Sins of the Fathers

“I know I say this every time we come here but I do enjoy this city,” Rarity said as she, Pinkie and Rainbow Dash stepped off the elevator. “And now we get to eat at one of the best restaurants.”

“Well, after the year we had, I figured we could have a break,” Dash said as they gathered around a table. “Besides, look at the view.” She gestured to the window, showing the city’s skyline. “It’ll be a nice sight while we wait for Fluttershy and Applejack to bring the crusaders. When did Twilight say she be around?”

“She mentioned stopping at a bookstore before coming here so probably a little after the rest of us get here.” Rarity said as the two sat down at the table. “I hoped they’ll get here soon. I’m dying to try out their new appetizer.”

“Not to mention the cakes.” Pinkie Pie pointed out as she bounced into the air and backflipped into her chair. “I mean, there's also pie, cupcakes, donuts, oh and those little cookies that have jelly in the center. What are those called?”

“We can’t fill up on sugar, Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash said as she picked up a menu.

“Aww, why not?” She said, going to a puppy eyes look. “They say it has the best sweets.”

“Because, if we eat nothing but sugar, we’ll have a repeat of the Bake-Off incident.” Rainbow Dash answered. “And I do not want to stay up all night to help you…”

“Dash!” Rarity cut her off. “Not a good dinner conversation.”

“Sorry but seriously,” Rainbow Dash turned to Pinkie. “Have a soup or something first.”

“Fine.” Pinkie said, dejected. “I feel like I won’t get to dessert if I don’t eat that first.”

“It’ll be fine.” Rarity said as she looked at the menu. “We’ll order something when they get here and I’m sure that the desserts will be here before we leave.”

“Can we stop by the toy store?” Sweetie Bell asked Fluttershy. “We are trying to help Miss Cheerlee and we also need to get some new things for the camp.”

“I don’t see any problem with that,” Fluttershy said, looking around the street. It was crowded but pleasant. She felt a cool wind which caused her to shudder. It seemed weird because she could feel something tickle the back of her mind. Like something was not right but she couldn’t figure it out. “We need to be quick. Your sister is waiting for us at the new place that’s opening.”

“Ah think we can spare at least ten minutes.” Applejack said and the three of them cheered while rushing into the store. Applejack looked at Fluttershy and gave a small shake of her head and then followed them. Fluttershy looked back at the crowded street and for a second, she swore she saw some pony staring back.

“Should we follow them into the store?” Posey asked Bowtie as she watched the yellow pegasus enter the store.

“No,” Bowtie said, taking a sip from her tea. The two were sitting in a café across the street, keeping an eye on the group. “I might not be as well connected to the earth as our captain, but I can still sense that they are relative.” She sighed. “I’m disappointed in mines. I tried so hard to get out of the mud and here she is practically covered in it.”

“You think that’s bad,” Posey said, draining her drink in one gulp before throwing it over her shoulder. “Mines seem to be a wuss.” There was the sound of shattering glass. An angry stallion with bits of Posey’s drink covering him approached the two.

“Which one of you threw that?” he growled.

“I did that and before you get all huffy,” Posey said, touching her necklace. The gem glowed and the stallion’s eyes turned red. “You will leave us alone and the next pony to ask for some change, you will try to strangle them.” The stallion nodded. “Now, go away.”

“Why couldn’t you use that necklace on the sphinx?” Bowtie asked, watching the stallion trot away.

“Because where the fun in that?” Posey asked and then adjusted the necklace. “Besides, the witch I got this from said it could only take on so much. She told me to use it sparingly.”

“Speaking of, are you sure you want to keep using that?” Bowtie asked. “We never trusted unicorn magic before and yet, you abuse it so willingly.”

“Please,” Posey said, waving the air. “That old bat was a hundred years old when I bought this for a week and now we are ten thousand years past due. You think if anything was going to happen, it would have happened the second I stepped out of what even the sphinx put us in. I guess I could go home and pick up my other toys. Oh wait, as far as I know, my entire town was turned to dust. Almost all the pegasi moved to the cloud city because let’s face it, we rule the skies. But I kind of like the ground so I lived it one of our first settlements which are gone now.”

