The Jedi Prince III: The Spark of Hope

Chapters

Chapter 3: Mos Eisley Spaceport/The Rebel Base
Chapter 4: Battle of Yavin
Chapter 5: Another Royal Wedding
Chapter 6: Salvage on Bracca
Chapter 7: Twilight’s Kingdom - Part I
Chapter 8: Twilight’s Kingdom - Part II
Chapter 9: Sirens on Lothal
Chapter 10: The Cutie Map
Chapter 11: Castle Sweet Castle
Chapter 12: Crusaders of the Lost Mark
Chapter 13: A Royal Family Reunion
Chapter 14: Liberation of Kessel
Chapter 1: Arrival on Tatooine
Chapter 2: A Fateful Meeting

Chapter 3: Mos Eisley Spaceport/The Rebel Base

A short while later, the skiff carrying Harmony Squad and Luke, R2, 3PO, and Ben in the landspeeder, zoomed across the desert wastelands. The speeders come to a stop by a bluff overlooking the spaceport: Mos Eisley. A haphazard array of low, grey, concrete structures and semi-domes. A harsh gale blew across the stark canyon floor. Luke adjusted his goggles and walked to the edge of the craggy bluff where Ben stood.

“Mos Eisley Spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious,” Obi-Wan said.

“Well that’s just peachy,” Rainbow remarked.

“Mos Eisley has tons of rogues, and most of them aren’t friendly,” Cody replied, “If they don’t pick your pockets or steal your mode of transportation, they’ll likely kill us on sight if they want to. My advice: Stay close together as possible, don’t stray, and we’ll be just fine.”

Harmony Squad looked toward Luke, who gave them a determined smile. If Luke Skywalker also knows what they are getting into and how dangerous Mos Eisley is, at least he’s going in ready to take the chance. All they can do was hope that they don’t attract ‘unwanted’ attention.

Cody took a peek through his macrobinoculars and noticed the Stinger Mantis in a bad position, he gasped in horror.

“What is it, Cody?” Sunset asked.

“By the look of it, the Mantis crash landed,” Cody replied.

“I hope Spike and Flash are still in one piece,” Twilight said worriedly.

Cody then turned to Luka and said, “Since R2 and 3PO seem to be in good hands, It’s up to you and Obi-Wan to rescue the princess and get the droids to the Rebel base. We’ll meet you there later.”

Soon enough, Harmony Squad reached what was left of the Mantis. Not too far away, they found Spike and Flash Sentry laying on the ground, moaning as they got up.

“Spikey-wikey! You’re alright!” Rarity said, kissing him on his cheeks.

Spike blushed at this as Cody went over to Flash and asked, “Are you alright, Flash? What happened to the Mantis?”

“Spike and I are okay, Cody. We were attacked and shot down by TIE fighters,” Flash replied, “They spotted us and opened fire before we could turn on the cloaking device and the rear deflector shields were rebooting.”

“Glad you’re okay, Spike,” Twilight said, hugging him.

“Now we just need a ride off this planet and get to the rebel base,” Rainbow replied.

“I’ll contact Hondo to give us a ride on his ship,” Cody said.

“Good thinkin’,” Applejack replied.

Cody then took out his holocaster and said, “Hondo, do you read me?”

It was then that Hondo appeared in the hologram, “I read you Cody. What can I do for you?” he asked.

“We need a ride to the rebel base on Yavin 4. Rebel command is expecting us, can you please help us out?” Cody replied.

“Of course, my friends,” Hondo said as he signed off.

Just then, Harmony Squad headed for the spaceport on their skiff. They tried to keep as low a profile as possible as stormtroopers were searching the city for R2 and 3PO. The squad managed to sneak past them until they reached the landing pads. It wasn’t long before Hondo landed the Last Chance in Docking Bay 96.

Once they loaded the skiff onboard, Harmony Squad met up with Hondo. Upon takeoff, R5 then entered the base coordinates into Hondo’s navicomputer. They then jumped into hyperspace.

It wasn’t long before the Last Chance approached the planet Yavin, heading for one of its moons. Entering Yavin 4, the ship soared over dense jungle. An alert guard, his laser scanner in hand, scanned the countryside. He set the scanning gun down and looked toward the temple, barely visible in the foliage.

Rotting in a forest of gargantuan trees, an ancient temple lay shrouded in an eerie mist. The air was heavy with the fantastic cries of unimaginable creatures. Later on, a familiar YT-1300 Corellian freighter landed on the platform. Exiting the ship was Luke, Princess Leia, R2, and 3PO. Alongside Luke, Leia, and the two droids was tough, roguish star-pilot about thirty years old and a wookie.

“Glad you made it, Luke,” Cody said, “You must be Princess Leia. I’m Cody Ando, and these are my wives, Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer, along with our friends, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Sal, Bucky, Spike, Flash Sentry, and R5-G7.”

“My pleasure,” Leia replied.

“Hello, Leia,” Rarity greeted.

“And you two are?” Cody asked the pilot and wookie.

“Han Solo, I’m captain of the Millennium Falcon,” the pilot introduced himself, “This is my first mate, Chewbacca or Chewie for short.”

“Hi, Han. Hi, Chewie. I’m Cody Ando, and these are my wives, Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer, our friends, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Sal, Bucky, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Spike, Rarity, Flash Sentry, and R5-G7,” Cody said.

“Good to meet you,” Han replied.

“Howdy, Han,” Applejack greeted.

“Good to meet you, Han,” Rainbow added.

“You sure are a warm and fuzzy big fella,” Fluttershy smiled, facing Han Solo. “What kind of creature is he, Han?”

“He’s a Wookiee,” Han replied.

“A Wookiee?” Fluttershy asked confused.

“Our friend here’s part of a species of tall, hairy beings native to the planet Kashyyyk,” Bucky explained, addressing Chewie, “They are among the strongest species you’ll find anywhere in the galaxy. Their planet is mainly swampland and forests, but they can actually adapt to icy worlds without protective clothing, gloves, or boots.”

“Chewie also saw some action during the Clone War, when the Separatists invaded his home planet of Kashyyyk,” Cody added.

“I see…” Fluttershy nodded, interested.

Han, Luke, and the others are greeted by the Rebel troopers as Luke and the group rode into the massive temple on an armored military speeder.

The military speeder stopped in a huge spaceship hangar, set up in the interior of the crumbling temple. Willard, the commander of the Rebel forces, rushed up to the group and gave Leia a big hug. Everyone was pleased to see her.

“You’re safe,” Willard sighed, holding Leia. “When we heard about Alderaan, we feared the worst.”

“We don’t have time for our sorrows, Commander,” Leia replied, straight to business. “You must use the information in this R2 unit to plan the attack. It is our only hope.”

Off to the side, Twilight and Cody made their way to the center of their friends, who all waited anxiously.

“Are we really mounting a full-scale assault on the Death Star?” Rainbow asked.

“Looks like it Rainbow,” Twilight replied.

“I figured we would be needed for this,” Cody added, with Sal and Bucky nodding in agreement.

Overlooking the jungles of Yavin, a lone guard stands in a tower high above the Yavin landscape. He surveys the entire countryside, while a mist hung over the jungle of twisted green.

Meanwhile, General Dodonna stood before a large electronic wall display in the war room briefing area. Leia and several other senators are on one side of the giant readout. Aside from the Equestrians, the low-ceilinged room was filled with star-pilots, navigators, and a sprinkling of R2-type robots. Everyone listened intently to what Dodonna was saying, while Han and Chewbacca stood near the back.

“The battle station is heavily shielded and carries a firepower greater than half the star fleet,” Dodonna informed. “It’s defenses are designed around a direct large- scale assault. A small one-man fighter should be able to penetrate the outer defense.”

Gold Leader, a rough looking man in his early thirties, stands and addresses Dodonna.

“Pardon me for asking, sir, but what good are snub fighters going to be against that?”

“Well, the Empire doesn’t consider a small one-man fighter to be any threat, or they’d have a tighter defense,” Dodonna explained. “An analysis of the plans provided by Princess Leia has demonstrated a weakness in the battle station.”

R2-D2 stands beside a similar robot, makes beeping sounds, and turned his head from right to left. Fluttershy and R5 watched nervously as Dodoona presents a simulation of the Death Star and the target area.

“The approach will not be easy,” Dodonna continued. “You are required to maneuver straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The target area is only two meters wide. It’s a small thermal exhaust port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should destroy the station.”

Twilight Sparkle jotted down the notes rapidly on a notepad, while beside her Rainbow Dash, Sal, and Bucky were also paying close attention.

“Is that all?” Spike muttered, under his breath.

“Only a precise hit will set up a chain reaction,” Dodonna emphasized. “The shaft is ray- shielded, so you’ll have to use proton torpedoes.”

Sitting beside Luke was a hotshot pilot around sixteen years old. His name was Wedge Antilles, “That’s impossible, even for a computer.”

“It’s not impossible,” Luke replied. “I used to bullseye womp rats in my T-16 back home. They’re not much bigger than two meters.”

“Then y’all better be a good shot Luke,” Applejack advised. “Everyone in this room only has one shot at that there reactor. Can’t afford to make any mistakes.”

“Then man your ships!” Dodonna instructed. “And may the Force be with you!”

The group rose as everyone left.

In the outer regions of space, the Death Star began to orbit around the planet toward the tiny green moon. Inside, Tarkin and Vader watched the computer projected screen with interest. A circle of light intertwined around one another on the screen showing its position in relation to Yavin and the forth moon.

“Orbiting the planet at maximum velocity,” The intercom spoke. “The moon with the Rebel base will be in range in thirty minutes.”

“This will be a day long remembered,” Vader declared, “It has seen the end of Kenobi and it will soon see the end of the Rebellion.”

Back in the main hangar deck, Harmony Squad, Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, and R2-D2 enter the huge spaceship hanger and hurry along a long line of gleaming space-fighters. Flight crews rush around loading last-minute armaments and unlocking power couplings. In an area isolated from this activity, the group discover Han and Chewbacca loading small boxes onto an armored speeder.

“All flight troopers, man your stations,” A voice spoke, over the loudspeaker. “All flight troops, man your stations.”

But as they see, Han deliberately ignored the activity of the fighter pilots’ preparation. While Luke was quite saddened at the sight of his friend’s departure, most of Harmony Squad were disappointed.

“So…you got your reward and you’re just leaving, then?” Luke asked.

“That’s right, yeah!” Han confirmed. “I got some old debts I’ve got to pay off with this stuff. Even if I didn’t, you don’t think I’d be fool enough to stick around here, do you? Why don’t you come with us? You’re pretty good in a fight. I could use you.”

“Come on! Why don’t you take a look around?” Luke asked, getting angry. “You know what’s about to happen, what they’re up against. They could use a good pilot like you, you’re turning your back on them.”

“What good’s a reward if you ain’t around to use it?” Han retorted. “Besides, attacking that battle station ain’t my idea of courage. It’s more like suicide.”

Everyone turned toward Twilight and Cody, who stood in the back watching them silently during this time.

“A deal is a deal after all,” Twilight spoke up. “He’d help us get the Princess back with the Rebels, we’d ensure he gets his money, and he never puts up with us again. That was our agreement, and a promise is a promise.”

“All right…” Luke gave up, addressing Han. “Well, take care of yourself, Han. I guess that’s what your best at, isn’t it?”

“Well fine… I guess that’s that…” Applejack sighed, tipping her hat. “So long, Han.”

“Yeah… bye,” Fluttershy sighed sadly.

Luke and the group go off. Han hesitated before he calls out, “Hey, kids… may the Force be with you!”

Luke and the group turned, as Han winked at them. Luke lifted his hand in a small wave, as did all the others, before they go off. Fluttershy waved meekly toward Chewbacca, who waved back as she turned away with a tear in her eye. Han turned toward Chewbacca, who growled at his captain.

“What’re you lookin’ at? I know what I’m doing.”

In the meantime, Luke and the group meet up with Leia and Dodonna under a huge space fighter.

“What’s wrong?” Leia asked.

“Oh, it's Han! I don't know, I really thought he'd change his mind,” Luke said.

“He’s got to follow his own path,” Leia replied. “No one can choose it for him.”

“Leia is right, Luke,” Cody agreed. “Every decision we make in life defines our story; we can only hope Han made the right choice.”

“I only wish Ben were here,” Luke sighed sadly.

In response, Leia gave Luke a tiny kiss, before turning off. Just as Luke heads for his ship, another pilot rushed up to him and grabbed his arm.

“Hey, Luke!”

Luke turned and were shocked by who it was.

“Biggs!” Luke gasped.

“I don’t believe it!” Biggs smiled. “Hey, how are you?”

“Great,” Luke replied.

“How’d you get here… are you going with us?!” Biggs asked.

“I’ll be up there with you and have I got some stories to tell you.” Luke replied.

Red Leader, a rugged handsome man in his forties, came behind the group. He has the confident smile of a born leader.

“Are you sure you can handle this ship?” Red Leader asked.

“Sir, Luke is the best bush-pilot in the Outer Rim territories,” Biggs replied.

Red Leader patted Luke on the back as they stop in front of his fighter.

“You’ll do all right,” Red Leader said.

“Thank you, sir,” Luke replied. “I’ll try.”

Red Leader hurried to his own ship.

“I’ve got to get aboard,” Biggs spoke. “You can tell me all your stories when we come back. All right?”

“Hey Biggs, I told you I’d make it someday,” Luke said.

“You did, all right!” Biggs replied, heading off. “It’s going to be like old times, they’ll never stop us!”

Luke laughed, shaking his head in agreement. Just as he heads for his ship, another voice called out.

“Hey guys!!! Check it out!”

Rainbow Dash, who had been absent the whole time, approached the group. Only she was dressed much like a starfighter, even carrying her own helmet. Only in comparison to the standard orange outfits Luke and most of the other pilots are wearing (including Cody, Sal, Bucky, Flash, and Spike), Rainbow’s outfit comes in a dark blue that matches her cyan skin tone. She, Flash, and Spike had customized helmets to fit their heads.

“What do you think?” Rainbow asked, presenting herself. “I’m officially part of the flight team, Tr hey even have my favorite color!”

“W-W-Wait a minute, you’re on the flight team?” Twilight asked.

“Yep. So are Sal, Bucky, Flash, Spike, R5, and myself,” Cody replied.

“But Dash, Sal… are ya sure you wanna do this?” Applejack asked worriedly. “You realize some of these pilots ain’t likely to make it back! What if ya get blown up?”

“Applejack has a point, darlings,” Rarity agreed, “Are you sure about this, Spike?”

“I am, Rarity,” Spike replied.

“Not to worry, Twily. I’ll make sure we return,” Cody said.

Luke smiled over Rainbow’s words. But suffice to say, while Applejack knew there’s no talking Rainbow out of it she can’t help but worry.

“Just… just promise me you won’t do nothin’ stupid out there,” Applejack insisted.

“We promise,” Sal replied, as he and Applejack shared a kiss.

“Be careful, Bucky,” Fluttershy said.

“Promise us, you’ll make it out,” Pinkie added.

“I will, and I promise to live for you,” Bucky replied, as he shared a kiss with his girlfriends.

“Good luck, Cody,” Twilight said.

“Watch out for Vader,” Sunset added.

“Thanks, Twily. I will, Sunny,” Cody replied, sharing a kiss with his wives.

Rainbow Dash makes her way to her own assigned ship, as the group looked on and saw her approach an X-Wing. Cody, Sal, and Bucky also climbed into some X-wings, while Spike and Flash decided to use two Y-Wings. As Cody got into his X-wing, R5 was loaded into a port on the rear of it.

As Luke began to climb the ladder into his own sleek, deadly spaceship, the crew chief, while working on the craft, pointed to R2, who was being hoisted into the socket on the back of the fighter.

“Hey, this R2 unit of yours seems a bit beat up,” The Chief observed. “Do you want a new one?”

“Not on your life!” Luke replied, on the contrary. “That little droid and I have been through a lot together. You ok, R2?”

The crewmen lower R2-D2 into the craft. Now part of the exterior shell of the starship, the little droid beeped that ‘he is fine’.

“Good,” Luke replied.

He climbed into the cockpit of his fighter, putting on his helmet.

3PO and most of the girls looked from the floor of the massive hanger, as the crewmen secured 3PO’s little electronic partner into Luke’s X-wing. It’s an emotional filled moment as R2 beeped good-bye.

“Okay, easy she goes!” The Chief instructed.

“Hang on tight, R2,” 3PO spoke. “You’ve got to come back.

R2 beeped an agreement.

“You wouldn't want my life to get boring, would you?” 3PO asked. R2 whistled his reply.

Chapter 4: Battle of Yavin

All the final preparations are made for the approaching battle. The hangar buzzing with last-minute activity as the pilots and crewmen alike made their final adjustments. The hum of activity was occasionally trespassed by the distorted voice of the loudspeaker issuing commands. Coupling hoses are disconnected from the ships as they are fueled. Cockpit shield roll smoothly into place over each pilot. A signalman, holding red guiding lights, direct the ships. Luke, a trace of a smile gracing his lips, peered about through his goggles.

Cody, Rainbow Dash, Sal, Bucky, Spike, and Flash Sentry were just adjusting their own helmets in the cockpit of their own ships, feeling the adrenaline of the incoming battle.

“The Force will be with you…”

Ben’s voice spoke out, leaving Luke, Cody, and Rainbow confused. Luke tapped his headphones as if there’s a glitch. Meanwhile, Rainbow and Sal turned toward their friends, especially toward Applejack who stared toward her. Sal gave the thumbs up and a wink, with that same confident smile that made Applejack smile back with a blush.

All that can be seen of the fortress was a lone guard standing on a small pedestal jutting out above the dense jungle. The muted gruesome crying sounds that naturally permeate this eerie purgatory are overwhelmed by the thundering hum of ion rockets as four silver starships catapult from the foliage in a tight formation and disappeared into the morning cloud cover.

Leia, 3PO, Twilight, Sunset, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and a field commander sat quietly before the giant display showing the planet Yavin and its four moons. The red dot, which represents the Death Star, moved closer to the system. A series of green dots appeared around the fourth moon. Indistinct chatter filled the war room.

“Stand-by alert,” The intercom announced. “Death Star approaching. Estimated time to firing range, fifteen minutes.”

The anxiety started to form on Twilight’s face, knowing that this battle will mean the difference between victory and defeat.

In the outer regions of space, the Death Star slowly moved behind the massive yellow surface of Yavin in the foreground, as many X-wing fighters and Y-wing fighter-bombers flew in formation toward the Death Star. Light from a distant sun created an eerie atmospheric glow around the huge planet. Rebel fighters flying in formation settle ominously in the foreground and very slowly pull away.

Cody made some adjustments in the cockpit and his visor then spoke up, “Everyone, tighten formation and call in!”

Red Leader lowered his visor and adjusted his gun sights, looking toe ach side at his wing men.

“You heard the Jedi. All wings, report in!”

One by one, all the Rebel fighters (Including Biggs, Wedge, Luke, and a guy named Porkins) check through their mikes.

“Red Ten standing by.”

“Red Seven standing by.”

“Red Three standing by,” Biggs spoke.

“Red Six standing by,” Porkins spoke.

“Red Nine standing by.”

“Red Two standing by,” Wedge announced.

“Red Eleven standing by.”

“Red Five standing by,” Luke added.

“Harmony Two standing by,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Harmony Three standing by,” Sal added.

“Harmony Four standing by,” Bucky spoke.

“Harmony Five standing by,” Spike spoke.

“Harmony Six standing by,” Flash added.

R2-D2, in position outside the fighter, turned his head side-to-side and made beeping sounds.

“Lock S-foils in attack position,” Red Leader instructed.

The group of X-wing fighters move in formation toward the Death Star, unfolding the wings and locking them in the ‘X’ position.

“Harmony Squad. Lock S-foils and turn your deflections on,” Cody ordered.

Rainbow Dash peered side to side, seeing the wings at work.

“This is going to be so awesome!!!” Rainbow Dash said excitedly.

“Just you wait, babe. It’ll get rough soon,” Sal replied.

“We’re passing through their magnetic field,” Red Leader spoke, over her headset. “Hold tight!”

Luke adjusted his controls, as he concentrated on the approaching Death Star. The ship began to be buffeted slightly.

“Switch your deflectors on,” Red Leader instructed. “Double front!”

The fighters, now X-shaped darts, move in formation. The Death Star now appeared to be a small moon growing rapidly in size as the Rebel fighters approach. Complex patterns on the metallic surface began to become visible. A large dish antenna was seen built into the surface on one side.

Inside his cockpit, Wedge was amazed… frightened even at the awesome spectacle.

“Look at the size of that thing!”

“Cut the chatter, Red Two,” Red Leader spoke, through their sets. “Accelerate to attack speed. This is it, boys!”

As the fighters moved closer to the Death Star, the awesome size of the gargantuan Imperial fortress was revealed. Half of the deadly space station was in shadow, the area sparkled with thousands of small lights running in thin lines and occasionally grouped in large clusters; somewhat like a city at night as seen from a weather satellite.

“Red Leader, this is Gold Leader!” Gold Leader spoke, from his cockpit.

“I copy, Gold Leader!” Red Leader answered.

“We’re starting for the target shaft now.”

From his cockpit, Red Leader looked around at his wingmen; the Death Star looming in from behind. Two Y-wing fighters bobbed back and forth in the background. He adjusted his computer targeting device into position.

“We’re in position,” Red Leader announced. “I’m going to cut across the axis and try and draw their fire.”

Two squads of Rebel fighters peeled off. The X-wings dive toward the Death Star surface. A thousand lights glowed across the dark grey expanse of the huge station.

Alarm sirens scream inside the Death Star, the soldiers scrambled to large turbo-powered laser gun emplacements. Electronic drivers rotate the huge guns into position as the crew adjust their targeting devices.

Around the Death Star, laser bolts streak through the star-filled night. The Rebel X-wing fighters moved in toward the Imperial base, as the Death Star aimed its massive laser guns at the Rebel forces and fire.

In the war room, Princess Leia listened to the battle over the intercom. 3PO and the girls stood at their side.

“Heavy fire, boss!” Wedge spoke, over the speakers. “Twenty-degrees.”

“I see it,” Red Leader answered. “Stay low!”

Up in space, an X-wing zoomed across the surface of the Death Star.

Technical crews scurried here and there in the Death Star itself, loading last-minute armaments and unlocking power cables.

Wedge maneuvered his fighter toward the menacing Death Star. X-wings continue in their attack course on the Death Star. Luke nosedived radically, starting his attack on the monstrous fortress. The Death Star’s surface streaks past the cockpit window.

“This is Red Five, I’m going in!” Luke spoke.

“Harmony Leader on your tail!” Cody added.

“Right behind you, Luke!” Rainbow said.

The X-wings race toward the Death Star. Laser bolts streak from their weapons, creating a huge fireball explosion on the dim surface. Terror crossed their faces as they realized they won’t be able to pull out in time to avoid the fireball.

“Luke! Rainbow! Pull up!” Biggs shouted.

“Harmony Squad! Pull up!” Cody added.

Their ships emerged from the fireball, with the leading edges of the wings slightly scorched.

“Are you all right?” Biggs asked.

In his own cockpit, Luke adjusted his controls and breathed a sigh of relief. Flames burst outside the cockpit window.

“We got a little cooked, but we’re okay,” Luke assured.

“Good here, Red Three,” Bucky added.

“Good thing we trained for this. Right, Sal?” Rainbow said.

“Right, babe. You and A.J. are definitely getting something hot for dinner when this is over.” Sal replied, flirtatiously.

From the war room, Applejack chuckled and shook her head as the battle raged on in space. It was now up to the Rebellion to hold their own against the Death Star.

Rebel fighters continue to strafe the Death Star’s surface with laser-bolts. Inside the station, walls buckle and cave in. Troops and equipment are blown in all directions. Stormtroopers stagger out from the rubble.

Meanwhile, Red Leader flew through a heavy hail of flak.

“Luke, let me know when you’re going in,” Red Leader spoke.

The Red Leader’s X-wing flies past Luke as he puts his nose down and started his attack dive.

“I’m on my way in now…” Luke answered.

“Harmony Two got your back, fly buddy,” Rainbow added.

“Watch yourselves!” Red Leader warned. “There’s a lot of fire coming from the right side of that deflection tower.”

“We’re on it,” Luke acknowledged.

“Just let ‘em try!” Rainbow scoffed. “I can outfly or outshoot them anytime!”

“Talk is cheap Rainbow,” Luke replied.

“Only if you can’t back it up!” Rainbow bragged.

“We’ll cover you both, Luke and Rainbow,” Cody said.

“I’m going in,” Biggs spoke. “Cover me, Porkins.”

“I’m right with you, Red Three,” Porkins responded.

The X-wings fire their lasers toward another tower, blowing it away and sending stormtroopers back by an explosion. The Empire fires back with their laser cannons toward the ships. Unfortunately, Porkins’ was having problems with his X-Wing.

“I got a problem here,” Porkins spoke.

“Eject!” Biggs commanded.

“I can hold it.”

“Pull up!”

“No, I’m alright—AHH!!!”

A deflection tower struck the X-Wing and Porkins was shot down in a fiery blaze.

Luke flew his X-wing into a twisting dive across the horizon and down onto the dim grey surface. A shot hurls from Luke’s guns, as laser bolts streak toward the onrushing Death Star surface. Several small radar emplacements erupt in flame. Laser fire erupted from a protruding tower on the surface. It was then Luke heard a rather familiar voice.

“Luke, trust your feelings,” Obi-Wan’s voice spoke.

The blurry Death Star surface raced past the cockpit window as a big smile swept across Luke’s face at the success of his run. Flak thunders on all sides of him, as Luke maneuvers his craft through a wall of laser-fire and peeled away from the surface of the superstructure toward the heavens.

The thunder and smoke of the big guns reverberate throughout the massive structure. Many soldiers rush about in the chaos, silhouetted by the almost continual flash of explosions.

Biggs dove through a forest of radar domes, antennae, and gun towers as he shot across the Death Star surface. A dense barrage of laser-fire streaks by on all sides. Imperial star pilots dashed in unison to a line of small auxiliary hatches leading to Imperial TIE fighters.

Inside the war room, Princess Leia, surrounded by the Equestrians, her generals, and aides, paced nervously before a lighted computer table. On all sides, technicians work in front of the many lighted glass walls. Dodonna watched quietly from one corner. One of the officers working over a screen spoke through his headset.

“Squad leaders, we’ve picked up a new group of signals. Enemy fighters coming your way.”

“WHAT?!?!” The group shouted, in unison.

Luke looked around, trying to spot the approaching Imperial fighters, “My scope’s negative. I don’t see anything.”

The Death Star’s surface swept past, as Red Leader searched the sky for the Imperial fighters. Flak pounds at his ship.

“Pick up your visual scanning,” Red Leader instructed. “With all this jamming, they’ll be on top of you before your scope can pick them up.”

“Picking up bogeys boys!” Rainbow shouted. “Here they come!”

Silhouetted against the rim lights of the Death Star horizon, six ferocious Imperial TIE ships dove toward the Rebel fighters. Two of the TIE fighters peeled off and dropped out of frame. The remaining two TIE ships accelerate at another angle.

“Watch it! You got one on your tail,” Red Leader warned.

An Imperial TIE fighter was in pursuit of one of the rebel pilots. Despite his best effort, the Rebel could not outshake the TIE fighter as its pilot proved relentless.

“I’m hit!!!”

Just like that, the Rebel ship was blown apart and another rebel blew into dust.

“Karabast!!!” Rainbow gasped.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash found herself pursued by two imperial TIE fighters that were currently firing all cylinders at her x-wing.

“I’m taking heavy fire here!” Rainbow yelled, over the intercom.

“Need any assistance?” Biggs asked.

Rainbow looked from the control panel back at the pursuing TIE’s, trying to find a means of escaping this. Looking straight ahead, she spotted two more fighters rapidly approaching from up front. It was then a tiny invisible lightbulb went off in her head.

“No need Biggs, I got this!”

Rainbow grabbed the controls and went full speed at a 90 degree angle. The two pursuing TIE fighters quickly changed direction, following her directly. Soon as Rainbow reached a high enough altitude, she suddenly jerked the controls and went for a nosedive.

“Going down!” She yelled.

The Two TIE’s quickly maneuvered downward and now they were all barreling downward. Rainbow observed as the other two fighters were not coming at her from the front again. Her own ship was just racing in their direction.

“Not just yet…” Rainbow whispered to herself. “Wait for it… and…”

Suddenly, she jerked the controls to the side causing the x-wing to spin into a rapid barrel roll. Rainbow held on for dear life as she spun out of control towards the two fighters. Just as they were upon her, the intense spinning actually gave her a tiny little opening where she flew right between the gap of the fighters.

Unfortunately, that also meant the two fighters chasing her crashed right into the two others and they collided in a massive explosion. Rainbow took control once more, pulling her ship back up into a steady flight of passage.

“WOOHOO!!!”

“Smooth moves, babe,” Sal said.

“Sal, Bucky, I’ve got two on my tail!” Spike shouted, looking behind his Y-wing.

“We’ll help you, Spike,” Bucky replied.

Sal and Bucky flew their X-wings towards the TIEs chasing Spike. Just then, they opened fire on the TIEs and shot them down.

“Thanks, guys,” Spike said.

“No prob, Spike,” Sal replied.

Things looked pretty dark for the Rebels. Biggs panicked when he discovered a TIE ship on his tail. The horizon in the background twisted around as he peeled off, hoping to lose the Imperial fighter.

“Biggs! You’ve picked on up… watch it!” Red Leader shouted.

“I can’t see it!” Biggs looked around. “Where is he?!”

Biggs zoomed off the surface of the Death Star and into space. An Imperial TIE fighter followed close behind, firing several laser bolts but missing every shot. Biggs could see the ship behing him and swung around, trying to avoid him.

“He’s on me tight, I can’t shake him.”

Biggs flew at a high altitude, peeled off and dove toward the Death Star surface. Unfortunately, he’s unable to lose the TIE fighter, who stuck close to his tail. Seeing his friend in danger, Luke flew upside down and rotated the ship around to normal altitude as he emerges from his dive.

“I’ll be right there!” Luke called out.

Biggs and the tailing TIE ship dove for the surface, now followed by a fast-gaining Luke. After Biggs dove out of sight, Luke pursued the Imperial fighter. In the foreground, the Imperial fighter raced across the Death Star’s surface, closely followed by Luke in the background. Just then, the Imperial looked back for a second before Dash’s ship appeared.

“Surprise!!!” Rainbow shouted.

Shots fired from Dash’s X-wing exploding the TIE fighter in flames, and she pulled up just before flying into Luke’s ship.

“A little warning next time Dash!” Luke called out.

“You’re welcome,” Rainbow smirked.

“I got some my tail!” Flash shouted, “They’re all over me, I can’t shake ‘em!”

“We’re coming, Flash!” Cody replied.

Cody flew his X-wing towards the TIEs on Flash’s tail, with Spike flying alongside in his Y-wing. They opened fire and shot down all the TIE fighters in their sights.

“Thanks, Cody,” Flash said.

“Anytime, Flash,” Cody replied.

Cody, Sal, Bucky, Spike and Flash saw some more TIE fighters coming towards them.

“More TIEs incoming!” Cody shouted, “Pick your targets,”

The boys locked onto the TIE fighters and shot them all down.

Back in the War Room, a concerned Princess Leia, 3PO, Dodonna, Twilight, and the other girls stood around the huge round readout screen, listening to the ship-to-ship communication on the room’s loudspeaker.

“Pull in!” Biggs shouted, over the speaker. “Luke… pull in!”

“Watch your back, Luke!” Wedge shouted.

“Fighters above you!” Rainbow shouted, over her headset. “Coming in red hot!”

Luke’s ship soared away from the Death Star’s surface, as he spotted the tailing TIE fighter. The TIE pilot took aim at Luke’s x-wing, scoring a hit on Luke’s ship. A fire broke out on the right side of the X-wing.

“Luke, are you all right?” Rainbow called out. “Talk to me buddy, what happened?”

Luke looked out his cockpit toward the flames on his ship.

“I’m hit, but not bad.”

Smoke poured from behind R2-D2.

“R2!” Luke’s voice called. “See what you can do with it. Hang on back there.”

Green laser fire moves past the beeping little robot as his head turned and he quickly went to work on the damage. Meanwhile Luke nervously worked his controls.

“Red Two…” Red Leader shouted, over the headset.

In the war room, Leia and the girls stood frozen as they listened and worried about Luke.

“Can you see Red Five?” Red Leader asked.

“There’s a heavy fire zone out there,” Wedge answered. “Red Five, where are you?”

Luke spotted the TIE fighter behind him and soared away from the Death Star Surface.

“I can’t shake him!”

Luke’s ship soared closer to the surface of the Death Star; an Imperial TIE fighter closed in on him in hot pursuit. In the meantime, the Death Star whipped below Wedge.

“I’m on him, Luke!” Wedge spoke, over the headset. “Hold on!”

Wedge dove across the horizon toward Luke and the TIE fighter. Wedge moved his X-wing in rapidly. Luke reacted frantically, as he searched the starry skies.

“Blast it! Biggs, where are you?” Luke muttered.

The fighter pilot in the TIE fighter watched Wedge’s X-wing approach. Another X-wing, Rainbow’s, joined him, and together they both unleashed a volley of laser fire on the Imperial fighter. The TIE fighter exploded into white light. Luke’s ship could be seen in the far distance. Luke himself felt quite relieved.

“Thanks, Wedge. Thanks Dash.”

“Now was that so hard?” Rainbow replied.

Leia, 3PO, Storm, the Equestria Girls, Dodonna, and other Rebel officers are listening to the Rebel Fighter’s radio transmissions over the war room intercom.

“Good shooting, Wedge!” Biggs congratulated.

“Red Leader…”

Luke looked nervously about him at the explosive battle. Rainbow too looked on as Gold Five’s fighter crashed directly into the Death Star. This battle was certainly becoming more dangerous by the minute.

“This is going to be harder than I thought…” Flash thought to himself.

As the Rebel fighters go head-to-head against the Empire. Most of the Gold team recently perished in their attempt to reach the exhaust pole leaving very few of the Rebel fighters left. Red Leader looked over at his wingmen.

“Red boys, this is Red Leader,” Red Leader spoke.

Listening from the War Room, the Equestrians anxiously hear the commotion while Dodonna moved toward the intercom fiddling with the computer keys.

“Rendezvous at mark six point one,” Red Leader instructed, over speaker.

“This is Red Two,” Wedge answered, “Flying toward you.”

“Red Three, standing by,” Biggs spoke, over speaker.

“Red Leader, this is Base One,” Dodonna reported, over headset. “Keep half your group out of range for the next run.”

“Copy, Base One,” Red Leader responded. “Luke, take Red Two and Three. Hold up here and wait for my signal… to start your run.”

“Red Squad, this is Harmony Leader. We’ll cover you,” Cody said.

The X-wing fighters of Luke, Biggs, and Wedge flew in formation high above the Death Star’s surface. Luke peered from his cockpit as two x-wings move across the surface of the Death Star. Red Leader’s X-wing dropped down to the surface leading to the exhaust port.

Red Leader looked around for TIE fighters, as he began to perspire.

“This is it!”

Red Leader roamed down the trench of the Death Star, as lasers streak across the black heavens. A huge remote-control laser cannon fired at the approaching Rebel fighters, who narrowly evaded the Imperial laser blasts. Red Ten looked around if any Imperial fighters showed up.

“We should be able to see it by now,” Red Ten spoke.

From the cockpits of the Rebel pilots, the surface of the Death Star streaked by, with Imperial laser fire shooting toward them.

“Keep your eyes open for those fighters!” Red Leader instructed.

“There’s too much interference!” Red Ten called.

Three X-wing fighters move In formation down the Death Star trench.

“Red Five, can you see them from where you are?” Red Ten’s voice asked.

Luke searched the Death Star surface below.

“No sign of any… wait!” Luke spotted.

Red Ten looked up and saw the Imperial fighters.

“We got fighters coming in point three five!” Rainbow Dash reported.

“I see them,” Red Ten confirmed.

Three TIE fighters, Vader flanked by two wingmen, dove in tight formation. The sun reflected off their dominant solar fins as they looped toward the Death Star’s surface. Red Leader pulled his targeting device in front of his eyes, applying several adjustments.

“I’m in range!” Red Leader reported.

Red Leader’s X-wing moved up toward the Death Star trench.

“Target’s coming up!”

Red Leader looks through his computer target readout screen, gazing through the device.

“Just hold them off for a few seconds.”

Meanwhile, Vader adjusted his control lever and dove toward the X-wing fighters.

“Close up formation,” Vader instructed.

The three TIE fighters move in formation across the Death Star surface. Red Leader lined up his target on the targeting device cross hairs. Vader and his wingmen zoomed along the trench, Vader rapidly approaching the two X-wings of Red Ten and Red Twelve. Vader’s laser cannon flashed below the view of the front porthole. The X-wings showed in the center of Vader’s computer screen.

Red Twelve’s X-wing fighter was struck by Vader’s laser fire, exploding into flames against the trench.

“They’re getting killed down there!” Rainbow shouted, through the headset. “We gotta do something—”

*BAM! BAM! BAM!*

Laser fire zipped passed Rainbow’s ship, drawing her to look up. Additional TIE fighters were approaching their formation, firing toward the group. Rainbow Dash was not having it.

“Oh you did not just try to shoot at me!”

Rainbow Dash quickly broke from formation and furiously punched the button on the stick, sending a wave of fire power toward the TIE fighters. Most of the fighters exploded upon impact, the rest split off to avoid the mad fighter as Rainbow Dash pulled back trying to rejoin the others. Cody and the others managed to shoot down the fleeing TIEs and return to formation.

Meanwhile, Red Ten furiously worked his controls, trying to avoid Vader’s fighter behind him.

“You’d better let her loose!” Red Ten called Red Leader. “They’re right behind me.”

Unfortunately for Red Ten, Red Leader’s focus was on his targeting device.

“Almost there!”

“I can’t hold them!” Red Ten panicked.

“Just hang in there Red Ten!” Rainbow called.

Vader and his wingmen whipped through the trench in hot pursuit of the Rebel fighters. Vader coolly pushed the fire button on his control stick. Darth Vader’s well-aimed laser fire proved unavoidable, striking Red Ten’s ship. Red Team screamed in anguish and pain, as the ship exploded and burst into flames.

“RED LEADER, TAKE THE SHOT!!!” Rainbow shouted.

Grimly, Red Leader took careful aim and watched his computer targeting device, which showed the target lined in the cross hairs. He took fire.

“It’s away!” Red Leader shouted.

An armed Imperial stormtrooper was knocked to the floor due to the attack explosion. Other troopers scurried about the corridors, knocking against the wall and losing their balance.

In the war room, Leia and the others stare at the computer screen.

“They hit it!” Pinkie shouted.

“But did he hit the target?!” Sunset asked.

“Negative,” Red Leader spoke, over speaker.

Red Leader looked back at the receding Death Star. Tiny explosions are visible in the distance.

“Negative! It didn’t go in. It just impacted on the surface.”

“Red Leader! Vader’s on the prowl!” Rainbow shouted. “Six o’clock!”

Darth Vader peeled off in pursuit, as Red Leader’s X-wing passed on the Death Star horizon. Vader swung his ship around for the next kill. Luke tried to spot Red Leader, scanning around the Death Star surface.

“Red Leader, we’re right above you!” Luke informed. “Turn to point o-five, we’ll cover for you.”

“Stay there!” Red Leader ordered, over headset.

A wary Red Leader looked about nervously.

“… I just lost my starboard engine.”

Luke looked excited toward Red Leader’s X-wing.

“Get set to make your attack run,” Red Leader concluded.

Vader’s gloved hands contact the control sticks, pressing their firing buttons. Just as Red Leader fought for control of his ship, laser bolts flung from Vader’s TIE fighter. The blasts connected with Red Leader’s Rebel X-wing fighter. Red Leader screamed as the ship zoomed toward the surface below.

Luke and Rainbow looked out their X-wing windows as a tremendous explosion ignited far below. For the first time, they could feel helpless of the situation.

In the war room of Massassi outpost, Dodonna, Princess Leia, and the Equestrians, with 3PO beside them, listen intently to the talk between the pilots. The room’s grim after Red Leader’s death, as Princesses Twilight and Sunset paced around the room.

“They’ve just lost both leaders,” Twilight panicked. “They’re on their own out there! What’re we going to do?!”

“Calm yourself Twilight,” Sunset advised. “We’re not out of this fight just yet. All we can do is hope our remaining pilots can pull through. It’s up to Cody to lead them now.”

“Biggs, Wedge, let’s close it up!” Luke ordered, over speaker. “We’re going in full throttle. That’ll keep those fighters off our back.”

The horizon twisted as Wedge pulled out.

“Right with you, boss,” Wedge confirmed.

The two X-wings peeled off against a background of stars, diving toward the Death Star.

“Luke, at that speed will you be able to pull out in time?” Biggs asked.

“It’ll be just like Beggar’s Canyon back home,” Luke replied.

The three X-wings moved in, unleashing a barrage of laser fire. Laser bolts returned from the Death Star. Luke’s lifelong friend struggled with his controls.

“We’ll stay back far enough to cover you,” Biggs spoke.

“We’ve got you boys covered,” Rainbow Dash spoke, looming over. “Those TIE fighters are not getting past me this time.”

Cody and the other boys flew over to help Rainbow.

Flak and laser bolts flash outside Luke’s cockpit window.

