Crossbow guard was about to strangle him. For the last two days, Spear guard was driving him up the wall. Complaining about how we couldn’t stand a chance facing Tirek or if something else broke out of the prison. He was about to get another ear full when he heard something coming down the road. He look down the road to see a lone pony with a cart behind him.

“Halt Stranger, who goes there?” Crossbow said, aiming at the pony’s chest.

“I’m just weary traveling looking for shelter for the night.” The pony said, pointing to the cart. “I trade exotic items ponies fear to trade. I also sell frozen fruit, which I call Froz-Fru.”

Spear guard pop out of the fort hearing about fruit.

“We could let you stay if we get some of that fruit.” Spear offer. Crossbow pull Spear by the collar and close to him.

“We can’t let ponies stay here. What if their some kind of enemy or it a test by the commander?” Crossbow pointed out. Spear threw him off and started to open fort door.

“Then they should have given us something better then instant hey. I need to taste something different.” Spear said. The pony pull the cart into the fort and pull out two apples. He gave them both to the guards and sit on his cart. Spear quickly ate it while Crossbow sniff it then took a bite. They relish the taste of sweet fruit and some kind of after taste. Almost like medicine...

The two guards collapse on the ground as Discord reveal his true form. “That was way too easy. If we get out of this, I have to have a serious talk to Celestia about her military.” Discord said. He slither in to the prison and look for the one inmate in house.

(Inside Tartarus)

Tirek scratch another line in the wall of his prison. He been here for over a year now and with no sign of escape in sight, he felt truly beaten.

“Wow, and I thought my prison was bad.” A voice ring out behind him. He recognized it right away. He turn to see Discord laying in a hammock in thin air.

“Discord. Come to gloat while I suffer?” Tirek asked, hobbling over to sit on a rock slab.

“Usually, that exactly what I would do but not today. Today, I come with a proposition. You see.” Discord said, snapping his claws to get rid of the hammock by turning it into flies. “I’ve grown tired of playing second fiddle to a bunch of ponies and would like a change of pace. So, here I decided that I wanted to see if you can defeat Twilight, just Twilight.”

“Your jokes do not amuse me, Discord. The state that I’m in, I could barely defeat a filly. Why would I allow myself be humiliated again?” Tirek mutter, looking at the ground in disgust. The dirt swirl into a cloud in the form of Discord’s face and blow dust at him. Tirek wipe his eyes in disgust and look back up to see Discord was playing paddle ball with one of his eye.

“You’re not wrong. You would be defeated before I had a chance to even cause a tiny bit of chaos. That why I came with this.” Discord whip out a bag and started to dig around in it. He pull out a ball of light, about the size of a watermelon. Tirek almost started to drool when he felt the power coming off the object. He started to reach for it but Discord pull it just out of reach of his hands.

“Ah, ah, ah. We need to set some ground rules. I’m still recovering from you “Borrowing” my energy. Rule one: You don’t try to take me out. This energy only work if I’m still in control of mine. You drain me and you will regret it. Rule Two: The fight will be with Twilight at the center of Ponyville in two days. If you want a chance at winning, be there no sooner or later.” Tirek smirk at this.

“Where did you get this energy?” Tirek ask, licking his lips.

“You’ll be surprise what lies around in other dimensions. It will make you as powerful as when you first fought her. I also took these.” Discord reach into the bag again and pull out a pair of purple wings. Tirek eyes went wide with surprise.

“How did you get Twilight’s wings?” Tirek ask. Discord smile as Tirek hold the wings in his hand. “Now for the home run.” Discord thought.

“I took her horn before and this time I decide to take her wings. I give you an advantage, don’t waste it.” Discord put the energy ball on the ground and turn to leave.

“Wait, how can I trust you?” Tirek question before Discord could leave.
Discord smiled. “Hook, line and sinker.”

“Now where is the fun in that?” Discord turn invisible and made Tirek think he was gone. “Let’s hope the other two had it this easy.” He thought while watching Tirek absorb the energy.

(Out in the badlands of Equestria.)

Spike really hated this plan. Well, at least this part of it. Vinyl Scratch had come with him until about a mile back but it didn’t make this seem any safer. Twilight pointed out that he was the only one that could pull this off. Now he was alone, walking right into the changelings’ lair. The smell of rotten fruit fill the place and was making Spike sick to his stomach. Of course, that could be the fear.

“Stay calm. You will be fine. Nothing is going to hurt you.” Spike told himself, walking deeper into the cave. He hear a rustle right behind him and felt something sharp poke the back of his head.

“What makes you think that your safe, dragon?” A voice hiss into his ear. Spike try not to shrike as four changelings surrounded him, all pointing spears at him.

“Don’t I know you?” One of the changelings ask, all starting to circle the dragon.

