The sounds of explosions and fighting echoed throughout the old factory corridors, as the escaped Unicorn's led by Sunny Starscout, fought their way through the dozens of robots that stood in their way out of the place, taking advantage of their numbers to smash a path through them. The robots had retaliated by stepping up their attacks against them, shooting lasers towards them rapidly, or even aiming up at the crumbling ceilings and pillars to bring down debris to slow them down, but despite the onslaught of attacks, the ponies continued to fight back, their momentum not slowing down at all.

"Take this you bully!" Shouted Daring Flare, another Unicorn who was kicking debris at the robots, smashing them up.

"Wooo, I haven't had this much fun since the last Friday Night Food Fight!" Said Dapple, joining in the fight.

"Keep it up everypony! We're gonna bust out of here in no time!" Said Sunny, before headbutting another drone hard, making it crash.

On and on the battle went, the Unicorns headbutting and skewing every drone they can reach, taking advantage of their horns being sharp and hard enough to do it, while also keeping on their hooves to avoid getting blasted. However, it wasn't long before the damage from the fight was beginning to take its toll on the surrounding environment, as the ceilings and walls started to crack and rumble about around them, the robots remaining oblivious to it.

"W-whoa, what's happening now!?" Said Primrose in a panic.

Sunny looked all around her, and knew right away what was about to happen, she dashed to the nearby doorway, then whistled back to the rest of the ponies.

"Everypony this way! The place is starting to collapse, and we need to get moving, now!" She called out.

The Unicorns all understood, and made a dash towards the doorway to follow after her, escaping just in time before the ceiling caved in behind them, crashing the few robots left that tried to follow after them from behind. However, they weren't out of the woods just yet, as the factory continued to shake and fall apart around them, with the corridors they were in starting to cave in too, forcing the ponies to keep on galloping ahead, dodging debris falling in front of them.

"I forgot that this factory is like super ancient, all that action we did back there must've weakened the foundations, and now it has caused some of it to start collapsing." Said Sunny, running as fast as she could.

"Yes, but at least we lost those robots back there." Said Primrose in relief.

"Yeah, but if we don't get to safety, we're all going to get crushed under this rubble!" Shouted Dreamy.

Sunny thought how to get them out of this mess, until she spotted what looked like a way out up ahead of her, a large door that looked old but heavy, it looked like it could be pushed open with enough force, with a plan in mind, Sunny turned around and spoke to the ponies.

"Alright listen up Unicorns, we're gonna have to push this door open in order to get out of here, but we'll need to do it all at once, are we game?" Sunny asked them.

"Anything to get out of this mess!" Shouted Dapple, as he made a beeline to the door and started pushing.

"Count me in too, I'll push it until I turn blue." Said Onyx, joining her partner.

The Unicorns all then joined in with Sunny in trying to push the door open, it was tough, but gradually it began to creak open, all the while the sounds of the place collapsing around them grew louder and more violent.

"Come on, push!" Shouted Jasper, desperate to get out of the area.

With one final push, the ponies managed to push open the door, and without a moment to waste, they all started to dash into whatever room that door led to just before another collapse happened behind them.

"Phew... That was way too close." Said Jasper, wiping his brow.

"We did it! I can't believe it worked, we managed to beat the robots!" Said Dreamy, pumping her hooves in the air.

"Does that mean we've escaped?" Asked Primrose.

"Umm, I don't think we're out of this mess just yet ponies." Said Sunny ominously, looking at something.

Primrose looked at her wide-eyed, "Huh!? What do you mean by..."

She stopped talking as soon as she saw what Sunny was looking at. Somehow, the ponies had ended up in the large hall that Sunny passed by on the upper walkways earlier, one that was filled with conveyer belts and manufacturing machines, all of them working building weapons, lots of them.

"A-are those... m-missiles being made!?" Said one of the Unicorns.

"And more robots! What is this place!?" Said Jasper in a panic.

"Sunny... Is somepony here planning on making war happen in Equestria?" Asked Leaf grimly.

The other Unicorns panicked upon hearing that, clearly unnerved by the sight of weapons around them.

