Dimensional Pain

Chapters

For the Love of Dogs
Duel Face Off
Duo Revealed
Help Arrives...and so Does Trouble

For the Love of Dogs

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SPIKE!” The girls cheered as Twilight walked around the statue base with Spike in her arms. Canterlot High stood behind them, empty of the students and teachers as is the norm for a Saturday. It was just after sunrise when Twilight received the text from Pinkie, letting her know they were ready for them.

Behind the girls, Pinkie had set up party cannons that shot confetti into the air. The small, purple dog looked at them with saucer sized eyes, a toothy grin, who's tail wouldn’t stop wagging.

“Wow!” Spike expressed with pure joy. “You guys remembered!”

“Of course we did, Spiky Wikey.” Rarity assured as she stepped up to them, scratching his chin when she did. “We would never forget such an important day.”

“Darn right. Course, Pinkie’s constant reminders didn’t hurt, either.” Added Applejack with a light chuckle.

Pinkie appeared between Twilight and Rarity, threw her arms around the two girls and held them in a strong hug. “Oooooo! We are going to have SUCH a fun time, Spike!” Releasing her friends, Pinkie appeared at the top of the statue base. “We got games! And treats! And presents! And…”

“Buuuut first…!” Rainbow interrupted before turning to Spike, placing a hand on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “Our resident animal lover has something special for you. Right, Fluttershy?”

“Oh, yes. I’m taking you to the Bales Dog Park in the city!”

“Bales Dog Park?!” Spike jumped out of Twilight’s arms and began running around the girls, excitement clear on his face. “That’s the best park ever!” Jumping into Fluttershy’s arms Spike gave her a lick, earning him a giggle from his kind hearted friend. “Twilight was suppose to bring me but…well, you know what she’s like.”

Twilight adjusted her glasses, looking away from the two as she laughed nervously.

“Cut her some slack, Spike.” Sunset said as she stood beside Twilight and patted her in the back, knocking her glasses loose. Sunset continued as Twilight place her glasses back on right. “She was the one that told us about this park in the first place.”

Twilight composed herself then faced Fluttershy and Spike. “You two should get going. We’ll be at Applejack’s farm setting up the party.” Walking up to them, Twilight patted Spike’s head before the two head for the school parking lot where Fluttershy’s car was parked.

“OKAY!” Rainbow proclaimed as she pumped her fist. “Lets head over to AJ’s and get this party STARTED!” The girls cheered their agreement before they started to make their way to their own vehicles.

“WAIT!” Pinkie shouted from the statues base. Her friends stopped and looked back at her.

“What is it, darling? Don’t you want to set up Spike’s party?” Rarity asked, making her friends gasp at the thought of such wrongness.

“Of course I do! Seriously Rarity, have you met me?”

“Yeah, Pinkie not wanting to set up parties is as likely as fish growing wings.” Sunset commented, earning her an annoyed look from Rarity.

“What is it, Sugarcube? Did ya need help with yer party cannons?”

“Yes, I would Applejack. Thank you!” Pinkie answered cheerfully before becoming serious. “But not right now. Right now we have something more important to do.”

“What’s that?” Twilight asked.

Pinkie reached into her big, curly hair and dug around; the girls leaning forward slowly until she pulls out a clipboard and pen. “Going through the party planner checklist!”

Twilight grinned with excitement while the other girls groaned loudly.

“Again?! We’ve been through that list twenty-nine times already!” Rainbow expressed in frustration. “You can’t be serious!”

Her face hidden behind the clipboard, Pinkie slowly lowered it to reveal the scary serious expression she worn. The girls all backed away a little at the sight of their party planner friend.

“I am always serious when it comes to parties.” Pinkie said in a low threatening voice making Rainbow slide behind Applejack; her friend raising an eyebrow at the athlete.

Twilight was the only one too brave Pinkie’s menacing scowl, approaching her. “Excellent! What’s first on the list, Pinkie?”

“Role Call!” And just like that Pinkie was back to her cheerful self, allowing the others to let out the breathes they had unknowingly held. Sunset shot Rainbow a glare.

“Never. Do that. Again!” She said to her angrily, who chuckled nervously as she stepped out from behind Applejack.

The six friends endured the tedious process of another session of Pinkie and Twilight’s going through the ridiculous amount of things. Unaware of the portals surface shimmering.

Princess Twilight Sparkle rested in her reading chair with a factional story floating before her within her magical grip. She had just finished the tasks she had given herself for the morning regarding the preparation for the School of Friendship she and her friends were setting up.

Spike and Starlight were in the kitchen getting breakfast, giving Twilight the chance to take advantage of the quiet time that she has. When the new school opens up, she’s not gonna have too many of these moments to herself.

“Ahh. What a great way to start the…”

The door to her reading room flew open with a crash as two earth ponies stood in the doorway. “Princess Twilight! We need your help!” The stallion announced.

Twilight sighed a heavy sigh. “…day.” Placing a book mark at her place before putting it down, Princess Twilight turned toward the doorway and immediately recognized the yellow mare earth pony as well as the two headed creature standing behind her.

“I know you. Your that mare from the Traders Exchange.”

“That’s right, Princess. Teddie Safari.”

“I’m Cratus.” The grey stallion spoke with a surprisingly high pitched voice. “I was also at the Exchange.”

The Orthros pushed his way past the two ponies and explored the room. Twilight looked from the Orthros to them and asked. “Why do you have the Orthros? I thought Rainbow Dash traded it to somepony else for a bird whistle.”

“She did, your Highness.” Safari stepped forward as she spoke with Cratus close behind. “But I just couldn’t let him go. I managed to trade it back for an authentic Daring Do hat signed by A.K. Yearling herself!” Twilight had climbed off her chair and stood before the two ponies as the Orthros continued to explore the room. “But I still had the problem of training it. I was going to see if your yellow friend would mind keeping him with her until it was trained. But on my way to the train station, I bumped into Cratus here. We got to talking and he said he could train him.”

“Why wasn’t it already trained?” Twilight asked, turning to the stallion.

“I had just caught him two days before the Exchange and training Orthros' takes awhile. When I told Safari that, we agreed on an arrangement.”

“I hired Cratus to stay in Manehattan to train him. That was months ago."

“And has he?” Twilight asked her while trying to figure out the problem.

“Yes, he has. And he's done an amazing job.” Safari puts her hoof to her month and whistles. “Duo! Come here, boy!” The Orthros’ heads turns and makes his way to them, sitting down between the two earth ponies obediently. Safari scratches one of his heads. “Good boy, Duo.”

“So…what’s the problem? And why come to me?” Twilight asked, looking between the two.

“I want Duo back!” Cratus replies.

“Since you were the Princess that oversaw the last Exchange, we thought that you would have a better understanding of our situation.” Safari answered before turning on Cratus. “And You traded him for a lamp! Plus, I’ve been supporting you while you trained him!” Safari shouted, growing frustrated over the same argument.

Princess Twilight grew annoyed as the two argued; the three ponies failed to notice as Duo backed away, sensing the negative emotion coming from them. He turned from his owner and trainer to walked out of the room into the humongous hallway. The two heads of Duo sniffed the air, picking up the many scents that lingered until one head picked up a scent that didn’t belong.

The scent of another dog.

Duo’s other head picked it up as well causing the two heads to drool a lot more as they both followed the scent. The smell was odd to the Orthros as it was bizarrely mixed with the scents of a dragon, a pony, and another creature that neither head could place. Duo picked up speed as the scent grew stronger until it reached a closed door. He pawed at the door, whining. The confused and curious mind of the Orthros compelled him to slam against the door, it’s echos carrying through the castle.

In the kitchen, Spike and Starlight had just finished preparing the meal when the echos reached them.

“What is that banging?” Spike asked holding a tray of pancakes.

“I’m not sure.” Starlight replied, her magic surrounding a pitcher of juice and glasses.

The Orthros’ banging managed to reach Princess Twilight as Safari and Cratus continued to argue.

“What is…” Twilight whispered.

“How many times do we have to argue this? Duo is mine! Our arrangement was for you to train him, not to take him!”

“But training him reminded me of why I caught him in the first place!” Cratus defended. “Their great for tracking the creatures I hunt for my business!”

“Then just track down another one!”

“I’d need Duo for that!”

“ENOUGH!”

The Princess of Friendship commanded. Safari and Cratus both took a step back from her out of surprise then fear. Twilight had been listening to them long enough to understand both sides; arguing around in circles wasn’t gonna solve anything.

“Now then, Cratus.” Twilight began once she composed herself. “You understand that once you agreed to the trade, you are no longer entitled to what you traded, correct?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Then you know you have no grounds to stand on regarding Duo’s return as you have nothing that Safari wants.”

“Maybe so, Princess Twilight. But…” Cratus began until Princess Twilight raised a hoof, indicating there was know room for argument.

“Safari.” She addressed, turning to the earth pony mare. “I’m sure you’ve noticed as I have…” Another echo reached her ears, making one of them flick. “…how much Duo means to Cratus, don’t you?”

“Well, yes Princess.”

“Then you must realize how much training Duo meant to him as well. After all, why else would Cratus fight so hard for him?”

“It’s admirable, I admit. But…” Once again, Twilight ceased her with a raise of her hoof.

“With both points of views understood, I propose a compromise. Safari…” Twilight points her hoof at her. “…if you allow him to keep Duo until they captured another Orthros, then Cratus…” She directs her hoof toward the stallion. “…you must return him to Safari and, if you haven’t yet, complete his training as per your arrangement.”

When the echo reached her ears this time, Twilight turned her head towards the entrance of the room.

Safari thought about the Princess’ suggestion then looked at Cratus with a sad smile. “I…can do that. I know how much you care about Duo.”

The stallion looked at the her, seeing the understanding in her eyes and flashed a kind grin back. “Thank you, Safari. I will be content with this time with him.”

Princess Twilight felt joy at helping the two ponies bring there argument to a close. Another echo floated into her ear, causing the Princess to look around trying to find it’s source only to notice something odd.

Something that was missing.

“Where’s the Orthros?” Twilight asked turning her gaze towards the two in front of her. Cratus and Safari looked from each other to Twilight then around the room, finally noticing the absent Orthros.

“Duo?” Said Cratus, his trained senses trying to find any sign of the beast.

“Duo! Where are you, boy?” Safari called out while running around the room.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed throughout the castle causing the three ponies to head for the hallway. Princess Twilight flew above the two earthbound ponies as they entered the hallway. They looked down each direction until Twilight spotted a trail of drool.

“Over there!” She called out, following the trail with Safari and Cratus close behind.

Spike and Starlight were on their way to the dining room when the echo of the crash reached them.

“What is Twilight doing? Remodelling the castle?” Starlight asked aloud.

“Knowing Twilight, I wouldn’t be surprised if that were true.” Spike replied. His face expressing his worry for his dear friend.

“Maybe you should see what she’s up too.” Suggested Starlight as she enveloped the tray of pancakes Spike was carrying. “Just in case she does something…irreversible.”

With a nod, Spike ran down the hallway the echo came from as Starlight continued on to the dinning room.

The doorway wide open, Duo walked into the room that held the most bizarre contraption he had ever seen. The mirror stood near the back of the room surrounded by the gizmos and devices that maintained the portal it housed.

The strange mix scent of four creatures was coming from the mirror.

His tail wagged from side to side as Duo hurried toward the portal. Upon reaching it both heads of the Orthros sniffed at the mirror’s surface, reinforcing the creatures curiosity. The draw too strong to resist the two heads panted with excitement, their tongues hanging from their jaws as Duo walked into the portal.

“CHECK!” Pinkie announced with unbridled glee after Twilight got to the ‘Presents must be wrapped in Pinkie Pie approved birthday wrapping’.

“Excellent!” Said Twilight as she moved her pen to the next item on the list. “Thirty-six inch by a hundred and forty-four inch birthday banner with ‘Happy Birthday, Spike!’ written in Bradley Hand font?”

“Check-a-roony!”

Sunset Shimmer and the other girls looked on as their more ‘organization obsessed’ friends continued looking over the same list they had all looked over almost thirty times now. While she was no stranger to keeping things neat and straightforward, the pony turned human girl had no where near the level of unwavering dedication to it that Pinkie and Twilight had.

