The Third Duel

Fluttershy had awoken, finally. Her head throbbed like crazy. She brought her hand to her forehead, and felt the crusted blood and the clot at the source. She stood, stumbling. As she observed her surroundings, she noticed that her friends were still unconscious. Dazed, and looking into the sky, she could see that dusk was arriving, evident from the deep-orange sky.

Her gaze averted to the unconscious Twilight, who was paling. Her shirt was red, where the claw had made contact with her; even in unconsciousness, the pain was etched onto her face clearly, as her chest heaved slowly up and down. Beside her were two cards.

“Celestia and Luna!” Fluttershy gasped, rushing over to the cards. She quickly dialed the numbers.

“Hello, this is Canterlot High School speaking.” Luna answered.

“U-um, Principal, there’s been an emergency! W-we’re at the playground… Please hurry, it was Trixie!” Fluttershy said in a ramble.

“Lulamoon? What of her?” Luna asked.

“Principal, please, there’s no time! They’re hurt, badly! We need an ambulance!” Fluttershy urged.

“… Understood. We’ll be there shortly, Fluttershy. Please, stay calm.” Luna said, before a click was heard.

Fluttershy put the phone away, and felt her forehead again. Blood still leaked, and her head felt woozy. She stumbled, falling onto her butt. She was about to lay down, before Trixie’s words replayed in her head.

“You’re weak. Address me when you’re not just some friend to protect.”

Fluttershy wanted to lay down. Her head throbbed, and her body ached from Trixie’s assault. Her vision was woozy… But she was conscious. In terrible pain and trauma at experiencing something so gruesome so suddenly; yet, still conscious and able.

“Laying down now will only prove her point… It’ll only prove that I *am** weak… I’ve gotta do what I can!*” Fluttershy thought with determination. She stumbled back up and reached inside her backpack, pulling out a first aid kit.

“It’s usually just for the animals, but it’ll have to do!” Fluttershy said to herself, rolling out some bandages and stumbling over to Twilight.

She watched Twiilight, mouth agape. The blood seeped between her fingers, the stubs of wood impaled in her shoulder and arm, and her bruises and cuts.

What caught her the most was the nasty wound on her chest.

“All because you were so *weak.***”

Trixie’s words echoed through her head, as Fluttershy shook her head back and forth, brows furrowed. She clutched her fist, as she knelt, examining Twilight.

“How utterly and disgustingly *weak.***”

Fluttershy gritted her teeth, as she began to cover and pressure Twilight’s chest wound with the bandage. Her eyes became shiny, as she vowed to herself to get stronger. Maybe then, she could prevent such atrocities. Maybe then, she wouldn’t be so entirely useless…

[Somewhere Farther And Isolated…]

A cloaked figure walked through two large gate-doors. As they slammed shut, 5 shadowed characters inside turned their attention to her. Three of them, feminine, were grouped together. Behind them were two figures; one very tall and masculine, the other of a medium build, and feminine.

In the dull darkness of the cloudy dusk, their features were nigh-unrecognizable.

One of the girls from the group of three walked up to the cloaked figure as they uncloaked themselves.

“Trixie. Finally decided to show up, huh?” one of the girls spoke, her arms crossed.

“Apologies for my tardiness. I just felt I had to get a point across with those pesky girls, is all.” Trixie said, a smirk on her face as she casually blew on her nails.

The girl on the wall beside the man walked over to Trixie.

“What did you do to them?” the girl asked. She seemed to have purple hair with cerulean highlights.

“Oh you know… Roughed ‘em up a bit. I wanted them to be clear that they would die if they weren’t prepared for the real deal.” Trixie shrugged.

The girl plopped her hand onto Trixie’s shoulder. “Remember Trixie, we’re not here solely for revenge. We can’t be so ruthless.” The girl said, a hint of compassion on her voice for the girls.

Trixie frowned, using her magic to remove the girl’s hand. “Goodness, if you’ve grown a soft-spot for them in the short time you’ve befriended them, please eject yourself from the project.” Trixie stated, skinning her nose up at her.

She then made a small, yet obviously powerful and destructive ball of magic in her hand. “Though, I suppose that would mean you’d have to die… You already know too much, after all.” Trixie smirked, looking down at her.

The girl created her own ball of magic, revealing that she too, was an Arcane Human. “Would you truly try your luck against someone who could bend time, Trixie?” the girl asked. The glow from the magic just barely illuminated a small smirk on her lips.

“Oh really? The same one who had to give in and display a sob story because her plans got thrashed from a paradoxical hiccup? You are pathetic.” Trixie said, as the ball in her hand grew.

“Right, because the one who was beat and abandoned twice in a row isn’t the true example of pathetic.” The girl said, as both circled each other.

Just before things could get any further, the man on the wall snapped his fingers, and appeared between the two in a puff of magic.

He ate the ball of magic within the girl’s hand, before patting his mouth with a napkin.

“Why you-” she growled, before the man put his hand upon her forehead, tapping it gently. “You know how powerful Trixie is, dear. The only thing time would delay is your demise, should you make her your enemy now.” The man said, as she pouted, crossing her arms.

“And as for you, Trixie… If you wish for this plan to be carried out, you need each and every one of us; so I suggest keeping relations on an all-time positive.” The man said with a humble bow, before excusing himself.

Trixie frowned, as the ball of magic disappeared. “Ah, that’s right… I did forget that The Great and Powerful Trixie needs help from us. How ironic.” The girl teased.

Trixie growled, before calming. She turned to the group of three girls.

“So, outcasts. Have you reached your decision yet?” Trixie asked towards the three girls. The one in front spoke.

“You’re one to talk… If you’ve come here to patronize us Trixie, then you can say goodbye to the help you apparently need.” The girl countered. After a few seconds of silence, she smiled, and continued.

“Anyway, I’ve had the pleasure of being briefed on the plan by that crazy, tall one. I could help, sure… But what’s in it for us?” she bargained.

“I recognize that you all are in need of enough power to return home from banishment. Well, if this succeeds, we will not only have enough power to return you home, but to ensure you could rule the land as well. I hear you three are into power, after all…” Trixie smiled.

The girl smiled back, seeming satisfied. “You have our power then.” She said.

“Great. So then-”

“But allow me to make one thing clear, Trixie.” The girl continued, interrupting Trixie.

“These are my sisters; their lives matter to me, yours does not. I hope you remember that.” The girl said, her tone very serious, whilst gesturing to the two girls behind her. An eerie silence followed… Trixie seemed taken aback, stopping in place and staring at her.

One of the girls she gestured to sighed and filed her nails. “Chill out, sis. You take things too far.” She said in a rather bored voice.

Suddenly, Trixie’s frown turned into a sly smirk. “I’ll be sure to remember that, seasinger. Thank you for the head’s up.”

Trixie said, as her amulet glowed a faint crimson.

“So then, we are all in accordance?” Trixie asked.

They all gave brief nods and “yeses”.

“Great. If that’s the case, then I already have your next courses of action planned out.” Trixie said.

“Is that so? Well then, for the love of Starswirl, let’s get this going.” One of the girls spoke.

