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. And Scorch has recruited Dragons for his army. He is now preparing to attack Equestria. Meanwhile in Canterlot, Twilight’s friends are with Princess Celestia and are trying to figure out how to rescue Twilight and Ember. As it turns out, Rose is part of a team that could help save Twilight.

“So the forces are prepared?” asked a mare, her identity concealed under a black hooded cloak.

“Yes, mistress,” answered a stallion.

“Good. Once the siege begins, Equestria will fall, and you will have fulfilled your purpose.”

“I still wonder, mistress, why are you so dead-set on Equestria?”

“Do you not remember who you signed a contract with to get you your powers?”

“Your father.”

“Yes, and do you know who vanquished him?”

“Starswirl.”

“Yes. And who was Starswirl in cohorts with when my father was vanquished?”

“Celestia.”

“Yes. I am just finishing what my father started. Now, what are you to do?”

“Continue with the advance.”

“Correct, Scorch.”

The next day, in Canterlot…

It had gotten hotter since Scorch escaped, but it seemed to only become noticeable now.

As an effect, the Royal Guards were sweating like pigs in their armor, and the ponies that weren’t wearing armor weren’t doing much better, the Mane 5 and Starlight included. Though Spike and Heph seemed unfazed by the gradually increasing heat, of course since they’re Dragons it kind of makes sense.

They were all by a pond outside the castle. Heph had taken this opportunity to try and teach Spike how to manipulate water.

“Remember what I said about the flame. Open claw means free flowing magic, closed claw equals means magical buildup.”

“And I have to visualize an emotion flowing out of me and directing the subject to do as I want it to.”

“Exactly.”

Spike closed his eyes and visualized his worry lifting a ball of water. There was a sound of rushing water and ponies screaming in surprise. Spike opened his eyes to see the Mane 5 and Starlight drenched in water. Heph couldn’t help laughing.

“Hilarious,” said Rainbow Dash sarcastically.

“It kind of is,” Heph said between laughs.

“Great, now my mane is all wet,” complained Rarity.

“Oh, calm down, Rarity. It’s just water. Yer mane’ll dry,” said Applejack.

“Is it just me, or does Applejack look better with a wet mane,” said Rainbow.

“Well that was a weird thing to say,” said Pinkie.

Everypony gave Pinkie an ‘are-you-kidding-me’ face.

“What? What did I a say?”

“Anyway,” said Applejack, trying to change the subject, “Ah hope Twi’s alright.”

“I’m sure she’s fine,” said Pinkie, “I mean unless Count Scorch has some sort of mind control smoke that even Twilight can’t resist.”

“I don’t think that’s possible, Pinkie,” said Fluttershy.

“Oh yeah? I’ll bet you five bits that it is.”

“I’ll take that action.”

After a few more minutes of waiting, Rose came up to them. “Girls, we have some good news and some bad news. The good news being I have authorization to mobilize B Cause. The bad news being Scorch’s army attacked Appleoosa, and Scorch himself was nowhere to be seen.”

“Is my cousin Braeburn alright?” asked Applejack.

“Yeah, he’s fine. He’s actually the one who gave us the news of the attack.”

“You know what this means, right?” asked Heph.

“No, what does it mean?” asked Rarity back.

“It means Scorch is moving north, and his assault has begun.”

“So what are you suggesting?” asked Rose.

“We set up a defensive line at the closest available choke point to the enemy line. Where would that be?”

“Dodge Junction. That’s the closest town to Appleoosa. It doesn’t have great defences, but it should be enough to slow them down. Wait, how do you know so much about military tactics?”

“I was Dragonlord Torch’s royal advisor. Well, up until I retired.”

“Okay then. Let’s get to it. I’ll get the Royal Guard to go to Dodge Junction. You all just go back to Ponyville and wait. If and/or when we need you, you will be close enough to the frontlines.”

Rose ran off to the castle while Twilight’s friends went to the train station.

To be continued...

Author's Note

Oh boy, things are gonna get hot (pun intended)! Next time, the battle of Dodge Junction begins. Stay tuned.

I'll admit now that the only part of this chapter that I liked is the first segment.