And I hope never to be. She thought to herself, allowing a small smile to cross her face.

“By the time they finished, Fluttershy would have brought Spike to the barn and eaten the cake!” Rainbow whispered to the other girls, her annoyance evident on each word.

“Suck it up, Dash.” Applejack said through clinched teeth. “This is yer fault fer pushing Pinkie’s button that should never be pushed.”

“Perhaps this will teach you to watch what you say around others, hmm?” Rarity added tactfully.

Doubt it. “Their over half way through, Dash.” Sunset said aloud. “Couple more minutes, then were outta here.”

Rainbow crossed her arms and pouted, turning her head towards her two friends that were standing with their backs turned towards the portals entrance.

It’s surface began to waver.

“Huh?" Her eye cooked up, Rainbow focused her attention past Pinkie and Twilight and on the portal. Then, her eyes slowly grew wider and wider as something equally slowly emerged from the portal.

Reaching her hand out towards Applejack, who was currently having a conversation with both Sunset and Rarity, and grabbed her shoulder, shaking her farmer friend.

“What now, Da…” Applejack began until her eyes passed over the portal, catching a glimpse of the scaly creature’s two heads poking out of the portal. Her expression caused concern from Rarity and Sunset, who both faced the portal, and mimicking the same response.

“Alright! Next is the custom made bacon scented birthday candles with the non-toxic chemical to turn the flames color purple?” Twilight asked with a joyful smile on her face, oblivious to the two serpentine heads raising up behind the two party planners.

“Oh! Absolut…” Pinkie stopped as her left nostril itched as well as her right middle toe grew numb. Slowly lifting her head up from the checklist she and Twilight were holding, Pinkie looked at her four petrified friends as they craned their heads up to look at something above them.

Really high above them.

Taking notice of Pinkie’s reply stopping suddenly, Twilight looked at her pink friend. “Pinkie? What is it? You didn’t forget the candles at your place, did you?”

Taking a gulp, Pinkie asked. “…there’s something really bad behind us, isn’t there?” The creatures low growl answers her question causing both girls to stiffen up, their eyes wide with fear. Slowly, both Pinkie and Twilight turned their heads to see two thick reptilian necks just an arms length away. The two followed the necks upward until they were looking straight up.

At two brown scaled dragon heads looking down at them.

Then they both roared.

Rarity, snapping out of her petrification at the sound of the dragon’s roar, ponied up as the two girls dropped the checklist and hugged each other, screaming in terror; the two heads the draconic creature came down towards them. Before either of them knew what was going on, a ring of hexagon shaped diamonds bound around the two and pulled them clear away. Just in time to avoid the two headed dragon's maws as they both slammed into the ground, causing the area to shake.

That action snapped the three remaining girls out of their state of shock and refocus on what was going on in front of them. Rarity gently bought the still screaming Twilight and Pinkie beside her before releasing them from her ring.

“IT TRIED TO EAY US! LIKE WE WERE SOME KIND OF BITE-SIZED CUPCAKE!” Pinkie screamed, refusing to release Twilight for even a second.

“WHAT IS THAT!?” Twilight asked fearfully as Rainbow shook her head of the shock, ponying up after shooting a glare at the beast.

Sunset Shimmer couldn’t believe her eyes as the two dragon heads lifted up from the ground and shake themselves. Being from Equestria, she was no stranger to dragons; thinking back to when she was Princess Celestia’s student, Sunset would often read up on dragons during her free time. She even recalled her mentor saying she had acquired a dragon egg not long before she fled to this world.

What did surprise her was the number of heads this dragon had.

“I…I don’t believe it. This…this shouldn’t be possible!”

“What shouldn’t be possible?” Applejack asked, refusing to take her eyes off the creature before them as she too ponied-up.

“It’s a dragon. But it shouldn’t have two heads!” Sunset explained, her own transformation activating on pure instinct.

“Why not, darling? Don’t they have dragons in Equestria?” Rarity inquired as she knelt behind Pinkie and Twilight, a gentle hand resting on their shoulders.

“Yes, there are. But I’ve never heard of there being any two headed ones before.”

One of the dragon’s heads had finished shaking. it looked at the girls in front of him and growled while moving his head closer, startling the six friends. The other head stopped shaking soon after and finally saw it’s other head and froze. The second head continued forward until to suddenly stopped just out of reach of Twilight and Pinkie who’s pupils were dilated with fear.

Turning to see his other head, the dragon’s reptilian eyes widen as he lock them together with the other dragon heads own beastly eyes.

“Wait.” Applejack said as a thought came to her. “Isn’t Princess Twilight’s Spike ah dr…”

The two headed dragon let out a soul crushing cry of agony.

Both Twilight and Pinkie leapt from where they sat, backpedaling away from the wailing dragon to stand behind their friends. As he cried out, the dragon’s heads flailed about before the group. During this, Sunset caught movement in the very edge of her sight, drawing her attention the the lower left corner of the portal. There she saw two Spike sized claws had poked through the portal and began clawing at the ground, trying to free itself.

“It’s trying to get through the portal!” Sunset called out, drawing everyone’s attention to the claw that had managed to dug away enough of the earth to thrust his claw forward.

His appendage free, the dragon lunged his two heads forward in an attempt at freedom. For a brief moment the dragon’s two heads stretched far enough to position Rarity between the two, forcing the others to leap back further.

“Rarity!” Applejack called out.

Taken by surprise Rarity remained rooted in place; her head refused to move as her gaze shifted to the side meeting the slit pupil eye of the beast that owned it. For a split second, Rarity saw something within the gaze that had never acquired to her upon their meeting.

Is this ferocious dragon…scared?

In a matter of a few seconds, the second head attempted to chomp down on her while Rainbow, using her super speed, rushed in, grabbed the fashionista, and flew them both away mere milliseconds before the dragons teeth bit down at the exact spot Rarity had been occupying.

The athlete didn’t stop until she and Rarity were on the steps of the school, prompting the others to join them. “That was WAY too close for comfort!” Rainbow expressed, her chest heaving more from the close encounter with death then from any physical exertion. “You alright, Rarity? No split ends in your hair?”

“I’m…well…I…may need a moment, if it’s all the same to you.” She answered as the others joined them. Before the girls could say anything, the dragon roared as he pushed against the statues base that housed the portal, unable to force himself through the minimal spacing.

“Well, at least he can’t get us here.” Pinkie said nervously.

The dragon began to claw at the earth under his chest, digging.

“…since when do dragons dig?”

“That’s not important!” Sunset spoke as she took a step towards the dragon, earning her a glare and growl form one of the heads. “We can’t let it get free.” She turns to face the other girls. “If it does, not only would it run wild, but we’d never be able to send it back!”

The truth of Sunset’s words struck them; while they might have defeated magically power beings before, none of it compared to a rampaging dragon with two heads. Her fear of the dragon gone Twilight ponied-up along side Pinkie as the six of them gathered around Sunset, ready to do whatever it took to send the creature back to Equestria.

Flying down the hallway with Cratus and Safari running after her, Princess Twilight Sparkle led them closer to the library she kept the mirror that housed the portal to Canterlot High. As she followed the trail of drool Twilight couldn’t figure out what had drew the Orthros to the portal in the first place.

We past the hallway that leads to the kitchen, so that rules out food. Twilight thought as she neared the open door to the room that housed the mirror. What other reason would it have?

“Twilight!”

The Princess of Friendship flapped her wings to stop herself then turned to address Spike as he ran down a separate hallway to catch up.

“What’s going on? What was that noise?” He asked as the two met beside the two earth ponies.

“An Orthros. It wondered off while the three of us were occupied.”

Spike looked at the two ponies as recognition flashed across his face. “Weren’t you two from the Traders Exchange a few months back?”

“Why yes, we…” Safari began to answer.

“We don’t have time for this!” The Princess declared. “The Orthros is in the library with the portal.” With that, Twilight ran the rest of the way to the doorway.

“The portal?!” Spike expressed before running after his lifelong friend, leaving Cratus and Safari to exchange puzzled looks at one another.

“Portal?” They asked each other at the same time, running towards the room the youngest Princess had entered.

Arriving at the doorway to the library Cratus and Safari spotted Princess Twilight Sparkle and Spike standing before a mirror that was attached to a contraption that only a unicorn could understand its design and purpose. The walls lined with rows upon rows of books that encircled the room. The two ponies walked through the library passing multiple tables and chairs spread out around the floor, untouched by anyone aside form those who resided in the castle.

Standing beside them, both earth ponies noticed the direction the Alicorn and baby dragon where looking at and followed their gaze to discover something both incredible and unexpected.

Duo’s tail was sticking out of the mirror.

“Is that…?” Cratus began.

“Yes. That’s Duo’s tail.” The Princess answered in a somber tone.

“Is he alright? Where is he? What happened to him?” Safari asked as she began to panic.

“More importantly…” Cratus stated, his tone serious, as he looked at Twilight. “Where did you find this mirror and where does it lead?”

Twilight and Spike exchanged a look, one that said ‘this could be a very serious problem’. Taking a deep breath, the Princess began.

“I don’t know where it came form. Princess Celestia entrusted it to me once the Tree of Harmony granted me this castle.” Twilight stepped forward as she continued. “The mirror is a magical gateway to another dimension that I and Spike have used on important occasions. However, due to the nature of that other world the mirror performed a transformation spell on us. Turning us into suitable creatures native to it.”

“Are you saying Duo was transformed by the mirror as well?” Safari inquired, stepping closer to the mirror.

“There’s a very good chance of that being the case.”

“Then why do you sound so concerned about it?” Cratus asked in an almost accusing tone.

This time Spike replied. “When we traveled through the portal, Twilight changed into something they call a ‘human’. They stood upright, had things called hands and feet instead of hooves. They didn’t have horns or wings and had no muzzles.”

The two ponies looked at Spike with horrified expressions.

“Its not as bad as it sounds. Point is, when I went through the portal, I was changed into a dog.”

“A dog?” Cratus questioned in disbelief.

“Why a dog?” Safari asked.

“Like Twilight said, we took the forms of creatures that were common to that world.” Spike looked back at Twilight who was staring intensely at Duo’s wildly moving tail. “Every since we got back the first time, Twilight began to theorize what would happen if other creatures were to pass through from either side. What form would the mirror grant them? How would it determine what was right for that particular creature?”

Spike moved away form the two ponies towards the table that had a blank scroll and quill on it. “That’s when we thought about ‘The Reverse Effect’.

“Reverse Effect?” Safari repeated.

“What’s that?” Cratus questioned as his gaze turned towards Twilight and the mirror, his eyes widening as wisps of magic started to flow out of the mirror.

Princess Twilight backed away form the portal when the wisps were joined by sparks that sprinkled out as well. “The Reverse Effect is my theory of what would happen if the form one creature took decided to go through the portal. Would the magic within the portal change it into something else entirely. Or…”

Realization flashed across Safari’s eyes as she came to the conclusion of Twilight’s theory. “…would that creature take the same form…as the creature who had…taken it’s form…when it went through…” As she spoke her widened eyes looked at Spike who held the scroll and quill in his claws.

“By Celestia’s Sun!” Cratus expressed as the sparks where joined with crackling of magical lightning. “Are you telling us that the portal turned Duo…” He fixed his gaze on the Princess who positioned herself into a combat stance, her horn flaring up. “…into a DRAGON?!”

The thought that was on everyone’s mind was out in the air. Princess Twilight Sparkle had studied the mirrors magic ever since she returned from her first visit. She even began sharing her notes to Sunset Shimmer when she discovered the journal. However, it was only now that she wished she had shared The Reverse Effect theory with her friend sooner as well.

The surface of the portal began to ripple as though it were a pond; Duo’s tail shaking erratically as more and more magic energy poured out of the mirror in various forms. The Alicorn Princess could no longer deny the facts any longer. Duo must have been transformed into a dragon and is now stuck within the portal; she concluded that was the only solution that would explain why Duo’s tail was sticking out of the portal on her end as well as the back flow of magic.

When you block one end of the river…

“Spike, send a letter to Celestia! Tell her what’s happened and…”

Princess Twilight eyes widened as a bolt of magic hurtled out of the portal and headed straight for her.