“My scope shows the tower, but I can’t see the exhaust port!” Wedge spoke, over headset. “Are you sure the computer can hit it?”

The Death Star laser cannon slowly rotated as it shot laser bolts. Luke looked around for the Imperial TIE fighters. Thinking for a moment, he moved his targeting device into position.

“Watch yourself!” Luke warned. “Increase speed full throttle!”

Wedge looked excitedly about for any sign of the TIE fighters.

“What about the tower?”

“You worry about those fighters!” Rainbow shouted. “Luke and I will deal with the tower!”

Luke’s and Rainbow’s X-wings streaked above the trench, firing lasers.

Luke broke into a nervous sweat as the laser fire returned, knocking one of his wings close to the engine.

“R2…” Luke called. “… That, that stabilizer’s broken loose again! See if you can’t lock it down!”

R2 worked to repair the damages. The canyon wall rushed by in the background, making his delicate task seem more precarious. Two laser cannons fire toward the Rebel fighters. While firing at the towers, Rainbow looked up and spotted the TIE fighters.

“These guys don’t know when to quit!” Rainbow muttered.

Luje’s targeting device marked off the distance to the target, while Vader and his wingmen zoomed closer. Vader adjusted his controls and fired laser bolts at two X-wings flying down the trench. He scored a direct hit on Wedge.

Leia and the others grouped around the computer board, watching anxiously.

“I’m hit!” Wedge spoke, over speaker. “I can’t stay with you.”

“Get clear, Wedge!” Luke advised. “You can’t do any more good back there!”

“Sorry!”

Wedge pulled his crippled X-wing back away from the battle. Vader watched the escape but issued a command to his wingmen.

“Let him go! Stay on the leader!”

Luke’s X-wing sped down the trench; the three TIE fighters, still in perfect unbroken formation, tail close behind. Biggs, growing worried, looked around at the TIE fighters.

“Hurry Luke, they’re coming in much faster this time!” Biggs panicked. “I can’t hold them!”

The three TIE fighters moved ever closer, closing in on Luke and Biggs. Luke looked back anxiously at R2.

“R2, try and increase the power!”

Ignoring the bumpy ride, flak, and lasers, a beeping R2-D2 struggled to increase the power, his dome turning from side to side. Stealthily, the TIE formation crept closer. Vader adjusted his control stick. Rainbow saw the TIE fighters approaching Biggs’ ship. Luke looked into his targeting device. He moved it away for a moment, pondering its use. He looked back into the computer target system.

“Hurry up, Luke! Quick!” Biggs shouted, over headset.

“Hang on Biggs!” Rainbow said loudly. “I’m coming!”

The cyan girl quickly turned her ship toward Vader’s direction, pushing full throttle speed toward him. Vader and his wingmen raced through the Death Star trench. Biggs moved in to cover for Luke, but Vader was gaining. Biggs saw the TIE fighters aiming at him.

“QUICK!”

Vader squeeze the fire button on his controls. Biggs’ cockpit exploded around him, lighting him in red. Biggs’ ship burst into a million flaming bits, scattering across the surface.

“BIGGS!!!” Rainbow yelled.

Leia and the others stared at the computer board.

Luke, stunned by Biggs’ death, felt his eyes watering. But also, anger growing.

Vader took aim on Luke, talking to the wingmen.

“I’m on the leader,” Vader informed.

“Oh no you don’t!!!” Rainbow yelled, turning the ship.

“Rainbow, what’re you doing?!” Luke asked. “It’s too dangerous.”

“No way we’re losing another friend to that big-masked moron! Come on, squad! YAH!!!!!!”

Rainbow Dash furiously pressed the button on the stick, firing lasers toward Vader’s ship. Somehow Vader expertly dodged every shot, as Rainbow kept the ship in range. Eventually, Dash had no choice but to pull up to avoid crashing into Vader’s ship struggling to regain formation. While Dash kept Vader distracted, Luke’s ship streaked through the trench of the Death Star.

Cody and the others could see five additional TIEs headed towards Rainbow as she stayed on Vader’s TIE Advanced.

“Rainbow! You got five more TIEs incoming!” Cody said.

She looked behind her and just kept on Vader. The other TIE fighters kept coming at her.

“Pick your targets, boys!” Cody ordered.

It was then that Cody, Sal, Bucky, Flash, and Spike opened fire on the five TIEs and shot them down.

Princess Leia returned her general’s worried, doubtful glances with solid, grim determination. 3PO seemed nervous.

“Hang on, R2!”

“They’re gonna make it!” Sunset spoke nervously. “They have to make it! C’mon…”

Luke concentrated his targeting device, as the three TIE fighters charged away down the trench toward Luke. Vader’s fingers curled around the control stick; Luke adjusted the lens of his targeting device. Luke’s ship charged down the trench as he lined the yellow cross-hair lines of the targeting device’s screen. He gazed through the targeting device, ready to take his shot.

“Use the Force, Luke,” Ben’s voice spoke.

As the Death Star trench zoomed by, Luke looked up after hearing the voice. He started to look back into the targeting device but was having second thoughts.

“Let go, Luke…”

Grim determination swept across Luke’s face, as he closed his eyes and started mumbling Ben’s training to himself. Rainbow could see Luke’s fighter streak through the trench.

“What’s he doing?” Rainbow asked.

“The Force is strong with this one!” Vader uttered.

Vader followed Luke’s X-wing down the trench. Luke looked through the targeting device, then away trying to decide what to do.

“Luke, trust me…” Ben’s voice insisted.

Finally, Luke’s hand reached for the control panel… and pressed the button. The targeting device moved away.

Leia and the others stand watching the projected screen.

“He turned it off!” Twilight gasped, in shock. “Why’d he do that?”

“Luke, you switched off your targeting computer,” Base voiced, over speaker. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Luke’s voice answered. “I’m all right.”

Unable to take it anymore, Applejack grabbed a headset from a nearby technician.

“Rainbow! Sal! Can y’all hear me!” Applejack called out, distressed. “Why did Luke switch off his targeting device?”

“You tell me! I’m as confused as you are!” Rainbow answered, over speaker.

Luke’s ship streaked ever so closely to the exhaust port, as the Death Star surfaced streaked by. R2-D2 turned his head from side-to-side, beeping in anticipation. Rainbow and Cody could see all the action from above.

“I hope you know what you’re doing, Obi-Wan…” Cody voiced his thoughts.

The three TIE fighters, manned by Vader and his two wingmen, followed Luke’s X-wing down the trench. Vader maneuvered his controls as he looked at his doomed target. He pressed the fire buttons on his control sticks. Laser fire shoots toward Luke’s X-wing fighter. A large burst of Vader’s laser fire engulfed R2. The arms go limp on the smoking little droid, as he made a high-pitched sound like a scream.

“R2!!!!” Rainbow shouted.

Luke looked frantically back over his shoulder toward R2, as smoke billed out around the droid and sparks began to fly.

“I’ve lost R2!”

And R2’s beeping sounds slowly died out. Rainbow, bearing witness to it, felt tears streaming down her face as she slammed her fists on the controls in frustration!

“VADER!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Rainbow screamed.

Along the surface of the Death Star, the three TIE fighters zoomed down the Death Star trench in pursuit of Luke, never breaking formation. Luke looked anxiously at the exhaust port. Vader adjusted his control sticks, checking his projected targeting screen. Luke’s ship barreled down the trench. Rainbow Dash flew from behind Vader’s formation, her targeting computer swinging around into position. Of all the ships, she was aiming for Vader.

“C’mon… c’mon… get in range…” Rainbow muttered, sweat pouring.

Vader took careful aim on Luke’s X-wing fighter. Cody and the others took notice of this from above.

“Luke, take evasive action!” Cody shouted.

“I have you now,” Vader spoke.

He pushed the fire buttons. The three TIE fighters moved in on Luke. As Vader’s center fighter unleashed a volley of laser fire, one of the TIE ships at his side exploded into flame. The two remaining ships continued to move in. But the blast didn’t come from Rainbow Dash though she almost pushed her button.

“What the what?!” Rainbow shouted.

Luke looked about, wondering whose laser fire destroyed Vader’s wingman. Vader, taken by surprise, looked out from his cockpit.

“WHAT?!” Vader shouted.

Vader’s wingman searched around him trying to locate the unknown attacker. Rainbow Dash looked up toward the darkly heavens and her eyes widened.

“No way…”

“YAHOO!!!!”

Han and Chewbacca grinned ear-to-ear, as the Millenium Falcon headed right at the two TIE fighters. It’s now a collision course. The wingman spotted the ship coming at him and warned the Dark Lord.

“Look out!”

Vader’s wingman panicked at the sight of the oncoming starship, veering radically to one side, colliding with Vader’s TIE fighter in the process. Vader’s wingman crashed into the side wall of the trench and exploded. Vader’s damaged ship spun out of the trench with a damaged wing (A bent solar fin) heading for deep space. Vader turned round and round in circles struggle to get his ship in control.

Rainbow Dash saw Solo’s ship moved toward the Death Star trench.

“Captain Solo…” Rainbow gasped, in shock. “You’re really here…”

Solo smiled as he spoke to Luke over his headset mike.

“You’re all clear, kid! Now let’s blow this thing and go home!”

Han’s transmission could be heard in the War Room. Leia and the others listened intently.

“Han Solo ya sneaky devil!” Applejack smiled.

Pinkie’s expression immediately brightened, and her hair sprung to life, “YEAH!!! HE CAME BACK!!! I KNEW IT!!! I KNEW IT!!! I KNEW IT!!!”

“You got this, Luke!” Cody said.

Luke looked up and smiled before he concentrated on the exhaust port, then fired his laser torpedoes. The torpedoes shoot toward the port seemingly disappearing into the surface and not explode. But the shots found their mark, going through the exhaust port, toward the main reactor.

“THEY’RE IN!!!” Cody shouted. “Now let’s get out of here!”

Luke threw his head back in relief, the force truly on his side.

Six X-wings, Three Y-wings, and the Millenium Falcon raced toward Yavin in the distance.

The rumble of a distant explosion began. The Rebel ships raced out of sight, leaving the Death Star alone against a blanket of stars. Several small flashes appeared on the surface… until the Death Star exploded into a massive inferno.

“Great shot kid!” Han cried out. “That was one in a million!”

“Now that was 20% cooler!” Rainbow smirked. “No… make it NINETY percent cooler!!! WAHOO!!!”

Luke felt at ease after a stressful fight, his eyes closed.

“Remember, the force will be with you… always,” Ben’s voice spoke.

As the Rebel ships raced toward Yavin 4, Vader’s ship spun off into the depths of space realizing too late that the battle is lost. The only survivor of the entire fleet, Darth Vader’s ship raced away from the field of battle to report his failure to the Empire.

Luke climbed out of his starship fighter to a string of cheers from a throng of ground crew and pilots. Luke climbed down the ladder, as they all welcome him with laughter, cheers, and shouting. Princess Leia rushed toward him.

“Luke!” Leia shouted. “Luke! Luke!”

“Leia!” Luke shouted.

“Woohoo! Way to go, Luke!” Twilight said.

She threw her arms around Luke, hugging him as they danced around in a circle. Cody, Rainbow, Sal, Bucky, Flash, and Spike just slid down the ladders of their own ships when their friends piled on top of them, laughing and crying as they held onto Rainbow. She and Sal barely shared a celebratory kiss, then brushed their way through the pile when they saw Applejack standing there. For a moment, the two just stare each other in the eye, not saying a single word.

“We told you we’d be—”

But Sal doesn’t finish before Applejack pulled Sal toward her and smashed his lips onto hers. Sal’s arms flailed before they slowly wrapped around Applejack, playfully pushed Applejack’s hat off and kissed her back.

“Bucky! You’re safe!” Pinkie shouted.

Just then, Pinkie eagerly jumped into Bucky’s arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. It was then that they shared a passionate kiss. They soon broke it as Fluttershy approached them.

“I’m glad you’re alright,” Fluttershy said.

“C’mere, Flutters,” Bucky replied, pulling her into a kiss.

Twilight and Sunset approached Cody and he shared a kiss with both his wives.

“We’re glad you’re in one piece, Cody,” Twilight said.

“Good thing I managed to keep away from Vader,” Cody replied.

“Spikey-wikey!! You’re safe!” Rarity shouted.

“Thinking about you kept me in one piece, Rarity,” Spike replied.

Rarity eagerly hugged Spike and smothered him in her chest and kissed both his cheeks, making him blush.

Han raced toward Luke and they embraced one another, slapping each other in the back.

“Hey! Hey!” Han chuckled.

“I knew you’d come back!” Luke said, laughing. “I just knew it!”

“Well, I wasn’t gonna let you get all the credit and take all the reward!” Han replied.

Harmony Squad soon joined up with their fellow rebels.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in!” Pinkie joked. “So… you finished paying off your debts already?”

“Actually… we never made it to Tatooine,” Han admitted. “What can I say? I just can’t stay away… and Chewie was very persistent.”

Fluttershy turned toward Chewbacca, who bellowed with a friendly growl. Fluttershy smiled as she hugged the big lug.

“I missed you too, Chewie!” Fluttershy smiled tearfully.

Luke and Han looked at one another, as he playfully shoved Luke’s face. Leia moved in between them.

“Hey, I knew there was more to you than money,” Leia chuckled.

“You’re definitely in so much trouble if the guys you owe money to hear of this,” Spike smirked.

“Hey… if I’m going to be punished just like you rebels,” Han smirked. “I might as well ‘be’ a Rebel… if you’ll have me.”

“At least we’re all together again,” Rarity smiled.

Twilight Sparkle turned toward Luke’s ship; her face dropped to a sorrowful look.

“Not all of us…”

Luke turned toward Twilight’s direction, suddenly realizing.

“Oh no!”

The fried little R2-D2 was lifted off the back of the fighter, carried off under the worried eyes of 3PO.

“Oh my! R2! Can you hear me?” 3PO called out. “Say something!”

But the droid was nonresponsive, as if the little droid were already dead. Worried, 3PO turned toward a nearby mechanic.

“You can repair him, can’t you?” 3PO asked.

“We’ll get to work on him right away,” The Technician assured.

“You must repair him! Sir, if ay of my circuits or gears will help, I’ll gladly donate them.”

“He’s going to be all right 3PO,” Cody reassured. “We promise.”

“I don’t know about all of you,” Rarity spoke up. “But this battle has really taken a toll on my nerves. I could use a chance to settle down.”

“Rarity’s right,” Twilight agreed. “Let’s find ourselves a place to settle down. I have a feeling we’re going to have quite a celebration later today.”

“OH YEAH!!! PARTY TIME!!!” Pinkie squealed.

The group slowly make their way down the hall to prepare for the upcoming celebration.

Later…

Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Cody Ando entered the huge ruins of the main temple. Hundreds of troops lined up in neat rows. Banners flew overhead, at the far end stood a vision in white, the beautiful young Princess Leia. Garbed in a long white dress, she is staggeringly beautiful. Standing beside her was Princess Twilight Sparkle, dressed in a regal gala outfit that matched her skin-tone and crown specifically prepared just for her.

Luke and the others solemnly marched the long aisle, kneeling before Princess Leia. From one side of the temple marched a shined-up, fully repaired R2-D2. He waddled up to the group and stood next to the equally pristine 3PO and the remainder of Harmony Squad, all awestruck by the whole event. Chewbacca, of course, was quite confused but Fluttershy giggled slightly. Sitting just to the leg of Princess Leia were Dodonna and several other dignitaries.

Princess Leia rose and bestowed a gold medallion to Han. The space captain merely winks at her. She repeats the ceremony with Chewbacca, Rainbow Dash, Cody, Flash, Spike, Bucky, and Sal, who smiled toward Applejack, whose cheeks glowed Apple red. Finally, Leia bestows a medal to Luke, who is moved by this whole chain of events. He feels a nudge at his shoulder, as he turns toward Rainbow Dash.

“Your aunt and uncle would be very proud of you,” Rainbow said to Luke.

“You made your mom and dad proud, Cody. They’ll be happy to hear about what happened today,” Twilight said.

Luke and Cody nodded with a smile, before they turned to face the assembled troops, who all applauded for the brave heroes. Chewbacca growled, R2 beeped happily, and the group of weary travelers smiled before the masses.

Once the ceremony was over, Cody approached General Dodonna.

“General, since the Empire most likely knows we’re here, might I suggest an immediate evacuation?” Cody asked.

“I understand your concern, Prince Cody. We shall evacuate once the ceremony is over,” General Dodonna replied.

“I also suggest clearing out the data centers so that the Empire can’t access any of our secrets,” Cody said.

“I’ll get my best people right on that,” General Dodonna replied.

Cody then rejoined his wives and friends. Twilight went up to Han and asked him, “Han, since our own ship was shot down and totaled on Tatooine, can you please give us a ride back home to Equestria on the Falcon?”

“Of course. We shall leave immediately,” Han replied.

“Thanks, Han,” Cody said, then turned to the others, “Come on, everyone. We’re going home on the Millennium Falcon.”

It wasn’t long before Harmony Squad, along with Han, Luke, Leia, Chewie, R2, and 3PO boarded the Falcon and left the base.

“If you don’t mind, Han. R5 is gonna plot our course,” Cody said.

“R5 says our course is laid in, Captain Solo,” 3PO spoke up.

“Punch it, Chewie,” Han said.

Chewbacca growled in reply as he activated the hyperdrive. Just then, the Millennium Falcon entered hyperspace, headed for Equestria.

Soon enough, the Falcon reached Equestria and touched down on the landing platform in Canterlot. Harmony Squad was greeted by Princesses Celestia and Luna, Prince Blaze, Rex, and Commander Dagger.

“Welcome home, Cody,” Celestia said.

“Hi, mom,” Cody replied, “There’s some new friends of ours we’d like you to meet.”

Cody introduced his family to Luke, Han, Leia, Chewie, and the droids. Blaze easily remembered R2 from the Clone War and to an extent, C-3PO. Harmony Squad filled Cody’s family in on everything they’ve been through lately, including the destruction of the Death Star.

“I’m sorry about Obi-Wan,” Blaze said.

“I’m glad you’re home, Cody,” Rex said to his brother.

“Hi, Rex,” Cody replied, hugging him.

It wasn’t long before Luke, Han, and the others had to leave.

“Assuming you’re in need of a new base for the rebellion, you’re always welcome here on Equestria,” Cody said.

“We’ll think it over,” Luke replied.

It was then that Luke and his friends boarded the Millennium Falcon and headed elsewhere.

Author's Note

This is the last chapter set during A New Hope.

In loving memory of Carrie Fisher
1956-2016
&
Peter Cushing
1913-1994

Chapter 5: Another Royal Wedding

Soon the day had come for the Summer Sun Celebration, several ponies, along with the rest of Harmony Squad were in the audience waiting for the big event to begin. Cody and Twilight waited nervously behind the stage. Since Twilight had to remove the Element of Magic from her crown, her new one was a gold wire crown that had pink gem stones in the tips of it. Cody wore a crown which was thicker and more traditional designed for a prince that had pink hearts on its tips. Cody then gave both his wives a kiss on the cheek.

It was then Princesses Celestia and Luna, Prince Blaze, and Commander Dagger walked onto to the stage, while Cody and Sunset stood between them. The sisters then opened their wings together.

“Citizens of Equestria, it is no longer with a heavy heart but with great joy that I raise the summer sun.” Princess Celestia announced, “For this celebration now represents not the defeat of Nightmare Moon, but the return of my sister, Princess Luna.”

The moon princess smiled as the crowd cheered excitedly. Princess Luna then hovered before a display of the moon and began to lower the moon from the sky. Princess Celestia then hovered to the left of the sun display, she closed her eyes to concentrate as the sun appeared in the sky.

It was then time for Twilight and Sunset to shine. The two of them then took off into the air so fast that they created a Sonic Magicboom, which was similar to a Sonic Rainboom, but it instead of produced a ring of rainbow into the sky, Twilight and Sunset each made a large outline of their cutie marks appear in the sky. The ponies all awed in amazement as Twilight soared through the sky and landed perfectly to the left of the sun princess. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Prince Blaze, and Commander Dagger, along with Cody and Sunset all gave her warm smiles. Twilight returned the gesture, feeling very proud of herself.

It wasn’t long before Twilight, Cody, and Sunset were able to rejoin their friends for the party. Since Ponyville was still recovering from all the vines, their friends were able to do the party in Canterlot so they could be with the royal trio. Even Flash had stayed to enjoy the party.

“Mom?” Cody said.

“Yes, Cody?” Princess Celestia asked, turning to him.

“Out of curiosity, are you officiating Aunt Luna and Uncle Dagger’s wedding like you did with Cadance and Shining Armor?” Cody asked.

“Since your Aunt Luna wasn’t there for my wedding to your father, I was hoping to be the maid of honor for hers. As for officiating the wedding, your father and I will leave that to the mayor,” Princess Celestia replied.

“Good thinking,” Cody said.

Soon enough, Celestia was in another part of the castle with Luna as the younger sister was putting on her wedding dress. It looked similar to the one Cadance wore, only with a night theme on it.

“I always hoped the day would come when you would get married, Luna,” Celestia said.

“Thanks for being there for me on my wedding, dear sister. It’s a shame I wasn’t there for yours,” Luna replied.

“Mother and Father would be proud,” Celestia said.

Soon enough, everyone was gathered to witness the wedding of Princess Luna and Commander Dagger. Blaze was standing beside Dagger as his best man, with Lancer and Valiant Knight (now retired), along with Cody, Cal, and Nash as groomsmen. A chorus was playing as the Cutie Mark Crusaders came hopping down spreading flower petals with Luna walking behind them. She walked into the stage where Celestia then stood beside her as the maid of honor, while Twilight and the other mares were bridesmaids. Once again, Rex was the ring bearer. Fancy Pants, who was recently elected as mayor of Canterlot, was officiating the wedding.

Welcome, mares and gentlecolts. Today we are gathered here to witness the marriage of Princess Luna and Commander Dagger, now they will recite the vows.”

Luna and Dagger recited their vows, then Fancy Pants went on with the ceremony and said, “Princess Luna, do you take Commander Dagger to be your husband?”

“I do,” Luna said.

“And Commander Dagger, do you take Princess Luna to be your wife?” Fancy Pants continued.

“I do,” Dagger said.

Rex gave Luna and Dagger their rings, then they placed them on each other’s fingers.

“By the powers vested in me, I declare you two husband and wife. You may kiss,” Fancy Pants finished, “Mares and gentlecolts, let’s hear it for our new prince of the night.”

Luna and Dagger leaned forward and kissed. Their friends, family, and the castle staff cheered, along with everypony else who was present, even R5, BD-1, and the astro droids in D-Squad gave some cheerful beeps and whistles.

It was then that the reception began, lovely, romantic music was played by the orchestra. Luna and Dagger had the first dance, then everyone else in attendance danced with their significant others, including everyone in Harmony Squad. Even Spitfire and Zecora got to dance with Sal and Bucky. Flash was down on his luck until he ran into Octavia, Vinyl Scratch, Lyra, Bonbon, and a pale amaranth earth pony mare. She had green eyes, hair in two shades of raspberry, and an F-cup rack, and also wore a blue-green strapless dress which showed off her legs.

“Hi, I’m Flash Sentry,” the yellow orange pegasus greeted.

“Hello. I’m Octavia, and this is my good friend and roommate, Vinyl Scratch,” the cellist replied.

“I’m Lyra Heartstrings, and this is my bestie Bonbon,” Lyra added, introducing herself and her friend.

“I’m Gloriosa Daisy, the royal gardener,” the third earth pony mare spoke up.

“Good to meet you,” Flash replied, “Want to dance, ladies?”

“Sure,” Bonbon said.

Cody noticed Flash dancing with Octavia, Vinyl, Lyra, Bonbon, and Gloriosa.

“Way to go, Flash,” Cody muttered.

It wasn’t long before Luna and Dagger went into a carriage which read ‘Just Married’ on the back of it.

“Aunt Luna, where are you and Uncle Dagger going for your honeymoon?” Cody asked.

“We decided to have it in Maretonia,” Luna replied.

“The carriage is taking us to the port in Manehattan,” Dagger added.

“Good luck to you both,” Cody said.

It was then that Luna divided up and tossed the bouquet with Applejack, Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Pinkie catching each portion of it.

Some time later, Luna and Dagger finally reached Maretonia. They stayed in a beachfront hotel with a spectacular view of the sea.

“What shall we do first, my love?” Dagger asked.

“I say we get our swimsuits and take a soak in the hot tub,” Luna replied.

It wasn’t long before Luna put on her light turquoise bikini and Dagger put on his pine green swim trunks. She then teleported them to the spa area and entered the hot tub. The new couple sat side by side with Dagger wrapping his arm around Luna’s waist as she leaned her head on his shoulder. They relaxed for about half an hour before they dried off and returned to their room as Dagger carried Luna bridal style. He then laid her on the single queen-size bed and joined her on top of it.

“Shall we, honey?” Dagger asked, flirtatiously.

“Let’s,” Luna replied in a sultry tone.

Dagger and Luna quickly engaged in a heated make-out session as he fondled her breasts. She flipped them over and ran her hands on his chest and abdomen. He then moved his hands to her rump and gave it a squeeze, making her moan in pleasure. Dagger also ran his hands across Luna’s legs as they kept making out.

Luna cast a soundproofing spell on their room, she then used her magic to remove Dagger’s trunks while he took off her bikini. It was then that Dagger pinned Luna to the bed and kissed her midriff, then all over her thighs. In on swift motion, Dagger entered Luna and began thrusting. They each moaned in pleasure as his thrusts became faster. Luna soon wrapped her legs around Dagger’s waist as his climax was approaching.

“Luna, I’m close!” Dagger said.

“Give it to me, my husband!” Luna replied.

Just then, Dagger fired a massive load inside Luna and pulled out of her. She cast an endurance spell on him and he entered her again. The room was filled with the sounds of pleasure as the newlyweds went more rounds in various positions.

After a total of seven rounds, Dagger and Luna lay panting.

“How about we just lay here and cuddle for a while?” Luna suggested.

“Sounds good to me,” Dagger replied, “I love you, Luna.”

“I love you too, Dagger,” Luna said as they shared a kiss.

As the new couple were cuddling, they caressed each other all over. Little did they know that in several months, a new life would begin.

Chapter 6: Salvage on Bracca

One day, Harmony Squad was pondering about what their new ship should be and how they could acquire it. Cody decided to contact Hondo and took out his holoprojector.

“Come in, Hondo. This is Cody, there’s something we need your help with,” Cody said.

It was then that Hondo appeared on hologram and answered him, “Good to hear from you, Cody. How can I help you and your friends this time?” he asked.

“We’re in need of a new ship, since we lost the Mantis on Tatooine. It needs to have room for 15 or more crew and passengers, at least some room for cargo, a functioning hyperdrive, shields, and weapons,” Cody replied.

“Any idea what ship has all those things and where we could find one?” Twilight asked.

“Your best bet is the old Republic Consular-class frigate and the best place to find one in this day and age is on Bracca,” Hondo replied.

“Could you please pick us up on the outskirts of Ponyville and take us there?” Sunset asked.

“Always happy to help. I’ll be there soon,” Hondo replied as the transmission ended.

It wasn’t long before Harmony Squad met up with Hondo on the outskirts of town where his ship was.

“My friends! Good to see you again,” Hondo greeted.

“Good to see you too, Hondo,” Cody said, then turned to a familiar Ugnaught first mate, “And you as well, Melch.”

Melch greeted with a squeal, as he showed them the droids in Hondo’s crew. They consisted of a repaired B1 battle droid commander, a commando droid, a reprogrammed KX-security droid, two IG-86 assassin droids, and three repaired astromechs.

“Harmony Squad, these are the latest members of my crew. B1-268, HELIOS-3E, HELIOS-3D, CH-33P, RG-G1, R4-264, BX-411, and K-Z2O,” Hondo said.

“Good to meet you all,” Twilight greeted the droids.

Each of the droids greeted Harmony Squad in either words or beeps and whistles.

“Now that we’ve met Hondo’s droids, let’s get to Bracca and get that old Republic warship,” Cody said.

It was then that Harmony Squad boarded the Last Chance alongside Hondo and his crew. Once everyone was onboard, they left the surface.

“Cheep, set a course for Bracca,” Hondo said.

Once the course was set, they jumped into hyperspace. Soon enough, they reached Bracca with Hondo transmitting the clearance code. With the clearance code accepted, the Imperial ships granted the Last Chance clearance to land.

It was then that the Last Chance landed on the remains of an old Imperial Venator-class Star Destroyer. Once Harmony Squad along with Hondo and his crew disembarked the shuttle, they began searching the area for a Consular-class frigate.

“Melch, Cheep, G1, and 264, you stay with the ship in case we need a quick escape,” Hondo told his first mate. Melch snorted in reply.

“As for you Pinkie, I suggest you keep your voice down while we’re here. I want you to Pinkie Promise on that,” Bucky said.

“We don’t want to draw any unwanted attention to ourselves,” Fluttershy added.

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” Pinkie replied, doing the motions.

“Everyone, let’s move,” Cody said.

It was then that Harmony Squad set off to find the ship they’re looking for.

“Rainbow, I think you should fly overhead until you can spot a Consular-class frigate,” Sal said.

“Remind me what it looks like again, and I’ll get to it,” Rainbow replied.

“Cody said that they look like this,” Applejack said, showing her a hologram of the ship they’re looking for.

“I’m on it,” Rainbow said as she began flying.

Little did Harmony Squad know that they were being watched in the distance by members of the Scrapper Guild. They could easily recognize Hondo and his droids through their macrobinoculars, and then sent a signal to the Imperial ships in orbit.

Rainbow kept flying until she finally saw a Consular-class frigate, which looked intact. She approached the ship and took a closer look to see if there was any external damage. Upon closer examination, Rainbow noticed that there was no visible damage. It was then that she turned on her com-link and contacted the others.

“Cody, I found one and it looks intact on the outside,” Rainbow said.

“Good. Where are you?” Cody asked over the com-link.

“I’m just five clicks north from your position,” Rainbow replied.

“We’ll be there shortly,” Cody said.

It wasn’t long before Cody and the others reached Rainbow’s position.

“We just need to check the inside to see if all the systems are in working order,” Cody said.

Harmony Squad began inspecting the interior of the ship from stern to bow and they found that all the systems were intact. Hondo and his crew were outside, looking up at the sky. They could see two Imperial Lambda-class shuttles and six TIE fighters coming their way.

“Harmony Squad, come in. The Empire is coming our way!” Hondo said over his com-link.

“How could that be? We were given clearance to land!” Sunset asked.

“The Scrapper Guild must’ve spotted us and made a report to the Empire,” Hondo replied.

“Would you please buy us some time to reactivate the ship’s systems?” Cody asked.

“We’ve got your backs,” Hondo replied.

It was then that the shuttles landed near their position. Dozens of stormtroopers rushed towards Hondo and his droids, hoping to capture him. Hondo and the droids opened fire on the stormtroopers as a skirmish began.

Soon enough, Harmony Squad managed to reactivate the ship and all of its systems. It was then that Cody contacted Hondo and spoke into his com-link.

“Hondo, we’ve reactivated our new ship and we’re ready to get out of here,” he said.

“Go on ahead, we’ll catch up in our own ship,” Hondo replied.

Just then, Cody and Twilight piloted the ship off the surface only to be pursued by the TIE fighters. They turned on the deflector shields.

“AJ, Rainbow, we got TIEs on our tail. You two, Sal, and Bucky be ready on the cannons,” Cody said.

“We’re on it,” Applejack replied as she, Rainbow, Sal, and Bucky went to man the turrets.

It wasn’t long before they noticed the Last Chance alongside them.

“Farewell, Harmony Squad. Until we meet again,” Hondo said over the comm.

“See you soon, Hondo,” Cody replied.

Meanwhile, Applejack, Rainbow, Sal, and Bucky were working the turrets and firing on the TIE fighters, managing to shoot them down.

“R5, plot a course for Equestria,” Twilight said.

R5 beeped in reply and plotted Equestrian’s coordinates into navicomputer.

“Let’s get out of here,” Cody said.

It was then that Harmony Squad jumped into hyperspace and headed back to Equestria.

Once they returned home, Harmony Squad landed their new ship on the mountainside near Canterlot. Upon exiting the ship, they noticed Princesses Celestia and Luna, along with Prince Blaze and Commander Dagger looking on in awe and surprise.

“Like our new ship?” Spike asked.

“It’s impressive,” Celestia said.

“Dagger and I haven’t seen a Consular-class frigate for years,” Blaze added.

“We found it on Bracca with help from Hondo and his crew,” Rarity replied.

“What do you plan to name it?” Dagger asked.

“We’ll call it the Star Hope,” Cody replied.

“Good name,” Luna remarked.

“It’s a shame Flash missed out on this. Luckily, he’s having some excitement of his own on his date with Lyra, Bonbon, Octavia, and Vinyl,” Sal said.

“I bet he’d love to see our new ship,” Bucky added.

Later that night, Flash and his four girlfriends returned to his apartment.

“Want to stay the night with me, girls?” Flash asked.

“I wouldn’t mind,” Vinyl said, with Octavia, Lyra, and Bonbon nodding in agreement.

It was then they entered his room, which was filled with most of his personal possessions, and a king-size bed.

“Ready to take our virginities tonight, Flash?” Octavia asked seductively.

“If you girls are ready, then I am ready to lose mine as well,” Flash replied.

It wasn’t long before the four mares stripped out of their clothes undressed Flash. Lyra and Vinyl cast a temporary anti-pregnancy spell on themselves, Bonbon, and Octavia. They gently pushed Flash down onto his bed and took turns making out with him as he returned their kissing. Lyra and Bonbon made out with each other as Vinyl pinned down Flash, then he fondled her breasts, making her moan in delight. He then moved his hands down her back and squeezed her rump, then caressed her legs.

Flash flipped Vinyl over so that he was on top. He then kissed her midriff and all over her thighs. He then kissed her on the neck and lips. It was then that Flash entered Vinyl and began thrusting slowly until gradually moving faster inside her. Vinyl wrapped her legs around his waist as Octavia straddled her chest as she and Flash shared a kiss. Flash kept thrusting until he released a massive load inside the DJ.

Flash then pulled out of Vinyl and made out with Octavia. He fondled her breasts, then reached down to her rump and squeezed it. It wasn’t long before Flash laid Octavia on her back and caressed her legs, then kissed her midriff and all over her thighs. He placed his hands on her hips and entered her, then thrusted slowly. Flash began moving faster inside Octavia as she wrapped her legs around his waist and he caressed them, and kept thrusting until he released a load inside the cellist.

Once he pulled out of Octavia, Flash made out with Lyra and Bonbon as they shared a three way kiss. As they made out, he fondled their breasts and gave their rumps a squeeze. It was then that Flash leaned them on their backs and kissed their midriffs, then kissed all over their thighs. He eagerly shoved himself inside Lyra with Bonbon straddling her chest. Flash thrusted slowly before gradually moving faster as Lyra wrapped her legs around his waist. He caressed her legs while sharing a kiss with Bonbon.

Soon enough, Flash released a load inside Lyra then pulled out of her as Bonbon switched places with her. Upon entering Bonbon, he began thrusting inside her, starting slow and gradually thrusting faster. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he kept thrusting and caressed them, while he and Lyra shared a kiss. It wasn’t long before Flash released a load inside Bonbon and pulled out of her.

He then made out with Gloriosa, fondling her breasts, then moved his hands to her rump and squeezed it. Flash caressed her legs, then kissed her midriff and thighs. He then entered Gloriosa and thrust inside her. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he kept thrusting. It wasn’t long before Flash released a load inside Gloriosa and pulled out of her.

“I’m getting exhausted, how about we get to sleep?” Flash suggested.

“Good thinking,” Octavia said.

It was then that Lyra, Bonbon, and Gloriosa lay on top of Flash, panting while Vinyl and Octavia embraced him on his left and right sides.

“Good night, girls. I love you all,” Flash said.

“We love you too, Flash,” the five mares replied in unison.

They each shared a final kiss with him before they all fell asleep.

Chapter 7: Twilight’s Kingdom - Part I

A train whistled in the distance as Harmony Squad, along with Spike, were now back at the Crystal Empire and they were all making their way toward the Crystal Palace.

“Seems like only yesterday I was saving this place from being totally destroyed,” said Spike, “Hey, you guys remember that?” He then stood next to the giant statue of himself. Rainbow and Applejack rolled their eyes as Pinkie looked at the statue and smiled.

“You only mentioned it about fifteen times on the train here,” Rainbow replied.

“Yes, and we never hear a peep out of you about your exploits,” Rarity said to Rainbow sarcastically.

“Heh, point taken,” Rainbow replied sheepishly.

“I’m glad you all wanted to come, but I don’t think it’s gonna be that exciting. My husband and I pretty much just have to smile and wave as the dignitaries arrive,” said Twilight as she, Cody, and Sunset led the group.

“Yeah, so very exciting,” Cody remarked rather bluntly.

“Yes, but you and Cody get to smile and wave like a princess and prince,” said Rarity as she caught up to them.

“How exactly is that different than smilin’ and wavin’ like not a princess and a prince?” Applejack asked as Rarity tried to find an answer.

“It isn’t,” said Twilight sadly.

“The only real difference is that we wear a crown on our heads while doing it,” Cody added in the same tone, “But like Twilight said, it’s not that different at all.” Everypony noticed that both Cody and Twilight looked rather glum.

“What’s wrong, Twilight and Cody?” Fluttershy asked with concern.

“Why the looooooooong face?” Pinkie asked as she stretched Twilight’s face out, which recoiled when the pink pony let go. Twilight rubbed her sore face for a moment. Pinkie then tried to grab Cody’s face, but he quickly stared her down and Pinkie backed off.

“We’ve just been feeling a little unsure about things lately,” said Twilight, “It doesn’t seem that our new role as a princess and prince equates to all that much.”

“We don’t really do much in terms of royal duties,” Cody added, “We don’t exactly feel like we’re all that important, or special for that matter.” Twilight gave her husband a sympathetic look and nodded in agreement.

“That’s just silly,” Applejack replied, “You both have a real important role in Equestria.”

“Princess Celestia and Prince Blaze wouldn’t have asked you to come today if they didn’t think so,” Fluttershy added as Sal and Bucky nodded in agreement.

“I guess you’re right,” said Twilight with sad smile.

“If you say so,” Cody added softly with a sad smile of his own.

“Of course we are,” said Rarity as she ushered the three of them along, “Now hurry along! You don’t want to risk having that important role diminished because you were tardy for your regal meet-and-greet.”

“Okay, okay, we’re going,” Cody retorted with a chuckle as Twilight, Cody, and Sunset continued on their way while the rest of the group followed from behind.

It was a little later that day, some trumpet fanfare was heard as Flash Sentry stood to announce the dignitaries.

“The Duke and Duchess of Maretonia!” Flash Sentry announced as the two upper-class dressed ponies walked importantly down the street between the crowd of ponies.

Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Cadance stood before the two dignitaries with smiles on their faces and their wings opened majestically. Princes Blaze and Dagger stood alongside their wives. Twilight, Cody, and Sunset, with crowns on their heads, stood at the upper balcony with their own wings opened, smiling and waving to the crowds below. Twilight and Cody opened up a large banner that hung from the balcony above. The three princesses below approached the two dignitaries and they exchanged bows with each other before heading inside. Twilight, Cody, and Sunset just continued to smile and wave at the crowds some more.

“That was it?” Spike interjected as it was revealed the rest of Harmony Squad were standing just outside the entrance to the balcony, “Princess Celestia had you both come all the way to the Crystal Empire to do just that?” Applejack then smacked the back of his head while all but Twilight, Sunset, and Fluttershy glared at him. Twilight just had a very sad look on her face.

“I mean, whoa, really regal and important!” Spike said a nervous laugh.

“Oh shut up!” Cody scolded angrily, but softened when he saw how depressed his wife looked and wrapped an arm around her shoulder and held her close. He added sadly, “We don’t need you reminding us just how important we really are.” Cody and Twilight walked sadly inside as the others just shared worried looks with each other.

A little later that day, Twilight, Cody, and Sunset were just pacing back and forth in the hallway. Then the doors opened as the two dignitaries approached Twilight, Cody, and Sunset, who quickly stood side by side and bowed before them. The two dignitaries bowed as well.

“Your highnesses,” said the Duke of Maretonia, “Thank you for understanding our desire to keep the number of those privy to these confidential discussions to a minimum.”

“In other words, you didn’t think we were important enough to be included,” Sunset muttered.

“Of course,” said Twilight with her eyes closed in a professional tone.

“We understand your situation completely,” Cody added in the same tone with his eyes closed, but use the opportunity to roll his eyes behind his closed eyelids. The two dignitaries then walked on their way to another set of doors, which were opened and shut immediately. Twilight, Cody, and Sunset stood up, smiling and waving until the doors had been closed. The two alicorns and their husband shared sad looks with each other before heading up to the other princesses.

“Is there anything else we can do to assist with their visit?” Twilight asked as Cody and Sunset stood beside her.

“I’m sorry, Twilight and Cody, but their visit is already over,” said Princess Cadance.

“Oh,” Twilight replied sadly.

“Okay then,” Cody added half-heartedly, “Guess...our job is...complete. Yay...” It didn’t take long for the three princesses and two princes to notice something was up.

“Something wrong?” Princess Luna asked concerned.

“I guess I...that is my husband and I...just don’t really understand why we’re here,” Twilight explained, “Couldn’t have one of the royal guard unfurled the banner?”