“So, maybe you should find different weapons,” Bowtie said, looking a bit unnerved.

“Aww, are you worried that I will mutter a few words and suddenly you will be bending to my will?” Posey smiled. “I hate to point this out, but I have no interest in controlling you or any pony in our little group.”

“And why should I believe you? I’ve seen your… true talent.” Bowtie looked over to a family enjoying a small lunch. “You care about one thing and one thing only. How you make sure that every pony is under your hoof. Why wouldn’t you want to use that to control the Guard?”

“You see, that's what's wrong with you earth types,” Posey said, shaking her head. She didn’t notice Bowtie gritting her teeth. “You don’t see the big picture. You think if I could control our team, I’ll be able to rule the land. But you see, this necklace might have a limit or worst, it might backfire. So, I’m going to wait to make my move.”

“And what move would that be?” Bowtie asked.

“You have to realize, the second we establish that we are the strongest,” Posey said. “Then those horn head little brats will try to make us summit or most likely kill us.”

“Won’t that establish weakness?” Bowtie asked, leaning forward.

“How best to prove you were the strongest by killing those who are weak?” Posey pointed out. “And when those two decide we serve no purpose; they will dispose of us.”

“And that’s when you’ll use the necklace.”

“No, only as a last result,” Posey said, pushing her mane back. “I think we should work together, a partnership of sorts.”

“Why would I work with you? I have Captain on my side.” Bowtie said with a smile.

“Yes, ever the smartest, that one,” Posey said with an eye roll. “Despite his size, he won’t be able to beat every challenge you face and what if your companion decided to turn on you. All your fancy fighting moves will mean nothing if he breaks your neck. But if any pony can be turned by my necklace, it will be him.”

“Alright, what do you want?” Bowtie asked.

“That’s the question of the day, isn’t it?” Posey said, look back at the shop.

Twilight was usually better with time managing than this, but she forgets one little issue: she invited Trixie to come along. Well, scratch that, she invited Starlight who asked if she could bring a friend. Twilight should have guessed it was Trixie but she kind of hoped it would be Maud.

“We should go to the theater. They are showing a movie based on the life of Hoofdini and Trixie must make sure they do a faithful retelling!” Trixie shouted as they exited the train, causing several ponies to look over at the commotion. Twilight shook her head while Starlight just chuckled a little nervously.

“We can’t go to the movie,” Twilight said with a weary sigh. “I promised that I’d meet the girls at this new restaurant.

“Well, use that new trick you’ve learned,” Trixie said. “You know, make a copy of yourself or something.”

“One, that’ll be rude,” Twilight said with a glare. “Second, the illusion only works for a minute at a time and can only do about two words right now. If you want to abandon me and run off to have your fun…”

“Thanks, bye,” Trixie said before grabbing Starlight and rushed off.

“We’ll meet up with you after the film!” Starlight shouted as she disappeared into the crowd. Twilight smiled and started to head to the tower. It was a few blocks away, so she decided to just trot over. Seeing the bookstore and after seeing she had about ten more minutes, she knew she had enough time to check out the new section. What she didn’t notice was a blue unicorn following shortly after her with a small earth pony being dragged in after him.

“There are way too many ponies in this city.” Sparkle said as she and Surprise walked down the street. Due to Surprise's large frame, he did clear a nice path, but Sparkle was still a little unsettled with the number of ponies on the street. “Seriously, why are there so many of them?”

“With no wars, the population is bound to grow out of control.” Surprise said, looking at the huddle massive avoiding him. “Is there a reason why Bright Eyes wanted to separate?”

“Recon, my good friend.” Firefly said. “If we went in here as a large group, we might draw suspicion.” She looked around at the civilians. “Although, something tells me that these ponies are used to the enemy announcing their attack. If we don’t come in with our spells at the ready, I think it will be fine.”

