My Little Mages: Onset of Resolution

by Foxhelm

Rating: teen
Tags: King Sombra, Other, Discord, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Alternate Universe, Human, Main 6, Grogar, Drama
Length: 33217

With Celestia and Luna preparing to retire, a long forgotten villian, Grogar starts his grand plan, but Sombra wants none of it. A My Little Mage retelling of Begining of the End

With Celestia's and Luna's sudden announcement to Twilight and her friends that they intend to retire and pass on the mantel to Twilight.

Meanwhile a long forgotten enemy, one written off as mere legend, Grogar summoned Tirek, Cozy, Chrysalis, and King Sombra to himself. His plan, for them to work together to take over Mystica. However, King Sombra has other plans.

What is King Sombra planning?
Will Twilight and her friends find out and stop King Sombra's plans?
Or will the king live long?

A My Little Mage retelling of Begining of the End

Published 2019-04-16 23:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2019-09-16 03:18:34 UTC

Changes

Twilight was pacing up and down the deck of her skyboat, panting in a panic. Also on the skyboat were Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Spike. Normally Applejack would be at the helm, but it was Rarity piloting the vessel. “What could be wrong? Did Sombra manage to manifest himself, Did Chrysalis reappear, again? Did Cozy and Tirek escape Tartarus?” Twilight then started to hyperventilate.

Everyone else looked to each other and then all turned to Applejack. The paladin sighed and walked up to Twilight and took hold of both of the demigod’s shoulders. “Don't you think you're bein' a little paranoid?” she asked.

Twilight seemed to calm down slightly, “But, why else would the Princesses send scrolls in such a hurry?” Twilight asked.

Everyone gave a sigh of frustration, “Ah don’t know, but maybe a ‘How you doin’?’ might be why and the scrolls said to come when we can, not as soon as possible, not immediately, not five minutes ago, when we can.”

Twilight seemed to calm down, Applejack sighed and then walked to the helm, “You better make this thing go faster, Ah don’t know how long until Twilight freaks out again.” she said to Rarity. Rarity nodded, and they soon arrived at the Chantalot. Once they docked. Twilight jumped off and flew towards the throne room. The rest sigh and then followed suit at a more moderate pace. Within half an hour they arrived at the doors to the throne room. It was opened by the guards and they entered.

“You all arrived a lot faster than expected,” Celestia said as she and Luna turned from the most recent series of stained glass windows, each showing the accomplishments of Twilight et al from when they returned the Elements of Harmony to the Tree even to the six students; Gallus, Sandbar, Ocellus, Yona, Smolder and Silverstream; terminating Cozy Glow's spell.

Twilight, however, was starting to panic yet again. “What's wrong?! What do we need to do?!”

Luna looked to Celestia with a slight glare, “We told you that we both should have gone to her.” she chastised her older sister. As Celestia rolled her eyes, Luna turned to Twilight, “To answer both questions, nothing.”

Before anyone could comment, Celestia spoke up, “Over the last few years, you six have stepped up to tackle every treat that aroused and even though you might have need help a couple of times, you have bested them.”

“Yeah, we are awesome,” Rainbow said as she looked at her nail in false modesty.

Celestia turned her full focus to Twilight, “and all of this is because of you Twilight. I have seen you grew from the isolated little girl to one of the most worthy demigods. You have led your friends against challenge and trail, one after another. And after some thought and debate, Luna and I have agreed that is time for us to pass on the torch.”

“What exactly are y'all saying?” Applejack asked as everyone else seemed to be at a lost.

“We are abdicating, stepping down, retiring,” Celestia answered. The six gasped but before they were allowed to respond. “I have ruled Mystica by myself for over a thousand years, and with Luna another thousand. A lot has changed under my reign and I can't live or rule forever. And given my recent streak of more or less being a damsel in distress over the last few years, it's time for me to step aside and let another rule.

Just then Discord teleported into the hall dressed like he was in an old newspaper reporter getting the notes from a public speech. “Breaking news! The royal princesses retiring!” he shouted. He then raised his right hand while still holding the pencil. “I have so many questions! Who'll take over? Who will run Mystica?” he asked before teleported to between Celestia and Luna, “Will it be someone tall, dark, and handsome? Or will it be the Lord of Chaos?” he asked as he snapped off his clothes and was in his more draconic form and seated on a recreation of his old throne in between Celestia’s and Luna’s. The two only glared at him. Discord then snapped his talon was in his most human form, “Oh, fine. Go with the obvious choice.” he begrudgingly conceded.

Twilight gave a sigh of relief. “I am certain Cadance will make a great ruling princess, she already has the experience of ruling Krystalopolies since its return.” Twilight responded, “I will gladly do my part to help her in this transition.” she bowed.

Celestia and Luna shared a look before they turned back to Twilight, “Actually, We both have thought you would succeed us both.” Luna informed. As Twilight froze, “Of course we recommended that you keep Baron Roy Fancypants as you Prime Administrator, and we expect that you will form a small council with your friends, of course. And if you are unsure of how to manage the more political aspects you can always appoint a Hand. We recommended Fancypants.”

As Twilight began to come to, she was hyperventilating. “But before you ask, no, Luna and I will still raise and lower the moon and sun. And Luna will still manage the dreamscape.” Celestia informed. This brought a groan from Rainbow who pouted and crossed her arms. “We know that you will always have the best interest of Mystica at heart. And we know that you will look the part. And that with each other you can do it.” Celestia said as she looked to each of Twilight’s friends. “Besides, you’re as awesome as you want to be.” she winked to Rainbow.

Twilight took a breath, as it was clear she was about panic, “Thank you, but that doesn’t mean…” she stopped as she started to hyperventilate. “It’ll be an adjustment, but even as minarchic as you have reigned, Princess Celestia, the formal transfer of power must take at least about a year to finalize. Got to dot ‘i’s, cross the ‘t’s and mind the ‘p’s and ‘q’s.” Twilight said as she regained control of her breath and started to calm herself.

Celestia and Luna looked to each other, “Actually, given that everything is so easily recorded at this time, all that is need is at most a couple of days to put together the formal ceremony.” Twilight began to laugh nervously. “I know you doubt yourself, my faithful student, but what you have gone through ever since I took you as my apprentice has been your training program. And there are plenty of tomes that you can read on the more political aspects of your rule.” Celestia offered.

“I am sorry for my tardiness, your graces, a bit of a spat in the House of Representatives, something about not wanting to fund the agreed to physical border marker with Alfhiem.” came Roy Fancypants as he came in running. He stopped next to Applejack and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Woh, Fleur was right…” he panted. “I need to hit the gym.” After he collected his breath.

“BARON ROY FANCYPANTS, AS THE PRIME ADMINISTRATOR OF OUR SISTER’S AND OUR GOVERNMENT, TODAY YOU ARE INFORMED THAT WE INTEND TO STEP DOWN AS RULING PRINCESSES OF THE EVERFREE PRINCIPALITY OF MYSTICA IN DREAM VALLEY AND THAT WE HAVE NAMED PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE AS OUR SUCCESSOR! IN THE DAWN OF HER REIGH, AS YOUR MOST RECENT TERM AS PRIME ADMINISTRATOR HAS BEGAN LESS THEN A MONTH AGO, WE TRUST THAT YOU WILL ASSIST HER IN ANY AND ALL PARTS OF HER DUTIES AS RULING PRINCESS!” Luna declared as the room and everyone save Celestia shook with from the force of the lunar princess’ implementation of the Royal Voice. “If that is not too much of an inconvenience?” she asked as she blushed in embarrassment as she saw that she used too much force in her voice.

Roy was the first to recover, “It will be an honor to assist Princess Twilight Sparkle in the early morning hours of her reign, and for long as I am Prime Administrator.” he said as he helped Twilight to her feet, “In the meantime, as Princess Celestia and Luna are stepping down, until your official coronation as ruling princess, all three of you are in need of a Hand, I am certain that you three will come to an agreement to whom you wish to manage the affairs of state until the transfer is complete.”

“Luna and I were thinking of having you be the Hand, we await only Twilight’s answer.” Celestia informed

“Question, what you mean by ‘hand’?” Discord asked as he teleported to be right on Roy’s head, “because Twilight already has too.”

“Don’t you mean two?” Twilight asked as glared at the lord of chaos.

“Like AJ, I say what mean and mean what I say.” Discord said as he crossed his chest, closed his eyes and held up his nose in slight disgust.

Roy took off his monocle and cleaned it, “Well a ‘hand’ in this context, means someone who will take care of the day to day aspects of ruling a realm, while the monarch, diarch, etc, takes care of the things that need only the weight of the monarch’s own word to enact.” Roy then turned to Twilight, “In this case, if you were to agree with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, I would king-in-all-but-name for all the day to day things until after the coronation ceremony.” Roy explained.

Twilight started to hyperventilate again, “You don’t have to give an answer today, go home and sleep on it, we don’t have to make anything official for a couple of days.” Celestia said as she tried to comfort Twilight. “And we have the utmost confidence in you,” she added as she placed her hand on Twilight’s shoulders.

Luna then placed her own hand on Twilight’s other shoulder, “And we hope you have the same in yourself.”

Twilight pulled out a paper bag and continued to hyperventilate into it for a second until she fainted, “Oh, I'm absolutely certain she does.” Discord said as he appeared in stick figure rendering of his more draconic form on the bag.

Later that day in the Castle of Friendship, in the room of the Aura Map, Twilight et al were in their thrones with Discord in his humanoid, but not human form, on the table “I am not confident about this at all!” Twilight screamed.

Discord rose his head, “Well, that's what I thought.” he stated, “I was being sarcastic before.” he added as he got up and looked at the others, “Alright let’s get on with it, somebody tells our little Sparkle that is everything will be fine. Then place your over-under bets for when she says she doesn’t believe you and then prove her wrong a climactic battle. Ugh, this is so formulaic, Fluttershy, just tell me if it took her three days to renounce the lie she’s telling herself that she can’t do this at Tuesday’s tea.”

“Um, today’s Monday.” Fluttershy pointed out.

“Fine, Thursday’s Turmoil Tea in my place.” Discord groaned as he pulled a zipper in the middle of the room showing a pocket of anti-reality, “Good Day!” he said as he shifted to his serpentine draconic form and slithered into the realm, slamming a door behind him, returning the room to normal.

Twilight sighed, “It’s just…”

“This is happening too fast,” the others in the room said in unison as Rarity placed a glass of water next to Twilight and Spike huffed out a notebook and pen. She raised an eyebrow.

“Stage one you get big news and you give dramatic ‘Nooooo!!!” that would too much for Rarity. Stage two, pace, chart, plan and panic, not necessarily in that order, stage three we fight baddie, get our cupcakes handed to us in round one because you didn’t trust us as much as you should or some other reason and then stage four, you learn that you can do anything when you trust in us. And finally, stage five we kick baddie’s rear in the rematch.” Pinkie said as she pulled down a slide and showed a slide show of images in stick figures that showed the stages. As she pulled up the slide, “A classic Twilighting.”

Before Twilight could reply to that fact that her name was made into a verb, “Sugarcube, this is not a bad thing in it of itself. We’ve just known you long enough to know your process.” Applejack said as she got out of her throne and walked over to Twilight. Once she was next to her, the paladin placed a hand on the demigod’s shoulder. “It’s okay, you go ahead and do the panicking, Ah’ll be the even keel of this here ship, like Ah always am.”

“That’s not true, remember the whole thing with Chrysalis disguising herself as Vignette Valencia and she tried to take away your best friend.” Pinkie pointed out.

“Not helpin’, Sugarcube.” Applejack almost growled. Pinkie then gave a scared meep and hid under the table. “The point is, we’re here for you. Even if the other princesses ain’t” Applejack finished.

“Say, with the exception of Nightmare Rarity, where the other princesses ever there?”

“Celestica giving you the Elements of Harmony post mortem to confront Nightmare Moon, Celestia, Cadance and Luna looking through and sending to Twilight the letters sent to Celestia to confront Discord, Cadance fighting Chrysalis as we tried to get to the teleportation ring, Cadance renewing Shining’s power to put his shield back up, Cadance holding Sombra back when we conducted the Crystal Fair, The three delaying Tirek by frustrating his search for the demigod magics that Twilight housed, Celestia and Luna fighting the Wendigo while Twilight and Cadance’s tried to fix the Crystal Heart, Celestia and Luna helping Twilight and Starlight fix the Crystal Heart during Flurry's actual Crystalling. Celestia showing Twilight that letting go of Starlight is okay and that it doesn’t mean Twilight doesn’t have a place in Starlight’s life. Cadance trying to empower Shining to delay his petrification and the falling of his shield to Tempest, and Celestia and Luna acting as barriers to prevent Twilight’s petrification and allow Brighteyes enough time to shove Twilight out of the area of the petrification orb’s effect, Celestia standing up to Neighsay and keeping our allies leaders from killing each other and declaring war until we found Smolder, Yona, Ocellus, Gallus and Silverstream.” Spike listed. “Just because they aren’t part of the climactic battle doesn’t mean they haven’t helped.” the dragon pointed out.

Pinkie then jumped on to the table, “And we always win with the other baddies, Demon Shimmer, The Sirens....” Pinkie then trailed off, “No, Midnight Sparkle and Gaea Everfree were Sunset’s battles and we needed the Shadowbolts and Sunset for The Sirens…” Pinkie then paused as she tried to something else, “No, Chrysalis was beaten by Starlight, Thorax, Trixie and Discord the second time, We needed the Pillars to free Stygian from the Nightstalker and Cozy was beaten by Sandbar and the other Student Six.” Pinkie trailed off. “Oh, when Chrysalis masqueraded as Vignette and tried to use those copies!” Pinkie cheered as she found something. “Huh, you know something, we actually had one foe we defeated on our own and come to think of it if Flash Sentry didn’t fight those undead minotaurs we couldn’t have beaten Demon Shimmer. I guess we do need a lot of help.” Every but Twilight gave Pinkie bemused glares. “Sorry not helping,” she said as she ducked back under the table.

“What about Starlight in her village and Starlight’s attempt to change history.” Spike pointed out.

Applejack then spoke up, “Do the FlimFlam brothers and Iron Will count?” she asked.

“They’re not villains, per se. Like Suri Polomage and Lightning Dust, they are opportunistic antagonists for certain, but not to the level of villainy.” Rarity answered.

“The point is at the end of the day, with or without help, there isn’t a baddie we can’t beat.” Spike finished seeing that they have gone off on tangents. Twilight smiled. Just knowing her friends were there, there was nothing that would lose to.

Around the same time as Twilight was relieved by her friends, Chrysalis was wondering the Everfree, “One day, you'll see! I will defeat Twilight Sparkle and her friends!” She then blasted a log nearby. “And they will pay for stealing my kingdom!” she then blasted another log before she was whisked away in a cloud of black smoke.

At the same time in Tartarus, Tirek made another mark on the wall showing that he had been there for a ludicrously long time. As he sighed, he heard Cozy Glow from her cell, “Psst, Tirek!”

“It is Lord Tirek.” Tirek all but shouted as he turned to look at Cozy, “And what is it now?” he asked in irritation.

“I just wanna make sure you can see my best friends rock sculpture from over there!” she said as she pointed to sculpture she made of the two of them. Tirek groaned and then the two whooshed away in a cloud of black smoke.

At the same time, a spell circle was drawn with an ‘M’ drawn in the middle. The circle glowed and then a large black crystal grew. From it emerged the lime-green eyes and purple smoke of Sombra. He then was whooshed away.

Chrysalis looked around where she arrived and found herself in some sort of cave. There she spotted Tirek and Cozy, “Lord Tirek!” she declared as she readied to cast a spell to fight Tirek.

“A changeling?” Tirek asked in slight shock. He then turned to Cozy, “See? She gets it.” he declared as he readied his own spell. “Who are you?” he asked.

Chrysalis slowly lowered her hand as she started to walk closer to the two, but never fully dropping her guard. “I am Queen Chrysalis, rightful ruler of the changelings!” she declared. But she then had to dip her head slightly in ire, “Or at least I will be again when I'm restored to my throne!” she then returned her focus to Tirek, “Why did you summon me? What do you want?!” she asked as she prepared to cast a spell.

Cozy yelped as she hid behind Tirek, “Oh, golly!” Cozy said in slight freight. “We didn't bring you! I thought you freed us from Tartarus!” she said as pointed out that they didn’t summon her.

Chrysalis raised an eyebrow, “Tartarus?” she asked. “Whoever pulled you from there must have been somebody very powerful indeed.”

“Did someone say ‘somebody very powerful’?” came a guttural, ethereal voice. The three turned to see Sombra manifest himself above the three. He elected to stop his manifestation as his black seven-foot tall specter form in grey armor. He then laughed as he looked down at the others gathered.

Chrysalis stumbled backward and almost tripped over herself. Cozy ducked behind Tirek again and Tirek himself also took a step back. “King Sombra!” Chrysalis declared. “You have returned? Why did you bring us here?” She asked as both she and Tirek readied to attack him.

“He didn't.” came an ancient voice from behind Chrysalis, Tirek and Cozy. They all turned to see a satyr that stood just short of Sombra in height. To be more accurate he was more of bipedal slightly anthropomorphic mountain ram with human arms. His fur was blue and he wore a red collar with golden orbs on it with a hook for a bell. He walked slowly like a man in his late seventies. “It was I,” the satyr said as he reached the center of the room where there was a fairly large scrying orb that looked like a large goat-eye. On the other side of the orb was a chair, which he sat in. “You may call me... Grogar.”

Chrysalis and Tirek gasped in horror as they both tripped over themselves and landed on their rears. Sombra seemed to crack his neck in boredom while Cozy looked around utterly confused. “Which Grogar are you?” Sombra asked as he yawned unimpressed “The thirteenth?”

“I am the ORIGINAL!” Grogar declared as he slammed the table. “The most recent pretender who… borrowed... my name has… paid off the loan.” Grogar said as he pointed to the wall. On it was a mounted satyr skull. Tirek and Chrysalis gulped in fear. Sombra seemed unmoved as he yawned again. “Perhaps a proper demonstration is in order, Tomaz?” he asked the shade rhetorically.

However, before he did more, “Um, sorry, who is Grofar?” Cozy asked. “I’ve no idea what's going here.”

Grogar growled as Chrysalis gasped. Tirek leaned down to whisper into Cozy's ear. “Grogar, as the legend I heard as a boy goes, was an ancient and powerful master of magic and once ruled the entire continent as Emperor. Back then what is now Mystica was a loss collection of farms and forests.”

“I heard the same legend too as a lad.” Sombra chimed as he stretched his back in boredom. “He was also credited with making the first generation of the monsters in this world; manticores, hydras, sphinxes, chimeras, cockatrices, bugbears to list a few.”

“Indeed, I gave life to the foulest creatures ever and set them loose on the world. It was a glorious epoch of darkness.” Grogar declared as he used the crystal orb to project the images of the many monsters laying waste and terrorizing humans.

Sombra then yawned, “Even if what you say is true, then all it took to beat you is to ring a little bell.”

“Clearly I have been away too long if my name no longer strikes fear into children and my presence doesn't give a geist pause.” Grogar bemoaned.

Cozy waved her hand, “Oh I am not a child,” she started to explain. “You see I suffer from a form of hypopituitarism, it means I stopped aging for a while and I wouldn't truly mature. It does mean I have a shorter than average life expectancy and can't do a lot of adult stuff, but I can get away with a lot.”

“Clearly,” Grogar commented blankly. “I assure you, I am very real,” he announced with a fair enough force that caused the others to shake. “And you have all been brought here as part of my plan to rid Mystica of Twilight Sparkle and her friends once and for all.” Grogar then started to laugh.

Chrysalis and Sombra then both shared at the declaration. Chrysalis then spoke, “How do you intend to best a demigod whose focus is magic itself when you were banished by the folk hero Gusty, if the legend is true, a lowly Magicborn of sub-mediocre talent?” she asked and challenged the satyr.

Grogar grumbled at the challenge made by the elf, “That fool believed taking my bell would defeat me!” he in part conceded, “But she only weakened me temporarily.” he continued as he challenged the deposed queen.

Cozy then raised her hand, “Um, since Tirek is really old –” she turned to the spellthief, “no offense, you’re looking great Bestie.”

“We are not Besties,” Tirek grumbled. “You can send me back. Just not with her.” The lord pleaded. Grogar only rolled his eyes.