"I... I don't know, but I know one thing." Said Sunny, gathering the courage to turn around and face them, "We need to shut this all down, before anypony else gets hurt, then we find whoever is behind all of this and bring him down!"

The other Unicorns looked at each other, some were still uneasy about the whole thing, some were panicking and looking around for a way out, others seemed deep in thought.

"I agree with Sunny, this madness has gone on for too long, we need to stop it now." Said Starduster, standing up strong despite his injuries.

The other Unicorns looked at him, then each other, then back at him.

"Whoever is behind this clearly has greater goals than just harvesting our magic for their own purposes, they clearly aim to start a war against all of ponykind... This mad Pony must be stopped, before more ponies end up hurt." He said, clutching his injured side.

The Unicorns all murmured to each other, Sunny stepped forward to speak more.

"Starduster is right, we cannot allow this villain to get away with what they've done, we've all come this far working together, so let's go further beyond and put a stop to this for good!" She said determinedly.

The Unicorns looked at each other again, then they all started to nod in agreement, then turned to Sunny with renewed confidence in their eyes.

"You're right Sunny, we ain't letting anypony get away with this, let's take em down!" Said Jasper.

"And maybe by doing so, we can get our magic back as well, whatever it takes." Said Primrose bravely.

"That's the spirit, alright, everypony, let's get to work and shut this place down!" Shouted Sunny, the rest of the Unicorns joining with her.

Then there was a loud noise from nearby that spooked the ponies, the other large door on the other side of the room was opening up, somepony was coming, Sunny and the Unicorns all ducked out of sight, just as a familiar pony entered the room.

"Whoa... This place is full of machinery, and gears, and stuff!" Said Izzy.

Sunny was in shock, she knew Izzy had to have come here based on the trail she was following, but to see her there, and in one piece too, like nothing had happened to her, she didn't know how to react. She was knocked out of her stupor when she felt a hoof poking her at her shoulder.

"Psst, Sunny, is that Izzy Moonbow over there? What is she doing in a place like this???" One of the Unicorns whispered to her.

"I don't know, but let's watch and see what's going on." Sunny whispered back.

"Wait... What's with all those pointy looking things on those conveyor belts, why do they look dangerous? And what are those robot... robot looking things being built by the machines... wait a moment." Said Izzy, starting to connect the dots in her head.

Sunny realized Izzy was starting to figure out the truth, she was about to call out to her when a voice rang out from nearby.

"Izzy, where did you go!? It's dangerous, and we need to get moving!"

"Huh? That voice, it sounds familiar..." Sunny thought to herself.

Izzy turned around and called out to her friend, "Oh I'm right here, in this big huge room with all these machines and such going on."

Sunny poked her head up to get a better look, then got a shock when she saw who Izzy was talking too, for standing right there, with his pale green coat and platinum hair, wearing a white lab coat, black hoof gloves, and visor on top of his head, was none other than Dr Wormwood himself, the former chief of Canterlogic R&D, and one of the suspects in the case. Sunny could feel her blood boiling inside of her, she was almost certain that he was behind all of this, and that he was clearly lying to Izzy about being her friend.

"Izzy, this room is off limits to everypony! I wasn't planning on showing you this place, at least not yet." Said Wormwood, subtlety hiding his anger.

"Ohhh, well then why is that friend, was this area meant to be a secret?" Izzy asked him.

Wormwood just rolled his eyes, "Well duh, that's why I asked you to follow me out of here Unicorn, but now that you've seen it all, I guess you want an explanation don't you?"

Izzy seemed a little taken back by Wormwood's tone of voice, "Umm, yes, yes I do want to know, you aren't hiding something bad from me, are you?"

Sunny decided she must intervene at this moment,"Yes he is Izzy, he's been hiding something bad this whole time."

Both Izzy and Wormwood jumped, then looked back to look at Sunny.

"S-s-sunny! What are you doing here?" Asked Izzy in surprise.

"Isn't that obvious Izzy? I followed you to this place after I lost sight of you in the junkyard, I'm relieved that you aren't hurt or worse." Said Sunny, smiling at her friend.

"Well yeah, of course I'm okay, i've been fine this whole time, why do you ask?" Izzy asked Sunny.