“Yeah, you’re the little lizard that a pet for that one pony. What her name?” Spike started to pray they don’t know the right…

“Twilight. The one the reveal are queen and ruin our conquest.” The changeling behind Spike said.

“Darn it.” Spike thought as the changeling stop moving and start pressing the spear harder against him.

“You know, I haven’t had meat for so long and I always wanted to try dragon.” Spike squeeze his eyes shut and hope for it to be quick.

“Stand down, my children. If the dragon wanted to die, I’m sure he would pick a quicker death.” Queen Chrysalis command, causing them all to lower their weapons. “But I must say, it was pretty foolish for you to come. What business do you have for me?”

“I...I need some help.” Spike said, trying to sound brave but failing on all accounts. “I want to take out Twilight.”

There was a shock silent in the cave. Then, Chrysalis threw her head back and started to laugh. The gang of changeling that surrounding them started to join in and Spike gave a nervous chuckle. Then, as quick as a switch, she threw Spike into the wall and held him there, horn at his neck.

“Do not take me for some kind of fool. Why would Twilight’s faithful servant want to turn on her?” Chrysalis stared to summon a spell, lighting up Spike face.

“Maybe I don’t want to be a servant anymore. Maybe I found out that I have a better deal.” Spike struggle to say as he felt the pressure increase around his chest. “I figure you heard what happen a while ago, with Twilight.”

“I heard she got mix up in some kind of magic spell. Something about time travel and different worlds. My spies only get snippets of what is whisper in the kingdom but I think I can put the pieces of the puzzle together.” Chrysalis said. Spike knew he could work with this. He try to adjust but couldn’t move under the pressure.

“Yeah, well, she hasn’t been the same since then. She gone crazy and has been more demanding of me. So, I snuck away and came here, looking for help.” Spike gasp out, as oxygen started to get a little low. “I would like to tell you more but I think I’m about to past out.” Chrysalis smirk and drop Spike to the ground with a thud. He gasp in quickly and cough several time.

“Thank you.” Spike wheeze out. Chrysalis rolled her eyes and wave her guards away. After a few minutes of getting air, he continue. “She been getting power crazy and I’m worry that there is no way to stop her. All the town folk have left in fear and the princesses are too far away to help.”

“Alright, how am I supposed to help you? The last I heard, she has gotten very powerful, some say more powerful than Celestia. I would not be able to fight her if this is true.” Chrysalis said.

“I know but she is also paranoid. The unicorn that cast the time spell, Twilight worries that she could defeat her by taking her out before she was strong. She cast a spell that kind of made a clone of herself and sent it to get that unicorn.” Spike said, following the plan to the letter. “Twilight’s friends have a plan to get the spell and stop the clone. She is weaken while the clone is out and is able to be defeated. If you help us out…”

“And why should I help? What do my kind get out of helping you with your problem?” Chrysalis asked.

“Think about it. If you defeat Twilight, not only will you look like a hero, your people will be able to get out of here. You’ll be able lead them to their rightful place. I know all about being force to live under ponies hoof. Don’t you think it‘s time to turn the table?” Spike answered, driving the final nail home.

“What is the plan you have in mind?” Chrysalis ask, smiling.

(At the edge of Crystal Empire)

The group were gather around the shrine. It was made about three years ago and most ponies who worship it didn’t knew what it was. A blood red gem that granted strength to any ponies that prey for it. As the ponies started to trail out of the monument, two more went in right before it close.

“Are you sure this is it?” Luna ask as soon as the door close.

“I’m sure, my sister. The royal guards have kept eyes on it to make sure nothing that was too malicious happens. So far, it only grant strength to pony who prey to it.” Celestia said, making sure the place was empty. “Remember the plan. We just need to wake him up strong enough to stall.”

“I remember, sister.” Luna said, a bit annoyed. They started to break the rock around the gem. As it fell out, the gem was revealed to be a horn. The sisters look at each other, both equally nervous. Then they charge the spell that they had prepare, allowing the owner of the horn to come back to life. The shadows started to gain a form and then the body of an old foe roar to life.

“Welcome back, King Sombra.” Celestia said, no joy in saying these words.

“Princesses. Why would you summon me?” King Sombra asked.

“One of my student have gone rogued.” Celestia started

(Inside Twilight Castle)

Pure Twilight was watching the moon raise slowly in the night sky. Tomorrow she would either have her target or get to enjoy ripping this time line apart looking for her. She heard another voice being cleared. She turn to see the one name Applejack was standing there.

“Ya wanted to see me?” Applejack said as she step closer.

“Yes, you’re the element of honesty. Correct?” Pure asked. Applejack nodded. “Good, then answer me this. Do you think Twilight will give me this Starlight Glimmer or will she leave you all to rot?”