“TWILIGHT!”

Duel Face Off

The bolt flew through the air coming straight at the Alicorn Princess, Twilight Sparkle. She had heard Spike call out her name, allowing her to barely have enough time to tilt her head to the side. The bolt passed her by, leaving a spot on her cheek singed. The magic bolt hit the wall beside the rooms entrance, bouncing off the crystal that it was constructed out of and ricocheted toward the ceiling. Seeing how close the bolt came to flying out the room, Twilight lite up her horn in her personal purple coloured magic as the same happened to the door. With a flick of her head, the door slammed shut.

The creatures in the room watched as the bolt hit an angled end of the ceiling crystals, returning to ground level.

“Don’t let it touch you!” The princess shouted, taking to the air with powerful wing beats in an attempt to study the bolt from her vantage point.

The earth pony stallion Cratus dove to the floor, throwing his hooves over his head. “This is why I got into the ancient creature catching business.” He grumbled. “It’s the only profession that unicorn magic can’t effect!”

“Ah!” Safari and Spike both gasped as the bolt flew at them, forcing the two to dive underneath the table. “This may be a bad time.” Safari started, a nervous smile on her face. “But this reminds me of the time Daring Do had to avoid a swarm of Flash Bees, during her adventure into the southern swamps to…”

“You’re right. This is a bad time.” Spike commented with a sidelong glance. The scroll and pen still in his claws, Spike started to write down the situation.

“Gah!” Twilight expressed as the bolt shot passed her. “Okay. I think I have it figured out.” She said aloud as the bolt returned to the ceiling area, her eyes never losing it. “These bolts prove my theory; Duo must be in the midst of transforming into a dragon. His torso is too big to fit through the other side, blocking it. The excess magic that flowed through that side has no where to go but back through this side!” Twilight finished explaining as she noticed the less then enthusiastic face of the others in the room. Laughing nervously, Twilight examined the magic bolt. “The bolt is comprised of the magical elements that power the portal. Knowing that, I can use the right spell to neutralize it.”

Spike, more familiar with magical theory then Cratus and Safari, paused from his writing. “But if it’s made of the same magic as the portal, shouldn’t it have crated a portal after hitting the wall? Why is it bouncing around?” Spike questioned as the bolt hit the ground beside him. “WHOA!”

“It must be the castle. The crystal structure must have a reflective effect on the bolt due to the portal being housed in a mirror.”

“You really think so?” Safari asked, have a vague understanding of what the two were talking about thanks to the many adventures Daring Do had been through.

“At this point…” Twilight quickly dodged the bolt as it bounced back upward. “…It’s all just a theory.” The four ponies and dragon kept their eyes trained on the bolt as it bounced around above them, refusing to lose any momentum.

Until it hit an extending crystal of one of the crystal towers.

Hitting the crystal point at just the right angle allowed the bolt to enter into the crystal itself. Fascinated, Twilight flew up higher and watched as the bolt traveled around within the crystal walls themselves.

“What an amazing discovery! The magic of the bolt wasn’t able to affect the crystals smooth sides, bouncing away as a result.” Twilight explained with adorkable excitement. “By hitting the crystal at its end point, the magic was able to focus itself, allowing the bolt to enter the very walls!”

As she explained all that Spike and the earth bound ponies watched as the bolt glided through the walls, lighting them up like they were neon lights. Finally the bolt reached the crystals that made up the window sill. Everyone gasped in horror.

“The Window!” They all shouted just before the bolt reached another outstretched crystal, firing out the pointed end and straight into town. Spike ran for the window, Cratus and Teddie Safari closing in behind as Princess Twilight landed at the window. She was watching as the bolt began to arc towards Ponyville when the others joined her.

“What’s going to happen when it hits?” Cratus asked cautiously.

Whatever happens, it’ll endanger my friends! Twilight thought. Not willing to wait and see, the young Alicorn flared her wings out, readying herself for take off when a noise came from the mirror. Twilight turned to see just as another bolt launched from it. Ready this time, she turned and aimed her horn at the magic projectile. Her horn lite up, firing a spell that hit it’s mark causing the bolt to vanish in a flash of wonder along with her own spell. Sighing in relief, Twilight glanced back out the window as her face showed her worry while Cratus and Safari shared a look and Spike continued to write the letter to Celestia.

Unable to leave, all Princess Twilight could do for her friends and community was hope they can take care of themselves.

In town, the local ponies went about their daily routine. The Cakes mind their shop as Pinkie Pie watched the twins. Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon were having breakfast with Minuette, Big Mac and Applejack were bringing in the latest harvest as the Cutie Mark Crusaders made their way to the schoolyard. Muffins and Carrot Top were conversing, Rarity and Fluttershy made their way to the spa for their weekly trip and Rainbow Dash was clearing the sky of the rain clouds they had set up for a light rain for the evening before.

Kicking another cloud apart, Rainbow’s keen senses managed to pick up on the low buzz of the bolt. She swivelled her ear to pick it up more clearer when her instincts kicked in, dropping her head in time to avoid the bolt.

“What was that?” Rainbow mused. She quickly caught site of the offending projectile as it headed straight for Applejack and Big Mac.

“AJ! Heads up!”

Applejack and Big Mac looked up at the pegasus, spotting the rapidly approaching bolt. Her brother hooked up to the cart that held their apples and unwilling to abandon her kin, Applejack watched in abstracted terror as the projectile grow closer with each second.

A pale aura surrounded the two Apple siblings, pushing them backward. Applejack rolled away until Rarity intercepted her while Big Mac’s weight capsized the apple cart as he hit the ground with a thud. Minuette’s horn shown with the same glow as her expression relaxed, knowing the two were safe.

The bolt hit the underside of the overturned carriage resulting in a flash of multi coloured brilliance. Rarity and Fluttershy were awestruck by the spectacle, the unicorns imagination kicking into high gear on clothing designs before the new portal formed.

Once it had, a torrent of water rushed out like a raging river. The water drenched the unsuspecting residents; its current was strong enough to carry the table Minuette and her friends had been eating at along with the ponies. The river of water washed over the road as pegasi took to the air while the earthbound ponies ran to the nearest building to them.

“What in tartarus is goin on right now?” Applejack expressed strongly as Rarity helped her to her hooves. “What sort of magical mishap has Twilight gotten into now?”

“I would think it obvious, Applejack.” Rarity replied, her horn flaring up a light blue as the same aura covered the straps that held Big Mac to his apple cart. Free from his charge, Rarity continued as Rainbow swooped in to join them. “It’s rather clear one of her spells on portals has gone awry.”

“Since when can Twilight create portals?” Asked Rainbow as Applejack gave Rarity a disgruntled expression. The water shown no signs of stopping as the residents worked together to clear the area of bystanders.

“Ah doubt that there Chancellor gave her any pointers.” Applejack claimed, still annoyed with Rarity’s jab as the four ponies quickly made their way to Twilights Castle.

“But if it wasn’t Chancellor Neighsay…” Rarity started as Pinkie fell from the sky before them looking surprised by the sudden change in scenery. Rainbow flew by without a glance back as Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy ran past, prompting the pink perplexed pony to join them. “…what other way could Twilight have access to portal magic?”

The four friends pondered that questioned as they drew closer to Twilight’s home. “Doesn’t Twilight have a portal to another dimension that’s always open for anypony to walk through?” Pinkie asked, completely oblivious to how she got from Sugar Cube Corner to running beside her friends.

Rainbow faced hoofed. “Duh!”

Back at the castle window Cratus and Safari had witnessed what was happening in town. Sharing a look the two earth ponies ran past the Alicorn as she neutralized another bolt that had shot out, reaching Duo’s tail. Safari clinched the tail between her teeth and pulled as Cratus bite her tail, pulling as well.

“Spike!” Twilight calls out, her eyes not wondering from the mirror. “What’s the status of that letter?”

“Iiiiiiiit’s….done!” Spike placed the quill back on the table then rolled up the scroll. Taking a breath Spike blew his magical green flame at the parchment, turning it into magical ash that flew out the window towards Canterlot. “It’s on it’s way, Twilight!”

“Good. That’s one less thing to worry about.” Flaring up her horn with the counter spell, Twilight recognized by now the pattern that took place before a bolt would shot out. As the mirror demonstrated those patterns, Twilight prepared herself as she waited for her mentor to arrive.

Elsewhere in the castle Starlight sat alone eating the pancakes she and Spike had made for the three of them. Chewing down the last bite of her meal, she glanced at the two untouched plates.

“Huh. What are those two doing?” Impatience and curiosity getting the better of her Starlight wiped her face of the syrup that remained and left the room in search of her two friends. “Maybe she really is remodelling the castle.” She mused as Princess Twilight’s student went in search of her wayward friends.

The dragon clawed at the ground with his one freed limb. His heads flailed about as he cried out with roars and growls. Frustrated, scared, and confused, the Orthros turned dragon Duo, grew desperate to get free. Smoke leaked out of one mouth while mist streamed out the other as both heads rose up towards the sky.

When they came down a torrent of flame blasted from one head and a stream of ice burst from the other.

Straight at the six magical girls.

“Incoming!” Twilight announced. Rarity threw her hands before her, conjuring a wall of diamonds. Both streams of fire and ice slammed against the wall forcing it back as the onslaught continued.

“I could…use some…ASSISTANCE!” She announced, sweat began to slide down her face.

“ON IT!” Rainbow Dash shot into the air flying over the diamond wall. Next, she flew around both necks in a loop going faster and faster until a tornado grew. The tornado became strong enough to force Duo to stop his attack; the powerful wind currents had begun to choke both of his necks.

Duo raised his heads causing Rainbow to fly away, drawing his attention from her friends. “That’s right, Scaly. Catch me if you can!” With a cocky grin on her face Rainbow flew around the two dragon heads, narrowly dodging their attempts to eat her alive.

“Go, Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie cheered as she danced around with pom-poms. “Show that mean dragon who’s boss!”

Applejack held Rarity, who had collapsed once Rainbow Dash had taken the dragons attention away. “How’re ya holding up, sugarcube?”

“Terribly.” Rarity replied as she stood up, lightly pushing Applejack’s hands away. “The sweat will be a nightmare to remove from my dress.” She turns to her friends and gives them a sad smile. “But, it will be worth it. Once we send this poor creature back.”

Poor creature? Applejack thought, giving her fashionista friend a look.

Sunset Shimmer was relieved her friend was alright. She looked toward the dragon as Rainbow continued to occupy it with her powers while Pinkie flailed about, cheering her on.

Seeing this, Sunset got an idea.

“Alright, girls.” She said, getting the others attention. “I have an idea on dealing with this guy.”

“Then let’s hear it.” Applejack encouraged, her gaze turning towards Dash and Pinkie. “Ah don’t like lettin them antagonize that there beastie.”

Sunset nodded in agreement. “Okay, thanks to Princess Twilight’s Spike, we know that dragons are intelligent creatures. All I need to do is touch him, then I’ll be able to see what’s upsetting him. Maybe even calm him down enough to talk.”

“That’s a sound idea, Sunset.” Twilight said as her face had a concern expression. “But, how do you know your magic ‘can’ affect it? Have you been able to read the other Spike’s mind?”

“I haven’t had an opportunity to try.” Sunset admitted as she bit into her thumb nail. She thought about her idea some more, looking from the ground in front of her to the dragon. Her eyes widen. “His head!”

“What about it?” Rarity asked.

“And which one?” Applejack added.

“It doesn’t matter which one. Just as long as I can touch one of them, my powers should work.” She turns to Twilight with a grin. “What better place to access the mind then the head?”

Twilight readjusted her glasses as she thought over Sunset’s idea. Finally, she looks at her friend and nods in agreement.

“What’s the plan, dear Sunset.” Rarity inquired.

Sunset faced the dragon before speaking. “I need to get at one of it’s heads. Twilight…” She called looking over her shoulder at her. “…can you get a hold of one and get it close enough for me to touch?”

The science wiz nodded, a focused look on her face. “Leave it to me, Sunset.”

Nodding at her friend, Sunset looked over her other shoulder at Applejack and Rarity. “Applejack, can you keep his claw from digging?”

Applejack winks at Sunset. “Sure thing.”