“Alright, listen carefully, because I’ll only go over this once…” Trixie began…

[Back With Our Injured Heroes…]

Fluttershy held her forehead again, as her head throbbed. She had just finished with Rainbow Dash, and the last one left was the least severe; Rarity.

She stumbled over, as her ears began to ring. The ringing only seemed to enhance the already-painful throbbing in her head, but she refused to be weak any longer.

As she knelt beside Rarity, she heard the gates creak open. She turned, and felt immediate relief as she recognized the two figures; Principals Celestia and Luna!

Before she could even crack a smile, she realized Celestia kneeling in front of Twilight within seconds. She was absolutely sure she hadn’t even witnessed her move!

“Such speed!” Fluttershy thought, as she watched Celestia move her hand towards Twilight.

Suddenly, she felt a small, forceful pulse behind her. As she turned, Luna was next to her. She was caught off-guard at the sudden display of speed.

“Sorry to startle you. It seems that my visions were correct, however…” Luna said in a solemn manner, as she looked upon the destroyed playground.

“Can you explain to me exactly what happened? Details, appearances, abilities, what to expect? Any information at all would be extremely helpful into moving forward with this growing… atrocity.” Luna urged.

Fluttershy wanted to speak, but instead, her words came out as gurgles and strange, worrying inconsistencies.

“Element of Kindness? Are you alright?” Luna asked.

Fluttershy shook her head, and tried to speak again, before suddenly passing out…

[Some Hours Later…]

Twilight drifted in and out of consciousness, as she heard voices murmur around her. Soon, she realized that her eyes were open and she was fully conscious, yet was unable to move.

“S-sleep paralysis?!” Twilight thought, afraid. She wasn’t even able to breathe! It felt as if she was suffocating.

Her lips couldn’t move either. Only her eyes could dart back and forth. She saw what seemed to be Celestia and Luna conversing in a darkly-lit room. Everything around the three of them was surrounded by an eerie darkness that seemed to have tentacles whipping at the three of them, wishing to consume them.

Twilight saw apparitions of her friends appear around her. They stood with their backs against the darkness, arms folded, in a uniform manner. The dimness of the room didn’t allow for Twilight to clearly see their facial features, but she knew her friends when she saw them.

“Mmm, guys, help!!” Twilight attempted to say, but it came out as muffled yelps.

Applejack stepped off of the darkness, and Twilight immediately noticed something was different. Applejack carried herself differently; although still donning her regular clothes and signature hat, her attire seemed much neater, as her clothes even seemed iron and crisp.

She also swore she saw a faint glow of fire upon her fingertips. ‘Applejack’ lifter her hand to tip her hat, as her eyes glowed an icy-gray.

“She cannot be slacking again. Are we doomed to such a leader?” ‘Applejack’ sighed, as she let go of her hat, leaving scorch marks upon it.

“I equate thee to a bear on a crisp winter dusk! Lazy.” ‘Applejack’ scolded, pointing at Twilight.

Twilight was confused. She tried to shake her head, but found that she still was in paralysis. She noticed that Celestia and Luna were engaged in heavy-talk in the background, but it seemed muffled.

“Oh please, Duplicity. Such a genius needs her beauty sleep.” Fluttershy said, walking off of the darkness, clearly addressing ‘Applejack’. She spoke elegantly, and without-a-doubt, much more confidently.

“Duplicity…? That’s not right, her name is Applejack!” Twilight thought.

However, Twilight noticed that this Fluttershy too, was different. Her clothes seemed ragged in a medieval-themed manner, yet were somehow still elegant. She also wore a crimson-colored pendant. As ‘Fluttershy’ smiled and looked towards Twilight, she noticed that ‘Fluttershy’ had crimson red eyes and extended upper-canine teeth that resembled short fangs. Lastly, her wings resembled that of a bat.

“Wouldn’t you agree, Perfidious?” ‘Fluttershy’ called out, looking towards Rainbow Dash.

As Rainbow Dash stepped off from the darkness, Twilight noticed that her looks were altered as well; ‘Rainbow Dash’ was dressed as she normally was, but her skin… It steamed, visibly letting off smoke. Twilight could swear she heard the floor sizzle beneath her steps. Her skin also glowed a faint pink, with light-red stripes that glowed even brighter, highlighting parts of her skin.

“Genius or not, you can’t excuse her tardiness, Vampire.” Perfidious said.

Twilight was confused beyond words. She also felt a sensation of asphyxiation, as she still found herself unable to breathe. She began to panic even more. The murmurs of Celestia and Luna picked up, but was still inaudible to her, sounding like garbled gibberish.

“Goodness, don’t any of you know that gossiping is so unladylike?” Rarity said, stepping from the darkness. Rarity was the only one that looked pretty much the same. Twilight couldn’t spot any differences outright. However, as she looked at Twilight, she immediately noticed the difference. This ‘Rarity’ was somehow much more elegant and ladylike, and had an air of absolute flirtatiousness about her.

Twilight swore she felt herself heat up as she saw her glistening lips. This ‘Rarity’ had different powers of seduction than the one she knew. However, the physical difference were definitely those emerald-green eyes. Twilight swore she almost lost herself in them. They were an even richer hue than Spike’s. The feeling she felt slightly alleviated her from the asphyxiation she was experiencing.

“Oh please, I’m not about to take lessons on being a lady from a copycat like you, Umbra.” ‘Fluttershy’ said with a look of pseudo-snobbishness.

“Funny.” Umbra said, folding her arms, and looking away from Twilight to ‘Fluttershy’, breaking the spell Twilight was under.

“Oh please, don’t look at me. You know what you’ll do to me.” ‘Fluttershy’ said with a playful giggle. Suddenly, a knife flew between the two, lightly cutting Umbra’s cheekbone area. Umbra pulled back and smiled, looking towards Pinkie Pie.

“Well now, look who’s left again. The usual outcast.” Umbra scoffed.

From the shadows, walked a drastically different looking ‘Pinkie Pie’. Her hair wasn’t puffy, but was straight and was lacking the usual kinks that it was known for. Her face was void of its usual exuberance, and bags lay under her eyes. In her other hand, she carried another short-blade.

She pointed it to Umbra. “Oh please; you insult everyone who isn’t immediately charmed by your seduction.” ‘Pinkie Pie’ said. Her voice was low and scratchy.

‘Flutterhsy’ approached and tipped the knife down on the sharp side, seemingly-purposely slicing her finger. Blood dripped, as she held ‘Pinkie Pie’ in her arms.

“Now, now, Diane… What did I say about pointing sharp things at our friends?” ‘Fluttershy’ said.

Diane pouted, melting into the hold of ‘Fluttershy’.

“But she flirted with my Flutterbat.” Diane said still pouting. Flutterbat pressed her finger to her lips.

“Oh, nonsense. I’ll always be yours. Remember whose blood is in this pendant, dear.” Flutterbat cooed, kissing Diane’s neck.

Perfidious scoffed at the sight. As she did, a puff of steam released from her mouth.

Twilight was sure she was reaching her limit at this point. The asphyxiation was getting to her, and she started zoning out of the asphyxiation. The darkness seemed to grab at her. She was sure this was no longer sleep paralysis, but that some power was absolutely choking something out of her. She tried to keep herself conscious and away from what felt like death by analyzing the situation.