Cozy then continued, “As I was saying, if he knew about you as a legend when he was young, then we have super different ideas about what "temporarily" means.” she pointed out the difference in perspective in time.

Sombra gave a laugh, “I am with the Skyborn, even I don't consider my entrapment under the ice by Celestia and Luna a temporary setback.”

Grogar gave a slight roar, “Silence!” he ordered and even the specter started to tremble. “Now for the demonstration.” Grogar the brought his right hand to his collar and seemed to pull some magic into an orb and sent it to Tirek. Tirek took the orb and sucked it and he reverted to be in his late forties and near the peck of his strengths. As Chrysalis and Cozy awed, “I've spent millennia gathering power, biding my time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to seize control of this continent and world! All the while I have watched all of you. I've seen each of your humiliating defeats at the hands of six puny humans. And do you know why they've always bested you?” he asked them.

“Because they cheat!” Chrysalis answered as she looked down at the ground in anger as she clutched her fist.

Tirek crossed his arms and groaned, “Because they are annoyingly lucky.” he offered

“Umm, I wasn't beat by Twilight and her friends, so…” Cozy pointed out.

Grogar pitched the bridge of his nose, “It is because they work together.” He then stomped his foot to empathize his point. “Even those six students that broke your spell,” he said to Cozy, he then turned to Chrysalis “and so when Starlight, Trixie, the usurper and the Lord of Chaos.” He then returned his focus to all of them. “Where one is weak, another is strong, and thus unified, they are a formidable force! But we shall use their own strategy to defeat them.”

“What are you suggesting?” Chrysalis asked the question on the minds of everyone else.

Grogar then jumped to right in front of Chrysalis, causing her to jump back, “I suggest nothing. I demand that you join me, and together, Mystica will be ours!”

Sombra couldn’t help but laugh at the idea, his laugh echoed like a ghostly wale. Once he finished, “This reads like a poorly conceived fanfiction.” the shade couldn't help but chuckle. “‘Ours’, what a joke. You can’t seriously expect us to believe that you intend to share. And even if we were to trust you, our goals are far too contradictory, if I succeed there would be no love for which Chrysalis for to feed off of, if she succeeds then how can I impose the fear I need to reign, and we would both lose if Tirek is able to drain the magic he hungers for.” Sombra pointed out the massive flaw in Grogar’s plan. “Besides, I don't do "ours". I only do mine.” the king declared. “I alone here forced Celestia and Luna to actually use their full power to best me, without the ability to use the Elements of Harmony! I had my plan to retake Krystalopolies setup before they came knocking and it was executed almost flawlessly. I bested Twilight Sparkle every step of her path to stop me! I am the only one here to truly exhaust Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!” Sombra called attention to his accomplishments. “And I didn’t need an army, or make a deal with Discord or get pointers from a spellthief to do any of that.” Sombra pointed out what he managed to do all on his own, while the others needed help to accomplish what they did, “I will take back Krystalopolies on my own, and I will destroy anybody who gets in my way!” the king declared as his form grew and caused all but Grogar to tremble in fear.

Grogar smirked at the geist's display. “Such confidence,” he stated neutrally. He then turned his back to Sombra, “Go! Try to take back your kingdom. I shall send you there myself.” he said as he realized that Sombra was not going to bend the knee so willingly. “If you prevail, you may keep it. But when you fail, you will submit to me!” he offered the shade but it was clear he wanted Sombra to submit.

Sombra seemed to raise an eyebrow, “And if I refuse this deal?” he asked.

Grogar then closed the distance between the two and looked up to Sombra, “Then I shall return you to the darkness from which you were summoned.” he declared.

Sombra brought his right hand to where his chin would be. He thought for a second on the ‘deal’ he was offered. “Fine!” Sombra accepted the offer before he turned his back to the old goat. “But this is a waste of time, as I will crush those who defy me. I will defeat all who get in my way! I'm—” The shade was silenced when he was whooshed away by an annoyed Grogar.

Once the king was gone, Grogar turned to the other three. He took a breath, “I advise the rest of you to prepare to work together!” he declared as he left the three.

“Well, working together sounds an awful lot like making friends, so... you two are in luck because I know all about that!” Cozy suggested with a big smile. Both Chrysalis and Tirek rolled their eyes and turned their backs to her. “Don't worry we'll cross that bridge soon enough.”

The Return of The King

The next day, in Princess Twilight’s School of Friendship, Starlight traversed the mostly empty hall. Everyone was home for the term break, but with it going to be over at the start of the week following next, now was the time for her and the others to get things together. Starlight jas checked on Applejack and the rest and had reached the last person she needed to see, Twilight. She knocked on the headmistress’ door. “Twi! You in here?” she asked as she opened the door. “You know we have a week before we have to prepare for the next…” she trailed off as she saw Twilight at her desk with a small forest worth of lists all over the room. “You’re not Twilighting typically are you?” she asked as the demigod was lost in her lists.

Spike flew up to her, “I don’t what to do! Owlicious can’t help, Flash doesn’t have leave, everyone has tried just about anything. This is the worst meltdown ever…” the dragon landed and started to cry out of sheer exhaustion.

Starlight took a second to look at the scene, took a breath and stepped forward. “Oh Twilight, what am I to do? You’re leaving in charge of both the school and the castle? But the last two times things went so wrong, I couldn’t get Discord to actually help. Cozy knocked me out and both times the school was almost destroyed. I’m not ready!” Starlight started to panic. She then began to hyperventilate. “Oh no, what if—?!” she almost fainted.

Swiftly Twilight jumped from her chair and caught Starlight, “Starlight, get a hold of yourself!” Twilight said as she helped Starlight back to her feet. “You've risen to every challenge you've ever faced. You can do anything you put your mind to. You've got this.” she said as she gave Starlight an encouraging hug.

“Hah!” Starlight shouted as she broke the hug and smiled, “And so do you.” she said as she placed her hand on Twilight’s shoulder. “See what I did there? You just said everything you need to hear.” she pointed out.

Twilight gave a clearly sarcastic laugh as she turned away and started back to her desk, “Nice try.” As she took her seat, “But running a school and running a country are two very different things.” She then levitated the next piece of paper in the stake, “Now, if you don't mind I have seven thousand, four hundred, and thirty-two things to take care of before I become the new ruler of Mystica!” she shouted before she started hyperventilating into a paper bag. Starlight and Spike both sighed in frustration.

Just as Twilight was hyperventilating into the paper bag, Sombra began to walk into Krystalopolies like he owned the place. All the civilians ran from him as the guards came charging at him. Sombra chuckled as he widened his eyes. They became fields of green and from them came beams that hit each of the guards that charged him, causing them to stop in their tracks. Their eyes the became fields of green and turned to match with Sombra to the castle.

Inside the castle, Shining ran to the throne room, “Sombra’s breached the castle!” he said. “And he’s forcing more and more to join him!”

At her throne, Cadance finished writing a note and sent it via a dragon fire candle, “Hurry, Twilight.” She whispered. She then looked to Shining Armor. “Where’s Flurry?” she asked as the two realized that their daughter was very much in danger. The two ran and threw open the door to Flurry’s room only to see Sombra hold the toddler in the elbow of his right arm as he brushed the baby’s cheek with his left index finger.

“MAMA!” Flurry cried as she tried to reach for Cadance.

Cadance took a step forward as her hands started to glow and she growled ready to tear Sombra apart, “I wouldn’t get any closer.” Sombra said as he brought the point of his left index finger to Flurry’s neck. “Demigods bleed like any mortal.” Flurry tried to wiggle away but was unable to escape Sombra’s grasp. “Surrender the Crystal Heart, renounce your claim as Princess of Krystalopolies, bend the knee, and you can have your daughter back.” He said. “Take another step…” he trailed off as press the tip on Flurry’s throat.

Cadance growled as she kneeled, Shining reluctantly followed suit. “You won't get away with this!”

Sombra laughed, “Oh my dear great-niece, you’re so much like your grandmother Amore, you can’t see the obvious.” Sombra then started to the throne room, “I already have.” Within half an hour, Sombra had made two black crystals grow into the throne room, and they were used as pillars for the Crystal Heart. Sombra took the throne as Cadance, Shining and Flurry, were placed into a cage made of black crystals. “And with the Crystal Heart now in my possession, there is nothing to stop me from ruling Krystalopolies!” Sombra declared as his hexed subjects started to bring him food and drink. He accepted the goblet that was offered to him and drank from it. “It’s good to be king.” he sighed in bliss. He then took another drink of the goblet, “ The Princess Mi Amore Cadenza has abdicated, Long live the King Sombra.” he said and laughed again.

As Sombra started to celebrate his return to his throne, Twilight was pacing in the room with the Aura Map with Starlight, Spike just as the door opened and Applejack et al came running in. “We made it as quickly as we could!” Applejack shouted before they all stopped and took a few breaths.

Just then Discord, in his humanoid form snapped to be in the room, “Goodness, Celestia, and Luna haven’t even made the official announcement and you’re already delegating things. But you might want to work on your penmanship if you’re gonna be the ruler of Mystica.” Discord lectured as before he showed Twilight the note that was sent to him. “Because this looks like it says, ‘Cadance sent an emergency message. Sombra's back, and he's taking over the Krystalopolies.’” Discord then crossed his arms, “Seriously, that cannot be what you actually wrote.”

Twilight groaned, “No, that’s exactly what it says!” Twilight all but shouted at the Lord of Chaos. “I have no idea how its possible! I know the Crystal Heart dispelled him the last time, but he’s back and it’s up to us to save Krystalopolies and my family!” Twilight declared as she was about to lead the others out.

Fluttershy coughed and brought Twilight to stop, “Shouldn't somebody tell Celestia and Luna?” the druid asked.

Discord took the form of a butterfly and hovered next to Fluttershy, “Ooh, good point! One of us should probably loop in the real rulers of Mystica.” he commented.

Twilight looked to the others, “No.” she with a slight scowl, more so out of concern for her family then a possible challenge. “If we're going to run Mystica, we'll need to handle things like this on our own.”

Discord teleported to be on Twilight’s head, “Oh, Twilight!” he gasped in joy, “Could this mean that you finally have the confidence to ascend to the throne like the princesses believe you can?” he asked as he leaned forward to look Twilight in the eye.

Twilight blasted him off via a beam from her focus gem to get him off of her. With him off of her, “I don’t know.” she answered. “But I have to do something unless you'll consider taking care of Sombra for us?” she asked not so much because she wanted Discord to actually do it, but in what could be best described as a display of her own authority.

Discord got back up and held up his hands in a sort of shield, “Oh, no-no-no-no! You're absolutely right!” he said as he waved his hands and stepped back. He then pulled a zipper down, “You need to learn how to handle these things on your own. Ta-ta!” he said and entered in the space he opened.

Everyone rolled their eyes at Discord’s antics, Applejack then held her chin in thought, “Handlin' things on our own is all well and good, but last time we defeated Sombra with the Crystal Heart.” the paladin pointed out. “And he likely has it already, so how are we gonna stop him?” she asked.

Everyone thought for a second, Twilight then gasped as she had an answer, “The Elements of Harmony!” Twilight answered.

Discord then popped back, “Ah, no-no-no.” he said as he wagged his index finger. “You didn't need the Elements the last time you defeated Sombra.” he countered. “And I'm not sure that using them still counts as ‘handling things on your own’,” he added.

“My family is in danger.” Twilight pointed out with a scowl at Discord, “I'm not taking any chances.”

Discord sighed, “Fine.” and he vanished back to his pocket realm.

Twilight shook her head and took a breath, “Starlight, Spike, can you both stay here and take care of the school?” she asked. Starlight and Spike nodded. Twilight then teleported herself, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie to the Tree of Harmony. The six then placed their hands on the tree and the Elements fell into their hands and took on their forms as necklaces and crown. They put them on and then Twilight teleported them out of there.

In the castle of Krystalopolies’ throne room, Sombra reclined as a female Crystalborn placed a grape into his mouth. Sombra the crew the grape with a massive, blissful smile on his face. All the while Flurry was trying to break her and her parents from their prison, no avail. Sombra looked at the sight and smirked with a small chuckle. “You really suck as parents.” he commented, “A halfway decent father would be three forth to death out of exhaustion in his own attempts, and a quart decent mother would be five-sixths to death for the same purpose. Not that it would do you any good.” He said and opened his mouth and stuck out his tongue to collect another grape. The throne room doors then swung open to show, Twilight et al with their Elements. Sombra didn’t even raise his head to address the six. “Well, it took you six long enough,” he said with a yawn and stretched his body as he got up. He looked and saw the Elements of Harmony on them. “Seriously?” he asked and gave a sigh of disappointment. “Those didn’t work for Celestia and Luna, what makes you think they will for you?” he asked rhetorically. He gave another sigh then got out of his throne and walked towards them, “Well, come on then.” he said as he beckoned them with both hands with slight annoyance in his tone, “Give me your best shot with that Rainbow of Mass Reformation of yours and be done with it!” He then walked over and stood behind the Crystal Heart. “Here, you can use Crystal Heart as a magnifier,” he added. He closed his eyes looked like he was sleeping as he stood.

Twilight and her friends each took other’s hands before they closed their eyes. They then opened them and were fields of white. “SOMBRA, YOUR VILE REIGN WILL NEVER COME TO PASS!” the six said together in their seventh voice. The Elements then fired their beam at the Crystal Heart.

As the heart began to hum. Sombra opened his eyes and widen them in fear as the Crystal Heart, in fact, magnified the Elements’ beam as it entered into the Heart. Sombra took a step back. “No, it can’t be. This is impossible!” he shouted as the Heart shot the beam of the Elements out of it. “NNNOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!” he screamed as the beam struck him and destroyed him and all the black crystals that he made, freeing Shining, Cadance, and Flurry.

The six then closed their eyes and took of the Elements. They all then opened their eyes, “We totally just wiped the castle with that guy!” Rainbow cheered as she and the others put Element back on.

Shining and Cadance, with Flurry in their arms, walked over to Twilight, “Thanks, Twily.” Shining said as the family hugged.

The other five shared their own group hug, “That was FUN!” Pinkie cheered at the victory.

“And almost surprisingly easy.” Applejack said as she chuckled as the hug ended.

Rarity waved her hair, “As magical battles go, that was a cakewalk.” she said, “Not a single drop of sweat.” she commented at how immaculate her hair was.

“Mmm... Cakewalk…” Pinkie said as she started to drool slightly. Everyone else giggled at the sight.

Twilight took of her Element and looked at it. She then smiled as she saw her reflection in the gem and the reflections of her friends. She raised her head, with her smile still on her face, “We did handle this pretty well. On our own.” she confessed. Her friends then all turned to her with smiles on their face. She knew the questions on their minds, “I still don’t feel like I'm one hundred percent ready, and knowing myself, I will never be, but I have you girls,” she said as she walked to her friends and pulled them into a hug. “and we have the Elements. And together, we've never failed. We'll be okay.” Everyone then cheered.

A couple of minutes later, after teleporting back to the Tree, Twilight and the others returned the Elements to the Tree. “Once again, Mystica is safe,” she said.

“What should we do to celebrate?” Fluttershy asked as the six started to head out.

“I vote for a cakewalk!” Pinkie cheered as she did a moonwalk with cakes on her feet, which earned laughs from the others.

Just then they were stopped by the sound of rumbling. “What's goin' on?” Applejack asked.

“I don't know!” Twilight answered before they all turned to see Sombra in the form of a black cloud with his eyes and focus gem floating above the Tree of Harmony. The six gasped at the sight of the vile king. Then large black crystal jettisoned out of the ground hitting the tree shattering it and sending the Elements to the ground. The Elements shattered as they impacted on the ground. The six were left speechless as Sombra transformed into his seven-foot specter in grey armor form, laughing all the while.

Arboricide

As Sombra continued to laugh at the stupified state of Twilight et al, he took on his seven-foot specter form. "Thank you for leading me here, to the source of the power of your greatest weapon. It cannot have been this easy. You fell for my ruse too well.” he continued to mock. “You honestly believed that I would knowingly put myself in harm’s way? I thought you were smarter than that, Twilight Sparkle, Daughter of Night Light of the House Sparkle, founded by Squire Sparkler Hope Skiáidies.” Sombra continued to laugh.

“How do you know my family’s founder?” Twilight asked as she was the first to recover slightly from what just happened.

Sombra stopped for a second, “His mother, Radiant Hope, was my wife, and I am his father,” Sombra declared. “I would say my line has lessened in my exile, but you are a demigod and your brother sired a born demigod, so trade-off.” Sombra gave a sigh of joy. “I know it’s unbelievable, but your eyes don’t deceive you,” As Sombra spoke he grabbed some the black crystal and transmuted it into a red crystal bastard sword that matched his height. He raised it and brought it down on the trunk shattering the tree to its roots, “the Tree of Harmony is DEAD!” he shouted as the blade came down. He then sent from his armor a black tendril to the shattered Elements, had it take the form of a large hammer and had it brought down on the remains of the Elements, reducing them to a fine powder, “And the Elements are dust in the wind!” Sombra added.

The six dropped to their knees not wanting to believe it. “It can't be!” Applejack shouted as she tried to fight back the tears.

“Paladins are really are terrible liars, and you are no exception, Applejack,” Sombra said as he looked among the shatter crystals of the tree. “However, the Elements aren’t your only weapon.” the king stopped as he picked up a box with six locks on it. “The Rainbow of Light is also something you can use.” Sombra sent six tendrils of his black shade into the locks. “Can’t have it lying around, now can I?” he asked before he ripped the box open, letting the Rainbow of Light out and seeing it dissipated in the air. The girls couldn’t move, the sight of it left them utterly frozen. “I doubt the Rainbow would have worked on me, and while I have done extraordinary well on my own, I’d like to have a favor owned in my pocket, should Tirek manage to be liberated from his prison. And now, nothing can stop me!” he shouted and laugh in triumphant.

“Discord! Discord can stop you!” Fluttershy countered as she got up, her face resolute in her faith.

“Do you trust the very embodiment of disharmony to bend the knee to you now that the one thing that could keep him in line no longer exists?” Sombra asked rhetorically. “My little girl, you’re are far too trusting. And do you think I don’t have a plan to deal with him should he challenge me?” he added as he started to leave the cave. “Now all that remains in my way are Celestia and Luna, but they will be too busy with their own matters. Not only that, they couldn’t destroy me before, and history has a way of rhyming with itself.” he laughed.

This laugh was cut short as Rainbow kicked him in the head. “Not if we beat you the old-fashioned way!” Sombra chuckled as he grabbed Rainbow by her leg and spun her around three times before he threw her back into her comrades knocking them all to the ground. He then summoned a cage made of black crystals. Twilight and Rarity tried to blast a way out but to no avail.

Sombra gave a silent laugh, “Didn’t your mother ever tell you that you should let the villain finish his monologue, he might let slip up and give you a means that can lead to his defeat.” he said as he walked to the cage and leaned against it. “Let’s see, you’re trapped in there, you can’t use the Elements of Harmony or the Rainbow of Light. Very soon the spirit of the forest, Gaea Everfree, is going to feel the violation of Star Swirl and the Pillars’ base of operations on the forest side of the borderstone Clover placed, which will take Star Swirl, the Pillars, Celestia and Luna hours to calm Gaea down. The Crystal Heart has no effect on me, and I can easily dispatch Shining Armor, Cadance and little baby Flurry.” Sombra listed. He smiled to himself and snickered for a second, “Now where should I start my reconquest?” he asked rhetorically. “Hmmm, maybe the closest town to here, what’s it called?” he asked deliberately faking ignorance. “It’s the hometown of you six, the name is on the tip of my tongue Mage City, Magic Town,” he snapped his fingers as he acted like he couldn’t recall the name. “I know I know what it is called.”

“OH FOR CELESTIA’S SAKE!!!” Rarity roared as she tried to blast out of the cage, “We will never let you lay a hand on Magiville!”

“Ah, Magiville, a simple name. How could I forget it?” Sombra mocked as he smirked.

“You won’t get away with this. So help mah, Ah’ll smite back to Hell if you hurt even one hair on Apple Bloom’s head!” Applejack shouted as she tried to hack at the crystals to make them break. It was a fruitless effort.

Sombra smirked, “And he said I couldn’t do this on my own.” he muttered to himself softly enough so that no one could hear him as Applejack continued to hack at the crystal. He laughed and left them in the cage in the cave.

