The Never-Ending Ending

by 5u0myn0n4

Rating: everyone
Tags: Zipp Storm, Opaline, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Misty, Sunny Starscout, My Little Pony: A New Generation, Cozy Glow, Adventure
Length: 62474

The evil alicorn Opaline awakens an ancient evil and unleashes it upon Equestria, and Sunny Starscout and friends must unite hoof to heart to restore Harmony before the worst comes to pass.

Just as earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns have mastered their special magic, tragedy strikes at the Crystal Bright House. The Unity Crystal has been stolen by a mysterious dark alicorn! The magic of Equestria is resilient, and ponies still have access to their magic for now, but that may be the least of their concerns. What most concerns Sunny Starscout and friends, is what exactly this mysterious alicorn plans on doing with the Unity Crystal. Can Sunny Starscout, Hitch Trailblazer, Izzy Moonbow, Zipp Storm, and Pipp Petals bring the evil alicorn Opaline to justice before the worst comes to fruition?

Includes elements from My Little Pony: A New Generation, Tell Your Tale, Make Your Mark Chapter 1 and Chapter 2.

Unity Crystal image by Orin331
Cozy Glow vector by NC-TV

Published 2022-09-27 19:40:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-02-14 17:18:21 UTC

Chapter 3: Pieces

Opaline paced in circles around the Unity Crystal. To her, this was a lifetime of work finally paying off.

"You really went so far as to seal away all the magic just to keep magic away from me. I'm flattered you feared me so much. But now that magic is back, there won't be anything else getting in the way of what was rightfully mine to begin with!"

Opaline tapped the Crystal with her hoof, and her horn, but it remained dormant.

"Assuming... I'm able to activate it, and use your magic power. Seems it only responds to Sunny Starscout's alicorn magic. Pah. Hide all you want, but once Misty returns with that baby dragon, we'll see exactly how much heat you can take. Soon your magic, and the rest of Equestria's magic will be mine. All mine! Bwahahaha... haha... ha..."

Meanwhile, Zipp had turned the second story of the Crystal Bright House into her investigation room. Hitch was there to provide another perspective, and Sunny was downstairs gathering something important.

"So, where do we start?" Hitch asked.

"Let's look at the big picture. The Unity Crystal was stolen, and we gotta get it back. We don't know much about that shadowy alicorn, where she is, or what exactly she wants from the Crystal. But she's definitely up to no good." Zipp replied.

"Most definitely. What have you got, Sunny? Sunny?" Hitch asked.

Zipp and Hitch looked over, and saw Sunny struggling to lug a few heavy boxes up the stairs.

"A little help here?" Sunny asked.

Hitch and Zipp ran down the stairs to help move the boxes up the stairs for Sunny. In fact, they were able to easily carry all of them themselves.

"Why'd we set up the investigation room upstairs?" Sunny asked.

But Sunny's rhetorical questions went unnoticed. She saw Zipp and Hitch were already taking a look inside, and they were awestruck. They opened the boxes and saw the huge assortment of relics from Equestria's past. Sunny was pleasantly surprised to see Zipp and Hitch so impressed by her dad's collection of stuff.

"Wow, Sunny, your dad's got a wicked cool collection of old stuff." Zipp said.

"Thanks." Sunny replied. "I haven't had time to unpack everything since moving everything to the Crystal Bright House. Not to mention, some stuff might be out of chronological order. Or plain gone missing after the old house was destroyed."

Hitch and Zipp were amazed at Argyle's collection of Equestria pieces. A complete map of old Equestria! Artifacts. Scripts of past events. Even sketches and descriptions of ponies from the old Equestria.

Hitch looked over and saw Sunny was getting teary eyed looking back on her dad's old stuff.

"Your dad really cared about all of this." Hitch said.

*sniff* "This stuff meant everything to him. He was all about carrying out Twilight Sparkle's wish of having earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi living together in harmony. Just looking at this stuff brings back so many childhood memories..."

"Oh, Sunny..." Zipp said.

Hitch and Zipp hugged Sunny for comfort.

Inside Mane Melody, Pipp was helping Cozy Glow to set up her new cell phone.

"So now I tap this icon to open the app... and just create an... usher account?" Cozy asked.

"Yep. Now you create a handle, and a password, and you're up and trotting!" Pipp said.

Cozy Glow attempted to heed Pipp's advice. Even with the ring on the back of the phone to hold it with her hoof, she found it very difficult to hold, let alone use.

"Show me what you've got so far, Cozy Glow." Pipp said.

"Oh, I don't know, it's not that great." Cozy said, anxiously. "Maybe I should've gotten the folding phone."

"Hah, it's fine. It's totes you." Pipp said.

Cozy Glow showed her screen to Pipp. Her Ponygram username was @Empress_of_Friendship_826.

"Huh. Interesting name. Pretty blunt. I like it though!" Pipp said, cheerfully. "I can see it now. You'll be gaining so many followers soon."

"Shouldn't I keep a low profile?" Cozy Glow asked. "After all, I'm not really from here."

"I thought you wanted to show off and be an influencer." Pipp said.

"Oh, right. I do." Cozy said.

"Now that your "usher" account is made(I swear, now you've got it in my head), time to start posting content! We'll start with a little introductory movie." Pipp said. "Jazz and Rocky here will help you film."

Cozy Glow stood on the mane stage of Mane Melody, while Jazz and Rocky pointed the phone camera at Cozy.

"And... action!" Pipp exclaimed.

Jazz Hooves and Rocky Riff started filming Cozy, and she began to speak.

"Um, hi, everypony. My name is Cozy Glow. I'm from... far away. And this whole routine you ponies have sure is strange. Um, but I sure hope to make lots of friends with everypony inside of Ponygram." Cozy said, smiling.

"Hmm? Oh! Aaand cut!" Pipp said.

"How'd I do?" Cozy asked.

Pipp looked at her phone, and saw Cozy gained two hooftaps in the first minute of her video being uploaded.

"Modest. You really gotta do something extraordinary in order to stand out these days." Pipp said. "Not to mention you didn't put any editing flourishes in your vid."

"How do I do that?" Cozy asked.

"Well first we should... hang on, that's my phone ringing. Jazzy and Rocky will point you."

Suddenly, Pipp's wing started to vibrate. It was her cell phone ringing.

Pipp answered the phone while Cozy continued to struggle.

"What is it, mom?" Pipp asked.

"Pipp! Where are you and your sister?!" Queen Haven asked.

"Relax, mom. I'm at Mane Melody, and Zipp's at the Crystal Bright House with Sunny." Pipp replied.

"Okay, good. Well stay safe. Right now, me, Cloud Puff, and everypony in Zephyr Heights is hiding in the castle's bunker for safety. Hopefully we aren't discovered by that rampaging beast. I heard he's already been through Bridlewood." Queen Haven explained. "In fact, I think it'd be wise if you and your friends evacuated everyone from Maretime Bay. It isn't safe out there."

"But mom. I..." Pipp looked back over to Cozy Glow who was intently setting up her phone.

"I'll make sure everypony is safe." Pipp said.

"That's my girl. As a ruler, the safety of your subjects is so important. And I think you understand that well. Love you both." Queen Haven said.

The phone hang up.

"What was that about?" Cozy asked.

"I think we should go. What with that big red guy wandering through Equestria, he could be here at any moment. Come on, the tour's over, let's meet back with the others." Pipp said.

But Cozy wept, and didn't want to leave so soon.

"But you haven't yet shown me the main thing that makes Mane Melody so special." Cozy said.

"Hmm... Say, even though we're not technically open, want to show Cozy Glow what Mane Melody is all about?"

Zipp's text wrote Give us a few. I think we have some time, and we're still on the case.

"Alright, Cozy Glow. Ready to become Mane Melody's new main attraction?" Pipp said.

"I'm gonna what?" Cozy asked.

Misty and Izzy were putting the finishing touches on Misty's invention. Izzy helped attach an opening and closing piece, controlled by a lever on the other end. It was also capable of telescoping, but maximum reach.

"It's nearly finished! So, what are you gonna call it?" Izzy asked.

"I call it, the extendy-hoof!" Misty exclaimed. "When I pull here, the grabber reaches out, and then grabs my target and I reel it in and shove it in this sack!!"

"That's the spirit! Nice work. Let's test it out!"

Izzy helped Misty test her extending arm grabber. She used a sack of potatoes as a test subject.

"Izzy does it. I mean, easy does it. Izzy's not here." Izzy said.

Misty managed to put a grip on the potato sack, but after she applied too much force, tension in the device snapped and it fell apart quite spectacularly.

Misty was greatly disappointed, but Izzy only giggled.

"What's so funny? My invention fell apart, and I'm likely to fail." Misty said.

"Don't work yourself up. Failure is part of the process!" Izzy said.

"Really? That's weird. So um... is success a part of the process too?" Misty asked.

"Uh... actually, I don't know." Izzy replied.

"You don't know?" Misty asked.

"Nope! Success is anything BUT guaranteed!" Izzy said.

"That sounds terrible. How can you live knowing when or if you'll succeed?" Misty asked.

"I don't know what you mean. Not knowing is what it's all about!" Izzy said.

"Huh?" Misty asked, confused.

"Not knowing stuff, means there's new stuff to learn. The real joy in life is learning new things!" Izzy said.

"Wow. I haven't thought of that." Misty said, surprised.

"Now what I do know, is if you want the rod to extend, you're going to a spring with more tension." Izzy said.

Misty took Izzy's suggestion, and finally, her invention started to click, and come together.

Inside the Crystal Bright House, Zipp was going over all the evidence and observations with Sunny and Hitch. Zipp had a huge cork board set up. In the center was a composite sketch of Opaline. Below her was Twilight Sparkle, along with separate photos of Cozy Glow, Lord Tirek, and Queen Chrysalis. Zipp knew that all of these pieces fit into a big puzzle, but she didn't quite know how just yet.

Sunny Starscout was still rummaging through her dad's box of stuff, in search of clues, or of any mention of Cozy Glow, Tirek, or Chrysalis.

"So, what do we have so far, deputy?" Hitch asked.

"I've been thinking a lot about Misty's version of the history of Twilight Sparkle. She explicitly mentioned an evil alicorn who all the magic allegedly belonged to. We saw Misty with the alicorn who stole the Unity Crystal, that's probably who she was talking about."

"And Twilight Sparkle's message warned of something. Is Opaline what she was warning us of?" Sunny asked.

"She's definitely the one who Twilight Sparkle tried to warn us about! Because if we assume that, things all of the sudden start to make a whole lot more sense." Zipp said. "Guys, think back as far as you can remember personally. Nopony could do magic until we united the Crystals together. Not long after the magic returned, who all of the sudden appears, and what do they steal?"

Hitch raised his hoof to speak.

"I know this! That Misty, and eventually Opaline suddenly appeared, and they've been after anything magic since. And the Crystal is their crown achievement." he said.

"They're Twilight's crystal which means..." Sunny said.

*gasp* "Twilight didn't create a "barrier" to keep out Opaline. She created the Crystals and sealed the magic so she couldn't have it!" Zipp exclaimed.

"Yes! Exactly what I was leading on about." Hitch said.

"But now that Opaline has the crystals, it's only a matter of time before she unlocks the magic inside!" Zipp said.

"So if she just wants all the magic, why'd she go out of her way to free those three from stone?" Hitch asked.

"I got this, Hitch. It's because she thinks they'll be helpful to her cause. That centaur can absorb all the magic from Equestria, likely so he could bring it to her and have it all for herself." Zipp said.

"She got tired of trying to take my little Sparky's dragon fire. She wants the big stuff now." Hitch said.

"And she may still get it. If Tirek ends up taking the magic from everypony, and then Opaline gets ahold of him, and unlocks the crystal, she'll have all the magic and be unstoppable. She simply won't stop until she has it all." Zipp said.

"So we know the what and why. But we don't know who exactly those three are, or why they were in stone in the first place. Anything, Sunny?" Hitch asked.

"Not yet. I haven't had a chance to organize dad's stuff since my old home was destroyed, so I apologize that it's taking this long." Sunny said.

"While you do that, we can still speculate. Like I said earlier, they were likely frozen at the same time, which would imply it was for the same reason." Zipp said. "So if Lord Tirek was sealed away because he was evil, then so was the changeling queen, and by extension..."

"Are you saying you think she's evil?" Hitch asked.

"Cozy Glow was sealed away with those two. I-I don't know what other conclusion to come to. I've had a hunch this whole time, but she refuses to give any obvious indicator." Zipp said.

"I think I found what we've been looking for." Sunny said.

Sunny Starscout held out a page from Argyle's journal, and Zipp read it aloud.

"Twilight Sparkle's coronation. The single most important day in Equestria. The day that power of leadership was handed down from Princess Celestia and Princess Luna to Princess Twilight Sparkle. After recently united with all of Equestria, defeated the likes of the evil centaur Lord Tirek, the dastardly changeling queen, Queen Chrysalis, and the conniving sinister pegasus filly Cozy Glow, Equestria enjoyed a long prosperous many years."

Everypony put down what they were doing, and they all came to the realization. The one quite clearly spelled out in front of them.

"So that's it then! She's no darling! She's downright evil!" Zipp said.

"And Pipp and Izzy are with her at Maretime Bay which means-" Hitch started.

Everypony looked at each other and gasped.

"Pipp's in danger!" Zipp said. "We gotta stop Cozy before she does something bad!"

Zipp stormed out of the Crystal Brighthouse, and Hitch quickly followed. As soon as Sunny stepped outside of the Brighthouse, she felt something. It was her mirror glowing and ringing. It'd been some time since she had spoken to her little mirror self, but she was in too much of a hurry to stop and speak with them.

Misty was just about finished rebuilding her dragon grabbing contraption. She put the last piece in place, and held it up in excitement.

"Behold! The Extendy-Hoof 2.0!(Patent Pending)" Misty exclaimed.

"Excellent! I knew you could do it, Misty! Err... I'm sorry, I never got your name. You are?" Izzy asked.

Misty looked at Izzy nervously, and decided she couldn't carry on this fib any longer.

"Look, neither of us are fooling each other." Misty said, removing her shades. "I know who you are! You're friends with Sunny Starscout! Alicorn do-gooder extraordinaire! And I'm Misty... just Misty!"

"So we're done playing pretend? Okay then! I'm Izzy Moonbow, even though we've already met and you know my name. I just thought since you were so nervous it'd be best if we-" Izzy said.

"Shut up! Why are you helping me?" Misty asked, interrupting.

"Because you needed help, and I wanted to help you." Izzy answered.

Izzy's baffling behavior only served to infuriate Misty more.

"No! I don't deserve your help! I serve Opaline! Your arch nemesis! You saw me with her! The alicorn who wants to take your special magic away! I'm evil!" Misty exclaimed.

"No you're not. You're my friend." Izzy said.

Misty paused, as Izzy's words hit her in the gut.

"You stayed with us at our traditional unicorn sleepover. And we just built some wicked cool contraptions with some of my junk." Izzy added..

"I-I'm you're... f-f-f-f-friend?" Misty asked.

"Y-y-y-y-y-yes." Izzy said, smiling.

"Well I'm a-a-a-" Misty had trouble finishing her sentence, and then her necklace started to ring.

"Hold on, I gotta take this."

Misty held it up, and saw Opaline's head appear as a projection in a puff of smoke.

"Misty, what are you doing? You've been gone all day!" Opaline exclaimed.

"I-I'm working on getting that baby dragon for you!" Misty said in a frantic worried tone. "In fact, that's what I was going to do next! At this very moment!"

"Well hurry it up! Lord Tirek is on his way to Maretime Bay! And if he or anyone else gets to that dragon before us, then that complicates our plans considerably! Don't let me down again, Misty!" Opaline said.

The signal dropped out as Opaline hung up, and she disappeared.

"I'm sorry. I gotta go. " Misty said.

"I get it. Mom troubles." Izzy said, winking.

"She is not my mom!" Misty shouted, embarrassed. "She's just a pony who found me when I was very little... and raised me... and has been with me through every step of development."

"Mmm hmm. You're not going to steal little Sparky Sparkeroni, are you?" Izzy asked.

"I have to. It's what she wants. I just can't let her down." Misty said.

"But what does Misty Bright Dawn want?" Izzy asked.

"I-... I I..." Misty didn't know what words to say.

Suddenly, Izzy and Misty felt the ground shake, and heard loud thunderous steps in the distance.

"I gotta run!" Misty took her contraption and ran.

"Misty, wait!" Izzy chased after her.

Chapter 4: Flipped

Inside Mane Melody, a tiny crowd was gathering. Posey and Windy brought Sparky with them to witness the latest addition to Pipp's singing group at Mane Melody. But outside, Zipp, Hitch, and Sunny were rushing to Mane Melody to warn Pipp of their findings.

Zipp, Hitch, and Sunny burst through the main entrance of Mane Melody.

"Pipp! Get away from her! She's-"

But Zipp could barely here herself over the loud booming rave music. Everyone looked at the stage and was astonished. Standing in center stage with Pipp's lucky mic, was Cozy Glow singing the Mane Melody main theme.

Try something new

Take a chance

Just believe it

At Mane -- Melody!

Everypony in Mane Melody clapped and cheered for Cozy's performance.

"Give it up for the Number 1 Cover Artist Filly in Maretime Bay, my inspiration from another generation, Cozy Glow!!" Pipp exclaimed.

Everypony cheered some more. Sparky sneezed a ball of fire at Cozy Glow, and it turned Pipp's lucky microphone into a carrot!

"Woah. Magic dragon?" Cozy said under her breath.

"Cozy Glow, that was amazing! I've never seen so many concurrent viewers on any livestream! Not to mention, your follower count is flyyyying. You're a hit. Everypony loves you!" Pipp said excitedly.

"Well, golly. I can hardly believe what you're saying. It sounds like everypony likes me!" Cozy said.

Sunny was starting to second guess their findings from earlier.

"Remember how Izzy said Sparky was growling at Misty? Well Sparky's applauding Cozy Glow." Sunny said. "Maybe she isn't so bad... anymore."

"He's a baby dragon. He doesn't know any better." Hitch said.

"She could be acting nice as a way to deceive us. I say we interrogate her now." Zipp said.

Zipp took a step forward towards the stage.

"Pipp!" she exclaimed.

"Oh hey, you guys are here! Did you guys catch Cozy's performance? Filly can wail!" Pipp said.

"Pipp, you have to listen to us. She's not as she appears." Zipp said.

"Uh... what do you mean by that?" Pipp asked.

"Well you see, she's from old Equestria as we've established. Well we did some digging and we found that-" Sunny said.

"She's evil!" Zipp exclaimed, speaking over Sunny. "She tried to take over Equestria with those other two creatures. That's why she was in stone with them."

Everypony, and even Sparky all gasped at Zipp's accusation. Cozy Glow took a step back, nervously.

"Cozy Glow?" Pipp asked.

"I mean... I did some bad things in the past, but I think I've more than served my time..." Cozy said.

"Yeah-huh. Anything else you'd like to say?" Zipp asked.

"Umm..." Cozy bit her lips before speaking aloud again. "Okay, I'll admit it. I did some things a long time ago that Twilight Sparkle wasn't happy about... to put it mildly."

"Why'd you do it?" Zipp asked.

"It's because, I thought that was the only way. She showed everypony how powerful friendship could be, and I wanted that power all to myself." Cozy Glow explained. "But now I don't know what to think, lost in the far future like this. But thankfully, you all have done a fantastic job showing me what makes Maretime Bay so special. Which is why I've decided to..."

Suddenly, Cozy noticed that Windy was gesturing to her. She gave Cozy a double ear flitter, eye twitch, and a wink. Cozy read these gestures and knew exactly what she was trying to say.

"Hehehe... You know what? I think I need to step outside with my longtime friend, Windy." Cozy said, stepping down from the mane stage.

"Long time friend? Have you two even been formally introduced?" Pipp said under her breath.

"But Cozy?" Sunny asked.

"Note to self. Cozy Glow suddenly getting nervous when pressured with tough questions? Very suspicious." Zipp said to herself.

"Quit with the note taking, deputy. Do something." Hitch whispered to Zipp.

Unbeknownst to any of them, Misty was poking through the front entrance. She held her extendy hoof invention, and began extending it into Mane Melody.

"Uh... indeed. I think Sparky needs some fresh air as well. You stay here, Posey, and hold my seat please." Windy said, nervously.

Posey looked at Windy, very confused.

"Something's so not right here." Zipp said.

Cozy and Windy backed away, but while they had their heads turned, suddenly, they noticed a big metal claw approaching Sparky.

*gasp* "Sparky look out!" Hitch noticed it and exclaimed, but it was too late.

Sparky was swiped! A big metal arm with a claw at the end clamped down and trapped him, and reeled him into a fireproof net, and started to retract.

Everypony looked to the source of where the device was extending. It was Misty!

Misty's device had clamped down and trapped Sparky in a net. She quickly reeled it in, in the hopes of having the baby dragon in her possession!

Misty reeled Sparky in all the way, and had successfully caught Sparky in her hooves. She tossed away the device, and ran from the scene.

"After her!" Hitch exclaimed.

Everypony ran out of Mane Melody. They found Izzy outside.

"Wow, it works! Good use of your new invention, Misty!" Izzy exclaimed.

"IZZY!!" Zipp shouted at Izzy.

"I mean... BAD use of your new invention, Misty." Izzy said. "Come back here, it's not nice to steal baby dragons!"

Misty ran with Sparky in tow, but she was startled when she saw a large disturbance wandering through town. It was him. Lord Tirek had arrived at Maretime Bay. The presence of this huge centaur startled Misty, which caused her to trip and drop Sparky. The baby dragon tumbled forward, and landed right beneath Lord Tirek.

"Hmm. What have we here?" he said.

"AH!!" Misty panicked and quickly fled from the scene.

Tirek picked up Sparky, and the baby dragon peeked his head out of the net. But his little limbs were still restrained.

"Lord Tirek!" exclaimed Windy.

Windy ran past everypony and leaped in front of Tirek.

"Queen Chrysalis. So you've been here all this time. What do you have to say?" Tirek asked.

She transformed, revealing her to actually be Queen Chrysalis.

"I see you've met the baby dragon." she said.

"This little squirt? What of it?" he asked.

"I've been searching around for sources of magic, and I think this baby dragon is the hot token item I've been searching for. You already have plenty of your own magic, so I order you to return it to me."

"You want this dragon? Well if you want it, it's probably really important, so best I keep the little tramp away from you." Tirek said.

Chrysalis growled.

"HEY! You two stop fighting!" Cozy exclaimed.

Cozy walked up to the two of them.

"We're three outcasts in the far future! We have enough enemies as it is without us fighting each other! Now cease your arguing, so that we can combine our forces together!" Cozy exclaimed.

The two villains snarled, but

"Okay, so maybe it's the logical choice." Chrysalis said, still not feeling sure.

"Fighting each other does seem like a waste of energy So long as you two promise no betrayal." Tirek admitted.

"I wouldn't dream of it." Cozy said, grinning. "Besides, if this baby dragon has power worthwhile, there ought'a be plenty to go around."

"Cozy Glow!" Pipp shouted.

"Okay. I wouldn't betray you guys. But them? Hehe." Cozy giggled.

Everypony ran up to them.

"Betrayal? Cozy, what are you doing!?" Pipp cried.

"Oh. Sorry Pipsqueak, but this whole thing we had going was just biding time until the right moment came to stab you ponies in the back." Cozy said.

Pipp's jaw fell all the way open.

"What? You wanted me to have an influence over ponies. Well with the power of these two, I'll have an iron influence over everypony!!" Cozy exclaimed. "Thanks to you, I know exactly what I'm going to do!"

Cozy flew close to Sparky and tickled his chin. The baby dragon partly giggled, but mostly wept.

"Now, Chrysalis. You said there's something real special about this dragon. What exactly is it?" she asked.

"Ever since we were freed, I've been listening closely in on things. After overhearing how that dark alicorn uses dragon fire to power herself up, I immediately became curious. I've been observing this dragon since I arrived in Maretime Bay, and after seeing what its fire breath can do, I knew he was our ticket to power." Chrysalis explained.

"Oooh. Show me what that dragon fire can really do!" Cozy said.

"Even I am unsure of its capabilities. Wanna be our test guinea pig?" Chrysalis said.

"I would be delighted!" Cozy said, smiling.

Chrysalis held Sparky, and used her magic to coax him into sparking a charging flame.

"Wait, is that dragon fire going to torch me? Or make me really powerful?" Cozy asked.

"It's a win win either way." Chrysalis said.

Cozy gulped, having second thoughts about this.

Chrysalis tickled Sparky's nose, which made him itchy. Sparky breathed in and then sneezed out a great ball of fire at Cozy Glow!

Cozy Glow screamed and then-

*gasp*

But then suddenly, the flame ball spun around, and then the flames expelled in a huge outward burst.

Cozy Glow emerged from the flames as a fiery pegasus! Her wings were lined with fire, and her forehead was set ablaze, but in a deliberate and controlled way. It was almost like being an alicorn with a horn made of fire.

"Woah!" she said.

"Now do me!" Chrysalis said, handing Sparky to Cozy.

Cozy held Sparky and tickled his nose. Sparky resisted, but ultimately gave in and he sneezed fire at Chrysalis, turning her into a fiery Changeling!

Everypony watched in horror as they felt helpless seeing the powerful trio become even more powerful. But none were more horrified than Misty watching from the outskirts of town.

"Can I have some of that powerful dragon fire?" Tirek asked.

"Eh, you have plenty of magic from that unicorn forest." Chrysalis said.

"But if you want more magic, there's an entire bunker underneath the throne room in Zephyr Heights we can invade." Cozy said.

*gasp* The pegasus sisters gasped when Cozy revealed the secret bunker their mom was hiding in.

"NO!!" Pipp and Zipp exclaimed.

"What do we do?!" Sunny exclaimed.

"I don't know, but we have to do something!" Zipp exclaimed.

Zipp flew towards them.

"Zipp, wait!" Hitch cried.

Tirek used his magic to grab the structure of Mane Melody, and topped it over onto Sunny and gang.

The entire building collapsed directly onto everypony, and the villains fled the bay in a portal.

Under the rubble, Sunny had become an alicorn just in time in order to protect her friends with a magic bubble. Everyone climbed out of the rubble to catch their breath.

"What just happened?" Sunny said, still in awe and in shock.

Suddenly, Pipp felt her phone ringing. She answered the call, and it was their mother.

"Pipp! Zipp!" Queen Haven said through the phone call.

"Mom! Where are you?!" Zipp asked.

"There's been a breach in the bunker! Somehow they found our hiding spot, and now we're under attack!" she cried out.

Queen Haven panned the camera to show Chrysalis and Cozy Glow laying fiery waste to Zephyr Heights, and Lord Tirek absorbing magic from all the pegasi.

"Mom! Don't worry, it's going to be okay! We'll figure out how to solve this!" Zipp exclaimed.

"Don't worry about me! Save yourselves!" she cried.

Suddenly the live feed cut out.

"Mom's in trouble! And so's everyone in Equestria!" Zipp exclaimed.

"Well, if magic hadn't come back, then he wouldn't have any magic to steal in the first place!" Posey exclaimed, climbing out of the rubble herself. "And that dragon! Who would've thought that dragon brought with it the key to ultimate destruction!"

Her impulsive comments made everypony gasp in shock.

"Uh, I didn't mean, well, I guess I did. What I meant was-" Posey said.

"Ma'am, I'll have you know that-" Hitch said interrupting

"That what? Am I wrong?" Posey asked, also interrupting.

"That Sparky is... what you said wasn't a very nice thing to say." Hitch said.

Posey pouted, and left the wrecked area.

Zipp noticed Pipp looking over the destroyed salon, with her head in a slump.

"Pipp, are you okay?" she asked.

"You were right, Zipp. I was a fool for trusting her..." Pipp said, sobbing. "And thanks to my big mouth, mom is is danger, and there's nothing we can do to stop them!"

Pipp put her hooves over her face, and she flew off.

Zipp growled, and took her anger out on Izzy.

"None of this would've happened if... err... What were you thinking, Izzy!? You saw Misty with Opaline, and you helped her build a dragon capturing device?! Why didn't you turn her into us!?" Zipp questioned.

"I know. I just thought that if I made her into my friend, she wouldn't want to do any of those harmful things any more. But you were right. I was wrong..." Izzy said.

Izzy hung her head and turned her head away from the scene.

"Where are you going? Now's not the time to wander away all sad like!" Zipp exclaimed.

"No. Now is the time for all of us to wander off all sad like." Izzy said.

Izzy ran off weeping.

"Wait, Izzy. I didn't mean- I was just saying..." Zipp said.

Sunny too was disheartened by everything that just happened.

"Sunny?" Hitch asked.

"I'm supposed to protect Equestria and the magic. But how can I protect it now? The magic coming back was supposed to be a gift from everypony. But if they're going to steal it and keep it to themselves then... then... I guess that's just how things are going to be." Sunny said, weeping.

Sunny was about to leave, but Zipp reached out.

"Sunny, wait! Please don't go. If there's anypony who can fix things, it's you." Zipp said, with tears dripping.

"I'm sorry... but I think we're in over our hooves for this one... I don't have a solution..." she admitted.

Sunny slowly trotted off, as tears dripped down.

"Zipp?" Hitch asked. "Is this it? Are they just gonna takeover Equestria, and abuse my little baby Sparky?"

Zipp stood in silence for a moment, and then spoke.

"No... I refuse to quit. But before we fix things with Equestria, I think we need to fix things with our friends..." Zipp said.

Misty stood at the outskirts of Maretime Bay, and took in the collateral damage done to the town.

Suddenly, Misty's necklace started to glow and vibrate. The jolt spooked Misty and she would've dropped it had it not been around her neck. Misty opened her mirror in a rush.

"Misty! Are you there!? What happened at Maretime Bay?!" Opaline asked.

"So... remember how you said you wanted the dragon so you could have the dragon fire?" Misty asked.

"Where is the dragon?!" Opaline exclaimed.

Misty bit her lip, and didn't want to speak.

"The centaur took it!" Misty blurted out. "Now he and Cozy Glow and Crystalis are using the dragon fire to perk themselves up! Please don't be angry!!"

Opaline made angry hissy noises, and nearly screamed in fury.

"Son of a H-"

Misty pressed mute on her compact so she didn't have to hear Opaline cuss out her frustrations.

After Opaline slowed down, Misty unmuted her.

"I hope you're pleased." Opaline said.

"Not one bit! That dragon and all the magic belongs to you! Not them! What do we do?" Misty asked.

"I'm not sure. It might be impossible to salvage this operation and carry out with the original plan.. Hmm... unless..." Opaline pondered.

"Unless what?" Misty asked.

"If there's one pony who can stop them, take their magic, and get the dragon back, it's Sunny Starscout." Opaline said.

"So do you want me to-" Misty said.

"You go talk to Sunny's friends and try to talk sense into them." Opaline said, interrupting. "Sunny still has the compact mirror, so I'll just have to have a word with her myself. Alicorn-a-alicorn."

"You want me to talk to Sunny's friends so they can unite and save Equestria from-" Misty started.

"I don't care about them! Go distract them for all I'm concerned, just leave Sunny to me. I know just what to say to her." Opaline said.

The feed cut out, leaving Misty alone to sort of come up with her own plan. Then she remembered the story Opaline told her about the time Twilight Sparkle saved Equestria with her friends. You know which one. She wondered if something like that could be used to save Equestria now.

Chapter 5: Reconnecting

In the throne room of Opaline's castle, the Unity crystal floated above her magic pool. Opaline continued to pace around, and glare at the crystal.

"Your creation continues to taunt me, Twilight Sparkle. It is keeping what's rightfully mine away from me."

The crystals continued to float in place, and did not respond or react to any of her words or actions.

"Hmph. That centaur took my magic, and I am out of dragon fire. There is nothing I can do to break open the crystal."

Opaline used the little magic she had left to peak at what the trio were doing. She watched them use Sparky to torch each other with his dragon fire, and become more powerful.

"Grrr. Forget dragon fire for now! Focus, Opaline. keep your eyes on the prize. I must have that magic. But to break through, I need the most potent magic there is! And that magic currently resides in that lowly Sunny. Er-hehehehe. Sometimes the best plan, is an old plan. Time to dial in Sunny Starscout." she said.

Opaline spied on Sunny slumped over in her community garden.

"If you love to help other ponies so much, then you're going to help me, Sunny." Opaline said.

Zipp and Hitch were unsure what they could even do next.

Hitch had his head on the desk, as he moped about everything that had gone wrong, whilst Zipp paced back and forth in the office, pondering the best course of action.

"What do we do?" Zipp asked.

"Give up?" Hitch suggested. "This whole situation is our fault."

"Hitch, it's not any of our faults. Pipp and Izzy were taken advantage of, and it isn't fair to hold it against them." Zipp replied

"It's not them, it's me. I should've been keeping a closer watch on Sparky. I've been so desperate to get back my free time, I've been lending him to anypony offering to watch him, and because of my recklessness now he's in evil hooves." Hitch said.

"Hitch, it's okay. I know things look very dire, but, there isn't any situation that can't be overcome. We just have to figure out how to do it." Zipp said.

"Well for starters, we gotta get Sparky back." Hitch said. "Not only is he giving them all the power they could ever want, I miss my dragon son..."

Outside the station, Misty was leaning against the front door, peeking through the window. She put a bit too much force on the door, as it swung open, and she fell onto the floor inside.

"Woah-oh OOF!"

Zipp and Hitch looked over and saw Misty fallen over.

"Sorry, I thought it was a pull door." Misty said.

"Hey! It's you!" Zipp exclaimed.

Hitch sprang up and put hoofcuffs on Misty.

"You're under arrest, Misty Bright Dawn! For lying and extortion!" Hitch exclaimed.

"Woah woah! Hey! Easy!" Misty cried. "Listen! I'm here to help!"

"We don't need your help." Zipp said.

"Sure, you don't need my help. You need each other's help! You have to reunite with your friends!" Misty exclaimed.

Zipp and Hitch looked at each other, confused.

"Why do you care?" Zipp asked.

"Because in days of old, when Equestria was in trouble, Twilight Sparkle would unite with her friends and use the magic of friendship to restore peace! Twilight Sparkle and her friends aren't here to do that, but you guys might be capable of the same thing!" Misty said.

Hitch and Zipp looked at each other, bewildered.

"Say that again, but slower this time." Hitch asked.

"Uh... NO! I already said to much!" Misty said, panicking that she'd said something she shouldn't have.

"Is this another story that Opaline fabricated?" Zipp asked.

"I don't know! I mean, it could be! It's just another bedtime story that Opaline told me! I don't know if it's true! But doesn't it sound nice? Friends coming together to make things right?" Misty said, in a desperate pleading tone.

"Curious. What do you make of this, deputy?" Hitch asked.

"Hmm. So in times of old, when Twilight Sparkle needed help, she sought help from her friends. But aside from just teamwork, how exactly does uniting make them stronger?" Zipp pondered

"I don't know! I don't know how it works! I swear!" Misty said.

"Ponies coming together..." Hitch thought. "Could that have something to do with why sometimes our cutie marks glow?"

"Cutie mark magic? But what is cutie mark magic?" Zipp pondered.

Misty shamefully put her tail over her flank, to hide the fact she didn't have a cutie mark. She wondered if they'd noticed yet.

"Well hopefully it'll come to us soon, but in the mean time, we should try to apologize to our friends. Maybe we'll feel that special spark when we make amends." Hitch said.

"Just like the spark I felt when I got my cutie mark..." Zipp said.

"Wait. Uh, apologizes for speaking out of terms, but who gave you your cutie mark?" Misty asked.

"Who gave us? Nopony gave us our cutie marks." Zipp said.

"They just... appeared?" Misty asked.

"Yeah. How do you think... wait."

Zipp and Hitch realized that Misty's flank was blank. Even though Zipp could've sworn she had a cutie mark during the unicorn sleepover.

"If your cutie marks just appeared one day... hmm..." Misty thought aloud.

But Hitch and Zipp had already turned their attention away from Misty. She saw this as the perfect opportunity to make a break for it, and break these weak hoofcuffs.

"Where do you think our friends are, Deputy?" Hitch asked.

"Knowing our friends, I think I should be able to confidently pinpoint their locations." Zipp said.

"Excellent. I'll put away Misty and-"

Hitch looked over, and saw Misty was gone. All that was left were the hoofcuffs, which were broken apart.

"D'OH! She got away!" Hitch groaned.

"Don't worry about it. Let's just focus on fixing things."

Misty watched Zipp and Hitch left the sheriff's office from a distance.

"Oh Opaline. You're going to be so proud of me when you see what I've set in motion." Misty said to herself. "And then I know you will bestow to a my cutie mark."

In the community garden outside the Crystal Brighthouse, Sunny Starscout sat, and stared at the garden. It was a beacon of ponies coming together and making something beautiful. After witnessing those three villains come together and destroy what she'd built, she needed all the encouragement she could get.

Sunny opened her compact mirror and stared at her own reflection. As she stared closer, she heard it speak to her. "Sunny... Sunny..." she heard.

Her reflection started moving independent of her own actions. On the other side of the mirror, it was Opaline, using the mirror magic to make herself appear to be a reflection of Sunny.

*gasp* "Mirror me! Sorry for not speaking to you in so long." Sunny said.

"It's alright, friend. I understand. It's been wild lately." Opaline said.

"Well thank goodness you rang. I need answers. I thought releasing the magic would make everyone's lives so much better. And it did. But now three terrifying creatures have taken that magic, and are using it against us. And now they've got Sparky, and have grown more powerful. I'm powerless against them... *sob*

"Sunny... that's where you doubt yourself. You're forgetting one important thing." Opaline said.

"What's that?" Sunny asked.

"You're an alicorn. Alicorns are special, dear. Alicorns hold more power than the rest of all other ponies in Equestria. Why, the power you have outweighs the collective magic they could ever hope to achieve." Opaline said.

"But, all that dragon fire they have. They're so much more powerful than anyone." Sunny said.

"Sunny, dear. The burning embers of dragon fire are insignificant compared against alicorn magic. The way your wings and horn shine. You've been chosen to wield the most powerful magic of all." Opaline said.

*sniff* "You keep telling me to be an alicorn, but I don't even know fully what it means to be an alicorn!" Sunny exclaimed.

"I repeat. You are an alicorn! You can fly and shoot laser beams from your FOREHEAD! It's not that complicated!" Opaline exclaimed.

Sunny withdrew her head, and teared listening to her mirror self yell at her.

"So is that all alicorns are good for? Flying around, hoarding magic, and shooting laser beams?" Sunny asked.

"Yes." Opaline replied, bluntly.

"So being an alicorn is just about asserting power over others?" Sunny asked.

"YES! Actually pretty much exactly! I couldn't have said it better myself! I, I mean, you... me... I'm your reflection... *cough* Anyway, now you're starting to understand! But, if you're still not confident in your own abilities, then I may have a way to perk you up even more." Opaline said

In the mirror image, the Unity Crystal slowly materialized in front of Mirror Sunny.

"The Unity Crystal? How did you, er I? Did I-" Sunny said, tripping on her words.

"If you do not think you can save Equestria on your own, the Unity Crystal holds magic that once belonged to the most powerful alicorn of all. Mmm, but it's locked away in its cold exterior housing. Since you're such a powerful alicorn yourself, you might be able to have some luck breaking through, and tapping into the magic deep inside." Opaline said.

"You're not suggesting..." Sunny said, trailing off.

"I am, Sunny. You may have lost the Unity Crystal, but I can lead it to you, but only if you're willing to use your alicorn powers to destroy it, and take the magic hiding deep inside!" Opaline said.

"NO!" Sunny exclaimed.

"NO?!" Opaline revolted back.

"Uniting the three pieces to the crystal is what brought back the magic, and united everypony! I wouldn't dream of bringing any harm to it!" Sunny said.

"What's so great about the rest of them?!" Opaline exclaimed. "You're perfect! You don't need anypony else!"

"I wouldn't have this power were it not for my friends. That's no coincidence! I have faith in myself, and I have faith in my friends!" Sunny said.

"If friends are so wonderful, then why did Twilight Sparkle abandon her friends?!" Opaline asked.

"She what?!" Sunny exclaimed. "How do you, err I? Who are you?!"

"You heard me, she turned her back on everything she believed in, and for what?" Opaline said.

"N... no... my dad told me stories of..." Sunny said, biting her lip. "Wait, that voice. Are you... YOU'RE... I know who you are! Have you been spying on me through this mirror?!"

"Oh, Sunny. If only you knew the full story of what truly happened." Opaline said. "Twilight Sparkle abandoned the magic of friendship, because even it could not stop the greatest threat of all. She relied on her alicorn magic to be rid of everything."

"No..." Sunny said, feeling faint of heart.

"Yes. Friendship might be... temporary. But alicorn magic is forever. Now go fulfill your destiny, and undo the sins of that lowly Twilight Sparkle, and claim them magic that is rightfully yours!"

"NO!" Sunny exclaimed. "I can't take this any more!"

Sunny threw the compact onto the ground in frustration.

"Wait, don't go! NO-" Opaline shouted.

Sunny stomped on it with her hoof, shattering the mirror. She then ran far way from the community garden.

Meanwhile, Izzy Moonbow was slowly trotting through the land between Maretime Bay and Bridlewood. She occasionally glanced at objects she found on the road, but nothing was perking her imagination up. She slumped as she trotted slowly. She wasn't heading anywhere in particular. She just needed space.

"Izzy!" cried a distant voice.

Izzy turned around, and saw Zipp and Hitch running after her, but she turned her head back around and continued trotting. Zipp leaped up to Izzy and landed next to her.

"Izzy, are you alright?" Zipp asked.

