Twilight faces the Dark Martial March - Part 01: Midnight Station

by Khampostel

Rating: everyone
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony Comic, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Mystery, Adventure
Length: 82444

Three years after Twilight's coronation, the Mane 6 face a new challenge. On how much depends the fate of a world.

The fate of Equestria depends once again on the mane 6. Twilight is caught up in an abrupt new adventure, which will lead her to solve chaotic situations with her friends and unexpected allies.

📘Chapter index and release schedule

🛑 Warning: this fanfic comes from a Spanish version, translation errors may be found, your understanding is expected.

✨ [Midjourney] [Ratings Disabled] [Danu] [Order Knights] [Cunabula] [Season 10] [Comic]

Published 2023-01-23 21:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2024-04-08 16:48:14 UTC

Prologue - The Day After Yesterday

Greetings, Fimfiction readers. This document was edited on 03/11/2024.

On the blessed island of Cunabula, at sunset on the Day of the Sun’s Purification, the celebration was in full swing. This date, the most important of the year, was celebrated by every inhabitant of the kingdom, who, regardless of race, status, or age, took part in one or several of the activities held throughout the day.

This ancient ritual, the Day of the Sun’s Purification, was closely tied to the summer solstice and stood as a powerful demonstration of each individual’s love and respect for their nation. It was also a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal and the strengthening of bonds among participants in this solemn occasion.

Encompassing this latter aspect, the Grand Procession, organized by the Temple Brotherhood, stood out as the most prominent event among all the day’s activities. Traversing the entire island, the Great Patriarch and the temple’s chief priests traveled from region to region, purifying the land from any magical corruption. Accompanied by musicians and crowds of followers, this marathon of faith, from dawn until dusk, vividly embodied the wholesome spirit of the nation.

Beyond this grand event, there were other activities that could be undertaken that day, though their significance and importance varied among the groups of people who carried them out. Such was the case with the Purification Bonfire, the Leap of Faith, the Lunar Walk, among others.

However, apart from all the festivity filling the air that evening, an unsuspected figure watched the celebration from afar.

From one of the viewpoints atop the island’s tallest mountain, this small and peculiar figure, barely visible, observed the ceremony unfolding beneath it.

With the lower half of a lion and the upper half of a pony, it was a native creature of the island: a "leopony."

More precisely, a young leopony.

Belonging to one of the six primary races inhabiting the island of Cunabula, “leoponies” formed a diverse species, spread across all social levels within the feudal government that ruled the kingdom. Without clear leadership within their own castes, they held a slight majority among the members of the citizen security forces and the army.

Despite his stern expression and martial bearing, the young leopony watching from the viewpoint did not belong to any of those groups.

He belonged to one even more important.

He was an apprentice in the Brotherhood of Chivalry, the elite group responsible for ensuring the security and prosperity of Cunabula. Trained in magic and strategy, the members of the Brotherhood of Chivalry held, without exception, the most significant positions within the island’s government, rising to become generals, royal advisors, and high judges. Being chosen for this order was an honor across all social levels.

And it could be no other way, as those chosen for the Brotherhood of Chivalry also had the opportunity to attain the highest title in the kingdom: to be called "Knights of the Order," the greatest mark of virtue for a member of each of the six races that inhabited the island.

Many children (and even adults) dreamed of belonging to this elite among elites.

However, the young leopony, motionless before the view beneath him, was neither dreaming, nor was he on a special mission for his select group, much less privately enjoying the joy of the day.

He was genuinely worried.

"How can they be celebrating in the middle of the crisis we’re in?!" the young leopony shouted internally, his face twisted in a bitter expression.

The cause of his distress lay behind him—or rather, in what wasn’t behind him.

There, atop the highest peak, stood the Sacred Temple of Cunabula, glowing with an otherworldly brilliance. Inside, the kingdom’s most powerful magic was kept: the magic of the Tree of Harmony. On this day, the temple was protected by a magical blessing, making it impenetrable and enhancing the power of all the island’s inhabitants. Its radiance reflected the people’s faith in their nation and their patriotism, which, in turn, fueled the magical veil that concealed and protected all of Cunabula from the outside world.

Of course, such an important place was not without guards. The young leopony and everyone in the kingdom knew that on this sacred day, the temple was guarded by the leaders of the Brotherhood of Chivalry. Yet, at that moment, the renowned leaders, the "Knights of the Order," were not there.

This was an unprecedented event in the past thousand years, and as one of the Brotherhood's most loyal members, the young leopony found this deeply unsettling.

Even so, it seemed that no one else cared. The celebration continued as if everything were fine. The Great Patriarch, leader of the Temple Brotherhood and temporarily also of the Brotherhood of Chivalry, had made no mention of it in his midday speech. Concerned, the young leopony had sent a letter requesting additional security, but all he received in response was an invitation to join the Grand Procession, along with a suggestion to spend the day with family and friends.

Of course, he did not accept that answer.

With few other options available, he invited his fellow members of the Brotherhood of Chivalry to join him in a vigil for the kingdom. A vigil that would include the Purification Fast, a trial reserved only for the most devout, which involved abstaining from food for the entire day to purify the spirit and increase magical power.

That didn’t work either. No one came.

The young leopony found himself alone, abandoned by his companions and accompanied only by the uncomfortable presence of his own solitude.

Or perhaps, he wasn’t entirely alone: next to him rested a basket of fruit.

Looking at the basket, he thought of his friend Dana, daughter of the current king and acolyte-in-training of the Temple Brotherhood. Dana herself had left the basket for him before the purification ceremony began. Despite the difference in their positions, they got along well and had shared good times in the initiates’ school. Although they hadn’t seen each other much lately, she knew him well enough to guess that he would attempt the fast and vigil. Taking all of this into account—had Dana left the basket to test his faith, or simply because she thought of him?

The young leopony closed his eyes, staying resolute. He wouldn’t let any tears fall. After a moment of sincere melancholy, he looked back at the basket by his feet. The shine of the ripe fruits and their sweet aroma filled his senses. His stomach growled.

He quickly recalled the teachings of his leader and mentor, the Great Patriarch: "Cleanse your mind, cleanse your spirit of this world’s temptations." Yet his stomach continued to rumble.

"I swear, Dana! When this vigil is over, I’ll savor every last drop of nectar from this blessed gift," the young leopony promised fervently, bowing his head in resignation.

Suddenly, as the young leopony drifted in his thoughts, an unfamiliar scent reached his nose.

Something wasn’t right.

Alarmed, he turned his head toward the empty path he had been guarding and spotted a hooded figure approaching the temple.

“Halt!” roared the leopony, his firm tone resonating through the air.

The hooded figure took a few more steps before stopping.

The leopony watched cautiously. Although the figure didn’t appear hostile, his instincts told him not to lower his guard. Under the afternoon sun, the stranger’s shadow stretched across the ground like a blade, only heightening the leopony's unease.

“Reveal yourself immediately! Concealment is forbidden in this Sacred Temple,” the leopony proclaimed, trying to keep a respectful tone. He’d already had trouble in the past with his superiors for “striking first and asking questions later.”

But the hooded figure remained silent, watching him without a response.

The lack of reply only deepened the leopony's worry. His mind raced: Where did this individual come from? Teleportation and invisibility are forbidden here. Could it be someone important from the "Council"? As he continued to analyze, a stab of pain in his head reminded him that fasting today had been a terrible idea.

Then, the stranger broke the silence.

“Greetings, cub. I’ve come to see the ‘Great Patriarch.’ He’s an acquaintance of mine, so, could you summon him immediately?” said a soft, musical voice—strangely enchanting. He had never heard a voice like that among the "Council" members or anywhere else in the kingdom. This could only mean one thing...

She was an outsider. An enemy! Here? Had the time finally come to prove his worth? Could he... fight?

Decisive now, his thoughts gathered. He exhaled deeply, casting away his remaining doubts, and fixed a fierce gaze on the stranger.

“No acquaintance of the ‘Great Patriarch’ would arrive here like a thief. Nor was your arrival announced. I’ll give you one chance: leave now and leave us in peace!” declared the leopony with all the firmness he could muster, bracing himself for combat.

“Well, so this is what we have... You don’t even ask my name?... Very well, I’ll be on my way,” the hooded figure replied with an infuriating calm. Unfazed, she continued forward.

“How arrogant... Try this!” thought the leopony as he launched his first attack.

Three large rocks rose from the sides of the path and shot toward the hooded figure. It was an impressive feat for someone as young as him, but thanks to the temple's blessing and his fast that day, he’d gathered enough magic to pull it off.

However, none of the rocks hit their target.

Instead, the three rocks began to orbit around the hooded figure, who seemed utterly indifferent to the attack. After a moment, the rocks returned to their original positions.

The leopony stood in shock, unable to believe what he had just witnessed.

“Mmm... now it’s my turn,” the hooded figure announced.

A sudden heat spread through the leopony’s body, and a second later, everything went dark.

His head ached. He felt his body swaying in emptiness, as if someone were carrying him. Everything was hazy. Voices echoed nearby.

Had he died? The voices grew clearer in his mind. They were moving.

“…you shouldn’t worry so much, my great lord. Activating another tree would surely solve your personnel problem.” It was that same musical voice he’d heard before.

“Cunabula has the situation under control,” replied the "Great Patriarch."

A chill ran through the leopony’s body as he recognized the Great Patriarch’s voice. But… where was he? It felt as though a veil covered his face, and everything was dark. He couldn’t move his numb body. Then he realized it was the Great Patriarch carrying him.

“If you say so,” continued the musical voice, her words laced with a hint of disrespect. “By the way, who is this ‘cub’?”

“He is the future king of Cunabula,” answered the Great Patriarch.

“Really? Your ‘standards’ have lowered… but he’s stubborn, at least meeting the minimum required to be king, right?”

The Great Patriarch didn’t reply. Had he noticed that Danu was listening? Wait… king?

The atmosphere seemed to shift. The leopony felt himself beginning to fade again.

“Are you seriously not going to tell me his name?” asked the musical voice once more.

“His name is ‘Danu,’” the Great Patriarch declared firmly.

Upon hearing those words, Danu lost consciousness once again.

"Seriously, you won't tell me his name?" the musical voice asked again.

"His name is 'Danu'," said the 'Great Patriarch' firmly.

After hearing those words, Danu lost consciousness again.

The arrival of midnight I

Greetings, Fimfiction readers. This document was edited on 04/11/2024.

On the island of Cunabula, about two hours before the start of the Day of Solar Purification, a lightly armored leopony observed, from the island’s highest peak, the preparations to celebrate the most important day of the year.

It was Dana of Cunabula, the younger sister of King Dal, holding the title of 'Primado' of the 'Temple Brotherhood.' As Primado, she was responsible for accompanying the Grand Patriarch throughout the Grand Procession, being present at the King’s midday speech, and leading the closing address, among other duties.

Despite her overwhelming list of duties, none of these responsibilities caused her any discouragement; quite the opposite, they provided her with a true sense of purpose and fulfillment. Dana loved her work, loved Cunabula, and ever since she was a cub, she had always awaited this special day with a smile.

However, this time, the situation was tense. An extraordinary event had been announced, something that hadn’t happened in over a thousand years: the official arrival of a foreigner to Cunabula.

The King, the Council, and the general population—including Dana herself—received the news with surprise and fear. And it was no wonder, as it was the Grand Patriarch who made the announcement during an emergency Council meeting the day before, without giving any further explanations.

No one on the island knew who the foreigner was or why they were being received. Only a select group, including the Grand Patriarch and the King, knew the stranger’s identity.

However, the most crucial part was not discovering the foreigner’s identity, but understanding the purpose of their arrival.

Dana closed her eyes and uttered a prayer for the kingdom. It was all she could do at that moment, still clinging to the faint hope that everything would turn out well...

"Excuse me, Primado Dana. The preparations for the welcoming ceremony are complete," someone suddenly spoke from behind her. Dana turned around and saw one of her fellow members of the 'Temple Brotherhood,' bowed in a posture of reverence. Dana sighed quietly; her prayer had been interrupted, but she didn’t take it personally, as she had previously ordered him to inform her immediately when everything was ready.

"Come with me. I’ll review the work you’ve prepared," Dana replied solemnly. Without wasting another second, they both headed toward the temple.

In front of the grand temple of the Tree of Harmony, a small crowd of members from the 'Brotherhood of Cavalry' and the 'Temple Brotherhood' had gathered. Members of the 'Brotherhood of Cavalry' had split into six squads of six members each, formed into three groups on either side of the welcoming carpet. Each squad represented one of the six principal houses of Cunabula: House Draco Dragon, House Quetzalkan, House Urutau, House Ophiotaurus, House Akhtubut Qirshin, and lastly, House Leopony. Additionally, there were regular soldiers posted around the temple perimeter and a small number of 'Temple Brotherhood' members waiting on the other side of the welcoming carpet.

Dana quickly reviewed the formations. Along her way, she paused a few times to assess the soldiers' discipline, the cleanliness of the area, the lighting, and the decorations. Finally, she ascended the highest steps of the temple and nodded in satisfaction.

"Good job. That will be all for now. You may return to your assigned duties," Dana said with satisfaction.

"Thank you very much," the leopony assistant replied. He bowed respectfully and hurriedly withdrew from her presence.

From the temple’s portico, Dana observed all those present before her, while the crowd, in turn, watched her closely, awaiting her orders.

Dana sighed, feeling somewhat insincere. She wasn’t sure if she had done a “good job” preparing the welcome for the foreigner. That afternoon, she had searched the history books in the great library for information on how the last welcoming event had been carried out, but all she found were a few references about the decorations and attire that should be used. It all seemed too “festive” for the occasion, so she decided to set it aside. She asked one of the members of the brotherhood assigned to the “Grand Procession” to assist with the formations while she handled the invitations and decorations. The final result seemed to be the most fitting for the moment.

On another front, the painter she had commissioned was already preparing paintings for the nation’s historical memory, so that in the future, those responsible for future welcomes would have a more tangible reference.

“The future,” Dana thought, pausing on that word. Once again, a sense of darkness and silence enveloped her.

“Silence... Too much silence!” Dana exclaimed, alerted by a sense of danger. The soldiers, knights, and acolytes of the temple also felt the shift in the atmosphere.

Dana turned and directed her gaze toward the temple. The light that always emanated from it had vanished. The air itself felt tense, as though it were about to explode. The moment had come.

“Hold your positions. Follow the orders you’ve been given. You are all the pride of Cunabula—prove it tonight!” Dana roared, her call answered by the excitement of all those present.

In response to her words, there was an explosion of light from the temple. It burst into multicolored flames, and a rainbow beam shot up into the sky. Soon, the entire firmament began to flicker, revealing the invisible dome that covered the island.

The temple doors began to open, and Dana bowed in respect. Seven trumpets began to sound in succession as the banners of the Knights Brotherhood and the ‘Temple Brotherhood’ rose majestically.

Finally, the temple doors fully opened, revealing two figures advancing toward Dana. One was the Grand Patriarch, known for his authority and wisdom. The other figure, shrouded in mystery and hidden beneath a black cloak, was the Midnight Emissary.

“Rise, daughter of Cunabula,” echoed the magnanimous voice of the Grand Patriarch.

Dana obeyed, finding herself face-to-face with her mentor, and beside him, the enigmatic visitor.

“Midnight Emissary”—this was the title given to the foreigner visiting Cunabula, but Dana knew his true identity and knew that he had made “unofficial” visits in the past. Just as in those previous visits, he hid his figure beneath a complete black cloak. The only difference she noted this time was the three-star brooch adorning his attire.

Following the established protocol, Dana spoke solemnly: “Grand Patriarch, Midnight Emissary, on behalf of the blessed kingdom of Cunabula, I offer you a warm welcome. As Primado of the Temple of Harmony Order, I will be your guide on this occasion.”

“Thank you, Primado Dana,” the Grand Patriarch replied gratefully.

“Thank you, Dana,” added the Emissary’s musical voice with a hint of seriousness. “However, I will not require it at this moment. I will remain in the temple until I am called to deliver my message to the Cunabula council. The Grand Patriarch will inform you of further details,” he concluded abruptly, and without another word, retreated quickly into the temple.

Dana felt surprised and irritated by the Emissary’s arrogant demeanor. Furthermore, the temple was the most sacred place in the kingdom, and for a foreigner to treat it as if it were his own was offensive. However, it was ‘her,’ and she had no choice but to accept it.

“What does all this mean, Grand Patriarch?” Dana asked her mentor seriously.

“Dana, I need to meet with the king and the council at this moment. Come with me; I will explain the situation on the way,” the Grand Patriarch replied, with a tone of weariness and affliction he rarely displayed. Dana understood that she should ask no more questions and began to walk alongside her mentor down the path that led to the city.

The arrival of midnight II

Greetings, Fimfiction readers. This document was edited on 05/11/2024.

Tartarus, one hour before the "Festival of the Two Sisters."

Located in one of the most hostile regions of Equestria, this infamous prison holds the kingdom's most dangerous monsters and criminals. Known as the most secure and significant prison, Tartarus consists of a vast network of underground vaults divided into multiple levels and subchambers, all hidden beneath a dark volcanic mountain range. As a grand prison, it has only one way to the outside: a massive, thick double metal door, sealed with magic, serving as an impenetrable barrier to keep its prisoners confined.

Beyond this door, a desolate wasteland with unpredictable weather stretches for miles, giving the landscape an ominous appearance rarely seen in these lands.

With such characteristics, it’s easy to understand why ponies avoid approaching this place, which becomes a source of dread whenever it's mentioned in conversation.

“…escaping from there is impossible!” “…It’s a pit of darkness and evil!” "…a friend got lost in that place. It was horrible!"

These were the kinds of rumors and fears that Tartarus inspired; its name had become synonymous with "unimaginable suffering" for most ponies. Although some understood it was merely a heavily guarded prison and saw no reason to fear it, few thought this way; the majority were deeply convinced otherwise.

However, beyond the mystique and fear surrounding this prison, a very real latent danger existed in that place.

Its prisoners, whose names appeared in witch tales and legends, were real. And it was a relief they were enduring torturous confinement in that site rather than being free outside, causing others to suffer with their “evil deeds.”

At that very moment in the day, in a hidden corner of the prison, a special case of "suffering" was taking place.

Balor of Cunabula, a member of the Knights of Order and the supposed prisoner of Tartarus who bore the Element of Magic, was barely enduring a strange and uncomfortable form of “torture.”

In a room flooded by banal fog...

"...believe me, darling, you can't imagine the scandal that ensued when Morron found out Raimi had already proposed to me that same day. Of course, I hadn't accepted his proposal and I should've told him so. But seeing him with his feathers scorched was a real DELIGHT," said a voice between splashes.

"Sounds like you’ve got it easy. Let me guess what happened next. Did you two duel to the death?" asked another voice.

"As if they had the guts for that. They both challenged each other to a singing competition," replied the first voice.

Laughter filled the room.

This was a room that shouldn’t exist in that place. It had aromatic candles hanging from the ceiling like chandeliers. The walls were adorned with beautiful colorful reliefs resembling sea waves. Three water ponds were irregularly spaced across the floor, with stone steps to make access easier. There was even a slide leading into the largest pool.

The whole place looked like a luxurious spa house. And in fact, it had been built for that very purpose.

Morrigan and Ceridwen (also Knights of the Order) were chatting in the largest pond. They had begun their bath less than an hour ago. But for Balor, who was in the smallest pond, it felt like days of pointless chatter. Moments like this made the Draco Dragon regret having to free her companions. Of course, it was a childish complaint, and she couldn’t share it with anyone else. However, she really wished that pair of gossiping birds would hurry up and finish their bath and leave.

Submerged up to her nose in the water, Balor clenched her jaw to avoid sighing. She would just have to wait until those two were done so she could continue her purification bath in peace.

"...Well, in the end, my father rejected my suitors. That saved me the trouble of doing it myself. Though I did feel bad for Morron," Morrigan said as she reached for grapes from a basket.

"Really?" asked Ceridwen inquisitively, having just finished polishing the scales of her tail.

"Uhmm... No."

More laughter filled the room. Ceridwen noticed how her Draco Dragon companion was blowing bubbles of annoyance in her pond.

"Well, well, seems like floral soap doesn't really help clean up a bad attitude. Are we interrupting your purification bath, dear friend?"

"Yes, you are," replied a grumpy Balor.

Both Morrigan and Ceridwen looked at each other, confused.

“I thought you did your purification baths in your own room,” Morrigan asked.

“That’s right. But today, I thought I’d try the SPA. After all, I was the one who created it.”

Ceridwen frowned.

“You don’t get ideas like that lightly. Did something happen?” Ceridwen asked seriously.

“Nothing I can tell you.”

“If it’s about Danu, you don’t have to tell us. We already know he asked you to keep an eye on us.”

“Pfft,” Balor scoffed. “He’s only worried about us. You should be more understanding of our leader’s feelings, dear Morrigan.”

Ceridwen laughed at her friend’s sarcasm.

“Oh, I understand exactly how he feels about us. However, why are you defending him?” Morrigan asked.

“Am I?”

“Yes. Just like when you defended his ridiculous three-year plan to defeat the pony princess and her allies. You know it would only take one of us to finish her off in less than five minutes,” Morrigan said, her words laced with veiled contempt and arrogance.

“Ahh, dear Morrigan… I’ll tell you the same thing I told the others. It won’t work. If it were just the pony princess and her friends, even the other princesses, it would be difficult. But you’re forgetting the Lord of Chaos. While he’s with them, we can’t do anything he couldn’t undo. At best, even if we triumphed, that damn draconequus would seek revenge. He’d end up causing some calamity as bad or worse than the one a thousand years ago. Danu isn’t wrong in waiting the three years to be able to use our Harmony Elements and seal him away for good. Besides… any of us? You’re not VERY USEFUL without your puppets.”

“Oh, is that what you think? It’s sad how IGNORANT you are about Urutaú magic.”

“I know enough. Like how useless it is against old healer’s potions.”

“YOU... need a lesson on the true power of my people.” Morrigan said with burning fury, as a black aura surrounded her wings, and her eyes filled with a milky darkness.

“Fine. I’ve never minded learning something new.” Balor replied defiantly, standing up in the pool and extending her webbed arms in a combat stance.

The peaceful SPA filled with tension in an instant.

“ENOUGH!” Ceridwen exclaimed, stepping between them with a long silver staff that she summoned with her magic. “We mustn’t fight each other. Morrigan, Balor. End this unpleasant misunderstanding and apologize.”

The two looked at each other briefly.

“It’s not a misunderstanding,” Morrigan said.

“I agree,” replied Balor.

They returned to their previous positions and resumed their respective baths. No apology had been made, but those last words were the closest thing to one. Minutes of silence passed, until…

“I’m sorry,” Balor said suddenly, her head submerged in the pool up to her neck.

“Sorry, what was that?” Morrigan asked in surprise, as she was checking her feathers.

“I said I’m sorry,” Balor repeated quietly, without looking up or moving.

“I... well, I accept,” Morrigan glanced nervously at Ceridwen, who looked even more surprised than her.

Ceridwen, who had witnessed numerous arguments between her companions, knew that this was the first time since they were named knights that Balor had apologized to Morrigan.

What did that behavior mean? Ceridwen needed to confirm something.

"Ahem... I'm glad you both apologized," Ceridwen said in a casual tone. "By the way, my friend, about what you mentioned earlier—I have a question... Is there really no other way to remove that Lord of Chaos from the picture?"

"Umphhh..." Balor, submerged in her pool, began to ponder. "... there are other ways... we could, for instance, take all the magic from the inhabitants of this realm and use it as a catalyst to capture him. Another option would be to find a magical artifact that could absorb all his chaotic magic. But the problem with these plans is that they attract too much attention or depend too much on the element of surprise. So, in the end... we’re left with our leader’s plan."

Ceridwen nodded, but Morrigan looked unconvinced.

"You're only saying what we already know. Isn’t there anything more? What if we had a truly powerful magical artifact? Something like... a 'Harmony Grace.'"

"You know about that? How?" Balor responded, surprised.

"I'm not as unlearned as you imagine, dear," Morrigan replied, reclining arrogantly on a blanket. "Now, will you answer my question?"

"Only if you tell me what you know." Balor's gaze turned sharp.

For a moment, Ceridwen thought they might start fighting again. And then.

"As you wish... 'friend,'" Morrigan said, dropping her shoulders. "The 'Harmony Graces' are magical weapons of immense power. They were forged from the magic of the Tree of Origin to defeat the darkness that sought to destroy the world. Just one of them grants its bearer tremendous power—power capable of subduing darkness and... chaos. Isn’t that right?"

Balor closed her eyes, as if reflecting on what she would say.

"You’re correct in much of what you’ve said. But you were wrong about one thing. They aren’t weapons meant to defeat or subdue darkness, much less chaos."

"No?" Morrigan now looked confused.

"They are objects that exist to preserve the light of this world. To keep hope alive." Balor paused. "The Great Patriarch... possesses one of these objects."

Ceridwen and Morrigan froze for a moment.

The Great Patriarch...

A title that suited him. He was the oldest being in all of Cunabula. It was said that in his youth, he was part of the tribal leaders who founded the kingdom. Over the centuries, he became the master and leader of the temple brotherhood he himself created. Only after the crisis of the racial wars did he relinquish the temple leadership to the "Chief Primate" and dedicate himself solely to presiding over religious ceremonies. Thus, he earned the title of "Great Patriarch," by which he would be known ever since.

Beyond that, he was also known as the bearer of ancient, powerful magic. While this earned him the admiration of the kingdom’s people as their protector, the wisest among them remained silent. The full extent of the Great Patriarch’s power was a closely guarded secret; his magic was hard to comprehend and impossible to classify. If that wasn’t enough reason to suspect him, his age and past were also a mystery.

No one knew where the Great Patriarch came from... nor his race.

Putting this enigma aside, Balor's words held another.

The Tree of Origin was an ancient entity whose knowledge was more in the realm of lost knowledge than myth. As for the understanding of the 'Harmony Graces,' it was in an even worse state; very few were aware of their existence due to the vast time that had passed since they were last mentioned or seen in the world.

In that case, could it be that the Great Patriarch was indeed the bearer of one of these divine artifacts?

"How old is the Great Patriarch?" Ceridwen seemed to be thinking out loud.

Balor smiled—a question with an answer that amused her greatly.

"He’s around 8,000 years old."

Ceridwen and Morrigan opened their beaks like a pair of hungry fledglings. For Balor, it was a rare opportunity to observe the oral cavity of her companions. On one hand, she had thought the inside of an Urutau bird’s beak would be black. However, it was a bright pink. On the other hand, her Quetzalkan friend seemed to retain her vibrant colors even under her tongue. Mentally, she noted these details. Satisfied that enough time had passed, she continued.

"You shouldn't be so shocked. He's only a bit older than our kingdom."

"ONLY A BIT?" Ceridwen shouted. "CUNABULA HAS A HISTORY OF 2,700 YEARS, AND HE’S LIVED ALMOST THREE TIMES THAT! HOW CAN ANYONE LIVE THAT LONG?"

Balor merely shrugged indifferently.

"So it's true," murmured Morrigan more calmly. "The staff he always carries during purification rituals must be one of those artifacts."

"Yes, that’s right, dear Morrigan. That staff is the Staff of Justice, the first of the 'Harmony Graces' forged millennia ago," said Balor, standing up with a penetrating gaze. "So, my dear friends, might this revelation stay between us?"

Ceridwen and Morrigan exchanged glances. Without a word, they nodded.

"Well, in that case... there's something else I'd like to share with you."

A sudden knock echoed on the main door of the room. A moment later, a mental message reached Balor.

She instantly recognized the visitor. His arrival was not ideal. But... after a few moments of thought, she finally decided to open the door.

Four adult stallions with eyes full of darkness entered, carrying several boxes.

They were led by an unusual-looking young pony. He had grayish-white fur, a light pink mane interrupted by a thick brown curl. Beneath his wavy hair was a severe gaze that contrasted with his gentle colors. But none of that mattered. It was his wings and silver horn that made this pony truly striking.

They stopped a few steps away.

"Squire Badwhiz reporting in. I’ve brought the 'materials' that Lady Ceridwen and Lady Morrigan requested, as well as a message from the Lord Feudal for you, Lord Balor," the pony said, bowing. Immediately, the four stallions placed the boxes on the floor and opened them to reveal their contents.

The 'materials' consisted mainly of personal hygiene items and a few other things.

Ceridwen and Morrigan looked annoyed at the newcomers. But before they could say anything, Balor stepped forward.

"Well, I assume the Lord Feudal requires my immediate presence in his chambers. Am I correct?"

"It is as you say, Lord Balor," Badwhiz replied.

"Well, you heard him. It’s unfortunate, but we’ll have to continue this wonderful conversation another time. Boy, you’re coming with me," she said, as a fleeting fire enveloped her, drying the folds of her skin.

"At your command, my Lord," Badwhiz responded in a disciplined tone.

"Wait! Are you just leaving like that...?" Morrigan exclaimed, but didn’t finish as Ceridwen cut her off.

"Danu and the others should be done with their training. Given their temperament and how things ended last time, wouldn’t it be better if we went with you?"

Balor sighed.

"Let’s leave it at that. Finish your bath and don’t worry. It’s just a report," Balor replied, immediately putting on the traditional skirt of her people and leaving, followed by the young pony.

In the SPA room, which was now silent, an aura of unease could be felt.

"What do you think he's hiding from us?" Morrigan asked, looking at a thoughtful Ceridwen.

"I'm not sure, but it's not just about Danu." Ceridwen knew Balor much better than the others. In the past, she, Balor, and Taranis had carried out almost all of the missions outside. Throughout those missions, they had come to bond and know each other more deeply. Despite her sarcastic personality, Balor was the highest-level sorceress in the entire kingdom, very clever and unflappable during the most difficult moments of battle. However, that was not what Ceridwen had perceived in her today.

What she perceived was doubt and fear.

"I think we should perform the Purification Fast. What do you think?" Ceridwen suggested.

"Fine by me. I just hope it's worth it," Morrigan replied, ordering the steeds that had been fanning her to leave the room.

A few moments after they left, a golden light filled the room.

Balor and Badwhiz moved in a straight line through a wide rock passage. Every now and then, they passed by a door or staircase leading to lower levels of the underground complex where they had taken refuge. The entire infrastructure had been built by the Knights of the Order shortly after they freed themselves from their confinement. Later, Balor had made expansions to store prisoners and materials for her experiments.

As she got lost in her thoughts, recalling the use of the rooms on her way, Balor noticed the silence around them.

"That 'boy's' stealth is improving," Balor thought, without looking back.

The 'boy' following her in silence, despite his unusual appearance, was actually a land pony so committed to their cause that even Balor and Morrigan occasionally referred to him as "Mini Danu."

Suddenly, Balor asked, "Tell me, boy, how are the 'decoys' doing?"

"No significant changes since my last report," Badwhiz replied. "Today at sunset, there was a rotation of Equestrian soldiers that was delayed by 15 minutes and 20 seconds, but nothing else relevant happened."

Balor was intrigued. She wasn't sure which was more surprising: the fact that the pony princess still hadn't noticed the fake copies occupying the cells where they should be prisoners or that, among all the ponies in that kingdom, there was someone as fanatical as Badwhiz.

The dragon tilted her head. It was better not to dwell too much on it. There were more important matters to think about, like: "What do you think of the improvements to the armor?"

"It's amazing, Lord Balor!" Badwhiz's eyes shone with excitement. "Now it's really light; it doesn't tire me when I wear it, and it responds immediately to my movements." Badwhiz stretched his metallic wings a little on his back. The movement looked so natural it gave the impression of real Pegasus wings. The control Badwhiz had over them was evident.

"Good, good... but what about the magic?"

"Well... I've been practicing the spells you gave me," Badwhiz stammered a bit. "So far, I've been able to levitate objects and cast healing spells. I still haven't mastered the defense and attack spells... they're difficult... But I'm sure that in a few months I'll have the ability to perform them!" Badwhiz exclaimed, full of confidence.

Balor hid her emotions behind this last statement.

The Alicorn armor she had created with her companions turned out to be more impressive than she had imagined. Originally, it had been given to Badwhiz as a reward for his loyalty. Its true purpose, however, was to keep an eye on him. At that moment, the armor didn't have any magical components; it was simply armor. It was Taranis who suggested that Badwhiz would be more useful if he had the ability to fly or do something else. After a brief discussion among them, and Danu's dismissive agreement, they decided to give him other accessories, like the wings and horn.

Balor herself, however, suggested that they shouldn't create enchanted accessories. Instead, they should make artifacts that would harness the magic of the land pony. This was all part of a low-priority experiment she hadn't carried out yet. Balor didn't believe it would work. Her studies on pony magic showed that the magic of land ponies wasn't compatible with magic from other races of ponies.

However, the reality was different.

Badwhiz had not only learned to fly after an intensive course with Taranis, but he had also started learning magic. Of course, these newly acquired skills were nowhere near those of a true Pegasus or Unicorn. Still, it was remarkable that he had managed to do so in such a short time.

Why did the magic of a land pony work in that armor? Was it the materials she had used that made the difference? Was Badwhiz special, or did all land ponies have that trait? Could any pony acquire a trait from another race? Did the pony princesses know about this and were hiding it? Could Dana have that trait as well?

Balor's mind was filled with all the questions that had arisen from her unexpectedly successful experiment.

"Lord Balor? Are you alright?" The young pony was looking at her.

"No, it's nothing, kid," Balor awkwardly snapped out of her thoughts. "Did something happen?"

"Well, yes. We've arrived, Lord Balor," the confused pony replied.

Before them stood a majestic double stone door. On its surface, the distinctive crest of Cunabula gleamed, engraved in silver. There was no sign of a lock, bolt, or handle to open it. It was evident that this was a magical door, accessible only to those belonging to the exclusive group of knights of the order.

Balor sighed inwardly.

She had been mentally preparing for this moment all day. She just needed Danu to listen to her. Just for a moment, and then she could tell her about...

"Page Badwhiz, I know you already know this, but I'll remind you again. Refrain from speaking. Just follow the instructions I give you. Try not to address the lord unless you're ordered to. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Lord Balor," Badwhiz responded with complete seriousness.

"Good. Let's move on," Balor told herself, repeating the words to boost her confidence. She raised her right claw and cast the spell that opened the door.

The doors creaked like broken bones as they opened. From them emanated vapors mixed with a sulfuric and metallic scent.

The room that lay before them resembled the stomach of a beast.

The doors fully opened, and Balor entered, followed by her loyal Badwhiz.

The spacious vaulted room they had entered rivaled the size of a stable, and at its center was a small waterfall that formed a lagoon. The ceiling was made of stalagmites that emitted a strong amber phosphorescent glow, flooding the entire room with a magical light. In contrast, the floor was completely black and smooth, created with spells to provide comfort to the guests. Only the lagoon in the center broke the oppressive glow of the room, as its own white luminescence shone from the water’s surface, creating the illusion of a fountain full of light.

Balor quickly studied the place. In the heavy atmosphere, there were two bodies at either end of the room, and someone else who seemed to be watching the lake.

She already knew who they were. She walked a certain distance toward the lake and stopped.

"Greetings, lord of the land. Balor, your servant, presents himself in the company of Page Badwhiz."

Danu did not respond. Yes, it was Danu. Her disheveled mane and the wounds on her body were the living image of her current state of mind. They contrasted sharply with the proud image she had shown before leaving Cunabula. Her defeat at the hands of the pony princess had affected her more than her companions had imagined. So much so that she had developed a hatred for the princess and for ponies in general.

Balor understood this part well. She mentally ordered Badwhiz to take the bodies of Taranis and Mannah and bring them to the infirmary to treat their wounds.

Badwhiz obeyed, and with the magic of his horn and a tremendous effort, he left the room, carrying the battered bodies of both knights with him.

The doors closed, and Balor felt the atmosphere lighten.

"You’re giving that pony too many liberties."

"That's right, boss, but it's the most effective method to strengthen his loyalty to us." Balor responded to Danu in a more casual tone. "After all, he will be an important agent who will keep Equestria under our control in the future."

"I’ll decide his importance... What are the other two doing?"

"Morrigan and Ceridwen are enjoying a purifying bath while discussing their noble personas." Balor didn’t hide the sarcasm in her voice.

Danu clicked her tongue.

"Do you think they will betray me?"

"It's unlikely. The day of our revenge is almost here. We are all ready for that moment."

"Everyone? You mean you already have the spell that will destroy the princess and her allies?" Danu spoke to Balor sideways.

"Yes, that's right." Balor replied, inclining herself slightly with a small smile.

Danu also smiled, but it was a wicked smile. Her gaze seemed lost somewhere dark in the room.

Balor noticed the change in her mood. It was dangerous. But this was her best chance.

"My lord feudal, I would like to insist on the proposal I made earlier. Acting tomorrow would give us the opportunity to..."

"ENOUGH! Were my orders not clear to you? WE WILL NOT ATTACK ON A SACRED DAY!" The outburst of rage echoed through the room. Danu was now standing in front of her. She almost seemed like she would attack immediately.

"BUT! MY LORD FEUDAL..." Balor looked directly at her.

"ENOUGH, BALOR! DO YOU ALSO PLAN TO RENOUNCE YOUR PRINCIPLES?" Danu roared.

Balor didn’t respond immediately. But before Danu could continue, she bowed.

"I offer my sincerest apologies, my lord feudal, I went too far, I shouldn’t have insisted on my selfish proposal." Balor replied, with a slight tremor in her wings and tail.

Danu studied her closely, as if measuring the sincerity of her words. Finally, she said:

"I accept your apology. Of the five of us, you have the best understanding of our delicate situation. But don’t think for a moment that your understanding is above mine. Do I make myself clear?" Danu relaxed her stance, but the violence still lingered in her words.

"I am grateful, my lord feudal." A remorseful Balor responded without lifting her head.

"Mph," Danu snorted. She turned her back and slowly entered the lake. Vapors filled the room as the 'leoponi' submerged her body in the water.

After a few minutes, the vapors dissipated, and with them, the tension that had filled the room. The only sound that could be heard was the murmur of the water falling from the small waterfall in the center of the lake.

Suddenly, Danu emerged beneath the waterfall and approached Balor once more.

"Now tell me. How is Cunabula?"

The clock was almost striking midnight. Reclining on a comfortable, fluffy sofa, Balor reflected on the events of the day in a room dimly lit by the soft glow of candles.

Earlier that morning, she had received a letter from one of her servants in Cunabula, informing her of the unexpected arrival of the Midnight Emissary to the kingdom.

In the afternoon, she had received a report confirming that all the bearers of the Elements of Harmony from the allied nations of Equestria would be attending tomorrow's celebration, something that hadn't happened since her team's defeat.

That evening, she had apologized to Morrigan for the first time in her life.

Finally, she had betrayed Danu by not informing her of what had happened in Cunabula.

She paused her thoughts and asked herself: What will happen next?

One idea after another appeared and disappeared in her mind. Possible scenarios, decisions, and consequences. One after another, until they all led to an inescapable, singular end.

Balor stared at the last mental image that resulted. She hit the sofa so hard that part of its foam broke.

It was the same as the previous ones. She clenched her claws and clicked her tongue. The image faded away.

It was the worst possible outcome, and soon she would live to see it.

Balor had never fully committed to her missions. She had always found some clever or practical solution that brought her success. However, since the defeat against the ponies, a feeling of unease and danger had begun to grow in her mind. How could one solve an unsolvable problem? Balor now faced that dreadful scenario.

She stood up and began to float in the air, assuming a meditation posture.

Once again, she cleared her mind and let go of her fears. But this time, she focused on her family, her home, and her loved ones.

Soon, the image of her sisters Bala and Bila appeared, burning one of their study books. They were young and enjoyed the favor of their parents. Unlike her, they had no aptitude for magic, so they focused only on singing and dancing. Now they were very popular, despite their youth. Although draco dragons weren’t actually dragons. If they took care of themselves, they could have a long life of success, living around 200 years at most.

Balor smiled as she watched her sisters, but suddenly the vision darkened with a terrible thought: would they survive long enough to witness the war that loomed in the future?

She opened her eyes and recalled with annoyance the words the pony princess had said to Ceridwen after their defeat. “There are more important things than home!” she had boldly lectured.

Balor descended to the ground, her gaze filled with great determination. “I won’t let that future happen, I won’t allow it, even if it costs me my own life!” she exclaimed firmly. She had made a decision, and there was no turning back. The plan of Danu and the mission she had been given no longer mattered; everything now boiled down to ensuring the future of her country and, by extension, everyone she loved.

"First, we have to gather everyone. They might not take the truth well, but it’s the path we must follow," she said to herself.

Balor left her room and sent a message to Badwhiz.

Author's Note

Wow, it's been a while since the last chapter. Or maybe not so much. In any case, in the next chapter we will see the faces of old known ponies. What was it about? Here a clue.

The old friendship train I

It was a sunny and radiant day in Ponyville, a charming village inhabited by a variety of magical creatures such as pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies. But this was a special day, as the much-awaited 'Two Sisters' Festival' was being celebrated. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm and joy, and the excitement could be felt in the air. Previously, this day had been known as the 'Summer Sun Celebration', although it had changed its name three years ago, the feeling it produced in the hearts of all ponies was the same.

And no one could be more certain of this than Pinkie Pie. With her characteristic agile and energetic trot, she hurriedly made her way to the train station.

"Be careful, Pinkie Pie, don't drop your good spirits," Matilda cheerfully said, walking with her husband Cranky along the path.

"Never, Matilda, but if I don't hurry, I'll miss the train of punctuality. YEEP!" With a short whinny, Pinkie Pie continued on her way, picking up her speed and leaving the couple behind.

It was no joke, Pinkie Pie was running late and failing a promise that bore her name was the last thing she would have wanted to do that day.

Like a pink blur, she arrived at the station where she was promptly greeted. There were no ponies waiting outside, everyone was already inside the train, waiting for the next departure.

Inside, there was a crowd of ponies. Among friends and familiar faces, Pinkie Pie made her way through, greeting everyone she could recognize. Finally, she arrived at a special carriage reserved only for important travelers.

Taking a deep breath, Pinkie Pie opened the doors of the carriage where Applejack and Rarity were already sitting. With overflowing joy, she launched herself at her other friend that she had just recognized.

"FLUTTERSHY, I MISSED YOU SO MUCH!" exclaimed Pinkie between sobs and tears.

"Okay, okay Pinkie, Ughh!" Fluttershy felt the tight embrace of Pinkie all over her back.

"A whole week in Mount Aris was too much. I know the baby dolphins needed you, but WE NEEDED YOU HERE TOO!" Pinkie continued shedding even more tears.

"I'm sorry, really. I'm sorry. Ughh!" said Fluttershy, and now her skin was starting to change color from the intense hug.

Meanwhile, her friends just watched the scene with smiles. Fluttershy was the last to arrive at the meeting, the others had already met at the train station that morning, it was not until a little later that Pinkie Pie suddenly left that Fluttershy had arrived.

"Well, now we just need Rainbow Dash and we'll all be here."

"Wait Applejack. Rainbow still hasn't arrived?" asked Pinkie, who looked surprised and dropped a squeezed Fluttershy.

"Nope."

"Has something happened to her?" asked Pinkie, who now looked worried.

"I don't think so, she..." replied Applejack.

"She could have had an accident. They could have gotten lost in a storm. She could..."

"Or she could simply be running late," said Rarity delicately. "You see, dear, Rainbow Dash left a letter for Fluttershy when she was on her way to the train station."

"Uh?" Pinkie Pie's fluctuating mood was now confused, and she wasn't the only one.

"That seems strange to me too. She hardly ever writes letters," said Applejack, who was helping a disoriented Fluttershy up from the floor of the train car. At that moment, she passed Pinkie a crumpled piece of paper.

Pinkie Pie opened it and inside was her friend's sloppy handwriting with a single message: "Running late."

"Hmm, suspicious..." said Pinkie Pie with an intrigued look.

"That's not the only 'suspicious' thing today, darling," responded Rarity, who had noticed the bulky saddlebags Pinkie was carrying.

Pinkie noticed her gaze and replied, "It's not suspicious, it's a surprise."

"Is that why you bolted off the train when we asked what surprise you had planned for Twilight today?" asked Applejack, recalling the moment when Pinkie Pie had left the car without any explanation.

"No," Pinkie Pie replied confidently, "It's because I needed these trivia game rule books for all of you," she said as she pulled out a bulky copy of the 'Official Equestrian Trivia Rulebook. 35th Edition,' handing one to each of her friends with a smile.

Rarity and Applejack exchanged a brief eye roll of exhaustion. Although all of Twilight's friends gathered on her coronation day to help her with any friendship problems that might arise in the kingdom, they also took advantage of holidays like this to enjoy each other's company without any particular responsibilities. For this reason, they had agreed that each day of the "Festival of the Two Sisters," one of them would organize a special activity dedicated to their good friend and princess Twilight. The friend chosen by lottery would have the task of making the gathering the most memorable and exciting of the year.

The turns of Applejack and Rarity had already passed, so only the other three were left.

"Darling, I know Twilight will love for you to organize a trivia competition between us, but I think you should wait until after the draw to start with the, um...preparations," said Rarity, setting aside the trivia manual.

"Also, we haven't heard the ideas of the other ponies yet, right Fluttershy?" asked Applejack, trying to include Fluttershy in the conversation.

"Y-yes," responded Fluttershy timidly, seeming to have recovered from Pinkie's "friendly" hug.

"You have something prepared too, don't you Fluttershy?" asked Pinkie, getting closer to Fluttershy.

"Y-yes..." Fluttershy responded even more timidly.

"Will you tell us NOW?" asked Pinkie, even closer.

"N-no. I mean, I think I'll wait until after the draw, if you don't mind," responded Fluttershy with sudden confidence.

"I agree. We have plenty of time to talk during the trip, and I'd also like to hear everything that happened on your trip to Mount Aris, dear Fluttershy," said Rarity.

Suddenly, the characteristic sound of the train whistle sounded, announcing its departure from the station.

"Oh, goodness! Rainbow Dash hasn't arrived yet. Do you think the train conductor will accept to wait a little longer?" asked Fluttershy.

"I don't know, dear. The train has already been delayed quite a bit today," replied Rarity.

"That pony, where could she be?" said Applejack, looking out the window.

"Maybe she's upstairs," said Pinkie Pie as her tail started to wag.

A dull thud resounded on the roof of the carriage. All the ponies looked up and shortly after they heard some quick steps heading towards the roof hatch. It opened and a blue pony with a rainbow mane fell out of it.

It was Rainbow Dash herself, in a combat stance, nervously looking in all directions.

"Rainbow Dash, what do you think you're...?" Before Applejack finished her question, Rainbow Dash covered her mouth with her helmet.

"Look, I know it sounds crazy, but you have to close all the doors and windows. NOW!" said Rainbow seriously as she hid under one of the train carriage seats. After looking surprised at each other, her friends quickly followed her request. Soon, the whole carriage was secured from end to end.

"Okay, Rainbow, what is...?" Once again, Applejack was interrupted by another thud on the roof. But this time, it was accompanied by a clear sniffing sound. Some stealthy steps could be heard slowly heading towards the roof hatch they had forgotten to close.

The ponies watched with concern as a pony's nose that wouldn't stop sniffing started to peek through the hatch.

The train whistled once more and set off.

The mysterious presence seemed to lose interest and quickly left.

After a moment of silence, it was Rarity who asked the obvious question. "WHAT WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?"

Applejack and the others turned to look at Rainbow Dash, who was in an uncomfortable position under a seat.

"It's a bit of a long story. Can I have a cushion?" said Rainbow Dash with a fake smile.

Author's Note

the train left late, believe me.

Upss, I almost forgot, the hint of the next chapter:derpytongue2:

The old friendship train II

Author's Note

This chapter has direct links to the story Rainbow Dash goes to The Averages Tower read on for more information.

The old friendship train II

In one of the carriages of the train bound for Canterlot, a young pony shivered in the oppressive darkness of the carriage he was in. He had barely slept the night before and had not tasted any food in over 24 hours. Despite that, the strength of his spirit kept him focused and awake. However, the anxiety he felt was not something he could ignore. Aware that the moment was approaching, he opened the bottle of cider he had been given as a prize. He had never drunk cider before in his life, so the taste of the drink only managed to make his throat burn and increase his discomfort. Still, he continued to drink, finishing about a third of the bottle before setting it aside. Soon, the effects of the drink dissipated his tremors and further cleared his mind. He was ready, but there was still some time left, so he turned on the music player he carried with him and put on his headphones.

Those hearing aids were so new that they still had their box next to her, another gift she had not wanted, but could not refuse either. It was probably the only chance he would ever have in his life to wear hearing aids.

Intrigued by the modern gadget, the young pony checked the box and read to himself, "Silent Gamma Headphones - Averages C."

"...And that's what happened," Dash said with confidence all her own.

"Wooo! That was amazing, you fought off a giant crocodile, saved Daring Do from being eaten by a swarm of ant-lobsters and brought peace back to a kingdom of hippos. You're amazing, Dashi!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie excitedly bouncing in her seat.

"Yes, it really is an 'unbelievable' story, Rainbow," Applejack said with a skeptical tone.

"And after all that, Daring Do gave you the original draft of his latest book. Wow..." said Fluttershy thoughtfully.

"Yes, that's right," Dash confirmed.

The four ponies looked at the pile of messy and battered documents Dash had left on one of the seats.

"It really is a very valuable document, my dear. But since you brought it, I guess this is the surprise you have in store for Twilight, isn't it?" asked Rarity.

"Of course! Knowing her, she may have already read the book up to ten times. But I'm one hundred percent sure she'll be surprised when I give this to her," Dash replied brimming with excitement. The rainbow pegasus had already prepared herself for questions and compliments from her friends. However, none of that happened. Instead, the ponies looked at each other worriedly.

"What's the matter...don't you think he's surprised?" asked Dash.

"Of course you'll be surprised," Applejack replied. "It's just that your story doesn't explain anything that happened a moment ago."

"Explain what?" replied Dash with mock naiveté.

"Who was the suspicious pony earlier?" asked Applejack with a serious tone.

"Ah, that, it's not important. She's just a fan who wants me to sign a contract to become her star model. Can you believe it?" replied Dash.

The other ponies looked quizzical, Applejack's gaze narrowed and even Rarity raised an eyebrow.

"So a fan...," Applejack replied inquisitively.

"Well, you should talk to her. She shouldn't be stalking you like that. It'll cause you trouble and you'll end up more stressed out than you already are," Pinkie said eating some muffins she pulled from somewhere. The other ponies gave her a brief reproachful look, it was a bit cheeky advice, considering her pink friend had acted that way on numerous occasions in the past.

