The Pony Guard (Season 6)

by MXCDarkHorse2020

Rating: everyone
Tags: Princess Luna, Drama, Spike, Starlight Glimmer, Adventure, Princess Celestia, Crossover, Main 6, Comedy, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe
Length: 453714

The Lion and Pony Guard continue to keep the peace as they try to fight off Scar's continuing attempts to take over the Pride Lands and Equestria along with learning and teaching new friendship lessons along the way

After escaping another near death experience from Scar's clutches, the Lion and Pony Guard continue their efforts in trying to keep the peace as the war he started continues to drag on as he starts making moves to try to take over the two kingdoms piece by piece.

At the same time, Starlight Glimmer is adjusting to friendship along with her new role as the Lion Guard's newest member. Question is, can she prove herself worthy of her position and show that she is taking after her mentor, the Princess of Friendship?

Find out as the Lion and Pony Guard tackle more friendship lessons along the way where they utilize their greatly formed bonds to spread the Magic of Friendship together.

Published 2024-03-08 06:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2025-01-26 00:00:04 UTC

Episode 2: The Crystalling Part Two

Episode 2:

The Crystalling Part Two

Shortly after the whole battle at the Crystal Empire landed with King Sombra forced to retreat to avoid imprisonment. By the time he emerged from underground and appeared over the horizon he was long gone from the heroes as far as Princess Cadance and Shining Armor are concerned.

The dark unicorn king himself could only look on at the reconquered kingdom with seething rage as his only other option would have been being thrown behind bars in Tartarus alongside the rest of Scar’s army. Never before he had been so overwhelmed with defeat.

For himself it was so frustrating and humiliating that a group of kids assisted with the prince and princess in taking over his kingdom. In fact he could not believe every day since then it happened, just when he was on the verge of victory just days after conquering the kingdom much like Scar did with the Pride Lands. Ever since then, he’s spent his days on the outside of Equestria and the Pride Lands looking in all while practicing hard on combat and dark magic skills on his own.

Every now and then he would get in contact with Scar who would brief him on the current situation and tell him to stand by from the borders until further notice. That is of course up until the day, Scar summoned him to the Outlands Volcano to inform him that they are planning an attack on the Crystal Empire. And the best part about it is, it’s something that both he and Scar will do themselves since they have the power together to do this very specific job.

By twisting the old saying “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” in Scar and Sombra’s case with the Crystal Empire “When life gives you one more member of the Royal Family to deal with. One with dangerously raw uncontrollable magic at her disposal, use the events around it to play out in their favor.”

And their first step to going on about is braving the growing blizzard in order to tackle the first obstacles to their agenda. Princesses Celestia and Luna accompanied by Kyoga along with her siblings Karabi and Lite, all trying in vain to resist and slow the blizzard’s efforts to pour snow and ice all over the kingdom they are trying to protect.

“Time to take back what’s mine!” Sombra darkly vowed as he and Scar moved to carry out their plan together.

Meanwhile back inside the Crystal Castle...

"Flurry Heart? Where are you? This is your Aunty Twily calling to you!" Twilight called out to the child just when both Shining Armor and Cadance happened to cross paths with her. “Any idea where she went?!”

“I wish we knew, Twilight!” Shining returned rather anxious himself. “We must have searched these hallways five times already.” Twilight looks on like he is telling a joke right now. “Okay, three times actually…I thought the last one was a different one!” He then defended to which got his sister to understand now before placing a hoof on his forehead clearly tired and weary from what is transpiring around them. “But we haven’t found her yet.”

“If we don’t find her soon, she might turn this whole castle upside-down without trying.” Cadance expressed with her maternal instincts kicking in as she tries to hear her infant daughter out hoping she’s nearby.

She then flew on ahead a different direction while the others followed after her. It wasn’t long until she and Pinkie just happened along with Rarity and Fluttershy picked up a very familiar sound up ahead.

“Pinkie?”

“What is it?”

Both Twilight and Shining asked upon finding them.

“It’s her.”

“The baby’s nearby.”

The search ended up leading them down the hallway and down towards the throne room where the sound’s of baby happy babbling and giggling drew them all towards the closed doors.

“She’s in there!” Pinkie reported as she pressed her ear and mane against the door. “I can hear it from a mile away!”

“Wow!” Fluttershy spoke impressed.

closer. hadn't been going on for very long though when Pinkie Pie happened to pick up the sound of something. "Hey, you hear that?" She asked Rarity and Fluttershy.

“It’s her!” Rarity stated as she and the others peaked open the door where they all saw the baby alicorn indeed inside. All while happily flying around like this is her personalized playroom. “Honestly, just how?”

“If anything I know about babies, is that they honestly don’t know any better. As frustrating as she is powerful.” Ono commented. “But even still we need to figure out how to get her without her breaking anything else.”

“I got this!” Bunga quickly assured before anyone can think of something before charging forward and leaping up towards the filly. “Zuka Zama!” He managed to land on the baby’s back who likewise turned and giggled as she continued flying around like she has a riding partner guiding her. “Okay, silly filly. Time to go back to mommy and daddy.” Still seeing the baby is enjoying this gave him an idea as he donned a dark blue with a white stripe styled cowboy hat. “Come on partner, to the bedroom where all of your favorite toys are!” The baby giggled fascinated at the idea before flying on ahead with the honey badger in tow leaving the whole group equally surprised and stunned with what they are seeing, especially Applejack. “Yee-haw!”

“How did she…?” Shining Armor asked his sister and brotherly friend who couldn’t give a certain answer in reply.

“I don’t know.” Kion could only say.

“Much like Pinkie, Bunga is out there when it comes to him and his crazy ideas.” Twilight added with nothing else to say about that.

“And he is certainly taking after her very well.” Applejack added to which Pinkie giggled in response. “No offense.” She quickly added.

“None taken! Now...” She then donned a pink cowboy hat herself before running off after the two. “...let’s round up a wild filly.”

“Hey!” Applejack exclaimed in shock. “That’s ma thing.”

“And my baby!” Cadance exclaimed as she rushed on after them to make sure they don’t play too rough with her child. “So hold on a minute on the lasso’s, you two!”

“Is it me or has everyone in this here castle gone crazier than Granny Smith on a bad day?” Applejack asked everyone.

“Well when you have a loose and powerful newborn filly whose capable of destroying the Crystal Heart flying around, I would have to say yes, Applejack.” Fuli replied somewhat bluntly. “In the meantime, let’s go make sure they got her under control.”

“Let’s.” Shining stated before leading the way in following after them. “Let’s go!”

Back at Sunburst’s house, the conversation between the two ponies continued on. But still with no progress for the better. Sure, Sunburst had invited Spike and Starlight Glimmer in, but on behalf of the Princess of Friendship. He was now currently sitting at his desk where he has his back turned from his books as he and Starlight try to connect with one another and make sense of the purpose of their conversation.

“So what exactly does Princess Twilight want from us when she means by reconnecting with each other? Like trying to find out why we have grown apart from the day we last saw each other?”

“Something like that, yes.” Starlight nodded while trying to mask her current nervousness. “I know it sounds a little crazy, but that’s the angle.”

Sunburst scratched his head in confusion in response. “But how? What angle exactly is it?” Then he innocently inquired. "Would it have something to do with whatever you did ever since I left for magic school, Starlight?"

"Mmm, no. I don’t think so.” She lied still not wanting to tell the truth already. “Nothing important, I’m sure of it, surely you of all ponies with a newfound reputation to uphold would understand, Mr. Big, Important Wizard."

The stallion slowly nodded. "Yup, that's right. Although you could have tried writing to me at any time, you know.”

"I did. You never replied to any of them.” Starlight quickly pointed out rather hurt yet understanding to which had the stallion biting his own lips in regret for saying that. “That being said, what happened to you ever since you went to magic school?

Sunburst gulped a bit in response. "Me?"

"Yes, you. Surely, you have to have some importance here in the Crystal Empire if you’re now a big important wizard. Did anything special happen ever since you moved here?"

Sunburst stuttered nervously as he replied. "No, no, nothing very special.” And with a bit of a chuckle he declared. "I have become a big, important wizard. I just haven’t gotten started at my new job since I had just moved here and needed an adjustment period just to get settled in the comforts of this place. Not to mention I have important and powerful spells to work on before I got started with my new job here.”

"Oh, of course," Starlight nervously chuckled in reply. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to assume that you had already gotten settled in your new life here. Especially when the art of perfection hasn’t been mastered yet.”

And while the two unicorns were talking, Spike was desperately looking over the large and long scroll as he said to himself. "I'm sure there's something on Twilight's list that can help here."

Amazingly enough, the wild west playtime was enough to allow Bunga and Pinkie Pie to guide the calmed down filly back to the royal nursery, much to the relief of everypony else when they eventually grouped up once more.

"Phew! I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun since helping Applejack round up that cattle on her farm. Come to think of it…” He then pondered with another idea in mind. “Maybe it’s time I sign up for the next rodeo that comes to Equestria. And I’ll have Rarity join me.”

Rarity tried to laugh it off before frowning at the idea. “Heh, heh, heh, very funny Bunga, but no.”

Bunga however shook his head as if he wasn’t taking no for an answer on this one. “No, no, Rarity. As I recall from a certain sleepover you shared with Applejack, you were dared to into doing so, and once you’re dared into doing something you have to do it.”

“But that doesn’t count!” Rarity protested. “Besides don’t we have more important things to worry about at this time?! Like figuring out how to save the Crystal Empire and everyone here from freezing to death?!”

“Rarity’s right.” Twilight stated in agreement. “Now’s not the time for petty squabbling and dithering around.” She moved to look out the window to see the ones out there trying to hold the storm off slowly growing weaker and weaker by the second. “Especially when the only lions and ponies who have the time and availability are not going to last long until that storm completely overwhelms them. So…” She turns everyone else ready to delegate of how they are going to approach this going forward. “Lion and Pony Guard, continue keeping an eye on the baby while Shining Armor and Princess Cadance both take a quick nap so they can feel well-rested enough to help out.” She the turned to Kion. “Kion, you stick with them while me and the others head on over to the library to see if there’s something that can help repair the Crystal Heart.” She then turned to Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow Dash, can you fly on out there and fetch Starlight and Spike once the parents are ready to take over watching after their foal?”

Rainbow saluted in response. “Can do!”

“Very well, Twily…” Shining yawned. “...I suppose we can rest for a little bit now.”

“Just don’t do anything to wake her up.” Cadance then advised before moving on towards the bedroom alongside her equally tired husband as her eyelids threaten to close as she stood where she stands.

“But wait?” Ono spoke up when he realized something. “What about the crystal ponies? How are we going to evacuate them out of here should the worst case scenario happen?”

“Just leave that to me, Ono.” The lion king assured while distancing himself away from the group. “That is of course once I’m well rested.”

“Okay.” Honestly, Ono felt nervous about all of this, but knowing the family along with the rest of the team, had to place good faith in him.

“It’ll be okay, Ono.” Beshte reassured his friend before turning to Twilight to prove that she can trust them to watch after her while the parents rest up. “And you count on us, Twilight. We’ll make sure nothing happens until then.”
“I certainly hope so.” Ono said to himself as the others head on out of the nursery.

Twilight waited until she knew for sure everything’s all going as planned. From Shining Armor and Princess Cadence taking their much needed nap to making sure the others are watching the now resting baby. It seemed like everything is now under control before making her way on over to the library. All while hoping things will work out like before.

Back at Sunburst’s things still haven’t improved between the two unicorns as Spike is futiely looking over the scroll for something that’ll help smooth things up.

"Come on! Come on!" He said to himself as the scroll had now been unfolded so much that it stretched all the way down to the ground and had even wrapped itself around him. "There's gotta be somethin' in here.”

"I know Princess Twilight was really keen on the two of us rekindling our friendship, but...it's been so long," Sunburst then said. "I doubt she could've anticipated this. And even if she did I don't see how anything on that list could help."

Starlight couldn't help but laugh it off. "I know, right? How silly would that be. After all, it's not like there's some spell or something that could just magically compel us to be friends again."

"Actually, it's funny you should mention that," Sunburst grinned as he lit up his horn, as he levitated several scrolls over to them. "Because there are spells that could do that. Lots of them, actually," He proceeded to list some of them off one by one. "There's: Mistmane's Material Amity, Rockhoof's Rapport, Flash Magnus' Fellow... ship... " Then he cleared his throat. "But I get the feeling a spell isn't what the princess was looking for."

"Yeah, definitely not. Magic can't solve everything." Starlight laughed it off once more albeit more nervously than the last one.

At that moment, Spike happened to spot something down at the very bottom of the scroll and spoke up. "Aha! I knew there was something that could help!" He proceeded to read aloud. "'If all else fails, ask them both to share an embarrassing moment from their past, maybe even something they regret!'”

But after a moment of silence Sunburst nervously commented while adjusting his glasses. "I don't see how that's supposed to help."

Starlight Glimmer nervously agreed before apologizing. "Yeah, I was about to say the same thing! Terribly sorry for wasting your time like this, Sunburst. Spike and I should just get out of your mane. It's pretty obvious this isn't going how Twilight hoped it would, and I'm sure that you still have plenty of important work to do around here."

Sunburst momentarily forgot what Starlight was saying before quickly agreeing. "Oh! Right, yes, of course," He replied with an equally nervous grin. "You know me, very busy. No rest for the wizardly, unfortunately.” He then added. "But it was very good to see you again, Starlight. Even if it was brief and awkward."
"It sure was.” Starlight replied before turning to Spike. "Come on, Spike. Let's go."

Spike groaned before he could get a word out as she used her magic to drag the little dragon away and slammed the door to Sunburst's house shut behind her. Since it was clear that a rekindled friendship wasn’t going to work out, there was no point in trying to force it.

Once outside and away from Sunburst, Starlight released her magical grip on Spike and apologized. "Sorry Spike. But I just couldn’t tell Sunburst about what happened to me ever since he left. If he didn’t want to be my friend now, then he most certainly wouldn't want be friends with me now. And it wouldn’t surprise me if that happened." She then unhappily sighed in defeat. "Besides, he goes on to live his dreams as a big important wizard. And at the same time, I’m pretty much a pony who’s only lucky she’s not in prison right now."

"Come on Starlight, don’t say that!" Spike shook his head at what he sees as crazy talk. "It’s not your fault things didn’t work out the way you had hoped." He then looked down at the scroll. "Especially since I’m the one who said all we needed was this lesson plan." He promptly burned up the scroll, reducing it to ash.

Starlight however counter stated that wasn’t the case. "It's not the list, Spike. Or you. Or Twilight. Or anyone else for that matter. I'm the one that Sunburst doesn't want to be friends with."

Spike scratched his head with a claw in response. "Really? I don't remember him ever saying that."

"He didn't have to say it, Spike. It was pretty clear from the way he was acting he wasn’t interested in rekindling our friendship." Starlight glumly replied.

The little dragon quickly arrested otherwise. "No, there has to be more to it! If what Twilight taught me is that things are not all as they seem. And if she thinks you're worth being friends with him then so do I! You can't give up like this!"

"Oh really?” Starlight returned with an arched brow yet looking on more dully than angrily. “And I suppose you helped somepony even worse before you that makes you think that way?”

“Yes.” Spike firmly replied. “Twilight.”

“What?” Starlight looked on like that’s hard to believe. “What could Twilight have done something worse than taking away everyone’s cutie marks and dictating and depriving an entire village of their true talents with forced lifestyles?”

“Before becoming your teacher, she was convinced into helping Scar conquer the Pride Lands and turning on everyone of our friends and family. She would go on to aid him in his schemes in gradually bringing down the Lion and Pony Guard until it got to the point she nearly killed her own brother when the fight with her reached it’s peak.” Starlight looked on with wide eyes like she was just proven wrong.

“But if that’s true, then why is she still here and as the Princess of Friendship?”

“Because like you, everyone saw her as pony who is deserving of a second chance. Especially since Scar betrayed her when she longer served his purpose, driving her into a depression that sent her into self-exile. Not to mention the fact that the whole mess that led up to it, was something that we were all to blame for.”

“Why do you say that?” She looked on confused and curious.

“Because the one time she counted on us to be there for her, we didn’t stand by her. And it allowed Scar to be quick to take advantage of her when she was left alone.”

“Right…” Starlight now understood what he is referring to with that piece of information added into her calculating equation. “...the big mess and attack at the first Canterlot Wedding that left her scarred.” She then quickly added. “Scar told me all about me it expect for the part of how the others left her behind. And believe or not he doesn’t tell all of the details of what is really happening. And to think had I not turned myself around I’d probably be incinerated by him the very second I saw him inside the volcano again.”

“Yes. It’s very understandable, Starlight. But point being, if Twilight can push forward with seeking friendship towards her former enemies then so can you.” But then he shivered. “Brr. Is it me or is it getting colder than usual here?”

Starlight looked around confused as she saw snow coming down on them quite rapidly. "You’re not the only one Spike. Wait? I thought you said it never gets this snowy and cold here in the Crystal Empire now that the Crystal Heart is here and around?”

“It does and is!” Spike asserted equally confused. “Unless…” Spike’s eyes widen in horror. “Flurry Heart must have broke it when she screamed earlier!We got to get back to the castle and help them!”

“Let’s!”

With that the two charged back to the castle with Spike hopping on Starlight’s back so they find out more of what’s happening and what they can do to help fix things before they get worse.

Back at the Crystal Castle and inside the royal nursery, five mares kept a careful watch over the young alicorn foal while they could only occasionally glance out the nursery window to see the battle going on. A losing battle for the royal sisters along with Kyoga and her siblings even as they tried valiantly to hold back the Frozen North's harsh blizzards with all of their might.

They all concentrated their magical energy, firing off blasts from their horns and paws as much as possible and as fast as they possibly could produce in quick succession. And yet for all of their success of withstanding the storm itself, the clouds kept coming back as fast as they are vanquished.

And what’s worse, the royal alicorn and lion siblings themselves are now coated with snow and ice that clung to their coats. It was now getting to the point they are all shivering as the growing winds and snow grew worse and worse.

“It’s no use!” Karabi shouted while desperately firing up magic to ward off the snow and wind. “It’s too strong to stop with our magic alone!”

“I know!” Lite shouted back at his sister while grunting as he exerted hinself with the power of his magic. “But we got keep this up! Princesses Twilight and Cadance along with Princes Kion and Shining Armor are counting on us to buy them time so they can try to fix the Crystal Heart!”

“I hope you’re right!”

“Of course I’m right!” Lite asserted as he blasted away another stream of snow and wind. “Knowing Twilight she is hard at work finding the right spell that can fix the Crystal Heart!”

At that moment inside is said alicorn looking visibly frantic and anxious as she is going through the books one by one with rapid skimming succession and is clearly having trouble finding what she needs in order to the job.

Back outside, both alicorn sisters are still putting all of their energy in holding off the storm but just barely. Much like the siblings down on the ground, they are both fighting a losing battle, but are still doing this to ensure that those inside the castle have the time they need to set things straight.

Although they would receive more trouble when they felt dark magic nearby. The two sisters moved around darting eyes at their nearby surroundings wondering who’s nearby, with visible uncertainty and worry.

“Did you hear that?” Luna asked Celestia who seems to be on the same page as her.

“Yes.” Celestia replied grimly. “He’s back.”

It was there Luna realized when she managed to get a feel from where the source can from. “Both of them are here.”

And true to their concerns and deductions, they are both greeted and surrounded by two pairs of eyes accompanied with black cloaks over their heads and covering their faces minus their glowing red and green eyes. Accompanied with sinister chuckling from both enemies looking on at them with their evil eyes as thunder and lightning appeared from their surrondings.

“Scar!”

“Sombra!”

“In the flesh!” Scar’s voice returned darkly and sinisterly as he and Sombra appeared from the shadows much to their shock and horror as they circled around them.

“Did you miss us, ladies.” Sombra added as he relished at the sight and smell of fear. “I sure have.” To back that up he proceeded to zap a cloud with dark magic thus sending a rather big splatter of snow right on the elder alicorn’s face which disoriented her focus from the storm she was just fighting against.

“Sorry to crash the party of what was supposed to be, or couldn’t happen right now, as I see it.” Scar commented as he chuckled then proceeded to do the same with Luna thus disorienting her too. “But we just had to come by to be the guests of honor as we watch the dreaded blizzard from the Frozen North bury every last pony living here alive.”

“And you really think preventing the Crystal Heart from being repaired will help accomplish this despicable goal of yours, Scar?!” Luna inquired with a perplexed frown.

Scar simply smirked in response. “The less you know Luna, the better. And the same can be said to you too, Celestia.”

Celestia could only look on in disbelief while failing to understand the lion’s angle of his current plan this time before locking eyes with her adversaries. “Very well. You both want a fight to the death. Then a fight to the death you shall get.”

“Good luck with that.” Sombra growled as kick started the fight with a blast of magic that Celestia just narrowly missed only succeeding in cutting small shards of her multi-colored etheral mane while doing so as the elder sister flew to the side to avoid the attack.

Celestia then moved to fire off golden beams of magic of her own to counterattack at the evil unicorn king as he swiftly dodged them like lightning much to her own surprise.

“Slow! Sloppy! Sad!” Sombra taunted as he swiftly dodged the last three attacks before using his dark magic to ensnare Celestia’s horn just before she could land another magical attack.

Celestia grunted as she wrestled her horn out of the unicorn’s grasp before resuming her efforts to try to bring him down despite her ongoing and quick fatigue from her recent coma. Mentally she is thinking of all days to have to leap into action it had to be right now.

While this was going on her younger sister Luna engaged in another rematch with Scar and is so far like before holding her own in being able to fight him off to a standstill. Like before the night monarch kept a cool head on par with Scar and is determined to keep him from overpowering her along with forcing her to stand down like the last time they fought not too long ago. But unfortunately for her, Scar still retains the winning edge as he is landing more blows on her not to mention the growing strength of snow and wind is making it harder and harder for her to keep herself on her wings.

Sensing this, Luna moved to work her magic to creating herself cover from the snow so she can disappear and try to catch him off guard. Scar circled himself around as he prepare himself for whatever his opponent is trying to do with locked and mentally ready eyes. Given that Twilight was able to get the drop on him there, he was determined not to let that happen again.

Luna kept circling around for a few good seconds before making her move with a swift sprint and attempted blast to the head. But the blast itself just missed Scar when he just dodged the attack and turned around. And instantly, Scar swiftly hoisted the dark blue alicorn by the horn and slammed her down into the snow. And just like that, their battle was once more over, and Scar had won.

At the same time, Celestia tried to do the same expect for a more face to face with Sombra. But despite her excellence speed and agility for her condition, she was swiftly and effortlessly hoisted around the neck just inches from connecting the attack.

“You know for a pony who’s been able to handle me once before. You’re not really showing yourself as the same pony back then, princess.” He whispered into her ear before proceeding to slam her body and back across several roof tops. The attack proceeded to rip apart the tiles as Sombra then flung the white alicorn into the one of the house’s chimines which cracked and fell apart from the impact.

Celestia barely had time as she is now forced on the defense when Sombra proceeded to attack her with his dark magic now shaped like a sickle blades. She barely managed to defend herself against the first two strikes before finding herself struck by the third strike. One that just cut the very top of her forehead as the very surroundings turned red around them briefly as she fell into the snow in defeat.

Upon landing on the snow she felt sudden fear as hairs stood up in her flowing mane along with a drop of blood dripping down from where King Sombra struck her. She managed to wipe it off before looking on at the unicorn who is relishing in his victory with wide eyes of terror. For a few brief seconds, she saw herself seeing flashbacks of her past. One where Luna was a happier mare, then another where she saw herself and Luna looking over the murials of their accomplishments over both Sombra and Discord, then Sombra himself only the opposite of what she is seeing right in front of her. A handsome and noble stallion with blue eyes and robes with a pure heart…

“What’s the matter?” Sombra’s voice spoke to her to snap her back to reality. “Lives flashing before your eyes?”

Celestia could only look up in fear as she hoisted up in the air by Scar’s magic as he did the same with Luna who could only look on defiantly in the face of death.

“Well you know what they say, you can’t win them all.” Scar remarked to his prey like this is another casual hunt for him. “And now to just float and watch as the rest of the events unfold.”

Back down on the ground, Kyoga and her siblings are struggling even more so without Celestia and Luna’s firepower to back them up and with the blizzard getting worse and worse, they couldn’t spot out and see where the royal sisters have gone off to and what really happened to them.

Sometime later, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor have both received a fair amount of reason and were able to pick up where they left off, allowing the rest of the Lion and Pony Guard to head on over to the library. But when they got there they saw that their studious friend isn’t having a smooth time in there.

Twilight had obviously been hard at work given the many books pulled from the shelves and on the library floors. But despite her quick skimming and scanning of every book she has pulled with her magic since she got here it’s clear that she hasn’t found anything.

“Bridle Buck's Boat Chants, Hayhoof's Intonements, Mystic Maps and Mazes…” Twilight groaned as she tossed said books any without any care. “Is there seriously nothing in here that’ll give us even a clue of how to fix the Crystal Heart?!”

“Twilight…” Kion spoke up in concern.

“...everything okay, darling?” Rarity added to which Twilight just looked on at the more books she had just pulled from the shelves. “Right, sorry.” She quickly apologized upon realizing the answer should have been obvious with what they are seeing.

Twilight sighed as she answered while turning to face her friends while still pulling more books from shelves. “No. I’ve been at this ever since I got here and I still found nothing that’ll help us. I’m not even sure how these are organized.”

“Well never fear, Twilight. Because we now have are hoofs and paws free to help you.” Rarity assured and declared.

“Just tell us where to go and we’ll do it.” Beshte added ready to do his part as much as everyone else.

Twilight smiled and breathed a small sigh of relief in response. "Thanks.” She then moved to give insturctions to the team. “So, while I’m pulled and reading over the books I have here, the rest of you split up and search the library. And by that I mean one per section so we can cover more ground faster since we don’t have much time left. If any of you find something useful and promising, bring it right on over to me. Can I count on you all to do that?”

“Yep.”

“Affirmative.”

“Of course, darling.”

“We’ll try.”

“Yes sir, ma’am, sir.”

“You can on us!”

Applejack, Ono, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Bunga all vowed as they all went ahead and split up across the library so they can get started searching for answers.

“And we’ll fetch Starlight and Spike!” Rainbow vowed as she and Fuli wasted no time in flying on ahead to do so.

“You think they’re all right?” Beshte asked. “They have been gone for a long time.”

“They should be.” Twilight replied feeling very certain about that. “At this point, I’m more concerned about ensuring everyone makes it out of this crisis alive.”

“Even if things don’t work out between her and Sunburst?”

Twilight sighed to confirm it as Beshte, Kion, and Fluttershy stick by her side while pulling aside books from a section nearby Twilight’s. “Yes. I mean I knew it was long shot with all things considered. But she seemed so sure that she was ready for it that I gave her the much needed space for her to decide whether she wanted it or not. And as for taking her under my wing, I really felt a strong connection with her to the point that I had myself thinking that maybe just maybe with the right guidance she could become more than what she was.”

“Because you saw a lot of yourself in Starlight?” Fluttershy asked as Twilight nodded in response as she briefly stopped her search in acknowledgment to that question.

“Yes. Hard to believe but I did. Only it wasn’t until it was almost too late that I decided to appeal to her to see the error of her ways. It’s like I could have saw too it she was thrown in jail. But at the same time it wouldn’t be fair considering that only because she helped me escape from the caldera and her timely reformation saved my friends and family. But she also was going down the same dark path I once took.”

“Sisi Ni Sawa.” Kion commented sounding very understanding of what she is saying. “I get it.”

“To think almost two years ago I had recently became a princess only to use that title to become the Princess of Darkness and now after turning myself around I had become the Princess of Friendship. And since then I’ve made it a vow to ensure everyone who is deserving of friendship is allowed to seek it out. But now I wonder if I have done enough to help Starlight and whether I was better off not letting her seek out that lesson today of all days.”

“Of course you have.” Beshte assured otherwise. “And as for what’s going on around there was absolutely no way of knowing that there was going to be a dangerous snow storm brewing around the Crystal Empire.”

Fluttershy adopting the same stance chimed in with her wisdom. “And if you’re worried about lesson don’t because I’m sure you taught Starlight enough about how to help her seek out forgiveness and reconciliation. Sometimes it takes a little more time for friends to work things out. Much like what we did with you when you left Equestria.”

“Exactly.” Kion agreed. “For somepony starting off as a teacher you’re doing very well, Twilight. You just need to keep having faith in Starlight much like I do when I first started being leader of the Lion Guard.”

Twilight smiled at the encouragement her friends are giving her. “You’re right. Thank you all.” She then said before coming across a book that suddenly caught her attention. She gasped upon seeing the title of said book. “And I think I just found something.” All of her friends gathered around the table to join Twilight as she shares her discovery. “Trotter's Tome of Reliquary.” She then flipped through a few pages before spotting out a spell that further caught her attention. “Spell of Relic Reconstitution. Yes, this is got to be it!”

"Oh, thank goodness!” Ono remarked in relief. “Because I just went through half of the library only to find nothing out of it. Without that book, who knows what we'd do?"

"Hopefully.” Kion commented feeling more hopeful than sure it’ll work.

But just then there came a sudden popping sound, and from none other than the same baby alicorn they'd last seen in the royal nursery not too long ago.

“What the…?” Kion exclaimed in shock upon seeing her flying around giggling and babbling again. “...but you were just sleeping in the nursery!”

“Yeah, how can you still be awake and energetic all over again?!” Bunga exclaimed equally shocked.

“Because the baby’s magical surges are getting more and more powerful!” The baby’s father explained just when he and the mother come rushing inside the library.

“Quick! Stop her!” Cadance exclaimed just when Twilight had to duck to avoid her niece trying to scoop up the book in her tiny hooves in her flying and giggling glee.

“No, no, no!” Twilight stated before entrapping the infant with a bubble of magic. “You cannot have the book! Aunty Twily needs it for a very important job.”

“Don’t worry I got this!” Bunga assured as he quickly pulled another book from the pile and used it draw the baby away from her. “Here, silly filly. You like this?” He showed her a book with baby pictures inside of them to which the baby still inside the magic bubble giggled in delight as she reached out to it. “Well come on get it!” He then proceeded to run off ahead swiftly leaping up the shelves into different aisles in a flash.

The baby giggled before flying after him while still trapped in her magic bubble.

“Wait!” Shining Armor exclaimed upon getting a glance at those pictures. “Those are my baby photos!” He then moved to run after them. “Bunga! Young filly!”

“Quick after them!” Kion exclaimed as the others went on ahead to catch and stop her from wrecking more havoc than she has already caused so far.

Shortly after the chase began, the library doors swung open and in trotted Starlight Glimmer and Spike both accompanied by Rainbow and Fuli. It was there Starlight herself got a chance to see the baby herself, complete with both wings and a horn.

"What in the name of crystal ponies is going on?!" Starlight exclaimed.

While rushing past, Pinkie Pie quickly explained. "Long story short: The new baby's an alicorn and she accidentally destroyed the Crystal Heart, so Twilight was looking for a spell to fix it so the Crystal Empire won't turn into a giant wasteland of ice and snow."

"Makes perfect sense.” Fuli commented already used to the craziness that tends to go on around them. “And let me guess, the baby’s running wild again is she?”

“Yep.”

“Posing a threat to something that could useful to save the Crystal Empire?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Amazing.” Rainbow remarked equally thrilled with a deadpan tone. “And it only took the time we went out to fetch Starlight and Spike for that to happen.”

“Right around the time it takes for you to take one of your naps, huh?” Fuli asked with a smirk.

“Yeah...Hey!”

“So, anyways…” Pinkie spoke up spotting the flying uncontrollable fily still on the loose. “...we should probably join in on catching the baby before she somehow destroys the only spell needed to fix the Crystal Heart...like NOW!”

“Right.”

“Let’s.”

The chase went on as the filly proved to be adapt at evading and resisting capture of those who tried. Shining Armor and Kion both tried to run after her so they can catch her, but the baby’s untimely magic allowed her to evade the two when they both came close to catching her. In an attempt to corner her, Behste and Ono both tried to intercept her by blocking off, but the baby was able drag Ono along for the ride like he is a play toy.

“Hapana! Easy on the feathers! I am not a baby toy!”

Then Rarity tried to intercept and catch her by using a butterfly net.

“Gotcha!”

While the baby was caught off guard, she still was able to teleport away at the last second while releasing Ono before doing so.

“Oh! Or not…” Rarity sighed that just had to happen.

“Really? A butterfly net?” Ono commented in disbelief. “It’s a foal not a flying hog monkey!”

Rarity simply shrugged in response. “Desperate times call for desperate measures, darling!”

The two then moved to continue their pursuit of the baby as Bunga tried to hop onto the infant like before, only to wind falling and crashing into a nearby bookshelf so hard he went right through the very books itself leaving his silhouette imprinted on them.

Given of how strong this baby is since she is carrying Pinkie Pie, then Applejack when she tried to lasso the filly up it sure seemed like catching this child is near impossible. At least until both Pinkie and Fuli shared a nod together of knowing what to do when the former let the child go before they split up and climbed up the nearby bookshelves.

Through quick thinking, and careful timed planning, the baby was quickly cornered when Fuli and Pinkie were able to catch her when the former pounced on the right moment to pounce on on the top of opposite bookshelves.

“Gotcha!”

But in the process, the foal had another blast of magic that came off the tip of her horn. One that nearly hit Rarity had she not held up a mirror, then would have hit Shining Armor had he not produced a magic shield, and then Starlight had she not produced a dome to protect herself and Spike. Instead it had the misfortune of hitting the book Twilight had in her possession, blasting a hole straight through the very center of it.

“Oops.”

“Great.” Fuli felt like mentally slapping herself right now. Just when she managed to help catch the baby, she just managed to make things worse without realizing it.

"That spell was the only thing I found in the whole library that was even close to what we needed!” Twilight gasped.

Starlight Glimmer looked on feeling very guilty since it was her magic that redirected it straight into the book itself and inadvertently made things worse for everyone. "I'm so sorry, Twilight!" She sincerely apologized.

The alicorn princess let out a calming sigh as she looked at her student and reassured her otherwise. "It's not your fault, Starlight. None of us were expecting any of this. Not even the baby’s constant and random magical surges.”

"But it was still my magic that last reflected off of the baby’s which went right into the only thing needed to save the Crystal Empire.” Starlight pointed out still not feeling any better. “If only I had did something different to catch it better then none of this would still be happening.”

“Starlight. It’s okay.” Cadance stepped in as she held her infant daughter in her hooves. “There was nothing that could have been done to prevent any of this. For all we know it could have hurt somepony or worse.”

“And what’s done is done so now we just need to figure the next best course of action. That said...” Kion added before turning to Twilight and asked her. “…Twilight. Did you at least get a chance to read that spell you just found in that book?”

"I only read over it once!" Twilight reluctantly and nervously admitted. "I remember every bit of it but just barely.” She quickly pulled out a quill and paper with her magic and quickly wrote it down before she could forget it. “Now I’m not sure if that’s the spell we need to do the job."

Seeing the stressed expression on her sister-in-law’s face had Kion and Cadence immediately stepping in to offer help.

“Maybe it just needs enough magic combined for it to work.” Kion suggested. “I mean I might not be on par with a magical master but I think can at least give enough power to help hold together an ancient relic at this point.”

“Good idea. Once I make sure the baby is safe and sound, I can help out too and at least allow us to time to figure out how to stop this blizzard from taking over.”

Shining Armor then chimed in seriously. "But in the meantime we need to make sure everypony is safe by evacuating the Crystal Empire should the worst case scenario happen while we still can. It’s only a matter of time until the tracks are frozen over to the point there won’t be an escape route for anypony by then."

“Already done.” Simba reported just when he arrived with his fur covered in snow. “All that’s left is making sure everyone is boarding the train so they can all get out of here while they can.”

“Excellent.” Shining spoke surprised and impressed with the lion king himself. “Glad to see you’re on top of things.”

“Well I’ve had some practice before.” Simba replied as he thought nothing of it before leading the way while eyeing the others. “And I’ve had great help back then which I sure could use once again.”

“Come on everypony, let’s go save the crystal ponies!” Applejack declared as she and most of the Guard rushed out to join them.

“Let’s.” Before leaving Shining Armor turned to his wife, sister, and brother-in-law who plan to stay behind to try to fix the heart. “And I’m sure you, Twilight, and Kion will do everything you can to try and fix the Crystal Heart. I'm rooting for you three!" And with that he ran after the Lion and Pony Guard to begin the evacuation process.

Starlight, meanwhile, was looking to Twilight as the alicorn was in the process of writing down and double checking what she could remember about the spell she was going to cast. "I don't suppose there's anything I could do to help you?" She offered, desperate to make up for her earlier mistake.

But Twilight only said in response. "Even with your unusually strong magic, I don't think it would make that much of a difference. I'm just sorry about your lesson."

"It’s okay Twilight, that really doesn't matter now, since Sunburst has already moved on from me," Starlight assured and reluctantly confessed. "I really did try to work things out with him. But it seems the big, important wizard has more important things in life to attend to. All while I’m currently at step one in learning all about friendship."

"Sunburst?” Cadance inquired sounding curious herself. “I don't remember hearing anything about him being a wizard." Cadence commented as she arched eyebrow upward.

“That’s because he just recently moved on from being a student of Princess Celestia’s school and just moved here for reasons unknown.” Twilight explained. “Though I’m not sure what he might know since I haven’t met him myself.”

The princess of love then said seeing potential in him with an idea in mind. "If that’s true then he may know a thing or two about magic. And it might be helpful to have his expertise around if the spell doesn’t work. Starlight, you should bring him here.”

“Of course. Can do.” Starlight obliged feeling more than happy to do so eagerly rushing on out to carry out this task of hers.

"Go with her, Spike," Twilight advised. "Cadence, Kion, and I will try do the best we can from here."

Spike gave a firm salute in response before heading on out after Starlight. "You can count on me as well, Twilight!"

Both Starlight and Spike made their way back to Sunburst’s house though it took a little longer due to the snow that started to stick to the ground along with strong winds blowing all over them. Upon reaching their destination, they wasted no time and immediately banged on the door to get Sunburst’s attention.

Sunburst quickly opened the door to find himself in for a surprise when he was greeted by Starlight and Spike once more, only this time all covered with snow. "Starlight?! Why are you back so soon?! And why is it snowing outside?!" Then he realized. “The Crystal Heart! Is it…?!”

"Yes! It’s destroyed! By Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance’s new baby alicorn!” Starlight confirmed.

Sunburst blinked in surprise. "Really? An baby alicorn?"

Starlight nodded to confirm it’s true. "I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. But the important thing here is that Twilight, Kion, and Princess Cadence, are all going to at least try to fix the Crystal Heart. But Princess Cadence could really use your help too. That is of course you are the big important wizard like you claim to be.”
The stallion slowly nodded as he backed away while stuttering a little. "Um...I’m...Of course I am. What could make you possibly think such a thing?"
"Maybe because you seem rather awkward and nervous to the point you look like you’re hiding something.” Spike pointed out.
“Right…that.” Sunburst proceeded to adjust his glasses as he backed up a bit, bumping into his book shelf. And he hastily set to work on rearranging it to try to make himself very busy studying spells as he turned back to both Starlight and Spike. "You know, I'd like to help. I really would. But it's just..." He briefly paused and bit his lips. "I have so much... important wizard stuff to do around here."

“Huh?” Starlight and Spike could hardly believe what they are hearing as Starlight was quick to insist on him jumping at the call.

"Sunburst, you must to reconsider! The fate of the Crystal Empire is at stake! This is much more important than whatever Whatever kind of work you have, it can't be more important than the fate of an entire empire!"

Spike added. "The entire Royal Family has their paws and hoofs full trying to do their part in stopping this disaster, and it’s still an ongoing problem. We need you!"

Sunburst however still refused to step up to the task. "I’m sorry but I just can’t! I don’t have what it takes to be able to restore an ancient relic! I can’t even come close to doing something like that!"

At that point, Starlight lost her patience as she remarked. "Is that so?” Rather irritated. “I came here for a important and powerful wizard who has what it takes to help out ponies like me when they need the most and you’re telling me you can’t lift a hoof up. Then tell me this, if you’re truly the Sunburst I know then why exactly are you so hesitant to step up to the task. Just what secret are you holding out on that you’re not telling us?!”

In response, Sunburst lost his patience as he blurted out. "Because I’m not really a big important wizard!”

Starlight's mouth dropped open in shock in response to this revelation. "You're what?”

“I'm not a big, important wizard like I wanted and claimed to be, okay. I'm not even a wizard at all! Maybe I had the aspirations to become one but I’m just one of those ponies who never got to realize them to this day."

“You’re not a wizard! But that's your lifelong dream! It’s all you ever talked about ever since the day you earned your cutie mark and went off to magic school and forgot all about me.”

"Yes." Sunburst confessed. "Hard to believe but unfortunately not everyone gets to achieve what we want in life. Sometimes our dreams get crushed before they could even happen, just like with mine."

Starlight shook her head as she moved to console him. "Sunburst, I don't care if you're a wizard or not. I’m just surprised. And the only reason I pressed on this is because I thought you were ignoring me. But really you were just hiding the fact that you weren’t excelling in life like you claimed with your knowledge in magic."

Sunburst returned. "Well, you wanted the truth and you got it. And that’s nothing compared to being the princess of friendship's prized protege? I mean she doesn’t just pick anypony for that!”

"Technically, Starlight's more of a student than a protege. It hasn’t been long since she started." Spike corrected.

The unicorn stallion none of the less continued with a deep sigh. "Reading about magic is one thing, but you don't know what it was like for me at magic school! To know so much and not be able to do any of it to the point you wind up flunking out of school!”

It was there Starlight snapped unable to continue bottling up her true emotions as she teared up and bitterly confessed to her old friend! "Really?! Well you don't know what it was like for me after you left! You were my only friend, Sunburst! And when you never resumed contact with me, I thought I’d never see and hear from you again! I never was able to have another friend in my life after that, and because of it, I started blaming cutie marks!

“What?”

“Yeah! And not only at, even when I did eventually get my own cutie mark I still went on to take over an entire village, stripping everypony of their cutie marks just so I could feel better about myself. Up until Twilight, Kion and their friends showed up and defeated me, exposing my scheme making myself so bitter I became so vengeful to the point I sided with Scar in his quest to conquer the kingdoms of both realms, go back in time to stop them from ever becoming friends, and very nearly helped him succeed in ruining everything for everyone."

Sunburst looked on speechlessly with this confession. “You did what?”

“Yeah, you heard me. And not only that it took Twilight refusing to give up on me so I can see what I was really doing before allowing her to fix the damage I caused even when she didn’t have to do that. So there you have it, I’m just a pony who was willing to work with the most evil and terrifying villain both kingdoms have ever faced all because I couldn’t let go of my hate that kept me stuck on the past. The past that still haunts me to this very day to the point she is now terrified of making new friends out of fear what I’m telling you now.” Finally she calmed herself down and allowed herself to breath.

For a moment Sunburst looked on in frozen shock as he needed time to fully process what his old friend just confessed to before tilting his glasses up when they slid down his muzzle. "Did you really travel through time? That's a very rare and hard to achieve spell that only one pony can do."

Spike adopted a knowing grin as he ribbed Starlight. "I told you he'd be impressed."

"Yes I did. Though having to confess to this was something I hoped I’d keep to myself to the end.," Starlight unhappily sighed while looking at Sunburst. "I know what you must think of me now. That for all of my supposed success right now, I truly don’t deserve this nor to be rekindle our friendship since all I truly accomplished was further spreading the flames of an ongoing war while nearly killing off half of the Royal Family just recently. Something that only callous enemies would stoop to who would resort to inflicting that kind of cruelty on others just get what I wanted in life."

"All this because we never gave each other a chance to say goodbye?"

Starlight could only shake her head again. "No. You’re not to blame for this, Sunburst. This is really my fault. I had the choice to move on and not pursue the path I took. But I did it anyway and now you know what happened back then." She promptly turned around and prepared to depart. "Well, at least we did what Twilight would have wanted of if she were here. Best of luck to wherever your travels takes you.."

But before she could leave, Sunburst reached out his hoof so he could comfort her. "I'm sorry. I didn't know things went that south for you the last time we saw each other along with how much you valued our friendship."

Starlight asked. "You don’t think I’m a pony not worth being friends with? Even after what I did?"

"Of course not. You're not that pony anymore." Sunburst answered. “You clearly want to atone for mistakes and you can do it. You just have to let it go and put the past behind you.” He then moved to apologize himself feeling asked and got a quick shake of the head for an answer. "That said I only wish I had known sooner and tried to reach out to you more than I should have then maybe this all could have been avoided."

"Maybe, but I'm not one to try to change the past anymore.” Starlight replied finding time travel completely unnecessary. “It’s definitely best this way. Trust me, I know first hoof of what it’s like.”

Sunburst smiled. "That’s true. One small change can have a ripple effect with who knows what kind of consequences it’ll have for everyone else. Something I’m sure Princess Twilight would have said if she were here and be very proud with what we just said and did now.” He then looked out the window. "But with the current circumstances, she really does have her hooves full right now."

"Yes." Starlight agreed. "So unless you know of a spell that will drive back the Frozen North and fix the Crystal Heart, you should evacuate the empire along with everypony else so you all don’t freeze to death. King Simba will be there to guide and lead you to safety."

Suddenly, a light bulb went off inside the stallion's mind as he got an idea of how to fix all of this. "Crystalling...! Of course!" He began to pull out several scrolls with his magic. "I think I know how to help after all! And from the looks of thinks it might seem we have a crystalling to look forward to after all."

Elsewhere back outside...

“I don’t know about you but from the looks of things it might seem we won’t be having a crystalling to look forward to.” Karabi commented alongside the other lion siblings while grunting and working hard in keeping their magic going.

“I’m afraid you’re right about that, Karabi.” Lite returned in agreed while reaching a peak in magical power exerted since they went out fighting the blizzards before looking up the skies for their other sibling. “Just how much longer do we have until then, Kyoga?”

“Not long, but we gotta keep trying with everything we got until then.” She grunted as snow and ice started to stick to her fur. “Twilight and Cadance are counting on us.”

“I know but it’s gotten a lot harder now, you would think Princeses Celestia and Luna would be of more help right now.”

“Come to think of it…” Karabi commented upon hearing their names brought up. “...we haven’t see nor heard from them for a while.”

“Do you think something happened to them?” Lite asked in worry as the trio of siblings begin to see and feel something is very wrong here.

“Maybe…” Kyoga uttered softly before floating up towards the heart and eye of the storm. “...I’ll check it out.”

With that Kyoga flew higher while braving and the fighting the harsher and colder winds and snow blown in her direction while squinting her eyes in an attempt to spot the royal sisters out.

“Celestia! Luna!” She called out in an attempt to hear their voices and close in on their true location. But all she heard at first was nothing more than strong winds accompanied with the dark clouds surrounding her.

After a few minutes of flying and searching even scoping out the entire kingdom, she looked on coming up empty-pawed as she looked around confused, clueless, and worried of where the alicorns are…

“Kyoga!” Celestia’s voice suddenly spoke out to her in alarm.

“Look out!” Luna’s voice chimed in equally alarmed.

Kyoga quickly turned to the direction of where their voices came from but before she could do anything about it, she was suddenly struck down by a blast of dark magic and then found herself constantly thrashed by magic and claws striking her at every angle. After being knocked down to the ground once more she quickly hoisted a shield to allow herself time to recover before seeing who ambushed her. Two very familiar faces. One with red eyes accompanied by a growling expression, and the other with green eyes accompanied with a sinister smirk chuckling at the very sight of her.

“Well, well, well. I should have known you two had something to do with this.” Kyoga remarked with annoyance as she dusted the snow off of her body.

“Yes, you should have, Kyoga.” Scar returned like it’s a casual joke. “Yes you should have.”

“Am I to assume that you caused the baby to scream in fright upon seeing your faces for the very first time?”

“If only that were true then yes. But not this time.” Kyoga looked on unconvinced. “Don’t believe me, ask the others inside the castle yourselves.”

“And what makes you think I’ll be expected to believe your lies this time, Scar?”

“You know…considering I do lie quite well, I wouldn’t blame you for thinking that way. But here’s the thing...I’m not a mind reader when it comes to newborn babies. I find the very idea of going after something I don’t even know will do very dangerous and she did it all on her own. And as for why we’re here well, when life gives a never ending winter storm, have your fun in it. Or in your case, have fun getting beaten up and maybe freezing to death while we’re at it. Maybe even conquering this very kingdom as a nice little bonus here today.”

“In your dreams, Scar. Because that is never going to happen. Especially to a pair of evil, corrupted, malicious, vicious, demented, low-life scoundrels like you both. There’s no evil scheme you wouldn’t concoct. No depravity you both wouldn’t commit. You both are none of than a pair of pathetic predators trying to score worthless scraps of meat, commonly known as a…”

ZAP!

Came from King Sombra’s horn to cancel out her force field along with another quick blast to knock her out. “Such vulgar talk.” The unicorn said in disgust before moving to seize control of the defeated lioness. “Where in the name of the Equestria did she learn to talk like that?”

Scar simply shook his head in response. “There’s always a few crude ponies and animals out there.”

“Crude like you, Scar?” Karabi’s voice said to him.

“Surely you have learned vulgar language yourself.” Lite’s voice added as the two siblings made their appearance known to the two villains who have turned their attention towards them. “You know because you’re both bad guys trying to take over the Crystal Empire.”

“Maybe so, or maybe I might have standards in regards to swearing.” Scar returned not even intimidated by the two lions who have half of their energy worn out from fighting the ongoing blizzard.

“Don’t try to deny it. We all know who you are.” Karabi returned not even buying whatever he has to say in response. “Now let Kyoga go!”

“You want her? Then you’re going to have to fight us.”

“Done and done.”

With that Karabi and Lite were quick to unleash their magic on the unicorn and lion to which they both worked to counterattack the attempt by combining their magic to form a powerful shield. Said shield was powerful to the point when they were done pouring all of their magic into that combo attack, the attack itself was rebounded right back at them and ended up blasting them aside deep into the snow. But as luck would have it said attack bought time for Kyoga to regain consciousness as she managed to slip away from both Scar and Sombra’s grasp and give herself another fighting chance.

Kyoga moved to swiftly leap up in flight with magic with her claws bared ready to strike at them. She managed to swipe her claws right through their skin causing her foes to growl in pain when it happened. Just when she landed her siblings having recovered were quick to join by her side.

With their scratched skin easily repaired, the two split up the siblings in order to give each other someone to fight against. Scar moved to attack and tackle Kyoga once more and the two moved to duke it out with their teeth and claws.

The two separated once more before Kyoga managed to swipe Scar on the cheek with her claws. Scar then retaliated by doubling down on his attacks and was able to force the lioness on the defense, giving her zero wiggle room to work with as she is helplessly unable to get another attack off against him.

Meanwhile, Sombra viciously growled as he finds himself facing two lions on his own. Not that he was intimidated that they could work together to defeat him, but for seeing their prolonging resistance at defying him. The two constantly worked together at firing offensive blasts to which the unicorn was able to counter by putting force another magical shield yet was forced backwards a little.

And that was enough for Sombra as he quickly got to work on the offensive against his opponents. He was quick to split his shield in two before drawing a sword composed of dark magic to swing right at them. With both weapons at his disposal he was able to assert his dominance to keep both lions at bay.

Then after letting the siblings give everything they have against him, Sombra then moved to use his sword to scratch the two all across their bodies before delivering a double strike that knocked them both out cold. At the same time, Scar had managed to overwhelm Kyoga by tossing and slamming her head against a nearby rock. With their work done here, the two then set their sights on a huge crowd of ponies all trying to make their way out of the empire via train.

“Okay everyone. Let’s line up single file as we make our way inside the carts.” Simba instructed as the every crystal pony proceeds to do so as the Lion and Pony Guard split up towards the other carts on the trains so they can repeat the process faster.

“That’s right! One at a time! Single file!” Fuli said to the boarding passengers before spotting one trying to break that rule. “I SAID SINGLE FILE!” Said pony was frightened into submission. “Thank you.” She kindly returned like that moment never happened.

At the same time while making sure everyone is obeying the proper evacuation rules, Ono couldn’t help but wonder everyone else is since in his mind they’re supposed to be keeping the blizzard at bay. But at the same time has a hard time making anyone out from the train station due to so much snow falling down from the sky.

“Where are you?” He wondered to himself.

“Hey, Ono!” Fuli’s voice called out to him from down below. “The train’s are almost ready to take off.”

“Yeah, so unless you want to be a frozen duck in the sky, you better get on over where it’s warm inside.” Bunga added.

“Oh, right. Coming.” He called back before joining them down at the station.

“Everything okay, Ono?” Beshte asked in concern.

“Yeah.” Ono looked back up and on towards the blizzard in the open area before further explaining. “Just looking out to see where Celestia, Luna, Kyoga, and her siblings were. We just haven’t seen them since they went out there.”

“That’s weird. Do you think something is wrong?” Beshte asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Hopefully they’re just trying their hardest to fight off the snow so we can all get out of here.” Fluttershy tried to offer her input as the engine for the trains try to start up. But to everyone’s sudden horror, the engines didn’t start due to the increasingly cold temperatures around them made it too cold for them to fully operate. “Or not.”

Rartiy starting to see the sudden stress and panic was the first to chime in. “Not trying to instill fear into everypony’s hearts but I’m going to go on a second limb and say that there something definitely is wrong!”

“But this doesn’t make any sense!” Rainbow exclaimed as she too wasn’t expecting that to happen as everyone exits the train carts. “The engines shouldn’t be running too cold now.”

“Now come on everyone…” Simba spoke urgently to keep everyone from losing it. “...let’s not all panic just yet...and no, we’re not panicking and running!” He sternly addressed Thurston who just happened to be among the audience.

“Wait! What?!” Fuli exclaimed in shock and annoyance upon spotting him. “What the hay are you doing here!”

“Well I…”

“No! Don’t!” Fuli quickly cut him off mid-sentence. “I don’t want to know!”

“You were here trying to find a perfect grazing grounds for yer herd, huh?” Applejack asked.

“Uh here…”

“No! No!” Fuli interrupted once more. “I don’t want to know!”

“With all joking aside…” Simba continued still serious about the current crisis at hoof. “...we are not going to panic as we figure out the next best course of action. Because last thing we need is to anyone to be living a life of…”

“Fear!”

Over their heads, are two dreaded figures they never hoped to see at the worst possible time.

“You!”

“Scar!”

“Sombra!”

Applejack, Simba, and Rainbow Dash all commented with a mixture of anger and shock as everypony looks like they are about to make yellow and brown snow.

“Hello, Simba. Lion and Pony Guard. Crystal ponies…” He then sighed in annoyance upon spotting the elephant in the room. “...and Thurston.”

Thurston merely smiled with a nervous smile before dropping it as he felt a very uncomfortable urge from behind out of fear upon seeing him.

“Sorry to crash your getaway party…” Scar chuckled specifically since Pinkie didn’t dare to try to unleash her party canon at him out of fear. “...but unfortunately the sole train engine has run cold…” He moved to zap the engine into nothing but smoke that only lasted for a few seconds before the snow dissipated it. “...thus making your one and only escape here cut off until further notice.” He moved to slice the inner mechanisms for the train engine in half to make a literal point about it.

“Just what exactly is the name of game here this time, other than wanting us to freeze to death, Scar?” Applejack bravely demanded.

“I’m sure a smart pony like yourself knows at this point.” Scar merely replied with a dead serious expression.

“Especially when you’re looking at a pony who used to rule over this empire many moons ago.” Sombra added with the same killer expression. “And since none of you ponies wish to serve me, I’ll just do everyone a favor and just see to it that all those who refuse to accept me as their king all perish through this mighty blizzard.”

“That’s a death sentence!” One of the crystal ponies bravely pointed out only to be silenced by the tyrant who simply slapped dark magic over the pony’s mouth.

“Shh! Don’t tell!”

“Not if we have anything to say about it.” Simba defiantly returned ready for a fight even when faced with uneven odds before turning to the Pegasus ponies. “Fluttershy! Rarity! Get everyone out of here! Applejack, Rainbow, Pinkie, help me hold them off! Go! Go!”

The crystal ponies along with Thurston all fled from the train station under the Pegasus ponies guidance.

“Go ahead! Run for it! Makes it more fun for us!” Scar called after everyone retreating before charging his magic up as he prepares for another fight as those who stayed behind prepare for another stand, win or lose.

As the ponies all run for their lives, Starlight, Sunburst, and Spike all make their way on towards the Crystal Castle. Coincidentally it just so happens everyone retreating just happened to meet them up by chance along with the battered warriors who have just limped their way on over here.

“Celestia!” Sunburst exclaimed upon seeing her.

“Sunburst!” Celestia exclaimed upon seeing him.

“Luna!” Spike exclaimed to her.

“Spike!” Luna exclaimed to him.

“Kyoga! Karabi! Lite!” Spike exclaimed to the both of them.

“Starlight!” Kyoga returned.

“Spike!” Karabi and Lite exclaimed back.

“Thurston!” The zebra himself happily stated before darting away upon receiving collective glares from him.

“What is going on?” Starlight asked.

“Why are you all here?” Spike also asked.

“Why are you all battered and bruised like you just went through a brutal fight?” Sunburst asked.

“Where have you all been?” Rarity worryingly asked.

“Are you all okay?” Fluttershy chimed in.

“We are for the moment.” Luna answered first. “But we’ve come across another hurdle in our attempts to hold of the blizzard.”

“Like what?” Spike asked.

“Both Scar and Sombra.” Celestia answered much to the alarmed shock of everyone present. “They just showed up and attacked us, including Kyoga and her siblings.”

“Wait?! What?! Scar and Sombra are both here?!” Sunburst exclaimed in horror.

“I’m afraid so.” Celestia sadly and honestly answered.

“Oh, no.” Fluttershy whimpered as she is now thinking about those who stayed behind at the train station.

“What is it, Fluttershy?” Spike asked.

“We just saw them! Right after we saw them cut off our only escape route at the train station!”

Rarity added equally worried. “They’re currently fighting and very and highly likely beating down King Simba along with Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie right now as we speak.”

“Oh, no.” Celestia spoke grimly with a sense of dread right down her spine before recomposing herself and turning to the lioness. “Kyoga! Can you and your siblings to help ensure the others make it out alive.”

“That we can at least do.” Kyoga assured before leading her two siblings on over to the train station. “Let’s go!”

“But what about the Crystal Heart?” Rarity brought up. “Without it, there’s no way this blizzard can be stopped.”

“Not if Sunburst can help it.” Starlight quickly assured. “Since he has a plan.”

“Huh?”

“What?”

Both Fluttershy and Rarity blinked in surprise.

“That’s right, everyone. I know how to stop this.” Sunburst confidently told everyone.

“Then what are we waiting for?!” Spike asked everyone as the main heroes all rushed inside to find the others along with the broken Crystal Heart while the crowd of crystal ponies all anxiously awaited for something wonderful to happen.

Outside the Crystal Castle, Twilight, Kion, and Cadence were preparing to test the spell to hopefully restore the Crystal Heart. Not one of them could be certain they had the spell down to the exact details though, or that it would even work if cast.

"Well, I think that's everything," Twilight told her sister-in-law as she floated over a hastily written on parchment. "At least to my knowledge."

Princess Cadence nervously replied. "That seems about right to me. But there's only one way to find out for sure.”

“And I hope it works.” Kion commented equally unsure and in agreement with the others. ”Here goes!" He began to light up his horn along with the other two alicorns as they got their magical auras lighting up.

The three alicorns channeled all of their magical energy into the Crystal Heart's shattered remains. Slowly but surely it seemed like they were putting it back together. There were still visible cracks but it was so far working…

...for only a few seconds as the heart didn't hold together for very long as it broke apart again, shards of crystal falling back down to the ground.

Twilight hung her head as she apologized to her fellow princess. "I'm sorry. I don't know what else to try."

"Luckily, a former student of mine has a solution." Princess Celestia herself assured just when she appeared while still battered up accompanying the orange unicorn both Starlight and Spike managed to seek out.

"So you're Sunburst?" Cadence asked. "Starlight says you're a powerful wizard."

Sunburst moved to humbly clarify. "Actually, no. I'm not a wizard. But I do know a thing or two about magic, at least when it comes to theory," He cleared his throat. "I'm not the best at casting spells but I can identify what spells can work best under what circumstances," He proceeded to ask as he examined the shattered bits of the Crystal Heart. "The baby did this?"

Twilight and Cadence nodded as the former explained. "She did. I tried putting it back together with—"

"-The spell of Relic Reconstitution" Sunburst finished as he levitated, crumbled, and tossed it away. "That alone won't do it. The Crystal Heart's been around for millennia. You can't restore a relic like that with just one spell. You have to combine it with something else. Something unique to the relic itself."

Just then Twilight was struck with a breakthrough idea. "The crystalling! Of course!" But then she remembered. "But how can we have it when the order to evacuate everypony was already given."

“I think that’s possible when we still have everypony in attendance.” Rainbow Dash answered just when she and the others joined them. “That along with certain forces of evil are around to make sure of that. And by that we mean both Scar and Sombra are around.”

“Scar and Sombra!” Kion exclaimed in shock. “Here in the Crystal Empire!”

“Yes, I know. Hard to believe. But it’s true.”

“And they just given us a really hard time in fending off them along with the storm itself.” Kyoga further backed up to assert that they are indeed telling the truth. “Not to mention cut off our only escape route before disappearing.”

“Any idea where they went off to?” Kion urgently asked.

“I don’t know. But now that’s not important right now.” She then turned to Sunburst who has a plan to fix all of this. “That said, how do we fix the Crystal Heart before everyone freezes to death?”

The unicorn stallion smiled as he explained. "With the power of the crystalling and combined with the spell of Relic Reconstruction. In addition with a few more much needed spells to add into the mix in light of the... er... circumstances," He floated over a few scrolls with his magic giving one to the baby’s parents and the other to Starlight. "I'll also add in Somnambula's Weather Abjuration to clear away the snow. And a little bit of Fledgling's Forbearance for the parents, so as to curb the little one's power fluctuations.” He tickled the baby who giggled in response. “She'll still get surges occasionally but not as bad as they were when this all started."

“And you are you sure this will work?” Karabi asked feeling the need to be completely sure.

“Absolutely! With magical assistance from everyone here…” He gestured to all of the alicorns, along with Starlight, Shining Armor and himself. "...this will definitely work, ninety nine percent."

“Okay.” Lite remarked satisfied with that. “Works for me.”

After quickly glancing to his wife and seeing her nod with approval as she handed him their baby, Shining agreed as he presented his daughter to him. "I was planning to have Twilight be the crystaller, but since she's going to be busy..."

Sunburst bowed his head. "-I'd be honored to take her place."

"Then what are we waiting for?!" Twilight eagerly declared.

"Let's get save the empire while we still can!” Starlight also declared in the same tone.

And so the crystalling for the new baby officially began. All four alicorns along with Kion, Shining Armor and Starlight Glimmer all concentrated their combined magical energies on the Crystal Heart long enough for Sunburst to do his part in the Crystalling.

Sunburst began to read over the scrolls again, casting the spell on each one by one before he could see the purity crystal chosen by Shining Armor and Princess Cadence sparkle with shimmering light. When it was time to do his part he gently gathered the baby alicorn before carrying her out to the crowd as he proclaimed with great pride. "Citizens! May I present the newest member of the Crystal Empire!"

The crowd cheered and gave off several oohs and aahs when they saw the baby. And it wasn't long before all of that love was channeled into the purity crystal that now glowed brighter than ever! Sunburst promptly took it and ran back to the Crystal Heart, inserting the shard into the relic and watching as it joined with the others.

And that did the trick, since the Crystal Heart was now restored to its full, glowing glory. And with its magic newly refreshed it bathed the entire empire in a dazzling, almost blinding light! Its magic promptly washed over everypony, giving them all crystallized coats. Including Simba, Applejack, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, Kyoga, Karabi, Lite, who all just arrived in time to witness this remarkable event. From the looks of things they came out of their previous battle with nothing more than a few bruises and cuts endured from both Scar and Sombra who have both vanished by the time the Crystal Heart did it’s work.

"Best crystalling ever!" A crystal pony in the crowd proclaimed.

Starlight then spoke to Sunburst looking very proud for coming through for them. "For a pony who isn’t great at magic, you did pretty well.”

“Very impressive is more like it, considering that it was just recently I got my new alicorn powers.” Kion added equally amazed himself.

“Quite so.” Princess Celestia also agreed equally proud of Sunburst too. “For you certainly demonstrated quite a gift for it. You may just be more of a wizard than you thought."

Sunburst just smiled. He'd never felt this bright and confident in himself before, and it was a nice feeling to experience. Having his childhood friend by his side only helped realize what he is truly capable of along with making his new purpose more special and meaningful. It was everything he'd ever dreamed of all while mentally wondering how to tell his parents the next time he sees them.

With the Crystal Heart up and running the blizzards had subsided and the snow melted, things returned to normal. And as a result the trains could now run properly. The main group had arrived at the train station, not so they could leave just yet, but to greet two passengers they are expecting. Said passengers were a pair of unicorns that Twilight, Spike, Shining Armor and Princess Cadence all recognized. Night Light and Twilight Velvet, Twilight and Shining’s parents.

The stallion had a sort of gray-blue coat, a dark blue mane and tail that curled on the right side, amber eyes and a cutie mark depicting two crescent moons: A big yellow one and a smaller white one. And the mare had a light gray coat that nearly looks white at first glance, a mane and tail the same light gray color with purple locks running side by side along it (with the mane curling and the tail cut short), light blue eyes and a cutie mark depicting three purple stars.

"Sorry we’re late." Night Light apologized. "We tried our hardest to get here as soon as we can. You would not believe the crazy weather that delayed our train. It came out of nowhere."

Twilight Velvet then smiled as she saw her granddaughter for the first time. "But it was all worth it to see this adorable little angel," She then cooed. "Come to your grandmare."

The baby just cooed back. Then, suddenly she twitched and shut her eyes to which Twilight, Kion and her friends all ducked for cover, anticipating another powerful magic blast. But all that happened was the baby alicorn let out a tiny sneeze. That made Twilight and the others wipe the sweat from their brows and sigh in relief glad that Sunburst’s spell quelled her uncontrollable surges of magic.

Shining Armor smiled seeing this. "We have Sunburst to thank for that. And we'll definitely have more of his help going forward in the future."

Princess Cadence nodded. "I hope he takes his new responsibilities seriously. After all it’s more than just dealing with spells and changing diapers we’re going to be paying him with.”

Velvet then inquired as she took her granddaughter into her hooves. "Cadence, darling. Does the baby have a name yet or are we gonna spend our entire visit just calling her “the baby”?"

"She does." Cadence answered. "We were thinking, Flurry Heart."

Shining then joined his wife in explaining. "In honor of this very special crystalling. A very fitting name as part of the Sparkle family tradition."

Twilight smiled and cooed. "I think it’s lovely." She promptly kissed her newly named niece on the forehead. "Just don’t go getting yourself into too much trouble. Okay?" Flurry just babbled and cooed in response as if she says “Yes.” to the best of her ability. And considering she is a baby there is only so much one can expect from her.

“I hope you mean it.” Kion added. “And she’s only telling you this is because she loves you.”

“And…” Twilight prompted as both she and the baby looked on with that eager smile.

“And because Uncle Kion wishes the same to you too, Flurry Heart.” Kion finished.

The baby babbled as she floated over to hug him too to which the young lion kindly reciprocated the gesture in return.

A short time later after bonding with the whole Sparkle Family, it was time for the Lion and Pony Guard along with to Starlight to head back to Ponyville. But before Starlight did, she was surprised to receive a tap on the hoof and find Sunburst here to see her off. "So...you really still want to be friends with me even after learning what I did? And who I associated and affiliated myself with?"

Sunburst nodded. "Of course. After all, it wouldn’t be fair considering that I too was hiding a secret and trying to pass it off as the truth." He then offered. "You can stay here with me if you want? I’m sure I can make arrangements so that we can see each other as much as we can here."

Starlight smiled as she politely declined the offer. "Thank you Sunburst, but Twilight gave me my big break for being willing to give me a second chance in life where nopony else would've if she were in her hoofs. So I'm gonna stick with learning friendship under her wing for now." She then looked to Sunburst with uncertainty as she pleaded with him. "Just, promise me you'll stay in touch and that includes when I try to write to you."

"That I can promise!" Sunburst agreed. "It might not be easy with my new responsiblites here in the Crystal Empire, but I' promise you that I’ll do a much better job at replying at each and every one of your letters going forward." Then he and Starlight shared a big hug, before he watched her board the train that was to take her back to Ponyville. "Best of luck, Starlight!" He called as the train departed from the station.

"Best of luck to you too, Sunburst!" Starlight Glimmer called back as the train disappeared over the horizon.

From afar, Scar and Sombra looked on at the heroes from afar, with the former looking on as if the results that had happened today were exactly as how he thought it would turn out.

“So predictable.” Scar commented as Sombra looked on rather frustrated that the Empire is still standing in both Shining Armor and Cadance’s hooves.

“And if only we weren’t dealing with a new member of the Royal Family then I would once again be king here.”

“Yes, yes, I know this is aggravating for you. But I’m sure you understand why we did what we did here.”

“Yes, yes, of course. To test the baby’s true potential along with striking fear into everyone’s hearts, send a verbal message to their saviors, and use this to fully prepare ourselves as this war goes on.”

“Exactly.” Scar nodded with a smile of approval for his understanding. “After all, much like I did before with the hyenas and jackals back in the Pride Lands, the next attack is the one that counts, and that’s where you’ll get your chance to get what you want in life. To become king.”

“Very well, Scar.” Sombra said as he agreed to bid his time to wait for the right moment. “Until then I will take your word on this. But I will desire what I am promised.”

“And you’ll get it indeed, Sombra. Now we know what we’re up against we can start making plans for your eventual takeover and what you most truly desire.” He then looked on back in the Pride Lands and Equestria’s direction. “In the meantime, there is the matter of keeping the fellow citizens back home on their toes as the inevitable for them comes too.” He then works his magic to make himself along with Sombra disappear in a cloud of fiery smoke before anyone can spot them from the horizon.

The two then reappear inside the Outlands Volcano where two important leaders are there waiting for them. One that is a lion, and the other a changeling.

“And with the Royal Family growing more powerful alongside the Lion and Pony Guard, action will need to taken against them soon.” Scar then said to the two. “Action that’ll require your full cooperation together going forward. I hope you both will be ready by then.”

Both Zira and Chrysalis smirked as they put their paw and hoof down to vow to their master that they’ll make sure of it.

“Yes, Scar.”

“We’ll be ready by then.”

Author's Note

Here in Part Two, the raging storm continues where Scar and Sombra are both taking action against those who are trying their hardest in stopping it before it's too late. And here both villains waste no time in reminding everyone of why they are a force to be reckon with. As everyone who was outside that day learned the hard way.

And as for Starlight and Sunburst, it took some more talking it out for before things finally get patched up before the latter gained the courage to pull through with the answers in order to save the Crystal Empire from eternal winter.

While things are all crystalized and shining all over again, things are looking brighter for everyone...

...for now for as far as Scar's concerned, the game is not over yet.

And as for questions in regards why this is coming first, like I said the Time Skip at the end of the season paves way for stories to tell that had happened during then which will last up until Episode 10 for sure. In addition, in order to make these changes for these two episodes work I had to rearrange a couple scenes and touch up on them a little with something new along the way. So if you caught them, you spotted them. So, onward to the aftermath of Scar's attack in the Crystal Empire.

Episode 3: The Wisdom of Kongwe

Episode 3:

The Wisdom of Kongwe

Shortly after the Crystal Empire visit, the Royal Family along with the Lion and Pony Guard moved to gather all herd and town leaders within the boundaries of both the Pride Lands and Equestria for a much needed meeting. A war meeting to discuss of how to prepare themselves for war in light of Scar and Sombra’s recent attack at the Crystal Empire. Among the audience, Shining Armor, Princess Cadance, Flurry Heart (while sleeping with earmuffs on), Starlight, and Sunburst were all present because of course their business at the Canterlot war room concerns them too.

“Okay, everyone…” King Simba began. “...Enough!” He then shouted at those who refuse to quiet down completely. “...this meeting is now in session. So everyone please settle down.” Once everyone does so, he clears his throat ready to continue. “Now, I’m sure everyone has heard of Scar’s most recent attack in the Crystal Empire and we have witnesses to back up that with.” Everyone all nodded in response. “And I know you’re all anxious wondering what’s going to happen next.” Everyone all nodded again. “So, that said this war is far from over, but I know for a fact that it doesn’t mean we’re on the losing side of all of this.”

“How so?” Ma Tembo asked.

“I’m saying we just need to continue being alert and be ready to defend ourselves when needed.” The lion king explained. “As long as we have our defenses up, Scar can’t do anymore damage than he already has.”

Bupu seemed accepting of the reason enough. “Sounds good, but quick question, though. Just how can we expect ourselves to be ready when needed.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that considering Scar has been very unpredictable with his moves, then who’s to say that Pride Rock isn’t next if our territory isn’t.”

“Bupu has a point, your majesty.” Makuu commented in agreement. “For all we know he could be making a move on my watering hole now as we speak. If the Crystal Empire isn’t safe, there how will we know for sure that a certain part of the Pride Lands and Equestria is, if anywhere is safe.”

“Hmm.” Simba internally thought before Luna decided to speak up on his behalf.

“That’s a very good question, indeed, you both. A very good question.” She then gave it considerable thought before saying her next words. “While I can’t say for sure, I can say is that we can’t give up fighting for what’s ours since for that is exactly what Scar would want us to do. Therefore, we can’t give him an easy reason for him to win.”

“No we cannot sister.” Celestia chimed in agreement. “Since I have lost you for thousand years for a similar argument and I nearly lost Twilight for a while because of him. I’m not about to make the same mistake again.”

“Me neither.” Simba said with his fighting spirit invigorated. “I wasn’t able to stop Scar from taking over and nearly destroy the Pride Lands twice. I’m not about to let history repeat again either.”

“But what about the first time?” Thurston needlessly asked.

“That was when I was a child and couldn’t do anything about it.”

“But what about when…?”

Simba cleared his throat mid-sentence feeling that he is getting too personal about childhood trauma he doesn’t want to relive all over again.

“Again for the final time. Nothing. I. Could do. About it.”

Upon receiving collective glares from everyone, the ditzy zebra wisely clammed up.

“So anyway…” Celestia spoke up trying to move the more important matters along. “...we all know the best course of action for the time being and that is to remain alert, remain constantly active and in shape, and be ready to defend ourselves for when Scar does try to make another attempt at any part of our territory from here to, Canterlot, Pride Rock, and even the northern Pride Lands borders and southern Equestria borders.”

“Okay, I suppose we can do that.” Twiga said understanding of the call but had something else on her mind. “But if I may and this isn’t trying to put anyone in a position or anything but how exactly do we know that Scar isn’t trying to make a move in actually reconquering the Pride Lands and all of Equestria just yet.”

“Yeah, what exactly is he waiting for? I mean since we know what his ultimate goal is why not just make his move now and get it over with?” Big Baboon further implored.

“For someone who has formerly worked alongside Scar, I know why.” Twilight replied as she moved to voice her thoughts on the matter. “For starters, if Scar were to want to take the throne once more and take us all out, he would have done so already. And why he hasn’t done so already, you ask? Because he’s bidding his time waiting for the right for when his army is back to full strength since it is not in his best interest to take us out without followers who will help lead him to victory once more. We might be safe now, but it’s not going to last if we don’t keep our guard. Sooner or later he’ll come back.”

“What is your recommendation to prevent that from happening, Princess Twilight?” Basi asked.

“The best I can offer at the time is having extra eyes on the Pride Lands and Equestria borders in addition we start up training sessions to prepare for the eventual fight for the kingdom and that includes every battle leading up to it.”

“Sounds good to me.” Basi accepted those suggestions as the best course of action. “My pod could sure use after the close call with the crocodiles.” He cleared his throat while apologetically looking in Makuu’s direction to clarify. “The Outlander crocodiles I mean.”

“Read you loud and clear, Basi.” Makuu returned taking no offense to the hippo leader’s choice of words. “And I say that’s an idea worthy pursing, Twilight.

“I agree.” Ma Tembo nodded liking the idea herself. “Because we elephants could use the training ourself to get our trunks swinging in action.”

“Not to mention our horns could use some sharping up.” Mbeya said in agreement. “Especially after nearly cutting it close with the Outsiders the last time we fought.” He recalled a particular memory when fighting in vain against the Outsiders back in the Crsytal Empire his tiny ears nearly suffered a scratch when one hyena and jackal tried to get the jump on him from above.

Both Bunga and Pinkie couldn’t help but snicker to themselves before being firmly nudged in the gut by both Twilight and Kion for that. Especially since it isn’t the time nor place for that since they both were there when it happened and how serious it could have been had they managed to strike a little lower.

“And we can all help you out in due time.” The white alicorn gently assured. “Starting tomorrow we will start holding training sessions on basic combat and self-defense.”

“In separate classes of course in order for all of you to get fully acquainted with your talents and skills.” Luna added to put emphasis that isn’t something they are all going to rush and enforce upon. “Once we are showing exemplary and incremental improvement in the basics we can talk about moving on to the more advanced lessons.”

“Sounds fair to me.” Kion commented liking the plan already acknowledging their fellow Pride Landers past hardships in battle. “Now before we adjourn this meeting, are there any questions?” Nobody had any objections in response. “Then I guess that settles it for now.”

“Agreed.” His father nodded. “And what I can promise you all is that once this is all over things will get much better going forward!”

“You sure, your majesty?” Laini asked.

“I guarantee it.” He confidently returned with an equally positive attitude about the whole situation.

With that the meeting was adjourned allowing everyone to go home and rest up for the rest of the day, provided they all at least have a copy of the upcoming schedule so they know who’s herd will be having class at a certain time, day, and teacher they’ll be receiving that session. In addition, they all have specific moves and instructions of what they’ll be learning and expecting to master.

“Make sure you read these thoroughly because classes start exactly on time and these moves will be what you’ll be trying out by then.” Twilight reminded to everyone as they all each took a copy of the schedule she herself has prepared for them.

As soon as everyone outside of the inner circle all left the room, Simba’s smile faded as he sighed before moving to fall backwards on a nearby couch just looking like he is falling ill again.

“Simba?”

“Dad?”

Both Nala and Kion asked in concern unsure if he’s still feeling symptoms from the scorpion’s sting.

“Everything okay?”

“That couch suitable enough for you?”

Both Beshte and Rarity asked equally concerned.

“Yes and no.” Simba sighed as he moved to adjust himself so that he is more comfortable on it while still lying on his back on it. “Meaning everything is fine for now and I do thank you for providing said couch for after the meeting, Rarity…”

“You’re most certainly welcome.” Rarity returned with a respectful bow.

“...I just wish on days like this, that keeping the peace is as easy as saying it can be kept.” Simba finished.

“I hear you.” Twilight understood completely of the king’s internal struggle. “It’s like you really want what’s best for everyone and want to keep to your word, but there is just always something that keeps you from making good on our word.”

“Exactly. I just wish it doesn’t come down to the point where I’ve have to step down from the throne for these reasons alone. If I did, it would rather be where I know my successor, at least the future queen can continue to uphold my legacy along with my father’s, and my father’s father, and so forward.”

“And I’m sure you’ll definitely make good on it, Simba.” His wife assured him as she nuzzled his head while leaning right beside him. “Even when you make calls that are at worst morally questionable, you always do by being you.”

Simba smiled in return as thanks for that much needed encouragement, even if it’s not entirely 100% to which Twilight’s keen eye picked up on while his head was turned to the side for a moment.

“Indeed you do, my son.” Mufusa’s voice spoke to him before appearing from the heavenly skies over the castle’s horizon.

“Father?”

Upon seeing him, the whole group moved on towards the balcony so they can continue this conversation to which the Royal Family really needs with all things considered.

“As always it is so good to see you, Simba. You and the rest of your family.” He greeted with his eyes locked on the lions and alicorns.

“Good to see you too, Grandfather Mufusa.”

“Always a pleasure.”

Both leaders of the Guard also returned in kind since he too greets the alicorns as family too.

“Forgive me for interrupting, but I couldn’t help but overhearing of your current struggles in regards to Scar.”

The smiles all dropped upon said name and subject being brought up.

“I’m afraid so, father.” Simba solemnly and truthfully replied first. “Ever since his last defeat, he has managed to escape from prison, and continue what he started.”

“From having the Outsiders keep us on our toes constantly, making attempts on our lives many times.” Kion added.

“The first being when he tried to have Kiburi’s crocs kill Simba himself before attempting to later on kill Beshte and Applejack when they accidentally got swept away in the Outlands.” Twilight continued.

“The mere fact that it took weeks for these here legs to heal well enough to allow ma self to buck apples again is a definite fact that happened.” Applejack brought up. “Not to mention he attempted to deprive the elephants of their melon supply during the dry season and even sent a crazy paralyzing lizard after us to try to stop us from stopping him.”

“He set up Twilight to be framed for attempting to steal the Prized Pearl of the Hippogriffs and later attempted to burn her alive in lava including, Sunset, Spike and me after nearly breaking up her friendship with Kion!” Rainbow also brought up to which Kion looked aside with deep regret for how he reacted during that occasion.

“Not to mention he nearly tried to kill Zazu after failing to extract information from him that could have been used against us.” Rarity added. “And that’s not getting into what he did recently. Oh, dear. The horrors of what he almost did then.” She had a hoof placed on her forehead as she had trouble recalling what happened back then. “The fact that he almost killed half of the Royal Family including all of us in the same day is dreadfully atrocious!”

“He even killed an innocent drongo just for trying to help us!” Fluttershy cried as she buried her hooves into face as she is still heartbroken and traumatized over what back then to which both Rainbow and Pinkie were quick to stand by her so she can be comforted by them.

“And just recently he just tried to bury everypony in the Crystal Empire when the Crystal Heart was briefly destroyed.” Cadance added. “And we’re now not sure if he was even trying, not even when he had Sombra accompanying him.”

“He wasn’t.” Her husband said with a firm look. “He simply took advantage and had fun with the chaos in order send a more successful and different kind of attack on us. A psychological attack. So that way he can put fear in our hearts while delivering us a direct message that we won’t be victorious when he returns to finish the job.”

“I see.” The great king of the Pride Lands Past returned grimly.

“And now we are trying to do everything we can to keep Scar from reclaiming the Pride Lands and Equestria.” Simba further explained. “All without losing the peace I had managed to restore here upon assuming the throne. Question is, how do we defeat Scar before that happens?”

“The appearance of an evil lion from the past is beyond my experience, my son.” His father replied. If he knew he would tell him. But not even knows all of the answers to every problem in the world. “But you have saved the Pride Lands from Scar before. Twice. Trust that the wisdom to defeat Scar lies within the Pride Lands and Equestria, and within you all.” Everyone especially Simba, Kion, and Twilight all smiled as thanks for his reassurance before disappearing back into the skies.

“The wisdom is within the Pride Lands and Equestria." Kion pondered these words before turning to his father. “Dad? Celestia? Do you think Grandfather means a wise animal?”

“Perhaps…” Celestia returned while Simba’s thinking the same thing himself. “Although he could have implied it’s something we’ll figure out ourselves…”

“Maybe, sister.” Luna agreed while Twilight nodded thinking the same thing too.

“...and if he did mean a wise animal, I know exactly who we should talk to.” Simba then said an idea in mind with Bunga looked on wide eyes and a big smile thinking that he is going to be asked for wisdom and advice…

“Me?” Makini returned feeling very pleased and honored with what was asked of her when she and Rafiki were summoned to Pride Rock later that day. Much to Bunga’s sudden dismay. “You want me to escort the wisest animal in the Pride Lands to meet with the King?”

“Yes, yes! It is one of the duties of the Royal Mjuzi.” Rafiki confirmed with great pride.

Bunga moved to walk up to the king himself trying to assert otherwise. “You don't need to send Makini, Simba. I can talk to you right now.”

“I don't think he's looking for advice from you, Bunga.” Kion kindly said to his friend who is clearly not understanding that he is not the wisest of the bunch.

“Most definitely not.” Rafiki said somewhat bluntly not amused alongside the lion king himself.

“100% out of the question.” Twilight stated without second thought.

“Oh, come on. What have I done that says otherwise?” Bunga protested.

“Nearly drowning the herds from a tidal wave and a busted dam that you “wisely” fixed. And there is also of course nearly drowning every important pony at the last Princess Summit in Canterlot after getting the “brilliant” idea of taking advantage of our friendship to get special treatment along the way. So yeah, not happening.”

“Right of course. That…” Bunga backed down and wisely clammed up for now allowing Rafiki to explain of who he is truly referring to.

“Simba seeks counsel from Kongwe, the wisest of the wise.”

“Oh, yeah!” Beshte smiled as he happens to recongize her. “Kongwe's the oldest animal in the Pride Lands.”

“Oldest animal in the Pride Lands?” Fluttershy spoke up intrigued. “As in we’re taking about a tortoise here in the Pride Lands?”

“Yep.” Beshte nodded much to Fluttershy’s delight.

“Ooh! Do you know where she is?”

“Last I heard, she was living along the rocky bank of Urembo River, about a half-a-day's walk from here.”

“Half a day?” Simba spoke not liking what he is hearing. “I'd like to speak to her as soon as possible.”

“Understandable.” Twilight said in agreement.

“Maybe a half-day for them, but I can do it faster.” Rainbow immediately offered as she flew over ready to volunteer for the task at hoof.

“So can I!” Fuli chimed in feeling equally comfortable with said task at paw.

“Excellent. Thank you, Fuli. Rainbow Dash.” Simba gratefully returned to the two speedsters.

“Yes! You shall escort the escort.” Rafiki declared with his signature laugh.

“Indeed they shall.” Twilight declared in agreement before turning to Fluttershy looking like she is going to explode. “And so will the animal-loving expert, Fluttershy.”

“You mean…?”

“Yes, Fluttershy. You have royal permission to escort the escort alongside the Royal Mjuzi, and the Guard’s Fastest.”

"And me?" Kyoga asked with intrigue of meeting this wise turtle herself. "Can I accompany them too?"

"Of course." Twilight nodded once more. "I'm sure they can use some wisdom here and there from you along the way."

"Thank you."

“Hooray!” Fluttershy cheered with great enthusiasm as she did loop de loops all around Pride Rock before taking off. “Well, what are we waiting for?! Let’s go!”

“I can't wait! Let's go, Fuli! Rainbow!” Makini already got excited as she was quick to join Rainbow and Fuli who ran off ahead of her. As she kept pace she really got to work talking along the way. “I'm so excited to spend time with you all. I'll learn all about you and you'll learn all about me. It's gonna be so great! Don't you think so, Fuli? Rainbow? Fluttershy? Kyoga?” She then realized that the others are starting to get ahead of her to which Fuli stopped before she followed suit.

“You coming, Makini?”

“Ooh, yeah! Wait for me.”

With that the escort crew has already made their way to begin their mission.

After they left Twilight moved to answer what Kion was going to ask her. “Yes, I know. But knowing Fluttershy, she wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Especially not tortoises along with rare and special animals she has never met before.”

“That’s true. She doesn’t.” Kion agreed and accepted it for as is after recalling of how much she was gushing over him, Spike, and Bunga when they first met. With that said and done, Kion turned to the rest of the team. “In the meantime, the rest of us are on patrol. Whatever Scar has planned for the Pride Lands, we need to be ready.”

“You got it, Kion!”

“Affirmative.”

“You can count on us!”

“Yes, sir!”

Beshte, Ono, Applejack, and Pinkie all returned ready to carry it out today.

“Don’t call me sir, Pinkie.” Kion said feeling it to be unnecessary considering he is a pre teen.

“Yes, ma’am.” She returned still saluting and widely smiling to which had Twilight giggling along with both Simba and Rafiki much to the young lion’s embarrassment.

“Lighten up.” Starlight said with a friendly nudge. “She’s just kidding.”

After regaining his composure, both he and Twilight moved to lead the team so they can carry out their daily patrol together.

Meanwhile, the five escorts have made their way across the Pride Lands where Makini has wasted no time in striking up a conversation with the other girls. “My favorite is definitely bright pink flamingos. Oh, but orange and brown giraffes are pretty, too. What animal do you think is the prettiest, Fuli?”

“I never really thought about it.” She replied only half interested in the conversation.

“Me neither.” Rainbow replied with little interested compared to Fuli.

“How about you Fluttershy?”

“Oh...well...if it was one animal it’d be hard for me say but aside from Angel my pet bunny, there are the hummingbirds, the egrets, and those cute blue birds, and pretty much all birds in general.” Fluttershy replied honestly.

“Oh, blue turacos! I forgot about them. I love blue!”

“So does Twilight.”

“Because she does like wearing blue gowns to the Royal Gala! So true! Oh! And what you Rainbow Dash, do you like blue? The reason I ask is because you’re a blue pony and all.”

“I’m more of a pony who likes red along with warmer and faster colors.” Rainbow returned feeling rather annoyed at this point since she’s talked non-stop since they left Pride Rock but was still able to mask it with a friendly smile. “Nothing personal against that color, it’s just more my style.”

“That makes sense!” Makini returned admiring her multi-colored mane in the process. “It sure makes you quite colorful!”

Rainbow laughed alongside her for a bit. “Yes, it does.”

"No question about that." Kyoga commented with a more neutral reaction to the conversation herself. Sure it doesn't spark her interests but it does help kill the time, especially when they managed to reach their destination without thinking about it.

Fuli had to let out a calming sigh as they spot out their destination while walking on the path laid out for them. “Okay, here we are. Urembo River.”

“Really? We got here fast.” Makini spoke impressed that they’re here already.

"Yep." Kyoga nodded. "Amazing of how much talking can help cover much more distance more than you think."

“Fast is what I do.”

“Me too.” Rainbow said likewise. “So, let's find Kongwe and get her back to the King, quick. What does she look like?”

“Well…” Fluttershy moved to answer that question. “...she is a tortoise for starters so we should be looking out for a large shell where she might be sticking her neck in.” She giggled for a bit before looking around for said shell after earning looks of confusion and disinterest from the others for her joke.

“Well let’s find her and try to make her stick her neck out for us!” Rainbow stated with a laugh which was met with dead silence instead of laughter like she expected. “Oh, come on! That was funny!”

“Yeah, no.” Fuli bluntly replied as she got searching for Kongwe while hopping onto what she thinks is a large rock in a tall area of grass. “Although finding her would go a lot faster if we knew what she looked like exactly.” Just then the supposed rock she was standing moved upward from the tall grass. “Whoa!”

As it turns out it was Kongwe’s shell she was standing on and she had just emerged after waking up from a nap she was just taking. Amazingly, her brown skin and matching colored shell allowed her to blend in with the grass so no one would spot and disturb her while she rested.

“Faster is not always better.” The wise tortoise returned to the surprised cheetah.

“What?!” Rainbow returned like it’s the most blasphemous statement she’s heard.

Makini gasped in delight alongside Fluttershy upon seeing her for the first time.

“Oh, are you Kongwe?

“Yes.”

“Oh my goodness!” Fluttershy giggled and fluttered around like a fan girl before recollecting herself. “Of course, you are. What you just said sounded really wise.” Rainbow returned giving her friend the stink eye in response to which she took as a message to get this conversation straight to the point of why they are here. “But you already know that, being so wise and all. And that's why the King needs to see you."

“The King?”

“Yes, the King himself. And he wants to see you right away.” Fuli replied kindly.

“I see.”

“But, of course, you're a tortoise.” Rainbow Dash said somewhat irritably which earned her the stink eye back from both Fluttershy, Kyoga, and Fuli for coming across as rude and demanding right off the bat.

Luckily for her, Kongwe didn’t mind the comment and just humored it. “Indeed, for my mother was a tortoise. A child of a tortoise is also a tortoise.”

“Oh, you are wise.” Makini complimented. “Isn't she wise, Fuli?”

“It makes sense.” Fuli replied knowing that’s true. “I mean I can’t imagine a tortoise’s mother not being a tortoise.”

“I guess?” Rainbow said knowing quite getting it herself but none of the less want to get things moving. “Anyways, we should get going now. We don't want to keep the King waiting.”

Makini after getting over fascinating Kongwe’s wisdom came to agree with her. “Oh, Rainbow’s right. We should hurry.”

“To run is not necessarily to arrive.” She said as she slowly made her way onward, which is expected because tortoises can’t move very fast, even if they wanted to.

"True, but much appreciated that we get to Pride Rock as soon as possible to avoid keeping the king waiting."

“That sounds super-wise!” Makini complimented while half-confused. “What exactly does it mean?” She asked the others.

“It means this is gonna be a long trip.” Fuli replied not sounding surprised as she figured this would happen.

“Ugh!” Rainbow Dash groaned as he floated alongside the group with nothing she can do about it.

Meanwhile back in the Pride Lands near home, things are so far quiet for the Guard as they conduct their current patrol.

“So, Kion, does King Simba have a plan to defeat Scar?” Beshte hopefully asked.

“Not yet. Hopefully, this Kongwe will have some good ideas.”

“Or at least help calm and assure your father we’ll find the answer in due time.” Twilight chimed in as she moved to clarify what she meant by that as Kion looked on towards her in confusion. “I mean, I’m not saying she won’t have helpful advice. I just don’t think the immediate answer will come right away. After all, Scar is the one and only evil lion of the Pride Lands Past. And a very powerful master of combat and magic that only someone like me, Celestia, and Luna could defeat him at this point. It’s just a matter of how.”

“But what about me?” Kion asked with a frown feeling a bit hurt and insulted. “I’ve fought him once before and I’m now an alicorn.”

“Yes, but you’re still learning to master magic yourself.”

“I know I am.” Starlight interjected as she has come to know her limits having gone up against Scar before. “And I know she isn’t wrong there.”

Sensing that her friend is still upset, Twilight moved to try to be as gentle as she is firm about it. “Kion, I’m not trying to put you down...again. I’m just trying to help you know your battles and what you can handle alone.”

“It’s nothing personal, really.” Beshte once more tried to say to help assure Kion of that. “She’s just trying to look after you like she does with the rest of her family.”

“Along with not wanting to lose you again.” Rarity said in agreement. “I mean it took poor Sweetie Belle days to overcome nearly losing me when I was once the Princess of Darkness’s protege.” She added somewhat dramatically. “No offense.” She quickly said to Twilight.

“None taken.” Turning back to Kion. “So do you understand now what I’m saying.”

“Yeah.” Twilight moved to hug him to which Kion reciprocated somewhat reluctantly. Once they broke up from the hug, he turned to the skies where the Guard’s Keenest of Sight is scanning the skies. “Seeing anything interesting, Ono?”

“Not really. Unless you count hyraxes crossing the bridge to the watering hole as interesting.” As he caught sight of them along with the narrow and hollow arch bridge they are about to cross he spotted something off about it. “Wait a tick.” He gasped when his keen sight spotted out a loose rock under the arch. “There's a rock on the end that looks a little loose.”

“A little loose?”

“As in that whole thing is coming down taking the hyraxes with it!” Rarity exclaimed in shock as the bridge starts to fall apart.

“Heyvi kabisa!”

“The bridge is unstable!”

The leaders exclaimed when they saw what is happening with the latter quickly appearing right in front of the hyraxes alongside Ono with a teleportation spell.

“Hyraxes! Back, back!” The alicorn princess ordered with a raised hoof while keeping her hooves and weight off of the bridge while Starlight tried to work her magic in stabilize it from under.

As the hyraxes chattered in brief confusion, Ono moved to help guide them to safety. “Off the bridge! Hurry!”

Thanks to that quick thinking, the hyraxes were guided to safety with the rocks itself seemingly ceasing to fall apart with no weight on the bridge.

Thinking that it’s safe now, Bunga moved under the arch. “Ah, I think it's done.”

As soon as he said that with a single touch, he was once again proved wrong when the arch gave out with huge chunks of the bridge moving to right on him along with the whole Guard.

“Hapana!”

“Bunga, look out!”

Both Ono and Twilight alerted.

Luckily for him, Kion managed to swiftly use his magic to pull Bunga out of harm’s way though both Ono and Twilight had to fly down when they were obscured by the heavy dust that formed around them to make sure they weren’t harmed.

“Guys? Guys?”

“Are you all okay?”

Everyone all emerged unharmed and uninjured as a purple colored dome appeared courtesy of Kion and Starlight when the dust settled.

“We're good.”

“Safe and sound.”

Both Ono and Twilight were now greatly relieved to see and hear that with the latter impressed with what she saw.

“Oh!”

“Phew!”

“Everyone up there okay, Twilight, Ono?”

The Hyraxes appeared from the stable ledge chattering to confirm it.

“Yep.”

“Affirmative. Though we now have a bunch of thirsty hyraxes that can't get to the watering hole. Sorry, little guys.”

The hyraxes all chattered in disappointment as they can only look at the dead end in front of them.

“Aw, they look so thirsty.”

“The poor darlings!”

Both Pinkie and Rarity said in sympathy for them.

“Hey! I can go up there and throw ‘em across the ravine.” Bunga quickly offered.

“I'm not so sure that's a good idea, Bunga.” Ono said while shaking his head.

“Absolutely not.” Twilight immediately stated. “We don’t want to risk hurting them.”

“Good point.” Starlight agreed as she examined the broken rock bridge pieces as she tries to think of a solution.

At the same time Beshte just so happens to be thinking of another idea upon glancing at one of the rock slabs that fell off. “Hmm…”

“What you're thinking, Beshte?” Kion asked.

“Well, if we could move one of those big rocks…” Beshte proposed.

“It could make another bridge.” Kion finished as he put the pieces together. “But how would we hold it up?”

“Don't worry, Kion. We got this.” With that Beshte turned to the Pony Guard’s Strongest ready for a joint effort in creating this bridge as Starlight got in position ready to work her magic. “Ready?”

“Ready!”

“Do it!”

Both Applejack and Starlight stated with the former helping Beshte lift up with her front hooves.

“Twende Kiboko!” Beshte grunted with his might as he lifted the rock slab up alongside Applejack.

“Wow!”

“Nice one, Beshte! You too, Applejack!”

Kion and Pinkie both spoke very impressed.

“Ono, little help?” Twilight advised.

“Affirmative.” Ono moved to help guide the two so the rock slab can be more centered in the open gap. “Back it up, Applejack. A little more, Beshte.”

“All set.”

“Straight and true.”

“Go ahead, little guys.” Ono then told the hyraxes who all happily made their way across the bridge both Applejack and Kion created for them.

“Careful, everybody.”

“Yeah, watch your step, little critters.”

Both the Guard’s Strongest cautioned as they made their way along the bridge who then happily chattered to thank them for what they just did for them.

“Aw, any time.”

“You’re all mighty welcome.”

“Good thinking, Beshte!”

“Good work, Applejack!”

Both leaders of the Guard commended.

“Sure is quite the Apple-tastic bridge you helped create, Applejack”

“You make an un-Bunga-lievable bridge, Beshte.”

Both Pinkie and Bunga complimented.

“Thanks, Little B.”

“Eh, it’s just holding up stone and rock, Pinkie.”

“Are you kidding?!” Pinkie returned like it’s a joke. “This could be a monumental occasion that deserves recognition!”

“Yeah! The Big B & A bridge.” Bunga agreed.

“The Big B & A bridge"? Ono asked confused.

“The Big Beshte and Applejack bridge! Duh!” Pinkie returned and giggled.

“Of course it is.” Applejack returned as she expected that. “But still sounds mighty nice if you ask me.”

“I like it. But I always like helping the animals of the Pride Lands.” Beshte said humbly as they both took small pride in their work.

“Me too!” Applejack agreed. “So, I reckon we should put it to the side now?”

“Oh, I don’t think that will be necessary.” Twilight shook her head as she turned to both Starlight and Kion. “Since we can just work our magic to repair it.”

“And that we can do.” Starlight quickly got to work as she worked her magic in putting the pieces together, literally. “Ready when you are, Kion.”

“Okay. Then let’s get to work, Starlight.” Kion moved to do so as both he and Starlight work together in re piecing and reestablishing the arch so that other small critters and animals can safely walk and run across without any serious injuries and repercussion.

All while Twilight smiles upon seeing the two get good pratice at using their magic out of it as both Applejack and Beshte manage to move themselves out from under the rock slab they just held up together.

Elsewhere in the Pride Lands, both Fuli and Rainbow have taken lead as they make their on towards Pride Rock with Makini, Kyoga, and Kongwe close behind.

“Okay, if we keep up this pace, I think we can be back at Pride Rock just after sundown.” Fuli analyzed before turning to her side only to see that Fluttershy, Makini and Kongwe aren't with her. “Or not.”

Rainbow Dash groaned upon seeing this. “Not again!”

"Sorry." Kyoga returned apologetically. "But they just had to stop and observe it. Again."

“Fuli, Rainbow Dash, Kyoga, come quick!” Makini’s voice called them getting their attention on over to them.

“Makini? Kongwe?”

“What is it? You okay?”

“Kongwe found an amazing flower. Look.” All eyes are spotted on the small red flower right in front of them.

“Another flower?” Rainbow and Fuli both moved to examine it to see what’s so special about it.

“Yeah! It's totally different from the last one.”

“How so?” Rainbow irritably asked. “It's a flower.”

“Each bloom is unique, Rainbow Dash.” Kongwe explained. “You'd see that if you just stop and observe.”

“That is so true, Kongwe! And so wisdom-y!” Makini complimented once more.

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Fluttershy commented in agreement.

“Ahem!”

Upon seeing Rainbow looking on with crossed arms and getting very impatient by the minute she moved to try get things back on the road. “Although we do have slightly more important things to see than flowers, like getting to King Simba as soon as possible. So can we please get going?”

“Oh, that's so true, too, Fluttershy.” Makini once more acknowledged before turning to the tortoise. “Aren't you excited to see the King, Kongwe?

“I have seen many things, young Mjuzi, because I stop and observe.” Kongwe commented as she moved to resume walking again.

“That's probably the best way to see a lot of things...that is of course when we’re not on an urgent journey to get to Pride Rock.” Fluttershy commented as she tries to both firm and fair in the matter.

“Maybe to you but with the way I roll, I see a lot more when I'm going.” Rainbow Dash stated on the contrary.

“Same here.” Fuli said in agreement.

“Oh, that must be a good way to see things, too.” Makini commented in awe.

“Oh, it is! Trust me.” Fluttershy assured as Rainbow and Fuli burst in a duet together.

The Faster I Go

Music from 0:49 to 2:19

Once the song ended, Kongwe spoke the first thing on her mind. “You both have an interesting philosophy, young cheetah and Pegasus. I thank you both for sharing it with me.”

“Our pleasure.”

“So why don't we get moving again?”

But what happened next was something they weren’t expecting. “Yes, soon. You've given me so much to ponder now.” Kongwe moved to tuck her head and limbs in her shell.

“Seriously?” Fuli said in annoyance while Rainbow looks on like she is about to explode in anger as evidenced by her face turning red.

Upon taking a deep breath, she let loose one of the biggest screams she can muster into the sky that could be heard all the way to where the rest of the Lion and Pony Guard are currently standing.

Meanwhile, with nothing going on right now, the rest of the Lion and Pony Guard tried to spot out their friends along with their important guest of the king. But not without hearing a very familiar sound from across the horizon.

What was that?” Applejack was the first to ask upon hearing it.

“Was that Rainbow Dash?” Rarity also asked.

“Sure was!” Pinkie confirmed as they moved towards the direction of her voice.

“Any sign of her, Fuli, Fluttershy, Kyoga, and Kongwe, Ono, Twilight?” Kion asked as they all took flight to the skies to try to spot them out.

“Not over here.”

“No sign of them.” Just then Ono gasped when he spotted something alarming up ahead. “Hapana! A wildfire! Over at the Poromoko Crevasse! And it looks like the elands are trapped!”

“Looks like the search will have to wait.” Twilight said seeing their most urgent calling.

“Yep.” Kion said before taking lead on over there alongside his flying companions. “Till the Pride Lands and Equestria’s end...”

“Lion and Pony Guard defend!”

Back where the others still stand, Rainbow after just letting loose her sky high scream floated back down to the ground, unable to stop groaning in frustration with these non-stop delays.

“Hello? Hello?” Makini moved to knock on Kongwe's shell. “Kongwe? Maybe she's not home.”

“I highly doubt that.” Fluttershy quickly shook her head with a giggle. “She’s just thinking inside her shell.”

“That is correct, sweet Pegasus.” Kongwe confirmed while said pony slightly blushed in response to the compliment.

Rainbow however is feeling very anxious and about to lose her mind at her for constantly dragging this on longer than necessary. “Can't you think and walk?”

“He who chases two hares will catch neither.”

“Fine, stay in your shell. We still have to get you to the King.”

But before she could move to try to push her shell, Fluttershy was quick to stop her. “You will do no such thing, Rainbow Dash!” She fiercely stated much to her friend’s surprise. “I know we have orders to get her on over to the king, but forcing her into doing something she doesn’t want to do isn’t the answer.”

Just hearing that only further fueled the brash Pegasus’s exasperation. “Oh, now you decide to be Miss Assertive?! Oh, great timing!” She then turned to the cheetah who is looking on with mixed feeling about all of this. “And what about you, Fuli? You agree with her on this?”

Fuli sighed as she chose her next words very carefully. “Actually...yes I do. And before you scream your head off again, here’s why. Kongwe, even while slow against our interests, possesses the wisdom the king needs to feel assured that we have what it takes to defeat Scar. If we try to force her to go, then she might not want to help along with any other wise animal in the Pride Lands and Equestria.”

“So are you saying we should just let her get away with constantly delaying us even though she is aware that the king is expecting her, as. Soon. AS. POSSIBLE!”

“No.” She calmly replied in the face of Rainbow’s frustrated outburst. “I’m just saying we just need to be patient with her. Just try to be more understanding to Kongwe. Just try to be more kind to those around you more.”

“Ooh, shwari!” Makini gasped in awe. “That is very excellent advice, Fuli!”

“Well…” Fuli shrugged as she smiled earnestly at Fluttershy. “...I had a kind friend to help see things that way.”

"Impressive." Kyoga complimented. "Took the words right out of my mouth."

"Oops." Fuli giggled while rolling her eyes to the side in a playful manner.

“Oh, great.” Rainbow sarcastically remarked still annoyed out of her mind. “The joys of kindness has gotten to you too. And here I thought you’d agree with me 120% on this.”

“Like it or not, it’s the way I see things now.” She simply replied to which Rainbow moved to lean back with her arms crossed with nothing to do but pout in response.

But by doing so she ended up accidentally tilting the tortoise onto her shell and on her back as she fell into a nearby dry riverbank.

“Uh-oh.” Makini commented in worry when that happened.

“Oops.” Rainbow said upon realizing her mistake.

“Uh, Kongwe, you okay?”

“Kongwe?”

Both Fluttershy and Fuli asked in concern.

Thankfully she is since she peaked her head out from her shell as she looked up towards the moving clouds in the blue skies. “Have you ever noticed clouds? And the way they follow the wind?”

“Yes I do.” Fluttershy replied as she moved to float up to get a look at the clouds above her.

“Even upside-down, you're wise.” Makini once more complimented.

“We’ll take that as a yes. She certainly sounds okay.” Rainbow said feeling relieved that no harm no foul was committed. “Now, we just gotta figure out a way to flip her back over.” Kongwe effortlessly managed to do just that. “Oh. Never mind.”

“What are you waiting for? We need to see the King.” She then said and continued their very way like nothing ever happened to which Rainbow looked on with a fuming expression before letting it slide.

“At least we're going faster now, right, Rainbow Dash.” Makini then said as they all got moving once more.

“Yeah, I guess.” Rainbow replied as if it’s better than nothing but could not hide her annoyance and dissatisfaction with their slow progress. “Even though we would have covered more ground sooner had not constantly stopped every few minutes or so.”

“Hmm.” Kongwe then spotted an arched tree along the path. “Would you look at this?”

“Do we have to?” Rainbow returned with a restrained tone of voice.

“Apparently, yes.” Fuli replied with a sympathetic shrug.

“One doesn't usually see roots like this close-up.”

Makini moved to observe the tree herself. “I sure haven't. I wonder why these roots aren't in the ground.” To answer her question the roots started to make a crackling noise as the tree started to tilt over in their direction. “And I wonder why they're moving.”

“Because that tree's about to fall!" Kyoga then said in sudden alarm before leaping out of harm's way first. "Move!”

Acting fast Rainbow managed to push Makini out of the way while Fuli moved to hop on Kongwe’s shell to protect her from the falling leaves and branches.

Fluttershy who only had enough to time to shield her eyes from a dreadful sight, could only peek her eyes hoping the worst hasn’t happened. “Girls! Kongwe! Are you all okay?!”

“We’re okay.” Fuli quickly assured once the dust settled to reveal that where they stood has them still unharmed without even a scratch along with Rainbow and Makini both climbing themselves up to their feet.

“And that was some fast save, Rainbow.” Makini said both thankful and amazed at the same time. “Hey, maybe fast is best.”

“That's what I keep saying.” Rainbow proudly boasted.

“Perhaps.” Kongwe once more acknowledged.

“But…” Rainbow asked expecting her to say otherwise.

“But sometimes, standing still is the fastest route to safety.”

“You got lucky.” Rainbow tried to point out.

“Not luck, observation.” She corrected. “But also, I did get lucky. When a big tree falls, many eat its leaves.” She proceeded to eat one of the leaves on the closest branch right next to her.

“Or many get crushed.”

“If I hadn't gotten you to stop and look at the tree, perhaps we all would have been crushed.”

“Maybe. Or maybe had we kept moving then maybe the tree would have fallen after we passed by it.” Even still she failed to understand the wisdom of her words. “Regardless, this tree is not going anywhere, and neither are we, at least not on this path.”

“We could go over!” Makini suggested before realizing. “Oh, but Kongwe can't.”

“No.” Rainbow flew up to get a glance at their surroundings and managed to spot out a way to which both Fuli and Fluttershy took notice of. “But we can go another way.”

“What other way?” Fluttershy asked.

“This way?” Fuli asked after realizing the direction her speedy friend wants to go.

"Are you sure?"

“Yes, Fuli. Kyoga.” Rainbow replied before turning to the others so they are all on board with the new travel route. “So, here's what we're gonna do. There's a path back there that cuts through the Backlands. That's the fastest way to get to Pride Rock from here. Come on.”

"Very well. This way everyone." Kyoga then stated as she walked alongside the others while putting her guard up as they walked.

Fuli didn’t like the idea herself and neither did Kyoga knowing exactly what they are risking by going in that direction but after considering what needs to be done relented with the latter thinking that maybe a lesson will be learned out of this. “And a fair warning. The Backlands are leopard territory, so stay close to me.”

“Um, Fuli, Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy spoke up.

Rainbow groaned once more as she turned to see both Kongwe and Makini are both still admiring the fallen tree top.

“Unless one is a bird, one rarely gets to see the top of a tree this close.”

“Seriously?”

None of the less, the escorts made their way on over towards the Backlands, where they have keep themselves on high alert, knowing full well of who they’ll be expecting once they set one paw in his territory.

“We're going the right way, but keep an eye out.” Rainbow advised.

“I always keep an eye out.” Kongwe gently replied.

“I know.” Fuli assured. “She just means stay alert in case someone tries to ambush us.”

“And you never know when Makucha might show up.” Fluttershy added in shuddered agreement.

“Well, there is a lot to see here in the Backlands.” Makini then said with a positive mindset. “I should come here more often.”

"As long as you have extra protection by your side." Kyoga said to her.

“You’re always welcome.” Makucha said otherwise as he appeared from a nearby tree before leaping in front the group. “Especially you, tortoise.”

“That's very friendly of you! I'm…” Makini moved to greet him before being roared at by the leopard which got her to realize that it wasn’t a friendly greeting and hid behind Kongwe to safety.

“You're a real delicacy around here, tortoise.” Makucha complimented as he prepared and bared his teeth and ambition to make a meal out of her.

But Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Kyoga, and Fuli were to quick to defend her and Makini with the brave speedsters taking lead in keeping Makucha at bay.

“Back off, Makucha.”

“They're with us.”

Makucha then chuckled trying to pass it off as a joke. “Oh. Didn't see you there, cheetah. You too, rainbow-colored pony. Three legs.”

“Well, now you have.”

“And now we wanna see you walking away.”

"With all four legs. While you still have them."

Makucha looked around expecting more company which didn’t immediately show up. “So, where are your Lion and Pony Guard pals?”

“Don't you worry about them!"

“You deal with us!”

"So enough talk!"

Seeing that even these two are capable of taking him down had the leopard wisely letting them be. “Okay, cheetah, Pegasus, I'll be on my way... For now. But remember, you're in my territory.”

“Like we will ever forget it.” Rainbow muttered before taking lead once more so they continue on their way. “Anyways, let’s keep moving before he decides to come back.”

“Way ahead of you.” Fuli said in agreement as walked alongside the floating Pegasus.

Just seeing it had Makini once more speaking and singing their praises. “Wow, Fuli, Rainbow, Kyoga that was amazing! You were both amazing! I've never seen anything like that. Have you ever seen anything like that, Kongwe?”

“I've seen many things.” Kongwe calmly replied.

“Me too.” Fluttershy said in agreement. “But we do really need to keep moving now. Otherwise we’ll be forced to accept his dinner invitation.”

“What kind of dinner invitation?” Makini felt the need to ask not getting the point of it.

“She means he’ll hunt us down.” Fuli clarified. “He's gone for now, but I bet he comes back.

"So we really need to pick up the pace. This way!” Kyoga then said as she wasted no time in guiding everyone across the Backlands onto Pride Rock.

Back in the other part of the Pride Lands, the rest of the Lion and Pony Guard are right at the site of the fire so they can save the elands who are in trouble as of this very moment.

“Where are they?” Kion asked the others as they arrived on the scene.

“I don't see 'em.” Beshte replied unable to spot them out.

“They were right here, Kion.” Ono returned giving the best of the knowledge he can give.

“They must be lost in the smoke.” Twilight deduced.

“Help! Help!” One male eland cried out while coughing due to the smoke around him.

“Beshte, Bunga, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie, you're with me.” Kion then insturcted.

“Ono, Starlight, you’re both with me in the skies so we can guide the others from above.” Twilight also instructed as they both were quick to follow her upwards.

“Will do.”

“Affirmative.”

As those on the ground went into the dark cover of the heavy smoke, the others followed from up high.

“Guys! Girls! The fires are limited to the trees at the top of the canyon!”

“It's not spreading any further.”

Ono then looks on worried when he doesn't see his friends. “Guys? Girls?”

Deep in the smoke those on land have managed to round up the herd and managed to get out of the thick of it.

“This way, elands! This way!”

“And try not to breath in the smoke!”

Both Kion and Applejack stated to them as they carefully make their way by.

“Got it covered, Kion!” Pinkie quickly gave each and every one of them masks that allow them to breath safely including everyone on the team.

“Thank you, Kion.” The male eland gratefully returned.

“We're not out of the woods.”

“So do thank us, yet.”

Both Kion and Applejack returned.

“Uh, actually, Kion, we are.”

“We’re just outside a canyon.”

Both Bunga and Pinkie pointed out.

“That was an expression, you two.”

“He means the fire's still a threat.”

Both Rarity and Ono rather in annoyance.

“That’s right.” Twilight said before eyeing the nearest escape route. “We need to get everyone into the canyon.”

“Of course.” Ono realized. “The canyon's a natural break against the fire.”

“Come on, elands. You can follow me.” Beshte assured as he led the down on over there.

But unfortunately for them the bushes got caught on fire, thus frightening and startling the elands once more.

“Look out!” Kion, Twilight, and Starlight all were quick to come to their rescue by pulling them away from the fire before they could all come in contact with it.

“Kion! Twilight!” Beshte called out to them in worry.

“We're okay, but we're cut off.” Twilight quickly assured.

“Ono, any other way down? Or across?” Kion then asked.

“I don't think so.” He regretfully informed as he examined their surrondings. “The canyon narrows up ahead. But it's too far for the elands to jump.”

Fortunately, Kion was able to come up with a new idea as he examined the canyon down below. “Maybe they can't jump it, but if we could cross it... Beshte! Applejack! We could sure use a bridge right about now.”

“Just what I was thinking.” Beshte smiled in return as he and Applejack shared a nod together as Starlight teleported herself along with Applejack by his side. ”You ready again?”

“One Big B & A bridge coming up.”

“Big B & A bridge!” Bunga laughed. “Told you it'd catch on.”

The others groaned and look on in annoyance before moving to prepare themselves to cross to safety when given the go.

“Twende Kiboko!”

With all of their might, the Guard’ Strongest were able to recreate the bridge they once did before. And with Starlight and Kion’s help in using their magic to stabalize it it was all safe to cross. “All right, elands.”

“One stable bridge to cross to safety all ready to go.” Starlight happily stated.

“Let's go!” Twilight stated to everyone.

“Is it safe?” The male eland asked.

“Um, it's safer than flames.” Starlight replied like it should be a no brainer. “So yeah. Like I said all ready to go.”

“Good point.”

And that was enough to get every eland to comply and head to safety on the other side of the canyon by crossing the escape bridge laid out for them.

“Keep moving.” Kion encouraged each and every eland before checking up on his friends. “You doing okay, Beshte? Applejack?”

Bunga was quick to assert it’s no biggie for the Guard’s Strongest. “'Course they’re okay. They did it before with the hyraxes. Right, Big B? AJ?”

“Of course, though it is mighty harder considering these are elands not hyraxes.” Applejack returned with a few minor grunts.

“But I don't mind.” Beshte said as he kept working through the minor struggles.

And like the last time, even with heavier weight, everyone all safely made it across.

“That's all of them, Kion.” Twilight happily reported before turning to both the country pony and hippo under the bridge. “And great job, Beshte. You too, Applejack!”

“It was nothing.” Applejack tipped her hat with one hoof like it just an ordinary day in the Pride Lands.

Meanwhile in the Back Lands the escorts are still making their way across, all while staying on their toes and staying alert should Makucha return again. All while Makini continues speaking of her personal excitement from this journey.

“Rafiki will be so impressed if I can remember every super-wise thing you've ever said, Kongwe. But it's not easy.” She then recited one of her previous bits of wisdom. “"A patient creature never misses a thing." I think that's right. Sure sounds smart, don't you think, Fuli, Rainbow Dash, Kyoga?”

“I think so.” Makucha replied as he appeared from the nearby bushes and cut them off again. “I've been patiently waiting. And now, I won't miss my supper.”

Seeing him again had both Fuli, Kyoga, and Rainbow standing in front of their friends defense once more.

“Hey! I thought we told you to back off.” Rainbow angrily returned.

Makucha once more laughed it off. “What can I say? I just couldn't get the taste of tortoise off my mind.”

Both Fuli and Makucha snarled as the former moved to give the latter a chase with Rainbow following after them. The leopard took lead as he ran in a zig-zag manner with the cheetah close behind albeit with a little difficultly up until he managed to jump up onto a tree. Unfortunately for Rainbow Dash with her eyes to focused on the target she had no time to do anything else when she ended up crashing right through the tree.

“Gotcha…” Rainbow uttered with spinning eyes as she passed out from the hard impact she endured.

“Come down here so I can make you leave.” Fuli demanded.

“Why don't you come up here and get me? Oh, right. Cheetahs can't climb trees.” Makucha taunted.

“Argh!” Fuli struggled as she finds her claws are stuck deep inside the tree.

“See you, cheetah.” Makucha then moved to climb down one of the nearby branches so he can get meet both Kongwe and Makini face to face as he prepares to hunt them on the spot.

Both Kongwe and Makini gasped in fright with the former quickly ducking inside her shell for safety while the latter hid right behind her.

“Oh, no, you don't!” Fluttershy furiously stated with a sudden burst of courage to give him the Stare.

Makucha grunted and growled at the intensity at the Pegasus’s fierce glare for several seconds before moving to stand his ground against her with a mighty roar along with a strong and brutal claw swipe to the face.

“Aah!” She screamed as she was knocked down hard into the ground and out cold when she ended up hitting her head onto a nearby rock.

Makucha laughed before turning to his prey. “You're all mine, tortoise.”

In an effort to heed him off, Makini tried to apply her martial arts training by twirling her staff right in front of him much to his annoyance. “I learned this move from Rafiki.” Makucha proceeded to knock her down effortlessly. “Maybe I should have learned some other moves.”

“You're just lucky I never really liked mandrill.”

Hearing that left her feeling hurt than relived. “You don't like me?”

"Sadly, no." Kyoga stated as she got in between the two with her claws bared, nose to nose. "And if I were you I'd leave now."

"Hmm. I have a better idea. How about not!"

But before he could do anything to her, Fuli tackled the leopard away from Makini along with both Fluttershy and Kongwe, followed by Rainbow going in for the super fast and hard body slam that sent the leopard flying halfway across the Backlands.

Rainbow felt the backlash from the blow she landed, but she was able to shake it off quickly and was more mindset on getting back at Makucha for hurting her friends especially Fluttershy. With her super speed she was able to make quick time to catch Makucha after he had quickly recovered and managed to get back on his paws. But that was only enough to see Rainbow as she body-slammed him into the nearby rocks once more. When the dust fully settled, the leopard managed to emerge and knock right by her speedy opponent before leaving Rainbow in the dust. Literally.

Rainbow growled in response to the leopard’s tough fighting spirit before quickly playing catch up to him. “Give it up, Makucha. You can't outrun and outfly me.”

Makucha laughed in the face of the Pony Guard’s Fastest like this is nothing new to him. “We'll see about that.”

To prove his point, while his opponent’s eyes were focused on him zigzagging to try to get away from her, he used this moment to grab the Pegasus by the wing and moved to slam her down into the ground which had her tumble for a bit. Rainbow grunted before sprinting after and catching up to him again.

“You may be fast, cheetah, but can you do this?” He then zigzag his way towards the nearby tree and then swung the branch right in Rainbow’s face to swat her away like a bug before making good on his escape. “Guess not!” He laughed in her direction before disappearing for now.

“Oh, yeah!” Rainbow yelled after him while trying to regain control of her dizzy and spinning mind. “I'll stop you. Somehow.” She uttered the last part to herself actually hoping that she can back that up before returning back to the others to make sure they’re okay.

“Rainbow Dash!” Fuli was the first to call out to her upon seeing her.

“Are you okay?” Fluttershy asked with great concern upon seeing some of the bruises on her body.

“Of course she’s okay! In fact she’s more than okay! You chased him off!” Makini complimented.

But Rainbow isn’t in the mood for taking in compliments this time around. Especially when said leopard stepped up his game. “Big deal, he'll be back. Unless I can figure out a way to beat him.”

“To beat the leopard, you must observe the leopard.” Kongwe advised.

“I have observed him!” Rainbow impatiently retorted. “I observe him zigzagging away from me every time. I observe him making me fly and run a lot more than he does.”

While understanding her frustration, she gently implored and chastised the pony so she can finally grasp what she is trying to tell her. “Pony, pony, always flying and running. You must relax and observe.

“Relax?”

“Of course!” Makini realized as Fuli smiled too. “Shwari, Rainbow! Just take a breath and slow down.” She moved to sit down and meditate as a demonstration.

“But…”

“It really works.”

“Rainbow, I know this isn’t your style. But I think you should stop and listen for once. You might benefit from taking things slowly once a while.”

“How…?”

“Just take a deep breath, calm down, listen, and observe.”

“Please?” Fluttershy said looking like she is going to button her cute eyes to plead her very soul into doing so like Fuli’s pet cat.

"I mean it's not like you have anything else to lose." Kyoga added,

“All right. Fine.” Rainbow stood still, folded her wings, and took a deep and calming breath.

“Now, Rainbow Dash, what have you observed?” Kongwe asked now that she is open ears.

“He always zigzags and uses the nearby surroundings to fight for him, but I can't.”

“I see. So, he always zigzags.”

“Yes, he...Always.” Rainbow gasped and smiled as the answer just registered in her head. “Hmm. Okay, I got this.” She then flew over and in no time was able to spot the leopard taking a brief nap on a nearby rock. “Hey, Makucha. Ready for round two?”

Makucha scoffed in response. “More like round three or four. But who's counting? Catch me if you can. Hint, you can't.”

He proceeds to take lead once more with Rainbow following after him like before. And much like last time he is pulling ahead, all while zig-zagging.

“Observe.” She does so and sees that Makucha is doing so even when there isn’t anything to use against her. “Always.” She proceeded to let Makucha believe he has succeeded in escaping her once again…

...before delivering one super powerful sprint to tackle and beat him down until enough’s enough. Said beat down was swift and covered by a dust cloud with stars surrounding it when it occurred.

“You... You caught me?” Makucha uttered in shock that actually happened.

“Of course I did, Makucha.” Rainbow firmly stated. “I'll always catch you, so back off. Or next time, I'll do more than tackle and beat you down.”

“You know what?” The leopard said upon seeing that this is no longer worth pursing anymore. “I've lost my taste for tortoise.”

“That's good. Now beat it before I change my mind!” Makucha chuckled nervously before fleeing from the scene after the Pegasus released her grip on him.

“You did it!”

“Congratulations, Rainbow Dash!”

Both Makini and Fuli praised upon meeting up with her having seen the whole thing.

“I guess I did.” Fuli chuckled now feeling proud of herself and amazed with what she just did. “All it took was a little observing.”

“The pony listened to the tortoise. Perhaps now, I've truly seen everything.” Kongwe said proudly and pleased that her wisdom is now rubbing off on her.

“Me too.” Fluttershy replied feeling the same way. “Like my friend back home along with his dad always says, “Live long enough, and you’ll see everything.”

"Well said." Kyoga said with a smile.

At last after all of that enduring hardship, Fuli, Rainbow, Kyoga, Makini, and Kongwe all finally made to the Pride Lands. By then it was now time for Celestia’s sun to set with Luna’s rising moon to follow.

“It sure is nice to be back in the Pride Lands!” Makini is the first to comment upon arriving.

And it just so happens that they came across and intercepted the rest of the Lion and Pony Guard who have all finally finished a long patrol of rescue missions.

“Back in the Pride Lands?” Kion asked.

“It's a long story.” Rainbow replied.

“Well, wait till you hear about Beshte and Applejack.” Bunga brought up. “They were a bridge together!”

“Hmm. I'd like to have seen that.” Kongwe commented sounding fascinated by that story.

“And I’m sure you would have been in for quite a sight-seeing if you have.” Applejack returned to assure it’s a true story all right.

Twilight upon meeting her was the first to greet her. “Hello, you must be Kongwe. I'm Twilight Sparkle. The Princess of Friendship. And these our are the rest of our friends from the Lion and Pony Guard. Applejack, Beshte, Bunga, Ono, Pinkie, and Rarity.”

“Howdy!”

“What’s up!”

“How you doing!”

“A pleasure to meet your acquaintance.”

“Hello, new friend!” Confetti exploded all around her to which everyone did not dare to question knowing her.

“Charmed to meet you, darling. And I’m sure you have already met Fluttershy and Rainbow.”

“And I’m Kion. The Prince of Friendship.” Kion greeted himself. “Let's get you to my dad. Come on.” He tried to urge her to get a move on to which all proceeded to head on over to Pride Rock.

“Hmm. Hurry, hurry brings no blessings.” Kongwe said as they walked on ahead.

“I think that means she's going as fast as she can.” Makini explained to everyone.

“Guess you were surprised Kongwe turned out to be a tortoise, huh?” Kion then said to both speedsters of the Guard who are both more focused on the sky above them. “Fuli? Rainbow Dash?”

“Have you ever stopped to notice how the clouds never rush?” Rainbow asked as she kept flying. “They just follow the wind.”

Kion turned to Fuli who briefly stopped looking at the skies to answer the question that’s on her friend’s mind. “It’s part of a long story. A long story with a much needed lesson learned during our journey back home.”

“Really? You don’t say.” Twilight spoke sounding impressed and intrigued with the urge to want to know more about it later.

"You'd be amazed, Twilight." Kyoga assured that what they are seeing came from a true story from their journey. A true story indeed.

By the time everyone finally arrived at Pride Rock where Simba, Celestia, Luna, and Rafiki are all waiting for them, Luna’s moon has already rised to the sky. Once she arrived, Kongwe fully processes of what she has been informed.

“Hmm. So Scar has returned. It is indeed a difficult problem.”

“Uh, yeah!” Bunga returned with crossed arms feeling that should be obvious at this point.

“Bunga!” Rarity scolded in a hushed whisper while Applejack dope slapped him for the rude comment.

“So, Kongwe, what do we do?” The lion king asked hoping that there is a way to resolve this.

“Fortunately, it is the patient animal who eats the ripe fruit.” The wise tortoise assured.

“Yes.”

“Uh-huh.”

Both Simba and Kion said still not quite understanding of what she meant by that.

“Oh!” Rainbow moved to speak up having spent plenty of time with the tortoise to know what she is saying. “I think she means we'll find the solution eventually. But we need to take the time to look.”

“I see.”

“Oh!”

Both father and son now understand the words of wisdom.

“Very wise.”

“Indeed. And quite impressive for somepony so used to spending time in the fast lane.”

Both Rafiki and Luna acknowledged with positive and proud smiles.

“Yes, yes, Pegasus! I have seen many things. And good always triumphs over evil, in time. Sure there may be days where they triumph at times and other times not but as long as you have hope. But if you all proceed with caution, come prepared, and be smart about it, I have no doubt that one who truly has the power deep down inside by combining both brains and brawn together that one will be the one who will prevail and put to a stop to all of this once and for all.”

“And that’s a vow we intend to keep.” Twilight assured and vowed while smiling at both Kion and Rainbow for now understanding of what she once told them.

“Which I have full faith in ourselves that we can and will do.” Celestia said in agreement.

“Indeed we shall.”

And truth be told, while it’s still a difficult journey, they still have great confidence with great wisdom told going forward. And that’s what really matters.

“At least what you think…” Makucha himself said privately from afar in the nearby bushes before using the cover of darkness around him to leave undetected before making his way to certain hideout nearby. “...for as long as your enemies can persist in the face of danger, they still have a chance at winning, including me. And as for keeping an eye on the Lion and Pony Guard on their toes and hooves at all times, I’m just the guy for the job.”

“Excellent…” Scar returned grinning and feeling very pleased to hear of his findings from his latest journey...

Author's Note

Here in this, we have the aftermath follow up to the events of the Crystalling after another close call with Scar once more where a meeting is held to discuss the matter of the ongoing war going forward. With the best course of action taken after much discussion, King Simba himself decided that some much needed counseling is in order from none other than the Wisest animal in the Pride Lands, Kongwe.

And who better to join Fuli and Makini than Rainbow and Fluttershy who were both more than happy to help speed up and or meet up with the tortoise herself. Aside from having a little struggle whether to keep or axe up the delays (I can easily fix no problem).

On one hand it is a bit of drag considering that the king's request for an audience with her ASAP is reasonable at the same time one learns a lesson out of this, more specifically Rainbow Dash who I felt was the better candidate to grasp the episode's Aesop, even with all reasons to be understandably frustrated to an extent. Especially when it actually helps when Makucha starts playing the speed game with better brains himself than before. So even with all past troubles aside, it still proven to be a good lesson and time for Rainbow to learn it considering of what's soon to come for her.

Anyways, that's it for now when we get back sometime next week we will be returning to Manehattan where Fuli will be joining Pinkie and her sister Marble as they do some much need shopping for the special Pie Family tradition, so it should be interesting to see how that turns out. So until then stay tuned...

Episode 4: The Gift of the Pies

Author's Note

Before I begin I would like to start with saying I meant to get this done and published by yesterday considering it was Pie Day but a had a lot on my plate that day but at least it's up now.

Second and most importantly, some of you are going to be asking why I choose to feature Marble instead Maud. Well, in answer to that question, I've seen an idea float around here and I thought this would be better too since we have already seen a handful of episodes of Maud featured. So then I thought since Fuli is the girl who managed to bond and help Fluttershy out of her shell, she could do the same for Marble too.

As for the rest of the episode, there is not much to explain other than the tradition Pie family gift exchanges which of course leads to one pony making a regretful decision as far as exchanges go which thankfully gets resolved with lessons learned at the end of the day. Which is quite nice like always.

Next week, we will get to see the Cutie Mark Crusaders and the Lion Guard Fan Club once more as they all try to figure of what they can do with their spare time without playing pretend Lion and Pony Guard. So be on the lookout for that until then and stay tuned...

Episode 4: The Gift of the Pies

Episode 4:

The Gift of the Pies

Pinkie Pie was extremely excited today, even more than usual. And why one would ask. Because today is the day she gets to start spending the weekend with one of her sisters. The sister in question, the shy and quiet Marble Pie. The two made plans to spend the first day in Ponyville since her little sister has never really explored the comforts of Pinkie’s new hometown. And has desired to visit there again ever since her first visit on Hearth’s Warming and Christmas.

In fact, they’re planning on going out on on a picnic with Fluttershy and her critter friends. Since the pony herself why still a shy pony herself. She has been able help her feel more comfortable around her company to the point she can open up to her about herself as much as the Pie Family...

...That is of course once they meet up in Manehattan since both sisters forgot to do important shopping and what better place to it other than the bustling city that would have they need. And along for the ride is a friend of hers, Fuli. The cheetah herself is looking positive for her friend while personally trying to tolerate and endure her when she over-excited. Over-excited to the point she never stopped talking ever since they left the Ponyville train station. She usually means well but sometimes she can be a little too much at times.

"We're going to Manehattan, we're going to Manehattan, we're going to Manehattan...!" Pinkie chimed in a singsong tone.

“Yes, we are, Pinkie.” Fuli said with a supporting smile. “Hopefully things have improved since we were last there.”

“Oh, yeah. How many ponies gave you, Rarity, and Applejack a hard time until you helped restore their kindness by helping Coco revive the play she worked so hard on. Yeah, that can sure lead a real tail stepper.” She giggled unaware that she really is sitting a hoof on her friend’s tail.

“Yes it can be.” Fuli said with a slightly irritated expression as she removed her tail from where Pinkie had her back hoof sitting on. “Very much so.”

“Oops. Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Fuli quickly assured there are no hard feelings while making sure her tailbone is okay. “It happens.” She then smiled. “But I do appreciate the invite to come with you to meet your sister, Marble. I’ve heard she is quite like Fluttershy.”

“She sure is. One of the most sweetest, innocent, and friendliest ponies of the family. Even when she is being all quiet and shy. I don’t know why, but I’m guessing she had trouble speaking her mind when she was a filly.”

“From the general grayness around her back home or a bad encounter with one mean pony?”

“Good question. She never really talks about it nor wants to.”

“Oh, okay.” Fuli nodding upon seeing that’s touching upon a sensitive subject before moving it along. “And you’re sure your sister won’t mind the extra company?” She then asked feeling a little unsure about this. “Not that I don’t want to but considering you two are related by being ponies and I’m not since I am a cheetah.”

“Of course not.” Pinkie happily insisted otherwise. “She knows you’re expected company not to mention one of the Guard’s most trustworthy members who will always have our backs when we need it. Plus, she too could use some of your help growing out of her shell some more like you have for Fluttershy.”

"Fair enough." Fuli replied, accepting of that reason. “Is that why you asked me to come with you all the way to Manehattan or is it because I was the only one available to spend time with you? You know since Rarity is out expanding her business, Rainbow Dash and Ono are out practicing with the Wonderbolts, Kion is out hunting with his family, Bunga and Beshte are out spending the day being best buds with Timon and Pumbaa, Spike and Twilight being busy giving Starlight friendship lessons, Applejack being busy on the farm, and Fluttershy making sure the critters don’t freak out while out preparing to spend the day with us when we get back from our trip in Manehattan.”

“Well a little of both. But more on the fact that you are the perfect friend for my baby sister. Not to mention of how everyone else sees each other family. Like how Twilight sees Spike as a son, how she sees Kion as a brother, and how she sees the lion family as her family as much as the other alicorns. And how Bunga sees Beshte along with Timon and Pumbaa family, and how our family sees Applejack’s family as family.”

That got some chuckles from Fuli herself as she is really seeing the truth in her words. “That’s true. They all do see each other as family. Can’t imagine their lives with it.” She returned with a grin.

Pinkie got a few good chuckles from Fuli's comment. "Exactly! And that is exactly why you are the perfect sibling to bond with Marble. No one better than you to help her come out of her shell than you."

“Aw, I’m flattered.” Fuli returned feeling playfully touched with a paw to her chest.

The train pulled into the station in Manehattan shortly afterwards, and Pinkie and Fuli departed without fanfare. Once there they were awe-stricken again by Manehattan’s beauty, they wasted no time in looking around the train station since their expected company is meeting them there.

“Wow! Like always, this city's simply...amazing! It's just... everything, ever!" Fuli dreamily sighed, at the very sight around them.

Pinkie's attention, immediately locked on the pony she was looking for, a certain gray earth pony mare shyly making her way around the train station and down the steps.

"And it's about to get everything ever-er! Because guess who I see!" She happily exclaimed, then bounced down the steps after her as she chanted. "M-A-R-B-L-E! Put 'em together and what does that spell?!"

"It spells Marble." Marble Pie replied gently.

“Wow!” Fuli remarked feeling delightfully surprised to hear those words from her. “So that’s what you sound like.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

In her own excitement, Pinkie fired off her party cannon, and cheered loudly "Marble, Marble, Marble! Yay!"

And little did Pinkie know, she was right she was in for a great day, but not about how it will all turn out.

After breaking free from the embrace Pinkie placed her and Marble in, Fuli commented as she approached and introduced herself. "So you Pie sisters sure have some sweet traditions huh? That’s sweet! Every year, you set aside a special day or in your case weekend to spend with each of your sisters, Pinkie?"

Pinkie nodded. "Yep. I do separate trips with each one, and we make it super fun by picking out a different location every year! We see the sights of the chosen city all day and then we swap gifts at sunset!"

"It’s a yearly and family tradition we share with the rest of our siblings too." Marble explained. "In fact, we chose to come here since it's close to where Maud's studying for her rocktorate where she’ll soon graduate from."

“Nice. And does this special day of yours have a name or something?" Fuli asked.

"Mm-hmm. PSSD!" Marble answered with a nod.

In a hushed voice, Fuli asked the sisters. "Okay, so what's the secret?"

"Huh?" Pinkie asked in confusion.

"You just said 'psst'. Which from my understanding means it’s a secret that we have to whisper to each other?" Fuli asked in confusion.

Pinkie laughed, and explained. "No, silly! Not psst, PSSD! P-S-S-S-D! That means, Pie Sisters Surprise Swap Day!"

"Oh. Right. That." Fuli realized, with an embarrassed grin for the wrong assumption. "Guess I'll just leave you two to your PSSSD then. And you both know where to find me at sundown."

"Fuli.” Marble spoke up before Fuli could take off with her back already turned. “Where are you going?"

“Um. Exploring Manehattan and find a gift myself for my cheetah friends back home since their birthday's are coming up.” She darted her eyes around wondering why she is looking on at her expectantly to stick around with them.

“Aren’t you going to stick around with me?” Marble asked. “Since you’re Pinkie’s special and invited guest and all.”

"Only if it’s okay with you.” Fuli returned as if she wasn’t expecting that offer.

"Of course it is, since you are friends of the family and any friend of the family is family." Marble assured and explained, as she looked around at the nearby stores to see if they have what she is looking.

That gave Pinkie the opportunity to pull Fuli aside for a quick word. "Can I ask you a quick question?" She asked in a whisper.

"Oh, of course.” Fuli responded ready to do whatever her friend needs. “Like what?"

Clinging to Fuli’s front right hoof, Pinkie shouted out. "Will you please help me?!"

"Uh, sure. But only if you let go of my hoof and stand up..." Fuli answered being as polite and firm as she can be with her.

Pinkie did so, and then she whispered to Fuli. "This is top secret, you can't tell Marble anything about this. Got it?!"

"Whatever you say.” Fuli calmly answered feeling very sure of it.

Content with Fuli's answer, Pinkie explained. "Every year, no matter how hard I try, my other two sisters always gets the better gift for her. So this year I really want to get something extra special for Marble, something that'll be just as good as the other PSSSD gifts. Aside from a special rock pouch for my sister Maud along with an assortment of supplies for Limestone’s garden to flourish with, I have found the perfect gift for Marble. Something that’ll blow her mind out with. A special dress, that’ll help her feel happy during winter nights! And the best part is there's a store here in Manehattan that has what I need!"

"That’s great! So I’m guessing you want me to help you get her gifts without spoiling the surprise?" Fuli asked as she figured it out from there.

"Yep, and I need you to spend time with my sister, and get to know while you’re at it!" Pinkie instructed. "That way you can keep her busy while I take care of my shopping all together."

“I can at least try to keep her busy to the best of my ability, but I can’t promise that can to extend to for the rest of the day into the night. In order to pull this off, you’re going to need to ensure Marble doesn't suspect a thing when you're halfway across town, shopping?"

"Got it covered," Pinkie said with a wink. "I've planned a sightseeing path that leads right by the store. Marble will never know. Not to mention you’ll get to find what you’re looking for your friends. It's perfect plan!" She shouted, a bit too loudly to the point the noise echoed everywhere, with a handful of eyes looking on in their direction.

“Right, absolutely!” Fuli agreed while forcing herself to smile and wave to assure everyone nearby staring that there is nothing to worry about while scooting the pink pony away from the public gathering she had accidentally created. “Y-Yes, yes, yes. But let's not get too excited until you actually have the things you need."

Pinkie nodded, and then as she rejoined Marble she vowed. "Mark my words, Marble! I'm giving you the greatest PSSSD present in the history of ever!”

Fuli followed Pinkie and Marble, as they made their way through the heart of Manehattan, all the while taking in the sights. As luck would have it, the shops along the way had what both Pinkie and Fuli needed, along with Marble. And sticking towards tradition neither sister were the wiser to what each other were doing.

During the tour they managed to explore the tallest skyscrapers along with town statue in the bay nearby carrying the dress Pinkie had in mind for Marble, wasn't the only shop that resided in the center of town. Many of the shops were lined up along a beautifully together.

Their first stop happened to be the Manehattan Statue of Liberty where many visitors get to see the whole scope of the city from up high. During which Fuli took the time to guide Marble in how to see their the telescope.

“So if you just move it around a little, you can see parts of Manehattan from here…” She tilted the device towards the city. “...or there.” She adjusts the device towards the bay. “...or anywhere.” She adjusts to towards the sight of the various skyscrapers in another part of town.

“Wow.”

“So in short, you can pretty much see everything from here. And I have to admit it’s quite a view from up here."

“You sure can.”

“So, do you like it so far?”

“Actually...yes. It’s very nice.” Marble admitted. “Thank you, Fuli.”

Another stop, happened to be the Manehattan ice rink which happened to be cold enough to the point the traveling trio needed winter outfits (a helmet and knee pads for Marble’s given her own timidness tendencies). But fortunately for them, it didn’t bother any of them in the slightest.

Marble in contrast to the other two ponies had trouble of balancing herself on the ice and was unable to move away from the edges of the rink. That is until, Fuli came by to offer her assistance.

“Here, Marble…” She offered her tail. “...let me help you.”

Although a little hesitant, Marble moved to gently grasp her tail allowing herself to be pulled into the center of the rink.

“Okay…” She then slowed her pace down to a comfortable slow walk pace after Marble let go of her tail. “...now what we’re going to do is start slow before we work our up to a faster pace.” She skated around the rink going straight from one side of the rink to the far side and back doing just that. “Want to give it a try?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“Okay…just do what I do and showed you. Start off slow and once you’re feeling comfortable you can start picking up the pace.”

Marble did as she was instructed by starting off slow before picking it up as she went along while Fuli followed alongside her. Upon seeing Fuli nod at her seeing that she is feeling comfortable so far she moved to pick up the speed, allowing her body to skate freely like a butterfly.

“There you go!”

Marble moved to giggle as she skated around as fast as she can go while moving around like she is having the time of her life right now. Seeing this had her sister cheer her on.

“Woohoo! Go Marble!”

Although of course, it came to a temporary halt when during her own excitement she nearly went out and over the rink before being having her hoof grabbed by Fuli’s own tail.

“Whoa! Wha…” Upon seeing Fuli’s smirk while keeping her hold on her she blushed and giggled slightly in embarrassment upon realizing her mistake. “...Oops.”

“It’s okay.” Fuli moved to pull her back into the rink. “And all criticism aside, that was pretty impressive for a first timer, Marble.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, you’re a natural.”

“Thanks.”

The two moved to continue skating while Pinkie skated and watched as Fuli continues to mentor Marble on her skating.

Then finally, the group made another stop for lunch at the nearby Canterlot Cook. During which Fuli moved the menu to obscure herself and Pinkie so the former could have a private chat with the latter while discussing lunch options.

“Hey, Pinkie! Did a get a look at the menu? I hear there are some good meat and vegetation options available?”

“Why, no I have not!” Pinkie happily and eagerly replying before moving right beside her so they could continue in private.

"How’s it coming along, Pinkie?” Fuli asked in a whisper.

"I got just about everything. All but one present. But the good news is that said store that has it is just a block away!”

Whispering back, Fuli nodded knowing what to do from there. "Great, so go on ahead and get that gift while I keep your sister Marble busy. Oh, and make sure to get your lunch to go.”

“Great, thanks!”

“No problem! Though when we get back we should also thank Rarity for the money she gave us for the trip alone. Otherwise we would need to get jobs here in order to work it off.”

“No kidding! Well, see ya! Gotta go! Gotta go! Gotta go!”

“Pinkie?” Marble asked confused upon seeing her sister rush off like that.

“She’s fine.” Fuli quickly assured. “She just had too much soda along the way. I mean you know what they say. When you gotta go, you gotta go.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“So Marble…” Fuli moved to change the subject. “...how is life on the farm? Is it um...relaxing?”

“Actually...yes.” Marble answered feeling pleased and comfortable about opening to. “I mean yes it’s gray at times. And yes, my sister Limestone can be well you know a hard head and stickler for rules and all, but she means well and keeps the farm in great working condition.”

“Amazing.”

“Mmm-hmm. And underneath that gray exterior is hidden color aside from my sister Pinkie.”

“Oh? And what would that be?”

“The fun and games you get to have on the rock farm when not busy doing chores.”

“Really? Do tell.”

“Sure thing, Fuli…” Marble returned as the two girls smiled enjoying each other’s company.

Once she was sure that Marble was completely unaware of her true whereabouts, Pinkie wasted no time in rushing straight to the store that had what she was looking for. She was recalling to herself what the present she had in mind looked like. "Look at that hand-stitched ten-thousand-thread-count velvet-lined rock pouch! Maud will love it! I need it! "

But when Pinkie reached said shop, she come across something she never expected to see at now of all times. The store door was locked, and the display window that had housed exactly what she was looking, was now empty! "Oh, no. Oh, no-no-no-no-no-no-no! This can't be happening!" Pinkie exclaimed in horror, as she tried in vain to turn the locked door knob. "Hello, Mr. Pouch Store Owner, or Miss. Pouch Store Owner, whoever you!" Pinkie called out, while pounding frantically on the door. "I'd like to hear all about your sudden vacation in Canterlot with your grandniece while buying a pouch for my sister please!I have the money to pay for it!"

Just then, a police mare with an orange mane and a light peach streak on both her mane and tail, a light blue-gray coat, a golden badge cutie mark, a blue police hat and suit, eyes hidden behind a pair of black sunglasses, and carrying a pair of hoofcuffs, showed up. "Miss, the store's clearly closed for the day." The officer informed Pinkie. "I'm sorry, but you’re just going to have to wait and come back tomorrow when the store opens up again."

Pinkie fell into a state of despair. "But it can't be. It just can't be!" She protested, even though she knew it was true. "If I can't get that pouch for Maud, then not only am I not getting my big sister the greatest present in the history of PSSSD, but now I have no PSSSD present for my sister at all! What am I supposed to do about that?!"

"I'm sorry, ma'am," The officer apologized. "My only suggestion is another place that’s open at this hour. Carry on and have a good rest of your day." She then trotted off in the opposite direction leaving the distraught mare at a loss of what to do now.

"And that’s life on the farm for you.” Marble said, having finished explaining the perks and joys of her home.

Fuli looked on amazed upon seeing the Pie Family in a new light. "Wow! That sure is quite something. Who knew that life on the rock farm can be fun and games when you look at thinks from a different perspective."

“Well, the same can be said for someone who’s hardly stepped outside the rock farm. And I do have to admit, spending time with you and Fluttershy really helped me feel more comfortable of having someone to talk to, expect for my parents and sisters.”

“Along with Big Mac?” Fuli asked knowing of the pony’s crush on the stallion who shared similar similarities with when they got together for Hearth’s Warming and Christmas.

“Mmm-hmm.” Marble shyly replied with pink cheeks. “Though I do have to see if we’re really more than just friends.”

“I’m sure time will tell if you two are meant to be together.” Fuli assured understanding of her shyness. “I guess it depends if you feel like it was all love at first sight and if not at least talk it out to avoid hard feelings.”

“Maybe...maybe not.” Marble honestly replied, unsure herself. “I don’t suppose you ever had that before.”

“Actually…” Fuli sighed solemnly as she explained. “...yes. It all happened when I was young and he left before I could really connect with him.”

“Oh…” Marble spoke feeling bad for unknowingly bringing that up. “...I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to touch upon something personal.”

“It’s okay.” Fuli shook her head. “And who knows, maybe someday I’ll find him again.” As proof, she presented a pink heart locket with said cheetah's face inside she keeps to herself. “Thanks to Sally and Sassy, I have this to remind me never to lose hope in case I start to feel that day may never come.”

“That’s really a work of art there.” Marble complimented.

“It is.” Just then she spotted Pinkie approaching her. “Pinkie Pie, you're back!" She exclaimed. "No doubt your hooves are sparkling clean by now."

"Huh? Oh, right." Pinkie sighed, too depressed to even think straight right now.

Correctly sensing that something’s wrong (especially seeing her deflated mane and tail), Fuli quickly barked out an order! "Waiter! One super-deluxe two-mile-high hot fudge sundae, stat!" Quick as a flash, the gigantic sundae was placed on the table. Then, Fuli quickly hid behind the sundae and frantically whispered to Pinkie. "What happened? Did you not get what you needed? If that’s true, how and why?"

Pinkie shook her head, and then after inhaling she quickly and rapidly explained. "The store that had the rock pouch I needed was closed because the owner’s on a sudden vacation in Canterlot with his grandniece for a few moons! And so there's no way that I can get the perfect present for Maud, and now I don't have any present for her at all, so it'll be the worst Pie Sisters' Surprise Swap Day ever!" Pinkie proceeded to bury her head into the sundae, so as to bury her depressed sobbing.

"Really? That’s unfortunate to hear." Fuli commented quietly. "Well, maybe I could help you find another gift for Marble? I mean it’s better than nothing, right?"

"But I don't have any other gift to give her!" Pinkie sobbed from inside the sundae. "That rock pouch was the only thing I know that Maud would like and I know for a fact that nothing else got her attention the last time we went to Manehattan together. And there is less than twelve hours until sundown!"

"You sure? Not even more help from our generous friend Rarity?” Fuli asked and then offered. “If I hurry and leave now I can get from here to Ponyville and be back by sundown.”

"No, I can't ask of that from you, Fuli." Pinkie sadly declined, lifting her head out of the sundae. "You’d be exhausted and barely able to move like the time you when solo on patrol saving Pride Landers for the day. I mean if Rainbow Dash wasn’t constantly flying and practicing to become a Wonderbolt, she would have been the better to go friend for the job."

"But, there has to be something we can do!” Fuli insisted not about to see her friend continue feeling sad and leave Manehattan empty hooved. “There has to be something else Maud likes.”

"Maybe..." Pinkie sighed. "Maybe I just... need some time to think more about it and get my mind off of my ongoing sadness in my heart. Just keep Marble occupied for a little while longer."

"Pinkie!" Fuli called after her as she paid no attention to her calls. Upon seeing her depressed could only have the cheetah herself look on feeling sympathy for her accompanied with a sigh of pity for the poor girl.

And for a while Pinkie went on moping about the streets of Manehattan, feeling sorry for herself. She had in her mind the perfect gift, only problem is she can’t get it at the worst possible time and doesn’t know what else to get her older sister. "I just wish there was someway I can still get what I really need?" Pinkie thought to herself.

Suddenly, Pinkie spotted something out of the corner of her eye that caught her attention and snapped her out of her funk! A hoof and double-stitched ten-thousand-thread-count velvet rock pouch, with a red drawstring, and ochre-flecked velvet lining with reinforced triple-crosshatched seams. Currently being carried around on the back of a light yellow coated, scrawny looking earth pony stallion. Said stallion had a small gray mane and tail and wore gold earrings, and had a gold tooth.

Her heart racing with newfound excitement and hope, Pinkie rushed up to the stallion and said to him. "Excuse me, sir! I couldn't help but notice your nifty rock pouch! Is there any chance you'd be willing to part with it? I really need it. Like, really really really!"

"So lemme get this straight." The stallion then asked. "You, uh, really really need this pouch, huh?"

"Actually, I believe I said really really really." Pinkie corrected.

"Uh-huh." The stallion replied. "Well, I hope you know, a rock pouch like this are really hard to come by these days, so I can't just give it away. But I might be able to part with it for the right price. Think you can afford it?"

"Totally, name your price!" Pinkie said happily.

"Price, eh? You want the pouch that badly, eh?" The stallion asked, putting a hoof to his chin.

"So you'll sell it to me?! And I'll finally be able to give my sister the perfect Pie Sisters' Surprise Swap Day present? Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Pinkie happily shouted, firing off her party cannon in celebration. "So, how much for the pouch, sir?"

But the stallion found himself more fascinated and invested by Pinkie's party cannon, and he was eyeing and examining it very closely. "Hmmm. That's one sweet party cannon you got there, miss," He commented, and then he said. "I'll tell you what. I'd be more than happy to give you this pouch, and all for the low, low price of...that cannon."

Pinkie gasped, pulling her party cannon close. "M-My... party cannon...?" She remarked, her lips quivering in sadness. "I couldn’t. This is also a very, very, very special gift to me! From my sister, Maud!"

"Sorry, that's my only offer, kid." The stallion said firmly. "If you really wanna give that sister of yours the perfect present, then you'll have to give up your party cannon. So, what do you say? The pouch for the cannon?"

Pinkie eventually caught up to Fuli and Marble, who had long since left the restaurant and were now strolling along the streets. Fortunately, Pinkie had managed to hide the rock pouch inside her mane. It didn't really bother her, since she'd stuffed far heavier things in there without it slowing her down.

Fuli was currently holding a camera with her magic, while Marble stood next to one of the trees in the open park. "Oh, you're back! Perfect timing!" Fuli said to Pinkie. "We were just beginning to worry about you. Though your sister sure is quite a pony worth spending time with." Then she turned her attention to Marble and instructed. "Just a little more to the left, Marble! Okay, now back a bit! Yeah, that's good! Hold that pose! I think we just found your new holiday card!" With Marble distracted, Fuli turned back to her friend and wondered in a whisper. "So, did you manage to find a gift for Marble after all? And if so, you better say yes."

"Yes," Pinkie said in a flat tone. "I managed to get the rock pouch for Maud after all, and... that's really the only thing that matters."

Fuli was delighted to hear that. "That’s great, Pinkie!"

"Yup." Pinkie repeated still flatly, which clued the cheetah in that she got it with a catch to that particular deal she just made.

"Yup. As in you got Maud a gift but there is apparently a hidden cost and additional truth to the matter that you’re not telling me?!” Fuli sternly inquired knowing full well that something is clearly wrong here. Especially when Pinkie's mane is not completely poofy like a healthy helium filled party balloon and she is being visibly depressed.

"Yup." Pinkie flatly replied again.

After giving herself time to think and analyze her pink friend like Kongwe would do in this kind of situation she then pressed this important question with a firm and inquiring look. “Pinkie, did you trade your party cannon just to get the gift you so much desired?”

"Yep.” Pinkie flatly repeated.

“What?!” Fuli gasped, a little too loudly which gained Marble’s attention as she came over to them.

“Everything okay, Fuli?” Marble asked. “Because I have been waiting patiently just like you asked for the last minute waiting for my picture to be taken.”

“Oh, yes…” Fuli replied. “...everything’s fine. Aside from the fact that was trying to find out what happened to her party cannon.”

“Oh, that!” Marble acknowledged. “She really loves that! She got shortly after she gained her cutie mark and desire to throw parties all together.” She then noticed. “Speaking of which, where is it, Pinkie? You didn't lose it, did you?"

"No. I traded it away." Pinkie flatly answered. "But I got what I wanted out of it."

“You traded it away?!” Marble returned in a shocked and rare tone of anger that she rarely does to anyone. “Pinkie, that cannon was a special gift from your sister Maud, how could you just trade it away?!"

Pinkie shook her head to try to make light of it. "I didn't get rid of it easily, I just...um...well...I..." She trailed off.

“Fuli?” Marble angrily said in the cheetah’s direction expecting answers right now since her sister isn’t going to tell her. “What did Pinkie do with her cannon? And I want the truth! Because you and Pinkie have been talking behind my back like you are both hiding something from me all day and I'm really getting fed up with being locked of the loop like this.”

"She traded it for Maud’s gift this year and for the record this is something I just figured out myself seconds ago.” Fuli explained while still standing her ground. “And believe me, I'm as surprised as you by this. And I didn’t have anything to do with that. Had I known I would have stopped her from doing so."

"But why?!" Marble asked.

"Fuli, no!” Pinkie pleaded of her not to tell her why.

"I'm sorry, Pinkie. But keeping secrets can only go so far." Fuli apologized, as she continued to honestly explain to her sister the truth she really deserves to hear at this point. "But yes, she did it so she can give Maud the only gift she could think of to get for her! One that would be equally great as the one’s Maud always gives her every year.”

“So, she gave up her party cannon?! And for a rock pouch?!" Marble exclaimed still shocked and outraged with this in light.

Pinkie sighed, as she pulled the rock punch out of her mane and presented it to Marble. "Yep, for Maud’s PSSSD present." She said flatly.

"Pinkie, you didn't have to do that!" Marble assertively stated. "Now I can’t give you the gift I was going to give you. One for your party cannon.”

“And let me guess…” Fuli spoke figuring out already of what that means. “Special confetti."

“Yes!”

“It was wrong, I know. And I’m sorry I did what I did.” Pinkie apologized. "I just wanted to give the best PSSSD presents in the history of ever. You, Maud, and Limestone really deserve it and all."

Now it was Marble's turn to sigh as she showed some sympathy for her sister. "I understand the good intentions you had behind it , Pinkie. But you really didn’t have to go that far just to show your appreciation. Whether it’s for me, Limestone, and even Maud. Just being able to spend quality time with you this weekend, is enough as a present anypony can get for anyone. Way more important and valuable than some dress, or special supplies and decorations, or even a special rock pouch, even if any of us wanted it."

"I know that now," Pinkie realized, hanging her head. "Some PSSSD this turned out to be, huh?"

"I'm really sorry, Marble," Fuli apologized. "I knew of what Pinkie really wanted to get you along with your other two sisters, but I never figured out until now that she would go as far as trading away her party cannon for Maud’s present. Even when she personally knows how much value and joy it brings her."

"No, Fuli, you got nothing to be sorry about." Pinkie insisted. "Especially while I was out shopping and went as far as trading away my party cannon on my own free will. And you spent more time with my sister today than I did."

"It’s okay, Pinkie!" Marble assured before looking on confidently. "You and Fuli both taught me that you should always feel free to come out of your shell and feel free to be more expressive and confident in myself! I think now’s a good time to put that to the test." She then raced on ahead back town towards where she and the other girls were last stationed before coming here.

After a few seconds of running she stopped, and felt her very surroundings. She used her quiet surroundings to listen around herself. She then heard what no one else would hear, then sniffed it out like Fuli would do herself. Once she was sure she had pinpointed Pinkie’s party cannon’s current location she set out towards that direction.

“This way!”

"Where're you going, Marble?!" Pinkie asked as she called after her.

"To get your cannon back. Come on." Marble seriously answered, motioning for Pinkie and Fuli to follow her.

It wasn't long before Marble managed to track down the very pony who matched the description Pinkie had given. "That him?” Marble asked.

Pinkie nodded. "Yep! That sure is the pony I got the pouch from!”

"Wow!” Fuli remarked looking on very impressed. “How did you know where he’d be?”

“Simple. My Marble Sense.” Marble replied. “Comes from being a usually quiet pony.”

“And why you don’t like to talk much.” Fuli realized. “Amazing how it runs in the family.”

“It sure does.” Marble returned with a wink before moving to approach the stallion with the rock pouch in tow. She then moved to present to the pony and firmly said. “Here, I'd like to exchange it for my sister's party cannon, if you please."

But the stallion only scoffed at Marble, refusing to take it back. "Sorry, missy, all sales are final.."

Marble still stood her ground, with a more firmer stance and tone as she pushed the rock pouch towards him. "I'd like to return this pouch for my sister's party cannon, please!"

"Hey! Did you not hear what I just said? I got it out of a fair trade and I am not about to reverse it for your sake."

"Oh really?" Fuli said as she bared her teeth and claws with a growl and mischievous grin.

“Fuli?” Pinkie spoke in concern.

“Don’t worry, Pinkie.” Fuli quickly assured before circling around the pony looking on like he is her prey. “Care to try again and answer our question, properly? Or do I have make dinner out of you because I am all in for trying the taste of pony.”

The stallion was quickly intimidated and frightened into submission. "Okay, okay, okay! You win! Fine! Take it!" He shouted, as he took the pouch back and handed the party cannon to Marble. "Just keep your teeth and claws away from me you crazy cat!” With that he then ran off in fear.

Once he was gone, Fuli calmed herself down and turned to Marble. "Sorry you had to see me like that, Marble," She apologized as she sheathed her claws. “But that really did need a little intimidation to get him to give it back."

“That’s perfectly fine, Fuli.” Marble said not thinking any less of Fuli for it before turning to her sister with her party cannon in tow. “Here you go, big sister!”

"Thanks, Marble," Pinkie smiled back, as she wrapped her hooves firmly around the party cannon hugging it like it is a very important part of her. "Even though this whole mess was my fault and I didn’t really get Maud anything for her.”

"Pinkie, gift giving isn't a competition. It's an expression of love, and you always make sure to give your gifts with lots of love. That's why I'll always love them, and you, five-ever. That's even longer than for-ever." Marble explained, before they shared a passionate hug together.

"So true." Pinkie agreed. "But you know, since it's not yet sundown. How about I take you and Fuli out somewhere. You know, as my way of saying thank you for everything you both did to get my party cannon back?”

“Depends. What do you have in mind?” Fuli asked.

“Something that both of you will like…”

Said activity, turns out a nice relaxing outing on the bay, courtesy of a swan boat which they are all riding on with Fuli pedaling the boat on across the water.

“You know…” Marble spoke up feeling very grateful of her current surroundings. “...even with all things considered, I think it’s safe to say this certainly is quite a PSSSD to remember. Thank you both.”

“You’re welcome.” Fuli returned thinking nothing of it.

"Yeah, I think this might be my favorite PSSSD ever! " Pinkie giggled in agreement. "Though I do hope we won’t catch too much darkness along the way since we do have a train to catch."

"Not to worry, Pinkie.” Fuli assured. “Since this swan ride is right alongside the nearby ferry so we can just ride this out back to Ponyville.”

“That I can live with.” Marble returned feeling very comfortable, relaxed, and confident that she has friends she can open up to and can count on as they ride off together in the sunset alongside the nearby ferry.

“As along as I don’t have to be pedaling the whole way.” Fuli then brought up to which had the Pie sisters sharing a laugh together.

“Of course.”

“We would never impose of that on you, Fuli. Especially not on an honorary Pie family member.”

“Good answer.” Fuli returned knowing that they fully acknowledge it even with all joking aside while smiling in return for the usually quiet mare for seeing her as part of the family while sharing some of her friendly quirks along the way. During which she mentally thought to herself. "Maybe next year, I'll invite the Pies over to spend time with both Sally and Sassy so we can combine it into one big special tradition we can share together. Maybe..." She said as she secretly looked inside her bag of presents for said friends including the Pies, including...

...the real rock pouch that she secretly swapped while circling the toothy con pony with her tail while his back was turned.

Episode 5: On Your Marks

Episode 5:

On Your Marks

At the clubhouse near Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom is finding herself having some trouble. Since getting her cutie mark alongside her pony friends, she'd been struggling to figure out what to do in her spare time. Now that she didn't have to spend time searching for a cutie mark she needed to find something she could enjoy. The only problem was that she wasn't used to being on her own for this, but none of the activities her friends were interested in sounded like something she wanted to do.

Furthermore, in light of Scar’s near successful attacks on both the Pride Lands and Equestria, they couldn’t play pretend Lion and Pony Guard. And having witnessed and heard of Scar’s dangerous exploits and potential, they were wise to heed the Guard’s warning going forward. So all had agreed to reluctantly split up, at least until things cooled down enough to allow them to play pretend Lion and Pony Guard again.

