Previously on "My Little Pony: Elements of Equestria":

Princess Twilight and Dragonlady Ember have been kidnapped by the sinister Count Scorch, who was a Unicorn known as Aethon Lampos and was Princess Celestia’s husband, until he mysteriously turned evil and Celestia was forced to imprison him in Mt. Furnace. Now, he has awakened and has brainwashed into Twilight turning against Equestria and her friends. Wild fire and Garble are going along with Scorch to recruit Dragons for Scorch’s army. Meanwhile in Canterlot, Twilight’s friends are with Princess Celestia and are trying to figure out how to save Twilight and Ember. As it turns out, Lieutenant of the Royal Guard Rosanna Dodger, or Rose, might know someone who can help.

The bell over the door jingled as Lieutenant Dodger entered a cafe.

“Hmm? Ah, welcome back to the Orange Crest Cafe, Rose,” said the stallion standing behind the counter. Said stallion was a blueish-gray Unicorn with a red mane and tail, blue eyes, and a coffee cup for a cutie mark.

“Let’s skip the formalities, Dug, I’m here on business,” said Rose.

“Alright, what is this about? Am I under arrest or something?”

“No. This is a matter of national security.” Rose took a seat in one of the chairs by the counter.

“National security? What do you mean?”

“Let’s just say that the situation calls for an expert, and I need to ask a favor from you.”

“So, what? I’m some sorta expert on the situation at hand?”

“No. Not even close. But you do have connections, and that’s what I came to you for.”

“Of course. If there’s one pony who knows anypony, it’s a bartender, or in my case, a barista.”

“Exactly.”

“So what is this situation?” Dug asked.

Rose leaned in, signalling Dug to do the same. “What I’m about to say could cause ponies to freak out. Promise that you won’t freak out. And promise that you won’t tell anypony.”

“I promise I won’t freak out or tell anypony.”

“Alright.” Rose leaned in closer, so she could whisper it in his ear. “Princess Twilight has been foalnapped,” she whispered.

“What!” Dug shouted in surprise, causing a few of the cafe’s patrons to look towards the two.

“Hey, keep it down. You promised you wouldn’t freak out.”

“Yeah, well I didn’t know what you were going to say. How was I supposed to not freak out?”

“Fair point.” Rose gave him a minute to calm down. “Anyway, do you know somepony who can help?”

“I don’t think so. I’ve never met anypony with this kind of situation or skill. I’m sorry.”

“Just great. Thanks anyway.”

“No problem. So what’ll it be?” Dug asked, gesturing to the menu.

“The usual,” answered Rose.

“Coming right up.”

Count Scorch, Wildfire, and Garble stood atop a cliff overlooking a valley filled with Dragons.

“So, what are we going to do?” Garble asked the Count.

“What do you think? We are recruiting your fellow Dragons,” answered Wildfire, “Shouldn’t be too hard, Dragons are of feeble minds.”

“True, but even still, it will take convincing.”

“It’ll be worth it, for both of us,” said Scorch, “Once Equestria is mine, you can become the Dragonlord. The Dragonlands will be yours to do with as you please.”

“And our enemies?” asked Garble.

“They will burn at my claws, if they do not die any other way first. Come, we have much to do.”

The three descended the cliff into the valley below.

Steam rose from the ground, signifying that the valley was volcanic. But that did not bother the Dragons of the valley as Dragons are known for being fire-proof. The Dragons themselves were all either competing in contests of masculinity or napping. How the napping Dragons slept despite the sound numerous fire-belches eludes me.

Then one Dragon spotted Garble, Wildfire, and Scorch as they approached. “Hey, who goes there?” it asked.

“I am Count Scorch, terror of Equestria and the King of Flames,” he introduced himself with a slight bow.

“Yeah! And I’m the queen of the Breezies,” said another Dragon sarcastically.

Scorch shook his head at the sighed. “I never actually thought Dragons essential. They’re brutes and unspeakable plain. But perhaps they have a glimmer of potential, when combined with my power and flame.” Purple smoke started pouring out of Scorch’s mouth.

