me Twilie.” In three days the ponies prepare for their separate journeys across Equestria saying good bye to their friends and families. Finally the day arrives and the six ponies meet to iron everything out. Twilight moves into the center of the group, “All right every pony, this is how we’re going to travel, me and Pinkie Pie are going to head towards Manehatten.” Pinkie bounces up and down in anticipation. “Rarity and Rainbow Dash will head to Las Pegasus” Rarity and Rainbow look at each other and give a smile. “Finally Apple Jack and Fluttershy will head to Appleloosa” Apple Jack and Fluttershy look nervously at each other but nod in agreement. “Remember girls we must leave PonyVille and go into hiding for the time being but we will return one day.” Every pony nods in agreement as they set off in different directions. Once Twilight and Pinkie are out of PonyVille Twilight turns back in time to see her brother put up a shield around PonyVille. Twilight looks ahead as the sun begins to rise.
Back in Canterlot Siren is in the StarSwirl the bearded archives doing research when she is interrupted by Zartanis who comes in dragging his injured hoof, “Siren we have a problem, my sources tell me that Twilight and her friends are no longer in PonyVille and that they have gone into hiding across all of Equestria.” Siren turns around quickly and with her magic hits Zartanis with a blast that sends him into a stack of scrolls. Siren moves up to him, “If you hadn’t failed me then they wouldn’t have escaped the forest in the first place.” Siren grabs hold of Zartanis’s hurt hoof and applies pressure with her magic. Zartanis reels back from the pain, “It doesn’t matter though. I could care less if they flee and hide from me.” With this Siren lets go of Zartanis’s injured hoof. Siren heads back to the scroll she was reading, “Soon nothing that they do will enough to stop me.”
It had been three days since Rarity and Rainbow Dash had left PonyVille for Las Pegasus in an effort to keep Siren from attacking their home. Before leaving they had packed enough supplies to last them until they reached the city. Along the way they had slept where it was safe and eaten when they found the time. Now on the third day the journey was beginning to take its toll on them. “Rainbow could you be a dear and fly up a little to see if you can see the city yet?” Rarity and Rainbow were both exhausted. Rarity had been walking slowly since the day before due to her not wanting to kick up dirt into her mane. Rainbow had been flown for the entirety of the first day but by the second was on the ground walking and flew whenever she had the energy to. Rainbow nodded and flew upwards a good way before stopping and looking around. She scanned the horizon for Las Pegasus and was about to give up and head back down when something caught her eye. In the distance she saw what appeared to be tall buildings popping up from the ground. Excited by this she eagerly flew back down to Rarity, “I see the city! It’s not that far away and we could probably make it there before sun down if we move fast.” Rarity was hoping to take a break but then realized that when they reached the city she could probably find a place to take a nice warm bath and rest her body. “Very well then, Rainbow Dash, lead the way” They were moving at a faster speed than the day before without stopping to rest or eat figuring that they would be able to do that once they reached the city. A while later Rarity decided to ask Rainbow a question to break the silence between them that lingered for the longest time, “Rainbow, have you ever been to Las Pegasus?” With this Rainbow slows down enough to let Rarity catch up to her before answering her question, “I’ve flown over the city a number of times but I really never felt like going in to the city itself. I never liked Las Pegasus, it didn’t attract me.” Rarity curious as to why Rainbow Dash never liked the city prods her some more, “From what I was told the city was founded by both Pegasus and Unicorns a long time ago in an effort to make the perfect resort. The best theatre, hotels, and SPA’s in all of Equestria. I don’t see how any pony could possibly not like…”Rarity stops speaking after Rainbow Dash looks back to give her a certain look, Rarity decides not to continue speaking after remembering who she was talking to. Rainbow Dash, feeling a little guilty, stops moving and lets her gaze fall to the ground, “Comfort and relaxation were never really my things. I figured Las Pegasus didn’t have anything for a pony like me.” Rainbow looks up again and continues moving, “What I wouldn’t give though for things to go back to the way they used to be.” Rarity increases her pace to catch up to Rainbow Dash, “Rainbow darling, we all wish we could go back to the way things were before any of these dreadful events occurred, but we have to keep moving forward towards a better future.” Rainbow Dash looks at Rarity and smiles before they continue