"I'm fine. I'm just sitting here. No friends, no ideas, just... dirt..." Izzy said, in a slump.

"Izzy, forget what I said earlier, I didn't mean it that way. Please don't blame yourself for what happened because of what I said." Zipp said.

"It isn't what you said, it's just the truth, I let my excitement get the better of me." Izzy said.

"...Izzy..." Zipp said, softly.

"I guess I was just so excited to finally have a very special unicorn friend. Our group is fantastic, but being the only unicorn does get lonely. Believe it or not, I was a loner in Bridlewood. I was just too ahead of my time. So from the moment Misty mysteriously approached me, I wanted to see the best in her. I was so excited to meet her, I invited her into the Brighthouse without questioning her mysterious dark aura and unusual mane style. And even after I saw her with that evil alicorn, I just had a feeling that that wasn't her. But I guess it was after all..."

"I mean, she suggested that I come see you. I mean, I definitely intended on apologizing anyway, my point is that she was concerned about you, and so are we." Zipp said.

"Well then where is she?" Izzy asked.

"She... ran off from the police station. But I'm sure we'll find her again. And when we do, maybe you two can make amends." Hitch suggested.

"You'd do that?" Izzy asked.

Zipp and Hitch nodded.

"But how are we going to do anything with those three jerks out there?" Izzy asked.

"We have a plan for that too. Come on, Izzy. Our friends need us, and so does the rest of Equestria." Zipp said.

Zipp held out her hoof to Izzy. Izzy wiped away her tears, and grabbed Zipp's hoof. Zipp pulled her friend up, and they each exchanged hugs.

Zipp, Hitch, and Izzy found Pipp in the bedroom in the Crystal Brighthouse. Before they even made it upstairs, they could hear Pipp weeping.

Everypony entered.

"Pipp, are you okay?" Hitch asked.

"No. I'm not." Pipp said, weeping.

"Sis, it's okay. We're going to-" Zipp started.

"It's worse than I ever could've imagined! Cozy Glow is the WORST!" Pipp wept. "She was my friend and I trusted her, but then she went ahead with some crazy scheme for world domination! But it gets worse! Check this out, Cozy Glow is GAINING followers! GAINING! She is destroying Equestria! Are ponies actually vibing with this?! What has the world turned into!? AAHHHH!!!" Pipp wept.

Zipp was tempted to say something about how Cozy Glow's follow count was the last thing Pipp should be worried about, but she held it back.

"Check this out! Look at the quote-unquote content she's posting!" Pipp held her phone in front of Zipp's face, and showed her Cozy's latest Clip-trots.

"Thank you everypony for tuning in!" Cozy exclaimed joyfully. "If you haven't already, be sure to like the channel and subscribe to see more videos! Because if you don't, I'll force you to!" Cozy's mane erupted with dragon fire. "And don't you even think about leaving any negative feedback! Because I know where you all live, I will hunt you down and do horrible things to you! Teehee! Anyway. I love all my friends~"

The Cliptrot autoplay immediately played another video from Cozy Glow.

"Thank you everypony for one gazillion subscribers!" Cozy said cheerfully! "I have something very special planned for my one gazillion subscribers special video!" Cozy said, holding a very large knife.

Everypony gasped in fear seeing Cozy holding that knife.

"Sparky! NO!!!" Hitch cried.

"I'm going to... EAT THIS DELECIOUS CAKE commemorating my achievement!" Cozy cheered. "I'm gonna have cake, AND EAT IT TOO! But it's just for me. What? Did you reach one gazillion subscribers? I don't think so."

"Her scare tactics are working! She has no dislikes, and she has more followers than anypony!" Pipp exclaimed.

"Remember everypony. I'm your Empress of Friendship, and anypony who stands in my way will get seriously cooked! WAHAHAHA!!!" Cozy laughed.

The camera panned over to show Sparky in a little metal cage, with his limbs tied up. They were using the poor baby dragon for his powerful flame breath. Every spout of dragon fire left him tired.

"My baby..." Hitch said, in shock and horror.

Pipp had had enough, and closed the app.

"I introduced her to all of this, and look what she's done! She's using social media to spread her negative influence, and it's my fault for buying her that phone in the first place." Pipp said.

Pipp pressed her head against her pillow and wept some more.

"Pipp, listen. None of this is your fault. And I don't blame you for any of this. She's a deceiver. She had us all fooled." Zipp said.

Pipp said something muffled into her pillow.

"Well, if it's bothering you so much, then why don't we get out and do something about it?" Zipp suggested.

"What can I do? My posts barely get hoof taps in the double digits any more." Pipp said.

"No, not like that. We need you to come out of here so we can stop them and save Equestria together." Zipp said.

"You mean leave the Bright House and confront her? Why do you need me?" Pipp asked.

"Because you're my sister, and my best friend. Anything is possible when we come together." Zipp said.

"Sure. So am I just another link in your chain?" Pipp asked.

"No, I mean, you are... but, there's more to it than that. Please..." Zipp looked away as her face watered. She then sniffed her nose, and turned to face Pipp again.. "There's a lot I still don't know about this whole magic thing. I just know that when friends come together, something special happens. Not just in a "two heads are better than one" sort of thing. But something... magical. I don't understand the mechanism of how it works, but it's real. So please, Pipp. We can't do this without you..."

"I don't know. You sound pretty sure, but how can I be sure that- hmm? Hang on, I got an incoming video call."

Pipp answered her phone, and it was her Pippsqueaks.

"Pipp! Help! You gotta do something!" Peach Fizz pleaded.
"We don't like this Cozy Glow pony!" Glory cried.
"She's really scary! We're afraid to do anything online!" Seashell said.

"Come back, Pipp! We need you!" they cried together.

*gasp* "The Pippsqueaks! They're counting on me." Pipp said.

The Pippsqueaks in distress turned out to be the main motivator she needed get up and want to do it.

*sniff* "Okay, sis. Whatever plan you have, I'm game. Anything to make things right." Pipp said.

"Thanks, Pipp." Zipp replied.

Zipp lent a hoof to Pipp, and pulled her out of bed. Pipp hugged her older sister, and she hugged back.

"Right, so the plan. We're sort of making things as we go. Right now what's important is getting us all back together. Now where's Sunny?" Zipp asked.

"Sunny's not with you? Well she's isn't in the Bright House with me." Pipp said.

"If Sunny's not anywhere in the Bright House, where else could she have gone?" Izzy asked.

Everypony stopped to think for a moment. That's when Zipp noticed Hitch was uncomfortably quiet during this moment of thinking.

"Any idea, Sheriff?" Zipp asked.

"Well, there's one other place I can think of. It's a bit... uncomfortable." Hitch said.

Chapter 6: Find Your Spark

In the Zephyr Heights throne room, Cozy Glow was being filmed for her latest livestream. Zoom Zephyrwing held Cozy's phone and pointed its camera at Cozy, while Thunder flew slightly off camera holding a boom microphone.

"I just wanted to thank everypony for the incredible support once again!" Cozy said joyfully. "I'll have to admit, I was pretty lost when I first found myself thawed from stone, and awoken in this strange new world, but I think it's really starting to click for me! You have it so good! You have these magic bricks called smart phoons which allow me to see how all my amazing followers are doing! Now that Equestria is ours, I'm not sure what we're going to do next. Maybe open portals to unknown worlds, or discover new magic. But whatever our next venture entails, I'll be keeping you all posted! Peace!"

Cozy Glow held her smile and waved, for an uncomfortable amount of time.

"That means cut the feed." Cozy whispered.

Zoom Zephyrwing finally caught wind of Cozy, and hastily cut the live stream.

"Fantastic job, Zoom and Thunder. Although next time, Thunder, less flapping, the audience can clearly hear you!" Cozy scolded.

"I-I'm sorry, Ms. Glow. Next time I'll be quieter." Thunder said.

"And Zoom, could you try to hold the phone steady! We don't want to give my one million subscribers motion sickness!" Cozy exclaimed.

"Forgive me, ma'am. I-I'll invest in a tripod for next time." Zoom said.

"You'll be lucky if you get a next time." Cozy said. "Now get out of here! And bring some more dragon chow will ya!"

Thunder and Zoom panicked. They bumped each other's heads, before running out of the throne room.

"Phew. Being so influential to everypony is such hard work." Cozy said.

"Hard work? Pah." Tirek said.

Tirek sat just off camera from the main throne, laid over and benching weights.

"I already did the hard work by taking magic from everypony in Equestria. All you did was get breathed on by this little dragon. Cozy's done hardly a productive thing since we took over." he said.

"Uh, hello! I'm the one commanding our subjects! It's a very important role! You're the ones slouching!" Cozy said.

"She is right, somewhat. There hasn't been enough call to action since we took over Zephyr Heights. I still have the urge to further crush ponies's hopes and dreams." Chrysalis said.

Chrysalis walked up to Sparky's cage slowly. Sparky wept, and looked away. But Chrysalis used her magic to force Sparky to look at her, and squeezed the poor baby dragon to make him squirt a burst of dragon fire at her.

"I'd love to see just how much destruction this dragon fire can bring. Want to join me and try out some of this dragon fire?" Chrysalis asked Cozy.

"Huh? In a moment, just gotta reply to this neigh-sayer real quick." Cozy said. "Oh, but then I gotta start scripting my next video.

"Cozy Glow!" Chrysalis exclaimed. "You have been staring at that brick for hours!"

"But it's soooo amazing! I don't even have to leave the throne room! I can just command all these foolish ponies by speaking with them through here!" Cozy said.

"We should head outside, and burn this land to the ground!" Chrysalis suggested.

"Burn what? Tirek already laid siege to all of Equestria. This dragon fire is powerful and all, but there's no one left to conquer." Cozy said.

"How about that shadowy alicorn? We shouldn't count her out. Who knows what tricks they have left up their sleeve." Chrysalis said.

"Or those group of friends who tried to stop us from taking the dragon?" Tirek asked.

"That powerless alicorn, and those group of weak friends? Torching them would be a cinch." Cozy said.

"Then let's do it." Chrysalis said.

"After I edit my latest clip trot. If I don't upload 14 shorts every day, I might lose relevance." Cozy said.

"GRR!! But you are starting to lose, my patience." Chrysalis exclaimed, as the fire in her mane grew more fierce, and her eyes glowed.

"FIVE MORE MINUTES!" Cozy exclaimed, whose mane also lit on fire, and her eyes glowed and changed color.

"You two are pathetic. Look at you. Dragon fire has made you crazy, and it doesn't even seem that strong." Tirek said.

"Yeah, well not all of us are lucky like you to be able to just eat magic!" Cozy said.

The three continued to argue, while Sparky groaned and crossed his arms.

Tirek sighed, and paused his weightlifting.

"I'm finding this entire venture to be rather... dull." Tirek said.

"Explain yourself." Cozy said.

"The magic here is rather... unremarkable." Tirek said. "The earthpony magic tastes different, but aside from that, it's all pretty standard. This new Equestria just doesn't have the variety of old Equestria. There's just three towns, and that's it. Conquering it took mere hours. And now there's nothing left to do..."

"I know what you miss. You miss the delicious power that alicorn magic gave." Cozy said.

"Indeed. Even that one shadowy alicorn's magic was rather tame. I've nearly got the magic from everypony, and yet this is it for my physique. Is this all Equestria has left to offer?" Tirek pondered.

"There's got to be alicorn magic somewhere." Cozy pondered.

Sparky rolled his eyes and made a pffft sound with his little dragon lips.

"Where did Twilight and her friends go? Why is everything so... different?" Cozy pondered.

Meanwhile, Sunny Starscout sat in a slump. She was hunched over, as she looked over, and mourned her father's grave. Sunny hung her head and reminisced about the times her father helped her through tough situations in the past.

"I always looked to you for inspiration. And right now, I could really use some inspiration..." Sunny said, with her voice choked up. "You always taught me to see the best in ponies, and see the best in myself. Now I just have to see it in myself..."

She wasn't sure exactly what she hoped to gain from this. Argyle didn't have anything left to give per se. She thought maybe she was looking for closure, or that somehow he'd fill her with the confidence she needed to make things right. But unfortunately, not much was coming to her. The only thing that was coming to her, was the heartbreak, and the reminder of the painful memories.

Her mind wandered, and she peered over and was surprised to see she wasn't alone. She hadn't noticed anyone else approach, but she figured she was distracted by her thoughts.

"Sprout? What are you doing here?" she asked.

"You're not the only one with ponies to mourn, Sunny." Sprout said.

"Oh, right..." Sunny said.

The two avoided eye contact, and slumped their heads once again. Sprout would however break the silence.

"You know, your dad was an interesting pony. My mom didn't like me and Hitch being over at your old house too often. She was always put off by his obsession for those tales of harmony." Sprout explained.

Sunny hunched over and tried to tune Sprout out as he continued.

"The idea of the three pony tribes meeting up was always so interesting, in a scary sort of way. Your dad talked about how unicorns had magic horns, and pegasi could fly at hundreds of miles per hour. The idea of it all sounded... terrifying. Like they sounded so much stronger than us earth ponies. The fear of a possible encounter is what led Canterlogic to develop all those anti-pegasus and unicorn devices. And I guess that idea was the foundation for Maretime Bay."

"Yeah, I remember what you did." Sunny said, deadpan.

"You were the antithesis of everything Maretime Bay was about. Yet somehow, I still don't like seeing you this way." Sprout said.

Sunny slouched, and didn't reply.

"You're just going to give up now?" Sprout asked.

"I'm not giving up, I'm just having trouble thinking of how to approach this. Or even if I should..." she said.

"So giving up is on the plate. Well stop it, Sunny. We need your help." Sprout said.

"No, you need the alicorn's help! Because Sunny can't do anything on her own!" Sunny exclaimed.

"What are you talking about? You are an alicorn. It's not like you and you as an alicorn are different ponies." Sprout said.

"May as well be. The alicorn is so much better, more popular, and more powerful. Sunny hasn't got anything." Sunny said, choked up.

"What are you talking about? Sunny Starscout has done plenty! You managed to dismantle Canterlogic's anti-pegasus and anti-unicorn agenda. You managed to find those three... crystal thingies, and brought the three tribes together. In just a few days, you dismantled what my mom had spent years building up." Sprout said. "It's thanks to you that Equestria became what it is now. A magic haven where anypony can live where they want. And it's because you believed it was possible. Your dad would be proud of you."

*sniff* "I know he would." Sunny said. "It's everything he ever wanted. Was to have harmony between the three tribes again."

"I know another thing. He wouldn't want to see you give up like this." Sprout said. "So are you really going to quit now? ...huh?"

Sunny looked at Sprout, with her face all watery. She wiped away her tears, and hugged Sprout, which caught him by surprise.

Sprout wasn't sure how to react at first, but he slowly eased into it. Then peered over and saw Sunny's friends looking at them. He quickly backed away when he saw them.

"Uh... it's not what it looks like." Sprout said.

"You guys need a moment, Sunny?" Hitch asked.

"Uh? Nah. We're fine. I'm fine. We uh... *cough* We just happened to run into each other." Sprout said, backing away slowly.

"Are you okay, Sunny?" Zipp asked.

"Me? I've been better. But uh... doing alright." Sunny said.

"Sunny, there's something I have to tell you. I know things seem bleak, but there's hope still." Zipp said.

"What makes you say so?" Sunny asked.

"Because there's something special that happens when friends join forces, so I think that us working together is the key to saving Equestria." Zipp said.

"Well, of course it is." Sunny said. "It's just like the stories my dad would tell me. How time and time again, Twilight Sparkle would save Equestria from great calamity with her friends."

"Oh, so you already know all about it." Pipp said.

"But there's more to it than that. It's how they save Equestria, I think some kind of special magic activates." Zipp said.

"That magic is friendship. It's what made Twilight and her friends so formidable." Sunny said.

"Exactly! Let's join together and show those jerks what for!" Izzy said.

"I can't..." Sunny said.

"What?!" everypony exclaimed

"Sure, the magic of friendship worked... up until it didn't..." Sunny said.

"What are you talking about?" Hitch asked.

"The magic of friendship isn't enough! It wasn't enough back then, and it's certainly not enough now!" Sunny snapped.

Her friends took a step back, and she immediately regretted yelling at them.

"I-I appreciate you all coming. I really do. But the only thing that can stop those three is the alicorn. Which is why I... *sniff* I mean, the alicorn have decided to... to..."

Sunny hung her head in absolute despair. "I can't do it... I won't do it..."

Her friends all stood in painful silence. Except for Izzy who broke the silence.

"So wait, you don't want to save Equestria, not because you don't think you can, but because brute forcing it wouldn't feel right?" Izzy asked.

"Izzy, please. Not now." Zipp said.

"No, yes now! You can't just not do anything, Sunny!" Izzy exclaimed, with a bit of backbone.

But even still, Sunny was firm, and didn't budge.

"Please, Sunny. You can't just quit. You've come so far. You're the reason we're here together right now. You're the reason I'm not alone any more. Please, I don't want it to end this way." Izzy wept.

"Izzy, I..." Sunny started.

"If our friendship isn't strong enough... does that mean you don't believe in our friendship?" Izzy asked.

"What, Izzy. That's not what I said. I..." Sunny said, not sure how to finish her sentence.

"But 'the alicorn' is enough, huh." Hitch said.

Sunny nodded.

"That's what I was told... but something about it just doesn't feel right. I don't assert my power for the sake of it. I know that's not what friendship is about. But friendship as I said already didn't work. So I guess might is right, but I don't like it.

Izzy reached her hoof out to Sunny.

"Even if you don't think our friendship is powerful enough, isn't it worth it to try?" Izzy asked. "Don't you believe in yourself, Sunny? Don't you believe in us?"

"We believe in you, Sunny Starscout." Pipp said.

"And I believe that our friendship is truly special." Zipp added.

"You always believed in friendship, Sunny. Since we were foals. Please don't give up believing now." Hitch said. "Please, Sparky needs our help."

Sunny looked at her friends, who all stared at her, giving her their utmost support. Her friends moved in closer, and they all joined for a group hug. Seeing her friends warm embracing, finally, something in Sunny's mind clicked.

Twilight's magic of friendship. Sunny's alicorn magic. It was all connected with the same fabric.

Sunny looked at the portrait of Argyle one more time to remind herself that the magic of friendship was real. She was determined to prove her mirror self wrong, and show what friends can really do.

"I owe it to you to try and continue to push myself. The last thing you would've wanted to see me do is give up. So that's the last thing I'm going to do." Sunny said to Argyle.

Sunny, and her friend's cutie marks all started to glow, and her alicorn powers came out. Her friends made her feel that special spark.

"If you think we can use the magic of friendship to save Equestria, then I say, let's do it!" Sunny said, enthused.

Her friends smiled, and cheered for her.

"There's the Sunny I know." Hitch said.

"Thanks, Sunny." Izzy said, relieved.

"So you’re ready to jump into the deep end? there's still a lot we don't know about how the magic of friendship works." Zipp said.

"Well, we'll find out together." Sunny said.

Her friends smiled, and nodded affirmatively. They knew what had to be done. It was up to them to save Equestria.

"Alright, we just have to-"

Suddenly, Sunny was interrupted by a loud voice.

"WAY TO GO SUNNY!!" Misty exclaimed into a megaphone.

"W-what are you doing here, Misty?" Sunny asked.

"Stay clear of her, Sunny. I got this." Hitch said, pulling out hoofcuffs from his saddle bag.

"Chain me up if you wish, but I have a message to send!" Misty said. "Equestria is in grave danger, and only the best of friends coming together can save it! Are you ready to work with your friends and rid Equestria of evil?"

"Yes. Yes I am." Sunny said. "Actually, yes we are."

"I knew you come back to help us Misty! I knew it!" Izzy said, squeezing Misty.

"Hang on. You've been running around and evading us. We still can't be certain to trust her." Hitch said.

"No, no. No strings attached, I swear. I'm on your side. I want Equestria to be rid of evil too." Misty said. "So now, Sunny Starscout. What are you going to do?"

Sunny and her friends all joined for a group hug. However, Sprout watched them all hug each other, and slowly turned away and started off.

"Where are you going, Sprout?" Sunny asked, chasing after him.

"Well, you friends seem to have this under control." Sprout said.

"Well, this one isn't going to be easy, and we could certainly use all the help we can get." Hitch said.

"How could I possibly help? You guys are the friends after all. Not me." Sprout said.

Hitch tapped his hoof and thought of how Sprout could help. And then the solution came to him.

"Still got all those inventions from the old days?" Hitch asked.

“The unicorn boxes and anti-pegasus catapults? Yeah, why?” Sprout asked.

"Sheriff, you don't think our special bond will be enough to do the trick?" Zipp asked, half jokingly.

"Maybe it will, but it doesn't hurt to be extra sure." Hitch said.

"If you wanna be extra sure, stick with Izzy. I got some gear that ought to help us." Izzy said.

"Then it's settled, ponies. Let's buckle down, and prepare for the most important moment of our lives." Sunny said.

Misty smiled as she watched Sunny and friends unite. She had a feeling that Opaline would be most pleased that Sunny and friends were reunited with the intention of ridding Equestria of the mean trio.

Chapter 7: The Most Important Day of Our Lives

At Maretime Bay, preparation was underway for what was sure to be the event to their lifetimes.

Sunny Starscout rode her roller skates across town, and yelled into a megaphone.

"Attention everypony of Maretime Bay! Emergency evacuation is underway! Please, follow our instructions and evacuate the Bay!" Sunny declared. "Everypony please! Mares and foals first!"

Lines of ponies lined up and were led by Sprout to the evacuation point.

"Everypony please evacuate into the underwater bunker." Sprout announced.

"Why did Canterlogic build a bomb shelter under Maretime Bay?" Hitch asked.

"Because we thought we might need it someday, Sherlock. And look, it's coming in handy finally. So hush." Sprout said.

"Um, how long are we going to have to be down there?" Posey asked.

"As long as it takes." Hitch said.

"You guys are going to fight the bad guys?" Dahlia asked.

"We're going to fight them?" Pipp asked as well.

"I wanna see that!" Windy exclaimed.

Suddenly, the orderly line became less orderly, as chatter came from the crowd. Phyllis stepped up and spoke to everypony.

"Please everypony. Canterlogic's state of the art underwater bunk was designed to protect everypony from any great magical or flying threats. You'll all be safe in there for weeks. There's weeks worth of food and rations for everypony." Phyllis said.

Few ponies were keen on listening to Phyllis's orders. Few ponies listened to anything said by Canterlogic any more anyway.

"Sunny. Say something." Hitch whispered to Sunny.

"Attention everypony! The events that will transpire today shall decide all of our fates! Your magic has been taken by creatures who wish to hoard it all to themselves. But there is hope! Now please, listen to me."

As Sunny spoke, her body and mane started to glow. She floated up slightly, and her alicorn wings and horn appeared. The sight dazzled everypony in Maretime Bay.

*gasp* "Sunny Starscout is the alicorn?!" Toots exclaimed.

"The alicorn is here to save us!" Sweets added.

"Alicorn! Alicorn! Alicorn!" everypony chanted.

Sunny suddenly became overwhelmed, and frustrated with everypony. She'd had the last of this alicorn worshiping nonsense.

"My name... is SUNNY!!!!" Sunny exclaimed.

Sunny's shouting startled everypony, and made them hush. Sunny felt a tint of remorse yelling at everypony like that. She was almost about to tear up and leave, but fortunately, she didn't have to.

"What she meant was, her name is Sunny Starscout!" Pipp exclaimed.

Sunny looked over and saw Pipp standing on her main stage, holding her lucky microphone.

"Speak to me Maretime Bay! Who's the pony who brought you the best smoothies this side of Equestria?"

"Sunny Starscout!" Hitch shouted from somewhere in the crowd.

"Who's the pony who saved Maretime Bay from Canterlogic and Emperor Sprout's tyrannical conquest?!" Pipp exclaimed.

"SUNNY!" Hitch, and a few more ponies shouted.
"Wait, my what?" Sprout said.

"Who's the pony who believed in friendship enough to bring magic back to Equestria?!!!!" Pipp shouted.

"SUNNY!" shouted even more ponies.

"Who's the pony that's gonna kick butt and bring back your magic?!!!!!" Pipp exclaimed.

"SUNNY! SUNNY! SUNNY!" everypony cheered.

Everypony in Maretime Bay cheered Sunny's name. Hearing everypony cheer her name was exactly the motivation Sunny needed.

Pipp flew next to Sunny, and smiled at her. She handed her the lucky microphone, so that she could finish things off.

"Yes, I helped bring back the magic, but it was all of you for believing too! Sure, these alicorn powers make me stand out, but I was given them for a reason. And that's to protect all of you, and to protect harmony! And everypony can help too, by hiding away in Canterlogic's underwater bunker! Please, I know it doesn't sound appealing, but those powerful creatures are on their way here, and the last thing I could bear to see is any one of you getting hurt! So please."

"If Sunny says it, then I'm all for it!" Posey shouted.

"And so am I!" the real Windy added.

Ponies followed Phyllis and Sprout's directions to the tunnel leading to the underwater bunker.

"Take care, Jazz and Rocky.

"You sure you'll be okay?" Rocky asked.

"I promise you, things are going to be okay, and Mane Melody will we better than ever once it's repaired." Pipp said.

"Aren't you anxious, Pipp?" Jazz asked.

"I am, but with my friends, and Sunny's alicorn powers, we hardly got anything to worry about." Pipp said, hiding her nervousness.

"The same goes to you, Pippsqueaks. Pipp pipp hooray." Pipp said to Sea Shell, Glory, and Peach Fizz.

Hitch asked his critter friends to enter the bunker as well, but they didn't want to be hunkered down either. But after enough persuading, they listned to him and followed everypony inside.

With everypony in Maretime Bay safely underwater, that just left Sprout and Phyllis.

"Sprout, please come in. She said it was going to be dangerous." she said.

"Mom, I have to stay up here and help them." Sprout said. "Just go in. We'll come through the other entrance and let you all know when things have cleared up."

"Alright, but please come back in one piece, son. I don't know what I'll do if my little foal got hurt." Phyllis said, squishing Sprout's cheeks.

"Okay Mom, okay. Just go." Sprout said, embarrassed.

Phyllis was indeed the last to enter. Once she was inside, Sprout tapped a button on his sash, which remotely operated the tunnel, and the entrance retracted back into the bay.

"With everypony safely evacuated from Maretime Bay, that just leaves us." Hitch said.

"Yes. We have me, Hitch, Zipp, Pipp, and Sprout. Are we forgetting anypony?" Sunny asked.

"Where's Izzy?"

*honk*

Everypony looked up and saw Izzy's flying tram car come in, and make a smooth landing on main street.

"Hey guys. I brought the flying tram cart of friendship!" Izzy said. "Powered by Izzy's lantern of magic!"

"Izzy it's... spectacular." Pipp said.

"Why though?" Hitch asked.

"Because, should worse come to pass, at least we have a stylish escape round. So long as the lantern glows, this puppy can fly across Equestria!" Izzy said. "But that's not the main thing. I hauled with it a ton of gear to help protect us! Come take a look!"

Izzy suited everypony up with gear. She rummaged through her extension collection of junk, and found the perfect gear for her friends to arm themselves with.

Everypony wore knee braces, and helmets for protection. But that wasn't all.

Zipp wore her VR headset but would pull it over her head to see things clearly with her own eyes.

Pipp wore a pink helmet, knee braces, and was equipped with a large mallet made from scraps.

Izzy dual wielded golf clubs, and showed off her ferocity by standing in fighting pose with them.

Hitch wore his blue mask and Sparky's blanket as a cape, to signify his determination to get back Sparky.

And then there was Sunny, who was mostly herself. Her alicorn powers were about the only offensive she needed.

Sprout was just about done reinstalling all the unicorn and pegasus traps in Maretime Bay. Hopefully this time they would be used to bring those three to justice.

He gave Hitch the signal to indicate that they were good to go.

"Are we ready to kick butt?!" Izzy asked.

"YEAH!" everypony cheered.

"Are we ready to bring back the magic and save Equestria?!" Izzy shouted.

"Are we ready to beat down a filly?!!!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Yeah-wait. When you put it that way, it feels a little awkward." Pipp said. "Do we have to like, hit her with these?"

"We'll use brute force as a last resort if we have to. Let's mainly just focus on extinguishing their dragon fire, getting Sparky away from them." Hitch said.

"Sounds like we have our plan, and everything set up." Sunny said, confidently.

With prep work just about done, Sunny and friends looked at each other, affirmatively, but nervous.

"Alright. Now we lure them here to Maretime Bay. And just when they think they have the upper hoof, I use my alicorn magic to extinguish their dragon fire." Sunny said.

"And then we use the magic of friendship to rid that centaur of his stolen magic, and give it back to everypony." Zipp said.

"Are you sure about this, Sunny?" Pipp asked.

"Have some faith, sis. We got this." Zipp said.

"She's right. I mean, I suppose there's no turning back now anyway." Sunny said. "Um... It's going to be fine. Alicorn magic is stronger than dragon fire after all." Sunny said.

"How do you know that?" Hitch asked.

"Um... somepony told me so..." Sunny replied, nervously.

"Well be better hurry. We may have our cutie mark magic now, but who knows how much longer that'll last." Zipp said.

"Right. We've been so focused on Cozy Glow, I suppose we haven't thought enough about that dark alicorn Opaline. We still don't know where she's taken the Unity Crystals, or what she plans on doing with them. But she's definitely up to no good." Sunny said.

"Well if you wanna know what Opaline's done with the Crystals, why don't we just ask Misty?" Izzy suggested.

"That's... not a bad idea. Hey Misty. You wouldn't happen to know... where is she?" Zipp asked, but something was amiss.

Everypony looked around, but Misty seemed to have left them. There was no trace of Misty.

"That unicorn just never stays in one place for long, does she?" Izzy asked rhetorically.

"Okay... aside from her, how's everything look?" Sunny asked.

"The traps are set, and you ponies are ready for battle!" Sprout replied.

"Perfect. You four are to stick by my side. Sprout, you'll be support to operate those anti-pegasus catapults. We'll unite hoof to heart, and show them what for!" Sunny said.

With an affirmative nod, Sprout trotted off to watch the perimeter of Maretime Bay.

"So... how exactly do we lure them here?" Hitch asked.

"Huh. I suppose we should've thought about that before we did a full day's worth of prep work." Zipp said.

"Leave that to me, ponies. I still have direct contact with Cozy Glow. So I'll just DM her something that ought'a rustle her feathers." Pipp said.

Pipp pulled out her phone and began typing up a storm of a message.

"Hey, Cozy Glow. You are a... lying conniving little pile of dirt, and you're going to pay for misusing my trust." Pipp typed frantically.

"And... SEND!" Pipp said, tapping her phone. "Now we wait for her to take the bait, send a salty reply, and anticipate her inevitable arrival."

Pipp put away her phone, but then immediately felt a jolt under her wing.

"Wow. That was fast. Let's see. She says..." Pipp read Cozy's reply, and was in utter shock and disgust.

"OH MY HOOFNESS!" she exclaimed.

"WHAT?! What'd she say, Pipp!?" Zipp asked, concerned.

"I... refuse to read that. I hope that catchphrase doesn't trend." Pipp said.

"Wait, so she's not coming?" Hitch asked.

Pipp nodded no.

"Well, if that won't get their attention, what will? What's something they want?" Zipp pondered.

Everypony pondered about how to lure the trio to Maretime Bay.

"What do they want? Magic, right?" Sunny pondered.

"And what do we have? Only the most magical and powerful alicorn in Equestria!" Izzy said, pointing both her front hooves at Sunny.

"She's right. What if you sent a photo of me as an alicorn to them? That's sure to get their attention." Sunny said.

"Are you sure, Sunny?" Hitch asked.

"Wouldn't it be better if we caught them by surprise?" Zipp said.

Sunny partly agreed, but she was strangely confident.

"We're going to have to face them sooner than later, and we're already ready. Do it." Sunny said.

Pipp nodded.

Pipp pointed her camera at Sunny, and snapped a photo of her as an alicorn. She sent a photo of alicorn Sunny to the legion of doom with the caption. "You guys want magic, well my friend Sunny's got ALL the magic."

"And.... sent! Now that that's sent, let's see how long it takes for them to respond." Pipp said.

As soon as Pipp sent the message, Sunny felt a little... uneasy.

"Sunny, are you alright?" Zipp asked.

"Just um... butterflies in my stomach." Sunny replied.

"Hmm?"

Meanwhile, the trio of baddies continued to bore themselves in the Zephyr Heights throne room.

Cozy sat upside down on the throne while she scrolled through her feed. Tirek barely found sanity by resuming his weight lifting hobby. And Chrysalis practiced her changeling magic. Out of sheer curiosity, she tried to see how Sparky reacted to the different creatures she transformed into.

Finally, they would catch their break when Cozy's phone vibrated.

*ping*

Cozy Glow's phone got a notification. She checked what it was, and it was a direct message from one Pipp Petals. She opened the message, and what she saw made her sit up in shock.

"WOAH! What in Equestria is..." Cozy said to herself.

Her shock quickly turned to glee as she started giggling maniacally.

Tirek, Chrysalis, and Sparky all looked at Cozy, confused.

"What is it?" Tirek asked.

"What's got you laughing this time?" Chrysalis asked.

"You want alicorn magic? Looks like I found the alicorn magic." Cozy said, grinning.

Cozy showed her phone to the two baddies, and they were intrigued.

"She's an alicorn? How did I not notice earlier." Tirek asked.

"She may have alicorn magic for now. But she won't have it for much longer, ONCE WE GET OUR HOOVES ON THAT ALICORN!" Cozy said, with her mane and eyes erupting in dragon fire.

Back at Maretime Bay, the mane 5 felt the ground shake, and the wind start to pick up. They knew what tremendous force was coming.

A portal opened up behind the walkway above main street. One of them used their powers to destroy the walkway, and clear their path. Out stepped Queen Chrysalis, Lord Tirek, and Cozy Glow, and floating behind them in a metal cage, was Sparky Sparkeroni. Cozy's and Chrysalis' manes were a fiery blaze with dragon fire.

The mane 5 gulped as they braced themselves for the impact.

Meanwhile, Misty watched the scene unfold from just around the corner. As soon as she saw the legion appear, she used her necklace to ping in Opaline.

"Opaline! Opaline!" Misty exclaimed.

But Opaline could not hear Misty, as she was napping, and lost in one of her dreams again...

.
.
.

(Inside Opaline's dream):

In the central valley, Princess Twilight Sparkle stood opposed to a tall dark alicorn wearing a black cloak. The alicorn unhooded themselves, and showed their face.

"Face it, it's over Twilight Sparkle. Your harmony and unity and friendship will always fail." Opaline said. "You went through the trouble of being rid of Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow, yet all I had to do was harm one earthpony, and your entire utopia eventually came crumbling down. With the ponies in shambles, I shall stand above them all, as the most powerful alicorn of them all! Now all that's left is your magic, and nothing will stand in my way."

"You're one wicked evil horse, Opaline. The thought that a pony would be willing to directly harm the lives of many ponies for the taking their magic is utterly disgusting." Twilight said.

"Sure, my plan has recently hit a little resistance, but it will all be worth it once I finish destroying everything you have created." Opaline said.

"I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you never get a hold of any more magic! Even if it means... means..."

Opaline witnessed Twilight whisper something under her breath, but she couldn't quite make out what it was. Twilight took one more step forward, and her eyes and horn glowed an unusual deep purple glow.

"Wait, WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Opaline exclaimed.

The glow grew brighter, and Opaline felt an extreme heat emanating from Twilight's spell.

"NO! STOP!" she exclaimed.

"I'll do whatever it takes to prevent you from ever getting your hooves on magic ever again! I'm keeping the magic safe, so THAT YOU CAN NEVER HAVE IT!"

"NO!!!!"

A huge white flash of light engulfed everything.

"Opaline! Opaline!"

Misty's shouting eventually reached Opaline, and woke her up.

"Huh? What?! You interrupted my nap! What is it, Misty!?" Opaline snarled.

"I got some good news about Sunny Starscout! She's-" Misty started.

"She's what? A stubborn mule with limitless power and yet refuses to stretch her power?!" Opaline asked.

"No, not at all. Look!" Misty exclaimed.

Misty pointed her amulet over, showed Opaline Sunny and friends in Maretime Bay.

"Look, it's Sunny and her friends! They're coming together and opposing those meanies who took the dragon fire!" Misty said.

Opaline peered into the vision and witnessed the confrontation as well.

"It's just as you said. Friends coming together to stop a big opposing force!" Misty said.

"Excellent." Opaline said slowly, but gleefully.

"It's exciting, is it not? So, who are you rooting for?" Misty asked.

Opaline laughed with a fiendish sneer, not what Misty was expecting.

"It doesn't matter who wins. We just need at least one opposing side to fall. Whoever does, I already have it planned so that either side will assist me in my plan." Opaline said.

"That's uh... very smart, Opaline. A win win scenario for you." Misty said. "But, what about Spark- I mean, your dragon? Don't you want Sunny to win so you

"I've come to realize that the dragon is more trouble than its worth. I have my eyes on the prize, and Sunny Starscout is going to give it to me. I will not let it evade me again." Opaline said, holding the Unity Crystal in her hoof. "I hope Sunny Starscout has strong enough legs to keep standing by the time I arrive. I'd hate to have to force the magic out of her."

The feed cut out.

The legion of doom stepped forward slowly. Sunny and friends hid their fear, but showed visible shaking.

"Hoof to heart..." Sunny whispered.

The trio halted in place, and took in their observations.

"Honestly, this is just sad." Tirek said to them.

"This is the best Equestria has to offer now?" Chrysalis asked. "Just a bunch of misfits?"

"Trying to lure us with a doctored photo." Cozy said, holding her phone out to Sunny. "That's a whole other level of pathetic, even for you guys."

Izzy interjected. "But Sunny's not a doctor! She's a real alicorn! See..."

Izzy and everypony looked at Sunny, and noticed her wings and horn went away.

"Looks like an ordinary earthpony to me." Chrysalis said.

"Psst. Sunny, now's not the time to hide the alicorn flare." Zipp whispered.

"Now's the time to show off your alicorn powers!" Hitch added.

"I... can't." Sunny said.

"Why not?" Zipp asked.

"I want to, but for some reason I can't. I'm... I'm... scared." she said.

"Well, stow your fear. You have to." Zipp said.

"Pah. This was hardly worth the hassle of coming." Tirek said.

"Well since we're here, we ought'a torture them in some way." Chrysalis said.

"Are they even worth blasting? What harm could they bring?" Tirek asked.

"You know how these things work. The whole hero complex. They're most likely to stop if they got the chance. So let's rob them of that chance." Cozy said.

"Alright, you blast them." Chrysalis said.

"And waste all of my dragon fire? You do it." Cozy demanded

"Why don't we make Mr. I'm Too Good For Dragon Fire Because I Can Eat Magic do it?" Chrysalis suggested.

"I thought we agreed that there would be no name calling!" Tirek bickered.

The legion argued over who should blast them.

"Sunny, now! Please!" Pipp exclaimed.

"I..." Sunny bit her lips and panicked.

"Don't worry fillies. I'll make this RELETIVELY PAINFUL!!" Cozy Glow charged up her dragon fire.

"SUNNY NOW!"

Cozy fired a huge fireball at the gang.

The blast impacted and exploded.

Sparky covered his eyes and wept. Misty watched the scene unfold in horror.

But inside the dust, there was something glowing. Out emerged Sunny in her alicorn form!

"WHAT THE?!" Tirek exclaimed.

"She's... she is an alicorn?" Chrysalis asked.

"No, she's a... light-.... corn?" Cozy said, confused.

"I've never seen any magic resembling this before." Tirek said.

Sunny took a step forward and confidently opposed the legion of doom.

"Relinquish all that you have taken from Equestria! That includes all the magic you've robbed, and Sir Sparky Sparkeroni!" Sunny projected.

"Grr. Do you think we are intimidated by this!!?" Chrysalis exclaimed. "You think you're powerful? I HAVE POWER TOO!"

Chrysalis fired a stream of dragon fire at Sunny, but she whipped her head, and deflected the dragon fire with her alicorn magic.

"What the?!" Chrysalis exclaimed, worried.

"Looks like alicorn magic beats dragon fire after all." Sunny said, smiling confidently.

"Please, can't we talk this over with some cupcakes?" Cozy asked, pleading for mercy.

But just as things were looking in their favor, Sunny's powers went on the fritz again.

"Huh?"

Sunny's alicorn magic started to dissipate.

"No! Not now! I wanna help! I wanna help!" Sunny desperately pleading, attempting to summon her powers.

"A temporary alicorn?" Cozy asked.

"At least she's unique in that sense." Chrysalis said.

"Indeed. We must-" Sunny started, but suddenly, her friends were ready.

Hitch looked at his poor baby dragon, begging for somepony to help.

"I can take them! Everypony for themselves! Attack!" Hitch exclaimed.

"Sounds like a signal to me! AIYAYAYAAA!!" Izzy cried out.

"Izzy! Wait for me!" Pipp cried.

"I'm coming Sparky!" Hitch shouted.

"Right behind ya, Sheriff!" Zipp exclaimed.

Hitch and Zipp ran forward at Tirek.

Izzy charged at Chrysalis, while Pipp kept close proximity to Izzy.

And Cozy Glow focused her attention on Sunny Starscout.

Chapter 8: The Battle of Maretime Bay

With Sunny's alicorn magic revealed, the mean trio had their sights on taking her magic. But Sunny's friends weren't going to allow that to happen. They sprang into action, and each paired up and confronted a member of the trio, which left Sunny to face Cozy Glow one on one.

Hitch and Zipp sprang forward and confronted Lord Tirek, and aimed to take back the magic he had stolen, and save Sparky Sparkeroni from his clutches.

