Home Invasion

Garrick yawns as he steps into his alchemical laboratory, looking around his nostalgic setup. After searching the nearby bookshelves for a few minutes, Garrick finds an old tome with several pages skewed out of place. Placing the tome on his desk, he begins to flick through its pages coming upon recipes and theories spanning great depth. Diagrams and descriptions for many tonics, salves and potions are flipped past before coming to a diagram of a heart shaped sweet.

"What did you do with this, Ecstasy?" Garrick muses before turning his head upon hearing a soothing voice.

"I might actually have an answer for you on that one. As it turns out through idle conversation with Queen Chrysalis, I found out that Ecstasy gave the formula and regular emotion shipments to the Changelings, so they might produce their own food source. Using your formula as a template, her development team was able to adapt it and make emotion sweets out of varied emotions than just love." Twilight explains as she enters the lab to stand beside Garrick.

"I'm glad 'our' formula is being put to good use. Don't forget you helped a lot on that project too." Garrick nuzzles Twilight gently.

"Well, you're the alchemist. I simply stopped you from blowing yourself up most of the time as well as help with various theories and compounds... Okay, so I helped a moderate amount, but it's still your formula." Twilight returns Garrick's nuzzle before heading towards the doorway.

Garrick follows Twilight, leaving his tome on the desk as she leads him downstairs to the dining room where she has pancakes, berries and syrup setup for their breakfast. Garrick kisses Twilight's cheek before trotting quickly to his seat.

"You are simply the best partner I could ask for~" Garrick sings happily as he sits down and looks over his breakfast.

"I've just spent long enough as your partner to know what you like." Twilight replies with a smile as she takes her own seat.

Garrick picks up the nearby provided fork before eagerly digging into his pancakes. Twilight smiles to herself before doing the same.

"Did you have any plans for today? I believe Yuuki's alters have begun to settle in well. Already they are adding to the community with Valentine's bar which serves as a gathering place and lodging for those who are visiting Ponyville or just need a place to stay. Applejack is helping him as a business partner which seems to boost their reputation somewhat." Twilight informs Garrick.

"I'm glad they are settling in well, Ryota and I was with Yuuki during his... His difficult time and the Despair event." Garrick sighs slightly.

"What happened to create an alternate personality with such... Pain and hate in its heart?" Twilight asks.

"It's not my place to go into full details... Just to say his heart was shattered by one closest to him and the result was difficult to fix. Over time he got better and no doubt being back where he belongs will help heal him further. Oh and I don't have any specific plans today." Garrick explains to Twilight.

After several minutes they finish their breakfast and move their plates to the kitchen where they are placed in the sink.

"Perhaps we could take a trip into town to visit the bar, it'd be nice to see their progress myself." Twilight states with a smile.

"I think that's a good idea and would give us a chance to get out of the castle for a few hours." Garrick states in response before they both head to the castle entrance.

Upon exiting the castle door the pair is confronted by one of Despair's elite knights accompanied by two females in robes bearing Despair's colours.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Twilight asks.

"My name is Kanashimi, Sorrow general of Despair's elite knight legion. My comrade and brother Dolor should be making an offer or example of the Changeling queen right about now. My task is to make an example of you, because of your standing position you do not get the luxury of an offer." Kanashimi states, drawing his sword.

The Architect sighs as he lays back on the picnic blanket to relax under the sun. Beside him is Pinkie who is setting up the picnic with Fluttershy. Sitting next to Fluttershy looking over a butterfly on his finger is Darkness, still wearing his armour.

"You should find time to get out of that armour, it's so uncomfortable to see you in it on a sunny day." The Architect states to Darkness.

Darkness lets the butterfly leaves his finger before looking at the Architect.

"I don't wear my armour all the time... I just wear it outside most of the time." Darkness states making the Architect raise an eyebrow.

"He doesn't wear his armour at home, Rarity was able to make him some more casual clothing which he wears instead. It's actually very nice" Fluttershy states, making Darkness blush under his helmet.

"We should enjoy the picnic! I brought several cupcakes and candy with me!" Pinkie exclaims.

The Architect lifts himself up before looking at Darkness who is staring at the sky seemingly perplexed.

"He'll be fine. I understand your worry, but we can't do anything. Yuuki is on his own for this one and we need to be strong by ourselves until he needs our help." The Architect states sighing deeply.

"I suppose... I sometimes wonder if us getting our own bodies was a good or bad thing." Darkness looks down from the sky.

"I have no magical experience, but... I think you will find out what your new purpose is even if it's difficult, to begin with." Fluttershy states, placing her hoof on Darkness' shoulder making him smile.

"Sounds like a good idea-" Darkness stops himself before looking sharply up in the sky.

The Architect and Darkness stand up as a group of distant lights head for the moon. As they get closer the chains wrap around the moon, binding it tightly. The Architect and Darkness are brought to their knees, as a searing pain is felt within their chest. The Architect passes out quickly making Pinkie worry, while Darkness is resisting as much as possible.

"Darkness! What's wrong? Are you okay? Where does it hurt?" Fluttershy fusses as she tries to help him.

"It's a searing pain in my chest... Like my very being is... Being manipulated and twisted... Yuuki..." Darkness manages to say before passing out onto the picnic blanket.

Twilight stares at Kanashimi considering their options before taking a few steps forward despite Garrick's reluctance.

"How exactly does he wish you to make an 'example' of us? You are no doubt a capable general, but you only brought two people with you who I can guess are mages of some description." Twilight deduces.

"While I understand our power greatly differs, Princess Twilight Sparkle. My lord never requested I kill or defeat you. However, my objective shall be complete in a few minutes." Kanashimi states.

All of a sudden the pair sees a group of lights in the sky chain and binds the moon with grace and ease before tethering it to Equestria. Twilight can scarcely believe what she is seeing.

"What have you done?!" Twilight demands.

"My master simply wished to demonstrate what he is capable of and to give Yuuki something to think about. With this example made, my objective is complete. I bid you a pleasant afternoon, Princess." Kanashimi turns to leave.

"What did you do to Yuuki?!" Garrick demands, stepping past Twilight.

Kanashimi stops for a moment to turn around and face Garrick.

"My master would not kill your friend too quickly before he has made him suffer. Something to think about while you rush to his side." Kanashimi comments before disappearing in dark smoke with the two mages.

Garrick turns quickly to Twilight who shakes her head lightly.

"I realise that we should rush to Canterlot to see what has transpired, however, it might be a good idea to get our affairs in order before travelling there tomorrow. You'll need to prepare some alchemical solutions in case anyone is wounded." Twilight states calmly.

"I understand that, but... Grr..." Garrick growls slightly at himself before rushing into the castle to his lab.

Author's Note

Another chapter is done and dusted. I hope everyone is enjoying the story thus far.