“So Rainbow Dash here is *Perfidious, Fluttershy is apparently **Flutterbat, Applejack is Duplicity, Pinkie Pie is, strangely enough, Diane, and last but not least, Rarity is Umbra… But then, what do they call me?*” Twilight thought, trying to keep her vision straight.

Instead, she tried to listen to Celestia and Luna who were still conversing. However, it still sounded like a garbled mess. Twilight felt herself going, despite fighting against it.

“Goodness, how long is she going to sleep for? Awake from thy slumber!” Duplicity shouted, glaring at Twilight with an annoyed look.

Just before Twilight lost her grip on consciousness, she saw an apparition rise up out of her. Its hair looked just like her own, but she could only see its back, and was still in paralysis. Twilight could see that it was covered in a murky, jet-black aura though. Ominous down to the feel of its very presence.

“Is that…?” Twilight thought, trying to hold on.

“It’s about time. You’ve been sleeping fooooreveerrrrr! You know how much of Diane and the vampire’s lovebird crap we had to go through waiting for you?” Perfidious complained, groaning.

♪ ♫ ♬“It’s a new day, a new life, for me… and I’m fee-eeling good!”♪ ♫ ♬ The apparition upon Twilight sang, as it stood up, leaving whatever Twilight was laying upon.

“Welcome, Nightmare.” Flutterbat greeted formally, as the others greeted whatever this ‘Nightmare’ was.

Before Nightmare responded, she turned to Twilight, where Twilight got a very good look.

They certainly resembled each other, but Nightmare too, was different. One of her eyes, were a crimson red, while the other was pure sky-blue. Her hair was messy and scattered, and her face screamed deranged with those baggy eyes and that crooked smile. She resembled Twilight whilst Twilight was drugged up on the thought of failing Celestia as a student. Last, but not least, was that same murky, black aura that resembled the very darkness that surrounded them. Suddenly, Nightmare drew close to Twilight, with her palm extended.

As Nightmare grew closer, her smile grew as well. She chanted something lowly, waving her hand over Twilight.

Twilight found that the asphyxiation stopped, and she could clearly hear now. She wanted to listen in on Celestia and Luna, but the darkness seemed to muffle their words.

She found that she could now move her mouth as well and breathe freely, despite her other movements still being restricted.

“W-what’s-?!” Twilight was about to question furiously, as Nightmare shushed her with a single finger to her lips.

“You deserve no explanation right now, false user.” Nightmare said with a small giggle.

“I was right, Nightmare. What do you think?” Flutterbat asked.

“I think that whoever removed the seal is either a fool or just plain ignorant. They know not what horrors they’ve unleashed.” Nightmare said, holding back her chuckles.

Twilight was afraid. These weren’t her friends. They all seemed… something close to evil. She knew for sure that she didn’t want their company.

“However, I know now that it wasn’t a fluke. Good job, bat. Perhaps I was wrong about you.” Nightmare said, looking towards Flutterbat.

Flutterbat was silent, but sent back an unreadable look.

“What be our next course of action, milady? Slumber until the next convenience, or shall we discuss what to do about the obvious tampering of the Tan-,” Duplicity began before Nightmare appeared in front of her, palm over her mouth.

Nightmare pointed towards Twilight with her free hand. “I like to avoid potential complications on our plans, Duplicity.” Nightmare said, as Duplicity nodded. Nightmare subsequently removed her hand.

“On that note, we shall return to slumber. You are all dismissed, I wish to privately speak with my false user.” Nightmare said.

Without another utterance of a word, the apparitions of Twilight’s friends disappeared into the darkness, where Twilight presumed her real friends were.

“Um, other me? Could you explain to me what’s going on? I am beyond baffled!” Twilight inquired.

“I won’t go back on my previous words. You deserve no explanations with your current opinions and beliefs. You’re inconsistent. Too much so for me to confide any of the details that you seek within you.” Nightmare said, now donning a more philosophical feel about herself rather than a deranged one. Her smile was no longer crooked, and her murky aura was replaced with a gentle, lavender one, much like Twilight’s own.

“I am instead, here, for you to make of this what you will. Maybe I can open your eyes some.” Nightmare said, snapping her fingers, as the dark shied away, allowing for Celestia and Luna to be heard…

“No! I won’t allow it! We both know what that demon can do! Why not let it be us instead of them? They are still young, sister, open your eyes!” Luna said, as Twilight listened intently.

“Our time is up, Luna! It has to be them! We are no longer the bearers of the Elements of Harmony!” Celestia argued.

“That gives us no excuse to not give it our all to defend this city. We always have, sister, and we always will, remember? We are the ones who should seek an audience, not them!” Luna rebutted.

Celestia looked Twilight directly in the eye.

“Wait, she can see us?!” Twilight said.

“No. We’re not in their plane of view.” Nightmare replied.

Celestia sighed, turning back to her sister. “No, Luna. This city needs new public heroes.” Celestia replied.

“So you would doom them to an audience with that monster…?” Luna questioned. She folded her arms and shook her head.

“You’ve been acting different ever since we felt the energy spike from the amulet; ever since I lost the Tantabus; and ever since Twilight’s been harboring that negative energy. Sister, I hate to take any stance of hostility, but I am watching you… Something about you has… changed.” Luna said cautiously.

Nightmare snapped her fingers, as they were once again surrounded by darkness.

“Time’s up. I’m tired.” Nightmare yawned, as she faded away into Twilight before Twilight could ask what had even occurred.

Twilight sighed, being left in the darkness of wherever her mind was. She pondered upon what had just happened, analyzing everything hundreds of different ways as she drifted back into her own slumber.

“Perfidious, Duplicity, Diane, Flutterbat, Umbra… I can’t help but bring all of their names to negative connotations… And that uncanny resemblance… Not to mention *Nightmare*… What could it all mean? Maybe this is all just a dream…” were Twilight’s final thoughts as she drifted off to sleep.

[Some More Hours Later…]

There was light chatter in the room amongst the present members of the Mane Six; all except for two: Fluttershy, who was missing, and Twilight Sparkle who was still unconscious.

Suddenly, Twilight sat up with great haste, awakening from her slumber. She breathed heavy, and with a sweat.

“Guys!” she yelled urgently, as all eyes fell on her.

“Twilight, what’s wrong?” Celestia called, startled.

Twilight was quiet, staring down at her sheets as she clutched them harder, remembering the ‘sleep paralysis’ she experienced.

“Twi?” Applejack called. Twilight looked up at Applejack, but then looked back down at her sheets, squinting and shaking her head before she calmed herself.

“N-nothing… Just a bad dream.” Twilight said, taking a long, calming sigh.

She looked around the room at all the eyes staring at her. Staring past beyond the crowd, she saw Luna leaning against the wall next to an open window, eyes closed and brows furrowed in frustration or annoyance, she wasn’t sure which; she was only sure that it was certainly a negative mood.

The clock above her read “1:53AM”. It was barely the next day.

“Where… did we go?” Twilight asked, confused as to how they had even ended up here.