"Give me back my baby boy!" he exclaimed.

"You're an odd bunch." Tirek said. "But at least you're not just a bunch of girls, which makes this fight slightly less awkward."

Tirek cracked his knuckles and readied himself to battle.

Hitch and Zipp charged forward together.

Tirek lit up his horns and powered up his magic. He fired a fire stream at the ground in the direction of Hitch and Zipp. Hitch ran around the blast, while Zipp flew over it.

Hitch touched the ground with his hooves, to grow out a thick vine.

He held the vine, and flung it at Tirek. He latched onto Tirek's arm.

"Huh? So this is what earthpony magic is capable of." Tirek said to himself.

Tirek thrusted his arm and snapped the vine apart. He then held the vine and swatted it at Zipp, which threw off her flight. Hitch and Zipp collided and fell to the ground.

"He's too strong. His muscles are too much." Zipp said.

"We can't give up." Hitch said. "Not when Sparky and all of Equestria is on the line."

"Of course not. I never said I was going to." Zipp said. "We just need a new plan. He has to have a weakness. We just need to think about what it is and exploit it."

That's when Hitch and Zipp simultaneously came up with a new idea.

"You thinking what I'm thinking, deputy?" Hitch asked.

"If you're thinking of winning, then yeah. Let's do it." Zipp said, determined.

With a shared affirmative nod, Plan B went into effect.

Zipp flew upward, evading Tirek's blasts of fire. Zipp was fast, but not necessarily extraordinarily so. Hitch then concentrated his earthpony magic, and wrapped his hooves with thick spiky vines. After gaining enough altitude, she flew back towards Hitch. Zipp reached her hoof out and latched onto the end of the main vine. She made a daring maneuver around Tirek.

She evaded yet more of Tirek's fire beams. Zipp flew under Tirek's body, and wrapped Hitch's home grown vine around each of his legs.

"Hey, that's not fair! You can't-wha-AH!" Tirek exclaimed.

Hitch pulled on the vines, but Tirek was proving sturdy, and difficult to move.

"Now, Zipp!" Hitch exclaimed.

Zipp flew in at high velocity and smacked Tirek with her hoof. She caught Tirek off his guard and pushed him back. Hitch's vines finally tripped up Tirek, and caused the mighty centaur to fall onto the ground.

His grip on Sparky's cage was released, and the cage fell.

"Sparky!"

Hitch lunged forward and caught him.

Sparky smiled and gleed, and reached his little dragon arms onto Hitch's face. Hitch discovered the cage wasn't locked with a key, it was a simple latch. He opened the cage and hugged his dragon baby.

"I am so sorry that this happened. I won't ever let you down again!" Hitch said.

Sparky hugged him too, and made his cute baby dragon sounds.

"Hitch!!" Zipp exclaimed.

Zipp pointed out Tirek, who was starting to get back up.

Hitch reached his hoof out, which commanded his magic vines to tighten their grip on Tirek.

Hitch had Tirek bound down.

"Now what? How do we get him to release the magic?" Zipp asked.

"Uh... spit out everypony's magic NOW!" Hitch exclaimed.

"N-never!" Tirek said.

"If you don't, we'll squeeze it out of you, or something!" Hitch said.

But the true solution wouldn't require any of that.

Sparky nudged himself out of Hitch's hooves, and walked slowly to Tirek.

"What are you doing Sparky?! Don't-" Hitch started.

"Wait, Hitch." Zipp said.

Sparky gently touched Tirek's horns with his claws, and then something odd started to happen.

Sparky's ears lit up, when he touched Tirek's horns.

"No. What is this? How is this dragon making me........"

Tirek and Sparky entered a strange trance.

Sparky's horns glowed bright, as they noticed that Tirek's magic was flowing into Sparky.

"Magic dragon?" Zipp asked.

"MAGIC DRAGON!" Hitch and Zipp said to each other.

Izzy pounced around, and opposed Queen Chrysalis, with Pipp. Chrysalis hissed and growled at Izzy and Pipp.

"Izzy, I have a confession to make. I don't know how to fight." Pipp admitted.

"It's easy. Just use that mallet I made for you, and swiing it." Izzy said.

"O-Okay." Pipp said, nervously.

Pipp reeled back, and reluctantly swung her hammer at Chrysalis. The queen stood in place and watched the nervous pegasus slowly swing her hammer. The hammer swung right in front of Chrysalis without touching her. At the end of the swing, Pipp dropped the hammer out of exhaustion.

"I-I tried, Izzy." Pipp cried. "I'm sorry. I just don't have the fighting spirit."

"Ooh, you have me quivering in fear." Chrysalis said, mockingly.

"You should be quivering! Bet you never met a pony as zany as me!" Izzy said.

"You? Pah. You wouldn't believe the things I've seen." Chrysalis said. "But forget the chit chat. Let's see how you two enjoy being COOKED, AND COOLED OFF IN A SLIME COVERED COCOON!"

Chrysalis' dragon fire activated, and set her mane ablaze. She opened her mouth and growled, but Izzy swiftly shoved a tennis racket in her mouth.

"Those are some sharp teeth! Do you chew your food thoroughly? Or are those teeth for gripping and swallowing whole?" Izzy asked.

Chrysalis crunched down on the racket, and her mane went up in flames with more dragon fire.

"She's a cruncher! Let's skedaddle, Pipp!" Izzy said.

Izzy and Pipp hopped inside of the tram car, the Marestream. Pipp clicked the dashboard which locked the doors and windows.

"Don't worry, we're safe in here." Izzy said.

"Well now we're trapped in here with no means of escape!" Pipp said.

A window shattered, and Chrysalis reached one of her flame covered legs inside.

"Hurry and do something Izzy!!" Pipp shrieked in fear.

"Okay! No need to panic still! Activate Marestream self defense mechanisms! And by defense mechanisms, I mean... REVERSE!!"

Izzy pulled a lever, which made the Marestream accelerate backwards.

"Izzy watch where you're going! We're gonna-"

The Marestream backed up into a building. The force of the impact knocked the two of the back, and knocked Chrysalis off of the vehicle.

"And now, reverse-reverse!" Izzy punched in the gear, and they went forward.

Chrysalis flew after them. Izzy pressed a button inside the Marestream, which remotely activated Sprout's anti-pegasi catapults. The catapults pelted Chrysalis with pies.

Izzy parked the Marestream around the corner.

Chrysalis landed next to it.

"Wait for it." Izzy said.

But Izzy's calculations were on point. Because where Chrysalis landed, she stepped directly on a unicorn trapping box.

The alarm sounded, which startled Chrysalis. And then the box sprang up and completely trapped Chrysalis inside.

"Did we get her?" Pipp asked.

"I'm coming!" Izzy shouted.

Izzy grabbed the lantern, and ran out with Pipp.

"What is this infernal box I find myself trapped in?!" Chrysalis exclaimed, voice muffled from inside.

"I told ya, you don't have anything to worry about with your Auntie Moonbow protecting you."

"Hoof bump."

The box started to heat up, and glow.

The box exploded in flames, and out came Chrysalis.

"Enough shenanigans!" Chrysalis exclaimed.

"NOOO!!!" Pipp cried.

Chrysalis fired a ball of dragon fire at Pipp and Izzy.

Izzy was scared, but all of the sudden felt something strange. The fire seemed to slow down, and the lantern glowed brighter. Izzy's horn also started to glow.

"Are you trying to tell me something, lantern?" Izzy asked to it.

The fireball impacted, but Chrysalis's fireball was dissipated by a powerful expel of light.

"WHAT THE?!" she exclaimed.

"Izzy... how are you..." Pipp said.

"Oooh. Alright, lantern. I'm picking up what you're glowing up." Izzy said. "Gooo... lantern blast!"

Izzy's glowing horn shot a beam of magic at Chrysalis and impacted her face.

"GAH!"

"Where do you ponies even find all this magic?!" Chrysalis bemoaned.

Sunny Starscout was overwhelmed by Cozy Glow, who was fascinated with Sunny's unusual powers. She flew around Sunny, and was amazed by her radiant wings and horn.

"WOW! What is this? These aren't wings! That's not a horn! I mean well it is, but it's like made of light magic. What are you?" Cozy asked.

"I'm uh.... I'm an alicorn. Can't you see?" Sunny replied, nervously.

"None like I've seen. You can just make your wings and horn appear at any time? What kind of hidden power is this?" Cozy wondered.

Sunny nodded her head no, assuring that even she had no idea. Cozy peered closer, and Sunny felt the heat from her fiery mane. She wasn't sure how much longer Cozy was intending on playing friendly, and if she'd get burned.

"Well, if you won't tell me, I'll just have to beat the snot out of you, AND TAKE YOUR MAGIC FOR OURSELVES!!!" Cozy exclaimed, lighting her mane up with dragon fire.

Sunny's wings grew, and thrusted forward and shielded her from Cozy Glow's stream of dragon fire.

Cozy's jaw dropped seeing Sunny's power once again somehow overpower her fire.

"Hehe. If you need this alicorn, she'll be hiding in the alleyway. Get it? Ali? Alley? Get it it's..."

Sunny turned around and flew away from Cozy Glow.

"Come back here Sunny!" Cozy exclaimed.

Cozy Glow flew after Sunny Starscout, but that's when she started to encounter some resistance.

Cozy's motions had activated Canterlogic's motion sensing weaponry.

The air pegasi pie shooters pelted her with gross pies.

"Agh. Oof! Pfft Pfft. Gross!" she cried.

But Cozy was not distracted. She was laser focused on seeing where Sunny went.

Cozy paid attention to the alleyways, and noticed a fast traveling blur of light in the alley. Cozy grinned and went after them.

Sunny flew through the alleys. She looked behind her, and she seemed to be in the clear. But suddenly Cozy Glow appeared in front of her.

"Surprise!!"

Cozy's forehead lit up with dragon fire, and she shot a ball of fire at Sunny.

Sunny gasped, and maneuvered herself around it, and flew an arc over Cozy.

Cozy focused on Sunny and shot blast after blast at Sunny. Sunny's wings thrusted her and left behind a trail of glitter that dissipated Cozy Glow's dragon fire.

Sunny landed on top of a roof, and Cozy landed just a few meters behind her.

"Hold still! Ugh! You're just another flawless alicorn who's impossible to touch." Cozy said.

"Would you believe me if I said most of these alicorn moves have been involuntary?" Sunny asked.

"WHAT!? Your wings and horn have a mind of their own??" Cozy exclaimed.

Sunny shrugged and grinned anxiously.

"You mean if I-"

Cozy Glow fired a surprise beam of fire at Sunny. And her wings protected Sunny and deflected the blast.

"Who ARE you?!" Cozy exclaimed.

"Who are YOU?" Sunny asked. "Like what were you and those other two doing in stone?"

"Twilight Sparkle and her friends did it. And from the looks of it, they were going to leave us there forever. It's only thanks to that shadowy alicorn that we're free. If it weren't for her, we'd probably be in there forever." Cozy said.

"But, hold on, Twilight Sparkle wouldn't just leave a pony in stone forever, would she?" Sunny asked.

"How well do you think you know Twilight Sparkle? Because I bet you don't know the real her at all. I met Twilight Sparkle for real. She wasn't the pony who made friends with everypony like you think she was. Look at me. Absolutely zero compassion for a poor little filly."

Opaline's words echoed in Sunny's head. "Twilight Sparkle abandoned her friends."

Who exactly was Twilight Sparkle? Was she the peaceful friendship bringer that her father taught her she was? Or did she really turn her back on ponies?

Sunny's thoughts were spiraling. Cozy looked at Sunny and realized she was distracted.

"Poor, Sunny. Don't worry. I'll put you out of your misery." Cozy's mane erupted in dragon fire. "Be careful what you leave under the rug! YOU NEVER KNOW WHO'S GONNA STEP ON IT A GENERATION LATER!!"

Cozy Glow was about to finish off Sunny. When suddenly, somepony jumped her by surprise.

Sprout used a fire extinguisher to blow out her dragon fire. She then fell down and plopped down face on the ground.

"Wow, that was... surprisingly easy." he said.

"Sprout!" Sunny exclaimed.

Sprout ran to Sunny's aid, and helped her stand up.

"Thanks, Sprout. You saved me." Sunny said.

"Don't mention it. You think I'm afraid of some fired up filly?" Sprout said.

Sunny and Sprout giggled, but suddenly the heat turned up.

Cozy's mane erupted again in dragon fire. She had hidden with her an extra jar of dragon fire. She absorbed it to reignite her flame. Her whole mane and body were blazing with dragon fire.

"I AM VERY ANGRY NOW! IF YOU WON'T EXPLAIN YOUR ALICORN POWERS, THEN I'LL TAKE THEM FROM YOU!!!" Cozy exclaimed.

"Jump, Sunny!" Sprout exclaimed.

Sprout held Sunny, as they both ran, and then they both leaped off the rooftop and escaped an expanding explosion of fire.

Meanwhile, Sparky was still absorbing Tirek's magic. Tirek was resistant though, so Hitch had to hold him down by wrapping vines around his limbs while he was on the ground.

"You're doing great, Sparky! I got him down, just keep doing what you're doing and take back all the magic." Hitch said.

Sparky's horns glowed bright and grew taller, as Tirek weakened in strength.

"That's it, you guys. Just a little bit more." Zipp said.

But suddenly, they heard a high pitched shriek.

Izzy and Pipp had been captured by Chrysalis. They had their hooves caught in Chrysalis's icky slime.

"Help us!!" Pipp cried.

"PIPP! I'm coming!" Zipp exclaimed.

Zipp flew after Chrysalis.

"Zipp, where are you going? ZIPP!" Hitch shouted.

Zipp landed in front of Chrysalis.

"Let them go, you old bug!" Zipp exclaimed.

Zipp lunged forward at Chrysalis, but she edged out Zipp and dodged her kick.

"Oh, like I'm scared of you." Chrysalis said, in a mocking tone.

Chrysalis snarled and spat slime at Zipp. She made direct contact. Zipp's right wing was covered in slime, and she made a rough landing.

"ZIPP!" Hitch exclaimed.

Hitch watched Izzy Pipp and Zipp get trapped by Chrysalis. He knew he had to help them.

"Wait here, Sparky. I'll be quick, little buddy. Promise." Hitch said to Sparky.

Hitch turned, and ran to help Zipp. But in doing so, he left Tirek unattended with Sparky.

Tirek nudged his front arm free, and grabbed Sparky.

"Gotcha, you little pest." Tirek said.

Hitch ran to Zipp's aid, but they fell right into her trap.

"Now that I have you all in my clutches, let's see how much love there is between you ponies for me to consume."

Chrysalis opened her mouth, and started absorbing the essence from Hitch and Zipp. Their strength weakened, as Chrysalis grew in strength.

"I've got you four ponies in my clutches now." Chrysalis said.

Tirek approached, with Sparky clenched in his fist.

"And I've got the pesky dragon." he said.

"Once again, Chrysalis has come to Tirek's rescue." Chrysalis said.

Tirek crossed his arms and turned his head.

Cozy Glow looked over the ledge, trying to see where Sunny and Sprout fled to.

"Come out come out, Sunny Starscout!" Cozy exclaimed.

Just ahead, Sunny and Sprout were hiding behind Sunny's toppled over smoothie cart.

"It won't take her long to find us. We have to come up with something." Sprout said.

"Sprout, how come..." Sunny asked.

"What, Sunny?" Sprout asked.

"You... it's just surprising to see so determined to help me." Sunny said.

"Yoo hoo! Sunny!" Cozy's voice projected.

"Can we talk about this later!?" Sprout replied, with a harsh tone.

Sunny leaned back, and was surprised he shouted at her. She didn't know how to respond to him however.

"I think she heard us. I gotta do this." Sprout said.

Sprout sat up and peeked over the truck.

"Hey, doll face! I'm right here!" Sprout exclaimed.

"Sprout, what are you doing?" Sunny asked.

Cozy Glow looked over and saw Sprout peeking his head out.

"If you want Sunny's alicorn magic, it's right here!" Sprout shouted.

"SPROUT BE QUIET WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Sunny exclaimed.

Cozy Glow readied her powers, and fired a stream of dragon fire at them.

The blast impacted. It impacted Sprout holding a salad bowl! Sprout held the hot bowl in his hooves, as he struggled to push back against the fire stream.

"Sprout!" Sunny exclaimed.

The bowl reflected the fire stream at an angle. Sprout struggled to push forward and direct the stream. As he held the bowl, it heated up and started to burn his hooves.

"SPROUT! Stop, you're gonna hurt yourself!" Sunny shouted.

"The only pony who's gonna crush Sunny's hopes and dreams, IS ME!" Sprout exclaimed.

Sprout pushed and shot the stream of fire directly black at Cozy Glow.

"AAHHH!!!" Cozy exclaimed.

*BOOM*

The roof exploded and the fire stopped.

"Did we get her?" Sprout asked.

"Sprout, you just blew up a filly!!" Sunny shouted.

"What?! She was about to burn us, she got what was coming to her." Sprout said.

Sunny looked down, and away from Sprout.

"Look, not everypony can be helped, Sunny." Sprout said.

"But is that any excuse to not try?" Sunny asked.

Sprout paused. Sunny wasn't wrong. But the real world was a lot more complicated than that.

Suddenly, Sunny's smoothie cart was sawed in half by a fiery laser.

The cart split in half by a beam of fire, revealing Cozy Glow floating in front of them.

"You're done, Sunny Starscout." Cozy Glow said.

"Look out Sunny!" Sprout pushed Sunny aside.

Cozy headbutted Sprout, and knocked him out.

“Sprout!” Sunny shouted.

But at the worst possible time, Sunny’s alicorn abilities faded away, leaving her as a earthpony.

“No no no no. Not now. Come back! I want to help, come back.” Sunny pleaded.

“Seems like your luck has run out, Sunny.” Cozy said, with a devious grin.

Chapter 9: Reignited

From inside a dumpster in an alleyway, Misty peeked out, and watched Cozy Glow drag Sunny across the pavement. She phoned Opaline to deliver the news.

"Opaline!" she exclaimed.

Her necklace conjured up a projection of Opaline that appeared in front of her.

"What do you want now, Misty?" Opaline asked.

"Sunny Starscout has been captured by Cozy Glow! And the rest of her friends are being held by Chrysalis and Tirek. Look!" Misty explained.

Opaline watched poor Sunny being dragged.

"For shame. I knew it was a long shot, but it appears Sunny was in over her hooves this whole time. No matter, let's just hope she's able to hold it in long enough by the time I make it to Maretime Bay. Even if not, I'll get what I want one way or another." Opaline said. "Keep me updated if anything interesting happens."

Opaline's projection disappeared, which left Misty to watch the drama unfold in front of her.

Cozy Glow plopped Sunny Starscout onto the ground. She looked up, and was horrified at what she saw.

Sunny saw all of her friends imprisoned by Lord Tirek, and trapped in magic bubbles around him. Surrounding the trio were Izzy Moonbow, Pipp Petals, Sprout Cloverleaf, Sparky, Hitch, and Zipp Storm, imprisoned in magic bubbles.

"She's the real deal alright. She's got delicious alicorn magic." Cozy said.

"Excellent." Chrysalis said.

"So here's the deal, Sunny Starscout. If you will simply give up your magic to us, we'll release your friends." Tirek said.

"But should you refuse, we'll make them suffer." Chrysalis added.

Tirek clenched his fist, and shocked everypony.

"Please! Don't hurt them!" Sunny pleaded.

"Don't do it, Sunny!"
"Don't!"
"Don't do it!"

The muffled cries of her friends could be heard as they yelled.

"This is an old classic tactic I used against Twilight Sparkle, and it seems just as effective against you." Tirek said. "Doesn't matter who it is, or when it is, you ponies all share the same weakness."

"You think your friends are your greatest strength. Twilight thought the same. But they're really your biggest vulnerability." Cozy said.

"You're just as weak as Twilight Sparkle. If not more so." Chrysalis said.

"No... I'm not Twilight. I'm Sunny Starscout..." Sunny wept. *sniff* "I'm supposed to be everypony's defender of pony unity. But so far all my powers have done is gotten my friends into big heaps of trouble..."

Sunny hung her head and thought.

"Twilight Sparkle abandoned her friends, because friendship wasn't enough. It was the weakness that held her back." Opaline echoed.

"Perhaps it is better that I do give up my powers..." Sunny said under her breath.

"No..." a small voice echoed in Sunny's head.

"Your dad never would've wanted you to quit, Sunny." Sprout's words echoed.

"Hoof to heart. Always." her own voice echoed.

"You can't give up, Sunny... not while everypony is counting on you." Izzy's voice echoed.

"No." Sunny said under her breath.

Sunny looked up, determined.

"I refuse to give you my alicorn powers." she said.

The trio all looked at each other, surprised.

"Very well." Tirek said, gleefully.

With a clench of his fist, he unleashed more pain upon everyone.

"I have to do something. Quick Sunny, think." she said to herself.

That's when Sunny got the idea.

She noticed the storm clouds seemed awfully familiar. They weren't rough, but they looked just like the clouds from Maretime Bay Day. The same ones that- and that's when Sunny got an idea.

"You know what, you can keep them." Sunny said.

"WHAT?!" everyone exclaimed.

"I mean, you're right. Who needs friends anyway? I'm the alicorn! I got all the power I could ever want at my own disposal!" Sunny said, showing off her glowing wings.

"She does have a point. This isn't exactly a fair trade. A bunch of useless cronies for one alicorn." Cozy said.

"It's not quite enough. Come on Sunny. You need to sell." she said to herself.

"Hey Pipp, I just thought you should know that I dropped your toothbrush on the floor, then didn't wash it before you used it again!" Sunny said.

"WHAT!!??" Pipp exclaimed.

"And Izzy, you have been a nightmare roommate ever since we've been living in the Crystal Bright House!"

"Yeah well what if I DON'T wanna live in the bright house?! What if I went back to Bridlewood!!??" Izzy exclaimed.

As everypony yelled, the clouds and the storm worsened. Exactly what Sunny was counting on.

"Zipp, you call yourself a detective! Bet you couldn't solve the mystery of... uh... why you're trapped in a magic bubble!" Sunny yelled.

"Sunny, what are you..." Zipp said, but she looked down and noticed the storm worsening. She too recognized the storm from Maretime Bay Day. Suddenly she realized what Sunny was doing, and went along with it.

"Well uh... why do you get to be the alicorn? Huh? Why cant I grow a horn? You don't have either, but you get to have both?" Zipp yelled, attempting to sound angry.

"Hitch, you... your dragon is the reason we're in this mess in the first place!" Sunny exclaimed.

"Well, SORE-REY!" Hitch and Sparky exclaimed. Except Sparky said it in his dragon coo language.

The legion snarled and giggled at the events.

"Some friends." Cozy said.

"They get into petty arguments almost as bad as we do." Tirek said.

The trio laughed so much, they didn't notice the clouds rolling in.

"And Sprout. Why you oughta get a piece of my mind! For turning all of Maretime Bay against us, and destroying my childhood home!

"Well then. I see how it is." Sprout said, in a deadpan unsurprised tone.

"Hehehe. Is that all?" Tirek said while chuckling.

"Please continue. Please go on about how lousy you think your friends are! Ahahaha!" Cozy laughed.

But suddenly, the clouds rolled in and the winds picked up.

"Brr... why is it getting colder?" Cozy asked, while shivering.

Everypony watched the gray clouds roll in. The ponies of Maretime Bay recognized these clouds immediately, but the old trio were confused.

The trio laughed, but their laughter was suddenly interrupted when a bolt of lightning shot on the ground, and startled everypony.

"What was that? What's happening?!" Cozy exclaimed, scared.

The lightning strike impacted, and opened a void in the ground.

"WHAT THE?!" Chrysalis shrieked.

"What is that?!" Tirekk exclaimed.

"An escape route." Sunny said.

Sunny used her magic, and thrusted all of her friends into the void.

"Sunny what are you-AAAHHHH!!!"

"AAHHHH!!!"

Everypony cried as they all fell into the mysterious void. Sunny then jumped into the void herself.

"WHAT THE?!" the trio exclaimed.

"WHAT IS SHE DOING?!" Chrysalis exclaimed.

The trio of villains watched the big opening in the ground that Sunny just jumped into with great suspense.

Within just a few short moments, Sunny Starscout emerged from the depths of the mysterious void, and brought her friends with her.

Sunny had rescued her friends from their grasp, and they were by her side.

"What did you just-" Cozy started.

"How did you..." Tirek said, trailing off, amazed.

"Sunny, you did it." Hitch said.

"You saved us!" Zipp exclaimed.

"Ooooh... we were only pretending to be angry with each other!" Izzy said.

"Yeah hehe..." Pipp said. "I'm still getting a new toothbrush, just in case..."

Sunny's friends all gathered 'round in warm embrace, leaving the villainous trio puzzled, and distraught.

"And now that my friends and Sprout are back by my side." Sunny said, as her alicorn wings and horn glowed brighter. "I'm confident we can finish this off."

"Wuh-oh..." Cozy said.

Sprout took a few steps back, and let Sunny and her actual friends unite.

Everypony's cutie marks glowed brightly, and Sunny's alicorn horns and wings appeared more radiant than ever.

Sunny herself floated up.

"Why does this keep happening...?" Cozy said.

"Sparky? Wanna lend me a little hoof?" Sunny asked.

Sparky spat a ball of fire at Sunny. She spun around in the air, and used the fire to make herself a fiery alicorn.

Sunny's horn lit up, and suddenly-

*BOOM*

She fired a huge beam of light at the Legion of Doom, which completely defeated them.

When the beam stopped, Sunny floated down slowly next to her friends.

Her friends all hugged her in excitement. Sprout slowly trotted off. None of them seemed to pay any mind to him anyway.

"Sunny, that was incredible!" Pipp exclaimed.

"You were like AAAaaa and they were all NOOOOO! And our plan totally worked!" Izzy said excitedly.

"I knew you had it in you." Zipp said.

"More like, we had it in us." Sunny said. "I couldn't have done any of this without you guys."

"Hopefully that's the last time anyone messes with my little dragon boy." Hitch said.

As everypony congratulated each other, Sunny peered over and saw the trio. Their faces were face down planted on the ground, and they barely moved.

"You want to help them, don't you?" Pipp asked.

Sunny nodded affirmatively.

"First thing's first. Let's restore everypony else's magic. Then we'll come up with an appropriate way to deal with them." Hitch said.

Sparky walked up to Tirek slowly, and embraced one of his horns. Sparky started singing, and glowing, and absorbing Tirek's magic. Tirek's size shrank as Sparky absorbed the magic he contained, and Sparky's horn thingy's grew slightly in size and turned red.

"Way to go, Sparky." Hitch said.

Tirek was reduced to a thin bony centaur, and Sparky had a huge belly, and very tall red horns.

"Woah, I didn't know Sparky could change colors." Izzy said.

"You sure about this, Hitch?" Zipp asked.

"Not at all. Now let's find everypony whose magic was taken and return it to them immediately." Hitch said.

Misty watched the fanfare and celebration from around the corner. She was amazed and astonished at Sunny's cleverness and bravery that allowed her and her friends to beat the mean trio.

"Wow! They actually did it! I gotta tell Opaline!" Misty said to herself aloud.

Misty tapped her necklace to contact Opaline.

"Opaline, they did it! Sunny saved her friends and they united in friendship! You should've seen it! I've never seen so much magic at once, and I think it was because of their cutie mark magic! Opaline, did you get all that? ...Opaline?"

Strangely, there was no response from Misty's necklace.

"Opaline? You there? Opaline, this is important see..."

Misty looked up, and saw Opaline slowly strutting in front of her.

"Oh, Opaline! You're here in Maretime Bay. Need me to-" Misty started, but Opaline spoke over her.

"I think you've done plenty for now, Misty. I'll take it from here." Opaline said.

Opaline and Misty watched Sparky inhale all the magic Tirek had collected.

"This is a crucial moment for my plan. Lord Tirek, Sparky Spark, it doesn't matter who. All that matters is as much magic as possible is collected within one place.

"Ah, so you're letting Sparky take the magic so then when we get him next time, you'll have all the magic. That is a stroke of brilliance Opaline." Misty said.

"Precisely, Misty. Now's my time. This is the moment I've waited for. It's time I seize the opportunity and declare my stance on Equestria." Opaline said. "I'm coming, Sunny Starscout."

Chapter 10: Unwelcome

In the Sheriff's office, Sunny and friends gathered around Sparky, attempting to figure out how to make him give back all of his stored magic to everypony Tirek had robbed it from in the first place.

Misty proved to be as elusive as ever, and Sprout silently wandered off after the trio were defeated.

Speaking of them, in the jail cell, was Queen Chrysalis, Lord Tirek, and Cozy Glow, all wearing black and white striped outfits. None of them were in high spirits. They were all worn out from their latest excursion, and failure. Tirek was in his lowest form of power, and Chrysalis was weakly. Cozy was tired as well, but it took a lot to wear her down, so she was the most awake of the three.

Inside, they had assigned Posey to sit on a stool, and face Sparky directly. The hops was to find some way to get Sparky to slowly release his immense collection of magic back to the ponies it belonged to.

Posey was nervous. She was afraid Sparky was about to torch her.

"Try to mend your minds. Connect to Sparky. Feel his Sparky Spark." Izzy said to Posey.

Sparky focused, but all that happened was he flared up. Nothing about happened at all.

In the end, all they managed to do was torch Posey’s mane, which sent Posey running away in fear.

"Sunny, nothing is working." Pipp said. "It seems Sparky's magic is his for the keeping."

"Oh Sparky. If only I could understand you. Oh the secrets you could tell us." Hitch said.

"E... e..."

Everypony gathered close to Sparky. Was he about

"Esta... day?" were Sparky's first words.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Pipp asked.

"I mean, he was born practically yesterday, relatively speaking." Zipp said.

"You're right. Even he doesn't know how all his powers work." Sunny said. "I can relate, little guy."

"Psst." Cozy whispered to Chrysalis. "When are you just gonna shapeshift and get us out of here?"

"Bold of you to assume I would be interested in helping you and Tirek any further." Chrysalis said. "But to answer the point of your question, I'm simply waiting for the right moment."

"Well, keep waiting. That's all we've done. That's all I've done..." Tirek said.

"Well I'm bored of waiting. I still have some things to say to these ponies." Cozy said.

Cozy Glow peered through the bars and glared at Sunny and friends.

"You ponies are really just gonna cage a little school age filly behind these metal bars?" Cozy asked, in a fake whimpering tone.

"You know what you did. Don't act all innocent!" Hitch said. “For kidnapping Sparky, and nearly destroying Maretime Bay, I say it’s fair to put you in here.”

“I don’t understand you, Cozy Glow. The others I get, but you Cozy, You’re a filly, I assume. What could have possibly led you to be this bent on seeking power?” Zipp asked.

Cozy laughed.

"Ah. I like you guys. You’re everything the mane 6 wasn’t, and I mean that in THE most generous way possible.” Cozy said. “You guys should be pleased with yourselves. Really I mean it. I thought you were a bunch of wannabe heroes, but you’ve really shown that you have your own virtues.”

Izzy took pleasure in the compliments. But everyone else was weary.

“Um… thanks?” Sunny said.

“I mean it. I like how critical and non biased you are Zipp. I think a critical eye like yours was something sorely lacking from the mane 6.” Cozy said. “Twilight and her friends were cruel to me. Yeah I loathed them, and they loathed me in return… but we never really got to talk it out… pfft. Their loss, not mine. Besides, this means I get to have fun with you guys!”

“I think we’ve had enough fun with you guys.” Hitch said.

“We won’t be having any more fun with you, if yesterday's performance was your idea of fun.” Zipp added.

“Us? We're the least of your concern. You think you're out of the woods with us in bars? You better be weary, Sunny Starscout. You think we’re the things you should be most worried about? We’re just a group of opportunists. But that shadowy alicorn. I have a bad feeling about her. I mean unfreezing us and then just disappearing with your Crystals? Think she’s just resting on her laurels? She’s definitely still out there plotting something and you guys are just wasting your time on us. She’s the one with some big personal vendetta." Cozy said.

“I hate to admit it, but she’s right. Opaline has the Crystals still. Now that they're taken care of, we mustn't waste a moment more. We need to get them back.” Zipp said.

“Maybe the Crystals can also unlock a way to help us control Sparky's magic." Sunny said.

The friends huddled and thought of a plan.

"We can't repeat our mistakes. We have to stay on top of things, and can't let ourselves be tricked again. We gotta stay one step ahead of her." Zipp said.

"Yes but how do we even begin to come up with that sort of plan, sis?" Pipp asked.

"We need an insider, and there's nopony better to ask than-" Izzy started to say.

"Guys!" Misty came running through the entrance.

"There's something I have to tell... Woah! What's going on with Sparky?" Misty asked, pretending to not know he had all the magic.

"Sparky was able to eat up all of the magic Tirek had stolen, but we can't figure out how to make Sparky cough up the magic." Izzy said.

Misty peered her attention at Sparky and his big red horns.

"So you need help releasing his magic. Funny. It's sort of like how Opaline is having trouble releasing magic from the Unity Crystals. Both holding vast amounts of magic that is so close yet so far I mean-" Misty halted herself when she realized that Zipp was glaring at her.

"I uh... I've said too much." Misty said, backing away slowly.

"No. I don't think you've said enough just yet." Zipp said, approaching Misty.

Zipp wrapped hoofcuffs around Misty's hooves.

“You’re not going anywhere until you tell us everything you know about Opaline!” Zipp exclaimed.

“Woah, Zipp! Take it easy. Wanna practice our good cop bad cop routine?” Hitch asked.

"Forget that. We don't have time for that.” Zipp said.

"It can't be that urgent. I mean Sparky has Equestria's magic with him, and you and I can still fly, so it's not like the magic is totally gone." Izzy said.

That's weird. Why do they still have magic if Opaline took their Crystal? Misty said in her head, realizing she shouldn't be saying things aloud.

“Cozy said I need to be unbiased. And I’ll be blunt and say I’m not ready to accept you Misty as a friend until you help us take down Opaline.” Zipp said.

"You'll listen to that maniac, but you won't trust our friend?" Izzy asked.

"She's..." Zipp halted

"Look, Misty, I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. But I'll be honest, that's really tough so long as you work for our arch nemesis." Zipp said.

“Uh, Fair point. That's some pretty sound logic.” Misty said anxiously.

*sigh* “Alright. Misty. Could you calmly tell us what Opaline’s going to do with the Crystals?” Zipp asked.

"I... I can't tell you!" Misty exclaimed.

"Okay. Next question. Don't suppose Opaline would have any weaknesses, does she?" Zipp asked.

"Weaknesses? That's easy. Let's see-

"Maybe small details aren't your thing. What about the big picture? Who exactly is Opaline? Where'd she come from? What does she want?" Zipp asked.

“She’s uh… old! That much I know!" Misty exclaimed.

“You know more than you’re letting on!” Zipp exclaimed.

"Zipp!"

"What now, Izzy?!" Zipp turned around, but it was Sunny who called her name.

"Zipp, I'm not sure how productive this is." Sunny conjectured.

“What do you mean? Misty’s our biggest chance at learning about Opaline.” Zipp said.

"Do these details matter? Whatever Opaline has planned with our crystals, it can't be good. So no matter her motive, the goal remains the same. We need to find Opaline and restore the Unity Crystals in their rightful place."

*sigh* "You're right, Sunny." Zipp admitted.

Zipp undid Misty's hoofcuffs.

"I'm sorry, Misty. We'll take it from here. But you're welcome to help us only if you please." Zipp said.

"I didn't say releasing her was the solution, but this works I suppose." Hitch said.

"Thank you, Zephyrina." Misty said.

"So, what were you going to say to us, Misty?" Zipp asked.

"Uh... I don't remember. But you guys are right. Opaline isn't quite Dope-aline like I used to think, so if I come up with any way to half the plan we've been working on all these moons, hahaha, I'll let you guys know.

"You're really gonna let her go?" Hitch whispered.

"What harm could she do?" Zipp replied.

Misty wandered outside.

"There goes your biggest lead in solving your mystery." Cozy said. "I was right. You guys are too soft. She knows all your secrets and she's going to spill it to that alicorn."

"She's right, you know." Chrysalis added.

"Yeah well prisoning her didn't feel right either." Zipp replied.

"There'll be time to debate our morals later, but for now, we can't risk-" Hitch said.

Misty came rushing back inside in a hasty panic.

"You're back already?" Pipp asked.

"I remember what I was going to say! Duck!" Misty exclaimed.

"Duck?" Zipp asked.

"Goose?" Izzy asked.

"No, not goose! Duck! Like, NOW!!!"

Sunny looked outside, and saw a blinding light outside the station.

"She's right! Everypony get down!"

She and her friends all leaped away and underneath furniture and behind tables.

*BOOM*

There was an enormous blast that impacted the front station and sent an enormous shockwave through the rest of the building.

The ponies peaked their heads up, and saw the entire front wall of the sheriff's station was obliterated. Outside they saw Opaline standing there, holding something glowing a dim red.

*Whoo* "That's some firepower she's got..." Cozy said.

"Absolutely destructive..." Chrysalis said in awe.

"Where do ponies keep finding these powerful artifacts?" Tirek asked rhetorically.

Outside stood Opaline, holding the unity crystals. The crystals were glowing a dark sickly red.

"That's the most violent outburst yet. And there's plenty more where that came from." Opaline said under her breath.

"Come out come out, Sunny Starscout. Come get your precious Unity Crystals." Opaline exclaimed.

Sunny's friends all looked at each other.

"I-I-I'm sorry. I wanted to warn you guys!" Misty exclaimed.

"Misty! If you're not helping me, then get out of my way!" Opaline's voice echoed from outside.

"Sunny, what do we do now?" Pipp asked.

"It's time we settle the score once and for all." Sunny said, determined.

Sunny's friends all nodded in agreement.

"Don't do it. You can't face Opaline! You'll get hurt!" Misty exclaimed.

"Well, we won't get those crystals back just sitting here. Come on guys." Sunny said.

Regardless of Misty's warning, Sunny, Izzy, Hitch, Zipp, and Pipp all stood up.

The 5 of them, plus Sparky riding on Hitch's back, marched in a line opposing Opaline Arcana.

"Yes. Come to me, Sunny Starscout." Opaline said.

Author's Note

Apologizes that Chapters have been on the shorter side lately. It's just what's easiest to do at this time. I'd rather get out the bits I'm more confident with, while I figure out the trickier bits, instead of keeping you all waiting longer than you already have been.

Chapter 11: Unleash the Magic

Sunny, Izzy, Hitch, with Sparky riding his back, and Zipp, and Pipp marched in a line opposing Opaline.

"Yes. Come to me, Sunny Starscout." Opaline said, under her breath.

"You six look like you're very pleased to see me again." Opaline said, mockingly..

"What are you doing here?!" Hitch asked.

"Besides lining up for a butt whooping!" Izzy added.

"You have a lot of nerve just showing up and exposing yourself." Zipp said.

"Such hostility. I'm merely here to talk." Opaline said. "I've spent far too much time in the shadows. But now I feel like changing that, and getting an up close look at the group of ponies who brought back all the magic."

Sparky was growling intensely at Opaline.

"Sorry, ma'am. But I trust Sparky. And this growl means you're nothing but trouble." Hitch said.

"Trusting the judgment of a baby dragon. Hmm hmm hmm... A powerful baby dragon at that." she said. "There's quite a lot of magic your dragon has pent up."

"We're not here to chat! Cough up the crystals, old mare!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Fine. If you ponies have no interest in a simple conversation, I'm willing to cut straight to business, and offer a trade.” Opaline said.

"Trade... what? Stocks?" Izzy asked.

"Nah. Something you'll find far more valuable." Opaline said.

Opaline showed off the Unity Crystals in her possession. Except something looked very wrong about them. They were encased in a red magic bubble. The crystals were secreting red magic, as if they themselves were in pain.

"You want these crystals so bad? I'm willing to lend them back to you, in exchange for complete ownership of that dragon!" Opaline said.

"NEVER!" Hitch and Sparky both exclaimed.(At least that's what it seemed like what Sparky said.)

"Very well. I'll just keep the all important Unity Crystals to myself, and try to solve the mystery of their strange behavior on my own." Opaline said.

"There is no mystery. It's quite clear to me that your misuse of the crystals is hurting the magic!" Zipp said.

"That's why we're going to take the crystals back from you! You're no match for us! There's just one of you after all!" Sunny said.

"Oh no. You're right. I'm out matched. Whatever am I to do?" Opaline asked sarcastically. "Fine, if you won't cooperate with me. Then try to pry your precious crystals from my cold ancient hooves."

"You heard her, Sunny. Let's pry those crystals from her!" Zipp said.

Sunny nodded affirmatively.

Just as Sunny was ready to charge forward, she felt... uneasy. Her friends looked over to her and saw her stressing.

"Sunny, are you alright?" Zipp asked.

"You need to take a chill? There's nothing wrong with taking a step back when you're overwhelmed." Pipp said.

"I'm fine. I-I think." Sunny said.

"I'm not taking any chances. Sparky and I have got this under control!" Hitch said.

Hitch stepped forward with Sparky. The two of them were poised and ready to fight.

Sparky breathed a big ball of fire, and it hit the crystals directly, and heated them up.

The Unity Crystal formed a clear fracture down the middle. The crystals were hotter and hotter, and brighter in anger.

"The crystals!" Sunny exclaimed.

"Wuh-oops..." Sparky said.

Opaline was strangely delighted upon seeing the damage done to the crystals.

"You want your Unity Crystals, fillies? Take 'em!" Opaline said.

Opaline chucked the red glowing crystals at the 5 of them.