towards the city. Some time passes and sure enough just as Rainbow said they arrive at Las Pegasus before the night sets in. Inside the city they find pegasus and unicorns walking around the streets in between shops and buildings. Something is noticeably off though since every pony seems to be keeping their distance from one another. Rarity and Rainbow Dash go up to a unicorn to ask for directions to a hotel. Rarity takes the initiative to ask the unicorn, “Excuse me miss, would you be so kind to show me and my friend here to a hotel? We would be ever so grateful.” The unicorn turns and gives Rarity a stern look, “Why should I help you and your friend? Don’t know you two. For all I know you could try and take my apartment from me.” Rarity looks shocked at this accusation, “Darling we would never do such a thing. Please we just want a place to rest.” The unicorn turns away from Rarity, “You can forget it lady, go help yourselves.” The Unicorn begins to walk away but Rainbow now furious at how her friend was treated flies up to the unicorn putting her hoof on her. The unicorn turns around in protest, “HEY WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING? Get your hoof off me lady.” Rainbow ignores her complaint and, “What’s wrong with you? We didn’t do anything to you and you treat us like garbage? All we wanted was directions.” The unicorn shakes Rainbow off her and moves away quickly, “Why should I trust you? Why should I trust anybody? You’re not the leader so why should I listen to you?” Rainbow Dash and Rarity both share a confused look on their faces. Rarity moves up to Rainbow Dash, “What do you suppose that was all about Rainbow?” Rainbow turns to meet Rarity’s eyes, “A disturbed pony it looks like.” Rainbow and Rarity share a quick laugh before Rarity speaks, “Well there rumors floating around PonyVille that something weird had happened to the ponies in this city.” Rarity turns her gaze looking down the street, “Come on Rainbow; let’s go see if some other pony will help us.” After asking about a dozen other ponies however they encounter the same response from every single one. Rarity and Rainbow decide to rest at a park after all the failed attempts. Rainbow at this point was growing annoyed at the fact that no pony was willing to help them. “What’s wrong with every pony in this city? Doesn’t any pony trust any pony at all here?” Rarity interrupts Rainbows rant, “The only pony they seem to trust is this leader that they keep talking about.” Before Rainbow could respond a flash of light in the sky catches her attention. It seemed like some pony was shooting off fireworks. Following the fireworks to their source they come to an elaborate stage set up in the middle of the park. They see ponies gathering around the stage in anticipation for whatever was about to happen. Suddenly a loud booming voice echoes through the city, “Attention every pony, report to the park for the nightly address by our leader.” Rarity and Rainbow look at each other. “Rainbow I think it’s about time we meet this leader.” Rainbow nods in agreement. They move toward the stage but stay near the back of the large group of ponies that had gathered there. Music started to play and then fog rolls over the stage. Surrounded by fog a figure appears on the stage. As the fog clears Rarity and Rainbow Dash see a pony with a light blue body and a silver mane stand on stage, “ALL HAIL YOUR TRUTHFULL AND HONEST LEADER. All hail the great and powerful Trixie!” Rarity’s and Rainbows mouths hang wide open as every pony around them began stomping their feet in celebration. Rarity turns to Rainbow Dash, “Trixie? Trixie? Have these ponies gone mad? How in Equestria could Trixie be their leader?” Rainbow turns her attention towards the stage,” I don’t know but I’m gonna find out.” Trixie moves towards the edge of the stage to speak, “My loyal subjects and fans, these are truly dark days since the fall of our beloved Princess Celestia. I stood there and tried my hardest to keep her from being defeated at the hand s of the dark ponies that had her turned to stone.” Before Trixie could continue her story Rainbow flies up in the air and calls her out, “What a bunch of lies. You didn’t do a thing to save the princess. In fact you’re the one that helped Siren turn Princess Celestia into stone in the first place!” Rarity moves towards the stage as well intent on speaking her mind, “How you managed to trick all these ponies is beyond me but you and I know that you are no leader. You are a liar and only wish to look after yourself.” Trixie turns to face Rainbow Dash and Rarity, giving a grin as they get closer. “Well, well, well…what brings you two losers to my city?” Rarity reaches the stage and looks up at Trixie, “Enough with the insults, how did you get all the ponies here to listen to you?” In a flash of blue light Trixie teleports behind Rarity, “Oh Rarity, it’s actually very simple but I didn’t expect you two low lives to understand. Speaking