The Engineer

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter One: Meeting the gang
Chapter Two: This rings a bell
Chapter Three: Catching a train
Chapter Four: Hive hijinks
Chapter Five: A fiery trade
Chapter Seven: Here comes the sun
Chapter Eight: Secrets and lies
Chapter Nine: Rook takes castle
Chapter Ten: A millennium in the making
Chapter Six: Old things are new again

Prologue

Engineers concentration was broken by the sound of knocking coming from her door, "who the hell is it and what do you want!", she demanded, whoever had dared to interrupt her work better have a good reason.

The door shot open and a Guard-dog marched in as if he were on the parade ground, "The Engineer is to report to the throne room", he declared, "I am to escort you there immediately". The Guard-dog stood stiff at attention spear in paw trying to look the part of a well disciplined soldier, this was undercut by the Guard-dogs youth, he was no more than a pup standing at four feet tall. All the real soldiers were away on campaign and this youngster was a fine example of the dregs
that were left behind to guard the caves.

Engineer turned away from her desk to look at this unimpressive spectacle, it would have been a funny sight if it wasn't so annoying, "I've got work to do, so who ever sent you can come up here to my workshop to talk, otherwise they can go screw themselves" she turned back to her work and tried to get her focus back, she tried to get her mind back to thinking about runic transcriptions, and hoped that the youngster would get the message and leave her alone.

"T-The Engineer is to report to the throne room" the Guard-dog was getting nervous, his voice breaking "I am to escort you there immediately."

The Engineer groaned as she wheeled back around to the Guard, "listen kid i'm busy working on my weapons, you know the weapons that have allowed the king to become the most powerful Diamond Dog king in history, he wouldn't be happy if he found out that his Engineer was being distracted, by some kid no less, so why don't you just leave me alone, and whoever wants to talk to me can take it up with the King, alright?". With that she turned back to her work, confident that this would send the pup scurrying back to whoever had sent him.

"B-but I was sent by the King himself to get you" the Guard stammered, he was getting nervous that this wasn't going a smoothly as he had thought it would. "He was the one who told me that, The Engineer is to report to the throne room and I am to escort you there immediately."

"Are you an idiot?, King Rex is away on campaign, he isn't going to be back for weeks", the Engineer was getting really annoyed now, first this pup had interrupted her, and was now lying to her, probably just to speak to some noble or other who hoped to get the Kings ear through her, she didn't want to get involved in any court intrigue.

"King rex is dead, he was killed in battle, these orders come from the new King, King Soboka."

"What? Who told you that? Never mind take me to the throne room at once, I need to find out whats going on immediately." She pushed past the Guard-dog and made her way from her workshop into the castle proper as the Guard-dog hurried to catch up. The Castle was built underground in the caves of the Diamond Dogs, its halls were filled with treasures looted from the Kings conquests. Those victories had fuelled her forges and foundries, as they brought in new materials and fresh labour forces to feed, supply, and equip the royal army.

As Engineer entered the Throne room, she found it almost empty, the only other person there was Prince Soboka, he was sat on the kings throne, a crown upon his head."Ah, Engineer, you've made it." The Guard-Dog came in behind her and stood at attention beside the entrance.

Prince Soboka was the son and heir of King Rex. He had remained behind in the castle to administer the realm while his father was away on campaign.

"Whats going on Soboka, this guard here has told me some strange stories about your father." Engineer felt uneasy as she processed the scene in front of her, why is he sitting on the throne? Why is he wearing the Crown? Unless? "The King cant be dead, can he?" Engineer had worked on his armor for months, it is a work of art that made the wearer stronger, faster, and made could make it appear that time flowed slower when in battle, improving the wearers reaction time. And his sword is another masterpiece, able to easily cut through solid rock, also giving the wielder the ability to control the weather. All of this made King Rex formidable in battle, there was no way that anyone could kill him.

Soboka held up a paw to signal for silence before he started to speak, "Engineer, father is dead" his voice was quiet she could tell that he was holding in his pain, trying to hide his grief and sorrow. "The Royal army was ambushed by an allied army of ponies, gryphons, and traitors. Everyone was either killed or captured, the King died fighting the leaders of this Alliance. Two ponies known as the 'Alicorn Sisters', they're the new rulers of the ponies."

Engineer felt her blood run cold as her mind tried to process what she had just heard. The King was dead, her King was dead, the king who had found her in the mountains, raised her as one of his own. She owed him everything, he was a father to her as much as Soboka. She felt a determined anger fill her, she fell to her knee and declared to her new King "Long live King Soboka, I pledge my life and loyalty to you. I will serve you as I served your father, by building you weapons for an invincible army, we will avenge King Rex and destroy all of the enemies of the Diamond Dogs, Including these Alicorn Sisters."

Soboka had remained passive on the throne listening to Engineer, as she looked into his eyes she was shocked to see no anger no conviction, only a strange resigned expression. "I'm afraid that we wont be taking any vengeance, as King my feeling come second to the good of the Kingdom." He paused, trying to find the right words to explain. "I received an envoy from the allies offering me terms for my surrender, and I was inclined to accept."

"What! How can you surrender to the people who killed your own Father!" The Engineer rose to her feat, anger overtaking her as she screamed at Soboka. The Guard by the door jumped into action, he moved towards her but was called off by a wave of the paw from Soboka, and returned to his place by the door.

"Engineer, listen to me, the army is shattered, all our best soldiers are captured, there is no way for us to fight on. I had to make peace to preserve what I could. So I accepted the terms that I was given."

"What terms did you get then?!"

"First, we are to return all captives to their homes, as well as pay reparations for the time they have been here. Second, we are to return all captured lands from our campaigns, as well as further concessions as restitution to our neighbours. Third, we are to return all captured treasures and artwork to their respected owners, and pay damages for anything that was destroyed or lost."

"How can you accept this? This will reduce the Kingdom to irrelevance? And how will we rebuild our army without the resources that we have taken?"

"Theirs more, we are to disarm, all of the weapons and armor that you have made is to be turned over to be destroyed by the allies."

At this Engineer was furious, all her work was to be destroyed? It would take forever to rebuild the arsenal that she had spent her life on. "Damn it! you're throwing away my life's work just like that? Fine! It will take time but we will rebuild, this is just a setback. It may take years, but with patience our armies will be stronger than they were even under King Rex!"

"Their is a final term that I agreed to." Soboka looked down at his feet as he continued "Engineer, you are like a sister to me, even if not by blood, you are family. I just want you to know that i'm sorry, I will be sorry for this until the day I die." He looked up at Engineer, she saw that he had tears in his eyes.

"Sorry for what? what is this final term?" The door to the Throne room slammed open and in marched a platoon of ponies, armed and ready for combat. Leading them were the two ponies who stood taller than the others, they were tall enough to stare Engineer directly in the face. Their eyes searched the room, before settling on Engineer. "King Soboka this is the Engineer, correct?" their voices boomed through the throne room, amplified by their magic to command the room.

"What is going on Soboka? What was this final term did you agree to?" The Engineer demanded as she backed away from the approaching troops. She already knew, but she still wanted to hear it from him. She felt herself shaking with rage, and fealt her eyes cloud with tears, "what did you agree to?!"

"The final term was, that all of your research, and all of your equipment is to be destroyed. And you are to be turned to stone by the Equestrian Princesses, to prevent your knowledge from ever being used again."

"What?!" Engineer recoiled, she was to be turned to stone?

"Engineer, you are to surrender to us at once." the shorter blue Alicorn demanded, advancing towards her as the troops behind the princesses fanned out across the throne room, taking positions at the doors.

Engineer didn't wait another moment as she turned and ran for the nearest exit that was not yet covered, she heard hooves pounding behind her, "Stop her!" a voice cried out behind her, a Pegasus guard landed in front of the door and turned to block her, before he could react she gave him a kick to the head sending him flying backwards. The ponies unconscious body hit the door behind him flinging it open, she looked down the empty corridor before her, she knew that if she could lose them she could escape. She started to run down the corridor until a golden aura wraped itself around her waist and she felt a force like a rope grab her and pull her back though the door, she flew through the air and landed with a loud thud back in the center of the throne room. There would be no escape for her.

She gasped as she felt the wind get knocked out of her, she tried to get back to her feet, her legs shaking as she fought through the pain, only for two ponies to tackle her back to the ground. "Get off me!" she screamed trying to shake them off only for two more to join their comrades pinning her to the ground, one of them kicked her in the head to stop her fighting. Her head was ringing and she tasted blood in her mouth. She felt the weight of the ponies on top of her crushing her down into the stone floor.

She was able to make out Soboka rising off his throne angrily, she wasn't able to make out what he was saying nor what the blue princess said in response, whatever it was made him sit back down chastened. He gave a nod to the guard by the door, and the guard started to lead a troop of ponies somewhere in the castle, but he was first stopped by one of them as they wrenched the spear he was holding out of his paws, before directing him to lead on.

She looked up and saw that the white princess was glaring down at her, "Engineer" the princess spoke, her voice cut through the ringing in Engineers head. "Your creations have brought about the deaths of many ponies, gryphons, and dogs, for the good Equestria, you are to be entombed in stone to prevent you from producing any more of these dangerous creations." She gestured with her hooves and the ponies holding her let her up to her feet. "Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

Engineer thought for a second before settling on an appropriate response. She spat the mixture of blood, and saliva pooling in her mouth at the princess. A barrier of magic flickered in front of it stoping it dead in midair, her defiant last act fell to the ground, splashing on the stone floor harmlessly. The white princess was not impressed, "So be it, Sister, with me". The blue Princess that was staring down Soboka up to this point, daring him to protest further, flew over to the white Princesses side. Their horns glowed as they prepared their spell, the ponies holding Engineer moved away from her, not wanting to get caught up in the spell. Engineer braced herself as a beam of light shot out from their horns towards her, she put her arms up to shield herself from what was about to happen.

Engineer waited for something to happen, but as she peaked past her arms, she saw that the princesses had finished. Their spell seemed to have failed, she smirked and turned to make a run for it, only to feel her leg stuck, she looked down to see it turning to stone, she felt fear overtake her as she started to hyperventilate as the stone grew up her leg, she clawed at her leg with her hands hoping to peel the stone off, only for it to spread to her hands, as she felt it race up her chest and nearer to her neck, she tried to scream only to feel her mouth go solid as well freezing her face in a look of terror.

As the stone closed towards her eyes as they darted around wildly before settling on the two princesses. She poured all the hatred that she felt into her eyes and swore that, somehow, she would get revenge. Revenge for her King, revenge for her destroyed creations, and revenge for doing this to her.

As the stone covered her completely everything went black, she was put into a deep sleep within her stone prison, a sleep that was intended to last forever.

"So thats that Celestia, now what?" Luna asked.

"Now sister comes the time to rebuild, the war is won, now comes peace" Celestia Declared "and may it last a thousand years." The Princesses turned and left the Throne room, as the guards followed behind, carrying the statue of Engineer.

And with that the Princesses brought the devastating Diamond Dog War to an end. King Soboka went on to rule wisely and justly over a much diminished kingdom. Engineers creations were gathered together and destroyed under the supervision of all the allied nations, Engineers workshop was burned, all of the notes, records and schematics were destroyed. Some of Engineers weapons did slip through the cracks, find their way into the hands of less than reputable creatures, they changed hands over the centuries between warlords, crime-bosses and private collectors.

The Diamond Dog War became a historical footnote, remembered as a minor conflict fought in the years between the ascension of the Princesses, and the battle with Discord. Engineers Statue was brought to the castle of the Two Sisters, it was too disturbing, with the agonised face that the strange creature made when it was turned to stone. It was kept in the royal vault under the castle and was buried by ruble during the first battle with nightmare moon. When Celestia moved her capital to Canterlot it was left behind.

This would have been the end of Engineers story, until one day someone found her.

Chapter One: Meeting the gang

Engineer woke with a start, climbing to her feet, she felt pains shoot through her body, the melee with the ponies had left her bruised, bleeding, and with a pounding headache. She fought through the pain, and tried to focus. She needed to get it together and figure out just what the hell had happened.

As she got her bearing, she saw that she was no longer standing in the throne room, and that Soboka, the ponies, and the 'Royal Princesses' were nowhere to be seen. Instead she found herself in what looked like a cave, the walls had a strange orange glow, with staircases leading from the center of the cave, into dark passageways that led who knows where. In the center of the room was an alter with a large orb glowing black and orange. A pool of putrid green water flowed next to her, fed by water flowing from walls, green moss hung from the ceiling giving off a strange earthy odour.

As Engineer looked around, black smoke begun to come from one of the platforms next to her. An old, sickly looking centaur appeared, along with a young pegasus filly. "Who are you? whats going on? where am I?" she demanded of these new arrivals.

The centaur stared her down "We could ask the same of you creature."

The little filly hovered up from the platform, and waved at Engineer, the pony smiled as she asked "Hello my name is Cozy Glow, and this is Tirek. Whats your name?"

Before Engineer could respond, 'Tirek' interjected into the conversation "First its Lord Tirek, and second what exactly are you? I've never seen a creature like you before."

"I'm Engineer, now you answer my questions." Engineer was getting impatient, she wanted answers. Before the conversation could continue, a new figure appeared across the room from another column of black smoke. This newcomer looked like a pony but was taller and with a black and green bug like appearance. Engineer had no idea what kind of creature this bug was.

"Lord Tirek" The Insect pony hissed as she narrowed her eyes at the centaur.

"A Changeling? See she gets it." Cozy Glow rolled her eyes at Tirek stroking his own ego.

"Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings, or at least I will be, when i'm restored to my rightful place." Chrysalis glided down into the center of the room, as Tirek and Cozy Glow made their way down their staircase. "Why did you summon me? What do you want?" Chrysalises horn glowed green as she menaced the pair in front of her, Cozy Glow yelped in fear as she retreated behind the legs of Tirek. "Oh golly, we didn't bring you, I thought you freed us from Tartarus"

"Tartarus? whoever pulled you from there must have been somepony very powerful indeed." Chrysalis glanced around the room, she eyed the Engineer, watching her approach the group. "Was it you creature? Are you the one who brought us here?"

"I have no idea who you people are, where we are, why we are here, or where exactly here is. So that would be a no from me." Engineer hobbled her way into the center of the room, her injuries preventing her from moving comfortably. She was befuddled by the situation she found herself in as she found herself surrounded by these strange, and quite possibly, dangerous creatures.

"Useless fool" Chrysalis snarled "if this creature is not the one who brought us here then who did?" A cackling laugh echoed through the cave, as another pillar of black smoke appeared on a platform above them. As the smoke subsided another pony, this one was a unicorn all black and grey, with a bright red horn, he smirked down at the gathering below him.

"King Sombra? You have returned? Why did you bring us here?" Chrysalis and Tirek prepared their magic, readying themselves for a fight with the newcomer. Engineer was getting really annoyed, her head hurt, she had no idea what was going on, and no one was telling her anything. She was about to interject, to try to stop the situation from becoming anymore confusing, but she was interrupted by a new voice coming from behind them.

"He didn't." The group wheeled around to see a large figure advancing across the rocks dotting the putrid green pool. He walked past the group towards the alter and the orb before turning to address them. "It was I, you may call me Grogar."

Chrysalis and Tirel gasped at the name "The Grogar?" "I thought you were a legend." Sombra joined the group in a flash of black magic "I've heard of you." "Who?" Cozy glow asked, not recognising the name. Engineer decided to remain silent for now, hopefully any questions she had were about to be answered.

"I assure you, I am very real, and you have all been brought here as part of my plan to rid equestria, of twilight sparkle and her friends, once and for all" Grogar chuckled as he explained.

"I am so sorry, but the name Grofar, it just doesn't ring any bells" Cozy glow interjected.

"Grogar!" The shout sent Cozy Glow flying back. "I have been away too long if my name no longer strikes fear into the heart of one so tiny" Grogar spat.

"Why exactly should I listen to you Grogar? I don't know who this Twilight Sparkle is, and frankly I don't care. My fight is with the Alicorn Sisters, and the dog who betrayed me Soboka." Engineer spat Sobokas name, she was going to make him pay for selling her out, she would make sure of it.

"If you want revenge against King Soboka, I have bad news Engineer. King Soboka has been dead for a long time."

"What are you talking about?" Engineer was confused, how could Soboka be dead? She had just been talking to him a few minutes ago. "Explain" she demanded.

"What was the last thing that you remember Engineer?"

"I remember being sealed in stone by those Alicorn ponies, then you must have freed me and brought me here." Engineer gasped as a realisation came to her "Wait, how long was I turned to stone for a year? A decade?" The Engineer felt ice through her veins as she asked "Have I been stone for a century.?

Grogar delighted in the pain he was about to cause "you were turned to stone over a millennia ago. Everyone you knew is gone, your precious Kingdom has long since fallen apart. And almost all of your work has been destroyed."

"No! That can't be! You're saying that everything is gone?" She was over a thousand years in the future, all the dogs of the Kingdom were dead. Her sorrow changed to anger as she realised that the people that had screwed her over were long gone as well, probably living long happy lives before succumbing to old age. The revenge that she yearned for was never going to be hers.

"Not quite Engineer, for you see the Alicorn sisters, Celestia and Luna, that turned you to stone still live. This Twilight Sparkle is set to be their successor, they have been grooming her to take over so that they can retire."

Engineer mulled over this information in her head. If this Twilight Sparkle was truely the successor to the Sisters, someone who they had poured their time and effort moulding, then she would delight in destroying their work the same way that they had destroyed hers. She grinned at the thought of watching the Princesses, those smug fools, watching as their precious protege was brought low. There was still something she wanted to know "why should I follow you Grogar? What do you bring to the table?"

"Perhaps a demonstration of power is in order" Grogar lifted his hoof to a collar of bells he had around his chest, drawing an orb of yellow magic out of the bells, he blew on it and it split into two one heading towards Engineer and another towards Tirek. As the magic hit Engineer she felt the aches in her body start to subside and the headache that had been bothering her regress, she had been healed. The centaur Tirek faired even better as the magic he recieved made changes to him, he went from being old and sickly in appearance to being younger, larger and stronger, it also caused the horns in his head to grow from two tiny stubs into a respectable size.

As Tirek flexed his new muscles. "Grogar is ancient, extremely powerful, the land that would become equestria was a mere collection of farms and pastures until he, declared himself emperor of all he saw, I remember hearing tales of his tyranny when I was young"

"I have also heard of the first emperor of Equestria, the father of monsters." Sombra added

"I gave life to the foulest of creatures, and allowed them to run wild taking what they wanted and destroying the rest." The orb that sat on the alter displayed images of foul creatures running rampant, burning and consuming all that was before them, and of ponies fleeing in terror at the sight of the devestation, or being chased down and violently killed at the claws of the monstrosities. "My reign was a glorious, fear soaked epoch of darkness in equestria"

"Hah" Chrysalis interjected "until gusty the great rose up and banished you"

"That fool believed taking my bell would defeat me, but she only weakened me temporarily"

"Um, Tirek is really old, no offence you look great, but if he knew about you when he was young, and this Engineer was around over a thousand years ago and she had no idea who you were, it sound life we have different ideas about what temporarily means" Cozy Glow smugly mocked Grogar.

Grogar took offence, flinging Cozy Glow back into the chest of Tirek. "Silence" He demanded "I've spent millennia gathering power, biding my time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to seize control of Equestria. And watching all of you, I've seen each of your humiliating defeats at the hooves of these puny ponies. And do you know why they bested you?"

"Because they cheat!" Chrysalis declared

"Because they are annoyingly lucky" Tirek grumbled.

"Because they are too powerful" Engineer Complained.

Cozy Glow joked "Well i'm just a kid, so."

"It is because they work together, where one is weak, another is strong, and thus unified they are a formidable force. But we will use their own strategy to defeat them."

"What are you suggesting?" Chrysalis demanded of Grogar.

"Its kind of obvious, Insect." "Shut up you overgrown ape."

Grogar leaped forward interrupting the argument. "I suggest nothing, I demand you join me" he slammed a hoof punctuating his point, "and together Equestria will be ours."

"I don't do ours, I only do mine" Sombra teleported onto the alter staring down Grogar as he continued his rant "I will take back the Crystal Empire on my own, and I will destroy any pony who gets in my way."

Grogar responded to this rebellion by grinning at the proud King "such confidence" he condescended. He casually hopped off the table "Go, try to take back your kingdom, I'll send you there myself. If you prevail, you may keep it, but when you fail you will submit to me"

"And if i refuse this deal?"

"Then I will return you to the darkness from which you were summoned."

"Fine! 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-" Sombras pontificating was interrupted by Grogar impatiently teleporting Sombra, who was carried away by the glowing yellow magic as a cloud of black smoke.

"I advise the rest of you to prepare to work together" with that Grogar trudged back across the rancid water, disappearing into the darkness of the cave.

"Well, working together sounds a lot like making friends so, you three are in luck because I know all about that." All Cozy Glows bragging got here was getting flicked across the room by an unimpressed Tirek.

Engineer looked across at her new, I guess colleagues. "This has been the weirdest day in my life." She felt a grumbling in her stomach "Does this place have a kitchen? I haven't eaten in a thousand years."

After exploring the caves that they were now to call home, they had located what could be described as a kitchen. It was surprisingly well stocked with a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, baking supplies, and tinned food. There was no meat in stock, which didn't bother the others as they didn't eat animals, but Engineer had grown up eating meals prepared by the personal cooks of King Rex, and as such had always enjoyed an omnivores diet.

Tirek, Cozy, Chrysalis and Engineer were all sat around a table in the kitchen. They had found some food that they had found acceptable and were all digging in to their respective meals. Tirek was enjoying a plate of fired eggs with a side of baked beans, Cozy was digging in to a salad that she had prepared, Chrysalis was enjoying a large bowl of ice-cream, and Engineer was making do with a pile of sandwiches filled with some stuff from a jar called 'peanut butter'. Her meal was no grilled rabbit with salt and lemon but it was filling enough for a lunch.

Through their meal they had not said as much as a word to each other aside from a snide remark about a choice of food. Engineer decided to see if she could break the ice. "So, I get why Tirek is here, big magic centaur, Chrysalis is a powerful changeling, but I don't get Cozy Glow, what use do we have for a little filly?"

"Well Engy maybe it has to do with me almost draining all the magic from Equestria" Cozy said giving Engineer an innocent smile.

"Engy?"

"What? you cant expect me to keep calling you Engineer can you? Engy can be your nickname" Cozy seemed excited by the new nickname that she had come up with.

"I'd rather you didn't call me that." Engineer felt that she didn't need a nickname.

"Okay Engy I won't" Cozys smile started to morph into a smirk as she felt that she had gotten under Engineers skin.

"Seriously stop it" Engineer was starting to get annoyed by the little brat.

"Whats wrong Engy? Are you not enjoying your food Engy? I could give you some of mine if you'd like Engy?" Cozy was giggling, she was enjoying this opportunity to torment someone.

Engineer stood out of her chair pointing at cozy across the table "Stop calling me that you little brat, or else I'll rip your wings off!"

Chrysalis groaned at the fight at the dinner table "Can you children stop fighting? I haven't had access to Ice cream in ages, so I would like to enjoy it in peace."

"I'm not a child, bug, so don't refer to me as one" Engineer sat back down returning to her sandwich and trying to ignore Cozy making faces at her from across the table.

"How old are you exactly?" Tirek spoke through a mouthful of food.

"I don't know exactly I was found as a young child in the mountains by King Rex, so I don't have an exact number" Engineer didn't remember anything before living with the Diamond Dogs. "But I was found roughly fifteen years before I was turned to stone, so assuming I was between one and two when I was found i'm sixteen or seventeen."

Tirek scoffed, a bean flying out of his mouth, "So it's worse than you being a child, you're an angsty teenager."

"How am I angsty?" Engineer asked quite insulted.

Chrysalis Interjected "Before you answer can you please swallow your food, its disgusting to talk with your mouth full."

Tirek gulped down his food before continuing "Lets see, you're out solely for revenge without any thought to what comes after, meaning your thinking emotionally not logically, you had almost had a breakdown when you were talking to Grogar, and you are immature enough to get angry at a kid teasing you over a name of all things. So yeah, I don't know what kind of creature you are, but I know an angsty teen when I see one."

"Listen here Tirek, I don't have plans because all of them were destroyed by Celestia and Luna so first I'll destroy them and then I'll figure it out from there. And the reason I'm getting angry is because Cozy is so damned annoying" Engineer scowled at Cozy across the table which Cozy replied to by sticking her tongue out.

A loud clang was heard as Chrysalis dropped her bowl on the table, the contents of it now consumed. She let out a pleasured sigh "that was good, so Engineer what exactly did you do to earn being locked in stone?"

"Made the greatest magical weapons and armor the world had ever seen" Engineer was relieved by the change in topic, she always liked to brag about her creations.

Cozy piped up from across the table "How did you get into that?"

Engineer sat back in her chair and put her feet on the table "Well when I was young I was exploring the castle and came across the forges, I don't know why but it all just made sense to me, I annoyed the smiths to death with questions, and found myself working there. I just started creating things that astounded the other smiths, the way they did things were slow and formulaic, I experimented and mixed different materials, magic runes and enchantments. Soon I was making weapons and armor for the Kings army, my stuff was so good it earned me the name Engineer."

"Why was your stuff so good?" Cozy was sitting forward in her seat enjoying the story.

"Well part of it was creativity, as well as having hands with opposable thumbs helped" Engineer wiggled her fingers to display their dexterity. She took the last bite out of her third sandwich breaking her thousand year fast.

Cozy floated up from her seat and landed on the table "Well now that we've all eaten, I think we should all pick out our rooms and then meet back up by the glowing orb for some teamwork exercises, sound good?" She earned chorus of grunts from the rest of the group and they all filtered away from the kitchen.

Engineers was surprised by the amenities that were available, an on suite bathroom with a functioning shower, a large king sized double bed and a large wardrobe offering lots of storage. She found it odd this cave that was her new home was so well prepared. She was disappointed when her found where Grogar expected her to be working, the forge was located in a spacious room close to her new bedroom, it lacked the tools that she was used to and had a small and unimpressive stock of materials. If Grogar expected her to arm him and the rest of the gang, she would need a lot better resources than this.

She took the opportunity to shower and get a change of clothes before making her way back to the main room. The rest of the gang were there except for one. "Do any of you know where Grogar is? I need to speak to him about my new forge."

Tirek looked up at the Engineer as she descended the stairs "I haven't seen him since this morning, strange that he bring us here and then leave like that."

Cozy flew up from the ground "All right now that everyones here let's work on our teamwork exercises, everyone gather together in a circle and hold hooves or hands."

The rest of the group reluctantly gathered together and cringed as they interlocked their hands and hooves. Chrysalis growled "Now what, I don't enjoy holding hooves with a pony"

"If we are going to be working together we need to respect each other, so the way this is that we go in a circle and say something nice about each others species. I'll say something nice about, um, Engineer what is your species called?" Cozy asked innocently.

"I don't know, I never found out where I came from."

"Oh sorry, right now I'll say something nice about Engy, Engy you say something nice about centaurs, Tirek you say something nice about changelings, and Chrysalis you say something nice about ponies."

"Never!"

Before a fight could breakout they heard hoof steps coming from the entrance of the cave and saw that Grogar had returned. "Let us hope the four of you will be enough for my plans."

The gang quickly disentangled from each other, hoping that Grogar hadn't seen their little exercise.

"And what of King Sombra?"

"Did he succeed?"

Grogar approached the orb scoffing at the questions. The orb showed an image of six ponies engulfed in a glowing aura of magic, their eyes glowed as they shot a beam of magic at Sombra, they watched as Sombra was blasted and disintegrated by the blast of magic. "I'd say he gambled, and lost. But at least he can serve as a warning to those who doubt continuing with my plans, unless, any of you have doubts."

After seeing the morbid display from the orb the gang were too nervous to raise any objections,

"Uh not I!"

"Nope!"

"I'm good!"

"Love the plan!"

"Then we shall join forces and work together to bring Equestria to its knees!" As Grogar started bellowing in laughter the gang joined in nervously. As their laughs echoed through the caves, Engineer thought to herself that this was not going to end well.

Chapter Two: This rings a bell

Engineer descended the stairs to the center of the main room, she found Grogar concentrating on his orb. "Grogar, there you are."

Grogar groaned, "let me guess, you want to complain about something too?"

Engineer was taken aback by this but continued on "yeah I'd like to complain about something."

Grogar slammed his head on the table and sighed "fine, get it over with."

Engineer dropped a metal ingot on the table causing it to shake, Grogar lifter his head off the table in shock and lifted his hoof to his head to sooth the headache he had started to develop.

"What's this?" Engineer had her arms crossed, a scowl on her face as she glared at Grogar.

"It's iron, aren't you supposed to be the expert?" Grogar replied a deadpan look on his face.

"It's pig iron, I could maybe make something good with just steel but all you have given me is useless damned pig iron!" Engineer paced the room as she ranted, Grogar closed his eyes and started to breath slowly and deeply. "I've been working for weeks trying to get my workshop set up the way I want it and all I have to work with is useless crap, seriously you put all this effort into this place but you couldn't get me any good materials to work with." Engineer continued to rant, ignorant of the growing anger that Grogar was trying to contain "you've barely been around and you haven't had to put up with those three idiots, and another thing why isn't their any meat in the kitchen I need my-."

"SHUT UP!" Grogar screamed "I've given you what I could so quit complaining, make do with what you have and stop bothering me!"

Enginner stormed out of the room in a huff, indignant at being yelled at. She made her way into a room in the cave that was made into a living area of sorts. She found that Cozy Glow, Chrysalis and Tirek were all sat there with board expressions on their face.

Cozy Glow looked up as Engineer entered the room "Aww sound like Engy got yelled at by big mean old Grogar, are your widdle fewings hurt."

"Shut up Cozy" Engineer slumped down on one of the vacant chairs in the room, "I've been tasked with creating stuff to take down the most powerful beings in Equestria and I've been given crap to work with"

"Aren't you supposed to be some kind of legend" Tirek interjected "maybe you aren't as good as we've been led to believe."

"I am that good, but unless I have the right materials I can't create and I've tried to talk to Grogar about it but either he isn't around or he is too busy to listen."

Chrysalis smirked "So what you're saying is that you're useless, if thats the case I might as well get rid of you, have one less annoying creature in my life."

"Shut up, or i'll crush you like the bug you are" Engineer threatened.

"Try me monkey" Chrysalis retorted.

Before the argument could go any further, Grogar entered "I am leaving, since its impossible to accomplish the work I need to do here. I suggest the four of you come to some kind of accord."

A chorus of protests was raised to this statement, but all four of them were silenced by a blast of magic covering their mouths. "I don't care how, but you must learn to work together, only then can we accomplish what you so greatly desire, the defeat of Twilight Sparkle and her Friends!" a muffled interjection from Engineer had him add on with a sigh "and Celestia and Luna."

With that Grogar removed the magic covering their mouths and left them to resolve their differences.

"Golly, it sound like we need to have a long talk about-" Cozy glow begun only to have found that the other three had vacated the room as well. Cozy sighed "well this calls for some baking."

Engineer was sat in her workshop staring at the lump of metal before her. She screamed in frustration and hurled it at the door.

As it hurled towards the entrance, the door suddenly opened and Cozy Glow entered, her eyes went wide as she spotted the projectile hurtling towards her and ducked just in time for it to sail just over her head. It clanged loudly down the stairs behind her, echoing through the room.

"Golly Engy, that almost caved my head in" Cozy said still getting over the shock of nearly being killed.

"That would have been such a tragedy" Engineer scoffed "now do you leaving so I can have some peace?"

"You sound tense Engy, do you know what would fix that? A team meeting" Cozy flew over landing on top of Engineers desk.

"Pass"

"Now now Engy, Grogar wants us all to work together and since he left me in charge-"

"No he didn't, no leave me alone so I can get back to work" Engineer shooed Cozy off the table and tried to get back to work.

"But you'll miss out on the cupcakes I baked."

"Probably poisoned cupcakes."

"I'm just going to keep bothering you until you come so, you might as well."

Engineer picked up another projectile to throw.

"And I spent my time back at the orphanage dodging things being thrown at me, so knock yourself out." Cozy buzzed into the air ready to evade.

Engineer was confused by this statement "What do you mean the orphanage?"

"Um, nothing" Cozy realised that she had said too much and tried to change the subject "so how about that team meeting?" smiling nervously.

Engineer sat back down dropping the hammer that she was gripping on the desk. "Fine, if it means you'll stop bothering me, i'm in"

Cozy clapped her hooves happily "Thanks Engy, see you there" with that she dashed out of the room.

Engineer thought about what Cozy had said "Cozy was an orphan?" Engineer shook her head, she couldn't worry about that now she had to attend this stupid meeting.

She made her way down towards the living area and found the others already gathered. Cozy was standing on a pile of precariously stacked crates, and a banner bearing the crude visages of Tirek, Grogar, Cozy Glow, Chrysalis and Engineer was hung from two stalactites in the ceiling.

Engineer sat herself between Tirek, who was looking as board as Engineer felt, and Chrysalis who was enjoying one of the cupcakes that were on the table.

"Now that we are all assemble I shall begin" Cozy cleared her throat "Grogar wants us to work together to defeat our enemies, which means we need to trust each other"

"If we are to trust one another, perhaps inform Lord Tirek to stop trying to absorb my essence!" As Cozy was speaking, Tirek had taken the opportunity to try to drain Chrysalis of her magic. After being called out he spat a strange orange goo over a cupcake which he handed to Chrysalis.

"I wasn't doing anything of the sort" Tirek protested "how dare you."

"How dare I?!" Chrysalis stood from her chair, shoving herself face to face with Tirek. "Do you know to whom you are speaking" With that Chrysalis levitated the goo covered cupcake to her mouth and devoured it in short order.

"How could I not, you tell your log every five minutes."

Chrysalis hugged a strange purple coloured branch defensively prompting Engineer to inquire "what the hell is that log anyway?"

"Its her little coping mechanism for the fact that no one loves her" Tirek taunted. Chrysalis glared at Tirek, insulted and hurt by his assessment.

"Oh so it's like your obsession for working out to hide how weak you feel." Engineer smirked at her own little takedown.

Tirek only smiled back "Hah, big talk coming from such a scrawny little creature. With all that anger I can tell that you have issues, let me guess daddy didn't love you?"

"No, you?"

"This is why Grogar left me in charge" Cozy interjected earning her a cry back of "NO HE DIDN'T!" Cozy let out an exasperated whine before composing herself and flew down onto the table. "I think I know-."

"What are you doing?" Engineer cut in.

Cozy wheeled around to Engineer outraged at the interruption "I'm singing, what does it sound like I'm doing."

"But why though?"

Cozy scoffed "Its a pony thing, we like to break into unprompted musical numbers, now if you don't mind."

"Well I do mind, I agreed to your little meeting but I didn't agree to any musical numbers, so we won't be singing any songs today."

"Well it's a good song so I'm going to sing it, and if you don't like it, tough" Cozy took a breath to continue.

"ENOUGH!" the voice of Grogar echoed through the cave as he entered, stoping Cozy from singing any further. "I had hoped by now you would have resolved your differences, but apparently not."

"Damn it" Cozy exclaimed.

"Perhaps if we knew what the plan was, we would be better able to prepare!" Chrysalis countered.

"Assuming you even have a plan" Tirek added.

"Of course I have a plan" Grogar spat back "I have located an object of power, and it occurs to me this is the perfect test. The four of you will work together to retrieve it. Against this item, those ponies won't stand a chance."

Chrysalis strode forward "I have come close to ruling Equestria several times. Perhaps I should be the one to lead us."

Engineer laughed "Hah, thats nothing, my weapons almost conquered all of Equestria, I should be in charge."

Cozy buzzed up from the table "I nearly drained all the magic from Equestria, that was good."

Tirek rose from his chair "I absorbed all the magic of Equestria, I could feel it flowing through my body as I grew."

Before another argument could break out Grogar sent out a wave of magic, pinning the group to a wall. "Each of you failed to defeat the ponies!" Grogar roared, advancing on the immobilized group "My power is greater than all of your combined, this is but a fraction of it, Understood!?"

After getting noises of agreement out of them, Grogar released them from the wall, dropping them back down to the floor. "Now you shall retrieve the rest of it." Grogar continued "Thousands of moons ago, the self righteous Gusty the Great, unable to best me face to face stole my Bewitching Bell, a talisman containing much of my own magic. The Bell cannot be destroyed so Gusty hid it in a place it has taken me millennia to discover, an enchanted cave high atop Mount Everhoof, protected by magical winds that prevent anypony from reaching its peak. There the Bell has remained until now. Scale Mount Everhoof and bring me back my Bell."

Chrysalis scoffed "the ease of this task is laughable."

After retiring to her room to gather supplies, Engineer joined the rest of the group near the alter. She was carrying a large pack, and was wearing heavy duty winter gear.

"What took you so long?!" Grogar thundered.

"I'm scaling a mountain aren't I? That calls for preparation." Engineer answered back coldly. "Your Bell also probably has some magical protections, so i'm bringing something along to help with that."

Chrysalis laughed "you needn't of bothered, for someone of my power this task will be mere child's play."

Grogar smirked "I'm glad you think so, now that you are all assembled, I can teleport you to your destination. Get ready." His horns glowed yellow and a magical field enveloped them.

In an instant, their surroundings changed and an icy gust of wind assaulted them. Before them towered Mount Everhoof,
its peak extending up into the clouds.

The gang gawked at the imposing sight before them "well it sounded easy" Chrysalis remarked.

Tirek composed himself "Scale the mountain."

"Break through any spells guarding it" Engineer added.

"Retrieve Grogars Bell" Chrysalis stated.

"Together!" Cozy chimed in cheerfully. "I drew up a detailed plan with several visual aids to show how we can-."

Engineer ignored Cozy and began trudging towards the mountain, this was going to be difficult and she listening to that kid would only distract her from the challenge facing her. Tirek and Chrysalis seemed to have the same idea as they left Cozy behind, choosing their own paths towards the mountain.

She chose to forget about them, she had to focus on herself. She knew that in order to get the revenge she wanted, she had to scale this mountain. She gulped nervously as she took in the size of Mount Everhoof, but she trudged on regardless.

The alpine air was cold and fresh, she took in deep breaths savouring the outdoors. This was the first time she had been outside in months, or would that be in over a thousand years? A thousand years, it was still hard to believe that she had been sealed away for that long, to her it was instant from being in the throne room to being recruited by Grogar.

Everyone she knew from the past was dead, everyone except the Princesses. The Princesses, Celestia and Luna, they were the ones who had destroyed everything that she had held dear. They killed the King, they destroyed her work, they had turned Soboka against her, and they had sealed her away in stone.

After half an hour of hiking through the woods, she found herself at the foot of the mountain. She dropped her pack and prepared her gear, first she affixed spikes onto to the front of her boots, they would allow her feet to gain purchase on the sheer ice wall before her, next she pulled out a pair of ice picks which were decorated with a series of runes engraved into them, the runes would make it almost effortless to drive the picks into the wall. She slung the pack back over her shoulder and prepared to make the climb.

She buried the pick into the wall, stabbed her boot in and began to climb. She groaned under the weight of her pack, it was one thing to walk with it but it was another entirely to try to climb with it. Each time she pulled herself up her muscles strained under the weight.

As she begun to climb she climbed she heard a voice echoing from the mountain, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?" Cozy Glow must be running into her own issues elsewhere, oh well it wasn't Engineers problem.

As the echoing subsided, it was taken over by a strange rumbling sound coming from above her. As she looked up she was shocked to see a large clump of snow was bearing down on her, before she could react it barrelled into her, knocking her clear off the wall. She felt herself being thrown end over end, unable to tell up from down before she landed with a thud on the soft snow below.

She groaned as she lay face down in the snow, nothing was broken but she would definitely have some bruises. She looked around for her picks but they were nowhere to be seen, she shrugged off her pack and climbed to her feet, grimacing in pain from the fall. "Damn it!" she fumed, her picks were lodged in the wall over ten feet up, well out of reach.

She mulled over her options, she couldn't try to climb up to retrieve them, the wall had no obvious way to climb it. She could try to find the others and ask them for help, but even if she could bring herself to ask for their help they would just laugh at her. That was even if she could find them, for all she knew they had already retrieved it, they could have already made their way home without her. What if she was stuck here with no way to get back to the cave?

She was almost relieved to hear a rustling sound behind her, but as she turned her relief turned to terror. Staring at her were the reptilian eyes of a giant snake with the head and torso of a bull. She had to stand her ground, she decided, there was no way that she could outrun it in her condition, her only choice was that she could spook it. She reasoned that since its prey half was where its brain was, that if she put on a good enough show it there was a good chance that it could be scared off. She raised her arms above her head and screamed as loudly as she could at the creature.