Sunny leaped forward and caught the crystals with her magic. But something was off. She just lost the worst game of hot potato. The super heated crystals surrounded by her alicorn magic made for a dangerous combination. The crystals grew brighter until...

"Sunny look out! Get away!"

*BOOM*

Sunny's life flashed before her eyes.

The crystals expelled a massive burst of energy, and blew everypony away. Sunny, who held the crystals directly in front of her face, took the brunt of the explosion. The magic from the crystals was released, and free flowing in their air. It didn't take long for Opaline to step in and absorb the magic that came from the crystals. She absorbed the magic that was expelled from the shattered crystals. The powerful magic was absorbed by Opaline.

Opaline started to feel uneasy, and felt the magic flowing through her. She took it in, and she started feeling the raw power energize her body. But this came with excruciating pain, which caused her to briefly lose consciousness.

.
.
.

"Opaline? Opaline!" cried Misty.

Opaline opened her eyes, and saw Misty staring at her with a distressed expression.

"Opaline. You look... different." Misty said.

"Different, how?" Opaline asked.

"Well, see for yourself." Misty opened her compact mirror, and held it in front of Opaline. Opaline saw herself and what the magic had done to her. To be clear, Opaline had absorbed all of the power inside the three Unity Crystals. The sacred and powerful magic that was once inside the crystals was now inside of her, and that was no fluke.

For her appearance, her mane had changed color. From the radiant blue to a deep purple. She bore a slightly closer resemblance to a certain enemy of her. But that didn't come as too much of a surprise, given it was her magic that the crystals tried so hard to protect. But thanks to her deviously clever manipulative strategies, the the three Unity Crystals were shattered, and magic inside the crystals was finally hers.

"Zipp... what's happening?" Pipp asked.

"It... can't be..." Zipp said.

"The crystals are..." Hitch started, but couldn't bring himself to even finish his sentence.

Opaline was eager to try her new magical abilities. Her first action was that she used her magic to pick up the two halves of Sunny's smoothie cart, and chucked them miles away into the ocean.

The mane 5 and Sparky's jaws dropped seeing Opaline's strength. Well, everypony except for Sunny. The outward explosion caused her to collapse and faint completely.

The rest of the mane 5 were pushed aside from the blast, leaving Sunny unprotected.

Opaline approached Sunny.

"You're coming with me, Sunny Starscout." Opaline said. "You and I still have unfinished business."

Opaline felt something knock against her head.

It was Izzy who flung a piece of debris at Opaline's head.

"Keep away from her!" Izzy exclaimed.

Izzy charged forward, but Opaline gripped her with her magic, and flung her back.

"You ponies are even more useless than you were before! You ponies are like feeble insects compared to me. You can't touch me. Compared to you I am a Goddess. I am an alicorn! And now the magic once belonging to the most powerful alicorn of all is mine! Which makes me-HUH?"

Izzy sped towards Opaline once again, this time riding on her motor scooter.

Opaline once again used her magic to pause Izzy in place.

"You ponies are nothing if not persistent, and very annoying." Opaline said.

But Izzy had a trick up her sleeve. Opaline had her magic holding Izzy, but not her scooter!

"Now run along and-WAIT WHAT THE-"

Izzy launched the scooter and it ran into Opaline.
The scooter ran over Opaline and knocked her over.

Izzy leaped the opposite way, and ran to Sunny's side.

"Come on! Let's get Sunny to safety!" Izzy exclaimed.

Izzy, Pipp, Zipp, and Hitch with Sparky ran to Sunny's aide.

Izzy picked up the lantern with her mouth, and Sunny with her magic.

Pipp, Izzy and Zipp ran from the scene with Sunny.

Opaline growled, and was poised to retaliate, when Hitch and Sparky stood and opposed Opaline.

"Leave our friends alone you ancient creep! Sparky! Torch her!" Hitch exclaimed.

"HEH!!" Sparky exclaimed.

Sparky charged up his magic, and his dragon breath, and breathed a plume of fire at Opaline.

Opaline used her magic to deflect the dragon fire. But it wasn't as easy as she'd made it seem.

"Dragon fire? DRAGON FIRE?!" she said maniacally. "HA! I stamp out dragon fire! You can keep your sizzling little embers! The magic I possess now greatly exceeds the burns of dragon fire!!"

"Wuh-oh." Sparky said.

Opaline pushed Sheriff Hitch and Sparky Sparkeroni aside. They had distracted her for long enough to have lost sight of Sunny Starscout. Undeterred however, Opaline set her sights on some targets.

Opaline made her way into the sheriff's office. She grabbed the jail bars to the trio's cell, and with magic she swiftly ripped them from their place.

"T-that's quite the magic you g-got there." Cozy said, shivering in fear.

"You look different. Change your mane up? Absorb any powerful magic?" Tirek asked.

"You three. I'm not quite finished with you three." Opaline said.

*gulp* The three quivered in fear.

"What are you going to do to us?" Tirek asked.

"We'll be your servants for life!" Cozy pleaded.

"Fret not. I can take her." Chrysalis said.

"There's something I still need from you guys." Opaline said.

Opaline latched onto them with her magic, and she... plucked a single feather from Cozy Glow's wing.

"A tissue sample from a past generation pony. Now I've got everything I need from here." Opaline said.

"You do?" Cozy asked.

"Yes. So in that sense, your purpose is fulfilled. I really should ought'a put you back where I found you." Opaline said. "I would turn you three back to stone, but I'm not that cruel. I freed you, and now you three are free to suffer in this bizarre new world... while it lasts."

"While it... lasts?" Cozy asked.

"What are you hinting at?!" Chrysalis asked.

But Opaline did not answer that question. She merely laughed, and bolted out of the jail.

Opaline flew away in a bright flash of light.

"Okay, she's definitely a threat." Cozy said.

Opaline flew overhead and scouted Maretime Bay, in search of Sunny Starscout. But she was unsuccessful thus far.

Meanwhile, Izzy, Pipp, and Zipp hid in an alleyway with Sunny, and the lantern. Sunny was still unconscious.

"Come on, Sunny! Wake up please! We need you, Sunny!" Pipp pleaded. But Sunny showed no signs of energy.

"This is nuts!" Izzy exclaimed, while whispering. It was a whisper yell!

"I know. I don't know how that could've gone worse!" Pipp said, in a distressed whisper.

"Well we can't give up now. There's got to be a weakness to her, even now. But first, we gotta find a safe place to hide." Zipp said.

"Yeah, but where?" Pipp asked.

"The Bright House!" Misty shouted.

Misty had found them first.

"Keep your yap shut! If you give away our location to Opaline I'll-" Zipp started.

"Keep it down. I'm not interested in that. Izzy's right. You guys are my friends. And I don't want to see Opaline torment you guys any more..." Misty said.

Misty's melodramatic confession was touching, but times were too dire to get hung up on that.

"Yeah yeah. Save the tears for later. What bit of advice do you have this time?" Zipp asked.

"Get Sunny into the Bright House! It's protected by a cloaking spell that Opaline can't penetrate. You'll be safe in there." Misty said.

"Will we though? That *thing* destroyed the source of our magic!" Zipp said.

"Then how are you still flying?" Misty asked.

"Uh..." Zipp self consciously landed, in fear she was violating some sort of rule.

"You heard her, Zipp. Our mission is now getting Sunny into the safe haven of The Crystal Bright House." Izzy said, in a dramatic whisper.

"I mean, it's as good a lead as any, Zipp." Pipp said.

"If I were you, I'd run like the wind. Like, right now" Misty said.

"But if we're spotted, we're done. How do we get Sunny all the way to the Bright House without being noticed?" Pipp asked.

Izzy rubbed her chin and put on her thinking cap, and then when a lightbulb went off in her head.

"Idea!" she exclaimed.

Opaline continued to scout for Sunny Starscout.

"Opaline!" Misty cried out from below, which caught Opaline's attention.

"Sunny's friends are heading for Bridlewood!" Misty exclaimed, pointing her hoof. "Hurry, before they reach the safe haven of the unicorns!"

"Bridlewood you say? Hmm. Excellent. Thanks for the direction, Misty." Opaline said.

Opaline zipped and flew in the opposite direction Misty was pointing, to the complete surprise of Misty.

"Wait, where are you going!? I pointed THAT way, and you went the other way!" Misty said.

Opaline flew until she spotted Izzy running, and lugging with her an opaque sack.

"Nice try, ponies. But you can't run, or hide from me." Opaline said.

Opaline flew down after Izzy.

Opaline made an earth shattering pound when she landed on the ground. Izzy lost her footing and fell over, and dropped the bag.

"It's over. You ponies can run no longer. For now I have- WHAT?!"

Opaline opened the sack, but it was not Sunny, it was instead Señor Butterscotch

"HAHAHA!" Izzy laughed, in Señor B's voice. "Gotcha!"

Opaline was tricked. She was very angry.

"Looking for Sunny Starscout?? Never heard of them. I'm Señor Bu-

Opaline used her magic to pierce Señor Butterscotch in the gut, to the utter horror of Izzy.

"Señor B!!" Izzy cried.

"Now tell me where Sunny Starscout is, or else." Opaline said.

"I'll NEVER tell you! You might be bright and powerful, but you're still a nasty old wench!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Bright? Hmm hmm hmm." Opaline made her horn glow extra bright, as she threatened Izzy. "You sure got that right. Bright... *gasp* "Bright House!" Opaline exclaimed.

"Uh, NO! No Bright House! Don't go there!! It's uh... infested! We have to quarantine it! Nopony allowed!" Izzy exclaimed.

Opaline turned the other way and took off and flew for the Bright House.

Zipp and Pipp were flying with Sunny in tow. Zipp held the lantern with her mouth, and the two of them carried Sunny in a basket. They were nearly at the entrance of the Crystal Bright House.

"Come on, we're almost there!" Pipp exclaimed.

But right before they touched the door, their wings stopped, and they were suspended in place.

Opaline had caught up to them.

"So this is the Crystal Bright House I've heard so much about. Sure is much bigger in reality than it is over transmission." Opaline said.

Opaline reeled in Sunny with her great magic, and pushed Zipp and Pipp back.

"You ponies were so close. You thought I'd been had. But now I have the only other alicorn left in Equestria." Opaline said.

"Let her go!" Zipp exclaimed.

But Opaline did not entertain the two pegasi. Opaline picked up Sunny Starscout, and flew away at great speed, leaving behind a loud boom sound, and a magic afterglow.

Zipp and Pipp looked at each other, with their jaws dropped, and eyes watering. They could not believe what happened. Izzy returned and limped slowly, with a sad look on her face.

"Guys..." Izzy said.

"What... just happened...?" Zipp said, still in utter disbelief as to what happened.

Pipp started bawling her eyes out, and leaned into Zipp for comfort.

Hitch and Sparky made it to the Bright House, but they could both tell there was nothing that needed to be said at this time. He looked up and saw that the sky was getting darker.

And Misty. She saw how distraught everypony was, and decided not to approach them. Instead she slowly backed away, and ran off.

Chapter 12: Rooted in the Past

Inside Opaline's castle, and inside of her throne room, Opaline sat, and toyed with her new magic on her magic pond. She was able to manipulate the liquid inside, and make it sparkle in all kinds of magical colors.

Just behind Opaline, leaning against her throne, was her alicorn captive, Sunny Starscout. Though actually, her ethereal wings and horn were nowhere to be seen, so was ordinary earthpony Sunny. She was defeated, and had hardly any energy to move a muscle. She slowly opened her eyes halfway, and watched Opaline use her new magic.

"Like it, Sunny Starscout?" Opaline asked.

Sunny didn't answer.

"Impressive, isn't it? The magic of the most powerful alicorn of all was locked away in those three meddlesome crystals all this time. Just so I couldn't have it. But it's thanks to you that I was finally able to break through the "barrier" and not only restore myself to my former glory, but go leagues beyond that." Opaline said.

But Sunny once again kept silent.

"Hmm.. Come, Sunny. There's something I think you'd like to see." Opaline said.

Opaline started for the door leading to the tree attached to her castle, but she realized Sunny still hadn't moved a muscle.

"Oh that's right. You're too weak to get up and do anything. Very well."

Opaline picked Sunny up with her magic, and dragged her across the floor. She brought Sunny through the doorway connected to the throne room, and led to the inside of the tree growing at the top of Opaline's castle.

Inside the tree was a nice spacious room, shelves of books upon books.

"Like this little library of mine? I got the idea from a certain sparkling horse." Opaline said.

Sunny didn't reply. She hid her face and planted her face into the ground.

"I thought you'd be more excited to see my 1:1 scale replica of the Golden Oaks Library." Opaline said. "And when I say exact, I mean exact. Down to every last book kept in that library. The burnt stargazing book. Her out of chronological order Daring Do collection. It's all here. It’s been a long time in the making. I had to get every detail just right"

"There's even one very special book I keep here on the main table." Opaline said.

In the middle of the library was a tome. It was a book whose cover had a gold insignia of a unicorn.

Opaline picked up Sunny, and shoved her face onto the book.

Sunny read the first page in her head.

Once upon a time... in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together, and created harmony for all the land.

"This is the story of Princess Twilight Sparkle." Opaline said. "Every solitary adventure she and her friends went on. Everything before, up through to the end where she was crowned ruler of Equestria. It's quite a long and interesting read, but it's not without issues."

"My main gripe with this story, is that there's a severe lack of me in it." Opaline said. "But I know a way to change that."

Opaline pulled out the feather she'd stolen from Cozy Glow, she used an enchanting spell on the feather. It began using itself to write in the journal.

"The story needs more me. And that's exactly what Cozy Glow's feather is here to write. It'll write a new story, starring me. I think you'll find it's a much more tolerable read." Opaline said. "Forget everything you think you know about Twilight Sparkle. As of now, her history is history."

"Once this feather finishes the new story, a new era will begin." Opaline said.

Sunny stared at the quill writing over the existing words. It traced bright strands of magic over the words, and wrote a similar, but different story. She felt no immediate reaction. She was already as deep into a slum as she could get.

"Still not talking? Very well. Your loss." Opaline said. "Watch Twilight's legacy be rewritten right before your very eyes then. It is quite a long read, so expect this to take about... nine days to complete? Eight and a half, give or take? But once it completes, I'll finally have completed my mission, and have undone Twilight Sparkle's legacy, one and for all!"

Opaline chuckled, and gave an evil laugh overhead. She slowly made her way out of the library, leaving Sunny alone.

Sunny slowly lifted her head, and had a look around the interior of the library. She'd recognized the name Golden Oaks Library from the stories her dad had told her, and she'd even seen illustrations of it. She'd just never thought she'd be inside the actual library. Or at least an eerily accurate replica. From every single book, to the exact type of tree it was. Every bit of décor, from the horsehead on the table, to the same stairs.

Misty poked her head inside and saw Sunny. Sunny's chin was on the table, as she merely peered her eyes around at all the books.

"How are you, Sunny?" Misty asked.

Sunny didn't reply to Misty.

"Listen, I know things seem... less than ideal, but..." Misty realized she didn't know how to finish that sentence.

"Look, I'm sorry, Sunny. I didn't expect any of this to happen..." Misty said.

Sunny turned her head and gave Misty a peeved glare.

"You're probably really mad at me for teaming up with Opaline all this time. But I assure you, that I do actually like you. Izzy has been very nice to me, and I think she'd be happy if we were friends."

Misty extended her hoof to Sunny. Sunny moved her eyes towards her hoof, and then at Misty directly.

"But of course, I realize I haven't done much to show my friendship towards you guys. My actions range from helpful, to not helpful so... I-I'll just leave you in here..."

Misty exited the library and left Sunny alone.

"I'm not good at helping Opaline, and I'm not good at helping Sunny..." Misty said to herself.

Sunny continued to slump, but then she noticed the book started glow. The entire book started to glow, way to bright. She took a few steps back and watched the book be surrounded by a powerful magical aura.

It kept glowing until it was surrounded in a purple magic sphere. The sphere then shot a bright beam of light out the window.

Sunny ran to an adjacent window to peer outside, and see what was happening.

The magic beam flew into the sky, and literally pierced the sky. The magic beam was powerful, and continuous. And it was all sourced from the magic surrounding the magic tome. Inside the magic sphere surrounding the book, Sunny could just see Cozy's feather slowly writing one letter at a time. Word by word. One row at a time.

Whatever spell Opaline put on this book, Sunny's stomach churned thinking of what it was doing, and what was going to happen when it reached the end of the story.

Chapter 13: Plenty of Clouds

The streets of Maretime Bay were baron and devoid of activity. Not a single pony was in sight. Tumble weeds and debris blew across the alley ways. The sun was hidden behind a veil of clouds, and there was a dreary atmosphere.

Inside the Crystal Bright House, our main ponies hunkered down, and slumped. They were all distraught, and saddened that Sunny was kidnapped by Opaline.

Zipp paced around, wondering what they should do, and if there was anything they could do.

Pipp laid on the couch, tapping her phone, attempting to get a signal. But no bars.

Izzy fidgeted with scraps at her work bench. But she wasn't getting any inspiration.

Hitch huddled with his animal buddies, and Sparky. They were all shivering in this cold weather.

"Still no cell service. This is so unnerving. How are we supposed to know that the rest of our friends are okay? I don't even know where the Pippsqueaks are, I'm so worried for them." Pipp said.

"That's it! I'm done sitting this out! I'm throwing my hooves down! We are marching right up to Opaline's hidey-out, and rescuing Sunny!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Izzy! You can't just waltz up and fight her. You'll die!" Pipp said.

"Better than not trying at all." Izzy said, already standing by the Crystal Bright House doorway.

"Izzy, wait! No need to act so quickly. We still don't really know where Opaline has taken Sun-" Zipp started.

"Then we look for her!" Izzy exclaimed angrily.

"And then what?" Pipp asked.

"Save her!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Would it hurt to have a little more of a detailed plan?!" Zipp exclaimed.

Suddenly, Hitch's animals, and Sparky started distressing.

"What is it, little critters?" he asked.

Sparky and the critters ran outside in a haste. Hitch and everyone followed them.

Outside the bright house, everypony looked up and saw something worrying. They noticed a towering whirl of magic extending into the sky.

"What is it?" Pipp asked.

The magic ripped a hole in the sky.

"Can't be good whatever it is." Zipp said.

"Well, at least we know where she's keeping Sunny." Zipp said.

"So not only does she have Sunny, she's got some sort of big dark spell cooking." Izzy said. "The longer we wait, the greater risk Equestria is in. We have to save Sunny now!"

"If it were easy we'd have done it by now." Pipp said.

"Just cause it isn't easy doesn't mean we shouldn't try." Izzy said.

"Izzy, you remember what happened last time we saw her. She absolutely cooked us! How are we gonna make sure that doesn't happen again?" Zipp asked.

"I suppose you're right. Thanks guys. I know you're looking out for me. But I'm looking out for Sunny too." Izzy said.

"We're going to need a little practice before we have our rematch with Opaline." Zipp said confidently.

"A rematch?" Izzy said, excited.

"Yeah. We'll catch her by surprise, and tackle her while we're in our tip top shape." Zipp said.

"Of course." Izzy said.

Zipp looked at Pipp, and noticed with was shivering.

"You alright, Pipp?" Zipp asked.

"I wouldn't want to push those of us who aren't ready." Izzy said, sassy.

"No no, Zipp's right. There's nothing we can't do if I get to work with you. Heheh..." Pipp said, anxiously.

Hitch held Sparky and spoke to him.

"What do you say, Sparky? Are you up for another chance to torch that alicorn flank?" Hitch asked.

"UH-HUH!" Sparky said.

Day 2 of the spell

The spell reaching into the sky was in full swing, and was already working towards darkening the sky. Our equines were unsure of what exactly the spell was doing, or how long they had until it did something cataclysmic. So of course, there was no time to waste, so they made haste.

Back in the Bright House, Zipp worked on her drones, and armed them with more vigorous self defense. They were equipped with heat lasers, and threat detectors.

Izzy spent her time performing operation on Señor Butterscotch, and on the side of her workbench, she was putting shards together. Mostly though she was packing little sacks with explosive glitter bombs.

In the front yard of the Bright House, the ponies gathered to show each other what they'd been working on these past few days.

"Check this out, Hitch." Zipp said.

Zipp's drones fired hot lasers.

"And I can control them all using my visor." she explained.

Zipp's technological enhancements were impressive. But Hitch was wondering if it was enough. He thought of some place with more advanced technology.

"And check this out!"

Izzy flung one of her sacks at a tree, and it went boom!

"Glitter bombs!" Izzy exclaimed.

"And check me out. I've been working on my hammer swings." Pipp said, nervously.

Pipp inched her way to this big "test your strength" machine Izzy built in front of the Bright House for Pipp to practice her hammer swings. She reeled her giant hammer back slowly, and after bracing her strength for enough time, she swung the hammer down and the puck made it about halfway up to the top.

*phew* "That took every bit of strength out of me to do." Pipp said.

"A commendable effort sis." Zipp said, patting her sister on the back.

"I mean... it's, it's not about peak raw strength anyway I suppose." Izzy said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Pipp asked.

"I mean, I'm confident in your abilities, Pipp. Really, I mean it." Izzy said.

"Aww, thanks, Izzy." Pipp said, flattered.

Hitch looked at everypony, concerned.

"What's the matter, Hitch? You don't seem too jazzed." Zipp said.

Hitch saw what everypony had been working on. While he was impressed, he had a sinking suspicion that it still wouldn't be enough. He saw how effortlessly Opaline brushed aside dragon fire. He wasn't sure if their run of the mill gadgets would do the trick.

"It's impressive, really. It's just... Hmm, how about some new equipment to help us out?" Hitch suggested.

"What do you mean?" Zipp asked.

"Think about it. We're going to need everything we got if we're going to stand a chance against Opaline. Your drones and Izzy's contraptions are impressive, but I wonder where we could get some more equipment. I wonder what Sprout's got stored away at Canterlogic." Hitch said.

"Sprout? Are you serious?" Pipp asked.

"What? He helped us take out Cozy Glow earlier, I'm sure he'd be willing to help us stop Opaline." Hitch said.

"If you say so. But like, do we really want to get him wrapped up in all of this?

"We don't have to wrap up Sprout, we just need to borrow some of his Canterlogic technologies, and we'll be on our way." Hitch said.

Sparky gave a lukewarm hum. Even he wasn't sure about this. And he wasn't even born when Sprout attempted to take over Maretime Bay.

Just won't get caught up in any unnecessary side stories for too long." Zipp said.

"Aww-WUM!" Sparky said, in his little dragon speak.

"Sounds to me like Sparky will be keeping a watch on you." Zipp said.

"Works for me." Hitch said.

Hitch walked through Maretime Bay with Sparky on his head, and looked around for sign of anypony, but there were none. He'd wondered where everypony was hiding. Then he noticed activity swarming inside Canterlogic.

"He did say he would protect everypony during the battle. Maybe they're still hunkering down." Hitch said to himself.

"Mmm hmm." Sparky added.

Hitch scratched his chin, and Sparky scratched his chin too.

Hitch made it to the Canterlogic factory entrance, and noticed it was unlocked. Against better judgment, he went inside.

Inside Canterlogic, ponies were at work. Hitch recognized nearly everypony from Maretime Bay. So this is where they were all hiding.

He saw that there were ponies who had towed, and were working on Izzy's discarded Marestream tram car.

"Posey?" Hitch asked.

"AH! Oh, it's just you. And the dragon." Posey said.

"Posey, Windy. What is going on in here?" Hitch asked.

"Things have been kinda dull in Maretime Bay without any Ponynet connections, so Sprout gave us all jobs in the factory." Windy explained.

"Jobs doing what exactly? Like, what is this all for?" Hitch asked.

"Yeah!" Sparky exclaimed.

"Sprout's aware of that evil alicorn, so he's seeking to do something about them." Posey said.

"Well that's perfect. That's exactly what I wanted to talk to him about. Where is he?" Hitch asked.

He's in the lower factory deck. You know the way, you've been here." Windy said.

"Just, get that dragon away from me before it burps fire into my mane again.." Posey said.

Hitch walked downstairs and saw even more construction going on.

He saw Sprout directing ponies on various projects.

"Sprout, what is everypony doing here?" Hitch asked.

"Hitch! Good to see you old buddy!" Sprout said. "Well look at who it is. Mr. Friendship is Magic Heriff Sitch himself."

"It's Sherriff Hitch. What have you been up to all this time, Sprout?" Hitch asked.

"Remember? Shortly before the battle of Maretime Bay, I had everypony hide in Canterlogic's underwater bunker, but that place got cramped quickly, so after the dust settled above, everypony settled in the factory. We started by simply dusting and getting the place in shape, but soon after ponies were at work building all kinds of stuff again!" Sprout explained.

"Great, got any say... anti-alicorn gear?" Hitch asked.

"What? Now you want to wage a war against pegasi and unicorns?" Sprout asked.

"That's not what I said. We need everything we can get to stop that evil alicorn." Hitch said.

"Hmm. Evil alicorn." Sprout said. "I'd hate to say I told you so because that would be rude and really not needed right now. Buuuut... Still thinking bringing all that magic to Equestria was a good thing, Sheriff?"

"Now's not the time, Sprout." Hitch said.

"Of course, of course. I'm smart enough to see the importance of this. We have to do everything we can to protect ourselves from the alicorns." Sprout said.

"From the alicorns?" Hitch asked.

"The alicorns. You saw what happened on that day. Sunny Starscout teamed up with that shadowy alicorn, and ransacked Equestria!" Sprout said.

"Sunny and Opaline aren't a team. Sunny's a hostage!" Hitch exclaimed.

Hitch felt ponies pressed against him as he walked back.

"And now, you're a hostage." Sprout said.

Hitch was grabbed by Toots and Sweets. They grabbed his limbs and held him.

"Wait, Sprout! Stop this! You don't know what you're doing! Let me go!" Hitch exclaimed.

"Take him to the scrapyard dungeon. And seize the dragon!" Sprout exclaimed.

Sparky was surrounded by a circle of ponies, reading to pounce on him. Sparky jumped up flew above everypony.

"Don't let it get away!" Sprout exclaimed.

The ponies ran for Sparky. But they didn't stand a chance. Sparky was quick. He flew too fast for everypony to hit them. He flapped his little wings and flew out a window.

"Go Sparky! Go get the others!" Hitch exclaimed.

"Uh-HUH!" Sparky exclaimed, giving Hitch a thumbs up. Sparky flew away from the factory.

"Fine. Let the dragon escape. Go alert Sunny's friends. The more the merrier. Could sure use their feedback on what we've been doing." Sprout said.

Chapter 14: Mind of an Alicorn

Day 3 of the spell

Inside of Opaline's throne room, Sunny sat on the floor, and leaned her head against Opaline's chair. Opaline herself paced circles around her magic pool, merely biding time waiting for her ultimate spell to complete. Sunny still wasn't much for words, so Opaline was essentially speaking with herself.

"Slowly but surely, my plan is coming together. You know, I was in the library earlier reading the grand book, just to see the progress, and Cozy Glow's feather quill was just writing over the part where Twilight and her friends rediscovered the Crystal Empire. Oh ho. Such bittersweet memories there."

Opaline looked down at Sunny, who still refused to speak to her.

"Why the long face, Sunny? You should beaming with excitement. Alicorn to alicorn. That is if you would express your alicorn powers. But no matter. I know you're hiding that strange alicorn magic inside. We could rule the world together, as the two most powerful beings. Or you can allow yourself to slump for the rest of the time you have. The choice is yours." Opaline said.

Misty had just entered the throne room through it's main entrance.

"Um, Opaline?" she asked.

"Yes, Misty?" Opaline replied.

"I've been thinking about something for a while." Misty said.

"You? Thinking? Now there's a surprise. What could it be?" Opaline asked.

"Well, since you got what you wanted, that being all the magic you could ever want from Equestria, and I helped you get that..."

Misty paused and hesitated. She was anxious about asking Opaline.

"After all my help, does that mean I'm ready for my cutie mark?" Misty asked.

Opaline was somehow surprised by Misty's question. Though she figured she shouldn't have been. She gave pause for thought, and entertained Misty's request.

"Hmm. Let's see. You did manage to sneak into the Bright House and swipe the Unity Crystals for me, but from there, it was I who used the crystals to free the past generation pegasus for her feather. I cracked the formula to break open the crystals and obtain their magic. What else did you do? Accidentally clued our past generation guests in on dragon fire? Nearly sent my plan up in smoke?!"

Misty cowered below Opaline.

"L-let's not dwell on the... *gulp* details in the middle there. I brought you those crystals! And you got what you wanted from them! So, don't you think I've earned my cutie mark now?" Misty asked.

"Hmm. You do have a point, you raise a solid case for you earning your cutie mark." Opaline said. "Tell you what, I'll think about it. And maybe before the spell is complete, I'll finally give you your cutie mark."

"There's a chance?!" Misty said, excitedly.

"Yes yes, whatever. There's a chance. Now let me focus on... uh, focusing." she said.

Opaline sat in her throne and faced forward.

"Ooh. I get it. You need to sleep and a little more time to come up with the perfect cutie mark to give me! I get it. I totally get it Opal-" Misty said.

*groan* "Nine days can sure feel like forever! And Cozy Glow thought three days was a long time. It's already been three long days." Opaline said, interrupting Misty.

"Hmm. Since there is still some time before my spell completes *yawn* I'll be napping in the meantime..."

Opaline slouched to the side of her throne, and rested her head on the headrest. Opaline rested her eyes, as she slowly fell asleep.

Sunny just dealt with Opaline's loud snoring right in her ear. Misty on the other hoof was concerned for Sunny. Not just the snoring bit. The fact that Sunny looked so sad, and was abducted from Maretime Bay by Opaline.

"You've been awfully quiet since you've been here, Sunny." Misty said.

"...There isn't anything that needs to be said." Sunny said, finally speaking.

"Sure there is. I thought I should ask how you were doing." Misty said. "How are you feeling, Sunny?" she asked.

Sunny slowly stood up on her four hooves. She then slowly trotted up to the magic pool, and stared at her reflection.

"The crystals were created and separated for a reason. To seal away the magic, and keep it safe. Everypony was right. Magic is just trouble, and deserves to be locked away. This whole bringing back the magic thing led to all of this... it was a mistake." Sunny said.

"Don't say that, Sunny. Magic has its perks." Misty said.

"Yeah, like world domination, and absolute terror." Sunny said.

"Sunny, I assure you. In spite of all I've done for Opaline, I never wanted this." Misty said.

"Then do something to stop it." Sunny said.

"I-I... can't." Misty said. "If I stop all the magic, how will Opaline give me my cutie mark? Will she want to by that point?"

"You want her to give you a cutie mark? After how awful she's treated you? How awful her plan is?" Sunny asked.

"Well, how else am I going to get my cutie mark? It's the thing I want most of all." Misty said.

"Cutie marks aren't just about, getting them. *sigh There's more to it than that. There's a deeper meaning and purpose to cutie marks... *yawn* but I don't think you'd understand." Sunny said.

Sunny's words upset Misty, and made her shed a single tear.

"Just leave me alone, okay?" Sunny said. *yawn* "And don't worry about the queen of snores. I've dealt with loud snoring, I can sleep past it..."

Sunny laid on the floor beside the throne, and slept beneath Opaline's watch.

Misty slumped, and walked slowly to her room.

Sunny napped, and slept through Opaline's snoring just fine. But what startled her was what sounded like shouting.

"Hmm?"

Sunny awoke, and looked up. She had noticed that even though Opaline was sleeping, her horn was glowing with magic, and connected to her magic pool.

Misty peaked her head into the room and saw the magic projection too.

"I think Opaline's dreaming. And the magic she has is projecting her thoughts for us to see." Misty said.

The pool projected images of Opaline's dream! Misty and Sunny watched her mind unfold in front of them.

Sunny lifted her head and watched intently. She could see what she thought was a projected image of Princess Twilight Sparkle. Although she seemed very distressed, as she attempted to quell the fears of everyone in Equestria.

"Attention, everypony! Please calm down!" Twilight exclaimed. "You've all been haunted these past moons by a sinister alicorn, who's been attempting to tear you all apart with her lies and fear mongering. But I assure you, the evil alicorn Opaline Arcana has been vanquished! You needn't worry about her harming you, or any creature else ever again!" Twilight said.

Everypony looked around, and was confused.

A unicorn attempted to use their magic to lift a handbag, but their horn did nothing whatsoever.

"Hey, what gives? Why can't I use my magic?" they said.

"And why can't I fly?" exclaimed a pegasus.

"What happened to all our magic?!" exclaimed another unicorn.

"It isn't gone, my ponies. But if my latest brush with evil has taught me anything, it's that magic is far too vulnerable, and easy to take, and misuse. So things are going to be different from now on." Twilight said.

There was a collective and loud "HUH?!" from the crowd of ponies.

"Your magic isn't gone. It's preserved. Inside of three magical crystals. Each representing each of the magic from your three tribes. The magic will return once..."

Twilight witnessed the pegasi already starting away.

"Where are you going, Pegasi?" Twilight asked.

The pegasi had tied ropes to Cloudsdale, and started pulling it.

"What's the point of a Cloudsdale if it's just a bunch of clouds on the ground? Fogsdale? You're taking our city and pulling it up to the mountains." said the pegasus leader.

"Since our city can no longer float, we're pulling her up the mountains."

"But I haven't finished explaining the Unity Crystals!" Twilight shouted.

"Well if they're outta here, then so are we!" exclaimed an earthpony.

"Yeah! Since apparently all us earthponies are good for is walking, we're just gonna keep walking... until we hit water or something." said an older earthpony.

"Well we unicorns are staying here!" said the unicorn leader.

The unicorns trotted off into the Everfree Forest.

Twilight watched all of the ponies walk away. Her so called Unity Crystals did everything but unify everypony. Suddenly she felt somepony tug on her. She looked down and it was her faithful student, Luster Dawn.

"What are we going to do, Twilight?" asked Luster Dawn.

"I don't know." Twilight said. "If the magic is free, then ponies are at risk. But if I contain the magic, then that takes away what makes everypony special." she pondered.

Luster picked up the three crystals together to view them herself. She noted that they glowed brightly when put together, but when she pulled them apart, the glowing stopped.

"The crystals glow when they're together. Some sort of analogous meaning to that?" Luster asked.

"That was the idea. I figured, once the traitorous Opaline was out of the picture, to seal away the magic for good, so nothing like this could ever happen again."

"Sure you don't wanna revert things to the way they were?" Luster asked.

"I still believe this has to be done. I can't just leave magic the way it was. So, I have decided that..." Twilight paused, and let out a heavy breath. "I am going to leave the tribes as is. If they aren't able to come to terms right now, then I'm not going to force them."

"Oh...?" Luster said.

"But for the time being, Luster, I have an important assignment for you." Twilight said.

"For me?" Luster asked.

Twilight put her horn to Luster, and it started to glow.

"Oh no. I know where this is going. Please don't, Twilight!" Luster said, in a panicking tone. "I know I said I wanted to accomplish as much as you some day, but I don't think I'm ready for this! I've had this thought in the back of my head for some time and I've been afraid of it! Twilight please! I don't want to be your alicorn successor! It's too soon!" she pleaded.

Twilight bestowed Luster Dawn with alicorn magic. But this wasn't the usual blend of alicorn magic.

Her horn glows extra bright, and she has wings made of Light!

"Huh?" Luster's wings and horn were bright, but not actual wings and horn. They were ethereal.

"Retractable alicorn wings and horn. All the power and strength of an alicorn, but when necessary you can blend in with the crowd." Twilight explained.

"Ooookay? But why exactly? N-not that I'm ungrateful or anything. But uh... you know. I wanna know what exactly I have to do." Luster said.

"I want you, Luster Dawn, to see each of the tribes, and give them their respective crystal. However, I am hopeful that one day they will rejoin in harmony. And when they do, they shall reunite the three pieces to my Unification Crystals." Twilight explained.

"You decide whether you want to assert your alicorn abilities, or be a humble pony. Because as of right now, I don't know if an alicorn princess is what the ponies need." Twilight said.

"Will do, Princess Twilight Sparkle." Luster Dawn said.

"I'm afraid, Twilight will do." Twilight said, removing her crown.

"Wait, so you are quitting?" Luster asked.

"I'm not giving up. But it's become clear to me that I've done all I can do. I've given you a task, Luster. And I hope one day that everypony will come together again and unite..." Twilight said.

"Twilight! Don't go! Twilight!" Luster cried.

Twilight turned away from her student, Luster Dawn, and flew away. Leaving the new demi-alicorn alone to her own accord.

"No! Turn around! What happens next! Ugh! Luster Dawn! Dawn!!" cried a voice.

"Are you okay, OTpwailliingeht? Opalighight?" Misty's voice cried out.

"Opaline? Are you alright?" Misty exclaimed.

"AAH!!!" Opaline exclaimed.

Opaline had awoken from her trance. The projection above the magic pool disappeared, and her horn stopped glowing.

"Are you okay, Opaline?" Misty asked.

"I'm fine, Luster... AIGHT Dawn." Opaline said, with a high pitched crack in her voice.

Misty gave Opaline a worried look.

"What? What's so unusual?" Opaline asked.

"It's just, you've never called me by my full name. I didn't even think you knew my full name." Misty said.

"You have a last name?" Opaline asked.

"I tricked those ponies to think my full name was Misty Bright Dawn, but I don't recall telling you." Misty said. "Unless you were confusing me for that pony in your dreams, Luster Da-"

"It doesn't matter!" Opaline exclaimed, interrupting Misty before she could say that name. "I don't want to hear that name again. Hearing your last name makes something in my head queasy."

"Which part? Bright? Or Da-" Misty started, but she was interrupted.

"Shhh!!" Opaline shushed Misty loudly.

"I get it now." Misty said.

"It's about time you did. Now if you'll excuse me. Ow. I need some dopamine. And the only thing that brings me joy these days is reading the grand tome, and watching it slowly inch towards completion".

Opaline retreated to the library inside the tree to recover from her nightmare.

"What was that about?" Sunny asked. "Is she hallucinating? Or is this stuff that actually happened?"

"Probably hallucinations based on bad memories. Why else would she have nightmares of stuff that happened to Twilight Sparkle?" Misty asked.

Sunny paused, and then came up with a hypothesis explaining why.

Because she's got Twilight magic. she thought. If that's why the tribes separated then... oh, poor Twilight...

"Why was she so scared of that Lustering pony? She looked kinda like you, Sunny." Misty said.

"I guess it's just bad memories. *yawn* It's dark outside, I'm going to nap again." Sunny said.

"It's always dark outside, Sunny. Want the real time? Your sleep schedule's all kooky." Misty said.

"I'm fine... *yawn* good night, Misty." Sunny closed her eyes.

Misty left the room, feeling helpless once again. She stared at Sunny before leaving the throne room.

Chapter 15: Fear Factory

Day 4 of the spell

Back at the Crystal Bright House, Zipp continued training Pipp for their eventual confrontation against the evil alicorn Opaline. While Izzy worked herself tired in the workshop on something. Though Izzy had taken a break from

Pipp was getting ready to swing the hammer on the test of strength once again.

"Come on, sis. It's all in the stance." Zipp said.

"I... I don't got this." Pipp admitted.

But Pipp was shaking in place. Zipp thought about how to quell Pipp's nerves.

"It's all about potential energy, sis. Don't fight gravity, let it assist you. Just get that thing high, and let gravity do the rest." Zipp said.

"Oh, that's the trick? Okay. I think I understand now."

Pipp swung the hammer down, and the puck flew all the way and smashed through the bell.

"I did it, sis!" Pipp exclaimed.

"Knew you could." Zipp said.

"I'm ready! I'm ready to kick some alicorn booty, and save Sunny!" Pipp said.

Zipp and Pipp hoofbumped.

Inside the Bright House, Izzy paced frantically around her work bench. It seemed she was juggling multiple projects, frantically shifting her attention from one side of the work table, to the other. On one corner, she had Senor Butterscotch, whom she was trying to repair. She was also working towards putting together these pieces of crystals together... Hmm. Wonder what those are.

"Izzy?"

"Gah! Sorry, was in the zone for a moment. There you guys are." Izzy said. "You two seemed jazzed."

"Izzy I'm ready! Come on Izzy let's save Sunny!" Pipp said, excitedly.

"Now there's the enthusiasm I've been waiting for!" Izzy said. "And just in the nick of time too. I have something to show you guys."

Pipp and Zipp glanced at the complete mess on Izzy's workbench. Or was that controlled chaos?

"Well well well, Izzy... What have you been hammering away at for the past four days?" Pipp asked.

"Right, so on top of helping our pal Senor B, I'm uh... trying to piece together these fragments." Izzy said.

Zipp used her headset to examine the fragments Izzy was putting together.

"Izzy, is that what I think it is?" Zipp asked, with her jaw open.

"It's exactly what you think it is. I don't need mind reading abilities to take a guess at your guess."

"You're rebuilding the Unity Crystals?!" Zipp exclaimed.

"Mmmhmm!" Izzy said, joyfully.

"But how? Did you just like, piece them together?" Pipp asked.

"Opaline may have shattered them and swiped their inner magic, but fortunately they were large fragments. Not only are the crystals different in color, they each made distinctly sized and shaped fragments. Like they each have unique compositions. Made gluing them together... well, I wouldn't say easy. But doable, as opposed to undoable." Izzy explained.

Indeed, Izzy had glued together the shards back together, and reformed the Unity Crystals! Sort of. They were definitely still fragments just plastered together.

"Sure, it might not hold up under a magnifying glass, and you know, doesn't glow quite yet." Izzy flicked the crystal formation with her hoof.

"This is just like before. Remember how the crystals didn't seem to do anything when Sunny just brought them together? It took a special something to activate them." Zipp said.