“WHAT ARE YOU STARING AT!?!” Sparkle scream at two fillies that glance at her, causing them to run away sobbing.

“So… don’t do that.” Surprise whisper to Firefly. Firefly chuckled before Sparkle shot a look at the two.

“Captain. Getting anything from these buildings?” Sparkle asked as they turned a corner of the street.

“I can feel the different materials they used and how they change them.” Surprise said, walking up to a tall building, placing a hoof on it. He closed his eyes and pressed in a bit. “It’s not wood anymore. It’s metal and rock that’s been fortified. I don’t know if I could break this stuff.”

“Well, we are not breaking anything up right now.” Sparkle said. “We are to lay low until…”

“Wait.” Surprise said, cutting off Sparkle. “I sense three of ponies up top.”

“So?” Firefly asked, landing next to him. He squinted harder as the wall around his hoof cracked.

“One of them is your relative, Sparkle.” Surprise said, keeping his eyes closed while concentrating. “The other one mines and I can sense yours, Firefly. But there’s more…”

“What? Can you sense an inn or maybe a spa?” Sparkle asked, looking at her hoof. “Because I need to get my hooves done.”

“No, not in this building but this city.” Surprise said, moving his hoof to the ground. “I sense two strong sources of magic on the other side of the building. They are connected to our spawns. These five are connected to another source, a powerful force.”

“What so special about it?” Sparkle asked, starting to get interested.

“It seems to be a combination of all three of us.” Surprise said, a bit amused.

“What are you talking about?” Firefly asked, look at the two now with interest.

“I sense a creature that has the wings of a pegasus, the strength of my kind and the magic of a unicorn.” He said with a smile.

“They made a creature that combines all of us. How could they make that?” Firefly asked. The three shared a look, then they shouted in disgust.

“No way!” Sparkle shouted. “They had to do it with some kind of spell. I mean, how would that even work?”

“Well, I guess if one agrees to be in the middle…” Sparkle started, getting deep in thought but was interrupted by Surprise smashing the ground in front of him, causing a couple of ponies to scurry away in fright.

“Don’t you foals get it!?!” Surprise said, a weird glint in his eyes. “A creature that had control over earth, pegasus and unicorn. That what the sphinx said that all would bow to it!”

“By the bolts, he’s right.” Firefly said, a look of shock on her face.

“By the embers, he was paying attention!” Sparkle shouted, causing Surprise to glare at her. “I’m just surprised you listen. I mean, most of the time, you seem to just growl and break whatever is in your way.”

“Don’t you see?” Surprise said, ignoring Sparkle. “If I beat this creature, then I will be stronger than all.”

“Alright, so you said that our spawns are connected by some magic link?” Sparkle asked, looking up at the building. “So, that must mean they know each other in some way, right?”

“I would assume so.” Surprise answered. “But what does that matter? We are only here for recon. Remember?”

“Yes, but you see…” Sparkle said, her horn starting to glow. “I believe recon is seeing what our enemies can do. And I also think that this building is way too tall. I mean, if a fire was to start way down here, all the ponies at the top could die tragically.”

A small ball of fire grew from her horn and started to get bigger until it was as big as a hoofing ball. She threw her head up a bit and the ball of fire erupted from her horn, bouncing off the ground. It left a large black scorch mark on the ground that sizzled for a few seconds. She caught it with her front hooves and started to wind it back.

“Sparkle, what are you doing?” Firefly shouted as she stepped back from her.

“Quite simply, Firefly.” Sparkle said, looking at the base of the building. “I’m starting a fire.”

Twilight looked at the book, Monster and How They Are Made, when she heard the door of the shop swing open. She looked up from behind the shelf to see a dark blue unicorn walk in with a small earth pony. She watched from behind the stacks as the unicorn pushed the earth pony to the ground.