“Having all eight of us in the Empire to greet them lets the dignitaries know that their visit is considered an important one,” Princess Celestia explained.

“Plus, it gives me an opportunity to see my favorite sister-in-law and cousin,” said Cadance, getting a small smile from Twilight and Cody.

“And we’re happy to see you,” said Twilight, “All of you.” Twilight and Cody exchanged looks with each other, unsure of what to say further and turned their heads away.

“But...?” Princess Celestia asked.

“But I...we...well, it’s just that Princess Luna raises the moon, Princess Celestia raises the sun...” Twilight said then looked at Cadance, “…you protect the Crystal Empire, and all the three of us seem to do is...smile and wave.”

“At least I already know my destiny is to rule Equestria one day since I’m heir to the throne,” Cody pointed out sadly.

“You told us that ascending to become alicorn princesses was our destiny,” Sunset added, “If that’s true, then...why do we feel like were nothing but just...figure heads? You all are doing important things for Equestria. But...what are we supposed to do?”

“Think positive, Twilight and Sunset. One part of your destinies is to rule at my sides,” Cody replied.

The two alicorns walked sadly away and headed toward the balcony, with Cody behind them. They leaned against the railing together before they started to sing.

Twilight (sings):
It isn’t that I’m ungrateful
For all the things that I’ve earned,

Sunset (sings):
For all the journeys we have taken,

Twilight and Sunset mirrored each other as they waved an arm in the air.

Twilight, Sunset, and Cody (sing):
All the lessons that we have learned

Twilight (sings):
But I wonder where I’m going now,
What my role is meant to be

Twilight, Sunset, and Cody started into the distance from the balcony.

Twilight, Sunset, and Cody (sing):
I don’t know how to travel
To a future that I can’t see

It was then Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Cadance arrived. She and Sunset approached them. They showed them their wings and pointed at their crowns.

Twilight and Sunset (sing):
We have our wings, we wear these crowns
I’m a princess

Cody (sings):
I’m a prince

Twilight, Sunset, and Cody walked away from the three princesses.

Twilight (sings):
This is true
But it’s still unclear to us
Just what we’re meant to do

Twilight walked up to Cadance.

Twilight (sings):
I wanna have a purpose

Twilight and Sunset walked up to Princess Luna.

Twilight and Sunset (sing):
Wanna do all that I can

Twilight, Cody, and Sunset look at Princess Celestia before walking away and waving a hand in the air.

Twilight, Cody, and Sunset (sing):
We wanna make a contribution
We want to be a part of the plan

Princess Celestia walked up to Twilight, Cody, and Sunset as they approached the balcony and gazed at the northern lights.

Princess Celestia (sings):
Your destiny’s uncertain
And that’s sometimes hard to take
But it will become much clearer
With every new choice you make

Princess Luna approached form the other side of the royal trio. As she sang, she stood before them before spreading her wings and hovering in the air.

Princess Luna (sings):
Patience is never easy
I understand wanting more
I know how hard it is to wait
To spread out your wings and soar

Cadance came up to Twilight, Sunset, and Cody from behind, her words making them smile and blush. She then headed to the balcony.

Princess Cadance (sings):
But you stand here for a reason
You’re gifted and you are strong
That crown is upon your heads because
You belong

As Celestia, Luna, and Cadance sang together, above them Princess Celestia’s cutie marked appeared in the sky with Princess Luna’s appeared to the right. Then Cadance’s cutie mark appeared in front of the two cutie marks. Then they surrounded Twilight, Sunset, and Cody.

Celestia, Luna, and Cadance (sing):
Know that your time is coming soon
As the sun rises, so does the moon
As love finds a place in every heart
You’re princesses.
You’re a prince.
You’ll play your part

As Princess Luna sang her solo, Princess Celestia and Cadance took to the skies, Princess Luna soon followed.

Princess Luna (sings):
We understand you both wanting more
A chance to shine, a chance to soar

The three Princesses hover in the sky in clockwise motion as Cody, Sunset, and Twilight watch them.

Princess Cadance (sings):
Soon will come the day it turns around

The three princesses landed, showing Princess Celestia’s cutie mark appear in the sky with Princess Luna’s appearing to the right. Then Cadance’s cutie mark appeared in front of theirs. Then Twilight and Sunset’s cutie marks appeared in front of Cadance’s. The reflection of their cutie marks could be seen from Twilight and Sunset’s eyes respectively. Twilight, Sunset, and Cody then looked sadly at the ground.

Celestia, Luna, and Cadance (sing):
Know that your time is coming soon
As the sun rises, so does the moon
As love finds a place in every heart

You’re princesses
You’re a prince
You’ll play your part

Princess Celestia lifted Twilight’s chin and she did the same for Cody and Sunset. She then hugged them both, which Twilight, Sunset, and Cody accepted with a small smile on their faces.

Princess Celestia (sings):
You’re a princess
You’re a prince
You’ll play your part

It wasn’t long before Twilight, Sunset, and Cody broke away from Princess Celestia.

“Your time will come,” said Princess Celestia as she and the three princesses left the married trio alone. Twilight, Sunset, and Cody walked up to the balcony and looked up at the stars and northern lights.

Elsewhere, in a dark foggy alleyway, a brown unicorn stallion, whose name was Rare Find, was nervously walking down the path carrying a basket of oranges when he heard a suspicious noise. Rare Fine looked back and saw that it was only an empty can clanking about. Just as Rare Find breathed a sigh of relief, a cloaked figure appeared, who was breathing heavily.

“Very sorry,” Rare Fine said with a chuckle, “You came out of nowhere.”

“”Is he friend or is he foe”? the pony wonders,” the cloaked figure said darkly as he revealed his face to show that he was elderly looking centaur, “I can assure you...I am no friend. I’m Lord Tirek, and I will take what should have been mine long ago.” The centaur opened his mouth and literally inhaled Rare Find’s magic, causing the stallion to lose his cutie mark and plop to the ground looking drained, even the color in his eyes were grayed out. The magic Tirek has collected made his body glow, causing him to become bigger and taller. Rare Find cowered fearfully and Tirek chuckled deviously.

Back in the Crystal Empire, Princess Celestia and Prince Blaze had been sleeping when they suddenly woke up with a start.

“Sister, are you and Blaze alright?!” Princess Luna asked as she entered the room.

“I’ve just had the most terrible dream,” said Princess Celestia.

“Why do you think I’m here?” Princess Luna retorted as a matter of fact, “You know as well as I that this was not a dream, but a vision.”

“I felt a disturbance in the Force,” Blaze said.

“Then we haven’t much time,” Princess Celestia replied as she got out of bed quickly and the two sisters headed to a window, “The stronger he becomes, the more we are all in danger.”

The former Fortress Inquisitorius

Blueblood and his master, Darth Claw were meditating until the former opened his eyes upon sensing something.

“What is it, my apprentice?” Claw asked.

“I couldn’t help it, master. I felt a disturbance in the Force,” Blueblood replied, “Someone from my world known as Tirek has returned. Did you feel it too?”

“Yes. But, he’s of no concern to me,” Claw said.

“I don’t want to take any chances with Tirek. He could be a threat to the Empire, should he be able to find a starship,” Blueblood replied, “I’m going home to destroy him to make sure he doesn’t hinder our plans.”

“Do not fail,” Claw said.

It was then that Blueblood left the fortress in his TIE Reaper and jumped to hyperspace. Once at Equestria, he cast a cloaking spell on his fighter and landed behind Mt. Canter.

The next morning, Cody and the five alicorns were sitting before a table with an old book in the center. Princess Celestia used her magic to open the book. The first page showed a picture of a centaur and a gargoyle.

“Tirek and his brother Scorpan came here from a distant land, intent on stealing Equestrian magic. But Scorpan soon came to appreciate the ways of Equestria, even befriending a young unicorn wizard.” Princess Celestia explained, showing another page of Scorpan seeing all the ponies and then another page showed Scorpan befriending Star Swirl the Bearded.

“Scorpan urged his brother to abandon their plans,” said Princess Luna as the pages showed Scorpan talking to Tirek, “When Tirek refused, Scorpan alerted us to Tirek’s intentions.” A another page showed Scorpan speaking to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, warning them of Tirek’s refusal to back down.

“Scorpan returned to his own land, and Tirek was sent to Tartarus for his crimes. But it appears he has found a way to escape,” Princess Celestia continued, showing Scorpan on his way and Tirek reaching out as he descended into a underground prison. She then closed the book.

“We believe it happened when Cerberus left his post at the gates,” said Princess Luna.

“But that was a long time ago. Why is he just now starting to steal magic?” Twilight asked.

“His time in Tartarus left him very weak,” Princess Celestia replied as she walked behind Twilight, Cody, and Sunset, “He has just now gained enough strength to use his dark powers.”

“But with each passing moment, he grows stronger still,” Princess Luna said.

“Then he must be stopped as quickly as possible before he becomes too powerful,” Cody added firmly.

“And I know just the princess and prince who can stop him,” said Cadance, smirking at Twilight and Cody.

“Yes,” said Twilight, “Cody, Sunset, and I will go find him and-”

“No, Twilight,” said Princess Celestia, “I’m afraid I must call in another to stop Tirek.” Then Princess Celestia announced who it was, “Discord.”

Twilight, Cody, Sunset, Cadance, and Princess Luna gasped in utter shock.

Back in Ponyville, the others were just as stunned at Princess Celestia’s decision.

“Seriously?” Sal spluttered.

“...As in Discord Discord?” Applejack asked.

“Yes!” Twilight answered.

“I don’t think it’s that big of a surprise,” said Fluttershy as she stepped forward, “He can be very helpful.” All Fluttershy got was glares from Applejack, Rainbow, Rarity, Pinkie, Sal, and even Bucky. Fluttershy just smiled sheepishly until she noticed Bucky was also glaring.

“Excuse me?” Fluttershy asked her boyfriend indignantly, “You’re supposed to support me!”

“I’m sorry, Flutters,” Bucky replied “I love you and I do support you, but I just don’t know if Discord can stop the evil centaur,” Fluttershy just huffed indignantly.

“He can sense when there’s a magical imbalance,” said Twilight in Fluttershy’s defense, “The next time Tirek steals magic, Discord will be able to track him down!”

“That is true,” Cody pondered, “He’s got a better tracking ability than Pinkie Pie.” Then added irritably, “And he’s got a funny way of showing up when you least want him around.” The others, minus Fluttershy, nodded in agreement to that.

“So what are you three supposed to do in the meantime?” Rainbow asked.

“I don’t know,” Cody replied, “Stay on standby and trust in the Force? It’s all we can do...” Twilight sighed.

“In other words, nothing, unless of course one of you needs one or both of us to smile and wave.” Twilight added. She smiled and waved an arm, but soon replaced her smile with a long frown as she and Cody just shared knowing looks with each other before walking sadly away.

“Where are you guys going?” Spike asked.

“To the Castle of the Two Sisters, we’re not really needed anywhere else. Might as well catch up on some of our reading,” Twilight replied, before she, Cody, and Sunset headed off toward the Everfree Forest. The group shared sad looks with each other when Rainbow got an idea.

“You want some company?” Rainbow asked.

“It has been a while since we visited the castle,” Applejack said as the rest of the group stood around them.

“Maybe we could use a little company right now,” Twilight replied as she and Cody smiled.

It wasn’t long before they reached the canyon where the Tree of Harmony was located as they made their way toward the castle.

“I still can’t believe we had to give back the Elements,” said Rainbow with a sigh.

“It had to be done or the Tree of Harmony wouldn’t have survived,” Rarity reminded the blue Pegasus.

“Plus it was the only source of magic strong enough to deal with Discord’s little vines of doom,” Cody added with irritation in his tone.

“But you and Twilight were right,” said Fluttershy, “Even without the Elements, our friendship is as strong as ever.” Sal and Bucky nodded in agreement.

“I just hope another “friend” of ours never makes us sorry we had to give them up,” said Applejack, making air quotes. Suddenly, Harmony Squad heard some familiar laughter.

“Oh, you’re talking about me, I presume?” Discord spoke up as he floated down the group using an umbrella and wearing a nanny’s outfit.

“How’d you guess?” Applejack asked the draconequus annoyingly.

“My ears were burning,” Discord replied as his horns literally set themselves in fire.

Discord blinked as he doused his horns with a glass of water.

“What are you even doing here, Discord?” Rainbow demanded as the draconequus calmed down.

“Oh, just a bit of light reading before I head off on my extremely important mission,” Discord replied as he put on some glasses and started scanning through the pages of a very familiar book, “I suppose you all know that I’ve been tasked to capture a certain escapee,” He wore a military outfit and bubble pipe in his mouth. He also pulled down a flag of Equestria as well to complete the moment.

“Big deal,” said Spike.

“You’re right, Spike,” Discord replied as he stuck his face into Spike’s before encasing the little dragon in a bubble that floated away. Spike rose quite a few feet into the air before the bubble popped. Rainbow caught Spike before he hit the ground, “It is a big deal. Seems I possess a magic that gives me quite an important role in Equestria. Maybe they should make me an Alicorn princess.” Discord then made a pair of pink wings and a horn appear on himself as well as a giant crown on his head. Some random cheering could also be heard.

“Mmwah! Mmwah!” Discord said as he blew kisses at a non-existent crowd. Twilight and Cody glared at him.

“In your dreams,” said Rainbow in disgust as she smacked the crown off Discord’s head.

“Oh, I never dream of such things,” Discord replied as he made his unicorn horn disappear and it returned to his regular antler horns, “Ask Princess Luna.”

“Don’t you have a creepy magic-stealin’ villain to track down?” Applejack asked, having quite enough of the Draconequus.

“Oh, yes, yes, yes, of course,” said Discord as he pulled all eight ponies and Spike into a group hug before teleporting everypony into the chamber of the Tree of Harmony, “It’s just that I couldn’t help but notice that Twilight, Cody, and Sunset haven’t yet opened this little chest of theirs.” Discord then walked up to the said chest as the everypony looked at the married trio.

“I-I-It got me thinking, what if what’s locked inside is something that could help them prove their royal worth?” Discord pondered, “I only bring it up because they said that they’ve been feeling like their role as princesses and a prince doesn’t equate to much.” Twilight and Cody just glared when Discord pulled their bottom lips to make them look like they were pouting.

“Wait a minute!” said Pinkie, “How do you know how they were feeling?!”

“The same way he found out that Twilight and Cadance wanted a quiet day to hang out together, before nearly spoiling it and sending poor Twilight into a meltdown!” Sunset remarked.

“Oh, my,” said Discord in mocking sadness, “Is eavesdropping not the way you’re supposed to find out what your best pals are up to?”

“No, it’s not Discord,” said Mario firmly, “Friendship is built in trust, compassion, and empathy. If you actually asked what was bothering us instead of just budding into our problems, maybe the majority of us wouldn’t feel so irritated whenever you showed up. It would also help that you didn’t rub our problems in our faces either!” All but Fluttershy nodded in agreement.

“Woe is me,” said Discord dramatically, “Will I ever learn the intricate nuances of being a good friend?” All but Fluttershy glared and said nothing.

“Well in any case,” Discord remarked as he cleared his throat, “I suppose now is as good a time as any for me to make my exit.” Discord then hopped into a polka-dot motor scooter and teleported away.

“And good riddance!” Applejack shouted once he was gone. Only for the draconequus to reappear again from behind the group.

“Oopsie-doopsie,” said Discord as he leaned into Applejack’s face before walking in front of the group holding a book in his claws, “I almost left with the little journal you’ve all been keeping. What a fascinating read. Haven’t you all learned so much?” Discord then walked up to Twilight.

“I’ve bookmarked a few of the more interesting passages,” said Discord as he set the book on top of Twilight’s horn, making it balance on the tip perfectly. Cody and Sunset couldn’t help but stare. He was impressed at the trick, but would never admit to it. Discord then pushed Bucky aside as he leaned over to Fluttershy.

“We’re still on for tea later, aren’t we, Fluttershy?” Discord asked in a hush tone.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” said Fluttershy sweetly.

“Well, I’ll bring the cucumber sandwiches...!” Discord sing sang as he used his magic to make a doorknob appear in thin air. Discord grabbed it to make a doorway appear and closed it behind him, making the “door” disappear.

“Sometimes I think the ‘reformed’ Discord is more obnoxious than the ‘before he was reformed’ Discord,” said Applejack.

“I hear ya, babe,” Sal replied to his farmer girlfriend.

“Indeed,” Rarity added in agreement.

“But he could be right, couldn’t he?” said Fluttershy to the others, “What if there is something important in that chest?” Twilight rubbed her chin for a moment and then smiled.

“There’s only one way to find out,” Twilight replied as Cody had a determined smile on his face.

Inside Castle of Two Sisters, Harmony Squad was now inside the library and were busy reading various books to try and uncover any information.

“Anything?” Twilight asked after a few hours of quiet research. The rest of Harmony Squad just said no in reply.

“There must be something in this library that can help us figure out how to open it. The answer’s in one of these books. I just know it,” said Twilight as she looked through another book. Cody then looked about the books laying around and then noticed the friendship journal.

“What about this one?” Cody asked at he suggested the friendship journal, figuring they might as well see what exactly Discord did and bookmarked. As much as Twilight didn’t want to, even rolling her eyes to the idea, she conceded and started searching through the friendship journal.

Meanwhile, in the dark alleys of an unknown city, Tirek had just finished draining the magic from another unicorn stallion, causing the pony to plop to the ground. Tirek once again glowed yellow and his body became stronger and larger in size. The centaur then noticed another unicorn nearby closing up a box. Tirek approached him as quietly as he could. But then the centaur was given the shock of his life when the unicorn turned around and revealed himself with Discord’s face.

“Tirek, I presume?” Discord said in a cocky manner.

“Discord,” Tirek said surprised, “You’re free?” Discord then changed himself into a dodo bird sitting on a perch.

“As a bird,” Discord replied.

“I commend you on your escape,” said Tirek.

“I’m afraid the feeling isn’t mutual,” Discord replied as he snapped his fingers, causing Tirek’s arms to be bound and chained. Tirek retaliated by firing a yellow magic beam from between his horns. But Discord, split his upper body in half so the beam past by harmlessly.

“Oh, I should have known you would want to have Equestria all to yourself,” Tirek retorted. Discord just stood nearby wearing a policemen’s outfit and swinging a wooden stick about.

“Oh, I’m not doing this for me,” Discord replied, “I’m doing it for my friends.” He then leaned forward toward Tirek, “Just between the two of us, it’s mostly for Fluttershy.” Discord then gave a happy squee. Tirek was shocked.

“Fluttershy? You’re not saying you’re friends with ponies?” Tirek asked.

“Surprise!” said Discord as he popped out of a cake, getting frosting all over Tirek.

“I am surprised that someone with your intellect does not see this “friendship” is but a new form of imprisonment,” Tirek remarked, “Clearly you’ve had to abandon your true nature to stay in good graces.” Discord at the moment was just wearing a halo over his head and playing a harp, but Tirek’s comment hit a nerve with the draconequus.

“I have done nothing of the sort!” said Discord, waving off his halo and tossing his harp away.

“Oh, please, I’ve seen this before. But he was always weak-minded,” Tirek replied, “You are Discord, you are a legend, you cannot fall into the same trap that claimed my brother! Help me to grow strong, and be rewarded with something far greater than friendship. Freedom. Once I’ve stripped these ponies of their magic, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see their world turned upside down.” Tirek then leaned toward Discord, “Who better to do so then the master of chaos himself? Join me, Discord, and reclaim your greatness. Unless of course, “pony errand boy” is the role you’ve always wanted to in this world.” Apparently Tirek’s words had gotten to the draconequus’s head because Discord began to consider his offer. He then turned to see his own dresser drawer with a picture of Fluttershy sitting on top of it.

It appeared Discord had been presented with what could be considered his “crossroad of destiny”.

Back in the Castle of Two Sisters library, Twilight was busy reading the friendship journal. Then she smiled.

“I think I’ve found something,” said Twilight excitedly.

“What is it, Twily?” Cody asked curiously.

I’ve been reading our journal, and there’s something interesting about the sections that Discord bookmarked,” Twilight replied, flipping through some pages, “Applejack, do you remember when you and Sal had to tell everypony that the tonic Granny bought from the Flim Flam brothers didn’t really work?”

“How could I forget?” Applejack answered, “It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. Poor Mario was so worried that he would lose Granny because of a dangerous stunt she tried to do.”

Flashback

It was then Granny Smith held a bottle of the tonic, which shinned a bright light into Applejack’s eyes. When she looked at the bottle again, a rainbow flashed over her eyes before she narrowed them in determination.

Applejack and Sal walked up to the crowd and pointed at an empty bottle, “I hate to disappoint everypony, but there’s no way Granny could have made that dive, because this tonic is a fake!” she said. Several ponies gasped in shock.

End Flashback

“And in that moment,” said Applejack, “I knew I had to be honest. I just knew it. But what’s that got to do with openin’ the chest?”

“I’ve found that each of you has had to face a situation where living up to the Element of Harmony you represent wasn’t easy,” Twilight explained, “Fluttershy, it was when you and Bucky realized that the way to show kindness to the Breezies was by forcing them to leave your home.”

“Oh, the looks on their poor little faces!” said Fluttershy sadly as Bucky put a hand on her shoulder.

Flashback

The Breezies looked at Bucky with sad eyes, but he looked away with his eyes shut, quietly agreeing with his girlfriend. They gave their sad eyes to Fluttershy as well, but they refused to back down.

Fluttershy sternly pointed out the door for them to leave. The Breezies all made their way out of Fluttershy’s cottage. Seabreeze then turned around and gave both her and Bucky a thankful nod before taking his leave. Fluttershy had barely closed the door when she sniffled and began to cry.

End Flashback

“But I knew that, as difficult as it was, pushing them away was the kindest thing I could do,” Fluttershy said.

“Rarity, even after Suri took advantage of your generosity at Fashion Week and Manehattan, you didn’t let it cause you to abandon your generous spirit,” said Twilight to the white unicorn, who was now standing next to the purple alicorn.

“I simply couldn’t have lived with myself if I didn’t do something special for the friends who have always been so generous to me!” Rarity replied as everypony else smiled.

“Luckily, Suri is rethinking her life after I used a mind trick on her,” Cody pointed out.

“Rainbow Dash, you had the chance to fly with the Wonderbolts at the Equestria Games, but instead you chose to compete with your friends,” said Twilight as she turned the pages again.

“Sure!” Rainbow replied, “But being loyal to my friends was why-”

“Ooh, my turn, my turn!” Pinkie interrupted as she stood in front of Rainbow.

“Pinkie Pie, you realized that seeing your friend laugh was more important than proving you were a better party planner than Cheese Sandwich,” said Twilight as she flipped through some more pages.

“Best party I’ve ever had,” Rainbow remarked as she wrapped an arm around Pinkie’s shoulder.

“It’s clear we’ve all had our moments to shine, Twilight, but I’m with Applejack. What does any of this have to do with the opening of the chest?” Rarity asked as she walked up to Rainbow and Pinkie.

“All of you had tough choices to make,” said Twilight, “But when you made the right one and embraced your element, it helped somepony else make the right choice too.” It was then views were seen of a cherry blossom barrette clip, a bit, a blue flower, a spool of rainbow colored thread, a gold Wonderbolt pin, and a rubber chicken. A rainbow flashed across each object.

“Each of you received something from the pony whose life you helped change,” Twilight continued as she closed the friendship journal, “I know it sounds crazy, but maybe there’s something special about those objects that could lead us to the location of the keys.” Twilight then walked away from the desk.

“The chest is connected to the Tree of Harmony,” Twilight pondered aloud, “the Tree is connected to the Elements, and the Elements are connected to all of us. There must be a connection! I hate to admit, but it maybe Discord was trying to be a good friend after all.”

Soon enough, Harmony Squad headed back to chamber of the Tree of Harmony where the chest was still residing quietly near the tree itself. Everypony had placed their five items on the ground and just stared at them.

“I don’t see anything on them that would give us a clue as to where the keys might be,” said Twilight, “They’re just ordinary, everyday objects.”

“Come on, Boneless!” said Pinkie as she shook the rubber chicken senseless, “Give us that key!” Cody and Sal watched Pinkie with bored looks on their faces.

“I don’t think that’s going to work,” said Twilight when suddenly Boneless came flying at the purple alicorn. Twilight ducked as Boneless headed toward and was suddenly captured inside a glow of magic from the chest. The rubber chicken then transformed into a golden key. Everyone gasped as the key floated into one of the keyholes.

Soon, everypony else that had put their items on top of the chest. The objects then floated into the air and transformed into a uniquely designed golden keys, which floated right into one of the key holes. Twilight looked at them all and noticed that one keyhole was missing.

“There’s still one key missing,” said Twilight, “The key that represents the Element of Magic. My element.”

“Oh, but I’m sure that if we’ve gotten our keys, you have too, Twilight,” Fluttershy replied.

“Think Twilight,” said Rarity as she walked up to the purple alicorn and rubbed the top of Spike’s head, “When have you completed a difficult magical task, and in doing so encouraged another pony to do the same?”

“I haven’t,” Twilight replied sadly, “If I had, I would have written about it in the journal.”

“Don’t worry Twilight,” said Spike, “I’m sure you’ll get your key eventually.”

Suddenly, he made some grunting noises and rushed away from the group before...BURP!...He made a scroll appear.

“It’s been a while since we’ve seen Spike do that,” Cody remarked as Twilight used her magic to grab the scroll and read it quickly.

“What’s it say?” Spike asked.

“That Cody and I are needed in Canterlot at once!” said Twilight with worry.

“Then what are waiting for!?” Cody replied quickly as he and his wife flew out of the cave and took off as the rest of the group watched the alicorns take to the skies, while Twilght teleported Cody.

It didn’t take the three of them long to reach Canterlot. Cody and Twilight headed straight for the main castle and rushed into the throne room. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Prince Blaze, Prince Dagger, and Cadance were already there waiting for them.

“We came as quickly as we could!” said Twilight as Cody and Sunset stood beside her, “Is something wrong? Is it Tirek?”

“I’m afraid we put too much trust in Discord and the effect that friendship would have upon him,” Princess Celestia replied.

“Discord has betrayed the ponies of Equestria, and joined forces with Tirek,” Princess Luna continued.

As the night princess was speaking, several unicorns were gathered inside of a theater waiting for the show to start. Discord then made his appearance wearing a magician’s outfit. The ponies just gave him funny looks as Discord set his hat on the stage. Out of the hat appeared Tirek, who removed his cloak. The ponies gasped and stood on guard when Tirek drained all their magic at once. Discord just applauded from a box seat above as Tirek got bigger, stronger, and was now getting younger. Tirek grinned triumphantly.

“How could he do this?!” Twilight exclaimed, “I thought our friendship meant something to him. I thought he had changed.”

“He did change, but the problem was that Discord is at a very dangerous stage of his reformation,” Cody replied, “He was at a point where he was most vulnerable to temptation. Clearly Tirek was able to manipulate Discord into thinking he could offer the draconequus something more valuable then friendship.”

“I’m afraid my son is correct,” said Princess Celestia, “But nevertheless, Discord’s betrayal has allowed Tirek to steal enough magic that he now has the strength to steal flight as well.” As Princess Celestia spoke, the Wonderbolts and several other Pegasi swoop down for an aerial attack against Discord and Tirek. But the centaur was able to drain their magic away, leaving them flightless and grounded.

“Without Pegasi to control the weather, there will be no rain in Equestria. There is word that he has gone after Earth ponies as well,” Princess Celestia continued. It was then that several Earth ponies were trying to run for their lives in Appleloosa when Discord tied them up and reeled them in with a fishing rod. Tirek then appeared from a nearby saloon and glared evilly at them.

“Without their strength, they will not be able to tend the land,” Princess Celestia finished.

“Ponies will no longer be in control of their world, that power will solely belong to Tirek,” Princess Luna said.

“There is no doubt that Tirek is after Alicorn magic. With Discord at his side, we will not be to stop him from taking it,” Princess Celestia added.

“Once it is in his possession, his power will know no bounds, and all hope will be lost,” Princess Luna finished.

“Oh boy. Mom, as much as I want to do everything I can to help you recover from this mess, I just don’t think my wife and I can,” Cody said.

Twilight had a sad look on her face as she nodded in agreement. It was then the three Princesses landed before Twilight and Cody, making them take a step back.

“Don’t give up hope my son. Trust in the Force,” Blaze replied.

“While trusting Discord wasn’t the best decision, I can admit to that there is one solution,” Princess Celestia added firmly, getting the couple’s attention, “It is only by making this sacrifice that Equestria and the lands beyond it might be saved.”

“Sacrifice?” Cody asked as he and Twilight had worried looks on their faces.

“We must rid ourselves of our magic before Tirek has a chance to steal it from us!” Princess Celestia announced.

Twilight, Cody, and Sunset gasped in utter shock.

Chapter 8: Twilight’s Kingdom - Part II

Once the married trio had recovered, Princess Luna continued the conversation.

“Tirek is set on possessing Alicorn magic,” Princess Luna continued, “When he comes for us, we cannot have what he is looking for.”

“I’m more than willing to do my part and give up my magic,” said Twilight firmly.

“As am I,” Sunset added in the same tone.

“You both misunderstand,” said Princess Luna, “Our magic cannot just disappear into thin air. Somepony must keep it safe.”

“That somepony is you, Twilight,” Cadance added.

“Why me?” Twilight asked curiously.

“We do not believe that Tirek is aware that a fourth and fifth Alicorn princess exist in Equestria,” Princess Celestia explained, “If we transfer our magic to you, Tirek will not know where it has gone.”

“We also believe that Tirek is unaware of the fact that there are three human Jedi in the royal family,” Prince Blaze added.

“It’s only wishful thinking, Mom,” Cody said, “Plus you cannot forget that Tirek has Discord on his side. Who’s to say Discord hasn’t already told Tirek about us, father?”

“It’s possible he might find out whether or not Discord tells him,” Blaze replied.

“I agree,” Dagger added.

“Nevertheless, I believe this solution is the best way we can save our magic from falling into Tirek’s clutches,” Princess Celestia said.

“Do you understand what we’re asking of you?” Cadance asked.

“Yes,” Twilight replied timidly as she opened her wings, “It’s just...Sunset and I are only now learning how to control our own Alicorn magic. To take on more-”

“Twilight, you represent the element of magic. If there’s anypony who can do this, it’s you,” Cadance interrupted as she walked up to the two alicorns. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna nodded in agreement.

“Taking on this task will be one of the most difficult things we’ll ever do, but with the help of our friends-” said Twilight as Cody and Sunset nodded in agreement.

“I’m sorry, Princess Twilight and Princess Sunset, but you must keep your new abilities a secret,” Princess Celestia replied.

“What?!” Sunset interjected.

“I fear that your friends being aware of your new power could put them at great risk,” Princess Celestia explained as she took a step forward.

“Isn’t that already inevitable at this point?” Cody pointed out, “If Discord has already revealed our presence to Tirek...”

“All the more reason for you to keep these powers a secret so neither Tirek or Discord can use your friends against you,” Princess Celestia replied, “Keeping this secret will keep them safe. Do you and Twilight think you can take on this responsibility?” Cody looked over to his wife, waiting to see what she wanted to do.

“This is the role we’re meant to play as a princess and a prince of Equestria,” Twilight replied with determination, “We will not fail in our duty!” Cody sighed.

“We’re taking a huge risk doing this plan, Mom,” Cody said but then smiled, “But if there’s one thing my wives and I are good at, it’s succeeding even when the stakes are high. Let’s do it!”

“Then we must begin at once,” Princess Celestia replied. Sunset nodded as she made her horn glow and tap the tip with Twilight’s. The three princesses gathered around Twilight and Sunset as they made their horns glow brightly. Cody, Blaze, and Dagger stood watch. Then their eyes glowed white as three magic beams merged above Twilight and Sunset, creating a giant orb of pure magical energy that was about the size of a miniature planetoid. Twilight and Sunset cringed nervously as the orb shot a beam right at the two alicorns and headed directly at them.

Elsewhere, Tirek was busy draining some more ponies of their magic to increase his own strength and stature. Discord just watched a short distance away with a devious smirk on his face when his body suddenly wobbled about. Discord then shivered nervously.

“That can’t be right,” Discord muttered.

“What can’t be right?” Tirek asked.

“Nothing,” Discord replied quickly, “Carry on.” Tirek just walked away to collect some more magic as Discord just looked at two already drained unicorns.

Back at Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Cadance were now sitting on the floor, looking very drained. They turned to see Twilight and Sunset hovering in the air as their eyes and bodies were glowing white as the three princesses approached them. Once their hooves touched the ground, Twilight and Sunset closed their eyes to get the glow out. The two alicorns then rushed over to Princess Celestia and hugged her, each of them shedding a tear as they did so. Twilight and Sunset both gasped when they saw that by draining her magic, Princess Celestia no longer had her cutie mark. Princess Luna and Cadance lifted their wings to show that their cutie marks were gone as well.

“It is done,” said Princess Celestia, clearly out of breath and physically drained.

“Will you be alright?” Cody asked, not hiding how worried his was feeling.

“We will manage, dear nephew,” said Princess Luna bravely.

“Just focus on keeping our magic safe, Twilight and Sunset,” Cadance added, “And more importantly, don’t lose hope, little cuz. Everything will be alright.” Cody felt like he was about to cry, but managed to recompose himself as he gave Cadance a brave nod.

“May the Force be with you,” Princess Celestia said as the married trio left the castle.

It was already dark when Twilight, Cody, and Sunset returned home to Ponyville. Mostly because they had to find a quiet way back to avoid drawing any attention to themselves and that meant it took most of the night to even get back to the Library. The three of them then tried to tip-toe about as quietly as they could, especially since they saw that Spike was sound asleep in his basket. At least Spike was asleep until he decided to wake up at that very moment they walked by.

“You three weren’t gone very long,” Spike remarked as he sat up from his basket, “Does that mean everything’s okay?”

“Yep!” said Twilight replied quickly as she turned around to face him, “Everything’s fine!” Twilight then chuckled nervously as her horn sparkled a bit and some books went floating behind them. Cody and Sunset just gave a squeaky smile and said nothing. Good cause or not, they were not going to lie to Spike or anypony else...unless Twilight got herself tongue tied or something.

“In that case,” said Spike, “I’m going back to bed. Sun’s not up...and neither am I.” Spike then went back to sleep.

“That’s strange,” said Twilight to Cody, “The sun should be up by now...” Cody looked at his pocket watch. He and Twilight gasped once they came to a realization.

“The sun should be up by now!” they said together as they rushed to their bedroom and looked out the window to see the moon still high in the sky.

“You can do this,” said Twilight to herself as she made her horn glow and sparkle. Twilight tried to focus as hard as she could, which caused the moon to wobble a bit in its orbit. Sunset just kept her horn glowing so her magic was steady. Twilight was focusing so intensively that she started to float in the air, her mane and tail even started flowing a bit.

“She’d be gorgeous with a constantly flowing mane and tail,” Cody remarked.

Suddenly, the moon went down really fast and then started moving randomly about the sky. The sun and moon switched places in the sky a few times before Twilight and Sunset finally got the moon to stabilize and focused on getting their side of the planet to face the sun.

Back in Canterlot, the randomly moving sun had not gone unnoticed as Shining Armor and two guards were outside the castle. Suddenly, the two guards behind Shining Armor floated into the air and Shining Armor found that his captain’s helmet was missing.

“Shining Armor, why whatever are you doing here?” Discord asked as he made himself known wearing Shining Armor’s helmet.

“Back off, traitor,” Shining Armor snapped angrily as he shoved Discord away.

“The only one Discord betrayed was himself,” said Tirek as he appeared while draining the magic out of one of the guards and dropped him, “Abandoning his true nature to make friends with weak-minded equines who offer him nothing!”

Shining Armor fired a magic blast at Tirek, but the centaur grabbed the magic blast with his hand, smashed into a tiny orb and ate it. He then grabbed Shining’s head and drained the stallion of his magic. Discord watched as Shining Armor collapsed to the floor.

“How...could you...do this?” Shining Armor asked Discord weakly before passing out. Discord looked slightly unnerved. It was almost as if...he was starting to feel a little guilty...

“Why don’t you go and have a little fun?” Tirek told Discord as he wrapped an arm around the draconequus’s shoulders, “I won’t stand in your way.” Tirek then walked away. Discord just looked around for a moment before he chuckled deviously to himself.

Inside of the castle throne room, Princess Celestia just sat tiredly on her throne while Princess Luna and Cadance sat along the sides. Blaze and Dagger sat close to their respective wives and supported them. They were just doing their best to conserve their energy and wait for the inevitable. Just then, the room began to rumble. Princess Celestia slowly sat up as Tirek allowed himself into the throne room by smashing through the front door. He then tossed the broken pieces aside and marched right up to Princess Celestia. He then used his magic, which caused a yellow orb to appear between his horns every time he did so, and picked up Princess Celestia and inhaled. He was stunned to see that nothing happened.

“What have you done?!” Tirek demand as Princess Celestia just smirked and said nothing. Tirek then grabbed Princess Luna and tried to inhale her magic, but got nothing. He then did the same with Cadance with the same results.

“Where is your magic?!” Tirek demanded angrily, but none of the three princesses said a word.

Back at the Ponyville library, bright glows were seen from outside as Twilight and Sunset were struggling to keep their magic under control. They both decided to make their exit, but then realized the hard way just how much their magic had been powered up when they blasted the door to pieces.

“We have to gain better control,” said Twilight quietly to her husband, “We sure can’t practice here.”

“You’re right. Come on!” Sunset then ran off with Twilight and Cody right behind her. Neither pony noticed that Spike had been watching them and quickly ran off after them.

“Uh, Twilight? Sunset? Where are we goin’?” Spike asked, panting as he tried to keep pace behind them.

“Oh, uh, hi, Spike,” said Twilight nervously, “Uh, gotta go...somewhere...else...”

“See ya!” Sunset added quickly before she and Twilight literally rocketed into the sky, creating a explosive sonic boom as they took off and sent Spike flying away.

“Waaaaaah! Whoa!” Twilight screamed as she flew at a speed she was not used to at all.

“Woo! Now this is what I call flying at top speed!” Sunset called out, enjoying the high speed, but not for long.

“How do you fly moving this fast?!” Twilight retorted fearfully as Sunset flew beside her.

“With lots of practice and control, just hold onto my hand and I’ll keep you in steady. Just keep calm and I’ll guide you.”

Twilight did just that as they both zoomed right past Rainbow, who was just observing the town from a small cloud. Then their shockwave knocked Rainbow backward and off her white cloud. She recognized the purple and orange colored streaks flying away.

“Whoa! Twilight? Sunset?” Rainbow said in surprise as she tried to chase after her. Down below, Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack, Sal, and Bucky had seen the two alicorns flying at high speed.

“Coming through!” Cody said, running by the others.

The three ponies shared concerned looks before they chased after Cody and the two alicorns. Fluttershy had been talking with Bucky when she noticed the two alicorns flying above.

It was then Sunset figured that she and Twilight should just get back on the ground to the avoid drawing any unwanted attention to themselves.

“Okay. Now let’s just take the descent nice and gentle...Oh! Oh! Twi...Twi! Not so fast, not so fast, not so fast!”

“Yiiiipe!” Twilight screamed as she and Sunset headed to the ground. They both made a hard landing before they skidded several yards across the ground before coming to a complete stop.

“Ooh!” Twilight yelped once they had stopped skidding.

“That was...a pretty good landing coming in that fast,” Cody said, having caught up to his wives, “Good job, girls.” Twilight gave him a smile but then noticed that the others were in front of them.

“Oh, my goodness, are you two all right?” said Fluttershy.

“Jumpin’ junebugs, Twilight and Sunset! When did you two learn to fly that fast?” Applejack asked. Twilight and Sunset then twitched from a minor surge of their magic before they began to sweat heavily.

“We must have caught a particularly strong breeze...or something,” Twilight said sheepishly before she and Sunset teleported themselves between Rarity and Applejack.

“Must have been “or something”, because there wasn’t any breeze up there,” Rainbow remarked.

“I don’t know what happened, but we don’t really have time to figure that out right now.” Twilight replied then got another twitch but just smiled innocently.

“Right, babe?” Twilight asked. Cody blinked before shaking his head.

“Y-y-yes Twily, we’ve got more important things to worry about,” Cody replied.

Cody, Twilight, and Sunset headed toward the Everfree Forest.

“Another visit to the Castle of the Two Sisters, I presume?” Rarity asked as she and the others gave Twilight, Cody, and Sunset over the top smiles, “We’d be more than happy to accompany you!”

“Not today!” Twilight replied as she got another magic twitch and Sunset quickly made her horn glow discreetly to stabilize her magic.

“We’d rather just have our trio time together if you don’t mind,” Cody added.

“Tirek may still be a threat,” said Twilight, “I need you all to stay here and encourage everypony to stay inside.”

Twilight and Sunset tried to take off again, but Cody placed his hands on their wings and shook his head. Twilight and Sunset just closed her wings and the three of them walked off together. The others just watched the trio disappear into the distance with worried and puzzled looks on their faces.

Meanwhile back in Canterlot Castle, Tirek was just sitting comfortably on Princess Celestia’s throne while the three princesses, along with Princes Blaze and Dagger were forced to sit before him on the floor.