After nearly ten minutes of everyone taking a turn trying to break free, they all sat down. “What do we do?” Fluttershy asked.

Twilight tried to blast the crystal cage again, but her magical blast failed. She sighed, “I wish I knew.” She started to hold herself, “I knew I wasn’t ready but I never thought I'd mess up this badly.” Tears started to form in the corners of her eyes. “I fell for Sombra’s trap and lost not only the Elements, The Tree and the Rainbow of Light, but Sombra’s going to take over.”

As Twilight shed a couple of tears, she and the others turned to Pinkie, “Please tell us you have a joke, a witty pun, a gag, anything that might lift our spirits.” Twilight pleaded.

Pinkie shook her head as her hair seemed to deflate, “Sorry, but there isn’t anything funny about this.” She sighed as she wiped tears from her eyes, “I don’t want to, but I can’t stop but imagine him hexing Pound and Pumpkin, sweet little Pound and Pumpkin.

Rarity sniffed as she tried to control her own emotions, “or Sweetie… No, I have to stay strong… Oh Sweetie Bellelelele!!!!” she whaled, “I failed her! I am the worst sister ever!” She gasped. “And Spikie-wikie…”

“Scootaloo,” Rainbow added as tears dripped down her cheek.

“Angel... and everybody forced to do that monster's bidding!” Fluttershy added as she covered her face and started to cry.

Twilight raised her head and looked around them. She then kicked at the ground. She then moved so that she could dig with her hands. This was first noticed by Applejack, “What are you doing?” the paladin asked.

Twilight continued to dig, “We have to get out of here. Right now I neither have a plan nor do I know what we’re gonna do once we get out. But we have to do something, or else Sombra will make everyone we love slaves!” She stated as she started to dig faster.

Pinkie’s hair reinflated as the trickster got up and skipped towards Twilight. Pinkie then made her hair into a spinning drill. “Out of the way girls!” she shouted and dove into the small hole that Twilight had started and made a hole large enough for four people shoulder to shoulder as the radius. After about a minute, Pinkie emerged outside of the cage, “Come on girls! We got a baddie’s rear to kick!”

The other five looked at each other, “It’s Pinkie Pie, don’t question it.” they said together before they went into the tunnel that Pinkie made.

After they got out of the cave, Twilight teleported them to Magiville, but it was too late. They gasped as Sombra was leading everyone else from the town out in the direction of Chantalot. Applejack then spotted Apple Bloom, while Rarity spotted Sweetie Belle, Rainbow spotted Scootaloo, Twilight spotted Spike and Pinkie spotted the Cakes. “Apple Bloom!” Applejack shouted as she ran to her sister, as did Rarity and Rainbow, Twilight went after Spike and Pinkie the Cakes. “It's me! Look at me, sugarcube!” she pleaded as the bewitched Apple Bloom continued to match with the rest.

“Sweetie Belle,” Rarity shouted as she tried to stop her sister, “Don’t listen to him! Fight him, Sweetie!” she pleaded but like Apple Bloom, she went past Rarity to join the army.

“Come on Little Buddy, your will is stronger than this! Don’t give in, Scoots!” Rainbow pleaded but was a fruitless as Rarity’s and Applejack’s attempts to get to their sisters.

At the same time, Twilight tried to stop Spike, “Spike! Stop! You can’t leave!” she pleaded. Spike continued to fly. Twilight took a breath and focused her mind as she tried to reach the part of her in Spike that made him her familiar. But the part of her couldn’t seem to reach Spike. As she strained to get through, a bewitched Starlight bumped into her. Twilight then turned, “Starlight! You have to wake up!” she shouted.

Starlight walked around Twilight, “Must lay siege to Chantalot.” she said in a monotone as she rejoined Sombra’s armor.

Applejack, Rainbow, and Rarity joined Twilight as they could only look on. They each looked to each other and each saw tears forming in the corners of the eyes.

“NNNOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!” they heard Pinkie scream. They ran in the direction of Sugar Cube Corner and found Pinkie on her knees sobbing as the Cake family left with a cart with a seven-layer cake with black frosting and something written on the top level. Pinkie pointed to the cake, “It’s a black licorice fruit cake with ‘Congratulations King Sombra’ in green frosting!” she said the others got a good look at the cake “It's the ugliest cake I've ever seen!” she continued to sob as she pulled the four into a hug as they were joined by Fluttershy and her animals.

“Well, Sombra hasn’t gotten the animals.” the druid tried to comfort her friends. She saw that it didn’t seem to offer much help. Her friends weren’t angry but the sorrow they felt remained. Fluttershy sighed as her heart grew heavy at the sight, “But I suppose I've never been so sad in my whole life!” she admitted.

Twilight looked to the heavens, “Please, I don’t know what to do.” she pleaded as if she was speaking to some being in the sky. “I don’t know how to free those Sombra hexed. I know others are counting on me, but things have gone so wrong.” she closed her eyes as tears dripped down her cheeks. “This can’t get any worse,” she whispered. She soon felt someone tap her shoulder. “I just had to speak,” she muttered as she turned and looked behind her with everyone else to see the plant life of the Everfree Forest grow at a rapid rate and seemed going in a rage. “What do we do? If you go after Sombra, the Everfree is likely to destroy Magiville, but if we tackle the Everfree, Sombra will take over Mystica.” After a moment of thought, “We don’t know how to beat Sombra yet, but we can figure it out after this.” She said as she closed her eyes and opened them showing fields of purple.

Fluttershy took a breath as she let herself change into dragon about the same size as her friends, “For our friends!” the druid shouted as she huffed out some fire.

Applejack drew her sword, Rarity picked out a few sharpened diamonds, “For our families!” the two shouted.

Pinkie drew her mallet and Rainbow readied her bow, “For our home!” the two shouted together.

“For Mystica!” Twilight shout.

“MYSTICA!” the six shouted together as the charged the raging plants.

As Twilight et al grappled with the black crystals and plants, Sombra matched with his ever-increasing army of bewitched civilians to Chantalot. Once he arrived at the southern gate he blasted one of the chains used to pull up the drawbridge, preventing the ESM from drawing the bridge up. He then turned to hexed residents. He then spotted a certain blue-haired sentinel. “You,” he ordered and pointed to the door, “Break it down!” he ordered.

Flash drew his sword, “DARK STAR SABRE!!!” the bewitched sentry shouted as a beam much like his Star Sabre but was like a black hole in color. The beam struck the door and sundered it open.

Sombra gave a throaty laugh as he proceeded across the bridge, his army in tow. He proceeded to stroll into the city like he owned the place. All the while hexing the people to his will until he reached Celestia’s and Luna’s throne room. He threw the doors opened and smiled. He then walked the hall to the throne. He stopped at the mirror that showed him being defeat by Spike. He frowned at it before he pooled some of his magic into his right hand and blasted the mirror into a thousand and six pieces. With the window shattered, his smile returned and he continued to the thrones. He sat down on Celestia’s throne and conjured an hourglass. “Well, Twilight the ball is in your court,” he muttered.

As Sombra conjured his hourglass, Twilight et al were fighting back the wild plants. Fluttershy had reverted back to her human form. “What do we do?” she asked, “these plants are growing back too fast!”

Everyone took a few steps back and wiped their foreheads, “I don’t know.” Twilight sighed. Just then, two beams struck a handful of plants, forcing them back. One of the beams was solar golden and one was lunar argent. Everyone turned to see Celestia and Luna fly towards them. As the princesses land a teleportation ring appeared and in it was Star Swirl, Rockfoot, Meadowbrook, Somnambula, Flash Magnus, and Mistmane. “Princesses! Star Swirl!” Twilight cheered. “How did you-” she started.

“We felt the Tree of Harmony’s…” Meadowbrook cut off Twilight but then trailed off as every one of the Pillars looked down.

“It was as if a part of my soul was just erased,” Mistmane added as she placed her hand on her heart.

Twilight turned to the princesses and back to the Pillars, “I alerted them as soon as I could.” Star Swirl informed. “Now let us take care of the forest.”

“I think we might need a different approach then what we did when we worked out of your old tower,” Flash Magnus said as he drove to be in front of everyone and intercepted a vine lashing forward.

Before anyone asked, “Lass, we planted the seed that became the Tree of Harmony.” Rockfoot pointed out as he swung his shovel to beat back a vine. “We use to tackle these in-between missions.” the massive warrior informed.

“This is all my fault, I feel for Sombra’s trick and lead him to the tree,” Twilight said after she blasted a vine.

Somnambula gave Twilight a hug, “Don’t be, if what I’ve read since we came back is true, Sombra was going to find a way to destroy the tree with or without you falling for his trap.” Somnambula turned back to the forest. “Let us take of this, we got this.”

Twilight nodded and then turned to Celestia, “There’s more, he took control of everyone else and he…”

“We know,” Celestia cut Twilight off. “Go, the Pillars need Luna and I more here and we could only banish him for one thousand five hundred years the last time we faced him, and History rhymes,” Celestia ordered as she and Luna both blasted some of the black crystals. “I know you have this.”

Twilight turned to her friends, “Well what are we waitin’ for?” Applejack asked as she grabbed Rarity’s hand, Rarity and Fluttershy’s hand as Fluttershy took Rainbow’s, Rainbow took Pinkie’s and then Pinkie and Applejack took Twilight’s hand. “Let’s get a-goin'.” Twilight nodded. She took a breath and then teleported the six from there.

Twilight's Dawn

Twilight teleported to the hallway of the castle in Chantalot. “So what’s the plan?” Rainbow asked Twilight.

Twilight took a breath and sighed, “I don’t have one, but we have to confront Sombra somehow.”

"Halt!" came a familiar voice. The girls turned to see Flash draw his sword.

Twilight's eyes widened as her pupils constricted. "He did not!" she all but shouted. Flash prepared to charge the six, however Twilight sent a hold spell on him which restrained him to the closest wall. "Sorry babe, I got to deal with Sombra first." She cringed slightly when she saw that she knocked Flash out in the process of sending him to the wall. She then turned to her friends. "This is getting ridiculous." she sighed in frustration. "How did Sombra hex him?" she asked.

"Didn't Adagio bewitched him?" Rainbow pointed out.

"Yes, but they didn't control him, not like that." Applejack point out.

"But didn't Adagio just wanted to weaken your will," Fluttershy commented, "But clearly Sombra wanted to conquer Mystica."

"There has to be more to it." Twilight asked.

"It could also be a matter of will power," Rarity commented, "Sombra has gone from victory to victory, boasting his will and resolve, while the destruction of the Tree, the Elements and the Rainbow of Light has, well let's be honest, been devastating to our wills."

Twilight sighed, "I can't deal with this now, we got to stop Sombra, but I don't know how."

“Well, this doesn’t look good for you.” The six turned to see Discord just walk in the hallway not far in front of them with a jar of jam in on hand and a pickle in the other. “No Elements? No princesses? And your boyfriend is bewitched? Seems like you're in a bit of a pickle!” he said as he held out the pickle, “Or are you in…” he trailed off as he opened the jar, “...more of a jam?” he punned as he held out the jar. “Ha,” he added as dipped the pickle into the jam and pulled it out and started to chew the pickle dipped with jam. “Mmm!”

“Discord, we need your help.” Twilight started. “Sombra destroyed the Tree of Harmony, the Elements, the Rainbow of Light, he’s immune to the Crystal Heart, and Celestia and Luna could only banish him the last time.” she pleaded. “Please Discord!”

Discord snapped his finger sending his jar of jam and pickle back to his realm with a sigh of disappointment, “Fine, but just to be clear, I was really rooting for you to do this on your own and parlay that confidence boost into being the best protectors of Mystica you can be.” he commented as he walked ahead of them and threw open the doors of the throne room. Yet as soon as the door open a spear went right into him, barely missing his heart, with such force it brought him to the floor with the spear nailing him to the floor.

“DISCORD!!!” Fluttershy shouted as she went to her knees and to Discord’s side as the others gasped.

“Ha ha ha ha!” came Sombra’s laugh from Celestia’s throne. He rose from the throne and began to walk towards the lot. Once he was three feet from them, “Did you honestly think that I didn’t have a plan to deal with him?” he asked as he mocked the druid. Fluttershy reached for the spear, “I wouldn’t remove that spear at this moment if I were you.” Sombra remarked, which gave Fluttershy pause. “That spear is made of Nirvanan steel.” Sombra pointed out. “A very rare steel can only be smelted by someone who while still alive achieved the state of Nirvana. Because of that it technically exists out of the chaotic cycle of Life and thus it can wound or kill Discord and there is nothing he can do about it. And if you pull it out now, you run the risk of cutting his heart.”

Discord coughed as he tried to reach for the spear, “DON’T MOVE!” Fluttershy ordered. “Same your strength, you’ll need it until we can get it out safely.”

Discord took a breath, “I’m sorry girls, but it looks like you’re on your own.”

“What do we do now?” Applejack asked.

“I don’t know,” Twilight confessed. “He was our last hope, we can’t beat Sombra without Discord.” the demigod said as she dropped to her knees in defeat.

Sombra chuckled, “You couldn't beat me with him, either!” he laughed as he took another step forward to them. “Now, how shall I eliminate this clutter?” he asked as he pulled black covered magic in his right hand and prepared to blast the lot. Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, and Pinkie got in front of the rest, with their weapons drawn. Sombra smiled, “But perhaps one last speech is in order. So go ahead, Lord of Chaos, give them the speech in which you tell the druid that she will always be kind, that the paladin will always be honest, the enchantress will always be generous, that the elementalist will always be loyal, that the jesters will bring laughter wherever she goes and that Princess Twilight Sparkle will always embody magic or whatever sentimental sap you have up your sleeve, it will take more than that to stop me” Sombra mocked.

Twilight rose from her knees and stepped to be in front of her friends, “You’re right Sombra, just being told that is not enough for us to beat you, but that’s only part of the truth.” She took a breath and looked back to Discord, “But there is so much more.” she said and turned to face Sombra as she began to pool her magic into an orb in her hand. “I’ve lost sight of what was in front of me.” She looked towards her friends, she then sent a beam of her magic at Sombra, Sombra tried to block it with his, but his was overpowered, “I don’t need the Elements,” she said as she sent another beam as she stepped forward and forced Sombra back, “I don’t need the Rainbow of Light,” she continued to blast Sombra as she moved forward and forced Sombra back. “I don’t need the Crystal Heart,” she again blasted the king, “I don’t need Celestia and Luna to defeat you.” Twilight finished as the group stood in front of Sombra. “You fight alone and only for yourself. I fight with my friends and we fight for so much more than ourselves.”

Fluttershy took Twilight’s hand, “For our friends!” the druid declared.

Rarity took Fluttershy’s other hand and Applejack took Twilight’s other hand, “For our family!” the paladin and enchantress declared.

Pinkie too Applejack’s other hand and Rainbow took Rarity’s other hand, “For our home!” the jester and elementalist declared.
“For Mystica!” Twilight declared as her eyes became fields of white and her hair started to float like Celestia’s and Luna’s as they all began to float upwards with Rainbow and Pinkie taking each other’s open hand.

Sombra smiled as he brought a hand to his left eye and removed a tear. He then clapped, “Yes. Show me your true power.” he said as he threw his arms open. “Do it.” Twilight took a breath and then from her heart and went to Sombra. The specter threw his arms open and accepted the blast, the red iris of his eyes becoming green, “I’ll see you in Hell soon enough, Grogar,” he whispered as a smirk formed on his face as he was dissolved by the beam from Twilight.

As Sombra dissolved, everyone in Chantalot was freed from hex. Everyone looked at each other confused at what happened, namely those from Magiville were even there.

Back in Magiville as Sombra dissolved, the black crystals too dissolved and the plants stopped their assault and started to calm and went back into the forest. “She did it,” Luna said to Celestia. Celestia nodded in turn.

“But perhaps it’s too soon for her to take on our role.” Celestia mused.

“We can wait a few more years,” Luna suggested, Celestia nodded.

With Sombra defeated, the girls turned back to Discord. Twilight took a breath and focused her attention on the spear and slowly and carefully pull it out of Discord as Applejack prepared to and applied lay on hands and Fluttershy prepared and cast cure light wounds. Once the spear was out. “Okay, it’s out.” Fluttershy said as she then laid down and hugged him, “Thank Faust you’re okay,” she said as cried into his shoulder.

Discord returned the hug, “I’ll be just fine, but if it’s not too much could I have a little glass of water, please?” he asked with as he tried to sit up. Fluttershy ended the hug and nodded before she left to get him some water. Applejack rolled her eyes as she once again applied her lay on hands onto Discord to make sure he was fully healed.

Just then Celestia and Luna teleported into the castle. The two looked at the sight, “It looks like Sombra is no longer a problem.” Celestia commented.

“Celestia! Luna!” Twilight said as she went to the two and hugged Celestia. After the hug, Twilight sighed and looked towards her feet, “I should have called on you as soon as I knew about Sombra’s return instead of charging in to save Cadance, Flurry, Shining and Krystalopolies without a throughout the plan. And because of my lack of planning, I drained the Tree of Harmony’s power via using the Elements on Sombra so soon after they were used on The Nightstalker in comparison to the Tree’s life. Not only that, with the Tree gone, the box that housed the Rainbow of Light was destroyed, dispelling it the winds.” Twilight sighed again, “A good leader knows when to ask for help, and I didn't. Mystica deserves somebody much better than me to rule after you.”

Celestia shook her head and placed her hand on Twilight’s shoulder, this caused Twilight took back up, “Do you know what of the last thing you said that was wrong?” Celestia asked. Twilight shook her head, “I’ll start by telling you what you got right, a good leader knows when to ask for help.” Celestia stopped. “So do you know what you said was wrong?” Celestia asked again. Twilight’s utter confusion answered Celestia’s question. Celestia shook her head, “You do know when to ask for help, you are a good leader and Mystica doesn’t deserve somebody better than you to succeed me,” Celestia informed. Twilight just looked on utterly baffled at Celestia’s statement. “You are more than just a good leader, but a great leader because you have the courage to admit when you've made a mistake and the strength to make it right.” Celestia praised as she leaned forward to look solely into Twilight’s eyes. “And today, you showed that.” Celestia praised her student. “And when you are ready, you will be, without a doubt in my mind, a great princess.”

“What do you mean ‘will be’?” Twilight asked as she looked thought about what Celestia just said.

Luna then spoke up as she placed her hand on Twilight’s shoulder, “Our sister and Us have taken time to think on your reaction to Our joint announcement to you and your friends. And we both have concluded that it was not just to thrust our joint abdication on you and giving you such a short time window to prepare for it. We still intend to step down, but we have decided to wait until you have prepared of it.”

Twilight smiled as tears of relief formed in her eyes, “Thank you, I wasn’t ready at all.” she said and hugged the two in gratitude.

“WHAT!!” Discord shouted as he jumped to his feet. “She’s not taking over?!” he asked in utterly flabbergasted anger, “This was all for nothing?!” He continued and paced up and down. “I pretended to be nailed to the floor and dying for Twilight to finally learn that all she needs is her friends to—?!”

“Pretended?!” All but Celestia and Luna shouted at Discord.

Discord crossed his arms, “Of course! You don't think some "would-be king" could actually hurt the Lord of Chaos, do you?” he asked rhetorically

“But the spear?” Rainbow asked as she pointed to it. “Sombra said it was made with…”

Discord grabbed the spear in one hand “Please,” he snapped his other hand and the spear became a garden snake, “like Celestia and Luna would make it easy for somebody other than themselves and the people they trust to find those spears.” he snapped his finger again and turned it back to a spear. He then gave it to Pinkie, “Anyway, as I was saying, I pretended to be very hurt to convince you that you didn't need anything but yourself to be the incredible leader I know you can be.” he finished. Discord then turned to Celestia and Luna, “And now once she showed that she has what it takes, it's not happening?!” he asked in frustration.

Celestia and Luna looked to each and giggled at Discord’s frustration, Celestia then turned back to the Lord of Chaos, “It will happen, Discord.” she said as she walked up to him, “But when she's ready and not a second sooner.” she pointed out.

Discord pulled at his hair, “How can she not be ready?!” he all but shouted. He groaned “What a waste of a perfectly wonderful death scene!” He groaned and threw up his hands in the air, “Ugh! Honestly, I don't know why I even bother.” he then vanished in a white flash.