“Fluttershy called us over for aid, and we immediately flew you over to one of our medical facilities. She was working under some pretty critical head-trauma to alleviate your injuries prior to our arrival… You’re lucky to have such a strong friend, Elements of Harmony.” Luna said, addressing them all.

“Really?” Twilight asked with a face of disbelief.

“You mean our Fluttershy, right?” Rainbow Dash asked skeptically, as Applejack punched her arm. Rainbow Dash gave her a sour look.

As Twilight looked around, she noticed that Fluttershy was missing.

“Something the matter, my pupil?” Celestia asked, noticing Twilight scanning the room.

“Where’s Fluttershy? Wasn’t she with us?” Twilight asked, dragging her legs to the side of her bed, making them dangle.

“Oh, Fluttershy? She took off to the roof for a few moments alone.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Fluttershy? Alone with no company, not even an animal? That doesn’t seem likely under a normal circumstance…” Twilight said, getting up. As the sheets fell off of her body, the hive of bandages upon her abdomen (ranging from just below her shoulders to her just above her belly button) was clear. She also had bandages wrapped around just her forehead for minor head injuries.

As she stood, she immediately felt her body ache as she stumbled slightly.

Applejack, the closest, flinched into catching her, but Twilight caught herself.

“I’m fine…” Twilight said with a sheepish smile, stretching her wings as she walked slowly over to the window next to Luna.

“I’ll be back. I’ll go check up on her.” Twilight said, as she jumped onto the window sill in a crouch. Just before she jumped, Celestia called for her.

Twilight turned and sat on the window ledge.

“Yes, Principal?” Twilight asked.

“It would be most favorable if you got her down swiftly. We have discuss our next course of…” Celestia began, trailing off as her eyes reached Luna’s. Luna only glared, before Celestia quickly averted her gaze.

Celestia cleared her throat as she realized she got strange looks.

“Our next course of action, apologies. It’s imperative that we discuss this A-S-A-P.” Celestia said.

Twilight nodded. She glanced between Luna and Celestia, remembering her experience during the supposed sleep paralysis she experienced.

“Of course, Principal Celestia. Be right back, then.” Twilight said, as she pushed herself out of the window, spreading her wings, and taking off upwards.

“Principal Luna, you’ve been… fairly quiet for this whole ordeal. Is something the matter, dear?” Rarity asked, approaching the Principal.

Eyes fell onto Luna, and Celestia watched her intently as well.

The last thing Luna had wanted was for them to be worried when they already had much to worry about, so instead, she cracked a small smile.

“Just tired, children, apologies.” Luna lied, patting Rarity’s shoulder as she sent a short glance towards Celestia.

“I’m sensing some crazy bad mojo-jojo vibes here, and they don’t feel nice, so lighten up!” Pinkie Pie screamed in her usual lively manner, looking between Celestia and Luna.

“Alright dear, but please, not so loud.” Rarity complained, as the other members of the Mane Six giggled.

Unbeknownst to all of them excluding Pinkie Pie, Celestia and Luna stared at each other beyond the banter, as if having a silent conversation.

[With Twilight And Fluttershy Above The Medical Facility…]

Twilight landed softly on the cemented flat-top of the building. She immediately spotted Fluttershy in her nature-inspired pink and green dress. She sat with her knees to her chest, facing the edge of the building, looking at the night-city lights.

Even from a back-view Twilight could see her head-bandages. At least 80% of her head was covered, and some of the bandages even extended down to her shoulders.

Twilight walked up slowly, and sat beside her, silently, staring at the city and the moon with her.

“Hi, Fluttershy.” Twilight said after a few minutes of silence, not looking at her.

Fluttershy was silent, as she took her head out of her knees, and looked directly at Twilight.

“Twilight, you’re smart and honest… Am I weak? Am I always just that friend that needs saving? Am I a... burden?” Fluttershy asked, her voice a little bit scratchy as her lips wobbled on the last word.

As Twilight turned to answer, she felt her heart thump a little harder. Fluttershy’s entire face was nearly covered with bandages to help with the head-trauma and other injuries; one of her eyes were surrounded by bandage with only a slit so that she could see, while the other only had bandage below and on its left.

However, what made Twilight’s heart thump hard was Fluttershy’s condition. Tears dripped down her face, soaking the bandage on her face. Her lips were wrenched into a sad frown.

“W-what? Why would you ask that?! Of course not, Fluttershy!” Twilight said immediately, pulling Fluttershy into a hug quickly. She felt her fragile chest heave up and down as Fluttershy whimpered quietly.

“Relax, Fluttershy… You’re not weak, and you’re most certainly not a burden.” Twilight said seriously, patting her back softly.

Fluttershy pulled back, still leaking tears. She put her hand gently onto Twilight’s abdomen, as Twilight hissed and flinched back briefly.

Fluttershy’s tears picked up in quantity. “If I wasn’t weak, you’d have never gotten hurt! It was my fault!” Fluttershy sobbed. Twilight watched, her face wrenched in concern.

“Your face… All I can remember is your face when she dug that awful claw into you! You were so pale, your face actually lost its color, Twilight! And the look on your face as you slept…! Trixie was right-” Fluttershy went on in her sobbing rambles, before Twilight put her hand over Fluttershy’s mouth, shushing her.

As she pulled it away, she frowned only slightly as a stream of saliva mixed with salty tears trailed on her finger. Ignoring it, she wiped it on her skirt as she spoke.

“Trixie? So Trixie filled your head with that nonsense?” Twilight asked.

Before Fluttershy could answer, Twilight continued.

“Look, Fluttershy; strength is beyond physical capability. If that’s all it is, then believe it or not, we’re both the weakest ones here.” Twilight said, sitting and slinging her arm around Fluttershy’s neck and bringing her close.

“R-really…?” Fluttershy asked, her lip wobbling slowing, as well as her breathing and hiccups.

Twilight nodded. “Sure!” She said with a smile.

“Applejack and Rainbow Dash are obviously out of our league physically. Pinkie Pie, as an Earth Human is naturally more physically capable than us. Even Rarity: she’s skilled in the martial arts, as she’s shown on multiple occasions.” Twilight explained.

“Y-you’re… right!” Fluttershy said, with a small glimmer of hope.

“But you and I, Fluttershy… we’re weak. So do you want to make a promise with me?” Twilight asked, looking at Fluttershy.

“What’s that…?” Fluttershy asked, her crying having completely ceased now that she calmed.

“Trixie’s mean and powerful, and it’ll take a lot to defeat her, am I right?” Twilight asked, as Fluttershy nodded. Twilight smiled and looked towards the moon again, as Fluttershy pushed off of her gently, sitting straight and looking at the moon as well.

“So how about you and I get strong together? Secretly, we’ll try duper-extra hard to get strong so we can catch up to the rest, and even surpass them!” Twilight said with a bright smile, her teeth shining in the direct moonlight.

“That sounds lovely, hun.” Fluttershy said in a slow, elegant voice. It was also louder and more controlled than her previous one.

Confused at the sudden change, Twilight looked to her side, and was shocked!

Fluttershy’s eyes were now a crimson red, and she had those fangs that Flutterbat had. Even her wings now looked like that of a bat.