"Stressed? What are you talking about, Pinkie? I'm perfectly fine."

"Pinkie's right, dear. You look terrible, have you seen yourself in a mirror?" said Rarity.

Dash frowned. She didn't trust Rarity when it came to image opinions, she tended to exaggerate. But doubt had already been sown, so she consulted the pony who she knew wouldn't lie to her.

"Fluttershy, do I really look that bad?"

"Well... yes, you don't look so bad, but when you came I really got worried. Well, we all did," Fluttershy replied handing him a mirror.

Dash soon saw his own image. Fluttershy was right. Her mane was messier than other times, her irritated eyes were accompanied by slight dark circles under her eyes. She still looked stunning, but not as much as on other occasions.

"Well I think you should talk to your 'fan'. We're supposed to have a special day with Twilight today, and it wouldn't be right to bring that kind of trouble on her," Applejack chided.

"You worry too much, Applejack - everything's fine!" snapped Dash back sharply.

It was then that the bell rang at the entrance door of the carriage. A moment later, a train employee entered accompanied by a large group of foals. Soon, the carriage was filled with a hubbub of praise and shouts of excitement.

"Ah, excuse me, but is Miss Rainbow Dash in? These young people would like to meet her," asked the clerk.

Applejack and the rest of her friends turned to where Rainbow Dash was sitting. But the pegasus was not there, she was sticking her head out of the window she had just opened.

"Ha ha... it's really hot today," Dash said to her friends feigning calmness after re-entering the rest of her body back on the train.

"IT'S RAINBOW DASH!", "SHE'S AMAZING!", "YES!". Chorused with joy the foals who had entered. Their friends watched them with smiles, except Applejack, who kept her gaze narrow.

"Okay, I got this," Dash said more cheerfully, pushing Applejack aside and leaving her friends behind. "Wow, I guess everyone came for an autograph, didn't they?"

"SIIIIIIIIII!" the young ponies whinnied. Some were jumping and others were already stomping on the ground.

"Now, now, calm down, line up and give me where to sign." Dash flew over to a seat and pulled a pen from somewhere in his mane. "Okay, who's first?"

Without receiving any further orders, the colts and fillies had already formed into a line. The first was a filly in a pink hat and ribbon, carrying a book that appeared to be a cookbook. With overflowing joy, she handed it to Dash.

"Ha, are you sure you want me to sign here? Fine by me." Quickly, Dash swiped his helmet over the open book.

"Yesssssssss, of course! Your recipe for Blackberry Pie is just like my grandmother's," said the filly before stepping out of line.

"Huh?" said Dash in confusion. Behind her, Pinkie Pie could be heard choking on one of the muffins she was eating. "Ok ... , next!"

"Yo! Yo! Here, here," was a colt with blue fur and white slippers. He handed Dash a brochure of slippers for travel and exploration.

"That's better! Here you go." Quickly, Dash ran his helmet over the brochure.

"Great! Now my parents will have to buy me the same sneakers you wear, yay!" said the colt before running out of the wagon.

Behind Dash, the murmurs of her friends could be heard. Dash did not turn around, her face already reflected the feeling that something was not right.

"Okay, you!" Dash stopped the next young filly who had stickers on her face. "Where do you wish me to sign?"

"In my fashion magazine," the filly replied cheerfully.

"And that's because...?" questioned the worried pegasus.

"Because I love your makeup so much! Your glitter and stickers you use are divine! Yiiip!" the filly whinnied excitedly.

Rainbow Dash had a frightened expression on her face.

"Okay, here's your signature," the pegasus said, abruptly dismissing the filly. "THANKS FOR COMING, BUT THAT'S ALL FOR NOW!"

Words of confusion and disappointment were heard among the foals.

But before anyone could complain, Dash continued: I WILL CONTINUE WITH THE CARS WHEN THE TRAIN HAS ARRIVED AT THE NEXT STATION! I PROMISE YOU!

Perhaps they were very polite or trusted a promise from their idol Rainbow Dash, but the vast majority decided to obey even though they were very unhappy. So, with the help of the train attendant, Rainbow Dash managed to quickly get all the young ponies out of the carriage.

Dash sighed wearily as she closed the carriage door after the last of the foals had crossed it. One problem had been solved, but now there was a bigger one at her back.

"Wow Rainbow, I didn't know you liked to wear sneakers," said Pinkie Pie checking a brochure dropped by one of the foals.

Before a second had passed since Pinkie had finished speaking, Dash, at considerable speed, picked up the brochure Pinkie and everyone else had on the floor. And threw them out of one of the train windows.

"Whew, wow. Those kids should take better care of where they leave their trash. Cleanliness is so important! Right?" said Dash agitated closing the window.

Her bewildered friends looked at her for a moment, then exchanged glances with each other with the intention of letting the matter drop, however, Applejack would not let it go.

"Okay, that's it! What are you hiding, Rainbow Dash?" the farm pony said in a stern tone approaching the pegasus.

"Hiding something? What could he be hiding?" said Dash with a slightly strained laugh.

"Ever since you arrived I have sensed that something ISN'T RIGHT, and when something ISN'T RIGHT, I can't keep quiet. I ask you again, WHAT ARE YOU HIDING, RAINBOW DASH?"

"Hey, calm down Applejack. It's all good. I'm not hiding anything, aren't I, girls?" said Dash looking for support from her other friends. The rest of her friends didn't respond.

That silence filled the carriage they were in with tension.

Sensing which side her friends were on, Dash felt she had had enough of that situation and, in an annoyed tone, told them, "I just remembered I need to buy something, I'll go ahead. See you in Canterlot.

"You-!" said Applejack, now really annoyed, but she was interrupted by someone else.

"Thinking of leaving already, Rainbow Dash? I thought you might want to spend more time with your friends?" an unfamiliar voice was heard asking from the other side of the carriage.

They all looked to the back of the carriage, where Magazine Doublereport herself was sitting comfortably sipping a soft drink.

The train began to move more slowly through the meadow, and in the special guest car, a more active situation was beginning to develop. The red-haired, black-striped pegasus stood up and advanced toward the group of friends with a mischievous look on her face. She had a radiant, confident smile befitting a successful businessman. He certainly was, and the yellow tie he was wearing bore that out. Magazine Doublereport didn't need anyone to introduce her; her own image said everything about her. However, she couldn't skip the formalities, especially when these performances were so much fun for her.

And at that moment, nothing amused him more than the fear he sensed in Rainbow Dash.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you! I'm Magazine Doublereport, owner and chief executive of the Averages consortium. You can call me MAGI. It's a pleasure for me to meet Princess Twilight Sparkle's so heroic and acclaimed friends," Magi quickly said with an exclamation that almost sounded like a whinny.

One by one, she began to greet Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, while handing them some promotional brochures.

"Hey, you're not the pony from a moment ago..." said Applejack.

"And you must be Applejack, Mucho gusto!" said Magi, effusively waving Applejack's right helmet in a salute and then dropping it to the side.

Thus, Magi finished greeting everyone and approached Rainbow Dash.

"Really, all your friends look as cool as you mentioned. By the way, do you have a moment? I need you to sign some additional documents to include the Crystal Empire within the target market of the marketing campaign. Dash... are you there?"

Dash did not answer. In her terrified eyes one could only slowly see the reflection of the scene that was happening in front of her.

Pinkie Pie was holding her laughter in her seat as she looked at a pajama brochure featuring Dash wearing bunny ears. Rarity was standing dumbfounded as she looked at the fashion brochure in which Dash was wearing a stylish spring dress. Fluttershy, on the other hand, didn't seem to react at all, or rather, she was probably paralyzed by the contents of the stuffed animal brochure she was still holding between her hooves.

Without waiting to hear any words from her friends, Dash shot like blue lightning out of one of the windows.

Her friends were left behind, surprised by the sudden abandonment of their loyal friend.

"Great! There she goes again... Is she always like this?" asked Magi somewhat annoyed at the rest of the ponies.

"Who did you say you were?" replied Applejack still disoriented by the earlier greeting.

"Excuse our friend's behavior, Miss Magi," Rarity said pulling Applejack aside. The unicorn had understood the position Magi was in. "But tell us, what is your relationship to our friend Rainbow Dash?"

"I am currently his legal representative and manager," Magi replied.

"Rainbow Dash has a manager?" asked Pinkie, puzzled. She wasn't the only one, they all, including Applejack, looked at each other.

"I didn't know that," said Fluttershy, who seemed to be trying to remember something.

"I think I've heard of the Averages Consortium before..." said Rarity, who seemed to sense what was going on. "Miss Magi, you just mentioned that you are our friend's legal representative, could you elaborate on that point?".

"Of course, you see, your friend Rainbow Dash recently signed an actual binding contract with the Averages Consortium for us to make use of her image, given her importance as a client. I assumed responsibility for handling all legal aspects involving the use of her image. This is all done with the goal of making her the newest and biggest celebrity in all of Equestria," Magi said with a big smile.

Rarity was stunned after hearing that statement, as was everyone else.

Applejack, however, showed little emotion. She was already expecting something bad from that executive-looking pony. The farm pony knew that an 'actual binding contract' was bad no matter where it was taken from. She wasn't a legal expert like Twilight, but her grandmother had told her enough stories about that infamous document to know what kind of trouble it could cause.

"So he did that...," Applejack said, already piecing things together in her mind. "So that's why he's been stalking our friend, right, Magi?"

Magi, who sensed Applejack's hostility and what she might be thinking, was quick to respond.

"I would like there to be no misunderstandings between us, but Miss Rainbow Dash received a fair deal and was fully informed of the scope of the document she signed with my organization. Consequently, I am making sure that she complies with what was agreed upon," Magi said with a smile, but with a tone of seriousness.

"With the agreed-upon? And what does that refer to?"

"Well, if I may briefly explain..." At that point, Magi proceeded to explain to the ponies how, after Dash signed an actual binding contract several days before, she and her associates began doing commercial advertisements using her image. Magi clarified the detail that Dash was not the pony that appeared in the brochures, but rather models using her same colors. It had been a complicated and tedious process of make-up, but one that in the end had met with Rainbow Dash's face-to-face approval. However, she did not mention that the latter had been achieved by lies and deception.

As he finished, a doubt hung in the air.

"But why would Rainbow Dash want to be a commercial celebrity? She doesn't want that kind of fame," Fluttershy asked innocently.

"True, Miss Rainbow Dash wasn't interested at first with my initial proposal, but she changed her mind when I included in my offer the opportunity to acquire the original drafts of the latest Daring Do book," Magi said quietly, sipping her soda. "She was very excited to get them. I think she mentioned something about 'winning a very special competition.' I could be wrong, though."

The four pony friends looked at each other and then looked at the pile of documents on one of the seats. It was all starting to fit together.

"This is all very shocking, Miss Magi, but could you give us more details about our friend's situation and her contract, if you don't mind?" stated Rarity.

"It does not bother me at all. However, I do not have the time to make a detailed explanation. I have a meeting with the directors of the consortium today, and Rainbow Dash must be present. I am under obligation to take her to the offices in Manehattan, or else your friend could be in serious legal trouble. I do not wish this to happen. If I may..." said Magi as she prepared to leave.

"You don't have to worry about that, I'll go get her," Applejack interrupted.

"Do you know where he is?" asked Rarity in surprise. Applejack nodded her head in response. Seeing her so sure, she and the rest of her friends didn't ask any more questions. Magi noticed that detail as well.

"Can you really bring it?" asked Magi.

"That's right," confirmed Applejack, who appeared to have no interest in negotiating.

"That's okay, I really appreciate it. Then, I'll stay here until you come back. But no more than 30 minutes," Magi said accepting Applejack's proposal with some mistrust.

"I won't be that long, I'll be right back," Applejack said adjusting her hat before quickly exiting through the back door of the carriage.

The rest of her friends watched her leave in concern. They all wondered what was happening to their friend Rainbow Dash and wished with all their hearts that Applejack would bring her back. On the other hand, Magi...

"I have samples of the new ginger flavored Jumy Cookies - anyone?"

Pinkie Pai waved her right hoof high.

Applejack advanced through the train until she reached the last car, which was closed. She was not surprised, as it was a freight car. However, she was struck by the fact that it was so tightly secured, even with the windows sealed. The farm pony thought nothing more of it and climbed up some ladders to the roof of the wagon. Soon she spotted her rainbow-haired pegasus friend sitting at the far end.

Without a word, Applejack advanced to Rainbow and sat down next to her. Rainbow did not move. Her mane had lost its luster and even her wings seemed to droop to the sides. She had her gaze lost somewhere on the path left behind by the train.

"Wow...you came," Rainbow said.

"Yes."

"How did you know I'd be here?"

"You like to see things in motion."

"Yes, that's true," Dash said turning his eyes back to the train tracks.

"Magi already told us part of what happened. But I'd like to hear the rest from you."

"Like that, huh? How nice...", Dash said without looking at her again.

Applejack waited for him to continue, but nothing happened. "Well then, will you tell me what happened?"

"It's not your problem."

"Rainbow..."

"No, really, it's not your problem, nor the others. It's just that I... I did something really stupid."

"And that's why you don't want to talk about it. You plan to solve it on your own."

"Exactly."

Applejack sighed and, with a quick hoof motion, smacked Rainbow in the head. "Ouch! HEY!" The annoyed pegasus turned to look at her friend. The farm pony now stood in front of her with a stern look befitting her family.

"Tell me, Rainbow, at what point did my BRAVE BEST FRIEND turn into a COWARDLY HEN?"

Rainbow Dash's eyes lit up in anger and part of her mane seemed to regain its luster. Applejack was inwardly glad to see that reaction, but she hid her emotions. If she wanted to succeed in bringing Rainbow back to the others, she had to be more careful than a cat in boots.

"I AM NOT A HEN AND THIS IS NOT YOUR BUSINESS," exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

"IS IT REALLY THAT IMPORTANT TO SIDE WITH OUR FRIENDSHIP?" retorted Applejack, but Dash didn't respond. Getting no response, Applejack turned around and started to walk away.

Rainbow Dash hesitated for a moment, but seeing her friend flying away, she quickly flew to catch up with her.

"HEY, HEY, WAIT! I'm not blowing them off, I just don't want them to get into this thing," Dash said reaching for her.

"IT'S THE SAME," stated Applejack.

"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND."

"THEN EXPLAIN YOURSELF... PLEASE," Applejack pleaded.

"It's just... I'm really embarrassed," Dash said dropping down.

Applejack watched her in confusion. "Just that?"

"It's a lot more than 'just that,'" Dash replied with a look of fury.

"Is it that bad?"

"Yes," Dash was silent for a moment, but before Applejack asked again, he continued. "After I signed that stupid contract, they called me back. That's when I found out they'd been doing cooking promotions with my image."

Applejack looked at her in confusion. "It doesn't sound so bad, Rainbow. Magi said..."

"They also did beauty promotions."

"Okay, but..."

"Also of special mare clothes for Warm Hearts Day," Dash said covering her face full of embarrassment.

Applejack was silent for a moment and then continued. "There's more?"

"Yes... much more," Dash replied with a distressed expression.

There was a long pause between the two. There was only the sound of the train moving forward. Applejack began to ponder to understand her overwhelmed friend. In the past, similar situations had occurred due to unfounded rumors in a school newspaper, and Rainbow Dash had not taken it well back then. Now, on the other hand, her friend was in a real mess that she herself had willingly gotten into. Considering her friend's big ego, she could only imagine an equally big embarrassment that was crushing her inside.

Applejack sighed. "Looks like you're up to your neck in mud this time. And how many ponies do Magi's magazines reach?"

"According to what you told me, everyone in Equestria will have a magazine by the end of next week. By then, my public image will be ruined," Dash replied.

"And how were you planning to solve it?"

"Something will occur to me. As always," Dash said with a confident smile, but then turned his gaze away. Applejack knew that gesture was a lie.

The train continued to move slowly across the prairie. Flocks of sheep could be seen grazing quietly on the horizon and other groups were crossing the path of the train. An interval of silence passed between the two ponies, until Applejack interrupted.

"And all for a book?"

"Yes... It's pretty silly now that I think about it. I really could have thought of something else. Like going on a field trip or some kind of competition between us. But NO, I WANTED TO DO 'SOMETHING AWESOME!" said Dash extending her front hooves into the air and then pitifully dropping them. "I think, deep down, I wanted to do something better than what you did."

"Rainbow, we promised we wouldn't compete with each other. Not for this," admonished Applejack.

"YES I KNOW! ... I know," Dash sighed exhaustedly.

"The others need to hear it from you."

"Yeah, but... the faces they made. I won't stand for it, Applejack. I..."

"I'll be there, they won't laugh," Applejack said placing her helmet on her friend's shoulder.

Dash looked at Applejack touched, like a child receiving forgiveness from her mother. However, she then lowered her gaze and went back to her usual self. "It's okay, Applejack. I'll tell you all about it, but after that, I'll have to leave with Magi. She has a meeting, reunion, whatever, and I have to be present. I think it'll be short...I hope."

The farm pony was silent for a moment and then averted her gaze.

"If that's what you want, we'll take it," Applejack said with part of her face hidden by her hat.

"Umph, thanks..." Dash seemed suspicious of Applejack's words, but continued, "Okay, let's go."

Rainbow Dash and Applejack nimbly climbed down from the roof of the carriage and returned inside the train. On their way back, they met Magi and the rest of their friends. After a brief greeting, Dash began to explain to them everything that had happened. Although she omitted several details of her trip to the Averages Tower, she was quite clear on how she had been treated and under what circumstances she had signed the binding contract with Magi. She also recounted what happened next, her return to Average's offices and how she had been evading Magi so that he would not advertise her image any further. Thus he continued his story until his arrival on the train that day.

"And that's what really happened," Rainbow Dash finished saying.

"Oh dear! But why did you do all that?" asked Fluttershy.

"I just wanted to give Twilight an amazing day, better than the one you had prepared. But when things started to go wrong, I got desperate and... I ended up getting myself into this mess," a dejected Rainbow Dash replied to her friends.

Her friends watched her in silence. Those mixed looks of concern and pity were too much for Dash, who quickly turned her back on them. "Anyway, now I have to go fulfill Magi's contract if I don't want to end up in prison or worse. Tell Twilight I'll see her..."

"Hold on there, Rainbow Dash," Rarity interrupted. "You don't think we're going to let you off that easy, do you?"

"Ah, what..." the pegasus didn't finish her reply to Rarity, Applejack's lasso quickly wrapped around the pegasus, pinning her down and pinning her to the ground. Applejack got on top of her, making sure she didn't move.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE...!" Rainbow Dash's mouth was covered by a box of muffins.

"We're helping a friend keep a promise. That's what we're doing," Pinkie said cheerfully, and sat down next to her securing her flank. Fluttershy also did the same on the other side, but she looked more apologetic.

Dash could only watch as Rarity turned to Magi.

"Magi, my dear, would you be interested in listening to a proposal to allow Dash to stay with us this day?" said Rarity with determination.

"I hear you," the executive pegasus replied impassively.

"As you may know, I own several dress stores spread throughout Equestria. As a young entrepreneur, I am looking to broaden my horizons and joining your Consortium would be a great opportunity for my business. Of course, I would have to study beforehand the benefits offered by your organization, but you can consider that as of today I have a great interest in being part of your community," Rarity concluded. Meanwhile, Rainbow, who was imprisoned, was shaking with all her might, her eyes full of despair.

"It is a very interesting proposal, unfortunately as I mentioned before your friend returned, Rainbow Dash's situation is beyond my direct control, the consortium board will not accept that your friend has refused to be present at today's meeting just because..." said Magi seriously, but she stopped when she saw the dejected faces of the group of ponies that were in front of her. The pony named Pinkie in particular caught her attention, she had a sign with 'PLEASE' written on it plus a sad face. He began to doubt. After watching them for a few seconds, Magi finally sighed in surrender.

"However... I can tell you that I failed to find her." immediately joy burst out in the train carriage, then Magi raised her voice "Instead I met the other extraordinary friends of the princess and they were very enthusiastic about visiting the main offices of the Average consortium. What do you think? Do you agree?

Rarity looked at her friends and none of them were against it, except Dash who was still imprisoned by Applejack, the pegasus kept shaking her head.

"Yes, we totally agree." said Rarity nonchalantly.

"Excellent, I'll expect them then." said Magi with a satisfied smile.

Applejack finally let Dash go. The rainbow-haired pegasus immediately snapped, "WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, DID YOU NOT HEAR EVERYTHING I SAID ABOUT HER?"

"We understand perfectly, Rainbow Dash. But this isn't the first time we've dealt with traders of that ilk. No offense," Rarity quickly turned to Magi.

"Don't worry," replied Magi, who was relaxedly sipping a soft drink from one of the seats.

"Rainbow, we've taken much worse risks in the past, have you forgotten that?" questioned Applejack.

"But this is different, it's not a monster or some weird menace that wants to wipe out Equestria. It's MY STUPID MISTAKE. You're not supposed to have to carry that too." said Dash annoyed but with a few small tears welling up in her eyes.

"There, there, it's okay Dashi, it's not that bad. We all make mistakes. Besides it's just a visit to a shady company where they could probably brainwash us." said Pinkie Pai leaning on Dash. Behind them Magi raised an eyebrow.

"You can always count on us. And don't forget Twilight, she could help you fix your legal problem." said Fluttershy approaching her other side.

"Right she could help, wait Twilight .... WE STILL HAVE NOT DRAWN WHO WILL BE IN CHARGE OF TODAY'S SURPRISE!" exclaimed Dash worriedly.

"Don't worry about it silly, I give up my place," Pinkie said without a hint of regret.

"Me too" added Fluttershy.

"Girls... you..." Dash no longer held back her tears and soon they all gave each other a group hug as they had done so many times before.

Outside the sun was still shining as usual and the train, now moving at full speed, was moving steadily forward across the prairie.

As the pony friends gave each other a team hug, Magi watched them thoughtfully. "Was this the magic of friendship she had heard so much about?" Something inside the executive pegasus began to stir. Finally she stood up.

"Sorry to interrupt, but is it really okay for them to be so far apart?" said Magi standing in the middle of the hallway. Applejack and the rest turned to look at her. At this point, Magi still maintained a pleasant and understanding countenance, but there was a slight tinge of annoyance in her voice.

"What do you mean dear?" asked Rarity.

"You girls all make an amazing team and have accomplished so much together. Many earth ponies, pegasus and unicorns look up to you all over Equestria. So why don't you all remain a team and rule directly next to the princess throne?"

The quintet of friends looked at each other. After a few seconds of silence, Applejack was the one who responded by approaching Magi.

"Listen, Magi, it's true that each of us has great talent and it's also true that we've accomplished many incredible things together with Twilight. However, ruling Equestria that way with her would not be the right thing to do," Applejack sentenced.

"Wouldn't that be the right thing to do? How can that be?" replied Magi almost indignantly.

"When we first met Twilight, she was on a mission to learn about the magic of friendship in our home, Ponyville. From that moment on, Twilight began to learn many lessons of friendship from us. But we also learned from her. And one of the first lessons we learned was that everything has its place and time. Certainly, we would all like to spend more time with her. But if that were the case, over time we would become a burden and that would most likely not allow her to grow into the great princess she can be. We want the best for our friend. That's why in this case we're stepping aside," Applejack concluded solemnly as the rest of her friends nodded silently, confirming what she had said.

Magi wore an expression of disbelief at what she had heard.

"Besides, none of us would know how to properly behave like royalty..." behind Applejack was heard Rarity's throat clearing voice "...well, some of us would."

Laughter again flooded the carriage as Rarity chided the others. "But it's true!"

Magi watched the group of friends laughing together as one mare. It seemed as if the conflict that had occurred a moment before had never existed.

"Really I..." said Magi still in disbelief, but immediately restrained herself. "...Truth be told, I still can't figure it out."

"It's not that hard, it's like they say, if you love something, let it go," Applejack replied eloquently.

"NEVER!" replied Magi coldly. "Uh, I mean... I've never quite understood that saying, give up what you love? Ha ha, it really does sound kind of silly, ha ha ha." Magi had awkwardly altered her temper. Applejack's words had unexpectedly struck a chord in her, and without realizing it, she had shown her true colors.

Applejack and the rest of the ponies looked at her quizzically.

The executive pegasus began to back away nervously.

"Hey, are you okay?" asked Applejack.

"No... I mean, yes, yes, I just remembered I have another meeting. Wow how late is it!" quickly Magi deflected the conversation and began putting away all her presentation materials. Out of the corner of her eye, she briefly glanced at the other ponies. It was not good. They were beginning to look at her suspiciously. She chided herself. This was not how things were supposed to go. She had planned to divide them as her main objective, and if that proved too difficult, she should at least gain their trust. But she hadn't achieved any of her goals, and now the image she had projected of herself was in jeopardy. She had to retreat and rethink her strategy immediately.

"Oh my goodness, I can't find my travel brochures. I can't find my travel brochures, could someone open the windows? It's kind of dark and I can't see well," Magi said falsely worried as she finished checking her suitcase. At the same time she was already thinking about her escape, she looked confidently at the hatch on the roof of the carriage.

"The windows are already open," Pinkie Pie said quizzically.

Magi and the other ponies noticed it too.

It was strange. It was barely past noon, and yet it was already as dark outside as if night was about to fall.

It was at that moment that the intense whistle of the train was heard in the carriage, startling everyone. A moment later, chaos broke out.

Abruptly, the train had slowed down.

Without any chance to react and driven by inertia, the six ponies were pushed against one end of the carriage and collided with each other. The lights went out and all that could be heard was the shrill brake of the train coming to a halt. It continued like this for several more seconds, until it finally stopped.

Inside the dark cars of the stopped train, confusion and fear reigned among the passengers. Outside there was also darkness.

In the pony friends' carriage, the situation was the same.

"Girls, are you all right? Oh, my wing!"

"Can you get off me?"

"I can't feel my tail!"

"Muuu hu ... I have ... a ... hoof ... agg ... in my mouth!"

"Mmmmmm mmmmmm mmmm mmm mmm."

Dash was the first to react, pushed whoever was on top of her and, without any light, groped for the train's emergency switch. Soon, the carriage was filled with a reddish light, revealing the chaotic state of the ponies.

Just as she had assumed, on top of her had been Fluttershy. Whom she had pushed and who now lay, still dazed, on one of the seats. Further back were the rest of her friends, who were in a tangled state of limbs and manes.

"This is no time to rest, Fluttershy!" admonished the rainbow pegasus. "Let's help the rest - now!"

"Yes, yes..." said Fluttershy, still in a daze. She immediately shook her head and, somewhat recovered, helped Dash untangle her pony friends.

They soon brought the rest of their friends to their feet.

"Cof cof cof, Thank heavens!" said Rarity gratefully to the two pegasus. She was the first to stand up and had pulled Applejack's left lower hoof out of her mouth."

"Thank you Fluttershy! But I still can't feel my tail...", Pinkie Pie said sorrowfully, as she stood up with Fluttershy's help. Indeed, her fluffy tail had lost much of its volume. Dash paid no attention to her as she helped Applejack.

"What a lunge, are you all right?" said Applejack quickly recovered. Although she had been underneath them all, it didn't seem to have affected her much, nor had she lost her hat. In part, Pinkie Pie's tail had cushioned the impact of the train's braking.

"Well, I'm complete. The rest...", Dash replied, looking behind her. There were her friends, who had gathered around Rarity. The unicorn had turned on her horn and was now the only visible light. The emergency lights had failed at some point, making the situation difficult for her friends. So the rest of the carriage was in darkness.

"Don't worry, Applejack. We're just a little stunned by this terrible accident," Rarity said, examining her friends and the remains of the luggage on the floor with the light of her horn. "However, our luggage... Look at this mess! Wait... where's my suitcase! My imported beauty items!"

"Okay, everyone's fine, now we must..." interrupted Applejack, ignoring the growing panic in Rarity.

"Wait, all of them? Isn't someone missing?" suddenly said Pinkie Pie.

Then, the five ponies noticed that Magi was not with them. After quickly looking around, Fluttershy was the first to notice. "Look at that," said the frightened pegasus, pointing her hoof at a huge yellow sphere located above the seats at the other end of the wagon.

Surprised by the unexpected discovery, the frightened ponies looked at each other. However, Dash and Applejack were the first to take the initiative. With just a couple of glances, they seemed to enter into an agreement, and both began to advance together towards the mysterious object, followed by the others.

Slowly they approached. It was a rather unusual object, more like a giant egg than a sphere, so large that a pony could easily fit inside. Applejack, who had gotten close enough, noticed that it had a message written on its surface and began to read it aloud, "High Intensity Impact Protection Capsule - Average C, huh?" the farm pony expressed in confusion.

At that moment, as if it were a deflating balloon, a hissing sound came out of the giant egg and soon it began to lose volume. The figure of a pony slowly emerged from the skin of the deflated egg. Then, one of the ends ripped and a grumpy pegasus emerged from it.

"Aghh! Yuck! Those incompetent tech guys. Cof! I told them to include aromatizers inside the capsule. Cof!" said Magi gravely complaining, as he walked away from the remains of the capsule from which a stinky smell of rotten eggs was emanating. "Never mind... What the heck was that?"

Magi exchanged glances with the other ponies. They were very surprised. The executive pegasus had irritated eyes and a look so furious that it overshadowed any memory of the kind and understanding image she had shown until a few moments ago. After looking at each other for a few seconds, Magi turned quickly and then turned her gaze back.

"What a relief, they're all safe!" said Magi with a useless smile that tried to hide the obvious irritation she felt.

Dash was the first to speak.

"Don't force yourself to keep acting, Magi. We don't need that now," the pegasus said seriously. Magi quickly scanned the others. The stern looks on their faces reflected that they were on the same page as the rainbow pegasus.

After hesitating for a few seconds, Magi sighed and returned to a serious, cool expression that seemed more natural on her. "Okay, what did I miss, what's going on?"

No one answered. A creaking sound was heard from the back door of the wagon, drawing everyone's attention. Soon, the door was engulfed by bright pink magic, from which emerged the figure of a pony. Barely visible in the intense light, they soon realized that this was no ordinary pony.

The light faded and before them stood an enigmatic and unknown pony. That stern looking pony had short pink hair the same color as his eyes, but divided by thick brown bangs. He was wearing a polished black alicorn armor that seemed to glow with its own light. On the chest of his dark armor were the reliefs of a silver tree surrounded by six stars, and embedded in his neck was a shining pink gem. He was a steed, no doubt, but he looked younger than any of those present. With an imposing gait, this young steed advanced toward the dumbfounded group of ponies.

"GREETINGS, BEARERS OF THE ELEMENTS OF HARMONY. PLEASE, JOIN ME IN AWAITING THE CONCLUSION OF YOUR DESTINIES," said Badwhiz Starheart with a voice that made everyone, including Magi, feel fear in their skin.

Between harmony and order I

Noon rose over Canterlot, the majestic capital of Equestria. Along the white streets, crowds of ponies walked joyfully and brimming with confidence. Houses and shops were adorned to commemorate the celebration of the day.

It was the Festival of the Two Sisters, and there were few excuses not to have fun.

Under a clear sky, near one of the city's lookout points, an unfamiliar filly with a yellow mane carelessly enjoyed her ice cream, unaware that the knot of the floating lantern she had made with her friends was coming undone. Finally, it broke free, and the lantern began to ascend into the deep blue sky.

"No, my lantern!" the filly whimpered in distress as she realized too late how far away her lantern was. But her dismay was short-lived. Suddenly, a purple-coated Pegasus took hold of the lost lantern and descended to where the girl stood.

"Yes, my lantern! Thank you so much, thank you..." The filly was left speechless upon discovering the identity of the pony who returned her lantern.

Without expecting any further thanks, the kind-hearted Alicorn ascended once again into the sky with a gentle flight, her majestic horn barely causing her mane to ripple.

Twilight, without wearing any garments that would distinguish her as royalty, and with no obligations to occupy her brief free time, flew to a height from which she could overlook the entire city. Below her hooves, the commercial shops were arranged as planned, security agents stood in their assigned positions, and the racing stadium was packed with ponies eagerly awaiting the opening event about to commence. Everything was going according to plan, and even better, as a large number of ponies had volunteered to guide the visitors.

"There are more families than in previous occasions... I'll have to review the statistics later," she thought to herself as she observed the long queues at the entertainment games.

With nothing else to inspect, she began to circle above the city, casually observing all the familiar places she knew, such as the library, the magic school, among others. In all those places, there were ponies having fun or busy with the celebration, creating an atmosphere of joy and friendship.

Twilight smiled, allowing nostalgia to accompany her flight.

Below her, spread out, was the city where she had grown up and studied for so many years of her youth. It was the place she had long considered her only home, where her family resided, and where so many cherished memories were made.

Twilight halted her flight, and her gaze wandered beyond the city limits, towards the vast forest that covered much of the horizon. She paused at the nearest town to the capital. She knew that place well; it was where her life took a turn, where she left behind her old self to become an Alicorn princess. Ponyville, where she found the best friends a pony could wish for, who propelled her to the position she held now.

Twilight's smile grew even wider. Soon, those great friends would come to visit her, spending an afternoon talking and sharing all that had been missed in the past year, and perhaps even preparing a new surprise, just like in previous occasions.

With her mind occupied, guessing what the surprise might entail this time, Twilight swooped down in a dive towards the waterfalls cascading from the city, only to soar back up like a streak of purple light towards one of the towers of the castle. Passersby on the streets were left in awe, witnessing the beautiful rainbow left behind by the princess during her fleeting flight across the sky.

In one of the cleaning rooms near the royal suite of the castle, Twilight was organizing some kitchen and cleaning supplies. Earlier, she had finished washing commemorative dishes from last year's festival. This was a task that would normally be handled by the butlers or the cleaning staff, but at that moment, they were absent as per Twilight's orders to enjoy the day's activities. Therefore, only the security personnel were present, having just rotated for the morning shift.

"Let's see, these utensils are incomplete... I need five more, but they're not the same shade," murmured Twilight, frowning as she spoke to herself. Normally, she took her role as a princess very seriously and avoided situations like this, but at that moment, she was just Twilight. "I told Spike to organize the boxes like all the others..."

Using her magic, she lifted one of the boxes, revealing another box in poor condition with "dishes, utensils, and others from the Castle of Friendship" written on top.

"Yes! Perfect, this is what I was looking for!" she exclaimed excitedly. The uncovered box magically opened, and a complete set of cups, plates, and utensils floated in the air. After examining the quantity and condition of the contents, Twilight nodded in satisfaction. "This will be enough, the girls will love it."

Suddenly, a swirl of magic formed in front of her, and a sealed scroll materialized out of nowhere.

Twilight held it with her magic and reviewed the contents of the scroll. She was surprised; she didn't expect those guests to arrive so early. Without further interruptions, she hurriedly left the room, carrying the box she had found.

In the throne room, Twilight awaited the arrival of her unexpected guests. The doors to the royal chamber opened, and two ponies she knew all too well entered. Celestia and Luna, former rulers of Equestria, walked in with a regal stride befitting their royal status.

With a flap of her wings, the purple alicorn approached her guests.

"Celestia, Luna, it's a pleasure to have you back," exclaimed Twilight excitedly, moving closer to Celestia. She couldn't hide the joy she felt at having her mentor back.

"Oh, Twilight, it's been a long time," Celestia said, allowing Twilight to affectionately lean against her. Luna, standing beside them, also smiled happily at the reunion.

"Oh, come on, Celestia, it's only been five months since our last encounter with Twilight," Luna said, noticing that their interaction was prolonging.

"The spicy food contest in Yeguadelfia doesn't count as a proper encounter, Luna," Celestia corrected, stepping away from Twilight.

"I'm still surprised that you participated in that contest and made it to the final rounds," Twilight said, addressing Celestia. "I didn't know you were so tolerant of spicy food."

Celestia averted her gaze, trying not to recall the pressure she had to endure on that occasion. It had been a challenge that Luna had imposed on her in a bet. If Twilight hadn't unexpectedly been present as a judge in the contest, she probably would have given up in the first round. However, her desire not to disappoint her former student had been stronger than the unbearable irritation she felt on her tongue.

"There are still many things you don't know about us," Luna added with a mischievous smile.

"Then you can tell me those things as we take a tour of the castle," Twilight replied, already moving towards the doors of the throne room.

"I have no problem being honest publicly, don't you agree, sister?" Luna joked as she followed Twilight.

Luna and Twilight began to move forward, but Celestia had no intentions of following them.

"Twilight, has anypony recently come to consult you about the Starheart gem?" Celestia's tone abruptly changed to a more serious one.

"No, no pony has come to consult me about it," Twilight said, turning around in surprise to her former teacher. "Isn't that the famous unicorn gem that was lost a century ago?"

As Twilight turned, she noticed that Celestia had a sad look in her eyes at that moment.

"Is something wrong?" Twilight asked, concerned. However, Celestia remained silent. Sensing her sister's indecision, Luna stepped forward.

"You see, Twilight, during one of our recent excursions, my sister had a dream in which she believes she saw the heir of the Starheart lineage..." Luna responded.

"It wasn't a dream," Celestia added, looking at Luna with a serious expression.

"I can't deny what you claim, sister, but it's impossible for the heir of the Starheart lineage to still be among us," Luna replied. "I myself investigated the case and found no evidence suggesting their survival. Besides, on that day of our journey, you were very tired. It's more likely that you confused them with some other pony," Luna clarified. Celestia, on the other hand, seemed overcome with melancholy as she gazed at one of the stained glass windows in the royal chamber. Twilight was surprised by this unusual change in the pony from whom she had learned so much.

Noticing her former student's concerned gaze, Celestia seemed to snap out of her thoughts. "I apologize, Twilight. I know it's not the most appropriate time, but I would like to take some of your time for a private conversation between us."

"I understand. If that's the case, I think now would be a good time," Twilight replied, recalling the nearest location for their meeting. "The special guest room in the east wing is available. Does that seem suitable to you?"

Celestia and Luna nodded. It was untimely, but their gathering with their friends would have to wait a little longer. The sorrow that Twilight had noticed in Celestia was something she couldn't ignore.

Just then, a soldier quickly entered through the main doors, capturing the attention of the gathered alicorns.

Twilight approached the soldier, and he bowed respectfully.

"Has an emergency occurred?" Twilight asked seriously, recognizing the soldier as one of those responsible for relaying messages to her in case of a disaster.

"Princess, I regret to inform you that the train from Ponyville to Canterlot has been attacked," the soldier replied.

Author's Note

Hello everyone, the last chapter did not have a spoiler, it was not necessary because it was so long and that the continuity did not allow it. However, here he did leave one for you.

Between harmony and order II (P1)

The Wonderbolts were flying in a V-shaped formation just above the ground. It was a tight formation that allowed little room for maneuver, making them vulnerable to ground attacks. However, this formation was the most suitable if they wanted to go unnoticed during their journey. The captain gave a signal, and the team of pegasi broke formation to rapidly ascend into the sky, blending in with the clouds.

Twilight, accompanied by Royal Guard soldiers, watched the Wonderbolts continue to survey the perimeter from a hill. She had asked them to take her to the site of the attack as soon as possible, but they insisted on conducting a preliminary inspection of the area to ensure the best escape route in case the situation got out of control. Twilight had no intention of leaving her friends or anypony behind, but safety and precautionary measures were crucial in situations like this, so she had no choice but to accept it.

"Danger, danger! How dreadful, how dreadful!" panicked flocks of sheep from the plain cried out. Their voices reached Twilight's ears as she watched them with pity, fleeing in the opposite direction from where she had come.

She couldn't blame the sheep for making so much noise; she was a little scared herself. In front of her lay the source of her fear and the distress among the sheep.

A massive dark anvil-shaped cloud manifested in the middle of that plain, precisely blocking the train's path. It wasn't unusual for some rainclouds to escape from the Everfree Forest and end up lost in that area. However, the cloud in question had such an absurdly perfect and defined shape that left no doubt about its unnatural origin. It was a cloud created with magic, and it was undoubtedly part of the plan of the criminal who had taken control of the train from Ponyville to Canterlot.

But what was that plan? Twilight squinted her eyes. It didn't make sense to dwell on it too much; she would soon get to the bottom of this.

The Wonderbolts returned, along with a member of the Royal Guard, led by Spitfire, heading straight for Twilight.

"Princess, we've checked the perimeter and found nothing suspicious indicating the presence of the captor's accomplices. However, we couldn't penetrate the cloud hanging over the train. It's too dense, and there's a magical wind pushing us away from it," Spitfire reported.

"I understand, thank you, Captain. And what is the situation on the train?" Twilight asked the Royal Guard member who had returned with them.

"There have been no changes, Princess. The hostages are fine, and the train's captor has not altered his demands. However, he emphasizes his urgency to see you immediately, or he will carry out his threats," the guard replied with a slight irritation. Twilight noticed that the Wonderbolts and the rest of the guards accompanying her shared that sentiment. She felt the same way, but she couldn't allow those feelings to cloud her judgment. She needed to keep her mind as clear as possible to make the right decisions.

"Very well, go back and tell him I will be there shortly," Twilight ordered the guard, who quickly departed toward the dark cloud. She turned and gave instructions to the Wonderbolts to continue inspecting the terrain. Once she had finished giving her orders, Twilight took flight and headed towards the dark cloud.

Under the ominous cloud, everything was shrouded in deep darkness. During her flight, Twilight lit up her horn to see the path better. Following the train tracks, she arrived at the halted train. Just as she had been informed earlier, the train was in good condition, and the passengers remained calm. The hostages' composure was admirable, considering they weren't the only ones present in that place.

"Grrrr," a series of growls and squawks welcomed her as she reached the carriage where the captor was.

A multitude of cockatrices surrounded both sides of the carriage, and some were even on the roof.

Twilight took a deep breath and descended slowly to the ground, where the Royal Guard she had previously sent was stationed. The cockatrices, perhaps receiving some unknown signal, began to retreat and move away from the area. These creatures were also part of the captor's plan. The alicorn princess began to contemplate the demands that had been imposed on her.

First, they demanded Princess Twilight's immediate presence at the location. Second, only she could approach the train, accompanied at most by a personal guard. Third, they would not tolerate any attempt to use force to free the hostages, or else they would start reducing the number of passengers. Lastly, they emphasized that, above all, they only wanted to talk and wouldn't harm anyone as long as their demands were met, and their threats were taken into account.

Finally, Twilight touched the ground and observed the train carriage in front of her. It was the same carriage where she had shared many special moments with her friends on numerous occasions. Now, in that very carriage, her friends were locked up by a mysterious kidnapper.

She had to admit, she was very upset.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle has arrived. We await your response," the Royal Guard announced.

After a few brief seconds, one of the side doors opened, and a group of familiar ponies descended.

"TWILIGHT!" all her friends exclaimed in unison as they disembarked from the train. Pinkie Pie rushed ahead of everyone and gave her an affectionate hug immediately. Soon, the rest of her friends joined in. Receiving this display of affection, Twilight set aside her worries and fears that had been weighing on her until that moment. She felt so renewed and free that she almost didn't care if she started laughing right then and there.

"I'm so glad to see all of you well!" Twilight exclaimed with a smile. "Wow, the train left pretty late this time."

"It would have left earlier if a certain pony had arrived at the station on time," Applejack said.

"HEY, WE CLEARED THAT UP ALREADY, APPLEJACK!" Rainbow Dash scolded.

"Well, I was also late," Fluttershy said apologetically.

"In my defense, I arrived quite punctually with Pinkie Pie, but I think the train's engineer is to blame for showing up so late and in such a deplorable state," Rarity said.

"Hmm, last night at the town hall party, we had a drinking contest. Maybe we overdid it... with the amount of apple cider," Pinkie Pie added with a somewhat nervous smile.

"It doesn't matter now; the important thing is that we're all together again..." Twilight said but was interrupted by a shiver that ran through her fur. Her friends also felt that sensation and turned their gazes toward the source of the hostile presence they sensed.

A young pink-maned pony in armor watched them from the carriage they had descended from. He had a cold expression of contempt that would intimidate anyone.

"If looks could kill," Twilight thought to herself.

"GREETINGS, PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE! IT'S A PLEASURE TO FINALLY MEET YOU," the young steed announced.

"I'm sorry, but I don't share that sentiment given the current circumstances. First and foremost, I'd like to know who I'm speaking with," Twilight replied firmly, taking a step forward in front of her friends.

"Is that so? ... Very well," the steed responded, advancing toward Twilight. "My name is inconsequential; however, I can clarify my position and deliver the message I have brought for you."

As the young steed approached, Twilight began to analyze her opponent's unusual features. He wore dark alicorn armor that she had never seen before, clearly enchanted. He also had a bright pink gem embedded beneath his neck. However, what startled her was the beautiful relief of a tree with six stars on his chest. Immediately, Twilight guessed what it was.

"I AM THE SEVENTH MEMBER OF THE KNIGHTS OF THE ORDER, THE BEARER OF THE ELEMENT OF JUSTICE, AND I HAVE COME TO FORCEFULLY COMPLETE THE MISSION ENTRUSTED TO MY COMRADES!" the steed proclaimed with a booming voice, loud enough for all the ponies watching from the train windows to hear. Behind Twilight, her friends exchanged concerned glances. However, Twilight stood her ground.

The young steed stopped a few paces from Twilight.

"However, I don't wish to fight. Surrender your Elements of Harmony... and there will be peace between us," he added with a softer tone.

A cold breeze crossed the plain, attempting to break the silence that had fallen. Twilight briefly closed her eyes and contemplated the response she would give. She didn't have to think too long. The answer was obvious, but deep down, she really wished there was another alternative.

"I'm sorry, my answer is the same as I gave to your comrades. The physical form of the Elements was destroyed some time ago, and now their magic lives only within us," Twilight replied with sorrow.

"I see, then there's only one path we can follow..." the steed said as his wings spread. A chorus of growls and squawks arose around the train.

Twilight quickly looked around. Her friends were already taking a defensive stance beside her, along with the Royal Guard. In the train windows, there were faces of frightened ponies, elderly ponies, and mothers holding their foals.

"WAIT! THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT PLACE," Twilight exclaimed.

"WE WILL SETTLE THIS HERE AND NOW," the young steed responded coldly.

"DO YOU ALSO INTEND TO INVOLVE THOSE ON THE TRAIN?" Twilight questioned.

The steed didn't respond. The violent noises from the cockatrices ceased. After a moment of reflection, he said, "The innocent shouldn't bear the weight of your failures... I will allow the train passengers to leave. I give them only 15 minutes, and you will remain here until then," the steed announced. Immediately after, he walked toward a nearby rock by the train tracks and sat down on it.

Twilight took a deep breath once again. She had obtained a concession from her opponent, but it was likely to be the only one she would get. With a signal, she called over the Royal Guard who was present and ordered him to bring the Wonderbolts. Shortly after he hurried off, he returned with the acrobatic pegasus team. The orders they received were predictable: evacuate all the train passengers from that place as quickly as possible. The Wonderbolts wasted no time in carrying out the orders they had received; the carriage doors were opened, and all the ponies on the train began to leave the area in a line. Some passengers waved from a distance to Twilight's friends, while others watched them with concern. Under the supervision of the Wonderbolts, the train soon emptied completely.

A group of foals broke away from the main line and ran over to where Dash was. They handed a flower crown to the rainbow pegasus.

"KICK THAT VILLAIN'S BUTT!" they exclaimed before returning to the line with their parents.

"Don't worry, I plan on giving that jerk what he deserves, I promise, or I'll stop calling myself Rainbow Dash!" Dash exclaimed, puffing out her chest. But she quickly turned to see if there was any reaction from the individual who had caused the situation.

He didn't move at all. He kept his eyes closed in a meditative posture. Twilight was also watching him, so she was sure he hadn't reacted at all.

Applejack and the rest of the ponies advanced beside Twilight, who continued to watch the mysterious opponent in front of her.

"What do you think he's planning?" Applejack asked.

"I don't know, the more I watch him, the stranger this all becomes... Did he talk to you or do anything when you were waiting for me?" Twilight asked.

"Absolutely nothing," Pinkie Pie replied.

"Quite lacking in manners for someone who calls himself a knight. Umph," Rarity added.

"He just stood there like a fool after he threatened us. If they had let me, I..." Rainbow Dash said.

"I think it's because he's scared," Fluttershy said timidly.

"Eh?" they all responded.

Fluttershy froze for a second at her friends' reaction, but she quickly regained her composure and continued, "I think that because... baby hedgehogs often take that same posture when their parents are gone for a long time," said the shy pegasus, pointing to the mysterious steed who was sitting with his front legs apart and his head bowed toward the ground.

"Fluttershy, dear, we appreciate your perspective, but he's not a hedgehog; he's a pony," Rarity replied.

"Yes, a Cunabula pony," Pinkie Pie clarified.

A click happened in Twilight's head. Were there ponies in Cunabula? She had no proof of that, but she couldn't dismiss it either. However, if that were the case, wouldn't it have been easier for them to infiltrate and capture without resorting to what they were doing now? On the other hand, the gem that the pony had could be...

A chorus of squawks could be heard in the distance. The cockatrices that had followed the train passengers' march signaled that they had all moved far enough away from the area.

Badwhiz Starheart mechanically raised his head. This was the moment he had been waiting for in the last 12 hours. The fate of Equestria depended on the outcome of the battle that would soon begin. No, not just Equestria, but also... the world.

A thick fog began to descend from the top of the great cloud above them. Thunder and lightning burst in the sky, accompanied by a strong wind that began to blow across the plain.

Upon noticing these signs, the ponies gathered around Twilight, ready to face whatever was about to happen. However, they soon caught the attention of a brilliant light.

In the place where that young pony in armor stood, a halo of golden light formed, completely enveloping him. Then, it rose into the air as if it radiated the entire storm that was raging around him.

"GREAT WALL OF SORROWS!" the steed exclaimed with all his might.

A rainbow light detached from his body and ascended into the sky, creating a large gap in the thick clouds. Visible to all, the light seemed to collide with a solid object in the sky and soon took the form of a large dome that began to descend rapidly around them.

"It's a barrier!" Twilight exclaimed. They didn't have much time; they had to get out of there NOW or they wouldn't have another chance. She cast a teleportation spell, but nothing happened. Dismayed, she looked at the pony in front of her who was rising amidst the clouds. Her attention focused on the pink gem on his chest, and then a memory came to her. It was clear that the stone was the genuine Starheart gem.