"I was afraid that your 'friend' had drained your magic for his malicious plans, isn't that right, Dr Wormwood!?" Sunny said, glaring at him.

Izzy went wide eyed and stood back from Sunny's outburst, "W-w-what!? What are you talking about-"

Sunny wasn't finished, she angrily stomped over to the Pony scientist watching her, "Admit it Doctor, you've been using your robot creations to hunt down the poor Unicorns in Bridlewood, then bringing them all here to be drained of their magic using the very machine you planned on having built at Canterlogic, all for your secret plan to launch an attack on Equestria, Am I right!?"

"S-s-sunny wait, you are going too far!" Said Izzy, trying to reason with her, to no avail.

"That's right Wormwood, it was all you! The mastermind behind the missing Unicorns across Bridlewood and Maretime Bay, as well all the drone attacks we've had to deal with, it's you Doctor Wormwood!" Sunny said, baring her teeth.

Wormwood just stood there, his face unmoving, but his eyes showing flashes of anger, and joy as well. Izzy then huffed and grabbed Sunny's head and made her turn towards her, looking at her intently.

"That's enough Sunny, you're going to far! I knew it, I knew you would end up choosing to side with Zipp, Hitch and Pipp against me and my friend... The Doc is not the one we're looking for Sunny, in fact, he wants to help us!" Izzy shouted in protest.

Sunny looked at Izzy, confused by her reaction, "Izzy, listen to me it's-"

"NO, you listen to me Sunny Starscout!! I refuse to allow you or anypony else to break the friendship that me and the Doc have only just started, everything you've just said and pointed out, it's all just one massive coincidence, it has to be! Yes he might have the smarts and more to build these robots and drones, but if he really was behind all of this, then he would've done something to me as well, wouldn't he!?" Shouted Izzy, showing a rare flash of anger in her eyes.

Sunny was stunned by what Izzy said to her, leaving her unsure what to say back.

Izzy let out a sigh, then looked at Sunny pleadingly "Listen to me please Sunny, he wants to help us out, he said he wants to help us find the missing Unicorns, and I think I know where they are being kept now, they have to be at the Canterlogic building, probably in some super secret underground basement, kept under lock and key to prevent anypony from snooping around to find all the abandoned prototypes they didn't want ponies to know about-"

"Oh for Unicorns sake, Izzy, we're all over here you dunce!" Shouted Jasper from the Unicorns hiding place.

The other Unicorns all looked at Jasper, bemused at his outburst just now.

"Great going there Jasper, you just had to open your big mouth." Said Starduster.

Jasper realized what he just did, and hid away sheepishly.

Izzy however, turned her head to look in their direction, and was shocked to see all of her fellow Unicorns appearing one after the other.

"H-h-h... HUH!? Y-y-y-you, h-h-how did you-"

"We were all captured Izzy, just as Sunny told you, captured by those vile robots and locked away inside those awful cages, and that Pony over there is the one responsible for all of this!" Said Dreamy, pointing out Wormwood.

Izzy, still wide eyed from the sight, looked back at Wormwood, then back at the Unicorns, looking in disbelief.

"It's the truth Izzy, we've also all been drained of our magic... We can't do anything with our horns anymore, not even simple lifting." Said Primrose, trying to levitate a nearby bucket using her magic, to no avail, her horn gave off weak sparks instead.

"I bet my lucky horseshoe that this Pony Doc is also the one who created the Metal Monster that haunted the woods too!" Said Dapple, pointing at Wormwood.

The other Unicorns all seemed to be in agreement, Izzy however was still speechless, processing what she had just seen and heard, it was then that she saw amongst the Unicorns the one pony whom she had been looking for, Starduster, who had saved the little filly Jasmine from being captured, she immediately galloped up to him.

"S-Starduster, is that you!?" Izzy asked.

Starduster smiled, "It is me Izzy, I heard that Jasmine got to safety, i'm glad for that."

Izzy looked over Starduster, noticing the bruises across his body, "W-what did this to you... Wait, don't tell me."

"Yes Izzy, it was the robots that did this to me... They would've done the same thing to poor little Jasmine too if they got to her..." He said, letting out a sigh, but also seeming to be in deep thought.