“Getting rid of your magic so that I cannot take it from you?” Tirek asked, “That was your plan? How does it feel knowing that soon, every Pegasus, unicorn, and Earth pony will bow to my will, and that there is nothing you can do to stop it?” Prince Blaze, Prince Dagger, and the three princesses glared as Tirek made orbs of each pony tribe appear with his magic and then crushed all the orbs with his hands.

“You will not prevail, Tirek,” Princess Celestia retorted bravely. Tirek then used his magic to create a rectangular portal that lead straight to Tartarus.

“Give my regards to Cerberus,” said Tirek smugly as he used his magic to toss the five of them into the portal and sealed it shut.

“You meant our will, didn’t you?” Discord asked as he appeared and started animating a stained glass window with him treating the glass murals of the three princesses like string puppets.

“Of course,” Tirek replied as he walked up to Discord and gave him a necklace with an upside down triangle medallion on it, “Here, I want you to have something. This was given to me by someone very close to me. I give it to you as a sign of my gratitude and loyalty.”

“Oh, my!” said Discord as he admired and tugged his goatee, “I do love a good accessory. I suppose that’s Rarity’s influence.” Discord then created a stained glass mural of him and Tirek. Discord was riding on Tirek’s back as they held swords in the air that crossed. Well...Discord held a foot long sandwich which Tirek’s sword cut off a piece of it. Tirek laughed.

“Amusing,” Tirek remarked as he walked away, “But we have no time for such a things. With the princesses out of the way, we can now-” Tirek than stopped in his tracks when he saw the mural of Twilight and Sunset ascending into Alicorn status.

“Are this meant to be humorous?!” Tirek demanded angrily.

“Oh no, I haven’t touched that one yet,” Discord answered calmly.

“There’s a fourth? And a fifth?!” Tirek exclaimed, “And you didn’t tell me this?!”

“I just needed assurance that you truly considered this a team effort. And now I have it.” Tirek then grabbed Discord by the neck.

“Then where can we find these fourth and fifth princesses?” Tirek demanded darkly, “Where is their castle?”

“Castle?” Discord replied and laughed, “No, Princesses Twilight and Sunset, along with their husband, Prince Cody live above a library in Ponyville. Castle?” Discord laughed again as Tirek let go of him.

“Not for much longer,” said Tirek sinisterly as he rubbed his hands together and used his magic to melt the stained glass mural.

“However, Prince Cody is a Jedi like his father, Prince Blaze. The Jedi were peacekeepers serving the old Republic for 1,000 years and I was once a member of the Sith Order, who are their enemies, on my travels beyond Equestria during my reign of chaos. I trained under Darth Bane before he created the Rule of Two, but I was eventually excommunicated from the Sith for being ‘too comedic’,” Discord explained, “I advise you not to underestimate Prince Cody, so I give you my old Sith holocron and lightsaber since you gave me that necklace. May they serve you well.”

“So they shall. None shall stand in my way now,” Tirek said deviously as he activated the lightsaber, revealing a red blade on both sides. He then chuckled evilly. He was completely unaware that Blueblood was following close behind him with his hood up.

Out in the streets of Ponyville, the rest of Harmony Squad had just gathered together. The rest of the streets were empty and several houses had their windows boarded up.

“Alright, y’all,” said Applejack, “I think we’ve warned everypony to stay inside.”

“I’m sure Discord will catch Tirek and this will all be over soon,” Fluttershy replied.

“I’ll bet he takes his sweet time,” said Rainbow bitterly.

“Or perhaps these things just take time,” a familiar voice spoke up. They all looked to see Discord standing nearby.

“You’re back!” Fluttershy gasped as she jumped into his arms for a hug and then hovered before him, “Did you bring your cucumber sandwiches?” Discord then used his magic to make a plate of cucumber sandwiches appear on a plate.

“I did,” Discord replied before dumping them into the ground, “I imagine they’ll be your last descent meal for quite some time.”

Before the five mares, Spike, and the two men could react, Discord imprisoned them inside of a metal cage. The girls, Sal, Bucky, and Spike all shouted exclamations of shock and puzzlement.

“Ta-da!” Discord cheered as Tirek arrived behind the cage.

“You’ve gathered up all of them?” Tirek asked him as he leaned on top of the cage.

“And her little dragon, too,” said Discord as he pointed a fore-finger at Spike. Spike tried to bite the finger, but Discord pulled away just in time to avoid being bitten. Fluttershy was crying as Applejack held the yellow Pegasus close for comfort. The orange pony also glared angrily at Discord.

“Why are you doing this?” Fluttershy sobbed, “I thought we were friends!”

“Oh, we were,” said Discord, “But Tirek offered me so much more than just tea parties. Surely, you saw this coming.”

“I didn’t,” Fluttershy cried as she looked away, “I really didn’t.”

The others gave Discord bitter glares as Fluttershy wept. Discord couldn’t make eye contact with any of them. Tirek didn’t bother to wait for Fluttershy to finish crying before he lifted the cage with his magic and sucked the magic out of everypony inside it, Spike included. Discord looked away until the deed was done. Tirek then dropped the cage into the ground and his body and strength grew far more than it had from draining any of the other ponies of their magic. Blueblood silently cackled at this while keeping a low profile.

“You really think they’d do anything for them?” Tirek asked.

“If Twilight and Sunset have magic to give, it will be yours. Soon there won’t be a Pegasus, Earth pony, or unicorn who will be able to stand up against us,” Discord said.

“Us?” Tirek exclaimed, “Who said anything about us?”

“You did,” said Discord, but was given the shock of his life when Tirek lifted him into the air with his magic.

“You’ve helped me grow strong, you’ve provided the means by which I can obtain Princess Twilight’s and Princess Sunset’s magic, and now you are no longer of any use to me.”

Discord looked sadly back at the group. Just then, Tirek inhaled all of his chaotic magic. Then the centaur let him go so the draconequus landed hard on his stomach.

“But you said this was a sign of your gratitude and loyalty,” Discord protested weakly as he showed Tirek the madallion, “A gift from someone close to you.”

“My brother who betrayed me,” Tirek answered, “It is as worthless as he is.” Discord now understood how it felt to be betrayed as Tirek stomped away.

“Surely, you saw this comin’,” said Applejack.

“I didn’t,” Discord replied sadly, “I truly didn’t...” For once, the draconequus was telling the truth.

Meanwhile, Twilight, Cody, and Sunset were just sitting together at the edge of a cliff above the Castle of the Two Sisters.

“We can do this,” Twilight said then narrowed her eyes.

“Yes we can,” Sunset replied.

Twilight and Sunset then made their horns glow, then teleported from the top of the cliff to a lower ledge.

“See! Ha!” Twilight said confidently, “Perfectly controlled teleportation.”

“Great job hon-” Before Cody could complement his wives, the two alicorns teleported themselves and their husband to one of the towers of Canterlot, a cliff overlooking a large waterfall, on top of some rampaging bison, and literally, caught between a rock and a hard place.

“Oh for crying out loud!” Sunset grumbled.

“Aw karabast,” Cody groaned. Twilight growled.

“Um... he wasn’t venting at you,” Sunset told her calmly. Twilight blinked and huffed.

“I know,” Twilight replied.

“PRINCESS TWILIGHT! PRINCESS SUNSET! PRINCE CODY!”

Twilight, Cody, and Sunset gasped.

“Tirek!” they exclaimed together.

“You have something that belongs to me!” Tirek shouted. Twilight and Sunset made their horns glow and blasted their way out of the large rock. They rocketed into the sky at high speed, while carrying Cody. Now Twilight and Sunset had better control of their speed and zoomed past Tirek before he could react. The two alicorns then looked back and tried to land, but just like last time, they ended up skidding several yards forward before they smacked into one of Tirek’s fore-hooves. They both looked up to see Tirek glaring and looking down at them as they backed away.

“You three are going to give me what I want!” Tirek demanded as he went to inhale but Sunset and Twilight teleported away with Cody before Tirek could take their magic. The three of them arrived at the upper most balcony of the Library. Twilight quickly used her telescope to locate Tirek while Cody pulled out his macrobinoculars to search as well. Once they saw Tirek in the distance, the centaur looked in their direction and fired a giant magic blast at them!

KA-BOOOOOOOOOOOM!

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” Twilight, Cody, and Sunset screamed as they were tossed away from the explosion and landed nearly as pieces of papers and book covered in flames rained down from the sky. Twilight, Sunset, and Cody had grabbed Owlowiscious, Padme, and R5 respectively in their arms and held them close when they landed hard on the ground outside. The married trio gasped as the library was destroyed. They had lost their home.

“Padme, grab R5 and get him out of here,” Cody told his pet aviserpen.

Twilight and Sunset were now very angry.

“No more running away,” Sunset said softly with her teeth clenched.

“Time to deploy our secret weapon!” Cody added.

Twilight and Sunset teleported a specially made battle suit that they built with Cody and the others. The suit was shrunken flat on the ground. Twilight, Sunset, and Cody used their powers to stand it up and the two alicorns cast an enlarging spell to restore the suit to full size.

“Remind me again, what is that?” Sunset asked.

“It’s a battle suit meant to fight supersized opponents. Behold, the Iron Jedi,” Cody replied.

The Iron Jedi was roughly 15 meters tall and it was made from old Clone War wreckage on Christophsis salvaged by the Freemakers. The suit’s mega-saber was powered by a giant kyber crystal, also from Christophsis. It was also equipped with thrusters on the back and on the bottom of its feet.

Together they exchanged firm nods, opened their wings, and then teleported with Cody to Tirek. They both gritted their teeth as they flew toward the centaur at high speed. Cody activated the thrusters on his battle suit and charged towards Tirek.

Twilight and Sunset combined their magic to launch a very strong and powerful magic beam. Tirek did his best to block, but the magic beam amplified in size and strength, knocking Tirek backward as the magic beam combusted into a massive explosion behind him. Tirek glared as Twilight and Sunset landed, glaring at him angrily.

“Now I understand what your fellow princesses have done!” Tirek bragged.

“Good! ‘cause you gonna wish you stayed in Tartarus when we’re through with you!” Sunset yelled.

Twilight and Sunset then charged up their horns before taking off into the sky so fast that the ground rumbled. A purple and peach colored streak could be seen as behind them as they flew about the skies side by side, but this time, they were in full control of their speed. Tirek then fired a magic beam at the two alicorns but Twilight put up a shield around herself, Cody, and Sunset to block the attack. Then both alicorns flew right through the magic blast unharmed and landed before Tirek. Together, they fired a magic beam at his face. Tirek grunted angrily before pushing the beam away with his hand. He then used his magic to pick up Cody, Twilight, and Sunset. The three of them fought to break free but Tirek tossed them both away.

“Yaaaaaaaaaaaah!” Twilight, Cody, and Sunset screamed as they were sent flying into a mountain far away in the background. Both alicorns put up barriers around their bodies to minimize damage from the impact.

“Is that the best you can do?!” Sunset snapped.

Tirek replied by lunging at Cody and both alicorns and burrowed right through the mountain. Twilight and Sunset struggled to climb onto Tirek’s back. They then teleported themselves above Tirek, charged up their horns and fired a magic blast at Tirek from above. The impact caused a shock wave that sent Tirek crashing to the ground, making Tirek grunt. Twilight and Sunset then fired a powerful blast at Tirek from above, which created a large explosion. Cody and the two alicorns then landed and noticed that Tirek was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, the ground began to rumble as Tirek used his magic to cut up the chunk of ground Twilight, Cody, and Sunset were standing on. He then tossed the chunk away with Cody and the two alicorns standing on it. Twilight, Cody, and Sunset flew off before the chunk smashed into the ground behind them. Tirek roared angrily as he slammed the ground with his fist, making it rumble and produce several crags. landed and used his naturally fast ground speed to maneuver around the crags, even doing a large black flip from one crag to the next. Twilight and Sunset stayed in the air, blasting and dodging the crags, while Cody sliced some in half with the mega-saber. Sunset then front flipped into the skies to fly beside her as Tirek fired another magic blast.

Twilight and Sunset charged up their horns and fired another combined magic blast. The three magic blasts collided...

BOOOOOOOOM!

...creating a massive explosion. When the dust settled, Tirek was buried alive under some rocks, but managed to free himself without any trouble as Twilight, Cody, and Sunset approached him.

“It appears we are at an impasse,” said Tirek.

“Why?! What’s the matter, Tirek? Had enough?!” Sunset taunted angrily and gritted her teeth. Tirek smirked deviously.

“How about a trade, Princess Twilight and Princess Sunset?” Tirek offered as he snapped his fingers and made several bubbles appear. Inside of them were the rest of the girls, Spike, and Discord. They all had sad looks on their faces.

“Their release for all the Alicorn magic in Equestria,” Tirek proposed. Twilight and Sunset gasped, seeing that their friends had already been drained of their magic. The others shouted protests to Twilight and Sunset, except for Discord, who just sat quietly in his bubble feeling sorry for himself.

“What’s it going to be, Princess and Prince?” Tirek asked. Twilight had a very worried look on her face as Sunset growled and gritted her teeth. Cody just glared at the centaur. Neither of them was sure of what to do and even Cody wasn’t sure if he could capture all the bubbles with the Force and not risking harm to anypony.

“Don’t do it, Twilight and Sunset!” Rainbow shouted.

“We aren’t worth it!” Fluttershy added.

“Oh but you are, Fluttershy,” said Discord sadly to Fluttershy, “You’re the pony who taught me that friendship is magic. I had magic and friendship, and now I don’t have either.”

Twilight, Cody, and Sunset looked at Discord sympathetically. As much as they wanted to be angry with him and give him a piece of their minds, neither of them had ever seen the draconequus look so guilty and ashamed. The fact he was even imprisoned in a bubble was proof that Discord truly understood how it felt to be betrayed and that what he had done was wrong.

“Enough!” Tirek snapped, having enough emotional moments, “I want an answer, and I want it now!” Twilight then looked at her friends when she saw a color band flash across each bubble. Then a rainbow flashed over her eyes.

“We will give you our magic, in exchange for our friends,” Twilight told Tirek as Sunset nodded in agreement. Everypony else gasped in complete shock.

“As you wish,” said Tirek as he snapped his fingers to lower the bubbles to free all but Discord. The others looked up to see Discord still inside his bubble.

“All of our friends,” Twilight demanded.

“Now!” Cody added.

“After the way he has betrayed you, you still call him a “friend”?” Tirek asked.

“Discord is not a bad draconequus, he just made a bad decision!” Cody replied.

“Release him!” Twilight demanded.

“If that’s what you want,” Tirek replied as he snapped his fingers to make the bubble land and pop, releasing the draconequus beside Fluttershy.

“Thank you, Twilight and Cody,” said Discord before turning to Fluttershy, “I’m sorry.”

“I know,” said Fluttershy sadly with watery eyes as she looked away.

“Your turn,” said Tirek deviously as he inhaled both Twilight and Sunset’s magic at once. The two alicorns screamed in pain before collapsing to their sides in exhaustion.

“Twilight! Sunset!” Cody cried out in sadness.

“YES!” Tirek roared in triumph as his body more than doubled in size and strength.

One could say that Tirek had now achieved his “perfect” form. He then walked away as Twilight and Sunset struggled to sit up. Cody got out of his suit and helped his wives up as rest of Harmony Squad gathered around them.

“Twilight, Sunset, what were you thinking?!” Spike asked.

“Tirek tricked me into believing that he could offer me something more valuable then friendship,” Discord explained as he showed the group the necklace, “But there is nothing worth more. I see that now. He lied when he said that this medallion was given as a sign of his gratitude and loyalty. But when I say that it is a sign of our true friendship, I am telling the truth.” Discord then put the medallion around Twilight’s neck as a rainbow shined across it. Twilight then gasped as the purple color in her eyes returned.

“You think that might be the last one we need?” Applejack asked.

“I think it is,” Cody replied.

“We have to get to the chest,” said Twilight as she ran off while the others, including Discord following behind.

Harmony Squad made their way to the Tree of Harmony and gathered around the chest. Twilight then held up her medallion by the chest. The medallion was then grabbed by a magical glow, transformed into her key, and it put itself into the final keyhole. Twilight, Cody, and Sunset smiled. Just then, there a loud rumbling. Outside, Tirek had made his way toward the Castle of the Two Sisters and was using his magic to devastate the Everfree Forest. As this happened, Blueblood had kept trailing Tirek for some time.

“Together!” Twilight told the others, “I think we have to do this together!”

Cody noticed Tirek causing mayhem and saw a growth potion in a beaker when a rainbow flashed over his eyes and appeared in the middle of his eyes. He narrowed his brow in determination.

“I know what to do,” said Cody to the others, “You girls focus on using your keys to open the chest. I am going to stall Tirek!”

“WHAT?!” the others exclaimed.

“Cody, that’s crazy!” Twilight protested.

“I need you to trust me. Can you do that for me?” Cody asked. Twilight was afraid, but she smiled bravely.

“I trust you,” Twilight said softly as Cody smiled and headed up to face Tirek alone.

He then took the growth potion and poured it into a storage tank, making it grow to 50 meters tall. While Twilight did trust Cody, she and the others rushed to the outside of the cave. They were anxious to see what would happen. Cody then stood before Tirek, who had immediately noticed him.

“What do you want, Jedi?” Tirek demanded.

“To stop you from destroying all of Equestria!” Cody said bravely, “Behold, the Iron Jedi!”

“Be gone with you!” Tirek shouted as he launched a giant magic blast at Cody, but he blocked it with the mega-saber.

“You called your brother a fool and a traitor for embracing the magic of friendship,” said Cody boldly, “but now that same magic that you despised will be your downfall!” Tirek roared angrily as Cody stood up in battle position. The Battle of the Titans was about to begin. Tirek gave a loud laugh.

“I’d like to see you try and hurt me with your giant suit of armor,” Tirek challenged.

The centaur fired more magic blasts at Cody, only to deflect them back at him.

“My turn,” Cody said.

He then turned off the mega-saber and activated the laser repulsors on the suit’s hands, then blasted the evil centaur. Tirek tried to counter with his own magic blasts, but Cody intensified the repulsor blasts and scored a hit on him, knocking him down.

“Impressive, but I’ve got some goods of my own,” Tirek said, as he got back up.

He then activated the double-sided lightsaber Discord gave him earlier. Cody activated the mega-saber and the two began dueling.

Meanwhile, each of the mares placed a hand over their own key as they turned them at the same time. The top of the chest began to glow as a rainbow shot out of it and entered the Element of Magic in the Tree of Harmony. Some magical energy then flowed out of the center of the tree and entered the other elements. Strong magical power beams then descended onto the six ponies. Twilight just embraced the magical energy and smiled as she and the rest of the girls disappeared and were encased inside magical orbs. Then each orb burst to reveal that each pony had powered up.

Pinkie had blue and yellow balloon decals on both her hooves, her cutie mark restored, as well as a yellow, orange, and blue stripe in her pink mane and tail. Rainbow had lightning bolt marks on both her hooves as well as along the outer sides of her eyes as well as her restored cutie mark. Her wings were now rainbow colored and her mane was longer, thicker, and more spiky. The same could be said about her tail, which was loosely shaped like a lightning bolt. Applejack had apple decals on both her hooves in red and green. Unlike the other restored cutie marks, hers had been altered to feature a giant apple surrounded by two smaller apples. Her mane and tail, which were thicker and longer, now had red and lilac highlights in them and her hair ties were now giant green ribbons. Her stenson hat also had an apple decal on it. Fluttershy had various colored butterfly decals on both her hooves with her restored cutie mark. Her wings had a turquoise stripe in the middle with dark pink on the ends of each wing as well as pink heart decals on the outer tips of her feathers. Her mane and tail had grown in length as well as volume and had highlights of sea-blue, cyan, and lilac.

Rarity had diamond decals that were not just on both her hooves, but also had white outlines of diamond decals on her mane and tail. Her cutie mark was now one giant blue diamond with three smaller diamonds on the left side. Her mane and tail were also longer and had more volume as well. They also had stripes of pale blue, violet, and yellow highlights in them. Unlike her regular mane and tail styles, the curls were more defined at the very ends of each section of her hair. Her tail was also divided into two strands that had their own large curl at the end. Finally, Twilight had white and pale yellow diamond stars on both her hooves that sparkled in the light along with her restored cutie mark. Her wings now had bands of magenta and purple on them. Her mane and tail had an additional stripe of yellow and violet running through them. The other powered up ponies, gathered around Twilight before they flew out of the cave.

Back outside, Cody and Tirek were still engaged in an intense lightsaber duel. It wasn’t long until Cody put Tirek on the defensive and destroyed the Sith lightsaber. Tirek then blasted Cody with lightning coming out of his hands. Cody managed to block the lightning bolts and direct them back at him, leaving the centaur struggling to recover. Once he did, Tirek charged at Cody while blasting him, only for the latter to block his blasts. It was then that Tirek used his magically enhanced strength to rip an arm and a leg off the Iron Jedi suit, knocking it over. He then squeezed the arm carrying the mega-saber and damaged it.

Cody then activated the self destruct button, which sent him ejecting out of the suit before it exploded in front of Tirek’s face, creating a blast so powerful that it knocked Tirek over. Cody managed to land safely on the ground. Just as Tirek recovered from the explosion, he and Cody looked to the side and saw a giant orb rise into the air with six familiar ponies inside. Tirek angrily shot a magic blast at the giant orb, but his attack was easily blocked.

“How is this possible?!” said Tirek, “You have no magic!”

“You’re wrong Tirek!” Twilight replied boldly as the other girls hovered around her, “Sunset and I may have given you our Alicorn magic, but I carry within me the most powerful magic of all!” The Mane six used their Rainbow power to blast Tirek, causing him to scream as his entire body was engulfed by both a bright light and the rainbow as his body released all the magic he had captured. In the process, his body rapidly shrunk in size and stature until he was reduced to his powerless state. Blueblood immediately came out of hiding, then seized the opportunity and decapitated Tirek with a swing of lightsabers. He then left the area, heading back to his ship before anyone could see him.

Cody and the Mane six were encased inside a gigantic orb of raw magic. They soon reached the center of all Equestria where they were so high in the sky that they could see the entire land before them.

The Mane six separated into three groups of two. Cody, Rarity, and Twilight headed toward Canterlot, where Shining Armor and his two guards were still sitting on the floor of the bridge. Then Shining Armor found that he could make his horn glow again and stood up, feeling her magic, strength, and cutie mark had been restored. He gave Rarity and Twilight a smile to say thank you. Fluttershy and Rainbow flew over to the group of grounded and weakened Wonderbolts and other Pegasi. They were quickly restored of their own magic, cutie marks, and their ability to fly again. Muffins especially was very pleased as Rainbow and Fluttershy flew in front of her. In Appleloosa, Applejack and Pinkie hopped about excitedly before the still drained Earth ponies as the magic wave went past them, restoring their magic, strength, and their cutie marks. The Earth ponies began to smile and dance happily. Finally, inside the prison hold where the three drained Alicorn princesses were chained and held captive. The restoration of magic in Equestria caused Princess Celestia’s chains to dissolve and soon the sun Princess found that her horn was glowing to show her magic and cutie mark had been restored. The same happened with Princess Luna and Cadance. The three princesses, along with Princes Blaze and Dagger quickly made their way out of Tartarus.

The Mane Six and returned before the Tree of Harmony via another magic orb. They quickly teleported out of it and exchanged smiles with each other as their bodies stopped glowing, but retained their powered up forms. They watched as the giant orb hovered above the chest and was absorbed back into it.

Harmony Squad was then startled when the Tree of Harmony gave off a bright light and the ground began to rumble. A huge rainbow broke through the ground above them and ascended into the sky before descending on the other side of Ponyville. The chest then rose into the air and traveled along the rainbow road until it reached the other side. The chest immediately planted itself into the ground. Only a few seconds passed before a bright light appeared and a giant crystal castle tree sprouted from the surface. It also had a pair of flag banners hanging from a pole on the left side. Cody and the Mane six were teleported before the new castle. It was then that the Mane Six powered down. Together, they started at the castle in awe and amazement.

“Sweet Celestia!” said Rarity, “Are you all seeing what I’m seeing?”

“But...whose is it?” Twilight asked as Cody and Sunset pondered.

“I believe it is yours, Cody, Princesses Twilight and Sunset,” said a voice. Cody and the Mane Six turned to see Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Cadance, Prince Blaze, Prince Dagger, Spike, Sal, Bucky, and R5 standing before them. Discord appeared from behind the group and gave them a friendly wave before standing beside Spike.

“You have been wondering what you are meant to do as princesses,” Princess Celestia told Twilight, Sunset, and Cody as she lead the entire group down one of the castle hallways, “Do you know now?”

“As princesses, I believe we have the power to spread the magic of friendship across Equestria,” Twilight answered.

“And to spread it across the whole galaxy,” Sunset added.

“It is also our duty to show ponies and everyone else in the galaxy just how magical friendship can be,” Cody continued.

“This is the role we are meant to have in our world and our galaxy!” Twilight and Cody finished together, “It’s the role we choose to have!”

“But we didn’t defeat Tirek on our own!” said Twilight as she teleported herself, Sunset, and Cody between the rest of Harmony Squad, “It took all of us to unlock the chest!” The group shared a hug together.

“Then it is unlikely you three are meant to take on this task alone,” said Princess Celestia as she opened a pair of doors to another room. Harmony Squad gasped in surprise and amazement.

“Wowee!” Pinkie exclaimed. Inside the room was a chamber that had twelve thrones. Seven of them had the cutie mark of each of the mares on it. The eighth throne was smaller and designed for Spike and had been placed right next to Twilight’s throne. As expected, Twilight, Cody, and Sunset’s thrones were side by side of each other.

“You are now Twilight Sparkle, the princess of friendship,” said Princess Celestia, “And you are now Sunset Shimmer, the princess of empathy.” All but Twilight, Cody, and Sunset took a seat to try out their new thrones.

“But what is the princess and prince of friendship without their friends?” Princess Celestia asked as the group shared a hug with each other.

Fluttershy then pulled away a second and pulled Shenran into the hug as well. Then Twilight and Cody looked at Discord, who just peeked into the room, unsure if he should walk inside or not. The former used her magic to bring him into the room so he could join the group hug.

“Wait a minute, where’s my throne?!” Discord asked.

“I don’t think you’re quite there yet,” said Fluttershy as she hovered up to the draconequus. Discord chuckled.

“Yes, well, I suppose not,” Discord replied as he and Fluttershy smiled.

Outside the Castle, many of the Ponyville ponies approached the castle in awe. They had just gotten to the front door when Twilight and Sunset opened it and stood before them with their wings open, with Cody in between them.

Once Twilight and Cody finished singing, all the ponies smiled excitedly.

Twilight and Cody (sing):
Each one of us has something special
That makes us different, that makes us rare

Fluttershy and Rainbow mirrored each other as they flew above the group of ponies walking inside of the castle.

Fluttershy (sings):
We have a light that shines within us
That we were always meant to share

Rarity and Applejack faced each other as they sang. Then Pinkie and Rainbow stood beside Rarity and Applejack facing each other. Fluttershy and Twilight did the same along with Cody, Sunset, Sal, and Bucky so they made a V shape while they sang together.

Harmony Squad (sings):
And when we come together
Combine the light that shines within
There is nothing we can’t do
There is no battle we can’t win

The group gathered around the star in the center of the room’s floor. Each of the mares was glowing as a fast moving Element colored rainbow shot from the center star and flew out of the castle.

Harmony Squad (sings):
When we come together
There’ll be a star to guide the way
It’s inside us every day

See it now! See it now!

As the group sang, the element colored rainbow took off. First it flew through Manehattan, where Coco Pummel was busy sewing and smiled as she saw the rainbow go by. Then the rainbow swirled around Spitfire, Fleetfoot, and Soarin as they flew about the skies. Cheese Sandwich was just walking with Boneless two in his arms. Then he saw the rainbow zoom across the sky and blew his party blower. The rainbow then flew through the land of the Breezies. Seabreeze and several other Breezies smiled as the rainbow went by. In Rainbow Falls, Silver Shill was busy at his now legitimate goods tent in Rainbow Falls when the rainbow swirled around him and flew off, making him grin.

Harmony Squad (sings):
Let the Rainbow remind you
That together we will always shine
Let the rainbow remind you
That forever this will be our time

As a mandolin solo was played, the element-colored rainbow swirled around Discord who was now standing in the middle of the celebration. Princess Celestia was just watching the festivities when Discord presented her with a bouquet of flowers as a gesture of apology and friendship. To everypony’s surprise, they were regular, healthy, pretty flowers. Princess Celestia smiled at the gesture while Discord gave her a smile and a wink.

Twilight and Cody ended the song, the rest of Harmony Squad gathered around them as somepony took their picture.

Twilight and Cody (sing):
Let the rainbow remind you
That together we will always shine

Cody, Twilight, and Sunset agreed that their future had never looked so bright.

Chapter 9: Sirens on Lothal

A familiar TIE Defender and TIE Reaper came out of hyperspace above the planet Lothal. The two fighters landed in the northern mountains, exiting them were Darth Claw and Blueblood.

“If I may ask, my apprentice, why the sudden interest in Lothal?” Darth Claw asked.

“Master, it is alleged there’s something powerful hidden deep in these mountain caves. I’d like to find out what it is, don’t you?” Blueblood replied.

“If it could prove useful in our struggle against the rebellion, then yes,” Darth Claw said.

Blueblood and Claw entered the caves and went deeper inside until they found three fishy pony-like creatures frozen in carbonite. Darth Claw examined them closely with curiosity.

“What are these creatures?” Darth Claw asked.

“I believe these creatures are sirens and they’re originally from my homeworld of Equestria. Starswirl the Bearded fought them and banished them through a portal that must have sent them here one thousand years ago,” Blueblood explained.

“Who could’ve imprisoned them in the carbonite?” Darth Claw asked.

“According to the pictures on the cave walls we saw a while back, they were captured by the Jedi back then,” Blueblood replied.

Blueblood and Claw activated a series of switches and slid the decarbonization lever. It wasn’t long before the sirens were released from their thousand year imprisonment and fell to the ground as they were unconscious. They soon woke up feeling very woozy.

The first one was pale yellow green with raspberry eyes and a luminous vivid orange cranial fin with yellow streaks. The second one was pale light grayish fuchsia with mulberry purple eyes and a purple cranial fin with light brilliant aquamarine streaks. The third one was arctic bluish white with raspberry eyes and a light arctic blue cranial fin with moderate Persian blue streaks.

“Ugh, I can’t see,” the third siren said.

“Who freed us? Where are we?” the first siren asked.

“We did. You’re on Lothal,” Darth Claw replied.

“How long have we been frozen?” The second siren asked.

“Over a thousand years. Your eyesight will return in time, temporary blindness is one of the effects of carbonite sickness,” Blueblood replied.

“Do you three have names?” Darth Claw asked.

“I’m Adagio Dazzle,” the first siren said.

“Aria Blaze,” the second siren continued.

“Sonata Dusk,” the third siren finished.

“Good to meet you three,” Blueblood replied, “I am Prince Blueblood, the rightful heir to the throne of Equestria.”

“I’m Darth Claw and Blueblood is my Sith apprentice,” Claw added, “Now we have a proposition for you once you’re recovered from the carbonite sickness.”

“We’re listening,” The sirens said in unison as they had devious looks on their faces.

One day on Equestria, Cody was deep in thought while sitting atop his old bed in Canterlot Castle. Just then, Twilight and Sunset came in and sat next to him.

“Something on your mind, Cody?” Twilight asked.

“I just can’t help but think about the people of Alderaan and that most of the survivors don’t have a home anymore,” Cody replied, “I believe we need to help them find a new home so they can rebuild their lives.”

“Good thinking,” Sunset said.

Just then, they received an incoming transmission as Hera Syndulla appeared on a hologram.

“Harmony Squad, come in. We have a situation on Lothal,” Hera said.

“What’s the situation, Hera?” Cody asked.

“Three mysterious creatures are stirring up trouble, causing the people to turn on each other. They appeared to be singing,” Hera replied, “We need your help.”

“We’re on our way, Hera,” Cody said as the transmission ended.

Soon enough, all of Harmony Squad was gathered as they boarded the Star Hope.

“R5, plot a course for Lothal,” Cody told his droid.

Once the course was set, the Star Hope left the surface and jumped into hyperspace, headed for Lothal.

Upon arrival at Lothal, the Star Hope landed at the spaceport in Capital City. It was then that Harmony Squad disembarked the ship and went to meet up with the remaining members of the Ghost crew. They wandered the spaceport until they found the Ghost and its crew.

“Sabine! Good to see you, darling,” Rarity greeted.

“Good to see you again, Rarity,” Sabine replied.

“Howdy, Zeb!” Applejack greeted.

“Good to see you, Zeb!” Rainbow added.

“Good to see you too, Applejack and Rainbow,” Zeb replied as he gave them both a chest bump.

“Hi, Hera,” Cody said.

“Good to see you again,” Twilight added.

“Good to see you too, everyone,” Hera replied, “By the way, I have someone I’d like you to meet.”

“Who is it?” Sunset asked.

“Harmony Squad, this is my son, Jacen Syndulla,” Hera said, showing them her infant son.

“He’s so precious,” Fluttershy replied.

“Such a sweet little thing,” Pinkie added.

“How are you able to balance your commitment to the rebel cause and parenthood, Hera?” Cody asked.

“I make the time for Jacen whenever I’m not fighting or making supply runs. When it comes to family, it’s more about spending quality time with them than about spending the most time with them, especially in my position,” Hera explained.

“Good to know,” Sal replied.

“When the time comes for all of us to raise families, we’ll take that into consideration,” Bucky added.

“Pleasantries aside, I believe that the creatures you mentioned are called sirens. They’re from our homeworld of Equestria and they feed on negativity which gives them power. They were banished by Starswirl the Bearded over a thousand years ago, whose spell must’ve sent them here,” Cody explained, “According to various ancient Jedi records, the sirens were defeated by four Jedi Knights and imprisoned in carbonite, now they’re free.”

“That’s not good,” Zeb remarked.

“How did this happen?” Sabine asked.

“Someone freed them, but who?” Flash said.

“We’ll find out soon enough,” Cody replied.

“We’ve been keeping tabs on these sirens for the past two local months and they’ve been performing in the square. That’s your best chance to find them,” Hera said.

“Thanks, Hera,” Twilight replied.

Harmony Squad walked around the city until they reached the square. They hid behind a building, waiting for the sirens to show up.

“How are we supposed to defeat the sirens?” Rainbow asked.

“Their powers are musical so we need to defeat them with music along with the Elements of Harmony,” Twilight replied.

“Luckily we came prepared,” Sunset remarked. She, Cody, Flash, Spike, Sal, and Bucky took out some instruments, for the six of them to use.

“Here they come,” Cody said, spotting the sirens.

It was then that Adagio, Aria, and Sonata began vocalizing hypnotically as everyone in the city was watching and placed under their spell. They were absorbing all the negativity that the citizens were feeling as a magical green mist appeared.

The Dazzlings (sing):
Welcome to the show
(vocalizing)
We're here to let you know
(vocalizing)
Our time is now
(vocalizing)
Your time is running out
(vocalizing)

Cody and the others looked on with troubled looks as the city folk were under the sirens’ spell.

“I think now would be a good time to use the Elements of Harmony and play some music,” Cody said.

“Good thinking,” Twilight replied.

The Dazzlings (sing):
Feel the wave of sound
As it crashes down
You can't turn away
We'll make you wanna sta-a-a-ay

We will be adored
Tell us that you want us
We won't be ignored
It's time for our reward

Now you need us
Come and heed us
Nothing can stop us now

It was then that Harmony Squad revealed themselves to the Dazzlings and faced them.

“Who are you?!” Adagio asked.

“We’re Harmony Squad and your concert is cancelled, sirens, we find your singing disturbing,” Cody replied, then turned to the others, “Hit it!”

Harmony Squad tuned their instruments and began making music.

Harmony Squad (sings):
Oh-oh, oh-whoa-oh
I've got the music in me
Oh-oh, oh-whoa-oh

Cody (sings):
Don't need to hear a crowd
Cheering out my name
I didn't come here seeking
Infamy or fame

Harmony Squad (sings):
The one and only thing
That I am here to bring
Is music, is the music
Is the music in my soul

Gonna break out (Out!)
Set myself free, yeah
Let it all go (Go!)
Just let it be, yeah

Find the music in your heart
Let the music make you start
To set yourself apart

“So you want to turn this into a Battle of the Bands? Then let's battle!” Adagio said.

The Dazzlings (sing):
What we have in store (ah-ah)
All we want and more (ah-ah)
We will break on through (ah-ah)
Now it's time to finish you!

The Dazzlings vocalized as they tried to defeat Harmony Squad with their powerful voices and managed to knock them down, but they got back up and resumed singing. Twilight and five of the other mares activated the Elements of Harmony.

Harmony Squad (sings):
You're never gonna bring us down
You're never gonna break this part of us
Our friends are here to bring us 'round
Not singing just for popularity

We're here to let you know
That we won't let it go

Our music is a bomb and it's about to blow

And you can try to fight
But we have got the light of friendship on our side!

Got the music in our hearts
We're here to blow this thing apart
And together, we will never
Be afraid of the dark

Here to sing our song out loud
Get you dancing with the crowd
As the music of our friendship
Survives, survives!

Got the music in our hearts
We're here to blow this thing apart
And together, we will never
Be afraid of the dark

Here to sing our song out loud
Get you dancing with the crowd
As the music of our friendship
Survives, survives, survives!

It was then that a rainbow beam shot up and engulfed the Dazzlings, knocking them down and shattered the gems in their chests as the music ended. The spell quickly wore off and the city folks were freed from the sirens’ control. The sirens recovered, trying to sing and recast their spell, but they lost their magic.

The Dazzlings (sing off key):
We will be adored
Tell us that you want us
We won't be ignored
It's time for our reward...

The people booed at the sirens, throwing fruit at them as they fled the square.

“This is not over yet!” Adagio shouted.

“You haven’t seen the last of us, Harmony Squad!” Aria and Sonata added.

It was the three of them stole a shuttle and left Lothal. After a few hours, Harmony Squad soon returned to the spaceport and said their farewells to the Ghost crew as they boarded the Star Hope. It was then that they took off and jumped into hyperspace, heading back to Equestria.

Meanwhile, the Dazzlings took their stolen shuttle to the former Fortress Inquisitiorius on Nur. There, they met up with Darth Claw and Blueblood.

“We failed to put the people of Lothal under our spell and we lost our musical powers,” Adagio said.

“How unfortunate. Come, Adagio, Aria, and Sonata. I shall teach you three the ways of the dark side,” Claw replied as they followed him and Blueblood.

Chapter 10: The Cutie Map

It was another beautiful day in Ponyville. For the most part, the citizens of the town seemed to have gotten adjusted to having a giant crystal castle just outside the town area. Inside the castle, Harmony Squad entered the main room where all the thrones were located. It had been roughly three days since their recent adventure on Lothal. Inside, Spike was just snoring peacefully on his throne. Pinkie wasted no time bouncing over to her throne and taking a seat on it. She or any other pony hadn’t even realized that the cutie mark on it began to start glowing as soon as she sat down it. Rainbow had just hovered over to her throne when Twilight, Cody, and Sunset approached.

“Let’s go through this one more time,” Twilight asked.

“Not again,” Cody groaned and even Rainbow face-palmed herself.

“We’ve been over it like a million times, Twilight!” Rainbow retorted annoyingly, “We found all seven keys, found all seven power hearts, defeated Tirek, and got this sweet castle! End of story!”

“Yes, but why?” Twilight asked.

“I mean, we know Tirek blew up our home and we needed a new one and such, but...well...even my wife would agree that a castle is a bit much for a replacement.” Cody said. Twilight and Sunset nodded in agreement.

“I dunno, sugarcubes,” Applejack replied as she took a seat in her own throne, “Maybe it’s just your new house and there ain’t nothin’ more to it than that.”

“Easy for you to say,” Cody muttered to Twilight, “We could never call this castle our home.”

“Shh!” Twilight shushed, not wanting anypony to hear about their feelings of having a castle just yet.

“I must say, speaking strictly on aesthetics, there really doesn’t need to be more to it. It’s all simply divine!” said Rarity as she took a seat in her own throne. Cody, Sunset, and Twilight just discreetly looked at each other and rolled their eyes.

“I agree with Twilight and Sunset,” Fluttershy replied as she took a seat in her own throne, “And Rarity. And Applejack. And Rainbow Dash. And Pinkie Pie. Oh, and probably Spike, Sal, Bucky, and R5.” Spike just snored in reply.

“As prince and princesses, we’ve been chosen to spread the magic of friendship across Equestria,” Twilight said, “So why would the Tree of Harmony want us to sit in a castle in Ponyville? It doesn’t make any sense.”

“I don’t think we’re supposed to just sit in a castle all day, honey,” Cody replied as he took a seat on his throne, “I think the thrones are meant to provide us a place to discuss friendship problems when they occur, like a council of some sort.”

Everypony then noticed the cutie marks on their thrones were glowing as well. Then the cutie marks on each of their thrones shot out a beam of colored light that met at the center of the room. It was then fissures of crystal rock rose from the ground and all the fissures met at the center of the floor. Then the crystal constructed itself into what appeared to be... after a brilliant flash of light... a table with a map had appeared. Spike was woken up by the bright light and blinked at what he saw. The others just stared at the table map in awe.

“Is that new?” Spike asked curiously, “I like it.” No one replied.

“This is incredible!” Spike remarked as he walked across the table, “It’s got all of Equestria and a whole bunch more!” Pinkie then stared at the map and noticed a familiar farm.