For Apple Bloom, she carried out life trying the various activities she and her friends did in their bid to gain their cutie marks but no matter what it didn’t have the same value and joy like it did in the past. Not even doing chores around the farm or listening to her granny's stories perked her spirits up in the slightest only serving to further bore her quickly.

But one day, as the farm filly was strolling along through town, she happened to overhear instructions being spoken out in a thick accent. "Alright, everypony, from the top," A female voice barked as she instructed. "And one, two, three, four, one, two, three, four, one, two, three, four, two, two, three, four."

“Apple Bloom?” Kambuni’s voice spoke to her as she followed after her due to her to being drawn to the voices nearby.

Apple Bloom entered the building from which she heard the voices while Kambuni followed after her, and discovered that it was a dance studio. The instructor was an earth pony mare with a light purple gray coat. She had moderate pink eyes, a light gold and amber mane and tail, and wore a dark purple dress with light pink sleeves. She then immediately said to the instructor. "Whatever kind of dancin' y'all are doin', you're doin' it together, and I want in!" When all the colts and fillies in the dance studio stopped to look at her, she realized that she'd drawn a lot of unwanted attention to herself and blushed for her interrupting intro. "I-I mean, would it be okay if I enrolled in this here dance class?"

The mare trotted forward and nodded as Kambuni enters the building looking interested by the kind of dancing Ponyville has to offer. "Of course. Once you sign up for dance lessons under my tutelage, great things will be expected from you if you want to make an impression here. We begin our way from dancing for beginners to dancing for experts. So you best be prepared to work hard as we have lessons for single dancers and partners, and we go from beginner all the way up to expert up until one’s ready to perform."

"Great." Apple Bloom said to Hoofer Steps. "When I do start?"

"You can start today." Hoofer Steps declared with a smile. "It just so happens we are currently rehearsing for a big recital at town hall later this month, and a spot just opened up," With a whisper, she gestured a hoof to a shy looking earth pony colt over in the corner. Said colt had a bright orange coat, purple eyes that were staring at the walls in the corner, and a purple mane and tail. "Tender Taps is a little too shy to perform for crowds. But if you're ready to step into a partnered routine..."

The farm filly's ears perked up! "That sounds an awful lot like friendship! And I'm ready for anythin' I don't have to do by myself right now!"

Hoofer Steps' smiled at the filly’s bursting enthusiasm. "Well then! Dancing with partner shall be perfect.” She then notices the ostrich watching on with the same growing enthusiasm as the warth pony she followed. “And I think I have the perfect dance partner to show me what you’re capable of doing now.” She gestured to said ostrich in the room looking on with a nervous smile as she meekly raised a leg to wave to the group of fillies staring at her.

“Hello.”

Apple Bloom not bothered by her sudden appearance moved to greet her like any other friend. “It’s okay, Kambuni. You can join me.”

“You sure…” She turned to the instructor. “...even though I would you know stand out like an Outsider?”

The dance instructor took no mind to the idea of accepting her in her class. “Young ostrich. Times have changed now, everybody that wants to join is welcome. Including Pride Landers like yourself.” She said with an approving smile. “And I’m sure your inclusion will help make things a little more interesting in the next month to come.”

“Really? Wow! Well...if I’m welcome here then I guess I can’t say no.”

“It’ll sure take some time getting used to but I think you and I are going to get along fine together.” Apple Bloom assured before offering her hoof to which the ostrich moved to graciously accept it as they made their way onto the dance floor.

She clapped her hooves. "Places, everypony! And, music!"

A tango score began to play out across the studio, and both Apple Bloom and Kambuni started trying to tap her hooves and legs and move them in time to the music. Their coordination wasn't too good, with Apple Bloom struggling to keep up with the increasing tempo and Kambuni having a little difficultly balancing herself on one foot though along with her spread out wings popping up at the worst possible time. And it only got worse when the music started to increase in tempo and she struggled to keep up. It didn't matter who they were paired up with, and they accidentally every one of their partners to the floor and even caused other dancing pairs to be disrupted.

The music came to an abrupt stop as Apple Bloom exclaimed feeling very proud of herself. "Whew! I feel like that went pretty good, but let's give it one more whirl, because it's important that I do a good job partnerin' with my new group of friends," Then she looked around, realizing that all the other colts and fillies are making their leave with Kambuni herself only standing by her side albeit with an awkward and ashamed look on her face. "Uh, is the lesson over already?" She nervously asked.

Hoofer Steps looked down at Apple Bloom, having observed the farm filly and ostrich's clumsy dance moves. With a reasonable look of doubt she then said. "Eh... Now I'm think of it, you two might be better as soloists. Partnering is a little too much for you both to hop right into so soon. But there is still plenty of time for you both to master the art of dancing. And there is plenty of stuff you can do on your own.”

Apple Bloom could only look on with her previous enthusiasm for dancing squashed as solo activities are the last things she wants to do. "Sorry, but doin' stuff on my own is exactly what I don't want right now," She glumly returned commented and trotted to the door. "Thanks anyway."

Tender Taps happened to eye Apple Bloom alongside Kambuni who could look on with pity for her plight along with disappointment that she is quick to give up said activity after one quick bit of bad luck.

“Apple Bloom…” Kambuni tried to call out to her to get her to come back to no avail. “...don’t go.” She quietly said to herself.

Tender Taps moved to follow after her when she didn’t listen to her friend’s call much to Kambuni’s surprise before following suit. “Apple Bloom, wait!” He called out to her. "Sorry it didn't work out. And like your friend said there’s still room for improvement."

"Thanks, but that’s not why I’m so glum." Apple Bloom unhappily returned without glancing at those trying to strike up a conversation with her. "Back when I was tryin' different things with my friends it was fun, even if we weren’t experts or even good at it. Now it's just no fun period on your own."

"But you weren't that bad, I mean take it from somepony who’s seen worse." Tender Taps assured otherwise. "And it’s not the end of the world if you’re not ready for a partner yet. Everypony has had to be a solo act at least once. You just need to practice some more and with time you’ll be amazed with your work in progress. Plus, being a soloist can be even more fun too!" To prove his point he began to tap dance around a little while dancing around to his nearby surroundings, and then ran up and flipped off of a wall before landing right back on his hooves.

Apple Bloom was almost rendered speechless, jaw dropped, and wide-eyed to what she just saw along with Kambuni.

“Wow!” The latter spoke looking on in awe. “And this coming from a pony a little too shy to perform at the upcoming recital?”

Tender Taps' smile faded as he reluctantly confessed why. “Yeah, well...that’s because...I have stage fright. I mean I can do well in class but I could never dance in front of an audience the way I do in class. The idea itself that's t-t-t-t-terrifying!”

“And there is nothing wrong with that.” Kambuni returned knowing of what that’s like. “Because I feel the same way at times, including my first Grand Galloping Gala.”

“Really? The Grand Galloping Gala?”

“Yeah. Thanks to Fuli from the Lion Guard she was able to help me feel comfortable of meeting and greeting guests at a huge gathering. It might not be stepping up to dancing in front of a crowd but it is still a small step towards feeling comfortable about it.”

“It sure sounds like it.” Tender Taps returned feeling a bit better already hearing that shared story.

The farm filly however sighed again before setting out. "I appreciate what ya tryin' to do and all, but unless there is somethin' I'm either good at it or don't have to do on my own, I don’t know if I’ll ever feel again. Good luck at the recital.”

"I can help you teach you a few moves if you want.” Tender Taps then offered in an attempt to get the distraught farm filly to consider staying. “That way you won’t be trying and doing something alone.”

Apple Bloom still pressed forward and trotted off, but not without saying. "I'll take that into consideration. Maybe…"

“I’ll take you up on that offer.” Kambuni then said to Tender Taps. “Even if I might have some difficulty getting the hang of it at first.”

“Okay, great.” Tender Taps moved to tap dance again while Kambuni watches and awaits for beginner instructions while trying to keep in mind of how to help Apple Bloom feel better since she really misses spending time with her fellow Crusaders and Lion Guard fan club friends.

The next day, Apple Bloom was moping around in the clubhouse where she and the other Cutie Mark Crusaders used to gather together in with multiple and countless papers with pictures of activities that she tried and failed at doing on her own. Now she was left wondering what else can she do with herself other than let history repeat with the clubhouse itself. Never before, had she been such in a funk.

“Still sitting around with nothing fun to do, Apple Bloom?” A familiar voice spoke to her from behind.

“Yep. Nothing new, Diamond Tiara.” Apple Bloom returned without a second glance before realizing who she just spoken to. “Diamond Tiara?!” She quickly spun her head around to see her guests. “Silver Spoon?!”

“Yep.”

“Hello.”

They both greeted as both Kambuni and Kwato enter the clubhouse as well.

“And for the record before you start with what you’re about to say, we were invited to come here.” The pink-colored filly then said next.

“Girls?” Apple Bloom glanced at the zebra and ostrich to confirm that this is indeed the truth.

“Yes, we did invite them here, Apple Bloom.”

“And we’re sorry to spring this on you, but with all things considered we felt it was better to do it this way.”

“Sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.” Silver Spoon then chimed in. “I mean of course it depends on what we’re talking about and who you ask but you get the idea.” She then moved to take a gander at their surroundings. “Oh and by the way, I really do like the little set-up you and the other girls have here. I mean aside from a little refurbishing, it looks great.”

“Yeah, yeah.” The filly with the big bow in her mane returned still unhappy and uninterested to care about what her friends and enemy turned friends have to say to her.

“Look…” Diamond then spoke trying to clear the air a bit. “...I know you’re still adjusting to me being your friend after giving you and the other Crusaders a hard time, but we really didn’t come here to make you feel bad even more than before.”

“The reason why we’re here is because your friends from the Lion Guard Fan Club have told us about how you and your other friends haven’t out as much you normally did.” Silver Spoon then moved to explain. “And it’s not like you and the others to hardly spend time with one another together.”

“Hard to believe but it’s true.” Apple Bloom sadly returned. “Ironically this all came after we received our cutie marks and ever since then the rest is history.”

“Shortly after their Cutie-cenera things have really changed for the Crusaders.” Kwato then said next. “After celebrating what happened, the cheer-some trio have moved to new things on their own. I mean it wasn’t all so sudden until the need to celebrate came and passed along with recent news that our world and the Pride Lands are once more at war put a temporary end to our little pretend Lion and Pony Guard get together’s.”

“Yeah, I heard about that.” Diamond commented feeling that sense of graveness of why. “It really is a shame that we can’t do that anymore, I mean I was really starting to have fun with it with you all. And by that it was the most fun I had in years. Nowadays, I try to do whatever I can to avoid Mother all day, especially when she is no longer part of the school board. By spending it with my good friend Silver Spoon and most recently both your zebra and ostrich friends.”

“Must be nice to hear.” Apple Bloom returned still downcast. “Nice to hear that you’re bonding well with them along with your longtime friend. Especially with what happened recently.”

"Well, it did take a lot of apologizing and coming to see that my friend truly did have a change in heart for me to do so, but yes, Diamond and I are still friends.” Silver Spoon answered with a knowing glance in her direction while tilting her glasses while doing so.

“Thankfully.” Diamond returned with heavy relief for the moment before turning back to the other girls. “So, what happened next after you and the others couldn’t play pretend Guard anymore?”

“The easiest thing we could do at the time by carrying on life for a few days to allow ourselves time to for us to get over this shock we experienced from it.” Kambuni then continued. “After that, we then tried taking up a new hobby, by trying out the various activities in the Crusader’s bid for their cutie marks together…”

“And I remember it like it was only yesterday…” Apple Bloom recalled in a depressed manner while looking out the nearby window as the flashbacks run through her mind like the television is up and running for all eyes to see...

The farm filly unhappily sighed and hung her head. "Well, not at the moment. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are both out of town for the weekend, and even if they weren't they've got their own interests to keep 'em occupied. As for me, I don't really have much of anythin' to do. At least, not anythin' that I can do with a partner or two. Seems like everythin' I try is a solo activity," She glumly remarked as her bow drooped. "I'm not even sure if we're gonna be the Cutie Mark Crusaders anymore. Can we even call ourselves that now that we've gotten our cutie marks?"

"Well, what else would you call yourselves?" The headgear wearing filly questioned. "I still call you the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and so does everypony I know. In fact, ever since I turned over a new leaf it seems like there's not a pony in town who doesn't know about you three fillies."

Apple Bloom sighed again. "Well, they may not know us for much longer. At the rate things are goin', I'm not sure we'll be together for much longer. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo seem to have moved on, probably 'cause they knew each other long before they met me. But the only friend I had before them was Twist, and we ain't spoken much since she got her cutie mark."

"But you three seemed so inseparable!" Silver Spoon remarked in a shocked tone of voice. "You even got matching cutie marks and got them at the same time! Even Princess Twilight says she's never seen anything like it before, so that must mean something. No way could you three just split up so easily!"

It hadn’t been long since the Cutie Mark Crusaders had earned their cutie marks, but already they had gotten bored and had started to wonder what the next chapter in their lives will be now that they achieved their original goal. Because they’re so good at solving whatever hurdle that comes their way, they couldn’t help others all the time.

So the three fillies had decided to just do whatever they wanted to do, but for fun with their five Pride Lander friends tagging along for the ride. Each of the Crusaders had a particular activity that they were eager to share and try with the others, and all decided to take turns trying them out.

Scootaloo's activity was up first, scootering. Or more specifically, an extreme roller coaster version-like course the little orange Pegasus had set up at Sweet Apple Acres. "Okay everyone, first thing’s first is make sure you have your helmets because they’re a must wear when scootering. Especially since they save lifes more than you think they would.” Scootaloo told her friends who all indeed have them in their possession.

Her friends nodded before eyeing the long ramp that Scootaloo had set up with most unsure if said ramp is safe for them to ride on. Not that they don’t trust their friend considering she did something like this many, many times.

"You sure this is safe?" Mtoto nervously asked.

“Of course it’s safe.” Scootaloo reassured. “I would never ask of someone to try something if I hadn’t tested it myself. And it’ll all be fun and games once you get the hang of it. Just remember – stomp, kick, and roll!"

"Uh if you say so." Apple Bloom replied while trying to keep herself from shaking.

"Whatever you say.” Mtoto then said in agreement before letting their friend show them how it’s done."

The Pegasus then moved to focus on what’s in front of her. “Ready? Stomp, kick, and roll!" She did exactly as she had instructed her fellow fillies to do, her scooter soon making its way down the ramp! "Whooo!" She cheered as she rode.

In a matter of seconds she cruised through the ramp like it was an easy ride for her, Scootaloo effortlessly zipped through the course and landed safely inside the barn. "Ta-da!" She declared and boasted. "Who’s next?”

But Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle exchanged nervous glances along with Mtoto, Kwato, and Kambuni who all shook their heads. Despite seeing Scootaloo's performance they were still not convinced the ramp was safe.

"Er, can we maybe do somethin' a little less... extreme?" Apple Bloom suggested.

“Or at least on something a little more… you know… safer land.” Mtoto added while cringing with hope that he isn’t hurting his friend’s feelings for not wanting to give her trick ramp a go much to the annoyed irritation of their pony friend who is crossing her arms in response to their sheer reluctance to try it.

“We’ll try it.” Shakku stated just when both he and Gumba moved to leap onto the ramp themselves at the exact same time much to the others startled surprise. Even more so when the two showed natural skill when they managed to replicate Scootaloo’s feat with ease.

“Feels safe and sturdy to us.” Gumba remarked once he and his friend popped their heads out the window to address their still stunned friends watching on. “It’s like stepping out of your comfort zone.”

“Yeah…”

“...sure is.”

Both Apple Bloom and Mtoto said going along with it for the sake of the moment.

The next activity they tried is a favorite of Sweetie Belle's, singing. She set up some music sheets and stands inside the guest bedroom at Carousel Boutique and then blew into a pitch pipe. "Do... Mi... So..." She sang in a sweet tone of voice fit for harmony. "It's just a simple harmony. Nice, sweet, and easy to do."

"Harmony, huh?" Scootaloo commented. "I'm not sure about that."

“Me neither.”

“Nope. Not clicking on us.”

Both boys also commented in agreement.

“I mean it’s not that hard…” Kwato said otherwise as she and Kambuni gave it a go.

“Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti…Do.”

Although at the last word had Kambuni shrieking after having a sudden shriek up her throat. “Sorry.” She blushed and buried a leg in her face out of embarrassment. “I guess I really need some water before we get started.” She quickly fetched herself a bottle of water and downed it in one gulp before pitching the empty bottle in the nearby recycling bin (which happens to be conveniently placed next to the other bin set aside for non-recyclables. “Okay, let’s try this again.”

None of the less, Apple Bloom nodded as Sweetie Belle used her magic to pick up a conductor's baton and instructed her friends as they prepared to sing together. "Okay, ready? And a-one, and a-two, and a-one two three!"

Unfortunately, while Apple Bloom's singing was at least decent along with Mtoto’s, Shakku, Gumba, and Scootaloo's singing, on the other hoof, was way off key and sounded horrible.

"Wow, that was simple." Scootaloo remarked feeling like she nailed it even though she didn’t really especially when Sweetie Belle promptly snapped the baton in frustration.

“Not really.” Mtoto remarked to correct his friend there.

“Geez, talk about the elephant in the room.” Shakku muttered to Gumba.

“Excuse me?” Mtoto returned confused and somewhat offended.

“He meant that as an expression in regards to Scootaloo’s singing. Not you, literally.” Gumba quickly clarified in his friend’s defense.

“Hey!” Scootaloo returned feeling offended herself.

“No offense.” Shakku apologetically added. “Both of you.”

“None taken.” Both Mtoto and Scootaloo returned with the latter more annoyed in contrast to the elephant’s easily forgiving reply.

Apple Bloom then quickly intervened before anybody could dig themselves deeper. "Okay, let’s settle down y’all. I think I got just the thing that’ll get everyone upbeat.”

So the kids made their way over to Zecora's hut, where Apple Bloom would show them her favorite activity, potion making where the zebra enchantress was more than happy to let the kids borrow some vials and ingredients so they can give it a go.

"It's just a dash, and a drop, and a drip!" Apple Bloom instructed as she did exactly that and managed to grow a plant that produced a single apple.

Mtoto did the same and managed to grow a plant that produced a single peanut much to his joy while Kambuni and Kwato were able to make plants that were quite...interesting. The former managed to somehow make an egg grow from her plant while the latter managed to make a zebra-colored cake appear on her plant. The two eyed each other trying to understand how they even managed this.

But when Sweetie Belle made her attempt she ended up using too much, which resulted in said potion to literally blow up in her and her friends faces. But that was nothing compared to what both Shakku and Gumba did since they managed to create a concoction so powerful it ended up causing an explosion that caused the roof top of Zecora’s hut to blow off and back down in place. But not without smoke coming out from inside.

The Crusaders and Lion Guard fan club returned to the former’s clubhouse later that day, checking off various activities that they'd tried over the past several hours. Apple Bloom was currently marking off their latest attempt at bungee jumping as she remarked. "...And even though Scootaloo thinks bungee jumpin' is the bee's knees, Sweetie Belle would much rather keep bees. Unfortunately, I'm allergic.”

“Me too.” Mtoto said in agreement given his fear and allergies to bees himself. “And thanks for not putting me up to that.”

“You’re welcome.” Apple Bloom returned to the young elephant before continuing. “Who would have thought it'd be so hard to find somethin' for us all to do together?"

Sweetie and Scootaloo exchanged nervous glances before Scootaloo proposed. "Well, I know this might sound crazy, but what if we didn't?"

"Didn't what?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Do things together," Scootaloo explained. "Or at least do everything together."

Apple Bloom blinked in surprise along with the Pride Landers. "But we're the Cutie Mark Crusaders!"

Scootaloo nodded before reassuring. "And we still will be. But I really wanna bungee jump! The speed, the height, the fall!”

“And that all really sounds like something we can enjoy.” Shakku commented already liking the Pegasus’s activity choices.

“I’m already looking forward to it since I couldn’t get enough of the scootering from earlier.” Gumba also said in agreement. “Count us in!”

“All right!” Scootaloo took a great liking to the two as they shared a fist bump together before turning back to the others. “And if you want to join us, feel free.”

"I’ll pass thank you.” Sweetie Belle declined. “I know you two aren't interested, but I wanna try crochet."

“That sounds like a good thing to try out.” Kwato commented already on board to want to try herself too along with Kambuni.

“Sure sounds like it. And I might have heard that Fuli alongside Rarity are both crochet champions. Both separately and as partners.” Kambuni added with a nod.

Then Scootaloo looked at Apple Bloom. "What about you, Apple Bloom? Aside from what we know you’re really interested in, isn't there something you'd like to do by yourself that you've always wanted to do on your own?"

The farm filly looked in at a loss for words as this was something she never thought she’d would see and hear. "I don't know... I guess I kinda figured we'd always do stuff together. But bungee jumpin' sounds just as scary as crochet sounds borin'. If y'all really wanna do those things, feel free."

"No worries." Scootaloo insisted as she put a hoof around Apple Bloom to assure there are no hard feelings. "I'm sure you'll find something you’ll like."

“And we can still meet up here and talk about our separate experiences together once a day, or week, or at least a month.” Mtoto also offered albeit weakly upon seeing that this may take longer than he originally thought. “I can at least share of my upcoming experience of apple-bucking with both Applejack and Beshte next time around if you like.”

Apple Bloom sighed sadly after accepting that this is what is going to be going forward. “No it’s okay Mtoto, whenever you all want and when you can want to show up here to tell me and all of us all about your experiences, you know where to find me.” She said before moving to open the door so everyone can head out to go their separate ways to which they all reluctantly did seeing that their friend just needs time to adjust to all of this. Little did they realize is how much this is really tugging her heartstrings deep down the moment she sat down after everyone left.

The flashback ended as Apple Bloom sighed anew. "And that was pretty much the story. I ain't seen Sweetie Belle or Scootaloo along with the others expect for Kambuni and Kwato since then.”

“But just because it’s been a while since we last spent time with them doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world.” Kwato tried to assure before adding. “I mean it doesn’t mean the end of our friendship with them. Your friendship with the ponies you started the whole Cutie Mark Crusaders with is to valuable to give up.”

“Maybe not. Not anymore.” Apple Bloom returned still not feeling like there is anything she can do about it much to the other’s shock.

"Absolutely not." Diamond Tiara asserted otherwise. "The Cutie Mark Crusaders are still the Cutie Mark Crusaders through and through no matter how much time you girls along with the rest of your friends spent apart.If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now.”

Silver Spoon added. "Yeah! Especially since we’re also honorary members of the club not to mention me and Diamond wouldn’t be friends talking to each other if it weren’t for you all."

"So?" Apple Bloom returned wondering what they are now suggesting other than not to give up.

“So, when life gives you cutie marks, why not share and sell that wisdom and knowledge used to get other ponies lined up for advice on how to get theirs.“ Diamond suggested. “You know by making your little club into a business.”

Silver smiled liking the idea herself. “And I’m sure there would be plenty of ponies who’d want to sign up for that.” Then she said to Apple Bloom. "And we can both help you out in starting it up, too!"
“Us, too.” Kwato said already liking and shining to the idea herself.
“That’s...actually a good idea.” Kambuni remarked feeling impressed herself after having to remind herself that for a former bullies their business savvy is no joke.

The farm filly replied with the idea not drowned even during her being down in dumps. "That does sound intersting, and maybe when I sell the idea to Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle next time I see ‘em we’ll discuss it further. But that doesn’t solve my finding somethin’ I can do and talk about on my own."

“Have you tried everything you could think of.” Silver Spoon asked as she eyed the various X’s on the various pictured activities all around the room.

“Yes. And don’t even get me started on musical instruments.”

“Okay…” Seeing that this is going nowhere Diamond then remembered something her friends told her from earlier. “...what about that tap dancing colt you met yesterday?”

"Well, he did offer to give me dance lessons, but I haven’t considered it yet.“ Apple Bloom answered.

“Well maybe you should consider taking him up on that offer if you hadn’t already.” Diamond suggested. “Since you already exhausted your other options you can at least give it a try. And who knows maybe you might be able to kill two birds with one stone while you’re at it.” Kambuni squawked in shock to which led to the filly correcting herself after realizing her poor choice words. “And by that I mean you might learn something out of it as much as being able to help a pony who needs help overcoming stage fright. No offense, Kambuni.”

“None taken.”

Apple Bloom put a hoof to her chin, deep in thought feeling that being able to help somepony is the least she could do and gain out of it is worth the trouble for her. "I suppose I could do that." She pondered and then smiled. "Yes, I can definitely work with that." So with a new resolve she trotted out the clubhouse door, though not before turning to Diamond Tiara and Silver telling them. "Thanks you both, honorary Crusaders."

Diamond tried not to blush with a humble gesture. "Consider us even, as along as you consider the buisness idea."

“Consider it done.”

The next day, both Apple Bloom and Kambuni managed to find and run into Tender Taps again where they expressed their interest in taking him up on his offer. It was there they reached a mutual agreement, first Apple Bloom and Kambuni would learn how to dance, and in return they help Tender Taps overcome his stage fright.

The three spent the following days spending whatever free time they could find working on Apple Bloom and Kambuni's dancing. Tender Taps sure felt comfortable whenever he was teaching the farm filly and ostrich, and it helped that doing so allowed the three to focus solely on dancing and nothing else.

Though, Apple Bloom couldn’t help but noticing she isn’t seeing much improvement in her own dancing as time went by. She kept managing to repeat the same mistake on the same part of the lesson over and over again, even when she tried to do something different each time.

Her friend however was able to feel herself getting better by showing no worry about what has happened so far being only focused on one thing only. Sure even after mastering the basic dancing she still found herself slipping up from time to time, but she didn’t let that bug her. Although, she now has a growing sense of dread knowing of what’s in store for her when the day of the big dance recital comes.

Sensing her friend’s nervous tics and movements as she dragged a leg on the ground along with looking aside when Tender Taps back was turned with his nervous tics paralleling the ostrich’s, had Apple Bloom saw that this might cause problems for the two come the big day. And it would be a shame that potential to show how great their dancing has become since day one would end up falling short all because of a crippling mental block.

“Although I wonder…” Apple Bloom said to herself with a hoof to her chin before smiling as she got an idea of how she can help them both out.

The following afternoon had both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo along with the rest of the Lion Guard fan club came running and trotting their way back to the clubhouse, as Apple Bloom had managed to summon them there.Since it had been almost a week and Apple Bloom had eagerly mentioned that she really wanted them to come and such short notice, they felt it was worth answering her call. Not to mention it gave them a chance to catch up and chat. They hadn't really seen each other much since they'd gone off to pursue their own interests aside from their fellow friends pursing one of the other Crusaders.

Scootaloo along with Gumba and Shakku still wore their helmets and safety goggles from their most recent bungee jumping attempt.

"Sweetie Belle! You are not gonna believe this, but I think I like bungee jumping even more than scootering!”

“Us too!” Shakku spoke up with equal excitement. “Along with rope and cliff climbing and bull-riding.”

“Not to mention go-karting, escalator climbing, and extreme sliding.” Gumba added.

Sweetie Belle felt very happy for her friends. “Seriously?! That's amazing!" She then showed everyone a rather tacky looking scarf that was draped around her neck. "Look what I did! I just finished it this morning!"

Scootaloo was unsure of what to say as she eyed the poorly made scarf. "Wow, Sweetie Belle.”

“Uh, that's, um…"

“...well, quite something already.”

Both Shakku and Gumba tried to say and finish for their friend.

Sweetie however didn’t mind one bit. "'Horrible? I know. But that’s okay. It was so much fun!" She twirled it around while fondly declaring. "Rarity was more than happy to show me how, even though she says and I quote:" She briefly said trying to mimic her big sister's voice. "'Crochet is knitting's poorer cousin.'," Then she let her normal voice return. "But I loved it! And since I know what I did wrong back then I’ll get it right next around."

"Awesome!" Scootaloo commented before turning to Mtoto. “And how about much big buddy, how was spending quality time with your big brother idol’s? Was it exciting as you hoped it would be?”

“Yes, it was!” Mtoto happily declared. “I got to learn how to buck apples like Beshte would normally do, and I got to learn of how to use a lasso like Applejack. It was really a lot of hard work that sure is much for one young elephant but I was told that once I grow up, then I’ll be a huge help and it’ll be as easy as plucking them off a tree.”

“Sounds great!” Shakku happily returned. “I’m sure Apple Bloom would feel the same way herself.”

“Speaking of which…” Gumba brought up. “...I wonder how she’s been holding up since we last saw her?”

"Don't know." Mtoto replied. "But I'm sure we're about to find out along with Kambuni and Kwato since they’ve been with her more recently." Then everyone proceeded to walk and trot inside the clubhouse.

There inside, Apple Bloom along with Kambuni and Kwato were already waiting for her fellow friends when they entered the clubhouse. While both the ostrich and zebra were quick to happily greet them they couldn’t help but look on in concern at Apple Bloom who is clearly not herself right.

"Oh. Hello girls, boys, sorry this happened to be the very first thing you see before your very eyes. Me. Alone. In the dark." She said bitterly and briefly. "And as you can see I’ve been tryin' to find somethin' I could do that I'd like doin' on my own," She unhappily sighed while sounding a little psychotic. "I looked all over town. I looked, and I looked, and you know what I found?” Everyone shook their heads in response. “Nothing!" She angrily answered before pulling the blinds allowing the room to be brighten up for all eyes to see the various hoof-drawn pictures with X’s on them.

“You tried every one of these?” Shakku asked as they all surveyed the various activities all around the clubhouse.

“Sure sounds like you have been keeping yourself very busy recently.” Gumba commented feeling amazed and confused.

“And yet you’re feeling upset towards us.” Mtoto noted out of concern. “Any reason why trying all of these things on your own didn’t help you feel any better?”

“Because each one just made me feel more alone than the next! Not to mention that I stink at many of these attempts at these activities.”

“Okay…” Mtoto then spoke trying to help her feel better. “...so none of them didn’t work out like you hoped. But it doesn’t mean you can’t not have fun with any of the things you tried. I mean when it came to spending time with Applejack and Beshte, I didn’t hit it off the bat with bucking apple trees and all of the heavy-lifting they do.” Apple Bloom looked on having snapped out of her previous grumpy attitude. “Because I’m young, I had assistance and supervision from the two in learning of how to buck a tree without hurting myself along with knowing how to properly lasso something without grabbing onto the wrong thing. But even then I still had fun knowing it’ll get easier with more practice and growing up.”

"Exactly!” Sweetie Belle agreed while showing her friend her scarf. “Even though this scarf didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to, I still had fun making it.”

Scootaloo added. "And being good at something doesn't always mean you'll find it fun. I mean even though I do enjoy ”

“Right. Right…” Apple Bloom returned apologetically for having that brief tantrum towards them. “...but now that I got it all out of my system, I would like to get to the true reason why I really called you all here.”

“And what’s that?” Shakku asked as he and Gumba were quick to notice the quiet and shyness in their ostrich friend. “Kambuni?”

“You okay?” Gumba asked only to receive a wordless shake of her head in reply.

“She is also part of the reason why.” Kwato explained for her friend. “But before we get into that there’s something else we wanted to discuss with you all.”

“What is it?” Mtoto asked as Apple Bloom moved to explain.

"The other day me, Kambuni, Kwato all swung by Diamond Tiara…”

“Right, right…The new honorary Crusaders.”

“The former bully turned into a great friend alongside Silver Spoon.”

Both Shakku and Gumba chimed in before letting Apple Bloom continue.

“For starters now that me, Sweetie, Scootaloo have our cutie marks, they suggested we turn our club into a business."

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle both blinked in confusion.

"A business?”

“Like what?”

"Cutie Mark Counselors." The farm filly explained. "The perfect way for us to put our unique talents to good use. And coming from the pony who has a group of friends that had a similar friendship bond where they got their cutie marks at the exact same time, we might have a great calling going forward. And it just so happens I know the first pony to put this new pratice to the test." She then further explained. "I recently met the best dancer in Ponyville, only problem is he’s so shy, he can’t find it in himself to perform.”

“Not even for one scene?” Shakku asked.

“Not even for a cameo in an upcoming movie.” Kwato shook her head before turning head to Kambuni. “And the same can be said for our friend Kambuni, who just so happens to have a growing skill for dancing, but much like the equally shy pony, she’s developed the same stage fright.”

“I really wish it wasn’t true.” Kambuni personally admitted. “But it is.”

“Aw, Kambuni.” Mtoto said in pity for her friend.

Sweetie then pondered. "I don't suppose this dancing pony had a cutie mark, did he?"

"No, he doesn’t." Apple Bloom replied as she shook her head. "But I think I might have a solution to help him overcome it and the same can be said for you too, Kambuni.” She said with an assuring smile. “But I’m going to need everyone’s help in order to pull this off."

“And that we can help you out with that.” Mtoto vowed with his trunk put forward.

“Us too.” Both Shaku and Gumba stated in agreement.

“Me three.” Kwato also agreed with a hoof placed on her nervous friend’s back.

Kambuni smiled as she sees all of the friendly support she has around her before preparing to listen to what her friends have to help her gain the confidence to perform in front of an audience along with Tender Taps.

Come the day and evening of the recital, the Crusaders along with the Lion Guard Fan Club made their way across Ponyville to town hall. By the time they opened the doors to the building where it’s taking place it’s sunset but the dancing recital had yet to start.

"You’re here!" Apple Bloom happily exclaimed before being shushed by a pony in the audience.

Tender Taps was quite surprised to see Apple Bloom, Kambuni, and Kwato so close to the recital, especially with two fillies and three Pride Landers he didn't recognize. "What are you doing here?"

“We’re here to help solve your problem, Tender Taps.” Apple Bloom answered. “And these ponies are like me the Cutie Mark Crusaders accompanied with the Lion Guard Fan Club. With the sole purpose to help ponies with problems when it comes to cutie marks and special talents. Here you’ve been talking about wanting to perform and show yourself as the best dancer anypony has ever seen. And tonight’s your night to shine."

The colt still had cold hooves in response upon seeing the other fillies are getting ready to perform. "Uh, didn’t I also tell you about my stage fright? And tonight’s audience is packed in every single seat. How am I supposed to step out in front of everypony like that?!!"

"With calmness and confidence.” Apple Bloom answered with a firm “get a hold of yourself.” glare. “Coming from the same pony who once told me that if you just give up then you'll never get better at somethin'," Apple Bloom said with a glare. "And now I’ve come to return the favor to help you and Kambuni who by the way has the same issues you have. And to do that, I plan to dance alongside you two tonight.”

“You mean…?” Kambuni asked.

“Yes, Kambuni.” Apple Bloom nodded. “We can go on together. No matter what, you'll both look good dancin' next to me."

Tender Taps looked out towards the crowd, and had the deep urge inside him told him to take that chance presented to him. It was all or nothing! "A-alright, I'll do it," He declared, before he realizing. "But I don't have my costume, and the backdrop is all wrong, and we don't have time to change it!"

"And that’s what our friends are here for.” Apple Bloom gestured to the two ponies and four Pride Landers beside her. “Leave everythin' to us."

A short time later, Tender Taps, Kambuni, and Apple Bloom were dressed in hastily crocheted but matching costumes: Tender's was bluish-green, Kambuni’s was red, and Apple Bloom's was purple.

"I don’t know about this." Tender Taps nervously asked.

"Relax, you'll do just fine!” Sweetie reassured while gesturing to Scootaloo, Shakku, and Gumba up on the catwalk next to the stage lights ready to act when needed.

Just then, the piano music stopped playing, a cue that that the next dance act was about to start. "Here goes nothin'..." Apple Bloom told Tender Taps and Kambuni as the two watched Scootaloo along with Shakku and Gumba swing down to change the backdrop to a hoof-drawn image of a city.

Jazzy music began to play as Apple Bloom trotted out first. Tender Taps and Kambuni still couldn't bring themselves to come out into the spotlight still frozen with fear. Apple Bloom just tap danced about in a clumsy fashion, which ended with her falling off the stage while several ponies in the audience laughed at her. She then turned back whispered in encouragement to her dance partners. "Can't be any worse than I was! Come on!"

So both Tender Taps and Kambuni swallowed lumps in his throat and started tapping their hooves and legs in time to the music and in perfect sync. They started out slow and unsure of themselves, but it wasn't long before they began to tap dance with more confidence. While Kambuni kept moving her legs and wings around to the beat, Tender Taps kept dancing, and dancing, and dancing, until all nervousness completely vanished.

Apple Bloom watched with amazement and satisfaction as both Tender Taps and Kambuni started dancing in perfect sync on the stage to the point they capped it off together by performing a back flip and slide to the very front edge of the stage together.

The audience burst into thunderous applause at the performance unfolding before their very eyes. And when it had ended a bright shine and flash appeared behind the pony because it became the very moment that Tender Taps had earned his cutie mark. A top hat and a spotlight.

After the performance, Tender Taps could barely contain his excitement over his new cutie mark. "I can't believe it! It's just what I always imagined it would be! And if it weren't for all of you, I wouldn't even have it.”

“And the same can be said for you all helping me with my stage fright. I mean for a second there I almost thought I was going to lay eggs in front of everypony.” Kambuni then added equally gratefully to the friends standing before them. “Thank you all.”

“Hey! That’s what friends are for!” Gumba quickly assured it’s no biggie.

“Anything for you is worth the time and effort we put in today to make it happen.” Shakku added feeling very pleased with what had happened today.

"Like both the mongoose and baboon here, it was no problem!" Scootaloo said humbly.

"Helping other is what we do," Sweetie Belle commented and turned to Apple Bloom. "And a great start to a new calling.”

“Yeah, I really think this Cutie Mark Counseling business will definitely work out after all." Kwato happily agreed.

Apple Bloom nodded before approaching Tender Taps. "I’m sure it will too.” Then she remorsefully added. "Though I only wish I had realized what you had needed right away instead of mopin' around for so long."

"It’s okay. I just hope you'll keep dancing," Tender Taps commented as he offered a hoof to Apple Bloom. "After all I’d say we’d make a very good team together. Both you and Kambuni."

Apple Bloom accepted Tender Taps' offer as she did a little tap dance of her own. "You know, I think I just might! It sure is a lot of fun, and I'm pretty confident I can only get better."

“And with the right amount of time and effort put into it, I’d say that’s something that can happen sooner than you realize.” Kambuni agreed. “Even if it means doing things on our own at times.

“And by going out solo at times, we’ll be able to cover more ground under the right circumstances.” Mtoto added pointing out the bright side in that.

“That we can!” Apple Bloom acknowledged. “And, one thing is for sure is The Cutie Mark Crusaders will never be the same," She then declared, much to the shock of her fellow Crusaders. "We'll be even better!!"

And then all three Crusaders high hoofed each other as they shouted together along with the Lion Guard Fan Club. "Yeah!"

All while both Kion and Twilight watch on from the nearby rooftops unnoticed as they have seen and witnessed the whole scene together smiling and feeling very proud of the children for what they’ve accomplished along with the friendship lessons they’ve learned and taught each other and together.

“Maybe just maybe…”

...these kids might have what it takes going forward.”

Author's Note

Before I begin I will start out by saying, I know it's quite out in the left field given that most of the Mane Cast doesn't appear in this episode like in cannon, unlike "Bloom and Gloom" there is some story material I could work with to make this happen.

But anyways, we get to see our favorite little adventurers and best buds in the spotlight again as they adjust to life during the war where pretend Lion and Pony Guard is no longer a thing for now. So with that the little ones went their separate ways to which bothered Apple Bloom greatly even though it's not the end of their friendship together.

On the positive side it allowed everyone to pursue something they couldn't do when together and at the same time it allowed Apple Bloom to figure out their purpose in life going forward now that they got their cutie marks (CMC that is) and they managed to out in into good practice by helping a timid filly master his stage fright so he can perform to the best of his ability at an upcoming recital. One where when he finally did so, he managed to gain something more than long awaited applause for unlocking his true potential. And that is a cutie mark proving that this little new business venture will work out quite nicely together.

Up next to close out the month we will see Scar make his first move on the Pride Lands this season by going after Kilio Valley with troublesome consequences when the worst thing ever to happen to them happens, so be on the look out for how they manage going forward until then, so stay tuned...

Episode 6: The Kilio Valley Fire

Episode 6:

The Kilio Valley Fire

As the following days pass, the daily patrols come and go. With Starlight in company, they had extra firepower on their side even though she is fully aware of the circumstances of her role in the Guard.

So far, things have calmed down in the Pride Lands but not enough to get everyone off-guard…

...at least until one day, the Army of Scar made their next move, by creating a fire at the elephants beloved and sacred home, Kilio Valley.

“That's it! Keep it up, everyone! We can't let the fire spread!” Kion instructed of everyone as they all work their hooves, paws, and magic in trying to neutralize the fire’s threat along with guiding the elephant herd to safety.

With Kion, Fluttershy, and Twilight taking lead in leading the herd away, to Starlight, Kyoga, and Rarity extinguishing the flames with their magic, to Fuli, Ono, Pinkie, Applejack, Beshte, and Bunga all creating burrows in order to cut the fire off from spreading any further and creating more damage than what has already happened. It was so far a progressively successful job on their part.

“Incoming!” Ono shouted while dumping dirt to extinguish the fire on the very top of a tree branch in front of him followed by Rainbow Dash swooping down from above to do the same to the nearby trees that were going to singe the elephants passing by.

“The fire break's done, Kion.” Fuli reported after doing so along with Pinkie who saluted to the leader of the Lion Guard once more.

“Great job, Fuli and Pinkie.”

“Applejack! Rainbow Dash!” Twilight called out. “Help Beshte and Bunga bury the flames!”

“You got it, Twilight.” Applejack proceeded to do so without second thought.

“On the double!” Rainbow stated before proceeding to continue her swift flying to put out the remaining fires as Applejack moved to help Beshte and Bunga dig up dirt to extinguish the fires on the ground.

“Heads up!” Ono called from above once more as he dealt the last fire the final blow to put it out for good.

Aside from a few trees, the elephant’s home has been saved from anymore damage.

“Great work, guys.” Kion congratulated after catching his breath a little. “The fire could have been a lot worse for Ma Tembo and the elephants.”

“But we did it!” Twilight stated feeling relieved before turning to Rainbow with a nod up towards the sky to make sure that all of the fires are truly gone who proceeded to do so.

“I’m just glad that the elephants still have a home. Just the very idea of all these Pride Landers without a home is just something I can’t even imagine happening.” Fluttershy expressed in relief before she and the rest of the Guard approach Ma Tembo's herd to give them the good news.

“Kilio Valley is safe now, Ma Tembo.”

“You're good to go back.”

Both Kion and Twilight happily reported.

“Thank you, Kion, Twilight. Lion and Pony Guard.” The leader of the elephants gratefully returned to their saviors.

“Too bad you didn't get here sooner.” One of the elephants, Zito, bitterly complained. “My favorite grove's been completely burned.”

“Zito. That's a small sacrifice compared to what could have been.” Ma Tembo quickly scolded.

“Not to mention a simple thank you is in order, Zito.” Rarity further scolded out of irritation to the elephant’s rude and ungrateful response. “If anything that’s better than nothing.”

Before the argument could continue, Rainbow Dash’s voice shouted out to everyone down below. “INCOMING!”

“What?” Starlight spoke up as she and Ono spotted more fire coming down from the guy. “Oh, no.” She spoke with wide-eyed horror.

“Uh, are you seeing what I’m seeing?” Applejack asked the others who all can see it clearly now.

“Yeah. What are those?” Fuli asked.

“I’ll see what I can see!” Ono squawked when one of the fires nearby singed his wings. “It's fire! From the sky! They must be embers from the fire!”

“No they’re not!” Twilight stated otherwise upon closely examining the branches the fire is coming from. “Those are recently lit branches! Fire bombs!”

“Which means Mzingo and his flock are up there!” Starlight also deduced.

Upon realizing what is happening, Twilight wasted no time in spreading her wings to take flight to the sky. “Starlight! Rainbow! You’re with me up in the skies! The rest of you, take care of neutralizing the fires that have already restarted. Fluttershy, guide the elephants to safety.”

All three ponies wasted no time in carrying out the alicorn princess’s commands.

“Let’s go!”

“Right behind you!”

“Got it!”

Just then Zito himself ended up stepping on an ember. “Gracious!”

With the aerial team already up in the skies, Kion took control in taking care of things on the ground. “Lion and Pony Guard, it's up to us to put out those fires!”

“But Kion, the fire's everywhere!” Ono pointed out.

“Then we will be too.” Kion stated with a resolve to stop this by any means.

“My strongest elephants can help, too.” Ma Tembo then said quick to offer her herd’s support. “Zito, Zigo, Johari. Help the Lion and Pony Guard fight these fires! The rest of you, follow me! And stay close!”

“Thank you, Ma Tembo!” Kion returned as she and the other elephants did as their leader told them to do before turning to those who stayed behind. “Okay. Zito, Zigo, you're with Fuli, Applejack, Pinkie, and Bunga on fire breaks.”

“Let's make sure they work this time.” Zito irritably said to the others which sparked irritated fury from the country pony and fashionista.

“Zito!” Rarity sharply growled with her flaring horn. “Mind your manners!”

“Yeah, what she said!” Applejack said with a snort from her nostrils. “Mind your manners!”

Zito rolled his eyes in response before doing of what the leader of the Lion Guard asked of him.

Up in the skies, Twilight and Rainbow were quick to spot out the source of the missing embers that keep coming down on the valley. And it is none other than their flying fiends that had Rainbow Dash sporting a very scornful scowl towards them.

“Mzingo!”

“Lightning!”

“And Wind Rider!”

“Guilty as charged.” Mzingo returned without remorse before he and the others proceeded to drop more lit torched down towards the ground before being quickly engaged in battle with the two fliers with the magically levitating unicorn following suit.

“Johari. Beshte. Rarity. Kyoga. Ono. Put out as many flames as you can!”

“Got it.”

“We’ll do our best.”

Both Beshte and Rarity vowed before quickly getting to work.

Fuli got to work in making more fire breaks with Zito assisting in using the nearby dirt to put out the fires in front of them.

“I need to make more fire breaks! Keep putting out those flames!” Fuli instructed as she went off to do so.

“As if I wouldn't have otherwise…” Zito muttered under his breath which was met with Kyoga quickly extinguishing the fires that nearly touched his trunk.

“Heard that. Now focus!” She barked before moving to work her magic to serve as a fire extinguisher alongside Rarity.

“Gotcha.” Ono declared after catching and immediately snuffing a fire ember.

Back down on the ground, Bunga grabbed Zigo’s trunk to have it blow out the fire embers trying to land on the ground. “Not this time, falling sky-fires!” By working together they were able to snuff them out no problem. “Yeah! Gimme some trunk!” The two shared a fist-trunk bump together in celeberation.

But without realizing it a couple of fire embers moved to nearly land right on top of them, had Kyoga not quickly dispelled them with her magic when she did. “Maybe save the celebration until after we stop the fires, guys?!”

Both Bunga and Zigo nervously grinned back at her before proceeding to continue with their task.

At the same time both Pinkie and Johari are working alongside Beshte and Applejack who are both using their super strength in turning bolders onto the fires in order to put them out.

“We got this one, Johari!”

“Grab more dirt and get on the other fires!”

Johari quickly did as he was told to do while Pinkie followed after him while stuffing special confetti and water balloons into her party cannon that’ll help neutralize the fires faster.

Elsewhere Ma Tembo and Fluttershy are both guiding the herd to safety away from the fires.

“Stay close, everyone!”

“And keep your trunks to the ground where there's less smoke!”

Unfortunately for them, they came across a voice accompanied with faces that they’d wish they aren’t seeing right now.

“It ain't smoke you gotta worry about. It's us!” Janja told them while he and his clan appear right in front of them.

“You again, Janja?!”

“Hyenas. Circle the little ones, and move!”

The elephants proceeded to do so while Fluttershy stays behind to give the hyena clan her stare once more leaving the hyenas struggling to resist giving into her glare’s power. However, the hyenas didn’t come alone.

“Why, hello, elephants!” Reirei greeted with her pack of jackals by her side before making a lunge at the elephant leader’s feet.

“Away from the jackals, everyone! This way!” Ma Tembo tried to lead her herd in the only other escape route, but by then it was too late.

“Guess again, Ma Tembo.” Kiburi stated smugly leaving the elephants trumpeting for help just when a masked predator managed to get a sneak attack on Fluttershy while her back was turned in shock at seeing most of the Outsiders here right now.

“Face it, Ma Tembo. Between us and the fires, you got nowhere to go. Not even with your animal loving buddy, Fluttershy around.” Janja taunted as the predator, wearing black catsuit, gray hoodie, red shoulder pads and knee pads, and a white and red theater mask, proceeded to use his jaws to hold the knocked out and defenseless pony hostage while cackling triumphantly.

Said cackling alerted Ono, Rainbow, and Twilight of what else was happening at that moment just when they managed to repel the vultures and the enemy Pegasus ponies.

“Oh, no! Kion! Twilight! Ma Tembo's herd! They're surrounded by hyenas, jackals, and crocodiles...and some masked predator we don't even know! And they got Fluttershy!”

“They have Fluttershy?!” Rainbow reacted with alarmed anger while spotting them. “Not for long!”

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight’s voice stopped her before she could do anything. “Think it through and coordinate with the rest of the Guard before taking action! I don’t want you recklessly risking yourself getting captured too!”

Rainbow sighed before having to compose herself enough to take her warning to heart. Especially since she had just learned how to be patient after not doing so kicked her in the flank, many, many times.

“What about the rest of us?” Ono asked Kion as he spots the flying brigade of Scar’s army making their way back with a vengeance with a horde of changelings flying right beside them to lead them back onto the battlefield. “Oh, no!” He gasped upon seeing the reinforcements coming their way. “Kion!”

“I see them, Ono!” Kion stated as the sight along had him making a tough decision here. Especially upon seeing that the Guard is now fighting a battle they can no longer win.

“So... What do we do?” Ono nervously asked.

“We save the herd.” Kion firmly answered but not without regret. “Forget the fire.”

“Forget the fire?”

“There's no other choice!” Twilight stated fully understanding why they have to retreat before giving both Ono and Rainbow commands. “Tell the rest of the Guard and the elephants and get them all to safety! I’ll take care of the changelings, vultures, and the former Wonderbolts.” To prove it’s something she can manage, she casted a protection spell that extends all across the Pride Lands to keep the fliers from advancing any further.

“Affirmative!”

“On it.”

Both Ono and Rainbow set out to do so while Starlight moved to flew by herself to help her maintain that spell long enough to ensure the herd can escape.

With both Kion and Rainbow joining in on the fight they were quickly able to help the elephants repel the crocs and the jackals who were trying to sink their teeth in the elephant’s trunks to no avail.

At the same time, Janja was prepared to lung his claws into Fluttershy ready to kill her along with Mtoto who bravely stood in his way to keep him from doing that to her.

“Hello, Brave Little Morsel trying to protect your little friend!”

Thankfully before anything else can happen Bunga was there to quickly push Janja away allowing Rainbow Dash to swoop in, knock aside the masked predator, and scoop Fluttershy up to safety.

“Goodbye, Janja!”

“And good riddance!”

And perfect timing since by then the Outsiders have moved to surround the elephants and the Lion and Pony Guard all unable to completely fend them off without a complete team along with reinforcements by their side.

“Kion, there's too many of them.” Fuli said to him while barely managing to fend off Kiburi’s crocs that attempted to come right at her.

“And the fire’s headed this way!” Rarity added while keeping herself on her hooves in employing her martial arts skills on the jackals that attempted to come after her while Applejack lassoed them away from them.

“I know!” Kion acknowledged. “We have to retreat. Ono and Rainbow are finding us the safest way out of here!”

“But why?” Rarity asked trying to understand why they have to give up Kilio Valley with her guard and fighting skills still put to use in action. “We usually take out the bad guys and make sure they retreat from battle. Not us.”

“Are you sure you’re okay from that scorpion sting, Kion. Because this is not like you.” Applejack inquired and pointed out.

“I’m sure he is. Look.” Kyoga backed him up when she managed to spot the very sight of what’s getting Kion to declare this. “Changelings!”

Everyone all looked on towards where said changelings are coming from as they’ve managed to make their way towards the barrier both Twilight and Starlight put up.

“Now that you mention that, never mind.” Applejack quickly said retracting her previous comments. “What’s the safest way out, Rainbow Dash, Ono?!”

“Still finding it.” Rainbow called back before turning her attention to one area that hasn’t been affected by the fires yet. “Until now!”

“We’ve got it!” Ono stated upon regrouping with the others alongside Rainbow Dash. “But we'll need to move quickly before the fire spreads!”

“Then lead the way!” Kion stated before turning the Guard’s Strongest. “Beshte, Applejack, clear the path for the elephants!”

“We’re on it.”

“You got it.”

“Bunga, Pinkie, Fuli, Rarity, keep 'em safe!”

“Will do.”

“Of course.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Let's go.”

With that decided, Kion moved to knock away the crocodile trying to snap his jaws on Ma Tembo. “Get away from her!” He growled in his direction before moving to inform the herd leader of the much needed retreat they have do. “Ma Tembo, we need to get everyone out of Kilio Valley!”

“You want us to leave? But…”

“I know, but we have no choice. The changelings are coming. Look.” Kyoga quickly explained while gesturing her towards the shield that is barely keeping said fliers along with the Pegasi ponies and vultures at bay thus shocking and terrifying the elephants upon seeing them.

“I want to save your herd.” Kion once more asserted. “So we gotta go! Now!”

Both Beshte and Applejack managed to move a rock aside to allow everyone a clear gap for them to make their escape from.

With this is light, Ma Tembo moved to take lead as the Lion and Pony Guard move to guide them away from Kilio Valley, even knowing how hard it is to leave home. “Everyone! Follow the Lion and Pony Guard out of the Valley! Immediately!”

“This way, everyone!”

“Hurry up!”

Both Ono and Rainbow directed everyone away from the fire and on to the path of safety as everyone else follows them. Upon seeing that everyone is safe, Twilight and Starlight ceased their use of magic on the spell and using the remaining magic they have to teleport out of there in a flash before the changelings could try to get an attack in.

With the Lion and Pony Guard having retreated, the Army of Scar watches on smirking triumphantly as they have managed to win this battle, and thus gained control of Kilio Valley.

After retreating to safety, as their now former home is now burned down. A magical dome with the Mark of Evil symbol appearing for all eyes to see from afar where the heroes can only look from afar after experiencing another sting of defeat.

“Fires are a part of the Circle of Life. But this... This was the biggest fire I've ever seen.” Ma Tembo said solemnly from atop a nearby hill with Kion, Twilight, Applejack, Ono, and Beshte by her side.

“I'm so sorry, Ma Tembo.” Kion apologized with it being the only thing he can say right now.

“You're "sorry"?” Zito returned deeming what happened unforgivable. “If you'd put out the fire properly to begin with, we elephants would still have a home!” Kion could only look down in shame in response.

“Hey!” Twilight was quick to defend her friend looking very aggravated by the elephant's continuing rudeness. “In case you haven’t fully comprehended of what just happened. I think he along with me and the others are the ones who did what we could by at least saving you and the herd’s lives.”

“But you still didn’t save Kilio Valley!” Zito sternly retorted. “And if you had worked more of your magic in fending them off, then you could have stopped this from happening!”

“And risk your lives to a warmongering half lion and alicorn?! Not happening! If you and the others go, there goes any chance of stopping this war against Scar.”

“Which wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t helped him in the first place!” He returned while towering his daggers and trunk in the alicorn’s face.

“Really?!” Twilight returned rather annoyed than insulted with that remark thrown in her face as the others look on in shock and worry at the growing tension. “You’re really gonna go there?!”

“Yes I am!” Zito dared to say as Twilight didn’t flinch nor back down in the face of his angry eyes and sharp tusks. “After all, you’re the reason he took over the Pride Lands once more right?”

“Yes. But that was all in the past and I made up for it by reclaiming the Pride Lands back from Scar.”

“But that still didn’t stop him from returning and retaking Kilio Valley, again!”

“And it’s our fault we couldn’t predict everything Scar does? Even when he just so happens to be very unpredictable that he will always find a way to get around us no matter what we do?! In case you have forgotten, even if we did stay and fight to put out the fires, Scar would sent more of his followers to double down on his attacks until we’re spread thin, before personally conquering the Valley himself if that didn’t work. We did everything we could to at least save you from being captured or worse.”

Zito however scoffed once more. “Not enough since we didn’t have a real lion and pony leader backing us up!”

“Zito!” Ma Tembo quickly scolded while equally shocked along with everyone else that he said that. Especially Starlight who is fuming furiously at the elephant to the point she planted her hooves into the ground to restrain herself from giving into the urge to attack him right on the spot.

“Yeah, I said it!”

Kion looked on very hurt by that statement while Twilight looked on very angry and disappointed even in the face of the direct insult towards them.

“A real lion and pony leader, huh?” She frowned with a calm tone of voice before turning her back on him while moving to comfort Kion. “Thanks. Thanks a lot.”

After several seconds of prolonging tension, Ono spoke up trying to make light of the situation. “You know...Fires do clear the way for new plants to grow.”

“It's true.” Ma Tembo acknowledged. “Our Valley will return. And so will we. But in the meantime, we elephants need a new place to live. Somewhere we can all be together.”

Twilight seeing that Kion is still down from the lost battle, moved to speak what he would have said in his place. “I know we can’t make up for the fire, Ma Tembo. But I promise we’ll find you the perfect place to stay.”

“Thank you, Twilight. Kion.” The elephant matriarch gratefully returned. “I know we can always rely on you two.”

“And with very loyal friends by your side, that is something you can be sure of.” Rainbow chimed in to back them up to state that’s a well-known and true fact along with shooting daggers in Zito’s eyes to showcase her anger at him for what he just said to his friends. “Something that you of all elephants will and should know because otherwise, you and I would definitely be having a serious talk for this.” With that Rainbow flew off ahead leaving the elephant in the dust to think about his poor behavior.

Meanwhile back in Kilio Valley, the Army of Scar is now looking in very pleased with what they’ve accomplished today with the fires all have now calmed down, leaving everyone surrounded with burnt trees and sooth and ash covered dirt around them.

“We did good, boys. Just like Scar asked.” Janja said proudly. “Now he's gonna know he can rely on us hyenas.”

“You hyenas?” Reirei returned with a disbelieving scoff as she approached him. “You couldn't find your own tails without us!”

To prove her point Chungu found himself trying to find his tail. “Why? Where'd they go?”

Kiburi thoroughly annoyed with his actions moved to whack the hyena away with his tail. “Quit it! You're making me dizzy. We all know it's the crocs who made this day a success.” He then proudly boasted.

Though Mzingo and his vultures along with Lightning and Wind Rider begged to differ on that as they floated down on the nearby tree branches to assert they have the higher ground on this matter.

“Yes, did someone say "success?" It seems our mission has been a rousing success. And all thanks to we vultures' pyrotechnic genius.” Mzingo said feeling superior than everyone else.

“Genius?"” Lightning returned like it’s a joke. “If you're so smart, why's Mwoga still holding that stick?”

Mwoga panicked upon seeing said stick still lit. “Oi! Emergency motion to allow me to extinguish this fire…“ He got rid of it by simply tossing it to the ground much to the vultures embarrassment and annoyance as evidenced with the heavy glares they shot at him. “Motion rescinded.”

“Good call.” Wind Rider commented as he simply flew over, licked his hoof before using it to snuff out the torch. “Especially considering it was a team effort on everyone’s part considering it took everyone of us to force the Lion and Pony Guard on the run with the elephants.”

“Not to mention, having to increase our numbers since it is the Lion and Pony Guard we are dealing with so that they would be compelled to retreat.” Pharynx then said as he and the other changelings are all surrounding them right now. “So even if one of us stood out, it was still a team effort.”

"And that is something I agree on..." The masked ally spoke as he removed his mask revealing himself to be none other than Makucha himself. "...and if it weren't for me napping that pony Fluttershy, they would have had less of a reason to be forced to surrender."

“Whatever.” Janja rolled his eyes not caring for this conversation anymore. “C'mon furbrains. Our job's done here. Let's go back to the Outlands.”

But at that moment Scar himself appeared from the smoke that appeared from the sky to have a say in the matter. “Go? But you've only just arrived!”

“Scar?” Janja uttered in complete surprise at seeing the half lion alicorn leader floating over their heads now of all times. “Uh... What're you doin' here?”

“I came to say well done. Kilio Valley is ours, for as long as we remain and lay claim to it. So... There's no going "back."”

“You mean you want us to stay here?” Kiburi asked as he figured out what he meant by that.

“But, why?” Reirei asked feeling confused even though the place is now rendered uninhabitable.

“All part of my plan. We will take over the Pride Lands and Equestria piece by piece. So in the end... There will be nothing left for the Lion and Pony Guard to defend!” He then evilly laughed in triumphant leaving many Outsiders rendered speechless and horrified with how far he is willing to go for the sake of his revenge.

Elsewhere in the Pride Lands the Lion and Pony Guard’s first attempt in finding the elephants a new home involves a stop at Ndefu Grove.

“Ma Tembo, welcome to your new home.” Kion said to them as they arrived.

“Ndefu Grove?” Zito returned not liking it one bit. “You're making us live with the galagos?”

Ma Tembo was quick to chide him once more. “Hush, Zito. It looks like a fine place to stay.”

“It is.” Kion said with a friendly smile. “It's big, there's lots to eat, and the galagos are always really welcoming!”

Said galagos all wave at the elephants ready to offer them their hospitality.

“Welcome!” Laini greeted from the branch of the tree she’s currently standing on.

“See?” With his point proven, Kion moved to seek her permission to make this happen. “Laini, there was a fire in Kilio Valley, so Ma Tembo and her elephants...”

From there Laini didn’t need to hear another word to make up her mind. “Need a place to stay? We'd love to help! Come on in!”

“Okay!” Pinkie said delighted to see of how warm welcoming the galagos are. “That was easy!”

“Like my dad always says, "There's always room for another hippo in the watering hole."” Beshte commented.

“Thank you, Laini.” Ma Tembo gratefully returned.

“Our pleasure, Ma…” She then stumbled when something bumped into her tree.

“Oh, my! Laini?”

As it so happens the elephants trying to get by and squeezing by nearby trees ended up causing the galagos including Laini to fall out of their trees.

“Hey, look at that! The elephants and galagos are already playing together!” Bunga commented already feeling they’re getting along very well despite obvious evidence to the contrary.

“Bunga, this isn’t a game!” Applejack corrected. “That’s the elephants accidentally getting in the galagos way!”

“And they’re scaring them!” Already worried for them Fluttershy sprung into action. “Elephants! Stop!” All of the elephants all freezing in their tracks.

Laini then quickly jumped on Kion’s head to make it clear to him that already this isn’t going to work out. “Kion, Twilight, this is a disaster! A disaster!”

“It's okay, Laini. I've got this.” Kion assured. “Elephants, keep holding still!” They all continue doing so. “See? Everything's okay now.”

“But only because they're not moving! When they walk the ground shakes, and the trees move, and…”

“It’s okay, Laini.” Twilight said with a raised hoof to get her to stop rambling. “There’s always somewhere else we can try to help accommodate the elephants. I’m sure of it.”

Already getting the message Ma Tembo moved to assure her they’ll leave in peace. “We elephants don't want to cause any trouble for you, Laini. We can find some other place to stay.”

Hearing sparked relief to Laini’s ears. “Really?” She corrected herself upon realizing she said that out loud. “I mean... If you think Kion and Twilight can find you someplace else...”

“Oh, without a doubt.” Zito snidely remarked earning himself another glare from both leaders of the Guard.

“Zito, we said we’d find you a new home…”

“...and when we said it, we mean it, and we will. Elephants, follow us!”

“Phew!” Laini as hard as she tries to be helpful couldn’t be more relieved the moment they left.

So with that the Guard went on over to Acacia Grove where the giraffes live, hoping they can help the elephants feel at home there.

“It just makes sense.” Kion reasoned. “Giraffes and elephants are both big. You both eat leaves. It's a perfect match!”

“Maybe…” Twilight acknowledged what he is saying but couldn’t help but feel there’s quite a big size difference that might conflict with that. “...maybe not.”

None of the less Twiga tried her hardest to help them out. “I suppose... If they really need someplace to stay...”

“Thank you, Twiga.” Kion gratefully returned. “Ma Tembo, you and your herd are welcome in Acacia Grove!”

“What a relief. Thank you, Twiga.” With that the elephants made themselves at home.

“Pride Landers helping Pride Landers. That's what it's all about.” Beshte commented feeling pleased to see what he is seeing.

“Yeah... It really is.”

But just before things could feel like all said and done. Twiga’s voice sparked out in horror with what one of the elephants just did. “What? What are you doing?

“Uh-oh.”

“It looks like we might need to keep looking.”

Both Ono and Fluttershy commented knowing that this isn’t good news and quickly figured out why.

Said compliant happens to be Zito pulling down a whole branch of leaves. “I'm eating.”

“But you pulled down the whole branch!”

“Well, yes. It's how we elephants eat. Look around!”

Twiga could only watch on in horror as the elephants eat more than their fair share before voicing her objections to both leaders of the Guard. “Kion! Twilight!”

Kion was quick to try to insist to least give a little time to adjustment to each other’s needs. “Twiga, I know the elephants' ways are different. But please. They need help...”

But Twiga won’t hear anymore of it. “Then get someone else to help them! If they stay here, they'll eat our whole grove!”

“Twiga...”

“Giraffes need food too, Kion! Do you want us to starve?”

“Don’t worry, Twiga.” Twilight quickly assured to get her to calm down. “We’ll find another way. Elephants. Let’s move.”

“I guess the giraffes don't want us around either.” Mtoto said now feeling upset for upsetting them with his mother quick to comfort him.

“I'm sure it's not that.” Ma Tembo quickly and gently said to assure of it. “She's worried about her own herd, that's all. There is another place we can go, isn't there?” She then asked both Kion and Twilight.

“I know the perfect place!” Zito proposed. “Lots of space, beautiful groves of trees. Oh, wait. The Lion and Pony Guard let it burn.”

“Zito!” Twilight once more scolded. “There is another place. We just need to figure out where.”

The next herd they could think of on short notice, is the antelope’s grazing ground.

“Their home is gone, Bupu. Can they stay here for a while? Please?” Kion asked of Bupu.

The antelope leader always someone who will listen when shown proper manners here and there moved to give it a try. “Well, since you asked politely.”

“Thanks, Bupu.”

“Yes, thank you. Elephants, let's make ourselves at home!”

But thanks to the elephants habit of tossing dirt around in a careless manner, he was quick to change his mind. “Unacceptable!”

“Beshte, are the antelopes going to kick us out too?” Mtoto worryingly asked.

The Lion Guard’s Strongest had a difficult time answering that. “Um…”

“Applejack?”

“Can’t say that won’t unless the other elephants make some much needed adjustments, assuming they can.”

Kion however was quick to keep that from happening...at least for now. “No. They're not.”

“Actually…”

“A little time, Bupu. That's all I need. Just so I can figure this out.”

Bupu reluctantly complied as the Lion and Pony Guard step aside so they can have a more personal and private discussion about it.

“How much time do you think he'll give you?” Fuli asked the leaders of the Guard.

“Not much.”

“And as for where they are going to live, that depends if there is somewhere else in the Pride Lands we haven’t tried or somewhere where the elephants can feel welcome without bothering anyone else.” Twilight added feeling uncertain herself of how this is all going to work out.

“But about Equestria?” Pinkie asked. “They managed to toughen it out in Diamond Valley and in Ponyville?”

“As much as I hate saying it, I don’t think that’s work either since we’ll run into the same problems the other Pride Landers experienced today.” Twilight informed after recalling of how difficult it was for them to adjust to living in Ponyville. “It took a lot of digging around along with careful consideration of others just to find a spot for them to call home long enough until I could defeat Scar first time around.”

“And while the Valley has remarkably recovered since Scar’s attack there years ago, I really would rather not put it in danger along with compromising the elephant’s needs all over again.” Kyoga added feeling certain it’s not going to work out herself.

“And the same can be said for Kilio Valley since now that we know of what Scar’s plan is we’re definitely not getting the elephants back in there now that he has control over there.” Starlight added in agreement. “So that unless we have more powerful reinforcements on our side, I don’t see gaining back control there happening anytime soon.”

“No way!” Pinkie gasped. “He can't do that! Can he?”

“I’m afraid he can, darling.” Rarity regretfully returned.

“The Pride Lands just got smaller. And I let it happen.” Kion then said feeling more downcast and disheartened with the loss himself.

Back at Kilio Valley, the Outsiders minus Makucha, and the changelings who have been granted permission to leave, are all struggling among themselves that they have to occupy the land under Scar’s orders. But on the bright side, he did supply them with a buffet he managed to conquer from the meat shops in Ponyville beforehand which quelled their arguments for the time being.

“We all agree this place is a dump and no one likes it, right?” Janja then said to everyone who are all nodding in agreement.

“I think it's cozy.” Goigoi commented otherwise wasting no time in taking a nap in the ash and sooth he is laying on.

"And here I thought, things were bad when Twilight was around to help keep things in order." Reirei grumbled otherwise to herself.

“Well, since everyone else hates it, I'm willin' to do you a favor and have us hyenas be in charge.” Janja then said and offered, though the other leaders strongly disagree with this proposal.

“You hyenas?”

“No way. Scar didn't say nothing about you running things.”

“Territorial leadership claims cannot be determined without proper parliamentary procedure! Isn't that right?”

The other vultures also agreed.

“Aye!”

“Aye!”

“Even someone needs to be in charge of here, that honor goes to me!” Lightning stated feeling herself superior to the others.

“Guess again, Lightning. Because that should go to someone who’s been with the Wonderbolts the longest, and that is me!” Wind Rider voiced to disagree himself.

“We don't need no procedure. Just let me run this dump!” Janja asserted before breaking out into a song even in the face of the resentful Outsiders.

I'm Gonna Run This Dump

Music start at 0:35 onward.

After Janja sang voicing his desire to run the burned down valley, Reirei, then, Mzingo, and even Lighting Dust and Wind Rider got in on the singing voicing their objections and their own desires and stances of why they should run Kilio Valley. And at one point they all turned to Kiburi giving him a chance to sing himself and follow suit to which unlike the others or even the higher ranked bosses themselves did, did not with only this to say in response.

“I don’t sing.”

And once their song had ended, it dissolved into heated arguments with one another as they all got into each other’s faces all trying to assert that they should be the rightful leaders of the land they now claim all while at each other’s throats something that did not go unnoticed by Scar himself who is secretly watching on and is now personally considering of how to resolve the matter in order to quell their arguing.

Meanwhile, Kion is trying to walk along to clear his head with the Lion and Pony Guard for company. “I can't let Scar win. He may have destroyed Kilio Valley. But I won't let him turn the Pride Landers against each other.”

“What are you worried about, Kion?” Bunga tried to say to make light of it. “I bet by now the antelopes love having the elephants around!”

“Yeah! All they need is just a big party to help them get along and feel more welcome amongst each other.” Pinkie happily proposed.

“Pinkie, I’d hate to burst your bubble...again. But I’d hold off on the party for now.” Rainbow returned as she and Ono got a scope of the antelopes seeing to that the elephants leave their grazing grounds.

“Rainbow’s right! The antelopes have kicked them out too!”

This however did not sit well with Kion. “No! This can't keep happening. Come on!” He is quick to lead the team to intercept Ma Tembo before she could lead the herd another step forward. “Ma Tembo! Ma Tembo. Whatever happened between you and the antelope, I can fix it.”

“Thank you, Kion. But, we don't want to stay where we're not wanted.”

“And it seems we're not wanted anywhere in the Pride Lands.” Zito condescendingly added in an “I told you so.” manner.

“Are you kidding? Of course there is somewhere in the Pride Lands.” Pinkie interjected. “We just haven’t found out where it’s going to be.”

“Yeah!” Bunga agreed. “Just because the galagos didn't want you, and the giraffes didn't want you, and the antelopes didn't want you... You know, he might have a point.” That along earned herself a glare from both Fuli and Applejack with the latter slapping him on the back of the head for it. “Ow!”

“There's still lots of other places.” Kion then offered now sounding a bit desperate himself. “Like the zebra grazing grounds. Or…”

But Ma Tembo had already made up her mind as she kindly cut him off mid-sentence. “Thank you for trying, Kion. But I'm afraid Zito is right. My herd needs a real home. It seems we'll have to leave the Pride Lands.”

Seeing that this is it Mtoto moved over towards both of his idols for this heartbreaking farewell exchange. “Goodbye, Beshte. Goodbye, Applejack.”

With nothing else to say, Applejack tipped her hat to the young elephant. “Best of luck, Mtoto. The same can be said for the rest of the herd.”

“At least let the Cutie Mark Crusaders along with other friends know that I’ve been called away?”

“Of course, young elephant. That I can promise.”

“Thank you.”

Beshte however couldn’t find anything to say himself and only recovered from his shock long enough to turn to Kion hoping he has another answer to resolve this. “Kion... What are we gonna do?”

Kion however didn’t have anything to resolve. At least not right now. “I'll be back.” He told him before moving to find somewhere quiet and private so he can talk to Mufusa with Twilight following after him.

“Where are they going?” Starlight asked curiously.

“They’re going to talk to and see Mufusa.” Rarity answered. “A common thing they do whenever Kion’s feeling down after dealing with a rather difficult dilemma like with what happened earlier.”

“Oh. I see.”

“Grandfather Mufasa?

Right on cue, Mufasa's spirit show up. “Yes, Kion. I'm here.” He greeted with his usual warm tone and smile.

“Grandfather... I failed the Pride Lands. I lost Kilio Valley to Scar.” He sadly admitted.

“And the loss weighs heavily on you.”

“Of course it does! My whole job is to protect the Pride Lands! And I couldn't do it!”

“There is more to the Pride Lands than just land.” He assured and reminded. “What happened to the elephants of Kilio Valley?”

“They're all okay. But they're leaving the Pride Lands because I can't find a new home for them.” Then he came to admit to himself. “Maybe they're right to doubt me.”

“No, absolutely not.” Twilight asserted otherwise while shaking her head at the very idea. “And if this is about what Zito said earlier, never mind that.” She then moved to recall a past experience she once had where the roles between them were reversed. “Kion, do you remember back when the Pride Landers were adjusting back to living in the Pride Lands after Scar’s defeat?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, for somepony treated as an outcast for her role as the Princess of Darkness, a wise prince who became the Prince of Friendship at the time once told me that they’re were just upset with what had happened and needed time to properly adjust for the better. It took me time away from the Pride Lands along with competing in a musical band battle against the Evil Lions of the Pride Lands Past for me to see that but when I did I was able to push forward and help them see why I deserve to be forgiven and seen for what I’m capable of. Just when it seemed like others have lost faith and trust in me I was able to prove them wrong and regain that faith and trust.” To make her point clear. “Do you understand what I’m saying, Kion? Things got better once I got over doubting myself and not allowed anyone not even Zito thinking we’re not a real lion and pony to dictate my capabilities as a good leader.”

“Well said, Twilight.” Mufasa said with a warm approving smile. “What other animals think is beyond your control. But don't let their doubt cause you to doubt yourself. You have indeed suffered a defeat. But how you deal with defeat is just as important as how you deal with victory.” With enough advice and wisdom given to his grandson, he disappeared back into the clouds, with the hopes that he’ll pull through like Twilight did before.

Just then both Ono and Rainbow came flying over to them upon finding them.

“Kion! Kion!”

“Twilight! Twilight!”

“Rainbow?”

“Ono, what's going on?”

“It's another fire!”

“This time in Ndefu Grove!”

“Was it Scar again.”

“Where are Janja and the others?”

“Let’s see.” Both flyers moved to get a look of Kilio Valley where they see the Army of Scar still occupying the land and are all still fighting each other. “They're still in Kilio valley. And they're fighting each other.”

“Arguably the best news we’ve heard all day.” Rainbow sarcastically quipped. “But that aside, for once, Scar is not behind this.”

“Good to know.” Twilight replied with Kion ready to follow alongside her ready to take action.

“C'mon! Let's go save Ndefu Grove!”

In no time, the Lion and Pony Guard managed to make their way back to Ndefu Grove.

“Okay! Beshte. Ono. You two…”

Just then Laini came up to them leaping up on Kion’s face in desperate need of help. “Lion Guard! Pony Guard! You have to save my galagos! Please! Please! Please! Oh. Sorry!” She quickly detached herself from the lion’s face after realizing she’s clamping his mouth shut from saying anything, though he didn’t really mind it.”

“Don't worry, Laini. We'll save them.” Kion vowed to which the happy galago clasped her little hands together with a thankful smile in return. “Let's go.”

Taking action, both Kion and Fuli, accompanied with both Twilight and Rainbow Dash managed to run and fly over to the tree where the galagos are all screaming and hanging for dear life on a tree.

“Ready when you are, Rainbow.” Twilight said while getting into a ready position with her wings spread out.

“Great!” Rainbow said with her wings spread out ready herself waiting for the galagos to be rescued.

“Just aim for my spots and jump!”

“We'll catch you, don't worry!”

Both Fuli and Kion assured while strecthing their backs out ready to catch them.

“Yeah! I'm a great catcher!” Bunga added offering his assistance.

With their faith placed in their saviors, the galagos all leaped down and all landed safely in Bunga, Kion and Fuli’s care thus giving their flying friends the signal to take action.

“See? I'm good at this!” Bunga proudly remarked. “Wanna do it again?”

“No!” Both Twilight and Rainbow firmly stated against the idea before carrying out their planned duo maneuvers together.

With a quick feat of circles and swirls all colored with a mixture of both ponies mane colors combined created a powerful gust of wind that put out the fire.

With that they went over towards the other who are all trying their hardest in putting out the fires much like they did last time. And much like last time, it is looking like another losing battle.

“Kion. The fire's spreading. Ono and I can't put it out fast enough.”

“And Kyoga and I need more magic to keep the fires at bay!” Rarity reported as she strained with some fatigue endured from the last fiery battle with her struggled grunts. “Twilight! Please help us!”

“Oh, right.” With that Twilight was quick to come to their aid which proved to be very vital in holding it off more successfully while Applejack and Pinkie double on their efforts in creating burrows to create fire breaks to keep them from spreading any further.

“But even still I'm afraid we might lose Ndefu Grove!” Fluttershy voiced with worry while trying her hardest to keep herself at a safe distance from the fires while putting them out with the fastest speed her wings will give.

“No.” Kion shook his head at the very idea. “I'm not losing any more of the Pride Lands. We just need some help.” With the idea of reinforcements in mind, Kion figured out how they can do it. “Keep at it guys! Don't give up yet!”

“On it, Kion!”

“You can count us, darling!”

Both Pinkie and Rarity vowed for the team as they continued keeping it at bay while Kion ran to catch the elephants with Starlight running after him.

“Right behind you!”

While this is happening, Fluttershy and Fuli moved to bring the galagos to Laini who is very happy and relieved they all made it out alive.

“Hooray! Thank you, Lion and Pony Guard. Thank you!”

“You’re all very welcome.” Fluttershy sweetly returned while sporting pink cheeks.

Elsewhere, both Kion and Starlight have managed to catch up to Ma Tembo's herd who thankfully haven’t gotten far.

“Ma Tembo, please stop. Please!” Kion pleaded with Starlight quick to teleport right in front of them to get them to stop.

“Kion. I know you and your friends want us to stay…”

“It's not about that right now. We need your help.”

“Ndefu Grove is on fire, and we can't save it on our own.” Starlight added.

“Ndefu Grove? Shame there aren't any elephants living there…” Zito returned without a hint of care towards other lives in an almost callous manner.

“Zito, hush!” Ma Tembo once more scolded.

But that was the last straw for Starlight as she is now locking eyes of fury straight at him while telling him off. “Now listen here, Zito. I know you’re upset and frustrated that we couldn’t save Kilio Valley along with being unable to live with the other animals in the Pride Lands, along with whatever you think me for what I did to contribute to this along with Twilight, and we’re sorry for that. But you haven’t done any favors by openly complaining every chance you got along with putting my friends especially Kion down when all he’s trying to do is help. But enough said for now, we really do need your help, especially the galagos who are also about to lose their home just like you all. So if you still have a heart inside of you, at least put aside that stubborn and rude attitude of yours and at least help save their home alongside the Lion and Pony Guard. It’s the least you can do.” Once Starlight was done with her speech and rant, Zito could only look on amazed and then ashamed with how he’s been acting once again but not enough to admit it and reconsider.

“And even if with all things considered, you're still Pride Landers!” Kion then said. “Please. Help me show everyone what that really means.”

And that was enough to get Ma Tembo on board. “Of course we'll help.”

“We will?” Zito asked rather befuddled at his leader’s decision who is quickly to sternly lecture him of why they are going to and should help them out. “Yes Zito. The Pride Landers are our family. And you don't turn your back on them. Even when they make mistakes.” With that said Ma Tembo then said to Mtoto's Mom “Stay with the little ones.” She nodded as Ma Tembo spoke with the rest of the herd. “Everyone else, with me! We'll go to Ndefu Grove by way of Lake Kiziwa!”

“Thank you, Ma Tembo.” Kion said very pleased they are willing to listen to them as many of them head on over to Ndefu Grove.

“And you’re welcome, Kion.” Starlight chimed in feeling proud herself. “Plus it felt good to put that mean elephant in his place for the way he treated you.”

“Thanks, Starlight.” Kion returned with a chuckle.

“Anything for a friend.”

Zito however still remained behind with Mtoto’s mother and the little ones still adamant on helping out. “Don't worry about me, then! I'm staying right here. With family that appreciates elephants!” He called after them before turning to the others. “Am I right? I'll take that as a yes.” They all frowned at him in disapproval towards his abrasive attitude.

Back at Ndefu Grove, the fires have remained at bay thanks to the combined efforts of the Guard, and it was then Kion and Starlight arrived with the backup they very much need.

“It's Kion and Starlight! With help!” Ono spoke up being the first to spot them after everyone heard loud rumbling nearby.

“About time!” Rainbow remarked feeling very relieved that now they can put out this fire much more quicker now.

“Ready... Now!” On Kion’s command, Ma Tembo's herd spray water at the fire and managed to put out most of them in a matter of seconds.

“Whoa! That feels great!”

“Yeah! Quite refreshing I might add! Do it again!”

Both Bunga and Pinkie happily said to them when that happened.

While Kion was overseeing the fires being put out, he found himself no time to work his magic when a tree moved to fall on him with no warning and leaving no time for Twilight, Starlight, and Kyoga to come to his rescue…

“Kion!”

“Look out!”

“Behind you!”

...as luck would have, Zito had arrived in time to put his back in the way of the falling tree thus saving the young leader’s life.

“Zito! You came!”

“Yes, well…” Zito then said with a change of heart. “You don't turn your back on family. Unless your back will save them from a falling tree.”

“Thanks, Zito. C'mon! Let's put out his fire.”

Zito wasted no time in joining Ma Tembo's herd helping take care of the fire, and in very short time, the fires were all put out with little to no damage, and thus saving Ndefu’s Grove.

“Is it over?” Laini hopefully asked as they see their home obscured by smoke.

To answer her question, Ma Tembo's herd along with the Lion and Pony Guard all emerged from the smoke with the elephants all trumpeting victoriously to assure them that they indeed saved their home.

“Thanks to the elephants, the damage isn't bad.”

“Once everything cools down, you can go back.”

Both leaders of the Guard happily shared.

“Thank you.” Laini with great gratitude said to them while doing the same to Ma Tembo and her herd. “And, thank you. You and your elephants saved our home. Even after we pushed you away.”

“We know how it feels to lose a home.” Ma Tembo returned with great empathy for them. “We were proud to help save yours.”

“Please live with the galagos! We'd love to have you!”

“Thank you. Your offer is most generous.” Ma Tembo then turned to Zito with a stern and expecting look towards him. “Isn't it Zito?”

“Well, we have to live somewhere…”

“And…?” Starlight chimed in expecting him to say more than that.

“...and we won’t be having this conversation, if it weren’t for you and Kion to help me understand of how much your home means to you all.”

“And…?”

“...and I’m sorry for what I said earlier, Kion. You too, Twilight. And I hope you can forgive me in time.”

“That won’t be necessary, Zito.” Twilight firmly stated with a stern look which soften up into a happy smile. “Because we’ve already have.”

“Hooray!” The galagos cheered while climbing onto Zito's trunk already welcoming him and the other elephants into their home to which the grumpy elephant moved to smile at them in return.

“I think this might actually turn out okay.” Fuli optimistically voiced as they see the elephants and galagos all working together to help each other live in Ndefu’s Grove in peace.

“That I think you’re right, Fuli.” Fluttershy said in agreement.

“Definitely right!” Rainbow stated fully sure of that.

“Your darn tootin!”

“Poa!”

Both Applejack and Beshte chimed in.

“I always knew it would.” Bunga said with crosses his arms to which earned himself another frown from the farm pony and slap to the back of the head. “Ow!”

“But still...this calls for a victory party!” Pinkie happily declared before wasting no time in getting all of her party supplies, refreshments, and decorations all set up for the elephants to enjoy to celebrate this occasion.

But during the celebration, both Kion and Twilight happened to spot and come across Ma Tembo who's sadly staring on at Kilio Valley where smoke is still brewing from the aftermath of Scar’s attack. “Kilio Valley...”

“We'll get you back home one day, Ma Tembo.“

"We promise.”

Both leaders vowed and assured.

Thank you Kion. Twilight.” Ma Tembo smiled. “I look forward to having our land back. But as for home…” She turned back to see the galagos already playing with Zito and the other elephants still enjoying each other’s company during the party that had just started which further brighten her smile. “We're already here.”

Author's Note

Here in this episode, as the title above says, is the Kilio Valley Fire where the Army of Scar make their first move since the close call at the Crystal Empire, and succeed in taking the land itself forcing the elephants to retreat and relocate.

Said task itself, is difficult when elephants have different needs compared to other Pride Landers that make trying to live alongside unable to work out. Along with Zito, giving both leaders of the Guard a hard time with little gratitude for the fact that he is still standing and not cornered by his enemies.

Fortunately, after another fire that's not Scar's doing along with a group of Pride Landers who were ready to give the elephants another chance to help them remain in the Pride Lands by trying to offer to share their territory once more.

Anyways that's it for this month, when April opens up next week we'll see Twilight, Rarity, Kion, and Bunga travel back to the Dragon Lands where they see Spike compete with other dragons to decide who will succeed the Dragon Lord as he finally steps down after a lengthy reign. So stay tuned until then...

Episode 7: Gauntlet of Fire

Episode 7:

Gauntlet of Fire

Following the eventful days of helping the elephants and galagos get settled in Ndefu Grove together, came another day of relaxation for the Lion and Pony Guard to allow them to unwind and mentally prepare themselves for their next battle. During which Spike and Bunga had agreed to accompany Rarity to the Ponyville caverns where it is a loaded gold mine for diamonds. Diamonds the unicorn needs for her suits and dresses with the young dragon hungrily eyeing them since it’s his source for his favorite treats, which is very common for dragons nowadays.

“The last time I was here, I woke them and ended up with a mane full of bats!” Rarity expressed in a hushed tone to avoid waking said bats sleeping up on the cave ceiling while cringing and batting her front mane curl. She then sighed in relief and smiled at her two companions. “Thanks for being my basket holders, Spike. You too Bunga.”

“Basket holders? I thought we were your bodyguards.”

“Yeah! Me too!”

“What?” Rarity giggled realizing she did say that before hoof. “Oh, heh, yes, yes, that of course, too. Oh, for once I wish unicorn magic wasn't so...luminescent!”

Just then a sudden bright glow shined inside the cave, along with getting the bats to bat open an eye starting to wake up because of it. Said light is coming from Spike who’s body is glowing uncontrollably.

“Spike! You'll wake the bats! Turn that off!” Rarity desperately urged of him.

“Ugh, I can't!” Spike insisted while finding himself unable to stop scratching because of whatever is happening with his body.

“Uh oh.” Bunga said realizing what’s going to happen as the bats all move to swarm all over them. “Not on my watch!” Rarity gasped before listening to the honey badger while quickly whisking up face masks for herself and Spike before carrying the latter on his back so she can rush themselves out of the cave before their friend could unleash his gassy weapon on them.

Thanks to that, the bats were all knocked out and rendered unconscious, allowing the proud honey badger to whisk up the diamonds Rarity needed today before making his way out of the cave. “The good ole stink bomb. Never fails.”

Meanwhile, Twilight, Kion, and Kiara are all gathered together at the former’s castle where they’ve managed free time so that the adult lions, along with the alicorn sisters could come by for a casual brunch visit. Something that they have arranged to have once a month.

“I'm so glad you all could come!” Twilight happily expressed.

“Yeah! Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Kion added in agreement.

“Me neither.” Kiara said likewise.

“Of course.” Luna returned feeling equally pleased. “We so rarely get a chance to relax and just visit.”

“There's usually some crisis we have to deal with.” Celestia added. “Somepony always needs our help.”

“Not to mention dealing with the ongoing stress and strategy of dealing with an ongoing war.” Simba added while trying his hardest to maintain a positive cool-headed outlook for one day for his family’s sake. “But for once I’m glad I had a clear slot in my schedule to make this possible. Especially for family.”

“Well said, Simba.” Nala said approving of what she is hearing and is listening to her wishes along with listening to what his own mental health need’s. “And always like prior months, this gathering’s quite delightful. And…”

Just then they heard Rarity’s shrieks of help as she entered the room with Spike in tow. “Help! Twilight! There's something wrong with Spike!”

“What's wrong?”

“What is it?”

Both leaders of the Guard asked.

“Phew! And what’s that smell?” Kiara asked after his nose picked up something foul before seeing Bunga follow in after them. “Never mind. I don’t want to know why.”

“Aside from having to scare the bats away from attacking both Rarity and Spike…” Kiara frowned in response. “...it all just happened when we were out diamond digging.”

“And then all of a sudden, my scales just started glowing and... burning!” Spike added as he still can’t stop himself from scratching himself like crazy.

Upon close examination Princess Luna was quick to explain why. “Little is known about dragon culture, but this is a phenomenon we've seen before. It is the call of the Dragon Lord.”

“Dragons glow whenever the Dragon Lord has need of them in the Dragon Lands.” Princess Celestia further added.

“Great... H-How do I make it stop?!”

“The only way to end the summons is to answer it.” Princess Luna answered. “You must journey to the Dragon Lands and see what is expected of you.”

“What?!” Kion exclaimed in shock at the idea. “But the Dragon Lands are dangerous!”

“Yeah!” Rarity also exclaimed equally shocked. “And they're full of ghastly and rotten creatures!” She then had to correct herself after seeing Spike. “Oh, oh, not you, of course, Spikey-wikey. But remember that rotten Garble?”

“How could I forget?” Spike nervously gulped upon recalling said memory. “He would have burnt us to a crisp if you weren't there. If I have to go to the Dragon Lands, would you four come with me?” He then asked of Rarity, Twilight, Bunga, and Kion.

“Of course!”

“Absolutely!”

“Anything for you, Spike.”

They all replied very quick to offer support and back up for him for the trip.

“How about you, Twilight? Will you come too?” Spike asked hoping it isn’t too much for her given of how much she cares of him like a beloved son.

“Yes!” Twilight calmly replied much to Spike's further relief and delight. “Like I wasn’t thinking of going with you to ensure you’re safe or even let you go alone? Because if you were think again?” Twilight further assured with a motherly hug. “And who knows maybe I might gain more information on dragon culture and customs out of it.” She then had to reign in her own excitement for Spike’s sake. “That is of course when everything all is good with your well-being.”

“Be very careful.” Princess Celestia cautioned. “The Dragon Lands are particularly dangerous for ponies. It would be wise to be discreet.”

“And I don’t need to remind you of what could have happened the last time you were in the Dragon Lands, Kion.” The lion king reminded.

“Nope.” Kion shook his head understanding of what’s expected from him while there. “We’ll be careful to the best of our ability.”

“And be safe.” Nala added out of motherly instinct while she and Simba both gave their son a farewell hug with Kiara joining in wishing her brother the best of luck as well.

“I will. We just need to be more stealthier this time.”

“Ooh!” Rarity remembered something. “I'm sure I still have the dragon costume we used the last time we snuck into the Dragon Lands!”

“Actually…” Twilight spoke up with something else in mind. “I think we might want something a little more practical this time.”

“Like what?” Kion asked as he observed the alicorn lighting her horn for a magical solution...

...to which nobody can see.

“Wow! We’re invisible!” Bunga commented in amazement with the spell Twilight cast on her allowing only himself, Twilight, Kion, and Rarity to be able to see each other while invisible.

“Oh! I see!” Kion remarked equally amazement before doing the same for himself and Rarity.

“Hmmm…” Rarity commented. “Well, it may be practical, but this disguise isn't flattering in the slightest!”

Twilight was quick to hush her. “It's not supposed to be flattering. It's supposed to blend in! And by being invisible, nobody can see us.”

“Shh!” Spike who is sitting on a nearby rock quickly hushed his friends as many dragons who have gathered are all taking their seats on the nearby rocks too awaiting for what the Dragon Lord seeks of them.

During which a certain red dragon crossed paths with Spike. “Hey-hey, look! It's our old friend Sparkle-warkle.” He mockingly greeted.

“It's Spike.” The young dragon irritably corrected.

“Are you sure your pony friends didn't give you a pony name? And what about your little animal friends, huh? Did they go you an animal name, too?”

“It's nice to see you too, Garble.” Spike crossed his arms while scowling at him who likewise scowled back at him.

“I didn't say it was nice to see you. It's not. I don't like you. Was I not clear about that?” To prove his point he rudely shoved Spike off of the rock he was sitting on before making himself comfortable on it.

“Hey! That's my rock!”

“Oh, really? Then why aren't you sitting on it?”

The other dragons nearby laughed alongside him much to Spike’s further irritation. Though thankfully it didn’t last due to Twilight secretly using her magic to make the stones and rocks the other dragons were sitting out feel very hot to the point they all screamed and danced around like little girls.

“Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!”

If anybody could see her, they would see her smirking with pleasure and relishing in seizing her moment for the opportunity presented to her.

Thankfully, before anything else can be questioned or said, the Dragon Lord himself made his appearance known so everyone’s all eyes and ears for why he has summoned them here. A large blue dragon with horns pointed downwards with orange scales, wings, and a tail with a large and booming voice to command respect who is now perched on a large stump over every dragon before him.

“Dragons of Equestria, hear me! I have been Dragon Lord for longer than many of you can remember, and my reign has been extraordinary!” After brief silence he then shouted and demanded. “Agree with me!”

The dragons all shouted in agreement along with shouting. “Torch! Torch! Torch! Torch!” After some lengthy shouting, the Dragon Lord raised a claw to get his followers to stop chanting.

“Who is that?” Spike asked upon noticing something up in the sky.

“It's Dragon Lord Torch, dummy.” Garble rudely returned thinking he meant the torch itself.

“No, next to him.” He corrected pointing towards the blue dragon floating by the Dragon Lord.

“That's his daughter, Princess Ember. I wouldn't even look at her if I were you, unless you want Torch to eat you!” Spike nervously gulped in response while hoping that he is not toast himself.

“This is fascinating!” Twilight whispered to both Kion and Rarity while secretly taking notes. “Dragons are notoriously reckless, but they do whatever the Dragon Lord says!”

“Who would have known?” Kion returned as it is news to him before turning their attention back to the Dragon Lord who then continues with what he has to say.

“Unfortunately, according to dragon law, it is time for me to step down. Sad, I know.” After brief silence yet again. “Be sad!” He then commanded thus getting his followers to cry. “This is why I have summoned you to compete for the throne in the Gauntlet of Fire!” The dragons all cheered in response finding this very exciting news as their Dragon Lord presented a gem crafted staff in his fingers due to his large size. “Whomever has the strength and fortitude to retrieve this blood stone scepter from the heart of the flame-cano will be crowned Lord of the Dragons!” He then proceeded to casually flick the staff into a random volcano not too far away which erupted the moment it landed inside the caldera, causing a magical explosion and eruption that caused the shimmering magic on all of the dragons to dispel.

“When the scepter disappeared, the dragons stopped glowing! We are learning so much!” Twilight proceeded to continue writing notes as the Dragon Lord continued explaining of how this challenge works.

“The Gauntlet is dangerous, for I designed it myself! Only dragons with my ferocity, strength, and determination will be able to finish. We will gather at the cliff when the sun is at its peak!”

While all of the other dragons cheered, Spike however saw this as a window of opportunity to sneak away. “I don't want to be Dragon Lord or dragon toast, and I stopped glowing, so let's sneak out of here!” He whispered to the others.

But before he could get Twilight to turn him invisible, he was quickly spotted by the Dragon Lord. “Ah! Where do you think you're going, little dragon?!” The other dragons stood aside in order to ensure that he is directly asking Spike and can’t sidestep him when addressed.

“Oh, uh, hi, your Lordship. Uh, I was just going home!”

The Dragon Lord leaned his head down to his eye level to speak more directly to him. “You don't get to leave unless I say you can!”

His daughter Ember however understood his reasons for wanting to back out before flying down to his level to back him up. “Dad, look at him. He's just a runt. Besides, he doesn't even wanna compete. Let him go.”

“He is rather tiny, heh-heh.” He admitted with a chuckle. “I could squish him with my pinky claw.” Spike nervously chuckled in response trying to laugh it off as a joke, though no one was laughing about it not even the Dragon lord himself. “That wasn't a joke. It was a fact. When I want you to laugh, I will say "be amused!"

“Of course, your Lordship! I, uh, guess I don't understand dragon customs. Another reason why I shouldn't compete.”

“Hm.” And after hearing that, the Dragon Lord conceded to their valid reasons. “Very well then, little dragon. I release you.”

“Thank you!” He also made sure to extend his thanks to the dragon who vouched his case for him. “And thank you.”
Ember however rolled her eyes back before setting out to meet with the other dragons at the cliff…

...only to be quickly stopped and caught her father before she could get by. “Where do you think you're going?”

“To prepare for the Gauntlet.”

“No, you're not. You're not much bigger than that runt I just sent home!”

“But I'm smarter than most of these boulderheads and you know it!” Ember protested as she flew up to his eye level.

“Being smart won't help you win this Gauntlet! It was designed for a big, strong dragon to win, because it takes a big, strong dragon to lead! Besides, I said no!” He then shouted loudly to the point he sent her flying a little leaving the disgruntled dragon to growl and fly off on her own.

“I hate when he does that!”

And she wasn’t the only who felt that way as both Twilight and Kion took great offense to that dismissal since the former managed to conquer a kingdom and the latter relies a little more on his intelligence when performing his duties as leader of the Lion Guard.

At the same time they managed to take a look at the other ‘eligible’ competitors who are already voicing what they have in mind should one of them become Dragon Lord.

“Ha. When I become Dragon Lord, I will make burps an official greeting!” Maar, the light purple dragon vainly declared.

“Ha, you? Please!” The brown dragon, Barry scoffed. “When I win, I will pillage Equestria for all their pillows. Why should these ponies be comfortable while we sleep on rocks?”

“That's nothing!” Garble scoffed at the both of them. “When I'm in charge, the first thing I'll do is get revenge on those puny ponies! They'll regret they ever crossed Garble! We'll take whatever we want from Equestria and burn the rest!”

“Hevi Kabisa!”

“Oh, my gosh!”

Both Kion and Twilight whispered to the others in horror of what this means going forward.

“Ooh, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I hope that burping dragon wins!” Rarity expressed while cringing at these less than ideal candidates to become Dragon Lord.

”Me too!” Bunga agreed. “But I mean it won’t be too bad, right?”

“No! None of them can win!” Spike stated. “Equestria's in big trouble if any of them are in charge!”

“Which could mean bad news for the Pride Lands once they hear about it.” Kion added while feeling the dread and anxiety from when Scar took over the Pride Lands a couple years back surfacing up a bit.

“But what can we do?” Rarity asked knowing that they can’t be Dragon Lord themselves.

“There's only one thing to do, and only I can do it!” Spike then bravely declared. “I have to win the Gauntlet of Fire!”

“Oh…” The others expressed in worry at the very idea.

“What do you mean you have to win the Gauntlet?” Rarity asked first while both Kion and Twilight dispelled of the invisibility spells.

“It's the only way to protect Equestria from the dragons. You heard them! They have horrible plans for ponies if they win! So somehow, I have to do it!”

“But there has to be another way.” Kion then asserted. “It's too dangerous. Besides, if you win, you'd have to stay here!”

“I know, but there's no other way to keep my friends safe.”

“I understand.” Twilight said while trying to figure out how they can help while being supportive of Spike’s wishes. “Well, if you're staying to compete, then we're staying to cheer you on!”

"Yeah!” Bunga cheered himself. “Win that Gauntlet and rule all over those mean dragons who will bow before you, Garble too.”

“Thanks.” Spike thanked before setting out towards the cliff where every dragon is meeting up to begin the competition with the invisibility spell recast as they all watch after him every step of the way.

At the same time, between Twilight knowing of another dragon that has true leadership potential moved to seek said dragon out.

“Twilight?” Kion spoke up upon spotting her. “Where are you going?”

“To pursue another idea.” She said after reappearing right beside him. “But in the meantime, just keep watching after Spike while I'm gone."

Kion could only look on confused but none of the less obliged to tailing Spike along with the others while Twilight goes off on her own to ensure Equestria’s safety without losing Spike win or lose.

Though she isn’t the only one who sees this phenomenal change of events for the dragons as something that can be used to their advantage since both Lightning Dust and Wind Rider who have secretly witnessed this conversation from afar, were quick to report this discovery to Scar himself inside one the nearby volcanoes where only they can see his fiery spirit.

“Did you get all of that, Scar?”

“A new change in leadership is about to happen among the dragons.”

“Yes, I did. You did well to report this to me you two.” Scar looked on ahead at what he is seeing right in front of them. “And this certainly changes things, especially when said change could change the direction of Equestria’s future going forward.”

“No kidding! Many of those dragons are sure going to wreak havoc on all of Equestria, the Pride Lands too once they find out about the place.” Lightning added.

“They sure will.” Scar agreed before thinking to himself of how to handle this before focusing his full attention on the mean red dragon, Garble, along with the more honorable blue dragon, Ember. “And with many dragons filled with a burning passion to wreak havoc on any kingdom they come across this could also be an opportunity to burn down our enemies.“

“So how do you want to handle this?” Wind Rider asked.

“The same way Twilight, Kion, Rarity, and Bunga are handling it.” He answered while spotting them getting by the Dragon Lands invisible. “By following the potential winners closely. And once they are where the coveted Gauntlet is, we give them a fight they can’t handle. At least long enough for the more deserving dragon to obtain it.”

“So you want us to follow after them?”

"Correct, old timer.” Scar nodded much to the pony’s irritation to which the other pony chuckled at his expense until he added. “Both you and Lightning.”

"Huh?”

“Yes you too. Is that a problem?”

“No.” She quickly shook her head.

Scar looked at the Pegasus in the eyes unconvinced, wanting a more solid answer. “Not too slow for you, Snails?”

Hearing that sparked a more fiery, positive, and determined answer. “Heck, no! I can handle a couple of Rainbow Crash’s pony friends! Let’s go!” She stated to Wind Rider as they moved to follow suit.

“That’s what I like to hear and see!” Scar said with a satisfied and evil smile before disappearing from the flames so he can continue to secretly observe their work in progress.

At the cliff where the Dragon Lord oversees all of the dragons preparing to compete to become his new successor with a handful of dragons wearing armor for the occasion, he finds that Spike has to decided to join them. “I thought I released you, tiny one!” He quickly questioned said dragon.

“I decided to compete. I am a dragon, after all.”

“Are you sure? You can't even fly!” Garble once more mocked with the other dragons following suit.

Dragon Lord Torch the only one who didn’t laugh along with one other dragon dressed and decked with gold armor, moved to state that it’s no issue. “All dragons are welcome to compete, but they do so at their own peril! Flying to Flame-cano Island is the first of many challenges you will face in your quest to find the bloodstone scepter!” With a mighty roar of fire, the dragons all flew out towards where the scepter is located.

“Good luck! Just kidding. I hope you lose.” Garble said to Spike before kicking him off of the cliff and into the water.

“Thanks, Garble! I was planning on swimming anyway!” Spike sarcastically returned before setting out to do so while his friends follow from behind unseen.

“You can do it, Spike!” Rarity cheered.

But of course, getting the scepter isn’t as easy as it looks due to a swarm of giant sea worms emerging from the water spraying geyser sized streams of water on them with intent to knock them out. A good handful of dragons were taken out because of it. It also didn’t help for them to think to expect some kind of obstacle along the way. During which Garble got a taste of water while backing into the dragon with gold armor who got hit from behind and knocked out because of him as he continued forward without further trouble. Thus leaving the dragon, to hit the water down below right in front of Spike who had just enough time to witness the dragon submerging underwater.

“He's gonna drown!” Wasting no time, Spike moved to dive into the water to save the dragon.

“Spike!” Kion called after him in worry when he did so.

Fortunately, he didn’t sink too deep and Spike managed to quickly rescue the dragon before making their way on over to the shore where he would stay until he was sure he came to the rescue in time.

“Hey, are you okay?” He asked the dragon upon seeing opening eyes. He then removed the helmet so the dragon can breath and when that happened he came across on who he just saved. “Princess Ember!”

“What do you think you're doing?” The dragon sternly asked in return while getting to her feet.

“Only saving your ungrateful scales!” Rarity answered while frowning at her for the way she is talking to him.

“Yeah!” Bunga voiced in agreement. “You know a “thank you.” is the least you could do for the dragon who just saved your life.” Though he found himself nervously smiling and clasped his mouth upon being given daggers by the others for jumping the gun and blowing their cover while doing so.

Hearing all of this sparked confusion from the dragon as she looked around and saw only Spike’s nervous smile. “Why are voices I don’t know where talking to me? What is going on?” She demanded of Spike to answer. But before the conversation could escalate, the voices she heard appeared before her. “Ponies?! A lion?! And...a mongoose.” She spoke in shock upon seeing them.

“No.” Bunga shook his head now further annoyed. “I’m a honey badger.”

“Whatever. What are they doing here?!”

“They're my friends!”

“Friends?”

“That’s right!” Bunga proudly stated.

“Hard to believe but it’s true.” Kion then said to confirm it.

“Dragons don't do friends.”

“Well, this dragon does.”

“Whatever. I don't care as long as none of you get in my way. I have a Gauntlet to win.”

“But wait?!” Bunga spoke up feeling the need to ask. “I thought your dad said that…”

“I don't care what my dad said!” Ember angrily interrupted nearly knocking the honey badger off of his feet. “I'll show him and every dragon who thinks I'm just a little princess there are better things than being big and strong!”

Just then Garble was brought down by a large creature who tossed a large boulder on his body and pinned him down onto the ground nearby. Seeing them, had Kion and Twilight quickly recast the invisibility spell over the other non-dragons including themselves.

“Don’t leave me here, Spike!” Garble pleaded while struggling to remove the boulder from his body. Even though he had no reason to, Spike went ahead and helped free Garble from the boulder he was trapped under. And once he was free he wasted no time in gloating at him for it along with kicking dirt in his face. “Ha-ha! Knew you'd do it. Your pony friends made you soft.”

“Uh-huh.” Spike returned sarcastically since he expected that. “You're welcome.”

“For what? I didn't say thank you.” He then caught a whiff of him. “Wow, you even smell like ponies.” He sniffed once more and managed to pinpoint that it is coming from nearby. “Or is it coming from over there? And is it also coming from a lion and a skunk by any chance?” Bunga growled in further irritation and anger but had Kion holding him back to keep him from blowing their cover.

Imitating a gruff voice, Ember quickly spoke up while clamping a claw on his nose. “Uh, that's just me. I, uh, robbed some ponies on my way over here.”

Already Garble was impressed with the dragon he is seeing and hearing. “Huh, I like your style. Have I met you before?” He moved to examine her. “You kind of look like…”

Spike quickly rushed over to cover for her. “My, uh, old neighbor! Uh, Sandy... Rockbeach!” From nearby and unseen, Kion and Twilight both put a hoof and paw to their faces at that hastily scrambled up name he came up with on the spot.

Even while finding it a bit fishy, his attention was drawn back to the large creature that knocked him down here in the first place. “Stupid slingtails knocked me down! But I've wasted enough time making small talk. Get it? Ha-ha! Because you're too small[ to win this! I'm funny.” With another rude shove to Spike’s face. He continued his way on over to where the gauntlet is located.

“Yeah...no.” Bunga dryly remarked before using his smelly spray to disorient him and thus managed to get him knocked down and pinned by another boulder.

After that had happened, Ember turned her attention back to Spike now astonished with what he just did. “Why did you cover for me? You could've had one less competitor.”

“I could ask you the same thing. You could've told Garble about my friends.” Spike returned before catching attention to more dragons getting knocked down to the ground by more boulders.

“Yikes…” Ember winced. “That looks rough. But that's what makes it a challenge.”

“Are you kidding? Those boulders are huge!” Just then Spike himself got an idea. “Hey, what if we worked together? You fly me up there, and I'll help look out for boulders, like a second set of eyes!”

As soon as he made that offer, Rarity whispered. “Pssst!” To get him over for a quick word and opinion on the matter. “Spike! Are you sure it's a good idea to team up with Ember? You don't know her too well.”

“I do know she could've told Garble about you, but she didn't.” Spike pointed out to which no one dared to argue with him there. “I think we can trust her.”

“I agree.” Twilight said already liking the idea. “Her behavior does seem contradictory to everything I've noted about dragons so far.”

“As much as it seems risky, I don’t see why not.” Kion said unable to disagree with it himself since the fate of Equestria and the Pride Lands depends on a truly worthy Dragon Lord. "It may be our only shot at preventing an all-out war with the dragons."

“I say let him do this! It’ll make it easier!” Bunga encouraged.

“Hey, you, little fella!” Ember called out to the dragon to get him over to her so she can speak to him. “I've thought about it, and your plan makes sense. Let's do it.”

And Spike himself felt delighted to hear that. “Really? Great! It's a deal!” He moved to shake on it though differing customs had him settling for a pinkie shake.

“Just so you know, this doesn't mean we're gonna pick flowers or exchange necklaces or whatever pony friends do.” She reminded before walking ahead.

“Wouldn’t expect you too.” Bunga said after her with a smug smile knowing for sure she’ll definitely see things their way by the end of the day.

“Good luck. We'll meet you at the top.” Twilight waved after Spike before he moved to catch up with Ember for this new alliance.

In order to get by the flying rocks and boulders, Spike rode on Ember’s back while guiding her so she doesn’t get hit by them.

“Pull up! There's one on your tail!” Spike alerted when he spotted one thrown from behind to which she did so on time. “Go left!” And it all worked wonders and allowed them to get by unharmed only seconds behind Garble who had managed to free himself alone this time. “So what do we do now?” He asked now that they made it to the cave entrance.

“I think we go through there.” Ember pointed to the main entrance they landed in front of where two dragons went inside. But seconds later, they returned outside after getting fired, literally after being reduced to burnt small puppies.

“Oh, that looks scary!” Rarity yelped before correcting herself. “I mean, you can do it!”

Before doing so, Ember then spoke with Spike with something on her mind after he went out of his way to help her. “Listen, Spike. I wouldn't have made it this far without you. So I guess, if you want to, we could keep working together. I mean, just until we get through that tunnel.” She then offered.

It didn’t take even a second for Spike to make up his mind. “Okay!”

“We'll be right behind you!” Twilight vowed before she and the other invisible friends followed after them.
Upon going inside the cave, the two have found their next challenge, rocks, stalagmites, all moved up and down with the sole purpose of crunching down on those who try to fly and make their way across. By even with seeing of how difficult it is the two proceeded on forward with the same eye to eye coordination that allowed them to get on by without a scratch even pulling ahead of Garble who found himself held up by a couple of rocks that sandwiched him in the middle. But even still he managed to squeeze by and keep himself close behind the two.

Then while the two dragons were making their way by the large crystals that try to land and attack them from side to side, one crystal nearly fell and landed on Ember had Spike not pushed her out of the way. An act that had earned himself a smile as they continued forward while pressing forward even ignoring Garble who managed to walk himself into getting slammed to the side by the crystals in a moment of blind arrogance.
Next up is an area of the cave where they find large pools of lava all streaming down like a water fountain, ponies have made sculptures with. But before they could proceed they heard familiar voices right behind them.

“Oh, you made it!” Rarity expressed in relief. “Oh, we were so worried!”

“About us?” Spike scoffed it off like it was no big deal. “That tunnel was cake!” But then he instantly passed out a second later to showcase that it was really the most heart-beating experience they’ve dealt with.

“Wait.” Ember realized upon seeing them. “How did you two get through?”

“Easy!” Bunga smirked with crossed arms. “We just followed right behind you like Garble was…all without getting hit and battered by the obstacles we’ve encountered.” He then heavily panted. “And boy, that was the hardest obstacle course I’ve ever encountered.”

Just then rumbling shook the ground they were standing on causing Rarity to lose her balance and nearly tumble over the cliff.

“Rarity!” Wasting no time, Spike was quick to grab a hold of her just before she could fall over and pulled her to safety.

“Phew! Oh, thanks, Spike!” Rarity expressed in further relief.

“It was nothing.” Spike humbly returned.

“Nothing? You just risked everything to save her!” Ember pointed out saying it speaks more volume than a simple good deed. “And they're putting themselves in danger just to support you!”

“Well, that's just what friends do. Don't you have anyone who looks out for you?”

“Not really. Unless I count you.” She admitted before doing a sudden 180 on him. “Which I don't! Because we were only helping each other get through the tunnel, and now we're through the tunnel, so that's it.”

“Wait, what do you mean?” Spike asked confused by this sudden change.

“Well, there's only one winner, one scepter, and one Dragon Lord. So I guess it's every dragon for themselves.” Ember coldly reasoned.

“Oh.” Spike returned looking quite hurt by that declaration. “So we aren't really friends?”

“Maybe if we were in Ponyland, but like I said, dragons don't do friendship.” She confirmed before flying off leaving Spike in the dust much to his dishearten dismay.

So with that, Spike continued his way on foot. “I can't believe Ember ditched me.” He then uttered in bitter disappointment.

“Me neither.” Bunga said equally bitter and disappointed.

“Oh, you're better off.” Rarity tried to assure. “She was only looking out for herself. She's just like all the other dragons.”

“She's not, though. I know it.” Spike asserted otherwise. “She saved me, even when she didn't have to. I don't care what she says. That makes us friends.”

“I agree.” Twilight replied fully believing that’s the case herself but yet still not deterred and thinking this is the end between them. “I think she really just needs more time to understand there is no shame in that.”

Before Kion could pursue the topic further, he then noticed something odd with their current surroundings. “Hey, is it just me, or have we seen this crevasse three times already?”

“It's kinda hard to tell.” Spike honestly replied. “They all look the same.” Then he spotted something else that caught his eye. “Except for this one!” He ran ahead towards said crevasse which led them all towards the sole area that contains the Gauntlet. “Look! We made it! I can't believe I'm the only dragon to make it this far!”

But then trouble arisen when one dragon made his voice and presence known to him. “You're not!” Garble stated with angry eyes before getting right up in his face. “And I'm not losing to a puny pony-loving dragon like you!” He proceeded to grab him by the head ready to throw him over the side for a deep fall.

Rarity yelped in shock with what she is seeing. “We have to do something!”

“Look!” Twilight pointed out to something that caught her eye...

Ember who quickly came to his rescue and knocked Garble off of his feet while doing so and ended up knocking into a magical gold dome that Kion quickly produced on instinct while Twilight quickly produced a magical trampoline like barrier to bounce Spike to upwards and into Ember’s claws when she swooped down to catch him.

“Ember!” Spike exclaimed in delight upon being caught by her savior. “I thought it was every dragon for themselves! Why did you save me?!”

“That's what friends do!” She admitted along with trying to correct her choice of words to an extent to no avail. “And I am. I mean, we are. I never should have left you back there. Agh, please don't make me talk about my feelings!” She groaned apologetically.

Just after recovering from the impact had ended the invisibility spell both Twilight and Kion had been casting thus exposing the whole group for Garble to see.

“What the?!” He growled menacingly upon recognizing them.

“Yes, Garble. It’s us!” Bunga declared with his fists raised ready for a fight along with Kion, Twilight, and Rarity who all got into fighting stances as well. “Remember us! Because if you do then you’re in for a world of hurt. And if you don't well...still the same outcome.”

Garble growled while trying to lunge a claw at him before finding himself tackled by the leader of the Lion Guard with a fierce drive to protect his friend. He then proceeded to follow it up by putting the dragon in a hold with his claws literally digging deep into his scales to make it painfully clear he will not allow any harm towards him.

“So if I were you, I’d give up and leave in peace because you’re outnumbered and you’re all alone.” Kion then stated with a fierce look ready to do more if he doesn’t stand down now.

“Not anymore!” Lightning Dust stated with her voice echoing inside the cave before slamming herself right into Kion to knock him off of Garble. “Because now we’re looking at a much fairer fight.”

Just then Wind Rider appeared before moving to engage himself in another fight with the detective that exposed him to which she was quick to back flip her way before rebounding with a karate kick to the face that knocked him aside.

"I see we still haven't learned our lesson since the last time we fought, Wind Rider?"

"Keep dancing and prancing, detective. And we'll see who's really learned from the last time we fought."

The two exchanged before resuming their duel.

Instantly and on instinct, Bunga leaped right around Lightning to force her off of his friend. “Zuka Zama!”

Lightning growled before proceeding to duel the two with quick and precise attacks and moves since it’s two on one but not without using her super speed.

With that, it left Twilight to deal with Garble herself. “Well, guess it’s just you and me. Bring it!”

Garble growled in response before lunging to attack the alicorn princess who immediately conjured a shield and sword with her magic to counter his attempted moves. Through a combo of using her shield to block off his attacks along with using her sword to keep him at bay it was an even fight where no one had the edge of the other.

But even seeing said fights going on prompted Ember to take action to assist them to keep them from getting hurt. “Spike! Get the scepter!” Spike ran off to do so without second though while the ongoing fight went on.

Wasting no time, Ember made a straight charge for Garble just when Twilight was able to deliver a magical blow to the face to force him tumbling backwards. She had managed to pin the red dragon briefly before he broke free from her grasp and made a straight charge for Spike who was nearing the Gauntlet.

But before he could reach Spike, Twilight quickly rushed over to body slam the dragon away from him with Ember following it up by dragging him upwards. After several seconds of tugging, Garble was able to grab onto Ember’s throat before pinning back down to the ground where they wrestled among one another.

With the specter with his reach, he saw that Ember is starting to have along with Twilight needing another minute to fully recover from the body slam hit she delivered to Garble prompted Spike himself to take action to stop their opponent.

Acting quick, he leaped onto Garble pulling onto his scales for a few seconds up until he managed to toss him aside. The little dragon nearly fell over when his grip slipped away. But luckily, Twilight had fully recovered to come to his rescue by working her magic into roping it around Spike’s arm. Once she had fully secured him in her magical grasp she levitated him upwards and flung him right in between Ember and Garble. From there Spike unleashed a tail whip along with a breath of fire that burned his face while knocking him backwards.

But at this point, Garble was now madder than mad when he attempted one last lung at the three. “I'm sick and tired of you two helping each other! And I’m sick of you helping too! Dragons don't do helping! Ponies don’t fight alongside dragons!”

"These dragons do!”

“And so do these ponies, lion, and honey badger!”

Both Ember and Twilight asserted before they along with Spike went in for one last offensive charge.

Twilight went first by unleashing a series of attacks with her sword to which Garble barely blocked, easily blocking off the one attack he could try with her shield before delivering a solid punch to the face that knocked him backwards.

Then Spike went next going for a charge to which Garble was quick to catch and moved to toss him upwards into the air. But with his eyes focused on the little guy he was unprepared for Ember charging in and flipping him over her head followed by Spike finishing it off by performing a solid four limb punch and kick then knocked him out cold.

At that moment, the others had managed to defeat both the former Wonderbolts and send them packing home with bruises and scratches on their bodies. And at perfect timing since the other dragons had managed to get by all of the other obstacles forcing the non ponies to readopt their invisibility disguises to avoid being seen.

But that was plenty of time, for Spike himself with Ember’s backing since she feels he truly deserves it, moving to obtain the scepter. When that happened it glowed brightly and unleashed a power blast of red fiery magic that burst through the top of the volcano and up into the sky, signalling to every dragon that a winner has been declared.

"Leave her alone!” Spike declared while catching Garble trying to sneak up on Ember.

“What? You?! You have the scepter?!” Garble was left at a loss of words. “But that means that you're…”

“The Dragon Lord. Dragon Lord Spike.” Ember declared with a bow with the other dragons following suit with each and every one of them present giving Spike a look of respect.

Garble groaned before following suit as he had no choice but to concede to defeat. “Dragon... Lord... Spike…”

“That's right!” He firmly stated before giving Garble his first command as Dragon Lord. “Uh... Now, go start your long journey home. And give every dragon you see on the way a hug. Don't tell them why.”

“Awww! But that'll be super embarrassing!” Garble whined but Spike wasn’t backing down. After all he deserves this punishment.

“I command you to do it!” He once more ordered.

"I can't believe this…” Garble grumbled in annoyance before carrying out his orders with the first dragon, a large blue dragon with silver armor, the first dragon he hugs to which he very much enjoyed.

“Dragon Lord Spike. Hm, has a nice ring to it.” Ember proudly said to him.

But even with his victory, Spike decided to hand the scepter to Ember instead of keeping it. “Dragon Lord Ember sounds a lot better.”

Ember looked on in surprise and astonishment by that decision before trying to give it back to him. “What?” No. You're the Dragon Lord now.” She insisted even when the staff briefly glowed it’s red magic.

But Spike’s mind was already made up when he refused to take the staff back. “The Dragon Lord is whoever brings the scepter back to your father! Besides, you'll make a great leader. I was just doing this to protect the ponies along with their friends. But I know you'll protect them just as well as I would have.”

“You sure about this?”

“Absolutely. My home is in Equestria with my friends both there and the Pride Lands.”

Ember felt touched by his commendable actions. “Well, you'll have at least one friend here too.” Spike then moved to hug her much to her discomfort. “What are you doing?”

“It's called a hug!”

“Oh. I don't know if I like it. But... okay.” While surprised she still accepted it instead of pushing it away as evidenced by patting his scales with an embarrassed blush.

“Awww!” Both Twilight and Bunga said while watching the scene while Rarity giggled and Kion looked on with pride.

Sometime later, all of the dragons now led under Ember’s command made their way back to Dragon Lord Torch who was awaiting the winner from the perch where he gave his earlier announcement. And the sight of the winner was something he did not expect at all.

"Ember? You?!”

"I know you didn't think I could do it, but I did.” She assertively stated.

“I expressly told you not to do it, because you're not—!” He angrily shouted before being cut off by his daughter who still stood her ground.

“I'm not big and strong. I know. But you know what? I won anyway. So maybe it takes more than just being big and strong to be a good Dragon Lord!”

Upon seeing the other dragons smiling and nodding in approval after having learned a thing or two from her, he came to soften and humble himself up with his next words. “I was wrong, Ember. You might not be big, but you are strong and smart, and perhaps that counts for more than I thought. And you will make an excellent leader.” He then declared with a proud smile as she landed on his head

“Thanks, dad.” Turning back to the other dragons. “Agree with him!” She shouted at them who all looked on in brief confusion. “Just kidding! That's not gonna be my thing.” She quickly assured.

The Dragon Lord himself got a chuckle out of it before making it official. “Dragons, hear me! I present to you our new Dragon Lord, Ember!”

The dragons all cheered and applauded for her as she floated upwards and waved to everyone.

And at that moment, Garble arrived to give the now former Dragon Lord a hug on his snout much to his discomfort and confusion. “Hm? What is the meaning of this?!” He demanded.

“I can't tell you!”

From above, Princess Ember laughed in amusement seeing the karma hit hard for the dragon who gave everyone around him a tough time.

So with a new and trustworthy leader at the helms in the Dragon Lands, the accompanying Lion and Pony Guard now visible for all eyes to see made their way back home, now feeling accomplished with what they have done today.

“You did well, Spike.” Twilight complimented her adopted son. “With Ember as Dragon Lord, the ponies will be safe and you've gained us a powerful ally.”

“And a new friend!” Spike added.

“Plus, Ember said I could write to her anytime I had questions about dragon culture! With this much information, I'll be able to write a whole book on dragons!”

“And have someone by her side in case Scar and his army make their next move.” Kion added.

“Of course.” Twilight acknowledged. “And with what happened back there, I’m sure she’ll have questions with me about it. So we can expect some writing on the matter sooner than you think.”

“Not only that. I gained tons of ideas for a new line of camouflage clothing!” Rarity stated with a new wave of inspiration in her head. “I think I'll call it "Camo-Maud"!

The group all shared a good laugh over it knowing full well of how closely named it is to Pinkie’s sister, Maud, as they continue making their way home as the sun sets.

"By the way, Twilight..." Kion then brought up. "...what exactly did you say to Ember before the whole competition between the dragons started?"

"Oh, that. Well I just gave her a little pep talk to convince her to participate in the competition with an open heart. So that way she'd be one of the dragons who would go and win alongside Spike and learn a thing or two about friendship." Twilight simply explained with a shrug. "Also because I wanted her to prove a point to her father about underestimating the power of brains and intellect over brute strength."

"Oh!" Kion realized now understanding why. "So you wanted that to happen?"

"Yep."

"Twilight..." Rarity then said who couldn't help but shake her head amused himself while admiring her. "...you are a pony with a way of words."

"Yep."

"That's Twilight for you." Spike added fully accepting of that.

The group laughed once more as they made their way back to Ponyville together.

At the same time, Scar looks on with his magic back as he spots them from afar coming towards the Equestrian borders with both Lighting Dust and Wind Rider by his side. Both looking hopeful, that Scar isn’t going to punish them for not getting Garble to become Dragon Lord.

“Scar…”

“About what happened back there we….”

Both flyers began with fear.

“Both did well.” Scar finished not showing a hint of anger at what had happened back in the Dragon Lands.

“We did?” Both blinked in surprise and confusion.

“Of course. Even if it wasn’t the red dragon who won, I actually liked the blue one more, because she proved herself worthy of the title.”

“How?"

Scar chuckled in response while looking in the Dragon Land’s direction with a sinister and dark smile. “Because of one thing we have in common. Brains over Brute Strength. Besides…” He then said and added. “...I’m quite certain a few words from myself should convince the new Dragon Lord to do what we want her to do. Under perfect timing...”

Author's Note

Here in this episode, we have a new change in leadership among the dragons, and that meant a trip to the Dragon Lands to find out who is going to step up as the new leader. Initially Spike wasn't interested...at least until learning that there are no other suitable dragons truly qualified for the job...at least not ones that don't want to destroy Equestria.

But thankfully, that didn't happen thanks to Spike's own determination and a magic and friendship filled heart opening up to another dragon that actually is capable of friendship, and after tackling the journey to the gauntlet together, a new friendship between the two and by extension Equestria and the Pride Lands as a whole. So amazing, what showing kindness and friendship to others can do wonders for everyone involved.

Next week will be another friendship lesson for Starlight Glimmer as she finds herself making friends with someone who she can see eye to eye with alongside Twilight and without saying anything...

She's great, she's powerful, she's...

You get the idea, so stay tuned until then...

Episode 8: No Second Prances

Episode 8:

No Second Prances

Inside the Castle of Friendship, Twilight was giving (or more accurately trying to give) Starlight Glimmer a friendship lesson, while setting the table for an important dinner that was to take place the following evening.

"All right, first lesson of the day," Twilight began. "We very carefully set the table without using magic, so that-" But she was suddenly cut off, when Starlight used her magic to set the table in a matter of seconds, plates and silverware whizzing past Twilight's head! "Yikes!" She cried as she found herself having to duck down. She only peeked her head back out when she was certain everything had been set. "Did you...?! How? When? What?!" She exclaimed in shock.

"What?" Starlight asked her teacher trying to understand what she did wrong.

Twilight sighed. "I said no magic. You were supposed to do it by hoof so that I could work in a friendship lesson."

Starlight apologetically shrugged as she replied. "Oh, is that all? I kind of heard 'set the table' and just went for it. Though I do wonder how it’s supposed to teach me a thing or two about friendship?"

Twilight steeled her composure in response before answering. "Well, if you hadn't used magic, you'd have heard me say, uh...." She paused, as she realized she really hadn't thought about how it was going to work into a friendship lesson. "This plate represents your head, this spoon is your heart, and the knives... are sharp! Always be careful with knives," She then sighed in defeat. "Okay, it honestly doesn’t actually. But with the recent attacks on the Pride Lands, I’ve haven’t had time to keep to the schedule I had in mind for you."

Understanding now, Starlight asked feeling a bit guilty for jumping the gun there. "So should I... change it back?"

Twilight shook her head to assure it's no big deal. "No, it’s okay. But I just want to make sure you're ready for this dinner. Princess Celestia and King Simba will be joining us tomorrow night to see how your friendship lessons are going!" She then added. "Which means you are expected to be on your best behavior."

Starlight tried hard not to gulp, since she'd only seen Princess Celestia once and while the sun princess had seemed pleasant and friendly, that was when they were dealing with a higher stake situation at the time. Thus the topic of the fact that Starlight herself is responsible for her near-death experience if not for her change of heart was not discussed at the time nor was she confronted about it. Though she hadn’t forgotten about King Simba and while the subject hasn’t been brought up, the guy has been having a rough patch mentally due to the ongoing with Scar. Something that she also had a hoof in as well not to mention her role in assisting Scar nearly killing his own nephew too.

Looking over the set silverware, something caught the unicorn's eye and she asked. "So, if it's just you, me, Kion, King Simba, and Princess Celestia, why are there six seats? Did Spike decide to join us at the last minute?"

"No, he didn’t." Twilight replied, and then with a smile she told Starlight. "That plate is for your friend. But the whole point is for you to bring a new friend. That way, the princess will see for herself just how far you've come. And how good a teacher you have."

"Does it have to be a new friend?" Starlight somewhat nervously asked Twilight. "Because I'm pretty sure a pony who has played a huge role in the ongoing stress for two kingdoms is well known at this point to the point it’s very difficult to befriend someone who’s notorious for fanning Scar’s flames, literally."

Sensing that her student was already stressing out, Twilight walked over to her to both calm her down while asserting it’s a must. "I understand Starlight. But it’s the only way you’ll be able to prove that. To show others that you are not the pony you used to be. Making a new friend will definitely serve as a great testament to that."

"A new friend?" Starlight pondered, then a thought of something. "Hey, maybe I'll just force friendships by magically enslaving the entire population of Ponyville and the Pride Lands!"

"Starlight!" Twilight scolded. "That’s not funny!"

"Just kidding! It was just a joke!" Starlight nervously laughed in response though she has no idea who in Ponyville would want to befriend her even with everything she’s done in the past taken into consideration. Though little did she realize that said new friend will definitely make things interesting for them going forward.

Starlight trotted through Ponyville, trying to jot her head aside from feeling concerned with herself. To her it’s a pop quiz on friendship she has to pass, but she has no idea of how to go on about it. "Let's see. Make new friends in Ponyville, the friendliest place in Equestria. Shouldn't be hard..." She said to herself, looking around various placed through town before eyeing Sugarcube Corner thinking Pinkie Pie and Bunga might have some ideas on who she can befriend while there.”

“So...need to make a new friend, do you?” Bunga asked before laughing it off to assure Starlight he is just messing with her. “Well fear not my friend for we have an idea of how you can do it?”

“You do?”

“Yep!” Pinkie happily replied before moving to guide her to the counter where Mrs. Cake is currently at work with a smile to greet the store’s latest friend and guest. “Starlight Glimmer, meet Mrs. Cake. Mrs. Cake this is Starlight Glimmer, a new friend of ours."

"Hello Starlight. Or should I say the Princess of Friendship new student." Mrs. Cake greeted. "Don’t worry, I’m not one to make a big fuss over royalty. At least when they’re not here." She grinned somewhat nervously.

“Well I’m sure if she or any other princess, king or queen we’re here, they’d say the same thing I’m saying. Mainly, of how the title itself is nothing to fear.” Starlight replied with the similar expressions Mrs. Cake is making. "So, anyways.… you like baking?" Starlight asked, hoping to make small talk and strike up a conversation.

"I do. So very much.," Mrs. Cake warmly replied, then she giggled. "Although I do have a bit of problem counting my cakes and cookies if you know what I mean."

"Oh, you like baking, huh?" Starlight asked, hoping she'd found a connecting point. "Can I help?"

Mrs. Cake looked at Starlight and said to her. "Well that depends on what you have managed to bake before coming here, Starlight. I might have some easy recipes for beginner bakers but aside from that it requires patience and a good attention to detail." But while she was busy trying to explain it to her, Starlight used her magic to whip up a cake in the blink of an eye. "Howza-wowza!" She exclaimed. “What do you just do? Then she realized. “And are those my good baking tools?"

Starlight cringed, realizing that she'd already gotten off on the wrong hoof with what she just did. “Was I not supposed to do that?” She apologetically asked.

Mrs. Cake just sighed before gently responding with a shake of her head. "Dearie, while I do have to say that’s pretty impressive and good looking cake there, there’s no guarantee that a cake like that can taste as good as it looks. Much like friendship, these things take time and you have to follow the instructions exactly as described. Just consider it constructive criticism going forward, okay?"

"I'm really sorry, I didn’t mean to overstep my bounds." Starlight insisted, before she felt a slight twitch on the tip of her nose. She suddenly let out an uncontrollable sneeze, causing her magic to cease and accidentally cause the cake to land on top of Mrs. Cake's forehead. "Oops!"

Mrs. Cake said nothing before opting to excuse herself to wash off the frosting.

Seeing that this isn’t working out, Pinkie moved to offer another alternative. "So.... uh, did I mention the Cake Twins?"

“Or how about my uncles Timon and Pumbaa.” Bunga also asked, but Starlight was quick to leave without another word knowing full well that neither of them, separate and together, or Mrs. Cake is going to work out. “Well on the bright side, at least it was a good tasting cake.”

Pinkie sighed in agreement. “Yeah, too bad that didn’t live to tell the tale.”

So with Pinkie and Bunga’s friend ideas a bust, Starlight decided to go to Sweet Apple Acres and talk to Applejack and Fuli hoping they might know someone who could qualify as a potential new friend for her.

As it turned out, both Applejack and Fuli already had someone in mind for Starlight to meet, and the two friends made their way out to one of the orchards, where Big Macintosh was busy bucking apple trees with his back legs and Sally and Sassy are both carrying carts of apples along with happily gossiping among one another.

"I think I have just the pony for you, Starlight. Meet Big Mac!" Applejack said with a smile.

“Along with both Sassy and Sally.” Fuli added. “Though I have to warn you they have quite a lot of energy today. Energy great enough that I decided a day at the apple orchard is in order to help put that into good use.”

"Hello." Big Macintosh greeted.

“Hey!”

“Hi!”

Both cheetahs followed up all while eager to meet the new unicorn themselves.

Starlight trotted forward and tried to start up a conversation with the stallion and cheetahs. "Nice weather we're having, right?"

“Absolutely! The weather is so gorgeous I wish I could sit back on a recliner sipping apple cider all day long!”

“Sally, we talked about this. That is for when the job and only the job is fully done, besides you’re still bouncing around eager to move around.” She pointed to her running around them non stop.

“I can’t help it! I’m just feeling so super energetic today!”

Big Mac however replied with his trademark, "Eeyup." and nothing else.

Starlight was most puzzled to hear little of him, until Applejack explained to her. "He's not much of a talker, not outside of family and friends in his inner circle."

"Nnope." Big Macintosh replied with a nod.

"Oh, that's too bad. I love a good conversation." Starlight replied, before smiling and acting on an idea that came to her mind. She lit up her horn, and a small stream of magic moved its way into Big Mac's mouth. Applejack looked on concerned and confused as she’s not sure of what Starlight is doing.

“Starlight? What are doing?” Fuli asked suspiciously as she sees the spell cast on the stallion while the other cheetahs eagerly watch to see what happens next.

Big Macintosh had to shake his head to clear his thoughts. But when he opened his mouth to talk, he said something rather unexpected. "Eeyup-yup-yup-yup-yup-yup-yup-yup-y-y-y-y-you did something!" He shouted at Starlight, suddenly unable to keep himself from talking. "Whoa! What's happening? I feel really weird! I'm talkin' so much! And I'm so articulate! Enunciating with such precise pronunciation!" He put a hoof in his mouth to try and stop himself from talking, but he still kept talking. "Annie Apple awoke and accidentally ate an auburn azalea!" He spoke, then he screamed and ran off while shouting! "Make it stop!"

Both Sally and Sassy both laughed and rolled around on the grass finding it very hilarious.

“Wow! Nice one, Starlight!”

“You made him speak non-stop and run for the hills!”

Though both Applejack and Fuli however did not find it funny. Especially the former since she doesn’t like it when someone messes around with one of her kinfolk while the latter sees it rather insensitive.

Applejack immediately glared and scowled at Starlight, who immediately got the message. "What? I can't exactly be friends with somepony who doesn't talk." She tried to explain which only earned her an even harder glare by Applejack. "And I guess my first instinct probably shouldn't be to magically command ponies to act the way I want them to?" Starlight concluded, before finding the pony glaring and scowling very fiercely to the point she’d be dead if looks could kill. "Alright, alright, I'll change him back!" Starlight conceded before running off after Big Mac.

“And you two will go after them and help Starlight catch Big Mac so she can undo her spell on him. Got it?!”

“Uh-huh.”

“Yep.”

They both ran off after the two ponies to do so.

After correcting her mistake with Big Macintosh, Starlight trotted back into town just when the Wonderbolts happened to flew by overhead. As soon as the whoosh went by, she is suddenly greeted by both Ono and Rainbow Dash landing in front of Starlight.

"Hey, Starlight.”

“Glad we come fly on by.”

They both greeted.

“Oh, hi!”

“Everything okay?”

“Because you look a little uncertain.”

They both asked after picking up on her earlier uneasiness.

“I am.”

“What’s troubling you?” Ono asked.

Starlight sighed as she explained. "Tomorrow evening, I’m attending an important dinner with the king and princess, and I’m expected to find a new friend to bring with me there. And before you both ask it’s to help show my progress in learning friendship. But regardless, trying to find a new friend itself isn’t working out the way I hoped.”

“Well, I mean I can understand why it’s hard to want to befriend anyone in the Pride Lands. It’s not uncommon for them to want to distance themselves from a high ranking associate of a would be conqueror. But I’m sure somewhere there’s a pony in town who would be willing to befriend you.”

“I know but the question is where? Now I’m wondering if there is something wrong with the way I look.”

Rainbow Dash laughed it off. "Nopony's gonna make friends with you just because of your outfit. The only thing that you want a new friend to be draped in is coolness."

"Like you?" Starlight asked Rainbow.

Rainbow nodded. "Yeah, but you already know me," Then she gasped when she got an idea. "But there is, Spitfire!" She unintentionally spit saliva Ono Starlight's face when she said this. "Oops. Heh. Sorry.”

“That’s an idea.” Ono acknowledged. “And if not there is also Soarin and the other Wonderbolts on the varsity team.”

“That is so true my friend! Both ponies and everyone on that team! Only the Wonderbolt-iest pony in the Wonderbolts! Come on, I'll introduce you!" She zoomed away leaving a small sonic boom rainbow behind. She returned a few seconds later when she saw Starlight wasn't following her. "So, you coming or what?"

"I guess my first question would be, 'What's a Wonderbolt, exactly?'" Starlight nervously asked.

Rainbow gasped, as she could hardly believe what she heard while Ono can only groan and shake his head in response to her comically horrified expressions. "What?!" When Starlight didn't laugh, Rainbow reluctantly came to see that Starlight’s being honest when she asked that question, leaving her further shocked and confused! "You've never heard of the Wonderbolts?! Where have you been?!"

Starlight laughed nervously as Rainbow got up close to her face. "Enslaving villages and helping carry out evil schemes to cripple and take over a kingdom, I guess..." She shrugged, unsure of what else to say.

"Right." Rainbow replied while trying very hard to be understanding of it. “Well, I’ll try but I can’t guarantee anything.”

“It’s okay, I understand.”

“Just keep looking.” Ono advised. “And if I can share some more advice with you, if you hadn’t already tried somewhereyou haven't been yet then that’s probably where you should try next.”

“I’ll definitely take it to heart. But you can at least try to see if Spitfire along with the other Wonderbolts will be willing to try to get know me?”

"Of course," Rainbow answered. "I will do what I can do.”" And with that the athletic pegasus mare zoomed away with Ono flying off after her. But not without saying in her direction.

“Best of luck, Starlight.”

Starlight traveled across town for a while longer, but she seemed to have no luck with befriending anypony. Many ponies looked on with worry, concern, and mostly suspicion. Something she correctly suspected herself considering everyone knows what crimes she’s committed.

"What is going on? This is Ponyville! If I can't make a friend here, there's gotta be something wrong with me!" Starlight groaned seeing that everyone who didn’t show fear and worry to her already had a friend. "Okay, calm down, Starlight," She said to herself. "Nopony's gonna wanna make friends with a total crazy case." But the more she kept looking around, the more her stress and anxiety levels escalated from isolation and loneliness. "Stop stressing..." She said to herself, before she loudly shouted out for everyone to hear! "Stop stressing!" All eyes immediately locked on her, who promptly zipped away and retreated to a more private place in Ponyville before anything else can happen.

Starlight didn't know what she was going to do, but she didn't have the heart to go back to Twilight and come up empty-hoofed. Bur then her previous thoughts were distracted when she heard the sound of a ringing bell, which came from the nearby Ponyville Spa. The mare decided that maybe a little trip there would help her ease her nerves and allow herself to keep trying afterwards.

Pretty soon, Starlight was resting on one of the spa beds, her face covered in a green make-up facial and her eyes covered by cucumbers, while the main spy ponies worked on filing her hooves. With a relaxed sigh, she said to herself. "This is just what I needed."

To Starlight's surprise a voice that sounded like it was right next to her replied with an equally relaxed sigh. "Tell me about it."

"You ever have one of those days?" Starlight asked, hoping that whoever replied to her would respond back.

Said owner of the voice did, and said. "For me, they're all one of those days. But nothing new to me." That prompted Starlight to giggle, before the owner of the voice went on. "I'm gonna start coming here every time I visit Ponyville."

"Well, I'm not from around here either." Starlight confessed to the voice. "I've been trying to make some new friends, but it's not easy. They're not really saying it, but I think everypony knows about my past," She then explained. "The thing is, I may have been a tiny bit... completely and utterly evil?"

"Sure sounds just like me because ponies judge me on my past as well," The voice replied. "And if we’re on the same boat I’ve also done some things I regret to this day and times like this I could only wish to make that problem magically disappear."

Starlight removed the cucumbers from her face. "Finally, a pony I can relate to." She said, and looked over her shoulder to see a very familiar light blue coated unicorn mare, with an even lighter blue mane and tail styled into a curl. With her eyes were obscured by cucumbers, Starlight didn't know what color eyes she had nor the mare herself but she was soon about to.

Back at the castle, Twilight was readjusting the silverware on the table with Kion looking over her shoulder as she personally ensured that everything was in its proper place. "Soup spoon, salad fork, pasta spoon, strawberry pick," She said to herself, as she made sure each item was where it should be. With a smile she added. "I'm beginning to think that after friendship, the greatest magic of all is proper silverware placement!" She then giggled at her comment.

“Great!” Kion complimented. “So I take it everything’s going according to plan for tomorrow night’s dinner with the princess and the king?”

“Yep! All that’s left is Starlight making a new friend!”

“Okay.”

Just then, Starlight came rushing into the room with a huge and eager smile on her face. "Twilight, guess what? I made a new friend!" She proudly announced.

"That's fantastic news!" Twilight replied, equally proud of her already.

"Who’s the lucky pony, Starlight?” Kion asked eager to know who this new friend of hers is.

"Well, she's great!" Starlight began.

"Great!" Twilight and Kion smiled.

"She's powerful!" Starlight added.

"Powerful?" Twilight asked, confused a bit by Starlight's statement.

“Sounds familiar…” Kion commented while sharing a quizzical expression with Twilight wondering where they heard that before.

"She's..." Starlight began, only to be cut off.

"Hello....prince and princess." A familiar voice greeted, and into the room trotted a familiar pony the two alicorns haven’t seen in a while. One with dark violet eyes, and a light purple hat and cape with white stars and swirls on them.

"Trixie?!" Twilight and Kion realized, both equally shocked and surprised to see the unicorn again, especially with the smug grin registered on the unicorn's face.

Starlight seemed to be quite surprised by the looks Twilight, Kion, and Trixie exchanged, since it’s quite evident they know each other with a bit of "bad blood" between them as evident by the unfriendly grins they gave each other was anything to go by. Especially Twilight’s. "You three know each other?" Starlight asked them.

"You could say that, though I must admit it is a surprise to see Trixie again." Twilight said to Starlight, while eyeing Trixie carefully.

“Very surprising.” Kion added while looking on cautiously at her but not with the same scowling eyes like Twilight.

"We've had our differences in the past." Trixie explained. "What matters is Twilight and Kion gave me a second chance, and I appreciate it." She paused for a moment, as she and Twilight seemed intent to just stare each other down, before she made her way over to Starlight.

"So, um, what brings you to Ponyville, Trixie?" Kion asked trying to be calm, collected and friendly about it.

Trixie smiled in response. "The Grrrreat and Powerful Trrrrixie has come to perform a new stage show of grand illusion!" She boasted, waving her hoof through the air in a dramatic gesture. "I am calling it 'The Humble and Penitent Trixie's Equestrian Wide Apology Tour'!"

"Gee, that's kind of a mouthful." Starlight commented in a hushed tone.

Trixie replied in a tone equally as hushed. "It's a working title."

Twilight while happy for Starlight, is however concerned about Trixie's behavior. Something didn't make sense when she considered how she and Trixie had parted ways last time. Clearing her throat, Twilight said to her student seriously. "Starlight? A moment? Over here?" She then used her magic to pull Starlight and whisper to her in a hushed tone. "I know I said you could make friends with anypony, but, well, with Trixie's past, and your past, I'm not sure she's the best... first friend.”

“And why do you say that?” Starlight asked with a skeptical look in return.

“Because she hasn’t given Twilight and I reason to believe that she is a completely trustworthy pony.” Kion explained on her behalf. “Because she once humiliated our other friends and nearly endangered the town by luring an Ursa Minor here…”

“Technically that was Snails and Snips.” Twilight quickly corrected.

“...and then under the influence of the alicorn amulet, proceeded to enslave Ponyville along with kicking me and Twilight out of town out of spite.”

Starlight nodded as she starts putting the pieces together before speaking to her teacher. "I see. Although it’s not like you’ve haven’t done anything to make Trixie’s mistakes look tame. And you have forgiven her, right?"

Twilight nodded and said to Starlight. "Of course, I'm just trying to look out for you that’s all. Trixie isn't exactly the nicest pony, and I'm just concerned she might be a bad influence on you."

Starlight replied by saying. "And while I do appreciate it, I need you to understand that if this is going to work you have to at least be willing to trust me to make friends on my own the same way Princess Celestia trusted you to the same, right?"

Twilight sighed conceding in defeat to her point. "You're right. I trust you." She then cautioned. "Just be back in time for the dinner tomorrow, okay?"

"Thanks, Twilight!" Starlight said happily. "You won't regret it!"

"I hope not." Twilight sighed, as she observed the little figurine Trixie had made out of the silverware. Clearing her throat she turned to Trixie for a quick and stern warning. "I can trust you as much as Starlight trust you, right? Because the last thing I need is to be given one good reason why I shouldn’t kick you out of Ponyville again. I hope for your sake, your bags are all ready packed should it come down to that.”

"Me? Actually harm Starlight Glimmer, the student of princess?!" Trixie brushed it off like she has nothing to worry about. "Oh perish the thought, princess. You have my word.”

“Better make good on it.” Kion reminded. “Because me and my father haven’t forgotten about what happened the last time you were here and if something happens to Starlight because of you, the King himself might not consider giving you a warm welcome in the Pride Lands. So don’t make me or Twilight regret it.”

“Of course, Prince Kion.” Trixie said with a bow to both alicorns before making her leave. “Ta-ta.” And with that, the two unicorns left the castle.

After they left Kion spoke first on his thoughts about Trixie. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Yep.”

“That Trixie’s going to betray that trust someway, somehow?”

“Yep.”

“Should I inform Spike about this and invite him to dinner tomorrow?”

“Yep.”

“I’ll get right on it.”

While the two went their separate ways, both the prince and princess really do want to trust Starlight’s judgement on this, but deep down they just know that friendship like a fully written piece of paper.

Trixie and Starlight quickly made their way to the park near the center of town where the former plans to use the stage to kick start her apology tour, though she refused to say why she was doing it. By this point, she had taken off her hat and cape to prevent anything from happening to them.

While decorating the stage for her performance, Trixie boasted to Starlight. "This magic show's gonna be the greatest thing Ponyville's ever seen!”

As Starlight and Trixie worked on preparing the stage, a couple of ponies walked by. Although they tried to whisper to avoid being overheard, Trixie could still hear the negative words they were saying. "Everypony always says they'll give you a second chance, but deep down, they never forget." She said loudly.

"That's what I'm worried about." Starlight commented to Trixie. "I’m sure you’ve heard of what I did in the past, right?"

Trixie nodded. "Of course. Though with all things taken into consideration I can’t say I probably would have done the same and I’m sure your friend Kion would probably say the same as well. And yet despite all of that, I just wish I wasn’t always second best to Twilight. Yes, Trixie knows that is a very envious desire, especially since she admittedly helped me see the error of my ways, but I just can't get over the fact that she’ superior to me when it comes to magic to the point she can kick my flank whenever she’s wants to."

"I know what you mean." Starlight returned seeing it as another thing they see eye to eye with. "Although with all things considered, at least you were given a chance to prove yourself worthy of be allowed to return here and not burned to ashes when she was at her worst. Though in my case, I’m fortunate I was able to escape while I still could along with along with not being currently behind bars. But still, we’re both lucky we had friends who are willing to give us a chance after everything said and done.”

"Yeah…” Trixie agreed before explaining looking on sadly as she then explained. “And...I heard what Twilight said about me, and she's right. I wasn't very nice. So I'd understand if you didn't want to be friends with me.”

But Starlight dismissed that thought like it’s nonsense. "Are you kidding? You're the first pony I've met all day who has any idea how I feel!"

Trixie looked all around to make sure nopony’s around to hear them, before she whispered to Starlight. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course. What are friends for?" Starlight promised.

After looking around again to make sure she wouldn't be overheard, Trixie said in a hushed tone. "Given my past jealously for Twilight well, I only wish for once, just once, I could beat her at something. I'm sincere about my regrets, I really am, but if I could just get this wish, then this upcoming tour would be a dream come true."

"Your secret's safe with me." Starlight whispered to Trixie in return.

"Thanks," Trixie smiled as she then asked Starlight. "So, wanna help me unpack my wagon? Although I do have to say that I tend to spend a lot of time on the road with my wagon, so it might be a tad messy."

Starlight smiled more than willing to assist her. "I think I can help with that?" I'm pretty good at organizing stuff. Magic props, brainwashed crowds, anything that you might have, it can be done…” She had her horn spark to make a finger snap sound. “...just like that." The two unicorns both laughed together before getting right to work.

Meanwhile, from the safety of the castle, Twilight and Kion observed the two unicorns as they went off together.

"You think something is up with Trixie still?" Kion asked Twilight.

"I don’t think so." Twilight whispered in reply. "I mean I’m not 100% sure myself, but so far so good. Aside from the envious desire to one up me.”

“True, true…” Kion acknowledged deep in thought feeling the change of heart is sticking through. “...although I do have I admit this is quite something you got here even if it is a little weird.”

“Thanks, but this something I usually like to keep handy for only when I really need something very important from this surveillance footage. And that’s when we’re usually on a mission and case whether it’s working with the federal agents alongside Sunset in the other world or keeping tabs on whatever Scar and his army are doing.”

“Makes sense.”

“Just do not tell anyone about this no matter what.” She cautioned before they moved to leave the room that is guarded by a high-security door hidden behind a painting of Princess Celestia.

“Okay.”

“Promise?”

“Absolutely!” To prove his point he performed the Pinkie Promise. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

“Thank you.”

Over the course of the next day, Twilight and Kion remained in the castle and prepared for the dinner with both Princess Celestia and King Simba. Meanwhile, Starlight helped Trixie with unpacking her wagon, which included all kinds of magical props and even a few heavy boxes and trunks.

"You know, Trixie," Starlight spoke up, as she pushed another heavy trunk out of the wagon. "I was thinking. You said Twilight is better than you at everything, but that's not actually true. You're better at magic."

Trixie shook her head. "Only when I'm wearing a soul-sucking evil amulet, so I don't think that counts."

"I meant stage magic," Starlight clarified.

"Well, of course!" Trixie smiled. "Great? Yes. Powerful? Obviously. But I'm not the best. As great and powerful as I am, there's one trick I've never been able to do – the Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive! Only one magician has ever pulled it off!" She pulled out a few old photographs, all of them depicting a unicorn stallion who looked to be in the prime of his youth. "My hero and inspiration to becoming a magician myself, Hoofdini!” She then showed a series of photographs depicting the magician doing his most famous trick as she moved to explain to Starlight about it. "You are supposed to blast yourself into the open mouth of a hungry manticore! And after the manticore chews you up and swallows you, you magically step out of a box on the other side of the stage! All in one piece!"

Starlight was quite amazed at the detail of the photographs, and what she saw of the trick Trixie had just described. Even so, she was understandably a bit nervous at the trick itself. "That sounds very..." She began.

"Dangerous?"

Starlight shook her head. "I was gonna say cool! Definitely something you don’t see every day."

Trixie smiled in response to Starlight's enthusiasm. "I knew I liked you for a reason, Starlight. I don’t know how Hoofdini did that trick. If I tried it, I'd get chewed up and swallowed by that manticore. And there is only one other way out of that."

"Not if you could use real magic." Starlight pointed out.

"Obviously. Way to rub it in." Trixie complained.

"No!" Starlight corrected herself as she explained. "I mean I could help you! You could start the trick, and right before you got chewed up, I could use magic to save you..." She lit up her horn and teleported Trixie into the nearby black box. "And make you appear in the black box on the stage!"

"I guess that would work," Trixie realized seeing that as something that can be done, before having a consequential thought occur. "But if you made even one mistake, I'd be a goner for sure."

Starlight laughed it off. "When it comes to magic, I don't make mistakes," Then she pondered as she put a hoof to her chin with another idea in mind. "Maybe I could be your... magic show helper pony, or whatever you call it!"

"We call it 'assistant' in the magician biz. And... nopony's ever offered to help before." Trixie said, surprised that anyone was willing to offer her that.

"Well, consider it a first, and of how honored I would be if you say yes." Starlight offered.

Trixie was delighted, as she pulled out a flier for her magic show. It depicted her in her magician's hat, with a giant orange-yellow ball with a red star in the center of it. "You may have just made my great and powerful magic show even better! Which I didn't think was even possible!" She then happily declared. "We're gonna blow them all away tonight!"

But Starlight suddenly groaned and put a hoof to her forehead, as she remembered what else is going at that particular time. "I can't! I meant to tell you, Trixie. Tonight's this incredibly important dinner with Twilight and Princess Celestia, and I'm suppose to bring my new friend along."

"Oh." Trixie realized, her happy mood dropping in an instant.

"Hey, uh, mind if I vent for a second or two?" Starlight asked Trixie.

"What are friends for?" Trixie replied, returning and echoing what Starlight said yesterday.

Starlight sighed. "I'm sure she means well and is just trying to look out for me but I can’t help but have this strong feeling that she is somehow watching me. I wouldn’t want to accuse her of doing anything like murdering some pony or someone with no one the wiser. But it feels like she doesn’t think I can do anything on my own without constant supervision. It’s one thing when on patrol with the Guard but it's still so annoying.

"A pity, but I can't say I'm shocked," Trixie commented. "Well, lucky for Princess Twilight, I have my magic show tonight."

“But I already promised Twilight I’d be there for the dinner, and it’ll not look good for my future if I don’t show up. Are you sure we can’t just reschedule for tomorrow night? Plus, it might give us a chance to properly go over the routine before performing it."

Trixie shook her head even though it is the better option. "I'm sorry but I already made the announcement that the show is happening tonight. And once I made a decision on when it’s going to be, it’s going to happen thus the show must go on. If you have to go to the dinner, I completely understand," Dramatically she added. "I just hope I find a way to pull off the Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive without my new assistant!”

And left Starlight feeling very torn and going to regret whatever she chooses no matter what.

Inside the throne room at the Castle of Friendship, Princess Celestia and King Simba were sitting at their designated spots, alongside Twilight, Kion and Spike. An ice sculpture had been placed on the table to add to the mood, but already it was starting to drip, and Starlight along with her friend hadn’t shown up yet.

"Huh, what’s going on? You would think they know they’re expected right now." Spike commented out loud. "I mean it’s one thing if it’s Trixie we’re talking about but it’s not like Starlight to just blow this off like it is nothing to her."

"I know.” Kion said in agreement. “She probably just lost track of time or just got a little lost on the way back home."

Twilight nervously laughed, looking at Princess Celestia who seemed to be looking impatient along on King Simba. "Not to worry, Princess Celestia, King Simba, Starlight will come along with her new friend...eventually." She secretly said to herself quiet enough nobody can hear her.

Princess Celestia just sighed while King Simba just looked aside and frowned, one thing they have in common is that they don’t like being kept waiting, especially without any advanced notice.

“But just to move things along…” Twilight then decided upon seeing that enough is enough and she is determined what the hay is happening when she got out of her seat. “...I’m going to see what’s taking her.”

“Me too.” Kion moved to do the same before assuring his father. “Don’t worry Dad, we’ll be back as soon as possible.”

After the two left the castle, Spike himself tried to help ease both Celestia and Simba’s sour mood with small talk. Hopefully he can strike up a conversation with something interesting with the two.

By now it was nighttime, and both Twilight and Kion walked and trotted through the streets of Ponyville looking for the former’s student. But no matter who she asked and where they looked they found nothing. That is, until she approached the park and noticed the stage had been re-decorated, with a couple of posters advertising a magic show.

“Trixie.”

“Of course.”

Both said in realization before making their way over there.

Meanwhile, inside the park itself, a huge crowd had gathered for Trixie's show. A few ponies were still finding their seats, which is just what Pinkie Pie and Applejack were doing at that very moment along with Bunga and Beshte.

"Huh, so this is the Humble and Penitent Trixie's Equestrian Wide Apology Tour?" Pinkie asked Applejack.

“Sure looks like it.” Beshte returned seeing the words exactly like he read them. “So I guess it’s some kind of progress.”

"Well ain't that a mouthful? Really rolls off the tongue there." Applejack commented.

“Not unless she plans on giving herself a taste of humble pie.” Bunga laughed. “Hope she has some milk ready to go with it.”

"Mmm." Pinkie licked her lips at the very thought. "That actually sounds pretty good right about now." The others simply looked aside in disgust while not even bothering to pursue the matter even further just as the show was now ready to begin.

Trixie poked her head out from the curtains and said quickly, and rather annoyed in response. "It's a working title!" Peaking her head back behind the curtains, Trixie could barely contain her excitement, bobbing up and down as she said. "Oh, this is gonna be the greatest night of my life!" She then quickly corrected herself. "Excuse me. Our lives."

Starlight tried her best to smile, but is still feeling guilty for neglecting the dinner with her teacher. However, she'd felt it was justified to help out a friend more than attend what she think would be is a boring dinner. "Yeah." She nervously chuckled. "Hopefully better than what could and maybe should have been. I mean can you even imagine the look on Twilight’s face if she found out what we were doing here right about now?"

“Yes, imagine that.” Kion’s voice spoke up as he and Twilight both appeared right behind them with both pairs of eyes looking on angrily at the two unicorns.

"So, this is where you've wandered off to, Starlight?" Twilight scolded, looking directly at her student’s eyes. "You just decided to skip our dinner without telling me? I was really beginning to worry about you! I mean you could have at least run it by me before you went off on your own!"

“Not intentionally.” Was all she could say in her defense.

Twilight sighed as she continued to convey her severe disappointment in her own student. "Do you have any idea what this means for you, for me, for Kion, Starlight. I gave you a chance to prove yourself trustworthy on your own. But instead you gave me reason not to. Are you aware that, at this very moment, Princess Celestia and King Simba are waiting for you at a table with exquisite silverware placement?! They along with Spike, who has managed the time to be with them tonight by the way, can't be kept waiting!"

Without nothing Starlight can say in her defense, Kion moved to have a say in the matter. “Do you both have anything to say in your defense?” She asked both unicorns before turning to Trixie. “Because Twilight and I put aside our differences to allow you two bond to become friends with freedom and space. While you are currently on probation, I might add.” He briefly said to Starlight. “And this is where we find you both, planning a magic show on the same night you were both expected to attend. Without first consulting, us about it. Did you both actually think that was going to fly?!”

“No.” Starlight honestly responded.

“Then why did you do it?!”

“Because I agreed to become Trixie’s assistant so she can have help needed to perform the Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive.”

"The Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive?! Are you both out of your minds?!” Kion shouted with worried anger. “That’s dangerous! Something that the sole performer himself warned nobody to ever do under no circumstances!”

“And thus giving me all the more reason why I was right not to trust you!" Twilight further scolded with her eyes on Trixie. "I can't believe you talked Starlight into helping you do this! Especially knowing that’s putting your own life at risk.”

With a smirk Trixie then boasted. "Doesn’t matter, because it’s pretty clear that you two still don’t trust me. And guess what princess, when Starlight had to choose between you and me, and she chose me! So it looks like I finally win! Ha!"

But as soon as those words escaped Trixie's mouth, Starlight looked on like that their friendship is actually sham all this time. “You win? That sounds like you just made friends with me to beat Twilight. Even after everything we’ve been through together.”

“Exactly!” Trixie stated without even thinking nor realizing what she was saying to which Starlight reacted with heartbroken shock as tears formed from her eyes. “Wait! I mean no!” She then suddenly realized her poor choice of words just too late. “I got caught up in the moment! I like you! I meant everything I said about you, beating Twilight was just a bonus!" She then gasped and face hoofed herself for digging herself deeper. “Oh, saying that didn’t help did it?”

Even still her words stung Starlight harshly. "I should've known. Nopony else in Ponyville wanted to be my friend. Why would you? I can’t believe I trusted you!” She then ran out the stage door, sobbing to herself with tears falling from her eyes.

"Starlight!"

“Wait!”

Both Twilight and Kion called out as they ran after her.

“Please Starlight! It’s not like that! I am your friend!” Trixie desperately called out to no avail as Starlight had already run for the hills.

Twilight and Kion then turned to look at Trixie, even more angered than before.

“Congratulations Trixie, you won, I hope you’re happy.”

"Not only did you break my student's heart and betrayed her trust, you also proved that I was right to not trust you! And this isn’t the first time this has happened to me!"

Now it was Trixie's turn to cry, as she trotted past Twilight and Kion and back up to the stage. "Looks like The Great and Powerful Trixie is back to being a solo show," She said with a sad sigh. "The entire point of this show was to put the past behind me and start anew to prove to you both, prince and princess, that I truly deserve to be adored and liked by every pony and Pride Lander. But now I guess it is all for naught thanks to you both!”

“Huh?”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying thank you both, Prince Kion and Princess Twilight for getting rid of that annoying pony who wanted to be my first friend! I am not sad at all! I definitely don't feel as if my heart is breaking into a million pieces! No matter, the show will still go on with or without her."

Before either Kion and Twilight could have a chance to react, Trixie shut the stage door and locked it tight!

“Trixie! No! Stop! Please to listen yourself!”

“Doing so now would be suicide! Don’t do it!”

Both the prince and princess pleaded with her to reconsider but she refused to budge along with respond to their voices of reason.

Seeing that their efforts to talk sense into Trixie isn’t going to work, Twilight reluctantly turned around and took off away from the stage. "Keep watch of Trixie’s performance while I find Starlight!”

“I will. But do so fast before she does something she’ll regret and I can't stop her in time!”

“I will!”

With that the two leaders separated so they stop tonight from getting any worse than it already has been.

The stage curtains opened up, and Trixie trotted out on the stage as the spotlight shined down on her. "Come one, come all. Come and see the Pathetic and Friendless Trixie's 'Way-To-Go-Dum-Dum-You-Really-Messed-It-Up-This-Time Repentance Tour'," She said with no drive or passion to perform like she is dreaming this. The crowd exchanged glances and words, with what they are hearing and seeing. "It's a working title!" Trixie bellowed in a screechy voice, and began to perform her tricks and illusions. It soon became obvious that she wasn't even trying at all during her performance, with everyone all jeering and booing with the performance they are seeing.

Reluctantly, Trixie decided to move on to the grand finale, the one trick she knew she does require effort. The audience's boos stopped, replaced by gasps of concern and horror when they saw a chained up manticore appear on the stage. "Behold, your fears come true. A pony-eating manticore. Now, feast your eyes and ears, fillies and gentlecolts. For tonight, the Great and Powerful Trixie will be performing the Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive."