"Quick, Fluttershy, Dash, take the others and retreat!" ordered Twilight, soaring into the sky with Rarity. The other two pegasi immediately obeyed and carried the remaining two ponies. They flew towards the nearest horizon where the barrier was already beginning to close.

Noticing the princess's escape, Badwhiz smiled with satisfaction.

"WHAT A SHAME, PRINCESS!" the young steed bellowed. "YOUR COWARDICE MATCHES YOUR IGNORANCE!"

A giant shadow fell from the sky in front of the fleeing ponies. A huge dragon-shaped creature appeared out of nowhere before them, cutting off their escape route. A sulfurous light emanated from the creature's jaws, aiming directly at them.

Twilight, who had moved as far away from Badwhiz as possible, cast the teleportation spell she had been preparing. A second later, they disappeared in a blaze of magic that was engulfed by a torrent of toxic smoke and fire.

Badwhiz, who witnessed the last part, smiled even more. Everything was going according to plan.

Between harmony and order II (P2)

Twilight and the rest of the ponies unexpectedly reappeared behind a hill. It was a surprise, especially for Twilight, who had cast a spell to take them all to Canterlot. After quickly looking around, she soon realized that they were inside the barrier that had just closed. Behind her, a solid, translucent white wall of magic separated them from the rest of the world. In the distance, blurry and distant, they could see the city of Canterlot, where they should have arrived.

"Umph, Twilight, why are we still here?" Dash asked, sharing the same doubt as the others.

Twilight didn't have a good answer for that. She believed she had cast the spell before the barrier closed. However, they were still there.

"I don't know; we should be in Canterlot... this barrier must have blocked the teleportation..." Twilight conjured a scroll and then sent it with a spell.

The scroll disappeared in a swirl of magic but immediately reappeared, falling carelessly to the ground.

"...and it also blocks communications," Twilight added disappointed.

"So, are we trapped?" Fluttershy said.

"It seems that way," Twilight replied calmly. The rest of her friends looked at each other with concern. Twilight didn't want to scare them, but it was very likely that everything was prepared to prevent them from leaving. The new ally of the Knights of the Order had had three years to prepare this scenario, and they would surely have taken all the necessary countermeasures.

The situation they were in was very bad. Twilight sighed internally. This was definitely not the time with her friends that she had been hoping for. But she had to face the adverse situation they were in and wouldn't give up without a fight.

"Let's stay calm. We may be trapped in this barrier, but that doesn't mean we're completely stuck. We're still free and together, so we can do a lot to thwart our opponent's plans," declared Twilight with conviction, taking a step forward.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack nodded vigorously, and the rest followed suit.

"That's the spirit, Twilight. Let's not let 'vanilla' get away with this," exclaimed Pinkie Pie.

The ponies looked at each other in confusion. "Vanilla?"

"Of course! Didn't you see the color of that guy's mane?" Pinkie replied, referring to the pony who had locked them in.

"Excuse me, dear Pinkie Pie, but I believe you're mistaken. The color of his mane was more like flamingo pink mixed with chestnut gold," Rarity clarified.

"Who cares about his mane color! He's the bad guy, right?" Dash exclaimed.

"Yes, but calling him just a 'bad guy' isn't very polite," Pinkie replied.

"I think 'vanilla' is an appropriate name," added Fluttershy.

"Well, I have no problem calling him 'vanilla,' at least until he tells us his name, and to be honest, I don't want to hear it," Applejack said.

"I don't have a problem with calling him 'vanilla' either, that is until he tells us his name, and honestly, I don't want to hear it," Applejack added.

"Well, I disagree. If we're talking about mane colors, 'Rosewood' would be the right one," protested Rarity.

"Rosewood?" Dash said as if she had a bad taste in her mouth. "Please, let's just call him 'vanilla.' What do you say?"

They all raised their hooves, except for Rarity, who had an evident expression of discontent. Then, they all turned their gazes towards Twilight.

"All right, 'Vanilla' is our opponent, and we'll call him that until he introduces himself properly like any other pony."

Once again, they all nodded.

Twilight hadn't expected the conversation to revolve around that topic, but she didn't interrupt them. She also didn't know the identity of that pony. She was sure he had the Starheart gem, but she couldn't confirm if he was related to that family of unicorns.

Suddenly, a roar was heard in the distance, causing all the ponies to startle.

Immediately, in an almost instinctive movement, the ponies grouped around Twilight to protect her, keeping their flanks covered. They waited for several tense seconds, expecting a possible attack from the enemy who had imprisoned them, but nothing happened.

Twilight breathed a sigh of relief, and the other ponies relaxed.

"We need to start moving. 'Vanilla' might be looking for us right now, and this is not the best place to stay hidden. We need to find shelter soon. Come on, ponies," urged Twilight. With determined steps, she and the group of ponies began to move towards the highest part of the nearest hill.

The journey was short, and they soon reached the summit. Although it wasn't very high, it provided the security the group needed at that moment. On one side of the hill were large stone slabs stacked on top of each other, surrounded by low but lush vegetation.

After taking a quick look around, Twilight nodded to herself. This place seemed very suitable.

"All right, this seems suitable. Rainbow Dash, come with me. Applejack and the rest, continue exploring the area, and be very careful not to reveal our position," ordered Twilight. Without wasting time, all the ponies set off.

On the other side of the rocks that covered the hill's summit, Twilight and Rainbow Dash advanced cautiously through the bushes. Twilight's first objective was to get a clear view of the current state of the terrain within the barrier. The second objective was to find a safe refuge where they could hide from Vanilla.

Slowly, they reached a clearing and began to observe the horizon.

Just as Twilight had indicated, they were inside a barrier. The entire horizon was tinged with a translucent white color belonging to the massive magical barrier that kept them trapped. It was a considerable area, large enough for Ponyville to fit inside, and even the Apple family's orchards could fit.

"Wow, it's a huge barrier," commented Rainbow Dash as she carefully observed the horizon.

"Yes, but why is it so large?" Twilight responded.

"Uh... I think you're asking the wrong pony. I don't know much about these things, Twilight."

"Any input at this point will be helpful. I don't know either. If Vanilla wanted to trap us quickly, he would have made the barrier much smaller."

Twilight didn't say anything else and continued to observe alongside Dash.

The large storm cloud that had covered the area until recently had dissipated, leaving large areas of the plain flooded. Now the sky was clear and oval-shaped, generated by the magic dome they were in. In the center of this barrier was the train and an unusual dark spot that resembled a large stable.

The dark spot stirred, and a new roar echoed from within the barrier. It was clear that the figure wasn't a stable.

Both ponies sharpened their sight as much as possible.

The dark figure spread its wings, fully revealing itself in the daylight. The creature resembled a dragon in its wings and lower extremities, but it also had clearly avian features. It had a large red crest, a sharp and serrated beak, and dark and light green feathers adorning its chest and wings. Bright red tufts of feathers on its neck and head gave it a majestic and commanding appearance, reinforcing the mythical aura emanating from its figure.

"A cockatrice?" both ponies exclaimed in surprise as they recognized the beast in the distance.

Indeed, it was a cockatrice, but not like any they had seen before. Its size rivaled that of an adult dragon.

"Really? Are Cockatrices so big in 'Conobulo'?" asked Rainbow Dash, scratching her head.

"I don't think so. Judging by its features, it looks a lot like a Cockatrice Titanicus, a mythical creature belonging to Equestria that hasn't been seen in over a thousand years... I can't believe I'm seeing one right now," exclaimed Twilight, excited and surprised. "By the way, it's Cunabula, not 'Conobulo,' Rainbow."

"Whatever. So, do you know that thing? Do you know how to defeat it?" Rainbow asked, somewhat puzzled by Twilight's excitement.

"Yes, but it's better to explain it along with the other girls. Besides... I don't see Vanilla. Did you find him, Rainbow?" Twilight said, turning her gaze back to the horizon with seriousness.

"No, I didn't. He could be behind that huge cockatrice. But that would be too convenient," Dash responded, looking distrustfully toward the imposing creature.

Indeed, the Cockatrice Titanicus stood alone near the train. There was no trace of the pony who had trapped them, nor the smaller cockatrices that had attacked the train. Apart from the beast's roars, there was great calm on the plain.

Suddenly, the silence was interrupted by a new and curious sound. It was like a drum combined with a high-pitched trumpet. That rhythm, initially soft, began to gain strength, repeating over and over, resonating clearly throughout the barrier.

Twilight and Rainbow looked at each other in confusion and turned their attention to the center of the barrier where the great beast lay in a dormant position. The sound they were hearing was very familiar to them, but they found it hard to believe it was being generated by such an imposing creature.

After listening to this song for several seconds, Twilight finally reacted.

"Uhm, Rainbow Dash, what do you think the sound the Cockatrice Titanicus is making means?" Twilight asked as if she were asking herself. It was obvious what Rainbow Dash's response would be. However, given Dash's greater experience due to her journey around the world, there was a chance she might interpret the sound differently from the obvious answer Twilight had in mind.

"I think it's laying an egg, Twilight," Pinkie Pie responded simply, suddenly appearing between the two ponies.

"That's not possible!" Twilight responded immediately, paying no attention to Pinkie's sudden appearance at her side.

"Pinkie Pie! What are you doing here?" Rainbow Dash asked, surprised to see her pink friend disguised as a bush.

"We were carefully exploring the surroundings as Twilight ordered," Pinkie responded with a playful yet serious expression. Twilight, who had just noticed Pinkie's presence, nodded in agreement.

"Oh, right... wait, were we?" Dash said. At that moment, the bush next to Pinkie rustled, and Fluttershy's head emerged from it, once again surprising Rainbow Dash. Her friend had paint smeared on her face, giving her the appearance of a seasoned guerrilla fighter.

"I'm sorry. Since we were trying to stay as inconspicuous as possible, Rarity made us these costumes and prepared makeup to hide us... well, there were only enough blackberries to make up one of us," Fluttershy explained, somewhat embarrassed.

"Don't worry about that, Fluttershy. And what about the others?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"They're trying to figure out how deep the rabbit burrow we found under the rocks is," Pinkie Pie replied, pulling a handful of blackberries from her mane and inviting Rainbow Dash and Twilight to eat.

"A rabbit burrow?" Twilight interrupted, hopeful.

"Yes, Twilight. There's a large rabbit burrow beneath the hill. It's abandoned, but it's in very good condition. All of us could easily fit inside," Fluttershy replied.

Twilight was relieved. These were good news. They had achieved, to some extent, the initial goals they had set for themselves. Now they would need to analyze the situation with the others and begin to prepare a plan. Although they still didn't know where Vanilla was...

"Is that...? Is that a cockatrice?" Fluttershy asked, a mix of fear and surprise in her voice as she looked into the distance.

There was a moment of silence, only interrupted by the avian crowing of the imposing beast on the horizon.

"I think we've seen enough here. It's better to continue the conversation with the others inside the rabbit burrow," Twilight said. Understanding her princess friend's words, all the ponies began to retreat, accompanied by Pinkie Pie's exaggerated stealth skills. However, halfway there, Rainbow Dash stopped and quickly turned to look above the bushes.

"Something isn't right, Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked, with a very serious look, noticing the tension in the rainbow-maned pegasus.

"No... I don't think so... Let's go inside soon," Dash replied, glancing at the sky above her.

In the abandoned carriages of the Ponyville to Canterlot train, a mysterious figure made their way carefully through the fallen luggage inside the train. In this manner, without haste, they reached the administrative car near the locomotive engine. Once inside, without wasting any more time, they opened the document shelves, took the train's travel log, and began studying the latest entries recorded in it.

Shortly after, in the rabbit burrow beneath the hill, Twilight had just taken a seat and was deep in thought, mentally recollecting all the events that had occurred during the evening. Her friends had also taken their seats and were discussing their recent findings.

"You shouldn't have eaten all those blackberries, Pinkie Pie. Now we don't have enough to make the makeup I need to camouflage all of us," Rarity said frustratedly.

"But I had to make sure which ones were poisonous and which ones weren't," Pinkie Pie replied while eating some fruit that looked like blackberries.

"I didn't need to know which ones were edible to make the makeup, and... for Celestia's sake, could you stop eating the ones that are left!" Rarity responded impatiently.

"But these are berries," Pinkie Pie replied unconcernedly.

"Wait... are they red or blue?" Rarity asked with sudden interest.

"Forget about that, will you!" Applejack exclaimed, annoyed, slamming her hoof on the rock table due to the superficial argument between her companions.

Twilight looked up and observed her surroundings. The room was spacious and reminded her a lot of her old home in the library in Ponyville. While most of the walls were simply rocks, there were other sections where old tree trunks and plant roots protruded. It wasn't a dirty or messy environment but rather well-kept and clean, giving it a familiar and cozy look.

The burrow was also beautifully lit by white crystals on the ceiling. These lights, along with the seats and other uncommon ornamental details for a place like that, had been created by Rarity in a surprisingly short period of time. Although Twilight knew her designer friend very well, she never ceased to be amazed at how quickly Rarity could leave her mark on any place she found herself.

That brief moment of distraction passed quickly. Her mind once again focused on the current crisis they were in.

"Applejack, Rarity, what do you think about the depth of the rabbit tunnels we found?" Twilight interrupted, breaking the silence.

"Well, I can't say for sure. Some don't lead anywhere. Others are too narrow for a pony to pass through. Fluttershy told me that the white rabbits of the plain usually have their burrows connected, but I can't determine which tunnel leads to another burrow and which doesn't," Applejack replied. On the other side of the stone slab, Fluttershy nodded in agreement.

"Knowing which is the right tunnel would be of great help in case of an attack to change our location," Twilight added.

"Well, if that's the case, Fluttershy is the right pony. We just need to find a white rabbit and introduce it to Fluttershy to guide us along the right path," Rarity replied with confidence. Twilight nodded, and she and the other ponies turned their gaze to Fluttershy.

"Umph... About that... there's a problem," Fluttershy replied with little enthusiasm in response to her friends' gaze.

"What is it, Fluttershy?" Rarity asked.

"There's no one," Fluttershy replied, noticeably worried.

"No one?" Rarity echoed, along with the others who were also puzzled.

"Yes, when we checked around, I realized there was no one. There are no rabbits, no birds, no insects, nothing. Everything is quiet... it's as if all the creatures and little animals of the plain... had disappeared!" Fluttershy exclaimed, distressed.

The other ponies showed surprise and concern. Twilight furrowed her brow.

"Are you absolutely sure, Fluttershy? Couldn't they have hidden or something?" Applejack asked.

"I don't think so, Applejack. If the rabbits of the plain wanted to take shelter, they would have come here first since this is their largest burrow," Fluttershy replied.

Soon the room was filled with the murmurs of her friends. Twilight gently flapped her wings, gaining everyone's attention.

"I don't know much about that kind of magic, but it's highly likely that the barrier has expelled all the creatures from the meadow. If that's the case, it's possible that Vanilla is aware of our individual strengths and has decided to leave out all those who could have helped us," Twilight replied in a stern tone. There was something else that worried her, but she didn't share it with the others. If Vanilla had made those arrangements, then... could it be the case that they were magically spying on them right now?

With that last concern hanging in the air, Rainbow Dash suddenly entered through one of the burrow's entrances, drawing everyone's attention. The rainbow-maned pegasus had stayed outside as a lookout.

"Did something happen, Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked.

"Besides the fact that the beast that's supposed to be chasing us to death right now is taking an afternoon nap? Yes, I found something else," Rainbow Dash replied.

"What is it?" Twilight could already imagine that it wasn't something good when she saw the joyful expression on her friend's face.

"I think we're finally going to have to fight someone invisible..." Rainbow Dash said with a defiant smile as she bumped her front hooves together.

Between harmony and order II (P3)

Within the great barrier where Twilight and her friends were enclosed, a heavy calm prevailed. That tranquility was only interrupted by the lethargic song of the Cockatrice Titanicus, the only visible creature in the entire place. However, in the sky, an invisible presence moved slowly over one end of the horizon.

Only the keen gaze of a true adventurer could notice the faint changes in light caused by the shadow of that presence. Gradually, like the breeze of a non-existent wind, the translucent figure descended near a hill surrounded by bushes.

The figure continued its path towards the hill. No footsteps or breathing could be heard in its stride.

So stealthy had Badwhiz Starheart become, a young earth pony in alicorn armor who had been pushed by the twists of life toward a strange destiny.

With silent steps, Badwhiz approached only a few meters from the entrance of the rabbit hole where Twilight and her friends had taken refuge.

He observed confidently.

Finding that place had been easy for him. He had been watching it from a distance shortly after the princess and her allies had ascended that hill. And during the remaining time, he had remained vigilant, invisibly hovering around.

The initial orders he had received were to monitor the movements of the princess and her allies. However, he knew that those orders could change at any moment, and indeed, they had. Now he had the mission to infiltrate the princess's base of operations and find out what they might be plotting along with her annoying friends.

"What a troublesome mare! How could they name her princess?" Badwhiz thought, irritated. Badwhiz despised Twilight. He despised what she was doing to the kingdom his ancestors had sworn to protect. In his view, Equestria had always been a realm of earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns. A realm that represented the balance between three different pony races. However, since that mare had taken over the kingdom, that had started to change. Creatures from different parts of the world began arriving and coexisting among the ponies, changing their customs, their cities, even their festivals. Gradually, the unity's identity among the ponies was eroding and fading into oblivion.

In time, no one would remember why they were united in the first place, and then the terrible mill of conflict would set in motion.

And yet, this was the least of that princess's sins.

What she had done to the Elements of Harmony... what would happen next.

The awakening of darkness...

Badwhiz closed his eyes for a moment, painfully remembering Balor's words and the other knights.

He was the only pony who knew the truth. He was the last of the Starhearts still in this world. He would march the same path his ancestors had followed. That was his destiny: to protect Equestria no matter the cost.

Thus, he continued observing until he finally received the confirmation he had been waiting for.

"Continue, boy. It's safe," he heard a voice addressing him mentally.

Obeying that command, Badwhiz ventured into the rabbit hole.

After a quick and imperceptible trot, Badwhiz arrived in a spacious empty room. The ceiling was adorned with luminescent crystals whose light fell perfectly on leaf chairs and the stone table in the center.

"Equestria's rabbits sure have a good sense of interior decoration," a new mental voice was heard within Badwhiz.

"I don't think so, my good Taranis. This is the work of the frivolous mare accompanying that cowardly princess. We should purge this place so they have no refuge to return to," another voice responded.

"Please, Morrigan. Let's stick to the plan. Boy, continue the exploration."

"As ordered, Lord Mannah," Badwhiz responded mentally.

Without wasting any more time, the pony began to inspect the room. He soon discovered that the bottom of the walls was filled with holes of different sizes. Using the light from his horn, he observed that these holes were entrances to other tunnels that descended deeper into the ground. Some even branched off in various directions. However, most of them were small and too narrow for an adult pony to pass through.

Badwhiz completed a full circle of the room, finishing his inspection. Apart from the recently placed decorations on the walls and other traces of civilization, he found no more signs of the mares who had been there. The princess and her allies had left their refuge not long ago. It was unclear what their reasons for this decision had been. Nor was it known how they had withdrawn. They might have taken some of the larger tunnels or used teleportation.

There was not enough information.

"Boy, that's enough for now. Withdraw from there and check the surroundings," Mannah ordered, and Badwhiz confirmed the order as he exited the rabbit hole.

It was a prudent decision; he needed more clues.

Once outside, nothing had changed. Without a clear direction, an invisible Badwhiz began to trot to the left side of the hill, carefully observing his surroundings, hoping to find any possible traces left behind by those mares.

He had taken only a few steps between the bushes when...

"Whiuuzzzz," a piercing whistle erupted at his side. Badwhiz instinctively stepped back and immediately raised a magical barrier to shield himself.

Small confetti fragments fell on him, along with remnants of party streamers.

Startled and with his heart pounding from that sudden attack, Badwhiz remained still for a few seconds. He had made a mistake: by releasing his magic, he had ended up breaking his invisibility and revealing himself completely. He sharpened all his senses as much as possible, trying to perceive any nearby enemies. But he found nothing. Only silence. Still suspicious, he looked where he had been standing before. On the ground, stained with confetti, were the remains of a surprise capsule that had been hidden among the grass.

"Is there something wrong, boy?" asked a familiar voice in Badwhiz's mind.

"No, nothing. Just a ridiculous trap," responded the armored pony, regaining his composure.

"Continue," the voice ordered.

Immediately, he dispelled the barrier. Now calm, Badwhiz approached the remnants of the tiny capsule. Annoyed, he examined the frivolous trap that had paralyzed him.

"Stupid mares. Is all they can do a waste of time?" Badwhiz cursed aloud as he disdainfully kicked the remains of Pinkie Pie's confetti surprise capsule.

"Some of us, yes. But it sounds bad when you put it that way..." a voice responded from among the bushes.

Badwhiz only managed to hear the first three words. A dull blow struck his head, clouding his vision. The pain he felt was accompanied by a sensation of weightlessness. On instinctive, reflex, he tried to spread his wings, but couldn't. A strong pressure held him down. After that brief moment of impact, his vision cleared. He then discovered he was on the ground, tied up. Above him was a pegasus with blue fur and a rainbow mane.

"... I'd say they prefer to live in style. You should try it someday," Rainbow Dash finished her response.

"YOU!" Badwhiz responded, trying to concentrate and attack her with his horn's magic. However, nothing happened. Confused, he tried again, but the same thing occurred.

"He..." Rainbow said as she watched him with a smile. "Are you looking for this? Or this?" The pegasus extended one of her front hooves; at the end of it was the Starheart gem, and with a twist of her hoof, Badwhiz's alicorn horn diadem appeared as well.

Incredulous, Badwhiz took a few seconds to respond. "HOW?"

"I took them from you. A great pirate trick, right?" Rainbow Dash responded arrogantly.

"BUT... THEY WERE BOUND TO ME WITH MAGIC!" Badwhiz exclaimed angrily.

"HAHA, that's why I told you it's a great pirate trick! Spend a whole season with those guys out on the sea, and you end up becoming one of them. Haha... What memories!" said the pegasus, looking at the horizon as she stood up and sighed heavily. "By the way, about what you said about my friends a moment ago..."

Rainbow Dash turned to Badwhiz. Her good humor was gone, replaced by a very irritated look.

"WE ARE NOT STUPID, KID," the pegasus said slowly, placing her hoof on Badwhiz's chin.

"I don't care. That won't change..."

"Yes, yes, let's finish this," Rainbow Dash interrupted. With a flap of her wings, she rose and took one end of the rope with which she had tied up Badwhiz and began pulling him through the bushes.

Badwhiz began to struggle to free himself from the restraints, but his efforts were futile. The ropes, tied in a solid triple knot Apple style, did not yield at all. After being dragged several meters by Rainbow Dash, they reached the rocky summit of the hill.

"You know? I'm somewhat disappointed in you. For being the seventh knight of fools, you turned out to be quite a show-off. Or is it because your other friends are outside freeing that bunch of pseudo-knights from their confinement?" Rainbow Dash asked, but Badwhiz only responded with a cold look. "Well, whatever. I'm sure you'll enjoy a long chat with Pinkie Pie when we're done with this."

"It's not over yet. You won't be able to defeat the mighty Cockatrice Titanicus," Badwhiz replied defiantly.

"Oh, right... that giant bird thing. How about you take a look over here, kid?" Dash said, pulling Badwhiz to look with her at the horizon where the train and the terrible beast were.

The next thing Badwhiz saw was something that was so hard to believe that he thought he was dreaming.

In the distance, the Cockatrice Titanicus attacked with a fire beam at what appeared to be a purple pegasus flying around it; on its sides, other ponies attacked it by throwing rocks and other projectiles. That was undoubtedly the pony princess and her allies facing the beast. As expected, their efforts did not harm the powerful Cockatrice, which continued to spew fire around it and unleash bursts of wind from its wings. However, something was amiss. Slowly but surely, the mighty creature's movements became slower and slower. Almost paralyzed, the Cockatrice Titanicus struggled to free itself from a strange pink-yellow collar around its neck. But it was in vain. The Cockatrice's body staggered, giving one final breath. Like a felled tree, it crashed down on one side, burying its beak in the scorched plain.

Badwhiz was left dumbfounded, watching the final outcome of that short battle. By his side, Rainbow Dash was scratching her head, more puzzled than surprised.

"Wow. Was its chin its weak spot? Seriously?" Rainbow Dash said. Then she turned to Badwhiz, who was still in shock. "Don't ask me what happened. I don't understand it either. Let's... get going with the girls."

The rainbow-maned pegasus tucked Badwhiz's gem and horn diadem somewhere in her mane and prepared to leave.

Several minutes earlier, in the burrow...

"Wait... did you say invisible?" Rarity said, surprised.

"That's right, it's been circling around us for a while," Rainbow Dash replied cheerfully. Unease hovered around the stone table.

"Rainbow Dash, you said it was... what is it doing now?" Twilight asked, trying to stay calm.

"It's coming this way, of course," the pegasus replied with a freshness that almost seemed provocative.

Twilight was alarmed. Vanilla already knew where they were, and now she was coming for them. And she hadn't even explained about the Cockatrice Titanicus or the possible identity of Vanilla. In the past, Twilight would have been on the ground, having a panic attack. And certainly, a part of her still felt inclined to do that right now. However, those three years of constant stress and tasks postponed until the last moment had toughened her enough to face such a complicated situation.

With a deep sigh and a great mental effort, Twilight closed her eyes, cleared her mind, and envisioned the best scenarios she could take, using the little information they had gathered up to that point. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes, finally seeing what she needed to do.

Ignoring her friends' stares, Twilight stood up and created a protective magic bubble around them.

"This place is no longer safe. I'm sorry, Rarity, but we'll have to leave it," Twilight apologized to her friend.

"It's okay, Twilight. I just hope the prairie rabbits can enjoy this home more than we did," Rarity replied with regret.

"And this bubble?" Pinkie Pie asked, placing her hoof on the walls of the magical barrier.

"Vanilla already knows our location, and it's very likely she has been observing us with magic since the moment we arrived here. If she didn't take action earlier, it's because she was being cautious about what we might do. After observing us enough, she must be sure that we are not a threat, and she has decided to take the initiative. This barrier will prevent her from continuing to watch us." Twilight explained as her gaze became more serious.

"So this Vanilla thinks we're not a threat? Well, let her keep thinking that. We'll show her right here that we're not helpless ponies," Applejack said. All the other ponies stood up, emboldened by their friend's words, except for Fluttershy, who remained somewhat indecisive in her seat.

"I agree, Applejack, but it won't be here that we'll show her," Twilight said, staying calm as she looked at them all.

"Really?" Rainbow Dash replied, looking somewhat disappointed.

"That's right, Rainbow Dash. If we fight here, we'll fall into the scenario that Vanilla must have prepared. Right now, we need to go to a new refuge and prepare ourselves."

"Isn't that what we've already done?" Pinkie Pie asked, peeking her head out from behind Fluttershy.

"Yes, but now I have a plan," Twilight replied with a smile. Seeing her princess friend's confidence, they all began to calm down. "I know how to quickly defeat the Cockatrice Titanicus, and thanks to Rainbow Dash, we know Vanilla is coming here. This is a good opportunity to surprise her separately. The first thing we need to do is go to a new refuge. I'll use teleportation for that. I'll explain the rest when we arrive."

Upon hearing Twilight's explanation, they all agreed and began to gather around Twilight, preparing for teleportation. However, Rainbow Dash stayed in her place, watching them with narrowed eyes. Twilight could already imagine what her fearless friend had in mind, as she had also seen that scenario.

"Wait, Twilight," the pegasus finally said.

"What's wrong, Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked, hiding her concern.

"I have a better idea. I'll stay. I'll fight Vanilla here," Rainbow Dash said with a serious look.

"Huh?" All the ponies, except Twilight, exclaimed in unison.

"What are you talking about, Rainbow?!" Applejack was the first to speak up, confronting the pegasus.

"Exactly what you heard, Applejack. I'll stay and fight Vanilla while you all take down that Cockatrice. That way, we'll have a better chance of winning," Rainbow Dash responded calmly.

"NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO PLAY THE HERO. WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE TOGETHER TO..."

"What Rainbow Dash says is correct, Applejack," Twilight said, supporting Rainbow Dash's words. Her friends looked worried, especially Applejack.

"But, Twilight?!" Applejack pleaded.

"I know it's a tough decision. But now that we know Vanilla is alone, this might be the best opportunity we have to defeat him. Given the countermeasures our opponent has taken so far, he most likely expects us to act together. If Rainbow Dash attacks him separately while we face the Cockatrice Titanicus, it will increase our chances of success. However..." Twilight said, addressing her surrounding friends and then Rainbow Dash, "... Rainbow Dash, you don't need to confront him recklessly. Just keep him distracted while we deal with the Cockatrice Titanicus. Do you understand?"

"Of course! I'm not going to charge at him like an out-of-control cart. But if that Vanilla turns out to be a show-off, don't blame me if I finish before you," Dash responded confidently. Twilight knew how much her pegasus friend loved to show off, but given her firm stance and serious look at that moment, she knew Rainbow Dash wasn't bragging.

"Alright, if that's the case... now I'd like to know who is in favor of Rainbow Dash's idea," Twilight asked the rest of the ponies.

They all fell silent. It was undeniable that their athletic pegasus friend was the best flyer in all of Equestria and had even gained more experience on her journey around the world. If there was a pony capable of facing Vanilla on her own, it was Rainbow Dash.

Unable to deny the truth and with evident concern, each of the ponies raised one of their hooves. Even Applejack did, albeit with great discomfort.

Twilight nodded, ending the discussion. On the other end, Rainbow Dash appeared even more determined and confident than before. "Thanks, girls, I won't let you down."

"Rainbow, don't do anything foolish. If that guy starts doing weird and evil things, come back to us immediately," Applejack said. Behind her, the rest of the ponies shared similar words.

"Please, girls. I'll be fine! I've fought scarier things than a bad-tempered kid. In fact... you're the ones I'm worried about. Are you really prepared for this?"

"I have a plan, Rainbow Dash. I'd like to share it with everyone now, but we don't have time for that," Twilight said, casting a wary look toward the main entrance of the burrow.

"I understand... if that's the case," said Rainbow, starting to walk toward the entrance.

"Wait, Rainbow," at that moment, Twilight's horn lit up. From the alicorn's mane emerged a tiny white crystal that levitated to the center of the table. It was then imbued with Twilight's magic until it took on a bright blue color, almost like a precious gem. The enchanted wing-shaped crystal continued its path until it reached Rainbow Dash's hooves.

"Is this?" Rainbow Dash asked, somewhat intrigued.

"I've placed a special magic on this crystal that will give you the ability to become invisible and imperceptible for long periods of time. However, the magic won't completely hide your presence and will be less effective the faster you move," Twilight replied as Rainbow Dash began to play with the crystal's magic, appearing and disappearing in brief flashes.

"Wow, that's awesome, Twilight! Since when can you do this kind of stuff?" Rainbow asked as the other ponies marveled at the surprising magic of the crystal.

"It's been this year. I was invited to the seminar on innovative applications of transmutation magic on inanimate objects at the School of Magic. You'd be surprised at the great advancements that Estigia and Star Swirl are making in this field of magic. And also..." Twilight froze, and her friends, especially Rainbow Dash, watched her with a smile. Despite her insistence on leaving immediately to avoid being ambushed by Vanilla, she was now talking about academic topics that were not appropriate for the situation they were in.

"Hump," Twilight cleared her throat. "Please, be very careful, Rainbow. And pay close attention to the pink gem that Vanilla has around his neck," the alicorn said with a look that reflected her concern and that of her friends. Twilight's horn began to gather magic to use teleportation to get them out of there.

"I'll keep that in mind. And don't worry so much. I know how to take care of myself," Dash replied with her typical grin.

"TAKE CARE, RAINBOW DASH!" Pinkie Pie shouted, unable to contain herself any longer. The pink pony jumped up to hug her friend one last time. However, Twilight's magic was cast at that moment, and the five ponies disappeared in a flash. At the same time, the protective magic bubble around them disappeared.

Left behind was Rainbow Dash, who had already activated the crystal. The pegasus was looking at the empty spot where her friends had been. A thought suddenly struck her. That same afternoon, she had considered leaving them behind because of a silly mess she had gotten into. If she had done that... what would be happening to her friends right now...?

A shadow crossed Rainbow Dash's gaze. The pegasus shook her head, trying to shake off those dark thoughts. It was pointless to think about the 'what ifs' or 'could have beens.' She had to focus on the 'now.' And now her friends needed her to be focused and ready to face the enemy who had sworn to destroy them. As if hearing an imaginary audience, Rainbow Dash raised a hoof with her eyes closed. Immediately, all mental noise ceased. With a long exhale, her senses sharpened, and her body entered a state of concentration, ready for battle.

"Come on, little guy... I'm right here, waiting for you!" Rainbow Dash said to herself. With a leap, she reached the burrow's ceiling and clung to the exposed branches, almost like a spider. With her gaze fixed on the burrow entrance, Rainbow Dash was 100% ready to face whatever sought to harm her or her friends.

Between harmony and order II (P4)

"Poof." The group of pony friends landed with a dull thud, with Pinkie Pie landing on top of them. The teleportation had been successful, but in the last second before the spell completed, Pinkie Pie made a reckless jump that disrupted Twilight's teleportation. The result of her daring action and the unique circumstances of the spell caused a rebound effect, making them all tumble messily onto each other.

"Ouch... Pinkie!" exclaimed Twilight from beneath the pile of ponies, all tangled up and disoriented.

"Oops, sorry... Wheeeee!" replied Pinkie Pie, trying to get up but falling over sideways from dizziness.

"Keep it down, you might..." Applejack said irritably as she was knocked down again by the dizzy Pinkie. She then got up and looked around in surprise. "What's going on?"

Although they were still sheltered by Twilight's magical bubble, it was evident that their location had changed.

"Don't worry, Applejack. We haven't been discovered. This is my anti-spy bubble, combined with the teleportation spell. So no one can trace our destination," explained Twilight as she helped the rest of her friends to their feet with her magic.

"That sounds good, Twilight, but... We're back on the train!" exclaimed Applejack, alarmed. All of them, except Twilight, looked around, dismayed, and realized that, indeed, they had returned to the carriage where they had previously met Vanilla.

The place was as messy as they had left it. Even one of the doors leading outside was still slightly ajar, although not enough for anyone outside to notice the sudden appearance of the ponies on the train.

"Don't worry, girls, this is also part of the plan... I think it's time I explain the plan to you," commented Twilight. She immediately gently waved her horn. The magical capsule protecting them began to expand, adhering to the surfaces of the carriage. From the outside, no one noticed any change.

Outside the train, the Cockatrice Titanicus lay stretched out on the meadow. With its enormous head timidly peeking out between its folded wings, it crooned a drowsy crowing song. In the distance, the colossal beast seemed to be in a deep daytime slumber.

However, relying on that superficial impression would be a catastrophic mistake.

The Cockatrice Titanicus was not asleep, far from it, nor was it drowsy or lethargic. On the contrary, it was fully alert to the presence of an enemy. Its current state was a result of the orders it had received: "Stay still and watch," but the most crucial of all was: "... listen, creature, if you find Princess Twilight and her allies, destroy them...". This last order was accompanied by a mental image of its targets.

The colossal cockatrice ruffled the feathers on its neck as it remembered. It did not like receiving orders that didn't come from its master. Much less being referred to without its name. It was not a 'beast'; its name was 'Beak.' Until recently, it had been an ordinary cockatrice. However, its master's companions had used a strange magic to transform it into the colossal creature it was now. It felt uncomfortable with itself, but its master assured it that everything was fine. Beak also noticed that its master was behaving strangely. No longer kind and affectionate as it used to be; instead, it had become aggressive, gruff, and dark.

Why had its master changed? Was it because of those ponies? Had they harmed him?

If that were the case... then it would not hesitate to crush them. And so, perhaps, its master would smile at it again.

Beak smoothed the feathers on its wings and adjusted its head. The light around it was annoying; after all, it was a nocturnal creature. But that pale glow would not stop it from capturing its prey and unleashing all its fury upon them.

In Equestria, there exists a wide variety of magical creatures of different types and sizes. One of these species is the Cockatrice, a nocturnal predator that dwells in the dark and wild forests of the realm, particularly in the Everfree Forest. Its body is divided into an upper part resembling a barnyard bird, while the lower part exhibits dragon-like features. It possesses the ability to petrify its prey before taking them to its nests for feeding. Although it is an extremely aggressive creature, it rarely directly attacks ponies outside of its habitat, with the most serious cases being occasional incidents of petrification.

However, that is the present. In the past, the situation was much more dangerous.

Many moons ago, before Princess Celestia and Princess Luna sealed Discord, the Lord of Chaos, both princesses embarked on a crusade to purify Equestria from the terrible monsters that lurked in the kingdom: black dragons, greedy minotaurs, giant nine-headed hydras, and other malevolent creatures. The princesses faced a variety of threats during their journey. However, one of the first challenges they encountered when they were still young was to eradicate the presence of the Cockatrice Titanicus. This immense creature, of unknown origin, terrorized the outskirts of Canterlot. The beast had developed a taste for ponies and was responsible for numerous disappearances of travelers and soldiers. Its influence in the kingdom reached such a degree that even other ordinary Cockatrices began to imitate it, flying openly in broad daylight and sowing terror among peasants and citizens of the realm.

Full of courage and accompanied by experienced hunters, the noble princesses decided to end this state of dread by hunting down the beast. After a journey filled with adversity that tested their skills and determination, they finally managed to corner the creature in a cave, where it was sealed in a cocoon of pine sap. It remained there to this day.

Of course, this is the version of the story that Celestia frequently tells when asked about these matters. And it is true. However, Luna often corrects it by adding certain details that Celestia evades or excuses herself from, claiming not to remember well.

One of these forgotten memories involves Celestia serving as bait on one occasion and spending an entire day in the giant bird's gullet.

There were many more details like these that Twilight had come to know and wished to share with her friends, but time was pressing, and she would have to get straight to the point.

"... at the end of last year, I attended an exhibition by Ocellus at the School of Friendship about 'The Impact of the Cockatrice on the Everfree Forest.' Her research covered a wide range of topics related to Cockatrices, such as their diet, migratory habits, role in the ecosystem, among others. But one of the most notable discoveries was about their unusual anatomy. Besides confirming that their species has an artificial origin caused by magic, she found anomalies in the Cockatrice's body that make them vulnerable to certain conditions. One of these anomalies is the presence of a nerve node under the pharynx, which protrudes on the skin and, when externally pressed, can paralyze their entire body. This is their weakness, and it's precisely what we must target to defeat the Cockatrice Titanicus. Although it's much larger and stronger than any of its relatives, I'm confident it shares the same weaknesses as a common Cockatrice."

As she finished, the ponies listening attentively to Twilight fell silent. Despite the holographic images that accompanied the explanation, the atmosphere inside the carriage was filled with doubt and perplexity. Applejack scratched her head, and the rest of the friends had expressions reflecting some kind of mental bewilderment.

"So... we just have to hit it on the neck?" Applejack finally said with a tone of skepticism.

"It would be more like a massage under its chin," Twilight replied.

"Under its jowls!" Pinkie Pie chimed in, bouncing in her seat.

"Exactly, Pinkie!" Twilight responded excitedly, like a teacher with her star student, although she pretended her enthusiasm. Inside, she was starting to worry about her friends' lack of enthusiasm.

"Uhhhh," Applejack murmured, while Fluttershy shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

Several more seconds of awkward silence passed.

"So... one of us has to give that overfed bird a massage on its chin?" Applejack asked, clearly concerned.

"Chin would be the correct term, Applejack," Rarity interrupted, who had been silent until then. "And I'm sorry, dear Twilight, but... None of us can do something like that!"

Yes, that was the most logical reaction. No ordinary, sane pony would attempt something like that against a predator of that magnitude. However, Twilight had faith. She had friends who could be many things, but they would definitely never be ordinary.

"One of you can do it," Twilight said confidently, looking at the pony who was lagging behind her friends.

All eyes turned to the pony Twilight was referring to. There was Fluttershy, huddled in a seat. With the gaze of all her friends on her, the timid pegasus seemed to shrink even further, but after swallowing hard, she said, "Okay, Twilight, I'll do it."

"Fluttershy, I understand that you have doubts and may not be willing to... Wait? Are you agreeing?" Twilight asked, surprised by her friend's assertive response. She had expected Fluttershy to show less cooperation.

"Hello! Are you Fluttershy?" Pinkie asked the pink-maned pegasus, with her characteristic enthusiasm.

Fluttershy nodded timidly. "Yes, it's me."

"Are you sure? Because the Fluttershy we know would be a little more scared to take on such a dangerous mission," Pinkie Pie said, raising an eyebrow and giving Fluttershy a skeptical look.

Fluttershy lowered her gaze, feeling a bit cornered by the attention she was receiving. But then, she lifted her head with determination. "You all really know me very well. And yes, it's true that I should be very scared, and I am. I'm afraid of what might be happening to Rainbow Dash. I'm afraid of what might be happening to the other ponies who left the train. I'm afraid of how my forest friends and everyone else in Ponyville might be. But right now, Rainbow Dash is out there, giving her all to protect us from Vanilla. It wouldn't be fair if I didn't give my best in the same way. That's why I want to do this. So we can all get out of this place together and go back home," Fluttershy said with some tears welling up in her eyes as she bit her lower lip. These were the sincere feelings she had been hiding from her friends, until now.

Everyone fell silent in the face of those heartfelt words, except for Pinkie Pie, whose expression turned to concern.

"I'm sorry, Fluttershy! I'm really sorry! I shouldn't have teased you like that! Forgive me, Fluttershy! Forgive meeeeeeeeeeee!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, panicking at Fluttershy's reaction and seeing tiny tears welling up in her friend's eyes. She began to cry too.

To Fluttershy's sides, Applejack and Rarity approached, leaning on her to console her. The feelings they had were the same.

Twilight, on the other hand, tried to approach but hesitated. A bitterness crossed her face. She was more aware than anyone of the danger Rainbow Dash was in. She had seen this scenario before. The enemy had anticipated that they would work together, but also that if they acted separately... So, Twilight pushed her own distress aside and joined her friends.

"You're not alone, Fluttershy. We'll give it our best, we'll all get out of here... together," Twilight said, extending her wings to cover her friends.

"I know, Twilight. I'm sorry, I guess I'm still not used to being brave despite the many times we've been through this... I still act like this," Fluttershy said, feeling ashamed.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of, Fluttershy. You're a great friend, and you always remind us how sensitive we should be with others," Rarity replied.

"That's right. And we wouldn't trade it for a million brave Fluttershys," Applejack added.

The group hug continued for a few more seconds until they finally separated. However, a remorseful Pinkie Pie remained beside Fluttershy with a pleading look.

"It's okay, Pinkie Pie, I forgive you," Fluttershy said. At that moment, her pink friend hugged her joyfully, setting off one of her confetti bombs.

The special moment had passed, and they all returned to their seats.

"Now what?" Applejack asked, looking towards Twilight.

"Well... Rarity, did you bring your emergency fashion crafting tools in your luggage?"

"Always, Twilight," Rarity replied assertively, opening her suitcase and conjuring a range of crafting equipment perfectly organized by size and sparkle.

"Then, let's begin," Twilight announced.

Twilight's plan involved using all the resources inside the train carriage to make clothing and prepare equipment they would use to face the Cockatrice Titanicus. Of course, this confrontation would be more of a distraction, as the real task would fall on Fluttershy. She would have to fly up to the beast's neck and, once there, press its weak point to defeat it. A mission like this could take days of planning and preparation, but for these ponies who had been through much worse in the past, this was just another day of saving Equestria.

Following Twilight's instructions, Applejack and Pinkie Pie proceeded to dismantle the train's seats and floor. Fluttershy and Twilight sorted the resulting materials, while Rarity polished them and, with her magic, gave them a new shape, following the improvised designs.

Just ten minutes after they had started, more than half of the train carriage had disappeared. However, all the designs prepared by Rarity and Twilight had gone from paper to reality.

"Good job, girls," Twilight said, opening a bottle and serving each of her friends a glass of soda.

"Yeehaw! It was faster than raisin' a barn!" exclaimed Applejack, who finished her soda in one gulp. Meanwhile, the rest of the ponies took a breather, sipping their drinks on the remains of the train seats.

"It's not my best work under pressure, but... it will certainly impress my audience!" Rarity declared proudly, delicately wiping the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief. Behind her were all the equipment she had created. It was not an exaggeration to say that it was an impressive job. In a very short time, she had created a complete line of lightweight, fire-resistant suits, each with a custom design for each of her friends.

Of course, the girls understood this very well, so they could only nod happily at Rarity's words.

"Well, if by 'your audience' you mean the enormous pony-eating cockatrice outside, uhmm... I could say it's already getting a bit impatient," Pinkie Pie pointed out, looking out the window.

Outside, the Cockatrice Titanicus had raised its head, but it wasn't watching them; it was looking somewhere on the horizon.

Observing this, Twilight immediately understood what was happening. The time to act had come.

"Get ready, ponies, Operation 'Catwalk' begins now," Twilight exclaimed to the others, who immediately stood up. Using her magic, she began distributing all the equipment they had prepared. Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie were equipped with a transparent visor that matched the color of their fur, along with insulating boots, a matching white cape, and other battle-ready gear. Twilight also equipped herself in the same way, although her attire had a more elaborate design. Fluttershy, on the other hand, had the simplest outfit of all, except for an earring similar to the one Twilight had given Rainbow Dash.

With all the ponies in their positions and the rest of the equipment in place, without further ado, Twilight dispelled the magical protection around the carriage and gave the signal to advance.

Beak was restless. He had started to sense a presence inside one of the train carriages, which was unusual as he hadn't felt any since he had begun his vigil. If his senses were correct, the presence didn't seem to be something large but rather something smaller, perhaps a mouse.

At that moment, a feeling came from the other end within the barrier. It was a sense of distress. Immediately, Beak extended his neck, looking in that direction. His feathers bristled; he had no doubts; his master was being attacked. Driven by an urgent need to protect his true owner, the enormous cockatrice stood up.

"POOF" suddenly echoed.

It was unexpected. It wasn't an explosion but rather a startle, a revelation.

Beak turned his head. The carriage that was practically next to him opened; literally, all the walls of the carriage fell as debris to its sides, revealing a hollow and dismantled interior.

But the carriage wasn't entirely empty. A purple pony with wings and a horn stared at him coldly from the wreckage of the carriage. He recognized her immediately. She was the pony they had warned him about. That pony was responsible for all the bad things happening.

Beak's anger began to build up inside him until it finally burst out like a torrent of flames.

The fire shot out continuously for several seconds until it finally subsided. Beak observed the charred remains of the carriage, where his target should have been consumed entirely. However, from the ashes and smoke, a mysterious purple light began to emerge. Beak, surprised, watched as the purple pony remained completely intact, protected within a magical bubble.

Then, the bubble dissipated, and the purple pony rose above him in a flash of magic.

Beak didn't like this. That little pony was annoying. Her fire hadn't harmed her, and now she watched him without any fear from above, with an air of superiority. She was insolent; she almost seemed happy. This caused even more anger in Beak; if his fire couldn't harm her, then he would crush her with his claws.

The wings of the mighty cockatrice extended, ready to lift Beak into the sky. With all his attention focused on the pony above him, he didn't notice the small barrels that had rolled beneath him.

Then, explosions erupted beneath the powerful Cockatrice Titanicus, surprising and momentarily paralyzing him. Those explosions didn't harm him; instead, they filled the entire area with bright white confetti. Beak flapped his wings to try to move away from there, but he didn't ascend. Surprised, Beak discovered that the feathers of his wings were coated with sticky white ribbons that hindered his movements. Below him, small white figures resembling mice ran in all directions, spreading more of those sticky ribbons around.

Beak was furious, so he unleashed a firestorm, burning the meadow and part of the train that was near him. The white mice disappeared, but they were replaced by ponies of various colors. Beak recognized them; they were the accomplices of that princess. They had to be destroyed too. An unrestrained fire attack began as Beak chased each of the ponies, trying to crush them with his claws. From above, the princess pony attacked him with magic rays, making him miss every time he was close to catching one of them.

The frantic battle continued, with the ponies launching all kinds of projectiles from the ground and the princess pony thwarting him from above.

But the efforts of all these ponies were futile. Beak was strong; those attacks barely caused him any annoyance. He had great endurance, and the ponies didn't. Soon, they would tire, and Beak would finish them off one by one. But then, Beak began to feel that something was wrong. Dizziness made him stagger, and then he felt a strange pressure in his throat. He tried to reach his neck, but a paralysis reached his limbs, immobilizing him. Everything started spinning. Fear, Beak felt fear; he didn't understand what was happening. However, that emotion didn't last, it was gradually replaced by a feeling of warmth that began to invade him.

Beak spread his wings trying to reach a mysterious light in the sky, while everything around him darkened. In that light was the image of his master, the only person who had cared for him, as remote as a distant vision. The smile of that pink-maned pony was the last thing he saw.

Inside an oval room bathed in the warm radiance emitted by an imposing golden orb, four figures remained immersed in a state of contemplation. Their gazes were fixed on the images reflected in an enchanted pool.

These were the prominent members of the Knights of the Order, individuals considered the highest authorities among the six influential races in the blessed realm of Cunabula. Taranis (Snakebull), whose form combined the majesty of a bull with the agility of a snake, radiated a sense of serene strength. Morrigan (Urutaú), an imposing bird with dark eyes and white plumage, exuded a magnetic presence. Ceridwen (Quetzalkan), with vibrant feathers in red and green hues, had avian features in the upper part and an elegantly sculpted snake silhouette below. And towering above them all was Mannah (Akhtubut Qirshin), with his small gelatinous body and octopus-like tentacles contrasting with the dark shark-like lower limbs that supported him on his elevated throne, always adorned with his distinctive turban hat.

All of them had been chosen by the stars, following an ancient tradition, to represent the power inherent to their respective races and to safeguard the prosperity of their nation.

However, the situation they found themselves in at that moment challenged that firmly held ideal over time.

"It doesn't bode well," Taranis declared plainly.

His opinion was shared by all the other present knights who were watching the scene in the large water pool in the center of the room. This pool functioned as a mirror that showed a specific place within the great barrier and had been used by the knights to spy on Twilight and her friends from the moment they had been trapped.

Now, that water mirror showed how the last of their pawns destined to defeat the princess and her allies succumbed to a neck massage.

Although no one mentioned it aloud, the thought was shared. They had underestimated the ponies.

This silence couldn't linger. Then, the least concerned of the Knights of the Order spoke up.