“Hi, Mom and Dad!” said Pinkie when Spike stomped his foot over the image, making Pinkie nearly cry.

Just then, Cody heard a familiar sound.

“I know that humming,” said Cody to himself and turned to his wife, “Honey, open your wings!” Twilight gave Cody a funny look before opening her wings and saw that her cutie mark was glowing. Pinkie saw her was glowing as well, followed by Fluttershy. As the rest noticed their own glowing cutie marks, images of all six cutie marks floated into the air above the table. The other five ponies’ cutie marks were rotating around Twilight’s. The six cutie marks floated across the map before they hovered over a particular area. It was then Twilight used her magic to pull Spike off the table map so she could get a better look.

“But if this is Ponyville, why are our cutie marks over there?” said Fluttershy as she pointed at the correct area of the map.

“I don’t know, but it seems like the map wants us to find out. The tree, the chest, the castle, and now the map,” Twilight replied, “How can we not follow it? Right honey?” Cody pondered for a second before nodding in agreement.

“Indeed, looks like we’re off to another journey across Equestria!” Cody said.

“Y’know what? There’s a ton of room for dangerous adventure along that route. Count me in!” Rainbow replied as she hovered above the location.

“Aw, shoot, I reckon you’re right,” Applejack added.

“Well, I was planning on organizing my baking sheets, but okay!” Pinkie pondered.

“Very well,” said Rarity in agreement as she sighed to herself.

Pinkie and Rarity stared at Fluttershy with smiles on her faces. Fluttershy tried to look away but turned to see Rainbow hovering and starting at her in the same manner. She was beginning to wish she had told Sal and Bucky to come with them.

“Um, maybe I’ll just stay here with Spike,” said Fluttershy firmly, “Besides, I don’t want to be away from my boyfriend right now. I’m gonna miss him too much.” Rainbow glared at her, but Fluttershy took no notice.

“Awesome!” said Spike, wearing a sports jersey, beverage hat, and a number one sports glove, “Me, Big Mac, Sal, Bucky, Flash, and R5 have a huge weekend ahead of us talkin’ hoofball, and...and trading hoofball cards, and arguing about hoofball states and watching pod races on the HoloNet...” Fluttershy winced.

She didn’t even know if Sal and Bucky were into hoofball and had hoofball trading cards. Although, Sal and Bucky never said anything about meeting with Spike and Big Mac either.

“O-o-on second thought, m-m-maybe I’d better go with them. In case they need me. Just let me say goodbye to Bucky before we go okay?” said Fluttershy sheepishly.

“Looks like it’s time for a road trip,” Twilight remarked as she stood next to her husband and the seven of them made their way out of the castle.

“Well, suit yourself,” said Spike as he walked forward a bit to watch the group leave, “But Big Mac’s got a Hock Fetlock rookie card I plan to sweet-talk right into these hot little claws. And I hear Sal and Bucky got shiny cards...and they will soon be my shiny cards...” Nopony was listening anymore.

Soon enough, Cody and the Mane Six boarded the train and took a long ride to the end of the line. They then made their way off the train as Twilight used her magic to examine the map with Cody standing right beside her. The two conferred with each other before they led the rest of the Mane seven on their way. They crossed a rope bridge and soon reached the top of a hill. Down below them was a small village containing a single street surrounded by identical houses and a single house as the right end of the street.

“That’s it! That’s the place on the map!” Twilight said.

“Indeed it is,” Cody replied in agreement.

“Right. Let’s get down there and find the spa,” said Rarity as she marched ahead. Twilight quickly teleported in front of her.

“Wait, we don’t know why the map sent us here,” Twilight replied, “We shouldn’t just walk right in. It could be dangerous.”

“Yes!” said Rainbow with a fist pump.

Just then, Pinkie got in front of Twilight, Applejack, and Cody with her arms spread out.

“Stay behind me, everypony!” said Pinkie sternly, “I’m on it!”

“Careful, Pinkie!” said Applejack.

Pinkie had determined look as she rolled down the hill. She then leaned their back against a rock. Pinkie quickly scoped the area before giving a wave of her arm for the others to come. Pinkie the zoomed under a small rock and then ducked under another small rock, she then appeared from underneath a large rock. The rest of the group just watched from a short distance away as Pinkie waved at them to come.

Pinkie had survived with some damage. Despite the large rock on top of her, she was able to move about with the rock on top of her as the others walked up to the pink pony as she peeked out from behind the giant rock. Cody, Twilight, and Applejack peeked out behind the rock beside Pinkie.

“This is where the map sent us?” Rainbow retorted as she saw two ponies conversing with each other, “It looks like the most boring place in Equestria.”

“You know what they say, Rainbow,” Cody said, “Nothing is always as it seems.”

“It’s just an ordinary village full of ordinary pony folk,” Applejack replied as she saw an adult with a little filly walking side by side of each other.

“It could certainly use a few more architectural flourishes, or any architectural flourishes,” Rarity remarked.

“I think it’s lovely,” said Fluttershy.

“I don’t like it,” said Pinkie sternly as she narrowed her eyes and saw two more ponies talking to each other, “I don’t like it one bit. I know smiles. And those smiles? They’re just not right.”

“I see your point. They look a little...too happy... Something’s not right here,” Cody replied.

“Forget the smiles. Look at the cutie marks,” Twilight said. The group noticed that all the ponies of the town had equal signs for cutie marks.

“Okay, that’s weird,” Rainbow replied.

“You can say that again,” Cody remarked as the rest of the group had worried looks on their faces before they quickly ducked behind their rock.

“An entire village with the same cutie mark? How can that be?” Twilight asked.

“It’s quite a mystery, honey,” Cody replied, “A mystery we just might need to solve.”

“I bet there’s some sort of horrific monster behind it,” said Rainbow.

“What makes you say that?” Twilight asked.

“’Cause fighting a horrific monster would be super-awesome!” Rainbow replied.

“Will you get your head out of the clouds?” Cody said, “We’ve got a real situation here!”

“Cody’s right. I reckon we just ought to head into town and talk to some locals, find out what’s going on,” Applejack added.

“Great idea, AJ,” said Rainbow, “Let’s go!” The three ponies headed toward the town before Twilight and the others followed, except for Pinkie, who was still glaring at the ponies.

“Those smiles are bad news,” said Pinkie before she sank behind the rock and joined the group. The seven of them casually walked into the town. The ponies then turned to give them rather large and very ominous smiles.

“Welcome,” said a pony named Sunny Song.

“Welcome!” said a random Pegasus mare.

“Welcome!” said a random unicorn stallion.

“Welcome!” said a pony named Bacon Braids.

“Welcome!” said a second unicorn stallion.

“Welcome!” said a pony named Offbeat.

“Welcome,” a group of fillies said all together. Despite all the warm greetings, the group had mostly weary looked on their faces except for Pinkie and Fluttershy. The former kept glaring while the latter was enjoying all the hospitality. Cody couldn’t help but walk very close to his wife. All those smiles were making him feel very uneasy.

“This must be the most pleasant place in Equestria!” Fluttershy said from above.

“Welcome!” said a pony named Night Glider who hovered in front of the yellow Pegasus. Fluttershy giggled happily.

“Ugh, thanks a lot, map,” Rainbow grumbled. It was then a stallion with a pale blue coat with a cerulean mane and tail appeared before them.

“Welcome!” said the pale blue stallion as he looked at Twilight, “Pardon my forwardness, but are you an alicorn?” Twilight smiled sheepishly.

“That there’s the Princess of Friendship!” said Applejack.

“Well, you’ve certainly come to the right place for friendship,” said the pale blue stallion.

“You don’t say...” Cody replied skeptically.

“What brings you to town?” asked an all white stallion standing beside the pale blue one.

“We’re not entirely sure,” Twilight answered.

“I see, Well, all are welcome here in our little village,” said the white stallion, “My name is Double Diamond, and this is Party Favor.”

“Howdy, Double Diamond,” Applejack replied, “And this here’s Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, and Cody Ando.”

“And you all have your own unique cutie marks,” said Double Diamond as he looked closer at Twilight and Pinkie’s cutie marks. The latter took offense and covered it.

“O-kay...” Cody replied slowly, feeling a little uneasy about Double Diamond’s interest in their cutie marks. He resisted the urge to clobber him for sticking his face onto his wife’s shoulders.

“If you don’t mind, has there been any sort of...trouble here, lately?” Twilight asked.

“Trouble?” Double Diamond replied, “Why, I don’t think we’ve ever had trouble in our little village.”

“It’s true. You’ll see. Hm,” Party Favor said in agreement. Cody looked at the two skeptically. There was no such thing as a village that was always 100% problem free. Unless they had something to hide...

“Hmm, very interesting,” Cody replied plainly.

“Perhaps you’d care to speak to our founder, Starlight Glimmer,” said Double Diamond.

“After you,” Cody replied as the two stallions lead the group to their founder’s home.

“I wish everypony in Equestria was as friendly as these ponies are,” said Fluttershy happily.

“I’ve got my eye on them,” Pinkie replied, “Something’s rotten in...whatever the name of this village is that we’re in right now.” The fact some of the smiling ponies were following them.

“I’m with Pinkie,” Cody added, “Those smiles doesn’t feel friendly. They give me the creeps.”

“The only creep I see right now is you,” Fluttershy remarked with a teasing smirk.

“Be quiet!” Cody retorted sternly. It was then the two stallions appeared before the cottage that was placed between the two rows of houses and knocked on the door twice.

“Starlight, we have some new visitors,” said Double Diamond before the door opened and the two stallions walked inside and the Mane seven followed them.

“Be ready to fight, we don’t know what’s gonna come through that door,” said Rainbow to Applejack. It was then the door opened and there before them was a pale lilac unicorn with a purple mane and tail that had sky blue highlights on it. She also had her bangs trimmed in a fashion similar to Twilight’s bangs and wore a teal gray minidress.

“Welcome!” said Starlight, “I’m so pleased to have you here.” Rainbow just groaned to herself as Cody gave the blue Pegasus a discreet death glare.

“This is Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, and Cody Ando,” said Double Diamond. Twilight smiled sheepishly while Cody squinted his eyes. Starlight looked at them curiously before stepping forward.

“Forgive my bluntness, but I’m assuming it’s Princess Twilight Sparkle and Prince Cody Ando? We don’t get many alicorns or his kind around here,” said Starlight.

“Yes, but ‘Twilight’ is fine, and you can just call my husband ‘Cody’.” the purple alicorn replied.

“So, how did you two hear of our little village?” Starlight asked.

“It’s kind of a long story,” said Twilight, “Let’s just say we found it on a map.”

“Technically, it’s a Tree-power heart-chest-castle-map!” Pinkie added as she got in front of Twilight and Cody before sinking off screen, giving Starlight the stink eye. Cody just gave the pink pony a stink eye of his own.

“Well, however you found us, we’re happy to have you!” Starlight replied, “We’re happy to have anypony who wants to experience true friendship for the first time.” Applejack gave the lilac unicorn a skeptical look.

“Say what?” Applejack asked.

“Oh, indeed,” said Starlight Glimmer as she walked over to a crooked picture that had an equal sign on it and straightened the frame, “That’s what’s so unique about our village, you see. Around here, we don’t flaunt our special talents because we don’t have any special talents to flaunt.” Cody took noticed that Starlight made a face before it quickly disappeared into a smile.

“Is that why you all have those cutie marks?” Twilight asked, pointing at Starlight’s equal sign.

“Perhaps it would be easier to understand if I gave you a tour of the village!” Starlight suggested.

“Uh oh,” Cody whispered to the group, “I sense a song coming up!”

It was then some marching drums could be heard.

“Heads high, ponies!” Starlight announced as she marched out of her cottage and several smiling ponies gathered around her, “Marching proud!” It was then some whistling was heard.

“All together now!” Starlight instructed as some ponies exited their home and followed her, “Every one of you! No pony left behind!”

Starlight lead the march of the ponies, showing off a smile and then scoping the area before turning around.

Starlight (sings):
Life is so grand in Our Town
We’re always filled with cheer
We never have to look around
To know that we’re all here

The townsponies began to march around the Mane seven, who looked rather uneasy at being surrounded as Pinkie and Cody looked at them skeptically. Starlight just had a smirk on her face and moved her head up and down as the other ponies sang.

The townsponies (sing):
In Our town, In Our Town
We don’t have to wait
To find out that our destiny
Is just to emulate

“Let’s see those big, happy smiles!” said Starlight as she marched before some ponies, making them give even bigger smiles. As she sang, two smiles appeared side by side as they molded into an equal sign. Then four ponies with the equal cutie marks marched in sync and then smiled boldly.

Starlight (sings):
Life is a smile in Our Town
Our cutie mark’s the same
Because we do not separate
Ourselves by more than name

Two Pegasi got next to Rainbow as they sang, making the blue Pegasus feel uneasy. Then they brought Rainbow to the ground and walked away, leaving the blue Pegasus baffled and stunned.

Townsponies (sing):
In Our Town, in Our Town
We dare not compete
Winning only breeds the worst
Ego-filled conceit

“You see?” said Starlight, startling Rainbow, “Now everypony wins!” Rainbow looked very frazzled before she rushed over to Cody and held him for dear life. Cody held her protectively while looking at Starlight with a glare on his face.

Starlight marched before some smiling ponies. Starlight then stood beside a smiling unicorn mare, braiding her mane with her magic, and then walked away.

Starlight (sings):
Life is a joy in Our Town
We’re all equal here
No one is superior
And no one shakes in fear

The Mane seven watched as ponies marched past them heading to the left in sets of four. Twilight and Rarity looked at them uneasily. Pinkie and Cody glared at them. Pinkie then continued to give them the stink eye while Fluttershy was just smiling and watching the performance.

Townsponies (sing):
In Our Town, in Our Town
We work as a team
You can’t have a nightmare
If you never dream

Starlight walked up to Fluttershy, then walked backward as she appeared between Pinkie and Fluttershy. She then smirked as she stood between Cody and Twilight and then looked into Twilight’s eyes for a moment and held her chin. Cody rolled his eyes at Starlight. Then four mares started dancing but one pony was off routine. Then Starlight appeared and the mare corrected herself began to dance in sync with the others. Starlight then threw her head back.

Starlight (sings):
Other ponies argue
Do you ever wonder why?
When you think your talent’s special
You don’t see eye-to-eye

There’s just too many difference
That lead to disarray
But when you learn to act as one
It’s like a holiday

As the ponies sang, the Mane seven stepped forward. Pinkie and Cody kept glaring. Twilight looked worriedly to Applejack and Rarity. Rainbow, now recovered, still looked a little disturbed. Fluttershy smiled and watched the performance. She was soon swaying her head and smiling cutely until Pinkie got in her face, giving the yellow Pegasus a death glare and shook her head. Fluttershy cowered down with large eyes until Pinkie looked away and Fluttershy backed up a bit as the others watched the performance. The villager ponies then circled around them again but they were separated in a special way so when they straightened out they looked like an equal sign from above. Starlight then stood between the two lines as the ponies stood in profile position to show off their equal signs. The view then zoomed out as several Pegasi hovered into the air, two Pegasi held a banner with the equal sign on it as the flew toward the foreground.

Townsponies (sing):
In Our Town, in Our Town
We don’t complicate
When you learn to simplify
Life is oh, so great

Join in our utopia
Come out of the dark
Banded by equality
By our cutie mark!

The song had barely finished when Rainbow burst out laughing.

“You’re kidding, right?” Rainbow chuckled as she showed off her cutie mark, “Give up our cutie marks? No way!”

“Rainbow Dash! Don’t be so rude. I don’t think we should judge them. They all seem perfectly happy with their choice,” Fluttershy scolded in her soft voice.

“Don’t believe their smiles, Fluttershy,” said Pinkie sternly as she got into the yellow Pegasus’s face.

“Need I repeat myself when I say those smiles are kind of creepy,” said Mario as Fluttershy gave him a glare.

“I’m sorry,” said Twilight as she walked forward with Cody standing beside her, “I guess we’re just a little confused by all of this.”

“We can understand the desire to want peace and tranquility amongst our fellow ponies and such,” Cody added, “But is getting rid of your cutie mark really the best solution? I mean all the power to you if it has, but...” Cody was at a loss for words. Unlike Pinkie, he knew saying anything offensive could cause trouble. He feared what might happen if he told Starlight that he found the villager smiles creepy.

“We have no judgments here in our village,” said Starlight as three ponies smiled and nodded in agreement, “Each of us was confused once as well, blinded by the false promise of our cutie marks.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Is she for real?” Rainbow asked as she got a glare from both Twilight and Cody.

“When we were sent to this village,” said Twilight as she and Cody walked away from Rainbow, “we assumed it was to help in some way. But, well, it doesn’t seem like you need any help.”

“At least it appears that way from the surface,” Cody muttered quietly to himself.

“Have you considered perhaps that you that you might have been sent here so we could help you?” asked Starlight as she walked up to the royal couple, making them looked a little stunned.

“After all, nopony has ever come to our village and wanted to leave,” Starlight added smugly as she walked away a bit, leaving all but Cody with stunned looks on their faces.

“Interesting,” said Cody suspiciously, sensing a hidden message behind the context of that statement.

“Why should you be any different?” Starlight continued as the group exchanged looks with each other, “But that is entirely your choice.” Starlight then walked past them.

“Please enjoy our little corner of Equestria,” said Starlight with a smirk on her face, “We’re all quite fond of it. No doubt you will be as well. Double Diamond, please help our guests with whatever they might need.”

“Of course,” said the white stallion as he stood before them with a large smile on his face.

“Thank for your hospitality, Starlight,” Cody said politely. The lilac unicorn smiled then walked away.

“Well, this will certainly provide a boost to our little community,” said Starlight to herself as she walked away, “When the rest of Equestria sees that a princess and prince gave up their cutie marks to joins us, they’ll finally understand what we’re trying to accomplish.” A devious smile appeared on Starlight’s face. Cody was the only one who noticed this, as he was still suspicious of Starlight.

Meanwhile, the Mane seven continued to walk about the town. Yet their visit was still awkward since no matter where they went, they were bombarded with ponies giving over the top smiles at them.

“Welcome,” said a third unicorn stallion.

“Welcome!” said a pony named Ivy Vine.

“Welcome!” said a pony named Sunny Song.

“A cutie mark is a representation of a pony’s unique talents and skills,” said Twilight to her husband.

“Indeed, I’ve worked far too hard on all my talents and skills to throw them all away like these ponies have,” Cody added.

“The biggest question is,” said Twilight, “How is it possible to-” Their train of thought was interrupted when Rarity gasped dramatically.

“What in the name of Equestria is that?!” Rarity exclaimed as she pointed at a collection of some ragged looking cloaks hanging on a rolling coat rack.

“Welcome!” said a stallion named Burlap, “Care to sample some local fashion? We’ve got cloaks this month!” He then flicked the side of his cloak and smiled widely.

“You call that fashion?” Cody remarked quietly to avoid being heard. Rarity looked like she was going to be sick but quickly recomposed herself.

“Wha-Ooh, er, perhaps another time, good sir, thank you,” said Rarity as she squatted low and walked away from the racks backward. Twilight and Cody smiled sheepishly as they walked away. Rarity didn’t stop walking backward until she, Twilight, and Cody rejoined the rest of the group at a nearby table.

“No wonder nopony’s wearing anything!” Rarity whispered to Applejack.

“Really, girls!” said Fluttershy sternly in a hushed tone, “They may do things a bit differently then we’re used to, but there’s no reason to be rude.”

“No, the reason to be rude is that they all keep staring at us,” said Rainbow as several ponies kept looking at them with their over the top smiles.

“I sense a disturbance in the Force,” Cody replied, “I’ve got a bad feeling about all this equality stuff and giving up your cutie marks. Something tells me the dark side of the Force surrounds Starlight Glimmer.”

“Need something?” Double Diamond called out from a table on the other side of the street.

“Uh, no! We’re good!” said Twilight with a nervous smile on her face before speaking to the others in a hushed tone, “Fluttershy’s right. If we’re going to get the bottom of why the map sent us here, we’ll need the help of these ponies.” As Twilight was speaking, a pale skinned unicorn mare with grayish purple mane tied up in a bun appeared at the table with an over the top smile and wearing one of the ragged cloaks around her neck.

“Oh, um, girls...” Cody tried to say to let the others know of the mare’s presence.

“I think we ran off to the end of Equestria before we even knew what that map was!” Applejack retorted and tapped her hand on the table.

“If we were sitting at the end of Equestria,” said Pinkie, “We’d be sitting on a big “A”. Get it?” Pinkie giggled to herself.

“Oh, please, Miss Pie! This is hardly the time for jokes! We’ve come all this way and for what?” Rarity replied indignantly. The mare looked a little uncomfortable and walked away. Cody watched her walk away and stood between Applejack and Fluttershy.

“Maybe you’re right,” said Twilight in a quiet tone, “But we’re here now, and it sure feels like something’s wrong.”

“That and two bits’ll get you a cup of cider,” Applejack replied.

“Is this a bad time?” the mare finally asked.

“We shouldn’t be bickering like this in front of our new friends,” said Fluttershy sternly, leaving the mare unheard, “Really, Applejack, you’re almost as bad as Rainbow Dash!”

“Don’t drag me into this!” Rainbow snapped as she got into the yellow Pegasus’s face, making Fluttershy wince and lean away. The other ponies were now staring at the group. Fluttershy was wishing once again that she had asked Sal and Bucky to come with them. At least Bucky could keep Rainbow out of her face.

“Is your friendship ending?” asked the mare as she stood beside Rarity.

“Are you crazy?!” said Pinkie as she got into the mare’s and Rarity’s face, making them both wince and lean away, “We’d never let a disagreement get in the way of food!”

“Don’t you mean our friendship?” Cody pointed out.

“Same thing,” said Pinkie, making Cody roll his eyes.

“O-kay, well, my name is Sugar Belle,” said the mare as she used her magic to hold up an order pad, “What can I bring you? We have...muffins...”

The others waited but it seemed as if muffins was the only thing being offered on the menu. Applejack and Rarity share looks with each other, followed by Fluttershy and Rainbow, then Twilight and Cody exchanged their own awkward looks with each other.

“Then I guess we’ll take seven muffins!” said Twilight.

“Make that twelve!” Pinkie shouted as Sugar Belle walked away, earning a glare from the royal couple, “What? I’m hungry!”

“Come on guys,” said Twilight quietly as Pinkie leaned forward on the table, “We’ve got to stick together. It doesn’t matter what happened before, we’re here now.”

“I think we can all agree that our work here in this town ain’t finished yet,” Cody replied in the same tone.

“I guess you’re both right,” Applejack conceded, “And the sooner we figure out why, the sooner we can go home.”

“I hear ya,” Cody replied in agreement. As they shared a fist-bump, a plate of plain looking muffins appeared on the table.

“Forgive me for overhearing, but just a moment ago you were disagreeing, and now it seems like you’re...agreeing,” said Sugar Belle.

“How...observant...” Cody replied slowly as the others, minus Fluttershy, gave Sugar Belle skeptical looks.

“Uh-huh...” said Applejack with her arms crossed.

“Well, you had such differing opinions…and cutie marks,” Sugar Belle replied.

“Again with the cutie marks...” Cody muttered to himself.

“We have differing opinions all the time, darling,” Rarity replied.

“But you look like you’re friends,” Sugar Belle pointed out.

“We are friends,” said Twilight, “Well, Cody and I are married of course, but that is just another type of friendship.” Cody nodded in agreement, “A simple disagreement wouldn’t change that. I mean married couples have disagreements all the time and our love for each other comes out stronger than ever.”

Twilight was unaware that Double Diamond, despite appearing to be reading, was listening to the conversation attentively. He and Sugar Belle exchanged glances with each other.

“I’m sorry, I’m just having a hard time understanding,” said Sugar Belle sheepishly before saying bluntly, “Different talents lead to different opinions, which lead to bitterness and misery.” The rest of the group just looked at her blankly as Pinkie tried eating a muffin.

“So...why aren’t you bitter and...” Sugar Belle was then interrupted and looked back before noticing that Pinkie had choked on a muffin.

“Bleh!” said Pinkie before getting glares from everypony else, “Mmmm...good...”

“It’s all right,” said Sugar Belle kindly, “I know I’m not a very good baker. At least, I know I’m not any better than anypony else in the village.” Sugar Belle nervously bit her lip and noticed that Double Diamond was giving her a dirty look. Cody took notice of the exchange between the two ponies.

“Well, I... hope you enjoy our little village!” Sugar Belle stuttered. She then quickly headed inside as Pinkie spluttered and wiped off the crumbs of the bad muffin from her tongue. Sugar Belle then reappeared and rushed between Twilight and Pinkie.

“Come inside before you go!” said Sugar Belle, “Meet me downstairs!” Sugar Belle than gave Double Diamond a huge smile before she zoomed back inside. Cody hummed as he rubbed his chin.

“Okay, that was weird,” said Rainbow.

“Let’s all sit here and eat these muffins and act normal,” said Twilight as she and Cody each picked up a muffin with, “I think we’re being watched.” Twilight and Cody discreetly turned to see several villagers were giving them over the top smiles.

“You think?” said Rainbow.

“No, not like that,” Twilight quietly, “I mean somepony here doesn’t want us talking to Sugar Belle.” She tilted her head to the side where Double Diamond was just eating a muffin.

“It’s clear as day that conversations with us might be limited out here,” said Cody, “Especially if they think we’re a threat to their way of life.” Applejack pondered as the others remained silent for a moment.

“I got an idea, but you gotta eat all of them muffins, Pinkie Pie,” said Applejack.

“Me?!” Pinkie exclaimed as she pulled on her mane, “Why me?!”

“You got a stronger stomach than any of us, and that filly in there might be our best chance at findin’ out what the hay is goin’ on round here,” said Applejack. Pinkie looked at the pile of muffins dreadfully.

“What can’t Cody do it?” Pinkie whined, pointing a fore-hoof at the alicorn stallion.

“Here,” said Cody as he grabbed a muffin, “Let me see how bad these are.” Cody only took one bite before his eyes budged out and whimpered loudly before he turned to the side and spat the bite out.

“Sorry, but there is no way I can eat all those muffins,” said Cody wearily. Pinkie cringed before she got to work. By the time she had finished, she wasn’t looking too well as she forced down the last muffin and cleaned the plate.

“I can’t believe you ate all our muffins, Pinkie Pie,” said Applejack with an over the top voice as the others minus Pinkie had over the top grins on their faces, “We’d best go inside and get some more!” The Mane seven quickly got up from their table and made their way inside Sugar Belle’s house.

“Nice work, Pinkie,” Twilight told the pink pony as they made their way downstairs. Pinkie, her stomach now having visible bulge, honked and thumped as she bounced down the stairs behind the rest of the group.

“I’ve accidentally eaten cardboard tastier than that...” Pinkie groaned.

“Hello? Sugar Belle?” Twilight called out as the rest of the Mane seven looked about the room.

“I think this could be a trap,” said Cody nervously.

“Thank for you coming!” Sugar Belle said as she appeared with an over the top smile on her face.

“So nopony could see what’s about to happen,” said Sugar Belle with a smirk that was borderline devious. The Mane seven flinched when they saw Party Favor and Night Glider appeared with creepy looking smiles approached them with Sugar Belle.

“I knew it!” Cody exclaimed fearfully as he stood near his wife, “It’s a trap!” The Mane seven took a few steps back when Twilight ready her horn on defense.

“Are you and Cody really the Princess and Prince of friendship?” Party Favor asked getting into Twilight’s face.

“Do you both know Princess Celestia?” Night Glider asked as she stuck her face into Cody’s. Both of them looked a little uneasy.

“I love your cutie mark,” said Sugar Belle as she grabbed Pinkie on the arms, startling the pink pony.

“How can you be friends with different cutie marks?” Night Glider asked as she hovered before Rarity and Fluttershy before landing, “Don’t you end up hating each other?”

“What is it with cutie marks being a bad thing for friendship?” Cody asked but nopony answered him.

“Oh, look at this one!” said Sugar Belle as she looked as Fluttershy’s cutie mark, startling the yellow Pegasus, “This one is great too! I’d love to have my special talent back for even just for a day! Make something besides those disgusting muffins...”

“So what’s stopping you?” Rainbow asked, “Go get your cutie marks back.”

“Daydreaming is one thing,” said Party Favor, “but you mean actually having it put back on?” He, along with Night Glider and Sugar Belle, winced, “That seems extreme.” Rainbow was most annoyed.

“I’m not sure Starlight would like that,” said Sugar Belle, “She wants us all be happy in our sameness.”

“So...Starlight doesn’t like it when ponies miss or want their cutie marks again?” Cody asked, “That’s...an interesting fact to know.”

“How do you take somepony’s cutie mark anyway?” Twilight asked.

“Oh! Good question honey,” said Cody.

“The cutie unmarking is a beautiful experience!” Night Glider explained, “Starlight uses the Staff of Sameness to magically take them away and replace them with these.” She, Party Favor, and Sugar Belle turned to their side to show their equal signs.

“Staff of Sameness huh?” said Cody to himself quietly, “Never heard of such a spell. Nevertheless...the fact someone could uncover such a spell is...frightening...” Cody winced.

“But nopony should keep you from your cutie marks,” said Twilight, “It represents such an essential part of who you are.” Cody nodded in agreement.

“Oh, we’re not kept from them,” Night Glider replied, “They’re in the vault up in the caves. We can visit them anytime we like to remind us of the heartache of a life with special talents.”

Twilight and Cody narrowed their eyes as they exchange looks with each other. They could both agree that something about this cutie mark removal didn’t sound right at all. Nor did the idea that a life with your special talents meant living in misery.

“Can we visit the cave?” Twilight asked with a smirk on her face. It wasn’t long before they got their answer. Later that day, Starlight was leading the Mane seven toward the cave.

“I’m delighted you’re interested in our cutie mark vault,” said Starlight to the others, “We hope someday everypony in Equestria will make a pilgrimage here to our little village to have their cutie marks removed too, and our message of perfectly equal friendship can finally be spread across the land.” While the Mane seven listened, Cody and Pinkie were inwardly rolling her eyes.

“This must be the reason we’re here,” Twilight whispered to the others while Starlight continued talking.

“”Pilgrimaging”?” Pinkie asked innocently.

“No, helping those ponies get their cutie marks back,” said Twilight firmly.

“Agreed,” Cody added.

“Oh, are you sure, Twilight and Cody?” Fluttershy asked, “Maybe they missed them a little, but even they didn’t seem all that unhappy.”

“Open your eyes, girls. The smiles on those ponies aren’t genuine, they look forced,” Cody replied, “Plus I can’t accept the idea that any pony would be willing to give up their cutie mark by their own decision.”

“You have no proof it was against their will,” Fluttershy protested.

“Maybe they might not have been forced, but there is another way to convince a pony do your bidding,” Cody replied, “That is trough trickery and deception. And that Starlight seems like a prime suspect.”

“Are you suggesting that maybe Starlight tricked them into giving up their cutie marks?” Applejack suggested.

“From what we’ve heard, Starlight is looking like the guilty party,” Cody replied, “Just the way she talks and interacts with other ponies is very suspicious. Besides, she doesn’t have that questionable smile on her face like the others do.”

“Cody does have a point,” said Twilight as she looked at the overly happy Double Diamond and then at Starlight, “Why did they want to meet us in secret? And why did they ask us not to tell Starlight who told us about the vault? Something’s not right.”

“Just going to this cave doesn’t feel right,” Cody added. It was then the group approached the entrance to a large cave.

“Just through here!” Starlight announced as she walked inside the cave. Cody glared at the cave suspiciously.

“This has got trap written all over it,” said Cody.

“Well, lucky for us, we’re super good at springing out of them,” Rainbow bragged as the rest of the group followed Starlight inside.

“You’re recklessness continues to amaze me, Rainbow,” said Cody.

“Behold!” said Starlight proudly, “Our cutie mark vault.” Twilight and Cody’s jaws sprang open as they looked what appeared to be just that. A tall, glowing locker filled with cutie marks from top to bottom. Though Cody took notice that some spaces were empty.

“I’ve never seen anything like it!” said Twilight.

“Who knew cutie marks could be stored away like this?” Cody remarked, feeling more and more uneasy, “It’s like the bank of cutie marks or something.”

“And here is the Staff of Sameness,” said Starlight as she walked over to a stone like staff that looked like a two-pronged fork and showed it to the Mane seven, “It was one of the great Mage Meadowbrook’s nine enchanted items.” Twilight and Cody exchanged stern looks at each other as the rest of the Mane seven started at the artifact in awe.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have it here,” Starlight continued, “This is the tool that allows us to free ourselves from our marks!” She then paused for dramatic effect. “I’m curious, how did the subject of the vault come up?” Twilight and Cody glared at her sternly. They could tell Starlight’s tone was anything but innocent.

“Oh, some ponies were telling us how much they missed their cutie marks, and-”

“Pinkie!” Twilight and Cody said sternly.

“Oops... " said Pinkie, covering her mouth and backing away once she realized her mistake. Starlight gasped.

“Were they?” said Starlight as she twirled the staff and had a rather devious smirk on her face, “Well, it seems you inspire all sorts of free thinking, don’t you?” She gave them all a glare, leaving Rarity and Fluttershy baffled. Twilight and Cody continued to stare her down.

“I didn’t know missing your cutie mark was a crime,” Cody remarked, “In fact, as I recall, all your villagers did chose to have them removed by choice. Didn’t they?” Starlight glared and said nothing. Rarity could feel the tension in the air and chuckled nervously.

“Well, w-we certainly didn’t intend to cause an disruptions to your charming little-” Rarity tried to explain, but was cut off when Starlight got into her face.

“Good,” Starlight replied sinisterly, “Let’s just make sure of that, shall we?” Rarity backed away nervously until she bumped into Double Diamond. Just then, several more townsponies surrounded the Mane seven.

“It’s a trap!” Twilight shouted.

“I knew it!” said Cody before trying a diplomatic approach, “Listen Starlight. We don’t mean to cause you or your village any trouble. Just let us go and we’ll leave your village in peace!”

“I’m afraid that’s no longer an option,” Starlight replied.

Having enough, Cody tackled Starlight to the ground and pinned her.

“Hey! Get off me! What is the meaning of this?!” Starlight asked.

“I could ask you the same thing!” Cody said, noticing a smudged equal sign on her shoulder. He wiped it off, revealing her cutie mark, “This equal sign is a fake! The Staff of Sameness is a fake too, I presume?!” Cody asked, getting into Starlight’s face. The others were shocked to know what was going on.

Starlight then looked to see that the entire village could see her true cutie mark and winced as she covered it up.

“Wha...what are you looking at?!” Starlight asked nervously, “They’re the problem, not me!” Twilight glared as the rest of the Mane seven stood by her. She gave them all a smirk.

“The jig is up Starlight Glimmer,” Cody said as he walked up to her, “We found out about your fake equality cutie mark and now everypony else can see that you lied them! Time for you to tell everypony the truth.”

“How could you?” Party Favor asked, looking hurt and betrayed.

“You said cutie marks were evil!” Double Diamond added, “You said special talents led to pain and heartache!”

“They do!” Starlight protested, “Don’t you see?! Look at them!” Unfortunately, none of the villagers did.

“Then why?” Sugar Belle asked as she walked up to the unicorn, “Why did you take ours and not give up your own?”

“I...I had to, you fools!” said Starlight, no longer showing any remorse about getting caught, “How could I collect your cutie marks without magic?”

“But the staff has all the magic we need!” Night Glider protested.

“The staff is a piece of wood I found in the desert!” Starlight admitted as she got into the Pegasus’s face, “It’s my magic that makes all this possible! You’d all still be living your miserable lives thinking you’re better than everypony else if it weren’t for my magical abilities! I brought you friendship! I brought you equality! I created harmony!” Starlight didn’t resist getting into the face of a pony or two before shouting at the villagers.

“You lied to us!” Double Diamond said.

“So what? E-Everything else I said is true! The only way to be happy is if we’re all equal!” Starlight replied.

“Except for you,” Party Favor pointed out. Starlight snarled in rage once more and lit up her horn, ready to charge up a new magic blast.

“Everypony has unique talents and gifts, and when we share them with each other, that’s how rea-” Twilight tried to say.

“QUIET!” Starlight shouted.

“You can’t have a cutie mark, Starlight! Either we’re all equal, or none of us are!” Sugar Belle said.

Starlight was most indignant, but was soon overwhelmed as the villagers and Cody glared at her and then surrounded her. Starlight tried to back away, but she ended up backing into the rest of the Mane seven.

“Come on!” said Double Diamond, “Let’s get our cutie marks back!”

“Yeah!” the rest of the villagers shouted in agreement.

The villagers were banging and pounding on the cases to try and break the cutie marks free, but it was no good.

“Stand back everypony!” said Double Diamond as he grabbed the so called Staff of Sameness and tossed it at the vault as hard as he could.

The staff hit the wall, causing it to crack a bit, which caused a chain reaction as the cracks expanded. Then the seal shattered, and released all the cutie marks contained inside each cubby. Double Diamond’s cutie mark landed back on his flank, rising him into the air and brightening his coloring and even his mane style was altered a bit so it was more relaxed and bushy. The other villagers had the same effects and alterations. They all smiled excitedly at getting their cutie marks back. A few more cutie marks flew out of the cave and restored the ponies who stayed at the village as those inside the cave ran out.

“No! My cutie mark vault!” Starlight shouted.

“Hold it right there, Starlight!” Cody said.

“Get out of my way! I’ll get you for this!” Starlight replied.

“You let the dark side of the Force consume you, Starlight. You don’t have to be like this,” Cody said.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about! You don’t know me at all!” Starlight retorted.

“The Force resides within all life forms and it holds our galaxy together. Our planet of Equestria has a very strong and unique connection to the Force, it’s especially what gives earth ponies their strength, along with unicorns and pegasi with their magical and flight abilities,” Cody explained.

“Maybe we can help you with your problems if you tell us reason you’re acting the way you are,” Twilight said.

“C’mon, Starlight. You can be honest with us,” Applejack added.

“I don’t feel like discussing this, but here goes. I did all this because I lost touch with my best friend, Sunburst. After he got his cutie mark and left our hometown of Sire’s Hollow for Canterlot to get into magic school, I was devastated and believed that cutie marks could make one lose a friend and that special talents and differences are nothing but trouble. That’s why I came to this region, then started this town and took everypony’s cutie marks,” Starlight explained.

“Even though we may be different outside, true equality comes from within. You can be better than this, Starlight,” Twilight replied.

“We’ll give you time to think things over, and you have a lot to think about. That’ll be the first step to embracing the light side,” Cody added, “Maybe you should also try to make amends with your family back in Sire’s Hollow, I’m sure they miss you. Besides I know Sunburst, he’s my second wife, Sunset’s younger brother, I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you when the time comes.”

Starlight then left the area with a sigh, “I’ll do my best,” she said.

Back in the village, banners were now set up as the villagers were celebrating and chatting with each other. Party Favor was tossing a beach ball with another pony. Sugar Belle was serving various, and now high quality, baked goods to the other ponies to eat. Double Diamond was chatting with two cute mares when the beach ball bounced off his head. Just outside the village, the Mane seven were smiling and watching everypony having a good time.

“Now those are real smiles,” said Pinkie happily.

“Indeed they are,” Cody replied. It was then Applejack heard a humming sound and looked to see that her cutie mark was glowing. In fact, all of the Mane seven found that their cutie marks were glowing.

“I’ll never get used to that,” said Applejack wearily.

“I think it’s divine,” said Rarity as she admired her glowing cutie mark.

“Does this mean that the map is calling us somewhere else?” Fluttershy asked Twilight.

“I have a feeling it means our work here is done,” Twilight replied.

“Looks like you were right, Twilight and Cody,” said Applejack, “The map did have a reason for bringing us here. We brought real friendship to these here ponies. Guess that’s why you two are the Princess and Prince of Friendship.”

“But the map didn’t send me or just my husband or even just the two of us,” Twilight pointed out, “You’re all a part of us, all of you. And there’s no doubt you’re a part of our mission to spread friendship too.” Everypony laughed as they shared a group hug.

“This feels like an ending!” Pinkie remarked as she pulled away worriedly, “It doesn’t have to be an ending yet, right? ‘Cause that Sugar Belle can bake!”

“Maybe we can stay a little while longer,” said Twilight, “Come on!”

“Lead the way, honey,” Cody replied eagerly as the rest of the Mane seven followed their Prince and Princess into the main area of the village.

It might have been just a small village, but they all could agree that this had turned out to be quite the epic adventure.

Chapter 11: Castle Sweet Castle

One morning, all of Harmony Squad was at Twilight, Cody, and Sunset’s castle enjoying themselves as they ate some tall delicious stacks of pancakes with lots of toppings like fresh berries and chocolate chips, and whipped cream. Everypony didn’t resist eating rather noisily, thought Rarity was the only pony using a fork with her magic. Pinkie literally faceplanted her own stack of pancakes.

“Mm, these are delicious, Pinkie Pie!” said Applejack after she swallowed a bite. Pinkie lifted her face, showing her face was completely covered in whipped cream and chocolate chips. She then used her tongue to slurp up the whipped cream and chocolate chips off her face.

“Thanks!” said Pinkie, “Cody and Twilight spent almost all night helping me pick the flavor! I kept thinking we found the right one, but they insisted I make even more to try. And more. And more and more and more and more!” Pinkie quickly stacked up pancakes until she had a very tall stack on her plate, “It was like they never wanted to-”

“Leave?” Fluttershy and Bucky said together wearily.