“Rarity, can you stay here and defend his attacks? The other heads not going to like us very much once we get started.”

“Absolutely, dear. I won’t let a single hair on any of your heads get so much as singed.” She declared with an air of certainty.

“Alright girls. Let’s do it!” Sunset declared. Twilight took to the air heading for the left head as Rarity stood at the front doors of the school, two diamond shields at each hand. Sunset Shimmer and Applejack shot forward with the former running straight for Pinkie while the latter charged Duo’s claw.

Rainbow took note of her friends movements; during her evasion she flew passed the airborne Twilight and shared a look. In the very short time they shared that look, Twilight was able to convey the plan.

Distracted the right head. I’ve got the left one.

Her hands glowed purple with her power as the same glow covered the left dragon head. Rainbow caught on immediately, focusing on the right head. “Not so tough now that it’s two on two!” Rainbow taunted with a smug smirk.

Duo’s right head glared at Rainbow as he raised his claw to swipe at the flying foes. The claw barely left the ground when Applejack, using her super strength, grabbed the claws thumb. She grunted with effort keeping the claw in place causing the trapped left head to growl in frustration.

Suddenly, the claw shot straight down at Applejack.

“GAH!” She gasped as her right hand rose to catch the middle claw while her left remained at the thumb, keeping him form grabbing her. “Gah…never thought ah’d…grr…ever be grapplin…rahh….with ah dragon!”

The right head of Duo forgot about Rainbow, choosing instead to shoot a torrent of flame at Applejack. Her eyes widened at the approaching flame; she smiled and focused on her task when multiple layers of diamond walls intercepted the attack.

“Not! One! Hair!”

Rarity held-fast, her shields beginning to crack as Rainbow took pot shots at the attacking head. Twilight strained at keeping the left head still, slowly forcing the appendage towards the ground. Duo’s right head ignored the flying announce, his focus remained on burning Applejack to a crisp, preventing him from freeing himself.

Sprinkles and confetti came into his line of site, baffling him.

Then they exploded.

The dragon head shot up into the air angrily. Rainbow flew away from him as the flame he spewed extinguished allowing Rarity to catch her breath. The head shook itself before looking to the ground where he saw Pinkie Pie with a bag in her hand as Sunset Shimmer stood beside her.

Sunset looked the dragon in the eyes defiantly. Of all the times this could’ve happened, this dragon had to choose the one time Fluttershy wasn’t here?

Driving down the road as her head bobbed to the beat of the new track she and the Rainbooms had finished, Vinyl Scratch, or DJ Pon3 as her friends like to call her, drove toward the school. She had declined Twilight’s invitation to Spike’s party due to a gig she was performing later in the afternoon.

But she still wanted to give the little guy a present.

Vinyl knew where the girls would be thanks to Pinkie’s constant check list reviews she went through every time they practiced together. Thanks to her, Vinyl knew Fluttershy and Spike were at the dog park and the girls were either at the school or Applejack’s barn.

The school came into view as she turned the corner, slamming her brakes. Vinyl sat there for a moment until she slowly lifted her signature purple shades from her face. Ever since the Fall Formal she had seen The Rainbooms do some strange and amazing things.

Watching her friends fighting a two-headed dragon that was stuck in the portal blew them all away.

…huh. Was the only thought Vinyl had as she pulled out her phone.

“This place is amazing!”

His tail wagged with excitement as Spike entered the Bales Dog Park. Fluttershy had her kind smile on her face, watching her friend run around the open green area. They were not the only ones there; other owners had their canine companions as well, enjoying the early morning at the park. The reputation of this park came about from the high standard of maintenance the owner invests into it. The plant life was bright green from the morning dew with water stations for both owner and pet.

“Fluttershy! Check this out!” Spike called out, startling the nearby owners. Their eyes turned toward Fluttershy as she approached. Having taken Spike on walks before, she grew use to the attention people would give her whenever Spike spoke aloud. Normally, she would have shied away from those looks.

But when it came to the animals in her care, not even strangers giving her looks would shake her confidence.

“What is it, Spike?” She asked with a giggle as she reached the purple pooch who stood before a sophisticated pile of climbing platforms. The different blocks where greyish forms of blues, greens, and reds. Chew toys laid about with some that hang from ropes that would slide along it, allowing the dogs to run with them.

“It’s even better then I imagined!” Spike leapt up to the lowest platforms, stopping at one that had a squeaky chew toy. He snatched it into his mouth, growling as he shook his head from side to side excitedly.

Fluttershy couldn’t contain the joy she felt from seeing Spike enjoy himself from radiating through her smile. She had heard of Bales Dog Park long before Twilight mentioned it from the shelter she volunteers at. Turning her gaze around the park, Fluttershy marvelled at the quality the park emulated. Her thoughts going to the people who dedicate their time to the upkeep of the park as Spike continued to prance around on the platforms, until she spotted someone she recognized entering the park.

“Dr. Fauna!” She called out, waving her hand to catch the veterinarian’s attention. The light blue hair, yellowish skinned woman spotted her and waved back as she made her way to them.

A blue adolescent shepherd followed behind her.

“Fluttershy! What a pleasant surprise.” The Doctor greeted as the two shared a hug. The blue shepherd looked from the two humans to the purple pup that quickly approached from the platforms. “What brings you here? You haven’t adopted a dog this time, have you?” She teased as they released each other.

The two met each other when Fluttershy had to take her pets for a check up. Her parents suggest she take them to Dr. Fauna at the shelter. When she arrived the two hit it off, even convinced her to volunteer.

“Oh no, nothing like that.” Fluttershy assured as Spike reached her. She bent down to pet Spike. “A friend of mine asked me to take him here for his birthday.”

“Well, isn’t that kind of you. This little trouble maker is Ember, a newcomer to the shelter.” Dr. Fauna introduced before she bent down to pet Spike as well, making the puppy’s tail wag even faster. “Happy birthday to you little sweetie.”

“Thanks! Everyone’s being so nice to me today!”

“AH!” Dr. Fauna fell away from Spike as he spoke. Both her and Ember looked at Spike with alarm before she looked back at Fluttershy.

“Don’t be afraid, Doctor.” She said as she stood up and extended her hand out to the fallen woman. “I can explain.” Once she had helped the veterinary to her feet, Fluttershy told her how Spike was able to talk along with everything else.

As she did, Spike turned his attention to Ember who still gave him a look of alarm.

Spike’s ears drooped. “Is I really that scary?”

Ember blinked before raising to her feet. “I wouldn’t say scary, just…surprising.” She walked up to Spike, smelling him as he perk up. “How are you able to do that? You have an odd smell to your sent.”

“It was weird. I was with Fluttershy and my owner when these strange holes appeared. A funny looking rabbit jumped out of one and I chased it.” He ran around Ember as he continued. “Then, I got hit by a funny beam. Next thing I know, I’m able to talk to humans.”

“…you don’t say?” Ember gave him an unconvinced smirk. “Next you’ll tell me that this human can speak with cats.”

“Not just cats.”

Ember’s eyes widen as she looked up at Fluttershy.

“But dogs too. And birds. And all sorts of animals.” She explained, causing Ember to look from her to Spike, flashing her a smug grin.

“What did she say?” Dr. Fauna asked.

“Spike was telling Ember how he started talking like us. But Ember didn’t believe him and joked that I could talk to cats.”

“So all that talk of magic and ponies was true?” She asked, amazement on her face.

Fluttershy nodded with a hint of embarrassment. As she was about to reply, her phone buzzed as she received a text. She knew who it was from by the ringtone so she wasn’t surprised to see Vinyl’s name appear on her phone.

Turning to Dr. Fauna. “Could you excuse me for a moment, please?” Her friend nodded. Fluttershy turned around as she opened the message. As she read the contents her eyes widen with fear before she even finished. Fluttershy reread the message twice to make certain she was seeing the words right before putting her phone away.

“We have to go, Spike.” She bent down to pick up the purple puppy.

“Is something wrong, dear?’ Dr. Fauna asked with concern.

“What did the message say?” Spike asked.

“It’s from Vinyl. She says the girls are fighting a dragon that came out of the portal!”

“A dragon!?” Dr. Fauna and Spike shouted simultaneously.

“What’s a dragon?” Ember asked with genuine curiosity.

“I’m so sorry, Dr. Fauna. Ember. But we have to go right now!” With that, Fluttershy ponied up and took to the air. Everyone in Bales Dog Park, from the humans to their pets all stared at the winged girl hovering above them.

“Dr. Fauna?” Fluttershy asked as she reached into her pocket and pulled out her car keys. “Could you hold on to these for me? I don’t want to lose them.”

All Dr. Fauna could do was nod her head. Her winged friend lightly tossed her keys to her who caught them without taking her eyes off Fluttershy. And just like that, Fluttershy flew off towards Canterlot High leaving everyone at the park flabbergast.

“I’m…gonna need…to…sit down.” She said as she fell to her knees as Ember sat down beside her and barked. Dr. Fauna looked to Ember then back to the sky. “You said it.”

“Pull, Safari! PULL!” Cratus grunted with Duo’s tail in his mouth. The two earth ponies pulled with all the strength only earth ponies were known for.

Duo didn’t move an inch.

“I AM you big brute!” she snapped through clinched teeth.

The mirror’s magic continued to ripple around the beast’s tail as sparks and wisps of magic cracked and flowed out of it’s surface. Another bolt of magic shot out but the Princess of Friendship neutralized it before it could bounce off the walls. Sweat trickled down her brow as she took laboured breaths, sucking in great lung fulls of air each time. The bolts came at random intervals, making them different to predict. As such Princess Twilight had to remain in the air while using just enough magic to intercept them but not too much that she’d burn herself out.

“SPIKE! Any response from Celestia?” She called out as the mirror chose that moment to eject another bolt. Caught off guard Twilight allowed gravity to drop her narrowly avoiding the attack. She turned with a flap of her wings while quickly calculating the bolts path. As soon as she was in position, Twilight Sparkle fired her spell just as the bolt bounced of her crystal walls and right into the magical beam.

“Not yet!” He replied as he ran towards the mirror to assist Cratus and Safari.

The door to the room opened as Starlight Glimmer trotted in.

“Finally! I’ve been looking for you two all…”

“Starlight, close the door!” Spike called out after he stopped to see who had entered.

Starlight gave him a confused look as another bolt shot out the mirror straight at her. She watched as the magic bolt rocketed toward her, caught off guard by the sudden and quick moving bolt. Just then, a beam of magic struck the bolt just inches from her face.

The door slammed behind her, snapping Starlight out of her daze to see Twilight hover above her, horn aglow. “What’s going on here?” She asked as she quickly made her way towards the mirror.

“No time to get into details, Starlight.” Twilight replied as she turned back towards the mirror. “I’m glad your here, though. I need your help with these bolts.”

The mirror fired again but this time two bolts flew out of it’s shimmering surface.

“Starlight!” Twilight called out as she aimed her horn at one of the bolts, while the other one headed straight for one of the chairs that circled the table. “Don’t let it hit anything!”

With no fear, Starlight dove in front of the bolt and threw up a magical barrier around her and the furniture. She allowed a smirk to cross her face, having helped Twilight study the mirror she was curtain her barrier would neutralize the bolt rather then have it ricochet off.

Her smirk quickly faded as the bolt passed through her barrier as if it wasn’t there.

“How…?” Starlight began before tilting her head to the side. The bolt sent a concussive blast out of itself as it passed by the unicorn. The force of it threw Starlight against her own barrier as the bolt hit the wooden and fabric covered chair causing another portal to appear.

Starlight’s barrier slowly vanished as the portal revealed a raging storm on the other side. “Oh no.” She breathed while her mane and tail began to flow freely as the portal fully opened within a destructive hurricane.

Duo Revealed

The hurricane winds raged within the room ripping books from the shelves. Princess Twilight Sparkle struggled to remain in the air with the free flowing debris while Cratus and Safari held on to Duo’s tail for dear life. Spike found himself getting lifted into the air, the furious power of the wind strong enough to lift the baby dragon.

“Heeeelp!” Spike cried out as he circled around the room. He suddenly stopped in mid air, a light turquoise glow surrounded him as Starlight caught him within her magic. As she brought him down to her Spike looked at the mirror and the machinery that surrounded it, his eyes focusing on the journal that powered it, resting right above its opening.