The crowd started to gasp with great concern and shock as that’s impossible to for to do and doing so now would be suicide. But the gasps weren’t enough to get Trixie to back off from going through with it. "Now, now, save your gasps for when I defy the beast's jaws of doom and appear inside that black box," She said to the audience, before donning a helmet and climbed into a nearby cannon. Suddenly, her tone of voice changed from uninterested to sorrowful and regretful as she added. "I was supposed to perform this trick with my great and powerful assistant, who was also my great and powerful friend! Starlight? If you're out there and you still want to be friends, let's be great and powerful together!"

While the audience could only watch on with Kion being ready to act when needed before she throws her life away, Starlight was sitting on a nearby hill, watching the show from afar. But she took no pleasure in seeing what she is seeing even when thinking she had it coming. All while still wondering to herself if her previous friendship with Trixie really was a lie or was it true like she thought.

Just then, Twilight approached her student from behind. Seeing that look sadness on her face, Twilight said to her student. "Starlight, when I first came to Ponyville, Princess Celestia gave me room to make my own decisions and my own friends. I need to give you the same freedom. Just like me, you have to make your own decisions and your own friends, even if that means you might get hurt."

Starlight looked at Twilight and sadly asked. "But... what if Trixie really was using me just to one-up you? What if it really was a lie?"

Twilight shook her head unable to answer that herself. "From what I've seen, she's the real thing. But it's not my place to judge. That’s up to you to figure that out yourself. And no matter what you decide, I’ll support you.” She comfortingly said to her student.

Starlight looked at Twilight, then looked down at Trixie. After giving it much thought and consideration for several minutes, she concentrated her magic on the fuse of the cannon. Kion who was already on the side of the stage was ready to pounce over and stop it before being stopped when Starlight quickly put up a force field to keep him from doing so.

"What are doing?!" Kion hissed at the unicorn keeping him from trying to save Trixie from committing suicide.

Trixie at the same time was left Trixie very and visibly surprised to see the fuse on the cannon light up all by itself, since she knows what’s to come. Before she could figure out what this means for her, the cannon fired and launched her through the air. Trixie shrieked and shut her eyes, before finding herself flying into the manticore's mouth.

"Hevi Kabisa!"

The audience looked on equally shocked, as it would appear the manticore had devoured Trixie whole and let out a belch. But suddenly, there was a flash of magic, and the black box on the stage fell apart! When the magic cleared up Trixie herself appeared, with her hat and cape torn in several places, but with no scratches and bruises on her body. "Behold, the Peat and Growerful Triskie...!" She declared while barely steadying herself. Luckily for her Starlight was there by her side to support her. The crowd cheered, as Starlight winked at Trixie, then Kion who sighed in relief when he saw this, before smiling and speaking to the audience. "And now, I'm proud to introduce my great and powerful assistant!" In her normal tone of voice she added. "And best friend," Then went back to her booming voice she said. "Starlight Glimmer!"

Starlight then helped Trixie backstage and quickly checked her for any sign of injury before finding aside from her wardrobe there is not a scratch on her. Nothing other than the smell of a repellent she had coated herself with before she placed herself in the cannon. For all of her talk, she knew better than to do something dangerous without a protection plan in place, even when in depression.

“So does this mean what I think it is?” Trixie asked her friend who briefly fanned the smell coming from her coat.

“Yes. It does.” Starlight nodded. "Since I’m partially to blame for blowing off that important dinner to which that mess could have been avoided had I talked to Twilight about it before hoof."

“Thanks. Though granted Trixie also could have avoided this had I planned to reschedule it and not played with you like a magician's wand like I did just earlier.”

“That’s true.” Starlight didn’t even deny it while putting on a purple magician's hat and cape magically appear on her body. One that matches her mane and tail. “Glad we know see eye to eye on that.” Trixie giggled as she and Starlight embraced each other in a hug.

Just then, Twilight and Kion appeared backstage and called out. "Trixie!"

"What do you want?” Trixie asked. “To tell me off for backstabbing your precious student. Go ahead, I deserve it."

But Twilight instead said to Trixie. "No. I’m sorry. I was wrong to misjudge you the way I did. And I have to hoof it to you. I could never have pulled off a trick quite like that.”

“Neither could I.” Kion said in agreement. “And for someone who’s not quite an expert at magic I can definitely say what you did tonight was very impressive.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” Twilight nodded. “And I’m sure if Hoofdini were here, he’d be as proud of you as I am.”

Starlight smiled at Trixie, who took off her hat and said to Twilight with a bow. "Thank you, princess."

“You’re welcome. Consider it a token of gratitude and forgiveness. On one condition...that you two come with me back to the castle for that dinner party that’s happening now.”

“Of course. That Trixie can do.”

With that agreement, both Starlight and Trixie moved to set off celebratory fireworks before heading on over back to the castle with both Twilight and Kion.

By now, the ice sculpture had all but melted, Spike, Princess Celestia along with King Simba were trying to get by with nothing more than small talk.

“I mean it’s not that I don’t trust Kiara to go out on her own. It’s just it’s a lot harder without company and the ongoing fact that with Scar, Zira, along with the other Outsiders out and large to be willing to give her that freedom and space. Like if I were to let her wander off somewhere just out of my sight in the Pride Lands, would she come out alive and not become my enemies prey?”

“I honestly can’t say for sure.” Spike honestly answered unable to give him that answer that any parent wishes for. “I mean understand that with Kion and the Guard he always has capable and protective friends by his side, not to mention more magic to back him up, to justify going out beyond the borders. But with Kiara well, I think you can do the same for her with a little compromising so that the both of you get what you want. So in answer to your question, I say yes.”

“I suppose I could do that.” Simba said actually taking his suggestion into consideration.

“You’ll definitely know when it’s time.” He assured just when the doors opened where Twilight, Starlight, and Trixie, all arrived and all took their respective seats at the table. “And boy, talk about perfect timing!”

“Yep.” Kion said amazed of how they managed it with all things in consideration. “Amazingly.”

Twilight cleared her throat and apologized to both Princess Celestia and King Simba. "Sorry it took us so long. But we did it. We both found Starlight, and her new friend, Trixie. Or should I say what you would say, the Great and Powerful Trixie.”

“Trixie itself will do just fine.” Trixie said feeling nothing but humble for the moment.

Celestia smiled upon seeing her. "Well said. And you have been away for a long time. I see the weight of your travels and recent life changing experience has changed you.”

“More than you think, Princess.”

“Do tell.”

From there everyone all happily chatted among one another late to the evening. Aside from great annoyance, of the long delay, some much needed apologies for what happened, the night ended up working out well as Trixie proved to be quite a hit with the royals. She even invited them to her next performance to show them what exactly happened while they were waiting. An encore performance later this week since the Moonshot Manticore Mouth Dive is bound to be town worthy event worth talking about in the coming days to the point everyone is going to want to see it. With lessons learned, and great feats of stage magic performed, it sure was quite a night for everyone involved.

Author's Note

Okay, so before I begin this required some clean up given the canon version had divisive qualities for I'm sure you know why, but it was nothing a little rewriting couldn't fix. But with that aside I'll recap now given that the Great and Powerful Trixie has made her return with her appearance here in Ponyville (briefly explained back in the mid-season finale back in Season 4).

Already, she managed to strike up a conversation and potential friendship with Starlight. And true to both Twilight and Kion's concern she truly has a few underhoofed tricks up her hooves as she managed talk Starlight into not only guilt dropping her into assisting with her magic show but also in performing a very dangerous magic trick nopony (expect for Hoofdini) has ever done. And when big mistakes pile up and come to a blow, well you get a depressed unicorn and another heartbroken when confronted about it.

But since the friendship between them grew into a genuine friendship, the two were able to make up and salvage the performance before it could turn deadly. In addition, they both got to attend a nice dinner to cap off the night. So thankfully, it all worked out.

Next up we get to see Rainbow Dash and Ono both take the next big step in their lives as they are now becoming new full fledged Wonderbolts, though unfortunately for them they're going to be in for a rough start, especially as far as nicknames are concerned. Something to look forward to next week so stay tuned...

Episode 9: Newbie Dash and Ono

Episode 9:

Newbie Dash and Ono

On a nice Spring day in Ponyville, many ponies and spectators all gathered at the stadium since it’s that time of the year. A Wonderbolts show where nearly everyone, ponies and non-ponies alike, all filling up the seats in attendance all eagerly waiting for the show to start.

But the ones in attendance that are the most excited are a certain group of friends, a certain seven fully grown mares (with one being an alicorn), a baby dragon, three school aged fillies accompanied by their respective family members, two young lion cub, a honey badger, cheetah, hippo, along with a little ostrich, elephant, baboon, zebra, and mongoose. All with front row seats because today is the day their friends Rainbow Dash and Ono are both slated to make their grand debut as the newest members of the Wonderbolts, with the latter being the first non-pony member to ever partake in a Wonderbolts show. Something that everyone had been getting everyone excited and talking about it in the days leading up to today.

Starlight among the huge group of close friends sat next to her teacher, Twilight, her teacher, all while feeling quite nervous herself. To her it’s her first Wonderbolts show, and the first big social event she’s attending since becoming Twilight's student. "Wow! I can’t believe all of these ponies and Pride Landers all came here today to see the Wonderbolts in action.”

“Well it is a very special performance given that two of our friends will be making their first Wonderbolt appearances today.” Upon seeing that Starlight is still uncomfortable being here even when after explained why, she placed a comforting hoof on her back. “I know this is hard but you have nothing to worry about.” She assured. “Besides, Rainbow and Ono both really wanted you to be here and you really needed to go out some more. And by coming here today it’ll also us to continue on our lessons after a little breather from what happened the other night.”

“Don’t remind me. And yes it is actually a nice change of pace, and since it is for someone who has been willing to befriend me right away, I really can’t say no here.” She then took a glance at the stands where the Pride Landers are sitting which made her cringe in discomfort as she quickly looked away. “I guess my only really concern is I just never expected that so many Pride Landers would be here too.” She could never forget the scowls she received from those who still harbor resentment and distrust towards her with a half and half case of those who don’t trust her.

“You’ll be fine, Starlight. Just pay no attention to them and keep proving yourself worthy while on patrol like you did in the previous ones and pretty soon they’ll forget all about what you did.” To make sure she can take it to heart she then moved to continue with this. “Coming from a pony who knows exactly who’s experienced the same thing you’re going through, you’re doing well so far.”

Starlight smiled now getting the message. “Thanks.”

Bunga then jumped from his seat along with Spike and Pinkie. “Well, since there is still some time, I’ll think we go and get us some snacks for the show.”

“Great idea, Bunga!” Pinkie said as she jumped from her seat. “And with the very short lines, now is a better time than later.”

“No arguing with that.” Spike also agreed while hoping on Pinkie’s back and briefly clutching his stomach. “Boy, am I hungry already.”

“Better hurry back, Little B!” Beshte called after them when they went off to do so.

“We’ll try!”

“You can count on that!”

Both Bunga and Spike called after him while heading on over there.

Shortly after Pinkie Pie, Bunga and Spike had left to get snacks, a booming voice announced through the stadium loudspeakers: "Mare and gentlestallions, colts and fillies of all ages! Look to the skies and prepare to be awestruck by the incredible flying prowess of... the Wonderbolts!" Right then and there, and the elite flyers came soaring in. Everyone cheered, as they watched the Wonderbolts start their impressive feats of aerial acrobatics, some even recognizing Spitfire, Soarin, and Fleetfoot. With even bigger applause coming for the certain rainbow maned and tailed member of the group along with the small white egret with the orange feathers.

"I sure hope Pinkie Pie, Bunga, and Spike are done getting their snacks, or they're gonna miss Rainbow Dash's big debut!" Fluttershy said to her friends.

"Oh, don't worry, Fluttershy. Nothing would keep Pinkie Pie from missing this!" Rarity reassured her friend.

"Yeah, I'm sure they’re on their way back right now.” Kion chimed in before remembering the pink pony’s sweet tooth. “Unless of course they have her favorite snack, cotton candy."

No sooner than he said that, Pinkie, Bunga, and Spike are indeed on their way back to the stands. The hold-up itself turned out to be indeed due to Pinkie’s request.

"About time." Pinkie slightly scoffed, as she used her tail to hold a gigantic serving of pink cotton candy.

“I know right! I can’t believe they actually had blue cotton candy in light of today’s special occasion.” Bunga said feeling like it’s no big deal even though he just ordered an equally large serving of blue cotton candy.

“Yeah, who would have guessed.” Spike remarked while munching on his popcorn while riding on Pinkie’s back. “And it seems we were timed it just perfectly.”

“You sure have because they have just started flying in action.” Fuli returned while unable to stop shaking her head and giggle slightly at the sight of the amusing large servings of cotton candy both Pinkie and Bunga got. “And if I may…” She asked while whipped up a cone herself.

“Go for it!” Pinkie and Bunga both encouraged as the cheetah fixed herself a single serving of cotton candy combining both colors to create a purple colored cotton candy before they all resumed watching the show together where they all got to witness Rainbow Dash and Ono in action. And from the moves and tricks they’ve performed in perfect sync and separately they sure are putting on a show for their debut appearances.

“Wow! Look at them! They’re doing great!” Kion remarked in amazement.

“I know!” Fuli agreed feeling that if she could fly she could be out performing the same feats her flying friends are doing.

“That’s amazing!” Twilight also remarked feeling amazed herself.

"No kidding!" Kyoga remarked in full agreement as she watched on feeling very impressed herself.

“Poa!”

“Un-Bunga-veilable!”

Both Beshte and Bunga also said feeling very equally impressed and in awe like everyone else in the audience.

The Wonderbolts zipped back up into the sky and moved to spread out so that they would fly side by side. This routine would end when, on cue from the captain (Spitfire) the new Wonderbolt would break off, perform some tricks of her own, and rejoin the group, at which point the announcer would make public said Wonderbolt's name.

However, just when Rainbow Dash and Ono were getting into position and awaiting their signal from Spitfire, her eyes widened in horror. Somehow, a storm cloud had found its way into the stadium airspace, and it was directly in Rainbow and Ono's path. And it was coming in fast to the point nobody not even the Wonderbolts saw it coming, expect for Ono who was quick to stop himself from following Rainbow Dash before taking off.

“Hapana! Rainbow Dash! Look out for that cloud!”

Unfortunately, the warning came too late as Rainbow Dash was unable to stop herself when the cloud came her way at the last possible second. She ended up flying right into the storm cloud, letting out a yelp as she winds up etting electrocuted by it. Then with a loud zap, she was shot out of the cloud and flung into a nearby tree. The tree ended up being strong enough to fling the Pegasus back into the air, dislodging some leaves in the process. Rainbow tried to regain control, but between the impact she just suffered along with the heavy wet leaves stuck on her suit, she was still going down a downhill spiral.

“I got you, Rainbow Dash!” Ono quickly flew down over to her as fast as his wings can carry him. Even though he didn’t have the same speed Rainbow has, he was just close enough by he could reach down and grab onto the falling pony just before she could hit the ground. But then suddenly, lighting from the same storm cloud zapped him to the point he lost consciousness and being burned to a near crisp. “Is it hot in here, or what?” He uttered before passing out.

The audience suddenly gasped as they leaped from their seats, anxiously watching on to see if both the new fliers are okay and not critically injured. The Wonderbolts along with her closest friends from the Lion and Pony Guard along with their young companions were quick to rush on over to her just when medics and couple ambulances also arrived on the scene to tend to their injuries. As what was supposed to be one of the greatest shows in Wonderbolts history came crashing down to a sudden stop with Scootaloo the most devastated of all ponies gathered.

At the same Spitfire is looking on mentally hoping that this isn’t going to be her biggest regret seeing that this is both Rainbow and Ono’s first appearance and this is how it turns out to be.

One week earlier...

Back then both Rainbow Dash and Ono were still officially reserves. Even after filling in for Wind Rider in Canterlot when the now ex-Wonderbolt was stripped of his rank and kicked out, they were still just the go to back-up pony and egret in case something else happened to them.

At that time, none other than Scootaloo came by to greet them. “Hey! Rainbow Dash! Ono!"

“Hey, Scootaloo!” Ono quickly greeted along with Rainbow Dash who smiled upon seeing her number one fan and honorary little sister.

"Hiya, Scootaloo! What's up?”

“How’s business?”

Scootaloo blinked before remembering the talks of starting up the Cutie Mark Crusader business. “Oh, that! It’s still a work in progress but still coming along.”

“That’s great!”

“Yeah! So anyways…” Her attention now focused on her honorary sister and idol. “I just came by tell you that, The Rainbow Dash Fan Club just decided – everypony's coming to see you when the Wonderbolts' new tour comes through Ponyville!" She flapped her tiny wings in excitement.

Rainbow tried to be modest, as she downplayed Scootaloo's enthusiasm. "Well, it's great that you guys are going to the show, Scoot, but I won't actually be performing in it," She then quickly explained. "Even with Wind Rider planning to make that show in Canterlot his last show, either way I’m not planning on taking up another opening until I know for sure it’s not because of some shady reason or whatever is really up with them.”

“Me neither.” Ono shook his head knowing full well of what happened last time an opening came up. “Besides reservists aren't in the show unless one of the real Wonderbolts can't fly." He then further explained. "We'll probably just be working crowd control or something, and only for the Ponyville show along with being alert for whenever the Prince and Princess of Friendship call us over for when another friendship mission comes up."

Scootaloo was not disappointed by what she heard as she just replied. "You're both still gonna be wearing a Wonderbolts uniform though, right?"

"A Reservist one, but yeah." Rainbow nodded.

"That's good enough for me." Scootaloo smiled. "And I’m sure the rest of the fan club will be satisfied with it as I am."

"Well it’s better than nothing.” Ono replied in agreement. “I mean what are the odds that we’ll actually become Wonderbolts right here on the spot?”

“Yeah! With no strings attached!” Rainbow laughed a bit.

Just then, there was a familiar whooshing sound from above courtesy of the lead trio of Wonderbolts flying past, Spitfire. Suddenly, Spitfire all broke off from the other Wonderbolts, hovered down to the ground, then landed for a dramatic pose with dust appearing upon making their entrance.

Scootaloo was amazed, she'd never seen such a stunt before! "Whoa! That is so amazing!"

Spitfire chuckled in response to the young fan’s excitement. “It sure is, kid. Because that’s how Wonderbolts make an entrance with style. She then took off her flight goggles and approached Rainbow Dash and Ono with something important to say to them. "Rainbow Dash! Ono! Glad we found you both . We need you two in the show when we get to Ponyville. Flying."

"But, they’re only in the reserves." Scootaloo pointed out. "Who couldn’t perform in the upcoming show this time?!”

“Oh, please tell this isn’t another set-up to get Rainbow kicked out of the Wonderbolts again, is it?” Ono worryingly asked.

Spitfire shook her head. "Nope. It’s no set-up. You two ain't reserves anymore, kids." She said with a smile.

Ono’s eyes went wide when he processed that. “What?”

Slowly gasping with building up excitement, Rainbow Dash asked Spitfire. "You mean..."

But Scootaloo ended up saying it first! Hugging Rainbow's face while bringing Ono in for a tight hug, she happily exclaimed! "Rainbow Dash! Ono You're both finally full-fledged Wonderbolts! Woo-hoo!" She started to laugh in excitement, happily dancing around and do a few little poses to show off her delight! "Yeah, Rainbow Dash! Ono! Whoo!" All the while, Rainbow just stood there, speechless.

Spitfire looked at both Rainbow and Ono and said to them with a slight laugh. "Heh. What she said. Congratulations, newbies!" Rainbow didn't say anything, she just stood there as the smile on her face grew bigger.

“Wow! Thanks a bunch!” Ono returned still stunned beyond belief that this is actually happening. The day not only Rainbow got promoted to being a full-fledged Wonderbolt but Ono himself is getting the same promotion as well.

Both Rainbow and Ono proved to be very eager new recruits for the team, already impressing Spitfire with their knowledge as she led across the academy grounds to the bunker.

"For a couple of newbies, you both sure know quite a bit," Spitfire said to both Ono and Rainbow Dash. "Do you remember that team briefings are every morning at—"

"-0720, because there were twenty ponies in the original E.U.P. Guard that became the Wonderbolts!" Rainbow Dash finished.

"And there have been seven captains since the group was founded by General Firefly, with you being lucky number seven!" Ono added.

Spitfire smiled. "Right, good to see you both got the basics down to every little detail along with sharp eyes. Now, I know you've seen the academy bunks, but these are the official Wonderbolts barracks." She pointed a hoof to a set of buildings just across the academy runway.

"Built by Admiral Fairweather himself!" Rainbow answered.

"And remember rule one, newbies," Spitfire cautioned. "Be careful when crossing the runway because most of the Wonderbolts tend not to in favor flashy entrances, so keep your eyes open and aware of your surroundings, so it happens more than you think."

"Right, no problem!" Rainbow promised.

“Even with keen sight, I will heed that warning.” Ono also promised.

"Good." Spitfire replied. "Now let’s get you both all suited up."

Spitfire led Rainbow Dash and Ono across the runway (after making sure it was safe to do so) and into the official Wonderbolts bunker. Inside are both Ono and Rainbow's official Wonderbolts flight suits, along with all sorts of relics from past Wonderbolts generations.

"Whoa! Is that General Flash's cap?!" Rainbow asked upon spotting out an old beat up cap that had seen better days.

“It sure looks like it.” Ono commented as he moved to examine it with his keen sight. “Definitely. I recognize that crest. With the Wonderbolts motto.”

Then he, Spitfire, and Rainbow Dash then all said together. "']Altius volantis! Soaring higher!'"

"Wow!" Rainbow commented with an awed gasp, before quickly composing herself for a more casual reply. "I mean, ha, cool."

Spitfire smiled, as she unlocked the case displaying the suits and hoofed it to both Ono and Rainbow Dash. "Here you go! Both designed and properly measured thanks to the Guard’s Keenest of Sight working with Rarity to get these fit for you both."

Both Ono and Rainbow blushed especially for the former since sewing is not exactly his kind of thing.

“Great. Thanks.” Ono replied trying to reign in how flustered he really is about that highlight being mentioned. “It was a tremendous honor to help see to they were designed perfectly.”

Spitfire just smiled and nodded, then she cleared her throat as she said. "Okay, newbies, time to get to work. We've got a show in two days, which means you gotta hustle your haunches to learn this routine. You got five minutes to get dressed and get outside to meet the rest of the team."

Both Rainbow and Ono firmly nodded.

"Yes, ma'am!”

“We'll have all of the moves down by the end of the day! We promise!"

"Let's hope so," Spitfire replied. "We're all expecting you to make quite an impression." She then zoomed away, but not before she saw both Rainbow Dash and Ono put the flight suits on, admire themselves in the mirror and say.

"Lookin' good!"

“Not bad!”

Had she stuck around, she would've also heard both Rainbow Dash and Ono say.

"Okay, Rainbow Dash, you're about to take your first flight as an actual Wonderbolt," She sighed.

"No pressure. Just focus on the training and it’s smooth sailing from here." Ono assured himself as he and Rainbow both stretched and groaned a little as they slipped the flight goggles on over their faces with the latter adding.

"Just gotta go out there and knock 'em off their hooves. Okay, Wonderbolts, get ready to meet your most awesome members ever!"

“Let’s go!”

Both Rainbow and Ono had proved to be very quick learners, impressing even the most unsure and doubtful of Wonderbolts. Surprisingly to them, they both had no trouble with following orders or obeying commands, something unheard of for almost all new recruits. In their defense, they’re quite used it to given all of the time they went on patrol under both Twilight and Ono’s command.

And they both had been perfectly content to wait for their moment in the spotlight, something that even Fleetfoot and Misty Fly found rather surprising. They even joked a little.

“I’m sorry, are you both Rainbow Ono, Fastest of the Fast, and Keenest of Sight?”

“Because you’re both different fliers than we thought you were going to be.”

They both said with good humor.

But now, both the newest and youngest members of the Wonderbolts, are both lying on separate stretchers in a medical tent while being tended to. Thankfully, it wasn’t long until they both came too.

The first thing Rainbow Dash and Ono asked upon coming to their senses was the following:

"Where are we? What happened?”

“Did that cloud come by to serve us breakfast?” Ono sniffed his feathers. “And why do still smell like burnt bacon and sausage.”

They both had to shake their heads to clear the rambling confusion, before finding themselves surrounded by all of her fellow Wonderbolts (except for Spitfire and a few others) were staring at her.

"And why are you staring at us with their jaws frozen and sickly grimaced?” Rainbow asked.

“Because you two are very, very, lucky.” Soarin answered to them.

“What? What do you mean?!”

“Like we both nearly died?!”

“Yeah! Not to mention survived something that any other Wonderbolt would have been sidelined indefinitely. But in your cases it’s only for a couple of months until you’ll be ready to perform again.”

“What?!”

“Really?!”

“I’m afraid so, Ono, Rainbow Dash.” Nurse Redheart confirmed while having some regret over having to break the bad news to them. “That means one week of no flying, but you’ll be back up to full strength by the end of the month. Although I’d advise that you wait until your follow up appointments two months from now before performing in any future Wonderbolt shows as a precaution to make sure you’re both 100%.”

“Aww, great.”

“Just the news we needed to hear. Although it could have been worse…”

“True, true. Aside from permanent damage to my wings, needing metal ones in place…”

“Losing my eyesight, my rank and title as the Keenest of Sight, killed, facing Death himself earlier than expected...”

“...yeah…” Rainbow laughed trying not to think much of what could have been. “...well thankfully that’s not the case and we since got plenty of years before that actually happens.”

“Right. Right.”

Fleetfoot however laughed and said. "Oh, don’t worry. I'm sure you’ll both be able to tell the tale of how you both laughed in the face of death. I mean’s it not like you both have anything else better to do until then, Rainbow Crash, and Dumbo?"

“Huh?”

“What?”

Both Ono and Rainbow couldn't believe it when some of the other Wonderbolts actually started laughing along with that comment. For Rainbow, the name "Rainbow Crash" brought back some rather unpleasant memories from her childhood.

A young Rainbow Dash was excited because it was her first day of flight school, and she was eager to prove herself. Unfortunately she ended up being too eager to fly out of the gate without listening to her teacher’s words of precaution.

"Okay, flight school! Get ready for Rainbow Dash!" She announced before taking off. Needless to say, she wound up losing control and ended up crashing into a trash can that rolled to a stop in front of her classmates. One that’s filled with trash inside of it.

Her teacher was quick to check up on her while pulling her out of the trash can, but some of the mean fillies were quick to mock her over it.

"More like Rainbow Crash!" A young Hoops mocked, with the rest of the fillies and colts at flight school following suit. All but a certain filly with a yellow coat and pink mane and tail styled into bangs that hid her face.

"My name's not Crash!" Rainbow protested, to no avail as the taunts and repeated mentions of that infamous nickname kept going until she couldn’t take it anymore. And then left flight camp right after the incident.

And as for Ono himself, it sparked a memory in his life, he never thought would ever surface up again.

Back when he was a young bird, Ono flew around the skies enjoying flying on his own free reign for it was his first time being able to fly on his own. He enjoyed every second with each “Woo-hoo!” he released while performing speedy maneuvers around trees even getting in on racing Fuli. Said cheetah looked on equally impressed with this egret’s natural speed before looking on with a confident expression ready for the challenge he is trying to give her.

The two were neck and neck with each other in their latest race just when Zazu happened to spot them from nearby. He moved to fly in to make sure they didn’t get carried away with their racing, especially with dark clouds appearing over the horizon. Just when it seemed to be decided by a mill-fraction of a second…

ZAP!

Suddenly to both Fuli and Zazu’s horrified shock, Ono just got struck and zapped by lightning and was knocked unconscious because of it. Thankfully, they both were quick to recover from the literal and emotional shock it gave them.

“Ono! Are you okay?”

“Oh, dear! I must go get help!”

Zazu rushed off to find Rafiki who very fortunately happened to be nearby while Fuli stayed by Ono’s side to make sure he is at the very least okay.

“Ono! Ono!” She gently patted his head along with splashing water on his face and massaging his forehead to help him recover. “Can you hear me! How many claws do I have up.” She presented all five claws on her right paw.

Ono mumbled a bit before regaining consciousness along with quickly seeing Fuli’s paw with her unsheathed claws. “Four. Four claws, Fuli.”

Fuli double-checked her paw to make sure his math is right before seeing that his now reawakened friend is indeed correct. “Oh, thank goodness. You’re okay.”

“Thankfully…” Ono stumbled while getting up on his feet while feeling an electric surge going through his head. Something that really had his brain flowing with immense knowledge in his head. “...considering the amount of voltage that went through my body that should have killed me instantly. Not to mention that cloud must have a lot of rain inside of it…” Said cloud pours rain on them much to the cheetah’s dismay. “...which should only last for another minute until it stops and moves out little as a whistle.” Said cloud actually does just that much to Fuli’s amazement that actually happened just when both Zazu and Rafiki arrived on the scene.

“They’re over here!”

“Ono! Fuli! Are you two okay?!”

“We’re better now!” Fuli happily replied while shaking her fur dry. “And you’re not going to believe what just happened!”

“That Ono survived the lightning strike?!”

“If that’s so you are one lucky bird, Ono. Because a direct shock from lightning should have killed you.” Rafiki commented feeling very astonished with what he is seeing.

“Well judging from the amount voltage that cloud had, it was a one in a million that anyone would ever survive that.” He shrugged. “What can I say? I just got lucky to endure one million volts of electricity flowing through my body in a sudden strike!” Hearing that left both Zazu and Rafiki stunned to the point the former dropped his beak in shock with the latter moving to shut it closed.

“Fuli?” Zazu spoke up after recovering from his shock. “Did Ono just say something intelligent?”

“I wouldn’t believed it if I wasn’t there. But he in fact did.”

“Incredible!”

“Ha, ha, indeed!” Rafiki then moved to gently place his hand over the egret’s legs wanting him to land there. “But there is the matter of doing a check up on you, just to be sure. So in the meantime, I will have to insist that you stay with me for a few days, before you start flying again.”

“Oh.”

“Oh, don’t feel so bummed, young flyer! Think of this as an opportunity to test your knowledge with what you now know. And if lucky, you might be a great knowledge heroic flyer.”

“Really! Okay! Well then, go ahead and quiz me!”

Fuli can only shake her head and giggle to herself as she follows after them to see for herself of how this plays out as already he is hitting off questions like it’s yesterday’s news and spotting things that none else could see just within the horizon.

But at the same time in the following days, Ono couldn’t help but overhear and oversee other Pride Landers especially his flock make mean jokes about him over the incident. Especially when one of them said to him.

“Hey, Dumbo! Get another stroke of dumb luck?”

A remark that left the other egrets laughing at him for the rest of the day over much to his hurt discomfort. Even to this very day he felt the very sting of that insult.

Though only a few Wonderbolts seemed to repeat Fleetfoot's "Rainbow Crash and Dumbo" comment over the next few days, their words and laughs stung both Rainbow and Ono far worse than the physical pain they endured earlier.

Both Rainbow Dash and Ono were just relieved that they both could fly home and rest, although they are still left distraught of how things literally went gone south for them in the span of just a few days, let alone one performance alone. As if it was bad enough to be grounded from performing (at least for the next two months), being called a nickname from their childhood that they thought was a thing of the past (and by the former’s idols themselves) only served to be the complete insult to injury.

“Ugh, what a day!”

“You said it!”

Ono moved to make himself at home where Rainbow Dash lives (so it’ll be a short flight for him for the rest of the day) before groaning to float onto a nearby cushion seat so he can rest. Rainbow after checking up on Tank followed after the egret by moving herself on over to her own bed. And once they were both settled in, they both can only wonder.

“How did this happen, and just when things were starting to go right?”

During their lament and troublesome wonders, they both recalled the conversation she'd had with her friends just a few days ago, when they were busy packing up for the Wonderbolts Academy. (For when they need to stay on the academy grounds.)

Just over a week earlier, both Rainbow Dash and Ono had been busy zooming around, packing up the last of their stuff to take to the academy.

"Uh, anypony seen my wing balm?" Rainbow asked. "I don't want to be stiff when I show up at Wonderbolt headquarters."

“And I need my eye drops to keep myself from being disoriented from dry eyes.” Ono also asked.

"Got it!" Spike called, tossing both the tube of the balm and the bottle of eye drops to both flyers who both quickly placed the requested items in their suitcases, and forced them shut with a click.

“So, from reserve member to a full fledged member of the Wonderbolts, huh?” Starlight remarked while still confused with what is now going on. “That’s really something.”

“Don’t suppose you have time to tell us what happened?" Kion asked hoping they’ll tell.

"Oh, yes, we must know every detail if possible." Rarity encouraged and tried to insist.

Rainbow just chuckled, as she told Kion. "Well since Scootaloo was around when it happened she’ll be more than happy to tell you. But aside from that there's really not much to say.”

“Yeah!” Ono chimed in. “Spitfire just recently told us the Wonderbolts want us to go on tour with them, and neither one of us couldn't say no to that."

Fuli smiled, feeling very happy to see her friends achieve the dream Rainbow had long dreamed of along with the honor Ono had desired since he decided to pursue this goal himself. "That's really great. I know how long you've been waiting for a spot to open up."

“And to think they’d do the same to you too Ono, both of you together at the same time.” Beshte also added feeling very happy for him.

"It's quite a once and while opportunity to be presented with. Especially since this is not every day this sort of thing happens." Kyoga added.

"But exactly how did this promotion come up like this?” Starlight then asked and brought up.

“Yeah? How did that happen?” Kion also asked again.

"And are you both leaving already?" Pinkie asked both fliers. "Because I was just about to get ready to throw a 'Going Away' party, or at least be able to say goodbye with a sparkle of confetti.

“Oh, if only I had thought to bring the party cannon the last time we were at Sugarcube Corner.” Bunga moaned with regret.

Ono quickly replied and explained why flying down to his eye level. "Pinkie, Bunga, there’s nothing to worry about. We're not leaving Ponyville forever.”

“Yeah!” Rainbow stated to prove that’s indeed the truth. “We just have to train for this show, then we'll come back here. But we do have to report to Wonderbolts headquarters this afternoon. It's only two days 'til tour starts, and we need to learn the routine.”

“And to answer your question, Kion, Starlight, it's like this. Fire Streak decided to retire and teach full-time. Cloudsdale Flight School will probably be churning out Wonderbolts with him there. But guess who was at the top of the Reserve list."

“You?” Both Kion and Starlight replied in unison.

“Yep! Us!” Rainbow replied with proud crossed arms.

"I hope everything goes well.” Fluttershy happily and kindly wished the best of luck to the soon to be newest Wonderbolts. “Sounds like an awful lot of pressure having to learn everything so quickly."

"Yeah. Good luck, Dash, Ono." Applejack then did the same.

"Take care of yourselves, you two." Kyoga added herself with words of encouragement.

"Thanks." Rainbow kindly returned. "I can't believe it's taken this long for the Wonderbolts to recognize my awesomeness along with yours Ono, but better late than never."

“That’s so definitely true.” Ono didn’t even bother arguing with her there.

Before they could leave Twilight quickly warned Rainbow Dash while wishing them luck. "Everypony knows you're a great flyer, Rainbow Dash, and everyone knows you have what it takes to keep pace with them Ono, but so are the rest of the Wonderbolts. It might be more challenging than you think."

"So try not to get too disappointed if something doesn't work out like you hoped." Kyoga also advised. "It doesn't take much for hard work to rendered all for nothing because of one mistake no matter how small it may be at first glance."

"Aw, you're right," Rainbow replied to acknowledge that statement. "I'm the new recruit, which means great things are expected out of us. But it won’t be long until we are well known and moving up the ranks. I mean who knows what could happen in short time? Maybe if lucky, second in command by the time we’re all grown up."

“Maybe. Maybe not.” Ono replied before they both took off together on to the Wonderbolts headquarters where they are expected by the afternoon.

The only going through their minds before falling asleep is left hoping that by tomorrow, things will carry on like nothing happened. And hopefully nothing they feel is worth dragging their friends attention who already have their lives booked with important must do duties to take care of.

When 7:00 came the two newest Wonderbolts were quick to get up and get dressed ready to resume and pick up where they left off before heading out in perfect sync together. Neither of them said a word to each other both silently and mentally hoping that things were going to get better now that they’re well enough to start practicing with the team again.

Although the Wonderbolts were slated to tour all over Equestria, Rainbow Dash and Ono knew they had at least a few more days before they would need to leave for the rest of Equestria. Even so, they’re both hoping that they'd be too busy with what’s to come to keep calling her Crash and Dumbo. At first, it seemed like it was going to happen that way. Aside from Spitfire who being the team captain of the Wonderbolts was the first to notice them arrive.

"Ah, good to see both can join us today, newbies.” Spitfire greeted somewhat warmly. "Always a good sign to see you’re both not calling it quits just before things can get really started."

Both Rainbow and Ono casually replied like it’s nothing to them.

“Well quitting is the last thing either of us want to do.”

“And we’re not about let what happened define the end of our career and legacy before it can even get started.”

Spitfire nodded in response. "Just don't expect things to go easy from here. Newbies or not, you still answer to us. While we won’t be able to work you both with your current injuries, we will still work you to what you both can do and then some. After all, last thing we need are slackers on the fly. Our main goal here is get you both back in shape without hurting yourselves so that when you’re ready to start flying alongside us again, it'll be picking up where we left off. Is that understood to you both, Rainbow Dash?! Ono?!"

"Yes ma'am!" Both Rainbow and Ono firmly replied with obedient salutes

"Good!" Spitfire then blew her whistle so practice can commence.

While practice carried on like usual, the insults both being referred to as Crash and Bono still carried on like it is still worth talking about regardless of how upsetting it is both fliers trying to get in shape and prepare themselves on their way to a full recovery. At least Spitfire had the decency not to indulge in this herself.

“Crash! You’re breaking formation! Shape up, Dumbo!” Fleetfoot called out at one point when they struggled to maintain the same altitude as the other Wonderbolts.

"Check your nine, Crash! Pay attention to your surrondings, Dumbo!” Soarin then shouted when they both appeared to veer off course.

"Tighter, Crash, get in there! What's the matter, a sight for sore eyes, Bono?!" Misty shouted when Rainbow and Ono both weren’t flying close enough to either of her partners.

Each time, Rainbow and Ono would growl and protest.

"My name's not Crash!"

“My name’s not Dumbo!”

But each time it seemed like their complaint’s went unaddressed. It also didn't help that when Misty Fly said it, she ended up smacking into Surprise and sending them both spiraling into a cloud.

"Your name's not Crash and Dumbo, huh?" Surprise asked both Rainbow and Ono afterwards. "Well, you could've fooled me.”

The day seemed to stretch on longer than both Ono and Rainbow Dash hoped for, but when the end of the day with a glorious sunset over the whole Equestrian horizon finally came they were both glad that today’s flying routines were over. However, upon entering the locker rooms and changing out of their flight suits, they were both left looking on in confusion when they were given a mop and bucket, along with some cleaning supplies.

“Huh? What gives?!”

“Yeah, what she said!”

They both complained and expected an explanation for this.

"Sorry, Crash, Dumbo, but this is what’s expected of you both." Fleetfoot replied.

Soarin moved to explain as he said to both fliers. "I know you both have been Reservists for quite a while, but the 'Bolts have a few of their own rules you might not know about. Like worst flyer of the day has to clean up the whole compound.”

“What?!” Ono squawked out in exasperation to match his tired eyes. “Are you kidding me?!”

“I wish I was, Dumbo.” Soarin replied sympathetically. “But rules are rules. Now get to it. You too, Crash."

Ono looked on with a twitchy eyed that turned into an angered expression as he frustratingly stated. “Is seriously going to define our names till the day our time ends?! It’s one thing to acknowledge what could have been the other day, but to call me a name that is not only a bucking insult that stems from my childhood, but also a big middle feather to my bucking face!”

“So for the last time my name's NOT Crash! And he is NOT Dumbo! It's Ono and Rainbow Dash!"

"Crash! Dumbo! Calm down!" High Winds firmly replied. "I know you're both upset with what happened today, but things will get better. Besides, this isn’t the worst job to be saddled with. Be thankful you're not on mess hall duty, because that’s an even bigger and more daunting task to tackle."

"Maybe a little presentation is in order." Blaze then said before opening up a locker. When she stepped aside, both Ono and Rainbow's eyes fell upon two official Wonderbolts jacket.

But when they both looked at the jackets more closely, they noticed that among the badges stitched onto it was the nicknames they’re were given by the Wonderbolts that they both openly hated!

"Crash?!”

“Dumbo?!”

“And what’s so hard about putting our actual names on them?!” Rainbow demanded.

Fleetfoot laughed as she replied. "Because that's not how it works around here, Crash, Bono. We all have our nicknames on our jackets. Right, Clipper?"

"Clipper?"

“Who’s he or she?”

Both Rainbow and Ono asked now confused.

"Right, Flatfoot," Soarin responded. "And as Hoof in Mouth can tell, the mess hall is the worst clean up job to be saddled with."

"Hoof in Mouth?" Both Rainbow and Ono asked again, wondering who could be called that.

High Winds spoke up as she said. "Me. And over there are Dizzy and Slowpoke."

"Dizzy? Slowpoke?" Rainbow and Ono asked once more both unable to believe what they are hearing.

Not only are their fellow Wonderbolts were not only calling them a nickname they despised, but they were tossing around insulting nicknames for each other like it’s all in good humor. And that was where not only Rainbow but Ono also hit their breaking point as they both threw down the jackets with an enraged tirade, shouting at the top of her lungs.

“THAT IS IT! I have had it to here with all of constant name calling!”

“Me too! The things I can't believe that I’m hearing! This after I spent my life looking up to you all, spending every first chance I can get to becoming one of you!”

“Putting aside past grievances after what happened with Lightning Dust and Wind Rider I hoped it would be all just be water under the bridge but no. Really we were just fooling ourselves to believe things will get better. But really, things have never improved since day one.”

“And boy were we just kidding ourselves! Here we are actually dealing with a bunch of bullies and stuck up jerks no better than the ones that we had to deal with when growing up. Not to mention picking on us whenever we can’t keep up.”

“Just when I was starting to believe that the Wonderbolts were giving me an identity to live with great importance outside of me being the Guard’s Keenest of Sight, you all once again squash my thoughts that you all are the coolest fliers to ever grace the skies. Forget this! And forget all of you! I quit!”

“Me too! I quit!”

"Crash! Dumbo!" Soarin shouted, but it was too late! The newbies had already flew out in a flash that knocked the other Wonderbolts off of their hooves.

As the Wonderbolts picked themselves up and looked at the discarded jackets both Ono and Rainbow had left behind, Spitfire arrived on the scene having overheard the commotion from her office and had come running.

"What just happened?!" She demanded of the Wonderbolts. "And I want the truth!"

"We told Crash and Bono that the worst fliers of the day has to clean up the entire compound, and they completely flipped out." Soarin explained. "They took great offense to the names and felt that it was very mean and disrespectful to themselves given that it heavily reminded them of painful childhood memories. Then they decided they don’t want anymore of this if this is the way things are going to be, then they flew off before any of us could explain what was really happening."

"So none of you took the time to tell her why we really call each other by those names??" Spitfire asked, glaring at the Wonderbolts who can only look on silently to confirm that reply. "Even after knowing what happened last time?" None of the Wonderbolts replied otherwise, only hanging their heads in shame leading to Spitfire sigh in response. "Apparently not, so now it's up to me to set things right, again. Like I haven’t had enough messes to clean since becoming captain."

"We never meant for things to get this far, Spitfire. Really." Fleetfoot apologized. "We just thought after getting used it to them we didn’t think that they’d would understand right off the bat it was all meant to be good teasing humor. We really didn’t want the best new fliers to want to join us to leave.”

“Well you just did!” Spitfire bluntly returned and then she added. “In the meantime, I’m going catch up to the newbies and try to fix this. And hold off on the nicknames until then. She exited the compound without wearing either her instructor's suit or her flight suit, and as she zoomed out onto the academy grounds in quick pursuit she thought to herself. "After all of this, I really need a have a team meeting with everyone so we can improve as a team going forward."

It didn't take too long for Spitfire to find Rainbow Dash and Ono, luckily for her both fliers had yet to leave the academy grounds, but the fact they were at the very edge of them indicated just how bad things have gotten. "Rainbow Dash, Ono wait!" Spitfire called out.

Both Rainbow and Ono spun around, surprised to see Spitfire in her current appearance for the first time in their lives.

“What?! Come to further rub salt in the wound as we take our flight in shame?!”

“Boy, wouldn’t that be something.”

"Please, listen to me!" Spitfire pleaded. "Here we Wonderbolts have a little tradition we share where the embarrassing nicknames are a part of it."

“Wow.” Ono returned unimpressed. “Isn’t that interesting.”

"Yeah! Flatfoot, Dizzy, and Hoof in Mouth?!" Rainbow remarked in the same tone. "I don’t suppose Clipper came from something that Soarin endured worse than what we did?"

Spitfire shook her head. "As long as you promise not to tell Soarin or anypony, I’ll tell you why.” She briefly looked around to make sure nopony was around to hear them.

“Sure.”

“Okay.”

“Back when he was starting out with the Wonderbolts, he clipped one of his wings on a flagpole. He spent a month in the hospital, and spent the following three months before he could fully recover."

"And how exactly is making fun of someone for clipping his wing supposed to help make us feel any better about this so called tradition you ponies have?” Ono inquired expecting a good answer out of it.

"While I didn't really like it myself and would have told the other Wonderbolts to not do so. He decided to stick with the nickname as a motivational tactic and wouldn’t let me." Spitfire explained. "Ever since then, that's what we've all done. From Fleetfoot misjudging a landing and coming down right on my front right hoof, or High Winds causing an entire formation to fall from the sky because she was too busy making funny faces, the embarrassing nickname thing is something we consider a little initiation ritual. And as much as I hate it myself, it actually worked wonders in motivating us to do our best each and every performance since then. Though I have to ask you both why the nicknames Crash and Dumbo got you both so upset?"

Both Rainbow and Ono looked around before the former asked Spitfire. "You promise not to tell?" Spitfire nodded, and Rainbow took that as her cue to explain with a sigh deciding to explain first. "It's a nickname I got when I was a filly. I crashed into a trash can on my first day of flight school, and a couple of bullies starting calling me that every time they saw me. No matter how hard I tried to ignore them, everyone in the entire school started chanting it and teasing me with it, to the point I quit flight camp because of it. After I pulled off the Sonic Rainboom at the Best Young Flyers Competition, I thought that name would be a thing of the past. I felt like being called Crash again, just served as a reminder of something that can never be lived down no matter how hard I try to prove that things have improved since then."

“And as for me well…” Ono moved to explain himself. “Back when I was showing early speed and determination for a Wonderbolt, I got struck by lightning similar to the cloud from the show the other day. I was lucky to survive that, and while I gained an intelligence boost out of it, I have also had the unfortunate luck of being called Dumbo because me surviving that to them is a stroke of dumb luck. I mean in a way it’s true, but it still hurt even to this day and after proving myself to be an accomplished flier in my own right.”

“Really?” Rainbow returned highly surprised to hear such a thing since he never told her that. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s okay, you didn’t know, no one else did up until this point.” Ono returned with no hard feelings towards his confidants. “I just wish everyone would have seen it as a blessing and not a curse even when I did get lucky to still be around to this day.”

"I see." Spitfire commented understanding of why it’s a very sensitive nickname for the both of them. "Well, if anything, it's not the worst nickname they could've invented. And you're not the only one who has a nickname they'd rather forget about it. You don't wanna know what they call me." She whispered it to both Rainbow Dash and Ono.

Neither flier could believe such a harsh nickname would exist, and decided it was best not to ask Spitfire how she'd gotten that "unfortunate" nickname.

"Whoa! That is so much worse than Crash."

“That even puts Dumbo to shame.”

"I know, right?" Spitfire returned. "So, if I get the other Wonderbolts to apologize for taking things so far with the nicknames, do you still wanna be part of the team? We've been waiting for a couple of spots to open up ever since you both joined the Reserves! And you've both saved all of Equestria and the Pride Lands at least half a dozen times or so. While I can’t do anything else, we can at least tone down the nicknaming to what it was originally supposed to be used for. So can you be part of this team and not try to showboat like you have a tendency to do sometimes, Rainbow? And can you be willing to give us another chance, Ono?"

Both fliers thought long and hard about this for several minutes. Rainbow truly longed for a chance to fly with her idols, but she wasn't sure if she was comfortable with the idea of calling her teammates by embarrassing nicknames (or letting them do it to her). Ono himself, along for the same reasons also was unsure whether to fly with fliers who really help him push himself to limits and helped keep his abilities sharp as always especially since it has proven very crucial from time to time even more so since joining the team.

After thinking it over they both sighed and spoke their decision.

"I’ll stay.”

“So will I.”

“I've spent my whole life trying to be a standout flyer, but now that I'm finally a Wonderbolt, it's time to be okay with fitting in!"

“And while the nicknames are still something for me to take in, at least I know it isn’t out of malice anymore.”

"Good." Spitfire smiled, and breathed a sigh of relief. "But you're both still gonna have to be on probation for a month, I'm afraid. Because even with good reason, flying off on your superiors the way you did is a violation of Wonderbolts code. Rules are rules.”

“Understood.”

“Nothing we can argue about that.”

“Great to hear that, newbies.” Soarin’s voice said to them just when they arrived and appeared before the three. “And who knows what will happen next. Maybe things will change for the better with or without the nicknaming itself.”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe not.”

“And now that you both have decided to stick around with us…” Fleetfoot added before speaking apologetically to them. “...we’d like to take this moment to apologize for how we acted earlier ever since the show. Given of how used to this tradition we were, we neglected to be more sensitive towards other first timers, you both included."

"It's okay," Rainbow replied with a forgiving smile. "We understand now why you do this to each other. Though we didn’t help our case by not completely listening to advice when we instead focused on the nicknames you kept calling us.”

“Along with completely flying off the handle the way we did back there which netted us a month of cleaning.” Ono added ready to forgive the others as well.

“Well it could have been worse.” Soarin assured with a look that says compared to whatever punishment he and the others endured in the past they’re getting off easy. “And with all things considered, you’re both taking this well.”

“Yeah, why are you in a good mood.” Fleetfoot asked.

"Duh! Because we’re Wonderbolts!" Rainbow happily replied.

“And we look forward to a new beginning together!” Ono happily added. “Whether it’s new challenges, new lessons to learn, and new accomplishments yet to be accomplished. We look forward to it.”

“And that’s something we look forward to ourselves, Crash, Bono!” Spitfire happily expressed before they all flew back to the compound together.

At the same time, Lightning Dust and Wind Rider looked on very envious and furious with how despite all of those hardships those two went through together to become the newest Wonderbolts, they’re still friends and Wonderbolts through and through.

“I can’t believe this! Just when they we’re this close to leaving!” Lightning furiously vented. “I should have sent another cloud their way when I had the chance!”

“Me too! But we were also told not to engage with the Wonderbolts.” Wind Rider then said and reminded while sharing the other Pegasus’s frustration. “Especially after Princess Twilight and Prince Kion has already told them about what we did in the Dragon Lands. If we do, then we’ll lose the element of surprise our commanding officer wants us to keep.”

“Other than for whenever we do go after them?!”

“Yes…” Scar’s voice spoke to them as his green eyes appeared in one of the nearby clouds. “...and even still the plan was enough to keep both Rainbow and Ono grounded which is exactly what I wanted. Because now that paves way for me to be able to carry out my new latest plan. One that’ll definitely ensure their cooperation with nothing more than a little need and thirst of surrender...”

Author's Note

Here it is, the day not only Rainbow Dash but also Ono both finally become full fledged members of the Wonderbolts, and it is everything they could have ever imagined. Expect... for what happens on the day of their very big debut. As if getting nearly killed wasn't bad enough, they both get demeaning nicknames to go with it. Ones that strike a nerve from their past childhood experience.

Up until the end of the episode (which I found some inspiration to rewrite it to make the Wonderbolts more tolerable and likable here), it has greatly gotten on their nerves up until they both hit their breaking point and nearly quit because of it, up until it was explained to them why they give each other nicknames like that. And thanks to that, it convinced them both to reconsider leaving and continue on the start of their new Wonderbolt lives.

At the same time with both fliers out of commission for a little while, it paves way for Scar himself to enact his latest plan. One that'll bring suffering to the Pride Lands, and leave them begging to surrender. So something to look forward to next week. So stay tuned...

Episode 10: Undercover Kinyonga

Episode 10:

Undercover Kinyonga

In the following days since Ono and Rainbow’s earlier injuries and later probation, the Lion and Pony Guard continued on with their daily patrols without them along with trying to stay on top for whatever Scar has in store for them. Without Rainbow and Ono around, they had to try to rely on someone else to sneak in enemy territory with hopes they have cruical information they can use to stop Scar from getting the jump on them again like he did with Kilio Valley or what he nearly caused with having Lightning Dust and Wind Rider try to meddle around in the Dragon Lands.

So in an attempt to try to get a sneak peak for whatever is coming next, both Twilight and Starlight decided to try sneak their way through the Outlands to see if they can try to spy on Scar and find it out themselves while the rest of the Guard stands by at the border. And thanks to their past experience, navigating the place during their earlier servitude to Scar, they were able to make their way to the volcano undetected. And it seems, that they might be able to pull this off.

“So far so good.”

“Yeah. Who would have thought that past experience on the opposite side of things would come in handy someday?”

The two quietly shared in a hush before peering towards the opening leading up to a good opening where they can witness Scar as he makes his fiery appearance to his followers. But just when they managed to get a glimpse of the caldera from above…

A loud siren blared across the Outlands Volcano, alerting the vultures along with Lightning Dust and Wind Rider to their presence.

“So much for the element of surprise.”

“Yep. Now’s it time to high-tail it out of here.”

The two casually shared with each other before making a flight towards the border with the enemy fliers hot on their tail.

“We’re on you, Twilight Sparkle!” Lightning Dust shouted while right being the two ponies. “You and your traitorous friend are trespassing on private property! You’re mine, intruders!”

“Guess again, Lightning!”

“Yeah! Storm’s over, Dirty Dan!”

The two returned like it’s nothing they haven’t been through before splitting up. Twilight went ahead in one direction with Lightning following after her with Starlight going the other direction with Wind Rider and the vultures following after her.

Twilight managed to fly through the pillars like she during her earlier battles with Scar like it was effortlessly cruising through an obstacle course while Lightning was able to follow closely behind despite a few near run ins with a few pillars. And just when it seemed like she was going to catch the princess…

...she ended up crashing face first into the hill leading up to the edge of the Pride Lands while Twilight managed to fly up and out of the Outlands at the last second.

Meanwhile, Wind Rider gave his all in trying to hunt down Starlight but unlike Lightning he didn’t have the endurance and speed she has before finding himself collapsing on a nearby pillar he ended up falling onto. So it left it up to the vultures to try to chase after Starlight but even still they didn’t have the speed to catch the unicorn herself.

“Motion to attack from above and behind at the same time?” Mzingo asked the other vultures with all eyes on the unicorn.

“Aye!” They both agreed before carrying out the attempt.

“Leaving so soon, Starlight?” Mwoga called out to her. “You've hardly had a chance to get a good look around.” Mzingo tried to get a good jab at Starlight’s tail only to be whipped aside by said tail who then proceeded to accidentally bowl right into the other vultures and knocked them off the ground and down right next to the defeated and pained Lightning Dust where they can only moan in defeat.

“I think I’ve already had my fair share, thank you very much.” Starlight returned like this is just another day of training for her. “So I’ll just take my leave.”

Wind Rider having just recovered, moved to try to seize this opportunity to fly head on towards Starlight for a direct attack. He flew up preparing to go down for the famous spinning air kick. But just before he could unleash that attack, he was swiftly froze in place by Starlight’s magic who looked still not impressed.

“No offense, old man, but you’re really not living up to the legend as a famous Wonderbolt.” Starlight said before using her magic to roll up the pony like basketball before flinging him on over to the volcano where he would land inside the caldera (not landing in the lava of course)

She proceeded to do the same to Lightning and the vultures one by one to keep them from getting the drop on them when they come to before joining Twilight who came back to make sure she’s okay before they made their leave from the Outlands.

“Nice shooting.”

“Thanks. I know how to play ball.”

Once they arrived back in the Pride Lands, the rest of the Lion and Pony Guard approached them having seen the whole fight from where they stand.

“Good going!”

“Yeah! Mzingo and Mwoga got a beak-full of dirt for lunch.”

“Not to mention you blew Wind Rider out of the sky! Literally!”

“And you made Lightning eat her own dust!”

Fuli, Bunga, Pinkie, and Applejack all complimented with both Pinkie and Bunga finding what they saw very funny.

“Thanks. But there’s nothing to celebrate over yet.” Twilight returned while treating that little victory as nothing exciting.

“What'd both you see, Twilight? Starlight?” Kion asked.

“The crocs and jackals are still in Kilio Valley but the hyenas are moving towards the volcano.” Twilight reported.

“Maybe Scar has plans for Janja.” Fuli correctly figured.

“No question about it.” Starlight replied knowing that’s true for sure before continuing with their report. “But he also knew that we’d try to sneak by and placed an alarm so that we can make sight for whenever Scar appears there or what he is planning to do next.” Starlight grunted in frustration. “Should have known. Sorry, Kion, Twilight.”

Both leaders of the Guard were quick to assure her it’s nothing to sweat about.

“It's okay, Starlight.”

“We’re just glad you made it back in one piece. We made it back in one piece.”

“More or less.”

“I mean with all things considered you both did a pretty good job.” Rarity complimented.

“And it doesn't matter what Scar's planning.” Bunga chimed in. “The Lion and Pony Guard' will beat him!”

“I sure hope so, Little B.”

“And let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Applejack reminded. “It could be what Scar’s counting on us to do if it comes down to that.

“Applejack’s right.” Kion agreed. “We need to stay alert. Scar could make his next move any time now.”

“But it would be a lot more helpful if we could get an idea of what he’s planning before he executes it.” Kyoga pointed out. “Considering we narrowly escaped defeat and death more times recently, our luck is really starting to wear thin at this point.”

“I know.” Kion acknowledged. “The question is how?”

Before that could be elaborated on more, Thurston and his herd came on by.

“Panic and run! Panic and run!”

“What's up with the zebras?” Beshte asked.

“Probably got spooked again.” Kyoga theorized.

“Only one way to find out.” Twilight said before she and Kion led the team after them.

“Come on!”

Upon catching up to them, the Guard wasted no time taking action.

“Whoa there, zebras! Just slow down, y’all!” Applejack commanded while commandeering her lasso to get full control of their leader so everyone else would follow suit.

Bunga proceeded leap up onto Kion before leaping onto one of the zebras to get him to do the same. “You heard the pony. Easy there, zebra-deebra!”

And just like that with combined teamwork it was over in a matter of seconds.

“Is everyone calmer now?” Fluttershy kindly asked of them once they came to a complete stop and took the time to catch their breath. The zebras all neighed “yes.” in response. “Good.”

After releasing their control over the zebras, Bunga then asked what everyone in the Guard’s thinking. “So, what made you panic this time? Jackals? Hyenas? Dung beetles?”

“Changelings, Creepy moon creatures, mind-controlled ponies?!” Pinkie chimed in to which frightened the zebras once more but not enough for them to start panicking and running all over again.

“Uh, back there!” Thurston answered directing their attention to the rock up ahead.

“Okay…”

“...that sure is...scary.”

Both Rarity and Fluttershy replied just looking on confused instead of worried like the herd expected.

“So what's the problem?” Fuli asked still not seeing the source of their scares.

“The rock. The rock is the problem. Something must be done about it.”

“The rock…” Twilight looked on like this is the most baffling thing to run away from but still moved to inspect it. “...yeah, sure. We’ll check it out.” While leading the team on over there she couldn’t also help but feel she has come across this before. “Where have I heard and seen this before…”

Once they approached, Bunga and Pinkie were quick to take action.

“Bad rock! Bad, bad, rock.” Bunga scolded like a misbehaving dog.

“Get lost! Rock!” Pinkie shouted it with her megaphone to the point it shattered into a million pebbles. “There. Problem solved.”

“Anything else you’d like to elaborate more on or should just take you on to the Ponyville psychologist?” Kyoga asked having a hard time believing that she is actually going to entertain herself with what she believes to be a silly little phobia.

“Not me.” Starlight nervously giggled in response trying to laugh it off before stepping aside in silence.

“You don't understand. It talked.” Thurston protested while cowering behind the nearest tree from a safe distance.

“The rock talked?” Kion asked looking on amused at this point.

“It most certainly did. We all heard it. Didn't we?”

The other zebras all neighed in agreement to confirm it’s true.

“A talking rock?” Fuli looked on like it is one of the funniest things they’ve actually dealt with while on patrol.

“Wow!” Starlight laughed. “You’re really having us gong there.”

“I know right!” Pinkie laughed finding very funny herself to the point she fell on her back with all four hooves raised up in the air while laughing. “Rainbow Dash sure would get a kick out of this if she were here!”

“Like my dad always says, "You never know what you might see until you see it." Beshte commented equally amused.

“But all I see is a rock.” Bunga pointed out. “And Pinkie destroyed it.”

Just then Twiga approached the Guard looking on at them in desperate need of their help. “Lion Guard! Pony Guard! Help!”

“Twiga? What's wrong?”

“What is it?”

Both leaders of the Guard asked.

“That tree. Over there.” Twiga pointed in the tree’s direction. “I tried to scratch my back against it and it yelled at me!”

“It yelled at you?” Rarity asked looking on confused even more.

“Yes! It said, "Careful. I'm standin' here."”

“Hmm, odd.” Starlight commented rather puzzled herself. “I don’t recall ever playing those kinds of pranks even while invisible.” She then hastily moved to clarify. “I really didn’t.” She said with a shake of her head to assert that.

Hearing that started to get Twilight’s past memories flowing in her head as it is all coming together now.

“First a talking rock. Now a yelling tree. Next thing you know the grass will be singing.” Thurston fearfully expressed. “You know what this means.”

“You don't have to…” Kion began to say on deaf ears.

“Panic and…”

Thankfully, Fuli and Fluttershy were quick to intercept him mid-sentence with the latter giving him the Stare towards him.

“Stop! Just calm down.” Fuli ordered.

“The Lion and Pony Guard's here. So don’t panic and run! Got it! Fluttershy added before averting her gaze once Thurston has calmed himself down once more.

“Mmm-hmm.”

“Good.” Fuli said satisfied now.

“Yeah. We'll protect you from rocks, trees, and grass.” Pinkie happily assured while pulling out her party cannon ready to unleash confetti on it.

Applejack however was quick to stop her before she could use it. “Whoa! Whoa! Hold on there, Pinkie Pie! Now’s not the time for party decorations.”

“Aww.”

“Okay. Everyone just stay calm.” Kion urged of everyone. “Please. We'll go check it out.”

The crowd dispersed as the Lion and Pony Guard went ahead towards the source to investigate it further.

“I don't get it.” Fuli expressed feeling very confused now. “I know the zebras are easily spooked, but not Twiga.”

“Yeah. Why would she say she heard a voice?” Rarity also wondered.

“Unless she really did.” Kion replied.

“Are you saying the tree really talked?” Beshte asked unsure if it really is true.

“No…” Kion replied certain that’s not the case. “...but... I think Twiga heard something.” He then noticed Twilight is looking on with squinted eyes before leaning down to the ground. “Twilight?”

“I think she just found our talking rock and tree.” Kyoga said as they watch on as Twilight worked her magic in scanning something out.

She paid no attention to Kion as she worked her magic around what she thinks she sees. “The garden burrows are in alignment.” The voice of the invisible source spoke.

“And so is the cinnamon and sugar on the churros.” Twilight returned with narrowed eyes.

"Twilight, who are you talking to?" Starlight curiously and rather confused with what she is seeing asked.

Knowing that this is her and her friends along with the correct code phrase used. The mystery voice owner showed herself to everyone. “Hello, Princess Twilight and friends of the Lion and Pony Guard. You got me. Again.”

“Yes, it’s us. And it’s okay. No need to run from us.” Twilight assured before undoing the magical dome she had over her to keep her from running off while raising a hoof to ensure Fluttershy doesn’t scare her off with her over-eagerness to get to know her more.

“Okay.”

“Sorry for cornering you like that, Kinyonga.” Twilight apologized. “We just wanted to talk and know why you were spooking Twiga and the zebras.”

“Oh, I didn't mean to.” Kinyonga apologized. “I was trying to be friendly. Sometimes I forget that I'm camouflaged.”

“Camo-what?”

“Yeah, what she said?”

Both Pinkie and Bunga said looking on confused.

“Camouflage.” Kinyonga answered. “It's what we chameleons call it when we blend in with what's around us. Let me show you.”

Now You See Me, Now You Don't

Music and song plays from 0:22 - 2:00

Through upbeat music and casually blending in with the environment with her changing colors as she moves around her surroundings even allowing the Lion and Pony Guard to play around trying to catch her along the way especially Fluttershy. Up until she made her way back to where she began.

“Wow!” Applejack was the first speak in amazement of her abilities. “That’s amazing!”

“Especially the parts I couldn't see.” Rarity added equally impressed.

“Me neither.” Starlight chimed in feeling delightfully surprised herself along with the chameleon herself upon seeing her. "And hello. I'm Starlight Glimmer, newest member of the Lion and Pony Guard. Nice to meet you, face to face, one friend to another now." She then greeted and introduced.

"Nice to meet you too. Even though I have seen you in action before when you were an enemy." Kinyonga returned with no disgust nor fear towards her, seeing that it's all in the past now and it's safe to speak with her on equal footing. "But nothing I can say or hold anything against you."

"Good to know, and much appreciated coming from someone who has a very special connection with the princess." Starlight returned humbly though somewhat awkwardly given her matching nervous grin at having her past regrets brought up, even innocently.

"My pleasure. It does help that I'm a very nice and friendly reptile deep down by changing colors."

“And so very, very, very cute!” Fluttershy squeed while giving the chameleon a big tight hug up until she slipped away from her grasp with her camouflage abilities.

“Ah, thanks. I was just doing what comes naturally.”

“Well Kinyonga, you can color me impressed. Get it?” Bunga then joked. “She changes colors? I'm impressed?”

Everyone else expect for Pinkie all groaned in response to the attempted pun.

“Ugh!”

“I like that one. That was good.”

“It's nice to see and get to know you more, Kinyonga.” Kion said pleased that they were able to make the time to do so. “But please be careful when you're camouflaged.” He then cautioned.

“You might cause another panic.”

“Especially around zebras.”

“And don’t even get us started on how they react when they do.”

Fuli, Beshte, and Kyoga then said and advised.

“I'll do my best not to scare anyone else again. I promise.”

“Thank you.” Kion returned pleased to hear that. “We've got enough to deal with trying to figure out what the Outlanders are gonna do next.”

“Oh, yeah!” Kinyonga acknowledged before remembering why else she was around. “Because of Scar.”

“You know about Scar?” Kion asked finding it a bit surprising himself.

“Yeah! I heard the skinks talking about him along with seeing him in action in the Outlands.”

“The skinks talked about Scar? Right in front of you?” Starlight asked equally surprised as she, Kion, and Twilight leaned down to her eye level as she continues.

“Yep. It's amazing what you hear when nobody can see you.” She then shuddered as the memories of seeing what he’s capable of when he conquered the Pride Lands flow through her head. “And Scar sure is bad news for everyone in the Pride Lands.”

“And all of Equestria.” Twilight added before remembering of something she needed to ask her. “Which reminds me, you wouldn’t happen to know of anything new in the Outlands before you came here, did you?”

“Nothing other than Scar is expecting Janja over inside the volcano for something important. Other than that he also has complete control of Kilio Valley with constant shift changes of watching over the land to ensure none of you try to take it back.” Kinyonga reported.

“Right. Something that me and Starlight have already figured out ourselves.”

“Sorry, that’s all I have.”

“It’s okay, Kinyonga.” Twilight assured there’s no hard feelings. “I know it's not easy to slip into the Outlands without risk being seen.”

“Or maybe I can.” Kinyonga said otherwise.

“Huh?”

“What?”

Both Kion and Twilight shared confused and concerned with what she just said.

“Maybe I can try going in there again and spy on Scar himself.” Kinyonga proposed, though both leaders of the Guard were very reluctant to try that idea with Fluttershy herself gasping and nearly fainting in shock with Starlight quick to catch and support her.

“I don't think so.”

“There's some really bad stuff going on in the Outlands.”

Kion and Fuli both said to voice against it.

“Kinyonga…” Twilight spoke to try to gently decline the offer. “...I do appreciate you willing to step up and risk more for everyone’s sake, I really do. But that’s a very risky and dangerous idea you’re proposing.”

“But I’ve spied for you countless times.”

“Yes, but that was for when I needed your eyes to watch over the other Outsiders, in open and unguarded areas in the Outlands. I mean spying on them is one thing, but doing so to Scar is a much more difficult task. You would have to be lucky to make it out alive.”

“I know that for sure.” Starlight voiced to assert that she can attest to that. “He’s even got all eyes on us in case we try anything to sneak any info on him from up close.”

“Scar's inside the volcano which is heavy guarded even towards us.” Kion also pointed out. “There are bad guys all over the place. What if one of them spots you?”

“Why would they? You guys didn't.” Kinyonga pointed out.

“That’s true.”

“She's got a point.”

Both Applejack and Pinkie both admitted.

“But still…” Twilight then said trying to get her to understand of what she’s risking if she does so. “...I couldn’t ask you to do something that’ll risk your life.”

Even knowing what Twilight’s telling her, she still remained sure it’s something she can step up to. “I know it’s risky but please let me go into the Outlands and find out what's going on for you. I've been there lots of times. Nobody sees me come or go.”

Both Kion and Twilight shared a look knowing exactly what the other’s thinking about this proposal.

“We really do need to know what Scar's up to.”

“And it’s not like we have a lot of other options at this point.”

Out of sheer reluctance even knowing full well of what happened last time one of the Pride Landers volunteered to do something similar, they came to a consensus on the matter.

“You promise to be careful?” Twilight asked.

“I'll be in and out before anybody knows I was there.”

“But if somebody does see you…” Kion brought up.

“Never going to happen.”

“A little tempting fate there…” Twilight said with gritted teeth. “...but since you’re so willing and sure about this, then okay. You have our permission to go in there as long as you get back before sunset.”

“Yeah. You don't want to be in the Outlands at night.” Beshte chimed in.

“It gets really spooky and dark and even more dangerous to navigate with so many creepy eyes looking at you…” Fluttershy added in nerve wracking panic before fainting once more while being caught by Starlight before she could hit her head and suffer a concussion.

“No problem.” Kinyonga assured while patting her on the head to help revive her while Rarity and Pinkie quickly fanned her to help her wake up before setting out and blending in with her current surroundings.

“See you around!” Bunga happily called after her before asking the others. “Or will we?”

“Ugh!” Fuli groaned. “Of course we will. Since she’s absolutely sure, she can pull this off. Right, Kion? Twilight?”

“No.” Twilight quietly replied with the gut feeling that she can’t be too sure of that before heading on inside enemy territory while invisible. “Come on, Starlight.” She then turned to Kion before setting out. “And Kion, if you see me shining my horn constantly or hear the alarm going off again, come on over with the rest of the Guard.”

“Will do, Twilight. And be careful.”

“We will.”

Once inside the Outlands, Kinyonga made good use of her camouflage abilites to make her way across while timely managing her sudden color changes well enough to avoid the timely fly by’s the vultures along with Lightning Dust and Wind Rider. But Lightning Dust wasn’t fooled for a secons as she really spotted something amiss with their random bright colors she thought she was before continuing forward with her eyes more focused than more.

Along the way, she happened to nearby cross paths with Cheezi and Chungu with the sounds of something growling drawing her attention.

“What you growling at, Chungu?”

“That wasn't me, that was my tummy.” His stomach growled to prove his point. “Let's go find something to eat.”

“But Janja told us to stay here while he talks to Scar.” Cheezi reminded. “We're the look-outs.”

“What are we looking out for?”

“I don't know. Whatever shows up, I guess.”

“Whatever it is, it better be tasty. 'Cause I'm so hungry I could eat that rock.”

And right on cue, Kinyonga’s random color changes caught their attention. “Oops.” She gasped upon being spotted.

“Where'd that come from?” Cheezi asked.

“I do not know. But I'm gonna eat it.” Chungu quickly moved to rush over there to do so.

“Not if I eat it first.”

Luckily for her, she was able to blend in with the enviroment from where she stands causing the two hyenas to sink their teeth into the rock she was standing on instead.

“Ow!” Cheezi moaned before looking on in confusion. “Hey, where'd it go?”

“Aw, You ate the whole thing yourself.” Chungu complained.

“I did not.” Cheezi innocently defended though his partner wasn’t smart enough to figure out it’s indeed the truth.

“You did.”

“Did I?” Now Cheezi started to believe it. “Uh, yeah.”

“No fair. I'm the hungry one and you get the snack.”

“And it was good, too.”

With that Kinyonga made her way on over to the top of volcano where she briefly looked on in fright as she gets the ominous feels going through her spine upon seeing the Mark of Evil indicating that Scar himself can appear at anytime. She then calmed herself down enough before pressing forward with entering the caldera unnoticed…

...expect for a certain speedy Pegasus who has managed to monitor the chameleon's movements up spotting her again.

Inside the volcano, Janja had just arrived all while walking by like manners mean nothing to him. “Outta the way, skinks.” He rudely told them as they found themselves forced to step aside to avoid being squished by him.

“Watch where you're walking, Janja.” Shupavu’s irritably returned.

“If you're so good at spying, you can watch out for me.” Janja returned unapologetically feeling like they should have expected that before making his way up to the cliff where Ushari is waiting for him.

“You're late!” The cobra sternly scolded. “I was about to send out the skinks to find you!”

“Don't go getting your scales in a knot.” Janja argued back asserting he did nothing wrong.

“Spare me your sarcasm. And don't ever keep me waiting again.”

While the two were arguing and getting face to face with each other Kinyonga managed to find herself a good rock from close above to hide on.

“Back off, Ushari. You ain't the boss of me.”

Before it could escalate further, Scar made his fiery appearance before them with Kinyonga slinking back to avoid being spotted by him along with another skunk passing by. “No! But I am. And I have no time for these ridiculous arguments.” He sternly stated.

“Sorry, Scar.” Janja apologized while glaring at Ushari. “But he started it.”

“Enough. Janja,” Scar stated not caring who started it before getting down to business. “I summoned you here for a reason. You have the honor of carrying out my latest plan. It will bring suffering to the Pride Lands and leave them weakened and begging to surrender.” Kinyonga moved to hide behind a rock when a skink came walking by. “Janja, take your hyenas into the Pride Lands. Go to the rocky river bank above Hakuna Matata Falls. Wait for the cover of darkness. Then push the rocks into the river and block the water from flowing.”

“Got it. Push rocks in river and stop the water.” The hyena moved to head out before stopping and turning back around. “Um, how come?”

“It will cut off a major water supply in the middle of the dry season.” Ushari explained.

“Right, of course. But what about Ponyville?”

“That’s something they can be dealt with also.”

“How?”

Scar looked on midly annoyed in response. “Just leave that to me. Now just take your clan and go.”

“I'm going, I'm going.” Janja then left with no further questions leaving Kinyonga herself to wonder what Scar means by what he said.

“The Pride Lands are about to get very thirsty. And with thirst will come unrest, desperation, and chaos.” He laughed evilly with what’s to come with the bright flash of his fiery flames ended up allowing Shupavu to spot Kinyonga’s shadow.

“Scar! Scar! Somebody's there.” The red skink alerted.

“Who dares to spy on me?” Scar angrily said in the shadow’s direction with the caught spy accidentally revealing herself.

“Uh-oh.”

“A chameleon!”

Before Kinyonga could flee, she was swiftly pounced and pinned to the rock she was standing on by Lightning Dust before ensnaring her with her tail in a hold that she can’t break free from or use her camouflage abilites to slip her way out of this one.

“A very sneaky chameleon who’s strayed too far from home.” Lightning remarked before bringing her on over to Scar who will definitely pass judgment on her after being caught in the act.

“No question about that. Not to mention one that is in so much hot water right now.” Scar said in agreement with a hardened glare directed at the chameleon that sure had her cringing in fear of him.

At the same time, both Twilight and Starlight’s worst thoughts are confirmed with their own eyes when they managed to spot out and make out the conversation from above. The former wasted no time in writing down a message for Kion before sending him the signal.

“Twilight?” Kion spoke before finding a written message in his magical grasp. “Hevi Kabisa!”

“What is it, Kion?” Fuli asked as she and the others got a look at what he just read. Once she read it, her eyes look on seeing things have just gotten serious. “Oh, no. Kinyonga’s been captured.”

“Oh, no!” Beshte gasped with Fluttershy even passing out once more before having to be caught by both Rarity and Pinkie.

“Okay, no problem!” Bunga saw this as nothing to sweat over before preparing to heading on over. “Time for a rescue! Kion, lead the way.”

Rarity spoke up very against the head on charge by halting the honey badger from taking one step in the Outlands. “Wait! Bunga! Stop! What if the vultures see us coming?”

“They'll call for reinforcements. That’s what they’ll do.” Applejack stated.

“We could end up facing Scar's whole army.” Kyoga added.

Even still Bunga felt they can take their chances. “So? Bring 'em on!”

“Easy there, Bunga.” Applejack once more asserted. “We need to save Kinyonga, not start a battle.”

“Applejack’s right.” Kion agreed as he continues reading the instructions Twilight had sent for him and the rest of the Guard to follow. “Aside from an invisibility spell, I think I know another way how to get into the Outlands without being seen. But first...” He quickly used his magic to make the letter disappear much like when Spike does when sending a letter to the princesses. "Okay. Now here's what we're going to do..."

Back inside the Outlands Volcano, Ushari and the skinks all look on as Scar prepares to cast judgment on the intruder that attempted to sneak out and tip off the Lion and Pony Guard with his latest plan to wreak havoc on the Pride Lands and Equestria.

“So the Lion and Pony Guard sent you to try to spy on me and give them the head’s up for once.” Scar chuckled like it’s a joke. “Figures that you were the best spy for the job after personally ensuring that Twilight, Starlight, nor Kion could try that trick on me.”

“Um, Scar. If I may…” Kinyonga tried to speak up with a nervous smile.

“May what?”

“Technically they didn’t send me, I volunteered myself to try to spy on you.” Kinyonga explained. “And considering of how much I really wanted to help them, I couldn’t say no to that.”

“Is that so?” Kinyonga nodded with Scar briefly looking on with respect towards her. “While impressive and you certainly have valor for risking your life on your accord…” He then frowned once more. “...I can’t have you informing them of that, and a punishment for trespassing is a must. So…” Scar traps Kinyonga in a fiery ball and raised it up ready to plunge it into the lava pit down below. “...on with the execution since the sentence for your crimes here today is death. Such a pity, you threw away what could have been a long-lived life.”

“Well, if it has to be cut short, consider it my highest honor, Scar.” Kinyonga returned looking on showing no signs of fear as she faces what seems to be the end for her.

Wasting no time, Scar worked his magic and then sent the chameleon down into the fiery pit below.

But fortunately as luck would have it for her, Twilight came to rescue by using her magic to cease her falling before she could hit the lava while flying at top speed with her body just dangerously close and above from touching it. She then was able to safely pull her within her hooves before flying around the pit before sprinting out of the volcano before anybody could do anything about it.

From above, Starlight watched from above all while working her magic in keeping up an opening for her friend to get in and out with the very short time she had to get in and make the flying save and escape. And before any of the Outsiders could do anything once they spotted her, she released a powerful spell that created cold air, snow, and ice to bury them.

But while successful, it was only temporary as Scar managed reheat the area around them right back up with a murderous look on his face as he managed to spot Starlight ducking out of his sight from inside the caldera. He then emerged in his lion / alicorn form before flying on up towards the top where he managed to spot Starlight making her way down the volcano.

“There you are.” He spotted the unicorn now looking a bit exhausted and tired as she struggles to make her escape. Evidently all of the energy mustered in using those spells to save Twilight and Kinyonga. But before setting out he ushered this command to the fastest Pegasus under his command. “Lightning Dust! Wind Rider! Go! After her along with her little informant! Skinks! With her!”

“On it!” Lightning flew off after her with Wind Rider carrying the skinks and Ushari along for the ride.

“Stop the intruders!” Ushari commanded of them.

“Skinks with me!” Shupavu said to the other skinks as they ride along the Pegasus fliers in pursuit of the Princess of Friendship.

Seeing an opportunity Scar flew on over there ready to make an example out of her. After all, he hadn’t forgotten about how she managed to help Twilight escape him after the very last possible second along with deciding now of all times to have a change of heart which allowed Twilight to foil his plan to kill off half of the Royal Family and the entire Guard in one fellow swoop.

Starlight when looking back to see if anyone had spotted her ended up seeing Scar coming right at her. But unfortunately had no time to defend herself before being blasted, backhanded, and sent tumbling down the hill with each and every hit she endured more painful than the last. By the time it all stopped was when she finally reached the bottom of the hill along with a dead end.

Starlight could barely pick herself up before finding herself face to face with another attempted head on charge by Scar. This time she was able to muster up some magic to fend herself off from that attack but it was not enough to force herself backwards and had to duck, dodge, and go for the slide underneath Scar when he flew by who instead hit the wall to the punch he punched a hole through the wall.

With the best of her ability she was able use her magic to defend herself for quite a bit but still wasn’t able to stop Scar from going on the offense against her since he kept pouring his firepower on her. He still kept managing to lay a paw on her along with firing blast after blast on her up until she couldn’t defend herself anymore before finally taken down to a magic-fueled punch to the gut.

Starlight groaned as she looked up to her former boss with nothing but defiance yet fear of death surfacing up as he prepares to finish her off. “Aren’t you at least going to make some stupid crack about the Lion and Pony Guard and how you’re going to prevail on top like before?”

“No, Starlight Glimmer. Funny joke around Scar isn’t here today. Especially when dealing with traitors like you.”

Starlight growled as she prepared herself for one final stand. “Big talk for someone who’s also fighting on the wrong side of the war. Hard to believe it took me this long for me to realize it because of you.”

“Well if it’s any consolation, you’re about to be reunited with your loved ones whoever they are.” Scar then proceeded to whip up one of his most powerful red hot blasts of magic before sending right at the defeated unicorn who was able to resist the blast for a few seconds before succumbing to it’s power and being obliterated leaving nothing but black smoke and ashes from where she stood.

Scar then looked down and scooped up the ashes and gave it a good sniff while examining it up close. He then frowned in anger when he realized something just from analyzing this. “You’re not the real Starlight! You are a duplicate!” He then looked around after grinding up the ashes with his bare paws. “Somewhere…” He then had a moment of realization and then growled upon figuring out and realizing the trick.

Sure enough, the real Starlight has joined up with Twilight as they both make their way through the Outlands. With the way things are looking they seemed to both be home free but they weren’t out of harm’s way yet. Especially when knowing by now that Scar and Lightning Dust are hot on their tails, literally.

With another blast of furious red hot magic, Scar was able to connect and blast the two ponies apart. Both Twilight and Starlight were able to quickly recover but had to take cover under the pillars since they weren’t ready to use their magic to counter attack the ongoing rage Scar has going on. And from the look from his eyes, he was very determined not to let them ruin his latest plan.

With Kinyonga separated from Twilight and Starlight, the skinks were dropped off so they can pursue her themselves. While she was able to camouflage herself to avoid being suddenly spotted they all know where she’s going to avoid them.

“That chameleon couldn't have gotten far. Spread out and search.” Shupavu instructed the chameleons who all spread to find her while Lightning Dust flies from above to serve as their eyes in case she tries to climb the pillars and rocks.

Njano along with another yellow skink just happened to look over where Kinyonga actually is before she quickly sent dirt and rocks their way to disorient them.

“Coming through.” She told them before taking cover in the nearby patch of grass.

“Waza! You see where she went?” Shupavu asked of her.

“Uh-uh.” She replied with a shake of her head much to her dismay.

“Well, she's got to be around here someplace. Find her.”

Just after the skinks set out ahead of her hiding place, the sounds of the grass rustling drew their attention back to her as she on and off color changing alerted them of her current whereabouts. Kinyonga gasped upon seeing the skinks are now going to corner her now that she exposed herself once more.

“Over there!”

“Hiding in the grass!”

Both Lightning and Ushari called out to the skinks who just spotted her.

Back in the skies, Scar is looking around from the skies in search of the two ponies that once served him. So far, because they are now invisible he saw nothing until he managed to make out the pony shapes with his sharply focused eyes. He then charged his body up to create two powerful and electric fueled balls of fire right at the ponies trying to hide from them.

ZAP!

“Ow!”

“Hey!”

“Found ya both!”

The two had to quickly teleport away to avoid more blasts from the half alicorn before moving to counter attack them while engaging in battle against him.

Twilight moved to fire off her fiery magic of her own right at him to which he swiftly neutralized with his magic which created smoke with each and every blast that came his way. He then counter attacked by throw a set of magic blasts right back at her to which she was able to neutralize and dodge each and every one of them but not without having to land on one of the pillars after nearly getting hit by the last one.

Seeing her friend struggle prompted the unicorn in action by firing a blast right at Scar who promptly was forced by the attack after shielding himself just in time. He then retaliated by swiftly launching a super speed fueled charged blast right at which knocked her off of the pillar she was standing on.

He then quickly sent another fiery blast of magic right at Twilight who was not only able to fly and somersault herself out of the way. But was also able to charge her horn up for a very powerful magic blast right back at him using the energy Scar used on his last attack.

The very finishing attack that Twilight never got to utilize during their last battle of magic which sent Scar flying backwards across pillar after pillar up until his body was slammed against the Outlands Volcano. Scar was able to recover from the attack but the time from when he was forced backwards was enough for Twilight and Starlight to make their escape from the Outlands. And knowing what they’re going to do now that they know his next plan has him teleport away so he can thwart them.

Elsewhere, the skinks have moved to prepare to capture the chameleon from where they spotted her.

“We've got her surrounded.” Shupavu stated to the others. “She's in there somewhere. Don't let her get away this time.”

The other yellow skink moved to check on the above tree root only to just so place his front legs right on top of her.

“Ow!” She promptly kicked him off before taking off. “Gotta run.” She managed to get some distance on then.

“Nyeusi! Nyata! Use your speed. Stop her!” Their leader commanded of them who promptly raced after her.

With their quick speed both the purple and black skinks were able to intercept and cut her off. But Kinyonga was prepared for that as she used her tongue to lasso up the black skink’s legs and tossed him right into the purple one. She then continued her way forward even using her tail to create a rock slide to knock the green and blue skinks off of her tail.

“I appreciate the escort, but I can find my own way out.” She told both Shupavu and Njano who are the only ones close behind.

“Very funny. Ready, Njano? Now!” Acting on cue, Njano leaped from up high to jump attack her only to accidentally crash into Shupavu.

With that she then raced ahead down the path she’s currently on, only to find herself hitting a dead end. “Uh-oh.”

Seeing that sparked delight in Shupavu as Lightning quickly seized her once more. “Now we've gotcha! You're trapped.”

Kinyonga laughed nervously while changing colors yet still unable to break free from the Pegasus’s grasp. “I'm sorry. Were you looking for me?”

“Yes we were! Since you were clearly caught trying to help the Lion and Pony Guard gain the advantage on us.” Lightning firmly stated.

“Doesn't matter what color you turn, you won't get past us again and it won’t be enough to escape your fate.” Shupavu added as Wind Rider flew down to allow Ushari to get off and do the honors of finishing her off.

“Say goodbye, Kinyonga!”

“Think again, Ushari!” Fluttershy’s voice said to him appearing right in front of her as a big pile of mud.

“What?! Fluttershy?!” The cobra was now taken by surprise as he had to turn away from the Pegasus unleashing her Stare against him.

“Because you won't get past us.” Bunga’s voice then stated while making his appearance known with his camoflauge outfit.

“Who said that? Who's "us"?” Lightning Dust demanded in confusion while looking around before being finding the chameleon slipping right out of her hooves courtesy of Pinkie Pie who returned a happy smile right back at her. “You!”

“Yep! Her!” Applejack’s voice stated to her before bucking her right in the face and knocked her out cold.

“And not just her! Us!” Rarity’s voice stated to Wind Rider who had no time to prepare for a karate kick then knocked him out cold too. She wore a camoflauge outfit designed purely from fabric that allows her to blend in with the enviroment. Not to mention it helps keep her sparkling white coat and purple curly mane clean.

The rest of the Lion and Pony Guard made their appearances well known as they appeared before them much to the skinks and Ushari’s shock.

“Leave the chameleon alone, skinks.” Kion ordered of them.

“You heard the tree. Beat it!” Pinkie firmly stated.

“The Lion and Pony Guard!” Shupavu exclaimed in fear.

“Everyone retreat! Now!” Ushari commanded before leading the way.

Once they left, Kion and Kyoga huddled everyone around them together so they can teleport on out of here and back right outside the border on the Pride Lands side.

“Perfect timing!” Kyoga remarked in relief.

“And look at you.” Kinyonga complimented the Guard on their camouflage disguises. “And I thought I was good at blending in.”

“Well it helps that some of use have magic at our disposal.” Kyoga replied.

“And we took some tips from the master.” Fuli added. “Along with having good practice at mastering the art itself.”

Fluttershy was quick to scoop the chamleon with a great big motherly hug. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“Yes and no.” She quickly replied to assure her of that. “But the Pride Lands might not be. Scar ordered Janja and his clan to block the river above Hakuna Matata Falls.”

“Then we've got no time to lose. Let's go.” With that Kion moved to lead everyone on over there.

Sometime later after the sun set at Hakuna Matata Falls, the cover of darkness came. And that was when Janja and his hyenas moved to enact Scar’s plan to block the water in order to cut off the Pride Land’s major water supply in the middle of the dry season.

“Okay. Here we are.” Janja told his clan.

“Here we are where?” Chungu asked needlessly like always earning slight irritation from his leader for that stupid question.

“Doesn't matter. Just break up into teams and start pushing rocks into the river. And nobody stops 'till the water does.”

Both Nne and Tano both got started by pushing in the nearby rocks they could find leaving the other two hyenas to do the same.

“Cheezi! Chungu!” Their leader called.

“Yeah, Janja?” Cheezi asked as he and Chungu were all ears for what he asked of them.

“You guys push this rock.” He said while directing their attention to rock that is indeed large and is as big as Beshte.

“But that's the biggest one.” Chungu pointed out. “Why us?”

“'Cause you're the biggest furbrains.”

“Aw, thanks, Janja.” Cheezi returned taking that as a compliment.

Upon seeing that things are going along smoothly, Janja chuckled in delight. “This is the easiest plan Scar's ever given us.”

While attempting to push the camouflaged hippo into the river, they couldn’t help but notice something odd and familiar about it while struggling to make it budge.

“Hey! This rock feels kinda funny.”

“Yeah. It's all... Squishy.”

“Who are you calling squishy?” Beshte’s voice said to them while revealing himself to them by standing up.

“And it's got a face.” Chungu remarked now frightened upon recognizing him.

“And he’s not the only one who has a face, silly furbrains!” Pinkie’s voice stated to them while appearing right behind them. “Hi!”

“AAH!” Cheezi and Chungu screamed before being blasted by the pony’s party cannon.

“What's goin' on over there? And who said my line again?” Janja demanded upon hearing the commotion while doing his part in pushing the rocks in the river.

“They just met a talking rock.” Kion’s voice told them much to his startled confusion.

“Huh? Who said that?”

“A voice who knows you all too well, Janja.” Applejack’s voice said to him while hiding in the nearby mud.

“Huh?”

Nne and Tano who were pushing rocks towards the river just happened to come across Bunga appearing before them as a patch of grass over their heads with Fuli appearing from the mud behind them.

“I think you guys are done for the night.”

“Ever seen a rock with claws?” Fuli growled and bared her claws in order to intimidate the hyenas to stop what their doing and running.

“Or hooves, darlings!” Rarity’s voice added while revealing herself to the two ponies before unleashing a few more of her karate moves to send the two packing and running.

“You should be more careful who you push around.” Beshte told Cheezi and Chungu just when Kyoga makes her appearance known too by dropping her invisibility spell right in front of them.

“Especially when said someones are capable of kicking your tail all the way to the Outlands.” She then proceeded to along with Beshte knocked the two aside towards the nearby grass patch which turned out to be Ono in disguise.

“That's right. Keep moving.” He ordered while pecking at them to make sure they do so.

“Chungu. Cheezi. Get back here.” Janja tried to insist of the two running away as they went by him before turning back to the log uttering a voice he recognizes. “And you... Stay away!” Hearing the voice laugh left him even more confused than before. “What... Who are you?”

“Can't you see? I'm the one who's about to kick your tail.”

“Wait a minute. I know that voice.” And sure enough that’s when Kion revealed himself to the hyena leader himself. “The Lion Guard. I knew that was Kion's voice.” He stated before running away and catching him to both Cheezi and Chungu.

“Where'd they come from?

“How'd they just appear like that?”

They both asked fearfully before finding themselves face to face with Kinyonga appearing before them from upside down.

“They learned it from me.”

Seeing her suddenly really left the hyenas startled beyond belief.

“Whoa!”

In a panic they ended up jumping into the nearby stream of water.

Then that happy and satisfying moment turned into one of sudden shock when she saw something appear before her. “Uh-oh.”

She was suddenly snatched from her branch by Lightning Dust who saw the nearby water as a means to get rid of her for good. “This time I’m going to make sure go down and stay down.” With a powerful speedy charge and throw she tossed the chameleon down the huge waterfall and what should be a fatal fall as she screamed for her life.

Lightning looked down very proud of herself for what she just did before that grin of hers was instantly wiped away when she saw Rainbow Dash herself appear before her with crossed arms along with Fluttershy holding Kinyonga in her hooves after saving her.

“What the...Rainbow Dash?! But how...you’re supposed to be recovering from your injuries?!”

“Well, I just recovered enough to be able to help out stop whatever you and your new friends are trying to do here. And now it is time for you to get on out of here before we get rough on you.”

“Oh, really.” Lightning Dust tried to call her bluff while turning to the angered Pegasus holding the chameleon she tried to toss and kill. “And what you going to do about?”

Fluttershy quickly employed her Stare in response. “This!”

“Hey, what the…?” Lightning grunted as she tried to resist her killer expression. “...how is this possible?!”

“Simple. Because nobody can resist that look of hers.” Rainbow smugly returned to her cowering enemy with crossed arms. “And judging from how you’re handling it, you’re not one of those lucky ponies who are immune to it. So there’s that.”

Lightning growled before conceding defeat. “All right, all right. I’ll go. Just stop! She quickly flew away and fast. “This isn’t over, Rainbow Crash!”

“Better believe it, because for now it is!” Rainbow stated before whipping up a cloud with lightning bolts right after her.

“Ow! Hey! That smarts! Not the wings!”

While the hyenas were floating in the river, their leader couldn’t help but hear something.

“What was that?”

“Uh... I think it was my lunch.” Cheezi replied more focused on the chameleon he and Chungu saw earlier in the Outlands.

“But I thought you ate it.” Chungu brought up.

“Furbrains, shh.” Janja hushed with his mind more focused on the sound that seems to be getting louder and louder. “You hear something?”

Sure enough, said sound turns out because they’re all heading start down a huge waterfall where they had no time to prepare themselves before the inevitable happened.

Luckily for them given that they’ve suffered worse falls from before, they all emerged alive and unharmed other being being weary soaked to the bone before swimming to the nearby shore.

“Scar's gonna be mad the Lion and Pony Guard beat us again.” Cheezi commented.

“So I won't tell him.” Janja said with a resolve. “I'll say we were beat by a bush, a tree, some rocks, and a clump of grass.”

Chungu smiled liking the idea already. “It's that kinda thinking that makes you Janja, Janja.”

“So very true…” Scar’s voice himself commented before appearing right in behind him. “...yet coming from hyenas who are such terrible liars.”

The hyenas looked on in sudden fright upon seeing their leader here before them, not to mention he is not looking very happy with them right now. But luckily for them, dealing with them is not the most important thing on his mind. Dealing with the Lion and Pony Guard is and he is quick to face them with a magically conjured pistol directed at them just when they were preparing to tell the hyenas to get going along with an illuminated horn and charged magic in his other free paw.

“And as for the rest of you now that you’ve already had your fun tonight, it is now time for you all leave, or else.”

“Or else what?!” Rainbow dared to say before finding herself disappearing than reappearing as a small as a pony doll in the half alicorn’s paw with his gun pointed right at her. “Oh, okay. Of course. There is that.” She meekly replied with an equally nervous and fearful grin.

The others growled and looked on in defiance before making their way away out of Hakuna Matata Falls with the last thing they see is the place being secured by another magical dome of Scar’s surrounding the entire area. And once that was done, Scar magically made Rainbow reappear in her normal size and then disappear outside of the falls and right beside her friends before disappearing himself along with the hyenas.

“Well that just happened.” Fuli remarked in frustration. “And it took Scar himself showing up to turn everything around in his favor.”

“Yep.” Kion grunted equally frustrated. “I just hope the Pride Landers have enough water to get through the dry season again.”

“They will.” Twilight assured as she and Starlight appeared before them. “We’ll make sure of it.”

“Really? But how?” Kion asked still confused and trying to understand why both Twilight and Starlight look happy with how things went down.

“Because Hakuna Matata Falls was just the distraction or at least what we initially thought it was.” Twilight explained as she recalled spying on Scar from outside the volcano. “It wasn’t until he vaguely said to Janja that Ponyville is something that he’ll deal with himself did we figure out what he was really trying to do aside from cut off the Pride Land’s water supply.”

“He knew that they would come to Equestria for another source of water and wanted to personally ensure that would be cut off too. And had we not figured that out ourselves then he sure would have succeeded.” Starlight added. “And that we owe it to our time spent working alongside Scar himself to understand how he rolls with his plans.”

“Thanks to us creating a magical domes of our own to protect Ponyville’s major water supply which will be routinely guarded by Celestia and Luna later on, we were able to foil Scar’s real objective and force him to settle for what he could only obtain.” Twilight proudly added. “Yes I know, it’s not a complete victory on our part but at least they have plenty of water to endure the ongoing dry season again so it wasn’t a complete loss either.”

“I guess that’s true.” Kion agreed before turning to the one who helped ensure that things didn’t get as bad as it could have been. “That said, thanks, Kinyonga. Without your help, we might not have…” But by then it turns out while everyone else was busy talking Kinyonga herself suddenly disappeared. “Kinyonga? Huh! I wonder where she went?”

“How do we know she's really gone?” Bunga asked.

“Because she used her camouflage abilities to make herself turn invisible. That’s why.” Kyoga replied. “In case you haven’t noticed yet.”

“Oh!”

Twilight looking on at where Kinyonga had went could tell why she disappeared when she did and could tell she needs some encouragement to make herself feel better before flying off after her. It didn’t take long for her to spot out the chameleon retreating back to the herds where they first met.

“Kinyonga.” Twilight’s voice called out to her just when her colors revealed herself when she was sure she was alone.

“Ah! Twilight!” She screamed before finding herself in another magic bubble which quickly dispersed when she saw that she happens to be nearby the sleeping herds. “What are you doing here?”

“Wondering why you ran off like that.” She replied while leading her somewhere more private so they can talk without whispering. “We were just about to thank you for all the help you gave us tonight.”

“Really? Even after getting caught and requiring you to risk your life to save me?”

“Yes. Without you we wouldn’t have been able to figure out and stop Scar’s plan until it was already accomplished.”

“Yes, that’s true I guess…”

“What is it?” Twilight asked when she turned away feeling ashamed and troubled with herself.

“Nothing. It’s just when I volunteered to spy on Scar I felt sure I could sneak in and out like dealing with the other Outsiders outside the volcano. Only when I did it ended up being a lot harder than I thought. And thanks to my shadow and my uncontrollable colors flashing because of my emotions which allowed myself to be quickly captured. And I only managed to escape dying because of you risking your life to save me. I mean it’s not that I’m not grateful it’s just I just wish it didn’t come down to this and because of what happened, Hakuna Matata Falls was still lost to Scar.”

“It’s okay, Kinyonga.”

“But how? How is that still a good thing?”

“Because that was just a distraction for his real objective.” Twilight replied. “He wanted to cut off Ponyville’s water supply in order to ensure that his plan to force the Pride Landers to surrender goes off without a hitch. Without both the water from Ponyville he would forced them to give in to his rule by either dying of dehydration or forcing them to go somewhere else. I mean yes, we still lost Hakuna Matata Falls but we still have many sources of protected water in Equestria along with the Backlands to help ensure that it’s not a total loss like Scar had planned.”

“But how?!” Kinyonga countered still feeling upset with herself. “Even trying to spy on Scar wasn’t enough to stop it. We still lost. I only managed to survive because of you which wouldn’t have happened had I listened to you more. After all, you did warn me against trying to go inside that volcano and how dangerous it is inside there and I still talked you into letting me do it. I still let you and the Lion and Pony Guard down. I’m really sorry, Princess Twilight.” She apologized still feeling down for what happened.

“Kinyonga…” Twilight spoke up not about to let her feel that way. “...it’s okay.” Seeing that Kinyonga isn’t cheered up by it she moved to try to help her out of her funk a different way. “Remember the day we first met?”

“Yes. I remember you quickly spotted me when I ended up scaring the zebras...again.”

“Yes…” She stiffed a giggle when she recalled that memory. “...but I also remember you being able to blend in with the environment very well to the point you can listen to conversations without being noticed. All with a good heart too to the point when I asked a favor of you upon seeing your talent to help keep watch of ongoing actions in the Outlands and you willingly agreed to help me with nothing in return.”

“Well I mean, you did ask nicely and who am I to refuse a friend’s request especially from a princess and member of the Pony Guard like yourself who is also a top spy for an organization that you and I only know.”

“Point being, you were willing to be brave in risking your life by going into enemy territory just to help keep tabs on them. And by doing so we managed to save Jasiri and her clan. And the fact that you were willing to do the same by sneaking inside the volcano is even braver too. Even when captured you didn’t show fear or beg for mercy. Without you Jasiri and her clan wouldn’t be around and the Pride Lands and Equestria would have suffered another heavy blow.”

“Yes, that is true.”

“With all things considered, you did a great job today, and none of us not even me could have asked for any better, Kinyonga.”

“Oh…” Kinyonga felt touched and feeling better already before leaping up to hug around her neck to which the alicorn returned with a hoof placed on her back as the chameleon turned into a shade of lavender to match her coat.

And it just so happened that the rest of the Lion and Pony Guard were all nearby and close enough to see and hear what the two were discussing all reacting accordingly to what they heard.

Wanting to be able to talk to her, Kion moved forward like he had just arrived. “Kinyonga!”

“Oh, hi, everybody.” Kinyonga greeted while appearing in her normal color upon seeing them along with Twilight.

“Where'd you go last night?” Fluttershy asked while cuddling the chameleon like a precious baby. “We were really starting to really worry about you.”

“I thought you might be mad at me.” She replied while keeping that classified bit under wraps.

“Why would we be mad?” Ono asked.

“You helped us out big time, darling.” Rarity added.

“Yeah! What you did was awesome back there!” Rainbow added with great enthusiasm.

“I scared those hyenas and they fell in the river. I broke my promise not to scare anyone.”

“If it's Janja and his hyenas, scare away.” Bunga assured it’s no big deal.

“Yeah! When it comes to him and all of the other baddies the gloves are off.” Pinkie added while realizing she actually has gloves on. “Well, technically they’re on but you get the point.”

“And since you helped us out big time, I tip my hat to you.” Applejack said as she did just that. “One brave hero to another.”

Kinyonga felt even more relieved now. “Phew! I'm glad to hear that! But I won't scare anybody else!”

Unfortunately it just so happened that Thurston and one of the zebras came walking by. “Excuse me! Do you mind? I was chatting with my friend, the talking…” He then suddenly sees Kinyonga again. “Lizard?” He then screamed and ran off with the other zebras who all woke up alarmed and startled before following after their leader. “Panic and run! Panic and run!”

“Oh, no. I'm sorry.”

“Not your fault.” Kion assured before leading everyone after them. “Lion and Pony Guard, let's round 'em up. Again.”

“So much for a long night of rest.” Rainbow commented under her breath with a shake of her head at the zebra’s ongoing stupidity.

"You can say that again." Starlight herself couldn't agree more as she commented.

“Till the Pride Lands and Equestria’s end…”

“Lion and Pony Guard defend!”

The Lion and Pony Guard proceeded to go after the zebras while Kinyonga goes off her own way but not without the Pony Guard leader swinging by for one last word.

“You still up for helping us out by continuing to spy on the Outsiders going forward, are you?”

“Of course. Anything for you. One friend to another.”

Twilight smiled to see that whatever hard feelings and doubts are all cast aside seeing that their friendship and secret is still in good standing before they both went their separate ways, for now.

Author's Note

Here we get to see Kinyonga once more with a day to really shine compared to her first appearance back in Season 5. Although she handled herself well, she still found herself in a hot sandwich when things didn’t exactly go as planned and needed to be rescued. Even more so, the guilt and shame that surfaced up when it also led to the Pride Lands losing a major supply of water during a very crucial time of need.

But thankfully a heart to heart talk with the princess was able to help her feel better about herself along with feeling like a hero herself, considering it did stop things from getting as bad as it could have been. And that’s what matters.

So that said that is it for now since starting this upcoming month I am going to start rolling out the next Equestrian Girls special where we get to see Sunset and her friends in Canterlot High as they prep themselves for the upcoming Games against one of the other rival schools. With one of them having a very big score to settle with one of them so be on the look out for that next month and stay tuned…

Episode 12: The Fault in Our Cutie Marks

Episode 12:

The Fault in Our Cutie Marks

Ever since they had decided to turn their club into a business, more or less making a career out of helping other ponies, the Cutie Mark Crusaders had become no strangers to solving unusual problems when it came to cutie marks. And with their Pride Lands friends, they had plenty of support and assistance to go around.

One of their current clients, is an earth pony filly whose name is Petunia Paleo who had a skull and crossbones for a cutie mark. She had a light blue coat, light blue eyes and a mane and tail consisting of shades of gray and blue and wore cornflower blue locks cut short.

Scootaloo was now currently in the sandbox in the backyard of Petunia's house, using a bucket to catch sand as Petunia tossed it aside by the shovel full without saying a word. Playing by their side is Shakku and Gumba, the friendly and energetic Pride Landers to match them when it comes to fun and games. Only little problem with that is Petunia didn’t stop nor slow down in her digging to realize she isn’t landing any sand in the bucket causing her to dump sand on Scootaloo, Shakku, and Gumba.

Meanwhile, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Mtoto, Kwato, and Kambuni, were having a conversation with Petunia's parents inside, Mr. and Mrs. Paleo. Mr. Paleo had a pale, light cream coat, sapphire blue eyes, gray and blue shaded mane and tail styled like shaggy curls, and a cutie mark depicting two swords crossed over each other in the shape of an x. Mrs. Paleo had a light blue coat, a lighter shade of blue eyes, a gray and blue shaded mane and tail similar to her daughter’s styled smoothly, and a cutie mark featuring a pearl inside of an oyster.

"What did you two want to talk about?" Sweetie Belle asked as she began their conversation as they talked over tea and cookies.

"As you know, we’re concerned about our daughter is all.” Mrs. Paleo started off sheepishly and nervously. “And I’m sure you get these questions all the time. Oh, this is so awkward."

“It’s okay.” Mtoto assured it’s no big deal. “Just tell us.”

Mr. Paleo then continued. "You're the experts, so we thought you'd have some insight into our daughter's new, uh, cutie mark."

"What’s wrong?" Apple Bloom questioned as she and her friends again turned her attention to the backyard and to the pony in question.

“What about her cutie mark is something that’s unsettling?” Kambuni asked.

"Nothing, really," Mrs. Paleo admitted. "Obviously, we're both very proud of Petunia and her cutie mark."

But Mr. Paleo added. "Despite its, um... unsettling nature.”

“Unsettling?” Kwato returned before turning her attention to the filly’s mark outside in question. “Exactly how is a skull and crossbones scary?”

“I mean, I can see why it draws some concern.” Kambuni spoke up starting to understand the parent’s worries. “A skeleton and crossbones can be misleading.”

“Exactly.” Mr. Paleo replied. “We’re just wondering of what her cutie mark really means if it’s not anything pirate or death related. That’s all.”

“I see.” Mtoto nodded as he observed the filly playing with the others. “If I may, if it’s any comfort, I’m absolutely sure it’s nothing related to pirates or death. Unless of course, you’ve heard or witnessed your daughter showing any of this kind of behavior.”

“Well to be honest…no. She hasn’t.” Mrs. Paleo honestly admitted. “She’s really well behaved everywhere she goes.”

“Then it doesn’t seem like your daughter is exactly what you fear her to be.” Kwato noted.

“Of course not.” Mr. Paleo shook his head. “It’s just the mark came as something so sudden that we felt it was best to talk to someone who knows full well of the very nature of cutie mark’s and someone her age.”

“Well it’s good that you thought of us to turn to.” Sweetie took it in as a compliment. “And our friends here have pretty much spoken what needed to be said here. And that you both really have nothing to worry about here.”

“And I think we know what her cutie mark is really telling her.” Apple Bloom added having figured out herself too.

But just then, Scootaloo excitedly shouted from the backyard! "Hey, come check out what we found!”

“You're never gonna believe it!" Shakku also called out equally excited.

Mr, and Mrs. Paleo, and Sweetie Belle, Mtoto, Kwato, Kambuni, and Apple Bloom all rushed outside and to the sandbox as fast as they could! And to their surprise, they found Petunia at the bottom of a deep hole she had dug, surrounded by the bones of what had to be a long extinct creature.

Despite being covered in dirt, Petunia happily exclaimed! "Look, Mom and Dad! It's a spiny-backed ponysaurus! In our own backyard, can you believe it?! And with help I found it!"

Seeing and hearing that for themselves had both Mr. and Mrs. Paleo sigh in relief as they now realized what their daughter's cutie mark represented and what her special talent was. "She's a paleontologist." They said together.

"Of course she is!" Scootaloo pointed out.

"And that my friend explains why she likes to dig so much." Shakku added though he couldn't help but throw in. "What did you think she was? A pirate?"

“Or the new grim reaper?” Gumba added to which earned him confused looks from the others.

Mr. and Mrs. Paleo then hastily tossed away a pirate costume as Mrs. Paleo waved a hoof and replied. "Pirate? Grim Reaper? Why would we ever think that?" Then she and her husband began to laugh rather nervously as they admittedly feel pretty silly for thinking that the worst case scenario in regards to their child.

Scootaloo, Shakku, and Gumba then turned to her fellow Crusaders and friends feeling very proud of their most recent accomplishment in the new buisness practice.

"Well done, everyone.” Mtoto congratulated. “Another successful client in the books.”

Little did any of them know, is that their new business is about to endure a hardship and obstacle that is left one to wonder if it’s actually possible or not.

In order to get back to their clubhouse and officially hang up a picture of Petunia to add on to another image of sucesss, the Cutie Mark Crusaders along with the Lion Guard Fan Club had to travel through Ponyville to do so. It wasn’t a big deal since they get to see the many of the ponies they'd helped along with way. And Scootaloo made sure to drive her scooter slowly enough for the others to keep up with her, since she wasn't towing them along in a wagon this time.

Scootaloo was swelling with pride as she led her fellow Crusaders and Pride Landers back home. Their recent success with Petunia felt like a continuing winning streak for them. And the tomboyish pegasus couldn't help but point it out. "You know something, Crusaders? I don't wanna toot our own horn or anything, but we've sure helped a lot of ponies figure out their purpose in life," Just then she passed by a blue coated earth pony stallion wearing a dark blue jacket and playing on a saxaphone. "Hey, nice saxophone, Bluenote!" She complimented the stallion happily playing out out a few notes.

“Yeah, way to rock those notes!” Shakku also complimented.

Apple Bloom was next to smile, as she spotted a familiar tap dancing earth pony colt she recently and personally helped. "Yep. Everywhere you look, there's a pony we've helped find a purpose: Young and old, cutie mark or no cutie mark," She couldn't help but agree with Scootaloo. "We've had a pretty good effect on everypony since we've discovered our destiny.”

“Though, we do owe Diamond Tiara for her suggesting the idea in the first place.” Mtoto brought up. “After all, we probably won’t be even thinking about doing it if it weren’t for that."
"That’s true. Otherwise it would be going on while wondering what our true purpose in life will be aside from drifting apart.” Gumba added in agreement.

“Yeah. And we probably wouldn’t be receiving praise from both Kion and Twilight for what we accomplished thus far ever since we got our cutie marks.” Sweetie Belle chimed in before hesitantly pointing out something on her mind. “That being said Scootaloo...you do know that there's always going to be challenges, right? Someday, somepony might even come to us with a problem that even we can't handle."

The little zebra herself couldn't help but agree. "That is true.” She noted. “Even with a successful streak going here, doesn’t mean we’re sure to run into some hurdles along the way.”

“Like what? A griffon?” Shakku curiously asked.

“Or Diamond Tiara’s mom?” Gumba also asked with a mean chuckle. Upon seeing the glances he was getting, he then said. “What? It could happen. Considering she’s still the same obnoxious spoiled, and rotten excuse of a pony who still peeved over being kicked off of the school board for her abusive attitude, I stand by what I said.”

“Though you might want to be more careful about who you say that towards…” A certain filly voiced to him as she suddenly appeared. “...but considering of what my mom is like, I’ll make an exception to that vulgar choice of words of yours.”

“Diamond Tiara!” Gumba quickly greeted and then apologized. “I’m sorry. Really. I just got carried away with what I was saying...again.”

“No worries.” Diamond kindly repeated. “Just try to tone it down a little. Wouldn’t want a parent teacher conference for someone with a trash talking potty mouth. Not me of course, but a handful of ponies who’ve been sent to the principal’s office.”

“Because of your mom’s former connections with the school board?” Shakku guessed.

“Yep.”

“Figures.” Gumba replied not surprised in the slightest.

“Anyways…” She then continued. “...the reason I’m here now are two things. First, I take your latest client is another success?”

Sweetie Belle nodded. "Yup. Goes by the name of Petunia Paleo.”

“A pony who’s cutie mark makes her a rock and fossil research pony.” Kambuni added. “A paleontologist.”

“Nice. No worries. No concerns. Nothing like that?”

“Nope.” Kambuni shook her head as she explained. “Aside from her parents worried concern whether or not her destiny involves a life of piracy or death.”

“Because her cutie mark just so happened to be a skull with cross bones.” Kwato added.

Both little boys laughed in response. “How silly is that?”

“To an extent. Though it’s not hard to see why.” Diamond pointed out while very cautious about indulging on that topic.

“And the other thing you wanted to tell us?” Sweetie then asked.

“You have a new visitor on the look out for you all. Only this visitor is not like the previous clients you dealt with.”

“Really?”

“Like who?”

Both Apple Bloom and Mtoto curiously asked.

“Hard to believe but it’s true. And said client is...a griffon.”

“A griffon?” Apple Bloom asked to make sure she heard right.

“Yep.”

“Here in Ponyville?” Scootaloo asked.

“Yep.”

“Really?” Shakku asked.

“Yep.”

“Are you sure you’re not on any new medication?” Gumba asked which earned him a glare due to how personal it was. “Sorry, just wasn’t sure.”

“No. And like I said, hard to believe but it’s true. She came to me while you were away and asked if I happened to know you all. After I said I did, she asked where she can find you all. So then I said they’re all away at the time, but to feel free to stick around until they do come back. Then she was all “Okay!” but then was like “No wait! I got a better idea! I’ll go to their clubhouse! And then she flew off ahead without another word.”

After taking a moment to process all of this, Sweetie Belle broke the silence by asking. “That really happened?”

“Uh-huh. And before you ask, this was the best I could make out of the way she was talking super fast.”

“Did you at least get the griffon’s name?” Mtoto asked. “Just in case someone from the Lion and Pony Guard know her?”

“Yes. Her name is Gabby. And no, it is not the griffon that once visited here in Ponyville a couple years back.”

“Okay.” Mtoto accepted that response. “Although it would have been nice to see how her attempt at friendship is going since Rainbow and Pinkie visited her a while back.”

“I’m sure it’ll come in time.” Kambuni assured. “We need just need to wait until she’s ready to want to befriend other’s outside her home.”

“Speaking of waiting…” Scootaloo then spoke up. “...we better get back so we can see what Gabby want’s from us! Let’s go!” She happily stated while riding off ahead while the other run after her.

In short time, they all had arrived with some of the young ones having to stop to catch their breath from all of that running they just did. Especially Mtoto.

“Phew! We made it!”

“We sure did!”

Both Mtoto and Scootaloo stated with the former exhausted while the later is still filled with energy and eagerness.

“And all to meet up with a griffon who probably isn’t sure of where the headquarters itself is.” Kwato brought now feeling unsure whether or not she got solid directions on how to get there. “Assuming she isn’t cross eyed.”

“She isn’t.” Diamond asserted while shaking her head. “I can tell you that for sure.”

“But did she figure out of where exactly the Cutie Mark Crusaders along with their favorite companions from the Lion Guard fan club reside their headquarters?” Shakku asked.

“I think she already did.” Gumba answered while looking up.

When everyone all followed suit, they all saw the griffon in question indeed waiting for them perched atop a tree over the clubhouse, with a claw over her eyes like she is looking through a telescope. Said griffon had multiple layers and shades of gray feathers and a gray coat, not to mention blue-green eyes that looked similarly innocent compared to Fluttershy’s.

Upon spotting the three fillies and five Pride Landers down below, she immediately let out a happy shriek and swooped down to greet them. And she did so by pulling them all into a very tight body hug without warning. "The Cutie Mark Crusaders! The Lion Guard Fan Club! I can't believe it's really, really you!" She all but shouted while laughing excitedly.

“Yep!”

“It’s us!”

“The one and only!”

“And feel free to kindly let go of us to avoid crushing us.”

“Please!”

The Pride Landers pleaded as they breathed in during their tight and uncomfortable hug.

Once the hug had ended and the Crusaders had time to recover from the abrupt crush, Apple Bloom questioned. "Just how in the blooming apples did you know who we are?”

“Aside from our closest friends?” Sweetie Belle chimed in.

"Know who you are?! Know who you are?! Why, I've heard about you from everypony in Ponyville and every Pride Lander in the Pride Lands!" Gabby explained as she recalled her encounters with the various townsfolk from earlier in the day. "I’m just so excited I could just explode!”

“Well if you can keep yourself from exploding that would be great!” Shakku advised.

“Yeah! Wouldn’t be a clean picture either!” Gumba added in agreement.

“I don’t know what that means but okay, I’ll try!” She said before continuing rambling. “My's name Gabriella, but you can call me Gabby since we're friends now!" Gabby happily and rapidly shook their hooves and paws rapidly to the point their heads were spinning went she let go of them.

“Sure.”

“Of course.”

“Sounds easier that way.”

The boys all complied before shaking their heads to clear up the sudden dizziness they felt from the paw shaking.

"Oh, I'm so glad I finally found you, Cutie Mark Crusaders and Pride Landers! I've been all over town trying to find you fantastic fillies and friends! Everyone has told me of your amazing assistance! How you help ponies out!"

Scootaloo proudly acknowledged that’s true. "It's a calling and something we’ve well established here. But..."

Gabby didn't bother waiting for Scootaloo to finish as she excitedly exclaimed! "That's why I'm here. Because I need your help, too. I want you to give me a cutie mark!”

“What?”

“One more time?”

Both Kwato and Kambuni blinked in confusion with what she just said.

“A cutie mark! Whatever that your wonderful assistance can help me achieve from however you do what you do!”

“Right…”

“About that…”

“We’re not entirely sure that’s possible.” Mtoto finished and clarified. “I mean, I greatly enjoy your enthusiasm and passion but I’m afraid this goes beyond and above of what we might be actually capable of.”

"Yeah.” Apple Bloom agreed. “We can help you find your purpose in life, that’s for sure. But a cutie mark itself is something that we’re not quite sure is something we can guarantee. I mean I’m not saying that it’s not possible, I’m just saying it has yet to be determined whether or not it is possible.”

“That’s true.” Sweetie Belle nodded. “So let’s try not to be disappointed should things not go as planned, okay?”

“No problem!” Gabby cheerfully replied like it’s no big deal. “I’m sure however and whatever it takes to do it, I can do it!”

“Great!”

“I can’t wait to get started!”

Both Shakku and Gumba stated with forced smiles and nervous chuckling along with the others as they both have no idea how to handle this without hurting her feelings.

A few minutes later, the whole group got themselves settled inside the clubhouse where they continued their talk over juice and fruit.

“So, Gabriella…” Scootaloo began to ask before being corrected.

“Gabby, ‘kay?”

“Sorry, Gabby. Why do you even want a cutie mark?”

“Not that there is anything wrong with that.” Kwato clarified with no ill intent. “But it just doesn’t seem like a very…griffon-y thing to want.”

The gray feathered griffon just excitedly chirped as she flew all around, unable to keep her enthusiasm in again. "And that's exactly why I want one! Because I’m not them! And getting one would further prove to them of how special I am to them. I don't know if you've heard, but griffons can be a little bit... unfriendly. She paused in her flying and excitement and frowned as she said the last part.

“Oh, we’ve heard.” Scootaloo replied to confirm it. “Not from personal experience, of course. But from friends of ours that actually met one a couple years back.”

“Right, Gilda.” Gabby recognized. “Not only that we also are not known for having one of the cleanest and tidiest places in all of Equestria. Even back when I was young.” She then started recalling her own memories of growing up there. "Most griffons don't pay much attention to each other. And if they do, it's not, y'know, the good kind of attention.But even back then I always felt different to them. And I found it pretty disappointing that not a single griffon wanted to befriend me."

“For someone who’s been there before, that’s one thing we have in common.” Apple Bloom admitted as she briefly recalled her past experience of feeling like an outcast before befriending the other fillies and kids around her today.

Gabby smiled hearing this. "Exactly!" And she went on recalling her memories of Griffonstone, to the point where her interest in ponies and in cutie marks surfaced up. "Even when made the mail carrier for Griffonstone who tries to be kind and friendly spreading rays of that griffon-y sunshine across the skies, no griffon wanted to accept it. It wasn't until your friends came to Griffonstone that I realized some creatures actually like helping each other, and I saw something so awesomely awesome: How helping spreads from pony to pony and griffon to griffon! And when your friends did that, those marks on their flanks glowed!"

“And how exactly do you know that?” Mtoto asked. “And since some of our friends visited a while back, why wait until now to come to us?”

"I had to constantly insist Gilda to tell me about it, since she was the only one who knew all about the marks itself.”.Then she put her claws together and tapped the fingers on the ends of them as she sheepishly added with a blush. "I admit, hehe, I became, um, maybe a little obsessed. So first chance I had to deliver a letter from Gilda, I took it, so I could find the perfect pony to help me understand what those marks are. And that's what led me to you ponies and your Pride Lander friends." Then she asked. "So...Crusaders, Pride Landers, what will it take to get one?"

“Good question.” Apple Bloom replied before then saying rather hesitantly. “But before we discuss it further, can I talk this over with my friends over it, please?”

Gabby smiled, none of the wiser to uneasiness in her tone. "Of course! That reminds me! I have to deliver Gilda's letter to Rainbow Dash. So while I take care of that you can tell me what you all discussed." She took off with a flap of her wings, though not before promising. "I bet by the time I get back, you'll have it one hundred percent figured out! Toodles for now! Whee-hee-hee! Gonna get my cutie mark!”

The three fillies and five Pride Landers then took this time, to go over to the Castle of Friendship where they explained and consulted of both the Prince and Princess of Friendship about the matter from the moment Gabby appeared before them.

“I've read every book on the subject, and I've never read a thing about any creature other than a pony getting a cutie mark. And even of how our friends got them is still a mystery to us.” Twilight explained to them.

"I don’t suppose there is a way to uncover that mystery so that we can try to pass it along to Gabby?” Sweetie Belle hopefully asked. “Because we’d hate to break her heart by telling her it’s impossible when she is so full of energetic hope that it could happen.”

"That I understand.” Kion acknowledged. “And believe me if there were a way to figure out, we would be of help. But the thing is it didn’t take specific magic for me and the others in the Lion Guard to get their cutie marks. It just happened.”

“And I don't think we need to remind any of you that using magic to get a cutie mark never really works out at all.” Twilight added. “I can't say for certain that it's impossible for griffons to get a cutie mark, but everything that I've ever read tells me the odds are... pretty slim at best."

Scootaloo nodded understanding of what they are saying. "Right, we figured you’d say that. Not that we were looking for a magical solution anyways. Just a little something that might help try to make the impossible possible.”

“I mean it could change, given of how magic has spread across from here to to Pride Rock.” Twilight then said while thinking of an idea to help them out with that. “Like with us, it took a certain spark to get the magic to spread towards Kion and his friends.”

“So maybe…” Sweetie began to process it as she thinks of something they can at least try. “...we just need to try and find the same spark to do the same.”

“Well, that’s a start.” Kion nodded in approval. “It’s worth a try. At the very least you can help her find her true purpose in life.”

“I don’t see why not. Thank you both.” Apple Bloom agreed before leading the way to find Gabby. “Crusaders, let’s go!”

All of the kids all went off to do so leaving both the prince and princess smiling at them for their resolve.

“You think they can do it?” Kion asked Twilight.

“I believe they can.” Twilght remained certain they’ll come through. “And who knows maybe just maybe they might be in for a little surprise along the way.”

“Like what?”

“Something very rewarding…”

“So…?” Mtoto spoke up once they were away from the castle. “...how exactly do we plan on dealing with Gabby here?”

“Simple.” Scootaloo replied. “By helping her out with finding her true purpose in life. But to be sure she understands of what she can expect, we just have to be extra clear with her, like crystal clear. Get it?"

“Oh! Okay! Now I do!” Mtoto realized.

“Yep. And for those who still don’t, just follow along.”

“That we can do.”

“No problem.”

Both the mongoose and baboon replied quick to understand that part.

Just then, a familiar loud and energetic shriek was heard. Instantly, Gabby appeared before them. “Incoming!” She shouted before landing. “Hiya, Crusaders! Pride Landers!" She happily declared! "So...what’s the verdict on the secret of how I can get my very own cutie mark?!"

Plucking up courage, Scootaloo slowly trotted forward and locked eyes with the gray feathered griffon speaking on behalf of the group. "Well, Gabby, we've talked it over, and we think we may just be able to help you out. But not exactly in the way you think. See, here's the thing about you getting a cutie mark..."

Gabby immediately became excited again! "Really?!” Before she could go running her mouth really fast, Scootaloo kept continuing on with what she has to say.

“Now hold there! What I mean to say is we can help you out find your true purpose in life, but…”

“But what?!”

“...but that’s all we can guarantee at this point.”

“So let’s not get all too overly excited in case something doesn’t go the way you hope.” Mtoto then said next.

“No problem!” She returned still excited like before.

“You sure?” He asked not quite seeing if she completely understands what they are trying to tell her.

“Of course! I-I mean, there's a first time for everything, right?”

“Right.” Apple Bloom replied. “But there are certain things things that where the impossible hasn’t been able to be proven possible.”

“At least not yet! If anypony can make it happen, it’s all of you. I mean, you haven’t failed yet.”

“No.” Scootaloo shook her head. “But when can at least try.”

“Oh!” Gabby’s excitement bursted herself upwards in the sky once more. “It's gonna happen! I can feel it! Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo!”

“Aaaaand... she's off again.” Sweetie commented as they all watched her soaring the skies again.

“Flying and screaming of excitement.” Kambuni also noted as it all happened from up high.

“Will it ever stop?” Shakku asked.

“I’d say once she has her heart broken she will.” Gumba replied.

“Well hopefully it won’t be too bad to the point she doesn’t want to be friends with us anymore.” Kwato voiced with optimism about the whole thing.

“Hopefully not.” Apple Bloom agreed before asking. “But where do we start?”

“Where we always do…” Scootaloo answered. “...with a good old-fashioned Crusaders chart.”

In short time, the kids were all able to put together one like it was dealing with an ordinary assignment in class and once they had it all put together along with getting all of Gabby’s interests and hobbies they were ready to get down to business with her.

“The first thing we gotta do is find your purpose.” Apple Bloom began.

“Nopony gets a mark without one.” Scootaloo added.

“All right. Let's do this.” Gabby stated ready to tackle this.

“So Gabby, what are you good at?” Mtoto asked. “Do you play any sports?”

“Or like to dance?” Kwato also asked.

“Or how about singing?” Sweetie Belle before highlighting her very own as an example. “I just love to sing! La-la-la-la!”

“Wow!” Gabby expressed with utter amazement with just everything she is told. “I kinda wanna just try everything! I mean, I don't even know what to pick!”

“Don't worry. That's what we're here for.” Scootaloo assured before she along with the others broke out into a song.

Sweetie Belle:

“Like a racer at the starting line.”

Shakku:

“Driving off ahead of the field.”

Gumba:

“Leading at the front of the pack.”

Kwato:

“You're chomping at the bit.”

Scootaloo.

“You are here to find your purpose.”

Mtoto:

“And a place you really fit.”

Apple Bloom:

“And until you find your place in life.”

Kambuni:

“You're never gonna quit.”

Cutie Mark Crusaders:

“We can help you find the purpose in your life.”

Gabby:

A griffon mixes lion's strength

With winged eagle's might

When I finally find my purpose

Then my cutie mark's in sight

Crusaders, I won't let you down

I've just begun to fight

You're gonna help me find the purpose in my life

Got a job that's just no fun?

Call on me, I'll get it done

Cauldron's stuck and needs a mix?

I'm the one who's got the fix

Help you teach pre-calculus

Scrub the floors, won't make a fuss

Clearing kelp? Just give a yelp

Raring to go, ready to help!”

Pride Landers:

That's the spirit

You ought to see what you do best

Try it all, pick your fave

And leave behind the rest

Gabby

I'll try anything

To get my cutie mark

Keep up with me, Crusaders

We're just getting our start

Rock your little ones to sleep

While hanging up the sheets

I can help you with your heavy load

Walk Granny 'cross the street

I'll run you 'round the bases fast

It's really no big feat

Cutie Mark Crusaders:

“Can we help her find the purpose in her life?”

Pride Landers:

“Or is it possible that her dream is just out of reach?”

Gabby:

Cheer you if you're feeling low

Plant your garden, make it grow

Write a piece for your quartet

Filling in on clarinet

Bake that cake as fast as lightning

Cutie Mark Crusaders:

She's so good at things, it's frightening

Cutie Mark Crusaders,

I think we've got a problem!

Pride Landers:

I think you’re right about that, girls!”

Gabby:

Build a boat

And sail it out across the sea

Need some help?

You know that you can count on me

CMCs, you're gonna help me find my purpose

The purpose in my life!

In my life!”

When the song ended, the kids were not put in a tough spot as the inevitable was right in front of their door step.

“Now how we gonna do this?” Apple Bloom popped the question to the others who looked torn of how to handle things from here.

“Gabby's special purpose can't be everything, right?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“I can tell you right now, it most certainly can’t.” Shakku quickly returned.

“It may as well be.” Mtoto then said next. “I don't know how we find what she's supposed to do when she can do it all.”

Scootaloo herself sighed in resignation. “And yet knowing that someway somehow that this was coming doesn’t help things either. And now we have to tell her that the whole griffon-getting-a-cutie-mark thing, is actually impossible.”

“And from the looks of things, it looks like someway somehow it’ll have to be now because here she is.” Gumba said just when said griffon happens to fly on over to them.

“I did... it... all! So, lay it on me, Crusaders. What's my purpose? And how do we get a mark on these here haunches?”

Reluctantly and hesitantly, Scootaloo spoke on behalf of the group. “Gabby, we... we don't.”

“Wait. What are you saying?” Gabby asked now sensing she is not going to like what she is about to hear.
Apple Bloom continued next. “We're sayin' that since you can do everything so amazingly well…”

“We just can't figure out what one thing you're supposed to do.” Sweetie Belle finished.

“We’re sorry, Gabby. We can't help you.” Mtoto apologized with a look of sympathy for the griffon now stunned and upset with having to bring her down to reality. “As much as we like to believe that the impossible is possible. I’m afraid that what you’re asking of us, just isn’t one of those things.”

Gabby stumbled back in disbelief upon hearing those words and realizing what they meant! "But, but... you're the world-famous Cutie Mark Crusaders! I can't believe it! I... I... I won't believe it!" She began to tear up before flying off.

“Gabby, wait!" Kwato tried to call out to her in a vain effort to get her to stop flying away from them but it was already too late, she had already flew off in tears. “Don’t go.” She quietly said to herself feeling bad for her already.

“Well we did it. Or at least I did half of the heavy-lifting.” Mtoto said with a look of defeat. “And that was by far the worst thing I’ve ever done.”

“I know.” Scootaloo acknowledged while patting him on the back already feeling his pain.

The kids then made their way on back to the castle, where they met up with both the alicorn prince and princess of Friendship again, so they can tell them of their work in progress or failure to be accurate in dealing with Gabby.

“Hey, Kion...”

“Hey, Twilight…”

“Have you seen…”

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo all spoke in that order.

“Gabby?”

“Afraid not.”

“We were hoping you did.” Mtoto said with worry. “Or at least thought she’d might try to stop by.”

“If she did, we would have known by now.”

“And judging from what we are seeing, I take it things didn’t go as well as you hoped?”

“No.”

“Even after we really tried to help her out to the best of our ability.”

“But it seems that what Gabby was asking was just one of those things beyond our ability.”

“And now she is feeling like she came all way from Griffonstone to us, for nothing.”

The rest of the Pride Landers kids expressed feeling downcast themselves.

“Now I wouldn’t say it was all for nothing.” Twilight said otherwise.

“It isn’t?” Mtoto asked wondering what she means by that.

“No.” Kion shook his head to confirm that. “Especially considering you went above and beyond trying to do something for someone who really wanted something more than anything in her life. And even when things didn’t work out, you remained honest and kind about it no matter how much it hurt.”

“And if you ask me, you did a very good job of handling it with the way you did it.” Twilight complimented. “Which I’m sure our friends would agree on if they were here. And I’m sure Gabby will come around and still want to be friends with you in time. Even if it takes more than a day for her to forgive you.”

“I’d be amazed if she came back ready with an apology letter right now.” Kion then said.

Just then the doors to the castle briefly opened with only a letter flying inside the room before shutting closed as if someone was in a hurry. With a quick catch, Twilight was able to grasp the latter with her magic. “Speak of the griffon.” She then handed the kids the envelope. “Because this just so happens to be for you all.”

Now filled with concern, the kids grasped and looked over the Crusaders shoulders as they held and opened up the envelope that Twilight had given them. Opening pulling out the letter, Scootaloo scanned over the letter as she read the message on it aloud. "Dear Cutie Mark Crusaders, I'll never forget you. You really are every bit as awesome as I'd heard. And don't feel bad, I found a way to get my cutie mark after all. You girls helped point me in the right direction. I'm heading home to tell all the griffons how you did the impossible by getting me my cutie mark. Toodles. Gabby."

Upon hearing the message, Twilight dropped the books she'd been carrying in her magic as her wings poofed outward and her eyes went wide as she exclaimed. "Wait a second! Cutie mark?! You actually managed to get a griffon a cutie mark?!"

"We did?" Apple Bloom blinked in confusion.

“But I thought you said you didn’t?” Kion brought up, confused and suspicious himself.

“We didn’t.” Mtoto repeated before turning to the others. “Did we?”

“No.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I’m as surprised as you are.”

“I’m as sure as I am honest.”

"This makes no sense.” Sweetie Belle brought up finding no joy nor sanctification hearing this. “Gabby didn't show you her mark?"

“She didn’t.” Twilight shook her head, quick to find what she is being told very suspicious and reeking of foul play here. “And if you ask me something is up here.”

“Yes.” Apple Bloom began to agree herself with that assessment. “Somethin' in this here applesauce smells kinda fishy."

Scootaloo then decided on behalf of the team. "We'd better find her and find out what's going on. Come on, Crusaders. She couldn't have gotten far!" And they all dashed out of the castle library (and out of the castle) to find Gabby who claims she got herself a cutie mark.

As the eight kids all dashed all over Ponyville to look for Gabby, Scootaloo drew her attention skyward as she instructed! "Keep your eyes on the skies, ponies, Pride Landers. Gabby's sure to be flying to somewhere."

But Mtoto suddenly noticed something up ahead after hearing something nearby. "She's not in the air. She's right there!" And he pointed his trunk to where Gabby was currently trying to push a mail cart that had gotten stuck in the mud. On her flanks, it was possible to see what looked like a painting of a black cauldron.

"Gabby, wait!" Shakku shouted as the Crusaders rushed over to her.

"We need to talk to you!" Gumba also shouted after her.

But Gabby nervously stuttered in response. "Um... S-sorry, n-no time to chat. I-I just stopped to help this pony get out of the muck is all, and... and then I-I really gotta fly. Okay?" She gave a great heave, managing to free the stuck mail cart. But in doing so, however, she slipped and fell into the mud! She quickly stood up and shook herself clean, just as the kids all caught up with her.

Sweetie was the first to ask the griffon. "Gabby, why in Equestria are you running away from us? We want to help you."

The griffon protested. "Running away? Oh, don't be silly, I'm not running away! I'm just, uh, e-excited to show my lovely new cutie mark to everyone in Griffonstone is all!"

The farm filly immediately noticed something running down the griffon's flanks as she bluntly commented. "You mean the cutie mark that's runnin' right off your flanks there?"

Gabby unhappily sighed in defeat as her "cutie mark" disappeared into a splotch and stain of black ink. "Yup, that's the one." She confessed. "How silly of me of how I thought I could try to fake and pass it off towards those who can tell the difference and those who can’t."

"I mean..." Shakku began as he then carefully spoke his next words to speak what he's thinking of tactfully. "...in a way it is a bit silly but an admirable effort on both ends, really."

"And with all things considered it's not hard to understand why?" Gumba added.

"Wow, Gabby. Painting on a fake cutie mark to make yourself feel better?" Scootaloo commented. "You must have been really upset."

"Sure, I was disappointed.” She further admitted. “But I didn't do it to make myself feel better. I wanted to make you feel better. That’s why I tried to leave before all of you along with Twilight and Kion found out the truth. Along with going down as history as the first client you all have failed. I'm sorry I wasn't honest with you. I'll just wing my way back to Griffonstone. Thanks for trying.”

Before she could leave Apple Bloom spoke up to help her feel better. “You don't need to apologize for carin' about how other ponies are feelin'.”

Mtoto nodded in agreement. "Yeah. And the fact that you went to all this trouble of faking a cutie mark just to make us feel better. That’s quite something since you are able to make it convincing and all. In fact, I think that might be what makes you special in your own way, Gabby.”

“How so?” Gabby curiously asked unsure what he means by that.

That’s where Kwato spoke up. “What Mtoto means is any griffon like who is willing to that for a friend, is what makes a griffon like you special.”

“Really?” Gabby asked with a smile.

“Yep.” Scootaloo agreed with an idea in mind. "And while we can't give you a cutie mark. We have something that might help you out with that.”

“Like what?”

Scootaloo smiled as she said. "Get cleaned up, then meet us at the clubhouse.”

“By then you’ll see what we mean by that.” Kambuni added. “And if you ask me it’s a surprise you really like yourself."

A short time later, Gabby arrived at the clubhouse with uncertainty having no idea what the Crusaders and Pride Landers’s surprise actually is. “Okay, I’m here. So what’s this big surprise?”

“The surprise itself, is something that we thought long and hard about.” Shakku started.

“You see…” Gumba then said next. “...we were racking our brains trying to figure out your destiny, until we remembered how every time you did something new, you tried to help everypony around you.”

“Even us.” Kwato said next. “How did it feel when you showed up with that fake mark, and we all thought we'd actually helped you?”

“Well... I was really glad I helped you feel happier.” Gabby admitted.

“So maybe helping is your thing! You might even say it's your purpose!” Kambuni suggested as the Crusaders brought forward and presented a wooden box.

From there Scootaloo took the lead in explaining. "Gabby, finding your special purpose doesn't have to be about being good at something. It's about feeling good about something inside."

Apple Bloom then added. "And it looks like your special purpose is a whole lot like ours: Helpin' others. And you don't need some symbol on your flank to know that."

Sweetie Belle smiled as she concluded. "However, since we are the Cutie Mark Crusaders, we put our heads together and made you a cutie mark of your very own anyway."
The box was then opened to reveal a wooden, carved shield similar to the ones the CMC had. But Gabby's shield had a picture of a trophy inside of it. Gabby could hardly believe her eyes as astonishment and joy swelled up inside her heart. "You mean-"

The three fillies and five Pride Lander kids all nodded as Scootaloo proudly declared! "-Yes! Gabby, as of today, we proudly dub you:" The others then joined her in saying together. "The very first griffon member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders!"

Gabby was absolutely speechless before finally speaking up what she wanted to say! "Oh my gosh! Thank you all so much! I can’t believe this is really happening! I can’t believe I’m really talking this fast! Anyways, I promise I will do my best to do my part in spreading and growing the Cutie Mark Crusader ways to Griffonstone! I promise."

“And that we are sure you can do.” Twilight commented as she and Kion appeared over the heads from the roof of the tree house before popping themselves inside. “And I can say right now, we are both very proud of you, Gabby. Because today, we see someone who has what it takes to rise above and beyond on over to Griffonstone where I’m sure other griffons will come to see as someone to look up to given of how special you really are inside.”

Kion then stepped forward with something add upon it. “And since I did something similar when the kids proved themselves worthy of their marks, I can do the same with you.” With that he placed a paw on her shoulder, where magic itself made the Mark of the Guard and the Crusader’s Mark appear on both of her shoulders much to the awe and delight of the kids seeing this. “So that said not only are you an honorary Crusader, but also an honorary member of the Lion and Pony Guard.”

Twilight then added. “Provided you can form a team of your own that displays the qualities and virtues of what it takes to lead it in protecting Griffonstone and helping spread the magic of friendship there.”

“Along with being ready to answer the call to help the Lion and Pony Guard when needed.” Kion also added.

Completely overwhelmed with joy and excitement to the point she hugged both the prince and princess tightly. “Oh! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” She then let go of the two before giving a faithful salute to the two. “I can promise that for sure! Absolutely! I am so grateful! I'm gonna go home and do my very, very best to bring Cutie Mark Crusader values to Griffonstone! I promise!”

Scootaloo then asked. "Can you promise us one more thing?"

"What's that?"

The three Crusaders shouted together. "Come back soon!"

"Oh I will!" Gabby eagerly promised. "After all, I'm one of you now! And we Cutie Mark Crusaders gotta stick together, forever!"

“Hold on there!” Twilight called out before she could fly off when she was all hyped and ready to get started with her newfound purpose in life.

“Huh?”

“There’s still one important thing left to take care of before you go.”

“Like what?”

“Something to celebrate this very occasion…” Kion said next with a big smile as thinks about two friends who would have died at the very missed opportunity in life just as said friends suddenly appear before them.

"As in this very occasion..."

"You mean...?"

"Awesome! My very own cute-ceañera!” Gabby happily exclaimed as she finds herself the talk and main event in a celebration held at the town square.

“You sure have earned it.” Twilight assured like the griffon almost thinks this is all a dream come true only inside a dream.

“And so have you!” Kion complimented the children. “For not only did you manage to help her out, but you also learned a very valuable lesson out of it.”

“And on top of all of that, just managed to make something impossible possible.” Twilight also added. Then she realized of what this means for her as she asked the Crusaders. "You know what this calls for, right?!" She instantly said next as she proudly declared! "A full-scale research project! Oh, I hope I have enough ink and parchment to document everything!"

“I hope so too.” Kion expressed with an amused grin as she and everyone shared a good laugh about it. (Though knowing her, the research event will happen, of course.)

Author's Note

Here we have another focus episode on the kids as they all form their new cutie mark business together with the Pride Landers helping the CMC as they take lead on their new purpose in life. Helping find other ponies in trying to understand their true purpose in life with their newly acquired and earned cutie marks.

While off to a great start, they ran into their first hurdle when a giddy griffon, the opposite of Gilda, shows up wanting one too. Which is easier said than done since it trends into making the impossible possible.

That being said, I know what some of you are thinking, and before you start, I will say while in case it actually does become possible, it was something well earned, and also because...considering that the Lion Guard Fan Club were given their own special marks themselves in a universe where magic grows stronger with these two worlds combined for a even more powerful and colorful kingdom. So that said, along with recalling something said back in the Season 4 finale, nothing is impossible. And the more I think about, how the little Pride Landers marks turn out is definitely an idea worth exploring at some point in the future as an episode itself.

So with a memorable occasion celebrated in the end, we know move on to the next episode where this one falls more on the lines of a piece to piece interview as the Lion and Pony Guard unveil how the upcoming grand opening for the growing expansion of Rarity's business unfolded, so stay tuned until then...

Episode 13: A Saddle Row Review

Episode 13:

The Saddle Row Review

One day in Ponyville, the Lion and Pony Guard minus Rarity are making a run across town. And from the looks of most of the group, it looked pretty urgent that they get to their destination in a hurry.

“Come on!” Rainbow urged of everyone. “If we hurry, we can get there before the paper's even delivered to Rarity's house!”

“Maybe she won't read the article.” Pinkie tried to hopefully say otherwise along with Bunga.

“Yeah! Maybe she’ll be more business entertaining herself with her latest creation to actually read it. I mean, who actually cares about the papers?”

“Um, everyone here does.” Fuli reminded. “And I’m sure Rarity will care as far as her new boutique is concerned along with the egret who assisted in helping make this happen too.”

“And Rarity is sure she’s gonna want to read a review of her new boutique in Manehattan.” Applejack added in agreement. “Not to mention, that Ono himself never turns a glance away from every important little detail.”

“Oh! Dang it!” Bunga cringed along with Rainbow Dash.

“I still can't believe we all just blabbed everything that happened to that reporter!”

“I just hope it doesn't end up being an article about how their friends almost ruined the opening.” Fluttershy also expressed with worry.

“Maybe it won’t.” Beshte suggested otherwise. “Maybe it’ll go on like nothing bad ever happened despite the struggles we went through.”

“Maybe it will.” Twilight herself agreed as she turned to stop everyone just as they arrived at the unicorn’s front door. “And I think you're all overreacting. Rarity and Ono our are friends. If anypony and anyone is gonna understand, it'll be them.”

“And if they don’t…” Kion then said next as he chimed in with his say in the matter. “...then they’ll have a lot to think about it.”

"Well said..." Kyoga agreed before muttering to herself due to said exact words being rung up again. "...for once."

Just then the door opened where the group is suddenly by greeted by said friends, and both looked on grimly and unhappy at them.

“I was wondering when all of you were going to show up.” Rarity first greeted leading most of their friends to gasp feeling the worst is to come until… “Now we can all read the review together!” She then happily declared before leading on everyone inside to a nearby table together.

“Um, I have an idea.” Rainbow quickly and nervously suggested instead. “How 'bout we don't read it?”

“Yeah!” Bunga agreed as he tried to build on what the Pegasus just said. “Let’s all just take a nice stroll to a nearby blueberry patch and fetch up some of juicy fruits to bake a pie with.”

“No need.” Ono quickly assured as he presented a hot freshly baked pie. “Just baked this myself.”

“What?!” Bunga exclaimed utterly baffled as he did not expect that to happen. “I mean…” He quickly corrected himself. “...Great!” He said with a forced smile and both thumbs pointed up.

Kion then quickly stepped forward to clear the awkwardness their friends were showing. “What they means is, before you read it, we should probably tell you about…”

Rarity quickly cut him off mid-sentence. “No, no, darling. Please, no spoilers.”

“But…”

“No spoilers!” Ono repeated on Rarity’s behalf who’s frown turned back into a smile.

“Okay, okay. We won’t say a word.” Bunga relented though somewhat annoyed by that sharp statement. “And this coming from someone with a big beak.” He whispered to the others with a light chuckle.

Just then Ono quickly raced up to glare at him for that joke at his expense. “I heard that.”

Bunga simply crossed his arms and stuck his tongue out coupled with a raspberry directed at him face to face while the others look on wondering how their friends are going to react with what they are about to read.

With all tension put aside for now, Rarity donned her reading and sewing glasses so she can start reading the article about her new Manehattan boutique. “Now, is everypony ready to hear what I'm sure is a stellar review that describes in stunning detail exactly how each of you contributed to the successful opening of Rarity For You?” Of all their friends, Fluttershy was quick to retreat and hide behind the rack of nearby dresses and suits which just so happen to be their first Grand Galloping Gala dresses and suits.

“Fluttershy?” Ono piped up with concern. “Is there something wrong?”

“No.”

“Did something happen that we should know?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I would say but I thought you told us not to say anything to avoid spoilers.”

“Ugh. That’s right we did say that.” Ono realized before backing off after acknowledging that fact. “Okay, fine. I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.”

"So anyways..." Kyoga then spoke up. "...let's hear more about this review and how this whole grand opening at your new store played out while I was overseeing Diamond Valley being rebuilt and recover with Kovu and Thorax."

With enough said, Rarity took a seat, cleared her throat, and then began reading. “Many a pony has tried their hoof at joining the ranks of the elite fashion trendsetters currently ensconced in the boutiques of Manehattan's famed Saddle Row." She briefly stopped to giggle before continuing. “Some might say it's the ultimate achievement in Equestrian fashion, and never before has a reporter been granted such unfettered behind-the-scenes access until now!"

“I wish it had been more fettered.” Fluttershy worryingly expressed while still hiding behind the rack with only her face popped out from the dresses and suits.

“Oh, uh…” The unicorn skimmed and muttered through the article a little until she found what she was looking for. “Ah!” She then started reading from there. “I sat down with..." She briefly stopped again to giggle before continuing. "...Rarity and her friends after the opening to get the inside scoop, and what a scoop it was!"

The day it all started is where both Rarity and Ono are meeting up with the pony that wrote down the interview in a local diner in Manehattan. Said pony that did the interview is Buried Lede. A middle aged pony with an orange coat, brown graying mane, mustache, and tail, light amber eyes, and wore a white dress shirt with a red tie.

“Okay, kids, ya successfully opened a shop in Manehattan and that's no mean feat! Most ponies might wonder what it feels like. Here's how it's gonna be: I'm gonna interview you and your friends so I can paint a picture of how it all came together. A word picture, mind you, not an actual picture. Any questions?

“Well, I was wondering…” Rarity began before being cut off.

“Let's get started!”

“Excuse me?!” Ono returned rather annoyed for being cut off like that before it got brushed aside rather quickly.

“Ms. Rarity, you've got shops all over Equestria, but this was your first time trying to make it in the big city. What made ya think you could tackle it on your own? And how exactly did you pull it off with Mr. Ono, the Guard’s Keenest of Sight?”

“Well, I wouldn't say all over Equestria. I just have two other boutiques: one in my hometown of Ponyville, and one in Canterlot. Uh, still, when I decided to open this one, I was nothing but confident.”

“And as for me, I had no doubt she could do it. That is of course, with the right assistance to help her oversee the whole thing coming together.”

As the interview went on each and everyone got a turn to explain how their thoughts on helping in on opening the store went down starting with Twilight Sparkle.

“Let's just say that if I could choose, I probably wouldn't do it that way again. Heh.” The princess started off with a slight nervous laugh before sipping her tea.

Nor would I if I thought this was how it was going to go down.” Kion then said next while holding a cup of soda in one of his paws.

“Well, it wasn't the funnest party ever…” Pinkie admitted while talking over cake, cupcakes, and a large ice cream sundae.

“It was a plum-puckered, pig-pushin' disaster!” Applejack bluntly commented over apple pie.

“No kidding!” Bunga also bluntly admitted while also helping himself to an ice cream sundae. “To me, it actually managed to make fighting off hyenas and other poachers on any given day a lot easier.”

“After a lifetime of awesome, I think everypony's allowed to mess up every now and then, right?” Rainbow Dash then said before realizing what she is saying and who she is talking to. “Wait, are you writing this down?”

“Um, it didn't go exactly how I thought it would, but it, um, started out all right.” Fluttershy then said trying to make light of what happened unlike both Applejack and Bunga before her.

“And after a while it did come together as orginally planned.” Beshte also said following Fluttershy’s example.

“Though... not without a handful of difficulties along the way.” Fuli then admitted while balancing her reply out in between both Fluttershy and Beshte’s.

Back towards what happened during the grand opening...

“Welcome to Saddle Row, an entire street lined with the most fashionable boutiques in all of Equestria!” Rarity told her friends as they made their way across said part of Manehattan.

“If it's supposed to be the most fashionable block of shops, where's Stinky Bottom's Discount Hat Emporium?” Applejack asked somewhat sarcastically as if this area isn’t one of Manehattan’s shiniest places to go to for shopping.

“You mean the pony that got mad at Rarity for interfering with one of his hat sales while were in Manehattan a while ago?” Fuli brought up upon recognizing the name with no positive thoughts about him to this day.

“That’s the guy, though I suppose it didn't make the cut.” Rarity answered with the memory not lost on her either before her attention refocused to why they are here upon arriving at their destination. The building that Rarity had managed to purchase before hoof. “Here it is! Rarity For You!”

Said shop happens to be a large white and pink cream colored building, fit for a boutique store. Though upon entering the building they quickly found that the place isn’t quite as stunning and glamorous on the inside compared to the outside. Inside there were loose shelves, cobwebs everywhere, loose and broken pieces shattered across the room, and there were mice roaming around the place.

Twilight herself still fully supportive of her friend also voiced her concerns, especially since she agreed to have it ready in a short amount of time. “Rarity, it's lovely. But are you sure you'll be ready to open tonight?”

“Because this sure seems like a lot of work to tackle in just a few hours.” Kion added feeling equally unsure if this is actually manageable himself.

“Because if it’s too trouble, there’s no shame in requesting for more time.” Kion also brought up just when both Bunga and Pinkie end up sneezing over dust they accidentally inhaled which coated everyone around them.

Even so Rarity remained sure it can happen as shaken it all off her coat and handed everyone brooms to use. “No need to fret over a mere moderate amount of preparation. My clothes arrive soon, my sales associate after that, and with a little... dusting, we'll be ready for the grand opening tonight.”

“You sure?” Fuli asked still not buying it her attempt to project complete confidence in being able to pull this off in time in a matter of hours.

“Positively.” Rarity repeated just when a pony came inside to greet her.

Said pony is Mr. Stripes. Appearing with a heavy set build he sported a white coat, short purple mane and tail with light purple streaks, mustache and goatee, raspberry violet eyes, and three candy cane colored stars for his cutie mark. He also wore a blue jogger sweater, blue towel hanging over his neck, along with a gold necklace.

“Rarity! So good to see you! Your store, it's going to be a very good place, I think!”

Back during Rarity’s turn with her interview as she dipped her tea bag into her cup...

“Mr. Stripes owns the building. He's a very pleasant landlord. Although he can be pushy at times.” She then admitted upon seeing Ono glancing at her for that very exaggeration. “Okay, all the time.”

“And needless to say, he really tried our patience and forced our hoofs and paws in the matter.” Ono added. “And that’s putting it lightly.”

During the greeting the landlord had a pony accompanying him. One with an orange coat, long brighter purple mane and tail, raspberry eyes, purple and pink heart for a cutie mark. In addition to her braces, she wore a plaid shirt, pink scarf, and a green hair accessory.

“You've met my daughter, the apple of my ear, the hay in my hoof? You will let her work with you.” He then said somewhat expecting of her to do so which had the unicorn chuckle nervously in response to the idea.

“It's just, I'm dreadfully busy preparing for tonight's grand opening, as you can see...”

Seeing her struggle had Ono fly over to back her up on it. “And what she means to say is now really isn’t the best time to talk about new hires when we haven’t even gotten settled in.”

Not one to talk no for an answer he moved to say it another way. “There are only two things I love more than being pushy. One is my daughter. The other is miniature doll furniture.” Said furniture is indeed tiny. “And I would sell my entire mini-furniture collection to make my daughter happy. You understand?” He asked while wrapping a hoof around Rarity’s body while his daughter eagerly winked at her.

“I'm sorry. I just don't think it's going to be possible.” Rarity apologized while using her magic to force the pony to let her go.

“Let me say another way…” Mr. Stripes then said before getting face to face with her with a fierce glare. “Hire her or I raise rent until you no can afford!”

“What?!” Ono exclaimed furiously. “Are you kidding me?! That’s not even fair! You can’t do that!”

Mr. Stripes stood by his ruling as he stated. “I already did. And unless you care about helping to make your friend’s dream possible, I suggest you realign your flight path to my needs. Are we clear?”

“Of course we are.” Rarity answered before Ono could further argue with him anymore before turning to Plaid Stripes. “Welcome aboard.” She said to her while placing a hoof on Ono's chest to restrain him from the pony anymore even with all things considered

Said girl pulled Rarity in for a whisper before shouting into ear. “First idea! Instead of clothes, we sell glow-in-the-dark teeth! Like this.” She briefly chomped her teeth twice. “But they glow in the dark!”

“Golly, what a splendid idea!” Rarity returned with a nervous chuckle.

Ono then spoke up to assist his friend with the talking on the subject. “We’ll try to see if we can incorporate that idea, okay?”

“Great!”

Back with both Rarity and Ono’s interview.

“Glow-in-the-dark teeth! What was she thinking?!”

“I mean really! I swear if he wasn’t the landlord I’d would tell her no, it’s not going to work, ever!”

After putting up with that pain in the flank, Rarity and Ono moved to oversee place while her friends all sweeped up the place.

“Aah!” Rarity screamed upon stumbling into something startling. “Fluttershy, Beshte, your assistance is required in the stock room, posthaste!”

Both Fluttershy and Beshte rushed on over to the room as requested and found herself greeted to a family of raccoons while Rarity has retreated to stand on top of the tallest barrel for safety. “Aw, hello.” She kindly greeted.

“But what are they doing here?” Rarity demanded as the racoons chattered in the Kindest Lion and Pony Guard duo’s ears.

“Aww!” Beshte said with sympathy.

“What is it, Beshte?” Ono asked.

"Smoky made too much noise eating garbage, so Softpad's mother made them move out of the trashcan.” Fluttershy explained.

Back during the interview, Fluttershy had said raccoons by her side as they helped themselves to fries and a drink.

“Then Smoky Jr. found a nice home in the crawl space behind the building. But Mr. Stripes demolished it, so they were temporarily camped out in the back until they found a new place to live.”

“It’s pretty sad when you think about it.” Beshte added as he chowed down on a sandwich. “It’s like they have nowhere to go but they can’t stay in a place that’ll be shut down instantly if customers came in and saw them inside the store.”

“No, no, no!” Rarity shook her head in disgust as her three friends followed after her. “I can't have a family of rubbish-scented raccoons living in my boutique!” Just then they heard dance music which was loud and strong enough to get the chandelier hanging on the ceiling to creak and shake. “Uh, did you hear that?”

“Yep.” Ono nodded.

Back during the interview…

“Turns out there's a Club Pony Party Palace upstairs.” Ono explained. “Talk about another thing to add to the inconvenient bucket list.”

“Turns out there's a Club Pony Party Palace upstairs!” Pinkie repeated during her interview while helping herself to carrot dogs and pizza.

“I just told him that!” Ono called out from the other room.

Wasting no time, Rarity and Ono rushed over to the source of the music where they hope they can get that under control. Upon arriving they greeted to the sight of a few ponies dancing to disco music courtesy provided by the Ponyville rock pony herself. Unfortunately their efforts to talk to the pony in charge are halted by a security pony forcing them away from the roped off entrance to the dance floor.

“I'm sorry. Could you please ask her to turn it down?” The security guard didn’t say a word in reply clearly not responding. “Could you ask her to turn it down, please?”

Frustrated already, Ono moved to remove one of the ear buds in an effort to get him to listen to reason when he allowed more ponies who happened to be party guests by while still refusing to let him and Rarity by. “Hey! My friend said turn it down, please!”

Back with the interview...

“Ugh! Foals today listen to their so-called "music" far too loud. I realize that makes me sound like an old mare. But this is business!” She angrily stated while knocking over her empty tea cup.

“And their business was disturbed ours without a care in the world.” Ono added equally annoyed himself.

While this was all going on upstairs in the adjacent building, Rainbow and Applejack were drawn to the loud music while they were sweeping.

“I wish we were having as much fun as they are.” Rainbow expressed wanting in on herself.

“Me too!” Bunga also complained.

“Well, sweeping can be fun, too.” Twilight suggested before twirling around the broom and got back to work while singing to the beat. “Sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep. Sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep…”

Seeing that both Rainbow and Applejack along with Fuli and Bunga all surprised with what they are seeing.

During the interview with said friends...

“Only Twilight could make a dance remix about sweeping. I mean, how lame is that? Rainbow jabbed.

“Yeah. It wasn't even catchy.” Applejack said in agreement.

“Nope.”

The two share a hoof bump together with smug grins just when both Fuli and Bunga chimed in.

“When really, they both enjoyed it.”

“And by that we mean they sang and danced to the beat too.”

The two ponies frowned in annoyance while Fuli and Bunga are both now smugly grinning right back at them.

“Sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep…”

Sure enough both Applejack and Rainbow Dash along with Fuli and Bunga were all getting into themselves.

“Sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep…”

Just then both Rarity and Ono returned with the latter’s eyes looking very red and disoriented.

“Ono! Your eyes!”

“What happened?!”

Both Kion and Fuli asked with shocked concern as the two gave them answers.

“Apparently, DJ Pon-3 has a residency at the Party Palace upstairs, but security won't let me speak to her.”

“And when I tried to be assertive about the matter, I got pepper sprayed for it.”

\
Just then they heard a honk that startled Rarity. “Aah! What in the name of Celestia was that?!” Said noise turned out to be Plaid Stripes installing a horn at the door in front of them.

During the interview she managed to get a word in as she explained why she thought of it.

“You know how most stores have a little jingle-bell when the door opens? Ahem. I thought we should have something with a little more pizzazz! So, I installed one of Daddy's antique horns.”

She proceeded to honk the horn some more prompting Ono to intervene.

“And I see what you are trying to do here, but…” Ono proceeded to detach the horn to keep it from making noise every time a door opens. “...all suggestions and recommendations must be approved by us.”

Rarity sighed in relief as she agreed with Ono, while feeling she has more on her plate than she realized. “And we'll have to do something about that, after I think of a way to quiet down that music. And after I finish designing the window display!”

Just then a crash was heard, courtesy of the mail pony carelessly dumping delivery boxes to the side.

“Ahh! Wait…” She said as she looked inside the boxes. “...is this my merchandise shipment from Ponyville? It's completely disorganized!” The mail pony gave an unsympathetic shrug before walking off leaving Rarity to place her hooves on her head just completely exasperated at her increasing pile of misfortune.

“Excuse me?!” Ono exclaimed infuriated as he got face to face with the pony. “Fix this mess, right now!”

The red eyes from the egret itself was enough to get the pony to comply as he got right to work in reorganizing the contents of the boxes.

At that moment, Coco Pommel came in with a sneeze, with her nose looking completely red.

“Gesundheit!” She gasped upon recognizing and seeing her. “Oh, Coco! I'm so glad to see you! Now, as the sole sales associate at Rarity For You, I hate to add to your already overflowing plate of responsibilities, but it looks as though we have just a tad more to do before tonight than I thought.”

“Actually, I…” Coco sneezed once more. “...I can't work tonight.”

“Oh? Why not?”

During the interview, Coco Pommel wordlessly blew into her nose once more to make it clear she caught a cold and put the tissue aside with a big pile she had placed on the table.

Rarity being a very understanding pony was quick to excuse her from her responsibilities for now. “Feel better, my sweet. We'll manage without you... somehow.” She said to herself while now on the verge of losing it. “And we'll manage glowing teeth and car horns and disorganized clothes and dance music and having to tend to Ono who is now pepper sprayed to the point he can’t see clearly! Am I forgetting anything?” The raccoons raced by causing the unicorn to twitch her eye as if she had to be told yes to the point she sobbed and screamed. “What am I going to do?!”

Back during the interview, Twilight Sparkle got her turn in speaking her thoughts on the preparations thus far.

“Well, opening a store in Manehattan is a pretty big deal. It's natural that Rarity would be a little stressed about how it was going. Since it wasn't going well. Still, I think she handled it all right.”

“Even with all things considered, she just managed to avoid losing her composure.” Kion added in agreement.

"My dream is doomed! Doomed, I tell you! Doomed!” Rarity further screamed in despair as she buried her hooves into her face and plopped down to the ground.

Seeing her friend’s despair, Twilight moved to try offer some much needed reassurance. “I know things haven't gone perfectly so far, but we've done this kind of thing before. If we all work together—“

Rarity was quick to abruptly interrupt her there. “I appreciate the offer, but this is Manehattan. To make it in the fashion scene here, everything has to be perfect. The perfect location! The perfect clothes! The perfect opening!”

“But considering with how this is clearly more than you can handle right now, maybe we should just postpone for another day.” Kion suggested.