"Oh! Great sub-leader, I fear your attempt to take the initiative has taken an unfortunate turn. What do you plan to do about it?" Morrigan announced with a mocking air.

Mannah, who was seated at the opposite end of the room, remained silent for a few seconds. Then, he rose on his cartilaginous limbs and said, "Given the recent circumstances, immediate control measures are necessary... I must employ the direct possession crystal."

Those last words were not directed at Morrigan or Taranis but at the other member of the Knights of the Order who was sitting to his left and had remained silent until that moment.

Ceridwen, bearer of the element of Equity, did not have a high opinion of Mannah. Better than anyone, she knew that behind his diplomatic façade lay an individual with petty attitudes and little integrity. In short, a politician.

"Due to the position he holds, I am obligated to obey his orders. However, as a member of our illustrious order, I allow myself to suggest that it should be our companion Morrigan who uses the crystal. She has more experience in the domain of the mind and spirit," Ceridwen responded firmly and with veiled defiance.

This defiance was reflected as a shadow on Mannah's gelatinous skin. Not long ago, he had promised the rest of his companions that, unlike Danu's previous leadership, he would consider the opinions of others more. If he were to impose his will at that moment, he could lose the trust of his fellow knights, which was not advisable given the situation they were in. With no other options, he would have to set aside Ceridwen's rebellion for the time being.

"Of course, companion Ceridwen. Your advice is valuable," Mannah said, concealing his irritation and taking his seat once more. "Do you agree with this proposal, companion Morrigan?"

"Completely," Morrigan replied, feigning humility.

"Very well. Then proceed and show those ignorant ponies of Equestria the true power of Cunabula!" Mannah ordered with fury.

Between harmony and order II (P5)

Rainbow Dash finished tightening the knot of the rope tied around her waist. At the other end of the rope was Badwhiz, bound and ready to be taken along with the rest of her friends. She had lifted him before, so she was sure it wouldn't be a problem to transport him this way.

"Perfect! I'm sorry if I haven't been gentle enough with you, kid, but I'm in a hurry to finish this supposed rematch show of yours and head to Canterlot with my friends to prepare a real party," the carefree pegasus said, stretching her wings, ready to take off.

On the ground lay her enemy, "Vainilla." He had been motionless since the Cockatrice Titanicus was subdued, so the rainbow pegasus assumed he had finally accepted defeat and wouldn't try anything else.

"All right, Vainilla or whoever you are, let's get moving!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed cheerfully.

"It's called Badwhiz, kid..." interrupted an unfamiliar voice.

Immediately, Rainbow Dash went on high alert. The pegasus turned and looked around, sharpening her senses. But besides the bound colt, there was no one else. Then, that voice came from...

"...you'd better remember it," concluded the mysterious voice coming from Badwhiz. Down below, the tied-up pony raised his head and locked eyes with Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash was taken aback by that gaze.

Badwhiz's eyes were no longer the same; they were now so dark they almost looked hollow. Only his pupils were visible, like faint lights in the night. All of this gave his gaze a sinister appearance.

"Wait, what?" Dash exclaimed in surprise. But the shock didn't end there. Dark magic seemed to envelop Badwhiz's body, forming sharp black spikes. These began to traverse his body, cutting through his restraints. Soon, he was standing up, spreading his dark wings; then his alicorn armor shifted from black to a bright pink.

Badwhiz Starheart was free, but only his physical body was...

"I see you don't recognize me. It's quite unfortunate... a poor wild pony forced to fight battles that her princess can't," said the mysterious voice with an unsettlingly compassionate tone. "Let me help you free yourself from this unjust burden."

A dark spiral emerged from Badwhiz's body and, like a whirlwind carried by the wind, headed toward Rainbow Dash.

The pegasus had no idea what was happening. The strange voice now emanating from 'Vainilla' sounded familiar, but she couldn't remember from where. What she immediately sensed, though, was that the swirling dark magic heading toward her was definitely not a good thing.

With a flap of her wings, Rainbow Dash took flight to get away from the mysterious entity that had taken control of Vainilla. Left behind was the whirlwind, which dissipated in the air.

"Please come down! The burden you carry is too heavy! You will hurt yourself!" the mysterious entity pleaded.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Badwhiz... ma'am? Who the hay are you?" Dash asked, confused about the identity of the voice speaking to her. She had already understood that Vainilla's real name was Badwhiz, but it wasn't him she was talking to now; someone else had taken over him.

"Oh, poor child! It seems it's too late. Your pride is already consuming you..." lamented the voice.

Rainbow Dash blinked for a moment, trying to understand those words. Then, she noticed with horror that dark blotches were sprouting on her skin. The pegasus, terrified, flapped her hooves, trying to rid herself of those marks, but only succeeded in making them grow larger and spread to other parts of her body. Desperately, she took flight at top speed towards where her friends were, but it was already too late.

"No! No!" Dash screamed as she watched her wing feathers detach, consumed by the darkness taking over her body. She crashed to the ground not far from where Twilight and the others were.

Summoning all her willpower, she ran as far as she could to reach her friends, but with every step she took, she felt a part of herself detaching from her body, accompanied by immense pain.

"Don't look back! Don't look back!" the pegasus scolded herself, almost crawling, resisting the urge to scream. A few steps away from her was the silhouettes of Twilight; she would reach her, and then she could...

"Twilight, Twilight! ...Twilight?" she couldn't say more. The stunned Dash discovered that the figures of her friends she had seen were actually stone statues, cold and devoid of life, with expressions of pain and anguish.

Only Twilight's figure remained intact, but with a gaze that reflected great pity and disappointment.

Tears from Dash fell to the ground, and with them, what remained of her consciousness.

Morrigan, bearer of the element of faith, finished placing the alicorn horn diadem on the head of the pony she now possessed. The body felt familiar to her; she had taken control of Badwhiz on previous occasions with the goal of finding the best methods to cause suffering and pain to a pony. Despite Balor's warnings about the potential side effects of abusing their toy, Morrigan never cared about the harm she could inflict. In fact, she was quite sure that the colt had developed a high tolerance for stress and paralysis, which, to some extent, annoyed her.

"Your servant apologizes, Lady Morrigan. Due to my incompetence, I..." said Badwhiz, whose shadowy figure projected alongside his own body. This new figure of Badwhiz had the same form as his true self but lacked a stable physique.

"You don't owe me an apology, boy, but rather our sub-leader," Morrigan replied with a haughty and cutting tone.

A remorseful Badwhiz lowered his head, unable to say more.

"Umph... never mind. Now, we will take an active part in the battle. Do you have anything else to report?" Morrigan asked as she observed the immobilized body of Rainbow Dash. The pegasus stood firmly, her eyes completely darkened by the mind-control magic.

Yes, this was the terrifying power of Morrigan, capable of bending the will of even the strongest with just her thoughts. Her domination was such that she could even subdue her other fellow knights if she chose to. The only ones capable of resisting her were Balor and Taranis, who had undergone rigorous training to strengthen their minds against such magical arts.

Rainbow Dash, who lacked such training, had easily fallen under her control the moment Morrigan manifested herself.

"I noticed that pony had a magical crystal in her mane. She might have used it to become invisible," Badwhiz quickly responded.

Morrigan, using her mind-control magic, ordered Rainbow Dash to surrender everything she was hiding. Shortly after, Rainbow Dash dropped the last of her belongings in front of her.

"Junk..." thought the great 'Urutaú' bird irritably as she examined the pile of objects Dash had left. Then she noticed a bright blue crystal that seemed to radiate a unique light.

That crystal held magic, but it was a magic... that felt very familiar to her.

"Ceridwen needs to see this," Morrigan thought as she took a few steps forward, paying no attention to Badwhiz.

Then Morrigan's attention returned to where her other comrades were gathered.

In the war room of the Knights of the Order.

"What's going on, Morrigan?" Mannah asked, sensing that his companion's thoughts had returned to her real body. Alongside him, the other knights had seen everything that had happened on the hill through the enchanted pool, which had split to show what the princess was doing as well.

"My apologies, Grand Sub-leader. But I need to verify a certain discovery with my companion Ceridwen," Morrigan said, paying little attention to Mannah's stern gaze.

"What is it about?" Ceridwen asked, intrigued.

"Look at this," Morrigan said, raising her left wing, and then a new division appeared in the pool. This division showed a close-up image of Badwhiz's real body at the top of the hill. The image focused especially on the unusual blue glow coming from his left hoof.

Ceridwen furrowed her brow as she examined the object.

"Tell me, my friend, is this what I think it is?" Morrigan asked.

"If you mean that this is an arcane magic transmutation crystal, then yes, that's what it is. Why are you showing me this?"

"Can you determine how old it is?"

"Uhmmp." With a suspicious look, Ceridwen extended her enchanted staff towards the image of the bright crystal in the enchanted pool. Like someone testing the scent of a hot soup, Ceridwen brought the sample of magic she had taken closer to her beak.

She wasn't an expert in magic like Balor, but she had skills that allowed her to analyze, to some extent, the properties of magical artifacts.

Ceridwen's eyes widened as the properties of the crystal were revealed; now she also understood Morrigan's great concern.

"How is this possible?" Ceridwen exclaimed, shocked.

"I have no doubt that this is the work of that accursed princess. She must have done it while hiding underground. If that's the case, we have no choice but to ask Balor to reevaluate the plan he has prepared. Furthermore, we should request him to cancel the entire operation," Morrigan spoke with a dark look towards her companion, ignoring the others.

"DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?!" Ceridwen exploded, setting aside her previous astonishment.

"CAN EITHER OF YOU TWO TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON?" a furious Mannah asked from the other end of the table. Beside him, Taranis discreetly signaled for them to pay attention to their sub-leader.

Morrigan and Ceridwen, both knights of the order, exchanged cold glances for a few moments before Ceridwen finally looked away and addressed the others.

"Forgive my behavior, Sub-leader Mannah. But the recent discovery by Companion Morrigan has revealed a great danger to the continuity of our mission," Ceridwen announced with noticeable concern.

"Explain," Mannah responded in a frosty tone.

"Uhmp... you see, Sub-leader Mannah, the crystal recently found by Companion Morrigan is a full-range arcane magic transmutation crystal. Given the purity of its form and the radiation of its magical essence, it leads me to conclude that it is very close in quality to our own crystals forged in the Temple of Harmony in Cunabula. This, in turn, implies that our enemies are familiar with the manipulation of harmony magic at a level close to ours. The current capture operation we are carrying out involves the use of an artifact that absorbs this same magic, and if employed, it is very likely that our enemies will present great resistance to the magical absorption process, thus frustrating the success of the operation."

Mannah was not ignorant; he knew the basic magical concepts. However, there was something about arcane technicalities that always confused him. He didn't want to share his doubts with his companions, as it would make him appear incapable of understanding these important matters. So, it was more prudent to delegate that task to someone else.

"Companion Taranis shares the same concern as Companion Ceridwen," Mannah noted, expecting a more detailed response from Taranis.

Taranis, who stood beside him, said "Yes" almost without thinking, but Mannah's gaze grew harder. After a few uncomfortable seconds, the Ofiotaur realized that his sub-leader expected more than just a simple "Yes." He cleared his throat and waved his staff, drawing everyone's attention.

"Since the opponent is using the same type of magical tools as we are, we have lost the main advantage we had over them. Continuing now would be under a scenario where the confrontation would be on equal terms, significantly weakening our initial strategy of capturing the pony princess and her allies from a position of advantage," declared Taranis ominously.

Now everyone in the room understood what was happening. Mannah raised one of his tentacles to scratch his temples, a clear gesture of frustration. Once again, the ponies were obstructing the plans he had prepared. If they retreated now, how would he explain it to Balor? He had sworn to capture all the ponies except the princess before she woke up. What's worse, how would Balor take this setback?

"This is ridiculous," Mannah's pulpy head thought, glancing at the image of Badwhiz at the top of the hill. He had assumed, even demanded from Balor, that only the Cockatrice Titanicus and the child be used to subdue the princess and her allies, but now the tide was against him, and his previous decision had become a mistake.

"Grand sub-leader, I believe we should withdraw with the captured pony and await the awakening of our companion Balor. His counsel would be very useful for..."

"WE WILL NOT DO THAT," Mannah interrupted Ceridwen sharply. "We will continue with the operation."

"BUT SUB-LEADER, WE LACK SUFFICIENT INFORMATION! We can find a better opportunity after..."

"THIS IS THE BEST OPPORTUNITY!" Mannah declared with anger, his tentacles stiffening. He straightened up in his seat, looking dominant over all of them, making it clear that he would not back down from his decision.

"ALL OF US HAVE SWORN TO DEFEND CUNABULA AND PRESERVE THE ORDER OF THE TEMPLES OF HARMONY. FOR THIS CRUSADE, WE LEFT OUR HOME, TRAVELED FAR TO FIGHT THE ENEMY, HAVE EXPERIENCED DEFEAT, HAVE BEEN IMPRISONED, BUT WE HAVE FREED OURSELVES, AND NOW WE WILL FIGHT AGAIN. WE WILL NOT RETREAT! WE WILL TRIUMPH!" Mannah erupted in an authoritative and proud tone before gradually calming down. "So, please, I sincerely ask you... to have a little faith in our mission."

"This is not faith; it's a gamble," Morrigan replied quietly. Immediately, Mannah shot her a piercing glare.

"Umm... sorry Ceridwen, but is that really how it is? Did the princess really make the crystal? Could it not have been obtained in another way?" Taranis interjected, trying to lighten the growing tension in the room.

"There is another possibility that the crystal may have been constructed from another. However, given the short time since its transmutation, we have no doubt it was crafted shortly after the great barrier was raised. The only person who could have done it in that timeframe is the wretched princess bearing the element of magic. Isn't that right, Companion Ceridwen?" Morrigan responded on behalf of her companion, maintaining a firm gaze on Mannah.

"Yes, that's correct," Ceridwen confirmed.

It was not surprising that Morrigan had extensive knowledge in these matters. She had many contacts within the Cunabula Temple's brotherhood. She had even participated in numerous purification ceremonies, despite being a member of the Knights of the Order. Such was her influence that she could become the next leader of the knights if there were any issues with the current leader.

Precisely that was happening at that moment.

A tense silence filled the oval room. Mannah and Morrigan seemed to be engaged in an invisible battle of wills, similar to what had occurred between Ceridwen and Morrigan shortly before. However, this time, it was Morrigan who averted her gaze.

"Umm... these prolonged discussions benefit our enemies," Morrigan said, looking at the enchanted water pool. Then she turned back to Mannah with her usual friendly tone. "Oh, Grand Sub-leader, I consider you the most suitable person to carry out this task. I hope you accept the great successes that will result from your actions, as well as the unlikely failures."

"I accept them," Mannah emphasized, using his elemental water magic to snatch a black crystal from Morrigan's wings. The large white bird simply shrugged and took her seat again, and the rest of her companions followed suit.

"I will proceed with the operation," a calmer Mannah announced. "I hope to have your support, both of you, Taranis and Ceridwen."

"Of course, Grand Sub-leader Mannah," both knights responded. They both noticed that Mannah hadn't called them "companions."

Meanwhile, the seemingly defeated Morrigan looked up at the room's ceiling. There, inside a golden orb, Balor was in a deep state of meditation, channeling large amounts of arcane magic through his claws.

"Heh heh heh, I owed you one, little dragon. Mannah will have to bear the weight of this failed mission for the rest of his days. Maybe you miscalculated, but that idiot was the one who decided to continue anyway. Heh heh. Now we're even," she thought to herself.

This was how the knight of the order, bearer of the element of faith, repaid her debt. For Morrigan, forgiveness was not a divine gift but rather a release of pity that was lent and that cursed the soul if not repaid promptly. The forgiveness given by Balor the previous night was something she would not allow to pass for even a day.

Once again, Morrigan's attention returned to the hilltop, where a loyal shadowy Badwhiz stood behind his own empty consciousness.

"Well, boy, our Grand Sub-leader will take over the mental control of this body. Don't worry about that pegasus. My domination over her will persist even when I'm not here, and I'll share my mental control with you." As she said this, a halo of black light briefly illuminated Badwhiz's shadowy form. "Please, be understanding of our Sub-leader's limited virtues. He's not as familiar with body possession as I am, nor does he possess my great patience... so, for your own good, make sure what happened a moment ago doesn't happen again."

"Of course, Lady Morrigan," Badwhiz replied solemnly.

"Very well. Goodbye then, mini-Danu. Heh heh." As she finished her mockery, Morrigan's consciousness left Badwhiz's real body and was immediately replaced by another. Badwhiz knew well who it was, given the new light blue hue of his alicorn armor.

"Lord Mannah, welcome. Your servant awaits your orders," said the shadowy pony Badwhiz, bowing.

"Excellent, to begin with, forget what that old witch said. My elemental abilities are far superior to hers, and I have great patience for those who obey me. Is that clear, squire Badwhiz?"

"I understand perfectly, my lord," Badwhiz replied with martial formality. Although deep down, the young pony had doubts about whether what Mannah had said was true.

"Now, listen carefully to my words..." Mannah said, turning to look at the horizon in the direction where Twilight and her friends were.

Between harmony and order II (P6)

"Yeppppppppppp!" exclaimed a joyful Pinkie Pie. Not only her, but all the other ponies were radiant as they saw Fluttershy safe and sound. Leaning on Twilight, they emerged together from the thick smoke that had risen from the place where the Cockatrice Titanicus had fallen.

Soon, the friends found each other and began to give each other hugs of happiness, rejoicing in the success of their mission and the fact that everything had gone well.

"Thank you! Thank you!" the exhausted pegasus said as she listened to her friends' praise.

"That was amazing, no, it was fantastic, no, it was Fluttertastic! YAY!" Pinkie Pie proclaimed excitedly, setting off more confetti bombs.

"Truly, all the success of this operation is thanks to you, Fluttershy," said Twilight with a smile.

Thus ended Operation "Catwalk," planned by all and directed by Twilight. Its goal had been to reduce the threat posed by the Cockatrice Titanicus. This terrible beast, which was under Vanilla's control, made it very difficult to confront the villain directly. But because Vanilla had separated from her pet, the perfect opportunity had arisen to face her separately.

Using their best talents, each pony did their best to prepare the necessary tools to be used in battle.

And during the battle, no one carried more responsibility than Fluttershy.

Using a magical amulet given to her by Twilight, which made her invisible, Fluttershy managed to get close enough to the Cockatrice Titanicus's neck. Once there, and throughout the rest of the conflict, she pressed the beast's weak point until it succumbed. This was not an easy task, as being there for so long exposed her to the violent twists of the creature's neck, the fierce winds of its wings, and its corrosive breath. All of this without mentioning Fluttershy's low resistance to such strenuous tasks. It could really be said that the timid pegasus had pushed herself beyond her limits.

Of course, she was aware of this, but not so much of the cost of performing such a commendable task.

At that moment, Fluttershy suddenly began to cough.

"Friend, are you okay?" asked a concerned Applejack.

"Yes, it's just the smoke from a moment ago," Fluttershy replied calmly but with a hoarse voice.

"Oh dear, dear, everything you had to go through, having to endure that beast's breath," Rarity expressed mournfully, giving a suspicious glance at the fallen body of the huge Cockatrice.

"Fluttershy, you don't look well. We need to go to the medical wagon so you can be checked," ordered Twilight, noticing her friend's paleness.

"It's not necessary, Twilight, I'm fine," Fluttershy asserted. However, the pegasus coughed again and staggered due to a sudden dizziness, quickly being supported by Twilight.

The other ponies were genuinely concerned at that moment.

"Of course you're not okay, dear. You need care immediately," exclaimed Rarity, stomping her hoof on the ground.

"Don't worry about us, sugar cube. We'll take care of everything now," said Applejack alongside Pinkie Pie, both wearing expressions of confidence.

Fluttershy seemed like she would protest once more, but then she lowered her head and simply said, "Okay."

"Then there's no time to lose, I'll take Fluttershy with me... but first," Twilight said, waving her horn in the direction of the Cockatrice Titanicus.

"Wait, Twilight, is he going to be okay... right?" Fluttershy asked, looking worriedly at the enormous fallen body of the creature.

"Yes, he's just unconscious, and we need to make sure he stays that way," Twilight said and, igniting her horn, began to cast a spell to keep the Cockatrice Titanicus asleep. Huge, soft-textured earplugs appeared and were placed on the Cockatrice Titanicus's head. The creature stirred a bit, but then its limbs stretched out into a more relaxed posture.

"This will be enough for now. Applejack, you're in charge. Secure the Titanic Dragon Rooster as we discussed. If Rainbow Dash returns, all of you come with me to the medical car immediately. Do the same if Vanilla shows up. I repeat, do not engage with him yet. I couldn't mention it earlier, but he has a magical amulet that disrupts spells. It's dangerous..." Twilight said with a serious look to her friends. "That's all, I'll see you in a moment."

With nothing more to add, Twilight swiftly departed, carrying Fluttershy toward the train.

The ponies watched with concern as their two friends moved away. Applejack, who stood in front of them, also felt the same worry as her friends, but at that moment, another thought came to her mind. A thought that had a proud rainbow-maned pegasus in the middle.

"Alright, girls, you heard Twilight. Let's get those hooves moving!" Applejack announced, concluding that farewell.

Work was the only thing that could distract Applejack from the growing concern within her, an unsettling feeling when she looked at the horizon in the direction where Rainbow Dash should be. But she couldn't talk about these concerns; first, they had to complete the mission they had planned among their friends. So, determined, Applejack began to assign tasks to each of her friends to ensure the capture of the Cockatrice Titanicus.

It didn't take long for Applejack and Rarity to finish their work. Rarity had woven a huge sticky web around the Cockatrice Titanicus with a viscous and elastic white substance similar to rubber. This substance had been prepared by Applejack, who used pine sap and kitchen ingredients donated by Pinkie Pie to make it. Finding bottled pine sap in the supplies was a stroke of luck, but the abundance of kitchen ingredients from Pinkie Pie was an unresolved mystery. Applejack scratched her head, wondering when her friend had brought so many of these materials onto the train.

With their work done, both ponies decided to head towards where Pinkie Pie should not be too far away...

"So, Applejack jumped and hit the Cockatrice directly on the beak, causing it to fall sideways. Rarity lunged towards its claws and freed Twilight, but just then a fireball reached them from behind. The Cockatrice had risen in anger, seeking revenge, and cornered them in the flames. But then, the brave Fluttershy launched herself straight at the beast, charging at its weak point, and defeated it once and for all!" Pinkie Pie cheered loudly from the top of a large rock.

This was where Pinkie Pie was supposed to be on guard.

"Pinkie Pie, can you please tell us what you're doing?" asked a frustrated Rarity.

"Hi, girls! I'm just preparing the amazing story I'll tell Rainbow Dash when she comes back, about how we defeated the fearsome Cockatrice Titanicus," Pinkie responded cheerfully, making exaggerated faces.

"But that's not how it happened," Applejack said somewhat annoyed.

"Exactly! The more incredible, the better!" Pinkie Pie replied, taking out a notepad from her mane and starting to write her latest nonsense without paying them any more attention.

Rarity and Applejack were too tired to reprimand their friend for that.

"Well, dear, Applejack and I thought it would be best to return to the train and see how Fluttershy is. It's been several minutes, and Twilight hasn't returned yet," Rarity said as she waved a fan she conjured with her magic.

"Uhmmp, it's not necessary. They're already coming this way," Pinkie Pie responded without even looking at them, while she corrected her writing with great concentration.

Indeed, that was the case. Both ponies turned around and saw Twilight and Fluttershy flying in their direction.

"Phew, what a relief. Fluttershy looks completely recovered," Applejack exclaimed.

"And with a new hairstyle," added Rarity, who had noticed a small braid in her pegasus friend's mane.

Then, Pinkie Pie's ears picked up something else in the air. She quickly stood up, looked up, and in the distance, she noticed a rainbow-colored dot approaching rapidly. With a smile accompanied by a joyful neigh, Pinkie Pie began to hop towards the horizon.

"It's Rainbow! It's Rainbow! She's coming!" exclaimed the excited pink pony.

The other ponies turned around again and saw Rainbow Dash approaching from the opposite direction in her characteristic agile flight.

"Here, Rainbow Dash! Over here!" Pinkie Pie began to wave to her approaching friend. The cheerful enthusiasm soon infected the other ponies, and they also started making gestures to get her attention.

However, Rainbow Dash suddenly accelerated her flight to maximum speed. From that distance, the only thing the ponies noticed from below was the rainbow trail she left behind before disappearing in a straight line across the sky. Then, a dull thud resonated behind them, followed by an explosion. Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie didn't understand what had happened. When they turned around to look back, they only saw Fluttershy in the air, so shocked by what had happened that she couldn't articulate a word.

A large cloud of dust began to rise not far away, on the other side of the train.

Pinkie Pie climbed down from the big rock and joined the other ponies. However, no one said anything. A trembling Fluttershy descended from the sky and joined the group. But even then, no one could find words. In the distance, the dust cloud began to recede, but the sounds of stones colliding and exploding still accompanied it.

"What's happening?" asked a bewildered Rarity, whose mind didn't want to accept what she was witnessing.

"Rainbow Dash attacked Twilight, and now they're fighting," Applejack said mechanically. The other ponies looked at each other, confused and terrified by this truth, although they could see it happening at that moment. Indeed, a fierce battle was in progress on the other side of the train, far from the sight of their friends.

"But why...?" Pinkie Pie didn't finish her question, as an unexpected movement of her tail caught her attention and that of her friends.

Then, a dark object fell onto the large rock behind them. A faint dust cloud rose, and soon the infamous figure of a pink-maned pony in navy blue armor emerged from it. It was Vanilla, with eyes injected with darkness as deep as the abyss of the seas. But he wasn't alone; another figure resembling the embodiment of his own shadow accompanied him.

Both menacing presences stared at the frightened ponies.

"Applejack, what do we do?" asked Pinkie Pie, noting the growing danger approaching.

"I... I..." Applejack stammered.

"Applejack?"

Mannah quickly surveyed his surroundings. In front of him were the enemies of his nation, those who had tested the millennia-old oath made by their predecessors.

"Peasants and villagers," he thought to himself; these were the enemies he would face. Mannah was almost tempted to spit ink at that moment, but he refrained. Such behavior would be very rude and improper for someone like him. He was royalty, a direct descendant of the original first knights of the order. Unlike the others who had been selected from among the many of their own kind, Mannah could boast that at least one member of his family had belonged to that illustrious group in their respective generation.

This was the reason for the great recognition he received from his own people and also the cause of the deep anger he felt within himself.

He had not wished to be a Knight of the Order.

In every generation of his family, the youngest son had been chosen as the bearer of the element of acceptance. Only he had been chosen as the eldest. He had aspired to be a member of the Cunabula council, just like his father and his other ancestors whom he admired so much.

That dream did not last. Accepting that destiny was the toughest trial he had faced in his youth. It had caused a deep wound in his heart. But this wound, instead of healing over time and giving him wisdom and understanding, left a scar that brought him anger and sorrow he could not acknowledge.

This very anger, welling up from his subconscious, fueled the spell he was about to use against his enemies. He had initially thought of delivering a speech to his opponents to make them understand the despair to which he would send them. But now, after the standoff with Morrigan, that no longer mattered to him in the slightest.

"DRAKEN TIDES!" Mannah exclaimed, releasing a torrent of turbulent water that soared into the sky.

A torrent of water began to rise like a wall in front of the ponies, quickly turning into a black whirlpool that started to engulf everything around it.

Applejack was having a bad day. In the morning, Granny Smith had woken up with a severe headache after drinking cider the night before, despite warnings from Applejack and Big Mac. When she went to check the chicken coop, she discovered that several chickens had escaped, perhaps frightened by the fireworks from the night before. She had fallen into a mud puddle twice before she could even make it to the train, so she had to bathe three times before leaving. Much earlier, she found out that Apple Bloom had used her old Grand Galloping Gala dress and completely ruined it. She loved Apple Bloom dearly, but with each passing day, it seemed like her younger sister was growing further and further away from her, from her family, and from their parents' farm.

A rock propelled by the force of the terrible whirlpool struck Applejack's face, causing her intense pain. A pain that her friend Rainbow Dash would have used to snap her out of her stupor and then shout, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING, APPLEJACK?"

Applejack looked around. All her friends were trapped by the fascinating terror of the water whirlpool rising in front of them. They were unable to move or look away, like prey cornered by a snake. These reliable and experienced ponies had become frightened fillies, utterly defenseless against the disaster. They were one step away from closing their eyes and never opening them again in their lives.

That wouldn't happen today; she wouldn't allow it.

"EVERYONE, RUN!" Applejack yelled at the top of her lungs. Her friends snapped out of their trance and, seeing Applejack's retreat, followed her at top speed.

She ran, Applejack ran. Her friends ran alongside her, almost at the same speed. Even Fluttershy was running. She felt they were getting away from the whirlpool. She thanked the stars for being a four-legged pony, and that her friends were as well. A loud crash was heard behind them, as if the tide had crashed against a cliff. Applejack didn't look back. She wouldn't until they reached the train.

The train was close, but...

Applejack panicked when she saw that all the doors of the cars were closed.

How would they get in? Would she jump onto the train? Break a window? The farm pony was at her wit's end. She no longer knew what to do, no longer knew what else to think. Would she have to sacrifice herself?

"Twilight, I'm sorry..." Applejack thought, hearing the sound of the water approaching again from behind. There was no more time. Applejack would turn around and face the fury of the wave, praying to the heavens that her friends could withstand the impact behind her.

Then a miracle, a gleam appeared through one of the car doors. Hadn't she noticed it before? It seemed slightly ajar.

Without hesitation, Applejack shouted, "FOLLOW ME!"

Slowing down as she entered the open car, they all followed her like arrows. Applejack remained at the door, making sure everyone had entered. Then, she cast one last look outside.

A terrible wave as tall as two barns approached like a black wall, destroying everything in its path.

Applejack closed the door and closed her eyes, hugging her friends.

...

A whistle. Nothing more.

Silence and an intense drumming.

More silence and a drum that kept resonating.

All dark. She opens her eyes, and everything is dark. The drum still echoes, but in the distance...

...

Applejack hears her heart calm down. She had expected to hear a crash or a thud, something like a bull charging at you. She knew about that. But she felt nothing.

Suddenly, Applejack panics... could it be that she...?

She examines her nose, her tongue, and bites her hoof. Everything is normal. Granny Smith used to tell her that all you had to do was check yourself like that to know if you were alive. But she used to be wrong sometimes...

She extends her hooves into the air... there's an elastic layer around her... it feels unnatural.

A shiver runs through her, then icy air surrounds her. Intense light emanates from one end...

"Applejack... Applejack..." she hears a distant voice. It's familiar... like her mother's.

"Applejack... Applejack..." she hears another voice. Like her father's...

Applejack is scared, really scared. She wasn't ready... she isn't. She never was, but... could it really be...?

"Mom? Dad?" she responds with an imperceptible whisper to the intense light.

Then she's pulled out by an irresistible force.

...

Inside one of the medical cars on the train, a disoriented Applejack looks around. There are Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy, perfectly healthy and intact, with looks of happiness.

"Huh? What?" the farm pony stammers.

"Don't worry; disorientation is a normal side effect when using Averages impact isolation capsules. It'll pass in a few minutes. You might not hear well for a while, but that's temporary too," Magazine Doublereport explained as he examined Applejack with some complex medical devices.

"Greetings, everyone," a mental voice addresses all the Knights of the Order in their war room.

"Hello, Balor," Morrigan responds from her seat, her gaze directed at the golden orb suspended in the room.

Above them all hovers Balor of Cunabula, bearer of the element of magic, just awakened.

Between harmony and order II (P7)

Magi could boast of having many qualities that set her above other ponies. Good fortune, a sharp sense for business, and an extremely loving girlfriend... Magi truly believed she was an incredibly lucky pegasus when she left Manehattan that morning. She was convinced that her day would only get brighter by nightfall.

However, that confidence crumbled as the afternoon unfolded, facing a series of misfortunes she hadn't anticipated at all.

First, the delicious high-quality coffee she had brought with her was ruined when a pink pony bumped into her while boarding the train at noon. Although the incident was clearly an accident, Magi felt that it should have put her on alert, like a warning of what was to come.

Second, her attempt to sow discord among Princess Twilight's friends, using Rainbow Dash as a tool, resulted in a resounding failure. She had expected more from them, and their disbelief in the irrationality called "friendship" almost made her feel nauseous. Their bond was much stronger than she had calculated.

Third, the train she was traveling on was attacked by a mysterious enemy who eventually kidnapped them. Although, being honest with herself, she never could have guessed that was coming. These were, in theory, matters for the princess and her entourage. Magi had the option to simply withdraw and let things take their natural course...

But she didn't.

She had a feeling. Magi had always heard an inner voice that guided her when it came to making decisions. It could be her subconscious or even her cutie mark acting as a guide. The source didn't matter as much as the fact that this voice had always led her to make the right choices. That inner voice had never betrayed her.

Until now.

Magi stared at herself in the mirror, watching the desperation reflected on her face. She now cursed the reliable inner voice that had always guided her. But this voice had no intention of staying silent.

"You messed up, and now you're a loser just like them... accept reality," her mocking reflection spoke.

"NO, I HAVEN'T MESSED UP! I'LL GET OUT OF HERE JUST LIKE ALWAYS! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" Magi responded with fury to her own reflection.

"Of course, and tell me, what will you do now? You saved the princess's friends, and now they're at your mercy, just as you planned. Do you think they'll believe you when you tell them that all these magical artifacts and gadgets you have are just for personal defense?" her reflection laughed, pointing at the three stone orbs floating above her, the communicator in her ear, and the other technological accessories she was wearing.

"They're desperate, they need me. They'll believe what I tell them... I just have to convince them to work together, that'll be enough."

"Oh, sure... then you'll defeat the villains and be named the savior of Equestria. Magi, the super-friend! Ha ha ha ha," her reflection sneered.

"Shut up!" a furious Magi responded to her reflection, her voice echoing in the small room.

"You know, you should just give all this up and accept that we're beyond salvation... at least then we can return to the family in peace..."

"SHUT UP!" Magi shouted with a mix of rage and despair, slamming her hoof into the bathroom mirror.

The mirror shards fell to the floor with a tinkling sound. Then, a sweaty Magi sat down on the floor and stayed still, staring blankly at the ceiling. She wasn't thinking about anything... except one thing. With just a focus, the three magical orbs floating around her began to spin and form a circular screen.

The screen was blank.

Magi quickly dispelled the magic, feeling the frustration welling up in her chest. She huddled even tighter, trying to push away the loneliness that enveloped her.

"Why is there no future?" she asked herself softly, almost sobbing. Her plans and hopes had been unraveled in a way she had never before imagined.

// -----------------------

The landscape where the Ponyville to Canterlot train tracks once stretched was now submerged in a vast lake that covered the entire lower part of the meadow.

A fierce wave of enchanted water had been unleashed in that place, tearing up trees, shattering rocks, and crushing the train that stood in its path. The wave had swept away everything in its wake, leaving the remnants of the train scattered like floating leaves or submerged in the depths of the lake.

Standing on the only rock that protruded in the middle of that lake, Mannah looked out at the destruction he had caused with one of his most powerful elemental magic attacks.

"Maybe I overdid it a bit," he thought to himself, as he couldn't perceive any signs of life in the water. He was supposed to capture the ponies, but given the current condition of the terrain, it was very likely that they had been eliminated...

Beside him, Badwhiz seemed to be impressed, though it was hard to confirm, given that much of his body was composed of shadows.

"Uhmm," the sub-leader of the Knights of Order cleared his throat. "This is just a small sample of my immense power. MAY THE ENEMIES OF CUNÁBULA REPENT OF THEIR FOOLISHNESS!" he exclaimed proudly, raising his hooves towards the sky. However, he wobbled a bit due to his unfamiliarity with his new pony body.

"Hooo," replied Badwhiz, tapping his hooves on the ground.

For Mannah, those gestures were quite entertaining. His species didn't have hooves or so few limbs, and in general, quadruped creatures were not to his liking. Nevertheless, the attention he received from that pony was curious and even amusing.

"Now that I think about it... I never saw Danu react in that way even though his race is related to the ponies," Mannah reflected, quickly dismissing that thought. He was being naive. Danu was an exceptional case among his people. If he really had to compare ponies to leoponies, it would be wiser to use someone with more common sense, like Dana, the king's favorite daughter.

At that moment, a mental message reached him. Balor had awakened.

"Squire Badwhiz," Mannah called.

"Present, my Lord," exclaimed Badwhiz, ready to receive orders.

"I no longer require your escort. Our enemies have been swept away by my tide. However, the princess is still fighting in the hills. Go and assist the pawn under our control in subduing the princess without delay," Mannah ordered without turning around.

"As you wish," said Badwhiz quickly, bowing his head. But before he left, something stopped him and caught Mannah's attention.

"What is it?" Mannah said in an authoritative tone.

"Forgive me, Grand sub-leader Mannah, but what do you plan to do with the Cockatrice Titanicus?" Badwhiz asked, keeping his gaze low. Not far from them, the body of the immense cockatrice floated in the water. That should be impossible for a creature of such size or weight, suggesting some unique quality of its species.

"Uhmm," Mannah murmured in thought. He could rescue the child's pet and use it against the princess, but acting like that might seem like an unjustified reward. And honestly, Badwhiz had not yet proven to be useful in the slightest. He had been brought as a disposable pawn in case the ponies attacked him while he channeled the spell, which had not happened, and the child had simply been a spectator.

"He has served his purpose. And you have not finished fulfilling yours. Ceridwen will take care of the rest. Is that clear, Squire Badwhiz?" Mannah said with a tone of voice that made it clear he would not tolerate any more setbacks.

"Yes, Grand sub-leader Mannah," replied Badwhiz quickly, and in the blink of an eye, flapping his black wings, he soared into the sky towards the hills.

// -----------------------

Back in the medical car...

"Wait a minute, Pinkie... are you saying that Magi stayed on the train, hiding in one of the bathrooms all this time?" Applejack asked, incredulous, still lying in a bed.

"Yes, that's what she told us," Rarity confirmed.

"She mentioned that she cared a lot about us after Vanilla kicked her out of the carriage. She said she had a bad feeling and decided to stay," added Fluttershy.

Applejack scratched her head; something in that story didn't quite fit, or rather, it didn't fit at all. She remembered Twilight mentioning something about the Grand Barrier expelling anyone who could help them, but did it only refer to animals? The farmer shook her head; she still felt a bit dizzy to think clearly...

"Applejack, dear, how are you feeling?" Rarity asked.

"Uh... much better. Mmm..." Applejack flexed her forelimbs and then got up from the bed without any issues. "And where's Magi?"

"She went to the bathroom... said she needed to prepare properly," Pinkie Pie replied while munching on a bag of Yumi cookies.

Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Magi emerged. However, she wasn't the same smiling Magi who had saved them using one of her emergency capsules and then tended to their recovery. The Magi now facing them had a cold and dark look, equipped with all sorts of magical artifacts and tools, and appeared ready for battle.

These were her true colors.

Sensing danger, Applejack immediately positioned herself in front of her friends. "Who are you?"

Tension filled the air between the group of friends and the red-maned pegasus.

Magi sighed.

"I've already introduced myself before... look, we don't have time for this. We need to work together," said Magi without displaying any emotions.

"Do we really? How do we know you're not on Vanilla's side?" Applejack questioned.

"Vanilla? Do you mean one of the guys who attacked you? Or the kid who serves him?"

"Uhmm?" Applejack had no answer; her mind had become perplexed trying to understand the question posed to her. Magi realized that, despite Applejack's determined appearance, she was still disoriented and weakened.

"I can help you, but we're running out of time. I just... need you to trust me, please," Magi implored, but it was clear she was struggling to say it.

Applejack glanced at her friends, who looked just as concerned and exhausted as she did. Should she trust that pony who seemed so threatening and emitted a dark aura? What would Twilight do?

Finally, after a long pause.

"All right," Applejack said. Her friends seemed to regain some hope at that moment.

"Perfect, let's not waste any time, then," Magi replied with cheer, so much so that her colors seemed to have returned to her face. "You mentioned Vanilla earlier, well, I don't know her. But I do know these guys."

Before she finished her words, one of the orbs floating above Magi moved away from her and positioned itself on the ceiling. Then, a light emitted from the orb and generated a holographic image in the middle of the car.

Applejack and the rest of the ponies approached the hologram and soon recognized the figures displayed on it.

"The Knights of Order?" Applejack exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, that's them. They're responsible for this disaster and are here to finish their job. And it seems they have local help..." Magi said, changing the hologram's image to that of Badwhiz.

"But that's impossible! They're supposed to be locked in Tartarus!" Rarity exclaimed, agitated.

"Well, they're not. Their princess seems to have made a terrible mistake in underestimating them," Magi concluded, casting a resentful look at the rest of the ponies.

Now, consternation was palpable among all of them. Disheartened, Applejack removed her hat, understanding the gravity of the situation. Twilight had previously confided in her about the great danger she felt in keeping this group of individuals imprisoned. Applejack had advised her to try harder to find Cunabula and mend the situation with that realm, but it was evident that this advice had been futile.

She and her friends were trapped at the mercy of not just one villain, but six villains, each as dangerous as a King Sombra. And there was one more they knew nothing about.

Applejack put her hat back on. Now she had a better idea of what they were dealing with, which provided some slight relief. But there was still one question.

"Why didn't you leave?" Applejack asked aloud to Magi, silencing the murmurs of the rest of her friends.

An expression of anguish crossed Magi's face.

"I... didn't know how grave the situation was. I thought of staying and learning more about you. You always win... I never imagined things would end up like this," Magi finished, dejectedly lowering her head.

Applejack had a good sense of detecting truth in others. And right now, Magi was finally being very honest. She also noticed that Magi had swollen eyelids, evidence of the distress and sorrow she was feeling.

"Well... right now, we need all the help we can get to get out of this mess," Applejack said with resignation. Although she had a multitude of questions, like how Magi knew so much or why she wanted to learn about them, seeking answers to those doubts wouldn't get them anywhere and would probably worsen the situation. So there was only one important question she could ask. "Do you have any plan?"

Magi's eyes sparkled for a moment. It was evident to all that she had one.

"Yes, yes, I have one... well, not exactly a plan... more like a supposition... a theory..." Magi began to trot in place, clearly anxious. "I've been thinking and thinking... about what that kid said about giving them the Elements of Harmony. So I thought about why it mattered so much to them. I've heard that you had them in the past and that they were powerful tools to defeat the enemies that attacked Equestria, but then they said you lost them, and now what's left of their magic exists within each of you... so I thought, what's the problem?"

All the ponies seemed very confused by Magi's words, especially Applejack.

"What's the problem?" Rarity repeated.

"Yes, yes, that's it! What's the problem? If the magic of the Elements only persists within you, then sooner or later, it will disappear. After all, we're not immortal, well... maybe the princess is... but we're not. Everyone's time comes at some point, and when that happens, the Element they represent will also be lost. So... why do the Knights of Order do this? Are they doing it just to prevent them from being used? If so, they'd only need to eliminate one of you or capture one, right? Then they couldn't recover the power of the Elements of Harmony as a whole, could they? Or... could they?" Magi suddenly asked all the ponies, with an expression that reflected the twisted hope she eagerly sought to find in them.

"Well... um..." all the ponies were somewhat disoriented. Twilight was the one who understood these magical topics better, but the question Magi posed was valid, though it felt rather forced. To start with, they hadn't delved much into those subjects. Twilight, in some experiments, had attempted to activate the magic of the Elements with just a trio of them, and the results were quite disappointing. The magic worked, but it wasn't powerful enough, and it left them very exhausted. Together, they were much stronger, there was no doubt about that. However, the case of regaining the magic of one of them if something happened to her... was that really something Twilight hadn't anticipated? And if it were, how would she do it?

The group of pony friends fell into deep reflection under the undulating shadows inside the medical car. Then, a ray of pink light shone among them. Or rather, a ray of pink light named Pinkie Pie.

"That's it! The crystals! The crystals!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed excitedly to her friends. "Twilight could place a part of our magic inside a crystal and make a set with each of us! And not just that! Any of us could use it since we are part of the set! It could be stored and given to another pony to learn to use it in the future! That way, the magic wouldn't be lost! It's brilliant!"

A fire seemed to ignite in Magi's eyes, as if all her hopes were finally coming true. That's what she wanted to hear.

"Wonderful! The princess must have given you something like that, right? Because such a powerful object must have the strength to defeat the Knights of Order right now," Magi exclaimed in a joy-filled neigh.

Pinkie Pie and her friends were left stunned, all the baseless hope they had suddenly felt from Pinkie's joy vanished and disappeared. Looking at each other dejectedly, Applejack finally replied, "I'm sorry, Twilight didn't give us anything like that..."

"How unfortunate..." said Magi, looking completely hopeless.

Applejack raised an eyebrow. Was Magi... pretending?

"Wait!" Fluttershy suddenly shouted, capturing everyone's attention. "Ahh... um... I'm sorry, I should have said it earlier... but Twilight gave me this just before leaving the infirmary. I think it's exactly what we need now, right?"

From Fluttershy's mane emerged a rosary of six stones, three of them were white, and the other three had shades of purple, yellow, and blue. The glow emanating from these gems was almost identical to what the original Elements of Harmony once had.

"These gems are... Beautiful!" exclaimed Rarity, whose eyes sparkled intensely, just like those of all the present ponies.

Encouraged once again by this miraculous opportunity, the pony friends rejoiced, as they finally had something they could use to defend themselves.

"Mmm, wait... Shouldn't they all be the same color?" Magi pointed out three of the gems that were white.

"No... Twilight told me they needed to be completed with the magic of Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie. I didn't really understand what she was talking about at the time... she just asked me to carry it in case something happened to her," said Fluttershy, clearly saddened.

All the ponies then remembered with sorrow the sudden attack by Rainbow Dash, the loss of Twilight, and the chaos that ensued afterward.

Then Applejack finally noticed the obvious...

"Wait... are we still on the train? They'll come for us any moment now! We have to get out of here!" Applejack exclaimed in alarm.

But Magi just laughed at the ponies panicking.

"Eh?" the ponies looked at each other strangely.

"Please, don't be alarmed. We're completely safe. Instead, you must complete those crystals as soon as possible. Only then will we have a chance to get out of here and save your princess and your other friend," Magi said as she looked out the window.

Applejack couldn't refuse that plan... but really, were these crystals their best resource to defeat the Knights of Order? Why didn't Twilight mention something like this before the fight against the Cockatrice?

With suspicion, Applejack watched Magi from behind, while the suspicious pegasus, with a dark smile, distractedly gazed out the window.

// -----------------------

"Where are they?" Ceridwen thought with growing frustration as she checked the wreckage of the train for the third time.

She had taken over from Mannah in the mission to capture Princess Twilight and her friends. Although the sub-leader of the Knights of Order had promised that he would handle all the work, in the end, he had delegated the task to her. It didn't surprise her at all, considering the great disaster he had caused with his massive elemental water attack; searching through the debris he himself had created was something a politician like him would never do.

"Politicians and their promises..." she thought as she levitated one of the waterlogged train cars with her magic. "If only they had sent me alongside Balor and Taranis... everything would have turned out differently."

That trio of Knights had carried out a multitude of operations outside the world, mostly successful. Espionage, sabotage, recovery of magical artifacts, manipulation of realms... the list was long. Ceridwen was proud of her impeccable record. She was known and respected throughout the Brotherhood of Cunabula.

From the beginning, she had been skeptical about the development of the mission.

The involvement of the six Knights of Order was not common. Morrigan always stayed close to the temple, and Mannah spent more time in the council's offices than in the field of missions. Even Danu had a close connection to the king, and it was rare to see him visit regular troops.

None of those three understood what a battlefield was truly like. How a war was fought. Worse yet... how to find peace.

Cunabula had remained isolated in the shadows of the world for a long time, and now they had burst into it forcefully.

Ceridwen had suggested caution in the initial attack on Equestria. She had proposed sending three members of the Knights of her choice to start an initial mission of espionage and sabotage in that realm.

But she wasn't listened to. After the disaster in Ornitia, Danu declared that such methods were ineffective and would only give the ponies time to prepare. He argued that everything should end in a decisive frontal attack. Mannah and Morrigan supported this idea. With the backing of the Council and the King, Ceridwen simply had to bow her head and allow Danu's leadership to prevail.

Was it a mistake... not to challenge him? No, Ceridwen always saw herself as a servant. Receiving orders and carrying them out in the name of Cunabula was the purpose of her life. Still, she felt that everything could have turned out better if the judgment of the high command had been more... equitable.

"SPLOOFFFFFFFFF" echoed in the middle of the lake artificially created by Mannah's magic. Ceridwen had dropped the wreckage of the train carelessly. There was no trace of the ponies.

The reflection of the orange armor she wore on Badwhiz's body shimmered sharply in the rippling waters of the lake. This same body was now used by Ceridwen.

"I understand..." Ceridwen thought coldly as she contemplated her own reflection in the water.

Not far away, some small red birds with striking black feathers watched her intently.

// -----------------------

It was a tough battle, the toughest in her life.

Blow after blow. Her opponent was retreating further and further. Rainbow Dash could sense it. She wouldn't give him a chance to breathe, not even an opportunity to think.

Her other friends had fallen; it was her duty to avenge them.

She was the last one standing. The fate of Equestria rested on her hooves.

Vainilla, cowardly protected by his magical bubble, withstood the constant attacks she was delivering. But that wouldn't last forever. It wasn't the first time she had fought against mages who thought their defenses were absolute and that their opponents would tire of repeating the same attack.

Types like those didn't know Rainbow Dash. They all ended up learning a harsh lesson. And Vainilla was learning it too. It showed on his face. He was getting tired.

Pushing Vainilla through the sky, Dash kept hitting him amidst the rocks, the hills, the trees.

It didn't matter where; she would keep doing it until that cover fell.

Then finally, a breach and an explosion of light.

But Rainbow wasn't surprised. It was a pathetic trick to scare her. She charged straight in, catching her enemy in mid-air. Before he could react, she swiftly slid behind him and grabbed him by his front legs, immobilizing him. Swift and furious, they continued their flight into the sky, and then, like a comet, they both plummeted towards the earth, spinning wildly so that her enemy couldn't concentrate.

Completely incapacitated by that incredible attack, Vainilla offered no resistance. His end had come. A violent explosion erupted amidst a small forest.

Vainilla lay defeated on the ground, in the middle of a crater. At the last second, Rainbow Dash had let go of his body, allowing him to crash to the ground.