“Get me to the journal!” He called down, pointing his claw at the mirror. Starlight struggled to remain on the ground as she looked from the baby dragon to the portal. Realization flashed across her face before giving him a nod of understanding. She levitated Spike towards the mirror just as two more bolts shot out.

Without thinking, Starlight released Spike from her magic to blast one of the bolts with Twilight doing the same. “Whooooooa! Not again!” Spike was blown around the room but thanks to Starlight, he was closer to the machinery. He was taken around the room before getting close enough to grab the top of the machine that rested the journal.

Safari looked up through half closed eyes, books battering against them. “What are you doing?” She shouted as Spike pulled himself towards the journal.

“Shutting the portal down!”

“WHAT!?” Both ponies screamed, Cratus positioning his body over Safari’s to shield her from the books. “What about Duo?”

“What will happen to him?” Safari asked, fearful of the answer.

“I don’t know!” Spike admitted as he inched his way closer to the journal. “But what choice do we have? If more of those portals open up, Equestria’s doomed!” With no compelling argument to offer, Safari barred her face into Cratus’ chest, crying. Cratus looked from Spike to Safari, memories of the time he spent training Duo with her, then to the portal. The three of them grew so close over the days that losing Duo was just too much to bare.

But when the fate of the country hangs in the balance…

Clutching his eyes in anger, the stallion looked back up to Spike with moist eyes and gave the baby dragon a nod of understanding before resting it on Safari’s head, holding her close.

Spike nodded back at the two with a sadness he could understand; having to return the phoenix chick was a difficult task for him. His resolve strengthened Spike pressed on until he placed his claw on the journal. His eyes scanned the room, spotting Twilight shielding herself from the hurricane driven books while intercepting more bolts as Starlight followed suit.

HIs eyes locked with Twilight, who nodded in acknowledgement at what must be done. Spike took a deep breath as his grip on the journal tightened and pulled. The journal remained within the pedestal forcing Spike to try again. Positioning himself onto the pedestal with the journal before him the baby dragon grasped both sides of the offending book, placed his hind claws on the pedestal, and pulled with all his dragon might.

Both the journal and Spike launched into the air, his effort propelling the two away from the mirror.

Straight towards the portal to the hurricane.

“AHHHHH!” Spike cried, still holding the journal.

“SPIKE!” The two horned ponies called out, the flying books impeding their ability to focus in him.

Suddenly, a rainbow streak burst through the door and caught Spike just in time.

“I like the enthusiasm, big guy…”

Spike opened his eyes at the sound of the familiar voice.

“…but flying is SO much easier with wings!” Rainbow Dash finished, flashing Spike her signature grin.

“Rainbow Dash! Where did you come from?” Spike asked as she carried him through the air towards a table, dodging books along the way.

“From town!” Applejack answered with a shout as she and the others ran into the room. The books battered at them forcing Rarity to levitate a table towards them for protection. “Ah portal opened up in town into ah river or somethin. It’s flooding the town!”

Cratus and Safari looked at the door to see the new ponies that had arrived, then at the portal. Despite the removal of the magic journal, the portal remained open. As Spike turned to see the others his gaze past over the mirror, realizing his idea failed. “Ah nuts.” Spike muttered to himself.

“What in Equestria is going on here, Spike?” Rarity inquired as Twilight and Starlight focused on the mirror.

“The Orthros from the Exchange is stuck inside the portal to Sunset’s world. He’s blocking the flow of magic and forcing it back to our world.” Spike quickly explained as he and Rainbow dove under another table.

“Ahh. How come the big doggy is allowed to go through the portal, but we’re not?” Pinkie asked with a pout.

“Now’s not the time, Pinkie!” Twilight shouted. “We need to get this under control now, before more portals open up!” Three bolts fired out the portal, their concussive blasts pushing books away to allow Twilight and Starlight to shoot them. “Rainbow! Can you do anything about this wind?”

“On it!” The multi coloured pegasus replied, shooting out from under the table and began to fly around the room in the opposite direction the winds were blowing.

“Rarity, help us with these bolts!”

“I will do my best, darling.” Rarity crawled out from under the table and joined Starlight. She explained to her how to cast the proper spell in time for another three bolts to launch form the mirror. Confident in her magic Rarity shot at one destroying it.

With a smile of satisfaction as Rainbow blurred past her, Twilight turned to the others. “The rest of you, help Cratus and Safari get the Orthros out of that mirror!”

“Ya’ll heard her, let’s give them ah hoof!” Applejack sprang from under the table with Pinkie and Fluttershy hot on her tail. Cratus and Safari had resumed pulling on Duo’s tail after realizing the portal remained open. Safari released her grip on Duo’s tail.

“I thought removing the journal would close the portal. Why is it still open?”

“Ah don’t rightly know.” Applejack answers when they arrived. “And frankly, ah don’t think it really…”

“I know how!” Pinkie proclaimed as she appeared between the two ponies. “The magic within the portal is so great that it became a self-sustaining wormhole, making the magic from the journal redundant. The excess magic seeps into Twilight’s machine, keeping it running which, intern, feeds back into the mirror, maintaining the magical energy necessary to keep the portal open!”

Every creature present was stunned to silence, despite the roaring wind.

Cratus blinked. “…did that pony just speak in some ancient tongue? Cause I didn’t understand a word she said.”

“That’s Pinkie dialect. You get use to it.” Fluttershy replied, having to raise her voice to just below shouting.

“Basically, the magic from the portal is keeping it open.” Spike said when he joined them, the magic journal still in his claws.

“Then why didn’t she say…” Safari began.

“It doesn’t matter!” Applejack shouted as a rainbow streaked over them. “What matters is gettin that there Orthros outta that mirror!” Applejack bit onto Duo’s tail and pulled, prompting the others to do the same, pulling to get the two headed beast out.

The books started to slowly descend to the floor as Rainbow picked up speed. The rainbow stream flew in a circle, changing her altitude throughout her flight. The hurricanes powerful wind, while still present, was not as impeding as before.

So long as she could keep it up.

Princess Twilight grew tired as she remained in the air. Allowing a moment to examine the room, Twilight couldn’t help but smile as her friends did what they could to help. Starlight and Rarity remained on guard, their eyes never leaving the direction the mirror was in. Rainbow, who was moving so fast she threatened to unleash a Sonic Rainboom inside her castle.

A shiver went down her spine at that thought.

Returning her sight to the mirror, she saw Spike doing his part in getting the two headed trouble maker out of the mess it started. The mirror shot more bolts and as the three magic users intercepted them again, Twilights thoughts went to wondering what Princess Celestia could be doing that prevented her from replying to her message.

Suddenly, the Alicorn had a thought.

“Spike, send a message to Sunset!” Spike looked up at Twilight as she spoke. “Tell her what’s going on over here and that we need help!”

“Got it!” Releasing his hold on Duo, Spike picked up the journal and quill and wrote down what was happening.

“Sunset, hurry!” The strength behind the dragons claw became so great Applejack began to sink into the ground, her feet digging deeper into the concrete.

Sunset Shimmer made her way to the dragons left head. His right head noticed, attempting to stop her as Pinkie’s explosive powers kept the beast distracted while Rainbow spewed insults.

“Come on, dragon! I’m a much more challenging catch then they are!” Meeting his eyes Rainbow flapped her wings hard, just avoid Duo’s flame breath. Missing the airborne girl the flames continued on towards the school building. It would have hit it had it not been for the diamond wall that appeared before it once again.

Rarity sank to her knees once her shield faded away. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up.” She muttered to herself.

Sunset reached Twilight as she struggled to pull the dragons left head down, sweat dripping from her face. The dragons angry glare shot daggers at the two girls as the purple glow kept it from doing anything else.

“Rrragh! He’s too strong! Grah! I can’t…”

“Yes you can, Twilight!” Sunset interrupted. “Your powerful enough to move mountains! You just have to believe it!”

The two friends shared a look. Twilights eyes harden with renewed vigour, poring everything she had into her magic field currently around the beasts left head. She struggled as the dragon fought against her when a thick block of diamond slammed onto his head, forcing it crashing into the ground.

Sunset and Twilight looked at the schools direction with shocked faces as Rarity had her arms out towards Duo.

“DO IT NOW, SUNSET!” Rarity screamed, her strength fading fast.

With a nod Sunset turned on the downed dragon head and charged, her arm extended out as she reached him. Placing her hand on the drakes snout Sunset Shimmer recognized her powers activation, allowing it to take her to the dragon’s memories.

Her minds eye gazed through a mist like swirl with a rainbow tint at two earth ponies talking with each other. The smaller one, a yellow mare with an orange mane, was dressed like Daring Do while the other, a grey stallion, had a red mark over one eye. But then the imaged split apart; as the left side remained on the two, the right side turned to see ponies entering a train with humongous waterfalls of rainbow falling just beyond. The left kept the two ponies in sight.

“…hoping you could train him. You are, after all, a catcher of ancient creatures, right?” The mare earth pony said.

“Well…I could. But Orthros’ take a long time and effort to train. I don’t think I could support the two of us.” The stallion said with uncertainty.

“Oh, believe me. I know all about that. So, here’s what I’m thinking, you move in with me until he’s trained. I’ll even provide food for the both of you.” The mare offered her hoof to the stallion. “What do you say to that, Cratus?”

The stallion, Cratus, looked from the mare to her then back to the mare before a smile appeared on his face. He extended his hoof and pressed it against the mares. “Teddie Safari, you’ve got yourself a trainer.”

The right side of the viewport returned to the two ponies when Teddie Safari started to jump with excitement before turning towards Sunset’s host.

“This is so exciting! Your gonna love Manehattan!”

“Have you decided on a name yet?” Cratus asked.

“Yes sir! I’m naming him…Duo!”

The viewport flashed; they were now in a grassy area with trees surrounding them. Nosies of a city reached Sunset’s host, Duo’s ears yet his attention was on the stallion as he gave commands while his hoof rose up then down.

“Now down, Duo. Down.” Her host's view of Cratus changed as he sank into the ground. “Good boy. Now up!” Duo rose up with the stallions hoof. The sound of hoof steps caught Duo’s attention, causing the viewport to split in half again. The right side showed Safari walking towards the two with a picnic basket on her back, smiling at them.

“Duo! Both sets on me!” The right view snapped back to Cratus. “Good boy. Now, paws up!” Suddenly, Sunset’s host rose so high they were looking down at Cratus and the just arrived Safari causing her to gasp.

“Wow! I knew he was tall, but now he’s humungous!”

“Yes. Fortunately, this is as big as he’s gonna get.” Turning to Safari, Cratus notices the basket. “Is it lunch already?”

“That’s right. Time to eat!” She proclaimed, taking the basket from her back and placing it on a picnic table.

Cratus smiled before looking at Duo, stamping his front hoof twice on the ground. Duo dropped down to his front paws and pranced towards him, obediently. When he arrived at the table Safari placed two food bowls before him full of dog food. Both bowls took over the viewport, but Duo was still able to hear the two earth ponies talking.

“That thing you did with your hoof. What did you do?” Safari asked as Sunset recognized the sound of food being unwrapped.

“It’s a non-verbal command for heel.” Cratus explains. The two chat as they came into view once Duo lifted his head to chew his food.

As he went for another bite, Duo saw the two ponies smile at one another while they looked longingly into each others eyes.

A flash and what appeared before Sunset was an argument. Cratus and Safari stood before Duo, shouting at each other with angry expressions on their faces.

“You can’t be serious? Duo is my Orthros and I won’t give him up for anything.” Safari shouted as her eyes began to leak tears. “I wanted you to train him so I could have an amazing pet…” She glares at Cratus. “…not so you can take him away from me!”

“Training Duo reminded me of why I caught him in the first place!” Cratus argued back. “Their the kind of creatures that can find even the most elusive beasts in all of Equestria. With Duo around, I could track down even…”

The argument between the two saddened Duo causing the two sides of the viewport to turn, revealing the faces of the Orthros. The left side looked up to a mutts face that had a long snot, pointed ears, and a brown spot over his right eye. The right side aimed his head down as a Saint Bernard looked up to meet each others eyes.

Both had sad looks.