"Right. It's not enough just having them together, we need friendship. So my hope is that when we find Sunny, and show her these crystals, she'll alicorn it up, and magic will be restored! And Opaline will be vanquished!"

"Ooo! Yes! Yes!" Pipp exclaimed.

"We show Sunny the Unity Crystals, and it'll restore our magic! And we can fly again!" Zipp said.

"But if we need the Unity Crystals, then how are you flying now?" Izzy asked.

Pipp and Izzy looked at Zipp. Zipp herself seemed to be surprised, so she landed immediately.

"Izzy, your lantern sure is bright." Pipp observed.

And indeed, in Izzy's workbench, the lantern was glowing very bright.

"Oh yeah. The bright prisbeam lantern has helped me work through many a tireless nights." Izzy said.

"But why is the lantern glowing? She took all the magic." Zipp said.

"I don't know. I try not to question it too much. Not that I'm superstitious, but I worry if I think about it too much it might dim." Izzy said.

"We got no time to lose! Let's pack our stuff, and begin the long trek towards the big scary spell so that we can save Sunny, and Misty!" Izzy said.

“Right, Misty. We’ll see about her…” Zipp said.

It was getting late in the day, and the void above Opaline's castle had grown even larger. They weren't sure how many days they had left, but they knew they had to act immediately.

After some amount of time spent packing, our ponies were armed with saddlebags, and were ready to venture towards the big imposing spell in the distance.

"Do we have everything this time?" Zipp asked.

"No. We don't." Pipp said.

*groan* "What is it now? Your fourth mane brush?" Zipp asked.

"No. Hitch still isn't back. Where has he been?" Pipp said.

"You're right. Where is he? Hitch has been gone for way too long. Same goes for Sparky." Zipp said.

"I say we investigate. Zipp Storm style!" Izzy said. "Because with Zipp Storm on the case, it'll take no time at all."

"I'm flattered. Sort of. You're right though. We need to find Hitch before-" Zipp said.

All of the sudden, up the hill ran Sparky, Sparky and all of Hitch's critter friends, distressed.

"Sparky! There you are!" Izzy exclaimed.

"What's wrong, Sparky?" Pipp asked.

The creatures all chattered in distress.

"I never did learn how to speak critter." Zipp admitted. "But I think it's safe to infer that Hitch is in trouble." Zipp said.

"Spah-spah! Spout!" Sparky exclaimed.

*gasp*

"Sprout!" Pipp exclaimed.

"I knew Hitch shouldn't have gone to Sprout." Zipp said.

"What do we do now?" Pipp asked.

"What do we do? We march into that factory, and get him out of there! And then as a reunited team we march on over to Opaline's castle and rescue Sunny!" Izzy said. "It's do or don't. It's the point of no return. We don't step hoof in the Bright House again until Sunny is saved!"

"Now, Izzy, let's not act too hastily. After all-" Zipp started.

Pipp put a hoof in front of Zipp, and gave a determined stare.

"Let's do it." Pipp said, determined, and ready. Zipp smiled. She was happy to see her sister so confident.

Zipp and Pipp flew ahead, but soon thereafter they found they couldn't fly, and made a hard landing.

"Are you guys okay?!" Izzy exclaimed.

"We're fine. Ow. Ow." Pipp said.

"That was weird. One second we were flying fine, but then when we got too far away from..."

"The lantern!" Izzy exclaimed. "Of course. This thing is the source of your magic! So I wonder if..."

Izzy attempted to use her horn to lift an empty can on the ground, and indeed, it started glowing! Levitating too!

"So we can still do magic so long as we're within proximity of the lantern. Interesting..." Zipp said.

"It's the sign of our friendship. Why wouldn't it contribute to our magic?" Izzy said.

"Wahoo!" Sparky exclaimed.

"But what about Sparky? Does his dragon magic work regardless?" Pipp asked.

Sparky sneezed a puff of dragon fire at Pipp's mane, which made a very unstylish hairbow appear on her head.

"I'll take that as a 'most likely'." Zipp said.

Sparky giggled.

Zipp, Pipp, and Izzy made their way to the Canterlogic factory.

Sparky stood there, pointing at the factory, and chattering in distress.

"Please tell me Sprout hasn't gone mad with power again. PLEASE tell me Sprout hasn't gone mad with power again!" Pipp said.

Sparky climbed into Zipp's mane.

Zipp was about to open the front door normally, but Izzy insisted on a different approach.

"You wanna make an entrance? Let's make an entrance." Izzy said.

Zipp, Pipp, and Izzy busted open the front gates to Canterlogic.

"Everypony surrender now, and nopony has to get hurt!" Izzy exclaimed.

Surprisingly, nopony seemed to mind their presence. There didn't even seem to be much of anypony on the main floor.

There was the sound of bustling and working somewhere. The ponies even overheard something in the intercom about the Marestream!

"Marestream? It's here?" Izzy said.

Finally, they spotted some familiar faces.

"Jazz! Rocky!" Pipp exclaimed.

Pipp flew up to Jazz and gave her a big hug. Rocky just watched them as they hugged without him.

"Jazzy, what is going on in here?" Pipp asked.

"Pipp! Thank hoofness you guys are okay. Things got crazy after the big battle in Maretime Bay. With no Canternet, we've all been kinda lost for direction." Jazz explained.

"We've been following Sprout's lead since then." Rocky added.

"Great. We all know how that went last time." Pipp said.

"Maybe he's had a change, and it isn't so bad." Zipp said, unsure.

"It's bad." Rocky whispered.

"Jazz! Rocky! Who are you speaking with?!" exclaimed a voice.

"You guys need to leave, now!" Jazz said.

"We're not leaving without our friend Hitch!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Jazz! Rocky!?" exclaimed a voice.

That's when Phyllis appeared.

*gasp* "Phyllis." they said.

"Oh, it's just you ponies.” she said, disinterested.

"Oh? How about a 'hello'?" Pipp said.

"Hmm. Point taken. You are after all exactly the ponies we've been looking forward to seeing." Phyllis said.

Toots and Sweets appeared from behind her.

"Woah woah woah. What are you doing with those hoofcuffs?" Pipp exclaimed.

"What do we do to them, ma'am? Tie em up?" Toots asked.

"Wait wait wait! No need for the cold reception. These are Sprout's friends." Phyllis said. "Apologies for that, fillies. Make yourselves at home. Really."

Izzy trotted up to Phyllis with a serious scorn on her face, and a twitching lip.

"Where's Hitch Trailblazer, ya cronnie?!" Izzy exclaimed.

*gasp* Everypony gasped. On Izzy's side, and on Phyllis's side.

*ahem* "Please mind the volume, Ms. Moonbow. I can only take so much." Phyllis said. "So it's the sheriff you want, hmm? Well, we can work something out. Right, follow me, if you want to see your friend."

Phyllis trotted one way, with Toots, Jazz, and Rocky following her.

Zipp Izzy and Pipp all looked at each other, nervously.

"Don't worry. We still trust you. We're on your side." Jazz whispered.

"Okay. But what about everypony else?" Pipp said.

Jazz kept silent. Though her silence said plenty in this case.

"I don't like the vibe this place has." Pipp said.

"Me either." Zipp admitted.

"They got Hitch. And they got my Marestream. This place is no good." Izzy said.

"If this really is some kind of trap, they wouldn't have the two together." Zipp said. "They aren't paying attention, maybe we can split and cover more ground."

"Point taken. You guys follow her and look for Hitch. I'll be sneaking around, medium sneaky fashion, searching for where they're keeping the Marestream." Izzy said.

"Alright, just keep your eyes peeled for trouble. Just yelp if you need help." Zipp said.

Everypony nodded, and went their separate ways. Pipp stuck with Zipp, with Sparky in tow, and Izzy went off looking for the Marestream.

Izzy opened a door with a bunch of warning signs on the front, and went inside. She found herself in some sort of shipping yard impound for all kinds of vehicles. She trotted and trotted, and quickly found what she was looking for.

*gasp* "Hello Marestream!" Izzy exclaimed.

Izzy used her magic to break the lock keeping the door shut, and went inside. Izzy took note of all the work Sprout's crew had been doing inside.

"Oh you poor gal. All these modifications. They must've towed you here, and are installing jets on the outside as an alternative propulsion method, since they don't have the key. But I have the key. Let's get out of here, baby." Izzy said.

Izzy looked at the control deck, and noticed there was still a place to put the lantern.

She pulled out the lantern from her saddlebag, and was about to put the lantern into place.

"I'mma just reunite you with ol prisbeam here and..."

Suddenly there was a huge booming sound of the door being shut.

Izzy turned around, and it was Sprout, who had trapped her inside.

"Frizzy. Frizzy Frizzy Frizzy Frizzy." Sprout said. "What do you think you're doing here?"

"Uh, the name's Izzy." Izzy corrected.

"Wait, it is? Shoot, I got lots of paperwork I gotta redo, *ahem* ANYWAY! What do you think you're doing inside my tram car?"

"I appreciate the dedication to tow and maintain the Marestream for us, though I'm kinda torn on what you've done to her. I get trying to soup it up since I have the key, but all the add ons outside are icky." Izzy said.

"Uh, I think you mean Sprouticus Maximus Wingus." Sprout said.

"Whaticus?" Izzy asked.

"See, I'm trying something different. Instead of a trucking behemoth, this will be a sleek rocket propelled aeroplane that flies in the sky. At least I hope so. Haven't finished the modifications, so it still can't go anywhere without the key, which pardon me for overhearing, but it sounds like you have the key?"

"That's right. You don't need fireworks, or... whatever all this is. The Marestream runs on friendship! And that friendship is contained in our prisbeam lan...tern?"

Sprout pointed a object at Izzy.

"Uh... I don't know what you're holding there *gulp* but I suspect it delivers pain." Izzy said.

"Right you are. I think you better come with me... Izzy. Lest you wouldn't' want anything to happen to you, or the sheriff." Sprout said.

Phyllis led Pipp and Zipp through the factory.

"So... uh, Phyllis. What's been going on here lately?" Zipp asked.

"Oh, these last days have simply been chaotic. We heeded your warnings and hid in Canterlogic's underwater bunker throughout the battle of Maretime Bay." Phyllis explained. "We were hopeful that Sunny would come up victorious, and deliver the good news. But that never happened. We heard several loud explosions from outside, and after the loudest of which, suddenly our magic disappeared again. The pegasi fell from where they were floating. And us earthponies can no longer grow plants."

Zipp and Pipp looked at each other. They were genuinely concerned for everypony.

"The cell towers went out. No Canternet, or socials for anypony. We were scared. Lost for direction." Phyllis said dramatically. "That's when Sprout stepped up, and led everypony to salvation!"

"Look. That's great and all. Can you just tell us where Hitch is?" Pipp asked.

"And end the fun here? Why are you fillies in such a hurry to leave?" Phyllis asked.

"Because our friend is in trouble, and it's going to take all of us to save her." Zipp said.

"Mommy! You don't have to tell the long story to everypony who comes in." Sprout said.

Sprout appeared, and led Izzy.

"Hey guys. Try not to make any sudden movements." Izzy whispered.

*gasp*

"Where's Hitch!" Zipp exclaimed.

Sprout pointed his hoof up, and our mares looked up and saw Hitch in a cage suspended from the ceiling.

"Guys! Get me out of here. I don't like heights." Hitch said.

*gasp*

"Dada!" Sparky exclaimed.

"What exactly are you doing, Sprout?" Pipp asked.

"Is this just a repeat of your plan from last time?" Zipp asked.

"Please. This isn't anything like last time. I learned my lesson from before. It was wrong of me to tell the earthponies to fear unicorns and pegasi. Nay. They are indeed our allies." Sprout said. "The magic is fine too. I liked my new ability to grow plants. Even if the only things I grew led to disaster..."

"Well, that's good. So then why all the opposition? Can we just-" Zipp started, but Sprout spoke up.

"I've now come to realize who our enemy truly is! The alicorns!" Sprout exclaimed. "Don't you see how powerful they are?! They fly faster than any pegasus, AND have magic more powerful than any one unicorn. All in one pony!" Sprout said.

Pipp and Zipp and Sparky looked at each other, confused.

"Huh?" they all said collectively.

"Can't let those evil alicorns go unchecked! They could reappear here at Maretime Bay at any moment!" Sprout said.

"Sunny's not evil!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Is that so? I seemed to recall Sunny promised a prosperous and unified Equestria when she released the magic. And what has she delivered? A one sided unfair Equestria ruled by two evil alicorns!" Sprout exclaimed. "I say nay! And nay to anyone who assists Sunny!"

"Nay!" everypony in the factory exclaimed.

"No! It's not like that! You don't understand!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Don't you ponies see? We're in danger! The sky is dark! The alicorns are already putting an incantation on Equestria!" Sprout exclaimed.

"You haven't learned anything! You're just trying to divide us again!" Izzy said.

"You're just twisting the same narrative, except it's alicorns this time." Zipp said.

"I would never! I have learned! I am uniting every pony of every kind, against the alicorns!" Sprout said. "Izzy Moonbow. Don't you want to be rid of the evil alicorn casting this horrifying spell?"

"Of course I do. But I don't like how you're lumping Sunny in with her. Opaline is an evil alicorn, and we need to stop her." Izzy said.

"So at least we're in half agreement. An alicorn must be stopped. And thankfully, I've been working on a means to accomplish exactly that." Sprout said.

"Somepony just help get me out of here!" Hitch shouted.

"I'm on it- Huh?"

Somepony ran by and put a horn helmet over Izzy's head.

"Hey, what are you doing!?" Izzy exclaimed.

"It's a trap!" Zipp exclaimed.

Pipp watched Zipp, Izzy, and Hitch be tied up by everypony.

Sparky flew up to help Hitch. But suddenly, a large net dropped from the ceiling and fell on Sparky, trapping him.

"You're not getting away again, little guy." Sprout said.

"Let, us, go!" Sparky exclaimed.

"Woah. That almost sounded like a coherent sentence!" Izzy said.

Sprout's workers had successfully tied up Zipp, Pipp, Izzy, and Sparky.

"Watch the wing!" Zipp exclaimed.

"Watch the horn! Ow!" Izzy exclaimed.

"You said this was the key to the flying tram car? Interesting. Perhaps now I'll finally be able to get things back on track." Sprout said.

The lantern dimmed as Sprout held it.

"Uh, Sprout. Where do you want the prisoners?" asked Sugar Moonlight.

"Take them to the scrapyard room." Sprout said.

"Hold on a minute." said a high pitched voice.

It was the pippsqueak trio, tugging at Sprout.

"Leave this one to us." Peach Fizz said.

We'll take her out back." Seashell said in a sinister tone.

"Huh. I like the sound of that. Permission granted." Sprout said.

*gasp* "I am shook! Pippsqueaks! How could you do this?!" Pipp exclaimed.

The three fillies all held Pipp overhead and carried her away.

"Why are you doing this? I thought you wanted to help us against evil?" Zipp asked.

"Look, I was willing to do a favor when it came to getting rid of that brutish trio of oldies. But I could not believe my eyes when I saw the events that unfolded after that day. Never did I expect Sunny Starscout would betray Maretime Bay, and side with another alicorn." Sprout said.

"That's not what happened!" Izzy exclaimed.

"And you know it!" Zipp added.

"Sunny side up, or Sunny side down, it ultimately doesn't matter. You've seen how dangerous alicorns can be. We've all seen. Do we really want to take the chance and see what Sunny does to those on her bad side?" Sprout explained.

"I won't let you get away with this!! AHH!!!" Izzy exclaimed.

Izzy lunged forward at Sprout, but she was roped by two ponies, and held back.

*phew*" You unicorns are more aggressive than I thought." Sprout said. "Can't imagine what two flying unicorns could do to Maretime Bay. High and mighty alicorns? We'll see about that. Once they get a taste of this, it'll be their last."

"You said we weren't going to hurt Sunny Starscout, right?" Phyllis asked.

"Mom, I already laid out the plan. I have it all calculated." Sprout said.

Meanwhile, the Pippsqueaks brought Pipp to the back of the factory.

"Stop! Unhoof me or I'll-"

Seashell opened a door that led outside. They were helping Pipp escape.

"Oh. Out back. I see what you did there." Pipp said. "Thanks for the epic save, Pippsqueaks."

Pipp hugged the three Pippsqueaks.

"Pipp, go get help. Sunny's in danger." Seashell said.

"I know. She's being held in that actually evil alicorn Opaline's castle." Pipp said.

"Not just that. Sprout's going to hurt Sunny.." Seashell said.

"But who can help?" Pipp asked. "All of my friends are captured."

"I don't know. My friends list still won't load." Glory said.

"Hmm... friends list..."

Pipp looked at her contacts on her phone to try to brainstorm who to seek for help.

*gasp* "That's it! I know exactly who can help, and where to find her!" Pipp said.

Chapter 16: Alicornism

Inside Opaline's replica of the Golden Oaks Library, Opaline read the words that were currently being scribbled into the pages of the Golden tome by Cozy Glow's pegasus feather.

"Though her friends were skeptical at first due to their previous brush with Starlight Glimmer, Princess Twilight Sparkle assured her friends that Starlight Glimmer had changed her ways, and was ready to make friends. The ponies all rejoiced and sang in a song, and welcomed Starlight Glimmer with open hooves, as they all made a new ally, and a new friend."

Opaline turned her head to see sad Sunny.

"How wonderful. Who knew making friends was so easy." Opaline said.

The page flipped over to begin a new chapter. Opaline winced when she realized what it was.

"Ugh. I hate these Crystal Empire chapters. Especially this one involving... ugh."

Once again, Sunny was scarce for words. She slumped, as her normal earth pony self, as she'd done since being kidnapped.

"It's been six days already Sunny, and there's been no hint of your alicorn powers so far." Opaline said. "Being an alicorn makes you special. A makeshift alicorn no less. There's no other pony like you."

Sunny turned her head away from Opaline, but spoke anyway.

"I'm not even sure I could if I wanted to. Didn't you take all the magic? You shattered the Unity Crystals, and sniffed up all the magic within. I can't become an alicorn any more, right?" she asked.

"Indeed I did." Opaline said.

"Perhaps it would help if you lent me some of your magic. You know. Help get me over that hill, and let out my inner alicorn." Sunny said.

"You're willing to cooperate, and allow me to help you be an alicorn?" Opaline asked.

Sunny nodded.

"Very well, I shall help, under one term. The next time you're an alicorn, you'll serve me. Nay, we shall be partners. Alicorn y alicorn. The two of us will rule new Equestria. Or, how about I'll be the princess, and you could be the protégé." Opaline said.

Sunny didn't give a reply to Opaline's request. She chose to keep quiet, and keep her thoughts to herself.

"Having second thoughts? Don't want in on my scheme?" Opaline asked. "Suit yourself. I'll just let you remain your same old, non-special self for the rest of Equestria's days."

"If I'm not special, then why did you capture me?" Sunny asked.

"Hmph. You got me." Opaline said.

Opaline exited the Golden Oaks Library, leaving Sunny with the book.

Sunny reached her hoof at the book and touched the forcefield protecting it. The forcefield zapped her hoof when she touched it. She watched the quill scribble in more words. She caught the glimpse of names she was somewhat familiar with, such as Princess Cadance, and Princess Flurry Heart.

It was then that Sunny turned her attention to the upstairs. She hadn't seen what was up there yet, but this was also the first time Opaline left Sunny unattended in the library. She was curious to see what was upstairs, but something about that idea felt... unsettling. So she decided not to.

Sunny re-entered the throne room, and saw Opaline was already asleep and snoring away. Sunny, feeling tired herself, went up and leaned against the throne.

Misty peeked her head into the throne room, and saw Opaline snoozing away, and Sunny sitting besides her next to the throne.

"You doing alright, Sunny?" Misty asked.

"...Fine as usual." Sunny said.

"I brought you some tea. If you want it of course. You don't have to." Misty said.

"No thanks. I'm good." Sunny said, ending her sentence with a deep sigh.

"I don’t like seeing you like this, Sunny.” Misty said.

"Like what? Disappointed that I'm not an alicorn?" Sunny asked.

"I could give or take that. Or rather, what I mean is, I like you as an earthpony just fine." Misty said.

"Thanks Misty. That makes you one of the few." Sunny said.

"Did Opaline say something that bothered you?" Misty asked.

"Well, it's just... I'd never serve Opaline. Especially after seeing the horrible stuff she's done to magic, and my friends." Sunny said.

Misty looked down, nervously.

"Which begs the question, why is a sweet unicorn like yourself serving such a nasty alicorn like Opaline?" Sunny asked.

"How did you two meet?" Sunny asked.

"I've known Opaline for as long as I can remember." Misty said. "Sure she's... I know she hasn't... but you see the thing is...
Opaline's done so much for me. She's pretty much raised me since I was a foal, and made sure I was well cared for."

Misty said, as she went into greater detail into her time with Opaline.

“She used to tell me stories about how great she was when she had magic, and longed for the day that magic would return and restore her to her former glory. And indeed, when the magic came back, and in particular when earthponies became magical, that's when Opaline took a special interest in what was going on at Maretime Bay. She sent me out to scope and spy on you guys, and give you the alicorn compact.”

"Wait, you gave it to me? Not Pipp?" Sunny asked.

Misty nodded.

"Has Opaline ever told you her full plan?" Sunny asked. "Like what's with that magic book in the library?"

"Not really. She's always been vague. She tasks me with things, but explains the plan as we go along." Misty said.

"Do you ever stop for a moment and think about the big picture? Really think about what she's planning?" Sunny asked.

"I guess... not?" Misty said, sounding unsure.

"And how about now? Now that you've seen the lengths she'll go through to do unspeakably horrible things, how can you still stand by her?" Sunny asked.

"She's the only friend I've known..." Misty said.

"We can be your friends, Misty. Me, and my friends. We can show what it's like to truly want to help ponies towards good causes." Sunny said.

Misty and Sunny looked up, and saw Opaline’s horn was once again glowing as she slept. Her magic once again seeped from her horn and connected to the magic pool in the center of the room. The magic pool glowed, and projected upwards moving images.

“Look, Sunny. Opaline’s dreaming again.” Misty said.

“What is it this time?” Sunny asked.

Opaline was once again dreaming, and projecting her dream above the magic pool.

This time, it projected events that took place in the Crystal Empire.

In the Crystal Empire, there was a meeting called on by the leader of the Crystal Empire, Princess Flurry Heart. This meeting was of the utmost importance.

Leader of Equestria, Princess Twilight Sparkle was in attendance, as was her royal advisor, Spike the dragon. Representing the Crystal Empire, was Princess Flurry Heart's herself, with her most trusted advisor, an older unicorn named Opaline Arcana.

"Princess Twilight, you wished to have a meeting?" Flurry said.

"That's right." Twilight said. "My dear Equestrians. It has been a prosperous time as Princess, but I fear darkness is on the horizon. Ponies have been attacked, and threatened. By who? Or what? We do not know these answers yet. But we are intent on investigating."

"The latest word is that there is somepony after the magic of Equestria. We've ruled out Lord Tirek, as he is still in stone with Chrysalis and Cozy Glow." Spike explained.

"My greatest fear is that there's a new villain. Somepony lurking out there, or worse, under our snouts." Twilight said.

The Crystal Heart was moved to a more protective location in an effort to keep it out of harm's reach. It was in a chamber below the Crystal Spire. Flurry Heart and Opaline circled the Crystal Heart to make sure it was well protected.

"Good thinking, Opaline. Moving the Crystal Heart to a more secretive location, safe from anypony who might try to steal from it." Flurry Heart said.

"Yes. Out of the public eye, and into hiding. Now nopony can see or harm the Crystal Heart. Its magic is safe here." Opaline said.

"What do you suppose some evil force would want to do with the Crystal Heart?" Flurry asked.

"Hmm. Uh... not sure. But doesn't the weather get worse when it is broken?" Opaline said.

"Good point. Well taken." Flurry said.

The dark chamber below made the glow of the Crystal Heart all the more dazzling. It sparkled, and projected out fascinating patterns against the wall.

"I've never noticed how vibrant the Crystal Heart is. Normally outside the other lights hide its vibrancy. But down here, you can see the glow in its full glory." Flurry Heart said.

Opaline noticed Flurry was distracted. Now was the perfect time to initiate her sinister plan.

The bright blue glow of the Crystal Heart started to dim and turn red. Flurry then noticed it was difficult for her to move her legs.

"Huh? What's happening?!" Flurry exclaimed.

"What's the matter, Flurry?!" Opaline asked in a panicked tone.

"I don't know! I think there's somepony else here! Who else could've-"

Flurry noticed The red glow around the Crystal Heart also surrounded Opaline's horn. This was deliberate.

"YOU!"

Flurry attempted to lunge at Opaline, but she couldn't reach far enough.

"What's the matter, little Flurry?" Opaline asked.

Flurry fell to the floor in shambles, and in tears.

"Upset that mommy isn't here to bail you out of this?!" Opaline teased.

"What do you want, Opaline?!" Flurry asked.

"I want what you have!" Opaline exclaimed.

"AAH!!!" Flurry screamed.

Flurry felt a horrible pain on the surface of her flank.

"I want what Twilight has! I want what all you alicorns have!!" Opaline exclaimed.

Opaline was using a spell to steal the cutie mark right from Flurry Heart's flank.

"I do not have time to wait for destiny to choose me. What if I never get chosen? I'll make my own choices! And I choose to be the most powerful alicorn ever!!" Opaline exclaimed.

The Crystal Heart shattered, and Flurry Heart's cutie mark was pulled from her flank.

"And I'm going to achieve it by stealing it from all the remaining alicorns. Hmhmhmm. One down, only... one more to go. That's awfully convenient." Opaline said.

.
.
.

Opaline used the spell to complete the scheme. She placed Flurry Heart's cutie mark over her own blank flank, and Flurry's mark became hers. And with it, all the power that came with being an alicorn. And fortunately for her, a pair of wings easily formed from the sparkles and essence of her newly acquired alicorn magic.

Opaline put on an iron pony mask to hide her identity, and fled the Crystal Empire in a magical haste, leaving the shards of the Crystal Heart littered within.

Opaline wore a cloak to disguise herself. Now that she is an alicorn, she continued to cause mischief throughout Equestria, and seeding mistrust in the tribes.

The projection above the mirror flashed, and another scene appeared.

Twilight had finally caught up to the devious creature who had stolen the cutie mark and magic from her niece.

"Unmask yourself, Opaline Arcana!" Twilight exclaimed.

Opaline removed her iron pony mask, revealing her ugly mug to Twilight.

"How'd you know it was me, your lowly disciple?" Opaline asked, sarcastically. "Aren't you just so devastated that such a loyal assistant of yours would turn traitor, and rage war against you?" Opaline asked.

"I could give or take. You used Flurry's loyalty against her. I owe you no kind regards. I'll do everything in my power to stop you." Twilight said.

"You sound so serious, Twilight.

Twilight was ready to have a vengeful battle against Opaline. But that was just it. Vengeful. She saw Flurry Heart's cutie mark on the flank of this hideous mare, and sight of her niece's cutie mark on the flank of this fiend was enough to freeze her with fear.

"What's the matter, Twilight? You look like you've seen a ghost." Opaline said.

Twilight merely stood frozen with fear. Unable to act, or stop Opaline.

"I learned from my predecessors. Cozy Glow, Lord Tirek, and Queen Chrysalis thoroughly demonstrated how easy it was to break the trust between ponies. I simply tried what they did, and lo and behold it worked easily. King Sombra knew the Crystal Heart was an immense source of power, so I broke it." Opaline said.

Twilight was still frozen.

“Well if you’re not going to try to stop me, don’t. I’m off to cause more terror, and sap more ponies of their magic!”

Opaline zoomed off and flew away, leaving Twilight dazed, and unsure what to do.

"Twilight? What's wrong?" Spike asked.

"I-I'm fine Spike." Twilight replied.

"So then why didn't you stop her?!" Spike exclaimed. "I mean, not to sound rude, but what the heck were you thinking?!" Spike asked.

"It just didn't feel right. I don't know if it's because she has Flurry's cutie mark, or it's something she said that got into my head."

"I just never thought that it would ever come to this. I thought we were done fighting evil. I thought that was the last of it. But once again, our very way of life is being challenged by a greedy, hateful, and power hungry fiend. I thought things were going to be different from now on. I thought this was finally it. I thought we'd stomped out the remainder of all evil when we defeated Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow. Perhaps it was foolish, arrogant even, to think that could ever happen." Twilight said.

Spike put his hand onto Twilight's shoulder.

"I know things are harder now. Especially since... *sob* the mane 6 lost a valuable member. It's not like it used to. We don't have all 6 of us to unite and vanquish our foes. But that doesn't mean she's not beatable. You have Celestia, Luna, and Cadance's magic with you." Spike said.

"But last time I had that, I couldn't even beat Lord Tirek. It was only when I had all my friends... but now I don't have all of them..." Twilight wept.

"I know as your royal advisor I'm supposed to have all the answers... *sob* but I just don't right now." Spike said, crying.

Spike slapped himself to push away the incoming tears.

"All I can say is pull yourself together, and save Equestria for Celestia's sake! You can't stay sad forever!" Spike exclaimed.

Twilight looked at Spike, confused.

"I mean, *ahem* Sorry.." Spike said, apologizing.

"No, you're right Spike. Friends or not, I have a duty to defend Equestria. And that's just what I'm going to do. I'm going to stop Opaline. And I'm going to make sure nopony has the opportunity to do this ever again!"

There was another bright flash, and now a different scene played out above the magic pool. This time it showed Twilight in Spike somewhere in Canterlot, coming up with ideas.

"So, what's the plan, Twilight? What did you have in mind?" Spike asked.

"I'm not sure. I know what we must do. We have to stop Opaline. How do we do that? I'm unsure." Twilight said.

"She's created so much hysteria and paranoia throughout Equestria!” Spike said.

"This might be our toughest battle yet. She's taken a page from so many of our past adversaries. Well if she's going to 'take inspiration from my predecessors’, we're going to take inspiration ourselves!" Twilight said. "She wants to take magic? We’ll just have to take it back. We need to take her magic away."

"Taking magic away? When have we seen that before?" Spike asked rhetorically. "Would you possibly... are we gonna use Grogar's Bewitching Bell?"

"No. We're not going to use Grogar's bell. That object was created by an evil tyrant for evil purposes! I'm going to create something new! Something that will restore harmony. Something that will represent everypony!" Twilight said. "We need... we need..."

*Twilight hung her head in shambles*

“What’s wrong Twilight?” Spike asked.

*sigh* “Opaline was a trusted ally, who turned on us unexpectedly. She may have been plotting this the whole time without us knowing. If we restore everypony’s magic, what’s stopping this from happening again? It’s an endless cycle. As long as there is magic, there will be somepony who seeks to take it, or destroy it. So what if…” Twilight said.

“Twilight, you’re not suggesting…” Spike said.

“Of course not. I don’t want magic to disappear forever. I'd never dream of it. Nor do I want to have to regulate magic usage myself. That seems too overbearing. There has to be another way. A smart way to do this…” Twilight pondered.

“And you always come up with smart solutions.” Spike said. “Think about this. We know what Equestria needs. We just don’t know how to get there yet. But there’s no destination we can’t reach with the right magic.”

Spike poked Twilight's nose with his claw to ease her nerves.

"Hehehe. Thanks, Spike. You're right. We got this." Twilight said, optimistically.

Suddenly the projection went into fast forward, and showed the sun and moon rising and setting. All the while Twilight and Spike spent these many days pacing, and brainstorming a plan for how to stop Opaline Arcana, and simultaneously shut the door on the possibility of any pony abusing magic ever again. It was not an easy task. Any ideas either involve being rid of magic altogether, or leave magic too vulnerable. Coming up with the perfect solution was tricky. But ultimately, no solution is perfect, and Twilight had to act fast, as Opaline was making her rounds around Equestria.

The flashback slowed down, as Twilight's final plan took shape.

“Equestria needs a new beacon of hope. A new image of friendship. Rather than unified under a common ruler, they will hopefully find Unity.” Twilight explained.

“When they look at these Crystals, they’ll see themselves. And when the Crystals come together, they’ll see their Unity shining back at them. That’s when the real magic will shine, and only then will magic be usable. And only be those pure of heart.” Twilight said.

“That uh... this might work, Twilight.” Spike said.

“But such a creation is going to require a lot of magic to manifest I’m afraid.” Twilight said.

“How much magic we speaking of?” Spike asked.

Twilight paused and didn’t answer. She didn’t want to explain to Spike.

“Twilight…?” Spike asked.

She knew in her head it was going to take nearly all her magic to forge a series of crystals in her image.

The projection flashed, this time showing Opaline Arcana, raging terror across Equestria. Every town she touched, trembled and gave up their magic to her.

“Opaline Arcana!!” Twilight exclaimed, in her loudest Royal Canterlot voice.

Opaline turned around, and saw a radiant Twilight descended from above.

"This has gone on long enough!" Twilight exclaimed.

"I disagree! This is only the beginning! My reign over Equestria will be eternal!" Opaline exclaimed.

"Never! You are a disgrace to alicorns! You are a disgrace to magic! You are a disgrace to friendship!" Twilight exclaimed.

"You're breaking my heart, Twilight." Opaline said, sarcastically.

"You will be banished forever for your sins! You have brought distraught and hate to Equestria! But no more! And nopony shall do anything of the sort ever again! Not so long as the magic is protected by Unity!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Uh huh. And just how are you going to do that? Without your friends you are weak! But I don't need friends to be strong! I am an alicorn! And unlike you, I know what it truly means to be an alicorn! I don't need friends to lift me up! I don't need flashy rainbows! This is the true power of alicorns!!" Opaline exclaimed.

Twilight held back her feelings. She couldn't let Opaline's comments about her friends get her down.

"The magic of Equestria is strong. You clearly recognize that. Of course, that's why you want it for yourself. But try as you might, but you could never hold all the magic in Equestria!" Twilight said.

"That's fine. I only need enough magic to defeat you." Opaline said.

"And that's been the problem. For too long, the magic has been too vulnerable. For generations, there have been those who for one reason or another sought to take as much magic as they can. You're merely the latest in a line of scummy individuals. You're nothing new, or special." Twilight said.

"So then what exactly are you expecting if you were to defeat me? If what you say is true, somepony else later will attempt the same scheme. Why fight it? Just give me all the magic." Opaline said.

"Things will be different. The magic will be different from now on. What I have come up with will not only defeat you, but ensure that you, or nopony like you, could ever abuse magic ever again!" Twilight exclaimed.

"I'm dying to see this brilliant idea you've come up with." Opaline said.

Twilight pulled out three glowing bright crystals. They were each very bright, and glowed their own distinct color.

"What have you got there?" Opaline said, looking worried.

"Your undoing. Your worst nightmare. Equestria's newest beacon of hope. Forged from the shattered pieces of the Crystal Heart you destroyed." Twilight said.

The three crystals joined together, and fit neatly into shape. The crystals glowed even brighter when they joined together.

"Uh oh..." Opaline said.

Twilight's eyes glowed white, and her mane was bright and flowing. She held the Crystals above her as they glowed brighter than the sun.

"Wait. You can't! Anything but-" Opaline pleaded.

Twilight was ready to unleash her magic. She unleashed a massive wave of magic onto Opaline.

The entire scene was too bright to really see what was going on after this. It is then when Sunny and Misty noticed that the real Opaline sitting next to them was getting restless in her sleep. She started tossing and turning. The projection cut in and out, until the image was lost entirely.

"What's happening?" Misty asked.

Opaline began grunting, and stressing in pain. Her horn glowed bright.

Sunny took a step away from Opaline's throne.

"Opaline. Are you okay?" Misty asked.

"AAAHHHH!!!" Opaline exclaimed.

Opaline's horn glowed a bright purple, and her eyes looked uneven.

Suddenly Opaline's horn glowed on its own, and attached its magic to the tome in the library. Her own magic pulled on the tome, but it was firmly in place. The tugging force forcefully thrusted Opaline into the library.

"Opaline... stole her cutie mark?" Misty said under her breath.

"From an alicorn princess?" Sunny added.

In the library, Opaline lifted her hooves against her own will, and they pressed against the forcefield protecting the tome. The heat of the forcefield against Opaline singed her skin and her mane.

"GAH! Try as you might, youuuuu cannot... pREvAil!" Opaline exclaimed. "Even though you are gone, Twilight Sparkle, your magic is still attempting to bring me down. But it is not going to work. Even if you did, my spell is in motion. And in just a few days time, everything you sought to create will be destroyed!!!"

Opaline glared at the book, and read its contents. She just so happened to spot the name Princess Flurry Heart, and it immediately triggered an visceral reaction inside of her.

"I've waited too long for this! I will succeed in destroying Equestria! And nopony can stop me! Not you! Not Sunny!! NoponY!!!"

Chapter 18: Escaping the Factory

Dawn of Day 9. The final of the spell.

It was the ninth day of Opaline's spell. With roughly one season of the mane 6's adventures taking approximately one day for the spell book to write out, this would be the last day of writing.
On the dawn of this day, the magic quill began to pen the chapter where Princess Celestia and Princess Luna announced that they were stepping down from the throne, and would pass on responsibility of all of Equestria onto Twilight Sparkle. By the day's end, at this rate, the final page, depicting Princess Twilight's rule, and would thus complete Opaline's spell, and create a new Equestria featuring her as the main character, instead of Twilight Sparkle.

Today was do, or don't. And right now, it wasn't looking good from the outset. Nine days in, and Sunny was still not able to let out her alicorn abilities, or do anything to stop or even slow Opaline's book spell. Misty fled the castle in tears over a dispute over cutie marks.

And perhaps most frustrating of all, Izzy, Zipp, Hitch, and Sparky had been captured by Sprout were imprisoned in his factory. With their hooves suspended in chains, and even Sparky was in metal chains, and had a muzzle over his mouth, our heroes were all but helpless, much to their frustration. Nobody to help them, but a mouse scurrying along the floor.

"I can't believe this." Hitch said, sounding defeated.

"We don't have time to believe this or not." Zipp said.

Zipp kicked, and pulled, trying to get herself free.

"We have to get out of here and save Equestria." Zipp said.

Izzy played the Harmonica, and sang while they were imprisoned.

"Oooh! Ooohhh!! Please won't you let us out!" she sang. "Can't you see you're making a huge mistaaaaAAAAAaaaAAAke!?"

Sparky giggled at Izzy's singing. The mouse even seemed to squeak and enjoy her singing. Everyone else was less amused though.

Zipp flung her hooves and banged against the wall, nearly hitting Hitch.

"Hey, watch where you're swinging." Hitch said.

"Sorry. I just *errg* if there's anything I hate, it's being a helpless damsel." Zipp said. "This is really how it's going to end, huh? Opaline is going to finish her spell, while we rot away in this stupid factory!"

"A lonely perish. Just you, me, you, you, and this little mouse." Izzy said.

Sparky's eyes followed the mouse as it crawled around the floor.

*Errgh* "I hate mice!" Zipp exclaimed.

"Zipp, wait! Remember, critters can understand me. Maybe he can-" Hitch started. But Zipp was furious.

Zipp kicked the mouse, and it flew against the wall.

"Zipp!" Izzy exclaimed.

"OW!" the mouse exclaimed.

"Wha...?" everyone said.

"If you don't want our help, then f... fine!" exclaimed the... mouse? Its eyes glowed a bright green.

"Either all of us can speak critter now, or that mouse nearly cussed us out." Izzy said.

"Green eyes. Deceptive form? Is that... the Changeling?" Zipp asked.

*ahem* "You guys rang?" Pipp asked, sneaking up besides Zipp.

"Pipp!" everyone exclaimed.

"Shh." Pipp said. "I've got help."

Pipp gestured her hooves up. Everypony looked up and saw Cozy sneaking through a window.

"You ponies seem desperate." Cozy said.

*eerrggh* There was a huge burst and someone punched a hole through the wall. It was Tirek, who was bigger and stronger, because he had accumulated some magic.

"I guess we can spare a moment and help out just this once." Tirek said.

Chrysalis as a rat crawled up the chains, and chewed the locks apart to set each of them all free.

Zipp flew up and hugged her sister Pipp.

"Thank hoofness you're okay." Zipp said.

"Me? I was so sick thinking about what Sprout could be doing to you." Pipp said.

"Us? I had no idea where you were! I was worried sick!" Zipp said.

"What? Think your sister can't handle herself?" Pipp asked.

"It's not that, I just couldn't stand not knowing." Zipp said.

"Sparky!" Hitch said, hugging Sparky.

Izzy looked at everypony celebrating. Everypony looked glad to be reunited with their best buddies. But Izzy's best buddy Sunny still needed their help.

"Alright! Enough with the mushiness!" Tirek said.

"Just for the record, we didn't save you guys because we're on any kind of team." Chrysalis said. "But word has it you're the only bunch who are crazy enough to tackle that evil alicorn."

"And taking on that evil alicorn is exactly what's on our agenda." Pipp said to Zipp, which perked up Zipp.

"You guys do that. We freed you guys, so just... get along with whatever you need to do." Cozy said.

"She's right. We need to get out of this factory and get to that castle!" Zipp said.

"But the spell's grown so powerful in the sky already. How will all of us get there in time?" Hitch asked.

"With the Marestream of course!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Great...! Where's the Marestream?" Pipp asked.

"I have no idea!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Well it has to be somewhere. Let's find it, and fly on out of here." Zipp said.

"How are we going to find it without getting noticed by Sprout or anypony else?" Hitch asked.

"With the help of our new... allies!" Pipp said, pointing at the mean trio.

But they stared at her blankly.

"Um, hello? Remember phase two? You were gonna stop Sprout? And it seems my friends in fact do need help with that." Pipp said.

Hitch peaked his head through a door, and he heard lots of chattering outside the room.