But Rarity wouldn’t even consider the idea. “Postpone?! Darling, tonight is the last night of the fall season. If we don't open tonight, it won't be…”

“Perfect.” Twilight finished with a knowing look.

“Yes. I know what needs to be done. I just need more of me! Oh, how I wish I could make copies of myself!”

During the interview while both Pinkie and Bunga were discussing that part over pancakes.

“Yeah... Making copies of yourself always sounds like a great idea, but before you know it, you're locked in a room with fifty Pinkie Pies watching paint dry.”

“And believe me when I tell you, that’s something we really don’t need to go through all over again.” Bunga chimed in before they split apart the giant stack into two servings before they both chomped and gulped them down. All while unaware that another Pinkie Pie and Bunga just so happen to be in the same room as them while their heads and backs were turned.

None of the less, Rarity’s friends were quick to do whatever they can in order to ensure that the grand opening goes on as planned.

“We can do this. And we can stay true to your vision.” Twilight vowed with confidence.

“You'd do that?” Rarity asked now feeling somewhat relieved. “Fluttershy, Beshte, you'll both handle those... strong-smelling raccoons for me?”

“Of course.”

“That we can do.”

The Kindest of the bunch duo vowed.

“Leave Plaid Stripes to me and Fuli.” Applejack vowed.

“And we'll handle her and her, ideas enough that they don’t interfere with your vision.” Fuli added without sweetening up her choice words enough for false compliments.

“Ooh, ooh, ooh!” Pinkie quickly and eagerly rushed over along with the honey badger. “And Bunga and I can go upstairs to that nonstop party and have tons of fun and eat some cake and set off party cannons and…”

Rarity cleared her throat with an expecting look for them to stay on task.

“Focus, you two!” Ono reminded.

“Oh, right.” Bunga realized and apologized along with Pinkie. “And of course, make them be quiet.”

“I'm pretty sure I know somepony who wouldn't mind organizing this merchandise shipment for you.” Twilight then said before smiling eagerly while whispering in the unicorn’s ear. “Me!”

Rarity nodded in approval before noting of one more issue that needs to be dealt with. “This all sounds splendid, but I don't even have a single employee, and I'll need the best of the best.”

“Leave the hiring to us.”

“And we’ll make sure the best of the best is hired and guaranteed to be very qualified for the job.”

Both Rainbow and Kion vowed.

Hearing all of this, had Rarity all delighted and giddy again. “Oh! This is it, my dears. If you can handle these problems, I'll focus on the designs for the front window display and make sure Ono recovers from being pepper sprayed. We'll show Manehattan what Rarity For You is all about!” Her friends all got together for a group hug. “Oh, what would I do without you?”

During the interview, Rainbow answered her question outside of the past conversation.

“What would she do without us? Huh. Lemme think.” She proceeded to imitate and mock her friend. “Darlings, I'm absolutely doomed, doomed, doomed!" She laughed as she took personal amusement at what she just did. “Heh, I sound just like her!” Upon seeing the pencil writing. “Hey, you're not writing this down, are you?”

“She is.” Fuli briefly popped to answer the question with a teasing smirk in her direction before taking her turn to answer the next question the interviewer asked of her. “So with everything all focused on their tasks at hoof and paw, Rarity was able to focus on her work without anymore worries or cares.”

At the store, Rarity moved to get to work at the very front of the store where the store promoting merchandise will be seen by all eyes passing by. “Now for the perfect window display. Hmm.” She said to herself as she held a note pad and quill pen so she can jot down of what she wants to be seen on display.

Meanwhile, both Pinkie and Bunga got to see the disruptive yet fun party from the afar as they hid behind the nearby pillars to avoid being seen by the security pony. And needless to say, it is a very conflicting task for them both.

“Oh, I can't really stop a super fun party in the middle of mega-happy fun times, can I?!”

“Me neither but we have to, for Rarity!”

“Oh, what would Rarity want?!”

Just then devil and angel versions of Rarity appeared over their shoulders.

“Keep that party going 'til the break of dawn!” The devil suggested.

“Really?” Pinkie asked.

“Indubitably!” The angel chimed in supporting the idea. “And as for the roof, get jiggy! Raise it, Pinkie! Raise it like you've never raised it before!”

“Oh! If you say so!” Bunga shrugged before being pulled back by the devil’s trident. “Okay, what gives?”

“Oh, please, Bunga. Never in a million years would I say such balderdash!” Both the angel and devil disappeared leaving the two to try to figure things out from here.

“Oh.”

“Okay, bye.”

Thankfully, they didn’t need them to help them out as they immediately thought of an idea before proceeding towards the security guard. Upon being halted, the pink pony spoke her thoughts while presenting a record in her hooves.

“Obviously, DJ Pon-3 only plays the sickest of beats. I just wouldn't want her to miss out on the coolest new music straight from the back-alley underground, zip-zap party scene!” She then proceeded to send the record flying like a frisbee on over to Bunga who quickly managed to get a word with the DJ pony playing the music.

“I'd play the whole thing if I were you, no matter what other ponies think. Really.” The DJ pony shrugged before swapping the records upon their request, which ended up halting the music.

“Awww.” The party goers all said with disappointment as Bunga and Pinkie both awkwardly walk away with forced grins.

“Sorry!” Bunga told everyone before making his leave along with Pinkie.

Elsewhere both Kion and Rainbow Dash are meeting up with the ponies who showed up for the interview.

“Rarity For You is only hiring the best of the best. And to me, that means the fastest. Now, uh, before we begin, uh…” She turned and whispered to Kion upon seeing the ponies blink in confusion. “Am I doing this right? What would Rarity want?”

“Let me try.” Kion suggested before stepping forward towards the applicants with a certain piece of fabric in one of his paws. “Who can be the first one to tell me what fabric this is?”

"That's organza.” The blue earth pony with glasses replied as she examined it.

“Oh? How so?”

“It's a thin, plain weave. Sheer fabric traditionally made from silk, so... yeah.”

“Okay…” Kion could only look on feeling uncertain himself before moving on towards the next pony. “How about you? Do you agree with her assessment?”

During the interview with the two...

“I don't know the first thing about clothes. Pretty much all I can do is look at something and tell you if it's clothes or not.” Rainbow explained her previous approach before eyeing the nearby chair. “This chair? Not clothes.”

“And as for me, I didn’t quite have a sure approach on the matter, considering this was the first time I’ve ever been in charge of conducting an interview for a business out of my skill set.” Kion also added as he admitted. “Though it is one of those learn as you go along with it kind of a deal.”

Elsewhere with Applejack and Fuli dealing with Plaid Stripes.

“See if you can keep up with me here. What are all clothes made of?”

“Uh, fabric?” Applejack replied like it’s a no brainer.

"Bingo! But not in this store. Uh-uh. Not anymore.”

“Oh, no?” Fuli returned trying really hard not to sound too sarcastic with what she has to say next.

“Two words for you: "spoon clothes". All our clothes will be made of spoons!”

Applejack sighed before turning to Fuli. “What would Rarity want?”

“I’m not sure, but I’m sure that she wouldn’t allow anything too crazy even if she is the landlord’s daughter.” Fuli replied equally unsure before the former decided their next approach.

“You know, I like you, Plaid Stripes. If it were up to me, we'd have a spoon clothes store right next to Stinky Bottom's Discount Hat Emporium. But it ain't up to me, so the answer is no.”

During the interview...

“Personally, I think spoon clothes ain't such a bad idea.” Applejack later came to admit. “Useful, too. Eatin' soup, stirrin' gumbo, diggin' little holes.”

“Though given some of the even crazier ideas she had come up with, we were quite hesitant to try it at first.” Fuli also admitted as she chimed in during her turn to be interviewed.

Meanwhile Twilight herself is doing the organizing where she just finished up. “There. Perfect.” Before she thought to herself. “Although, what would Rarity want? Maybe she wouldn't like it done by color. Guess I have to start over!” She then carried on, still upbeat as before.

Elsewhere with both Fluttershy and Beshte as they deal with the raccoons.

“Hello, Smoky, Softpad, Smoky Jr.? I have some... interesting news. I, oh... I'd like you all to stay here forever, but…” She struggled with what to say next before turning to Beshte. “What would Rarity want?”

“I don’t know, but I also don’t know if telling the raccoons to move out is really a good idea either.” Beshte replied unsure himself. Unfortunately for him, the raccoons unheard that comment as they all growled angrily at the two. “Oops. I didn’t mean to say that we’re going to actually kick you out. Really!”

Elsewhere, Rarity is making great progress with the window display. “A window display is the first thing customers see, and if they like it, they'll walk inside and experience the glory that is my boutique.”

“You said it.” Ono said in agreement with his eyes returning to normal color. “And it’s so good that I’m finally starting to see again. Though I will have a talk with that pony who sprayed in the first place about he handled it all.”

On the contrary, everyone else is really struggling with their tasks.

“I don't know which one of you to hire! Just... keep guessing fabrics!” Rainbow told the applicants in a panic.

‘Daddy, Rarity's friend doesn't like my ideas!” Plaid Stripes cried.

“Spoon clothes is good idea!” Mr. Stripes angrily stated in the earth pony’s face prompting the cheetah to force the two to step back when they backed Applejack into a corner.

“Sir! This isn’t personal. It is just based on what Rarity would want for her business approach.” Fuli assertively and calmly returned as the stallion refused to back off.

Just then the argument was briefly interrupted when music to start play back up again.

“Oh, no! Not a shopping music mashup!” Pinkie said in shock as she recognized that music.

“Man! We should gone with by pulling the plug on them.” Bunga grumbled to himself.

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!” Fluttershy cried as she ran away from the raccoons chasing after her.

“Come on guys! There’s no need to act like this!” Beshte implored of them while being chasing himself.

As Twilight was still deciding on how to properly organize the clothes she gasped upon seeing the door knob to the window display jiggle, indicating that Rarity has just finished with her work in there. And not wanting to for her to see and react with disappointment with how they handled things, she quickly rushed over a with a sprint flight and slammed the door shut right in her face.

“How's it—Ooh!”

During the interview...

“When you write the story, could you maybe skip over the part where we locked Rarity in the window display? Please?” Fluttershy kindly asked the interview with a nervous chuckle and forced grin.

“Hello? The door appears to be stuck!”

“Can you get us out?”

Both Rarity and Ono called out from the other side as the door is blocked by a chair keeping the door knob from turning.

“Yep. We're workin' on it!” Twilight assured even though right now with the ongoing chaos it seems to be a lie at the time.

“So…” Ono then said in defeat. “What do we do now?”

“Hmm.” Rarity gave it some thought before making final adjustments to what she put on display. “Well, shouldn't let this time go to waste. So might as well make sure everything is perfect in here.”

“Okay.” Ono sighed seeing they have no choice here.

With Rarity and Ono both occupied, Twilight turned to the others trying to figure out what went south here. “How did this happen?”

“We shut down the party.” Pinkie explained first.

“We told Plaid Stripes no.” Applejack then explained next.

“We asked the raccoons to leave.” Fluttershy then explained next.

“Though technically, they overheard us hesitating whether or not to go through with it, but still, same idea.” Beshte corrected.

“We asked a lot of fabric questions.” Kion then explained next just as the rest of the ponies all said together.

“Just like I thought Rarity would want!”

After giving it some extra thought and consideration, Twilight figured out how it all went wrong. “Rarity asked us to help her with everything because she knows all of us so well.” She then said to Fluttershy and Beshte. “She knows how much you care for animals and how much you care for their well-being. She'd trust you both to solve the problem your way.” Turning to the others. “Maybe we should all do the same. Doing this our way is what Rarity wants. It's not too late. Let's all dig in and we can fix this.” Upon seeing the ongoing commotion around them. “Before Rarity finds out how bad we messed up.”

And wasting no time, everyone got right back to work starting with Fluttershy and Beshte.

“I'm sorry we asked you to leave along with even thinking of the idea in the first place.” Beshte apologized as they came across the raccoons packing their suitcases who all smiled ready to forgive them already.

“The place is yours if you wanna stay. Though I would like to ask you all just one favor.” Fluttershy then said as she had a new proposal in mind to solve both problems to which the raccoons returned unsure if they were going to like it or not.

Back upstairs on the dance floor...

“I'm sorry we made you play that un-fun, super-boring music.” Pinkie apologized.

But if you're up for it, I have an idea to make the party even better!” Bunga added as raised his tail to keep the security guard from dragging him and Pinkie out of the area.

Back with the applicants…

"Okay, I don't get fabric, and neither does Kion, but I do get speed. And I need somepony fast enough to help all the customers Rarity's gonna have. So...”

“First one to the river and back gets the job!” Rainbow raced on ahead as Kion had to turn around to explain what this is. “It's a race! Go!”

The applicants now getting the idea proceeding to rush on over, with the sole exception of the unicorn pony who simply trotted forward.

While Twilight was now properly organizing the clothes, both Applejack and Fuli turned back to the Stripes with a new resolution to their problem.

“Mr. Stripes, we owe your daughter an apology.” Applejack apologized.

“She's got good ideas, and we should give 'em a chance.” Fuli said next. “So here's what I'm thinkin' if you’re willing to listen to a little compromising…”

And sure enough, everyone was all ready and get the grand opening for the boutique going. And by then, Rarity had finally made the finishing touches on her window display.

“Perfect!” She declared before turning to try opening the door again to no avail…

...until Twilight used her magic to open it just when she tried to use her strength to try to break it down.

“Wow, looks like we fixed that door just in time!” Twilight awkwardly returned and greeted.

Just as she helped Rarity to her hooves, the unicorn herself could only gasp along with the egret as they get a good look of what they are now seeing. “Oh! What's all this?”

“Good question, Rarity.” Ono returned as he too got a good look at the transformation.

During the interview…

“The whole place organized by style, cross-referenced by size, and reverse-indexed by fabric. She'll be able to find anything in three seconds flat!” Twilight proudly stated. “It was some of my best work.” She said with an equally proud grin while Kion sitting beside her chuckled in response to what she said along with the expression she now has.

“Oh! I knew I could count on you!” Rarity smiled with delight before hugging Twilight to thank her for what she and her friends have done. “All right... I suppose this is the moment of truth…”

“We’re right behind you, Rarity.” Ono assured as he tailed her as she moved to open the front door which thankfully didn’t have that car horn that Plaid Stripes had previously installed.

“Rarity For You is now open!” The unicorn herself declared as she finds herself already greeted too a long line of eager customers...including a squirrel too who then ran off away upon realizing this isn’t the line for the nearest acorn tree. “Oh, dear. I wasn't quite prepared for such a crowd. How will I handle them all?”

To answer her question the pony with a pink eyes, mane and tail styled and curled into a bun, and a spool cutie mark moved to greet the first pony in line. “My name's Blue Bobbin. I'll be your personal shopping assistant this evening.”

“Right this way, everypony, and one of our talented salesponies can help you out!” Rainbow Dash told everyone while directing their attention to the other two ponies ready to do their job.

During the interview with both Rainbow and Kion…

“Honestly, they were all pretty slow. But they finished the race. Plus they knew a lot more about fabric than I did. So, I hired them all!”

“And besides, we really need the help we can get on short notice.”

As the customers looked around the store with Rarity looking around to see how well things are going, music started playing as disco lights shined across the room. As it turns out, the DJ pony is playing music with the dance ponies in front as they all had set up their stage inside the store with the security guard of course roping the area leading up to the dance floor off. Though initially shocked, it turned into delight as both Pinkie and Bunga danced beside her to assure all is good.

During Pinkie and Bunga's turn to be interviewed they had just got done gorging on a massive pile of food with a large pile of dishes to showcase it.

“The way I see it, Rarity designs fashion, DJ Pon-3 designs beats. What better combination than a boutique/dance club?”

“Nothing that the best party throwers in Equestria and the Pride Lands can’t handle.” Bunga proudly boasted just when the waiter handed both him and Pinkie their bills for the food they ate.

Upon seeing how much they owe, they both reacted in horrified shock before sheepishly passing it off to the reporter.

During the walk through, Rarity happened to come across a raccoon who is dressed as a tailor who she intiallly didn’t think much of until fully registering what she actually saw.

“What the…?” Ono exclaimed upon seeing this before turning to both Fluttershy and Beshte.

During the interview with them as the raccoons helped themselves to a pie offered to them…

“After a quick bath, they were more than willing to help!”

“And they were all on their best behavior!”

Said raccoon back then, offered samples for one customer to try after he got over the brief shock over seeing a raccoon as a behaved servant.

“Ah, a blue corn reduction with shallot confit! But how can I possibly enjoy it without a…”

“Spoon?” Plaid Stripes offered as her table spoon idea managed to receive the mark of approval from Applejack and Fuli.

During the interview with said pony and cheetah…

“Heh. Toldja spoon clothes ain't such a bad idea.”

“Though we did have to fully consider the idea before giving it our approval.”

“Mmm! Exquisite!” The pony trying the sample complimented. “This is the most whimsical and wonderfully fashionable boutique I've ever seen!” He then declared as everyone else in room all chattered in agreement leaving Rarity herself humbled and pleased with the flowing praise she was getting. She then looked on at her friends who all smiled proudly at her and equally pleased that they were all able to make this possible.”

Back in the present…

“In the end, Rarity's grand opening was a smashing success! True, it got off to a rocky start, but somehow this rag-tag group of ne'er-do-wells..." She briefly paused to address to her friends. “Oh, heavens, I think he means you.” She then continued. “...came together and created the perfect boutique. A vision of Rarity combined with the expertise of her friends! This reporter, for one, is a believer." After finishing reading she took the time to ask everyone this pressing question with this revelation in light. “Why didn't you tell me there were so many problems?”

“We all figured you had enough on your mind.” Twilight explained as she approached her friend apologetically.

“And we didn't want you to think that the opening wasn't perfect.” Applejack added equally apologetic.

“Otherwise you would have went bonkers and trashed the place in a mad frenzy.” Bunga also added with a chuckle. “Okay, maybe not that crazy. But you know what I mean.”

“Right…” Ono accepted that without further questions.

"Fair enough." Kyoga accepted while fully understanding of what happened there. "And quite a story and a hard lesson to be learned along the way."

"No kidding." Kion commented in agreement.

None of the less, Rarity giggled still pleased that it all worked out in the end. “”Ne'er-do-wells" or not, I know I can always count on all of you. And nothing could be more perfect than that.” She then brought everyone in for a group hug to celebrate a job well done.

“Speaking of perfect…” Ono spoke up now curious and uncertain himself on what he now has on his mind. “...what are we going to do about that landlord in case he over-asserts his authority over us again?”

“Easy!” Fuli quickly assured as she pulled out the pony’s wallet with her tail. “With a quick snag, I can just take out whatever Mr. Stripes tries to overcharge you.” With a swift tug, she pulled out a large sum of cash from it before putting it away.

“Okay. Works for me.” Ono then said with a shrug seeing that as a fair punishment for the grief he put them through. “Though wouldn’t he notice you took his wallet?”

Fuli smirked in response. “I think he won’t be able to tell the difference…”

At that moment, Mr. Stripes pulled out his wallet and found everything is indeed inside of it...expect for most of his cash. “Huh? That’s odd. I could have sworn I had a few more bills in here.” He then shrugged it off. “Oh well.”

Author's Note

Here in one of the more well-received episodes of Season 6 of MLP here we have the story of the grand opening of another addition to Rarity's fashion business and along the way we get the whole story as a flashback and interview montage of what really happened along the way. One that involves learning how to solve certain problems that they can do solving it their own way instead of doing what Rarity would want after trying it that way didn't work out as well as they initially hoped.

And despite everything said and done recorded for everyone reading the papers to see, it all worked out in the end as the grand opening went on as planned despite facing many, many, many obstacles that would have warranted the store's initial opening being delayed for another day or so. And so the ne'er-do-wells have all pulled through very well with their efforts that day, and that deserves a round of applause for them.

Up next we have "The Cave of Secrets" where the Lion and Pony Guard as a whole will get to explore the caves containing the secret paintings lurking deep inside the lair of the Lion Guard under Pride Rock, so stay tuned until then...

Episode 14: Cave of Secrets

Episode 14:

The Cave of Secrets

Shortly after the defeat of the first group of Evil Lions from the Pride Lands Past, Askari now having ascended to the role as King of the Pride Lands, met up with the new group of lions to be destined to become the new Lion Guard in his stead.

"All right, everyone." He spoke to the team with a old mandrill by his side. "I know it hasn't been long since you stepped up to your new roles in the Lion Guard but I wanted to be able to get through with this as soon as possible. Today, we are going to be taking a little field trip inside the Lair of the Lion Guard where you will get to see and watch as new paintings are going to be created for future generations of our family to see and behold the very tales engraved inside of them. And for those wondering what good will any of this do for us? Well, aside from seeing stories and tales of what has happened in the past, recently. and how long ago, this stories in simple pictures will tell our future seers of the remarkable tales behind it." He then lead the way towards the area that would soon become a work of art. "Now, let's get started."

While the whole group of lions destined to become the new Lion Guard in Askari and his late team's place look on still unsure and nervous of entering somewhere where no one but someone with great worthiness is supposed to go inside, they all proceeded to follow after their king none of the less, not one to disappoint his faith in them.

Inside the Lair of the Lion Guard, both the Lion and Pony Guard are all looking at paintings of the past Lion Guard’s. The main reason is because Twilight had called upon them to meet up inside so they can traverse the hidden cave she once traveled inside to discover the secrets she uncovered when coming across paintings of the original Lion Guard.

“The fiercest, bravest, fastest, strongest and keenest of sight.” Kion commented as he looked at one of the past Lion Guard’s before his and Scar’s.

“Poa...There sure are lots of paintings about the old Lion Guards adventurers.” Beshte commented in awe.

“Yeah. But nothing about them battling an evil lion who's come back from the past.” Kion returned.

“Though you do have to remember it’s never happened before.” Kyoga reminded. “That along with one that is capable of magic and is half alicorn.”

“Yeah!” Makini appeared to chime in. “Did you know that all the lair's caverns have paintings in them?”

“Really?” Kion asked very curious himself.

“Oh yes! And there are so many caverns, you wouldn't believe it. Come on, I'll show you! Rafiki has been teaching me all about them. There's so much wisdom on the walls.” She threw her hands up in the air before proceeding to break out into a song.

Wisdom on the Walls

All while making paints come to life with her staff. From the painting of Nala’s father being saved by the Lion Guard during his time, from when Simba was living with Timon and Pumbaa during his exile (to which Bunga happily danced to much to Fuli’s eye rolling annoyance), his birth presentation, his first fateful fight with Scar (to which Kion frowned heavily and determined at the sight). In addition, the previous mashindano’s along with Askari’s Lion Guard and them in action. She kept singing up until she ended crashing and bumping into a wall right in front of her causing her to slide and fall onto her back after the accidental impact she made with it.

“So much for wisdom on the walls.” Fuli sarcastically remarked as both she and Kyoga moved to help her up on her feet.

“Yep.” Bunga nodded. “I say we go show Scar what's what.” Just as Bunga turned to nonchalantly do so, he is blocked off by a violet red barrier of magic.

“Yeah...No.” Twilight shook her head just when she and the rest of the ponies arrived. “And now that we’re here, I’ll be glad to answer any questions going forward starting with this wall. So Kion…” She then asked her curious lion friend. “...what would you like to know?”

“For starters, that painting kinda looks like the Mark of Evil.”

“You mean that symbol Scar burned in the dirt?” Rainbow asked.

“From when Scar appeared in fire from when he had multiple Outsiders attacking at the exact same time?” Pinkie rapidly chimed in.

“That’s because it is the Mark of Evil.” Twilight confirmed. “And while what you’re about to see might give a clear answer on how to defeat Scar, it will give a much needed insight about yourselves which will serve as the perfect thing for today’s training session.”

“So there’s more painting’s beyond this wall or boulder?” Makini asked eagerly.

“Yep.” Twilight nodded. “So...without further ado…” She turned to both Beshte and Applejack. “...will you two do the honors in removing this boulder?”

“You got it, Twilight.”

“Can do, partner! Here we go!”

“Twende Kibo...ko?”

Both the Guard’s Strongest grunted as they both struggled a bit with pushing the boulder itself.

“Everything okay, darlings?” Rarity asked with concern.

“Yep.“ Beshte replied with a slight strained gasp. “Whew! It's really wedged in there.”

“Not to worry, Beshte.” Applejack assured feeling sure this won’t be too difficult. “If we work together we can get it. Ready?”

“Ready!”

By working together in pushing the rock in one direction at the exact same time, they were effortlessly able to move it out of the way to reveal the hidden tunnel that Twilight once discovered herself.

“Oh my stars!”

“Look at that.”

“Wow!”

“Goodness!”

Rarity, Ono, Fuli, and Fluttershy all commented in astonishment with this discovery.

“So this is the secret cave you were talking about?” Starlight asked.

“Yep!” She stated as the previously obscured painting was all fully visible for all eyes to see. “And that’s the Mark of Evil all right.”

Makini then proceeded to make the paintings accompanying come to life with one in particular being the first Guard preparing to walk inside a maze together. One that circled around the Mark until it magically disappeared. “And the original Lion Guard. You were right, Twilight. This cave leads to a secret chamber deep beneath the lair.”

“Makini, Twilight, what does that mean?” Kion asked.

“It means that these lions managed to find a way to defeat great evil, and this chamber holds the secret.” Twilight explained.

“Then we're going to that chamber.” Kion stated.

Already Bunga was ready to go in first. “Now we're talking! Zuka…” But before he could step inside the tunnel, Twilight was quick to pull up her barrier magic again.

“Wait!” Makini’s voice called out. “This painting's a warning. The caves are dangerous.”

“Exactly! And considering the powerful secret is held down there, the lions of the past would have wanted it as far away from eager knowledge seeking eyes…” She then quickly added to avoid embarrassment after realizing she just described herself there. “...that want to expose and deliver it into the wrong paws and hoofs.” Unfortunately she couldn’t save herself from sporting pink cheeks along with having knowing smirks aimed right at her for the moment. “So before we go in, I need to make sure we all fully understand that we need to be prepared for what’s about to happen next. Do we?” She asked the others after collecting herself.

“Of course!”

“Yes, sir, ma’am sir!”

“We do!”

“Absolutely!”

“Ready when you are!”

“We keep ourselves alert at all times!”

The rest of the ponies vowed.

Kion himself spoke on behalf of the Lion Guard. “It may be dangerous, but we're the Pride Lands fiercest, bravest, fastest, strongest and keenest of sight. If anyone's gonna find the secret to defeating evil, it's us.

“You said it, Kion.” Beshte returned ready to follow his friend’s lead.

“Like I was saying, Zuka Zama!” Bunga repeated before she and the others went inside.

Makini was the only one who didn’t immediately follow after them to which caught both the leaders attention.

“Makini? You coming?” Twilight asked.

“Nope! I'm good! Good luck!” Makini happily waved off as the two turned to each other to whisper for a moment

“I don’t see why she wouldn’t.” Kion interjected. “Personally I think she’ll be safer if she stay’s here.”

“Actually, I think we are definitely going to need her around.” Twilight said otherwise. “Because we need someone to help make those paintings come to life that’ll be helpful in telling us what to expect while down there.”

“But still, she could get hurt.”

“Not without company.” Twilight reminded.

“That is true…”

“And…” Makini appeared right in between them. “...these paintings were all painted by a Royal Mjuzi!” She then quickly added. “Sorry, but I couldn’t resist wondering what you two were saying? So can I come along too? Please?”

It didn’t take even a second for the two to make up their mind there, even with the thought of lecturing her for eavesdropping on private conversations in mind.

“Of course!”

“As long as you stay with us!”

“Can do!”

“All right!” Twilight then led the way inside where the others are waiting for them. “Let’s go!”

Once everyone was all grouped up together, they were all eyes on the first painting they saw in front of them.

“Kion! Twilight! Makini! There you all are!” Starlight exclaimed upon seeing them. “We were beginning to wonder what was keeping you?”

“Nothing important.” Twilight assured as she gestured to the mandrill accompanying them. “Just making sure we have all of the company we need for our journey here.”

“Well I’m glad you’re here, Makini, because we could definitely use some help figuring out this painting here.” Applejack gestured to said painting featuring Askari’s Lion Guard and nothing else.

“Don't worry. I can figure it out.” Bunga assured everyone before examining it himself. “Mmm-hmm. Uh-huh. Mmm.”

“Well?”

“Anything?”

“An answer?”

“Like right now?”

Fuli, Twilight, Starlight, and Kyoga all asked with the former looking on flatly and latter two looking on impatiently at expecting the obvious reply.

“Nope. I got nothing.”

“Then why did you say you could answer it?!” Starlight irritably asked.

“I just thought it was worth a try! Really!” Bunga innocently defended upon seeing the glare the unicorn was giving her.

“Maybe the answer is here somewhere else around here…” Beshte suggested as he moved to look around. But suddenly the ground underneath gave way and caused him to fall downwards. “Whoa!”

“BESHTE!” Both Kion and Bunga called out in horror with what they just saw.

But before anyone else could process what had just happened everyone else minus Twilight, Kion, Rainbow, Ono, Fluttershy, and Makini ended up all falling downwards after Beshte. While both Kyoga and Makini watch on in horror with what has happened, the flyers then all flew after them as they all slid downwards themselves. All of them screaming expect for Pinkie.

“AAH!”

“WHEE!”

Both Rainbow and Ono were quick to spot out the danger ahead of them.

“Hapana! Guys, girls, watch out! Sharp rocks coming up!”

“No! You're coming down on sharp rocks!”

“Uh-oh.” Beshte himself acting moved to skid himself to a stop before that could happen. And thankfully he managed to just do that. “Twende Kiboko! Yeah!”

“Beshte!”

“Incoming!”

Both Ono and Rainbow alerted.

Upon seeing them Beshte knew what to do. “Guys! Girls! Land on me.” By using his big body everyone all managed to slide into him which stopped their descent with their friend having just enough space to work with to avoid going over himself...

...all but one…

“WAAAH!” Rarity screamed when she ended flying over everyone’s shoulders instead of making a complete stop when she ended sliding over the ramp instead.

“Rarity!” Thankfully for her, Applejack was quick to use her lasso to catch the unicorn just when she was inches away from hitting the rocks before ensnaring and lifting her back to safety alongside everyone else. It took much of her strength just to save her, but she did it, and it was worth it.

“Oh! Thank you, Applejack!” She returned with a great big hug for her savior.

“Well it’s a good thing I always carry this here lasso with me at all times.” Applejack returned with a humble smile as the flyers landed beside them.

“Everybody okay?” Makini asked as she called down from above.

“Yep. I'm okay.”

“Same here. And that sure was fun! Let’s do that again!”

“Um, I got a better idea.” Rarity quick said to discourage them from doing so. “How about no.”

“Aww.”

“Thanks, Beshte.”

“You too, Applejack.”

Both Kion and Starlight thanked.

“You’re welcome.” Both the Guard’s Strongest replied as the latter tipped her hat towards Rarity.

“Oh, good thing we had the Pride Lands strongest with us.” Ono commented.

“Along with Equestria’s strongest.” Twilight added.

“You said it, Ono, Twilight.” Kion agreed fully with that.

“No kidding.” Rarity said in great relief. “And I sure would not look pretty afterwards.”

“No kidding.” Kyoga responded with rolled eye annoyance knowing the unicorn’s sense for fashion and appearance. “But with all of that aside, what just happened?”

“Easy answer, silly!” Pinkie giggled. “We fell down through that hole that just appeared over our heads.”

“I know what happened! I mean how it happened!”

“I can answer that!” Makini called out from above as she tapped the painting which featured Askari’s Lion Guard going through the same thing the current Lion and Pony Guard went through. “That last painting was a warning for that!”

“And exactly how did we miss that?” Starlight asked.

“Because Beshte accidentally stepped right in the weakest part of the area around it followed by everyone else that fell. And that was before I could get a chance to take a look at it.”

“Oh, right. That.”

“Okay…” Fuli then said as they looked back up the hole they fell down. “So, Twilight, Kion, Rainbow, and Ono can fly, but how do the rest of us get back up there?”

“Maybe we're not supposed to.” Kion said as he happened to set his eyes on something that caught his attention. “Look!” It just so happened to be a windy downhill path leading to a nearby tunnel up ahead.

“You think we should go in there?” Fluttershy asked timidly.

“The painting said the chamber was deep beneath the lair.” Kion reasoned feeling certain they should.

“We're deep, all right.” Fuli replied surely before

“And considering I want to know this big secret too, there’s no going back now. So I say we move forward.” Rainbow stated as she and the others went along ahead with Fluttershy lagging a bit behind due to her nervousness over exploring unknown areas.

Seeing this spurred the alicorn in wrapping a hoof around one of hers as they flew down together with the Pegasus now feeling a bit relieved with extra security around her. And upon catching up with the other’s she was the first to speak up upon spotting something up ahead. “Another painting.”

“Any idea what it means?” Beshte asked.

“I think it means we're on the right path.” Kion said before leading everyone onward. “Come on!”

“Um, guys, girls…” Makini tried to speak to everyone who already went on ahead. “...think maybe we should tell them where they should go?” She asked Twilight beside her.

The alicorn princess remained certain they’ll find out from there. “It’s okay, Makini. I’m sure they’ll find out what they’re dealing with themselves.” The young mandrill looked on curious of why she is content with this until she added. “Plus I know what to expect down here.”

“Oh...right! I remember you telling me about your solo discovery here the other day.”

"Yes." She nodded before pressing forward without another word.

Back in the past in the same area of the first painting, everyone gathered around it, wondering it could mean, when suddenly the biggest and strongest lion accidentally stepped on the very weak center which caused the rock floor to give away below them with Askari only having the quick instinct to leap out the way while rescuing his mandrill companion with him. The lions all screamed "Whoa!" as they all fell down the slide headed right towards the sharp rocks up ahead.

"Hang on!" Acting quick, the strong lion himself quickly turned himself around mid slide and proceeded to reach out his front paws ready to catch them. And one by one they all slid into his arms as they all found themselves completely halted from where he stands by using his claws on his back legs to firmly plant himself to the ground. "Is everyone okay?" He asked everyone who all nodded their heads along with replying to assure their good.

"Yeah."

"Uh-huh."

"We;re okay."

"We;re good."

"Good. Now let's keep moving." Aside from the strong lion having the claws on his back legs trimmed down to a fraction of a inch from all of the rock scraping, everyone all made it away from that section unharmed before continuing forward down where the present day travelers are now headed.

After traveling through the pathway for a while, Fuli then sighed as she started to get a little weary from all of these twists and turns they’ve encountered so far. “I hope we're getting closer to this big secret.”

“Me too.” Rainbow turned to Kion. “Are we sure we’re going the right way?” She asked.

“We gotta be. We're still finding paintings.” Then when they turned the corner they came across a fork path leading to two different pathways in front of them. “Huh?”

“So, which way now?” Applejack asked as everyone all eyed the pathways.

Immediately, Bunga stepped forward to give one of the paths a try. “I got this. I've got loads of experience with caves.” He then proceeds to go down the one on their left.

Kion trying to be optimistic is the first follow after him. “Who knows, maybe he picked the right one.”

“Doubt it.” Rarity said otherwise before reluctantly following suit with the others.

“You’re right about that, Rarity.” Ono called back as they see that the tunnel doesn’t lead to much.

“Dead end. Let's head back.” Kion said before leading everyone back to the others.

Bunga still stuck around trying to insist otherwise. “Or maybe it just looks like a dead end.” He grunted trying to push the wall thinking it’s movable with predictable results. “I bet it's another secret passage. Like before!”

“Keep in mind these ain’t the same caves as the ones you and Simba traveled in a while back. Applejack reminded and then added before he could speak up. “Or the caves in Ponyville where they keep the diamonds.”

“Applejack’s right, Bunga. It's just a wall.” Fuli also said while pitying his efforts to vainly prove everyone wrong.

“I don't think so.” After grunting and pushing futilely for another minute. He ended feeling defeated. “Okay... It could be a wall.”

“Yep.” Fuli nodded in agreement. “And it only took you twenty-five seconds to figure it out.”

The Lion and Pony Guard went on to travel the other nearby pathways only to run and walk into the same results.

“Ugh. Another dead end.” Rainbow remarked in annoyance.

“Nah. This one's definitely a secret passage. Zuka Zama!” Bunga once more tried to move the wall to no avail before quickly giving up. “Why does that keep happening?” He groaned.

“Because this path is nothing but dead ends.” Fuli answered.

“It doesn't make sense.” Kion commented not understanding why this is happening. “Why would the paintings lead us down here if there's no way to get through?”

“Maybe that’s because we’re in a maze.” Rainbow suggested as she began thinking back to the painting from just earlier. “And I think one good look from above might actually help us out here.”

“That works.” Rarity agreed while thinking of something else in mind. “And for someone who’s had experience in the caves back in Ponyville. I have a trick that’ll help guide us through on land. One I’m sure Twilight has shown you once before.” She makes her horn glow to unveil paw prints, unique and old paw prints.

“Ooh!” Everyone all said in awe with this magical ability of her’s.

“Yes I know! Stunning isn’t it?” She proudly returned while briefly flipping her mane.

“Good idea.” Kion approved before turning to the Guard’s Keenest of Sight. “Ono, fly up there and see if you can get the lay of the land.”

“Affirmative. Hmm.” He then flew up and scanned the area above them. And quickly and effectively he managed to find the pathway to the other side. “Got it. Follow me.” Ono then told everyone down on the ground that just so happens to match with the path Rarity managed to filter out with her magic.

“This way!” Rarity added as she and Ono led the way on towards the correct path that allowed them all to make it through the maze.

“Good work, Ono. Rarity.”

“You got us through.”

Both leaders of the Guard complimented.

“Happy to help.”

“Anything for a friend, darling.”

Both Ono and Rarity humbly returned.

“I still think I could have found the secret passageway.” Bunga commented.

“Please.” Rarity scoffed. “Mazes don’t have secret passageways. Otherwise that would be cheating. And cheaters never prosper.”

“Excuse me?” Fuli returned rather confused and offended.

“Cheaters, darling. Not cheetahs.”

“Oh. My bad.”

Kion laughed at the joke before speaking his thoughts about the maze. “Luckily, we had the keenest of sight with us so you didn't have to.”

“Yeah.” Fuli agreed. “Just like it was lucky we had Beshte with us earlier or we might have been smashed on those rocks.”

“Along with Applejack when it came to saving me from flying into those rocks.” Rarity added and recalled.

“Oh, it was nothing.”

“And who was I to allow you to fall and face death right then and there, Rarity?”

Both the hippo and pony returned like it’s nothing new to them.

“Wait.” Kion realized. “What if it's not luck at all? What if this is all a test? We needed the strongest and the keenest of sight to get past those first two obstacles. All these hidden caves and challenges, it's meant to see if we're a worthy Lion and Pony Guard.”

“Worthy?” Bunga returned like it’s a joke. “Of course, we're worthy! Worthy of what?”

“Worthy of discovering the secret to defeating great evil!”

“Yeah.” Fuli spoke coming to realize it herself. “The lions of the past must have made it so that only the best of the best can make it down here.”

“That's us!” Bunga proudly stated. “I mean, who else in the Pride Lands could have gotten this far? Seriously, who else?”

“Um, me.” Kyoga pointed out while gesturing to the ponies also with them. “The ponies from the Pony Guard, Starlight, Makini.”

“Oh, right.”

“Hold on! Wait a second!” Starlight spoke up trying to make sense of this. “If it makes sense that the first test was a test of strength for Applejack much like Beshte, and Rarity’s keen sight also matches up with Ono’s for the second test, then what’s the extra pony and lion’s compatible tests. Correct me if I’m wrong, but there’s the Strongest, Keenest of Sight, Bravest, Fastest, and Fierceness. So that makes five tests and there are six ponies, six members of the Lion Guard. So does this mean there is a sixth test, one for Kyoga, and one for the pony who doesn’t match up with the Lion Guard member who’s not any of the aforementioned qualities?”

“That’s a good question, Starlight.” Twilight returned accepting that it actually is something worth exploring. “A very good question.” She then pondered for a moment before replying. “I’m sure the answer to that lies within these caves, somewhere.”

“Where, exactly?” Starlight hoped for something more specific from her teacher as she’s been then before and would have an idea how and who it might be.

“Can’t say.” Twilight shrugged before turning to everyone else. “And now that you know these are tests, you now know it's not gonna get any easier.” She then proceeded to lead everyone forward. “Up here, this way.”

"Where are we going now?!"

"We keep hitting dead ends everywhere we go!"

"We're lost!"

The group of lions from the Lion Guard in the past then traveled through this very maze as they found themselves struggling for a little while to navigate the areas until the lion who naturally narrows his eyes whenever he looks upon something up ahead got himself an idea.

"Hang on, everybody." The lion proceeded to act on the idea he had that involves him moving to move backwards before taking a sprint charge to leap upwards on the wall in front of them. He mustered much of his strength as he climbed his way to the very top before managing to get a scope of the whole maze from above. "This way, everyone! Follow me!" The keen sighted lion instructed of everyone as he then proceeded to continue making big leaps of faith as he maintains the high ground as he guides the Guard from above up until they were all able to make their way out of the maze. And once he was back down on the ground alongside his companions and mentors, they all pressed on their way down the path ahead of them.

The whole group made their way forward, up until they came across the edge leading down to a huge dark chasm down below.

“Whoa!”

“Stop!”

“There’s the path.” Pinkie pointed out to said path on the other side.

“Yeah!” Bunga also pointed it out himself. “Over there!”

“But how do we get to it?” Applejack asked as she pointed out. “There's no way across.”

“Is this another test?” Starlight asked.

“Yep.” Twilight nodded.

“I can get across.” Ono assured.

“You've already had your test.” Bunga pointed out. “Unless this is a test for the keenest of flight.”

“Earlier Lion Guards were all lions.” Fuli also pointed out. “They couldn't fly.”

“Oh, yeah. Too bad. Ono would've aced this test.”

“He sure would have, along with me, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Kion, and Kyoga.” Twilight said in agreement before being quick to shut down any thoughts of taking the easy way by. “And before any of you say or even think of it. The answer is no. Teleportation and flight included.”

“Hey, guys, over here!” Makini called out to everyone just as she spotted another painting on the nearby walls. “It's a lion on the edge of the cliff, just like now.” Said painting features said lion in front of the empty air in between the two ledges.

“Hey, that's the bravest lion.” Bunga recognized. “That's me! I'm the bravest lion. Except the lion part. So make it move. Let's see what I do.”

Makini proceeds to tap her staff on the painting to make it come to life which features the lion simply walking across thin air to get to the other side without any trace of fear.

“That was a lot of help.” Fuli sarcastically commented.

“No kidding.” Kyoga said in the same tone.

“He just walked out into empty air.” Beshte then said what he saw.

“But how?” Applejack also asked curious herself.

Seeing this had Bunga quick to dismiss is as no hard feat. “I could do that.” He proceeds to approach the edge to try to do the same.

Seeing sparked caution for Kion to try to reason with one of his best friends. “Hang on, Bunga. Let's think about this.”

Bunga still didn’t heed to his friend’s concerns as he scoffed it off. “Think about it? Pfft! Since when do I do that? Zuka Zama!” He proceeds to jump out into the open much to everyone’s gasps of horror. “Whoo-hoo!” But then just when it seemed like Rainbow and Fluttershy were about to fly to the rescue (only being held back by Twilight) with only Pinkie being quick to bypass the princess in order to rush over to catch him…

...they surprisingly landed on a surface and didn’t fall into the trench below them causing everyone but Twilight to gasp in surprise.

“What the…?!” Rainbow exclaimed with wide eyed shock along with many others.

“How?!” Rarity also spoke utterly baffled by the sight of two of her friends floating in mid-air.

“Are we not dead?” Pinkie returned as she placed Bunga down on the area they are on.

“Uh, Little B? Pinkie?” Beshte then spoke wondering what everyone is asking in their minds. “How are you doing that?”

“Good question.” Pinkie replied as she moved to look around where they are standing. “Maybe it’s probably because we just so happen to be standing on some kind of bridge they we never saw before.”

Both Rainbow and Ono flew over as they examined the area around the two to find out why they are not falling to their death’s right now.

“Oh.”

“That’s how!”

“How?” Fluttershy asked.

“There's a bridge.”

“That requires full focused eyes to see.”

“There is?” Kion himself moved to place a paw on said bridge and amazingly found himself not falling downward. “Oh, there is.”

“Poa." Behste uttered equally amazed.

“I don’t believe it.” Starlight gasped as the magic of her horn had her see it in a different color. “How about that.”

“When did that get there?” Makini asked.

“Well, it's always been there.” Ono explained. “We just couldn't see it. It's called an optical illusion.”

“Exactly. Well said, Ono.” Twilight complimented.

“Aw…” Bunga said in disappointment. “I thought maybe I was the keenest of flight.”

“Sorry, Little B.” Rainbow returned with a friendly and teasing jab on the side. “That’s my thing.”

“So is Beshte’s.” Bunga fired back referencing the nickname she just used.”

“That’s true. But it’s okay.” Beshte said before he and the others proceeded to walk onto and across the invisible bridge.

Already, Makini is voicing of how great a discovery this is. “I've never seen anything like an invisible bridge before. I can't wait to get back and tell Rafiki all about it. Better yet, I'll paint it!”

“And exactly how are you going to paint an invisible bridge?” Fuli asked skeptically.

“Oh…” Makini realized. “...good question, Fuli.”

“Doubtful there’s a good answer, Makini.” Rarity said to her while trying her hardest not to discourage the young Mjuzi before both she and Fuli walked alongside her onwards to the next chamber.

"What the...?!"

"What is this?!

"How are we supposed to get across?"

Upon reaching the area where this very invisible bridge lies in between the two tunnels where the path continues, the lion who looked unsure of how this very pathway continues while looking at what seems to be big wide opening proceeded to check the area out himself, being courageous enough to step up and be willing to take one for the team even while very cautious and nervous himself.

"Guess I'll find out." He paced around the ledge before eyeing the very middle of the area where the two tunnels align in a perfectly straight line together. Sensing that there is no way unless there just so happens to be a rock solid way of getting across, he went with his gut feeling by stepping forward and walking forward from the ledge. "Okay, here it goes."

While initially worried and shocked at him doing something that would normally result in him falling a great big height, it was all replaced with a collective sigh in relief when it didn't turn out to be the case. Then their expressions were all fascination and surprise at seeing the reason why their bravest kin didn't fall to his death. And after he assured everyone while making it across that it is safe to do so they all followed suit.

"What?!"

"An invisible bridge?!"

"No way?!"

"Believe it or not, it's there. And as long as you all follow where I walk you won't fall. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Now come on, let's go."

All while Askari and the mandrill follow after them all liking what they are seeing thus far with the latter painting on the very things that have happened throughout their journey here thus far...

Upon seeing the next painting, Makini smiled as she sees their progress thus far. “Oh, we're really close to the final chamber. The entrance is at the end of this path.”

“You mean the entrance that's blocked by a gigantic rock?” Fuli commented as all eyes were focused on said giant rock right in front of them.

“This must be another test.” Kion deduced.

“I don't know, Kion.” Bunga commented feeling it’s not the case here. “I don't think even Beshte and Applejack can move a rock this big.”

“Maybe not. But I can try.”

But before Beshte could move to give it a shot, Applejack was quick to speak up while stopping the hippo. “Hold on there partner, if this is a test, both you and I already had ours, remember?”

“That is true.” Beshte acknowledged.

“And it’s not mine nor Pinkie Pie’s since we already had our tests along with Ono and Bunga.” Rarity added.

“Maybe it's just a rock.” Pinkie tried to say before hearing sudden rumbling. “Huh?” She looked down on her own tummy. “Funny, my stomach isn’t rumbling yet I heard rumbling.”

Bunga turned to Beshte wondering if it’s his stomach making noises. “Did you skip breakfast today, Big B?”

Beshte shook his head. “That's not me.”

“Nor me.” Rainbow added just as she spotted the rock about to move from it’s spot and right towards them. “And I think now we should RUN!” She then sprinted away from the scene as everyone else gasps and follows suit when the rock starts coming right at them.

“Hapana! The rock!” Ono gasped before being pulled out of harm’s way by Rainbow Dash.

“Ono! Rainbow Dash! Is there anywhere we can get out of the path of this boulder?” Kion asked of them who both quickly used their eyes to spot out the only passageway up ahead.

“I wish we could, but we can’t!”

“The passageway is too narrow!”

“I got an idea!” Fuli proposed as she stopped in her tracks before locking eyes with the boulder preparing to face it head on. “Rainbow Dash! With me!” The speedy Pegasus didn’t even stop to ask before following after her in hopping onto the boulder. By working together they both tried to run it like they’re both on a treadmill, only it’s acting exactly like a treadmill that won’t stop.

“Fuli, Rainbow Dash, what are you both doing?” Kion asked of them while still running.

“Trying to slow it down!”

“Only that it’s not working we hoped.”

No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t get the rock to stop, not even slow down the increasing speed it’s going.

“So let's try this! If we can't slow it down, maybe we can speed it up!”

“Crazy but okay! More speed it is!”

Both the Guard’s Fastest proceeded to work together in speeding the rock so that it maneuvers right alongside the walls so that it doesn’t crash into their friends and right into the narrow passageway’s direction ahead of them. And once their friends were now safe, they leaped off of the boulder allowing it to crash into the passageway.

“Huh, nice work, Fuli. You too, Rainbow Dash.” Kion complimented.

“Thanks.”

“Amazingly enough as crazy as it is, more speed was definitely the answer to this problem.”

“No kidding. Way to steer that thing, you two.”

“That was un-Bunga-lievable!”

“Excellent use of brain power there!”

Applejack, Bunga, and Twilight all complimented.

“Good thing you two are the fastest.” Beshte noted.

With the danger passed, the Guard could now press forward with the now open passageway.

“Okay, guys, this is it.” Kion said to his comrades. “I hope.”

“It is, Kion. It is.” His alicorn friend assured.

“So, Kion…” Bunga spoke to his lion friend when he had a thought running through his head. “...we've had tests for the strongest, the keenest of sight, the bravest, the fastest, even the Mjuzi-est. What do you think your test is gonna be along with Fluttershy’s?

“I'm not sure, Bunga.”

“Whatever it is it’s got to at least that proves I have a Lion Guard worthy trait as much as kindness.”

While Bunga was distracted and walking backwards while talking to both Kion and Fluttershy he accidentally bumped into a rock that ended up causing a rock slide.

“Hapana!”

“Incoming!”

The rock slide itself ended up covering the tunnel they came into and the area around to turn pitch black.

“Or something not as scary as being in the dark.” Fluttershy whimpered as she struggles to see where everything and everyone is now.

“Is everyone all right?” Twilight asked everyone.

“Yep.”

“Affirmative.”

“We’re okay.”

“No injuries, darling...”

Beshte, Ono, Applejack, and Rarity all replied on behalf of the team.

“Me, too. Except I can't see anything.” Makini moved around trying to navigate the area only to hit her head on the wall. “Ah!” She screamed in pain.

“Makini?” In his attempt to check up on Makini he ended up bumping into her by accident and dropped her staff when that happened.

“Oh, careful!” Makini alerted a little too late when the hippo accidentally bumped into Rarity by mistake.

“OW! Oh my!” Rarity screamed when she ended up running into the hippo’s rear with her face.

“Oops! Sorry!”

“No worries, darling. Just don’t mention it…”

“No really I…”

“Ever!”

Seeing this sparked panic inside Ono. “Hapana! What if there are more traps and dangers here and we can't see them?”

“Or more bottomless pits?” Bunga also said in worry.

“Or more sharp rocks that could cut into our beautiful skin?” Rarity melodramatically cried. “I’m serious! It could happen!”

“Oh, no.” In an attempt to move around Makini bumped into Bunga and they both ended up bumping into Fuli.

“Look out!”

“Careful! Ow!” Fuli complained when the two landed on her.

“Don’t worry everyone, I got this!” Pinkie declared before bouncing her way over…

...not to crash face to face with Rainbow Dash.

“Ow! Pinkie!”

“Sorry!”

“Enough!”

“Everyone stop moving!”

Both Starlight and Kion yelled out to everyone which got them all to stop what they were doing.

“Follow my voice, and get behind me.”

“That’s right keep coming, right towards the spark of my horn.” Starlight flashed her magic repeatedly so that everyone will know where to go.

“That's good. Everyone here?”

Once everyone was gathered they all confirmed it.

“Yep.”

“Uh huh.”

“I am!”

“Me too.”

“Affirmative.”

“We’re all here.”

“Girls?” Twilight asked of the ponies to do the same.

“Right here.”

“Coming, darling.”

“We’re now right behind you.”

“All present and accounted for.”

“All five of us.”

“Okay, good.”

“Now…” Kion then spoke. “I think I can find the way out.” He roared which released an audible echo across the area.

“Hey, was that another lion?” Bunga asked as he looked around.

“Don’t look at me because that wasn’t mine.” Kyoga replied as she looked towards where Bunga spoke. “It was Kion’s.”

“But how…?”

“It bounced off the cave walls.” Ono explained. “It's called an echo.”

“Right, and I'm gonna use it to lead us all out of here.”

“Along with the help of the sparks of my magic to help shed some light.” Starlight added while looking towards Twilight to assure her, it’s only what they need to which earned her a look of approval from her teacher.

“Okay…” Kion then said roared to his left with an echo following shortly afterward. “Okay, there's a wall to our left.” He roared again straight forward which echoed in that direction as well. “Okay, and one dead ahead.” He then roared to his right where the echo multiple times indicating that it leads somewhere in contrast to the two previous areas where he roared at. “Okay, we're going this way.”

“Everyone stay close.”

“And follow us.”

Both Kion and Starlight took lead as they made their way forward. Along the way Kion briefly turned a path on the side and roared at which shortly echoed, indicating that also leads to a dead end. Seeing that is going nowhere, had the two press on forward. Following that, the two had no more obstacles to encounter as they managed to reach another chamber filled with a bright heavenly blue sparkling light.

Back with the past Lion Guard, upon crossing into the next part of the pathway, they came across the boulder which is now placed on the opposite side of the tunnel blocking their way.

"Wait here until I give the signal and stand by," The lion that appeared to be the fastest moved to motion everyone to move to the side before proceeding to leap on it which caused it to move around by using all four legs to steer it all around the walls. "Go! Go! Go!" He then motioned for the others to run on over to the other side while he keeps the giant boulder under control. Once he sees that everyone made it to safety, he proceeded to leap off of it to allow it to crash on the opposite side of the tunnel.

"Aw, great!"

"Now it's dark here."

"Where do we go now?!"

Although this caused the cave to go suddenly dark which caused near mass panic among the team as they all frantically screamed, panicked, and ran around like silly zebras.

"ENOUGH!" The Fiercest of the bunch roared of frustration at their current surroundings ended up cluing him in on how they can navigate this tunnel and he was able to use it for great effect too, right up until they reached the area where there is light inside... "Everyone get behind me, and stay together. I'm going to get us out of here."

“Nice job, Kion.”

“Very smart, I might add.”

Both Fuli and Kyoga complimented.

“If that was a test of leadership, I'd say you passed.” Beshte commented.

“Indeed.” Ono agreed.

“Couldn’t have said it any better.” Twilight also agreed before turning to her student. “Well done, Starlight. You’re starting to take after me.”

“Aww, thanks.” Starlight returned rather playfully and affectionately in good humor.

“I mean it.” Twilight asserted. “You displayed excellent leadership skills alongside Kion right now. You’re starting to see your true potential inside, Starlight.”

“You don’t say…” Starlight returned with a slight nervous chuckle which didn’t go unnoticed by her teacher but she let the moment slide for the moment before focusing on what’s in front of them.

“Wow, look at this place.” Makini remarked upon seeing the chamber they are now in. One filled with specially painted rocks in front of them.

“Guys? Girls I think we made it.” Kion told everyone.

“We sure did.” Twilight confirmed.

“'Poa.”

“Fascinating.”

“Amazing!”

“So...beautiful!”

“Ooh...sparkly!”

Beshte, Ono, Rainbow, and especially both Pinkie and Rarity all commented as they basked with what they were seeing, with the white unicorn’s star’s sparkling in her eyes.

“I never dreamed it'd be so beautiful.” Makini commented as she went off ahead towards the nearest painting. “Look at this painting.” Then she spots another one. “And this one!”

“If I had a diamond for every painting you encountered along with every inch of this astonishing and sparkling shade of blue color I could find, I would have another store of dresses lined up ready for every pony to try them!” Rarity commented as she is still awe struck with the very color shining all around where they are standing.

“You sure would, Rarity.” Applejack agreed as she patted the unicorn on the head to help her snap out of it before following suit with the others.

“Like my dad always says, "Live long enough, and you'll see everything."” Beshte told everyone. “I don't think he ever thought I'd see something like this.”

Fluttershy couldn’t agree more. “Me neither, though…”

“...where's the secret?” Bunga finished just thinking out loud the same thing.

Kion chuckled in response to his friend. “We've come this far. I think we'll find it, Bunga.”

“And it’s something that’ll all be worth the wait in the end.” Twilight added as she turned to Fluttershy. “And deep beneath this chamber is where you will shine the most.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Good…” Bunga accepted it from there as he pounded his knuckles together. “...after all these tests, I'm itching to fight great evil.” He then proceeded to pose and act out a few kung fu moves himself before scratching himself. “Or maybe I'm just itchy.”

“Everyone, over here!” Makini called out as she came across more paintings. Specifically some they saw near the very opening to the cave they wandered into. “I think the story we're looking for is right here, look.” She proceeded to bring the painting to life. “It all started long ago. A very evil group of lions tried to take over the Pride Lands. And, in doing so, they nearly destroyed it. So, the good lions of the Pride Lands created a powerful, unstoppable force that could defeat the evil lions, once and for all. And it worked! But only the worthiest in the Pride Lands would be allowed to find this force and use it.”

“Right...”

“That's us, we're the worthiest.

“But where is this unstoppable force?”

“What's the secret?”

Starlight, Bunga, Kion, and Rainbow all wondered.

Makini moved to look around to help find it. “I think... It's right…” She then spotted another area where the bright blue light is the brightest with foilage covering up the entrance to the area. “Over there.”

“Okay, guys, girls, we've come all this way.”

“Everyone ready?”

“Ready.” Fluttershy confidently replied with a sense of specialty like never before.

Bunga on the other hand, said so feeling equally confident like he does every day. “You kidding? Cave of secrets, here we come.”

Both Beshte and Fuli nod at each other with equally confident expressions alongside Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

“Show us the light.”

“The very light that makes everyone and especially me look bright even on the darkest day.” Pinkie laughed at that to which Rainbow simply shrugged in response. “Okay, I guess I walked right into that one. But anyways, enough said. We’re ready.”

“Makini, will you do the honors?” Twilight asked of her.

Taking a calming breath to keep herself from exploding like Pinkie Pie would, Makini composed herself ready to do so. “Okay.”

She then moved the foliage aside as they all walk forward towards the chamber’s brightest area, where lies is a a bright blue shining pool in the very center. Though seeing this sparked confusion to most of the Guard.

“Huh?”

“That's...” Ono began.

“Unexpected.” Rarity finished.

“There's gotta be more than this.” Kion stated trying to understand it himself.

“I know…” Bunga proposed. “...maybe the secret's in the water.”

“Good thinking.” Pinkie along with Bunga both proceeded to jump into the water which created a big splash of water that would have soaked everyone had Twilight not put up a large umbrella over everyone’s head’s to protect them from the splash.

“Seriously?” Fuli asked not impressed in the slightest.

“Nope, no secret to defeating great evil in there.”

“Not even close!”

Fluttershy moved to look at her reflection as she realized something. “Maybe not the way you were thinking.” She suggested. “Maybe just maybe the answer lies within us.”

“What do you mean?” Kion asked as he too looked at his reflection. “Heyvi kabisa! You’re right! Look. The great force to defeating great evil is here. It's... Us.”

“Really?”

“Poa.”

“Wow!”

“Oh…”

“I never would have guessed.”

“Me neither...if I wasn’t fully distracted by my own reflection that is.”

“But all joking aside, it’s true.”

“We're the secret.”

“Well, yeah, that's what I've been saying all along!” Bunga commented feeling superior, up until having a huge drop of water splashed on top of him courtesy of Twilight mentally telling him otherwise and not to brag about it.

“Of course!” Makini realized as she put two and two together with the accompanying paintings. “It's all right here in the paintings.” She then proceeded to bring the painting to life. “That's the secret they created to defeat great evil. Askari's original Lion Guard.”

“Exactly.”

“You are correct, Makini.”

Both leaders of the Guard returned.

The young Mjuzi then felt a pang of guilt when she realized something. “If I had figured that out from all the paintings earlier, you wouldn't have had to go through all those dangerous tests. Sorry.”

“No need to be sorry.” Twilight assured. “Doing so actually is what everyone here needed.”

“That is true, Makini.” Kion came to the same conclusion as the princess. “I think we had to go through those tests.”

“So everyone would know we were worthy?” Ono guessed.

“So we'd know.” Kyoga answered. “We are the powerful, unstoppable force that will defeat Scar, together.”

“Because we're the Lion Guard…” Bunga added.

“...with the Pony Guard fighting alongside us.” Fluttershy finished feeling very brave inside.

“Right.” Twilight couldn’t have said it any better herself. “Till the Pride Lands and Equestria’s end…” She began as they all looked on towards the painting on the wall where the Mark of the Guard stands.

“Lion and Pony Guard Defend!” Both Guards from the present and past stated together as they all come to the same conclusion that they are ready and worthy to continue protecting their respective kingdoms from such potential threats going forward.

All while Scar's ominous green eyes observe from above just like he did to the Guard in the present day every step of the way with his physical body currently invisible to ensure he remains unseen. After seeing and hearing what he needed to hear he proceeded to disappear like a dazzling display of sparkles that reflect off of the other crystals that all shine bright even on it's darkest days.

Author's Note

Before we begin, I'd like to start off by saying this one needed some extra time since I felt the need to include some flashbacks scenes in this version of the episode which I hope told enough about these characters as they make the same journey as the current Lion and Pony Guard many years later. Not to mention I had really busy work week courtesy of the 4th of July.

Second, there is the matter of wondering why Twilight is playing Stealth Mentor here? The answer to that is because given that she managed to clear the obstacles on her own back in a flashback from Rainbow Rocks, it would make sense she'd want the others to be able to test themselves to prove themselves worth of their roles in the Guard and along the way the other ponies got to prove it themselves that they truly deserve it along with their current elements at their core.

Next up we have an episode where both an overworked Applejack along with an equally tired Kion both being convinced by both Rarity and Fuli to take a day off at the spa with them where their need for work clashes with, along with deep-rooted issues in the works, so stay tuned...

Episode 15: Applejack and Kion's Day Off

Episode 15:

Applejack and Kion’s Day Off

Inside the Ponyville spa and inside the steam room, Rarity was waiting impatiently for somepony to arrive alongside Fuli. The former had already been in the steam room for quite a while, and was getting more and more impatient with each passing second.

As Rarity continued to wait, Aloe poked her head into the steam room as the former sighed. She then moved to ask. "Um... Miss Rarity? Eh, how much longer are you planning to stay in here, darling?"

Rarity lifted her head to face Aloe, she'd already lost of track how long she'd been in the steam room. "Oh, dear. Is somepony else waiting?" She hopefully asked.

“Along with a certain lion?” Fuli also brought up as she asked.

Aloe shook her head to both questions. "Oh, no, no. I just don't want you both to get all... What is word? Pruney. Yes, pruney, that's it." She said to Rarity.

Rarity moved to explain. "Oh. Uh, well, we’re just waiting for Applejack and Kion. It's been so long since we've had a relaxing day at the spa together. But I'm quite certain she'll be along at any moment."

Aloe reluctantly decided that since nopony and nobody else needed the steam room at the moment, she would let them both stay. "Very well, just try not to wait too long."

“Thanks for the tip.” Fuli thanked before moving to leave the steam room alongside. “And I’ll take your advice here since I can’t wait any longer.”

“No worries, darling. No worries.”

And she closed the door, allowing steam to pour in with a hiss.

Sometime later, Applejack along with Kion finally came bursting in.

“Hey, there, Rarity. Sorry we’re late.”

”I really tried to get here earlier," Applejack added. "I just can't believe how much time my chores are takin' up these days. But at least now we'll finally get to spend some quality spa time together. Right?"

“And where’s Fuli?”

But at that moment Aloe called with Fuli appearing beside her. "Okay, fillies, that's it. We are closing up for the day." Before she shut the steam room door again.

“Does this answer your question, Kion?” She asked with a flat and annoyed scowl that conveys much more anger than she is showing.

“Yes.” Was all Kion could say in response knowing full well he really messed up this time if she's giving him that look to which she normally never does.

"Aw, shucks, Rarity. I guess I missed the whole day. I sure am sorry." Applejack apologized, before she noticed her unicorn friend had a towel wrapped around her face.

Rarity removed it to reveal that her coat had gotten "pruney" due to being in the steam room for too long. She also happened to have a pocket watch with her, which did not melt even with the intense heat it was exposed to. "Me, too." Was all she said to her friends in response as Fuli followed after Rarity but not without looking on their friends with disappointment leaving the both of them to see that once again they messed up.

The following day, both Rarity and Fuli were then walking to Sweet Apple Acres and both were still a bit upset over Applejack and Kion blowing off another one of their spa days together. To Rarity, it seemed like the country pony kept coming up with excuses to avoid going to the spa. And as for Fuli, it seemed like he was too busy with his role as leader of the Lion Guard along with wanting to get up to speed with his magic and flight training to want to do anything that is remotely close to relaxing. While she can understand it a bit, it was now getting to a point their patience is now running thin and if they blow it off one more time. There might not be another discussion about should the two of them decide they now have time to do it when the roles reverse.

“I really hope Applejack can actually manage time for us this time, today.” Rarity expressed hope to Fuli who was feeling the same way.

“Me too. And I wish the same can be said for Kion too. It’s like ever since his dad nearly died, every off day is dedicated to keeping watch over his father in case something happens even though that it’s the Royal Guard’s job with Princess Luna leading them.”

“I know. I feel the same way with Applejack myself. It’s like there is always something at the farm to keep her from wanting to make time with us at the spa. Something that we’ve gotten into the habit of doing whenever we need to relax and loosen up every now and then.”

“Yeah. Though I do have to admit it actually does wonders more than I thought it would. And I feel think I’m getting a lot faster because of it.”

“Exactly the reason, why I feel both Applejack and Kion would greatly benefit from if they just manage the time to just come over and spend time with us there. I mean honestly, what are we going to do with those two?”

“I don’t know. But one thing’s for sure, we’re definitely not going to see them blow us off again, because if they do, we’re done.”

“Agreed. Though not exactly breaking off our friendship but more like we’re just not to try to arrange this meet up again.”

“Right.”

By then they made it to Sweet Apple Acres, where they came across Twilight and Spike, who were carrying a bunch of empty pie tins.

"Good morning, Rarity! Fuli!" Twilight greeted. "Lovely day, isn't it?"

"Morning Twilight! Morning Spike!" Rarity greeted, and eyed the pie tins. "Good heavens, what's with all those pie tins?"

"Good question." Spike nervously laughed though it did little it convincing everyone else why they have so many empty pie tins. "We were just on our way to Sweet Apple Acres to pick up some fresh ones. How about you two what are you both here for?"

“We’re here for both Applejack and Kion.” Fuli answered. “That is they are around and can actually make time for us.” She added rather annoyed.

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

Rarity sighed, as she explained her complaint with them. "We mean it's time for our rescheduled spa appointment, but of course, knowing them they’re going to blow it off until the last minute when the place is about to close. Again." She finished with a frown.

"You both sure about it?" Twilight asked Rarity and Fuli. "Sure you haven’t talked out and set aside time properly?”

“Of course we’re sure.” Fuli asserted sounding a bit agitated when she said it. “We’ve been trying ever since the whole Kumbuka celebration mess where we all nearly got killed that day.”

“And ever since then both Applejack and Kion are so busy these days, it's next to impossible." Rarity added equally agitated.

“From Applejack’s chores to Kion’s increased dedication to being leader of the Lion Guard making extra time to protect his dad, we don’t if it can be managed at all.”

Twilight and Spike both looked on very surprised to hear this, both are now wondering how this is all possible from Applejack taking all day to get her chores done and why Kion feels the need to swear extra personal protection to his father even with Princess Luna taking charge. "Wow. I didn't realize Applejack had so much to do." Twilight commented. "I mean I can understand Kion for a bit but I never imagined he is going that far with his role as leader of the Lion Guard or helping Applejack more so than usual. We should definitely figure out what and why this is happening.”

“Let’s.” Fuli said quick to agree with her there.

Twilight, Spike, and Rarity all approached Sweet Apple Acres, where they all saw a mind blowing sight. Applejack was running around, acting like a complete fool. She was standing on the side of the pig pen, babbling and making ridiculous motions with her hooves, apparently trying to scare the pigs! Then she started trotting around, clucking like a chicken for some reason. And then to top it off, she dashed up to the top of the barn and suspended herself on a rope, knocking over a bucket of slop for the pigs to eat.

“Hey, girls! Hey Spike! What’s all the kerkubble….?” Beshte happily greeted before eyeing what has the group of visiting friends all trying to wonder what their friend is doing. “Applejack?”

“Is this new news to you too, darling?” Rarity asked her equally shocked friend.

“It sure is. Or at least before it became a constant routine.”

“Constant routine?”

“What do you mean by that?” Twilight then asked.

“Maybe it’s best we ask her together.” Beshte suggested before they moved to get her attention. “Hey, Applejack!”

She just turned to Twilight, Spike, Beshte, and Rarity, and greeted like that awkward moment never happened. "Oh, howdy there, y’all. What’s up?"

"Not much other that just so happening to come by you feeding the pigs and doing a lot of… interesting moves in getting their attention.” Fuli replied.

“Very odd moves I should say.” Rarity said while eyeing her friend weirdly. “Any particular reason why do all of this as opposed to you know, simply opening the gate and take the slop directly to them?"

Applejack chuckled in response. "'Because, it's all part of the necessary routine," And she explained. "See, this gate here used to squeak so loud, the pigs would run to the other side of the pen and never come out! So now I open and close it to let them know it's safe."

"But it doesn't even squeak anymore, does it?" Twilight asked.

Applejack laughed as she shook her head. "Of course not! It was fixed ages ago. But then I realized puttin' a little fright into the pigs got 'em all hustlin' out of the pen. That's why I made that there face."

"Well, they don't look scared to me." Spike commented, as he spotted Rarity roll her eyes at Applejack while Fuli looks on like she is seeing the most bizarre thing to date.

"Well, no. They got used to it. Which is why I started doin' the chicken dance!" Applejack explained. "To show 'em that if they didn't get to eatin' their food, the chickens would. 'Course, bein' a chicken, I couldn't very well open the gate. So I had to think of another way to feed 'em."

"And I suppose that’s why you were dangling by the rope?" Fuli asked as she has just put two and two together.

Applejack nodded. "Yep! Although, gettin' the food bucket to spill into the trough was just a happy accident because one time I left it there by mistake. Since then however, it's what I've done to get the pigs fed."

Rarity, nor Fuli, could hardly believe her eyes and ears, as what they saw and heard made no sense.

“Um Applejack?…” Fuli spoke up. “...excuse me for saying this but it seems like everything you’re doing to fix things that aren’t really problems anymore.”

"Well I ain’t complaining!” Applejack asserted. "Sure it may some odd and sight for staring eyes but it’s been working mighty fine for me and I haven’t had any problems since then!"

“Even when said problems may be a waste of time?!”

“Maybe if you don’t wanna watch, but to me it isn’t a waste of time!” Applejack asserted while looking on at Fuli as if she insulted her who likewise refuses to back down on glaring right back at her.

Rarity sighed and snorted to change the subject before her friends to come to blows with each other. "Well, in any case Twilight and Spike came here to pick up some pies from you while Fuli and I were just on our way to the spa for our weekly visit where we were hoping you and Kion would finally be able to join us. But from the way things look that’s not going to happen today, again."

“Speaking of which…where is the leader of the Lion Guard, Kion?” Fuli brought up.

“Oh! He’s resting up in the barn.” Applejack gestured to said building nearby. “He came by to help out at the farm today after crashing here for the night.”

“Any reason why?” Twilight asked trying to understand how that happened as opposed to coming to his other home in the castle.

“He was told to live in Ponyville after he kept constantly getting worried over his dad. Since there wasn’t much fuss here, I let him sleep in there.”

“Huh?” Twilight blinked in surprise as every word about Kion is becoming more and more mind boggling by the second.

“It’s all right. Really.” Applejack assured. “The chickens usually don’t come on in up until right high noon.”

“You mean right about now?” Rarity asked as she looked at her watch which shows it’s exactly that time right now.

“Exactly.” Applejack’s smile faded into sudden shock as he realizes what this means for him. “Uh-oh.”

Right on cue, the chickens were all clucking and screaming as they all flapped their wings right out of the barn like they’ve seen a ghost. And if it wasn’t for the fact that was Kion himself. Wearing hay around his body, covered in mud from head to toe, and looking on with tired eyes, complete with purple dark circles, looking red inside, with agitated angry eyes.

“Seriously?!” Kion exclaimed angrily at Applejack. “You said that barnyard would be the perfect place for me to sleep in and not worry about being disturbed or even disturbing the other animals here at the barn!”

“I did…” Applejack meekly defended. “...expect for the fact that the chickens come in for their chicken feed during lunch time at noon.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that before I went and slept in there?!”

“I...I thought you were going to wake up sooner. Really! How was I supposed to know that you were going to be up late last night?!”

“Ugh.” Kion grumbled as he shook the hay and mud off of his fur before slumping down onto the ground knowing he is not going back to sleep until tonight.

“Kion…” Beshte spoke up looking worried. “...you okay, buddy?”

“Because you don’t look too good.” Fuli added in concern.

“Because I’m not feeling great.” Kion replied as he moved to sit and lay down on a nearby bale of hay. “As if that wasn’t enough along with constantly wondering what Scar might do next. I have to live here for a few days while Princess Luna and her guards watch over Pride Rock in case someone from the Outlands does try to make another move there.”

“And that last part is a bad thing?” Twilight asked not completely getting what her friend is saying.

“Of course it is!” Kion snapped. “I mean what if something really bad does happen and I’m not around to stop it?! I mean I get what my dad is trying to tell me, but at the same time, I can’t help but still feel worried for him.” He then looked down like he is going to cry. “I worry that should the worst of the worst come when I’m not around, that might be the last time I ever see him again. And it’s all because I wasn’t there for him when he needed it.”

Twilight and the others looks on with pity and sympathy seeing that what almost happened to Simba back when the scorpion stung him back then has affected Kion more than they thought. And now he is clearly hitting a breaking point from all of the stress of the ongoing events around him. Applejack herself looked looking especially taken aback by what her friend just cried out as if it she is looking at herself in a mirror right now.

“Kion…” Twilight softly spoke to his friend as walked to be beside him. “...it’ll be okay, really.” She then moved to pull up another hay bale so she can sit beside him and pat him on the back while he is looking down with closed eyes and a pained expression on his face. “All you got to do is just really trust the ponies and Pride Landers around you and let work out on it’s own. Also, since you’ve been really overworking yourself recently like Applejack once did, think of today as a day to recuperate and take your mind off of everything involving our Lion and Pony Guard duties.” She then turned to Applejack with something she has to say too. “That being said Applejack, you could benefit from the same.” She then offered. “Tell you what. Spike and I will manage some of your chores for you, while you, Fuli, Kion and Rarity go to the spa for some much needed rest and relaxation."

“Sounds good to me.” Spike spoke seeing that as a fair deal. “And the good part about it is at least it doesn’t involve a honey badger trying to be a princess for the day.”

“Hey!” Bunga screamed from afar as if he heard that leaving everyone else to wonder how he did that or was just shouting towards someone else who offended him.

Applejack sighed, as she found herself in no position to turn it down, especially upon seeing that Kion himself is also in her hoof steps for once and is having a near breakdown because of it. “Oh, all right! Fine! I’ll go to the spa with you y’all.”

“Splendid! Splendid!” Rarity said with delight. “Hopefully by the time this day is over! You’ll be wanting to arrange for another opportunity to do this again!”

“We’ll see. Before I go. Just have one thing for the two of ya.” Applejack then rushed off and quickly returned with a large scroll. "This here's a list of all my chores and how to get 'em done. Follow them to the letter and if you have any questions feel free to ask Beshte who will be around to assist you when needed."

"We’ll try.” Spike replied. “But no promises if there is something we need to leave out along the way.”

Twilight then said next. "Whatever happens here is something I’m sure we can handle by ourselves, Applejack. If we run into problems along the way, we'll check the list and see what we need to do along with the necessary adjustments to help make it easier for us and yourself later on.”

“And since I’m going to be around, they’ll have someone who knows how to do things around here to help them out when needed.” Beshte then reminded. “So go ahead, Applejack. Take your time off to relax with Kion and the girls. We got this!”

Applejack sighed, but agreed. "Fine, fine. Just don't be surprised if I happen to swing by and check up on y’all. It’s just something I’d to do to assure myself that everythin' is okay.”

“Great! Let’s go!” With that both she and Rarity walked off with a reluctant Applejack and Kion in tow.

Both Fuli and Rarity led Applejack and Kion across the country roads and through the outskirts of Ponyville, deciding it would be best to take the long way over to the spa to give their overworked friends time to adjust being away from the farm and on duty from their Lion and Pony Guard roles.

“I know this might seem like an odd thing to get used to, but it’s definitely something you won’t regret doing.” Rarity once more assured the two. “It worked wonders with my little sister, Fluttershy, and even Fuli has grown accustomed to the benefits of going to the spa every now and then. And I have no doubt it’ll do the same to you both.”

“I sure hope you’re right.” Kion returned as he is now feeling much more awake after having a cup of tea to perk himself up with. “Whoa!” He said after downing the last of his cup. “That sure helps!”

“It sure does, doesn’t it.” Rarity returned with a smile. “Nothing like a fresh cup of tea to help wake you up and relax your nerves after a hard day of work.”

“No question about that.” Fuli said in agreement. “Funny coming from someone who spent some tea time with you and Fluttershy to discover that.” She said with a chuckle before turning to Applejack. “So what do you think, Applejack? Still feel like you’re not missing much outside of farm work?”

Applejack was silent up until now when she spoke up to answer her question. "Ya know what? I'm actually glad we're doin' this. I've been puttin' work before our spa time for too long. I can't wait to have a nice steam today."

"Oh, a steam is just the start," Rarity replied to Applejack. "I know exactly what we'll do where today is a day where you and Kion will both find yourselves coming out as healthier and stronger than before.”

Shortly after their friends left, Twilight and Spike were both quick to get to work with Beshte on the farm. And so far things seemed like they were off to a good start.

"Hmm..." Twilight said as she examined the barn around her along with the long list of written down chores Applejack has written down. "...she really sure has a way of doing things around here nowadays."

Beshte who happened to be nearby along with Spike with the former popping open his mouth to ask. "Everything good, Twilight?"

Twilight turned to face him. "Oh yeah, Beshte. Although for someone who's dealt with lists before, I have to admit I am really baffled with all of these instructions Applejack has left for me and Spike." Upon seeing Spike chuckle she is quick to glare and say to him before continuing. "Don't laugh. How do any of these make sense? Like this..." She then read out. "Step one, open the gate." She proceeds to do so. "Step two, close the gate." She then does exactly that. "Step three, walk away."

"Huh?"

"Odd."

"Exactly. Any reason why Applejack does it exactly like that?"

"Not any out of the ordinary reason..." Beshte answered before recalling. "...expect for that one time a while ago when this gate here used to squeak so loud, the pigs would run to the other side of the pen and never come out! So she opened and close it to let them know it's safe. Even though it was no longer a problem after her brother Big Mac fixed it she still didn't see it that way. Then she realized it ended up frightening the chickens who all went running of the pen like a dog was spooking them. Which now explains why she started doin' the chicken dance along with everything you've seen and witnessed when you got here."

"Right, that dance that her look like she was crazy." Spike also recalled.

"Hmmm..." Twilight then pondered as she skimmed the list along with taking a look at her surroundings. "Maybe it isn't so hard to get stuck doing extra work after all." Then she asked. "That said I wonder if there is something else that Applejack has been doing that around here with anythin' else. Would you happen to know what, Beshte?"

"Come to think of it. Actually yes, quite a lot actually I never bothered to question up to this point." Beshte admitted as he gave it much consideration."

"Like what?" Spike asked.

"Probably best I show you myself as I explain along the way." Beshte suggested before leading the way. "After all my dad always said "There's only one way to find out!""

"That is true." Spike acknowledged before he and Twilight proceeded to walk alongside the hippo as they see for themselves what extra work has been keeping their friend extra busy recently.

As the two ponies, lion, and cheetah all approached the spa Applejack nervously commented. "I just hope Twilight and Spike can handle things until I get back."

Rarity immediately replied quick to get her to stop even thinking that. "Now, Applejack, if we are really to enjoy this time together, you simply must give yourself over to the idea that you are off-duty and try to relax. Everyone needs a little bit of pampering every once in a while, even the most hard working of ponies will agree to that. And that also extents to the most hard working Pride Landers and members of the Lion and Pony Guard."

“And besides, with Beshte around to help them out in case they get confused, it seems to me you have nothing to worry about.” Fuli also assured while turning to Kion to do the same. “And that goes the same for you too Kion in regards to your dad back home with both Princesses Celestia and Luna checking up on them whenever they met up together along with royal guards watching over the castle and Pride Rock 24/7.”

"Of course." Kion replied after some much needed consideration. "It's just so hard for me not to think about it when an unpredictable force of nature is lurking around. But knowing them and remembering what Twilight said at one point, I now have faith that everything will be fine in my absence as much as the farm’s for Applejack."

Rarity nodded. "Exactly. Now kindly step this way. Rest and relaxation awaits."

Rarity, Applejack, Kion, and Fuli all trotted through the spa door, as the jingling of the bell announced their arrival. The two looked around, all sorts of ponies and even several non ponies were either lining up for various treatments, ordering a treatment, or waiting in the lounge for their turn for their designated time. One of those ponies just happened to be Rainbow Dash, who was dressed in a purple robe with green tortoise slippers, something that the four all found odd.

"Rainbow Dash! What are you doing here?!" Rarity gasped, before she, Applejack, Kion, and Fuli all giggled to each other.

Rainbow Dash turned and looked on in horror upon seeing them, as Applejack said to her. "Yeah. I didn't think spa treatments were your thing exactly."

Rainbow quickly kicked off her slippers and tossed aside her robe, as she immediately protested. "Oh, they're totally not. At least, not the froufrou kind."

Applejack and Rarity exchanged glances that made it clear they didn't buy Rainbow's excuse for a second while both Kion and Fuli look with smirks that showcase that they find this quite amusing.

"Yeah, it's.... not what it looks like!" Rainbow tried to insist. "You saw nothing! The only reason I'm here is because I, uh, I think I tweaked something at Wonderbolts practice the other day. So I just came in for a deep tissue sports massage."

“Really?” Fuli asked still grinning at the pony’s expense. “Because last time I checked up with Ono, he said you were fully recovered from the muscles you tweaked during your Wonderbolt debut performance.”

To confirm it, one of the spa workers (an earth pony mare with a lavender coat, a pink mane and tail styled in the same style as Aloe and Lotus, blue eyes, and a cutie mark depicting candles) approached Rainbow and said to her. "Ah, Miss Dash, I am so sorry, but we are running just a tad behind, and we are not quite ready to start your pampered muscle massage just yet. Our deepest apologies."

Rainbow Dash blushed in response realizing the cat is out of the bag here. But even still she quickly protested it in vain with a nervous laugh. "Oh! I-I'm pretty sure that wasn't what I signed up for."

The spa worker looked at her clipboard as she stated. "But it says it is your usual."

Rainbow quickly added. "And it seems like you're really busy today anyway! So I'll just come back tomorrow," To Applejack, Rarity, Fuli, and Kion she shouted before flying out in a flash. "Uh, see you all later! Have fun!"

The spa worker shrugged in response. "Oh, well. I guess that’ll have to wait until next time. And quite odd considering she never is one to turn it down, given she is one of our best customers.” She then trotted away.

Applejack couldn't help but chuckle at what she'd just seen. "Too bad Rainbow Dash just hates those 'froufrou' spa treatments. She probably could have joined us for a nice steam bath. Hoo-wee! I can't wait."

Rarity laughed at Applejack's comment. "Indeed," Then a thought struck her as she pondered. "Although, if they couldn't fit Dashie in, I wonder just how far behind things are running.”

“Good question, Rarity.” Kion agreed as he took notice of their surroundings inside the building. “Are they because I thought you said this was place isn’t normally this busy?”

“It isn’t.” Rarity replied as they made they way towards the steam room, only to bump into the tail of a stallion just a few seconds later. The line was indeed quite long, longer than anything Rarity had ever seen before. "Oh dear, this is quite a problem." She said to herself.

"I know. And we’re terribly sorry for the inconvenience." Caramel replied. "I hope you're not in a hurry."

Rarity sighed. "Well, Applejack, Kion, I guess we'll just have to start our spa treatment with something else for a change."

Applejack put her hoof down as she firmly scoffed. "Nothin' doin'. I came here to have a steam, and that's just what I'm gonna get!"

Fuli groaned in response at the country pony’s ongoing stubbornness. “Of course you would say that.”

Just then, Aloe approached Rarity, Fuli, Kion, and Applejack. She was quite delighted to see them again. "RRRRarity! My favorite customer!" She greeted, kissing Rarity, before she turned to Applejack. "And Appleyack? Well, it certainly has been a long time since you two were here together! So lovely to have you back." She then turns to both Kion and Fuli. “As well as my favorite Pride Lander customer. It’s always a delight to see you’re loving our services, just as much as your pony friend, Rainbow Dash.” Fuli smirked and giggled in response as the spa pony turned to the young lion cub and took notice of his tense muscles and tired eyes. “Ah, I see someone who looks in need of much needed relaxation, Kion. Well not to worry, we have just the thing to help soothe those worries away.”

"Well, I wish I could say the same," Rarity commented. "Because it seems very clear that things are here busier than usual, Aloe."

Aloe sighed to confirm it. "Yes, the wait time for the steam room certainly has been getting worse lately. Budget cuts sure don’t happen matters at much. But I'm sure we'll be able to accommodate your usual treatments, somehow."

"Not without my steam bath!" Applejack insisted firmly.

"And it’s pretty clear she won’t take no for an answer.” Fuli said to Aloe with dismay.

"Even if it'll take almost an hour just to get through the line." Rarity added in the same tone.

Meanwhile, Applejack had gotten out of line, and was monitoring the gauge just outside the steam room door. The needle was currently pointing to the red, indicating a lack of steam. And it didn't seem to be going in the right direction at all.

"Honestly! How long does it take just to get a simple steam these days?!" A familiar snooty voice exclaimed, which turns out to belong to Spoiled Rich herself. "Without steam, a steam room's just a room, and I've got plenty of those at home. Because I live in a mansion," There was a long silence, as everyone looked on and aside blankly. "Well, it’s true. And excuse me if I have luxuries that none of you have."

"Mrs. Rich, please, I'm terribly sorry for the delay, but we are working as hard as we can to get the steam room fully operational," Aloe apologized. "In the meantime, kindly help yourselves to some of our warm towels."

Spoiled Rich and several other ponies accepted the warm towels from a cart pushed one by one of the spa workers, and tossed their old, cold ones, onto the cart. "Gladly. Consider yourself lucky I’m not getting my husband to purchase this business of yours and fix whatever problems you can’t fix.” She then grumbled. "All this for the trouble of a simple pleasure in life, outside of dealing with my own daughter. Why she decided she doesn’t want to spend time with me anymore, I’ll never know."

Kion having watched this as he caught up to where Applejack, just simply walked on by to mask the disgusted frown from making eye contact with the pony who just so happens to be Diamond Tiara’s mother. If he had more energy, he would have taken the time to chew her out for her attitude, but here is a day of relaxation per the princesses orders. But it didn’t stop him, from wondering what the farm pony is up to.

“Hey, Applejack. What’s going on, here?”

“What’s going on is that I am starting to see a problem that I may be able to help out with.” Applejack replied before turning to Aloe. “If I may offer some input, I’ve noticed from this here gauge is showin' me, there isn’t any steam building up here. You wouldn’t happen to know if you got any leaky pipes around here?"

Aloe tapped a hoof to her chin before answering. "Come to think of it, actually, yes.” She answered as she is just realizing what is happening too. “I believe it is the pipe just down the hall.”

“Just as I suspected.” Applejack nodded as she knows what needs to be done.

“What do you mean?” Kion asked still not understanding what she is talking about. “How does a small leak affect everything around here?”

Applejack moved tell her friend her analysis of the problem. “A small leak like that means the steam takes just a little longer to build up. And while ponies wait, they get cold. Cold ponies start wrappin' themselves in towels, and all those dirty towels have to be cleaned because Ponyville Day Spa prides itself on cleanliness here.”

It was there Kion began to realize himself as he spoke the analysis of the problem himself. “So basically, losin' steam makes you use more towels. That means you do more laundry, which uses up the hot water you need to make more steam, so the problem just keeps gettin' worse.”

“Exactly!” Applejack stated proudly at him for being quick to figure out what’s going on before turning to Aloe. “And since it seems your local plumber hasn’t been around soon enough to fix this, I guess it is up to me to fix this right up!”

“Really? You think you can help us out with this?” Aloe asked feeling delighted and hopeful that a quick fix today of all day’s is possible.

“Yep.” Applejack nodded. “Either way, I can't just leave things like this. Which means I'm gonna need my tools for a job like this. Which means a trip back to Sweet Apple Acres."

“Figures.” Fuli replied as she and Rarity just look on defeated as the farm pony’s mind on the matter is now made up.

Back at the farm, Twilight, Spike, and Beshte continued on with work with the latter himself explaining every extra thing Applejack does around here. From there, Twilight was able to figure out how to make Applejack's work life going forward easier. For feeding the chickens, Spike find one open space for all of the chickens to eat their food as opposed to each chicken having a small amount of feed placed in each and every one of the pens. For watering the plants, with some quick adjustments, Beshte was able to make one big wheel connect and have all of the other small hoses water all of the plants so that way there would be no need to do it to each hose, one at a time. And as for the barbed wire and fence, Twilight proceeded to cut up a long new piece to replace the one where there were little bits tied into it whenever it got a hole in the old fence.

By then Applejack dashed back to Sweet Apple Acres, hoping that her friends there are having luck getting her chores done. Though she is curious herself of how they’ll manage to actually streamline them, since farming is something they have little experience with.

But she was quite surprised when she came back and saw that not only were Twilight and Spike already done feeding the pigs, but were also helping Beshte give the pigs a bath, including Piggington.

"Oh hey, Applejack," Beshte happily greeted, turning his head towards her while Twilight used her magic to levitate a brush over to Piggington. "Everything all good?”

“Of course.”

“Then why are you back so soon?” Twilight asked knowing full well there is more than what she is letting on with her simple reply.

“I'm just here for my tools so I can do a little bit of repair work at the spa." Applejack replied, before she went into the barn and retrieved her tool kit. “Not to worry, it’s something that can be fixed in a jiffy.”

“Okay.”

“If you say so.”

Both Twilight and Beshte called after her as she ran back to the spa.

Just then Piggington was gone and before they knew they were suddenly splashed with mud.

“Come on now, Piggington.”

“We just cleaned you up!”

Applejack returned to the spa, and quickly got to work on fixing the leaking steam pipe. Rarity assisted a little along with Kion and Fuli, but for the most part the former was just content to occupy herself with other spa treatments in helping keep them pleasant as possible.

With her safety goggles placed securely on her eyes, and her tool belt buckled firmly around her flanks, Applejack loosened and then tightened all the bolts on both the top and the bottom of the pipe. She then pulled out a role of scotch tape, and used it to patch up the holes from which the steam was escaping. Lastly, she gave the wheel used to turn the steam on and off a spot of oil, just to make sure it would turn easily. At last, her work was done, and the needle on the gauge outside the steam room had moved firmly into the green.

Wiping the sweat from her brows, Applejack said to Aloe. "Now that that leak's fixed, ponies won't get so cold they use up all those towels! And without all that laundry, there'll be plenty of hot water for all the steam anypony could want!"

The spa worker who had been responsible for delivering the warm towels happily exclaimed! "And I only have to be doing vash once a day!" He then zipped inside the steam room and closed the door.

Even Spoiled Rich looked on like she was just proven wrong to doubt her. "Well done. I must say you certainly did quite a remarkable job here today." She commented with a small but hardly noticeable and sincere smile. "Perhaps should we have problem at our place, maybe we can call upon your services.”

“Well see.” Applejack replied with a polite nod before turning to Aloe who is the most impressed.

She wasted no time in happily exclaiming. “Wow, Appleyack! Have you ever considered a career in the spa industry? I'm sure I can find something for you."

Applejack laughed and shook her head. "No, thanks. I'm just relieved I can finally relax in the steam."

"Well then, be our guest. But if you ever do change your mind. Just let us know.”

“I’ll consider it, thank you.” Applejack returned as she tipped her hat to Aloe who kindly handed her a check before heading off leaving her with her friends.

“And to think that was able to happen because Applejack was too stubborn to relax.” Rarity commented while both equally impressed yet still disappointed.

“Who would have guessed.” Fuli remarked feeling this is nothing new yet another major wrench in their attempts of relaxation for the day. “And now that we’ve solved the steam crisis, think maybe just maybe we can actually relax for the rest of the day as in today today?”

"Honestly, you spent so much time fixing that steam room, so at I least hope you're going to use it." Rarity remarked feeling the same way.

“Absolutely…” Applejack assured before rushing off ahead. “...right after I drop off my tools off back at the barn, along with checking up on how Twilight, Spike, and Beshte are doing.”

Both Rarity and Fuli groaned, as she watched Applejack set off again. It’s times like these which is pretty much all of the time, they wonder if that pony is ever going to loosen up. At least Kion is taking the time to actually catch up on his sleep as evident by the comfortably resting pony quick in getting a massage for his troubles.

Applejack was expecting to come back to find Sweet Apple Acres in the middle of a wild rodeo, and for Twilight, Spike, and Beshte to come over to her begging for help. It wasn't that she didn't trust her friends or thought they were incapable of this, they were skilled at many things, something that share some or have separate skills that they are capable of on their own. But farming was never as easy as one would think. Applejack compared to other farm ponies who struggled had the fortunate to grow up in a family that had much experience needed to be able to get the hang of it in short time.

"Twilight, Spike, and Beshte are many things, but farmers ain't one of 'em," Applejack said to herself, as she made her way towards Sweet Apple Acres.

However, Applejack found herself very surprised to find that upon reaching the farm, things seemed to be just fine. It looked like Twilight, Spike, and Beshte had everything under control. There were some clear signs of exhaustion on their faces, with their bodies having mud spots all around with Twilight’s mane and tail a bit disorganized, and Spike had just wiped some sweat from his brows. But nothing was out of place, nothing was destroyed or close to being in that state. It was as if everything went along smoothly in her absence, for once.

"Hey Applejack," Spike greeted, waving a claw. "Did you fix that leak already?"

"Yep, and then I figured and reckoned since I had come back to drop off my tools I could check up on ya all and see if ya needed any assistance," Applejack explained, as she put her tool kit away in the barn and then came back out. "But from the looks of things, ya'll did just fine as it is."

“We did.” Twilight then eyed Applejack with concern. "Though it seems to me that you haven't you gotten around to relaxing yet? As if you don't think we can manage for even a few hours. You do know that if we did get into trouble we have our other friends to call for help, not to mention your family who is around most of the time, right?"

“Right. I mean it’s not that I don’t trust y’all. It’s just I’m not used to living live off of the farm where I don’t have to worry about anything here even if it’s for a day.” Applejack defended hoping she isn’t coming across as insensitive and not trusting her friends with one would think.

“I understand, Applejack and we appreciate your concern, but we made great progress today and everything that has been needed to be taken care of is all under control. In fact, we even managed to help fix up and streamline the chores you'v been taking extra time with. But seriously, if we need your help, we'll let you know. And in the meantime, can you please go back to the spa and relax like Rarity and Fuli wants you too or do I have to make it order from the princess herself?”

“Okay, okay.” Applejack relented as she then left Sweet Apple Acres to get back to the spa.

“Don’t worry about a thing, Applejack.” Beshte called after her. “Both Twilight and Spike have got me around so you have nothing to worry about.”

“Thank you.”

Once she was gone, Beshte can only shake his head. "If only she'd put that much work in relaxing as much as working, then she wouldn't be having this problem."

Twilight snickered. "She sure wouldn't be. Though should she start to make these spa trips more frequently, I'd be more than happy to help you out on the farm again like today."

"Really? You really liked it?"

"Yeah. It was quite fun actually. Being able to streamline all of those chores, spending time along with helping out more than one friend along the way, and being able to get to do all of that exercise too."

"Poa." Beshte couldn't help but feel delighted as they managed to find something they can do together now. "I'm glad you enjoyed it because I had fun too. It's not everyday we get to hang out together outside when on patrol."

"Nope." Having that thought occur had her thinking and tapping her chin. "Come to think of it, it makes me wonder what other pairings hardly had any interaction and in common. Maybe I'll create a chart about it someday."

Beshte laughed along with Spike. "I'm sure you'll find the answer in no time, Twilight."

"Me too. And now that all of that work is done, boy I am now starving." Spike's stomach growled the moment he said that. "So, who's up for dinner in town tonight?"

"Sounds good to me.

"Same here. Though I could actually go for a shower before we do."

At that moment, a large amount of water came dumping on her entire body with soap from shampoo and mane conditioner mixed inside of it. After a few good seconds of quick scrubbing courtesy of a rainbow colored swirl and trail in it's wake, more water was dumped on her courtesy of a dark cloud Rainbow Dash herself produced especially for her. She then proceeded to fly right by her which immediately dried out her mane and tail to the point while still a little messy, not as messy as it was the first time around.

"Thank you." She returned gratefully yet annoyed as it was now the shower she was expecting.

"You're welcome!" With that Rainbow Dash quickly sped away while laughing at her expense.

"Well looks you're now about ready to go already." Spike commented with a chuckle.

Twilight turned to Spike still annoyed while pulling out a comb to brush her mane back into place. "Yes, I am." She then said with a pleasant smile now feeling completely refreshed herself. "Shall we?" She asked Beshte before making their way to town for a night at a restaurant of their choosing.

"Let's."

The three friends then all proceeded to do so, after a long day of hard work together.

Back at the spa, both Fuli and Rarity were waiting impatiently for Applejack when the farm pony returned. "Well it's about time," The formar complained. "At least this time I wisely decided not to wait in the steam room for you like last time. Honestly, how long are you planning to keep blowing off your much needed relaxation time? You've done more than enough work for one day, surely you can manage a few hours of relaxation."

Aloe then spoke up. "Applejack, your steam bath is waiting for you. And Rarity is quite insistent on signing you up for a muscle massage," She pointed her hoof towards the steam room door. "If you would kindly step this way, we can begin the pampering."

But even knowing that she'd fixed the steam room problem, and that she wasn't needed back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack still wouldn't find herself getting into what her body needs even if nothing bad has happened yet. "I'd love to take a steam bath, really I would. But if you've got a leaky steam pipe, then you've probably got some other problems you ain't noticed that I can help ya with. I just love bein' helpful ya know."

"While we appreciate the offer, I assure you that we have everything under control and that won’t be necessary." Aloe replied. "If we have a problem around here we have like Bulk Biceps to help fix it. And we know full well now the importance of checking for problems before they start costing us money and how to have available help to call upon when needed."

"But even still, it still seems you still need a pony like me to look over everythin' for you!" Applejack firmly insisted. "Plus an outside eye can catch things you may not even notice and I reckon there's probably some other problem that needs fixin' that you didn't know about."

"Applejack, please!" Fuli pleaded. "What’s so hard of taking no for answer?! And the more you keep dragging this on, the more you’re going to keep getting yourself worked up over nothing. You think I go to these spa dates just because I like pampering myself? If that was the case I would do it more often than you would think. Not to mention Rarity is being kind and generous enough to arrange these spa dates not just for us but also for your benefit.”

“Yeah, Applejack!” Rarity chimed in agreement. “Even Rainbow Dash and Kion, after much convincing are both taking the time to come here whenever they need downtime. But with you, it’s like one pampering once every while is a crime. Why exactly do you feel like it’s something you really can’t allow yourself to do when all we are trying to do is help you?"

“I…” Applejack returned as she struggled to properly answer that question. “I can’t.”

“Why can’t you?!”

“I just can’t!”

“Why not?!” Fuli practically demanded of her to open up for a good answer to come out of her mouth. “Give us one good reason why should take your word for it and understand why it is so hard for you to accept something you body can afford every now and then before something really bad does happen to your body?!”

Both Rarity and Fuli's words cutting deeper inside Applejack, as she resisted the urge to tear up. "Because I really can't because that’s how I lived life!" She insisted as she explained. "Back when I was just a filly like many others I wanted to play too, even when my family kept tryin' to tell me that hard work is more important! I never wanted to listen and had always slacked off from my responsibilities, up until the day it all finally caught up with me, and by then it was too late. By the time I learned what happens when you slack off, that happened to be the last time I ever saw my parents! Ever since then I thought if I'd just listened instead of thinkin' about my selfish desire to have fun whenever I can, I'd have never gone near that bridge, and Ma and Pa would still be alive! So that's why, Rarity! Fuli! That's why I can't find it in my heart to relax!”

Both Rarity and Aloe were surprised by Applejack's statement along with Kion who just so happened to have listened and watched the whole scene from the other side of the room, as both ponies placed a hoof around her as she slowly stopped sobbing and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Applejack, everyone knows that you are the most hard working pony in Equestria. And that is saying a lot considering some of my toughest customers are the ones who come here thinking they have no time to relax. That is why my sister and I started this spa, we wanted ponies and by extension Pride Landers and other Outsiders to have a chance to relax so that they could be more productive and think more clearly." Aloe insisted.

"Aloe is quite right, darling." Rarity nodded in agreement. "Just look at what you are doing to yourself. A little bit of pampering every once in a while isn't going to kill you, but working yourself to exhaustion definitely will.”

“Is this something that your parents would want you do? For you to work yourself to the point to what you are doing to yourself?" Fuli also asked in agreement with Rarity.

“Mine wouldn’t.” Kion finally spoke up as he made his presence with a towel wrapped around his body as he approached the three while taking the cucumbers off of his eyes which are now healthy and relaxed like all of his previous worries were just erased. “And for someone who just came in here worrying for the exact same reasons, I can tell you right now that your parents even while wanting you to be hard at work, would also tell you take time off so you can enjoy yourself.” He then approached Applejack for a heart to heart moment. “When I first came here I didn’t feel like it was going to accomplish anything, but the moment I allowed myself to take the time to relax even with everything going on around me, is the moment I began started seeing clearly. Believe me, I didn’t get it at first when I was brought here, but I do now.”

“And you can always take the time to arrange for quality family time when needed.” Fuli brought up. “Even as busy rulers, they at least have the time to spend with both you and Kiara every now and then.”

“They sure do.” Kion answered as if he is just realizing this.

Applejack paused, as she processed all of this and how she'd been so caught up in working herself to the best of her ability, all in the name of atoning for her youthful foolishness. But really she was once more making the same mistake she did before like she did during that fateful Applebuck season a few years back, and the Apple Family reunion the year after that. If even Twilight, Kion, and Fuli all could learn how to relax, then why couldn't she? Maybe if her parents always taken a little time out of their days to play with her and Big Mac when they were younger maybe things would have been different now.

Reluctantly, Applejack spoke up after briefly hanging her head in shame. "You're right. I guess I was so caught up in my beliefs about hard work, that I couldn't see the problem I had. But you were the outside eye that caught it and intervened to fix it before it became a big problem. And yet I kept pushin' you all away, focusin' on my chores and how to make myself helpful to others. And to think I thought that even a little bit of pamperin' was a crime until I saw Kion telling me what I needed to hear."

“Takes someone who knows what it’s like to be in another pony’s hooves to understand what they’re going through. An eye for eye, only friends can see.” Kion returned with a smile as the grateful pony moved to hug him to thank him for helping her see that.

Rarity just smiled slightly, as she said to Applejack. "Trust me, I've been there myself and so has Fuli. From working on an important dress for an important client…”

“...along with tackling solo missions constantly at full speed up until I run out of energy.” Fuli added. “There are times when I too tend push myself to exhaustion before I admit I need to take a break. But you'll find that, sometimes, being pampered can be the best thing that's ever happened to you. While it may seem hard to believe, it actually does work wonders to your mind and body. And yes, I’ve been then before, so I know what’s it like.”

“Right you are much like the wonders of a good night’s sleep.” Rarity replied before turning to Applejack to press this question once more. “Now, with all of this in mind from me, to Fuli, to Kion, can you finally allow yourself to unwind with some rest and relaxation, now? Or do we have to keep dragging you to the spa until you do."

Applejack laughed slightly. "I don’ think that will be necessary. Because I’m already on board for what you want from me." Then she turned to Aloe. "And I’ll be glad to take you up on offer to come by and check up on any maintenance you might have going forward. Just give me a call and I’ll get it done lickety split. Ya all can count on that."

"That will be lovely." Aloe replied. "But in the meantime, I believe it is now time for your long overdue steam bath."

“Then what are we waiting for?”

“Let’s go!”

Both Applejack and Kion both happily stated ready for that as Rarity and Fuli follow after them, ready to do the same.

Applejack enjoyed the rest of her day at the spa, and much like Kion, she soon discovered just how good it felt to unwind. The muscle massage especially proved useful, as her limbs were quite sore from months of constant field work and rodeo practicing. As she and Rarity along with Kion and Fuli were making arrangements for the next spa date, Applejack sighed happily and asked Rarity. "Think you can come up with enough things for us to do now that we have more time to relax?"

Rarity smiled and replied. "Oh, please. I could plan a week's worth of treatments! And if you're going to be working part-time at the spa from now on, I think I'm going to have adjust our spa dates to arrange it so you can join us."

"True, and I reckon this is going to have me needing more pamperin’ which I’m sure I’ll gladly accept going forward." Applejack commented.

“That’s great to hear!” Fuli complimented. “That we can work with no problem!”

“Same here.” Kion also agreed as both he and Applejack feel the same way.

Just then, both Rarity and Applejack heard a sigh, and to their surprise they saw Rainbow Dash emerge into the waiting room with her purple robe and tortoise slippers, accompanied by Aloe. "Thanks for letting me know there was an opening. I don't know if I could make it without my pampered muscle massage," She said to Aloe. "It's just what I needed after a long day of Wonderbolts flight practice."

Aloe just smiled. "Don't vorry about it. Shall I put you down for another one tomorrow?" She asked her client.

"Oh, absolutely!" Rainbow agreed, pressing a hoof to her cheek as she fondly expressed. "Sometimes a girl just has to pamper herself, am I right?"

"You certainly are." Rarity commented, drawing Rainbow's attention to the presence of four of her friends.

“Truer words have never been spoken.” Fuli added looking on very amused as the Pegasus was look sporting pink cheeks herself.

Gasped at having been caught at the spa twice in one day, Rainbow became immediately flustered and tried to stammer out an explanation. "Oh! Hey! I was just, uh, uh..." She struggled and failed to figure out how to explain otherwise of the truth.

Applejack lightly jabbed at Rainbow as she teased. "Gettin' a 'sports' pamperin'?" She then giggled.

“It’s okay if you are.” Kion then assured. “There is nothing worry with going to the spa every now and then.”

Rarity giggled too before she added. "Don't worry, Rainbow Dash. We were just heading in for some pampering ourselves," Then she thought of an idea. "You know, you could always join us."

"That is, if you don't mind sufferin' through one or two froufrou' treatments." Applejack teased.

Convinced she had nothing to lose and hoping that she might be able to talk her friends into not revealing her secret, Rainbow agreed as she said to them. "Uh... well.... I suppose I could take it. You know, for you ponies, lion, and cheetah."

“And we won’t say a word about your visits here.” Kion then said showing a willingness to compromise for her.

“Thanks.”

The five friends then giggled to each other, as they headed off for some more pampering together.

Author's Note

In this episode we have both our titular characters taking a much needed day off after finding themselves exhausted to the bone, literally. Though it is much more difficult on Applejack's part than Kion who himself is left feeling he doesn't have a choice in the matter given the latter is tired and weaken himself due to lack of sleep.

That being said given the one thing in common between them where they worried and now regret their role in regards to their parents. With the only blessing is that Kion still has his while Applejack doesn’t. And thanks to one helping another in a way, along with stubborn insistence from both Fuli and Rarity they are both able to make a habit of making much needed spa trips themselves alongside their friends.

In addition, Twilight and Beshte found something they can do together outside of the Lion and Pony Guard. Something that I personally went for since it has just occurred to me that these two have not gotten a scene together in this series thus far. And as for others, I’m sure I’ll figure out episodes for those pairings in time.

Anyways, next up we have a new episode in the form of past demons surfacing up in regards to Twilight herself when an old friend turned enemy shows up at her door step so stay tuned for that next week…

Episode 16: No Third Prances

Episode 16:

No Third Prances

In Canterlot, inside the castle, the double doors to the war chambers opened up as another meeting with Pride Lander leaders along with the most important ponies in Equestria exiting the room after going through another meeting in regards to the war against the Army of Scar. Everyone exited the building all looking content and at least satisfied enough that they can preserve and live on to fight another day including the most timid and unsure of the bunch (Laini, Muhangus, and Bupu (more skeptical at the unpredictability of the war lord’s tactics than lack of confidence).

“I do got to say that was definitely a very productive meeting.”

“I’ll say.”

Both Vuraga Vuraga and Twiga shared as they left together.

The last ones to leave the room are from the Royal Family along with the Lion and Pony Guard with Sunburst around while carrying around Flurry Heart who all watch on as everyone goes their separate ways for now.

“Well glad that settles it.” Kion happily expressed feeling they accomplished a lot through an afternoon of talking things out.

“Same here.” His friend, Twilight, said in agreement, equally happy. “At least now we have means to keep on our hooves and paws in case Scar does try something.”

“Well said.” His father agreed feeling relaxed more so than when he got together to meet the Princess of Friendship’s student work in progress in friendship along with her first friend outside the Lion and Pony Guard. “As if it wasn’t bad enough the elephants lost Kilio Valley along with our watering hole, I do not wish to see another part of the Pride Lands lost again to him.”

“And that’s a wish you can be sure of as long as we have each other’s backs.” Princess Luna assured. “As long as we keep ourselves on guard at all times, we should be ready for whatever comes our way next.”

"And that’s something I believe.” Simba returned with complete trust towards her along with the rest of the royal family and friends. He then yawned. “Now. I think it is time to call it a night.”

“Good idea.” His queen said already liking the idea. “Because it is clearly time to get you to bed.”

“I’ll walk you over and show you both to your room right this way.” Celestia offered as she guided the two lions on down the hallway. Before leaving she turned to her sister. “And take care, sister.”

“Will do.” Her sister returned before setting out to carry out her nighttime duties.

With that it left Shining Armor, Princess Cadance, Sunburst, and Flurry Heart with the Lion and Pony Guard who have yet to set out for the night.

“Everyone…” Kion told the crew. “...time to get some rest. We got another big day of patrol coming our way tomorrow.”

“Same time as always.” Twilight added.

“We’ll be there, Twilight.” Applejack vowed.

“As always.” Rarity added.

“At the moment Celestia’s sun rises.”

“Affirmative.”

Both Rainbow and Ono stated with their recent full time experience with the Wonderbolts showing through their mannerisms and choice words.

“See ya later!” Pinkie happily returned as she bounced her merrily way out of the castle along with the others leaving Twilight, Kion, Starlight, Spike alone with Shining Armor, Princess Cadance, Flurry Heart, and Sunburst.

“Sunburst…” Princess Cadance then spoke to the unicorn. “...go ahead and get Flurry on off to bed too. We’re going to go tonight.”

“Of course, your highness.” Sunburst returned with a respectful bow before turning to the infant who is sleeping and has been before the meeting started.

After he had left along with the infant alicorn, the others proceeded head on down the hallway so they can treat themselves to a night out on the town along with being able to get to know each other better along with catching up with one another.

“So Kion…” The blue-haired stallion began. “...how you’ve been keeping these days?”

“Much better than recently, actually.” The red-maned lion admitted. “If it weren’t for my friends I’d still be having a hard time taking care of myself by now.”

“And you’ve been taking good care of my little sister?” He kindly asked before sudden looking on with narrowed and stern eyes. “You’d better be.”

“Of course!” Kion exclaimed somewhat taken aback and somewhat nervous.

“Shining!” Twilight nudged her brother in the elbow with a knowing smile along with Cadance.

“You know I’m just kidding!” Shining returned the jab to Kion who felt immediately relieved.

“Of course you are.”

“And how about you both?” Twilight then asked. “Things any better in the slightest since Scar and Sombra came by?”

“More or less.” Cadance honestly replied. “While nothing has happened since then, we had to increase security around the border a bit as a precaution and had to have our guards on extra alert in case it happens again.”

“Probably bound too since someday they’ll come back.” Starlight chimed in with her opinion as she then added. “I mean not trying to deflate any balloons or anything but it’s bound to happen whether we're prepared or not.”

“I know.” The elder princess acknowledged. “Even though they didn’t take the Empire last time around the message they sent was still made very clear. That when they do return it’ll be on their own terms and they will retake the Crystal Empire.”

“Too bad not even the Princess of Love can get a master of dark magic to have a change of heart.” Starlight sarcastically remarked. “Because he could really benefit from what a good king is supposed to be.”

“If only it were that simple.” Cadance returned knowing full well that the power of love in the tip of her horn has it’s limits. After all love can only be pushed if the other wants it, and doing otherwise would only force something that said individual doesn’t want which could further create a rift going forward.

Just then, they heard a conversation going on around the corner which caught their attention. And it sounded like the fancy ponies are mingling with one another. And one of them in particular was sweet talking them with his southern voice gentlemen-like accent and charming words.

“I do got to say it’s quite a pleasure to meet someone who shares my sense of humor.” The pony said to them as Twilight is the first to peer around the corner very curious to want to know who is this pony sweet talking the elite ponies around him while both Shining Armor and Cadance both look at each other rather uneasy as they too know that voice about his first heard words. “It’s not everyday I get to find somepony that has that rich taste for jokes nowadays.” He and the others laughed before parting ways with them. “Good talking with you all, and have a good night’s rest. I’m sure you got a full day of meetings to look forward too.” He laughed as he just managed to catch sight of the pony getting a full scope glimpse of him while peering around the corner.

A brightly magenta pink shaded unicorn, with a white colored underbelly, muzzle, and hooves, purple mane that covers the top of his head yet combed neatly, with a few strawberries circling around a wooden mallet on his flank. In addition he wore a magneta reddish-pink jacket and pants with a white dress shirt and red neck tie. And upon seeing her, had sparked a keen and delighted interest in her as he approached the alicorn. “Well hello there! I thought I saw a familiar face!”

The princess herself still stunned moved to appear in full view herself out of respect. “Yeah, you sure did.” She replied awkwardly and somewhat bitterly.

“Come on, Twilight! Put her there, old friend!” He offered his hoof to shake only when she moved to do so, he immediately pulled her in for a hug. A very tight hug. “First thing you got to know about me, I’m a hugger now.” He laughed before letting the alicorn go who took a moment to catch her breath due to being hugged around the neck along with personally wishing he hadn't done that.

Once she regained her composure, she steeled her emotions and nerves before replying. “Good to know. And good to see you too Fanco…” She then bitterly with irritated anger with her eyes darted to the side. “...again.”

And judging from the curious and confused looks from Kion and Starlight upon seeing this along with the looks of disdain from the dragon she sees as a son, along with her brother, and sister-in-law, this pony has definitely crossed paths with her, and definitely has a history with him, and it’s not a good one.

Refocusing her attention back to the pony in front of she put forward a polite facade as she said to him. “So Fanco...what have you been up to since magic kindergarten and what brings you all the way over here?”

“Ah, curious mare. I see. Well dear, it’s quite a story I tell you. Ever since having to leave magic kindergarten I had to find a new school and new line of education. So I pursed something that’ll help and inspire the younger generation of ponies feel great about themselves. A new school that helps improve the magic of unicorns of all young ages.”

“Really? How long have you had this up and running?”

“Oh, we just opened up in the last year actually right after the whole incident where you saved your friends and family from certain death from that evil lion and alicorn, am I right?” Fanco just laughed it off. “Like you are the kind of pony that would even dream of doing anything like to them...again.”

Twilight in response just laughed it off even though her expression makes it perfectly clear she doesn’t find it funny at all.

“Oh, come on now. You know I’m just kidding.”

“I hear you, Fanco.” Shining Armor voiced to him as he and Cadance made their appear known as they approached him still sporting their unusual frowns towards him. “But I think you know full well by now that Twilight is not in the mood for those kinds of jokes.”

“Okay, that’s fair, I mean…”

“Ever!”

“Okay, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to strike a nerve there.” Fanco apologized before trying to resume being friendly. “And it’s also a pleasure to see you again, Captain Shining Armor.” He then eyes the alicorn standing beside her. “And you too, Cadance.” He added with delight upon seeing her, even when frowning at him. “Nice to see that not just one but two princesses here to grace me with their presence.” He moved to place his hooves on one of the pink alicorn’s before moving to kiss it.

But Cadance was quickly to retract it before he could even get in a single kiss. “That wouldn’t be necessary. Besides I’m already married.”

“Oh! Who’s the lucky stallion?” He then looks over to see the unicorn deeply glaring at her for even thinking of trying to kiss his wife. “Ooh! You, Shining Armor! So you two got married? Wow! That is just magically wonderful! The royal family just keeps getting bigger and bigger with every passing year!”

“Yes it is. Isn't it?” Twilight sarcastically remarked before moving forward with trying to end this conversation. “So anyways, me and my family were just about to call it a night. So if you would kindly leave us be, that would be much appreciated.”

“But we just met for the first time in years.” The pink pony insisted on wanting to catch up more now. “There is so much we have to discuss.”

Her brother was quick to back her up on her statement. “Twilight just asked you to leave us be and that’s an order from the princess herself. So it is time for you go.”

Seeing that he has concede to their demands, he respectfully moved to do so. “Very well. But…” He then added. “...don’t think I’ve given up on you just yet. You’ll be hearing from me soon, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” He then made his leave while the others watch on as he does so with a simple teleportation spell.

Once he left, both Kion and Starlight were quick to approach them with what they saw still processing in their heads.

“Wait so…that’s Fanco?”

“The pony that traumatized and humiliated her back in magic kindergarten?”

"Yep.” Spike nodded. “Which means trouble for us.”

“Yes it is, Spike.” Twilight replied as she took a moment to step away from the group. “The fact that Fanco of all ponies came back, has opened up a new school for future unicorn fillies, and he is here in Canterlot. And that very fact wasn’t the first…” She then angrily shouted as she briefly turned into a fiery pony much like she did when she hit her breaking point in trying to figure out the Pinkie Sense. “...BUCKING THING I WAS TOLD WHEN HE ACTUALLY GOT HERE!”

Her anger was so intense that she ended up blowing a hole in the roof, leaving black smoke steaming out of it. In addition the explosion left the area where Twilight is standing with ash marks circling around where she stands along with the ash now on her coat and mane.

As she heavily grunted and breathed while literally steaming with smoke coming off of her body, Cadance placed a gentle soothing hoof on her back to help her calm down quicker. In addition, she had her sister-in-law perform the deep breathing exercise she taught up until she is sufficiently calmed down. Once she took the time to cool down, she then worked her magic in performing a quick repair in the ceiling she blew off.

“So that pony just so happens to be someone you hate, huh?” Starlight asked. “He must be have really broken your heart that bad to warrant that kind of hostility.”

“Oh, you have no idea.” Twilight returned like it is very hard fact for her. “And for somepony who’s been there before, he really crushed the sparkle in that magic.” Both the crystal prince and princess looked on nodding in agreement knowing full well of what she is talking about.

“Well thankfully, that moment’s over, Twily.” Her brother assured. “He’s gone. And we can now relax and enjoy the rest of our evening together.”

“And I know just the place where we can go.” Cadance added. “It just so happens to be your favorite too.”

“Sounds great to me!” Kion chimed in knowing exactly what and where it is.

“Same here.” Starlight also said. “I hear that place actually has great food!”

“Anything jump out of your mind during your last visit?” Twilight asked curious of what sparks her mind. “Like when you were spying on me?”

“Okay, I get it, Twilight.” The unicorn herself laughed it off before recomposing herself. “And yes, there is something there that I really enjoyed while I was there. And if you’re up for trying new things I think it’s something you’ll like to.”

“Do tell.”

As they all made their way out of the castle while conversing with one another, Fanco reappeared back inside with a sealed envelope in tow before moving to make way to Twilight’s room so he can personally deliver before leaving in a flash.

After dinner, they all returned to castle where both Twilight, Kion, Spike, and Starlight all moved to retire for the night themselves. Once they got inside their rooms did Twilight find the letter Fanco left for her on her desk.

Acting on suspicion after freezing everyone around her, she used her magic to scan the letter along with checking the room around her. All to make sure there isn’t another prank which thankfully (in his case) it isn’t.

“Whoa!”

“Hey!”

“Twilight! What is this?!”

“Fanco.” She replied as she unfroze everyone. “Sorry, but I wanted to make sure he didn’t booby trap the room with any pranks before anything else. Anyways…” She showed everyone the letter he left. “...he left this here while we were away.”

“What did he write in that letter?”

“And what did he say?”

“Not anything to lure you in a false sense of security or anything?”

“No.” Twilight shook her head to that last part. “Fanco is much more subtle and misleading when it comes to setting others up and by the time it happens it’s when you least expect it.” She then moved to explain. “This is actually an invite to the school he managed to open up while we were busy fighting a war.”

“He what?”

“Opened a school?”

Both Kion and Starlight asked highly surprised.

"Of magic.”

“You’re not thinking of going there are you?” Spike asked out of worry and concern.

“As much as I hate saying it, I am.”

“But why?” Starlight asked. “Why should you feel obligated to accept an invitation from one of your past enemies?”

“Because…it’s bad manners for a princess or anyone from royalty to refuse an offer from someone as much as it is for someone to refuse a princess’s offer. And he technically hasn’t done anything to warrant any ill will...yet so for now I reserve judgment. So I’m going to see for myself just how he’s educating young unicorn fillies and see just how much he’s really changed.”

“I suppose that’s true since he really hasn’t done anything to show that he is still the same pony he was years ago…” Spike acknowledged while uttering the last word to show that he is still wary of him. “...yet.”

“And like how I always say that every Pride Lander regardless of how big or small, or annoying, inside or outside the kingdoms deserves to be rescued.” Kion added. “Something that my dad would say if he were here.”

“Exactly.” Twilight said seeing that they understand what she is talking about. “So I’ll just let him show me what he has created or attempted to do in an attempt to curry my favor, then I can decide whether or not he is worth talking to going forward.”

“Sounds fair to me.” Starlight replied finding that reasonable. “Though...don’t suppose that he would be open to the idea of you inviting a couple of friends over to accompany you? You know, just in case he does try something on you.”

“I’m sure he’s open to the idea of the Prince of Friendship along with a couple extra guests. Especially and including the Prince of Friendship himself.” Twilight answered pretty sure she won’t mind. “Given that this is a school he really wants to promote so everyone can see what magical wonders he is trying to do, the more the merrier.” She presents the letter once more. “And yes, said word for word.”

“Figures.”

“So...it looks like there is something to look forward to later this week.” Kion then said with new plans now decided.

“Yep.”

With that out of the way, the friends now moved to finally get themselves ready for bed, though the question is, has Fanco really changed or is he really putting forward an front to get Twilight to trust him again only to double cross her, again?

Later that week, following another day after morning patrol, Twilight accompanied by a small group of friends, Kion, Spike, and Starlight, all made their way to the school they were invited too. The place itself so far seemed nice itself. A beautifully painted building. Bright white colored walls, a pink rooftops,

Before entering they took a moment to mentally compose themselves before Twilight moved to be the first to enter the front double doors which had a rainbow painted on it. “Well, here goes.”

“Looks nice on the outside.” Kion commented. “But there is the matter of what’s in the inside that counts.”

“Yep.”

“Right on the money there.” Starlight chimed in.

They entered the building and they all got a look at their surroundings, and what they saw is pretty much something that actually has their eyes looking on in amazement with what they are seeing. Colorful murals, magically created statues and sculptures, and specially designed lockers that seem special than an ordinary locker at Canterlot High. To the group, it was like whoever designed the place did a remarkable job of capturing the magic like Princess Celestia could do, by going the extra mile.

Then they caught a glimpse of a nearby classroom which is designed like a daycare for the fillies who are all attentively learning new things before moving onto another classroom where there are fillies playing with toys with their magic. And there are fillies doing the same outside along with playing on the playground.

“Wow!”

“This certainly is...quite something isn’t it?”

"Not what I was expecting.”

“Me neither.”

The four shared breathlessly like whatever they intially thought was immediately blown out of the water.

“Must be since what you’re seeing around you is certainly a sparkle and glimmer of wonders here…” Fanco said to them as he appeared before from out of nowhere. “...and I do say I feel like I really captured the image that Princess Celestia did when she opened up her own school, doesn’t it?”

“You sure did.” Twilight admitted though she personally wondered if that there is more that meets the eye like she has seen this before someway somehow.

“Wonderful to hear! And great that you could make it! It is truly an honor to graced with the presence of not just the Princess of Friendship but the Prince of Friendship himself. My compliments to your skills and power, young lion.”

“Um thanks, um, good to meet you too.” Kion returned somewhat awkwardly though mainly because he is unsure if the guy is still bad news or not.

“So now that you all are here, how about that tour?” Fanco asked the group before leading the way across the whole inside of the building.

“Sure.”

“Of course.”

Throughout said tour, they got to see more classrooms of little unicorns being taught of how to master advanced spells that only fillies twice their age can accomplish which is so far a slow but sure process. In addition they got to see a library with all of history of magic along with the many, many spells used both past and present much like the Canterlot Archives. Something that Twilight herself was especially fascinated by. And there is also the cafeteria, where fillies learn to use their magic to levitate the food and drinks they want on their trays with ease along with being able to play sports and play on the playground with said magic too. All while showcasing their advanced magic for fillies their own age.

After the tour, the group was left very impressed with what Fanco had accomplished.

“Wow! I got to say this is amazing!”

“Quite a real page turner!”

Both Starlight and Spike complimented.

“I know right. And show my thanks for showing up here today...” Fanco returned like it is something worth to be proud of before giving the visiting group of friends a small handful of bills. “Here, go get something nice.”

“Really?”

“Oh, we couldn’t possibly…”

“I insist. I am feeling very generous today and I want to make sure I thank those who took time out of their busy schedules to come see what I am doing here.”

“Okay.” Kion then moved to take the stack of cash himself. “Well, thank you. Hopefully, we’ll keep in touch.”

“I hope for the same as well.” The four all moved to leave the school where the strawberry scented pony moved to halt Twilight before she could leave with them. “Hold on Twilight. Hang back for a moment. Please.”

“Okay.” She politely relented while nodding at the others to assure them it’s okay before turning back to her former bully. “What is it?”

“Just hear me out okay.” He kindly insisted knowing full well of what she thinks of him. “I know I was one of the meanest ponies you’ve ever dealt with back when we were fillies. And I didn’t treat you very well when it mattered and for that I’m sorry. So to show that I really mean it…” He pulled out a sparkling diamond pearl necklace and a card. “...I got you these.”

“Wow!” Twilight said clearly amazed with how extravagant the expensive gift is. “This really is very beautiful. And this is…” She asked when locking eyes with the given card.

“An invitation to dinner for two tonight in Canterlot. That is of course if you are interested.”

Feeling astonished even if it seems all too good to be true, she moved to give her answer. “Of course.”

“Great. I look forward to seeing that smile of yours tonight.”

Twilight giggled before making her leave, with her friends who waited for her having stuck behind in the nearby corner following after her as she left. All looking very confused and concerned for her.

“Twilight…”

“Is everything okay?”

“You didn’t seriously just…”

“Yes, I did. I accepted an invitation to dinner with Fanco.”

“Huh? What?!” The three friends blinked in surprise with what they are hearing. That their friend who has a very unforgiving grudge towards that particular pony is actually accepting a dinner date with said pony. To them they were all now wondering, is this really happening? Is this all true?

“Did you hear that, Spike?” Starlight asked while still looking on shocked.

“Yep. Twilight said she accepted a dinner date with Fanco of all ponies!”

“I really wish I had recorded that.” Kion commented with regret. “Nobody not even her brother and sister will believe us.”

Said interaction between the two played out via Starlight’s magic. “Don’t worry, Kion. I got that covered.”

The three then were quick to catch up with Twilight so they can try to talk with her about what just happened.

“So, Twilight...what exactly happened back there with Fanco?” Starlight began as she asked. “You know, accepting a date from somepony who greatly humiliated you and all of that good stuff every donkey pony does to their victims?”

“Not much. He just talked and showed me what he created at that school.” Twilight replied like it’s no big deal. “After seeing what I saw with my own eyes along with seeing and hearing him speak with his heart, had me start seeing things differently.”

“By differently, how so?” Kion asked with slight suspicion.

“That his words and tone of voice indicated that he’s not quite the pony that cruelly mistreated me back in magic kindergarten.” Twilight answered as she looked at the diamond necklace she was gifted with.

“And you’re really certain that he has truly changed and is not pulling your strings like last time?” Spike asked unsure himself.

“I think so.” Deep down Twilight isn’t completely sure herself but seemed willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. “He sure seemed sincere enough that he truly has put his past behind him. So maybe it’s time I should do the same.”

“I suppose that is true.” Starlight replied seemingly ready to accept her reasons. “Nothing I can argue with considering you were willing to do the same with me.”

“Exactly, Starlight.” Twilight nodded seeing that she understands it. “And in case if you are all wondering, I got whatever comes my way covered. So no need to worry about me.”

“Okay, Twilight.”

“If you say so.”

Both Kion and Spike reluctantly replied even though deep down they have a hard time doing so knowing that some things are easier said than done...

...And sure enough they along with Starlight were quick to talk to and tell her brother and sister-in-law about it.

“My sister accepted a dinner date with who?!”

“Twilight accepted to do what with Fanco?!”

“Exactly as we worded it.” Kion reported.

“If we were exaggerating this then we’d add that she accepted a marriage proposal too.” Starlight confirmed to assure him that actually happened. “But were not dealing with the same magic here.”

“Unless of course that magic has blended in well enough for that to happen like in the past fairy tales and love stories.” Spike commented unsure himself about that.

Either way Shining Armor didn’t care for that. “Well regardless, Fanco is not going out with my little sister. Especially not after what he did to her years ago.”

“And believe us we were surprised too but after seeing what school he had created, had him reconsider that herself.” Starlight explained.

“And considering it has been years since she actually saw her and shown that he’s not the same guy, we were given little reason to suspect he is up to something.” Kion added.

“Maybe that’s what he wants us to believe, just so he can hurt her all over again.” The white unicorn however stated still refusing to believe it. “You don’t judge a book or pony by it’s cover or initial appearance. So we gotta to stop that date before anything else happens.”

“What?!” Kion returned highly surprised at the idea not completely on board with it.

“As in just crash her dinner or just telling Twilight that doing so is a bad idea?!” Starlight asked feeling like it’s not a good idea herself.

“Either way works for me, if it means preventing my little sister from getting her heart broken, again.”

“Shining Armor!” Princess Cadance’s voice spoke up in a sharp command with a serious look in her eye to get him to stop what he is doing and saying for the moment. “Please!” She insisted as she calmed herself down from raising her voice like again. “Think about it. We all want to be able to stop Twilight from doing something she’ll regret again. But remember when she came accusing my imposter of being evil?”

“Only too well.” He replied with deep shame at the memory.

“And what she would think of you if you were to discourage her from meeting a pony who may want to reconcile with her with no proof that he is up to no good will do for you?”

"For her only to want to disown and have nothing do with me like I once did with her.”

“Mmm-hmm.” Cadance nodded approvingly. “The best you can do right now is make sure you have solid proof before acting and advise Twilight by being as supportive as you can be.” She turned to the others. “And the same goes to you all as well because the last thing she needs is have someone she can’t count on going forward especially after what she went through in the past.”

“Will do.”

“Understood.”

“We promise we won’t make the same mistake twice.”

The three promised.

“Question is how do we do it?” Shining asked as they contemplated their viable options.

Later that evening, Twilight herself is in her room as she looks at herself in a mirror while putting the final touches on her makeover as she gets ready for a formal outing. She was now currently dressed up in a purple and blue dress sparkled with sequins that made it sparkle. By looking at her own reflection, she was clearly pleased with how she looks and she is deep down sure that Rarity would marvel in full agreement about it if she were here.

She then managed to catch a glimpse of her brother and sister-in-law peering their head from the doorway. “Shining Armor! Cadance!” She happily greeted before turning to face them in her new outfit. “Come to see me in the new outfit Rarity designed for me for this very special occasion?”

“Yes, at least that’s half of the reason why.” Shining Armor had to shake off the sparkling and stunning sight of his sister grown up and dressed up in a beautiful dress before getting his thoughts together.

“You do look beautiful. Rarity really outdone herself again.” Cadance complimented.

“She sure did. And thanks. I’ll make sure she knows it when I see her again.” Twilight then continued forward knowing exactly why they are both here. “And as for the other half of why you’re here, is the real reason why you wanted to see me?”

“Yes, Twily. About your dinner date tonight.” Shining Armor then had to choose his next words carefully. “You know that I love and support you no matter what you do and you would do the same for me likewise?” Twilight nodded in response. “That being said, I just want to make sure you know what you’re doing even with all things considered. You know, in case Fanco tries to break your heart...again.”

“Understandable of you to think that of me and I greatly appreciate it.” Twilight thanked. “And in regards to what Fanco may or may not try to do to me next is something I can handle myself. Even if it may hurt inside.” She said while trying not to dwell on that very moment it happened before.”

“Just be careful, Twilight.” Her sister-in-law advised. “Especially when love is involved. Sometimes knowing a pure heart from a black heart can be tricky at times even when all seems golden bright on the outside.”

“I know.” Twilight also acknowledged given her blinded drive to support Scar along the way in light. “And I will.” Both ponies moved to hug the alicorn before allowing to see her off as she makes her way to the restaurant she is expecting Fanco at.

As she makes her way over, her closet friends are literally tailing her from afar. At least to the point she can’t make out a partial glance of them. It continued on during dinner where the two met up at a designated table in the middle of the room with all of the others with the closet her brother, student, and son can get is the nearby plants and tall counters. As they watched the dinner date, they watched on as the two greeted and treated each other like good friends with one another, compliments to their own outfits (with Fanco himself sporting a fancy red tuxedo and black dress pants along with a matching bow tie), voicing their thoughts on the menu along with actually enjoying the food they ordered, and good joking around here and there. It got to the point to they began to saw that there is nothing else to go on about any suspicion of the former bully.

After seeing Twilight excuse herself to use the ladies room, the others are left feeling that they all had nothing to worry about and trying to observe the alicorn princess from afar was all for nothing.

“I can’t believe it! A whole dinner and nothing that tells us that he is the same backstabber he was back in magic kindergarten!” Shining Armor exclaimed in whispered frustration.

“I can’t believe Twilight didn’t even notice us! I mean you would think she would have confronted us over it by now.” Spike chimed in.

“Well, we have did a lot of practice at stealth missions at least when not too close for comfort.” Starlight pointed out.

“Though something still just doesn’t add up.” Kion then thought as he pondered the simple dinner conversation in mind. “Just how does Fanco manage to charm Twilight into a dinner date after one day of seeing him.”

“Maybe he’s really has a way of words.” Starlight suggested speaking from past experience. “Combined with past experience in dealing with Twilight back when they were young.”

“Like what?”

“Like nothing more than a charming smile and a pleasant facade…” Fanco’s voice spoke to them while appearing right behind them much to their startled shock.

“Fanco!” Kion exclaimed upon seeing him.

“Yes, Kion! It’s me! Surprise!” He returned rather smugly. “And hello to the group of spies trying to watch me and my Twilight try to catch up in peace.”

“First of all, it’s Twilight herself…” Spike corrected. “...she’s not your property okay. Second and most importantly, while yes we were watching you both, it was for a good reason. Especially considering of how you betrayed her trust and humiliated her back then.”

Fanco scoffed in response. “Oh, Spike. You got your words twisted up in a cinnamon twist. What happened back then was just a prank she should have seen coming or at least had a sense of humor to accept a little dumped paint all over herself back when she had the chance.” He laughed like it is still the funniest thing he ever did.

“Say what you will, Fanco. You will find your reward does not come easy.” Shining moved to spark his horn with flaring magic with a fierce glare to match. “This I can tell you right now it will not end well for you.”

Even with what he is facing, he remained unfazed as the smug grin remains on his face. “Maybe not, but I doubt it will end well for you, should Twilight come around and see her own big brother and friends beat and incinerate a pony who’s sincerely trying to make amends with her. And given from what I heard she’s been there before and you didn’t take well to what she did to incur your wrath, it’s my word against yours.” He then mocking said to the taken back group of friends especially the white stallion who felt forced to stand down due to the truth in his words. “How could you, Shining Armor, how could you all?” He then moved to walk off ahead while whipping his tail in the pony’s face to make his point clear before triumphantly walking off ahead feeling he has put them all in their place for good.

“Okay…” Starlight spoke up with newfound contempt for the guy. “...never mind what I just said. Let’s get rid of him.”

“Let’s.” The boys all firmly agreed knowing full well that he has to be put in his place before whatever more harm can come towards the alicorn princess, again.

The next morning, the four made their way to a shop in Canterlot where they are quick to greet Rarity in her boutique with Spike himself popping the question. “Hey, Rarity. You busy today?”

“Nope.” She shook her head. “I was just popping by to make sure the store is well-staffed today.”

“Great!” Spike felt very pleased to hear that as they made their way outside where the others are waiting. “Because we need your help in dealing with someone.”

“Oh. Like who?” She curiously asked. “Is it one my fashion designer rivals, or someone from Scar’s army reeking havoc again, or someone that owes you or one of your friends money?”

“Have you meet Fanco?”

“The pony who bullied Twilight in the past? Yes, I remember him.”

“You do?” Starlight asked surprised this she already knows him already.

“Yes, I do! In fact, I believe he came here asking to help me design a dashing and sparkling red tux for his date last night. He even thanked me by tipping with the most gourmet chocolates Canterlot has to offer.” She then said with charmed delight.

Starlight then said next ready to bring the stallion dreamer down to reality. “Well, hate to break it to you, Rarity, but Fanco just managed to charm Twilight into said dinner date and is pretending to like her just to set her up again. Someway, somehow”

It was there it was enough for whatever positive and gushing feelings toward said pony immediately vanished. “Okay, forget what compliments I just said about that uncouth pony. So...what’s the plan to stop him from hurting Twilight again?”

“We are going to catch Fanco in the act of his deception by recording him in the act.” Kion explained next as he proposed the next course of action. “Don’t suppose you can you know charm him into telling you himself without realizing it?”

“I think I can do that, no problem.” Rarity replied feeling sure about that. “He never did tell me of who he was meeting up with and I didn’t tell him who Twilight is to me likewise.”

“Hmm... I don’t know.” Shining Armor spoke up feeling unsure that’ll work. “If the pony’s smart than he’ll have done his research on us and he’ll be sure to dodge the attempts at questioning from us if we were to even try to ask him.”

“What about someone who he doesn’t know but does know Twilight?”

“Not likely since the Princess of Friendship is bound to know everybody at this point and the same can be said likewise for those who haven’t met her.”

Then Starlight thought of a new idea. “What about somepony that can appear to be a completely different pony. Someone that really knows Twilight very well?”

"Like who?”

“Me?” Princess Celestia herself asked highly surprised at the idea when approached by said group in her throne room. “You would like me to do what?”

“Pretend to be somepony else, a unicorn touring Fanco’s school, ask questions about his recent plans and stories about Twilight. That sort of thing.” Starlight explained while she and the others are now in the throne room in Canterlot. “That is, of course if you are interested in helping us out.”

“Hmm…” She pondered as she placed a hoof on her chin. “...it is a bit risky…” She then decided. “...all right.”

“Really?” Kion asked feeling surprised that she is willing to help them out on this.

“Yes. Absolutely. Because I am not about to see to it that Twilight’s heart gets broken again by that pony who causes her so much unnecessary harm to her when she was only so young. Plus, I just want to see what kind of magical school Fanco is running nowadays.”

“I mean like we said it’s pretty much everything a unicorn wanting to learn magic could ask for.” Kion then explained. “Unicorns of all ages welcome, as they learn new spells, improve their skills, perfect their form, and showcase their magical talent in the arts and crafts.”

“Hmm…” Celestia then thought. “...sounds awfully familiar to what I have at my school.” She then concentrates her own magic into transforming herself into a young unicorn. One that is about Twilight’s height when she was a unicorn, appearing in a white coat, with her multi-colored mane and tail now sky blue, and her rosy pink eyes now blue to further disguise herself. “And all the more reason for me to want to see it for myself.”

In the early afternoon later that today, Celestia along with Rarity made their way over to Fanco’s school where they are quick to enter and get a look at the place themselves. So far, they have found it is everything the others said word for word.

“I will have to admit…” Rarity confessed. “...for a pony who may be a devious heartbreaking self serving backstabber, his management in running a school is no joke.”

“That may be but it seems pretty clear to me that he managed to copy some of my work here.” The disguised alicorn princess moved to make note of the various elements at the school she recognized as her own work. The designs, the magical decorations, the tossed lesson plans in the nearby trash cans. It seemed awfully too duplicated for her taste.

Along the way, they just so happen to come across Fanco’s office where he just so happens to be meeting up with Twilight again. And from the sound of the talking it seemed to be talks of negotiations of some kind.

“Thank you again for taking the time to come back over again, Twilight.”

“Oh, pleasure’s all mine. So, what did you want to talk about this time?”

“Oh, not much. I mean I’m sure you’ve heard of how I’ve been trying to further promote my school all across Equestria, right?”

“Yes.”

“Well, while I have managed to promote it well throughout Canterlot, I am now seeking to promote it so ponies from Ponyville to ponies all across Equestria will be interested in wanting to come here. And what better way to do it than have the Princess of Friendship to help me out with it?”

“And by that you mean…?” Twilight expected details more to go with while wary of what he means by that.

“By helping me spread word across Ponyville and all of Equestria of the success I’ve accomplished. The many fillies I managed to help ever since I opened this place.” Fanco clarified.

“That does sound like a good idea. Though if I may…”

“Shoot.”

“You might have a better chance of promoting your school if you expanded your display a little. You know, aside from telling everyone about it, add a little something to get them more excited, or what one of my friends Pinkie would say if she were here, add a razzle dazzle.”

“Yeah!” Pinkie chimed in agreement suddenly appearing in the room with the two much to their surprise especially Fanco. “Like host a magical talent show and street performance of some kind.”

Twilight having gotten used to her sudden appearances moved to go along with the flow of, since she actually liked the idea herself. “Exactly like that! And those are actually both excellent ideas, Pinkie Pie!”

“Thanks!”

“So what do you think, Fanco? Because if you ask me that sounds like just the thing your school needs to show that the fillies you taught are excellent prodigies of magic because of it. Something that’ll make Princess Celestia herself proud herself if she were here.” The disguised alicorn listening in looked on in agreement though feels the need to see the solid proof herself to be convinced otherwise.

“Hmm, true.” Fanco nodded as he considered it. “Maybe along the way you could tell me a couple secrets about one of magic tricks. You know, about how you managed to make two ponies disappear at once?”

“What?” Pinkie curiously piped up before Twilight could even react to that. “Really? When did she actually do that?”

“Someway somehow she did. Back when she was a filly. Rumor has it she was out at night when two ponies, a couple friends of mine came by and crossed paths with her. Then without warning, they disappeared out of thin air with not a trace of their disappearance from where they last stood. To this day, nopony no’s what happened to them since then.”

“Huh?” Pinkie looked on a little lost. “Sounds quite a lot beyond Twilight’s capacity for a filly her age.”

“Believe it or not, it’s true. Even though nopony else was around to see or witness this.”

Twilight laughed and chuckled it off in response while masking of how deep it cut into her. “We’ll see. Though if I were to do it, I have to warn you that it’s not an easy trick to pull off, as a brush of death is not something to be toyed with.”

“Well who knows, maybe you have what it takes and not leave behind any clues or witnesses to it all. A master of magic like you must be capable of that by now.”

Twilight rolled her eyes in response. “Well aren’t you such a flatter.” She said as she made her way to the door. “But considering this is your school, it would seem much more fitting for a powerful unicorn like yourself to perform your best tricks yourself Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Touche.” Fanco returned as he joined her as they both made their way out of the former’s office while the pink pony bounced after them.

As the strawberry colored pony opened the door, Celestia quickly worked her magic to teleport herself and Rarity to another area in the building where Fanco wouldn’t even think to look nor expect to see someone. Fortunately for them, he didn’t suspect anything unusual before making his way forward to one of his classrooms so he can show both Twilight and Pinkie some of his best talented fillies he has to offer.

Once the three were gone, both Rarity and Celestia then made their inside the office so they can take a look around to see if there is anything they can use that’ll help solidify their case against Fanco. But as they looked around the shelves and desks, they have found nothing incriminating against him.

“Find anything yet?” Rarity asked the princess who is also hard at work trying to find something in a hush.

“Nothing yet.” Celestia returned also speaking in a hushed tone of voice which is just enough to convey her annoyance over her lack of findings. “This pony is clearly clever not to leave any leaks lurking around here. It’s like he anticipated and prepared for the event should someone try to look into him if ever suspected of anything.”
“He sure is nothing like Wind Rider or Suri Polomare that’s for sure.” Rarity commented feeling annoyed herself.

“Hmm…” She then spotted some filing cabinets. “...Aha! Maybe there is something after all.” She then pulled out a file containing Fanco’s confidential information sparking Celestia’s attention. “Let’s see...let’s try B for blackmail and bribery.” She looked through that letter. “Best in his class! That won’t do! How about F for fraud.” She looked through that letter with similar results. “What?! Freshman of the Year?!”

Celestia herself was left puzzled as she tried to take a turn at looking at her former student’s own file. “A perfectly clean record! It’s like he has steered clear of trouble himself or even managed to keep sensitive information that out of here."

“Oh, it is.” Fanco said to them as he suddenly appeared before them thus startling and shocking the two ponies. “Like I would even dream of leaving out personal information from the likes of anyone. Not even towards friends of Twilight. Especially you Rarity, or even you too…” He then worked his magic to unveil Celestia’s disguise. “...Princess Celestia.”

“What?! You knew?!” The alicorn uttered in disbelief as a photo from a flashing camera is taking of her along with Rarity is taken.

“But we were somewhere where you weren’t around before.” Rarity added in disbelief.

“Exactly, what I’d expect anyone to do the moment I turn my back.” Fanco returned with a look of satisfaction as he took a good look at the photo he just took. “And to think that not only another one of Twilight’s friends tries to catch me in the act of deception but also Princess Celestia herself, my former teacher. And I can tell you right now the press is sure going to have a field day once this gets out in the open.” He quickly makes the photo vanish before Rarity could try to take it back. “Ah, ah, ah. Careful, young lady. You wouldn’t to further get yourself in hot water, would you?”

“Keep talking big you furry air freshener because I’m going to…” Rarity then smelled something burning. “...you mean that literally, didn’t you?” She asked in a defeated and irritated tone before screaming and howling off the top of her lungs in pain while plowing herself through the rooftop and into the nearby fountain. “Oh, dear.” She moaned as she rubbed her hoofs in pain before having to walk on forward while mustering what little dignity she had left in the faces on the staring bystanders.

Back inside the office at the school, Fanco made tsking sounds before repairing the damage done to his roof before turning to his former mentor. “A pity that had to happen, though can’t say she didn’t have that coming. And as for you, I’d leave now because I’m willing to let this slide should you make sure to yourself that this doesn’t happen again along with even telling Twilight what happened here right now. But if you do, consider your time as a princess here in Equestria over because I’m sure a jealous pony in your shoes would not be a fitting image other ponies want to see make an example as a current or future ruler and I’m sure Twilight would agree with me if I am here.” Celestia could only dread at the idea of her being disappointed and upset with her like she did when she walked out of her in a time of need. “Now before I bid you ado, do you have anything to say for yourself?”

“Why?” She asked softly but audible enough for him to hear clearly.

“Why what?”

“Why are you doing this? What are you really doing with Twilight?”

“Oh, dear Celestia. It’s quite simple really. She has something I want and I plan on getting it no matter what it takes.”

“Fanco, I’m sorry I had kick you out of my school when I was filly but I had do considering the emotional trauma you caused her. Before meeting her new friends she was left completely heart broken unable to befriend and love like she did before. So please do not break her heart again.”

“Hmm, let me think about that for a moment…” He considered before immediately replying rather coldly. “...Not going to happen. Now that we have said what is needed to be said, it is time for you to go, now because you have a lot to think about.” The alicorn princess reluctantly did as she was told just barely reigning in her tears until after she teleported off of school property. After she left the pony chuckled feeling pleased and proud with himself. “Good choice, princess.”

Afterwards, most of the Lion and Pony Guard got together along with the princesses as they all discussed of what they are going to do about Fanco after what had just happened.

“So it’s really true?” Applejack asked first. “That pony is actually planning to take advantage of her someway somehow?”

“Unfortunately, yes.” Celestia answered with a pained sigh.

“Well, we gotta to do something!” Rainbow exclaimed in frustration. “We can’t let that guy get away with hurting Twilight’s feelings like that again.

“Well I’d hate to break it to you all, but none of us are going to get anywhere near her without making ourselves look like fools for Fanco to discredit us on the spot.” Spike firmly countered against. “The last we need is for Twilight to want not be our friends again along with walking out on us with the roles reversed.”

“But what if that’s not the case?” Kion suggested. “What if Twilight’s smart enough to realize that he is not fooling her this time?”

“Yeah!” Bunga agreed. “It’s pretty hard to forget and forgive a guy who sucker punched you once before. Even more so if they just happened to share an even closer bond than that.”

Cadance, Shining Armor, and Celestia all looked on with nothing but silence until the former spoke up.

“It sure is.”

“Quite so.” The later added with the context of what happened already surfacing up again for the both of them.

“And if she just so happens to be falling for the guy’s lies, I’m sure Twilight isn’t gullible to the point she’d want to turn her back on us.” Fuli also voiced feeling certain for all of her flaws, vengeance is not something she seeks anymore.

“But we still need to stop him before it goes any further.” Celestia firmly stated with a cold and furious tone to match. “He is not going to get away with this.”

“But how can we help her?” Fluttershy asked. “If Fanco knows about us, how can we catch and trick him into messing up so Twilight can be absolutely sure she’ll believe us and not want to turn against us again?”

“Maybe we try to crash the next party Fanco is hosting.” Rainbow suggested before remembering. “Like that talent show later the following night.”

“That could work!” Pinkie exclaimed seeing potential in the idea. “Though think maybe it can cut out having to actually crash the party? It would be a shame to ruin something special for all of those fillies all performing and doing their best for who knows what great things come their way.”

“You do know that’s an expression, right?” Rainbow returned hoping that she at least understands that.

“Yep.”

Rolling her eyes Rainbow continued with her thoughts as she tries to help come with a new plan to expose the strawberry scented pony. “Anyways, we try to plant a pony from the inside and record him in the act when he reveals his true colors when Twilight isn’t around.”

“But in order to do that, we need someone who Fanco doesn’t know because he was able to recognize me and bust me in the act of looking through his office. That being said he’ll recognize us all should we try to do it ourselves.”

“Not all of us.” Bunga spoke up as he broke his silence.

“What do you mean, Bunga?” Kion curiously asked.

“I mean there is someone here that Fanco sure is not familiar with to recognize right away. A certain alicorn that has the same color as me.” He stated while looking at the night monarch who looks on puzzled by what he said. “A certain alicorn named Princess Luna.”

“I know who you are referring to Bunga, but mine coat’s a more a darker shade of blue than yours, see.” Princess Luna responded while moving her hoof towards Bunga to compare her coat to his.

“Are you sure?” Bunga couldn’t help but comment as they compared with one another. “Because it looks grayish to me.”

“No, no, darling…” Rairty begged to differ. “Luna’s is more dark blue while yours is more a light grayish blue. See…” She presented a little sheet with said color shades for a better comparison.

“Oh, okay. Well then, I guess I stand corrected.”

“You guess?” Luna raised an eyebrow in response to that.

“No. Definitely. Better?”

“Much better.”

“Ahem…” The elder sister cleared her throat. “...back to the main issue at hoof please…” Continuing on she spoke her thoughts about the idea. “...although maybe that has potential.”

“What has potential?” The younger sibling inquired before realizing. “You mean me disguising myself as one of the younger foals at this pony Fanco’s talent show?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry, have we met?” She sarcastically asked as she tried to make sense of it. “I thought you said you already tried that yourself?”

“I did, but it failed because he’s been around many times to recognize my face and eyes. But with you on the other hoof, he has never seen nor met you. Therefore, he can’t immediately see through you.

“Well, when you put it that way it does make somewhat sense.” Luna admitted.

“Exactly!” Bunga stated in agreement. “And by the time we get enough evidence to loosen his stitches, it’s game over for him. We win like always.”

“Well I hate to beg to differ on that considering our winning streak isn’t perfect but okay.” Ono commented before voicing his opinion on the matter. “Although I find it a bit plausible to say the least, this plan of yours could actually work considering he doesn’t even seem to care nor recognize Princess Luna herself.”

“Yep! Foal proof if played right.” Bunga laughed as everyone still remained silent expect for Pinkie who just so happened to have a trombone handy as she played a tune similar to when the Lion and Pony Guard were in for a longer day due to the parasprites causing trouble in another town.

“Oh come on, guys! That was funny!”

“Sorry, Bunga.” Fuli apologized while adopting a serious expression. “But we’re all a little too old for these jokes by now.”

“Yeah! And don’t even get me started on butt and moon jokes.” Pinkie laughed before seeing everyone eyeing her in response. “Eh-heh. Anyways… time to get serious.” She adopted her game face as she is all ears for what’s next. “So let’s get started."

“Good idea.” Starlight agreed.

“Let’s.” Luna nodded as and everyone all huddled together so they can go over the plan.

Later come the night of the talent show, a handful of ponies adults and children all gathered at the school where the talent show is being hosted. Ponies, adults and fillies, all gathered in order to see this accomplishment worthy night. To showcase the gift of young students of how far they have enhanced their talents in magic since day one. So far the young students all showed promising talent by showcasing their advancing magic spells.

One managed to showcase his talent and skill at advanced teleportation by being able to levitate several animals in a rotating matter much like Twilight did at point one for special guests herself. Another managed to tame and calm a bear that actually managed to come rampaging inside the building. Then there was another that managed to create magic pedestals for a family of cats for them to jump leap over and allow them to perform a series of acrobatics over everyone's heads. It was so far wowing the princess herself as it showcased the very things she was able to do in the past.

After the latest act, Fanco got up from the front table he and Twilight were sitting at together before getting up from his chair so he can announce the next act. "And there we have yet another talented filly in the audience with us tonight, let's him another round of applause. Shall we?" Everyone including the delegates and other teachers and administrators from around Canterlot all applauded the filly just like the other fillies than have come before him. "All right. And now for our next act, please welcome Marama May. Ooh!"

As Fanco got off of the stage, Twilight herself couldn't help but wonder why this sounds familiar and sure enough said young mare in question bared a striking resemblance to Princess Luna herself. Only with the appearance of a young unicorn with a bright blue toned coat, black sparkling mane and tail, a full moon cutie mark with golden stars circling around it, and crystal blue eyes.

“Thank you, mares and stallions. A pleasure to meet your acquaintances." The disguised night princess herself greeted in a bombastic manner. "For I Marama the Magnificent am I magician of capable of marvelous acts including a mighty demonstration of excellence only I can achieve."

As a demonstration she performed a spell where she can hop on a magical sphere while juggling multiple golden colored star toys at once and balancing herself on one foot. A normally impressive trick before she proceeded to toss the balls back to each and every filly present and then worked her horn create a dazzling display of fireworks made of sparkling pop rocks that landed on everyone's cupcakes. When everyone took a bite of them, they all got a great sparkling and delighted reaction to the taste.

"Wow these are really good!"

"Wow! You now how to put the razzle in the dazzle in the decorating!"

"I wish my mouth was bigger!"

"Wonderful to hear." The mare on stage happily returned before turning to one pony finishing up eating the treat in question. "So what can you tell me about yourself?"

"I love me a good rodeo every now and then." One pony answered.

"How very nice! So modest and honest!" She then turned to another pony. "And how about you?"

"I love speed! In fact I am speed!" One magical visual of the mare showcased a bright red coated pony with golden lightning bolts racing at top speed while racing against other Pegasus ponies on a sky high speedway.

"Great!" Then she turned to the host in question. "And what about you, Fanco?"

"Well..." He couldn't help but feel the strong urge to be truthful due to some hidden magic. At the same time he shifted his eyes nervously before thinking quick before using his magic to accidentally trip up a waiter who stumbled and spilled punch all over Twilight's dress who can only gasp in shock with what just happened. "Oh my gosh! I am so sorry! Here..." He gave the mare a bill. "Here's to pay for the cleaning bill. In the meantime, she'll gladly get you cleaned right away.

Twilight herself could only gasp in shock with what had just happened before being escorted out of the room against her wishes. And once she was out of there, Fanco turned back to the mare on stage.

"So you were saying, Fanco?" The mare asked as if the moment never happened.

"Uh, yeah. I was saying that I do love me a day old sucker, of course." He chuckled and laughed it off while holding up a big lollipop from a gift basket from a nearby waiter. "And how I enjoy playing things like it's a game to me. " He then presented a nearby board game to prove his own case. "And I really enjoy taking pleasure in showing of how I have mastered said game even when at a disadvantage." He then said convincingly which raised awes and applause at the pony's spin of words like he is selling them his play of words as innocent as possible.

"Very good, Fanco." The mare on stage returned before continuing forward with her performance but not without glaring at said pony lying his way out of trouble again. “And that right there is the wonders of honesty for without it, the world is corrupted with nothing but lies which is a very bad thing to allow for those trying to pursue a relationship. But thankfully, none of you are like that are you." Everyone all shook their heads while replying "No." in response. "Good. Very good to see honest ponies in the audience today. Give yourselves a round of applause." Everyone did so all while Fanco like wise himself delivers a hardened scowl towards the pony on stage for what she just did.

After the performance, Luna now out of her disguise moved to group up with the others including Applejack, Pinkie, Starlight, and Rainbow Dash who disguised themselves as part of the audience were quick to regroup and speak up to everyone with what had just happened.

"So...?"

"Did you get enough?!"

Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash immediately questioned.

Luna produced a visual which contained a recording of what Fanco said during her performance. "Circumstantial evidence that can be spinned depending on what one says about it."

“Ugh!” Starlight groaned. “Why is this pony so good?! Really?! A clever twist of words even while under the effects of a truth serum I made and placed in those cupcakes?!”

“Apparently so.” Luna regretfully informed.

“So…” Fanco spoke as he eyed the pony who actually managed to trick him. “This is your little plan to try to discredit me. Well I gotta say I’m impressed that you actually came this close to doing it.” He then mocked the glaring group all gritting their teeth at the smug gloating grin he was giving them. “Too bad, it wasn’t enough to actually pull it off.”

“Actually...it was….” Twilight’s voice said to him as she appeared right behind him much to his sudden shock that actually wiped that smile off of his face the moment he heard her. “...because I heard and seen everything.” She finished while still looking on with a stern expression and glare that had the pony realizing he is in huge trouble now that he is actually busted.

“Twilight…” The pink pony tried to play innocent as he sported a nervous grin and sweated. “...surely you are mistaken. I mean another one of your princess friends tried to trick me into getting into a compromising position. You understand of how Luna gets when she’s mad right?”

“The only thing right about that is when she does, it’s usually for a very good reason unlike when she was Nightmare Moon.” Twilight firmly stated still looking on at the pony with her expression and daggers not backing down.

“No, seriously. I mean what you saw, it’s not what it looks like...” He attempted to insist otherwise.

“If I had a bit for every time I heard that one…”

“No, really. You know I would never dream of doing anything to the ponies you love.” Twilight’s eyes narrowed to indicate that statement only infuriated her even further. “Honest. I didn’t even call you Scarface not even once nor made fun of said scar on your face even before you even got it.” Twilight’s response to that remark was not to scream her head off, but to calmly maintain the same expression while delivering a hoof punch square to the face that knocked him off of his hooves and broke his nose. “Ow! What was that for?!”

“You know why.” The alicorn simply said. “For everything you did behind my back and trying to play all innocent with me.”

“Wait?!” The strawberry pink pony exclaimed in shock as he stood up while the others watching looked on equally surprised. “You knew what I was up too the whole time?! But how?!”

"Simple, by applying rule number forty-two into practice. Never accept an apology from somebody who sucker punched you.” She then followed it up with another hard punch to knock him off of his hooves again. This time to his right eye which darken upon impact. “Twice.”

“Twice?”

“Yeah twice because your little stunt back then counts as that. Not only for the prank but also for really hurting me the way you did.” As she spoke she then made a kindergarten drawing appear before everyone’s eyes.

Said drawing featured the two ponies in a large heart with smaller hearts spread around it as they held hooves and looked lovingly into each eyes thinking they have a beautiful life and maybe even a family to look forward to. Said ponies happened to be both Twilight and Fanco themselves. A sight that had the group of friends minus Celestia, Cadance, and Shining Armor look on in shock.

“And to think I ended up playing you and you ended up proving that I was right not to trust you again. Just before I could even think of what we could have had together, I had to tell myself, no. No way in hay I will ever give you another chance to prance around with my feelings. Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. Fool my thrice shame on both of us. Well guess what…” She ripped the heart shaped drawing up in half before dropping it onto the ground. “...you lost, so shame on you this time for actually thinking you could fool me thrice because there are no third prances in life and there’s no such thing as a triple cross.”

“But...Twilight…” Fanco pleaded on the very of a breakdown. “...please…”

“Buck you.” She coldly stated just when royal guards appeared from behind the Princess of Friendship. “Take him way.” The guards proceeded to cuff and arrest the pony who can only look on in dismay that he was completely outwitted and was never fooling her the entire time. All while Twilight’s expression still radiating with a stoic and closed off scowl as she watches on as he is dragged away and out of her sight for the very last time.

With all said and done, Twilight then turned her back away from the whole scene and left without a word but not without a single heart shaped tear falling from one of her eyes. The sight itself was enough for her friends just witnessed it all to piece it together and see how much she is really hurting inside even though she doesn’t show it.

“So…” Kion was the first to break the ice of silence as he picked up the left behind halves of the heart from the ripped paper. “...both Twilight and Fanco weren’t just friends back in magic kindergarten?”

“No, Kion.” The white unicorn solemnly shook his head. “They were more than that.”

“By that you mean…” Starlight breathlessly spoke.

“They were in love with each other…” The pink alicorn princess added equally solemn.

“...at least before his twisted sense of humor and heartless desires came to light.” The white alicorn finished while sickened to her stomach of what she had to witness and oversee in regards to the incident in question.

“No way!”

“Oh my goodness.”

“Oh dear, Celestia.”

“Holy cupcakes! I did not see that coming!”

“Me neither.”

“That was sure something can came out of the blue…” Rainbow quickly chuckled and clarified to show she is still taking this seriously. “…and I don’t mean that literally.”

“We know.” Fuli acknowledged before voicing her shocked thought process. “But seriously, what that pony did was messed up.”

“No kidding!”

“That sure wasn’t very nice of him.”

“It sure wasn’t.”

To think that crushed trust in friendship wasn't bad enough to endure at a young age, the poor mare had her heart broken in the worst way possible both past and present. Something that no one among the whole group can imagine. And it was something that left everyone who now knows the truth about her past love life feeling great pity, sympathy, and understanding of why Twilight was the way she was when they all first met her.

Later that night after the whole mess at the school talent show was cleaned up where apologies along with arrangements to find a new pony to run the school in light of Fanco's arrest and a rescheduled date for the talent show has been arranged, Twilight herself retreated to the balcony of the Canterlot Castle where she sat solemnly in front of the railing with the calm gentle breeze blowing her mane and tail. By then she her anger had cooled off with her face not sporting that cold and icy stare anymore, but she was still upset and heartbroken deep down and it matched how she truly feelings now.

She briefly looked on at her one of old yearbooks where she looked at photos where she was at her happiest. A time where she was actually experiencing love. A feeling she never had before, or since. And as it turned out back then she got set up to be humiliated big time then next time around years later when he was seemingly mellowed out and changed for the better, he was really putting up a front to try it again and for something more personal. Upon seeing what happy memories shared between them, had her crying to herself as it turned out to be lies along with more lies on top of lies between them as Fanco still never really loved. Never did and not anymore.