“Exactly!” said Pinkie as she took a large bite on the side of her tower of pancakes, “Eventually we ran out of time so we just went with every-berry-any-chip-surprise!” Pinkie then zipped over to Rarity.

“The surprise is I lost a measuring spoon in the batter,” Pinkie told Rarity in a hushed tone, “Somepony’s gonna get a very special pancake!” Pinkie trotted away as Rarity used her magic to skeptically check her own stack of pancakes for anything unusual.

“Is that why they’re so, uh...out of it?” Rainbow asked as she pointed to the royal couple. Each of them were sitting next to each other before their own stack of pancakes, but neither was eating any of them. Twilight and Sunset were snoring loudly, their manes and tails were very messy. Even Cody’s hair was messy. Twilight and Sunset then lifted their heads back as they kept snoring. Cody then leaned into her shoulder.

“Um, Bucky and I, don’t mean to sound unappreciative, but has anypony else noticed that Twilight, Cody, and Sunset have been a little too helpful lately?” said Fluttershy.

“Now that you mention it,” said Applejack, “They were lendin’ a hoof at Sweet Apple Acres the other day and stuck around ‘til dusk. Dug up fifty tree-plantin’ holes when all I needed was ten.” A flashback was seen of the farming grounds filled with holes and Twilight, Cody, and Sunset were inside one of the holes digging. Applejack and Sal were standing just outside the area when Twilight peeked out and smiled. Applejack just smiled back sheepishly.

The three pegasi looked to see Twilight, Cody, and Sunset, who were still snoring. Then Twilight faceplanted her stack of pancakes and hugged them like a pillow. Cody was now using Twilight’s messy mane for his own pillow and snuggled contently into it.

“Someponies who are avoidin’ somethin’, that’s who,” said Applejack as Pinkie flipped her plate of pancakes into the air and gobbled them all down at once. She then hacked and spit out...a measuring spoon?! The object went flying at Fluttershy, who was just taking another bite of her pancakes. The yellow Pegasus got bopped in the head as the stick end stuck itself into her stack. The others just stared at the spoon, looking stunned.

“I win!” Pinkie shouted excitedly.

“Huh?!” Twilight yelped as sat up with a pancake stuck on her horn.

“Yah!” Cody yelped as he tumbled off Twilight’s mane and onto the floor behind her with a thud.

“I’m pancake!” Twilight said quickly before recovering, “I mean, awake...” Twilight then lifted the pancake to smile at her friends. Cody and Sunset groaned as they sat up and rubbed the back of their heads.

“Sorry, dear,” said Twilight as she helped her husband and Sunset back to their seats beside her. Rarity, Pinkie, and Applejack stared at them for a moment.

“Uh, Twilight? Cody?” Applejack asked, “Is there something you wanna tell us?” Twilight, Cody, and Sunset said nothing. Twilight just kept staring at the pancake on her face.

“You know how much we appreciate all you do for us, and we simply adore having you around...but...we worry you might be...ahem...avoid something else?” said Rarity as she used her magic to removed the pancake of off Twilight’s face, only for the three ponies to finch when Pinkie jumped up, snagged the pancake, and disappeared underneath the table. Twilight and Cody shared worried looks with each other. Cody let out a long sigh.

“I think we need to tell them, Twilight,” said Cody quietly.

“Honey, please...” Twilight protested.

“We’ve kept this secret for as long as we could,” Sunset interrupted, “I think it’s time we told our friends what’s going on. They all can tell something is up. And...maybe they can help...”

“Oh, has it been that obvious?” Twilight asked the others. All but Pinkie, who was eating the pancake she got from Twilight’s horn, gave her worried and concerned looks.

“You know Cody, you’re always saying that we can come to you about anything,” Bucky pointed out,

“Doesn’t that apply to you and your wives as well? You can tell us anything. What’s on your mind?” Sal inquired. Cody, Twilight, and Sunset just shared worried looks with each other.

“We’ve been...the thing is...” Twilight stuttered hesitantly as Cody put an arm around his wives’ shoulders, “We know it’s silly, but we...we’ve been avoiding...this place.” Twilight pointed to the castle itself as Cody and Sunset nodded in agreement. Rarity gasped dramatically.

“Why in Equestria would you want to avoid such a gorgeous castle?” Rarity asked as Fluttershy and Bucky stood to the right of the royal couple.

“Yeah, this place has everything!” said Pinkie as she popped out between Rarity and Twilight.

“Big tall ceilings that make you feel tiny,” said Pinkie as she jumped high into the air and then appeared in the background to make herself look small.

“Shiny new floors that are cold to the touch! Brrr!” Pinkie said as she rubbed a fore-hoof on the floor, lay down and shivered before zooming away.

“And it even has loooong empty hallways!” Pinkie opened a door and shouted, making the word “hallways” echo through the castle hallways. She then returned back to Twilight, Cody, and Sunset.

“Okay, I get it,” said Pinkie as Cody gave her a funny look.

“The castle is amazing, but it just... it doesn’t feel like home!” Twilight sighed.

“I agree, Twilight,” Sunset added. They then leaned their heads on the table sadly.

“It’s just so different from the Golden Oak Library,” said Cody sadly as he rubbed his wives’ backs, “You just felt naturally at home there. This castle...it just feels like...a castle...”

“What’re you talking about, Cody? You’re a prince, you grew up in the Canterlot Castle for fifteen and a half years. We’d think at least you would be used to this kind of place,” Rainbow replied.

“True, but I don’t really know my way around in this castle yet,” Cody said, “That’s why Twilight, Sunset, and I have been staying in my old childhood bedroom.” Rarity chuckled.

“Oh, is that all?” Rarity replied, “Why, you simply need to decorate, darling. Make this place your own.”

“Easier said than done,” said Cody wearily.

“He’s right,” Twilight added as Cody grabbed a pancake and took a small bite, “It’s just so daunting! Look how big it is! We-we don’t even know where to start!” Twilight was about to faceplant her plate of pancakes when Rarity pulled the pancakes out of the way as Twilight faceplanted the table. Cody then pushed his plate of pancakes away rested his head on his arms while leaning on the table.

“You can start by letting us do it for you,” said Rarity. The royal couple just looked at the fashionista with weary looks on their faces as she walked up to them, “We will make this the castle of your dreams while the both of you go to the Ponyville spa for some much needed rest and relaxation.” Rarity then held up a mirror for both Twilight and Cody to see how they looked.

“I’m saying this with love, but...have you two looked in the mirror, lately? I’ve never seen you both look this...mmmm...” said Rarity gently.

“Tired?” Sal and Bucky proposed.

“Frazzled?” Fluttershy said as well.

“Yes!” said Rarity as she set the mirror down, “That is absolutely the words I was going to use.”

“You don’t need to sugar coat it,” Cody replied in a soft and gloomy tone, “We both look like we got trapped in the Everfree forest all night. At least Twilight and Sunset still look beautiful. I, on the other hand, am completely hideous.”

“Stop it!” said Twilight as she lightly swatted his head, making him flinch, “You’re still handsome to me, Cody Ando, and don’t you forget it.”

“Thanks Twily,” said Cody, giving her a soft smile and Twilight smiled back. The others chuckled to each other.

“Ooh, I guess we do need a little help, and so does our castle. And we know you’ll do a great job, because nopony knows us better than you.” said Twilight.

“We’ll make this place feel cozier than hot cider on a rainy day,” said Applejack.

“That’s definitely the kind of cozy my wives and I could use for this place,” Cody replied with a smile. Rainbow then gasped.

“There’s gonna be cider?!” Rainbow asked hopefully with glittery eyes as she hovered into the air. Applejack and Sal gave her an annoyed look. Rainbow soon realized the orange pony was just using a metaphor.

“Uh, I mean, let’s decorate!” said Rainbow once she recomposed herself.

“Oh, no!” Spike exclaimed as he entered the dining room rubbing his eyes while holding a blanket and his Rarity plush toy, “Did I miss the pancakes?!” Spike then dropped his Rarity plushie and headed over to the table.

“I sleep like a baby under that cold, cavernous ceiling,” Spike said as he climbed onto the table and started grabbing a couple of pancakes to eat.

“Spike, I’m so glad you’re here!” said Rarity just as Spike was about to start eating.

“Really?” Spike asked, rather surprised.

“Yes!” Rarity replied, “You’re taking Twilight, Cody, and Sunset to the spa!”

“Great! I’ve been meaning to get my claws done!” Spike said, then looked at his claws before taking a bite of the pancakes he had collected. He then noticed that everypony else was just staring and smiling at him.

“Oh, you mean now!” Spike said with his mouth full before he swallowed, stuffed the pancakes in his claw into his mouth, grabbed and gobbled up two more pancakes and grabbed one pancake in each claw before guiding Twilight, Cody, and Sunset out of the dining room.

“Babe?” Twilight asked as they walked side by side once they were out of the dinning room.

“Yes, Twily?” Cody replied.

“Do you really think I’m beautiful looking like this?” Twilight asked him.

“Yes I do,” Cody replied, “Do you really think I’m handsome?”

“Of course,” Twilight said.

“We both do, no matter what,” Sunset added.

Back in the dining room, Applejack had gathered the others around her.

“Come on, y’all!” said Applejack, “We’ve got work to do!” It wasn’t long before the five girls, Sal, and Bucky exited the dining room and stated walking down one of the hallways. It was then that they started looking around for places to decorate.

“Girls, since this is Cody, Twilight, and Sunset’s place, we need to make them feel at home first and foremost,” Sal replied.

“We just need to look back on what we all liked about the Golden Oak Library and apply that to this castle,” Bucky added.

Sal, Bucky, and the five mares then looked around the room.

“Hey guys, how do my claws look?” Spike asked as he walked in.

“Oh, Spike!” said Rarity, “Are you, Twilight, Cody, and Sunset done already?”

“Don’t worry,” said Spike, “I ordered Twilight and Sunset the super-deluxe mane blow-out! They’ll be while.”

“And Cody?” Applejack asked.

“I ordered a full pedicure treatment for him,” Spike said, “He’ll be awhile as well.”

“Since you’re here, Spike, maybe you can remind us of what we all liked about the Golden Oak Library,” Sal replied.

“That way we can make Twilight, Cody and Sunset feel at home here. But we’re having trouble thinking,” Bucky added.

“What are we gonna do?!” Rainbow asked as she hovered.

“I dunno,” said Spike, “But Twilight and Sunset’s blow-out and Cody’s complete pedicure won’t take that long.”

“Come on, guys, we’ve gotta do something!” Rainbow called out, “Twilight, Cody, and Sunset are counting on us!”

“We made a lot of good memories in the Golden Oak Library, maybe you should surprise them with a part of it and something representing the memories we made,” Spike suggested.

“Good thinking, Spike,” Bucky replied.

“Spike, you’ve got to get back to that spa and stall them! Whatever you do, don’t let them come home yet!” said Rarity as she got into the little dragon’s face.

“What do I do? For how long?” Spike asked.

“We’ll, uh, maybe you could manage it ‘til...sunset-ish?” Rarity asked and battled her eyelashes at him.

Spike was instantly lovesick as he floated into the air and hearts radiated from underneath him.

“Anything for you, Rarity...” Spike replied in a dazed tone as he literally floated out of the room.

Back at the spa, Twilight and Sunet had each of their heads under a hair-dryer dome and looking at themselves in the mirror while Cody stood nearby. It was then that she noticed Spike enter from the mirror.

“Spike, you’re back!” Twilight said as the hair dome was lifted off her head, “How do we look?”

They showed both the dragon and her husband the tops of their mane, which was now done in a bushy, slightly street punk style look.

“A little like Sabine. Most impressive,” Cody replied. Twilight and Sunset each gave a light squee of happiness.

“What about you, Spike?” Twilight asked the little dragon. Spike cringed for a moment.

“Great!” Spike said quickly.

“And more importantly, how does the castle look?” Twilight asked as her bushy bangs fell over her eyes a bit.

“Great?” said Spike with a nervous look on his face, which neither alicorn noticed.

“We can’t wait to go home and see it!” said Twilight eagerly as she and Sunset got up from the salon chairs.

“What about you, sweetie?” Sunset asked.

“I’m curious to see what our friends have came up with,” Cody added as he got up as well.

“Great! I mean, no!” said Spike but then panicked as he grabbed Twilight and Sunset’s tails.

“What’s up little buddy?” Cody asked as he, Twilight, and Sunset looked at him curiously.

“I mean, uh, I’m not...quite ready to go yet,” Spike stuttered as he reached out and pulled one of the spa brochures, “Uh, why don’t we have a message? I was really hoping to get, uh...this thingy!”

“The “Extra-strength-hot-stone-deep-tissue message?” Twilight read on the brochure.

“That sounds rather...intense...” Cody said slowly. Spike gulped.

“Yep!” said Spike bravely.

“I think Sunset and I will just have a traditional message,” said Twilight as Lotus Blossom stood beside them.

“Wanna join us honey? We can do a message together,” Sunset asked.

“Sounds good to me,” Cody replied, “I was feeling a little lonely getting that pedicure all by myself.”

“But if you want that massage, Spike,” said Twilight, “You go for it.”

“Did somepony order massages?” Aloe asked when there was a loud crash from the wall next to her. Apparently Bulk Biceps was the masseur for the message Spike wanted.

“Yeah! Let’s do this, little dragon!” Bulk told Spike. The little dragon cowered fearfully as the muscular Pegasus picked Spike up between his shoulder muscles and then smashed through the wall again to exit the room.

“Oh, I hate it when he does that,” said Aloe wearily, “Come with me, prince and princesses.” Twilight, Cody, and Sunset sighed as they headed to the room for their couple’s message.

Soon enough, Twilight, Cody, and Sunset were just sighing and stretching contently.

“Great suggestion, Spike,” said Twilight, “Sunset and I feel totally relaxed.”

“Same here, dears,” Cody added, “My muscles feel nice and loosened up.”

He then did a good flip into the air and landed perfectly as Twilight and Sunset watched. Poor Spike was behind them and bent out of shape from his deep tissue message treatment.

“Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow...” Spike yelped as he tried to keep pace behind them and his joints cracking as he moved about.

“You want to hop on?” Twilight offered, “Maybe I can get us to the castle faster.” Spike froze and winced as he saw that the sun was still fairly high in the sky as some birds flew across the yellowish orb.

“Ow!” said Spike when he straightened up a little too fast, “I mean...how...nice is this day? I was hoping we could take a scenic way back.”

“I don’t know,” said Twilight.

“A scenic walk would be nice,” Cody said, “Would you mind if Twilight, Sunset, and I held hands while we do?” Twilight wasn’t feeling too sure about it.

“Come on,” Spike pushed, “Walking is good for the post-massage circulation. And the hand-holding is cool. You can kiss each other for if it means you’ll do the walk with me.”

“Really?” said Twilight, “I’ve never heard that theory, but if you’re okay with us holding hands, then let’s go.”

“Same here,” Cody added as he offered his hands.

Twilight and Sunset put theirs on top so it looked like they were holding each other’s hands. Along the way, they came to a very familiar place. Cody, Twilight, and Sunset shared sad looks with each other as the latter two sighed.

“I really miss this place, Spike,” said Twilight since she, Cody, and Sunset had already shared a moment beforehand, “We had so many wonderful memories here.” Cody and Sunset nodded in agreement as Spike looked at the ruins quietly.

“We did, didn’t we...” Spike replied sadly as a small tear came out of his eyes.

“Oh, Spike, I’m so sorry,” said Twilight sadly, “Of course losing the Golden Oak Library was hard for you too.” Twilight then pulled Spike in for a hug as Cody and Sunset hugged Spike from the sides as the little dragon shed a tear.

“I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we have the girls, Sal, and Bucky add some things to make the castle feel more like your home as well?” Twilight suggested.

“Really?” Spike asked.

“That’s a great idea, Twily,” Cody replied, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

“Hop on!” said Twilight as Spike piggybacked onto her. Spike looked back to see the sun was still out. He winced as he saw Twilight open her wings to take off. Spike grabbed the edges as she tried to take off, making the purple alicorn land on her stomach.

“Ow! What are you doing?” Twilight asked Spike.

“I, um...I just thought of what I want!” said Spike.

“Oh, okay,” said Twilight, “What is it?”

“We’re listening,” Cody added.

“It’s a...well, I want a...it’s...I kind of need a...a bed!” Spike stuttered with an over the top smile on his face. Twilight, Cody, and Sunset were stunned.

“I thought you said you sleep like a baby in the castle,” Twilight said skeptically.

“Yeah, you slept so soundly that you missed the pancake breakfast if you recall,” Cody reminded him. Spike scoffed.

“I was speaking metaphorically,” said Spike.

“Really?” Sunset asked, raising her eyebrow at him suspiciously.

“Let’s go!” said Spike, wanting to reduce the risk of Sunset making eye contact with him. Twilight and Cody shared skeptical looks with each other before reluctantly headed off to find the local shop that sold beds.

A little while later at the bed shop, Spike was testing a bed. Cody and Twilight looked very drained. Spike had literally been testing every nook and cranny of every bed in the shop.

“How’s that one?” Twilight asked, “Too soft? Too hard? Too lumpy?”

“Can you please pick something already?!” Cody said through his teeth despite the smile on his face.

“Um...” Spike pondered as he sat up and looked out the window to see the sun was setting, “Just right! I’ll take it!”

“Oh, thank goodness,” said Twilight as she, Cody, and Sunset sighed with relief, “I thought you’d never find one you liked! Let’s find a sales pony and get out of here!” It was then a sales pony appeared with a large smile on his face, ready to help.

“Look there’s one,” Cody added as he looked behind himself, “I’ll go make the purchase and find out how soon they can deliver the bed to the castle!”

“Sounds good to me……On second thought, I see another one that’s a little more my style,” Spike said, noticing Sal, Bucky, and the five mares out the window.

Twilight, Cody, and Sunset groaned in frustration.

Back with the others, they had all gone to the remains of the library. They were all feeling rather excited once Applejack had explained her plan, but when they arrived. The orange pony wasn’t feeling as confident about her idea.

“Maybe my plan won’t work after all,” Applejack sighed as the rest of the group looked just as sad and worried. Then Rarity perked up.

“Of course it will, darling,” said Rarity, “I can see it! You and Fluttershy, and Sal stay here. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Bucky you come with me. We’re going shopping! We’ll meet back at the castle.” The two group quickly split up and got to work.

Applejack began digging outside the remains with a shovel.

Applejack (sings):
It’s not the things that ya gather ‘round

Fluttershy instructed some critters to dig for her.

Fluttershy (sings):
It’s not how much you own

Pinkie, Rarity, and Bucky came out with lots of shopping bags. Rainbow had so many that she struggled to get them out of the front door. Then they headed back to the castle.

Rarity (sings):
The things that hold the meaning in your life
Are the memories you’ve sown

Pinkie then dumped the contents of her shopping bags. Rarity, wearing her work glasses, picked up some gems and started sewing them together. Applejack then brushed and blew on what looked like some sort of wooden sculpture. Rainbow then pulled a rope through a pulley hanging from above. Rarity monitored the object’s position while Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rainbow, Sal, and Bucky pulled on the ropes to lift the object to the ceiling. Then Sal, Bucky, and the five ponies admired their completed project and then exchanged smiles with each other.

Everypony (sings):
So we make, so we make, so we make
This castle a home
So we make, so we make
This castle a home
So we make, so we make
This castle a home!

A few minutes later, Twilight, Cody, and Sunset arrived.

“Hello? We’re home!” Twilight announced as she opened a door as Cody, Sunset, and Spike walked in as well. Spike was carrying various items in his claws.

“Welcome home!” the others said as they walked up to the royal couple and Spike. Twilight, Cody, and Sunset began to walk about the castle. They found that the group had supposedly done...very little changes to the decor.

“Oh, I uh...love what you’ve done with the place,” said Twilight in a polite tone, “You did such a good job of...preserving the integrity of the original design.”

“Aw come on!” Spike retorted, especially to Rarity, “It looks exactly the same. Do you know how hard it was to keep them from coming back here?! I never want to see another dust ruffle as long as I live!”

“Easy there, Spike,” said Cody, “Obviously the old saying goes that when something ain’t broke, don’t fix...” Cody blinked, “Did you just say...?”

“Wait,” Twilight interrupted, “Keep us from coming back here?”

“Is there something we need to know?” Sunset asked suspiciously. Rarity laughed nervously.

“It took a teensy bit longer than we thought,” Rarity admitted honestly.

“What really makes a home feel like a home isn’t what it looks like,” said Applejack as she removed and held her stenson hat, “It’s the memories you make when you’re there.” Applejack then looked at the others.

“So we’ve made something that celebrates the memories we’ve made since you both first moved to Ponyville,” said Rarity. Fluttershy and Rainbow then opened the doors to the throne room. Twilight, Cody, and Sunset gasped. There hanging above was the roots of a giant tree and along its roots were various strings of sparkly gemstones hanging from them.

“The ornaments on the chandelier are reminders of all the fun we’ve had together,” said Fluttershy as she and Rainbow hovered before it.

“That one shows your party at the Golden Oak Library welcoming you both to Ponyville!” Pinkie pointed out as she showed the gem with a picture of Pinkie, Twilight, Cody, and Sunset.

“The time we shared donuts after the Grand Galloping Gala!” Fluttershy added as she showed them a gem with all seven of them sharing a table. Cody and Twilight giggled as they remembered their first kiss. They were quickly in awe as their mouths hung open.

“We were hoping that being able to look at your beautiful old memories would inspire you to make new ones,” Rarity continued from behind the royal couple.

“And the best part is, it’s made from the roots of the Golden Oak Library, so you two will never forget where you came from,” Applejack finished as the royal couple stepped toward the new chandelier.

Twilight, Cody, and Sunset examined it quietly for a moment as Rainbow and Fluttershy landed behind them. The silence left the group feeling a little worried, until Twilight, Cody, and Sunet turned around. They each had a warm smile on their face and their eyes brimming with tears.

“It’s exactly what the castle needed,” said Twilight happily.

“We couldn’t have asked for anything more perfect,” Cody added in a cracked but happy tone as the two ponies rushed toward the others for a big group hug.

“And we are ready to make new memories here,” Twilight continued.

“We can finally call this castle home,” Sunset finished.

“Then let’s start right now with a new memory cake!” said Pinkie as they pulled away. The pink pony came back with a giant cake on her back with each layer a different color, “Seven layer what’s-that-flavor mystery surprise! These might be chocolate chips or they might be super-spicy black beans!” Pinkie pointed at the brown dots along one of the layers of the cake.

“Let’s go the dining room,” Twilight suggested as she used her magic to open the doors, “It’s a little sparse, but at least there’s a table and chairs.”

Cody, Twilight, and Sunset then froze in place when they looked inside to see the dining room had been given some fancy decor upgrades and decorations. Even the dining table had a beautiful cloth on top, plates of treats, and a unicorn table topper on it.

“Whoa! What happened in here?” said Twilight in surprise, “Last time we checked, this place was empty!”

“I couldn’t help myself!” Rarity confessed, “It was just begging for the personal touch!”

“Truth be told...” Applejack added, “I couldn’t either. Your kitchen might have rustic farm decor, you three.”

“Does that include some old fashion baking pans for pies and cakes?” Cody asked.

“Of course!” Applejack replied as Cody clapped excitedly.

“And there may or may not be some Daring Do posters up in your library,” Rainbow added.

“And some stuffed animals in your bedroom,” Fluttershy continued discreetly to the three of them. Cody, Twilight, and Sunset smiled.

“And we turned one of the empty rooms into a meditation chamber,” Sal finished.

“Give it try when you’re feeling stressed out. I’m sure it will prove useful!” Bucky offered.

“Thanks, Sal and Bucky,” Cody replied.

Just then, R5 came into the dining room, beeping and whistling excitedly. The droid then showed everyone a holographic layout of the castle.

“Good job making a layout of this place, R5,” Cody said.

“Let’s say we have dinner in Canterlot. Our treat for your help,” Sunset suggested.

“Good thinking, ‘cause we’re starvin’,” Applejack replied as they all left the castle.

Chapter 12: Crusaders of the Lost Mark

A few weeks later

All four of the CMCs were gathered in their clubhouse where Apple Bloom stood on a crate that was next to the poster on the wall that had drawing of various activities which were marked off with red Xs.

“Okay, Crusaders!” said Apple Bloom to Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Rex, “Back to the business of earnin’ our cutie marks! Any suggestions?”

“No, we’ve tried everything!” said Scootaloo sadly.

“We’ve run out of ideas,” Sweetie Belle added.

“Hey, now that’s just stinkin’ thinking girls,” Rex said in an encouraging tone.

“Are you kiddin’ me, Crusaders?” Apple Bloom replied and leaned forward, “Rex is right. We can do better than that!”

As Apple Bloom sang, she put up a empty sheet on the wall which cheered up Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom (sings):
We’ve been searchin’ for our cutie marks
For a while now
Tryin’ to find out how we fit in

So many ways we’ve tried before
But we keep on tryin’ more

Rex, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom appeared in succession. Then Sweetie Belle moved from the right side of her friends to the left.

CMCs (sing):
’Cause the Cutie Mark Crusaders don’t give in

We’ll make our mark
One way or another
We’ll make our mark
On the day that we discover
The ultimate reward of our cutie marks!

“Now, that’s more like it!” Apple Bloom said. The group was then interrupted when somepony loudly opened the clubhouse door.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders! Help!” cried out a familiar pinto colt, whose name was Pipsqueak or Pip for short.

“What’s wrong, Pipsqueak?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I’m running for student pony president,” Pipsqueak explained, “I was hoping you four would be my campaign managers!” The Cutie Mark Crusaders exchanged looks of interest with each other.

“We’ve never tried gettin’ our cutie marks in campaign managin’!” said Apple Bloom excitedly, “What do ya say, Crusaders?”

“Yeah! Five!” The four of them shouted as they shared a fist-bump together. Pipsqueak tried to join in, but found himself too short to jump up and reach the girls’ hands. That is until Sweetie Belle used her magic to lifted him up. He just smiled in reply.

Once the five of them had arrived at the school grounds, Sweetie Belle pushed a crate forward so Pipsqueak could use it to stand on. Apple Bloom then stood beside the little colt from the right side.

“So, Pip, how would you help the school if you were elected student pony president?” said Apple Bloom loudly to get everypony’s attention.

“Our playground equipment took quite a beating during Twilight and Cody’s battle with Tirek!” said Pipsqueak as some ponies stared at him. One pony was sitting on a run-down swing when the seat broke in half and sent the colt plopping onto his stomach.

“If I’m voted in as student pony president, I’ll go to the school board and right this wrong!” said Pipsqueak. The other students cheered. Then came Pipsqueak’s opponent, Diamond Tiara and her so called best friend Silver Spoon.

“Well, I think that’s a ridiculous waste of money,” said Diamond Tiara snootily as she rudely shoved a pony aside and then pointed out a familiar filly with a red poofy mane and glasses, “It’s just like when Twist proposed to repair the window that Discord destroyed! She just wanted to repair it like a plain old schoolhouse window. But you all know voting for me was the best choice because I convinced the school board to give that window visual appeal!” Twist felt rather bad as Diamond Tiara bragged and then showed off the window that had been turned into a stained window of herself.

“’Course, it doesn’t hurt that her mother Spoiled Rich is president of the school board,” Apple Bloom remarked to Pipsqueak.

“Exactly!” Silver Spoon remarked since she was standing within hearing range, “Which is why when Diamond Tiara is voted student body president, the school will be putting a statue of her in the center of the schoolyard!” Silver Spoon was then taken by surprise when Diamond Tiara pulled her back by her braid.

“Silver Spoon! That was my big announcement for when I won!” Diamond retorted through gritted teeth.

“I was only trying to help,” said Silver Spoon rather sheepishly.

“I don’t need that kind of help!” Diamond snapped.

Yeah, ‘cause you think you’re a one pony show Silver Spoon thought to herself bitterly. It was then Apple Bloom stood in front of the two rich fillies.

“Haven’t we all had enough of Diamond Tiara?” Apple Bloom asked the rest of the students.

“Do we really need a big statue of her?” Scootaloo asked.

“Especially where our playground equipment should be?” Sweetie Belle added.

“It’s time for a change around here!” Rex finished.

The other students muttered to each other. It was then Scootaloo helped Pipsqueak on top of a giant standing horseshoe.

“A vote for Pip is a vote for the playground!” Pipsqueak announced.

“A vote for Diamond Tiara is a vote for more Diamond Tiara!” the rich filly announced, but instead of any cheers or praises, she got no response. The Cutie Mark Crusaders started to sing.

They head up to the top arc of the standing horseshoe with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo in the left and Apple Bloom on the right. Apple Bloom leaned forward as all three Crusaders give a shout out to Pipsqueak as they raised him into the air and then quickly set him down.

CMCs (sing):
It’s time to make a change
This is our chance
Don’t be afraid to do what’s right
He’s it! Vote for Pip!

Apple Bloom pushed Pipsqueak ahead of them, who looked back to see Rex and his girlfriends singing as they marched behind him.

CMCs (sing):
We got an opportunity
To have fun again
A vote for Pip, and you can join the fight

The five of them passed two fillies playing on the damaged merry-go-round before they fell off as the merry-go-round tipped over. The five friends then headed to the tether ball court and Pip buck the ball to make it swing outward.

CMCs (sing):
It’s time for a new leader
It’s time to make a change
We’re here to fight for what we believe
(Vote for Pip!)
It’s finally time we beat her
And play a better game
‘Cause when we vote together
There’s nothing that we can’t achieve

Diamond Tiara caught the ball with a sour look on her face before sending the ball away from herself. She then walked up to a nearby colt, frightening him with her overly sweet singing. She then patted Pipsqueak on the head.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
I don’t believe what I am hearing
I’m the only one you should be cheering
Pipsqueak? Try “Pip’s weak!” Don’t you think?

Diamond Tiara did a ballerina twirl as somepony rolled over a giant voting ballot in the background, which Pipsqueaks face was drawn to make him look dumb and smelly. Then a check mark was done by the box next to her own face.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
But a diamond is perfection
It’s natural selection
So your vote better be for me, not the weakest link

“We’ll let the votin’ decide!” Apple Bloom retorted as she peeked out from the bottom left corner of the giant ballot. Diamond Tiara just stomped off to continue her singing solo. She marched deviously about the other students

Diamond Tiara (sings):
Everypony has their little secrets

“I know you do,” said Diamond Tiara to a nearby colt. She snuck a devious smirk at another filly.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
A vote for me will help you keep them safe

“Like your creepy super strength!” Diamond Tiara remarked at a filly who managed to lift up the entire school to retrieve a lost ball. The suddenly felt insecure after being called out and dropped the school.

She then walked over to a filly with a very long mane and tail. She then walked up to a colt and pulled down his lower lip to reveal that he had some abnormally large teeth, which made him cover his mouth fearfully.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
Or your mane extension
A little thing I won’t mention
Or those freakish large teeth in your face!

“Come on now ponies!” Apple Bloom shouted as she, Rex, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo stood firm, “Don’t listen to her!”

Another ballot appears showing more proper picture of Pipsqueak and a check mark being placed next to Pipsqueaks picture. And a red X appeared over Diamond Tiara’s face. Diamond Tiara was left stunned as an indignant look appeared on her face.

CMCs (sing):
You’ve gotta vote for change
It’s time for a new leader
End all the tyranny
Vote now and we can beat her

The four of them waved to the students lined up to vote with Pipsqueak standing beside them and Cheerilee was standing nearby to oversee the voting.

CMCs (sing):
It’s now another day
And we believe in what’s right

Inside the voting booth, a colt checked off Pipsqueak and put his vote into the ballot box.

The other foals (sing):
Vote for Pip! Vote for Pip!

CMCs (sing):
Our victory is in sight

“Stop! Everypony who hasn’t voted, listen up!” Diamond Tiara shouted from the foreground as everypony stopped to look at her. She walked over to come fillies and noticed one struggling to carry a bunch of books.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
Pip makes promises he can’t keep
But I can do more

“You could really use a new book bag,” said Diamond Tiara as she started to hand the filly the book bag and then pulled away and walked off. She appeared between two ponies and started sing and bragging to them.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
’Cause I’ll make things happen
That none of you here can afford

“To do, like, ever!” Diamond Tiara bragged, only earning glares from the two ponies. She shoved some candy into one colt’s mouth, then gave another pony a parasol. Then she walked past Buttons, making his propeller hat fly off his head.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
Wouldn’t you like a little something sweet?
Here’s a parasol to hide you from the heat
Who says that I can’t be nice?

Everypony watched Diamond walk about as she sang. She then headed over to Dinky who was holding a picket sing that was promoting ponies to vote for Pip. Diamond then slapped the panel around to make it show a professionally made poster promoting ponies to vote for her instead.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
But first there’s one thing
An itsy-bitsy little string
And voting for me is the price!

Silver Spoon tapped Diamond Tiara’s side and began to sing. Diamond Tiara glared at her as Silver Spoon confidence grew as she sang.

Silver Spoon (sings):
I’ve a tiny suggestion
That you should be aware
You could probably win this election
If you show them all you real-

“I don’t recall asking you to speak!” Diamond snapped loudly at Silver Spoon. Everypony gasped in shock.

“Well, if that’s how you treat your best friend, then I choose Pipsqueak!” Sweetie Belle remarked. She gave the little colt a wink. The Cutie Mark Crusaders marched off the steps with Pipsqueak.

The other foals (sing):
Vote!

The other ponies gathered around the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Pipsqueak, except for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. However, while Diamond Tiara was indignant and Silver Spoon just had a blank look on her face.

CMCs (and the other foals) (sing):
Stand strong and don’t be afraid, ponies (For Pip! Vote!)
Let’s free ourselves from the past

The background showed crayon drawings of Pipsqueak as four ponies held up banners with the same drawing on them.

The other foals (sing):
He’s it! Vote for Pip! Vote!

Pipsqueak welcomed the other students into the voting booth as the three fillies stood and sang beside him. A Diamond Tiara poster appeared in foreground and was immediately ripped in half. Pipsqueak and the three fillies then marched about proudly.

CMCs (and the other foals) (sing):
We'll let honor win out against the tyranny (For Pip!) (Vote!)
And make a change that will last

The other foals (sing):
Vote for Pip!

Pipsqueak marched proudly before the smiling students as he and the Cutie Mark Crusaders sang. Diamond Tiara was still indignant and now very annoyed. Silver Spoon was actually smiling.

CMCs (sing):
It’s time for a new leader
It’s time to make a change
We’re here to fight for what we believe

Two foals got into the foreground.

Two of the other foals (sing):
Vote for Pip!

Pipsqueak then stood on one end of a worn down teeter totter. Another colt then helped lift the end Pipsqueak was standing on so everypony could see him.

CMCs (sing):
It’s finally time we beat her
And play a better game
‘Cause when we vote together
There’s nothing that we can’t achieve

The other foals each lifted an arm in the air as they shouted and Pipsqueak smiled at them.

The other foals (sing):
Vote for Pip!

It wasn’t long before everypony had voted and Cheerilee was ready to reveal the results.

“The votes have been counted!” Cheerilee announced. The screen split into two. On the right was Pipsqueak, who looked very nervous and was biting his nails. Diamond Tiara looked very confident and had a smug smile on her face.

“The student pony president is...” Cheerilee continued as Diamond cockily took a few steps forward, “Pipsqueak!” Diamond Tiara was stopped in her tracks in complete shock as everypony else cheered excitedly.

“Oh, my gosh, Crusaders! Pip won!” said Apple Bloom excitedly.

“I couldn’t have won without the hard work of my campaign managers, the Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Pipsqueak announced as he walked up to them.

“Campaign manager cutie marks!” Sweetie Belle said excitedly as the four of them looked at their sides. But as usual, they were still blank.

“Guess you’re not as good as you thought, blank flanks,” Diamond Tiara taunted, even with Miss Cheerilee giving her a stern glare in the background, “In fact, I demand a recount!”

“Trust me, Diamond Tiara,” said Cheerilee smugly and also confidently, “Pip won.”

“I’ll be the judge of that, Miss Cheerilee!” said Diamond Tiara as she marched importantly inside the count the votes herself.

In less than a minute...

“WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!” Diamond Tiara shouted from inside the school house so loudly that she startled everypony outside. Even Cheerilee winced at her shouting.

“One vote!” Diamond Tiara exclaimed in shock and devastation as she reappeared at the doorway and rushed over to her best friend, “Silver Spoon! You didn’t vote for me?!”

“No, I didn’t,” said Silver Spoon firmly and unsympathetically. Diamond Tiara was stunned, as well as hurt.

“But you’re my best friend,” Diamond Tiara protested feebly.

“Am I?” Silver Spoon asked, “’Cause I tried to help by mentioning your ‘surprise’ statue, and suddenly I wasn’t allowed to speak! Whenever I go out of my way to keep you out of trouble or when one of your brilliant plans goes wrong, I’m not allowed to speak! Whenever I try to speak my mind and what I say doesn’t agree with you or it’s not what you wanted to hear, I’m not allowed to speak! You could have actually won this election if you just listened to me. You wanna know how?” Diamond Tiara just stared with her mouth open as Silver Spoon leaned into her face.

“Sorry, I’m not allowed to speak,” Silver Spoon said in a whisper that was stern and straight to the point as she shut Diamond Tiara’s mouth herself.

“GrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” Diamond Tiara screamed in pure rage before she ran off. The Cutie Mark Crusaders and Pip were left stunned at what had happened and looked at Silver Spoon.

“What? I don’t have to follow her drama anymore!” Silver Spoon remarked.

She walked away in the direction opposite of Diamond Tiara. Rex and his girlfriends exchanged concerned looks with Pipsqueak. They couldn’t help but feel bad seeing the friendship between the two rich ponies fall apart.

“I know Diamond Tiara’s been pretty awful, but...we should probably make sure she’s okay. Just ‘cause she’s never cared about anypony else’s feelings doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care about hers,” Apple Bloom said to the others as Pipsqueak walked off. Rex, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo shared sympathetic looks with her.

Diamond Tiara was feeling miserable as she headed into town with her head low to the ground. She was unaware of the CMCs peeking from behind a building. As she passed a shop, a mare with a dark pink coat, purple main and tail, crooked nose, gold chain necklace, and a aquamarine top with gold gem trimming along the bottom and a matching skirt, took notice of her. The pony was her mother, Spoiled Rich.

“Diamond Tiara!” the spoiled mare shouted sternly, making Diamond Tiara lift her head to reveal her long face, “Why are you making that face? That’s not the face of a winner!” Diamond Tiara bit her lip.

“Because...I didn’t win,” Diamond Tiara replied sadly.

“What?!” Spoiled Rich retorted dramatically before adding sternly, “You mean I hefted all these party supplies to celebrate nothing?!” Nearby, were two maids and their butler, Randolph, who were carrying various party supplies from the shop. But poor Randolph was forced to carry a large statue of Diamond Tiara only for it to crush him.

“Sorry mother,” Diamond Tiara replied simply, still looking rather glum.

“It’s bad enough that you lost to that transplant from Trottingham, but imagine if you’d lost to one of those blank flanks. As a rich pony, you must always think of your social standing,” Spoiled Rich spat out. It was then Fancy Pants and Fleur de Lis walked by.

“Hm,” Fancy Pants pondered as he walked by as Spoiled Rich put on an over the top smile on her face and waved. As soon as he looked away, she went back to sternly starting down at her daughter.

“That’s starts here in Ponyville and reaches all over Equestria,” Spoiled Rich continued as she lifted Diamond Tiara’s chin and got into her face, “Don’t ever forget that, Diamond Tiara. EVER!”

Diamond Tiara winced at the shouting, same with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who had been listening in a short distance away. Spoiled Rich just walked away, feeling rather pleased with her herself. Diamond just walked sadly away in another direction, feeling even more dejected. She looked at a display window and then kicked a small stone away.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
If I’m a diamond
Then why do I feel so rough?
I’m as strong as a stone
Even that’s not enough

She walked away from the shop as the screen shattered like a broken glass window.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
There’s something jagged in me
And I’ve made such mistakes
I thought that diamonds were hard
Though I feel I could break

She stood on the middle of a bridge as she sang. Behind her a filly with her father walked across the same bridge happily chatting with each other. She stared at the water below as tears fell from her eyes and into the water. Those water droplets later formed the beads that were on her tiara cutie mark.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
Would you believe
That I’ve always wished I could be somepony else?
Yet I can’t see
What I need to do to be the pony I want to be

To her left was Spoiled Rich telling her what to do before waving her off, leaving Diamond miserable. To her right, the Cakes were having fun with their twins.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
I’ve been told my whole life
What to do, what to say
Nopony showed me that
There might be some better way

She looked at the sky as the ground seemed to swallow her up. But she sadly lowered her head as she appeared to sink deeper underground.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
And now I feel like I’m lost
I don’t know what to do
The ground is sinking away
I’m about to fall through

She was standing on a giant diamond that rotated her clockwise and then floated across the foreground to show her just walking slowly about the town. The Cutie Mark Crusaders just shared curious and worried looks with each other. Diamond shed some tears as she walked about and sang, then lowered her head sadly.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
Would you believe
That I’ve always wished I could be somepony else?
Yet I can’t see
What I need to do to be the pony I want to be

She lifted her head once more before walking about town alone.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
To be the pony I want to be

As Diamond Tiara walked about, the Cutie Mark Crusaders came out of hiding.

“Is it weird that I feel bad for her?” Sweetie Belle asked Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.