Victory and arrogance were reflected in Rainbow Dash's flight as she positioned herself over her opponent, placing a hoof on the defeated villain's head.

It was all over, and once again, Equestria was safe.

Soon, the great magical barrier began to dissolve, and friends and acquaintances of Dash arrived from all directions.

"You're amazing, Dash! You did it!" cheered the Wonderbolts.

"It was nothing," Dash replied without modesty.

"You are an extraordinary pegasus. It is a great honor to be in your presence," said Princess Celestia, bowing her head, accompanied by the other princesses.

"Please, you all have wings, don't you?"

"Certainly, the pegasus is AMAZING! Someone should rename Equestria and call it Dashiland," Discord exclaimed, wearing an enormous Rainbow Dash suit.

"Hey! What are you doing here?"

Then all the ponies and creatures present fell silent. A dark figure advanced among them. Those enormous horns he sported spoke of his identity. Grogar, the father of monsters, slowly approached Rainbow Dash and bowed before her.

"You are the most amazing pony in the world," the dark ram said in his deep and unmistakable voice.

"Yes, whatever you say... WHERE IS MY AUDIENCE?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, raising her hoof and looking at everyone around her.

Multicolored explosions and sparkling lights, a rain of cheers reached her, as intense as the roar of a hundred stadiums, everyone shouting her name, making her vibrate and filling her with a sense of complete fulfillment.

Rainbow Dash was Rainbow Dash, the greatest hero who had ever existed or would ever exist.

Then, a real rain fell on her face, soaking her and silencing all those fantasies.

Rainbow Dash looked around again; the world was no longer colorful and bright. It was now gray and dusty. And under her hooves was not Vainilla's body, but Twilight's.

The pegasus fell silent for a few seconds, watching the scene. Then the memory of her fight with Badwhiz came back to her and how she was defeated. And then... how she had attacked Vainilla, no... Twilight.

"Is it a dream? It's a dream, right?" she told herself, incredulous, biting her hoof. She felt pain, but she didn't wake up. She wasn't in a dream anymore...

It was reality, or rather, a nightmare.

With tears in her eyes, Rainbow Dash quickly took Twilight's body and began to shake her, hoping for a reaction... but nothing happened. "WAKE UP, TWILIGHT! PLEASE, WAKE UP! TELL ME THIS IS A DREAM!"

However, there was no response. There was no life in that battered and broken body.

Dash began to cry, real tears, torrents of sadness falling to the ground, tears born from the terrible tragedy she had caused.

"WHY? WHY DID THIS HAPPEN? I DON'T UNDERSTAND, WHY? WHY?!" Rainbow Dash cried, cradling her friend's fallen body.

"Rainbow, I'm okay... don't cry," came Twilight's voice.

"HOW CAN YOU EXPECT ME NOT TO CRY AFTER I... HUH?!" Rainbow jumped back, pushing aside the false body of Twilight she had been holding. There, standing, battered and bruised but alive, was Twilight, still with a smile.

Rainbow Dash's mind went blank; everything seemed too unreal to react. Before the pegasus could open her mouth, Twilight began to speak...

"You're a huge fan of Daring Do stories. You hate eating pies. You had a secret date with Soarin last spring, and when you were little, you loved wearing white dresses and having your parents call you 'little rainbow princess,' even though you said you hated it," Twilight finished, almost breathless.

Rainbow Dash had heard enough. Whether this was reality or not didn't matter anymore. She didn't care about the Twilight doll on the ground either. The only thing she was sure of was what she was going to do next.

"TWILIGHT!" Rainbow Dash cried out, embracing her friend amidst tears of happiness. Twilight, on the other hand, felt sore from the beatings she had taken. They weren't serious injuries, but she was exhausted.

"Are you okay? Did I hurt you...?" Rainbow asked frantically.

"Don't worry, Rainbow, just give me a moment to catch my breath."

Then, a dark meteor struck not far from them, and from the dust emerged a figure they knew. Enveloped in shadows, it was Badwhiz, who had finally caught up with them, ready to put an end to this battle.

"PLEASE, GIVE US A BREAK!" Twilight complained next to Dash, just as a black lightning bolt shot towards them.

Between harmony and order II (P8)

"WHAT KIND OF WILD BEAST IS THIS?!" Morrigan exclaimed indignantly.

"An adorable little rainbow pony is causing you trouble, my dear friend," replied Balor from a corner of the war room.

Morrigan glared at Balor. The draco-dragon's comment was clearly a mockery of Morrigan's peculiar way of speaking, and it was definitely not the time for it. A few minutes earlier, she had received a message from Badwhiz informing her that he couldn't directly control Rainbow Dash. Morrigan argued to the others that the child wasn't focused enough and decided to take control of the pegasus herself. To everyone's surprise and Balor's amusement, after several failed attempts, Morrigan couldn't control Rainbow Dash's mind either. She seemed to be in a mechanical mental state, following the initial orders to defeat Twilight and stubbornly rejecting the new ones while still carrying out the first ones.

Finally, the hypnotized Rainbow Dash was tricked by one of Twilight's tricks and released from Morrigan's mental control.

Another staredown erupted in the room, but before Mannah could say anything, Balor and Morrigan began laughing together, leaving their other companions perplexed.

"Well, that's how it is, haha... In the end, it turned out that that pony's head is as stubborn as Taranis's... What a nuisance," Morrigan said, leaning back in her seat.

"Don't worry too much. I know your abilities; I know you wouldn't have lost control over someone if you were close enough and without so many restrictions. If you had been present, this wouldn't have happened," Balor commented seriously.

"I don't need your consolation, Balor, but thanks... I look forward to your turn," Morrigan replied with a touch of sarcasm.

"Heh heh, you'll have to wait then. Ceridwen has found something interesting..." Balor said, fixing her gaze on the magic pond where Ceridwen in Badwhiz's body was entering a carriage in the middle of the lake.

"Look! The boy finally caught up with the ponies! Haha! He seems very excited!" Taranis exclaimed cheerfully, pointing his finger at the image of Badwhiz made of shadows in the pond.

"Taranis, we're in the war room, don't forget," scolded Mannah with irritation.

Taranis quickly straightened up into a more formal posture, while Morrigan and Balor's suppressed laughter echoed in the room. For Mannah, it was clear that the pair was plotting something, although he didn't know exactly what. With one of his tentacles, he began massaging his forehead in an attempt to relieve the growing headache he was feeling.

Several minutes had passed, and finally, Rainbow Dash's wings began to respond as she liked.

"Oh, how I missed these, girls!" Dash exclaimed as she exercised her wings with contractions.

"I'm glad you're feeling better, Rainbow Dash. I was really worried when you were paralyzed a moment ago. I thought they had taken control of you again," said Twilight, illuminating the dark stone walls around them with the light of her horn.

The place they were in was shrouded in total darkness, but thanks to Twilight's magical light, it could be seen that it was narrow, and the walls were in a ruined state.

"It was just a temporary cramp after... UGH! Seriously, how could I fall for something like that? It was so obvious," Rainbow Dash began to complain, noticeably upset. "When I get my hooves on that guy, I'm not going to hold back, Twilight!"

"But you'll have to control yourself, Rainbow. We can't be so predictable; we must act carefully and strategically," replied Twilight calmly.

"Careful and strategic? We're not baking cakes. Our friends' lives are in danger right now. How can you be so calm?! Don't you care or what?!" Rainbow Dash responded with a burst of anger upon hearing her friend's indifferent response.

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight responded sternly, though she remained calm.

Twilight's firm gaze had an effect on Rainbow Dash, as the Pegasus began to calm down. Despite her frustration and anger, Rainbow Dash could feel the genuine concern in Twilight's voice and gaze. Soon, her anger dissipated and was replaced by guilt.

"I'm sorry, Twilight. What I said was stupid, I..." Dash apologized for her previous behavior. "...I can't stand that my friends are in danger, and I know I can't do anything about it."

"I understand. We're truly in a difficult situation, but we mustn't fall into despair or panic because of it. I know you're very worried about how the girls are doing, and I am too. However, right now, we must trust our friends more than ever. Applejack is in charge, and I know she'll do whatever it takes to protect the others," Twilight said, placing a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder.

Rainbow seemed to think for a moment, but then she slumped down onto the dusty floor, feeling powerless.

"Do you really think they're okay?" Rainbow Dash asked, her voice heavy with despondency.

"I don't know... but I know they'll fight," Twilight replied with conviction.

Rainbow Dash didn't respond, but after a few seconds lost in thought on the ground with her head down, she stood up energetically. Twilight immediately noticed that her friend's confidence had returned.

Suddenly, Rainbow Dash started to laugh, leaving Twilight puzzled.

"You know? It's kinda funny seeing you like this now."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean seeing you so calm and serious in a situation like this. In the past, there were many occasions when you'd lose your head over much simpler things."

"Uhmm..." Twilight had no bad memory; she remembered those occasions that Rainbow was talking about very well. But those three years as the ruler of Equestria had matured her enough to face a moment like this.

Or had they?

A wave of anxiety coursed through Twilight's body at that moment. She looked away towards the wall behind her. Remembering her past self had awakened the beast of anxieties that were locked deep within her mind.

And now, there was a unique opportunity for those anxieties to be set free once again.

"Rainbow, I..." Twilight said weakly, her facade on the verge of breaking.

"By the way... where are we?" Rainbow Dash interrupted, looking around.

Twilight blinked for a second and composed herself. Her anxieties retreated back into her mind. Once again, she became the princess of Equestria that all her friends needed at that moment.

"I'm not sure, but I think we're at the bottom of a well..." Twilight replied, noting the dry mud beneath her hooves and the remnants of old buckets around them. On either side, the well walls rose up to a roof that wasn't visible due to the darkness of the place.

"Wow, wait, you think? You didn't know?" Rainbow Dash asked in surprise.

"When I cast the teleportation spell before coming here, I didn't think much about it; I did it as quickly as I could after you rammed Vanilla into a tree. I really didn't expect the spell to take us to a place like this."

"So our luck hasn't run out. Great! Umph... and what if we get out of here now and give that guy what he deserves?"

Twilight reflected on Dash's request; her Pegasus friend was once again recovered and full of confidence. It was a good time to restart the battle they had left against Vanilla. Even more importantly, they could choose to ignore it and go directly to meet the rest of their friends.

"Alright, but first, we should gather information and devise some strategies before facing Vanilla, okay?" Twilight replied as she began to evaluate the possibilities.

"I don't object... about that... now he's a shadowy pony... Why?" Rainbow Dash said, visibly confused.

"Don't you know?" Twilight replied, surprised.

"A lot happened; I'm still confused about the last thing that happened..."

"Tell me everything you remember," Twilight responded with a serious expression.

"Of course... umm, first of all, he said his name is Badwhiz, not Vanilla."

Twilight remained motionless for a few seconds before responding: "WHAT?!"

At one end of the interior of the Great Barrier, there was a small forest that had been divided by the powerful magic enclosing the place. In this forest of dense trees and dim light, Badwhiz hid among the branches of one of the trees, carefully examining the terrain below.

Snow covered the entire place, and large rocks were scattered on one side of the forest. Not far outside the barrier, a large abandoned stable that had likely served as a sawmill could be seen.

"Darn it," Badwhiz thought as he unfurled his wings of dark shadow and prepared to change his location.

Minutes before, Badwhiz had faced off against Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Using powerful electrical attacks, the young shadow pony had hoped to render his opponents unconscious with an unrelenting lightning offensive. Unfortunately, Twilight had skillfully defended herself using her protective magic shield. On the other hand, Rainbow Dash, who had been under mind control, quickly recovered and counterattacked by ramming Badwhiz into a tree.

That charge didn't hurt him since Badwhiz's body was composed solely of shadows enveloping an enchanted soul. However, the sudden attack by the rainbow Pegasus gave the princess enough time to retreat with her ally.

"They can't have gone too far," he thought to himself. In a silent flight, Badwhiz crossed the cold atmosphere that covered the place.

That cold was not natural. In an attempt to halt his assault, the princess had unleashed a snow avalanche throughout the forest, leaving it as white as in the dead of winter.

Badwhiz reached another tree and sharpened his senses once more. He didn't sense anyone's presence in that silent place. He also didn't see signs of any nearby cave or shelter; the only structure he had found was a dilapidated watering trough a few meters below him.

"Should I contact Lord Mannah...?" Badwhiz thought. His search wasn't yielding results, but not much time had passed, and he hadn't explored the entire forest. If the princess had returned with her friends on the train, they would have informed him immediately. Perhaps this was a test to prove his worth to the other knights. So he needed to complete the task by delivering more than they expected from him...

"Badwhiz Starheart!" a voice echoed in the cold forest.

Badwhiz was startled by this unexpected call and quickly scanned his surroundings to locate its source. His surprise intensified when he identified the voice's source: Twilight stood in a clearing.

To Badwhiz, this seemed like an obvious trap. He didn't care that they had discovered his name; now, he had a chance to attack her directly. Although... that wouldn't be appropriate for a knight.

Without further ado, he flew through the trees to position himself in front of the princess.

"So, you've finally decided to surrender," Badwhiz declared as he barely touched the ground.

"No," Twilight replied, staring him in the eyes. "I wish to talk."

"What stubbornness, there's nothing to talk about," Badwhiz declared, preparing to fight again.

"You're not part of the Knights of Order; you're a pony from Equestria. Why are you doing this?"

Badwhiz seemed like he wouldn't listen to any more of Twilight's words, but suddenly, he held back.

"Why?" he replied. "Isn't it obvious? I'm upholding the oath of my ancestors."

"I know the history of the Starhearts. Your ancestors were a respected family of unicorns who were always loyal to Equestria. They defended the weak and sought justice among the ponies. What you're doing now goes against everything they've done."

A look of fury reflected on Badwhiz's face.

"You don't understand a thing! Upholding my family's oath is what I do! I'm protecting Equestria from you!" Badwhiz roared. Twilight didn't seem surprised by his response, but her face now showed a slight expression of sadness.

"I don't know what they told you. But endangering the lives of innocent ponies is not justice. As the princess of Equestria, I cannot allow actions like these."

"You can't allow it?" Badwhiz scoffed. "But endangering the lives of all ponies in Equestria and the inhabitants of the other realms is what you're doing now. You're nothing but a hypocrite!"

A few meters behind, hidden in some bushes, Rainbow Dash listened to the conversation. If she hadn't received very clear orders from Twilight, she would probably have pounced on Badwhiz right then and there.

Both fell silent, Badwhiz and Twilight observed each other in the midst of the cold and silent forest. In this tense atmosphere, only the gentle rustling of the tree branches stirred by the wind could be heard.

Then, a large chunk of snow fell from one of the nearest trees, breaking the silence with a soft thud.

"You're stalling for your companion to arrive, aren't you?" Twilight said. Her firm gaze was fixed on Badwhiz, while a cold breeze lightly rustled her mane.

"What?" Badwhiz responded in surprise. The mental orders he had received minutes before from Mannah had unexpectedly been discovered by the princess. He had halted his previous attack for this reason.

The situation had changed.

"She has found me... should I attack?" Doubt began to creep into Badwhiz's mind. Supposedly, he was meant to distract the princess with a conversation, but he had nothing to talk to her about, and the conversation only became more awkward. He wanted to fight, but he had been ordered not to do so to maintain the element of surprise.

Badwhiz didn't know what to do.

"They're just using you. I don't believe you truly want to do this," Twilight continued, sensing Badwhiz's indecision and taking a step forward.

"You don't know what I want!" Badwhiz replied with an aggressive tone. But it was a façade; inside him, a feeling of unease was flooding him.

"What do you want then?" Twilight said, taking another step forward.

Now, Twilight looked larger and brighter in front of him. Her noble posture showed determination, but also compassion.

Badwhiz tried to look away, but he couldn't do it in front of his opponent. A great conflict began to grow inside him. He wanted to attack, but he couldn't. An intense bitterness swept through his body. He wanted to shout, but he couldn't. His breathing became agitated. He wanted that hateful princess to know all the hell he had been through.

"You!" Badwhiz growled, more like an animal filled with rage than a pony. His shadowy body swelled as if it were about to burst at any moment, releasing all the pain inside him.

Then, a dark meteor struck next to Badwhiz, causing the nearby snow to explode. Twilight immediately backed up several meters, flapping her wings, and Rainbow Dash emerged from her hiding place to stand by her side, ready to protect her.

The faint mist dissipated, revealing a figure before the ponies.

Standing there was another Badwhiz, but this was his previous corporeal form, wearing orange alicorn armor. At his side, the shadow version of Badwhiz bowed.

"Good job. Now, there are only these two left. Cover my rear, I'll take care of things from now on," Ceridwen mentally instructed Badwhiz, as a surge of magic began to emanate from her body, and a crystal cube danced behind her back.

Long before, in the medical car, in a dimly lit space...

"O uhmm."

"O uhmm."

"O uhmm."

"Celestia, you're on vacation..., give us your blessings..., light up our hearts... o uhmm," prayed Pinkie Pie.

"We beseech you, Celestia..." chanted Applejack and Rarity.

Sitting in a circle surrounded by candles, the three ponies with closed eyes held hooves, conducting what at first glance appeared to be a liturgical meeting. Led by the solemn Pinkie Pie, the ceremony seemed quite serious, so much so that even Applejack had removed her hat and was wearing a white and purple robe like the rest of her companions.

"May these crystals shine with the light of our stars, we beseech you, Celestia... o uhmm."

"We beseech you, Celestia..." Applejack and Rarity chorused again.

In the midst of the ritual, there was a bowl and a plate covered by a delicate white cloth.

"Though you may not be present... to offer you these pancakes... let us at least receive you spiritually... O uhmm," Pinkie Pie concluded her prayer.

"O uhmm," Applejack and Rarity finally chanted.

Then, Pinkie Pie momentarily raised her hooves upward in a sign of her next act. Without saying a word, she approached the covered bowl and removed the white cloth that concealed it.

The three ponies looked expectantly at the contents below.

There were the three white crystals they had received from Fluttershy, which unfortunately were not yet enchanted with each of their magic. And also, a generous amount of pancakes drizzled in honey.

"Well... I guess my idea didn't work," Pinkie said.

"It was a good attempt, Pinkie Pie. I really thought it would... this time," Rarity said with disappointment.

"Uhmmmm," Applejack huffed, lying down on the floor.

Several minutes had passed since the three friends had locked themselves in the medical car of the train to enchant the crystals that Twilight had left to Fluttershy. However, despite their various attempts and genuine effort, they had so far failed in their task. Rarity was the first to try, attempting to capture the light of her friends inside the crystals using her unicorn magic. While it initially seemed to work, the crystals soon reverted to the default white color. Next, Applejack tried, although her effort was more of a display of brute strength that only dismayed Rarity. Out of ideas and with a brewing argument between the two ponies, Pinkie Pie took the lead, attempting a blessing ceremony with stones that her family used to practice during the summer solstice.

Of course, none of this had worked, and it wouldn't have been necessary if Twilight had told them how they were supposed to enchant the crystals.

"This is all wrong," Applejack said in frustration.

"You're right, Applejack. We should pray to Princess Cadance. She has a closer connection to the crystals. But then we'd have to use her formal name... umphh," Pinkie Pie said thoughtfully, then made some notes in her notebook.

"I don't think Applejack is referring to that, Pinkie Pie. And I hope she's not talking about dresses," Rarity said, noticing that Applejack had set aside her robe and put her hat back on.

"It's not that, Rarity, it's just that... are we really doing the right thing?"

"Excuse me, Applejack, but I'm completely unfamiliar with gemstone blessing rituals. And now that I know they exist, I will definitely make an effort to learn about them," Rarity replied, glancing at Pinkie Pie.

"Well, yes... but that's what Magi told us, right? But what if she's wrong? What if Twilight intended to use them in a different way?"

Rarity and Pinkie Pie looked at each other, somewhat puzzled.

"And what could that other way be?" Pinkie asked.

"Umphh..." Applejack picked up one of the crystals and brought it closer to the nearest light source. It was white and shiny, with no signs of any cracks or impurities, but it didn't seem to have a particular design and resembled a slightly deformed tear.

Applejack had a hunch about what these crystals might mean. She had failed to activate them before, but she had nothing to lose by trying again. Without consulting her friends, she placed the crystal between her hooves and assumed a simple meditation posture. At first, there was no change in the crystal, but after a few seconds, it began to glow and pulse as if it were a living heart. Finally, the crystal changed from white to a solid orange color.

Pinkie Pie and Rarity were stunned.

"What did you do?" Rarity exclaimed.

"Hu! Hu! Did you pray to Princess Luna?" Pinkie Pie said, jumping for joy.

"No, I just thought about my family. And how much I love them," Applejack said with a smile. Both Pinkie Pie and Rarity looked confused by Applejack's response, and she continued. "You see, I think Twilight didn't intend to use the crystals as a weapon, but rather as some kind of gift she wanted to share with us. Something to preserve memories. That's why she didn't tell us anything at first and only showed them to Fluttershy."

"But if that's the case... then how are we supposed to fight against those savages who want to destroy us?" Rarity exclaimed in distress, along with a worried Pinkie Pie.

"Ummm, I think by using the best of what we have and working together, as always," Applejack replied without dwelling on the matter any longer.

"And now what do we do?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Make a new plan. But first, we should finish enchanting these crystals. That way, at least we'll have something to show Magi and also a nice surprise for Twilight when she returns," Applejack said, confidently and somewhat jokingly. However, in that environment filled with uncertainty, her words seemed more like an acceptance that the situation wouldn't improve, and completing that task might well be the last act they would perform together.

That sensation was transmitted among the three friends as a dark premonition. But there was no anxiety in their hearts. On the contrary, they were now more certain of what they should do next.

"Well, if it's about making a gem shine, there's no way I could refuse, Applejack," Rarity replied, taking a crystal.

"Can I say the prayer to Candace? Can I? Can I?" Pinkie joyfully asked, adjusting her robe.

And so, the three ponies began to enchant the crystals with jokes and prayers. Certainly, this was something Twilight would have loved to be present for.

"PI..., PI..., PI..., PI..." Magi's transmitter had been showing the same signal for several minutes. This was good news as it indicated that the enemy was moving further away from their location.

But for Magi, that wasn't enough to calm her nerves, so she changed the transmission screen to a visual image.

The new image on her tablet was quite blurry due to interference caused by the Grand Barrier, but clear enough to confirm that the dangerous individual was indeed moving away.

A weary Magi let out a deep breath and finally relaxed in her seat.

"The danger has passed," Magi exclaimed aloud to no one in particular.

"What a relief!" Fluttershy responded.

Magi jumped at Fluttershy's response. She had been so focused on monitoring the screen and her spy birds that she had completely forgotten about the pink-maned pegasus in front of her. Fortunately, she hadn't spoken out loud, so she could relax in her seat without worry.

"Yes... it did get quite close a while ago, but it's gone now. It should be on the other side of the lake, checking the remains of the other train cars again."

"Wow..." Fluttershy responded timidly, but she couldn't stop giving Magi suspicious looks.

Magi might have had her suspicions about Fluttershy, but among all the princess's companions, she was the most useless and clumsy. So expecting someone like her to have uncovered her plans was the last humiliation she could accept in her life.

However, the looks Fluttershy was giving her were starting to make her uncomfortable.

"Is there something on your mind?" Magi asked abruptly.

"No, no, well, yes," Fluttershy replied with a shaky voice.

("How annoying... She's probably the kind of mare who lives off others' pity,") Magi thought, still not understanding why the princess had her on her team.

Fluttershy, on the other hand, seemed unable to continue the conversation.

"Alright, tell me, what's bothering you?"

"It's just that... those antennas are kind of strange," Fluttershy said, blushing.

("Huh? Haven't you ever seen someone with antennas before? And why are you blushing?") Magi thought, not understanding what was happening. As a vocational motivator, she had encountered quite unusual personality cases among ponies. Fluttershy seemed to be deeply entrenched in that category. Certainly, she was the kind of pony who annoyed her the most, although she usually overlooked it if the pony in question had any talent or skill that would benefit her.

("But she can only talk to animals... I'm not interested in that,") thought Magi as she adjusted her low-frequency antennas.

Magi stood up and began to look out the window absentmindedly.

"Um, excuse me..."

("Seriously? Can't you just stay quiet in your seat?") Magi thought, annoyed without looking back.

Both of them had been on guard duty in the medical car while the other ponies concentrated on enchanting Twilight's crystals. However, for Magi, she was the one doing all the work, and Fluttershy was just there as a mere spectator.

"Tell me, Fluttershy, do you need another tissue?" Magi responded, turning around with a fake smile.

"Um, no, I'm just wondering if your scar hurts a lot."

Magi froze.

"Scar? What are you talking about?" Magi responded nervously, pretending not to know anything.

"Well, you have a scar all over your back, and since you haven't stopped touching it with your wings since we've been here, I thought it might be hurting you a lot."

Now Magi really didn't know how to respond. This was something that no one, except her girlfriend, knew about. Those scars were entirely invisible in her white fur, and that was because she had spent a good part of her fortune to heal her old self's wounds as best as possible. All with the aim of being able to live as a renewed and authentic successful pony without any weight or shadow from the past.

And yet, despite her best efforts, someone had seen through her.

"Get rid of her," whispered a voice inside her.

Yes, that's what she should do. She could make up an excuse, like being kidnapped by the enemy or deciding to go look for the princess on her own, or maybe...

"Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have intruded if it's something personal... I'm really sorry," Fluttershy said as she started to back away, realizing that Magi wasn't responding.

"No, no, it's okay... it's just that I don't like to talk much about my scars, like you said, it's something personal," Magi said calmly, with a confident smile. "But it seems you know a lot about these things, so... can you come here and give me a better opinion, if you don't mind?"

"Umph... alright," Fluttershy said, not very convinced by Magi's sincerity, but she approached anyway. She couldn't help but assist someone in need.

Fluttershy stood behind Magi and began to examine both her back and the underside of her wings. After feeling her fur and assessing the texture and thickness of her skin with just the touch of her hooves, she could confirm what she had noticed about her from the moment she saw her on the train.

Magi had some deep scars that covered almost 80% of her back, as well as other marks that could hardly have originated from simple falls.

"Well, what's your diagnosis, Doctor?" Magi joked.

"There are quite deep scars, but they are quite old..." Fluttershy didn't want to ask more, as she had also sensed a great deal of hostility in Magi when she examined her.

"Umphh, yes, it's from an unfortunate accident I had when I was a filly. Although it's something from the past, it still causes me problems, especially when I do too much exercise."

"Well... it's understandable, wounds like these don't heal so easily. Sometimes you need to perform special massages on your back to release the accumulated tension; that helps a lot in reducing the accumulated pain in the body."

"Can you do that?" Magi asked, turning to look at Fluttershy.

"Of course, if you're okay with it..."

"I am. Really, being personally attended to by one of the princess's most trusted friends is quite an honor."

"Thank you... although this might not be the most appropriate place to give you a complete massage session. I could at least give you a light version of the treatment," Fluttershy replied.

"I have no problem with it being a short version as long as it's effective," Magi said.

"Oh, then I'll do my best!" Fluttershy replied enthusiastically with a smile. Being of help to others always made her feel good.

Following Fluttershy's instructions, Magi removed most of the equipment she had on, except for the runestone-carved rocks around her neck, and lay down on one of the wider seats. If Magi had expected the massages to be as gentle as the ones she received in her personal spa in Manehattan, then she was sorely disappointed. Far from her gentle personality, Fluttershy attacked her pressure points with the ferocity of a constrictor python. One by one, the knots in Magi's back were crushed and shaken until they were completely relieved of tension. Meticulous as a diamond spider with its prey, Fluttershy continued to press Magi's muscles until she was finally convinced that there were no more tension knots to attack.

"Phew, you were really tense. You had tension knots even under your wings. But now I'm sure you'll be able to fly much lighter," Fluttershy said, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.

"Uh-huh," Magi replied face down.

"Although the complete treatment involves the neck and limbs. In your case, it would be preferable to have some floral baths beforehand to prevent skin lesions from forming due to muscle stress."

"Uh-huh," Magi repeated mechanically.

"Ponyville's spa offers specialized medical treatments for all kinds of stress. We could go together one day. You'll like it; they have a very professional staff, and they even give you a good discount if you come with a friend."

"Uh-huh."

"Um, Magi?"

"Uh-huh."

If Magi's mind worked like an electronic device like the ones she used every day, she would be updating right now. More like a robot than a pony, Magi stood up and, with lifeless eyes, entered the cleaning compartment of the carriage without saying a word, making sure to close the doors behind her.

A loud thud was heard from inside the compartment, as if someone had just headbutted the wall.

Shortly after, Magi emerged.

"I'm renewed!" exclaimed the executive pegasus, cheerful and radiant as a spring rose, although she had a slight mark on her forehead. With a flap of her wings, she approached Fluttershy and gave her a warm hug. "Thank you, Fluttershy, thank you. I really needed something like this. I feel like I could fly out the window right now. Wheee!"

"Yes! I'm really... glad to hear that! Ha!" Fluttershy could barely respond as she fell to the ground after receiving Magi's tight hug.

"Ponyville is a bit far from my work area. But if that spa you mentioned is as good as you say, I think I could take a break with my girlfriend on vacation," Magi said as she stretched all her limbs and did a few hops.

"Ouuu," Fluttershy responded, feeling somewhat dizzy on the floor.

Then Fluttershy saw something strange. Magi, who had stopped hopping around, had put on a magical-looking collar and had suddenly started to fade and reappear with different fur and mane colors.

Magi continued to alternate her colors successively as if she were a malfunctioning traffic light. Although not immediately apparent, she was calibrating the device.

"What's going on?" asked Fluttershy, surprised and somewhat frightened.

"Oh, this? It's a wonder my engineers created. It allows you to change the color of your fur without the need for makeup. It can even make you invisible for a certain amount of time."

"Wow, that's amazing!" Fluttershy replied, astonished, watching as Magi tested her equipment and then began to place her other gadgets in her saddlebag. Her saddlebag also caught Fluttershy's attention because despite Magi placing a large number of devices inside, it didn't seem to fill up at all.

"You have very surprising tools," Fluttershy commented curiously.

"Yes, right? I'm always prepared. But I'm not the only one with surprises in her saddlebag. You seem to be hiding something too," Magi remarked, noticing that Fluttershy had kept her saddlebag on all this time and was holding it tightly between her wings.

"Well, it's a special gift I have for Twilight... it's a surprise," Fluttershy said somewhat timidly and suspiciously serious. Magi noticed this change and made a mental note of it.

"Well, if it's a surprise, there's no need to show it now. You'll do it in due time..."

"Yes, in due time..." Fluttershy mumbled to herself, looking in another direction. Then she suddenly jolted.

"What's wrong?" Magi asked seriously as she saw Fluttershy alarmed.

"The girls must still be enchanting the crystals. I just thought that maybe they should enchant each crystal individually and not all together as they've been doing. Oh, I feel so bad for not being able to hear Twilight's words properly," Fluttershy said anxiously. She still didn't believe she was giving her all, and she felt responsible for her friends' delay in enchanting the crystals they urgently needed.

Without saying more, she got up and headed for the door that led to the other room where the rest of the ponies were.

"Wait, Fluttershy!" Magi suddenly said.

"Yes? What's wrong?" Fluttershy turned before touching the door.

"I know it's not much, but would you like an autograph from the Averages team?"

"Ready! A complete set of Friendship Crystals!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed excitedly, connecting the last of the crystals to its respective rosary.

"Twilight will be so surprised when she sees these beautiful crystals with our glow," Rarity added, her horn's light inspecting the six enchanted crystals.

"Well, I have to admit that they look impressive when complete. Now we just need to explain to Fluttershy how they work. I hope she takes it well," Applejack said, adjusting her hat.

Then, someone knocked on the door of the carriage.

"Hello? Am I interrupting something?" came Fluttershy's voice from the other side.

"Of course not, dear Fluttershy," Rarity said, using her magic to open the door and let her friend in.

"Did something happen?" Applejack asked Fluttershy, who looked concerned.

"Well, it's just that I had an idea to help you enchant the crystals faster. I know I haven't been much help, but please let me explain what I have in mind," Fluttershy replied.

"Huh? We would never think anything like that, sweetness. You're truly one of the most important among us, and you've shown it very well today," Applejack responded, patting Fluttershy's shoulder. Beside her, Pinkie Pie and Rarity echoed words of encouragement.

"Oh, thank you, friends. I'm so glad to hear that."

"Well, if that makes you happy, this will make you even happier!" Pinkie Pie said, leaping up to reveal the six enchanted gems.

"Wow," Fluttershy was impressed by the brilliance of the just-completed gems.

"Touch them and feel the perfection, dear," Rarity added, placing Fluttershy's hooves on the rosary of the six gems.

"This is wonderful! You really managed to finish them! Yay!" Fluttershy exclaimed with a flap of her wings, confident that everything would be fine from now on.

"So... about that, there's something we need to discuss," Applejack interrupted, looking at her friends.

A sudden chill ran through all of them at that moment, an unexpected cold accompanied by a startle. Fluttershy froze, staring behind Applejack. Rarity and Pinkie Pie had also felt it, and while they hadn't turned to look, they could easily guess who that presence belonged to.

For Applejack, it was crystal clear. But she felt calm, knowing that with just one word, it would all be over. She gave one last glance to her pegasus friend.

She hadn't noticed it earlier when Fluttershy entered, but it seemed that Fluttershy had fixed her mane again.

But that was a detail she could ignore; the pressing issue was what she would do next.

"VANILLA!" Applejack yelled, turning around just before a blast of magic hit her and the other two ponies. Sacrificing herself to protect another pony was something she had nightmares about many times as a filly. It had terrified her, and she used to think that doing so would be the dumbest thing she could ever do in her life. Now, however, the feeling she had was different.

There was a gentle, peaceful smile on Applejack's face before she vanished.

"You won't get far, little rat..." Ceridwen muttered as she saw the room's doors closing.

The pink-maned pegasus had skillfully dodged the magical attack that would have trapped her along with her friends. While the other three had fallen victim to the surprise attack, she now had to hunt down that pony.

Ceridwen frowned. She couldn't allow her to escape; that pony had enchanted crystals on her hooves, which could be used against her. An actual weapon, without a doubt. And if it fell into the hands of the princess, it could become a major problem for the entire mission.

"You won't escape." Without thinking, Ceridwen exploded the door open with her magic and entered the waiting room. It was empty. That was perplexing since she hadn't sensed the pegasus's presence leaving the carriage, nor had there been any teleportation spell used. The latter was impossible due to the magical gem she was using.

However, there was no one in that place.

Another illusion again?

After consulting with Balor, Ceridwen had discovered that the carriage where the ponies had taken refuge had been concealed by a powerful illusion magic that prevented direct detection. Unlike invisibility magic, this illusion magic clouded the minds of individuals, causing them to not recognize a particular object, making them ignore it, or confusing it with another. So potent was this magic that it affected the five senses of potential attackers and even interfered with other magical detection channels.

However, no magic is perfect. An illusion is still an illusion, and reality eventually shatters it.

It was then that Ceridwen realized that the reflection of the enchanted carriage manifested in the water, even though she couldn't see it directly. A simple rule of reality that couldn't be reached by that deceptive magic.

How was it possible for those ponies to have such magic in their possession? She didn't know. Balor had ordered that they be captured without delay and that she should redouble her precautions. Those ponies were dangerous, and if they resisted, they were not to be captured; they were now to be eliminated.

Ceridwen cast a counter-spell around her. Now that she knew how that trick worked, she wouldn't be fooled again.

A wave of light emanated from her pony form and spread around her.

Soon, all the hidden objects began to reveal themselves. Ceridwen swallowed hard.

Dozens of crates of explosives had appeared on the walls, under the seats, and even attached to the ceiling. She could also hear the sound of a timer now.

"Brats," Ceridwen thought before the entire place was engulfed in a terrible explosion.

Fluttershy swam gently in the lake, hidden beneath a suitcase. Around her floated more suitcases, bags, and luggage debris, drifting on the tranquil surface of the lake where the railway tracks had been before.

It wasn't surprising that some of the debris collided or sank. Nevertheless, Fluttershy was cautious and carefully moved away from the center of the lake. Behind her, the remnants of the massive explosion that had destroyed the medical wagon could still be seen.

It had happened several minutes ago, and so far, she hadn't seen any enemy activity. Taking advantage of this period of uncertainty, she began to move away from that place. Her goal was to reach the opposite shore of the lake and then head towards the rocky hills, from where she could enter the vast forest that surrounded the Great Barrier to the south.

Despite her haste, she couldn't help but look back and think about the ponies who had sacrificed themselves for her.

The kind-hearted Fluttershy was crying as she held the gems her friends had given her.

Her tears were genuine.

"They were truly wonderful friends," Fluttershy murmured, gazing at the smoke rising in the middle of the lake.

Fluttershy was crying... but not out of sadness. Instead, her tears were accompanied by a dark laughter that would have astonished anyone who knew her gentle face.

Indeed, the real Fluttershy would have been crying from the sadness of losing her friends. However, she wasn't that pony.

She wasn't Fluttershy; she was Magazin Doublereport, and she couldn't care less about the true meaning of friendship. To her, friendship was just another label she could use to captivate her audience. The only thing that had changed after her recent experience with the princess's friends was that she would use that label more frequently.

("If friendship means others sacrificing themselves for you, then I have plenty of friends at home, hehe"), Magi thought, amused, as she continued her journey to reach the opposite shore.

Magi was truly ecstatic. She had encountered a major setback, but now she had everything she needed to carry on.

The princess's legacy was in her hooves. A powerful magical amulet that would undoubtedly grant her the power to escape this prison of damnation. If that didn't work, she could use that magic to fake her own death and go into hiding until it was all over.

Yes, hiding without drawing attention had been her initial plan since they were intercepted by Badwhiz. But that changed when the Great Barrier was erected. At that moment, she had an unpleasant premonition and consulted the most powerful magical amulets she possessed. These were amulets of such power that they would put the princesses of Equestria on alert if they found out a pony was using them.

It wasn't without reason. These were:

The Memory Stone, an inferior copy she had bought at an auction.
The Imagination Stone, which she had stolen from a museum during her teenage years.
The Visions Stone, handed down by the only pony she had ever respected and admired in her life.

When these three magical objects were combined, they had the power to reveal the near future with an accuracy of 95% and the distant future with 50%. The future wasn't set in stone, but Magi knew where it would be written. So, slowly, with much effort and practice, she mastered the power of the three stones, gaining an overwhelming advantage over others. Always one step ahead, she built the commercial empire of which she was so proud. Her confidence grew so great that it turned into arrogance. At one point, she stopped using the stones and simply allowed her inner voice to guide her pace, believing that her luck had always been there. She only resorted to these items on occasional doubts or emergencies.

That had been the case until today. When the vision of the future shown to her by the stones made even her last feather tremble with terror.

It was just a blank image, nothing more.

Magi couldn't accept it, and she wouldn't accept it. Because that image, which she had seen before in her dark past, meant only one thing.

Her life would end that day.

Desperately, she used all her abilities to see other possible scenarios, but the result was always the same. Only one among the infinite possibilities gave her a remote and improbable chance to prolong her fate. However, the image shown in that vision puzzled her. In this image was Fluttershy, the princess's friend, holding a striking rosary of colored gems. She didn't understand it at that moment, but later, while invisibly lurking around the train, she accidentally saw Twilight handing the same rosary to Fluttershy.

Everything became clear to her at that moment. She had to take those crystals; her life depended on it.

So, she carefully plotted each step to reach them. She deceived the princess's friends into completing the gems. She captured Fluttershy and locked her in the cleaning closet of the medical wagon. Then she took on the appearance of the pegasus and got close enough to her friends to finally seize the crystals.

And all of this just before the enemy caught up with them.

For this reason, Magi cried tears of joy when she reached the lake's shore. Once again, she had defied destiny. She felt like she had been reborn.

The fears that had haunted her all afternoon had faded, and her arrogance was once again taking control of her thoughts.

("Haaa... They really gave me a hard time, but now Magi is back.") she thought as she looked at the lake's interior with satisfaction and wiped her tears away with her wings. She still maintained the appearance of Fluttershy and remained invisible thanks to one of her magical artifacts.

In the lake, the situation hadn't changed. Her spy birds hadn't reported any changes either.

Despite her growing confidence, something bothered Magi. The Knights of the Order...

("They must have noticed the reflection of the wagon on the water... and to think they noticed it with this light...") Magi cast a glance at the oval-shaped sky above her. It was a sky filled with white light coming from all directions; there was no trace of the sun in it. The shadow it cast on the trees and rocks was diffuse. Nevertheless, the reflection in the water was sharp enough to notice objects near its surface.

This natural illusion had caused her camouflage of the medical wagon, where the ponies had taken refuge, to fail. Of course, Magi was aware of this mistake, but she didn't have any magical artifact that could make an object as large as the wagon invisible and ensure its complete camouflage. She had no choice but to rely on the princess's friends and pray to her lucky star that they wouldn't be found before her.

("Well ... I've had enough of these guys. I can imagine what they intend to do, so it's best to keep a low profile until they finish their agenda.") Magi wasn't naive. Capturing or destroying the princess and her friends was the first step for the Knights of the Order. Then they would attack the capital, the rest of Equestria, and the other kingdoms. This was a special operation aimed at eliminating potential threats to that mysterious realm to which they belonged.

She had considered negotiating with them, but her instincts told her it would be a bad idea. She knew too little, which was dangerous. If they had invested so much time in planning their attack, they probably wouldn't change their plans even if favorable factors emerged.

Another concern was the mystery behind the identity of the child working with the Knights.

However, for Magi, that didn't matter as much anymore. The previous explosion she had prepared had likely eliminated or injured one of the Knights, and now the rest of her comrades must be confused or reevaluating their plans. The lack of an immediate response reinforced this idea. This was an opportunity she had to take to escape completely from that place.

A gentle breeze caressed the lake. Magi convinced herself that there was no more danger, turned around, and continued her confident and unhurried journey.

A light burst on one of the shores of the lake. Magazin Doublereport had disappeared into the white glare without even knowing what had happened to her.

"Good job, Ceridwen," Balor communicated mentally with her friend. "That was perfect. The Grand Sub-Leader Mannah is so impressed with your performance that he's leaking."

"Give me the coordinates of the princess, Balor," Ceridwen replied tersely on the lake shore. Despite the time they had worked together, she still didn't like the occasional sarcastic remarks her friend made during missions.

"Heh, heh, okay. But first, send me those crystals through the secondary object delivery channel. I need to inspect them personally."

"Uhmm..." Ceridwen knew that this channel didn't pass through Mannah's filter, so it could be considered a breach of his authority.

"Fine... but is the sub-leader in agreement?" Ceridwen asked with suspicion.

"Of course."

Without further delay, Ceridwen sent the rosary of crystals belonging to Twilight and her friends to Balor in a simple burst of light.

Between harmony and order II (P9)

The wind gently blew over the tranquil lake in the middle of the Great Barrier. On one of its shores, a small pink butterfly flapped its wings exhaustedly in a desperate attempt to reach a safe haven. Not far from its path, the last cargo car of the Ponyville to Canterlot train lay overturned on the ground. Unlike the other cars sunk in the lake, this one was in perfect condition despite being attacked by the same elemental forces that had destroyed the train.

With renewed hope, the little butterfly exerted itself to the fullest to reach the car, and after several failed attempts, it finally managed to land on it. Exhausted, it rested on one of the wheels.

Although only a gentle breeze blew at that moment, for that little butterfly, the journey had been like navigating through a hurricane.

After several minutes of rest on the train car, the little butterfly turned its attention to the horizon.

On the other side of the lake, a large cloud of dust rose, and sounds resembling explosions began to resonate, filling the entire Great Barrier with a deafening echo.

The new threat filled the small butterfly with distress, and without wasting a second, it sought refuge among the metal openings revealed in the overturned car. Its search was brief, as it found a hole in the nearby air ducts and entered it without hesitation.

That tiny creature disappeared from the sight of anyone who might have observed it. However, in that conflicted world, few had eyes for details as insignificant as that.

"THROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

A rain of enormous rocks pounded the forest bordering the Great Barrier. Trees and old structures shattered upon the impact of rocks as large as carts. The heavy rain of rocks continued relentlessly for several seconds until the bombardment finally ceased.

The resulting gray dust cloud from the rock shower began to slowly dissipate, revealing a wasteland of destruction.

Badwhiz, who had never before witnessed such an impressive display of power from Ceridwen, was deeply astonished. So much so that for a moment, he thought the battle was already over.

However, for Ceridwen, a veteran in magical battles, who had faced the princess and her entourage in the past, that attack should not have been enough to defeat her opponent.

"I don't believe you're so weak as to think a few simple rocks would be enough to defeat you," Ceridwen mused as she assumed a defensive stance and ignited with her magic the two golden wands floating around her. Behind her, Badwhiz finally understood that it wasn't over yet and quickly imitated her to cover his rear. Between them floated a crystal cube.

Around them, dust danced in gray gusts that could barely conceal the tense atmosphere.

Minutes earlier, Ceridwen had arrived on the battlefield. After instructing Badwhiz to issue an ultimatum to the princess, informing her that her companions had already been captured and she should surrender, Ceridwen proceeded to attack her with a rain of rocks when she didn't receive a favorable response. Of course, she had no interest in hearing the princess's excuses; if she didn't surrender immediately, there was no point in wasting a single word.

Even in the midst of this sudden attack, the princess did not succumb to panic or confusion. She skillfully dodged the magically propelled rocks and retreated with her companion until they disappeared from Ceridwen's view.

The look the princess had before leaving was one that Ceridwen knew all too well; it was a look that reflected great determination to fight.

It was clear that a counterattack was imminent.

The dust had completely settled when, not far from where they were, Twilight emerged from behind the rocks and shot a precise beam of magic from her horn towards Ceridwen.

The counterattack began sooner than Ceridwen had anticipated, but only this was unexpected.

Twilight's bold direct attack collided with the solid magical barrier that Badwhiz had erected. The attack proved ineffective. Ceridwen, seeing an opportunity, acted in sync with Badwhiz, who lowered the barrier, and she immediately hurled one of her golden wands towards Twilight.

The wand didn't head towards its target like an arrow but sideways like a rolling pin. In the midst of its trajectory, it grew exponentially, impacting the ground due to its own weight and continuing its advance like a giant steamroller.

Twilight was greatly surprised to witness the manifestation of this magic. The overwhelming advance of the giant wand and the rocks flying in all directions left her no choice but to rise into the sky to avoid being crushed by the steamroller.

Now in the air, Twilight had become an easy target.

("Switch!") Ceridwen mentally commanded Badwhiz. In a perfectly synchronized movement that lasted less than a second, both companions exchanged their positions. Now Badwhiz was in front of Twilight, free to attack her directly with his black lightning.

One after another, black rays were shot towards Twilight in the sky. Some grazed her trail while others came too close, yet most failed to hit their target. Twilight wasn't a great flyer, but her strong wings and knowledge of flight gave her enough advantage to dodge Badwhiz's continuous onslaught.

Ceridwen, behind him, paid no attention. She knew Badwhiz wouldn't be able to bring down the princess. His sole purpose at that moment was to keep her occupied. The real attack would come from behind.

Rainbow Dash, swift as lightning, emerged from the remains of the crushed forest and headed straight for Ceridwen at an unstoppable speed. The agile pegasus easily dodged the hail of pellets Ceridwen launched to halt her advance. With no further obstacles, Rainbow Dash accelerated to the maximum and slid along the ground to position herself beneath Ceridwen. In what could have been barely two seconds, both adversaries found themselves less than a meter apart. Then, showcasing her extraordinary agility, Rainbow Dash launched her lower limbs directly towards Ceridwen's face with the intention of rendering her unconscious in a single blow.

Ceridwen expected nothing less. It wasn't the first time she had faced this agile pegasus.

Their first encounter took place during the conspiracy in Ornitia, where her initial efforts to prevent the activation of the Tree of Harmony in that realm were thwarted by Rainbow Dash and her companions. At that moment, she was surprised to witness with her own eyes the swiftness of Rainbow Dash. Shortly after withdrawing from there, she was even more amazed to learn that the same pegasus had traveled from the capital of that realm to the capital of Equestria in less than a day.

Their second encounter occurred in Canterlot and, unfortunately, ended in disaster. Trying to fulfill Danu's careless orders, Ceridwen was ambushed by the Princess and her allies. That confrontation was brief and humiliating. After receiving a barrage of attacks of all kinds that didn't give her the chance to defend herself, she was defeated under the hooves of the pony friends.

Yes, Ceridwen could accept her defeat. However, what she couldn't accept was that these encounters had been so one-sided.

Now, they were in their third showdown, on equal footing in numbers. This time, Ceridwen was confident it wouldn't end like the previous ones.

Ceridwen vanished before Rainbow Dash could connect her imminent direct attack. The pegasus passed by without hitting her target. Although to the eyes of anyone else, it might have seemed like Ceridwen had teleported, Rainbow Dash knew it wasn't so. Ceridwen, using her size-manipulating magic, had shrunk herself until she became so tiny that she was barely visible. But even being so small, she still had full control of her powers.

The second wand, still hovering in the air, transformed into a tiny but sharp dart. At one end, the still tiny Ceridwen positioned herself and aimed at Rainbow Dash from behind. With the pegasus in her sights, she unleashed her true attack with this projectile.

Rainbow Dash, who had turned around to keep track of the reduced Ceridwen, noticed a small golden flash where her opponent had been before.

No, it wasn't a flash. Rainbow Dash's instincts triggered her alarms, and instinctively, she stretched her neck backward as much as she could, thus dodging the sharp object heading straight for her head. The projectile passed by and hit a rock quite behind Rainbow Dash.

Disoriented by the great effort she made to avoid that unexpected attack, Rainbow Dash lost the rhythm of her flight and ended up rolling on the ground until she collided with the previous rock behind her. Despite all that, thanks to her quick reflexes, she managed to brake enough to emerge unscathed from the impact.

The rock behind Rainbow Dash was not as fortunate.

As Rainbow Dash casually observed the spot where the dart had impacted, she widened her eyes in distress, seeing a deep hole in the rock. That was where the projectile had embedded itself entirely, highlighting the lethality of that attack.

"SERIOUSLY! DO YOU WANT TO CAPTURE US, OR DO YOU WANT TO ELIMINATE US? MAKE UP YOUR MIND!" Rainbow Dash exploded, visibly irritated.

