Author's Note

Okay, before I begin as described in the title, yes this is a different spin with the same events of the canon episode but that's also because since Thorax had already switched sides back in the Season 2 finale this time around.

So that said Kovu, who we haven't seen in a while is now making an appearance here as the main protagonist in this episode with the canon song and everything along with his sister Vitani who is now in Thorax's hooves which plays out just about like it does in canon albeit with slight adjustments to the characterization here and there. By the end of the day, another friendship lesson has been learned with new adjustments required as Scar and Zira plot their next move together.

But that's later on this season, but for now we'll be returning to the Pride Lands next week where a new ally from the mountains comes to aid the Lion and Pony Guard in their efforts in repelling the upcoming attacks from the Outlanders. One that is super strong yet not very bright, so stay tuned until then...

Episode 27: The Times They Be Lion Around

Episode 27:

The Times They Are Lion Around:

On a quiet day in Equestria, a train is currently making it’s way to the Crystal Empire. Said train ride was a quite and private ride there and for a good reason. Inside the train are only a small group of friends. Twilight Sparkle, her adopted son Spike, her pupil, Starlight Glimmer, her partner Kion, his sister Kiara, and best friend Kovu.

“I hope Shining Armor and Princess Cadance don't think it's too soon for me to come back to the Crystal Empire for a visit.” Twilight expressed to her friends. “But I just know Flurry Heart's grown so much already. I wonder if I'll even recognize her.”

Starlight giggled back. "She's the only baby alicorn in existence, Twilight. And the only baby Shining Armor and Cadence have. I think you'll be able to recognize her and she’ll be able to do the same." Twilight said nothing more, now realizing how silly she had been in bringing up the question.

“And considering you’re the only mare that has your shade of purple with both a horn and wings, I’m sure even with whatever growing Flurry has been doing she’ll be able to recognize her favorite aunt.” Kion also added.

Twilight returning a teasing smirk. “Are you sure you’re just saying that to want to be her favorite uncle?”

“Twilight!” Kion returned her a jab to the shoulder to which he winced a little due to how strong and dense her arm muscles are. “You know she loves us equally.”

“Of course I do.” Twilight returned with a giggle. “Like I would the kind of mare to be jealous over something like that.”

“I know I wouldn’t.” Kovu somewhat nervously replied before trying to laugh it off. Surprisingly that earned a laugh from the whole group. “Really? That was funny? I wasn’t really trying to be.”

“It’s okay.” Kiara assured him. “It just in good context is all knowing that your friends aren’t the jealous type. Plus…” She then smugly grinned. “...Flurry knows that I’m her favorite aunt.”

“Hey! I heard that!” Twilight returned with an annoyed look to which had everyone laughing at her expense.

With all joking aside, Starlight turned to her teacher with something in mind. "Anyways, thanks again for letting me come along on this trip. I know I should be getting back into my friendship lessons."

Twilight simply smiled in reply. "Don’t worry about, Starlight. They’ll hold up until we get back. Besides there is always a new friendship lesson bound to surface up one way or another. But for now you along with Kion, Kiara, Kovu, and I will get the chance today to get to know Flurry Heart more.” Turning to Kiara and Kovu while talking to Starlight. “I know you two have hardly met her the last time we were there."

“That’s right.”

“At least not me since I really wasn’t there.” Kovu confirmed albeit nervously.

Upon seeing this sparked concern in Kiara. “Is everything okay, Kovu. Because you seem really tense lately.”

“Oh, it’s not much, Kiara. Really?” Upon seeing no one is buying it, he moved to explain why in his own words to the best of his ability. “Expect I just hope there won’t be any trouble during our visit to the Crystal Empire. You know ever since the last time you all were there.”

“Understandable.” Kiara replied before bringing the male lion cub in close. “But I’m sure it’s something that is being worked on. No question about it.

“Security has been improved on, ever since Shining Armor took more active measures around the castle and around the border, last time I talked to him before planning our trip here today.” Twilight added. “So that said there is a 80% chance we’re in for a safe ride going in.”

“And the other 20%” Kovu asked still unsure with that in light.

“Mainly because it’s a work in progress.” Twilight admitted. “Believe it or not, he’s not quite a book smart pony while he was growing up.”

“Sounds about right.” Kiara nodded seeing the truth in her words. “Dare I ask how bad of grades we’re talking about?” Twilight moved to whisper it into her ear. “Oh!” She gasped in surprise. “Wow!”

“Mmm-hmm.” Twilight nodded. “Anyways…like I said, just try not to worry about it and remind yourself you have powerful friends by our side ready to come to your aid when needed. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Speaking of aid…” Spike then said with a teasing grin towards Starlight. “...you planning on seeing if the colt of your dreams is going to start blossoming up a new flower for you?”

“No!” Starlight returned with her face turning tomato red. “We're not pursing that right now. And even if I was, I wouldn’t be the one asking him, he would. It’s just a matter of knowing when and where he’ll do it if it comes down to that."

"Hopefully soon, Starlight. Soon.” Kiara assured while gently holding one of Kovu’s paws to help feel more calm going into the Crystal Empire. Said gesture left the lion blushing slightly himself along with smiling in return. A sight that had everyone else smirking and some even snickering at the sight.

“What? What’s so funny?” Kovu asked clearly confused and oblivious to their friends joking around.

“Oh, nothing.”

“Just something you’ll understand when you’re older.”

Both Kion and Twilight replied to which still had the other male lion blinking in confusion.

“Now that we’re getting close to our stop…” Spike said next as he moved to put on some clothes. “...it is time for me to get into my disguise.” Said disguise is a coat, hat, and sunglasses.

Starlight couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at what she is seeing. "What and why are you dressed like that, Spike? The Crystal Empire knows who are you at this point."

Spike still maintained his mind sight as he moved to explain why he is doing this. "Exactly! I'm a big hero there, and the crystal ponies won't ever let me forget it.”

“It’s bound to happen since you did manage to save the Empire twice.” Kion commented.

“And at least the Crystal Ponies weren’t around to mob you last time.” Twilight added before remembering. “...at least before the Crystal Faire was officially opened after all was said and done.”

“Even last time, with the new baby and the empire almost being lost to the Frozen North, I still got mobbed in the streets." He began to pour over the two suitcases he had packed for himself. "And if you al can recognize me, it’s pretty clear to me that I need to find a new and proper disguise that’ll work at least until we get to the castle. One that’ll ensure I am not the center of attention for once."

“Good luck with that.” Starlight said to herself knowing full well it may be a challenge itself. And little did she know of how accurate of what’s soon to come their way up north.

When the train pulled into the station and its occupants left their car, they soon took notice of just how deserted everything seemed to be. There wasn't a pony in sight as far as the eye could see.

"I don't think you'll need to worry about being mobbed this time, Spike," Starlight nervously commented. "Because everypony's staying indoors this time around."

“Are you sure that Sombra and Scar’s spell to keep every crystal pony locked up is undone?” Kiara asked.

“Absolutely!” Twilight answered before commenting. “Otherwise Cadance would have written to me about it before we came here.”

Kovu gulped. "I don’t know about you but I’m already starting to have a very bad feeling about this.” He then looked around. “You don’t suppose someone like Scar, or Zira, or Chrysalis are around watching us?”

“I hope not.” Kion said while looking around and trying to use his magic to scan the area around them. “At least not here.” Trying to help the other lion feel better he then opted to say. “But just in case, I think we should just get moving on towards the castle.”

“Good idea.” Twilight liked the idea already. “Hopefully Shining Armor and Cadance will explain what’s going on right now.”

“And the sooner the better.” Kovu said before running off ahead in one direction with Kiara quick to follow after him to make sure he doesn’t run off and get lost along the way.

“Kovu! Wait!”

Starlight couldn’t help but comment to her friends while playing catch up to them. “Is this normal for him, because he sure seemed more nervous than he usually is?”

“That’s because it’s not without a good reason.” Kion answered. “Because believe it or not he’s only around whenever the sun is not up in the Pride Lands and whenever he is around in Ponyville in general unless Kiara is around and by his side.”

“Ever since getting scarred the same day as me, he’s been afraid of encountering them to the point he doesn’t feel safe of setting a paw in a kingdom he still feels he’s no longer welcome in.” Twilight added. “And considering that Simba still isn’t quite keen on the seeing the lion who in his eyes is another Scar waiting for the right moment to take over doesn’t help matters much either.”

“But that was three years ago. How has he not been able to overcome them?”

“That would be asking my dad of how and why he hasn’t gotten over what happened to Grandfather Mufusa.” Kion replied. “Trauma doesn’t go away overnight, especially it comes after being scarred over it.”

“Literally and emotionally.” Twilight further explained while pointing to her scarred eye. “For someone and somepony who has been there I would know what’s that like.”