Izzy went over and gently cuddled the brave stallion, taking care to not agitate his injuries, "You are brave Unicorn for doing something like that, Jasmine will be so happy to see you again once you get back."

Starduster however, didn't hear it, instead he shivered as he looked at Izzy, then at Sunny.

"You know, I just remembered something just now, I was able to remain conscious enough to see where the robots had taken me, and who it was that was with them." Starduster said, sitting upright.

Izzy and Sunny both looked at him as if he had just grown a new head.

"H-huh, what do you mean?" Asked Izzy.

"The robots did take me to this factory after I was defeated, they dragged me here like I was log cut down from a tree... But, most of all, I saw who it was that was commanding them!" Starduster said with growing confidence.

Izzy seemed to hesitate what to ask him next, so Sunny stepped in to ask him instead.

"Who did you see Starduster, who is the one commanding the robots?"

Starduster glared over at Dr Wormwood, pointing him out with his hoof.

"It was him, he was the one commanding the robots to take me away! But that's not all, I saw him clutching something that glowed in a way that it seemed like it was magical, I'm willing to bet my horn that is how he's been using our stolen magi-AAAUUGGHHH!" Starduster screamed out, having been blasted by something, or somepony.

Sunny, Izzy and the Unicorns all jumped back in shock, and began looking around seeing where it came from, until Izzy noticed Leaf staring straight ahead, wide eyed and in fear.

"L-leaf? W-what are you looking... At... N-n-no, you don't mean...!"

"That blabbering Unicorn he should've kept his big mouth shut, but now, you've all learned far too much."

Izzy, wide eyed and scared, slowly turned her head around, and then went pale with fear, for there, before her very eyes, was her so called friend Doctor Wormwood, clutching in his hoof something shaped like a hair drier, but it was clearly a weapon, one that had a glowing capsule on top too, and it had clearly just been used to blast Starduster.

"D-d-d-d... D-doctor... W-w-what are you-"

"YOU MONSTER! How could you do such a thing!? I will not let you get away with this!" Shouted Sunny, baring her teeth and seething with anger.

"Starduster was defenceless... He was already injured, and you had to go and hurt him again! This has gone too far!" Said Primrose, showing a rare shade of anger as she turned to face the scientist.

"You've done it now scumbag, now you'll find out what it means to bring the wroth of Unicorns down on ya!" Said Dapple, eager to leap at him.

"I originally didn't want to have to resort to the hurts, but now, we must give this mad pony his just desserts!" Rhymed Onyx, clicking her neck side to side, ready to attack.

Wormwood however, was unmoved by the scene, showing no remorse for his actions, huffing instead, he turned around and prepared to leave.

"Hmph, you insolent little ponies, just try and stop me now!"

"Get him!" Roared Sunny, rearing up and charging after him.

Wormwood then proceeded to aim his weapon up high and blasted the walkway above him, causing it to collapse.

"Look out!" Called Primrose, moving fast to dodge the falling debris.

Sunny had no trouble keeping up with the mad scientist as he continued his escape, with the Unicorns right behind her, eager for retribution against him for all he had done to them. Izzy meanwhile, was left alone in the room, still in shock from what she had seen and witnessed before her, slowly understanding the truth as it had been revealed to her, in the most heartbreaking fashion. She had trusted in Wormwood, despite all the evidence and clues pointing to him, she didn't think he was the villain behind the missing Unicorns from Equestria, she was ready to stand up for him even if the world turned against her. But to have what just happened all take place before her, she didn't know what to do, but she could feel tears starting to roll down her face, and a gradual chattering of her teeth, as her emotions inside started to become too much for her to hold in.

"I-I-I... W-w-why... Why... W-w-w-w... WORMWOOD!"

Izzy let out a cry of sadness and shock, letting out her emotions in one scream that seemed to echo all through the hall, she sat down on her haunches, sobbing quietly to herself. But it wasn't long before she was interrupted by a noise from behind her, the sound of movement from somepony. Taking a deep breath and wiping away her tears, she turned her head to look, and saw one of the Unicorns that had not followed after the others tending to Starduster near some crates, the Unicorn in question was an older looking one with greying cerulean hair and tail, and a familiar pale yellow coat. As Starduster tried to sit up again, the Unicorn gently eased him back down.