"Khiss," Ceridwen clicked her tongue as she returned to her normal size. She, too, was annoyed. The attack she had executed was one of the ones she had practiced the most since being imprisoned in Tartarus, and she had perfected it with the intention of using it against Rainbow Dash. However, after its recent unsuccessful execution, she would have to consider it as a futile effort.

"Lady Ceridwen, up!" exclaimed Badwhiz suddenly in a mental message.

Huge rocks began to fall in their position. Both Ceridwen and Badwhiz retreated, increasing the distance between them and Rainbow Dash. Badwhiz raised the barrier again, protecting both of them from the smaller stones splashing around.

Through the dust that had risen, Ceridwen saw how Twilight quickly arrived where Rainbow Dash was and then disappeared along with her companion in a teleportation.

"You're not capable of fighting for yourself without an advantage, huh, little princess?" Ceridwen mocked inwardly, satisfied. Now she was convinced that her opponent was no better than her or her companions. There was no special force guarding behind that pony, and soon she would have no one in front of her to protect her.

"That wasn't right," Rainbow Dash expressed, clearly upset.

"No, it wasn't," acknowledged Twilight as she lay on the ground. She was somewhat exhausted after dodging Badwhiz's lightning repeatedly. She didn't have serious injuries, although the tips of her tail and some parts of her coat showed signs of singeing.

Both ponies were back at the dead-end pit. The gloomy place, illuminated only by Twilight's magical light, was a physical representation of the complicated situation they were in.

"And now there are two... What are they? Twins?" asked Rainbow Dash, thinking about her two nearly identical opponents.

"I don't think so. One of them is an enchanted spirit, that's Badwhiz outside his body. The other... should be the real Vainilla."

"'Should be'?" Rainbow Dash said, puzzled.

"He hasn't manifested physically yet. He's only using Badwhiz's body as a hostage."

"He didn't look like a hostage to me, Twilight; he seemed very cooperative."

"We can't rule anything out yet, Rainbow Dash; we don't know enough."

"Right, we don't know..." Rainbow Dash responded with an annoyed air, looking thoughtfully at one of the walls.

There was a new pause in the conversation between the two friends. Rainbow Dash's frustration was palpable at that moment, and Twilight felt the pain of not having enough answers for her friend.

"Didn't you say those guys would try to trap us instead of attacking us directly?" Rainbow Dash said, turning her gaze back to Twilight.

"It seems their plans are different. What Badwhiz said earlier was just a ploy to catch us off guard."

"That little..." Rainbow Dash's feathers bristled.

"In fact, everything he's told us from the beginning is likely a lie."

"Wait... so, are the girls okay?" exclaimed Rainbow Dash, hope in her voice.

"No, but that crystal he claimed they're supposedly locked in must be a trap."

"So, they..." Rainbow Dash began to say with a doubtful voice.

"Hey! No, no, Rainbow, it can't be. They must have been captured," Twilight quickly responded, seeing the concern on Rainbow Dash's face.

"How do you know?" Dash replied now distressed.

"I would have felt it, you would have felt it too. That couldn't have happened," Twilight asserted, shaking her head. Despite the many possibilities that her friends might have been eliminated, those ideas were only in her head. Deep within herself, Twilight felt that her friends were still there, albeit distant. It was the same feeling she had when facing the Triple Alliance of Villains that attacked Canterlot before her coronation. Despite the despair that flooded her at that moment, she never felt a sense of loss, but rather of abandonment and failure.

"I have faith that they're still here. But they're prisoners of the enemy; we must do everything we can to free them," Twilight continued with renewed determination.

Despite the strong will expressed by Twilight, doubts were already beginning to weigh on Rainbow Dash...

"But what do we do, Twilight? If we continue as we have been doing, we'll lose," Rainbow Dash responded with concern.

For Twilight, this was a question with a difficult answer.

After Badwhiz's companion arrived, without saying a word between them, Badwhiz announced that the rest of their friends had been captured in a crystal cube and that they should surrender. Twilight tried to initiate a conversation at that moment, but she was interrupted by the violent rock attack launched by the newcomer Vainilla. Faced with this turn of events, Twilight, now without the possibility of negotiation, had to briefly coordinate with Rainbow Dash to execute a quick attack and free their friends.

The attack plan consisted of Twilight simulating an offensive to distract Badwhiz's companion, while Rainbow Dash would advance hidden from behind, assaulting Badwhiz with shadow attacks from the rear, defeating him, and taking the crystal. This move needed to be executed swiftly and decisively to succeed. Unfortunately, their opponents' coordination turned out to be better than they had anticipated. Not only that, but they received an immediate response to their actions and even a counterattack that almost ended with one of them.

Continuing with this same strategy until the opponent failed would be a path to failure, given how well-prepared the adversaries were. Trying to deceive the enemy with a trick carried risks and the possibility that one of them would sacrifice themselves. Negotiating was pointless...

One after another, ideas crossed Twilight's mind, but none was acceptable; all had too many drawbacks. The only way to rescue their friends without losing the one still with them would be for them to magically become faster and stronger, but that last part was something impossible at the moment.

Twilight had already used up all the crystals she could enchant and had no additional magical artifacts that would give them the urgently needed advantage.

Rainbow Dash watched anxiously as Twilight sank into a deep state of concentration with closed eyes... until she finally exhaled.

"We have no choice but to try to deceive them, pretend that one of us was injured or weakened in the battle and hope that Badwhiz or his other companion let their guard down when they try to capture us," resignedly responded Twilight. She had opened her eyes again, but she had a tired look.

"Really? Do you really think they're naive enough to fall for something like that?" Rainbow Dash responded skeptically.

"If I break my horn in front of them, it should surely cause some reaction."

Rainbow Dash opened her eyes wide. But before she could say anything, Twilight continued. "I won't really break my horn; it'll just be a very convincing trick to deceive them. I learned it from a performance by Trixie and Starlight last year. Both of their performances were really realistic," Twilight concluded with a faint forced smile.

"Well, then it might work," replied Rainbow Dash, rubbing her chin. It was evident that she wasn't entirely convinced.

"The other option is that you pretend you lost your wings in an attack, but I would have to magically remove them first..."

"Hey! On second thought, I think it would be more believable if you lose your horn," Rainbow Dash said immediately, somewhat nervous, as she flexed her wings. "I really wouldn't stand losing my wings again."

Upon hearing the last part, Twilight froze.

Rainbow Dash's words had awakened an old memory within her and also reignited the flame of hope that had been fading. She could almost feel her heart skipping with excitement. She had found the answer she urgently needed!

"THAT'S IT, RAINBOW DASH! YOU'RE BRILLIANT!" exclaimed Twilight, using her magic to grab Rainbow Dash and bring her in for an affectionate hug.

"Hey! No! No, Twilight! Your idea of breaking your horn is better than me losing my wings. Seriously! I just told you!" Rainbow Dash responded very nervously.

"I'm not referring to that. Do you remember when those evil unicorns took your wings a while back? And what happened next?" Twilight asked with shining eyes, hoping her friend understood what she had in mind.

"Mmm... Well, we went after those guys... but they captured us, and then..."

"Then?"

Rainbow Dash's eyes were somewhat lost in her memories until they finally gleamed with excitement as she recalled that moment. Excitedly, she could finally understand what her friend intended. She could only respond in one way.

"TWILIGHT-DASH! OH, YES!" exclaimed Rainbow, spinning in the air with excitement.

Twilight-Dash was the fusion between Twilight and Rainbow Dash. This had happened years ago when they were captured by evil unicorns who had stolen Rainbow Dash's wings to become alicorns. At that time, Twilight's magic wasn't sufficient for them to free themselves. It was then that the idea of merging arose to be able to stop those villains. The resulting fusion had such power that it practically humiliated those dangerous wizards, who, unable to defend themselves, ended up surrendering and begging for mercy.

This was the best opportunity they had to win.

"We must start immediately. The spell I used back then was somewhat temporary and limited. This time, I'll do much better," proposed Twilight, striking the ground with her hoof, adding nothing more, igniting her horn, and starting her concentration.

"At that moment, I didn't have my wings. But now that I have them, can you imagine how fast we're going to be? IT'LL BE TWICE AS AWESOME!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash, flapping her wings, already fantasizing about the extraordinary acrobatics she could perform in no time.

A tremor was felt around them. Pieces of earth began to fall from above.

"An impatient audience," Rainbow Dash taunted with a smile as she looked towards the empty ceiling.

"I'm almost done," replied Twilight, with the light from her horn shining at its peak.

A magical light began to emanate from Twilight's horn, signaling the start of the spell. Smooth as a brilliant silk blanket, the magic enveloped both ponies, and between them, threads of light detached and joined. Gradually, two light cocoons formed and approached each other. Soon, both cocoons met and quickly merged into one. The light from the new large cocoon shone, splashed with all the shades of the rainbow, before compressing and diminishing its brightness like a paper lantern in the darkness of the pit.

Then, a crack opened, and the light of a pair of eyes revealed itself to the world.

Between harmony and order II (P10)

At one end of the war room, Balor was shaken by a disturbance that ran through her entire body. This was an ominous sensation that foreshadowed a massive shift in the balance of magic. Balor had been born with the ability to perceive these changes, and since then, there had been very few times she had felt something similar. Even among those few occasions, she had only experienced a more intense sensation once, when she challenged the great patriarch.

Surprised and with her senses on alert, she quickly turned her gaze towards the rest of her companions, who were attentively observing the magic mirror.

The expressions on their faces reflected the gravity of the situation. The magic mirror swayed at a point not far from where Ceridwen was located. That was one of the marked locations where the princess and her companion were supposed to have taken refuge.

Minutes earlier, Balor had witnessed the previous encounter between Ceridwen and Twilight. After it concluded, she had informed her companions that the princess had already reached her limit of effort, and from that point on, the battle would be dominated by Ceridwen. So confidently, she had withdrawn to continue analyzing the magical objects they had obtained from the ponies.

But now the situation had changed...

"What does this mean, Balor?" Mannah asked in a serious tone.

Balor examined the enchanted water mirror more closely, took a sample, and analyzed the magic reflected in it.

A dark smile appeared on her face. This was what she had been waiting for.

"My great sub-leader, Mannah, it's time for you to relinquish control of this operation," she responded with a solemn air.

A gentle drizzle fell on one end of the Great Barrier, accompanied by a fresh breeze and a barely perceptible mist.

For someone who had dedicated their entire life to the exhaustive study of natural phenomena using strictly the scientific method, this drizzle would be inexplicable. Considering the limited size of the dome enclosing the surrounding atmosphere, such meteorological phenomena should be impossible.

However, for Ceridwen, there was a simple explanation: magic.

This dome, also known as the Great Barrier, was the place where Twilight and her friends had been trapped. It was created using a spell very similar to the one protecting the realm of Cunabula. Like this one, the Great Barrier created an atmosphere of a beneficial microclimate for those sheltered inside it.

Although they shared similarities, the differences were more notable.

The Great Barrier was considerably smaller than its counterpart, had a more limited duration, lacked environmental restrictions, and did not offer security in its solidity, as it did not require great magical power to break it from the outside or inside.

Taking into account all these disadvantages, along with others that had arisen during the initial planning, one might think that the Great Barrier would not fulfill its purpose of enclosing the princess and her allies. That reinforcements from outside would soon arrive to free them without much effort.

But that would never happen; Ceridwen was as sure of that as she was of the dawn.

Balor had added more than one magical barrier to that place; in fact, they were layers upon layers of magic, all tied to the main spell of the Great Barrier. Both inside and outside, the layers of magic had been placed to give the Knights of the Order all the necessary security so that the princess could not escape or receive reinforcements.

Of course, all this magical overload would make the barrier collapse even more quickly, but Balor had overcome this last obstacle with a clever solution.

A time spell.

Using her own lifespan, Balor had extended the duration of the barrier for three days. The cost for Balor would be three years of her youth.

Although channeling so much magic was a considerable effort, Balor did not hesitate to complete her task. To do this, she had to enter a period of dormancy while casting the spells simultaneously, one of her best abilities and one she was most proud of. With the protection of her companions, Balor was not interrupted and successfully completed her work.

Ceridwen was calm; she had more than a day to find Twilight, but since they were in a battle of great importance for their nation, she definitely would not allow such a waste.

Using her magic, Ceridwen hurled a large rock towards an abandoned building in the distance. The dilapidated structure immediately exploded into pieces.

("There are only three more places left," thought Ceridwen.) Immediately, she prepared her next projectile. Behind her, Badwhiz still covered her, and the crystal cube floated at her side. The next target was an abandoned well; this time, she would use a much larger and sharper rock.

Suddenly, a disturbance in the atmosphere interrupted her. Behind her, Badwhiz shrank as he also sensed the unexpected change.

Something had happened.

Dropping the rock she had lifted, Ceridwen assumed a defensive position again. Behind her, Badwhiz once again raised his magical shield to protect her from the possible threat.

Around them, the atmosphere had changed. The drizzle, like the wind, had stopped, and the mist that had prevailed in the area until then dissipated without a trace. It was as if nature were holding its breath.

Then, an explosion. A beam of light emerged from the place where she was supposed to attack a moment ago. Rising into the sky in a bright line, a purple spark soared high until suddenly stopping in the white sky of the Great Barrier.

Ceridwen's eyes widened as she saw the figure of the pony observing her from above. It wasn't the princess or her companion. It was an opponent for whom she was not prepared.

The newcomer began to descend slowly. Ceridwen observed every detail of her new opponent.

The unknown alicorn had a mane with a design similar to Twilight's but with a slight gradient of color reminiscent of Rainbow Dash's. Her entire skin, of a light purple color, seemed wrapped in a faint glow of light that emanated from within. Both her horn and her strong wings emitted particles of sky-blue and lilac. She wasn't thin but not overly robust; she had a perfect proportion suitable for her size.

And despite the calm expression on her face, there was immense power in every beat of the wings of this alicorn. Ceridwen, watching her approach like a storm in motion, was sure of that.

Twilight-Dash finally touched the ground with the grace of a princess and the posture of a seasoned warrior. The magical lights accompanying her descent faded. The introductory show was over. Now, Twilight-Dash being just a simple alicorn, observed Ceridwen without any hostility or emotion.

Certainly, Ceridwen did not perceive any hostility, but the tension that gripped her only increased.

("Does she want to talk?") she thought in vain. Ceridwen was surprised by the recent turn of events, but she still trusted that she could control the situation. She didn't need to be a magic scholar to understand that she was facing a fusion.

"Release my friends and return to your home," ordered Twilight-Dash.

Yes, those simple words that were not a threat were spoken in a firm and authoritative tone. Although this was only the impression she had. Ceridwen couldn't help but think of her former leader Danu. Even more, they reminded her of someone superior to him.

Silence enveloped both adversaries.

Ceridwen snorted slightly and immediately prepared another golden-enchanted rod with her magic. She had no words in response to her opponent. After all the tragic events in Cunabula the night before, there was simply no room for dialogue or negotiations. She wouldn't lend herself to that anymore. All that was left for her was to fight and fulfill her mission.

***

"I guess that's a no," Twilight's independent mind thought disheartenedly as she observed her opponent's reaction.

"Well, at least you tried. Can we do it the hard way now?" responded Rainbow Dash's independent mind.

Both minds, separate and independent, shared the same body, cooperating to guide the thoughts and actions of Twilight-Dash. This fusion had its own independent thought, although limited, resulting from the combination of both lines of thinking. Of course, if a strong decision conflict arose between Twilight and Rainbow Dash, the fusion would pause and, in the worst case, unravel.

But at that moment, both friends had no doubt about what to do next.

"So be it," replied Twilight-Dash, breaking the silence.

Ceridwen, who possessed Badwhiz's body, ignored these last words. Determined to take the initiative in the battle, she quickly prepared two additional rods and aimed them at Twilight-Dash.

However, for Twilight-Dash, those movements were... too slow. Previously, when she was just Rainbow Dash, she would have praised her opponent's reflexes. But now, they caused her a bit of disappointment.

In an instant, both thoughts, those of Twilight and Rainbow Dash, in sync and with a plan of action in mind, began their counteroffensive.

With a sigh, Twilight-Dash flapped her wings and advanced towards Vainilla with incredible speed, making the world around her seem to be in slow motion. A smile formed on Twilight-Dash's face. Her advantage in speed was obvious, but she shouldn't get overconfident because she now needed to prove her endurance.

She continued her unstoppable advance with the intention of piercing through Vainilla's magical barrier.

Soon, her front hooves collided with the barrier. The magic bubble, which had protected her enemies from any attack until that moment, tore apart as if it were a paper cover.

Twilight-Dash smiled even more; she had barely felt the impact. For a moment, she thought about laughing at the ridiculous defense she had just broken through, but she restrained herself; it was not yet the time to boast.

With a firm gaze on her opponent, Twilight-Dash continued forward, getting even closer to the one she had previously called Vainilla.

Then, finally standing in front of him, Twilight-Dash frowned; a doubt assailed her once again.

Who was this individual? At this point, she wasn't sure who Vainilla could really be. She also wasn't sure about the plan he was carrying out against her. Judging by Rainbow Dash's testimony and what her friends had told her when they got off the train, she could deduce that this individual must have been hidden from the beginning, using the boy named Badwhiz to stage a show and draw the attention of Twilight and her friends. Once the boy had examined the terrain enough and set up a favorable situation in the battle, he would manifest himself through possession for a sudden attack. This would explain the change in attitude and abilities he began to show later on, with which he managed to surprise Rainbow Dash.

However, it still didn't explain why the abilities Vainilla had now were different from those Rainbow Dash had initially described. Even his armor had changed. Besides, were so many precautions necessary if they wanted to eliminate them? Given the battles so far, her opponent had had many opportunities to defeat Twilight and her friends. Or was there another motive that she had not considered? Perhaps it was a wearing-down strategy intended to obtain the most information about the bearers of the Elements of Harmony while posing new and greater threats on the battlefield each time?

It could be that they were not facing just one opponent, but several individuals. Probably disciples of the Order Knights who were trapped in Tartarus.

The worst-case scenario was that their enemies were actually the same Order Knights. Because if that was the case...

"Oops," Twilight-Dash dodged one of Vainilla's golden bars. "That was close; better hurry." The projectile had shot out at an extreme speed from one of his sides, but in the eyes of Twilight-Dash, it was like watching a very fast sparrow.

Without further delay, Twilight-Dash started to move seriously. She circled around Vainilla to position herself at his back. There, two more golden bars shot at her, but she easily dodged them. She extended one of her front hooves and began rummaging in the back of Vainilla's mane.

Then, she found something solid and pulled it out. It was a tiny crystal cube, almost identical to the one Vainilla had brought, but with an improved design and a more radiant glow.

Twilight-Dash brought it close to her chest and could feel intense magic pulsating slowly inside.

Her assumption had been correct. Just as she had imagined, Vainilla had hidden the real crystal where her friends were sealed, reducing it and placing it behind his mane.

"Sorry for being so late, girls," Twilight-Dash said to herself, saddened.

"Viiiiiiiiiiiiiiii," a whistle sounded. Twilight-Dash looked around. The false sealing crystal between Vainilla and Badwhiz began to glow. Vainilla, on one side, had started to move a little faster and was now slowly aiming his horn at Twilight-Dash. Shadow Badwhiz, on the other hand, seemed not to have noticed anything.

"Villains collaborating... not the first time, but still annoying," Twilight-Dash had had enough of these types. She spread her wings and flapped them. Two intense air currents shot out against both enemies. Too slow to react, both Vainilla and Badwhiz were pushed by the gusts of wind in opposite directions, crashing into the rocks.

And to finish, the powerful alicorn gave a strong kick to the false sealing crystal, sending it flying somewhere in the Great Barrier.

"Was it really a trap?" Twilight-Dash thought, surprised, but quickly pushed that thought aside. She didn't have time to think about those things now. What she had to do immediately was take the real sealing crystal to a safe place and free her friends. Together, they could activate the magic of the Elements and face Vainilla and his allies. Even better, she could try to merge them together as well.

"Why didn't I think of this earlier? Apple Pie? Rari-Fluter-shy?" With this in mind, Twilight-Dash teleported before her opponents could understand what had happened.

***

"How dare she?" Ceridwen murmured furiously from the possessed body of Badwhiz. Being knocked down to the ground by her adversary was one thing, but simply leaving the battlefield when she had the opportunity to finish her off or capture her at that moment was another.

She had already been humiliated in that way before, and now the princess repeated the same pattern.

"That's enough," Ceridwen exclaimed coldly. Then she summoned a long string of black pearls; the amulet began to burn in the fire of her magic, ready to be used immediately.

Ceridwen had decided to use heavy artillery. She had been ordered not to use items of that level, but given the recent turn of the battle, she at least wanted the princess to get a good glimpse of what she was truly capable of.

So, before taking action, a voice interrupted her.

"Ceridwen, my friend, let it go. I will take over the rest of the operation," this was Balor's voice speaking to her mentally.

"Balor, let me finish!" Ceridwen replied forcefully through the same channel.

"No, we all agreed that at some point in the battle, I would have the final say. That moment is now. So please, give me control of that body immediately," Balor responded with a cold voice and without any hint of sarcasm.

Faced with Balor's urgent request, Ceridwen calmed down. It made no sense to fight among allies. Everyone had already agreed to avoid that, and she definitely wouldn't be the first to break that rule.

"Destroy her, Balor. Restore Cunabula's honor," Ceridwen requested from her companion. It was a sincere plea that came from the depths of her heart.

"I intend to do so, my friend," Balor concluded. At that moment, communication was cut, and they both switched places.

Balor now possessed the actual body of Badwhiz. The armor had changed from orange to a deep purple. She looked around. The battlefield was a mess, but she wasn't concerned in the slightest. In fact, she was glad that Ceridwen hadn't made further progress earlier. Due to Mannah's initial resistance to her assuming leadership of the operation, Ceridwen had to prove the strength of the fusion between the princess pony and her companion.

"Politicians..." Balor scoffed inwardly. After witnessing the overwhelming power of Twilight-Dash, the sub-leader of the Knights of the Order immediately relinquished leadership of the battle.

Not far from where she stood, a shadow stood among the rocks. It was Badwhiz, but he looked pitiful. Even as just a mass of shadows and magic, his whole body appeared diluted and opaque, like soot clinging to clothes.

The disoriented shadow pony turned his head, searching for his companion. He saw Balor and immediately ran toward her. However, he stopped a few steps away upon realizing belatedly that it was no longer Ceridwen.

Badwhiz bowed as respectfully as he could.

"Lord Balor, the princess escaped with the sealing crystal. We didn't have the power to stop her..."

"I believe you. You spent much of your limited magic attacking her, and now that you're exhausted, you've become a burden."

"I'm sorry," replied Badwhiz, shrinking.

"Don't apologize. After all, you are weak."

At the words of his mistress, Badwhiz hung his head in sadness. Now, his heart also sank.

But Balor wasn't finished.

"Tell me, boy, what do you think is the greatest decisive factor in a battle?"

Badwhiz, who was tired, didn't have the strength to think too much about the answer to that sudden question, so he could only say the first thing that came to mind.

"Power," Badwhiz answered simply.

"Hmm," Balor murmured. Then she lifted a small rock from the ground with her magic and placed it on the palm of her helmet. She turned her back to Badwhiz and looked at the horizon of the Great Barrier. There, hidden somewhere, was the fusion she had to defeat.

"Having power is desirable. I won't deny that. However, there is another factor that always ensures the winner's victory," as she spoke these words, Balor began channeling her magic into the rock she held. "This factor is the key to all wars and the secret to any peace."

A wind blew, swirling dust around them.

"It is deception," Balor declared. Suddenly, the rock she held sparkled, and in the blink of an eye, it had transformed into the real sealing crystal in which the Knights of the Order had trapped Twilight's friends.

Shortly before, in a rabbit burrow, Twilight-Dash was analyzing the sealing crystal cube.

"Twilight, seriously, can't we just crack it open like a nut with our hooves?"

"This is a very delicate object, Rainbow Dash. If we make the slightest mistake, it could explode with all our friends inside or trap us as well."

"Really?" Rainbow Dash's independent mind insinuated arrogantly.

"I don't think so, but there are possibilities. Maybe a hex-revealing spell will give me clues. Uhpm. No, a six-phase arcane analysis should be enough..." Twilight's independent mind continued to think aloud about other options to initiate the deciphering of the cube.

"Ugh!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash, the pegasus was already starting to regret not finishing the previous battle. If she had, she would have enjoyed taking down the villains and avoided continuing the fusion with Twilight. Then she wouldn't find herself listening to all the nerdy and incomprehensible suggestions passing through her friend's mind.

Several minutes had passed in this task, and for Rainbow Dash, the situation was becoming unbearable.

Then, unexpectedly, it happened.

"Huh?" Twilight-Dash exclaimed the moment the sealing crystal cube sparkled and transformed into its fake version. "What the heck?"

Just like before, this fake crystal continued whistling, like a boiling teapot, or rather like a bomb about to explode.

A violent eruption erupted on one of the hills within the Great Barrier. In the distance, Balor observed the result of the conflagration. As she had calculated, the explosion had not destroyed the fusion of the princess and her ally.

"Predictable..." Balor muttered inwardly. Then she glanced back.

There was Badwhiz, who had an expression as if waiting for her to say something more.

"What a child..." Balor thought. She had a good opportunity to give a speech to Badwhiz at that moment, but she didn't.

Balor wasn't that kind of person. Her master, on the other hand, would have done it. He was an exemplary person who never missed the chance to teach his ideals to others. He was someone Balor admired, even though she never could earn his approval.

Even now, she could vividly recall the sermons he used to give her for her shortcomings.

"... we, the Knights of the Order, defend our nation with truth. Not with lies. It is beneath us to resort to deceitful arts or vague speeches. Remember that by using the same weapon, the knight takes it as an extension of himself. If this weapon becomes the lie, the knight will lose his purpose and become just another criminal in the eyes of justice. Punishment will not be delayed to reach him..."

These had been the wise words she had received from her master. She hadn't been a good student, and it was quite obvious she wouldn't be a good teacher either.

She truly didn't feel capable of teaching Badwhiz properly.

"Don't make that face, boy. It's not the time for lessons."

"Huh? I apologize... I will keep your words in mind, Lord Balor," said Badwhiz somewhat confused, bowing his head.

"Keep them in mind, boy, but don't take them too much to heart. It's just common sense, and in practice, lies don't always work. Besides, peace can also arise in other ways. Like from true sacrifices..." Balor murmured, looking somewhere into the sky.

Badwhiz found his teacher's behavior strange but said no more.

"All right, that's enough. Now I'll dissipate your consciousness and complete the mind domination spell." As she finished speaking, the shadowy figure that Badwhiz was made of began to dissolve like smoke in the wind. As the consciousness of the pink-maned pony began to wander in some hazy and drowsy place.

Badwhiz's last thought at that moment was about his pet, Beak. He still trusted that it would be okay.

Between harmony and order II (P11)

Mannah, Morrigan, Ceridwen, and Taranis watched in silence the dramatic event that was about to unfold.

Under the attentive gaze of their comrades, Balor's true body entered a massive orb filled with pure magic. Around him and between his wings, six custom-designed crystals orbited. The emblems engraved on each of the crystals sparkled like stars around their sun. Then, Balor, clenching his claws as if trying to crush an invisible balloon, compressed the magic around him, causing all the crystals to merge into one.

The war room was flooded with a unique and powerful light that enveloped everyone.

Mannah, with solemn voice, declared, "Let justice be served!"

A column of black light rose into the sky of the Grand Barrier, darkening the already scarce light and releasing an unsettling glow in different places within the dome.

Twilight-Dash was not oblivious to these signals and headed towards their source.

At the same time, in the war room in front of the Knights of the Order, the most crucial phase of their operation had begun. The unit's crest, a magical amulet that had been used in the pivotal battles of the Knights, had been assembled. It had always been employed against powerful enemies of their nation who had breached their defenses. Today, however, it was only the second time in history that it was being used outside the realm.

Inside the Grand Barrier, where Badwhiz's real body was located, the purple armor he wore began to darken until it became as black as pure tar. All wounds or signs of weakness disappeared from Badwhiz's body. An immense amount of magic completely filled the pony's body, giving it a ghostly halo. This transfiguration was the result of the fusion of the magic of the five Knights of the Order and Badwhiz into one. However, it was an imperfect union. Danu, representing the element of loyalty, was not present. Nevertheless, the power that Balor had gained at that moment was sufficient to face the approaching adversary.

Twilight-Dash reached the origin of the column of black light.

The transfiguration had ended. A cloud of dust erupted.

Both the sky and the inside of the Grand Barrier returned to how they were before.

But everything had changed. Tension filled the air. It was the brief pause before the storm.

Twilight-Dash watched in dismay at her opponent on top of a hill. The immense power she felt in front of her was impossible to ignore. It was like standing in front of an erupting volcano.

The dust cloud that enveloped the area dissipated in an instant.

Balor, now fully possessing Badwhiz's body and wielding the power of six different individuals, presented herself to Twilight-Dash by spreading her black wings. She smiled at her opponent, but it wasn't a mocking or arrogant smile; it was one of accomplishment. All her forecasts and deductions had led her to this point. Now, within the confines of her own machinations, only the completion of the task she had set out to do remained.

However, she must not lose her composure or order.

With a sigh, she reviewed the progress made:

Convince her comrades to join her cause and isolate Danu. Done.
Capture her main target and secure them. Done.
Complete preparations to neutralize the lord of chaos. Done.
Prepare the means to destroy Equestria in case everything failed. Done.
Finally, capture the irrelevant main bearers of the Tree of Friendship's magic. Pending.
Balor exhaled once more. Out of the six bearers she needed to capture, she already had four under her power. The remaining two were in front of her, now fused into a single entity.

"Great minds think alike... Don't you think so, princess?" Balor taunted, breaking the silence between them.

Twilight-Dash, confused, began to recall where she had heard the new voice that now emanated from Badwhiz. Then, the memory came, and she finally understood.

"Balor!" exclaimed Twilight-Dash. In Twilight's independent mind, the pieces of the puzzle began to fit. In Dash's independent mind, the pegasus boasted to herself. "Great minds... ha."

"Surprised? Didn't I warn you that we would finish our mission?" Balor replied coldly.

"Please, we don't have to go this far, there are other..." said Twilight-Dash, attempting to engage in a dialogue with Balor.

"'Other things more important than home'?" rebuked Balor, interrupting Twilight-Dash's words.

These were the same words that Twilight had used to lecture Ceridwen when she had been defeated in Canterlot. That memory she had seen in her friend's mind had only elicited revulsion in her.

"What 'things' do you mean, princess?" Balor continued. "In my home are my friends, my family, my love, my purpose, my story, my nation..."

A cold wind blew between the two contenders. In an atmosphere laden with a heavy silence, Balor descended towards Twilight-Dash under the wings of anger that she had been holding back for too long. Until that moment, she had kept her calm, but no longer.

"Answer me, princess... WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT?!" Balor finally exploded with all her rage, simultaneously shattering the rock beneath her. Twilight-Dash did not respond.

"I had thought of preserving you, to maintain peace in this realm... but now that I am more aware of your capabilities, that would be a terrible mistake. I WON'T GIVE YOU ANY PITY, DAMNED ONE! DON'T EVEN BOTHER TO ASK FOR IT!"

Faced with that display of pure and sincere rage that she couldn't comprehend, Twilight-Dash stepped back. Twilight's independent mind was disturbed: "Had I made a mistake? Where did this hatred come from? Was there something I didn't know?" Twilight's spirit began to doubt, but Dash's independent mind quickly shook her. "It's not time to think about that, Twilight! These guys are wrong, and you know it. We're fighting to save our friends and Equestria; that's all that matters!"

Encouraged by Dash's words, Twilight-Dash regained her composure and advanced toward Balor.

"I won't let you harm my friends or the inhabitants of Equestria! You can stop this now! It's not too late!" pleaded Twilight-Dash.

Balor paused for a moment. She closed her eyes and opened them again. There was no trace of anger or rage; only sadness remained.

"Unfortunate princess... midnight has already fallen upon us. It is too late for everyone," Balor said before launching into her first attack.

The dialogue had ended. There was no point in understanding or wasting time on an exchange of words. Balor initiated her offensive with the sole interest of ending her opponent. Unfortunately, Twilight-Dash had no choice but to accept it and fight.

Balor charged directly at Twilight-Dash, without using spells or tricks. Her attack was aimed at causing the maximum physical damage possible, relying on surprising her opponent, who likely expected some prior spell. She also had the Starheart gem around her neck. With this in her favor, an immediate magical counterattack would not be possible.

Her assumption proved correct. Twilight-Dash, surprised, could only raise a magical barrier with great effort and take the charge with her hooves open.

The collision between them caused the explosion of the surrounding rocks. There was a brief struggle between the two opponents, although it lasted only a few seconds, it seemed like time stood still for both. One pushed the other, with a purple barrier resisting and a magenta meteor trying to break through. Both forces oscillated until finally all the magical energy accumulated around them was released in a second explosion that swept the place where they were.

The new shockwave made all the rocks that remained from the previous collision disappear. A large dust cloud dispersed in all directions, covering half of the great barrier where they were trapped.

The body of Badwhiz, possessed by Balor, shot out from one end of the cloud.

However, Balor did not lose consciousness. Still in the air, she made an agile move, spinning around herself and stopping her fall with the force of her artificial alicorn wings. Without wasting a second, she rose even higher in the air and searched for her opponent among the remains of the explosion.

She clicked her tongue.

Below her was Twilight-Dash, looking at her with a cold gaze. There were traces of having been pushed as well, but they were just scratches, just like the ones Balor had now.

"Well... we're in the same boat," Balor thought to herself. The previous attack, though not very elegant, had given her the information she needed to continue her strategy. It was clear to her now that they were physically on equal terms. Even if she reinforced her armor or added more equipment, fighting head to head would only result in a draw. "If that's the case... then magic is the key."

Balor brought her front hooves together and entered a meditation stance as she ventured into the dust cloud from the explosion. The darkness of the dust cloud enveloped her. She knew that inside there, she would be an easy target and immediately teleported without making any further movement.

In an instant, she reappeared at one end of the barrier. Again, she tracked Twilight-Dash and, as she had supposed, she was circling within the dust cloud where she had previously been.

"You don't know tracking spells, do you?" Balor had studied it before, but it still surprised her how confusing Equestrian magic was. Despite her advances in many areas of magic, ponies had significant gaps in subjects like security and control.

"Too much time living in peace..." Balor murmured as she unleashed her spell. The ground began to shake, and columns of water shot up into the sky. Soon, much of the terrain was filled with water geysers that started to flood the plain. The freshly formed crater from the previous explosion began to fill up, taking the shape of a lake.

Balor's sensitive senses issued a warning. Someone was heading towards her at full speed. It was obvious who it was.

"That's it... come, stupid, come," Balor thought as she prepared her next spells. Three columns of water shot up on her sides, rising to the height where she floated. The water began to accumulate in three large bubbles that quickly grew in size.

A surprising flash, almost like a rainbow lightning, approached her. In less than a blink, Twilight-Dash appeared in front of her with an extended hoof, intending to hit her directly. It almost seemed like she had teleported, however, Balor had not blinked nor was surprised.

Twilight-Dash's attack landed directly on Balor's face, but the possessed pony's body was not damaged at all. All that powerful impact was dissipated by a translucent magical air cover around Balor. The black-armored pony stepped back impassively. Without paying attention to her opponent's surprise at her defense, Balor launched her counterattack. The water bubbles around her compressed, and three continuous shots of high-pressure water shot at Twilight-Dash at a frightening speed. Almost grazing some of her feathers, Twilight-Dash gracefully dodged all the shots. Balor had to admit, she did it too well.

Another spell was released, and from where Balor was, several air tornadoes shot out at almost hypersonic speed towards Twilight-Dash. Seeing her flanks being attacked, Twilight-Dash descended to the ground, allowing the air projectiles to impact on it. More smaller explosions emerged in the plain in the path left behind by Twilight-Dash's flight.

Balor continued her attack. The three water bubbles merged and formed an even larger one. Suddenly, the new bubble froze and began to grow in size. Increasingly larger, the ice ball covered the sky of the barrier they were in. Below, Twilight-Dash finished dodging the remaining air projectiles and looked up. A frozen planetoid was above her. With a simple hoof movement, Balor threw it.

If the Twilight-Dash fusion only had Rainbow Dash's consciousness to respond to that attack, it would have pierced the giant ice ball in a useless and arrogant display of strength and power. On the other hand, if only Twilight's consciousness were present, she would have decided to move away from the impact site of that slow and predictable projectile and then analyzed Balor's intentions in making such an obvious attack.

However, Twilight-Dash was more than just the conceptual union of two ponies. She was amazing and accurate, even more, she was EXCEPTIONAL.

With a speed more impressive than it took to plan her next moves, Twilight-Dash soared into the sky. She flew over the surface of the gigantic ice ball plummeting forcefully and continued her flight to reach Balor, attacking her in the same way she had done before. Once again, the attack was repelled, pushing Balor backward. However, this time, Balor received an unexpected attack. Before Balor noticed the absence of her opponent in front of her, a pull of pain shook her entire body from below. The world spun around her. Caught in a push at a completely irrational speed, the body possessed by Balor was dragged through the skies.

Consternated, Balor looked down, discovering that it was Twilight-Dash who was biting her tail and pulling it to throw her to the ground. In a reflex of anger at this insolence, Balor unleashed a lightning bolt towards Twilight-Dash, who stubbornly resisted for several seconds before letting go.

But it was already too late. In a futile attempt to change her trajectory, Balor spread her wings just moments before crashing into the ground. Balor's possessed body bounced repeatedly until it finally came to a sudden stop.

"Damn you...!" Balor didn't have enough time to finish expressing her anger. Exactly above her, the huge ice ball that she had thrown was just a few meters away from hitting the ground. Twilight-Dash had pushed her exactly to ground zero of that terrible impact.

"BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR" resonated throughout the barrier. Once again, the landscape was changing. Hundreds of ice and rock fragments rose into the sky and then fell like meteors, and a large cloud of dust and steam darkened the entire trapped atmosphere, making it almost impossible to breathe. At one end of the barrier, where a bit of light could still be distinguished, a breathless Twilight-Dash watched the cataclysmic impact.

"Rainbow Dash, that was..." began to say Twilight's independent mind.

"Incredible... I know, I've never maintained that speed for so long! We should do this more often!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash's independent mind excitedly.

"No! That was too dangerous! She could have counterattacked at the last moment and left us under that mountain of ice!" claimed Twilight's independent mind.

"Oh, come on, we just teleport, right!"

"We can't teleport, Rainbow!"

"Oh, right, the stone... Well, I'll keep that in mind for next time!" confident Rainbow Dash said.

Twilight's independent mind didn't retort. It made no sense to scold Dash further for her reckless actions. But still, she worried that Dash might not be sufficiently focused to continue with the fusion. Both needed to be on the same page; otherwise, the fusion could fail in the midst of battle. If Rainbow Dash's personality began to predominate over hers, she could temporarily lose her magic at the end of the fusion. It wasn't common for that to happen, certainly it never happened in the advanced magic classes she had with Celestia. But there was that possibility, and she couldn't risk it happening, even when the enemy hadn't shown all their cards...

"Okay, I understand... I'll be more careful. I wouldn't want us to fail because of something like that," replied Rainbow Dash, surprising Twilight's independent mind.

"Wait, did you hear everything I thought?" responded Twilight's independent mind surprised.

"I can hear everything you think. Isn't that how it's supposed to be?"

"Well, yes, but... I thought I had closed my mind."

"I think it's you who's getting a bit unfocused."

Immediately, Twilight entered a state of mental isolation. Rainbow Dash was right. She had been lowering her own concentration in the middle of the battle, inadvertently letting Rainbow's mind make the decisions. After a sigh, her focus returned, and the fusion stabilized once again.

"I'm sorry. I'm not used to fighting like you. Not in this way..."

"Don't worry, Twilight. Just trust my experience. Traveling around the world gave me a loooot of that."

"Alright, I..."

"Up!" Twilight-Dash automatically said, perceiving a light at the highest part of the barrier.

High above the barrier, Balor was suspended in the air like a small fuchsia and black lantern. Badwhiz's possessed body had only scratches or other insignificant injuries. However, Balor's spirit was extremely agitated.

"Ahh... Ahh... Curse it..." Balor panted with sweat falling from her forehead. It was no wonder; moments ago, she had managed to teleport in the last millisecond before the ice planetoid she had created fell on her head. Everything would have ended at that moment, and she would have had to take more extreme measures to end the battle.

Balor looked down again and once more found herself locking eyes with Twilight-Dash.

"Alright! That was... very dangerous... Doesn't matter, everything is ready now," said Balor to herself as she observed the changes in the landscape. She took a deep breath again and descended slowly towards Twilight-Dash. Balor was already mentally preparing the final moves to end that battle.

Twilight-Dash watched her opponent descend until she reached the ground. She was only a few meters away. However, Twilight-Dash's senses were on alert. She could feel that Balor was relaxed and unharmed. That was bad; the confidence reflected by her opponent revealed that everything was going according to plan. So, it was likely that the situation would soon worsen for her.

Those premonitions were answered by an abrupt whistle on the horizon. Where the giant ice ball had fallen, now a thick white smoke was rising, beginning to swamp the ground inside the barrier. The smoke, which had a milky and almost liquid appearance, advanced accompanied by an extreme cold that reminded Rainbow Dash's independent mind of the icy plains of the Arctic.

"Cold... too cold," Twilight-Dash thought to herself. Inside, the independent thought of both ponies began to worry.

A stream of super-chilled air swept between the two opponents. Twilight-Dash shivered. Balor observed the weakness of her opponent but did not boast in the slightest. She had no interest in doing so at that moment, she wouldn't do it against an opponent like her. The horn of the armor equipped on Badwhiz's possessed body lit up, and immediately a new spell was set in motion. Icy winds accompanied by thunder began to unleash within the barrier, announcing the terrible snow and ice blizzard that would soon be unleashed. Balor knew well the weakness ponies had for the cold and was going to use that advantage against her opponent. Igniting a golden fire on the body she controlled, Balor prepared for the head-to-head battle that was about to come.

Twilight-Dash frowned. She was definitely going to have a tough time.

In the distance, amid the burgeoning blizzard, a faint pink butterfly observed the outside from one of the derailed train cars.

In the war room of the Knights of the Order, everyone observed the scene reflected in the enchanted pond. None had words to describe the ferocity of the raw confrontation happening at that moment.

Blurry due to the blizzard, the images showed Twilight-Dash constantly striking Balor. Her attacks caused fire explosions that consumed everything around: trees, rocks, and even the water itself were engulfed in flames. Still, Twilight-Dash continued her assault with headbutts and kicks. But Balor was not passive. Each attack was accompanied by an ice counterattack that slowed down her opponent, followed by lightning bolts that seemed like genuine streams of light.

All this was happening amid an extreme freezing ice storm with almost no visibility.

Then, Taranis lifted his head and looked at the rest of his companions, who hadn't looked away from the pond.

"Balor has truly changed..." he muttered to himself.

He had known Balor for a long time. The first of his missions abroad was with her, and he remembered well how cold and distant her company had been. The mission was a success, but he had hoped that 'the master' would have more charisma.

In subsequent missions, he concluded that Balor was not the kind of person who would sacrifice herself for others but a calculating individual who would abandon a mission if too many risks were present.

That had been in those days, but now...

Balor had behaved differently over the course of the current mission. She had made jokes with Ceridwen, with Mannah, the subleader, and even seemed to get along with Morrigan.

Was it because of the change in leadership, as Danu was no longer the leader?

No.

Taranis, bearer of the element of pride, turned his gaze back to the pond. With his own eyes, he could see how Balor was giving her all in battle, like a true warrior spirit putting her life on the line. He felt envy. Perhaps his companions felt it too.

"When we finish the mission and return home, I will tell the new recruits about..." Taranis thought.

But then, a great sorrow returned to the warrior's heart. The battle had made him forget.

He bit his tongue and returned his focus to the battle. The tragedy that had happened the midnight before should not cloud his spirit.

There was no longer a home to return to.

The terrible ice and snowstorm that had battered the interior of the barrier in which Twilight and her friends were trapped was finally beginning to calm. About ten minutes of continuous combat had passed between the two opponents, and now they were exhausted, observing each other.

Under the pale sunlight filtering into the large barrier, the figures of both adversaries were revealed.

At one end was Balor, possessing the body of Badwhiz, which was severely battered. The armor that had recently protected him from almost all of his opponent's attacks now showed evident cracks and significant damage. There wasn't much Balor could do about it; he could heal the wounds of the pony's body with magic, but that would deplete his own reserves and, therefore, decrease his chances of success. Besides, it was almost over.

Facing Balor, Twilight-Dash wasn't any better. She also had bruises and other visible damages on her skin. But above all, the damages that had developed on her wings were noticeable. A large part of them were burned or frozen due to Balor's continuous attacks and the relentless fury of the blizzard she had to endure. Twilight-Dash didn't think she had lost the ability to fly, but she had probably lost a significant portion of her speed, and that, undoubtedly, was what her opponent was counting on.

Balor relaxed more. She smiled. She knew it was premature, and the princess could reveal some spell to try to heal herself, but that no longer mattered. Even without the wounds on her wings, everything was already consummated for the success of her final attack.

"You seem happy, Balor. Have you already won?" challenged Twilight-Dash to Balor.

"Hehehe, no, not yet, princess of naivety, but we're very close to finishing this unpleasant encounter," Balor responded mockingly before disappearing in a magic glow.

She had teleported.

"Darn," grumbled Twilight-Dash. She had spent much of her physical strength trying to bring down Balor in the storm, but none of her attacks had proven to be enough. Again and again, Balor had endured or skillfully evaded her charges using spells and tricks. However, Twilight-Dash still had an advantage. Her magic source was still intact. Because the Starheart gem blocked the use of spells, she now had a complete reserve of magical energy that gave her the confidence to withstand whatever Balor sent her way, even if it consumed all her magic. She would surprise Balor with a charge of pure power at the moment she thought she had already won.

"But still..."

"Twilight, it's all or nothing. We'll make it!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash's independent mind internally.

"Yes, together!" responded Twilight's independent mind confidently.

In the distance, atop a barren hill, Balor observed the frozen landscape.

The stage was set.

The water had awakened.
The wind had awakened.
The earth had awakened.

Only the final act remained.

Balor took a deep breath. A green light, almost radiant, began to manifest in the hooves of the pony she used as a puppet: Badwhiz Starheart, the earth pony Balor had used as a guinea pig for her experiments and from whom she had learned so much about the history of ponies and the magic they had discovered, as well as the magic they had not yet uncovered.

"Eternal Garden! Haaaa!" Balor exclaimed loudly, raising her front hooves and forcefully striking the ground. For Balor, performing this act wasn't necessary, as accumulating magic and maintaining concentration were sufficient to release the spell. However, given the current circumstances, such theatrics helped reinforce her confidence and set a rhythm in the fight.

This was the beginning of the end of the battle.

Balor felt her internal magic source begin to drain. It wasn't a fatal loss, but it was noticeable. This spell was a very costly trump card that she had kept secret for a long time. Neither her mentors, nor the grand patriarch, nor anyone in Cunabula knew that she had mastered that magic. Even the other Knights of the Order had only a vague idea of the spell Balor would use to defeat the princess.

Mental fatigue suddenly struck Balor, who staggered slightly in her real body. In the oval-shaped room where her other companions were, an atmosphere of concern prevailed.

"You don't need to push yourself so hard. If you need us to transfer some of our strength to you, you can ask," Mannah said, observing the growing fatigue in Balor.

"Silence, Mannah. Keep watch and let me finish this task," replied the Draco-Dragon coldly.

This was the last stretch. This was the plan she had imposed on her companions. Despite her fatigue and exhaustion, Balor had the duty and enough magic to continue.

***

A creaking sound spread throughout the Grand Barrier, and slowly the signs of an imminent earthquake began to manifest.

Twilight-Dash immediately ascended into the air. Her wings didn't seem to have suffered as much damage as she had thought. Still, she remained cautious about the opponent's next attack.

Would she finally confront Danu, leader of the Knights of the Order? Deep within herself, Twilight no longer felt so sure about having the strength to face a dialogue with him.

Cracks began to open in the ground, and the wind began to blow forcefully.

As she observed the desolate landscape below her, Twilight could say with absolute certainty that she was not born to be a warrior...

"Well, so now it's that empty-headed lion-pony's turn. What's he going to do now? Try to trap us with a giant stone or something?" Rainbow Dash's independent mind asked Twilight mockingly.

"I don't think so; he already threw a giant ice block at us recently. It's very likely that his attack will be very different this time."

"Whatever it is, I just hope it's the last thing they try so we can free our friends."

Twilight didn't respond. Analyzing the rhythm of that battle, everything indicated that this was the end of that fight. After that...

The entire ground within the Grand Barrier shook from violent seismic waves. The layers of ice that had formed previously from the previous blizzard exploded like blocks of crushed cookies. A new white mist of vapor rose, obscuring the ground, although this time it was lighter and more diffuse, allowing one to see how the ground cracked and burst into pieces.

Twilight-Dash rose a bit higher to avoid being caught in that mist.

After a few minutes of tumultuous noise and shaking, the commotion on the ground finally ceased. Gradually, the mist dissipated, revealing the new landscape.

Twilight-Dash blinked and then blinked again. She rubbed her eyes and looked back down at the ground beneath her.

"Well... this wasn't expected," Twilight-Dash said aloud to herself.

Across the entire ground within the Grand Barrier, where there had once been a wasteland of destruction, now lay a celestial forest that extended throughout the area. Tall silver trees with celestial leaves rose towards the sky like giant pines covered in a sparkling dew. There were no signs of darkness in this forest, and it bore no trace of corruption or malice. On the contrary, it appeared as a healthy, magical, and even sacred forest.

Among the trees, there were circular clearings revealing a lush green ground. In the midst of these clearings, large golden flowers shaped like tulips were arranged as if part of a beautiful giant floral display.

Twilight-Dash was perplexed. This was a "pretty" forest, but it didn't give her the impression of being threatening or hiding any danger. She circled around the Grand Barrier, expecting some attack, but nothing happened. After several minutes of fruitless searching for Balor, she finally halted her flight near the remains of the still visible train.

"I don't understand. Is she expecting us to be foolish enough to descend and get trapped? Or are these flowers some kind of trick?" Twilight-Dash said aloud to herself.

The golden flowers seemed harmless, but something about their glow and perfect circular arrangement made them look unnatural. Something didn't add up in this scene, but Twilight-Dash couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was.