Behind her just inside the castle hallway were her friends and family silently watching the scene feeling very sorry for what happened. Even more so when it started to rain outside which led to her already getting soaking wet from the sudden downpour.

“Poor Twilight.” Fluttershy sniffed herself feeling like she is going cry herself.

“Yeah….” Applejack said with sympathetic pity. “...for a stallion to go through all of that just to take advantage of her feelings again.”

“That is low! Even for me when I was at my worst!” Starlight commented equally disgusted.

“Not cool!” Rainbow firmly stated with pure disgust. “I really wish I got to get my hooves on him and pound him into apple cider!”

“Well if it’s any constellation…” Bunga then said next. “...Twilight did that herself in two punches. And they were pretty strong ones too.”

“She sure is a strong mare despite her size.” Beshte noted. “And that’s coming from me.”

“No kidding!” Ono commented in agreement. “Just remind me not to get on her bad side.”

“Don’t worry, Ono.” Applejack reassured. “I’m sure we all can remind ourselves on the at matter.”

“Yep.” Fuli nodded before focusing their attention back on their hurting mare outside. “But right now she really needs a comforting paw and or hoof, more than ever.” She then proceeded to brave the rainy weather as she made her way outside to approach her friend. “Twilight…”

“Fuli?” Twilight turned around in surprise to see her here and willing being out of the rain despite her dislike of getting wet. She quickly zapped away the yearbook before continuing. “What are you doing out here?”

“I could ask you the same thing considering it’s raining outside.”

“True. And since I know why you’re out here even while it’s raining outside then you must already why.”

“Yep. Fanco, your ex-boyfriend.” She answered with her reply straight to the point. “I know that name and that pony is a sore spot for you, but it is something worth talking about when he really hurt you the way he did both past and present.”

“That’s because he did. Even after I try to give him the benefit of a doubt, even when I try to give as many chances as I could to turn away from what he was doing, he still proved to be the same as before. Along the way he threatened and taunted my friends and my family while doing so. And that was just unforgivable.”

“No kidding.” Fuli agreed. “And I’m sorry he did that, Twilight.”

“But...you’re not the one who…”

“No. I mean I’m sorry he broke your heart...again.”

“We all are.” Kion added as he too made his appearance known to her. “If only we had done better at staying on top of his attempted manipulations, none of this would have happened.”

“It’s not your fault, Kion. No one here is to blame for this. Only me for ever believing his love for me was real from the beginning.” She then clarified. “I mean I know what love is but what is true love? Love can I can experience myself like every other happy couple?”

“I wish I knew how to answer that, Twilight…” Princess Cadance herself responded as she joined the group next as sympathetic as she can be while conjuring a dome to protect everyone standing outside from anymore rain falling down on them. “...but there are times when love can be tricky. Sometimes you never know how things are going to turn out.”

“Well that’s encouraging…” Fuli muttered speaking from past experience herself.

“I know.” The pink alicorn acknowledged. “But it’s the truth, even if it is a hard fact in life. But I can tell you one thing and yes, you too Fuli…” She quickly added to make sure she is listening too. “...whoever or wherever the pony of your dreams may be, it may actually come when the time is right or when you least expect it. And it all can happen as long as you hope. You just need to have faith in it.”

“So what you’re saying is as long as I have faith in who I trust and allow things to run it’s course then whoever that special somepony or special boyfriend or girlfriend, it’ll come right to me?” Twilight then asked.

“Exactly.” Cadance replied with a nod. “I know it’s hard and something you wouldn’t want to believe in with all things considered, but it never hurts to keep trying. Someday it’ll happen, you just need to keep an open heart up like your friends did for you.”

“Along with keeping an honest opinion…”

“…giving generosity every now and then…”

“…kindness when it really matters…”

“… a willingness to laugh every now and then…”

“…and great loyalty to the end.”

“Not to mention having the wisdom…”

“…the speed…”

“…the keen sight…”

“…the bravery…”

“…the strength…”

“…and the fierce determination to move on…”

“Along with someone you can teach to set a better example for ponies going forward.”

Kion then placed a paw on her the alicorn’s shoulder as he concluded with these heartfelt words said a while ago when at her lowest before. “You may think you’re alone, Twilight. But you’re not.”

Said group of friends returned supporting smiles to their friend as Twilight returned the very much needed and helpful advice to heart especially after they kept their heads up even when she was at her worst. “I’ll try. And thank you.” She then hug her sister-in-law along with Fuli and Kion before pulling the everyone else inside to join in on it too while Cadance briefly opened and expanded her shield to allow that to happen. “Thank you all for deeply caring about me.”

“Wouldn’t have done anything less for you, Twily.” Shining Armor warmly returned as she rested his head onto hers with the latter resting her head on his chest. While they were at it they brought Kion in close too since he was a major help in stopping what could have been had the Princess of Friendship was ever trusting of Fanco ever again.

“And you’re welcome.” Kion added. “Any friend of the family is family to me.”

“Couldn’t have said it any better.”

“Well said.”

Both Twilight and Celestia replied fully agreeing with that statement.

And just then the rain stopped with the bright shining moon Princess Luna herself raised appeared from the dispersing clouds from the skies who likewise looks on with a warm smile herself at the scene down below.

Author's Note

Here in this episode (which I will admit it took a month to put together, but it was still worth the time and effort to make this happen) we have a former friend turned enemy from magic kindergarten show up at her doorstep. And that is the very pony who is responsible for her childhood trauma that set in stone the chain of events of the series in action.

Said pony happens to be charming, charismatic and cool-headed but at the same time smug, remorseless, and self-serving. Someone who has no problem breaking pony’s hearts if it suits him. Even so, he is still slick to the point he was able to evade and adapt her friends attempt to discredit him with the only thing he didn’t account for was that Twilight never trusted him from the start. But even still he is still meant be hated for sure.

So that said we get fully understand why Twilight’s weariness of making friends came from. Luckily for her, she already has plenty of support that really cares about her to keep her from suffering a repeat. So kudos to the main cast for their efforts.

Next up we have Flutter Brutter where said brother of Fluttershy comes to visit and sure is in for a lesson of his life as far as the hard way is concerned so stay tuned for that by the end of the month…

Episode 18: The Siege of the Crystal Empire Part One

Author's Note

Hello everyone, thank you all for your patience (most of you more accurately) as I have finally managed to get this milestone part of the story published. Before I begin, I would like to say this story also took a month to put together in order to make this work. Getting it put together, factoring in it into Season 6 itself, issues people have had with the story itself, and of course rewriting it to the point it still fits in the story itself. But I'd like to say that I managed to do just that.

And without saying much, there wasn't too much in Part One that I felt needed to be adjusted aside from applying the wrench here and there on some parts with the choice on the villains themselves to explained more on later parts, and with the new plan underway it is now time for Part Two...

Episode 18: The Siege of the Crystal Empire Part One

Episode 18:

Siege of the Crystal Empire Part One

On a cold and dark night a mysterious figure made it’s way through the blistering blizzard where beyond the Crystal Empire borders is where the arctic wastes resides. Eventually the figure made it to where there was no snow on the group before making it’s way forward towards Canterlot passing by a wooden sign with multiple directions and arrows pointing towards various areas in Equestria.

Along the way, she found herself meeting up with another mysterious figure wearing a black cloak with only his bright neon green eyes who moved to intercept the unknown figure to have a word with. While intentionally unsure and startled by his sudden appearance, she moved to listen to what he has to say along with his offer of assistance since he knows exactly what this figure wants and is talking about before making their way onward together.

For generations they were used as a prison for the worst of monsters like King Sombra himself. Absent the terrifying charm of Tartarus. Also absent its revolving door. The reality is that ended up being the place the two sisters put monsters they had no concept of how to hold.

Perhaps the even worse reality is that there are older monsters locked up here than even the two sisters know. This was the prison for the Crystal Empire in it’s earliest days. The rules of the Crystal Ponies were renowned for putting monsters on ice.

And after the fall of the Crystal Empire, records were lost. And with Princess Amore’s defeat, the secret knowledge of the royals was lost and the contents of the arctic wastes were forgotten. But forgotten is not gone and things you lock away have the worst way of coming back.

On that very night, the Flim Flams brothers are making they way out of town while carrying a red velvet wagon on their backs and from the looks of their disgruntled and defeated faces, they’ve just had the luck run short on another one of their latest schemes.

“Well brother, that’s another scheme foiled.” Flim commented to his brother.

"Another day, another bad apple in the bunch.” Flam also commented in agreement.

“You can say that again. Is there anywhere in Equestria two honest con ponies can set up a scam without a member of the Apple Family or anyone else associated with the Lion and Pony Guard showing up and ruining it? Why do these Apples along with their friends care so much? Who asked them to be hall monitors of all Equestria?”

“It’s a bum rap, it is. Every time we set up it’s like apples fall right out of the trees.”

“We’ve got to do something about them, brother.”

“I can help with that.” The figure wearing the cloak offered as it stood in their path thus startling them upon spotting the stranger right in front of them.

“Whoa!”

“Gah! Where’d you come from?”

The stranger paid no mind to their sudden shock before getting straight to business. “What if I offered you the chance to get rid of that pesky Applejack and her friends for good? What if I told you I had the power to make you wealthy beyond your imagination?”

At that moment Scar himself appeared wearing his black cloak as he floated before them before showing them a large bag of golden bits while giving the two a tempting smirk knowing full well they won’t have the heart say to no to his companion’s offer let alone knowing full well of who and what he is to everyone.

The following morning, Iron Will himself is holding a seminar in the Whinnyapolis hotel conference room where he is giving financial advice to ponies who seek and need it, which just so happens to be only one pony inside the room with him.

“And you can learn all of Iron Will’s secrets to being the new assertive you for just four easy payments of…” The only pony proceeded to get up and leave the room without a word, clearly not interested in anything further. “Wait! Stop! If you act now Iron Will will throw in this easy pocket horseshoe cleaner!” The pony still made his way out even in the face of desperation leaving the guy in dismay with the poor turnover from today’s meeting. “Iron Will doesn’t know Bertha. It’s like Iron Will has lost all his charisma even the other goats have left me.” His loyal goat companion let out a bleat in response to that. “You’re right! I did say me! Now I said it! Iron Will is losing it.”

Just then Scar along with the hooded stranger suddenly appeared inside the room with him. “That’s too bad.” He commented while startling both the mintouar and the goat at the same time. “Because a losing edge does keep you from winning and getting what you want in life, doesn’t it?”

“But…” The stranger chimed in and then offered. “...I can help you get it back.”

“Why should Iron Will listen to you, lion or alicorn or lion alicorn half breed or whatever you are?!” The minotuar assertively demanded of the half lion alicorn before turning to the pony wearing the cloak. “And you pony, you don’t even speak in third person.”

“Because…” Scar started as he moved to explain why he should listen to him and his companion accompanying him. “...charisma is a valuable tool. It inspires confidence and ensures that no matter what comes your way, you are capable of leading followers into action.”

“Not to mention, everybody used to be afraid of minotuars…” The stranger added. “...if you follow us, they can be again.”

“So, what do you say, wannabe fearsome assertive friend? Are you in for a favor at this time of my choosing.” Scar then said as the minotuar mulls over it for a bit, but it seemed he was on board for whatever they have in mind as Makucha himself appears beside the two awaiting his decision on whether he is in or not.

Elsewhere at a bar the Down N Out Cider Pub to be exact, is where Lightning Dust and Wind Rider are both currently playing darts with a picture of Rainbow Dash’s face winking at them used for target practice. And yet despite being former Wonderbolts, playing darts and landing bullseyes are not their thing as evident by the various darts pinned to the wall.

“You know I outraced Rainbow Dash at every turn. I just had the guts to do what needed to be done to win and she cared about making friends. Why does a Wonderbolt need friends?” Lightning Dust complained while tossing a dart at the board only to hit the wall instead to the sloppy shot attempt.

“I wish I knew because you know I deserved that very record I used to own before Rainbow Dash came along and ruined it. She should be the one sitting here and sulking and drowning her sorrows as an outcast. Not us.” Wind Rider further complained as he aimed poorly himself while hitting the wall again.

“Well she’s not so if you want to stay here, you need to order something.” The waitress, one with a pink coat, light grayish blue mane and matching eyes, wearing a white waiter apron, having passed by said to them while clearly not interested in whatever beef or axe to grind to the former Wonderbolts have with their most hated enemy.

“Another root beer.”

“Two, please.”

The two replied.

“All on us.” Scar then said as he and the stranger appeared while pitching a bag of gold bits to cover the cost of the root beer the two ponies requested to the waitress. “And if there is extra, keep it and get yourself something nice.” The waitress simply shrugged before walking off without further questions. Though given Scar’s nature, it wouldn’t be surprising if she didn’t want any trouble with him. “And as for you both once you are done, you are both needed today.”

“For what?” Lightning asked before hopefully and eagerly wondering. “Another attempt at taking down Rainbow Dash?”

“Correct, Lightning.” Scar nodded with a dark smile.

Hearing that sparked immediate interest in the two as they wasted no time in leaving the bar to carry out their part in his latest plan.

“Well, what are we waiting for?”

“Let’s go.”

“We have one last stop to make.” The stranger reminded before they could get too far ahead of them.

“Of course.”

“We’re not going off on our accord.”

The two called back as they raced ahead all while Scar himself holds the two mugs of root beer with his magic before casually taking a big sip from one of them feeling pleased and ready to carry out their next move on their enemies. And said target just so happens to be the Crystal Empire itself.

Later on that afternoon at the Crystal Empire, Twilight, Kion, Bunga, and Spike are all overseeing the preparations for the annual Crystal Faire and with the leaders of the Guard hard at work it was all coming together smoothly.

“Attention everyone!” Twilight shouted with a megaphone in her magic. “All food vendors are directed to take the east road to the Crystal commons. Fugelhorn vendors please follow balloon vendors to the Crystal courtyard.”

“Do they really have to call everything “The Crystal whatever”?” Spike asked as he looked over his clipboard. “We get it, it’s crystal.”

“Crystal clear that is…” Bunga laughed while munching on a glob of crystal sprinkle coated cotton candy. “...you don’t have to tell me twice.”

“Anyways…” Kion then said next to keep the conversation heading down the right direction. “...it might seem so a bit, but it is what it is.” He then shrugged before they all made their forward while making sure everything else is in order.

“They’re proud of their home.” Twilight added before noting of what Spike just said. “And Spike, I thought you loved the Crystal Empire. You’re a hero here.”

“I do.” He replied before clarifying. “I think the preparations for the Crystal Faire are starting to wear on me.”

“Wow!” Bunga piped up with his mouth full of cotton candy. “And it only took you three years for that to happen.”

“Bunga.” Kion scolded. “It can happen even to those who once enjoyed in the past. And besides, the Faire is tomorrow so after that there will be no more Faire talk until next year.”

“It’s about time.” Spike said already counting the time till then. “This last week has taken forever.”

“Oh! I get it!” Bunga realized. “Getting tired of being an event planner, huh?”

“No! It’s just considering that the Crystal Faire preparations took longer than usual compared to last year, it was more work than I needed.”

“Not to worry! Once you start getting bigger, you’ll feel your body can handle it.” Bunga assured though everyone looked at him like he just missed the point of this whole conversation. “What?”

“You’re really missing the point here.” Spike commented in return.

Before it could go further, Twilight noticed something peculiar on her left. “Hold on…”

“What’s up?” Kion asked before spotting the familiar wagon in front of them. “Oh, no! Not you guys again!”

“The Flim Flam Brothers?!”

“Yep!”

“In the flesh!”

Twilight along with the others scowled in their direction as their previous antics and cons haven’t been forgotten with them. “What are you two doing here?!”

“Just selling our legitimate wares, ma’am.” Flam innocently answered. “You remember our old Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 3000, right?”

“How could we forget?!” Bunga asked like it is one of the most ridiculous questions he’s ever heard of. “That was the worst cider I’ve ever tasted!” He even spit in their direction. “It took me a whole day just to get the taste of all of the trees, dirt, mud, and rocks you mixed in it! Not to mention a magical cure for dental work! Which reminds me…” He presents them a bill. “Here’s what you two owe me for the damage you caused to me!”

Flim calmly laughed it off while pulling aside the bill before resuming with what he and his brother have to say. “Well not to worry, little honey badger. For we have made some adjustments. It makes lemonade now.”

“Do you have a permit or do we need to order you to leave for attempting unauthorized business here?!” Kion asked.

“That won’t be necessary, sir…” Flam assured while pulling out the proper paperwork which just so happens to be one long scroll. “...for we assure you are legitimate business ponies we wouldn’t do less.”

“At least not when trying to sneak rotten worms in my cider.” Bunga remarked still not convinced himself as both Twilight and Kion look over the paperwork.

“Huh? Everything looks in order.” Twilight commented while puzzled they actually managed to take the time and effort to do so.

“Of course, Princess Twilight.” Flim said feeling sure to assert they have done nothing wrong so far. “Life gave us lemons so we made the world’s most efficient lemonade maker!”

“Oh, really?” Kion returned still skeptical of that claim.

“Yes, really. Just give us time and we’ll show you what it can do, okay, Prince Kion.”

“Very well.”

“But if you try to mix tropical bird droppings like you did on the last drink you served, you’re both out of here!” Bunga that stated while giving them the “I am watching you” gesture.

“Got it, honey badger.”

“Understood, and carry on.”

With nothing else needed to be said and done the four made their way by, but not without voicing their thoughts and concerns about them being here.

“Bet you all a bag of bits that they’re up to something.” Bunga first spoke while still looking on at them with the stink eye.

“You don’t have to wager me on that…” Spike commented in agreement before turning to the others. “I don’t trust them, Twilight, Kion.”

“Me neither.” Kion also agreed. “But that’s why we have the Pegasus security and our friends monitoring the other parts of the Faire.”

Twilight then spoke next to resolve the matter should push comes to shove. “I’ll have Applejack keep an eye on them. She’ll have a food stand too. Hopefully by the time the Crystal Ponies are allowed to come over to see the surprise we have prepared for them they' won't have too much trouble steering clear of danger like last time.”

"Let's hope so." Kion also hoped for the best even though it is always a given with all things considered.

Elsewhere, Rainbow Dash and Fuli have both come across someone who hasn’t exactly warranted a warm welcome to them something that both Fluttershy and Beshte took notice upon seeing their friends like this.

“Hey, Fuli, Beshte, what’s all the karbubble?”

“What’s all the commotion?”

Both Beshte and Fluttershy asked.

“Nothing worth your attention. Just someone who hasn’t got the proper clearance for this event.”

“And since you’re here Fluttershy, how about telling him he’s not getting into the Crystal Faire.”

The two replied pointing directly at Iron Will himself now wearing attire for the Faire with his goat companion standing by his side like always.

“Thank goodness, Fluttershy.” Said mintouar greeted like they’re pals. “Iron Will was hoping to see you. Pleas tell Miss Dash and Miss Fuli that you and Iron Will are friends now.”

“Huh?” Fuli looked on clearly confused.

“Well…” Fluttershy began. “...are you here to see the Crystal Faire?”

“We’ve heard it’s really beautiful. Iron Will has been taking meditation classes and working to be more kind.”

“Well…” Fluttershy felt pleased to hear it. “...that’s great! Fluttershy is… I mean… I am very proud of you.”

“That warms Iron Will’s heart, Fluttershy.”

“Well that’s lovely to hear.” Fuli shared with a forced and friendly smile before pulling Fluttershy aside. “If you don’t mind Iron Will, I’d like to have a word with your friend before we decide anything with you, okay?”

“Iron Will doesn’t mind at all. Take your time with your answer.”

Once Fuli was able to ensure she could speak to friends privately she then said to Fluttershy with gentle and firm suspicion and concern. “Now before you go ahead and decide whether he’s get to stay here or not, please tell me more about your friendship with Iron Will. Even after the guy drove you into overly assertively insulting everyone around you.”

“Not to mention, guys who we haven’t seen in a way while not on the best of terms only show up when something is about to go down.” Rainbow added equally suspicious and concerned. “And I have a gut feeling that guy’s still trouble with who knows whether or not Scar has put him up to something sinister.”

“Well, shortly after the whole overly assertive incident, he came by me the other day to apologize for how his assertiveness training didn’t work out the way he had hoped, so he invited me to lunch to make up for the trouble he caused because of it.” Fluttershy explained as a flashback of her meeting up with Iron Will in the past surfaces up. “After we talked it over and after I showed of how I was able to find middle ground between kind and assertive with a swift demonstration towards a rude waiter who was having a bad day with the other patrons, he was left impressed and satisfied to the point he tried to move on bigger endeavors. At least he’s doing already from what I last heard.”

“Right. Last I heard he was trying and failing to give financial advice to random ponies.” Rainbow returned not buying that Iron Will has improved greatly even while striking up a friendship with her friend. “But great friendship story aside, that still doesn’t convince me that we should let him carry on his business unnoticed.”

“True, but he hasn’t done anything illegal so far, and he does deserve the right to come and go as he pleases.” Fluttershy pointed out. “And much like whoever else is visiting as long as it isn’t someone from Scar’s army as long as they don’t stir up trouble, it’s nothing really to worry about.” She then gave Fuli a pleading look to at least let him stay.

“And there is the fact all of that can be changed if something does come up.” Beshte also pointed, being more than willing to give it a chance. “Maybe we should at least let him prove himself before we decide to kick him out.”

After giving it some thought Fuli moved to turn back to Iron Will with a decision made. “Very well, Iron Will. You may carry on and explore the Crystal Faire, provided that you are not scamming anyone here nor doing anything illegal.”

Fluttershy hugged her friend in response, very happy and grateful for her blessing in the matter. “Oh! Thank you! Thank you!”

“And don’t think I don’t have my eye on you because I’m watching you.” Rainbow then warned the minotuar as he moved to hug Fluttershy like they’re best buds which sparked a fierce and protective scowl towards him before making her leave along with Fuli.

Once the present members of the Lion and Pony Guard's backs were turned, he turned and gave the leopard now wearing a black catsuit the thumbs up to let him know he is good as he proceeds to use the distraction to make his way inside and closer to the heart of the kingdom.

At another part in the Crsytal Faire is where Rarity along with Pinkie, Kyoga, and Ono are overseeing the preparations in the Crystal Craft Corner where arts, crafts, and entertainment are being held there.

“Now Pinkie…” Rarity began to her overly excited party friend. “...You understand that I’ll be overseeing the arts and crafts tables and you’re in charge of the less...shall we say, aesthetic tables.”

“Right.” Pinkie hopped along fully understanding her task in hoof. “I’m in charge of the clowns and flugehorns. That’s what I was born for.”

“Good to hear.” Ono nodded before they are turned their attention forward. “Now, let’s see…”

Rarity taking notice of the old aged mare at one of the stands with blue crystals in cups. “Let’s see… mmm-hmmm. I like what you’re doing here. This is very next season.”

“But something we can work with.” Kyoga added while voicing her input on the matter.

“All right!” Pinkie then happily greeted the clown right beside her. “All right, you! Let’s see some slapstick.”

KER-SPLASH!

Right on cue, the clown was suddenly bombarded by a water balloon.

“Wow!”

“Whoa!”

“What the hay!”

Pinkie believing this part of the act wasted no time in complimenting the clown who is looking on equally surprised. “I didn’t even see the water balloon! Where did that come from!”

“RAAAGH!”

“HEY!”

Both Rarity and Ono screamed as they both got bombed themselves from the targeted water balloons fell on them and both were visibly and red-faced mad.

“Who dares!”

“What the buck!”

Just then laughter is heard from above which got the four’s attention. “Look at you both! You look ridiculous!” Lightning Dust taunted with Wind Rider by her side. “And before I’m done, all of your dumb arts and crafts will be soaked, too!”

“Not on our watch!” Kyoga fire back ready to throw down with the two former Wonderbolts.

“And there might not be a dungeon deep enough for the offense you committed!” Rarity angrily yelled back before using her magic to hoist the two ponies down hard onto the ground. “But Celestia knows I’ll keep looking! Security!”

At that moment both former Wonderbolts sprinted away with both Kyoga and Rarity in furious pursuit of the two quickly joined by the Pegasus security team with both Rainbow and Fluttershy along with Ono included.

“Ha! There’s only one Pegasus that’s fast enough to get near me!”

“Along with one more who still has speed in his wings to keep you catching us!”

The two fliers taunted as Rainbow Dash moved to try to close the gap along with Ono.

Above them the race between the fliers raged on as Rainbow Dash led the charge against the intruders. “Lightning Dust is trying to ruin the Crystal Faire! Come on, Ono, you too Fluttershy!”

“Got it!”

“Let’s do this!”

While Lightning Dust went ahead, Wind Rider split off from her, as he moved to try to speed off ahead with only Kyoga herself in hot pursuit of him. Though given his age and energy, it won't take too much trouble for the young lioness to catch her.

At the same time, Applejack has moved to set up her stand right across from the Flim Flams brothers after being informed of their presence here in the Faire and she wasted no time in voicing her honest thought about them being here today of all days. “You two! I don’t know what you’re up to but I know you’re up to something!”

“Applejack! You got the wrong idea about us.” Flim still insisted and tried to play innocent. “We knew you’d be here, so we didn’t even bring apples?”

“We’re in the lemonade game now, doll face. No need for the confrontation. Please look inside yourself.” Flam added while gesturing to the wagon with a closed window waiting to be open.

At the same time, Makucha slowly made his way across town before making his way towards the Crystal Palace where the Crystal Heart currently stands. “There it is! Now to await for the signal!”

Reluctantly with caution, Applejack proceeded to do so, only when she did she came across a startling surprise inside, specifically multiple pairs of green-blue eyes glaring right at her. “Wait! There’s something in here.”

Suddenly without warning, multiple changelings emerged right out of the wagon all shocking and scaring Applejack upon seeing them all and so many as they all emerged to the crystal blue sky. Something that Iron Will knew what to do from there.

"That’s the signal! That's my cue!” While suddenly speeding by the nearby ponies, Makucha wasted no time in pursing and snatching the heart from where it now stands all while the two former Wonderbolts keep the high fliers from the Guard still busy pursing them. Seeing that had him briefly chuckle at the sight before speeding off and away. "And no fast officers to spare to stop me."

“You’ll never catch me, Dash! I’ve been practicing and working on my speed lately!”

“You know I’m faster than you, Lightning Dust!” Rainbow retorted still in the pony’s rear view mirror. “It’s my job to protect the Crystal Faire today and I’m not about to let you ruin this for the rest of the Crystal Empire!”

“The Crystal Empire…?”

Inside the castle, a Crystal Guard urgently rushed inside to alert both the prince and princess inside who were both talking both Starlight and Sunburst with the latter holding their infant baby in his hooves. “Your majesties, the Crystal Empire is under attack!”

“Under attack? From where?” Shining Armor urgently inquired.

“I’m not sure it seems like everywhere! From the former Wonderbolts along with sudden reports of changelings on the rise!”

“Then that means Scar is involved in this and is now making his move on us, again!” Cadance stated wasting no time in taking action with her husband rushing outside alongside the guard to stop the ongoing chaos. "Let's go!”

"Let's."

"And what about us?"

"What should we do?"

Both Starlight and Sunburst asked the pink alicorn princess.

"You can help Shining Armor and I help Twilight and her friends in addition make sure the Crystal Ponies still waiting for the surprise to still remain inside! And you get Flurry Heart to safety and watch over her! Once the Empire is saved, we will come for her along with the rest of the Crystal Ponies!"

"You got it!"

"Will do! Come along, Flurry!"

Flurry however didn't like that idea as evident by her babbling and wriggling herself out of Sunburst's grasp.

"Flurry, no!" Sunburst quickly moved to use his magic to wrap a rope around her little body to prevent her flying off ahead. "Flurry, I'm sorry, but you can't go out there, it's not safe!"

Flurry moved to look at her mother pleadingly to let her join in, but even buttoning her cute little blue eyes wasn't swaying her into doing so. "I'm afraid he's right, Flurry." The mother apologized. "It's way too dangerous for a filly like you to be fighting. And we'll forgive ourselves if something were to happen to you. And please, stay with Sunburst, and be good, okay, Flurry?" She then pleaded of her in a motherly tone of voice. The baby frowned and crossed her arms in response before giving up any previous effort to want fly out into the battlefield. "You'll understand one day." She then kissed her baby on the forehead before taking off to do as she promised while the others went their separate ways.

From where Twilight, Kion, Spike and Bunga stood the ongoing chaos that has started has spread for all eyes to see.

“Changelings!”

“Lightning Dust and Wind Rider!”

Both Spike and Bunga stated in alarm upon seeing them.

“Then that means another one of Scar’s attack is underway!”

“We have to get back to the palace!”

Both leaders of the Guard then stated with both Spike and Bunga wasting no time in doing so.

But before their friends could follow after them they could do so they heard another familiar voice call out to them as if it is preventing them from leaving. “Not so fast, little prince and princess…” Who should appear none other than Queen Chrysalis herself as she emerged from the tent behind them. “...Because the party is just beginning!”

“Chrysalis!”

“I should have known you try to come here!”

“So true! Especially when it means an opportunity to get another shot at you both! And I won’t have you both running off!” She proceeded to fire one of her strongest blasts right at the two who both were quick to counter that with a combined counter blast to fend it off.

“You want us, Chrysalis!”

“You’ve got us!”

At the same time, Makucha made his move on his attempted theft of the heart which did not go unnoticed by Shining Armor himself.

“No!” He gasped before angrily growling in his direction with the guards right behind him. “Don’t let him get the heart!”

Up on the balcony, Princess Cadance worked her magic as she set her eyes on the leopard thief. “I will not them ruin the Crystal Faire!” She fiercely declared.

Elsewhere a distance away from the Crystal Empire…

“We left the Crystal Empire way back there.” Lightning taunted leaving her pursing officers stunned upon realizing the trick. “Poor Dash and Ono! Slow and poor sighted as always.”

Back inside the Crystal Empire…

Makucha had just narrowly avoided a blast of crystal blue magic from the princess herself before proceeding to continue making his way by in his evasive zigzag maneuvering style which has managed to be just enough to evade each and every hit thrown at him. "Better work on your aim, lady. Because this cat's too quick for ya!" He continued to run off ahead with Shining Armor and the guards in hot pursuit of him.

“Get back here with that!”

“Come on ponies! Get out of the way!”

“Get him!”

Upon emerging outside, Starlight wasted no time in taking off after them in order to stop the ancient relic from being stolen herself.

At the same time…

“Get her!” Rainbow angrily declared as the Pegasus blew a taunting raspberry right at her.

“Get them! Banzai!” Applejack equally angrily declared towards the Flim Flam brothers while leading the charge and the ensuing beat down on the two brothers who can only cringe with what was about happen next. Especially when both Bunga and Spike who just so happened to be around were quick to jump into the mix to protect their friends with the former taking great pleasure at making good on his earlier promise to the two ponies he has a beef with.

“Germando!”

“Gesundheit!”

As Makucha carried on like he was winning the race and staying ahead of things, he suddenly found himself on the losing end when he was suddenly forced to skid to a halt when he got body slammed by Beshte with the saddlebag containing the Heart was suddenly confiscated by Fuli. And when the leopard got up he found himself face to face with both Rarity and Pinkie Pie with the latter having her party cannon at the ready just when Starlight Glimmer whisked him up in the cannon's path ready for what's to come next.

“I know what you’re thinking…” Pinkie started casually like this is nothing new to her. “...that’s a party cannon. There’s no way she could stop me with a party cannon, is there?”

“Well, you’ve gotta wonder, would Pinkie Pie reload a comedy cannon with a real cannonball just for a good laugh?” Rarity then added with a devious smirk knowing what’s about to happen next as Makucha could only groan without looking defeated as he mentally prepares for what happens next.

“Well, whattya think? Do ya feel it, punk?” With a precise aim and fire, a super powerfully loaded cannonball flew right into the two heart stealing crooks and sent them flying far away from the Crystal Empire while Shining Armor, Fuli, Beshte, and the guards look on as they watch it happen on the ground.

“Ooph!”

“Oops.”

"Sorry, not sorry."

Both Rarity and Starlight returned with no sympathy for the guy.

“Rarity, Starlight…” Pinkie complained. “...we were having a moment!”

“Honestly, my hoof slipped.” Rarity defended still not regretting what she just did nor denying what happened. Nor was Starlight.

"And he did have it coming." Starlight added. "That being said, what do you put in there, anyway?”

“Velvet, very hard fabric, very high stopping power.”

At the same time, Kion and Twilight will still squaring off with Chrysalis where they were able to hold their own and even force the latter on the defense given of how much more powerful and capable they’ve become in combat together.

“You’ve gotten a little stronger, Twilight. You along with your friend Kion, are almost a match for me now.” Chrysalis complimented yet taunted.

“Chrysalis, I was a match for you when I was a foal, and all you’ve gotten is older.”

“Not to mention the fact then when you have someone who’s gotten better at magic since day one, you’re bound to have more on your hooves with age.”

Both leaders of the Guard fired back which seriously enraged the queen changeling.

“Age?! As in...?! Older?!How dare you! Now you’ll know my wrath!”

Both leaders of the Guard looked on unfazed by the threat as they swiftly, instinctively, and effortlessly stepped aside when the flying leopard came crashing into her when she tried to make a charge.

“Some wrath.”

“Talk about a grand attempt come crashing down on you.”

Both Twilight and Kion looked on with disappointment as they watch them tumble in pain and right by Applejack, Fluttershy, Bunga, and Spike who are all tying up the Flim Flam brothers together.

By then Rainbow Dash and Ono came flying by while holding the defeated Lightning Dust captive with Kyoga coming by to deliver the defeated Wind Rider she just caught with her magic.

“Knock! Knock! Came we come in? Thank you.” Kyoga asked as she and the others moved through a magically made door which opened (and just so happened to be there) before they proceeded to help imprison all of the culprits responsible for causing a scene at the fair in cages to ensure they don’t escape and cause anymore trouble for now.

“The cages don’t feel right.” Kion commented as he and Twilight regrouped with the latter’s brother along with the others.

“It’s just temporary until Celestia, Luna, and Simba get here to decide what to do with them.” The white stallion assured.

“Good job, everyone!” Twilight then complimented the whole Guard along with her brother for their success. “Thanks to you all, the Crystal Faire is still on for tomorrow. Sure that’s going to mean a lot of cleanup, but nothing we can’t handle.”

“Right.” Her brother agreed as he used his magic to levitate forward the saddle containing the Crystal Heart. “Starting with getting this back to where it belongs.” But when he moved to open he found that it’s actually not in there. “Wait? What? Where is it? Where’s the Crystal Heart?”

"Huh?" Princess Cadance quickly rushed over and took a look at the empty satchel herself and it was there she along with Twilight realized what had really happened. "Oh, no! Makucha must have handed it over to someone else somehow."

“Wait?” Fluttershy spoke up upon noticing something odd with the saddlebag itself, notably the symbol on the bag. “The satchel Makucha came in with had a symbol that was a different color.” Said symbol’s colored red.

"That's right, pony." Makucha confirmed with a dark smile. "Anything more you'd wish to add?"

“Then that mean’s, the real Heart is with the true perpetrator of this whole distraction.” Twilight deduced upon hearing and seeing this as she looked on to where she first found it during her first visit here as she and Cadance shared the same look of realization. “And I think I know where it is now…”

Wasting no time, Princess Cadance rushed on over towards the castle where she by gut feeling of where the Heart truly is...

The real satchel in question colored gray is currently held by the mysterious pony that accompanied Scar the other night as she made her way to Sombra’s abandoned castle.

“Hello?” The stranger called out to make sure no one was around before approaching Sombra’s old throne. By using the Heart’s magic in sparking the symbol above his throne, the stranger was able to unlock the hidden and secret stairway.

As the pony made its way down the stairs, Princess Cadance herself just so happened to be nearing where the stranger went down herself.

Elsewhere, Chrysalis even while imprisoned still felt she had already accomplished her part much like Makucha. “I’m glad you locked me up. I love watching you all realize what’s really going on.”

“What do you mean?” Shining Armor suspiciously inquired.

“It’s all a distraction.” Twilight answered as she realized what she meant. “It was all meant to get us away from the castle!”

“The castle? Princess Cadance is already in there! And so is Flurry Heart!” Shining Armor realized before running off ahead back towards the castle at the very moment the stranger made it’s way to the doorway at the end of the dark staircase.

“She is indeed!” Chrysalis smugly taunted as he watched the unicorn panic ahead. “She is indeed! Both your beloved princess wife and princess daughter.”

“I got to go save them!”

“Wait! Shining Armor! We don’t even know what you’re running into!” Twilight called after before moving to follow after him in order to stop him.

As the pony made it’s way inside the secret room, the pony looked on in amazement with what was unveiled inside. “Wow. After all of these years, I still wasn’t ready to see this place.” Turning her attention the empty space once she was sure she was alone, she then said. “You can come out. I know you’re here. There’s no need to time from me, Sombra.” When said figure didn’t emerge as requested the pony sat down and removed the hood. “Fine. You may not recognize my voice, but you won’t have forgotten my face.” Said pony turns out to be a mare, with a purple coat, a golden colored cutie mark to match the symbol on the satchel, with a long silver-white mane, and blue eyes. “Look at me, Sombra. Do you recognize me? What’s my name?

“Hope.” Said pony finally spoke as he and Scar made their appearance known to her as the latter shut the door in order to ensure no one else will intrude on their conversation. “You’ve come to finish the job, have you?” The former questioned as he appeared in a scary and fiery dark purple head with black smoke appearing behind him with yellow pupils and red eyes and a matching horn much like Scar does when he appears in the Outlands Volcano.

“Finish the job? Sombra?” Hope blinked in confusion. “You don’t understand.” She tried to explain.

“I understand perfectly. You were my best friend in the world and on the day I found out that my life was a lie, you abandoned me. Then you brought the two sisters to vanquish me.”

“It’s not that simple, Sombra!” The terrified pony insisted otherwise in the face of his glowing and roaring wrath. “I didn’t know what you were, I didn’t know what Princess Amore had done. What the Crystal Empire had done. But I’ve learned a lot in the time I’ve been gone. And now I want to make it right.”

“Make it right?! How?!” The unicorn scoffed. “Look at me! It’s taken more than a year to get this far! It’ll be a decade before I am strong enough to start toppling rulers as powerful as I am.”

To prove her point her eyes and horn both glowed bright hot white as she worked her magic. “Hold on! This is going to hurt!”

With a powerful golden zap of her magic she expelled a massive amount of magic inside the unicorn’s body who screamed in agony as it happened. But unlike what one would expect it felt increasingly powerful and relishing for him as said magic blast coursed through his veins and gave him a powerful surge like nothing before.

“Well, how do you feel?” She asked once the magic has run it’s course.

“The king has returned!” King Sombra himself declared as he stomped his hoof onto the ground making dark crystals appear around him. “Long live the king!”

While this was happening, Scar watched on with satisfaction seeing that the first part of the plan went flawlessly, and now it is time for part two to get underway...

Episode 19: The Siege of the Crystal Empire Part Two

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Episode 20: The Siege of the Crystal Empire Part Three

Episode 20:

The Siege of the Crystal Empire Part Three

Just after it happened, Twilight Sparkle was the first to express her horror to the point she nearly cried as a result with what has happened to the Two Sisters especially her mentor. “Noooo! What have you done?!”

“It’s quite simple, Twilight.” Scar replied like it’s something she should have known by now. “King Sombra himself beat the Two Sisters while I have just beaten King Simba himself, again. The battle is over. We’ve won.”

Hope having recovered from the shock of what just happened but still look aside at the statues in guilt with her involvement then spoke next. “Now there is nothing left to do but…”

“Wait!” Sombra interrupted still not finished as his eyes are directed towards both Twilight and Kion. “There’s another princess here that needs to be dealt with permanently. She’ll try to stop me another with this new prince of hers.”

“Sombra, they’re trapped.” Hope insisted against doing anything to her to which Scar looked on seeing her words as a futile effort on her part. “Tell him, prince and princess. You won’t get in his way, will you?”

“No, I won’t!”

“Me neither!”

Both defiantly stated.

“See, they said they…”

“I wasn’t finished. I won’t stay out of his way, and neither will I do the same for Scar himself...” Twilight interrupted as she continued with what she has to say to both Sombra and Scar. “...as long as I have the strength to stand, I will see too it that you both are punished for what you did to Celestia and Luna.”

“Not only that you will also pay for what you did to my dad!” Kion equally furious declared. “You might have me locked behind a cage, but I will never back down nor cower before you both as long as I still have some fight inside of me.”

“You’re a brave fool, Twilight Sparkle. You and your friend, Kion.” Sombra scoffed.

“And you’re a vicious coward. I read your journal.” Twilight fired back and retorted.

“And we know who you are.” Kion added.

Sombra glared at the two with narrowed eyes and gritted teeth ready to deal with them once and for all. “And now you’ll just be another entry in it, Goodbye, prince and princess.” He worked up his magic in preparing to kill them right on the spot…

...when suddenly his magic fizzled out and he nearly stumbled as a result. “Grrrr! What’s wrong with me?!”

“Sombra!” Hope moved to help him up. “You’ve over-exerted yourself. I only just gave you a boost a little while ago.”

“But I was given plenty of stability throughout the time I was brought back and away before!” Sombra angrily retorted. “There’s no way I could have just over-exerted myself already!”

“I mean…” Scar spoke up in her defense. “...both Twilight and Shining Armor did keep you and Chrysalis at bay for a while and that last spell did use a lot of magic. So, I think that explains it there.”

As Hope helped Sombra up to his hooves she then reminded. “You need to remember our goal.”

Sombra angrily retracted his hoof away from her. “Leave me alone! I can do it myself!”

“Enough, Sombra!” Scar firmly and sternly spoke up to get his obedient attention and refrain from spitting on much needed assistance. “Do not taint your victory like this. Especially when we haven’t completed secured it.” He then said deciding the next course of action. “For now, I want you to take your time in recharging your magic so we can move with the next part of the plan to ensure that your rule is permanent. Even if it means having to let the remaining masters of magic go for now. Am I clear?”

“Yes, Scar.” Sombra reluctantly nodded before trotting off. “You’re right. I do not need to defeat this prince and princess now. Now is the time to prepare to unleash what has been locked away from here for far too long.”

“What’s to be unleashed? And what’s been locked away for so long?” Chrysalis couldn’t help but curiously ask.

Scar was quickly able to speak up for Sombra before too much could be said to dissuade her support. “The very powerful secret of dark magic. One that’ll ensure King Sombra’s will be able to rule the Crystal Empire unchallenged.”

And that was enough to get Chrysalis to accept it without further questions. “Of course! Anything you need with me and my changelings to help out with it?”

Scar shook his head. “Nope. You did your part and that’s all I ask of you for today.”

“Oh, okay.” Chrysalis accepted that call without question as well. “And what about the others, I suppose you’re going to let them go too?”

“Yep.” Scar nodded. “So go ahead and get the others gathered so they can go home for the rest of the day. They’ve earned it. And in case you’re wondering, Chrysalis, I plan on getting the other Outsiders to take over going forward since it is their turn to do their part in the Crystal Empire now.”

“Very well, Scar. I’ll see to it they are here.” Chrysalis personally found it entertaining that the others will now have to suffer the burden of guard duty and whatever unfortunate consequences that could happen if something doesn’t go according to plan.

“Just have everyone meet up in front of the castle, and I’ll give them the teleportation they need to get by in an instant.” He then told her. After Chrysalis left to carry out Scar’s orders, he then turned back to the prisoners with certain measures he feels is necessary to take even with Sombra unable to do anything else to them while not fully charged himself. “That being said, Twilight Sparkle…while you’re lucky that Sombra wasn’t able to deal immediately with you like he did to your precious mentors you see as a mother and aunt, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook yourself.” He then proceeds to make a magical lock appear on her horn and chains appear on all four limbs along with her neck. He then proceeds to briefly open the cage just so she can drag the alicorn princess out by the chain around her neck like a dog on a leash.

“Hey!” Twilight exclaimed while being choked due to the chain around her neck. “Is this really necessary?!”

“Yeah! What she said, Scar!” Rarity piped up in her defense looking absolutely appalled at the way he is now treating her friend. “And really? Literally keeping her on a tight leash?! That is so much even more undignified than keeping us in a cage!”

“Quite so.” He bluntly returned as he tugged on the alicorn’s leash tightly. “Since I obviously can’t leave you alone and figuring out how to save the day like before, the least I can do for the mean time is ensure that when Sombra is back up to full power, you’ll be next to join your beloved princesses in where they now stand, forever.” He then added as he offered. “Unless of course, if you’re willing to help me out like old times sake, I could be more than willing to spare you of that fate.”

Twilight simply rolled her eyes in response. “And what do you think the answer is going to be in case if it isn’t obvious at this point?”

“I think I still see potential in you compared to both Celestia and Luna. Something that can still prove very useful to me if you’re an obedient follower like before.” He replied before tugging tightly on the leash once more forcing Twilight to walk along with him. “At least the one thing I can get out of this is being able to chat with you like old times. Now isn’t that nice or what?”

“Depends on what your definition of nice is.” Twilight sarcastically remarked in a deadpan manner to which Scar returned an amused chuckle in response.

“Fair enough, now come along, Twilight, we mustn’t keep the king awaiting.”

With that along a few tugs of the leash was the captured princess forced to walk alongside in the half lion alicorn’s custody. All while her friends futilely reach out to her in worry with what Scar will do to her.

“Twilight!” Spike cried out with tears in his eyes upon seeing her being pulled away from him like this.

“It’ll be okay, Spike. I’ll be fine. Just stick to the mission and be true to yourselves.” She called back before disappearing from the horizon along with Scar.

“We have to do something!” Spike implored of everyone. “Because it’s only a matter of time until they finish the job with her!”

“I agree!” Kion said as he tries to think of a way his friends and father can all get out of this cage along with saving their friend and the Crystal Empire.

Sometime after personally ensuring that Twilight was locked away inside where she wouldn’t stay in their way, Scar, Sombra, and Hope all took the time in between walking from taking care of the youngest alicorn princess to transporting and calling in the requested aid for guarding the castle to talk in private.

“Um, Scar. Now that we’re alone, mind if I ask you something?” Hope asked.

“Not at all, Hope. Fire away.” Scar politely replied while gesturing of the pony to speak of what’s floating on her mind.

“Why did you stop Sombra from telling Chrysalis and the others we’re going to release the Umbrum?”

“Good question, Hope. Why did you, Scar?” Sombra hissed seeking an explanation for it as well.

“It was not in my interest to tell them because their interests conflict with ours.” Scar calmly explained. “Especially not Chrysalis.”

“Why not?”

“Why would the queen of insects, the queen of vermin, oppose of this?”

“Because if she were to find out of what we were planning here she would plot to revolt against us since she and her changelings feed on the crystal ponies love like every other pony. And that’s something I can’t afford to do if we are to achieve our goals together.”

“And what would you know about the Umbrum, your majesty?” Sombra growled at the half lion and alicorn like he is his master who knows the best course of action for all parties involved.

“I may not have been around as long you both, but for someone like Twilight Sparkle who spends quality time doing his research, I know exactly what we’re talking about in regards to the Umbrum.” Scar explained as he recalled what happened when they were last here. “Umbrum ruled this place once. They burned the homes and crushed the hopes of the crystal ponies. Their coat’s faded. Their magic was lost. The Umbrum are cruel and heartless. With them released they all have the power to conquer all of Equestria and more.”

“No!” Hope cried not wanting to believe that. “That’s not what they are! I lived among them, they have hopes and dreams like any other creatures. They just want to be free.” She protested and insisted.

Scar however shrugged it off without a care in the world. “Oh, you poor girl. Been away for so long and yet you have no idea of what the reality of the situation is. Though I am curious, how exactly did you manage to live for a thousand years despite only being a unicorn? Did they grant you power inside that’ll someday make you an alicorn one day?”

The question itself caught Hope off guard. “Huh? What? I mean...no. Why would you think that?” She stammered in response.

“Just thinking of a theory considering you look as young as the ponies in this generation.” Scar answered. “And that nopony else knows who you are upon first glance. Which seems to be the case isn’t it?” Upon seeing that Hope is too stunned and speechless to confidently say otherwise pretty much tells and confirms to Scar what he thinks of her. “Interesting.”

“And very intriguing.” Sombra chimed in as he eyed her wondering what the secret of her magic inside is. “Something worth looking into later on. But for now, shall we focus on getting the Umbrum freed?”

“Let’s.” Scar agreed before separating himself from the two. “But first, I need to oversee in making the proper shift change before that can happen so, I’m going to get right on it. I’ll check in with both later.” With that, the lion alicorn hybrid made his leave from the castle leaving both Sombra and Hope alone for the time being. And once they were sure it was just the two of them they continued conversing with one another.

“They’re all so afraid.” Hope expressed still believing on what she thinks despite what Scar just said. “They don’t even understand what they’re afraid of.” Hope expressed about the Umbrum.”

“They’re afraid of monsters, Hope.” Sombra said not even denying what was assessed is the truth. “Ponies have always have been afraid of the creatures they do not understand.”

“Sombra, you’re not a monster.” She still assured as she worked her magic on him. “Just a few minutes with my healing spells and your energy will be as rain as rain.”

“I want you to stay up here.” Sombra then coldly ordered much to her shock.

“What?”

“I have been gone for a long time. I need some time to think.”

"But...I...everything I’ve done for you.” She reminded as the pony continued his way down the stairs where they first reunited with another word nor glance in her direction much to her disheartened dismay.

Unnoticed, Princess Cadance who had managed to escape being seen, happened to have witnessed this from behind the tall crystals and is now sensing an opportunity now that both Scar and Sombra aren’t around.

Meanwhile Scar has just managed to get the team that helped him and Sombra conquer the Crystal Empire together in front of the palace so he can work his magic in sending them home and they were all happy to do so no questions asked. In their steads, the hyenas, jackals, crocs, vultures, and the lionesses are all stepping up in providing security detail around the castle before he moves to regroup with Sombra in aiding him in releasing the Umbrum. While everyone was content with this, they were none of the wiser to why Scar really made this call nor even bothered to question it.

Elsewhere, Kion is trying to work his magic in unlocking the cage keeping him, his friends, and father imprisoned. By then Simba has recovered to the point he was able to come too.

“Ugh.” Simba groaned as he got up on his paws. “What happened?”

“Sombra happened.” Fuli answered. “He was able to end the fight by turning the royal sisters in stone and used that blinding light to allow Scar to knock you out up until now.”

“Ugh, figures.” Simba groaned once more as he rubbed his eyes with his vision still recovering from what happened earlier. “Not above fighting dirty if it suits him even with the bravery and skill to challenge me.”

“And yet his efforts alone were enough to turn the tide of the battle in his favor.” Ono remarked as he floated over to the small spaced bars where he was able to catch a glimpse of Scar talking to the team after the shift change. “And it seems he’s enlisted new help going forward.”

“Like who?”

“Janja, Reirei, Kiburi, Mzingo, and Zira along with their followers.”

“Janja?”

“Reirei?”

“Kiburi?”

“Mzingo?”

“Zira?”

Kion, Rarity, Rainbow, Fluttershy, and Simba all asked very surprised to hear it.

“Yep, all here right now. In addition, Makucha is also here to stay.”

“But why them instead of who was just here earlier? With the exception of that Makucha fella.” Applejack asked finding very odd and suspicious.

“I have no idea.” Ono couldn’t say himself. “But with Zira and her pride here, we need to act now before they see us!”

“Then we better get a move on now!” Simba then stated of what must be done especially with the lionesses here.

“And I’m working on it!” Kion stated as he tried really hard in working his magic on the lock to the cage. “Come on!” He proceeded to jam his magic into the keyhole which finally allowed the door to the cage to open up. “There we go!” But even still the door still refused to open. “What?! It still won’t open! But why?!”

“I know why.” Kyoga answered as she then moved to explain. “Because this cage has dark magic crystals surrounding it. Meaning that every bar and every piece of metal used to construct this cage was created by using dark magic itself and only dark magic can open it.”

“Boy. Talk about constructive criticism.” Bunga commented in disappointment before laughing at his joke much to the annoyance of everyone around him. “Ha! Ha! Get it?! Constructive criticism?!”

“Seriously, Bunga?” Fuli asked thinking doing so now of all times is okay. “This is no laughing matter!” Much to her irritation Bunga laughed even harder as she just said an even funnier joke without realizing it.

“Oh, brother.” Ono rolled his eyes before staying on the main focus here. “So...dark magic is the only thing that’s going to open this cage?”

“I’m afraid so.” Kyoga replied with regret as she tried to spark up her magic only to get very teeny tiny sparks and nothing more out of it. “And without Twilight we can’t use the Elements of Harmony to get us out of this one. Not to mention Scar and Sombra must have done something that nullifies my powers while I’m in here.”

“Well that is just great.” Rainbow moaned before thinking. “Unless…” He got an idea before turning to the Lion Guard's Fiercest with an idea that could work. “…unless you can do it, Kion. Work that magic of yours into dark magic that’ll set us free.”

Kion however didn’t seem eager to want to do it. “What?! No way! I can’t! It’s too dangerous!”

“Kion!” Rainbow groaned before trying to be make sense of it to him. “I know this is something you don’t want to do, and believe me I get it. You don’t want to turn out like Scar. But it’s the only way to unlock this very cage that’s keeping us from saving the day and I’m sure doing so one time in your life or every now and then won’t hurt you. And besides, Twilight along with Celestia, and Luna have used it every now and then and nothing bad happened to them...ever since we formed the Lion and Pony Guard, that is.” She added the last part as she quickly reminded herself that both Twilight and Luna didn’t exactly steer straight from evil because of it.

“Rainbow’s right, Kion.” Kyoga commented in agreement. “Just believe in yourself like Twilight said to and you’ll be fine.”

“You can do this, son.” His father also said to assure him nothing bad’s going to happen to him. “Just think yourself doing it like how you always use the Roar. For good intentions like stopping great evil from taking over, as opposed to wanting to conquer the Crystal Empire like Scar would.” He then gently placed a paw on his back. “It’s okay, Kion. Work your magic and think of only of what is best for everyone.”

Kion after pondering this advice, then gave a deep heavy sigh as he concentrated his red and gold magic on the keyhole once more. With deep focus after several seconds of working his magic he was able to concentrate his magic into creating dark magic as his eyes glowed green and red with purple smoke coming out of them much like Sombra, Scar, Twilight, Celestia, and Luna before him. He grunted as he worked his magic into the keyhole and managed to actually open up the cage door thus allowing everyone to escape it.

But just then an alarm went off as it happened thus sparking the Outsiders attention right at them.

“Over there! The prisoners are escaping their cell!” Mzingo alerted Zira along with her pride.

“Oh, monkey fudge! We’re in trouble now!” Applejack exclaimed as she spots the lionesses along with Nuka coming right at them.

"Yep! We're dead!" Ono stated in agreement.

“No!” Simba shook his head in response to that last statement as he and Shining Armor share a knowing nod together. “Just us!”

“Dad? What are you talking about?” Kion asked confused and worried before realizing what they are thinking. “You mean…”

“Yes, Kion.” His father firmly and authoritatively commanded. “Go ahead to the castle while you still can! We’ll hold them off!”

“And make sure Twilight, Cadance, and Flurry Heart are all okay after saving them, little brother!” Shining Armor also stated equally firm. “Go! Now!”

While not liking the idea, the Lion and Pony Guard obviously had no choice in the matter since time is at the essence and they know full well that Zira and her pack is way out of their league. So with no time wasted, the whole crew darted towards the castle as quickly as they can with Rainbow having to pull a still reluctant and hesitant Kion away before they could be spotted.

With the whole clan now surrounding the two, both the full-grown lion and stallion both stood their ground as they prepared themselves for a big fight against Scar’s most elite fighters. Wasting no time, the Outsiders went on the attack.

Shining Armor proceeded to act fast by plowing his head right into the first Outsider that tried to attack them before bucking, punching, and blasting three more that came his way. Then two of the other lions tried maul him by sinking their teeth into his skin before he moved to quickly teleport his body away before reappearing and then bucking them right in the face.

Simba himself managed to quick knock aside Nuka before tussling it out with Vitani himself. The two managed to exchange a few swipes and swings at one another before the larger lion managed knock the other lion away. At that moment two more lions tried to attack from both his blind spots before being quickly knocked aside by Simba himself as he was quick to counter that. Just then another lon tried to pull a sneak attack on the lion king from where he couldn’t be quick enough to react to. But this time around he literally had someone watching his back as a quick blast of magic knocked the lion out cold, courtesy of Shining Armor himself.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” The unicorn reminded as they now come face to face with the furious Zira herself as she prepares herself to take on the two that took down and knocked out her clan.

“He’s right, unicorn. For you and Simba are both going to pay for what you did my pride! And before the king meets his end…” She then stated with her mad and angry eyes directed at Shining Armor. ”...you will be the first to die before his very eyes.”

“Try it, Cinch!” Shining returned ready for that fight as a ringing bell from a wrestling and boxing match appeared out of nowhere. “Huh?”

“Where did that come from?”

“Who cares?!”

With that Zira angrily lunged at the unicorn who was quick to have his magic put up a spear over his head as he used it to fend off the lioness’s attacks with her claws. At one point Zira lunged to push the spear toward Shining’s neck only to be blasted aside and then plowed head on in response.

Infuriated by the unicorn fighting back, Zira moved to charge once more at the unicorn only to get tackled and wrestled down by Simba himself. For several seconds the two lions were on the ground wrestling with one another before they were able to break apart and stand up still facing each other down.

The two then stared down at each other like bitter enemies before swinging at each other with their unsheathed claws like they’re going for the kill. Simba managed to get a hit on her who likewise growled and returned it in kind. The process itself repeating itself for a while until Simba finally delivered a blow that slammed Zira down into the ground hard with Shining Armor following it up with a magic blast to knock her inside the cage they were just trapped before throwing in the rest of her clan inside of before shutting the cage door closed so they can’t get out.

“Great work and great moves, Simba!”

“Thanks! And thanks for the assistance Shining Armor, I couldn’t have done it without you!” The two smiled at each other to show their genuine gratitude towards one another before hearing the sounds of growling from hyenas, jackals, and crocs nearby. “Let’s go!”

The two proceeded to dart away from the scene just as their enemies turned the corner wondering if they actually managed to capture the Lion and Pony Guard or not, only to find the lion clan trapped inside the cage instead.

“Where are they are?!”

“Do we still have the Lion and Pony Guard here?!”

“And are they still locked up and neutralized?!”

Janja, Kiburi, and Reirei all asked before seeing the immediate aftermath of what has just happened.

“They’re gone!”

“They have managed to escape!”

“And they’re free! We need to go after them!”

“Whoa! Whoa! Wait a minute!” Nuka called out to the other Outsiders who are just heading back out. “What about us?! Aren’t you going to help us out of here?”

“Nope!”

“Can’t!”

“Not a chance!”

The three leaders all shook their heads.

“And even with we could, we still wouldn’t because you would eat us for dinner. So there’s that.” Janja then pointed out.

“And once again I agree with the hyena with what he said.” Reirei said before glaring at said hyena. “So don’t you think this mean this moment changes anything.”

“Won’t expect it myself!” Janja growled back before moving to put their differences aside so they can set out and find the Lion and Pony Guard before they can come through and save the day again. He then turned back and saw both Cheezi and Chungu making silly faces at the imprisoned lions which made him growl in response. “Hey, furbrains! Let’s go!”

“Coming!”

“Right behind you!”

But not without delivering one last raspberry directed at them which left them narrowly getting clawed by the lions for their taunting who both screamed and laughed as they ran away.

“Ugh! I can understand now why Scar hates hyenas.” Vitanti grumbled.

“Me too.” Zira agreed as she slammed a paw on one of the bars in frustration at their current predicament. “And how are there more hyenas after Scar’s downfall as king, I’ll never know.”

“Do you all really want to know?” A certain voice said to them as he moved to unlock the cage trapping them inside.

“Scar?” Zira asked in shock.

“Yes.” He confirmed as he appeared before them as they made their way out the cage.

“It would be an intriguing story to tell, that is of course if there is time for that, Scar.” Zira then said out of respect for him.

“After this is all over, I can assure you of that.” Scar replied like it’s nothing to sweat over before getting serious once more. “But in the meantime, keep moving and find the Lion and Pony Guard along with their allies here. I want them alive for King Sombra himself to deal with.”

“Yes, Scar.” Zira said as she and the others bowed before him before asking one more question. “But what if they get anywhere near and manage to take back the Crystal Heart of theirs again?”

“Not to worry, my dear.” Scar calmly reassured. “I got someone to ensure that base is covered."

At that moment, Radiant Hope is currently looking down the stairs where Sombra descended towards before making her way around the nearby hallways as she pondered of what he told him just earlier. “I guess I should have seen that coming. Oh well, we would have had to fight her eventually anyway.”

“You’re her, aren’t you?” Cadance out loud stated as she emerged from her hiding spot to confront her.

“Who?” She asked while looking on alarmed and startled upon seeing her.

“You’re Radiant Hope. You were supposed to be a princess. I read about you in Sombra’s journal.”

“That was a long time ago.” She returned while still looking bug eyed at the princess now standing face to face with her. “You look a lot like Princess Amore. You’re related to her, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know. I’m an orphan just like you. I’ve never known my family.”

“But it seems you’ve made a nice life and family yourself here.”

“I have.” The princess didn’t even deny it as she moved to circle around her. “And I know you’re sad, I know you’re working for Scar, and I know Sombra is angry but I won’t let you do what you’re trying to do. I won’t let you hurt the ponies I love.”

“You don’t understand!” The surrounded pony insisted otherwise. “The crystal ponies are the real villains here. They locked the Umbrum away.”

“Because they were monsters!” Cadance stated with emphasis on that last word.

“That’s such a disappointing point of view…” With a simple burst of crystal blue magic she disappeared and reappeared away from Cadance before moving to make a run for it. “I’d hoped you’d at least try to understand.”

“Wait! Stop!” She called out to her before following after her in a chase.

“Sombra!” She called out to him in vain as they made their way back to the throne room.

Unable to catch her in time, Cadance then moved to focus her magic into doing something she had hoped she would never have to do herself. “Only one shot at this!” With great focus and mental exertion she was able to get her normal crystal blue magic to turn dark before using it on the throne to close the secret passageway. “I did it!” She then said feeling proud of herself with what she just accomplished.

“No!” Radiant desperately in vain tried to touch around the floor that just closed up hoping there is another way to reopen it to no avail. Leaving her at surrounded by the pink alicorn once more who is letting the smoke of dark magic exit her horn.

“I couldn’t do that before. I’ve tried a hundred times.” Cadance gently explained.

“Sombra designed it.” Radiant explained as she repeatedly and futilely tapped around the floor. “It’s a two part lock. Knowing the spell is only the first part.”

“And what is the second part?” Cadance asked. “How did I have it? Now if I don’t have it before?”

“Rage.” Radiant answered. “You have to have true rage in your heart even if you hide it well.”

“But when Twilight opens it, she…”

“Gets a headache? She must have anger in her much like she did after she got her scar. But also control which she also has had even back then too. Tell me, Cadance. Is your head hurting now?”

“No.” The princess honestly replied as she placed a hoof on her chest. “I feel fine.”

Seeing that she has nowhere to run or teleport away given what the princess in front of her is capable of she then said. “Well princess, what do we do now?”

“We have to stop both Sombra. He can’t set the Umbrum free.” Cadance firmly answered. “And neither can Scar.”

“He has to.” Radiant inisted once more. “They’ve been locked away for millennia.”

“Because they’re evil.”

“They’re not. They’re decent. They’re nice even.”

“You can’t know them. You’ve never met them.”

“But I have. That’s where I was all of these years, living with them.”

“How did you get away?” She asked wanting to know more and more of what she is being told.

“They let me go. They wanted me to know that they were good. That Sombra could be good. They wanted to help me to help Sombra complete his mission.”

“But if they’re locked away, how did you find them?”

“There’s a red crystal in the arctic wastes. It’s like a door. We can go in, but they can’t get out.”

“And you were able to go into their prison and speak with them?”

“For centuries something about that place kept me from aging.”

“Is that really?” Cadance eyed the mare suspiciously as she finds that a rare find barring an alicorn. “Can you take me there? Can I meet them?”

Radiant smiled in response to that question, feeling she will be able to prove the princess wrong. “I thought you’d never ask.”

With a poof of magic the two teleported away from where they previously stood just as both Spike and Starlight themselves makes their way by with keys in the former's hooves. All while cautiously looking around while running to make sure none of their enemies are around lurking to catch them in the act with the near close call when Makucha just so happened to be nearby. During which he managed to catch a whiff of scent which detects that one of his enemies is nearby before pressing forward in the opposite direction.

“So far so good."

"The coast is clear.” The two quietly shared before they both pressed on forward.

In a flash, both Radiant and Cadance both appeared in the arctic tundra of the Crystal Empire where they spot out the red crystal that the former had just described.

“I can’t wait for you to meet them! You’ll see they’re not at all what you think.” The former happily expressed.

The latter however had to ensure she’ll only believe when she sees it. “Hope, I want to make sure we understand each other.”

“Just give them a chance! You’ll see that they’re not evil.”

“If you’re right, I’ll help you set them free. But if you’re wrong…” She then warned as the pony works her magic in opening the portal through the red crystal they are now standing in front of. “...you have to be willing to help me stop Sombra and Scar.”

“Of course!” She obliged though still feels that she is right deep down. “But you’ll see. I’m not wrong.”

Once they emerged on the other side of the portal inside the Umbrum world, they are both greeted to sight that the alicorn herself felt unsure about as evident by the lifeless grass and trees preceding the nearby stairs. “What is it with these things and stairs?” She asked.

“Watch your step. It’s very dark.” The unicorn cautioned.

“Wait.” Cadance brought up given that she has magic too. “I have something for that.”

With a bright sky blue shine of her horn, the two were able to safely make their way down the stairs.

“Well I wish I hadn’t seen any of this.” Cadance commented as she felt herself cringing at the strange birds and plants like they are walking through a graveyard.

“You can’t judge everything by it’s appearance, princess.” Radiant reminded.

“What about it’s smell?” She pointed out as she caught a really bad whiff. “Can I judge it on that?”

Once they got down the stairs, Radiant called out to the open. “Rabia! Rabia, it’s me, Hope! I brought a guest, Rabia. She wants to meet the Umbrum and help me free you.”

Cadance looked around still not finding herself feeling comfortable being here. “I don’t see a door. Where do we go from here? Hoe, maybe we should…” But she got cut off mid-sentence as Radiant got her attention as she was looking back towards the way they came here.

“Here she comes!”

Said creature that looks like a combo of a pony and a breezie appeared before their eyes with fast speed and happy eyes on her side. "Friend Hope! She greeted. “You have returned! Is it time? Are we free?”

“Almost, Rabia. I brought a new friend.” Said pony retracted a hoof upon seeing her for the first time. “This is Princess Cadance. She wanted to see you.”

“Oh, a princess is here?” Rabia frowned in her direction.

Still to make a good impression, the princess moved to greet her like she is a friend here. “Hello, Rabia. Radiant Hope told me so much about you and how you were unjustly imprisoned.”

“Yes, it is a painful memory for us.”

“I hoped I might be able to meet your ponies. You understand, I have to make sure that my ponies will be safe.”

“Hmmmmm….” She gave it some thought but not without skepticism towards her. “A princess in person of shadows? That’s unheard of.

“Please, Rabia…” Hope insisted of her not to be too distrusting of her.

“You know it was a princess who locked us in here, right?” Rabia recalled to the pony trying to back her guest up. “What if she tries to hurt my ponies?” Personally she feels that she should be turned away right now, but then thought, if she’s going to have a solid case, she should at least convince her that they can be trusted. “I need you to promise not to use your magic inside. Not for anything no matter how small.”

“Of course, I promise!”

“Well in that case…” She then proceeded to gesture them to the area where there rooms the size and shape of jail cells. “Welcome to the shadow prison."

Back in the other world, Starlight and Spike have managed to sneak her way around the castle without being spotted by the Outsiders. It also helps that there is magic she can use to make her blend in the shadows and darkness accompanying the dark hallways along with making herself invisible while Spike himself can use the nearby dark spots and shadowy parts of the castle for cover when needed.

After making sure they are certainly clear to move on, they then made her way towards the room she wanted to find. A certain jail cell containing a certain somepony currently in chains. Starlight worked her magic in unlocking the door in front of her door before moving to go in and set her friend free.

Upon seeing both Spike and Starlight, Twilight felt pleased as she works her magic in unlocking the locks on her chains and cuffs all over her body. “Glad you managed to pull yourself away from battle when you did. Otherwise I’d still be here.” Once the chains and cuffs were removed she could moved her limbs and neck around freely. “Not to mention feeling forced around a lot.”

“Must be quite a forgettable experience.” Starlight commented as she could already imagine herself being on a literal leash herself. “I can’t imagine anyone who would enjoy that feeling.”

"Me neither." Spike commented as he griped his neck finding the very idea of a chain around his neck personally unsettling. "And if either of you do, please keep that to yourself.” He insisted as they both made their way out before anyone spotted them.

“Now, let’s go!” Twilight then declared before leading the way away from here.

“Right behind you, Twilight.” With that the two made their way out back the way the unicorn herself came from.

At the same time, Kion and the others were making their way inside the castle looking around the place hoping for signs of their friends nearby before pressing forward towards where the throne room is, thinking that Cadance might be there. Follwing that seconds are both Simba and Shining Armor as they both appeared in a flash after the latter found an opening where they can teleport inside without being caught in the act.

Outside of the castle, Makucha picked up something as he sniffed again as he was just meeting up with Scar once more. "You smell that?"

Scar sniffed himself while smiling. "Yes, I do." He then chuckled before preparing to work his magic for a quick teleportation. "Which means everyone is doing exactly what they're supposed to. And I know exactly where they're all going now..."

Back in the other world, the creatures Radiant Hope has been greeted by the creatures she had previously saw as they greeted her eagerly and kindly like they have in the past.

“Hello, Hope! So glad you’re back!” One happily greeted.

“Oh, hello princess!” Another greeted the guest she has brought with her. “You sure are beautiful!”

“This way, please, Princess Cadance. I want you to meet my daughter.” Rabia politely gestured the two ponies as they made their way by the nearby cells.

“I would like that very much.”

Upon arriving at said area, there were two more creatures ready to greet both her and Hope.

“Hello!”

“Good day!”

“What did I tell you?” Hope then told the princess as so far everything was going smoothly like she said. “They’re wonderful, right?”

“They certainly do seem nice. But why would anypony lock these adorable creatures away?”

“It must have been a misunderstanding.”

As the two walked on by, Rabia lead them towards another room as she opened the doors to said area while the two creatures both look on in admiration.

“Oooh! What a beautiful princess!"

“What a wonderful day!”

“Here we are!” Rabia gestured the two ponies to where they are now standing in. “It’s not much, but it’s my home! My daughter will be so excited to meet a princess.”

“Thank you, Rabia. I am honored to be your visitor.” Cadance humbly returned. “I’m excited to be here!”

As they moved inside the room, they found it is much dark there. In fact, a bit too dark for anyone to be able to make anything out inside the shadows.

“Hmmm...Ira must be hiding in the shadows again.” Rabia deduced. “She loves to do that “Come out, darling.”” She then apologized feeling it’s great timidness and shyness on her part. “I’m sorry, Princess. She should have manners.”

“They can hide in the smallest shadow.” Hope explained to Cadance. “It could take hours to find the little one.”

“She just wants to play hide and seek. I think it’s cute.” Cadance commented not minding any of this. “Well, I’m a hide and seek superstar! Comes with my time as a foalsitter and mother myself.” She then worked her magic ready to spot the little one out. “I have a secret weapon for…”

“No!” Rabia screamed as she rushed over to her in a vain attempt to stop her from doing so but it was too late.

The room was now illuminated with a bright light allowing the one hiding out to be unveiled. And when the room cleared up, came a sight that turned to be a very unsettling sight. Said creature is bigger, scarier, and meaner with the face that resembles a pony’s skull as if death had claimed her.

“Wow...um...you don’t look anything like your mom!” Cadance exclaimed in surprise.

Seeing this had Hope’s eyes widen in horror as this is clearly something she never saw before. “This isn’t Ira! A tiny little horse like her mother. She look’s just like a small version of Rabia.”

“You’d be surprised…” Rabia spoke now gravely and menacingly as she appeared larger in size with the same appearance as her daughter much to the ponies fright. “I can be pretty big when I feel threatened.”

“Rabia, what is…” Was all Hope could say before being grabbed by the enlarged monster.

“Oh finally be quiet, you numbskull! You only had one job! You were to resurrect Sombra and set us free! But instead, you bring a princess to our doorstep!”

“Hope, get behind me!” Cadance ordered as she quickly pulled and saved the unicorn from the Umbrum’s grasp.

“And you!” Rabia then angrily turned to the princess herself. “The only thing I asked was “No Magic!”. And you bring Amore’s disgusting ‘love’ magic in here! It’s the only thing that can reveal our true form! We can’t stand it!”

“I’m glad I did it!” Cadance returned without any regret’s about it. “You took advantage of Hope!”

Rabia then grew larger in size as she cackled and laughed madly. “I just gave Hope what she wanted. She wanted Sombra not to be what we are. She wanted to me tell her that Sombra is not a monster."

“He’s not!” Hope firecely defended. “Sombra is good inside! I know he is!”

“You fool!” She proceeded to recall and show them what happened the day he came to Equestria from shedding his Umbrum form to his pony form. “Sombra’s just as much as an Umbrum as any of us. When he was just a young filly, we came up with a plan. Our powers kept us from crossing through the crystal. So we had to lock the darkness away in him. We had to make him look and seem like a pony, so he could pass through.” After being stripped of his previous form he then collapsed into the snow having lost consciousness from the massive amount of energy expelled from her body where he is found by nearby Crystal Guards. “When the ponies took him in, they wouldn’t know what he really was. It was hidden even from him until he was finally strong enough.” With the flashback over he then turned to Cadance angrily. “But you kept him from unleashing us then! We’ve waited thousands of years and we won’t let you stop us again!”

“Hope...get to the entrance.” Cadance firmly ordered as she kept her magic working to ready to use it against them.

“There’s too many of them!”

‘Yes, princess. She’s right. You’re not leaving here.”

“Hope…” Cadance said as she kept her guard up while shouting. “RUN!” With a sudden whisk and flap of her wings she carried Hope along for the ride as the Umbrum demons all moved to try to surround and attack her. “Stay close! They can’t stand my magic!” She ordered as they ran as fast as they can with the Umbrum all following close behind them. “Can you teleport us?!” She urgently asked of Hope as they ran.

“Not until we press through the crystal. I can’t teleport in and out of this place!”

“Then keep up with me and leave the rest to me!” With that the two made their way back towards the stairs they came down from. “Let’s get up those stairs!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Hope did what she was told as she stuck by her side as Cadance worked her magic to get them up the stairs faster and back through the portal. And not only that after they emerged from the red crystal they last disappeared in, they then disappeared and reappeared…

...right in the very room where both Scar and Sombra are currently in. The very room where Hope first met the latter after many, many years as they toppled and crashed onto each other upon landing.

“Ah, Princess Cadance. Hope. Perfect timing.” Scar greeted with devious delight.

Sombra however wasn’t too pleased with what he was seeing before him. “What is the meaning of this?!”

Wasting no time, Hope moved to plead and convince him against doing what he is about to do. “You can’t do it! You can’t uncover the door and let them out!”

“Oh, my dear Radiant Hope.” Sombra sighed as he turned away from Cadance who had trouble getting up.

“Ouch! My leg!”

Turning his attention towards the nearby bookshelf with the hidden door behind it he explained. “I uncovered it before I was ever imprisoned. I just couldn’t bring myself to open it.

“You couldn’t unleash monsters on your own home. Oh, Sombra!”

“No, Hope. It’s much worse than that. What if I opened the door and they were good after all?” He then thought as he hanged his head visibly and morally torn inside. “What if I was the only real monster?”

“Sombra, you can’t open the door. I was wrong about…”

But before she continue, Sombra was suddenly blasted with certain red and gold magic from a certain half alicorn as he and the rest of the Lion and Pony Guard appeared before them at the doorway with Shining Armor quick to embrace and stand by his wife’s side.

“You are a monster and I told you you’d be punished, Sombra! Both you and Scar!” Kion declared as he kept the glowing and burning aura going on his horn. “You hurt my friends! You hurt my family! You made me doubt myself! Now it’s time you learned a lesson!”

"Kion! Wait!"

"Kion! Stop!"

Both Twilight and Cadance cried out in a desperate attempt to stop him from giving into his anger once more just when the former arrived alongside with Spike and Starlight both following after her.

Scar along with Sombra both looked unfazed as the younger lion moved to work his reddest and hottest blast of magic right at the two. Then at the last second, Scar casually stepped aside this allowing Hope who just happened to be standing there to get blasted and hurt herself from the attack.

“Hope!” Sombra screamed in horror upon seeing this happen before angrily glaring at the lion responsible for this who can only look on in shock of who he had just hurt with his magic along with realizing how ill timed that attack was as of now. “What did you do?! You want to fight monsters, little lion?” He then proceeded to work his magic in opening the door to allow the Umbrum to be set free much to the hero's wide eyed horror with Scar who is smiling wickedly the sole exception with Makucha himself quick to shut the door behind the heroes to prevent them from trying to make a run for it. "I’ll give you monsters!”

With the Umbrum now released and free to roam the Crystal Empire, Twilight knowing the best course of action stepped forward as she worked her magic with her horn illuminating violet red at the ready...

Author's Note

Okay, now that you have read this far, you'll see the changes that were made to incorporate this story while balancing out issues that needed wrenching out. Mainly for the fact that different allies were called in halfway into the story in order to do ensure that Scar still has his followers all aligned to their one big and common goal in contrast to Sombra in canon (or non-canon to which various people would like to call it). In short, for Scar, Pragmatic Villainy at it's finest here.

Aside from them along with additional fight scenes where both Simba and Shining Armor get to shine, everything else is perfect as is, now with that all said and discussed enough, now it is time to get into the fourth and final part where we finally reach that next milestone of 200 episodes going in as things really start to get intense here. So if you all kindly move on to the next part...

Episode 22: Spice Up Your Life

Episode 22:

Spice Up Your Life

Twilight, Kion, Starlight, Spike, and all their friends from the Lion and Pony Guarf had gathered in the throne room in the castle in Ponyville, with Twilight, Kion, Starlight, and Spike only knowing why they had called them over here.

"So, what’s this emergency super special meeting all about?” Bunga first asked.

“Hopefully it’s not because you decided to let loose a stink bomb in someone’s or somepony’s home.” Ono commented cringing at the very memory that happened.

“Hey! Those Flim Flam brothers had it coming. Especially after they helped Scar nearly take over the worlds again.”

“Worlds?” Ono raised an eyebrow in response.

“Yeah! Our world and this world! Where have you been the last three years?”

“I could ask you the same question, Bunga.” Ono argued back.

“Guys!” Kion quickly spoke up to get them to stop arguing. After taking a calming breath and cleared his throat he then said next. “Anyways...I know this is inconvenient for some of you but we do thank you all for meeting us on such short notice.”

“You can say that again.” Rainbow grumbled looking she had just been woken up early from catching up on sleep. “Because apparently even one day off let alone two from being a Wonderbolt is too much to ask nowadays aside from daily patrol for the Lion and Pony Guard. I mean really is one to two days off from being a Wonderbolt too much to ask? Is it?!”

Twilight simply explained. "Your crankiness is understandable, Rainbow Dash. But rest assured this won’t take long. The reason we called you all here is because of something important. And that is in regards to the friendship map.”

“That map that makes our cutie marks glow wherever we are summoned to solve a friendship mission?” Fuli asked. Now curious she couldn’t help but ask. “It’s been a while since any of us have been called on one. Now that you mention it, is there a particular reason why that’s happened?”

“Yeah!” Spike answered as he tapped one of his claws on the table. “It’s been shut off ever since Starlight messed with it to go back in time and change history.

Starlight frowned in response towards Spike reminded her of her past behavior. “Yes it has, though we could have done away with the whole bringing what I did back then bit.”

Twilight coughed into a hoof and changed the subject while pulling Spike off the map with her magic. "Anyway, as part of her studies, Starlight's been assisting me. And together, I think we've come up with a way that will get the map working again," She turned to her student and asked. "Ready, Starlight?"

Starlight nodded. "Ready when you are!" And both student and teacher lit up their horns, combining their magical powers into an orb that flowed down and hit the table. It took a few seconds, but the map managed to glow back to life, impressing everyone in the room.

Pinkie took notice of the symbols on the map, specifically the cutie mark symbols hovering over one of the locations on the map. "Fluttershy, Kion, Ono, and Twilight in Appleloosa!" She commented, before the symbols faded and moved somewhere else (albeit with different cutie marks), "No! Me, Bunga, Kyoga, and Rainbow Dash in Las Pegasus!" The symbols moved again and reappeared at a different location (again with different marks), "No, Rainbow Dash, Bunga, Ono, and Twilight in Yakyakistan!" The process repeated itself a fourth time. "No, Twilight and Kion in Twilight's castle!"

It was then that the map seemed to finally correct itself, as the symbol representing Pinkie's cutie mark appeared, much to her absolute delight. "Ooh... me... me...me!" Then she noticed who the map was selecting to go on the mission with her. "And Rarity! And Fuli! And Kyoga! Ooh, I hope it's some far away place that no one's ever been to before!"

“Eh, let’s not try to get our hopes up on that one.” Fuli then said trying to downplay her excitement, since she wasn't expecting to called on a mission so soon.

“Fuli’s right, Pinkie.” Rarity agreed as she too isn’t eager for a map mission so soon. "Well... at least maybe not too far away. A place with modern conveniences would be preferable," As if the map had heard Rarity, it had her cutie mark symbol, along with Fuli, Kyoga, and Pinkie Pie's hover over the city of Canterlot. Rarity let out a happy gasp! "Canterlot! This is perfect! I can check on my boutique and see how Sassy's holding the fort! Perhaps there will even be some social events to attend! What will I wear?!"

“Good question.” Kyoga replied dryly. “What will you wear? What will we wear?” She then quickly placed a paw over her mouth instantly regretting what she just said. “Oh, what did I just say?”

“Now, now, no need to fret, darling. For I’m sure I can find you a suitable dress for you wear should we come across more of these social gatherings and who knows, maybe a suitable coronation gown.”

“We’ll see.” Kyoga said with a forced smile as she tries really hard to be a good sport about all of this. “Only time will tell if I’ll really need it.”

“Oh, I’m pretty sure someday it’ll happen if not today.”

"Y'know, someponies get excited over the silliest of things." Pinkie giggled, even with how much time she hung out with Rarity and it is no surprise that her friend has a tendency to be unnecessarily dramatic at times.

“I wonder why?” Fuli sarcastically asked as she like Kyoga also tries to be a good sport about having to go away on another friendship mission. And little do they know, is that this upcoming friendship problem will challenge their own friendship in a way none of them could expect.

Pinkie Pie, Fuli, Kyoga, and Rarity all made their way to Canterlot on the first available train, and it didn't take long after they'd left the train station in the city to discuss how they were going to find the friendship problem. Rarity made the first suggestion. "Now then, as far as finding a friendship problem, I suggest we start at the castle and begin to question the proper-" She began.

But Pinkie then interrupted. "-Oh, Rarity, you don't find a friendship problem. It finds you," She then added. "We just need to go with the flow, and eventually, kablam! We get friendship problem'd right between the eyes," She pointed a hoof to her forehead to emphasize her point.

“That is…” Fuli spoke as she processes what the pink pony just said. “...actually, true.” She then admitted. “And since Sassy is capable of holding the fort like you said, where should think to go first? Somewhere what you’re feeling the most?”

“Since this is a team effort…” Kyoga then said next. “...going with the flow of things will mean we’ll go where our guts tells us to go.”

“Indeed.” Rarity agreed before turning to Pinkie. “If you feel we should go with the flow, then with the flow we shall go. But where's the flow saying we should go?"

Pinkie replied to Rarity. "You know Canterlot better than anypony else. So what do you think we should do?"

Rarity smiled in response to Pinkie’s compliment before speaking up on her thoughts. "Hm. Take your pick. Culture, couture, cuisine!" Just then, she and Kyoga heard both Pinkie and Fuli's stomach growling.

“I guess that answers our question.” Fuli returned while look aside rather embarrassed as she realized she too forgot to have lunch before leaving.

"Oh, my. Well, it sounds like your stomachs is saying we should flow towards some lunch? I know just where to go," She insisted, and led Pinkie, Fuli, and Kyoga through the streets of Canterlot, until at last they came to an area that was unfamiliar to the three accompanying her. "Restaurant Row, the absolute best place for fine dining in all of Equestria!" Rarity boasted, as they came across an area where restaurant after restaurant lined up on the horizon.

“Sounds fancy.” Kyoga commented willing to give it a try herself.

“As long as as one has the best food worth getting.” Fuli commented just ready to get something to eat herself.

Pinkie was delighted at what she was seeing, and to her it’s like her candy and gum drops at first sight. "Ooh, so many choices! So where should we go?" She asked Rarity, before she started pointing to random restaurants and asking. "This one? That one? Those ones?"

Rarity pointed her hoof up to a sign above her that contained three horseshoe symbols, and she said to Pinkie. "Any establishments that have this – the three-hoof rating."

"Three hoof rating? Says who?" Pinkie asked Rarity.

“Assuming that three hoof ratings translates to three stars rating, right?” Fuli asked.

“Of course.” Rarity nodded towards the cheetah’s question before answering the pony’s question. “And as for says who? Says, Zesty Gourmand, the Queen of Cuisine of course," Rarity then boasted and declared. "When it comes to food, she is the ultimate authority in Canterlot. Without her approval, a restaurant here simply cannot survive."

Pinkie was still a bit confused, as she had never even heard of Zesty Gourmand until now. "And just what's so important about her approval?"

“And if it’s such a big deal, then how is it that we have never seen her nor review anything in Ponyville?” Fuli then asked herself.

Rarity moved to explain it to both Fuli and Pinkie. "Zesty grew up here in Canterlot, having never traveled outside the city ever. She grew up around fine dining, and everypony hangs on her every word when it comes to cuisine."

“Well at least that explains half of it.” Kyoga commented still finding it a bit odd herself. “Though I still find it hard to believe that one pony even with a well earned reputation of judging everything around her can decide the fate of whether or not a restaurant or business is a success.”

“It can be a bit hard to believe at times, but I’d like to think that she would know a thing or two about what’s hot and what’s not hot nowadays.” Rarity responded trying to be reasonably sure of the pony’s judgement.

None of the less, Pinkie appeared to be convinced and understanding of why Zesty is highly spoken of for her work. "Wow! Then the food here must be amazing!" She exclaimed and then said to Rarity. "Lead the way, partner! Whee!" She bounced into the restaurant after Rarity, giggling all the while with both Fuli and Kyoga following after them.

Rarity, Fuli, Kyoga, and Pinkie were soon seated and placed their order, it didn't take long for the food to be brought to them. And all the while, Rarity seemed to be impressed by how the restaurant looked. "Oh, my! Such presentation," She exclaimed in delight, before the food was presented to her and Pinkie. "Mm. Oh," She smacked her lips and started eating. "Ah. Yes. Very nice..." She began, but struggled to think of how to best describe what she just tasted, since the food didn't seem to fascinate her as much as she had hoped.

Pinkie, however, immediately planted her face into her food and started eating. But before long she gulped and gagged, the food's low portion size hadn't particularly interested her but the taste was far worse. "Maybe, I'm not in the mood for..." She then whispered to Rarity. "Whatever this is. Can we try someplace else?"

At the same time, while Fuli was quick to eat up her food she didn’t taste anything exciting or anything that she would expect after scoring fresh meat on the hunt. In fact she moved to agree with Pinkie for once on the matter. “Please? Along with your plate if you’re not going to eat that?”

“Of course.” Rarity obliged as she did just that (after giving Fuli her portion of food), not having an appetite herself.

“Well…” Kyoga spoke being the first to voice her disappointment with what she just experienced while giving Fuli her portion of food as well. “...for a three hoof/star review this is quite underwhelming.”

“Quite so.” Rarity agreed before leading everyone out of the restaurant and onto the next three hooves/star restaurant the duo could find. But the presentation and the portion size was no different from the previous one, and Pinkie fond it hard to keep her displeasure for this fact in check this time around. "Ugh. Maybe one more stop? Third's time the charm." She suggested as Fuli ate up everyone’s portions of food since no one else cared to eat them.

But the next three hooves/star restaurant was the same as the previous two, from the same presentation, same portion size, right down to the same bland tasting food (at least for Pinkie Pie while Fuli herself kept eating what she can stomach).

"Blech! Nope," She protested, and she, Fuli, Kyoga, and Rarity all left the restaurant a short time later. Convinced they were making no progress, Pinkie suggested to Rarity. "Maybe instead of trusting somepony else's hooves, I should pick the next place? I'm just not tasting anything exciting this way."

“Please, do.” Fuli commented as she felt her stomach grumble before rushing over to the nearby trash can to puke out all of the tasteless food she’s eaten. “Because I could sure use some really good food right now because I now regret ever trying to stomach something that tastes bland right off the bat.” Just then a bat is heard screeching as it flew by with a dropping landing right on her shoulder. Seeing that had her return to vomiting inside the trash can she was just hovering over. “And something to clean my fur among other things, please.”

“Right away, Fuli! Oh, you poor darling.” Rarity quickly proceeded to use her magic to pull some tissues, a sponge, and shampoo to give her body a quick cleaning along with giving her a comforting pat on the back.

“So, Rarity?” Kyoga then spoke up. “Mind telling me how and why these three hoof/star reviewed restaurants, each and every one of them, are all so unappealing in every way?”

"To be honest…” Rarity returned equally baffled. “...I don't really know why. Zesty's three hoof rating was supposed to mean the best in dining experience.”

“Sounds like Zesty herself hasn’t figured what really sets the bar for the best of the best dining experience. Makes one wonder if a four or even a five hoof/star reviewed place is better than ones with three stars and hooves.”

Rarity would hate to admit it but it seems there are a lot of questions in regards to Zesty’s judgement more than she’d wish to ask if given the chance. “Anyways…” She said after seeing Fuli is all cleaned up and feeling better before handing her a can of sparkling water to help ease her stomach more. “...shall we try that gut feeling of yours to help lead us to actually greater and better food around here.”

“Can do!”

“Gladly!”

Both Pinkie and Fuli stated ready to do so by sniffing it out.

It wasn’t long until they managed to pick up the strong smell of something that was very distinct and that easily stood out compared to the aromas surrounding all the other restaurants. Pinkie gasped in delight, as she traced the smell through Restaurant Row along with an equally smiling and eager Fuli as both Kyoga and Rarity followed. At last, they located the source, a rather unusual looking building that stood out for its red and orange tones, and the elephant sign hanging over the front door.

Rarity looked at the restaurant sign, it wasn't something she recognized. "The Tasty Treat. It's very... rustic," She commented, then whispered. "I know it's different, but perhaps we should be concerned that it has no rating?"

“I think we should be more concerned with getting good food in our stomachs, rather than care about somepony’s influence turning it into another one of those three star/hoof resturants with no flavor and taste to their inedible food.” Kyoga interjected as she said otherwise.

“Good idea.” Fuli said in agreement.

Pinkie only giggled, since the lack of a rating meant Zesty's influence hadn't gotten to this restaurant yet. "Thank goodness for that! Hee-hee!" She replied, as she trotted up the steps with both Fuli an Kyoga following after her next. Rarity, against her better judgment, followed Pinkie inside.

The interior of the restaurant matched the exterior in standing out, sporting the same tones that somehow hadn't managed to draw attention to this building tucked into an alley in the middle of Restaurant Row.

"Are we sure they're open?" Rarity asked Pinkie. Deep down she didn't particularly mind bland food even though she still preferred good tasting food, but certain types of cooking didn't exactly appeal to her (specifically a couple of certain sugary sweets, though she would occasionally eat a tub or two of ice cream if she got stressed).

Both Fuli and Pinkie sniffed the air, drawing in the scents of delightful dishes being prepared in the kitchen.

"It smells open."

“Which means they should be open if something is cooking inside.”

Just then, there was a bit of clattering which came from a certain familiar silver coated filly with glasses as she came trotting out along with a certain blue eyed elephant. They both looked on very surprised upon seeing who came inside here today.

"Oh my goodness! Is that really you?!" Mtoto gasped in awed delight.

"Pinkie Pie, Miss. Rarity, Fuli, Kyoga! Wow! This is quite a surprise," Silver Spoon politely greeted while regaining her composure. "I never thought I’d actually come across all of you on today of all days."

“Me neither.” Fuli returned as she then asked. “Nor coming across you two actually working here and together.”

"Me neither." Mtoto replied still at a loss of what to say. "You took the words right out of my mouth, Fuli."

“And as for me well...it’s actually only on a temporary basis.” Silver admitted with a sigh. “Considering this place needed an extra pair of hooves for a few hours every now and then during it's busy hour. On the bright side, if I choose to start running a family business when I grow up I'll be getting some first hoof experience in the kitchen."

“That sounds interesting.” Kyoga said feeling accepting of her explanation. “No shame in that.”

“Thanks.” Silver gratefully returned before turning her head towards the kitchen. “Saffron, we have guests."

"Important guests, I might add!" Mtoto happily added.

The girls could only shake their heads at the young one's mild excitement but still moved to play along with it.

From the kitchen emerged a young unicorn mare that seemed to be about the same age as Rarity and Pinkie, she had an orange coat, purple eyes, a two shaded dark purple mane and tail that has poofy curls, and a cutie mark depicting a purple flower. She was dressed in a light yellow dress with an orange scarf, and a matching yellow headband and earpieces. "Oh! Are you here for lunch?" The mare asked Pinkie and Rarity along with Fuli and Kyoga.

Pinkie nodded. "Yes, indeedy!"

“We are!” Fuli also nodded to confirm it.

The mare looked on in delight to their eager response as she moved to introduce herself to them. "I'm Saffron Masala, the chef here at The Tasty Treat, the most exotic cuisine in Canterlot."

Silver Spoon then led Pinkie, Fuli, Kyoga and Rarity to a table as she asked them in a polite tone. "So, would you like to hear about today's specials?"

"Oh, yes please!" Pinkie insisted.

“What do you got?” Fuli also asked ready to hear it.

"For today’s special, we have a curried oat cake.” Silver explained.

"We'll take one!" Pinkie immediately shouted.

“Make that two please!” Fuli also stated.

Silver nodded, jotting the order down on a notepad, before she added. "And we also have a grass sandwich that has been marinated overnight in a mustard Dijon dressing. Shall I put you down for that as well?"

“Sure.” Fuli nodded along with Pinkie.

"How can you say no to that?"

Silver wrote down the second item of food, then turned to Rarity and asked. "And for you, Miss. Rarity?"

"Oh, I'm fine, really," Rarity insisted.

“Very well.” Silver then turned to Kyoga. “And how about you, Kyoga?”

“I’ll have the meaty special, please.” Kyoga pointed to said item on the menu.

“Sure thing.” She the jotted it down before handing her notepad over to Saffron.

"I'll get started on the order. And I'll whip up something on the house for Rarity to try.”

Just a few seconds later, a stallion came out into the restaurant, while Saffron was busy in the kitchen. The stallion was a unicorn with a rather pudgy frame. He had the same magenta eyes as Saffron, but his mane and tail (as well as his eyebrows and noticeable mustache were a dark and raspberry in color, his coat was a light orange in color, his cutie mark depicted a bowl of cumin powder, cinnamon sticks, and coriander seeds, and he had an orange shirt on. "Hello, I am Coriander Cumin, I will be your host." The stallion grumbled.

"Coriander, where are your manners." A female voice scolded which happened to be a very familiar voice to the Guard present. Said adult happened to be an elephant who just so happened to be wearing a silver business suit. Turning to Rarity and Pinkie Pie she happily greeted clearly surprised to see them. "Oh, hello girls. What a wonderful surprise to see you all here."

"Same here!" Rarity happily greeted not to mention equally surprised as everyone else. "You're Mtoto's mom!"

"That's right!"

Both Fuli and Kyoga waved at him to greet her.

“Hello, Mtoto's mom.”

"How you've been."

“'I've been good. And if I remember right, my son and I have heard good things about you and the Guard recently. It's a pleasure to have some important guests here today." Then her smile faded as she sighed. "Or at least have some customers here I should say.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“What’s wrong?”

Both Fuli and Kyoga asked in concern upon taking note of his change of expression.

“Nothing, expect I kind of had big expectations for this place when I first took over this establishment. Unfortunately though it seems I was wrong. Enough said, don’t let my brief disappointment sour your taste buds and I hope you two enjoy your meal though, it may be the only meal this restaurant will ever serve."

Saffron brought the food out a short time later, but she was already voicing her thinning patience and disappointment when she saw her father, Coriander, stacking up the chairs on the other tables. "Father, stop it! Don't close up the restaurant around our guests."

But Coriander protested. "What does it matter?! When they leave, nopony else will be coming in!"

His daughter glared at her father for what he just said. “Well, your attitude isn't going to bring anyone in! Can't you at least pretend to be positive?!”

“She’s right, you know.” Mtoto spoke up to agree with her while looking on at his mother who isn’t speaking up in her favor nor could bare to say anything in her defense. “And if you could least pretend to be interested in doing more than what is already being done.

"Then maybe there would be a little more investment from more customers wanting to pay bits for good food here nowadays.” Silver Spoon chimed in with her input.

At the same time the group of guests were in between watching the argument play out in front of them along with eating their food, with both Pinkie and Fuli taking great pleasure in enjoying it.

"So good!"

“No kidding! Best food I’ve eaten all day!”

"You are doing enough pretending for the both of us. Nopony and nobody here wants to try anything new!" Coriander argued back to his daughter. "I know when to throw in the towel.”

“And when you've been in the business as long to know it isn’t thriving...” Mtoto's mom chimed in finding herself agreeing with the grumpy stallion. “...there are times you have to learn when to know it’s a done deal."

"Mom." Mtoto whined finding it a very blasphemous statement.

Concerned by the rising tension in the room, Rarity nervously whispered to Pinkie. "Um, Pinkie, Fuli, perhaps we should excuse ourselves and go look for that friendship problem."

But Pinkie only whispered to Rarity as she pushed a plate of food towards her friend. "Oh, Rarity, try this!"

Rarity reluctantly took a bite of the food, and to her surprise it tasted far better than anything she'd had to eat since coming to Canterlot. "Ooh!" Was all she could say, but she never the less forgot about trying to leave.

“Good right?” Fuli asked with a smirk as she continued chowing down on her food. “And besides, this is quite the show to be watching right now.”

Rarity herself was left flabbergasted by that comment. “What?! How can you say…”

“Shh.” Fuli shushed while gesturing her friend to continue watching as both father, mother, and daughter pairs continue to argue.

Silver Spoon complained to Mtoto's mother in Mtoto's defense when he looked on too upset to even talk to her right now. "I can’t believe this! First my father brings me here to learn how to be a waitress even after I said I didn't want to be one. In addition I went along with upon learning that your getting your son into learning the potential dream business you and the ponies have agreed to be partners on. And now you're going to shut down this place, just because it’s a hit some bumps in the road?!

“Not to mention that maybe if you would listen to my ideas for once…"

Coriander then argued back. “I did not move halfway across Equestria for my daughter that I never listen to!”

“And at least I’ve tried to make an effort in constantly traveling back and forth between here and the Pride Lands, just to be able to make this happen and still be able to spend time with you, Mtoto.” Said fully grown elephant replied next before turning to Silver Spon. “Along with trying to help you understand how the business world works according to your father's interests, so that when you take over or a business of interest, you will have as much experience as I do that’ll help you thrive going forward!"

Pinkie spat out her food as she realized it wasn't just coincidence she along with Fuli have been lured to The Tasty Treat. "Rarity, I think that friendship problem just kablammed us right between the eyes!" She whispered, as she put a hoof to her face to emphasize her point.

Rarity seemed surprised by the idea. "These two? Oh, I don't know, darling. Don't get me wrong, the food is excellent, but I'm not sure there's much you and I can do to help them. I mean it’s not like the same management ethics can be applied to the same as running a boutique store like I do."

“Maybe it is.” Kyoga suggested otherwise. “Maybe it’s like you just said, Rarity.”

“But, I still don’t exactly see how…”

Right on cue, Coriander then spoke up as he scoffed. “What would you have me do? We couldn't even get Zesty Gourmand to come to our restaurant. She said it wasn't even worth rating!"

And that turned out to be the suggestion that Pinkie and Rarity needed to realize what they could do to help with the latter now realizing and understanding why there are here.

"That's it!" Rarity exclaimed, as she and Pinkie threw up their hooves.

"Yes! Uh, what's it?" Pinkie asked.

Rarity quickly explained. "The flow has led us here! This is our mission!"

“That’s what Pinkie just said and what we tried to tell you thirty seconds ago.” Kyoga pointed out.

Fuli simply chuckled and she continued munching on her food. “Took ya long enough.”

Rarity then approached Mtoto along with his mother, Silver Spoon, as well as Coriander and Saffron, and said to them. "We are going to get you a three-hoof rating and save your restaurant! I'm sure I can get Zesty Gourmand here to rate it!"

"And I can pack this place with so many ponies everyone will be wanting to come here again and again!" Pinkie then declared.

“Very well.” Mtoto's mom relented and accepted their help already. “If you feel so certain you can pull it off and help us, we’ll gladly appreciate it. And from the stories and reputation you said and built them from what my daughter told me, you seem like you have what it takes to do it!”

“That’s true. We do.” Fuli confidently replied.

“We hardly disappoint.” Kyog added equally confident.

“Just leave it to us!" Pinkie and Rarity then both said together.

Rarity along with Kyoga left a few minutes later to locate Zesty Gourmand, leaving both Pinkie and Fuli with the restaurant employees and owner. To pass the time, Coriander started packing up dishes and plates, much to his daughter's protest.

"Father, will you please stop packing things?!" Saffron complained.

"Especially when we'll need them when Zesty comes here tonight!" Mtoto also argued. "Just because my mom is about ready to call it doesn’t mean you have to!"

Coriander remained unconcerned. "But if a pony like Zesty, says a restaurant isn't worth rating she really means it. So, when the lovely pony comes back and says that she couldn't convince Zesty Gourmand to come visit us, we will need to pack all this up. I am just getting a head start."

Pinkie only laughed at Coriander's remark. "You really don't know Rarity!”

“Yeah!” Fuli agreed. “And knowing her she definitely has a way of words. Meaning if she can pull the right strings she’ll come prancing through that door and then say...”

"I've done it!" Rarity happily declared in a singsong voice as she returned to the restaurant with Kyoga right behind her.

“Like that!”

"See?” Pinkie then happily replied, before everyone all gathered to hear what Rarity had to say.

"It wasn't easy, in fact it took all of my charm and cajoling, but I was able to convince Zesty Gourmand to come and try the food!"

"Okay. And since Zesty had to get you to agree you into doing something in return. What is the catch?" Mtoto's mother then asked.

Rarity adopted a more serious tone as she then explained. "Ah, yes. Well, um, it was a bit of a challenge. The only time she could make herself available is tonight."

"Oh my." The mother elephant gasped with Coriander snorting in response.

"Okay, so it’s a bit of a tight deadline. But there is nothing wrong that, right?” Silver then said trying to be optimistic about it. “Surely, we have enough time to get everything ready and prepped for Zesty’s arrival. I mean, what’s the problem with that?” Silver then asked Rarity.

But Rarity explained. "The problem is it’s a bit of a complicated structure. Zesty rates a restaurant on cuisine, decor, and presentation, and she has very specific tastes. So if she's coming tonight, then there is quite a bit of work that needs to get done.

"Like what?" Pinkie asked Rarity.

"Oh, a tweak here, a tuck there, and maybe some slight modifications to the menu," Rarity replied with a nervous laugh. "We just need the place to feel a bit more cosmopolitan."

Coriander then scoffed before turning his back with Mtoto's mom moving to do the same on Rarity prompting her their daughter and som to speak up in protest.

“Father, after Rarity went through all this trouble just for us, can't we at least give it a shot?!" Saffron implored of her’s.

"Yeah!” Mtoto also agreed while talking to her mother too. “I love the food you serve here along with the new additions to the menu, I want this place to stay in business. And while it’s quite a challenge for us, we really have nothing left to lost at this point. So let’s not throw in the towel just yet."

"Tell you what.” Rarity then offered. “How about Fuli and I stay behind with Coriander and Mtoto's mom, to get the restaurant ready for Zesty's arrival?" Rarity offered to Silver Spoon, then she added. "And you, Kyoga, Pinkie, and Saffron can drum up some business before then."

“Works for me.”

“That I can do.”

Both Fuli and Kyoga agreed without hesitation.

"One packed restaurant coming right up!" Pinkie proudly proclaimed. With that she, Silver Spoon, and Saffron exited the building.

"Now don't you worry, Corriander, ma'am," Rarity said to the stallions. "While I understand your trepidation, I promise you, with a fresh coat of paint and new changes to the menu, the Tasty Treat will become one of the most unique and beautiful restaurants in Canterlot! So great that this restaurant will be a fine addition to Restaurant Row that even Zesty will be pleased!"

Meanwhile, outside the restaurant, Saffron and Mtoto both had their own concerns. "I hope my father doesn't drive Rarity crazy." Saffron sighed.

"Double for my mom." Mtoto commented. "Along with not giving up before the fight has even started."

Pinkie smiled. "Oh relax, Rarity's gonna make sure that The Tasty Treat is the most unique and beautiful restaurant in Canterlot! Not like all of those stuffy places on Restaurant Row. Now come on, let’s go!”

While carrying through the preparations, the Lion and Pony Guard team move to sing an inspiring song.

"Here's what I know

If you want to succeed

You must follow the trends, that's the key."

Rarity sang first.

Fuli then sang next.

"If you want to show

That you've got what it takes

You must be what they want you to be..."

Pinkie Pie sang next.

"Here's what I know:

Your food is so good

The flavor's so fancy and free."

Kyoga then sang next herself.

"You just need to show

That unique sense of taste

Go on, be yourself, let them see..."

Then the main four sang all together.

"It's gonna work

I know it's gonna work

It's gonna work out just fine, trust me

It's gonna work

I swear it's gonna work

It's gonna work out just fine, you'll see!

Rarity:

"You need to change

If you want to compete

But fear not, for I know what to do."

Fuli:

"I know it feels strange

But trust me, when we're done

We'll make sure that you're a hit, too."

Pinkie Pie]

"Don't ever change

Being different is good

Don't let what others do be your cue."

Kyoga:

"Never rearrange

'Cause somepony said you should

Just trust your heart, it will know what to do."

All together:

"It's gonna work

I know it's gonna work

It's gonna work out just fine, trust me

It's gonna work

I swear it's gonna work

It's gonna work out just fine, you'll see!"

Pinkie Pie:

"Be unique."

Fuli:

"Just be the same."

Kyoga

"Trust your heart."

Rarity:

"You'll make your name."

All together:

"We'll help you every step of the way

Because we know what you need to do

And you should know it too

It's gonna work

I know it's gonna work

It's gonna work out just fine, trust me

It's gonna work

I swear it's gonna work

It's gonna work out just fine, you'll see!"

As it soon turned out, Mtoto's mom wasn't too pleased with both Rarity and Fuli's touch up efforts. "A fresh coat of paint isn't going to change anything, and neither will adjusting the menu ever so slightly," She said to Rarity. "The only way this place will succeed, is if it's just like all the other restaurants on Restaurant Row. It's clear that's what Zesty wants."

“Are you sure about that?” Fuli skeptically asked in response to the elephant's claims. “Because if I remember right every other restaurant down the lane pretty much did the same in regards to being just like each other right down to the T. And I believe that despite the three star/hoof reviews the food is actually quite a disappointment.”

“Not to mention the decorations at each and every one of them stick out like a sore hoof and claw.” Rarity added. “This place however is unique in a good way from the food to the decorations in contrast to them and by going against it will only take and throw away what this place already has.”

Mtoto's mom however was quite insistent with doing things his way. "This place is my establishment! I know this place better that you two and I decide what is needed to be done in order to gain Zesty’s approval!"

"Even if it means doing things the way that goes against everything Pinkie, Saffron, and Silver Spoon tried to work for?” Fuli pressed with a look of disapproval herself. “If you do this, you’re making the same mistake the other restaurants are doing right now.”

“Not to mention it goes to a show a stubborn unwillingness to move on from old and outdated standards.” Rarity added. “This isn’t the way!”

But Mtoto's mom only said to both Fuli and Rarity. "Well regardless it's not up to you both to decide what the restaurant looks like! Lion and Pony Guard members or not. My place, my rules, so I decide to decorate it however I please! So consider yourselves lucky I’m even letting you decorate right now,." She sighed as he then added. "I tried it my own way and clearly it isn’t working out. It is always the word of the higher up ponies rather than the simple middle ponies here in Canterlot. If I don't what it takes to please Zesty, I'll never be able to create a thriving business that Mr. Spoon's daughter will inherit some day and maybe something my own son will inherit alongside her. And even if it means doing things her way, then so be it. I’m sorry, but I got to do what I have to do in order to get I want here.”

Reluctantly, both Fuli and Rarity decided to comply with her demands. "There's really no need for this. I suppose it's no harm to make a few changes. But it's only until Zesty has been pleased, then we're going right to back how it was before."

“And if it doesn’t work out, don’t say we didn’t warn you. Because we did.” Fuli added knowing full well this is not going to end well by going down this path.

"We'll see." Mtoto's mom replied.

Meanwhile, out on the streets of Canterlot, it was nearing sundown. Although Pinkie had managed to convince not only Minuette and all of her friends, but also Fancy Pants and Fleur, as well as Sassy Saddles, that was still far from what they needed.

"The day's almost over, and we only have a small hoofful of guests to show for it." Saffron sighed. "What are we going to do?"

"Try harder!" Pinkie insisted, holding up the paper sign for The Tasty Treat as she shouted. "Fillies and gentlecolts! Check out the super stupendous and amazing cuisine of The Tasty Treat! Grand re-opening tonight!" But everypony just passed out with noticing nor caring for the sign she presented not to mention the fact it hasn’t even been rated does little to draw attention to them. "Rrrgh! Stupid hooves!" Pinkie complained, throwing the paper sign! The wind caught it, and blew it across the street, where it landed in front of two earth ponies.

"Oh, look at this, hun!" Said a green coated stallion with black and gray hair styled into neat locks, a mustache, orange-yellow eyes, a white shirt with black straps, and a cutie mark depicting what looked like slices of bread.

The stallion's wife, an orange coated mare with a reddish-orange mane and tail styled to look bushy, a green shirt, brown eyes hidden behind a pair of red glasses, a purple hat, a red shoulder strap bag, and an orange slice for a cutie mark commented. "Oh, The Tasty Treat! Do you think that's a restaurant, sugar?"

"Yes! Yes, it is!" Pinkie happily exclaimed, picking up the paper sign. "And you two must be...?"

"Chargrill Breadwinner’s the name," The stallion introduced himself. "And this is my wife, Orange Slice. We came to Canterlot from Whinnyapolis to be adventurous. But so far, the food in all these hoity-toity places tastes like somepony cooked up nothin' with a side o' nothin'."

Silver then politely greeted herself as she said to the two while leading the three back to the restaurant in question. "Well, please, come try the Tasty Treat. I think it's going to be exactly what you're looking for."

But when the group arrived back at The Tasty Treat, they were shocked to find it looking just like every other restaurant on Restaurant Row.

“Fuli, what the hay is this?”

"Rarity, what did you do?"

Both Kyoga and Pinkie asked, hoping this is just some kind of random fantasy their walking into. They weren’t.

Even Coriander had changed, he now had a pale gray shirt on as he unenthusiastically greeted. "Welcome to The Tasty Treat. You can eat here if you want. Or not. Who cares?"

"Rarity, Fuli, what is going on here?!” Kyoga immediately demanded.

“I thought we were trying to make this the most unique and beautiful restaurant in Canterlot! Not make it exactly like every other restaurant!" Pinkie then complained.

Rarity sighed as she reluctantly said to Pinkie. "I'm sorry, Mtoto's mom forced us into making these changes."

“And we tried to talk her out of it, but she was very stubborn and insistent on decorating the place his way even pulling the business expertise card on us." Fuli added.

Saffron was shocked and horrified to see that all the unique food items of The Tasty Treat had been replaced by a generic cuisine like substance! "Father, what is this?!" She shrieked.

Pinkie was equally as horrified. "No, not that! Anything but that! Rarity, Fuli, how could you do this?!" She demanded.

"Yeah! How could you?!" Mtoto cried.

Mtoto's mom however was quite insistent on justifying all of this as necessary. "This is what we must cook if we're going to succeed here! I'm sorry, it's not my fault Zesty is so picky!"

With tears in her eyes, Mtoto pushed away the cuisine plate and shouted at her mother. "But this isn't what I loved this place for! I loved it by it being the way it was before you changed it all. For it’s uniqueness, not more of the same!"

Rarity and Fuli then turned to Pinkie with the former reluctantly asking her. "So, where are the other guests? How many other ponies are coming besides the two following you?"

“And for the love of Celestia it better be a good answer because we could really use one right now.” Fuli then implored of them.

"Well, we were able to get Minuette and her pals, plus Lyra and Bon-Bon, then there's Fancy Pants and his wife, oh and we can't forget Sassy Saddles." Pinkie replied.

"Only nine?! That's not even enough to fill this place up halfway!" Rarity complained herself.

"I thought you said that you could pack the place with ponies no matter what!" Fuli then brought up as she too complained.

Pinkie however fired back and shouted. "And you said you would make the restaurant better, so I guess we both didn't know what we were talking about!"

Kyoga then added. "And for someone who knows how to force someone’s paw and hoof along with one who was willing to create her own rules of fashion, how could you just let this happen?!"

“Like we wanted all of this to happen?! Like we just said a minute ago, It wasn’t our choice.” Fuli defended. “And not to mention that a elephant who seems to be nice and sweet herself just so happens to be that stubborn!”

Just then a knock on the door broke up the argument as Rarity gasped knowing full well who is on the other side of the door. "Zesty Gourmand! Everybody and Everypony, places!" Reluctantly, everyone took up their designated spots, and immediately came trotting inside the restaurant a unicorn mare with a gray coat, a two toned silver mane and tail styled largely flat, gray and raspberry colored eyes, and gray eyebrows. Rarity gulped, this was the critic that would affect the future of The Tasty Treat, and already she didn't seem impressed.

Just about everyone in the restaurant, except for the guests, were intimidated into silence by Zesty's appearance, even though she hadn't said or did anything yet.

Mtoto's mom reluctantly decided that she’d be the first to break that silence and greet her. "Um, hello, Miss Zesty Gourmand. Welcome to The Tasty Treat. What can I get for you tonight?"

Zesty just sighed and in a rather bored sounding tone she responded. "I hardly think it matters, but by all means, try your best to impress. And by that I’ll have whatever is tonight’s special."

"Okay, tonight’s special it is.” Mtoto's mom nervously replied, now personally wishing he'd spent more time learning about what he is actually planning to prepare before turning to the others. “And how you?” She first asked the couple seated together.

"Well, we'll both try the special this evening. Maybe with a little kick to it, eh? Yeah, we've been craving some food with actual taste." Orange Slice happily proclaimed, sitting next to her husband.

"Same here, I'm eager to try something that’ll compete with the treats I had at at one of the lavish balls she hosts!" Minuette cheerfully commented. The rest of the customers ordered the same thing.

Surprisingly, when Pinkie, Rarity, Mtoto's mom, and Coriander made their way to the kitchen in the back, they were surprised to find Mtoto and Silver Spoon helping Saffron. "Saffron Masala, what are you doing?!" Coriander demanded, upon seeing the two near the stove.

"I'm trying to save our reputations!" Saffron assertively and stubbornly stated.

Silver Spoon took a sip and moved to make sure Mtoto got a sip too as she explained. "We added a little bit of flavor to the dish, so hopefully it won't taste completely bland. I mean, what kind of food critic doesn't like food with a taste to it? That’s insane!"

"No kidding!" Mtoto exclaimed while frowning at his mother for approving of this bland stuff in the first place to which sparked a pang of guilt and regret inside of her.

"Please, let me be the one to do it!" Rarity now stubbornly insisted. "Maybe I can smooth talk Zesty into not rejecting it outright!"

But Pinkie scooped up the dish and in return stubbornly said to Rarity. "You had your chance, now I'm trying to fix what you ruined for everypony!"

Mere seconds after Pinkie had announced said intention though, Mtoto's mom leaped up and shouted "Noooooooo!" Inadvertently knocking the bowl out of Pinkie's hooves, and causing it to fly through the air and splatter onto Zesty's face! That certainly prompted something of a reaction, as the harsh glare on her face caused everypony looking at it to flinch in horror with what had just happened.

Zesty sighed, as she levitated the bowl away and wiped herself clean. "I believe I'm done here." She then got up and prepared to leave with the decision to not even rate the place.

"Zesty! Please wait! Allow me to explain!" Rarity pleaded as she went after her.

Zesty quickly turned to Rarity and said. "Rarity, I greatly respect your expertise when it comes to fashion, along with the teamwork you and Sassy Saddles put forward. But take some advice from a friend – keep your opinions out of restaurants, especially ones like this. Recommending a disreputable place such as this could do serious damage to your social standing. And if you still don’t get, look around. Substandard food, laughable service, and dismal decor. Do you really think I give out three hoof ratings for establishments like this?"

Fuli sternly spoke up in protest. "Considering that every restaurant in Restaurant Row including the ones with three hoof/star ratings is like! Actually yes! And we’ve been to each and every one of them. And you know what?! They're all the same! The same bland decor, same bland food, which for the record should be grounds for lawsuits waiting to happen for food poisoning, unquestionably something I personally make sure of that, and no originality at all! But then again, am I really talking to a food expert who really knows what good food and restaurants are, or just someone imposing her will others!"

Zesty was taken aback by that statement. "Excuse me?! Clearly, you haven’t slowed down fast enough to see clearly. I most certainly do NOT impose anything like that. The very thing goes against the very nature of my profession!" She then demanded. "And if you feel so sure, just where in your mind do you even think you are one to talk about food?!"

Kyoga then opened her mouth and stood in her friend’s defense. "Have you even been paying attention to what’s going on at Restaurant Row?! I mean yes, Mtoto's mom bucked up on her part but with the only intent to please you by being just like those other restaurants that got your three hoof rating! And if you bothered to actually see things clearly, you’d see what is really going on around here!"

Zesty was now left even more confused and puzzled to hear what she has just heard. "Well, regardless with what is really going on with Restaurant Row, it does not excuse this place from the same problems you have already had.” She then said to both Mtoto and his mother. " She said to Silver Spoon. "And even with all things considered I can even think of giving this place even a one hoof/star rating. But…” She then decided to be fair here. “...I suppose can give you another chance to prove that what happened tonight was just a fluke. And in the meantime I will look into what has been addressed in regards to the other restaurants in Restaurant Row. Once I’ve done a through search by then I’ll come back and see how you have improved things from last time. And do hope you have worked hard enough for that three hoof/star rating because I will be expecting that by then. Good day." With that she left, and slamming the door while doing so.

"Zesty. One of the finest ponies Canterlot has to offer.” Sassy sarcastically commented, while approaching Rarity. "Anyways, I'm sorry to see how tonight played out. And I also regret ever taking in her inspiration and approach from the beginning. Even when it got me as far as it did, it still paled in comparison before I first met you. And we know how that turned out."

Rarity just sighed sharing her pain. "I thought I could translate success by following your approach, Sassy. I even tried using your idea of pattern for success. Alas, I ended making the same mistake you did back then. And this coming from a pony taking my own inspiration here to Canterlot and actually making it a success story. All in the name of having to please somepony who wanted conformity over creativity."

“Yep. That pretty much sums it up.”

“One of the most embarrassing reviews ever conducted because of it.”

Both Kyoga and Fuli commented not even sugarcoating or making their assessment any less blunt than it could have.

"True, true.” Fancy Pants agreed before assuring the unicorn. “But it’s nothing worth stewing over, Miss. Rarity. Everyone makes mistakes every now and then including me. Even during my current time as a delegate I am not immune to making this in my part of trying to get things done. Whether it’s the last Canterlot Royal Summit, or that lovely garden party we attended together it’s bound to happen ever now and then whether you’re young or old."

Minuette spoke kindly to Pinkie with words of wisdom of her own. "And even so, it shouldn’t matter what one pony like Zesty thinks regardless of how much she knows about food? I mean does she even look like a pony who wants to see success to the fairest of her ability?"

"Honestly, I’m not sure." Pinkie honestly answered. "Either way, I don't know if we can just turn everything around so suddenly."

“Never the less, the worst has happened and it’s no use crying over split food over.” Coriander assured there are no hard feelings for how it all went down himself.

“Here.” Saffron offered as she had just prepared a spicy hot dish. “This always cheered me up when I was younger.”

Her father gasped in delight upon seeing what she had just prepared. “My spicy flat-noodle soup!”

Everyone all managed to get themselves a small sampling spoonful so they can taste and try it, and each and every one of them said “Mmm.” in response due to how wonderful it tasted.

“Oh my Celestia, this is amazing!”

“This is truly delightful!”

“Wow!”

“Mmm, this is the best thing you've made so far! And I thought the food before was the best!”

“Reminds of the times we baked cookies and brownies together with my dad.” Silver commented herself.

"Along with the first time me and my mom first tasted actual homemade peanut butter together."

“It sure does.” Mtoto's mom said in agreement.

“It has been so long since we cooked together.” Coriander then said as he now found himself recalling of the good times they shared back when he was happier. “Heh. Remember how you used to hide the ingredients you did not like?“

“Did that happen for real?” Fuli asked with an amused chuckle.

“Yes, but only because I really wanted the dishes I eat to taste really great…” Upon seeing the cheetah raise an eyebrow she then admitted. “...aside from not wanting to eat something I didn’t like.”

“Sounds about right to me.” Fuli then said seeing she got the honest answer she wanted as Saffron giggled herself actually finding it funny herself.

“Yes, and all of this right now, this is why I wanted to invest in a pony partnership!" Mtoto's mom said as she realized. "Make food for the ponies of Canterlot and for the many Pride Landers like the food we made together when I was younger! If only we can think of what we’re going to do now to turn this all around.”

Silver Spoon smiled as she had the answer to that. "Well maybe some good food will help you think just it like it to me and my dad many years ago when baking." She continued to smile as she looked at Mtoto's mother. "And if there is one thing I’ve learned from the Cutie Mark Crusaders is that a cutie mark itself while it may look the part, it gives one to think and remember what exactly it’s true purpose is. Like whether my cutie mark points to the life in this business now or what I truly am passionate about. And maybe just maybe it’s that passion that you need to realize in order to decide how to decide where to go from here.”

Mtoto's mom smiled back before turning to his son for much needed words to tell him as he took said wisdom to heart. "Maybe if we were to run this business like family, maybe it’s possible. That is if you’re willing to give me another chance, of course. You know, along with being able to start over with me actually seeing you as part of the family and all? Along with finding it in your heart to forgive me for how I acted earlier?”

"Of course, Mom." Mtoto happily replied, delighting in getting some affection from her mother as she moved to scoop him up in a great big hug.

“It’s never too late to start over.” Fuli pointed out. “And that we can help you for real this time. And regardless of what Zesty thinks, we shouldn’t let her define what good food is, we’ll let others as in the ponies themselves be the judge of that.

“That’s true.” Kyoga nodded in approval.

“I might not be a food expertise like Pinkie I do know for a fact of what tastes good and what’s not good just from all of that dining here in Canterlot.”

“That’s double true!” Pinkie happily agreed while feeling very pleased she has something in common with her.

“All you just need is more ponies in here to give it a chance! Ponies that will tell everypony else in Canterlot that The Tasty Treat has the best food in the city! And all we need is to make sure we are doing the right jobs this time around. If we do that then we are the perfect team for this.”

“That’s true three times!” Pinkie happily agreed once more.

“Also known as triple true, darling.” Rarity whispered in her ear so she’ll know for future reference.

“Okay!” Pinkie happily smiled in response.

With a new resolve, Fuli then turned her friends ready to take charge of the situation. “Rarity, you and Kyoga will go out and bring the crowd! Pinkie, you stay here with me and we’ll make sure this place is every bit as unique and rustic as it was the moment we walked in!”

“And that’s something we can do!” Kyoga agreed. “And with a few guests already here, I’m sure they’ll be the first ponies to taste out the current menu.”

“They sure will. Now let’s get to work!”

Going outside to the streets of Canterlot, Rarity sprung forward with the paper sign attached to her, and when ponies recognized her she said to them. "Would the owner of one of the premier boutiques in Canterlot put a stamp of approval on something that wasn't fabulous?" And it worked wonders in attracting customers.

At the same time both Pinkie and Fuli stayed in the kitchen to help Coriander, Saffron, Silver Spoon and her father make all the food, with the former taking the time to go outside to retrieve the old Tasty Treat logo from the trash.

At last, a huge crowd had gathered just outside the restaurant doors, and inside everyone and everypony was still a little on edge. "It's almost time! Is everypony ready for the grand re-re-opening?" Rarity asked, trying to stay positive.

Saffron herself had something to say before they do. "Well, before we open, my father and I just wanted to say... Thank you for all of your help. We've both been so stressed about the restaurant succeeding that we forgot what it was we or at least he loved about it in the first place."

“And the same can be said about us, like father and daughter we ended up making the same mistakes, too. But now we’re back to doing something we love together.” Silver Spoon added with a smile, standing besides her father and feeling proud to do so for the first time in a long time.

Mtoto's mom nodded as she added. "And that very thing is cooking. No matter what happens next, we thank you for everything you’ve done for us."

"Oh, you guys! Group hug!" Pinkie exclaimed, pulling the entire restaurant staff into a powerful group hug. When it had ended she then said and declared. "Now come on! We've got a party to throw!"

Coriander opened the door, while Saffron got to work on cooking, though she came out occasionally to help Silver and Mr. Spoon wait on tables. Before long, the words, "Welcome to The Tasty Treat! Make yourselves comfortable!" and "Please, feel free to sample the food!" were all said very frequently with the many arriving guests.

Everyone was having such a good time, that the arrival of Zesty Gourmand almost went unnoticed. "A popular restaurant without anything, not even a review or recommendation. I wonder if this has something to do with a certain charming pony spreading the word around here?"

"It most certainly is in fact, me." Rarity replied, glaring at Zesty. "You've really got a lot of nerve to come back after what happened earlier, Zesty. I do hope you're not planning to turn your back on us right now. Because it is only fair to warn you that doing so now will certainly damage your credibility going forward. And just because you like your food a certain way, there is no reason to tell these ponies that they need to do the same! Especially towards a unique and fresh establishment that deserves credit where it is due."

But Zesty then had this to say as she got everyone’s attention after clearing her throat. "Actually, I’m here to apologize for any and previous misunderstandings from our last encounter." She then explained. "Believe it or not, but I truly did have no idea what was going on with Restaurant Row in my absence. Only now do I see that I’ve accidentally allowed a terrible mistake to happen because of it. Should this continue, I will hand in my letter of resignation as soon as possible since for my efforts to bring fine dining here in Canterlot, I ended up casing every restaurant to change itself just for the sake of my approval. I can also see that a lot has changed here since last time. But unfortunately, I don’t have time to dine here today, it’ll have to wait until tomorrow. But regardless of whether it not it gets a three hoof/star rating, I’m sure ponies and many others will still come here regardless. So with that I thank you Miss. Rarity, Miss. Fuli, Miss Kyoga and to you Miss. Pinkie Pie, for helping me open up my eyes to what I was not seeing until now, and good day." And with that she took her leave, and everyone the crowd cheered in delight.

“Thank you so much!” Saffron happily thanked the four.

“You all are truly amazing.” Corainder himself complimented with a proud smile for the first time in a while.

Even Mtoto, his mother, along with Silver Spoon were all impressed. "And we look forward to seeing you here more frequently. Customers will sure be very interested to hear this little story."

Mtoto's mom smiled, as he watched her son happy bouncing and trumpeting. It always delighted her no matter how many times she saw it. "And the same can be said in looking forward towards meeting the rest of your friends from the Lion and Pony Guard. It’ll be definitely be a treat to be able to get to know them ourselves.”

“We’ll look forward to it.” Fuli returned feeling happy herself on behalf of the team.

Just then, Pinkie Pie, Fuli, Kyoga, and Rarity all felt a slight tingle on their rumps and shoulders, and they saw that their cutie marks were glowing, thus signifying a job well done. "Oh yeah, we're on fire! Nothing can stop the dynamic quad of Pinkie, Fuli, Kyoga and Rarity!" Pinkie exclaimed, before she and everypony present laughed together before continuing with the rest of their day at a now thriving family business together.

Author's Note

Hello everyone, for starters thank you all for your patience, since putting together new episodes that need a handful of adjustments here and there are quite time consuming more so than usual I will admit. Second, since we are starting off the second half of the season, it seemed fair and fitting to go for a Breather Episode involving the first friendship mission since late Season 5 after a another dark and dramatic special in regards to Scar and his army.

That being said, the newest friendship mission has both Fuli and Kyoga accompanying Rarity and Pinkie Pie to the streets of Canterlot. A journey that leads them to trying to find good food which proves to be problematic due to the bland offerings from three-star review places they've come across. At least until they came across one place that hasn't been reviewed one owned by a father daughter duo along with a joint partnership with none other than Mtoto and his mom with Silver Spoon for company.

And yes there were some struggles and some hardships involved, it was all straighten up with valuable friendship lessons learned and valuable advice to help them move forward and it was all worthwhile to the point that outdated views have been reevaluated going forward.

Next up we'll get back into action in the fight against the Army of Scar where the Lion and Pony Guard turns to the Hyena Resistance for help as they continue their fight to keep the Pride Lands from falling under Scar's control once again. Hopefully in time for the anniversary of the series premiere next week Thursday so stay tuned until then...

Episode 23: The Hyena Resistance

Episode 23:

The Hyena Resistance:

It hasn’t been long since Scar attempted to take over the Crystal Empire, and after a series of surprising events that didn’t go his way, he has now been more aggressive than before by ordering more attacks on the Pride Lands, one that the Lion and Pony Guard are currently facing now, one in regards to both Kiburi's float and Janja's clan now putting up another attack.

“We mean it!”

“Get outta the Pride Lands, Kiburi.”

The leaders of the Guard angrily told the crocodile as they tried to surround the whole team once more.

“It's only the Pride Land 'cause we haven' taken it over.. Yet.” Kiburi hen proceeded to kick start the attack by going after Kion himself.

It didn’t take more than two seconds until the alicorn prince was able to quickly shoot a direct blast right at him to force him back. Twilight then followed it up with a quick whip to knock him off of his legs with Fuli going in for the pounce.

“You're not going anywhere, Kiburi. Except back to the Outlands!”

“And that goes for your whole float!” Kion then proceeded to attack Tamaka as he tried to attack him once more.

Cheezi himself broke out into crazed laughter as he goes after Bunga and Pinkie Pie who both are all ready for him.

But just as he approached them, Bunga raised a paw to get him to stop. “Hey, wait!”

“Wait!” Pinkie commanded of the hyena who quickly obeyed.

“Huh?”

Pinkie turned to her honey badger friend. “You ready now?”

Bunga proceeded to pick up the stick sitting next to him. “Okay, I'm ready. Bring it! Hee-yaa!” He proceeded to unleash some karate style moves as he used the staff as a staff, but when he did, he accidentally hit himself in the face and fell on his back “Ow!”

Upon seeing this both Cheezi and Chungu shared a laugh together.

“Honey badger on a stick! That's hilarious!”

“I’ll say. Now let’s eat him.”

But before they can get anywhere near him, Pinkie was quick to come to his defense. “Actually I have a better idea…” She then pulled up a couple of pies. “...eat this!” She slammed two pies right in their faces before using her party cannon to blast them away.

“Wow! I love pie!”

“Me too!”

The two laughed before passing out from what they’ve just endured.

Janja himself happened to notice this and was quick to try to get them to keep it up. “Cheezi! Chungu Quit laughing and playing around and start fightin'!” But at that moment Rarity was quick to seize on the hyena’s momentary distraction by giving him a swift karate kick. One that sent him flying and into Beshte who likewise used his snout to slam him away into the rest of his pack.

From the shadows of a hidden area of rocks, Jasiri herself having happened to have witnessed this, giggled at the sight as she watched from a distance.

By then, Applejack and Rainbow Dash have managed to tie up the crocodiles with Kiburi being the sole exception given that he on the other hand was just finished getting his tail handed to him by both Twilight and Fuli.

“Uhh, that's enough for one day!” Janja stated upon recovering. “Let's get outta here, fellas!”

“Janja! Wait for us!” Cheezi called after him when he first ran ahead.

Upon recovering Kiburi did the same but not without turning to Kion to swear vengeance upon him and the Guard, “Crocs, we're leaving. But don't worry We'll be back.” He said while trying to keep himself from looking at Twilight due to the fear of her still running up his scales before finally making his leave.

After the two groups had left, that just left one outstanding matter on their minds, the jackals who were attacking another area in the Pride Lands. Fortunately for them, they didn’t need much help considering the jackals were now running off in fear seconds later.

“Come on, boys, girls! Let’s get out of here!”

“Right behind you dear! Anything but seeing that scary look in her eyes!”

Both Reirei and Goigoi screamed with the other jackals following after them.

By then, said Guard members taking care of the jackals happened to be Starlight, Kyoga, and Fluttershy with no questions wondering what and why the jackals were so terrified after their latest encounter.

“Everyone okay?” Kion asked of everyone after all is said and done.

“All good.”

“Affirmative.”

“Yep.”

“No complains here.”

“Me neither.”

“Just fine, darling.”

“Nothing like a little magic and combat to send the jackals packing.” Starlight herself assured while blowing the smoke off of her horn.

“Along with a powerful Stare to send them running.” Fluttershy can only meekly look aside in response as she is not a fan of doing it, but she had to because the safety of the kingdom depends on it.

Then Kion noticed someone wasn’t with them. “Where's Bunga and Twilght?”

“Right here.” Twilight called out while walking alonside the honey badger now limping.

“Never felt better.”

“What happened Little B?” Beshte asked in concern.

“Because you like me just after having a boulder land on my hind legs.” Applejack then pointed out.

“I've been, uh, workin on one of Rafiki's moves.”

“And how did that go?” Fuli asked while expecting the obvious answer.

“Uh, great. See, I was facing of with Cheezi... And then I did thi crazy cool move I saw Rafiki do. Hee-yaa!” He twirled his stick once more only to suffer a repeat of what he just endured. “Well, almost did it.”

“And injured his back while doing so...again.” Twilight added while working her magic on the honey badger...again while everyone else looked on in concern.

“You sure you're okay Little B?” Beshte asked once more.

“Sure I'm sure.”

Kion however didn’t take his word for it as he moved to give him some advice. “I don't know, Bunga. Looks like it hurts. Maybe you should ask Rafiki to take a look at your back.”

“Or give you some tip on how to swing a stick.” Fuli also advised while resisting the urge not to laugh herself.

“Which I’d be more than happy to teach you.” Rarity then offered while doing the same as Fuli in trying to keep a straight face while doing so.

“I'm fine. I'll jus walk it off in no time.” But while trying to do so he still moaned in pain, forcing Twilight to use her magic to freeze him so she can continue healing him with her magic.

“I'm pretty sure being able to walk is a crucial part to the "walking it off" process. Let alone flying it off.”

“I’d hate to say it, Bunga. But the bird’s got a point.” Rainbow added while agreeing with the others. “It wasn’t until after the holidays we were finally able to fully recover from the injuries we endured back during our Wonderbolt debut performance. So you’re getting help whether you want it or not!”

The Lion and Pony Guard then continued their way forward while passing by Flat Ridge Rock. Along the way Jasiri tackled Kion by surprise with the sound of her giggling laughter accompanying her sudden presence.

“I'll save you, Kion.”

“Me too!”

Both Bunga and Pinkie were quick to rush over to him only to be held back by both Fuli and Twilight.

“Easy, Bunga. It's just Jasiri.”

“Yep. And she is on our side, now.”

“Oh! Ooh!” Pinkie giggled. “I get it now.”

“What?”

“She is in the Pride Lands now, even though she normally lives in the Outlands. You just made a borderline joke there!”

Twilight herself giggled along with Fuli. “Yes, I did didn’t I.”

“How about that.”

“Scared you?” Jasiri asked the lion she had just pounced on.

“You wish. If I wanted a sudden scare I’d just ask Pinkie to do it.”

“Hi!” Pinkie happily greeted while suddenly appearing before which caught them both by surprise.

“See?”

“Hello, Pinkie. Good to see you again. It’s been a while.” Jasiri greeted with a hug before turning to the others. “So, Kion, Twilight. Is that how you start every morning? Taking on crocs and hyena at the same time?”

“Along with jackals going off on their own while others are busy.” Kyoga added with a weary sigh. “Which considering they have been doing that every morning it’s definitely the case nowadays.”

“Along with every afternoon.” Ono added. “At least the vultures weren’t around today.”

“I've noticed.” Jasiri commented. “The hyenas, crocs, jackals, vultures. They all seem to be working together lately. What's going on, Kion, Twilight?”

Twilight moved to answer her question honestly. “Scar is what’s going on.”

“Scar?” Jasiri asked before laughing at the moment. “I know all about the legend of Scar. I am a hyena after all.”

Kion shook his head to assert otherwise. “It's not just a legend, Jasiri. Not anymore. Scar's back. He appears to Janja and the others inside the volcano. He's behind these attacks. Sorry I didn't tell you sooner.”

Jasiri was quick to forgive him understanding that they haven’t stayed in touch long enough to make time for that. “Don't be. I know now. But I'll need to warn my clan.”

“If you want I could ask for your clan to stay here in the Pride Lands. Until we defeat Scar.” Kion then offered.

“If not there is also Equestria.” Twilight chimed in.

“Asante, Kion, Twilight. Thank you.” Jasiri gratefully returned before moving to decline the offer. “But we can't abandon our home.”

“You sure?” Beshte asked.

“Nobody's safe in the Outlands now that Scar's back.” Fuli pointed out.

“Especially considering that Kinyonga herself narrowly got herself killed by Scar once.” Fluttershy also brought up.

“And trust me when I tell you that Scar is not someone you want to be anywhere near if you’re on his bad side.” Starlight added while speaking from experience. “One time when the hyenas failed to kill Beshte and Applejack, Scar really let them have it by eviscerating them in a fiery rage. And another time after turning on him and helping Twilight and Kinyonga escape he nearly killed me. I had to be prepared and use a duplicate of myself to dodge dealing with death there.” Even from today, Starlight herself could remember that very moment when an angry Scar himself dealt with the hyenas after their first failure.

“One simple task is all I ask of you hyenas and not only did you fail at it you BUCKING fouled it up!” Scar angrily berated the terrified trio huddled together at the cliff side from a safe distance to avoid being burned by the rising flames from the volcano and instead pushed roughly downwards and away from from the edge.

“We’re sorry, Scar. We don’t know how we managed to allow that to happen.” Janja could only say as he apologized for his inexcusable failure while he and others moved to walk back up the cliffside.

“I don’t either. And the only thing I can say right now is, you and your clan better step it up going forward unless you all want to serve yourselves as a replacement. Is that understood, Janja?”

“Yes, Scar.” Janja emitted a terrified gulp in response.

“Good. Now get out.”

Janja and his clan were quick to scurry their tails on out of here, but not without briefly stopping when Cheezi and Chungu felt the need to ask this.

“So just out of curiosity….”

“...Does this mean we’re not going to get to eat anything we’d like?”

“OUT!”

The three hyenas all got the heck out of dodge immediately.

“You just had to ask him that now?”

“What? We were hungry.”

“And we still are,”

“Ugh.”

Starlight who along with Ushari looked on at seeing this violent outburst could only look on feeling terrified herself to the point she made a personal vow not to report any failures going forward even upon finding out that Janja and his clan failed to take care of Jasiri and her clan. Something that she personally left out when recalling said memory today with the same nervous look on her face.

Even with the descriptive warning in light, Jasiri remained sure they can take their chances. “I think we can hold our own. Besides, I have a better idea. Come on.” Jasiri then led the way on towards her home in the Outlands, one where Scar himself never bothered to look at.

Along the way. Starlight moved to ask her friends in the Lion and Pony Guard a certain question on her mind. “So is they any other reason why Jasiri won’t take up the offer to live in safer territory even with having every reason to? Or she is somehow really stubborn inside?”

“Not unnecessarily.” Twilight answered. “It’s just one of things of having a difficult time moving on to a different home when one has been accustomed to it for a while. I mean I wouldn’t blame her considering it took me quite a while to get adjusted to my new castle after my old one got destroyed.”

“Really?” Twilight nodded. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”

“And not only that…” Kion then said next. “...it’s also a matter of the fact that my dad himself isn’t fond of hyenas, especially considering that other hyenas who used to live here happened to help Scar take over the Pride Lands, years ago. Even when he got to met her briefly after saving Kyoga from Zira and her clan, he still wasn’t keen on enjoying hyenas for company even when she displayed she isn’t like the hyenas he dealt with back then.”

“Phew.” Simba sighed to himself just after seeing to it that Zira and her followers have retreated for now. “I’m glad that’s over with.”

“Asante, Kion. You too your majesty.” Jasiri thanked just when passing by.

“You’re welcome, Jasiri.” Kion kindly returned.

“Kiom.” Simba spoke up upon seeing their interaction together. “This is your friend in the Outlands?”

“Yeah, remember. The good hyena I told you about earlier.” Kion returned while trying to understand why his father is looking on like he is playing with fire here.

Simba could barely mask his dislike towards the hyena before moving to walk by his son. But not without. “Kion…” He motioned to pull his son aside for a quick word. “...while I greatly respect you wanting to advocate for your friends. I don’t feel comfortable with you being around this new friend of yours.”

“Huh?” Kion returned feeling confused by what he just said. “But Dad, I said earlier she’s a friend of mine not an enemy. She doesn’t bite nor wants to if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Yes, I do see that. But you must understand that I don’t see it that way. Because said hyenas when I was young actually helped Scar take over the Pride Lands and tried to kill me at one point when I couldn’t fight back.” Simba then explained to his son. “Even if there are ones that are willing to stand by your side it doesn’t guarantee they’ll turn on you if you manage to pick the wrong bone with them. And that’s exactly how Scar met his end.”

“But I thought he died while accidentally flying into the fire at Pride Rock?” Kion asked now confused with this revelation in light. “That’s what the stories and paintings said, right?”

“Right, but that’s mainly because no one else saw nor witnessed what had really happened between them. Given my earlier fight and confrontation with Scar at that moment, I was the only one who managed to find out and see what had really happened to him in the end.”

“But still, Dad.” Kion spoke up still trying to assert his point. “Jasiri is not like the hyenas you’ve faced before. She’s about my age unlike the ones you’ve faced off against in the past. Even though we’re different on the outside, on the inside we’re the same, or as Jasiri would put it “Sisi Ni Sawa.”

“You and Jasiri are the same?”

“Yeah, Dad. At least thank her for helping me out when I got lost here in the Outlands that one time.”

“Okay.” Simba sighed before turning back to the hyena in question. “Jasiri, it’s a pleasure to meet you and you’re welcome for the assistance my son and his friends could provide you.”

“You’re welcome, your majesty.” Jasiri returned like it’s nothing new to her. “He’s just lucky I am the kind of hyena that is willing to help others when needed even when we’re on different sides.”

“He sure is, and for your assistance in helping him back there you have my thanks as well.” Simba then continued as he tries to be fair and firm with what he had to say next. “But don’t think that guarantees a hero’s welcome in the Pride Lands. After all, it isn’t like you managed to save my son’s life from great danger.”

While taken aback a little by that statement, Jasiri still accepted his reasons. “I understand your majesty. Although it would be nice if we could at least be friends going forward. After all, I’m not exactly one of those bad hyenas like Shenzi, Banzai, or Ed and truly mean no harm to you or any of your friends.”

“I wish I could believe that myself. But I just have a hard time accepting that given of what the hyenas before you have done in regards to helping the wrong ruler take over the Pride Lands. Maybe someday, but not today.”

“Very well.” Jasiri sadly sighed before masking a smile for the younger lion. “I better get going home, and it was nice seeing you again, Kion.” She then left and regrouped with her clan, while the young prince can only look on disappointment that carrying on to the present day as Kion finished telling said memory to his unicorn friend.

After hearing that story, it left Starlight feeling relieved yet pity for Jasiri. “If only Simba could see her the same way he sees me now, then maybe we wouldn’t be having this problem.”

“It’s probably for the best now.” Twilight assured it couldn’t have gone any better even if they had wished for it. “And if this works out then it won’t hurt to have someone on the inside.”

“Assuming Jasiri knows what she is doing.” Starlight said to herself to which Twilight looked on knowing and feeling the same way given the last few times they tried their luck on that which resulted in near death experiences and close calls they wish hadn’t happened.

When they got to Jasiri's Watering Hole, Jasiri moved to perch on a tall rock alongside Twilight and Kion before addressing her clan.

“Scar has returned.” The hyenas listening predictably gasp in shock and worry at the very mention of his name along with some uttering “Oh no.” to showcase the dread they are now feeling. “But the Lion and Pony Guard is working to stop him. And I have a way for us to help. Scar may know about me and the little ones. But he doesn't know about all of us. While the Guard is protecting the Pride Lands, we can ruin Scar's plans here. In the Outlands. Together, we can be a Hyena Resistance!”

“Us? A Hyena Resistance?” Madoa asked feeling unsure at the idea itself.

“We can't take on Scar.” A male hyena pointed out. “He’ll kill us before we even try to lay a claw on him.

“I know it sounds scary.” Jasiri acknowledged before reassuring them she has a way to combat his forces. “But this is our home. And we need to defend it. Kwetu Ni Kwetu. Home is home.”

Kwetu Ni Kwetu

From 0:34 to 2:22

She then proceeds to sing to emphasize their importance in this very role even when they are enemies nearby lurking. Sure enough, she got the whole clan to dance and sing along to her rhythm before regrouping with the Lion and Pony Guard who all look on smiling to see they are all onboard with helping them.

“Kwetu Ni Kwetu.” The whole clan said together after finishing singing.

“So does this mean you all are in?” Twilight asked Jasiri.

“Of course we are.” Jasiri confirmed. “Whenever we hear of whatever Scar is planning next whether it’s through one of his follower, Madoa will report you about it right away.” She briefly turned to her friend. “You think you can handle that?”

“Of course I can.” She nodded.

“Great!” Twilight then proceeded to lead everyone back home. “See you all soon!”

“Look forward to it!” Jasiri happily returned as the Guard took their leave.

Upon returning to the Pride Lands, Beshte was the first to speak voicing his liking of the idea. “Poa. A hyena resistance in the Outlands.”

“Sounds like a great idea!” Rainbow said already eager to get to work with them.

“I just hope Jasiri knows what she's doing.” Starlight expressed still feeling concerned herself.

“Me too.” Fluttershy timidly shared feeling the same way. Something that Twilight herself silently agrees with.

“You kidding, Starlight?” Bunga laughed it off like it’s a joke. “She's un-Bunga-lieva..” But when he moved to jump his bones cracked causing him to double over in pain. “Ow!”

“Bunga, are you sure you're okay?” Kion asked once more.

“Who? Me? Of course! I'm fine.” He tried to assert and laugh it off before wincing from the pain of his bones cracking once more and upon seeing Twilight looking on not impressed nor buying it, he relented. “Okay, okay. I'll go see Rafiki. But only to ask him how to swing this stick.” Upon seeing the look once more. “I mean along with getting my back some much needed help.”

“And believe me you’re getting tips from me whether you like it or not, Bunga.” Rarity then chimed in, deciding now is the time to make sure his skills have improved to the point a folly like this never happens again.

Later on, Bunga made their way to Rafiki's Tree where Rafiki himself sees Bunga’s repeated demonstration with Rarity around for company.

“Ow!” Bunga shouted before falling over once more.

“Yes. You do have a problem.” Rafiki noted.

“That's what I said. Every time I swing the thing, I hit my face and fall over.”

“You have much spirit, honey badger.” Rafiki complimented.

“Thanks, Rafiki.” Bunga smiled.

“But, your form is horrible.” Rafiki however critiqued.

“My form?” Bunga complained.

“Yes your form, darling.” Rarity firmly repeated just when Rafiki moved to help Bunga with his back by performing a stretch that helped make his bones stop cracking and feel better.

“Ooh! That's better.” Bunga smiled now feeling the back pains are now gone. “Hey, does this mean my form's better too?”

“Not even close.” Rarity shook her head. “Form cannot be so easily fixed. In order to master it you must learn balance, and technique.” She proceeded to display said techniques in her moves to perfection.

“Exactly!” Rafiki agreed while smiling in approval with the unicorn’s skills. “And if you wish to want to master it, you need to study closely.” He then motioned of Bunga to move closer. “Come. And watch closely.” He moved to show a move of his own by performing a perfect split. “Backward Baboon Bend. Go!”

Bunga moved to try to replicate it, only to suffer another repeat. “No! Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!”

At the same time despite finding the moves a little cringe-worthy Rarity managed to perform the technique flawlessly.

“Spinning Scorpion Sweep. One of my favorites.” Rafiki spun his staff around before using it to sweep the honey badger off of his feet. He then performed another technique of his own. “Prancing Porcupine Pose. Go!” Bunga moved to do so and for once actually managed to get that one down to form. “Yes! Prance, honey badger! Prance!”

Bunga continued prancing while swiftly avoiding Rafiki sweeping him off of his feet with his staff. And so far, he was gaining more learning confidence out of it. “Hey! I'm good at this one. Woah!” Once more he found himself swept off of his feet again.

Rarity sighed before smiling. “It was still a good start to a good effort, Bunga.”

“Yeah…” Bunga agreed before deciding they need to leave. “Maybe later when I have more free time because I better go see if the Guard needs me.”

“Probably for the best. To be continued until next time.” Rarity moved to follow after him before turning back to Rafiki. “Nice talking with you, Rafiki.”

Rafiki himself waved after them. “My pleasure, young pony. And remember, young honey badger. Practice. The key to good form is to stick with it.”

“Yeah, yeah. Okay Rafiki. I'll stick with it.” Then he realized a joke was made out of it. “Oh, I get it. Stick with it. 'Cause I've got a stick.” Just then he stepped on another stick that bumped in the face. “Ow!” He complained while rubbing his nose in pain.

Rarity smirked in response. “You deserved that, Bunga.”

Inside the Outlands Volcano, Scar now in his fiery form had Janja, Reirei, and Kiburi present, and judging from the look on his face, his overall demeanor hasn’t improved since the attempted siege of the Crystal Empire.

“So in light of the recent events that had happened at the Crystal Empire, now is the time to make progress on taking over the Pride Lands piece by piece. So here’s how we’re going to do it as we make our next move on Mizimu Grove. Reirei, you and your jackals attack from the left side. Kiburi, you and your crocs will attack from the right side. And Janja, you and your hyenas will take the middle. Surely, your training has paid off to the point that this is something you can handle on your own by now.”

“Of course.”

“We’re quite sure.”

“As the best of the best, we can handle them together.”

The three leaders vowed.

“Good. Because I want to be able to send a message to the Lion and Pony Guard immediately to being them back down to earth and remind them that the Army of Scar is not to be trifled with even after a loss.”

“And that’ll we make sure of it, we guarantee it.” Rerei also vowed.

“And believe me when I tell that you as the best fighters we know how to rebound after losing, and when this is all over, the Lion and Pony Guard will think twice before underestimating us.” Kiburi confidently albeit somewhat arrogantly added.

“See to it, Reirei, Kiburi. I want an immediate report after this is all over.” With the meeting over and all three leaders about to go their seperate ways, but before Janja can do the same… “Hold on, Janja. I need you to hang back a moment.” He spoke up wanting a quick private word before he leaves.

“Okay.” Janja nervously returned before turning back to face him. “What’s up?”

Once the other two leaders had left, Scar then spoke of what’s on his mind. “As you know, you and your clan haven’t had the best track record in regards to your success since you’ve been asked to step up to the challenge. So that said, with you taking the middle in this upcoming attack, I want to personally inform you that I expect the very best of you going forward, especially after Sombra decided to have a last second change of heart at our expense.” Scar had to resist flaring up as the memory and emotional wound is still raw to him. Janja himself felt very uneasy as he recalled having to standby as Scar raged after the fallout of said attack on the Crystal Empire which was truly a frightening experience more so than getting disciplined for his previous screw ups. “Surely, that won’t be a problem, right Janja?”

“Of course not! I mean have we ever failed to please you?” Scar’s eyes narrowed in response. “I mean…” He realized what he said. “...I know we actually have more than enough times, but I’m absolutely sure we can’t mess this up this time, we guarantee it, Scar.”

“See to it, Janja. For once it would be nice if you can actually dispose of something when gift-wrapped to you as opposed to playing with your food one too many times. Because I have killed traitors to the crown and I can do the same towards those who dare to turn on me and the last thing I want to do is kill one of my own to set an example for the others should they try the same thing. Is that understood?!”

“Yes, Scar.” Janja nervously and obediently replied.

“Good. Now, you may go.”

Janja was quick to do so almost bolting out the caldera before anything else happened. As if what happened with Sombra wasn’t bad enough, extra pressure has been placed on him in order to ensure victory when it matters. So with Sombra now no longer of help. It has been made clear to him, that he needs to starting stepping up and succeeding in his tasks because Scar is not tolerating failure from him anymore.

Later on, Janja met up with his clan before leading them on over to the Pride Lands. “Listen up, fur brains. I just got Scar's new plan to take over more of the Pride Lands. This time it's Mizimu Grove. He wants us to attack from three sides.” From above, Jasiri spied on them as he reveals said plan. “The jackals will take the left side, and the crocodiles, the right. And, as Scar's favorites, we will take the middle.”

“A three sided attack? The Hyena Resistance will see about that.”

Upon hearing and seeing what was needed, Jasiri raced back to her watering hole where she reported it to Madoa. “Go warn the Lion and Pony Guard, Madoa. I'll get everyone ready here.”

“I'll be back before you know it.”

As soon as Madoa had left Jasiri then addressed the rest of their clan. “All right, everyone. Our first mission as Hyena Resistance. We're going to stop Janja's clan before they reach Mizimu Grove. And here's how we'll do it...”

Back in the Pride Lands with the Lion and Pony Guard…

“I've really got it this time.” Bunga told everyone while perching on a nearby rock. “Backward Baboon Bend.” He proceeded to move and do it this time around.

“Nice.” Twilight complimented. “Another improvement on your skills.”

“Thanks.”

Just then Madoa came running towards them. “Lion and Pony Guard! Lion and Pony Guard!”

“Madoa. News from the Resistance?” Kion asked.

“Yeah! Jasiri overheard Janja talking. Scar's sending a three sided attack to Mizimu Grove.”

“He must be planning to take it over. Just like Kilio Valley and Hakuna Matata Falls.” Fuli deduced.

“Sure sounds like it.” Applejack saw no reason otherwise.

“But Jasiri has her own plan.” Madoa assured. “We're going to stop Janja's clan before they ever leave the Outlands.“

“That still leaves, one…” Bunga then tried and failed to count properly.

“And two sides for us.” Ono finished to which Bunga didn’t appericate.

“I was gettin' there. Two sides for us.”

“Right. The jackals and the crocs.”

“Shouldn’t be a problem for us.” Starlight said feeling sure about their chances now.

“Okay. Thanks, Madoa.” Kion thanked.

“No problem. Now I should get back to help Jasiri. Good luck.” With that Madoa left the Pride Lands once more.

Back in the Outlands, Janja and his clan made their way towards the Pride Lands ready to carry out their part in the attack. “Come on, boys. We'll show those jackals and crocs how us hyenas get things done.”

Unfortunately for them at that moment is when Jasiri and her clan moved to push the nearby rocks over the path they are walking on, causing a massive rock slide than forced Janja and his clan to retreat. Once the danger had passed, Janja tried and failed to climb rockslide that’s too unstable to maintain a solid claw grip on.

“Uh, Janja? Is this how us hyenas get things done?” Cheezi asked.

“No, fur brains. This is how hyenas don't get things done. Now, come on.” Janja angrily returned before doing the only thing they can do by retreating in the opposite direction.

“Actually, it's how good hyenas get things done.” Jasiri commented proudly while watching as they part in the counter plan succeeded.

Elsewhere at Mizumi Grove, the Lion and Pony Guard is already there awaiting for the other Outsiders arrival.

“Ono? Rainbow?”

“Any sign of them yet?”

Their leaders asked of them.

“Not yet. Wait!” Ono zoomed his eyesight on the border where he managed to finally spot them out. “I see Reirei and the jackals.”

“And Kiburi's float. It's just like Madoa said.”

“Okay. Bunga, Beshte, Rarity, Kyoga, Pinkie, Fluttershy you take the jackals.”

“Fuli, Ono, Starlight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, you're with us. Till the Pride Lands and Equestria’s end...

“Lion and Pony Guard defend!”

Shortly after leaving the border, Twilight, Kion, Fuli, Ono, Starlight, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash were quick to appear right in front of them.

“Stop right there, crocs.”

“You keep forgetting where the Outlands end, Kiburi.”

“And now it is butt kicking time!”

Even still Kiburi was not about to go out without a fight. “Just you wait, cub and pony. Soon the Outlands will stretch all the way to Pride Rock along with all of Equestria.”

Kion growled in response before tackling Kiburi himself.

Along the way, Twilight and Fuli were swiftly able to use their super speed to sweep the crocs off of their hooves while Applejack and Rainbow Dash were quick to tie them up. In addition, Starlight was quick to send a series of magical beams right at the crocodile leader himself. While he managed to evade each and every one them, he wasn’t prepared for the true attack. The one that knocked him backwards when the unicorn shot him square in the chest before swinging her body weight to punch and spin kick Kiburi away alongside the rest of his winded float.

At the same times the jackals advanced on the Lion and Pony Guard members facing them. Along the way, Goigoi got distracted when he spotted a butterfly flying right by him. And that was before seeing Bunga perched on top of a rock with his new stick staff in his paws.

“Hey, Goigoi. I've got something for you.”

“For me? What is it?” He asked like he is hoping it’s a present.

“Prancing Porcupine Pose.” But much like many of the previous times, Bunga ended up hitting himself with the stick and fell backwards again.

Even still he felt it was an interesting move. “Wow! Teach me. Teach me.”

“Goigoi.” Reirei quickly scolded. “What are you doing? Get 'em!”

“You got it, pumpkin paws.”

But before that can happen Pinkie suddenly appeared right in front of them to protect her friend. “I don’t think so! Because today’s special is a pumpkin pie filled with a jackal filling.” She then quickly spun around like a spinning top before splaterring them all in the face with pumpkin pies.

Then as soon as the pies got off of their faces they were karate kicked then swiftly slapped down by both Rarity and Kyoga.

And before Reirei could do anything about, she was left no time to prepare for Beshte charging towards her. “Twende Kiboko!” She could only scream before being body slammed hard and away.

Kiburi now seeing that this is a losing battle turned to Reirei to make note of this. “The Lion and Pony Guard is too much for us. This was supposed to be a three sided attack.”

“Yes.” Reirei agreed. “We need to tell Scar, Janja and his hyenas never showed. Come on, boys.”

The jackals and crocs moved to retreat back to the Outlands while the Lion and Pony Guard look on proudly with another victory in battle.

Later, Janja has returned to the volcano where Scar has remained since this morning.

“Back so soon, Janja? Am I to assume that's because you've defeated the Lion and Pony Guard easily?”

“Not exactly. We, uh, didn't make it to the Pride Lands.” Janja hesitantly explained nervously and honestly. “We were on our way, but there was a rock slide…”

“A rock slide?” Scar’s tone and voice rose in anger to which had the hyena leader step back upon sensing that anger again. “You let a measly rock slide stop you?!”

“It was a pretty big rock slide?” Janja merely defended with a forced smile which did little to help things for himself.

With his growing frustration reaching a head once more, he roared angrily causing a small eruption in the volcano with the force of the very roar pushing and tumbling Janja backwards and off of the ledge he was standing on.

At that moment is when both Reirei and Kiburi arrived who both equally look frightened with Scar’s violent outburst. “I do hope you have better news than Janja.” He then said to them, actually hoping that was the case.

Alas, they didn’t with what they had to say.

“Without the hyenas, the plan was ruined.”

“The Guard forced us out before we even got to Mizimu Grove.”

“And here I thought crocs were the best fighters.” Scar replied in a rather cranky and disappointed tone of voice.

“We crocs can fight just fine.” Kiburi defended but not without glaring at Janja himself. “But when things don't go according to plan…”

Janja then turned back to Scar who once more angrily glares at him for his failed participation in the earlier attack. “It was just a bit of bad luck, Scar. Really!” He insisted while pleading of him to show him mercy.

It took a second for Scar to consider doing just that as he relented. “Very well. We will try again.” Janja smiled briefly in relief with that decision. “But this time, Kiburi and his float will take the lead. Attacking Big Springs.”

Later at the watering hole in the Outlands, Kiburi spoke to his fellow crocs as he gets them all motivated in their next attack.

“Scar wants us to try again. But this time, we crocodiles will take the lead. So, who's ready?”

“Yeah!” The crocs all cheered all while unaware that Jasiri herself is watching from afar having heard and seen everything that is needed to use against them.

“Then the Hyena Resistance will be ready, too.”

The crocs made their way to the Pride Lands, where along the way they ened up coming across the sound of brustling and cracking branches.

“You hear that?” Before anyone could figure it out, the whole float found themselves plopping down into a pit that the Hyena Resistance had personally set up for them. Said hyenas smirk as they all watch as their little counter plan succeed with flying colors.

Back inside the caldera...

“You let the Lion and Pony Guard stop you again?!” Scar angrily questioned the trio as he appeared bursting into flames once more which had them cringing in fear at the sight. “Reirei. I trust the jackals can do better.” Said leader of the jackals smiled confidently feeling she can do just that.

Inside their cave, Reirei moved to address her clan. “Listen up everyone. Scar ain't happy. Both Kiburi and Janja have messed up his plans. But now it's our turn to take the lead. We're gonna to take over Ukuni Woods. And ain't nothing gonna stop us.” After sharing a laugh with her clan, they all proceeded to carry out their part in that very attack…

...at least before Jasiri and her clan who were already ahead managed to push a giant rock in front of the cave to plug up the entrance, thus trapping them inside.

“What?”

Jasiri and Madoa shared another delighted giggle together with yet another success in their paws.

With the jackals trapped and unable to carry out their part of the attack the Lion and Pony Guard were able to easily chase off the other Outsiders once more out of the Pride Lands.

“And this time, stay out!” Bunga declared as he twirled his stick before accidentally bumping the stick in his face and then fell on his back once more. “Oh!”

Twilight simply shook her head before proceeding to work her healing magic on the honey badger once more.

Just then Jasiri and her clan appeared on a nearby slab of rocks overseeing the border while seeing to it that the Outsiders are far away from it with their leader giggled in delight with their current success.

“Jasiri.” Kion said as he floated over to her.

“Looks like the Hyena Resistance is a success.”

“It sure is.”

“We can’t thank you enough.”

Both leaders returned with great gratitude for what she has done for them so far.

“No need to thank us, Kion, Twilight.” Jasiri returned humbly as always. “We're all in this together now. Actually, it's kinda fun messing up Scar's plans.” She then admitted.

“Heck, yeah it is!” Rainbow was quick to agree with her there. “After all of those close calls it’s about time we finally got some wins under our belt.”

Jasiri along with Kion and Twilight all shared a laughed together alongside a very eager Rainbow Dash for that comment.

While this was going on at the border, both Shupavu and Njano managed to spot out and witness this scene before making their way back towards the volcano where Scar is waiting for them with Janja present there as well.

“Skinks! What news do you have?” He asked of them as they approached the edge of the cliff.

“It's that hyena. Jasiri.” Shupavu reported to which had Janja widen his eyes in shock with the very mention of that name.

“She and her whole clan have been working with the Lion and Pony Guard.” Njano then added. “They've been messin' up your attacks.”

“They call it the Hyena Resistance.” Shupavu chuckled finding the name amusing herself.

With this news in light, Scar turned to the hyena in front of him with a very pressing question he wants an answer to now. “Janja?” He spoke calmly but furiously as the hyena nervously smiled in response once more. “I thought you said you took care of that hyena.”

“Yeah…” Janja briefed looked aside before admitting. “...I might have not told you the whole story.”

“As I recall, you said she and some cubs fell in a steam vent.” Scar then inquired still speaking politely and delicately yet coolly with narrowed eyes. “Was there more?”

“Oh, uh, did I forget to mention the part where the Lion and Pony Guard showed up and saved 'em?”

“Yes. You did forget to mention that little detail.” Scar angrily gritted his teeth visibly livid as he also remembers that Starlight herself left out telling him herself.

“Oh!” Seeing this had the skinks were quick to leave before getting caught in another ugly interaction between the two as Janja himself can only look as he once more expects the worst from him.