of low lives where are the rest of your friends?” Rainbow lands in between Trixie and Rarity, “Not here, that’s for sure.” Trixie looks away and in another flash of blue light stands on the stage again. “To answer you two losers’ questions, I have been given immense power by using the Elements of Disharmony.” Trixie pauses to show a chain dangling around her neck. “My increased power has granted me an enchanted voice that no pony can resist. By listening to my voice they do whatever I want them to do. All I had to do was tell a couple of lies and then every pony began to distrust one another, except me of course.” Rainbow having heard enough flies towards the stage at full speed, “I’m going to make sure you don’t get away with this and what you’ve done to Princess Celestia!” Trixie turns to face Rainbow, “How do you plan to do that if your own friend doesn’t believe you can do anything right?” Rainbow stops in midair and falls to the ground, “What? Doesn’t trust me?” Rainbow turns to look towards Rarity. “She believes you always have your head in the clouds Rainbow Dash. That you don’t have the intelligence to do anything right other than crash.” Rainbow now shows a look of pain on her face as she looks at Rarity. Rarity shocked by what she’s hearing beings to move towards Rainbow Dash, “Don’t listen to her Rainbow Dash! She’s telling nothing but lies!” Trixie teleports behind Rarity, “I don’t see why you are trying to comfort her Rarity, after all Rainbow Dash never did like your fashion designs.” Rarity stops moving and stands still in silence. “She always thought you were wasting your time with silly things that don’t have any meaning.” Trixie teleports back onto the stage. Rarity moves again towards Rainbow Dash, “You never liked my designs Rainbow?” Rainbow Dash looks away from Rarity, “I never really understood why you put so much effort into fashion. Always seemed silly to me.” Rainbow now turns to face Rarity, “How could you say that I wasn’t smart enough to do anything right? That I always had my head in the clouds?” The tone in Rainbows voice turns more to anger. Rarity turns away from Rainbow, “With you crashing all the time I just couldn’t see how you could do anything else.” Rainbow flies up to Rarity angrily, “Oh yeah? At least I was doing something productive and not wasting my time making cloths!” Rarity turns to Rainbow with a look of anger on her face, “At least my cloths didn’t get destroyed every other day due to some silly stunt that was never going to work in the first place!” Both Rainbow Dash and Rarity stare at each other silently, a look of hatred on their faces. Trixie gives a wide grin and takes the opportunity to get rid of a potential problem, “Attention ponies of Las Pegasus! This unicorn and pegasus are one of those responsible for the fall of Princess Celestia. Take your anger out on them and then lock them away for the rest of their lives!” Every pony in the park turned to look at Rarity and Rainbow Dash before charging at then angrily. Rarity and Rainbow look at the angrily mob before turning away being chased into the dark city as Trixie laughed uncontrollably behind them.
Episode VII: A Charmed Pony
Twilight and Pinkie had been traveling for two days since their departure from PonyVille. During their travels both ponies had gotten along quite well with one another trusting the others judgment. Since Manehatten was not really far from PonyVille Twilight and Pinkie had time to rest and eat whenever either of them felt the need to. Pinkie had packed enough supplies to last them for a few more days but really since their departure the previous morning they had more than enough food and water, with a little cake thrown in for good measure, to feed themselves on their trip. Twilight looks up at the sky and notices that the sun is directly overhead, “Pinkie, it’s almost lunch time. Do you want to stop and rest or keep going?” Pinkie, who had been hopping gracefully for most of their trip, turned towards Twilight, “Ummmm, I don’t know. Are you hungry Twilight?” Twilight stops for a moment and ponders the question. She begins to concentrate and puts her head towards her stomach, listening closely for any sound. A few moments pass and no sound can be heard. Twilight lifts her head and turns her gaze towards Pinkie, “I don’t think so, besides we can’t be that far from the city. Once we get there we can probably find a place to eat.” Pinkie smiles and turns back towards the road as they continue moving. It turns out that Twilight is correct because after climbing a small hill they see Manehattens tall buildings in the not too far off distance. Coming down from the top of the hill and towards the city both seemingly stop moving as they notice something wrong with the city. Twilight squints her eyes to get a better look at what appears to be green slime that is covering most of the buildings. Shocked at this sight Twilight turns towards Pinkie, “I know this slime, it’s the