“Right. Right.” Starlight realized and refrained from voicing her previous and incredulous thoughts on the matter. “Silly me, for thinking little of him there.”

“It’s okay, Starlight.” Twilight assured all is good. “You couldn’t have known even if we were all on the same side back then. Hopefully someday, he’ll overcome them. When and how, who knows. Maybe when destiny calls upon him to step him for all we know.”

“Hopefully.” Spike commented feeling the same way before moving forward with the others together.

After making sure that both Kovu and Kiara are okay, everyone then made their way through the very center of the empire, but have not come across a single crystal pony along the way. The streets were completely empty, void of all life. Not even a perfectly timed tumbleweed, one would expect if this was Appleloosa came their way.

"Either my brother is trying to prepare himself a big prank on me or something is really scaring everypony in staying inside." Twilight commented with worry. "And whatever it is it sounds like something is literally sucking the life and magic out of this empire."

"Whatever it is, it’s not me." Starlight commented with a feigned chuckle. "Think maybe we should go back and come back another time?"

Twilight shook her head in response to the question. “No. We’ve come too far to turn back. Whatever it is, I’m not about to let it keep me from spending time with Flurry Heart.”

“And whatever it is, it could sure us our help in the matter.” Kion added not backing off or feeling intimidated in the slightest.

"At least one thing's for sure." Spike commented as he removed a pair of sunglasses and took off a thick trench coat he'd been wearing along with an orange wig. "I won't be needing these anymore."

Immediately after removing the orange wig on his head, Spike suddenly found himself surrounded by a mob of crystal ponies that all seemed to appear from out of nowhere! "Whoa! Why did that have to happen the moment I open my big mouth?!" He screamed as he was lifted up.

One crystal mare proudly proclaimed! "Oh thank the alicorns, our prayers have been answered! It's Spike the Brave and Glorious!"

"All hail Spike the Brave and Glorious!" Several crystal ponies all chanted at once.

"He has come to save us!" Another crystal pony declared.

Twilight coughed into a hoof, to get their attention. "'Save you all from what? And just what is going on here that’s got you all swarmed over my son about?"

"Yeah, what is all the commotion?" Starlight spoke up.

Two crystal mares turned and glared at the teacher and student, eyeing them rather suspiciously for some reason. "Huh. It sure does look like the Princess of Friendship and her student." One mare commented.

"Yeah, but looks can be deceiving," The other mare replied with concern. "How do we know it's really them?"

“Along with these lions.” Another pony asked while suspiciously looking on at said lions accompanying them. “Do they even look like the real deal.”

“Um, yeah we are.” Kion stated assertively while taken aback by what the ponies just said. “Why wouldn’t we be?”

A crystal stallion gulped as he started chewing on his hooves. "Well...it case.. you’re or…” He stuttered as a cold sweat worked its way down his body. "Either one of them could be the... the..."

"The what?!" Kion demanded. "Whatever it is, spit it out!"

But just then one of the mares screamed! "The imposters are here! Everypony run for your lives!" And without warning the mob of crystal ponies all stampeded away in fright, leaving poor Spike to fall to the ground with Twilight quick to catch him before that could happen.

"Okay. Something clearly strange is defintely going on around here.” Kiara commented once the shock from the ongoing weirdness that had just happened wore off.

“You think?” Kovu asked already feeling on edge like before.

“No.” Twilight shook her head before moving to take lead towards their destination once more. “But I now have a pretty good idea of what’s gotten everyone here out of sorts today. Come on.”

“You mean… Oh, no!” Kovu gasped.

Kiara was quick to get the anxious lion to calm down again. “Easy, Kovu. Let’s not run off again, just stick with us and everything will be fine.”

“Fine.” Kovu sighed relutcantly before allowing the lioness to guide him forward.

A short time later, Twilight, Kion,Starlight, Kiara, Kovu and Spike all approached the front gate of the royal crystal palace. But they had barely taken five steps forward when they were halted at spear point by two guards! Both were stallions, but one had a purple coat and the other a yellow coat.

"Not another step!" The purple coated stallion declared with a glare. "Identify yourselves, now!"

"What do you mean 'identify yourselves'? I'm Twilight Sparkle, and this is Starlight Glimmer my student," Twilight commented to the guards. "Not to mention my son, Spike. A.K.A: Spike the Brave and Glorious.

“Not only that I’m Kion, this is Kiara, my sister, and Kovu, my friend.” Kion added equally angry by this hostile greeting. “Now please, let us’ through."

But the yellow coated stallion just shook his head. "Sorry, can’t do that. All visitors must show proper identification before they can enter the castle. Nothing personal, it's just standard security procedure, ma’am."

“Ma’am?!” Starlight snorted further annoyed. “Do our names not mean we’re ponies on your side and not some random bad guys trying to cause harm here.

“Yeah!” Kion stated now speaking up in their defense. “We’re not whoever you are talking about! We’re just here to see Shining Armor and Princess Cadence, we mean you no harm."

"We'll be the judges of that," The purple coated stallion snorted. "How do we know you're the real Twilight, Starlight, Spike, Kion, Kiara, and Kovu?"

"What?!"

“Excuse us?!”

Twilight, Starlight, Spike, Kion, and Kiara all angrily remarked in unison.

Fortunately for the five, at that very moment Shining Armor and Princess Cadence came out to see what was going on between them (with the former wearing his purple and gold captain armor). With Sunburst following right behind them, carrying Flurry Heart in a cradle held by his magic.

"That we can answer for ourselves, gentleman." Shining Armor told the guards who moved to stand by while still keeping their guard up.

“Not to worry, we'll take care of things from here.” Cadance also said to the crew to keep them from being ready to pounce on the visitors at their doorstep.

“Shining Armor! Cadance! Oh, thank goodness!” Twilight exclaimed with happy relief before asking. “What’s going on?”

“We can explain, Twily... if it really is you.” Shining Armor replied with as much tact as he can before turning to his wife to motion her to approach the purple alicorn who is confused and insisting her innocence here.

Cadence reluctantly trotted forward, nervously she began to chant. "Sunshine, sunshine, lady bugs awake?"

Twilight happily replied. "Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" As she spoke she repeated the motions in unison with Cadence, the two alicorns giggling and laughing as they embraced one another in a hug.

Shining Armor smiled. "It's okay, everypony. It's her, the real deal."

"What about the others, sir?" The purple coated stallion asked. "How are we gonna determine if they're the real Starlight, Spike, Kion, Kiara, and that friend of theirs?" Kovu shrunk in fear to that remark.

“Gentleman, this lion is who not a what or that!” Kiara stated with a fierce frown. “And if I wasn’t the real deal would I be suggesting anything violent right about now along with my friend here?”

“And what about me?” Starlight also questioned. “Would I happen to know other ponies outside of the Guard?”

“And would I still possess the power of the Roar?” Kion asked as the clouds briefly formed behind him as a brief non-violent show of power.

And then Spike added as he proudly proclaimed. "And would I not be able to spit out fire like this!" He belched up a small flame. "Anymore proof you want out of us, or are we good?"

Shining Armor and Cadence nodded, and Shining Armor instructed. "Stand down, men. They are who they say they are. Dismissed."

Cadence then apologized to Twilight and Kion. "Sorry about the guards just now, they can get a bit pushy whenever they are being protective of us.”

“We know.” Kion understood why. “They're just trying to do their job."

"Even if it paves way for an overly-assertive and aggressive welcome from more guard than before." Starlight remarked as she arched an eyebrow upward. "Did something happen since the last time we can here or did we drop by at a bad time?"

Shining let out a sigh before explaining. "As a matter of fact, something did happen just recently." Clearing his throat he informed the group. "Shortly after the latest attempted siege on the empire, a crystal pony claimed she spotted a changeling lurking just outside the empire. Then it happened again the following day, only this time it was not a changeling but an Outsider clawing the lines and boundaries of the empire. Because of that we’ve had to take extra security measures around here."

"Makes sense.” Spike realized and understood the situation. "Especially if an Outsider is involved."

Cadence sighed as well. "Even though nothing has happened yet, it’s a risk we’re not going to take, especially Shining. And I’m sure if Simba was around he’d agree with him."

“Don’t blame him.” Kion accepted that as a very good reason not to take risks.

“Especially when that means our only daughter is at risk of being in danger.” Cadance added. “And it was a miracle that Scar never once tried to go after her when she last saw him.”

“I’ll say.” Kion expressed feeling brief relief before wondering. “If that’s true, then why wait until now to try to go after her?”

“Probably because Scar is looking into more powerful sources of magic he can use for his own benefit. Especially after what happened with Sombra just when it seemed he had us beaten.” Twilight deduced. “And also because he didn’t want to risk her interfering with his latest plan to try to conquer the Crystal Empire.