“But now you can make up for it.” Scar then said next while still gritting his teeth. “Take care of her and her clan.”

“Oh, uh, sure, sure. Um...” But he still couldn’t help but ask. “How were you thinking I...”

“By playing her own game!” Scar sharply answered while briefly raising his voice. “Go!” He then commanded after returning to his calm tone of voice. “Tell your clan that the plan is to attack Mizimu Grove again. Then, while the Guard is waiting in Mizimu Grove, you'll surround Jasiri's clan.”

But Janja is still confused. “But how're we gonna surround Jasiri if we were in Mizimu Grove?”

“You won't be in Mizimu Grove.” Scar irritably corrected. “The plan is to make the Hyena Resistance THINK…” Said with emphasis. “...you're going to be in Mizimu Grove.”

It was there, Janja now gets it. “Oh! But instead we'll go after Jasiri and her clan.”

“Correct!” Scar smiled. “And, you'll take the jackals and crocs with you.”

“Okay. You got it, Scar.” Janja laughed sinisterly before setting out to do so.

“And Janja?” Scar quickly spoke up in a sing song tone, catching the hyena before he could leave. Once he had his attention his smile dropped into a stern frown as he then coldly warned him. “Don't disappoint me, again.” Janja himself had his ears lowered in fright as he sees now that he is facing a fight he has to win this time around.

Sometime later, Jasiri and her clan managed to get a hold of this information before relying it to the Lion and Pony Guard with Madoa serving as the group messenger to report it.

“And then Jasiri heard Janja say it would be their biggest attack yet.”

“Thanks for the warning Madoa.”

“And thank Jasiri, too.”

Both leaders of the Guard thankfully returned.

“Of course. See you next time.” Madoa then turned and headed back to the Outlands so she can regroup with her clan.

“Well, here we go again.”

“Come on, back to Mizimu Grove.”

The leaders then said before leading everyone on over there.

Back in the Outlands, Madoa had just returned and regrouped with her fellow hyenas.

“Madoa, how'd it go with the Guard?” Jasiri asked.

“Great. They're waiting for Reirei and Kiburi now.”

“Oh, are they?” Janja asked with a mean smirk and chuckle while appearing from behind alongside the rest of his clan.

Seeing this caught them all by surprise as they all returned defense growls and gritted teeth in return.

“We'd hate to keep them waiting.” Kiburi added in a taunting manner while laughing maliciously at their predicament along with appearing right in front of them.

And as if it wasn’t bad enough, Reirei and her pack showed up to cover up the remaining side to utterly showcase they are all surrounded and have no means of winning nor escaping this time.

“That's right. Going somewhere?”

Jasiri now can only grow defiantly as all three groups surrounded them all in a circle.

“Doesn’t look like it.” Scar himself said as he suddenly and magically appeared outside of the circle which sparked a sudden jolt of fear inside the good hyenas hearts upon seeing and meeting him for the very first time. He then proceeded to approach them while using his magic to create a wall of fire and a magical dome around them to personally ensure that there is zero chance of any escape this time.

“Scar.” Jasiri gasped.

“Hello, Jasiri.” Scar returned with an evil chuckle and vicious grin.

Elsewhere at that very moment the Lion and Pony Guard themselves are already there awaiting for the arrival of the Army of Scar who all so far are not appearing on the very horizon from their point of view.

“It sure is taking them a long time to get here.” Beshte was the first to comment.

“I’ll say!” Rainbow impatiently agreed. “Are we sure they're coming?”

“Maybe they heard about my unstoppable move and decided not to come.” Bunga suggested while smiling proudly and feeling full of himself.

“Somehow, I doubt it.” Fuli returned while rolling her eyes in annoyance which surprised the honey badger himself.

“Especially considering they still are bold and brazen enough to try to attack Twilight herself even after scaring them to death.” Applejack chimed in to remind him of that very fact. “Twilight?” She then asked hoping she didn’t strike a nerve by saying that when she didn’t turn to look at her. “I hope you know I meant nothing personal by that.”

Instead, she looked on ahead as she thinks about what and why this is happening with what is really happening now clicking in her head. “Oh, no!” She quietly gasped.

“What is it, darling?”

“What’s happening?!”

Both Rarity and Fluttershy asked in great worry already sensing what’s wrong.

“Jasiri and her clan are in danger!”

“What?!” Ono also realized just when she and Rainbow used their keen sight to take a look at what’s going on up ahead. “Hapana! They're not after Mizimu Grove.”

“They're after Jasiri's clan. And they have them surrounded! Along with Scar himself.” Rainbow urgently added.

“Oh, poop!” Pinkie meekly chimed in already feeling dread in her spine.

“We better hurry.” Kion then stated. “Till the Pride Lands end…”

“Wait!” Twilight was quick to stop him before he could take off along with Rainbow Dash. “Not like this!”

“We could if you let go of us!” Raimbow retorted while struggling to free herself.

“No!” Twilight firmly refused to let go of her grip as she talks sense into them. “We do it like this, Scar will capture and kill us too! And he is not like the other Outsiders we’ve faced before. We need to be smart about this.”

“But how?!” Kion asked now feeling desperate with time running out.

“Yeah, what’s the new game plan, team captain?!” Rainbow also asked equally annoyed.

“With Scar around, we need to call in extra help. Meaning Princesses Celestia, Luna, and of course…” She turned to Kion. “...your dad.” Kion groaned in response knowing full well of what he thinks he is going to say about him helping other hyenas. “Kion, I know what he is going to say, and I know you don’t want to, but we need every advantage we can get.”

“But he was also responsible for not allowing them the opportunity to live here in the first place! You were there when it happened!”

“I understand, Kion. But desperate times call for desperate measures.” Twilight then turned to Spike. “Send a message out to Princess Celestia quickly and have her and Princess Luna meet us at Flat Ridge Rock.”

“You got it, Twilight.” Spike quickly got to work writing before using his breath of fire to send the message as soon as it was properly written.

“The rest of you stand by until Kion and I get back with King Simba and no matter what, do NOT engage with the enemy. We cannot afford to make any mistakes going forward. Is that clear?!”

“Yes.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Understood, Twilight.”

“No mistakes.”

“We won’t do anything without your say-so.”

“You got, Twilight.”

“Affirmative.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“But...”

“Is that clear, Rainbow Dash?!”

Rainbow sighed before responding and relenting to her order. “Yes, Twilight.”

“Good.” Turning to Kion. “Now let’s go.” The two alicorns then flew off towards Pride Rock together so they can recruit Simba and get him to help the Hyena Resistance.

In a flash of magic, both Kion and Twilight managed to appear on the edge of Pride Rock where Simba just happened to be around along with Nala.

“Kion! Twilight!”

“Dad!”

“Simba!”

“What’s going on?!”

“What’s happening?!”

Both friends took turns rapidly explaining the whole situation.

“Jasiri the good hyena formed a resistance group that helped us gain a head’s up on Scar’s latest attempts to take over more of the Pride Lands…”

“...but after a while Scar managed to catch on to what was really going on and has managed to corner her and her clan alongside his army and is preparing to kill them all on the spot right now!”

“Okay, so why are you both coming to me about it?” Simba asked still confused while Nala looks on like he should know by this point.

“Because we need your help! Scar is there himself too to personally finish them off.”

“I...I don’t know if I can.”

“Look, Dad! We don’t ask you for much, we never have, but this is Scar we’re talking about here. Someone who can and will kill them and us if we try to go in there and try to save them alone!”

“Please, Simba. I know you didn’t grow with the friendliest experience to hyenas. But these hyenas are very different from the ones who have dealt with.” Twilight then implored of him. “We have to save them and we can’t do it without you.” Upon seeing that this approach isn’t going anywhere, she tried something else. “Remember when you once told us the Circle of Life extends to animals in the Outlands. While it may not apply to those who don’t wish to respect it, it does towards those who do, and Jasiri is one of them.”

“But she…”

“She whether you like it or not is one of us. So are ponies who just so happen to lead the first ever Guard consisting of non-lions.” Twilight further reminded. “And this is coming from someone who once told us to be willing to protect those even if they’re not in the Pride Lands.”

“And that someone is you when there was a jackal pup being chased by hyenas before the Kuptana Celebration.” Nala also recalled. “Because of that, that also saved Kyoga herself. And now she is part of the Guard helping to defend the Circle of Life too.”

“I know, but…” Simba struggled with how to defend his case now. “...past wounds are not easy for me to let go of.”

“I know. But that shouldn’t stop you from doing the right thing even if it hurts and goes against your initial stance. Now, will you please go and help save them?”

After a moment of consideration along with the pleading and insistent looks from the three, Simba gave his answer. “All right. Let’s go!”

“Thank you!”

“Gather around!”

The four quickly did so before Twilight worked her magic for a quick teleportation spell to make up for lost time.

Inside the Outlands, Scar and the outsiders still have the Hyena Resistance surrounded with their leader himself circling around them up close.

“How very interesting. To think that this whole time today, the lingering problem and thorn on my paws was hidden inside the Outlands this whole time.” Scar said as he found himself chuckling for a moment. “At least, until now of course.”

“Yes. And you know what, Scar? We’re not sorry we helped the Lion and Pony Guard because you’re the one who’s doing more harm than good like you did before.” Jasiri defiantly returned.

“You know about Scar?” Janja asked highly surprised himself with her current knowledge.

“Yes, for only he can come up with this little scheme, himself.”

Scar simply chuckled once more while gesturing Janja to stop talking before he can pick a needless argument with her. “An amusing spin on things.” He then frowned while getting serious. “But since you and your clan have chose to poke me at the worst possible time, I have to take action against you all for your crimes against me and my army and if you’ve heard about the legend surrounding me, I’m sure you know what’s in store for you all for high treason and illegal espionage. The death sentence.”

“Wouldn’t expect anything less from a lion like you. Not that you cared for the Circle of Life, anyway.” Jasiri returned still not cowering nor begging for mercy,

“Who cares?” Kiburi responded just wanting to get this over with. “Your days of spying for the Lion and Pony Guard are over.”

“So very over.” Reirei sinisterly added with a mean laugh as Scar works his magic to lift Jasiri up by the throat before preparing to off her head off with a magical blade. All while the rest of her clan can look scream in horror along with shielding the little one’s eyes helplessly with what’s about to happen next…

“That's close enough.” Twilight's voice called out getting everyone’s attention as she bravely stood on top of high ground with Kion by his side.

“Now back off of Jasiri's clan.” He then ordered.

“Ah, Twilight, Kion. The fearless leaders of the Lion and Pony Guard. Here to enjoy the show?”

“No. We’re here to save them from you.”

“And if it means stopping you, we’ll do it.”

Janja himself spoke up to scoff at this very attempt and front they are putting up. “Nice try, Kion and Twilight. But even you two can't save the Hyena Resistance now. We got 'em surrounded. And there is a magical dome here to ensure you can’t break it.”

“On the contrary, we’re not alone…”

“...And we have you surrounded.”

To back that up the rest of the Lion and Pony Guard along with Princesses Celestia and Luna, and King Simba all appeared from higher ground all while surrounding Scar and his army.

“Hiya, croccidy-crocs.”

“Surprised to see us, Reirei?”

“Ready to get your butts and tails kicked?”

“Because we are ready to bring it!”

Bunga, Fuli, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity all said while making their appearances known.

While the Army of Scar along with their leader barely batted an eye towards the Guard they however looked on surprised and unsure with the royals here and ready to fight them. Their leader however, saw this as one more annoyance to him aside from trying to comprehend while his nephew of all lions would want to come to the Hyena Resistance’s aid.

“Last chance, Scar. Give us the hyenas or face the consequences.”

“And you better hope your magic is still as powerful as it was before because we’re ready for you this time."

“And don’t even think it’s going to be an easy match this time.”

“Because it’s not.”

The four royals all firmly stated.

“We’ll see about that.” Scar stated in response before teleporting outside of the dome so he can personally handle the alicorns and fully grown lion himself.

Simba growled before leaping down from his position before lunging right at his treacherous uncle, who likewise leaped up and lunged at him too. Both traded claws with each other mid-air before landing back down on the ground. Upon landing, Scar found himself surrounded four ways by Simba, Nala Luna, and Celestia all ready to do whatever they can to try to bring him down. Scar himself isn’t fazed as he has the skill and mindset to navigate through this as evident when he managed to deflect various magical beams and attacks even dodging attempted lungs from each of his attackers in a quick and effective matter.

At the same time with Scar occupied, the Lion and Pony Guard made their move towards the ones in trouble.

“Now!” Kion along with Twilight, Starlight, and Kyoga worked to combine their magic to create a powerful blast hard enough to crack and shatter the barrier of Scar’s dome before lunging and attacking Janja himself. At the same time Twilight along with Starlight and Kyoga worked together to sweep his hyena clan off of their feet.

Fuli herself made a charge down the rocks like stairs before tackling and tussling with the jackals herself with Rainbow Dash to fly right by them and knock them off of their feet like bowling pins.

The sole jackal, Goigoi found himself running and begging for mercy when Ono came flying right at. “Nice birdie, nice birdie.”

The crocodiles moved to charge at Beshte along with Applejack standing their ground and proceeded to charge back at them.

“Twende Kiboko!”

“Hippo and pony!” Tamaka can only scream before getting body slammed and then tied up by the country pony’s lasso.

“That’s right! Both here for the rodeo!” She then tussled and swung them around before flinging in a different direction. “Here they come Rarity and Bunga.”

“You ready for this, Bunga?” Rarity asked with a smile as she got on her haunches ready to bring it.

“Ready.”

The two leaped in action by unleashing their moves including Rafiki’s moves as they proceeded to swiftly take down each and every crocodile in their direction. And it was there that Kiburi himself took an interest in.

“You're mine, honey badger. You too, unicorn.”

“Guess again, ugly croc.” Rarity retorted before ducking the charging enemy’s attempted attack before delivering a powerful uppercut to the throat. It was then followed by Bunga flinging his stick staff into his mouth just before he could try to snap his jaws on the unicorn who simply didn’t feel frightened with what was about to happen.

Among the chaos, Janja having managed to escape the leaders of the Guard for now, tried to use the cover he had just used to try to implement some sneaky maneuvers and tactics of his own. “Let me show you how a real hyena fights.”

But before he could do so, he found himself the unfortunate victim when a crocodile got intimated by Fluttershy’s stare he ended up unable to defend himself from Pinkie giving him a good tail slap which accidentally sent the hyena screaming and falling into the nearby steam vent which was larger than the one Jasiri was once trapped in.

At the same time, Scar continued holding his own against Simba, Nala, Celestia, and Luna for some time. They all each put up some good moves and connected on a few attacks but Scar himself is so skilled and powerful he was treating this like its another workout for him. Soon enough Scar was able to put an end to the fight by performing a spiral motion of paws that allowed him to take out all four of his opponents at once.

By then, their battle strategy in ensuring that the Hyena Resistance had escaped had worked leaving Scar disgruntled with what had just happened. He then made his leave but not without telling the defeated crew this. “Well played you four. But mark my words your majesties, another piece of the Pride Lands will definitely pay for this. Ukuni Woods specifically to serve as an example of your act of treachery against me. Not to mention I want the Hyena Resistance out of the Outlands immediately, so if you were all I’d get to it and get out of here while you still can.” He then used his magic to disappear in a flash but not without marking his territory on the land he swore to take over without them and the Lion and Pony Guard around to stop him.

After seeing and enduring enough, Reirei decided they need to make some necessary readjustments to their current battle strategy. “We need to regroup.” She instructed of Kiburi who still had the stick holding his jaw open.

“You need to leave.” Twilight commanded of the Outsiders.

“Not this time.” Reirei stated in refusal to listen to the Princess of Friendship still focused on their task to do what they were sent here to do.

Kiburi snapped his jaws to finally break the stick as he too refused to back off. “That's right. We're not going back to Scar without defeating the Hyena Resistance.”

“We'll see about that.” Kion stated before locking and narrowing his eyes at them. Like before he unleashed the Roar of the Elders to blast away the Army of Scar sending them all screaming.

After the danger had passed even with the battered bruises the princesses and king had endured, they had just managed to save the Hyena Resistance’s lives from Scar’s clutches. Even though he had managed to obtain another part of the Pride Lands out of it, he still didn’t come out with more blood on his paws. And that was enough to give everyone rounds of applause and cheers.

“Yeah! You did it!” Madoa congratulated.

“We did it.”

“We sure did.”

Both leaders of the Guard shared as the Hyena Resistance all managed to come out from the hiding spot they were guided into while this whole battle was going on.

But at that moment, they heard a certain cry for help from the nearby steam vent. “Little help here?”

Jasiri gasped before making her way to said vent in shock and worry. “Janja?”

Said hyena could only grunt and strain before finding himself about to slid down and fall towards the lava below him. Fortunately and luckily for him, Jasiri had the heart and decency to grab onto and drag him back up to safety before that could happen. Much to the surprised astonishment from the heroes watching on.

Even Janja himself could not believe that she is the reason why he is still alive right now. “Why? Why did you help me?”

“I'd help any hyena, Janja.” Jasiri replied as if he is like a friend to her. “Sisi Ni Sawa.”

“We're the same?” Janja translated still touched by the gesture itself.

“You and your clan don't have to be on Scar's side, Janja.” She briefly turned back to her pack before continuing. “You could join us. The Hyena Resistance, and help defeat him.”

“Hmm, uh…” Janja gave it some thought as it actually seems like he would be better off doing so. But at the same time he then thought about what Scar said he would do if he considered which made up his mind on the matter. “...I don't think so.” He angrily returned before making his leave. “We ain't the same Jasiri.”

Jasiri despite the rejection remained optimistic he come around eventually. “We'll see.” And deep down so does Twilight, Fluttershy, Celestia, Luna, Starlight, and even Simba. While it’ll still take a little while longer, he’ll defintely come around sooner or later.

Unbeknownst to anyone, the skinks happened to nearby and had witnessed this interesting interaction.

“Ha! For a second I thought Janja was gonna join up with them.” Njano expressed to his partner.

“Yes…” Shupavu noted. “Scar will wanna hear about Janja's hesitation.”

Njano laughed in delight. “I can't wait to tell him.” The two then slinked away before they could be spotted.

After the danger had passed, Simba himself turned to Jasiri with something important he needs to say now with everything all said and done. “Thank you again, for coming to me and the Guard’s aid. It really means a lot to us.”

“Asante, your majesty.”

“That said I would also like to apologize for not treating you like a friend I can trust.” Simba then said next with a regretful and remorseful look to match. “I was so caught up in my old mindset that I could never see that you were someone I could trust from the start."

“It’s okay.” Jasiri returned to assure all is forgiven. “Past trauma is not always something to overcome easily. Espeically since it’s something you’ve held onto ever since you were young.”

“But even still I shouldn’t treated you the way I did back then, so that said you’re more than welcome to come stay in the Pride Lands. You and your whole clan.” Simba then offered. “And after all that has happened it is the least I can do now.”

“And I’ll gladly take you on that offer.” Jasiri happily accepted. “Of course until after all of this is over.”

“Are you sure?” Kion asked as if she said no. “Scar knows about your whole clan now. He'll come after you again. Not only that…” Suddenly he realized what she said. “...wait, what?”

“I said I would come to live with you in the Pride Lands, Kion.”

“Really? What changed your mind? After all of that talk about Kwetu Ni Kwetu?”

“I know, Kion. Home is home. And the Outlands will still our home. That hasn't changed. But at the same time now knowing just how dangerous Scar really is along with the fact that we would have been goners had you all not shown up had me reconsider my intial stance. At least up until Scar is defeated.”

“You sure you’ll be okay with it?” Twilight asked to make sure.

“Absolutely.” Jasiri assured with a nod.

“Great.”

With that everyone made their way back to the Pride Lands and Equestria. Along the way Beshte had time to ask one of his best friends this question.

“So Little B? How'd Rafiki and Rarity's moves go this time?”

“Great!” He happily replied. “Turns out the stick was holding me back. Watch. Cranky Crocodile Kick!” He moved to try to replicate it like Rarity showed her earlier only to slip and fall on his back again. “Oh! Guess I need to keep practicing.”

“Indeed you do, Bunga. Indeed you do.” Rarity giggled along with everyone else all while making their way home together.

Later that day late into the evening, Scar himself reappeared in the open beach nearby rocky terrian. Once he arrived he moved to work his magic in setting up a lounge chair along with a refreshing drink and sunglasses to have handy while he tries to wind down by enjoying the sunset right in front of him.

"Busy day in the Pride Lands, Scar?" Zira spoke up to him as she approached the half lion/alicorn just getting settled in.

"A tough one I must admit. Not to mention a long week to month before that." Scar admitted before allowing the lioness to pull up a lounge chair herself so she can sit side by side with him, complete with a drink and sunglasses to go with it. "But I made sure I made my message to Simba, Celestia, Luna, Twilight, and Kion perfectly clear not to feel so sure after we suffered a loss in battle."

"Is this about losing the Crystal Empire or losing Sombra?" Zira asked in concern.

"Both." He honestly replied before venting a little. "We had victory right in our grasps. I even gave Sombra everything he could ever ask for. He was pratically the friend I never thought I would have in years. And he ends up throwing it all right when we were just about to lay claim to it, no strings attached. Well, almost none, at least."

Zira seethed herself as she recalled that very memory. "Yes, it is unforunate indeed. Even to this day I fail to comprehend why he did what he did. All in the name for preserving the magic of friendship and doing the right thing. Or in his words, doing the right thing, making his own destiny?"

"That's what he said before I had to do what I did for his treachery." Scar said before moving to continue on. "And with the additional new recruits around here still have a ways away before they are ready for battle, the army I have near home is what I have to work with. It's not a complete team like before but it's the next best thing."

"Are you sure there is nothing either me or Chrysalis can do to help?" Zira asked wanting to be able to do more than train with their new allies until the time is right to strike.

Scar gave it some time while sipping his drink before giving his answer. "I might have a plan for you both to carry out together later on. But for now, we need to have an extra pair of eyes on the Crystal Empire to keep tabs on Prince Shining Armor, Princess Cadance, along with their infant daughter, Flurry Heart. So that when we make another move on them, we'll be ready for them."

"Okay, that we can do, Scar. Anyone in partiuclar well suited for the job?"

"A job like this requires someone that can get in and out undetected, and worst case scenraio someone than can talk their way out a tight space when caught in a corner. Someone close to them that a shred of mercy in their eyes will have them look the other way."

Zira chuckled before speaking what she's thinking. "Well other than brother of that changeling that defected which the queen would be more than happy to put him up to the task, I think I might have just the one up for the task and it is someone close to family to the point this one can get herself out of the corner no problem."

"And I think I know just who you're thinking of." Scar then said with a listening look and smirk. "Someone else who just so happened to defect at the same time when Thorax did."

"Correct, Scar."

With the sun setting and disappearing over the horizon, both Scar and Zira shared some evil laughter together with a new plan ready to be set in motion while the ongoing war back in the Pride Lands and Equestria drags on...

Author's Note

For starters since today is the day Friendship is Magic all started exactly 14 years ago, Happy Anniversary.

And this episode just so happened to be ready in time for the occasion, since this one definitely needed some note worthy work to make it happen. Mainly of how the friendship and trust Simba has Jasiri happened since it happened off-screen in canon. To which I added a couple of scenes in order to make it happen something that said show sorely missed out on showing.

In addition there were more additional scenes involving Scar where we get to see another reminder of why servitude to him is bad when you fail to which Janja and his hyenas get the burnt of back then along with the events in this episode (largely due to the emotional wounds from the failed Siege of the Crystal Empire still raw in his mind). Not only that, I added in one more scene where Scar has a talk with one of his allies outside of Equestria, as they make new plans in order to prepare for their next big attempt going forward.

Outside of that there is of course of what happens as the Army of Scar continues making more attempts to take over the Pride Lands which all failed until the last one gave them territorial gain on their end. Along with Bunga of course trying to learn how to fight better which goes as well one would expect with him even with Rafiki and Rarity's guidance and teachings.

Fortunately, Jasiri and her clan make it out alive in addition they are now welcome in the Pride Lands along with Equestria with open arms to which they gladly accepted. Which also is helped unlike in canon Scar can actually get them and touch them should they ever be caught again. So it all works out for everyone.

Next up we have Rainbow and Twilight journey to the upcoming Daring Do convention where they find themselves in for another Daring Do adventure along with a very nit-picky fan who has a divided stance on her books so until then stay tuned...

Episode 24: Stranger Than Fanficition

Episode 24:

Stranger than Fan Friction

Daring Do found herself right in the middle of another one of her life or death situations. Like many adventures before, she was searching for an ancient artifact that would spell great danger to everyone around it if it got into the wrong hands and hoofs. Hands and hoofs that would have zero qualms using it for evil purposes should that happen.

The brave Pegasus now found herself deep in a cave, struggling to find any source of light to help her see as she made her way along. Going forward into the cave of darkness had her knowing she had to be careful. Because the path she was walking on was made of rocks which suddenly began to give way and crumble.

If that wasn’t bad enough for Daring Do, the cave she was in was full of snakes. Not that they frightened her in the slightest but regardless, she was still not exactly pleased to see them. She desperately made a leap, pulling herself up to a ledge as she saw something shiny give off a faint glimmer of light in the distance.

Fortunately, Daring was able to pull herself up to safety. And her eyes locked upon the treasure she'd been searching for. A smile broke out across her face, and she momentarily pushed the sound of falling rocks and snakes hissing to the back of her mind in favor of getting to the easy part of the adventure at hoof. The hard part now is getting it out without losing it, and making sure it was safely delivered to a museum. Going forward from here, Daring Do knew she'd have to plan her next moves carefully if she ever plans on getting it there unharmed and not in the wrong hands and hoofs.

In reality, this "adventure" was actually a story that Twilight Sparkle was reading to Rainbow Dash. All the while the overly excited pony was flying about her home, packing up her things in a suitcase that was already stuffed to the max.

Rainbow herself was preparing to leave for a trip she'd been looking forward to for months, and so was Twilight. Along with Ono, who already had his belongings packed himself alongside Twilight though not quite as pumped as her pony friends right now.

"Come on, don't stop there!" She called to Twilight. "You read, I pack! That's the deal!"

Twilight sighed and apologized. "I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. Really. I just can't stop thinking about all the fun that’s going to happen at the Daring Do Convention. I just can’t believe that today is already here."

"Oh, yeah! Of course it is already here! I wouldn’t stop talking about it ever since the day it was announced to take place!” Rainbow exclaimed still excited. “And here I’m the only pony getting excited about it?”

“You two are the only ones getting excited about it.” Ono noted. “Though more overly is what I find more accurate. And all this over a once a year convention?”

“Uh, yeah!” Rainbow returned like it’s a no brainer. “Because this is a really special you don’t want miss it kind of deal.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, really!”

“And how about you, Twilight? I don’t suppose the same applies to you too?”

“Of course it does! I am really looking forward to this!” Twilight insisted and agreed with Rainbow for once. “It’s just I just wasn’t sure this was actually going to happen. Given that’s it’s usually far away and out of my parent's budget to attend them when I was young along with never having the time to do so between being Celestia’s student and now my current responsibilities as leader of the Pony Guard and Princess of Friendship. I’m just lucky that nothing popped up at the last minute to prevent me from finally going.”

“And consider it something to blessed with and take full advantage of what’s going to happen next.” The brash speedster replied. "And regardless whether you’re worried of what happened back when you were Midnight Sparkle, don’t be. Because it’s all in the past now. No pony not even the adventuring pony herself is going to judge you so don’t even think about it much. In fact, think more of the fact that we can get our books signed by A. K. Yearling herself." Folding up her suitcase to the best of her ability, she then happily exclaimed! "I can't believe she's actually gonna be there, herself! She never goes to conventions!"

“Me neither.” Twilight expressed with a smile. “It’s actually a first really.”

Rainbow Dash flew over, pulling Twilight in close as she tried to reassure her friend to the best of her ability along with Ono who is still not looking impressed himself. "Which, I’m also sure, will be cool for all those other fanponies too . But since you and I know A. K. Yearling personally," With a knowing wink and a hushed tone of voice she added. "And we know that she is really Daring Do herself, it's no big deal. That is of course we keep her secret in return. I mean sure, the convention will still be fun and everything, but it's nothing to get too excited about."

“Doubt it…”

“...and nailed it.”

Of course, they both actually made it to the convention and set hoof inside the convention hall, Rainbow’s earlier statement to Twilight was completely thrown aside. "So excited!" She happily exclaimed as she gazed upon all the sights and sounds of the convention. Everything about it was themed around Daring Do and her adventures: From display stands, to exhibits, even things like a ball pit and a cardboard cutout stand of Daring Do and Ahuizotl.

“I’m sorry what did you say?” Twilight teasingly smirked and asked her friend. “Because I couldn’t help up hear that you are indeed really excited for this as much as I am.”

“Oh, don’t you know it!” Rainbow didn’t even deny it having already gotten herself a custom made pith helmet designed to look like the one Daring Do always wore to wear for today. In addition, Twilight herself was also wearing a custom made Daring Do shirt along with a helmet and a bullet proof vest underneath it.

“Now what do you say we get our books signed?”

“I’d thought you’d never ask!”

Both excitedly shared before racing their way through the place in order to do so.

“Wait up, girls!” Ono called after them from behind while trying to hang onto his Daring Do hat and binoculars.

Little did they know is that the time of their big time fan lives is about to find themselves with even more company. One that doesn’t even know of the big secret at hoof.

Rainbow Dash and Twilight both rotted up and down, admiring the attention to detail for the convention. Said place gone the extra mile to make out Daring Do's adventures as real as possible here. All that’s left is Daring Do herself to make an appearance something that is known never that happen whenever these events happen.

“Girls!” Ono exclaimed while catching his breath and landing on Twilight’s back. “At least try not to run off without your heads on tight. Or at least allow me to stay close behind if going off ahead.”

“Sorry.” Twilight apologized while giving him a drink of water from a water bottle she had on hoof. “We just can’t help ourselves since this our very first time going to this event.”

“I know! It’s so sweet! And even sweeter aside from getting our books signed is of what’s to come soon.”

Just then, an earth pony stallion of a slightly slender build appeared right beside the two ponies. He had a gray and white coat, blue eyes, a dusty blue mane and tail styled into a buzz cut, and a cutie mark depicting a yellow colored flash of light. He had a listening device in his left ear, and wore a two shaded safari green jacket with a small image of Daring Do's face stitched onto it. "Excuse me, ladies, sir." The stallion spoke up in an energetic and excited manner. "You look like someone who'd be up for an all-inclusive one-of-a-kind adventu-cation, where you can get to live the Daring Do experience! But don't take my word for it:" He hoofed them a small, brightly colored pamphlet. "Read for yourself, see what you're missing out on." Both Twilight and Rainbow quickly turned the pamphlet back over to the stallion.

"Eh, no thanks. Already did that,"

“But thanks, anyway.”

They then trotted off, hoping to find A. K. Yearling (or at least somepony who had seen her). Instead and so far, they only found a recreation of the tiled floor from the very first Daring Do book.

“Hello...”

“...what do we have here?"

They questioned, where the brash speedster stepped onto one of the tiles. There was an audible click, and red colored streamers meant to represent lava spewed out from holes in the walls.

The rainbow maned Pegasus herself was impressed. "Wow!" She exclaimed like it’s the most wonderful thing she’s seen.

Twilight herself gave it a try and was able to replicate the same thing when she stepped on that same tile herself. “Not bad!”

“Are you kidding me?!” Rainbow asked like it is the more incredulous thing she’s heard all did to the grinning alicorn. “This is the most awesome thing ever!" As she spoke those words, she became aware of another pony who had said the exact same thing. She turned to look at him, finding herself face to face with a sturdy and somewhat bulky earth pony stallion who seemed to be slightly taller than her yet as tall as Twilight.

The stallion had an orangish-brown coat, moderate blue eyes, a mane and tail with a mix of solid black to a dusty blackish-gray in color, and a cutie mark depicting a speech bubble. Like Rainbow Dash and Twilight, he was wearing a two shaded safari green jacket (albiet one with several white and green buttons bellow the shirt color and on the front legs), as well as a helmet that has several holes in it. He was not aware that Rainbow was looking at him as he spoke. "See? Now this is something that only true fans can appreciate. The attention to detail is perfect!"

"Yeah, they even put the tiles in the correct order." Rainbow commented in agreement.

"Huh. Good catch. Didn't actually notice that," The earth pony stallion admitted, then introduced himself once he turned to see the pony along with her accompanying friends. "Oh, where are my manners. Name's Quibble Pants, I'm from Manehattan."

Rainbow Dash extended a hoof out to shake Quibble's hoof, all the while saying. "I'm Rainbow Dash, I’m from Ponyville. Name ring a bell to you?"

Quibble put a hoof to his chin. "I think it actually has before, quite a few times since the Lion and Pony Guard’s names appeared in the headlines of every newspaper for the last three years. I've seen your name and face in the papers a few times.” He then turns and sees the alicorn and egret accompanying her. “And the same goes for you two.” He moved to greet them both with hoof and wing shakes. “The Guard’s Keenest of Sight, Ono.”

“Hi!” Ono casually waved.

“And the Guard’s most Magical and Fiercest Leader of the Pony Guard herself, your majesty.” He moved to shake her hoof along with kissing it. “A wonderful honor to meet you as well.”

Twilight sheepishly chuckled in response. “Thanks. Good to meet you too.”

“Pleasure’s all mine. And to think you along with your friend would happen to be Daring Do fans too.” He chuckled while eyeing Rainbow Dash. “"I’d have to say, you have a striking resemblance to Daring Do at first glance. Are you sure you’re not her?” He jokingly asked.

"You’d wish." The rainbow maned Pegasus jokingly replied while hoof bumping Quibble Pants. "Nice costume, by the way."

"Same to you." Quibble kindly returned. “You along with your friends.”

Rainbow smiled, eager to accept the compliment from another Daring Do fan. "Thanks. You should know that the hardest part was figuring out..."

"-The right number of arrow holes," Quibble finished like he already knew the answer. “Yes, I know. I’ve also done my research." With a boastful smile, he held up his helmet and compared it to Rainbow Dash's, all the while explaining the logic he'd used to arrive at the correct number while struggling to contain his excitement as he continued. "On page eighty four of Quest for the Sapphire Statue, it describes her dodging quote 'A score of arrows, shooting forth from holes in the very walls.' unquote. But then on page one hundred and seven, Daring Do herself says she quote 'Barely made it past the traps, including the barrage of arrows.' unquote. But clearly Daring Do is just embellishing and the correct number of arrows is..."

Rainbow Dash joined in saying at the same time as Quibble Pants. "Twenty!" And then they chuckled to themselves at the knowledge they shared. At the same time both Twilight and Ono we’re astonished by this pony’s on par knowledge to Daring Do.

“So, Quibble Pants...” Twilight then spoke. “...since we’re all friends who share the same common interest in Daring Do adventures, would you like to join us while we check out this place some more? You know what they say between friends who have the same interests, the more the merrier.”

Quibble Pants smiled in response to the offer. “I’d thought you’d never ask.” From there, he happily accepted the offer to explore the rest of the convention hall.

The four fans thus went off together, and enjoyed spending time checking out the various exhibits. They even swung on ropes, walked across a fake rope bridge, played in the ball pit, and posed inside the cut-outs of Daring Do and Ahuizotl. The only thing that gave Rainbow any cause for concern was when she saw a display stand featuring a large pillow. Said pillow had a picture of Daring Do on the floor, tied up in ropes. Quibble, however, seemed to find it very amusing if the smile he flashed was any indication.

Eventually, they all stopped to get carrot dogs from a vendor, as well as some refreshment that was served in coconuts.

Rainbow Dash sighed, delighted to have a quiet moment to just talk to Quibble Pants more in depth. At the same time, Twilight was starting to like this pony more given of how she and Rainbow were getting along swimmingly together with him. Though Ono himself couldn’t help but feel a little irritated whenever he tries to speak a fact himself only for Quibble to beat him to the punch before he can get a word out.

"Wow! I am so glad I ran into you here, Quibble. It’s not everyday I meet fans outside of my friends back home.” Rainbow happily expressed.

“Well it’s not every day I get to meet ponies who are important protectors of the realm and are royalty in one day. Quibble replied. "So I guess it evens out along with the fact that even royalty can admire the Daring Do books the way you and I do."

“It sure does.” Twilight giggled while Ono continued rolling his eyes in response.

The rainbow maned Pegasus nodded in agreement too. "Yeah. Even though I knew this convention would be totally awesome, it's much more fun when you're with someone who really knows Daring Do as much as we do.”

The sturdy earth pony stallion nodded back. "I know what you mean. It's so hard to find a pony who really gets it. It’s a passion I have no regrets having. And considering it’s the first book series I ever read, I hope to pass on that very passion to foals of my own if that ever happens.”

“Well, let’s hope for the best.” Ono said willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, at least for that one moment. They then took a look at a paper map that showed the layout of the entire convention. Something immediately caught the keen-sighted bird’s attention. "Hm. That's weird. We've only done stuff from the first trilogy so far.

“Huh, that’s odd…” Twilight commented finding it pretty peculiar herself. “...considering they aren’t the only books that are part of the series.

It was there Rainbow then proposed to their new friend. "After lunch, we should probably start working our way back and go through the events from the other books."

But much to the group’s surprise, Quibble narrowed his eyes and frantically insisted. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. There are no other books in the series. It's just the first three and nothing else. And as for the rest, they don’t count as canon.”

"Um, actually of course they are.” Ono corrected and insisted. “Surely a Daring Do fan like you would know they still part of the series even if they’re not as popular as the original trilogy.”

“Ono’s right, Quibble.” Twilight commented. “And even if they aren’t our favorites in the series, we still acknowledge them as such.”

“Yeah!” Rainbow exclaimed before listing off the names of the books that came after the original trilogy. "Daring Do and the Trek of the Terrifying Towers, Daring Do and the Many Faces of—"

Quibble interrupted, putting a hoof in Rainbow's mouth as he used another to cover his face and groan. "Stop! P-please, please don't," He insisted sounding annoyed and frustrated at this point. “Just don't even mention the titles. I-I'm not saying those books don't exist. I'm saying that I refuse to acknowledge them to the point I’ll read them."

Rainbow removed Quibble's hoof from her mouth, glaring at him as she questioned. "Why not?"

The bulky stallion insisted in a bitter tone of voice. "'Cause they're horrible! I mean, there isn't a single thing after The Ring of Destiny that is even remotely in the realm of the possible!”

“Now come on.” Twilight then interjected trying to be polite about all of this. “I mean understand what you’re saying but they’re not that bad.”

“Yeah!” Rainbow assertively stated. “And I know for a fact that everything in every one of those books is one hundred percent possible!"

"Oh, really?!" Quibble retorted while skeptical of that claim. “If that’s so then how could you possibly know that?" He then taunted. "Do you just so happen to know A. K. Yearling herself?"

Rainbow Dash growled in response before having a hoof placed on her shoulder to get her to calm down before she does something rash while Ono shook his head and waved his wings to stop her from running her mouth before she gets them all in trouble.

Twilight however did calmly counter his argument with this simple reply. “Maybe if you actually bothered to actually pay attention to detail, maybe you’ll find that the truth itself is actually written on those very books with the proof in that very ink used to write it down.”

“Hmm...Cryptic…subtle...yet...compelling…” Quibble remarked still not buying it. “Not!”

Rainbow groaned while acknowledging she had no way to prove to Quibble that the Pegasus he'd just mentioned was really her and that Daring Do (as A. K. Yearling) had changed the Pegasus's name and appearance so as to avoid the issue of having a "fictional" character team up with a pony everyone knew was real. So she just slammed a hoof down on the table, locking eyes with Quibble Pants as she questioned him. "Why would you even come to this convention if you hate Daring Do so much?

“Yeah! What he said! Mr. I love the Daring Do series so much I would tell my future kids about it with hopes they’ll be into it someday?” Ono added feeling very perplexed with this fan pony’s stance in the matter.

“Now, come on everyone…” Twilight tried to get everyone to calm down on deaf ears.

And Quibble Pants quickly explained refusing to acknowledge the Princess’s request. “I don't hate Daring Do, not as a character. What I hate is what has come out since the original trilogy. It stands out like a sore hoof compared to them! The first trilogy was smart and cool and an amazing nod to old-time serialized adventure books, that somehow managed to be self-reflective and ironic while at the same time celebrating the art form without a hint of cynicism."

“True…” Ono acknowledged to an extent before voicing his opinion. “...but the more I think about is that at the time A. K. Yearling was clearly still trying to find her stride in this series. And by the time the first trilogy was completed, she had found that stride. And with each book she became more and more confident about what she was writing and why she was writing it."

“Ooh! Smart bird who now sees why I came to this convention," Quibble pointed out as he snorted. "When I learned A. K. Yearling was going to be here, I wanted to ask her muzzle-to-muzzle why she sold out and dumbed down the rest of her books into just a series of impossible action sequences!”

“Guys!” Twilight piped up once more with her patient now running thin from all of this arguing that was now heating up but was still ignored.

And that was where Rainbow herself was rolling her eyes in disbelief with what he was saying. “Okay, now I know you're crazy. A. K. Yearling is awesome, and every Daring Do book that comes out is better than the last! And I'm not just saying that because I just so happen to know A. K. Yearling personally. I'm saying that as a proud Daring Do fan myself.”

"Big talk from an overly proud yet blind fan pony who has yet to acknowledge the hard truths in life." Quibble retorted. "I respect A. K. Yearling, I do, but that doesn’t mean I’m not blind to the writing of this series ever since the fourth Daring Do book came out!"

“Guys!” Twilight repeated one last time which got everyone’s attention. “Enough!”

Heading the princess’s command, Quibble then stood up from the table, groaning and sighing. "I-I-I'm sorry, but I could never be friends with somepony who's willing to believe impossible stuff is possible as long as Daring Do does it.”

"Fine by me!" Rainbow angrily returned as she stood up and glared at Quibble. "Because I know I I could never be friends with somepony who's so focused on things being possible that he's willing to turn his back on the coolest hero of all time!"

“Me neither!” Ono also voiced standing by the brash speedster’s side.

“Fine!”

“Fine!”

“Fine!”

With that the three fans turned their backs to each other and both went their separate ways with Ono still standing by Rainbow’s side. All while Twilight can only sigh to herself seeing that what was supposed to be a nice relaxing fan outing turned into another sour dispute already.

“So much for a relaxing day out.” Twilight said to herself in disappointment with what had just happened. “Almost makes me wish the friendship summit at Griffonstone had actually happened today.”

Rainbow Dash neither knew nor cared about where Quibble Pants wandered off to after their heated debate at lunch and neither did Ono. Now they’re more concerned about trying to prove him wrong. And they were left convinced that there was only one way to do that, and that is by getting the real Daring Do herself to show up. That would put Quibble in his place for sure and prove him wrong.

So Rainbow trotted off, leaving the convention hall and approaching the front desk at the hotel where the convention was being held. She soon inquired about the whereabouts of A. K. Yearling, and whether the author was available for a private audience.

"Look, just tell A. K. Yearling that Rainbow Dash along with Ono and Twilight are here, and I need her help to convince a certain know-it-all pony that everything Daring Do's ever done actually happened!" Rainbow demanded of the clerk behind the desk. "I know her personally and so do my friends. So if I say it's urgent, it's urgent!"

Just then, said pony they’re looking for, A. K. Yearling herself appeared. She was wearing her hat, cloak, and glasses. And for some reason, she seemed to be taking extra precautions to avoid being seen by anypony. "Rainbow Dash?" She blinked in surprise. “Ono? Twilight?”

The rainbow maned Pegasus turned around, locking eyes with the author. "A. K.!" She happily exclaimed! "Great to see you again!" Then she cleared her throat. "I gotta talk to you. It's an emergency!"

“You got the time?!” Ono also asked.

A. K. looked all around, as if fearing that somepony might be watching her. She then whispered in a hushed tone to the two. "Not here! Come on!" She promptly led her friends away, retreating to the safety of a hotel room. After shutting the door tightly behind her, and drawing the curtains across the windows, she eyed the brash speedster and asked of her first. "Okay now, what's going on? Does this emergency involve Caballeron? Did you see him?" She gasped. "You didn’t have him follow me did you?!"

"What?" Rainbow Dash blinked in surprise. "No. I haven't seen Dr. Caballeron anywhere and neither did any of my friends here right now.” She then explained herself. "But there is a pony downstairs who thinks everything you've written after the first trilogy is totally unrealistic and terrible.”

Ono then moved to explain next. “Said pony to be fair wasn’t one of those um… Karen ponies but he’s still upset about them, having deemed in his words, 'sold out and dumbed down the rest of her books' unquote. We even told him ourselves about one of your adventures, but he doesn't believe us. So could please just help set the record straight with them?”

A. K. Yearling groaned and rolled her eyes and so did Twilight. “I’m sorry but I've got much bigger problems on my hooves right now than some dissatisfied fanponies," She dug into one of the pockets of her long, flowing cloak and pulled out a gold colored object in the shape of a key. "And that is this!”

Rainbow's eyes went wide when they saw the shiny, silvery object and so did Ono’s.

“Whoa!”

“Hapana!”

“What is that?!" Twilight asked.

A. K. explained. "It's the Amulet of Culiacan, and Caballeron wants it. But the amulet's only a key, it's not a treasure," She chuckled and then brought out a map, placing it down on the ground and unfolding it. It was a map of the Tenochtitlan Basin, depicting every part of it in great detail. "The real treasure is hidden in a lost temple somewhere in the Tenochtitlan Basin. The Seven-Sided Chest of Chicomoztoc," She then folded the map back up and explained. "Caballeron wants it so he can sell it to the highest bidder. Which is why I've gotta find it first before he and or Ahuizotl get a hold of it. The fate of the jungle depends on it!"

The rainbow maned Pegasus smiled, rubbing her hooves together in delight! "Great! Sounds like another awesome Daring Do adventure!”

“If I can I’m in.” Twilight also voiced her support for this mission before asking A.K. “But... why hide out here as opposed to hiding out in your cottage?”

A. K. explained further. "Since I haven't found the temple yet, this is the safest place possible for the amulet and for myself. Plus, it's crawling with security, so that way if I get into any trouble...” She proceeded to shed her cloak and remove her glasses, revealing herself to in fact be Daring Do. "I can just blend in with all the Daring Do cosplayers where no pony but you three will be able to know it's really me."

Rainbow Dash had watched Daring Do shed her disguise with excitement, then excitedly she asked. "How can we help?"

Daring Do tucked the amulet away in her pith helmet, then shoved the parts of her A. K. Yearling "disguise" under the bed of her hotel room so as to avoid them being seen or stolen. "Just keep your eyes out for anything suspicious. And if you do see Caballeron or Ahuiztol, let me know immediately but do not engage like last time."

“You don’t have to worry about that.” Twilight quickly assured while placing her hooves on her friends. “Because I’ll make sure that they remain level headed at all times.”

“See to it, Princess.” Daring expected of her before racing to the door, opened it, and rushed outside to get back to the convention hall.

But not without Rainbow Dash peeking back into the room to ask Daring. "Does a pony who only likes your first trilogy qualify as suspicious?" She received her answer in the form of a frown and glare to show she is not interested in answering the question nor amused right now. “Sorry.” Twilight quickly pulled Rainbow away before letting the mare do her thing.

Daring Do, meanwhile, sighed as she thought to herself of how she got tangled up in this mess. She could only hope that hiding in plain sight at the convention would give her the peace of mind she needed to continue her research and be able to find out where the temple that housed the chest was located, before anything else happens.

As it turned out, Dr. Caballeron had indeed tracked Daring Do to the convention. But he lost track of her amidst all the ponies cosplaying as the brave adventurer. And the only thing more annoying to him than that was how much merchandise there was on her. It seemed like everywhere he and his henchponies went, they were bombarded with fanfare and praise for Daring Do.

Tossing away a brochure, the evil earth pony stallion groaned and muttered to himself. "All this fanfare on my arch nemesis is so... disturbing. How she has achieved such praise beyond that what she truly deserves is beyond me." He trotted up to the same stallion that had talked to Rainbow Dash earlier, asking him. "Excuse me, sir? Where is the booth for Dr. Caballeron?"

The stallion with the earpiece pointed a hoof to a small stand tucked into a corner of the packed convention hall. It featured a cardboard statue of Dr. Caballeron that ponies were currently gawking at and making fun of.

Caballeron rolled his eyes and grumbled. “I do not see the likeness." Then he saw some of his henchponies approach, one of the stallions carrying a large body pillow depicting Daring Do laying on the ground, tied up with ropes. Since that is not the pony he is looking for, the earth pony himself was not impressed. He knocked it off his henchpony's back and berated him. "That’s not the real Daring Do! That is just an fan pony!”

"Sorry.” The stallion apologized before letting said pony go.

Dr. Caballeron groaned before he moved to quickly instruct his henchponies. "Come on, let's go find Daring Do and the Amulet of Culiacan. I know she's here somewhere, and I don't want to have spend any more time in this place than I have to! Plus this place is already starting to give me a headache!" He along with his gang of stallions trotted away. “I swear if I see another convention like this again, I am going to do more than just deal with another unnecessary headache.” He muttered to himself while leaving the scene.

Unbeknownst to them, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Ono had all overheard their conversation from afar and been watching them with great concern!

Rainbow gasped realizing and seeing the truth before her eyes. “We have to warn Daring Do!” She whispered to the others who are both on board with this.

“I’ll try to spot her out…”

“...while I try to spot her out…”

With that the three split up from each other ready to cover more ground in order to achieve this before the worst case scneraio comes to play.

Along the way the brash speedster had yet to find the adventurous pony and luck would have she wound up bumping into the last pony she wants to see right now. And is none other than Quibble Pants.

“Well, well, well…” Quibble Pants taunted with a smirk. "If it isn't the pony who believes that the impossible is possible! So tell me, how did it go with her?”

Rainbow groaned in frustration. "Ugh! Just the pony I didn’t want to see!” She snarled before answering. “Sorry, Quibble, I've got more important things to do than argue with a pony who thinks awesome means unrealistic. See ya!" She promptly turned around and smacked him with the back of her tail.

Quibble was left surprised by the rude brush off. Not that it stopped him from following after Rainbow, determined to keep on taunting her about how wrong he thought she was. "No no no, wait! I want to hear more about how you're one hundred percent sure that in Curse of the Jungle Queen, Daring Do could possibly survive a 'sixty-story drop from the top of a waterfall after sustaining a broken wing in a category-six rapid'"

The rainbow maned Pegasus groaned once more along with rolling her eyes in response. “Aside from a few exaggerations here and there, obviously

her wing wasn't actually broken, even if she thought it was. And further more-" But then she stopped herself when she saw a sight that alarmed her. “Oh, no! Caballeron!”

Quibble Pants however unaware of that very sight in front of them just prattled on. “Exactly! Now that's a great character. Everything a character should need: Solid backstory, good motivations..."

Rainbow Dash made a shushing motion with her hooves, frantically whispering to the bulky earth pony stallion. "No-no-no-no!” She pointed a hoof to said pony in question. “Caballeron is right there!"

Quibble adopted a knowing smirk still refusing to acknowledge the very danger in front of them. “Of course he is.” He proceeded to point a hoof to several ponies portraying themselves as the evil stallion. "He's also over there, over there, ooh, ooh, over there," Then he unknowingly pointed a hoof at the real Caballeron and his goons as they all trotted past, completely unaware of either of the two ponies they bypassed. “And of course, over there." When he saw Rainbow Dash follow the group to the exit that led out to a small back alley, he questioned. "Hey, where are you going?"

Rainbow didn't answer, instead rushing to the door in pursuit of Caballeron and his stallions, only to find that they'd somehow disappeared.

At the same time, Twilight and Ono just managed to spot them all out.

“Rainbow! Wait!”

“Rainbow! Stop!”

But to no avail, as they saw that Rainbow was once more leading herself into a trap. Especially when the villainous band of ponies managed to pick up they now have a tail. And that’s what spurred the keen sighted egret to go after them much to Twilight’s wide eyed horror.

Quibble then asked. "And you led me out here because...?"

The brash speedster looked all around, frantically and desperately stating. "Daring Do told me that Caballeron came to this convention to steal the Amulet of Culiacan, and I just saw him and his henchponies come this way! They're trying to find her! I have to stop them!"

Quibble Pants rolled his eyes. "Okay. Whatever you say.” He then proceeded to turn back away from Rainbow towards the door. “Since there's just a little too much crazy out here for the both of us, I am going to see myself out back inside where it’s more normal and sane there.” Before he could do just that, he found himself facing down Caballeron and his goons. "Oh, hello. Here to see one of Daring Do’s so called friend?” He asked, still unaware of who exactly he is talking to. By then it was too late because it was the last thing before they both got jumped while getting literally sacked.

“Rainbow! Look out!” Ono tried to warn.

Rainbow didn't have a chance to react before she was jumped and captured too along with Ono.

Caballeron chuckled with malevolent satisfaction. “Actually, yes! Not to mention the two for one deal while I’m at it.”

All while both Twilight could only in horror as they watch as their friends got helplessly captured.

A short time later, Rainbow Dash, Ono, and Quibble Pants tumbled out of a large sack. They found themselves quickly surrounded and tied up with chains, a pad lock firmly holding the chains and preventing their escape. They had been taken out of the convention hall and deep into the nearby jungle where there are deep lush trees and dense foliage lay everywhere.

Dr. Caballeron snarled as he eyed his captives. "Well, if it isn’t the pesky pony who helped Daring Do track me down, a.k.a. The Pony Guard’s Fastest, Rainbow Dash. Not only that she has also brought in a couple of friends with her, including the Lion Guard’s Keenest of Sight, Ono. I only wish our little reunion was on under better circumstances but that’s not the case today.” He then continued getting straight to the point. “Anyways...I don't know what Daring Do is playing at along with whatever she has told you, but I don’t care. All I know is that she obviously trusted you both enough to tell you about my plan to steal the amulet. Therefore you both must work for her ad I'm not about to take the risk of having you both mess it up this time.”

Rainbow adopted a knowing smirk, confident that this would be proof enough for the other captive pony standing by her side. "Ha! What do you have to say now, Quibble? Still think this is all fictional nonsense?"

Quibble still wasn't convinced. "Obviously! You really think I'm that much of a fool?! This was your big plan to prove the Daring Do books are actually realistic? You bought a Daring Do Adventu-cation Experience for the two of us?"

The rainbow maned Pegasus was shocked at Quibble's ignorance and so was Ono. "What?! Are you that blind?! Look around you, Quibble! Henchponies, Caballeron, the jungle it took forever to get to? This is the real deal! Not only that right now as we speak, we are both in very real danger here!”

The bulky stallion sarcastically responded. "Right. We're actually being held captive by the actual Caballeron. Puh-lease! I’d know if I actually saw the real deal myself. And this guy's accent is all over the place!" He quickly added. "No offense, but you need more practice in order to sell it to me that you’re the real deal.”

Caballeron looked on in disbelief, no prisoner had ever talked to him like this before.

“Hapana!” Ono muttered under his breath at the pony’s stupidity while struggling with the tiny chains tying him up. And Celestia, help him he manages to survive.

Quibble sighed, impatiently questioning. "Okay, ‘Caballeron.’. What's the setup here? You've... kidnapped us, and taken us out to the middle of nowhere because...?"

Dr. Caballeron grinned, rubbing his hooves together. He seemed to delight in explaining his evil plan to a captive audience. "Because I know for certain that the Temple of Chicomoztoc is somewhere in this jungle. When I find it, the Seven-Sided Chest is as good as mine! I just need the Amulet of Culiacan to unlock it."

Quibble Pants quickly concluded what seemed to him like an obvious observation, even sarcastically clapping his hooves as he remarked. "Uh-huh, and Daring Do has the amulet so you came up with this over-complicated plot to lure her into the jungle and exchange it for us. Oh, that sure is surprisingly something alll right."

“Shh….” Ono tried to shush the pony who still kept running his mouth but can’t take a hint to shut up.

The stallion with the five o'clock shadow growled. "Surprising or not it is still an efficient plan for Daring Do is not the kind of pony who would allow any innocent ponies to be harmed when caught in the crossfire. Therefore, you along with Rainbow are the perfect ponies for the job.”

The earth pony simply replied still not buying it even ignoring Ono desperately waving his wings to signal to him to stop talking before he decides to kill them all on the spot. "Okay, fine. While I’d hate to break it to you like this but I’m not into whatever show you’re putting on right now so you can just cut the cut already. You can keep her money if you want, but I want a refund. I'm not-"

Caballeron coldly hissed, locking eyes with Quibble as he told him in no uncertain terms to assert that this in fact is all real. "-Going anywhere. You may not approve of my plan, but I'm the mastermind here!"

"That's debatable, but whatever." Quibble muttered under his breath along with glancing to the side.

Caballeron then added after having heard that remark from the latter. "Even if you feel it’s debatable, you will stay here until Daring Do comes to rescue you! When she does, she’ll know the terms of my demands: Your safety in exchange for the amulet assuming that she and does and will care about you both. Oh, and before you get any ideas of trying to escape, don’t. Because these aren’t your every day locks you can just pick and be on your merry way."

Ono gasped, realizing what Caballeron was referring! "The Griffon's Lock!"

"Ah, so you know about it!" Caballeron said with a smile. "Further proof that tells me that you are indeed working for Daring Do!"

"Or she just so happens to read the books a lot." Quibble Pants mumbled to himself.

Dr. Caballeron then retorted having once more heard that. "Seriously?! You really think this is a game to you?! You really have no idea how to grasp the severity of the situation you are in?!” He stomped a hoof down before turning his back on the prisoners with an agitated sigh. “You know what? I'm not gonna argue with you both because I don’t have time for this. Now I'm going to continue my search for the temple where I will get a hold of the treasure inside of it. In the meantime, feel free to talk it out with my henchponies for the time being. Or don’t. I don’t care." And he trotted away, turning his back to his two captives once more for good.

Now alone with just Caballeron's henchponies, Quibble Pants struggled in vain in trying to unlock the lock on the chains. So he turned towards Rainbow Dash and whispered to her quietly to the best of his ability. "Okay, you win. If this is all part of you getting me to believe that the rest of the Daring Do books are realistic, then fine, I'll admit it. Just call off the henchpony repertory theater over there."

Rainbow Dash snarled. "If I could I would, but it’s not going to happen and do you know why? Because they're real henchponies, and they actually abducted us."

Quibble wished he could put a hoof to his face in response, but couldn’t because of his limited mobility due to his chains. So he had to settle for a groan and a sigh. "Oh, wow, so you're gonna stick with that script?" He reluctantly relented. "O-Okay, fine. We're, we're in a Daring Do Adventure. Which means... there's only one we get out of this." He spotted a small metal object on the ground not far from him. He leaned down, grabbed it with his teeth, and tossed it off into the distance as far as he could! The metal object made an audible clink as it did so.

"Hey?! What was that?!" One of the henchstallions asked.

Quibble put little effort into "faking" the emotions as he called out. "Daring Do. Thank goodness. We're over here."

“How very convincing acting yourself.” Ono sarcastically muttered loud enough for Rainbow to hear who likewise shared the same mood and expression.

Another henchpony then insisted. "We can't let her rescue them! Spread out and look for her, now!" And all the henchponies split up to do so.

Rainbow began straining against the chains, trying to lift them up. All the while, Quibble could only comment with amusement. "All four?! I mean, shouldn't at least one of them stay behind to guard us? Oh, oh, wait, the... No, because then it wouldn't be a terrible Daring Do adventure. Isn’t that just perfect writing?!”

“Perfect, peachy writing.” Ono said still going on with his sarcastic streak towards the oblivious pony.

The rainbow maned Pegasus then sat down, frowning as she unhappily declared. "But it doesn't matter. We're never gonna be able to solve the Griffon's Lock before they get back."

Luckily for her, Quibble instead found it easy to use a spare key he'd spotted lying on the ground. "Conveniently", it had fallen out of the back pocket of Dr. Caballeron's jacket as he had trotted away. It took only a little bit of fumbling around with it before he heard a click, and the lock was picked. Just like that, he'd freed himself and his fellow "captive" from their prison.

The brash speedster found herself forced to give credit where credit was due and so did Ono. "Okay, that was pretty good," She admitted. "No way I could've picked the lock as fast as you did," Then she unfolded her wings along with Ono.

"Quick! We've got to get out of here and warn Daring Do! Maybe we’re not too late if we pick up the pace!" Ono then stated urgently.

Quibble Pants shook his head and stomped his hooves down. "We?! Oh no, not happening. Just point me back to the Trottingham Grand Hotel. You can play fanpony and hunt treasure out here all day long. But I want no part in it."

Rainbow Dash groaned with frustration along with Ono as they both shared that knowing look with one another. They could not believe Quibble was still not seeing the danger they were just in! It felt tempting to just abandon him on the spot. But since it goes against her element and Twilight wouldn’t want that either she decided against it. Especially the former since she hadn't meant to drag him into this, so they owed it to him to get him out of it unharmed. So she reluctantly sighed, deciding it best to "play along" for the time being. "You know what, let's say you're right and this is a Daring Do Adventucation that I booked for the two of us. The only way to get back to the convention is to go through it. So just follow me, and I'll lead you out of it. Deal?"

Quibble after thinking about it moved to give her his answer. "...Deal."

Rainbow then trotted and led the way on land, knowing that it Quibble doesn’t have the speed nor wing power to keep up with her. While Ono could fly at a fair pace, he still had the decency to not fly too high. Not that it stopped the former from saying under her breath. "Maybe you’d be convinced if I just leave you in the jungle, you lucky know nothing know it all."

The journey through the jungle was very difficult, especially for Rainbow Dash since she had to put up with Quibble Pants' constant talking. Quibble, for his part, didn't seem to care a bit. He still genuinely thinks that they are not in danger.

Exiting a bush, the stallion was just concluding another one of his rants about his problems with the later books in the series. "-Which would make Daring Do left-hoofed, which we know is false, and that is everything that's wrong with Daring Do and the Trek to the Terrifying Tower. Now, the problems with the next book are even-"

“Stop!” Ono stated just when Rainbow brought up a wing to silence Quibble, more so because of what’s in front of them rather than to get him to shut up. The bulky earth pony while annoyed had to resist the urge to roll his eyes once again as he took in the sight of a rickety, old, rope bridge. It was suspended high in the air over a river whose waters were rapidly churning beneath. “Rickety old bridge dead ahead.”

"-Oh, right. What Daring Do adventure would be complete without the precarious rope bridge?"

“Only the classics.” Ono replied with narrowed eyes.

"Still think this is just a pretend adventure?" The brash speedster replied as she began trotting across the bridge.

"Of course. It's the most obvious cliche in the book, every Daring Do adventure has to have one," Quibble Pants remarked still thinking so, while following suit, albeit more slowly. When he moved to step onto the bridge, it creaked and swayed ominously with every step he took. "Look, I'm all for making things feel as real as possible, but are these Adventu-cation ponies sure this thing is safe?"

All Rainbow could say in reply was. "I’m sorry? Is it too 'realistic' for you? We wouldn't want that on a Daring Do adventure, now would we?"

The earth pony stallion just retorted back. "Hey, if this was really a real Daring Do adventure, I'm sure I'd step on the wrong plank at exactly the wrong—" Right on cue, he stepped onto a wooden plank that broke and gave away. Luckily he did everything in his power to keep his balance and not fall through the gap.

Rainbow Dash and Ono, both thinking quickly, flapped their wings and flew up! They both got behind Quibble with the former tugging on him by the tail while the latter tugged him on the back of his skin, trying desperately to pull him back onto the bridge.

Quibble was not used to any of this, from having his tail be touched along with the ongoing shock of his current situation. All he could do was keep on talking. "Good thing this is all just a pretend adventure," He insisted, trying to convince himself of that. "'Least we know all of this struggling won't make the bridge fall apart or anything."

No sooner than he said it, a loud snap happened, with one of the ropes holding up the bridge broke. And the other rope was soon to follow suit in a matter of seconds!

A horrified Quibble Pants turned to Rainbow with only this to say to her. "You need to get your money back." Then, with another loud snap, the other rope broke. The whole bridge collapsed into the river below, taking a horrified Quibble screaming for his life.

The brash speedster along with the keen sighted flyer immediately swooped down after Quibble, determined to save him. Making use of what was left of the broken ropes, they were both able to catch up to Quibble, slow his fall, and gently glide him along the river's edge. It worked until the stallion found that the river led straight to a huge waterfall. He went over the top and began to plunge over the edge, only to find that Rainbow was able to save him by lifting him up and drop him on top of a tree. The tree itself broke his fall, and thankfully it didn’t snap and allowed him to slide down safely on solid ground again.

Rainbow Dash couldn't resist the opportunity to brag and gloat afterwards. "Hah! How's that for not possible?"

The earth pony found himself at a loss for words for once. All he could do was stutter and repeat himself as the shock from what had just happened still held strong for the moment. "That was... awesome! I-I-I thought we... and then you, and the flying...! Wow, and I was like, 'Hey, where are you going?!' A-a-and then you swerved, and I was, I was, I was on the water, and then... Wow!"

The Pegasus pony with a rainbow mane and tail smirked, unable to resist further proving her point to Quibble. "Yeah. If you read that in a book, you might even think it was unrealistic."

Quibble was reluctantly to admit it in that regard. "Okay, okay. I'll give you that one. There is no denying of how much of a close call that was. I mean, we could have died back there." Then the full reality of the situation had finally started to kick in for him as evident by his wide opened eyes. "And by that I mean actually nearly coming close to actually knocking on death’s doorstep. W-What kind of Adventu-cation is this?! This is very bad business! What, what the heck are these ponies thinking?!"

“Hm, good question.” Ono replied like this is all coming together too, just for the sake of proving a point. “Maybe that’s because we’re thinking that maybe just maybe this isn’t all staged. Maybe that’s what we’re thinking right now.”

Once more to answer to that question, a familiar sinister voice laughed. "Right now? We are thinking that we should thank you for escaping. For you have led us directly to the Lost Temple of Chicomoztoc!" Just then that very voice belonged to Dr. Caballeron where he along with his henchponies emerged from the bushes.

Rainbow Dash gasped, jumping back in surprise as her eyes spotted a very ancient looking temple in the distance! Without realizing she unknowingly helped Caballeron find what he'd been looking for and so di Ono.

“Hapana! The Temple! But...How?! How did you tail us?!"

"The less you know, little birdie, the better.” Caballeron merely said before whistling.

Before either Rainbow Dash, Ono, or Quibble Pants could react, they found themselves once again tied up and bound by traditional ropes this time.

Caballeron led his captives inside the temple, using torches provided by his henchponies to light his way through the dark passageways. And to his henchstallions he instructed. "Make sure they are secured this time! And I mean secured to the point they don’t escape this time!"

"You're not gonna get away with this!" Rainbow Dash snapped as she struggled in vain to break free of the ropes that held her captive.

"That’s right!” Ono fiercely agreed. “No matter what you did you’ll ever come out on top, even you manage to come a feather second close to it!”

But Dr. Caballeron felt sure of it as he cackled with fiendish glee. "Oh, that’s where you’re wrong because Daring Do would never let anything happen to you two along with that annoying friend of yours. Therefore she will have no choice but to give up that amulet to me, and the fortune I will be able to obtain from the treasures I can obtain will be mine!" Then he turned to Quibble Pants, delightfully surprised by the bulky earth pony's silence. "What? No witty remarks this time about how silly my plan is? No more laughing in the face of the real deal?"

Quibble narrowed his eyes like the truth is finally clicking to him. “Hold up, you mean this isn't really the official Daring Do Experience Adventu-cation."

"Finally!”

“About time you figured it out!"

Both Rainbow and Ono stated now feeling relieved that’s now out of the way.

But even still the bulky pony went on to say. "It's just some cheap knockoff run by a bunch of incompetent ponies that have no idea how to execute this adventure with any level of safety! Are you kidding me with this?!"

The brash speedster along with the keen sighted egret could only blink their eyes in disbelief, groaning while placing their hoof/wing on their foreheads.

"Ugh!”

“Hapana!”

Neither one of them could believe of how oblivious this pony is being right now.

Quibble Pants didn't care what anypony else thought about him, though. He was beyond fed up with everything he'd been through today, and so he felt perfectly content to rant on and on, listing off his grievances. "What was that with the rope bridge back there?! We were in actual danger because of it! Death early claimed us right there!" As he spoke, he was unaware that he was stepping on tiles and pressing them down. A faint click could be heard, and mud started pouring in from holes. "I'm totally gonna report you guys to... to... well, I don't know, actually. But it's gonna be somepony important," Then to Rainbow Dash he said. "Oh, and don’t think for one minute that this little cut-rate “Experience” and 'stunt' of yours has changed anything. This has all the hallmarks of a bad Daring Do adventure."

"Uh, Quibble..." Rainbow tried to speak up, hoping to draw his attention to what was going on around him.

But Quibble was far too occupied with his complaints to take any notice of anything else. He didn't even notice as he stepped on more tiles, causing other traps within the temple to activate with audible rumbles. "-I'm not done talking!" He bitterly remarked, and continued to talk at length. "It's so obvious: Generic jungle location – check. Overly complicated villain plot – check. Random coincidences that conveniently get us to the next big set piece – check!"

Now Ono tried to speak in an attempt to get the stubborn pony back to reality. “Ix-nay on the oopid-say.”

“Who are you calling oopid-say?!” Caballeron angrily demanded before turning to try to scold Quibble Pants after seeing what he was doing! "And watch where you are stepping, you blind, ignorant fool! Do you have any idea what this really is and what you really think you're doing?!"

The bulky stallion snorted. "Listen, buddy, I don't take orders from some second-rate performer who learned acting from the Supervillain School of Bad Accents! Clearly you’re not Caballeron!" As he spoke, he was unaware of a very large beast emerging from the ground behind him. Ironically, happening just as he was shouting at the top of his lungs! "The only thing this mess is missing is some giant Ahuizotl wannabe monster, and I have a feeling that would be a bit too much for you bargain-basement adventurers to pull off!"

Yet it was then that there was a loud rumble, loud enough to make Quibble turn around very slowly. What he saw was enough to nearly make his eyes pop out! It was a huge, giant crocodile with sandy yellow scales! One with razor sharp teeth and a mean look that indicates that is not by any means very friendly since his first instinct was to let out a guttural roar.

It was the very truth and reality of the situation was now sinking in. There was no denying it anymore. "You're... real. This is real. This is all real!"

“Took you long enough!” Ono exclaimed in annoyance as he and Rainbow Dash managed to break free of their binds just as Caballeron and his goons ran for their lives. Both fliers then managed to free Quibble Pants, and the three ran/flew through the temple as fast as their hooves could carry them! Mud was filling up the place fast, and the monster crocodile was literally right behind them with remarkable speed for it’s size.

Suddenly, a light gold blur swooped in to save Rainbow, Ono, and Quibble! It carried them up to the next level of the temple, where the mud had yet to rise to that point. Their savior was none other than Daring Do herself. And at the same time a bright purple and pink blur sped towards them head on towards the crocodile and delivered a super powerful magic blast along with a super powerful and fast upper punch to the lower jaw. Said blows managed to knock the creature off of his feet and sent him plopping backwards into the deep pool of mud. And those came from their Princess Twilight Sparkle herself.

“Daring Do! Twilight!” Rainbow greeted with relief. “Boy am I glad to see you both!”

“Are you all okay?” The princess asked.

“Yeah! We are!” Rainbow answered.

“Affirmative! A little shaken up, but thanks to you two we’re good now.”

“Good.”

Once it was confirmed that both Rainbow Dash, Ono, and Quibble Pants were safe, Daring Do immediately locked eyes with her fellow Pegasus and scolded. "I told you to warn me if you saw anything suspicious and not to engage Callabron yourself! And now look what almost happened. If it weren't for your friend alerting me when she did you all could have just been killed!”

"It wasn’t like we planned for any of this to happen!" Rainbow defended.

“Yeah!” Ono also stated in his defense. “Caballeron and his guys jumped us the moment we spotted them." He then turned towards Quibble. "And he just so happened to be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Quibble Pants could hardly believe his eyes upon seeing Daring Do herself right in front of him. "Wha... Whoa, whoa, y-you're real!" He exclaimed, then noticed Rainbow trotting over to the adventure and wrapping a wing around her with Twilight and Ono also standing by her side. "Wait... you're... you're actually friends with her? How? Why?"

"Long story," Daring Do grumbled in reply. "We'll have to save the introductions for later, whoever you are. Right now we need to..."

"-Get out of here! Yes, thank you!" Quibble nervously insisted.

But Daring shook her head from side to side. "No, not yet."

The bulky earth pony stallion blinked his eyes, surprised by the adventurer's statement. "What?! Why not?!'

The Pegasus moved to explain why. "I'm not leaving without the treasure. Especially since Caballeron is still around ready to steal it. We need to get to it before our 'friend' back there gets any higher." In the distance came the sound of the now recovering crocodile roaring, splashing around as the mud continued to rise and flood the temple. From here there are starting to run out of time.

Quibble reluctantly sighed unable to say no in helping a friend in need. "All right. Let's get it over with."

Twilight was all ready to do her part as she opened her wings back up ready to fly once more with her horn at the ready with magic at her disposal. “You four go ahead and get the treasure! I’ll take care of the crocodile!” She then sped off ahead to do so leaving Quibble unsure if that’s a good idea or not.

“Should we…”

“No. She can handle our friend over there.”

“Besides she has experience fighting them.”

“Okay.” He said before following after Rainbow Dash, Ono, and Daring Do as they ventured further into the temple.

It didn't take long for the quad of brave adventurers (more or less) to reach the center of the temple. Pushing through a stone sliding door, they were greeted with a sight of seven doors with ancient stone carvings in bold detail. Each door had a lock that fit the key shape of the amulet in Daring Do's possession.

Daring quickly analyzed what this puzzle was. "Seven doors, One of them leads to the treasure. I'd rather not think about what the others lead to.”

“Me neither.” Ono said in agreement before shuddering at the very thoughts that could lie on the other side of the wrong doors.

Quibble Pants nodded his head. "Yeah, yeah, it's the classic 'Pony and the Tiger' bit. And all you have to do is-"

Rainbow Dash was quick to raise a hoof, to silence the stallion. "Maybe you should Daring Do figure it out?"

"Oh, excuse me." Quibble replied rather annoyed before he moved to say nothing else reluctantly.

Daring Do's eyes examined the seven doors carefully, looking for anything about them that could serve as a clue. At least twice she thought about bringing the amulet up to a door, only for Quibble to not so subtly tell her not to do so. Daring found herself all ready losing all patience because of it. "Remind me again, who he is, Rainbow Dash, Ono?" She asked.

"Quibble Pants.”

“The fan that I was talking about back at the hotel."

The two answered.

"Well, is he always like this?" Daring irritably asked as she turned around to look at him.

The brash speedster shrugged her hooves while saying. "Yeah. But... he's usually right…”

“...Most of the time.” Ono muttered not so quietly.

“But still…” Rainbow said now willing to give the pony the benefit of the doubt on this one. “...maybe he knows how to crack the code on this one."

Daring reluctantly sighed as she turned to speak to Quibble directly. "Since you seem to know a thing or two about this, which lock do you think it is?"

"I’m glad you asked." Quibble Pants replied before he pointed out. "Look, each door has another door that matches:" He proceeded to point out the pairs, starting with the doors on the far left and far right. "These two both have earth ponies fighting serpents," Next he pointed to two doors closer to the center of the room. "These two have Pegasi fighting griffons," Then he pointed to two doors on the sides of the room. "And these two have unicorns fighting bears," Finally, he pointed to the single remaining door. "But this one..."

Daring Do gasped she just realized the very obvious answer as it just popped in her head. "-Has an alicorn on it! Of course!" And she wondered aloud. "How did I miss that?"

"Been asking that myself since book four." Quibble muttered to himself.

Daring looked aside rather embarrassed even as she trotted forward with the amulet. "I think I might to start investing in a pair of glasses fit for an adventurer on the go. At least for the little details I can’t make without them."

With that line the earth pony realized something when he managed to pick up on what she just said. "So that means you and A. K. Yearling..." He gasped. "...I can’t believe I didn’t think to think of that either!"

The adventurer chuckled. "That's the idea behind it. So obvious so nopony would ever think of it we’re one and the same." Then she inserted the amulet into the key hole. There was an audible click, and the door parted to reveal a gleaming, silver colored chest resting on a pedestal! Taking it into her hooves, she happily proclaimed! "The Seven-Sided Chest of Chicomoztoc! At last! Now let’s get out of here."

"Uh, I’d hate to beg to differ, but we got a big problem with that." Quibble pointed out as he revealed that not only was mud continuing to pour in, but water too in the mix. It cut off the entrance to the temple, and it wasn’t slowing down nor stopping anytime soon.

“Hapana!” Ono gulped. “The entrance is sealed! We can’t get back out that way!”

Rainbow also gulped. "How are we supposed to escape now?!"

Daring looked up, pointing a hoof. "There!" She shouted towards the small opening where light was streaming down from above on the ceiling.

The bulky earth pony stallion could only mutter in disbelief. "Seriously, do you ever not escape out of the top of a temple?!"

The gold colored pony with rose colored eyes replied in annoyance. "You have a better way out?" When she didn't receive a reply, she swished her tail and retorted. "I didn’t think so." Then another thought struck her. "But Rainbow Dash, Ono, and I will have to find a way to carry you out, Quibble. Seeing as you can't fly like we can."

Both fliers accompanying her however were quick to point out the major flaw with that escape plan.

"We won't be fast enough! We'll never make it!”

“Isn’t there another way?! We’re running out of time!"

Fortunately, Quibble Pants himself came up with an idea. He spotted some nearby reeds, and remembered both Rainbow Dash and Ono's daring rescue of him after he'd fallen through the rope bridge earlier. He flashed a knowing wink at the brash speedster while telling Daring Do. "I think Rainbow Dash and I have this covered."

So it was that Quibble was towed along behind the two Pegasi, both of them pulling him along by using the reeds like make-shift ropes while the egret moved to use his legs to help support the earth pony from below.

Suddenly, up from the depths emerged the monster crocodile! Its fangs were bare and it was ready to strike…

...at least before punched aside by the alicorn princess still fighting her. “Come on, everypony, Ono! Let’s go!” She urged of them while keeping her guard up.

A horrified Quibble Pants frantically hollered! "Go around! You can't go over him!"

Daring Do didn't hear him properly, all she heard was the words "Go over him!". She shouted back at Quibble! "Are you crazy?!"

“He’s not!” Ono yelled out while struggling to keep the pony’s weight over his head.

Rainbow Dash just replied. "If Quibble says go over him, we go over him!" And to Quibble she shouted! "Hang on tight!"

The bulky earth pony stallion screamed in fright and terror as he watched himself be dragged closer and closer to the monster crocodile! To his surprise, however, the Pegasi pulling him were able to lift him up and use the beast as a ramp to propel him into the air! Soon, they all had cleared the temple, the six-sided chest safely in tow. And before anything else, Twilight moved to fire another blast of magic to knock the monster crocodile out cold. Once she was sure the beast was completely defeated, she then teleported out of the temple in a flash.

Quibble immediately felt relieved as he moved to quickly removed the reeds once he was back on solid ground again and was able to stand up. After taking a moment to catch his breath and recollect himself, he shouted at the two Pegasi! "You two are insane!"

"Hey, you said to go over him!" Daring Do shouted back.

Quibble Pants then explained. "No, I said to go around him!"

Then, Daring's trained ears picked the sound of hooves in the distance. She made a shushing motion with her hooves and frantically whispered. "Now’s the time to be quiet!"

A short time later, a furious Dr. Caballeron and his henchponies were trotting through the jungle around the outskirts of the temple with their leader now furious as evident by his shouting. "This way! I heard them! Don’t let them get away, again!"

Unbeknownst to Caballeron and his henchstallions, Daring Do, Ono, Rainbow Dash, and Quibble Pants were all hiding not too far away. They were watching from behind the safety of some thick bushes that allowed them to be unseen by the passing by group.

Quibble smirked as he watched this, finding that Caballeron trot past, completely unaware that the ponies he was looking for were nearby. Then he got an idea, proposing to Daring Do. "Okay, I got it. Let's create a fake treasure out of mud and rocks, give that to Caballeron, and then we—"

But the adventurer just grinned as she picked up a stone and replied. "-Not every Daring Do plan has to be super-complicated. Just watch." She threw the stone as hard as she could. It struck a wall of the temple, causing it to crumble.

Caballeron growled, kicking at the stone as it appeared in his path! "I swear I heard them!" He grumbled to himself. Then he became aware of a faint roaring sound coming from directly behind him. He turned around fast and saw the monster crocodile staring back at him. It let out a roar, and chased after him and his men! Yet while running for his life, he could be heard hollering and yelling out before disappearing. "I'll get you for this, Daring Do! If it’s the last thing I do!"

After the danger had passed with Cabelleron and his men gone, Twilight had managed to regroup with the others. Quibble Pants after what had happened, had this to say in mind. "Meh. Not particularly original or inspired, but it worked."

"Thanks, at least it got the desired outcome." Daring shrugged her hooves in reply. Then she blinked. "Though I do have to say you do have a striking resemblance to me even though we’ve never met before."

Quibble chuckled. "Yeah, funny, right? Don’t suppose there is an ancestral connection someway somehow?"

The adventurer adjusted her helmet. "Maybe an answer to look into another time.” She then turned to Twilight. “In the meantime and before I forget, I'll be sure to change your actual names and faces for my next book. So that way none of you will receive unwanted attention. I know how much of how bothersome it can be."

“Thanks.”

“No, thank you.” Daring insisted with sincere gratitude. “For everything you and your friends have done today. And if there is anything I can do to show my appreciation, just let me know. You know how to contact me.”

“Of course.” She then spoke up remembering something. “Now that you mention it, there is one thing you can do and this…” She makes a few books appear with her magic. “...by signing our books.”

“You got a deal! Once I get my disguise that has my reading glasses with it...” Daring Do said with a smile.

“Ah, right. I think I can help you out with that.” Twilight nodded before working her magic to teleport away. In a blink of an eye, she reappeared with her full disguise in her hoof along with a pen on top of it. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” With her reading glasses on she was able to write and sign her name on each and every one of the books for those who helped her out big time today. Once that was done she took off her glasses and placed them along with the rest of her disguise in her bag, and then pulled the six-sided chest out from underneath her pith helmet. "Now I'm going to take this to the nearest museum. And since you’re capable of teleporting, I think you all are in good hoofs in regards to transportation." She coughed into a hoof and

changed the subject. "Enough said, thanks for your help. I couldn't have done it without you. All of you."

“You’re welcome.” Ono returned with a nod.

“Happy to help, like before.” Rainbow happily chimed in before the adventurer made her grand exit and disappeared into the deep parts of the jungle.

Rainbow Dash smiled, while turning to Quibble Pants as she asked him. "So...?"

“Any new thoughts about the books following the original trilogy with this adventure in light?” Ono also asked.

The bulky earth pony stallion reluctantly replied. "So... maybe the later books are slightly more realistic than I gave them credit for," He then added. "I still don't like them, though. That hasn't changed."

Both Ono and Rainbow's mouths dropped open in shock and surprise!

"What?!”

“Even with the very truth displayed right in front of you?! How can you—?!"

Yet the stallion then brought up a hoof still not done explaining himself. "-Wait, hold on. Before we get in another fight, I-I think I've finally figured it out! I love the Daring Do that solves puzzles and uses her brain to get out of tough situations, and she did way more of that in the original trilogy! You love the Daring Do that is brave and awesome and comes out on top no matter what the odds!"

“"Yeah.”

“And...?"

Both the rainbow maned Pegasus mare and white male egret asked, uncertain of the point Quibble is trying to make.

A smile slowly formed on Quibble Pants' face as he explained. "And that's okay! We might never agree on what makes Daring Do cool, but you... are definitely cool. I-I mean, the way you two saved me on the bridge? Wow! And escaping from the temple... you, Rainbow Dash, are awesome," He then added turning to Twilight. "And you, the Princess of Friendship herself, being around taking down that huge scary crocodile back in the temple, that had got to take a lot of guts even knowing that it was a difficult fight to take on.”

Twilight simply and humbly smiled. “I’ve had a lot of practice dealing with situations like this.”

“Quite a lot.” Quibble and Twilight both chuckled before the former turned to the other two friends with much needed words to say to them both. Rainbow, Ono. Thank you both for saving my life, even though I gave you both many, many reasons to want to leave me behind when you had the chance."

“Well, there’s no denying that.” Ono admitted to which had Twilight looking on with a smirk at him and Rainbow.

“But even still…” Rainbow added knowing that the alicorn would urge her to continue speaking if she didn’t. “...we’re not the kind that would do that. And you were very impressive yourself. You know, in a brainy, egghead, puzzle-solving kind of way.” Twilight couldn’t resist giggling and neither could Ono resist a light chuckle too. “After all, not just anypony could locate a treasure in half the time Daring Do can!"

“And it’s not everyday you learn more about your friends and what we have in common.” Quibble noted while seeing the similarities he shared with each and every one of them. He then said next. "I guess we don't have to agree on everything to get along. Friends?"

"Definitely friends." Rainbow nodded as they trotted off along with Ono and Twilight in the direction of the sunset.

Yet Quibble Pants then saw fit to start talking at length. He had his own ideas about how to "improve" the Daring Do series, much to Rainbow Dash's annoyance. “Uh, do you think A. K. Yearling would consider letting me write the next book? I... I think I can make things way clearer. I mean, for instance, in the second adventure…”

“What do you mean?” Ono asked.

“..there's a side character. I don't want to kind of name it right now, because it's sort of this thing that I've already written a lot of fan fiction on. I don't want you to... Not that I'm saying that you would steal it! But I am saying this would totally go along my whole thing about puzzle-solving, except what if each puzzle that was solved, uh, unlocked a new karate move? Think of it that way, right? And I mean I'm kind of a "Yearlite" myself, so I'm sure she'd be open to—“

At that point, Rainbow Dash had enough. “Quibble!”

“Sorry!”

Author's Note

Here are in this latest chapter of the Lion and Pony Guard lives or (Rainbow, Ono, and Twilight's books I should say), has the three Daring Do enthusiasts and adventurers off exploring a once in a lifetime experience at a Daring Do convention. And in case you're wondering, it's also because she wasn't on her friend's side during the last Daring Do adventure back in early Season 4.

Where not only do they find themselves entangled in a Daring Do adventure but dealing with a tag along in the form of another Daring Do fan but with the mind who wishes to decide what he thinks is cannon and not cannon. Kind of like a handful of episodes we saw and wish didn't exist whether it's from this show or another. And it sure proves to be a hoofful when said pony winds up entangled with Ono and Rainbow while Daring Do's enemies are off aiming for the treasure of the year this week.

Thankfully, due to the power of friendship and teamwork between the three combined with both their saviors coming to their rescue, they all came to an understanding together that allows them to continue on with life and their love for Daring Do in peace, though it wasn't easy.

Next up we have "The Underground Adventure." where both Rarity and Fluttershy find themselves in for said adventure due a sudden ambush when guiding and watching over half of the Royal Family on a day at the Mud Springs so stay tuned for that next week...

Episode 25: The Underground Adventure

Episode 25:

The Underground Adventure

“Help! Help!”

Two voices cried from afar attracting the Lion and Pony Guard’s attention.

“What was that?!” Starlight was the first to ask.

“That's Tiifu and Zuri.” Beshte was the first to make out said voices.

“Sounds like they're in trouble.” Kion noted from the sound of it. “Ono? Rainbow? See anything?”

“Negative.”

“The calls are coming from inside Pride Rock.”

“Let's check it out. Come on.” Twilight commanded before leading everyone on over there alongside Kion who is more than happy to get off the first attack in his family’s defense if it just so happens to be the worst case scenario.

The Lion and Pony Guard were able to make quick time in getting over there before entering the cave inside.

“Tiifu, Zuri. What's wrong?!”

“Is everything okay?!”

“What’s going on?!”

Both leaders of the Guard along with Starlight urgently asked with both of their magical auras flared up while still in an offensive stance.

But as it turns out, the emergency in question turns out not to be what they expected it.

“What's wrong? Look at us.”

“Our fur won't lay straight. It's too hot and dry around here.”

The two cried and complained.

“Well, it is the dry season.”

“And something that should be obvious at this point. Considering this is something we’ve dealt with for the past three years in counting.”

Both Ono and Rainbow remarked rather deadpan and annoyed with what they are seeing.

“But it's not just our fur.” Zuri further complained. “Our paws are cracked, our noses are scaly. We look horrible.”

Fuli groaned completely annoyed out of her mind that she was urgently summoned for this. “Seriously?”

“You girls have got to be kidding me!” Starlight said while just completely flabbergasted by this ‘emergency’ of theirs.

“Geez Louis, you girls wasted our important time just to deal with your petty little complains about your appearance?!” Rarity also exclaimed equally annoyed herself.

“But it was an emergency…” Zuri defended.

“...and definitely something you would have done if you were in our paw prints.” Tiifu added in agreement.

“Not to the point I’d call an ambulance over something this silly!” Rarity face hoofed herself and groaned once more before fetching herself her fashion kit shaped and styled to look like an emergency kit. “Here I come, hold onto to your fur, literally.” She then moved to approach them so she can take care of their little problem just when both Kiara and Nala walked inside.

Already Kiara could only look on dismayed with what had just happened. “Oh, no. I told you two not to call the Lion and Pony Guard for this.” She scolded.

“But, Kiara…” Zuri tried to speak before being cut off by the queen herself.

“Ladies.” Nala spoke up in a firm tone. “The Guard is only for real emergencies. Not fur emergencies.”

“And before you start…” Twilight also added as she chimed in on the scolding. “...for all of her overly dramatic moments, Rarity isn’t the kind of girl to want to call the authorities over something like this. So consider this a warning because false alarms are a serious offense nowadays. And this had better not happen again. Understand?”

The two were quick to heed their words out of respect for them.

“Sorry.”

“Yes, Your Majesties.”

“Good.”

“Thank you, Twilight.” Rarity thanked with a smile before turning back to tending to the lionesses with her fashion tools.

“Maybe you should try the warm mud pots at the edge of the Pride Lands.” Beshte then suggested. “Us hippos love 'em when the weather's too dry.”

“Mud can be very moisturizing.” Ono chimed in finding it a nice idea to try out.

“That's perfect.” Zuri immediately liked the idea itself. “We'll go to the mud pots.”

“You have to come, too, Kiara.” Tiifu then insisted. “We never see you anymore.”

“Yeah.” Zuri agreed. “You're always so busy with boring Royal Family stuff.”

“"Boring Royal Family stuff"?” Nala responded looking offended by that remark along with both Twilight and Kiara.

“Like helping the Pride Landers deal with the threat of Scar?” Kiara added while looking on in disbelief with the way her friends are talking to and about her family.

“Exactly.” Tiifu stated.

Hearing that had Twilight look on at the girls not believing what she is hearing from them. So to make sure they toe the line she moved to adopt a calm but firm and stern demeanor before scolding them. “If you two had bothered to do your homework recently, you would know that so called “Boring Royal Family stuff” is crucial and vital in keeping everyone here safe. And by that we mean Kiara watching over the Pride Lands while me along with Kion, Simba, Celestia, and Luna hold war meetings to stay on top whatever Scar tries to do next. Whether it’s trying to target someone else in the Pride Lands and Equestria or here at Pride Rock including you and or anyone here. And if you recall the latest Kumbuka celebration you’ll recall exactly why and how it is necessary to try to stay on guard at all times.” Both girls could only feel a pang of sadness strike their hearts as they recalled that day when tragedy nearly striked. “So that said you two need to start choosing your words more carefully because there are others who can and will charge you for kind of thing. Got it?”

Both girls quickly realizing their mistake moved to bow to her apologetically.

“Understood.”

“Won’t happen again.”

“Good.”

With that aside Zuri then turned to her friend still moving to keep the conversation upbeat. “Anyways…Kiara, why don’t you come with us?” She invited. “I didn't want to say it, but you're looking a little frizzy yourself and I think it’ll be good for you.”

Kiara wise about the dangers of being near the border between the Pride Lands and the Outlands turned to her mother and sister-like friend. “Mom? Twilight?”

Both Nala and Twilight turned to each other before stepping aside to talk it out. After a minute of whisper discussing the matter they moved back to voice their decision about it.

“The edge of the Pride Lands isn't as safe as it used to be.” Nala began as she cautioned her daughter. “But if you had an escort from the Lion and Pony Guard…” But before she could voice who they had in mind, Bunga spoke up.

“I'd be happy to take Kiara to the mud pots.” He proudly volunteered and proclaimed. “No one will keep her safer than me.”

“Actually, we were thinking more about Kion.” The queen corrected.

Not that Bunga minded at all. “Kion can come too. That'll make if more fun.”

“We wouldn't be going to have fun, Bunga.” Kion pointed out and reminded. “But you'd definitely be safer with two Lion Guard members. I'll go.”

“Thanks, Kion.” His sister thanked.

“And in addition, I’m sure someone from the Pony Guard will be more than happy to volunteer to accompany you.” She turned to said ponies in mind. “Rarity? Fluttershy? Would either of you or both of you like to join both Kion and Bunga too?”

“Well…I suppose I can do that. But only to keep watch over them because I am not stepping a hoof into that mud!”

“Wouldn’t expect you too.” She then turned to the other pony. “How about you, Fluttershy? Is this something you're willing to step up to doing.”

“I guess. Though I wish it wasn’t near the Outlands.”

“I know.” Twilight quickly comforted. “If only this wasn’t a last minute thing then a scheduled appointment to the Ponyville Spa could have been arranged.” She then reassured. “But you do have Kion, Bunga, and Rarity joining you, so you won’t be alone.”

“True.” She took a deep breath before giving a more solid answer. “Okay, I’ll go too.”

“Thanks, Fluttershy. You too, Rarity.”

Both Tiifu and Zuri we’re already getting excited about their little field trip. “Girls' Day Away. Girls' Day Away.”

“Fuli, Beshte, Applejack, Pinkie keep up the daily patrol.” Kion instructed of the others.

“Looks like Bunga and I are going on a Girls' Day Away.”

Fuli smirked. “Better you than me.”

“Along with me.” Applejack added with the same expression. “I already have plans for that kind of relaxation with Fuli, Kion, and Rarity, so I’m good sitting out this one.”

“Same here.” Rainbow said before remembering something. “Oh! Speaking of a day away, that reminds us…” She quickly turned to both Twilight and Ono. “We gotta hurry if we don’t want to miss out on the upcoming Daring Do convention later today.”

“That’s right!” Twilight also realized and remembered. “Luckily I already have packed everything I need last night.”

“Me too!” Ono quickly flew off towards the portal deep in the cave. “We better fetch our luggage before our train leaves! Good luck, Kion!”

“We’ll tell you all about it when we get back!” Rainbow also called after them while flying after them.

“Good luck, Kion. You too Bunga.” And one more thing Starlight, you’re in charge along with Fuli and Kyoga until we get baaacccckkk….” Twilight also wished her best friend well before leaving along with Rainbow when the latter moved to drag her by the hoof to get her to come along too.

“We’ll make sure to hold up the fort until then, Twilight!” Starlight also yelled back her promise loud enough so an echo can be heard inside the portal heading into Ponyville so her mentor can hear her, which she thankfully did.

The others could only chuckle for a bit at the entertaining fan humor the three share all while knowing they are all in for quite an adventure themselves. After that moment had passed everyone else went their separate ways for the time being.

Later on the group of lions along with their escorts had made their way to the Mud Pots. Upon arriving, Bunga was already quick try it out himself. “Zuka Zama!” He exclaimed while leaping into mud and ended up splattering mud over both Zuri ad Tiifu.

“Ew! Don't get us muddy.” The former complained.

“Why not?” Bunga innocently asked while lounging back in the warm mud. “I thought you wanted to get muddy.”

“Not like that.” The later asserted. “We came to relax in the mud, not splash around.”

“For once I have to agree with the girls on this one, Bunga.” Rarity said as she moved to approach the edge without touching the mud itself. “It’s like being at the spa not the water park.”

“But splashing's more fun. Look.” Bunga moved to try to get the girls muddy by splashing it on them. But said attempt was swiftly shielded by Rairty’s magic while giving him the look in return.

“Bunga, come on.” Kion insisted against making this all fun and games. “We're not here to have fun. We're here to keep watch.”

“Okay, I'll keep watch.” He relented before suddenly gasped pointing to the opposite direction. “Is that Scar?”

Kion naturally alarmed along with Fluttershy were quick to turn his head towards said direction. “Where?”

But it turns out it was just a distraction so Bunga could splash mud at Kion. “Gotcha!”

“Bunga!” Fluttershy scolded as she felt her heart rate spike because of it. “That wasn’t funny! You really scared me there!”

“Oops. Sorry.” Immediately he forgot all about before pulling Kion into the mud for a friendly mud fight together.

“Oh it's on!” Kion moved to play with Bunga in the mud pots while the other girls watched on with the lions more focused on what they are seeing than Rarity tending to Fluttershy who is still shaken up by Bunga’s little practical joke.

“Why do boys like to be so messy?” Tiifu asked Kiara and Rarity.

“Because in Bunga and Kion’s case it’s their way of having fun.” Rarity replied seeing nothing wrong with it.

“Messy can be fun.” Kiara replied also knowing and accepting her brother and his friend’s way of playing together.

“Mmm, I don't think so.” Zuri said otherwise. “Relaxing and pampering ourselves is fun.”

“And that’s what you girls shall enjoy on our watch.” Rarity assured. “So why don’t you all get settled in, shall we?”

The lions along with Rarity and Fluttershy moved to walk by and admire the flowers where Zuri herself puts one in in Kiara's ear. Just then mud was thrown at Kiara which caught the girls attention to both Kion and Bunga. Naturally for his kid like nature Bunga points at Kion to assert he did it despite being fully covered in mud.

With a smirk at the two, Kiara moved to follow the two as they leaped across the stepping rocks before leaping into the mud one by one all while giggling and laughing along the way. After swimming in the mud for a bit she moved to regroup with the other lions as they lounged together by the edge.

Kion then jumped into the mud from a high rock to make a splash in the mud. Then Bunga followed suit and ended up making a splash so huge it created a wave that swooped the other lions along for the ride into the middle of mud pit.

Kiara already taking delight in their mischievous fun moved to submerge her head under the mud before moving to scare Bunga like a crocodile in the swamp catching it’s prey. Bunga was caught off guard by that he ended up falling backwards into the mud while the two siblings laughed like it was the funniest thing they have ever seen with Kion laughing while falling on his back. Bunga was then quick to playfully engage in another splash fight with both siblings.

While this was going on both Rarity and Fluttershy watched on along with keeping watch for anything lurking nearby. At the same time their laughing and playing around ended up catching the attention of someone who just happened to be in the nearby den.

“Hey Hey Hey!” The aardvark angrily called out to the three visibly irritated with the ongoing commotion. “Keep it down out here. Some of us are trying to sleep.”

“Oh, dear.”

“Oh, my.”

Both Rarity and Fluttershy gasped upon seeing and realizing this just so happens to be near where he and the other aardvarks live in.

“Sorry, Muhangus.” Kion apologized.

“We didn't know you were here.” Kiara also said equally apologetic.

“Course not.” The aardvark sarcastically remarked. “'Cause why would an aardvark be anywhere near an aardvark hole?”

“Well in all fairness…” Rarity spoke up in their defense. “...we’ve hardly ever visited this particular part in the Pride Lands. I mean normally we would go to the Ponyville Spa for this sort of thing but the place is already booked for today. So please, forgive us, darling.”

“We’ll try to keep it down now, Muhamgus.” Fluttershy promised.

“I should hope so.” Muhangus grumbled before going back inside his den.

“Okay…” Fluttershy then spoke up wanting to be the voice of reason on their current visit here. “...I think maybe we should play and even better relax here going forward.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“Probably for the best.”

“Well said, Fluttershy.”

Kion, Kiara, and Rarity all said quick to respect Muhangus’s wishes.

“Kinda stinks if you ask me.” Bunga then said somewhat disappointed before moving to quickly clarify when a bubble appeared behind him. “Excuse me.” The others look on disgusted before carrying on. “Gotcha.” He whispered with a quiet splash of mud at his best friend.

“Gotcha back.” Kion whispered back while returning it equally quiet.

Kiara in the meantime moved to rejoin Tiifu and Zuri in lounging by the side of the mud pool. “I think I'll stick with you two. Quieter fun.”

“And in the meantime, I’ll get started on your treatments, girls.” Rarity then said while pulling out her special kit to do so.

“And I will continue keeping watching over here.” Fluttershy said while walking along the edge of the pool…

...all while the skinks watched them all up close unnoticed before slinking away to inform Scar in the Outlands Volcano who just so happens to watching the scene with his magic serving as a surveillance camera for him to watch from.

“Kion and his sister Kiara accompanied by both Rarity and Fluttershy of all ponies?”

“At the edge of the Pride Lands.” Njano confirmed.

“And they're surrounded by dry plants and grass.” Shupavu added. “One spark is all it would take to send the whole place up in flames.”

“And half the Royal Family and Guard with it.” Njano laughed.

“Which serves as a perfect opportunity to seize on it.” Scar said as he locked eyes with those at the Mud Springs right now. “Because we’re going to Kion and his companions a little gift... Of... Fire.”

“Shall I fetch you a vulture?”

“Or should one of us set a single spark there ourselves?”

Both skinks asked of what he is thinking of how to approach this.

“Neither will be necessary. For since this is a family matter we’re talking about here, this is something that I want to deal with...personally…” He stated with a vicious and eager smile as he moves to carry out this task himself.

Back at the Mud Springs, Tiifu, Kiara, Zuri are all getting completely relaxed in the pool with Bunga himself joining in on the quiet fun himself. All while Rarity is putting the finishing touches on her personal hooficure work.

“Mmm... This feels great.” Tiifu happily commented.

“So relaxing.” Kiara added feeling like a lot of tension was just removed from her body.

“It is nice.” Zuri admitted. “Thank you Rarity, for setting us all up with this.”

“My pleasure, darlings.” Rarity humbly replied.

“Yeah. It really is. Who know the benefits of quiet fun?” Bunga also admitted before turning to his uneasy best friend standing by his equally uneasy Pegasus friend. “Sure you don't wanna try this, Kion? Fluttershy? It's un-Bunga-lievable.”

“Maybe another time.” Fluttershy politely declined. “I don’t feel taking a mud bath today.”

“Me neither.” Kion also declined as he keeps on the lookout for any sign of trouble coming their way. “At least some of us need to be watching over here since we’re this close to the Outlands.”

“Any sign of Scar or any of the Outsiders, Kion?” Rarity asked while looking around herself.

“Not so far.” Kion answered not that it helped relax his guard in the slightest. “And that’s what worries me. Because you never know how and when Scar is going to attack if he does decide to show up here.”

“Okay. Not trying to jinx anything but what makes you so sure that Scar would want to show up himself?” Bunga asked.

“Considering he is one of his arch-nemesis's, courtesy of being King Simba’s son and the leader of the Lion Guard, it’s not hard to understand why.” Rarity answered and explained.

“Right! Of course! Because family is a personal matter when it comes to fighting I get it!”

Fluttershy herself didn’t feel better herself despite nothing bad has happened yet. “I’m just glad we managed to save Zephyr when we did or would have never forgiven myself.”

“Same here.” Kion assured while placing a gentle paw on her back. “Hopefully the same can be said with Kiara too, no matter what happens next.”

While this conversation was going on, Scar himself appeared from a distance lurking unseen thanks to the cover of the tall rocks. With a flick of his fingers, he set a single spark on the dry grass and plants which immediately started setting the area slowly on fire.

After a fair amount of time, Kion’s nose picked up the scent. “Do you smell that?” He asked the others.

Rarity sniffed the air herself and ended up picking up on that. “I do, Kion.” Now feeling a sense of dread on her shoulders. “And while I would hate to say this girls, Bunga...” Said honey badger looked on offended by that paraphrasing. “...I think maybe now’s the time we wrap up our outing here.”

“I think so, too.” Fluttershy said as she looked around and started seeing smoke from behind the rocks. She then moved to try to flap her wings to get the smoke coming right at them away from them before anyone sets off an alarm.

“Come on, girls, Bunga!” Kion urged of them with Kiara being the first to willing obey his wishes.

Zuri, Tiffu, and Bunga however remained stubborn on the matter.

“But we can't leave until the mud masks dry properly. Spa rule.” The former pointed out.

“Yeah, Spa rule. Nothin' we can do.” Bunga stated in agreement while still not budging.

“Yes there is!” Rarity asserted while using her magic to pull everyone out of the mud. “Prince Kion’s orders unless we want to turn this into this a crime scene.”

“But it already is a crime scene!” Tiffu complained even while being levitated out to safety. “We’re getting out before our masks have fully dried up.”

“Come on, girls, Bunga!” Kion implored of them to get a move on. “Something's not right about this!”

“Even without the bad guys lurking around, it’s getting really quiet around here. Too quiet.” Fluttershy chimed in while letting out light coughs as the smoke is starting to creep past her wing power. Just then the smoke moved to overwhelm her to the point she can hardly hold it back anymore as it started to overwhelm her.

When she was done coughing and was able to open her eyes she then found herself face to face with none other than Scar himself simply smiling at her. “Hello, Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy screamed before finding herself ensnared by black smoke before slammed down into the ground. The force and impact from the hit she suffered when she hit the ground rendered her unconscious.

“Fluttershy!” Kion and Rarity exclaimed together in horrified concern upon seeing her just get injured.

Just then a massive fire bloomed and surrounded the whole group and area thus trapping everyone around it. “Fire!” The two exclaimed in unison again.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, the wicked and evil laughter is followed up by the owner of the voice appearing in the flesh. “Thanks to yours truly.”

“Scar!” Both Kion and Rarity exclaimed thrice in a row much to their own bewilderment they actually did that together and this many times in a row thus far.

“Hello, Kion, Rarity, and company. Again.” Scar chuckled once more while everyone else all gasps in frightened fear of his sudden appearance.

“We have to get out of here. Come on.” Kion commanded of everyone before working up a strong burst of magic to fire at his grand uncle who simply dodged the attack it was stepping aside from a random bug who just so happened to flying in his path.

Kion growled before moving to fire off a series of offensive attacks at his arch enemy to which he swiftly dodged while flying around the fire consuming the area around them.

“Slow! Sloppy Sad!” He taunted before catching Kion’s next attack before redirecting it right towards the ground to cut off his friends attempt to escape through an opening they just found with an evil chuckle.

“Move away! Get back. Hurry!” Kion urged of everyone before charging at Scar once more with fire daggers in the palms of his paws.

Scar simply applied paw to paw combat to deflect the attacks while releasing a couple streams of fire to block off all means of escaping on foot.

“What do we do? We're surrounded.” Tiifu cried in worry.

Kion despite being busy fighting was quick to give orders to his friends.“Bunga, Rarity, Fluttershy. Fire break.”

“On it!”

“Got it.”

“Will do.”

“Kiara, Tiifu, Zuri. Take cover in the mud.” He then urged of the others while dodging a few fire blasts himself just narrowly.

His sister however not one to stand by helplessly asserted otherwise. “No way. I'm helping you with the fire break.”

Knowing his sister and that there is no time for arguing, he moved to allow it. “Okay.” He relented but still remained firm with the others while using a force field to force back a huge fiery burst of magic from the older lion/alicorn. “But Tiifu and Zuri, the mud pots. Let's go.”

While Tiifu and Zuri went back to the mud pool everyone else moved to try to create fire breaks so they can try to stop the fire spread along with trying to make an escape from here.

Kion then kept up on going on the offense, but even with improved skill in magic he still isn’t able to land a decisive blow on his evil relative. It was much easier when he had Twilight backing him up when he was able to fight him on equal footing. And even while busy with his paws full of fending of a furious Kion, Scar kept multi-tasking by alternating in fending off and keeping his opponent on his toes. In addition, he kept throwing fire so that it’ll keep spreading even with the attempted creation of the fire breaks.

“Is this everything?” Scar questioned as he managed to conjure a beam of magic that left Kion straining and barely holding it off. “Give me everything!” Kion grunted and growled before finding himself blasted aside when he was unable to keep the magic from making contact with him. And thus was sent flying aside.

After having retreated to the mud pots, Tiifu couldn’t help but sniff something odd. “Huh. My fur smells like smoke.”

Upon turning and seeing why, Zuri was quick to correct and explain what it really is. “Tiifu? That's not your fur.” It is really fire that is getting dangerously close to them. And something they were quick to evade from.

“Kiara!” Both lions cried out to her in distress.

Just then, Kion who is now run down on energy is now forced on the defense as Scar moved to turn the tables on him. He moved to quickly and viciously attack his grand nephew with his clawed fiery fueled paws and actually managed to connect with each and every swing. And each attack left Kion with multiple bruises on his face and arms.

“Kion. Bunga. We're too late.” Kiara alerted. “Embers have already jumped the fire break.” He then sees her struggling brother. “Kion?” KION?!”

But it was too late as Scar already laid down the finishing blow with one super hard and hot backhanded slap that sent the young prince slammed down hard into the ground and lost conscious from the landing. And just one look had his sister holding back a teary gasp upon seeing her brother looking lifeless for a second, especially on seeing the bruises that had him bleeding.

Rarity, Fluttershy (having just recovered from the earlier attack), and Bunga were also equally horrified with what they just saw and could barely muster a scowl in Scar’s direction as he moved to increase the intensity of the flames around them so they can engulf the ground.

Seeing that it was now up to her to step up as a princess and find the next best course of action had her looking around for an escape from all of this. She looked, and she looked, and she looked around her between the fire and the increasing smoke before spotting the hole where one of the Pride Landers they last saw disappeared to.

“Muhangus' burrow. Quick.” Kiara commanded of everyone. “Everyone into the aardvark hole.”

In order to ensure everyone gets out all together, both Kiara and Fluttershy worked together in carrying Kion to safety. And in order to heed off Scar from killing them all on the spot, Rarity mustered all of her magic in producing a shield strong enough to barely shield off his latest attack.

In the meantime, Bunga retreated in the the aardvark hole first with the other lionesses reluctant to go down there themselves.

“But it's dark down there.”

“And dirty.”

The two complained prompting the irritated honey badger to poke his head back out to get them to get inside.

“You were just sitting in mud.” He pointed out.

“Oh, yeah.” Zuri acknowledged before going inside the aardvark hole.

But Tiifu still remained hesitant to follow suit. “Do I have to?”

“Tiifu! Kiara! Move! Now! Hurry!” Rarity commanded while finding her magical grasp on her shield slipping while the other two friends are barely limping their way towards the hole themselves.

Understanding of her fears, Kiara spoke to her friend in a gentle assuring matter. “Tiifu, I'll be right behind you.”

“Okay.” With the princesses word for it, Tiifu went inside.

With a loud painful gasp and groan, Rarity’s magic finally gave out which blasted the unicorn and aside and tumbling inside the hole with both Kiara and Fluttershy just managing to get Kion inside just in time when a blazing tree nearly crashed on top of them and cut off the hole leading inside of it. Even with the narrow close call for the heroes, Scar still felt satisfied with what he has accomplished today as evident by the evil smirk on his face as he watches on at his own success. Another piece of the Pride Lands for himself, and another warning for the heroes that the inevitable is coming.

Upon getting to safety inside the cave, Kiara popped the most important question to each and every one of her friends. “Is everyone okay?”

“Yep.”

“Yeah.”

“I guess so.”

Zuri, Bunga, and Fluttershy were the first to quickly reply with the latter still rubbing her head in pain.

Kiara then turned to her other lion friend. “Tiifu? Are you okay?”

“Mmm-hmm.” Tiifu replied while sounding still scared herself.

She then turned to her brother and pony friends who are all still recovering from Scar’s attack. “How about you, Kion, Rarity? You both okay?”

Both shook their heads yes but both were still grunting in pain from all of the magic they used to try to ward off Scar.

“Still quite shaken up.”

“But we’re okay.”

“Good. Because that was a close one.”

“I’ll say.” Rarity couldn’t agree more as the magic on her horn fizzed out before dropping to her knees. “All of that magic to protect us really knocked the wind out me.”

“Me too.” Kion himself agreed as he too can’t work up his magic into performing a simple spell. “We got lucky. We can stay right here and wait out the fire.”

“How long will that take?” Kiara asked.

Kion couldn’t give a straight answer. “I don't know. All day, maybe.”

“All day?” Tiifu asked in fright at the idea.

“Don't worry, Tiifu. It'll be fun.” Bunga assured.

“Fun?”

“Yeah. All of us in this dark little space. Deep, deep underground.” He described yet oblivious to the fact that this is greatly unsettling the lioness even more.

“Bunga…” Kiara scolded while Fluttershy moved to comfort her.

But the honey badger still can’t take the hint to stop talking. “We might even get to spend the whole night down here.”

And that was the last straw that sent her into a panic. “No! I can't be here all night.” She tried to make a move back up the way they came while running out of Fluttershy’s hooves.

“Tiifu, stop!” Kion warned. “You can't go back up there. The fire's still burning.”

“But I have to get out. Now!” In a panic Tiifu tried to move the rocks only to slip and cause a little rock slide that nearly buried her. “Whoa!”

“Tiifu.” Kiara quickly moved to go after her just as the dirt started to pile up on her friend.

“Kiara!” Her brother exclaimed at that was all he could do before being knocked aside by the incoming rocks. “Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa.”

“Look out!” Bunga exclaimed before managing to push Zuri out of harm’s way.

“Rarity!” Fluttershy cried out before quickly flying over to do the same.

After the dust had settled, Kion was quick to want to know if his sister and friend are okay. “Kiara? Tiifu?” To answer his question and to his relief, Kiara and Tiifu both emerged unharmed with the former pulling the latter out of the rocks. “Are you okay?”

“We're fine.” Kiara assured her brother before turning to her friend. “Tiifu, what happened? Kion said we were safe. Why did you run?”

“I'm sorry.” Tiifu apologized. “It's just…” She hesitated before continuing to explain why she panicked. “I'm afraid of the dark.”

With this confession in light had the princess show sympathy for her friend. “Zuri. I'm sorry, Tiifu. I had no idea. You don't seem scared of the dark at home.”

“That's different. I can see stars or the moon there. But here... It's so dark. Anything could be hiding in the shadows. Anything.”

“Oh, yeah.” Bunga spoke up once before. “Like a…” He is suddenly slapped on the back of the head courtesy of Rarity. “Ow! What was that for?!”

“For being rude, darling.” Rarity scolded. “It’s bad enough as is without you describing and further instilling the poor lion’s fear to her heart.”

Kion then moved to give the lioness some comforting words himself. “It's okay to be afraid, Tiifu. We understand.”

“Thanks. And I’m sorry I panicked and got us even more stuck in here.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Kion assured it’s no big deal. “We'll find another way out even if it takes a while.” He then eyed the nearby tunnels up ahead. “We just need to figure out which one of these tunnels to try.”

“Are you sure neither you nor Rarity can teleport us out of here?” She hopefully asked of those who are capable of magic. But unfortunately for her, they can only shake their heads equally apologetic before explaining why.

“I wish I could but I’m still worn out from that spell I used to protect us all from Scar.”

“Me too. My magic is too still worn out from the brutal fight I just took in from Scar. Not to mention I haven't managed to learn the spell enough to manage a teleportation like Twilight could if she were here. So it looks like we’re going to have to navigate these caves on foot in order to find our way out.”

“The one with the least dirt.” Zuri suggested.

“The one with the most light.” Tiifu also suggested.

“Tiifu, it's probably gonna get darker before it gets lighter.” Kiara reminded.

“It... It is?”

“But we'll be right there with you, darling.” Rarity reassured while digging through her kit a little. “And we won't let anything happen to you. Okay?”

And that was enough to get Tiifu to calm her nerves down for now. “Oh... Okay.”

“Now…” Rarity then spoke after donning her cave helmet and turned on a the light to serve as their flashlight she moved to get a look at the tunnels herself. “...judging from the size of these tunnels, I think we should try the largest one. It’s most likely to go the farthest.”

Kion found himself agreeing with her call. “Good thinking, Rarity. It’s what my dad did when he got lost in the caves before. So let’s try this one.”

The group of seven friends made their way through a tunnel with both Kion and Rarity taking lead while the others follow. Fluttershy followed after the two staying close behind. At the same time Tiifu moved to stay close with both Kiara and Zuri by her side, even if it’s a little too close to them.

“Tiifu, I know you're scared. But you're too close. You're frizzing my fur again.” Zuri complained.

“Sorry.” Tiifu apologized. “I just feel better knowing you're right there.”

“We are.” Kiara said still very understanding of her friend while Zuri soften up once more. “And we'll stay right here.”

Just then Bunga came walking by running his mouth once more. “'Course we will. It's not like that…” He suddenly gets hit on the head by a small rock courtesy of Rarity once more. “Ow!”

“Bunga!” Rarity chastised once more. “You were about to do it again!”

“Do what? All I was going to say of what could be lurking inside of these caves. What’s wrong with that? Ow!” He screamed when another rock is thrown at her.

“Because we have company that doesn’t wish to be given reason to be even more scared than she has to be.” Rarity further reprimanded. “And besides there is no way in the Pride Lands there will be something in these caves that’ll have us screaming like little girls.” At that moment everyone heard a loud shriek coming from nearby. Said shriek was enough to frighten Tiifu in hiding behind her lion friends. “Easy, Tiifu. It’s not that something to be that afraid of.”

“That wasn’t me this time.”

Said shriek made it’s voice clear again.

“What was that?” Zuri asked as she looked around.

“I don’t know. And I don’t know if I want to know.” Fluttershy responded while feeling her ears lowered equally scared and worried as Tiifu. Seeing her friend like this spurred Rarity to come over to her side to calm her down.

“Whatever it is it sounds like it came from that hole.” Kion deduced as he looked on ahead towards the source where the shriek was heard once more causing Tiifu and Fluttershy to gasp in fear.

After gently pulling herself away from Fluttershy she moved to join Kion before preparing themselves to throw down with their hooves since they are still without their powers. After a few tense seconds said source emerged with another shriek that startled everyone when it popped out from a tunnel the figure created just in front of them.

Said figure, a golden fur colored mole with a red nose, brown claws, and appearing with notably no eyes on his face, moved to hop on Kion’s noise before addressing him. “Get out of my home.”

At that very moment, Fluttershy’s fright turned into sweet delight at seeing a new animal she hasn’t met yet. “Aw! How adorable!”

He tried to attack the half lion and alicorn on the nose only for said efforts to come across as harmless taps. “Come on, stop.” He laughed. “That tickles. I'm gonna... I'm gonna…” He ended up sneezing due to his nose being tickled too much.

Said sneeze caused the little guy to fly towards Tiffu causing her to flinch. “No!”

Luckily for her, Bunga was quick to leap up and catch him. “Gotcha.”

“Oh, yeah? Says you.” He tried to struggle to free himself to no avail.

“You're not very friendly, are you?” Bunga commented.

“Not to trespassers I'm not. Let me go and I'll show you what "not friendly" feels like.”

“Now come on now.” Fluttershy spoke while moving to be friendly with him. “There’s no need to be mean and unfriendly. Especially when we’re only passing by and didn’t mean to trespass in your home.”

And that got to the little guy as he realized the truth in her words. “Wait. You mean you're not after my tunnels?”

“No.”

“Oh.” The mole quickly realized he was too quick to judge right off the bat. “I guess I jumped too soon.” With that misunderstanding out of the way, he turned to the honey badger still holding him. “Um, could you put me down now?”

“Okay. Sure, little mole guy.” He kindly did as he was asked.

After he was released, the mole moved to properly introduce himself while standing on a nearby rock pedestal fit for his size. “The name's Kuchimba. Sorry about before. We golden moles are... A little territorial.”

“But I thought these were all aardvark tunnels.” Kion pointed out.

“Ha!” Kuchimba briefly scoffed since it is clear they haven’t been down here long enough to fully know what goes on down here. “Spoken like a true surface crawler. All sorts of animals live down here. And some of 'em are tunnel thieves.” Then becoming friendly once more he then said. “But you're not. So... Why don't I make up for my unwarranted hostility, and help you get home?” He then offered.

“That would be much appreciated.” Fluttershy happily voiced ready to accept the offer.

“You can get us back to Pride Rock?” Tiifu eagerly asked.

“How can he get us anywhere?” Zuri also wondered making notice of his notable feature which sparked doubt in her eyes. “I don't think he has eyes.”

“I don't. But I do have ears, so I heard that.” He returned rather annoyed before moving to explain how while perched on the tall rock standing behind the pedestal. “I can also smell and feel all the vibrations in the ground. That's how I find my way around in the dark.”

“Which just so happens to be natural for golden moles.” Fluttershy chimed in she then added. “I had a lot of experience and learning about all of the animals here in the Pride Lands.”

“I can tell. Along with feeling that you’re a really sweet girl if you care really much about our kind.” Fluttershy’s adorable eyes buttoned upon with that given compliment.

“Are you always in the dark?” Tiifu asked.

“Sure. It's my home.”

“So those vibrations you feel. Is that how you'll get us out of here?” Kion also asked.

“That's right. Just follow me and I'll take you right where you need to go.”

“Great!” Rarity spoke in grateful delight. “We could sure use your guidance right about now.”

Kuchimba proceeded to lead the way with both Tiifu and Fluttershy both following alongside him.

All ready, feeling even more intrigued by their cave guide, Tiifu moved to ask the golden mole a question in mind. “Kuchimba, don't you get scared being down here? In the dark.”

“Why would I?” He returned like its nothing briefly walking backwards while guiding everyone through the upcoming tunnel on the right of the fork ahead of them. “There's nothing scary about being in the dark.”

“Really? I keep thinking I hear things. And see things.”

“That's just your imagination.” The golden mole assured otherwise.

“Really?”

“Sure. Take it from me.”

Nothing to Fear Down Here

Start 1:34 to the end

He proceeded to break out in song as he moved to guide everyone through the caves, including a slightly narrow section along with crystal cavern portion of the cave. During the latter portion, the others were dancing along to his tune. By the end of it, they reached another area where there are three tunnels ahead of them, thus another fork in the road.

After finishing his song, he moved to point the others in the right direction while the others leap down the rocks leading down towards them. “Just head around the corner, take the main tunnel. You'll come out right by Pride Rock.”

“Thanks, Kuchimba.”

“See ya next time we're underground.”

Both Kion and Bunga thanked before heading on over towards said main tunnel.

“Are you sure you can't come the rest of the way with us, Kuchimba?” Tiifu asked upon noticing he is not accompanying them.

“I have to stay and protect my tunnels.” He reasoned but not without giving positive guidance. “But remember what I said.” He reminded before he, Fluttershy, and Tiifu moved to say in unison together.

“Nothin' to fear down here.”

“Right. You'll do great. I know it. So long, Tiifu. You too, Fluttershy.” He then turned back and headed back the way he came from.

Unfortunately, Kion had a question in mind that came just too late. “Kuchimba. Wait! Kuchimba! Kuchimba!”

“Kion? What's wrong?” Kiara asked.

“We have a problem.”

Everyone all gathered around where Kion himself is looking lost at. The fork in the middle of the road.

“Oh.” Kiara realized why her brother is now feeling lost. “Which one's the main one?”

“I don't know.”

“I wish Kuchimba was still here.” Tiifu voiced now starting to feel worried again.

“It’ll be okay.” Fluttershy assured to help her calm her nerves. “Just remember what Kuchimba just said. Nothin' to fear down here.”

Just then they heard galloping up ahead through the sound of it’s echoes.

“What's that?” Zuri gasped.

“Hoof steps.” Rarity quickly deduced. “Maybe we're getting close to the surface.” She then eyed said tunnels in front of them, once again the largest tunnel. “And judging from the sounds we’re hearing it sounds like they're coming from that one.”

“What are we waiting for? Let's go.” Tiifu was quick to run on over there, only to suddenly bump into a zebras who just emerged from that tunnel.

“What? It's you?” Bunga recognized looking on in confusion while the others look on in relief while Rarity herself can only groan at said zebra in question.

“Oh, no. Not him again.”

“Is it? Oh, yes. It is me.” Thurston said with a smile after briefly checking his own stripes.

“Clearly.” Rarity returned while massaging her temples to ease her nerves at what they now have to endure.

“How'd you get here?” Kion asked in surprise seeing him here.

“Good question. I wish I knew.”

“Not so surprising.” Rarity snarked in response.

“Does that tunnel lead to the surface?” Kion asked.

“The surface of what?”

Rarity groaned before moving to clarify herself. “The surface of the ground that leads to the Pride Lands, Thurston. And since we now see which tunnel you came out of, we now know where to go from here.”

“Yeah!” Bunga also recognized. “That's gotta be the way he came in. Let's go” He then raced off ahead. “Zuka Zama!”

“Bunga. Wait for us.” Zuri called while she and the others were quick to follow after him with Kion and Fluttershy have yet to do the same with Thurston still around.

“Don’t worry, Thurston.” Fluttershy assured. “We'll help you get back to the Pride Lands too.”

“You will?”

“Yes.” Kion nodded before going down the tunnel himself. “Let’s go.”

“Oh, goody. So, where are we now?”

The question was thankfully ignored as the gang continued walking through the tunnel. All while Tiifu tries to keep her cool going through with her worst face right around her.

“Nothin' to fear down here. Nothin' to fear down here.” Even still she couldn’t help but ask Kiara. “If the zebra came in this way, shouldn't we be out by now?”

“Relax, Tiifu.” Kiara again assured her friend. “I'm sure it won't be much longer.”

“Uh…” Bunga spoke up to say otherwise.

Upon seeing what Bunga is seeing, Kiara found herself eating her words when they came across another fork in the road. Another set of three tunnels ahead of them again.

“Great.” Kiara sighed in annoyance.

“Now where do we go?” Tiifu asked of the others.

To answer that question, Kion turned to Thurston to try to jog his memory. “Any chance you remember which one of those tunnels you came down?”

“Well, of course. It was that one.” The clueless zebra proceeded to go into and get stuck in a tiny tunnel. “Hmm.” He then found himself struggling to get himself out of it. “This didn't happen last time.”

Zuri could only angrily complain with what she is seeing. “That zebra has no idea where he's going.”

“Of course he doesn’t. He doesn't even know where he's been.” Rarity for once couldn’t help but agree with her there.

“Wow.” Zuri commented upon what she just said. “For once we finally agree on something.”

“Yes, but now’s not the time for arguing, darling, So please, let’s save it for until after this is all over, okay.”

“Fine.” Zuri relented for the sake of everyone around them.

Tiifu didn’t panic but still voiced the urgent desire she’s keeping under control up to this point. “Kion. Rarity. We gotta get out of here.”

“I know.” Rarity acknowledged before pointing out the problem. “Though given how tricky these tunnels are, I think we may another guide to lead us in the right direction.”

“But I thought you knew how to navigate these caves?” Zuri questioned like she is now dealing with someone who doesn’t know what she is doing.

“I do.” The unicorn defended before explaining her reasons. “But what really helps me to really navigate the caves is when I have my magic to always point me in the right direction. Not to mention it was in Ponyville and that this is the first time I ever set hoof into these caves in the Pride Lands.”

While not liking it, Zuri herself understood the unicorn’s reasons. “Okay, point taken.”

At the same time, Kion still without magic tried to think of someone else they can turn to in a time of need, and after some thinking he immediately came up with an answer to the problem. “Of course.” He realized. “Muhangus.”

Hearing this sparked confusion among both his best friend and sister.

“Huh?”

“What about him?”

“We came in through his den.” He answered while explaining. “He's got to be down here somewhere.”

Getting at what he is saying, Fluttershy spoke up realizing where he is getting at. “If we can find him, he can lead us out.”

“Exactly.” Turning to his sister. “Ready for some tracking? While I may not have my magic right now, I still have my nose. Always have since I was born.”

“Of course you have.” Kiara returned with a smirk before voicing her willingness to help. “And when am I not ready to do some tracking even when I don’t have magic?”

“Never.” Both sibling shared a laugh together before getting straight to work in sniffing their lead out.

In the meantime, Bunga turned his attention back to the elephant in the room or more accurately zebra in the hole. “That can't be comfortable. How about I get you unstuck?” He offered to the always clueless zebra.

“Someone's stuck? How dreadful.”

“Not for long.” Bunga vowed while cracking his knuckles before working his strength in helping the zebra free himself from the hole he got himself stuck in.

After a fair amount of nearby sniffling, Kiara managed to pick up the scent they are looking for. “Kion. I've got it.”

Kion was quick to direct his sniffing in the direction where his sister is going which happened to be one of the other tunnels nearby. “I smell it too. It's faint, but it's there. Let's go.” He said before leading the way.

“Tiifu, Zuri, come on.” Kiara urged of them who were both quick to do so.

“Wait for us, darlings!” Rarity called after them while still hanging back when Fluttershy and Bunga have yet to do so because the latter is still working to free Thurston.

“Yeah! We're coming…” He grunted. “Too.” After one final pull, Bunga was finally able to free the zebra.

“Are you okay?” Fluttershy asked with concern for the guy.

“Oh. That feels so much better.” He gladly responded.

“Great. Now come on!” Rarity ordered before leading the way the others went.

“Yeah, what she said. Come on.” Bunga also ordered before holding and guiding the zebra by the tail.

By the time they were all able to catch up, Kiara told them the good news. “We did it. We found Muhangus.”

Bunga couldn’t help but look on confused when he doesn’t see him yet. “Um, looks like a wall to me.”

Kion was quick to explain why. “And Muhangus is somewhere on the other side. We just have to dig our way to him.”

“Ah-ha.” Bunga realized. “Sounds like a job for a honey badger. Here we go.”

But before either one of them could get started, Tiifu quickly stood in the way. “No! You and Kion can't go.”

Kiara however in return was quick to assert it is a necessity. “Tiifu, they have to go. That's how they'll get us home.”

But Tiifu couldn’t help but voice her worries for her friends. “But what if something happens and they don't come back? We'd be stuck here forever.”

Kion understanding of her reasons, was quick to reassure her they’ll be fine. “Tiifu. I promise that won't happen. We'll be back.”

“And believe me, when I tell you that we’ve seen Kion tackle much tougher challenges than this, Tiifu.” Rarity chimed in. “So this is nothing they can’t handle.”

Zuri following the unicorn’s example moved to speak up with words of encouragement. “And in the meantime, you'll have your best friends right by your side.” She moved to do exactly that along with Fluttershy.

“And that goes the same for me, Tiifu.”

“Me too!” Rarity agreed.

And it would seem Thurston is moving to do the same as well. “Oh, yes. We'll be right by your side.”

While Zuri and Rarity were especially annoyed by the zebra’s oblivious approach. Tiifu whole-heartedly accepted it none of the less.

Inside the den, Muhangu himself is sleeping just when both Kion and Bunga manage to dig their way inside with the latter the first to pop out of the hole they dug leading into it.

“Ah-ha! One aardvark, straight ahead.” Bunga commented upon finally seeing him. “Nice place.” He commented just when Kion pops up from the hole himself.

“Muhangus? Muhangus?” The leader of the Lion Guard tried to wake politely and gently much like Fluttershy would do if she were here.

“Nah, I got this!” Bunga however decided to take the approach Pinkie would take if she were here. “Wake up!” He yelled which definitely got the aardvark tumbling out of his nest.

“You again?” He irritably greeted upon seeing what he is seeing. “What is it with you two? You got something against aardvarks getting some sleep?”

Kion in response shook his head before apologizing for the abrupt welcome. “No. Not at all. We're sorry. It's just, we got lost down here with our friends. We were hoping you could help.”

Muhangus scoffed in return. “Maybe after I'm done sleeping.” He turned his back on them before resuming his nap.

And not one to give up when having come this far, Bunga moved to keep forcing his paws in the matter. “Okay. If that's the way you want it. Scoot over.” He proceeded to lay down right next to Muhangu.

Muhangus upon feeling it peeked open an eye to see this blatant display. “Hey. What are you doing?”

“If you can't get us out, we'll just move in here. We'll be den-mates.” He moved to snore loudly.

Seeing this got the aardvark to rise to his feet. “Hey, get out of here.”

Bunga still ignored him on purpose. “Shh. After I'm done sleeping.” He continued snoring until Muhangus gave in, which he immediately did.

“All right. All right. If it means gettin' rid of you, I'll help you.”

Hearing the answer they needed got Bunga himself up on his feet. “Great!” He cheerifully returned much to the weary aardvark’s annoyance.

After a fair amount of time on the other side, Tiifu once more began to worry for her friends on the other side. “Shouldn't Kion and Bunga be back by now?”

Right on cue, Bunga was quick to answer her question while emerging with both Kion and Muhangus following after him. “I don't know. Should we?”

“You found him.” Tiifu said in smiling delight.

“Yep.” Kion happily confirmed. “And he's gonna help us get out of here.”

“Only because the honey badger annoyed me into it.” Muhangus grumpily returned.

Bunga took that with great pride. “I can be really annoying when I put my mind to it. Not to mention I learned from the best.”

“Oh, you got that right.” Muhangus didn’t even deny it nor care to hide who else he is talking about. “No surprise that pink pony Pinkie has been teaching you very well there.”

“No question about that.” Rarity returned in agreement while Kion nodded likewise before moving to follow after their new cave guide.

After some walking around, Zuri couldn't help but voice her impatience in the matter. “Does Muhangus even know where he's going? We've been walking forever.”

“I know. I just want to be home.” Tiffu voiced wishing for the same, only out of concern and fear rather than impatience.

“Thankfully it won’t be long now.” Rarity again comforted. “And this time, it will definitely happen.”

“And knowing Muhangus, he does know his way around these parts of the cave.” Fluttershy happily added.

“And I think you'll like what's up ahead.” Kion also said before directing their attention to a sight of relief. “Look.”

Tiifu gasped in delight upon seeing what’s straight ahead. “I see daylight. We made it.” From there she wasted no time in making her way over there. “Sorry. Gotta run.” Even during her excitement, she took quick caution to avoid nearly bumping into both Muhangus and Thurston but not without saying. “Thank you, Muhangus.”

“You’re welcome!” Muhangus returned still crankly by the sudden gesture on the lioness’s part.

At the same time, Thurston couldn’t help but wonder what that was all about. “Where is she running to? We were all having such a lovely time.”

“It’s honestly nothing to worry about.” Rarity said while answering the zebra’s question.

“Yeah! She's just afraid of the dark.” Bunga added. “She didn't like being trapped down here.”

Hearing that sparked a sense of dread inside the zebra’s heart. “Trapped? All this time we've been trapped? In the dark?”

“Uh-oh.”

“Oh, no.”

Both Kiara and Rarity uttered knowing what’s about to happen next.

“Now Thurston…” Fluttershy began. “...It's okay...”

“...There’s no need to…” Kion tried to say next but it wasn’t enough to stop the zebra from flying into a frenzy.

“Panic and run. Panic and run!” In doing so, he started causing rocks to fall apart.

“Stop it. Stop it! The tunnel will collapse!” Muhangus urged of the zebra who still wouldn’t stop doing as he says.

“Panic and run! Panic and run! Panic and run!”

“Thurston! You got to calm down! You got to calm down!” Rarity commanded of the zebra before moving to perform a wrestling tactic to pin the wild rampaging zebra down to the ground in an effort to restrain him.

But even still Thurston won’t stop talking and yelling which still caused the ground to shake. “Panic and run! Panic and run!”

“You don't have to panic.” Kion once more tried to tell him.

“And there’s no need to hurt him.” Fluttershy added while imploring and pleading of Rarity to stop what she is doing to the zebra.

But even still he won’t have any of it while still struggling under Rarity’s grasp. “I do! We're trapped and it's dark! Panic and run. Panic and run.”

Tiifu who had just arrived at the exit, was quick to see what was happening. And even when she had a clear opening right in front of her, she took sympathy for the frightened zebra. So much, she decided she can afford to take a little more time in the dark if it meant helping him out with his sudden phobia.

“Wait. Stop.” Tiifu called out while racing back towards the others. “Rarity! Let him go!”

“Huh?” Rarity returned surprised with what the lioness just asked her to do, let alone the fact she is actually coming right back towards them.

“Tiifu?” Both Kion and Kiara returned highly surprised she is still in here.

“What are you still doing her, darling.” Rarity asked while still keeping her grip on Thurston. “And don’t worry, I’ve got this under control.”

“True.” Tiifu acknowledged before making her point across. “But it’s okay. I can help. I know what he needs to hear. So if would please…”

Rarity sighed before relenting to her wishes. “Only because you politely asked, darling.” She moved to release Thurston to which Fluttershy smiled at seeing before allowing the lioness to have her say in the matter.

“It's okay to be scared. It's scary in the dark.” She comforted and sympathized.

“Yes. It is scary in the dark.” Thurston stammering before feeling calmer already with her words.

“I know. 'Cause I was scared too. And I panicked so much, I made a tunnel cave in.”

Thurston blinked in surprise himself. “You did?”

“Yeah. But someone taught me that the dark only seems scary because we imagine scary things in it.”

“I do imagine scary things in the dark. Lots of scary things.”

“Me too. But they're not real. You just need to remember... "There's nothing to fear down here."

"There's nothing to fear down here." Thurston repeated.

“Right. And you know what else helped me? My friends stuck with me Just like I'm going to stick with you.”

“Because we're friends?” Thurston guessed.

“Exactly.”

“Best friends?” That little push of luck had Rarity along with Zuri gag in response.

Even acknowledging and knowing what he is trying to do, she moved to say it for the sake of the situation. “Sure. Best friends. Now let's go home. Together.” With the situation settled the two walked side by side together back towards the exit.

“Wow!” Muhangus voiced in amazement. “I can’t believe that actually worked.”

“Wow.” Zuri couldn’t help but feel put out on the contrary. “I thought I was her best friend.”

“Me too.” Rarity also said feeling the same way.

“I’m sure nothing will change that.” Fluttershy voiced to explain why she said what was said. “What she said and did was just her way of showing kindness to Thurston, even while he is capable of being a hoofful at times.”

And to prove her point, Tiifu briefly turned back to non-verbally assure them she values them more as best friends than Thurston with a paw wave gesture.

In a matter of seconds, everyone all managed to emerge out into the open with Pride Rock in sight.

“See? We did it. We're home.” Tiifu comforted.

“And I've got a new best friend.” Thurston then said very pleased himself. “Wait till I tell the herd.”

“Thank you, Muhangus.” Kion thanked the aardvark upon emerging on the outside.

“You’re welcome.” Muhangus returned while still a little grumpy himself with what he just endured. “Now that I’ve done my part, I’m going back to my den and back to sleep. So if you could kindly all not disturb me for the rest of the day, that would be great.”

“Of course, Muhangus.” Fluttershy voiced respecting his wishes first. “Have a good evening.”

Hearing that, had the aardvark soften up a little. “Thank you.” He returned before returning back inside the cave to do what he said he would do.

“You were amazing, Tiifu.” Kiara then complimented.

“Definitely.” Kion stated knowing that is indeed a fact. “You saved the day.”

“I just knew how the zebra felt.” Tiifu explained why she did what she did. “But, it's funny. When I was helping him? I wasn't scared at all.”

“And that is quite an admirable acheivment, darling. And you should be proud of that.” Rarity also complimented as she suddnely saw magic spark up on her horn at the same time, Kion felt the same spark on his along with being able to use his wings to pick himself up off the ground along with Fluttershy. “And would you look at that, I got my magic back!”

“Me too!” Kion happily voiced just when most of the Guard managed to regroup with them.

“Kion! Bunga! Rarity! Fluttershy!” Starlight called out first voicing her relief at seeing her friends alive and unharmed. “There you are! And thank goodness, you’re all right!”

“Of course we are, darling.” Rarity voiced to assure their friends first.

“We just saw the fires and the newest magical dome Scar put up!” Kyoga added feeling equally relieved and concerned. “Thankfully he didn’t capture you all on the spot along with the land.”

"Thankfully not." Fluttershy expressed in the same tone as their friends addressing them.

"You're all right!" Pinkie exclaimed while rushing over to embrace them all in a tight hug together.

"Of course we are, darling!" Rarity squeezed out from the tight hug she had to endure.

“But we were so worried when we didn't see you guys.” Beshte added equally concerned. “Are you okay?”

“We're fine.” Kion confirmed.

“But the fire was huge. And you three clearly suffered a brutal confrontation from Scar himself.” Fuli pointed out feeling very startled inside for them along with noticing the bruises and cuts on the two ponies and half lion/alicorn. “How did you get away?”

“It's kind of a long story and it is something that we just barely managed with all things considered.” Kion answered upon seeing the fear and dread inside his cheetah friend’s eyes.

“Yeah.” Bunga agreed. “With a mole, an aardvark and a zebra in it.”

“You mean that zebra?” Fuli turned her eyes toward Thurston who had yet to leave and return to his herd.

“Ooh. I wonder what's in here?” The zebras himself proceeded to walk back into the cave. And just a few seconds later… “Help! Help! It's dark and I'm trapped!”

“Yeah…” Rarity sighed while shaking her head along with doing a face hoof to herself. “...I’m afraid so, Fuli.”

“Why am I not surprised.”

“I wish I knew how to answer that.”

Tiifu moved to follow after him once more. “It's okay. I've got this.” She assured her friends before going after Thurston. “Don't panic, zebra. Your best friend's coming to get you. There's nothing to fear down here.” She called out to him, all while the others smiled at each other.

“Sounds like you all had a pretty intersting journey and story to tell from the looks of it.” Applejack noted.

“Oh, you have no idea.” Rarity replied to which had everyone all sharing a good laugh over it.

Author's Note

Here in this episode is titled above an Underground Adventure for our adventurers after a near close call with Scar himself which I've expanded his role in this episode compared to canon. That being said I've decided to make this episode concurrent with the previous episode in order to be able to make this happen. And yes, this isn't the first time I've done something similar if you recall Season 5 Episodes 10 and 11.

So anyways, the episode is pretty much straight forward with Bunga's insensitive remarks toned down after being said once in addition it still all paved way for the lioness herself to help overcome her fears of darkness and being underground with the help of a helpful guide they happened to come across. Along the way and be able to part that wisdom to of course everyone's 'favorite' :ajbemused: zebra in the show which I felt was fine as is.

Next up which is perfect timing for Halloween this upcoming week is the big pranking episode which I have different plans for sure on that one, as for what it is it's a surprise so stay tuned until then...

Oh and before I forget due to the episode itself needing a lot of work to make happen, rewritten that is, "The Cart Before the Ponies." will not be coming along in this latest batch of episodes lined to be published. If I can find a new inspiration to make it happen I'll pursue but for now expect "28 Pranks Later." up next, please and thank you.

Episode 26: 28 Pranks Later (Edited 12/25/24)

Episode 26:

28 Pranks Later

One night Luna’s moon was at it’s fullest in the Pride Lands, during that night fog settled in certain areas with the buffalo’s home and grazing grounds being one of the said areas. The kind of night that Fluttershy wouldn’t normally be out and about on, at least not on her own. Although she didn't fear the darkness as much as before and wasn't much of a scaredy cat anymore, she would rather be safe at home than braving the night by herself if she had the choice. But in this case, she was here to help out the buffalo with the big problem with a few of her animal friends for company, including Harry the Bear and Angel Bunny.

“Thank you so much, for being so willing to join us at this time of the day.” The buffalo leader thanked. “I know this is a little out of your comfort zone but we do appreciate you taking the time to come down here, Fluttershy.”

“Oh, it’s all right.” Fluttershy replied not bothered at all. “As long as I have some company with me it’s not all bad.” She turned to her animal friends who smiled and nodded encouragingly at her before turning back to Vuraga Vuraga with said reason. “Now, it is to my understanding that you all have been having quite a scare every month is that right?”

“Yes, for a whole year in counting.” Vuraga Vuraga shifted her eyes around looking for said source of nightmarish fears. “Every time whenever there is a full moon out and about we’ve had buffalo eating creatures lurking around in the shadows seeking to eat us.”

“Gosh, That sure is quite a startling thing to endure.”

“It is.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. But there really is nothing to be afraid of here...aside from Scar himself.” She briefly shuddered before collecting herself. “Anyways...the Pride Lands at night is the same as the Pride Lands during the day.”

“If only was as easy as it sounds.”

“Did you by any chance get a good look or make of what the creature was?”

“No, not really. But someway somehow it sounded familiar. Like I’ve heard it before…”

“Who?”

While this was going on a faint sound was heard. Fluttershy's ears picked it up. It sounded like the rustling of leaves, as though someone or something was not far behind. But when Fluttershy spun around to look, she saw nothing. "Hello? I-is somebody there?" She called out, trying to keep her teeth from chattering. The only answer came in the form of a gust of wind.

Fluttershy continued to try to stand her ground towards whatever is haunting them. “Um, I don’t mean to be rude, but it is considered rude to constantly haunt others one too many times. With still no words of voices, she continued looking around, before finally getting something that suddenly sped right by them without warning. “Like I said, nothing to worry about. No reason to…”

Indeed there was something nearby, two figures, both big and alive. Peering out from behind the nearby bush, the figure's pink and green eyes glowed, as it eyed its unsuspecting victims.

Again without warning they both emerged from their hiding spots, locking eyes with their unsuspecting prey. If looks could kill everyone watching them would be dead on the spot. And upon seeing those deadly eyes of their’s. Fluttershy screamed. “Run!”

Fluttershy bolted along with the buffalo herd, all desperately racing and trying to get away from the overnight predators haunting them. They ran fast and hard away from where they last saw them and thankfully the creatures were never seen again. Upon seeing they have managed to escape them had everyone breathing heavily and sighing in relief yet still with their hearts pumping and racing as if they saw death before them.

"Phew! That was a close one!" Fluttershy was the express to express said relief.

"You can say that again!" Vuruga Vuraga said in agreement. "Now that just leaves the question of who were those predators that were haunting us?"

"I wish I knew."

Said two figures in question both kept running only they were both out of everyone’s sight. And once they were sure they were alone they quickly retreated to the Pride Lands portal before anyone spotted them. Said figures emerging into the moonlight in Ponyville, happened to be both Rainbow Dash and Fuli who are both breathing heavily and both looking on very relieved and guilty with what had just happened.

“Okay. I think this goes without saying it but...that was way too close.” Fuli said first.

“No kidding!” Rainbow was quick to agree. “Had we known that Fluttershy was going to be there tonight, we wouldn’t have done it.”

“Well at least we know for sure that Fluttershy won’t be around to want to find out who’s been pranking them, that’s for sure. But we are NOT doing that again.”

“Agreed.”

“Now…let’s go back and make sure she’s okay. But going forward we are going to act like we weren’t there and nothing happened. Understand?”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.”

“Good. And we know what’s to come afterwards, right?”

“Absolutely! A day where practical jokes comes to shine and where one gets to wear the crown of honor.”

“Yep.”

The two shared a knowing, friendly, and competitive smirk with one another before returning back to the Pride Lands, to help tend to their friend in order to make sure Fluttershy didn’t suffer a heart attack back there. With a big day to look forward, there are big surprises to look forward and in ways where one doesn’t expect it to given the very nature of pranks.

The next day a meeting between the Lion and Pony Guard was held at the castle. They were all there to discuss the incident that Fluttershy had suffered in the Pride Lands. To both Fuli and Rainbow’s relief, Fluttershy didn’t suspect them in any shape or way whatsoever, so they both opted to chose their choice words very carefully to avoid slipping up the truth to them.

“So it has been brought to our attention that someone has been scaring the buffalo once every full moon.” Twilight began while walking around the table while reading through her notes before facing the others. “Apparently it has been that way every full moon for three years now.”

“In addition…” Kion added. “...Fluttershy just happened to be nearly scared to death from the latest incident.” Fluttershy herself appeared just fine, still a little shaken up by what happened but not without Beshte and Rarity by her side for comfort. “So, anybody or anypony have any idea why this is happening?”

“I guess that depends on exactly when this all started?” Applejack commented first.

“If I remember right, it was said to have started after getting spooked that one night when the elephants were stampeding across the Pride Lands that one time.” Ono recalled before eyeing both Fuli and Rainbow Dash. “You two wouldn’t happen to recall what happened that day, do you?”

“Huh?”

“What?”

The two returned acting confused before properly replying to that question.

“I mean we were there when they ran off.” Fuli then began. “But we didn’t do anything like posing as buffalo hunting predators to do so.”

“Yeah!” Rainbow then added. “I mean it might be just as a simple confusion and misunderstanding is what happened.”

“That is possible.” Beshte said willing to give it a benefit of the doubt.

“And considering the fact the cover of darkness can lead to a mistaken identity much like what nearly happened with the aardvarks. It can chalked up to anyone or anything else.” Rarity said while adding her input as well.”

“Absolutely true!” Pinkie leaped up and proceeded to turn off the lights while posing the shape of various ponies in the room around her to prove that point. She then smiled while turning the lights back on feeling she proved her point there.

“Uh-huh.” Ono returned not completely convinced at the same time Twilight looks aside feeling the same way.

But even with reason to doubt, Twilight still pressed forward as if it is nothing worth pursing at the moment. “Well in any case, if they do show up again, Princess Luna herself will inform us if anything pops up since she has just agreed to have her and her guards scout the Pride Lands every night before the former goes to perform her dream duties.” Fuli and Rainbow both look on feeling they made the right call while trying not to let their nerves show to give themselves away to their friends.

“Sounds like a great idea, Twilight.” Kyoga voiced her support for it. “If anybody or anypony can see through the shadows at night it’s her.”

“That’s true. No doubt about that.” Kion himself agreed before moving towards his seat. “And that should definitely put the matter behind us for now and…” But what Kion wanted to say next was cut off, for as she sat down in her chair there came an audible fart sound. No one said a word, but Bunga barely managed to keep himself from chuckling.

Starlight quickly came over, and used her magic to remove a deflated whoopie cushion. "A whoopie cushion? Really?" She returned to the obvious culprit.

Bunga couldn’t resist laughing his butt off. “Aw, come on! That’s a classic! And you got to admit! That was funny!”

Kion simply tossed aside the whoopie cushion with his magic after briefly holding it for a bit. “Maybe if it wasn’t frequently overused.”

Hearing that statement left the honey badger baffled into shock. “What?!”

Kion quickly explained to clarify what he meant by what he just said. “I mean there’s nothing wrong with a whoopie cushion every now and then. But point being the joke itself whether it’s from that or somewhere else has pretty much run it’s course.”

Still Bunga crossed his arms while pouting and feeling put out by that remark. “Oh, okay.”

Rarity then moved to try to console and advice her friend upon seeing this. “Now Bunga, I’m sure you are more than capable of pulling off a funny joke every now and then. I just think you need to put forward a little more effort in your practical jokes to make them work. You know what I mean.”

“Aside from something trying to pull off something stinky and somewhat lazy.” Applejack added.

“Lazy?!” Bunga returned feeling even more offended. “Okay. Fine.” He accepted it without anymore fuss for now. “I suppose I can do that. No doubt about that.” With that he took his leave from the room leaving Pinkie, Rainbow, and Fuli to go after him.

“We’re going to make sure he’s okay. And you know, not doing anything he’ll regret.” Fuli said on behalf the group before taking her leave as well.

“Okay.” Kion accepted it. “Let him know I’m sorry I upset him.”

“Will do.”

After that Kion could only sigh. “That could have gone better.” All while hoping he doesn’t take it personally.

At Ponyville, the clock on the tall tower strikes noon. When that happened it attracted the nearby ears that drew attention as they knew what it means. Specifically, Rainbow Dash, Bunga, Fuli, and Pinkie Pie who all made their way to the Castle of Friendship as fast as their paws, hooves, and wings could carry them. And once they all gathered inside, they all moved to have their conversation to the castle throne room.

Upon getting settled in, they all took their seats with Rainbow Dash the first to speak what’s on their mind. “Fellow ponies and Pride Landers, our Day of Pranks is upon us.” As she spoke she briefly put on a highly decorated crown that looks similar to Twilight’s. “And as last year’s victor I must allow you all to challenge me for the crown.”

“You mean me?!” Fuli challenged before swiping the crown off of her head and briefly placed on her head. “Seems to me you already forgot who really won the crown last year back when you decided to have our final match on Nightmare Night. Again.”

“Only because you had help from Princess Luna.” Rainbow retorted with crossed arms before trying to swipe the crown back. “And that was three years ago. Not only that and it was just between the two us when I was trying to get back at you when you started to get the hang and skill for pranks.”

“Hey!” Fuli quickly evaded Rainbow’s attempts before pulling out a large rule book that conveniently and opened it up to a specific page. “According the rules, the Princess amendment, pranksters can call upon aid from other princesses along with other royalty in Equestria and the Pride Lands because they have the power and magic to do anything. And besides, even still I was last year’s victor courtesy of catching you off guard when that day just so happened to be Pie Day that Princess Celestia herself was hosting. Not to mention the princess amendment allows me to get in touch with her through other means.”

She then thought about how she managed to trick Spike into sending multiple scrolls to the sun princess herself in order to distract her for when the pie cart set up for said prank strolled right by the throne room when the doors were left open.

Rainbow growled in response before reluctantly backing down. “We’ll see about that this time. For you will find your reward does not come easily. This I tell you as if getting everyone in the Crystal Empire to believe in ghosts is something to go on about two years ago.”

He recalls managing to spook everypony there including Shining Armor and Cadance into thinking that with nothing more than invisible ink combined with wailing and moaning sounds to accompany them. All while everyone at one point screams "GHOSTS!" expect for one pony who said "Toast.". On top of that a handful of Pride Landers who happened to be visiting that day found themselves nearly trampled and run off over everyone panicking and screaming due to the ghostly situation including Simba, Nala, Kiara, Badili, Rafiki, Discord, along with Timon and Pumbaa,

“Speaking of Pie Day…” Pinkie spoke up while placing the crown on her head. “...I believe that crown is ours, since I helped Fuli that day so…the crown’s mine for now.”

Fuli sighed before letting her have it. “Okay, I suppose that’s fair.”

Bunga happily sighed before pounding his fists together ready for a rematch. “It seemed like only yesterday when we made that.”

“Bunga, it was actually three years ago.” Fuli reminded.

“I know. And I can’t wait to get started on this competition so I can finally have a turn at wearing that crown this year. I mean we saw Fuli, Pinkie Pie, and you Rainbow Dash all win it, whether it’s karmic lighting bolts on Nightmare Night, or lured into a Pie Assault, or left knocked off of our feet before finding ourselves spinning into a nearby pool.”

“Bunga…” Fuli spoke up once more. “You did win. Remember, when you and Rainbow worked together in unleashing that Stink Bomb of yours all over Ponyville three years ago when we expanded this competition between the four of us so that they would get a fair chance at what we all started together.”

“Oh, yeah!” Bunga remembered along with the recent time he did it. “I can’t believe I all ready forgot about that.”

“Even the time you did on the Flim Flam Brothers?”

“Hey! They had it coming! And who am I to dwell on the past?”

“That’s true. Hakuna Matata!” Pinkie cheerfully said before focusing on the rule book created before flipping it to the first page. “Enough said, the rules are simple. If ye is pranked, than ye is out, and the last pony or Pride Lander to go unpranked becomes Lord High King or Queen and wins the crown.”

Just then the crown is magically levitated on over towards the Princess of Friendship herself with the Prince of Friendship for company.

“You mean my crown?” Twilight said rather annoyed. “And you’re all really having this meeting, here, in my castle?!”

“Hey!” Bunga defended. “We plan this every year and per tradition it usually starts at high noon. And what better way to commence a royal pranking competition than by doing it in a castle?”

“Oh, sorry for interrupting something you all could have had somewhere else along with taking back my crown to which for the record apparently misplaced with the one you actually made?!” Twilight presented the other identical crown right in front of them.

“Oops.” Bunga laughed when given said crown. “Must have mixed up the crowns when I sneezed earlier.” Turning back to the annoyed alicorn. “But in all fairness, your crown does look a lot shinier and more fitting for a champion, wouldn’t you agree, Twilight?”

“Bunga…” Kion spoke up with his turn to have a say in the matter. “...what she means it would be more appreciated that if you and the others didn’t turn her home or our home…?” He briefly turned to Twilight who nodded in response. “…into your playhouse whenever you want to get together for your own little competition get together.” Then another thought occurred to him. “I mean understand you, Pinkie, and Rainbow are all into pranks and doing something like this...but you Fuli?”

“Hey! They started it when they dared pouring water on me as a prank and ever since I played their game there was no backing out of it. Once you’re in the game you’re in. There’s no way out.” Fuli defended. “And you know…” She then brought up. “...we can make this something where you both can join in on the fun. That it wouldn’t seem out of place that of us coming over here for these annual get together’s.”

“Yeah!” Pinkie also brought up. “Why don’t you both join us and partake in Ye Day of Pranks!”

“You, You, and each of us, one on one on one on one on one one, six ways, in an epic prank battle.”

“If you either or both of you can handle it.” Rainbow added with crossed arms as if she is daring them to give it a go.

Both Twilight and Kion looked at each other before facing the others who are both giving them tempting looks and smirks. In return they gave looks to show they will entertain them this time around.

“Very well.”

“You’re on.”

“Great!” Pinkie cheered with party streamers, balloons, and confetti launched into the air to commemorate this moment.

Rainbow proceeded to hand the two the rule book. “Here’s everything you need to know about how our prank war goes. All of the rules, amendments, regulations, clauses, and all of that good stuff that bookworms like you love.”

“Don’t you know it.”

“Pranks commence in two hours, and once the clock strikes two, expect pranks to come your way.”

“If you can win great! If not well your loss!” Bunga added with a shrug.

“We’ll expect that.”

“Then you better think fast and on your hooves and paws because you never what will come your way.” Fuli added.

“Wouldn’t expect anything less from any of you.”

The six all locked eyes with one another all ready to bring it when the time comes.

After their little meeting, the four visitors exited the castle now, leaving both Twilight and Kion alone with their thoughts and how they are tackling this prank battle themselves.

“So...we actually just said yes to this?” Kion asked first.

“Yep.” Twilight nodded. “We did.”

“Even after what happened the last time you were involved in a prank.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Then why are you…”

Twilight moved to explain why. “Because it’s pretty clear they aren’t taking no for an answer. And if we did, they’ll never let us forget it. Well, Rainbow and Bunga will make sure of that.” She then clarified.

“True.” Kion nodded accepting that reason.

“And this could be an opportunity to prove them a point. That we whether it’s just you or me can have just as much fun with them along with being just as good as pulling pranks at them.”

“Okay.” Kion nodded but still felt unsure of how and where she is going with this. “But that doesn’t explain how are we going to outprank the pranksters. I mean compared to a few jokes here and there, they have had years of experience of pulling jokes on everyone around them.”

“True. But…” Twilight then pointed out. “...you can master the game itself, if you know how to play it. And if you know how your opponents are going to react, then you can use that to your advantage so they play right into your paws and hoofs.”

“Right, of course…” Kion acknowledged before pointing out. “...you sure you’re okay? Do I need to call the other princesses for another therapy session?”

“That wouldn’t be necessary.” Twilight assured with a chuckle. “...and do you know why? Because I have a plan.”

“Like what?” Kion nervously asked when Twilight adopted a devious grin.

“You’ll find out…” Twilight simply said still smiling.

Shortly after the meeting at Twilight's castle was adjourned, Rarity returned to Carousel Boutique with Ono for company. Sweetie Belle was already there, waiting for her. And Rarity led her little sister up to her workshop, as she said. "I know you're excited about the Filly Guide Cookie Drive, but I still have to do a few finishing touches on your uniform."

"Okay." Sweetie Belle replied, before she and Rarity both laid eyes on Sweetie Belle's Filly Guide uniform, which rested atop a massive cake.

Rarity growled a little, but Sweetie simply opted to munch of some the cake. "Hmm. Not bad," She commented. "But where did it come from?"

"Good question, Sweetie Belle, Where did it come from indeed." Rarity responded, and then eyed a small note that rested near the cake. "What's this? 'To Rarity and Ono: You asked for it.'"

"What does it mean?" Sweetie asked Rarity.

"It means that this is Bunga's idea of a prank.” Ono answered while examining the cake itself.

“No doubt he's rigged some kind of bobby trap of some sort to your Filly Guide uniform up there the second I try to use my magic to trigger it." Rarity also deduced.

"So then, how do we get it down?" Sweetie inquired.

"We don't.” Rarity replied. “If Bunga actually thinks I'm going to fall for something so obvious, he's got another thing coming. There's more uniforms where that one came from! After all, I am always prepared for these kinds of emergencies!" Trotting over to her sewing machine, she got to work on trying to make a new uniform for her little sister. However, when Rarity went to her sewing machine and prepared to turn it on, it collapsed with a splat! "Huh?! What the-?!"

Sweetie Belle rushed over, quickly discovering that the sewing machine had been replaced with a well made cake replica. And like with the actual cake, the filly couldn't resist taking a bite. "Hmm. The sewing machine cake is actually better than the cake cake." She commented.

Rarity then angrily growled. "Bunga!"

“You called?” Said honey badger appeared from behind before eyeing the cakes in front of the two unicorns. “Wow!” He couldn’t resist laughing. “Man! Somebody got you good, Rarity! You too, Ono”

"Very funny, Bunga," Ono remarked with a groan. "I guess we should have saw that coming.”

“No question about that!” Bunga commented with another laugh before munching on the giant cake itself all while climbing up it so he can retrieve the uniform. “Anyways, got’s to go.” He then said before taking his leave all while Rarity can only frown at him in his direction.

At the same time, Bunga had tipped the cake over so that it would fall on top of Ono who can only squak before it toppled all over him.

That night, at Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom was surprised to find her sister's bedroom completely covered with pans and bells, which clanged and jingled when moved. Curious and a bit worried, Apple Bloom asked her big sister. "What's all this, Applejack? I thought you were gonna help me get ready for the Filly Guide Cookie Drive."

"Uh, yeah, really sorry about that," Applejack apologized to Apple Bloom. "But the thing is, Bunga’s been on a prankin' spree lately and with him you can never be too careful."

"Do you really think Bunga is gonna try and prank you in your sleep?" Apple Bloom asked with concern. "I know Bunga can be kind of crazy like Pinkie Pie, but he’s not that crazy."

"I would like to hope that Bunga won’t be crazy to try anything on me tonight. But just in case he tries somethin', I'm gonna plan to be ready for him!" Applejack firmly vowed before clicking off the lamp and yawned a bit before she said to Apple Bloom. "See ya in the mornin', sugarcube."

Applejack fell asleep at once, certain she'd outfoxed Bunga and kept him at bay. But as she woke up the next morning, the first thing the farmpony heard, was the sound of a pig oinking along with a friend’s voice.

“Applejack? What’s going on?”

"Huh?!" Applejack exclaimed, as her eyes shot open! Sure enough, a pig was sleeping next to her in her bed with Beshte watching on looking equally confused. Just then, the rooster crowed. "Whoa!" Applejack exclaimed in shock before she stumbled out of bed, only to land with a splat in a thick puddle of mud in the middle of the pigpen. Only then did she hear the sound of pans clanking.

Bunga having happened to be nearby again, laughed at what he saw. “Wow! Somebody got you too! Wow! Whoever this guy is, he is good!”

"Bunga!" Applejack growled and shouted, as she slowly picked herself up. “How the hay did you do this?!”

“What?” Bunga looked on confused once more. “You think I did this? I mean come on, I may be crazy, but I’m not that crazy. Get your head out of the gutter.” He then moved to head on out but not without one more thing to say. “Oh, Beshte. You might want to watch your back because I thought I saw something back there.”

“Huh? What? Whoa!” Beshte turned and tried to see what he is talking about only to be suddenly nudged and pushed into the mud by one of the pigs who took amusement and pleasure in doing so. After Bunga had left, he turned to the farm pony next to her wondering. “What just happened?”

“Beats me.” Was all Applejack could say with a defeated sigh.

Later that same day, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were both out and about going their separate ways scouting Ponyville. Both were on the alert as they heard that pranks were already pulled on Applejack, Rarity, Beshte, and Ono so far. And already both were starting to get concerned because ever since their little meeting at the castle, they haven’t seen nor heard a mention of Twilight nor Kion.

“This is so strange!” Rainbow thought to herself as she kept her eyes open all around her in flight. “It’s been twelve hours since this game started and neither she or Kion or Bunga have tried to take me out yet.”

“I know!” Pinkie’s mind magically thought herself at the same time despite being on the opposite side of Ponyville. “Do any of them know what kind of game we’re playing here? What’s the big prank that we should be expecting?!”

Just then, it happened that both of them came to a place were they went…

BUMP!

“OW! The two exclaimed while rubbing their heads in pains.

During their accidental stumble from the pain, they ended up tumbling into separate carts containing pies. And upon stumbling out of the pie carts, both had differing reactions.

“Ugh! Really?!” Rainbow groaned before emerging from her cart still convered with pie filling.

“Mmm! Tasty!” Pinkie happily exclaimed before licking herself clean and gulping every bit of pie filling around her inlcuding the filling on Rainbow’s coat.

“Happy?!”

“Yep.”

“Even after realizing we just got pranked? Which also means we’re out!”

“Yeah.” Pinkie still happily replied while shrugging the loss like it’s no big deal. “Though you have to admit whoever did it, got us pretty good.”