Licking her lips seductively, ‘Fluttershy’ dashed forward, arms open, and her fangs bore at Twilight’s neck. Twilight’s heart thumped suddenly, and her vision flashed with a negatively-colored pulse, altering her view. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling her head throb. Her ears rang briefly.

…

“W-what…?” Twilight mumbled, looking up again.

Fluttershy was back to her normal self…

“I said, that sounds like a great idea, and thank you so much for making me feel better! Oh, and then I gave you a hug.” Fluttershy squeed with a large smile, hugging Twilight again.

Twilight shook her head, shaking off whatever she just experienced.

“Y-yeah… Let’s get strong together then…” Twilight said, rubbing her head and looking down at the ground.

“Is something wrong, Twilight?” Fluttershy asked.

Twilight shook her head. “No… no. Let’s go back down, shall we?” Twilight suggested.

“That sounds good. You wouldn’t mind holding my hand for that long drop down, w-would you…?” Fluttershy asked, as she stared down the building into the glaring lights below.

Twilight chuckled at her timidity. “Of course not. C’mon, let’s go.” Twilight said, grabbing her hand as she spread her wings and jumped off. Fluttershy let out a quiet “Eep!” as they disappeared behind the building.

[Back Within The Medical Facility…]

Twilight and Fluttershy flew in through the window cautiously, landing down softly.

“Twi, Flutters, you’re back!” Rainbow Dash said, greeting them. She had bandages all over, but the most serious injury was upon her torso, which Trixie hit with a blast of destructive magic.

“Yay, the gang’s all here!” Pinkie Pie said, her smile wide as she bounced up and down in her bed. Despite the bandages over her chest from the blast Trixie dealt to her, she was as lively as ever.

“Whoa there party gal, let’s settle down.” Applejack said tipping her hat. She was covered in bandages all over her body, as the impact into the concrete had damaged her all over. However, the most serious seemed to be her right forearm, which was entirely covered in bandage.

“Didn’t Celestia say she had something to tell us?” Rarity inquired, interrupting the small-talk. She had the lightest injuries, with only a small bandage upon her forehead and over her upper-right torso and shoulder.

“Indeed I do. Both my sister and I do. Settle down, young ones, this is important.” Celestia said, as Luna heaved a heavy sigh and joined her sister.

“Before we begin, I want you all to know that my sister and I are about to confide something very confidential to you girls; nothing less than an ancient secret, that if any other being were to learn about would guarantee a potential threat on an existential scale.” Celestia said, holding up one finger and giving the girls a hard stare.

The girls all looked around the room, nodding at each other.

“You can trust us, Principal Celestia. What is it?” Twilight said, nodding surely.

“Are you absolutely sur-”

“Aperture, do you know of that being?” Luna interrupted Celestia. Eyes fell on her as she spoke boldly. Celestia sent her an annoyed glare, but nonetheless, silenced herself and let Luna speak.

The others were silent, but Twilight raised her hand with a bright smile.

“Drop that classroom etiquette, Element of Magic. We’re in serious business now, and we’ll need to treat it as such.” Luna said, her arms folded. She was clearly not in a good mood.

Twilight chuckled sheepishly before clearing her throat.

“All I know is from Starswirl’s book on mythical creatures. Apparently, Aperture was an extremely powerful demon with an unbelievable reservoir of power that was capable of terrifying abilities: Extreme strength mentally and physically; extremely proficient in the magical arts, capable of magic foreign to this plane of existence; manipulation of various elements, including the illusive corrupting Darkness; the list goes on, but he is thought to be so powerful and knowledgeable because he can travel and communicate on interstellar ranges between dimensions.” Twilight said. Just before Luna was about to continue, Twilight spoke again.

“Oh, and a bit of trivia, of course!” Twilight chuckled, feeling elated that her knowledge was called upon.

“His roots were apparently of a fire-elemental demon simply labelled ‘Tenrem’. He was also rumored to be a different type of evil than your typical demon, and had apparently strange and conflicting motives and actions.” Twilight said.

“Correct, Sparkle. You’re as topped-up on knowledge as ever.” Celestia praised with a smile. Twilight smiled with glee, always feeling extra-elated by Celestia’s praise.

“But why would we need to talk about that? It’s been proved many times by this day and age’s greatest philosophers, wizards, and scientists that more than 90% of the creatures in Starswirl’s records were either simply a myth, are now extinct, or were over-exaggerated.” Twilight said.

“Aperture is no myth. He lives, and his ability certainly isn’t over-exaggerated.” Luna said.

Twilight’s face dropped of all excitement. “W-what…? A being of such horrifying power a-actually exists?!” Twilight gasped.

“If that’s the case, then why haven’t we encountered it yet?” Applejack asked, tipping her hat in skepticism.

“That’s because we sealed it with one of the few artifacts our more powerful ancestors left behind. The Mirror of Destitute. Even if he could escape that, he’s being detained within the greatest demon prison known to exist.” Celestia explained.

“You two sealed possibly the most powerful demon to ever exist? Alright, I gotta admit, that’s pretty awesome.” Rainbow Dash said, listening intently.

“Wait, you had ancestors?” Twilight asked, fascinated that there was history before Celestia and Luna.

“Of course. We were born, Twilight, not created.” Celestia said, holding up her shirt a little bit and showing her belly button.

“They had parents!?” Twilight said, squealing. She had never actually learned about Celestia and Luna, since they were no records on the two. For safety reasons, they condemned any records being made on them until they deemed it necessary.

“Twilight.” Luna said, unfolding her arms and looking at her.

“Sorry, sorry…” Twilight said, chuckling.

“On to the topic at hand, why would you confide in us the information about Aperture?” Twilight asked.

“Before we go over that, allow me to ask you, children… How will you combat Trixie the next time you encounter her?” Luna asked, folding her arms and staring amongst them.

“From the looks of it, she held back on all of you… She could’ve done so much worse, from what I’ve heard from all of you.” Celestia chimed in.

“So what will you do?” The two sisters said in harmony.

The girls were quiet as they looked upon each other. None of them had a real plausible answer. Sure, they could train and hone their skills, but there was not nearly enough time for that; not with how far ahead Trixie was in combat-finesse.

“It sounds like they’ll need a miracle, nothing short of it.” A familiar voice chimed in from the doorway. As all eyes turned, they met with the orange and red haired girl who said it.

“Sunset Shimmer!” Twilight gasped.

Beside her was a beautiful ebony-skinned girl with black and white striped hair shaped in a Mohawk that hung over her forehead. The Mohawk extended to her back, creating a hang-time that showed off the beautiful texture and luster of her hair.

“And Zecora! What’re you two doing here?” Twilight asked.

“Celestia gave us a call. Upon hearing the situation, coming here was no trouble at all.” Zecora smiled.

“Sunset Shimmer is one of my most prestigious students, so I knew she’d be of help. Zecora too, is very knowledgeable, and was also the keeper of the Alicorn Amulet Trixie now possesses… So I figured if we were to start anywhere on learning anything, it would be with these two.” Celestia informed. Luna gave strange glances at Celestia.

