Previously on “My Little Pony: Elements of Equestria”:

Princess Twilight and Dragonlady Ember have both been kidnapped by Count Scorch. When Starlight and spike find that Twilight has been kidnapped, they assemble the other members of the Main 6, but not before Starlight has a run in with Hephaestus Vulcan, Spike’s possible father. Now, Count Scorch is awakened and is seeking revenge from Celestia herself.

Count Scorch’s follower knelt before their now awakened master. Count Scorch himself still stood on the pedestal that his statue once stood. “How long has it been?” the Count asked in a deep, raspy voice.

“It has been a thousand years since you’ve were imprisoned, Master,” said Inferna.

“Only a thousand? It felt longer,” said Scorch, anger evident in his voice. Then Scorch noticed Twilight still chained to the rock. He got off the pedestal and approached her. “And who might you be?” he asked.

“My name is Princess Twilight Sparkle. I am the Princess of Friendship and former star student of Princess Celestia,” Twilight introduced herself, without trying to hide the hatred in her voice.

“Princess of Friendship? Ha! What a joke,” said Scorch savagely, “Wait, did you say ‘Princess Celestia’?”

“Y-yes,” Twilight confirmed cautiously.

“Perhaps there’s some use to you, other than leverage of course. How much did Celestia teach you?”

“She taught me everything I know, and there’s more that I learned without her help.”

“Perfect,” Scorch said breathily, blowing purple smoke into Twilight’s face as he did.

Twilight coughed. “Didn’t your parents ever tell you not to smoke?”

“It’s not me you should be worried about, Princess,” Scorch rebutted, blowing even more smoke at Twilight, “Soon enough, you will be eager to join my cause, and there’ll be nothing you will be about to do to stop me.”

The smoke caused Twilight to cough even more. She had to think of a way to escape. “Escape is futile, embrace the fire,” Twilight thought. At that, she realized what the smoke was doing. It was corrupting her thoughts, turning her own mind against itself. In fact, she didn’t think this was really smoke.

As if reading her thoughts, Scorch said while blowing more smoke, “This smoke is comprised of concentrated evil and it will corrupt your mind until you are loyal to me and only me.” Scorched laughed maniacally, and all Twilight could do was defend herself against her own mind with her slowly weakening willpower and wonder where her friends were now.

Twilight’s friends were currently in the throneroom of the Canterlot Castle. Celestia sat upon her throne and Luna stood beside her. Cadence and Shining Armor were over by one of the windows closest to the throne, with a sleeping Flurry Heart in Cadence’s hooves.

“So, as I understand it, Twilight has been foalnapped by Count Scorch, yes?” Celestia asked.

“That would be correct, you majesty,” said Spike, “And if you don’t mind by us asking, who is this Count Scorch guy?”

Celestia hesitated for a few seconds before saying to a nearby guard, “Lieutenant Dodger, could we please speak alone?”

“Of course, your majesty,” said the guard before leaving the room.

Once the guard left, Celestia began explaining, “Scorch is an old enemy of mine, and also an old friend.”

“He was a friend of your’s?” asked Starlight, surprised.

“Yes, for you see, Scorch wasn’t always evil, neither was he always a Count. About a thousand years ago, I knew Scorch as a Unicorn by the name of Aethon Lampos. He was the best royal guard of the time, granted that isn’t saying much. Anyway, Aethon and I became close friends and allies. In our countless struggles to protect Equestria, we were always fighting together. Eventually, our friendship bloomed into something more romantic, and we married each other. Soon after that, Scorch ascended to Alicornhood by defeating a creature of ice and snow. Then,after about a year of Aethon being my husband, he became corrupted, though I’ve never been able to figure out why or how. It wasn’t long before he changed completely. His once optimistic personality became angry and just pure evil, and his appearance changed so he was half Dragon. Then came the flames. He almost burned down half of Equestria for no reason other than he liked the flames. Almost. But I was able to stop him, as much as it pained to do so. Of course I knew he wouldn’t stay down long, so I imprisoned him inside an active volcano. Third hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, right behind imprison Luna in the moon and choose between vanilla cake and chocolate cake.”

“Don’t you think that was a bit extreme?” asked Spike.

“I agree, it is difficult to choose between vanilla and chocolate, but…”

“That’s not what I meant. I was talking about the active volcano thing.”

“Oh, right. Well, yes, it does seem a bit extreme, but by becoming half-dragon, he became fire-proof.”

“So, if he is awake,” said Rainbow, “Where would we find Scorch now?”

“Uh duh, the volcano,” answered Pinkie.

“Pinkie’s right. The most logical place fer the Count ta be is the volcano,” said Applejack.

“Hmhmhm. Do you realize what you’re saying exactly?” asked Heph.

“What do you mean?” asked Starlight back.

“Are you seriously considering just waltzing up to a fiery tyrant who’s committed murder, arson, and Celestia knows what else, and is plotting his revenge from an active volcano? Not a good plan.”

“I agree with Hephaestus,” said Rarity, “It sounds like a suicide mission.”