"I think I hear everyone in the factory gathering in the main strange room." Hitch said.

"Alright. We'll assist you guys. We'll crash their presentation, while you guys look for... whatever it is you're looking for." Cozy said.

Pipp nodded and smiled.

Pipp extended her hoof to Cozy.

Cozy looked away, but she couldn't help herself. She swiftly bumped Pipp's hoof.

Pipp grinned.

In the main area of Canterlogic, Sprout was holding a presentation.

Sprout walked up to a microphone at the center stage, while ponies below listened.

"Citizens Attention everypony-"

But the microphone was too loud and blared everyone's ears. Sprout tuned it down.

"Citizens, the time is neigh! We have to act at once! The alicorns are still cooking up a big spell, and it's but a matter of time before they return to Maretime Bay and enslave all of us!"

"I know you all think of Sunny Starscout as a friend of Maretime Bay. But after what I witnessed on that day. After seeing her fly away with the shadowy alicorn to the faraway castle... I'd never felt more betrayed." Sprout said.

The crowd looked in sadness.

"But nevertheless. What comes first is our future! We will stow our fear! When we see those alicorns we'll use the Alicorn Stinger on the both of them!" Sprout exclaimed.

Sprout had everyone's attention. Everyone was buying his tale, and believed everything he was saying.

However, the silence was interrupted by the sound of tiny hooves clapping together. The crowd disbanded from the middle, and standing right there in the middle of everyone was Cozy Glow.

"Thank you, Sprout Cloverfeaf for that rousing speech! From what I've heard, and seen, you truly are a pony of your word." Cozy said, gleefully.

"Uh... thanks. Wait, what are you doing here?" he asked.

"I know alicorns are very scary." Cozy said, suddenly transforming into an alicorn. "Wouldn't want to make direct eye contact with one."

The crowd gasped at Cozy's transformation, and backed away in fear.

"Woah, woah! H-how'd you do that?" Sprout said.

"And there's no doubt in my mind that you have a plan to rid Equestria of evil. So when you say we shouldn't trust alicorns, then how come you're trying so hard to protect that shadowy alicorn Opaline in her castle?" Cozy asked.

"Protecting... who? How am I-" Sprout said.

"You're out here protecting Opaline behind a veil of lies about Sunny. If we don't do something about Opaline, who knows what's going to happen when her spell completes. And all you want to do is continue to lie on and on about how they're working together." Cozy said.

Sprout raised a hoof, but Cozy kept speaking.

"You think you know Sunny well. But if you truly were her friend, then you would know that Sunny would never dream of casting a dark spell that's about to end Equestria." Cozy said. "As someone who fought Sunny Starscout herself, I can say quite confidently that Sunny is definitely the least deceptive of any alicorn. And I've witnessed at least four other alicorns."

Cozy Glow flew above the stage.

"She gave it her all. She was determined to stop my little evil skirmish. And it's because she cared about, more than anything, protecting you guys, and protecting her friends." Cozy said. "You want to know what betrayal feels like, Sprout? I know betrayal. Try being left in stone for who knows long! Now the alicorns of old... *sniff* But Sunny... let's give her a chance. What do you say, ponies?" Cozy asked the crowd.

The chatter in the crowd changed tone.

The sound of the chatter changed. Cozy grinned facing opposite from Sprout.

Meanwhile, Izzy, Zipp, Pipp, Hitch, and Sparky snuck through the factory.

"Where do you think he towed the Marestream?" Hitch asked.

"I don't know. Can't be that hard to find though." Zipp said.

*clang* *clang*

Everypony heard the sounds of hooves knocking against a metal exterior. They all looked and saw Izzy Moonbow and the Maresteram 2.0.

"Lookie, lookie." Izzy said.

"Woah. This thing is all decked out." Zipp said. "Sprout must've towed the Marestream here, and claimed it as its own."

Izzy opened the door, and everypony and Sparky went inside the modified Marestream.

Sprout had wired up a whole bunch of terminals over the existing ones already in the Marestream.

"This thing is seriously decked out now. But why go through all this trouble though?" Zipp wondered to herself.

"If the Maresteam is powered by our friendship, obviously Sprout hasn't got access to that." Pipp said.

"Right. So then Sprout probably attached all these rockets to the outside of the Marestream, and installed the a new dashboard so he could control it himself." Zipp said.

"Never mind that. It's still my tram car, because I restored it, and I don't recall transferring ownership to Sprout." Izzy said. "He has no concept of friendship powering flying tram cars."

"And fortunately, Sprout seems to have forgotten the number one rule of car security." Hitch said.

"Never leave your keys in the car." Hitch and Izzy said simultaneously.

Everypony gathered and held the lantern. The prisbeam magic was still bright. Even after all this time. They all smiled at each other, and nodded.

Izzy placed the lantern on the dashboard, which reactivated all the old terminal underneath the new one.

"And now we unite hoof to heart." Izzy said.

Izzy, Hitch, Zipp, and Pipp put their hooves to the lantern, and the magic prisbeam glowed brighter. The lantern and its glow brought the Marestream 2.0 to life. No motor or rockets required. Just the power of their friendship.

"Alright. Let's book it on out of here, and save Sunny!" Izzy said.

Back at the Main stage, Cozy Glow was still going on with her speech.

"Are we just going to sit around and let Sprout tell these lies about Sunny Starscout?" Cozy asked.

"NO!" the crowd exclaimed.

"Don't you want to help Sunny, and bring back the sunshine?" Cozy asked.

Cozy had the crowd's attention. Sprout was very upset.

Sprout had had enough. He reached into his saddlebag, and pulled out his secret weapon.

Sprout shot Cozy Glow with the alicorn stinger.

The crowd gasped, and Cozy fell from the air and onto the ground.

Cozy laid on the ground, injured by the shot.

*heavy breathing* "That would've really hurt... if it pierced my cold exoskeleton." Cozy said, with her eyes turning green.

"What the? You, wait, how?" Sprout said, panicking.

Cozy was revealed to be Queen Chrysalis, and the shot merely hit her skin, and bounced off.

The real Cozy Glow was behind Sprout. Cozy Glow swung a hammer and hit Sprout's leg.

"Ow! My knees! Oh! Ah....."

Sprout collapsed from the injury.

Tirek stepped up to the stage and ate up Sprout's magic essence.

"Any objections to this?" Cozy asked.

"Um... well..." Phyllis said.

"Mom!" Sprout exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, Sprout. But I just didn't agree with your plan. There I've said it." Phyllis admitted.

"Ah, I've still got that manipulative edge." Cozy said, pleased with herself. "Wish I could've received my speech that I came up with.

"I wish you could've said it. Pretending to be you was a neat twist. And the alicorn transformation bit was a fun idea, but we're lucky that projectile was weak. But ugh, saying those things about Sunny was... eh, it was icky." Chrysalis said.

Cozy laughed a bit. She enjoyed being a part of a team.

The crowd looked at them in part confusion, and astonishment.

"Well, now that you ponies follow me, I'll be taking charge of things." Cozy said.

"Do you hear something?" Tirek asked.

There was a very loud whirring the room behind them.

The lantern glowed bright, and powered up the Marestream.

"Shouldn't we roll this thing outside before we-" Pipp tried to say.

"NOPE! We ain't got time for that! Sunny needs us, so we're busting out way out of here! Everypony fasten your seatbelts!"

Izzy revved up the Marestream into full throttle.

"What's that sound?" Chrysalis asked.

The Marestream burst through the factory wall.

"Everypony get down!" Cozy exclaimed.

"AHH!!!" everyone screamed.

Everypony ducked, and the tram cart flew over everyone, and then burst through the other wall, and out of the factory.

"What the heck was that?" Tirek asked.

"It almost hit us. That was nerve racking." Chrysalis said.

"Was that... Sunny's friends?" Dahlia asked.

"It was. Those brave ponies are heading for the evil alicorn Opaline's castle right now to save their friend Sunny Starscout." Cozy said, amazed.

"Well, I want to help Sunny Starscout too." Windy said.

"Why are we still in this dingy factory?" Posey asked. "Sprout was right about one thing. Let's show that evil alicorn a piece of our mind!"

Cozy grinned gleefully. Finally a group of ponies under her command. First Sprout, next, Opaline.

"Alright, everypony! Follow my lead!" Cozy exclaimed.

Author's Note

A little behind the scenes in case anyone cares. Progress has been slow on this story, yes. This chapter has been mostly done for at least a week and a half, just waiting to be published for the most part.
Reason this chapter took so long to come out was because of the imminent release of Chapter 4. I've been having this ongoing worry that this story is... that I just wrote the story as a continuation of Make Your Mark Chapter 1 (then eventually retrofitted to continue Chapter 2, but not exactly), rather than its own thing. And while this story does have unique elements, it's hard to remove myself and not think of it like I'm trying to compete with the actual show. That said, I'm not changing it significantly from what I originally had intended. But now that I've seen Chapter 4, and know what it's about, I can more confidently work on this and tailor it to be more unique. Thanks everyone for reading, and being patient.

Chapter 19: Arriving at the Castle

Day 9 of the spell. Mid day.

Inside of Opaline's castle, the super powered Opaline waned over the magic tome that would complete her spell.

She peered through the magic protective shield. She made out the words being scribbled by Cozy Glow's feather.

"The Summer Sun Celebration" Opaline read. "A day where ponies were divided in fear over their differences. Sounds awfully familiar. Where have I heard that? Oh right. Because that's exactly what happened to these ponies as well! Haha! All cause of me and my tactics. I knew you and your sisters were too formidable to face. However, once the two of you conveniently left Equestria, and left your protégé Twilight Sparkle in charge, I knew that was the perfect time to formulate my plan, and take over Equestria, and rule it as the powerful fire alicorn that I am! But Twilight was crafty. Filly would stop at nothing to make sure that the power of Equestria did not fall into my hooves. But jokes on you, Twilight. Your magic is now inside of me, making me more powerful than anypony has ever been!"

"Try as your magic might to slay me, but it is too late. The spell is underway, and once it is done, I will emerge on the other side, and will be Celestia's apprentice, who eventually becomes Princess of All of Equestria! Nay, all land! I will invade! Conquer! Until every inch of the new land belongs to Opaline Arcana *cough cough cough* AAHHHH!!!"

Opaline entered her throne room, and saw a familiar sight. Sunny Starscout slouched over, head pressed against the throne.

"Why the long face, Sunny? There's only half a day left before my spell erases your entire existence. Pfft. Some alicorn you turned out to be. What? Can't alicorn it up without your friends? Pathetic. You are just like her. What good are friends that you can't count on? I had no friends, and look at me. I'm about to be in control of everything. Even poor Misty. For all her effort, and all the time and effort it took raising her to be competent, she only proved mildly useful when all was said and done."

"There remains only hours left of your world. It's not too late to make yourself useful, Sunny. You and I can rule."

As always, Sunny kept herself quiet, in the midst of Opaline's lecturing.

"I'm sick of your silent act! You have Unity magic, and you choose to do NOTHING with it! You're the one not deserving of alicorn magic! You are BOTTOM RUNG ALICORN!"

Sunny turned head head away from Opaline.

"FINE! For the last time, fine!"

Opaline knocked over a tall torch.

"Sit here and watch everything be erased!" Opaline exclaimed. "Even if you had the drive to move, and be an alicorn, there's nothing you or your friends can do to stop me!"

The Marestream soared across the skies of Equestria. The flying tram car created a bright trailing rainbow. Ponies across Equestria witnessed the rainbow shoot across the sky. The bright glow of the rainbow gave hope and optimism to everypony who looked up at it. They hoped that the skies would clear, that they would see the sun again, and that their magic would return.

Inside the Marestream itself, Izzy piloted the craft and headed straight towards the billowing tower of dark magic touching the sky. As they got closer, it was clear where the magic was coming from. They saw, for the first time, Opaline’s castle. That’s where Sunny was being held captive. Though foreboding, the sight of the tall castle did not deter any of them. Zipp double checked her gear to make sure it was all functional. She looked around at her peers. They were all determined more than ever to get inside and rescue their friend. And with time limited, stopping the spell was also paramount.

The Marestream made an easy landing in front of the bridge leading to Opaline's castle. Everypony exited the Marestream.

Izzy, Hitch, Zipp, Sparky, and Pipp all looked up at Opaline's castle, and were amazed at just how tall it was.

"Woah." Izzy said.

"Didn't look so big from the air, huh..." Hitch said.

"Nuh-HUH!" Sparky added.

They were awestruck at how tall the castle was. And even more so, they saw the big bellowing spell flowing from the top of the castle.

"That's definitely where she's keeping Sunny. Atop the highest point of the central tower. Where the dark spell bellows and emanates." Izzy said.

"We have to get up there and save Sunny, and stop whatever that spell is from completing!" Zipp said.

"Right. So do we just... enter the castle? Like through the front door?" Pipp asked.

As they were getting ready to enter the castle, their thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of somepony crying.

"Huh?" they said collectively.

They looked and saw Misty crying and yelling on the ground a short distance away. them.

"I'm sorry I wasn't enough, Opaline! I did everything I could for you! But it was never enough!" Misty said to herself, crying. "Am I doing a good service now, Opaline?! I'm crying you a moat to keep out intruders! WAAAAHHH!!!!!"

Everypony watched Misty sob.

"This is just... sad." Zipp said.

"Is she actually crying? Or is this some elaborate ruse to distract us?" Hitch asked.

"This ain't no ruse. I recognize a friend in need when I see one." Izzy said.

Izzy walked up to and comforted her friend Misty.

"Hey. There there, Misty-mama. What's wrong, friend?" Izzy asked.

Misty wiped her face, and sniffed up her nose, in order to be heard clearly.

"I tried for so long. I gave my LIFE to Opaline, all because I wanted to repay her for saving my life. She promised me a cutie mark when I properly earned it. But now she said I wasn't deserving of a cutie mark at all!! Even after all I've done for her! Even with only a few hours left of our existence, she said I wasn't good enough." Misty cried.

Misty cried, and pressed her head against Izzy's chest. Izzy felt the tears run from Misty's face, and embraced her best unicorn friend.

"There there, Misty. The measure of a pony's virtue isn't by the material deeds they do. It's what's within that counts." Izzy said.

"Like what? My BMI?" Misty asked.

"Not that inside. I mean, the heart. Your character." Izzy said.

"Cutie mark or not, you're my friend. I would never ask you to do some stuff to prove your worth. That's just not right, it's a terrible mindset to be in. You're my best unicorn friend in the whole wide bay, and I love you, Misty." Izzy said.

"You mean that? But all I've done is assist Opaline with her terrible plans." Misty said, crying.

"I can tell that you never wanted to really hurt anypony. You're lonely, and you need friends to really experience what friendship is, and I'm here to be your best friend." Izzy said.

Izzy's warm words turned Misty's sad tears into happier tears. Izzy embraced Misty, and allowed her to continue crying into her chest.

Everypony let Misty cry, and let it all out. Even though they were all aware of the ticking time, it only seemed appropriate to let Misty's emotions flow out of her.

"You good?" Zipp asked.

Misty nodded gently.

"Please tell me you're done with Opaline for good. She's done nothing but treat you horribly." Pipp said.

“I am. If she doesn’t want my help, then it’s her loss. And her loss, is your guy’s gain.” Misty said.

*sniff*

Izzy once again gave Misty a big hug, and Misty embraced Izzy. Pipp, Sparky, and Zipp also hugged Izzy and Misty.

Izzy held Misty's hoof.

"Now will you please help us save our friend?" Izzy asked.

"Yes. Of course. Sunny's your friend, and friends are important. And I will do everything in my power to help you save Sunny!" Misty exclaimed dramatically.

"Great! So how do we save Sunny?" Zipp asked.

Misty began explaining.

"Alright. Sunny's being held in Opaline's throne room at the very top. To get there, all you gotta do is enter the main gate, enter the foyer, go up the grand staircase, enter through the left doorway, through the grand hall, up four stories via spiral staircase E, enter the 6th door to your left on that floor's hallway, and finally you climb the never ending staircase to the very tip top." Misty explained quickly.

That was a mouthful to take in at once. Everypony looked up and really took in the height of the castle. They noted how powerful the spell seemed to have gotten by this point.

“You seriously do all of that any time you wanna climb up or down the tower?” Pipp asked.

"Mhm." Misty said.

"That'll take too much time though. There's no way we all can get up there in time." Zipp said.

"We might not need to." Izzy said, with a devious face.

Izzy turned around and climbed back into the Marestream.

"Izzy? Where are you going!? Now's not the time to retreat!" Zipp said.

Izzy honked the horn of the Marestream loudly.

"Izzy, we can't retreat." Hitch said.

"No, not retreating. But if climbing to the top is going to take too long, we'll fly up there! Together!" Izzy said.

“That’s… actually not a bad idea.” Zipp said.

“Then what are we waiting for!? Let’s all hop back into the Marestream, and dock upstairs.” Izzy said.

Zipp, Pipp, Hitch, and Sparky joined Izzy and re-entered the Marestream.

Misty watched them enter the Marestream

“Come on, Misty?” Izzy said.

“Uh, yes! Of course! That’s right, I’m a member of your team now. We’re all in this together. Which means joining you guys in ascending the big tower, and confronting… Opaline.” Misty said.

Misty entered the Marestream as well, and the door shut. With the lantern on the dashboard, it glowed in a bright rainbow color, and powered the Marestream. The tram car glowed and lifted off into the air.

Misty pointed to the top where Opaline's throne room was.

"It's right there. Just land next to the outside." Misty said.

"Mhm. Noted." Izzy said.

Izzy steered the Marestream... away from Opaline's castle?

"Izzy, where are you going?" Pipp asked.

"Oh, I'm just getting some distance." Izzy said.

The Marestream climbed in altitude, until it was about the same height as the top of the tower.

"Altitude set. Adjust position." Izzy said.

Izzy faced the Marestream directly at the castle. Izzy revved up the Marestream.

"Izzy, what are you doing?" Pipp asked.

"Izzy, please don't do what I think you're about to do." Zipp said.

Izzy started to laugh maniacally.

"But I am. Fasten your seat belts fillies and gentlecolts." Izzy said. "We're going to crash this castle!!"

"Izzy, please don't!" Pipp pleaded.

"Surely there's a less destructive way to do this!" Misty said.

"Izzy there is a baby dragon aboard!" Hitch said.

Sparky covered his eyes.

Izzy floored the Marestream and accelerated.

"AAHHH!!!!!" everypony exclaimed.

The Marestream zoomed directly at Opaline's castle until-

Meanwhile, inside Opaline's castle, Opaline sat on her throne room, stroking Sunny's mane.

"Your mane. Those colors. It's interesting how being an alicorn forever altered your appearance, yet you continue to hide your wings and horn from me." Opaline said. "It takes more than power to rule the world. It also takes brains. How clever of me to find the statue of the trio, and trick you into releasing them. And I tricked them into thinking they had an upper hoof on me, but I was one step ahead of them the whole time. Pitting Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow against you and your friends was a carefully calculated win win for me. They win, I trick gullible ol you into giving me what I wanted. Poor Sunny Starscout. So kind hearted, and so foolish." Opaline said. "As much as I love dragon fire, as a fire alicorn myself, gathering enough heat to melt those pesky Unity Crystals, thus giving me the magic of Twilight Sparkle, was a career defining moment. With mere moments to spare before the world is transformed, and not a single sign of your pitiful friends, I declare this land from here on out my..."

Opaline paused when she heard a loud sound outside. Opaline and Sunny looked and saw-

*CRASH*

The Marestream 2.0 crashed into Opaline's castle. The Marestream went clean through the wall, and then stopped when it hit the opposite wall.

"Thank hoofness for seat belts." Izzy said.

"Goodness gracious! So intrusive! Couldn't you have just knocked like normal ponies!?" Opaline asked.

Izzy kicked the door open, and leaped out.

"Put 'em up, alicorn! Surrender now and let Sunny go!" Izzy exclaimed.

"You and what army?" Opaline asked.

"Me and... huh?" Izzy said.

Everypony else slowly walked out the Marestream, all dazed and dizzy.

"Please never do that again, Izzy." Pipp said.

"I probably could've come up with a more effective... and less destructive means to achieve this same outcome, Izzy." Zipp said.

"So it looks like this is a party after all." Opaline said.

"Nuh-UH! We're crashing this party!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Izzy?" Sunny asked softly.

"Sunny!" Izzy exclaimed.

Opaline looked, and saw Misty peeking her head out of the Marestream door.

"Misty?" Opaline said.

"Eeek!" Misty exclaimed.

Misty shrieked in fear when Opaline shouted her name, and retreated to the inside of the Marestream. But the rest of Sunny's friends were undeterred. Though they were certainly still somewhat dizzy. Regardless, they stood strong, and determined, and they were ready to do whatever it would take to fight for Sunny, stop Opaline, and stop her wretched spell.

Author's Note

This chapter, and all the upcoming events were conceived before Make Your Make Chapter 4 and further debuted, and thus do not acknowledge certain aspects such as Misty's character development in Chapter 4. Though some later information is occasionally referenced.

Chapter 20

At the of Opaline's castle, inside of the throne room, Sunny's friends had arrived, in a destructive fashion. Quite literally. After having crashed the Marestream into the side of the tower, Izzy, Zipp, Pipp, Hitch with Sparky, stepped out of Marestream, and opposed the wicked alicorn. Misty however stayed behind in the Marestream.

On the throne sat Opaline. She wore a large black cloak, and a metal mask covering half her face. Besides her throne, was Sunny. She laid on the ground and had her face against the floor.

"Give back Sunny this instant!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Well, well. You ponies sure took your sweet time getting here." Opaline said. "Yoo hoo! Oh, Sunny, your friends are here to see you!"

But Sunny did not put her head up. She kept her head down.

"Sunny! Wake up! We've got to save Equestria!" Izzy shouted.

Opaline looked past the ponies opposing her, and saw Misty hiding inside the Marestream.

"Misty!" Opaline said.

"AHH!" Misty shirked and hid back inside the car.

"Your timing is impeccable, ponies. You are here mere minutes before my ultimate spell finishes the setup phase. You wasted your time coming all this way. Your friend Sunny doesn't even want to see you, and my unstoppable spell is nearly ready!" Opaline said.

"And um, what exactly does this ultimate spell do?" Hitch asked.

"Well, since you ponies won't live to see the fruits of my labor, I may as well tell you. Inside that tree is a tome. For the past erm... eight and a half days or so, I usually round it up to nine, Cozy Glow's feather has been enchanted, and has been writing out the long journey of a pony from Equestria long ago." Opaline explained.

"The story of Twilight Sparkle?" Zipp asked.

"Sort of. With some tweaks. Rather than a boring tale about Twi... her, I envision an ancient Equestria with me at the center of everything." Opaline explained. "And when that feather pens in the final dot, and the story is completed, my spell will make that world a reality, by erasing yours!"

"Doesn't that seem a little... extreme?" Hitch asked.

"Yeah." Sparky added.

"Well now that we know what you're doing, we're going to stop your spell, and save Sunny. She, and we, are going to end your evil doing for good!" Zipp exclaimed.

"I see. So tell me, ponies. What is it exactly that you're fighting for anyway?" Opaline asked.

"To stop meanies like you from gobbling up magic and using it for horrible reasons." Izzy said.

"You want to save this world? This horrific dystopian future?" Opaline asked.

"The what now?" Pipp asked.

"Look at yourselves. You're still holding that... cell... phone in your hooves. Technology and pollution have had a negative impact on Equestria. This is the world Twilight Sparkle created. Equestria was under her rule, and it was her who ordered for sealing the magic away from everypony." Opaline said. "Look what happened in that time. Your tribes spent generations fighting each other, and finding other means to advance society."

Everypony looked at each other, and began a moment of self reflection. What exactly was this society they've developed really about?

"See why magic is good? It brought all of you back together. Pegasi standing hooves held with earthponies and unicorns. I haven't seen a sight since Twilight's reign. Why would Twilight take all the magic away?" Opaline added.

"So you think magic is good? Then why'd you destroy our crystals and take it away again?" Zipp asked.

"While magic is good, and all, lest not forget who the most powerful beings in Equestria are, and who is most deserving of all the magic." Opaline explained. "I am a mighty alicorn. The most powerful of beings. It is only right that I get to have the largest reserve of magic to myself. And I did. But once Twilight took my magic, put it in the crystals, I was left as powerless as all the rest of you used to be. But then Sunny released the magic for everypony to have, myself included. Pegasi once again flew through the skies. Unicorn magic returned. And earthponies became magic for the first time in Equestrian history. Even so, it only restored a fraction of my power. Because I am a fire alicorn. And ever since my power was taken, my embers fizzled out. It takes more than magic returning to restore my power. That is why I hired MISTY to kidnap your stupid little dragon! But since she failed to do that, I set my sights on the real prize. If I could have the very same magic that once belonged to Twinkle Shine, I would be unstoppable! No extinguishable dragon fire needed! So I came up with the brilliant plan to release Cozy Glow from stone, obtain one of her feathers. An authentic pegasus feather from Twilight's era was exactly what I needed to kick off the spell."

"How could your kind and understanding Princess allow for a filly to remain locked in stone for generations?!"

"And when my spell is done, a new better world will emerge on the other side. Where I join the ranks among the great alicorns and rule New Old Equestria!" Opaline said.

"Definitely a very extreme plan, destroying everything you don't like." Hitch said.

"Instead of destroying everything you don't like, why not try to improve what's already there?" Izzy asked.

"I tried that. But you ponies were stubborn. Sunny here refused to cooperate and fully utilize her alicorn powers to join me." Opaline said. "Based on what you say, you fillies are a lost cause to my plan. So starting over is the best course of action."

Zipp looked at the doorway leading to the library. It was oozing with a purple magic aura. She then saw Sunny being held captive.

"Guys, don't let her distract you. We need to focus. We need to stop her, and the spell. We need to free Sunny, and then team up and clean up the place." Zipp said.

"Never mind the fact she's like super duper powered up." Pipp whispered.

"We went over this. We have a plan. Ready, Iz?" Zipp asked.

Izzy tapped her saddlebags to make sure she had the important things with her.

Opaline yawned. She felt no danger from any of Sunny's friends.

"I think I've rambled on enough.

"You think you can take me on? I have the full magic that once belonged to Twilight Sparkle. I needn't any dragon fire, or little lantern. I am more powerful than any alicorn has ever been! Do you still wish to challenge me?!"

Sunny's intrepid friends stood strong, and undeterred.

"Very well. If you'd rather you'd prefer to go down fighting, I'll give you a fight!" Opaline said.

Izzy, Zipp, Hitch, Pipp, were poised for battle. They were armed with their respective tools. Zipp with her visor on, Pipp with her newly made hammer, Izzy with her crafts bag, and Hitch with Sparky. Finally they all sprung into action.

Zipp flew upward, while Pipp circled around to the right.

Hitch put his hoof to the ground, and grew out a large vine.

Opaline wasn't sure how these ponies were still using abilities that required magic, but she did not think much of it yet.

Opaline activated her inner magic, and gripped Hitch's vine attack. She then twisted it around and pushed it back, knocking Hitch and Sparky back.

Zipp flew at Opaline at great speeds. She flew at Opaline with her hind leg out for a kick, but Opaline put up a barrier. Zipp crashed into the barrier, and pushed against it as hard as she could.

"You're the one I've feared the most, Zipp. And even you are no match for me now." Opaline said.

Opaline thrusted her magic and pushed Zipp back.

But behind her, Pipp leaped up with her rocket propelled hammer, and took a swing at Opaline, but Opaline again saw her coming and grabbed her with her magic. Opaline then flung Pipp at Zipp, and the two sisters went tumbling over.

"Meddling pegasus sisters!" Opaline said. "You ponies are mere pests compared to me! I have the full power of Twilight Sparkle coursing through my veins!" Opaline exclaimed.

"We'll see about that!" Izzy exclaimed.

Izzy pulled out the lantern from her saddle bag, and used her horn to light up the lantern.

"Magic prisbeam lantern powers, go!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Foolish pony, thinking that your feeble lantern has any chance against-"

The lantern shot out a rainbow beam, and impacted Opaline in the eye.

*AAHHH!*

Izzy's rainbow shot hit Opaline square in the eye, and broke her mask.

"Got her!" Izzy said. "Huh?"

Misty peeked outside the tram car, and saw that Opaline was hit.

"Uh oh..." Misty said.

Opaline covered her eye in pain. She opened her good eye.

Sunny's friends stood and regained their footing, and watched Opaline suffering from the pain.

"No. Stop it. Cease it with all the pain! Ugh! AAAHHH!!!" Opaline cried.

Opaline removed her hoof from her face, revealing her strange eye. Her left eye was larger than her other eye, and was a deeper purple. She glared at everypony with her strange eye.

"So perhaps you ponies are a threat after all." she said. "Very well, I'll just have to finish you off!"

Opaline flapped her wings and hovered in the air. She then zipped up, and came rushing down.

"Izzy look out!" Pipp cried.

*BOOM*

Opaline came crashing to the ground with tremendous force right in front of Izzy.

"The lantern! So that's the source of your magic!" Opaline said. "How foolish of me to be so blind as to forget the existence of your lantern. It's clearly dangerous, and must be destroyed once and for all!"

"Back away from Iz!" Zipp exclaimed.

Zipp flew forward and kicked Opaline back.

Opaline growled at Zipp, and put a tight grip on her with her powerful magic. But things were even worse than they seemed. Zipp dropped her visor, and started to feel funny from the hoof, crawling on upwards.

"What's happening? I feel strange." Zipp said.

*gasp* "Zipp you're-" Pipp said, but was too horrified to finish her sentence.

Zipp looked at her hooves and witnessed what was happening. She couldn't move them any more, or her legs, because she was being turned to stone by Opaline.

"Woah! Oh no. Not cool! This feels..." Zipp started.

"Zipp!" everypony exclaimed.

Zipp could only watch, and feel the sensation in her body disappear more and more, until finally, she was entirely turned to stone by Opaline. Opaline carelessly plopped the Zipp statue down.

"There. Finally out of my way, you meddlesome detective you." Opaline said.

"Oh my hoofness! Zipp!" Pipp exclaimed.

"Now for the rest of you." Opaline said.

"As if! You're gonna pay for doing that to my sister!!" Pipp exclaimed.

Pipp swung her big hammer at Opaline.

Opaline charged her horn with a powerful magic. Opaline fired her beam of magic at Pipp.

Hitch slid on a vine and pushed Pipp out of the way.

"Thanks for the save, Hitch." Pipp said.

"No time for thanks. Come on. She's showing signs of fatigue. We got this! Izzy! Now!" Hitch exclaimed.

Izzy nodded, and went in for her plan. Izzy dived forward, and slid forward, and landed by Sunny's side.

"Come on, Sunny! Alicorn it up! And whup her flank!" Izzy exclaimed.

But Sunny was not enthused. She was in no mood to alicorn it up.

"I can't." Sunny said.

"Come on, Sunny! You have to help us!" Izzy said.

"Do what? Use magic to solve our problems? Magic is what got us into this mess in the first place..." Sunny said.

"How could you say that, Sunny?" Izzy asked.

"Look, Izzy. Everything seemed bright and cheery when we united pony kind, but look at the mess it's created now..." Sunny said.

"Sunny, how could you say that?" Izzy asked.

"Look at what the magic has caused. Opaline stole magic from Princess Flurry Heart. She's stolen the magic of Twilight Sparkle. And even before her, Lord Tirek stole magic from everypony in Equestria. Cozy Glow nearly banished all the magic, and sent shockwaves through Equestria. It doesn't matter when or where, as long as there's magic... there will be somepony who wants all of it, and will do whatever it takes to get it, and do terrible things with it!" Sunny said.

"Sunny..." Izzy said.

Pipp and Hitch continued to fight against Opaline, but they were overwhelmed by her immense magical power, and it wasn't long before the two of them were turned to stone as well.

Opaline stomped and began to approach Izzy and Sunny. But suddenly, Sparky leaped in front of Opaline. Sparky stood against Opaline, and breathed a huge powerful plume of fire at Opaline.

Sparky's dragon fire intercepted Opaline's power magic, and even managed to hold it back.

*Ugh*! Opaline grunted.

Sparky sassed and said something to Opaline in his hard to understand baby dragon talk.

"Cursed dragon fire! How ironic that the thing I wanted most is now being used against me!" Opaline exclaimed.

"Come on, Sparky! Light it up up up!" Izzy shouted.

Opaline grabbed Sparky with her magic.

Sparky struggled and flailed, but Opaline kept a right magical grip on the baby dragon. Sparky then felt himself start to turn to stone.

"Oh, the cruelty. What kind of wretched alicorn would turn a baby dragon to stone? Pah. Consider it mercy. You won't feel a thing once the big tear begins." Opaline said.

Opaline had finished turning Sparky to stone, and carelessly dropped his statue onto the ground.

Izzy gasped, and tried one last time to motivate Sunny.

"Sunny, you can't let the actions of... a few bad cookies ruin magic for you. Think about the good it's brought. All the lives that have been made better. Look at how much happier everypony is now that they live together." Izzy said.

"How much better our lives have been, thanks to magic. Nay, it isn't just magic, it's about our friendship. Sunny, what makes our magic strong is our friendship. See how the lantern still glows, even without the Unity Crystals? That's all us!" Izzy said.

Sunny looked at the bright light of the lantern, and it almost inspired her.

"Please, Sunny. I don't want to lose my best friend..." Izzy said.

"I'm sorry, Izzy. There is no magic of friendship..." Sunny said.

*sob* "I'd give anything to have the Sunny Starscout I knew back. The Sunny Starscout who braved the three corners of Equestria to bring back the magic, because it's what her father taught her to believe in." Izzy said. "The Sunny who wrote a letter to the sky, saying I had friends in Maretime Bay. I found your note, and came to Maretime Bay, because I believed in what you wrote."

Izzy's hooves started to feel funny. Opaline had began turning Izzy to stone.

"Please, Sunny. Even if I'm turned to stone... *sob* I just want to see the glow of our friendship... one last time...."

"Izzy... I..."

Izzy's face gave one more fleeting smile, as Opaline finished turning Izzy to stone.

Izzy's statue plopped onto the ground, and laid motionless, as did the rest of Sunny's stone friends.

*phew* "Got the last one. For a second I was worried these ponies were actually going to do something." Opaline said. "But unsurprisingly, they failed to put up a challenge."

Opaline picked up the prisbeam lantern.

"So the ponies were able to leech off of the rainbow magic, and use magic against me. Interesting strategy. Failed execution."

Opaline dropped the lantern onto the ground, and stomped on the lantern, shattering it. With it, the rainbow light inside disappeared.

"There. The last bit of magic that isn't mine is now gone. Now we just wait. In mere minutes the spell will be complete and...

Opaline went on rambling, but Sunny had tuned her out.

Misty peeked her head out of the Marestream. Sunny looked at Misty, which made Misty hide herself again.

Sunny then noticed that Izzy's other saddlebag was still full. Suddenly, something came rolling out from the bag. It was some sort of package wrapped by a piece of paper.

Opaline was still rambling, paying little mind to Sunny, so Sunny reached for it, and pulled it towards herself.

Sunny unfurled the paper, and was amazed with what she saw. It was the three Unity Crystal pieces, fully intact. She couldn't believe it. She saw Opaline destroy the crystals earlier.

Sunny also noticed that the paper Izzy used to wrap them was a drawing drawn by Izzy. It was of Sunny and her mane 5 friends and Sparky. It says "Your Maretime Bay friends miss you." Seeing this nearly broke Sunny into tears. She felt something inside of her that had been missing for the past nine days. Hope.

"First the crystals, now your lantern. Every last source of your magic is done and dust... Sunny? What have you got there?" Opaline asked.

Opaline looked over at Sunny and saw that she was holding the Unity Crystals. The same Unity Crystals she thought she destroyed. Sunny stood up, and held the crystals behind her.

"Sunny, hand me those crystals. You don't know what you're doing." Opaline said.

But Sunny didn't back down. Sunny's eyes began to glow, with a shine of rainbows. Bright magic surrounded her, and formed her alicorn wings and horn.

"Ah, magnificent! You're an alicorn, Sunny! Well it's about time." Opaline said.

But Sunny didn't reply. She stared at Opaline angrily, and lit up her horn.

"Uh... Sunny. What are you doing?" Opaline asked.

Sunny was filled with a newfound sense of confidence to stand up against Opaline.

Sunny stared at Opaline with anger, charged her magic at the other alicorn, and started inching forward at Opaline. Opaline backed away slowly from Sunny.

"Sunny, wait! We can talk about this! I'm still willing to make this about us! Call it a dualology? We can rule New Old Equestria together! We can-AAAHHH!!"

Sunny expelled magic from her horn and blasted Opaline with a powerful magic blast. Sunny completely blew Opaline out of the tower with one powerful blast.

Sunny breathed heavily after expelling such powerful magic. She then looked at her poor stone friends.

"Izzy... Hitch, Zipp, Pipp... Sparky..." Sunny said.

Sunny looked at all of her friends. The ones who had been turned to stone by Opaline. Misty came walking out of the Marestream and walked up to Sunny.

“She’s gone, isn’t she. She’s finally gone.” Misty said.

Sunny hung her head. Misty had a tough time reading what her firm expression meant.

“Sunny, I am so sorry for all of this. I never meant for any of this to happen. I just-" Misty said.

“It's fine, Misty. You were unaware of the full extent of what Opaline was willing to do, I know. I understand.” Sunny said.

“Most of all, I’m sorry about your friends.” Misty said, tearing up.

“Our friends, Misty." Sunny said. "They're your friends too."

Sunny hugged Misty.

"Well, if Opaline managed to unfreeze Cozy Glow, maybe you can do the same thing." Misty said.

"But how? What kind of spell do I use?" Sunny asked.

"They're your friends. You should be able to just feel it." Misty said.

"Okay. I'll give it a try." Sunny said.

Sunny put her horn up to Izzy’s horn, and glowed with all her alicorn might.

Then suddenly, and magically, Izzy started to glow. And so did Hitch, Pipp, Zipp, and Sparky.

Sunny's alicorn magic was reversing the stone, and her friends began to thaw out. thawed out. Finally, Sunny's friends were their normal selves again.

Everypony regained consciousness rather slowly, but soon they did. Izzy put her head up, and saw Sunny’s alicorn form.

"Sunny!" Izzy exclaimed.

Izzy leaped up and hugged Sunny very tightly.

"You did it! You alicorned it up! You did it, I LOVE you, Sunny!" Izzy exclaimed.

"I love you too, Izzy. I love all of you." Sunny said.

The rest of Sunny’s friends stood up too.

"We all love you, Sunny." Pipp said.

“We never doubted you could save us for a moment.” Zipp said.

“And we never stopped trying to save you. Even going so far as to crash the Marestream into the castle.” Hitch said.

Sparky nodded and agreed with Hitch.

*giggles* "I seriously can't believe you crashed the Marestream into the tower to rescue me." Sunny said, laughing.

“We’d do anything for you, Sunny!” Izzy said.

“And I’d do the same for… I’m sorry. I'm sorry it took so long for me to stand up to Opaline. I shouldn’t have given up like that.” Sunny said.

“You’re fine. I get it. The get going gets tough sometimes.” Izzy said. "I'm just happy that you were able to see the light of our friendship again."

Sunny and friends all hugged in a big group hug. Misty watched everypony hugging.

“Come on, Misty.” Sunny said.

“Me?” Misty asked.

“Yeah, you. You’re our friend too.” Sunny said.

“O-okay. Thanks, you guys.” Misty said.

Misty inched herself forward, when from the corner of her eye, she saw something catch her eye.

"Sunny, look out!" Misty cried.

Misty leaped in front of Sunny and friends. Opaline had crawled up the tower and fired a beam of magic at Sunny and friends, but Misty jumped in front of the beam, and took Opaline's blast for them.

“Misty!” everypony exclaimed.

"Nopony messes with my friends!" Sunny shouted.

"You consider Misty to be your friend?" Opaline asked.

"Yes! And I'm not going to sit around and let you pick on my friends any more!" Sunny exclaimed.

"Calm down, Sunny. I'm game. I'm game. If it's an alicorn fight you want, then it's an alicorn fight you'll get!" Opaline said.

"You're on!" Sunny said, standing confidently.

"And we'll help out!" Izzy said.

Sunny put out her wing, blocking her friends.

"No! I can handle her." Sunny said.

"But Sunny. What about-" Zipp started.

*cough* *cough*

They heard Misty coughing for their attention.

"Don't forget about the spell you guys!" Misty said.

Sunny nodded, affirming that this is what she had in mind.

"Misty's right." Zipp said. "Sunny can handle Opaline. We need to stop that spell before who knows what happens."

Everyone nodded in agreement. They all knew what each of them had to do.

Chapter 21

At the top of Opaline's castle, Alicorn Sunny stood confidently, and against the wicked fire alicorn, Opaline Arcana.

"You baffle me, Sunny Starscout. You spent nine days moping and doing nothing, and on the 11th hour of the ninth day, you suddenly want to fight me?" Opaline said.

"Because I was foalish before. I thought you had taken away our special magic, and that there was nothing left. But now I realize that our friendship isn't something you can take! Our friendship isn't something that any spell, no matter how powerful, can take!" Sunny said.

"Even with your power of friendship, you are still weaker than I! The magic of friendship wasn't enough to allow for Twilight Sparkle to overcome me! How do you think it'll help you?!" Opaline asked.

"You might be all big and purple and evil, but I bet seeing these crystals terrifies you." Sunny said, holding out the rebuilt Unity Crystals.

"Gah! Get those dreadful things away from me!" Opaline snarled.

"You've been taking magic from ponies for far too long, Opaline!" Sunny tapped the Unity Crystals, and they lit up. "It's time you start giving back!"