The monster shrieked back exposing its fangs and reptilian tongue, so it was a predator, and continued to advance on her. Her plan hadn't worked! She didn't wait a moment longer and took off running, barreling into the woods to escape the monster. She heard it behind her, crashing through the brush in pursuit of its prey. She felt her heart pounding in her chest as the beast started to close the gap between them and fast. This was going to be the end for her, the legendary Engineer, freed from stone to embark on her quest for vengeance against two all powerful demi-gods, eaten by some monster in the middle of nowhere.

As she crashed through a bush she was surprised by the scene in front of her. Tirek and Cozy were embroiled in an argument around a campfire, they looked at her, puzzled by her sudden and dramatic appearance but then their expressions changed to shock as they saw the beast pursuing her. They were yelling something but she was too frightened to care what as she dived behind Tirek hoping to put something between her and the creature.

As if things could get any worse a second one appeared in the brush, this one however was focused on the first creature giving it what could only be described as a seductive look, the first creature ignored its original prey and slithered towards the new arrival.

"Quick it's distracted, let's go!" Cozy said.

"Wait" Tirek replied. The newly arrived creature roared at the first and transformed into Chrysalis, who then preceded to suck a strange pink energy out of the monster.

As Chrysalis sucked up the last of the energy the creature collapsed, crashing to the ground. "Mmm, so much love, I haven't eaten this well in ages." Chrysalis licked her lips savouring the taste of the 'love.'

Cozy gagged "so gross."

Chrysalis turned away from her meal "Just so we're clear, I didn't save you because I like you, I did it because, because I..."

"Need us?" Cozy Glow finished.

"Yes" Chrysalis hissed.

Tirek laughed "Clearly I was right to wait. Now tell me everything you learned, leave nothing out. You go first Engineer. Engineer?"

Engineer was sat down with her knees up to her chest and her head in her hands. "Whats with her?" Chrysalis asked.

"I don't know" Tirek said. "Hey Engineer, whats going on?" she said something in reply but Triek couldn't make it out, "What was that? Speak up"

"I SAID I ALMOST DIED!" Engineer screamed, tears streaming down her face "THAT THING NEARLY KILLED ME!"

"Whats gotten into you?" Tirek asked

"I'm scared alright, I thought I was going to be killed by that thing." She sobbed "I'm such an idiot, sure I'll just scale a mountain, steal an ancient all powerful artefact, and use it to take down the two most powerful creatures in Equestria, I couldn't make it more than ten damned feet! I'm a failure, I failed my the kingdom, I failed my brother, I failed my father, and now I've failed again." Engineer wiped her eyes with her sleeve "And look at me crying like a damned child, I'm so pathetic."

"Yeah you are pretty pathetic Engy" Cozy buzzed over to Engineers side

"Thanks Cozy, really cheering me up here."

"I mean, when I read those history books, talking about the great Diamond Dog war, and the horrifying Engineer who churned out such terrifying creations that she had to be sealed in stone for the good of Equestria. I imagined someone who wouldn't start bawling her eyes out after one minor set back."

"One minor setback? I made a fool of myself."

"Yeah? So did I, we all failed today too. I couldn't get past one little old guard, so if your'e a failure I guess we're all failures too."

Chrysalis smirked "Speak for yourself"

Cozy fluttered over to Chrysalis "Oh really? Then why don't you have the bell?"

"I almost reached the top, but was turned back by an impenetrable tempest of snow" Chrysalis proclaimed.

Tirek chuckled "Wind? The mighty Queen Chrysalis was stopped by some wind?" Chrysalis scowled, upset at being made fun of.

Cozy buzzed over to Tirek "Seriously? You're one to talk about wind since you're so full of it. I spent months with you in Tartarus and your farts could be used as an industrial strength pesticide, honestly Tirek, you stink."

Engineer smiled a little at the joke. Cozy flew over and landed next to her "so Engineer, you feel better?"

Engineer felt her stomach rumble "I feel hungry, did any of you guys bring anything to eat?"

Chrysalis replied "well I knew that none of you would, so I brought some food along, just because I need my servants to be in the best condition." She levitated a paper bag, seemingly from nowhere, and pulled out four cans of soup, taken from the caves kitchens. "Here Tirek, levitate them over the fire so they're hot."

"Aww you could have brought some marshmallows." Cozy was then hit in the face by a bag of the sweets "oh golly, thanks Chrysi!"

"Don't you give me one of those stupid nicknames!"

"So which of you wants what can?" Tirek asked as he cooked their food

"Oh I'm fine with just the marshmallows" Cozy said

"No, you can't just eat sweets for dinner Cozy Glow" Chrysalis said "you have to eat a real meal first."

Cozy pouted "You're such a sadist"

Tirek took the food of the fire, Chrysalis pulled out three bowl and spoons and handed them to Tirek. Tirek raised an eyebrow at this, as they seemed to be one short.

"I'm not having any, I've already had my fill from that creature over there. Tirek, you have mine." Chrysalis said

"Whats exactly did you do to it anyway?" Engineer asked "and I thought you ate regular food."

"Well I can eat regular food, even enjoy it, but it is nothing compared to draining the love from a creature." Chrysalis licked her lips and looked over at the bull-snake, it was trying to sneak away back into the brush. "Speaking of food" Chrysalis pounced on the creature, levitated it up to a tree, and begun entombing it in a strange green slime that quickly hardened around it.

The rest of the group watched as they ate, fascinated by the strange sight they were witnessing. By the time Chrysalis was done the gang had polished off their food and Cozy was skewering a marshmallow onto a stick.

"Why did you do that?" Cozy asked "Didn't you already drain it of love?"

Chrysalis climbed down from the tree, leaving her victim suspended. "I always save a little for the next day."

"You cocoon all of your... meals?"

"Of course" Chrysalis replied.

"So when you pony-napped Twilight and the others, you cocooned them?"

"Yes." Chrysalis seethed "Until that sow Starlight Glimmer freed them, corrupted my subjects, and stole my hive!"

"Starlight Glimmer? Thats a new name, who's she?" Engineer asked

"She's one of Twilights friends" Cozy answered "She's pretty good with magic, reckless, and loves kites for some reason."

"Those ponies do have weaknesses though, like that time I used Discord. I tricked him into helping me capture his so called friends."

"Discord? I heard about him when I was still with the Diamond Dogs. He's was a powerful user of chaos magic, he's still around?"

Chrysalis said "Yeah he came back big over a year ago and almost took over all of Equestria, until the 'Magic of Friendship' got to him." Chrysalis Sighed "Discord was really something until friendship ruined him."

"You should have seen Twilights face when I captured her friends." Tirek gloated "The look on her face was priceless, it was like this" Tireks parody earned a chuckle from the gang.

"She's so stressed out all the time" Cozy said "I wish I could've seen her face, when I nearly erased all the magic from Equestria."

Tirek balked "All magic was a little excessive, don't you think?"

"Eh, I think big." said Cozy "Besides, it would've been worth it just to see Twilight and her friends bow down to me!"

"Indeed it would." Tirek replied "Who wouldn't love to see those prissy ponies realize they lost everything?

A cloak of green energy enveloped Chrysalis, emerging from it was the form of Twilight Sparkle "I'm a pathetic pony princess, I made a detailed list of all the ways i'm a failure!"

Engineer jumped back, "What the hell just happened?"

Another wave of green energy returned Chrysalis to her original form "Oh right, you've never seen me use my ability. You see Changelings can turn into other creatures and mimic them, that where we get the name Changeling from."

"Thats awesome!" Engineer said.

"I once used it to pose as Twilights former foal sitter, I messed with her so much that I thought she was going to have a breakdown."

This brought forth another roar of laughter from the gang. Tirek smiled "You know, working with you three may not be the worst thing."

"Perhaps." Chrysalis replied "As long as it results in the complete destruction of our enemies."

"I wouldn't have it any other way" Cozy giggled "Do the pathetic princess thing again!"

Engineer added "And do Celestia this time!"

After a night of laughs the gang slowly drifted off to sleep, bellies full of warm food, and looking forward to the dawn. They may have failed at first, but if they worked together they knew they could do it.

Engineer awoke first, the campfire was still smouldering, and the sun was already perched high in the sky. She surveyed the slumbering forms of her companions, she decided not to wake them as she had something to attend to before they set out.

She tracked her path through the woods back to where she had the encounter with the creature, lying half buried in the snow was her bag, right where she had abandoned it. She reached down to grab it, but as she did a spasm of pain shot up her right arm, she yelped in pain, grasping her right shoulder. She was still tender from her misadventures and the adrenalin that had kept the pain at bay had completely dissipated by now, leaving her sore and weak.

She heard a rustling in the brush, she quickly spun around, relieved to see it was just Tirek. "What happened?" He asked walking over to her side.

"Just some pains, nothing to worry about." She reached back down to pick up her pack, only to see it scooped up by a big red arm. Tirek put the bag on his own back, and began to walk back to camp, gesturing her to follow.

"Well come on, thats everything isn't it?" Tirek asked. but he saw her looking at the sheer mountain wall in front of them, specifically, two ice picks jutting out ten feet in the air. "You want some help with that too?" She nodded "alright then" Tirek gave her a boost up "Grab em" he said. She plucked them from the wall and he lowered her back down. "Alright that's everything."

"Hey Tirek?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it kid."

With the four of them working together their ascent was rapid, easily bypassing every obstacle in their path. A hapless guard, a wild forest, fallen trees, rocky climbs and prevailing winds where all overcome. Until they found themselves near their destination, the cave containing Grogars Bell.

The final challenge was a magical shield covering the entrance. Chrysalis tried to probe it and was hurled back by it for her trouble.

"Lucky for you I brought a solution." Engineer proclaimed "Tirek, my bag please." Tirek handed the bag over to her, she started pulling parts out of it and started to assemble a device. "I suspected that we might face a magical barrier, so I brought this."

She proudly showed off her creation, which got a disappointingly lacklustre response from the others. "A crossbow? That's it?" Chrysalis asked.

"Not just a crossbow, it's a repeating crossbow." Engineer fished out a bolt and placed into the bow. "Loaded with magic draining bolts, each one will sap the barrier of some of its strength, now as long as I have enough bolts, I can take down the barrier and we can just walk in, grab the Bell and be done."

Engineer turned the crossbow on the barrier, firing off a volley of bolts, each one causing the barrier to crackle on impact. After firing off a dozen bolts, exhausting her supply, she confidently marched towards the cave. Only to be thrown through the air by the still intact barrier.

"You break anything?" Chrysalis asked. For a reply, Engineer lifted up the shattered remnants of her crossbow.

"Yep" Engineer replied.

Tirek laughed, "You brought that all this way, and it turned out to be useless."

"Well not useless." Engineer said, getting up from the ground "It definitely weakened the barrier, just not enough to get rid of it."

"What now then?" Tirek asked.

Cozy had an idea "Can you absorb it and make it go away?"

"I can only absorb magic from living beings" Tirek explained.

"Like her?" Cozy Glow said, pointing at Chrysalis.

Chrysalis snarled "Betrayal!"

"Not betrayal, teamwork." Cozy said "If Tirek absorbs your energy, he'll be strong enough to break through."

"And then?"

"Then he gives it back."

"I do?" Tirek asked confused.

"How do I know you won't take my magic and leave me?" Chrysalis asked.

"Would we do that to you?" Cozy replied.

"I know I would" Engineer interjected.

Chrysalis scowled at the both of them.

"I promise, I'll give you your magic back." Tirek said "Now what do you say."

Chrysalis paused for a second, before giving her answer "Do it."

Chrysalises horn glowed and green energy was pulled from it, into the maw of Tirek. As he absorbed magic Tirek grew to an enormous size, towering well above the rest of the gang. Chrysalises eyes glazed over and she collapsed into the snow, exhausted from having her strength drained.

"So much power!" Tirek exclaimed, kissing his biceps "Welcome back baby!" He fired off his magic into the barrier, creating a small opening in it. He was straining just to open it that much "It's not big enough for me!"

"Cozy, you can fit, go!" Engineer yelled.

Cozy Glow darted through the gap in the barrier "Keep it open, or I'll be trapped forever!" She yelled back.

"Would that be so terrible?" Chrysalis muttered, still lying, exhausted, in the snow.

Tirek was beginning to buckle under the pressure "Can't hold much longer!" The hole started to shrink "Hurry!"

Engineer watched on nervously, she would later think it strange that she seemed to be more worried about Cozy Glow, than the bell. Just as Tireks strength was almost about to fail, a pink blur shot out of the hole, directly at Engineer. She put her arms out and caught the blur, it hit her in the chest knocking her back a step. She looked down and saw the smiling face of Cozy staring back at her.

"Thanks for catching me Engy" Cozy said, buzzing out of Engineers arms. "Ta-da!" She exclaimed lifting up Grogars bell in her hoofs.

Chrysalis groaned "My magic." Tirek reopened his mouth, orange energy went from it to Chrysalises horn. As her strength returned, Tirek shrunk back down to his original size. "I-I wasn't sure you were going to give it back."

"Neither was I." Tirek said, surprised at his own generosity "But working together seemed smarter than to continue fighting."

"When we helped each other, it felt better somehow." Cozy said.

"Yeah, it was nice to have someone who could help me when I needed it." Engineer added.

"I haven't felt like this since before I lost my hive." Chrysalis smiled "Having others who will be there for you is, pleasing."

"All of these years taking power from ponies" Tirek said.

"When you use your power to help others" Cozy continued.

"And when you can trust others to help you" Engineer added.

"Yes it feels" Chrysalises eyes went wide "NOOOO!"

The rest of the gang jumped back at her outburst.

"The magic of friendship is like a disease!" Chrysalis hissed "An infection that spreads to those around you! I watched it infect it infect my hive, I will not let it get to us!"

Cozy raised her hoof "But, Grogar said we have to work together."

"Grogar is too powerful." Chrysalis paced back and forth as she plotted "We will have to do something about that. We will let Grogar think we're his loyal servants. In the meantime, we'll hatch our own little plan."

Cozy giggled "I love a good backstabbing"

Engineer smirked "I prefer front stabbing but i'm open to new experiences."

"After that, we can just go back to ignoring each other." Tirek said

"Alright, but what do we do with this?" Cozy said, referring to the bell she was holding.

"First, how are we getting back to the?" before Engineer could finish her sentence, Chrysalises horn flashed and they found themselves back home "cave?"

"It's a good thing you retuned my magic, or else you would have never made it back." Chrysalis said.

"So, you're back." The voice of Grogar echoed through the cave. Cozy dashed behind a rock, hiding the bell from sight. "So, how did your adventure go?"

Tirek nervously rubbed his neck "Not well, we may have failed to get the bell."

"YOU FAILED TO RETRIEVE THE BELL?!" Grogar thundered, slamming his hoof down. The gang flinched as they felt the cave shake.

"We're sorry, almighty Grogar." Cozy said.

"We worked together as you asked." Tirek added.

"And we got so close but." Engineer looked down at her shoes, trying to hold in her laughter.

"We just aren't as powerful as you." Chrysalis finished.

Grogar roared, firing off a blast of magic, putting a sizeable hole in a nearby wall. "Obviously! At least you finally did as you were told and worked together." Grogar skulked off, disappointed in the team that he had assembled.

As his hoofsteps faded, the gang roared in laughter. The fool had fallen for it!

"Quick thinking Cozy" Tirek rubbed Cozys head.

"Where should we hide the bell now?" Chrysalis asked.

"Well I think I know just the place, follow me" Engineer led them up the stairs towards her workshop.

The workshop was filled with all manners of strange machines. In the corner stacked neatly was a stack of metal ingots. She threw the shattered remain of her crossbow on a table, to be fixed at a later date. "Most of these machines are what I call, labour saving. I'm used to having a team of assistants doing the heavy lifting, and the hammering. They accomplish this through specially designed magic runes that save me time, and energy. Although is seems such a waste to use all this, just for the trash that Grogar gave me. Honestly it's like he wants us to fail with what I've been given." She pointed to a corner of the workshop filled with a pile of boxes. "Hide the bell in one of those."

"Hypothetically, what could you do if we got you something good?" Tirek asked.

Engineer grinned "Stuff that you would blow your mind."

"So if we were to find you the right materials, you could guarantee us victory?" Chrysalis asked.

"Give me enough leverage, and I could move the world." Engineer said.

"Thats a cool quote, who did you steal it from?" Cozy asked.

Chapter Three: Catching a train

Almost one year ago

"COZY GLOW, GET UP!" Cozy shot of her bed, startled by the shout. "Why are you still in bed?!"

"I was up late cleaning like you asked ma'am." Cozy answered, scrambling out of her bed. She rubbed her sleep out of her eyes and looked up at the old unicorn mare looming over her.

"I don't want to hear your excuses, now hurry up downstairs. We're having a couple visit today from Tall Tale today, if I'm lucky I might convince them to take one of you brats off my hooves."

"Yes ma'am" Cozy squeaked, she hopped off her bed and scurried past the rows of beds of her fellow orphans. She couldn't remember anything before the orphanage, she was left here too young to remember her parents and when she asked about them the only answer she received back was 'what's it matter, they're dead'. The orphanage was run by the old unicorn mare that had awakened her so rudely before, none of the kids knew her name, she said that she was to be referred to as ma'am and nothing else, although they all had their own names for her, none of which they would say to her face.

She made her way down stairs into the dining hall, it was mostly empty, most of the children had already finished their meal off. Most of them were crowded in the washrooms, trying to make themselves look as presentable for the visiting couple.

She spotted Silver Spirit waving her over to his table, she went over to the table and sat down next to him "I saved you some porridge" he said smiling levitating a bowl over to her "it doesn't really look like porridge, but it still tastes alright."

"Thanks Silver" She replied "so do you know anything about the family visiting today?"

"Not much, I think they're unicorns but thats about it" Silver answered.

"Unicorns huh" Cozy ate as she talked "thats good for your chances."

"Not really, with that many magic users in a house already who would want another one." Silver laughed "But just in case, I think I might give you your present early"

"My present?"

"You know your birthday present, what did you think I forgot." He pulled out something from under his bowl "here I nabbed these from the old bats room when she wasn't looking, I thought they might help you get picked, you know make you look cuter or something." He levitated two cream coloured strips of ribbon over to her.

"Did you get these for me because they would make me look cuter for you" Cozy smirked.

Silver blushed, turning away "S-shut up."

Cozy giggled at his embarrassment "Hey silver?"

"Yeah?"

She reached over and hugged him "Thank you for the birthday present"

Silver hugged her back "Your welcome Cozy, now lets get ready"

Cozy cantered off to the fillies bathroom, she never understood why the other girls always rushed in the morning, the legend that the showers had hot water first thing in the morning was obviously a myth, so why bother with all the fuss.

After Cozy had her shower she buzzed up to the bathroom mirror, the bottom half was so stained that it was difficult to even make out your silhouette, but the top half was much clearer, it was one of the advantages of being the only pegasus here was that she could get to places that none of the others could.

She styled her hair as best she could and affixed one of the ribbons to her tail and the other in her mane. She looked at herself in the mirror and was pleased with the result.

She made her way back to the dorms to await the arrival of the couple with the rest of the kids. They were all fidgeting nervously, by now they all knew how it would go down, they would be called down one by one until all of them were seen by the visitors, and if they were lucky they would leave this hellhole forever.

Cozy Glow took up her position next to her bed, she looked over to Silver who was across from her "do you know when they're arriving?" she asked.

"Soon, I think" Silver replied "I wonder who'll be leaving today?"

"Probably none of us" Cozy chuckled "They'll take one look at us and run the other way."

"They're here!" A voice rung out from down the dorms, some of the orphans scrambled to the windows to stare at the approaching couple.

"Do they look nice?" One voice asked.

"More importantly do they look rich?" Another queried.

The sound of the stairs to the dorm creaking sent them scurrying back to their beds, the old unicorn looked in "I want you pests on your best behaviour, you got that?" She glared at each of them in turn. "Silver Spirit, they want to see you first."

Silver Spirit followed behind the old mare, he looked over to Cozy and mouthed that he would be back soon, Silver disappeared down the stairs.

The atmosphere became more relaxed, a small ten minute breather until the next one of them would be called down. Ten minutes turned into fifteen, then twenty, Cozy found it odd that he was down there for so long.

"They're leaving!" A voice announced.

Cozy smiled, seeing Silver had frightened them enough to change their mind about adopting entirely.

"Silvers with them" The voice added.

This caused Cozy to jump, what were they talking about? Why would Silver be with them? She flew over to the windows that were crowded with fillies and colts trying to see down into the yard below. She used her wings to fly above the mass, and saw something that made her heart sink, Silver was leaving.

She darted towards the door and flew down the stairs. She went for the exit but it was blocked by the old mare who glared at Cozy "What to do you think you're doing?"

"What's going on with Silver?"

"The couple liked him so much that they took him on the spot, it's always good to be able to get rid of one of you." She smirked.

Cozy tried to walk around the her to get to the exit "Where are you going?"

"I need to see Silver" Cozy said with panic in her voice "I need to see him."

"Oh no you don't, I don't want to risk you sabotaging this to get your friend back." The old mare said moving in front of her.

"Maybe I can convince them to take both of us? Wouldn't it be better to get rid of two of us instead of one." Cozy was trying to think of things to say, she had to convince them to take both of them.

"That won't work, they were very specific about adopting a unicorn, since they're both unicorns it will raise less eyebrows with strangers you see."

Cozy needed to see him, she buzzed up into the air and made her way to the door, a hoof blocked her way. "Stop right their Cozy, I said you're not seeing him and thats that!"

"Let me pass!" Cozy demanded.

"How dare you yell at me, if you don't turn around right now and head upstairs you'll be in for a world of hurt!" The old mare snarled.

Cozy dashed past her hoof towards the door, she felt the old mares hoof wrap around her chest and pull her back. "You're gonna get it now!" she growled.

"Let me go!" Cozy screamed.

"You're only making it worse for yourself!"

"I said let me go you old bitch!" Cozy threw her hoof at the old crones muzzle, it connected with a meaty crunch. The old mares grip loosened, Cozy reached the door but before she could open it she felt a powerful tug on her tail. The old mare was pulling her back, her blood ran cold as the old mare cackled. She felt herself quivering as she was spun around to face the old crone.

An evil smile was on her face "You little evil creature, you're going to regret ever being born." She dragged Cozy back up the stairs to the dorms.

The door to the dorms burst open, Cozy was thrown into the center of the room. All the other kids stared at her, wide eyed, knowing that Cozy had messed up bad.

"Alright, everyone out, we're going to go down stairs and have lunch and then come back up for the show. Cozy, you wait here and look forward to whats coming." The rest of the kids scurried out of the dorm, followed by the old mare who slammed the door behind her, leaving Cozy alone in the dorm.

Cozy was petrified, she knew that she had messed up bad, and that what was coming was going to be worse. There was going to be no escape, the windows were all locked. "Why did I do that?" she asked herself.

She walked over to Silvers old bed, all his stuff was left behind, he was in such a hurry to get away from here, from her. She felt her eyes begin to water, she flung herself onto his bed and stuck her face into his pillow to soak up her tears. She felt something solid poking up from under the pillow, she reached in and pulled out the object. It was a chess piece, the same chess piece that she had carved and given to him as a present for his birthday.

It was a rook, carved out of stone, the one that had earned her her cutie mark. He had left it behind too, she felt anger overcome her, she screamed and hurled it at the window.

It bounced off the window, leaving a small crack in the window. She stared at the window, a plan forming in her mind, she pelted the piece at the window again, the crack grew in size, she threw it again, then again, then again. Cracks like a spiders web started to form in the window. "Just a few more times"

She heard the stairs begin to creak again, the old crone was coming back! She picked up the piece again and hurled it with all her might. A large section of the glass fell away, it hit the ground and shattered loudly.

The creaking of the stairs increased in volume, the crone had heard it and was moving faster. Cozy figured it would have to do, she was not waiting around for what was coming.

She hurled herself through the partially broken window, she smashed through it, the glass cutting into her wings. She glided down into the court yard on pained wings, as soon as she hit the ground she legged it.

She sprinted into for the forrest nearby, not daring to look behind her, her eyes clouded with tears, her heart was pounding in her chest, and her breaths came out in ragged pants. She came to a stop at a river deep within the woods, as soon as she stopped she collapsed, the adrenalin that had kept her going had ran out.

As she lay on the ground she looked at her wings, they were bleeding and little shards of glass were stuck in them. She carefully plucked the shards with her teeth, wincing at the pain. She pulled the bows from her mane and tail and used them to staunch the bleeding. She felt her eyes closing as exhaustion set in.

When she came to, the sun had dipped below the horizon, the full moon hung high in the air, illuminating the area. Cozy Glow rose to her hooves and hobbled over to the river. She drunk greedily from it, her exercise had left her parched, she stared down at her reflection. Her eyes were still bloodshot from crying, and her mane looked a mess, she saw that the ribbons that she had wrapped around her wings were stained dark crimson from her blood.

She pealed the wrappings from her wings, the bleeding had stopped. She looked down at the blotched ribbons, considering hurling them into the river, instead she held them under the water watching as her blood faded from them.

Pulling them back out she hung them from a tree to let them dry and sat down. As she sat, she expected herself to start crying again. She did, but these were not tears of sadness, no she was angry, no she was furious. She hated the old crone, she hated that place, she hated Silver for abandoning her, she hated the couple for taking him away, she hated the others for not standing up for her, and she hated herself for being so weak, she hated everyone!

"Screw them all, they think just because i'm a little filly that i'll just sit their and take it!" She didn't know how, but she would become the most powerful pony in Equestria, then no one would ever make her feel like this again.

She grinned as she imagined it, all the creatures in the world bowing to her, then no one would ever treat her like she didn't matter ever again. She affixed the bows back to her mane and tail, silver was right they did make her look cuter and she would use whatever advantage she had to achieve her goals.

She followed the river down stream, looking for civilization and as dawn broke she found herself in a little town called Ponyville.

Present day

Engineer yawned as she entered the kitchen, she had been up late working on her projects. She had slept in and was in the mood for a big breakfast.

She spotted Cozy sat at a table, engrossed in reading a magazine that she couldn't make out the name of "What you got there Cozy?"

Cozy jumped, not seeing Engineer come in, "Nothing!" she said, stuffing the magazine under the table and out of sight.

"Whatever" Engineer retrieved some leftovers from last nights dinner, half an apple pie, she considered heating it up but her stomach overruled the decision. She joined Cozy at the table and dug into her meal.

"You're eating it cold Engy?" Cozy cringed "That is so gross"

"I've got stuff to do, unlike the rest of you I can't just sit around all day" While Engineer spoke, one of her hands snaked under the table and grabbed the magazine "Reading crap!"

"Hey! Give that back!" Cozy jumped up and flew at Engineer, she was stopped in midair by Engineers outstretched palm.

"Hold on" Engineer chuckled "I just want to see what you were reading" Engineer held Cozy back with one hand while flipping through the magazine. "Huh, this is a children's toy catalog. Where did you get this from?"

"Never mind that, just give it back, you're getting crumbs on it." Cozy said, exasperated, she was getting angrier with Engineer.

"I just find it funny that with all your posturing about being an evil mastermind who is smarter than the rest of us, but you're still just a little filly who wants to play with dolls" Engineer chuckled.

"I said give it back!" Cozy screamed, she tried to push past Engineers hand but was held back easily.

"Calm down Cozy, if you behave maybe i'll get you a little dolly for you to pl- ARRGH! Crap!" Cozy Glow bit into Engineers fingers. She shook her hand trying to dislodge Cozy, but she had bit deep and was beginning to draw blood.

All the noise had drawn the attention of Tirek and Chrysalis. Tirek was thoroughly enjoying the show, while Chrysalis rolled her eyes at their juvenile display. "Alright break it up you two" Chrysalis commanded, separating them with her magic "What are you two fighting about anyway?"

"That jerk stole from me!" Cozy stomped her hoof petulantly.

"That doesn't mean you can just bite someone you little cretin!" Engineer snapped back, nursing her injured hand.

"Silence! Queen Chrysalis commands it!" Chrysalis hissed "You're fighting over a damned magazine." Chrysalis levitated the magazine out of Engineers grasp and opened it to a random page "Is a toy like this better than our revenge?"

Engineer noticed something quite interesting on the page "It just might be."

Tirek joined the conversation "What are you talking about?"

"That looks like it's made out of crystals from the Crystal Empire, they could be very useful for my plans." Engineers eyes grew wide "Wait, Ponies are using rare crystals from the Crystal Empire for children's toys, talk about a waste of resources."

"Not rare anymore, the Crystal Empire returned over a year ago." Tirek said.

Chrysalis inspected the article on the page "The Incredible crystal doll of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, is being released exclusively in Canterlot, transported by train from the Crystal Empire" She retched at the sight of Cadence in toy form. "What exactly can you do with these crystals?"

"Its quite complicated" Engineer answered "But if I throw them in the forge, it will make any metals that I work with much tougher and make them more compatible with any runic enchantments that I etch into them."

"So it sounds like we're going train robbing, sound fun" Tirek said "It will be good to get out of here, really get a chance to stretch my hooves."

"Sounds like a plan" Engineer agreed "Only one question, what's a train?"

After briefing Engineer on what a train is, how it works, and what its uses were. The gang gathered around a map of Equestria, to plan their heist.

"Based on what information we can gather from the article, the train will be leaving the Crystal Empire tonight." Engineer began.

"It was nice of them to include so many details, it will make robbing it so much easier" Chrysalis commented.

"So, thanks to Chrysalises teleportation, we can choose where along the train line we will strike." Engineer ran a bandaged finger along the tracks on the map. "Where do you guys think best?"

"Here" Tirek pointed at the map "Just before the tracks enter the Unicorn Range, near this town, Tall Tale."

A sharp intake of breath was heard from Cozy, Engineer raised an eyebrow but elected to ignore it "Why there, Tirek?"

"The Train will be slowed down by the ascent, also that stretch of rail in the mountains is isolated, less ponies means less chance of us being spotted. By my estimation the train will run through their sometime around midday tomorrow, so we will have some time to prepare as well"

"Sounds good, i've taken the liberty of packing some equipment that I think we might need, so I think we're ready to move out."

"Theirs only one problem, namely Grogar" Tirek asked "What if he comes back and we aren't here?"

"Then he can stuff it for all I care" Engineer said, Grogar hadn't been here weeks, and when he did visit he actively ignored them "Do it Chrysalis."

Chrysalis readied the spell "Alright, everyone get ready, I haven't teleported to this place before so it won't be very accurate since, also the spell will take a lot out of me, so I won't be able to cast another for a while." The glow of Chrysalises horn grew in intensity until, with a flash of green light, they were teleported across large swaths of Equestria.

They appeared within a clearing, they were surrounded on all sides by tall trees, on two sides of the clearing they could see two distinct chains of mountains, to the south the mountains were covered with a thick haze of smoke, obscuring their tops, while the others peaks were unobstructed.

"A forrest? Really Chrysalis?" Engineer complained.

"At least we're close, you see those mountains to the south?" Chrysalis said.

"The ones covered in smoke?"

"Yeah, those are the Smokey Mountains." Chrysalis continued.

"Ponies and their naming conventions" Engineer muttered. "So if they're to the south, those others must be the unicorn range, so Tall Tale is that way. Well, it looks like we have a hike in store for us so let's get under way."

Chrysalis led from the front, she was the best navigator of the group so it was only natural. As Tirek was the strongest he was saddled with carrying all of Engineers equipment. Cozy Glow and Engineer followed behind in the group as they made their way north.

"You've been suspiciously quiet Cozy, whats going on?" Engineer asked.

"Oh, nothing." Cozy paused for a moment before continuing "When we get to Tall Tale, do you think i'll have enough time to look around?"

"We're not actually going into town, we're going to hit the train after it passes through, it's too risky to go into town." Engineer replied.

"Maybe I could go in to town, just for a little bit?" Cozy asked.

Engineer found her persistence to be quite strange "Why do you want to go into this town anyway?"

"No reason." Cozy said "Just wanted to see some civilisation."

They continued on for a few minutes, until Engineer felt a weight drop onto her shoulders, "Cozy, what are you doing?"

Cozy glow had landed on Engineers back, wrapped her front hooves around Engineers shoulders and her rear hooves around her waist. "Carry me" She commanded.

"What?" Engineer was perplexed at this turn of events "You've got four working hooves and two working wings, why should I?"

"We're going to be walking for a while and, according to you Engy, I'm just a little filly who couldn't be expected to walk all that distance, so carry me." Cozy said.

"Get off Cozy" Engineer reached for the hoof digging into her shoulder, Cozy Glow snapped at her fingers that were withdrawn just in time to avoid a bite. "Hey!"

"If you don't carry me i'll bite you again" Cozy threatened "you may not like it Engy, but it's happening."

Engineer sighed "damn you're annoying, fine, enjoy the ride you little pest."Engineer noticed that she had fallen behind the others and picked up her pace to catch up.

Cozy smirked "You know this is a fitting reward for me, if I hadn't had that magazine then we never would have found those special crystals that you want so much."

Engineer scoffed "Excuse me, I was the one who spotted it, all you did was bite me, which really hurt by the way."

This shut Cozy up who was thankfully silent for a moment, until she muttered something under her breath that Engineer couldn't make out.

"What was that?" Engineer asked.

"I said i'm sorry for biting you, happy?" Cozy spat out.

"Not really" Engineer replied "Because I know you don't mean it."

"I do!" Cozy protested "I just get so angry sometimes that I do things, things that get me into trouble."

"What things?" Engineer asked, Cozy didn't reply, she didn't say another word for the rest of the hike. Half an hour later, Engineer heard soft snores from behind her, Cozy had fallen asleep on her back. She rolled her eyes and supported Cozy as best she could so that her slumber was uninterrupted.

The group continued on, they trekked for several hours until they reached their destination and took up position in the outskirts of Tall Tale, they were located near the train tracks and the location was concealed enough to avoid detection. the sun was rapidly approaching the horizon so they decided to make camp for the night, Engineer gently shook Cozy awake to have something to eat, she consumed the food silently then went straight back to sleep. The rest of them were similarly exhausted so they turned in for the night, recovering their strength for the next stage of their plans.

Cozy Glow awoke before any of the others just before the break of dawn, just as she had planned, she had convinced Engy to carry her so that she could sleep on the way. She checked the others, all of them were fast asleep, all according to plan.

Cozy snuck away from the camp, in the direction of Tall Tale, she remembered the name from back at the orphanage, it was the place where Silver was taken. Silver Spirit, her only real friend, was in that town somewhere and she was going to find him.

The town was silent in the early morning, everyone was still asleep, so Cozy had free reign to look for him, but where would he be? She stayed on her hooves not wanting to fly and draw attention to herself.

Cozy went from window to window of each house that she saw, seeing the sleeping forms of many ponies in their beds, none of them were Silver Spirit. As time stretched on her search became more frantic, she abandoned the ground and used her wings to try to cover more ground. Her breathing became more ragged as the exertion of her flying began to sap her strength.

She had searched all the houses in Tall Tale, leaving only one left. It was a large, opulent thing, she doubted that Silver Spirit would be so lucky to end up there, but it was the only one left so Cozy knew, or at least hoped, that Silver would be there. She began to check the windows, starting at the front of the house and working clockwise around it. And in the last window, of the last house she saw him.

Cozy didn't know how long she stared through the window at her friend, but she eventually came to her senses. She tapped the glass loudly with her hoof, causing Silver to stir, he turned a tired eye to the window which shot open when he saw who was there.

Silver leapt out of bed and rushed over to the window throwing it open, "Cozy?! What are you doing here?" he asked franticly.

"I came to see you Silver, I missed you, and I need answers" She replied. "I need to know why you left me, why you didn't even say goodbye?"

"You know why Cozy, you knew how terrible it was there, I couldn't stand being there another second." He spat back "I did regret leaving you at least at first."

"What do you mean at first? Why don't you regret leaving me anymore?" She asked, horrified by what her friend was saying.

"Don't play innocent Cozy, I read the newspapers, you tried to destroy all the magic in Equestria, you were sent to Tartarus by the Princesses themselves." Silver glared at his old friend in disgust "I don't know how you escaped, but if you don't leave now I'll call my parents and have you thrown back in Tartarus with the rest of the monsters."

Cozy felt her eyes starting to water, she wanted to run away and hide from the world. Instead she felt her self lunge through the window, tackling Silver onto his bed, she pinned him down and pressed her hooves to his throat. "Monster am I?" She growled, "You know what i've been through, how they treated me? You're just like the rest of them, judging me, hating me. I'm going to kill them all starting with you traitor!"

Silvers eyes were bulging, he was gasping for air through his constricted wind pipe feeling his vision start to fade. As quickly as Cozy's rage consumed her, it disappeared and she was horrified at the sight before her, she took her hooves off his throat and stared at them, then down at her old friend gasping for air through his now throat. "I-I'm sor-" she began, but was interrupted by Silver kicking her hard, she flew back and landed on the floor of his room.

"MOM!! HELP ME!!" Silver screamed, still trying to catch his breath. The sound of running hooves approaching the door caused Cozy to scamper out the window. The door shot open and a unicorn mare rushed to Silvers bed.

"Silver dear, are you alright?" she hugged him close, trying her best to sooth him "did you have a nightmare again?"

"No mom, it was Cozy Glow. She was here, she attacked me!" he spluttered out.

"It was just a nightmare dear, you're safe right here with mommy." Silvers breathing began to slow down and become smoother, maybe it was just a dream, there was no way that Cozy Glow could escape from Tartarus. He felt his throat, it did feel sore, but that was probably part of the nightmare. He was safe with his family and Cozy Glow was far, far away.

He didn't notice the trail of tears that had soaked into his carpet.

"Damn it Cozy, where the hell did you get to?" Engineer groaned. She had awoken to find the little filly missing from their camp. She had talked about walking into town, so Engineer decided to start looking there. Luckily, a search wasn't necessary as she spotted Cozy flying out of town fast, Engineer looked back at the town, worried that Cozy was being chased, but was relieved to see no pony pursuing her.

Cozy collapsed under a tree near by, she hadn't spotted Engineer. Engineer approached the prone filly, puzzled with her strange behavior. "Cozy!" she scolded "why the hell did you go into town, do you know what would have happened if you got caught?" Cozy had her face pressed into the ground, she was ignoring Engineers admonishment. "Don't ignore me, you little brat, look at me when i'm talking to you!"

Cozy Glows face shot off the ground, her face was caked in a mix of tears and dirt, and her eyes were wild and full of rage "SHUT UP YOU STUPID BITCH!!" she screamed "I know what could have happened! I would get thrown back in Tartarus or turned to stone like you were!"

Engineer was dumbstruck by Cozy's outburst, her mouth hung open as she tried to think of anything to stay.

"You hate me don't you?!" Cozy continued "You all hate me! Well guess what, I hate you too! I hope that you get turned back into a statue, so I don't ever have to hear your stupid voice ever again!" With that Cozy took off again and shot away into the forrest.

Engineer was about to run after her but a voice stopped her in her tracks. "Let her go" Engineer looked up and saw a squirrel sitting on a branch above her. The squirrel disappeared in a shroud of green magic and Chrysalis appeared in its place.

"Did you see that? What was that about?" Engineer asked, still reeling from the whole experience.

"Something must have upset her quite a lot" Chrysalis said "We'll leave her for now, she needs some time to herself. In the mean time we have a train to rob."

"Right, the train." Engineer followed behind Chrysalis, her mind still on Cozy's outburst. She didn't notice Chrysalis stop and turn, and walked straight into her, she looked up and saw Chrysalis staring at her. "What?"

"You need to focus, remember this was your idea, so we can't have your mind elsewhere while we're do this." Chrysalis lectured. "Cozy is out of action so we will only have the three of us."

"But why is she out of action, why did she get so angry?" Engineer asked.

"We'll find out after we carry out our mission, now come on, Queen Chrysalis commands it." With that Chrysalis forged ahead leaving Engineer to catch up.

They returned to their camp, it was overlooking the train tracks below. The tracks ran in a snake like pattern, the train had to ascend into the mountains, but was not powerful enough for such a steep climb. So the tracks had to run for as long as possible, so that the train had more track to gain altitude. Here at the foot of the range, the tracks cut into a tunnel through the mountains that curved back and came out the same side that it had went in, this was where they planned to strike.

"Where is Cozy Glow?" Tirek asked. "She didn't get caught did she?

"No she's alright, well, at least physically." Chrysalis replied.

"What do you mean?" Tirek asked, before he groaned "of course, Tall Tale, this is where Silver Spirit lives."