“If it is, then...I’m weird, too,” said Scootaloo.

“I agree. Cody told me that holding grudges is unhealthy, especially for a Jedi,” Rex added.

“She wants to change, but she doesn’t know how,” Apple Bloom pointed out.

“Seems like she could use a friend or two to help her figure it out,” said Sweetie Belle. Apple Bloom smiled in agreement.

The next day, the school bell rang to announce the end of another day of learning. The majority of the students, including Silver Spoon, charged happily out of the school house. Diamond Tiara just waited for the group of students to pull ahead of her a few yards before slowly making her exit.

“Hey, Diamond Tiara!” shouted Apple Bloom, “Wait up!” The CMCs approached the rich filly, who simply put on an annoyed face.

“What do you three want?” Diamond Tiara retorted irritably, “To gloat? Rub in my defeat?”

“Actually, we wanted to invite you to our clubhouse to hang out,” Apple Bloom replied as she and the others gave her warm smiles. Diamond Tiara was taken aback by the offer.

“Really?” she asked in surprise.

“Yeah, for real!” said Scootaloo.

“Well, thanks to you all, I don’t have any important class president business to attend to or anything,” Diamond Tiara replied haughtily, “So I might as well.” Diamond just crossed her arms and pouted with a long face.

“That sounds like yes...” said Sweetie Belle with a worried but sheepish smile on her face. The others just smiled back at her.

Despite not being at the clubhouse since the whole incident with Babs Seed, Diamond Tiara recognized the road and location right away. She couldn’t help but pace about once they were all inside and the door was closed.

“So, do you three just sit around here plotting out different ways to try and get your cutie marks?” Diamond Tiara asked as she noticed the posters on the wall.

“Actually, yeah,” Apple Bloom answered honestly as they all smiled.

“You three are...really lucky,” Diamond Tiara started to launch an insult but then looked away sheepishly by adding in a timid tone.

“We are?!” The CMCs asked in surprise.

“Yeah! You get to explore all these options, learning who you really are before you’re stuck with something you don’t understand,” Diamond Tiara replied. She looked sadly at her own cutie mark.

“But...you’ve done that, right?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Yeah, ’cause I have my cutie mark! And I’m not struggling at all to figure out who I’m supposed to be and what I’m supposed to be doing with this mark that’s already on my sides!” Diamond Tiara answered in a rather cocky tone as she pointed at her cutie mark. She didn’t hesitate to shake her sides to emphasize her point. But the concerned looks seen on the faces of the Cutie Mark Crusaders made it clear none of them believed her.

“Uh...are you sure about that?” Apple Bloom asked. Diamond Tiara then scoffed as she tried to make a face that almost resembled her mother’s.

“That’s a weird question,” Diamond Tiara replied bluntly.

“Not really, since we kind of overheard you yesterday,” Sweetie Belle replied as she rubbed the back of her head. Diamond Tiara blinked in shock.

“Were you trying to get your cutie marks in spying?” Diamond Tiara snapped defensively, “Is that on your little chart?”

“No! We were just worried about you when you lost the election, and then you lost your friend, and then your mom yelled at you...” Sweetie Belle answered. As she spoke, Diamond Tiara’s defense melted within seconds. She was soon look very sad once Sweetie Belle mentioned her mother and her lips started quivering.

“We know you wanna change, and we think we can-” said Apple Bloom.

“HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLP!”

Pipsqueak interrupted, shouting to them from outside the clubhouse and bouncing nervously. The CMCs wasted little time opening the door as Diamond Tiara just stayed hidden inside.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Pipsqueak cried out, “I was at the school board meeting and they didn’t approve my request for the new playground equipment!”

“Why not?” Sweetie Belle asked curiously.

“There’s no money in the budget!” Pipsqueak explained, “So I checked my peggy bank to see if I had enough bits...” Pipsqueak then shook his little piggy bank and out came a dead fly, a piece of candy, and a piece lint, “...but my peggy wasn’t nearly full enough!”

“Don’t worry, Pip!” said Sweetie Belle.

“We’ll meet you back at school,” Scootaloo added.

“And help you find a solution!” Apple Bloom continued.

“You can count on us!” Rex finished.

“Thanks, Cutie Mark Crusaders!” said Pip before he made his way back to the school. It was then Diamond Tiara stepped out of the clubhouse. She had heard everything.

“Oh, I already have a solution!” said Diamond Tiara, now with her usual cocky smirk on her face, “Our new student pony president is gonna be kicked out of office, and I’ll be reinstated!”

“Pip won fair and square, Diamond. Don’t do anything rash!” Rex replied.

Diamond Tiara ignored him, then took off down the ramp and toward the end of the apple orchard.

“Where’s she going?” Scootaloo called out.

“Where do you think?!” Apple Bloom retorted in a worried tone, “C’mon! After her!” Apple Bloom and Scootaloo chased after her.

“Wait! I’m coming too!” Sweetie Belle shouted as she went to follow her two friends.

“Wait up, girls!” Rex called out as he ran up to his girlfriends.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders then chased Diamond Tiara as she headed toward the town area. Diamond looked back as she sang to them and crossed the bridge to enter the town, attracting the attention of some nearby ponies.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
Cutie Mark Crusaders, get out of my way
Those ponies need to know the truth
And they’ll hear it from me

The Cutie Mark Crusaders sang together to get Diamond Tiara’s attention, the tiara-wearing filly looked back at them before increasing her speed. She then ran up to a pony pulling a single wagon loaded with apples and tipped the wagon over so the four of them were tripped up and fell over the spilled apples.

CMCs (sing):
Stop! Diamond Tiara, this is not the way
You know you’re better than this hostility

Diamond Tiara continued to run, heading past a large group of elite and high class ponies, which both Spoiled Rich and Filthy Rich were in the crowd. Both her parents had stern looks on their face as Spoiled Rich snubbed somepony by sticking her nose in the air.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
You don’t even know me at all
Don’t understand the meaning of my fall
What my family would think if I ever
Fail at anything

She weaved between some more ponies and took a turn down an alleyway, but then the Cutie Mark Crusaders intercepted her as she reached the end of the alleyway.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
I’m a diamond, that means you’ll never break
No matter what be the cost of the path I take
Whatever I have to do to win in the end

As the Cutie Mark Crusaders get in front of Diamond Tiara, they made her run off to the side. Then they cut her off a second time, making her do a nearly complete U turn. They cut her off a third time, making Diamond Tiara skid to a stop and turn sharply to get around them.

CMCs (sing):
Stop! This is not the answer
Wait! and it’s plainly seen
Listen! You can redeem yourself
But helping others, not by being mean

The four of them manage to overtake Diamond Tiara again and sing to her while running backwards. Then Scootaloo leaned forward, followed by Rex and Apple Bloom, and then Sweetie Belle. Diamond Tiara’s face was showing that she was starting to have doubts as their words were starting to get to her.

CMCs (sing):
We know you want friends who admire you
You want to be the star with all the power too
But there’s a better way, there’s a better wa-a-ay

The Cutie Mark Crusaders ran alongside Diamond Tiara. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were on her left with Scootaloo and Rex on her right. As they sang, Diamond Tiara was looked more and more unsure of her decision, even looking at her cutie mark as she began to feel more and more conflicted.

CMCs (sing):
There’s so much more still left to
Learn about yourself
See the light that shines in you
We know you can be somepony else

The Cutie Mark Crusaders stood between a fork on the road. The left path that lead to the school, was dark and cloudy. The right path lead to a gazebo and the sky was sunny and there was a rainbow in the sky. Diamond Tiara nervously looked at both paths and bit her lower lip.

CMCs (sing):
You can stop right now
And try another start
You’ll finally free yourself from the dark
And see the light
And see the light of your cutie mark

As the Cutie Mark Crusaders finished singing, Diamond Tiara narrowed her eyes and charged down...the dark left path. She reached the front of the school where Cheerilee and several other students were chatting with each other, including Silver Spoon.

“Everypony, I have an announcement,” Diamond Tiara said loudly. The Cutie Mark Crusaders had just arrived at the scene. The four of them winced as they shared worried looks with each other.

“Diamond Tiara! Think hard about the choice your makin’ right now!” Apple Bloom called out.

“You can be a better pony!” Scootaloo added.

“Let go of your hate! Trust us!” Rex finished.

They couldn’t see that Diamond Tiara was still feeling rather conflicted about going through with her idea. Diamond Tiara’s moment was then lost when the door to the schoolhouse opened and there before her was Spoiled Rich.

“Diamond Tiara!” Spoiled Rich barked, making her daughter and the Cutie Mark Crusaders wince. Cheerilee and the rest of the students split to allow the rich mare a path to walk between them, “I just happened to be here for the school board meeting, and this is what I see when we adjourn? My daughter associating with confused, insignificant lowlifes?”

“Socializing with their kind is not how you move up in Equestria!” Spoiled Rich continued, leaving the three fillies stunned, shocked, and indignant, “Come, Diamond Tiara!” That was the breaking point for the tiara wearing filly. The choice she was feeling so conflicted with now had become crystal clear as she narrowed her eyes at the mare.

“No, mother!” Diamond Tiara said firmly. Spoiled Rich went rigid and her ears flattened.

“Excuse me?!” Spoiled Rich remarked with an exaggerated look on her face, clearly offended.

“You’ve spent your life acting like a high horse and raised me to follow in your hoof prints!” Diamond Tiara said boldly, “At first, I thought this was fine, but then I finally realized I wanted something you don’t have, friends!”

The Cutie Mark Crusaders gasped. So did Cheerilee and the rest of the class, even Silver Spoon’s jaw dropped. Spoiled Rich started looking very uncomfortable at all the stares and gasps.

“That’s enough, Diamond Tiara!” Spoiled Rich snapped, “Step away from those blanks!”

“These are the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and they are my friends!” said Diamond Tiara proudly, “You need to stop calling them such mean and hurtful names!” Spoiled Rich just looked stunned and then looked away with an annoyed look on her face.

“They are working harder to get their cutie marks than anypony I’ve ever seen!” Diamond Tiara continued as the quartet smiled, “And they will get them exactly when they discover their true talent, which I guarantee will be amazing! Now, will you please deliver this to father?” She held a sheet of paper.

“Yes, of course, dear...” said Spoiled Rich timidly as she took the paper and nervously walked away.

“I have to thank you, Crusaders,” said Diamond Tiara as she turned to the CMCs, “Obviously I’ve known since I got my cutie mark that my talent is getting other ponies to do what I want. I just asked my father if he could donate money for the new playground equipment!” She then headed toward the other students. Everypony smiled and chattered with excitement and Diamond headed over to Pipsqueak.

“I knew you were worried for a second there, weren’t you?” Diamond Tiara said to the little colt, who looked at her nervously, “Ha! Well, I think it’s all gonna work out just fine, Mister President!” She gave him a wink, which Pipsqueak smiled in reply.

Diamond gathered everypony around as she hopped up to the front porch as she sang to everypony.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
We’ll build a playground
For all of us to enjoy
So full of games
There’s enough for each girl and boy

I want to help and do
Everything that I can
I’m here to show you I changed
Listen up, here’s the plan

A few days later, the new playground equipment arrived.

“Bring it in! That’s right, keep it coming!” Diamond Tiara told the delivery ponies as they brought in several giant boxes. Then Diamond Tiara walked up to four students, but all but one filly ran away from her, “Hey there, you with the amazing strength. Can you help them move that marry-go-round across the lawn?” The little filly noticed two student dragging the broken merry-go-round by a rope. She quickly got under it and held it in the air before waving back at the tiara wearing filly.

“Thank you so much!” Diamond Tiara told the filly before turning to another colt, “And you with the super teeth, we need you to help with the teeter totter.” The colt grabbed one end, carrying it away, along with Twist, who had been holding the other end.

“You got it!” Diamond Tiara cheered, “That’s the spirit!”

She marched about happily as the others looked through the boxes to grab the parts for the playground equipment. Even Twilight, Cody, and Sunset were there to help as well. As she kept singing, her cutie mark glowed. Then they others got to work. Sweetie Belle used her magic to repair a swing and smiled as did Rex, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo. Then four ponies worked together to set up a new tether ball pole.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
There’s so much I can do
To help everypony else
I see the light that shines in me
I know I can be my better self

As she sang, the sun rose from behind the school. Silver Spoon was busy repairing a fence when one of the boards fell down. She looked a little dejected until Diamond Tiara appeared to hold the board up so Silver Spoon could hammer it into place. A few more days later, the playground was complete. Cody, Twilight, and Sunset had left Cheerilee and the other students to finish up construction. A Pegasus placed a flag on the center tower and Diamond Tiara stood at the front of the platform before sliding down the slide to the ground below.

Diamond Tiara (sings):
I can free the past
‘Cause now the future’s bright for me
My cutie mark has set me free
To do what’s right and be the pony I want to be

And be the pony I want to be!

As soon as Diamond Tiara landed, Cheerilee and the rest of the students minus the Cutie Mark Crusaders gathered around her. Silver Spoon was the first to reach the tiara-wearing filly and put a hand on her shoulder. Diamond Tiara sighed.

“Great job everypony,” Diamond Tiara told the others, “And...now that you’ve seen that I am trying to be a better pony that...you’ll believe me when I say this.” Diamond Tiara took a deep breath.

“I’m so sorry,” said Diamond Tiara, “I’m sorry for the way I acted...and for how I bullied all of you.” There was a brief silence as Diamond Tiara felt a tear leave her eye. Silver Spoon found it rather foreign to see Diamond Tiara apologize so quickly or her mistakes and admit she was wrong, but the fact the tiara-wearing filly was doing so was just more proof that Diamond Tiara was changing for the better. Diamond Tiara saw Silver Spoon step forward.

“I forgive you,” said Silver Spoon with a gentle smile on her face. The other students smiled as well, giving a general consensus that most of them had at least accepted Diamond Tiara’s apology. The Cutie Mark Crusaders just watched from a short distance away.

“I’ve been thinkin’, Crusaders,” said Apple Bloom, “We spend an awful lot of time fussin’ and frettin’ tryin’ to discover our true talent. But when we take a little time off, we end up helpin’ other ponies find their true talent.”

“Yeah, and I think that’s way more important than worrying about our cutie marks, don’t you?” Sweetie Belle added.

“Absolutely!” said Scootaloo as she pulled the other two fillies into a group hug, “I don’t care if I ever get my cutie mark as long as I get to hang out with my best friends.”

“I agree. Our true calling might be closer than we think,” Rex added.

“So what do you say, Crusaders?” Apple Bloom replied as she walked forward a bit to face her two best friends and boyfriend, “Want to just focus on helpin’ others find their cutie marks?”

“Yeah!” the four of them shouted as they shared a high-five.

Just then, a ring of purple magic sparked from their hands and then created a ring around the quartet. The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked rather surprised as their bodies suddenly started glowing and they rose into the air. Then they were surrounded by a bright light that engulfed them completely. The bright light didn’t go unnoticed as Cheerilee and the rest of the class turned around just as the bright light faded and the four of them were set down on the ground, looking rather drained from the magic surge. Scootaloo was the first to recover and noticed all their fellow students were gasping and oohing at them.

“What happened?” Sweetie Belle asked once she recovered.

“What’s goin’ on?” Apple Bloom asked next.

“It’s your cutie marks!” said Diamond Tiara excitedly, “They’re amazing!” The three fillies checked their shoulders even though they knew Diamond Tiara wouldn’t be teasing them about something like that. To their shock and surprise...they were no longer blank.

They had their own tri-colored shield for a cutie mark, each of them had an emblem unique to that particular filly. Apple Bloom’s had an apple across the shield, Sweetie Belle’s included a musical note, Scootaloo’s included a wing, and Rex’s included the Jedi crest. But that detail, for the moment, was over looked as the quartet smiled excitedly.

“We all got the same cutie mark!” the four of them shouted happily before bumping themselves together, “Cutie Mark Crusaders forever!”

They hugged each other and then marched around Cheerilee and their fellow students. Then they took off as the rest of the ponies followed after them.

CMCs (sing):
We were searching for our cutie marks
For a while there
Trying to find out how we fit in

So many ways we’ve tried before
But we kept on trying more
‘Cause the Cutie Mark Crusaders don’t give in

It was then that the quartet led a march with the rest of their class behind them.

Scootaloo (sings):
Now we know what it took all along

Sweetie Belle (sings):
And our journey here is never really done

Apple Bloom (sings):
For it is more than just a mark

Rex (sings):
It’s a place for us to start

As Rex and the three fillies lead their little parade and sang, the other ponies turned to see them and smiled when they saw the kids’ new cutie marks. Then the CMCs super jumped into the air as the foreground showed their cutie marks.

CMCs (sing):
An adventure that has only just begun

We’ll make our mark
Show the world what we can do
We’ll make our mark
Helping fillies to break through
To the ultimate reward of a cutie mark

“All right, everypony!” said Pinkie as everypony minus Apple Bloom was standing outside of Sugarcube Corner, “Get ready for the biggest cute-ceanera celebration ever!” Pinkie then tossed some confetti into the air as the other ponies cheered. Apple Bloom was with Applejack, Bright Mac, Pear Butter, Granny Smith, and Big Mac. All the adults had tears in their eyes. Big Mac was struggling not to break down in tears.

“Oh, sugarcube, we’re so proud of ya,” said Applejack.

“Oh...Thanks, Applejack,” Apple Bloom replied.

“Now go on and party with your pals,” said Applejack.

“Mom will be so proud of you, Rex. Same with Father, Aunt Luna, and Uncle Dagger,” Cody said to his little brother.

“Thanks, big bro. I can’t wait to show them!” Rex replied.

Before Rex could run off, Cody placed a hand under his chin. Rex smiled as Cody sang to him and then they shared a hug.

Cody (sings):
You searched long and hard, finding your purpose
Now you know just what you’re meant to do

Rainbow Dash rubbed Scootaloo’s mane and they shared a high-five with each other.

Rainbow Dash (sings):
I’m so proud of you, little buddy
You’ve taught me a thing or two

Rarity held both of Sweetie Belle hands in her own. Her touching words made Sweetie Belle smile and blush a bit.

Rarity (sings):
You’ve inspired everypony around you
And you’ve inspired me too

The four of them sang together for the Cutie Mark Crusaders while the rest of Harmony Squad, Spike, and several other ponies watched from the background. Then they marched up to the four foals, which Rainbow hovered in the air. Then they looked up to the sky as the screen filled up showing the Mane Six’s cutie marks on the outside and the Cutie Mark Crusader’s new cutie marks in the center.

Cody, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash (sing):
You’ve made your mark
Done Equestria so proud
You’ve made your mark
And we’re here to sing it loud
For the ultimate reward of your cutie mark

The next day, Rex and the three fillies were now back inside their clubhouse.

“Well, what do you think, Crusaders?” Apple Bloom said to her two friends and boyfriend as she stood by her podium and showed her now marked sides, “Were these cutie marks totally worth waiting for or what?”

“Yeah!” said Sweetie Belle, “I can’t wait to see who we’re gonna help next!”

A flashback was seen showing various memories such as their first meeting at Diamond Tiara’s cute-ceanera, doing the talent show, trying zip lining, working on the farm, their Gabby Gums incident, a triple view of them donning their Crusader capes, their finishing pose at the Equestria Games, Twilight Time, and defending Trouble Shoes.

CMCs (sing):
We started out just three
Crusaders driven to see
What we find in our hearts
Discover our destiny

They were floating in the air before a sparkly purple background. Then their shield cutie marks appeared behind them. Then the shields turned into platforms that let the quartet fly side by side at high speed.

CMCs (sing):
And here we are, best friends
About to start it again
An adventure that never will end

Rex and the three fillies smiled at each other as they rode their shields before zooming away. The view then descended to the outside of the clubhouse as Rex and the three fillies made their way out. Harmony Squad and their class gathered around them as they all posed for a picture, which was taken by Photo Finish. Then Spike sent it to Celestia, Luna, Blaze, and Dagger, who smiled at they enjoyed the picture together.

CMCs (sing):
We’ll make our mark
Helping fillies most in need
We’ll make our mark
So each one of them succeeds
‘Cause the ultimate reward is a cutie mark!

Once it was evening, Rex returned home to the Canterlot Castle. There he showed Celestia, Blaze, Luna, and Dagger his new cutie mark.

“Everyone, look what I just got today,” Rex said, showing them his shoulders.

“You got your cutie mark,” Blaze replied.

“Congrats, Rex,” Dagger added.

“Way to go, sweetheart,” Celestia said as she hugged Rex.

“We’re proud of you, Rex,” Luna added.

“Thanks, Mom and Aunt Luna,” Rex replied.

Chapter 13: A Royal Family Reunion

A month later

It was the week of Nightmare Night and Cody was in the Canterlot Hospital waiting room with Rex. Just then, a nurse came up to them and said, “Cody and Rex Ando, your mother and father have requested your presence. They’re in room 224.”

It wasn’t long before the two brothers reached room 224 where Princess Celestia and Prince Blaze were waiting for them. The sun princess was in a hospital bed holding triplet babies, one boy and two girls. Like Rex, the triplets were half-human. The girls had pink hair and hazel brown eyes like their father while the boy had pale magenta eyes like his mother and his father’s brown hair. The triplets also had a horn, wings, and tails matching their hair color.

“Hi, mom,” Rex greeted.

“Hi, Rex,” Celestia said.

“Congratulations, mom,” Cody said, then turned to his father, “Thought of any names, father?”

“We decided to name the girls Gallia and Luminara or Lumi for short, after two great Jedi Masters,” Blaze replied.

“We’re still thinking of a good name for the boy,” Celestia added.

“I say we name him Kanan,” Cody said.

“Good thinking,” Blaze replied.

“Rex and Cody, here’s your new baby brother and sisters,” Celestia said as she gave them to her older sons.

Soon enough, Cody, Rex, their parents and new triplet siblings were out of the hospital and in the castle ballroom. Luna and Dagger were present, along with Cadance, Shining Armor, and the rest of Harmony Squad. Even Rex’s girlfriends, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were present.

“Luna and Dagger, these are your new nieces and nephew. Gallia, Luminara, and Kanan Ando,” Celestia said, presenting the triplets to her sister and brother-in-law.

“Hello precious little ones, I’m your Auntie Luna and here’s your Uncle Dagger,” Luna said to the triplets with a loving smile.

“I’m looking forward to the day our child is born,” Dagger said.

“So am I,” Luna replied, rubbing her stomach.

“Hi, Aunt Luna. Hi, Uncle Dagger,” Cody greeted.

“Good to see you, Cody,” Luna and Dagger said in unison.

“How far along are you, Aunt Luna?” Rex asked.

“Four months, your cousin is due sometime in April,” Luna replied.

Cody and Rex were happy knowing that they were going to have a new cousin soon.

“Congratulations, Celestia,” Twilight and Sunset said in unison.

“Thanks, Twilight and Sunset,” Celestia replied.

Rex showed his new siblings to his girlfriends and they had smiles on their faces.

“Girls, these are my new sisters and brother, Gallia, Lumi, and Kanan,” Rex said.

“They’re so precious,” Sweetie Belle said. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo nodded in agreement.

Rex gave the triplets to Cody, who then showed them to his and his wives’ friends.

“They’re so precious!” Fluttershy said.

“Hello, little ones,” Pinkie added.

“I haven’t seen anything so sweet like this since Apple Bloom was born,” Applejack said.

“These little darlings are as precious as Sweetie Belle when she was born,” Rarity added.

Rainbow Dash, Flash Sentry, Sal, and Bucky also had smiles on their faces upon seeing the royal triplets. Even R5 gave some happy yet soft beeps and whistles. Everyone was mingling until the triplets were taken to their room for naps.

Meanwhile, at the former Fortress Inquisitorius, Blueblood, who now wore a black Sith robe, was sparring with the sirens, who were now also wearing Sith robes and wielded red blade lightsabers. Adagio’s was a separation dual blade, Aria had an Inquisitor’s lightsaber, and Sonata’s had a curved hilt. Darth Claw was watching his apprentices closely as they kept sparring. They kept dueling with Blueblood until they managed to knock him down.

“Do you yield?” the sirens asked, pointing their blades at him.

“I yield,” Blueblood replied.

“Most impressive. You’re making progress with your training, Dazzlings,” Darth Claw said.

“Thank you, master,” the sirens replied in unison.

“Master, are you going to have them keep beating me every time I spar with them? Because it won’t look good in a real battle,” Blueblood said.

“Think of this as a way to build up your anger and hatred, Blueblood. I can assure you that you’re being well trained and in time, you shall get your chance to kill Cody Ando,” Darth Claw replied.

“Yes, master,” Blueblood said as he left the training room.

As he went back to his quarters to rest for a while, Blueblood heard some hypnotic and seductive humming. He followed he voices until he found the sirens naked in his quarters.

“What are you three doing in my chambers?!” Blueblood asked.

“Isn’t it obvious? We want to have some fun with you,” Adagio replied flirtatiously.

“Just because we’re supposed to be working together does not mean we are truly friends, because friendship is not the way of the dark side,” Blueblood said.

“Understood,” Aria replied.

“That won’t stop us from having our way with you,” Sonata added.

They walked up to Blueblood with a sway of their hips. Adagio pulled him into a kiss while Aria took off his robe and Sonata took off his pants and underwear. They pushed him onto his bed, planting kisses on his face, neck, and chest.

Adagio sank herself onto Blueblood, making him enter her and she bounced on his hips. Blueblood grabbed onto her legs and thrust upwards in sync with her motions until he released inside her. Aria took Adagio’s place on top of Blueblood, she bounced atop him until he released inside her. Finally, Sonata tried to merge her hips with his, but Blueblood sat up and pinned Sonata to the bed. He swiftly entered her and began thrusting as she wrapped her arms and legs tightly around him. Blueblood kept thrusting atop Sonata until he released inside her. Once Blueblood pulled out of Sonata, she, Aria, and Adagio pounced onto Blueblood and the room was once again filled with the sounds of sex.

Hours later, Blueblood and the Dazzlings were resting together as they laid on him with their groins leaking his seed.

“Soon enough, we shall show Harmony Squad that we’re a force to be reckoned with and they shall meet their doom,” Blueblood said sinisterly as he and the sirens laughed evilly.

Back on Equestria that night, Applejack and Sal went into their bedroom.

“Ready to romp, babe?” Sal asked flirtatiously.

“Gladly, sugarcube,” Applejack replied.

It was then that Applejack and Sal began making out. They undressed each other, then she caressed his chest and midriff while he squeezed her rump, making her moan in their kissing. Sal leaned Applejack onto the bed, fondled her breasts and kissed her midriff.

He then kissed every inch of her thighs and caressed them as he entered her. Sal held onto Applejack’s hips as he began thrusting inside her. They kissed passionately as he kept thrusting. It wasn’t long before he released a massive load inside her as they both orgasmed and screamed in pleasure. Sal pulled out of Applejack as he turned his attention to Rainbow.

It was then that Sal and Rainbow began making out. They removed each other’s clothes until they were fully naked. Sal fondled Rainbow’s breasts, then moved his hands to her rump and squeezed it as she caressed his chest and abdomen. Rainbow pinned Sal onto the bed and kissed him on the neck and lips while he caressed her legs. She then merged her hips with his and he began thrusting upward. Rainbow bounced in sync with Sal’s thrusts.

Just then, Sal flipped Rainbow over so that he was on top. She then wrapped her legs around his waist as he kept thrusting. It wasn’t long before Sal released a massive load inside Rainbow as they both let out a scream of pleasure. He then pulled out of Rainbow and got off of her. She and Applejack cuddled with Sal on his right side while Rainbow was on his left.

“Let’s get some sleep now,” Applejack said.

“Good thinking. Quick question, are you safe today?” Sal asked.

“We are,” Rainbow replied.

“Good, ‘cause I’m not ready to be a dad yet. Besides, pregnancy and parenthood might difficult due to our current commitment to the rebellion in our fight against the Empire,” Sal said.

“Ya make a good point, hon. Besides, I’m sure Rainbow Dash might want to get pregnant the same time as me, given how competitive we both can be,” Applejack replied.

“Right about that,” Rainbow added.

“Good night, girls,” Sal said, “I love you.”

“We love you too, Sal,” Rainbow and Applejack replied in unison as they shared a kiss with him.

Meanwhile, Bucky was making out with Fluttershy and Pinkie in the cottage bedroom. The three of them removed each other’s clothes, Bucky then fondled each of their breasts while they caressed his chest and abdomen. As Fluttershy and Pinkie kissed Bucky on his neck, cheeks, and passionately on the lips, he moved his hands to their rumps and squeezed them.

It was then that Pinkie pinned him to the bed and merged Bucky’s hips with hers. He sat back up and held onto her legs as he thrusted upwards. Fluttershy pressed her breasts onto Bucky’s back and turned his head to the side, pulling him into a passionate kiss. Pinkie bounced on Bucky’s manhood in sync with his thrusting. It wasn’t long before Bucky released a huge load inside Pinkie as they both let out a scream of pleasure.

She then got off of him and Fluttershy took her place as she sank down onto his manhood. Bucky thrusted upwards as Pinkie was now pressing her chest against his back. She then pulled Bucky in for a passionate kiss as Fluttershy moved in sync with him. It was then that Bucky flipped them over and he was on top. He held onto Fluttershy’s legs and caressed them as he kept thrusting. It wasn’t long before Bucky shot a massive load inside her as they screamed in pleasure. He then pulled out of Fluttershy and laid back cuddling with her and Pinkie.

“Quick question, girls. Are you both on the pill?” Bucky asked.

“We sure are,” Pinkie replied.

“Good, ‘cause I don’t think we want our offspring born into a galaxy at war and our current commitment to the rebellion in the fight against the Empire,” Bucky said.

“Good point. Any children we have would be better off hearing our war stories than having to actually fight in a war,” Fluttershy replied.

“Good night, girls. I love you,” Bucky said.

“We love you too, Bucky,” Fluttershy and Pinkie replied in unison.

The three of them shared one last kiss before falling asleep.

Author's Note

Just one more chapter left.

Chapter 14: Liberation of Kessel

Half a year later

It was a calm spring day in Ponyville as Cody, Twilight, Sunset, Spike, and the rest of Harmony Squad were doing some reading. Cal and Nash were also present.

“Glad you could come over, Cal and Nash,” Cody said while reading.

“Good to see you too, Cody,” Nash replied.

“Nice new home you and the wives have here,” Cal added.

“Thanks,” Cody said.

It wasn’t long before they heard a knock on the castle door.

“I’ll get it,” Spike said as he went to answer the door.

“Who is this? Please identify yourself,” Spike demanded.

“Starlight Glimmer,” a voice spoke up, “I wish to see Prince Cody and Princess Twilight.”

“They’re in the library,” Spike replied as he opened the door.

It wasn’t long before Spike returned to the library with Starlight.

“Princess Twilight, Prince Cody, I’ve been thinking and have been watching you for a while now and I decided that I want to give friendship another chance,” Starlight said.

“Good thinking, Starlight,” Twilight replied.

“You made a wise decision,” Cody added.

Starlight squinted her eyes and tilted her head and asked, “You look familiar, didn’t I meet you when I played with Sunburst back home in Sire’s Hollow?”

“It’s me, Sunset Shimmer. Sunburst is my brother, he spoke very highly of you,” Sunset replied, “It’s good to see you, Starlight.”

Just then, they heard a beep coming from the holotable.

“We have an incoming transmission,” Sunset said.

“Must be from Rebel Command,” Cody replied as he answered the transmission. It was then that Admiral Ackbar appeared on the hologram.

“Harmony Squad, we need your help on our next operation,” Admiral Ackbar said.

“What’s the operation, Admiral?” Cody asked.

“We need to seize control of the Empire’s new coaxium refinery base on Kessel. With your help, we shall have enough coaxium to power the fleet for years,” Admiral Ackbar replied.

“Where do we meet you for briefing?” Twilight asked.

“On the command ship Home One above Lothal,” Admiral Ackbar replied.

“We’re on our way, Admiral. Harmony Squad out,” Applejack said as the transmission ended.

“Starlight, do you mind accompanying us to Kessel?” Sunset asked.

“I’d like to know why we’re going there first,” Starlight replied.

“The Rebellion needs us to seize control of the Empire’s new coaxium refinery so we can get enough fuel reserves for years,” Cody said, “We’ll explain more on the way.”

It wasn’t long before Harmony Squad, along with Starlight Glimmer, Cal, and Nash boarded the Star Hope and left the surface. Having plotted the course for Lothal, they jumped into hyperspace.

Once above Lothal, the Star Hope approached Home One, which was receiving newly built starfighters from the former Imperial factory.

“Harmony Squad to Home One, we’re here for briefing,” Cody said over the comm.

“We read you, Harmony Squad. You’re cleared to land,” a rebel officer replied over the comm.

As the Star Hope docked in the command ship’s hangar, Cody and the others noticed the Millennium Falcon and a familiar X-wing right next to it.

“It’s a good thing Luke, Han, and the gang are here,” Cody said.

“Why’s that?” Rarity asked.

“Han and Chewie have been to Kessel before, we could use their help,” Cody replied.

Soon enough, Harmony Squad, with Starlight beside them entered the briefing room where they met up with the Heroes of Yavin and Admiral Ackbar.

“Howdy, Han,” Applejack greeted.

“Good to see you,” Rainbow added.

“Good to see you both, too,” Han replied.

“Hi, Chewie,” Fluttershy greeted.

Chewbacca growled in reply and hugged her.

“Hello, Leia,” Rarity said.

“Hi, Rarity,” Leia replied.

R5 and R2 beeped and whistled excitedly, then gave each other a friendly bump.

“Hi, 3PO,” Twilight greeted.

“Princesses Twilight and Sunset, so good to see you both,” 3PO replied.

“Hi, Luke,” Cody said.

“Good to see you, Cody,” Luke replied.

Once they were briefed on the plan, Harmony Squad and the Heroes of Yavin went to their ships as the fleet jumped to hyperspace. Soon enough, the rebel fleet had reached Kessel and began engaging the Imperial fleet. They jammed all Imperial communications per Admiral Ackbar’s orders. The fleet bought enough time for Harmony Squad and the ground forces to make their landing approach.

Meanwhile, at the former Fortress Inquisitorius, Darth Claw and Blueblood were meditating. It was then that the former was snapped out of it as he opened his eyes.

“What is it you sense, master?” Blueblood asked.

“A tremor in the Force. The son of Anakin Skywalker has surfaced and he’s on Kessel, along with Cody Ando and the traitor Nash Volan,” Darth Claw replied.

“I can sense it too. Let’s go kill some Jedi,” Blueblood said.

“I like your thinking, my young apprentice. Now let’s scramble the fleet and head to Kessel,” Darth Claw replied.

The Sith master and apprentice boarded their respective TIE Defender and Reaper, then flew up to their Star Destroyer, the Tyranus. Once aboard, they went up to the bridge where Admiral Tenant was awaiting them.

“Admiral, set course for Kessel,” Claw ordered.

“Yes, Lord Claw,” Admiral Tenant replied.

It was then that Claw’s fleet jumped into hyperspace.

Back on Kessel, Harmony Squad and the rest of the rebel ground forces landed near the coaxium refinery. Cody took a look through his macro-binoculars and saw twenty AT-AT and AT-ST walkers, along with ten Occupier assault tanks.

“That’s not good, it seems we got roughly two thousand stormtroopers defending the refinery plus twenty walkers and ten assault tanks,” Cody said, “Cassian, do you and the others have any rocket launchers?”

“We’ve got plenty of them, sir,” Cassian replied.

“Good. We’re gonna need them,” Twilight said, then turned to Starlight, “You’re welcome to help anytime, Starlight.”

“Of course,” Starlight replied.

“I think we should also free all the slaves in the spice mines while we’re here,” Bucky said.

“I’m pretty sure we can’t just send a planet wide transmission from the refinery, ‘cause we jammed all Imperial frequencies,” Bucky replied.

“Good thing we happen to have a holotransmitter back on the Harmony Star,” Spike said.

“We can use it once we’ve seized control of the refinery,” Cody replied.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s blast some buckets!” Rainbow said.

“Good thinking, Dashie,” Sal replied.

“We may be smaller in number compared to all those stormtroopers, but strength in character can defeat strength in numbers,” Cody said.

“Well said, Cody. Let’s make a hundred men feel like a thousand,” Cassian replied.

It was then that the rebel troops led by Harmony Squad charged towards the refinery. The stormtroopers saw this and the walkers and assault tanks came towards them.

“Split up! Cassian, you, Jyn, and your group take the right flank! Everyone else come with me!” Cody said, as they performed a flanking attack.

Twilight, Sunset, Rainbow, and Flash (who were each given a rocket launcher and two rockets) flew over the walkers. The two alicorns fired magic blasts at the necks of a few AT-ATs, making them collapse. Rainbow and Flash went behind four of the AT-STs and each fired their rockets at them, bringing them down. Rarity and Starlight fired magic blasts at the remaining walkers and took them down. Cody, Cal, and Nash cut down every stormtrooper in their path. Applejack, Pinkie, Sal, Bucky, and Spike blasted several more stormtroopers. Cassian, Jyn, and their group fired rockets on the assault tanks, putting them out of action. They also blasted every stormtrooper in their way.

It wasn’t long before the perimeter of the refinery was secured. The rebels entered the refinery and blasted or captured all personnel within it.

“Hands up!” Applejack said.

“Drop your weapons!” Rainbow Dash added.

The Imperial officers dropped their blasters as they were taken prisoner.

“They’re all yours, Cassian,” Cody said before turning on his comlink, “Admiral Ackbar, the refinery is secure.”

“We read you, Harmony Squad. Good work,” Admiral Ackbar replied over the comlink.

It was then that Harmony Squad, Starlight, Cal, and Nash returned to the ship and took out the holotransmitter. They brought it to a nearby spice mine and turned it on.

“Attention all slaves in the spice mines, this is Cody Ando of the Rebel Alliance. The Empire and the Pykes have been oppressing you and making you work against your will for far too long! Do not give into fear, you must stand together as one! For now is the time to rise up and take back your freedom!” Cody said over the transmitter.

“Now that we secured the coaxium refinery and sent our transmission, what do we do now?” Rarity asked.

“I say we contact Hondo so he and his crew can help us get the coaxium from the mines, to the refinery and to the fleet,” Bucky replied.

“Good thinking,” Cody said, then went to contact Hondo and his crew, “Hondo, you there? We need your help here on Kessel.”

“How can we help you Cody?” Hondo asked over the hologram.

“We need to find some coaxium, then get it to the refinery, and to the rebel fleet,” Cody replied.

“We’re on our way,” Hondo said before the transmission ended.

Just then, a familiar TIE Defender and TIE Reaper landed near their position. Cody looked through his macro-binoculars and saw Darth Claw and Blueblood coming their way.

“Blueblood? What’s he doing here? And why’s he with Darth Claw?” Cody said to himself, “Girls, we have a problem.”

“Cody, what’s wrong?” Twilight asked.

“Darth Claw and Blueblood are here. Cal, Nash, and I are gonna face them, while you and the others go help the slaves in this mine,” Cody said.

It was then that Cody, Nash, and Cal rushed out to head off Claw and Blueblood outside the spice mine.

“Well well well, if it isn’t Cal Kestis, the traitor Nash Volan, and Cody Ando,” Claw said.

“How do you know who I am, Claw?” Cody asked.

“My apprentice, Blueblood here told me everything about you and your squad,” Claw replied.

“You were always scum, Blueblood, but I never thought you would join the Empire and be trained as a Sith,” Cody remarked.

“I joined because I want to kill you and take the throne of Equestria for myself!” Blueblood said.

“Not if I end you in a duel!” Cody retorted.

A duel between cousins broke out as they drew their lightsabers and blades clashed. Nash helped Cody in his duel with Blueblood, while Cal dueled Darth Claw. It wasn’t long before Hondo’s ship flew over them and landed at the spice mine, but they didn’t even notice.

Meanwhile, the rest of Harmony Squad met up with Hondo and his crew as they went to collect some coaxium to be refined.

“The coaxium is kept in cold storage here in these mines, we need to get it to the refinery as quickly as possible,” Hondo said.

“Good thinking, Hondo,” Twilight replied.

Hondo and his crew led Harmony Squad and Starlight to the cold storage area and managed to grab several coaxium canisters. They managed to load the canisters onto the Star Hope and the Last Chance. Their efforts were mostly unopposed as the slave uprising kept the Pykes and the stormtroopers busy.

Just as they got the last canisters out, a few Pykes threw thermal detonators at Rarity and Spike. Lucky, they threw the canisters the two were carrying at the Pykes, Sunset used her magic to pull Spike towards them as the dragon grabbed onto Rarity and pushed them out of the entrance as it collapsed. Spike ended up landing atop of Rarity, making them both blush.

Twilight cast a force field around herself and the others to protect them from the powerful blast. Both ships were far enough away from the mine entrance to survive the blast. Once it was safe, Twilight deactivated her force field.

“Thank you for saving me, Spikey-Wikey,” Rarity said.

“You were worth saving, Rarity. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing the mare I love,” Spike replied.

“Cody helped me realize I took your longtime crush for granted for too long, as neither age nor species matters when it comes to love. You’ve been so helpful, supportive, and generous to me all this time. For that, I love you as well, Spike,” Rarity confessed.

She then pulled Spike into a kiss. His eyes widened at this but then, he eagerly returned it. The others smiled at this, happy for the new couple. Once they broke their kiss, Spike and Rarity got back up and helped the others load the last canisters on to the ships. Harmony Squad and Hondo’s crew then flew their ships over to the refinery and both crews unloaded the coaxium to be refined.