same slime that we saw a few months back at the wedding, it’s the slime that that Queen Chrysalis used to trap Celestia.” At hearing her name Pinkie jumps in the air and shows a face of surprise and anger, “You mean that phony pony that tried to ruin your brother’s wedding and attacked Princess Celestia?” Twilight nods her head, “Come on Pinkie we have to get into that city and find out what’s happening!” Twilight looks at the city ahead and after doing a few calculations figures that they are close enough for her to teleport them into the city, “Get close to me Pinkie.” Pinkie nods her head and quickly hugs Twilight. Twilight, a little stunned from the hug, closes her eyes and teleports her and Pinkie into the city. Inside the city a flash of pink light flashes and from it Twilight and Pinkie emerge. Looking around they notice that the buildings are either completely covered in green slime or have been boarded up. “What happened to this place Twilight? It looks so sad.” Twilight looks down the street looking for signs of pony life. “I don’t know Pinkie but come on, let’s see if can find any pony.” They set off down the street looking around to for any pony that can tell them what happened. An hour passes but they can’t seem to find any other pony. A loud audible rumble comes from Pinkie followed by one that comes from Twilight. “Pinkie I think we should find a safe place to…” Yelling is heard from around the street corner and Twilight along with Pinkie are caught off guard at first but rush towards the source. They quickly round the corner of the street and see a group of ponies being chased by changelings. Twilight turns to Pinkie, “Quick Pinkie, ill distract the changelings while you get the ponies to safety.” Twilight quickly teleports in front of the changelings who get started by the flash of pink light. Twilight quickly starts firing purple rays of energy from her horn at the changelings. A few of the rays find their mark and changelings fall towards the ground stunned. Taking advantage of the changeling’s confusion Pinkie whistles to the group of ponies to follow them. The group, who had stopped to look at Twilight fighting the changelings, turns towards Pinkie and follow her. Pinkie and the group disappear around the corner finding a building to hide in. A few moments later Twilight realizing that the group is safe quickly teleports away from the changelings, the flash of pink light temporarily blinding them. Pinkie who had lead the group a couple of blocks away from the fight leaves the group for a moment to look for Twilight. Pinkie notices a flash of pink light and looks down the street to see Twilight. She quickly signals to her. Twilight joins Pinkie and the group, “Did you manage to get every pony out of their Pinkie?” Pinkie looks towards the group of ponies who are now on the ground resting, “Yea, I think I did. They look pretty tired though Twilight, I don’t think they’ve eaten in a while.” Hearing this Twilight talks to Pinkie about what to do next before turning to face the group of ponies, “Attention every pony, me and my friend here have enough food and water for all of you. Don’t get up, we’ll bring the food and water to you.” Twilight and Pinkie quickly move through the group handing out food and water. A few minutes later Pinkie moves through the group again this time handing out cake. One pony though refuses the cake, this catches Pinkie off guard, “Are you sure you don’t want cake? It’s pretty tasty and I know the bakers who made it.” The pony shakes her head again refusing the cake. Pinkie is put off by this. Twilight comes up to them to see what’s going on. The pony stands up seeing Twilight and moves towards her, “Hello, my name is Charm and I am the leader of this group. We are greatly thankful for what you and your friend have done for us.” Twilight and Pinkie smile at this before Twilight speaks to Charm, “It was really nothing, we just wanted to help you out. If you don’t mind me asking though what happened to this city and every other pony?” Charm looks at Twilight and gives a vague smile, “You see I was leading these ponies out of the city. We are refugees from the great Queen Chrysalis and her powerful changeling army.” Charm looks out towards the street , “A few days ago Queen Chrysalis came to the city and began unleashing her minions on the city. The Changeling began catching ponies and taking them to the center of the city. Any pony that’s been taken hasn’t been seen again and every day the number of changelings seems to increase.” Twilight turns to Pinkie before looking back at charm, “That sounds awe full, who knows what else you’ve been through.” Charm looks at Twilights and Pinkies flanks, “Don’t you have any cutie marks?” Twilight and Pinkie blush a little before Twilight answers this, “It’s a long story but also the reason why me and my friend are here. You see we’ve come to find a way to stop Chrysalis.” At this Charm looks startled and moves towards