(To the tune of “Be Prepare” from “The Lion King”)
Sung by Count Scorch, Wildfire, Garble, all of the above, and Other Dragons

I know that you savage reptilians,
Are as bright as a broken lamp at night,
But thick as you are, pay attention!
My words are a matter of blight.
It’s clear to me that your intentions,
Are pure but not all still there,
But were talking royals and successions!
Even you can’t be caught unaware!
So prepare for the chance of a lifetime,
Be prepared for sensational news.
A shining new era is tip clawing nearer.
And where do we feature?
Just listen to teacher.
We know it sounds sordid,
But you’ll be rewarded,
When at last Scorch is given his dues!
And revenge deliciously squared,
Be prepared!
Yeah, be prepare! We’ll be prepared! ...For what?
For the death of Celestia!
Why, is she sick?
No fool we’re gonna kill her, and Luna too.
Great idea! How need a princess? Marxism, Anarchy! Lalalalalala!
Idiots! There will be a royal!
Hey, but you said, uh…
Scorch will be king!
Stick with him and you’ll never go hungry again!
Yay, alright! Long live the king! Long live the king!
It’s great that we’ll soon be connected,
With a king who’ll be all-time adored.
Of course quid pro quo you’re expected,
To take certain duties onboard.
The future is littered with prizes,
And though Scorch is the main addressee,
The point that we must emphasize is,
You won’t get a sniff without me!

There was a rumble under the Dragons’ claws and the valley started to erupt. Burst of lava were everywhere and the steam was mixing with Scorch’s smoke.

So prepare for the cou of the century,
Be prepared for the murkiest scam.
Meticulous planning,
Tenacity spanning,
Centuries of exile,
Is simply why I’ll,
Be king undisputed,
Respected,
Saluted,
And seen for the wonder I am.
Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared,
Be prepared!
Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared,
Be prepared!

Scorch’s smoke dissipated. By now, all the Dragons that weren’t swayed by the song had been unknowingly mind-controlled to obey Scorch.

“Perfect. Simply perfect,” said Scorch.

“That was too easy,” said Wildfire, “I knew Dragons were weak-minded, but I didn’t know they were that weak-minded.”

“Does it matter?” asked Garble, “Scorch has his army, the ponies will pay, and I will become Dragonlord. Everyone wins.”

“Now, we must head back to Mount Furnace to prepare. We attack Equestria tomorrow.”

“Yes sir.”

“Look out, Celestia. I’m coming for you.”

Rose entered the throne room, where Twilight’s friends were waiting.

“I have good news and bad news,” she said, “the bad news is my friend doesn’t know anypony who might be able to help.”

“Well that’s just great,” Rainbow said.

“What’s the good news?” asked Starlight.

“The good news is I have a backup plan.”

“Ooh, I’d like to hear this,’ said Heph.

“Quiet, Heph. Now, I didn’t want to bring this up unless as a last resort, but seeing as I’ve exhausted my only other option, I think a last resort is what we need. You see...” Rose began, but wasn’t able to finish.

“You’re part of a small team of ponies with exceptional skills. Being a division of a covert organization you are only to be called into action on three occasions. The first being when a danger isn’t enough to warrent Elemental Intervention, as you call it. The second being in case we are unable to handle a threat and need reinforcements. The third being we are already busy dealing with a threat and can’t risk splitting our attention away,” explained Pinkie, with a squee at the end.
Rose’s jaw dropped.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s not it,” said Rainbow Dash.

“No, that’s about right. Wait, how did you know all that?”

“Just a hunch,” Pinkie answered with a shrug.

“Let me git this straight. Yer ah secret agent?” asked Applejack.

“Special agent, actually.”

“You’re part of a team of agents?” asked Rarity.

“Yep, we’re B Cause, a division of D.O.M.E., which stand for Defence Organization of Metropolitan Equestria.”

“Never heard of it,” said Rainbow.

“That’s because we do our job well. Now, I just need to talk to Director Rage and get authorization to utilize the team. Once I have authorization, we can begin to save Princess Twilight.”

To be continued...

Author's Note

Things are finally starting to get interesting I can't wait to see what happens next. Wait, I just remembered, I'm writing the story. Say tuned.

So, did anyone catch the reference I made. It was for my friend Doug_. I have to say, this is my favorite chapter so far. And the story will keep getting better from here.