"Now now my friend, you need to lay still, you've taken a bad hit, and you need to rest or you'll hurt yourself more." Said the Unicorn.

"Augh, b-but... I have to stop him... For Jasmines sake..." Said Starduster, still feeling the effects from the blast he took.

"Don't worry about that friend, he will be stopped, but for now, your well being comes first, it's a miracle that blast didn't do much worse to you, you are certainly tougher than you look Starduster." He said.

Starduster gave a weak smile, "Heh... They always told me that back home, even Alphabittle said that I was the toughest Unicorn in Bridlewood, after him that is."

The Unicorn chuckled, "Heh heh heh, I can believe that, especially if it allowed you to save my daughter."

Starduster's eyes widened, then he turned to look at the Unicorn in surprise, "Wait, are you saying that-"

"Yes indeed, you saved Jasmines life my friend, she is my daughter, and I cannot thank you enough for it." Said the Unicorn, smiling warmly.

Upon hearing this, Izzy trotted on over to join them, "Oh so you are Jasmines father, I should've known from the resemblance outwardly."

"That is correct, allow me to introduce myself, I am Cobalt Shine, and I think you both for looking after my daughter, she must be worried sick about me." Said the Unicorn.

"Oh she's fine, she's waiting for you back at Bridlewood, she's actually been really helpful to us, if it weren't for her we wouldn't have gotten the important clues for this case." Said Izzy, smiling warmly.

"I'm happy to hear that Izzy, but... What will you do now?" He asked her.

Izzy closed her eyes, letting out a deep sigh, "To be honest, I don't know what to do, after what I just witnessed, I feel confused and lost... And hurt, and sad, and angry too."

"That is to be expected, the friend that you trusted turned out to have been a villain, and unless you stop him, he'll only continue to hurt more ponies out there." Said Cobalt.

"I know that, but... I trusted him, we shared the same love for inventing... I even made this friendship bracelet that I was going to present to him at some point today, to show how much having a friend like that mean to me..." Said Izzy glumly, showing the bracelet off.

"I understand Izzy, but remember, it's not the end of the world if one of your friends turns out to be a bad guy, for your true friends will stuck by you no matter what." Said Cobalt.

"He's right Izzy... Sunny and your friends in Maretime Bay have stuck by your side ever since you first met, and they will continue to do so... A bond like that can only come from true friendship..." Said Starduster, gently sitting up.

Izzy closed her eyes, letting off a deep sigh, she knew what they said was true, but still, she felt hurt by her former friend Wormwood's actions just now, for not only did he carry out the kidnapping of all the Unicorns from Bridlewood, but now he had gone and hurt a defenceless pony right in front of her who had gone out of his way to save a friend from being captured. Feeling that her friendship with him was all for nothing, and that he had likely been using her all along for protection, or worse, that he planned on capturing her too for his own nefarious purposes, she clutched her newly made friendship bracelet and let out a groan of anger, then opened up her eyes, looking at Starduster and Cobalt with new determination.

"Alright, I think I know what to do now, I need to go catch up with Sunny and the rest of the Ponies, and stop that mad doctor before anypony else gets hurt.

Both Cobalt and Starduster looked at each other, then smiled back at Izzy.

"Very well, don't worry about us Izzy, we'll try to find a way out of here to safety." Said Cobalt, helping Starduster up.

"Take care of... Augh, yourself Izzy, and make that mad doctor pay for this...!" Said Starduster, clutching his leg as he tried to stand up.

"Good, we'll meet up back in Bridlewood, and without further ado, charge!" Izzy shouted, turning around and running to catch up with the other ponies.

"Do you think she'll be okay Cobalt?" Starduster asked.

"She will, so long as she has Sunny and the others with her, she'll be fine." Said Cobalt.

Starduster agreed, and without wasting anymore time, the two ponies made their way out in the opposite direction, hoping to find a way out of the factory and escape to safety, little knowing that some of the robots nearby were secretly following them.