Twilight, “How can you possibly defeat Queen Chrysalis, she’s much too powerful!” Twilight and Pinkie look at each other, “We don’t know yet, me and Pinkie have been thinking of a way to reverse what’s happened during our travels.” Seeing Twilight starting to become worried Pinkie moves up to speak, “Don’t worry Twilight, I’m sure a smart pony like you will figure out a way to fix all this.” Twilight smiles at Pinkie and is about to say something but Charm cuts her off, “If you two want I can get you into Chrysalis’s hive, I know a secrete way in.” At this both Twilight and Pinkie are startled. “It’s no trouble really; it’s on route to the way out of the city where I am leading this group.” Twilight and Pinkie turn away from Charm and look at each other, “What do you think Pinkie? This could be the only way we’re ever going to confront Chrysalis.” Pinkie shows a face of concern, “I don’t know Twilight, something about this just doesn’t seem right about this. Charm seems a little off.” Twilight looks Pinkie straight in the eye, “Just because she didn’t want any cake doesn’t make her weird Pinkie. Besides we don’t know if we’ll ever get an opportunity like this again. We have to take her up on her offer.” Pinkie falls silent before nodding in approval. They turn back towards Charm, “Me and Pinkie will take you up on that offer.” Charm smiles, “Great but we can’t move any more today, the changelings will be looking for us. We’re going to have to wait till tomorrow to continue moving. It’s for the best that we spend the night here and continue once the sun comes up tomorrow.” Twilight and Pinkie nod, “We understand Charm. Besides me and Pinkie are pretty tired. We’re going to go eat and then try to sleep. See you in the morning.” Charms nods and turns away making her way back towards the group of pony refugees. Twilight and Pinkie eat what they have left after sharing with the pony refugees before finding a safe spot in a building to settle down for the night. Twilight and Pinkie each take shifts staying awake during the night to ensure that they don’t get any unwanted surprises. It turns out to an uneventful night as Twilight wakes Pinkie who had ended her shift four hours ago. “Pinkie I’m going to go wake all the other ponies so that we can start moving. Why don’t you go find Charm and tell her that we’re ready to move.” Pinkie agrees and heads deeper into the building to find Charm. After a few minutes of searching Pinkie finds Charm asleep in a corner, “Hey Charm, are you awake yet? Twilight wants you to know that we’re ready to go whenever you are” Charm stirs slightly in her sleep before turning to Pinkie and opening her eyes, “Oh , I see that you’re up early. Already have your morning cake I guess?” Pinkie flashes a smile at Charm, “Nope, we ran out of cake yesterday after I finished the last slice before I went to sleep.” Charm, annoyed by this reaction begins to stand, “Very well then, tell your friend Twilight that I’ll be ready to move in a few minutes.” Pinkie nods and heads towards Twilight. She finds Twilight getting the group ready to move. “Twilight, Charm said that she’ll be ready to move in a few minutes. She was still asleep when I found her though.” Twilight turns towards Pinkie, “That’s good to hear. Now Pinkie, I know that you and Charm didn’t get off on the right hoof yesterday so I want you to try to get on her good side. Okay?” Pinkie looks a bit annoyed at this statement, “Twilight, you know that I always try to make friends with every pony that I meet. Charm seems a little different though.” Charm appears out of the corner of Twilights eye, “Good morning Charm, ready to get going?” Charm looks at Twilight and gives off a faint smile, “I sure am Twilight, just let me lead the way.” A few minutes pass and the group sets off leaving the building where they had spent the night and begins to move behind Charm. Pinkie takes this opportunity to move up right next to Charm to get some small talk in. “So Charm, how long have you lived in Manehatten?” Charm answers Pinkie question but doesn’t look at her, “A long time I guess, since I was a filly.” Seeing her question answered Pinkie begins asking more questions, “What did you use to do before all of this happened? Did you have a job?” Again Charm answers but refuses to look at Pinkie, “ I guess I was a gardener. Working on gardens around the city, though the toughest part of my job was removing the weeds. Especially the daisies.” Pinkie becomes confused by this, “huh that’s interesting because I do a little gardening back in PonyVille and my friend Rose told me her favorite flower was the daisy.” A look of concern spreads across Charm’s face, “Well some ponies consider the daisy a weed and some consider it a flower.” Pinkie moves in front of Charm forcing her to stop, “I don’t think I ever met a pony that believed that before.” Charm annoyed now shoves Pinkie to the side and continues moving, “Look I don’t have time to debate this with a