Sunburst adjusted his glasses before explaining more on why Flurry would such an asset to the bad guys. "And as for her power. It's something that happened due to the Crystalling. Since her birth the empire is flooded with the love everypony feels for the new baby. Love that is very rich and powerful that would get every known changeling to want her. Said power that Scar himself could use for himself for his own twisted purposes."

"Not only that but Queen Chrysalis.” Shining added with slow burning anger at the memory of their first encounter surfacing in his mind. “Who like Sombra until recently also has same blackness in her soul that Scar has. It wouldn’t surprise me if she tried to do anything to Flurry Heart right now. So until further notice to ensure that there aren't any changelings or Outsiders lurking, More guards, more patrols, with each and every corner checked up every second of the day. This way we won’t have a repeat of what happened back at the first attempt of my wedding ever again!"

Cadence reached out a hoof to her husband, lightly stroking his back in an effort to calm him down. "Shiny, please. Before you overwork yourself again." She then apologized to the others. "Sorry about his behavior on top of all of the drama that has happened here. I know Flurry Heart’s been really looking forward to seeing you all.” Said baby cooed while smiling at her aunts and uncle with their most trusted friends by their side.

“So should we head on home and try again when this is all over?” Starlight asked hoping the answer is no.

“No shame in that.” Kovu then moved to try to leave only for Kiara at the reasy to grab and stop him from leaving by the tail. “Dang it.”

Sure enough, both Twilight and Kion were quick to assert they are not going home at this very moment.

“We made it all this way. We can still make this work even if it means helping put down another one of Scar’s threats to this kingdom."

“And there is no way I’m risking losing the Crystal Empire again even when the chances of something popping up slim to none.”

"Me neither!" Spike happily stated. "Especially when we hardly ever get a chance to get some quality relaxation time nowadays with this ongoing war with Scar. So whatever I can do to help make this possible count me in!”

Cadence flashed a warm smile in response to their great willingness to help. "Glad to hear it! So go ahead and make yourselves comfortable and enjoy your stay here. I’m sure the crystal ponies will be very grateful and relieved knowing that we have extra help around especially Spike the Brave and Glorious. And I’m sure the same can be said for Sunburst given of how hard he’s been working from from foalsitting Flurry Heart all the time."

"You’re right about that." The former crystaller exclaimed with a weary sigh. "Even after reading every book I could use and come up with, this baby sure has given me quite the time of my life. And not in the good way."

Twilight just smiled as she approached Flurry Heart's cradle. "Well lucky for you, Sunburst. I’m more than happy to take up the task of spending quality time with my favorite niece."

“You know she’s your only niece right, Twilight?” Kion pointed out and asked.

“Which makes it all the more reason to protect her.” Twilight happily replied before turning to said baby alicorn in her crib. “You already looking forward to being able to play with your Auntie Twily along with Aunt Kiara and Uncle Kion? As long you are a good little girl, right?" Flurry Heart just babbled and cooed.

"Great! Have fun!" Sunburst declared as he allowed Twilight to take hold of the cradle with her magic. "If you need me, I'm going to work on updating my research on improving with foal proofing spells."

Starlight immediately trotted up to the stallion. "Count me in to help you out, Sunburst. Besides you’re really going to need after what you’ve endured recently."

"I would have to disagree there...!" The former magic student remarked as he let out a faint whinny and yawn. "But I'll gladly accept your company and help just for the sake of it." He briefly blushed it to which thankfully no one noticed. Then he and Starlight trotted away, as did Twilight, Kion, and Kiara with Flurry Heart safely in tow in her cradle.

“Wait!” Kovu exclaimed out loud. “What about me?”

“You.” Twilight briefly turned back to face him along with Kiara. “You can stick with Shining Armor and Spike and see if they need help with anything.”

“Okay.”

Kiara then added to the unicorn. “Try not to scare him too badly, okay?”

“I’ll try.”

“Along with overworking yourself while I go and take of a few things myself?” Cadance also asked herself.

“Yes.” The captain somberly replied, yet unable to make a promise or guarantee anything at this point. The princess of love just sighed and shrugged her shoulders, but said nothing in reply before leaving.

Once everypony else had left, Kovu was left with both Spike and Shining Armor, still at a loss of how he can handle himself let along with the company standing by his side. “So…” He nervously began. “...what can I do to help?”

The prince gave it some thought before coming up with an idea. “I have something you and Spike can do. The guards will be heading out for another patrol in just a few minutes, and I'm sure they'd love having Spike the Brave and Glorious joining them in their search along with a brave lion by their side."

The little dragon cheered in delight at the idea. "Boy would I love that!" But then a thought of concern occurred. "But I don’t know about doing so without giving my mom Twilight the heads up. Last thing I want to do is give her grief for her to want to snap again."

“Let alone risking death to one of lionesses who could be lurking out there.” Kovu added completely paralyzed with trembling and quaking fear.

Shining's face remained sure of the idea while smiling and winking at him. "What both Twily and Kiara don't know won't hurt them. Besides, it’s only a quick patrol on the immediate outside of the empire, just a quick security sweep. You'll be there and back before anyone will take notice or ask questions about it. And something we can keep just between us."

"That is something we can indeed do when you put it that way." The little dragon realized and gave a small salute! "I’m on it, Shining! Come on Kovu!"

“But...are you still sure it’s safe?” Kovu asked while pleading of the unicorn not to put him up to it.

“Of course.” Shining Armor gently consoled while bending down to his eye level. “Just follow and stay Spike’s side and don’t wander away from the guards at any point.” Then speaking up to make sure Spike gets the memo while standing back up. “That said if either of you do happen see a changeling and or a lionesses, do not engage, inform me to me ASAP, got it?”

Both Spike and Kovu nodded.

"Got it.”

“Okay."

With the decision made, Shining gave a whistle. "Guards, you'll be traveling with Spike the Brave and Glorious and Kovu today. See to it they are treated with respect and stay safe. If not you'll answer to me. Is that clear?"

"Sir, yes sir!" The guards saluted as one of them allowed Spike to climb onto his back with another allowing Kovu to do the same.

It wasn't long before they were on their way, Shining watching them as they left the castle. Yet he couldn’t help but think to himself. "I hope nothing happens to them out there. Otherwise, Twily and Kiara are never going to let me live this down."

Spike rode on the back of the purple coated guard all the way to the outskirts of the empire while Kovu rode on the back of the yellow coated guard along the way. Then they slid down and planted their claws firmly in the thick snow. Upon landing the two shivered from the cold a little bit, with the dragon himself trying not to let it show even though he wished he thought to bring a coat with him, and the latter wishing that this goes as planned no enemies in sight.

"Alright, men," The purple coated guard instructed to the other guards. "Spread out and scout the perimeter but do not separate. Inspect every inch and stone within a five mile radius. And if you spot a changeling and or lioness do not engage. Remember the exact location and sighting before informing your fellow soldiers so it can be reported directly Captain Armor."

"And don't forget, a changeling can change. That means it can be anyone or anything." The yellow coated guard from earlier declared.

The purple coated guard gave a firm nod. "Exactly. Now let's move out!"

The guards split off two by two, each checking a different section of the seemingly endless tundra that surrounded them. All the while Spike and Kovu couldn't help but shake the feeling that they were being watched somehow, but every time either of them turned to look they would see nothing.

"I’m not the only one seeing things am I?” Kovu quietly asked Spike in a whisper.

“You’re not the only one, Kovu.” Spike whispered back feeling the same way.

“You don’t think that either Zira or Chrysalis would actually come all the way out here, do you?”

“Not unless it’s for whatever reason Scar has put them up to.”

Regardless the two carried out by helping the guards scout the area alongside the guards in their inspection. After doing so, they all regrouped together where each and every guard reported the same thing with nothing and no one in sight.

"Okay, men," The purple coated guard instructed. "That's it for now. Let's head back to the castle and report back to Captain Armor of our findings. On the double!"

"Sir, yes sir!" The other guards all saluted.

"You too, Spike the Brave and Glorious! Kovu!" The purple coated guard called. "Come on. Let’s go!"

The little dragon had been resting atop a nearby rock, having grown bored of waiting around with Kovu standing by his side. "We’re coming." He answered as he hoped down from the rock. Unfortunately, he misjudged his landing and fell backward. He expected to hit the ground, but instead he fell through a small hole that he hadn't noticed.

"Spike!" Kovu rushed to quickly grab the little dragon by the tail only to slip and fall down the hole with him. The purple coated guard urgently rushed toward the rock, only to find the hole was too small for him to fit down.

Everything seemed to happen in the blink of an eye for Spike and Kovu, who both screamed as they slid down a slope with no way to slow their descent!

At last the slope ended, both Spike and Kovu stopping just short of a huge ravine that greeted their eyes. The little dragon breathed a small sigh of relief. "That was close." He declared, wiping the sweat from his brows.

“No kidding! Way too close!” Kovu gasped and shuddered while placing a paw over his now racing heart. “We nearly became cocoa pebbles just now!”