"What are you talking about?" Engineer asked "Who's Silver Spirit?"

"A friend of hers, I think" Tirek replied, he saw the question forming so he replied before it could be asked. "She talked in her sleep back in Tartarus. I guess their reunion didn't go so well."

"Oh crap, as soon as we're done here I need to go find her." Engineer said.

"What is the plan?" Chrysalis asked "We've been kind of in the dark about it."

"I've had to adjust it for only the three of us but here it is" Engineer began "Now, the most important thing is that no one knows who stole it, and since they will look harder for murders than for mere thieves we can't kill the crew. So heres the plan, I'll be up here to see when the train comes in, I have this device here-" she patted a long looking glass that they had brought along "-It's been modified so that it can detect which train car the crystals will be in, when I spot it, I'll hit it with these special bolts which will dissolve the door of the car that needs to be attacked." She held up the freshly repaired crossbow that she had brought along. "This will allow Chrysalis, who will be placed just before the cave, to jump into the carriage as it passes, and search for them, once those are found, it will bring us into the final phase. Tirek will be placed in this large ditch that runs under the track just at the exit, as soon as the tunnel ends, Chrysalis will throw out the crate, or box, or whatever that the crystals are held in, which Tirek will then catch with his magic to prevent them from being smashed to pieces which we will have to scrounge back up for days." Engineer took a breath after her long winded explanation "Alright everyone get that?"

Chrysalis sneered "What makes you think, you can hit the right carriage. It sound like I could just spot it with your little spyglass, and just blast into the right one."

"But you will need to be far enough back to see the entire train, and then cover enough ground to get to it before it goes into the cave." Engineer explained

Chrysalis laughed "You doubt me? I'm Queen Chrysalis, I can do it without breaking a sweat." Engineer opened her mouth to protest, but was cut off by Chrysalis who continued "Since we don't need you for this little plan, you might as well run off and find Cozy for us."

Engineer smiled, seeing what Chrysalis was trying to do "All right, I'll find her. Thanks Chrysi!"

"Don't call me that, now go!" Engineer took off, Cozy was out there somewhere.

She jogged towards the forrest that Cozy had slipped into and began her search, after a few minutes she heard sobbing and headed towards it. She spotted a cream colored form sitting under a tree, she stepped on a branch, the noise sent Cozy Glow up the tree and hiding in its branches.

"Go away" Cozy squeaked. Engineer walked over to the tree and sat down next to the trunk. "Didn't you hear me? I said go away!"

Engineer looked up "I'm sorry Cozy."

Cozy's head stuck out from a branch above her "Why are you sorry? I'm the brat, i'm the monster, i'm the one who hurts ponies."

"Hurts them like this?" Engineer lifted her still bandaged hand, still sore from the bite that it received the day before. Engineer cringed at what she had said as Cozy hid herself deeper within the branches.

"Exactly" Cozy said from within the branches "Ponies only like me when I pretend to be some pony i'm not, as soon as they see the real me they all hate me."

"What happened with Silver?" Engineer asked.

Cozy was silent for a moment before replying "I showed him who I really was and now he hates me more than he did before. More than you hate me even."

Engineer sighed "I don't hate you Cozy, and i'm sorry that I made you think that."

Cozy stuck her head back out of the tree "of course you hate me, why wouldn't you? I'm just an angry little monster who can only fool ponies into liking her."

"Do you know why you get angry Cozy? You get angry because you're scared."

Cozy dropped down from the tree and hovered in front of Engineers face "I am not scared!" She declared "Your only saying that to make me feel weak, and I'm not weak!."

Engineer smiled at her "I get scared to Cozy, I was scared out of my mind when I got sealed into stone, when I was being chased by that creature back at mount Everhoof."

Cozy landed on the ground next to Engineer. "Whatever" she said gloomily "So I get scared, big deal. I'm still a monster, no one could ever like who I am."

Engineer scooted over, closer to Cozy "You're not a monster Cozy, and to tell the truth I do like you."

Cozy scoffed "Their is nothing to like about me."

"Are you sure about that? You're smart, you're driven, you're brave, and you're tough." Engineer said "all admirable traits, and I don't like to admit it but you are a cute little filly, with your bows in your hair and everything."

"Silver got them you know" Cozy smiled as she thought back "He gave them to me exactly one year ago, they were an early birthday present, I'm was turning ten the next day." The tears started to come back "But then he left, and now he hates me, like all the others, and you're going to turn on me too and then I'll be sent back to Tartarus and then-"

Engineer cut Cozy off by grabbing her and embracing her, Cozy struggled at first, pounding her hooves on engineers chest, each one weaker than the last, until wrapped her hooves around Engineer and buried her face into her shoulder and cried her eyes out. "It's okay Cozy" Engineer cooed "It's okay, let it out."

They don't know how long they sat their, but Cozy Glow eventually broke the hug "The Train!" she exclaimed "what about the Train!?"

Engineer chuckled, "You know Chrysalis and Tirek, they decided they could do it all on their own. Now come on, let's see how badly they messed up." Engineer stood up and patted her back "Hop on."

"Golly, Engy, thanks for the ride." Cozy said earning a chuckle from Engineer "Whats so funny?"

"Oh nothing, I just haven't heard you say golly for a while." Engineer walked back to the camp.

"Hey Engy?"

"Yeah?"

"Sorry about biting you."

"Apology accepted Cozy."

She was pleasantly surprised, to see the gloating faces of Tirek and Chrysalis standing next to two crates "It looks like it was a success."

"Like clockwork." Tirek smirked "They didn't know what hit em. One crate of magic crystals, and one crate of-" He glanced at Cozy Glow who was say on Engineers back "-other stuff."

"Now that we're all here, let's get back before Grogar realises we're gone" Chrysalis charged her horn, and in an instant they were back home. "Oh Grogar, we're back" Chrysalis sung, earning no reply "Of course he's still gone, now let's get all this stuff stashed away."

After stashing the crates away, Engineer began modifying the plans that she had, with this new stuff on hand she could be even more ambitious. "I love it when I get new stuff, it's always fun to have new things to play with."

"Oh, that reminds me" Chrysalis said "I need to talk to you about something, meet me and Tirek in an hour in the kitchen."

"Sure thing! See you then." Engineer replied.

Cozy Glow awoke in her room, wiped the sleep from her eyes and stared at herself in her bathroom mirror. "Happy eleventh birthday Cozy Glow" she lamented. She showered, brushed her teeth, mane, and tail and headed downstairs for breakfast. She must have been the first one up as the lights were all out, she reached for the switch, illuminating the room and revealing an unbelievable sight.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY COZY GLOW" Engineer, Chrysalis, and Tirek all shouted in unison, the room had a massive banner hanging from the ceiling, bearing the same slogan, their was a large cake, bearing eleven candles that lit up by virtue of Tireks magic, and most stunning of all were a pile of packages, crudely wrapped in paper.

Cozy gawked at the sight before her, "This is the best dream ever" Engineer gave Cozy a light pinch "Ow!"

"This isn't a dream Cozy, it's your eleventh birthday." Engineer smiled.

Still in disbelief, Cozy sputtered out question after question "When did you have time for this? Where did the presents come from? How did you get a Cake?"

"We did it over night, the train was loaded down with other toys so Chrysalis stole some, and it turns out Tirek knows how to bake, although he won't tell us why know how." Engineer explained

"And you will never know" Tirek chimed in.

"All this? It's for me?" Cozy was ecstatic "Thank you so much!" she ran and embraced them all in a hug. "This is the best thing that has ever happened to me!" They enjoyed the cake which was surprisingly tasty, and Cozy took great delight in opening her presents, they were a varied selection of toys, none of which Cozy had ever had. The fun had to come to an end eventually, and it was stopped by an uninvited guest

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!." Grogar had returned, and he was furious.

"We're having a party Grogar, would you like to join in?" Cozy beamed.

"No I would not! You're the ones who robbed that train yesterday? So you could steal some stupid toys? What would have happened if you got caught!" Grogar Roared "My plans would have been ruined!"

Chrysalis stepped between Grogar and Cozy "Well we didn't get caught, did we? And its your fault for leaving us here with nothing to do, if you don't do something soon, we will do worse than just rob a train."

"Don't you dare." Grogar Growled.

"We dare Grogar" Tirek joined Chrysalis "We're bored to death here, we need to blow off steam once in a while."

Grogar let out an exasperated groan "Why is it so hard for you to just, do what i want!" Grogar stormed off "I stopped by to check in, in fact I had planned to give you a task to complete today, but if your going to defy me like this, then i'll just do it myself." Grogar left again, if he never came back it would be too soon."

"Goodby you grumpy old goat." Engineer mocked "We don't need you'r little mission any way, we have our own plans."

"What plans?" Cozy asked.

"We didn't just plan your party last night, we shared some ideas for some other stuff that I could use to better equip us. But don't worry about that now, today is your day and we might as well enjoy it."

So the gang continued their party, reviling in their successes, and toasting to future successes to come.

Chapter Four: Hive hijinks

Two years ago

Chrysalis stood at the entrance to the hive, watching as specks on the horizon grew larger. "About time." She muttered "They should have been back days ago."

While she was annoyed by their late arrival, she found herself excited to see if the group had been successful, the scouts had been searching relentlessly for months to bring home missing drones after they were scattered at Canterlot. They hadn't found any drones for a while though, but she had hope that they would bring back more of her subjects. Her hopes were dashed as they grew close enough to count their numbers.

Chief scout Ommatid landed gracelessly, exhaustion and hunger had sapped him of all his strength but he still had the good sense to snap to attention in front of his Queen. "Your majesty, the party was unable to locate any missing drones. We have five wounded, one severely, and all of us have exhausted our reserves of energy." The rest of the scouts collapsed as they landed

Chrysalis wanted to scream, but was able to hold onto her temper, it would do no good to lose her composure in front of her subjects. She turned to the medics who were awaiting their return "Take them to the medical bay, and see to it that they are well fed."

"Yes your majesty." the medic's replied, giving Chrysalis a quick bow, and turned to his drones to bark orders. Chrysalis watched the group limp off. Chrysalis felt her heart sink as they carried off a scout who was missing a leg, the stump was bandaged roughly and she could see dried green ichor had seeped through it.

"What happened to Tarsal?" Chrysalis asked one of the scouts.

"We were flying through griffin territory without our disguises to save energy, your majesty." The scouts replied "We were spotted by a troop of griffins and he lost his leg to a griffin halberd."

"Will he live?" Chrysalis asked.

"I don't know your majesty." the scout replied before trudging off with the rest of his comrades. Chrysalis gritted her teeth and stormed off back to her throne room.

As she entered her throne room she spotted Proboscis, she was pouring over a pile of papers and had not spotted Chrysalis enter the throne room. Chrysalis cleared her throat making Proboscis jump, the papers splattered on the floor and she frantically tried to retrieve them. "Y-your majesty!" She stammered "Did the scouts find anyone? Did they find Mandible?"

"No, they didn't find him, they didn't find anyone, again." Chrysalis answered pacing her throne room "And they got chewed up bad for their trouble, one of our scouts, Tarsal, lost a leg."

"I guess that means that we're going to the next phase then." Proboscis stared at the ground "Will that be all your majesty?"

Chrysalis dismissed her with a wave of her hoof, she watched Proboscis leave, and the heard faint sound of sobbing come from the departing changeling until it was cut off by a closing door. Chrysalis buzzed up to her throne and slumped into it. "What are we going to do now?" she asked herself aloud.

"I don't know your majesty." Chrysalis jumped in her seat, she thought that she was alone, she had forgotten about the guard standing by her throne vigilantly.

"Pharynx, you heard all that?" She asked.

"Yes your majesty." He answered "I didn't know that she cared about Tarsal enough to cry about him."

"She's not crying about Tarsal, she misses Mandible." She sunk deeper into her throne "I knew they would make a good couple, it's why I put them together in keeping track of our energy supply."

"Oh yeah, I remember." Pharynx chuckled "One day he's complaining about his job, the next he's gushing about how great Proboscis is. To be honest, I don't know which was more boring to listen to. But he's a tough kid, the scouts will find him soon enough."

"No, they won't, this was the last time that I'm having them sent out." Chrysalis said "Its costing us too much love energy and doesn't give enough returns."

Pharynx balked at that "What pencil pushed gave you that idea?"

"Proboscis did" Chrysalis replied. "She did the calculation and if we don't preserve our energy, then we will all starve, and if she's the one saying we can't look for missing drones anymore, well." Chrysalis trailed off.

"Oh" Pharynx said "So anyone, who's gone is gone for good then?"

"Looks like it." Chrysalis replied "Why, you miss anyone?"

Pharynx nodded "My brother, Thorax. Although he's probably long gone, he's not exactly the type to last long on his own. I tried to toughen him up when we were younger but it never worked."

"I remember Thorax" Chrysalis said "Why was he at Canterlot? I would have thought he would have remained behind with the larvae, since he's no good in a fight."

"I had hoped that if I brought him along, that would finally make him toughen up. I told him not to worry, that as long as he stayed close that nothing bad would happen. But now he's gone, because I brought him there." Pharynx rubbed his eye "Sorry your majesty, just some dust."

"It's alright to miss him Pharynx" Chrysalis said. "And it's not your fault that he's gone. It's those Ponies that are to blame, but don't you worry, we will have our revenge soon enough."

Chrysalis laughed, soon those ponies would pay, with her hive behind her she knew that she would avenge Canterlot and hoard enough love that her hive would never go hungry again!

Present day

"Thanks for helping out Chrysalis" Engineer said "It would have taken me ages to grind these statues down into a more useful form, once they're ground down to powder then the real fun can begin."

"Do you know what would make me happy?" Chrysalis said "If Cozy would actually help."

"I am helping." Cozy protested as she buzzed overhead "I'm offering moral support, besides I'm not strong enough to crush down crystals, I'm just a kid remember."

Engineer chuckled "A kid who nearly destroyed all the magic in Equestria."

"Yup" Cozy said, landing back on the ground. "Golly, It's going to be so much fun when we takedown the Princesses together, almost as much fun as Chrysalis is having over there."

Chrysalis smashed another crystal statue of Cadence to pieces with a hammer held in her magical grasp "I have to admit this has has been quite therapeutic, I look forward to when I can do this to the real Princess Cadence, that will be a day to remember." Chrysalis giggled a little at the thought, "Whenever I think about revenge it always gives me a warm feeling."

"Speaking of Cadence." Engineer said "I've always wondered about something Chrysalis."

"What is it?" Chrysalis asked.

"When you were impersonating Cadence" Engineer asked "Did you and Shinning Armor ever, you know?"

Chrysalises giggled "I'm afraid I'm going to keep that a secret from you" she said.

Cozy Glow flew over to engineer "What are you guys talking about?" she asked.

"You'll find out when you're older" Engineer replied "Please don't ask me to explain."

"Oh" Cozy said "Your talking about s-"

"Why do you want to know in the first place?" Chrysalis said, lowering the hammer down onto the table "I never took you for the kind of girl that was interested in that kind of thing, you aren't exactly the most feminine girl I've ever met."

"Hey!" Engineer protested "Just because I'm not girly, doesn't mean that I'm not interested in that kind of thing."

Chrysalis smirked "Oh you are? Did you have a boyfriend or something?"

Engineer blushed, embarrassed by the question "Well, no, I didn't."

"Why not?" Chrysalis asked "Let me guess, you spent all day locked in your room and barked at anyone that tried to disturb you?"

"If you must know, yes, I was too busy equipping the greatest army in history to have any time for a relationship" Engineer answered "And, well, being a different species didn't help either, most of the Diamond Dogs thought that I looked weird."

"Don't worry Engy" Cozy said "When we take over Equestria, you can have any stallion you want, or mare if that's what you prefer."

Engineers face had gone completely red by this point "Okay, changing the subject right now! Chrysalis, when are we getting that thing that we talked about."

"My throne isn't 'a thing', it was one of my most prized possessions." Chrysalis hissed "Like I said it's carved from stone that had the ability to nullify pony magic while leaving Changeling magic unaffected, that was until it was blown apart by Thorax, that traitor."

"Golly, you must really hate him for turning your hive against you" Cozy said.

"Don't remind me" Chrysalis groaned "The little fool ruined my plans, and infected my hive with the 'magic of friendship'. Once we take over a Equestria and destroy that usurper, I will return the hive to its former greatness!" Chrysalis stamped her hoof down as she grinned at the thought of revenge.

"And I'm sure your subjects will be so happy to see you back" Cozy mocked. "Their probably fed up with not starving all the time, and they probably miss having every other species out to kill them."

"You know sarcasm is the lowest form of wit" Chrysalis said with a scowl. "My subjects will want me back because they will have missed the glory of my reign. They will be tired of being ruled by that weakling, and want a strong and effective leader again!"

"Yeah, they're desperate to become parasites again" Cozy responded cheerfully, earning a growl from Chrysalis.

"Can you stop arguing so we can get back on track" Engineer rubbed the bridge of her nose. "You guys bickering like an old married couple is getting in the way of our revenge."

"Alright" Chrysalis huffed. "The plan is we sneak in, steal the fragments of my throne, then sneak out, simple."

"In the event that they have gotten rid of the fragments, and we can't find them, whats plan B?" Engineer asked.

"Then we go to the cave where the stone that the throne was made from and extract some from there." Chrysalis answered.

Cozy had a puzzled look on her face "Wait, why is sneaking into the hive plan A then if their's a nearby cave that has what we need inside as well?"

"Because Maulwurfs like to chew on those stones, so the cave will likely be full of them" Chrysalis answered.

"What the hell's a Maulwurf?" Engineer asked.

"Think a mole rat, but gigantic and constantly pissed off, and because of their diet they have an innate resistance to magic." Chrysalis answered. "They were a constant menace to the hive, so taking them on is definitely not a good idea, I was only able to hold them off with the help of my warriors. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the area isn't overrun with them, with me being gone."

"Ok so I guess we're going to Chrysalises old hive" Cozy said. "Do you think you can sneak us in Chrysalis?" Chrysalis nodded, a confident smirk on her face "Good, then I'll find Tirek, he's probably working out somewhere, and we'll meet downstairs in an hour."

Engineer watched Chrysalis leave, and set about cleaning up her workshop by herself. "So, big mole rats that are resistant to magic, what should I bring for that?"

"I don't know Engy, why are you asking me?" Cozy answered.

"Cozy!?" Engineer jumped "Sorry, didn't realise you were still here."

"Yup" Cozy said "I just wanted to let you know that if you ever want to be more feminine, I could give you a makeover, I read about them in a magazine and always wanted to try one out."

"What kind of magazines have you been-" Engineer sighed. "Never mind, fine, if I ever want to get a makeover you'll be the first to know."

"Ok, see you Engy, and by the way always remember that you're a catch, even if you do look kind of weird." Cozy left before Engineer could respond, leaving her confused by the whole exchange.

"Damn it Cozy, you really know how to make a girl feel awkward." Engineer scratched her head "Alright, enough of that, time to go to work."

Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy were all assembled in the main hall, waiting for Engineer to join them. "What's taking her so long?" Chrysalis asked.

Tirek just shrugged his shoulders, Chrysalis paced the room, anxious to get going. Finally, they spotted Engineer descending down the stairs to join them, she was carrying a large metal box in her right hand, the same hand had a metal gauntlet on it that was adorned in strange blue runes. She also had her repeating crossbow strapped to her back, as well as a bandolier of bolts, each of which had their own magic runes carved into them, lastly she wore a belt that held several glass smoke bombs.

"Took you long enough" Chrysalis spat "We've been waiting here for over two hours!"

"Getting my equipment ready, and also dealing with a little problem that you overlooked" Engineer said as she dropped the box down "I carved some runes into it that will nullify the magical ability of the stone, meaning that once they are placed in here, Tirek's magic will be unaffected, Tirek do you mind carrying it?"

Tirek lifted the box up with one hand "Sure, now can we go?"

Chrysalis began to prepare the spell, her horn glowed intensely and with a blinding green flash they were teleported to their destination.

They found themselves standing on top of a small cliff, overlooking a jagged landscape full of rocks jutting out of the ground, it would have been quite menacing without a lush green and brown coat of grass, bushes, trees and flowers giving the whole area a disgustingly happy feeling. In the distance they spotted a massive stone structure, with towers stretching into the sky and dotted with holes, it too was covered with fresh greenery adding to the idyllic atmosphere.

"Disgusting" Chrysalis muttered "When I ruled here this place inspired fear in our enemies. That helped to keep us safe, now any invaders will see it as an easy conquest."

"Enough complaining Chrysi, let's get a move on." Cozy began to walk towards the cliff edge.

"Wait Cozy" Engineer said "We can't just walk straight in, there might be guards."

Cozy scoffed "These Changelings? Please, Chrysi is right, they're a bunch of wimps." She flew down off the cliff and began making her way towards the Changeling hive while the rest of them watched on nervously. She turned back to signal them to follow, just as a dark green figure dropped out of the sky, landing in front of Cozy Glow.

"Halt, who goes there!" The figure shouted in a gruff voice "Who dares trespass in the Changeling lands!"

Cozys went wide, she thought fast and came up with a plan. "WAHHHHH!" she wailed loudly as she flopped down into the dirt.

The demeanour of the green stranger changed instantly "Oh, crap, please stop crying I'm sorry I yelled at you, good job Pharynx you made a kid cry." His pleading did not stop the onslaught coming from Cozy Glow "Please stop crying kid, please, damn it Thorax is gonna chew me out over this, the kids probably lost and scarred and here I go yel- ACH!" The dark green figure dropped to the ground in a heap, Engineer standing over his unconscious body.

"Nice acting Cozy" Engineer said "Was able to sneak up on this guy easily, almost feel bad for him, all those colours do make him look cute."

"All in a days work" Cozy grinned "How did you knock him out?"

"With this" Engineer replied pointing to a gauntlet that she was wearing on her right hand "It gives out a little shock that will keep him unconscious for a little while, don't worry about pretty boy here, he'll have a bad headache but other than that he'll be fine."

Now that all the excitement had died down, they were able to get a good look at the unconscious figure, he had two bright red horns as well as red translucent wings, his back was covered in a thick purple carapace that matched the colour of his eyes, the rest of him was a shade of dark green with just a hint of blue.

Chrysalis glided down joining the group "I've forgotten just how abhorrent my subjects look now that they have become deluded by the 'magic of friendship.'"

"Golly Chrysi, this guy Pharynx here seemed pretty mean to me" Cozy said.

"Wait, that's Pharynx?!" Chrysalis said "I can't believe, that he fell for that harmony crap too."

"You knew this guy?" Engineer asked.

"Of course, he was one of my best guards" Chrysalis replied "Although he was a bit arrogant."

"Like you?" Cozy asked, Chrysalis didn't respond she just stared at Pharynx with a look that none of them had seen from her before.

"Hey Chrysalis, all good?" Engineer asked, snapping her out of her stupor.

"Yeah, I'm all good" Chrysalis replied "I just think we should move him out of the sun, just so that he doesn't get spotted." She levitated up his unconscious body, and began to move him towards a nearby tree, Engineer followed her to make sure that he was well hidden. Chrysalis gently place him down in the shade, she stood there watching Pharynx for a moment. She turned to Engineer with a sombre look on her face "I never thought he would betray me too."

"Why not, the rest of your drones did?" Engineer asked.

Chrysalis took a deep breath "Despite what most people think, Changelings aren't the children of one Queen, they reproduce the same way that most species do. In fact Queen's aren't even supposed to have kids, they always try to overthrow their mother. But I thought if I didn't tell them, that it would turn out okay. Because Thorax and Pharynx, are my sons."

Before Engineer could say anything they were interrupted by Tirek "What's taking so long in there?"

"Nothing" Chrysalis yelled back, "I shouldn't have told you that" she said to Engineer "please don't tell the others what I said" they both left the tree to rejoin the impatient Centaur.

"Bad news Chrysalis, I can still use magic" Tirek said "The remnants of your throne has been moved."

"Are you certain?" Chrysalis asked, to which Tirek responded by levitating a rock that was lying nearby. "We might still be out of range" Chrysalis said, "they may have only removed some of it."

"Why would they only remove some of it? Cozy asked.

"I don't know!" Chrysalis snapped back "but we're going in." Chrysalis stormed off towards the hive, leaving the rest of the group to catch up. As they approached the hive they saw that the entrance was deserted, Cozy volunteered to check inside for an ambush and when she could not find one she waved the group over.

"That's odd, why aren't there any guards?" Engineer asked.

"They're idiots who can't defend themselves, thats why" Chrysalis responded.

"Well Tirek does your magic still work?" Engineer asked.

Tirek tested his magic again, lifting a nearby rock off the ground with ease. "Well that settles it" he said "We're going to have to go to that cave of your's Chrysalis."

"Maybe they have a little left in there" Chrysalis replied "Come on, the throne room is this way."

"Are you sure that's a good idea Chrysalis?" Cozy asked "If we get caught, that's the end of it for us, and from the sound of it, there isn't anything in there worth the risk."

"We won't know that for sure unless we check, will we?" Chrysalis growled, her three companions were unmoved. "Fine" she spat "You cowards can wait here while I do all the hard work." She ignored their protests and headed inside leaving the rest of the group to wait anxiously for her return.

Chrysalis darted down the corridors of her old hive, it was much brighter and had more greenery strewn throughout but the layout was unchanged. She was surprised to find that the hive seemed to be deserted as she had not seen or heard another living thing, 'they must have gotten fed up with listening to that weakling Thorax and abandoned it long ago' she thought to herself.

As she began to approach her old throne room, a strange sound started to reverberate down the halls, as she grew closer to her throne room the sound grew in intensity. 'Is that a damned party I here' Chrysalis thought to herself 'of course, they must be celebrating burning Thorax at the stake or something, about time.'

She found herself almost skipping as she approached the doors to her throne room, as she got to the door she resisted the temptation to immediately burst through the doors as she was. 'Not yet' she thought to herself 'If I reveal myself too soon then all my work would come to nothing' she took a deep breath and peaked through a crack in the door, she was slightly disappointed to see that her drones were still pastel, but they all seemed to be excited about something. Chrysalis transformed herself into a less conspicuous form to match her subjects, her new form was a pale yellow with green eyes and a purple carapace, and slipped inside to join the crowd.

She stepped inside her old throne room, when she was last here the roof had been blown off and it was still missing, in fact the roof had been gone for such a long time that colourful plants were strewn throughout the room. She decided to ignore that for now and focus on getting through the energized crowd, she carefully creeped through the mass of drones to get to the front to watch whatever show had made her subjects so excited.

Upon reaching the front she was faced with a shocking sight, Thorax was seated on a throne made from a live tree, 'There's that traitor!" she thought to herself, but a quiet voice in the back of her mind said 'There's my son.' She pulled her eyes away from Thorax and spotted something even more distressing, an unreformed Changeling stood next to him, it was Mandible.

Thorax raised a hoof, calling for quiet "thank you all for gathering today, we are lucky that one of our people has returned to us today" Thorax turned to Mandible "Mandible are you prepared to join us? To no longer steal love but to share it?"

"Yes, I am" Mandible nodded.

Thorax smiled "That's very good to hear, now stand still this will only take a moment." Thorax closed his eyes and began to hover over his throne, a glowing pink energy shot out of him towards Mandible. The energy lifted him up, and he closed his eyes as his body began to change, holes in his leg sealed up, his body changed from an intimidating black to a light, pastel red and as he reopened his eyes they were no longer light blue but a dark purple.

As he dropped back down onto his hooves, Mandible inspected his new body with a smile and opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by a pink blur slamming into him.

"Mandy! I've missed you so much!" Proboscis had latched herself onto him and was now refusing to let go.

"I've missed you to my little love bug" Mandible leaned in kissed Proboscis deeply, the crowd cheered at their display of passion, making the couple blush a little in embarrassment.

"Alright, we've teased them enough" Thorax announced to the crowd "Now that the ceremony is over, let's get to the celebrating!" The crowd sprang into organised chaos as table and food were brought in, music began to play and a jovial mood gripped the entire room. Thorax turned back to the couple "It's good to have you back Mandible."

Mandible grinned back "When I first heard that you were in charge Thorax I will admit, I was skeptical. But seeing everyone so happy, well, now there is no one I'd rather follow than you." Mandible's smile faulted slightly as he thought of something "I haven't seen Pharynx, is he around?"

"Yeah he's around, but he's gone on patrol, he should have been back by now." Thorax frowned "I hope he's alright, I think I might go look for him."

Mandible put a hoof up "Please don't go, he's a tough dude I'm sure he's fine. I don't want you to miss out on the party because of me."

"If you say so" Thorax said "Now come on, this is your party you should enjoy it to." Thorax, Mandible, and Proboscis descended into the mass of partying Changelings. No one noticed a pale yellow Changeling slip out the door, or the tears in her eyes.

Tirek groaned "That's it, I'm going in." He began to march towards the entrance to the hive, but was blocked by Engineer standing in his way.

"Don't be stupid" Engineer hissed "If you go in there you'll definitely get caught."

"Well we can't just wait here forever" Tirek shot back "For all we know she could be captured or dead!"

"Or walking out as we speak" Cozy interjected. Tirek and Engineer whipped around towards the entrance, and just as Cozy had said, saw Chrysalis walking towards them, and then right past them.

Cozy buzzed up beside the Changeling "Chrysalis, where are you going?"

"I'm taking you to the cave" Chrysalis whispered back, not even looking at Cozy Glow.

Engineer rushed over to Chrysalis, as did Tirek. "What happened in there?" She asked.

"Nothing" was all Chrysalis said in response.

"I'm guessing that the remnants of your throne were gone" Tirek said.

Chrysalis was silent for a moment before responding "There's nothing in there for any of us."

Engineer was beginning to get annoyed "Chrysalis, you can't just keep ignoring us, what happened back there?"

"Nothing" Chrysalis repeated, her gaze locked to the floor.

"That's it!" Engineer growled, she stepped in front of Chrysalis, blocking her path "I'm not moving until you tell me what happened in there!"

Chrysalis looked up at Engineer, allowing Engineer to see the tears, and rage in her eyes. She snarled, launching a spell out of her horn, knocking Engineer to the ground. "You want to know what happened!" She screamed "They're happier now than they ever were when I was in charge! All the suffering I put them through, all my plots and schemes that just hurt them!" The tears were starting to stream down her face "You like to hear me say this, huh? That I am nothing but a parasite, unloved and betrayed! Hated by my hive, hated by my own sons!" Engineer shook her head, terrified by Chrysalises outburst "Then just shut up you stupid monkey, shut up and let me get your damned rocks so that we can get the hell out of here!"

Chrysalis left Engineer on the ground and continued on, Tirek offered Engineer a hand which she gladly took to get up. None of them dared to say another word and followed Chrysalis in silence. After half an hour of walking they found themselves at the mouth of the cave.

"It's in there" Chrysalis said "I'll stay out here and keep watch" She tore a branch off a nearby tree, and casted a spell that made it glow intensely, "Here's a source of light, now go in and get what you all came here for."

They decided not to press her further and just took her advice and headed inside. Engineer led the group, holding their light source, Cozy Glow took up position in the middle while Tirek stayed in the back, Tirek was also using his magic to illuminate the surroundings so that when his magic failed they would know they were close to their objective.

"So" Cozy said, finally breaking the silence "Thorax and Pharynx are Chrysalises kids?"

"Sounds like it" Tirek responded "Damn that must suck for her, I know what it's like to be betrayed by my own family."

"So do I" Engineer said "I hope she'll be alright." She paused for a moment before continuing on "What do you think she meant by what you all came for?"

Before Tirek could respond, he felt his magic fail making their surroundings much darker "It seems we're getting close" he whispered "Keep your voices down, we don't want to alert the Maulwurfs to our presence."

They skulked down the cave until they found themselves in a large chamber, a shaft of light was coming through a hole in the roof helping which helped to illuminate the cavern, as they looked around the room it appeared to be empty, except for a few strange rocks scattered around the floor.

"Golly, thank goodness that their aren't any Maulwurfs here" Cozy Glow said.

"Don't jinx it" Engineer replied, as she took a step a loud squelching sound was heard "Oh, crap."

Tirek chuckled "Looks like it." Engineer had just stepped in Maulwurf droppings, and was franticly scraping her boots on the ground to get it off.

"Damnit, I only have the one pair as well" Engineer complained "Whatever, let's just get what we came for and go."

Cozy Glow giggled "I think you just stepped in it, remember what Chrysi said. Maulwurfs liked to chew on those rocks to help wear down their teeth, their poop must be full of it."

Engineer sighed "Great, we're collecting dung now. Tirek do you mind?"

"I do mind" He said, quite indignant "I'm not going to pick it up with my bare hands, you've got gloves you do it."

"It's not a glove it's a gaun-" Engineer shook her head "Never mind, fine." She cringed as she begun to collect the Maulwurfs waste that was scattered around the cave, luckily most of it was old and had hardened by now "This is a great idea Tirek" she said "after I'm done I really want to shake your hand, or maybe give you a high five, in fact I'd settle for giving you a pat on the back". After picking up the last one and putting into their crate, she sealed it up and handed it to Tirek. "There, I got em all can we go now?"

"I'll just check real quick if their's any left" Tirek said, he prepared a spell to test if his magic was working, "good, it's working again, it felt weird not being able to do magic." Tirek hurled the spell at a nearby wall of the cave, it hit the yet unseen Maulwurf that had been sleeping within the cave. It groaned as it rolled over to see who had disturbed its slumber, its eyes settled on the intruders, a deep growl echoed through the cave as it lumbered to its feet.

The group stood there stunned at the reveal of the giant monster that towered over them, Cozy Glow was the first to break the silence "Oh, shit."

The Maulwurf roared, its giant rodent teeth on full display, it begun to creep forwards, its menacing claws scrapping along the ground. "Cozy!" Engineer yelled "The roof, get out of here!"

Cozy Glow didn't need to be told twice, she darted up towards the hole in the roof and escaped leaving Tirek and Engineer to face the giant monster alone. Tirek turned to face Engineer "You too!" he shouted.

"But I can't f-" Tirek grabbed her and flung her towards the hole in the ceiling, she screamed as she flew through the air, but Tireks aim was true and she sailed through the opening and landed with a thump in the grass. "Ow" she groaned, she struggled to her feet, turning towards the hole to see if Tirek was alright. For her trouble she was nearly decapitated by the crate sailing out of the hole and towards her head.

"GET TO THE ENTRANCE!" Tirek screamed from inside the cave "GET CHRYSALIS!" Another chilling roar was heard from the cave as Engineer and Cozy rushed off to get help. Engineers heart was pounding as she raced in what she hoped was the right direction, she pulled her crossbow out from behind her which had miraculously remained undamaged.

Engineer and Cozy, reached the entrance but there was no Chrysalis in sight "Chrysalis!" Engineer cried "Chrysalis where are you, we need your help!" There was no response, the only sound they heard was the sound of battle growing closer as it echoed out of the cave.

Tirek was hurled out of the cave, landing with a thump beside them, the Maulwurf was hot on his heels, it bounded towards them on all fours. As it came into the light, Engineer was able to get a good look at it, the monsters thick hide was covered in coarse purple fur, its teeth were yellow and filled to a point by its rocky diet. It toward over them, fifteen feet tall and mean as all hell, Its glowing yellow eyes focused in on its quarry as it charged at Tirek.

A volley of fire from Engineers crossbow made it stumble as they impacted into its hide, the bolts did little damage but the fire runes carved into them made the Maulwurfs fur catch fire. As it batted at itself to extinguish the flames, Engineer pulled
off the belt of smoke bombs she was carrying and handed them to Cozy "Aim for the eyes!" Cozy flew high above the Maulwurf and hurled one straight at the monster face, it screeched in pain as the smoke blinded its eyes.

While it was distracted Engineer ran over to Tirek "You still alive Tirek?" he groaned in response "Then get up, I don't know how long that thing will be blinded for." Not long enough it seemed, as the creature honed in on her voice and lunged at her, time seemed to slow down as its giant claws arced towards her, ready to cut her into mince meat. The Maulwurfs snarling face would have been the last thing she would have seen, if a giant black claw didn't punch it in the face. The beast was sent hurtling through the air, slamming into a nearby rock, it shook itself to quiet the ringing in its head and turned its hateful eyes on its newest enemy.

The new arrival was a hulking beast, covered in a thick black carapace with its bat like wings extended outwards, its body was hunched over with a spiked tail giving it balance as it stood on two squat legs that bent backwards like a dogs, its two outstretched arms ended in a three fingered fist that each had long claws in place of nails. Its gaze was locked on the Maulwurf, its glowing green eyes stared death at its quarry, a snarl exposing its mouth full of razer sharp teeth. "GET AWAY FROM THEM!" It roared, the voice, despite its depth and volume, was unmistakably Chrysalises.

The Maulwurf snarled in response begun to approach Chrysalis, ready to get revenge for her cheap shot. It suddenly stopped in its tracks, it sniffed at the air and with a yelp begun to bore back down into the earth. Engineer was momentarily relieved at the creatures cowardice, however Chrysalis seemed to be even more tense than before. "Watch out!" Chrysalis screeched "There's an alpha coming!"

The ground shook as a hole tore open in the earth and a horrifying sight emerged, a bright red Maulwurf, twice as tall and pissed as the last one. It scanned the area before settling in on the group, it pulled itself out of the ground and begun to lumber towards them. Chrysalis let out a roar and flew towards the new threat, she went for the monsters throat but was blocked by the forearm of the beast, as she sunk her teeth into the creatures arm, making it wince, it reared back its other arm and punched Chrysalis in the stomach, hurling her through the air into a tree.

Engineer rushed forward, her crossbow reloaded, and fired a hail of bolts at the giant Maulwurfs center of mass. They bounced off its thick hide, leaving a small fire that it quickly patted away, before turning its attention to Engineer. While distracted Chrysalis lept at the beast leading with her spiked tail which dug deep into the monster side making it howl in pain, it grabbed the tail digging into its side and used it to slam Chrysalis into the ground, It raised a foot to crush Chrysalises head, but got stopped by a large boulder slamming into its head.

Tirek levitated another and hurled it at the beast, which it carved through with its claws, it roared in indignation but was interrupted by Chrysalis who had soared back into the air and dug her claws into the Maulwurfs skull, the monster snarled and swung wildly at the Changeling queen, who backed off out of range before coming in for another pass. When she got close the Maulwurf leaped into the air and swung at her, she almost dodged but the monsters claws cut through one of her her bat like wings, sending her hurtling to the ground.

Cozy Glow buzzed down and hurled a smoke bomb directly into the Alphas face before flying past, the monster wheeled around trying to catch the annoying filly. But Chrysalis leaped up and latched onto the monster back and sunk her teeth into the beasts neck. It howled in pain as it tried to reach behind it to get the attacker off its back.

"That thing isn't going down, what do we do?!" Tirek shouted.

"I have a plan, but I will need your help!" Engineer replied.

The Maulwurf gave up on grabbing its opponent and settled instead to fall backwards onto her. It turned over pinning Chrysalis down before sinking its massive teeth into Chrysalises chest, green ichor spurted out of the wound, Chrysalis cried out in pain at the almost certainly fatal blow.

A massive tree was hurled into the back of the head of the creature, drawing its attention back to Tirek who was charging at the creature. "GET OFF HER!" he roared as he charged forward, the creature snarled in response, green ichor still dripping off its massive teeth.

While its attention was drawn to Tirek, Cozy hurled all of the remaining smoke bombs directly from above into the creatures face, it clawed at its face trying to get through the smoke. Tirek continued his charge, and picked up Engineer, who was riding on his back and hurled her forward directly at the monsters face. She held her gauntleted hand behind her as Tirek pumped all the magic he had into her gauntleted hand at she flew through the air, it glowed bright and shook as sparks shot out of it. The Maulwurf cleared its sight just in time to see the Engineer roar as she brought the gauntlet down into his skull, sending electricity coursing through the creatures entire body.

The Maulwurfs eyes rolled back as it collapsed onto the ground leaving Engineer to fall with it, however the outstretched arm of Chrysalises form saved her from the fall. Chrysalises arm lowered to the ground before she collapsed and returned to her original form.

Engineer raced over to Chrysalis "Chrysalis!" she shouted, upon reaching her Engineer gasped as she saw the state that Chrysalis was in "Oh no, no no no NO!" Chrysalis was covered in wounds leaking green ichor into the dirt, she was missing her right wing.

Chrysalis opened her right eye, a cut on her forehead had sealed the other "Engineer, everyone else alright?" Engineer nodded in response as tears rolled down here cheek "Good" Chrysalis whispered, a smile on her lips as her body fell limp.