“That’s right! You were in charge of safe-guarding the amulet! Now why on this green earth would you let Trixie get that darned thing? You’re more than capable, Zecora!” Applejack scolded.

“No, you do not understand… This Trixie was different than the one we knew beforehand.” Zecora explained.

“Explain to us what happened, Zecora. It’s okay, our cowboy is just upset that we all got thrashed.” Rarity said.

“By Trixie, no less!” Applejack scoffed, rolling her eyes.

Zecora took a deep breath, taking her mind back to the day Trixie visited her. She began to act out exactly what she was doing as she spoke, remembering the events vividly.

Zecora mixed and ground some herbs and minerals and dashed it into her pot. Just as she was turning, her hut shook briefly, as if suffering from a minor earthquake. She looked at the source; a small steel box. She shook her head, scratching her chin.

“That is the third time today… What could possibly be making it act this way?” she thought to herself.

{“Three fair nights ago, I was concocting an enchantment. The amulet shook and rumbled, as if struggling free from its permanent encampment.”}

…

Zecora placed the amulet back within its box before studying it, and decided to put it in a secret compartment within her hut, deeming that the deeper it was, the less severe its indications would be.

{“I studied it within my hut, trying to figure out why it was going amuck. To no avail, I simply threw it deeper into my hut."}

…

Suddenly, the door to Zecora’s hut blasted open. As she turned, there stood Trixie in her normal, bright, galaxy-themed cloak.

“The Amulet! Where is it?!” Trixie asked feverishly. She seemed very impatient. As her cloak fluttered in the wind outside,

Zecora acted confused, shaking her head and shrugging.

“Don’t lie to me. I know you have it! It was calling me!” Trixie said, appearing in front of Zecora. Zecora fell back onto her butt, startled at the sudden approach.

As Zecora looked up at the cloaked Trixie, she knew something was different. Those eyes gleamed a hellish-crimson, and her face was wrenched into a frown, baring her teeth. She was serious.

“I would be deranged to hand the amulet back to you. Its misuse is why it was confiscated in the first place, Lulamoon.” Zecora said, standing and patting herself down.

“I don’t have the patience for your sass.” Trixie hissed, putting her palm to Zecora’s face.

[Slow-Motion Initiates…]

Zecora immediately noticed the red, magical glow in Trixie’s palm, and began to lean back. Just as she did, a large, powerful, destructive beam of magic released, engulfing the front half of Zecora’s long Mohawk.

Zecora’s pupils shrank and her eyes widened as she saw the beam of magic. It even had destructive crackles of unstable energy around it.

The beam had literally taken out the entire back roof and wall of Zecora’s hut, which was reinforced by her own magic.

[Slow-Motion Ceases…]

Zecora stood in her leaned back position, as Trixie stood there as well, hand extended from her cloak. She looked surprised, nearly stunned.

“O-oh my… I’m sorry, it’s as if I don’t know my own power yet!” Trixie said, her face wrenching into a wicked smirk.

Zecora peeked behind her, as her brows furrowed, seeing the damage Trixie had done to her home.

Growling, Zecora kicked up at Trixie, who easily dodged it by a simple hop back. Zecora returned to her feet and held her palm at Trixie as a green glow emitted.

Before Trixie did anything, the green glow turned into a beam of magic that exploded on impact, hitting Trixie dead-on.

Zecora stared into the smoke, brows furrowed. She saw the smoke begin to move abnormally, readying herself.

Suddenly, Trixie jumped out, punching down at Zecora, who ducked under, rolling back. As Zecora looked back, Trixie was running at her once more with two destructive balls of magic in her hand.

Zecora couldn’t match her speed, and was kicked back by Trixie. As she sailed through the front door, destroying more of her home, Trixie sent the 2 balls of magic after her. They exploded on impact, creating a large rise of dust in the dark Everfree Forest.

{“Behold, the very same Trixie Lulamoon! Entering my home with no regards, only a large ‘kaboom!’ We engaged in intense physical confrontation within my home. However, it was clear that her skills far surpassed my own.”}

…

Zecora, using the smokescreen to escape, crept through the woods. She could sense that powerful being of magic still after her. She was badly hurt by the two explosions, scars and burns all over her body.

She breathed silently as she saw flashes of the colorful cloak zooming through the woods. It stopped just near her. She held her breath as she saw those crimson eyes glow in the dark forest…

They disappeared, and Zecora breathed a soft, quiet breath of relief. As she turned into the next clearing of trees, however, there she was.

An eerie silence, followed by a small gust of wind. Trixie’s cloak fluttered softly in the wind, and inside of it was nothing but a dark blackness.

Before Zecora could react, Trixie sent a ball of magic her way. Zecora jumped back, barely avoiding it, but Trixie was more than ready, as she appeared behind Zecora mid-air.

Trixie’s cloak flew open, revealing both of her hands. One had that familiar red, magic-built, weaponized claw.

With a powerful slash Zecora was sent crashing into the ground. She looked up at the Arcane Human, fearing for her life as she clutched her chest, hissing. Trixie fell, stomping onto Zecora’s chest, which elicited a cough from her.

Trixie pointed at her with the claw. “If you lie to me again, I won’t hesitate to finish you and search the house myself.

Remember, nobody can reach you immediately in here, so take note that I am giving you the chance to live.” Trixie said, pushing her foot into Zecora’s injured chest even harder.

Zecora’s chest heaved. She knew she was beat, and she knew that Trixie was right. She could easily dispose of her and find the amulet herself. She had no choice…

“Within my hut, there is a secret compartment… Within it, you will find the amulet.” Zecora coughed. Trixie smiled, taking her boot off of Zecora’s chest.

“Get up and show me…” Trixie ordered. Zecora struggled to stand, as she walked slowly to back to her destroyed hut.

{“After a devastating claw to my chest,” Zecora began, lifting her shirt to show three long slashes across her abdomen. “And a threat to slash up the rest, I quickly found my reason to confess to reveal where the Amulet rests.”}

Zecora lowered her shirt, finishing the story.

“So Trixie didn’t get all of her power from the Amulet… We could also assume she was Alicorn at the time as well, then. That would be the only reason to seek the amulet. What did she mean it was calling her specifically, though? It’s never called any other Alicorns…” Twilight inquired.

“I don’t know, but Trixie is in possession of an ancient relic. With the way things are, it feels like evil is preparing for its epidemic. Truly, I’ve never seen such merciless ruthlessness. We are facing a new, heightened, and dark Crookedness.” Zecora said, her voice solemn.

“I’m sorry for getting fussy with you Zecora… We know just too well what running into that Trixie is like. Excuse me.”

Applejack apologized formally.

“It is no problem my orange friend. Hopefully, together we may bring these dark happenings to an end.” Zecora said.

“E-excuse me, but I don’t think we’ve figured out what to do about Trixie.” Fluttershy intervened.

“And it seems that you won’t figure it out on your own. Fortunately for you, Celestia has a solution.” Luna said, nudging Celestia.

Straightening her tie, Celestia began.

“Aperture is a powerful being, who is, so to speak, under Luna and I’s subjugation. You, children, would have to seek an audience with him deep in Tartarus. He is a necessary risk. Obviously, we will accompany you.”