“So he could have ended the whole Sombra thing whenever he wanted?” Rarity asked in utter annoyance at the Avatar of Chaos as she was about to pull to her own hair.

Fluttershy giggled a little as she placed her hand on Rarity’s shoulder, “But he didn't, because he cares.” she commented.

Rainbow shook her head, “that’s Discord for ya.” the elementalist added as she

Applejack rolled her eyes, “He sure has a weird way of bein' supportive,” she commented as she leaned against the wall.

“Super odd dude,” Pinkie added on commenting on the way Discord shows his supportiveness.

Discord’s stained glass rendering on the window that showed him being defeated by Twilight et al came to life in a white flash, “I heard all that!” he shouted annoyed and then it reverted back to the state of him being petrified. This brought a decent laugh from everyone in the room.

Luna then spoke up, “Although to be honest, we both did have some fun today fighting side-by-side with Star Swirl and the Pillars to defend our people, haven’t done anything like that since the Wendigos before Flurry’s Crystalling. We don’t often get the chance to do that of late, and you girls, since you started, make it look a lot easier then We recall.”

Rainbow looked at her nails, “Well, we are kind of an awesome team.”

“Every adventure is heart-pounding but so rewarding,” Fluttershy added.

Pinkie pulled every one of the six sans Twilight towards her, “I'm up for anything, as long as it's with all of you!” she cheered before she hugged them.

Rarity was the first to get out of the hug. She couldn’t help but giggle, “Life certainly hasn't been dull since we met Twilight.” she commented.

“And there’s Nowhere else I'd rather be,” Applejack added as they all turned to Twilight.

Twilight smiled as she looked to Celestia and Luna, “We are pretty incredible together. And we would do anything for Mystica. I guess I know, when the time comes, as long as we're together, we…” Twilight paused as she looked at her friends. She smiled, “definitely got this.” she declared as the six pulled into a group hug.

At the same time as Celestia and Luna teleported back to their throne room, in another part of the Everfree at Star Swirl's old tower and the base of operations for the Pillars, Star Swirl and the other Pillars, looked at it, "Perhaps I should have listen to Clover and where she placed the boarder stone." the old wizard said.

"Well Beardo, no one is perfect." Flash Magnus joked. The others had a small laugh. "So where are you going to place it?"

"Not far from Twilight's castle, I still have much of the realm to explore until I found the place for me in this world." Star Swirl said as he lifted his hand and teleported the tower. "Now this should calm the spirit." He said before he teleported them back to Magiville.

As Twilight and the others celebrated Sombra's defeat, Cozy managed to get Chrysalis and Tirek to join her in a circle holding each other’s hands. “Now for this exercise, I’m going to say something nice about Tirek,” she informed. “Tirek you’ll then say something nice about Chrysalis,” Cozy said as she turned her gaze for both to solely Tirek. She then turned to look only at “Chrysalis, you’ll say something nice about me, okay?” she asked as she gave a big smile.

Chrysalis pulled her hands away from both, “NEVER!” she shouted.

“I am with her,” Tirek added as he pulled his hand from Cozy.

As Cozy started to pout, the trio heard the cloven hooves of Grogar return. They turned to see the satyr very much irate as he picked up a rock and threw it in wrath. He took a deep breath before he spoke, “Let us hope the three of you will be enough for my plans.” he said as he went to his scrying orb.

“What about King Sombra?” Chrysalis asked.

“Did he succeed?” Tirek compounded.

“Hah”, Grogar huffed as he tapped the orb. The orb showed Sombra’s body reduced to dust by the power of Twilight and her friend’s magic. Once the image was over, “It looks as though the King gambled and lost!” Grogar growled. He then turned to the three. “Yet in his defeat, there is a victory to salvage.” he mused. “This is the ultimate warning to those who doubt continuing with my plans.” Grogar then looked from the orb to the three. “Unless any of you have doubts,” Grogar asked as he looked at the three. They all nervously shook their heads in fear. Grogar smiled. “Then we shall join forces and work together to bring Mystica to its knees!” the satyr declared as he held his right hand in a fist before he started to laugh. Cozy, Tirek and Chrysalis then started to laugh nervously alongside the ancient satyr.

Deep within the vaults of Chantalot, a small box opened seemingly by itself, "Like Grogar could summon me from the shadows by his will alone." a shadow whispered. The shadow picked up the item, the Alicorn Amulet. "Hello my old friend." The shade then showed it had eyes with red irises. The shadow vanished taking the amulet with it.

Bonus 1: New Roots

Silverstream was flying at the fastest she’s ever flown. Faster even as she kept pace with Rainbow Dash as her teacher was in her Wonderbolt flight suit. The two zoomed and through the sky performing various flight maneuvers. The two then landed in Magiville. Rainbow took off her goggles and patted Silverstream on the shoulder, “Congrats, Silver!” she cheered. “You're officially the first non-Skyborn Wonderbolt!” the elementalist appalled the aasmir.

Silverstream blushed as a smile grew on her face that would rival Pinkie, “Really?!” she asked in disbelief. “That is such an honor! I don't know how to thank you, Professor Dash!” she said as she hugged Rainbow.

Rainbow was able to get out of the hug, “Easy!” she stated. “You're kicking off our show right now! So get up there and make me proud!” she declared and whooshed back into the air as she left Silver on the ground in utter shock.

After about a second her mind fathomed what she just heard, “Wait!” she shouted as Rainbow left her range of vision. “I don't have my uniform!”

Just Ocellus dressed in the scholar’s cloak and cap noting that she was about to graduate ran up to Silverstream. “Silverstream! Somehow, I missed a class all year, and the final is today!” the elf panicked as she took hold of both of Silver’s shoulders and shook the aasimar. “If I don't pass, I can't graduate!” Ocellus screamed as she was about to break down. The two then fell silent as they heard a familiar scream. They looked up and saw Yona falling. The two rushed up into the air and quickly matched Yona’s plummeting speed and brought her safely to the ground. Yona sighed in relief and pulled the two into a hug. Once she finished the hug. “Whoa. That was weird.” Ocellus said as she rubbed her chin.

“And that's even weirder.” Silver said as she pointed to her right.

Everyone turned to see Smolder dressed in a blue ‘princess’ dress with a tiara and sipping tea. Smolder sighed happily until she spotted the other three. She blew fire on the dress incarnating it and threw everything else away. “That wasn't mine!” she shouted as her cheeks flushed embarrassed that her secret was revealed.

Before the three could say anything they heard the screams of Gallus. “Make it stop! Make it stop!” They turned to see a trapped Gallus as the walls and roof was closing in on him. Silverstream bolted and managed to extract him as the harpy could only hyperventilate. Once he saw that he was free he saw his rescuer. Without saying a word Gallus took Silverstream by her shoulders and kissed her right on her lips, “Oh thank Ziz!” he said as he finished the kiss and hugged her. Silverstream returned the hug as she blushed happily.

“Gallus and Silver sitting in a tree…” Smolder sang and broke the mode between the two and had a chuckle before she was elbowed by Ocellus. This got Gallus and Silver to end their hug. However, Silver did place a kiss on the harpy’s check. After everyone else had a small laugh they spotted Sandbar looking a what seemed to be a vending machine at least two stories high and four meters wide. He was panicking at the site. “Seriously, that’s what constitutes a nightmare to him.” This got Sandbar’s attention.

“Um, what are you guys doing in my dream?” he asked almost obliviously.

“Wait you mean this isn’t just my dream?” Silver asked.

“Why would it? Because Ocellus is the only one who knows I like tea parties and none of you have seen me in that dress… or any… thing like it.” Smolder exposed.

Just then what could be described as a small white ball-shaped light appeared in front of the six, “Good. You have all answered my summons.” the light said in what sounded like Headmistress Twilight’s voice.

“Wait, is that you, Headmistress Twilight?” Silver asked.

“No,” the light said, “I am not Princess Twilight Sparkle. We have met before.”

“The Tree of Harmony!” the six said together as they finally caught on.

“Hurry.” the light said as sent a beam to the ground. That beam then broke into six other beams that entered the six students. A light blue light went into Gallus, orange into Yona, pink into Silverstream, purple into Sandbar, white into Smolder and yellow into Ocellus.

The six then gasped awake.

A couple of days later in Princess Twilight’s School of Friendship, Spike, Twilight, the rest of teachers, including the substitute teachers Rockfoot, Trixie, Spitfire and Maud and Starlight. “Well, it looks like everything is ready, “Thank you for being willing to be a substitute again, Spitfire,” Twilight said.

“Hey if Crash can teach these kids, they can learn a lot more from me.” Spitfire boasted.

“Um, which Crash?” Flash Sentry asked, “Because Dash and I got the same nickname.”

“The one almost called Trash.” Spitfire clarified.

“Ha, ha, very funny boss.” Rainbow groaned. “So we got the school ready, and one week to go. Even after the whole orange highlighter thing.” Everyone sans Twilight (and Maud) had a laugh.

Twilight groaned, “As headmistress, I have to make sure everyone can optimize their notes, how can they color-code with only twenty and they are of the same color, orange?” she asked.

Just then the front doors swung open as Sandbar et al came running in. They all stopped and panted just before they collided with the teachers. “Looks like they got their rocks on for school,” Maud said in her typical monotone voice. Everyone looked at her utterly at a lost, sans Pinkie who started to snicker.

Twilight shook her head and turned to the six students, “What are you doing here so early?” She then gasped in panic. “Did I send out the wrong back-to-school date?!” the demigod then started to panic.

Smolder blew some fire that stopped Twilight’s pacing. Once the fire went out, “We’re not here for the school.” the dragon informed. “We had this strange dream and the Tree of Harmony called us.”

“Do you remember when you had it?” Spike asked as all the adults froze as if horrified by something.

“A couple of days ago.” Sandbar answered.

Spike then turned to Twilight and the rest as the adults fell silent and could not but look at the ground in sadness.

Gallus flew up to the teachers and placed a hand on Rainbow’s shoulder, “Don't feel bad it didn't reach out to you. We kinda have a special connection with it after last term.” the harpy seemed to want to both comfort and yet boost. This earned a bemused eye roll from everyone else (sans Maud).

Rainbow then removed Gallus’ hand, “Listen, kid. Twilight, AJ, Rares, Pinkie, Flutters and me…”

“And I.” Twilight cut Rainbow off. “'And I' is the correct way to list yourself when you are the subject.”

“Whateve’, any we, we have a stronger connection to the tree then you can imagine, so what you meet its spirit and it pulled out of Cozy’s trap, do you know how many missions we’ve been on the map, which grew from the tree mind you, sent us? Do you know how many times we’ve used the Elements of Harmony? That we saved the tree by returning the Elements?” Rainbow asked rhetorically as her anger started to build. Gallus gulped but she didn’t let up as she was staring Gallus right in the face and getting extremely close. Almost as if, should Gallus make the wrong move, Rainbow would literally bite his head off. Gallus was silent as took a step back in fear. “I was there to save it from Discord’s plundervines, I was there when it presented the box that housed the Rainbow of Light. And I was there when Sombra murdered it. So don’t you dare think for a second that you’re all that special.” Gallus gave a small scared meep as beads of sweat started to form.

Spitfire then pulled Rainbow back, “Easy there, Dash.” Rainbow then took a breath and stepped back.

“Wait, the tree is… gone?” Sandbar asked in utter disbelief at what Rainbow said.

Twilight sighed, “Sombra destroyed it, the Elements and caused the Rainbow of Light to disputes into the wind.” she informed with a tear in the corner of her eyes and everyone else's’. Before anyone could question her further. “The Everfree is still calm. The spirit of the Forest, Gaea, has already reached out to us and once Star Swirl teleported the Pillar’s old tower from the forest’s side of the border stone, everything went calm.” The six students looked to the floor with sad frowns and watery eyes starting to form at all this. “I do suppose visiting the Tree, or rather it remains, is in order. I’ll chaperone. You guys got the rest of the set up right?” she asked.

“Yeah, we only need twenty orange highlighters.” Applejack said in a normal tone but brought a laugh among everyone else of the staff. Twilight groaned before she teleported herself and the six students out of the school.

Once the seven arrived in the cave that housed the Tree, the students gasped in horror. Before anyone could ask, “Sombra tricked me, or rather I allowed myself to fall for his ruse. He followed my friends and I all the way back here and with our backs turned used his magic to shatter the Tree.”

“But we heard the Tree in our dream. How can it talk if it’s really gone?” Silverstream asked as she pointed out the shared dream. “Maybe we can bring it back to life by focusing our positive thoughts into healing the Tree?” she asked.

“That’s not going to work. The Tree grew from a Crystal seed with a piece of the souls of the Pillars. And with the Elements were returned to it, a piece of my friends and my souls also merged with the Tree. We all felt a part of ourselves erased.” Twilight informed. “It will take more than just positive thoughts,” she added.

“So the Tree really is gone.” Ocellus said as she dropped to her knees in sorrow.

Gallus took a breath and looked at the tree, “Then we need to do something to honor it!” he declared. Everyone then all nodded in agreement.

Sandbar then paused and smiled, “Hey, maybe that's why the Tree called us! It must've used the last of its magic to make sure we'd come here and keep its memory alive!” he suggested as he seemed to understand why they were called by the tree.

Ocellus then hugged and gave Sandbar a kiss on his cheek, “You’re a genius!”

Just then Thorax in his more insectoid combat form arrived and landed with a thud. His nostrils flaring as he breathed angrily “Ocellus!” he shouted. The younger elf squeaked and transformed into a rock. Thorax was not fooled as he picked up the rock Ocellus changed into. “I am not in the mood.” he nearly growled. “Did you forget that the last time you ran off Caer Sith almost went to war!” he scolded the rock.

Ocellus transformed back into her humanoid form, “I’m sorry, your Grace.” she quaked as she dipped her head in fright, “It was an emergency!” she tried to plea.

Thorax took a deep breath and held it. He then slowly let it out. “Next time, let someone know before you run off. Now let’s go home!” he said as he took Ocellus’ hand and started to drag her behind him an angered parent does a child.

Smolder flew in front of the two elves, “Wait! She can't leave!” she pleaded. “We have a…” she then started to find the right word to use as an adjective.

“An atypical friendship quest.” Twilight offered. As Thorax looked at her with a raised eyebrow, “After King Sombra destroyed to Tree of Harmony, it’s spirit reach out to these six. Likely to find a way the Spirit can survive now that the Tree is gone.”

Thorax released his hold on Ocellus’ hand. “It might take some time, so can we stay at the school until it’s done?” Sandbar offered as a solution.

Thorax closed his eyes for a second in thought. Once he opened them, “Alright, but Ocellus you must get the approval of ten members of the hive. But the next time you run off like that, I’m sending Pharynx after you.”
“That’s actually a good idea for everyone,” Twilight added after a couple of seconds of thought.

Gallus then pulled out a set of eighteen copies of the school’s permission slips. “You want that permission in triplicate, or is one enough?” He asked. There was a solid second as everyone looked at the harpy. “What? I like to be prepared,” he replied.

Each of six students returned home and each sought permission to return to school early. Sandbar was able to tell his family and his parents agreed with only his explanation.

For Smolder, after she returned to the Dragonlands and simply sought permission, without mentioning the Tree. Ember simply had her prove her strength, which she did by beating Garble in a small brawl.

For Silverstream, she and her family were on the shore, her father in his aasimar form, her mother and brother in their merfolk form. She had an easel with an easel pad which she used to show pictures of what happened to the Tree, her shared dream and that she and her friends need to do something for the tree. Her parents agreed to let her go.

For Yona, she spoke with her family (in Orkish) about how the Spirit of the Tree of Harmony summoned her and her friends. Noticing the early season snow and that her mother was under the weather. Yona cleared the snow from the door of the hut, such that once her mother was over her cold she’d be able to take care of things. In addition, Yona went around their home performing the various tasks that her mother would have to do, mostly the longer term tasks. Once everything was done. Her parents spoke with the village’s shaman and the three agreed to let Yona leave for her quest and to stay there until school started.

For Ocellus, she showed what happened to the Tree, the dream, etc, via changing into the respective person or thing, to the whole of Caer Sith. She then presented her case to go and to school early and King Thorax’ condition. She got all but two of the adults to say ‘yes’. Thorax abstained out of not wanting to present a conflict of interest and Pharynx just couldn’t care less about some crystal tree.

For Gallus, he knocked on Grampa Gruff’s door and raised his hand as he prepared to speak. Gruff just held out a hand and crawled the fingers. Gallus pouted as he ended up parting with three bites. Gruff sighed the slip and slammed the door in Gallus’ face.

With their permission slips signed, Ocellus, Silverstream, Yona, Gallus, and Smolder arrived at the cave that was the home of the late Tree of Harmony. There they were shocked to see not only Sandbar but their six main teachers and the Pillars. Before anyone could speak, “While Sandbar wanted to take the initiative, we felt it more prudent that we all get involved as we all were connected to the Tree.”

“I thought it was a good idea that a little cleanup, while you guys were gone, would be a good thing and get a head start.” Sandbar protested.

Everyone else rolled their eyes, “You were gonna clear out the remains of the Tree and plant a normal tree here.” Flash Magnus said. Which earned glares direct to Sandbar by Smolder, Ocellus, Gallus and Silverstream.

Before anyone could say anything, “Sandbar heart in right place.” Yona said as she walked up and placed a hand on Sandbar’s shoulder. “Yona understands, Orks know things not forever. That's why smash and rebuild.”

“So now that, ya’ll are here, what do six younging’s gonna do?” Applejack asked.

“Wait, what?” Gallus asked in confusion.

Flash Magnus walked up and placed a hand on the harpy’s shoulder, “You six wanted to do something for the Tree, you have to come up with the plan. We’re here to help.”

“Well, we all can agree that just planting a normal tree ain’t gonna do it,” Smolder said as she flew towards the shattered trunk. “The Tree is a huge part of Mystican history. If we're gonna honor it, we need to do better than that.” Everyone knew to what she was referring to. Which brought a blush of embarrassment to Sandbar’s checks.

Silverstream then spoke up, “Like with lots of artwork that represents the symbolism and deep emotions of the Tree!”

“How?” Somnabula asked.

“Impressionism!” Silverstream answered.

Pinkie then skipped over to Silverstream, “Silver, like the idea, but not everyone is gonna get the impression that you want them to have.” she pointed out.

Gallus then spoke up, “It should be a museum with all the Tree's history and artifacts.” the harpy counter-offered.

“Not a bad idea,” Flash Magnus said cautiously.

“We can charge two bits a visit,” Gallus said as he rubbed his chin.

Rainbow groaned, “We’re not charging people to see this place. Also, what are you gonna put in?” she asked. Gallus raised his hand then after a second of thought brought it back down.

Smolder huffed, “It should be a really big and imposing monument, so everyone knows how powerful the Tree was!” the dragon declared with a massive smirk.

Mistmane looked at the remains of the Tree, “I think something to recall the Tree’s beauty and have it be shown to others that haven’t seen it before its' end.” Mistmane contributed.

Rarity then stepped up with an unsure smile, “That might be a great idea, but ...” she then pointed to the cave. “You might want to think about how it would actually be visible.” Smolder raised a talon to counter but fell silent as she realized that she really didn’t have anything.

Ocellus then spoke up after a few seconds of thought, “We should turn this cave into a place for everyone to reflect on the Tree's true gift – the Elements of Harmony.”

Meadowbrook smiled, “That’s a wonderful idea, Cheeri.”

Fluttershy, however, shook her head, “But are the Elements the Tree’s true gift. Sure the Elements up with the run-in with Discord when he was bad, reformed Nightmare Moon back into Luna, just to list a few, but they were only tools. The real gift of the Tree would be how Mystica is following the Tree’s planting.” Fluttershy pointed out the flawed understanding of the Tree that Ocellus seemed to have processed. “And that can be reflected on anywhere.” the druid added.

Applejack and Rockfoot then turned to the one student that remained silent, “What’s your thoughts lass?” the giant of a man asked.

Yona sighed as she looked to the floor of the cave, “Yona like when friends not argue.” she stated.

The paladin placed her hand on the young ork’s shoulder reassuring, “That’s why we’re here, Sugarcube. We’re the adults in the room to help yall come to an agreement.” This brought a cautious smile to Yona’s face. “Go one, we’re all listening.”