“You said that history books are in here.” The unicorn said, dragging the earth pony roughly forward. “These better have what I’m looking for.”

“I don’t know what to tell you!” The small earth pony said. “I’ve never heard of Majesty and I don’t know of any history book that did.”

“Lies!” The unicorn shouted. With a blast of magic, he threw the pony across the shop. Twilight reacted quickly, diving out from the stack to catch the pony before she smashed against the wall.

“Stay out of this, Pegasus.” The unicorn growled. “I will turn you to dust.”

“Are you alright?” Twilight asked the earth pony. She nodded yes and Twilight put her down in the ground.

“Are you ignoring me?” The unicorn demanded. “Is this how you treat your superiors!?!”

“Okay, first.” Twilight turned around to face him. “I rather not do this in this store but if you continue to behave this way, I will be a force to have you arrested.” The unicorn looked shocked for a moment but then smiled.

“I see, your one of the princesses I was told about.” He stepped forward. “So, are you the one for a night or is it sunlight? Please tell me it's not love.”

“I’m the princess of friendship,” Twilight said. “Now, will we step outside or do I need to call the guards?”

“You see if I’m going to fight a princess. I rather do it up close and…” The unicorn started but was cut off by a large explosion. “What in the…”

“… So, I said to Bon Bon that as much as I want to make an arrow proof suit, I just don’t think it would look good in blue.” Rarity said, putting her spoon down. “So, who wants to look at the dessert menu?”

“Yes.” Pinkie said, whipping the menu out of nowhere. “I think I will start with the…” Pinkie stopped in mid-sentence and her eyes widened.

“I think she went into a sugar coma.” Rainbow Dash whispered, causing Rarity to giggle.

“We need to move.” Pinkie said suddenly, catching them by surprise.

“What are you talking about, Pinkie?” Dash asked. Before she could answer, the whole room started to shake. The three look around and as quickly as she could, Rainbow Dash grabbed her friends and started flying to the window. Not a second later, a large fireball ripped the floor apart. The three barely made it out before the fire consumed the entire room.

“I’ll drop you girls off and go back!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she headed to the ground. “There were ponies that I could save…” Before she could even finish the sentence, a second explosion knocked her off her course, sending the three into the ground with a loud thud. Rarity looked back in time to see the whole building being consumed by flames.

“There nothing left.” Rarity mutters, her words hanging there, like the smoke that filled the air. “It’s all gone.”

“Who did this?” Rainbow Dash growled as she pushed herself off the ground. Chilling laughter filled the air. She turned to see a red unicorn with a mad look in her eye as the flames danced around her.

“They say I would eventually get bored of this, but I still enjoy the screams!” She shouted to her two companies. “You know what will make this complete? Some old-time campfire songs. Who wants to sing a round!?!”

“Murderer!!!” Rainbow Dash shouted before making a dive at them. The unicorn turned in time to see Dash, but it was the large earth stallion who stepped in to block her. She hit him and it felt like she smashed into a wall.

“Nice try, darling.” The stallion said with a smile. “But next time, hit harder.” He drew back his left front hoof and with a wide swing, knocking Rainbow Dash into the ground and sliding her back to the two on the ground.

“What have we here?” The red unicorn said, approaching the three. “Let me guess Surprise, these are our spawn.”

“Yep,” The stallion said with a sigh. “And the purple mane one is yours, Sparkle”

“WHAT!?!” Sparkle shouted, looking at Rarity who still hasn’t recovered from the burning building. “That little flower? Come on, I was hoping for a little more spice.”

“You think you're disappointed?” Surprise said. “The pink one mines and she hasn’t made a single move to fight us.”

“I take it the hothead is mine’s,” The pegasus said as she stepped forward. “You know, Bright Eyes is not going to be happy about this. We were only supposed to get intel and instead you decided to blast a building full of civilians.”

“Oh, come on Firefly.” Sparkle said, rolling her eyes. “So far, their warriors are a bit on the weak side. I’m sure Bright Eyes will be fine with this.”