Chrysalises eyes opened and saw the blue sky stretch above her 'am I dead?' she thought to herself, but when she tried to move she felt pain course through her body 'nope, not dead.' She groaned as she moved her head to look around her, they were encamped on the hill overlooking the hive, Cozy Glow and Tirek were there with her.

"You're awake" Cozy said excitedly, "Thank goodness, I thought you were a goner." Cozy trotted over to Chrysalis and offered her some water "You've been out for a while, almost two days."

Chrysalis took a sip of the water, she took a moment to savour the taste before speaking "What the hell is wrong with all of you."

Tirek laughed as he came over to join them "Well at least we know she's all the same in the head."

Chrysalis ignored him "I gave you guys so many opportunities to escape, I kept distracting it so you all could get away."

"You would have been killed if we had left" Tirek said "We couldn't just abandon you."

Chrysalis sneered "Of course you could, I abandoned you first!"

"What do you mean?" Cozy asked.

Chrysalis stared at the ground "I was gonna leave, it was only a matter of time until you saw me for what I really was, a parasite. My own hive threw me out and I couldn't stand the thought of going through that again."

"But you came back!" Cozy protested "You turned into that awesome looking monster and gave it your all!"

"And I got my ass kicked" Chrysalis snapped back "Engineer was the one who beat the Maulwurf, not me. I'm surprised that I'm not dead, where is Engineer anyway?"

"Well she is the reason that you're not dead" Tirek said "At least it was her idea."

"What was my idea?" Engineer said as she approached the camp, trailing behind her was another figure.

"Pharynx!?" Chrysalis shouted, trying to rise to her hooves, but her tender body prevented her from getting up.

"Hey mom" Pharynx said with a stern look on his face.

"What is he doing here!" Chrysalis exclaimed "If he tells anyone about us then we're done for."

"I think we'll give you guys some privacy" Tirek said as he led Engineer and Cozy away.

"I've been keeping you alive with some transfusions of love energy from that alpha Maulwurf you guys took down." Pharynx said "Now stay still, this won't take a second."

"No! You're gonna turn me into one of you!" Chrysalis cried.

"Calm down" Pharynx said "I've done this several times already and you are just as black and full of holes as before."

"Why are you helping me?" Chrysalis asked Pharynx "You abandoned me, you all did, why are you helping me now."

"We didn't abandon you, you left us remember?" Pharynx snapped back "You left us with Thorax in charge because you were too stubborn to be friends with ponies, which to be fair I did have some trouble getting used to as well."

"Well it was only a matter of time, after you put Thorax in charge everyone seemed a lot happier, they wouldn't have wanted me hanging around." Chrysalis countered "When they have someone better to follow, who would want me." Chrysalis pointed a hoof at Pharynx "Yeah thats right I admitted that Thorax is better than me, what are you gonna do deny it?"

"No, Thorax is better than you!" Pharynx shouted "And do you know why? Because you made him better, he's your son too, and when I look at him I see the best parts of you. I used to think he was weak, that he couldn't lead the Changelings, but now I would follow him to the end of Equestria."

Chrysalis scoffed "Are you trying to make me angry?"

"No damnit I'm trying to make you proud, your sons are doing better than you because we learned from you." Pharynx replied. "When I first found out you were my mum, I didn't know what to think, but now, despite all your flaws, I'm bloody proud to call someone as tough as you my mother!" Pharynx took a breath to calm himself before continuing "The only question is, are you're proud of us?"

Chrysalis starred at the ground for a moment, "Yes, I am proud, I let my anger get in the way for so long, but it feels so good to say, I am proud of my sons! They have led the Changelings better than I ever could."

Pharynx smiled, releasing the tension that had built up in his body "Good, now can I give you the love energy, I'm afraid that our big friend is almost awake so this will be the last of it." Chrysalis nodded, "Thanks mom, now hold still, we need to fix that wing of yours." Pharynx fired off a beam of pink energy at Chrysalis, which swirled around her damaged wing, before repairing it a bit too much, "Oops."

"Why oops?" Chrysalis asked.

"Well you know how, I said you would look the same? Well that was when I was healing the wounds on your body, restoring a wing on the other hoof." Pharynx trailed off rubbing the back of his head.

Chrysalis turned around and looked at her new right wing, it was still translucent but was now a light purple instead of a sickly green, and had no holes through it unlike her left wing. Chrysalis laughed "Well no one's perfect, I'm just lucky to have the wing back."

Tirek pocked his head out from behind a tree "So uh, can we come back yet."

"Where you eavesdropping on our private conversation!" Chrysalis yelled.

"Kind of" Cozy said, appearing in the branches of the tree, "It was hard not to, you guys were really loud."

Pharynx chuckled at the groups bickering "I should be heading back, Thorax is probably worried sick that I haven't reported in yet. Mom, take care of your comrades, they took good care of you."

Chrysalis nodded "Goodbye Pharynx, take good care of your brother for me."

Pharynx waved goodbye as he headed towards the hive, Engineer ran after him, hoping to say something as well.

"Hey Pharynx, I'd just like to thank you for helping us and not, you know, turning us in" She said.

He smiled back at her "Just take good care of Chrysalis for me, she needs you."

"I'd also like to apologise for, um, electrocuting you and all." Engineer said nervously, as she stared at her shoes. Pharynx got a mischievous look on his face as he thought of something, a tiny little electrical bolt fired out of his horn hitting Engineer in the arm. "OW!" She rubbed her arm frantically "That hurt." Pharynx stuck out his tongue in response "Oh, now you're gonna get it pretty boy!"

"Lets see what you've got then?" Pharynx immediately regretted that statement as Engineer tackled him, their tussle ended with Engineer pinning his forelegs above his head as she sat on his belly, her face only an inch from his.

"Thats what I've got" she gloated, the smile died on her lips as she realised what position they were in 'I should get off him' she thought to herself. Instead she found herself pressing her lips against his as he responded in kind, this was her first kiss and was quite the sloppy affair that came to an abrupt end when her body reminded her that she had forgotten to breath. She stared into his eyes panting to get her breath back, her eyes went wide as she took stock of what had just happened and scrambled off of the prone changeling.

"No!" Cozy shouted "Keep going!"

"Cozy Glow?!" Engineer shouted at the peeping pegasus "What the hell are you doing?!"

Cozy scoffed "Isn't it obvious? You two have been starring at each others butts whenever the other wasn't looking for the past two days, I wanted to see if either of you would make a move, and what a move it was Engy!"

Engineer and Pharynx were both blushing profusely at the embarrassment they were suffering through. "So, um, goodbye I guess" Engineer stammered out.

"L-likewise" Pharynx said in response before flying off quickly towards the hive.

Cozy Glow was grinning from ear to ear "Engy and Pharynx sitting in a-"

"Cozy please don't tell Chrysalis about this" Engineer pleaded.

Cozy Glow huffed in response "Fine, but you owe me."

Engineer was standing in the shower, enjoying the luxury of civilisation. She had gone through a lot of crap, literally in some cases, in the past couple of days. But now, she had gotten all the ingredients, and had processed them into jet black ingots, that were perfect, capable of holding a great deal of magical energy and incredibly durable too, now all she needed was the right tools and then the real work would begin.

She massaged a nasty bruise on her back, it was still healing from her tussle with a Maulwurf. Her finger glided towards her lips as she remembered something else she had gotten. She shook her head, she had to forget about him, work was the only thing she could focus on, besides, she didn't think Chrysalis would approve her dating her son.

She turned off the shower and dried herself off, right now she just wanted to crawl into bed and sleep for a week. She didn't want to leave a wet spot on her pillow so she made sure that her hair was completely dry. She got changed into her pyjamas and entered her bedroom, only to find an unwelcome guest sitting on her bed.

"Hello Engy" Cozy said in her usual chipper voice, a strange pink case lying on the bed next to her "Remember how I said you owe me?"

"Yeah" Engineer replied.

"Well I know just how you can repay me" Cozy opened the case revealing its contents "Makeovers!" She shouted, practically bouncing with excitement.

Engineer groaned "Let me guess, if we don't do this you'll tell Chrysalis?" Cozy Glow nodded in response, "Screw it, fine do your worst." Engineer sat on the bed and prepared for the onslaught. "Well, are you going to start or what?"

"Sorry Engy, I'm trying to remember how it starts, I've never done this before" Cozy said.

"Well that makes two of us." Engineer sighed "This couldn't get any worse." Just as those words left her lips the door of her bedroom opened and Chrysalis walked in.

Chrysalis chuckled "What's going on in here?"

"I'm giving Engy a makeover" Cozy said "Although I don't know how to begin."

Chrysalis smirked "Well you don't become a master infiltrator without knowing a thing or two about applying makeup. Do you want me to show you Cozy?"

"Yes please" Cozy responded and before Engineer could raise any objections she was set upon by a flurry of brushes. Engineer sat stoically as Chrysalis and Cozy used her as a practice dummy. That was until something that Chrysalis said caught her attention.

"I bet Pharynx would be impressed with how you look now" Chrysalis smirked.

"What?" Engineer hissed, unable to move due to the proximity of a brush to her eye "Cozy, you betrayed me."

"Sorry Engy, it just kind of slipped out" Cozy said in a tone that gave away that she was not sorry at all.

"Oh thats just brilliant, now I'm going through all this for nothing" Engineer seethed.

"Not exactly nothing" Chrysalis said "Your coming along quite nicely. And just so you know I'm not entirely against the idea of you going out with my son, after we takeover Equestria of course. I think you two would make a wonderful couple, and I am a bit excited at the thought of having grandkids."

"Slow down Chrysalis" Engineer said "It's a bit early to be talking grandkids, besides I don't think that we would be, um, biologically compatible."

"Theirs no reason not to try, your personalities would mesh really well." Chrysalis replied.

"But he's a Changeling and I'm whatever I am, do you really think it could work?" Engineer asked.

"You deserve happiness Engineer, and the only way you'll find out is if you give it a shot." Chrysalis finished up with Engineer and held up a mirror to her face "Well what do you think?"

Engineer was speechless, she looked amazing!

"Wow Chrysalis!" Cozy said "Your really good."

"Well the canvas was pretty good to start with" Chrysalis said "And now its your turn Cozy, I have something special planned for you."

Engineer giggled along with Cozy as Chrysalis got to work, For the first time in a long time Chrysalis was having fun.

Chapter Five: A fiery trade

Over eight hundred years ago

Scorpan stood before the gates of Tartarus, he stared at the blood red runes that decorated the entrance to the ancient prison. The door was an intimidating sight, created by Star-Swirl the Bearded himself and some say that he used the forbidden rune magic of the creature known as the 'Engineer' to do so, although that was just a rumour.

The gates of Tartarus groaned as they swung open before him, as they had many times before, and he stepped forth into the prison. As Scorpan walked into the cavernous interior of Tartarus, he tried to prepare himself for the conversation that was to come.

Scorpan ascended the stair case, giving the guard dog a pat on all three of his heads as he walked by, leading to the sole occupant of Tartarus, locked in his cage, the prisoner stirred as he heard the approach of a visitor. A pair of golden eyes glared at Scorpan as he approached the cage, "What? Another year already?" a voice dryly croaked out from the cage.

Scorpan sat down in front of the cage, getting comfortable before speaking "Hello, brother" he said "how have you been?"

Tirek scoffed from inside his cage "How do you think I've been? It's bad enough that I have to be locked up in here, but I have to put up with your annoying yearly visit."

"So the same as usual?" Scorpan asked.

"Basically" Tirek answered "It turns out that being imprisoned, for who knows how long, can get quite boring."

"It doesn't have to be" Scorpan said "just say the word and-"

"Not this crap again" Tirek scoffed.

"I'm serious!" Scorpan continued "I could talk to Celestia, and as long as there are some assurances, we could have you moved to better conditions and then eventually have you released."

"You still think that?" Tirek asked "Even if you could, do you really think that I'm going to subject myself to those ponies? Those weaklings?"

"They kicked your ass, didn't they" Scorpan said.

"With your help, remember?" Tirek shook his head "The only reason that Starswirl and his friends were able to beat me was because of you, you're the reason I'm here. But where are your friends now?" Tirek cackled as he continued "Gone, all gone, you're alone here, Luna's gone too, banished by Celestia, the 'Magic of Friendship' worked out great for her didn't it? And you can't go back home, what would our father say if he knew that you sold me out to a bunch of weak ponies?"

"He'd understand!" Scorpan retorted. "He warned you, he warned us both, he told us what would happen if we pursued power recklessly."

"He was only interested in keeping us weak" Tirek said. "All his rules, his lectures, they were just ways of controlling us, he never cared, he just saw us as assets, pawns in his game."

"That's a load of crap and you know it!" Scorpan yelled back standing up. "You always made fun of me for being childish, but look at yourself, you're still just a kid rebelling against his parents!" Scorpan collapsed back down, his eyes refused to meet his brothers. "Do you remember when we were kids and I started getting fat, dad put us both on a diet to make it fair, so we started to sneak down to the kitchens at night to eat food then, but he got wise to that and had the staff lock up the food." Scorpan smiled as he reminisced "But not the ingredients so we decided to try to make a cake ourselves, if I remember your exact words 'It can't be too hard."

"We started a fire" Tirek chuckled "burned down the whole kitchen."

"I was so scared that dad would be furious" Scorpan continued. "But the first thing he did when he saw us was hug us and only after making sure we were okay did we get the lecture. Everything he did to us, he did for us."

"Is there a point to all of this, or are you just enjoying your trip down memory lane?" Tirek asked.

"I'm going home Tirek, I've tried and tried to reach you but nothing has worked." Scorpan said "This is your last chance, either come home with me now or rot here for the rest of eternity."

Tirek sat stunned for a moment, before bursting out laughing "Wow" he said "Thats a new one, very creative, however it's not very effective. The whole 'I'm leaving thing would only work if I wanted you to stay which I don't, and I know you would never leave Equestria because you've been so adamant about showing me the 'magic of friendship,' so why would you change now?"

"I've had enough Tirek, all my friends are gone, I'm all alone just like you. I want to go home, I want to see our parents again, and I don't want to torture myself every year because of your mistakes. So, what will it be brother?"

Tirek sneered back "you're really going all in with this aren't you? Bye Scorpan, I'll see you next year, for the first time I'll actually be looking forward to it just so I can laugh in your face!"

Scorpan threw something into Tireks cage before storming off, Tirek watched him leave saw as the doors to Tartarus swung open, the sun light illuminating the object on the ground next to him. It was the medallion that he had given to Scorpan when they were still children. The doors of Tartarus swung open once again plunging the prison into darkness.

Tirek was once again left with his thoughts, Scorpan would be back, this was just an attempt to scare him, he'd be back. Tirek picked up the amulet, it was still warm from being worn by Scorpan. Scorpan would be back, he had to be.

present day

Tirek yawned as he prepared breakfast, Engineer was supposed to cook today but due to her 'illness' he had been saddled with the job. He sensed the time was right and flipped the batch, he grinned as he saw the other side was the perfect shade of golden brown.

"Come on Tirek" Cozy whined "I'm hungry, what's taking so long?"

"Good things come to those who are patient" Chrysalis said "like me, right now." She and Cozy had been having morning chess matches for the past couple of days, and she was on the verge of getting her first victory, she took another of Cozys pieces with her Queen just to emphasise the point.

"Crap!" Cozy shouted as she nervously moved her Rook to counter Chrysalises move.

Chrysalis was grinning maniacally, on the verge of victory "In a few moves this will all be over" she declared as she made her move.

Cozys demeanour changed in an instant as she gave Chrysalis her best innocent smile "nope, it's over now, Checkmate. See how I positioned my knight to-"

Chrysalis gripped the board with her magic and threw in across the kitchen sending the pieces flying through the air. "How the hell did I lose again!"

Tirek had finished cooking breakfast, and brought over a plate overflowing with pancakes. "It seems your new wing hasn't changed your personality." Chrysalis grumbled as she levitated a pancake off the pile, adding blueberries and a generous scoop of vanilla ice-cream on top.

"Its all about misdirection" Cozy grinned as she poured chocolate sauce onto her pancakes "I make you think you've won, and then boom, out of nowhere checkmate. I beat Starlight so many times with that tactic, it was so fun watching her hold in her competitive side. A few more wins and she would have snapped worse than you." Cozys grin turned to a scowl as Chrysalis took her sauce bottle away, Cozys breakfast was more chocolate sauce than pancake at this point, Cozy shrugged and dug into her meal.

"You all enjoy your meal" Tirek said "I've got bring our patient her food, wish me luck that I don't get, what did she call it?"

"Moon sickness" Chrysalis replied "She said that it's not contagious, the only thing you need to worry about is bringing the right toppings. I brought her poached eggs instead of scrambled yesterday and she threatened to pull my head off."

"I'll keep that in mind" Tirek said "If I remember correctly she wants lemon, sugar, and maple syrup?" Chrysalis nodded before returning to her meal. Tirek loaded up a tray with a plate of pancakes as well as the prerequisite toppings and headed for Engineers room.

He made his way up the staircase to her room and knocked on the door. "Breakfast!" he announced, a reply in the form of a sleepy groan was heard, he took it as an invitation and headed inside.

Engineer was still lying in bed, she sat up in her bed, yawning as she did so. "I could really go for bacon, you don't happen to have any do you?" she asked as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

"Afraid not, just pancakes" Tirek replied as he set the tray down on a desk in Engineers room.

"Right, you're all vegetarians, damn I miss meat." Engineer said as she rose out of bed, stretching as she did so "Thanks for breakfast Tirek." She made her way over to the desk, she didn't bother changing out of her navy blue pyjamas.

"Well we can't let you starve" Tirek replied "You need to eat to beat this is illness, whatever it is."

"It's not really an illness, it showed up a couple of years ago, or at least a couple years before I was petrified." Engineer explained as she poured sugar and lemon over her pancakes "It comes around every few weeks, sometimes are worse than others, but this one has been particularly bad." She tore into her breakfast, dunking cut pieces into the maple syrup before devouring it.

"Do we need to kidnap a doctor or something?" Tirek asked.

Engineer scoffed "No thanks, the last doctor I saw about it came at me with a box of leaches, It sucks but I can live with it, besides it should finish up today. In the end It's just another thing to remind me how different I am to everyone else."

"Not too different" Tirek smirked "I heard that you literally jumped on the first boy who talked to you."

A Engineer coughed as a piece of her breakfast got caught in her throat, "I didn't jump on him!" Tirek raised an eyebrow in response "ok maybe I did, but it's more complicated than that, he's was the first guy to talk to me as a person you know, he could have turned us over to the ponies but he didn't. He's funny, he's nice, he's got this cute voice thats both gruff and a bit dorky and-"

"Listen to yourself" Tirek laughed "You're infatuated, you try to act all tough but here you are obsessing over a boy."

"Shut up" Engineer blushed "I'm not going to love advice from a lonely old centaur!"

"And how do you think I became like this?" Tirek said "I trusted one person and they betrayed me, do you think that Pharynx would have stayed quiet if you told him what we're really planning?" Tirek didn't give her time to answer "No, he'd turn you over in a second, he's been corrupted by the 'magic of friendship', by the Princesses, you can't trust him."

"Are you saying I can't trust anyone? Not even you?" Engineer asked.

"Nope not even me, that fool Discord trusted me once and I almost took over Equestria thanks to him." Tirek said "Ever since Discords been reformed he's become such an idiot, in the state he's in now I bet I could kick his ass blindfolded."

A voice interrupted their conversation "Are you sure about that?" Grogar was standing at the doorway "I wouldn't downplay Discord so much if I were you Tirek, he's one of the ponies greatest assets. One of the reasons that I've been away so much is ensuring that the Lord of Chaos doesn't interfere with us while we get our revenge."

Engineer scoffed "From what I've heard all we would need to do is threaten to hurt, whats her name? Buttershy?"

"It's Fluttershy!" Grogar stamped his hoof "And you will do nothing of the sort, If you do it will only make Discord mad! It's important for you to remember, whatever you do, don't hurt Fluttershy!" Engineer raised her hand to ask a question "The yellow one with pink hair!"

"Good to know" Engineer said. "Now do you mind explaining why you're here?"

"Tirek tells me that you've had issues with the quality of your materials" Grogar said.

Engineer frowned, glancing at Tirek who gave her a subtle wink "Yes, I have been having problems with my materials, why do you ask?"

"I can answer that" Tirek said "remember when you mentioned that you wished you had some of your old tools?"

"Yeah, but they've all been destroyed. Celestia and Luna saw to that" Engineer replied.

"Not quiet" Tirek said. "There are rumours that some of those have found their way into the hands of a private collector, and believe me, if anyone has them it would be him. He's a bit obsessed with anything to do with you, which is why I asked Grogar for help."

"Is Grogar going to help us break in to this guys house?" Engineer asked.

Grogar cackled "Even as powerful as I am, breaking into Torgovor's home would be suicide, just ask Tirek he's buddies with him."

"We're not buddies" Tirek spat out.

"Acquaintances?" Engineer asked.

"He's a squatter" Tirek snarled "The snake stole my castle after I was sent to Tartarus and has lived there ever since. He's also beefed up security, he has built an army of autonomous sets of armor using your runic magic."

"Impressive" Engineer said "I tried autonomous armor out in a few designs, but it was always inferior to an actual creature controlling it. But if we could get past that then this Torgovor would be no problem."

"It would be" Tirek said "If Torgovor wasn't a dragon, an old one at that, hence his proclivity for hoarding. So theft would end with us being incinerated."

"So what is the plan?" Engineer asked.

Grogar dropped a pile of books onto the floor "A trade, Tirek tells me that Torgovor is open to trading, it's how he got most of his collection."

Engineer scoffed "Do you think that he would trade my tools for some random books?"

Grogar sighed "Yes, because these are the personal notes of the legendary star swirl the bearded, written after his return."

Engineer picked up one of the books and flicked through it, the notes talked about a portal of some kind and something about three sirens that he banished a thousand years ago. Engineer shrugged "I'm not sure they're that valuable, but we'll just have to see if he goes for it. So, what is the plan?"

"Chrysalis teleports you and me near the castle" Tirek explained "Chrysalis remains behind and us two go in, he knows me so there won't be too many questions. I'll need you to come with to make sure that what he gives us is genuine."

"Didn't you say he was obsessed with me?" Engineer asked "Don't you think that he might react strangely if the Engineer comes visiting?"

"You won't be going as the Engineer" Tirek answered "you're going to be a deformed minotaur that is too disfigured to show her face, we'll put you in a hooded cloak and say that you're an expert on the Engineer that I've coerced into helping."

"I just hope that you can pull it off" Grogar growled "You've failed once before, don't fail me again." Grogar teleported away leaving the pair alone once again.

Tirek broke the silence first "You know that Fluttershy has a pet rabbit."

Engineer grinned "Sounds like once we take over Equestria, meat will be back on the menu."

Tireks castle a terrifying sight, located on a peninsula that jutted off the coast of Equestria, the years had not eroded its brutal appearance. The structure was hundreds of feet high, a massive black column that had thorn like towers jutting out seemingly at random. The constant, howling wind coming in from the ocean added to the oppressive atmosphere, the waves smashed against the cliffside, spraying saltwater high.

Tirek and Engineer observed the structure from a line of trees that gave them some protection from the wind. Engineer set down a pair of binoculars and turned to Tirek "Wow, this dragon has great taste." Tirek gave her an angry look "I know, its your place and all but still Torgovor has chosen a great evil lair, I'm surprised no one has tried to take it off him."

"Many have tried" Tirek said "But the place is a fortress, I should know. He is quiet paranoid though, he never leaves, he has other go out and collect things for him, It's also how he avoids the wrath of the Princesses."

Cozy Glow plopped down between them "Enough chit-chat, I want to meet the dragon."

"You're not coming Cozy" Engineer said.

"Oh come on!" Cozy whined "I've never seen a fully grown dragon before, can I please, please, please come too?"

"No! it's too dangerous." Engineer snapped "Now go back and see if Chrysalis needs any help setting up camp." Cozy trudged away, grumbling as she did so. Engineer sighed, "Cozy's right, no need to wait around any longer, let's go."

Tirek and Engineer headed towards the castle, the wind battered against the pair as they left the cover of the tree line. Engineer was thankful for the black hooded cloak that she wore, that kept her face hidden, and protected her from the elements. She had another kind of protection hidden on her as well, her crossbow, if things started to go wrong then at least she wouldn't be totally helpless.

Tirek ignored the weather as they got nearer and nearer, focused intensely on the task at hand. He carried the books in a pack, protecting them from the elements. They reached a large wooden door that served as the entrance to the castle, it swung open as they approached, letting them inside the castle.

The entrance led into a hallway blocked by a peculiar sight, two sets of Diamond Dog armor, which Engineer recognised as replicas of her own work, were posed as in a fight to the death. One of them was stabbing a long spear through the visor of the other, while the other was recoiling back in mock pain. The doors slammed shut behind them, as it did so the armored Dogs stood at attention, and turned towards the visitors.

"We're here to trade" Tirek said, the suits of armor stood aside and pointed further down the hallway. They passed many more armored figures, ponies, gryphons and others, all of them frozen in battle against each other. Engineer noticed a mace that was just about to smash into the face of a pegasus was one of her own, she tried to get a closer look but when she got too close the head of the gryphon armor holding the mace spun towards her, making her jump back in surprise.

"Careful" Tirek said "Torgovor is very protective of his stuff, if you don't want to lose your head, I suggest that we keep going." They reached the end of the hallway and stepped inside a strange room, a metal door closed behind them and they felt the room go up, they were going up the tower.

"His stuff" Engineer scoffed "A lot of this stuff is mine."

"We're literally in my old home" Tirek said "If anyone should be complaining about things being stolen its me. Although this strange room is a new addition, much more efficient than stairs."

"Those suits of armor were quite cool too" Engineer added "Although I do prefer having someone actually wear them, it's better that way."

"How so?" Tirek asked.

"For armor to function on its own it has to be enchanted in some way" Engineer explained "But depending on the material, the armor can only have so much magic flowing through it at one time. So if its self propelled it will be weaker in other areas compared to if some one is operating it."

"So thats we've been collecting all that stuff?" Tirek asked.

"Yep" Engineer replied "Better material means that I can run more magic through it, and I use runes because they tend to be the most efficient. Runes don't function like most enchantments because they absorb the magic that all living things passively create."

"Almost all" Tirek corrected.

"What do you mean?" Engineer asked "Everything in Equestria produces magic, even plants."

"You don't" Tirek said, Engineer looked at him with suspicion, she was about to ask him to explain further but she felt the room come to a stop. The door opened up in front of them, signalling them to exit.

The room in front of them was too dark to see into, Tirek walked in confidently while Engineer nervously followed behind him, the grate slammed shut behind them and she heard the strange contraption rumble back down the tower, leaving them trapped in the dark.

"Ah, Tirek" A deep rumbling voice said "It seems the ponies couldn't keep you locked up for long." Part of the room lit up in an instant, blazing torches revealing the speakers head. It was massive, large enough to eat her whole, with glistening white scales, Its two solid black eyes studied them with contempt. Its neck stretched off into the darkness, its body hidden from sight. "You've brought a friend?"

"This minotour is here to ensure that I get what I've come here for" Tirek said. He held up a list of items, a massive claw darted out of the darkness to grab it, bringing it close to the dragons eye.

"I hope you've brought something of value to trade" Torgovor said, looking up from the list at Tirek "I wouldn't trade away the Engineers own tools for some mere trinkets."

"Of course" Tirek opened his bag, pulling out the books "Notes from Starswirl the bearded should be more than enough."

Torgovor tapped the floor with a talon, summoning a set of gryphon armor which flew in and clanked down before scooping up the books to present to its master. The dragon looked over the books carefully, its servant flicking through the pages for him "Lets see if theirs anything worthwhile here" he said "Lets see sirens, banishment, something about a por-" The dragon looked closer at a particular page "Interesting, quite interesting." Torgovor smirked, exposing his teeth to his visitors "Well Tirek, it appears you've found something quite valuable." Torgovor tapped the floor again, a set of pony armor marched out carrying a large box, it set it down in front of Engineer for inspection. "I'll make the trade" he said "while I hate to lose anything to do with the Engineer, it usually finds its way back, one way or another."

Engineer opened the box, and inspected its contents. It was all there, so she gave a nod to Tirek it indicate as such. He picked up the box and stuffed into his pack. They heard the strange room beginning to climb back up for them to leave.

"Thank you for your time Torgovor" Tirek said with a forced smile "We'll be going now." They turned around to leave, only to find a large white tail blocking the way.

"Not just yet old friend" the dragon said, something about his voice sent chills down Engineers spine "I thought I knew all the experts on the Engineer, and here you go bringing this minotaur along that you've taken great pains to hide under that hood." The dragons eyes focused in on Engineer, trying to make out her features under the hood.

"She's nobo-" A claw darted forwards, stoping inches from Tireks throat.

"I wasn't speaking to you Tirek" the dragon said calmly, before withdrawing his claw back into the shadows. His black eyes turned back to Engineer. "So, why don't you lower that hood so I can get a good look at you."

"I'm sorry, but I can't" Engineer said, she went with the first thing that came to mind "I've got a horrible disfigurement, if you saw my face it would make you sick."

Torgovor scoffed "It would take more than a disfigurement to make me sick, in fact, I'm more curious than ever." The dragons lips pealed back in a toothy grin "You have two options, either you lower the hood yourself, or I take your head and look at it then."

Engineer took a deep breath, there seemed to be no way out other than to comply. It had been a thousand years, this dragon would have no way of knowing what she looked like. She flipped down her hood, revealing her face, and hoped that he wouldn't hear her heart trying to beat its way out of her ribcage.

The room was silent for a moment, the dragon studying her face with interest. "Well you certainly look different than I expected" Torgovor said "But there's nothing that I would call sickening." Engineer resisted the urge to smile, her plan had worked. The dragon turned its head towards Tirek "So where did you find her? I'm guessing the castle in the Everfree, that damned forrest kept even my best scavengers away. Well done Tirek, you've brought me the Engineer."

"W-WHAT!" She shouted "I'm not the Engineer!"

"Yes you are" The dragon said gleefully "You don't know how long I've waited, dreamed of getting my claws on you. I can't wait to put you to work for me!"

Tirek stepped between them "Do you think I would just hand her over? She's mine!"

"It really isn't up to you" Torgovor replied "But to make things fair." He tapped his claws, bringing out another armoured servant, carrying a large chest "Gold, and lots of it, trust me Tirek it's for the best, I'd get more use out of her anyway."

Tirek groaned "Fine" he spat "At least I'm getting something out of this."

"TIREK?!" Engineer shouted "What the hell are you doing!?"

"Doing whats best for me" Tirek replied. "Goodbye Engineer." Tirek turned for the exit, leaving Engineer to her fate.

"You bastard!" She charged at the Centaur, only for a set of gryphon armor to swoop down blocking her path. "Tirek, come back here!" she shouted, tears coming to her eyes "No, not again! I don't want it to happen again!."

"Enough of that Engineer" the dragon scolded "You've got a lot of work ahead of you."

"Why the hell would I work for you, you overgrown lizard!" Engineer spat. Her eyes went wide as a claw came close to her face, stroking her cheek carefully to avoid a cut.

"Oh, my dear, because I require it." On the next pass the claw nicked her, causing her to yelp in pain. "And if thats not enough I will compel it."

"Hey!" Tirek shouted from the door to the lifting room "Do you want her tools back?"

"Why thank you Tirek" the dragon replied, not taking his eyes off Engineer "I certainly would."

Engineer looked over at Tirek just in time to see it, time seemed too slow as she saw the chest fly through the air towards the dragon, and behind it and closing fast a fire spell. The two objects collided in mid air, the wood burned away, leaving gold, now molten and shaped like a dart, flying into Torgovors eye.

The dragon roared in agony as his eye melted within his skull, he clawed at the wound frantically trying to get the burning spear out of the socket. The armor guarding her was blown to pieces by a blast of Tireks magic, as he grabbed her and threw her onto his back. They charged for the door, but as it opened, a squadron of armored opponents lunged forth to attack them.

"Crap!" Tirek shouted spinning around and charging away from the door, Engineer pulled out her crossbow and let fly with a volley of shots. The bolts were designed to temporarily disrupt the enchantments on the armor, the enemy clattered into heaps on the ground, Engineer loaded and fired as quickly as possible as hoards of the dragons creations swarmed after them.

"Where are we going?!" Engineer shouted, she shot a pegasus armor out of the sky.

"We're getting out of here!" Tirek shouted, he smashed through a wall leading into a hallway and charged down it, he made turn after turn seemingly at random, before blasting a door to splinters. The room they were in was unremarkable, it was once a bedroom but the ages had turned all of its contents to rot, Tirek tore down a bookshelf revealing a hole in the wall, within the hole was a ramp that slid down out of sight "Can you swim?" He asked.

"What? No!" she replied, jumping off of Tireks back.

"Well, you're going to have to trust me, Jump!" Tirek shouted, pushing her towards the slide, Engineer hesitated for a moment but the clatter of approaching armor pushed her to make a decision.

"Screw it!" She jumped down into the shaft. Her mind was racing, what was at the bottom? Was it the ocean? If so she would end up being smashed up against the rocks by the waves. The only choice she had was to trust that somehow Tirek would save her. She would have to trust Tirek.

She didn't know how long she was sliding for, but eventually it started to level out, she slid into a new room, but before she could get her bearings, the slide disappeared under and for a moment she was suspended in midair, she gasped as she came crashing down into a pool, she lost her grip on her crossbow, it sank to the bottom of the pool. Her mouth filled with water, some of it finding its way into her lungs as she thrashed under the water, trying to reach the surface, a hand grabbed her by the collar of her coat and yanked her out of the pool.

She collapsed onto the floor, coughing up water, trying to get her breath back. She tried to get up, those suits of armor were right behind them, but she just fell back down onto her rear.

"Hey, take it easy" Tirek said "I sealed the chute up behind you, just take a moment to breath." Engineer nodded and sprawled out on the floor. Tirek looked over the tools that they had come for, as far as he could tell none of them were broken "That didn't go as planned" he said "But luckily we improvised our way out of there, I didn't know that you could act."

"I can't" Engineer said as she sat up "I really thought you were betraying me." She winced as a tear mixed with the blood from her cut cheek, she wiped it away and stared at the blood on her hand.

Tirek walked over, placing a hand on her shoulder "I'm sorry about that, I know how you feel." Tirek smiled "It's actually because of Scorpan that we're alive right now. He insisted on having an escape route from his bedroom, if I remember correctly there should be a tunnel that will get us out of here." Tirek offered his other hand to Engineer, she smiled and took it as he helped her to her feet.

They found the tunnel easily enough, soon they would be home free. While they walked through the tunnel the conversation turned back to Scorpan. "It was his idea to have a pool at the end, honest" Tirek said. "Besides, I didn't know you couldn't swim."

Engineer rolled her eyes "I lived underground most of my life, not many chances to go swimming."

Tirek laughed "I suppose not. But we're both alive, thanks to my brother, which is actually the second time he's indirectly helped escape certain doom."

"What was the first?" Engineer asked.

"Well Scorpan gave me this gold amulet before he left" Tirek explained "Turns out the amulet was strong enough to force open the lock on my cage, after that I just had to wait for the right time and when that stupid three headed dog escaped, I was able to escape and start absorbing magic across Equestria"

"Nice one" Engineer said "But speaking of magic, there's something that's been bothering me, you said I don't have any magic, what exactly did you mean by that?"

Tirek smiled nervously "Well, I may have tried to absorb magic from you when we were on mt. Everhoof" Engineer punched Tirek in the arm, "Hey!" Tirek complained "I was just trying to get enough magic to take down that barrier, but I couldn't get anything from you, it was weird."

Engineer groaned "Just another weird thing about me. I can't wait to get back home, this day has just been awful."

They finally made their way to the surface, Tirek moved some brush out of the way and they found themselves somewhere in the forrest, Tireks old castle was visible through a gap in the trees. Before they could celebrate, the top of Tireks castle exploded, it was Torgovor, he roared from the top of the castle "YOU CAN"T ESCAPE FROM ME, I WILL HAVE HER!" He swooped down from the castle, trying to locate his prey.

The dragon patrolled over head as Engineer and Tirek hid from the beast, they moved slowly trying to avoid his wrath. They were relieved when they found Cozy and Chrysalis, hidden under a fallen tree.

"I'm guessing the trade didn't go well" Chrysalis said.

"Golly, this is so cool" Cozy grinned as she watched the pale white dragon soar overhead "He's so big and scary."

"Their's other words I'd call him" Engineer muttered "Chrysalis, get us the hell out of here." Chrysalises horn glowed, but the group remained where they were. The shadow of the dragon passed over them, emphasising that they were still in danger.

"Damn" Tirek grumbled. "He must have something on him that's suppressing teleportation magic, and I think he's healed his eye. Anyone got any ideas?"

"Wait him out?" Chrysalis proposed "We hide here until he moves away, then once we're out of range of whatever he's got we teleport away." That plan was scrapped after they saw Torgovor torch some trees a few hundred feet away. "Well there goes that plan, any other options?"

Engineer snarled as she watch the dragon soar over them again "Just one."

Torgovor was furious, the Engineer herself was right in front of him, and she'd slipped right through his claws. He looked over at a section of the forrest that was burning thanks to him, he chastised himself for being so stupid, he might have killed her with that.

His eye still hurt, that fool Tirek had driven a molten spear of gold through it, it had taken buckets of healing potions to restore it. If he couldn't find the Engineer, he hoped to at least track down that centaur and get some revenge, his thought were interrupted as he saw something that filled him with joy.

He crashed down into a clearing, drawing himself to his full hight as he looked down at the sight before him. Tirek had waved him down, the Engineer was bound and on her knees before him. "What do we have here?" he chuckled, "You're begging for your life Tirek?"

Tirek bowed down before him "I'm sorry Torgovor, I wanted her for my own plans, please forgive me, take her and spare my life."

Torgovor ignored Tirek, focusing entirely on the Engineer, watching as she struggled against her bonds "Calm yourself little creature, I may have to take a foot if you don't settle down, Its not like you need it to wo-" A light pink blur shot towards the dragon, and before he could react, it hit him in his bad eye. He screamed clutching at his injury, his one good eye searching for the culprit, he found it, a little pegasus filly was hovering in front of him with a smug look on her face.

"Take that you big asshole!" The pegasus shouted "Thats what you get for messing with the Legion of Doom!" She dodged a wild swing of the dragons claws, his single eye gave him no depth perception. He decided to just burn the pony with his breath, but another figure in the distance stoped him in his tracks. It was another dragon, and it was heading for his castle.

Torgovor wheeled around, he needed to get back to his castle. He knocked down trees in his path as he leapt back into the sky, beating his wings hard he slammed into the side of the castle and used his claws to scramble up the side. He called forth all of his enchanted armors to his side, they deployed ballista, catapults and other forms of artillery and waited for their foe to appear.

Chyraslis landed in the clearing, still in the form of a dragon, much smaller than Torgovor "It's a good thing that worked" she said as she returned to her original form "He could have torn me to shreds."

"He couldn't tell how big you were." Engineer said, she was still bound, Tirek and Cozy were trying to untie her with little success "Little help?" Chrysalis smirked and pulled a single rope with her magic, untying Engineer instantly "I'm not gonna ask why you know how to tie people up so well." Engineer said, rubbing her wrists "This day has been just awful."

"What do you mean Engy!" Cozy exclaimed. "I got to kick a dragon in the eye, golly, this day has been just perfect."

"Deja vu" Chrysalis said under her breath.

"Was the profanity necessary?" Tirek asked Cozy. "You already kicked him in the eye, I think that was enough."

"Of course it was necessary Tirek" Cozy said. "You don't kick a dragon in the eye without swearing, In fact I should have called him a dic-"

"Language!" Chrysalis yelled "Any more of that and it will be no more ice-cream for a week." Cozy mumbled something that Chrysalis chose to ignore as she prepared the spell to bring them all home.

After they got back, they brought their haul up to Engineers workshop and stashed it. Engineer wanted to take a nap afterwards but Tirek insisted that the cut on her cheek needed to be attended to, so she found herself sat in on a bench in the kitchen as Tirek fished through their medical supplies.

"Who knows what that dragon had on his claws" Tirek said, as he cleaned her cut with a cotton swab, "We don't want you to get an infection."

"We went toe to toe with a dragon and lived, and you're worried about a little cut?" Engineer teased.

"You're no use to us dead" Tirek replied as he applied some antiseptic to a second swab. "Now hold still, this might sting a little." Engineer winced as the swab was applied to the cut, Tirek then applied a band-aid "There all done."

"Thanks Tirek" Engineer said, hopping off the bench "You didn't have to do all that." Engineer turned to leave before she realised something "Hey Tirek."

"Need something?" Tirek asked.