Applejack stood silent for a moment then answer. “Darling, she has been my friend for over five years now and I know she’ll would do just about anything to protect us. I also know she consider Starlight her friend. I believe what she will do, is try her darnest from letting you form succeeding.”

“You are braver then the rest of them. Stupid too. You think the hundreds of versions of this world I fought before didn’t have a “plan.” You know what I’ve learn about plans from doing this. They all go downhill the minute the battle begins. Have you ever fought in a war, Applejack? A real war?” Pure asked. Applejack shook her head no. Pure nodded.

“Well, I have. My world try it bested to fight off a killer swarm that was unleash by Starlight actions. I watch ponies die trying to stop it. I did things.” Pure hold her pack that had her friend inside. “Some horrible things, to survive. I didn’t ask for it. I didn’t want it but I got it. You think you know a pony, wait to you’ve gone a battle field with them. Then you find out what I had to live through. That wars make monsters of us all. You just better prey you can live with what is inside.”

“I don’t believe that.” Applejack said. Pure raised an eyebrow. “Ponies are decent folk, willing to help each other. I think you are using that as an excuses to keep you from seeing the truth. That you make a mistake and are too scared to accept responsibility.”

Pure nodded at this, then cast a spell around Applejack, holding her by the throat.

“You think just because I’m using you and your friends to make sure Twilight dose what I said, I won’t kill you. Learn you place, Applejack. When you speak to me, you are speaking to a god.” Pure said, increasing the hold on Applejack.

“You want to know something, Sweetheart. I ain’t going to lie, I’ve seen scarier things then you and Twilight took them all out.” Applejack said, grinning. Pure roar and threw her across the room. She crash into the wall, landing on her back leg wrong. A hot pain shot up Applejack, causing her to cry out. She look up to see in time to see Pure holding a spear, about to bring it down on her. She did not flinch as she brought the spear right to her eye.

“You are willing to face death for your friends?” Pure ask. Applejack lock eyes with Pure when she answer.

“I’m not afraid of you. You have taken me against my will but I will not give you the pleasure of fear.” Applejack said, not blinking once.

“I like you.” Pure said, lowering the spear. “I’ll make your death quicker than the rest.” She threw the spear to the side. “You may leave now. Tell your friends that Twilight better not be trying to back stab me or they won’t live to see her fail. Just telling you, as a friend”

Applejack limp out but turn to face Pure one more time

“I ain’t your friend.” She said and walk away.

(At a nearby mountain, deep in the caves)

“Is everything prepare?” Doctor Hooves ask, drawling out a circle in the cave floor.

“I got all the supplies and Sky Watcher got the message to Shining Armor. Spike came back four minutes ago, Discord is waiting outside of Ponyville to give us the signal, and the princesses are preparing the above floors with spells. As soon as Twilight get backs, I think we will be set.” Record Keeper answered, holding a book and mixing the items into a bowl.

“Okay. Then we should be able to pull this off.” The Doctor said. He look in his book, tracing the symbols. There a slight pop and Twilight appear in the room, looking a little stress.

“How did your mission go?” Record Keeper ask.

“Got it set up. Is every pony from the town safe?” Twilight ask Record Keeper.

“We got them safely in the Everfree Forest, Zecora is watching over them.” Doctor Hooves answered.

“Well, almost every pony.” Record Keeper mention. Twilight was about to ask who, when he pointed to the exit. “They are waiting outside, wanting to help out.”
(Outside, at the mountain entrance)

Outside, the air was cool and almost help Twilight forget her troubles, almost. Who she saw outside was not who she suspected. She was working on the speech of what to say to Apple Bloom and her friends. She knew that they want to help due to their sisters being in trouble but this was way too dangerous. Instead, it was Vinyl Scratch and Octavia Melody where waiting outside.

“What are you two doing here?” Twilight ask.

“Twilight, Vinyl and I are here to offer are assistance.” Octavia said. Twilight look at each of them, in a bit shock.

“That’s very nice of you two but I don’t know how you two can help. You’re both performers, hardly useful in a fight. And I hate to be responsible for you two being injured.” Twilight said.

“We aren’t really going to fight, more keep her off balance.” Vinyl said, jumping off a rock she was perch on. “You mention that Pinkie Pie caught her off guard and allow you to get a shot in. I think I got something that can do the trick and it’s not a cream pie.” Twilight was going to try to talk them out of it but realize they were right.

“Okay but the second you two feel like it’s too much, get out of there, please.” Twilight said. They both nodded and started to head down. “Wait a second, I have to ask. What do you have in mind?”

Vinyl smile and put on her headphones. “You don’t need to worry about that, Twi. Just know.” She pull down her sunglasses. “It’s going to rock her world.”

Author's Note

Next chapter: If we had a Mexico, this be called a Standoff.