pony like you. I got to get these other ponies to safety and get you and your friend into Queen Chrysalis’s hive.” Charm moves ahead away from Pinkie. Looking behind her Pinkie sees that Twilight and all the other ponies had stopped and looked at her and Charm during the outburst. Slowly the other ponies begin moving past Pinkie until Twilight moves beside her with a stern look on her face, “Pinkie, what did you do now? How come Charm is angry all of a sudden? I thought I told you to try and make friends with her.” Pinkie looks at Twilight with a hurt look on her face, “I did try, but I don’t know what happened. We were talking about flowers and then all of sudden she snapped at me!” Twilight begins to move and motions for Pinkie to do the same. “Listen Pinkie, what exactly did you say to her?’ Pinkie looks away from Twilight, “We were talking about gardening and she said something that didn’t make any sense to me. I told her that what she said didn’t make sense and then she got angry.” Twilight moves in front of Pinkie growing more annoyed at the situation, “Look Pinkie just leave Charm alone now okay? Don’t even talk to her.” Pinkie shows a look of confusion on her face, “But you said…” “FORGET what I said Pinkie! Just don’t talk to her okay? We need her to get into that hive.” Twilight looks away from Pinkie and moves towards the group. Pinkie with a hurt look on her face lets her gaze fall to the ground and speaks in a soft voice, “I was just trying to make friends with her.” A tear falls to the ground and Pinkie begins to move again with the group staying behind the rest. A couple of hours pass with Twilight moving next to Charm talking to her and Pinkie still behind the group not having said a word since her talk with Twilight. The group stops in front of a tunnel as Charm turns towards Twilight, “Once we go through this tunnel we are going to have part ways at the other side.” Twilight nods, “I understand.” Charm turn to the rest of the group, “Listen up every pony, our freedom is just through this tunnel so let’s hurry and get through it.” Every pony nods in agreement and they are about to move into the tunnel but Pinkie speaks out at this, “That doesn’t sound like a good idea. It’s really dark in that tunnel; we might not be able to see where we’re going.” Charm turns to face Pinkie, annoyed that she is being held up, “What? You don’t think that I can lead this group safely through the tunnel?” Twilight quickly looks at Pinkie, “Come on Pinkie! Just go through the tunnel, we need to hurry.” Pinkie is about to speak but is cut off by Charm, “Come on Twilight Sparkle, we don’t have time to waste on her. Let her stay out here by herself if she wants.” Pinkie shocked at this speaks up, “Wait! I’ll go through the tunnel with you guys.” Charm smiles at this and motions for the rest to follow her. After every pony enters the tunnel Charm asks Twilight to seal the tunnel off so they are not followed. Twilight nods and with some levitation blocks off the tunnel entrance. Seeing how dark it is Twilight produces a magic light from the tip of her horn. Charm quickly protests this, “I’m going to have to ask you to dim your light. It hurts my eyes.” Pinkie moves to speak up against this but is quickly silenced by a look from Twilight. Twilight dims the light and they continue moving through the tunnel. They come to a more open area of the tunnel. Pinkie moves to speak to Twilight but is stopped by her tail twitching. Without a seconds hesitation Pinkie pushes Twilight out of the way as a cage falls over her. Twilight shocked, doesn’t get a chance to say anything before green flame lights the tunnel and Twilight sees changelings on all the walls and ceiling. Twilight quickly turns to Charm who is looking further into the tunnel, “What’s going on Charm? Why are Chrysalis’s changelings and flames here?” Charm finally turns to look at Twilight, “You don’t get it do you? I haven’t been leading this group to safety. I’ve been leading them into this tunnel to trap them and take them back to the hive.” Twilight shocked at this revelation angrily addresses Charm, “So you’ve been working for Chrysalis this whole time? Did you make a deal with her or are you just one of her Changelings?” Charm laughs before at this, “You still don’t get it do you?” Green flame engulfs Charm as she body turns into a more sinister form. Out of the green flame Queen Chrysalis emerges, “I am Chrysalis you fool! Now that I have you and your friend here trapped there is nothing that can stop me!” The changelings begin to attack and grab hold of the group of ponies. Twilight fights a few off before heading over to try and free Pinkie Pie from the cage. Twilight uses all the magic spells she knows to try and open the cage but nothing seems to work. The changelings now having captured all the other ponies begin to surround Twilight as they move in closer and closer. Twilight continues blasting at the cage refusing to leave her trapped friend.