Yona took a breath, “Yona think friends doing this the wrong way.” she started. This brought clear expressions of confusion from everyone else. “Yona thinks all remembering Tree of Harmony for what Tree was,” she continued as she emphasized the word ‘was’. She then paused before she continued, “not what Tree is!” she declared as she put the most weight on the word ‘is’. The other students didn’t seem to get it. “Tree not here here,” she said as she pointed towards the whole cave. She then brought her right hand to her heart, “Tree here. In hearts. Tree made friendship even closer.”

Twilight then gasped in realization, “Yona, you’re right!” she declared. “You all ran away to the Castle of the Two Sisters, which is above this cave, the Tree also saved you from Cozy’s trap and allowed you to stop her spell and it called you six here.” The demigoddess pointed out.

“And the Tree did test and showed us that we make a great team.” Sandbar added. The six bearers and Pillars all then turned to the younger Earthborn. “Oh, yeah, that’s how we connected with the Tree.” he gave a weak laugh as the twelve other just blinked.

Silverstream then gasped, “The Tree lives on in our friendship!” the aasimar shouted as she and every one of the other six started to get what Yona was saying.

Gallus had a small chuckle, “I just got schooled by an ork.” he retorted, which earned him a slap on the back of his head from Rainbow and Flash Magnus. “Ouch,” he exclaimed as he rubbed the point of impact. “It was a joke! Shsh you Mysticans are so sensitive.”

Yona however just went to Gallus, placed her hand on his shoulder and with a closed eye smile, “Yona said before, orks know things not forever. That's why smash and rebuild.”

“Well Sombra did the smashing for us,” Applejack commented, “What do you want to build?”

Yona looked at everyone else there then to remains of the Tree. She looked around as if she was trying to find a word, “Yona still not good with Mystican, and no phrase in orkish that means same thing.” she continued to search her limited Mystican vocabulary. “Team… home?” she asked.

Everyone looked at each other confused, then Sandbar gasped, “You mean a clubhouse!” he declared. “Or more specifically a treehouse.” He then stepped into the center of the cave, “I can see it now, we can a small meditation garden, like Ocellus thought, a room that we use to show dioramas showing the history of the Tree, a museum wing like Gallus

suggested. We can also have a wall or two dedicated to the impressionist painting idea Silver gave. And since we will be using the remains of the tree, it will memorize the tree and maybe a small place where we can plant a replacement tree.” He said he explained his vision.

Ocellus then gasped as she covered her mouth, “That’s a great idea!” she declared as she looked to the other students.”She then focused on Yona, “You’re genius, Yona!” If Sandbar felt insulted he showed no signs.

After a few seconds of thought, Smolder spoke, “I think the Tree would like that.”

Star Swirl walked up to and whispered into Twilight’s ear so that only she could hear him, “The lad might not always think things beyond the moment, but he does possess intuition.”

Applejack then picked up a piece of the Tree’s remains, “Well, everyone let’s get working.”

After what seemed to be a couple of hours the eighteen were mostly drenched in sweat, with tears in the corners of their eyes and a few others had a couple of cuts that were recently bandaged. During the process, Mistmane used her magic to have some of the Tree absorb the powdered remains of the Elements of Harmony.

Sandbar then spoke up, “Well? What do you think?” Sandar asked as he wiped the sweat off his brow. They all looked at the site and lo, the treehouse looked more like a poorly maintained shack. Just then one of the walls fell from the house.

Everyone was quiet for a few seconds, Ocellus was the first to speak, “It, uh... kinda messy…” she weakly at the sight.

Everyone gave nervous smiles, “Yeah... like a bunch of different parts all smushed together.” Smolder added cautiously.

“It's just like us!” Silver shouted in cheer as she tried to look on the brighter side of things.

Before anyone could say anything else there was a rumbling in the cavern. Before anyone could say anything else there was a rumbling in the cavern. “EVERYONE OUT!” Twilight shouted as she teleported everyone out of the gave to the outside of the Castle of the Two Sisters.

Once they were all at what Twilight deemed to be a safe distance, from the ground a large light blue and white crystalline tree grew at an alarming rate, growing to stand just a few meters short of what the Castle of The Two Sisters did at its greatest point. The tree had what seemed to be light purple leaves and what seemed to be a three-story treehouse that looked like some sort of small open palace that was built around and into the tree. The twelve adults each shock for a second, as if something that was removed had been reattached. Everyone was left with gaping mouths until a small light seemed to appear in front of the trunk.

The light morphed to look like Twilight, but her skin and hair was glittering and was dressed in a white robe. “Thank you all.” the light that took on Twilight’s image said in an echo-like voice. “It is good to finally be able to talk to, Star Swirl, Mistmane, Rockfoot, Flash Magnus, Somnabula, Meadowbrook,” she said as she addressed each of her ‘parents’. “Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rainbow, Princess Twilight.” she addressed the bearers. “Your sorcery, magic, beauty, generosity, strength, honesty, hope, laughter, healing, kindness, bravery and loyalty live on in me. Thanks to these six.” Everyone’s focus turned to the six students. “Sandbar, your intuition to want to plant new life to carry on my legacy and combine the ideas of everyone and to show the best of everything.” This prompted Twilight and Star Swirl to each place a hand on Sandbar’s shoulders. The light turned to Smolder, “Your charity, Smolder, your want to suffer with the Mysticans with this loss and to ease theirs by making a monument,” Rarity and Mistmane both smiled upon Smolder. The spirit turned to Ocellus, “Your compassion and understanding, Ocellus,” Fluttershy and Meadowbrook mimicked Star Swirl and Twilight on the elf’s shoulders.

The spirit turned to Gallus, “I can’t ignore your devotion, Gallus.” The spirit then giggled, “But please don’t charge others two bites,” the spirit joked which caused Gallus to grown. Both Rainbow and Flash Magnus patted the harpy on his back. The spirit then turned to Silverstream, “Nor your optimism, Silverstream.” Silverstream was pulled into a hug by both Somnambula and Pinkie. The Spirit finally turned to Yona, “And most importantly, your integrity, Yona.” she told the ork. Applejack and Rockfoot both smiled in pride at Yona. The spirit then returned its focus to everyone there, “I would have perished without your selfless deeds and caring. And I am not the only one you saved.” The spirit pointed to the tree, there from what they all could tell was deep within the Tree, the Elements of Harmony flashed briefly and the Rainbow of Light glittered in the trunk. “And we have been joined, thanks to you.” The spirit said, just as the images of the six artifacts that the Students each held flashed in the trunk. The spirit smiled, “Your friendship, and the friendship of future generations, will always be safe within these walls.” The spirit then vanished.

Everyone was silent for a solid second, “Well, the Tree continues to amaze.” Star Swirl stated and had a light laugh. “I think we should explore the Tree’s correction of our mess.” the old wizard said as he started to the Tree, “And perhaps we can get started with Gallus’ museum, Silverstream’s art gallery, Ocellus’ meditation garden, Smolder’s memorial, and plant Sandbar’s tree.”

Bonus 3: The Last Summer Sun

Author's Note

And here it is, the last of the Onset of Resolution bonus chapters and main entries until the Season 9/Series finale. Hope to have End of The Rainbow done for it.
No set date on the answer to Sunset's Backstage Pass, but with luck, the whole of My Little Mages should be wrapped up by Christmas this year:pinkiehappy:... well maybe New Years Eve...:twilightsheepish:
Please feel free to comment.

Foxhelm out

Bonus 3: The Last Summer Sun

Weeks after the ‘failed’ attempt to retrieve Grogar’s bell, Grogar walked in front of his table with his orb scowling as he headed to the gateway. Before he got to the exit he heard Cozy clear her throat. He turned to face the skyborn, “Where are ya goin'?” she asked with a smile.

Grogar glared at her, “Since you three were unable to retrieve my Bewitching Bell, we need another source of great magical power to insure the defeat of Twilight and her friends. I am off to divine the location of one that will suit our needs and while you three say you can work together, I will not endure listening to you bricker.” Grogar turned and continued to leave. At the doorway, he turned back and spoke, “I shall return shortly after the Summer Solstice.” He then left.

After waiting a few more seconds, “He's gone!” Cozy declared in a sing-songy voice. Tirek and Chrysalis came out, with Chrysalis holding the satyr’s bell. “Any luck Chrysalis?” she asked the elf. Chrysalis growled as placed the bell down. It was clear she was wanted to throw it. “Okay, another dead-end.” the skyborn pouted.

“This is getting ridiculous.” Tirek growled, “We can’t keep hiding it from Grogar and there has to be a way to use it.” the spellthief added.

Both he and Chrysalis turned to Cozy, “Why are you looking at me?” the younger skyborn asked.

“You were in Twilight’s School of Friendship, you learned about the many artifacts in Mystica, surely you have an idea,” Tirek replied.

Cozy thought for a second, “Twilight never covered anything from around when Gusty lived because we all assumed that her story was a legend.” she informed and stopped as she was still in thought. Both Chrysalis and Tirek groaned, however, Cozy did have some useful information, “But she did say that there are some old books that you won’t find anywhere else in the royal princesses’ personal collection in their castle in Chantalot.”

Tirek leaned against the wall and sighed, “Celestia and Luna love to hoard information for themselves.” he pouted as he crossed his arms, “If there's an answer, it's there,” he added as he picked up the bell.

Chrysalis giggled at the prospect before she smirked, “My triumphant return to Chantalot?” the queen asked musingly. She then giggled again, “I like the sound of that.”

Cozy flew to be in between the two others, “Oh, my gosh! Road trip!” the skyborn shouted in great joy as the prospect all three smiled as they prepared to leave.

As the sun was setting, in Chantalot, specifically in Twilight’s old room in the castle of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Twilight was in the room looking at a board and checking a list. The door to the room opened and both Celestia and Luna looked in with nervous glances on each face. Cautiously the two stepped into the room, “Sorry to interrupt.” the elder princess said as the two entered. “We know you're busy planning the Summer Sun Celebration as we requested. But…” she trailed off as she and her sister were left dumbfounded at the sight of the room, which was shockingly vacant. Atypical for Twilight by every metric.

Luna was the first of the two to snap out of her befuddlement, “Oh!” she exclaimed, “Things seem, uh, calmer than we would've expected.”

“Unlike Detective Mary Allen’s case, no complaints here.” came Spike’s voice. The two princesses turned to see the dragon on Twilight’s old bed reading a comic book.

Twilight smiled as she turned around to face the two with checklist scrolled smiled, “With the exception of the odd trivia night,” she consented to her fault, “I've made a lot of progress since the Royal Swanifying Ceremony.” she countered as she reminded the two elder demigoddesses. Twilight then smiled, “You may not know this about me, but I occasionally freak out.” there she stopped and waited for a couple of seconds after both the elder demigods looked at each other in confusion. “That was a joke.” Twilight pointed out.

“And it stuck the landing, 10 out of 10.” Spike snarked from the bed, the sarcasm was boarding on being sardonic.

Celestia and Luna wanted for Twilight to scold Spike but nothing happened as Twilight smiled and kept her focus on Celestia and Luna, “I wanted to show you with the Summer Sun Celebration how much I've improved.” she said as walked to the two. “So I focused on delegating and trusting others.” informed on her own progress, “It's been great!” she shouted proud of herself.

Luna and Celestia looked at each other for a second, Celestia nodded. Luna then spoke up, “That's…” she trailed off slightly, “actually what we came to talk to you about.” Luna then took a breath. “This may be the last Summer Sun Celebration you'll need to plan,” she informed.

Before Twilight would question, “It’s not that you did anything wrong,” Celestia started to explain. She shut her eyes and took a breath herself, “This Celebration has always been about us since its inception.” Celestia started. “For the longest time, it was the defeat and banishment of Nightmare Moon…” Celestia trailed off as she looked away, a small tear in her eye.

Luna then placed a hand on Celestia’s shoulder reassuringly before she started to speak, “...and, thanks to you and your friends, my return and our reunion,” the younger of the two elder demigoddesses informed she then deferred back to Celestia.

Celestia nodded and continued, “Now with our retirement following your coronation as the ruling princess in sight…”

“Which we hope to be in time for the fall equinox.” Luna joined in with a wink.

Celestia then continued, “We believe that as we step down it is time for Mystica to leave behind our age, including this celebration, and embrace your age.” As she spoke she presented a medallion that looked like a merging of a Sun and Moon face with a ruby as the eye of the Sun part of the face and sapphire as the eye of the Moon part. “We’ll still guide the sun and moon normally, but like during our little vacation before the Swanifying, this is your moment.”

Twilight accepted the medallion, but a small frown formed on her face but nodded.

About half an hour later, Twilight was in the throne room with her friends, “My goodness!” Rarity exclaimed after Twilight relaid what happened to the other five as the demigod looked at the medallion she was given. “How are you feeling about all this?” the enchantress asked as she and the rest watched Twilight, to see her response.

Pinkie held her hand to her mouth as if she was getting ready to bite her nails, “Something like this could definitely send you into full freaky-outy mode!” she exclaimed before she pulled Fluttershy into a hug and shook nervously.

Twilight smiled, “I'm actually fine.” she answered Rarity while countering Pinkie. She then looked to the medallion and lowered her brow with a determined scowl before she put it into her pocket. She stepped so that when she turned faced her friends and Spike. “But if this is gonna be the last Summer Sun Celebration, I want to make sure it's the best Celebration ever!” she declared as a noticeable and resolute grin formed on her lips.

Rainbow’s eyes shot open before she brought her hands to together as if in prayer and went to her knees before she looked upwards, “Please-don't-give-us-more-work... Please-don't-give-us-more-work... Please-don't-give-us-more-work…” she whispered pleading to some higher power.

If Twilight noticed the elementalist’s plight she showed no signs and continued her pitch, “So, even though everything was done, I thought of a few last-minute changes I could use your help with.” she said. Rainbow’s groans of protest fell on deft ears.

Yet before anyone else could speak, “Oh, the end of a beloved holiday? Last-minute changes to a celebration?” Discord’s voice was heard echoing through the throne room. The erisides then poofed into the room in the form he was when he first face Twilight and company, “That sounds positively chaotic!” he said as he twiddled his fingers with a gleeful smirk on his face. He stopped as he noticed Applejack’s bemused expressions, silently asking what he was doing there. He sighed, “Well, as you know, Tia, Lulu and me go way back.” he started, “I terrorized them,” he said as he placed his hand on his chest, “they turned me into stone…” he proceeded to petrify himself. He then cracked and crumbled into pieces. “If this is the last Summer Sun Situation, I simply can't miss it,” he said before he snapped himself back together. As he looked around at the girls and Twilight’s location with respect to the rest and smiled. “Well, I see I've arrived just in time for the ‘Twilight gives her friends an impossibly long and overly detailed list’ predicament,” he said with slight mock but interested in what was to happen.

Twilight stifled a giggle, “I guess somebody isn't the know-it-all he thinks he is.” she said as she handed out seven cards, one to each of her friends (including Spike) and one to Discord.

Everyone looked at each other and then to the card in their hands, “This is it?” Rainbow asked in confusion. Twilight just squinted an eye in confusion. “I think I can speak for us all, and we’re kinda with Discord on this one.”

Twilight smiled as she shook her head, “No more crazy lists.” she said as she shut her eyes and waved her hand, “No more freaking out.” she declared as she opened them. “With your help, I know we've got this.” she finished with a confident grin on her face.

As everyone else smiled in pride for their friend, the mood was cut short as Discord groaned in frustration, “Character growth is so boring.” He then looked towards the card he was given, “Well at least you came prepared.” he pointed out.

Twilight shook her head before she continued, “Now, I need to rewrite my speech. But if you all look at your cards, you'll see—”

“Can't talk now.” Discord cut her off. “Have so much to get done before sunrise.” He then snapped his fingers as he teleported himself and all sans Twilight out of the room.

Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy sulked in the shadows of one of the darkest allies of Chantalot. After barely managing not being spotted, “Why are so many people up in the middle of the night?” Tirek asked as he turned to the other two. Chrysalis shrugged her shoulders in confusion.

Cozy sighed, “It’s the Summer Sun Celebration, it commemorates Celestia’s victory over Nightmare Moon and happens to be our summer solstices thing.” the skyborn informed.

Chrysalis groaned, “Just how many silly holidays do you Mysticans have?” she asked clearly annoyed. Cozy just shrugged her shoulders. Chrysalis shook her head and turned to Tirek “No matter. Getting into the castle won't be a problem.”

The spellthief, however, had taken the time to look ahead, “Are you sure about that?” he asked as he pointed out that around the castle’s entrance were a wide array of fans on various points and angles on the turrets and walls. The fans moved the wind around to the point that made any attempt to breach the castle, save walking through the front gate, if not impossible to actually make it into the castle, all but impossible to enter in stealth.

This left Chrysalis blinking for a solid second, “Those are new.” she finally spoke. She then smirked as she had another thought. “But even so…” she trailed off as she transformed into a female Skyborn dressed in the golden color armor of the ESM. She then proceeded to walk in a march-like manner as a soldier would so to make it to his or her post.

As she departed, “So shall we continue our game?” Cozy asked as she placed a chessboard down on the ground and opened a box of the chess pieces.

Tirek shrugged, “Might as well,” he said as he sat down, “Was it my turn or your's?” he asked.

Cozy took out a notepad as she was putting the pieces on the board in their places, “Yours” she answered.

Near the main gate to the castle, Chrysalis spotted two guard posts in front of the door with one on each side. She saluted the two Skyborn men stationed as guards and continued to the door and tried to open it, but the door didn’t budge. She turned to the two guards, “Transfer. Have to head inside.” she said in a disguised tone to the two. Neither moved. Chrysalis was about to demand them to open but stopped as a female Magicborn in black armor more akin to the night guard came up. The new arrival walked up to the doors and took off the five-pointed star on her breastplate and pressed it to the doors. The doors then opened. Chrysalis tried to follow the female guard but the door slammed in the elf’s face. “Right. Of course,” she said as she looked back over to the two other guards. She laughed nervously as she took off the star on her own breastplate. She held it to the door and nothing happened. She tried it three times before she laughed nervously again, “Uh, do yours get glitchy too?” she asked. There was no answer, “More medallions, more problems, am I right?” she asked in a joke. Nothing. She then left the door and headed back to her conspirators.

The two guards looked at each other and shrugged, “Newbie.” one of them said before the other chuckled.

It took about a half-hour for Chrysalis to find her allies, finding them in a game of chess, both seemed to be close to checkmate the other. Chrysalis crossed her arms as she leaned against a wall of a nearby building, “They've increased security into the castle.” she said before she transformed back into her normal form. “This is going to be more challenging than I thought.” she pouted.

Just then a few meters away, Discord teleported himself, Applejack et al into the city. “Could you not go popping us all over the place, please?!” Rainbow groaned.

Discord scuffed at the elementalist, “Time is of the essence. Let's go, team!” he said as she clapped his hands like a coach in the final prep for a game.

Fluttershy tapped him on the shoulder, “Discord, dear, we need to know what we're doing before we go and do it.” the druid pointed out.

“Wait, dear, you two aren’t… or are you...?” Rainbow asked in confusion.

“We’re only engaged, If we’re were married, you’d know as because you’d be my maid of honor.” Fluttershy countered.

Rainbow was utterly at a loss, “You’re engaged! Since when? Why didn’t I know?”

Applejack then groaned, “Not the time or place, Sugarcube.” the paladin called before she read her card, “Pinkie, you and I are to give Braeburn and the rest of the Apples here some adjustments to the menu.” Pinkie smiled with massive dilated eyes in delight after she read her card and saw that it confirmed the content on Applejack’s card.

Rainbow then actually read her card, once she read she turned to Fluttershy “Okay, Fluttershy, we’re to meet with Feather Flatterfly and the Cloudsdale Weather Crew to give them the changes to the forecast modification.” Fluttershy nodded after she read the card and noted that it agreed with Rainbow’s card.

Rarity, having taken the time to read her card silently as Applejack read hers out loud, was prepared for to state was on her card as did Spike, “Spike, we're going to update the Flaming Sky Firework Troupe with Twilight's new vision of the rocket’s red glare.” she informed. Spike nodded in agreement.

Discord then finally held his card to his eyes, “And I'm supposed to…” he said before he started to read out loud, “‘Discord, I’m cashing in on my favor. Don’t do anything 'Discord-y'?” he asked as he snapped his fingers and was in his human form and garb. He pocketed the card before he crossed his arms and pouted, “Well, that's annoyingly specific!” he bemoaned.