“Well good thing that didn’t happen.” Spike laughed it off before focusing on their surroundings. “Now we just need to find a way out of here.”

Just then, Spike turned around and happened to glance at what looked to him like his reflection. When he waved, so did the other version of him that he could see between some rocks. At the same time, when Kovu turned he saw another pair of blue eyes glaring directly at them. But unlike the other creature it didn’t give an audible hiss nor spook the dark furred lion in the slightest.

But then suddenly the other reflection sneezed and in a puff of sickly green magic, the other Spike faded away. In its place stood a strange looking pony/insect hybrid creature with holes in its legs, and light blue eyes.

At the same time, Kovu found himself looking on at another pair of blue eyes, only that they didn’t hiss compared to the other creature.

"A changeling!" Spike screamed at the top of his lungs as he jumped back in surprise! He quickly began scanning his surroundings for anything that he could use to defend himself. The changeling seemed to obey the warning, it just stood there and blinked at Spike in what appeared to be confusion.

"Spike! Spike!” The changeling quickly and innocently stated. “It’s okay, it’s just me, Thorax!”

Spike’s nerves immediately were replaced with relief and surprise upon seeing him again. “Thorax?”

At the same time Kovu uttered this one word that confirmed who he thinks he is really dealing with. “Vitani?”

“Guilty as charged, little brother.” The young lioness confirmed before emerging from the shadows.

At the same time both Spike and Kovu blinked at one another upon seeing that neither one of the two are actually moving to attack one another.

“Spike, what’s going on here?” Kovu asked the dragon up against his back.

“I wish I knew.” Spike replied just as surprised as the lion up against his back. “What is going on here?”

“I mean…” Kovu spoke up sounding more calm now. “...it’s great to see you both again, really. But why are you both here and lurking around these parts of the kingdom. Shouldn’t your mother be worried about you?”

“My mother a.k.a. our mother wouldn’t be worried as long as I have our clumsy brother watching out for me. Surely, you know how to dodge his watchful eye.”

“Oh, right. That.” Kovu remembered doing just that the day he met Kiara by managing to take advantage of Nuka being distracted by a butterfly that looked like meat in his eyes.

“Anyways, it wouldn’t surprise me if he managed to get lost not too far from the train station. But in answer to your question I’m here to find a nice place to warm up before I continue keeping watch of the Crystal Empire on mother’s orders. And as for your friend, he can consider himself lucky I’m sparing him from harm in exchange for not alerting your powerful friends of my presence.”

“Okay, sounds fair.” Spike accepted without questioning it before turning to Thorax. “And what about you?”

“Aside coming across a tense family reunion, checking up on the Crystal Empire. Though it would seem my brother has been put up to the task of lurking around since I’m no longer on Chrysalis’s side.”

“Would make sense given that you not the type of changeling to be willing do this sort of thing.” Spike acknowledged. “Are you sure it’s not for anything else, like the massive amount of love in this kingdom?”

“Yes, but not the way one would expect my kind to go on about it.” Thorax answered honestly.

“You’re not?” Kovu asked highly surprised by that reply alongside his sister who was much more skeptical of that claim.

“Likely story. I take it that means you didn’t even have any friends growing up before becoming all noble inside?”

Thorax shook his head. "I didn't. Not for as long as I can remember. Not even from the moment I first split my egg at the nursery hive.” He recalled his very birth a while ago. “And in case you’re wondering what got me into switching sides Vitani, it started sometime after Scar came over to convinced Chrysalis to form an alliance with him. Even though he treated us well and gave us our dues when called upon, he still encouraged the idea that we were supposed to feed on love. Somehow I didn’t share the same interest as the others. I never fully understood it until I met one of your friends Kyoga and her family." He recalled the day he met them while performing their own investigation during the wedding preparations. “Even when forced to watch and be part of the attack on Canterlot, I couldn't bring myself to hurt anypony, not after I saw the Lion and Pony Guard we were fighting against come together in the name of friendship to protect their city! I haven’t been near the hive ever since!”

Vitani scoffed as she spoke. “That’s a great story but it doesn’t exactly compare to whatever my mom does whenever Scar isn’t around. With her you would want to actually have the guts to flee and not get hunted down for it.”

“You mean she actually laid paws on you?” Throax asked in horror.

“No. At least not on me. And that’s only because I haven’t failed and proved to be a disappointment to her not even once, compared to my brothers.” She then glared at the changeling himself. “At least you managed to get out at a good time because once the war started we’ve had to train and work extra hard every day. Even more so whenever we come across days where we fail one of Scar’s plans. And by that I mean whatever the other Outsiders back home have done to mess up it, mainly the hyenas.”

She herself recalled whenever she is present in a meeting where Scar is in the middle of a fiery rant and scolding of those who screwed up the plan just when they had victory within their grasp. While she thankfully never endured that and Scar does treat her and the other Outsiders well compared to Zira and Chrysalis, the sight itself still left the young lioness shaken up of what could happen if she were to fumble up an effective plan herself.

“Gosh…” Thorax spoke breathlessly. “...I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Please.” Vitani scoffed off the attempted apology with a snarl. “You’re just saying that just to try to make me feel better and that not tear you apart for lunch.”

“No, really!” Thorax asserted while still maintaining his innocence. “I really mean it. I’m really, really, am sorry to hear that you have it tough growing up and what you have to endure under the Army of Scar’s command. I can’t even imagine what cruelty is encouraged in his inner circle.”

“If I were to show you could you?”

“Even if I could see it, admittedly, yes.” Trying to move the conversation along he then said. “If only you were around in Equestria to see the good and true side of friendship then maybe things could be different going forward.” He then recalled being at Cranky and Matilda’s wedding. “Oh, imagine how much things can be better if around lot of love with those who are willing to share it whether it’s a romantic bond or a deep connection between friends…”

“Yes, if only I can imagine.” Vitani sarcastically remarked as she and the others find the changeling is starting to drool due to even thinking about love. “I’m sure you are now.”

"And I'm guessing you’re doing it right now because of what’s going on at the Crystal Empire," Spike pondered as he observed the changeling’s embarrassing moment, and his suspicion was confirmed with another nod from Thorax. “Right. Of course."

Thorax looked away in shame. "I can't help it! Even after helping Kyoga restore Diamond Valley to it’s former glory with plenty of love to go around I’m still hungry! And now that the baby has been around it has been driving me crazy!"

Spike then proposed. “Well since the Crystal ponies know you, why don’t you come on over and tell us about your discovery. I’m sure they’ll be more than willing to give you the love you need in return for giving them the good news.”

The changeling shook his head and whimpered. "I don’t if I can do that just yet. Especially after hearing every pony there is on edge thanks to my brother scaring the horseshoes out of them. Not to mention we both have the same color of skin even with different colored eyes. It’s not because I’m afraid of showing my face there again, it’s just I don’t want to cause anymore trouble than what has already been done. I mean if any of you actually met me now, what are the chances that any of you would either run or try to fight and chase me off?”

“Um, likely.”

“Definitely.”

“Probably taken aback at first.”

The three admitted.

“Exactly!”

But Spike was quick to argue otherwise. “Now hold on!” He asserted with raised claws. “As someone who just so happens to be called Spike the Brave and Glorious, I beg to differ! I'm sure I can tell them all that I just saw you and that it was another changeling responsible for lurking around the Empire, and that you're not here to cause any harm or even kidnap Flurry Heart and feed off of her love."

“But what about me, can you at least get me some food?!” Vitani demanded just when her stomach growled.

“That I’m sure we can do.” Spike also assured while he nor Kovu were never one to leave a poor fellow hungry. “But first…” He turned his attention towards their surroundings. “...can you at least tell us how to get out of here?”

"Of course!” Thorax happily returned, more than willing to do so. “Follow me, Spike the Brave and Glorious."

Before following after them, Kovu gently implored of his sister of this one request. “We’ll be back, I promise.”

While watching on and felt like she should take his word for it, her stomach growling once more left her feeling this is something she can’t wait upon more.

"Spike?! Kovu!" The purple coated guard called as he eyed the hole ready to try to throw a rope down for them to climb up on. "Are you both okay?! Can you hear me?!”

“Yeah, we can hear you.” Spike told the guard as he tapped a claw on the guard's chest armor.

“Loud and clear.” Kovu added while appearing by his side.

The guard jumped and spun around. "Whoa! Kids, couldn’t have come at a better time when there isn’t a changeling and Outside lurking around these parts of the Crystal Empire?!"

“Wasn’t what we were trying to do and sorry.” Kovu innocently returned while backing up a little taken aback by the sudden scolding the guard gave them.

“We didn’t mean to startle you.” Spike added while placing a calming claw on the lion’s shoulder. “We managed to find another way out ourselves. It just took a little navigating to find it.”