“What were those idiots thinking?” Bright Eyes muttered as he blasted the shop front wall open. “I told them to wait until I gave them the signal unless they find…” A blast of magic hit in his back sending tumbling forward. He got back up to see both the princess was charging another attack and to see his slave making a run for it.

“Oh, no you don’t.” He growled and teleported in front of Silver Coin. He quickly lifted her into the air and summoned a magic knife, pressing it to her temple. “Rule one of a fight, Princess. Never let your hostage get caught up in it.”

“I know.” She said calmly. Bright Eyes was a little taken aback by that, then smiled. He pressed the knife hard, causing the illusion to shatter.

“Oh, you clever little thing.” Bight Eye said. “You know, when they said that they had a princess of friendship, I was expecting you to be the weakest. I mean, the sun is a powerful star and moon is our only light in the dark sometimes. And a pony can do crazy things for love. But friendship? What’s so special about that?”

“I know,” Twilight said. Bright Eyes cocked his head, then a low growl emitted from him.

“Okay, now I’m angry.” He said through grit teeth, and with a simple pulse spell, dismissed the illusion. If she caused those illusions to distract him, that means she was heading to... With a roar, he started heading to the tower of smoke. He’ll get his slave back but first, he needs to see what makes this one a princess.

“What in tarnation was that?” Applejack asked as the building rumbled.

“Maybe it’s a parade or something,” Fluttershy said, peeking out the window. She went wide-eyed and turned around quickly. “Everypony duck!!!”

Every pony in the store dived down in time as the windows were hit by a shock wave and glass went flying. The five went behind a large display case and watched as glasses flew across the room. Applejack was the first to jump up, followed by Fluttershy.

“We need to see if anypony was injured,” Fluttershy said to the Crusaders. “Stay here and don’t come out unless it's safe.”

“We got you. Please be safe.” Scooterloo said and the two agree in unionism. Fluttershy looked at Apple Jack and the two quickly went outside. They saw a scene of complete chaos as ponies were running from a towering inferno and several were trying to put out the flame.

“Applejack, where we were supposed to meet…” Fluttershy started before the tower swayed.

“Fluttershy, we got to get any pony we can out of there!” Applejack shouted.

“You could do that.” A voice said from behind. “I prefer you to stay with us.” The two turn to see a cream color earth pony and a green pegasus with a ruby necklace. “We’ve been waiting.” The earth pony said. “For our spawn to show up and here we run into them because Sparkle couldn’t help herself.”

“Who are you?” Fluttershy whispered.

“Oh, we are family.” The pegasus said with a sickening smile. She tapped the necklace and a strange glow came from it. “In fact, How about the three foals hiding in the store come out.” Fluttershy was about a little confused until she saw Scooterloo, Sweetie Bell, Apple Bloom walk out of the store.

“Girls! Stop!” Both Applejack and Fluttershy shouted.

“Oh, believe me. They wish they could listen.” The pegasus said, her smile widening. “And soon, you’ll wish...”

“Posey, can we hurry this up?” The earth pony interrupted, brushing some dust off her coat.

“Oh Bowtie, you take the fun out of everything,” Posey said, only getting a slight glare from Bowtie. “Fine. Three guards step up behind the foals.” Fluttershy saw two guards step out from an alleyway and another from across the street. “Draw your blades and put them behind their skulls.”

“Don’t you dare hurt ma sister!!!” Applejack shouted and dived at Posey. Before Fluttershy could stop her, Bowtie stepped in. She quickly swept Applejack off her hooves and threw her to the ground. Before Applejack could react, Bowtie grabbed her right front leg and pulled back. A wave of pain washed over her and Applejack bit back a scream.

“You waste your strength without any precision,” Bowtie said, holding Applejack in a pin, shaking her head. “All I need to lean back and you’ll be cripple for the rest of your short existence.”

“You two are terrible at listening,” Posey said, her smile never leaving. “Maybe I should just kill one of the children.”