After Discord finished speaking the seven headed off to their places with Discord walking back to the castle. Once they were out of sight, Tirek was the first of the trio of baddies to speak, “Increased security on a crowded holiday with Twilight and her friends bumbling around?” asked while pointing out the new hurdles to their plan. “This is impossible.” he groaned before he looked to the chessboard. He moved his last knight, “Check.”

Cozy looked to the board and smirked before she moved her bishop, “Checkmate.”

Tirek groaned as he pulled his hair, “How do you keep winning?”

“My aura mark is a rook,” she said as she pointed to her skirt. “Strategy is my thing.”

“Enough!” Chrysalis declared and silenced the other two. “This is not impossible, this is perfect,” she said before she rubbed her hands as a smirk formed. “We need a distraction, and those ridiculous fools just gave it to us.” She then pulled the two into a huddle, “Now, do exactly as I tell you.” she said.

About a ten minute walk from the group’s starting point, many of the extended Apple clan were at a large number of stands and carts full of a wide array of apple-based goods. Just as one of them was about to move some of the goods from the carts, Pinkie popped out of nowhere behind the cart causing the people nearby to gasp in shock before they realized it was the pink-haired jester friend of Cousin Applejack. “Step away from the wagons!” Pinkie ordered as she eyed the food while still sound like she had a great deal of authority. “Official food-tasters here on official food-tasting business!” She said and proceeded to devour a full pie.

To the side, Applejack stood next to a man about her age dressed as a rancher with a brown leather vest, a brown Stetson of his own. The man sighed at the sight of his cousin’s friend as he looked back to the last minute alterations. “Well Cousin AJ, it ain't gonna be easy. But I think we can whip up these new cookies Twilight wants before sunrise.”

Applejack patted the man on the back that was delivered as a massive slap to his shoulder, “If anybody can handle some last-minute bakin', Braeburn, it's y'all.” The paladin complemented her cousin. The two smiled before they spotted Pinkie devouring more of the food with chomps and gulps. “I’ll take care of that.” The paladin left her cousin and pulled the jester away, in spite of her protests.

After Applejack had dragged Pinkie away, one of the Apple clan was carrying a bag of flour, but suddenly felt her life essence and magic drain. As she gasped and fell, her fainting was spotted by Braeburn. He and a few others then rushed over to her, “You okay?” Braeburn asked as he helped her back to her feet, or at least so that she was seated. “I just feel weak all of a sudden…” the woman said before another man fainted. As another person went to attend him. Braeburn looked in the bushes thinking that there might be somebody there “Is somebody back there?” he asked. Suddenly he felt drained and fell to his knees, part of his essence gone. Another of the Clan catering ran to him, “What is it?” she asked. Braeburn struggled to get back to his feet, “Everybody…” he trailed as he tried to stand on his own, “get away from the food... “ he ordered , still trailing in his speech, “'til we figure out what's goin' on...!” he finished as he started to walk toward the castle. Everyone calmly but still in a slight panic left the stands and wagons.
From within the bushes Tirek laughed at the sight, his form had changed to what it was when he gloated over Celestia, Luna, and Cadance. He reached into a wagon and pulled out forty pies and continued to laugh before we went to the rendezvous spot.

Around the same time as Applejack and Pinkie were with Braeburn and the other Apples, Fluttershy and Rainbow were with as a Skyborn man with red glasses a white suit that screamed he was bureaucrat, “The princess wants what?!” the man asked in a panic.

Rainbow point to card, “Just what's on that little card.” she said not getting why he was freaking out, “ No big deal, Feather.” she added

As the man read the card, “No big d-d—?!” he asked before he started to hyperventilate. “I-I-It's am-much more aggressive weather pattern modifications than what was originally ordered!” he shouted as he grabbed Rainbow by her shoulders and was about to shake her, “This... This is... very irregular! We'll need to... No, first we must... Wait! We ca—” he trailed off, stuttered and panicked before he finally dropped to his knees and wailed as he was about to break down.

As Feather flailed about, Fluttershy walked up to him and took hold of his upper arms. This caused him to stop and look at Fluttershy, “Mr. Flatterfly, take a breath,” she ordered. Feather deeply inhaled and held his breath. After which, “Let it out slowly.” the druid then next ordered.

Feather then exhaled and had calmed down slightly. He took off his glasses, cleaned them and put them back on, “Please inform her highest, Princess Twilight Sparkle, that we will do our best.”

Fluttershy smiled and hugged Feather, “We're sure you're doing an excellent job.” She then back away. However, Feathers was still tense.

Fluttershy looked to Rainbow and bobbed her head to Feathers. “Oh, yeah, totally.” the elementalist said as she rubbed the back of her head, “You're not gonna panic and screw it up at all!” she declared in an attempt to foster Feather’s confidence. After she got a bemused look from Fluttershy, “I’m gonna shut up now.” She grinned and the two left.

Feather’s composure fell within five seconds, “I... I... I'm not built for high-pressure situations!” he shouted as his panic set in again.

“Golly.” came the voice of a little girl. Feather turned and saw Cozy Glow smiling innocently as she hovered near him. “Sounds like you need some help,” she said as she offered her hand.

“Who are you?” Feather asked as adjusted his glasses.

Cozy giggled, as she closed her eyes, “Somebody’s who's organized enough to handle the small stuff so you can focus on the big picture!” she stated as she looked around and flew around Feather as she took the card Rainbow gave him.

“The big…” Feather trailed off. “Yes! That sounds right!” he exclaimed as he starting to properly calm down.

Cozy chuckled as she read the card, “This kind of weather finetuning has to be handled delicately.” she said after she looked at it. “Good thing I'm here. I'll take care of everything,” she said as a sinister grin formed.

At the same time as Rainbow and Fluttershy left Feather, Rarity and Spike were at awe at the fireworks that were conjured. “Whoa!” Spike said mesmerized by the sight.

Rarity turned to Spike, “The Flaming Sky Firework Troupe is a marvel,” the enchantress committed as the two walked to the stage where Celestia and Luna would stand for the rising of the sun. There the troupe, which was composed of Magicborns, were practicing for their role in the performance. Once the two were just off of the stage, “Marvelous as always, Fire Flare,” Rarity said to the leader of the troupe, a woman with fire like hair and dressed in white. “I am so glad you accepted this commission.” the enchantress said to Fire.

Fire smiled, “We take pride in what we do.” she responded.

Spike flew up to Fire and handed the card given to him by Twilight, “These last-minute changes aren't too challenging, are they?” he asked as he went back to hovering next to Rarity’s shoulder.

Fire looked at the card and shut her eyes as she laughed with a solid ‘Ha!’. She then turned to both Spike and Rarity, “The more challenging, the better!” she declared as she clutched her left fist as if she was ready for a fight. “We aim to astound!” she added as she sent a firework from her focus gem into the sky. She then turned her back to Rarity and Spike, “Now, if you don't mind, we do have a new routine to prepare.” she stated as she went to the rest of her troupe. “Shine your focus gems!” she ordered.

With that Rarity and Spike nodded to each other and left. Unbeknownst to them, the woman who was tasked to take the photos for the Chantalot Historical Society’s article on Princess Twilight Sparkle’s School of Friendship walked towards the stage. However, if one was fortunate enough to not blink, they would have noticed that for a second her eyes were the same as Chrysalis’. As Chrysalis in her disguise walked by, “Very impressive.” she admitted, albeit in a backhanded tone.

Fire turned to face Chrysalis, “Thank you.” she said somewhat bored. She long learned this routine, someone would say that but what they meant was that they could do better if part of the troupe, especially given the tone. Normally Fire would allow the challenger to put their money were their mouth was, but as it was the night before the Summer Solstice, “Unfortunately, we have no room for anybody else at this time... “ she opted to employ a different approach however she trailed off as she didn’t recall if she got the challenger. She cleared her throat, “I'm sorry?” she with the implication of asking for the name.

Chrysalis pointed to herself, “Crackle Cosette.” she said, “And I don't want to join your silly little troupe.” she added not making any attempt to mock.

“Pardon?” Fire asked as she was tempted to take offense at that but had elected to hold her temper for a moment. While the rest were certainly taken aback.

Chrysalis again pointed to herself, “Oh, I meant no offense.” she then started towards the stage.
“It just seems a pity for Magicborn to waste their talents on something so…” she trailed off as he walked among the troupe. “Inconsequential.” she elected to articulate. The rest of the Magicborn members of the troupe started to mutter among themselves. Chrysalis continued, “Unlike Skyborn and Earthborn, we Magicborn truly wield magic.” She smiled as she noted that her words were working. “We are the most powerful of the tribes in the land. Don't you ever feel you're destined for more than…” she trailed off as she started to leave, “performances?” she elected to use and left. The muttering of the troupe members brought a wicked grin to her face.

After Chrysalis left the troupe, back inside the castle, Twilight and her friends were once again gathered in the hallway near the throne room. Twilight smiled as she was briefed by her friends. “It's all coming together.” she declared as she stepped to her friends. “I really think this is gonna be the best Summer Sun Celebration ever!” she declared.

“You've done an outstanding job, darling.” Rarity stated.

Twilight smiled, “We've all done an outstanding job!” the demigod countered and pulled everyone, sans Discord, into a group hug.

“And what about me?” Discord asked as he leaned in, getting into Twilight’s face. He straightened up and closed his eyes with a smug grin on his face, “You'll be happy to know that I have been watching myself all night,” he said as he conjured a set of binoculars and looked into them with the larger lens reappearing so that Discord was looking at his own back, “and I have yet to do one "Discord-y" thing.” he said as he lowered the binoculars and smiled.

“Now, that truly is amazing.” came Luna’s voice which caught Discord off guard.

Everyone turned to see both Luna and Celestia enter the hallway. Celestia turned her focus to Twilight, “Twilight, we know you had, uh,” she tried to find the right word before she laughed.
“difficulties using the amulet to raise the sun and moon.” she pointed out. She and Luna looked at each other and nodded. “We thought perhaps a practice session before the festivities might be in order,” Celestia suggested.

Twilight raised her hand to make a point, “That's…” she trailed for a second, “a good idea.” She conceded. “Thank you all so much.” the three then walked into the throne room and shut the door behind them.

Everyone smiled in pride at their friend’s growth, “It might have taken about four years, but I sure am proud o' her.” Applejack commented. Everyone nodded in agreement.

As the lot turned to leave, “Yeah!” Spike added, “She finally realizes things will turn out fine, even when she isn't micromanaging every little detail.”

However, this joy was short-lived as they were greeted by Braeburn, who was barely able to stand on his own. As he stumbled, Applejack rushed to him, “Braeburn? W-What's wrong?” she asked in a slight panic for her cousin’s health.

“Earthborn sick... Food missin'... Can't... bake... anythin'...” the cowboy answered trailing off as he spoke before he fainted.

Before Braeburn’s words had the chance to sink in and allow for the group to find a solution, a male Skyborn guard came running in, “Something is wrong with the weather!” he shouted. He pointed toward one of the windows, “Storms, hurricanes, fog – you name it! It's a disaster out there!” he exclaimed. Rainbow rushed to the window to see heavy rainfall, sleet, hail, lightning, and the speed of which the clouds were blown about hinted to the existence of the fast wind.

Yet things didn’t let up as Fire and her troupe strutted in, “Rarity!” Fire shouted. “Please inform her highness that we will not be performing! A simple fireworks show is beneath us! We're better than that!” she and her troupe then turned on a dime with their noses up and eyes shut.

“What the actual buck?” Applejack asked as she used her lay on hands on her cousin. As Braeburn gasped once he regained consciousness. “Everything was fine a minute ago!” she exclaimed to her friends as she helped her still weak cousin to his feet.

Fluttershy looked out the window as, Rainbow was still there frozen in disbelief, “Apparently, a lot can change in a minute.” she commented. “And before anyone accuses Discord, Zona Vero!” she said as she flew back to the group. “As you all know only the Truth can be said in a zone of truth, no matter who speaks it,” She took a breath, “Discord didn’t cause this,” she said. She then smiled, “Knew it.” And with that, “Dispel.” she whispered and the zone of truth dissolved. As everyone looked to the druid. “Sorry,” she added, “But what are we gonna do?” she asked as she held her chin.

“Do about what?” came Twilight’s voice. This caused everyone’s eyes to shoot open in terror. They turned to see Twilight walking towards them, albeit her focus was a set of notecards.

Everyone rapidly moved to block Twilight’s view of the window, “What are you doing here?” Spike asked with a nervous laugh as he flew to be at Twilight’s side, diverting her view more so.

Twilight tapped her note cards with the back of her right hand, “I forgot these.” she replied. She then squinted at her friends perplexed at her friends’ behavior, “You guys okay?” she asked.

Applejack took a step forward and opened her mouth as she prepared to answer the princess. Yet, before she could utter a single syllable, Rainbow dashed to be right next to Twilight and turned her to face the doors she came out of, “Well, we’re not quite sure what to do now, everything’s all ready and all!” She then let slip a forced laugh.

Twilight looked at her copy of the cards she gave the seven, “Hump, Maybe I was too organized.” she said as she held her chin as she walked back to where she came from,
Perhaps I need to allow for some vagueness. I’ll make a note for the future.” Twilight said before she was just out of earshot.

“Well, that's a relief!” Rainbow exclaimed somewhat split.

Once the doors Twilight opened closed. Everyone, sans Applejack, sighed relief. The paladin glared at the others with her ‘frowny’ eyes. “Oh come on Applejack, Twilight is finally learning to not let her stress get the better of her.” Rarity said before the paladin could verbally scold the other six. “If she finds out everything went wrong, it could be devastating!” the enchantress exclaimed. The paladin crossed her arms with her hand holding the opposite upper arm and tapped both of her index fingers on her arms, her silent judgment speaking volumes.

“Let’s just fix it all before she notices.” Pinkie said after a second of thought. “No lying necessary,” she added. Applejack lowered her hands and sighed as she shook her head, dipping it downward in slight sorrow.

“Um-hum,” Spike cleared his throat. “Not to add more rain to the storm, but we’d need a miracle to fix everything before Twilight could notice it.” the dragon pointed out.

Rainbow flew to be above Discord, “We have a miracle!” she pointed out, “Don't we?” she asked as she gave Discord pleading eyes and puffed out trembling lower lip.

Discord was dressed in a long white robe with a halo and two white bird-like wings from his back, a small harp in his hand, “I suppose I could fix everything. But to snap all problems away is a ‘Discord-y’ thing to do and Twilight cashed in her favor for me to not do anything ‘Discord-y’ tonight.” As Rainbow’s face turned to a scowl, “But isn't the real miracle here the miracle of teamwork and character growth?” he asked before poofed away.

“OH, COME ON!” Rainbow shouted in frustration. “He still owes me and Pinkie a favor.” she pouted as she crossed her arms.

“It doesn’t matter,” Fluttershy interjected, “We’ve salvaged a lot without Discord, we can salvage tonight too.” the druid pointed out. “Twilight needs us. Whatever happened, we can fix this.” she declared. There was a sudden flash of lightning and a boom of thunder.

“What did happen?” the dragon asked as he wanted to get to the heart of the matter.

As the chaos stormed about, Cozy, Tirek, and Chrysalis crept silently behind various things to obscure them from view, “Best... road trip... ever!” Cozy cheered.

Applejack and Pinkie were at the food stands, looking at everyone that, unbeknownst to the two had their life essence drained by Tirek. Pinkie was dressing a stereotypical doctor’s white lab coat, a stethoscope, and an old head mirror. Pinkie was examining one of the Apple clan, as Applejack was using her lay on hands to help restore the others. After she looked at her record observation, “Even if I was an actual doctor, I would have no idea what's wrong.”

“Sugarcube, you are a licensed physician, dentist, psychologist, for Apple's sake you’re a licensed veterinarian too. You are a doctor!” the paladin groaned. She then took a breath and looked at the food, “There's gotta be a reason.” She stated. “Something got 'em all sick. Maybe the food?” she asked.

Pinkie’s eyes shot open in horror, “I ate the food, too!” she shouted. “Does that mean I'm sick?!” she asked in fright. “Oh, nooo!” she panicked. But after nothing happened for almost a minute, “Nope! I feel fine.” she said before eating a cupcake. Applejack could only cover her face.

While Applejack was silently bemoaning her friend, one of the guards at one of the entrances was greeted by Cozy, but before he could sound the alarm his life essence was drained by Tirek. After the guard slipped into unconsciousness, Chrysalis took his medallion and placed it on the door. After the door opened she returned the medallion before the three entered the castle.

While the trio entered the castle, Fluttershy was sitting next to a hyperventilating Feather. Above them, Rainbow, the Wonderbolts and other elementalist flying around in their attempts to ‘gather’ the storm. “I don't know how this happened!” Feather finally said. “I'm gonna be fired for... for sure!” he exclaimed before he curled up into a fetal position.

Fluttershy placed her hand on his shoulder, “Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts will have all the weather rounded up any minute.” the druid tried to assure. Her efforts, however, went off like a lead balloon as Rainbow was heard yelling as she crashed into a nearby bush. Fluttershy gave a weak ‘teehee’.

As Fluttershy helped Rainbow back to her feet, Cozy opened the door to the throne room, which had a flock of geese which seemed to be at rest. “Not here,” Cozy said as she left the door ajar. “The Archives are in a different part of the castle,” she said as the three left the room. Unbeknownst to them, one of the geese noticed the door was left ajar and followed the shadows that the trio cast.

As the lone goose followed the shadows, Rarity and Spike were at the stage as the troupe was packing up their fireworks. “What about ‘aiming for perfection’?” Rarity asked Fire, paraphrasing Fire when she said about the troupe’s goal.

As Fire shut the back of the cart, “We've set our sights higher.” Fire replied as she looked up to the sky.

“Higher than perfection?” Spike asked perplexed at the reasoning.

Fire smirked before she laughed, “No, my little dragon, higher than putting on a silly little show for the others.” she answered as the troupe started to leave.

“But you were so excited before.” Rarity commented not able to see what happened, “What changed?” she asked.

While Rarity was at a lost over Fire and her troupe’s action, the goose that followed the trio’s shadow ended up in the hallway near the private library of Celestia and Luna. Before it when far it came across another goose. The first goose honked, and then the goose it came across. The first goose then turned around and went back to its post. Once it was out of sight, the second transformed to reveal that it was Chrysalis. She then walked back to the other two. Tirek was trying to jimmy open the lock. After a few more seconds he opened the cage door and the three walked in.

As the trio entered the private archives of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, Twilight was walking with the two elder demigods, “You two just enjoy the festivities. I have a few surprises in store for—” she was cut off as Discord appeared out of nowhere next to the three. “Yes, Discord?” she asked.

Discord sat down on one of the chairs dressed in a red tropical flower shirt and black sunglasses, “Oh, well, don't mind me.” he said before he took a sip of a drink he conjured. “I'm just here for the chaos,” he said before lightning struck above and thunder crackled inturn. Discord then laughed in delight, “And here we go!” he said before Rainbow whooshed by.

The three present demigods followed the direction Rainbow went and to the direction, she flew from, “What is Rainbow Dash doing?” she asked. Before she got an answer she heard a slosh of soup in a large cauldron. They turned to see Pinkie pulling a cart with a large cauldron full of soup, “Pinkie, is this soup?” Twilight asked as she flew up to her friends with one eye particular shut, in confusion.

“Yes!” the jester answered as she turned to face Twilight. “I…” she started as she knew Twilight was going to ask her why but trailed off as she tried to find a good answer the demigod wouldn’t question. “was really hungry?” she said in a question and gave a big toothy nervous smile.

Before Twilight could question further as she saw through the lie, the demigod heard a fair amount of grumbling near the stage. There a small army of Magicborn was speaking up to Rarity in anger. From the stage, Rarity seemed to counter the protest, “Nobody understands wanting to take pride in your work more than I do!” Rarity exclaimed starting to lose her own temper. “You could do more with your magic than make frilly dresses!” a member of Fire’s troupe pointed out in anger. Rarity waved her left hand dismissively as she closed her eyes, “Oh, pffft.” she added. She opened eyes, “Nobody makes frills anymore. This season's actually all about simplicity—” she started, failing to notice the growing anger of the gathered Magicborn.