Meanwhile, Cody, Cal, and Nash were still dueling Claw and Blueblood. Cal and Claw dueled until the Sith Lord kicked Cal in the abdomen, knocking down the Jedi Knight. Cal got back up but Claw overpowered him in the duel and fatally stabbed him.

“Cal!” Cody shouted as he rushed to engage Claw, “Come and get me, Claw! I’m ready for you!”

The Sith Lord rushed towards Cody and they began dueling. Claw attacked aggressively, but Cody managed to hold his own until he gained the strength to put Claw on the defensive. It wasn’t long before Cody pushed Claw’s blade onto the ground and fatally wounded him on his chest. The Sith warrior collapsed to the ground to his death. Cody then took Claw’s lightsaber and put it on his person.

“Cody, Nash, come closer,” Cal said.

Cody then went over to Cal, who lay dying, “We’re here, Cal,” he replied, with his voice breaking.

“Nash, I want you to train my children, just as I helped Blaze train Cody,” Cal said with his dying breath.

“I will,” Nash replied, voice breaking.

“Goodbye, Cal,” Cody added.

“Goodbye, old friends,” Cal said for the last time as he gave Cody his lightsaber.

Blueblood immediately saw his master was dead and angrily broke off the duel, “I will make you all pay for the death of my master!” he yelled.

Blueblood ran over to his master’s TIE Defender and flew off to the Tyranus. Cody and Nash brought Cal’s lifeless form back to the Harmony Star. Twilight and Sunset noticed the sad look on their husband’s face.

“Cody, what’s wrong?” Twilight asked.

“Cal’s dead, by the hand of Darth Claw,” Cody replied.

“The good news is that we won’t be seeing Claw anymore,” Nash added.

“Let’s go home,” Sunset said.

“I need a word with Hondo first,” Cody replied.

Cody then went up to Hondo and said, “With the Empire and the Pykes driven off, Kessel needs a new leader. Due to your experience leading your group of pirates twenty years ago and your bartering and dealing skills, maybe you could set up shop here and run the planet. Hondo, since you lost Florrum to the Empire, it’s the least we can do for you. Kessel is yours now.”

“Thank you, Cody. My crew and I shall make sure the former slaves are well paid laborers. Medicinal spice can make a great profit for us,” Hondo replied, “Farewell ‘till we meet again, Cody.”

It was then that Cody boarded the Star Hope and they left the surface with the newly refined coaxium. After giving the coaxium to the rebel fleet, Harmony Squad returned to Equestria.

Shortly after their return, Harmony Squad took Cal’s body to Canterlot for a proper funeral. Once everyone was gathered in the palace courtyard as the funeral began and Cody made a short speech, “We lost Cal today and now he’s one with the Force. He was a good friend, a mentor, and a dedicated husband and father to his wife and children. We shall miss you, Cal Kestis, for you made a real difference in all our lives.”

It was then that Cal’s body was burned in a traditional Jedi funeral pyre. Cody, his wives, their friends, families and everyone else in attendance put their clenched hands to their chests and lowered their heads in respect to their fallen friend. Merrin, Jaro, Cere, and Trilla did the same in respect for their husband and father.

“Jaro, Trilla, and Cere, your father wanted me to continue your Jedi training. He also wanted you to have his lightsaber, Jaro,” Nash said, as Cody gave Cal’s lightsaber to Jaro.

“We accept,” the triplets replied in unison.

To lighten up the mood, Sal went up to Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

“Ever since I got to know you both, you’ve made my life very special and interesting. I love you both so much and I want us to move forward together,” Sal said as he got onto his knee and presented two rings, asking, “Applejack and Rainbow Dash, will you marry me?”

“Yes!” Applejack and Rainbow Dash replied in unison as they both kissed him.

Seeing this, Bucky decided to propose to Fluttershy and Pinkie, “Girls, there’s something I want to ask you,” he said.

“What is it, Bucky?” Fluttershy wondered.

“Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, will you marry me?” Bucky asked, presenting two rings.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Fluttershy and Pinkie replied in unison as they both kissed him.

“Rarity, would you like me to take you out for a date?” Spike asked.

“Of course, Spike,” Rarity replied.

“Mom, Father, I present to you the lightsaber of Darth Claw,” Cody said as he went up to his parents.

“Is this what I think it means?” Blaze asked.

“Yes, we won’t be seeing Claw again,” Cody replied.

It was then that Cody rejoined his wives as he looked on seeing Spike and Rarity heading out for a date.

“Way to go, Spike,” Cody said.

“I figured he had it in him to win her heart,” Twilight replied.

“With Darth Claw gone, all we need to worry about is Blueblood and the sirens,” Sunset said.

“I hope that’s the case, because there might also be other threats on this planet to deal with,” Cody replied, “But whatever comes our way, we’ll be ready.”

Chapter 1: Arrival on Tatooine

The Stinger Mantis sped towards the rebel blockade runner known as the Tantive IV, only for Harmony Squad to find that it was already caught in the grip of the Star Destroyer Devastator. The Mantis cloaked so that the Empire wouldn’t detect them.

Stinger Mantis cockpit

“We were too late, I hope the Empire didn’t get take back the Death Star plans,” Twilight said worriedly.

Just then, Sunset and the others noticed an escape pod was launched from the rebel ship.

“Look, the ship launched an escape pod,” Sunset replied.

“According to the scanners, there’s no life forms aboard it. But we are picking up signals from two droids,” Fluttershy added.

“The ship’s crew must’ve given the plans to those droids and sent them into the escape pod. We need to retrieve the droids before the Empire does,” Cody said.

It was then that the Mantis landed on the surface close to the escape pod. Once Harmony Squad disembarked the ship, they noticed that the droids were nowhere to be found.

“There’s some kind of transport over there!” Rainbow said, pointing out in the distance.

“That’s a sandcrawler and they’re used by Jawas, which are one of the two native peoples of Tatooine. They’re known for collecting droids and equipment, selling them to people in the settlements, such as Mos Eisley, Mos Espa, and Anchorhead,” Cody explained.

“Maybe the droids we’re looking for are on it,” Applejack replied.

“I say we get back on the ship and follow that sandcrawler,” Sal said.

“Good thinking, Sal,” Cody replied.

It wasn’t long before Harmony Squad returned to the Mantis and flew closely behind the sandcrawler. Soon enough, Cody looked out the cockpit as it was nighttime.

“Let’s put the ship on autopilot and get some sleep,” Cody said.

“My thoughts exactly,” Rarity replied.

The next day, the sandcrawler moved slowly along a great sand dune, with the Mantis following from above. Harmony Squad followed the sandcrawler until it reached an isolated homestead, which had three large holes in the ground surrounded by several tall moisture vaporators and one small adobe block house. It was then that they landed the ship on the left side of the sandcrawler.

The Jawas scurried around fussing over the droids, straightening them up or brushing some dust from a dented metallic elbow. The shrouded little creatures smell horribly, attracting small insects to the dark areas where their mouths and nostrils should be.

Out of the shadows of a dingy side-building limped Owen Lars, a large burly man in his early fifties. His reddish eyes are sunken in a dust-covered face. As the farmer carefully inspected each droid, he was closely followed by his nephew, Luke Skywalker, who was just a year older than Cody.

Just then, Cody, Sal, Bucky, R5, Spike, the girls disembarked the Mantis and went over to all the droids the Jawas had lined up. R5 beeped excitedly as he recognized one familiar astromech in particular.

“What is it, R5?” Spike asked.

“I think R5 just found the droids we’re looking for,” Bucky said.

One of the Jawas walked ahead of the farmer spouting an animated sales pitch in a queer, unintelligible language while Harmony Squad stayed close to the sandcrawler.

“Luke! Luke!” a voice called out.

Luke went over to the edge and saw his Aunt Beru standing in the main courtyard.

“Luke, tell Owen that if he gets a translator to be sure it speaks Bocce,” Beru requested.

“It looks like we don’t have much of a choice, but I’ll remind him,” Luke called back.

Luke returned to his uncle, as they looked over the equipment for sale with the Jawa leader.

“You know this droid, R5?” Pinkie asked.

R5 excitedly beeped ‘Yes’ in reply.

“That’s R2-D2, he and R5 were comrades in arms during the Clone War, and I presume the protocol droid over there is C-3PO. R5 says that R2 is carrying the plans for the Death Star, given to him by someone called Princess Leia,” Cody explained.

Not too far away, Owen was asking C-3PO regarding how the droid can serve him and his family.

“What I really need is a droid that understands the binary language of moisture vaporators,” Owen said.

“Vaporators! Sir—my first job was programming binary load lifters, very similar to your vaporators in most respects. You could say…” 3PO replied.

“Do you speak Bocce?” Owen asked.

“Of course I can, sir. It’s like a second language for me… I’m as fluent in Bocce…” 3PO said.

“All right shut up!” Owen interrupted, facing the Jawa, “I’ll take this one.”

“Shutting up, sir,” C-3PO spoke meekly.

“Luke, take these two over to the garage, will you?” Owen ordered. “I want you to have both of them cleaned up before dinner.”

“But I was going into Tosche Station to pick up some power converters…” Luke replied.

“You can waste time with your friends when your chores are done,” Owen retorted, “Now, come on. Get to it.”

“All right, come on!” Luke ushered. “And the red one, come on.”

But at first, the one red droid seemed resistant to follow.

“Well, come on, Red, let’s go!” Luke said.

While the three make their way back to the Homestead, Fluttershy comes up from the building and looks ahead. As the Jawas start leading the three remaining droids back into the Sandcrawler, she sees R2-D2 release a pathetic little beep and starts after his old friend, C-3PO. Unfortunately, he was restrained by a Jawa, who zapped him with a control box.

“Aw… the poor little guy,” Fluttershy sighed sympathetically.

Meanwhile, as Owen was negotiating with the head Jawa, Luke, and the droids start off for the garage when suddenly…

*BANG!*

A plate popped off the head of the red Astro-droid’s head plate, sparks flew wildly out of its circuits.

“Uncle Owen!” Luke called out.

“Yeah?” Owen asked.

“This R2 unit has a bad motivator,” Luke pointed out. “Look!”

“Hey, what’re you trying to push on us?” Owen confronted the Head Jawa.

The Jawa goes into a loud spiel. Meanwhile, R2 snuck out of the line and moved up and down trying to attract attention. He released a low whistle, which draws the attention of the others, who peek their heads from the building. Harmony Squad made their way out toward Luke and C-3PO.

“Excuse me, sir,” C-3PO said as he approached Luke, “But that R2 unit seems to be in prime condition, a real bargain.”

“Uncle Owen…” Luke called out.

“Yeah?” Owen answered.

“What about that one?”

“What about that blue one?” Owen addressed the Jawa. “We’ll take that one.”

With little reluctance, the scruffy dwarf traded the damaged Astro-droid for R2.

“Yeah, take it away,” Luke gestured.

“Uh, I’m quite sure you’ll be very pleased with that one, sir,” 3PO assured. “He really is in first-class condition. I’ve worked with him before. Here he comes.”

Owen paid off the whining Jawa, as Luke, the two droids, and the Harmony Squad trudge off toward a grimy homestead entry.

“If I may ask, who are you people?” Luke asked, as he turned towards Harmony Squad.

“We’ll explain the details once we’re indoors,” Cody said.

“Fair enough,” Luke replied, then turned to the droids. “Ok. Let’s go.”

As they near the entrance to the homestead, 3PO turned toward R2, “Now, don’t you forget this! Why I should stick my neck out for you is quite beyond my capacity!” he said.

Inside the Homestead, the garage was cluttered and worn. And yet, it was a friendly, peaceful atmosphere permeating the low grey chamber. C-3PO lowered himself into a large tub filled with warm oil. Near the landspeeder, R2 rested along a large battery with a cord to his face.

“Thank the maker!” 3PO sighed. “This oil bath is going to feel so good. I’ve got such a bad case of dust contamination I can barely move!”

R2-D2 beeped a muffled reply. While some of the girls chuckled over the robot’s comment, they turned toward Luke, who seemed lost in his thoughts. He ran his hand over the damaged fin of a small two-man Skyhopper vehicle resting in a low hangar off the garage. Finally, Luke’s frustration got the better of him and he slammed the wrench across the workbench.

“It just isn’t fair,” Luke complained, “Oh, Biggs is right. I’m never gonna get out of here!”

“Is there anything I might do to help?” 3PO offered.

Luke glanced toward the battered droid. A bit of his anger drained, as a tiny smile crept across his face.

“No, not unless you can alter time, speed up the harvest, or teleport me off this rock!” Luke replied.

“Where we come from, we can do some of those spells. But I wouldn’t recommend altering time,” Twilight admitted.

“I’m not so sure we can teleport from one planet to another, though,” Sunset added.

“I don’t think so, sir. I’m only a droid and not very knowledgeable about such things… not on this planet, anyways,” 3PO said, “As a matter of fact, I’m not even sure which planet I’m on.”

“Well, if there’s a bright center to the universe,” Luke replied, “You’re on the planet that it’s farthest from.”

“That is the ‘nicer’ way to describe Tatooine,” Cody added.

“I see, sir,” 3PO said.

“Uh, you can call me Luke,” Luke replied.

“I see, Sir Luke,” 3PO nodded.

“Just Luke,” Luke chuckled.

“And I am C-3PO, human-cyborg relations, and this is my counterpart, R2-D2,” 3PO introduced himself.

“Hello,” Luke greeted.

“Good to meet you, C-3PO and you as well, R2-D2,” Twilight said.

R2 beeped in response. Luke unplugged the droid and began scraping several connectors on the droid’s head with a chrome pick. 3PO climbed out of the oil tub and began wiping oil from his bronze body.

“By the way, Luke, I’m Cody Ando. These are my wives, Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer, and our friends, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Sal and Bucky Thrace, Spike, Flash Sentry, and my droid, R5-G7,” Cody said.

“Good to meet you all,” Luke replied.

“Same here, Luke. I must say you are quite charming,” Rarity said, blushing.

“We’re from the planet of Equestria, far beyond the Outer Rim in Wild Space,” Spike added, showing a hint of jealousy, “Cody here, is the heir to the throne.”

“You got a lot of carbon scoring. Looks like you boys have seen a lot of action,” Luke said, looking at the droids.

“We’ve seen plenty of action as well, Luke,” Bucky replied.

“With all we’ve been through, sometimes I’m amazed we’re in as good condition as we are,” 3PO said, “What with the Rebellion and all.”

“You know of the Rebellion against the Empire?” Luke asked, wide-eyed.

“That’s how we came to be in your service, if you take my meaning, sir,” 3PO said.

“Speaking of which, we also serve in the rebellion. Our unit is called Harmony Squad,” Cody replied.

“I joined the squad just before we went to recover Twilight’s crown,” Flash added.

“Have you been in many battles?” Luke asked.

“Several, I think,” 3PO replied, “Actually, there’s not much to tell. I’m not much more than an interpreter, and not very good at telling stories. Well, not at making them interesting, anyways.”

“We’ve been on plenty of missions as well, with two of them being full scale battles so far,” Twilight said.

Luke struggled to remove a small metal fragment along R2’s neck joint. He used a larger pick.

“Well, my little friend, you’ve got something jammed in here real good,” Luke said, “Were you on a cruiser or…”

Suddenly, the fragment broke loose with a snap, sending Luke tumbling head over heels. As the group helped him up, a twelve-inch three-dimensional hologram of Leia Organa, the Princess of Alderaan, projected from R2’s face. The image was a rainbow of colors, flickering and jiggling in the dimly lit garage. Luke’s mouth hung open in awe.

“Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi,” Leia spoke. “You’re my only hope…”

“W-W-W-What’s that?” Fluttershy asked nervously.

“What’s this?” Luke asked.

R2 looked around, sheepishly beeping an answer for 3PO to translate. Leia kept repeating the sentence fragment over and over.

“What is what?!?” 3PO asked, pointing at Leia. “He asked you a question… what is that?”

R2 whistled his surprise, pretending to just notice the hologram. He looked around, sheepishly beeping an answer for 3PO to translate. Harmony Squad studied Leia, who kept repeating the sentence fragment over and over.

“Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope… Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope…”

“Oh, he says it’s nothing, sir,” 3PO assured, “Merely a malfunction. Old data. Pay it no mind.”

But Luke and the group are still intrigued by the beautiful girl.

“I ain’t so sure about that. I can tell when someone’s lyin’, especially a droid,” Applejack replied.

“Who is she?” Luke asked, “She’s beautiful.”

“I’m afraid I’m not quite sure, sir,” 3PO replied.

“Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi…”

“I think she was a passenger on our last voyage,” 3PO implied. “A person of some importance, sir—I believe. Our captain was attached to…”

“Is there more to this recording?” Luke asked.

R2 let out several frantic squeaks and a whistle.

“Behave yourself, R2. You’re going to get us into trouble,” 3PO said, “It’s alright, he’s our new master. You can trust him.”

R2 whistles and beeps a long message to 3PO.

“He says he’s the property of Obi-Wan Kenobi, a resident of these parts,” 3PO translated, “And it’s a private message for him. Quite frankly, sir, I don’t know what he’s talking about. Our last master was Captain Antilles, but with what we’ve been through, this little R2 unit has become a bit eccentric.”

“Obi-Wan Kenobi? I wonder if he means old Ben Kenobi?” Luke inquired.

“I beg your pardon, sir,” 3PO said, “But do you know what he’s talking about?”

“Well, I don’t know anyone named ‘Obi-Wan’,” Luke admitted, “But old Ben lives out beyond the Dune Sea. He’s kind of a strange old hermit.” Luke gazed toward the beautiful young princess for a few moments, “I wonder who she is, sounds like she's in trouble. I'd better play back the whole thing.”

R2 beeped something for 3PO.

“He says the restraining bolt has short circuited his recording system,” 3PO translated, “He suggests that if you remove the bolt, he might be able to play back the entire recording.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Pinkie smiled.

Luke gazed longingly at the lovely, little princess. It seemed he really hadn’t heard what 3PO was saying at all.

“H’m? Oh yeah, well I guess you’re too small to run away on me if I take this off! Okay,” Luke said. He took a wedged bar and popped the restraining bolt off R2’s side.

“There you go,” Luke sighed.

But just as Luke looked back, the Princess immediately disappeared.

“Hey, wait a minute! Where’d she go?” Luke asked, then demanded, “Bring her back! Play back the entire message.”

R2 beeped an innocent reply, as 3PO sat up in embarrassment.

“What message? The one you’ve been playing. The one you’re carrying inside your rusty innards!” he replied.

“Luke? Luke!” Aunt Beru called out.

Luke stood up, shaking his head toward the malfunctioning droid.

“All right, I’ll be right there, Aunt Beru,” Luke called out.

“I’m sorry, but he appears to have picked up a slight flutter,” 3PO apologized.

“It’s fine 3PO,” Cody assured.

“Here, see what you can do with him. I’ll be right back,” Luke concluded.

Luke tossed R2’s restraining bolt on the workbench and hurried out the room.

“Just you reconsider playing that message for him,” C-3PO demanded R2-D2.

R2 beeped in response.

“No, I don’t think he likes you at all,” 3PO said.

R2 beeped.

“No, I don’t like you either,” 3PO replied.

Later on, the giant twin suns of Tatooine slowly disappear behind the distant dune range. Luke stood watching them for a few moments, silently taking in the atmosphere. Luke reluctantly entered the domed entrance to the homestead while the rest stayed out for a while.

He entered the garage to discover two of the droids nowhere in sight. He took a small control box from his utility belt similar to the one the Jawas were carrying. He activated the box, which created a low hum. C-3PO let out a short yell, popping from behind the Skyhopper.

“What are you doing hiding there?” Luke asked.

C-3PO stumbled forward, but R2-D2 was still nowhere in sight.

“It wasn’t my fault, sir” 3PO insisted, “Please don’t deactivate me. I told him not to go, but he’s faulty, malfunctioning; kept babbling on about his mission.”

“Oh, no!” Luke groaned.

Luke raced out of the garage, followed by 3PO.

Harmony Squad was still staring along the horizon when a commotion drew their attention. They turned as Luke rushed out of the small-domed entry to the homestead. They quickly approached Luke, who searched the horizon for R2. 3PO struggled out of the homestead and onto the salt flat as Luke scanned the landscape with his electro-binoculars.

“That R2 unit has always been a problem,” 3PO admitted. “These astro-droids are getting quite out of hand. Even I can’t understand their logic at times.”

“Oh no…” Fluttershy gasped, “Who knows what could happen to R2 out there? He could be crushed… or even worse!”

“How could I be so stupid?” Luke berated himself, “He’s nowhere in sight. Blast it!”

“Pardon me, sir, but couldn't we go after him?” 3PO asked.

“I could get him back over here in ten seconds flat!” Rainbow added.

“It’s too dangerous with all the Sandpeople around,” Luke answered, “We’ll have to wait until morning.”

“Luke’s right, everyone. Besides, he couldn’t have gone far,” Cody said.

“Luke, I’m shutting the power down!” Owen yelled out.

“All right, I’ll be there in a few minutes!” Luke called back, “Boy, am I gonna get it!“

Luke took one final look across the dim horizon, but it’s clear he’d never find him at this hour.

“You know that little droid is going to cause us a lot of trouble,” Luke told 3PO.

“Oh, he excels at that, sir,” 3PO replied.

“Come on,” Luke said.

“Let’s just hope those Sandpeople are the only creatures we have to worry about,” Twilight added.

Chapter 2: A Fateful Meeting

The next day along the wastelands, the rock and sand of the desert floor are a blur. C-3PO piloted the sleek Landspeeder gracefully across the vast wasteland. Spike and Flash piloted the Mantis from above while Cody and the girls went alongside Luke in a modified cargo skiff.

Look-it, there’s something on the scanner. Dead ahead,” Luke said, “It looks like our little R2 unit…Hit the accelerator!”

“Right with you, Luke!” Cody called out, then spoke into his comlink, “Spike, Flash, take the ship to Mos Eisley and wait for us there. Keep the ship cloaked until we’re off of the planet.”

“Right away, Cody,” Flash replied over the comlink.

From high along a rocky mesa, the landspeeder and the skiff could be seen gliding across the desert floor. Suddenly, in the foreground, two weather-beaten Sandpeople shrouded in their grimy desert cloaks peered over the edge of the rock mesa. One of the marginally humanoid creatures raised a long ominous laser rifle, aiming at one of the speeders. But the second creature grabbed the gun before it can be fired.

The Sandpeople, or ‘Tusken Raiders’ as they’re also called, speak a coarse, barbaric language as they get into an animated argument. The second Tusken Raider seemed to get in the final word and the nomads scurried over the rocky terrain. The Tusken approached a large bantha standing tied to a rock. The Tusken Raiders mount saddles strapped to the huge creature’s shaggy back and ride off down the rugged bluff.

The speeder and skiff were parked along the floor of a massive canyon. Luke, with his long laser rifle slung over his shoulder, stood before R2 with Harmony Squad surrounding them.

“Hey, whoa, just where do you think you’re going?” Luke asked R2.

“Y’all had us worried to death, sugarcube,” Applejack added.

The little droid whistled a feeble reply, as C-3PO posed menacingly behind the little runaway.

“Master Luke is your rightful owner now. We’ll have no more of this Obi-Wan Kenobi gibberish… and don’t talk to me about your mission, either,” 3PO scolded, “You're fortunate he doesn't blast you into a million pieces right here.”

“No, it’s alright. But I think we better go,” Luke replied.

All of a sudden, R2 jumped to life with a mass of frantic whistles and screams.

“What’s wrong with him now?” Luke asked.

“There are several creatures approaching from the southeast,” 3PO replied.

Luke swung his rifle into position and turned toward the south.

“Sandpeople! Or worse! Come on, let’s go have a look,” Luke said, “Come on!”

“We’d better follow Luke just to make sure he doesn’t hurt himself,” Cody suggested, “Fluttershy, Pinkie, R5, maybe you should stay behind with R2 and keep yourselves hidden.”

“Good idea,” Fluttershy replied.

Once in position, Luke carefully made his way toward the rock ridge, scanning the canyon with his electro-binoculars. He spotted the riderless banthas. 3PO and most of Harmony Squad struggled just behind him. Cody observed with a pair of his own binoculars, while Sal, Bucky, and the girls stayed behind him.

“What are those things?” Rarity asked.

“Banthas, popular mode of transportation for the Tusken Raiders,” Cody replied, “If those beasts are there, then their riders aren’t too far… very territorial creatures, they consider any who step on their grounds as an enemy.”

“Are they really as bad as you say they are?” Rainbow asked.

“Let me put it in a way you can understand… when it comes to Sandpeople, they live by their name. They’re not very social creatures, they prefer to live off the land and as far from civilization as possible. But the worst part… they rarely take prisoners… alive,” Cody explained.

Rainbow’s eyes widened to the size of pinpricks, a bead of sweat dropped from her head.

“Noted…” Rainbow replied.

“We’ll, there are two banthas down there,” Luke said,” But I don’t see any… wait a second, they’re Sandpeople all right. I can see one of them now.”

“Only one of them?” Twilight questioned, “Now why would he be out in the open all by himself?”

“I reckon he’s a scout?” Applejack guessed.

“No… Sandpeople never travel alone,” Cody answered, “If that one’s guarding the Banthas, then the other one must be…”

Suddenly, while the group watched the distant Tuskan Raider through their electro-binoculars, something hugged moved in front of their field of view. Before either one could react, a large, gruesome Tusken Raider loomed over them. The girls screamed at the sight, while a startled 3PO backed away… right off the side of the cliff. Rarity turned and he could be heard for several moments, clanging, banging, and rattle down the side of the mountain.

“3PO!!!” Rarity shouted.

“Everyone, get behind me!” Cody said.

The towering creature brings down his curved, double-pointed gaderffii—the dreaded axe blade that struck terror in the heart of the local settlers. Luke managed to block the blow with his laser rifle, which smashed to pieces. The terrified farm boy scrambled backward till he’s forced to the edge of a deep crevice. The Raider stood over him with his weapon raised and released a horrible shrieking laugh.

R2-D2, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Spike forced themselves into the small alcove within the rocks, as the vicious Sandpeople walked past carrying the inert Luke Skywalker, with Cody and the rest of Harmony Squad following discreetly behind. They were all dropped into a heap before their speeders. With Luke unconscious, the Sandpeople start ransacking the speeder and skiff, throwing parts and supplies in all directions. And then suddenly… they stopped.

Confused, the remainder of the group looked on timidly and nervously as all was quiet… for a moment or two. Just then, a great howling moan echoed throughout the canyon which sent the Sandpeople fleeing in terror.

“W-W-What’s out there?” Fluttershy whimped.

R2-D2 responded with a series of beeps, just as nervous as the others.

“It sounds like a g-g-g-ghost!” Pinkie chattered.

“That’s actually the call of the krayt dragon, the most dangerous predator on this planet. Even the Sand People are afraid of them,” Cody explained.

They moved as tightly into the shadows as they could, feeling crushed between each other and the cliffs on both sides. The slight swishing sound that frightened off the Sandpeople grew ever closer, until a shabby old man appeared and leaned over the unconscious farm boy. R2 made a slight sound and the figure turned, looked right where the others were hidden, and removed the hood over his head. His ancient leathery face, cracked and weathered by exotic climates was set off by dark, penetrating eyes and a scraggly white beard. He squinted his eyes as he scrutinized the nervous looking group.

“Hello there!” The old man greeted, “Come here, my little friends. Don’t be afraid.”

R2 waddled over toward where the others crumbled in a heap, whistling and beeping his concern. The others slowly approached, as the old man placed a hand over Luke’s forehead.

“Obi-Wan?” Cody asked quietly.

R2 beeped in concern over Luke.

“Oh don’t worry, he’ll be all right,” The old man reassured.

The moaning and groaning from Luke confirmed the old man’s suspicions, as the young man starting coming to.

“Rest easy, son, you’ve had a busy day,” The old man replied, “You’re fortunate to be all in one piece.”

As he regained consciousness, Luke looked up toward the man and instantly recognized him.

“Ben? Ben Kenobi!” Luke gasped, “Boy, am I glad to see you!”

“The Jundland wastes are not to be traveled lightly,” The old man spoke, “Tell me young Luke, what brings you and your friends out this far?”

“Oh, this little droid. I think he’s searching for his former master, but I’ve never seen such devotion in a droid before,” Luke added, kindly, “He claims to be the property of an ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’. Is he a relative of yours? Do you know who he’s talkin’ about?”

Ben pondered this for a moment, scratching his scruffy beard, “Obi-Wan Kenobi… Obi-Wan? Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time… a long time,” he said.

“I think my uncle knows him,” Luke guessed, “He said he was dead.”

“Oh, he’s not dead, not… not yet…” Ben corrected.

“You know him?” Luke asked curiously.

“Well of course, of course I know him,” Ben replied, pointing at himself, “He’s me! I haven’t gone by the name Obi-Wan since oh before you were born.”

“Well, then the droid does belong to you,” Luke concluded.

“Don’t seem to remember ever owning a droid,” Ben replied, looking at the droid, “Very interesting…”

“Good to see you again, Obi-Wan,” Cody greeted.

“Good to see you too, Cody,” Obi-Wan said.

“You two know each other?” Luke asked.

“Yes. I’m an old friend of Cody’s father, Blaze,” Obi-Wan replied.

“These are my wives, Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer, our friends, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Sal, Bucky, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity,” Cody said.

“Pleasure to meet you all,” Obi-Wan greeted.

“Good to meet you too, Obi-Wan,” Twilight replied.

Suddenly, he looked up at the overhanging cliffs and the group looked in his direction.

“I think we better get indoors. The Sandpeople are easily startled but they’ll soon be back and in greater numbers,” Obi-Wan said.

Luke sat up and rubbed his head. R2 let out a pathetic beep causing Luke to remember something and look around, “3PO!” he exclaimed.

R2 stood at the edge of a large sand pit, chattering away in electronic whistles and beeps. Luke, Ben, and the group stood over a very dented, very tangled 3PO lying half buried in the sand. One of his arms had broken off. Luke and Cody tried to revive the inert droid, the former shaking him while Cody flipped a hidden switch on his back several times. Until finally, the protocol droid’s systems rebooted.

“Where am I?” 3PO asked, “I must have taken a bad step…”

“Can you stand? We’ve got to get out of here before the Sandpeople return,” Luke said.

“I don’t think I can make it,” 3PO quivered, “You go on, Master Luke. There’s no sense in any of you risking yourself on my account. I’m done for.”

R2 made a beeping sound.

“No, you're not. What kind of talk is that?” Luke said.

“C’mon, we’ll carry you,” Cody added, “We’ll have you repaired once we get somewhere safe.”

Luke and Ben helped the battered droid to his feet, while R2 watched from the top pit. Ben glances around suspiciously.

“Quickly, they're on the move,” Obi-Wan said.

It wasn’t long before the group were at Obi-Wan’s house on a bluff overlooking the Dune Sea. Although cluttered with desert junk, it still somehow managed to radiate an air of time-worn comfort and security. Luke was in a corner repairing 3PO’s arm, while old Ben sat thinking.

“No, my father didn’t fight in the wars,” Luke said, “He was a navigator on a spice freighter.”

“That’s what your uncle told you,” Obi-Wan replied, “He didn’t hold with your father’s ideals. Thought he should have stayed here and not gotten involved.”

“You fought in the Clone Wars?” Luke asked.

“Yes, I was once a Jedi Knight the same as your father,” Obi-Wan answered.

“I wish I'd known him,” Luke said.

“You know, Luke. My father is also a Jedi and he too fought in the Clone War,” Cody explained, “He in turn, trained me to be a Jedi Knight. When he was a boy, your father built C-3PO and R2 belonged to him during the war.”

“Interesting. You’re lucky to have known your father, Cody. Especially to have had him train you,” Luke replied.

“He was the best star-pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior, I understand you’ve become quite a good pilot yourself,” Obi-Wan said, “And he was a good friend. Which reminds me…”

Obi-Wan picked himself up and goes to a chest where he rummages around. As Luke finished repairing 3P0 and started refitting the restraining bolt back on, 3PO looked at him nervously. Luke thought about the bolt for a moment, then put it on the table. Ben shuffled up and presented Luke a familiar lightsaber.

“I have something for you,” Ben offered Luke, “Your father wanted you to have this when you were old enough, but your uncle wouldn’t allow it. He feared you might follow old Obi-Wan on some damned-fool idealistic crusade like your father did.”

“Sir, if you’ll not be needing me,” 3PO spoke up, “I’ll close down for a while.”

“Sure, go ahead,” Luke replied.

As 3PO shut himself down, Ben handed Luke the lightsaber.

“What is it?” Luke asked curiously.

“Your father’s lightsaber,” Obi-Wan answered, “This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or as random as a blaster.”

Luke pushed a button on the handle. A long beam of light blue shot out about four feet and flickered there. The light played across the ceiling.

“An elegant weapon for a more civilized age. For over a thousand generations the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic,” Obi-Wan explained, “Before the dark times, before the Empire.”

But for whatever reason, Luke hadn’t been listening at all.

“How did my father die?” Luke asked.

“A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights,” Obi-Wan answered, “He betrayed and murdered your father. Now the Jedi are all but extinct. Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force.”

“The Force?” Luke asked.

“Well, the Force is what gives a Jedi his power,” Obi-Wan explained, “It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us, it binds the galaxy together.”

“The magic of Equestria is an extension of our own connection to the Force,” Cody added, with the others nodding in agreement.

R2 made beeping sounds which drew the group’s attention, mostly Obi-Wan.

“Now, let’s see if we can’t figure out what you are, my little friend,” Obi-Wan said, “And where you come from.”

“I saw part of the message he was...” Luke replied.

The recorded image of the beautiful young Rebel princess, projected from R2’s face, cut Luke’s words short. The team looked toward the hologram of the fair maiden with awe.

“I seem to have found it,” Ben replied.

Luke gazed toward the lovely girl’s image, as it flicked before his eyes.

“General Kenobi,” She spoke, “Years ago you served my father in the Clone Wars. Now he begs you to help him in his struggle against the Empire. I regret that I am unable to present my father’s request to you in person, but my ship has fallen under attack and I’m afraid my mission to bring you to Alderaan has failed. I have placed information vital to the survival of the Rebellion into the memory systems of this R2 unit. My father will know how to retrieve it. You must see this droid safely delivered to him on Alderaan. This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.”

After some slight static, the transmission cut short. Obi-Wan leaned back and scratched his head. He silently puffed on a tarnished chrome water pipe, while Luke had stars in his eyes. The group turned toward one another.

“You must learn the ways of the Force if you’re to come with me to Alderaan,” Ben told Luke.

“Alderaan?” Luke chuckled. “I’m not going to Alderaan. I’ve got to go home. I’m late, I’m in for it as it is.”

“Luke, there are bigger things to worry about than being late for dinner or chores,” Rainbow remarked.

“Our new friends are right,” Obi-Wan added, “I need your help, Luke. She needs your help. I’m getting too old for this sort of thing.”

“I can’t get involved!” Luke argued, “I’ve got work to do! It’s not that I like the Empire. I hate it, but there’s nothing I can do about it right now. It’s such a long way from here.”

“That’s your uncle talking,” Obi-Wan replied.

“Oh, my uncle,” Luke sighed. “How am I ever going to explain this?”

“Learn about the Force, Luke,” Ben advised.

“Obi-Wan is right. The war may not be coming to you now, but if Darth Vader was after this princess then he’s sure to come looking for the information inside R2,” Cody added, “Something tells me he’ll send his entire army down here and everyone on this planet will be in danger.”

“I’m all about family and responsibilities too Luke,” Applejack stepped up, “But if I thought like that back home and mah family were in peril for doin’ nothin’, I’d regret it fer the rest of mah life.”

“Besides, you said you wanted an adventure,” Twilight reminded, “This is the best chance you have.”

Luke Skywalker thought about it for a moment, as if deep down he was struggling between what he wanted to do and what he felt he needed to do. On one hand, he could spend another season content with his chores and dreaming about another opportunity he’ll miss out. But on the other, he’d get to have that adventure and perhaps play an important role in this rebellion like his friends, exploring the galaxy, seeing planets, and daring the odds… and yet to do all that, all of it, he’d leave his only family behind.

“Look, I can take you as far as Anchorhead,” Luke compromised, “You can get a transport there to Mos Eisley or wherever you’re going.”

“You must do what you feel is right, of course,” Obi-Wan nodded.

Later on, the speeder and skiff stopped before what remained of the huge Jawas’ Sandcrawler. Harmony Squad, Luke, and Ben walked amongst the smoldering rubble and scattered bodies.

“How dreadful!” Rarity gasped, disgusted.

“Ah’m feelin’ the same way as you, Rarity,” Applejack replied.

“It looks like the Sand People did this, all right,” Luke said, “Look, there’s Gaffi sticks, Bantha tracks. It’s just… I never heard of them hitting anything this big before.”

Obi-Wan crouched along the sand studying the tracks.

“They didn’t,” he replied, “But we are meant to think they did. These tracks are side by side. Sand People always ride single file to hide their numbers.”

“These are the same Jawas that sold us R2 and 3PO!” Luke realized.

“And these blast points, too accurate for Sandpeople,” Ben continued, “Only Imperial stormtroopers are so precise.”

“I wouldn’t say they’re perfectly precise, but they’re definitely more accurate shots than Sand People,” Cody pointed out.

“Why would Imperial troops want to slaughter Jawas?” Luke asked.

“That’s why we came here, Luke. To recover R2 and 3PO, then get them off of Tatooine before the Empire can take them and the information they carry,” Cody replied.

Luke and Cody turned back toward the speeders, where R5, R2, and 3PO inspected the dead Jawas. It wasn’t long till they both put two-and-two together, their eyes turning toward one another.

“Something wrong, Luke?” Sal asked, approaching him.

“If they traced the robots here, they may have learned who they sold them to. And that would lead them back… home!” Luke replied.

Reaching a sudden horrible realization, Luke raced for his speeder.

“Wait, Luke!” Ben called out, “It’s too dangerous!”

“Luke, wait for us!” Twilight shouted.

“Come on!” Cody called out, “We better follow Luke, quickly!”

As Cody and the others prepared their skiff, Luke hopped into his speeder and raced off. The skiff followed Luke’s speeder, thereby leaving Obi-Wan and the three droids alone with the smoldering Sandcrawler.

For some time, Luke raced across the wasteland in his battered landspeeder. Not far behind, the Harmony Squad skiff followed Luke while they sat inside hoping and praying they could reach the Lars Homestead soon. A look of heavy concentration remained locked upon Cody’s face, as he looked out toward the horizon as if he knows something was bound to happen.

Eventually, the speeders arrive at the homestead… only to find it burning severely. The skiff pulled to a stop and the group disembarked one at a time. They looked around at the horrifying sight before their eyes.

“What happened here?” Applejack asked, stunned.

“Exactly what I figured was gonna happen,” Cody replied.

Luke jumped out of his own speeder. Harmony Squad looked on as Luke raced toward the smoking holes that were once his home. As they observed, debris was scattered everywhere as if a battle had taken place in their absence.

“Uncle Owen!” Luke called out, “Aunt Beru! Uncle Owen!”

Luke stumbled about in a daze, searching desperately for any sign of his aunt and uncle. When all of a sudden, he came upon a horrifying sight. All that remained of his family was now only smoldering corpses. Luke stood stunned, unable to speak of the horror he saw. Hate soon replaced fear, as if a new resolve washed over him. Twilight raced toward Luke, not knowing what happened.

“Luke! What’s going on?” Twilight called out, “Where’s your—”

Twilight stopped when her eyes spotted Owen and Beru’s burning forms. A gasp released from her lips, as her eyes widened while she clutched her mouth with her hands. She slowly turned toward Luke, who only looked toward the ground with a sigh. Twilight gazed toward him sadly as the rest of their friends approached.

“Twilight…?” Fluttershy asked worriedly, “Luke…?”

Twilight silently turned toward the others. The group could feel the sadness welling up within her. As for Luke, when he faced his friends, they could see the slight trace of fear amidst his anger.

“We were too late…” Rainbow Dash sighed.

“We should have warned Owen and Beru about this, then we could have taken them back home with us,” Sal replied.

Cody looked on silently, before turning his gaze back up toward the sky. Looking past the clouds hanging over the tragic landscape, it’s as if he were trying to concentrate and determine if the ones responsible for this terrible tragedy are looming above them somewhere… somehow…

Meanwhile, a large bonfire of Jawa bodies blazed in front of the Sandcrawler. Obi-Wan and the droids were nearly finished burning the remains of the dead by the time the two speeders returned. Luke left his speeder, while the others left their skiff. As Obi-Wan walked over to them, he could see the look of gloom on their faces knowing that they had bear witness to a horrible tragedy… one he knew they’d take very hard.

“There’s nothing you could have done, Luke, had you been there,” Obi-Wan said, “You’d have been killed, too, and the droids would now be in the hands of the Empire.”

“Those horrible monsters…” Sal grunted, gritting his teeth, “I ought to give those bucketheads the boot!”

“It’d be wise not to do anything rash,” Bucky advised.

Luke had been quiet up until their arrival back to the Sandcrawler. Now, the young man turned to Obi-Wan with a newfound resolve.

“I want to come with you to Alderaan. There’s nothing here for me now. I want to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like my father,” Luke said.

With that settled, they beckoned the group into their speeders as they made to leave the remains of the Sandcrawler, and much of what they’ve seen of Tatooine as far behind them as possible.