At about the same time, Sunny and the rest of the Unicorns, who had been chasing after Wormwood had reached a large empty looking hall, just like the one they were in before. They were sure that the scientist had been running this way, they were hot on his hooves, despite him trying to slow them down by causing distractions and obstacles. Furiously looking around the darkened room, Sunny called out for the mad doctor, determined to stop him.

"Wormwood, show yourself! You've got nowhere to run now, why don't you just give up and return the magic back to the Unicorns!" Shouted Sunny.

It was then that a deep mad laughter echoed throughout the room, followed by Wormwood talking from the shadows.

"I'm afraid I cannot do that, Sunny Starscout, that power is far too important to my plans." Said Wormwood.

"Too important!? You monster, you think you can just take our magic away and treat us like garbage afterwards!?" Shouted Primrose.

"You monster, using the Unicorns magic for your own ends, what do you hope to achieve with it, to conquer Equestria with your army of robots and drones!?" Sunny called out.

There was a low noise from nearby, followed by the sound hooves stomping along the upper walkways.

"Foolish little ponies, don't you realize that magic is the greatest power in the whole world, a power that I have now managed to harness for use for all of ponykind! Imagine all of the possibilities that could be achieved by utilizing this power for everyday life, every household appliance, every light, lamp or beacon, every machine, computer or smart phone, everything, all powered by the miracle that is magic!" Wormwood echoed out.

"That may be true doc, but your methods of using magic will be harmful to the ponies whom you have taken from! There are better ways of using magic to help everypony else than just treating it as a weapon to be used for conflict!" Sunny called out.

"A weapon you say? Heh, I guess that is one way of looking at it, in it's use as a weapon, it could be used to defend our lands from many kinds of threats, such as the other pony tribes who might not see our way. Or even better, what if the other pony tribes were interested in using it against us? What if all my discovered ended up in the wrong hooves, the whole of Equestria plunged into a war unlike any other!"

Sunny gasped at the horrifying implication that Wormwood just presented to her, then stomped her hoof in anger.

"How could you think that way Wormwood!? The other pony tribes would never use magic against each other, not after i've shown them that we can all live in harmony and work together without fighting one another anymore! The Unity Crystals alone are proof of that ideal! I won't allow the return to magic to be abused for anypony's selfish use, including you as well doc!"

Then a shot rang out from above her, but Sunny managed to dodge the energy blast after jumping away, then she and the Unicorns scanned above them, trying to find out where it came from.

"Hahahaha, oh that is just rich, do you really think that everypony is willing to go along with that ideal, do you really believe that you alone can stop me from achieving my ambitions?" Wormwood called out.

"She's not alone, she has us Unicorns to back her up, and her other friends as well!" Shouted Primrose, standing up for Sunny.

"Hah, how foolish, then let me ask you something Sunny, do you really believe that the pony tribes today wish to see the return of Equestria as it was centuries ago?" He asked her from the darkness.

"Huh, what do you mean by that?" Asked Sunny, unsure where he was going with it.

"Hmph, I thought not, you have no idea just what potential is being wasted by trying to return us to the ideals of Old Equestria, ideals that are no longer relevant today, don't you see, society has moved on Sunny, what may have been the case centuries ago is no longer the case anymore. No, what this world needs is something new, something radical, something powerful and all conquering, to bring everypony together under a new banner!" Said Wormwood from nearby above.

"You aren't saying..." Sunny said.

"I am saying it Sunny, I propose that all of the pony tribes be united under a new order, led by one pony with the ambiton, will, and technology to bring Equestria to a new age of dominance and power! A ruler who will rule all with an steel hoof, and will not hesitate to crush any opposition that dares to challenge their rule!" Wormwood said passionately.

Sunny and the Unicorns couldn't believe what they are hearing.

"Yes, that is what must be done, it is what I must do, for I alone am that one who will make it happen, me, your new ruler, your new master!" Wormwood declared.

It was then that the lights turned on, and Sunny and the Unicorns all saw Wormwood on top of a platform above them, standing in front of a massive machine of unknown purpose. He gloated to the ponies below him, fully revealing his true nature to them all.

"For on this day forward, I shall be known as, Lord Wormwood!" Said Wormwood, as he let out a loud mad laugh that echoed throughout the room.