Fluttershy visibly shivered.

“Seek an audience? Are you sure that’s the best thing to do?” Rainbow Dash asked in disbelief.

“I have to admit… it sounds sketchy…” Rarity hummed.

“I gotta admit, it does sound like trouble waiting to happen. What do you think Twilight? You always know what to do.”

Applejack said, hand on her hip as she tapped the heel of her boot on the ground. Eyes fell on Twilight.

“If Celestia thinks that’s the best, then I would have to agree! She always knows what she’s talking about!” Twilight said with sureness.

Zecora nodded in agreement. “Spread the sails and head west against the gales. We have to take the risk or be doomed to fail.” Zecora said, supporting Celestia.

“Personally, I don’t think any demon can help with this situation… However, it seems like that’s all we’ve got.” Sunset Shimmer interjected.

Luna folded her arms. She watched Zecora and Sunset Shimmer strangely, before turning to Celestia with a look of betrayal. She shook her head, quickly masking her emotion and spoke. “So it’s decided then. You girls will take a trip to Tartarus…” Luna said, sighing.

“You girls? Aren’t you coming too, Principal Luna?” Twilight asked.

“No. Strategically speaking, having both Celestia and I outside of the plane of Equestria with Trixie about… It’s dangerous.” Luna said.

“You’ll be lonely. How about we both stay, then?” Sunset offered.

“Thank you, Sunset Shimmer. Your company is appreciated already.” Luna said formally.

“So my sister and Sunset Shimmer shall stay. On that note, gather round everyone… I have a plan; simple, but efficient.” Celestia said, as everyone formed a circle.

“It’s a layered plan, so listen carefully. Firstly…”

[At this very time, within the Sparkle Residence…]

Thumping and shifting could be heard in the halls of Twilight’s new mansion.

A figure rose from Twilight’s bed, awoken by the sounds. He turned on the light, and his being was revealed.

It was the young boy dragon, Spike.

“Yo, Twilight!” Spike called with his groggy voice, assuming she had finally come home.

“Where were you, I was calling you for hours!” Spike yelled again, rubbing his eyes as he walked to the door of the room.

“I totally didn’t sleep in your bed, by the way!” Spike shouted out as he opened the door.

He froze, as he was met with a figure taller than he. Her colorful cloak blocked all but those eyes with a crimson glint.

A red glow appeared from beneath the cloak as she spoke.

“I’m afraid Twilight’s having a sleep-over at the Medical Center.” She said, as her eyes squinted slightly.

Spike stepped back in a defensive position, ready to take on the intruder.

[At Sweet Apple Acres’ Farmhouse…]

“Where could she be?” Applebloom said worriedly.

“Don’t fret, Applebloom. I’m sure she’s okay, right Big Mac?” Granny Smith said, rocking her chair back and forth.

“Ee-yup!” Big Mac said, buttoning his pajama shirt down. Just before he picked up his sleeping cap, the door creaked open.

“Applejack!?” Applebloom yelled happily, running over to the door.

“Applebloom!” Big Mac shouted out, realizing that it wasn’t Applejack. The hair was orange; Applejack  didn’t have orange hair…

It was too late, however.

“Applejack, you’re ba-!” Applebloom began, but was interrupted, sent flying back by a small explosion. She crashed into the cabinet, tumbling over the counter and on to the floor, on her knees. The shine in her eyes left, as she collapsed face-first on the ground, her body steaming from the magical blast.

Big Mac watched, eyes wide. They soon squinted with anger as he cracked his knuckles, walking up to the shadowed figure.

[Within Rarity’s Boutique/Home…]

“You know, you’re a lot more fun than my sister usually is!” Sweetie Belle laughed with her intruder, tossing sparkly strings into the air.

“Boy, can I relate! My sisters are all stuck up and boring and serious all the time. We should be friends!” the intruder spoke, her face covered as she giggled in the mess of streaks she was in.

“I think we’ll be great friends!” Sweetie Belle smiled. As the intruder flicked glitter onto Sweetie Belle’s face, the streaks fell off of her face.

“Don’t I… know you, actually?” Sweetie Belle inquired, raising a brow.

[At Sugarcube Corner…]

“I’m locking up, dearie!” Mrs. Cake shouted out to her lover, Mr. Cake.

“Did ya lock the doors?” Mr. Cake hollered back.

“I’m going now! Make sure the babies are sleeping, will you?” Mrs. Cake called back, pushing some pantries into the cabinet.

As if on cue, the door jingled, as someone entered. The moonlight illuminated their purple hair.

“Sorry, we’re closed, dearie.” Mrs. Cake called out. Suddenly, a small blade flew past Mrs. Cake’s neck, slashing off some of her hair. She was frozen in fear, as the figure approached with another blade in her hand.

[Within Rainbow Dash’s Floating Home…]

Scootaloo sat in front of the T.V, playing her favorite racing game.

She heard the door creak open, and rushed to turn off the T.V. As she was feverishly putting away her controller and all the cords, she yelled out, “I’m not up playing games, Dashie, I swear! I was just up for a late night snack!”

She heard the shuffling get closer, and breathed a sigh of relief as she got everything put away in time.

“Rainbow Dash, where’ve you been?” Scootaloo asked. As she was covered in a turquoise magical aura and lifted to be suspended in midair, she realized it wasn’t Rainbow Dash.

“Oh, it’s just you… Hey, put me down!” Scootaloo yelled, upside down, as the figure approached…

[Finally, Within Fluttershy’s Humble Abode…]

Angel sat on the counter, nibbling away at several vegetables in his bowl. Suddenly, a metal cage appeared around him as the small cage-door slammed shut.

He shook the bars, squealing angrily at his captor who only casually began to put some water on a low-flame. Angel bashed against the cage, squealing angrily.

“What’s that you say? Make myself at home? Don’t mind if I do!” The intruder chuckled, as they suspended Angel in the air with magic, swinging him back and forth.

[Finally, Back With Our Heroes…]

“… and that’s the plan! Did I make everything clear, and answer all questions?” Celestia asked.

“Everything’s clear now, Principal. Right, girls?” Twilight asked, receiving gestures of confirmation.

“Great! Does everyone understand what awaits? I cannot emphasize enough how important this is. But don’t make the importance deter you… I’m sure you will all get through this, ultimately. Nay, I promise!” Celestia spoke, a hand on her hip.

“Thank you, Principal. Truthfully, I’m a bit nervous, bu-,” Twilight began, but was interrupted by a small flash of crimson in the middle of the room.

There was that fluttering, colorful, galaxy-themed cloak.

“Well, well, well, what have we here?” The girl chuckled.

“Trixie!” Twilight hissed, clenching her fists.

Suddenly, Trixie appeared in a flash of crimson in front of Celestia.

“Now, now, Princess… Would you make these young girls promises you couldn’t possibly keep?” Trixie spoke with a smirk.

With no words, Celestia’s foot flew at Trixie, who just barely dodged it. The rush of wind and force seemed to not affect her cloak.

“How did she find us?” Luna asked, a ball of compressed magic in her hand already, as she lurched forward.

As Celestia’s foot returned to the ground, she glanced at Trixie beside her.