"Did it really?" The guard questioned the two. "You're both really who we think you both are?"

Spike simply responded by breathing fire into the guard's face, covering him with soot. Kovu simply snarled and bared his teeth in response leading to the guard trying to move around him only for the former to easily match his movements every move he tried to make.

“What are you doing?”

“Okay, okay, fine. It’s really you both.” The guard shook the soot off of his face before addressing them. “Now we can head on back before Captain Armor realizes we haven't returned and gets the whole kingdom searching after you."

Spike climbed onto the guard's back while Kovu moved to do the same. From that point on both of them said nothing for the entire ride back to the castle. Once they were back inside the castle safe and sound they broke their silence.

"Back home at last."

“Thank you, gentlemen.”

"Anything for, Spike the Brave and Glorious and his friend." The purple coated guard bowed.

Meanwhile, the yellow coated guard commented. "Thank goodness, you’re both okay. We’re were just beginning to worry about you. Just saved us the trouble of having to explain to the captain of your sudden disappearance."

“Well you’re lucky we just happen to figure a way out by ourselves.” Kovu returned feeling a little more confident than before yet not confident enough of how to discuss the topic he wanted to ask them himself. “Though may I ask, have you ever considered the possiblity that maybe there could be a nice Outsider as much as a changeling?”

The yellow coated stallion looked at him like he is talking nonsense. “What? Are you sure you made it out of the cave okay?” He asked while checking for bumps on his head.

“I’m fine, really!” Kovu asserted while shaking his head free of hooves. “I’m just saying, maybe just naybe that this Outsider much like the changeling we befriended a while ago is just misunderstood and forced into fighting on the wrong side.”

“Yeah!” Spike spoke to support his friend’s argument. “Maybe it doesn't want to try to maul us to death or drain our love. Maybe one of them is just hungry looking for food to eat so said someone can live another day. Think about it, it can happen."

The two guards looked at each other for a moment, exchanging glances that were impossible to read. Then they burst into fits of laughter.

“Oh, wow! For a second I thought you were serious!” The purple chuckled.

“Could you imagine? Friends with a Outsider like any other lion?” The yellow also chuckled.

“It can happen!” Kovu fiercely stated but it even still got laughs from the two.

"Oh man! Not only are you Spike the Brave and Glorious, you're also Spike the Hilarious!" The purple coated chuckled.

The yellow coated guard laughed too. "And the same can be said for your friend here, maybe you should try a career in comedy. You’d get along great in a circus!"

But a moment later a very familiar stern tone of voice broke up the laughter. "And just what is so funny to you two gentlemen to be making jokes at this time?!" Shining Armor demanded himself, looking quite peeved if the slant in his eyebrows was any indication while trotting inside the room.

The guards gulped as the purple coated one apologized. "N-nothing C-captain Armor, sir, we were just..."

Shining threw up a hoof to silence the guard. "-I don’t think that is funny, men! Changelings and Outsiders who happen to be our enemies is no laughing manner, and I expect you to treat it as such! Instead I find you treating a serious manner as a joke like a couple of jocks in school would. So that said, does the story of the Changeling Queen Chrysalis kidnapping Cadance, casting a spell on me, along with getting me to turn on my own sister now sound funny to you, along with the idea of just how vicious and deadly the Outsiders leader Zira can be should she hear someone even making the smallest joke at her expense. Think about that for a moment of just how badly it’ll turn out.”

The yellow coated guard gulped with cold sweat now on his forehead. “Not very good that’s for sure, captain.”

“We’ll see to it that it doesn’t happen again, sir.”

“Good.” Shining then gestured a hood. “Now get back to it, or else you two will immediate volunteers for watching over Flurry Heart, got it?”

“Sir, yes, sir!” The two guards then bolted without another word clearly frightened by the idea of having to be the baby alicorn’s play ponies.

Once they had left Shining’s expression changed. "I'm sorry you both had to see that, Spike, Kovu." He apologized. "Sometimes those two can feel like they have dialed back a few years to the point new cadets make better guards compared to them."

"But I wasn't joking and neither was Kovu." Spike insisted to Shining. "We were being serious about a question we tried to ask them."

“Anything in particular?” Shining asked with a concerned and trained eye.

“Well um…” Nervously Kovu looked up towards the pony with little to no fear in contrast to the last time. “...what would you say if the spotted Outsiders just so happens to be my sister and brother with the spotted changeling just so happens to be Thorax’s brother?”

The prince didn't flinch or seem to outwardly react to the unexpected response and question he was just told. The trained eye told him that he is indeed speaking the truth. But he still tensed up slightly. "For starters, I’d congratulate you and say this is good news now that we know who’s been sounding off the alarm now. Second and most importantly, since this is your brother and sister we’re talking about, I can tell you don’t want us to go after them do you?”

“No. I mean I understand why you have to go after them, but it’s just I wish there was another way.”

“Like what?”

“Like where they can go free after I make sure to tell them to leave before they get caught and make sure they have enough food to last for the journey back.”

The little dragon tried his hardest to keep a straight face while trying to clarify it in the best of words hoping for leniency in the young lion’s favor. “What he means is something that we can keep just between us along with Thorax if we can. Especially since they aren’t making any moves on the Crystal Empire so far.”

The prince, after a moment of silence, remarked in a straight tone of voice. "While I understand your desire to want to keep your family safe even while on the opposite side. There is the matter of the fact that they are still Outsiders fighting against us who have both assisted in attacking us in the past. If we were to let them go, it could come back to bite us in the rump if they managed to come back with reinforcements that could potentially overpower our army here next time around.”

“So you’re saying you have to go after them?” Kovu asked feeling like the attempted aim has sunk.

“That is the way it has to be.” Shining Armor regretfully replied. “I’m sorry, Kovu. But as Prince of the Crystal Empire and Captain of the Royal Guard, I have to put my responsibilities to the citizens of Equestria first and foremost. So I have to take any threats seriously, and I would consider any changeling foolish enough to show its face in my presence a threat. And if said Outsiders and changeling is nearby, then it means both armies are nearby along with their leaders.”

“But I know them to the point they are not malicious or violently crazy like their leaders whether it’s Scar or Zira or Chrysalis.” Kovu tried to argue. “Sure my sister can be very aggressive and my brother can be crazy, but they’re harmless otherwise, at least not when in battle. Can’t you just go easy on them?”

Shining however shook his head. “Even if I wanted to there is no sure guarantee that’s going to happen, kid. Part of me would love not to want to do that but the part has to tell me that their track record doesn’t give me enough reason to let them off easy. And I’m sure Twilight would have to agree on me there considering that we had to imprison both Hope and Sombra in the Crystal Dungeons after what they did in the past.” He then prepared to head out. “Now, I’m going to rally the troops so you can show us where you found them, and I expect you be fully cooperative with us in the next five minutes, that clear enough for you?”

“Crystal, Shining sir.” Kovu said in defeat.

“Good. I know this is tough but someday you’ll understand.” Shining said with a sympathetic smile before setting out ahead and trotted away.

"Well that could've gone better," Spike said out loud as he and Kovu walked away for a bit but not too far knowing that Shining Armor will be back. “Could have bought ourselves some time had we withheld from telling him the truth. But then again, he along with everyone else would have found out anyways, something that Applejack would firmly agree on if she were here.”

"No kidding.” Kovu agreed. “How are we going to explain what’s about to happen to both my spying siblings. Let alone without going into that they are going to have to be taken under custody with who know what punishment they have to endure.”

“Like what?” A voice called out from behind thus startling Kovu himself along with Spike.

“Huh?”

“Exactly what punishment do I have to endure?” Vitani asked again as she suddenly appeared beside her brother.

“Vitani!” Kovu screamed before rushing her over to the nearest hiding spot in the hallway. “What are you doing here?! I told you to wait!”

“And I got tired of waiting because I needed something to eat like right now.” Vitani replied while popping her head out of the bush she was stuffed behind. “Along the way I had to shake that friendly changeling off of my back in order to do so. So where’s the kitchen around here?”

She moved to set out to find it before being stopped by her brother before she could do so. “Oh, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! You are going nowhere inside this castle! If they catch up you will get arrested!”

“Not if I’m careful enough to avoid being spotted by the guards!”

Kovu still remained assertive and keeping her from going off on her own. “Vitani, please! I promise I’ll try to do what I can, but first you gotta go!”

“Spike!”

“Kovu!”

Both Twilight and Kiara’s voices called for them.

“Oh, dragon scales!” Spike cringed in a hushed voice before forcing himself smile to return the friendly cheerful greeting. “Hey, Twilight, Kiara! How’s it going!”

“Pretty good so far.”

Having the final say, Kovu moved to stuff her sister back in the hiding spot she emerged from. “If you value your live then stay there and don’t say or do anything. In fact, don’t even breath...I mean at least don’t move a muscle and don’t say a word.” After forcing her compliance he moved to greet the lioness looking for him. “Kiara! Hi!”