The other ponies all looked on in fright at the display, especially the machine behind the mad pony scientist.

"Hahahaha, behold little ponies, the culmination of my genius and research into the power of magic, a weapon of my own creation to bring about my domination of all Equestria! It is none other than, The Prototype Energy Tri-focused Annihilation Laser, or PETAL if you wish. With this invention, all of Equestria will bow down to me and allow me to rule, or else, they will risk their destruction!" Wormwood declared, as he pressed a button on the console.

The PETAL machine stirred, then moved upwards and began to unfold it's 'petal' like panels, revealing a large laser cannon inside of it, along with large clear containers of some kind, full of glowing energy, which Sunny knew very well could only be one thing.

"That must be... It has to be the magic that mad pony has stolen from the Unicorns, that's what must be powering it!" Sunny said out loud.

"This is horrible... What is he going to do with all of that?" Said Primrose, clearly unnerved by the sight.

"Haha, and now, as a treat for all of you in attendance tonight, I'll be happy to give you a little demonstration of the kind of power this beauty is capable of unleashing, now pay close attention, and watch in awe at it's display of power!" Wormwood said, as he pressed a button on the console.

The machine began to rev loudly, then of the PETAL Machines flower panels all aligned up, and each shot out a beam of light towards the main cannon in the centre, charging it with energy, a bright yet evil glow of energy bleaching out the room. Sunny and the ponies looked on in horror and silence as the PETAL Machine got ready to fire.

"And now, FIRE!" Wormwood shouted out.

The PETAL machine let out a loud booming noise, and at that moment, a large powerful beam of energy shot out from it's cannon, shooting straight up towards the roof of the factory, and in an instant, the whole roof was obliterated a huge massive explosion, causing debris and rusty old girders to begin falling all around, it was like the whole factory was beginning to collapse. Sunny and the ponies only just managed to knock themselves out of their stupor just in time to avoid the carnage happening, the noise from it all was deafening, and the terror of it all, unthinkable.

"Heh heh heh heh, heh heh hahahahaha! Oh it works, it works so beautifully, my ultimate weapon is perfect!" Wormwood said in awe of the display.

Sunny managed to get back to her hooves, but she was left in shock at the destruction all around her, including the now gaping hole up in what was once the factory roof.

"H-h-holy cruddy runny ambrosia pudding...!" Said one of the Unicorns in surprise.

"T-the roof... it's c-completely gone...!" Said Leaf in disbelief.

Wormwood looked down at the ponies, flashing an evil grin on his face.

"Heh heh heh, this is the just a taste of the power that the PETAL Machine is capable of, imagine the chaos and destruction I could unleash if this was aimed at a major town or city, the destruction it could cause would be unthinkable." Said Wormwood, gloating in his apparent victory.

That causes Sunny to jump up in shock, barely holding in her building anger.

"You wouldn't dare you scum bag! This madness is getting out of hand, I won't allow it to continue anymore!" Sunny shouted out.

Wormwood looked at her, raising an eyebrow in mild curiosity.

"So, you still intend to stand against me Starscout? Pah, you are no different from your old man, that fool, if only he knew how right he was about magic and the past history of Equestria, i'm sure he'd be proud of you for what you've done." Said Wormwood.

"My father... My father would be proud of me, as I'm sure he is right now... But he'd be so disappointed in you for what you've done, especially after everything you both did together growing up." Said Sunny.

"Yes, that would be true, he would feel let down at my actions... Except that I still wouldn't care, he should've known that I was only using him for my own agenda all along." Said Wormwood with a chuckle.

Sunny looked at him wide eyed, "W-w-what!? What do you mean!?"

"I mean what I just said, he was nothing but a fool for me to make believe in just so I could learn all I can from him, after all, it was thanks to him that I found this factory in the first place, and it was thanks to him that I learned all about the power of magic in the first place, oh and how can I forget, it was also thanks to him that you had the idea to unify all the pony tribes together and restore magic to Equestria through the Unity Crystals, yes, all of that done at the advantage of myself." Said Wormwood.

Sunny felt as if her poor heart was breaking, she now began to realize how Wormwood was never a friend to her father at all, it was all just a lie.