"I've decided to ignore some of your advice" Engineer said. "Your whole 'trust no one' speech was a load of crap."

"What are you talking about?" Tirek said "You and I both were both betrayed by our own brothers."

"And unlike you, my brother didn't indirectly save me." Engineer said "But I don't care, because I trust you Tirek, you could have betrayed me, and I know you trust me. I don't care about what happened in the past, I want to trust people, Chrysalis, Cozy, Pharynx, and you."

"This is all about your little crush isn't it" Tirek teased. "You're just saying this because you're smitten over bug boy."

"So what if I am Tirek, I don't want to go through my life not being able to trust anyone." Engineer said "And I know you don't want to either." Engineer held out her hand "Come on Tirek, after we get our revenge we get to live."

Tirek sighed and took her hand and shook it "Fine, you win, I do trust you Engineer. So what do you want to do now?"

Engineer smirked "Now, I'm going to my room to have a nice long nap."

Chapter Seven: Here comes the sun

"Please, just fifteen minutes!" Engineer said.

"No!" Chrysalis said "It's bad enough i had to wake up at two in morning for Cozys stupid plan-"

"My plans not stupid!" Cozy Glow protested.

"SHUT UP!" Tirek was not having a good morning, first he had to wake up way too early for Cozy Glows plan. Then once he, Cozy, and Chrysalis had assembled he had to listen to them argue about the plan which morphed into ranting about Engineer who had failed to turn up on time. Eventually Chrysalis led them to confront Engineer about her lateness, but instead of finding her in her room they found her in her workshop, not surprising as she had spent almost all her time there since they got back from the castle.

When they got there, there was yelling which got even louder after it was revealed that while the rest of them had gotten a good nights sleep in preparation for the plan, Engineer had been up all night working. She said that she was so close to finishing that she couldn't waste time on something as mundane as sleep. And now that she had finished, she wanted to show them the finished product, which Chrysalis tried to veto as they were running late already. Which brought Tirek to the present, with the three girls angrily staring at him for interrupting their argument.

"Listen" Tirek began, he had to choose his words carefully, as outnumbered as he was. "Arguing over this is just going to make us later than we already are, let's just give her fifteen minutes to show off and then we can go?"

Engineer smirked triumphantly, while Chrysalis stared daggers at him "Ten minutes" Chrysalis spat out "Then we're leaving."

"I'll be as quick as I can then." Engineer said as she directed the group over to four mounds of varying sizes covered by sheets. "I thought long and hard about what to make for you, and I decided against traditional weaponry seeing as you wouldn't have the experience to wield them. Instead I have crafted four sets of armor that will both protect and enhance you in battle, first up, Cozy Glow."

"That's my name." Cozy said "What you got for me?"

Engineer pulled the sheet off of the smallest mound revealing Cozys armor, at first glance it seemed quite lacking just a helmet and some plates to protect the fore-hooves and belly over what looked like a black skin tight suit with runes written onto it, but under closer inspection the suit was actually made up of tiny black metal scales that would protect the entire body, except for the exposed wings. The helmet had a transparent crystalline visor that would protect the eyes while still allowing Cozy to see.

"Now for you Cozy, I went light." Engineer said "But don't be fooled, those scales will protect you from almost anything, and those plates over it are honestly just overkill. What I'm most proud of is that while your armor has the standard protective runes, I've also included some that will allow you to fly faster."

"Cool!" Cozy said "Wearing this I could probably outfly Rainbow Dash and her Wonderdolts."

"Why would they call themselves the Wonderdolts?" Tirek asked.

"They don't, it's just a-" Cozy stopped and rubbed her chin with her hoof "Actually, as my first act as Empress of Equestria, the Wonderbolts will know be know as the Wonderdolts!"

"Empress?" Chrysalis laughed "You're not going to be the sole ruler, all four of us will be in charge."

"What does a kingdom ruled by four creatures called anyway, a Quadarchy?" Cozy asked.

"A Tetrarchy." Chrysalis corrected.

Engineer loudly cleared her throat, trying to get their attention back, "There'll be time for politics later, now are there any questions or can we move on?" Cozy raised a hoof "What?"

"Why is there a hole in the helmet?" Cozy asked "I'm not a unicorn, I'm a pegasus."

Engineer rubbed the back of her head "Yeah, about that, I originally planned to affix a device to allow you to use magic, kind of like a psudo-alicorn but I decided instead to devote more of the armors runic potential to protection, weight reduction, and flying enhancements. Speaking of which, you should avoid flying in confined spaces with it until you get used to the enhancements. Don't want to have to scrape you off a wall."

"Yeah, I need that like I need a hole in the helmet, oh wait." Cozy said.

"Your sarcasm is noted Cozy." Engineer said "Now on to Chrysalis." Engineer removed the sheet revealing the second set of armor. This one was made up of a series of interlocking plates that would be both flexible and protective, It was completed by an open faced helmet, with a similar crystalline visor to Cozys armor.

"That's it?" Chrysalis said, clearly unimpressed "It looks so, plain, not like the armor of a great queen like myself."

"I wasn't going to waste time making the armor ornate." Engineer said "My focus has always been on protection and utility. Not only will this armor protect you from anything that anyone could throw at it, it will also morph to fit your body when you transform, also it does this." Engineer tapped on a fore hoof of the armor, it shimmered green temporarily before disappearing from sight. "Invisibility!" Engineer said with pride.

"I suppose it is acceptable then." Chrysalis said "Although I wish it would be more regal, A queen needs to look the part."

"Speaking of regal." Tirek said "What exactly are you going to be queen of, seeing as you've given Thorax your hive."

"I might take the Crystal Empire." Chrysalis said "Princess Cadence rules it right now, and it would be quite satisfying to take it off of her."

"As satisfying as taking her husband?" Cozy asked with a smirk.

"Don't make me ground you." Chrysalis threatened, which Cozy responded to with a mischievous chuckle.

"Alright then." Tirek said, trying to bring the conversation back "it's my turn now, isn't it Engineer."

Engineer nodded "Your armor posed a unique challenge, seeing as you grow larger as you absorb magic. But I found a solution." Engineer revealed the third set of armor, made up entirely of chainmail. "The mail will protect you quite handily, and it has been reinforced by runic magic, you wouldn't believe how hard it is to compose a rune onto chainmail. What makes your armor unique is that those links will duplicate themselves as you grow larger, it does have the drawback that it will become less effective as it duplicates but by the time it becomes a problem you'll be so powerful that the armor would be superfluous."

"Great." Tirek said, "Good to know that I won't be crushed to death by my own armor."

"It will be a pain to get through doorways." Chrysalis said "And I'm not going to remodel my new castle, just so you can fit if you decide to visit."

"Well good news Chrysalis because I won't be staying." Tirek said "Once I get my strength up I'm going back home to take my fathers kingdom for myself."

"Aww, then we won't be one of those techarchy things." Cozy said. "But if you want to be King Tirek, more power to you."

"That technically makes him Prince Tirek right now." Chrysalis said.

"Hah, Prince Tirek!" Engineer said. "Those words together just sound weird."

"Anymore that Princess Engineer." Tirek retorted.

Cozy Glow let out a gleeful shout "Oh yeah! You are technically a princess, Engy."

"That is literally the last thing I want to be called, Cozy." Engineer replied.

"All hail Princess Engy, and her royal consort Prince Pharynx!" Cozy teased.

"Please stop." Engineer begged.

"Alright then, your royal highness." Cozy said, drawing an annoyed groan from Engineer.

Before Engineer could get back to her presentation, Chrysalises horn began to glow. "Times up." Chrysalis said. "You've had you ten minutes now we have to leave."

"But I was just going to show you mine." Engineer whined. "I couldn't get to it because you three kept interrupting!"

"Too bad." Chrysalis said. "Now are you coming or not?"

Engineer looked at the last set of armor, obscured by a sheet, before sighing and saying "Fine!"

Canterlot after dark was usually busy, all big cities have their nightlife, and the capital was no exception with the added activity of being the center of government with at least one Princess awake to send out decrees or messages. But tonight was different, tonight was the night of the Summer Sun Celebration, and as such the city was chaos. Ponies poured into the city either to contribute or enjoy the festivities.

But unknown to the partying ponies, a terrible threat had just manifested inside their city. Four powerful creatures that wanted nothing more than the complete subjugation of the world under their collected hooves, and feet.

"It's just so unfair." Engy said, as they teleported into a back alley of Canterlot.

"I said ten minutes, and I gave you ten minutes what's unfair about that?" Chrysalis asked.

"Enough alright guys." Tirek said "We've just stepped into the middle of enemy territory, a little bit of focus would be warranted." Tirek peaked past a pile of barrels that hid them from sight, he caught a glimpse of several ponies, rushing about in preparation for the celebration. "Why are so many ponies up in the middle of the night?"

"It's part of out silly sun holiday." Cozy explained "We all stay up to watch the sun being raised on the longest day of the year."

"How may holidays do you ponies have?" Chrysalis said. "No matter getting into the castle won't be a problem."

"Are you sure about that?" Tirek pointed up at the castle in the distance, what appeared to be giant fans were spinning, causing strong winds away from the castle. An unfortunate bird got caught up in a gust and was flung through the air, before crashing into Tireks hand, the bird shook its head before flying off, somewhat annoyed by the strange device.

"Who the hell thought that would be a good idea?" Engineer asked.

"Ponies are weird." Chrysalis answered. "But it won't be a problem." Chrysalis was engulfed in her green magic, after it dissipated an armored pegasus pony stepped out. "Wait here while I clear us a path." Chrysalis strode off, leaving the three of them to hide in the back alley.

"Its so weird that she can turn into other creatures like that." Engineer said.

"Well duh, she's a Changeling." Cozy said.

"I know that, it's just weird that it's possible." Engineer shot back.

"Every species has their quirks." Cozy said. "I can fly, Tirek can use and absorb magic, and you seem to always be wearing clothes."

"Huh?" Engineer said.

"You seem to always be wearing something, even when it's not cold." Cozy said. "I just find it weird, don't you Tirek?"

"I don't have an opinion." Tirek said, trying to distance himself from the conversation.

"It's not weird!" Engineer snapped. "I just find wearing clothes to be more comfortable, what's weird about that?"

Before the situation could get any more awkward, Chrysalis, thankfully, returned. "They've increased security around the castle. This is going to be more challenging than we thought." Chrysalis returned to her original form.

The distinctive sound of teleportation interrupted them, they quickly hid behind the barrels, peeking out from them they saw five ponies, a dragon and a strange amalgamation of creatures. Luckily the new arrivals didn't spot them as they were preoccupied with their own discussion. Engineer remembered seeing the ponies before, they were the ones who had blasted Sombra to pieces, although she still found it difficult to remember their names.

"Could you not go popping us all over the place, please?" Rainbow something said.

"Time is of the essence." The abomination said. "Let's go, team!"

"We need to know what we're doing before we go and do it." Said Fluttershy, Engineer remembered her name.

"Pinkie, you and I are givin' Braeburn and the Appleloosan ponies some adjustments to the menu." Said the one wearing a cowboy hat, her name had something to do with apples.

"Fluttershy-" got that one right "-and I are meeting the Pegasi from Cloudsdale to give them changes to the weather." The Rainbow one said.

"Spike." That's the Dragons name, good to know. "We're going to update the Flaming Sky Firework Unicorn Troupe with Twilight's new vision." The white unicorn is, Rarity, probably.

"And I'm supposed to." The weird creature read from a card that appeared out of nowhere "Make sure Discord doesn't do anything Discordy? Well, that's annoyingly specific." That must be Discord, he looked different to how she had pictured him, although his voice sounded strangely familiar.

They all headed off in different direction to deal with their respective tasks.

"Increased security on a crowded holiday with Twilight and her friends bumbling around?" Tirek said "This is impossible."

"Oh, no." Chrysalis said, a wicked smile on her face "This is perfect. We need a distraction, and those ridiculous ponies just gave it to us. Tirek, it would be a shame if that food turned out to make everyone sick, wouldn't it?"

"So sick that they feel so drained they can't even stand? It certainly would be terrible." Tirek said "It will have to be a temporary thing, if it's permanent it would be a bit too suspicious."

"Cozy, managing the weather must be a hard job?" Chrysalis asked.

"Oh yes Chrysi." Cozy said "It requires absolute precision, if the plans were off even slightly, a calm day could be so easily turned into a storm."

"Okay enough of this talking in riddles." Engineer said "What are you and I doing Chrysalis?"

"I'm going to see if I can mess up those fireworks, an injury to the right egos might do the trick." Chrysalis said "As for you, you're going to stay here."

"What? Why don't I get to do anything?" Engineer protested.

"Because you stayed up all night, I'm surprised you haven't collapsed of exhaustion already." Chrysalis said.

"Oh come on, If you all get to do stuff I should to right guys?" Engineer turned to Cozy and Tirek, but neither of them jumped to her defense.

"Sorry Engy" Cozy said "But the last thing we need is for some random pony to find you napping on a park bench."

"After I went to the effort of making you your armor, you're gonna just leave me here?" Engineer said.

"Don't think of it that way." Tirek said. "While we're off risking capture you get to stay here, and rest, out of sight."

Before Engineer could protest any further the group scattered leaving her alone in the alley way. "What a load of crap." She said to herself. "It's not like I can't stay awake if I want to."

Engineer sat herself on top of one of the barrels and did the only thing she could do, wait. As she sat their moping, a strange looking cat started walking up the alleyway, its coat was normal, brown with a bit of black running up its spine, but in its yellow eyes were bright red pupils that seemed to create light by themselves. She watched as the cat jumped onto a the barrel opposite of her, sit itself down and stared at her.

"What do you want?" Engineer asked, predictably the cat didn't reply. "You've probably never seen a creature like me right?" The cat blinked lazily, but other wise didn't react. "Well you're in luck, because I'm one of a kind." Engineer sighed "Yup, the only Engineer in the world. What am I doing here? If you must know, my companions left me here, said they were worried that I'd get caught."

Engineer lied back against the wall. "You know that big castle up there? That's where the Princesses live, and a thousand years ago they turned me to stone." The cat let out a meow, Engineer chuckled "Yeah, let me tell you something, being turned to stone, not fun. luckily, I was let out, Unluckily the guy who let me out is a prick." The cat made a weird chirping sound in response, "He didn't just find me, he got these three others as well, I thought they were pricks at first too, but they've kind'a grown on me." Engineer smiled "They've given me something to look forward to in life.

The cat let out a low purr, Engineer was starting to become suspicious, for some reason this cat seemed familiar "Do you, understand me?" She asked, she stared into the cats eyes, could there be some intelligence in this cat? The cat lifted its hind leg and begun to lick itself. Engineer rolled her eyes "Of course, Idiot, It's a cat." Engineer looked for something to distract her from the cats rather aggressive cleaning of its groin, and elected to look up at the sky instead.

As she sat their stargazing, the stars seemed to have begun to dim and blur, and the next thing she knew she fallen off of the barrel and landed painfully on her elbow. "Damn It!" She shouted, a shooting pain running up her forearm as she rubbed it. She kicked the barrel that had fallen over under her, causing the top of it to come off. As she grimaced in pain she looked over at the cat which had stopped mid-lick to stare at her. "Yeah laugh it up, you furry bastard."

"What that say?" A deep voice came echoing down the alley, followed by heavy hoofsteps. Engineer franticly hid herself in the barrel that she had knocked over, grabbing its cap and putting it back in place with her inside, hopefully concealing her from whoever was coming down the alley way.

"Who called Yak, furry bastard! PRICE RUTHERFORD WILL SMASH ANYONE WHO CALL YAK BASTARD!" From what Engineer could tell, she'd messed up.

"By the shores, what's gotten into you?" Engineer heard another, aristocratic sounding, voice join the first.

"I think we heard what's gotten into him Seaspray." A third voice joined in, this one sounding much less refined.

"Ambassador Garble, I would prefer if you would address me as General Seaspray." Seaspray said. "As the commander of Queen Novo's navy I think I deserve it."

"Sure thing, General, could you also call me wing commander of Subterranean armies." Garble said "And Gilda, the Admiral of the sky?"

"Admiral of the sky does sound cool." A female voice, presumably this Gilda said. "What should we call-"

"Enough talk!" Rutherford shouted. "Some creature insult Yak."

"Uh, theirs no one here except us five, maybe you misheard." Gilda said.

"Maybe, they're hiding in one of these barrels." Garble said. "You should smash them open to see."

"Ambassador Garble, are you trying to cause a diplomatic incident?!" Seaspray cried in alarm.

"Yeah." Garble said.

"And those are big barrels too, some creature could definitely hide in there." Gilda added.

"Whoever hiding in barrel, you come out now or I smash barrel!" Rutherford said. "You have three seconds. One, two, thr-"

"You smash my barrel, I smash your skull!" Engineer shouted from inside the barrel. It was silent for a moment, just long enough for her to regret what she had said. But the silence was broken by the Yak starting to laugh.

"That great, ponies usually don't have the guts to make threats like that, well done pony." Rutherford said "But I do expect apology for calling me bastard."

"First off I'm not a pony, and I didn't call you a bastard, It was this stupid cat that was staring at me." Engineer said.

"What cat?" Gilda asked.

"Maybe she's talking about you." Garble said.

"Whatever you overgrown lizard." Gilda shot back.

"Enough childish bickering, you two." Seaspray said "Prince Rutherford, the insult wasn't directed at you, now can we go?"

"Not yet, you say you are not pony." Rutherford said "What creature are you?"

"Oh, uh. I'm um, a talking barrel, yup, very common in Canterlot." Engineer said with a wince, that was the best she could come up with?

"Now that sounds very suspicious." Seaspray said, Engineer reacted by mouthing a few expletives.

"Hear that Garble?" Gilda asked. "Seaspray smells something fishy."

"Not this again." Seaspray muttered.

"Watch out Gilda, he seems a bit salty." Garble added.

"Oh I get it, because he's fish." Rutherford chuckled.

"I swear, if I knew that this diplomatic mission would involve being around the four most annoying creatures in Equestria, I would have sawn my wings off instead!" Seaspray shouted.

"Wait I'm confused." Engineer said. "Am I included in the four most annoying creatures?"

"No barrel creature, that title belongs to our fifth member who is being suspiciously quiet right now." Seaspray answered.

"He can't talk." Garble said "We made a bet, he lost, now he doesn't get to talk for about twenty more minutes."

"Small blessings." Seaspray muttered.

"What exactly is a diplomatic mission, doing in a random Canterlot alleyway?" Engineer asked.

"Other than chasing enraged Yaks?" Gilda said. "We're invited to Canterlot to see the Summer Sun Celebration, but that invitation didn't include accommodation, so now we're prowling around trying to find a place to stay on the busiest night of the year in Canterlot, lucky us."

"Typical." Engineer sneered.

"What do you mean, barrel creature?" Rutherford asked.

"These ponies, they always treat other creatures like crap, they think their so great, they get to control the sun and moon, they get to name the world Equestria, and when diplomats from other lands come they don't even give them rooms in their precious castle." Engineer scoffed "Do you know that the Diamond Dogs once were a great nation, ruled by powerful kings. At least they were until the Ponies decided they didn't like having any competition around and beat them into submission. If I were you I'd go up to that castle and give those pony princesses a piece of my mind."

"You know you're right, come on guys, let's go and haul those princesses over the coals." Gilda said.

"Figuratively or literally? Because I'd be up for either." Garble said.

"Obviously figuratively, I'm only coming along to mediate. By the shores, I'm sent to attend a simple event and now I'm going to involved in a diplomatic incident." Seaspray said.

"Less talking more smashing!" Rutherford yelled, Engineer hear him thunder off down the alleyway, followed by the steps of the rest of the group. Engineer was quite proud of herself, not only had she evaded detection, admittedly just barely, but she had given the ponies another headache to distract them. However that wasn't going to last, as she heard the voice of a certain dragon.

"Whats wrong, a little filly fall down a well?" Garble said to someone that Engineer couldn't see "Calm down I'm just joking, I get it, when you gotta go you gotta go, meet ya at the castle."

Engineer listened intently as she heard hoofsteps from the mystery diplomat approach her. The hoofsteps came to a stop just next to her, she waited with her fists clenched, if he was going to do what she thought he was going to do, he would regret it.

Engineer saw the top of the barrel being lifted off, this nosey idiot was about to get hit in the face! Engineer sprung up, her fist reared back and a snarl on her face as she got face to face with a pair of purple eyes "PHARYNX!? What are you doing here!?"

"I think I should be the one asking that." He said with a cute smile, "I didn't realise it was my birthday." He glanced down at the barrel that she was currently standing in.

"Oh, right." She said as she climbed out, with some help from Pharynx. "We're here to steal a book from the Canterlot library."

"We?" He asked.

"The others are off causing some trouble." Engineer said "While the ponies are distracted we'll slip in steal it and get out."

"What do you need a book for?" Pharynx asked.

"You know that prick Grogar I told you about?" Pharynx nodded "Using the book we're going to find out how this bell of his works and then we're gonna use his it against him!"

"Nice! It's good to hear that you guys won't have to worry about him." Pharynx said "Once he's gone you guys can just live your lives."

"Right." Engineer said as she rubbed the back of her head, she hadn't told him what came after Grogar. There was something else that was bothering her. "Hey Pharynx, are we still, um, a thing?"

She saw the happiness drain from his eyes "Oh." He said softly "I thought we were, but if you don-"

"No! I mean yes I-" Engineer took a breath to compose herself "I still want to be a thing, I was just worried you didn't."

"Are you kidding, who wouldn't, you're smart, beautiful, fierce, and you don't take crap from anyone." Pharynx said causing Engineer to blush "But you also have a sensitive side, and a good sense of humor."

"What do you mean a sensitive side?" Engineer asked.

"That little filly that follows you around everywhere? From what I saw you're like a big sister to her." Pharynx said.

"Cozys something alright." Engineer said with a laugh.

"So once you're done stealing magical artefacts and defeating ancient evils, maybe you'd like to go on a date sometime?" He asked.

"I'd like that." She answered. "It might be a bit awkward as your mom is the one who knows where you live, and because the only way I've left my place is by teleporting she also is the only one who knows where I live."

"I don't know how she'd react to us going out." Pharynx said with a wince.

"I already told her." She said.

"And?" He asked.

"Grandkids got brought up." She replied.

"Not what I expected." Pharynx said, somehow blushing through his dark green chitin. They stood awkwardly for a few seconds before Pharynx said "Anyways, I've gotta go, the rest of the diplomatic corps probably threatening war already, nice job there, its gonna make a great distraction."

"Thanks." Engineer replied, staring at her feet.

"Oh I almost forgot." Engineer looked up to see Pharynx hovering right in front of her, he came in close and their lips collided. She closed her eyes as she just enjoyed the moment, but after a few seconds he pulled away and flew off into the night. She rubbed her lips, feeling the ghost of his kiss on her lips, as a grin formed on her face, which refused to leave her face even when the rest of her gang had returned.

"What are you so happy about Engy?" Cozy asked.

"Let's just say I caused a major headache for a certain princesses." She replied.

"Since you're still here at least nothing too terrible happened." Chrysalis said. "Now lets steal ourselves a book."

The gang snuck off towards the castle as chaos reigned in the streets. And a certain cat watched them leave, it looked quite dignified, at least until it started the telltale convolutions of a hairball.

The security in the castle was honestly insulting, other than a few geese that Engineer needed to be talked out of stealing for lunch, and a quick search for the book which was protected by the worlds weakest lock, there was nothing stopping them from just walking in and taking it. In order to cheer them up from this disappointment, they decided to revel in the chaos they had caused outside the castle.

And so they had placed themselves on a nearby hill that overlooked the festival, it was quite some distance away so they were using a telescope that they had, well, stolen, to get a better view. But they were horrified to see everything going right.

"What do you mean the weathers cleared up?!" Cozy complained. "It should have been wrecked beyond repair."

"See for yourself Cozy, the sky's completely clear." Engineer said as she looked through the telescope.

"They may have a clear sky, but due to my influence there won't be any of their stupid fireworks." Chrysalis said.

"You mean those fireworks that they're setting up now?" Engineer asked.

"What? Let me see that." Chrysalis took over looking through the telescope, her teeth gritting as she saw those unicorns that she had whipped into a frenzy, happily setting up their little light show. "Damn those infuriating ponies. They're even eating the food!"

"I knew I should have kept their magic." Tirek said

"If you did then the ponies may have figured out what happened." Engineer said. "Face it guys, all you thought that I was the one who was gonna mess it up, but it turns out that I was the only one who did any permanent damage."

"Hey Engy, you want to see your permeant damage?" Cozy asked, offering the telescope to Engineer who looked through it excitedly. "At the pavilion, look at the front row, left side."

Engineers smile disappeared as she saw four members of the diplomatic corp sitting their quite calmly, like they had just had a wonderful meeting where everything had been resolved. "Damn it!"

"Don't take it too hard Engy, all our schemes got countered too." Cozy said.

"Yeah, best not to dwell on it. Once we beat Grogar we can come back here and get our revenge." Tirek said.

Engineer said nothing for a moment, a thought had been gnawing at the back of her head for weeks, and the events of today had brought it out full force to the point that she couldn't contain it any longer. "What if we lose?"

"Against Grogar? that pathetic goat couldn't stand up to all four of us." Chrysalis said.

"No, not Grogar, the ponies!" Engineer said "They always seem to win, no matter how close we get, they always seem to pull something out, and if we lose now who knows what could happen to us."

"Well what else are we gonna do, we've gotta beat them so that we can get our revenge!" Cozy said.

"I need to be powerful so I can return home and take my kingdom back." Tirek added.

"These ponies took everything from us, we've got nothing to lose." Chrysalis spat.

"I know, when I was brought back, the only thing I had was anger and pain. But now we have a home, we have our freedom, and we have what power we've got now, I don't want to lose that." Engineer took a deep breath "But most of all, I don't want to lose all you. When we first met we hated each others guts, but now look at us, we all had something like this before, and I don't want to lose it."

"Is that really what you want Engy?" Cozy asked.

"Yeah." Engineer nodded.

"Then I agree with Engy." Cozy declared.

"What!?" Tirek yelled. "You're gonna just give up that easily?"

"Yep." Cozy said with a smile "Come on Tirek, remember how scrawny you were? You're swole enough as it is anyway."

Tirek lifted a bicep, after a moment inspection he put it back down. "Fine, how about you Chrysalis you've been oddly quiet."

Chrysalis was looking into the distance, her eyes locked onto the stage where the princesses were going to have their little ceremony. "Theirs an old saying, the best revenge is to live well." A soft smile came onto her face "Screw the Princesses, they've ruled my mind for too long."

"Yeah screw them." Tirek lifted his hand and raised his middle finger "It's an insulting gesture from where I'm from." Engineer chose to match the gesture with her own hand.

"Take that Princesses, you cheap sacks of shit!" Cozy yelled.

"Now all we have to do is go home, figure out how that bell works, and beat the crap out of Grogar." Engineer said.

"Want some help with that?" They turned around to see an unexpected guest joining them.

"Pharynx! I thought you'd be down at the celebration?" Engineer said, before turning back to the group "I ran into him earlier. Could I maybe get a few minutes alone with him?"

Tirek and Chrysalis looked at each other before turning back and giving a nod and turning to leave. Cozy however stood still, a wide grin on her face, until she was physically dragged away by Chrysalises magic.

"Sorry about that." Engineer said.

"It's fine." Pharynx said with a chuckle "Turns out that a stay at the castle was implied in the invitation, they apologised for being unclear, we apologised for Prince Rutherford smashing a five hundred year old table, it was no big deal. Sorry that you didn't get your diplomatic incident, but maybe my absence could cause something or other."

"Well it all worked out, we got our book. Um, what else did you overhear?" Engineer asked.

"You were originally planing on conquering Equestria, but you've decided against it." Pharynx answered.

"Sorry I didn't tell you." Engineer said, it was rather embarrassing to have not told your boyfriend that world conquest was a goal of yours.

"It's alright, I used to want to conquer Equestria too." Pharynx said. "So do you want some help dealing with that Grogar guy?"

"It's alright, getting the bell to work is just overkill, he's just been so annoying that we really want to rub it in his face." Engineer said.

"Cool." Pharynx looked down at his hooves, "You know the sun is about to rise, do you wanna watch it together?"

"I'd like that." Engineer and Pharynx sat down on the hill and waited for the ceremony to start. As the fireworks begun, Engineer rested her head on Pharynxes shoulders. As the sun crested the horizon, Engineer felt her eyes grow heavy, and couldn't help but close them.

As the celebration finished as the sun climbed higher into the sky, Cozy, Chrysalis, and Tirek returned to find Engineer fast asleep on Pharynx.

"Oh, it's so cute!" Cozy said.

Pharynx gently shook Engineer awake, who after getting her bearing mumbled "Oh, it was a sunrise, not a sunset." As she yawned and sleepily got to her feet

"Sorry Pharynx but we've gotta head back, don't want to push our luck any further." Chrysalis said.

"That's fine, but would it be alright if I came by some time?" Pharynx asked, Chrysalis responded by handing him a pre-prepared map to find their place. "Alright then, see you later Engineer."

"See ya, Pharynx." Engineer waved as he flew off back to the castle. She took a deep breath, she might have been half asleep, but she felt better than she ever had before. "Chrysalis, bring us home."

Chapter Eight: Secrets and lies

It was late at night in the town of Ponyville, most of its residence were asleep, Twilight Sparkle however was not, it was not an uncommon sight to see the window of her bedroom lit up as she worked at some project or another. This was one of those nights.

Spike watched as Twilight paced back and forth, the gears turning in her head, he hoped that this time that she- "Terrible." She said. No such luck.

"What's wrong with it this time?" He asked, he had just read back a letter that she had written, he had been reading them all night, and each one had found its way into the now overflowing trashcan in her office. "Is it too formal?" He asked "Not formal enough? Too long? Too short? Not firm enough? Doesn't have the right tone?"

"Everything!" Twilight took a deep breath "Sorry for shouting Spike, but this letter is too important, it's vital that it be perfect."

"Why? You send letters to the Princesses all the time." Spike said.

"This letter we're sending is in effect, telling the Princesses they were wrong about a decision they made, and that I want, no, demand that it be rectified." Twilight said as she returned to her pacing. "I need to make sure that they understand how firm I'm being without coming off as disrespectful."

"Twilight you're forgetting something." Twilight turned to Spike, she gasped as he belched fire over the letter, sending it to its destination. "You're a Princess too."

"Spike! What have you done!?" Twilight said stamping a hoof.

"Saved you hours of worry and me some comic book time." Spike said as he flew out the door before Twilight could respond.

Twilight sighed, she did feel much of her anxiety leave her. Spike was right, she would have been at it all night and probably have sent nothing in the end, now at least the Princesses would hear her.

Tirek, Cozy Glow, and Engineer sat around a table within their home waiting for Chrysalis to join them. Cozy and Tirek watched as Engineer anxiously paced back and forth.

"Can you stop that?" Tirek snapped.

Engineer jumped slightly at Tireks voice "Who crapped in your breakfast?" she asked.

"He's just a bit moody." Cozy said "Its sunk in that after today he won't be able to absorb any more magic."

"That doesn't give him the right to shout at me." Engineer responded "He knows that if he tried to take magic from the ponies that he'll end up back in Tartarus just as scrawny as when he first arrived."

"I know that, the last thing I want is to spend another thousand years imprisoned." Tirek said "But it's still frustrating to know that after today, however much magic I have, that will be it, and you pacing around like that it not helping."

"Well excuse me if I'm a bit nervous that we'll be taking on Grogar today." Engineer shot back "We have no idea how it will end, just how strong is Grogar? We have no idea! So I think I'll pace all that I wan't."

"Golly, you two sure are on edge, would it help if I sang a song?" Cozy asked.

"NO!" Engineer and Tirek said in unison.

Before things could devolve further, Chrysalis arrived. "He's nowhere to be seen, so we can proceed with our plans to-." Chrysalis stopped as she felt the tension in the air, she groaned "Whatever petty squabbles you have can wait. Engineer sit down, Tirek, get the bell, and Cozy, look less cheerful."

"I'm just so excited." Cozy said as she zipped into the air "I can't wait for us to work together and beat that stupid, ugly, bossy, grumpy, goat into a pulp, then suck out his magic and reduce him into a pathetic creature that will rue the day that he dared to tell Cozy Glow what to do!" Cozy laughed maniacally as she lifted into the air. She then settled back into her chair with an innocent smile on her face "And that's why I look this cheerful."

"Understandable." Engineer said.

Tirek blew out one of the torches in the wall, and pulled on it, revealing a hole in the wall concealed behind it. He retrieved the hidden object within, Grogars bell, and placed it on the table.

"According to the book we stole from the Canterlot Library, this artefact can steal any creatures magic." Tirek said.

"Kind of like you." Chrysalis added.

"Correct, it holds that magic until it is released by the spell in the book." Tirek said. "That magic can then be absorbed by any creature, amplifying that creatures own magic. With this spell, all the magic contained within is our's for the taking." Tirek began to salivate as he imagined this ancient magic coursing through him.

Cozy took the bell from Tirek "You're drooling on the bell."

"Lets try the spell before Grogar gets back." Chrysalis said "I can't wait to foil that old goats master plan."

"Take my hand." Tirek said, confusing the group, "So that we'll all be part of the spell. Unless you'd prefer I take all the magic myself."

"Fat chance, you're not going to hog all the magic Tirek." Engineer said.

"I don't know why you're so excited Engy, seeing as you won't be effected by the spell." Cozy said.

"What?" Chrysalis asked.

"The spell did say it enhances a creatures magic, and seeing as Engineer has no magic of her own, I don't think that she can absorb any." Tirek said.

"But it can't hurt to try Engy" Cozy said. The four of them gathered in a circle around the bell, hands and hoofs together.

"What we do, we do together." Chrysalis said. "Once we defeat Grogar we'll be free of him once and for all."

Tireks horns glowed as he prepared the spell, the bell began to levitate and vibrate, it began to glow, becoming brighter and brighter.

The bell rang loudly and a flash of light blinded them for a moment, the magic contained within was released.

The dawn broke over Canterlot Castle, signalling the start of a new day, after raising the sun Celestia moved on to the next stage of her morning ritual, preparing breakfast for Luna and herself.

Celestia entered the castle dining room, she was pleasantly surprised to see her sister already sat at the table reading a letter. "Oh, Luna, you're here early, I'll go get breakfast ready."

"I asked the chefs to prepare it today." Luna said, putting the letter down on the table. "We have something to discuss."

"Okay." Celestia said as she took a seat opposite Luna. "What's wrong?"

"Read this." Luna levitated the letter over to Celestia who picked it up and began to read.

Dear Princess Celestia and Princess Luna

As I'm sure you're aware, magic began to disappear from Equestria a few months ago and after some investigation it was discovered that it was due to a plot by one of my students named Cozy Glow. She was attempting to steal all the magic in Equestria and establish herself as a dictator. For this crime you sealed her away in Tartarus. I believe this was a mistake.

After some research into her background, and some reflection, I have come to the conclusion that she is not evil, but instead misguided due to her circumstances. While the task may be difficult, made more so by her current predicament, I believe that I will be able to teach her the true meaning of friendship and guide her back onto a path where she can live a happier life.

That is why I intend to retrieve her from Tartarus, I hope to have your blessings in this task, but if you disagree with my mission I understand. But I hope you understand that this is something I must do. I can not, in good conscience, allow a young, angry, scared kid to be kept imprisoned for any longer.

As always, your faithful student, Princess Twilight Sparkle

P.S. If I do not receive a reply within thirty six hours, I will assume that I do not have your blessing, and I will head to Tartarus without it.

Celestia set the letter down and paused for a second before saying "I trust her. If she believes that Cozy Glow can be reformed, then I guess we should to, she is the Princess of Friendship." She looked over to Luna "Do you disagree?"

"No." Luna said, "It's that last line that's been bugging me."

"Oh, right." Celestia said "When did she said you this letter? We need to send her a reply saying we approve."

"No! The line before that." Luna said

"Well she is a Princess, she's allowed to call her-"

"NO! The last line of the message! I can not in good conscience, allow a young, angry, scared kid to be kept imprisoned for any longer." Luna shouted.

A look of confusion ran across Celestias face until she realised what, or rather who, Luna was referring to "Oh, her."

"Yes, her." Luna said, as she calmed herself. "We made a promise."

"I know." Celestia said.

"It was his dying wish, he begged us." Luna added.

"I know!" Celestia yelled before composing herself. "I'm sorry, but it was never the right time.” Celestia sighed “There was always the risk that she would fall into the wrong hands."

"But has been a thousand years sister, most have forgotten about her” Luna said.

Celestia sighed, “Exactly, she’d return with no family, no home, and no friends. She’d be completely alone, she is alone.” Celestia looked over the letter she had received from Twilight, as she did an idea started to grow in her mind "Unless."

"Unless what?" Luna asked

"What if she wasn't alone?" Celestia asked back "What if there was someone else like her, someone who was young, smart, and hated our guts? Someone who was angry at the world? Someone who was lonely? Someone else who needed a friend?" Celestia glanced at the letter.

Luna looked at the letter then back at Celestia "You don't mean-"

"Yes I do” Celestia said. “Now are you with me?"

Grogars lair was an awful place, hidden away in a rotting, forgotten swamp, the crumbling rocky structure was covered in moss, giving the impression of an old ruin, lost to time, the effect added to by the crumbling pillars dotted around the area. But inside the lair, a strange orange glow illuminating it, lay his treasures. He had spent months preparing facilities for their arrival, food, entertainment, accommodation, and of course the workshop.

All of it so that his plan would come about, and it all hinged on four creatures, united by hate, to fulfil his design. Grogar cackled outside his lair, those four had been quite troublesome, but it will be all worth it in the end, probably. He took a deep breath, time to make the next step, hopefully it would all go as planned. And if it didn't, well, he did have contingencies.

"Here we go." He said to himself, as he entered his lair. "I have returned!" He announced "Twilights coronation is approaching and we are going to ruin it." Grogar looked around the room, disappointed to find it empty, he couldn't help to feel a bit annoyed that no one was here to witness his arrival. "Where have they gotten to now?" he asked aloud.

Grogar approached the orb in the center of the room, he cast a spell on it to show him their locations, starting with Chrysalis. He was puzzled with what he saw, it was him starring into the orb, he cast the spell again, maybe he had made a mistake. But it still showed the same result, "Piece of junk." He growled.

The sound of Chrysalis laughing echoed through the chamber, Grogar tensed up, the sound filled him with a strange feeling, something he hadn't felt in a long time "Show yourself Chrysalis." He barked, his eyes scanned the room looking up towards the ceiling, the feeling growing with each second. "Where are you?!"

"Right behind you." Chrysalis said. Grogar spun around his horns glowing, ready to put this pest in her place, only to find no one there.

"What game are you playing Chrysalis?" Grogar shouted.

"The same game I've always played." She said, her voice seeming to come from everywhere, "Only you have been too much of a fool to see it. You've been blind to so much, you didn't even notice that one of my wings had changed color."

"You expect me care about such insignificant details!" He yelled to the ceiling.

"That's your problem, you don't pay attention to the details, and after today, you're going to regret it." Her voice echoed.

"Quit your posturing changeling, we both know what the outcome will be if you face me alone." Grogar smirked "That's why you're hiding in the shadows like a coward."

"I already told you Grogar, I'm right, HERE!" Chrysalises face appeared right in front of him, her glowing green eyes stunning him for a second, before he could shake off his shock her horn glowed bright as a green goo spat out of her horn, binding his hooves to the floor. He tried to use his magic, but the material somehow stopped him from using his magic.

Chrysalis laughed as Grogar struggled to break free, she was covered in a coat of black armor, obviously work of the Engineer. What was more shocking was the power that she seemed to wield, where had it come from?

"Are you done Chrysalis?" Cozys said, as she flew into the room from a hallway, wearing her own set of armor... And with a horn! She was an Alicorn now!! "We wanted to do some monologging too."

"Too be honest, I couldn't care less about the speeches, I just want to get this whole thing wrapped up." Tirek said, and he was a hell of a lot bigger than Grogar remembered.

"What is going on!" Grogar shouted "How did you get so powerful!"

"With this." Cozy said, and Grogars blood ran cold as he realised what that feeling that had building up was, it was fear. "You know what this is right?" Cozy asked "That's right it's your bell!"

"You had it all along? Why didn't you tell me?!" Grogar yelled.

"You're an asshole, duh." Cozy answered. Chrysalis made a grunt in disapproval, "What? I think the situation calls for a little swearing."

"Just drain him of magic already." Tirek said.