“No! Don’t hurt them.” Fluttershy shouted. Posey looked right at Fluttershy.

“That's what I wanted to see!” she shouted. “Some fire in those eyes. Come on, child! We may have been pegasi, but I know there is some magic in you. Show me that fire in our soul!!!” There was a standstill as the two stared each other down as the fire grew behind Fluttershy. Suddenly, a loud pop echo from the sky. They all look up to see a large wave of water smash into the building.

“What in the..?” Bowtie started before a large bolt of purple energy blasted from the sky. She was able to dodge out of the way, but Posey was taken by surprise. The blast knocked her off her hooves. The strange glow in the crusaders and guards' eyes disappear, causing them to shake their heads out of the confusion. Applejack, now released from Bowtie’s grasp, rollover to Apple Bloom.

“Sis, what…what happened?” She asked dazed.

“That’s what I’d like to know!” Posey shouted as she got back up. “Some pony ruined my fun!”

“Pinkie, we need to do something.” Rainbow Dash groaned as she slowly pulled herself back up.

“I don’t know what to do.” Pinkie said, trying to get Rarity to stop looking at the large inferno.

“Are you three going to do anything or just sit there like weaklings?” Sparkle asked, bouncing a small fireball like a ball off her shoulder. “Because I’m starting to get…

The sentence was drowned out by a roar of something crashing in the building. They look up to see a wave of water come crashing out of the building. Sparkle's eyes went to pinpricks before she was tackled by Surprise. The water crashed down where the three strangers stood and Rainbow Dash watched as Twilight, seemingly out of nowhere, came down and landed next to them.

“We have to move,” Twilight said, grabbing Rarity. This caused Rarity to break out of her daze as the four started running around the burnt-out building. “I don’t know who’s those were, but we need to draw them out of the city before they do any more damage.” The four manage to get to the other side of the building and see both Fluttershy and Applejack. Fluttershy was still looking at an angry Posey while Applejack was trying to get her sister to get moving.

“You’re not going anywhere!!!” A voice roar from behind the four. They turn to see a large fireball heading for them. Twilight summoned a shield to block the attack, but the ball dodged to the left and avoided the four completely. It went ahead of the four, leaving a large wall of fire behind. It made a sharp turn, causing the wall to cut off any attempt to run away, being right behind Posey and Bowtie, who was brushing off the dust. The fireball floated in midair for a second before disappearing, revealing Firefly.

“Wait, how did she pull that off?” Rainbow Dash asked out loud as they stopped.

“Have you forgotten your ways, child?” Firefly said, brushing the ash off her coat. “We are the bender of elements. The very cloud should quake under us, yet I see you conversing and caring for these…mud ponies.”

“HEY! I take offense to that.” Pinkie Pie shouted, starting to stomp over to Firefly. “Rainbow Dash is my best friend and she is nine times the worth you are.”

“A dirty little dust ball dare speak to me.” Firefly said a low hum of energy started to build.

“Stand down, Firefly!” A voice called out and the wall of fire split open. They watch as Bright Eyes step in, closing the wall of fire behind him.

“Who are you?” Twilight demanded, stepping forward to him.

“So, this is what is consider the best fighters of the realm?” Bright Eyes said, looking at Twilight and the others. He seemed to neither sneer nor smile but the look itself spoke volumes. It seemed to send shivers down the groups’ spines. “I would have expected better from ones who save this kingdom several times if that small earth pony is to be believed.”

“You didn’t answer my question,” Twilight said, her voice strong as she stands. “Who are you and why did you attack innocent ponies?”

“Oh, I can answer that.” Sparkle said, stepping into the ring of fire, followed by Surprise. “I wanted to see the building burn.”

“Sparkle, be silent!” Bright Eyes shouted but it was too late. Rainbow Dash tried to dive at her, but Twilight created a shield to keep the two groups separated.

“Rainbow Dash, wait!” Twilight shouted at her. “We can do this peacefully and no other ponies need to get hurt.”