“Hi, Kovu!” Kiara warmly greeted with a hug. “It’s been a while since we last saw each other.”

“It was only a little while.” Kovu returned with an embarrassed shrug.

“But it still felt longer than that.” Kiara then stretched her back. “And one thing’s for sure, watching after a baby alicorn is still quite a lot to endure even with controlled magic. That baby even played with me like I’m her riding lesson and at was after playing with me like babies play with their kitties.”

“Did she really?”

“Yep.”

“Are you okay?”

“Of course. I just needed a little break to stretch out whatever muscles my niece roughed up a little.” She moved to continue stretching herself while Twilight moves to work her magic on trying to help heal any muscle strains she endured while playing with Flurry Heart. “Oh, yeah. Right there.”

“Yeah I know.” Twilight replied with a giggle to the surprised cub. “She really can be quite a hoofful. And by that I mean a lot. But all and all is a really cute and fun foal to want have fun with.” Then she remembered. “Speaking of which, did you two have fun with whatever my brother put you up to while we were babysitting?”

“Oh, yeah! Of course!” Spike quickly and happily answered before quickly reminding himself. “At least in keeping us safe while watching over the castle.”

Twilight simply giggled in response. “Are you sure he didn’t have help his guards oversee the daily patrol like we would back home?”

“What?! That?” Spike tried to play it off like it’s a joke. “No! Come on, Twilight! Like we would do something risky behind your backs.”

Twilight still looked on while playfully ribbing him with her elbow while smirking. “Nice try, Pinocchio. But you’re not fooling me. I know what goes on around me even when I’m not around.”

“You do?!” Kovu fearfully asked.

“Yes. And I know for a fact that you two had a time of your lives while you were both out there didn’t you?”

“Yep.”

“I guess we did.”

The two admitted.

“Typical Shining Armor. Thinking he can try to pull a sneaky one on me. He’s gonna have to try harder than that next time.” Just then she just managed to undo the last muscle that needed tending on Kiara’s back allowing her to relax and stand up.

Just then they heard the sound a stomach growling from around the room. “What was that?” Kiara asked as they heard the sound again coming from Vitani’s hiding spot. No question about it, that the lioness’s noisy and hungry stomach was starting to give herself away.

Being quick to react, Spike spoke up saying. “Ah! It’s my stomach! It must be lunchtime already. Boy, going on patrol sure works up an appetite am I right, or am I right?”

“Same here!” Kovu quickly added with a forced chuckle and smile. “So how about we head on over and get ourselves something to eat? Huh?”

Twilight eyed the two suspiciously as they are clearly hiding something and new full well, that it wasn’t their stomach’s making noise. It was clearly coming from someone else. But after thinking about it for a moment, she then decided to play along with it. “That sounds like a great idea! I sure could go for a bite after having some fun quality time with my favorite niece. But I’m going to have to take my lunch to go before Flurry starts going off on her own little search party for her favorite aunt.”

“Hey!” Kiara shot a playful smirk and jab right back at her only to wince when she nearly hurt her paw due to the pony’s dense muscle. “She’s got more than one aunt you know.”

"Oh, boy!” Kovu commented as he breathed a much needed sigh of relief. "That was a close one."

“No kidding.” The little dragon said in agreement. "Good thing I am known for having quite an appetite otherwise your sister would have arrested on the spot."

“No kidding.” Vitani spoke up appearing right behind them. “That said I heard that.”

“Good. Because your stomach nearly blew your cover.”

“It’s not my fault I haven’t had anything to eat all day, yet. And I need something to eat right now.”

“And you’ll get it as long as you hold on to your patience for just a little longer.” Spike assured. “We’re lucky if we can be able to fool Twilight who has gotten pretty good at playing the situation to her advantage.”

“Assuming she hasn’t caught on yet.” Kovu briefly expressed in worry. “But in any case, let’s get on going and Vitani…” He then pleaded of her as they made their way over to where Twilight and Kiara have went to avoid suspicion and falling too far behind. “...please, stick to the nearest hiding spot until we come back. Because if you get caught, there’s nothing we can do.”

“I’ll try. No promises.”

The two then followed Twilight and Kiara to the kitchen where they all fetched themselves a snack. Since they planned to meet up with Flurry in just a little bit, it bough Spike and Kovu some time to be able to sneak some food to Vitani who’s stomach could not stop being noisy by the time she finally got something to eat.

Afterwards, the three then made their down hallway just when the voice of Prince Kion calling. "Spike? Kovu? Could you both come to the throne room, please? There's something we need to discuss."

Spike and Kovu exchanged worried glances while looking back at Vitani. They both were left worried that Kion along with Cadence was already onto them. It only took a moment for them to shrug it off, knowing that while Cadence was smart but she wasn't a mind reader unlike Kion along Twilight and Shining Armor. And as for Kion himself, if Twilight didn’t suspect anything that what are the chances he can spot anything out himself?

As long as they played it cool with Vitani taking cover in an area where she can stealthy make her way out unnoticed then everything would be just fine. So the two friends made their way to the throne room with the Outsider lagging behind and making her way through the scenery in the back of the room. Princess Cadence sat upon her crystal throne, while off to her left side stood Shining Armor, and off to her right side stood Twilight, Kion, Kiara, Flurry Heart, Thorax, Starlight and Sunburst.

The Princess of Love smiled as she looked down at the approaching duo. "Shining Armor just told me you both had been an important discovery while on patrol, didn’t you?"

"Yes?" Spike and Kovu both said in unison.

"That being said it means you managed to figure out where the changeling and Outsider is? Did you manage to catch a glimpse of what they look like?”

Spike moved forward to do the talking. “We managed to catch a good look of the changeling. But the lioness in question managed to escape before we could identify her?”

“Did you happen to get a glimpse of the color eyes she had?”

“It was hard to say.” Spike admitted. “I’m not sure if it was blue or red.”

“Blue.” Kovu also answered. “Because I’m pretty sure it would either be Zira or Nuka lurking around.”

Spike looked on briefly at the lion unsure if the truth was a good thing or not before realizing they can use this talking it out to their advantage. “Right, of course! Though was it regular blue or ocean blue, because I couldn’t quite tell from a distance.”

“Good question.” While the two were talking Vitani moved to slowly move behind object to object without being noticed when all eyes were focused on both Spike and Kovu. “Come to think of it I would have to say they’re maybe cool blue because they didn’t look light to me. Otherwise they’d look like baby alicorn’s over there.” Said baby happily giggled and cooed before moving to float over to the two moving to hug the lion like he is a friend to him. “Oh, um, you’re welcome.” Deep down he wasn’t quite understanding why this is happening. “Glad you appreciate the compliment.”

“Of course she does.” Cadance smiled as she then explained. “My daughter, Flurry Heart loves making new friends and she already likes you.”

Kovu after shaking off the shock moved to happily return the hug to which had the baby light up her horn. Said light ended up brightening up the room. And casting like on each and every shadow around them. Including a certain lioness sneaking her way to the nearest window. Which just so happened to be noticed by the purple alicorn who had on sunglasses along with the others.

“Uh-oh!” Spike gasped when he just spotted and realized that the alicorn baby unwittingly just blew Vitani’s cover.

“There she is!” Twilight called out with a pointed hoof in her direction just as she was making herself up onto the window. Before Spike had a chance to react he along with Kovu were suddenly found himself being yanked away by Twilight's magic, while several guards pointed spears at the lioness now in their midst.

“Good work, Twilight!” Her brother complimented before turning to the guards ready to give the order. “Guards! Arrest her!”

"Hey, what are you doing?!" Kovu asked then pleaded. "Don't hurt her!"

"I'm sorry, but there is no other choice. That Outsider is dangerous, and I won't take the risk of her hurting you or Spike. Not while I’m around!" Twilight firmly vowed.

"But... but..." Kovu tried and failed to speak up and tell everyone it was all a misunderstanding, but he couldn't work up the nerve to speak up. Not that t would have helped things even if he had did.

Sunburst adjusted his glasses as he somberly declared. "This Outsider must’ve have managed to sneak into the Crystal Palace unnoticed while everyone’s backs were turned and in an attempt to get close to the baby. What other explanation could there be?"

"I..." The little dark furred lion froze. "...Don't know."

Upon hearing those words had Vitani’s heart sunk and felt like a back stabbed kitten. The one lion she thought she could trust had betrayed her! Struggling to hold back the tears, she smashed her way out the window and leapt outside without a word!

"After her! Don't let her get away!" Shining firmly demanded as the guards leaped to their hooves and gave chase with some even jumping through the window in order to keep the lioness from escaping their eyesight.