"...I hope they're not an apology. Because if they are, I'm not going to accept it," Twilight-Dash continued in soliloquy.

"No princess, these are flowers to adorn your tomb," a voice suddenly responded.

Twilight-Dash immediately turned her gaze. Several meters behind her, Balor observed her with a sinister smile.

"Do you like them?" Balor continued mockingly.

"They are very beautiful, but they don't seem appropriate for a funeral," Twilight-Dash replied, instantly raising a magical barrier around herself.

As she observed her opponent's magical bubble, Balor scoffed even more.

"Really, naive princess? Even knowing that I have this powerful amulet, do you think you can use magic?" Balor declared mockingly.

Twilight-Dash didn't respond and remained on alert, ready for any move from Balor.

"Let me guess, I suppose that by not using any of your magic in the fight, you hoped to accumulate enough power for a counterattack at the moment I reached fatigue or showed some weakness," Balor continued without making any hostile move.

"You've maintained the shared mental possession for too long. I know that it's an ability that causes great mental fatigue, and one who abuses it may end up losing their ability to perform magic."

"How considerate of you to remind me of these dangers! But don't think I'll change my intentions because of that," Balor boasted sarcastically.

"If that's the case, then..." said Twilight-Dash but interrupted her words. The magical bubble she had created to protect herself had vanished.

Seeing that, Twilight-Dash quickly stepped back and raised the bubble again. However, it vanished once more. She tried again, but the result was the same. In the distance, Balor stopped smiling and simply watched her.

A cold sweat ran down Twilight-Dash's forehead. Balor hadn't approached, and yet, magic was failing. Slowly, a feeling of heaviness began to invade her body. Her wings, in which she had relied so much until now, fluttered awkwardly in an attempt to keep her in the air. Growing panic began to overwhelm her.

"You know, it's curious. I was quite surprised to find plants in Equestria capable of dispelling the mind-control magic of my companion Morrigan. In Cunabula, we also have similar plants, some capable of dispelling magic in general..." Balor spoke, taking a reflective posture.

Twilight-Dash glared angrily at Balor as she lost altitude. What he had said might well be a lie. Right there, Balor floated with magic, contradicting his own words.

"You!" Twilight-Dash tried to respond, but it was already too late. Her wings and the rest of her body lost balance, and she began to tilt sideways, like a wounded bird. After a erratic flight, her body finally started to fall freely onto the sparkling celestial forest.

She was falling. She was losing everything.

A shiver ran down Twilight-Dash's spine as magic began to churn within her. At first, the sensation was merely numbness, but now it was genuine torture.

Every strand of magical energy burst inside her as if short-circuiting with her own nerves, leaving an agonizing pain in its wake. It was as if a fundamental part of herself was being severed by thousands of invisible cuts.

As she descended, panic gripped her more and more. Her mind struggled against the terrifying idea of losing what she tacitly considered part of her very essence. She tightly shut her eyes, as if by doing so, she could contain the gravity that pushed her inexorably toward the ground.

"No... it can't be happening," she whispered, but the words were barely audible over the ominous hum of the wind and the magic being strangled within her.

She opened her eyes again. The surface below her, filled with celestial trees, was getting closer and closer.

Her heart beat with fury, as if trying to compensate for the imminent loss. Although physically unharmed, Twilight-Dash felt torn apart from within. How could she face Balor without her magic?

Losing her wings was regrettable. Losing her magic was losing everything.

In the rarefied air, she desperately sought the lost connection, trying to reattach to any thread of magic that might remain. But it was in vain. The feeling of helplessness enveloped her, and as she fell, a stab of anguish pierced through her chest.

"No... not like this, not yet," she murmured, her eyes filled with tears as she accepted the cruel reality: she was defenseless, and Balor knew it.

Her strategy had failed, and now she was just one step away from the end.

Then, her body sank into the lush canopies of the celestial trees. Twilight-Dash finally crashed into the ground.

"Twilight, this is serious!" exclaimed the independent mind of Rainbow Dash.

"I know!" responded the independent mind of Twilight.

"TWILIGHT, THIS IS REALLY SERIOUS!"

"I KNOW, RAINBOW DASH! I KNOW!" her friend replied vehemently.

Twilight-Dash rushed through the dense celestial forest, flapping her wings, but they stubbornly resisted lifting her. Her body felt strangely clumsy, distorted; the stabs inside her had disappeared, yet each breath was now an exhausting effort.

The alicorn stumbled and fell into a puddle of mud surrounded by red tulips. A wave of nausea invaded her as she got up, but she managed to keep it under control.

What was this place? Why did everything seem so unnatural? Twilight-Dash scrutinized her surroundings, desperate to find some answer that could shed light on this strange forest. She had no idea what kind of magic was being used against her. Despite Twilight and Rainbow Dash's vast experience, they had never faced anything like this. The only situation that resembled the sense of helplessness she was experiencing now was when Twilight traveled to a magicless world through a mirror, but even then, the discomfort of being unable to use magic was akin to having a stuffy nose.

This time, the discomfort was immensely more intense, as if she were slowly drowning in a pool of burning tar, while all her senses were distorted.

"We still retain our magic inside us; that's important," pointed out the independent mind of Twilight, striving to stay calm and continue their trot.

The last remnants of the magic she had sensed convinced Twilight that magic was still within her. Although she had lost all ability to make direct contact with it, she knew it was still there; it must truly be, because if not...

"Okay, but we can't fly," lamented Rainbow Dash in response.

"We can't use spells or magical abilities," continued Twilight, vainly trying to ignite the horn of Twilight-Dash.

"AND WE CAN'T FLY!"

Twilight-Dash came to a sudden stop in a clearing surrounded by rocks. After remaining vigilant for several minutes and not sensing anyone approaching, she let out a slight sigh. A brief moment of calm, that's all she needed, and immediately her great mind began to work...

Twilight was sure that the pegasi's ability to fly was related to the elemental magic enveloping their wings. At that moment, Twilight-Dash's wings were in an acceptable state and filled with magic.

So, why couldn't they fly?

She observed the mystical forest around her. It was evident that it was to blame. In this place, every corner oozed magic that twisted reality itself...

Twilight-Dash squeezed her mind to the fullest to decipher the mystery. The forest was somehow interfering with her magic, and she needed to understand and counteract it soon, as Balor's attack could come at any moment.

"Arcane flows, magic channeling, catalysts..." Twilight-Dash muttered rapidly, hugging herself.

She delved deep into her memories: her basic lessons in magic school, her travels, even the tales told to her when she was little. She searched even among the most extravagant rumors she had heard.

Nothing.

Twilight-Dash focused more, almost seeming like smoke would come out of her head, applying more effort than she could really bear.

And then, she found something: a zebra.

"No magic, you say? Why do you repeat it to me?" that's how the eloquent Zecora had responded when Twilight asked her about how other creatures lived without magic in the world. Zecora had traveled to many places and knew of magicless realms. She had learned a lot about enchantments despite not having innate magical qualities.

"Unicorn magic is channeled from their horns, pegasus magic from their wings... from the inside out," muttered Twilight-Dash.

"And what about from the outside in?" the mocking memory of the zebra asked.

It didn't seem possible. Channeling magic from the environment always led to chaotic results. Amulets, talismans, and even living individuals were used as catalysts for that magic. A direct flow of such magic was akin to trying to catch a worm underground without getting dirty.

But Zecora had tried it and had obtained promising results. Under her guidance, Twilight had imitated her, but the results had been nil.

A bitterness crossed Twilight-Dash's face.

Twilight did not continue with her zebra teacher's lessons due to the frustration she felt at being unable to make progress. She knew the basics and meditation postures perfectly, but they never yielded results. She didn't share it with her friends either... she thought it wasn't important at that time. No, that was an excuse... in reality, she felt embarrassed to talk about it.

Another mistake; how many more things had she been neglecting?

"From the outside in... come on," Twilight-Dash said to herself, determined. She had a hunch; the magic had not been absorbed or stagnant, but she felt that it flowed in the wrong direction. But changing that flow wouldn't be easy.

The alicorn assumed a meditation posture and began to channel the magic within her. A numb sensation enveloped her as she could feel the magic flow... out of her.

"No!" exclaimed Twilight-Dash as she realized she was quickly losing part of the magic she had accumulated.

"Hey, shouldn't we find shelter first; this place is not safe," said the independent mind of Rainbow Dash, trying to be helpful.

"We don't have time, Rainbow!" frustratedly exclaimed the independent mind of Twilight. "Balor will catch up to us..."

Indeed, time had run out.

"Ayyyyyyyyyyy!" A powerful blow struck her head at that moment. Twilight-Dash screamed in pain and was sent flying through the air until she crashed into a tree that split in two.

Balor, who had come out of his invisibility, had no intentions of being kind. He summoned chains that shot towards Twilight-Dash. The alicorn, trying to recover from the previous attack, was enveloped by the thick chains, incapacitating her. Barely, she still had one of her front legs free. With great effort, she managed to move away to dodge a powerful thunder that struck where she was.

But it wasn't enough. A second thunder was launched at her and hit her, reducing her.

Twilight-Dash began to be dragged. Balor pulled the chains towards him, as a spider would with its prey.

"It's over, princess. Finish your fusion, and your friend's life will be spared," threatened Balor, holding Twilight-Dash under his hoof. Of course, it was clear that Balor was lying.

"NOT YET!" Twilight-Dash responded fiercely, making the chains creak and freeing a second front leg. Then she released a wave of concentrated dust around her, pushing him back.

A futile protest. Balor didn't flinch at all. The attack dissipated like smoke. Claws of dark magic emerged from Balor's sides and took hold of Twilight-Dash's body in the air.

"Then I will tear apart your soul, and what's left I will deliver to your friend before executing her!" roared Balor. The claws that imprisoned Twilight-Dash pulled her, and a mass of light began to emerge from her body. The expression of terror on Twilight-Dash's face said it all. It wasn't physical pain but spiritual. Desperately, Twilight-Dash tried to focus, but little by little, she felt her strength leaving her.

"Twilight, react, Twilight!" the independent mind of Rainbow Dash called out in anguish to her friend, who had stopped communicating. "Don't give up!"

***

But Twilight wasn't listening, and she hadn't given up either.

From the depths of her being, Twilight entered a state of deep meditation, immersing herself in a simulated space within her mind. This was her last card, the final move she could make to save her friends from defeat.

It was a virtual reality, an imaginary place where she could create possible scenarios based on all the knowledge she possessed. More than a magical ability, it was a mental discipline that only someone like her could have developed after so many years of study and dedication. Still, this exercise demanded a passive consumption of magic to be carried out; the fact that it worked at that moment was proof that magic still resided within her.

Twilight expanded her mental focus, and slowly reality began to take shape.

In the past, she had used it to visualize the possible future of her friends. This time, she would use it to conclude what she had left unfinished long ago.

Just like back then, when she trained with Zecora in the Everfree Forest. She stood on a pond, balancing her body on the water, with calm and steady breathing. She sensed all the magic around her with closed eyes.

Twilight felt the water. Twilight felt the wind. Twilight felt the earth.

But Twilight didn't feel the forest.

The Everfree Forest existed long before the founding of Equestria. It had a dark and scattered history: stories of evil creatures inhabiting it, stories of princesses strolling through its clearings, stories of unimaginable treasures and sinister secrets.

But Twilight still didn't feel the forest.

Why didn't she feel the forest? She perceived with her magic the movement of the wind, water, and earth, but not the forest. The forest was hidden. It didn't speak to her. It wasn't there...

Twilight opened her eyes again. She was failing. It was the same result she got when training with Zecora.

The simulated space in her mind began to darken.

She felt like a failure. She couldn't save her friends. The enemy had been right in front of her, and she didn't see it. After the confrontation with the Triple Alliance of Villains, she had promised everyone: "It won't happen again."

But it had happened again.

The simulated space in her mind darkened even more.

Twilight looked at her own reflection uncertainly in the water. Now she was a princess. In those practice days, she was simply a unicorn.

Everything was so simple in those days.
Wings and a horn. How extraordinary! Now they were useless against the threat that had cornered her. She also had hooves, but all ponies had them.

Twilight's thoughts faded even more...

"Applejack is more responsible with her farm than I am with Equestria," Twilight reflected aloud to herself. "She at least has backup seeds in case of disasters. I, on the other hand, only have escape plans..."

She remembered the moment when Applejack planted a new apple orchard after a storm. Applejack rejoiced, saying things like, "The new apple trees will be much better than the previous ones; I'd bet my hind left hoof it's true!"

Twilight smiled at the memory, although she never thought the new apples were better.

"Look at them grow, haha, I could spend all night waiting to see the first sprout," Applejack said. And she wasn't joking. Many times, Twilight caught her friend sleeping in the middle of the orchard.

"Oh, yes! Look at them grow! Just like in my parents' rock farm," confirmed Pinkie Pie.

"Rocks don't grow, Pinkie. They only emerge from the ground due to geological faults, even I know that," Rainbow Dash replied.

"But it would be nice if it were like that. If diamonds got bigger..." Rarity fantasized.

"A rock forest also gets bigger, and watching it grow is very nice; bears like to play there..." added Fluttershy, but no one paid attention to her.

No one except Twilight.

"... they make rock trees grow, bringing rocks from far away and stacking them on top of each other. That's how they give birth to a new rock tree, teach their cubs, and in the future, more bears come to play in it."

A lump formed in Twilight's throat.

The distant sight of her friends happily strolling through Applejack's farm made tears fall from her eyes. These were the memories she cherished the most.

And they were also the key to solving the mystery of the celestial forest.

Zecora had told her something like: "Feel the elements and nature. Listen to how they breathe, watch how they grow..."

Twilight closed her eyes. She cleared her thoughts and focused on one thing. She needed the magic to grow within her.

"From the outside in." A stone block took shape in Twilight's mind. A brown spot emerged in the darkness.

"From a seed in the earth." Another stone block took shape. Another brown spot emerged in the darkness.

"Grow towards the sky." Another stone block took shape. From the brown spot, a tiny green dot was revealed.

"And open its leaves toward the stars!" The green dot was now a sprout in the earth...

Twilight opened her eyes.

Waterfalls of sweat fell from her forehead and all over her body. She wasn't tired, but extremely tense. Then, she saw in front of her a small mound of stones.

She had done it. She had managed to feel a tiny part of the forest. She had experienced the process of growing a seed.

"This felt very different from how Zecora described it. Maybe I didn't understand her well because of her rhymes. Ha ha ha..." Twilight laughed; she wanted to jump in that very spot. But time was pressing.

The small mound of stones collapsed.

"The magical connection to nature must be different in each species... zebras have their way, ponies have another..." Twilight reflected.

But she had grasped the trick. Now it was a matter of replicating it over and over until she could finally grow a tree.

"I can do it!" she encouraged herself.

Twilight wouldn't give up.

***

Balor pulled again. Half of Twilight's soul had already been extracted from Twilight-Dash's body.

"Just a little more..." Balor told herself, calculating that in twelve more seconds the extraction would be complete. The fusion would collapse, and then it would all be over.

Twilight-Dash, on the other hand, struggled with all her might. Her wings were occupied holding the chains as she tried to delay Balor's pull, gathering Twilight's soul back with her front hooves. But it wasn't enough. The ghostly figure of her friend slipped through her hooves. She didn't have much time left.

"You won't take her away! Huuuuuuuu!" cried the independent mind of Rainbow Dash.

But the extraction was barely delayed, and Twilight-Dash's body grew increasingly numb.

"Five more seconds..." Balor pressed the remaining time. There was very little of Twilight's soul left to extract.

Suddenly, something changed.

"Humm?" Balor noticed perplexed that two seconds had passed, but there had been no progress.

She pulled again with more force. But she still couldn't extract Twilight's soul further.

No, it wasn't just that. Was Twilight's soul returning to her body?

"What?!" Balor exclaimed, unable to believe what her eyes were seeing. Twilight-Dash suddenly opened her eyes. She no longer seemed suffocated by the air or the chains. The color of her fur, which until a few seconds ago was deadly pale, regained its shine. Confidence returned to her face. Magic flowed within her again!

"BOOMMMM" Twilight-Dash landed firmly on the ground. Until then, she had been suspended in the air trapped in Balor's magic. But now she had regained her balance and stepped on the ground with strength.

Balor could barely contain the consternation that flooded her. How was it possible?

The situation of the battle had changed again.

Now it was she who was in danger. She was within Twilight-Dash's attack range, and at that moment, the alicorn had more power than her. If Twilight-Dash used her extreme speed, she could charge and deliver a critical blow. Balor could teleport or raise her barrier to avoid it, but since she was using the chain and extracting Twilight-Dash's soul at the same time, the strain would delay her in escaping.

One second. That's what it would take. But at that moment, a second was too much.

***

Twilight-Dash smiled confidently. She knew that too.

Inside, Rainbow Dash was pure joy. "I don't know how you did it, but this is amazing! I can feel my wings again!"

"Don't celebrate too soon... I can barely sustain it... we don't have much time left," responded the exhausted independent mind of Twilight.

Twilight had spent hours practicing within her simulated mental space. There, time flowed much more slowly. But this wasn't solely due to her magic and experience in these exercises. Since she was in a very special fusion, Twilight could harness Twilight-Dash's agility to enhance her own mental space. Now, that training was bearing fruit.

However, despite the favorable space at her disposal, Twilight couldn't ignore the fatigue. Eventually, she grew tired and had to return her consciousness to the normal flow of thought with Twilight-Dash.

Twilight returned to Rainbow Dash prepared. She had achieved her goal of learning to create a bond with nature. While she couldn't comprehend the ancient magic surrounding the celestial forest, she knew it was a forest, and she could communicate with it. With this in mind, in a mental space, she allowed the magic of the environment to fill her and created within herself the seed of a celestial tree. Soon, the seed opened and became a young sprout. It was then that Twilight finally heard the voice of the enchanted forest that surrounded her.

In her lessons with Zecora, the zebra explained that trees would sometimes whisper to her or call her by name with soft and gentle voices.

Contrarily, the celestial forest had none of that.

A thunderous chant echoed all around. The celestial trees sang authentic hymns in a language unknown to her. Accompanied by a unique and harmonious symphony. Intense at times, softer at others, even the fallen leaves followed the same rhythm on the ground. All of this was a unique sensation that overwhelmed her considerably.

She also felt something else... anger. A dense and bitter anger.

The forest was upset with her. Its voice rose against her.

Twilight quickly deduced why and how to resolve it. She opened her mental space again, this time allowing the voice of the forest to reach the young celestial sprout she had created. Suddenly, a new voice emerged. This new voice joined the singing, and all the hostility she had felt until that moment vanished.

Now the forest allowed her to be among its own. She didn't feel they were friends... but at least they tolerated her.

If it weren't for the dramatic situation she was in, Twilight might cry with emotion.

"Wow! Did that happen? Fantasizing about planting a singing tree was the key... it makes sense," said Rainbow Dash's mind, sounding somewhat confused as it received her friend's memories.

"I'm very tired, Rainbow... I leave it to you," Twilight's weak voice faded again. She hadn't lost consciousness, but she was no longer able to speak with her friend while maintaining the mental space where the singing celestial tree sprout was.

Twilight was reaching her limits.

Now Rainbow Dash had to reach hers.

"Leave it to my hooves!" declared determinedly Twilight-Dash in Rainbow's voice. She spun around, and the chains tightened even more, the tension visibly increased on Balor's side.

***

The struggle continued, but Balor no longer had the initiative. If she retreated now, she would be quickly caught. She had spent a lot of magic in the Everlasting Forest, a trap that the princess was never supposed to overcome. But she did. How?

Balor had studied ponies in general and the circle of individuals around Twilight. There was no record of any pony who had awakened floral magic at any point in their history. There were ponies who could grow plants with spells, but this was due to their talent or the traditional use of the magic they knew. These were not the same methods used in Cunabula. There were no similar precedents in the nations allied with Equestria. Only in Cunabula did the ancient art of floral magic remain in its most essential form.

So, how had the princess managed to appease the forest of eternity? Had she discovered an unknown method in record time to communicate with it and subdue it?

Unheard of. Balor bit her lips inwardly.

Balor had invoked the forest with her magic. That's why the forest respected her, as it respected the summoner. Balor could delegate her honor to others, and the forest would also respect them. But Balor could not rule the forest. The forest had its own will and was magical; it would only obey someone who spoke its language and used its magic.

That person was in Cunabula at that moment. Did the princess also have a similar power?

Sweat was falling from Balor's forehead as she weighed the possibility and tightened the chains.

"No," Balor told herself. "The princess must have deceived the forest or given it an offering. If this forest already obeyed her, this fight would have already ended."

The forest was powerful. If it were Dana her adversary... ridiculous, it didn't even make sense to think about that.

Twilight-Dash began to loosen the grip of the chains. The dark claws that were pulling Twilight's soul were losing momentum. Balor had already lost half of her progress.

"What's happening? Why so quiet? Things aren't going as you wanted, huh?" Twilight-Dash mocked arrogantly. Now she had the initiative; her magic was intact, and Balor weakened with each passing moment. Soon, she would break free and initiate the counterattack.

Balor watched her with a mixture of anger and desperation.

Then she smiled triumphantly...

"Don't worry... I'm already used to it!" Balor replied. At that moment, the chains tightened again. Twilight-Dash felt pain and something more. As she looked to her sides, she saw cracks beginning to appear on her skin. The cracks glowed with their inner light, but it wasn't just light escaping—it was her magic!

"No! No! No!" Twilight-Dash repeated in desperation. The fusion had reached its limit. While Balor hadn't been able to extract Twilight's soul, she had kept it outside long enough to destabilize the bond she had with Rainbow Dash. The chains, designed to break magic, exacerbated the process.

Twilight-Dash was losing magic rapidly. She had to attack now if she wanted to succeed, but Balor was too far away. Time was running out.

Balor pressed harder. The chains were doing their job well. She just had to step back a little more and not release Twilight's soul. Time would take care of the rest.

On the brink of catastrophe. Only a miracle could save Twilight-Dash.

Beyond Midday

Addressed to all the inhabitants of Cunabula,

Through this public declaration, we accuse Equestria and its allied nations of being complicit in a plot to deliver the world to the Dark Lord Kal-Arth. This action is taken for the benefit of their own nations and at the expense of the peace and order of the other realms that inhabit it.

The Knights of the Order, in their brave mission to preserve peace and stability in our own land, face an extremely difficult task: to stop this conspiracy that threatens all races in our world.

This accusation is made public in order to highlight the seriousness of the situation and the need for immediate action to counter this threat. The stability and peaceful coexistence among the races of our world are at stake.

Balor finished reading a scroll that had arrived in her mailbox in Cunabula.

"It's a solid accusation," exclaimed Mannah with pride.

"Is it necessary to deceive the people with this?" added Ceridwen, visibly upset.

"There is evidence and there are doubts. It is an accusation that can be substantiated," Morrigan replied eloquently, shrugging her shoulders.

"It's not a deception; it's a narrative that must be verified. And it will be verified," Mannah retorted with a stern look directed at her companion.

"In any case, the arguments to justify the actions that will be taken during the second phase of the plan are already on the table. If the leaders of the other nations refuse to be intervened, and they will, then they have a free pass to act in defense of peace and order," Balor responded.

After hearing Balor's response, Ceridwen seemed to be chewing on a bitter worm.

In the absence of further protests, Mannah decided to continue.

"Well... all that's left is to send the report on what happened in the battle against the princess. I trust your contact will keep it hidden until our return," Mannah said, casting a wary glance at Balor.

"I have full confidence in him. He has already received my orders. If we don't return to Cunabula by midnight tonight, he will deliver everything directly to your brother. The council will take it from there," Balor replied confidently.

"Um, Sub-Leader Mannah, may I ask a question?" Taranis suddenly asked, catching the group's attention.

Balor and Mannah exchanged glances, but Balor looked away quickly. Mannah was able to respond, "What's the matter, Taranis?"

The ophiotauru swallowed hard and continued, "How do you plan to explain Badwhiz's involvement at the end of the battle against the princess and her allies?" Taranis had such a serious expression on his face that it surprised the rest of his comrades.

A silence hung over the hilltop where they were.

"It's a good question, Taranis," Balor thought to herself as she reflected on the situation.

After declaring the operation as completed, a vote was held at Balor's request to determine who was willing to continue with the next phase of their plan. Everyone agreed except for Balor. That's why she no longer felt the need to argue with Mannah about what had happened in the battle and the results they had obtained. She would simply complete the remaining administrative steps.

"Badwhiz..." was the name on everyone's mind. It was a delicate subject.

Operation "Midnight Station" was intended to reaffirm the power of the Knights of the Order. It involved imprisoning the princess and forcing her to fight against various minions under the knights' control. Wave after wave of enemies, the princess would gradually lose strength until she finally surrendered. Then, the Knights of the Order would emerge from hiding and force her to admit guilt for activating the Harmony Trees and the terrible consequences of these actions. Her magic would then be confiscated and she would be taken prisoner to Cunabula, where she would be tried for her crimes and locked away forever.

Of course, this plan was overly optimistic, a daydream. Balor knew it and disagreed. However, given the princess's track record of avoiding combat, her comrades trusted that this scenario was possible. In the worst case, they had the Blazon of Unity as the last insurmountable barrier the princess would never overcome.

But in the end, the situation spiraled completely out of control.

The princess's response to her imprisonment had been disproportionate. Despite having placed the fearsome Cockatrice Titanicus as the guardian of her base of operations within the kidnapped train, the princess easily defeated the two most important henchmen they had within the prepared scenario. Faced with the grave threat this situation posed to the mission, they decided to use the Sealing Crystal Cube and the Direct Possession Crystal on the undercover agent Badwhiz.

Badwhiz was meant to be an undercover wildcard on the battlefield, merely observing and taking samples of any changes that occurred. In other words, he was just another tool in the plan.

In the end, Badwhiz ended up taking an active part in the conflict and sacrificing himself for Cunabula, despite being a foreigner. There was no trace left of him or the princess, although some of her friends were inside the Sealing Crystal Cube. None of them held enough weight for a trial.

Balor thought to herself, "Too many mistakes were made. What do you have to say about this, Grand Sub-Leader Mannah?"

Mannah had remained silent for a long while, staring at the horizon, until she finally turned to look at her comrades.

"He's a hero. A full member of the Knights of the Order. With his own life, he has proven his loyalty to our cause and to Cunabula," Mannah solemnly replied.

"He's a foreigner!" Ceridwen exclaimed indignantly.

Balor, who knew Ceridwen's aversion to ponies well, immediately thought, "And a pony..."

"He's the first in a long time. Recent changes in our nation compel us to consider other options to ensure the peace of our kingdom. I trust that in the future, there will be more individuals like Knight Badwhiz willing to sacrifice themselves for our homeland," Mannah explained.

"The Knights of the Order will not accept it!" Ceridwen retorted. Behind her, Taranis watched her with a furrowed brow.

"We're getting off topic... Does the boy's participation really strengthen our 'victory'?" inquired Morrigan inquisitively.

"It didn't turn out the way we wanted. I'm aware of that. However, this battle was not only about the fight of our weapons but also about our ideals. Knight Badwhiz, being of the same race as the Princess of Friendship, abandoned the weak tenets of his people and fervently embraced ours. He sacrificed himself just as any of us would have done to achieve victory. It is an undeniable proof of heroism that demonstrates the superiority of Cunabula's principles over the other nations," Mannah declared passionately, waving her tentacles.

Balor restrained herself from laughing, although she would have liked to. She had seen the recordings, and it was quite obvious that Badwhiz had accidentally overloaded his gem. This wasn't a heroic act but rather collateral sacrifice.

Looking at the rest of her comrades, she noticed mixed expressions on their faces.

"I don't need to read minds to know what they're thinking... 'politicians,'" Balor thought to herself.

Finally, Balor decided to speak up.

"Subleader Mannah, given your clear opinion on what happened, can I trust that you will include these thoughts in the statement I will send to Cunabula?" Balor asked, showing him a memory crystal.

Mannah briefly darkened his skin at that moment, although he quickly concealed it.

"A memory crystal is not necessary. A letter addressed to the council will suffice," Mannah replied, conjuring a parchment.

After a few minutes of writing the letter, he handed it to Balor without further delay, and it was sealed.

"A memory crystal holds more weight in a trial than a written letter, which could be forged. How convenient..." Balor muttered to himself.

Balor had just teleported away, leaving her comrades behind on top of the hill as the Grand Barrier began to unravel.

Before departing, Balor had sent an enchanted chest to Cunabula in front of her companions. The chest contained her comrades' memory crystals about what had happened in the battle, as well as detailed information on the course of the combat, spells used, counterattacks, and more. It also included the Sealing Crystal and the Unity Blazon Crystals used.

Indeed, the captured friends of the princess were now prisoners in Cunabula.

Mannah reflected on this as she watched the slow collapse of the Grand Barrier before her eyes.

Hours had passed inside that place, but outside, only milliseconds had elapsed. The temporal dilation created by Balor had given the sensation that time had passed quickly.

Outside the Grand Barrier, the passengers of the train that were still retreating watched in astonishment as the new landscape appeared where they had been before. The Wonderbolts, who had scared away the Gallodragons pursuing the passengers just moments before, also looked confused at what was happening.

The soldiers of the Royal Guard and the Wonderbolts, without waiting for orders, quickly headed inside the fading Grand Barrier. The Knights of the Order watched them arrive.

However, Mannah was no longer concerned about those weak creatures. She knew that no one could stop them now.

Each of the Knights of the Order wore golden gems that adorned them, and within each of those gems was an overwhelming power. These were the Elements of Patriotism, copies created by Balor with the magic captured inside the Sealing Crystal Cube. The magic of harmony from Twilight and her friends had fueled these copies. Although they had limited duration and could only be used by themselves, they had enough power to fulfill Mannah and her entourage's wishes.

Mannah and her companions had only one wish.

"REVENGE! REVENGE! REVENGE! REVENGE! REVENGE! REVEEEEEEEENGE!" Mannah and her companions cried out in unison.

A golden light enveloped each of them. Igniting in burning rage, they rose from the ground and shot up into the sky in columns of pure light. Piercing through the clouds, the meteor-like lights reached the highest point and abruptly changed direction.

With the trajectory of four deadly arrows, they sped at full throttle toward the capital of Equestria, Canterlot. Left behind were the Wonderbolts, flapping their wings in a futile effort to catch up.

The revenge of the Knights of the Order had only just begun.

Inside a rabbit hole that appeared strangely sophisticated, the youngest of the family had brought something he found outside. His parents, still confused about why their home had changed so much in a few seconds, curiously observed their 24th child's discovery.

It was a severely damaged book with engravings of plants and flowers. There was a mysterious purple light emanating from its closed pages.

Balor, back in Tartarus, deactivated the holographic projections she had found in Twilight and her friends' crystal rosary.

"Just memories..." Balor murmured disappointedly as she chewed on gum in her dimly lit room.

Using her magic, she picked up the crystal rosary and tossed it into a special chest.

The princess and her allies had proven to be formidable adversaries to whom they should never have given a single opportunity. That had been the greatest weakness of the entire operation.

However, acting without mercy was not in line with the title she held.

Balor didn't have a problem with that, at least until now.

Having been so close to total destruction during the battle, all because she had trusted a child to represent them...

"Impulsive child, what did you think you could achieve?" she muttered in annoyance, finally accepting that she was responsible for that loss.

Now there was too much at stake.

Balor swallowed bitterly.

For things like this, her master had never approved of her, though she didn't understand why. She thought, "I do it in the name of Cunabula! Any method is acceptable!"

"If I am condemned, another will take my place... there are many like me," Balor justified herself to her master at the magic school.

But she only said that because she had no bond or connection with her comrades... carrying out orders was simply part of her duty. Plus, Cunabula would always be safe. There was nothing to worry about.

Then her master lost his life sacrificing himself in battle. A new bearer of the Element of Magic was chosen. She was chosen by the Temple of Harmony to carry the title of her predecessor.

She felt so unworthy, out of place; it was as if fate were mocking her.

Filled with anger, her rage led her to challenge the Grand Patriarch, and then...

Tears began to well up in Balor's eyes as she remembered that dark day. She suddenly shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts, and then summoned a towel to wipe her face.

"There's no point in dwelling on the past. There's much ahead..." Balor told herself in the midst of the darkness.

Once again, Balor's great mind focused on the mission.

Her comrades were on their way to a suicide mission. She truly doubted that Mannah and the others were capable of carrying out the second phase of the plan. They had enough anger, but did they have the determination to endure the tribulation they would cause?

"Would Mannah really follow the plan, or did she have another agenda?" Balor thought. She could no longer control them. They had chosen their path, and she had chosen hers.

To be honest with herself, she worried about what might happen to them, except for Mannah. She wanted all the others to return to Cunabula together.

Even Danu, her former leader, deserved a second chance.

"Only Dana could get through to him... that or endure the judgment of the Grand Patriarch," Balor muttered as she grabbed a bottle of cider and poured its contents directly into her mouth.

Overwhelming exhaustion overcame her body and mind. She reclined in her extra plush chair and began to reflect on the looming threat in the future.

The war against the darkness would be long and painful.

She didn't care what happened to the other bearers of the Elements of Harmony or their realms.

She only had a heart for her countrymen and, from now on, for those who followed the banner of Cunabula.

She would never allow her beloved country to become a nation dominated by superstition, populism, or mediocre ruling elites.

That could be the fate of Equestria and other realms, at best. At worst, complete destruction. But it would not be the fate of Cunabula.

Cunabula would prevail and shine as the only beacon of hope and knowledge in a world consumed by darkness.

That was the manifest destiny of her people.

Only they could stand faces the dark martial march that was approaching.

Epilogue - Dana from Cunabula

A dense fog enveloped the horizon that morning, spreading a gray veil over the landscape. From the balcony of the majestic royal castle of Cunabula, King Dal observed the scene with sorrow. Although the fog did not surprise him, given the season, a part of him had hoped for a brighter morning.

"Where do you hide, great sun? Why do you abandon us?" whispered the King bitterly as he watched how the darkness of the fog spread over the great city unfolding beneath his feet. Those same shadows evoked the danger lurking over the kingdom.

Cunabula was facing the greatest threat to have emerged in the past thousand years.

The change...

Midnight had descended upon Cunabula. The kingdom he had inherited from his father lay dying, and there was nothing Dal could do to stop the impending end.

The thousand years of peace that had characterized the kingdom would come to an end with the last breath of that day. At dawn, there would be no more king to rule, no constitution to follow, and above all, no more Tree of Harmony to protect them.

"The sunset of my kingdom... the end of Cunabula..." murmured Dal. Although he still wore the crown, at that moment, he felt as desolate as any other inhabitant of the kingdom. A part of him longed to set aside the mask of security he always showed to his subjects; he simply wished to sit down and allow himself to cry...

Just as sadness began to cloud his eyes, a voice resonated from the room behind him.

"Your Majesty, Primado Dana has arrived at your quarters and wishes to meet with you," announced a maid reverently.

"Yes, of course. Have her wait in the hall; I will receive her immediately," replied Dal without turning around. Once the maid had left, Dal took a nearby towel and wiped his tired face. After a moment of vigorously rubbing his face, he let out a deep exhale, releasing the accumulated tension.

As he removed the towel, Dal became King Dal once again, sovereign of Cunabula.

With renewed calm, King Dal returned to his quarters. The newly arrived guest represented all the hope he needed in his heart.

Dana waited impatiently in the room for the arrival of King Dal. The space, usually reserved for the monarch's breakfasts with other prominent members of Cunabula's society, took on a different air at that moment. Although the meetings typically had a purely ceremonial nature, without sentimental connotations, that day promised to be different.

She had not come that morning to discuss matters with the King of Cunabula but to meet with her brother.

Soon, the figure of an elderly leoponi revealed itself on the other side of the room. His mane, marked by red and orange lines, evidenced the shades he would have worn in his youth. His proud demeanor was enhanced by a sky-blue cloak with white edges, adorned with a beautiful brooch in the shape of the sun and the moon. Resting on his head was a crown of golden leaves.

On other occasions, the guest would have bowed to the king, but that formality would have been excessive for the intense feelings of young Dana.

"DAL!" exclaimed Dana excitedly, approaching her brother and leaning on him affectionately.

"Dana, please, if sleep hasn't taken me down, you will," Dal replied joyfully upon receiving his sister.

"Don't joke like that, brother. Have you managed to rest?"

"Not much, just an hour."

"I'm so sorry. Perhaps I should have come later."

"Not at all, little sister. I've had tougher days. What really worries me is that my advisors haven't slept more than I have."

"Knowing them, they're probably still in bed."

"I hope not," replied Dal with a fresh laugh, although inside he harbored genuine concern. The day had barely begun, and without his advisors, he didn't feel capable of facing it.

"Let's go, brother, let's have breakfast before the morning comes to an end."

"Yes, sounds good."

Both headed to the spacious table in the room, where a delicious breakfast awaited. The table was stocked with all kinds of food, like cherry blossoms with honey, sea nuts, and crispy centipede cookies. But none of those delights caught the attention of King Dal, who only had eyes for his young sister.

Leaving his crown aside, he took a seat while Dana elegantly served him eucalyptus tea and talked to him about various trivial matters. Dal began to recall several good moments from the past when she was younger and their father was still alive.

"Sister!" Dana spoke forcefully, pulling Dal out of his nostalgia.

"Oh, Dana, sorry, I'm still a bit sleepy this morning. You, on the other hand, have you been able to sleep?"

"Well, I have no problem with sleep. I'm a Primado, remember?"

"Oh, right, the training," Dal said, distractedly and asking without thinking. The Primados, members of the Cunabula temple, had special training that allowed them to conserve energy and remain without fatigue for several consecutive days. Dana, being one of the most relevant among all the Primados in the kingdom, undoubtedly possessed those qualities.

Dal then remembered those days when his sister trained, and he just wasted time on his excursions into the dream world.

A bitter expression appeared on Dal's face, and his sister noticed it. But before Dana could ask, he began to speak.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you during those days."

"Dal, it's okay, we've already discussed it. I don't hold any grudge against you for that."

"It's not about that. As your older brother, I should have been there for your graduation, but I wasn't. Nor was I there for our father when he needed me the most. I feel like I've failed the family many times, especially you," Dal responded bitterly.

Dana left her seat and approached her brother, taking him by the hooves as sadness began to overtake him.

"I've failed as a brother, I've also failed as a king," Dal spoke intensely as his eyes reddened.

"That's not true, Dal. You've given a lot to the kingdom and to me."

"You were so young, I should have—"

"I wasn't that young, brother, I wasn't a child. I could take care of myself pretty well back then, and I still can now," Dana said, embracing her brother. The warmth emanating from her calmed Dal's pained heart; it was a balm of peace in that moment of anguish. Dal gradually calmed down.

After an emotional interval of silence, Dana stepped away from her brother. She had appeared serene before, but now she had a more serious expression on her face.

"We will overcome this crisis, brother. You are strong, and no matter what happens, you will always be a king to me," Dana spoke firmly.

Upon hearing these words of encouragement, Dal regained some of his confidence. His sister always gave him the strength to carry on.

"Yes, that's true. We can't give up so easily. There is still much to do," Dal said after wiping his face with a towel. Although he was still tired, his eyes now shone with a brighter light. Dana felt relieved to see this change.

"That's right, brother. Also, there's something I wanted to share with you..."

Then, interrupting that moment, someone knocked on the door, surprising Dana and Dal. While the maid greeted the guest, Dana immediately returned to her seat, and the king placed the crown of golden leaves on his head.

"Excuse the interruption, my King, but the Grand Chancellor Mashal is here and wishes to speak with your majesty immediately," announced the maid.

"Does the chancellor also intend to deprive my brother of his rest?" Dana responded annoyed.

"No. It's okay, Dana. I can imagine why the newly appointed Grand Chancellor Mashal is so eager to see me..."

"Brother..." Dana responded, concerned.

"Don't worry, Dana," Dal repeated to his sister. Then he turned back to the maid, "Yes, that's fine. The Grand Chancellor may come in."

A moment later, the doors of the grand hall opened, and there stood Grand Chancellor Mashal, wearing his characteristic turban, accompanied by a small group of his supporters. Without waiting for the doors to fully open, that group of individuals, with Mashal at the forefront, entered the hall with a solemn but proud step.

"Greetings, King Dal, Primado Dana. First of all, I apologize for interrupting your very pleasant meeting, however, given the extraordinary situation our kingdom is facing, I am compelled to perform these rather rude acts. I hope you forgive me," said Mashal as he reached the table. Dana noticed that Mashal still addressed her brother as King, probably because they were still in a transition...

"I understand, Grand Chancellor Mashal. I forgive you. Now, tell me, what is the matter that brings you here so early?"

"It's about the current state of the members of the Order of Chivalry. As you know, your majesty, my authority over them has already been announced; however, many have sent me letters expressing their doubts about this transfer of power. I require your advice to reconcile these disagreements."

"If that's the case... you have my support, Grand Chancellor," replied King Dal, sounding weary.

"I appreciate it, your majesty," responded Mashal with a bow.

Dana, who remained on the sidelines of the conversation, did not view Mashal favorably. She did not know him personally because she was always busy with temple duties or missions abroad, so she would hardly have had time to establish a relationship with any council member. Moreover, there was the fact that the Grand Patriarch had asked her to stay away from those matters.

"Oh, right, Primado Dana," said Mashal, turning to her. "The temple members have informed me that they are having trouble activating the kingdom's magic storage prisms. I consider that they will require your talent to successfully carry out this important task."

"Yes, I am aware of that," replied Dana coldly to Mashal. Then she turned to her brother, "Your majesty, if you allow me to retire now."

"Yes, that's fine, Primado Dana. I permit you, but before that, I must thank you for the time you have spent accompanying this ordinary citizen during this dark morning," Dal said with a bright smile.

"I am just fulfilling my duty to care for the kingdom's citizens," Dana replied, also with a smile, understanding her brother's joke.

"That's true," the king replied, still cheerful, but his gaze soon changed to a more serious one. "Now, go fulfill your duty. Cunabula is counting on you."

"Thank you very much, your majesty," Dana replied, bid farewell to Mashal, and immediately left the room.

With the doors closed and Dana gone, the old King turned his gaze towards the guest who had just taken a seat.

"Stay away from my sister, Mashal. I won't tolerate you taking advantage of her," said King Dal with a highly severe look.

"Don't worry, your majesty. I have no intention of doing anything of the sort... for the moment," Mashal responded with a calm demeanor before taking a sip of tea. Behind Mashal, his companions began to clear a table and take out several sheets of documents.

At the top of one of the watchtowers, far from the royal chambers, Dana gazed at the gray atmosphere that covered the entire island that morning.

"Don't worry, brother. I'll find Danu and the rest of the knights. We'll change the destiny..." Dana murmured hopefully before launching herself towards the clouds. In the midst of her descent, golden wings emerged from her sides, along with a brilliant horn on her forehead.

Determined not to continue hiding, Dana soared through the skies, descending towards the great city that stretched beneath her, a city that now, more than ever, needed her.

Prologue - The Day Before Tomorrow

Greetings, Fimfiction readers. This document was edited on 02/11/2024.

In the majestic castle of Canterlot, Princess Twilight Sparkle, ruler of Equestria, entered one of the kingdom’s most exclusive chambers with a regal step befitting royalty. This room, reserved solely for her and a select group of ponies, was always prepared to welcome her distinguished guests. As she stepped inside, Twilight was greeted by a delicate lavender fragrance that permeated the air, blending with the soft evening breeze filtering through the beautiful glass windows adorning the tall walls. The room’s warmth, familiar and welcoming, was maintained by a lit fireplace at the far end.

Twilight moved forward unhurriedly, setting aside her noble demeanor with each step. She gradually removed the adornments that came with her royal title. Her dress magically slipped to the side, the clasps that held it in place fell softly onto the carpet, and the protectors on her hooves rolled effortlessly, clinking against some furniture or wall of the room. She took particular care when placing her crown on a special bust situated next to a large personal wardrobe.

Finally, with nothing left to mark her as royalty, Twilight leapt onto the plush couch tucked away in a corner of the room. Her descent was slow, defying gravity, thanks to the magic in her alicorn wings. Like a feather drifting gently down, Twilight found herself on the couch.

Her body made no sound as it met the cushions, proof of the habit she’d developed after countless days of hard work. Settling into a comfortable position, she lay still for several minutes until, slowly, she stretched out, pressing herself into the cushions, wanting to feel every bit of the couch’s coolness against her coat.

Twilight was exhausted.

The Festival of the Two Sisters was scheduled for the next day, and she’d spent the entire day dealing with requests. Not just today, but the entire week had been an overwhelming blur of royal duties. She had taken care of Equestria’s fiscal year-end closing, attended an award ceremony at the School of Friendship, participated in the graduation ceremony at the School of Magic, and handled numerous other matters that demanded her personal attention. In short, it had been a tiring week.

She was an alicorn, and, more importantly, a pony who knew how to stay organized. She had the time and experience to manage her daily responsibilities. However, there were days like today when she felt like she’d aged centuries since her coronation. She knew it was an exaggeration, as only three years had passed. Even so, when she was alone and thought about the time that had flown by, filled with intense work and responsibilities, she couldn’t help but feel a fleeting, childish pang of frustration.

Twilight raised a hoof into the air and slammed it down hard on the couch, repeating the action four more times. After a brief pause of stillness, she stood up and examined the couch to make sure she hadn’t damaged it. Confirming that it was in perfect condition, she slumped back onto it heavily.

The plushy couch had withstood her hoof’s thumping like no other couch in Equestria could. She’d bought it on a good friend’s recommendation. At first, Twilight thought the price was outrageous, but so far, it had been worth every bit she’d spent.

This was the famous super plush, soft couch recommended by Rarity, who claimed it was "fit for the real rest of a princess" and had Rainbow Dash’s special approval. Of course, that “special approval” meant that Rainbow Dash had tried it first, which didn’t go over well, as she’d refused to get up from it due to how comfortable it was. The incident was so embarrassing they’d had to use magic to pull her out of the store.

Reclining on her couch, Twilight allowed herself a small smile while recalling those times, and let her gaze wander around the room. There were other familiar, cherished items here, like Pinkie Pie’s mini candy dispenser, which dispensed sweets that always provided her the perfect pick-me-up during long days.

Then there was Fluttershy’s collection of relaxation books. Whenever she had trouble sleeping, she’d grab a random one and start reading. To this day, she hadn’t finished a single one; usually, one or two pages were enough to lull her to sleep right then and there.

Lastly, there was Applejack’s stand-alone coat rack, which, oddly enough, was the item she’d used the most. Not for hanging dresses or royal attire, but rather as a true “idea tree” or “idea rack,” where she hung up all her plans and written thoughts on cards when she needed to solve a complex problem.

All of these items were gifts from her friends, bringing back fond memories of times spent together. They’d be gathering again tomorrow, which made her feel excited, yet Twilight knew she still had work to do. And despite her exhaustion, she had just enough energy to finish it.

Someone knocked lightly on the door.

“Twilight, are you in there? I’ve got the documents you asked for,” Spike called from the other side.

“Yes, Spike, give me a moment.” Twilight straightened her posture to look more dignified, using her magic to gather her royal attire, which was scattered around the room. Finally, she opened the door, and a stack of scrolls entered, with Spike dutifully buried underneath.

“Alright, here are all the scrolls. Whoa, they’re so much lighter than last year!” the young purple dragon said sarcastically, dropping the load onto the room’s central table.

“Yes, we’ve resolved a lot this year. But look on the bright side: next year, there’ll be even less for you to carry,” Twilight replied as she used her magic to pick up a few scrolls that had fallen to the floor.

“I’m just worried it’ll be more than we can handle,” Spike muttered, a frown creasing his forehead in concern.

Twilight didn’t respond, instead sorting the scrolls by the color of their tags. Each one, in varying sizes, was a summary of some issue, problem, or event that had been flagged as “observed” over the past year.

The scrolls also came in four shades, each representing the reason for its flag: green for opportunities, blue for strengths, orange for weaknesses, and red for threats.

This basic administrative exercise was necessary, as it served as a prelude to the annual analysis she’d conduct after the holidays.

Twilight summoned her “idea rack” with her magic and pulled out a fresh set of note cards. She was ready, mentally preparing herself to start with the green scrolls and work her way through to the reds.

“Spike, could you bring me some pudding and chocolate? We’ll need some fuel for this little marathon!” Twilight requested with a smile.

A couple of hours had passed, and Twilight had finally finished reviewing the second-to-last scroll among the many that had been piling up. Taking a break from her work, with almost all of her note cards used up, she looked around and noticed an empty plate with pudding crumbs on the table. Spike had been a great help at the start, offering suggestions and organizing the notes on the "idea rack." Now, however, he was resting comfortably on a sofa, sipping hot chocolate while reading a hefty book with an elegant gold frame.

Twilight’s curiosity was piqued when she saw the eye-catching book her relaxed assistant was reading.

“What are you reading, Spike?” she asked with interest.

“Mm, it’s the latest A.K. Yearling book, Daring Do and the Unfinished Journeys.”

Twilight immediately bit her lip. After a long wait, author A.K. Yearling had released a new Daring Do book earlier that week.

Seeing Twilight’s look of disappointment, Spike struck a smug pose. “It holds the record for best-selling book in its first week and is also the longest she’s ever written. It’s an anthology of short stories from different genres, chronicling her journeys across Equestria and the world. It includes autobiographical stories and even…”

“Please, no spoilers, Spike,” Twilight interrupted with a sigh. Though she had her own copy, she hadn’t had the time to read it due to all the work from the past few days. She could already picture her friend Rainbow Dash, a die-hard Daring Do fan, bragging about everything she knew about the book at tomorrow’s gathering. It would be a little less uncomfortable if she could just get a quick look at the summary…

“No!” Twilight scolded herself internally. She knew she had to finish her work, and only one scroll was left to review.

Determined, she took the last remaining red scroll and read its label. She instantly remembered what it was about.

“Thanks, but let’s save the ‘spoilers’ for later, alright?” Twilight said with a serious expression as she unrolled the final scroll and started reviewing it. Spike watched her, a bit worried, as he finished his cup of hot chocolate. He, too, knew what that scroll was about.

This was a delicate matter that Twilight could no longer keep putting off.

The "Knights of Order"...

It all began three years ago. Shortly after her coronation, Twilight started charting the course Equestria would take under her leadership. One of her first goals was to strengthen relations with neighboring kingdoms and even those beyond. She sent her friends and acquaintances as ambassadors, carrying a message of friendship and respect, hoping to learn more about the realities of these lands and, if possible, establish bonds of mutual collaboration.