"Oh no. What am I to do when faced with my great arch nemesis... PYSCHE!" Opaline exclaimed, firing a shot of magic at the crystals.

Sunny was caught off guard and dropped the crystals.

"Oh no!" Sunny cried.

Sunny lunged for the Crystals, but Opaline snatched them with her magic.

"Noo!!" Sunny exclaimed.

"It doesn't matter how many times I shatter these things, they always seem to reform! You want Twilight's special crystals? Go find them!"

Opaline flung the Crystals out the window of her castle.

"NO!!" Sunny cried.

Sunny lept out the window and flew after the Crystals. The three crystals had detached, and tumbled through the air. Sunny caught the earthpony crystal, but the other two fell somewhere else. Sunny flapped her wings and made a gentle landing on the castle roof, and scanned her eyes around for the other crystals.

From above, Opaline lept out of the tower and went after Sunny.

Opaline shot a beam of magic that Sunny almost didn't have time to deflect with her magic shield. But she did, and she withstood it. Sunny looked up at Opaline hovering above her.

"Fine, Opaline! If it's an alicorn duel you want, then it's an alicorn duel you'll get!" Sunny exclaimed.

"YES! Come at me, Sunny!" Opaline shouted. "Show me how much power you truly have!"

Sunny shot out a bright beam of magic from her horn. Opaline dodged to her left, and retaliated with another beam of her own. Sunny flew around the dark castle, while Opaline flew after her. Sunny thrusted her wings up and flew in an arc upwards. Opaline was shocked at how proficient of a flyer Sunny was with her glowing wings.

Meanwhile, inside the castle, Hitch, Sparky, and Misty were inside the tree, trying to figure out how to stop the spell from completing. The magic tome was being penned by Cozy's magical feather, and was completely protected by a powerful shield.

"Okay, ponies. How do we get past this big glowing shield and destroy that powerful spell book?" Pipp asked.

"With a lantern blast of course! Everypony stay out of my way!" Izzy exclaimed.

Everypony moved out of the way, and Izzy charged up the lantern with her magic.

Izzy made the lantern glow, which allowed her horn to light with magic. She shot a rainbow beam out of her horn, and onto the spell. Izzy's power was formidable, but the powerful shield withstood the blast.

"Or not. Her spell's too powerful for the lantern." Izzy said.

"If it's resistant to magic, how about some dragon fire?" Misty suggested. "It's all Opaline wanted before. Maybe he can break through."

Hitch and Sparky nodded at each other. Hitch put Sparky down, where he had a clear line of sight.

Sparky breathed a large plume of dragon fire at the spell book. Sparky's plume of dragon fire was a dazzling sight to behold, but even so, the barrier stood firm.

"Closer, but still no dice." Zipp said.

Misty pondered for what they should do, when she got a rather obvious idea.

"Well how about a Sparky and Izzy tag team blast?" Misty suggested.

"Yeah!" Izzy said.
"Uh-HUH!" Sparky exclaimed.

Izzy and Sparky stood besides each other. Izzy charged her horn and the lantern, and Sparky swelled up all the dragon fire he could. They both fired their respective powers at the spell book. This time, they all seemed more effective.

"It's working?" Zipp said, astonished.

"It's working!" Hitch said, enthusiastically.

Although their attacks were showing signs of effectiveness, Izzy and Sparky were both simply running out of steam, and their attacks slowed down, until their magic and dragon fire dissipated.

"It's not working!" Hitch said.

"Come on, Iz. You can't stop now." Pipp said.

Suddenly, something crashed through the window, and hit Zipp in the side of her head.

"Ow! Huh? Mom's pegasus crystal?" Zipp said, picking it up.

"But why's it here?" Pipp asked.

Everypony looked outside and saw Sunny flying around, evading Opaline.

*gasp* "Sunny needs us!" Izzy exclaimed.

"But what about the spell book?" Zipp asked.

"Go. Sunny can only hold off Opaline for so long. She needs you." Misty said.

"But-" everypony said to Misty simultaneously.

"It's Opaline's spell. I'm sure I can figure out a way around it. Besides, the sooner you guys finish off Opaline, the sooner you guys can unite to destroy this spell book." Misty said.

"That's as sound a plan as any we've had so far." Pipp said.

"Excellent thinking, Misty. But we need to act fast. Come on, everypony." Zipp said.

Opaline chased Sunny up and around the castle, and even outward. Sunny dived away the castle and into the ravine, and out to the bay next to the castle. Opaline chased after Sunny no matter where she flew. Sunny weaved and dodged Opaline, as they flew across the water.

Sunny dived under the water, and glided through the water.

Opaline hovered above the water and watched Sunny's glowing body underneath.

"Very clever, Sunny. Hiding under water from a fire alicorn."

Sunny flew up by surprise, and knocked out Opaline with a magic blast to the face, causing Opaline to fall into the water. But that moment off relief was short lived.

Opaline flew out of the water. She used her magic to grab a huge sphere of water. She then used her alicorn magic to heat the water sphere into boiling water.

"I'll show you just how hot things can get!!" Opaline exclaimed.

Opaline was about to splash Sunny with a sphere of boiling water, but Sunny quickly thought of how to counter this. She concentrated her magic on the same boiling sphere of water, and froze it.

"What the?! How did you-"

The frozen ball of water fell on Opaline, and she fell back into the water.

Sunny flew back to the castle. The ice ball exploded, and Opaline flew out of the water. She saw Sunny glowing and flying towards the castle, and zoomed after her.

"Sunny!" Zipp cried out from the castle roof.

Sunny looked and saw Zipp was holding the pegasus crystal. She landed besides Zipp, and was given the pegasus crystal.

"Now we just have to find the unicorn crystal, and then we can sap Opaline of her magic.

"Is that right?" Opaline said, suddenly appearing.

"Izzy's looking for the unicorn crystal as we speak." Zipp whispered.

"What do we do in the mean time?" Sunny asked.

"We each take a piece of the crystal, and fly. She can't fly after both of us." Zipp said.

Sunny nodded, and the plan was a go. Sunny and Zipp flew in opposite directions.

Opaline flew after Zipp Storm, while Sunny searched for the remaining unity crystal.

Meanwhile, inside the tree, Misty was trying to think of way to get past the magic shield.

She tried charging up her horn like she saw Izzy do, but she didn't know how that kind of magic worked. With Misty desperate for ideas, she picked up a tall torch, and poured out the fire. She held the sharp bit forward, and ran attempted to pierce the barrier. The spear hit the barrier, but bounced right off, having no real effect.

"Dang. I was certain that would work." Misty said. "You can't give up now, Misty. Now while so much is one the line."

While Misty was thinking, she felt the ground shake. At first she didn't think much of it, but it grew louder, and she started to feel her whole body shaking.

"WAH!! What's happening? An earthquake!?"

Misty looked outside, and noticed something seemed strange.

"Why's everything outside getting taller? Wait, no. I'm sinking?!"

Back outside, Zipp flew quickly, and evaded Opaline, leaving Sunny free to look for the last crystal.

"Sunny! Over here!" Izzy exclaimed.

Sunny looked over and saw Izzy holding the unicorn crystal.

Sunny looked at Zipp, and nodded. Zipp knew exactly what this meant. It was time to unify the crystals once again.

Zipp tossed Sunny the pegasus crystal, and she caught it. Sunny flew towards Izzy next. Izzy tossed Sunny the unicorn crystal, and she caught it. Sunny now held all three crystals once again.

"Now, Opaline! You shall... huh?" Sunny said, but stopped herself.

Sunny looked around, but saw no sign of Opaline anywhere. Sunny looked over at Zipp, who was equally confused.

"You want me, Sunny?" Opaline's voice echoed.

Sunny looked around, and up and down, but didn't see Opaline anywhere.

Opaline's evil laugh could be heard echoing, which chilled Sunny's core.

Suddenly, Opaline appeared in front of Sunny.

"Then you can have me!" Opaline exclaimed suddenly.

"AAHHH!!!" Sunny screamed.

Opaline blasted Sunny, and shot her out of the sky. Opaline lit up and flew at Sunny, and impacted her, causing Sunny to drop the Crystals.

"Sunny!!" her friends all exclaimed.

Opaline carried Sunny forward, she then glowed bright and blew Sunny downward.

Sunny impacted the ground, and Opaline landed next to her. Opaline stood on Sunny, and pinned her down on the field.

"Good try, Sunny. But not good enough." Opaline said.

*ahem*

"Huh?"

Opaline looked up and saw Cozy Glow.

"You? What do you want?" Opaline asked.

"Not me. Them." Cozy said, pointing over.

Opaline looked up and saw everyone in Equestria standing in front of her. Hundreds of ponies. Everypony from Zephyr Heights, Bridlewood, and Maretime Bay. She was surrounded in all directions.

"Everypony, are we going to let this evil alicorn bully our good alicorn friend Sunny?!" Cozy asked.

"NO!!" everypony exclaimed at the same time.

"Are we going to let her, hog all the magic to herself?!" Cozy shouted.

"NO!!" everypony exclaimed together.

"What? Are you all serious? You think that you all pose a challenge to me? Pah!" Opaline boasted. "You're nothing without magic. I am everything! Because I have all the magic!"

"Oh yeah?"

Izzy stepped out from the crowd, and held up the prisbeam lantern. The lantern glowed bright, and shined across to everypony. The shining of the lantern caused the hooves of the earthponies to glow. The wings of the pegasi glowed, and they were able to fly again. And the unicorn horns shined brightly.

"Uh oh..." Opaline said.

Cozy Glow pointed at Opaline, and ordered everypony to charge at her. Everypony charge inward towards her.

Pegasi flew up, and flapped their wings, creating a huge gust of wind, making it hard for Opaline to stand firmly.

Opaline was overwhelmed by the swarm of ponies.

Opaline fired a blast of magic at the unicorns, but they were all blanked in a big magic barrier. Not so fun when it's used against you, is it, Opaline?

The earthponies stomped their glowing hooves, and grew out large vines to wrap around Opaline, and trap her in place.

Sunny looked up and was amazed.

Izzy handed Sunny the completed Unity Crystal.

"It's all you now, Sunny." Izzy said.

Opaline was pinned down, and tied up in place. Sunny slowly approached her with the crystals in tow.

"As I was saying, Opaline. You have spent generations plotting, and stealing magic from others. It's all culminated in this plan, where you stole the magic of Twilight Sparkle from these magical crystals. Well now, once and for all, it's time you start giving back what doesn't belong to you!" Sunny said.

"Grr! You meddlesome ponies! Today was supposed to be the start of my new beginning! Today was supposed to be my day!" Opaline exclaimed.

"No. Today's... gonna be my day." Sunny said.

Sunny activated the Unity Crystals, and they glowed brightly.

"Uh oh." Opaline said.

The Crystals shot out a beam, and fired at Opaline, and drained Twilight Sparkle's magic out of her.

Opaline plopped to the ground, powerless. She looked up at Sunny and friends, and everypony else.

"Well, Opaline?" Sunny said.

Opaline looked up at Sunny's alicorn form, amazed.

"Wha... what are you?" Opaline asked.

"I'm an alicorn." Sunny answered, humbly.

Opaline looked up at Sunny, in awe at the power she had.

Sunny then looked at Cozy Glow, Chrysalis, and Tirek, who led everypony here.

"Thans you guys. You did pretty good." Sunny said.

"Yeah. So what?" Cozy replied.

"It just so happens that your enemy is our enemy, so it seemed appropriate." Tirek said.

"Don't get any ideas that this means anything though." Chrysalis said.

"I think you guys are more good than you give yourselves credit for." Sunny said.

But suddenly, Opaline started laughing sinisterly.

"Huh?" Sunny said.

Everypony felt the ground shake, and then it became more powerful, and undeniable.

"What's happening?" Pipp exclaimed. "An earthquake?!"

Everypony looked, and saw Opaline's castle sinking into a giant opening in the ground. The castle sank quickly, and before they knew it, the entire castle was inside the void, along with the spell.

"Well. There goes the castle." Cozy said, astonished.

Chapter 22: Into the Void

A giant portal had opened up, and Opaline castle began to sink into the void.
The castle lowered until it had completely fallen into the void.

"What just happened?" Pipp asked.

"Foolish, ponies. You were all so consumed with defeating me, you forgot about the spell you were all so worried about before." Opaline said.

"But what exactly happened to the castle?" Sunny asked.

"What does it look like, Sunny? Before you took my magic, I opened a void directly under my castle, so that the spell would fall into it, where you and your friends would never be able to reach it." Opaline explained.

"But if the spell's down there, then that means the spell can't complete, right?" Hitch asked.

Opaline laughed.

Everypony looked up. The spell's big dark clouds were still billowing.

"I don't think that's the case, Hitch. The clouds in the sky are still brewing. The spell's still going, and now it's down there." Zipp said.

"You fools! The spell will complete! And you could never reach inside to stop it now!" Opaline said.

"She's right." Hitch said.

"No! She's wrong! I have to go in!" Sunny said.

"WHAT!?" everypony exclaimed.

"I've been in the void before. I can navigate it as an alicorn. I'm gonna have to go in and destroy that spell for good." Sunny said.

"Say, where's Misty?" Izzy asked.

Everypony looked around, but no sign of their blue maned blue pony friend.

"Did she ever escape the castle with us?" Pipp asked.

"I guess she didn't. Oh no..." Hitch said.

"Now I have no choice! I'm going into the void!" Sunny shouted.

"No you're not, Sunny." Izzy said.

"Izzy? How could you-" Sunny started to say, but Izzy picked it up.

"We're gonna have to go in and destroy that spell for good." Izzy affirmed.

"We are? I mean, yeah! Of course, Sunny. We'll follow you anywhere. Even into scary ominous pits that we might never come out of if we go in." Pipp said.

"We go in together. Each of you hold my hoof, and we stick together. We unite hoof to heart, destroy Opaline's spell, and save Misty, and all of Equestria!" Sunny said.

Sunny's alicorn horns and wings lit up.

"Thank you everypony! You know what allowed me to do all of this? It isn't these glowing wings, or horn, it's all of you. You have all enabled me to do so much. And now it is time I repay you all, by saving Equestria, and the rest of our realm!" Sunny said.

"Would you get on with it, please?!" Cozy exclaimed. "Time is of the essence after all."

Sunny's friends put their hooves on her. Sunny started to cry happy tears.

[hr[

Sunny, Izzy, Pipp, Zipp, and Hitch all stood up and held hooves. They looked down into the void, and were admittedly nervous. Cozy Glow held Sparky.

"You're going in?" Seashell asked.

"'fraid so, Pippsqueaks." Pipp said.

"But, what if you don't come out?" Glory asked.

The ground started to shake, and the magic cloud in the sky glowed brighter.

"If we don't go down there, none of us are going to see the light on the other side." Pipp said.

"We don't have any choice. There's no turning back now." Sunny said.

Izzy handed Sunny the lantern. Sunny held it and it glowed brightly with its prisbeam magic.

Sunny's friends all looked at her, and nodded affirmatively.

Without any further ado, the mane 5 all closed their eyes and leaned back and dived into the void.

Sunny and friends flew down into the void. They all held hooves, and dived down together towards Opaline's castle. The lantern glowed bright, and guided them. Opaline's castle was rapidly approaching as they went further down.

Meanwhile, back at the surface, Opaline watched in anger as the ponies descended. She jostled herself, and broke herself free. She pushed herself forward, and leaped into the void after Sunny and friends.

Sunny thrusted her wings to slow their descent. Sunny and friends entered through the top, and landed inside the castle.

"Misty!!"
"Misty!"
"Misty!!!!"

Everypony cried out.

"Misty where are you?!" Izzy cried out.

They entered the spell room, and saw Misty cowering and weeping.

"Misty! There you are!" Sunny said.

"I'm sorry, ponies! I said I could help, but I still can't get through Opaline's spell on my own." Misty cried.

"And you don't have to, Misty. We're here to take care of things." Sunny said.

"But we're out of time! That feather is MOMENTS away from completing and erasing everything!" Misty exclaimed.

The tome had all of its pages turned, and the feather was scribbling on the final page, and was about halfway down the page.

Meanwhile, back at the surface, Opaline looked into the void.

"What if those ponies succeed in ruining my spell? I can't let them!"

Opaline channeled what little fire she had inside of her, and let her rage fill her up. Her wings and horn erupted into flames, and disintegrated the vines holding her, and she leaped into the void herself.

"Come on, everypony. Let's join forces and destroy that book!" Sunny said.

Sunny joined with her friends hoof to heart, as her alicorn wings and horn glowed brighter.

"Sunny, wait!!" Zipp exclaimed.

Sunny halted her magic charging, and listened to Zipp.

"WHAT?!" Sunny asked.

"If you use up all your alicorn magic on the tome, you might not have enough power to fly us all out of here." Zipp said.

"I think you're right, Zipp. If I use up too much of my power, we'll be stuck here." Sunny said.

"So then, what do we do?"

"I know what to do! Everypony, sit tight!" Izzy said.

Izzy rushed off from the scene.

"Where are you going, Izzy?" Sunny asked.

Everypony looked up, and saw a worrying tight descending.

"Oh no..."

Opaline descended from above and landed with tremendous force in the castle.

"You ponies really want to stop my spell." Opaline said. "So much so you'll dive into an unspeakably horrific unknown void just to chase it."

"You'll never defeat us, Opaline!" Sunny exclaimed.

"I don't have to. I just have to distract you ponies until my spell completes." Opaline said.

"If the spell succeeds in creating a new world, wouldn't that erase everything, including you?" Hitch asked.

"Like, even if there's a new you on the other side, how do you know that'll be you?" Zipp asked.

Opaline flamed up, and approached Sunny and friends. Sunny was ready to use her alicorn abilities against Opaline, but Misty ran in front of her.

"We'll never let you succeed in your awful plan!" Misty shouted.

Opaline looked at Misty, surprised.

"Hmm. I expected no less from you miserable ponies. But you, Misty? You stand against me?" Opaline said.

"Yeah. I'm with them now! You can forget about me being your shadowy assistant! You can forget about me going to Maretime Bay and stealing things for you." Misty exclaimed.

"Hmph. How long have you been planning on betraying me, Misty?" Opaline asked.

"Ever since I realized that Sunny Starscout was my real friend, and that you weren't!" Misty exclaimed.

*gasp* "I rescued you, Misty!" Opaline shouted.

"You foalnapped me!" Misty exclaimed. "I don't know where I came from, presumably Bridlewood, and I don't know who my parents are! You foalnapped me just so you could raise me to do your evil bidding, because you couldn't get past the barriers placed by Twilight Sparkle! I was your tool! But no longer!"

Opaline stared blankly at Misty.

"Misty. Such backbone. Such loyal friends you have now." Opaline said.

Opaline flamed up with her fire alicorn flames, and threatened Misty.

"They'll all get to watch you suffer!" Opaline threatened.

"AAH!!" Misty screamed.

Opaline charged her horn at Misty.

"Misty!" Sunny exclaimed.

Sunny jumped in front of Misty, and blocked Opaline's magic with

"Even without Twilight's magic, my mark is more powerful than yours!"

"Sunny! Your magic! Don't let it deplete, or we'll be trapped here!" Zipp exclaimed.

"Hrgh. But I have to protect Misty!" Sunny exclaimed.

*horn ring*

"Huh?"

Everypony turned and saw the Marestream come smashing through a wall, and driving their way.

"What the-" Opaline called out.

Izzy drove the Marestream into Opaline, and crashed into a wall, crushing the alicorn, and the front of the Marestream, shattering the front windshield too.

"Izzy!" everypony exclaimed.

Sunny opened the driver bay door to see if Izzy was okay. And inside was Izzy, face against an airbag.

"Thank hoofness for magic airbags!" Izzy said, dazed.

"Did you just..." Pipp said.

"I don't know, did I? I couldn't see where I was going." Izzy replied.

"I'm pretty sure you did." Hitch added.

"So then..." Sunny looked over at Misty, who wasn't the least bit upset.

"I won't miss her." Misty said.

"Well, with that settled. Now then." Izzy said.

Izzy went in reverse, with the back hatch open, and scooped up the spell book into the cargo bay.

"It's a good thing I left the Maresteram in the castle. Let's fly out of here with the spell, and then we unleash all our friendship and blast it away!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Izzy, that's um..." Sunny started to say.

"That'll have to do. We don't have any time to weigh our options." Misty said.

"Okay, Izzy! Come on, everypony! Inside the Marestream!" Sunny ordered.

Everypony rushed into the driver's room of the Marestream.

Sunny placed the lantern on the dashboard, and was expecting to start up the Marestream and immediately start flying out of here, but that's not quite what happened. The lantern was dimmer than expected.

"Sunny, what's wrong with the lantern?" Pipp asked.

"I don't know. It's dimmer than it should be." Sunny said.

"Are we in trouble?" Hitch asked.

Sunny tapped the lantern, and the Marestream's dashboard, to try to get it to start correctly.

"Come on, come on, come on!" Sunny said.

Sunny tapped the lantern, and attempted to use her magic to light it up. It seemed to be doing the trick, but not quickly enough.

"It's taking too long to start up!" Zipp said.

"And besides, the entrance is way above us. I-I don't think there's enough time to escape with the spell." Misty said.

"Does that mean we're screwed?" Pipp asked.

"Nope! Friends never die!" Izzy said. "We'll find a way out of here still."

"Then do something!!" Pipp shouted at Izzy.

Everypony looked at Pipp awkwardly after she yelled.

"I'm... I'm sorry for shouting, Izzy." Pipp said.

Izzy thought hard about what to do. And then she came up with something.

*gasp* "I know just what to do!"

Izzy pressed the big red button on the dashboard, and out the back sprung out a series of large rockets.

"Sprout's modifications to the Marestream! These rockets will get us up and out of here in a zip!" Izzy said.

"Brilliant, Izzy!" Pipp said. "Mwaa!" Pipp kissed Izzy's cheek.

Everypony looked at Pipp somewhat funny.

"Eh, hehehe. Uh, no time to dilly. Let's dally!" Pipp said.

"You're right. Everypony, buckle up!" Sunny exclaimed.

Everypony sat in a seat, and buckled up.

The fuse on the rocket sizzled and burnt out slower and slower.

"Izzy, are you sure this is safe, and isn't going to... you know?" Zipp asked.

"Hang on, everypony! It's going to be a bumpy ride!" Izzy said, excitedly.

"Here we go! Light it up up up. Light it up up up. WE'RE ON FI-" Izzy sang, but she was interrupted when suddenly.

*BOOM*

The rockets ignited, and propelled the Marestream forward at incredible velocity!

The immense acceleration force pushed everypony back in their seats. The rocket propelled Marestream was as fast as a rocket, but it had no direction, and quickly veered off course.

Meanwhile, back in Opaline's castle, Opaline pushed aside some debris, and looked at the out of control Marestream.

"Those silly fillies. They'll crash and burn in a fiery disaster." Opaline said.

Inside the Marestream, everypony was panicking.

"Sunny! Grab the wheel!" Zipp exclaimed.

Sunny managed to reach forward and grab onto the wheel. The slightest movement of the wheel changed their trajectory drastically. The Marestream flew around taking sharp turns, and loops, but never in the direction Sunny meant. The intense speed and rapid changes in direction was too much for everypony to handle.

"IT'S TOO FAST! I CAN'T STEER IT, ZIPP! ZIPP!??"

Sunny looked to her side, but Zipp was quiet. She appeared to have fainted from the acceleration force. Izzy, Pipp, Hitch, and Misty had fainted as well.

"Come on, Sunny. You can't let everypony down. Not now. Not while you're so close... *groan*

Sunny tried to resist the urge to black out, but it was becoming more hard.

"Nonononono. Not like this. This can't be how it ends... Come.. on... I just want to help!! I want to help everypony!!!"

It wasn't until her alicorn powers activated that she powered through the immense g-forces. Her wings and horn appeared, but unlike all the previous times she'd been an alicorn, her eyes opened, revealing eyes that were as white and bright as the sun.

Sunny instinctively steered the wheel and began piloting the Marestream. She gotten the Marestream out of its tumble, and regained control of the rocket propelled tram car. Sunny tapped the dashboard, and started playing a motivational tune to set the mood. It was an upcoming song of Pipp's.

DON'T LOOK NOW, THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER

SO HOLD MY HOOF, CAUSE WE'RE GROWING TOGETHER

WE'VE GOT THE STRENGTH TO TAKE ON WHATEVER

CAUSE WE GOT THE MAGIC, WE GOT THE MAGIC IN US

The Marestream flew directly upward, like a shooting star in reverse.

Sunny's eyes returned to normal, and looked at the opening above her draw close rapidly. She looked at her friends one more time.

"Thank you everypony for everything. You're the best friends I ever could have wished for." Sunny said.

SO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK, THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER

WE'RE GROWING STRONG, WE'RE GROWING TOGETHER

WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE EACH OTHER FOREVER

CAUSE WE GOT THE MAGIC, WE GOT THE MAGIC IN US

Opaline heard the loud music, and watched the Marestream gain balance and head up. She was quite disappointed that they were going the right way.

"Fine! Escape out of here, ponies! See what I care. Gah! AAAAHHHH!!!" Opaline cried out in anguish.

Back in the Marestream, Sunny was fast approaching the light.

"Friends never die." Izzy's voice echoed in Sunny's head.

*gasp*

"This isn't the end." Sunny said.

With the destination fast approaching, Sunny lit up brightly, and cast a magic on her friends.

"I won't allow it to be the end of us!" Sunny said.

Outside on the surface, ponies were onlooking the inside the void. Cozy saw something bright approaching from below.

"Everypony get back!" Cozy exclaimed.

Everypony jumped back away from the void, as the on fire rocket propelled Marestream shot straight up out of the void.

Inside the Marestream, Sunny's alicorn instincts took over. She looked around and it seemed as though time was slowed. With not a moment to think, so glowed bright, and surrounded her friends.

The rockets of the Marestream had become unstable, and exploded. The explosion caused the rest of the Marestream to also explode. The barrier protecting the spell had dissipated, and the flames engulfed the tome, destroying it.

The explosion was firey, and magical. The explosion created a mini void that sucked up all the dark clouds that had emanated from the tome.

The hole grew brighter and brighter, until its bright magic blew away from the epicenter, and shot across Equestria.

The void hole itself had closed, putting an end to this chapter for good.

"Woah..." everypony in Equestria was in awe.

"They really did it." Cozy said, amazed.

But there was still something missing.

"Where did they go?" Seashell asked.

"Oh no..." Posey said, tearing up.

"Did they?" Cozy asked.

"Da... da...?" Sparky said.

Everypony hung their heads, and went quiet, thinking about Sunny, Misty, Izzy, Pipp, Zipp, and Hitch.

But then they heard something that sounded like them.

A few yards over was a tree, and inside, Sunny, Izzy, Pipp, Hitch, Zipp, and Misty, were caught in its leaves.

*Oooh* "What happened?" Izzy asked, dazed.

"Where are we?" Hitch asked.

"Did we win?" Misty asked.

"Did we lose and end up in the bad place?" Pipp asked.

Suddenly, everypony heard what sounded like cheers and applause. The ponies looked out and saw all of Equestria cheering for them. The ponies of Equestria gathered around Sunny and friends.

"Ponies, we made it!" Sunny exclaimed.

"Oh right. The spell. And the Marestream." Pipp said, dazed.

The ponies looked up and saw the sky was blue and clear for the first time in over a week.

Sunny flew down softly, and used her magic to let her friends down to the ground.

"Mwaa!" Izzy kissed Sunny.

"Izzy. Hehe. Not in front of everyone. We'll talk about this later." Sunny said.

"Sunny! You did it!" Seashell said.

"You guys all saved Equestria!" Posey said, excitedly.

Hitch saw Sparky running towards him.

"Sparky!" Hitch said, hugging Sparky.

Sunny looked over at Cozy, Tirek, and Chrysalis, who had turned around, and were slowly leaving the scene. Sunny however approached them.

"Hey, where are you guys going?" Sunny asked.

"Well, it seems we've done all we needed to do. That's one exciting adventure for today, but we'll be back to get our revenge another time." Cozy said.

"You sure? Constantly making evil schemes, only to have them fall flat has to get pretty boring after some time." Sunny said.

"She has a point." Tirek said.

"How could we navigate this bizarre new Equestria?" Chrysalis asked.

Sunny picked up a piece of paper that was from the spell book, and read it.

"Maybe there is a way we can help you out after all." she said.

Chapter 23 (The End)

After a harrowing week and some odd days of the looming threat of a large billowing cloud and an evil spell crafted to rebuild the world, everypony's worries were finally quelled. Sunny Starscout, and her heroic friends Izzy Moonbow, Pipp Petals, Zipp Storm, and Hitch Trailblazer had defeated the dastardly alicorn, Opaline Arcana. And along the way, they helped Opaline's assistant, Misty, by befriending her, and saving her from the void which had opened up, and swallowed Opaline's castle. After a daring dive into the void, Sunny and friends saved Misty, defeated Opaline for good, and went up and out, destroying Opaline's spell, and saving everypony.

With peace restored, now came the matter of rebuilding Equestria of all the damage caused by Opaline during her conquest.

Maretime Bay was being rebuilt by everypony from all over Equestria. Sunny went around Maretime Bay checking in on the progress, and encouraging ponies to do their part to bring joy back to Maretime Bay.

"You're doing great." Sunny said.

Sunny stood at the center of Maretime Bay, and spoke to everypony.

"Thank you, everypony." Sunny said. "I knew you ponies could all do it. This is what I've been hoping to see all this time. Ponies chipping in as a community and doing good for everypony. Ponies can do so much good for all if you just believe. And it warms my heart to see it first hoof everypony helping out."

"Well, it's the least we owe you, Sunny, for saving us all." Jazz said from the crowd.

"You owe me nothing. It is my duty to bring unity, and protect Equestria. Seeing everypony prosper is thanks enough." Sunny said.

"And speaking of..." Sunny said, thinking of Misty.

In the community garden, Sunny saw Misty planting her hooves in the soil. Sunny hadn't talked to Misty about Opaline since her defeat. Though it would probably be a difficult topic, but now seemed as good a time as any to bring it up.

Sunny approached Misty carefully.

"Um, Misty?" Sunny said.

"Oh. Hey, Sunny. What's up?" Misty asked.

"How are you doing?" Sunny asked.

"I'm doing good." Misty replied.

"That's good. I'm a little surprised to hear that." Sunny said.

"That what, Sunny?" Misty asked.

"You seem to be in a better mood than I was expecting." Sunny said.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Misty asked.

"Well, you know. I haven't asked you about um... her." Sunny said.

"Oh, right." Misty said.

"Listen, Misty. I know it's probably hard for you, but I assure you-" Sunny said.

"Sunny, listen. I'm not upset about that." Misty said.

"You're not?" Sunny asked.

"No. Sunny, look. Being rid of Opaline is the best thing that's happened to me. Opaline was terrible to me, through and through. She never had my back. She was just using me to do her deeds in the parts of Equestria she was forbidden from going. She promised me things she never intended on gifting me." Misty said, while crying slowly. "I only stayed with her for so long because I had nowhere else to go. But now I do. I have real friends. I don't need Opaline. And I won't be missing her."

"That's good. I'm glad for you, Misty. You're right. Good riddance." Sunny said.

"How about you, Sunny?" Misty asked.

"I mean, obviously I wouldn't have chosen to banish her to the void. But she did it to herself." Sunny said.

"Hey, don't give her any sympathy. She doesn't deserve it." Misty said. "I'm sure she's fine in the void, only now she is in a place where she can't harm any pony ever again."

Sunny looked down.

"I know it's the alicorn's duty to help anypony in need, but Opaline crosses that line." Misty said.

Sunny looked up.

"Yeah. You're right, Misty." Sunny said.

Sunny Starscout in the Brighthouse. She looked at the three Unity Crystals floating in the prisbeam. She held her hoof to her heart, and was grateful, in spite of all the turmoil that had happened over the past few weeks. In spite of everything, the release of Cozy Glow, Tirek, and Chrysalis, the rise of Opaline and her spell, and the near destruction of everything, it was thanks to Sunny's bravery, and unity with her friends, they managed to thwart every obstacle, and restore unity to everypony.

Sunny looked up at the prisbeam and whispered to herself. "Thank you..."

Sunny then looked out and was surprised to see Cozy Glow hanging out on the Brighthouse balcony.

"Cozy Glow?" Sunny said. "Didn't notice you there earlier."

"You alright." Sunny asked.

"I'm fine. I'm still just getting used to this whole new Equestria thing." Cozy said.

"And..." Sunny said.

"And... you know... I think I'm ready, and willing to let you show me how, Sunny Starscout." Cozy said.

"Is that so, Cozy?" Sunny asked.

"Mhm. After trying for generations to obtain power, and failing every time, I uh... think I'm ready for something different." Cozy said. "There's a warmness to you and your friends that I never got from Twilight. I wouldn't mind being your friend. Like, for real. I-If you want to be my friend, of course."

Sunny smiled at the pegasus filly. "Of course, Cozy. I'll be your friend." she said.

Cozy stood up and walked up to Sunny. Sunny gave Cozy a nice hug.

"Thank you, Sunny." Cozy said.

Sunny patted Cozy on the head, and made her giggle.

"Now, what would you like to see, Cozy?" Sunny said.

"I think I'd just like to sightsee." Cozy said.

"Okay. Well, how about the top of the Brighthouse here? Like the view?" Sunny asked.

Cozy looked out towards the vista. From the top of the Brighthouse, all the major destinations of Equestria could be seen. The bayside town of Maretime Bay. The forests of Bridlewood. And the high mountains of Zephyr Heights. Three pony civilizations, now home to all pony kinds.

"I do like this." Cozy replied.

Sunny smiled and replied. "Me too, Cozy. Me too."

The End

Author's Note

Thank you to all for reading my G5 story. What was supposed to be a short story that was to be published by contest 3's deadline, became a huge thing in my side for over a year. What was supposed to be a quick but epic story following on from Chapter 2's promise of an epic encounter with Opaline, ended up getting out paced by Make Your Mark, and took longer than the entirety of Make Your Mark's run anyway. Regardless, I hope you enjoyed reading my take on a Cozy Glow meets G5 story.

Chapter 1: Reawakening

Sunny Starscout, and her friends Izzy Moonbow, Hitch Trailblazer, and siblings Pipp Petals and Zipp Storm were chasing down a mysterious hooded pony through the mysterious forest. The shadowy pony had stolen the Unification Crystal from the Crystal Bright Lighthouse, and they were in hot pursuit of the thief.

"Stop, thief!" Sunny Starscout exclaimed.

"Come back with the Crystal!" Hitch exclaimed.

The pack was led by pegasi Pipp and Zipp. Zipp was a speedy pegasus, and had nearly caught up to the thief. But they were cunning, and frequently used magic to make themselves teleport ahead of them.

Everypony continued the chase, until the hooded pony found themselves in a corner of a rocky cliffside. They turned around, and Sunny and friends had them blocked at every exit.

"You're surrounded! You've got nowhere to run! Now show yourself, and give back the crystal." Sunny exclaimed.

But the hooded creature was not distraught. In fact, they began to chuckle.

The creature undid their hood, revealing themselves to everypony. They were a tall slender pony, with both wings, and a horn! Their mane was a shiny bright blue, and almost seemed unnatural. The alicorn laughed at Sunny and gang.

"She's an... alicorn?" Pipp asked.

"But Sunny, you're the only alicorn, right?" Izzy asked.

"You want the Unification Crystal back? HA! Kid, you don't even know HALF of what this crystal does." they said.

"Yes I do. We need the crystal, and its pieces united, so that Equestria can have magic!" Sunny said.

"See, that was the impression I got too, but it seems there's a lot more to it than just that. I thought removing that Crystal from the Crystal Bright House would've taken away your magic, but you ponies still have magic abilities." they said.

"She's right. Why didn't removing the Crystal turn off the magic?" Zipp whispered.

Sunny was about to reply, but she halted herself when she realized she didn't have an answer.

"But no matter. The next phase of my plan will swipe all of your magic powers away! I'm sure of it!" the shadowy alicorn said.

The alicorn charged their magic, and suddenly, Izzy disappeared, and reappeared behind the alicorn.

"Izzy!" everypony cried.

The alicorn had Izzy trapped in a magic bubble.

"Don't worry guys. I'm safe in this bubble. If I can't get out, then that means threats can't get in." Izzy assured.

Sunny's friends leaped into action. They ran in differing directions, to try to throw off to try to disorient the alicorn.

Hitch used his new plant magic to extend out heavy roots in the alicorn's direction, and Zipp flew forward to try to retrieve Izzy.

But the shadowy alicorn was always one step ahead of our heroes. She lit her horn and chopped Hitch's vines apart. And she kept Izzy out of reach of Zipp.

But thankfully, Sunny made it to Izzy, and summoned her alicorn powers to undo the alicorn's spell in a bright glow.

"Thanks, Sunny. For the wicked cool save!" Izzy said, hugging Sunny.

The shadowy alicorn growled, but they were none too distraught.

"Look!" Pipp shouted.

The hooded figure ran into a cave entrance on the side of the cliff.

"Come on, she's getting away." Sunny exclaimed.

"Right!" everypony affirmed.

Sunny made her wings and horn glow bright, and led the way for everypony through the cave. Sunny ran at a great speed, and everypony followed her into the dark cave. Though this was no ordinary cave. The walls and floor were flat, as if this was some kind of temple.

"Come on, guys. We can't let them get away. Guys?"

Sunny looked behind her, and saw that she had been separated from her friends.

"I think we made a wrong turn!" Izzy's voice echoed from somewhere in the temple.

"Which way did you go, Sunny?" Hitch's voice echoed.

"Just follow the light of my..." Suddenly, Sunny's alicorn magic dimmed, and her wings and horn dissipated away. "Never mind..."

"I don't see any light!" Zipp shouted.

"We are hopelessly lost! Why did we go into this dreary cave!" Pipp's panicked voice echoed.

"Stay calm! We're going to make it out of here!" Sunny shouted.

Sunny listened past the panicked screams of her friends, and could hear the heavy steps of the shadowy alicorn, and continued her pursuit.

Sunny had reached a large chamber with nothing much going on, but nevertheless, seemed to have some significance.

It wasn't before long that Sunny had noticed the mysterious alicorn in the room. It seemed as though she was waiting for her.

"Excellent, you're finally here, but your friends aren't. This is going to be perfect." the alicorn said, gleefully. "I see you're a fangirl yourself, Sunny Starscout. Those badges are the symbols of ponies from past generations."

"Yes, I'm well aware." Sunny said, deadpan.

"You see, deep inside this temple are secrets a filly like you could never hope to comprehend!" they said. "So you're the one who's been chosen to wield the alicorn light magic? Really? You're so unremarkable!

"Enough flattering." Sunny said.

"You have the magic of an alicorn, and you hardly even want to use it. Alicorns are the most powerful of ponies, and deserve all the magic to themselves. But instead Sunny the goody goody four hooves would rather share magic with everypony! Bleh!"

"I share the magic because everypony deserves to live to their fullest potential! Now give me the Unity Crystal so I can make sure of that!" Sunny said.

"Suit yourself, Sunny. But I'm not done with this crystal just yet. You see, I don't just want the Unity Crystal." the alicorn said, gently placing the Unity Crystal onto a pedestal. "I've had my eyes on the three Crystals for a long time, ever since they were created and the magic was sealed away. But their power alone isn't enough to accomplish what I have planned, so retrieving them earlier would've been pointless. But now that magic has returned to Equestria, and a wielder has been chosen, the real fun can finally begin!"

The Crystal started to glow, and suddenly, it shot out a beam of light, and latched its magic onto Sunny!

A magic beam fired at Sunny, and captured her in a spell. Sunny's alicorn horn and wings were forced out, and her horn fired a stream of magic through the unification crystal, and onto a big stone statue sitting at the end of the temple.

"AAAHHHH!!! No! Arugh! Stop it!" Sunny exclaimed.

The alicorn's face beamed with excitement.

The stone statue started to glow from bottom to top, as the spell progressed.

The spell had completed. Sunny and the crystal stopped glowing. Sunny plopped onto the ground, too weak to get up and do anything. And in front of the alicorn where the statue once stood, now stood two big baddies. One angry, but weakened centaur, and one vile Changeling queen.

"Oh, Lord Tirek! Queen Chrysalis! And Cozy Glow! It is an honor to be in your presence!" the alicorn said, bowing.

Lord Tirek and Queen Chrysalis looked at each other with confused looks.

"Who are you? And where are we?" Tirek asked.

"My name is Opaline. I am a powerful alicorn who has bestowed freedom upon you three! I freed you from what would've been an eternity of suffering!"

"Okay, but what exactly is going on here!?" Chrysalis exclaimed.

"Well, what I just said. You spent a really really really really really long time in stone. So, using a combination of magic that took years themselves to figure out, I managed to set you guys free!" Opaline explained.

The villains look at themselves, confused.

"Well thanks I guess." Tirek said. "So... is there something you want from us, or what?"

"What I want is pretty standard. I want all the magic in Equestria to myself! And who better to help me accomplish that than the mighty centaur who can steal a living creature's magic!" Opaline said.

Sunny gasped, but she kept quiet so as to not catch their attention.

"Steal the magic from Equestria, you say?" Tirek said, scratching his head.

"Mmm hmm. A lot has changed, but there is still magic just waiting for us to take. Lord Tirek, bring me the magic! Queen Chrysalis and Cozy Glow, you are to assist him in that goal! And in exchange, I will grant whatever you three desire."

Lord Tirek and Queen Chrysalis thought about Opaline's proposal. But they soon realized that neither of them were interested in following a leader again.

"You heard her, Lord Tirek. Steal the magic!" Chrysalis said.

"Indeed I did hear, and indeed I shall." Tirek said.