Kovu didn't move an inch as the guards pursued Vitani, barking out orders as they tailed the fleeing lioness. All he could think about was one thing. "Why didn’t I stand up for her when I had the chance! Now she is about to be arrested and thrown in jail for life, thanks to me. I sure proved myself to be a good brother that’s for sure.” He glumly thought.

Kion reached out a hoof to console the younger lion. "It's okay, Kovu, you couldn't have known. Your sister managed to be very good a getting by our guards and was very stealthily about it. Lucky for us, Twilight suspected something and decided not to take chances," Then he turned to the princess. "That being said, how did you know Flurry Heart would expose the lioness and get it to drop its disguise?"

"I suspected something was up when I last saw both Spike and Kovu earlier. Upon seeing the way they acted tipped me off that they were hiding something or someone in this case. So in order to draw out the Outsider that’s hiding I felt the best way to do was to lure her into a trap. Knowing that she would use any and nearby distractions to her advantage I figured that a little extra light was needed in order for everyone to see her. And admittedly, I have Scar to thank for that when he ended up doing the same to Kinyonga the other day. Because I probably wouldn’t have found out until it was too late.”

Even still Kovu still felt the need to ask. “But it’s just one lion who’s my size and age. Is sending a whole troop of guards really necessary?”

"Maybe not. But you can never be too sure.” Shining returned still firm about it. “Much like being in the wild is that wherever there's one changeling or lion especially a child, is that there's usually an entire army along with the child’s parents are nearby. And what don’t want is an invasion that we’re not ready for."

"True. But is Scar along with Zira and Queen Chrysalis actually planning another invasion here of all places.” Spike asked which earned looks in his direction. “I mean, do they have a strong enough army to go on about it, because it seemed that Sombra’s turnaround performance really did a number on their firepower."

Cadance sighed in response. "I don’t know, Spike. I don’t know. Maybe he does or does not, it’s really hard to tell what Scar is going to do next."

"All the more, reason why we can’t take our chances here." Kion firmly declared. "Once the guards have captured that lioness, we’ll find out what Zira and Queen Chrysalis are putting her up too and what Scar is planning to do next one way or another!"

Just then, the guards from earlier came trotting into the throne room and one bowed its head. "Captain Armor, Princess Cadence, we got her."

"Good work, gentlemen." Shining complimented and waved a hoof. "Now, bring her in so we can question her for her unexpected appearance here."

Mere seconds later, Vitani was brought in with massive chains tied to all four of her legs. She could only growl defiantly and especially at her brother Kovu for what had just happened earlier.

Shining approached the young lioness with a glare in his eyes. "Okay, daughter of Zira. Start talking! Why did you come here!" Vitani simply glared back yet refusing to say anything. "Not talking are we?" The prince scoffed. "Well if I were you I’d reconsider or else we’re going to have to throw in the dungeon right this instant and resort to even more challenging ways to get you to talk! So once again, why did you come all the way out here?"

Vitani still refused to say a word.

Shining just shook his head. "Very well, since you’re still refusing to talk, you leave me no choice. Take her away!"

The guards raised their spears and prepared to escort their prisoner out of the throne room. But before they could do so, Kovu suddenly rushed forward and stood in front of the imprisoned lioness. "Stop it! I won't let you hurt her!" He protested. "She's done nothing to you to deserve this!"

Everyone gasped, except for Shining who just glared at the dragon! "Kovu, what are you doing?! Move and stand aside from the lioness at once!"

"No I won't!" Kovu protested. "This lioness has a name and she is my sister, Vitani!"

Now even Shining gasped! "Kovu, while I understand that she is still family to you, she still needs to answer for her own crimes and for all we know she could have just manipulated you into thinking she’s being innocent to divert our attention away from whatever Zira want’s her to do!"

The young male lion protested with a firm shake of his head. "She did nothing like that! Even when we got separated from each other and are now on opposing sides, my bond with my sister never changed. And I don’t plan on changing that even with our disagreements."

Princess Cadence now stepped forward. "Kovu. We don’t know that for sure and you don’t either. You’ve hardly seen each other for over three years and she has gotten involved in various attacks against us. She could have just been playing and using you to get to Flurry Heart."

"No I wouldn’t.” Vitani spoke up in protest. “Even if I could then I would have been in for more trouble than I have right now. I was just following Mother’s orders to monitor the Crystal Empire but not to engage.” With the cat out of the bag she then confessed. “I only came close and in here, because I really needed something to eat and I knew I could rely on my brother to help me get what I need to get through the day.” She then said next. “I now realize that I got too impatient and really overstepped my bounds when I decided to come here on my own in a place where I can’t be trusted. And if you just let me go I can promise I won't go anywhere near her or you or anypony else here ever again after running away from here and I will never return."

"Impressive that you finally decided to talk now.” Shining commented with a a glare. “Too bad, that it’s not enough to get yourself out of this fate you brought upon yourself.”"

Kovu then issued a final vow. "I'm sorry, Shining Armor. But I’m standing by my sister’s side. If you want to hurt and interrogate her through whatever violent means you deem necessary, then you're going to have go through me!"

Much to Kovu’s surprise, Spike spoke up while moving to join by their side. "Same here! I’ve seen how she reacted around us and I say she doesn’t pose a threat to us, here. If otherwise, then she would have attacked and killed us by now.”

“So true.” Starlight spoke up. “Because I too am also siding with them here. From what I've seen, Vitani here doesn't pose much of a threat to anyone. Yet you're all acting like you're scared out of your wits."

"But she is that dangerous and you know it!" Shining snarled. "One lion could mean the difference between victory and defeat."

"Well if that’s the case then I must be a more dangerous target than this lioness herself!" Starlight protested as she trotted over to Spike, Kovu, and Vitani. "I did terrible things in the past, far worse than anything this lone Outsider might have done. I even tried to help Scar conquer kingdoms while enacting terrorism for him along with attempting to rewrite history in order to get revenge on the mare who exposed me as a fraud. I was willing to doom all of Equestria and the Pride Lands in order to do it. And you know what Twilight did? Instead of killing me or throwing me in jail, she took me under her wing as her student. Offered me a chance to atone for my mistakes."

Twilight herself acknowledged this while remembering her own past misdeeds and how she was in the same position as them with a sense that she now needs to do the right thing here. While Kion himself felt a pang of guilt surfacing up upon remembering what happened that day.

"Yet for all anyone here knows, I could be faking it," Starlight pointed a hoof at Shining Armor. "But I don't see you ordering your guards to have me arrested nor do I see you threatening me. So why is Vitani any different? Is it because she's the daughter of a deranged lunatic who just so happens to be devoted to Scar’s cause?"

"Don't be turning this whole situation against me, I never said it had anything to do with what you just said! I'm just doing my job that I was instructed to do when I became Captain!" Shining coldly retorted. "I don't like having to do it as much as you do, but sometimes it’s part of life and the job. If you were in my situation right now, with my past, you'd be making the same decisions and so would Simba if he were here."

"Would I?" Starlight questioned as she arched an eyebrow upward. "If that’s so then, I should be branded a criminal and rotting in a dungeon right about now. Yet here I am, walking around as the student of Equestria's newest princess, going on patrol and fighting bad guys with the Lion and Pony Gaurd, while under probation of course." She finished by declaring. "If Vitani is still going to be punished, then I should be punished too!”

“Same here.” Kovu then pleaded while having a spotlight shine on him as he prepares to make an emotional plea one last time on his sister’s behalf.

“If what you say is true, would you say I'm a hero

Glorious and brave like Spike

If I told you something you wouldn't believe?

That sometimes I'm scared

And I can make mistakes

And I'm not so heroic, it seems

But if day can turn to night

And the darkness turn to light

If we can imagine a changeling can change

Then why can’t we do the same for a lion and or lioness?

No two ponies or lions are exactly the same

No two snowflakes ever match their design

And I thought I was timid

But I was nothing but wrong

When I found myself fighting on the wrong side long ago

But if day can turn to night

And the darkness turn to light

If we can imagine a changeling can change

Then why can’t we do the same for a lion and or lioness?

Would you say I'm a hero

Glorious and brave like Spike

If I told you something you wouldn't believe?

This lioness, it seems

Knows the real me

And would stay by my side 'til the end

And if a changeling were here instead so would he.

So if day can turn to night

And the darkness turn to light

If we can imagine a changeling can change

Then why can’t we do the same for a lion and or lioness?"

After the song had ended, there was several minutes of tense and uncomfortable silence hanging in the air. No one said a word, no one moved at all. Heck no one even coughed, sneezed, or blinked. All the while Spike, Kovu, and Starlight stood next to Thorax, refusing to budge.