Rainbow could only now feel upset that she got eliminated from this prank war like this. “But...How...How did this happen?!”

As if to answer her, Bunga came whistling by while wheeling a cart of baking goods as if it was an ordinary day for him. “Hey, girls!” He happily greeted all while carrying on and into the Sugarcube Corner.

At that moment, Rainbow’s mind and gears grinded before deciding to pay their friend a visit. At the same time, the gears in the pink pony’s gears are still ticking like it doesn’t seem to be clicking for some reason. As if her Pinkie Sense isn’t sensing that is it.

By then, he had already decorated a box of cupcakes before preparing to take that box along for his next outing. For the next customer, no doubt. “Was this your idea for a prank, Bunga?! Huh?!”

“I wish it was.” Bunga replied before nearly tripping and dropping the box he was carrying. Luckily, he was able to perform a spinning move that allowed him to catch the cupcakes that had fallen out of the box. “Phew! That could have been messy. Just saved myself the trouble of extra baking.”

“It sure would have!” Pinkie happily thanked. “And to think that actually spilled all over the floor. Then that sure would have been a mess for the next pony to set foot through this door.”

Rainbow growled in response already fuming. “Are you serious just going to stand there and act all innocent with me?!”

“I’m not acting, geez!” Bunga returned still not understanding why his friend is already getting agitated with him. “Did you not get enough sleep or are you already acting like a sore loser? I told you I didn’t set up that prank you and Pinkie fell into.”

“Oh, really?” Rainbow returned still not convinced. “Then who else could have done it?” But then she gasped when she realized. “Fuli! Of course! She was running circles around us earlier in the Pride Lands before coming over here to turn that to our advantage. It makes perfect sense now! It’s just exactly how she managed to trick me last year.” Then she realized. “Oh, I really wish I can show her what’s up.”

“Too bad.” Bunga casually replied while properly wrapping up the cupcake box. “Once you’re out you’re done. Says so in the rules.” He briefly held up the book and selected page to show it. “Hopefully the wheels will turn on Fuli soon. It always does no matter long it takes.”

While acknowledging that statement, Rainbow still gave Bunga the stink eye from behind still certain that he is behind all of this.

Elsewhere, Fuli is out running around in the Pride Lands, all while checking her surroundings at every shade of cover. From every tree, to every rock, and every animal she can use to her advantage to stay hidden from whomever is trying to prank her. Given that she is trying really hard to avoid being pranked herself, it makes sense she would be quick whenever she moves around.

Then she spots the portal nearby while watching on from the nearby bushes. She then smiled and eyed it with confidence before making her move towards it. “I’m home free.”

Only… “Huh?”

...she found herself unable to move when she found herself stuck from where she stands. Thanks to rubber cement placed in that very spot, she was unable to move

“What the…?! I’m stuck! But how?!” She then spotted Bunga from a distance holding some kind of sticky substance in his possession in the form of a paint can and brush. He passed on ahead without noticing what was going on from nearby. Seeing this had Fuli look on with a growl of frustration. “Bunga!”

“Trouble, cheetah?” Bupu said from behind as he just so happened to be nearby taking pleasure at her plight.

Fuli groaned in response before swallowing whatever pride she has before speaking. “Yes.”

“Would you like me to help free you?” He asked with a smug smirk.

“Yes, please.”

Bupu moved to work his antlers in digging up the dirt that has the cheeath glued on. With a big strong pull, he was able to pull on the glue that was sticking the cheetah stuck free. Even while finding herself flying for a bit she was then able to run and walk as she pleases. But before leaving she was take a little smug pleasure herself when in doing so, Bupu ended up getting his antlers stuck in the glue himself.

“Trouble, Bupu?”

“Yes.”

“Would you like me to help free you?”

“Yes. Just don’t mention this to anyone. I won’t speak of this if you don’t.”

“Gladly.” She proceeded to to help free the antelope leader by pulling him on the legs as opposed to sticking her paws in the glue again like he did. After nearly stumbling to avoid being accidentally trampled, she was able to free the antelope leader. And both were able to walk out of the situation unharmed.

After managing to make sure she got all of the glue off of her paws by using the dirt she came along the way to scrape it off, she then followed after Bunga to see where he is going.

He went on over back to Sugarcube Corner where he prepared to do some baking inside. Said baking seemed to consist of mixing together dough, sugar, milk, and decorative toppings one would put on cookies. Said cookies happen to contain a special ingredient to which consisted of a rainbow looking color to which Bunga slipped a quart of inside of it.

“Oh, this is going to be great! So colorful!” Bunga smiled with glee. “Not only with everyone love these but it will definitely rock the taste buds and socks off of both Twilight and Kion.” He proceeded to stir up the batter before preparing to place them on the baking sheet while they appeared as normal cookies. “One bite of these and others will go, “Huh? Did I just a taste of magic?”, No, you just got pranked!” Bunga laughed before placing them in the oven before proceeding to continue making the next batch for the many boxes of cookies that are set to be baked and delivered as part of the annual Filly Guide Cookie Drive.

At the same time, Fuli looked on with a silent glare before moving away from the bakery after already seeing what she needed to see.

The next morning, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, along with their big sisters, were getting ready for the annual Filly Guide Cookie Drive. They'd already picked up the boxes of cookies the day before, and thanks to already planning out their sales strategy the week before, they knew which Ponyville residents wanted what cookies and how much of those cookies they'd order. The weather itself was perfect for this time of year. And with no word of any pranks in the air, it seemed like today was going to be a peaceful and quiet, uneventful day.

By then, Bunga had arrived along with Pinkie Pie with the multiple boxes of cookies baked, prepared, and gift wrapped as requested.

“All right, kids!” Bunga happily greeted the fillies in uniform. “Who’s ready to sell some cookies!”

“Me!” The Crusaders all happily replied ready to get started themselves.

Though Applejack was quick to have a stern word with the equally eager honey badger. “Look here, Bunga. I know you promised Scootaloo you'd help out, but I don't want none of your pranks ruinin' these fillies' night.”

“Especially when said night is very important to them.” Fuli also sternly added while standing by Scootaloo’s side in a protective manner, complete with an eye am watching you gesture.

“What?!” Bunga laughed the very thought off with a simple paw wave. “Who me?! Come on! You know I would never go that far for a prank.” He then added. “Look if it makes you feel any better, I’ll be with you all the whole day and night so you can keep an eye on me. Sound fair.”

“Fair enough.” Ono simply shrugged seeing that Bunga is being honest enough for their liking. “Though I do have to ask…” He then brought up. “...where is Pinkie Pie? Shouldn’t she be with us by now?”

Bunga sighed before answering the question. “Unfortunately Pinkie couldn’t join us today. She got sick overnight. So that said she won't be ordering any cookies. And to make sure it isn’t a joke, Kion himself is actually over at Sugarcube Corner checking up on her right now."

“What?! Why?!”

"Is she okay?!”

“Is it serious?!" Applejack, Beshte, and Rainbow all asked with concern.

"Or contagious?" Rarity added while cringing. "Because if it is, I certainly don't want to be anywhere near it."

“Me neither.” Ono stated while also cringing before asking. “How bad is it?”

“For what I last saw of her, it’s nothing life threatening but it is something that’ll keep her in bed for the whole day. And like I said keep her from ordering any cookies this year. So if there are others who are hoping to get the cookies Pinkie usually orders, it’s a window of opportunity to get them while they still can.”

“No question about that.” Apple Bloom commented in agreement while crossing Pinkie's name off the chart.

"Not only that we actually have some left overs because of it." Sweetie Belle added, and then she confessed. "Good thing I went ahead and ordered extra boxes. It just seems we barely get just enough to satisfy ever order every year."

“Well not to worry. For I made plenty of boxes big enough for the job.” Bunga assured everyone before displaying a great willingness to get down to business. “So, shall we get started?”

The Crusaders were all quick to agree with him.

“Yes! Let’s!”

“We've got a lot of ground to cover!”

“We wanna hit every house in Ponyville!”

“Well…” Bunga ushered for their protective older sibling figures to get moving. “Come on! You heard her! Every house in Ponyville!”

While everyone else is still puzzled and sure the honey badger is up to more tricks up his paws they none of the less followed after them with the high hopes of setting through a promising day of cookie sales and deliveries.

Throughout the day, the guardians all watched after the fillies as they went to the many doors and homes of ponies who ordered Filly Scout Cookies where many ponies managed to at least purchase one box of them Though Spike himself got six much to her adoptive mother’s slight charging. But still had plenty of bits to spare regardless. In addition and among the sales are the Cakes themselves got six for themselves with the promise to be able to share with Pinkie once she is feeling better, Big Mac got ten big enough to feed the entire family, Cheerlie got three boxes herself, Cranky and Matilda each got a box for themselves and to share together.

By the end of the day, the fillies managed to sell almost every box with the sole exception for the ones the chaperons themselves have requested to be set aside so they can purchase themselves with a huge bag of bits to show for their hard work.

“I think you three should be real proud. Y'all did a mighty impressive job for your first go-'round.” Applejack first complimented while affectionately patting his little sister on the head.

Rarity herself couldn’t have said it any better. “You took the words right out of my mouth, Applejack. Isn't that right, Bunga?” To her surprise, Bunga was still looking on feeling worried instead of feeling excited with full praise for the kids on the successful fundraiser event.

“Bunga?” Fuli called out once more trying to get his attention. “BUNGA!” Even that didn’t get him to budge.

“You okay, Little B?” Beshte asked gently.

“Yeah…” Bunga returned still not looking back.

“...expect…” Ono asked expecting a little more out of it.

“...Expect...I’m worried about Pinkie Pie. I’m wondering how she has been doing.”

“Hopefully she should be fine and well enough to live a long healthy life by tomorrow.” Ono tried to assure which still didn’t do much wonders in improving his mood.

Fuli then moved to say the right words to get him to budge in an upbeat manner. “But...since we’re just about wrapping up here, we can all go over to Sugarcube Corner and check up on her.”

“Good idea!” Beshte was the first to support it. “And maybe we can talk it over cookies and milk.”

“Sounds good to me.” Applejack also liked the idea. “Surely she has gotten over it by now if both Kion and Twilight are there looking after her.”

“Yeah!” Rarity also piped up in agreement. “And who knows maybe she was just in a brief cookie coma.” Upon seeing Bunga she added. “Oh, come on. It’ll be fine. I mean it’s not like you had anything to do with this, would you Bunga?”

“Of course.” Bunga quickly answered and assured before making their way on over to the bakery. “You're right. Let’s go check.”

"In the meantime girls…” Rarity then said to the equally concerned fillies. “... just sit tight with Fuli and Beshte, okay. Hopefully we'll be in and out before you can say a zombie apocalypse is on the rise.”

“Okay.”

“We’ll try.”

“No promises.”

All three fillies replied and responded honestly.

With that Rarity, Applejack, and Ono all moved to head on over to Sugarcube Corner. Twilight, Kion, Fluttershy, Starlight, and Spike were already there. There they were immediately greeted by Mrs. Cake.

“How is she?” Rarity asked first.

“Not so good, I’m afraid.” Mrs. Cake regretfully informed. “She’s still been sick in bed since this morning. I’m really started to get worried now.” She also expressed with great concern for the girl.

“Anything in particular that may of caused it?” Bunga asked while hoping it isn’t something he did.

“All I can say about that is it had something to do with whatever baking was done last night because she wasn’t like this before.” Mrs. Cake answered while still unable to put a hoof on what exactly is causing it. “But what?”

Bunga shifted his eyes trying really hard not to sweat nervously, along with avoiding the suspicious looks from the others. “There is no way, this is my fault, really!” The honey badger mentally said in his head.

“Well in any case, I’ll let you all take it from here while I go take care a few things in the store. Not that I don’t care for Pinkie but that I just need a little break from non-stop constantly taking care of her since this morning.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll manage mighty fine.” Applejack assured. “Even hard working family ponies need a break every now and then. It’s all part of a healthy family dynamic I can tell you right now.”

“Okay, then.” With that Mrs. Cake moved to reluctantly leave the friends of the family be.

Upon getting a good look at the patient in the room, it was indeed a very startling sight they locked eyes onto.

Pinkie Pie was still laying in bed, but the color seemed to have faded from her coat. She was still pink, but the luster seemed to have faded to deathly grey. Her mane and tail, though still poofy, looked deflated and disfigured in spots. There were a few bags under her eyes, indicating a lack of sleep the night before. And the most concerning thing being, is a smear of rainbow coloring across her lips. And beneath her bed rested an empty box of some kind.

Pinkie coughed, speaking in a sicky and raspy tone of voice as she looked at all her friends. "Oh, hey everypony, thanks for coming on by." She spoke, pausing as another cough came on. "Sorry you have to see me like this. I really haven’t been feeling well today. And what’s really strange is that I fine up til last night, then all of a sudden I started having this churning feeling in my stomach that wouldn't go away. The only thing that made me feel better, was this box of cookies. But every time I ate them, my mouth turned all rainbow for some reason."

"Obviously." Starlight commented, as she pulled out the box with her magic while glancing at Bunga who can only defensively shrug while desperately trying really hard to assert his innocence in the matter. "And I can take it the Filly Scout Cookies were something had last night?"

Pinkie nodded while coughing some more. "I came across them when I was looking for a late night snack. These were the first things I found in the kitchen. And since I was going to help myself to one of many soon to come I decided to help myself to a few samples.”

“By few you mean a whole box, don’t you?” Starlight asked blankly.

“Yep.” Pinkie weakly giggled before groaning.

“Should we get Rafiki and have him help take a look at you for whatever your mysterious ailment is?” Kion offered.

Pinkie weakly shook her head in response. "Actually, I don't think I can even stand up..." Then without warning she grabbed Kion and shouted. "Unless you've got more cookies!"

"Pinkie!" Twilight instinctively used her magic to yank Kion away from the pink pony’s grip. “What was that?!”

Pinkie quickly realized what she just did, as she fell back upon her bed and apologized. "Sorry, Kion. I don't know what got into me. It's just... I suddenly found myself having a crazy crazing of those cookies." She coughed again. "I think something really is wrong with me."

A sense of dread and even panic suddenly filled the room with everything seeing that this is much worse than they thought.

“Right…” Bunga nervously laughed while slowly stepping away. “…and since this is starting to turn into one of those pandemics that everyone would hate and die over, I think now would be a good time for me to...RUN!” With a sudden burst of wind backing him up while wheels form on his legs he quickly bolted through the door (leaving his body imprint on it along the way).

While running on all fours in a panic, he could only think and say to himself. “This is not my fault! This is not my fault!” He stated before trying rushing over to check up on the others starting with the various town ponies in Ponyville. But what he found was just an eerie quietness that intensified.

When he found nopony was around he quickly rushed over to the wagon holding the Filly Guide cookies, where the Crusaders along with a couple of his friends are. "Beshte, Fuli, Kids. You got to help me, something’s going on and I think it has something to do with these joke cookies.” But to his shock he came across them with their backs turned along with the sound of them munching, causing him to gasp all over again. "Oh no! OH NO!" He shouted, as he rushed towards the source of the munching. And indeed it was the sound of them all munching on the cookies out of an opened box. "Beshte! Girls! What happened?!" He cried out, his eyes widening in horror upon seeing his friends. And sure enough when they turned to look him in the eye, their coat’s, mouths, and eyes all told him what had already happened.

“What happened is we got hungry and decided to help ourselves to a snack." Sweetie Belle innocently replied, even as her lips were smeared with a rainbow coloring.

"Since we had some extra, we thought, “What’s the harm?”” Apple Bloom added, her lips also covered with the rainbow smear.

Scootaloo licked her lips, the rainbow smear remaining no matter how much she moved her tongue. "It's not like there is some secret ingredient that we should be aware of that keeps us from eating these some more."

“Yeah!” Fuli chimed in with her mouth now colored rainbow. “It’s not like there is anything you can do to stopping us from wanting more...COOKIES!”

“Yeah!” Beshte agreed with his mouth also colored rainbow. “And let me tell that these COOKIES are really POA!”

“Oh, fudge!” Bunga whimpered before taking off and heading for the nearby building to climb on to avoid the cheetah already pursing her. But to his surprise, he finds that his friend is actually keeping right on his tail no matter what evasive maneuver he tried to use to his advantage. “This cat has been doing a lot of practicing with this lately!” After wearing himself off with a lengthy chase, he proceeded to maneuver himself through the nearby windows thus breaking another Bunga shaped hole inside of it to give himself sizable breathing room to escape.

After making his escape, he found that the chase is far from other as he came across and found multiple ponies have all eaten the cookies and are all behaving and acting like cookie craving zombies themselves. From Lyra and Bon-Bon, to Cheerlie and Mayor Mare, the Cakes as a whole, and even to his friends. Fluttershy along with her animal friends, along with the rest of the Apple Family (sans Applejack).

With no other option he opted to turn to his remaining friends who have all retreated to the Castle of Friendship after the Cakes had managed to prove more than they could handle. And once he had regrouped with them, they were quick to want answers from him.

“All right, partner. What did you do this time?!” Applejack sternly questioned the honey badger first.

“I swear I didn’t do anything! All I did was add some rainbow colored icing into the mix to give it a little filling!” Bunga defensively explained.

“Well then how does it explain why our little sisters are now trotting around town as cookie craving monsters?!” Rarity demanded just as a big silly blue furred monster appeared.

“Did some say cookies?”

Everyone especially Starlight looked on baffled with what they saw. “What the…?! Get out of here!” Starlight exclaimed while pointing towards the door.

“Okay.” The cookie monster took his leave without a further fuss and without question.

“Anyways…” Ono then said resuming their focus on the crisis at hoof. “...what do we do now?! And where’s Twilight?!”

“I don’t know.” Starlight replied feeling nervous herself. “Last I saw she was with Kion trying to figure out a way on how to stop this mess.”

“Then what are we waiting for?!” Bunga exclaimed before rushing on over to their rooms in order to find out said answers and fast. He then shoved the doors open before running his mouth desperately seeking their help. “Kion! Twilight! Did you find anything that’ll help us...OH NO!” He screamed upon seeing both Kion and Spike now having rainbow mouths with no trace of Twilight herself.

“Cookies…!”

“Cookies…!”

“RUN!” Bunga screamed while running at top speed like a super fast race car while bolting his body through the front door itself with the remaining members of the Guard following suit.

“We need somewhere to hide!” Bunga exclaimed to the others just when they managed to catch up to him. “Whoa! Excuse me, granny!” He apologized while narrowly evaded Granny Smith who happened to appear along the path.

Fortunately, Applejack seemed to know where they can retreat to. “This way!”

Said place is none other than Sweet Apple Acres, where they all barricaded themselves inside for good measure.

“Did we lose them?” Bunga asked hopeful that’s the case.

“I hope so, for your sake.” Starlight expressed while panting herself. “Just what exactly did you put in those cookies that’s gotten everyone acting so out of sorts and feeling dead inside?!”

“I really don’t know, okay!” Bunga again asserted in a panic. Just then some of the ponies started breaking the windows and doors open in an effort to reach those who haven’t become rainbow mouth colored zombies yet. “Yikes!” With the others help they managed to quickly barricade the windows and doors before any of them can get in. After that near close call he then added frantically. “I swear I didn’t do anything to allow things to go this far! Honest!” Upon seeing the confused looks and frowns, he added. “Look we can talk about how and why this happened more later. Right now we just need to stay safely locked in here until this whole thing blows over. Sound good?”

“That's lovely, darling…” Rarity agreed. “...except for one thing...” She turned her head back towards her friend revealing her face to him that is all too sudden and alike with the others. “We've already eaten theeeeeeeeeemmmmm…”

Sure enough, Applejack, Ono, along with Starlight have all fallen victim to the cookies themselves.

“Looks like your prank up and backfiiiirrrrreeeeed…”

“Unquestionably so given our inexplicably great desire for COOKIES…”

Instantly, the barricades all fell apart allowing everypony to barge inside and corner the frightened honey badger with only an empty cookie box to use as a shield. “No, no! Stay away! They're making you sick! You don't want these!”

“But we dooooooo…” Starlight then said speaking like a zombie himself. “We want cookiiiiiiiieeeeeeees...!”

“No! Please! Stop!” Bunga screamed, pleaded, and begged. “Okay, yes. I intended this to be a prank but I never planned for things to go this far. For someone who got an earful for pranking Fluttershy, I would never even dream of doing something like this. Really! It was supposed to be a harmless prank! It was supposed to be funny! But this isn't funny at all!”

“Exactly!” Pinkie's voice happily stated before she and everyone else stopped what they were doing before smirking at the now confused honey badger.

"Wait? What? What's happening?!"

"Just delighting in pranking the prankster." Rarity replied while combing her mane back into place.

Applejack chuckled as she added. "Yeah. How does it feel to get some of your own medicine?"

"So... you're... not sick? None of you are?" Bunga then said still in shock.

"Of course not, silly!" Pinkie happily returned acting like Bunga is a silly filly himself.

"Gotcha!" Everyone all stated together.

"This... was all... a prank?!" Bunga asked once the shock had completely worn off.

"Yep!" Fuli nodded. "And you can thank Pinkie Pie. After you told her about your plan to prank the whole town, she got everyone and everypony together and came up with a way to turn the tables on you."

Said pony simply shrugged in response like she is having humble pie. "Aw, shucks, it was nothing! Just a little something I threw together."

"Wow! You should see your face!" Scootaloo then laughed.

"Yeah!" Shakku agreed. "If only you saw that coming!"

"But..." Bunga stammered. "...I didn't. I truly didn't."

Apple Bloom herself also laughed. "Talk about funny!"

Bunga still felt the need to speak to say otherwise. "Well, I don't think it's very funny! And I'm the one that got pranked! I was really scared! I thought I made everyone and everypony sick! You can't just go around—"

"...pranking whoever you feel like?" Fuli then said next while in the midst of her friend's stammering.

"Without thinking about how it might make them feel?" Fluttershy added.

"Or if they'd even enjoy it?" Kion also added.

"Or think it's funny?" Ono also said next.

"But I didn't!" Bunga assertively protested raising his hands up in surrender while holding up a glass jar of rainbow colored icing to prove it. “All I did was fill the cookies up with this icing. I said it before and I’ll say it again, I didn’t do anything else to them!”

“Oh, really?!” Ono raised an eyebrow in response. “Well then, who actually put in the secret ingredient that had us acting like this?”

“Good question, Ono.” Twilight’s voice answered before appearing from above while smirking which led to everyone's smiles fading upon hearing her along with her sudden appearance. “A very good question, indeed. And to answer your question it’s just a little something that only a little magic could accomplish.”

“Little magic? What do you mean by that…” Then he realized upon realizing what had really happened. "Wait a minute. This is all your doing, you're the only who tipped Pinkie off and convinced them and everyone here to act like zombies?!”

“Not just that. And I didn't tip anyone off. You did that yourself and Pinkie took care of the rest from there.” Everyone tilted their heads in confusion. “But I did pretty much everything else that has happened since this little competition started.”

“Including with what happened with the buffalo and with Fluttershy?!” Rainbow exclaimed equally shocked as Bunga before clasping her hooves to her face when she realized what she just blurted.

“No! But do know now what was really going on back then and there.” Rainbow could only groan while finding herself glared at by Fuli for her mistake. “Anyways, Bunga…” She then continued turning back to him while floating around him. “...you have been wondering why a lot of eyes were targeting you all day and night. And little did you know along with everyone else, I was there making sure you were around at the exact and right time. Each and every prank pulled when it happened. All while none of you were the wiser to what was really going on…”

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone from the Lion and Pony Guard had their eyes bulge out in shock when they flashback to each of the pranks that they thought Bunga had pulled when really it was Twilight who did them all. All without even noticing her due her quick teleportation and swift maneuvering around while invisible.

“...and the best part about it, it all aligned perfectly from the moment you felt challenged back at our meeting in the castle to the point no one would expect other magic at works through it all.”

“So all this time you tricked us into thinking Bunga was behind all of these pranks?”

“When it was really you?”

“Along with convincing us to put forward the whole zombie prank targeted at Bunga?”

Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow all asked in disbelief when the pieces were all put together.

Twilight didn’t even deny it. “All of the above are true. And that said, that means I win our little competition. Also….GOTCHA!” She laughed and performed a victorious loop-de-loop flight maneuver before flying on ahead and out of the barn. “See ya next year!”

Everyone watching on could only look on feeling very fooled themselves with just how well they were manipulated into thinking what they just thought even Kion who was vaguely clued in on her plan had no idea of what she was actually going to do about it. To think that Bunga was behind all of these pranksters moments.

“I can’t believe this!” Rainbow was the first to exclaim as the sudden shock wore off. “Twilight of all ponies pranked all of us with a completely complicated plan!”

“I can’t believe she actually managed to do all of this!” Applejack also expressed equally baffled. “How did she even manage to get me and my bed all outside even with all of the defenses I set up in advance?”

“I wish I knew, Applejack.” Kion expressed equally unsure and at a loss for words. “That along with how she managed pull off this big doozy of events.”

“I don’t know either but she really got us this year.” Pinkie spoke up still surprised yet amazed with what she just did. “And all of this sure was a really big doozy.”

“No kidding.” Fuli returned before moving to ask the prince a question on her mind. “That said you wouldn’t have happened to know of what she was doing before it all started did you?”

“No!” Kion assertively and innocently responded. “All she did was told me she had a plan and she needed my help. But she didn’t say what she was going to do and what exactly she was planning.”

“Right.” Fuli shook her head as she figured it out from there. “So she had you doing what she wanted you to do. Checking up on us along with Pinkie to throw off any suspicion towards her.”

“I guess that’s right.” Kion said with nothing else he can say on the matter. “And come to think of it, I should have seen that coming.”

“Yep.”

“No question about that.”

“Can’t say it any better myself, darling.”

Applejack, Rainbow, and Rarity all replied bluntly unable to sugarcoat it themselves.

“Aw, come on everypony!” Pinkie tried to assure them in an upbeat manner. “Sure Twilight tricked us big time. But it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. There’s always next year, and the year after that, and the year after that. And…” She is quickly stopped when Applejack quickly plugged her mouth shut.

“Pinkie! We get the point!” Once she nodded the other earth pony removed her hooves from her mouth.

“That’s true!” Bunga also pointed out before leading everyone outside all while everyone tries to wipe off the rainbow icing from their faces. “I mean she can’t do anything worse than what she has already done, right?”

“Yeah! I mean what else can she do to us tonight. Other than leaving us with these stains on our lips.” Ono tried licked and wiping the stuff off to no avail. “And why wouldn’t they come off?!”

“I don’t know.” Fluttershy expressed trying to figure that out herself. “This is really strange icing that was put in these cookies.”

“No kidding.” Beshte commented. “Don’t suppose there was another ingredient and purpose behind this?”

All eyes were directed at Kion along with Bunga.

“What?! No!”

“Of course! Even I don’t what is really happening!”

Sure enough a bright white, round light shines on The Pony and Lion Guard where the scene pans out to show a crowd of ponies and Pride Landers not involved with the prank.

“Fillies and gentlecolts!” Mufusa’s voice spoke up. “Creatures of all ages! The Pride Lands proudly presents... live rainbow-mouthed pranksters!” He is shown shining the light on them from the heavens above. “Starring the Ponyville Zombies!”

Among the audience, Badili, Rafiki, Discord, Timon & Pumbaa, Shining Armor, Cadence, and Flurry Heart are all shown in attendance and cheering. The gang scream in fear as they realize they have set up, pranked once more, all while desperately covering their mouths in shock. Mufasa laughs teasingly. Twilight who is also waving from above with the same teasing and devious smirk whistled at them before taking a picture of them while her sister-in-law floats alongside her for a good aerial view of the scene. Simba and Nala laugh with their daughter, Kiara, and the Royal Princesses.

“Guys! Girls!” Kion screamed to the others.

The Pony and Lion Guard all asked in unison, sans Twilight. “Yeah?”

Scene cuts to the outskirts of Ponyville as Kion lets out a crying yell. “I’m sorry I didn’t stop it when I had the chance!”

Author's Note

Here in this episode after some thoughts of how to rewrite this and rework the canon elements managed to put together what I believe is a more fitting retelling of this episode. For this episode I have also decided to combine some elements from a couple pranking episodes from previous shows to make it a pranking competition. Four now six competitors, one champion.

I will have to admit that I've had some fun with this one, being one for a good pranking episode, and if any of you do this can be the beginning of more pranking episodes to come in the show's future.

Next up back on the more serious matter is a trip to the Crystal Empire where this time around there are mysterious intruders siding with the enemy lurking around so be on the lookout for that next week. Oh and Happy Halloween!

Note: * As of 12/25/2024, the part of the endgame prank I edited out the hypnosis bit and rewritten it as a whole gambit to convince the townsfolk into coming up with the cookie zombie prank themselves in light of negative criticism when initially published and written.

Episode 27: The Times They Be Lion Around

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…

Episode 28: Beshte and the Beast

Episode 28:

Beshte and the Beast

On another bright and hot sunny day, the zebras were making their way towards the watering hole for a drink. But just when they arrived, they were suddenly greeted by both Pinkie and Bunga appearing right in front of them waving their hooves and paws up to signal to them they can not approach the area.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold it zebra- deebras!” Bunga called out to the halted group with Pinkie giggling at what he just said specifically the last bit. “It's the giraffes' turn to use the watering hole!”

Thurston being Thurston expressed indignation at what they are being told. “This is an outrage! We just want a drink of water!”

“And believe us, we totally understand that! But the giraffes here have their scheduled reservation right about now.” She pulled out a clipboard consisting of the schedule of who is scheduled to have rights to the watering hole today. “See! And you all are just a teensy bit early which means you just need to wait your turn for a little while.”

“Indeed.” Ono chimed in while flying over to them. “Sharing water is part of the Circle of Life.”

“But giraffes are so slow!” Thurston complained. “With those long necks it takes them forever to swallow.”

“Thurston!” Rarity moved over to scold the zebra herself. “While we understand your frustration that is no excuse to be rude. Now go over and wait before you say something you’ll regret.” She then ordered of them to which they begrudgingly do so without another word. With her head up high she trotted back towards the others “And here I thought there wouldn’t be a single Manehattan pony that would have better manners than a group of animals over a little drink of water.”

“You’re telling me.” Starlight voiced and shared their frustration. “Makes one wonder if the same could be said about me if I were in their hoofs.”

“Tell me about it.” Fuli sighed while sharing the unicorn’s frustration with the zebra’s attitude. “Everyone gets on edge when the water's running low.”

“It'll be okay, as long as we can keep them from fighting over it.” Kion assured.

“At least long enough for the Princesses to secure more water to share for them.” Twilight added while remaining positive about the whole situation herself to the best of her ability.

“Well, it's been pretty peaceful so far.” Beshte commented feeling good about today himself…

...that is until suddenly they heard roaring coming from the nearby trees. Said roaring came from a massive gorilla smashing and ripping up the nearby trees in his path to the watering hole.

“What is that?” Fuli asked while clearly surprised by his sudden dramatic entrance.

“That’s a gorilla.” Fluttershy commented which earned her a look from the cheetah for pointing out the obvious. “One that seems really fierce right now.”

“That’s right! Me Shujaa!” The gorilla himself confirmed.

“Think he's trying to cut the line?” Bunga asked the others albeit quietly and nervously.

With a mighty roar he pounded his fists into the ground which cracked the dirt a little and shook up the nearby animals.

“I don’t think so!” Starlight stated otherwise while quickly using her magic to get the ground around them to stop cracking.

“Panic and run! Panic and run!” Thurston screamed before taking off with the rest of his herd along with all of the giraffes following suit.

Seeing this sparked the Lion and Pony Guard into action.

“Beshte! Applejack! Ono! Rainbow Dash! Kyoga! Get the herds somewhere safe!” Kion ordered.

“You got it, Kion!”

“Can do, partner!”

“Affirmative!”

“On the double!”

“We got this!”

With that Twilight decided what the remaining others go to do. “We've gotta stop that gorilla.”

“You sure about that, darling?” Rarity asked with concern and worried her friend might be taking her chances with what they are dealing with. “He’s really huge and gigantic!”

“Of course.” Twilight nodded feeling sure it is something she can handle. “If I can take on a giant crocodile than a giant gorilla should be no different.”

“Okay. If you say so.”

“Thought you'd never ask.” Bunga replied eager to take on that challenge.

“Shujaa ponda!” The gorilla roared while throwing and kicking rocks so hard they cracked upon impact.

“Shujaa! Enough!” Twilight commanded while facing one of the incoming rocks head on by using her magic to crack it in half herself with Starlight quick to leap forward to use her magic to halt the last one from striking her face herself.

“Stop tearing up the Pride Lands!” Kion also commanded.

“Yeah! Or you'll have to deal with the Lion Guard!” Bunga fiercely added.

“And the Pony Guard!” Pinkie also added equally fierce.

“Lion and Pony Guard?” The gorilla then happily obeyed their leaders commands by sitting down. “Okay.”

“Okay.” Starlight replied finding it surprising herself. “That was almost too easy.”

But it still seemed that both Bunga and Pinkie still didn’t get the memo registered in their heads yet.

“You asked for it! Zuka Zama!”

“Germando!”

Both the honey badger and gorilla moved to climb up onto the gorilla to punch his back.

But Shujaa however managed to treat it as a soothing back massage. “Mmm. Back rub good. Higher?”

Bunga was left confused before complying. “Yeah, okay! Take this! And this!”

“Mmm. And pink pony, make sure to get the shoulder blades too.”

“Sure thing! Whatever makes this as painless as possible.”

“Oh, yeah! That’s right! You got it right there!”

Twilight can only shake her head along with Kion and the others with their friends antics.

“Bunga, Pinkie you both can stop.”

“Shujaa seems... friendly.”

“Really? He does? Okay!”

“Then my work here is done.”

Both the honey badger and pink earth pony moved to stand down as requested by leaping off of the gorilla.

With that part out of the way, Fuli then asked. “So, you're not here to make trouble?”

“And you’re not here to try to attack us?” Starlight also asked.

“No!” Shujaa confirmed with a soft chuckle before moving towards the watering hole to scoop up a handful. “Shujaa help Lion and Pony Guard. Shujaa save water from long-necks and stripes.”

“"Save?" Rarity chuckled at the misunderstanding. “Shujaa, darling, you misunderstood the situation. What was really happening before you showed up was just the giraffes and zebras trying to help themselves to water due to the intense heat the dry season brings to everyone here.” She moved to gesture a hoof towards the hot sun from above.

“Yeah! But don’t look up!” Pinkie quickly donned a pair of bright blue sunglasses before placing a pair of dark blue sunglasses on Shujaa’s eyes. “Because the sun is really, really, bright at this time of the day. And I mean really, really, really bright!”

“Pinkie, I think he gets the idea.” Twilight kindly tried to insist even when she gets everyone else to wear sunglasses that match their respective eye color. “But these are very nice shades.”

“Thanks! Rarity helped designed them!”

“True, darling. True.” Rarity proudly piped up.

“Not bad, Pinkie. Actually really my color.” Starlight also complimented.

Just then the others called out to them as they regrouped with them.

“Kion! Twilight!” Ono called out first before moving to perch on Shujaa’s shoulder. “The zebras and giraffes are safe and…” He suddenly gasped and realized what he is really perched on before flying on over to Beshte’s back instead in fright. “Hapana! Sorry! My mistake!”

Applejack also gasped. “A gorilla!”

“Requesting permission to send it up twirling his way out of the Pride Lands?” Rainbow then asked while flapping her wings extra hard ready to give her Sonic Rainboom speed to go with it.

“Permission denied.” Twilight firmly stated while shaking her head. “This gorilla is in fact friendly actually.”

“So that said, that won’t be necessary.” Kion added much to the Pegasus’s disappointment as evident by her crossed arms.

“Okay.” Deep down she is thinking. “But I really wanted to use it on someone?” She thought in a pout.

“Well considering that the Outsiders have been constantly lurking around you’ll get that chance soon enough.” Starlight assured for her sake as if she could read the Pegasus's mind right now.

“Anyways…” Beshte then continued. “...We haven't met, have we?”

“I don’t think so.” Kyoga replied while she tries to remember ever meeting her beforehand. “Unless you count that one time when I was passing by.”

“By passing by you mean when you asked me to give you a lift over the mountains, Shujaa remembers that.”

“A lift over!” Pinkie had to resist the urge to laugh before giving in much to Kyoga’s dismay. “Oh, that’s good!”

“Also…” Shujaa continued. “...Shujaa new. Sent by King Sokwe!” He pointed in the direction of the mountains up ahead.

“The gorilla king of the Theluji Mountains?” Ono noted and asked.

“Yep.” Shujaa nodded before moving to match the king’s serious expression. “He hear bad Outlanders hurt Pride Lands. He say, "Shujaa, go help Lion Guard! Do what Shujaa do best!"”

“And what does Shujaa do best?” Fluttershy curiously asked much to the gorilla’s excitement who moved to smash the ground in response.

“Shujaa ponda!”

“Shujaa...what?” Starlight uttered in confusion with her foreign launguge speaking a little tongue tied at the moment.

“Shujaa ponda!”

Shujaa Ponda

Music starts at 0:08 to 1:02

He moved to break out into a song all while demonstrating his impressive strength to the Lion and Pony Guard along the way from smashing trees and rocks along the way. Most of the Guard had to dodge to avoid being hurt because of it with both Bunga and Pinkie the only ones dancing to the beat of his tune. Finally he culminated his display of strength by lifting two heavy rock slabs that had both the Lion and Pony Guard standing on top of them with ease. Kion, Beshte, Ono all looked on in surprise. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, Starlight, and Bunga all looked on very impressed. Fuli, Rarity, and Fluttershy all looked on rather nervously while trying to make sure they don’t fall. Twilight and Kyoga both managed to keep a steely composure even with what is happening around them.

After he was finished singing he placed the slabs along with the Guard all down on the ground to which both Rartiy and Fluttershy were very thankful for. Rarity gasped before fainting while Fluttershy uttered a surprised. “Oh, my.”

“That is pretty impressive.” Fuli admitted with an equally impressed smile when the shock wore off.

“No kidding!” Rainbow was quick to state that is one of the most awesome things she has ever seen. “That was so awesome!”

“Adult gorillas can pick up ten times their body weight.” Ono noted. “Common knowledge, really.”

“You don’t say.” Starlight said like it is news to her.

With that Bunga moved to make some introductions himself. “Strongest in the mountains, meet the strongest in the Pride Lands!”

“Along with the strongest in Equestria.” Pinkie added while gesturing to Applejack.

Hearing this sparked interest in the two with common ground. “You two strong, too? Show Shujaa! Both of you.”

Both Beshte and Applejack thought humbly in response.

“Aw, I don't like to show off.”

“I mean sure I’m strong but it’s nothing compared to yours.”

“It's okay, Beshte.” Kion assured there’s no shame in showing it. “Show him.”

“Yeah, you too, Applejack! Show him what you can do.” Twilight encouraged speaking from past experience. “No need to be afraid.”

“Very well.”

“Okay, I guess…” Beshte moved to demonstrate his strength first. “Twende Kiboko!” He moved to use his snout to lift up and toss a nearby rock slab to Shujaa who managed to catch it.

“Oh, Beshte very strong!” The super strong gorilla liked what he saw before turning to the orange earth pony. “And how about you Applejack what can you do. I know!” He thought of an idea. “Shujaa and Applejack play catch!” He proceeded to throw the rock back at her who had quickly prepare herself to face it head on.

“Whoa nelly!” Applejack reacted with brief worry before quickly turning around to buck at it with great force. And with one super strong kick the rock was smashed into pieces.

“Oh!” Shujaa looked on even more impressed. “Applejack is very, very strong!”

“Yep, that’s right!” Applejack nodded before cautioning the gorilla for what he nearly did. “Though you may want to consider giving me a little more warning next time, if you can. I ended up breaking my legs one time when it did happen.”

“Sure. Shujaa can do that!” He immediately said without thinking much to the farm pony’s concern. And sure enough he immediately threw another rock at the pony without warning. “Here catch!” This time Applejack wisely stepped to the side and let the rock smash into pieces on the ground.

Nervous and feeling unsafe being near the ground, Ono moved to fly up high. “I think I'll stay up here for a while.”

“Me too.” Fluttershy moved to do the same. “Just for a little while.” She politely added to assure there are no hard feelings.

“King Sokwe was right.” Kion then commented turning the conversation towards why he is here. “We can definitely use your help.”

“Maybe sooner than you think!” Onon commented while managing to take a look at what was going on ahead of him. “The hyenas, crocs, and jackals are attacking Big Springs! They're facing off against Basi!”

Hearing that sparked especially big worry from the hippo’s son. “Dad? Oh, no!”

“No!” Shujaa snorted with his protective instincts kicking in. “Dad in danger?”

“Not for long.” Twilight stated certain it’s something they can handle. “Come on, Shujaa!” She along with Kion then led everyone on over there. “Till the Pride Lands and Equestria’s end...”

“Lion and Pony Guard defend!”

Shujaa followed suit himself. “Shujaa defend, too!”

In short time, the Guard along with Shujaa managed to get to Big Springs.

“Okay, here's the plan…” Twilight began.

But before she could explain it, Shujaa ran ahead himself taking charge of the situation by going off ahead. “Shujaa have plan! Shujaa ponda!”

“Of course. We’ll do it your way.” Twilight then said sarcastically. “This should be good.”

At Big Springs, Basi and his pod have the Outlanders held to a standstill despite being outnumbered. “That's far enough! This is our territory!”

“Not for long.” Kiburi scoffed before barking a command to the others. “Get 'em!”

Suddenly the huge dark blue gorilla leaped over the hippo pod’s shoulders and right in front of them. “Me Shujaa!”

“What's a Shujaa?” Janja asked in confusion while raising an eyebrow.

“I think it's the biggest baboon I've ever seen!” Chungu remarked equally confused.

Even still Kiburi wasn’t about to let him get in the way of things. “Who cares how big he is? We got him outnumbered!”

“We sure do.” Reirei said in agreement.

“Numbers not matter! Shujaa can't count!” He proceeded to launch a boulder right at them to which the jackals and crocs were knocked aside when it landed on the ground.

“Think he needs our help?” Fuli asked both Twilight and Kion as they watch the action unfold.

“Shujaa ponda! Shujaa ponda!” The gorilla continued throwing boulders to which the jackals narrowly avoided.

“Looks like he's got it under control.”

“No question about that.” Deep down while impressed she can’t help but note that he lacks restraint in his methods of fighting.

“Shujaa...ponda!”

Even still Kiburi and his float were not backing down from this fight. “Takes more than a few flying rocks to scare a croc!”

When in the process of blindly picking up rocks, he ended up dislodging a rock at the bottom of the pile which caused a small rock slide that forced the crocs and hyenas to back off due to the massive amount of dirt nearly burying them.

“What do we do, Janja?” Chungu fearfully asked his leader.

Upon seeing his strong display, he told them the only thing they can do, especially when he pulls a dead tree to use as a bat. “We run, furbrains! We run!”

But Shujaa was already charging right towards them. “Shujaa ponda!” He proceeded to bat the hyena trio away from Big Springs and bowling right into the nearby oyrxes.

Once they landed, the hyenas were quick to continue picking up where they left off. “Now we run!”

The hyenas along with the remaining Outsiders all were quick to retreat before returning to the Outlands once more.

“That was un-Bunga-lievable!” Bunga first expressed how amazing it was.

“Shujaa ponda.” The gorilla proudly returned.

“Thanks, Shujaa.”

“You really helped us out big time.”

Kion and Twilight then thanked with compliments following from the others.

“That was mighty impressive.”

“That was Poa!”

“120% awesome!”

“Quite a strong showing if I do say so myself.”

“It was pretty great.”

“You sure showed them!”

“Super duper undeniably amazing! This calls for a celebration!” Pinkie moved to get her party supplies and atmosphere going before...

“Maybe later.” Kyoga advised otherwise causing the girl to literally rewind herself a bit.

“But why?” She whined. “Didn’t like what you saw."

“We did but...look!” She said while turning her head to what’s in front of them.

“Oh, my!” Fluttershy gasped before getting right to work helping the poor animals caught in the crossfire.

Unfortunately, during the attack, Shujaa had wound up creating damage along the way starting with the aardvark’s home.

“Hey! Who put these boulders on my den?” Muhungaus complained upon emerging from said den.

In addition, the hares themselves got stuck in the dirt created from the small avalanche.

“Lion and Pony Guard? A little help?” The leader of the bunnies asked.

In addition the chaos had caused the oyrxes to get their horns tangled with each other.

Upon seeing the damage he created Shujaa turned to the Lion and Pony Guard now worried he did something wrong. “Shujaa do bad?”

Both Kion and Twilight were quick to assure him otherwise.

“No! Shujaa did great! We just might have a little clean-up to do.”

“And by that we mean this may take a while and then some more along the way.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“That we’ll talk about later after we clean up.”

Back inside the Outlands Volcano, Scar himself wasted no time in getting furious with his followers once he got word of their recent failure to take over Big Springs. “The Lion and Pony Guard defeated you? AGAIN?!”

“No! No! No!” Janja fearfully insisted before speaking on behalf of the intimidated trio of leaders. “Scar, it ain't what you think!”

“Yeah!” Reirei equally intimidated asserted. “It was a big gorilla that defeated us again…” She quickly corrected herself. “I mean, for the first time.”

“That's right!” Kiburi stated in agreement. “The Lion and Pony Guard just stood there and watched.”

Even still Scar’s anger had not let up in the slightest. “One gorilla beat all of you?!”

“Well, yeah.” Reirei admitted before explaining why it was such a huge problem for them to overcome. “But he was huge! And strong!”

“You shoulda seen him!” Janja added before getting more into detail about it. “Rippin' up trees, Throwin' boulders.”

“He even knocked down a whole hillside!” Reirei added.

“Hmm.” Upon hearing what he is being told he then examined the fight itself with his magic, before pondering and getting an idea out of it. “So a gorilla's tearing up the Pride Lands while trying to help the Lion and Pony Guard?” He then chuckled with sinister delight. “That's perfect!”

“It is?” Kiburi asked confused of why it is indeed a good thing for them.

“Of course!” Scar confirmed and then explained why. “It means all we have to do is keep attacking, then he'll do more damage to the Pride Lands than we ever could!” While the three share devious smiles themselves, Scar himself laughs manically with what is about to happen going forward.

Sometime later, the Guard was able to clean up the mess Shujaa had accidentally caused. The tossed around boulders were removed, the rabbits were free from the dirt they were trapped in, and the oyrxes were all untangled and free from each other.

While Rarity, Starlight, and Fluttershy worked together with Fuli in untangling the oyrxes. Pinkie and Kyoga worked together with Bunga in freeing the hares from the dirt they were nearly buried in. In addition Applejack, Beshte, and Pinkie Pie were left with removing the tossed rocks from Shujaa’s rampage while both Twilight and Kion personally talked and apologized to the aardvark leader for what happened earlier.

“Sorry about your den, Muhangus.” Kion apologized.

“We didn’t intend for this to happen.” Twilight added equally apologetic.

“Shujaa just try help hippos.” The gorilla also added clearly regretful with the damage he caused.

Muhungus however looked on like it is the most ridiculous thing he has ever heard. “Help hippos? Hippos are huge! They don't need help.”

“Well, they kinda did.” Kion pointed out. “Considering they were dealing with the Army of Scar.”

“And as for what happened, our friend just simple got a little carried away in the approach he used in defending them.” Twilight added.

Just then both Rainbow and Ono came by to give their leaders their success report.

“Okay, Kion! Twilight! The oryxes are all untangled now.”

“And all of the hares are out!” By then Bunga freed the last hare.

“Thank you.” Masikio expressed gratefully before leading the other hares away.

“See ya!”

“Take care of yourselves!”

Both Bunga and Kyoga called and waved after as they took off.

“Twende Kiboko!” Beshte said as he moved the boulder itself from the aardvark’s homes. “That's the last one, Muhangus. All your den entrances are uncovered.”

“Which means all is super duper good now!” Pinkie happily declared.

However Muhangus wasn’t about ready to take her word for it. “What about that one?” He pointed to the one more rock blocking said den.

“Ooh!” Shujaa quickly rushed over towards it. “Shujaa get. Shujaa help aardvark!” He picked up that rock and swung it away carelessly forcing Twilight to use her magic to freeze it in place. Just inches away from crashing into the nearby termite home. “Oops.”

After recovering from the near stumble from the sudden shock she proceeded raise up higher to allow Applejack to leap over and catch it. “It’s okay.” She assured the gorilla with a forgiving smile. She briefly strained from nearly pulling some muscles because of what she just did. “Though I highly recommend that maybe you should just let us handle the cleanup.” Turning to her friend who literally pulled the weight off of her horn. “Thanks Applejack.”

“You’re welcome, hun” Applejack kindly replied before making the final touches on their clean job. “And boy I could sure go for some lunch right about now.”

“So can I.” Starlight said all ready eager for that to happen.

No sooner that he said, both Ono and Rainbow managed to pick up trouble on the horizon again. Specifically the Army of Scar once more.

“Uh, I don't think there's time to eat. Look!”

“The hyenas, crocs and jackals are back in the Pride Lands!”

“Where?” Fuli asked.

“On the Savannah, just beyond Nyani Grove!” Ono reported.

“Then we'll go through the Grove and cut 'em off!” Kion then stated before leading the team on over their alongside Twilight. “Till the Pride Lands end…”

“Lion and Pony Guard defend!”

“Shujaa defend!”

“How we doin', Ono? Rainbow?” Twilight asked as they made their way over there.

“Anything happen yet?” Kion also asked.

Ono and Rainbow both flew high to examine their current movements and managed to spot them making their way towards the antelope while taking their sweet time to do so this time around.

“Not yet, Twilight! But they’re still coming, Kion!”

“Looks like they're after some antelope! You'll see them once we get through these trees!”

Immediately Shujaa once again charged ahead without thinking. “Cut through Grove? Shujaa help! Shujaa ponda!” He proceeded to knock down and tear apart the trees in front of him.

“Shujaa, wait!” Kion quickly tried to warn. “Baboons…”

Unfortunately the warning did not get through to him in time and the next thing that happens is flying baboons raining down from their homes.

“...live in those trees.” Twilight finished unable to resist face hoofing herself with what he just did.

“Well…” Fuli couldn’t help but scoff at the gorilla’s short sighted thinking. “...they used to.”

“And that’s not all!” Rainbow alerted after picking up something else.

Ono gasped upon seeing it as well. “Hapana! Look where they're going!”

During their panic, the baboons ended up running right towards the nearby buffalo herd who all stampeded alongside them and right past the Guard.

“Fuli, Kyoga, Rainbow, Applejack, Beshte! Stop those buffaloes!” Kion then ordered.

“On it!”

“Got it!”

“No problem!”

“Hold on there buffalo!”

“You heard her! This ain’t no rodeo!”

Said members of the Guard were quick to go after them upon being commanded to.

“Bunga, Ono, Pinkie, Rarity, Starlight, you're with me!” Twilight then said to the remaining members of the Guard.

“Gotcha!”

“Affirmative!”

“Whatever you say, captain!”

“We’re right behind you, darling!”

“Let’s do this!”

The seven then made their way after Shujaa who kept destroying trees in his way.

“Shujaa ponda!”

“Shujaa, stop!” Kion ordered of him. But the order came a little too late as by then he had already managed to destroy most of the trees in the Grove.

“Shujaa clear path!”

At the same time as the Outsiders made their way across the Pride Lands.

“Anybody see that big gorilla?” Janja asked of the others. Just then said gorilla managed to emerge from the nearby trees,

“Path clear, Kion, Twilight.”

“Great, thanks.” Twilight said with a forced smile while mentally groaning at the damage he just did to the Pride Lands.

Janja snickered with delight with what he is seeing. “Scar was right. That guy's a menace. C'mon!” He then led the others before moving to lead the others towards the antelopes who are yet aware of their looming presence on the horizon.

Upon seeing what’s in front of them the gorilla turned to the others. “Shujaa ponda?” He asked only for both Kion and Twilight to shake their heads in response.

“You won't need to.”

“Just stay where you are and watch and learn.”

“Wait til ya see this!” Bunga said to the gorilla before leaping into action himself.

With a swift teleportation spell, the Guard appeared right in front of the Outsiders who simply stood their ground.

“That’s far enough.” Twilight firmly stated before using her magic to create a wave that knocked the Outsiders backwards and off their paws.

Following her mentor’s example she produced a large magic wall to keep the Outsiders from trying to advance on them.

“Hey!”

“This isn’t funny!”

“Remove this wall!”

The leaders of the Outsiders demanded.

“Sure.” Starlight did what they told her to do, but not without a sly smile before stepping aside much their delight and confusion.

And sure enough, Rarity, Pinkie, Bunga were all ready there to swiftly kick their butts in quick effective fashion while the antelopes quickly retreat to Nyani Grove. Then once the Outsiders struggled in picking themselves up, Kion was looming over everyone before focusing his Roar to evict them all out of the Pride Lands.

To say Shujaa was impressed and amazed would be an understatement. “That best thing ever!”

“Thanks, Shujaa.”

“It’s how we get things done around here.”

The leaders humbly returned.

At that moment the rest of the Guard had just managed to regroup with the others.

“Well, we stopped the stampede. And no one got hurt.” Beshte reported.

“Thanks to a little magic, lassoing, and above all speed!” Rainbow proudly boasted.

“Rainbow!” Applejack looked on while giving her the look.

“I mean a little magic, lassoing, and speed.” She corrected herself albeit begrudgingly given her ego.

“So that was the good news.” Kion commented feeling pleased to hear it.

“And then there's the bad news.” Twilight then commented unable to cringe at the sight of the damage created. “Nyani Grove is a mess.”

Immediately Shujaa wanted to get right to work. “Shujaa clean!” He proceeded to throw a tree branch which ended up breaking another tree cuasing the scared birds that were on it to fly and flee the area. And immediately the leaders of the Guard were quick to order him to stop.

“Shujaa! No!”

“Don't touch anything!”

The gorilla himself was left unable to understand why. “But... Shujaa want to help.”

“You do help, Shujaa. And we're really grateful.” Beshte returned to show that they really do appreciate it. “It's just, sometimes…”

When he struggled to find the right words to say it, Kion moved to finish it. “Sometimes you don't know your own strength.”

“Which can create problems all around you.” Twilight added. “Like just now and earlier at Big Springs.”

“I know his own strength!” Bunga chimed in to compliment. “It's almost as un-Bunga-lievable as Beshte's!”

“Not to mention the same can be said for Applejack.” Pinkie also added.

“Yes.” Ono acknowledged before getting in to what their friends are trying to say. “But when Beshte uses his strength, he doesn't cause all this damage. And neither does Applejack.”

“I just know how to control my strength. That's all.” Beshte explained as he thought nothing of it before getting an idea himself. “Hey! Maybe I can teach Shujaa how to control his strength.”

“That's actually a great idea.” Fuli complimented.

“It would certainly help us before anymore animals are forced to relocate and have to get adjusted to new homes.” Fluttershy expressed feeling that would much appreciated for her own sake if that can happen.

Seeing the worry in her voice spurred Rarity to comfort and assure her that it’ll work out in the end. “Not to worry, Fluttershy. I’m sure this can be resolved in due time. After all, these things take time.”

With the proposed idea having the green light Beshte moved towards the gorilla with this idea in mind. “What do you think, Shujaa? Want me to teach you how to control your strength?”

“Along with me?” Twilight also offered. “Because I know from first hoof experience of what’s that like and I’d be more than happy to teach you too.”

“Shujaa no understand.” The gorilla returned still not getting it before smiling. “But if Shujaa with Beshte, along with Applejack…” He moved to hug both Beshte and Applejack. “Shujaa say "okay".”

“Huh? What?” Applejack looked on in confusion of being suddenly volunteered for a job she never agreed to. “Now hold on there! I never agreed to anything here.”

“Come on, strong pony. Teach me too.”

Applejack could only roll her eyes before relenting for his sake. “All right, fine. I’ll help.”

“Oh, great! Let's go!” Beshte then said before leading the way to find a suitable way to teach their strong friend.

“But first…” Twilight spoke up before working her magic in instantly restoring the Grove to it’s former glory. “...okay, now we can go.” Turning to the leader of the Lion Guard. “Kion, you’re in charge until we get back and if anything comes up get Ono and Rainbow to come find us.”

“You got it, Twilight.” Kion vowed with a faithful salute to which Twilight giggled in response towards the playful banner he shared with her before joining Applejack and Beshte with Shujaa for company.

To help Shujaa learn to control his strength the three friends all made their way to Nedfu Grove for their first stop to help put that into pratice.

“Hmm.” Beshte pondered while looking to their surroundings. “Let's see, what should I show you first?”

Just then they heard a familiar voice call out to them up in the nearby tree branch up ahead. “Beshte? Applejack? Twilight? Is that you?”

“Hey, Laini!”

“Yep, it’s us.”

“How are you doing?”

But before anything else could be said, Laini and the galagoes yelped upon seeing Shujaa. “What is that?”

“What? Where?” Shujaa asked while looking around for danger unaware that the galagos are actually afraid of him.

Seeing this had the three quickly assure they have nothing to be afraid of in regards to the gorilla accompanying them.

“It's okay, Laini. He’s not an enemy.”

“This is Shujaa. He's our friend.”

“Therefore, there you all have nothing to worry about.”

Laini still didn’t feel so sure about that given of how friendship has unexpected turns and directions one would never expect. “Uh, if you say so.”

“So anyways…” Beshte then said moving the conversation forward. “...what's the kerbubble?”

“It's that serval!” Laini pointed towards said serval on the branch on the opposite side of the current they are all in. “He jumped into our tree and won't leave! We're sure he wants to eat us.”

“No, I don't!” Said serval defended with a friendly and innocent voice. “I jumped up here to catch a bird, but it flew away. And I'm not as good at jumping down as I am at jumping up.”

“That’s okay.” Twilight assured with a friendly smile. “Nothing a little friendly assistance won’t fix.”

With that, Beshte took his turn in speaking to their friend with an opportunity presented in front of him. “Okay, Shujaa. First lesson. What should we do about a stuck serval?”

Shujaa gave little thought before making his way towards the tree. “Shujaa tear down tree! Serval fall out!”

Everyone on the tree all quickly shouted when he placed his arms around the tree ready to do so. “No!”

“Wrong!” Twilight quickly used her magic to levitate the gorilla away from the tree, accompanied with the sound of a buzzer in the air to which had everyone looking around wondering where that came from.

“Huh?”

“What in tarnation?”

“Anyways…” Twilight then said focusing their attention back to the confused gorilla. “...no. Tearing the tree down isn’t the answer here, Shujaa.”

“Yeah!” Beshte moved to explain why it would be a bad thing. “This tree is the galagos home. You can't just tear it down. You gotta think first, then act.”

“Now, again…” Applejack spoke up to repeat the question again while emphasizing on key words. “...what "Should" you here after you "Think?"”

“Hmm. "Think." Okay. Shujaa try.” He actually gave it some thought before thinking of something he can do. After a little internal struggle he had a light bulb shine in his head. “Oh! Idea!” He moved to gently pull the tree down with the branch the serval was on coming down first to allow him to step down safely.

The serval himself couldn’t be any happier to be back down on the ground. “Thanks! It feels great to be down from there. So long, galagos.” He then left on his way free to travel as he pleases.

“Good thinking, Shujaa.”

“Well done.”

“Smart thinking there.”

“Aw, Shujaa thank Beshte, Applejack, Twilight.” Shujaa happily returned before letting go of the tree along with accidentally sending the galagos flying much to the three’s shocked gasps. Thankfully they landed on one of the other trees in the Grove.

“Oops.”

“Phew! Good thing Ndefu Grove's got a lot of trees!”

“No kidding.”

Upon seeing his mistake the gorilla was quick to want to fix that. “Shujaa think he flip that tree now, Fly galagos back home!”

Laini was quick however to assert that won’t be necessary. “That's okay! We're good! We'll get back on our own! Thanks, though!”

Seeing what he did, left the gorilla downcast before making his way away from the Grove with his three friends following alongside him.

Upon making their way to another part of the Pride Lands, his friends were quick to console him.

“It's okay, Shujaa. You didn't know the tree would spring back.”

“And believe me, it took me a while for me to get the hang of these trees when I was first handling them my first times around here these parts of the Pride Lands.” Applejack added.

“It’s just a matter of managing self-control all the way.” Twilight also said before spotting something up ahead. “Which you have another chance to try it again.”

In front of them happens to be a butterfly stuck in rocks with one of it’s wings wedged in them.

“See? That little butterfly there?” Applejack asked the gorilla who nodded.

“Shujaa sees it.”

“Good.” Applejack complimented. “And as you can see, even teeny tiny Pride Landers sometimes need help.”

“Oh! Pretty bug stuck.”

“Yep.” Beshte nodded. “So you'll need to be extra gentle to help him.”

“Very gentle.”

“Right. Now, think about what you need to do.”

Shujaa did as he was told and actually came up with an idea that can work. “Shujaa move little rocks first!” He proceeded to move the little rocks one at a time and as gently as possible. At last he moved enough rocks to free the butterfly who then flew freely upwards. “Beshte, Applejack, Twilight look! Pretty bug free!”

“You did it, Shujaa!”

“Congratulations!”

“Well done, partner!”

The three all complimented.

“Shujaa did it!” Unfortunately during his excitement he accidentally managed to punch said large and tall rock which caused it to tilt over and right towards them.

Luckily for him, Beshte managed to push Shujaa out the way in time while Twilight worked her magic to keep the rocks from falling and crushing them. Followed by Applejack quick to lasso them and used some quick and swift moves of her end to climb the rocks to an extent to pull back into place.

“Oops.”

Afterwards, the four all then made their way towards another part of the Pride Lands where the members of the Guard once more consoled Shujaa with what happened.

“It's okay, Shujaa. The big rock didn't actually land on anybody.”

“And you did save the butterfly.”

“And you actually thought things through that time. So it’s not a total loss.”

Shujaa still sighed disappointed with himself. “True.”

Just then they heard moaning up ahead. Said source turned out to be Kifaru who has managed to walk himself into a dead end in the nearby rock caves.

“Kifaru?”

“Kifaru?”

“Are you okay?”

The three Guard members all called out.

Kifaru stopped and turned his head towards the source of his friend’s voice. “Is that you, Beshte, Applejack, Twilight?”

“Sure is.”

“It’s us, all right.”

“All three us of plus one.” She then commented upon seeing what the problem is. “Speaking of which, where's your tickbird?”

“I gave Mwenzi the day off. And now I can't find the watering hole.” Kifaru explained as he looks on looking pretty lost himself.

“Not to worry because we are here to help out here, Kifaru.” Applejack assured.

“Hear that?” Beshte turned to Shujaa seeing another opportunity right in front of him. “Kifaru needs our help.”

“Who's that with you, a pangolin?” Kifaru asked not quite seeing who their friend really is.

“Pangolin?” Shujaa returned in confusion of what he just referred to him as.

“Rhinos can't see too well.” Twilight gently explained. “Usually they have tickbirds to help serve as their eyes around them.” She then had another thought occur as she tapped a hoof to her chin. “Though maybe getting them to wear glasses probably wouldn’t be a bad idea either. But that’s for another day.”

“All the more reason of why he needs us to help him out of this dead end.” Beshte then said.

It didn’t take long for Shujaa to come up with an idea. “Easy! Shujaa ponda!” He proceeded to punch a hole in the rocks to give Kifaru a quick detour out of the dead end he walked himself into. “Watering hole…” He proceeded to push Kifaru towards the Watering Hole. “...That way!”

“Ooh!” He said in delighted relief before making his way on over there in a straight clear path. “I'll take your word for it. Thank you!”

“It feel good to help.” Shujaa proudly said feeling he did a good job although the cringed expressions on his friends faces say otherwise.

“It does, but…” Beshte spoke up first before directing his eyes towards the upset hyraxes in front of them.

“Beshte? Applejack? Twilight? Why little fuzzies so sad?” Shujaa asked upon seeing them.

“They're rock hyraxes, and you just kind of, uh, smashed their home.” Twilight gently explained.

Hearing and realizing what he just did left the gorilla horrified at his mistake. “No! No! No! What Shujaa do? What Shujaa do?”

“Easy, Shujaa. We can still help them and it’s nothing to be upset about.” Applejack reassured just when Twilight worked up her magic in patching up the rock wall exactly as is before Shujaa smashed it. “See?”

“There we go! Good as new!” Twilight said feeling better about as the hyraxes happily leaped up and down before climbing back up towards where their home is.

Even with the damage quickly repaired, Shujaa still felt guilty and incapable of doing good without causing more damage. “It no use! Shujaa no think, bad! Shujaa do think, bad! Shujaa no right ever!”

Shujaa Ponda

Music starts at 1:03 to end.

He then proceeded to walk off solemnly all while sadly lamenting his destructive ways and inadvertently causing more problems for other Pride Landers along the way. During which his friends taking sympathy for him moved to follow after him along with making quick repairs to all of the damage he just did while singing before sitting down on Mbuni’s nest accidentally. Said ostrich who had just arrived briefly stared at him before leaving and opting to come back at another time.

“Shujaa. What are you doing?” Applejack asked.

“Shujaa no move so Shujaa no make trouble, ever!”

“Shujaa…” Applejack moved to try help him feel better. “...it’s okay, really. The damage was quickly undone like it never really happened.”

“And you have been making remarkable improvement in trying to control your strength.” Twilight added. Upon seeing it’s still failing to improve his mood, she moved to fly up to his eye level for a heart to heart approach. “Shujaa, I know it’s been very tough for you but you really are making an effort to improve yourself. And each and every time you have been making progress at it.”

“But Shujaa still makes trouble everywhere he goes.”

“But still you are learning.” When that failed to help matters she moved to relate to his troubles by magically conquering a tree stump so she can sit down while still staying at his eye level. “And you’re not the only one who’s gone through this.” Shujaa turned to the pony in surprise with what she is telling him. “Yep, that’s right. Even a pony with magic is capable of creating massive damage everywhere around her. From brainwashing the entire Ponyville population with a spell, to briefly giving into my dark side in causing trouble to both here in the Pride Lands and in Ponyville, and nearly drowning a crocodile to death after nearly giving into my anger at one point. Heck I even managed to nearly transform and blow up the whole school with my magic when I was just a filly.” She briefly found the last part actually funny herself with a giggle before clearing her throat to get her point straight across. “Anyways, point being, ever since those incidents I’ve had to work hard in practicing better self-control to avoid such instances from happening even more so now that I’m an alicorn. It took a while, but finally I did it and it got to the point I was able to learn how to control and use the Roar to the point I didn’t cause a volcano erupt while inside of it.”

“The Roar? Like how your lion friend did earlier?”

“Yep. And before you ask it’s a long story and it’s something that Kion himself learned when he lost control of the Roar once before. And even to this day he still keeps practicing self control so he doesn’t cause damage like that again.”

The more and more Twilight talks to him, the more and more Shujaa really processes the importance of both practice and self-control to the point he is understanding what she is trying to tell him. But before anything else can happen both Ono and Rainbow quickly came over to them in an urgent manner.

“Twilight! Applejack! Beshte! Shujaa! Kion needs you!”

“The Outlanders are attacking Big Springs again! And this time there's a fire!”

“Oh, no!” Beshte gasped.

“Not if we can help it!” Applejack then stated with determination to stop it herself.

Twilight then got up in flight while transporting the tree stump back to it’s proper place before turning to their gorilla friend. “Shujaa, come on! We have to help!”

Shujaa still didn’t feel confident enough to want to help out. “If Shujaa help, Shujaa make worse. Shujaa stay.”

“But, Shujaa…” But before Beshte could try talking sense into him himself, Ono and Rainbow urgently ushered of him and the others to get a move on over there.

“Beshte, the fire is spreading!”

“And we need help now!”

Rainbow quickly whisked Twilight and Applejack on over there by literally carrying them by the tail.

“Whoa!”

“Hey!”

With no other choice and no time to work with, Beshte moved to leave him be for now but not without saying this. “I won't give up on you, Shujaa. You're my friend. I'll come back when the fire's out.”

Back in Big Springs, the others have been holding their own against the Outsiders so far. Kion, Bunga, Pinkie have all been handling Janja and his hyenas. Fuli and Rarity have all been handling the jackals. And Applejack, Kyoga, and Starlight have been handling the crocodiles.

“Zuka Zama!”

“Sorry, hyenas, but this is no laughing matter.” Pinkie stated before using her party cannon against them.

“And as for all of you, you’re all going back to the Outlands empty pawed!” Rarity fiercely stated before making quick work of the jackals herself.

At the same time, it left Kiburi and his left to deal with Basi and the other hippos once more at a stand still. Even with all of their available strength and magic at their disposal, the crocs proved to be more harder to put down than the others. It got to the point Starlight was starting to pant and sweat a little with fatigue starting to kick in with her magic starting to wear out.

“Say goodbye, hippo!”

But before Kiburi and his float could capitalize on the situation, the rest of the Guard arrived to their rescue.

“Guess again, Kiburi!”

“Twende Kiboko!”

Before any of them could do anything about it, one by one the crocodiles were all knocked aside in a swift manner.

“Beshte! Just in time!” His father happily spoke in relief.

“Better get the pod into the water, it's the safest place!” His son advised to which he was quick to take his word for it.

“This way, hippos! Everyone into the Springs!”

Upon seeing Kion struggle a little during his ongoing battle with Janja, Twilight was quick to blast him aside with both Applejack and Beshte quick to figure out what they can do to help.

“Kion! What can we do?” Beshte asked.

“We need you on fire breaks! I'm not gonna lose another part of the Pride Lands!”

“I got it!”

“No problem!”

‘Let’s do this!”

Both Applejack and Beshte got to work in creating the fire breaks while Twilight tried to help use her magic by extinguishing the ongoing fires as much as possible.

“How we doin'?” Bunga asked upon seeing the Outsiders still fighting still ganging up on them.

“Not great.” Fuli answered.

“They’re being much more difficult to take down than the last time.” Rarity added while starting to feel a little fatigued herself. “Which is quite odd with all things considered.”

“No kidding!” Pinkie agreed while trying and failing to get more party favors at her disposal. “I’m almost out of confetti this time!”

“And my Stare doesn’t seem to be having that effect on them anymore.” Fluttershy timidly shared while recalling said times it’s failed to have an impact on them. “And I think Starlight and Kyoga are starting to run off of magic to use against them.”

“But we still have to do something.” Starlight insisted despite being drained of her energy.

“You gotta use the roar, Kion!” Bunga implored of him.

Kion shook his head in response to that proposal. “Can't! It'll spread the fire everywhere.”

Just then Ono caught an alarming sight up ahead. “Hapana! Everyone! Jump!”

Beshte quick to see this was the first to rush over to stop, but in doing so, he ended up tripping on a open root and ended having the tree split in half when it landed on his body.

“Beshte!” Everyone cried out in horror with what had just happened.

“Hapana!”

“Beshte, are you okay?” Applejack asked.

Beshte tried to get up but he couldn’t lift himself upward. “It's...It's my leg.” He groaned in pain. “I can't get up!”

Fuli looked on in worry when she saw the flames that tried to come right at them. “The fire's getting closer!”

“Not if I can help with that!” Twilight quickly moved to extinguish said fires that tried to come after her friends before moving ahead to continue keeping the fires at by. “Sorry, but I’m afraid I got my hooves full right here!”

“That's okay…” Bunga moved to try help Beshte up. “...we'll get you outta here, Big B!” He tried to push Beshte to no avail not even getting him to budge an inch. “It might take a while. Unless…” He turned to the others especially Applejack.

“We're not strong enough to move him. At least not when e have already been worn out to this point.” Turning to the Guard’s Keenest of Sight. “Ono, get Shujaa! Tell him Beshte's hurt, and we need him, now!”

“Affirmative!” Ono moved to fly on over to where Shujaa is still sitting at. “Shuja! Follow me to Big Springs!”

Shujaa still refused to budge. “Hmm! No! Shujaa no move! If Shujaa stay, Shujaa no mess up.”

“But it's Beshte! He hurt his leg. And Twilight and Applejack are stuck putting out the fires. “They need you, Shujaa!

Hearing that sparked Shujaa’s attention. “Beshte...Twlight...Applejack need...Shujaa?” With a resolve to want to save them in his heart he rose from the nest ready to get on over to help. “Ono! Take Shujaa! Now!”

With his guidance Shujaa made his way on over to Big Springs and once he arrived, he wasted no time in taking action. “Shujaa ponda!” And this he time he used his brains to put out the fire that was starting to surround Beshte who still couldn’t get up.

“Shujaa! You came!”

“Shujaa help Beshte!” He then examined the injury himself this time around. “Hmm. Beshte leg hurt, so…” He moved to make sure he picks Beshte up in a way that does cause anymore harm to his injured leg before moving him to safety.

Beshte upon being rescued was quick to praise him for what he just did. "Shujaa, you did it! You thought first and you controlled your strength!”

“Shujaa did?” The gorilla asked feeling surprised and amazed himself.

“Yes! You knew my leg was hurt, so you were careful and strong!”

“Shujaa careful and strong. Shujaa make no trouble no more!” He laughed feeling confident and sure of his abilities to the point he can contribute to the fight without causing more trouble. “Now, Shujaa help Lion and Pony Guard! Shujaa think, then Shujaa ponda!” He then leaped into action before grabbing a hold of Kiburi and Tamka’s tails. “Leave Lion and Pony Guard alone!”

“Hey! What do you think you're doing?” Kiburi demanded before being lifted up by the tail.

“You not listen? Shujaa think, Shujaa ponda!” He proceeded to slam them down onto the ground without causing anymore damage around them.

“Whoa! He sure ponda'ed them good!” Chungu remarked as he and the other Outsiders look on realizing that the gorilla is no longer a destructive menace.

“Oh, I'm not waiting around for him to ponda me!” Janja moved to retreat leading the way with the others following after him.

“Me, neither.” Reirei also said quick to agree with the hyena for once on the matter.

Upon seeing them retreat, Shujaa smirked with one more idea in mind. “Crocs go home with friends!” He proceeded to toss them long and far from Big Springs causing them all to crash right on top of the retreating Outsiders just as they were approaching the borders once more.

With the Outsiders taken care of for now, Shujaa moved to direct his attention towards the ongoing fire that Twilight is now starting to gain control over. “Now, Shujaa help put out fire! Shujaa ponda!” With a big scoop of dirt he tossed it over the area which all put them all out. Once the dust settled he realized he ended up covering the Guard with dirt too. “Oops.”

Kion however was quick to compliment him. “You did great, Shujaa. We couldn't have saved Big Springs without you.”

“Shujaa ponda. It what Shujaa do.” He replied like it’s nothing new to him.

“You didn't just ponda you thought first.” Beshte reminded. ‘You're a good friend, Shujaa.”

“Any strong friend of ours would be proud of you. And for that I tip my hat to you.” Applejack also complimented while doing just that.

“And a great ally.” Twilight added. “We're lucky King Sokwe sent you here.”

Hearing that sparked shock in the gorilla himself. “King Sokwe! He no see Shujaa think! Shujaa need show him.” He declared ready to show him of his remarkable improvement today.” He then added to assure him it’s not the end of this. “But Shujaa come back if Lion and Pony Guard need help. Shujaa promise.”

“It's a deal.” Kion agreed seeing that is fair. “Thank you, Shujaa.”

“Thank you! Goodbye, Lion and Pony Guard! Goodbye, strong friends Beshte and Applejack!” He moved to hug them both before turning to do the same for Twilight. “And thank you strong and wise pony friend Twilight. “Me know me see you all again! He then moved to head on home.

“So long!”

“Take care of yourself.”

“Safe travels, darling.”

“Stay safe.”

“See you!”

“Bye!”

“Come back soon!”

“Nice meeting seeing you again!”

“Bye!”

“Don’t forget about my upcoming party invitation!”

“Think he'll make it home without knocking something over?” Fuli asked both Kion and Twilight.

No sooner than she asked, Shujaa just so happened to knock over some trees not even a minute in his journey back home.

“Oops!”

Fuli, Kion, and Twilight looked at each other clearly amused with what had just happened before the latter moved to fly after him. “Maybe if he has some guidance sticking by his side the whole way, just to be sure. Besides, I should probably personally head over there to send the king our regards for sending him over here to help us today.”

“Me too!” Kion moved to fly after them. “Wait for me, I’m coming too!”

From the Outlands Volcano, Scar watches the two leaders of the Guard make their way after Shujaa who is making his way home without breaking and destroying anything. He looked at the ongoing magical survelliance with disappointment but remains sure as far as Big Springs is concerned is that part of the Pride Lands is the next area to be conquered. For now, he just needs to find another opportunity to strike upon something that the skinks who are currently inside and watching the scene will do the moment that happens...

“Disappointing.” Scar commented with the tone to match his expression.

“So since that gorilla is no longer a huge wrecking ball of destruction, how are we conquering the next part of the Pride Lands now?” Njano asked his boss.

“The answer to that question will take time for that to happen, time to allow me to figure how to get divert the Guard away from the real target.”

“Anyone or anything in particular?” Shupaavu asked.

“That’ll depend on which Pride Lander leader is the first to stray away from their alliance with their kingdom…” He then eyes the Pride Lands crocodile leader, Makku, himself. “...and if I play my cards right, I think I might have just the one...”

Author's Note

Here we return to the Pride Lands where the Outlanders make another attempt to grab some terrain. Though that proves difficult when a gorilla from the mountains came over to assist the Lion and Pony Guard with their mission to stop them. But on the bright side, he's not very bright himself which can prove to their advantage given his remarkable strength.

Though thankfully for the Lion and Pony Guard, Shujaa had some help in learning how to control his strength and it came in handy at the perfect time when the Outlanders moved to make another big attack again. So big win for Shujaa Ponda! 👏

Up next on the calendar we have a guys night for those staying in Ponyville while the others go on to Yakyakistan for the day so stay tuned because I do have a surprise for you all by then...

Episode 29: Dungeons and Discord

Episode 29:

Dungeons and Discords

Fluttershy along with Beshte are busy packing up things for a trip, a trip they’d just found out about a short time ago. As such she was most surprised when Discord of all creatures happened to drop by for one of his unscheduled visits.

"Tea?" He offered, producing a gasp from his closest friends before moving to scan over the various objects strewn about the cottage. "Trendy coats? Bedrolls? Saddlebags? Oh! A surprise vacation just for the two of us? How thoughtful of you, Fluttershy. May I make a suggestion? I hear Puerto Caballo is lovely this time of year. Sand like powdered sugar." He picked up some sand while dressed in an outfit one might expect if you were going to the beach, complete with sunglasses. He then blew the sand, causing Fluttershy and Beshte to cough.

Fluttershy tried to put what she was about to say as delicately as possible.

“Um, actually it's not for the two of us or even the three of us, Discord.” Beshte moved to explain first. “It’s for a trip that involves me, Fluttershy, along with the rest of Guard.”

With that, Fluttershy moved to further add up on the explaination. “Princess Celestia's taking the twelve of us on an overnight goodwill tour of Yakyakistan. We just found out."

Discord frowned. "Twelve? But what about Spike or the other pony that joins you on these important patrols together, Starlight whatever her last name is?”

“Starlight Glimmer, and she wasn't interested. Neither was Spike," Fluttershy explained.

The spirit frowned anew and shrank down briefly with a gasp. "So what you're saying is 'no tea'? Ugh," He cleared his throat and returned to normal. "Er, that's... fine. I wasn't really thirsty anyway."

"We’re really sorry this had to come up at the last minute, Discord." Fluttershy apologized before resuming packing. She then suggested. “If you're looking for something to do, you could spend the evening with Spike, Kovu, and Big Macintosh."

Discord laughed. "Good one, Fluttershy! Always with the lovely zingers!" When Fluttershy didn't laugh with him he slowly realized that she was being serious. "You're not kidding are you? Oh, come on! Why would I ever dream of even thinking of that?"

“It wasn’t something you have to.” Beshte clarified. “It was just a suggestion if want some company to spend time with. And if you’re willing to give it a chance you might find yourself to be actually enjoying it.”

"Yeah, they’re also really nice.” Fluttershy added. "They even have their own 'top secret' thing they like to do whenever the rest of us leave Ponyville," Then she giggled. "Although to be honest, since everyone knows about it it's not really a secret. A little friendly humor on our part."

“So I’ve heard.” Discord remarked still frowning.

Fluttershy added as she finished packing. "Even still I think you should give it a chance, you’d be surprised of how much fun you’ll have with them."

At that Discord remarked quite stubbornly. "Fun? With sidekicks? Oh, you must think that we're in a dimension where everything is opposite," He proceeded to snap his paws, bringing about just such a dimension (which also had an echo to it). "Da-dee-la! I'm Opposite Discord, and I want to hang out with Spike and Big Mac! I'm sure I'd have fun!"

Fluttershy suddenly fluttered up and shouted. "Oh yeah?! Well, guess what, Sassafras?! I'm Opposite Fluttershy, and I'm sick of being nice and quiet all the time!"

“Not only that…” Beshte also spoke up while shouting as well. “I’m Opposite Beshte! Hubba Bubba! And I am sick of being pushed around and disrespected all the time by Pride Landers who don’t respect me!”

Discord proceeded to snap his paws again and bring everything back to normal. Fluttershy seemed surprised by her sudden outburst along with Beshte. "Look, Fluttershy, Beshte, I understand what you are both saying and what you are trying to do but it's all I can do just to be friends with the rest of your pony friends. I haven't even really gotten to know Starlight or Kovu for that matter." He explained. "Spike and Big Mac? I don't even know the first thing about them, other than the fact that they're guys, and that one of them doesn't talk much, and the other is Twilight's adopted son."

Fluttershy smirked. "It’s never too late to learn more about them, Discord. And I really do think you'd like their 'top secret' event," Then she added. "Unless you're afraid they won't like you?"

The spirit groaned. "Oh, please. Don't stoop to tedious reverse psychology. You're better than that."

"Well I learned it from you and Twilight in that matter." The pegasus replied with a giggle.

Discord simply sighed, his entire body starting to droop. "Oh, all right. Consider it considered."

"Great!" Beshte happily smiled. "We’ll make sure they know to expect more company. Just make sure to show up at Twilight's castle at sundown, and the rest is history from there."

"'Twilight's castle, sundown'," Discord wrote down the details on a small notepad. "Got it.” With that he teleported away with a simple snap of his talons.

But no one could've imagined of what lies in store for Discord upon coming across Spike, Big Mac, and Kovu’s 'secret' nor how it would turn out. With the only thing can be sure is how this experience changes things for them going forward.

The Lion and Pony Guard along with Kiara all boarded the train for Yakyakistan and departed with little fanfare, despite a bit of not so subtle teasing from Twilight and Applejack along with Kion and Fuli about Spike, Kovu, and Big Mac's 'secret' get together.

"Well, time to get everything together for tonight," Spike told Big Macintosh after the train left. "Just hope Discord is willing to give it a try."

“Let’s hope so.” Kovu said in agreement feeling equally unsure of what he is getting himself into this time.

Hours quickly passed, and as the sun set off to the west Spike and Big Macintosh had gathered in Twilight's castle. Starlight yawned as she trotted past them. "Well, since I don’t have any lessons to look forward too tonight, I’m going to call it a day. Have fun, guys. But not too much fun.” Of course, Spike, Big Macintosh, and Kovu all knew that this meant she too knows about their so called "secret" get together.

Spike rushed to a nearby window, watching as the last of the sun's rays disappeared into the gleaming twilight. "3, 2, 1, and... we have sundown. Repeat, we have sundown," He rushed back to the main hallway of the castle. "I hereby declare tonight's guys' night ceremonies officially open!"

“Hooray!”

"Eeyup!"

Both Kovu and Big Macintosh happily shouted. And they along with Spike began to chant (or rather, Spike and Kovu chanted and Big Mac just said "Eeyup."): "It's guys' night, oh yeah! Havin' fun now, oh yeah!"

But just as they had finished their chant, the sound of trumpets blaring in dramatic fanfare caught their attention. They ran to the front of the castle, where the sound was coming from. And they could not believe the sight that greeted their eyes. "Uh, what the hay?" Spike commented out loud. Big Mac said nothing.

“Is that Discord?” Kovu asked trying to make sense of what he is trying to do with they are seeing.

As the trumpets ceased their playing, a miniature version of Discord came running up with a scroll in his paws. After taking a moment to catch his breath he declared. "Announcing the much anticipated arrival of the spirit of chaos and disharmony, the purveyor of pandemonium, lord of lawlessness, earl of turmoil, bringer of bedlam... etcetera etcetera. Dun, dun, a dun, a dun dun! Discord!"

The miniature Discord quickly vanished as a poster of Discord dressed in some kind of sports jersey appeared in its place. Music started playing and spotlights shown as Discord emerged from the poster, bouncing a basketball around and throwing it into the air where it exploded into confetti right over their heads! "Tada!" He proudly declared. "Now that’s what I call a dramatic entrance if I must!" And then with a smile he declared. "So, since we’re all gathered for guys' night shall we get started? Actually, let me rephrase that. Shall we hop to it? I made a list of the rowdiest establishments in Ponyville to visit," He unfolded a small sheet of paper which showed only two names. "It's rather short. Unless you know any other places I’ve missed."

Spike broke the ice before explaining. "Actually, we're staying here. Besides, Twilight wouldn’t really approve of me sneaking out to clubs after dark. And even if she doesn't find out and I don’t tell her, I'm pretty sure Starlight will." A sigh of regret escaped his lips. "Having a pony who's like a big sister to me can be a real pain in the flank sometimes."

“You got me there.” Kovu commented feeling the same way. “Even after escaping from Zira’s watchful eye I still have Kiara to be worried about. I can’t even keep a secret around her without her forcing the truth out of me.”

"Oh, I see, Twilight and Kiara are both keeping you on a short leash are they?" Discord commented.

“Not that kind of leash!” Kovu remarked while glaring angrily at Discord with his cheeks burning red to match.

“And never say that again, unless you want me to set off the fire alarm, got it?!” Spike then warned as he blew smoke from his mouth.

Big Macintosh promptly whispered to Discord. "Probably best you don’t try to talk about it. Spike for sure won't even tell me why it really sets him off." Then he changed the subject. "Anyways, we don't need to go out to have a good time. We've got an awesome game we like to play every time."

"A game? Ooh, I do love games!" Discord commented in amazement. "Reminds me of the time I managed to trap best friend ponies in hedge mazes and turning them against each other. Ah, those were the days."

Spike quickly spoke up shaking his head. "Uh, I'm talking a real game. Wait here while I'll go get it! And I know you’re gonna love this one! It's one the best games to make Guys Night awesome!" He rushed away to retrieve it.

Discord watched Spike disappear and called into the distance. "Whatever it is, it can only get better by adding me to the mix."

Only a few moments later Spike called out to Kovu, Big Mac, and Discord. "Okay! Ready!" Big Mac headed the call, leading Discord to a dark room in the corner of the castle.

Spike clicked on a flash light and began to announce. "In a world where evil reigns supreme, a small band of warriors stands tall against the darkness. This is... Ogres & Oubliettes!" The lights flicked on a moment later, revealing a game made of cardboard cutout figures, a paper map, and lots of dies. And it was all set up on the magic table throne that often sent Twilight and her friends off on friendship quests!

Discord locked eyes on the game and let out a gasp! Whatever he had been expecting, it was most definitely not something like this. "Oh... this looks like..."

"-The best game ever?! You're right!" Spike giddily replied. "This isn't just any game, oh no! This is the best game of them all!"

"Yes." Discord remarked and under his breath he added. "A game that certainly makes this a guy’s night out."

Spike could sense that his new guest wasn't exactly thrilled with the game and quickly tried to cheer him up. "Come on, Discord! Ogres & Oubliettes is a fantasy role-playing adventure game," He fondly added. "A game that I’ve had fun playing ever since I was a little dragon with both Shining Armor and Twilight."

"If only Shining Armor had the time to come down and join us, then he could’ve should you of how very skilled he is at this game." Big Macintosh commented. "But unfortunately he has a daughter to take care and a wife to be by her side."

“And believe me I wasn’t exactly completely on board with this my first time playing…” Discord snickered while performing a rim shot on the accompanying drum set. “...but in the end it ended up becoming a game worth playing and looking forward to whenever we have a guy’s night together.”

Spike nodded, puffing out his chest. "I’ve been taught me all the ins and outs, all the best tricks and tips of this game! And as the sole victor and reigning champ of this game I will explain it to you. So here’s how it works!" Then he sat down on Twilight's throne, explaining the basics of the game. "Our goal, defeat the evil Squid Wizard, or... " He stiffled his share laugh with Big Mac. "As we like to call him... the Squizard!"

Big Mac laughed, pounding the table. "Yup. Real funny twist and play on words there. It sure got me there."

Kovu also laughed himself. “Me too. Though I can’t help but wonder why that sounds familiar.”

"Ah yes, how very creative of you." Discord sarcastically grumbled.

Spike, unaware of Discord's comment, cleared his throat and regained his composure as he went on explaining the game. "The Squizard has laid siege to the last free city in Spiketopia. That's the name of the land. And he's kidnapped a beautiful unicorn princess named Shmarity," Realizing what that sounded like the dragon quickly added. "Er.. which is like a normal name in Spiketopia, so, you know, don't think about it too much. It means nothing."

Discord moved a zipper across his mouth. "Fear not. Your romantic 'fantasies' are safe with me," Then he remarked. "So moving forward to the part of how the fun here really starts in this game..."

"We’re getting to that." Spike insisted before pulling out a book and a character sheet. "Okay, first thing's first, you've gotta make your own character. It can be anything you want, within reason of course."

"Oh, okay, what about... Discord?" The spirit immediately proposed.

Spike shook his head. "Come on, Discord. That kills the fun in this game. Try using your imagination into being someone you’re not.” Then he explained. "In this game I'm not Spike the Brave and Glorious. I'm Garbunkle, a famous magician. Everyone treats me with the utmost respect. Oh, and don't get jealous but I happen to be a level 30 Enchanter with major skill points assigned to Intellect and Perception. It comes and goes from someone has had years of experience with this game."

Discord tried his best to feign interest. "Go on, I’m listening."

Spike gestured a claw over to Big Macintosh, seated in Applejack's throne. "Big Mac's character is Sir McBiggun, a level 27 Black Knight Unicorn from Castle Chadwick! His skill with a sword is without equal."

Discord still pretended to care about the game. He was convinced that if he just sat through Spike's long dribble he could kindly bow out and have some fun on his own. "I see. Sounds interesting."

"Oh it is!" Spike proudly explained. "When his king aligned himself with the Squizard, Sir McBiggun would not besmirch his honor. Thus he met Garbunkle, and the two formed an alliance of their own."

"Eeyup," Big Macintosh proudly nodded. "An alliance that allows me to keep my sword rather than give myself to some evil wizard."

It was there Kovu shared his interest and experience with the game himself. “And with the power and assistance of the fearsome Khan, a level 13 dark horse rogue with very lucky horseshoes of destruction, their quest in dealing with the evil Squizard, has proven to be very successful thus far.”

“Oh, sounds very lucky.” Discord returned still acting like this is something of interest to him.

“Even more so, that I actually managed to pick up the rules in the first few go arounds.” Kovu admitted with a sheepish grin.

"And so it came to pass!" Spike declared in a dramatic tone of voice. "The magician and black knight vowed to rid Spiketopia of the evil Squizard. And today, it just so happens that a new traveler has joined their group. And his name is..."

Discord frowned. "Oh, we're still doing this? I already have the best name in the universe. Why would I change it for something like... I don't know... 'Captain Wuzz'?"

"Ah, Captain Wuzz it shall be," Spike wrote down the name on a character card. "You'll start at level 1, like all newcomers. You'll level up the longer you play and the more battles you partake in, some on your own and some with your allies. Now, there's still the matter of class. Choose wisely, once you've chosen one there's no take backs. There's a whole bunch of classes, but for a beginner might I recommend something simple? Archers, Mages, Rogues..."

The spirit rolled his eyes out of his head, pulled them up from the ground, and put them back in as he groaned. "Honestly, those classes all sound lame. I’d rather prank up Ponyville with red paint."

Spike shrugged off the complaint. "Come on, Discord. We’re just getting started." And he settled on a character for Discord. "Well, how about an archer? They're great at ranged attacks, and we could certainly use that to cover our flanks. Magicians are support based and Black Knights fight up close and personal. And Dark Horse rogues have been known to go off on their own accord to help serve as our eyes and ears up front. "

"Ugh, fine, an archer it is then. But consider this the only time I’m entertaining this very game of yours!" Discord vowed.

The little dragon laughed in his throat. "Don’t be so sure because once others get into the game they are wanting to play it more. Just ask Kovu himself along with the many character sheets of all sorts of players to prove it.” After regaining his composure he turned to Big Macintosh and asked. "Sir McBiggun, are you prepared to enter the world of Ogres & Oubliettes?"

"Eeyup." Big Macintosh firmly nodded.

“Khan.” Spike turned to Kovu. “Are you ready.”

“Ready as always.” Kovu returned with a brave face.

"Captain Wuzz," Spike turned to Discord. "Are you—"

"Yes, yes, just get on with it!" Discord impatiently declared.

Spike rolled the dice and then picked up the game book, reading aloud from one of its passages. "Ah, what an interesting predicament. We find our heroes trapped in the dungeon of the evil Squizard. The bars are locked tight," When Discord noticed the lack of actual bars, Spike explained. "The bars exist in our imagination."

"Really? You just describe things and pretend they are real?" Discord sarcastically remarked to the point of borderline complaining.

"They are real, Discord, in our imagination," Spike quickly replied. "And since you’re new to this game, you get to go first. So, Captain Wuzz, what do you want to do?"

Discord grumbled. "Personally I'd like to curse myself for deciding to come to this meeting," Then he realized. "Oh, you meant the game. Well, what can I do, exactly?"

Spike told the spirit. "Almost anything you'd like, really. Then I just roll this twenty sided die and see if you're successful. Although I do have to warn you that certain things are harder for you as an Archer but more into that as we go along."

Discord poofed up a set of bars and stuck his head out from them as he declared. "How's this? I stick my head through the bars and demand for the immediate release of the Lord of Chaos. Someone that Captain Wuzz just so happens to be, by the way."

"Not in this game, you can’t." Spike replied. "Persuasion here is a very dangerous risk as an Archer. You'd have to roll a seventeen or higher to succeed with that. Hope luck’s on your side here." He picked up the die and rolled it, looking down at the number. It was an eight. "Ooh, bad idea. The guard gets mad. The best course of action here would be have one of his comrades take over."

But Discord growled in response. "I don’t think so for I have a counter plan for that!" He looked down at a book nearby, eyeing the things written on it and then declaring. "Ah ha! This spell here should do it. I cast it and turn him into a parsnip."

"Actually, you'd need eleven Intelligent points to cast a Transform Into Root Vegetable spell. Something that only a level 1 Mage is at least capable of doing." Spike told Discord. "But then again, maybe you'll get lucky."

Discord scoffed at the notion while being rather indignant in response. "Of course luck will be on my side. How could I not be intelligent for thinking otherwise? I cast the spell anyway because this game is stupid."

Spike rolled the die again, watching as it landed on a nine. "Ooh, tough luck, Captain Wuzz! The spell backfires. So," He had to pause due to fits of laughter that were erupting from him. "Your claws grow leaves and transform into parsnips!"

"What?! Are you kidding me?!" Discord growled.

“Nope!” Kovu returned unable to control his laughter anymore. “Parsnips

Big Macintosh also laughed hysterically. "Parsnips!"

The spirit found himself increasingly frustrated as the fits of laughter continued. "Don't you dare laugh at me! Do you even know who you're dealing with?!" But his angry remarks only fell on deaf ears, neither Spike or Big Mac acknowledged a word of what he'd said.

Suddenly, something inside Discord snapped! His eyes burned with a fire like the time when Fluttershy had invited Tree Hugger to the Grand Galloping Gala instead of him. "Ooh, that tears it! I've had it enough of this stupid game!" He bellowed at the top of his lungs. "I command that Sir McBiggun be placed in a magic bubble until he stops laughing!"

With a snap of his talons, Big Macintosh found himself suspended in a bubble that he couldn't break out of it no matter what he did. Spike angrily turned to Discord. "What are you doing, Discord?! You're killing the fun in this game!"

"Like there was any fun in a game that says I'm not intelligent enough?!" Discord snorted. "I’ll have you know that I am intelligent. Intelligent to the point that with a simple snap of my paw I can make magic happen. Magic that just so happens to make the impossible possible even for magic bearers like Celestia and Luna! I'm capable of bending the laws of time and space as I please!" Then in a low, growling tone of voice he added. "I am someone nobody but nobody should reckon with or have any of you forgotten that?”

"No, Discord, but that doesn’t mean that excuses of how you are behaving right now.” Kovu bravely retorted to Discord. “You were given a fair chance in picking which character you wanted to be. You chose to be an Archer!" Spike retorted to Discord. "You were warned that the things you were wanting and trying to do were risky, and you didn’t listen. And if you had actually bothered to understand how this game works maybe you’d actually be enjoying this instead of throwing a petty tantrum like you are now."

Discord scoffed at the very notion. "Please! This coming from someone who would know little about what defines a night like tonight a guys' night? I can show you a real guys' night!"

"That won’t be necessary, Discord.” Kovu further protested. “Plus I’m sure no one else wants to know what your chaotic idea involves either.”

Bic Mac shook his head to back the little lion up. “Nope. We prefer Ogres & Oubliettes."

It was then that Discord got an idea, a rather sinister idea at that. "Oh, you do you? Well in that case then I think I might have an idea of how to solve both of our problems here. To make way for the perfect and ideal Guy’s Night out.”

“Discord…”

“...What are you thinking?”

Both Spike and Kovu nervously inquired while feigning a scared gulp at the Lord of Chao’s creepy smile.

"Garbunkle! Khan! Sir McBiggun! Are you ready to enter the world of Ogres & Oubliettes?!" As he spoke dark clouds ominously gathered around him, and then he held out his paws and shot three bolts of magic at Spike, Kovu, and Big Macintosh, making them disappear.

When Spike, Kovu, and Big Mac came to, they found themselves looking around at an unfamiliar landscape. It looked almost like it was comprised of colored dies, cardboard cutouts, and paper figures. And it seemed they were dressed in the outfits that matched their characters from the game of Ogres & Oubliettes. Spike had a gray wizard's robe and hat, along with a beard and a wooden staff. Big Mac had a horn, a black mask that concealed all but the eyes on his face, and a sword that could be tucked into a small holding on his back. Kovu himself himself appearing as a tall and muscular black colored horse wearing silver and red colored armor and a helmet that also concealed his face with the sole exception of his eyes.

"Sir McBiggun?!" Spike exclaimed, hoping beyond hope that he wasn't imaging things.

Big Mac took one look at himself and nodded. "Eeyup."

“Khan?” Spike also exclaimed towards Kovu to make sure this isn’t a dream to him too.

“Yep!” Kovu nodded while still processing with what he is now appearing as.

"And I'm... Garbunkle?" Spike commented as realization slowly began to sink in. "Then that means that... Sweetness! We're in the game! Check this out! Ka-zam!" He fired off a beam of magic from his staff, shattering one of the nearby dies.

Delighted at this development, Spike, Kovu, and Big Mac all began to chant again: "It's guys' night, oh yeah! In the game now, oh yeah!"

Spike then marveled at the real life game world Discord had created. "Oh man, if only Shining Armor was here. He'd be wanting to join in!" The little dragon looked all around, but he didn't see any sign of Discord anywhere. Either as himself or as his character: Captain Wuzz the Archer. "Discord? Hey, Discord, where are you?! I know you didn't like playing the game with us, but we’d still like to thank you for making the game real."

From afar, Discord's voice could be heard and it sounded like a laugh. "Oh, the pleasure is all mine. Aren't games fun when you get to experience the action in real life?"

At that, Spike let out a gulp as he looked at Big Mac and Kovu. "Er, you think we should worry that he's using his scary voice?" But he needn't have bothered asking, for at that moment there came the sound of an army marching.

The horrified heroes turned around to look, and found themselves staring down a paper cutout of a giant squid with magic wands and a sorcerer's hat. The creature cackled as he declared. "Behold, I am the Squizard! Cower you fools, cower before my awesome power!" Then he added. "And look at the fine prize I picked up. Your precious Princess Shmarity is mine!"

A couple of paper skeleton warriors held a tied up Starlight Glimmer, who was dressed in a long, flowing princess robe and a crown. As she struggled in vain to break free she complained. "For buck’s sake, I am not Princess Shmarity or Rarity, and more importantly I'm not Spike’s girlfriend!" And when she looked at Spike. "Just what the hay have you got Discord dragging me into this time!"

"Discord!" Spike growled.

Discord's voice only laughed. "You're welcome."

Spike and Big Mac immediately opted to flee from the Squizard, knowing they couldn't hope to take him head on with his army of skeletons. But they could only run so fast, and suddenly several arrows filled the sky!

But before the arrows could impact they stopped midair. Amidst the silence, Discord's voice narrated. "Oh my, what a sharp edged situation you're in, brave heroes. You find yourselves on the battlefield, right in the thick of it, as a barrage of arrows rains down on you. If you roll a fifteen or higher then the shield holds against the attack. Roll a fourteen or lower and, well..." The spirit paused in his narration to laugh. "You get the idea. Better hope lady luck is on your side."

From up above, a huge die came down and rolled around. It eventually stopped, landing right side up with the number seventeen showing. Discord continued his narration. "Ooh, seventeen! Lucky you! The shield holds and you manage to withstand the aerial bombardment, for now." Sure enough, the arrows bounced harmlessly off a magic bubble before they could touch either of the heroes.

Having been spared from the pain the sharp arrows would have brought, Spike, Kovu, and Big Mac wasted no time and resumed fleeing. They tried to take shelter in a nearby cave to rest and hopefully find a way to survive.

Alas, it seemed Discord was already there. "Boo." He cried, before several skeleton warriors suddenly appeared.

"Discord, cut it out!" Spike demanded.

"Yeah! This isn't fun anymore." Kovu stated already feeling his anxiety creeping up by the second.

"Oh, but I thought you wanted the fun that comes with the game." Discord remarked. "Personally I have it more fun when I'm the game master? The one who determines whether you succeed or fail?" Then he looked down at the three heroes. "Speaking of which, I'd cover that entrance if I were you, Sir McBiggun. You don't want the Squizard's forces to get in and ambush you."

But Discord's warning came too late. The Squizard himself closed in on the heroes, and some of his skeleton warriors drew close enough to attack. Garbunkle, Khan, and Sir McBiggun fought bravely, repelling many of the attackers. But the Squizard himself was too powerful, one blast from his magic wands was enough to bring them all down to their knees.

And when the attacks connected, Spike, Khan, and Big Mac felt a sharp, stinging pain.

“Ow! What in the actual hay! That hurts!” Kovu yelled out as he grabbed his injured arm.

"Discord, are you crazy?!" Spike angrily complained.

"Well I am the Lord of Chaos, so it should be expected at this point." Discord retorted. "That is of course when we’re outside of the game, but regardless everything here is as real as the chaotic world I could conquer if I was still the bad guy. My, do little details like sure tend to slip my mind."

"Discord, this is awful!" Spike snapped at the spirit.

"Yeah!” Kovu also snapped. “You’re really trying to kill us here!”

The Squizard simply laughed in his throat. "Of course it is and of course it's awful. Spiketopia will be mine! And Rarity shall be my bride!" After a second of silence he quickly corrected himself. "Er I mean, Shmarity."

Another zap connected, and Spike, Khan, and Big Mac nearly crumpled to the floor from pain. "Why are you doing this, Discord? You're the worst!" Spike complained as the spirit finally appeared in the game world in full.

Discord simply retorted. "Oh, I’m the worst? Says the guy who magically manages to make this game of yours a dream come true, and now you say I'm the worst? If that’s what you really think that way, why did you even invite me to guys' night in the first place? I could've stayed in my dimension, doing whatever I pleased. Instead I decided to join in on your 'top secret' gathering.."

"Because we felt sorry for you, Discord! That's why!" Spike explained.

The spirit stopped the game, snapping his paws and bringing everyone (including Starlight) back to the throne room. Starlight took a moment to catch her breath, then departed without saying a word.

As for Discord he just blinked his eyes but did nothing else. "You felt sorry for me?" He remarked, as if offended by the very notion. "But...why? Why even knowing of who I am and who you are?"

"Life’s not all about you, Discord.” Kovu bitterly remarked. “That ever click in your head or did have cotton candy stuffed up in your ears?” Said spirit moved to remove cotton candy from his ears, which just so happened to be two giant wads enough for two people to enjoy. “Okay, I guess that answers my question." He then cringed along with Spike when he proceeded to eat them on the spot. "Yuck."

Spike then continued after shaking off what he had just witnessed. "That aside...We thought we'd be nice, Fluttershy and Beshte kept mentioning how lonely you are whenever she and the girls and the guys are out of town. So Big Mac, Kovu, and I thought we'd invite you over out of kindness. Because we were trying to be nice to you, you... weirdo!"

“Cotton candy earful plucking sicko, I might say!” Kovu added in disgust more towards the cotton candy tossed at his feet as Big Mac nodded his head in silent agreement.

Discord's mouth all but dropped open at the statement. "I ruined your night, and you don't even think I'm cool? Oh, my." Then he remarked. "Great, now I feel guilt. Why does have to happen? What am I doing wrong with myself?"

"Nothing a little talking out can’t fix, Discord, you just need to lighten up a little," Spike insisted to the spirit. "Along with knowing to tone down being mean to everyone all the time. Even Starlight didn’t get defensive as she would have if she were in your paw and hoof prints, and still she had a hard time fitting in."

“And the same can be said for me.” Kovu chimed in. “Even though I was never mean, I was still a little too nice for my good to the point I had to learn to be more assertive like now.”

"Really? If that’s so than how did you and Starlight manage to be welcomed with open arms whether it’s an invitation or a heads up when Twilight took her on as a student or managing to strike up a really close relationship with the lion king’s daughter." Discord complained with Kovu blushing and looking aside on that last part.

"Because Starlight didn't want or need that kind of attention, she needed time to get used to her new life along with adjusting to the terms of her probation." Spike explained. "But now she's gotten the time to readjust and settle in, and she's become a part of the circle of friends that defend the Pride Lands and Equestria. Not to mention, she's managed to make a few friends of her own.”

“And as for me, well…” Kovu added on while trying hard not to blush. “...even though I’ve been around for a few years, it took a recent trip to the Crystal Empire for me to come out of my shell and start learning to grow more accustomed to the comforts that the Pride Lands and Equestria both have to offer. As for me and Kiara...that was more of a blessing that comes at first sight rather than expecting special royal treatment. And given the king himself, it’s more of a given to actually expect that. But that said if Starlight can make the adjustments she needed to learn to fit right in and if I can learn to be a little more fearless and tougher, why can't you?"

Discord stuttered and twiddled his paws, that indicates the answer to that question is something that he didn't want to admit that’s really troubling him deep down. "W-well..." After a moment of hesitation he sighed and confessed. "Oh, fiddlesticks! I can't lie to you on this one. Even if I wanted to, I suppose I have to learn when to tell the truth when it really matters." He cleared his throat. "Ever since the day the Pride Lands was reclaimed from Scar I’ve been having trouble of fitting right back in and readjusting to new changes in life.”

“Like what?” Kovu asked. “Because if it’s about whatever Scar said you know he usually says what he says to get you to believe what he wants you think so you’d do what he says. And of course it’s natural given that he’s very unpredictable with his words that are a matter of pride.” He then said in his Scar-like tone and accent on the last part. After chuckling for a moment with what he just did. “I mean it’s not hard to see why he can rub off on anyone who’s spent time with him.”

“True, but in a way he was right about what he said to me back then.” Discord returned to make his point across. “That once I was committed in helping him and switched sides there was no going back and that no matter what the very elements of friendship are both a blessing and a curse. And even after trying to put the whole matter behind me, his words still proved true. When ponies and Pride Landers see me they go all 'Ah! Help! Run away! It's Discord, the Lord of Chas, here to cause trouble our way and turn my life upside down!'. Even Twilight still sometimes thinks I'm up to no good, like I'm a bad influence best kept to a minimum. Not only that a part of me still enjoys causing chaos with no consequences to follow whatsoever. But then again, not to the point I’d want to go back to the days where I was without friends and forever trapped in stone again."

Spike simply reached out a claw to the spirit. "Maybe if you weren’t acting like a jerk just because you're unhappy maybe other’s including Twilight wouldn’t be thinking that way towards you. And even if you've changed and have come to terms with friendship you're still the same Discord deep down. The same spirit of chaos and disharmony, even after allowing friends in your inner circle.”

“And given that I’ve been around others who could actually benefit a thing or two from friendship, it can happen to anyone, young or old.” Kovu added. “Even from the youngest baby of the bunch to the oldest being in all of Equestria.”

Discord found himself greatly embarrassed himself. "That is so very true. Even for me. After all my age doesn't really equate to super strong wisdom like Mufusa himself."

“No question about that.” Kovu returned while nodding his head.

"Eeyup." Big Macintosh also nodded his head.

Spike nodded too. "Better late than never he would say if he were here." And then he turned to Discord. "Speaking of which, how about we try out Ogres & Oubliettes again? And I hope you’re willing to say yes, because I've got a little proposition for you."

"I'm listening!" Discord said with a grin as he opened up his large magically appeared ears.

The little dragon grinned. "Well while the whole game coming to life was terrifying, but it was also kind of and actually the best thing ever! So, uh, Big Mac, Kovu and I were wondering... What if you toned the realness part down a little? You know, by that we mean exclude the experience of real pain and injuries thing."

The spirit grinned again. "Hm, that I can do. It'll take a while for me to make the necessary readjustments happen but I can manage it no problem."

"As long as you can make it happen that’s all that matters.” Spike assured. “So how about you go ahead and get it set up while I go check on a certain somepony who got caught up in the mix?"

Spike raced out of the throne room and trotted down a couple of hallways to Starlight's bedroom. He knocked on it a few times before hearing a very sharp and annoyed tone of voice. “I’m not in the mood for anymore games, Spike!”

"Starlight, please.” Spike implored of her. “I'm sorry Discord roped into it the way he did but I already got to promise to never do it again."

Starlight still remained adamant on where she stands and lays down in her room. "Even still, I don't want to be a princess. All I want is to just get some sleep so I can be prepared to resume my friendship lessons for when Twilight returns, so good night!”

"Okay. But you know where to find us if you change your mind." Spike replied and returned to the throne room, deciding it was best to leave Starlight be for now.

Discord had just finished setting up the real life game world, and had slipped into his character costume of Captain Wuzz. "Ah, there you are, Garbunkle. Are you ready to enter the world of Ogres & Oubliettes?"

Spike nodded as he rushed onto the game world, changing into his character costume. "I'm ready!"

"Sir McBiggun," Discord turned to Big Mac. "Are you ready to enter the world of Ogres & Oubliettes?"

"Eeyup!" Big Mac declared as he changed into his character costume too.

“And how about you, Khan.” Discord turned to Kovu. “Are you ready to enter the world of Ogres & Oubliettes?"”

“Ready!” Kovu bravely stated as he too changed into his character costume as well.

"Okay, let's begin!" Discord declared. "Our heroes decide to confront the Squizard directly, and so they go to his castle. But the Squizard's army is there to greet them already." As he spoke, a massive paper castle rose out of the ground, and several cardboard cutout skeleton warriors appeared.

The voice of the Squizard taunted the heroes. "You will never defeat me, fools! My army will make mince meat out of you!"

"In your dreams, Squizard! You're going down!" Garbunkle taunted as he swung his staff, shooting out several blasts of magic that brought down many skeleton warriors.

Sir McBiggun swung his sword around, slicing apart many skeleton warriors as well. And Captain Wuzz's well aimed arrows brought down countless more. But it seemed like no matter how many were defeated, the skeleton warriors continued to pour in.

That is until Khan bravely charged into the heart of danger swinging and kicking around every skeleton warrior that comes right at them.

And even with the never ending tides changing, the heroes didn't care, they were having the time of their lives. The skeleton warriors fell easily against their weapons.

At last, the Squizard himself emerged from his castle just as the heroes reached the top of it. "You've made a foolish mistake! I'll defeat you all myself, and then I'll rule Spiketopia forever!"

Captain Wuzz aimed another arrow as he instructed. "Garbunkle! Follow my lead! We'll take him down together!" He shot off an arrow in a far off direction.

"Fool! Mere arrows can't harm me!" The Squizard declared. "And you missed by a mile!"

"Oh, it's no ordinary arrow, Squizard!" Garbunkle vowed as he aimed his staff at the arrow as it bounced off the castle walls, encasing it in ice. "Let's see how you like this!"

The ice arrow soon pierced the Squizard from behind, causing him to let out a squeak! "You'll pay for that! You haven't seen the last of me!" He vowed as he ran off, trying to get the arrow out of his rear.

"Bulls-eye!" Garbunkle declared.

Captain Wuzz nodded and smiled. "Nice one! Garbunkle! I knew I could count on you!"

Then all four heroes started to chant together: "It's guys' night, oh yeah! Havin' fun now, oh yeah!"

Suddenly, they were snapped out of their game by the sound of hoofs and paws clapping. The heroes spun around to see Twilight, Kion, Kiara, and all of her friends had come back to the castle, still dressed in their attire for Yakyakistan.

"Mom!"

“Kiara!”

Spike and Kovu furiously blushed.

“W-when did you get here?”

"H-how long have you all been...standing there?"

Twilight snickered, trying (and failing) to cover her look of amusement. "Long enough to catch the very end, Spike. Looks like you're having fun."

“Along with making new friends along the way.” Kiara added with a love-struck grin on her face that had Kovu further blushing in response to the point his pink cheeks are now colored red out of sheer embarrassment at being seen in the act with what he was doing.

“Yep.”

“We sure have. Thanks to Discord," Spike then said. "I suppose we should... probably pack it up now since...guys' night is over."

But Rainbow Dash protested. "What are you talking about? It doesn't have to end yet! I want in!" And she happily exclaimed. "Did you see Big Mac's sword? That's awesome!"

“It sure was!” Bunga happily added. “That was so Un-Bunga-veilable! Let me play too!”

Pinkie Pie added. "Yeah! I don't know what it is, but it looks like super duper fun!" She chased after Rainbow Dash as they stepped into the gaming world, obtaining in game costumes (Rainbow was dressed in a dark gray hooded robe, Bunga sported a multi-colored jester’s outfit with a clownish themed yet powerful staff in his claws, and Pinkie had a multicolored vest and a purple band that made her look like a fortune teller).

“Okay, all right.” Fuli smirked feeling like this is a challenge worth tackling. “If were allowing girls in on the fun, then hope there is room for one more, because I want in on this.” She then rushed into the gaming world too, where she donned a helmet and armor all clad in green and gold to match her eyes and fur.

"Guys' night rules!" They all declared as they rushed to join in on the fun.

Author's Note

Here while the main cast is out on an expedition to Yakyakistan, there's a guy's night being held in the castle where Discord himself finds himself joining on the action with Spike, Big Mac, and Kovu for company.

Due to the fact that he finds it as in obligation on his end, Discord is not entirely feeling it to the point he went as far as going a little (more than that really :pinkiecrazy:) crazy when trying out their biggest fun and games into another chaotic experience.

Thankfully, his moral compass was still on the right side of things when called out on his behavior and from there they all came to an understanding together which paved way for a fun night together.

As for what happened on the other side of things, well that's a story that will be told coming up next...

Episode 30: The Yakyakistan Experience

Author's Note

Before I begin, here's the surprise that I've been talking about. Much like with No Third Prances, this is the second episode made just from scratch to fill the void of an episode I had to either scrap out, re-write, and or fit in another episode to fill the void.

Since the Outlands side plot was fitted into Flutter Brutter since in my mind that episode focusing on Thurston just didn't fit right to the point it serves as the only pointless episode ever created in the first two seasons of the Lion Guard, No Third Prances took it's place. Here, due The Cart Before The Ponies in need of much needed rewriting (which will come later on this season), I had to find something to fill the void. And since some have wondering what the main cast has been doing during the Guys Night, I thought to myself, why not?

So thus this episode has been created in it's place (again, for now). An episode involving a meet up, catch up, and a little talk going forward in terms of alliance and friendship. Not only that much like many episodes, there is also the comedic and wacky elements sprinkled into it here and there. But without saying much like before it all works out quite nicely.

Aside from that, that's all I got for now, and when we get back we will get to see Pride Landers and Equestrians Unite as they prepare for battle against Scar and his army, which I hope to have ready in time for Thanksgiving so stay tuned until then...

Episode 30: The Yakyakistan Experience

Episode 30:

The Yakyakistan Experience

After being informed that the Lion and Pony Guard are going on a day trip to Yakyakistan, Discord joined both Fluttershy and Beshte in the walk to the train station to see them and the others off. All while begrudgingly finding himself agreeing to entertain the idea of spending quality friendship time with Spike, Kovu, and Big Mac while they are all away.

Both friends have both dressed up for the cold weather. Fluttershy herself wore a purple sweater and light blue earmuffs for the occasion. Beshte himself wore a black sweater with matching earmuffs himself.

“I suppose this is goodbye then.” Discord then said with a sigh before smiling. “Have an absolutely fabulous voyage.”

“Now come on Discord.” Beshte returned with a look that tells him he knows that he isn’t being completely sincere. “You’re going to have a great time during your Guy’s Night Out.”

“And you’ll never know if you never give it a chance.” Fluttershy added in agreement.

“Hmm…” Discord gave it some thought before trying to entertain another idea to them. “...maybe. Maybe not. Though I suppose if there just so happens to be an active volcano nearby along the way, then I guess you’ll have to stay.” Both Fluttershy and Beshte look on with disapproving looks. “What? It could happen.”

Neither Fluttershy nor Beshte were amused nor impressed.

“Don’t do that.”

“Yeah. That’s not funny, Discord.”

“Oh, fine.” Discord pouted in defeat upon realizing that especially as far as the threat of Scar is concerned it is not a very good joke nor is something to toy around with, especially given his unpredictable and dangerous moves and actions.

Just moments later, the rest of the Lion and Pony Guard had arrived all decked up in winter gear with Big Mac, Spike, and Kovu all accompanying them to see them off along with Kiara who is accompanying the Guard for the ride too.

Twilight wore a yellow and red scarf, mitts, and boots with red earmuffs. Rarity wore a large white hat with a white blue diamond decorated scarf along with matching mitts and boots. Rainbow Dash wore a purple hat with matching mitts and boots and red and yellow scarf. Applejack wore a blue sweater, and Pinkie wore a light blue jacket, hat, mitts, and boots from head to toe.

As for the Lion Guard, everyone else dressed up too. Kion himself wore a red sweater with black earmuffs and mitts to cover all four of his paws. Fuli wore a green sweater with matching earmuffs and mitts for her ears and paws. Bunga wore a silver sweater and earmuffs. Ono wore an orange bodysuit and yellow scarf and hat. Kyoga wore a white sweater with matching earmuffs, scarf, mitts, and a hat. And Kiara herself wore a crystal white and blue outfit similar to both Rarity and Kyoga's from the hat, scarf, mitts, and earmuffs. A stunning sight for crystal ponies to adore if she was there. It also helps that Rarity designed all of these outfits for each and everyone like the good friend that she is.

“I got my bedroll, parka, unattractive but functional hikin' boots…” Applejack voiced before turning to the pink pony walking beside her. “Uh, anything I forgot, Pinkie Pie? You're our resident Yakyakistan expert.”

“Nope!” The pink pony cheerfully shook her head. “I brought yeti food!” Everyone including Bunga looked on with bewildered looks at what she just said. “Did I forget to mention there's a pony-eating yeti on Frost Field Glacier?”

“Yes, you did forget to mention that little detail.” Fuli returned with a dull look. “At least you let us know ahead of time.”

“As opposed to the last minute. Let alone last second.” Ono added equally dull with sarcasm dripped in his tone.

Bunga then happily moved on by saying. “We're gonna have so much fun!”

Rainbow was quick to assure everyone she’s got whatever danger comes their way. “Heh. If he messes with us, I'll turn that yeti into confetti!”

“Can you actually do that?” Kyoga asked as if she was being serious.

“It’s an expression, Kyoga! Geez! Have a sense of humor, lady!” In response a zap of lightning was shot right at her flank. “Ow! Hey! What was that for?!”

“Me trying to have a sense of humor. And by that I mean deflating that overly inflated ego of yours, literally.” Everyone all shared a group laugh together.

“Ha, ha, ha, really funny! Go ahead! Laugh it up!”

Just then the Friendship Express train had just arrived at the station with Big Mac wasting no time in pushing her younger sister onto her ride to Yakyakistan. “Heh. Somepony's in an awful quick hurry to get us out of here. Don't y'all have too much fun without us.”

Twilight then patted her adopted son like figure on the scales. “I bet you boys have big plans. Right, Spike?”

Spike continued to play it off like they don’t know what they are talking about. “I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about.” He then turned to his crush who simply rolled her eyes in response. “Although if I did, I certainly wouldn't be allowed to discuss it with you girls.”

“I’m sure you won’t.” Kiara returned with sarcasm herself before turning to the lion of her dreams. “And neither will you.”

“Oh you can count on that.” Kovu returned with a blush while looking aside and trying really hard not to grin.

“Buh-bye!” Twilight said as she passed by the boys one last time.

“Take care of yourselves.” Kion said to them as he boarded the train alongside the alicorn princess.

“Bye, y'all!” Applejack waved to the others just when the trains takes off from the station and on to their destination and onto another adventure of a lifetime they’ll never forget.

So with the train ride on the move, the Lion and Pony Guard is on the move to the Crystal Empire, where the borders to Yakyakistan lies the closet. And despite Pinkie being her usual bubbly and kooky self her guidance up towards the entrance to their kingdom proved useful given that she actually (well almost) visited near the place a little while back. Given that she provided them a party that actually managed to convince the Yaks to make amends with both Twilight and Kion along with them learning to be less trigger happy with imperfect details that had them rampaging constantly it would make sense of how she knows them best. In addition there’s a special reason for their visit, that involves a combination of both things from the past and the present something that would pave way for a stronger friendship for the future.

“Wow! I really got to say I’m really looking forward to this trip, Pinkie!” Kion happily expressed to her.

“Me too!” Pinkie giggled. “It would be wonderful to see how well the yaks have fared since we last saw them.”

“Not only that…” Twilight spoke up next. “...along with being able to ask them a huge favor because we sure could use it later down the road.”

“Oh, yeah! Of course! For when we ask for their help in the fight against Scar! Surely they can’t say no to a request like that!”

“Don’t be too sure, Pinkie.” Ono cautioned. “If you don’t word it right the whole deal could be frozen over. And I don’t mean literally.”

Pinkie laughed at the egret making a pun even if he didn’t intend to that time. “Good one, Ono! But all joking aside, being able to ask them for their help is nothing we can’t handle as long as we play our cards right.” At that moment, Pinkie with the power of her poofy mane conjured up some playing cards. She then handed each and everyone on the train separate cards which has secretly written notes on the back of them.

“Huh?”

“Pinkie?”

“What are these?”

Kion, Applejack, and Rarity all uttered in surprise upon receiving and holding up their cards.

“Our plan. Your instructions for the planned visit we have with them. I’ve taken everything and accounted for any setbacks we might have along the way. It’s flawless.”

“Boo-boo proof?” Fluttershy asked.

“Boo-boo proof.” Pinkie nodded. “Read and do exactly what it says.” Just then she spotted something up ahead. “Oh goodie! We have just arrived!”

The train indeed arrived and pulled up to the station at the Crystal Empire. And at the station a few guests already there to greet them. Important guests and friends of the family.

“Hello, Kion.”

“Hello, Twilight.”

“Glad you all could make it.”

Simba, Celestia, and Cadance all greeted and all wearing their respective winter gear.

The former wore an orange sweater, red earmuffs, matching mitts, scarf, and hat. The sun monarch wore a multi-colored sweater, mitts, hat, and scarf to match her mane. The crystal princess wore a sky blue scarf, mitts, and red earmuffs herself.

“Same here.”

“We’re just as glad we were invited over too.”

Both leaders returned equally pleased to see them since they were expecting them while hugging their respective relatives.

“So everyone…” Cadance then said to the whole group once they all got off of the train. “...are we all ready to travel up to Yakyakistan?”

Everyone all replied with the following.

“Yeah!”

“Yep!”

“Ready!”

“Let’s do this!”

“Ready when you are!”

“Let’s go!”

“Great! Then follow me!” The Princess of Love happily declared before leading everyone on over towards the gates of Yakyakistan much like she did with Pinkie Pie the other day a while back.

As for the reason why both Simba and Celestia along with Cadance are accompanying the Guard on the upward journey up the hill towards Yakyakistan, it is for two reasons. One, because they two wanted to see what the kingdom itself is like given that the former has never been there before like everyone else, and the latter so she can see how things have changed since she was last there.

The other and most important reason, is so that they can help and oversee the talks and negotiations in order to avoid a repeat of the near war declaration from the last time they saw them. Mainly as a precaution to ensure neither Twilight nor Kion don’t scare them down and off into hiding. While they both are sure of that it won’t happen, they felt it was necessary to make sure things go smoothly this time around.

It took a little while due to the increased winds and snowfall around them, but they all managed to make it to the top. But with one thing Pinkie remembered just before they all reached the gates leading into Yakyakistan. “Just a minute, everyone!” She spoke up before examining the ice they are standing on. “Now, everyone split up and walk towards the gate following the instructions I gave you.”

Simba and Celestia looked towards both Kion and Twilight who had only this to say in response.

“Because when she tried to go there last time she ended up slipping on broken ice and slid all the way back here.”

“And this is to ensure that it doesn’t happen again by properly evening the scales, no offense.”

“None taken.” Beshte said to the two.

“In that case I’ll fly up a little just in case.” The sun monarch proceeded to do just that.

The others moved to follow the specific directions of how to approach the gates without slipping and sliding. Mainly in four rows of three walking side by side towards the gate. Fuli, Fluttershy, Kyoga in one row. Twilight, Kion, Pinkie in the next. Followed by Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, and then Bunga, and Beshte with Simba, Cadance, and Kiara behind while Celestia continues to float herself.

With careful steps as Pinkie motions everyone of how to step closer and closer towards the gates and then she did something that was out of the blue from everyone else present give that she put her front left hoof forward and then. “You put your left hoof in. You put your left hoof out. You put your left hoof in, and you shake it all around. You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around. That’s what it’s all about. You put your…”

“Pinkie!” Fuli sharply interrupted. “What in the name of Equestria are you doing?!”

“It’s okay…” She happily assured while still performing said dance moves. “...it’s all part of the plan to ensure nobody slips and slides downward like I did before. Just keep going.” Everyone all moved to do so while letting Pinkie do her hokey pokey moves right up until they got to the gate. Upon arriving they still couldn’t comprehend while all of that was even necessary but still knew better than to question it.

Upon arriving and making sure they are all positioned where they won’t be unfortunate victims of the ice breakage Pinkie moved to knock on the gates. After a few seconds, someone’s voice moved to answer it.

“Who goes there?! Who dares disrupt the yak’s slumber.” The voice assertively demanded.

“It’s your favorite pony and friend, Pinkie Pie! Along with her bestest friends from the Lion and Pony Guard and a couple of princesses and a king for company!”

Upon hearing the cheerful pony’s voice, the tone quickly changed from the other side with the doors being quick to be unlocked and open just so some of the yaks could properly and kindly greet the guests that have come to their doorstep. “Well in that case, disregard what yak just said. And please, please, come on in.”

Everyone all moved to do so, all while finding themselves greeted by a long line of yaks who have already moved forward to greet their new friends. Complete with party confetti similar to how the yaks were initially greeted when they met the Lion and Pony Guard for the first time. Likewise, everyone took in the sights of the snowy area and buildings in front of them with awed interest.

At the end of the line, their leader Prince Rutherford was there so he can personally greet the group himself. “Pink pony step forward!” Pinkie moved to do as she was told before finding herself scooped up by the strong muscles of the yak himself. “Yaks feel so great to see you again! It has been so long since yaks have stayed in touch with pony kind along with her friend’s kind.”

“Same here!” Pinkie happily returned. “And I can tell you right now we’ve already been itching to want to see you all ourselves.”

“Yaks can tell.” Prince Rutherford then eyed the other friends that have also journeyed here to alongside Pinkie. “Purple alicorn, Golden lion and alicorn!” He moved to hug the two leaders of the Guard himself. Since their strength seperately has improved since the last time, both Kion and Twilight were able to handle it comfortably without feeling their bones and ribs are getting crushed. “So good to see you both again!”

“Good to see you too!”

“Nice that we could finally make the time to come here today! And I’m sure you’ve already met our friends from my Lion Guard!”

“Hey ya, party lovers!”

“Greetings, your majesty!”

“Nice to see you again!”

“Great to be here!”

“Along with my friends from the Pony Guard!”

“Howdy!”

“Hi!”

“Hello, darlings!”

“Been having fun lately!”

“Yaks sure been having fun!” The prince confirmed in answer to that last question. “In fact, yaks have been improving on our anger so yaks don’t smash on everything around us.”

“Oh, really!” Twilight noted while looking around the kingdom itself. “I can tell since these buildings are still standing.”

“Indeed, princess. For your friendship with us helped yaks see the errors of our past behavior and yaks have worked to change that so that yaks don’t get ourselves into trouble, again.”

“That’s always great to hear!”

“Yes…” He then sees the other guests that have yet to be introduced to. “...as much as meeting new faces, old and new.”

“Yes, of course.” Kion then moved to stand beside his sister and father. “Prince Rutherford, this is Kiara, my sister…”

“Who just so happens to be a princess herself…” Rarity chimed in and reminded with sparkling eyes as she said it much to the eye rolling annoyance from the lioness herself.

“...and this is my dad, King Simba.” Kion then finished.

“Hi.”

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet a friend of my son’s.” The two greeted while offering their paws to shake his hoof with.

“It would be greatly appreciated if you could not crush them, please?” Twilight kindly asked of the yak in charge who seemed to nod in response before moving to shake their hands a little strongly and vigorously for their liking.

“Yak welcomes both king and princess to Yakyakistan with open arms.” The prince greeted.

“Thank you, Prince Rutherford.”

“Thank you for inviting us here.”

Both lions replied while feeling themselves with a still shaking paw themselves after Rutherford had let go of them. Thankfully, both Kion and Twilight were there to help grab onto and stop them from shaking.

“And I don’t believe you’ve met Princess Cadance, have you?” Twilight then asked as Cadance moved to introduce herself to him.

“Yak has not. But yak has now.” The prince replied before moving to kiss it, along with leaving a little spittle on her golden slipper.

“Lovely to met you too, your majesty.” The princess returned with a forced smile before having her hoof instantly wiped off before she could accidentally glue herself to the ground with it due to the cold temperatures around them.

“The pleasure is all mine…” The yak returned before eyeing the one princess she has yet to greet. “...along with someone yaks haven’t seen in years.”

“Oh, the pleasure is all mine, Prince Rutherford.” Princess Celestia herself greeted as warmly and friendly as always.

“Yes, yak sure. Yaks also feel great that yaks can let bygones be bygones.” The sun princess herself nervously giggled in response before being gently hugged along with having her slippered hoof kissed much like Cadance before her.

Although Twilight was quick to pick up on that odd display of emotion she rarely shows expect when it comes to dealing with dangerous and difficult villains from the past she decided not to question it at least not right now. Along with whatever happened that led to whatever former tension to from between ponies and yaks.

“So Prince Rutherford…” Celestia then continued. “...you and your yaks have done quite a remarkable job of establishing a stable life here since we last saw each other.”

“Yes, yaks feel they have done it quite well, if yak do say so himself.” The prince proudly stated. “While yaks have had quite a few hardships on our own from time to time we always prevail and strive through to live for another day.” Upon hearing that left one to wonder what he meant by that, but again it is a question for another time. “Even to this day, we pride ourselves on our traditions we yaks uphold. So that said yaks will gladly give friends of yak a tour of Yakyakistan.” He then gestured to the various things the yaks are currently doing at the time. “Stomping logs to help tame yaks anger…”

“That’s good to hear.” Kion complimented

“Thankfully.” Fuli whispered to the others who nodded in agreement.

“...in addition learning how to decorate yak’s home and create yak’s new winter wear, blankets, and hats.”

“Ooh! Fascinating!” Rarity complimented herself with sparkling eyes.

“It is for yaks.” The prince noted before looking upon something else. “Also as much as yaks most beloved and traditional instrument. The yovidaphone.”

“The yovidaphone? What’s that?” Twilight curiously asked as Celestia looked on uncomfortably.

"The yovidaphone looks like this.” Calling out to a couple yaks. “Bring it forward, yaks!” The two yaks moved to do just that by rushing away to retreive it. ”Other yaks…” He then yelled out to the other, drum roll!” To be able to replicate it they proceeded to stomp their hooves on the ground repeatedly which shook the land and mountains around them a little much to the others concern. After a minute they managed to bring it out for all eyes to see and it was something to be said when even the pink party pony to see the instrument herself. Said instrument was gold in color and had a huge number of pipes compared to a saxophone. “Ta-da!”

Everyone all looked on in surprise, normal surprise for none of them had ever seen anything like it yet unsure of how it really works to properly judge said instrument.

“Wow!”

“Cool!”

Most of the Guard voiced in astonishment upon seeing it for the first time.

“It sure is something all right.” Fuli commented herself while amazed and stunned by how huge and how pipes it has.

“And that’s saying something for an instrument we just saw.” Princess Twilight commented before turning to her mentor. “Isn’t that right, Celestia?” But to her surprise she didn’t respond right away. “Celestia?!”

“Is everything okay?” Cadance asked her aunt who looked on completely uncomfortable while trying to avert her gaze from seeing it. For to her, that instrument sure brings back a lot of memories for her and judging from her catatonic shocked expression they aren’t good ones for sure.

After standing still in the same expression and position, Twilight decided to break the ice by calling her name out in her ear. “Celestia!”

The white alicorn let loose a startled gasp of shock before snapping out of it. “Yes, Twilight! It sure is quite something all right?” She nervously giggled which sparked confusion and concern amongst the group upon seeing it.

“Uh-huh. Still in one piece after all these years. Yaks amazed that yaks were able to put it together piece by piece.” The prince himself said thinking nothing of it along with the princess’s troubled look. “Even better is that yaks plan to show it in it’s restored glory later tonight.”

“Lovely. That’s great to hear. Can’t wait!” The princess managed to say despite her sudden struggle to maintain her composure. She then said. “But before we continue the tour, could you excuse me for a minute please?”

“Of course your majesty.” Prince Rutherford happily obliged to her request with a smile.

She then gracefully smiled in return before turning away to a private area in Yakyakistan before dropping her smile to let loose a big sigh in relief. “Oh, good heavens. That was a close one.”

“In regards to that instrument the yaks just presented?” Twilight’s voice said to her while revealing herself to be right behind her along with Kion, Simba, and Cadance. “It’s okay to say so you know? Much like you taught me.” She then reminded.

“What?! No! I mean…” Celestia stammered before giving up trying to come up with a little lie that is now obvious. “...yes. It is the yodviaphone, that’s really troubling me?”

“But why?” The younger alicorn asked in concern.

“Because that instrument brings up really bad memories for me. Something that led to years of regret.” She solemnly replied.

“Like what?” Kion asked as Cadance motioned her aunt to put the deep breathing exercise along with Twilight.

“An international incident that led to a rift between ponies and yaks?” Twilight guessed.

“The very incident that you off hoof mentioned that one time?” Simba himself also chimed in while questioning.

“All of the above.” She admitted as she sat down and turned her back from them as she could hardly bare to face her closest companions with deep regret written all over her face as she recalls the memory of her last visit here in Yakyakistan. “It was long ago when it happened and when checking up on the yaks on a day like this. Upon visiting that day, that’s where I came across the yodviaphone. While it seems like an instrument that one would wish to try out at first, you’ll find depending on your capabilities that it’s either a blessing to be granted or a curse that you regret pursing. And that’s what happened to me back then.”

“So you willing volunteered to play the yodviaphone in front of the yaks, but just so happened to be very unskilled and unfit to play it you wound offending the yaks greatly for it.” Her student deduced.

“Yes, Twilight.”

“And I’m guessing the yaks weren’t in a listening mood to hear your attempted apologies out?” The half lion and alicorn prince then asked.

“Yes, Kion.”

“Whoa.” Simba gasped. “And here I thought accidentally saying the former elephant leader had dumplings on him was bad.” He commented while expressing relief once more that the elephants were very forgiving and understanding for his accidental use of Elephantese and that he did not do anything to set off the yaks himself.

“If you had said what you said at one of their funerals, you would have been trampled to death.” She then quickly added upon remembering what happened to his father. “But of course we will at least make sure that doesn’t happen going forward.”

“I’m sure should that happen again, they won’t be too hostile and aggressive towards you.” Cadance then attempted to assure her distressed aunt. “It’s all in the past and the yaks so far have managed to keep their temper’s under control…” At the sound a yak roaring and crushing log sound. “...mostly.”

Even still Celestia felt uncomfortable of wanting to do anything with a yodviaphone again, she had to remind herself that thanks to Pinkie along with Twilight and Kion, the yaks don’t have the same ill temper they once had. Still present, but not as bad as before.

“You can trust us on this.” Twilight again comforted. “We won’t let anything happen to you. And that’s something we can promise you on. Even Pinkie Promise on.”

“Pinkie Promise on what?” Pinkie curiously asked while suddenly appearing out of nowhere much to the group’s startled shock and surprise.

“Pinkie! What are you doing here?!”

“I just came to check up on you all and to see if you all are ready to continue on with the tour.” She cheerfully replied before dropping her smile upon noticing the awkward atmosphere around her. “I’m sorry did I interrupt a serious conversation?”

“No, no, no, that’s quite all right, Pinkie.”Celestia warmly responded after regaining her composure. “You actually came by at a good time.” She then proceeded to regroup with the others. “Let’s catch up with the others, shall we?”

“Sure.”

“Let’s.”

“We’re right behind you, Celestia.”

“Every step of the way.”

While they all know that deep down mentally Celestia is not completely fine, but they are all ready to back her up when needed.

The rest of the tour went on no problem. Along the way they got see their fireplace where they tell stories together, the huts they hoof created themselves (albeit a little shoddy workmanship involved considering they’re just straw and mud combined together), in addition the huts where they eat together, (thankfully they had edible food not to mention enjoyed the yaks favorite cake (with personally grown vanilla beans to make the perfect vanilla extract with), the sleeping hut, and of course the music hut where listen to music including some of the yaks take turns at playing the yodviaphone is being played.

Said instrument when played right can be quite a sight and quite a hearing to enjoy together. Although Celestia still looked on uncomfortably with having that said reminder put to her face, she still was able to mask it with her trademark warm smile.

Everyone else while finding some of the yaks ways of doing things around here questionable (mainly the the creation of the huts and some of the stories they told), they still raised no questions about it with the occasional comments of what they are seeing. Though they did enjoy the cake, sleeping huts, some of the stories the yaks have told in regards to fighting great evil. And they all wasted no time in sharing their thoughts over it when Prince Rutherford left them be for a little bit.

“Wow! These yaks sure know how to live!” Bunga first commented already amazed as Pinkie Pie.

“They sure do!” Beshte agreed.

“Although I do have some questions in regards to that, I’ve got nothing to complain. Especially since they know how to sleep and how to make a mean cake.” Fuli spoke up next and then added. “That of course doesn’t change of what my favorite cake is baked by the best cake baker I know.” Pinkie smiled eagerly in response to the compliment.

“All and all I feel they really do know how to live, mostly.” Ono commented next feeling not completely sure the yaks know what they are doing.

“Mostly? What do you mean by that?”

“I mean if you have been taking notice of the huts along with some of their traditions that not everything here is quite up to code. Like the huts for example.”

“Right. There is that.” Kion acknowledged.

“In addition, the yaks stomping has shaken the area around us quite a bit. I’m amazed that this placed hasn’t caved in for an avalanche zone.”

“That is also true.” Applejack also acknowledged. “But then again, they have managed pretty well for a group of brutes prone to violence and smashing and I know better than to question others traditions.”

“I know but from the looks of it I have a feeling that day where it’ll come to bite them in the rumps will be sooner than most of us think.”

“Hopefully that day won’t be today.” Fluttershy wished as she expressed her thoughts dreading the idea of an everyday nightmare for the yaks already.

“Thankfully as long as the yaks aren’t doing anything overly aggressive we’ll be fine at least for today.” Twilight spoke up to assure of everyone who is even thinking of starting to worry. “They have promised to be on their best behavior and so have we. Truthfully I’d be amazed if someone managed to find a way to make risking a potential catastrophe happen in a blink of an eye.”

And no sooner than she said it Prince Rutherford came on by with something important to tell the group. “Pony and Lion Guard friends and family! Yaks just about to start a banquet and a yodviaphone concert in your honor. Cake will be present as well thanks to yaks making it!”

“We’ll be there shortly!”

“Can’t wait!”

Both Twilight and Pinkie called out to the yak prince before he set out to get things started once more.

After he left, Twilight could only sheepishly giggle before sighing. “Of course, someway somehow there will be ways I can be proven wrong about that.” She then quickly reassured Celestia once more. “And before you start, it’s just a concert that will have the yaks and only the yaks listening so there’s no need to worry about being put into the spotlight like that.”

“I sure hope so.” Celestia softly spoke which sparked Pinkie’s curiosity.

“All joking aside, why are you so freaked out about that instrument, it’s not that bad of an instrument.”

“A little word of advice before you be so sure about that…” Celestia then cautioned while shaking her head. “...not all instruments are as easy as play as they seem. And considering that the yaks have a temperamental mentality when it comes to how certain things play out it’s better that you to play your notes very carefully unless you know how it works. It’s not quite the same as playing ten instruments at once.”

“But it can’t be that hard to learn, right?”

“Depends on if you have the natural skill to actually be able to play like the yaks can.”

“Anyways…” Cadance then spoke up wishing to move things along aside from the issue. “...why don’t we go forward and enjoy this banquet the yaks have prepared for us? Surely our food won’t be staying warm for long.”

“I have no doubt it won’t.” Simba shook his head before speaking to Pinkie for a moment. “And if you would please not speak of pursing interest in the previously mentioned instrument during our stay here. It is clearly making Celestia really uncomfortable.”

“Oh, right! Did something that bad, huh? Hakuna Matata!” She proceeded to literally zip her lips sealed before leading the way on over to the hut they were told the banquet is planning to be held.

With that understanding, the group then made their way inside after her so they can enjoy the banquet themselves. And indeed, they all found themselves enjoying the shared cuisine from all three tribes and parties as a sign of unity and peace.

Inside that very hut has every guest seated in a circle formation or at least what they intended to. Before that happened this moment happened when the Lion and Pony Guard along with Simba, Kiara, Celestia, and Cadance walked into.

“Yaks! That’s an oval not a circle!” Prince Rutherford shouted. “A little more wider! Expand it so looks more circler.” The yaks moved to do just that. “Much better! Thank you yaks for understanding that!”

After that was settled the special guests of honor found themselves seated right beside Prince Rutherford himself with both Celestia and Simba seated right by his side. Followed by Twilight and Kion, and then Cadance and Kiara, Applejack and Fuli, Pinkie and Beshte, Rainbow Dash and Bunga, Fluttershy and Kyoga, and Rarity and Ono in that order.

“On behalf of Yakyakistan…” The yals leader began while hoisting his cup up in the air. “...yaks would like to propose a toast, to commemorate the offical beginning where yaks, ponies, lions, and all of their friends come together for a friendship that I hope and wish will last more stronger than before. So here, here…” He raised his cup wishing for everyone else in the hut to follow suit.

“Here! Here!” Everyone clinked their cups with one another before taking a drink from it.

“Now…” The prince then spoke turning to the sun monarch herself. “...in order to help fulfill our debt to you as a token of our appreciation to you all for offering your hoof and paw in friendship, how can we help return the favor?”

“Well actually Prince Rutherford…” Celestia began as comfortably as she can say it. “...we actually do have a pretty big favor we have come all the way out here for.” Kion, Twilight, Simba, and Cadance’s eyes all looked on as they were ready to back her up in case she struggled or froze mid-sentence.

“Oh, and what do yaks have to ask what’s that?” The prince curiously asked.

After taking a deep breath she continued with what she wanted and needed to say. “As you may have heard, Equestria is currently at war…”

“...not with you and the yaks.” Simba quickly spoke up and clarifed. “But with someone else who’s very name can turn one’s heart ice cold…

“Who?”

“Scar.”

Hearing his name sparked collected gasps and frozen expressions of fear among the yaks complete with dropped jaws, falling food, dropped drinks, right down to the clattering sounds dropping onto the ground.

“Scar?” The prince uttered looking on like he is hearing the name of the most feared nemesis more so than his natural enemies.

“Yes. And I know this is now a huge thing we’re asking of you right now, but on behalf of the Pride Lands and all of Equestria we would greatly appreciate and respectively requests your assistance in the upcoming fight against him.”

“Um...yaks not sure if yaks are up to the idea…” He nervously spoke with the ongoing shock still running through his system. “...unless…” He continued with what he believes is a very fair idea to agree to their request. “...pony princess does yaks a favor. And that is...perform a song on the yodviaphone!”

Celestia’s eyes widen like prick points upon hearing that demand as all of the horrifying memories of that day came flooding right back in her mind.

After she froze up once more, Twilight rose from her seat before floating over to the leader of the yaks in an attempt to reason with him. “Now hold just a minute, your majesty.” Even with two yaks standing by their leader to yield her off she still remained firm in the their faces. “For starters and with all due respect, I understand that this is a really big ask so soon. And I believe we can find other way’s to find a much fairer and more reasonable accommodations to negotiate this deal. Other way’s rather than forcing someone to do something they clearly aren’t up to doing.”

“Yak prince’s mind has been made up. Either your princess friend performs music on yodviaphone or no yaks to help with fight against the war with death himself.”

“But that’s not fair!” Kion argued. “That’s only gives us a few hours to actually pull that off!”

“The matter like this door is closed!” He proceeded to stomp off ahead before adding. “Pretend there’s a door slammed in yout face, purple pony!” He along with the rest of the yaks proceeded to leave the hut in a huff.

Kion could only growl as he moved grab one of the cups and chunk it towards the wall of the opposite side of the hut causing it break through the wall and by extension it was enough for it to take the whole hut down with it. Thankfully, the hut simply crumbled around them with none of the material used to built it landing on anyone’s heads.

“Well that could have gone better.” Bunga commented with disappointment.

“Oh, you think?” Kyoga sarcastically muttered to the honey badger who simply shrugged.

“Probably not.”

All while Celestia still looks in dismay of how a potential alliance and friendship with the yaks might have been messed up once more. “Celestia, you’ve done it again.” She said while placing a hoof to her forehead as if she got a terrible headache from what just happened.

“Hey, come on! It’s not your fault!” Bunga tried to say otherwise. “If anything the yaks are the ones who need to apologize. Here we just came here to spend time with them here and try to ask them of a favor. And as big as it might be the least they could have done is just say no and call it a day.”

“Bunga that’s…” Fuli spoke up before realizing the wisdom in his words. “...all actually true.”

“Eh…” Bunga humbly shrugged. “...I just go with the yak expert’s gut feeling.”

“Aww!” Pinkie commented with delighted glee and squee.

“But seriously though, now that the attempt to do some wheeling and dealing didn’t work, what do we now to make things right?” Fuli then asked everyone else.

“The only thing we can do.” Twilight replied upon getting the feel that there is not much they can do. “At least talk to the yaks to tell them the deal is off and the only request being they can stay friends and allies.”

“But what about getting the yaks help against the fight against Scar?” Fluttershy asked as if she wasn’t expecting that.

“They’re not interested in wanting to fight and I don’t blame them.”

“But, but…” Ono stuttered. “...we need every advantage we can get.”

“And when they’re ready to talk and want to help fight with us we’ll be ready to listen to them. But for now we just need to give them some more time to think about it.”

“I’d hate to say it but I’m afraid it’s probably for the best.” The Princess of Love said in agreement. “Much like love the willingness to want to join in on the fight can only happen when both sides want to commit to it. It can’t be forced upon.”

“No!” Princess Celestia vocally spoke up against the idea. “We’ve come too far, we can’t give up like this!”

“We’re not giving up.” Simba clarified. “We’re just putting off trying to seek their help until they’re willing to agree to it.”

“But do you not understand?!” Celestia spoke now sounding more frantic than before. In fact more than when dealing with the likes of Discord, Chrysalis, and Tirek. “We are at war! One that we are losing right now and we are literally vulnerable to whatever Scar is going to do next. And for all we know not getting their help might decide whether or not we’re going to win or lose!” Aside from the stress of war, it was pretty clear that messing up the alliance and friendship with the yaks really rattled her to the core.

It took a second before Twilight broke the deadly silence on the matter. “Don’t worry. It’ll be okay. But if it makes you feel better we’ll try to at least talk and smooth things over with the yaks and try one more time if there is something else they’re willing to offer. But if they still refuse to relent and change their minds, then we’ll have to wait for another day.”

“But how in tarnation are we going get to yaks by chance to change their mind?” Applejack asked. “Because it only takes one stubborn fellow to butt heads with an equally stubborn fellow into refusing to compromise.”

“True whether it’s me, Simba, Cadance, and Kion.” Twilight acknowledged before turning to a certain friend that knows them well. “But maybe with the right pony who knows her yaks, it could be possible.”

“That’s true!” Pinkie happily hopped. “Nobody knows them better than me!”

“Great! That being said that’s where you come in and do the talking, if you think you can do it!”

“Of course I can!” Pinkie assertively stated. “If I can talk Applejack and Ono into giving in along with talking other’s ears off then I’m absolutely sure I can get those stubborn yaks to change their minds with the way they are treating us. Let’s go!”

“Great!” Kion said feeling at the very least satisfied. “In the meantime, the rest of you be prepared to give something the yaks will enjoy if we do manage to talk them into doing something else for them.”

“Can we trust you all to hold the fort until we get back?” Simba then inquired of the others who all were at least willing to figure out a way to give it a shot.

“Uh-huh.”

“Yep.”

“Can do.”

“We’ll try our best.”

Bunga, Applejack, Fuli, and Rarity returned to confirm it.

“Hopefully, we can’t mess this up.” Fluttershy expressed hoping that it is as easy said and done.

“I’m sure we’ll do just fine on our own.” Kyoga assured.

“We’ll be back.” Princess Cadance informed everyone before joining the others in pursuit of the yaks.

In the meantime, Princess Celestia could only stand aside and wonder just how is she going to make this work along with how she can make this right all while nervously pacing around in the snow. “Oh, please hope for the best. Please, come back with good news. But in the meantime, what should I do? What can I do?”

All while the others look on in concern with the normally unflappable alicorn princess is on the verge of a freakout much like Twilight would do her her slippers.

“Yikes!” Ono first commented while blinking at the sight. “But at the same time very understandable.” He then said being no stranger to being anxious and on edge from time to time.

“No kidding!” Bunga agreed. “She sure is taking it pretty hard.”

“Think there is anything we can do to help her?” Fluttershy asked the others hoping for ideas to help the sun monarch calm down.

“Maybe…” Rarity spoke feeling it’s possible. “...question is, can we get her listen?”

“Of course we can!” Bunga was quick to answer that like it’s a no brainer. “Watch!” To prove his point he moved to rush over to the princess to get her to stop in her tracks. “Hey, princess!”

“What?!”

“Repeat after me.”

“Huh? Why would I want to do that?”

“Just do it! Trust me! You’ll feel better once you get through!”

“Okay…” Kiara spoke up with a raised eyebrow. “...it’s a start.”

“Now the question is, what is he going get her to do?” Kyoga then asked equally confused.

“Only one way to find out.” Rainbow said next just hoping it’s something good.

And what followed was something nobody other than Pinkie (if she were here) would understand nor expect.

“You put your left hoof in. You put your left hoof out. You put your left hoof in, and you shake it all around. You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around. That’s what it’s all about.”

As Bunga repeated the words and the motions, Celestia found herself mimicking the motions move by move even though she didn’t completely understand why he was telling her to do these moves but she was too emotionally distressed to question it.

Upon watching this left everyone else just keeping eyes locked on the two while still in disbelief with what they are watching and seeing let along the eldest and wise princess herself.

“Um, guys, girls…” Ono spoke first. “...are you seeing what I’m seeing?”

“Celestia herself being convinced to do the hokey pokey.” Fuli said next.

“I wish I was dreaming this but I’m not.” Rarity replied still looking on like it isn’t the most dignified dance she’s seen.

“Like my dad always says, live long enough and you’ll see everything.” Beshte then chimed in.

“You said it, partner.” Applejack commented in agreement.

“Hey, Bunga.” Rainbow called out to Bunga who is still dancing alongside Celestia. “Not trying to question your methods but please and kindly tell us...why you are getting the Princess of all ponies to do the hokey pokey?!”

“Because it’s fun and what better way to help relieve stress by doing something silly when nobody else is watching.” Bunga happily replied before turning to said stressed pony beside him. “All right, princess! It’s all you now! Say it!”

It took a little bit of effort but she found herself getting more and more comfortable with it with every passing repeat and chime of the words that go along with the dance. “You put your left hoof in. You put your left hoof out. You put your left hoof in, and you shake it all around. You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around. That’s what it’s all about.”

“Well I’ll be…”

“...it’s actually working.”

“And she’s actually feeling a lot more comfortable than before.”

Applejack, Rainbow, and Rarity all voiced in delighted surprise.

“Umm, guys, girls.” Fluttershy spoke up while gesturing to someone coming up and approaching them. “We got company.”

Said someone happens to be Prince Rutherford accompanied with the others who have just arrived and seem to be ready to talk again.

“Uh-oh.” Ono uttered in alarm.

“Bunga! Princess!” Kyoga yelled out to the two who seem already too much in the groove to want to stop willingly.

“Can’t stop now! We’re really getting in the groove!” Bunga replied with his back still turned from everyone.

“Well I’d hate to throw you off your groove but…” Kyoga proceeded to use her magic to freeze him just when he was turned around facing everyone including the yaks.

“Oh. Princess Celestia! You can stop now!”

But it seems that the comment fell on deaf ears since she went ahead and did it one more time. “You put your left hoof in. You put your left hoof out. You put your left hoof in, and you shake it all around. You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around. That’s what it’s all about.” She then finished feeling charged up before turning to face the now stunned and worried honey badger. “Now that sure helped me quite a lot, thank you.” Upon seeing his expression her smile dropped into one of confusion and worry herself. “What? Bunga?” She tilts her head up to see everyone else has returned and has just seen her do the hokey pokey which she found admittedly embarrassing herself. “Oh my.” Her face completely turned red when the realization swelled up. “Prince Rutherford and yaks. How long have all you yaks have been standing there?”

“Long enough for yaks to see that dance you just did.” The prince replied still as serious as ever like before.

“Oh did you?”

“Yes, and yaks have something to say about that.” He then continued while Celestia herself cringed already expecting the worst as evident with her normally sparkling and billowing mane dropping to the ground in frozen fear. “And that’s…” Everyone looks on unsure of what’s going to happen next until… “...the most exciting and insipirating dance yaks have ever seen!” Everyone turned their heads towards the yak prince with bugged eyed expressions as if he’s high or something.

“Really? It is?” Bunga asked finding it surprising himself.

“Of course! The funniest and most yak dance ever seen since um…” He turned to the yaks for quick memory jog in a whisper before turning back to resume talking. “...the time when yaks danced along to whatever was that corny music was.”

“Corny music?” Bunga looked on with no idea what he is referring too. “Don’t suppose you could be a little more specfic.” Then Pinkie tossed him a stereo. “What did it sound like?” He then started playing the stereo with tunes such as “Good Vibrations” and then later “Don’t Worry Be Happy”. “Yes? No?” He asked twice which is met with stone looked shakes of the heads from the yaks as they all stood still. “Okay, how about this?” He then plays the stereo’s tunes as it makes “The Macarena.” song. Immediately, the yaks started dancing to confirm that’s the song they are looking for.

“Yep, that’s the one!” The prince confirmed before he and the others got in perfect sync to dance to the tunes of that very song. “Ah, Macarena!” The yaks continued to dance to the beat up until the song ended, all while everyone still looked on in disbelief that this is what gets the yaks upbeat and listening. “Oh, yeah. Yaks love a good Macarena just as much as um, what is that dance called?”

“The hokey pokey!” Pinkie happily answered.

“Right, of course! Thank you, pink pony! The hokey pokey!” The yak prince turned to the others with a pleased confirmation to note. “Pony prince and princesses are right. With dances like that, yaks can find it in their hearts to brave forward against the fight against great evil and death all together.”

“Well, that’s great to hear.” Kion expressed feeling pleased to hear that. “Isn’t that right, Twilight?”

“Oh, yeah. Couldn’t have said better myself.” Twilight replied with a somewhat forced smile as she found herself agreeing to it.

“Same here, Twilight.” Simba replied in the same tone and manner. “Nor could I have done it better myself.”

“Love to hear the enthusiasm. How very lovely.” Princess Cadance then said next following suit along with both Twilight and Simba.

“In fact, if all yak friends join in on the dance, then yaks will fight on your side! So come on over and dance with us!” Turning to the honey badger. “Hit it!”

Bunga proceeded to start up the music again while everyone else moved to spread along the area around them before moving to follow the dance moves to the Hokey Pokey all while singing the words that go with it.

“You put your left hoof in. You put your left hoof out. You put your left hoof in, and you shake it all around. You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around. That’s what it’s all about.”

“Are we seriously going to keep dancing like this for them?” Ono quietly piped the question to the others.

“Only for a while.” Twilight replied.

“At least up until the yaks are satisfied.” Cadance added.

“By a while could you define on what that is?” He asked hoping that it won’t be long until they are free to stop.

“Sorry.”

“Can’t say for sure.”

“Oh.” Ono groaned before resuming the dance.

While not in the way they expected things to work out, it still indeed worked and they managed to get what they hoped for out of it. All while Scar’s watchful eyes look on as if he was just a ghost passing by. While he didn’t say anything, the narrowed and calculating look on his eyes tells all of what he thinks of what is happening now and that he has one more team of enemies to keep watch on going forward. With a ghostly misty wind backing him up any trace of his appearance disappeared into thin air until the day they meet again for when he makes his next move...

Episode 31: Pride Landers and Equestrians Unite

Episode 31:

Pride Landers and Equestrians Unite

In the Pride Lands about a month following the attempted Siege of the Crystal Empire, once more the antelope herd are all running off in the distance, all seemingly running away from something that spooked them. And it was quick to get both Fuli and Rainbow Dash’s attention as they ran and flew beside them to help calm them down.

“What's going on?”

“Why are you stampeding?”

They both asked.

“Somebody saw jackals.” While explaining the antelope ended up on a collision course with a nearby tree.

Luckily, Rainbow was quick to swerve and guide the antelope away from the tree before she could hit it. “Whoa, there! Oh! Whoops!” But in doing so she ended up bumping into the tree herself causing the galogos who were living in it to falling out of it. “Sorry!” She called back to them while unable to turn back due to keeping pace with the antelope she and Fuli are currently taming.

Fortunately for them, Fluttershy was there to catch them before they hit the ground. “All you all, okay?” She asked with worry.

Already Laini herself was spooked from what she heard, ignoring the Pegasus who saved them. “Did she say, "jackals"? Jackals! Galagos, scatter!” The galagos were all quick to do so by running off ahead towards the antelope stampede ahead of them.

“Galagos, wait!” Fluttershy pleaded. “Not that way!”

Ono upon hearing this moved to take a look in the skies to make sure it wasn’t their imagination. “Jackals, huh? No jackals in sight.” But while scanning the skies he did spot something else that sparked high alert. “Hapana! But look out for the galagos!”

In running off, the galagos have also managed to find themselves dangerously close to the stampeding antelope just when the rest of the Lion and Pony Guard showed up ready to quell the herd’s panic down.

“Hey! Watch where you're goin'!” Bunga complained when one of them leaped onto and off of his head.

“Yeah! That’s not very nice!” Pinkie also complained when another one did the same.

“Bunga, round up the galagos.”

“Pinkie, you too, round them up before they get tangled up with the antelope.”

Both leaders of the Guard ordered.

“You got it, Kion.”

“Yes sir, ma’am, sir.”

Both returned before separating from the others to do so.

“Oh! This way. No. Look out!” The galagos all yelped as they struggled to avoid getting trampled.

“First jackals, now galagos? Ugh!” Bupu groaned as he ran.

The galagos screamed upon nearly getting stepped on before Bunga and Pinkie were quick to use their super speed to whisk them out of harm’s way.

“Zuka Zama!”

“Gotcha! Galagos!”

Upon sliding to the side for safety, the two let the galagos go before letting them climb up the nearest tree.

“Thank you, Bunga, Pinkie.”

“No biggie, little guys.”

“Always happy to help! Along with being able to throw a party after a job well done!”

Back with the ongoing stampede up ahead...

“Galagos are safe. Now let's stop these antelopes.”

“Let’s. Turn 'em, Fuli.”

“You too, Rainbow Dash.”

Both Fuli and Rainbow were quick to take lead there.

“You heard them. Turn!”

“Now!”

Said group of antelope then calmed down on command while some that had strayed from the others ended up sliding down the nearby hill where both the Guard’s Strongest were there ready to stop them in their tracks along with a magic shield by Starlight to catch the very few that nearly slide and strayed away from the herd.

“Slow down, everybody.”

“That’s enough there, antelope!”

“Huh?”

“Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.”

The antelope screamed before being lassoed by the farm pony to slow them down enough for a soft landing into the hippo.

“It’s okay, you’re all okay, now.” Starlight assured everyone although it wasn’t met with complete gratitude from their leader.

“You forgot to say, "please."” Bupu then complained.

“Now, now, Bupu.” Rarity then scolded as she defended Starlight. “While I understand your need for politeness and manners, there are times you can’t expect please and thank you. After all you do need common sense along with manners. In your case, there are times like now you have to follow orders without those three words in life.”

“Doesn’t hurt though.” Bupu huffed in response to which the unicorn frowned back likewise.

“Doesn’t hurt to be less stubborn every now and then.” Starlight bitterly retorted.

Rartiy backing her up added. “Well it seems we’ll have to work on later on this week, because your actions here nearly endangered and brutally trampled someone.”

“Rarity’s right, Bupu.” Twilight agreed while standing by her friend’s side before scolding him herself. “You can't just stampede for no reason. You almost stomped on the galagos.”

“Well, they almost tripped us.” Bupu asserted. “Besides, I still think we saw jackal.”

“Next time call for us.” Kion told and further reprimanded the antelope leader. “Don't just start running and putting others in danger.”

Bupu sighed before obliging to both Kion and Twilight’s orders. “Fine. Herd? You heard?”

The antelope all mooed in agreement to assert they have an understanding with one another and with the Guard before walking off calmly.

“It's not just the antelopes, Kion. All the herds are on edge.” Fuli then reminded.

“And the same can be said for those in Ponyville, Twilight.” Applejack also reminded. “They’re also all worked up like night howlers are lurking even when it’s broad daylight.”

“Can you blame 'em?” Kyoga asked before point out. “They never know when the Outlanders are gonna attack. They're scared.”

“And it's getting worse now that Scar has been putting extra pressure on us ever since the failed Siege of the Crystal Empire.” Ono added on.

“I know, right!” Pinkie couldn’t help but agree too. “Ever since then he’s been upping the ante and getting really really aggressive like he is really really mad at us. I wonder if it’s because he took what happened back there really badly?”

Fuli looked on towards her with a raised eyebrow in her direction. “I think he did. Considering he lost a valuable ally and a potential kingdom just when it seemed he had it, it’s not hard to see why.”

Upon hearing that had Twilight herself get an idea. “Yes, it is, isn’t it.”

“Twilight?” Fuli returned now feeling and looking on confused. “Everything okay?”

“Of course. Of course.” Twilight quickly assured before turning to Kion. “Kion, why do you think the Outsiders are able to come into the Pride Lands and Equestria constantly trying to strike fear into our hearts?”

Kion briefly looked on confused before answering. “Because they’ve teamed up, that’s why.” It was there he was starting to see where she is getting at. “That's it! The Outlanders have the Pride Landers scared because they're working together.”

“Mmm-hmm.” Twilight nodded while patiently waiting for him to keep talking and elaborating more on how they are going on about it. “But...”

“But we can do that, too. Unite the Pride Landers. If we stand together we stand stronger. And we'll be prepared for any attack that comes.”

“And not only that maybe just maybe the same can be said for those in Equestria much like back in the Siege for the Crystal Empire.” Twilight also pointed out.

“Oh, yeah!” Rainbow cheered already liking the idea herself. “Pride Landers and Equestrians working together! Two teams against one is sure to win if we play that way”

“That would be poa!” Beshte commented also liking the idea himself.

But Fuli however had to perform a quick reality check on the matter. “Kion, Twilight, not all the Pride lands' herds get along and the same can be said for those from Equestria. You really think we can get them to work together?”

Bunga was quick to state that it’s completely possible. “Sure we can. If it means being able to fight off Scar, they'll all wanna work together.”