This was not missed by Spike as he flew to be at her shoulder level, “You’re missing the point, Rarity!” he shouted.

Before Twilight could go over to see what was going on she was almost tackled by a panicking Feather, “Princess! I beg your forgiveness!” he graveled as he dropped to his knees facing looking at her feet. “It's entirely my fault!” he declared.

“What is?” Twilight asked before lightning struck followed by another boom of thunder.

“That!” Feather shouted before he let go and froze in terror of what could befall him.

Before Twilight could press the matter, Fluttershy flew and started to fly Feather away. “Oh, um, just a slight hiccup in the weather,” she said before she laughed nervously.

This left Twilight even more confused. However, she soon spotted Applejack as she was at the food stands making baked goods. “Applejack, what is going on?” she asked.

“Large answer or short?” Applejack asked. Before Twilight could answer. “Apparently after Pinkie and I gave the changes to Braeburn, some of the Earthborn with him, including him, started feeling ill. As for the weather modification, something went wrong after Fluttershy and Rainbow left Feather and his crew and finally after Spike and Rarity left the firework troupe they got inta their heads this sudden superiority complex.” the paladin answered. “Then it was decided that we try to fix this ourselves. Not my idea to hide this from you because they thought you’d freak out.” the paladin added. “Now if you ain’t gonna figure out a means to put this all back on track, can you freak out somewhere else, because my hands are full and we’re short on time.” Twilight then teleported Spike, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rainbow to where she and Applejack were, “Ah told her everything,” Applejack said.

“You see-” Rainbow started only to be cut off by Twilight.

“And you thought not telling me everything was a total disaster would avoid a freak-out?!” she asked getting to the heart of the matter.

Spike landed and tapped his front talons, “When you say it like that, it sounds like a really bad plan.” the dragon admitted as everyone sans Applejack looked down to the ground ashamed of themselves. Twilight then inhaled.

From his chair, Discord pulled out a set of binoculars and zoomed in to focus on Twilight, “Here it comes!” he exclaimed in excitement.

Once she finished the inhale, she exhaled with a slight smile on her face, “I know how I used to react, but I really have changed.” she said to her friends. While she spoke her calm tone showed that she has changed. “Panicking won't solve anything,” she stated. She looked to each of her friends, one at a time, “But we can handle whatever problems come our way as long as we handle them together!” she declared.

“Spoken like a true leader.” came Celestia’s voice as she and Luna walked up to the group, “How can we help?” she asked.

Twilight pulled out a sheet of paper, “I love a good to-do list. So tell me exactly what happened so we can figure out exactly what "to do" to fix it.”

“Don’t need to.” Rainbow said as she flew up to Discord, “You know, snapping your fingers to solve someone else’s problem is not something you’d do that is ‘Discord-y’, unless it’s Fluttershy.” The elementalist pointed out. “So I’m cashing in my favor, snap to it,” she ordered.

Discord was about to protest, but after a few seconds of thought, “You’ll have to deal with the troupe.” he said and snapped his talon. Rainbow gave a thumbs up to Twilight. The princess than when to Fire and the two talked.

As Discord was about to snap, Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy were searching the library. It took a while but Cozy found a book with a rendering of Grogar’s Bewitching Bell on the cover chained up. She flew to it and after some work, managed to get it out of the chains. Once free, Cozy flew to the Chrysalis and Tirek with the tome. The trio smiled and Chrysalis conjured a teleportation ring and the three vanished in green fire.

With the weather restored to a calm state, the food in order and the troupe walked out of their sudden change, Fire whistled signifying to launch the fireworks to start the pre-dawn ushering of the celebration. As the fireworks died down, trumpets flared as Luna and Celestia flanked Twilight on the center of the stage. Twilight’s focus gem glowed as she held the medallion that allowed her to move the sun and moon. First, her gem glowed silver as the moon was guided along the path that seemed most idea. As the moon set along the western horizon, Twilight’s focus gem then glowed golden as she began to guide the sun as it rose. This was greeted by all in attendance cheering. As the crowd’s cheers died down, Twilight stepped to the age of the stage. She took a break and placed her hand on her throat, causing her vocal cords to glow purple under the skin.

“Thank you, thank you all,” she said, her voice loud enough for all to hear and not be forced back by the effects of something like Celestia’s and Luna’s Chanetalot Royal Voice. “This year’s Summer Sun Celebration had a few more hurdles than normal to set up, but thanks to you all we once again, on this the longest day of the year, we are reminded to not fear the night, for there is always a new day to look forward too. For a thousand years, The Summer Sun Celebration has been held in honor of Princess Celestia’s banishing of Nightmare Moon, but for the last three years it has marked the return of Princess Luna.” Twilight paused and took a breath, “Yet as the sun rises on this Summer Solstice, and we look towards Mystica’s future, we must allow the past to rest.” Twilight paused again, “As such, it is with a heavy heart I must say that this will be the last Summer Sun Celebration.”

The crowd gasped in shock. Twilight then smiled as she looked to the crowd, “But there is also a great joy to be had too, as we now celebrate something more important than a sisterly spat blown out of proportion and the reconciliation. No longer will we commemorate that conflict.” Twilight continued. “Instead, we will mark this day to celebrate the two people who have, for longer than most of us can truly grasp, watched over us, guarding us while we rest at night and fostering our growth during the day, and how much they and everything they have done for us means to us, to all of us. From this day forward, today the Mystican Summer Solstice observation will be known as the Festival of the Two Sisters!” Twilight declared as she turned and stepped to the side, gesturing that the crowd’s focus should shift to Celestia and Luna. The two older demigods were left speechless. They covered their mouths as the crowd cheered. After a solid second, Twilight spoke again, “Now let’s go eat!” she declared and the crowd cheered before heading over to food stands.

As the audience filed out, Celestia, Luna and Twilight’s friends walked up to Twilight as the purple light from her neck faded. “We don't know what to say,” Celestia said speaking for herself and Luna as the two hugged Twilight in gratitude.

Once the two ended their hug, Pinkie popped next to Twilight and giggled, “A brand new holiday?” she asked. “You're my kind of princess!” she declared as she hugged Twilight squeezing the demigod in the process.

“I'm just glad we pulled it off.” Twilight strained before Pinkie released her hold and the two were joined by Applejack et al.

The six looked at each other but before they spoke, “I get it, why you didn’t tell me and assumed I’d freak out.” Twilight said understandingly. “I have always freaked out in the past and even if as my friends should trust me when I said I’ve changed, action will always speak louder than words.” she paused. “Maybe next time you’ll believe me,” she added and got a few weak laughs from the rest. Twilight then reached out her arms and wings and reached behind her friend, “Because I'm sure there's gonna be plenty of things I'll need my best friends' help with.” she said before everyone ahhed and pulled into a group hug and they all laughed happily.

From a low-lying cloud, Discord, now in his draconic Erisadies-form, lying on his stomach, watched the group with a crescent moon shaped cookie in his paw, “You know, it really does seem like you just might be ready for whatever comes next, your Majesty.” he said happy at how Twilight has grown before he started to eat his cookie.

The day following the Summer Solstices, Cozy, Tirek (who was back to his state before the trio left) and Chrysalis sat in the main gathering room of Grogar’s lair. Shortly they spotted the satyr walk in. “Sooooo did you find what you're looking for?” Cozy asked as she flew up to him.

Grogar snorted, “Once again, I've found success where you all find failure.” He stated. “I set out to retrieve the artifact I have located. I shall return before the fall equinox and in time for Twilight’s coronation.” Grogar said as he walked. “And on that day, Mystica will ours for the taking.” he declared and left the trio.

After waiting for about half a minute for Grogar to be out of earshot, Tirek pouted with a clear “Hmph!” while he scowled and crossed his arms.

Chrysalis rolled her eyes, “Oh, stop pouting, you big baby.” the elf chastised him.

Cozy flew to be on Tirek’s shoulders, “You knew you couldn't stay that buff. You had to return all the life force to those Earthborn so Grogar doesn't suspect anything.” the Skyborn reminded Tirek as she landed in his arms, crossing her arms behind her head.

Tirek moved his arms and caused Cozy to fall, “I’m well aware of why I had to do, but that does not mean I have to like it.”

Cozy sat up and rubbed her rear and back to preempt the possible bruising, “Well, I don't like that we worked so hard to destroy their party and they still pulled it off.” Cozy pointed out.
“But you don't see me complaining!” she added before she sulked about the

“And you got your Aura Mark playing chess.” Chrysalis mocked Cozy as she got up, “Have you forgotten so quickly?” she asked as she revealed the book they stole from the personal archives of Celestia and Luna, “Our goal wasn't to destroy their Summer Solstice celebration. The disruption was to distract. And now we have exactly what we need.”

As Tirek himself got to his feet, “And no time to waste.” the spellthief called attention to the time they had seemed long but was going to to go by fast. “We have to master the Bell before Grogar returns,” he added

Chrysalis smiled and had a small chuckle, “We've managed to stay one step ahead of everybody so far.” she retorted.

Cozy then had a thought, “You know, it really was super easy to get all those Earthborn and Skyborn and Magicborn to turn on each other.” she pointed out the ease with which the trio was able to sow chaos.

Chrysalis rubbed her chin as she thought back on how easily she got the troupe to bend to her will, “It was, wasn't it? Now that is something to think about…” Chrysalis then opened the book. “What the-!” she exclaimed. “Is this even…?” she trailed off as she asked and showed the book to the other two.

Cozy scratched her head in confusion. Tirek, however, took the book, “Its ‘Bullion’ as it existed before Bullion put his name on it.” Tirek said. As the two looked at him. “It will take me a day or two to translate it.”

Bonus 2: Enemies and yet Friends

Author's Note

The main events of this chapter takes place during Hearth's Warming Eve/Day.

Bonus 2: Enemies and yet Friends

It had been weeks since Sombra’s failed attempt at a solo attempt to conquer Mystica, Grogar was looking into his orb as he was divining something. He was focusing his breath until he heard the clearing of the throat. He clenched his fist and turned to his right to see Cozy hovering just above the table. “I don’t wanna become a tattle-tail, especially on my bestie Tirek,” the Skyborn started. Grogar gave a stern pout, “but he left food out. Again.”

Grogar gave a silent groan, “I’ll deal with the matter when I’m done.” he stated as he tried to remain calm. Cozy nodded and then flew on. Grogar took a breath and looked into his orb and again tried to divine his target.

“Don’t trust anything that Skyborn says!” Tirek protested as he arrived in the part of the castle.

Grogar gave a bemused frown to the spellthief, “I don’t trust anything that any of you say.” he then turned back to his orb as Tirek gave a hump and walked away.

After a second the faintest of an outline of something started to be revealed in the orb. Grogar smiled. But this was short-lived as Chrysalis’ hand was placed on the orb. Grogar raised his gaze to see the deposed changeling queen. “Are you planning on attacking anybody anytime soon?” she asked getting down to the brass tacks. “If not, I don’t know why I’m wasting my time here. I am a queen you know,” she added as she looked at her fingernails in boredom.

Grogar snorted as the elf walked off. “That’s it!” he shouted, getting the three’s attention. “It is inescapably clear that the possibility of me accomplishing my work here is nonexistent. Therefore I’m leaving. During my absence, the three of you will come to some kind of accord.” The three then started to bicker and argue. Grogar knew that they were saying something, but at this point, he had master filtered hearing from the three. That being said, the old ram had lost his goat. “ENOUGH!!!” he shouted as he set a beam of magic that was a black field with a yellow outline from his horns that covered each of their mouths. “Frankly I don’t give a damn how, but you three must learn to work as a coherent team! Only with that mastered can the deal we made be accomplished, my return as Emperor and what you three most desire - the defeat of Princess Twilight Sparkle!”

About two hours or so after Grogar left, Cozy was in the main room of the satyr's lair and putting up a banner with the faces of each of the four with smiles on their faces. “Nothing says "teamwork" like an inspirational banner,” she commented to herself as she landed. “When Grogar sees this, he'll realize there's no way he could survive without me!” she added before she flew off to find the other two. She found Tirek in the area that he had made his room on the bench, bench pressing as he looked at a portrait of himself when he had the power of Discord and the, at the time, four demigods in addition to all of Mystica’s populace. The spell thief grunted before he placed the bar in the safety rack before he slipped out from under it and sat up.

“You're gonna have to exercise a lot to get as big as you were when you absorbed the life force of all those Mysticans.” Cozy commented as she sat down. Tirek rolled his eyes as he picked up his bottle of water and drank from him. Cozy either didn’t notice or care that Tirek wanted nothing to do with her, “Anywho, Grogar wants us all to work together, so I've scheduled a team meeting. Doesn't that sound fun?” she asked. Tirek responded by getting up and walking over to another set of weights. “And since Grogar left me in charge…” Cozy started and then trailed off.

“No, he didn't.” Tirek protested as he started to lift the weights.

Cozy giggled as she got up and flew up to Tirek, “Someone's real grump today.” she stated.

“Don’t patronize me, little girl,” Tirek said as he dropped his weights. “I can drain you of every Fenton-Joule of power you possess,” he said as he grabbed Cozy by the collar of her shirt and brought her to his face.

Cozy was not phased by this act, “Well, if you don’t want a meeting, I guess I could just stay and offer positive and inspiring—”

Before Cozy could finish, Tirek released his hold, “Fine!” he shouted cutting her off. “I'll join your meeting. Just leave!” he said as he pointed to the doorway.

Cozy then flew out, “See you soon!” she shouted as Tirek went back to his exercises.

Cozy then floated to the area that Chrysalis had made her own, which wasn’t hard as she hard the deposed queen’s voice, “It's been weeks, and Grogar's done nothing! It's not healthy to hold on to all of this rage!” Chrysalis said to a piece of wood, talking to it like it as if it was listening intently. “I could lash out at any moment.” the changeling declared.

“And how are you doing this fine—?” Cozy started to ask as she flew up towards Chrysalis.

Chrysalis turned on a dime and grabbed Cozy by the Skyborn’s shoulders. “How do you think I'm doing?!” he shouted her rhetorical question in Cozy’s face. “I'm ready to exact my revenge!” she shouted as she dropped Cozy before she turned her attention back to piece of wood she was talking to before Cozy’s arrival. “See what I mean?”

Cozy scowled but then smirked. “Being cooped up with nothing to do is the worst!” she projected as she tried to show she agreed with the elf queen, “You know what you need?” she asked as she more cautiously approached Chrysalis, “A team meeting!” she answered with a cheer.

Chrysalis turned to Cozy and scoffed, “I don't do meetings.” she retorted and turned back to the plank of wood.

Cozy rolled her eyes, but continued, “Grogar left me in charge.” she tried to assert a sense of primacy.

Chrysalis turned back to Cozy, “No, he didn't.” she then turned away and started to walk away, “And even if he did, Chrysalis obeys no one.” she added as she stuck up her nose.

“There'll be cupcakes,” Cozy said in a sing-songy voice. Chrysalis turned around and rubbed her chin. About an hour later, the three were gathered at the table with the cupcakes that Cozy promised Chrysalis on a platter in the center. Chrysalis and Tirek were sitting opposite each other. Cozy clear her throat before she spoke up, “Grogar wants us to work together to defeat our enemies. Which means we need to trust each other.” she started as she looked to her cohorts.

Chrysalis was eating a cupcake but stopped as she saw that Tirek was attempting to drain her magic from her, “If we are to trust one another, perhaps inform Lord Tirek to stop trying to absorb my essence!” she shouted as she threw her cupcake at Tirek.

Tirek stopped and spat the magic he absorbed and slide the cupcake as if he tried to sneak it to Chrysalis. “I wasn't doing anything of the sort! How dare you!” he lied and challenged the accusation.

“How dare I?!” Chrysalis retorted slighted at Tirek’s denial and challenge. “Do you know to whom you are speaking?” she compounded as she thrust her finger towards Tirek’s chest.

Tirek rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms, “How could I not?” he asked rhetorically. “You tell your log every five minutes,” he said as he pointed to the log that Chrysalis

Cozy sighed, “This is why Grogar left me in charge.” the Skyborn declared as she tried to gain control of the two.

“No! He! Didn't!” Tirek and Chrysalis shouted together as the emphasize each word and reminded her that.

Elsewhere, just outside the lair, Grogar was divining in his crystal orb. Now that he couldn’t be interrupted by the other three. Soon his orb showed what he desired. This brought a smile to his face and a chuckle. “Yes,” he said as he vanished the image. He then turned to his lair. “Looks I finally have something for those three to do.”

“Now we've got a better way to be baaaaaad!”

With the song over, Cozy turned to the other two, “Hey! You stepped on my cue!” she accused and as if by clockwork the three were at each other’s throats in the verbal lashings.

Grogar entered the room.

The satyr tried to take a deep calming breath, but it was a fruitless endeavor. “Enough!” he shouted as he stomped the floor causing a small quack that forced the three to lose their balance. “I had hoped by now you would've resolved your differences,” he started his lecture with a facepalm, “but apparently not.”

Chrysalis then flew up to Grogar, “Perhaps if we knew what the plan was, we would be better able to prepare!” she challenged the satyr, basically blaming him.

Before Grogar could get a word in, “Assuming you even have a plan.” Tirek added in protest of inaction the four have had since Grogar called them and the departed Sombra to form this coalition.

Grogar took a deep breath as he stepped to be closer to Tirek and Cozy, “Of course I have a plan! I have located an object of power, and it occurs to me this is the perfect test. The three of you will work together to retrieve it. Against this item, those Mysticans won't stand a chance.”

Chrysalis then challenged Grogar and at the same time seemed to assert herself as the leader of the three, “I have come close to ruling Mystica several times. Perhaps I should be the one to lead us.”

Cozy laughed, “Yeah, that’s cute and all, but I nearly drained all the magic from Mystica!” the Skyborn challenged. “That was good!” she added with a pat on the back.

Tirek had an even more verbose chuckle at that, “Nearly doesn’t cut it, shrimp. I actually absorbed all the magic of Mystica!” he pointed out his success. “I could feel it flowing through my body as I grew!” Once Tirek finished his boost the three were once again squabbling.

Grogar tried to take calming breaths but it was futile and in his wrath, he sent a beam of his magic that forced the three to the wall behind them and had them restrained to the wall at their wrists and ankles. They grunted as they tried to break free, but it was to no avail. “Each of you failed to defeat Twilight Sparkle and her friends!” Grogar stated as his anger boiled over. “My power is in its weakened state if far greater than all of yours combined,” he said as his spell held them with ease. “All the magic I have used to this point since I prepared to summon you and Sombra here to take part in my endeavor is one percent of the power I have and that is one percent of my true power! Understood?!” he asked as his vented out the last of his wrath, or rather enough of it that he could calm himself slightly. The three all nodded in fright as they seemed to finally grasp the situation they were in. Grogar then ended his hold spell and they all fell to the floor. “Finally, we have reached an understanding, it took you three long enough,” he muttered.

“Now you shall retrieve the rest of my power,” he announced as from him orb a project was made. It was an outline of woman, “Milliema ago, the self-righteous Gusty the Great, unable to best me face-to-face, stole my Bewitching Bell.” Grogar said as the woman seemed to slip into Grogar’s lair and took what looked like an ancient bell. “This talisman contains much of my own magic,” Grogar added as the projection showed the woman leaving the lair with the bell in her hands. “The Bell cannot be destroyed, so Gusty hid it in a place it has taken me millennia to discover –” Grogar continued the projection showed the outline of Gusty arrived at a cave, “an enchanted cave high atop Mt. Everfoot, protected by magical winds that prevent anyone from reaching its peak. There, the Bell has remained until now.” as Grogar spoke the projection showed the difficulties in play that kept the bell out of his reach. Grogar then ended the projection and turned to the three. “Your task is simple, scale Mt. Everfoot and bring me back my Bell.”

Chrysalis laughed at that command, “The ease of this task is laughable.”

Months later, after traveling on foot, incognito, often sticking to the woods and traveling at night, the three (dressed in winter gear) arrived not far from the foot of Mt. Everfoot, the tallest mountain in Mystica located at the end of the same central mountain range of Mystica. Above the three there was the echo of an eagle’s screech. Tirek and Cozy both turned to Chrysalis with scowls. “Well, it sounded easy.” she protested.

The three then turned their focus back to the mountain, “Let’s see, we’re to scale the mountain…” Tirek trailed off at the sight of the trek ahead of them.