Another flash and Sunset recognized the library of Twilight’s castle. The Orthros was sniffing around the room as Cratus and Safari spoke to Princess Twilight.

“And has he?” Twilight asked, her voice sounding a touch annoyed.

“Yes, he has. And has done an amazing job.” Safari whistles at the Orthros, causing him to look at her. “Duo! Come here, boy!” At once, he pranced to her, his duel panting evident of his joy. Sitting between her and Cratus, Safari lifts up a hoofed scratches Duo’s right head. “Good boy, Duo.”

“So…what’s the problem?” Twilight asked, drawing Duo’s attention. “And why come to me?” The corner of Duo’s vision showed Cratus stepping forward, causing his ears to flatten.

“I want Duo back!” The sound of his voice making Duo recall the last few days the two had spent arguing.

Safari stepped forward as well, leaving Duo just behind them. “Since you were the Princess that oversaw the last Exchange, we thought that you would have a better understanding of our situation.”

Backing away, the images of the three ponies disappeared and were replaced with the door they had entered through.

“And You traded him for a lamp! Plus, I’ve been supporting you while you trained him!” Safari’s voice faded away as Duo left the room. Both sides of the viewport looked at different parts of the crystalline hallway.

Then the Saint Bernard head’s nostrils flared and an image of a purple furred, green eared puppy flashed in the viewport, causing the right head to look down the same hall the first head looked.

A flash. This time, Sunset saw herself standing with her friends in front of Canterlot High, ponied up. The viewport’s two sides shake as his growls resonate throughout his mind. Images flash before Sunset’s view of the dragons two faces as his one free claw scraps away the earth. Amongst all the images as well as the attacks her friends inflicted, two remained the focus of the Orthros turned dragon.

The memories of Cratus and Safari.

The viewport vanished as the misty border that surround it closed, it’s cloudy rainbow substance the last thing she saw as Sunset returned from once she came. Removing her hand from the dragon’s snout Sunset looked him straight in the eyes, understanding passing between the two.

“You poor thing…”

As Sunset gazed at Duo’s lowered head, Rainbow dropped her guard at seeing someone flying towards them.

“Hey! It’s Fluttershy! She’s…” Suddenly the other head of the dragon swung at her, knocking Rainbow out of the sky and straight into the other head. Rarity and Twilight had turned their attention towards the approaching Fluttershy when Rainbow called out, lessening their hold on the lowered head. Once Rainbow had crashed into it, Duo snarled at the girls and tore his head free of his imprisonment knocking both Rainbow and Sunset to the ground before it.

“Grah! What’s goin on?!” Applejack called out as Duo’s claw pressed down against her. “What are ya’ll doing?”

Sunset rose to her feet along with Rainbow. She flew up to distract the left head as Pinkie continued to disorient the right head with her exploding sprinkles. Rarity and Twilight joined the perplexed Sunset.

“This dragon…he’s…” Sunset began until Applejack’s cry drew their attention.

“AH! Too…strong!” The claw began to force the farm girl to her knees as the concrete beneath her cracked.

“Applejack!” Both Twilight and Rarity called out before springing to action. Twilights hands glowed purple as her magic covered the claw forcing it off of her friend. However, Applejacks grip remained as she added her strength to Twilights magic. Rarity created diamond walls that acted as supports around Applejack, keeping the claws from enclosing around her friend.

“Thanks, girls! Preciate it!” Applejack flashed them a smile while sweat continued to pour down her face, despite the aid.

“It makes sense now. Why he has two heads!” Sunset said aloud, watching her friends keep the dragon at bay.

“What…does?” Twilight strained to ask, her focus on assisting Applejack.

“This ‘dragon’ is an Orthros! A two headed dog common in Equestria. His owner and trainer brought him to Princess Twilight to settle a dispute they have surrounding him.”

“That…gah…explains how he got…grrr…access to the portal.” Rarity struggled to maintain her diamond walls as she spoke. “But what could possible possess it…grah…to go through it?”

Sunset turned to look at her approaching friend, who held their purple furred, green eared little friend.

“He picked up Spike’s scent through the portal.”

Having parked her car a safe distance, Vinyl Scratch hid behind the wall of the school watching her friends face off against the dragon. Throughout the whole time she was there the DJ tried to think of a way to help but coming up with nothing. The sensible thing to do would be to call the police, but there was no way they could handle something like this. She even considered using her car like she had during the Battle of the Bands, but without their instruments she would only be in their way.

Frustrated, Vinyl slammed her fist into the wall. There has to be a way I can help them! But what? Suddenly, her headphone-less ears picked up a buzzing sound came from the pile of bags not to far from her. They belong to the Rainbooms, who had tossed them aside when the dragon appeared. Leaving her spot behind the wall Vinyl moved closer to them, noticing Sunsets bag was shaking along with the buzzing noise.

The shaking caused the bags flap to open, revealing her journal with a red and purple picture of a sun, similar to the one on Sunsets bag. The journal glowed as it buzzed, making the DJ’s eyes widen behind her shades. She hesitated for a moment before picking it up and opening it to the last page that had writing on it, reading it.

“Oh…my…” Fluttershy breathed as she flew closer to Canterlot High, her eyes widening at the site of the two headed dragon attacking her friends.

“You said it, Fluttershy.” Spike added in amazement.

“What could have caused him to try and come through the portal?”

“I have no idea. But if we don’t hurry, his gonna hurt our friends!” Spike reminded her, his voice full of fear.

“You’re right, Spike. We need to…Vinyl?” Fluttershy looked down at her DJ friend kneeling beside her friends bags, Sunsets journal in her hands.

“What is she doing so close to the dragon?” Spike asked in a panic.

Her features hardened, Fluttershy flew down and landed behind her blue haired friend as Spike jumped down from her arms.

“Vinyl! What are you doing here?” She asked, fear for her safety evident in her question. “It’s far to dangerous for you to be here.”

The two approached Vinyl as the sounds of her friends battling against the beast continued on. The DJ looked over her shoulder at the pink hair girl, the journal in her hands glowing as words appeared on the pages.

“Is that a message form Princess Twilight?” Fluttershy asked as Vinyl turned to face her. She nodded before handing her winged friend the journal, a sad frown on her face. Fluttershy took the journal and read what had been written as Spike kept his eyes on the battle just beyond them.

Her eyes widened as she gasped. “I have to show this to Sunset! Spike, stay with Vinyl!” With that she dashed towards her friends so fast Rainbow Dash would have been impressed, leaving Spike and Vinyl to watch and worry.

“Sunset!” Fluttershy called out before she landed, a rush of wind blew past her friends when she did. “Princess Twilight’s in danger!”

“What?” Sunset turned on Fluttershy. “How…?”

“Spike sent you a message.” The winged girl handed the journal to Sunset as she continued. “He says the dragon’s an…”

“Orthros, I know. I just looked into his mind.” Sunset flipped the pages to the one which had the latest message and read it aloud. “Sunset, this is Spike. Equestria is in danger of being destroyed by the portal to your world! An Orthros is stuck on your side and is blocking the magical flow, forcing the magic back towards us.” Her eyes widened at that. “It’s causing the mirror to shoot out magic bolts that open portals when they hit anything that isn’t crystal. We’re doing everything we can, but we need you girls to push him back. Please hurry! I don’t know how much longer we can hold out!”

Sunset Shimmer could no longer hear her friends struggle with the Orthros turned dragon. Her mind processed what she just read and clung to it as realization struck her like a buck to the face.

Her home world was on the verge of destruction.

“…Sunset? Sunset! Snap out of it!”

Fluttershy slapped Sunset.

Blinking Sunset looked at her friend who had covered her mouth with both hands, shocked at what she had just done.

“I’m so sorry, Sunset! You weren’t listening and I got worried and I didn’t know what else to do and…”

“It’s alright, Fluttershy.” Sunset said placing her hand on Fluttershy’s shoulder, interrupting her friends breakdown. “I needed that.” Sharing a smile with one another the two girls turn their gaze towards their friends, engaging Duo. Sunsets eyes drifted to the statue that held the dragon captive with new eyes, knowing the longer this drags out the more danger Equestria will endure.

“Fluttershy…” She said, her eyes fixed on the statue.

The yellowed hair girl faced Sunset at the sound of her name. “Yes?”

“…that dragon, the Orthros Duo, he’s scared and confused and needs our help.” Sunset turned to her kind friend. “You’re the only one who can help him.” She grabs both of Fluttershy’s hands, squeezing them between her own, pleading with her eyes. “Calm him down. Explain to him what happened and what he needs to do. Please.”

Fluttershy gazed into Sunset’s moist eyes, seeing the sadness and fear. She understood that Sunset chose to stay in this world with her and their friends, but there was no doubt that her love for Equestria was just as strong now as when she left. And now, with the knowledge that it could be destroyed at any moment…

Somehow, Fluttershy managed to convey her own sadness, fear, understanding, and pride for her pony turned human friend with a single smile and nod.

“I’ll do it, Sunset.” Her hands where released as she flew towards Duo, the site of Sunset’s grateful expression forever in her memories.

Duo had had enough of the flying girl and the explosive throwing girl. HIs left head glared at Rainbow as he sucked in a breath, mist flowing out the corners of his mouth. Recognizing it for what it was Rainbow hovered in the sky, ready to dodge.

“You wanna cool me down? I’d like to see you try!” She boasted with a grin.

With unexpected speed from a dragon Duo’s left head quickly aimed his icy breath straight at Pinkie.

Rainbow’s grin quickly became a frown.

“Pinkie! Incoming!”

The pink party planner threw more explosive sprinkles at the right head if the dragon when Rainbow called out her warning. Her eyes met with Duo’s left set of eyes as her right forearm started to burn.

“Ohhhh….poop.”

The dragon head roared his chilling blast at Pinkie. She leapt to the side, attempting the dodge it only for her feet to freeze over as the beam of ice continued past her, hitting the school.

She landed with a thud as a portion of the school face was covered in ice, including the party cannons used to surprise Spike.

“Th…..at’s……cooollddddd” Pinkie spoke threw chattering teeth, holding herself for warmth.

“Pinkie!” Rainbow shouted as she dashed toward her.

Unaware of Duo’s right head swinging towards her.

The impact of the hit set Rainbow crashing into Pinkie, the two of them sliding across the ground before settling in front of the school steps, unconscious.

“Rainbow! Pinkie!” Spike called out before both he and Vinyl ran to help them.

The two heads of Duo looked at the two girls and shorted with contempt. Free from distraction he turned both of his heads toward Applejack, growling with malicious intent at the girl beneath his claw.

The cowgirls eyes dilated in fear.

“Oh…buck…”

Adding more pressure behind his claw overpowered the girls combined efforts. The diamond supports began to crack as the two heads drew in breath, the purple glow surrounding his claw wavered as Applejack was forced to her knees.

“Applejack!” Sunset screamed out running towards her friend, having no idea how she could help but running all the same. She watched as the two heads lunged forward ready to unleash their chilling fury, only to stop short at the appearance of an unexpected appearance.

Fluttershy had flown between Applejack and the two dragon heads.

Her friends watched as Fluttershy stared down Duo’s two set’s of eyes. As she did, Duo’s claw eased off of Applejack enough for the three girls to notice. Without hesitation Twilight wrapped Applejack in her magic and pulled her out from under the claw, allowing it to slam into the ground with enough force to shake the area.

Pulling Applejack close, Twilight wrapped an arm around her exhausted friend while Sunset and Rarity joined them. Looking back towards the school Twilight saw that Vinyl and Spike were with Rainbow and Pinkie, letting her sigh in relief.

“You did great, Applejack. You held out like a champ.” Sunset reassured as she placed her hand on her farmer friends shoulder. Applejack gave a wave of acknowledgment as she fought to catch her breath.

“What of Rainbow and Pinkie?” Rarity asked as she turned her gaze towards her other downed friends.

“They should be fine. Spike and Vinyl are with them.”

The three girls exchange smiles of joy knowing everyone was alright before turning their sights on their kind, winged friend who continued to meet the fearsome glare of the beast trapped within the statue.

It’s all up to you now, Fluttershy. Sunset thought, knelt down behind Applejack with Rarity and Twilight beside her as they watched Fluttershy converse with Duo.