"Aww what's the matter Sunny, you're now starting to realize it? You and your father were just a means to an end for me, and now that we are here at this point, I have no more use for you, or your pathetic Unicorn friends! All that matters to me now, is my ambition to bring all of Equestria under my iron hoofed rule, and nopony, nopony will dare stand in my way!" Said Wormwood, laughing madly.

Sunny seethed in anger, she was hurt by the reveal of Wormwood only using her father for his own plans rather than being a true friend, she couldn't hold back anymore, this mad pony had to be stopped now. Reeling her head back and letting out a yell of anger, she was determined to bring the doctor down.

"RRAAAAUUGGGHHH!! I swear on the spirit of Twilight Sparkle herself that I will stop you Wormwood, and destroy your awful machine and end your terrible plans, right here right now!" Said Sunny, slamming her hoof down and bearing her teeth in anger.

Wormwood looked down at her, showing slight annoyance that she wouldn't give up.

"If that's how you want to play Starscout, then fine, your hometown of Maretime Bay will be the first target for my magnificent creation to destroy, say goodbye to your home and friends Sunny!" Said Wormwood, reaching for the console and activating the machine.

"I won't let you, everypony, GET HIM!" Shouted Sunny, as she and the rest of the Unicorns charged towards Wormwood.

Wormwood however let out a huff, then pulled a nearby lever, which started to make the place rumble, making Sunny and the Unicorns stop in their tracks. They then watched as the machine started to rise up, elevating to it's full height, out through the ruins of the factory roof, and up into the sky above.

"H-hey, that's cheating, no fair!" Shouted Dapple.

A nearby monitor turned on, with Wormwood laughing at them.

"Hahahaha! Surprised? The PETAL Machine has plenty more tricks to it than just being a doomsday device, it's also capable of self defence, and can fire it's weapon from up to a hundred and fifty meters into the air, you should see the view from up here, it's fantastic, I can almost see Maretime Bay from up here." Said Wormwood on the screen.

"If you think hiding up there is gonna stop us from climbing up to you, think again Wormwood!" Said Sunny.

"Hm, i'd like to see you try Sunny, all drones and robots in the vicinity, attack now, finish off these miserable ponies!" Wormwood shouted out.

Sunny then heard noises all around her, and saw a whole army of drones and robots smashing their way into the ruined room, their weapons aimed at them.

"Holy moly, there is too many of them, we'll be overwhelmed!" Shouted Dreamy.

Sunny however was quick to notice one of the walkways had fallen down to make a makeshift stairway to the upper levels, she knew there was no time to lose, they had to get up to the factory roof and put a stop to the mad doctor, at any cost.

"Everypony, this way hurry!" Sunny called out, galloping over to the nearby walkway.

"Follow Sunny everypony, there's no time to doubt, for we must hurry." Rhymed Onyx, as she and the rest of the Unicorns followed after her up the walkway.

The robots all opened fire at them, missing and then giving chase after them, all the while, Dr Wormwood at the top of the PETAL Machine began inputting the coordinates to aim the weapon at Maretime Bay, then with a flick of the lever, the weapon began to charge up, he intended on using the full power of the weapon to reduce Maretime Bay to a smoking hole in the ground, no caring who gets caught in the devastation.

"Finally, after all these years my ambitions will be achieved, all of Equestria will bow down to me, or risk destruction! Heh heh heh, hahahahaha!" Said Wormwood, letting out another mad laugh.

The situation was most grim indeed, will Sunny and the Unicorns make it to the top of the PETAL Machine in time before it fires, or will Maretime Bay be destroyed? The clock is ticking, and Sunny will need every help she can get to reach the mad scientist before disaster happens, if only her friends Izzy and the others can reach her in time.

The stage has been set, and the final battle is about to commence.

Author's Note

This chapter took a little longer to do than I was hoping, it's been a rough couple of weeks due to mental health taking a hit, and work becoming a real tiring chore for me, but either way, i'm happy with how this chapter has turned out, i've been itching to get to this part since last year, and now we can finally move onto what might be the penultimate chapter, if I decide to make the one after that the epilogue.