“...retrieve Grogar's Bell…” Chrysalis added as she too trailed at the near Sisyphean task that they were about to tackle

“...together!” Cozy finished. She then reached into her coat pockets and pulled out a few scrolls, “I drew up a detailed plan with several visual aids to show how we can…” she trailed off as she realized that the other two had left her. “ditch each other and do it alone.” She took a breath and looked at her plans. A smile grew on her lips, “Maybe when I'm waiting for them at the top, then they'll appreciate me.” she said before she proceeded on her path.

Up ahead going along the mountain's southern ridge, Chrysalis flew but after several seconds she was forced to land and walk. As she traveled through the forest, many creatures opened their eyes watching from the tree. One of the largest seemed to generate shadows only revealing it’s large red eyes. It growled at Chrysalis as it prepared to attack her. Chrysalis only smirked before she turned around and hissed back after transforming into what could only be described as an eldritch abomination. The creature whimpered and fled. Chrysalis transformed back into her normal form and chuckled, “As if anything on this mountain is scarier than I.” she stated before continuing her trek.

Tirek elected to travel around the mountain to the western side. All the while he surveyed the mountain, staying a fair distance away. He picked up some dirt and threw it into the air only for it be blown back at him. He shrugged his shoulders and started to gather wood.

Along the eastern side of the mountain, Cozy trekked. About an eighth the way up the mountain, there was a fairly large cabin. Cozy smiled at the sighed especially as the door opened. An earthborn man with gray hair in an antiquated version of the Mystican ESM armor with a long red and patched-up cloak. On his head was an old rusty bucket that was made into a helmet. He stopped as he seemed to have spotted Cozy. “Halt! Who goes there?” he asks. He squinted as he couldn’t exactly make out what he was looking at “A person?” he asked. “There ain't been people around here in I-don't-know-how-many moons!” he declared.

Cozy smiled to herself before she shut her eyes and started to whimper as she opened them again large and sad. As she got closer to the man and his cabin, “Oh, golly, good sir. I'm just a poor lost girl looking for help.” she cried before she hugged his leg.

The man gave a small frown, “Aw, don't fret, little lady.” he said. “Ol' Rusty Bucket here, at your service.” he declared as he wiped Cozy’s eyes.

Cozy sniffed and smiled, “I'm so glad I found you.” she said. “I need help getting to the top of the mountain,” she stated.

Rusty shook his read, “Uh, no can do, ma'am.”

Cozy’s happy expression changed to one of wrath and her pupils squinted and shouted, “Why not?!”

There was a massive rumble from the mountain, “Shhh!” Rusty said once the rumble stopped. He lowered his voice and tried to speak softly, “Not so loud!” he stated. He then pointed to the mountain, “This here's avalanche territory.” he pointed out. He then pointed to himself, “I'm the guardian of this here mountain. It's my job to keep people from heading up. Nothing at the top but dangerous snow, dangerous ice, and dangerous wind.” he informed as he listed off the points of concern. He then looked at Cozy, “Basically, it's dangerous.”

Cozy wanted to scowl and pout, but she knew better. “It must get lonely all by yourself.” she pointed out. Rusty nodded. “Maybe I could be your friend?” she asked as smiled.

“Aw. I'd love a friend.” Rusty said with his own smile.

Cozy’s smile grew, “So, now that we are friends, you could help me up the mountain,” she requested.

“Hmm,” Rust said as he rubbed his chin. He then looked back up the mountain then to Cozy, “uh...Don’t you think a real friend wouldn't ask me to do something I'm not supposed to do?” he asked. “I think it’s stated in the Journal of Friendship, written by Princess Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkamena Diane Pie…” he listed off.

Cozy puffed out her checks in a pout before she shouted, “are. you. kidding me?!” which echoed along the ridge. Once the echo died Rusty “Shhh!” ed her. Cozy gave a humh before she turned away with her nose up, “I didn't want to be friends anyway.” she said and walked away. Rusty could only give a sad ‘awww…” before he returned to his cabin.

Chrysalis continued her trekked until she came across a frozen lake. She tried to walk across but almost slipped and feel. She transformed into a massive cragadile and broke through the ice. She same until she neared the far shore and smashed through the ice again. Once there she took a couple of breaths before she transformed into a goat and continued to climb like a goat leaping the way. After getting halfway up the peak she transformed back into her normal form. “Almost there.” she declared.

Cozy returned to Rusty’s cabin and tried to fly over it. “Nope,” Rusty said as he spotted her. However Cozy elected to ignore only to be blown back. She then tried to climb along the ridge, “Not that way neither.” he commented only for Cozy to groan and stomp off. A few minutes later Cozy tried to sneak around the other side of the cabin only for some of the snow to fall off it and land on her.

After she dug herself out she walked to the front of the cabin, her face red in anger, “I tried being nice!” she shouted.

There was a loud rumble, “Shh-shh-shh!” Rusty pleaded. “Now, just calm down there, girl.” he requested keeping his voice soft.

Cozy breathed through her frailing nostrils, “You calm down!” she shouted, “People are supposed to do what I ask them to do! It's, like, my thing! Okay?!” she continued to rant and scream as her voice echoed. This sparked a small avalanche in the form of a large snowball to form and roll down the mountainside, catching Cozy as went. As it descended the mountain her screams faded. Rusty only shrugged his shoulders and went back into his cabin.

As Chrysalis neared the top, about ninety-five percent of the way up, “Apparently I don't need anybody else.” she said before she transformed into a roc and attempted to fly the rest of the way. She managed to fly to be just out of her talon’s range to grab the ground only to be forced back with a thud. She grunted as she picked herself up. She then transformed back to her normal form and groaned before she screamed “Agh!” in frustration.

Later in the afternoon, as Evening started to set in, Cozy arrived not far from where the three started their treks up the mountain. She was panting from sheer exhaustion after getting out of the avalanche she caused. There she spotted three chairs and fire. In one of the chairs, reclining was Tirek, who proceeded to laugh. “It's not funny, Tirek!”

“Didn't make it to the top?” Tirek asked rhetorically, “Surprise, surprise.” he added in mockery.

Cozy took a moment to look at the campsite that Tirek set up, it meant only one thing as far as she was concerned, “You didn't make it to the top either.” she stated.

Tirek smiled, “I didn't try to.” he countered. As Cozy was left stupefied that Tirek ditched her and didn’t even attempt to claim the prize, “It took less than five seconds to conclude that Grogar was right. None of us could make it up alone.” he informed. He then leaned back, “So, rather than subject myself to the elements, like you and Chrysalis, I decided to let you two face the danger, take what you learned, and use it to my advantage.” he laughed proud with his prudence.

Cozy pointed at Tirek, ready to yell at him, “I put up with your ‘I'm smarter than you’ attitude in Tartarus! But I'm over it!”

Tirek scowled at that and got up, “I'd had enough of you trying to manipulate me with that insincere, syrupy sweetness.” he countered as he pointed out that he too had issues with his cellmate. “At least now we can see the real you,” he added with crossed arms as he returned to his chair.

Cozy growled, “This is not the real me!” she protested. “I'm cute and lovable!” she screamed so loud that the whole mountain heard.

Tirek scoffed at that, “No, you're not.” he countered. “You're annoying, and you snore.” he stared at her. Unbeknownst to them a large creature that seemed to have the torso structured like a man but was a bull and lower body of a large serpent crept through the trees towards the two.

Cozy snorted, “I do not snore!” she shouted in protest only for Tirek to mock-snore and pointed at her. Cozy gritted her teeth for a second. But she smiled wickedly, “ At least I don't talk to my Gram-Gram in my sleep.” she called out Tirek’s own sleeping habit.

Tirek jumped to his feet and pointed at Cozy, “Don't you dare bring Gram-Gram into this!” he roared.

Unbeknownst to them, the creature was within striking distance only for it to roar. Cozy and Tirek turned to face it and then back to each other and pointed to each other, “This is your fault!” they accused each other only for the creature to roar in turn. The two started to back away in fear only for any roar from behind them. They turned to see another of the creatures, but its shorter horns and large eyelashes hinting to being female. The newest arrival batted bedroom eyes at the first creature. The beast’s pupils and irises became hearts and moved passed Cozy and Tirek to the female.

Cozy looked around and took Tirek’s hand, “Quick! It's distracted! Let's go!” she pleaded.

Tirek, however, squinted his eyes as if he recognized the female, “Wait.” he whispered.

The female then roared at the beast only to transform to reveal herself to be Chrysalis. She then opened her mouth and a small pink orb appeared in her mouth and soon pink color energy was pulled from the beast’s chest and its energy was drained. After a few seconds, it fainted and fell to the ground with a thud. Chrysalis looked to the sky her mouth open and tongue slightly out as she brought her left hand to her chin and down her neck. She sighed in ecstasy before she shivered in bliss. “... So much love,” she said with a slight drool. “That ophiotaurus was such a romantic. I haven't eaten this well in ages.”

Tirek was unphased as Cozy gagged before she spoke, “So gross.”

Chrysalis then turned her focus to Tirek and Cozy, “Just so we're clear, I didn't save you because I like you.” she stated with a degree of anger and resentment in her voice, “I did it because... because I…” she trolled off not wanting to admit something.

Cozy hovered next to her, “Neeeeeeed us?” she asked with a massive smile.

Chrysalis gritted her teeth, “Yes.” she confessed reluctantly.

Tirek decided to sit back in the chair he made, “Clearly I was right to wait. Now tell me everything you learned today. Leave nothing out.” he ordered.

About an hour later, the three had caught up with what Cozy and Chrysalis learned on their treks. They sat around the fire that Tirek made. Cozy turned her focus towards the ophiotaurus that Chrysalis cocooned much like she had her prisoners cocooned when Starlight and her group made it into Caer Sith. “Why did you do that?” Cozy asked utterly perplexed. “Didn't you already drain it of love?” she added to seek a further explanation to Chrysalis’s actions.

“I always save a little for the next day.” the changeling said before she sat down. “And yes, I cocoon all of my meals, even Twilight, and the others.” She elaborated before Cozy could question. The skyborn gagged and shivered. Chrysalis then thought back her failed plan to take over Mystica as a food source for her people. “Until that sow Starlight Glimmer freed them, corrupted my subjects, and stole my hive!” she shouted.

As Chrysalis hissed at her failure. However, she was not alone in frustration as the other two groaned. Tirek was the first to speak after he had some thought, “Well those Mysticans have weaknesses,” he turned to Cozy, “Present company included” he joked. Cozy only rolled her eyes as Chrysalis snickered. “You both recall that I used that turncoat Discord?” he asked, yet before they could answer, “I tricked him into helping me capture his so-called ‘friends’,” he answered his question.

Chrysalis then sighed, “Discord was really something until friendship ruined him.” the deposed queen commented.

Tirek couldn’t help but smirk as he thought about his trade with Twilight for the power of the demigods. He chuckled, “You should've seen Twilight's face when her friends, even that fool Discord, appeared in bubbles around me.” he started. “She was all…” he then pressed and pulled on his face as he gave exaggerated groans. This caused Cozy and Chrysalis to laugh in response.

After the two had their laugh, “She's so stressed out all the time.” Cozy added.

Chrysalis snorted, “You have no idea. When I posed as her former sitter, I thought she was going to implode!” the elf informed and all three laughed for a solid minute.

Once they had collected their breaths, “I wish I could've seen her face when I nearly erased all the magic from Mystica.” commented as she thought to her own plan and pondered how Twilight reacted to the sun setting on the last day of the ritual.

“Don’t you think that all magic was a little excessive?” Tirek asked not unlike an unhappy parent.

“Eh,” Cozy replied and shrugged her shoulders, “What can I say?” she asked rhetorically. “I think big.” she countered. She then looked into their campfire, “Besides, it would've been worth it just to see Twilight and her friends bow down to me!” she declared with a massive wicked toothy grin on her face.

Both Chrysalis and Tirek couldn’t help but grin as well. Tirek was the first to speak after some thought, “Indeed it would. Who wouldn't love to see that prissy princess realize she lost everything?” he asked.

Chrysalis then got up and transformed into Twilight, “I'm a pathetic princess!” she said in Twilight’s voice before she started to hyperventilate in a panic. She then stopped and continued to speak, “I made a detailed list of all the ways I'm a failure!” she added and started to cry. Cozy and Tirek then started to laugh uncontrollably.

After a solid minute, as Chrysalis returned to her true form and joined in. Tirek was the first to collect himself, “You know, working with you two may not be the worst thing.” he said

“Perhaps…” Chrysalis concede begrudgingly as she trailed off and looked away. She then turned back to the other two as a smile formed as she rubbed her hands together, “as long as it results in the complete destruction of our enemies.”

Tirek nodded silently. “I wouldn't have it any other way.” Cozy agreed, “Especially on our first Hearth's Warming Eve.” she declared as she pointed out the day. She then looked to Chrysalis pleadingly, “Do the pathetic princess thing again!” she requested. Chrysalis smirked and obliged. Cozy and Tirek continued to laugh.

The following morning, the trio arrived at Rusty Bucket’s house. Rusty didn’t notice the three before he had gotten out of his post. Chrysalis then transformed into a yeti and roared so loud a small avalanche accrued and Rusty was buried in the process. The trio laughed as they passed the sentry. “I’m okay!” Rusty said as he emerged from the snow mostly unharmed.

Hours later as the three arrived at the gorge that Chrysalis was not able to fly across. Tirek pulled out the rope he made and tied one end to a lone stone as Chrysalis transformed into a roc. Cozy took the other end before she got into Chrysalis’ talon. Chrysalis then took to flight and got most of the way there before she threw Cozy the rest of the way as she was blown back. Cozy landed and tied the rope off. Chrysalis transformed into a spider monkey and climbed across. Tirek followed suit. Once the two were on the other side, Chrysalis transformed back to her form and the trio continued the last of the way to a small cave near the top.

Around the entrance of the cave were several large rune stones with spirals. Chrysalis flew into the entrance only to hit an invisible force field and was forced back. “Aah!” she cried as she landed with a thud. Tirek then stepped forward and placed a hand on the space that Chrysalis struck and was zapped himself. He groaned painfully as he pulled his hand back. “Can you absorb it and make it go away?” Cozy asked.

Tirek shook his head, “I can only absorb magic from living beings. If I could absorb magic from items and places, I wouldn’t have offered the trade with Twilight because I would have drained all the items in the vaults before I went after the princesses.” he informed.

Cozy then turned to Chrysalis, “Like her?”

Chrysalis jumped to her feet and ready to blast both Tirek and Cozy and run, “Betrayal!” the queen shouted.

Cozy raised her hands as she stepped forward, “Not betrayal.” she countered. She then lowered her hands, “Teamwork.” she presented. She turned to Tirek, “If Tirek absorbs your energy, he might be strong enough to break through.” the skyborn informed.

“And then?” Chrysalis asked as it was clear that she had a great amount of doubt.

“Then…” Cozy trailed before she gave a moment of thought, “he gives it back.” she finished.

Tirek froze in bewilderment, “I do?” he asked in confusion. Cozy nodded with an ‘mm-hmm’.

Chrysalis remained unconvinced of Cozy’s plan, “How do I know you won't take my magic and leave me?” she asked, cutting to the heart of the matter.

Cozy smiled, “Would we do that to you?” she asked the elf. Chrysalis pointed to all three of the group to call attention to the fact that they are all not known for honoring deals. “Okay, normally, yes, we would.” Cozy admitted.
Cozy and Chrysalis turned to Tirek, the spellthief groaned, “I'll give you your magic back.” he agreed.

Chrysalis hesitated for a second, “Do it.” she finally agreed and Tirek opened his mouth and held his hand out, Chrysalis’ focus gem started to glow and a lime green beam went from the gem and was caught in Tirek’s hand. The beam changed to orange in color and within seconds Chrysalis collapsed onto the ground with a grown, her irises had become gray. Tirek, on the other hand, changed to what he was when he drained Shining Armor and Blueblood. “So... much... power!” he declared and kissed his biceps. “Welcome back, baby!” he blustered and took a breath before he sent a beam that opened a hole in the shield around the cave. “It's not big enough for me!” he said as he was not able to get in.

Cozy then slipped by Tirek, “Maybe not you!” she said before she went into the hole and pass the shield. “Keep it open, or I'll be trapped forever!” Cozy shouted before she went into the cave to retrieve the bell.

With Cozy inside the cave, Chrysalis lifted her head and turned to Tirek, “Would that be so terrible?” she asked.

Tirek chuckled at the remark. He then started to groan as the shield started to close. “Can't... hold... much... longer!” he strained. “Hurry!” he screamed just before Cozy flew out of the cave and landed in the snow.

Cozy held up Grogar’s bell, “Ta-da!” she declared.

Tirek smirked to himself and then turned to Chrysalis looked to him pleadingly. Tirek signed and sent an orange beam into Chrysalis. After a few seconds the beam dissolved from his hand and it changed to lime green. Chrysalis slowly got back to her feet in shock about what happened. “Me too,” Tirek said acknowledging that both he and Chrysalis weren’t sure if Tirek was going to return the power. “But working together seemed smarter than to continue fighting,” he stated.

Cozy looked at the bell and then to the other two before she got up and flew towards them, “When we helped each other, it felt better somehow.”

Chrysalis gave a sad smile, “I haven't felt like this since before I lost my hive. Having others who will be there for you is…” she trailed off as she tried to find the best word to articulate her feeling, “pleasing.” she settled on as the smile became glad.

Tirek too smiled as he looked to the sky as he thought back, “All of these years taking power from others…” he trailed off.

Cozy was then caught up in the joy of their success and how they worked together and succeded, “When you use your power to help others…” she trailed off.

Chrysalis smiled too and agreed with her cohorts, “Yes, it feels…” she then spotted and screamed “Nooooooooo!”

“Whoa!” Tirek and Cozy shouted as they two took a step back from their ally.

Chrysalis turned her focus to the other two, “The Magic of Friendship is like a disease!” she declared. “An infection that spreads to those around you! I watched it infect my hive! I will not let it get me!” she declared. Cozy and Tirek nodded in agreement.

However, there was another matter at hand, “But…” Cozy trailed off as she pointed out the one that called them together, “Grogar said we have to work together.”

Tirek dipped his head in a nod. However Chrysalis had other thoughts, “Grogar is too powerful.” she pointed out. “Something must be done about that.” she mused. After a second of thought, “Let Grogar think we're his loyal servants. In the meantime, we'll hatch our own plan.” she presented.

Cozy hugged the bell, “Ooh... I love a good backstabbing!” Cozy declared as she gave a shiver of delight.

Tirek then chuckled, “After that, and we conquer Mystica, we can go back to trying to destroy each other!” he offered. The two nodded in agreement.

Cozy then turned everyone’s attention to the bell, “In the meantime, what do we do with this?” she asked.

Much later, as Spring started, Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy where kowtowing towards Grogar shaking. “You failed to retrieve the Bell?!” the satyr roared before he sent a massive beam of magic from his horns into a wall. Once he finished he was snorting through his flared nostrils.

Cozy was the first to raise her head and speak, “W-W-We're sorry, almighty Grogar.” her voice almost broke in terror and horror at the display of power.

Tirek was the next to raise his head, but he went farther up, his stance a genuflection. “We worked together as you asked.” he pleaded, “But Gusty clearly set it up as a decoy.”

Chrysalis was the last to speak and unlike her co-conspirators, she stood on both feet with a slightly dipped head, “We just aren't as powerful as you.” she said in a defeated tone. Grogar once again roared as he blasted another wall with his magic which resulted in a massive boom heard from the far side of the lair. As Grogar was looking away, Chrysalis smirked. She then raised her head, “But as you can see, we have finally been able to work together, and even though we could not bring back your bell, we are able to follow your command.”

Chrysalis then flew up to the satyr. “Your eyes bear testimony to it, we are much more powerful when we work together, and with the power you already possess, you don’t need the bell. Tirek can drain Discord of his magic in his current state and then drain the magic of all the demigods, none making him the juggernaut to plow through these Mysticans, and well the whole role. Cozy knows many of their secrets and can help us further our own bond between us, and I, well I can be anyone or anything.” Chrysalis said as she shifted through the forms of Twilight and her friends, the Princesses, Discord, etc. Grogar gave a small smile and then left the three. Once he was out of sight Chrysalis had a quiet laugh as in her eyes Grogar’s Bewitching Bell was shown.