Help Arrives...and so Does Trouble

“Celestia…where are you?”

The Princess of Friendship had sunk closer to the ground; her wings were aching from overuse. Sweat dripped off her chin as her gaze alternated from the portal to Starlight and Rarity, who were themselves tiring. A flash of color crossed her peripheral vision as Rainbow continued to flying opposite the wind current that blew into the room via the portal that led to a raging hurricane.

She did not fail to notice her pegasi friend slowing down.

It was a known fact that Rainbow Dash was the fastest pegasus in Ponyville, arguably the world, but even she had her limits.

Five magic bolts escaped the shimmering surface of the mirror. Acting on instinct developed since she started her defence, Twilight Sparkle aimed her glowing horn at two bolts that where within three hooves of each other and launched her spell. Compared to them Twilight’s bolt was just smaller but more compressed. When the three bolts collided, The Alicorn’s bolt expanded into a field that neutralized them both.

It might take more magic to do… She thought while wiping her brow of sweat. …but it saves me from having to aim at multiply targets.

“Come on, ya’ll! One more time!”

As she caught her breath Twilight looked at the foot of the mirror to see Applejack lead everyone into getting Duo out.

“One. Two. Three!” As soon as the number was called Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Spike, Cratus, and Safari pulled together on the Orthros’ tail. “Don’t stop! Keep pulling!” The farmer encouraged through clinched teeth.

They pulled so hard they flew backward as the fur she had a grip of tore free. The ponies and dragon groaned as Applejack sat up, fur still within her mouth before spitting it out.

“Applejack, this isn’t working.” Fluttershy admitted. “Whatever happened to Duo, it’s got him stuck on the other side.”

“Darn it! Ah hate ta admit it, but ya might be right there, sugarcube.” Applejack stood back up as the others followed suit. “Unless we get help from the other side, the big fella ain’t budging.”

“What if we tie your rope to his tail and pull? Oh! Or some tasting dog treats to lure him back through! Oh! Oh! Maybe use some wagon wheel grease to slick up the other side, THEN pull him with the rope! Or maybe…!” Pinkie’s tangent of suggestions was cut off once Spike pushed his claw against her muzzle.

“Slow down, Pinkie! We can’t decide on one when you keep suggesting another one.” He said with pleading look, causing Pinkie to give him a sheepish look while she shrugged in apology.

“But she did bring up an interesting one.”

Every pair of eyes turned to Cratus, who had a hoof to his chin, deep in thought.

“Which one?” Safari asked with a chuckle.

He lifted his eyes. “Going inside the portal ourselves.”

“Now, hold on there.” Applejack took a step forward. “Let’s not go and do anything too crazy. We don’t even know what’s happenin’ in there. Fer all we know, little magic gremlins could be inside just waitin’ ta nab us.”

“Is that even possible?” Said Fluttershy to Spike, who shrugs.

“Even if it is, what choice do we have?” Cratus argued. “Princess Twilight and your friends can’t stop those magic bolts forever.” At the mention of her friends name, Applejack gave a sideways glance towards the magically adapt ponies. “If we can’t get Duo out, more portals will form and tear this castle apart!”

The realization of that struck the mares; Applejack turned towards the mirror as if everything will fix itself if she just stared at it long enough. Pinkie and Fluttershy shared a look with each other before turning their gazes towards their friends working so hard. Fluttershy noticed that Rarity was kneeling on the ground, her mane and tail a complete mess, while Starlight looked just as bad but still able to stand.

Twilight was on the verge of passing out right there in the air.

Pinkie had her gaze tracking Rainbow Dash; as fast as her friend was going Pinkie was always able to find her. She could tell that Rainbow was running on instinct rather then actual thought even without the wind battering against her as a result of Rainbow’s decrease in speed.

If the hurricane level wind returned…

“…I’ll do it.”

Applejack, as well as the other ponies present, quickly looked at the baby dragon with varies looks of surprise as Spike glared at the mirror.

“Hold on there…”

“NO, Applejack! Cratus is right. We don’t have any other options. We have to get him unstuck from inside.”

“But why you?” Fluttershy pleaded, fear for her friend laced on each word.

“Because, aside form Twilight and Starlight, I’m the only one who’s gone through the portal before.” Spike reasoned as he made his way to the mirror. “Besides, I’m the only one without magic who can smear the grease around Duo.”

Pinkie squee with delight before producing the grease from her mane, earning her looks from Safari and Cratus.

“Don’t tell me you KNEW we were going to need that?” Safari accused, shocked at the mere thought of it.

“Of course not, silly.” Pinkie giggled “I ALWAYS have it for when I’m making deliveries for the Cake’s. You never know when one of your wheels needs a good greasing!”

The two earth ponies blinked at he pink mare before looking at the others.

“Don’t ask. Easier if ya just accept it” Applejack replied evenly. She let out a heavy sigh before removing her hat and taking out the rope she keeps in it. “Alight, Spike.” She reluctantly agrees as she places her hat back on. “We’ll tie this on ya. Pull on it twice and we’ll pull you back out.”

Spike nodded as he tied the rope around him as Pinkie gave him the grease. Stepping up to the mirror, he took a deep breath before taking a step forward.

“SPIKE! What are you doing?!”

Back in Ponyville, the residents had dug a trench from where the water landed leading it towards the river that ran across the town. But as they dug, the portal began to grow, unleashing more water and flooding it. The unicorns all tried to close it with their magic while the pegasi flew around the portal, creating a tornado to divert the water away from the town.

Sadly, all their efforts failed.

On the verge of giving up two shadows flew over head. As they past over, two beams of magic struck the portal.

One gold, one cobalt blue.

The beams had created a barrier around the portal, sealing it. The townsfolk looked up at the sky in joy as the two shadows continued on to Princess Twilight’s castle. Distracted, the ponies of Ponyville finally noticed the area suddenly grew darker. They turned their heads to see a giant transport ship soaring above them, heading in the same direction as the crystal castle.

As the other ponies watched the ship in awe, the grey pegasus Muffins hovered near the portal. She smiled as one eye watched the awestruck ponies while the other looked at the portal.

Her ears perked when she heard a snap just before the portal vanished.

“Oooo. I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble Twilight and her friends have gotten into, this time.”

Muffins turned to face the direction she thought she heard the voice come from, only to see the flash of someone teleporting. The pegasus smiled as she looked towards the castle as she recognized the Draconequus’ voice, waving her hoof with joy.

“Thank you, Discord!”

Spike stood frozen in front of the mirror, his foot inches away form entering the portal when Twilight called out to him.

“What do you think you’re doing?! Get away form the portal!”

“I’m going through to get Duo unstuck. It’s the only way.”

“WHAT!?” All three magic wielding mares said as their eyes widened.

“You can’t go in! You don’t know what’s going on in there.” Starlight called out, her voice hard with anger and concern.

“Please, Spike! There must be another way!” Rarity pleaded, her strength returning as the fear for Spike reenergized her.

“There isn’t!” With that the baby dragon leapt into the portal.

“SPIKE!” The three mares called out. Entering the portal caused it’s surface to shimmer violently sending out more bolts then anyone thought possible.

Still clutching the rope in her mouth Applejack and the ponies with her dove to the sides of the mirror, narrowly avoiding the wave of magic bolts. Rarity and Starlight dove to the floor while Twilight flew straight up with a powerful flap of her wings. As she rose the Alicorn saw her friends rainbow trail as Rainbow Dash flew directly in the path of the bolts.

“Rainbow!” Her horn glowed as Twilight called out her friends name. The same glow encompassed Rainbow before yanking her out of the way, causing the blue mare to yelp in surprise.

“What’s your deal, Twi…!” The room was filled with the roaring force of the hurricanes powerful wind. By saving Rainbow from the magic bolts, Twilight had also forced her to stop countering the hurricane’s wind.

A wind that now had a hold of every magic bolt in the room.

Princess Twilight fought to stay airborne while also keeping her hold on Rainbow, until a book smacked her in the face causing her to release her magical grip. The two mares were carried around the room along with the books and magic bolts. Portals began to open all over the room as the bolts collided with the books. The purple mare gasped in horror as she watch the wind carry bolts through the portals that had appeared as only one thought passed through her mind.

I failed. Equestria is doomed.

Suddenly the door to the library blow off its hinges, drawing Twilight’s attention. The joy she felt at seeing the ponies at the doorway caused tears to flow from her eyes.

Princess Celestia stood tall, her horn glowing gold as Princess Luna hovered above her sister, her own horn surrounded in a cobalt blue aura.

“You came…” Twilight whispered to herself.

“Princess Celesta?!” Safari gasped.

“Princess Luna?!” Cratus shouted.

Without a word the Alicorn sisters launched a magic beam simultaneously at the portal within a hurricane, sealing it off from their dimension but not closing it. Instantly, the wind died, causing the books to fall as the magic bolts continued to ricochet of the walls.

Twilight, no longer able to keep herself in the air, fell as soon as the wind died. But just as she crashed into the floor a golden glow gentle slowed her decent until she was gentle placed beside her two exhausted friend. The three held each other as the Princess of Friendship met with the maternal gaze of the Princess of the Sun.

“Well done, you three. I’m so proud of you all.” Princess Celestia’s smile shone as brilliantly as the sun itself as Twilight nodded weakly.

“Thanks for coming when you did.” Starlight said outright, earning her a tired, but annoyed glare form Twilight. Rarity giggled as Starlight gave a nervous chuckle. Princess Celestia nodded at the three mares before flaring out her giant wings, taking to the air while blasting at the ricocheting bolts.

Try as she might Rainbow’s wings were too sore to keep her aloft, causing her to fall straight at Applejack and the others.

“Incoming!” Pinkie shouted as the others watched Rainbow head straight for them. A blue glow surrounded the rainbow mane mare, stopping her from impacting her friends.

“Phew. Thanks, Princess Luna! I owe you one.”

Placing Rainbow down beside her friends Princess Luna descended before them, a regal smile crossed her face. “Not at all, Rainbow Dash. It is we who owe you all. For staving off this catastrophe for as long as you all have.”

A magic bolt bounced off the wall and headed straight for Luna, causing a gasp from the ponies before her. Despite their reaction Luna stood calmly as a gold barrier appeared between the Princess of the Night and the offending bolt.

“Please, allow us to take it from here.” As soon as she finished speaking a rumbling sound echoed around the room. The ponies in the room watched in impressive joy as a small battalion of unicorn guards charged into the room, blasting at the bolts as they entered.

“Well…this is new.”

Within the mirror, Spike held on to Duo’s tail as the magical energies swirled around him in a dark rainbow of shades compared to the last time he went through.

“Heh, looks like Applejack was wrong about those magical gremlins.” Transferring the grease bucket to his tail Spike began pulling himself along the Orthros’ tail, his eyes scanning the swirling vortex around him. The darker shades of reds and purples swirled together in a dark mess, making Spike sick to his stomach.

“I forgot how…gah…nauseating it is in here.” Making an effort to keep from throwing up the purple dragon focused along Duo’s tail until his eyes caught the strangest sight.

Further up the tail lost it’s fur, replaced by brown dragon scales.

He looked beyond the odd mix of canine and draconic portion to see the other side of the portal, that had a huge dragon body currently stuck within it. The baby dragon let out an annoyed sigh as he resumed his climb. “For once, I was really hoping one of Twilight’s theories was wrong.”

As Spike pressed on, the rest of Duo’s tail changed.

Back in the library, Twilight, Starlight, and Rarity joined the group of ponies beside the mirror as Applejack kept hold of the rope.

“Why?” Twilight asked sadly upon arriving, her eyes moist with fear for her closest friend. “Why would you let him go in there like that?” She looked at each pony as she asked; Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Safari turned their eyes downward when the Alicorn’s eyes met theirs, Cratus held her gaze, confident they made the right decision, but not for long.

Applejack kept her eyes locked on the mirror, unable to meet her friends eyes.

“Take it easy, Twilight.” Rainbow cut in, standing in the middle of the group. “Spike maybe a baby, but he’s tough enough to handle a stupid out-of-control portal thing!”

“That’s not the point, Rainbow and you know it!” Rarity snapped back, causing Rainbow to take a step back as her ears fell against her head.