“Does it look like we care if ponies get hurt!?!” Surprise shouted, stepping forward. “There are always casualties in war.”

“I meant, that none of you will get hurt,” Twilight said, her voice hardening. “If you surrender now, I will promise that I will give you mercy.”

“Mercy?” Bowtie smirked before the rest of them started laughing. “Mercy is not in our vocabulary.

“It means you won’t get penalized as much if we fight and you guys lose.” Pinkie shouted, pulling a dictionary out of nowhere.

“I was being sarcastic!” Bowtie shouted. “By the earth, how are we related?”

“What!?!” Pinkie and Twilight shouted at the same time.

“Can you not sense it?” Surprise said, a little disappointed. “Have you disconnected yourselves from your true nature that you can feel how our blood is connected?”

“Surprise, I’m not that shocked.” Bright Eyes said, looking around the city. He watched as several pegasi flew out of the burnt-out building, holding earth and unicorns alike. “These weaklings have allowed themselves to be diluted by peace. They don’t realize the power of a pure-blooded unicorn.”

“But they should be able to feel that we are connected by blood,” Bowtie said, looking at Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie. “Are you tell me this is the result of our child, Surprise? A farmer and a ditz?”

“What is the name of tarnation are they talking about?” Applejack shouted.

“There is no way…” Twilight looked between the groups, from Applejack to Bowtie. “You’ve time travel, haven’t you?”

“Not by choice, child.” Bright Eyes said. “A dirty Sphinx sent us to this time, claiming it could defeat us. But so far, I see a land that can be easily conquered. And when I’m done with you, I’m going to take out every one of your abominations. I think I will take out the one call Celestia out first.”

Twilight eyes went wide then and anger filled her. She reared back and with a smash on the ground with a pulse of energy, the wall of fire disappeared.

“New plan, girls,” Twilight said, her face hard with determination. “We need to protect this city.”

“So, what is the plan Twi?” Pinkie asked, stepping next to her.

“We need to get back up. We don’t stand a chance if they gang up on us.” Twilight said. “Rainbow Dash, you need to get a message to Celestia.”

“On it.” Rainbow Dash said and shot into the air. Firefly shot up after her, leaving a trail of electricity behind.

“Applejack. Fluttershy. Keep any pony from getting hurt and try to clean the streets. Rarity, get the crusaders out of here.” Twilight said. The three nodded and then ran off.

“Pinkie, provide a distraction so they can get out of here,” Twilight said.

“Aye aye, Captain.” Pinkie said, stepping forward. Surprise smirked and stared her down.

"I'm not that easily distracted." Surprise stepping forward, cracking his neck. "But I guess I'll deal with you."

"Awww, won't you rather play a game of checkers?" Pinkie asked, pulling out a checkerboard.

"I'm going to enjoy crushing you." Surprise said with a growl.

“As for all of you.” Twilight flapped her wing and shot into the air. She spread her wings and a bright light shore on to the ground, causing Bright Eyes to shield his face from the glare.

“You have threatened this land and you’ve sworn to be against my princess, my friends and the creatures under my care. I've tried to offer you all mercy and kindness but you have refused to stop.” Twilight shouted, looking down on Bright Eyes. “Please, don't continue down this path.”

“Is that all you can do?” Bright Eyes shook his head. “Beg and whine till your enemies give up out of...”

Before he could finish the sentence, a blast of energy rain down onto him. He jumped back as the beam left a crater where he stood.

“I guess the fight already started." Bright Eyes said with a sigh. "Sparkle, Take out the other unicorn. Posey, do what you do best and get me some slaves. Bowtie, I want that cowgirl's head on a pike"

"Now we're talking." Sparkle said, lighting another fireball. "I'm going to roast them to the bones!" She rushed after the three with Posey and Bowtie following close behind them.

"As for you, Princess." Bright Eyes said, cracking his neck "Let's see how you earn that crown."