"Fine." Cozy said as she rolled her eyes. As she approached Grogar, he began to pull more and more against his restraints, trying in vain to get free. But as Cozy got near enough, a grin came across his face, his horns glowed intensely as he used them to smash the ground he was standing on, freeing his hooves. Cozy shielded herself with her magic from the debris, and while she was distracted Grogar leapt through the air, seizing the bell with his mouth.

He landed on the table in the center of the room. "YOU FOOLS THOUGHT YOU COULD BEST ME?!" He bellowed as he latched the bell to his collar. "Before I would have rewarded you, but now you will serve me or be destroyed!"

"Plan B?" Cozy asked

"Plan B" Tirek and Chrysalis replied in unison.

Tirek fired a blast of magic at Grogar, who hastily pulled up a barrier to block it. While his concentration was on the giant centaur, Cozy took off at high speed while Chrysalis seemed to fade out of view. Grogar fired a spell back at Tirek who dodged behind a pillar.

Before he could take the initiative a spell seemed to hit him out of no where throwing him off the table, he slammed into the ground before scrambling back to his hooves. He seized some nearby rubble with his magic and threw it in the direction the magic came from, which clattered harmlessly into the wall.

While his attention was pulled away, a blast of magic struck him in the head from above, knocking him to the floor, he rolled onto his back, just in time to see Cozy giggling at him, he launched a barrage of magical attacks at her, which did nothing but amuse her as she dodged between them with ease.

Tirek came out from behind the pillar to launch another strike against him, which Grogar stopped with his own magical blast. But this time Tirek pressed on sending stronger and stronger waves of magic against him. As he strained under the effort of defending himself, Cozy and Chrysalis joined in sending their own magic at him from every angle, Cozy using her speed and Chrysalis her stealth to sneak in a few hits.

Grogar knew that he couldn't take this for much longer, as the onslaught sent him running for cover. He needed to even the odds, and fast. He formed a plan as fast as he could, as a blast from Tirek destroyed the boulder he was cowering behind, reducing it to dust. Dust! He dove behind another rock, but this time with a plan.

As Tirek reduced his shelter to rubble, Grogar again raced for a new position, but this time he seized the pebbles that were all that were left of his previous cover and hurled them into the air at Cozy who dodged them effortlessly. But that was only a ploy as he kept a grip on the rocks flying through the air and began to whirl them around the room, until, there! One of them clanged into something invisible, he sent a blast at Tirek to keep him distracted while he honed in on Chrysalis. "Got ya!"

Just before he fired off the blast, a pair of hooves wrapped around from the back of his head covering his eyes. "Guess who!" Cozy said. The spell went wide missing the target, he roared in anger, reaching back with his fore hooves grabbing the annoying filly.

"You're going to pay!" He snarled.

"Are you sure about that?" Tirek said, Grogar turned around just in time to see a massive red fist punch him in the face. The punch sent him flying through the air before he splashed down in the pool of water surrounding the entrance to the lair.

Grogar was feeling many things at that moment, pain, regret, pain, anger, pain, embarrassment, and of course pain. But all of that was soon overtaken for a new thought, air! He burst out of the water gripping onto one of the stepping stones leading to the entrance as he breathed in that precious oxygen. He pulled himself up onto the stone, discovering new places on his body that could hurt, before, turning back to his foes.

"Well Grogar?" Chrysalis asked as she rematerialised. "Do you want to keep this up, or just hand the bell over to us, so that you can get out here with whats left of you?"

Grogar knew that if he handed over the bell he would lose his magic, and he really didn't want to get the snot beaten out of him. So he went with the third option, he used what strength he had left to create an explosion in the water, the water screened him from view as he ran for it. He saw the light of the exit and sprinted towards it, he could just make out a silhouette step into view. The Engineer!

He wasn't taking any chances so as he charged for the exit, he poured what was left of his strength into his horns, if she wanted to be in his way then she would suffer the consequences, he lowered his horns towards her and charged. He saw her brace herself, crossing her arms to absorb the impact. There was a loud clang as his horns hit metal, the impact causing the Engineer to slide backwards a few feet before she ground to a halt. The good news was that he had made it outside, the bad was that he had been stopped dead in his tracks.

"That's all you got?" She asked, he looked up just in time to see an armored fist heading straight for his face, the blow knocked him down into the ground, where he didn't stay for long as he felt a hand grab one of his horns, pulling up to be face to face with the Engineer, although face to helmet would be more accurate. Her other hand grabbed the bell hanging from his neck and tore it off his collar, she then released his horn, dropping him back to the ground.

There were many things that Grogar wanted to say at this point, but the only same that came out of his lips was a pained groan, he also took the opportunity to take his first real look at the Engineer.

"Damn, I'm good." Engineer said, taking the opportunity to show off her armor. She was covered head to toe in black metal, the metal was covered in tiny runes that glowed with a dull red color. He tried to look into her eyes, only to find no vision slit, she was somehow seeing through the metal of her helmet. Grogar watched as she lifted up the bell to inspect it, almost invisible joints in the armor flexed and bent to accommodate a full range of movement, but despite its flexibility her armor was strong, the headache he had now was proof of that."I've really outdone myself. " Engineer said with a chuckle. "It seems that you underestimated how powerful runic magic can be, otherwise you wouldn't be in the pathetic state you are."

While Engineer was bragging, Grogar, again, tried to make his escape, running past her as she made no attempt to stop her. He ran down the walkway that led away from his lair onto solid ground, his eyes locked on to a pillar standing in the tree line, if he could make it there then he would be safe. But just feet away from safety he felt his body locked up, a glowing black field surrounded him, he tried to cast his own spell to counter, but the strain of battle had sapped him of all his strength.

"Did you really think, that I would let you escape, Grogar?" Engineer said as she approached him, the black field of magic spun him around to face her. She had her hand outstretched in front of her the same black field holding him in place surrounded her hand, as the runes on her armor glowed brighter. "Your bell is quite extraordinary, it's capable of giving magic to a creature without it, which I was able to further enhance with a few tweaks to my armor." As she approached, he saw Tirek, Cozy Glow, and Chrysalis rush out of the entrance of the lair, they relaxed when they saw that Engineer had the situation in hand.

"Well done, Engineer." Chrysalis said. "Now that Grogar is defeated-."

"Enough speeches." Tirek said. "Engineer, hurry up and drain the goat, I want his magic."

"Now now Tirek." Cozy said. "We all agreed to share Grogars power, remember?"

"Fine, fine, just do it already." Tirek replied.

"You got it." Engineer said, lifting the bell, all four of them cast a spell on it together, it rang ominously and then began to glow, before a black and gold beam shot out of it. As it enveloped Grogar, they watched as he at first struggled, and then began to change. His body was wracked with grotesque changes, as bones snapped into new shapes and body parts changed into strange and horrifying new forms. The four of them recoiled in horror as the misshapen being finally stopped its terrible transformation into-.

"DISCORD!?" All four of them said at once, In the confusion Discord felt the spell binding his body release, he got up and started to run, but was stopped by Engineer stamping on his tail, causing him to fall flat on his face

"Ow!" He said, rubbing his nose as looked back at them "You have my magic, what more do you want?"

"Are you serious?" Cozy asked.

"Grogar, the cretin that conscripted us into his mad plot, turns out to be, you, Discord." Chrysalis hissed "And you don't think we would have questions?"

"When you say it like that, it does sound kind of stupid." Discord said, "Well I will be more than happy to answer any and all questions just as soon as you, take your foot of my tail!"

Engineer responded to this by applying even more pressure, causing him to yelp in pain. Tirek decided to intervene "Let him up, Engineer."

"Seriously?" Engineer asked.

"He's no threat now that his magic is gone." Tirek said. "And if he does try to run, you have my permission to do whatever you want."

Engineer let out a huff, but relented. Discord rose back to his feet and dusted himself off. "So, what would you four like to know?"

"What the hell is going on would be a start!" Cozy shouted.

Discord jumped at her outburst, before nervously answering, "Well, you see, my good friend Twilight Sparkle, is going to be taking over as ruler of Equestria soon, so I figured to boost her confidence, that she could beat a whole group of villains and fell really good about herself. So, I pretended to be Grogar, gathered up Equestrias most dangerous, and would lead them in an attack just before her coronation, and as leader, I could ensure that whatever plan that we had would fail, and that her and her friends could feel really good about defeating the big bad guys. End of story."

"End of story?" Chrysalis growled "What about us?"

Discord hesitated before answering "Well, you four, would be defeated and then probably turned to stone like I was. So sad, but not really."

"YOU ASSHOLE." Engineer sprang forward, delivering a knee to Discords stomach, causing him to fall to the ground in pain.

"Asshole isn't enough to describe you Discord." Cozy said.

"A dick?" Tirek offered as an alternative.

Chrysalis turned around to face Tirek "Don't encourage-"

"No, a cunt." Cozy declared.

"Cozy Glow!" Chrysalis snapped "Never say that word ever again!"

Discord took the opportunity to start to crawl away, but Tirek saw him and smirked, "Look Engineer, he's trying to escape."

"Oh, I am going to enjoy this", Engineer said, cracking her knuckles as she approached the fleeing draconequus. Discord found himself with his back against a pillar, with an angry Engineer bearing down on him. "Well Discord, It seems that you won't be seeing your new pony friends ever again, so sad, but not really."

"Wait, Engineer!" He said. The fear evident in his face.

"What?" She asked.

"You were wrong, I do know how powerful runic magic can be." Discord tapped on the pillar three times with a claw. It began to glow blue, then a trail of blue magic ran across the ground like lightening heading for their lair, The four of them followed it with their eyes at it reached their home and for a moment nothing happened, but then a flash of light caused them to shield their eyes. For a moment, Engineer heard a loud roar, then she couldn't hear anything as she felt a blast of air slam into her that nearly knocked her down. It took what felt like minutes but were in reality seconds for her hearing to return, and the first thing she heard was the sound of rushing water

Engineer pulled her arm away, that was shielding her view, to find that the lair was gone. "No, no, no, NO!" Engineer screamed. It had happened again, where she had lived, where she had worked, her home had been taken away. All that was left was a segment of the walkway leading to where the entrance used to be, and a rapidly filling hole in the lake.

"Oops." Discord said, "Wrong failsafe." The four of them spun back around, and fired the most powerful magic they had. But before it could slam home, the pillar glowed again, this time green, and Discord disappeared, leaving the pillar to absorb the barrage.

They stood there silently, processing what had just happened. "He's gone!" Tirek roared. "That bastard destroyed our home and escaped."

"You idiot Engineer!" Engineer cried. "Why didn't you see it, he had damned explosion runes and teleportation runes rigged up out your front door. But you were too stupid to see it."

"That's enough Engineer." Chrysalis said. "None of us saw this coming, and now he's probably running off to the Princesses to tell them some story about finding us in the middle of nowhere, and draining his power."

"But that means-" Cozy began.

"That it's only a matter of time before the Princesses are bearing down on us." Chrysalis finished. "We need to get moving, now!"

"They did this." Engineer hissed. "Celestia and Luna, they weren't happy with ruining my life just once, so they sent their lackey to do it again."

"I have to disagree with you there." Tirek said "Discord isn't anyones lackey, and only he would come up with a plan like this."

"We don't have time for this." Cozy said. "Let's just absorb the magic in the bell and then we need to get going."

"We can't." Tirek said. "Discords magic is chaos magic, it is far too unstable for any of us to use. I was only able to use it after absorbing magic from almost all of the ponies in Equestria, only then could I control it."

"Fine then let's just go, we need to find a new place to hide." Cozy said.

"No." Chrysalis said. "We gave them their chance, we just wanted to live our lives, but they wouldn't let us!" Chrysalis looked around at her allies "Well, I'm tired of running and hiding, we will never be free until those that seek to harm us are dealt with once and for all. The magic we got from Grogars bell, as well as Engineers armor has made us stronger than ever before, and with Discords magic gone, that might be just the advantage we need to win."

"But what if we lose?" Cozy asked.

"It's too late for that Cozy." Engineer said. "Chrysalis is right, they will never leave us alone, Celestia and Luna will never leave me alone, unless we finish it ourselves. I'm in."

"Me too." Tirek said. "If there is magic to be taken, I'll be there."

"Well Cozy, what will it be?" Chrysalis asked.

Cozy looked around at the group, all of them seemed determined to see this through, she took a deep breath, and gave her answer. "Let's do it."

Twilight Sparkle was flying over the Everfree Forest, she had her saddle bags with her, filled to the brim with notes, photographs, charts, and other information that might be relevent. She was strangely calm, even though she knew she shouldn't be, Celestia and Luna had asked her to meet them out the front of the old Castle of the Two Sisters, the ruins located deep within the Everfree Forest. They had asked her to come alone, not to bring even Spike with her, which could mean only one thing in her mind, they didn't want any creature to see the Princesses argue.

But Twilight was ready, she was going to show up an hour early, ample time to set up the presentation she had planned. If Celestia and Luna agreed, then good, if not, so be it. No matter what, she was going to Tartarus and getting Cozy Glow. Twilight sighted the castle, and started her decent, she landed within the courtyard, just by the giant crystal treehouse that was the reincarnation of the old Tree of Harmony. She immediately took off her saddlebags, she only had an hour to go over her notes and make sure that her arguments were-.

"Hello Twilight." Celestia said. Twilight looked up in surprise, Celestia and Luna were already here.

"Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, I know why you asked me here." Twilight said.

"You do?" Luna asked.

"I know you were the ones to send Cozy to Tartarus, but I know that it was the wrong call." Twilight continued.

"Oh, that, that's actually not-" Luna was cut off.

"If you just let me prepare I will be able to convince you." Twilight said, going back to pulling things out of her bags.

"Well you see Twilight, we asked you here to-" Celestia tried to get control of the conversation.

"Please Celestia, just give me a chance." Twilight continued. "If you hear me out about Cozys past, If you knew about where she lived, and knew about who ran the place and is, thankfully, not running it anymore after she, well, fell down a flight of steps and broke her neck."

"Twilight." Celestia interjected. "We already agreed to release Cozy Glow, remember, in the letter we sent asking you to come here?"

"Huh?" Twilight said, pulling out the letter in question. "No it doesn't, It says Dear Twilight, we respect your opinion as Princess of Friendship in this matter. But before you proceed, please come to the Castle of the Two Sisters in the Everfree Forest, there is a matter of great importance for us to discuss. Signed Princess Celestia and Princess Luna"

"Yes it does." Luna said "The we respect your opinion part."

"What?" Twilight said. "I'm sorry, but when you lead with that and then follow it with a but, it sounds like a no. It sounds like, you brought me out here to give me a dressing down."

"We apologise then." Celestia said. "I'm sorry that we didn't communicate more clearly. If you believe that Cozy Glow can be reformed then we believe it too. In fact we have sent some guards to Tartarus to retrieve her already."

"Oh, thank you two." Twilight said. "I feel a little silly now, I had a whole presentation prepared because of a simply miscommunication."

"Of course you did." Luna teased. Celestia and Luna chuckled, If there was one thing they could count on, it was for Twilight to over prepare.

"Then if you haven't brought me here to discuss Cozy Glow, what is the important thing you wanted to talk about?" Twilight asked. The smiles faded on the Princesses faces.

"Tell me Twilight, have you heard of the Engineer?" Celestia asked.

"The Engineer? I don't remember much, wasn't it a Diamond Dog who made weapons or something?" Twilight asked back.

"She was a genius, a thousand years ago she served King Rex the Despoiler, manufacturing weapons and armor for his army." Luna said.

"He used it to conquer vast swaths of old Equestria, so we assembled an alliance of species to confront him, gryphons, hippogryphs, ponies, and of course some rebelling Diamond Dogs." Celestia continued. "They rebelled against their king because they believed that the Engineer was somehow controlling him, she was something that no creature had ever seen before, he had found her while hunting in the mountains and ever since had developed an affinity for her, and treated her as his own daughter."

"They were convinced that she was the problem, and we allowed ourselves to be convinced of that too." Luna said. "With their help, we ambushed King Rex, killed him, after which his army surrendered."

"Then what happened?" Twilight asked.

"Luna and I went ahead of the army with a small personal guard." Celestia said "We met with the kings son Soboka, we had heard that he was against his fathers conquest, and we hoped with his help, we would oust the Engineer and restore peace to Equestria."

"Instead he told us the truth." Luna said. "The war was always King Rex's idea, and that Engineer only served him because, he was like a father to her, and that she was a sister to him. He begged us to spare her, he offered up his kingdom, his own life in exchange, but we couldn't accept. The allied army, was bearing down on the capital, and they wouldn't be as understanding as us, so we made a deal with him."

"What deal?" Twilight asked.

"He would pretend that everything they said about the Engineer was true, and take his place on the throne of the Diamond Dog kingdom." Celestia said. "We would, turn Engineer to stone, and tell the other allies we had thrown her into the sea, but in truth we would hide her away, until she was forgotten, and then we would free her."

Luna sighed. "It was terrible, we couldn't let anyone else know, not even our own guards. So we couldn't tell her what the plan was, and she didn't come quietly to say the least. I can still hear her scream, but we thought we knew what we were doing, that she would thank us later, when she knew the truth."

"I'm guessing your plan didn't work out?" Twilight asked.

"No, it didn't." Celestia said. "It seemed alright at first, there were some minor grumbling, some of the allies wanted to punish her themselves. But we were sure it wouldn't last long, once tensions cooled, we could tell everyone the truth. How naive I was."

"In International diplomacy, tensions were never cooled." Luna said. "Their was always one nation or another on the verge of doing something stupid, if we told them that the Engineer was alive they would think that she had somehow mind controlled us."

"But barely anyone knows about Engineer now, why haven't you freed her already?" Twilight asked.

"After Nightmare moon, I was in a very dark place." Celestia said. "I was paranoid that if I let her out that, someone might take her and use her to conquer Equestria. I had only been able to defeat Rex, Discord, and Sombra with my sister and without her, I couldn't risk it."

"Then King Soboka died, and left his kingdom to Celestia." Luna said. "He left it to her in the hopes that she would free his sister in exchange. But now my sister knew that if Engineer was freed, she wouldn't believe the truth. And rather than being abducted by some wanna be dictator, would seek one out, or become one herself."

"But now Luna is back." Twilight said. "Their are four Princesses, Discord is on our side, we have the Elements of harmony, and the Pillars of old Equestria. If there is anytime to release her it's now, where is she?."

"That is why we have brought you here Twilight. The Engineer is located in the depths of this castle" Luna said. "We figured that it would be easier to reform her if she made a friend, and the same with Cozy Glow."

"We were going to ask you to do it." Celestia said. "But it sounds like you've already said yes, you have said yes right?"

"Yes." Twilight said. "It will be a challenge, but with the power of friendship, the Engineer and Cozy Glow will be freed, for the betterment of all Equestria."

There was a flash of green light, and Discord appeared above their heads, upside down. He fell face first into the dirt, with a thud.

"Ow." The muffled voice of Discord said.

"Discord! Are you alright?" Twilight asked.

"No." He said, "I am pretty far from alright."

"What did you do this time Discord?" Celestia asked jokingly

"I messed up, I messed up bad." He said.

"What did you do?" Celestia asked again, this time seriously.

"Oh I have messed up really, really bad." Discord repeated.

Celestia was getting worried now "What! Did! You! DO!!!"

"Calm down Pharynx." He said to himself. "You're just asking her to join you for lunch." Pharynx checked the map again, he was close. He had brought along a basket filled to the brim with food, some of which he hoped she could eat, it wouldn't be much of a date if he ended up poisoning his girlfriend. His girlfriend, the Engineer. He didn't expect to be dating a legendary creature from old Equestria, or for her to have such a cute butt.

If his calculations were correct, she would have kicked Grogars ass by now and would be in quite a good mood. Just the right time for him to show up and ask her out. They could find a nice spot in the forrest, eat, talk, and then do... other stuff.

"This is it." He thought aloud as he descended into a clearing near some ruins. "Hello!" He yelled "Am I in the right spot!" He looked around excitedly, but couldn't find the lair. He checked the map again, this was the place, but no lair. That's when he noticed it, scorch marks in the grass, rubble and debris with no moss meaning they were recent additions, there was a lair here and it had been destroyed. A sense of dread came over him. What if they had lost, what if Grogar had defeated them, or-.

He shook his head, he couldn't think that, she had to be alright. "Please be alright." He dropped the basket and headed home, he had no choice if she was in danger she would need help. He had to tell his brother the truth, if Engineer was in danger he had to help her, no matter the cost.

"Please Engy, please be safe."

Chapter Nine: Rook takes castle

The Changeling hive was silent as Pharynx flew through one of its many entrances, he looked around for his fellow changelings and spotted a familiar face. "Mandible!"

Mandibles head swivelled around, "Pharynx, where the hell have you been!"

Pharynx rushed over to him "I need to speak with my brother, where is he."

"He's in the old throne room." Mandible said. "I'm guessing that you heard?"

"Heard what?" Pharynx asked.

"That damned creature Discord, he rounded up several villains, including our old queen, while disguising himself as Grogar." Mandible said. "He was going to use them to 'test' the new pony princess, he thought he could control them, but instead he ended up getting his power stolen and uniting several powerful creatures with a desire to conquer all Equestria."

Pharynx felt his heart sink, he buzzed past Mandible heading straight for the throne room, he ignored Mandible yelling after him as he weaved through the corridors of his hive, until he finally he arrived at the doors to the throne room. He burst through to find what seemed to be the whole hive in the midst of panic.

"QUIET!" Thoraxes voice cracked like a whip, silencing the crowd. "It's true that Chrysalis may attack the hive, but remember that it was us that made her powerful, not the other way around. We are stronger than we have ever been before, ever since we accepted sharing love we have not had to worry about feeding ourselves. Do you want to just sit here and let her make us hungry again?"

"No." The crowd murmured.

"Are we going to give up our freedom?"

"No!" The crowd said with more force.

"Are the Changelings going to submit to anyone ever again?"

"NO!" The crowd roared.

"Then prepare yourselves for battle, If Chrysalis and her new cronies come here we will send them packing!" Thorax shouted.

The crowd roared in agreement, they began to disperse, filled with confidence for the coming fight.

Thorax spotted his brother approaching him. "Thank goodness." Thorax wrapped his brother in a hug. "I knew you said you were going to gone for the day but-"

"We need to get to Canterlot." Pharynx said.

"What?" Thorax let go of his brother. "We can't, we have to see to our defen-"

"There's no time, i'll explain on the way, but for now you need to trust me." Pharynx said.

They stared at each other for a moment before Thorax answered. "Alright, but if the explanation isn't good enough i'm turning right back around." The two of them took off, flying out of the Throne room, they headed north for Canterlot. "When they realise i'm gone their going to panic harder than before, you better start talking brother."

"It's a long story." Pharynx said. And one I hope has a happy ending.

"Discord, how could you?" Fluttershy said.

After the encounter in the Everfree, Celestia and Luna brought Discord back to Canterlot, Twilight returned briefly to Ponyville to round up her friends, explain the situation, and then teleport them to the throne room.

"I thought that I had everything under control." Discord said "But they were much more powerful than I expected."

"You thought you had everything under control!?" Rainbow dash shouted. "That's your excuse?!

"Even if your plan had worked, you would have still ruined Twilights coronation." Rarity added. "That alone would have been unforgivable."

"Don't ya have the least bit of sense Discord?" Applejack said. "I woulda thought that after all this time you would've learned not to try and pull stuff like this."

"If this all turns out to just be part of the 'make Twilight confident' bit, you better tell us now." Pinkie said.

"I still think you're all overreacting." Discord said "Sure I messed up, but you girls can just zap em and be done with it."

"Damn it Discord." Twilight said "What the hell is wrong with you! I wanted to help Cozy Glow, now thanks to you I may have lost that chance." Twilight turned away hiding the tears in her eyes, "Because of you, I won't be able to fix one of the biggest mistakes of my life."

Discord looked around, trying to find a single sympathetic pony in the room. His eyes settled on Celestia, her eye's downcast. "Celestia, help me out here, how bad did I mess up?"

Luna answered for her sister. "You have no idea Discord, we wanted to try reforming the Engineer, but because of you, she has been corrupted by the others and now she has made the four of them the most dangerous creatures in Equestria."

"I have many regrets over my long life." Celestia said. "I regretted sealing her in stone, and now I regret ever letting you out Discord!"

Discord sighed "You're right Celestia, what I've done is terrible, and after this is all over I'll accept whatever punishment you deem necessary. But right now our focus should be on preparing for the legion of doom."

"Which is why you should tell us everything you know about them." Twilight said "Especially this Engineer, just how powerful is she?"

"Powerful enough to toss me around now that she has her armor and Grogars magic." Discord said "It's odd, I didn't expect a frail, mostly hairless ape thing to be so dangerous."

Twilights ears perked up "Wait, is the Engineer a hu-."

"It doesn't matter how powerful they are." Rainbow Dash interrupted "We have the magic of friendship on our side."

"Dash is right." Fluttershy said "No matter how scary thing have gotten we've always pulled through in the end."

"We've got your back Twi." Applejack said. "Now and always."

"These ghastly villains have no idea what they're up against." Rarity added.

"How does Donut Joes sound for the 'we've beaten the villains once again' party?" Pinkie asked.

Twilight smiled they were right, there was nothing more powerful than a group of friends working together, nothing stronger than the magic of friendship.

Starlight Glimmer watched as the train from the Crystal Empire pulled into Ponyville station. The thing was a menacing sight, the heavy crystal plow at the front was used to drive through the thick snow that covered the route to the Empire. The train had barely stopped before the carriages slammed open and a hoard of guards poured out, reinforcements.

Behind the guards came their ruler, Princess Cadence flanked by her husband, Shining Armor. Starlight gave her a quick bow before briefing her on the current situation. "Starswirl and the rest of the Pillars arrived a little while ago, they are taking up position outside of town. Twilight and the others are still in Canterlot, I don't know when they'll be back. Right now I'm trying to evacuate Ponyville and the school but it's taking longer than predicted."

Cadence nodded "We're leaving two thirds of the guard to help with the evacuation, the rest will stay with the train, after it refuels it's heading to Canterlot to reinforce there." The guards around them sprang into action, the officers barking out orders as they dispersed into the town to help direct the frightened ponies away from the coming battle.

Starlight began leading Cadence and her husband into town, "I'm glad you're here Princess, but what about Flurry Heart and the Crystal Empire?"

"We thought it best that we fight together." Shining Armor said. "Besides, if they want us it's best that we are as far away from Flurry and the Empire when they come for us."

"We left Flurry in Sunbursts care." Cadence said. "She'll be safe until we return."

Starlight was going to inquire further before she was distracted by something moving in the corner of her eye, she snapped her head around, she could have sworn she saw something.

"Is everything alright?" Shining Armor asked.

"It's nothing." Starlight said "Sorry, I guess I'm a bit jumpy because of the circumstances. I just hope that when they get here we're ready."

I hope so to Starlight, Chrysalis suppressed a laugh, I've been looking forward to this for far too long.

Engineer watched through a pair of binoculars as the strange train arrived and its occupants disembarked. They had taken up position on the outskirts of the Everfree, observing the town where their adversaries lived. Chrysalis had gone in a few minutes ago to scout out the town before they attacked, and Engineer was watching for and sign that she may have been discovered.

Engineer felt a weight land on her back. "I'm bored." Cozy declared.

Engineer sighed. "Then why don't you bother Tirek?"

"I did." Cozy said "That got boring so now I'm going to bother you instead." Engineer didn't reply, trying to see if ignoring Cozy would make her go away. "Give me those." Cozy said, reaching for the binoculars.

"No!" Engineer said as pulled them away from Cozy's grasp.

"Come on, I want to see whats going on." Cozy said. "I'm not going to break them or anything."

Engineer groaned "Fine, just for a minute, alright?"

Cozy took up the binoculars and peered through them at the town. They sat in silence for a minute before Cozy began complaining again. "What the hells taking her so long?" She said "I hate just sitting around, I just wanna get this over with."

"You're nervous?" Engineer asked.

"What? No!" Cozy said "I'm not nervous, you are!"

"You're damn right." Engineer said "I'm terrified, but I know everything's gonna turn out alright, because you guys are gonna be right beside me, and we're gonna be right beside you."

Cozy Glow smiled "Thanks Engy."

Chrysalis took this moment to turn visible again "What did you two get up to while I was gone?"

"Finally, now we can get going." Cozy said. "Tirek! You awake?"

"Now I am." Tirek said as he joined the group. "So what's the situation Chrysalis?"

"Twilight and her friends aren't in Ponyville, they're in Canterlot with Celestia and Luna." Chrysalis said.

"So now we need to go to Canterlot, great." Engineer said.

"Not all of us." Chrysalis said. "Starlight, Cadence, Shining Armor, and the Pillars are all in Ponyville. We need to take them all out."

"Why?" Cozy asked. "Shouldn't we focus our attention on Twilight? Concentrate our forces and all that."

"No, Chrysalis is right." Tirek said "The Ponies seem to specialise in the counter attack, they always seem to be able to pull something out of their a-"

"That's right Tirek." Chrysalis said "So thats why you're going to attack Ponyville head on, you'll draw the Pillars and Cadences guards out while I sneak in, Starlight, Cadence, and Shining are mine."

"Fine by me." Tirek said "As long as I get to Starswirl, I've been looking forward to revenge against that bearded fool for so long."

Cozy raised a hoof "What about me and Engy? What are we doing while you two are having fun?"

Chrysalis smirked "You're going to take a little train ride."

Inside Ponyville the guards were trying desperately to marshal the residents away from the coming fight. They had moved as many as they could to the school grounds, where three young fillies were waiting anxiously in the crowd for word from Canterlot.

"I hate just sitting around." Apple Bloom pouted. "My sister is of saving Equestria while we're stuck here being useless."

"I don't know, our record of helping isn't that good." Sweetie belle said "Last time we ended up locked in a closet."

"That's only because we were unprepared." Scootaloo said "If we had a rematch with Cozy Glow, we'd take her down easy."

Apple Bloom sighed "But it's not like we'll have the opportunity, If only there were some way we could help even a little."

There moping was interrupted by a nearby argument. "I need to get to Canterlot!" a voice cried out "I have vital information."

"For the last time ma'am, that train is for military personnel only." A guard replied. The three crusaders approached the commotion trying to see what was going on.

"My marefriends a secret agent for the Princess, does that count?" The voice replied.

"I'm sure she is ma'am, and as the marefriend of a spy you would know that we can't just let random ponies disobey direct orders from the princesses." The guard replied. "So please sit down and wait for us to evacuate you."

The pony, who they now recognised as Lyra Heartstrings, stormed off in a huff, joining the growing mass of ponies at the school.

"What was that all about Lyra?" Sweetie belle asked.

Lyra sighed "You'd think that they'd want Equestrias top authority on the Engineer, but no, instead I'm to be sent off to who knows where while information that could turn the tide is kept from the Princesses."

"What Information?" Scootaloo asked.

"I've identified the a weakness that could be exploited when taking on the Engineer." Lyra said, levitating a letter in front of them. "But the guards are determined to stop me from getting it to Canterlot."

"We could try." Sweetie Belle said.

"What?" Lyra asked.

"They won't turn away sisters of the elements of harmony." Apple Bloom added.

Lyra shrugged "It's worth a shot I guess." She handed the letter over, allowing Scootaloo to grab it with her wing.

They marched over to the guard watching over the group. "Where do you think you're going?" He asked.

"Our sisters are the Elements of Harmony." Sweetie Belle said. "We need to get to them, it's urgent."

"They're not allowed to leave." The crusaders turned around to see Starlight approaching them. "I've received word from their sisters to make sure that they're safe."

The guard saluted "Yes ma'am." He turned back to the crusaders "You heard her, go back with the others."

"Aw come on!" Scootaloo said "We just want to help."

"You can help by staying safe." Starlight said "Our odds are much better if Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow dash aren't distracted worrying if you're safe."

Another guard rushed over "Tirek has been spotted on the outskirts of town, all guards follow me!"

"Wait!" Starlight yelled "What about the towns ponies?"

"Sorry, orders are clear, priorities are to engage the enemy." The guard said. "You'll need to manage on your own."

"The guards are abandoning us!" A pony yelled.

"We're all gonna die!" Another voice cried.

Starlight turned towards the crowd "Calm down everypony, the guards are going to help the Pillars take Tirek down and-"
Starlight stopped where did the crusaders go? "Oh no."

"This is either really smart or really stupid." Sweetie Belle said as they snuck through the town, dodging the guards rushing about "There's no middle ground."

"It's gonna be fine." Scootaloo said. "We'll get this info to Rainbow Dash, she'll kick this Engineers butt and then we'll be hero's."

"Guard!" Apple Bloom hissed, they dove behind a bush as a platoon of troops rushed by. "We're almost to the train."

As they got closer to their destination, they began to hear the blast of powerful magic, the battle had begun. The sounds got louder as they got to the train and found an open door to a compartment "In here!" Scootaloo said, as they climbed inside. They slammed the carriage door behind them, hearing a clunk as it latched into place.

The carriage they found themselves in was lit by a few thin windows that ran along the side of the compartment, revealing supply crates neatly stacked for transport. The crusaders quickly climbed up the boxes to get a better view outside.

Thats when they saw Tirek, in the distance, behind him were the drained and barely moving forms of crystal pony guards, in front of him stood a brave phalanx of soldiers, eager to avenge their comrades. A barrage of magic came from behind the spear wall, coming from none other than Starswirl the Bearded and Mistmane.

Tirek shrugged off the attacks with ease, his armor made their efforts useless. Even at this distance they could make out Tirek laughing in contempt of his opponents, before charging at the formation of guards to get at his most hated foe.

The guards formation opened up, allowing him to pass through, as he did Mage Meadowbrook, distinguished by her flash bee mask, threw something at him which exploded into a massive cloud of smoke, Tirek ignored the distraction, too focused on getting to grips with Starswirl. He was so focused that he didn't notice the massive hole dug by Rockhoof which he unceremoniously fell out of view into.

"They got him!" Apple Bloom yelled. The guards, joined by the Pillars surrounded the hole and began pelting the trapped centaur with anything they could, magic, spears, potions, Rockhoof was even shovelling dirt down onto their foe.

"One down, three to go!" Sweetie Belle said. But they had spoke too soon, a blast of magic knocked all the ponies back from the hole, as two large red hands gripped the edge of the hole and began pulling the centaur out. The first to react was Flash Magnus, who charged down into the hole at his target. But seconds later, as Tirek dragged his torso out, he snatched the pegasus out of the air before draining him of his magic. The guards were beginning to break, recoiling in fear of the unstoppable monster. But in stepped Somnambula, the crusaders couldn't hear what she said, but it was enough to convince at least some of the guards to follow her.

"Come on!" Scootaloo cheered "Go!" The guards charged, their triumphant screams echoed as they smashed into Tirek, the force almost sending him back into the hole. But almost wasn't enough as he quickly regained the advantage, he begun by grabbing Sonambula and draining her as well. From there the battle was decided, he next drained Mage Meadowbrook who had come too close, trying to tend to her drained friends. Starswirl and Mistmane tried one final time, gathering as much power as they could muster into one powerful magical blast, it made Tirek flinch as it hit, but he retaliated by absorbing them next as well.

Tirek stopped and seemed to stare directly at the Crusaders, his wolfish smirk sending a chill through the young fillies. While he was distracted, Rockhoof struck him with his famous shovel, one final defiance that was ultimately useless as the his weapon broke on impact on Tireks leg. With the loss of the Pillars the guards fled, Tirek strode after them draining them as they ran.

The Crusaders jumped down from the window, the train had started to move, while they were dismayed by what had happened, it had also filled them with resolve, they had to get to Canterlot. The train pulled away from the station, and they hoped away from danger.

"I hope everyone got out of Ponyville." Sweetie said. "Tirek went through the Pillars like they weren't even there."

"And that was only one of them." Scootaloo added, "There's still Chrysalis, Cozy, and that Engineer creature."

"Once we get to Twilight, she'll know what to do." Apple Bloom said. "I mean, it's not like it can get any worse?"

Apple Bloom was interrupted by a loud thunk on the roof of the train. Sweetie Belle groaned "You just had to say it."

A hatch on the roof that they hadn't noticed before flung open and a young, armoured, filly flew down from the hole carrying a large stone bell. She did a quick scan of the carriage, her eyes gliding over then snapping back to the last ponies she expected to see "Golly, what are the Crusaders doing here?"

"Cozy Glow?!" The three said in unison. "What are you doing here?"

"I asked first." Cozy said. "Don't be so rude."

Apple Bloom stomped her hoof "Stop playing games Cozy, that monster Tirek isn't here to protect you, and we have you three to one!"

"Oh, I'm sooooo scared." Cozy Glow sighed "In case you haven't noticed, I'm an Alicorn now, I could mop the floor with you without a second thought, also it's not quite three to one." A large figure dropped down from the hole, and landed with a heavy thud, the sight made the Crusaders blood run cold, clad head to toe in black armor, with the magic runes etched into it glowing a dull red, the new arrival was a terrifying sight. "Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle, meet the Engineer."

The crusaders were silent for a second, staring at the creature towering over them, before they broke their silence with a scream before charging towards the door. They tried in vain to get it open "It's locked?!" Scootaloo asked.

"Why is it locked!?" Sweetie Belle tried using her magic to open it, but the door wouldn't budge. Apple Bloom looked back expecting see the Engineer creature bearing down on them, intent on devouring their souls. Instead the armoured figure was rooted to the spot that it landed in and seemed to be staring at them under its helmet.

"Cozy Glow?" The monster said.

"Yes, Engy?" Cozy replied.

"What the hell is going on here?" The Engineer creature asked.

"Well like I said, that's Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom." Cozy said "They are the adoptive sister of Rainbow Dash, the biological sister of Rarity, and Applejack respectively."

"Okay." The Engineer replied. "What are they doing on this train?" Cozy just shrugged in response. "Hey, Apple Blossom."

"Apple Bloom." Cozy corrected

"Whatever." Engineer said "What are you doing here?"

"We're um, uhhh-" Apple Bloom stuttered.

"We were hiding on the train from Tirek." Scootaloo said. "Then it started moving, then you showed up."

Cozy Glow cocked her head to the side. "What's that letter you got?" Scootaloo tried to hide the letter in her wing, but it was pulled out of her grasp by Cozys magic. Cozy gave the letter to Engineer who opened it up to read the contents.

"Huh." Engineer exclaimed. "Interesting, I'm guessing you were trying to get this to the Princesses?" Engineer tore the letter up in front of them. "Oh well."

Scootaloo watched as the shreds fell to the ground, "Well it doesn't matter because Rainbow Dash will still kick your butt!"

Engineer chuckled "Sure she will kid." Engineer said as she undid her helmet, "Now the only question is what to do with you three?"

Starlight search frantically for the lost girls, but she couldn't find any trace of them.

"Starlight, there you are." Cadence descended from the sky "Why did you run off?"

"The Crusaders are missing!" Starlight answered. "I have to find them before someone, or something else does."

"Cadance!" Shining Armor shouted as he rounded a corner "Stygians plan didn't work, Tirek is on his way right now, we need to leave befor-."

A menacing laugh echoed around them. "Starlight, Starlight, guess who's going to die tonight."

"Chrysalis!" Cadence growled "Show yourself you harlot."

"Ah Cadence, so good to see you again." Chrysalises voice seemed to be coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. "It sounds like you're still sore from the time I stole your husband, makes sense, since he made me a bit sore too."

"For the last time, nothing happened!" Shining Armor responded. "Cadence, I swear that-."

"We'll discuss it later." Cadence cut Shining off.

"But-" Shining said before being cut off again.

"I said, we'll discuss it later!" Cadence shouted. "Right now we need to focus on Chrysalis."

"That's right focus on me, just like your husband." Chrysalis chuckled, drawing a growl from Cadence.

"Stygian's evacuating the town." Shining said. "We need to buy him some time, and draw her away from them."

"I have a plan." Starlight whispered to them. "But we need to draw Chrysalis in close."

"Got it." Cadence said. "I see her, over there!" Cadence fired off a hail of magical attacks into the sky, the two unicorns followed her lead, saturating the area with their own attacks.

Chrysalis smirked, the idiots where facing the wrong direction, she started to close in, with some luck she could drain them all before they could respond. She flew down low and began to close in, her horn hummed as she prepared a spell.

"NOW!" Starlight shouted. There was a flash of magic and the first thing that Chrysalis felt was the cold, she looked down and was surprised to see snow, an icy wind chilled her even through her armor. She looked up to see all three of her foes looking straight at her.

"We can see you Chrysalis." Shining said. Her hoof prints in the thick snow gave her away, she sighed and dispelled her invisibility.

"What is this place?" Chrysalis demanded.