“I third that,” said Celestia, “While the most logical place is Mt. Furnace, it is extremely dangerous. The caves and tunnels of the mountain are like a labyrinth and even I wouldn’t know of any traps that Scorch may have set up.”

They all considered this for a moment.

“So what are we to do?” asked Spike.

“I have no idea. For now, let’s just hope Twilight is alright,” said Celestia.

Twilight was not alright. With half of her own mind telling her to betray her friends, she was definitely having a really bad day. Though it could be worse, at least Ember was awake by now. She was still gagged, granted, but at least she was awake.

Scorch was still next to Twilight, blowing another cloud of smoke with every breath. He was enjoying this. It’s not every day, or ever century really, that he gets to watch somepony’s willpower slowly wither away.

“I’m bored. Can’t we speed this up?” asked Wildfire.

“Patience. She will be mine soon,” said Scorch.

“Couldn't you at least double time it, or make it a bit more entertaining?”

“I said, “Patience”.”

“Okay, fine. Hey does anypony smell something burning?”

Everypony else, including Scorch, just looked a Wildfire and gave ‘Are you kidding me?’ faces.

“What, I’m just trying to lighten the mood. Sheesh, you all need to loosen up.” She looked towards Ember, who was mumbling something incoherently through the gag. “Yeah, I agree. You know, you get me,” Wildfire said.

Ember mumbled some more, again incoherent because of the gag, but it’s safe to say that she wasn’t agreeing with the Unicorn.

“That’s enough of your antics, filly,” said Count Scorch before turning back to Twilight, “Come on, Princess.” Tons of purple smoke then started pouring out of his mouth.

(To the tune of “Unleash the Magic” from “Friendship Games”, obviously)
Sung by Count Scorch, Twilight, Inferna, Blaiz, Wildfire, and Twilight’s Corrupt Mind

We realize that you will not join us willingly,
It’s sad to say but you don't have a choose,
To find somepony just like you,
It’s impossible to do,
You will help us spread our flames.

Oh-oh, wuh-oh-wuh, oh-oh,
Oh-oh, wuh-oh-wuh,

Now I understand you have your reservations,
Your friends mean more to you than life itself,
But if we don’t spread our flames,
Well I think I’ve made it plain,
What will happen if Equestria does not burn!

Oh-oh, wuh-oh-wuh, oh-oh,
Oh-oh, wuh-oh-wuh,

Embrace the fire,
Embrace the fire,
If it burns, then just embrace flame.
Just light the fuses,
There’s nothing to it,
Just join us and don the flames.

Oh-oh, wuh-oh-wuh, oh-oh,
Oh-oh, wuh-oh-wuh,

You’re an inferno filled with magic,
Not to embrace it would be tragic,
More important is the knowledge you’ll have lost,
A chance like this won’t come again,
You’ll regret not giving in,
Isn’t ruling Equestria worth the cost?

Oh-oh, wuh-oh-wuh, oh-oh,
Oh-oh, wuh-oh-wuh,

Embrace the fire,
Embrace the fire,
We’re not friends here after all,
Our only interest in this business,
Is seeing Equestria burn to ash.

What we're suggesting very simple,
And since it’s win-win on all scores,
Let everypony see the fire that you have stored,
And as for me and all the others,
We only want what we deserve,
That Count Scorch will clinch the win,
And Celestia will burn!

Unleash the fire,
Unleash the fire,
If you don’t, then it’s a crime,
But you can do it,
There’s nothing to it,
It’s up to you to set the flames free,
Embrace the fire, free the fire now,
Embrace the fire, free the fire now.

Twilight could feel the chains getting hot, but surprisingly, however hot the chain were becoming, they did not burn. That’s when Twilight uncorrupted mind realized her corrupted mind was winning.

Imagine all you’ll learn by embracing the heat,
No!
And now freeing the flames depends on me,
No!
And what doors might open it try to do it,
No!
And now all that you are is me!

Embrace the fire, free the fire,
Now!

Twilight’s chains burst apart as flames enveloped her entire body. When the flames subsided, Twilight’s fur was white, her mane and tail were yellow with orange highlight streaks, and her eyes were blood red. “I am ready to serve you, Master,” she said, bowing before Scorch.

“Good,” Scorch said, his voice filled will evil. The same evil that now infested Twilight’s mind. “But I believe that we could make great equals to each other, Twilight.”

“I agree. But please don’t call me Twilight.”

“What would you want me to call you?”

“Twilight Sparkle is gone now, call me Evening Flare.”

As the smoke surrounding Twilight dissipated, all Ember could do at the sight of Evening Flare was shed a single tear. It evaporated before it even left her face.

To be continued...

Author's Note

Well, things certainly escalated quickly. How are Twilight's friends going to save her this time? What does Scorch have planned for her? What does he have planned for Celestia? Find out next time on "My Little Pony: Elements of Equestria".

Yes, I realize this chapter is a bit rushed , and maybe the dialogue is a bit forced, but I needed to move this story along. So this is it.