At last it was Twilight who opted to break up the tensions where both she and Kiara moved from her spot and trotted in front of Spike, Kovu, and Starlight, shielding them with her wings. "A very good question indeed. And for someone who has also been in Starlight hoof steps and has done worse than all of them combined, along with being given a chance to redeem herself, I even as the Princess of Friendship, would have to side with them on this." She began with what appeared to be a smile. "For today, it seems that everyone here is being taught a lesson. Not only by the very pony I took on as my student, but by the dragon I took up as my own son. For Starlight and Spike have reminded us that it's wrong to judge an entire group for the actions of an individual. And that it's wrong to make assumptions about others before you have the whole story. And for someone has been there before as well I would know that for a fact." She then turned to her brother who could look on knowing exactly what she is talking about. “And yet here I am in good graces with everyone here with a title and crown to match even after I found myself on the wrong side of war and then ran away after all is said and done. So if you can find it in your heart’s to forgive me, Starlight, and Thorax who also has been welcomed with an open heart despite his little involvement with the enemy, then why can’t we do the same to the lion who is Kovu’s sister, Vitani?”"

Cadence seemed to nod in agreement. "Admittedly I’d have to say there’s no reason why we can’t, Twilight. Ever since the invasion of Canterlot we have been allowing the past to cloud our judgement. We never stopped to think if Vitani was ever really a danger to any of us."

"But you have to admit she didn't do much to help her case." Shining protested. "Even if we were wrong to single her out for who she was, she still chose to sneak inside the castle along with coming across and spying on our meeting just earlier. If she was truly innocent, why didn't she come us to from the start?"

"Probably because we wouldn't have believed him," Kion glumly admitted. "Or at least, you wouldn't have along with me. If Twilight weren’t around I probably would be thinking the same way you’re thinking. And come to think of it, it’s something that I have struggled with many, many times ever since I became Leader of the Lion Guard. Especially after the Canterlot invasion myself too. I should have seen Scar along with Chrysalis coming that day and I didn’t do enough to help Twilight when she was onto to something when things weren’t adding up which helped contribute to the mare she briefly became when siding with Scar himself. So that said…” Kion then moved to be by the friends defending Vitani. “...I’m not about to make that same mistake this time.”

“Kion…” Shining struggled to find the right words to argue with him before his wife moved to place a calming shoulder on him.

“Please, Shining. Kion’s right. And I know deep down you blame yourself what happened back then too, but like him you couldn't have known. I too should've seen her coming and stopped her before she had a chance to kidnap me."

"You were taken by surprise, there were no threats made until Chrysalis had already replaced you," Shining protested with a shake of his head still remaining assertive and composed even with everything that has been told no matter how much he wants to admit it. "If anything I should've been more alert myself. But because I was so distracted with the wedding I allowed for the invasion to happen, along with hurting my sister and paved way for her becoming the pony Scar wanted her to be. All I want now is to make sure that never happened again!"

Cadence just sighed. "And in doing so you almost made an even bigger mistake. You need to understand that you're just a pony as much as Kion is just a lion, and you're going to suffer a lapse in judgment every now and then. What's important is that you learn from your mistakes the right way, so you don't repeat them."

Shining hung his head in shame. "You’re right. I'm sorry, Cadence. I told myself that I was doing this to protect my family. But while it was true at first, I ended up letting the past cloud my judgement into making that mistake again." And then he turned to Vitani. "That being said, I would like to apologize for how I reacted today. I know it’s not much but I hope we can maybe someday put the past behind us and become friends."

To his surprise, Vitani replied by saying. "You’re right about that, but at the same time you were only doing what you thought you had to do to protect your family. Which I’m sure a certain lion king himself could learn a thing or two himself. And to be fair, I didn't exactly help matters myself by sneaking around and actively avoiding everyone and putting others up to something they really don’t want to do for my own sake. And given my current affiliation with Scar and my mother, I wouldn’t have expected anyone else to think and react differently. Even so, I should've just come before you, your wife, and your daughter from the beginning instead of stirring up all of this trouble."

"Well I guess if anything we both learned something from our mistakes today." The prince realized as he raised a hoof with an order for his men. "Release her." Once Thorax was freed from his shackles, Shining approached the lioness and offered a hoof. "So what do you say, as long as you don’t try to sneak around the castle along with actively plot against us we can work out some kind of truce between us?"

"If I can just get some more food into me, I should be okay," Vitani replied as he shook Shining's hoof. "And you are sure it’s okay that I am close to your daughter, already. Even with the knowledge of who I answer too?"

Shining grinned. "I for a fact that you are not like the other Outsiders much like your brother. Also I've been on the receiving end of a changeling brainwashing before, I know what it looks like." With a chuckle, he allowed Vitani to approach Flurry Heart. "And even while she is a hoofful, she won’t bite. She really does like to make new friends."

After a brief hesitation, Vitani walked up to the infant princess herself. This time she felt at ease around her. It helped that the love was flowing freely to him and gave her a sensation she never had before at least back when things were happier for her once. "Hello, Flurry Heart. My name’s Vitani."

Flurry Heart peered up at the lioness from her cradle. Then she flew out of it and booped her gently on the nose with a hoof, giggling, babbling, and cooing the whole time.

Cadence gave a warm smile to Vitani. "Looks like Flurry Heart's already taking a liking towards you. Don't worry, her love isn’t harmful. Just so long as you don’t try to take her right under our noses."

"Don’t worry, I’m not that kind of lion and while we will part ways for now I will ensure that this moment doesn’t change the beginning of our friendship. I’m sure of it.” Vitani assured. “That said I do thank you and your husband for your generous hospitality even with all things considered.”

And then Shining gave a whistle to the guards. "Three cheers for Spike the Brave and Glorious! Once again he has proven himself to be a true hero alongside Kovu the Wise and Great!"

The guards approached Spike and Kovu and began to gently toss him into the air, all the while chanting. "Hip hip hooray!"

Twilight, Starlight, Kion, and Kiara all watched the whole scene from afar with bright smiles on their faces. "You raised him very well, Twilight." Starlight commented.

"Yeah, I suppose I did," Twilight blushed and then added. "I'm so proud of him. It took a lot of guts for him to put himself on the line like that. And the same can be said for Kovu himself since he managed to further overcome his fears to do the same.”

“He sure did, didn’t he.” Kiara remarked feeling happier for the lion receiving praise near and far for his accomplishment today. “Though I think I need to have a little talk with your brother about letting him go out on guard patrols. Kovu may be getting older, but I don't think he's quite old enough to be getting involved in guard duty."

Kion chuckled. "If that’s so then I must be too young to lead the Lion Guard now.” She then gave her sister a smirk. “I think Kovu’s proven he can take care of himself. And if he can show that much bravery with what he showed today then I think he’d make a fine addition to the Guard if he chooses to be a part of the action himself.”

“Well one thing’s for sure is that you were right after all.” Starlight then said to her teacher.

"Right about what?" Twilight inquired of her student.

"Friendship lessons can happen just about anywhere." Starlight smiled. "Even when it seems one would be getting a break from it. Funny how life works sometimes."

Now it was Twilight's turn to chuckle. "Don't I know it."

All while this is going on, from outside of the Crystal Empire border is where Scar along with Zira and Nuka are all watching the events inside the castle through the former's magical surveillance where they are greeted by Thorax's brother Phyrnax who had just arrived to give them his report and telling them everything he saw and witnessed. All without being spotted.

"And what happened down there did indeed happen like what I am seeing right now?"

"Yep."

"You're sure?" Zira asked to double check and ensure it isn't something they're just seeing.

"Affirmative. I saw it along with everything else that has happened here today with my own eyes." He returned like an obedient solider.

“So predictable.” Scar commented with disappointment. “Another ally has given into the Magic of Friendship.”

“Just sickening.” Zira growled with anger. “As if it was bad enough for Kovu and later Sombra to betray us, now Vitani is ready to do the same.”

"Considering that has happened with my brother too, it wouldn't be the first time that's happened." Pharynx commented with pity.

“I know right!” Nuka angrily agreed. “If that were me…”

Zira snapped at her son to get him to stop. “Hush, now. Even still this changes nothing.” Then she gets an idea herself. “In fact, I think this could work out in our favor if we play it right.”

“You’re right.” Scar himself came to see where she is going with this. “If done right, then we could still stay one step ahead of them.”

“How? And stay one step ahead of who?” Nuka asked clearly confused.

“Them.” Scar directed his attention towards everyone inside the building. “By having someone on the inside, we can have a means of knowing of what’s going on inside the Crystal Empire when it matters the most.”

“Didn’t we already try that with that purple alicorn princess before?”

“Of course, but if done right, then there is no reason why it won’t work. After all, life can be full of surprises regardless on what side you’re really on.”

"Especially when one doesn't even know that they're playing right into your hooves and paws until it's too late." Pharnyx added. "The less they know, the better."

“And not only that…” Zira also spoke up while eyeing her daughter from afar. “...it can lead to one’s destiny taking a whole different turn in life. One where one would least expect it to…”

With eyes on Vitani along with Starlight and Thorax, things were starting to shape up in a whole new direction one very well least expects…