"Some place you won't hurt anypony." Starlight responded.

"Wrong, I can hurt you!" Chrysalis fired off a blast at Starlight, but a shield cast by Shining Armor blocked her attack. Chrysalis grunted in annoyance. She prepared to fire off a stronger blast to overwhelm his defences, but while she was charging it she saw Cadence take off into the sky.

Cadence fired off a beam of magic at Chrysalis, who countered the attack with her own magic, they were locked in a struggle for a second, Chrysalises beam was much stronger and began bearing down on the Alicorn, but before it could connect, a blast of magic hit her, knocking her back.

"Sorry Chrysalis, but this fight is three on one!" Cadence shouted.

"Fine, I'll take you all on!" Chrysalis shouted taking off into the air, she hurled a barrage of attacks at the unicorn pair on the ground and reactivated her invisibility, she hurtled herself at Cadence, the fool had separated herself from the group and would pay the price!

But Cadence wasn't as helpless as she seemed, she fired off hundreds of beams of light, a few of them hit Chrysalis, they did no damage but lit her up with a light blue glow, now her position was revealed! Cadence smirked "I'll light her up, you knock her down Starlight, my husband will keep you safe!"

"Yes, Princess!" Starlight shouted. Starlight launched another magical attack at the light blue silhouette, Chrysalis evaded the attacks, but while she was distracted Cadence hit her with her own magic, Chrysalis blocked it with her own magic, but was blindsided by yet another attack from below. Now Shining Armor was launching his own attacks.

Chrysalis was now on the defensive, evading and blocking attacks from three directions, frustration was mounting as she tried desperately to regain the initiative, she fired off a quick barrage to distract Cadence before closing in on the pair on the ground, she charged her horn to brunt force her way through Shinings defense, she saw Starlights eyes glance up above her, what was she looking at? It wasn't like Cadence could have recovered in time to-.

A massive blast hit Chrysalis in the back, slamming her into the ground, her invisibility flickered before dying, damn it! The armor had absorbed most of the damage from the fight, but fatigue was starting to set in, she needed to end this fight and fast, she needed them to drop their guard if only for a second. As she rose unsteadily back onto her hooves she watched as Cadence rejoined the two unicorns, it was a small consolation to see her opponents were breathing heavily too.

They wanted to end the fight too, they needed to get back to Ponyville to help their friends, Chrysalis watched as they whispered a plan amongst themselves, she noticed their eyes glance to their side, under her visor Chrysalises eyes followed theirs. A nearby cliff face had a massive overhang of rock and snow, in an instant Chrysalis knew their plan, and if their plan succeeded they might just lower their guard. "Time to find out just how good you are Engy." Chrysalis muttered, she smirked, If the girl heard her saying that little nickname now.

Chrysalis took off with a roar, aiming directly for Cadence, the Alicorn took off and began leading her into the trap. Chrysalis played the part, acting crazed with anger as she closed in, Cadence feigned panic as she approached the rock face, turning to face Chrysalis with a fearful expression, seemingly trapped. Her expression changed in an instant to a smirk "Ice to see you Chrysalis." She teleported away leaving Chrysalis under the cliff as Shining and Starlight blasted the rocks above her.

"You'll pay for this!" Chrysalis screamed as she was enveloped by falling debris.

"Put it on my-" Whatever Starlight was going to say was overtaken by the tons of rock and snow. Chrysalis sighed, at least she was alive, the armor held up, she waited a few seconds, just enough time for them to lower their guard, and........ Now!

Chrysalis blasted out from under the snow and stone, the three of them were staring at her in shock, she sent off a blast of green magic. Shining was the first to respond, pulling up a shield to block the attack, while the other two charged their horns ready for round two. But it was not to be, the spell Chrysalis fired off split a part, bypassing Shinings shield before slamming into Cadence and Starlight, knocking them into the snow. Chrysalis smashed into Shining Armor, breaking through his shield and sending the white unicorn flying.

Before the three could get back on their hooves, green magic enveloped them, sealing them inside giant cocoons. Chrysalis laughed in triumph. "Thank you for the fight you three, I wasn't sure at first but this was a great place for it." Chrysalis giggled. "You know what they say, revenge is a dish best served cold."

Something was bothering Apple Bloom, well many things were bothering Apple Bloom, but one thing in particular had come to her mind and try as she might, it just wouldn't leave. When the Engineer creature had first appeared she had been petrified, but now after being on a train with the creature for half an hour, she was now more curious than scared. The creature sat next to Cozy Glow on a box on one side of the train car while the Crusaders sat opposite them.

The Engineer had a set of small, dark blue eyes, that seemed to be much older than the rest of her face which while strange was pale and clearly youthful. While her face was hairless, she had a black mane which was tied back in order to fit inside the helmet. But there was something that Apple Bloom had noticed that she just found odd.

"Are you wearing makeup?" Apple Bloom blurted out. She put a hoof over her mouth as if she could stuff the words back in.

"What?" The Engineer said.

"Yes she is." Cozy answered proudly.

"Damn it, I forgot that you did this." Engineer groaned.

"Aw, don't lie, you love it Engy, or else you wouldn't let me keep practicing on you." Cozy said. "But we need to get you some nice clothes too, you wear clothes all the time but just really boring stuff, and why do you wear clothes all the time? Do you have some weird deformity? I know you've got those two lumps on your chest but I thought they were just your te-."

"Cozy!" Engineer snapped "Please stop."

Cozy smiled before turning to the crusaders "She always gets really weird about that stuff." Engineer rolled her eyes, she lifted a hand to her face with the intention of wiping off the cosmetics.

"Stop!" Sweetie Belle shouted.

Engineer raised an eyebrow "What was that?"

"You can't wipe off makeup that easily, you'll just smear it all over your face if you try that." Sweetie continued. "My sister told me that."

"Damn it I forgot how hard this stuff is to remove." Engineer sighed. "Oh well, it does kinda look nice."

Cozy giggled "Thanks Engy, Chrysi has been giving me pointers and-."

"Wait, Queen Chrysalis?" Scootaloo asked "The evil Changeling queen helped you with makeup?"

"Yep." Cozy said. "And now she's helping me get revenge, isn't she wonderful."

Scootaloo scoffed. "And to think you were once our friend Cozy."

"Yeah." Sweetie said. "You tricked us, you just used us to get into Twilights school, you flunked a test on purpose to make us look bad and then-" Sweetie stopped a question forming in her mind. "Why did you tell Starlight, that you flunked the test on purpose?"

"What?" Cozy said.

Sweetie continued "If you kept up the lie we wouldn't have been around to mess with your plans, why did you tell Starlight the truth?"

"Because, uh, because." Cozy groaned "I don't know why!"

"I do." Engineer said "Because she cared about you guys."

"No, I didn't!" Cozy retorted. "It was all an act to gain their trust!"

"But, what if it isn't?" Scootaloo asked. "What if you thought it was an act, but you really did see us as your friends."

"No, I didn't need you, I don't want you as friends, all I care about is power!" Cozy yelled.

"You know Cozy." Apple Bloom begun, "We knew a young filly who was mean to us, who bullied us, who was terrible to us. But it was all to hide her loneliness, her pain."

"Her pain!" Cozy screamed. "I know who you're talking about, but at least she had a friend who didn't betray her, she had parents, she didn't make the biggest mistake of her life and get sent to Tartarus like the monster she was!"

The Engineer grabbed Cozy in her arms "Deep breaths Cozy, deep breaths."

"Damn it." Cozy said wiping her eyes. "I made myself look like a fool in front of them." They began to feel the train slow down, they were approaching their destination.

"Cozy, I didn't-" Sweetie Belle stammered out

"You three stay here if you know whats good for you." Cozy said. "We've got business to take care of." They felt the train come to a stop. The crusaders watched as the pair rose from their seats.

The Engineer put on her helmet, and her and Cozy shared a nod. Engineers armor began to glow more intensely as she lifted a hand and pointed it at the train door. She blasted it off her hinges and charged out, ready for a fight.

The crystal guards from the train were shocked to see them, a few of the braver ones charged at them, but they stood little chance and ended up on the ground groaning in pain and drained of their magic by Grogars bell. The rest of them got the message and ran for it, leaving the path into Canterlot wide open.

Engineer had been to Canterlot before, last time she had to hide in an alleyway to avoid being seen, but now she and Cozy confidently walked the streets of the pony capital. This time the streets were deserted, the only signs of life the occasional pony peaking from behind boarded up windows, before hiding themselves when they realised they had been noticed.

"So about earlier." Engineer said.

"I don't want to talk about it." Cozy said. "Let's just get this over with."

"Alright, but we're gonna have a talk afterwords, alright Cozy? Engineer said.

Cozy sighed "Fine Engy."

Engineer smiled under her helmet, "So, where do you want to put the giant statue of you?"

They chatted a bit more, but were becoming increasingly weary, they had expected a fight but they were almost to the castle and yet hadn't seen-.

"Hello Engineer." The voice stopped Engineer in her tracks, it had been a thousand years but she knew that damned voice, the one that haunted her every night, the one that had stolen her life from her, the one belonging to the pony standing in front of her now.

Princess Celestia was stood in the castle courtyard, her eyes locked onto Engineer. Her face bore a stony expression, betraying no emotion as she stared down the pair of intruders.

"Let's get her Engy." Cozy said, she looked up at Engineer "Engy?"

The Engineer felt her body shake, a storm of conflicting emotion swirled in her head. She felt like laughing, she felt like crying, part of her begged her to run, while another screamed at her to charge.

"Engineer." Celestia began to speak. "I know that you must despise me for what I have done, but if you would just give me a moment to expl-."

"SHUT UP!" Engineer cried. "I don't care why you did what you did, you took everything from me Celestia! Everything!"

"It was the only way Engineer." Celestia continued. "I am sorry for what happened to you, I truly am, but I had my reasons!"

Engineer shook her head. "Cozy, get inside the castle."

"But Engy, I want to help you fight." Cozy complained.

"Do as I say!" Engineer screamed, causing Cozy to jump in surprise before quickly obeying, she flew past the Princess who gave little notice of the filly, her attention solely focused on the Engineer. Cozy flew through the entrance and out of sight of the coming battle.

"Engineer, I'm giving you one more chance." Celestia said. "Stop this now!"

"No, no this is almost perfect Celestia." Engineer said "You're going to pay for everything, but there is something missing. Where is your sister, where is Luna!"

Celestias mouth hung open, she tried to find some words, anything to talk down the Engineer. But she knew, that it was hopeless, her sins had caught up with her, and the only way out was to fight. "So be it, Engineer."

Luna chose this moment to reveal herself by blasting Engineer in the side with her magic. Engineer was sent flying into a nearby part of the castle, with a mighty crash the structure came crashing down on her. Luna flew over to her sisters side. "Damn it, it didn't need to end like this."

"Yes it did sister." Celestia said, her head hanging low. "And it's all our fault." Celestia sighed "Now let's go help out Twilight and the others."

A loud explosion interrupted those plans however as the Engineer emerged from the smouldering remains of what used to be a part of the castle. A maniacal laugh emanated from behind her helmet. "You didn't think it would be that easy did you? No, the fights only just begun!" The runes on Engineers armor begun glowing red hot. "Celestia, Luna, you better not disappoint me, now, LETS GO!!"

Cozy Glow tried to ignore the loud crashing sound from outside, but the sound filled her gut with worry. She tried her best to suppress her fear. Engineer was counting on her, she had been entrusted with Grogars bell, and she was going to face down Twilight and her friends. She just hoped she didn't mess it all up.

Before she knew it Cozy saw in front of a set of massive doors and behind it she heard none other than Twilight Sparkle, in the middle of one of her little speeches. "Because with friendship as our armor, and teamwork as our power, nopony can ever bring us down!"

Cozy blasted the doors open "Oh come on!" She said, Twilight and her friends gasping at her sudden appearance. "Where did you get that? A daily affirmations calendar? Yeesh."

"Cozy Glow!?" Twilight said.

"Hello Twilight, how have you been, terrible I hope." Cozy Glow said. "Why don't you make things easy on yourselves and just surrender now?"

"Listen Cozy." Twilight begun. "Before you go any further down this path, you should at least listen to-."

"Shut up!" Cozy snapped. "I don't care what reasons you-"

"NO!" Twilight snapped back. "You will listen! I'm sorry for how I treated you, what happened to you shouldn't have, not just Tartarus, all of it!" Twilight begun walking forward "What happened to you was terrible, and you reached out to creatures that you thought were like you. But you're not a monster, and you don't have to let what happened change who you are Cozy. If you just give us another chance, a chance to start fresh, a chance to become friends, then I know that things could turn out better for you." Twilight extended a hoof to the filly "Please Cozy, take my hoof."

Cozy stared at the Princess, and the hoof offered to her, she slowly lifter her own hoof, and stared at Twilights smiling face. "Fuck you."

"What?" Twilight flinched.

Cozy slapped Twilights hoof aside "I said, Fuck, you, Twilight, Sparkle." Twilight recoiled, as if she had been struck. "Nice try, but you don't care about me, you never did. You sent me to Tartarus because I saw friendship for what it really is, power!" Cozy advanced on the Princess "You've used friendship to amass a whole lot of it, haven't you? You used friendship to turn the most powerful creatures in Equestria to your side, Discord, Starlight, the Changelings, even the pony of shadows."

"All they needed was friendship Cozy." Twilight said "If you give us a chance-"

"But when a little filly realises the truth, well what did you do? You threw me into Tartarus, and then planned to use me for a little show for your coronation!" Cozy yelled. "But now that I'm an Alicorn, now that I have power, now that I can be useful, you want to be my friend? Well guess what Twilight, I have friends, now and they're plenty powerful."

"Cozy, please." Twilight begged, tears in her eyes "You don't want to do this."

"I don't want to do this Twilight. I need to." Cozy said. "Time to find out just how powerful you and your friends are Twilight!" Cozy Glow launched herself into the air. "Good luck, you're gonna need it!"

Chapter Ten: A millennium in the making

A few months ago

"I trust that you have everything you need?" Grogar asked.

Engineer looked around the room that Grogar had brought her to within the lair, where her new workshop was located. It wasn't as large as her previous workspace, and it would take some work to reorganise all the equipment into the way she liked it. "It'll do."

"Good." Grogar said. "You should speak to the others and find out what they need."

Engineer groaned "Great, I can't wait to talk to those idiots again."

Grogar narrowed his eyes "If you're not willing to follow my instructions and work with the others, then I can easily return you to stone."

"Fine." Engineer hissed. "I'll work with the meat headed centaur, the creepy bug, even that annoying pegasus child. I'll do whatever you need me to do, as long as you give me my revenge!"

Grogar smirked "Don't worry Engineer, when this is all over you'll get exactly what you need." Grogar turned to leave before stopping as he remembered something. "I do have a question before I go."

"What's that?" Engineer asked.

"In all my research of you, you're always referred to as the Engineer." Grogar said "But you were only given that name after you begun to make weapons for your adoptive father."

"You're wondering what my name was?" Engineer asked.

"Correct." Grogar said.

"Well you're just going to have to keep wondering because I'm not telling you." Engineer said.

"Are you defying my orders?" Grogar asked.

"Yep." Engineer replied.

"If you don't tell me I'll turn you back to stone right now." Grogar said.

"Go ahead." Engineer responded.

Grogar grumbled, she had called his bluff, he couldn't turn her to stone over something so trivial and she knew it. But his curiosity filled him with a desire to find the truth. "Fine, if you tell me your real name, when we capture Celestia and Luna, I'll let you kill them yourself."

Engineer starred back at him for a moment, thinking over his offer before finally responding. "You won't tell the others?"

"Sure." Grogar said.

Engineer sighed, "Alright my name was Lily, you happy?"

Grogar laughed "Really? Lily?"

Engineer crossed her arms grumpily "Yeah, although some of the dogs misheard it as li'l E as in little E so they called me that, then when my skills started to show they called me Li'l Engineer and then when I got older and bigger they just called me Engineer. I never did like my name so I preferred Engineer and that's why It's my name now."

"But why did Rex name you Lily?" Grogar asked.

"I asked him once, and he told me he didn't." Engineer said. "So I asked him who did, and he told me he would tell me when he was older."

Grogar scoffed "So I'll never know where that name came from, seeing as he's dead."

Engineer gritted her teeth "Yeah, thanks for the reminder."

Grogar smirked "I've got other matters to attend to, I'll leave you to get started." He said, closing the doors to her new workshop on his way out.

Engineer took a deep breath, that damned goat, those three annoying creatures, the substandard facilities, none of that mattered. The only thing she cared about was seeing those two pay for what they had done. She kept her mind focused on that as she began to work.

Present day

Tirek strode through the deserted streets of Ponyville, his foes, drained of their magic, were held within several magical bubbles that floated above him.

"You're too late centaur." The muffled voice of Starswirl said from within his prison. "Princess Cadence, Starlight Glimmer, Shining Armor, and Stygian are gone, along with all their magic."

Tirek laughed, he pulled the bubble containing the unicorn in front of him "That's where you're wrong Starswirl, I was just the distraction, Chrysalis snuck in while we fought."

"Then where is she Tirek?" Starswirl snapped back. "She's no where to be seen, either she was defeated or realised she was no match for all four of them and ran away." Starswirl smirked. "It's not like you inspire much loyalty in others, not even in your own family!"

Tirek glared at the unicorn, resisting the temptation to crush the old fool in his hands. "You're one to talk, I know what you did to your friend Stygian. You were against trying to turn my brother against me, you thought he was just as evil as me. But Stygian was right, and you betrayed him and then took all the credit."

Starswirl glared back at him, "I was wrong about Stygian, and I was wrong about Scorpan, but I wasn't wrong about you! Your brother begged me to free you, but I knew that there was only evil in your heart, do you know how much it hurt him to see you every year, I told him every time that it was useless but he held out hope, and you threw it back in his face!"

"I'd rather he think me lost than know the truth!" Tirek roared "You were never going to let me go, not after what you did to Stygian, I'd rather have my brother think I was lost, than know that his new friends were keeping his brother from him. Who knows what he would have done, and what you would have done to him!"

The argument was cut off as the loud crack of teleportation magic, as Chrysalis returned with three cocooned ponies in tow. "Ahh sweet warmth, I never want to see snow again." Chrysalis said. She looked up seeing a much larger Tirek having a staring contest with Starswirl the bearded. "Did I interrupt something."

"It's nothing." Tirek said as he returned Starswirl back to the others. "I see you got three of them, no Stygian?"

"I wasn't able to find that one." Chrysalis said. "But an alicorn princess is still quite the prize. How did you fare?"

"Got all six pillars, and a whole bunch of crystal guards too." Tirek said. "It was piece of cake."

Chrysalis smiled "Speaking of cake, Cozy asked me to find a place called 'Sugar Cube Corner' said to loot it for the victory party."

"Shouldn't we be getting to Canterlot?" Tirek asked. "They might need our help."

"They'll also never forgive us for stealing their prey." Chrysalis answered. "If they need our help, Engineer put in a tracker and emergency beacon in all our armor, all they have to do is say the code word and we'll be there."

"If you say so." Tirek said. But he was far from convinced, they may have defeated one alicorn, but their were still three more of them out there.

"LET'S GO!!" Engineer screamed as she launched herself at the alicorn princesses, she saw Celestia grit her teeth and spring forward to meet her. Engineer and Celestia slammed into each other, the sound echoing through the courtyard, Engineers fist had met a magical barrier created by Celestia.

Celestia tried to push her back but Engineer stood her ground and began to rain blows onto the barrier. Engineer felt it begin to give way, but before she could throw the final punch she felt something holding her arm back, she looked back to see her hand engulfed in Luna's blue magic, restraining it.

Celestia took the opening to drop her barrier, spin around and buck Engineer in the stomach. Engineer yelped as she doubled over in pain, and while she was distracted Luna used her grip on Engineers arm to throw her through the air.

Engineer was able to land on her feet, sliding back as she saw Luna closing in on her. Engineer launched a flurry of magical attacks at her which Luna blocked with her own barrier. As Luna got close she suddenly ducked as Celestia, who had been following behind her, protected by her sisters shield, launched a charged magical blast directly at Engineer.

Engineer barely had time to defend herself, brining up her own shield as the attack slammed into her, "Damnit." She growled. But she couldn't retake the offensive, Celestia and Luna had taken off the ground and begun to fire off a hail of magic at her from above. Engineer frantically dodged as the courtyard was torn up around her. As she rolled out of the way of a beam of magic that cut through the ground, the smashed masonry that was thrown up gave her an idea.

As Engineer dodged another attack, the blast ripped up the cobblestone, throwing it into the air. Engineer used her magic to grab the broken masonry and hurled it upwards at the circling alicorns. Celestia took the brunt of the attack, yelping as a few stones slipped past a hastily raised shield and hit her, Luna thought herself luckier as she swooped down to dodge the projectiles, but as she glanced back down at the Engineer she saw her crouched down, the runes around her legs glowing bright and then she shot off the ground, cracking the ground as she hurtled towards her.

Engineer crashed into Luna, the inertia sending them flying through the air until they slammed into one of the towers that loomed over the courtyard. The stone buckled under the impact, the stones coming loose around them as Engineer pressed the alicorn further into the tower wall, wrapping her hand around the Princesses neck and began to squeeze. Luna franticly kicked with her hooves, but Engineer ignored them as a mixture of rage and adrenaline pushed her to focus on nothing other than squeezing the life out of her foe.

A blast of magic slammed into Engineer, throwing her off her opponent, she was thrown from the tower and landed back on the courtyard stone. She scrambled back to her feet, expecting to be attacked again, but Celestia was too busy checking on her sister to pay her any mind. Engineer decided to correct that by hurling a magic blast in their direction.

Luna spotted the attack coming and raised a shield to block it, and the second, and the third, before Celestia joined her to hold back the fifth, and sixth. Engineer roared in anger and prepared a final blast that would crack through their defenses. She threw it with all her might and watched it arc towards the target, but just before it slammed home the Princesses teleported away. The blast instead tore into the already weakened tower and it began to fall like a tree to an axe.

Engineers eyes went wide as she realised it was falling towards her, she tried to dive out of the way but found her feet to be stuck, she looked down and saw her feet enveloped in a dark blue and golden glow. As she looked back up the tower was almost on her, and at the last second she threw a hurried blast of magic into the falling tower blasting it apart just before it reached her.

The courtyard was filled with dust and debris, the shattered remains of the tower, Engineer breathed heavily and each time she did she felt pain shoot through her side which she felt even through the adrenaline. But before she could catch her breath, she saw the white figure of Celestia standing in front of her. "You think I'm done Celestia!?" Engineer snarled, "This isn't over yet!"

Celestias horn glowed bright, and the ground around Engineer shook before it flew into the air, carrying her with it, as Engineer hung in the air, Luna fired off a blast of magic that hit her in mid air. The impact sent her through a window on the upper floor of the castle, she rolled head over heels down a carpeted corridor, past the stained glass windows that lined the hall and the many pillars that held the roof up, before finally coming to a stop.

"Now it's over." Celestia said as she and Luna swooped through the broken window. "Give up Engineer, you can't win."

"You may have magic now." Luna added, "But you lack the experience to use it effectively."

Engineer staggered to her feet "Who the hell do you think you're talking to?!" She growled "I'm the Engineer, my creations are the envy of all Equestria!"

"Your armor is powerful, but underneath it you are still flesh and blood!" Celestia shouted back "If you keep fighting us you'll die just like-" Celestia stopped and composed herself. "Surrender, Engineer, and we will be lenient."

"Surrender?" Engineer said, gritting her teeth in frustration, she had thrown almost everything at them, but those two were still standing. She only had one option left, she just hoped that it worked. "This fight has barely begun!" The runes on her armor glowed brighter and brighter, as they shifted from red to white, the princesses could feel the heat emanating from the Engineer powering up, lightning began arcing off her armor setting fire to the carpet and to the curtains that lined the hallways windows, she was pushing her armor far beyond what it was designed to do.

A final blast of fire and air blasted down the hallway, shattering the stained glass windows. The Engineer roared and shot forward, Celestia saw her coming and hastily pulled up a magical shield, but Engineers fist broke straight through her defenses, the brutal punch sending the princess flying back. Luna fired off a blast of magic at Engineer, who shrugged it off easily, and before Luna could react Engineer was on her, she grabbed Lunas horn with two hands, stopping Luna from using her magic temporarily, and by her horn threw her into a pillar.

The pillar smashed into pieces, causing parts of the roof to fall in, burying Luna under a heap of rubble. "Sister!" Celestia shouted before charging in to rejoin the fray, Engineer used her magic to lift a large piece of the now-shattered pillar and hurled it at the approaching alicorn, Celestia blasted it to pieces, the rubble hiding her foe temporarily, but when she burst through the dust she was once again met with Engineer's armored fist which stopped her dead as she collided with it head on.

Celestia collapsed to the floor, the Engineer took the opportunity to deliver a hard kick to her ribs, the kick threw her into the same pile of rubble as her sister. Celestia felt waves of pain shooting through her as she looked up to see the Engineer slowly walking towards her. She franticly began to dig into the rubble for her sister, the sight of her dark blue mane filled her with hope. As she shifted one last section of the roof she spotted her sister, bruised and bloodied, but alive.

"Luna, please, get up!" Celestia begged "We need to fight together, please!"

Engineer laughed "What a pathetic display, Celestia! You were talking all high and mighty a moment ago, now look at you!"

Celestia turned towards Engineer, narrowing her eyes, wherever this power came from it couldn't last for long, if she could stay in the fight for just a bit longer, they would have her. Celestia charged forward, intent on protecting her sister, she fired a beam of magic at Engineers face, who lifted her arms to block it, as she did, Celestia got in close, spun around and bucked with her hind hooves.

Rather than striking the Engineer she felt her hooves being grabbed as Engineers hands wrapped around her hooves. "Nice try, Celestia." Engineer said as she started to spin her around by her back legs, she spun her around and around, the blood rushing to the Princesse's head, making her nauseous. When Engineer spotted Luna groggily staggering out of the rubble she let Celestia fly, Luna looked up to see her sister careening towards her, and before she could react, the two smashed into one another, sending them both through the stained glass window behind them.

Engineer rushed over to the window and looked down to see the sisters lying in a heap of broken glass, not moving. She let out a sigh of relief as the runes on her armor dimmed down to a dull red glow, she didn't know how much longer it could take such power, in fact she was surprised it had lasted the minute that it had. Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard a thunk as well as something hitting her in the back, she slowly turned around to see a now-terrified guard holding a now-broken spear.

Engineer couldn't help but laugh at the guard, an orange pegasus with a blue mane, quivering in fear. "Whats your name, guard?" She asked. The pegasus didn't respond except to intensify his quivering. Engineer decided to put the poor thing out of his misery, she grabbed the broken spear shaft out of his hooves and cracked him on the head with it, his eyes rolled back as he collapsed to the ground unconscious.

She turned back to the window, but was shocked to find the two Princesses now missing, she gritted her teeth, the fool had distracted her long enough for her to lose sight of her real enemy. The runes on her armor began to glow brighter as she stepped out of the window and fell to the ground, landing with a thud, cracking the ground. She saw a trail of blood droplets and began to follow it, leading her away from the castle and towards a building in the distance, she saw a large sign that read out, 'Celestia's school for gifted unicorns.

Celestia burst through the doors of the school's library, carrying her injured sister. They were both covered in injuries, a nasty gash above Celestias eye left her with only one good eye to see out of. "Luna, please be alright."

"I'm going to fell that for a century." Luna groaned "But at least I'm alive." They slumped down onto a set of chairs as they begun to tend to their wounds. "I can't help but think I deserve this."

"You don't deserve this Luna." Celestia said. "It's my fault, I ignored this problem for over a thousand years. All of this is on me."

"But I ignored her too, sister." Luna replied. "I know what it's like to be so angry, I should have fixed this problem when I came back." Luna sighed, "If we had just tried, if we had just done something, anything!"

"And now we're paying the price." Celestia agreed.

The sisters heard a floorboard creek, they snapped around, horns glowing, but relaxed when they saw who it was. Moondancer gasped as she was the injured state that the Princesses were in. "Princesses!?" She said rushing over to them "Are you alright? What happened?"

Luna put on a brave face "We're alright, miss, uh."

"Moondancer, your highness." She said. "I recently started here as an assistant librarian."

"Don't sell yourself short Miss Moondancer." Celestia said "She's also substituting for the illusions teacher while he's on long service leave." Celestia furrowed her brow "Where are the students?"

"I've had them hide in their dorms." Moondancer said. "I was just going to check on them when I heard you in the library."

"Wait, you had them hide in the dorms?" Luna asked. "Where are the other teachers?"

"I don't know, I think they fled Canterlot when they heard what was coming." Moondancer said. "I wanted to run too, but then there wouldn't be anyone left to watch over the students."

"Thank you Miss Moondancer" Celestia said "I'm sorry that you had to take on this burden."

"It's alright, Princesses." Moondancer said. "They're good kids, and I kind of li-"

"PRINCESS CELESTIA AND LUNA?!" A young, grey unicorn colt screamed. "Are you alright!?"

"Silver Spirit!" Moondancer snapped. "What are you doing out of your dorm! It isn't safe!"

"I'm sorry, Miss Moondancer." Silver Spirit said "But I heard voices and the others were so scared, they didn't know what happened to you!"

"I'm fine, Silver." Moondancer said.

"But the Princesses aren't." Silver said. "What happened?"

Celestia put on a reassuring smile. "We're fine young colt, I think you should be getting back to your dorm now."

"Before I go can I ask you something?" Silver said. "When you defeat the villains, can you go easy on Cozy?"

"What do you mean?" Luna asked.

"She's not all bad, I mean she was manipulated, first by Tirek and now by Discord. She doesn't have real friends, not since I-." Silver rubbed a tear away before it could form. "Look I thought she was a monster like the paper said at first. But I think there is more to it and I think she just needs a chance."

"That's a nice thought Silver." Moondancer said. "But the Princesses will do what they they think is right, now go back to your dorm."

"But-" Silver began to say.

"Now!" Moondancer ordered, sending Silver scurrying back to his dorm. "I'm sorry about that, he's a new student, after he arrived he started checking out books on Tartarus. I think he may have been considering rescuing her."

"Would've saved us a lot of trouble if he did." Luna muttered.

Moondancer got a confused look on her face. "What do you mean?"

Celestia sighed "We might have been able to reform her before, but now she's too far gone. All we can do is clean up our mistakes so no else suffers for them." Celestia and Luna shared a grim look on their faces. "Miss Moondancer, we need your help."

"Fight me, Twilight!" Cozy screamed as she dove down at the alicorn, firing a hail of magic as she did.

Twilight teleported out of the way of the projectiles. "Cozy, please, I don't want to fight you." She begged.

"Too bad!" Cozy yelled, as she charged at Twilight again. Twilight took off into the air to avoid her, Cozy gave chase as they weaved between the pillars in the throne room. As she tried to pin Twilight down, she heard crashing sounds coming from above, Cozy tried her best to ignore the sounds, but still she felt pangs of worry, she hoped that whatever was happening, Engineer was winning.

A loud boom from above shook the throne room, the ceiling cracked and a piece of it fell, almost smashing into Twilight. As Twilight dodged the falling rubble, Cozy spotted an opening and Fired off a powerful blast of magic. It was a direct hit, slamming into Twilight she fell from the air, landing with a thud near Celestias throne.

Twilight quickly got back on her hooves, just in time to raise a shield to block a beam of Cozy Glow's magic. As Cozy poured more and more power into it, the shield began to buckle. As Twilight strained to hold her defenses up she yelled out "Now!"

Rainbow Dash shot towards Cozy, who had forgotten about Twilights stupid friends. Rainbow grabbed at the bell that Cozy still held in her hooves. Cozy kicked her with her hind legs, sending her flying. Cozy tried to send a blast of magic after her to make sure she stayed down, but her vision was suddenly obscured by a wall of confetti.

Cozy growled as she shook her head to clear her vision, but felt something peck at the back of her head. She spun around punching with her hoof as she did, hitting one of the geese that protected the throne room. She saw Fluttershy catch the thing, concern on her face, but before Cozy could try to deal with her, a plume of flame came at her from the side, she brought up a shield just in time to stop it from burning her.

Cozy tried to regain the initiative, but the onslaught was relentless. She was attacked from all sides by magic, fire, geese, and even confetti, until she felt a lasso tighten around her and pull her down to the ground. She felt the air get knocked out of her lungs, and the bell leave her grasp. She dove at it, quickly recovering it, but when she looked she realised, to her horror, that she was surrounded. She had been beaten, her only chance now was the code word. Cozy took a deep breath and bellowed "SPAGHETTI!!!!"

Engineer approached the school's front doors, she knew that her victory was close, but rather than elated, she felt nervous. It felt like the carpet might be pulled out from under her at any moment. It didn't help that she had to power down much of her armor temporarily, meaning that she was dangerously exposed if something went wrong. Her armor needed time to recover, the last thing she needed was for it to shut down completely, if that happened then even the magic that allowed her to see and hear through her helmet would shut down, leaving her completely blind and deaf.

As she drew closer, she stopped herself as she noticed something weird about the path in front her. Runes that were all too familiar were carved into the cobblestone, her eyes narrowed as she recognised their purpose.

While she was examining the trap, Engineer heard the beat of wings behind her, it was the Princesses. Engineer pretended not to hear them and just as they were about to hit her and send her into the trap, she ducked. They missed her and instead landed in their own trap, the runes glowing bright blue as they activated and sealed their fate. The Princesses tried to move, but their hooves were held fast by the runes, the runes prevented them from using their magic as well.

"You Idiots!" Engineer laughed, "You didn't think I'd recognise that trap!" Due to how they had landed, they were facing away from her, so Engineer walked around the trapped alicorns, putting herself between the school and them. The Princesses glared at her. Engineer glared back at them "You used that trick to kill my father, you used my own runes to hold him down and then you blasted him to pieces. You didn't think I'd know that? That I would recognise that trick?"

The Princesses were silent, doing nothing except glare at her. Engineer growled. "You don't have anything to say? No more excuses? no more trying to justify what you did? At least give me some begging, damnit!" They remained silent, Engineer sighed, oh well, at least it was over. But something felt off, Engineer looked closer at the runes and realised they were all wrong, they didn't make any sense, and the Princess were not just not talking, they weren't moving or doing anything anymore, almost as if-.

Engineer heard the doors behind her fling open as the Princesses as well as the runes disappeared in a flash. She wheeled around to see the real Princesses standing in the doorway, their horns charged with a powerful magical blast. The ground around Engineer began glowing blue as she saw runes, real ones this time, light up, stopping her from moving. The Princesses, who had poured the last of their power into one final attack and let it fly, the massive ball of energy tore the ground up as it sped towards the Engineer, who had no time to react, except to say "Oh, crap."

Inside the school Silver Spirit felt the school shudder around him as he heard a loud bang outside. He rushed to the windows, his curiosity trumping his fear. As he looked out he gasped as he saw a massive smoking crater gouged out of the school's courtyard, and next to it the two princesses slumped down to the ground in exhaustion. Whatever they had hit was no more, whatever it was, he prayed that it wasn't Cozy Glow.

Cozy clutched the bell close, she may have been trapped but she knew she just had to stall for a minute and then her allies, Chrysalis, Tirek, and Engineer, would come bursting through the doors and save her.

"What did she say?" Rainbow asked.

"I think she said spaghetti." Fluttershy replied.

"Why in Equestria would she yell that?" Rarity asked.

"I know!" Pinkie announced. "She's calling upon a giant spaghetti monster to destroy us!"

"What in tarnation are you talking about Pinkie?" Applejack asked.

Cozy rolled her eyes, stalling these idiots would be easier than she thought.

Twilight sighed "It was a code word for a distress signal, right, Cozy?" The others stopped their argument instantly, and focused their attention back on Cozy.

Cozy gritted her teeth, of course Twilight knew what it was, "Very clever, Twilight, my friends are on their way as we speak, why don't you all surrender right now and get it over with."

"They aren't coming, Cozy." Twilight said.

Cozy scoffed "Let me guess, they aren't coming because they don't care about me? Well I guess we'll see, Twilight."

"There's that, there's also the fact that they've either been defeated or have ran." Twilight replied.

Cozy laughed, "Really? That's what you're going with, Twilight? I saw Tirek beating the snot out of the pillars, what makes you think that my other friends aren't doing the same?"

"Tirek is strong, and now that he has the pillars' magic, he'll be stronger." Twilight said "But now that he knows we have the bell, if he's smart he'll be getting as far away from here as possible, but with Discord's help we'll track him down."

"Discord?!" Cozy snarled "So he's here? Good, Chrysalis, Engineer and I will want to have a word with him."

"Chrysalis and the Engineer won't be hurting anyone." Twilight said. "My brother and Cadence have beaten Chrysalis before, and with Starlight there she doesn't stand a chance. As for the Engineer, Celestia and Luna defeated an army equiped with the Engineer's weapons, they know exactly how to beat her, the only question is if they're prepared to go through with it."

"You're bluffing Twilight." Cozy said, but she felt a creeping feeling start to spread in her, that message on the train, what if the Princesses knew about it already? As that fear started to gnaw at her, the room was rocked by a deep boom, Cozy felt a cold feeling wash through her. "T-thats just Engy kicking their butts, you'll see!"

Twilight looked at her "I'm sorry Cozy."

"You're gonna be sorry when Engy gets here!" Cozy yelled back. "She promised that we'd talk after we kicked your butts, she's fine! She's going to walk in here any moment with Tirek and Chrysalis, you'll see!" Cozy looked franticly around, expecting Engineer to burst in at any moment, but as the seconds dragged on she felt her body begin to shake. She tried to escape, blasting the rope that held her down to pieces, she tried to fly out of the encirclement, but her means of escape was blocked by Rainbow Dash. A sharp tug from Raritys magic pulled her back to the ground and she felt more ropes wrap around her.

"I'm sorry, Cozy but there must have been no other way." Twilight said. "If there was, Celestia and Luna would have found it, I'm sure."

"No other way!? How dare you!? How fucking dare you!?" Cozy tried in vain to get free again, but a spell cast by Twilight on the ropes prevented them from being destroyed, Twilights magic enveloped Cozy Glows horn, preventing her from trying anything else. "Let go of me!" Cozy screamed, her eyes becoming watery. "I'll fucking kill you, I'll fucking kill all of you!"

"Enough, Cozy Glow!" Twilight shouted, before softening her voice as she continued. "You've been manipulated, first by Tirek and now by this Engineer, they made you do terrible things, but it's over now. Tirek is far away from here, Chrysalis can't hurt you, and this Engineer creature is gone for good."

Cozy began to hyperventilate, tears streaming down her face. "She might still be okay, please, talk to Celestia, talk to Luna, tell them! I don't care what happens to me, just don't let them hurt my friend, don't let them hurt Engy! Please!" Cozy thrashed against her restraints, desperate to get free.

Twilight looked on helplessly as her former student broke down, "Cozy, this Engineer didn't care about you, but we do, I do, if you can just try and trust me, everything will be okay. You can go back to my school, you can make some real friends, and you can be my student again, everything will be alright Cozy. Cozy?"

Cozy didn't respond, by this point she had stopped making any sounds, she just stared blankly at the floor as her last quiet sob made her body shiver. Deep down she thought this would happen, no matter what Twilight and her friends always won, and now Engy had paid the price.

Moondancer rushed to Celestia and Luna's side, she had read many books about magical exhaustion, and the amount of energy they had poured into that spell could have killed a normal unicorn, and with their already weakened state it was especially dangerous. She herself found trying to hold together such a complicated illusion difficult, so much so that it had begun to fail before they had sprung the trap.

Luna tried to get back on her hooves, but collapsed instead, letting out a pained grunt. Moondancer felt ill, seeing the Princesses reduced to such a state was shocking for a pony that had grown up seeing them as the pinnacle of equestrian kind. "Just rest, Princesses." Moondancer said "You can't do anything else and if you try, you might hurt yourselves."

"We need to help the others." Celestia said, straining to lift her head. "Twilight may need our help."

"You're in no condition to help, Princess." Moondancer replied. "If you tried to you might end up putting them in danger."

Luna let out a defeated sigh. "She's right, sister, the only thing we would accomplish would be to spread our failures to others."

"What do you mean, Princess?" Moondancer asked. "You didn't fail here, that creature won't be harming anyone ever again."

The Princesses didn't respond, instead turning their heads away, Moondancer saw tears forming in their eyes, they must have been trying to shield themselves from the smoke that was beginning to blow towards them from the crater where this Engineer creature had once been. Moondancer stared at the crater, she couldn't help but be in awe of the power of alicorns, even in their weakened state they had gouged out a massive chunk of earth.