“Portal magic is among the most unstable kind of magic known to ponies.” Starlight chimed in to explain why the three magic users were so upset. “Only truly talented ponies like Twilight, educated ponies like Chancellor Neighsay, or powerful ponies like the Princesses have the best chance of using portal magic without it backfiring, resulting in accidents like with that hurricane.”

“Because of that, for all we know, there could be a portal within the mirror that leads to the sun!” Rarity added angrily. “And you all just let him jump through without thought!”

The non-magically adept ponies became deeply upset with this news, but not as much as Applejack as tears trickled down her cheeks.

“Well, ‘I’ for one, applaud the reckless thought of our dear dragon friend.” A flash appeared above the group of distraught ponies as Discord hovered over them, a grin plastered on his face. “He really has taken away some things from our Ogres & Oubliettes get togethers. Big Mac would be so proud.”

“Discord! We don’t have time for any of your jokes!” Twilight shouted, her mind and emotions being pushed passed there limit. “Can’t you see we have a crisis on our hooves!”

“My dear, dear Twilight.” The Spirit of Chaos floated around the group before hovering in front of the portal to the hurricane. “You must calm yourself and relax. Try doing that thing Cadence taught you.” As he spoke Discord snapped his lion paw, making the portal behind him disappear. “I’m here to help.”

“You are?” Both Fluttershy and Starlight asked in surprise.

“Honestly, you two. A little enthusiasm from you wouldn’t hurt.” He says in a feigning hurt way as he prepares to snap his paw again.

“Discord, wait!” Twilight shouted in a panic, her hoof stretched out.

“Oh, for the love of all things Chaos!” Discord expressed before facing Twilight. “What more do I need to do to convince you? I’m here to help. Ask Celestia and Luna. Their the ones that came to me.”

“It’s not that.” The young Alicorn said. “When those portals opened, the magic bolts that created them flew through. If you close these’s ones now, we may never find the ones that have opened on the other side.”

“…oh.” The Draconequus said as he looked at each portal that was already opened.

“You have to go into each one and close any portals that have opened up, before closing these ones.”

“Twilight Sparkle. Are you trying to get rid of me so I don’t fix the problem before you do?” Discord teased as he wrapped his body around her.

“What!? No! I…”

“Discord.” The soft voice of Fluttershy spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention, except for Applejack. “You’re the only one with the ability to find and close all the portals the quickest. That’s all Twilight meant when she asked.”

“Yeah. After all, you are able to manipulate reality itself, right?” Starlight added. “Who better to fix holes in reality then you?”

Looking between his two friends, Discord unwrapped himself from Twilight and smiled. “Well, why didn’t you say so, Twilight? Had you started with that I wouldn’t have taken it the wrong way.” He floated towards the open portals and duplicated himself. The many Discord copies flew through each portal save one, who held his chin with his bird claw. “Or maybe I would have. Chaos is funny that way.” With a twiddle of his bird claws, Discord disappeared through the portal.

Leaving Twilight a twitchy mess.

Meanwhile, Spike drew closer towards the other side of the portal.

“Just a little closer…” The purple dragon expressed as he pulled himself along the dragon’s back, the bucket of grease secure at the end of his tail. “…and this guys outta here.” Spike arrived at the point where Duo’s body met the portal’s frame, giving him the perfect spot to apply the grease.

Suddenly, back at the library, Duo’s tail fully changed into a dragons.

“Every pony, look out!” Pinkie shouted as the tail thrashed about, forcing the ponies to scatter away from the mirror.

Applejack pressed herself to the ground, Spike’s lifeline clutch firmly in her teeth as the force caused by the tail’s powerful movements, blew her hat right off her head.

Ah ain’t letting go! She told herself as the tail slammed right in front of her. Quicker then she expected Duo’s dragon tail swung towards her forcing the farm pony to leap over it. Determined to keep the line secure for Spike, Applejack continued to leap over the tail every time to came close.

Safari had read every page of every novel of everyone of A.K. Yearling’s Daring Do tales. She could quote ever word from The Quest for the Sapphire Stone from memory and name every one of Daring Do’s villains and their henchponies. Being the Daring Do fan that she was Safari truly believed she had experienced every kind of adventure the world had to offer through those novels.

She never thought she would have an adventure of her own.

Looking around the room Safari was amazed at the site of it all; Applejack showed such bravery and care for her friend, it enabled her to persevere against her dear Duo’s now dragon tail. Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends watched in awe and determination, believing in their friends ability to hold on to Spike’s lifeline and give him the time he needs to succeed.

The yellow earth pony mare turned her gaze slightly upward to look past the group of heroes before her. The many unicorns, joined by the rulers of their country, stood unwavering against the onslaught of magic bolts. The mirror had not let up it’s torrent of bolts since they arrived, even as the group of friends avoided Duo’s tail.

Despite the current crisis Safari found her gaze lingering on Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. They hovered in the air, side by side, their attention alternating from the bolts the mirror unleashed, to the other numerous portals within the room. Though Discord and his copies had ventured within them, there was no way of telling where they lead to or what might come through.

“This is all my fault.”

Her ears flinched at the words as recognition caused her to look upon Cratus. The grey stallion faced the mirror as Applejack slipped to the ground. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy dove to her side, assisting the farm pony back to her hooves in time to avoid the tail.

“If I hadn’t have gotten so attached to Duo, none of this would be happening.”

The big earth pony lowered his head in shame. Safari stared at her friend as the realization of current events flashed within her mind. The three of them, herself, Cratus, and Duo, had spent months together. From training Duo to meals and even the odd late night walk. Looking at Cratus, Safari couldn’t help but smile as she reach over and touch his hoof, earning her a surprised look form the stallion.

“If that’s the reason for all this…” She began while leaning into his side, placing her head on his shoulder. “…then I’m partly to blame as well for the same thing.”

The mare closed her eyes just as Cratus placed his head against her own, the sounds of the chaos around them a white noise compared to the heartbeat of the pony beside one another.

Spike held on as Duo shook his tail causing his body to do the same, making the baby dragon’s task that much harder.

“I can do this!” He focused his eyes on portal wall before him. All he had to do was throw the grease at it and coat both it and Duo. After that, the girls can pull the two of them out and save Equestria. “Alright! Here goes everything!” Taking the bucket of wagon wheel grease into his claws, Spike lifted it over his head.

Just as he was about to throw, Applejack’s exhaustion finally caught up with her.

With the help of her friends Applejack was able to keep avoiding the tail. The others too exhausted to help, Spike’s only hope of return rested with the three of them. Though Applejack out right refused to allow anypony else to hold on to the rope.

Unfortunate, as Applejack slipped up on her landing resulting in her directly in the path of the dragon tail.

Ah, horse apples! With a swift swing the dragon tail knock Applejack away form the mirror along with Pinkie and Fluttershy. On instinct Applejack bit down on the rope, tightening her hold on it as she was flung away from the mirror.

Causing the rope to go taut.

The rope around Spike’s belly tightened as he was propelled backwards, losing his grip on the grease. “NO!” He called out as he was pulled out of the portal.

The bucket however, tumbled in the empty space of the portal until it hit the vortex of the dark shaded rainbow. Upon contact the portals magic leaked onto the bucket just before it bounced away and into the other side of the vortex. Back and forth it went, more of the portals magic seeping onto it until it finally made contact with the beast within.

The dragons body shivered as the bucket was crushed into oblivion as another portal opened. This portal was a mix of orange and red, violet and green, brown and purple. The new portal grew onto Duo as the vortex of magic slowly poured into it, resulting in Duo’s body growing.

“It’s alright, Duo. You don’t have to lash out anymore. Everything will be okay.”

At the sound of the flying girls voice Duo’s eyes softened, her kindness breaking through the confusion within him. He remained calm as Fluttershy hovered closer without a shred of fear, her right hand out in front of her before reaching his scaly snot. She placed her outstretched right hand on Duo’s left snot, earning her a soft growl of joy from it, then placed her left hand on his other snot getting the same result.

A warm smile spread across Fluttershy’s face. “I know you’re scared. I would be too if I changed into a dragon. But right now, I need you to stay calm. I promise, we’ll all help you get back to your own body. Okay?”

The two heads gently pushed against Fluttershy’s hands before growling their response.

“It’s okay, Duo. We all know you didn’t mean to attack us. They’ll forgive you, and so will everyone back in Equestria.”

Her eyes marvelled at Fluttershy; Sunset knew her friend was capable of such amazing feats if she truly tried, but watching her calm the Orthros’ turned dragon was a spectacle to watch.

“That’s our Fluttershy. Able to calm even a rampaging dragon.”

Sunset look to her friends as Rarity spoke. All of them, including the worn-out Applejack, watched their kind friend excel in her element. A groan reached her ear; turning towards it Sunset sighed once again at seeing Rainbow helping Vinyl and Spike to thaw out Pinkie’s feet by rubbing her hands on the ice so fast it quickly melted it.

Everything looked like things would resolve themselves now.

Duo’s eyes flung open, his reptilian pupils dilating startling Fluttershy. He flung both his heads back and roared in pain and anger, the action flinging Fluttershy back a bit. Everyone looked on in shock at Duo’s sudden outcry as the two heads shot forward, right for Fluttershy.

Twilight starched out her hand covering her flying friend in her purple glow, pulling her away as the twin jaws snapped at the space she previously occupied. Without missing a beat the two dragon heads sucked in large breaths while aiming at the group, prompting Rarity to summon layer after layer of diamond shields just before the streams of fire and ice unleashed upon them.

As Twilight pulled Fluttershy towards them, Applejack wrapped her body around her two friends as Rarity struggled to fend off the duel elemental streams. Her shock turned to rage as Sunset noticed Rarity’s shield cracking, gold wisps of magic emanated from her body as she stood up.

“I’ve had enough of this!” Sunset declared as the wisps surrounded her body faster and faster. The power behind Duo’s assault cracked the diamond shield further, knocking Rarity towards her friends. The four magically imbued girls watched as the diamond shield shattered.

As the twin streams of the dragons might approached, Sunset Shimmer dove in front of it’s path. The gold wisps completely surrounded her body as the blast impacted against her.

“Sunset!” Fluttershy called out as she stretched out her hand.

They watched in disbelief as the golden cocoon before them began to sprout bright wings while launching an attack of it’s own, pushing Duo’s streams of fire and ice back. The wings reached there intended length as a equally bright horn grew at the top of the cocoon, prompting the golden shell to break away revealing a form they had not seen since the end of the Friendship Games.

Daydream Shimmer had returned.

“I won’t stand by anymore!”

Daydream Shimmer poured more power into her attack, her appearance and power surprising Duo. She took advantage of his dropped guard to spread her golden magic over the assaulting streams, forcing them to dissipate with ease. HIs attack interrupted Duo bared his fangs at Daydream, growling as his eyes harboured a unwavering hatred within them.

“I don’t know what has happened to you, Duo.” Daydream admitted as she floated before him, her ivory dress flowing in the air as she prepared magical orbs around her hands. “But one way or another, I’m getting you out of that portal!”

The pseudo-Alicorn met the hate filled glare of the Orthros’ turned dragon with unwavering determination. Her friends had risen to their feet behind her, making their way over to the school to join their friends a safe distance away. By the time they reached the stairs Rainbow had completely thawed out her pink friends feet, providing blankets for everyone that she grabbed from inside the school.

As they watched Daydream challenge the beast Rarity’s attention was drawn away. She had not removed her gaze from the statue as they retreated to the school, so when she had a moment to think, something struck her. Focusing her gaze at the walls that contained the portal Rarity saw what had been bugging her.

“Oh my. That could be a problem.”

The base of the statue was cracking.

The dark rainbow vortex swirled into the portal that had attached to Duo’s body, making him grow as well as the portal itself. As it did a pair of eyes appeared within the portal, but these eyes were not an identical set. The right one was a sickly green human eye while its left was a blood red draconic one. The eyes shifted from within looking about as the vortex slowly disappeared. The eyes scowled in anger and pain before shutting them tight as a pained cry echoed out, followed by an explosion of faded crimson erupting from inside the portal.

Before the spectacle overcame them, the ominous set of eyes glared outward as a deep, pained voice floated out.

“You all…will know…my pain…”