Tirek opened his mouth, and started to absorb Opaline's magic. Her eyes turned gray, as the bright essence of her alicorn magic flowed into Tirek. She collapsed onto the ground, while Tirek grew in strength, and regained his muscles, and larger build.

"Wha-huh? How could you do this to me! I freed you! You owe me a lot!" Opaline exclaimed.

"Sorry, but I don't owe anything to anyone." Tirek said.

"I don't obey any leader, other than myself. Especially not after our last leader, Grogar, aka Discord imprisoned us." Chrysalis said.

"But Discord was a careless fool! I'm upfront! I'll be transparent with you guys, if you agree to follow my lead!" Opaline begged.

"Not interested." Tirek replied.

"But, you'll be lost without me. The world is very different from what you're used to! It'd be in your best interest if-" Opaline pleaded.

"The only thing you have that I'm interested in, is all the magic that you say Equestria still has to take." Tirek said. "Magic that I will be taking, and keeping to myself!"

Tirek used his magic to blast the temple wall, creating an exit.

"Excuse me, for yourself!"

"That's right, Queen Chrysalis. We spent an eternity together, and I'm frankly sick of you. Now buzz off and find your own evil niche." Tirek leaped up and fled from the scene.

"Indeed I shall! I don't need magic absorbing abilities to rule over more of Equestria than you!" Chrysalis flew away and went in a different

He and Chrysalis fled the scene in different directions, leaving behind an exhausted Sunny, a drained Opaline, and one more pony...

Izzy, Pipp, Hitch, and Zipp finally made it through the temple maze, and caught up to Sunny, but they just barely caught the tail end of the events.

"Everypony put your hooves up!" Izzy shouted.

"Hey, that's my line." Hitch said.

"What happened in here?!" Zipp exclaimed.

Hitch ran up to Opaline and interrogated them.

"Who are you!? What were those vile creatures that just fled?!" Hitch asked.

"I refuse to tell you anything!" Opaline exclaimed.

"Guys. If she won't explain, then maybe she will." Zipp pointed to a little blue maned pegasus filly. The filly laid on the temple ground, exhausted, and out of energy.

The ponies slowly approached this strange pony.

"Is she... alive?" Pipp asked.

The pegasus irked, and opened their eyes. Her eyes widened as they were surprised to be surrounded by so many strange ponies.

"What's your name, little one?" Izzy asked, softly.

"M-my name? My name is... *cough*

But the little soft spoken pegasus was outspoken by Opaline's evil laugh.

"Bwahahaha!"

They looked around, and saw Opaline at the exit.

"But how?! That monster took your magic!" Sunny exclaimed.

Opaline's assistant had arrived, and handed her master a magic potion that rejuvenated her magic.

"My assistant Misty here came just in the nick of time with some dragon fire." she said, holding a half empty jar of dragon fire. "Now I'm recharged, and I still have the Unification Crystal!"

"Misty!?" everypony exclaimed.

"Misty Bright Dawn!?" Izzy added.

"Uh-huh! It's me!!" Misty shouted. "Except uh... Bright Dawn isn't actually my last name."

"I knew you were suspicious this whole time! But I never could've thought that-" Zipp started.

"That I've never been to Bridlewood?! That I only had that sleepover so I could attempt to steal the lantern?! And that I was the dragon thief!" Misty said, interrupting Zipp.

Everypony gasped at these startling revelations.

"So you were the lantern and dragon thief!" Zipp shouted.

"The failed lantern and dragon thief." Opaline corrected.

"Every hunch you had was correct and you still never put two and two together, Detective Zipp!" Misty exclaimed.

"Enough banter. Come, Misty. Let's watch Equestria crumble now that those two creatures are unleashed." Opaline said.

"Yeah! What she said!" Misty exclaimed.

Opaline spread her wings and flew away from the scene with the Unification Crystal. Misty turned around and realized that she'd left her in the dust.

"Oh come on, Opaline! You said no more flying getaways! Errgh! It's too much distance to cover on hoof..." she said, trotting away.

"Well, shoot. They got away." Hitch said, with his ears drooping.

"Let it go, Hitch. We can't chase them forever." Zipp said. "Plus, it's just like you always say. The criminals always return to the crime scene, so she'll be back."

"She'll be back, and she'll get what's coming to her. They all do." Sunny said. "And when she does, we'll get the Crystal back, before we completely lose the magic again."

"On a totally unrelated note, what do we do about little dimple cheeks here?" Pipp asked, pointing at the little pegasus.

"Oh that's right. We're sorry, we didn't catch your name, little one. What's your name?" Sunny asked.

"...my name is Cozy Glow." she said.

"Cozy Glow?" Hitch repeated.

"That name doesn't sound familiar..." Sunny said.

Author's Note

Originally conceived as an entry for the 3rd Cozy Glow Story Contest, with the prompt: There was only one way to fix things: destroy the unification crystal.
However, Cozy Glow That Time Forgot took a lot out of me, and I needed a break. Then came September where we got lots of previews of Make Your Mark Chapter 2. Being such a G5 focused story, I realized I didn't want to commit to this story's contents if something from Make Your Mark contradicts what I've come up with. Thus I put this story on hold because I wanted to see what new material Make Your Make Chapter 2 would bring to the table, which unfortunately took this story outside of the window to submit. That's okay though, because this story quickly outgrew the 15k character limit anyway. In that break period the story has come quite a ways(and it may or may not still satisfy the original prompt :raritywink:), and now that I've seen Make Your Mark Chapter 2, I have a clear idea as to where to take this story.

Chapter 2: Past Meets Present

At Opaline's castle, she and Misty were recouping from their recent run in with Sunny Starscout and friends, and the villainous trio from Equestria's past.

"I'm sorry your plans didn't go the way you wanted, and you were attacked like that, Opaline. Good thing I was there with a jar of dragon fire to save you." Misty said.

But Opaline merely chose to laugh, as she held the Unity Crystal in front of her.

"In spite of the sticky situation back there, I think things are going to turn out just fine." she said. "Whether or not that centaur follows me or not is irrelevant. What matters is that he's doing his job. I have the majority of Equestria's power right here, and he's out there collecting Equestria's remaining magic."

Opaline used her magic to activate her magic pool, and used it to project and gaze at what everypony else was doing. She observed Lord Tirek rampaging through Equestria, and stealing the magic from ponies.

"Right now, Lord Tirek is wandering through Equestria, stealing magic from any pony that he sees. He's doing exactly what I want, which is gathering their magic." Opaline said. "And from the looks of it, it seems those other two are also starting to find their footing here too."

Opaline used her spell to observe a lost and confused Queen Chrysalis. Although upon closer examination, it seemed as though she was crafting a plan. And Cozy Glow was under tight watch from Zipp Storm and Pipp Petals.

"Soon all the magic will end up under my control." Opaline said.

"T-that's good, Opaline." Misty said.

Opaline tapped the Unity Crystal with her hoof, but it did not glow or respond. It seemed to be completely dormant.

"Now if only I knew how to use her magic. Seems her crystal has gone into hiding out of fear. Hm. Misty! I have a job for you!" Opaline said.

"Do you need more dragon fire?" Misty predicted she was going to say.

"I need that dragon itself! Mere drip feeds of dragon fire won't do at this point. I need plumes of dragon fire to ignite the crystal, and protect myself from those fiends!" Opaline explained.

"The fiends you chose to unleash?" Misty asked.

"The ones who chose to disobey me. But that's fine. I should still be able to get what I want from them, but dragon fire is a must!" Opaline said.

"What am I supposed to do? They saw me with you. I can't just walk up to them and have another sleepover. Besides, how do you know dragon fire is going to activate the cryst-"

The more Misty rambled on, the angrier Opaline got.

"I mean, I won't let you down again!" Misty said, raising her hoof up.

"Come back with the dragon!" Opaline demanded.

It was mid-day. Sunny Starscout, Hitch Trailblazer, and Izzy Moonbow were on their way to pick up Sparky Sparkeroni, who was being babysat by Posey. Pipp and Zipp had taken Cozy Glow to the Crystal Bright House, and they would all meet in a short while.

"Wow. Chasing down an evil alicorn is not how I expected to be starting the week." Hitch said.

"Life comes at you fast, Hitch, so we have to be ready for anything." Sunny said.

"A little too fast for my taste. What do we do now that that terrifying alicorn has the Unity Crystal?" Hitch asked.

"It's not going to stay that way for long. We're getting that crystal back." Sunny said, determined.

"That's the spirit! A little payback for messing with Equestria!" Izzy added.

"Let's just be grateful we still have our magic in spite of that." Hitch said.

Hitch lightly tapped his magic hoof onto the ground, to see if he still had his earthpony magic. Izzy's horn still glowed with magic.

"Even without the Crystal in the Crystal Bright House, I wonder how the magic is still able to propagate through Equestria." Sunny said.

"I'm sure Zipp might be able to figure something out. But before we meet with Pipp and Zipp, let's see how Posey's doing with Sparky." Hitch said.

Hitched opened the door to his office, and he, Sunny, and Izzy all gasped at the sight of a very messy sheriff's office.

"What happened in here?!" Hitch exclaimed.

"I don't know! I followed the checklist point to point, and he's just been out of control this whole time." Posey said.

"Ooh. See there's your problem. Sparky Sparkeroni no likey list-a-roni." Izzy said.

"How was I supposed to know that?! You left a checklist on the desk." Posey exclaimed.

"Yeah... Izzy taught me that lists weren't everything, and I meant to put it in the suggestions box." Hitch said.

Hitch leaned down to Sparky.

"Now Sparky, say you're sorry to Posey." he said.

Sparky made sad baby dragon noises, and then suddenly, he felt a rumble in his tummy. Then suddenly, he spat out a great burst of fire onto Posey's mane.

"AH!!" Posey exclaimed.

"Posey!" Sunny and Hitch exclaimed.

"Stop drop and roll, Posey!" Izzy exclaimed.

Sparky ran around the office, and played hard to get. Hitch and Posey chased him around.

"Sparky, come back!" Hitch exclaimed.

"Sparky! I said STOP!" Posey exclaimed.

Posey's eyes lit up, and she stomped her hooves which activated her earthpony magic. Except in this instance, her magic was much stronger than normal.

Huge plants grew from everywhere, and the entire office was covered in vines.

Everypony, and even Sparky was frozen in disbelief at how powerful Posey's magic suddenly became.

Posey shook her head, and the flames dissipated away.

"Uh... sorry Hitch, I didn't know I had it in me." Posey said.

"So then how'd you do it?" Sunny asked.

"I-I don't know. Something about my mane being on fire, felt like a whole fire was coursing through my veins." Posey said.

Hitch looked at his cute baby dragon, but also realized that there was much he still needed to do with his friends.

"Say, I know it's probably quite a bit to ask, but if you could watch Sparky for a little while longer?" Hitch requested.

Sparky looked at Hitch, and made sad baby dragon noises.

"Sorry, little guy. We're in the middle of a deep operation, and I just need to focus." Hitch said. "There'll be plenty of time for dragon play time later."

"Don't worry about a thing, Hitch. I think I'm starting to get the hang of this dragon sitting thing." Posey said.

"Thank you guys so much." Hitch said.

"Hey, Posey. I appreciate that you've been doing more favors for the community lately." Sunny said.

"Yeah... I felt bad about being all selfish and wanting less from unicorns and pegasi. But now that I have earthpony magic, it feels like I have something to contribute, it feels good to work with them rather than against."

"That's the spirit, Posey." Sunny said, cheerfully.

"It's all about working together, hoof to heart." Izzy added.

The three left Posey alone to clean, but she was soon greeted by yet more company.

"Are you alright!?" Windy shouted, busting through the door.

"Windy?" Posey asked.

"I heard some commotion and saw this huge spell you did in here!" Windy said, frantically.

"I think it had something to do with Sheriff Hitch's dragon." Posey said.

"D-dragon?" Windy asked.

"Yeah. Guess you haven't seen much of little powerful Sparky here." Posey said.

Posey tapped Sparky's nose, and made him laugh.

"Say, you're not busy, are you?" Posey asked.

"Not one bit." Windy said, eager.

"Would you mind helping me to watch little Sparky Sparkeroni?" Posey asked.

"I don't know anything about dragons, but I'd be delighted to help!" Windy said.

Misty was already in Maretime Bay, watching the three leave the Sheriff's office. She was wearing dark shades with thick silver frames. She had to stay hidden now, and figure out how to get into the sheriff's office, and dragon nap Sparky without being noticed. Not helping her cause, she noticed that Hitch recently put up wanted posters for her and Opaline. Misty ripped down a wanted poster, but then she realized that if anyone had noticed that any wanted posters were missing, it'd raise suspicion, so she attempted to put it back up, but the poster was already torn. She panicked as she tried to put it back the way it was, but then suddenly she was greeted by someponies.

"Hey you." said a high pitched voice.

"AH! Don't incarcerate me!" Misty panicked.

Misty turned around, and it was only three fillies.

"Oh, you're just three little fillies." Misty said, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Aren't you a member of the Filly Four?" Glory asked.

"Um... former member of the Filly Four." Misty replied. "They got tired of pushing me around, so I heard they just replaced me with a literal punching bag. Heh heh..."

Sunny, Hitch, and Izzy had arrived at the Crystal Bright House, where Zipp and Pipp were getting to know Cozy Glow.

Cozy Glow was seated on a big couch, while Sunny and gang sat directly across from her. It made for an awkward setting. One filly facing five older ponies. It was a lot to take in at once.

"Okay, now the key is to not overwhelm her with too many ques-" Sunny started.

"Who are you?"
"What are you?"
"Where are you from?"
"Who were those creatures who ran off?"
"How do you get your mane to do that?"

Many different questions echoed through the room in rapid fire succession, and multiple voices overlapping too. It was too much for one filly to take in.

"WAH! One at a time, please! You're overwhelming me..." Cozy said, in a wimpy tone.

"We're sorry. We're sorry." Sunny said. "Color us curious I guess. It's so surreal to actually be face to face with a pony from such a long period of time ago."

"Likewise. You guys look all strange, and everything's really confusing. So actually, you ponies don't mind if I ask you guys some questions first do you. Because I haven't the faintest clue what's going on here." Cozy said.

The mane 5 hushed down, and gave Cozy Glow the floor to speak.

"I guess first thing's first. Where am I?" Cozy asked.

"You're in Equestria!" Sunny said.

"I am?" Cozy asked in return.

Cozy Glow looked outside the window. "But it's so much different from the Equestria I remember." she said.

"Well, a lot of time has probably passed, and a lot has definitely changed. But that doesn't mean we can't connect." Sunny said.

Cozy nodded with her eyes closed. "It's true. And if what you said is true, then I was in that stone statue for a really long time. I don't know anypony here. I don't know any of you..."

Cozy Glow started to weep, and put her hooves to her face. Izzy went up and hugged Cozy Glow.

"There there, Cozy-wozy. It's all going to be okay." Izzy said, softly.

"She's just a little lost filly." Sunny said, teary eyed herself.

It was in this heavy moment, that Sunny felt a tap on her. It was Pipp, who seemed quite worried about something.

"Psst. Sunny, take a look at this." Pipp said.

Pipp showed everypony the live feed on her cell phone, which showed footage of Lord Tirek rampaging through Bridlewood, and stealing the magic from everypony who was unfortunate enough to cross his path.

"It's that monster from the temple who escaped. He's stealing more of ponies' magic." Sunny said.

Cozy hovered above the ponies and watched the feed as well.

"Stealing magic? Is that Lord Tirek?" Cozy asked.

"You're asking us who that is? You came from the same statue he did!" Hitch said.

"Oh. Right." Cozy said.

"Well, since you know who he is, can you tell us more about him?" Sunny asked.

"Yes, please tell us all you know." Zipp said, ready to take notes.

*sniff* "Okay, I'll try my best... *sniff* That's Lord Tirek. An ancient centaur who has the ability to absorb creatures' essence, and use it to bolster his own strength."

"But you two aren't the only ones who were there. There was also that big four legged bug thing." Sunny said.

"Is this what you saw, Sunny?" Pipp asked.

Pipp showed Sunny a picture posted onto Ponygram. It was a blurry photo of a large black mass, with green wings.

"That has to be her." Sunny said. "Cozy Glow, who was that other creature that you were trapped in stone with?"

"That would be Queen Chrysalis. Queen of the Changelings."

"Changelings.... changelings." Zipp said, writing down the important details.

"What's a changeling?" Izzy asked.

"Oh dear... Well, changelings are bug-like creatures who feed, err, used to feed on the love essence of other creatures for their own survival. Chrysalis was the mother to all of them. But then somepony came along and swiped away her subjects' loyalty, leaving her bitter and out for revenge." Cozy explained.

"How do we stop them? They're putting Equestria at dire risk.." Sunny said.

"If you want to defeat Lord Tirek and Chrysalis, you're going to need my help." Cozy said. "Take it from me. They're from the same time period as I, and I know how to exploit their weaknesses."

"That sounds great, Cozy Glow." Sunny said.

"Um, Sunny. A word with you?" Zipp asked.

Zipp pulled Sunny away from the group, and spoke with Sunny in private, whilst Pipp showed Cozy Glow how her phone worked.

"What up, Zipp?" Sunny asked.

"Doesn't this seem a bit odd, Sunny?" Zipp asked. "She was in stone along with those two. She already admitted she's from the same time period as them, so why was she imprisoned alongside them?"

Sunny thought about Zipp's question. It did seem awfully strange, and it was hard to come up with a good reason.

"If they were in stone for a reason, don't you think she was in stone for a reason too? How do we know she's so innocent? How can we trust her?" Zipp asked.

They looked at Cozy, and she was just being an absolute sweetheart to Hitch, Pipp, and Izzy.

"I admit, you do have some points. But please give her the benefit of the doubt. She seems nice, and she may be able to help us." Sunny said. "And I'll leave you to do your best to make some observations and solve all these mysteries, Detective Zipp."

Zipp and Sunny heard Cozy crying, and turned their attention back to everypony else.

*sniff* "I'm so thankful that you ponies are helping me out like this. You're so much nicer than those no good ponies who turned me to stone." Cozy said.

"It's the least we can do for a little kid in need like yourself." Hitch said.

"What exactly do you ponies even do in this new world?" Cozy asked.

"I'm glad you asked, Cozy. Let me show you." Pipp said.

Pipp pulled out her smartphone, and showed it to Cozy Glow. She showed her all the things it could do, which only served to confuse Cozy Glow profoundly. She was astounded to see the image on the screen manipulated in any way Pipp wanted.

"How do you get so many ponies inside this box?" Cozy asked.

"Oh, Cozy. Oh, Cozy Cozy Cozy. You have much to learn." Pipp said. "How does a tour around Maretime Bay sound?"

"Well, golly, sure." Cozy said.

"Wait, wait wait wait!" Zipp said. "You're just going to show her around Maretime Bay?"

"Yeah. Why not, Zipp?" Pipp asked.

"We need her expertise if we're going to find a way to stop those two creatures!" Zipp exclaimed.

"Yeah well, to her, this is a totally new world. Wouldn't it be nice if we helped her become more acquainted to Maretime Bay?" Pipp suggested.

"Sunny, help us out. What's your take?" Zipp asked.

"I um... you know. Pipp has a point. It would be very generous of us to introduce her to Maretime Bay." Sunny said.

"So is our tour still a go?" Pipp asked.

"Yep! Just make sure she doesn't leave your sight. To um... make sure she doesn't get lost of course." Sunny said.

"Then it's settled. Let's take you on a tour!" Pipp said. "Stick with Izzy and I, and you're in for one heck of a good time, Cozy Glow!"

Cozy Glow gave Pipp a warm smile, as she was eager to see more of this exciting new version of Equestria.

"Sounds like a plan. Me, Zipp, and Hitch will stay behind and try to learn more about our shadowy alicorn adversary, and you Pipp, and Izzy, may take Cozy Glow on a tour around Maretime Bay."

"Woo hoo! Sightseeing!" Izzy cheered.

Pipp and Izzy led Cozy Glow out of the Crystal Bright House.

Zipp looked down, but Sunny assured her they were still focused on being productive.

"And don't worry, Zipp. I've got an idea. My dad has a huge collection of memorabilia and such from Equestria's past. If they're from Equestria's past, maybe we'll find some mention of them that can help us." Sunny said.

Cozy Glow followed Pipp Petals and Izzy Moonbow through Maretime Bay. Pipp and Cozy walked, while Izzy cruised behind them in her unicycle full of stuff.

"This is Maretime Bay, Cozy Glow. A town established, and exclusively lived in by earthponies. But that all changed when..."

Pipp and Izzy noticed Cozy Glow was already gone from their sides. They looked around, and then looked up, and were startled.

"Cozy! Don't touch that!!" Pipp exclaimed.

"What? Why not?" Cozy Glow asked, about to touch a power line.

"Those wires up there are what powers our devices! You can hurt yourself!" Pipp said.

"Powerful, but dangerous. Alright then." Cozy said.

Cozy Glow flew back down to Pipp and Izzy.

"Okay, we'll save the history lesson for later. So, Cozy Glow, anything you'd like to know about our lives here at Maretime Bay?" Pipp asked.

"I guess my first question is, what's with that weird glowing brick you're always holding?" Cozy asked.

"This? Oh, of course, this is my cell phone!" Pipp explained.

"Sell... phone?" Cozy asked.

"Yeah, check it out."

Pipp shoved her phone in Cozy's face, and scrolled through her many apps.

"I have Ponygram for sharing photos, Clip Trot for sharing short videos and livestreams, Ponytube for sharing longer videos and livestreams. And Feedbag which doesn't exist I just made it up."

Cozy's eyes got dizzy and her head spun as Pipp rapidly explained her entire Internet routine.

"Woah. You ponies must be so..." Cozy wanted to say distracted, but held back from saying it. "So busy. Where I'm from. The only way for a pony to know about another pony was to meet them, read about them, or through word of mouth, but you just point that brick mirror at your face, and anypony else with one can see you."

"Yyyep. That's the miracle of technology. Busy is one way to put it. But when you do what you love, it hardly feels like hard work."

Pipp showed Cozy Glow her follow count.

"That's the number of ponies that follow you? That sure is a lot." Cozy said, amazed.

"So then, how does it feel?" Cozy asked. "Being adored by so many ponies?"

"Oh, it's just about the best feeling ever." Pipp said. "Seeing that number is one thing, reading comments is another, but being greeted and having so many friends is the cherry on top."

"Yeah. I um totes agree with that. What with the crowds of people lining up to participate in my arts and crafts business." Izzy said, attempting to fit into the conversation.

"Gee. I wish I could be admired by ponies as fast as you." Cozy said.

"Perhaps you can! Come, Cozy! I'll buy you a phone, and we'll open up your own Ponygram account! And with a freckled face as adorable as yours, you'll be an absolute sensation!"

Pipp went inside the phone store, while Cozy looked at Izzy, nervous.

"So what's your hobby exactly?" Cozy asked.

"Me? I wouldn't call it a hobby. I just take the stuff around me and try to make new stuff out of it. For instance, is this a mane accessory? Or a tail accessory? It's whatever your heart wants it to be." Izzy said.

"So you're a junk rat?" Cozy asked.

"I prefer to call myself a crafter." Izzy said.

"Hmm. I think I'll side with Pipp. No offense of course, I'm sure what you do is lovely. But anything where I can influence a whole lot of ponies is where I'm going to side."

Cozy entered the phone store leaving Izzy outside alone.

"That's fine. I'll just be out here, totally helping the cause... by standing here." Izzy said.

Izzy slouched next to her unicycle.

"Gee. Cozy and Pipp are really hitting it off with this whole influencer thing. Sunny Zipp and Hitch are trying to solve the mystery of how to get back the Unity Crystal, and I'm just... standing here at Maretime Bay."

Izzy used her magic on her puppet, Señor Butterscotch, and used her voice to make him speak.

"Maybe you can help them in their investigation?" said Señor Butterscotch.

"Nah. I don't know how to put two and two together, and come to conclusions. I just put two and two pieces together, and see if they break. I don't analyze. I make junk come to life." Izzy said.

"Don't you want to help your friends?" Señor Butterscotch asked.

"I want to help, I just don't know if they need my help, or if I can help..." Izzy said.

Izzy let out a deep sigh. What Izzy observed next would turn out to be handy after all though. Izzy noticed Misty being followed by Pipp's Pippsqueaks through town.

"It's Misty. I better go see what she's up to." Izzy said to herself.

"But if you're going to talk to her, you're going to need a disguise so you don't scare her away." Señor Butterscotch interjected.

"You're right, Señor B. But where am I going to get a disguise at this time?" Izzy asked.

Izzy looked at her pile of junk and came up with an idea.

Misty was still being followed around Maretime Bay by Pipp's trio of fans, despite her constantly trying to push them away.

"If you're so introverted, how did you join the Filly Four after just meeting them?" Peach Fizz asked.

"Uh... that's all the time I have for this AMA!" Misty said, nervously.

"But what are we supposed to do? Pipp hasn't uploaded or streamed in a hot minute, and Sunny's smoothie cart is still closed." Seashell said.

"I'm sure they'll be back, once we're through these difficult times. Now run along now, fillies." Misty said.

Misty breathed a sigh of relief that she finally had those fillies out of her mane. But no sooner than she could breathe, she was approached by a strange looking unicorn.

"Excuse me, fellow unicorn, you seem like you're in need of some help. That's why I, Señorita Butterscotch, am here to help you!" Izzy said, swearing groucho looking glasses, with a fake mustache and everything.

Misty looked at her confused.

It's working. I think she's buying it. Izzy thought.

Does she seriously think I'm buying that? Misty thought in her head.

"What are you doing, Iz-?" Misty asked.

"-Iz... Is Is... this here is my, errr, Izzy's unicycle of fantastical items, that she let me borrow. Where I- I mean, she taught me to use arts and crafty skills to turn junk items into useful tools!" Izzy explained.

The pile of junk then collapsed and made a mess on the street.

"Forget this. How is any of this junk going to solve my issues?" Misty asked.

"Just think deep down and ask yourself, what's troubling you right now?" Izzy said.

Misty thought deep about everything that was troubling her, and it was quite a list.

"Many... things." Misty said.

"Now close your eyes and imagine all your troubles being miraculously"? Izzy asked.

Misty closed her eyes, and imagined her turning in Sparky to Opaline, and Opaline bestowing a cutie mark upon her flank.

"It'd take a lot to make me happy..." Misty said, looking down.

"I see. Okay, now take this junk, and use it to build something that will help solve your problems." Izzy said.

"You think that's possible?" Misty asked.

"The only limit is your imagination." Izzy said.

Misty picked up a big metal tube, and immediately began thinking about how she could build the ultimate contraption to capture Sparky.

Chapter 17: Reconnecting / Disconnecting

Day 8 of the spell:

The trio of Cozy Glow, Tirek, and Chrysalis remained hidden in Equestria. They were cold, and alone, as they made a settlement out of a little cave inlet.

Cozy Glow wrapped herself in a blanket, and put her hooves up to a fire pit for warmth. Tirek sat and kept Cozy in check, while Chrysalis paced wondering what her next course of action would be.

"This place sucks." Cozy said, shivering. "Sure all the towns and everything seem so great and advanced, but the wilderness is just as foreboding as it's always been."

"For once we're in agreement. New Equestria isn't all it's cracked up to be." Chrysalis said.

"I never thought I'd say this, but I miss old Equestria. And dare I say, I miss dopey Twilight and her dumb friends." Cozy said. "I miss pitting ourselves against them, but they didn't want to make it fun. Twilight just hated us. And not in a fun way. In a way that... she just wanted us gone... and she got what she wanted. Hmm. I wonder how Equestria was without us? Heh, clearly a disaster based all of this. But you know... *sigh* just think about all the evil schemes we could've come up with, and used against Twilight. All the ways she would've stopped us. But nope... we were best left in stone, and... missed out on Equestria..."

After Cozy's long winded speech, there was a strong silence in the cave. The only noise was the sizzling of the fire.

"Well... what do you suppose we do now? That dark patch in the sky grows bigger by the day." Tirek asked.

"Why should we do anything?!" Chrysalis asked back.

"Because if that patch in the sky goes boom, there may not be an Equestria for any of our kingdoms." Cozy said.

"So be it! It'll all be worth it to hear the screams of all the ponies as they're evaporated right before their own eyes!" Chrysalis exclaimed.

"But what are you going to do after you're evaporated too?" Tirek asked.

"Stop raining on my joy with your reality checks! Let me live out my fantasy and imagine those ponies suffering." Chrysalis said.

"How about you get your head out of the clouds and do something useful!" Cozy exclaimed.

"Yeah well how about-" Chrysalis started.

"You listen here-" Cozy said.

"I'm sick and tired of you two-" Tirek started.

The trio yelled and argued back and forth with each other. When suddenly, their bickering was interrupted by one familiar pegasus.

*ahem*

"HMM?!"

The three silenced themselves when they heard the voice of somepony else. But who could it be?

"Who goes there?!" Chrysalis exclaimed.

They looked to the entrance of the cave and saw a familiar pink pegasus.

"What is up my fellow Pippsqueaks? Long time no see. How have you all been?" Pipp asked.

It was Pipp Petals, alone. Chrysalis hissed and snarled at Pipp. This scared her. But she took a deep breath and stowed her fear.

"I'm not leaving 'til I get what I came here for." Pipp said.

"Hmph." Chrysalis got pouty and left Pipp alone.

"What do you want?" Cozy asked, with a closed attitude.

"Please, I need your help. My friends have been captured, and... I can't help them by myself." Pipp said.

"The new gang of heroines? They're in trouble and you want us to help? Forget about it." Chrysalis said.

"Please, if we don't unite, and save Sunny Starscout, that big dark spell is going to continue to grow, and pretty soon something really bad is going to happen." Pipp said.

"You want us to confront that insane alicorn?" Tirek asked.

"No thanks. Give her credit for one thing, she's terrifying. Just the sight of her with all that magic filled me with fear, and probably sliced my life expectancy in half." Cozy said.

"If we're destined to all perish at the hands of that spell, I'll happily die having not seen that hideous alicorn again." Chrysalis said.

Pipp paused for a moment. She needed to approach this from an angle that would get their attention. But how does one grab the attention of three villains?

"What? You three are scared of her? Come on, you guys are like the baddest bunch old Equestria ever knew. Surely, this alicorn is a pushover compared to you three at your best." Pipp said.

"We were. When I had nearly taken over Equestria, I had so much magic. Just thinking about it makes me drool..." Tirek shook his head to bring himself back. "Sure, if it were an even playing field, there's no doubt I could best that evil alicorn, but she's got all the power, and we have nothing. I'm not ashamed to admit we're not much match for anyone without any magic." Tirek said.

"You guys? Sure. But me? My sharp wits and super intellect make me an unbeatable opponent, even without any magic." Cozy said, confidently.

"Sure..." Chrysalis and Tirek said, letting out a collective groan.

"The only magic here came from that annoying little dragon, and those magic crystals. We walked right into her scheme. She wanted us to take what little magic she had, and the dragon, so that we would do battle against you and your friends. And when the moment was right, she ended up reaping in the reward and took all the magic from those weird crystals of yours." Tirek said.

"The only magic we couldn't get our hooves on was Sunny's weird alicorn powers. I would've loved to have stolen that and have been whatever she was." Cozy said.

Pipp then realized something. Opaline may have had all the magic, but there was a chance that Sunny still had her alicorn magic.

Her friend was being held prisoner in the castle, and the growing strength of the spell was an indication that Sunny was not able to stop Opaline. If all of her friends could get into that castle and unite hoof to heart with Sunny, then it might be checkmate for Opaline and her plan. But what about Sprout? If the trio weren't interested in confronting Opaline, perhaps Sprout might be more their speed.

"You know, if you're too afraid of Opaline to want to fight her-" Pipp said.

"I never said I was afraid of her! I just... couldn't care less to try to do anything." Chrysalis said, interrupting Pipp.

"Well, regardless, I don't think I'll need your help to take on Opaline. I think my friends and I can take care of her." Pipp said, confidently.

"Hmph. Cocky pegasus." Tirek said.

"So then you don't need us then? Alright then get out of here, please." Cozy asked.

"Well, hold on to your hooves. Just because my friends and I can handle that alicorn, doesn't mean there aren't other fish to fry." Pipp said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Tirek asked.

"You're serving fish?" Chrysalis asked.

"How about you three try your hands at somepony your own size?" Pipp asked.

"Like who?" Cozy asked.

"Sprout Cloverfield has my friends imprisoned in his factory. I'm not able to get in there myself, so I need some creatures just as dastardly as him to outsmart him, and set my friends free. Once we're reunited, I believe that we'll unite hoof to heart, and put an end to Opaline and her spell. But you guys have to help reunite me with my friends to make any of that possible." Pipp said.

"Bold of you to assume we care." Chrysalis said.

"You don't have to do it for me. Think about it more like an exercise. Wouldn't it be great to get the band back together,
and put a stop to a little sad mommy boy's plan?" Pipp asked.

"Mommy's boy? Well he can't be that challenging." Tirek said.

"I do enjoy the opportunity to overthrow somepony in charge." Cozy said.

"I'm still skeptical. Nothing has worked out for us, so I'd rather not have any involvement with any of this. Not you, your friends, or that alicorn." Chrysalis said.

Chrysalis crossed her front limbs, closed her eyes, and turned her head away from everyone else.

"So what about you two?" Pipp asked.

Cozy peered her large red eyes around the cave. She looked down to her left, then down to her right. She seemed to have something big on her mind.

"I still just don't get it. Why?" Cozy asked.

"I explained why. This is important. The fate of Equestria could come down to you guys helping me save my friends."

"No, not that. Why come to us at all? Besides our tremendous capabilities... you really trust us to help you?" Cozy asked.

Pipp nodded affirmatively.

"But I misused your trust once already. I'm shocked you aren't more upset." Cozy said.

Pipp nodded her head side to side, signifying that she wasn't upset.

"But... so then, if things hadn't been interrupted by that alicorn, what do you suppose Sunny would've said to us after our defeat?" Cozy asked.

Pipp thought long and hard. Not just about the question, but why Cozy would ask this question to begin with. And then she began to figure her out.

"She wouldn't have turned you to stone and left you there for a generation. That much I'm certain of." Pipp said.

*sniff* "You stupid ignorant poines... *sob* don't you know I'm evil? Why would anypony want to help us?" Cozy said, weeping. "I am evil, that's why they turned me to stone... *sob* and left me there to rot for a whole generation! Right? It just makes sense. Why else would we deserve... to spend so long in..."

"I don't know what reason they had for doing the things they did. But things are different now. And so long as you show signs of wanting to change, I'm for it." Pipp said.

"So... *sniff* fine. I'll help you. Only so I can give Sunny a piece of my mind. Tirek?" Cozy said.

"Fine. I suppose the two of us could still pull this off." Tirek said.

"Maybe, but it just wouldn't be the same without all of us." Cozy said.

Chrysalis opened one of her eyes, and observed Pipp, Cozy, and Tirek all giving an intense stare at Chrysalis.

"Okay, okay! I'll help your friends, just don't stare at me like that again." Chrysalis said.

"Deal." Pipp said.

"Woohoo! Rebellion time!" Cozy exclaimed, joyfully.

"It's not like there's much going on anywhere else..." Chrysalis said under her breath.

"Okay. Is this really happening? We're a team now? Cool. What do we do? Do we put our hooves in the middle and yell 'go team' or or how about-" Pipp said.

"How about you just lead the way to this mommy's boy, and we'll do the rest." Tirek said.

"It's a done deal." Pipp said, grinning.

Meanwhile, at Opaline's castle, the ancient tome was scribbling away as it continued to write the outline for Opaline's new reality. The further along it was, the more powerful the spell overhead grew. It was only a matter of days now until it reached the end of the book, and the spell would reach full power.

Sunny Starscout felt all but worthless, as she could not muster her alicorn strength to stand up to Opaline, nor could she conceive of doing anything to stop the spell.

Opaline attempted to mellow down and relax in her throne, but that was exceedingly difficult these days. She continued to feel more pain as Twilight's magic crept and wore her out the longer she held it. She took deep breaths, and held it in, in an attempt to suppress the magic, and keep it from hurting her more.

And then there was Misty, who wasn't doing a ton of note. She failed to cheer up Sunny, and she failed to impress Opaline. She was kind of on her own. But it was becoming quite apparent that time was limited. The spell was growing quite intense. The blemish in the sky grew exponentially larger in the sky each day. The tome itself was so powerful, the inside of the library was flooded with dark magic, it was difficult to even enter.

Opaline looked out the window of her castle, and witnessed the power of the dastardly spell she'd created. It was one of the only things that brought her pleasure, as she dealt with the immense pain of containing the magic.

"There isn't anything any of those foolish ponies can do to stop my plan! It is too late. Too close to completion! Once the book is fully written, finally a new Equestria will be all mine! Mine! MU-AH-HAHAHAHAHAAA!!!!"

Opaline indulged herself in a great big evil laugh.

"Um. Opaline?" Misty said.

"What is it, Misty? Can't you see I'm leveling up my evil laugh?!" Opaline said.

"It's just... *gulp* things are going to change a lot after that spell is complete, right?" Misty asked.

"Indeed. What is your point, Misty?" Opaline asked.

Misty gulped, but nevertheless spoke to Opaline.

"There is going to be an after the spell, right?" Misty asked.

"In a way... I suppose technically." Opaline said in a disinterested tone.

"With your plan generations in the making finally about to be complete, um, I was wondering..." Misty said, with nervousness.

"Get on with it, Misty, spit it out! What do you want!?" Opaline snarled.

Misty quivered beneath Opaline.

"Do you think it's time to bestow upon me my cutie mark?" Misty asked, shivering.

Opaline and Sunny all looked at Misty with a look of amazement, and surprise.

"You know what. I do suppose you are right." Opaline said. "With only so much time left, and all things considered, I can't think of a better time than now to give you your cutie mark."

Misty was shocked, and happily surprised.

"Thank you, Opaline. You don't know how long I've wanted this." Misty said, ecstatically.

"I do know how long you've wanted this. You've wanted a cutie mark ever since I took... you've wanted a cutie mark ever since you learned what a cutie mark was, and wondered why you didn't have one." Opaline said.

"Do you still want a cutie mark?" Opaline asked.

"Yes! Yes I do! More than anything! It feels like my whole life has been leading up to this moment! Oh, I wonder what it's going to look like! Maybe a butterfly, or or, maybe a-"

"Silence, Misty. I must concentrate." Opaline said.

"Understandable, proceed." Misty said.

Opaline closed her eyes, and lit up her horn. Sunny watched in amazement as things unfolded. Opaline put her horn to Misty's flank, and-

When the glowing spell stopped, Misty and Sunny were stunned at what they saw. Nothing.

"Wha? Huh? W-Where's my cutie mark?" Misty asked, concerned.

"Huh, would you look at that. I'm so sorry, Misty. I gave it all I could, but it seems you simply aren't ready for your cutie mark still." Opaline said.

Misty started to tear up intensely.

"But I devoted my life to you! What more could I have done for you?" Misty said, crying.

"You could've been a competent assistant for one." Opaline answered, deadpan.

*gasp*

"What do you know about cutie marks!? You didn't earn yours YOU STOLE IT!!" Misty exclaimed.

Sunny gasped, shocked at Misty's backbone.

"Misty, that's enough!" Opaline shouted. "I don't want to hear any more backtalk!"

"I devoted everything to you! And if this is my reward, a big fat nothing! Then maybe I'll... I'll... I'll..." Misty couldn't get out another word. Her face was drowning in tears, and troubled emotions.

"You'll what? Drown me with tears?" Opaline mocked.

Misty gasped loudly, and then ran out of the throne room crying.

"Misty!? Misty!!" Opaline exclaimed.

Opaline ran after Misty.

Opaline made it to Misty's room, but there was nopony besides her inside. Just an open window, and Misty's necklace broken on the ground.

Opaline heard the faint sounds of hoofsteps running away from the castle outside.

"Hmph. She could've just taken the stairs. Didn't have to exit through the window like that." Opaline said.

Opaline was disinterested in Misty from this point. Although she did notice Misty's necklace cracked on the floor. She must've either thrown it, or stepped on it.

"Hmm. Her communicator. How she's been relaying to me.

Opaline used her magic on the mirror, and even though it was cracked, it still seemed to function.

A cloud came out from the mirror, and formed a face. She was expecting to see a copy of herself. But what she actually saw terrified her. The cloud formed an apparition of a familiar pony princess.

"AAHH!!" Opaline screamed.

Opaline swiftly flung the mirror at the wall and shattered it. The apparition disappeared. Opaline breathed uneasy, as she tried to catch her breath, and bounce back from her terrifying experience.

Opaline reentered the throne room to greet sad Sunny, leaning against Opaline's throne.

"Not a huge loss. At least now it's just you and me, Sunny. Alicorn and alicorn. Or at least, you have potential to be an alicorn. Hmm. I wonder if you'll get to shine your alicorn powers before the spell completes." Opaline said.

Sunny turned her head away from Opaline. She'd hardly said much, but now she really didn't feel like saying a word to Opaline after how she treated Misty. Even so, Opaline sat on her throne, and loomed over Sunny.

"There's still time to change things, Sunny. I can make you the lead pony of my new Equestria, while I serve the role as mentor." Opaline said. "What do you say?"

Sunny spat in Opaline's face out of defiance.

"Ugh! Grrr, fine!! Suit yourself! I'll be the lead pony! And you'll be a smoldering pile of dust if you're lucky!! Along with the rest of your pathetic friends!!!" Opaline exclaimed.

Opaline looked outside, and noted how dark the sky was because of her spell.

"In just two short days time, my plan a generation in the making will finally be fulfilled!" she said.