Moondancer approached the edge of the hole to assess the damage to the schools front yard, but before she could reach it something happened that shocked her to her core.

She saw through the smoke a figure rising out of the hole. The Engineer was alive.

Engineer's vision was completely black, she would have thought that she was dead, but being dead wouldn't hurt this much. She sat up as she replayed the past few minutes in her head. She had survived, barely, and had herself to thank for that.

When she was building her armor she had read about how Celestia and Luna had defeated her father, and had installed a failsafe in case such a technique was used against her. The armor had been able to counter the runes somewhat to allow it to activate some of its defensive runes to protect her. But her armor being in the state that it had been had meant that it didn't have enough energy to do so fully, and had shut down after stopping most of the damage.

An awful feeling pulled Engineer back to the present as she quickly reached up to take off her helmet, but only her right arm seemed to obey her. She tore her helmet off just in time to avoid throwing up in it, allowing her to see again, meaning the first thing that she got to see was her partially digested breakfast now seeping into the dirt.

She wiped her mouth with her right hand, and looked down to her left. Her left arm was still there, thankfully, but was hanging down limply at a weird angle, it had been dislocated. She grabbed her left arm with her right, lifted it up and took a deep breath. She yanked the arm forward and heard a fleshy popping sound as her arm went back in its socket. She opened her mouth to scream from the pain, but no sound came out as it overloaded her senses. She fell back down and began to sob quietly from the pain.

She would have stayed there for who knows how long, but the sound of voices brought her back. The sound of Celestia and Luna's voice. Her pain began to be smothered by her returning rage, it wasn't enough that they had turned her to stone for a thousand years, now they tried to kill her too. She got to her feet and began to climb out of the crater.

As she climbed out, she looked around and saw them. She started walking towards them, walking past a cream colored unicorn with red and purple hair; she ignored the unicorn who was staring at her wide eyed, too terrified to do anything to stop her. As Engineer got closer to the Princesses, she began to speak "I've been waiting for this day for so long. The day that you would pay, for destroying my work! My home! My family! My life!"

The Alicorns could do nothing, magical exhaustion rendering them unable to even stand. "Please, Engineer." Celsetia was able to whisper "You don't want to do this." Celestia hadn't seen her face for over a thousand years, when she had last seen it she had seen a mix of pain, fear, anger, and heartbreak in her eyes, but now, as Celestia starred into those same eyes all she could see was pure rage.

"I want nothing more, Celestia." Engineer said, her armor beginning to sputter back into life "Now you're gonna pay!" Engineer raised her arm in the air, the runes beginning to glow again as she prepared to strike the final blow. But something stopped her, a message appeared on her arm. Cozy had sent out a distress signal, she was in danger!

Engineer immediately spun around and ran as fast as she could for the castle, leaving the Princesses where they lied. How long ago was that signal sent! Was Cozy hurt! Was she-. Engineer pushed these thought from her head as she sprinted towards the castle.

The Princesses watched her go, with a feeling of deep foreboding. She may have left them, but soon Twilight and her friends would suffer the Engineers wrath, and they could do nothing to stop her.

She looked for an entrance as she approached the castle; spotting a giant stained glass window, she prepared to make her entrance; pouring magic into the runes that powered the armor's legs, she leapt through the air and smashed through the window. As she landed, she looked around and saw six familiar ponies standing around in a circle, staring at her in shock; and in the center, bound by ropes, was Cozy Glow.

"ENGY!!!!" Cozy screamed.

Engineer charged, roaring "GET AWAY FROM HER!!!" she hurled a blast at them as she charged, hurling the six mares back. They landed in a heap as Engineer reached Cozy Glow and frantically tore her restraints off. "Cozy, I'm so sorry, something happened which stopped me from receiving your signal and-."

Cozy cut her off with a hug, wrapping her hooves around Engineer. "I thought you were dead." She sobbed, staring up at Engineer.

Engineer reached down and wiped a tear from Cozy's cheek, "I'm sorry that I'm so late, Cozy, their were a few-" Engineer paused to search for the right words "Complications, but I'm here now, you're safe." They heard the groans from the six ponies that were trying to disentangle themselves from the pile they lay in. "Now how about we teach them a lesson together."

Cozy smiled "Let's do it." she said with a nod and took position next to Engineer.

Twilight rubbed her head, trying to regain her senses, and dull the headache borne from the hit. She looked at the new arrival, a surprised expression shot across her face; "She's a human?" she thought aloud. She shook her head, that question would need to be solved later. "Where are Celestia and Luna?" she demanded.

Engineer smirked "They won't be bothering us if thats what you're asking!" The answer drew a shocked gasp from the six ponies. "Now, if you're smart you'll surrender." Engineer said "But I really hope you don't." Secretly she wanted those six to surrender, she had been battered about in her last fight and even with her armor she could feel pain in multiple places, especially her side where the pain seemed to flare up every time she breathed deeply.

Twilight glared at Engineer "We will never give up." She declared.

Engineer cursed inwardly, before simply replying "Good."

"You may be powerful." Twilight said. "But we've faced challenges before and we've never backed down!"

While she was making her little speech, Engineer decided to end this by firing off a bolt of magic. Twilight summoned up a shield and slapped it away.

Rainbow Dash stepped forward "We've faced threats that almost tore us apart, but no matter what, we've always come back together!"

Engineer fired off another, more powerful blast. But it simply bounced off a shield again.

"No matter how scary it's gotten." Fluttershy added "Our compassion has always shown us the way through!"

Engineer tried again, growing nervous by how easily they had shrugged off her attacks. But once again it failed to accomplish anything.

"We're always ready to support each other, because we trust each other to do the same!" Applejack said.

"Shut up!" Cozy shouted, launching a flurry of her own magic at the group, but it had the same result as Engineers attempts.

"It didn't matter how bad the situation seems, we go forward with the hope that in the end we will smile again!" Pinkie yelled.

Engineer and Cozy were both now desperately trying to break through their defenses, launching blast after blast at what now seemed like an unbreakable wall. "What the hell is this!?" Engineer yelled.

Rarity now stepped forward too "We've shared the good times and the bad, and have never refused to lend a hand to whoever needed it!"

A sense of deja vu washed through Engineer, something about this situation seemed awfully familiar.

Twilight shut her eyes. "And that is because together we have the greatest power of them all." Twilight eyes reopened, now glowing white.

In an instant Engineer realised what was coming. "COZY RUN!!!!" she said turning to the filly. But Cozy didn't budge, it seemed to be locked in place by fear, Engineer grabbed her and through her clear of what was coming, before turning back to face it.

The six ponies were floating in the air, an aura of white magic surrounding them. A blast of rainbow-colored energy, just like what had destroyed Sombra, arced into the air and then shot towards Engineer. She braced herself, drawing as much power as she could into her armor, the runes once again glowing white. She poured everything into a final beam of magic, which slammed against the incoming rainbow.

The wave of rainbow magic was slowed, but still it creeped steadily towards Engineer. She strained to, trying to draw more power into her armor, trying to find something, anything to stop it, but nothing seemed to work, it even seemed to come at her faster. "NO!!!" She screamed "IT CAN'T END LIKE THIS! IT WON'T END LIKE THIS." But reality caught up with her as her runes suddenly went black, she had pushed her armor further than she thought it could go, but now it had nothing left to give.

She collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her face as she watched the rainbow blast fly towards her. She shut her eyes as time seemed to slow down, her mind went back to that strange dream she had, the paintings of her life displayed before her, but there were new ones now, one showing her trying to hold back the elements of harmony, her fight against the Princesses, finding out that Grogar was Discord, and the sunrise she shared with Pharynx. She smiled at the memory, but her mind flew past all the old memories to a painting right at the beginning that she hadn't seen before.

At first she thought it was a painting of herself, but her hair was a different, a golden color rather than her own black hair. And her eyes were a warm emerald compared to her dark-blue ones. But other than that her face was identical, if a bit older, and smiled at her warmly. It seemed so familiar, but it couldn't be, she was the only one of her kind, this must be some weird trick, it couldn't be real, it couldn't be "Mom?"

In an instant she was brought back to reality as the power of the elements of harmony arced towards her. But just before it hit, a beam of red magic fired off from beside her, stopping it just before it could it hit her. Engineer looked to her right, it was Cozy Glow, the filly gritted her teeth as she somehow held back the attack.

"Cozy?!" Engineer shouted, the runes on her armor somehow began to glow bright again; she joined Cozy in trying to push back the elements attack. "I told you to run!"

"I won't leave you!" Cozy yelled as the ground cracked under them, the force of the magic bearing down on them had begun to push them back.

"We can't stop it Cozy!" Engineer said, "Save yourself!"

"No!" Cozy screamed. "I'm not going to abandon you! I'm not going to abandon one of the only creatures that truly gives a shit about me! I don't care if the whole world wants us dead, I will fight for Tirek, for Chrysalis and for you! I won't run away! I won't let you die!"

"Usually, I'm not a fan of pony speeches." A voice said, "But that was a pretty damn good speech, Cozy."

"Chrysalis?!" Engineer shouted.

Chrysalis appeared to Engineers left, "Sorry to keep you waiting." she said as she joined them in holding back the elements with her own magic. "I couldn't teleport in, there must have been some spell stoping me."

"Well you're here now!" Cozy cheered "Now let's do this!" Together they pushed against the elements beam, it began to creep backwards.

"Hold firm girls!" Twilight shouted. "No matter how bleak it seems, there is no more powerful force than friendship!" The beam stabilised, each of the groups were at one end of the throne room and their magic was clashing right in the center.

"Come on!" Chrysalis hissed, "We've almost done it, we just need a little more power!"

Right on cue that power arrived, the entrance to the throne room was blasted open, and in strode Tirek. He looked at the situation inside and grinned. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"I said that already!" Chrysalis shouted back. "Now help us you giant idiot!"

Tirek ran into position behind them, firing his magic over their heads. It slammed into the ongoing struggle and began to overpower the six ponies rapidly. The beam grew closer and closer to them.

"No!" Twilight said "How can you have more power than our friendship!"

"Just who the hell do you think you're dealing with!?" Engineer shouted back. "We've overcome more than you can imagine!"

"We've climbed mountains, and fought monsters!" Cozy shouted.

"We've stolen from fortresses, and escaped from dragons!" Tirek added.

"And through it all we've formed bonds that no one thought were possible!" Chrysalis finished.

"We're the worst of the worst!" Engineer screamed. "The scum of Equestria! And we've come here to defeat you!"

"WE ARE!!" They roared in unison "THE LEGION OF DOOM!!!" And with a final effort they pushed the spell back all the way that it had come. There was a bright flash as the ponies were sent flying back. Part of the ceiling collapsed between the two groups, a cloud of dust hiding them from each other for a moment.

As the dust cleared Cozy Glow flew forward with Grogar's bell, and absorbed the magic from the defeated ponies into it. But as she looked over them she noticed something was wrong. "Where's Twilight?!" She demanded.

"Even if we knew." Rainbow dash said. "We wouldn't tell you."

Chrysalis flew over, joining Cozy. "Oh well, we'll just have to track her down. And without her friends, she'll be helpless."

"Did you use the bell to take their magic, Cozy Glow!?" Tirek asked. "You should have let me absorb it!"

"I was thinking fast, Tirek." Cozy retorted. "The last thing we need is to take any more risks."

"Speaking of risks." Chrysalis said. "I saw the Princesses on my way in, I think we should retrieve them before they can recover."

"Fine." Tirek said. "As long as I get their power."

"That sound fair, right Engy?" Cozy looked around, but couldn't see Engineer standing with them. She looked back and saw her lying on the ground. "Engy!"

The three of them rushed over to her. "What's wrong?!" Chrysalis asked.

"Nothing." Engineer wheezed out, "Just thought I'd lay here for a bit."

"She's exhausted." Tirek said. "We should let her rest. Cozy, you stay with her while Chrysalis and I round up all our defeated foes."

Cozy nodded as Chrysalis and Tirek left, grabbing the five defeated ponies as they did. Engineer laughed before wincing as pain shot through her side.

"Engy!" Cozy said. "Are you alright."

Engineer smiled. "It's alright now, it's all over now Cozy, we're safe."

Flying above the Everfree, Thorax and Pharynx looked for any sign of the ponies that had abandoned their town. Thorax shivered as a cool gust of wind blew past them "Does it seem colder to you?" Thorax asked.

Pharynx nodded. "Yeah." He looked down and through an opening in the trees they spotted a crowd of ponies. They swooped down to investigate. As they landed they spotted a familiar pony.

"Trixie!" Thorax said.

"Thorax!" She responded, "Hello, Pharynx."

"Hello, Trixie." Pharynx said back.

"What's going on here?" Thorax asked.

"It's chaos here, we fled when Tirek and Chrysalis attacked the town." Trixie said. "Trixie don't know what's going on, or where Starlight is."

A unicorn that neither Changeling recognised joined them. "Thank goodness, I was beginning to think that no help was coming. My name's Stygian, It's good to finally meet you Thorax."

"Stygian?" Pharynx asked. "The pony of shadows?"

"Yes, well uh, not anymore." Stygian said. "But that doesn't matter right now, we need to deal with the creatures that are rampaging around Canterlot as we speak."

Pharynx winced "Wow, I knew they'd be pissed, but not rampaging pissed."

Trixie raised an eyebrow, "What does that mean?"

"It means we may have a way to stop this from going any further." Thorax said. "But it's kind of a long story, you and Stygian may want to sit down."

Trixie sighed "Why does Trixie get the feeling that whatever you have to say is going to be a doozy?"

Chapter Six: Old things are new again

Over a thousand years ago

The castle was asleep, servants and nobles alike were in their beds, the halls and corridors were dark, the only sound that could be heard was the scurrying of vermin, fattening themselves on whatever scraps they could find.

This was Sobokas favourite time, during the day he had to deal with the hoards of sycophants watching his every move, as well as the ever present castle staff that seemed to be invisible to everyone else but him. Soboka smiled, with no one to bother him he could use the peace and quiet to do his favourite thing, read.

Sitting in the royal library, the only light source a lantern to read by, he could concentrate solely on his book. A rather interesting treatise on economic theory, something that he had recently taken a strong interest in, it filled his head with new ideas, things that he could implement when he became king. He had tried to talk to his fathers councillors about them, and they dutifully listened, but as he talked about gold being valuable because they believed it was he could see their eyes glazing over in front of him.

The councillors tried their best, but in his opinion they were too risk adverse, and with his father always away to fight some battle or to assault a stronghold they were being entrusted with more authority then they could handle, when his father came back he-.

Sobokas ear twitched, there was someone else here, he sniffed the air, catching a familiar scent. He picked up the lantern to investigate the intrusion. He heard the muffled sound of footsteps behind a bookshelf, he moved silently towards them. He approached the corner of the shelf, ready to confront whoever had dared to interrupt him. He readied himself and then jumped around the corner, snarling as he did so.

A rat ran squeaking away, but other than that, there was nothing else behind their other than the rows of books. Soboka smiled, it had only been a stupid rat, he shook his head, he could have sworn that he could smell-.

"BOOOO!!" A voice shouted behind him, Soboka let out a high pitched scream and tumbled to the ground. He looked up at the voice and was annoyed to see, none other than his sister laughing at him.

"You should have seen the look on your face" Engineer said wiping a tear from her eye, "And that scream, what the hell was that?" She held out her hand to Soboka, who reluctantly accepted it, allowing her to help him to his feet. "What are you doing up this late anyway?" She asked.

"I wanted to have some time alone to read, but that seems to be ruined now" He said, he picked up his dropped lantern, thankfully it hadn't broken. "How about you?"

"I Just finished a design on a secret project." She said "My work hours have been kind of erratic, so this is like the middle of the day for me."

Soboka returned to the desk to continue his reading, Engineer followed him and sat down opposite of him. He found himself unable to focus as Engineer stared at him from across the table. "What?" he asked.

"Aren't you going to ask me about the secret project?" She said.

"Well if it's a secret I don't think that you should go around telling people about it." He replied.

"Oh come on" Engineer huffed "I promise that it's much more interesting than whatever you're reading."

"This is actually very interesting, it's all about these things called market forces, and how they influence the price of" Soboka watched as Engineers eyes glazed over, "Fine, what's your secret project?"

"I can't tell you, it's a secret" Engineer chuckled at the expression on her brothers face. "Just kidding, you know how dad is worried about the griffon clans right? Well he has commissioned me with coming up with a solution, and may I present, the airship." Engineer rolled a drawing of a strange contraption on the table, it looked like a ship, but in place of sails was a large bag that was suspended above it.

"Is this thing supposed to fly?" Engineer nodded "I've gotta admit, that is pretty cool. If we built a fleet of these, we could make a fortune ferrying trade goods over land."

"But knowing our father it's only going to be used for war" Engineer sighed "I had a lot of fun working on something that wasn't just another weapon."

Soboka nodded "I'm afraid that it's going to bite us in the future, sure we've united the Diamond Dogs, but instead of consolidating, now he wants to fight the griffons, and after he's done with the griffons" Soboka scoffed "And after them he'll probably wan't to pick a fight with those ponies."

"I wouldn't be too worried about the ponies, I don't think there is a single one of them who could stand up to us." Engineer said "Speaking of our father where exactly is he?"

"He's gone off to crush some revolt, he'll be back in a few weeks." Soboka answered "And while he's gone, maybe we could work on something together? Something that isn't just meant to kill things."

"Will I have to listen to a lecture on economics in return?" Engineer laughed "What am I saying, of course I will."

Present day

Engineer couldn't believe what she was seeing, Chrysalis had promised her a surprise, but she had never expected this. "You have no idea how much I've missed a good steak."

"Trust me, we know." Chrysalis said "Every time we have something to eat you're always moaning about it."

"So thats meat." Cozy said "It looks weird, why is it that colour?"

"I don't know, I just followed the cook book." Tirek replied "I hope that it came out alright."

"Well you did a good job Tirek, It smells great." Engineer cut into her meal, and lifted up a piece to inspect. "Medium rare, Perfect." She couldn't help but let out an excited giggle, she brought it up to her mouth and bit into it "What the-!" It felt like she had just bit into a rock, she pulled it out of her mouth and was shocked to see that the piece of meat had been turned to stone. She looked around the table, her eyes going wide as she saw the three frozen faces of her allies. They had been turned to stone, Chrysalises face was locked in a silent snarl, Tirek was recoiling from an unseen force, and she could see the fear in Cozy Glows eyes as the fillies face was set in stone.

"Well, Engineer, it seems you have escaped." She felt a tightness in her chest as she heard a familiar voice behind her, she turned around and felt the blood drain from her as she saw her worst nightmare emerge from the shadows.

"Celestia?!" Engineer said "What have you done to them!?"

"We have done what needed to be done." Luna said, joining her sister from the darkness "They were too dangerous and had to be stopped, permanently."

"Give them back!" Engineer snarled, advancing on the Princesses, but before she could take another step, she felt an immense weight holding her foot down.

"And that goes for you too." Celestia said as Engineer slowly turned to stone. "Last time we were too lenient, a thousand years in stone and you still wished to do harm to Equestria. Well this time, we've changed things a bit." A cruel smile was on Celestias face "This time you will and your little league shall remain conscious while you're all set in stone."

Engineer could only look on in horror as once again her body was turned to stone, "How did this happen? How did you find us?"

"They didn't" The voice of Grogar echoed around the room "I led them here, you were all planning to betray me, and rule Equestria together." As the stone crept towards her face, the voice began to change in pitch, to one that was unrecognisable to her "Now you will all be together forever!"

Engineer awoke with a start, her eyes darting around the room, her heart was pounding as she took in her surroundings. She was sat up in her bed, an alarm clock was ringing on the table next to her, she silenced it by knocking it to the ground. "Am I still dreaming?" she asked herself as she got out of bed and trod on the now broken clock. "Ow, nope not dreaming" she said as she hobbled towards the bathroom.

She stared at her face in the bathroom mirror, she looked like crap, while she was looking at her own wrecked appearance she saw the figure of a purple pony standing behind her. She whipped around, only to find nothing there, she must have been more tired than she realised and decided that a nice shower would wake her up.

After her shower she dragged herself downstairs to the kitchen, it was her turn to make breakfast so she busied herself with all of the preparations.

"Morning Engy" Cozy Glow flew in and hovered next to Engineer "what's for breakfast?"

"Eggs and toast" Engineer said.

"Can I have mine sunny side up?"

"Scrambled it is."

Cozy glow crossed her hooves "Well someones grumpy this morning, what's wrong?"

"Nothing" Engineer said.

"Come on, tell me" Cozy buzzed right in front of Engineers face. "Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell m-"

"If I cook you're damn eggs the way you want will you stop pestering me?" Engineer asked.

"Hell no, now that I know you're hiding something, I won't stop bothering you until you spill it." Cozy said, an innocent smile on her face.

Engineer groaned "Fine, I had a stupid nightmare alright."

"Oh, golly" Cozy said, looking a bit deflated "I see." She floated down onto the counter and sat there, "Was it a bad one?"

"Yep, the Princesses found us, they turned you all to stone in front of me, then they did the same to me." Engineer said "I can still feel it."

"That's terrible Engy, I'm sorry I brought it up" Cozy said. "You know what you need? A hug."

"I don't need a-" Cozy was already latched onto her, Engineer rolled her eyes and returned the hug "Thanks Cozy."

Cozy looked up at her smiling "So how about those sunny side up eggs?"

Engineer laughed "You devious little filly, alright then sit down at the table and I'll bring them over when they're ready."

While Cozy flew over to the table and settled herself in, Chrysalis entered. "Coffee?" she asked, Engineer handed her a mug full of the black stuff, which she accepted with a yawn and joined Cozy at the table.

Cozy Glow eyed up the mug "Can I try some?"

Chrysalis raised an eyebrow "Sure" she said, and handed the mug over to Cozy, who took one sip before spitting it out onto the ground. Chrysalis laughed while Cozy wiped her tongue with her hooves "You're gonna have to clean that up later."

"That tasted like sh- I mean poop" Cozy said, Chrysalis had threatened to withhold ice cream from her if she didn't stop swearing.

"That's better" Chrysalis said, while pouring a considerable amount of sugar into her coffee. "So what's the plan for tonight Engineer?"

"I'll wait for Tirek to arrive first." Engineer said, she didn't have to wait long as he arrived just a minute later and annoyingly chipper.

"Nothing like a good morning workout to wake you up." Tirek grinned "You guys should try it, it's amazing."

"I'd rather get my wing torn off again." Chrysalis said, sipping her coffee.

"Your loss" Tirek joined them at the table "Who spilled something on the ground?"

"Don't worry about it." Engineer said, bringing over the plates of food. The group enjoyed their breakfast, and after it was all cleaned up, it came time for Engineer to reveal her plan. "My work is almost complete, theirs just one last thing that I need. When I was working for the Diamond Dogs I made many interesting discoveries in runic magic."

"Is this going somewhere?" Tirek asked "Or are you just taking another opportunity to gloat."

"The point is Tirek, that I made extensive records of the exact methods to create powerful weapons and armor." Engineer said.

"And then it was all burned to a crisp." Cozy glow said.

"Not quite." Engineer said "While most of my work was lost, I had hidden a record of some of my more important notes in the library of our castle. All we have to do is go back there, sneak in, find it, and then get back here. Any questions?"

Chrysalis raised a hoof "Yeah, you do realise it's been a thousand years, what are the odds that your notes haven't turned to dust or been used as some creatures toilet paper?"

Cozy Glow laughed "That would be funny, powerful magical theory smeared with sh-" Chrysalis glared at Cozy "Never mind, luckily for Engy, I believe that theirs a good chance that her notes are still intact. While I was at the school of friendship, we went on a field trip to the 'King Soboka Museum', and while I was there the tour guide was quite proud of how well preserved the Library was."

"Huh" Tirek said "We've stolen from a mountain, then a train, a cave, a castle, and now a museum. Hopefully there won't be as much excitement as the other places."

"We'll go in tonight." Engineer said "We have a good idea of where it is so it should be easy for Chrysalis to get us there. We'll meet up in the main room in a few hours and then our heist begins."

The cave that led to the castle of the Diamond Dog kings was once one of the most heavily fortified places in Equestria. Hundreds of elite guard stood watch, enchanted gate houses blocked your path, hidden traps and magical curses could tear an army to pieces. The sign above the cave read 'two bits for adult, one for students, children under five for free'.

An uneasy feeling griped Engineer as she approached the cave entrance, flashes of what happened the last time she was here over a thousand years ago surfaced in her mind, she shook her head, trying to focus "Cut that crap out Engineer, we're here to do a job."

"Why are you talking to yourself?" Cozy said, hovered beside Engineer.

"I hope it's not that moon sickness again." Tirek said "The last thing we need is for her to be out of action in the middle of this."

Chrysalis rolled her eyes "Wow Tirek, you're just a reservoir of sympathy. Let's just get the damn thing so that we can all go home."

They walked into the entrance of the cave, Chrysalis and Tirek providing a light source with their magic. They didn't have to worry about getting lost, a raised wooden pathway led them straight to the entrance to the castle. They passed an empty admissions stand as they approached the castle gate.

"So how are we getting in?" Cozy asked. Chrysalis used her magic, the lock on the gate glowed green as she tried to pick it.

"I don't think that will work" Engineer said "I would think that the people who run this place wouldn't just-" The lock clicked as Chrysalis unlocked it. "Oh, never mind."

"You'd think this place would have better security" Tirek said "Considering they were robbed recently."

"What do you mean?" Engineer asked.

"I read in the news paper that the diary of King Soboka went missing recently." Tirek answered.

"And of course that means that someone must have stolen it" Cozy said "Whenever something goes missing, it's always because someone stole it. Honestly someone must be the greatest thief in Equestria." Cozy giggled at her joke while the rest of the group just groaned. "We don't have to worry about security, this place doesn't make enough money for them to afford it."

Tirek pushed open the gate to the castle and they headed inside. Lanterns that lined the walls magically lit up to light the area up revealing the great hall that acted as the entrance to the rest of the castle, the whole castle was lined with them, meaning wherever they went, there would be light.

"Come on, the library is near the throne room." Engineer said, as she led the group through her old home.

"So how does it feel being back home Engy?" Cozy asked.

"It feels, I don't know, strange? Everything is the same, but different." Engineer shook her head "I'm making no sense, look let's just get what we came for and leave." The group entered the throne room on their way to the library.

"So, this is where it happened?" Tirek asked.

Engineer was silent for a second before she answered "Yeah. Soboka was sat on the throne right-" Engineer noticed something strange, the throne was not vacant, a figure was say upon it and it looked like "Father?" She ran up to the throne, but stopped short when she realised what it was.

"It's just a wax figure." Chrysalis said, as she joined Engineer next to the throne. "King Soboka." She read the plaque on the throne "The last king of the Diamond Dog Kingdom, his death left no heir to assume the throne and so the kingdom was dissolved and eventually annexed into Equestria." Chrysalis moved closer, inspecting the figure with interest "He looks so-"

"Old." Engineer finished "He had a full life of ruling the Kingdom, while I was stuck in stone." Engineer stared at the wrinkled face of her brother, he was smiling but the look in his eyes was, almost sad, what did he have to be sad about? He got everything he wanted, he got to be king.

"Hey Tirek check this out!" Cozy Glow yelled, she was pointing a hoof at a sign.

"This way to the Engineers workshop" Tirek read out "This I got to see." Cozy and him raced off down a pathway away from the throne room.

"We better go after them" Chrysalis said, "Engineer, did you hear me?"

"Why didn't he have kids?" Engineer asked.

"What?"

"Soboka, what was wrong with him?" Engineer was still staring at the wax sculpture.

"I don't know." Chrysalis said "From what I read, he never married, he just did the job and then wrote in his will that Celestia and Luna should inherit the kingdom. Listen we need to catch up with those two, who knows what trouble they could get into."

Engineer nodded and they followed after their comrades, they caught up with them in a hallway, the two of them were looking at a painting.

"There you two are, what do you think you're doing?!" Chrysalis barked at the pair of them.

"Oh come on, we just wanted to see where Engy lived." Cozy said "But then we got distracted by this."

Engineer looked up at the painting, and was shocked by what was on it. It showed King Rex meeting a strange hooded figure in the mountains. "King Rex meets the Engineer" Engineer took a step back "That isn't right, he found me when I was a baby." She noticed more paintings ahead and moved up to it. This one showed the hooded figure giving her father weapons and armor to fight. She noticed another painting and jogged up to it.

"Engineer, wait?" A voice yelled behind her, she ignored it, this painting showed King Rex with the armor on, but his eyes were blacked out, she could make out a sinister grin out from underneath the hood. She ran over to the next painting, this one showing the many wars that her father fought, the next showed a mix of ponies, gryphons, and dogs pleading to Celestia and Luna to save them from King Rex. The final paining was the largest, she stopped at it, allowing the rest of the group to catch up to her.

"Engy? Whats gotten in to you?" Cozy asked.

"This is how it happened." Engineer said, pointing at the painting, "It shows Celestia and Luna leading an allied army, then them striking down the possessed king with their magic. It then shows them meeting with Soboka to make terms, and then It ends with the evil Engineer being sealed away in stone for all eternity."

"You know that's not how the story went, right Engineer?" Chrysalis said, but she was ignored. Engineer had instead walked further down the hallway towards a large door, opened it and went inside. The Inscription above it read, The Engineers Workshop.

She wasn't sure what to expect when she entered, part of her thought it would be just as she remembered, a scrambled mess of blueprints, materials and tools, to an outsider it seemed like chaos but to her it was home. But that was all gone, and what replaced it was both hilarious and infuriating. The walls were covered in cheap plastic swords that were designed to look frightening, lots of serrated edges and bends in the blade, but even if they were real would be useless in a fight. Armor that was unnecessarily bulky and covered in spikes, but seemed to leave as many vital organs exposed as possible.

Engineer walked to the center of the room, where their was a display set up, another wax figure was inside it. A hooded figure, hard at work on another cruel invention, its gnarled hands the only thing visible under its cloak. She knew why it was designed this way, there were few surviving records of her, so they had to work with what they knew about her, much like the mockery that was the cheap junk that decorated the room, she was cruel, senseless, and evil. She heard the door open behind her, the rest of her team had followed her in.

They approached Engineer as she stared at the figure, studying it, "So, this is how I'm remembered, as a monster."

"You're not gonna let all this stuff get to you, are you?" Chrysalis said "It's just a bunch of lies that they can sell to tourists."

"But they aren't lies." Engineer said "I might not have been the one wielding the weapons, but I killed all the same. Dogs, Ponies, Gryphons, and who knows what else. Because of me, so many died, Including my father."

"Don't blame yourself for that." Tirek said "It was the princesses who killed him!"

Engineer shook her head "If it wasn't for my damned weapons he wouldn't have gone off and gotten himself killed! No wonder my brother handed me over to the Princesses!"

Cozy zipped over and put herself between Engineer and the wax figure "Engy, listen to me!" She said staring directly into Engineers eyes "What happened to you wasn't your fault, we know you're not a monster, so please stop pretending you are."

Engineer scoffed "Thats a load of crap, you all know what you are, ponies, changelings, centaurs. But what the hell am I? Some weird ape looking creature that has done nothing but create death and destruction! If thats not a monster then I don't know what is. It's why I was treated so well, why they pretended I was family, why I was sealed away in stone, and why Grogar got me out. It's why you all pretend to care about me." Engineer turned away from Cozy, trying to hide the tears forming in her eyes. "So let's just get the damned book so we can all leave."

"Engy wait!-" Cozy was ignored, Engineer stormed out of the room leaving the rest of the group to run after her. They tried to follow, yelling for her to stop, her but lost track of her in the winding corridors of the castle. They ended up back in the throne room with no idea of where Engineer was

"Damn it, what the hell's gotten into her?" Tirek asked.

"The last time she was here she got turned to stone you idiot!" Chrysalis snapped "She'll be heading for the library, Cozy, do you know how to get us there?"

"It was months ago, how the shit would I remember!" Cozy shouted.

"COZY, LANGUAGE!" Chrysalis rubbed her head with her hoof, trying to calm herself. "Alright, we'll split up and look for her. Make sure to remember the path you took so you can make it back. We'll meet up here every ten minutes to see if someone else has found her. Go, and bring her back, now!"

The group dispersed into the castle to find their missing comrade, Cozy buzzed through the hallways of the castle, trying to keep track of all the twists and turns that she made. As she flew past a door she heard a heavy thump sound coming from it, she doubled back to it and went through. It was the library, "Engy, you in here?" she asked, "We are kind of worried about you. Engy?"

She darted between the bookshelves, looking for Engineer, after a short search she found her, along with someone else. Engineer didn't look up as she heard Cozy approach, she was too focused on the unconscious form of the security guard she had knocked out. "He saw me" She said flatly. "I found the book, but he saw me."

Cozy Glow looked at the unconscious pony, he was one of the old tour guides when she first came here. "He'll have a bad headache after he wakes up." She said "He'll probably think it was all a dream, if he even remembers you. Come on Engy, the rest of us are worried." She motioned for Engineer to follow her out, but Engineer stood still, staring at the unconscious pony at her feet.

"What if he tells Celestia about me?" Engineer said.

Cozy rubber the back of her head nervously as she hovered nearby "Golly, if he even gets near her she'll probably think he's a crazy old cooke. But let's leave before he wakes up, just to be safe."

Engineer shook her head, standing over the unconscious pony "I-Its too much of a risk, Cozy, you should leave, I don't wan't you to see this."

Cozy Glows eyes went wide, she shot between the pair of them "What are you doing!?"

"I've got blood on my hands already, whats a little bit more, now move." Engineer commanded.

Cozy Glows narrowed her eyes, squaring off with Engineer "What the hell, are you talking about!"

Engineer felt her breath quicken "I-I have no choice, if I don't do this then-"

"Then what!" Cozy yelled "I told you, we can just walk away, nothing will happen!"

"If I don't do this then we'll all be turned to stone! I don't want it to happen to me, to us!" Engineer screamed "If I am a monster, then at least I can use that to protect those that I care about!"

"Listen to me Engy." Cozy hovered just inched in front of Engineer, "YOU! ARE! NOT! A! MONSTER!" She pulled back a bit before continuing "In fact I can prove it." She pointed a hoof at the unconscious guard "Go ahead, do it."

"What?"

"Prove what a horrible monster you are and kill him." Cozy said "Lets see what that bullshit you've been spouting is worth."

Engineer stood stiff, she could do it easily, she could choke him to death, stamp on his head, or do any manner of things to the pony lying on the ground. But her body wouldn't respond, she began to breath heavily, she had to do it, it was the only way to save herself, to save Cozy, Chrysalis and Tirek. But no matter how hard she tried she couldn't move a muscle, she began to panic as her breathing accelerated, she pulled together the strength to look at Cozy, who had a smug look on her face, but she began to look concerned and then frightened as she saw Engineers distress. Engineer felt her legs give out, but she didn't feel herself hit the ground.

She heard the clanging of armor pursuing her, she was back in Tireks castle with Torgovors creations nipping at her heels. No matter how fast she ran they seemed to be getting closer, as she turned down a hallway she noticed a door just slightly ajar, and a purple pony staring at her from within. Despite the urgency of her situation, Engineer felt herself slow down, and as she did the sound of armor seemed to fade away with it.

The figure slipped away from the doorway, but left the door open for Engineer to follow, which she did, as she pushed the door open she was temporarily blinded by a bright light, and as it faded Engineer found her environment had changed. She was in the middle of a forest, tall trees surrounded her, she saw wild creatures scurrying in the trees and heard the sounds of nature. But strangest of all was a strange crystal house that shimmered in the sun, crystal branches hanged from the side of the house supporting a canopy of admittedly beautiful pink crystal leaves.

Engineer spotted the purple figure at the door way, it waved her over before disappearing inside the crystal home. "What the hell is going on here?" Engineer said to herself, before following the strange figure. As she walked through the door, she found herself in a long corridor along its length was decorated with paintings in the same style as in her old castle. The first one that she saw, showed King Rex meeting the Engineer, but instead of a mysterious hooded figure, it was her as a young child, scared and alone on a mountain top, her father offering her his paw.

A voice spoke to her "Do you remember any of this?" Engineer jumped and turned to her left. For the first time got a good look at the enigmatic figure that had led her on.

"You're Twilight Sprinkle!" She said "What the hell are you doing here."

Twilight smiled kindly "I'm not Twilight Sprinkle, nor am I Twilight Sparkle, I just prefer to appear as her. Let's just say that I been in your company for a very long time." As Engineer inspected her more closely, she noticed that she seemed to shimmer much like the crystals and was, semi-transparent? There was a word that for that which escaped Engineer at the moment. "I think the word you're looking for is translucent." Twilight said "And as to why am I here, well what do you think?"

Engineer thought on this for a moment before answering "Well I am dreaming, so you're a figment of my imagination."

Twilight chuckled "I suppose it doesn't matter, but would you mind answering my question?"

Engineer turned her attention back to the painting "No, I don't remember being that small."

"You were so scared up on that mountain, you were barely old enough to walk and talk." Twilight said "But then Rex found you while out hunting for bears and he took you in." Twilight began to walk along the corridor, Engineer followed her to the next painting "You always had a strange talent for making things, Engineer." This painting was of her when she was older, showing off the first helmet she had made all by herself, her father was ruffling her hair proudly "If you were a pony, this is where you would have gotten your cutie mark." Twilights smile faded "But you know what came next."

Engineer did, the next paintings showed conquest, then defeat and finally, her being turned to stone. She felt a shiver run up her body as it remembered its petrification. "And that's how the story of the Engineer ends." She said.

Twilights smile returned "Not quite, look." She pointed with her hoof further down the corridor, with more paintings lining its walls. "That was who you were, but this is who you are." Engineers eyes went wide as she followed Twilight down the corridor. She saw herself being freed from her stone prison, her meeting the rest of the legion of doom, giving Cozy a piggy back ride and celebrating her birthday. Twilight giggled at a painting of Engineer making out with Pharynx causing Engineer to blush, her face went fully red when she saw Chrysalis applying make up to her face. She also saw Tirek yanking her out of that pool of water and him treating the cut to her face.

"I've been through a lot haven't I?" Engineer said. The next painting was quite weird, it showed her back in her bedroom, unconscious with Cozy, Chrysalis, and Tirek, with all three having worried looks on their faces. "When did this happen?"

"Right now." Twilight answered, "They've brought you home, as well as that book of yours."

Engineer was puzzled by this, as she looked further down the corridor, seeing more paintings lining the walls the. She looked at the next one, but it seemed to be blurry, all she could figure out was five figures watching a sunset. "How would you, I mean, I know that, seeing as this is a dream?"

Twilight sighed "You'll find out sooner or later. But right now, you need to wake up, and see your-" Her last word was cut off as Engineer woke up.

"She's awake!" Tirek announced, Cozy and Chrysalis rushed to the bedside to see it for themselves. Engineer groaned, as she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the furious face of Chrysalis.

"Don't you ever do anything like that again!" Chrysalis yelled, giving Engineer a rather unpleasant awakening "You have no idea how much you worried us by running away!" Engineer shrinked back from the angry Changeling.

"I-Im sorry." Engineer almost whispered "Being there brought back so much pain, and I didn't know how to handle it. And I almost-" Engineer began to tear up "I almost-."

Chrysalis hugged her, interrupting Engineer "I was so scared, when you ran off, and when Cozy said that something had happened to you, It frightened me more than anything." Chrysalis smiled "I'm just glad you're okay."

"Group hug!" Cozy yelled, jumping on the bed to join the pair. "Come on Tirek, group hug." Tirek sighed, and reluctantly joined in. This touching moment was interrupted by a rasping laughter of the goat, Grogar.

"How disgustingly sappy" Grogar said, as they tried to disentangle themselves. "While I'm off trying to acquire powerful magical artifacts, because you were too incompetent to retrieve my bell, you're all sitting around doing who knows what." Grogar shook his head "If I didn't need you all, I'd gladly return you to the pathetic states you were in before I gathered you." With that Grogar turned and left, leaving the four of them angry and not just a little bit embarrassed.

"What an ass." Engineer said "I wish we could use that bell of his on him."

Tirek smirked "The only problem is that none of us know how to use it."

Cozy Glow thought for a moment before coming up with an idea "Twilight Sparkle may be the worst, but she does know stuff. She once said the Archives in Canterlot has a restricted area."

"Celestia and Luna love to hoard information for themselves." Tirek said "If there's information on that bell, it would be there."

"My triumphant return to Canterlot?" Chrysalis grinned "I like the sound of that."

"It sound like there is one more job to pull off." Engineer said, she looked at the book that they had risked so much to acquire, sitting on her bed side table. "But first, there is work to be done."