These expeditions successfully reached their destinations, conveying Twilight’s message of friendship. However, during these journeys, an unexpected discovery was made: the existence of other Trees of Harmony outside Equestria. These trees, with meanings and magic different from the one known in the land of ponies, presented complex challenges for the expedition teams. With the improvised support of the ambassadors and the help of new allies in these kingdoms, they managed to activate the magic of each Tree and identify its bearers.

That was when the troubles began. Twilight’s friends soon discovered that they hadn’t been the first ones to find these Trees.

Many moons ago, a mysterious group had arrived from distant lands to these kingdoms, awakening the magic of the Trees of Harmony with the intent of protecting these territories and bringing prosperity to their inhabitants. They built temples in the places where the Trees were located and set up mechanisms that would allow the residents of each kingdom to properly access their magic.

They called themselves the Knights of Harmony, and they hailed from the magical kingdom of Cunabula. Their mission was to awaken the magic of harmony in the world. In a crusade for balance, they discovered five of the six existing Trees and were on the verge of awakening the sixth and final one in Equestria.

However, their purpose went unfulfilled. Upon reaching the land of ponies, they encountered Discord, the Lord of Chaos. At that time, Discord, malicious and unpredictable, decided that if he couldn’t take the Knights of Harmony as his playthings, he would use his chaotic magic to manipulate the inhabitants of the other kingdoms the Knights had previously visited, inciting a war against them.

The conflict was devastating for Cunabula. Betrayed by the very kingdoms they had helped, the Knights of Harmony closed off the temples they had built and erased any traces of harmony magic within them. They decided to hide their kingdom from the eyes of the world and erase all evidence of their existence.

Renouncing the title of Knights of Harmony, they renamed themselves the Knights of Order, swearing an oath to protect their kingdom and uphold order in the world. They were determined to eliminate anyone who tried to awaken the magic of the Trees again.

This crusade lay dormant for over a millennium, until Twilight and her friends unknowingly reawakened it.

Without offering any explanations, the Knights of Order took action against the kingdoms where the magic of the Trees of Harmony had been rekindled. This led Danu, the current leader of the Knights, to confront Twilight and her friends directly in Canterlot. After an intense battle, Twilight and her friends found themselves cornered, at the mercy of the Knights, who planned to eradicate the harmony magic that still dwelled within them.

Fortunately, with the help of other friends who were present at the time and the timely arrival of new allies from the other kingdoms, they managed to thwart the Knights’ plans and save the city from catastrophe.

Defeated, and with the consent of the leaders of the other kingdoms, the Knights of Order were imprisoned and taken to Tartarus, Equestria’s magical prison, where they have remained locked up to this day...

Twilight sighed as she finished reading the contents of the red scroll. The report was exactly what she expected: the situation of the Knights of Order in Tartarus remained unchanged, and the results of the investigations on Cunabula were the same as the previous year.

In other words, there had been no progress.

Since they were imprisoned, the Knights of Order had stayed in Tartarus without attempting to escape or cooperating to improve their situation. Despite Twilight’s efforts to establish a connection with Danu, the Knights' leader, he had maintained a rigid stance, refusing to speak with her during her visits. His companions acted in the same way. So, apart from what they learned during their first encounter, they hadn’t managed to learn anything more about them.

On the other hand, the island of Cunabula remained an impenetrable mystery. It didn’t appear in any history book in Equestria or in the archives of allied kingdoms. In a letter from Ornithia, Star Swirl the Bearded claimed to have discovered the nation’s flag: a green banner with a silver tree surrounded by six stars. After an exhaustive investigation, he concluded that the kingdom was probably located somewhere in the southern seas. Unfortunately, that was all the information he could find. Even so, Twilight had decided to extend the investigation year after year, right up to today.

Twilight let herself fall onto the sofa, staring up at the ceiling. For a leader with little commitment, satisfied with quick fixes, the situation remaining unchanged could be considered a success. But she wasn’t that kind of leader. The more she thought about the Knights of Order, the more her unease grew...

“Tell me, Spike, why do you think no representative from Cunabula has tried to contact us after the defeat of the Knights of Order?” Twilight asked, without taking her eyes off the ceiling.

“Uhmm…” Spike pondered, adopting a thoughtful pose, though he was actually prepared for the question. “Maybe they aren’t very popular at home, and by locking them up, we did their people a favor.”

"Do you really think so, Spike..." Twilight replied without turning toward her assistant. “I remember my first encounter with Danu and his companions well. They didn’t seem like reckless tyrants, but rather conservative individuals, overly committed to their cause…”

Twilight closed her eyes, reflecting. Maybe she was giving them too much credit, but many of Danu’s words made her think she had only seen one side of her opponent. The fact that he had initiated the conversation during their first encounter only reinforced that idea.

“Well… maybe they’re a bit lost over in Cunabula without them,” Spike continued, not measuring his words too carefully, “or maybe they’re afraid to leave their island… I mean, home.”

“It’s been three years, Spike. By now, Cunabula should already have new leaders,” Twilight replied, opening her eyes. “Even if that weren’t the case, their followers would have tried to seek them out or rescue them. Plus, consider how quickly they were able to reach Equestria and the power they demonstrated in battle. I don’t think fear of getting lost or hurt is what’s holding them back.”

Twilight thought about the plot in Ornithia, the actions of the Knights of Order in Canterlot, and what she had learned about the harmony temples. Cunabula was not something to take lightly. It was a kingdom that had been using harmony magic for over a thousand years. Clearly, they were well ahead of their time back then. She couldn’t imagine how much it might have changed since. Being isolated from the world for so long could have hindered their progress in certain ways, but it might also have pushed their development in other unexpected directions.

“I think that’s all my theories…” murmured Spike, worn out, as he settled into his seat. Twilight didn’t scold him; she had far too many things on her mind at the moment, too.

Twilight had to admit it: she knew very little about Cunabula. Its government, its history, its customs… the unknowns were overwhelming. There could easily be other hidden players there, guiding the decisions of that kingdom from the shadows and watching the events in Equestria with cold calculation. This hypothesis could explain the behavior of the Knights of Order, who might simply be waiting for the right moment to act.

If that were true, what happened in the Canterlot attack could happen again… or turn out even worse.

As she pondered, Twilight felt a bitter taste spreading in her mouth, as if something lay just in front of her that she couldn’t fully see.

Could she really make a responsible decision with so much unknown? Should she file the case away and leave the Knights of Order in Tartarus indefinitely? Would it make sense to prepare more escape plans in case of another attack?

The most irresponsible thing would be to just let them go, though…

“What if we just let them go?” Spike suggested jokingly, trying to ease the tension.

Twilight looked at him, clearly annoyed. Her frown said more than any words could, and it was enough to make her little dragon assistant step back.

Spike raised his claws, a bit nervous. “Well… I’m just saying, if all this is too much for us, maybe letting them go wouldn’t make a huge difference…”

“Did Discord suggest that to you?” Twilight asked with a serious look.

“Yes,” Spike admitted, sinking a little into his seat. He’d consulted the “Lord of Chaos” on the matter, given that Discord was partly responsible for the situation. Naturally, Discord’s answer had been typically discordant.

Twilight sighed once more. "I think, in a way, he's right. But it's not a decision I can make alone. I need the other kingdoms to consider my point of view. However, I don't have solid arguments to support that action… just a weak hope," she said, looking disheartened at the scroll.

Asking Discord for help in judging the case could backfire on her due to his past antics. Moreover, she doubted the Knights of Order would accept any "sincere" apologies from the "Lord of Chaos."

If she simply released them, the other kingdoms would surely see Equestria as an unreliable ally. And allowing those criminals, who had sworn to destroy them and had already attacked two kingdoms, to return to their homeland to continue their conspiracies would put Equestria at risk. While Twilight wanted to believe that the Knights of Order wouldn’t intervene again, she knew the likelihood was quite the opposite.

In the end, she still couldn't decide. She would have to wait and reflect more before reaching a conclusion.

With her magic, Twilight carefully stored the scroll in a special box along with other documents that would also be addressed next year. Seeing the accumulating amount compared to the previous year, she realized just how much her workload continued to grow. With a resigned sigh, she began organizing the rest of the documents.

When she finished, she felt a slight sense of relief. The clock indicated that there were still three hours until midnight.

"It's still early! How about we do a surprise inspection to check out this year’s decorations?" Twilight proposed to Spike as she stood up.

"I don’t know, Twilight. I’m feeling a bit tired today," Spike replied, feigning a yawn while trying to hide a hefty book behind him. "Why don’t you go alone this time?"

"Really? I thought bringing my 'number one assistant' on my 'royal back' would be a great reward for all his hard work," Twilight teased with a sly smile as she donned her royal attire. She already had an idea of the real source of Spike’s "tiredness."

Spike couldn’t resist the temptation and, flapping his tiny wings, jumped onto Twilight's back.

"Now that I think about it, I think I have an important message for the head chef. Do you mind if we swing by the kitchen first, Twilight?"

"Of course, but on the way, you’ll have to tell me some stories from the new Daring Do book," she replied as she levitated her crown and gently placed it atop her head.

"Perfect! Have you ever heard of the 'Hill of Eternity'?" Spike asked excitedly.

Both of them left the room smiling, leaving behind an untouched pudding and a cup of chocolate.

Intermission - Beyond Midnight

Tartarus, shortly after midnight...

Badwhiz hurriedly ran through the deteriorated hallways leading to the outer watchtower. An urgent order from Balor had prompted him to gather all the Knights of the Order in the war room for a matter of utmost importance.

Informing Morrigan, Ceridwen, and Mannah had been easy for Badwhiz, but Taranis, who had dueled Danu hours earlier, was nowhere to be found.

After consulting with Balor, he was only told that Taranis was in the outer tower. Although he hadn't been given further details on why Taranis was there, Badwhiz was determined to complete his mission without further delay.

As he reached the end of the hallway, Badwhiz found the door to the outside wide open. Hurriedly, he continued through the door.

Outside, illuminated by the moonlight, a desolate railing-less lookout stretched before him with no signs of his target.

"Has he gone out without permission again? Right now! Oh, hooves! How will I explain this to Lord Balor?" Badwhiz exclaimed anxiously as he gazed down the valley from the edge of the lookout.

The volcanic surface of Tartarus stretched as far as the eye could see, rows upon rows of fumaroles and geysers weaving through acidic lakes and geological faults. In the midst of this infernal wasteland, a winding path, barely recognizable as such, appeared blurry in the distance. If anyone were to attempt an escape from this place, that path would be the only safe way out.

Of course, this was only true for those who could walk; if one could control the air, it would be a different story...

Badwhiz scanned the valley clouds in search of his mentor. Taranis was a skilled master of the air; he would hardly be found on the ground crossing the path. So searching for him in the sky was the most obvious choice.

However, the deceptive vertigo of the height began to blur Badwhiz's vision. He gradually began to pay more attention to the sharp spikes sprouting beneath the tower, gleaming like teeth in the moonlight.

Badwhiz swallowed hard. From this height, a fall would be deadly. Although Badwhiz had wings incorporated into his armor, he lacked the flight instincts of a pegasus. Fear of the abyss began to grow within him, sending a shiver up his spine.

"I should perhaps shout loudly from further back, maybe Lord Taranis will hear me..." Badwhiz spoke to himself, trying to convince himself that this was the best solution, increasingly difficult to ignore the fear of falling.

Then, a gust of wind pushed him from behind. Before Badwhiz could comprehend what was happening, the ground beneath his feet disappeared, and for a moment, he found himself weightless in the air.

"Hee! Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Badwhiz screamed as he fell from the tower, flapping his wings for momentum. However, he wasn't fast enough, and the sharp spike-filled ground was rapidly approaching.

But then, another wind arose out of nowhere and lifted him upward.

In what seemed like a bounce with a cushion of air, Badwhiz unexpectedly returned to the top of the tower, right back at the edge of the lookout.

"What...? How...?" Badwhiz stammered with his heart racing, unable to understand what had just happened.

"Boy, you need to practice your flight more. Gliding is fine, but you can do so much more with your wings."

A voice spoke behind Badwhiz, who immediately turned around. The imposing figure of a creature that could only be described as a cross between a bull and a serpent stood before him. He was naked, but that didn't diminish his warrior-like aura. In fact, the moonlight, combined with the tattered bandages covering his body, further heightened the champion's shadow.

This was who Badwhiz had been searching for, Lord Taranis, knight of the order and bearer of the element of pride.

Badwhiz, unable to express the joy of having completed his search, was still breathless and speechless.

"Don't make that face, boy. The effort will be worth it. Imagine the wind as if it were your partner in a dance. Let it guide you at first and then take it by your side, reel it in towards you... let it adapt to your rhythm..." Taranis continued speaking as he sinuously moved his limbs and tail. He seemed to be in very good spirits.

"Haaa... Lord Taranis..., Lord Balor summons you... to the war room immediately...," Badwhiz finally responded, struggling to breathe.

Walking through one of the secret corridors within Tartarus...

Badwhiz, accompanied by the newly located Taranis, was heading towards the war room.

Taranis, already clad in his warrior armor, flexed his arms casually. Although he still felt some tension in his elbows, he didn't pay it much mind. Training with Danu had been as unproductive as ever. He hadn't wanted to participate this time, but Mannah had insisted heavily, and Balor had ultimately convinced him to do so. Although Mannah had fervently asked him to treat the encounter as a real duel, Taranis couldn't bring himself to do so. Training wasn't the same as fighting on the battlefield. Just as reading a recipe for a dish wasn't the same as preparing it in the kitchen.

This last thought sparked an idea in him.

"Hey, kid! Are you feeling tired? How about before we go to Balor, we take a moment to visit the kitchen? I think Morrigan still has some soul-vanilla fritters in the pantry..."

"Hee! No, no! Thank you very much for your offer, Lord Taranis, but I don't think it's the right time to do something like that. Lord Balor is very urgent for you to join the others as soon as possible," Badwhiz responded immediately, visibly fatigued by how late it was.

"Haha! How serious! I like it, but you should relax a little more. So, how about we go to the showers first?"

"Please, don't continue with your offers, Lord Taranis. Remember that you're a knight and must also follow orders."

"Are you telling me I'm not fulfilling my duties?" Taranis stopped with a look of anger.

"No! I didn't mean that! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you!" Badwhiz responded immediately, bowing before Taranis seeking his forgiveness.

Taranis, for his part, dispelled his angry look as quickly as it appeared. He was just playing with Badwhiz; that colt amused him greatly.

"Haha! You really resemble Danu a lot, kid," Taranis laughed heartily.

"I don't think I resemble the great feudal lord much," Badwhiz responded hesitantly, realizing Taranis's game.

"Ah, right, not like him now. He wasn't always the great feudal lord of Cunabula. So serious and inflexible. I knew him when he was your age. He didn't act much differently from you back then. Those were good times..." Taranis continued laughing, looking up at the ceiling.

Badwhiz looked puzzled at Taranis's nostalgic gaze. He didn't know how to take his master's words; it was really difficult for him to imagine Danu being young, even resembling him...

Lost in his thoughts, Badwhiz was abruptly snapped out of his reverie by a powerful voice.

"Hey! Stop daydreaming! Let's go to the war room at once," Taranis said to the colt. With a flick of his tail, he created a gust of wind that wrapped around his body and shot down the hallway, leaving a surprised Badwhiz behind.

Alarmed at the thought of being seen as negligent if he couldn't keep up with Taranis, Badwhiz spread his wings and also flew down the hallway, trying to catch up with the knight of the order. After turning a couple of corners and nearly breaking his neck three times, he finally, exhausted, caught up with Taranis in front of the war room doors. The knight was waiting for him with an arrogant posture.

"I win. Do I have to inform the rest of my comrades about this?" Taranis asked with a mocking smile.

"Please, no," responded the sweaty and somewhat pale Badwhiz.

"Haha," Taranis laughed again. However, his laughter was interrupted when the war room door swung open, revealing the silhouette of a dragon-like creature.

Balor had a cold look, as usual, but also exuded palpable tension. Taranis immediately went on guard.

"You're late, Taranis, but I'm reassured to see you're here," greeted Balor in a unsettling tone.

"I apologize, Balor. I needed some fresh air after my training with his excellency," Taranis replied.

"It's fine, please, come in," said Balor, opening the war room door wider. Inside the room, darkness prevailed, only illuminated by the ornamental candles on the meeting table and the faint ceiling lights.

Taranis, with his sharp eyesight able to see in the dark, noticed the presence of the other comrades in the dark room. However, his gaze shifted towards Balor, as if asking him what this tension meant.

Balor noticed his companion's gaze but didn't react. Instead, he turned his attention to Badwhiz.

"Boy, I need you to go to the pantry and bring some drinks for us, as well as some snacks. And also... take a shower beforehand. You have 30 minutes," Balor ordered Badwhiz, who was still sweating.

"Yes, right away!" the pony responded affirmatively, but before leaving, he couldn't help but look worriedly at his master, who entered the war room with a tense expression on his face.

A shorter time than indicated had passed, and Badwhiz had bathed, prepared the drinks, and arranged the snacks on a silver tray. Now he stood once again in front of the war room doors.

Before he could even touch the door, it swung open on its own, inviting him to enter. The interior remained shrouded in darkness, so Badwhiz used the light from his armor horn to cautiously proceed.

Once inside, he felt the intense tension permeating the room. Around a circular table were six seats, facing a circular mirror that projected images, illuminating the room. All the Knights of the Order were present, except for Danu and Taranis. This caught Badwhiz's attention, but he preferred not to ask questions and proceeded to distribute the drinks among those present. None of them spoke to him or took the drinks directly, so he simply left them on the table. The unsettling silence that had taken hold of the room felt strange to him, very different from the knights' previous gatherings.

Everyone was watching expectantly the images reflected in the circular mirror across the table.

After finishing distributing the drinks and leaving the tray of snacks aside, Badwhiz positioned himself next to Balor's chair, awaiting the next orders.

"Do you really believe your brother will come to power?" a clear, firm voice broke the silence. It was Morrigan addressing Mannah, with a slight mocking tone in her words.

"He's the most suitable given the current crisis. The council and the temple won't be able to refuse," Mannah replied, not taking his eyes off the mirror.

"I'm not so sure... The king still has many supporters on his side. Plus, the 'Great Primate' has the support of the Grand Patriarch. The 'Great Primate' would be..." Morrigan couldn't finish her sentence before Balor interrupted her, taking a sip of his drink.

"The worst option at this time," Balor completed Morrigan's words. Then, staring directly at Mannah, he continued: "But that's getting ahead of ourselves. Please, Morrigan, wait until everything is over to draw conclusions."

Morrigan shot a sharp look at Balor, but he completely ignored her.

"Pay attention, it's about to begin," Ceridwen ordered her companions. The images in the mirror began to move, and Badwhiz, seeing the mirror for the first time, began to understand that the images were a projection of what was happening elsewhere, although he couldn't identify where.

Then, as if an audio were activated, sounds began to emanate from the mirror, which until then had remained silent.

The mirror whispered for a moment, as if trying to tune in: "Bzzzz... Council of Cunabula, temple members... bzzz," before the images fully settled. It showed a large amphitheater, with white and gold seats surrounding a silver podium. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation; all the creatures resembling the Knights of the Order were seated, awaiting the next speaker.

Infected by the tension in the room, Badwhiz sharpened his gaze and his hearing as much as he could.

After a standing ovation and a long silence, a figure cloaked in black emerged from one side of the podium and swiftly moved to the center of the amphitheater, assuming the position of a speaker. The mysterious entity seemed to scan everyone present with its gaze, and a shiver ran down Badwhiz's spine when their eyes met for an instant. a figure cloaked in black emerged from one side of the podium and swiftly moved to the center of the amphitheater, assuming the position of a speaker. The mysterious entity seemed to scan everyone present with its gaze, and a shiver ran down Badwhiz's spine when their eyes met for an instant.

Instinctively, Badwhiz averted his gaze from the mirror, feeling an inexplicable fear. How could that being have seen him? Confused by the unsettling sensation, he slowly returned his gaze to the mirror.

The mysterious entity was still watching him. It couldn't be, could it? Perhaps it was just looking directly at the other side of the mirror, where Badwhiz was. That was the explanation he tried to give himself to calm his nerves.

But then, for a moment, despite the slightly blurry image in the mirror, Badwhiz noticed that the being was smiling.

Suddenly, arm-like limbs emerged from the mysterious entity, which removed its hood, revealing its true form.

Badwhiz held his breath, terrified by what his eyes beheld. Several of the other Knights of the Order were also taken aback, and Balor, watching closely, clenched his claws in fury.

The mysterious entity spoke: "GREETINGS, DENIZENS OF CUNABULA. FEAR NOT, I HAVE COME TO YOU WITH A MESSAGE OF PEACE." Although the words might sound friendly to many, they were mere dust when uttered by that being, which could only be described as monstrous.

In a corner of the war room, Taranis, still reeling from the news that the King had abdicated that night, gazed at the noble flag of Cunabula hanging on the wall. Sensing the commotion of his comrades, he turned his gaze to the transmission of the magical mirror in the war room. A deep hatred reflected on his face as he beheld the true form of the one who had violated the order of the world he so loved.

"Damned midnight emissary," Taranis muttered with a tone laden with resentment before taking a seat alongside his comrades in the war room. Though his words were barely a whisper, they resonated in the tense silence of the room, and none present dared to contradict him, for they all shared the same sentiment.

Between harmony and order II (P12)

A small butterfly emerged from the last car of the train from Ponyville to Canterlot. It had been hiding until now, but after witnessing a scorching sandstorm, a horrifying winter frost, and finally feeling the authentic glow of spring, it thought it was the perfect time to come out of hiding.

It was like being in a dream. The hopeful little butterfly ventured outside, stretched its four delicate legs, fluttered its fluffy mane, and carefully unraveled its fragile antennae. A sweet breeze and a vibrant aroma welcomed it.

Anyone who got close enough to the small butterfly would understand that it was not a butterfly at all. It was Fluttershy transformed into Breeze.

"What pure air! What a beautiful forest! This horrible nightmare has finally ended!" exclaimed Fluttershy, speaking aloud with the innocence of a hundred children. In front of her, the beauty of the radiant forest seemed to invite her to explore its trails. She could almost hear the murmur of the kind creatures waiting to meet her.

Then, she remembered her friends.

"Oh, heavens! What am I thinking? Twilight and the girls must have defeated those terrible villains and must be looking for me. I must hurry and find them!" exclaimed Breeze Fluttershy, convinced of what was happening, and quickly checked her mane.

Hidden beneath one of her braids was a beautiful brooch shaped like butterfly wings with a pearl in the center. This was a gift she had received from Queen Novo herself after saving the baby dolphins from Mount Aris.

Breeze Fluttershy took the brooch and waved it. The magic of the pearl enveloped her, and in a delicate burst, she turned back into a pegasus.

In front of her true eyes, the magical world around her was even more beautiful. Amazed, Fluttershy flapped her wings, soared into the air, and greeted the idyllic celestial forest around her with open hooves.

The forest felt her warm gesture and immediately responded... with anger and rage.

Fluttershy, in her past, had endured bullying from her peers in flight school, an experience she already considered horrible back then. However, now in the present, what she felt in that moment had no points of comparison. An oppression so intense, so crushing, that it was simply too much for her delicate and sensitive soul.

Under the furious gaze of the hundreds of celestial trees, Fluttershy lost consciousness in the air and fell limply to the ground.

***

"So much trouble just for a book? Keep your silly book!" exclaimed Magi after rummaging through Fluttershy's saddlebag. She had hoped to find something valuable, but once again, all she found was disappointment. Irritated, she placed the book back into the saddlebag and threw it next to the bound Fluttershy, who was struggling to escape from the janitor's closet.

With a click, Magi changed her appearance to look like Fluttershy.

"It's not personal, dear, but this is a matter of life or death. I hope you understand... See you!" Smiling, the impostor Magi said her farewell before closing the closet door. Inside, the real Fluttershy tried to let out a scream, but the gag prevented her from uttering a single word. Desperate, she continued to struggle, being careful not to trigger any of the several explosive boxes accompanying her.

"Help! Please help me! Friends! What do I do?!" pleaded the helpless pegasus, with tears already streaming from her eyes. None of her efforts to free herself yielded results.

Her strength began to leave her, crushed by the immense anguish she felt inside.

"Twilight, please come back! We need you!" prayed Fluttershy, giving up. If only Twilight were there, if only she had told them what to do...

Then she remembered.

Twilight had indeed told her what to do. Earlier, when she was attended to by Twilight in the infirmary. Twilight had asked her to keep the magical brooch she had received from Queen Novo within reach. With it, if captured, she would have the chance to outsmart Vainilla by transforming into a Breeze.

With that small hope burning inside her, Fluttershy pressed her head against the closet wall and began to maneuver to feel the brooch hanging hidden in one of her braids. After several failed attempts, she finally reached it.

Magic enveloped Fluttershy's body, and magically, she was a Breeze!

"I must warn my friends quickly!" exclaimed Fluttershy, free as a Breeze, and began to search for an exit in the closet. In her search, she found her saddlebag. Without much thought, she wrapped the saddlebag with the magic of the brooch, making it smaller, and placed it on her tiny back.

An explosion erupted in the room, pushing her backward. Fluttershy approached an opening that had appeared in the door.

Vainilla was right there.

Fluttershy's heart was about to leap out of her mouth. Had her friends escaped in time? Were they caught? What should she do now?

Fluttershy's primal instincts kicked in. Now, there was only one thought in her head: to flee.

With the most agile flight a Breeze could perform in a confined space, Fluttershy, with her eyes closed, shot out of the closet and flew between Vainilla's legs. Following the instincts of a Breeze, she was guided by the air currents until, miraculously, she reached the outside.

A new explosion, many times larger than the previous one, erupted behind her. The shockwave hit her from behind, pushing her with the same wind. Fluttershy drifted away on the horizon, letting out a scream that no one heard.

***

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh." The horrifying memory of the recent explosion she had experienced woke up the unfortunate Fluttershy. Disoriented, she looked around...

The celestial forest observed her once again. This time, she would receive a double dose.

Fluttershy fell unconscious again.

***

"Boom!" The thunderous sound of a sudden impact awakened Fluttershy.

The Pegasus tilted her head, more catatonic than conscious. Unreal images surrounded her...

She had seen Twilight running between the trees... or was it Rainbow Dash? Then Vainilla appeared with black armor in the sky... then disappeared again.

Fluttershy's head was a complete mess.

Fluttershy tried to stand up, or so she thought. She felt like she was swimming... everything was luminescent...

"Haha, haha, haha, haha," Fluttershy laughed, while the celestial trees seemed to dance to an invisible melody.

She continued to jump among the celestial trees... the bushes sang so cheerfully...

Fluttershy's mind lost itself even more in unreality. It was like Discord's house... was Discord playing with her?

"It's not funny, Discord! If you're going to throw a surprise party, you should bring a good piano!" protested Fluttershy, not knowing what she was saying anymore. "So we could dance together... one hoof forward... another backward..."

Fluttershy continued to trot without rhythm to where she had seen Twilight go...

"La, la, la, ... Huh?" Fluttershy finally reached a clearing... and her eyes witnessed a terrible scene.

Someone who looked a lot like Twilight was trapped, being squeezed by brutal black chains, while spectral claws pulled part of her body, revealing something akin to her soul. On the other side was Vainilla with a perverse smile on her face, reveling in that torment.

The screams of agony from the pony at the brink of her life shook Fluttershy's body to the core.

Suddenly, the inner strength in the pink-maned Pegasus awakened. Her fur bristled. A fury that she had rarely felt filled her completely. Her friends needed her. It was the call of destiny.

A neigh shook the air. Without any plan or thought in her head, Fluttershy launched herself to charge at Vainilla with all her might.

Balor heard a neigh behind her and then felt something approaching rapidly from behind. Chaos took hold of her mind. Here? How? An ally of the princess? An unknown enemy? The midnight emissary?

She instinctively raised her magical shield. The pressure, already bearing down on her, increased.

Then, a pink-maned Pegasus emerged from one of her sides. With closed eyes, she advanced towards Balor at full speed, charging. However, there was no impact; the pony passed by and, in a straight trajectory, ended up colliding with a tree.

Disoriented by the crash, the mysterious Pegasus took a few steps back, deliriously stumbling until she fell unconscious on the ground.

Balor, in a strange mix of shock and bewilderment, recognized her.

"Fluttershy!" she exclaimed, shocked. This was the name of Princess Twilight's close friend, bearer of the Element of Kindness, a unique piece of the Tree of Harmony symbolizing friendship.

Balor's mind went blank, without a logical answer or starting point for a question that could explain how what she saw was possible. Ceridwen, before her own eyes, had captured that pony! That was an irrefutable fact!

Like a train plummeting into an abyss, the entire plan she had concocted in her mind began to shatter. All the pieces she had perfectly placed in her assumptions flew into the air. The analysis, the factors she had taken into account, the timing...

The failure was catastrophic.

Finally, Balor made her first and only mistake in the battle. She blinked.

***

Rainbow Dash never doubted, not even in that moment of great despair. She always trusted that something or someone would come to save her. Although her faith sometimes led her to underestimate her own safety, and on other occasions, she had lost confidence over trivialities, when it came to her friends and the fate of Equestria, her loyalty remained unbroken until the end.

A blink, that was all she needed.

A few seconds earlier, she had spotted Fluttershy emerging from the forest behind Balor. She couldn't help but think something like, "Why do you always come late?"

When she saw Fluttershy charge at her enemy, her thought changed to, "That's Fluttershy! Go! Save Equestria!"

Then she saw her pass by and collide with a tree: "Really? Don't play with me like that!"

Finally, when Balor began to blink: "Well, that's it. It's over."

All the magic that remained in Rainbow Dash focused on a single point.

Rainbow Dash gave her last strength and issued her final command to the Twilight-Dash fusion. Something simple. "Go all out."

Rainbow Dash and Twilight separated from the fusion, grabbing the chains that imprisoned Twilight-Dash. The ghostly grip dissipated in the air, and Twilight's soul returned complete to her body.

Twilight-Dash, freed from the control of Rainbow Dash and Twilight, would only have a second of existence before fading away. She turned her entire body into light and charged the opponent in front of her.

Like a true rainbow bolt, the fusion advanced unhindered, breaking through Balor's defenses. It hit him head-on, dragging him like a projectile through trees, rocks, and the lake... it kept advancing.

In each millisecond, the existence called Twilight-Dash continued to advance and disintegrate. Her opponent was also fading away.

Twilight-Dash smiled. Her consciousness began to fade.

However, what she felt in what remained of her consciousness... was glorious. Her existence had fulfilled its purpose. Her friends were safe. That was all that mattered...

Finally, everything faded away in a beam of light.

The last thing Balor saw as she closed her eyes was a blinding flash of light.

Then, she was back in the golden orb that adorned the ceiling of the war room.

The emblem of the unit had once again split, the direct connection to Badwhiz had been severed, and almost all her magic reserves had been depleted.

She had failed.

After stepping out of the glow of the orb, without uttering a single word, she took a seat alongside the rest of her comrades.

A deathly silence hung over them.

They had all witnessed with their own eyes the true power of their comrade, as well as the machinations of the princess that had thwarted their efforts to capture her. No one among them could accuse her of negligence. The battle had overwhelmed her.

Yet, the weight of defeat fell upon all of them.

Among them, the one bearing the greatest burden of bitterness was Ceridwen. She clenched her fists in anger. She could be singled out for failing to capture Fluttershy, but given the initial circumstances and how they had validated her success, it would be difficult to make a case without involving the others.

Mannah was not exempt either. She had proceeded with the operation aware that the princess would offer strong resistance. As the sub-leader, the greater organizational responsibility for this failure rested on him.

Morrigan, usually carefree, looked noticeably tense. The soul-taking spell that Balor used was one she had taught her herself. If the princess had overcome that magic, one of her trump cards, what else could she resort to?

Perhaps the only one who might escape unscathed was Taranis. But witnessing Balor's defeat, his spirit crumbled. There were also other reasons.

Balor, finally, had a vacant and lifeless gaze. They had lost the sealing crystal cube; it was hidden in Badwhiz's mouth. Once the princess found the body, if anything remained of it, and discovered the crystal, it would be only a matter of time before she deciphered it and opened it. Balor had estimated that this process would take at least three days. But after displaying so many combat skills... was she really sure that the princess wouldn't achieve it sooner?

At this point, she was no longer sure of anything.

The silence persisted for several more minutes.

Finally, Mannah stood up. He couldn't allow the state of defeat among his comrades to continue. The battle had been lost, but not the war.

"Ceridwen! Taranis! Grab your weapons and accompany me. We won't give the princess a chance to regroup. Morrigan, stay here and monitor the position of our enemies. Activate all our secondary defenses," Mannah ordered, determined to enter the battlefield. He jumped down from his seat and magically equipped himself with a golden chainmail. He also had a conch shell by his side.

Immediately, Ceridwen stood up, spreading her wings and preparing her golden staff. She also equipped herself with two rosaries of black pearls.

Morrigan, on the other hand, took Mannah's place and began summoning scrolls with enchantments, while a larger scroll unfolded above her head, taking the appearance of a strange halo made of paper. This scroll was filled with illegible arcane symbols.

However, Taranis remained in his place, still looking at the enchanted pond.

"Taranis! Must I repeat my orders?" Mannah roared with fury.

In response, Taranis only waved his hand, calling his comrades while pointing his finger at the pond.

"Balor, is this part of the plan?" Taranis asked anxiously.

Balor, whose gaze was lost somewhere in her thoughts, finally reacted. She looked at the pond again.

"Eh?" she responded in surprise, along with the rest of her comrades, who returned to see the same thing Taranis saw.

Definitely, it was not.

The images reflected in the enchanted pond showed something that neither Balor nor any of the Knights of the Order had foreseen.

In the celestial forest, three victorious friends walked together along a straight path marked in the earth.

"Hehe, well done, Fluttershy. That's the way to go, friend," cheered Rainbow Dash as she carried Fluttershy on her back.

"Thank you, Rainbow... but I'm feeling better now. I can walk," replied the disoriented Fluttershy.

"I don't think so; it's better if you rest. You were exposed to too much magical stress," said Twilight, walking steadily ahead of her friends, although her eyes showed noticeable dark circles of fatigue.

They set out shortly after Balor's defeat. Although they were initially filled with happiness and joy for the unlikely victory, they were disappointed when they remembered that it wasn't over yet.

Twilight was the one who brought them back to reality. The Knights of the Order were their opponents, and they were still out there, unscathed, waiting for their moment.

"We must find the sealing crystal cube before the Knights of the Order. Then, we'll take refuge and free our friends, and then..." a weary Twilight reminded the rest of the ponies.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash recovered quite quickly after the battle. Fluttershy, on the other hand, could hardly speak. After being carried for several meters, she finally regained her lucidity and told them fragmentedly what had happened.

Twilight was full of a multitude of questions, but she had no time to waste.

Finding the sealing crystal was of vital importance. She still had some magic left to perform another fusion...

A fresh breeze swept through the celestial forest, and the light from its leaves spilled like rain around them.

Twilight could still feel the magic in the celestial trees, but no longer their anger; she had deactivated the spell that bound her to nature. Nevertheless, the forest didn't attack them, nor did it attack Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy.

The forest was calm. Twilight didn't understand why. Was it because Balor had been defeated, or was there another reason?

Twilight paused for a moment. A sudden drowsiness invaded her. Her pony instincts urged her to rest on the green grass under the shade of the mystical trees.

It was like a premonitory call. Fatigue began to weigh on her eyelids; her hooves started to feel heavy... but time was an unforgiving enemy. They had to keep going!

However, the forest whispered... Twilight's mane briefly fluttered with the same glow as the leaves of the celestial trees.

"I need to rest..." Twilight murmured. Without waiting for her friends' response, she stepped off the path and lay down on the lush grass. The contact of her fur with the living ground only intensified her tiredness. Looking around, she saw bushes of golden and scarlet tulips she had never seen before, along with strange flowers that resembled multicolored dew clouds.

Everything was so magical and supernatural. Strangely familiar... but empty.

There was no sound in that forest, only the sound of the wind among the vegetation, as if in a desert...

Suddenly, her forgotten hunger began to manifest. The grass beneath her looked so clean and fresh that she was already thinking of eating it right there.

Then, not far from her, she noticed a strange object among the herbs. Intrigued, she stood up and approached.

It was a saddlebag.

"Fluttershy's saddlebag? How did it get here?" exclaimed Twilight, recognizing her friend's colorful saddlebag immediately. Without hesitation, she picked it up.

At some point in her delirious stroll through the forest, Fluttershy had lost her saddlebag. Then, carried by the tumult of battle, the saddlebag had ended up beside the straight path formed when Twilight-Dash charged at Balor at the end of their battle.

Twilight's sensitive sense of smell detected a very familiar scent emanating from Fluttershy's saddlebag. It was a scent she only smelled when in a library. With awakened innate curiosity, Twilight opened Fluttershy's saddlebag to see its contents...

"Twilight, come, look!" Rainbow Dash's call interrupted Twilight, who, without thinking, put on the saddlebag and swiftly joined Rainbow.

"What's happening, Rainbow? Did..." Twilight fell silent next to her friend.

Not very far away, by the side of the road, a little ahead of where they were, lay a body.

It was Badwhiz.

The same pony who hours ago had threatened and fought against them. Now he lay on the ground with his armor shattered, not wearing his wings or horn. There were no traces of his dangerous gem either.

The three ponies, standing, including Fluttershy, who had gotten off Rainbow Dash's back, were in shock.

"He didn't turn to stone?! Didn't they say they hit him with a rainbow?!" the trembling Fluttershy asked, falling prey to her fears again.

"He must have resisted the final attack at the last moment. Maybe he's more resilient than we thought," Twilight reflected aloud as she observed the area where Twilight-Dash had disappeared, leaving a noticeable crater.

"So, made of tougher stuff, huh?" exclaimed Rainbow Dash with a tone between amused and challenging, exhaling strongly through her nose. Without waiting for a response, she approached Badwhiz's body.

"Rainbow, be careful; it could be a trap," Twilight cautioned with a mix of concern and caution at her friend's reckless behavior.

"Ummhh," Rainbow Dash stopped and seemed to think for a moment. Suddenly, without saying a word, she delivered a strong kick to Badwhiz's stomach.

The pained Badwhiz rolled on the ground, letting out a pitiful groan.

"Well, it looks like our little showman is just taking a break after we kicked his friends' butts," commented Rainbow Dash, placing her hoof on Badwhiz's body to signal to her friends that he no longer posed any threat.

Twilight and Fluttershy could finally breathe easy.

"Come on, Fluttershy, I need help here. Let's make this guy spill everything," ordered Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy, though initially hesitant, after an urgent second call, hurried to stand beside Rainbow Dash to help Badwhiz to his feet.

Twilight didn't want to be too harsh on the guy, but she had no choice but to let Rainbow Dash take charge... she felt exhausted.

"All right, Mr. Badwhiz. Now that we're 'still' being kind, could you please tell us where the crystal is that you have our friends locked in?" asked Rainbow Dash, readying her hooves with a threatening gesture, as if about to crush apples.

"Hey, Rainbow, I think he's..." added Fluttershy delicately, trying to calm her friend's fury.

And at that moment, tragedy struck.

Badwhiz's swaying, unconscious head detached and rolled calmly until it reached Twilight.

A cold gaze, filled with hatred but free from any darkness, stared directly into the eyes of the Princess of Friendship. It was the same look she had received when they first met beside the train.

Twilight's exhausted mind took too long to understand what was happening. She was as disturbed as her friends by what was unfolding. What she saw before her eyes could only have one explanation...

It was a trap.

Badwhiz's head began to dissolve into a gray, deformed mass, similar to papier-mâché. The same happened to his body.

The ponies, unable to react, were attacked. A powerful blast shot out from one of the trees, exploding at Twilight's feet. The resulting explosion sent the princess flying, landing far away from where they were.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash shielded themselves with their wings, taking the shockwave from the explosion. Still, they were pushed several meters back.

After rolling on the ground along with other tree debris and surrounded by a thick cloud of dust, they finally came to a stop.

"Cough, cough, Fluttershy, are you okay?" called Rainbow Dash to her friend through the dust.

"Ahhh, my head," Fluttershy was dizzy and trying to get up.

The dust suddenly cleared, and Rainbow Dash froze.

"Here I am! Where's Twilight?" said the concerned pink-maned pegasus, with clearer vision. However, Rainbow Dash didn't respond.

"What's happening, Rainbow?" asked Fluttershy, confused.

"Don't do it," responded Rainbow Dash with anger.

"Don't do what? Is something wrong?" asked Fluttershy, unaware of the danger that lurked.

"Don't you dare do it!" Rainbow Dash responded with even more fury.

Behind Fluttershy was Badwhiz with the sealing crystal, aiming directly at her friend's neck.

"Okay," Fluttershy sat down. That was it. Fluttershy disappeared, absorbed by the crystal. Badwhiz smiled with a cracked pink gem on his neck.

Rainbow Dash had kept her calm until then. She had followed Twilight's orders. She had been rational. A good pony. But she had finally reached her limit.

"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Rainbow Dash screamed and launched herself at her opponent, filled with all the fury that could fit in her. With all the strength she had left, she flew towards Badwhiz at full speed and, with a kick, sent the sealing crystal on his left helmet flying far away. Then, with another attack, she aimed a kick at his head.

It wasn't enough. Badwhiz's magical shield activated at the last moment and resisted the blow that would have knocked him unconscious.

The counterattack began.

Badwhiz shot a beam as thick as a tree, narrowly missing Rainbow Dash.

The pegasus, even with her speed reduced by fatigue, didn't give up and continued attacking Badwhiz's barrier from different angles.

Badwhiz continued shooting more bolts...

***

Twilight opened her eyes, feeling the thunder resonating nearby. The aftermath of a new battle unfolded before her. With palpable fatigue, she rose and surveyed the battlefield.

In the distance, she spotted Rainbow Dash facing off against Badwhiz, as if they were immersed in a chaotic dance. However, a stray bolt changed the dance's rhythm and headed towards Twilight. Reacting with difficulty, she ducked just in time. The massive bolt streaked through the air, missing its target, unleashing an explosion that sent an entire hill flying behind her.

The stunning scene left Twilight dumbfounded. Her now alert senses kicked her mind into high gear. "Did the Starheart gem possess that power? It shouldn't be like this!"

In her studies of ancient magical artifacts, she learned that the Starheart gem had the ability to counter spells and absorb magic from the surroundings. However, the amount of magic emanating now was overwhelming, far exceeding the amulet's normal capabilities. A terrifying realization seized Twilight.

"The Starheart gem is overloaded. It could explode at any moment. But if that happens, then..." Her words were suspended, immersed in terror. They were in the midst of a magical forest whose power was unknown. If the gem exploded, releasing the absorbed magic from the environment, the resulting explosion would be unimaginable.

"Rainbow Dash! No! Don't continue fighting, it's enough! Stop!" pleaded Twilight in the distance.

But her pleas came too late. The Starheart gem on Badwhiz's neck reached its limit. Cracks expanded, and beams of energy unleashed in all directions. Rainbow Dash, horrified, halted her attack, but a lightning bolt from Badwhiz struck her before she could move away.

At first, Badwhiz seemed unaware of what was happening, but he soon understood. "What is this?" he exclaimed, terrified. The gem on his chest unleashed rays, and its blazing light intensified.

A massive crack emerged, and suddenly, everything turned into light.

Sound and noises extinguished.

Light flooded everything.

First, Badwhiz's silhouette disappeared.

Then, Rainbow Dash lay unconscious on the ground.

Then, the path.

From the ground, a sphere of pure energy began to grow, an explosion fueled by the magic of the forest.

The trees fell silent, their magic being absorbed.

The explosion continued to expand, forming a dome of light.

A terrible vision of destruction.

A sense of doom permeated the air as the inevitable end approached.

When harmony and order fail...

Chaos and destruction are present... then... darkness...

No one should go that far...

The expansion of the magical explosion swept everything in its path: rocks, trees, fragments of the train, and even the essence of the wind itself. Twilight, helpless, clung to a large rock as the tide of energy advanced inexorably.

Exhaustion consumed her. Her wings no longer responded, her legs barely supported her weight, and her horn throbbed irritably. She had no tears left for the friends she had lost. She only held onto Fluttershy's saddlebag that she had found among the ruins.

The explosion continued its march, but for Twilight, time seemed to stretch into eternity. Exhausted, she desired no more fights. With a tired sigh, she turned her back to the explosion and lay alone on the side of the large rock. She gazed at the horizon where she had recently fought alongside her friends.

It was a horrifying sight.

The beautiful forest that had recently flourished was withering rapidly. There was no trace of the sacred aura or brightness; only decay and corruption. Trees crumbled into dust, and others exploded into a black and repulsive tar. The unnatural magic that fueled them had extinguished, allowing them to fade into the landscape.

A landscape shattered by the battle between her and Balor. Twilight was also responsible for the desolation. Her hooves were stained with the same violence.

The wind howled within the barrier with a sound akin to wolves in a storm. The roar increased behind her. Twilight felt the ground shaking, but not just the ground; she herself was trembling.

Why had everything turned out this way? Could she have done something to prevent it? These were questions without answers. She only had the strength to question herself; there was nothing else left to do at that moment.

Between the whistling wind that enveloped her and the remnants of the world falling behind her, Twilight felt something sliding at her side. It was a sealed book that emerged from Fluttershy's saddlebag.

In a more instinctive than conscious reaction, Twilight took the silver-edged book and examined it. With a beautiful cover decorated with reliefs of a forest and birds and insects in the corners, the title read: "World of Chaos, a real board game of surprises and secrets"...

The roar intensified, the ground began to slide. Below, a subtitle read: "For all my friends, especially for Twilight Sparkle, the smartest and noblest pony in all of Equestria... Created with love by Fluttershy and..."

She couldn't read more. A light veiled her sight, and a warm sensation enveloped her. Finally, Twilight was absorbed by the explosion and disappeared from this world.

Inside the war room, the walls groaned, giving in to the unleashed fury. Serpentine cracks began to tear apart the integrity of the room. The enchanted pond, in a magical frenzy, boiled with intensity, reflecting the chaos and destruction unleashed within the great barrier.

The Knights of the Order, aware of the gravity of the situation, had erected a defensive perimeter around Mannah, raising magical shields as the last line of protection. Fear manifested on their faces, marked by uncertainty and tension.

However, amid the turmoil, one Knight remained unperturbed. Sitting outside the perimeter formed by his comrades, Balor calmly observed the epicenter of the enchanted pond, now shrouded in the eerie light of the uncontrollable explosion consuming every corner of the room. His face barely showed emotion, illuminated by the ominous glow of the unfolding tragedy before them.

The wind persisted in its haunting howl. The trees, sparse and condemned, turned to dust in the maelstrom. Any trace of water had vanished, and the earth crumbled, sliding toward an immaculate horizon. The explosion, fueled by the powerful magical forces unleashed, grew at a frantic pace. It had relentlessly devoured a third of the space within the great barrier and showed no signs of slowing down.

The formidable barrier, which had once contained entities of incredible power, now trembled in its entirety. Its collapse was imminent, subjected to an uncontrollable force. The explosion had already taken over half of the remaining space.

Abruptly, the fury of the explosion halted. The walls of the luminous dome began to sway, and its pristine white was splattered with a palette of colors. Colorful dots danced throughout the dome, like flashes in a spinning diamond. Rays of color illuminated the great barrier from within.

Gradually, the multicolored light faded, giving way to darkness. From within, darkness consumed the light and colors. In rapid succession, everything was plunged into darkness. The lights diminished, scattered like distant constellations in the firmament.

At the epicenter of the explosion, darkness seemed to devour itself. Without warning, all shadows receded, collapsing toward their origin. There were no additional roars or tremors. Everything fell into a deep silence, like a whisper in the wind.

The terrible explosion that had ravaged the interior of the great barrier disappeared, as if it had never existed.

Nature caught its breath in a soothing calm.

The doors of the last carriage of the Ponyville to Canterlot train finally opened. Upon reaching their destination, the Knights of the Order emerged from the shattered carriage, far from the terrible explosion that had devastated the area moments before.

Outside, a rain of ashes tainted the desolate wasteland.

One by one, the knights took positions, forming a perimeter. Upon confirming it was safe, the sub-leader Mannah finally emerged, accompanied by Balor.

Soon, relevant orders were given, and the Knights of the Order immediately set out to survey the surroundings.

Mannah, waiting for the conclusion of the search, stayed close to the carriage.

Balor, not far away, remained as her escort while performing detection enchantments.

Several hours passed, and the Knights of the Order explored the interior of the Great Barrier on five occasions.

Finally, they returned with their sub-leader and delivered the results of the exploration.

They found no trace of the princess and her friends, nor of Badwhiz. However, they found the sealing crystal cube completely intact and full.

Balor was surprised; it shouldn't be possible. The explosion had consumed the entire interior of the Great Barrier, leaving a gigantic crater in its place. At the bottom of this crater, among the rocks, her companions had found the sealing crystal that should have disintegrated along with everything else.

Incredulous, Balor held the crystal. After explaining and answering some questions about the find, she quickly returned to the carriage to examine it in detail.

Balor's thorough examination lasted two hours, and surprisingly, all the results were consistent. The crystal was in perfect condition and contained the magic necessary to proceed with the second phase.

Reluctantly, Balor stepped out of the carriage. Her companions surrounded her immediately, awaiting a response. Balor didn't want to admit it, but her duty compelled her.

"The 'Midnight Station' operation has concluded. The mission has been completed," declared Balor with a martial voice that resonated throughout the desolate place.

There were no celebrations, congratulations, or proclamations to fuel pride. None of them desired this victory.

[AUTHOR'S WORD]

Balor rests, beyond noon

Hello everyone. Am I breaking a rule right now?

Well. I want to inform you that I am very happy that you have reached this limit of this story. Here ends a part that cost me a lot to write. I thank everyone who supported me and inspired me to continue this fanfic. Not all of them are of course but I will make an effort to keep them in mind in my written words.

There continuation of course but it will take time, like every person I also have to rest and think about the options.

Someone asked me to use real drawings of my authorship, here I leave a sample.

This writing took me nine months since I imagined it... it's much longer than I assumed at the beginning... on top of that it ends on a day like 09/23/23, is it a coincidence?

Well, nothing more to say... this concludes 'Midnight Station'.

'World of Chaos' begins

Open intermissions and fill, see you!