“... She didn’t. She’s communicating with us via magic. She isn’t here physically, so to speak.” Celestia said, breathing out softly as she fixed her hair.

“How attentive of you, Princess. How did you figure it out?” Trixie asked.

“You had at least an entire second to counter, and you didn’t. Either you weren’t as strong as my pupils have made you out to be, or you couldn’t physically harm me.” Celestia said simply, folding her arms.

Twilight sighed. “Can’t we simply expel her presence?” Twilight asked, her lavender magical aura covering her hand as she reached for Trixie’s image.

Trixie turned and smiled at Twilight. “Now, now Twilight, I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Trixie said, as she spread her hands, extending the field of view.

Trixie floated backwards, landing next to the green dragon who was beaten and bruised. His body steamed slightly, evidence of being a victim of powerful magic.

“Spike!” Twilight yelled, walking closer, feeling enraged. She quickly stopped, realizing that it wasn’t physically in front of her.

“You know, I always knew youngsters were stubborn, but he just wouldn’t stop getting up, y’know?” Trixie spoke, crouching and examining the dragon. As she turned, the glint of crimson in her eyes shone stronger as her smirk only grew more wicked.

“Trixie! You won’t get away with this!” Twilight hissed, as the magic aura around her body snapped furiously.

“T-Twilight, no…! She’s too strong, even for you…!” Spike coughed, straining to even talk.

“We need to go there, now!” Applejack said, walking forward past Trixie’s own images.

“Hold on there, cowgirl!” Trixie laughed, as she snapped her fingers.

Another magically transmitted image appeared in front of Applejack. Its contents boiled Applejack’s blood. Upon a tree branch hung Applebloom, burns all over her body from the magical blast she was hit with.

Big Mac was on his knees, breathing heavily and was obviously injured. The perpetrator’s back was turned, and only the orange hair was seen.

“Oh, is it my turn?” The voice chuckled, turning around.

“Adagio!” Applejack growled.

As Adagio moved her own hands, extending the image, Applejack clutched her fists so hard blood began to draw and drip from her knuckles.

“What. Did. You. Do. To. Our. Farm!?” Applejack growled, stomping forward so hard that her hat fell to her back, hanging on to her body via a string.

As the view showed the farm, there was a fierce fire blazing behind Applebloom in which all of the Apples’ work laid.

“But if Adagio’s here…” Twilight gasped.

“That’s right.” Adagio said, snapping her left hand, as an image snapped to life.

Mr. and Mrs. Cake were seen, slumped against the wall. In between them, hanging on the blade stabbed into a wall from their joined sleeping cloths were none other than Pound and Pumpkin Cake, sobbing loudly.

Sitting on the counter was none other than Aria Blaze, who held a shining blade in her hand. Her face seemed to hold little emotion.

Pinkie Pie watched with wide eyes, before gritting her teeth in a frown and holding her fist up.

“Who do you think you are, bullying MY friends?!” Pinkie yelled. Aria only smirked, shrugging.

Adagio snapped her right hand, as yet another image snapped to life.

Sonata Dusk was seen, chatting off happily with Sweetie Belle. They seemed oblivious to their being watched.

“I want Sweetie Belle having nothing to do with those evil little sirens!” Rarity said, arms folded.

“Something tells me that this isn’t it.” Rainbow Dash said, her mind upon Scootaloo.

“You wouldn’t be wrong, Rainbow Dash.” Trixie chuckled, snapping her fingers.

“Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo yelled, as the image appeared.

“It’s Starlight!” Scootaloo yelled, before a hand violently slapped a piece of tape onto her mouth, leaving a sore redness on her face.

“She’s quite loud and obnoxious. Just like you, Rainbow Dash. I’m sure you’re proud.” Starlight laughed jokingly.

“And to think we had forgiven you…!” Rainbow Dash growled angrily.

Trixie’s eyes turned to Fluttershy. “Oh yes, don’t think you’re excluded just because you’re weak, Fluttershy.” Trixie laughed, snapping one last time.

Discord was spotted, casually sipping tea and reading a newspaper. Above him hung a distraught Angel in that metal cage.

Discord glanced towards Fluttershy. “Please do join me.” He insisted, sipping the last bit of tea, before tossing the cup into his mouth, crunching it up.

“This porcelain is to die for!” he said in delight.

“Poor Angel! You won’t be forgiven, Discord!” Fluttershy said, clenching her fists and pouting.

There stood the Mane Six, surrounded by what they would call family, in danger and threatened by these recurring forces of evil.

“You know what’s at stake,” Trixie began, as the image of Sonata and Sweetie Belle dispersed into a magical puff of glitter.

“So tell me, girls and co,” Trixie continued, as Starlight and Scootaloo’s image dispersed as well.

“Just what will you do?” Trixie went on, as Aria’s image dispersed.

“Will you run and prepare?” Trixie asked, as Discord and Angel’s image dispersed.

“Or will you actually be foolish enough to confront forces you couldn’t possibly hope to defeat?” Trixie queried, as the blazing orchard and Adagio’s image dispersed.

“I’ll be waiting…” Trixie said, as her own image dispersed, leaving the room in a colorful cloud of blue glimmer.

There was a silence amongst the room now.

Applejack was the first to move and speak. She put her hat back on and stomped to the door.

“I’m going.” She said simply. Twilight ran in front of her and grabbed her forearm, bidding for her to stand down.

“What?! Did you see what she had done!?” Applejack yelled.

“That’s what they want, guys! They want us to go. They’re toying with us, and we’re only less powerful if we’re separated. It’s not the rational thing to do.” Twilight said, looking around. She received looks of disagreement.

“Understand this one thing, Twi.” Applejack started, as she turned and placed a hand on her shoulder, looking directly into her eyes with her squinted green eyes. Her hat casted an eerie shadow over her face.

“Once you mess with family, there’s no space for rationality and the sorts.” Applejaack stated, walking right past Twilight and out of the door, disappearing into the hallway.

“Sorry Twilight, but I’m with AJ on this one.” Rainbow Dash stated, as a cyan blur blasted beyond Twilight, making the cloths of the room flap around.

Twilight sighed in defeat as Rarity and Pinkie Pie quickly flooded out as well.

“There’s only one thing left to do, then.” Twilight sighed.

“I’m going as well.” Twilight decided.

“I’ll accompany you then, my pupil. You were injured the worst, after all.”Celestia said.

Before the two left, Twilight glanced back and winked at Fluttershy. Fluttershy responded with a nod.

“I’ll try my best.” Fluttershy thought to herself, remembering the promise, as Twilight and Celestia too, disappeared around the corner.

“Come then, Element of Kindness. Let us deal with Discord’s tomfoolery.” Luna said, leading her out of the room…

[The Scene Ended Upon Color-Coded Roads Walked By Our Heroes; Each Specifically The Color For Each Of The Mane Six. Each Hero Walked To The Dark Force That Awaited Them At The End Of Their Line…]

And so, our Heroes, provoked by returning evils, two which were very unlikely, rush to the aid of their endangered families and homes. But what truly awaits them? Can they even begin to behold? Why were they provoked? Why are they being lured? Perhaps, there is more than meets the eye…