“Expect that the very idea of fighting him scares them.” Kyoga pointed out another flaw with that plan. “Not including our track record with our head to head encounters with him.”

It was there both Rainbow and Beshte both quickly saw how this can be a problem.

“Oh. He's probably right.”

“Of course there is that.”

“And I’d hate to admit it but Scar ain’t one easy rodeo to tackle.” Applejack herself commented while putting aside her stubbornness and prideful attitude to realize this. “And that’s even with Celestia and Luna’s guards backing us up.”

“Too bad, they’re all in Canterlot along with in the Crystal Empire getting trained up for battle today, otherwise we would really benefit from their assistance if they were to attack today.” Kyoga also pointed out.

Rarity also added in with her thoughts. “There is no unquestionable doubt he is tough to beat. I mean, someone who can take us on like it’s a walk through the park is not someone to be taken lightly even with our strongest powers alone.”

Fluttershy herself spoke up while voicing the terror at the idea itself. “I'm not even sure I would try even with my strongest Stare I could put forward. I even tried that with my own eyes…” She then remembered. “...and the same can be said for Twilight too.”

Putting that little memory aside, Twilight then spoke up of why it must work. “Anyways…I know it’s a tough thing to manage and I know that many won’t want to. But we need every advantage we can get because it’s only a matter of time until Scar is once more at our doorstep. And if we don’t, this decision could mean the difference between victory and defeat.”

“Twilight’s right.” Kion agreed. “And I know the Pride Landers and Equestrians will want to protect their home from any threat. All we have to do is ask 'em.”

“Yeah!” Bunga cheered. “So what are we waiting for?”

“Time to unite the Pride Lands...”

“...and Equestria.”

Both leaders declared as they both looked on at both capitals of the Pride Lands and Equestria right in front of their eyes.

“Let’s get this party started!” Pinkie is quick to pull out multiple instruments before playing music to fit the mood of what’s about to happen next much to the surprise of the others.

But even still knowing Pinkie they decided it was best to play along with it before moving to set out to recruit the others in order form an army capable of fending of the Army of Scar.

While the music plays, the Lion and Pony Guard split up to get together potential recruits for their army.

Pride Landers and Equestrians Unite Song

Kion himself started off by going to Ma Tembo and the elephants for their help.

“You want help defending against the Outlanders?” Ma Tembo asked to which Kion nodded yes in response. In response the elephant leader smiled before giving her answer. “Whatever it takes, you can count on the elephants.”

Elsewhere Fuli moved to request the antelopes for their help in the fight against Scar. And knowing Bupu she had to say the word that’ll he defintely listen to. “Please?” She asked with a smile to match.

Bupu himself never one to reject a polite pleasing request moved to follow after her. “Very well. We will join your cause.” While his back was turn Fuli couldn’t resist smirking in response to how much it takes for the most stubborn of the bunch to be convinced.

At the same time Beshte and Ono moved to recruit the rhinos for their cause. Though their leader needed some talking to be convinced they can provide the assistance they need.

“Uh, I'm not sure we'd be much help.” Turning to another rhino. “What do you think, Kifaru?”

His partner feels they can be of help. “Sure. Let's go.” He then ended up bumping into a tree due to his poor eyesight. “Anyone seen my tick-bird?” Thankfully his tick bird flew out of the tree he was in ready to assist his best friend.

“Right here, Kifaru. Now let’s go.”

Turning back to both Beshte and Ono. “The rhinos are in.” He declared much to their delight.

Bunga himself moved to demonstrate some of his moves including the ones he learned from Rafiki and Rarity to convince the galagos to join the fight against Scar.

“So, who's with me?”

The leader of the galagos was quick to voice their support. “We are!”

With a victorious cheer, Bunga leaped down from the tree he was in as he allowed the cute little critters to carry him on over to where the rest of the Lion Guard is meeting up with all of the other animals willing to join the fight of their lives in.

Meanwhile in Ponyville, the Pony Guard had split and had managed to do the same as well with Twilight herself calling up some old friends of her to ask for their help in Canterlot. “Hey, girls! Thank you all so much for coming here on such short notice!” She happily greeted as they all sat down for coffee and donuts together.

“Well, it’s only because you asked us kindly for old times sake.” Moondancer herself pointed out before being playfully being ribbed the princess for joking around. “But of course who I am to turn my back on an old friend?”

“Not you that’s for sure!” Minuette happily replied. “So, anyways, Twilight. What did you want to talk to us about? Is it something exciting?!”

“Whatever it is it sure is a mystery.” Twinkle Shine commented before trying to whisper in Twilight’s ear. “Much like whatever jam Lemon Hearts gets herself into.”

“Hey!” Lemon Hearts spoke up feeling offended. “I heard that!”

“Sorry.” The white pony sheepishly apologized. “So you brought us here because you wanted to talk to us about something important?”

“Yes I did.” Twilight replied before getting straight down to business. “I’m sure you’re all aware of the threat Scar poses to both here in Equestria and in the Pride Lands right?” The girls all nodded and replied “Yes.” She then continued. “Well, right now me and the rest of the Guard are putting together a team that’ll help us combat the Outsiders and keep them from conquering both kingdoms. We’re looking for those who are willing to help join us as we continue to fight them as they continue knocking on our doorstep, and if you all are up for it, I am looking at four talented magical warriors who have fighting potential in their hearts.”

“Us?”

“Join your task force?”

“To fight off the Outsiders?”

“And Scar?”

The girls all asked to which Twilight nodded yes to each and every question the girls asked.

After giving it some talking over in audible whispers the girls turned back to their friend with their answer.

“While it is a very risky and big thing you’re asking of us, we’ll be more than happy to join you for old times sake.” Moondancer declared on their behalf. “On one condition…” She then added. “...for me, you teach me one of your new and advanced spells that I have yet to know about…”

“Not only that you have to join us for the next girls night out.” Minuette added. “At a place that will have you keep your head out of your books.”

“Very well.” Twilight accepted their terms without question.

Though both Twinkle Shine and Lemon Hearts didn’t quite get the memo.

“Now don’t you think you can talk your way out of this...”

“...for we aren’t ponies who expect something this big with little nothing in return…”

“...after we are not ponies who are going to be taken for granted and…” It was there the realization hit them.

“...did you just say yes?”

“Yep.”

“Oh, okay.”

“How did we forget that about her already?”

“I don’t know.”

The two shrugged towards one another before turning back to Twilight.

“So I can count on you girls to help me out here?” She asked with a hoof stretched out towards the middle of the table for a team cheer.

“Yes, you can!”

“So let’s do this!”

“For Equestria!”

“Unicorns unite!”

Then at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack herself is once more talking to the rest of her family along with the other two Crusaders who happened to be playing with their youngest kin.

“So what do ya say, Apples? Will you help me for the sake of all of the Pride Lands and Equestria?”

It thankfully only took a few seconds for the rest of the Apples to come to a decision on the matter.

“Anything for you dearie.”

“Yep.”

“Count me in.”

“Count all of us in.” Scootaloo firmly declared.

“Same here.” Sweetie Belle also declared. “And we’ll let the Lion Guard fan club know as well.”

Applejack chuckled in response. “Then I guess Rarity and Rainbow Dash will have to accept all the help we can get.” Deep down they’re sure of their little sister’s capabilities to the point they can fend off for themselves.

Elsewhere in the skies, Rainbow Dash herself is talking to her fellow Wonderbolts for assistance.

“You want us to make some time to train the new recruits against the fight against Scar?” Spitfire asked of the smiling and nodding Rainbow Dash eager and pleading of her to say yes.

“Please?”

Spitfire sighed before relenting. “Very well. But keep in mind you will be expected to take charge of these exercises because we have other things us Wonderbolts have to take care of, is that understood, Rainbow Dash!”

Rainbow saluted in response. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. Now get to it.”

Upon meeting at Pride Rock, the Pony Guard has returned with the Apple Family, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, the Cakes, and most of the allies they recruited for helping them in the fight against Scar the other day at the Crystal Empire. And it was there both Twilight and Kion took charge of the meeting to decide how training’s going to work.

“Okay, everyone.” Twilight began as she looked at a watch she conquered up with her magic. “For starters I’d like to thank and congratulate you all for being willing to join us here today. What you’re doing right now will definitely be of big help to our countries and kingdoms going forward. Second and most importantly, in order to ensure that training goes well, we’ll be splitting up into teams suited to focus on their strengths.”

Kion then took his turn in speaking. “That said we have teams who excel in strength, agility, speed, magic, and basics for the young ones.”

From there the two then made their way group by group to personally inform of them of what group they are going to be joining today.

“Ma Tembo.” Twilight addressed. “You and your herd are working on strength and technique under Applejack and Rarity’s watch.”

“Of course, Twilight.” Ma Tembo nodded in response.

With that Kion turned to both tasked ponies to coach them. “Applejack, Rarity, that something you both can work together on?”

“Yep.”

“Can do, darling.”

Both happily replied without hesitation. And a good thing too, because if this was day one they would have been at each other’s throats.

With that decided the two leaders moved on towards Bupu and the antelopes.

“Bupu.” Kion began. “You and your herd will work on agility and synchronized training with Fuli.”

“So that said, can you all please try to not to give Fuli too many problems?” Twilight asked of them knowing the antelope leader.

Said leader obliged to her request. “We’ll try, princess.” Fuli smirked in response but soften up to assure that she won’t give him a hard time too.

“Mbeya.” Twilight then said to the next leader in line. “You and the rhinos will be working with both Beshte and Fluttershy on how to fight to your surroundings.”

“That we can do.” The leader of the rhinos replied more than happy to work with them as they both know how to be calm and strong in battle.

Then Kion addressed the galogos next with their leader already eager to charge and wanting to know. “And what about us, Kion, Twilight? What can I do to help lead the team?” She then thought of an idea already before either of the two can respond. “Oh, I know!” He turned and looked at Bupu. “You'll do.”

“"Do" what? What…” He asked now baffled at what the galago is doing when she moved to jump onto Bupu's head. “Now just one minute. Hold on, there.”

“I am holding on.” She happily and assertively replied while holding onto his antlers before pointing to the open field up ahead. “Now, go!”

Bupu shook his head in refusal. “I most certainly will not. Get off of me.”

“Now, Laini…” Ma Tembo gently chatised before removing Laini from the antelope’s head.

“Hey! Un-trunk me.”

“Thank you, Ma Tembo.” Twilight nodded towards her before turning to said galago wondering what she did was wrong. “Laini, what were you doing?”

Laini saluted to both her and Kion in response. “Yes, ma’am. Just trying to get this team going, ma’am.”

“Okay.” Twilight accepted that reason before moving to explain. “Well you can start by not leaping onto others and trying to ride them like horses. It’s not a polite thing to do whether it is here or in Equestria.”

“Oh. Sorry, ma’am.”

“It’s okay.” She then spoke of what she was going to say now with what she just saw. “But there is something you can do to help your team going.”

“There is.”

“Yes.”

Kion then took his turn speaking to explain when Twilight notions him to go ahead and do so. “ For one thing I've noticed about the galagos... You're really fast.”

“Yes, sir, we are.”

“So do you think that you could get all the galagos running in the same direction at the same time?”

“And then learn how to apply that in combat with Pinkie Pie and Bunga?” Twilight then asked.

Laini saluted in response. “Yes, sir, ma’am, sir.”

Both leaders shared a giggle before moving on towards the ponies waiting to see how they can train too.

“For all unicorns, you will be working with me, Starlight, and Kyoga on how to ultize magic in combat.” Twilight then said the ponies with horns.

“Everyone else will be working with the Pride Landers on how to work together in combat.” Kion then said to the remaining ponies. “Once we get all teams working together, we’ll move on to learning how to apply together as one team. Got it?”

“Got it!” Everyone all stated ready to learn how to do so.

“Great! Now let’s get to work!”

Throughout the following days turned into weeks, all of the teams worked on improving their form. And while it took some time, in fact, longer than many of them hoped, the new recruits were starting to shape themselves up to the point they have made great progress together. So far, it seemed like they have a team ready to defend the Pride Lands and Equestria so they moved on to actually trying to have both parties try to apply that in practice by working together as a team together.

Come the present day...

“One thing that always helps me in a crisis is to remember to stay calm.” Beshte told the Pride Landers specifically the rhinos.

“It surely does help me even when I feel scared inside.” Fluttershy chimed in to state that it’s solid advice to follow.

“"Stay calm."

“Got that, everybody?”

Both leaders asked of both Mbeya and Kifaru.

“Uh-huh. Yeah.”

“I think so.”

They both replied and nodded just when the elephants trumpet in agreement.

“So that said, here comes your first teamwork exercise…” Twilight then instructed. “...what do if let’s say the hyenas are attacking.”

Kifaru suddenly reacted in a panic. “The hyenas are attacking?”

“No. It's just pretend.”

“Calm down.”

Both Beshte and Fluttershy quickly tried to say and impore of him, but to no avail.

“I don't see 'em.”

“I do!” Derpy suddenly spoke up.

“Where?!”

Points towards Beshte. “There!”

“What! Guys, no. Wait!”

But it was too late the Pegasus moved to fly over towards him instantly. Fortunately, Beshte being a hippo with strong bones his body managed to cause the pony to bounce off and away. And right into the mix of Pride Landers who are all barely trying to avoid being bumped into.

“Hey! Hey!”

“Watch it!”

“Sorry! Sorry! Excuse me! Excuse me! My bad!”

Bupu after the near miss could only scoff in response. “Rhinos and ponies.”

“Ahem!” Twilight cleared her throat with a stern expression directed at him. “Be polite.” She warned of him against any further mean comments on others.

Seeing this sparked concern from both Fuli and Applejack.

“Kion?”

“Twilight?”

Both leaders were quick to assure them it’s just one botched exercise.

“I know what you're thinking. But don't worry.” Kion began. “We'll get them working together...”

Just then...

“Mwenzi?” Kifaru screamed while nearly hitting his horn against the other Pride Lander leaders.

“Ahh!”

“Watch that horn.”

It got to the point that the unicorns themselves moved to jump and intervene with their magic…

...along with nearly getting knocked aside and out themselves due to the combined shield strength not enough to withstand the whole herd of large Pride Landers.

“Eventually.” Twilight finished while face hoofing herself knowing that they are in for a very long day...again.

“In the meantime, I’ll make sure the other unicorns are all okay, and tune them up on how much magic they can exert on a large herd better.” Starlight added before doing exactly what she vowed to do.

For the next attempted exercise, they moved towards another part of the Pride Lands.

“Okay. We're gonna try something different this time for test number two.” Twilight began.

Kion then continued. “Remember, working together is an important part of being a team. So whenever there's an emergency, you have to get there together.”

“You hear that, everyone?” Applejack asked of everyone. “The objective here is you all to get there together.

“Got it!” Laini happily replied with the others ready to follow her lead.

“And you gotta get there fast.” Fuli added before turning to a tree in the distance. “See Bunga and Pinkie up there?”

Said Lion and Pony Guard members are standing right beside said tree.

“Hey, everybody. We’re over here. By this tree! See us?”

“If you don’t here’s a sign that’ll help you see it.” Pinkie then proceeded to randomly make a sign appear that says “RIGHT HERE!” in the shape of a pointer finger pointing directly at the tree itself.

“They’re a little hard too miss.” Bupu remarked with his sarcasm dripping again.

Rainbow then spoke next gesturing to the tree itself. “Now, when I say "go," all you have to do is get over there fast as possible, together. Got it?”

The Pride Landers all replied and nodded in response. “Uh-huh. Mmm-hmm.”

“On three.” Fuli said before starting to count. “One, two, three! Go!”

The Pride Landers along with the ponies all moved to make a run towards the tree Bunga and Pinkie are standing at.

“Remember, stay together.” Kion reminded as he called after them.

As Ono and Rainbow watched over everyone shoulders in flight, they noticed something in the mix that sparked an alarm.

“Hapana! Galagos!”

“Watch your surroundings, little critters!”

“Look out for the galagos. Stop!” In the process of breaking to a halt, Bupu ended up colliding into him.

“What's going on?” Kion asked as the others see the chaos that had erupted which got worse when the elephants ended up colliding into both herds as well.

“Ow!”

“Look out!”

“No. We’re' over here!”

Among the chaos, the ponies had to quickly manauever their way around to avoid getting caught up in the pile up.

“See the big sign pointing towards us!”

Both Bunga and Pinkie reminded just when the galagos manage to make it to the tree first alongside the ponies.

“Well…” Twilight commented with a sigh. “...at least a couple of teams gets it.”

“Yeah!” Starlight agreed but noted. “But a massive pileup from behind.”

“What was that?” Fuli then asked of the larger animals as she and the rest of the Guard rushed over to make sure they’re okay.

Bupu upon getting up first was quick to reply. “Blame the galagos. They got in our way. Again!”

“Now, Bupu…” Twilight urged of the antelope leader to calm down. “...I’m sure they didn’t mean for that to happen. It was all an accident through missteps and miscommunication which we can and will improve on.” Bupu sighed in response but didn’t argue any further.

“I should hope so, because it seems these Pride Landers are all getting very tense over here.” Applejack commented in worry.

With that Fuli then asked both leaders. “Kion, Twilight, you still think we can get them to work together?”

“We have to. For the sake of the Pride Lands.”

“And all of Equestria. It’s just a matter of figuring how to get to coordinate as one fully in sync team.”

Both firmly replied.

“They're all trying.” Beshte noted and defended. “They're just not used to being on a team.”

“And considering that we just started excerises that have everyone all together at one time, it’s quite a big deal there.” Rarity also noted while quick to add. “No pun intended.”

“Got anymore ideas of how we can help them?” Fluttershy then asked.

“We’ll keep trying in a little bit, but in the meantime, we’ll need to walk them through the exercises as seperate teams before we try again.” Twilight responded. “Though we do need to figure out a way to get them all to coordinate as a whole.”

“Hmm.” Kion gave it some thought before thinking of an idea. “Maybe they need to learn from some other Pride Landers who are used to working together as a team.”

“Huh?” Rarity spoke up with a concerning gasp. “You mean…”

“You're not thinking about who I think you're thinking about, are you?” Ono asked hoping the same thing as the unicorn who isn’t really on board and keen of the idea.

“He is.” Rainbow confirmed as Kion flies off to pursue said someone he is thinking about. “I just hope he can manage things better than Gilda would if she were here.”

At the same time Twilight had thought of another idea the others could do in the meantime. “And come to think of it, I might have some exercises that they could benefit from, something that I picked up from the way I was taught.”

“Like what, darling?” Rarity asked before realizing. “You mean...?”

“Yep.” Twilight nodded.

The said someone Kion went forward to just so happens to be Makku himself.

“And why should I help other Pride Landers along with Outsider allies learn to work together?” Makuu irritably asked after being explained the situation to him. “We crocodiles take care of ourselves, and nobody else.”

Kion continued making an effort to reason with him as he continued. “Makuu, you've trained your crocs to be a strong and unified team.”

“True.” He acknowledged and admitted.

“And I think the rest of the Pride Landers could learn a lot from how you train your float.”

“Hmm. Perhaps you could.” It was there Makuu seemed to be on board with the idea itself.

A little later, Kion had regrouped with the rest of the Guard along with the trainees who have just finished up separate go arounds with the previous excersies, along with the attempted go arounds with the previous two teamwork simulations, and the newly added obstacle course that Twilight herself uses to teach and train herself during her downtime.

“Okay, everyone, good news.” Kion informed everyone. “The crocodiles have agreed to help.”

“Help whip you soft and fluffy dirt-dwellers into shape.” Makuu himself clarified while stepping forward much to the offended responses from both Bupu and Ma Tembo.

“I'm not soft.”

“And I'm certainly not fluffy.”

Laini however, took that as a compliment as she moved to hug herself. “Ooh, I'm soft and fluffy.”

Upon seeing the bad vibe the crocidle leader is starting give had Kion gently nudge him to remind him to be polite while clarifying what was said in better context. “What Makuu means is he'll have you wrestling and fighting like crocs in no time.”

“Let's not except too much, Kion.” Makuu quickly reminded not to raise their hopes too high to which had the other crocs sharing a mean laughter together.

Trying to keep team morale up, Kion then got ready to get started with resuming the excerises. “Why don't we start with some basic training? Ma Tembo if you…” But he didn’t get to finish due to Makuu cutting him off and taking over.

“I got this, Kion.” Said lion looked on annoyed by his gesture as he moves to address to the elephant, anteleope, and rhino leaders. “You, you, and you. With me.” He summoned of them before leading the crocs with him so they can get started.

“Do we have to take orders from Makuu?” Ma Tembo asked the lion prince feeling very unsure of this arrangement. “He's so... rude.”

“I know.” Kion acknowledged before pointing out the benefits of it. “But he can give us some good tips on how to work together to protect the Pride Lands. Just give him a chance. Please?” He then kindly asked of them to which both Bupu and Ma Tembo relented for his sake.

“Very well.”

“For you, Kion.”

The selected Pride Landers and Equestrian residents moved to follow after Makku but not without some members of the Guard voicing their opinion on Kion's idea on turning to said crocidle for assistance.

“You sure about this, Kion?” Ono asked feeling very uneasy with this arrangement too.

“Even considering that Makuu is still one of the meanest and rudest of the bunch?!” Rainbow agreed. “While I might have a bit of fuse at times, that croc is a stick of dynamite just waiting to be lit and go off in seconds. And the same can be said if Gilda agreed to come to do the same.”

“Makuu is a good leader when he needs to be and so is Gilda the last we saw of her at the last Summit in Griffonstone.” Kion defended and justified his reasons and decisions for seeking his help.

Though it was hard to take his words for it when they turned and saw Makuu yelling out to some of the Pride Landers. “No. No, no! No. Swing you're tail fast. Like this! See?”

“Maybe go keep an eye on him. Just in case.” Kion then added to the both of them.

“Affirmative.”

“That we can do.”

“And if things start to get tense, tell us immediately and we’ll take care of it from there. Do not engage with Makuu.” Twilight added while sternly looking at the speedy Pegasus to remind her to keep a cool head here. “Is that clear, Rainbow Dash?”

“Crystal, Twilight. As crystal like Spitfire would tell me if she were here.”

“Good.”

Under Makuu’s watchful eye and coaching, the Pride Landers grunted in vain as they tried to master the jaw vice which proves difficult due to the fact they don’t have crocodile jaws themselves.

“You call that a jaw vice?” He asked in contemptible disgust.

“We don't have jaws quite like yours.” Ma Tembo politely returned.

But even still Makuu ruthlessly continued to bark orders. “Reverse tail whip. Now!” He whipped his tail as a demonstration before looking on expecting the others to do the same. “Well? Do it!”

“But…” Ma Tembo tried bu struggled due to elephants’s tail are smaller and thinner compared to the crocs. “Oh.”

“I'm waiting.” Makuu said impatiently while briefly rolling his eyes at what he is seeing. “It's a simple move.”

“Not if you don't have a long tail.” The elephant leader again pointed out in her defense.

“You think excuses are the crocodile way?” The crocodile returned still not giving her or anyone else the benefit of a doubt.

Ma Tembo’s patience with the crocidle leader was now starting to wear thin already. “In case you haven't notice, Makuu, we're not crocodiles.”

“And that's why you'll lose. And those Outlanders will have you for breakfast.” He then turned to another elephant. “And you for lunch.” He then turned to an antelope. “And you for dinner!” He then addressed everyone else. “And the rest of you for a late-night snack. You wanna be a late-night snack for an Outlander? Hmm?”

“Of course not. But…” But that was all Ma Tembo could get in before being cut off by the abrasive croc.

“I didn't think so. Now, do it again!”

Both Ono and Rainbow having witnessed this from nearby with the former sighing while the latter growling in response.

“Let’s just get Kion and Twilight on over here to calm him down.” Ono insisted to his equally hot-headed friend who could only growl in agreement. “Besides it could equally ugly if Fluttershy catches wind of this.”

“Oh, all right!”

The two proceeded to fly off to do so.

At the same time, said leaders are overseeing Fuli, Applejack, and Bunga working with the antelope on another training exercise.

“Okay. Let's see if we can at least coordinate your kicks.”

“The goal here is to do so as a team. Quick, decisive, and powerful is what you all want to aim for here.”

Both Fuli and Applejack coached as Bunga walks behind them to make sure they are all in a good ready position.

“On three, ante-lanty-lopes. One, two…” One of the antelopes suddenly and accidentally kicked Bunga a second too soon causing to him to fly and slide a little because of it.

Kion then moved to fly over to his friend to make sure he isn’t injured. “Bunga. You okay?”

“Three.” Bunga weakly finished before passing out.

“Medic.” Fuli spoke up to which Twilight was quick to work her magic to make sure Bunga is completely healed. She then turned to Kion and Twilight hoping that something else is good news right about now. “You'd think training's going any better with Makuu?”

“Can't be any worse.” Kion replied feeling very sure about it.

“At least when he is in a good mood.” Twilight added feeling 50/50 on the matter.

“When was that?” Applejack inquired.

After a moment of thinking she replied with. “Only when he is relaxing in the water.”

“Uh-huh.” It didn’t take much for honesty to tell that even she isn’t so sure about that.

“And if what you say is true, then I too wouldn't be so sure about that.” Ono chimed in as he appeared before them. “Kion, Twilight, you two should see this.”

“Oh, no.” Twilight face-hoofed herself knowing exactly what headache they are about to deal with today.

Boboka herself is trying and failing to do the tail whip due to not have a crocoidle size tail much to Makuu’s overgrowing annoyance and anger. “You're even worse than Ma Tembo.”

“I'm doing my best.” The antelope insisted with no malice in her defense but Makuu wasn’t accepting that.

“Your best is worse than my worst. Now, get it right! Or I'll have you for lunch.”

But before anything else can happen, Kion and Twilight were quick to intervene and get in between them.

“Makuu! That's enough!”

“And that’s no way to talk to a fellow Pride Lander or Equestrian.”

“It's the crocodile way.” Thr croc leader angrily asserted.

“But this is our team.”

“We have to work together, not threaten each other.”

“Tell you two what…” Makuu then said deciding a different option in mind. “You defend your territory your way, we'll defend ours our way.”

He proceeds to walk away, despite their insistence it isn’t personal.

“Makuu, the Pride Lands belong to all of us.”

“And the same can be said for all of Equestria. And if you least just try to work with us some more we can find a way to work this out.”

Makuu scoffed in response. “I doubt that and we'll take our chances. Crocodiles, let's go.”

Makku along with the rest of the crocodiles all take their leave, all while the skinks themselves secretly observe in secret before making their way to the Outlands Volcano to report the current ongoings to Scar who has the other team leaders inside the caldera present.

“So the Pride Landers and Equestrians are training for battle to defend themselves against me?” Scar noted before evilly chuckling to himself finding it a bit amusing himself.

Janja himself nervously laughed in agreement. “Yeah. They should know they don't stand a chance.”

“Don't be so sure, Janja.” Scar was quick to caution. “Pride Landers and Equestrians working together could pose a threat to my plan.”

“Yeah.” Janja then stammered in agreement again. “Of course it could.”

“Although…” Scar spoke up sensing something useful out of the skinks discovery. “...if Kion and Twilight's alliance with the crocodiles is already fraying, this could also be an opportunity.”

“You mean…” Kiburi eagerly asked to which is confirmed with an approving nod from his boss.

“Yes, Kiburi. Now is the time we take Makuu's watering hole.”

Kiburi was quick to head out and get his float ready for said attack. “Makuu won't know what hit him.”

As soon as Kiburi, Janja, and Reirei all left, that left both Lightning Dust and Wind Rider left alone with Scar who has further instructions for them. “And while they are gaining all eyes on the Lion and Pony Guard along with their new team, here’s what I want you both to do...”

Back at the watering hole itself, Makuu could only scoff feeling he did nothing wrong but try to help them never mind what both Kion and Twilight were trying to tell him otherwise. “What a waste of time. I can't believe Kion and Twilight wanted me to train the Pride Landers, and be nice to them.”

“Hey…” Janja’s voice called out to him from above. “...we'll be real nice to ya. Right before we kick you out of your watering hole.” He and the other hyenas all laughed maliciously together.

“You really think you stand a chance against crocodiles?” Makuu asked while barely batting an eyebrow at them thinking they are picking the wrong guy to fight with.

But instantly, the voice of his rival spoke up and made his appearance known with the jackals to let him know they’re not alone. “Maybe not. But we do.”

“Kiburi.” Makuu growled at the very sight before finding himself in a deadlock battle with the evil crocodile while the others watch on ready to act when needed at the outnumbered and surrounded enemies.

As luck would have it both Ono and Rainbow Dash have just managed to catch sight of it.

“What's this? Hapana!”

“Trouble for Makuu that’s what it is.”

The two shared before rushing over to report this to their leaders.

“Kion! Twilight!”

“The Outlanders are attacking Makuu's watering hole!”

Already, Kion was ready to lead the Guard on over there. “Let's go.”

But before he could take off, Ono intercepted him to stop him from getting ahead. “Kion it's a lot of Outlanders. As in, jackals, crocs, and hyenas. We might need a lot of animals on our side, too. Especially since we need to know where Mzingo, Ushari, Lightning, and Wind Rider are.”

“Knowing them they would have to get half the team diverted somewhere that requires our attention…” Twilight said as she gave some thought of what the diversion tactic Scar is playing here.

“...somewhere where Ushari can get the drop on someone without them realizing it in flight...” Rainbow added before both she and Twilight gasped and realized and speaking at the exact same time.

“Griffonstone!”

“But we need the Guard as a whole!” Kion asserted trying to speak up against the idea while looking on at the Pride Landers and Equestrian’s still struggling to get the crucial exercises right. “Trust me, This crew isn't ready.”

As soon as those words came out of his mouth, Bupu along with the others having heard that were quick to assert otherwise.

“Don't be so sure.” Bupu spoke first.

“We have to be ready.” Mbeya added.

“After all, a threat to the Pride lands anywhere is a threat to Pride Landers everywhere. The sable antelopes are ready.”

“Makuu may be brusque, but he was trying to help us.” Ma Tembo then said next. “The elephants are ready.”

“Same goes for the rhinos.” Mbeya added voicing his support to throw down.

“And you know the galagos are ready.” Laini also added.

Upon turning to Twilight, she returned a supportive smile to assure him that he has the help he needs. “If they say they are ready, then we should give them that chance to shine.” She then added. “We’ll be fine as long as we have our fellow Pride Landers and Equestrians together on this.” Turning to said Equestrians also ready for those fights she was quick to give direction to them. “All of the Apples, you go with the Pride Landers to help Makuu. And all of the unicorns, you’re with us as we help the griffons together.”

“You heard her.” Applejack spoke to her family. “Ready to kick some hyena, jackal, and croc flank?”

“Let’s do it!”

“Yep!”

“You can me in, for this pony’s still got some bite in her bark, and that’s me, dag nabbit.”

“And how you girls…” Twilight then spoke to the unicorns. “Ready to help friends out even if we don’t completely see eye to eye with them?”

“Of course!”

“What are friends for?”

“Let’s do this!”

“Even if griffons still aren’t the friendliest of the bunch, we’ll still help them. One Equestrian to another.”

Seeing this had Kion feel confident going forward. “All right, then. Pride Landers, follow me. We'll fight for what's right.”

“Even when split in two.” Twilight added as she led the other team on over towards Griffonstone with full concentration to teleport to Griffonstone fully in her mind. Before leaving both parties cried out together.

“Pride Landers and Equestrians unite!”

Back at Makuu’s watering hole, both he and Kiburi continued to fight out to a standstill where neither croc had the advantage so far. But the latter sure had numbers on his side and was not going down like the last two times.

“Just give up now.” Kiburi demanded.

Makuu scoffed in response. “"Give up"? That's not the crocodile way. Or have you forgotten that in your time in the Outlands, Kiburi?”

The other Outlanders move to close in on the surrounded crocs as Makku makes another charge at Kiburi. Said charge is met with a tail whip that knocked him hard into the ground allowing the latter to pin him down.

Just then Kion along with the rest of his Guard have just arrived. “That's enough, Kiburi. You too, Janja. Stop!”

“"Stop"?” Janja like before laughed it off like it’s a joke. “Who's gonna stop us, the five of you? And speaking of which where are your powerful pony friends? Shouldn’t they be by your side to back you up like always? No? I guess they have their hooves full this time.”

“Yeah!” Chungu remarked. “Five against…” He tried to count out how many Outsiders they have on their side. “Two, three, four, uh... Heh.” He then gives up on that since he can’t count. “Against a lot of us.”

Kion still remained confident that it’s going to be a fight they will win. “It's a little more than five.”

And that’s when the Pride Landers along with the Apple Family made their appearance known to surround the Outlanders and stand by the Lion Guard’s side.

“That's a lot more than... a lot.” Cheezi remarked in shock at the numbers now piled against them.

“Everyone, let's go.” Kion declared just as Ma Tembo lets loose a charge trumpet before joining everyone in the charge to fight the Outlanders.

“I sure hope they're ready.” Ono muttered to himself as he flew into the thick of danger.

Elsewhere in Griffonstone, the griffons are carrying on life like it's an ordinary day for them with the sole expection of them trying to make an effort to be more friendler with one another, particularly Gilda meeting up with Greta ever since Rainbow, Pinkie, Bunga, and Kyoga's past visit. And so far everything was going through in flying colors.

"Hey, Greta!" Gilda greeted.

"Hey, Gilda!" Said griffon returned in kind. "How's your day turning out so far?"

"Turning out fine! For once! For the first time in years the sun is shining here, the place is cleaner, and the magic sparkle here is working like a cinch!"

"Gilda!" Greta scolded with a frown.

"What?!" Gilda returned with a confused expression. "It's true I meant that as in the magic of sparkle of friendship is actually working wonders here."

"Ooh!" Greta realized. "Okay! That is so true!" She then laughed. "For a second there I thought you were swearing there!"

Gilda laughed once she realized why her friend was taken aback just earlier. "Yeah! I was! Bad habit you could say. I mean what can I do?"

"I've got an idea!" Lightning Dust's voice spoke to her as she along with Wind Rider, Mzingo, his flock of vultures, along with Ushari and the skinks for company. "How about you surrender to us this dusty and messy old place of your's and we'll call it a day?"

"How about not!" Gilda defiantly returned before taking in a deep breath before roaring the crowd of enemies challenging away down the mountains.

After doing so, she moved to catch sight of them recovering down at the bottom of the mountains ready to regroup and try their attempted charge against Griffstone once more. "Get the troops, ready Greta!" She then ordered. "Because a simple roar isn't going to get them flying away from here."

"Sure thing, Gilda!" Greta proceeded to fly off to do so.

At that moment, Twilight and the Pony Guard appeared by her side much to the griffon's surprise along with their Equestrian allies. "And we'll help ensure you all are ready for that fight!" Their leader assured. "Because we're not about to allow Scar to start conquering land in Equestria too!"

"Great to hear!" Gilda returned with a confident smile before turning her attention back to the enemy making their way back up the mountains. "Because they're coming right back up here now!"

"Not a problem!" Turning to the unicorns. "Girls! Force field at the ready!"

"Yes ma'am!" The girls all obeyed before working their magic in putting a dome around Griffonstone alongside Twilight to allow the griffons time to properly prepare for battle.

Turning to the others. "Get ready everyone, the Army of Scar is knocking on our doorstep!"

"We're on it!" Rainbow stated with a confident smile while pounding her hooves together ready for that fight as everyone inside Griffonstone territory gears up ready to go against their enemies once more.

While the antagonistic crocs continue to give the Pride Lander crocs fighting, Janja and Reirei led their teams towards the charging heroes.

“Fuli, have the antelopes make a clear path.” Kion instructed.

Fuli was quick to obey the call without question. “On it.” She then quickly moved to run alongside the antelope so she can help them coordinate that move. “Bupu, Boboka. Wanna take this guys for a little spin?” She then kindly threw in a... “Please?”

Bupu smiled in response ready to comply with her request. “Thought you'd never ask.”

“Antelopes, together!” Boboka called out to them as they all got into position ready to counter attack the oncoming Outlanders.

In quick succession, each and every Outlander, Janja, Cheezi, Chungu, Goigoi were kicked away in effective fashion.

“Whoa!” Ono gasped as he dodged the Outsiders kicked away.

“Whoo. I can see my den from here.” Chungu blissfully remarked as he floated back down to the ground.

Kion himself managed to briefly tussle and throw off Reirei just as Ono gives another aerial report.

“Kion. The Outlanders are breaking up into smaller groups.”

“Beshte.” Kion then called out to him while knocking aside Cheezi. “Have your guys take out those crocodiles and hyenas.”

“You bet, Kion.” With that Beshte turned to the rhinos for the job. “All right, guys. This is what we trained for. Stopping the Outlanders.”

“Just point me at 'em.” Kifaru bravely declared ready to do what it takes.

Beshte proudly smiled him in response to this declaration. “That's what I like to hear. Remember, stay calm.” He then reminded.

“Calm, right.” Mbeya acknowledged.

“Calm, but strong.” He then started his signature catchphrase. “Twende...

“Kiboko!” Both rhinos finished before charging towards the Outlands much to the Lion Guard’s Strongest impressive reaction.

“Poa.”

While the ongoing fight is taking place, the galagos are all standing by on a rock for safety.

“Don't worry, galagos. We'll get in there.” Laini assured even though the ongoing danger around them makes it hard to give a sure declaration on that. “Eventually.”

Elsewhere, Reirei and her jackals are all ganging up on the elephants after moving to surround them and they are all starting to gain the advantage over the latter.

“Get their trunks.” Reirei commanded while face to face with Ma Tembo who is already struggling with another jackal already on her back. She then laughed menacingly feeling they’ve got them in a corner now.

Fortunately for them, Bunga who is fighting one of the Outlander crocs managed to spot it out and report to Kion who had just got done knocking Janja away. “Elephants in trouble!”

Upon seeing this had Kion unsure of what call to make in order to help them, especially since they don’t have the Pony Guard backing them up on this one until…

“Kion, we wanna help.” Laini quickly offered and voluntered.

“Great. I need you to do what galagos do best. Get underfoot.”

“Sir, yes, sir. But we need somebody to get us to the right feet.”

It took little thinking for Kion to think of the right Pride Lander to call upon. “Bupu, over here.”

Bupu after just getting done knocking away Nne was quick to rush over to him without demanding a “Please.” in return. “Yes, Kion?”

“Think you can give these guys a lift into battle? Please?”

Bupu for once agreed with a friendly smile. “I suppose this one time wouldn't hurt.” With that he allowed the galagos climb on top of him.

“Engage.” Laini commanded before the antelope leader charges his way over to the struggling elephants who are still standing their ground against the jackals.

“Just 'cause you're big don't mean you can't fall!” Reirei growled while viciously snapping her teeth at Ma Tembo in an effort to get her to do just that.

With the Lion Guard already having their paws and claws full of the fighting the hyenas and crocodiles, it is up to Bupu and the galagos to help save the elephants from the viciously hungry jackals.

“Let's go, galagos.” Laini declared as she and the other galagos shared a battle cry before leaping into the thick of danger in order to trip up and distract the jackals from their current target.

“Hey. Watch where you're going.” Reirei demanded of them before trying and failing to snap her teeth at them who all manage to dodge and run circles around her and the others.

And this is what the elephants needed to force the jackals off of them and away from them. In addition, Reirei just after getting knocked aside finds herself looking up at Bupu himself.

“Now who's falling?” He asked with a smirk like it’s karma’s calling against before lifting the jackal leader and tossing her away.

“Whoa, Nelly!”

“Wow! That was amazing.” Laini spoke up very impressed with what she saw.

“It was fun.” Bupu admitted before declaring. “Let's go, galagos. You trip 'em up, I'll toss 'em out.”

Both antelope leader and the galagoes as a whole all rushed off to do just that.

“This is what I call teamwork!” Laini happily said while running alongside Bupu.

Back in Griffinstone, the battle got underway when the force field was finally released allowing the flyers and their accomplices to attack. But their opponents were all ready for whatever they had in store for them.

Both Lightning Dust and Wind Rider found themselves fended off by both Rainbow Dash and Rarity once more with the former pairing taking it to the skies for an aerial battle while the latter pairing moved to make their battle grounded. This time around much like previous battles, Rainbow was able to outspeed her opponent while managing more hits on her this time around. While Rarity herself kept outschooling the formerly disgraced Wonderbolt at every move.

"Ha! Ha! Can't touch me today!" Rainbow taunted.

"Yes I can! If you just hold still and let me punch you!" Lighnting angrily retorted.

"Sure thing, old pal!" She moved to do just that to allow her the opening...

...only so she could get sucker punched in the face and then given a powerful tail whiplash along with a swift powerful twister kick to send her flying away from her. "Not!"

"What's the matter, old friend!" Rarity then remarked with disappointment towards her foe. "Feeling too winded to keep fighting like you used to?"

"Ha, ha! Very funny!" Wind Rider moved to try to fly at her to land some blows on her only to be swifted blocked on each and every one of them.

Rarity then proceeded to grab ahold of her restrained opponent before performing a spinning kick to knock her away. "Well at least to me, darling!"

At the same time, Ushari and the skinks tried to ride Mzingo and his flock so that they land and get the drop on some of the griffons who are occupied in wondering where they are going to strike next. And it seemed they managed to find an angle so they can make their moves on them until...

"Behind you!" Gabby alerted as she and the Crusaders were quick to take aim and fire their rotten apples at them to pelt them right in the eyes.

"Agh! My eyes!"

"I can't see!"

Both Mzingo and Ushari complained.

"Me neither!" Shupavu also voiced while grunting and disoriented.

"Good!"

"Because these apples are your just desserts!"

"So I hope you're hungry, because there's more where that came from!"

The Cutie Mark Crsuaders then bravely added.

Njano in contrast to his allies and partner slurped up the apples and actually liked them. "Mmm! They're actually pretty good!"

"Njano! They're bad apples!" Shupavu returned in disgust as her partner suddenly turned green and ill because of it.

"Ah, of course. Now I'm very ill!" Shupavu could only face palm briefly before being rounded up and tied up by the Apple Family who were quick to neutralize them on the spot.

"Which is why you shouldn't eat bad apples." Applejack told them. "But apparently you haven't lived around these parts to know that did you?"

Big Mac shook his head, "Nope."

Upon focusing back on the recovering vultures, Applejack then stated. "And now it is time the rest of you varmits started heading my advice and get on out of here while you ya'll still can because it's going only to get worse!"

"All those in favor of saying no and continuing on with the fight, say aye!" Mzingo said to his other vultures.

"Aye!"

"Very well, ya'll asked for it!"

"Yep!"

With powerful lassoes at the ready, each and every one of the vultures suffered whiplash to the point they found themselves retreating because of it.

All while this is going on, Ushari himself moved to try to get the drop on the two earth ponies. "And so did the two of you!" He hissed before moving to make a lunge...

...only to be stopped in place when Fluttershy placed a hoof on her tail with a firm glare in her eyes. "Not on my watch, pal!" She then unleashed her Stare on him causing him to grunt while trying really hard to shield his eyes from it.

"Fluttershy! Get your hooves off of me!" He grunted before finding another hoof placed on him to further restrain him from trying to bite her.

"No! Friends don't bite other friends or at least we don't!" Fluttershy refused with a shake of her head. "And to think you had some deceny long ago."

Upon retreating the vultures moved to regroup in an effort to salvage this battle, by redirecting their flight towards the other griffons, only to be quickly intercepted upon being shot hard confetti by Pinkie Pie herself along with red hot magic from Twilight's horn.

"You're all going to have to try harder than that if you think you're going to miss out on my party, you mean birdies!" Pinkie roared while non-stop on the firings and shootings.

Said birds then found them trapped in a magic bubble courtesy of Twilight herself who then turned to the other unicorns. "Hold onto them for a minute! I need to go catch one more bird! Two actually" She declared before spotting Mzingo and Mwoga having managed to avoid capture and are both trying to aim for Gilda while distracted fighting off and defeating the remaining vultures that came at her.

"Quick! Decapatice their leader while we still can!"

"Aye, governor!"

The two then rushed over as fast as they can towards her who seemed unaware of their drawing presence...

...until she quickly used her tail to catch them just an arm's reach from her.

"Here's a better idea, you two buzzards!" She then roared. "Get out of here while you all still can!"

"Sure thing!"

"Aye, governor!"

The two birds then attempted to flee only to be caught by Twilight who was quick to stop them on the spot. "You don't need to worry about that! We can help ensure that happens for you all!"

By then everyone that tried to attack Griffonstone has been rounded up and captured after being defeated. "Care to do the honors, Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked her eager companion ready to try out one of her new moves.

"Absolutely!" Rainbow then flew circles around the Outsiders before working up a powerful rainbow twister to swirled them all up and sent them flying away and uncontrollable speed and right on towards the Outlands through the portal closest to the kingdom.

With the Outsiders defeated, the heroes and allies all cheered and celeberated their victory together, complete with high fives and happy confetti spread around Griffonstone.

Elsewhere both Janja and Kiburi have teamed up to go head to head against Makuu with the former leaping onto their opponent’s tail. Said move managed to restraint Makuu from using his tail against him.

“Ha!” Kiburi taunted. “Reverse tail whip's no good when you got someone on your tail.”

But before Kiburi to attack his rival when he is at an disadvantage, Kion was quick to leap onto his tail in order to stop him. “Good to know, Kiburi.”

Kiburi grunted and struggled to get Kion off of him, before being saved when Cheezi leaps onto Kion to force the lion alicorn off of him.

With Kion forced away from helping Makuu, Kiburi then set his sights back to do what he wants to do. “Now, where was I? Oh, yeah. Reverse tail whip.”

But suddenly, Ma Tembo came charging towards him. “You mean like this?” She asked before performing a similar move with her trunk to whip Janja off of Makuu and crashing into Kiburi.

“Impressive.” Makuu complimented.

“I call that the "reverse-reverse trunk whip." Ma Tembo returned with a wink to show Twilight’s point that there are other ways to incorporate his moves to those who aren’t crocodiles.

“Most impressive. But you're not a crocodile yet.”

“Get off me!” Kiburi grunted while pushing Janja aside even when it wasn’t intentional. Though this distraction, allowed Makuu to push and knock Kiburi away.

“Now, out of my watering hole!”

Upon seeing that the Pride Landers along with their Equestrian companions are now starting to fight the Outlanders on even footing, Janja decided to take charge in trying their next best course of action. “Outlanders, regroup!”

Hearing this got Cheezi confused and distracted while fighting Kion. “We're leavin' the watering hole?” He asked before being kicked off by the half lion and alicorn. He then growled threateningly in response to heed his leader’s call.

“Everyone, get to higher ground.” Janja insturcted of everyone who were all quick to do just that while their opponents follow after them. From there, the Outlanders were now in a position they can take the Pride Landers and their Equestrian companions down on the spot. “All right, we got 'em now.”

Even still Kion stood his ground while perched on a nearby rock. “Outlanders, don't mess with the Pride Lands.”

“'Cause when you mess with the Pride Lands, you mess the Pride Landers.”

“And that goes double for those in Equestria.” Granny Smith fiercely declared. “Now get on out of here you nasty varmins!”

“Exactly.” With calm and controlled focus, Kion used the Roar of the Elders to blast the Outlanders away to end the battle.

After the danger had passed, the Pony Guard along with the unicorns, after just after taking care of buisness in Griffonstone were quick to return and check up on Makuu and his float who are now approaching the Pride Landers and Equestrians that came to help him even when they didn’t have to.

“Uh, what can I say? You saved our watering hole. And my float.” Makuu gratefully said to everyone though struggled with the right words to properly express his thanks to them.

“You can say thank you.” Bupu pointed out.

It took a little effort as those are little words he’s hardly ever used before, but was able to swallow his pride to say it. “Thank you.”

“You're welcome.” Mbeya kindly returned.

“Glad you're part of the team.” Laini happily expressed.

“You would've done the same for us.” Ma Tembo also added.

“I will now.” Makuu promised and then vowed. “If there's ever trouble for anyone in the Pride Lands, we'll be there.”

“You will?” Kion asked to make sure he really means it.

“Yes. Because a threat to the Pride Lands anywhere is a threat to Pride Landers everywhere.” Upon seeing the returning Pony Guard along with those from their homeland. “And the same can be said for those in all of Equestria.”

“Well said. And I’m glad to hear it, Makuu.” Twilight complimented. “And if you’re still up for it, I know ways we can help incorporate your moves in ways that the others can utilize even when they aren’t crocodiles.”

Makuu smiled in response being willing to give a try going forward. “I’m sure we will.”

“Yep.” Kion nodded in approval. “And by working together, we can all defend the Pride Lands and Equestria. We'll fight for what's right.”

All together everyone all declared. “Pride Landers and Equestrians unite!”

After that firm vow between two realms, Kion then turned to Twilight to ask about how things went down while they were taking care of the Outlanders here. “So Twilight, how did things go in Griffonstone?”

“Well, they obviously managed to win and protect Gilda and the other griffons.” Fuli noted.

“We sure did!” Rainbow proudly declared before going on to ramble her excitement. “Oh, you should have seen it. We were awesome, and so were the unicorns being able to strike and wipe the smug grins of Lightning and Wind Rider’s faces when they struck them down with mastered spells of there.“ Rainbow then laughed. “And as for Ushari, boy. All Fluttershy had to do was stare into the wicked cobra’s soul just to get him to back off and flee.” Fluttershy herself blushed and looked aside even while smiling at her own success. “You have no idea of how great a battle it was.”

“Considering that Kion and the others managed to hold their just as well, I think they do.” Applejack commented upon seeing that everyone is all here and standing completely unharmed.

“Yep.”

“We sure did.”

Both Bunga and Beshte confirmed with smiles.

“And so did the Cutie Mark Crusaders.” Twilight added as said fillies smirked in response to prove it. “Along with their friend Gabby. If you were there, you would have seen just how well, they’ve come since day one.”

“We sure would have.” Kion said in agreement with a look that tells the fillies that everyone is proud of them. “Want to see how the fight went down here?”

“Sure. And in return we’ll show you of how things went down in Griffonstone.”

But before either one of them could decide who get’s to go first, they were suddenly drawn to the sounds of allies in troubled pain, complete with appearing with bruises, black eyes, and little blood coming from their cuts as if something really bad had happened. And said sounds came from somebody, particularly Beshte instantly recognized.

“Dad!” Beshte cried in horror before rushing over to his side as he appeared over the horizon alongside his fellow hippos. “What happened?! Who did this to you?!”

“Scar happened…” Basi weakly uttered due to his injuries. “...he along with the Outsider lions and that leopard friend of his appeared to attack Big Springs. We tried to fight them off but they were all too strong, fast, and vicious for us to happen. We barely managed to get out of there with our lives.”

Upon hearing what they are hearing immediately dropped any victorious feelings as everyone looks on in Big Springs direction to see another force field with the Mark of Evil symbol appearing over their heads to indicate another portion of the Pride Lands has just been taken. And with the sight of Scar looking on in everyone’s direction as he appears while placing two gold coins over his eyes while pointing his fingers from his face to everyone from afar, especially Kion and Twilight. That sight sparked the very sense of dread and fear that reminds them of the power and danger he possesses to them before disappearing in a flash. A very sight that left others wondering how this happened and realizing again of how he managed to outplay them again and that their job got even more harder now.

Author's Note

Here we have the first major battle the Pride Landers and Equestrians partake as they continue the ongoing fight with Scar and his army. And split up the party into two, while the Lion Guard takes the Pride Landers to help Makuu, the Pony Guard takes the Equestrians to Griffonstone.

Long story short even with the training leading up to it having a handful of bumps in the road along the way, both battles played out very well for both parties...

...too bad Scar kept playing with the shuffleboard once more to get the more desired outcome he wanted out of it, and that land itself happened to be Big Springs itself thus making him the true winner of the game he was playing today. With that, one's left to wonder how they are going to combat these constantly changing tactics Scar has been employing since his return.

In the meantime while they try to figure that out, the next episode in the lineup is "Buckball Season." where we get to see an upcoming match up with said game between Ponyville and Appleloosa. So be on the lookout for that next time around, and since I have the following next few episodes just about ready, I'm going to go ahead on continue rolling them weekly into next month so stay tuned until then...

Oh and Happy Thanksgiving!

Episode 32: Buckball Season

Episode 32:

Buckball Season:

It was a quite day in the Apple Farm today, so that left Applejack some time to do some practicing. Practicing outside of training for battle and the war against Scar’s army is what she is doing.

“Okay, you ready?” Ono asked Applejack while flying from above. After seeing her nod in response to indicate yes she is ready. “Then do it.”

She locked her eyes on a small target in the distance. She spit on her hoof and then raised it to get a good feel for the winds in the sky which seemed to be blowing her way. So she then bucked a nearby tree to knock an apple off of it.
She prepared to give the apple a good buck...

“Hey, Applejack!” Rainbow suddenly greeted throwing the earth pony’s concentration out the window.

“Whoa! Oof! Ugh!”

“Whatcha doin'?”

Applejack groaned before explaining. “Well, I was practicin' my distance buckin'.”

“At least until you showed up and distracted Applejack.” Ono added.

“Didn’t mean to, sorry.” Rainbow quickly apologized before asking. “Uh, distance bucking? What for?”

“Because Cousin Braeburn and the rest of the Apple family in Appleloosa seem to think that their team can beat Ponyville at buckball.”

“It takes one game for another Apple pony in the Family to gain an ego out of it. And he really is starting to act the part.” Ono also said with a shake of his head as he watched Applejack perform the exercise again and was able to hit the target exactly on the bullseye this time.

With what she heard, Rainbow already voiced her disbelief at that statement. “What?! Ha! That's ridiculous! Nopony beats Ponyville! I mean, I could beat the whole town of Appleloosa at buckball with one wing tied behind my back!”

Applejack then moved to buck loose another apple from the tree before sending it upward, Rainbow then quickly flew up to bat back down to her friend who then bucked on right towards the target. The power and intense speed from both moves caused the apple to plow right through the target right on the bullseye.

“Wow! Nice shot and nice teamwork!” Fuli complimented having witnessed this just as she arrived. “What’s the name of the game you’re playing here.”

“Buckball’s the name.” Applejack answered. “And I was just starting to tell Rainbow Dash all about it along with asking her to join the Ponyville buckball team…” Turning to her friend. “...that is of course you are interested.”

It didn’t take much thought to give her answer. “Oh, yeah! I am so there!”

“Glad to hear it.” Fuli said before adding with an eager grin. “Think the team’s got room for one more player?”

Applejack positively replied always open for another player. “I’d thought you never ask.”

Sometime later, the three friends would make their way over towards another part of Sweet Apple Acres where they plan to meet up with the rest of the ponies. Said meetup is a tryouts event in order to pick out the best ponies they need for their team in order to compete with Braeburn’s for the big match-up in Appleloosa. On the way over, they are joined by Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Beshte who are all curious to see how this sport plays out along with assisting with in ensuring the event goes well. All while listening to Rainbow Dash go on and on about it.

“So, basically, buckball is the coolest game ever. Offense, defense, teamwork, nonstop action! It's got it all!”

“Wow, Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy spoke up feeling happy for her best friend’s excitement. “You sure seem to know a lot about this game. I've never even heard of... buckball.”

“Yeah, I'm kind of an expert.”

Both Applejack and Fuli could only scoff in response with the former speaking up to downplay the ego growing in her friend’s head before it could turn out like her cousin. “Hmph. An expert who hadn't heard of the game either until I told you.”

“Well, it's a new game. I probably know more than most ponies, so that makes me an expert.”

“Wanna bet that with a serving of humble pie?” Fuli asked which is met with the pink pony handing her said pie.

“Thank you, Pinkie.”

“You’re welcome.” Pinkie happily replied thinking nothing of it.

“It’s a bet.” Rainbow quickly shook the cheetah’s paw to cement it.

With the deal making all said and done, Pinkie then said. “I don't know anything about it at all. But it sounds like there's a ball and bucking, so I'm betting it's super duper fun!” She held up another pie ready for another bet in the making.

“I’m sure it is from what we’re hearing about it.” Beshte commented already looking forward towards to today’s excitement.

Applejack then continued wanting to get her point across to her friends. “The point is, my cousin Braeburn somehow convinced a Pegasus and a unicorn to come play with him on the Appleloosa team, and he can't stop braggin' about how his team is gonna beat ours! Which is exactly why I’m telling everyone here now so they don’t get the game all in their heads, Rainbow Dash.” She added with a frown that had the Pegasus laughing nervously as if she just realized her mistake just now.

“But, um, we don't have a team.” Fluttershy pointed out.

“Not yet.” Ono reminded. “So far between Applejack, Rainbow, and Fuli, we've got three-fourth’s of a team. All we need is a unicorn. That's where you three come in.” He said with his keen eyes directed at both Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Beshte.

Both ponies looked on in confusion with the former whispering loudly to the latter. “Uh... they know we're not unicorns, right?”

“Uh, obviously.” Rainbow returned to assert they know. “You and Beshte are gonna be on my team, and Fuli and Fluttershy are gonna be on Applejack's team.”

“All right.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Both Fuli and Beshte accepted the team assignments without questioning it since the pairings are very compatible with their unsure and inexperienced teammates.

“We'll play against each other along with whatever unicorns want to try out until we find the best one.” Applejack added much to the party pony’s great relief.

“Ohhhh! Phew! That's a relief because I left my unicorn costume at home!”

Fuli giggled in response while the others look confused in response to her bizarre reply. “Don’t worry it isn’t Nightmare Night yet.”

“Of course not!” Pinkie then replied with previous nervousness thrown out the window before displaying her calendar by briefly pulling her calendar out of her mane. “It’s still a couple months out but still close enough to start prepping up treats for the autumn early birds!” Said birds happily chirped while flying by all while everyone else could only shrug it off as another random Pinkie Pie thing that is better off not questioning.

Sometime later, the group had arrived where the ponies who showed up for the tryouts ready to give the sport a shot with Granny Smith serving as the referee while Big Mac serves as the apple supplier (ball carrier). Both relatives were wearing a black and white referee uniform and a dark grey and green sports jacket and cap respectively while the other ponies and accompanying members of the Guard all wore colored and sleeveless vests for the sport. Applejack, Beshte, Fuli, and half of the unicorns and Pegasus ponies all wore green vests. Pinkie, Rainbow, Fluttershy, and the other half of the unicorns and Pegasus ponies all wore red vests.

After getting everything and everyone all settled in, Applejack moved to explain how the game works for those trying out. “I know a lot of you are here because I told you what an amazin' game buckball is. And even though it's already an Apple family favorite, most o' you probably don't know anything about it. So I thought we'd give you a quick demonstration.” Her brother pitched a ball to Granny Smith while she and Pinkie got lined up at center court. “The two Earth ponies are on offense. They meet in the middle of the field for the buck off. They both try to be the first one to kick it.” Her grandmother bounced the ball in between them where Applejack is the first to buck at it.

Rainbow Dash floating over the goal caught the ball bucked in her direction with a swift wing slap before catching it in her hooves. Once she secured it she took her turn to explain the rules of the game. “And the Pegasus is on defense. She tries to keep the ball from going in the goal and passes it back to the Earth pony on her team.” Before tossing it over she said to the pink pony. “Just give it a little kick, Pinkie.”

When she moved to toss the ball over, Pinkie proceeded to do just that and give a pretty strong kick that managed to land right in the bucket much to Fluttershy’s fright as evident by her shielding her head to avoid the ball hitting her.

“Ohhh. I get it.” Pinkie realized.

Then Fuli took a turn to explain the rules herself. “And all the unicorns have to do is float these here baskets around the outside of the field and catch as many balls as possible for their team while passing it to their teammate who meditates between offensive and defensive.”

Beshte then asked both Pinkie and Fluttershy. “You two get the idea?”

“Absolutely!” Pinkie quickly answered now fully confident.

Fluttershy however still didn’t feel completely sure about it. “Oh, I don't know. That ball moves pretty fast.”

“Well, just do your best to catch it. That’s all we ask of you.” Beshte advised to which left the timid Pegasus feel a lot more relaxed than before.

“Okay, I’ll try.”

With the rules all laid out and fully understood they were ready to get started with the tryouts.

“All right. Now let's see which of you has what it takes.” Rainbow said while handing the unicorns their buckets for them to catch the balls with.

Though one of the ponies still felt confused when handed the bucket. “Um, what do I do?” The crimson red coated pony with a sky blue mane, green eyes, a three red hearts cutie mark asked.

“When the ball comes towards you, catch it.” Rainbow answered before retaking her position.

“Are we ready?” Ono, while wearing a referee uniform too, asked of everyone who all nodded. “Then let’s play ball.”

With a blow of her whistle, Granny Smith motioned for the players to get ready as she prepares to toss the ball into the center of the field.

“Okay, just try your best, Pinkie. I have been doin' this a lot longer than you.” Applejack told her friend before her Granny Smith tossed the ball into center court. But then to her surprise Pinkie powered up a fast and swift kick the very split second it entered the court. “Nice kick.” She quietly commented in stunned surprise.

The ball moved really fast headed in Fluttershy’s direction who briefly looked on nervously once more.

“Okay, Fluttershy…” Fuli called out from above. “...you know what to do?”

“Mmm-hmm.” Fluttershy returned before reacting on instinct this time. “Oh. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.” Amazingly, she managed to catch the ball with her long pink tail before returning right back to Fuli. “Whee!” She then giggled.

“Great save, Fluttershy!” Fuli complimented before using her tail to pass it on over to Applejack who then bucked it on over towards her opponent’s goal.

The unicorn holding the bucket found herself ducking to avoid getting hit by it before Rainbow Dash managed to catch it.

“Coming your way, Beshte!” She called to the hippo on the ground who managed to use his back to bounce it on over to Pinkie Pie.

“Heads up, Pinkie!”

“Somersault kick!” Pinkie shouted while sending the ball right towards the opposing unicorn.

Terrified, the red coated pony found himself turning the bucket around just before it could land inside the bucket.

Ono then blew his whistle with a wing pointed in favor of the team who scored. “Point. The Red Team.” Said red pony still found himself stumbling aimlessly due to the bucket on his head. “On account of the goal being tipped inside out.”

Already both Pinkie and Fluttershy were finding the sport itself relatively comfortable like they have natural talent and adrenaline flowing through their systems now.

“Hey, this game is easy!”

“Ooh! It actually is kinda fun!”

The two happily giggled as they played around with the balls like it’s a game they have already played before even though it’s their first time playing it. All while their friends look on surprised and amazed with what they are seeing.

“Where did Pinkie Pie learn to buck like that?” Applejack spoke up of her surprise and shock and asked first.

“And Fluttershy's spinning tail catch is pretty amazing.” Rainbow commented equally surprised and shocked by their natural talent.

“It sure was.” Beshte agreed finding it impressive. “They’re both naturals for a couple of first timers.”

“I’ll say.” Fuli spoke up equally impressed. “It’s almost if they somehow played something similar to this a while back. Question is what games were they played back then?”

“Good question, Fuli. But I’m sure we can find that out later. But in the meantime...” Applejack commented before focusing on the ongoing tryouts for now. “Okay.” She spoke to those who have yet to try out the sport itself. “Well, let's see what the rest of you can do.”

After calling upon two new ponies to hold their buckets, both earth ponies moved to take their positions on center court as they prepared for tip off again.

Applejack trying to play it off as her getting lucky that time then said to her friend. “Now, don't expect to be able to beat me twice in a row.” But no sooner that she said it and the ball was swiftly bucked away in Fluttershy’s direction who looked on like it was nothing to be afraid of.

“Well, hello there, Mr. Ball.” Fluttershy nonchalantly greeted before grabbing with her tail and spinning it away. “Whee!”

Much like before Fluttershy tossed it to Fuli who likewise used her tail to pass on over to Applejack who bucked it on towards the goal on the opposite side of the field.

“Hiya!” Rainbow is quick to bat away and on towards to Beshte who bounced on right back towards Pinkie Pie who then bucked on towards the bucket.

The group of Lion and Pony Guard looked on in concern and worry when Fluttershy got distracted so she could guide some butterflies away from where they are playing,

“Hurry along, butterflies, before that ball comes and hits you.”

This distraction caused the ball to head straight towards the bucket, where the pony holding it got cold hooves before dropping the bucket and ducked for cover.

Ono blew his whistle again. “Point. Red Team.”

“Okay…” Fuli spoke up having seen enough before turning towards the other ponies. “Let's see what the rest of you can do starting with the next pony.”

The next pony in line is on the opposite goal post who found himself knocked off of his hooves when the ball hit his hooves.

“Point. Green Team.” Ono called out after blowing his whistle again.

At the same time, Rainbow saw it as another reject candidate. “Nope.”

“Sorry.” Beshte apologized before helping him off of the field.

The next pony on the opposite side actually made an effort to move around but he ended up losing control of the bucket when his magic gave out.

“Point. Green Team.”

“Definitely not.”

“Nope.”

“Sorry.”

Applejack, Fuli, and Beshte all commented after seeing another reject candidate.

The next pony tried to get fancy by spinning the bucket like a hypnotic wheel only to get dizzy herself complete with throwing up and dropping her bucket just when the ball was coming her way.

“Point. Red Team.”

“No.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Sorry.”

The next pony was too busy giving herself a manicure to actually give the game she was playing any attention as the ball floated right past her.

“Point. Green Team.”

“Not a chance.”

“Obviously.”

Both Applejack and Fuli only commented due to the obvious reasons.

At this point the four players on the court could only sit down and watch as the following ponies could and fail to make an impression that they are talented at the game enough to qualify for the Ponyville team.

“Nope.”

“Not happening.”

“Sorry.”

“Aaaand... no.”

By the end of it both Rainbow and Applejack could only look on in disappointment as they are surrounded by the tired and winded out reject candidates that have tried out for the team.

“This didn't go how I thought it would.”

“It sure didn’t.”

“Sorry, girls.” Beshte apologized feeling sympathetic for the two.

“At least Pinkie and Fluttershy managed to pick it up very well. In fact, more so than both of you combined.” Fuli pointed out while eyeing the two ponies who are having the time of their life when playing with the ball.

“Whee! Yeah! Ha! Whee! Ha ha!”

“This game is a whole lot more fun than I thought it would be.”

Both ponies giggled with delight.

“It's exactly as much fun as I thought it would be! A whole bunch!”

While the two were playing around, having fun, and giggling, Snails just so happened to be walking by with two buckets of water balanced on a pole on his back. All while singing...

“Carryin' my water

My water, my water

Carryin' my water

On my shoulder pole.”

“Snails! Look out!” Pinkie shouted after accidentally sending three balls his way.

“Hmm?” Luckily for them, Snails was quick to catch all three balls that came towards him with a spinning maneuver with his magic.

Seeing this caught the other’s eyes as he just managed to do so like it was another day in the park for him.

“Amazing!”

“Poa!”

“No kidding! And this coming from Snails of all ponies?! Guess he’s picked up a few tricks along the way.”

“I’ll say.”

“You should be more careful with these. You could lose them.” Snails told the group before returning the balls to them.

Upon seeing potential, Rainbow Dash was quick to seize the opportunity to test his abilities so more. “Hey, Snails, can you float one of those baskets over here?” She asked.

“Hmm?” Although he didn’t understand at first, he did so anyways. “Sure. What do you want me to do with it?”

“Catch!” Applejack alerted before sending three more balls right at him with the bucket held with his magic.

Snails proceeded to easily catch them all nonchalantly. “Anything else?”

“Wow, Snails. You're a natural at buckball.” Fluttershy complimented.

“It's a good thing, too. We were running out of unicorns.” Pinkie Pie added.

“Do you think you'll be ready to play with Applejack and Rainbow Dash against the Appleloosa team?” Fluttershy then asked.

“I guess I'll find out.” He replied already moved to give it a try. “Plus, after I deliver this water, I don't really have anything else to do.”

“Well in that case, congratulations, Snail.” Fuli moved to shake his hoof. “Welcome aboard.”

“And with you on the team, Ponyville is one step closer to crushing Appleloosa!” Rainbow then added.

Applejack then continued with something else in mind after the tryouts. “And after today, it's pretty clear who the other two players should be alongside Fuli.”

Hearing this sparked confusion to both Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.

“W-What do you mean? I thought you and Dash were gonna play alongside Fuli.”

“Yeah! If you're not crushing Appleloosa, who is?”

Fuli laughed before answering their question. “Obviously, you two are.”

The two looked on staring in shock with what they are just told to the point it took a minute before they could speak their minds until Fluttershy first broke her silence. “Um, you want us to play buckball against Appleloosa instead of you?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Yep.”

Both Rainbow and Fuli nodded.

“That's "uncredible"!” Pinkie uttered in astonishment. Though said word she used earned some blinks of confusion which merited her to clarify. “Unbelievable and incredible?” She then scoffed when no one still gets it. “Come on!”

Fuli then spoke up to explain why they don’t get it. “No offense, Pinkie. We get it but the word you used sounds like something when wanting to discredit something and someone. Like saying the team is bad or terrible or something like that.”

“Really? Huh? I guess I never thought of it that way.”

“Anyways…” Applejack continued with the reason why they are choosing both Pinkie and Fluttershy to represent Ponyville. “I can't explain it, but you two are really good at this game. And if it means beatin' Appleloosa, I'll give either one of you my spot on the team quicker than Granny Smith can core an apple.”

And it was a decision that Rainbow was willing to humble herself to do the same. “Me, too. I'd normally be so pumped all of Ponyville was counting on me to win, I'd run right over the competition. But you still flew rings around me.”

“Oh, I'm sorry.” Fluttershy then apologized. “I was just having fun.”

“Fluttershy.” Fuli was quick to ease the tension that was forming under her skin. “You have nothing to be sorry for. It’s okay to have fun.”

“And you can have all the fun you want as long as it's while you're beatin' the hide off of Braeburn's team.” Applejack added.

“I do like fun!” Pinkie happily said.

Fluttershy then admitted. “Honestly, the game was a little scary at first, but once I got the hang of it, I had a pretty good time.”

“And that’s good to hear!” Beshte complimented.

Like her friend Pinkie was also on board. “Let's get this party started!”

“All right.” Applejack then said. “But if we really wanna beat Appleloosa, we're gonna have to get serious.”

Both ponies looked on confused and a bit worried.

“Serious?”

“Serious how?”

“Nothing to worry about.” Fuli assured before eyeing Applejack to choose her next words more carefully. “Right, Applejack.”

“Of course!” Applejack asserted before directing their attention to an obstacle course she had set up the other day for those who made the team. “Just a little serious practice!”

Fluttershy gulped at the sight of what she is seeing. “Wow. This looks pretty intense.”

“Maybe so…” Fuli admitted. “...but if it’s something I can do in my sleep, then I pretty sure it’s something you both can do.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

“Great!” Rainbow then declared. “So let's hop to it! Snails already has a head start on you!” Snips was already using his magic to make the balls bounce in and out of the baskets with ease which started to worry the trainees again, if it weren’t for Fuli beside them to calm them down.

“Just follow my lead, and it’ll be all fun and games.” She gently advised which helped ease their nerves for the time being. She then turned to both Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “And you both won’t be training the girls too hard, right?”

Both were quick to reply positively and without hesitation.

“Of course.”

“Have we ever trampled their feelings before?”

“Rainbow.” Fuli repeated with a raised eyebrow. “When I say you won’t…” With emphasis on that last word. “...be training the girls too...hard. You say?”

“Of course we won’t.” Rainbow also added. “You have our word.”

“I’m going to hold you both to it, because there are certain things that don’t click for those who don’t think like you and I, and it would be a shame to see a good thing squandered over something that could have been easily prevented.”

“We wouldn’t even dream about of wanting to happen.” Even still Fuli would personally see to it that training goes way it should happen even if she has to throw a curve ball along the way.

Rainbow Dash managed to pull Fluttershy and Fuli aside so she can train them her way. "Okay, if you wanna win, you totally gotta get this drill down!”

“I-I-I do?” Fluttershy asked with her knees shaking to the point that Fuli had a place a paw on her shoulder to get her to stop.

“It’s just a simple drill that’ll make it seem like it’s an easy fly around through the park with the butterflies.” Fuli clarified and that’s what got her to ease up in a little. “Just watch and learn.”

Fluttershy did and couldn’t help but gasp and whimper at the sight of how difficult it was from leaping up the steps, flying through the hoops, and flying down the slide shoot before returning back to her friends.

“It's all about ball control.” She told her before handing her the ball to which had the Pegasus now struggling to maintain control over it.

It was there Fuli acted once more to take control of the situation. “Maybe I should take control of things from here.” She advised before turning to the struggling Pegasus. “It’s okay, you got this. Just think about flying and playing with the butterflies. Ready?” Fluttershy nodded. “Go!” ” It was there Fluttershy started to replicate what her friend Rainbow was able to do. And she was doing well with her training now until…

“Come on! Faster! You don't want Ponyville to lose because you can't get into high gear, do you?!” Rainbow shouted which caused her to trip up in her performance.

“Whoa! Ugh!”

“Butterflies, and other birds flying south for the winter.” Fuli then said which helped Fluttershy calm down once more before turning to Rainbow Dash. “Probably better not to push any harder, though.” While Rainbow looked on confused why she is telling her this, she reluctantly obeyed out of respect. Turning her back to her friend who once more got the hang out of it she said. “You got it, keep thinking about the birds in the park.” She then turned back to Rainbow to say this. “I’m going to check up on Pinkie and Applejack.” Rainbow nodded as Fuli went over to do just that and appeared just in time to see the latter begin her training with the former.

“Hey Beshte…” She greeted said hippo who just so happens to be here for the same reasons. “How’s training coming along here?”

“It’s going all right. It could be better.” Beshte honestly answered. “How’s it coming along for you and Fluttershy?”

“I’m doing very well, but Fluttershy isn’t quite getting the hang of it now. Because it seems that Rainbow is applying a training tactic that’s already getting her stressed out already. I’m taking it, you’re seeing the same problem here?”

“Yeah…probably better you see it for yourself.”

To further cement they got to see Applejack training Pinkie her way. “All right. Bein' able to buck a ball into a goal from any direction is the most important thing in the game.”

Pinkie simply shrugged. “Eh, if you say so.”

“Okay.” Fuli mentally said to herself as she sees the pink pony in action. “So far so good.” And it proved when Pinkie was able to carry out the exercises, bucking the balls into the goal buckets with ease like she is bouncing around in a playground. Though what happened next validated Fuli’s concern...

“Keep it up! Just one miss'll ruin the Apple family's buckball reputation forever!”

And that threw Pinkie off of her game. “Whoa! What?!” She ended up tripping and falling down to the ground after losing her balance. “Whoops.”

“It’s okay.” Beshte assured as he appeared on the scene. “Just keep thinking you’re in that playground in the park that comes once a year.” She then advised which got her groove back on to performing the exercises flawlessly.

But even with Fuli’s attempts at coaching them the right way along with Beshte’s positive support, Rainbow Dash and Applejack still didn’t quite get it before proceeding to put pressure on their training friends whenever Fuli isn’t around to rein them in.

“Come on! Push! Push! Push!” Rainbow barked at Fluttershy while flying around the poles which caused her to hit one face to face and said pony to have imaginary birds circle around her head.

“Come on, now! Every shot is for Sweet Apple Acres! And me! And Dash! And all of Ponyville!”Applejack barked at Pinkie once more tripped up as a result.

“Whoa! Uhh! Ow.”

And the trip ups, slip ups, and fall outs continued from there...

“Faster!”

“Whoa!”

“Come on now!”

“Wh-Wh-Whoa!”

“Come on!”

“Aah!”

“Keep it up!

“Whoa!”

“Come on!”

By the end of it both Pinkie and Fluttershy were thrown off of their game to the point they ended up hitting each other’s heads by accident when they try to concentrate.

“What in the apple happened to those two?” Applejack asked the others clearly confused with what she just saw.

“I don't know.” Rainbow replied first equally confused. “They mopped the field with us before.”

“Maybe they have a different groove that works for them.” Fuli suggested.

“Maybe hardball isn’t their style.” Beshte added.

“Maybe…” Applejack considered before shrugging it off. “...but we can worry about that tomorrow.” Turning back to the other girls she told them. “All right! That's it for today, y'all!”

“Phew!” Both girls sighed in relief.

“I thought practice was supposed to make us better.” Pinkie wondered out loud.

“Maybe we just need a little rest.” Fluttershy suggested.

“Or a whole lot of it.” Rainbow commented in clear disappointment with their performance today, earning her a scolding frown from Fuli’s face.

“Just be sure to get your heads in the game before tomorrow.” Applejack then assured and advised. “All of Ponyville is countin' on a win.”

After practice, Fuli along with Beshte was able to walk along with both Pinkie and Fluttershy who are both already starting to have second thoughts about wanting to play in the upcoming game.

“Everything okay, girls.” Fuli asked once they were alone and away from the ponies who gave them a hard time recently.

“Yes…” Fluttershy replied before admitting. “… and I really don't want to let Applejack and Rainbow Dash down, or anypony else, but after that practice, I'm not feeling very confident.”

“Maybe we weren't that bad!” Pinkie tried to say otherwise trying to write it off as just an off day though Fluttershy’s groaned did little to help matters. “I guess I was hoping you saw something I didn't.”

“Same here.” Fuli commented feeling concerned for them both. “Along with hoping that Applejack and Rainbow Dash would pick up on how well you two work with the groove that works for you. It’s like I’m the only one who sees what clicks for you both.”

"You're not the only one, Fuli." Beshte said in agreement.

“And judging from how you two look I don’t think you both want to play anymore due to how much Applejack and Rainbow Dash have been stressing you out with their hardball style of coaching.”

Fluttershy then said next. “I know our friends want us to win, but how can the whole town be counting on us if most ponies have never even heard of buckball?”

“I know!” Pinkie said in equal agreement. “How can we disappoint a pony who doesn't even know we have a team?”

“Or that we're gonna play Appleloosa?”

“Neither of you can.” Fuli said as if it’s nothing to worry about. “And if you ask me it’s nothing to worry about. And worst comes to worst you just tell both our friends that you don’t want to play anymore.”

“Surely, even as stubborn and competitive as those two are they can’t force you both into doing something against your will.” Beshte added. “They’re better than that.”

“Yeah!” Pinkie spoke up already feeling better for the moment. “I'd be surprised if anypony in this town cares about this game at all.”

“Of course anybody and anypony can be wrong…” Fuli whispered in disbelief what they are seeing now.

A crowd all cheering for them along with Snails with banners with their faces on them along with purple jerseys, and confetti surrounding them.

“Go, Ponyville! Go, Ponyville! Win, win, win! Woo-hoo! Ponyville! Way to go!”

While both Pinkie and Fluttershy were shocked to the point of gasping once more, Fuli looked on while guiding the girls on by with a smile. At the same time, Snails just carried on like it’s another day for him.

“Whoa. The whole town really seems to care about this game a lot.”

“Umm…” Beshte then spoke up already quick to block off the crowd with Fuli accompanying him. “...why don’t you three go on ahead while we deal with these ponies here.”

“We’ll catch up in a bit.” Fuli added before approaching the group of ponies ready with cameras. “All right everypony, party on the Ponyville express is over break it up, time to go home!” Everyone all moved to do so when Fuli started to sheath her claws and moved to get ready to pounce on them if they didn’t back off.

Upon entering the train first, they were both greeted by their eager pony friends here to talk to their friends unaware of what they are really feeling inside.

“Heh. We kinda went around town and talked up the team a little.” Rainbow admitted.

“Yup! We wanted to make sure you two knew that all of Ponyville was behind you!” Applejack added as said crowd waves from a safe distance just as both Fuli and Beshte board the train before it departed from the station.

“Greaaaaat…” Pinkie returned with a forced smile.

“I hear the whole town's already plannin' a parade for when you get back after whuppin' Appleloosa! That should feel pretty good!”

“It should...?” Fluttershy returned equally uneasy and nervous as Pinkie Pie.

“Totally!” Rainbow happily said directly to her face. “Just spend the whole ride to Appleloosa thinking about everypony cheering for the victorious Ponyville buckball team!” She then gasped in delight with another thought that occurred. “I bet Princess Celestia and even King Simba comes to congratulate you! If that doesn't get you in "the zone", I don't know what will!”

Fluttershy then whispered to Pinkie. “I don't know what zone Rainbow Dash is talking about, but I'm pretty sure I don't want to be in it. Do you?”

After sometime relaxing on the train ride over, the two ponies decided enough is enough before moving to break the news to them.

“Hey!” Rainbow snapped. “You two are supposed to be in the zone!”

It was there Pinkie Pie tried to break it to them, albeit nervously and struggling to say the right words. “You see... the thing is... thinking about everypony... thinking about us...! Aah! There's just no way to...!”

From there Fluttershy moved to do it for her all while showing a display of rage she rarely showed to anyone before. “There's no way that we can get in the zone, because the zone sounds like a horrible place since we are terrible at buckball and we are going to lose and let everypony down and we don't want to play anymore!” [ Said outburst left both ponies shocked and taken aback by what she just said.

The two ponies now bawling their eyes out of stress then ran away, bypassing Fuli who nearly got run over by them to the point she had to dive and spring her body sideways to avoid the head on collision.

“Whoa! Pinkie! Fluttershy! Where are you two going?”

“Out!”

“And away from here!”

Just then Snails appeared in between the two ponies still smiling and acting casually. “I'm still okay with playing, in case you were worried.”

Turning back to the three who are still looking on stunned and shocked with what just happened she then sternly asked. “All right. Applejack, Rainbow, what happened and what did you two do?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary…”

“...expect for somehow managing to get Fluttershy of all ponies to yell at us.”

The two honestly answered after recovering from the shock.

Just then Beshte came inside their cart while looking back in worry and concern. “Hey girls. Any reason why Pinkie and Fluttershy were running away in tears towards the back of the train?”

Fuli moved to answer the question while glaring at their pony friends. “Because apparently someponies got them both so worked up to the point they don’t want to play anymore. Any idea why?”

"I honestly don't understand." Applejack could only say in response.

“Yeah!” Rainbow asserted still trying to understand why too. “They're naturals! Why wouldn't they want to play anymore?”

“Maybe telling them how much everypony was countin' on them messed them up somehow.” Fuli further suggested. “Because they sure seemed pretty pressured just thinking about it since we left Ponyville.”

Rainbow was quick to insist that can’t be it. “What?! That's crazy talk! Having ponies depend on you is exactly what you need to focus! And—“

“Get serious and play hard and—“ Applejack then added.

“Get ready to totally smash the competition, and…” It was there the two realized why and what they have done. “... and... none of that sounds like Pinkie or Fluttershy, does it?”

“Doesn’t sound like it.” Beshte shook his head along with Fuli.

"Nope."

Applejack sighed as he admitted and realized. “Guess not. We got so wrapped up in what's important to us, we went and ruined what was fun about the game for them.”

Rainbow could only groan upon realizing their mistake. “What do we do now?”

“Maybe you could try to talk to them and get them to ease back into the game. You like me when I try to get Mtoto to learn how to ride a skateboard. By starting off slow and working up the pace until he feels comfortable going fast.”

Said idea, felt like it something they could work with.

“Yeah…”

“...I guess we could do it that way.”

“Never hurts to try as long as you pace it right.” Fuli added liking the suggestion herself. “But it’s gotta be you two to do it.”

“Fair enough.”

“You don’t have to tell us twice.”

“Good. Now let’s get to it.”

Since they knew where both Pinkie and Fluttershy had retreated to, it was easy to find out where they ran off to. After knocking on the door only to get no answer, the two ponies moved to open the door where all the luggage is being kept with said ponies taking cover in said luggage.

“Pinkie? Fluttershy?”

“We know you're in here! We've looked in every other car on the train!”

Both ponies called out as they entered the cart.

Likewise both ponies responded in an attempt to deny their current whereabouts.

“Maybe you need to look again!”

“Yeah! Because... we're totally not in here!”

“And we're definitely not in here if you're gonna try and make us play against Appleloosa!”

“Or anypony else!”

The two ponies could only smirk before following the sounds of their voices leading straight to the two frightened ponies sitting and hugging each other tightly.

Applejack then cleared her throat to get their attention and upon realizing they have been found they were both quick to keep up the attempted denial in the face of the pony of honesty.

"Oh... we're sorry to let you down.” Fluttershy apologized. “But it's better to do it now than during the game against Appleloosa.”

“It’s okay.” Rainbow assured there are no hard feelings. “You don't have to play against Appleloosa.”

Both ponies looked on in surprise by what Rainbow just told them.

“We don't?”

Applejack shook her head to assert it’s the truth. “Nope. We're gonna take your place. So you don't have to worry about that at all.”

Immediately the two ponies, especially Pinkie felt relieved. “Why didn't you say so?” She asked with an equally relieved sigh.

“But…” Rainbow then spoke up to tell them there is something more to it. “...we can't take on Braeburn and his team without any practice. So we need you to play just one more time.”

“Against us.” Applejack added much to the two ponies confusion and concern.

Although they both still seemed unsure, both Fuli and Beshte watched on outside of the cart while smiling knowing full well that the plan is working accordingly.

Upon arriving at Appleloosa, they managed to get to a practice field nearby from the stadium the game will be held. Upon getting the court set up, Applejack, Rainbow, and Snails all put on purple sports jerseys that will be worn during the game while both Fuli and Beshte watch from the sidelines.

The earth pony then moved to have both Pinkie and Fluttershy standing together face to face with her and Rainbow before explaining why. “Now I know we mixed up the teams before, but since Dash and I really need the practice, we'll play against the two of you.”

“Oh, I don't know how much practice you'll get against us.” Fluttershy expressed still nervous and worried. “We've been playing just awful.” “Don't worry about it.” Rainbow assured it’s no big deal. “Applejack and I just need a little workout.”

“Yup. You two just do your best.”

“I can do that.” Pinkie said ready to give it a try.

Already, Pinkie felt at ease as she and Fluttershy got in their positions before Applejack began with a simple tip off. Though both ponies got cold hooves before dodging the bucked ball when it flew into the bucket.

Next time around, Applejack moved for a simple toss right towards Fluttershy knowing how she will react. Surely enough, on instinct and this time she managed to catch it with her tail before spinning around and then tossing it to Pinkie. Once she caught she managed to buck straight by Rainbow and into the other goal.

“Looks like you two really do need practice!” Fluttershy giggled to which both had the other ponies smiling seeing that they managed to get them to regain their groove. A sight that both had Fuli and Beshte looking on and smiling approvingly.

As the practice session went on, both Pinkie and Fluttershy continued to find their rhythm together. They kept playing like it’s the time of their lives before moving to keep both Applejack and Rainbow Dash on the defense. Initially, Rainbow was able to catch the early attempts of the ball going into the goal until the two were able to send the ball into the bucket multiple times in a row. In fact, it got to the point that Snails took a nap nearby the bucket he was holding during all of this. And by the end of it, both Applejack and Rainbow Dash came like they were roughed up quite a bit as evident by the messy manes and dirt and scratch marks on their bodies.

“If you need more practice, we can keep going.” Fluttershy then offered while she and Pinkie kept giggling and playing like they weren’t even trying.

“Yeah! I could do this all day!”

But that was enough for the two ponies who’ve already accomplished what they really wanted as Rainbow shook her head as she panted. “No, thanks. Playing against you two is just as humiliating now as it was when we weren't trying to show you how awesome you are.” Hearing caused Pinkie along with Fluttershy to freeze in their tracks.

“Wait... what?” Pinkie asked in confusion causing her to drop the ball she was bouncing on her mane which rolled on towards Snails.

Hearing the ball caused Snails to wake up from his nap. “Finally!” He then used his magic to place the bucket over it.

“You must've noticed how you aren't bad anymore.” Applejack then said to the two ponies who suddenly realized it themselves.

“Oh, yeah! Weird!” Pinkie commented.

“But, um, why were we so terrible before?” Fluttershy asked trying to understand how and what clicked and didn’t click for them.

“I guess some ponies thrive on pressure and some ponies don't.” Rainbow explained. “And even though we weren't playing, we were treating you like us, which totally stressed you out.”

“And that just sucked the fun right out of the game for you.” Applejack added.

“And having fun is what makes you really, really, really good!” Rainbow said next.

“But being good doesn't matter if we're too afraid of letting ponies down.” Fluttershy expressed still feeling unsure about playing still.

“Yeah!” Pinkie agreed. “What about all those ponies back in Ponyville counting on us to win?”

Even still Applejack had solid advice and comfort words for that. “I'm sure folks want you to win, but not if worrying about it makes you miserable. Winning's never worth that.”

“But how do we keep from worrying about it?” Fluttershy asked.

It was there Snails broke his silence on the matter. “You could do what I do and not think about it. Seriously. I don't think about anything. Ever.”

“That's…” Fuli spoke up in astonishment before admitting. “...actually good advice.”

“Thanks.”

“Huh? That’s very poa!” Beshte himself admitted delightfully surprised. “And this coming from a pony we’d least expect to hear it from.”

And that was advice Pinkie could work with along with Fluttershy. “Hm. Works for me!”

“Great!” Fuli spoke up before turning to her teammates now wearing the purple Ponyville jersey. “So what you both say? You both up in joining me and Snails in this upcoming match-up now?”

It didn’t take even a split second for the two to make up their minds on that.

“Sure!”

“Absolutely!”

So with the newfound resolve and rhythm both Pinkie and Fluttershy were ready to play buckball alongside Fuli. With the cheetah’s coaching and meditating the two along the way the three paved way along with Snails for a perfect team and it showed in their performance.

“And with another bouncing goal from Pinkie Pie, the score is tied!” The announcer of the game called out as said event just happened for all eyes of the cheering ponies to see.

“You guys are amazing!”

“Way to go, girls!”

Both Rainbow and Beshte complimented as the girls as they all took a breather before taking the court again.

“Braeburn is really good!” Pinkie panted.

“So is that Pegasus.” Fluttershy also pointed out as she panted then briefly worried. “Oh, I don't know if we can win.”

“You know what I would do?” Snails asked her again.

“Not think about it?” Pinkie replied.

“Not think a…” He realized that Pinkie already answered it. “Oh, yeah. That.”

“Once again, very good advice.” Fuli complimented before chiming in with her own advice. “Also, I believe we can do it as long you both keep your heads up and keep up the groove that’s been working for both so far.”

Then Applejack added repeating Fuli’s earlier advice. “And as long as you're havin' fun, it doesn't matter if you win or not.”

Just then the referee blew the whistle to indicate that the timeout now is over.

“You girls, ready?” Beshte asked the girls as they get back on the court.

“Uh-huh.”

“We’re ready.”

“Totally, ready.”

“Then go get them.”

“Okay, this is it. Match point.” Fuli said to the girls as they huddled before taking their positions. “One play at a time. Throw it deep, find an opening, and hope it sticks. Got it?” Both girls nodded. “Then let’s do this! Huwezi!”

With a blow of her whistle, the game is underway once more. Before tipping off Pinkie Pie giggled while turning herself upside down. Braeburn looked on with an awkward smile “I think it's more fun this way!” Like before Pinkie managed to be the first pony to buck the ball away.

“And Pinkie wins the buckoff! But her shot's rejected!” Said shot is blocked by the muscular Pegasus guarding her goal before sending back to Braeburn. “Back to Braeburn, whose kick's stopped by another Fluttershy save!” With ease, Fluttershy managed to stop it like it was easy to her before passing it on over to Fuli who then passed it on over to Pinkie Pie. “Next point wins. Lots of tense back and forth here.” Pinkie attempts another shot at the goal only for the ball to be caught by the Pegasus’s chest. She then sent it back to Braeburn who then takes another shot at the goal. Only for to be deflected and redirected with ease by Fluttershy again.” “Fluttershy unleashes her patented spin move, but Braeburn's there to— No!” She then passed it to the pink pony again who just managed to outmaneuver Braeburn again. “It's Pinkie with a somersault kick! What a move!” The ball is suddenly caught and redirected, right at Fuli who was quick with the rebound and a somersault tail spin kick herself that sends it right into the bucket. “And that's the game! Ponyville wins!”

The crowd then chanted. “Ponyville! Ponyville! Ponyville! Ponyville! Ponyville! Ponyville! Ponyville!” All while the two ponies and cheetah get together for a group hug and soon to be joined by the accompanying Lion and Pony Guard along with Snails.

Applejack then complimented first. “Huh. Looks like you three made quite an impression!”

“They all sure did!” Beshte happily stated. “Way to go, girls! And nice coaching, Fuli.”

“Thanks.”

Even in defeat, Braeburn handled the surprise they gave him very well. “Well, cousin, I have to admit. Your Ponyville team played a pretty good game.”

“Hah! Good game? We bucked the hooves right off of you!” Rainbow returned unable to resist saying that.

Even still Braeburn tipped his hat to them while his teammates smiled to show they’re humbled good sports about it. “Yup, you sure as shootin' did. I'm gonna have to get real serious about a strategy for our rematch.”

“Oh, I wouldn't get too serious.” Fluttershy then advised.

“Yeah!” Pinkie chimed in. “Everypony knows the secret to good buckball is just having fun!”

The whole group of friends shared a good laugh over it much to the other team’s confusion.

And after the group laugh, Fuli spoke up to voice her thoughts about it to at least try to explain it to them. “Hard to believe, but it’s true to them and to me it’s also a matter of managing to balance the two out like I did for them.” She then added. “And if you want, feel free to give me a call, we’ll talk.”

Braeburn still didn’t get it but still was open to the advice given to him. “I’ll consider it, Fuli. And who knows maybe I’ll pick it up as quickly as the Guard’s Fastest.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. We’ll see.” The two shared a knowing wink as they both are already eagerly looking forward to the upcoming rematch. But that’s of course a way’s away to which earn another group laugh from the others. “Seriously.” She then told them. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

Author's Note

In this episode it's that time of the season for the Apple Ponies and that's Buckball Season, only in regards to those playing in the upcoming match up coming up. And believe it or not, both Pinkie and Fluttershy along with Fuli are chosen to represent Ponyville as they all just happen to be naturals at the sports.

While Fuli is able to keep cool under pressure, Fluttershy and Pinkie however don't, and only when they treat it as it's all fun and games which created some issues when Applejack and Rainbow Dash tried to go on with that approach. Thankfully, after realizing their mistake it was nothing more than a quick fix where everything played out in their favor from there.

Up next the Friendship Map is making another call, this time to Las Pegasus where they find themselves up against some dirty dealings, not only that a certain pair of con artists too, so stay tuned for that next week...

Episode 33: Viva Las Pegasus

Episode 33:

Viva Las Pegasus

Applejack, Fluttershy, and Beshte had all been called to Twilight's castle as a result of the table map calling upon them for their next friendship mission. But when they learned where they would be going, they were anything but thrilled more specfically the former two.

"The map is sendin' us where?!" Applejack loudly exclaimed against the idea of visiting the place already!

"Las Pegasus? Surely there must be a mistake." Fluttershy protested and insisted in agreement.

"But Las Pegasus is a wild vacation spot. It's just one big party." Applejack also added on in protest.

Fluttershy shuddered. "All those lights and sounds, not to mention the crowds... Oh, just the thought of it is overwhelming!"

“Maybe, maybe not.” Beshte attempted to say otherwise. “After all I once visited Manehattan with you and Applejack, and we both managed just fine. Maybe Las Pegasus will be no more different than Manehattan.”

Twilight spoke up in an effort to get Applejack and Fluttershy to ease up a little. "Look, I know Las Pegasus doesn't seem like either of your cups of tea," She lightly began. "But I have total faith you wouldn't have been called unless you were the perfect ponies for the job. The map's never been wrong before. Furthermore, you three will all be going with Kion since he was called too." To prove her point, they all turned and saw Kion’s marks glowing to indicate that he too has been called by the map and will be joining them. “And at least if you do have ponies giving you a hard time, Kion will be around to get them back off.”

Although still reluctant, she and Fluttershy were never ponies to say no to answering to the call, after all Applejack did tell her little sister that when it conflicted with the last Sisterhooves Social. With a sigh she then relented. “Guess it can't hurt to trust its judgement in this case. And maybe Beshte’s right. Maybe it's probably not as bad as we think. It can't just be a loud, obnoxious party all the time... right?"

When the two ponies and two Pride Landers arrived in the bustling city, however, they soon learned that they were mistaken. The entire city consisted of massive buildings with neon signs, and sported that Pegasus like feel with the ground designed to look like clouds.

“Of course I can be wrong at times.” Beshte admitted as he commented with what they are seeing.

"Um, Applejack, about what you said earlier," Fluttershy commented. "It isn't as bad as we thought."

“Incoming!” Kion alerted before working up a force field to surround themselves as a huge crowd of tourists rushed past them instantly, all screaming and shouting loudly. “Boy! Talk about a big crowd!”

"You're right, it's worse!" Applejack exclaimed. "Much worse than we thought!"

“Don’t worry! I’m sure it won’t be all bad.” Kion attempted to assure before muttering to himself. “I think.”

The group of four friends then made their way through the crowds, checking out the first building they laid eyes on. It was almost like an indoor amusement park, complete with rides, arcade games, including a fountain. Applejack, Beshte, Fluttershy, and Kion all looked on in awe of the sight, but taken aback quite a bit by the huge crowd of ponies checking out the attractions that shows that Las Pegasus is certainly living up to its name.

"Do you think maybe the map could be on the fritz again or something?" Fluttershy asked her friend, as they trotted through the establishment. "I know it was fixed by Starlight and all, but are we sure that this is the right place we’re supposed to be in?”"

“I’m sure.” Kion said sure of that. “Someway somehow it’s here even if none of us want to be here.”

Applejack sighed and shook her head unable to deny the truth right in front of her. "If Twilight trusts the map than so do I, and we do have to take her word for it since the map has never been wrong before. So all we have to do is solve our friendship problem and get back home.”

“Simple enough. Question is where do we find it?” Beshte asked.

Just then, a random stallion dressed up in a show pony's hat barked out. "And make sure to experience our signature show, Ponet Fantastique! Trust me when I say you've never seen anything like it! Unparalleled acrobatics! Unique animal antics! Your only regret will be that you didn't see it sooner! And just like everything at this amazing, incredible, I-can't-believe-it-even-exists hotel, Ponet Fantastique is brought to you by the chairpony of kindness – Gladmane himself!"

The crowd's eyes were drawn to a massive golden statue of an earth pony stallion wearing a business suit and tie, and sporting a mane that looked almost like a powdered wig. Even Applejack, Kion, Beshte and Fluttershy were impressed.

"Wow. This Gladmane sure seems impressive," Fluttershy commented.

"I wonder if we'll actually get to meet him?" Beshte asked.

Kion looked on ahead as if the answer to their question has just been answered. “Sure looks like it.”

"Well, uh, it is a little embarrassing, but the crowds seem to like it. Uh-huh-huh." A voice barked out, revealing itself to be the very pony the statue made it out to be. He had a dark blue coat, light green eyes, a white mane and tail that had some streaks to give it a grayish shine to it, and a cutie mark depicting three golden bits surrounded by sparkles. He wore a dark blue business suit with a white collar, a sparkling blue with diamonds in various colors of blue and white, and an orange polka doted bow tie. It didn't take much for the others to figure out that the pony greeting them just so happens to be the very Gladmane the barker pony had been talking about just a few seconds earlier.

"Mr. Gladmane?" Applejack greeted, offering a hoof.

But Gladmane not only accepted the hoof but also replied. "Just Gladmane'll do. And it's a pleasure to meet actual cohorts of the Princess of Friendship along with the actual Prince of Friendship himself! Thank you for coming. Thank you very much. It’s a pleasure to meet you too, your majesty." He moved to only shake the half lion and alicorn’s paw he moved to kiss it much to his discomfort from the gesture itself.

“Thanks. Um…good to meet you to on behalf of the Lion and Pony Guard team that could join me today.” Kion awkwardly returned before being allowed to set his kissed paw down on the ground.

"Wait, you know who we are?” Fluttershy asked in surprise.

“Yeah, it’s not every day anyone outside Ponyville don't recognize us right away." Beshte added.

Gladmane kindly replied to both Fluttershy and Beshte. "Oh, I'm what you might call a friendship connoisseur, so naturally I'm familiar with the friends of the great Twilight Sparkle! Prince Kion, Applejack, Beshte, Fluttershy, it's an honor to have you here. Uh-huh-huh."

Applejack smiled and told the stallion. "I have to admit you're not the type of pony I expected to find in Las Pegasus, Gladmane."

"Glad to hear it." Gladmane replied to Applejack, and then he chuckled. "And while my guests may be looking for lights, music, and parties, working hard and making friends is how I turned this here hotel into what it is today, and how I plan to make it even bigger. Uh-huh-huh!" Then he pulled down a microphone as he motioned to his guests. "Uh, excuse me for a second would ya?" Then he took a deep breath and spoke into the microphone. "Wise ponies may say the folks that come here are just customers, but I can't help but thinkin' of each and every one of you as friends. That's why there's a three-for-one special on apple fritters in the cafe for the next hour! Enjoy! Uh-huh-huh!" The crowd reacted eagerly to the statement, many ponies opting to make a mad dash for the cafe.

Lifting the mic up, Gladmane then offered to his guests. "Would you four like to take a tour of the place? I'm just about to do my rounds and check on my friends who work here."

"Well, we do have a friendship problem to find." Fluttershy mentioned in a hushed tone of voice.

“And it won’t hurt to get a glimpse of this place.” Beshte added.

“And since we came all this way to be given this offer...” Kion chimed in. “...we would be glad to take up on your offer.” Given that Twilight herself taught her it would have been bad manners to refuse an offer like she did when Fanco came to town, he himself couldn’t say no to it.

"Lead the way, Mr. Gladmane!" Applejack declared.

Gladmane corrected. "Just Gladmane now, you hear? We're friends now."

"Already? But we've just meet." Applejack pointed out.

"Doesn't matter to me. Any friendly pony that walks in here is friends to me." Gladmane replied to the group before moving to lead the tour. "Now let’s get going because I do have a lot to show you here and especially a lot that goes on backstage."

It wasn't long before Gladmane led his guests to the backstage area of the performance theater. And soon after entering, he came upon a bright yellow coated earth pony mare dressed in a glamorous pink tutu and wearing matching make-up. "Good day, Molly. How are things coming along here on this fine day." Gladmane greeted.

Molly seemed to be extremely excited, as she let out a gasp! "Gladmane, you're just in time to see my newest move! I've been working extra hard on it!" She boasted.

"New moves or not, I'm glad to have a star like you working for me." Gladmane complimented.

"Oh, don't make me blush!" Molly fondly replied. "Please, just see what I’ve got going, Gladmane. It’s certainly something that’ll definitely sparkle the shine on your cape!"

Gladmane nodded. "Oh I'm sure it will, I'll make certain to see it when I have the time. After all, I am a busy pony who still manages to be the friendliest of the bunch in this establishment.”

Just then, a cobalt blue coated earth pony stallion with an even darker blue beard came trotting up. And he exclaimed through his accent! "Oh! Oh! Monsieur Gladmane himself is here! Come, Molly, let's run through the whole routine!"

But Gladmane politely replied. "Now, don't make a fuss for ol' me, Quinn. I'm just gonna keep on giving a tour to my new friends Applejack, Fluttershy, Beshte, and the Prince of Friendship, Kion himself. Feel free to rehearse on your own time though, I won't stop you."

"Ah, you the associates of her highness, Princess Twilight herself." Quinn flashed a warm smile. "So nice to meet you all and especially you your majesty, Prince Kion."

"Howdy!" Applejack greeted.

"Hi." Fluttershy whispered.

“Good to meet to you, too.” Beshte happily replied.

“Our pleasure, any friend of Gladmane is a friend of ours.” Kion kindly returned.

Quinn went on to say. "If zis pony calls you friend, then you're welcome backstage anytime! I owe him my entire career."

"Aw, shucks," Gladmane replied, as if he'd heard such compliments multiple times before. "Come on, let's leave the artists to their work. There’s still more to show around here."

Applejack, Kion, Beshte, and Fluttershy all followed Gladmane, and Applejack whispered to Fluttershy. "Doesn't seem like there's any friendship problems here.”

“Maybe not…” Kion himself agreed but couldn’t help but wonder. “...but I'm startin' to think you were right about the map bein' on the fritz."

The three ponies entered the next room, and Fluttershy squealed in delight at the adorable sight her eyes caught. "I've never seen a pink prairie dog before!" The yellow coated Pegasus exclaimed, as she rushed over to the cages housing the tiny animals.

Gladmane smiled. "I like the folks that come here to have a unique experience. Uh-huh-huh."

"Und we love him for it!" A voice stated. With two unicorns of similar build appearing before them, sporting white jackets with pink stripes. But one had a white coat, and the other a black coat.

"Glad to hear it, Sprigfield and Roar Horn" Gladmane greeted to the stallions (speaking first to the black coated one). "I was just telling my new friends here all about it."

Sprigfield smiled. "Then I guess I only thing left to say is how much they’ve been given great care thanks to Gladmane!"

"Great to hear! You sure got quite a resort here!" Beshte complimented. "I could get quite comfty here."

"I sure do." Gladmane replied. "It's always been a pleasure to always provide what others need. Now come along, there's still much more to see."

"Come on, Fluttershy.” Kion urged of the pegasus still busy eyeing the pink prairie dogs.

"Hmm? Oh, right!" The timid pegasus quickly moved to regroup with the others.

Having left the backstage area, Fluttershy was commenting to the others. "There doesn't seem to be anything wrong around here at all.”

“Sure doesn’t look it.” Beshte himself had to agree. "Are we sure this is the right place we should be in?” He asked the other two friends who have yet to reply and or answer.

"I figured lookin' for a friendship problem in Las Pegasus would be like tryin' to find a needle in a stack of needles. But everypony seems to be gettin' along just fine," Applejack commented also unable to spot out the needle in the thread.

“Sure looks it.” Kion also commented but still had something to say about it. “But I’m sure this is where we are supposed to be otherwise we wouldn’t be here right now. Maybe we just didn’t look around here hard enough.”

“What are you getting at, Kion?” Beshte asked as the half lion/alicorn felt drawn to another direction when he started sniffing the ground a little. “Something good nearby?”

“Oh, yeah!” Kion moved to follow the direction of where he caught the scent but before any of them could question it, they heard another voice nearby.

“Ladies and gentleponies, despite what my competition might say, I know you've come to this fair city to be entertained, and I assure you there is nothing more entertaining than the astounding acrobatics in Gladmane's Ponet Fantastique!"

Another familiar male voice retorted. "Now, I suppose that might be true if it weren't for the existence, and far superiorly entertaining presence I might add, of the show-stopping exotic animal act that Ponet Fantastique includes!"

Fluttershy and Applejack’s eyes opened wide upon hearing them.

"Those voice sound awfully familiar, don't they?" The pegasus spoke up first.

“They sure do.” Beshte commented in agreement. “And I think I know them.”

The farm pony narrowed her eyes, upon recongizing those voices. "Samer here. And it is none other than Flim and Flam. There’s the answer to our friendship problem here. Good work, Kion."

Sure enough, Flim and Flam were on separate podiums. But instead of being together in the same act, they both seemed to be arguing with each other, a far cry to the two working together from the previous three times Applejack had seen them. "That’s weird. What kind of scam are they trying to pull off here? Or did something happen led to them to genuinely split up?" She thought to herself.

"Why, I won't even dignify that assertion with a response! Except to say that if you were to consider buying your tickets from me," Flim spoke up. "I might consider offering them to all of you at a substantial discount!"

But Flam retorted. "But I've always thought you get what you pay for, and in my humble opinion, these tickets are a value at twice the price! They're practically a steal!"

Flim marched towards the center and pointed a hoof at Flam as he accusingly shouted! "Don't let this price-gouging charlatan take you for a ride! Pay him no attention, lest you be conned out of a wonderful deal!"

"Charlatan?" Flam gasped! "How dare you, former brother of mine! Of all the insults you've hurled my way, that has to be the lowest of lowest!"

"Hah!" Flim laughed. "How dare I?! I simply call 'em like I seem 'em, former brother! You were always the one who believed rising the price was the best way to seal the deal!"

"You've got some nerve! If it weren't for my brains, you wouldn't know how to work your way out of a wet paper bag!" Flam coldly remarked. "I'm two minutes older than you – don't you ever forget that, former brother of mine!"

The twins went on arguing back and forth, while the various ponies who had previously been lined up to buy tickets from them drifted off to other areas of interest. At the same time, Gladmane rushed over to try to quell down the growing tension between the two brothers.

“Huh? What is going on here?” Kion asked out loud finding this very confusing. “Don’t they normally eye to eye with each other?” He asked Beshte.

“They normally do but they certainly don't seem to be getting along," Beshte answered feeling equally taken aback with the stark contrast of their introduction.

Then Fluttershy let out a gasp as a thought came to her! "Wait a second! You don't suppose we've been brought here to help them?"

But Applejack immediately shot down the idea. "Absolutely not, not even if my life depended on it!"

Unaware of the presence of Applejack, Flim and Flam went on arguing. Eventually nobody and no pony payed their quarrel any attention.

Fluttershy tried to plead her case for helping the brothers. "Applejack, I know you and the rest of the Apple family have had your issues with Flim and Flam in the past, but they're definitely having trouble now, and solving a friendship problem is important, no matter who's having it."

"Well, of course that's true..." Applejack replied, before the farm pony then added. "For anypony but them! And quite honestly I don't know why they're fightin' like this, but even still after that stunt they pulled with the tonic along with helping Scar distract us in order to sneak King Sombra in the Crystal Empire, I see no reason why I have to help 'em. Nor would I expect them to come to be to play peacemaker on their silly little quarrel."

“Why not?” Beshte asked. “I mean, I get why you don’t see eye to eye with them but don’t you think you’re being a little too stubborn towards them?”

“I’m not that stubborn nor a pony to hold that kind of a grudge. I just don’t see why I should doing something that ain’t my job.” Turning to Gladmane who had just returned from a failed attempt to calm the two down as they split apart from each other. “Haven’t you tried to do something about it?”

Gladmane shook his head regretfully and apologetically. "Oh believe me, I tried my best from the moment they showed up here and I’m sorry you all had to see that. I really don’t what’s got them so out of sorts since they showed up with nothing to show for their recent work. I had hoped that hiring them and giving them these jobs might help them work out their troubles, but it seems it only drove them further apart and made things worse. Though I suppose it was at least worth the effort to try am I right?"

"I suppose so." Applejack agreed. "Flim and Flam may have meant well in the past, but they never know when to back off or give up whenever it’s a pitch liable to be a con at first sight. If the two of 'em were together, they'd probably end up cheatin' the hooves out from under you."

Gladmane sighed in agreement. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. Flim's such a showpony, and Flam has such a head for business. If they ever did work together, they'd be running this whole place in two shakes! Ah, speaking of which, I'd better get back to work. But y'all enjoy your stay now, you hear? And good luck with finding that friendship problem you're lookin' for." And with that, the business stallion departed, leaving the two mares along with the lion/alicorn and hippo to watch Flim and Flam continue to argue with one another.

"I'm pretty sure we should help Flim and Flam out..." Fluttershy suggested.

"And I'm pretty sure there's another friendship problem here, and I'm gonna search this entire resort top to bottom 'til I find it!" Applejack vowed and stormed off. "You want to take a crack at whatever is bugging them go ahead. Just don’t expect me to lend a hoof towards them now you hear?"

“Applejack come back…” Beshte tried to call out to her but even still she did not stop and continued going off on her own. Fluttershy just sighed in disappointment at the pony’s stubbornness.

“Don’t worry Fluttershy, I’ll go after him.” Kion quickly volunteered. “And you and Beshte can see what’s troubling those two.”

“Sounds good to me.” Beshte replied having no problem with it while his friend takes off after Applejack. “Hopefully, he’ll come around.” He then said to Fluttershy.

“I hope so too.” Fluttershy quietly expressed feeling the same way. “Surely she can’t hold onto a grudge that big.”

So with Applejack and Kion having split from them, both Fluttershy and Beshte decided to try and solve the friendship problem by attempting to mend the damaged relationship between the two brothers. They both down for separate talks with Flim and Flam, trying to determine what had caused their quarrel, and what could be done to fix it.

But the attempt did little to help smooth things over. They remained hostile whenever the subject shifted to one another. "I sure hope you didn't travel all the way from Ponyville just to get me to reconcile with my no account brother!" Flim complained. "Especially after I finally got to see what I’ve been ignoring all these years!"

"Brother? Why, I don't believe I have one of those anymore," Flam coldly retorted. "A real brother would never turn his back on me."

"No, I already know what he thinks of me," Flim snorted. "All show and no substance! Well, fine! If he's so smart, then he should have no trouble becoming a big success on his own! And if he can't manage, well he better not come crying to me."

"Ooh! Why, he's just the greatest sales pony who ever lived of course," Flam remarked, changing his voice to sound mockingly snobbish. "Don't believe me? Just ask him, I'm sure he'll tell you all about it."

Both Fluttershy and Beshte tried to help by telling both brothers.

“Now come on guys. Surely you both don’t mean that.” Beshte gently implored.

"I'm sure you two could work out your differences easily if you just sat down and talked to each other. Proper communication is the key to a successful friendship." Fluttershy added.

But both brothers had the same reply with adamant refusal to do so. "I'm never speaking to that pony again!"

With a sigh of defeat, the butter yellow coated Pegasus could only drop her head onto the table with the silver colored hippo’s head for comfort. “It was worth a try.” Beshte assured.

“I know.” Fluttershy acknowledged. “But I’m still no expert on tough therapy.”

Meanwhile, Applejack was searching all of Gladmane's establishment for any trace of a friendship problem. But all she had to show for her search so far, was a bunch of general noises coming from the various rides, games, and performances featured throughout the building.

“Applejack! Wait up!” Kion called after him while catching up to him.

Even still the stubborn pony kept her head forward and up high. “If you’re here to convince me to go back to and help out Flim and Flam and their issues, forget it partner!”

“Okay. Then I will hold off on that for now.” Kion relented before asking. “That aside, how’s the search for another friendship problem around here going?”

“Going fine, I suppose.” Applejack admitted. “Still haven’t found anything yet.”

“You think there are other ponies that might have issues themselves?”

“Someway, somehow I’m sure it’s around here somewhere.” Applejack asserted. “Just haven’t found nor spotted it out yet.”

Suddenly, while trotting and walking past the backstage area, they heard the director cry out. "No!" The two rushed into the backstage area, where she saw Quinn and Molly apparently arguing.

“And it seems my prayers have been answered.” Applejack commented to the leader of the Lion Guard before witnessing what was going on in front of them.

Quinn was loudly shouting. "You are ruining my show, Molly!"

Molly fired back. "Quinn, this isn't just your show! And I'm improving it!"

Quinn protested. "But you don't pull a rabbit out of a hat on the trapeze!"

"That's the point – to give the audience something they've never seen before!" Molly retorted. "Acrobatic magic! Watch!" She proceeded to twirl around on a trapeze, and once standing up on it she pulled a rabbit out of her top hat.

"Ta-da!" The rabbit appeared to exclaim.

"It's called 'blending genres', and it's awesome!" Molly shouted and asserted to Quinn who instead of hearing her out scoffed and stormed off somewhere.

Then both Kion and Applejack flagged down an orange coated stallion with a green shirt and glasses, holding up a clipboard with his magic. "Uh, excuse me but shouldn't somepony do somethin' about that?" The latter inquired.

But the stallion only replied. "I'm just the coordinator and I'm sorry to say, that feud is way outside my pay grade. They've been doing this since they started working here. It's too bad, really. If they ever stopped shouting at each other, we could take the show out on tour. They'd be way more successful than staying at Gladmane's." Then he trotted off somewhere.

“Huh? Interesting.” Kion commented with his mind stirring of confirmed suspicion with what he saw from his previous interactions with Gladmane himself. “I thought there was something that I didn’t quite like about that guy.”

Applejack smiled with delight upon hearing this as it appeared her hunch had turned out to be correct. "Heh-heh. Now that sounds like a real friendship problem!"

However, Quinn and Molly were not the only ones in the theater that were quarreling. Roar Horn was training the pink prairie dogs, having them jump through a hoop and into a formation. "Hup! Hup! Hup! Hup!" He instructed.

Suddenly, Sprigfield came running up to his partner, shouting! "Stop! What are you doing?! It's supposed to be a pink prairie dog pyramid! It's alliterative!"

"Wha— But you said a tower! Why do you keep changing everything?" Roar Horn protested clearly caught off guard by his frustrated appearance and expression.

Sprigfield snapped back. "I'm not changing anything! You said pyramid! Stop trying to twist my words!"

At that, Roar Horn let out a shriek! "Are you kidding me Sprigfield?! You are driving me crazy!"

Having seen everything, Kion questioned Sprigfield. "Hey, what’s going on here?! I thought you two got along?"

Sprigfield sighed. "We used to, but we just can't seem to agree on anything anymore. A shame considering we had no problems beforehoof, and we used to perform all over Equestria, But if we can't agree on a new act, then we might as well stay at Gladmane's forever." Then he stomped his hooves and the pink prairie dogs followed him.

“Okay…” Kion then said with their discovery here. “...this is now starting to get interesting. “Two friendship problems in the same theater? All while working and staying for one pony?”

Applejack herself was ecstatic with what she was seeing and hearing as if her luck is turning out in her favor. "Now we're talkin'!"

The two friends met back up with the others back in the cafe to exchange all their news. Fluttershy was not phased to learn about the friendship problems in the theater and nor was Beshte.

"If you count Flim and Flam, then that's three big friendship problems all in the same place!

“So that means the map isn’t on the fritz and there lies the problem."

"Well I don't quite count Flim and Flam's quarrel as a problem. If they can't work it out between themselves, that’s their problem." Applejack still asserted and not about to do something about it herself. "Even with my differences with Big Mac to the point we got into fights along with holding grudges along the way. And we ain’t never allowed them to drag on as long as Flim and Flam's has."

"You don't think Gladmane's had anything to do with this?" Beshte asked and wondered. "Because it seems to him that them being at each other's throats sure seems to benefit him a lot."

“It sure looks like it.” Fluttershy agreed.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if that’s true.” Kion found himself it’s the truth. “Because I’m really seeing how and why Gladmane does what he does here. Both the trapeze show and the animal act would be better off if they left, and it make sense why Gladmane doesn’t want their conflicts resolved.”

“That would be true.” Applejack realized. “But everypony's so busy arguin' that they can't."

"Do you think he knows?" Fluttershy wondered aloud.

“Even if he did, he certainly wouldn’t want to tell us.” Kion replied with a frown along with shaking his head. “Otherwise he just be handing us the answer to our problem like he has nothing to lose.”

“Not to mention we don’t have any proof that’ll allow us to point hooves in his direction.” Applejack added.

Even still Kion felt confident about where to go from here. "No, but we do have some leads we can use to help us.”

“Like what, Kion?” Beshte curiously asked.

“The fact that we know that whatever the others think they have been told is really Gladmane’s doing. Think about it.” Kion explained. “Gladmane tells Quinn that Molly wants total control of the show, even though it's not actually true and there is no way that either one of them would say to each other. And he would also be the one who keeps changing the act on Sprigfield but claims Roar Horn is the one who ordered it. And it wouldn’t surprise me if Gladmane told Molly that Quinn's going to get rid of her every other afternoon along with changing the act on Roar Horn while claiming Sprigfield is behind it. If that’s true then the same can be said for both Flim and Flim being told that the other brother thought he wasn't smart, or told that neither one of them thought either one of his ideas were any good."

"That would make sense.” Applejack realized. “But leaves one to wonder why they ended up at this here resort after Scar paid them well for their troubles for the scene they caused at the Crystal Empire.”

“Probably because the deal he made with them had strings attached to the point they had to use it all up from wherever they had to lay low in the aftermath of that battle.” Kion deduced. “If ponies hated them for selling them rotten cider and fake tonic then they would definitely hate them for supporting Scar’s cause.”

“Sounds about right to me.” Beshte replied. “And with no one where to go and nobody and no pony willing to supply them a roof over their heads, then that’s what brought them over to Gladmane’s resort already fighting with each other and blaming one another.”

“Which is something that Gladmane managed to exploit when they first got here.” Applejack added. “And by doing what he is doing, he can keep them from seeing his true intentions. So that means all his talk about friendship is just a load of applesauce! He's gettin' them all to fight with each other on purpose!"

"And If that's true, then that must be why we're here." Fluttershy concluded. "But how can we get everypony to believe that's what he's doing?"

“By getting Gladmane to admit it himself much like we did with Svengallop.” Kion answered. “So that means we need to trick a confession out of him.” He then groaned and sighed. “If only Twilight were here she’d get the job done with her words alone.”

Applejack sighed in frustration. "If only you picked up a thing or two from her skill in manipulating others then I’m sure you would have been able to do the same yourself.”

“Sounds like we need to rely on others here who do have that ability.” Beshte then suggested.

"Gee, if only there was a pony who knew how to trick a trickster," Fluttershy then commented, a knowing smirk formed on her face as she turned to Flim and Flam, both of whom were still arguing endlessly with one another. "Or maybe a pair of ponies?"

“Applejack, I know you don’t want to. But it’s the next best thing and if we don’t we wouldn’t be able to solve this friendship problem.” Kion then said to the reluctant farm pony who is still reluctant on committing to it. “We need their help on this one.”

“Come on, Applejack. At least give it a chance.” Beshte kindly asked of him.

The farm mare sighed and reluctantly accepted her Pegasus friend's line of thinking. "Okay, fine. Guess bringin' Flim and Flam back together might be why we're here. Maybe. For the record, I’m only doing this because it’s my job and nothing more."

“Wouldn’t expect anything else from you.” Beshte said with a smile upon seeing that she is moving to give it a shot even against her own stubborn pride.

The two mares along with the hippo and half lion/alicorn all approached the quarreling brothers a short time later, hoping to convince them to stop fighting and that their entire argument was the result of Gladmane’s influence.

Neither of the brothers seemed even the slightest bit convinced, however. "Sorry if I don't take the word of somepony right off the street, Ponyville or otherwise." Flim protested since refusing to believe what he is told.

"But think about it. Gladmane is behind so many other friendship problems. How can you be sure he isn't the cause of yours?" Fluttershy questioned.

"I'll tell you why," Flam hissed. "Because the only problem I have is standing right there."

"Same here, buster!" Flim snapped back. "And what makes you think Gladmane is truly responsible for any of this, especially after he gave us these jobs when we had nowhere else to go after being forced on the run?!"

"If you're trying to get us to turn on him, you might as well not bother!" Flam added.

"But do you even remember why you're fightin'?" Applejack asked.

"Of course we do, Gladmane told me just what my so called brother really thinks of me." Flim explained.

"And I denied all those accusations, because I never actually said them. But Flim believed them," Flam retorted. "And then when Gladmane told me what Flim thought of me, and that was where I decided enough is enough!"

"I never sad anything of things you were being told but you never believed me!” Flim snapped and retorted.

Kion raised an eyebrow. "So you're both sayin' you never said the things Gladmane said to you both separately, and not once it ever occurred to you that something was amiss from all of this?"

"Well...true. Though quite honestly, the thought never occurred to us until now.” Flam admitted.

"But why would he lie? What would he have to gain from it." Flam then asked.

Fluttershy spoke up. "Because he's afraid that the two of you together could move in and take over his resort. If you stopped to think about it, it makes sense the moment you walked in these doors and meet Gladmane.”

And that’s where the realization struck for the two unicorns in the face upon hearing this! "It was right there in front of us the whole time, and we never took the time to realize it!" Flim exclaimed. "And to think we allowed Gladmane to trick us like that."

"Oh, brother of mine, I think it's time for a little payback!" Flam suggested. "Now, how go on about it?"

"The Canterlot Two-Step? That's something that works for me on a good day." Flim recommended.

Flam shook his head. "Mmm, we don't have the chickens. How about the Baltimare Flair? That has potential."

Flim sighed shaking his head against that. "Ah, my flair isn't what it used to be.”

“If I could offer some advice if you’re willing to listen…” Kion spoke up and suggested to the two who immediately are all ears for what he has to say. “...it’s got to be in a way that Gladmane doesn’t realize it until it’s too late because it seems he’s smart enough to see whatever is coming his way the second it walks through the door.”

“Hmm…” Flim gave it some thought when suddenly, he smirked when he managed to come with one before turning to face his brother. "Are you thinking what I am, brother?"

Flam nodded. "The High Roller Hustle! I like your style, brother."

"The what now?" Applejack exclaimed in confusion.

Flam simply smiled and explained. "Trust us. When we're done, there won't be a pony in town who doesn't know the Applejack-iest truth about Gladmane! That is, assuming you two are willing to help."

“I guess.” Beshte returned. “That is assuming what you need us to do in order for this plan to work.”

"Nothing much I can assure you." Flim said with a wink before eyeing Fluttershy. "Now, what size gown do you wear?"

Some time later, Gladmane came out of his office to discover a most unexpected sight. There was a massive crowd of ponies, all of whom had cameras that were clicking madly. And others were taking notes. Something or someone had caught their attention, and sparked Gladmane’s concern upon seeing it. He made it a point to know all that was going on in Las Pegasus. "Wh-What's all the fuss, now?" He asked Flim walking beside him, trying to understand what he is seeing along with keeping his composure.

Flim pointed a hoof to an earth pony mare with a seemingly familiar yellow coat. But she had a rather curly green mane, and her eyes and cutie mark were obscured by thick, purple sunglasses and a dazzling, sparkling purple dress. She even had high heels. "It's the grand matriarch of the Rich family, Impossibly Rich! She's one of the wealthiest ponies in all of Equestria." He explained.

"Well, why didn't somepony tell me she'd be stopping by for a visit?" Gladmane happily asked. "You know how I like to give VIP guests my personal touch."

But Flim was quick to further explain and add on with what he had to say. "Well, she's not exactly a guest. Word is she's planning a resort of her own," He whispered to his boss. "I think she's here to scout the competition."

"Oh, really?" Gladmane returned with a suspicious frown while trying to mask his true colors.

Flim nodded. "And with her bits, she could take over the whole strip if she wanted to, hire anypony she wants!"

Gladmane growled at Flim, as if he is accusing the shifty unicorn of planning to do what he'd just said. Flim quickly protested. "Uh, not me, of course! I love it here. Now my good-for-nothing brother, on the other hoof..."

"Enough said." Gladmane snorted. Then he adopted his usual friendly persona and approached Impossibly Rich, warmly greeting the matriarch. "Impossibly Rich, what an honor it is to have you at my humble five-star resort. I'm sure Flam has done an excellent job showing you around, but nothing could beat a personalized tour from the big mane himself. Uh-huh-huh."

Impossibly Rich didn't answer, she just whispered something to Flam who then told Gladmane. "You'll have to excuse Ms. Rich, boss. She saves the energy other ponies spend talking out loud and uses it to make more money. That's how she rolls in life."

Impossibly Rich whispered again, and Flam then added. "She'd love a personal tour! Say, in, uh, about an hour?"

Gladmane nodded. "Well, that sounds right pleasant. And if you can break away for a moment or two, Flam, I'd love to see you in my office so I can get ready." And with that, the so called "friendship connoisseur" departed. He was doing his best not to show it, but deep down he was suspicious and terrified of what this pony is trying to do.

Once Gladmane and the crowd had both departed, Impossibly Rich made her way back behind the curtains of the backstage area. There, she revealed her true identity, Fluttershy. She had dressed up in the fancy attire so as to look similar to the actual pony that was Impossibly Rich. All part of Flim and Flam's scheme.

"Not trying to question your methods but, are all of you sure this is a good idea?" The Pegasus questioned.

"Abso-tively!" Flim declared.

"Gladmane is one fish that's hooked but good!" Flam added. "We've got him right where we want him. Now it's just a matter of getting him to do what we want him to do!"

All Applejack could bring herself to say to the two con ponies was. "I sure hope you two know what you're doin'."

“And I hope it works.” Beshte added.

"Oho, don't you worry about that. When it comes to throwing ponies off their game..." Flam boasted.

"No two ponies do it better than us!" Flim finished.

"Can't argue with that." Applejack reluctantly replied.

“Especially when desperate times call for desperate measures.” Kion whispered to Applejack who is really trying her hardest to cooperate with them for the sake of their mission.

About an hour later, Flam arrived in Gladmane's office overlooking the entire hotel. Said office had glass windows that let him see everything going on down below. Quite a clear and open view for an office. "Hey there, boss, Impossibly Rich is just about ready for that tour. So what did you want to see me about?" Flam asked, feigning ignorance. Having worked in Las Pegasus and for Gladmane, it didn't take long for one to learn why he would call him in his office for a private word.

"Actually, there's something I want you to see…The Grand Plan.” He moved to unroll a blueprint that depicted plans for more hotels in his name on the Las Pegasus strip. "Every hotel on this strip as amazing as this one, and every one of 'em mine."

Flam whistled, and Gladmane chuckled at his employee. "Pretty sweet isn’t it? And all it'll take is a little salesponyship to seal the deal, like this," He stepped over to his intercom and clicked a button, allowing his voice to play out over the loudspeakers. "Hey there, friends. Uh-huh-huh. If you think my resort is fantastic, wait 'til you see Ponet Fantastique Tickets are on sale right now. And for the next hour, they're two for the price of one! Thank you. Thank you very much."

When the loudspeaker clicked off a second later, Gladmane looked Flam in the eyes and sternly told him. "Now I know Impossibly Rich has probably made you a tempting offer to come work for her."

"Well uh, now that you mention it..." Flam stuttered.

The earth pony stallion then said before he could get another word in. "And as your friend, I'd never tell you what to do.” Then he threatened with venom in his tone of voice taking over. “But nopony's gonna stand in the way of my plans, no matter how rich she is! I've worked too hard in building up for what have now for that to happen! And I sure wouldn't want to see you to end up on the losing side. Think you might consider staying here?"

"Um..." Flam stuttered once more while nodding his head.

Gladmane didn't bother to wait for a reply, feeling certain and confident he'd intimidated a would be defector against it. "Well all right then.” He then said readopting his friendly tone and persona. “Glad we can come to an understanding on that matter. Now come along, we have a rich pony to give a tour to."

Impossibly Rich was waiting when Gladmane arrived. Unknown to him, Applejack, Kion, Beshte, and Flim were already hiding out of sight, prepared to catch the business stallion in the act, assuming everything went on as planned of course.

"And last but not least, Ms. Rich, the jewel in my crown. This here theater is home to my best acts," Gladmane proudly boasted. "So, that being said, what do you think?"

Impossibly Rich just whispered to Flam, who quickly translated. "Well, Gladmane, Impossibly wants you to know she's very impressed but doesn't think you can keep a resort of this caliber going much longer."

"Oh? And why's that? Is this the part where I’m supposed to be intimidated?" Gladmane questioned with a raised eyebrow as if it was a genuine threat.

Impossibly Rich didn't flinch in the slightest while still whispering to Flam who answered back. "No, not at all, Gladmane. It's just how she sees it. You've got all the best talents in the industry. But what stops them from just leaving to join any competitor that comes across these parts of town?"

Gladmane flashed a grin as he laughed. "Well, you see I have a trick for that, I must confess. Uh-huh-huh. And it all has to do with how I treat my employees." He then said seemingly unaware that he was making this statement into a microphone levitated by Flim, which was being broadcast over the loudspeakers thanks to Kion’s magic making sure of that.

And with Flam eagerly and innocently questioned. "And how is that, Gladmane? What's the secret to your success?"

Gladmane then confessed… “Well like friends, of course! And I treat every one of my employees with the kindness they deserve."

The unexpected response caught Flam by surprise! Struggling to keep a straight face, he stammered back. "That's it? That's your secret, heh-heh? There's..." He paused and cleared his throat. "...nothing else?"

Gladmane shook his head. "Nope, just friendship," Then with a sinister grin the business stallion marched over to Impossibly Rich and added. "But you know all about friendship, don't you... Fluttershy?!” He added while ripping off the disguise in the process.

“What?!” Kion exclaimed in shock.

"You knew the whole time?" Flim spoke up equally shocked.

Gladmane gladly boasted. "Uh-huh-huh. I saw right through your little scheme the moment you put it into action just by actually knowing what Impossibly Rich truly looks like and how she truly acts. Never try to con a con-pony. Uh-huh-huh, now get back to work," And then with a laugh he proudly boasted and walked off. "Gladmane, One. Flim and Flam along with the Lion and Pony Guard crew nothing. Game over!"

Gladmane was scooping bits into a massive bag, when there came a knock on his office door. "Come in," He called, and the door knob turned and opened to reveal said vistors are Kion, Applejack, Beshte, and Fluttershy. "Oh, it's just you four," He greeted with a smug grin. "Why, I'd have thought you'd all have hit the road by now."

Fluttershy sternly replied and scolded Gladmane. "Well, whether we were able to fool you or not, you can't just go on keeping ponies from getting along! It's just... mean!"

"Now, maybe it is," Gladmane casually confessed. "Though that wouldn’t be fair to say I'm the bad guy here? It's just how business operates here. I didn’t do anything wrong and I’m not a monster like Sombra or Tirek or even that vile half lion alicorn Scar."

"But what you’re doing here is still wrong and you know it.” Beshte remarked with a frown.

Gladmane just sighed. "Oh you four have no idea how things work here, do you? Las Pegasus isn’t just your everyday clubhouse where you get ahead by bein' friendly," He laid back in his chair and shook his head. "No, out here it's the meanest of the mean who get ahead. And yet even while feeding my employees with lies, I still provide them all of the accommodations they need to get by every day in life. From a reasonable and generous paycheck, a home, and with plenty of generous offers and deals to my customers."

"Save it!” Kion demanded with a growl. “Regardless of how you claim to better than others, you’re still a cruel and heartless businessman who has no problems manipulating others into doing your bidding whether it’s getting them to fight each other constantly or getting them to do your dirty work. And you’re honestly no better than any other bad guy I’ve met!”

"And since when are you to judge me of all ponies? You think you've got me all figured out, don't you?" Gladmane retorted. "I do what I have to in order to ensure that my establishment remains up top in the business world. Unlike you’re precious princess friend I practically invented the 'High Roller Hustle', a.k.a that pathetic little ploy you used on me," Then he got up from his desk and smiled. "But still, I suppose I should be impressed. You're the only ponies and only hippo and lion/alicorn to ever truly figure out the secret to my success," He proudly boasted. "Yes sir, it takes a lot of work keepin' everypony fightin'. But as long as I keep 'em convinced that I'm their only friend, all of Las Pegasus will be mine," Then he strolled back over to his desk as he finished. "Oh, you can't trick a confession out of a pony like me! I'm always one step ahead."

But Applejack just grinned as she told the business pony. "Well then, you better check your hooves, because you've just stepped in a confession!"

Fluttershy grinned, revealing that while Gladmane was rambling on, she had pressed the button on his desk that carried his words over the hotel loudspeakers. Now the real Gladmane had been exposed.

Gladmane's calm, collected, and smug persona instantly fell apart like shattered glass. "Oh, no," He gasped, sweat coming down from his forehead as he rushed up to the glass window over looking the establishment and protested. "No, no, w-w-wait, wait!"

Fluttershy then asked over the loudspeaker. "Did that sound okay?"

"Never better!" Flim and Flam proudly declared with all eyes and ears watching on and listening to said confession.

Applejack, then explained to Gladmane about how they did it. "Flim and Flam told us you'd see right through the fake rich pony bit, and that once you did, you wouldn't be able to resist gloatin' about it! This was all part of the plan!"

“And that my friend is something that even a cunning trickster like could do in his sleep!” Kion then added equally proud and taking great pleasure in knocking the once arrogant buisnesspony down a peg.

Frantically, Gladmane pleaded to the performers. "Oh, now, now, friends! Listen, I-I can explain everything!"

But Quinn raised up a hoof and shouted. "I think you've done enough of that!" Turning to Molly he asked. "Darling?"

"Hmph! Good riddance!" Molly declared.

"Oh, I cannot believe we let him almost ruin our friendship!" Roar Horn sighed with regret.

"And our act," Sprigfield added, then gave a parting shout. "Good luck finding another one!"

Gladmane pounded on the glass window, all the while shouting at the fleeing performers. "Wait! No! Y'all come back now! Come on, I-I'm gonna be ruined! This is Gladmane's, y'all! Come on, you can't do this to me!" He ran out of the office in tears. But not without angrily declaring. "I'll get you all for this, someday. Especially you, Prince Kion!"

With a smile, Applejack proudly declared. "Gladmane has left the buildin'!"

"You've said it!" Beshte also declared equally pleased.

With his reputation now permanently shattered, the gold statue of Gladmane was pulled down with a crash.

"I guess the map wasn't on the fritz after all," Fluttershy concluded, right before she, Applejack, Kion, and Beshte all noticed their cutie marks were glowing. "If it weren't for your history with Flim and Flam, you never would've been so determined to find somepony else to help, and we never would have found out what Gladmane was doing."

And the farm mare quickly replied to her Pegasus friend. "And if it weren't for you wantin' to show even those two kindness, we never would have been able to trick the trickster."

Then the Lion Guard’s Strongest added. “And if it weren’t for Kion’s own gut feeling in suspecting something was up with Gladmane, we never would have figured out Gladmane’s true colors sooner.”

Then the Lion Guard’s Fierecest added in return. “And if it weren’t for you encouraging the same kindness Fluttershy would, Applejack wouldn’t have felt convinced in wanting to work with them for once.” Then to Flim and Flam who are both cleaning up Gladmane’s now broken statue he added. "It must have felt pretty good to put your special skills to good use.”

“It did didn’t it.” Flam returned like it was nothing. “Even with all things considered between us in the past.”

Flim then added. “That being said we do owe you four a debt and a huge thank you for helping use reconcile our differences and see through Gladmane’s lies. If you all hadn’t come along we’d would have figured it out.”

"But don't expect this to change anything because of it," Flam warned. "We think of it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Emphasis on the 'once'." Flim added.

Suspiciously, Fluttershy asked. "What do you mean?"

“By that you mean…?” Kion asked now figuring where they are going with this.

Flim just laughed. "Yes, Kion. It does. With Gladmane gone, somebody or somepony’s gotta fill the void here and we strongly believe that we are the ponies to do it. After all he did teach us all the tricks of the trade, and it was only inevitable that somebody or somepony managed to figure it out and expose him."

Flam then added. "Now if you'll excuse us, it’s time to start laying our claim here." Then into a microphone he declared. "While this establishment undergoes a slight change in management, my brother and I want to assure you that it remains the pinnacle of Las Pegasus entertainment! Which is why we invite each and every one of you to experience the wonder of the Ponet Fantastique Theater – at half the normal cost of admission!"

"And while you're appreciating this historic venue totally devoid of any performers of any kind, we invite you to use the wonder of your own imaginations to fill the space at no additional charge!" Flim added over the loudspeaker. And then a huge rush of ponies started to descend on the theater.

Furious at this betrayal, Applejack shouted at the top of her lungs! "Flim and Flam!"

“Not to worry, fellow Lion and Pony Guard members.” Flam called out and assured even when refusing to have a change of heart. “Since you helped us reconcile our differences and helped get us these jobs here, we will gladly reward you all with a bed and breakfast stay at this hotel tonight heading into tomorrow.”

“All expenses paid and on the house courtesy of yours truly.” Flim added.

While watching on as ponies crowd into the theater the others aside from Applejack just pretty much decided that their business is done here.

“Oh, well.” Beshte commented just accepting it for as is even while disappointed along with Fluttershy. “At least we solved our friendship problem here.”

“And given that Flim and Flam now have their lives set here, our job here is done.” Kion then added equally disappointed and with a look of resignation on his face. “At least we're getting a generous reward out of this especially considering this is Flim and Flam we’re talking about here.”

“No strings attached.” Fluttershy glumly added even while she really appreciates their gift deep down.

“Guess we might as well get checked in and enjoy our stay here while we still can before Flim and Flim decide to change their minds and charge us.” Applejack then said after deciding that trying to fight the con artists for refusing to repent their ways are not worth it. "That is assuming it's not opposite day that is."

“I’ll go call Twilight and let her know.” Kion then said while leading the way along with working his magic so he can make said call. In addition he said to himself. “Some ponies and some things never change.”

Applejack bitterly shook her head in agreement with that statement. "Nope."

Author's Note

Here this time around not only are Applejack and Fluttershy in for a ride but also Kion and Beshte as they travel to Las Pegasus for their second friendship mission together. This time around they met up with the Flim Flam Brothers who aren't in a good state in mind together following their latest feud. And after some searching around the place they find they aren't the only ones at each other's throats thanks to the owner of the place feeding them little while lies to keep them parked at his place.

But fortunately for them, the Lion and Pony Guard were able to team up with the Flim Flam brothers to Kansas City Shuffle the pony out the door without a good reputation to boot and yeah, even while the Flim Flam Brothers still remain you know themselves, they at least have the decency to get them a nice parting gift as thanks.

Up next is the Queen's Visit where the Backlands favorite zebra returns for a timely important negotiation with the Pride Lands coming up with the state of the prvilege of much needed extra water up in the air. But given all things considered it should remain standing after all said and done, Right?

Find out when that episode comes next time around so stay tuned...

Episode 34: The Queen's Visit

Episode 34:

The Queen’s Visit

At Pride Rock, every Pride Lander and many ponies have all gathered around the path all watching on towards the horizon and for a special reason. The king himself who is standing tall on top of Pride Rock alongside the rest of his family along with Celestia and Luna are all expecting a special guest here today.

Just then Ono and Rainbow flew back over to give them the important update they are expecting.

“Everyone, everyone!”

“She's here! She here's!”

Everyone all gasped with excited anticipation with this news in light.

“Okay, Lion and Pony Guard. Let's just make sure the path is clear and nobody in the crowd gets hurt.”

“Along with making sure our special guest has the distance she needs to make her entrance.”

Both leaders of the Guard informed of their team who were all quick to do as they were told.

“You got it, Kion.”

“You got it, Twilight.”

Both Beshte and Applejack happily obliged in unison.

“On it.” Both Fuli and Rarity stated in unison.

Along the way, Zito moved to get onto the path which immediately got Bunga’s attention. “Back it up, ella fella phant! Make some room!” Zito refused to do so nor budge when Bunga tries to push Zito out of the way.

Upon seeing this spurred the Princess of Friendship to take action. “Ahem!” She cleared her throat. “Come on, Zito. Please do as you are told.” She politely and firmly asked of him. Zito rolled his eyes and groaned before obliging to her request.

“And remember your manners, Zito.” Rarity chimed in and scolded for her lack of respect shown to the Princess of Friendship.

“Yes your majesty.” Zito politely addressed with a small bow along the way.

“Thank you, Zito.” Turning to Rarity. “And thank you, Rarity.”

“My pleasure, darling.”

“She's here.” Twiga commented as she and a few of her friends moved close to the path.

Seeing this sparked Fuli and Rainbow to take action.

“Hey giraffes! Down in front!”

Both Twiga and Shingo looked at each other in confusion before moving to duck their heads.

“Okay. That works.”

Along the way both Beshte and Fluttershy encountered some animals that were getting too close and on the path themselves.

“A little further back? Thank you.” Beshte kindly asked of the antelope who moved to back away.

“Keep it clear, please.” Fluttershy then said to the hyraxes before gently scooping them off of the path and onto the side. “Thank you.”

After doing so she moved to stand beside Beshte as they stand to the side while Ono moves to perch on the nearby tree alongside many of the birds doing the same.

“We have the best view of all.” Ono commented to his fellow birds.

“Although we could beg to differ on that.” Rainbow smugly commented while she and the other Pegasus ponies moved to float on the sidelines while nearby much to the egret’s eye rolling annoyance.

“Shh! It’s starting!” Starlight hushed from nearby just when birds flying overhead appear over the horizon.

Said birds, finches, sporting yellow feathers (brown on the shoulders and tail feathers) on the wings, orange on the back and around head feathers with black colored underbellies Upon appearing they dropped and spread out pink flowers on the ground in front of them. A group of black and white striped stripes appeared after them. Said zebras who happen to lead a very special zebra about to appear next with her most loyal zebras moving to make said announcement.

“Presenting her royal majesty!” Raha began.

“Ruler of the zebras!” Starhe added.

“Sovereign of the Back Lands!”

“The golden zebra herself!”

Both then say together. “Queen Dhahabu!”

The zebras all stand aside as said zebra appears before everyone.

“Hello everybody, Are you all here to see me?” She happily greeted everyone who all looked on in awe in response. “Then I'll really give you something to see. Zebras, frolic and romp!”

Prance With Me

As she makes her way towards Pride Rock, she sings her tune while the rest of the ponies and Pride Landers dance to the beat with Beshte himself allowing the hyraxes to climb onto his back for a higher view. At the same time both Bunga and Pinkie got into the beat only to trip and fall onto their backs while doing so much to both Fuli and Rarity’s eye rolling annoyance. When she got up top on Pride Rock everyone all cheered and applauded her for her upbeat performance.

“She's so beautiful!”

“And so queenly!”

Both Tiffu and Zuri greatly gushed of everyone in the audience.

King Simba with Princess Celestia by his side moved to walk up by Dhahabu’s side with the former moving to announce to the crowd. “On the behalf of the royal family. I welcome our friend and ally Queen Dhahabu!” The Pride Landers and ponies cheered once more.

“Thank you, you're majesty.” The golden zebra thanked before addressing the crowd. “And my warmest wishes to everyone here in the Pride Lands!” The Pride Landers and ponies cheered again.

“The official celebration will continue at sundown!” Simba then announced as the rest of the Royal Family gathered around Dhahabu.

“Which me and my sister will glad raise for you to see it in it’s wonderful glory.” The sun monarch then warmly added.

“And let me assure you, that it will be our pleasure to do so, Queen Dhahabu.” The night monarch also added equally warm in tone with the crowd dispersing once all that was needed to be said was said.

“Did you see Dhahabu's dance moves? Un-bunga-lievable!” Bunga happily expressed to the others.

“I know, right!” Pinkie happily agreed while bouncing around. “She really got everyone and everypony swinging!”

“Yeah, but isn't she supposed to be here on serious business?” Fuli agreed yet pointed out to which Applejack was quick to add on about.

“Such as making sure the negotiations for the ongoing water treaty stays in place.” Starlight reminded everyone.

“Indeed!” Ono agreed. “The water treaty between the Pride Lands and the Back Lands is very serious.”

“Yeah.” Kion acknowledged. “Dhahabu's watering hole is helping everyone in the Pride Lands get through the dry season.”

“Especially without Hakuna Matata Falls and whenever Equestria can’t provide enough water to get everyone by.” Twilight added and noted.

"My guess is that she wants to put forward that golden charm of hers so that she can be friends with those she shares with." Rarity said and suggested. "Like her way of showing that things going forward are in good hooves and paws."

"Fair enough." Kyoga replied accepting that as a reason.

“If that's so, then let me ask you a serious question.” Bunga turned his attention to both leaders. “Do you think she remembered me?” He then ecstatically asked.

“And me?” Pinkie also asked equally ecstatic.

Just then said zebra walked down from Pride Rock to greet them. “There you are.”

“She does!”

“Yipee! Whoo-hoo!”

Both Twilight and Kion still smiled and shook their heads in amusement. After all it wasn’t too long ago when the treaty was first made.

“I've been looking forward to seeing you again.” Dhahabu happily told the Guard with Kiara, Tiifu and Zuri accompanying her.

“Well you're majesty. It's good to see you too.”

“Yes, it’s wonderful to be able to see you again, your majesty.”

Both leaders greeted.

“Hiya Queen Dhahabu!”

“Hey ya! Queen Golden Stripes!”

Both Bunga and Pinkie quickly greeted next.

“My little mongoose and my silly little pink party pony.” She kindly greeted in return.

“That’s me!” Bunga proudly stated much to Applejack and Fuli rolling their eyes in annoyance again.

“You both having been helping make sure that special party is all set up for tonight?”

“You betcha! For a pony who takes party planning seriously, this pony makes sure the most royal figures have the greatest time of their lives!”

The zebra queen chuckled in amusement. “Glad to hear it.”

“So Dhahabu?” Bunga then said next. “How 'bout we show you the local landmarks?”

“That sounds delightful. But a tour has already been arranged.” Dhahabu turned to the lionesses accompanying her.

“Dad asked me to take Queen Dhahabu around the Pride Lands. As her royal escort.” Kiara explained with the other lionesses chiming in.

“And we're helping Kiara.”

“That's right.”

Bunga grumbled rather annoyed in response.

“Why don't we all go together?” She then suggested. “That way I can catch up with my old friends, while making new ones.”

This suggestion greatly appeased the honey badger. “Yeah, great idea.”

She then spots Starlight in the crowd. “Speaking of new friends, I see you have made a new friend since the last time we saw each other.”

“Hello, your majesty.” Starlight greeted with a bow. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too.” Dhahabu then turned to Twilight. “And where is that other pony that was with you all when we first met, that fiery colored pony.”

“Sunset? She unfortunately couldn’t join us here today.” Twilight regretfully informed. “She has some classes she needed to attend to.”

“Oh, catching up on her important studies is she?” The golden zebra chuckled. “Sounds a lot like you. I hope she is still passing and acing her tests like you did.”

“Oh, she is.” She giggled though she couldn't help but blush a little herself at the amazingly accurate comparison.

“Great!” She then turned to her fellow zebras who were quick to gather around her. “Oh, I almost forgot. Faithful subjects... King Simba has given permission for you all to enjoy the Pride Lands during my visit. So go! Frolic and romp!” Most of the zebras were quick to happily to do so. “Just be back by sunset.”

The other two zebras Raha and Starehe still remained by her side not wanting to leave just yet.

“What about us, oh queen?” The former inquired.

“We're coming with you, right?” The latter then asked.

“After all what would you do without Raha and Starehe?”

“You never go anywhere without us.”

Dhahabu assured them that it’s nothing to worry about. “I have these lovely Pride Landers and ponies to look after my needs. Enjoy yourself's with the others! Consider it a day off in return for your loyal servitude to me.”

That was enough to assure and satisfy the two.

“Yes, my queen.”

“Frolic and romp?” The latter asked the former.

“Frolic and romp.”

After both Starehe and Raha left, Dhahabu was ready for that tour she was promised. “So. Where shall we go first, princess Kiara?”

“The Mekundu Cliffs. This way, you're majesty.” Kiara moved to lead the way with the Lion and Pony Guard following after them.

Among the crew, Fuli was the first to whisper that she is not on board with the idea while lagging behind a little. “Are we seriously going on a tour?”

“Looks like it.” Ono replied that it’s indeed happening.

“It is what the queen wants.” Kyoga added to cement it isn’t a fantasy story.

“I sure am!”

“Me too!”

Both Bunga and Pinkie were the first to play catch up to Dhahabu along with the others.

“I know this isn’t exactly to your liking, but it’s something we can live by.” Twilight assured while still sticking beside her along with Kion.

“Yeah, it will be fun.” Beshte chimed in agreement.

“Nothing wrong with giving a royal guest a good time here.” Rarity added seeing nothing wrong with the arrangement.

“Especially if it means further securing a great alliance between the Pride Lands and the Back Lands.” Applejack also reminded.

“Just think of it as going on patrol, with a special guest.” Kion added as a way to help his friend feel more open to the idea.

“Fine.” Fuli relented before following after the others.

Upon walking across the Pride Lands Dhahabu took notice of the grass around her and noted. “I always imagined the Pride Lands as being greener.”

Kiara then moved to explain why the grass is like that. “It's very green during the rainy season. But this time of year, everything gets a quite dried up and a little yellow when there isn’t much rain coming down to give it that color.“

“Yeah!” Tiffu chimed in. “Everything gets dried out and frizzy.”

“Especially my fur.” Zuri further complained before complimented. “Your coat looks beautifully soft and silky!”

“And how do you get your stripes that color? I love it!”

“Thank you, I'm just lucky I guess.” Dhahabu returned taking the compliments in stride.

“Well everyone in the Pride Lands is grateful for you're help.” The lion princess then expressed with equal gratitude on behalf of everyone in the kingdom. “This Dry Season is especially bad. So you can see how important the water treaty is for us.”

“Of course! We're happy to help out Pride Lands friends.”

While the four are all going on ahead, the skinks managed to spot out and spy on their conversation. Having seen and heard what they wanted to hear and see, the two then disappeared back into the rocks they are hiding from so they can deliver this information to their boss in secret.

Behind the main tour group, both Ono and Rainbow took notice of something upon ahead that they immediately didn’t like.

“Oh, no.”

“Ono, Rainbow, what's wrong?”

“Is everything okay?”

Their leaders asked as they flew up towards the source which turned out to be dark clouds up ahead.

“I don't like the look of those clouds.”

“Me neither.”

“I do.” Beshte happily replied seeing no danger from it. “We could use some rain.”

“Which is greatly needed right around these patches of grass here.” Applejack added while eyeing said grass that looks like it’s on the verge of death.

“Yeah, small problem with that…” Rainbow hesitantly began with Ono adding on why it’s bad.

“While it is raining high up in the sky. But it's too hot for the rain to hit the ground.”

“So?” Bunga asked of what the big deal is.

“So it's also perfect condition for…”

Just then thunder roared with a dangerous element quick to follow.

“Dry lighting!” Rainbow finished while caught off-guard by said strike happening and for a good reason because said strike appeared right in between the two groups which caused a fire to spark around Dhahabu, Kiara, Tiifu and Zuri.

“Gracious! A fire!” The golden zebra gasped.

“Heyvi Kabisa! The Queen!” Kion also gasped from afar.

“Fuli, Rainbow! Get the Queen to safety!” Twilight ordered who were both quick to do so.

“On it!”

“Let’s go!”

“Huwezi!”

Already the fire moved to corner Dhahabu along with the other lionesses much to the former’s fright. “It's coming right at us! What are we gonna do?”

Immediately both Fuli and Rainbow arrived on the scene to help them.

“Follow us!” Fuli ordered to which everyone was quick to do expect the queen herself which stopped the cheetah in her tracks. “Hurry, You're Majesty.”

“You'll be trapped against the cliffs!” Rainbow urgently added.

But Dhahabu found herself hesitated. “But I... I can't!”

Seeing this prompted the former to give her the push she needs to do so while leaping on over the fire to get to her. “You have to jump it! Move! Now!” She commanded before leading the way with Rainbow working her wings and keeping the fire under control.

“Go, go, go!”

Upon approaching the fire side by side… “Jump!” The two managed to clear the fire barrier before moving to catch up with the others.

While this was going on the rest of the Guard were quick to take action to stop the fire from spreading.

“Bunga! Beshte! Applejack! Pinkie Pie! Fire Break!”

“Rarity! Kyoga! Starlight! Fluttershy! Extinguish the flames to keep it burying towards the cliffs!”

“Zuka Zama!”

“Twende kiboko!”

“Time to put the fire!”

“Let’s!”

Bunga, Beshte, Kyoga, and Starlight all declared.

Kiara moved towards her brother wanting to assist them in any way she can. “Kion, how can I help?”

“We need to put out the hot spots!”

“Got it!”

“You too, Ono!”

“Affirmative.” Ono got to work in dropping dirt on the fire where the team creating the fire breaks on. “Incoming!”

“Kind of hot around here.” Bunga commented while wiping the sweat from his forehead.

“And you just noticed?” Ono returned rather annoyed at the timing of his words.

“Come on, now!” Applejack reminded. “Keep creating this here break to keep the fire from spreading!”

“Right, on it!”

While this was going on Twilight, Rarity, Kyoga, all got to work extinguished the flames by working their magic so it’s like they have water spraying all over it while Fluttershy used a literal extinguisher so she can help put out the fires herself.

Upon reaching a safe distance from the fire, Fuli managed to stop running before turning back to Dhahabu, Tiifu and Zuri.

“This is far enough. You'll be safe here.” She assured then apologized. “Sorry I shouted at you back there. You're majesty.”

Dhahabu however was quick to assure the apology wasn’t necessary.“Oh! I'm not. Your shouting helped me get moving. Thank you Fuli.” Turning to Rainbow Dash who just got done extinguishing the fire that nearly burned them alive. “You too, Rainbow Dash!”

“Our pleasure!” Rainbow saluted like it was no big deal.

Upon seeing the fires were now being put out, Dhahabu couldn’t help but look on impressed. “Gracious! The Lion and Pony Guard certainly works fast!”

After the danger had passed, the rest of the Lion Guard along with Kiara moved to regroup with the others.

“Fire's out.”

“Everybody okay?”

“Yes, thanks to the Lion and Pony Guard. And it was all done with such speed and coolness.”

“Well…” Rainbow chuckled while putting on a pair of sunglasses on. “...speed and coolness is exactly my style, our style around here.” She boasted.

“We can't help it. We're the best!” Bunga proudly added.

“Gotta admit…” Kiara spoke next. “...I don't know what the Pride Lands would do without the Lion and Pony Guard.”

Hearing that gave Dhahabu a idea she could do herself. “Oh that's exactly what I need! A guard! A Queen's guard!” Turning to her speedy saviors. “Fuli, Rainbow! I've never seen anyone move so quickly. With you two by my side I would always feel safe. I would you to be my personal guards for the remainder of my visit.”

“Really?” Rainbow spoke up highly surprised by the proposal.

“You... you would?” Fuli spoke up equally surprised herself.

Though Bunga himself felt put out again. “What about me? Your loyal mongoose!”

“Seriously.” Kyoga returned with a raised eyebrow. “Are there other times other than a special guest where you think about anybody but yourself.”

“Yes. But in times like these I choose not too.”

Kion was the first to speak up on the speedy duo’s behalf. “That's really nice of you, Your Majesty. But Fuli and Rainbow are already members of the Lion and Pony Guard. So…”

“Hold that thought, Kion.” Twilight quickly interrupted mid-sentence before turning the golden zebra with a friendly yet somewhat forced smile. “We just need a quick word to talk it over.” She then moved to pull Kion aside so she and Kiara could do just that. “Kion. I know this isn’t something you’re very keen on. But I think we should go ahead and let her borrow our friends for today.”

“Twilight’s right, Kion. Queen Dhahabu is sharing her water with us. I think we should do what she asks. It’s the least we could do to uphold our end of the deal.”

“Yeah, but…”

“It's just while she's here.” His sister assured.

“And by that we mean only until sundown.” Twilight added and reminded. “And I don’t need you remind of that talk we had about how to handle these kinds of deals.”

“No.” Kion relented before turning back to Dhahabu with a friendly smile having reconsidered what he was about say before being pulled aside. “You're majesty, I'm sure Fuli would be pleased to act as your personal guard for your visit.”

“And the same can be said for Rainbow Dash.” Twilight happily added.

“I would?” Fuli returned in surprise before quickly correcting herself upon seeing the prince and princesses looking and motioning at her to say otherwise. “I mean... I would.” She said while forcing herself to smile for the sake of the moment.

“Of course we would. It would be an honor to have your back.” Rainbow also added sounding equally committed herself with the same forced expression Fuli has now.

“Wonderful!” Dhahabu then turned to Tiifu and Zuri. “And you two! You never left my side during the ordeal. I want you to be my guards as well.”

In contrast to Fuli both Tiifu and Zuri were delighted to take her up on that offer.

“Really?”

“Ooh yes.”

Although the suggestion didn’t quite sit well with Kiara herself. “Tiifu? Zuri? I was counting on your help tonight.”

“Remember?” Kion reminded with a friendly smile. “Sharing her water? Do what she asks?”

Kiara could only sigh softly upon having her own words thrown back in her face. “I know Tiifu and Zuri would also be honored to be your temporary guards.”

“So honored.”

“So totally honored.”

“That's settled. Now I have my own Queen's guard. I think this calls for a celebration! Let's all frolic and romp!” She then did exactly that. “Frolic and Romp! Frolic and Romp!”

Both Tiifu and Zuri were very quick to happily oblige. “Frolic and Romp Frolic and Romp! Frolic and Romp!”

“Come, Fuli! Prance with us!” Dhahabu encouraged. “You too, Rainbow Dash!”

Both did so albeit reluctantly and not sharing the same enthusiasm as Tiifu and Zuri.

“Frolic and romp.”

“Frolic and romp.”

“Well. My new guards certainly are enthusiastic. Wouldn’t you agree, Starlight?” She briefly turned to said unicorn who shares the same expression mirroring both Rainbow and Fuli’s.

“Ecstatic.”

Turning to Kiara the queen then said to her. “And now that I have them, I won't need you to escort me.”

Already Kiara felt taken aback by that declaration. “But you're majesty…”

“I'm sure you have many other duties to attend to.”

Kion and Twilight were quick to assure her it’s no big deal.

“It's okay. She's got Fuli and Rainbow Dash. I'll have Ono keep an eye on them too.”

“And there are things can be done outside of watching over the queen.”

Already Kiara felt better after remembering there some things she needs to tend to. “I do need to help prepare for tonight's event.” She moved to take her leave.

“And we'll go on patrol.”

“Lion and Pony Guard let's go!”

While most of the Guard sets off ahead to do so, Fuli moved to do the same…

“Fuli!” Dhahabu quickly called and reminded her she’s on guard duty for her.

“Oh, sorry force of habit.” Fuli realized and apologized.

Upon seeing the frustration and disappointment on her friend’s face spurred Rainbow to console her over it. “It’ll be okay. It’s only for today, then we can go back to protecting the Pride Lands and Equestria once we helped secure the deal that’ll extend the privilege for the Pride Landers to use their watering hole. Just think about the needs of others, okay?”

“Okay.” Fuli relented with a sigh and groan before following after the others watching over the golden zebra herself.

“Good luck, girls.” Starlight wished to them before taking off and catching up with the rest of the Guard on patrol. All while wishing that it really does goes well for them.

In the Outlands, Scar himself is being informed of this discovery and current ongoings by the skinks in the caldera of the Outlands Volcano.

“You did well to report this skinks!” The fiery lion complimented. “But the water treaty with the zebras must be put to an end. I want the Pride Lands to stay thirsty.” Then he thought. “Perhaps something will happen to the queen during her visit. Something very unfortunate.” Upon figuring out the best approach he then ordered. “Bring me Reirei and the jackals along with Makucha the leopard. They're good at this sort of thing.” The skinks immediately leave to carry this out no questions asked. “With the queen gone, there will be no treaty. And no extra water for the Pride Lands.” He then said to himself before indulging in a little high-pitched cackling as he plans to anticipate seeing this before his very eyes.

Back in the Pride Lands, the Lion and Pony Guard are moving to carry out their daily patrol with the Guard’s Fastest by their side.

“I sure hope Fuli's all right.” Beshte expressed with concern. “She didn't look very happy.”

“She sure didn’t.” Fluttershy expressed feeling pity for her. “At least Rainbow’s taking it in stride.”

“If you count putting up a positive and convincing facade as one.” Starlight remarked to say otherwise. “Because sometimes when meeting friends and or enemies, a smile and a polite mask of manners doesn’t completely guarantee that everything is completely fine and sincere underneath. Believe me, I’m sure you and I can speak from experience of what that’s like.” She then said directly to her teacher who can confirm that is indeed true having had experience with that herself.

“They’ll be fine.” Twilight reassured. “It’s only for the rest of the day to secure a favor for her. In return the Pride Lands will continue to have access to the Back Lands watering hole. It’s practically a done deal by the time the negotiations follow afterwards.”

“As long as we deliver on our promise of course.” Rarity reminded. “Of course the whole thing could go up in smoke. Literally even.”

Just then they happened to come across both Starehe and Raha. And both aren’t being their usual cheerful self as evident by them saying in a despondent tone. “Frolic and romp. Frolic and romp.” Upon seeing they both quickly greeted in unison. “Oh, hello.”

“They don't look very happy either.” Ono noted.

“No kidding!” Pinkie exclaimed in shock before immediately moving to ask said question. “Hey Raha, Starehe. What has you both so out of sorts with your frolic and romping because you both clearly are not enjoying yourselves?

“What us?”

“Oh, it’s nothing to worry about. We’re just you know frolicking.”

“And…” Starlight inquired expecting the truth.

“Romping.”

“And…” Starlight repeated, expecting more.

“But mainly looking for Queen Dhahabu.”

“Is she with you?”

“Nah.” Bunga shook his head. “She's still touring the Pride Lands. With her new guard.”

Hearing that spark sadden shock to the queen’s most loyal zebra duo. “Her new guard?”

“Oh, we thought she might need us.”

“She's never been apart from us this long.”

“Not even for a few hours?” Fluttershy asked.

“No.”

“Never.”

“Aww. It’ll be okay.” Fluttershy consoled the downtrodden duo. “Both Fuli and Rainbow aren’t happy with their current jobs either even when it’s only for the rest of the day.”

“And don’t worry.” Kion also assured. “We can find her for you so you can get a chance to talk with her.”

Hearing this sparked relief to the two zebras. “Okay.”

“Ono.”

“On it!” Ono moved to fly up to the skies to spot the group out Ono flys to look for Dhahabu.

Said zebra is currently with her new Guard while looking on at a sight that she found rather cute. “They're adorable! What do you call them again?”

Said sight happened to be Fuli with an annoyed and deadpan expression due to finding herself surrounded by the monkey-like Pride Landers with one even leaping on top of her back. “Baboons.” Upon seeing Rainbow unable to resist giggling she immediately shot her a glare at her to get her to cut it out.

“Sorry.”

“Baboons are delightful.” The queen remarked seeing it as a very pleasing sight to behold.

“They sure do love Fuli.” Zuri remarked with a smirk.

While this is going on, Reirei and her pack are currently watching and spying on the group from the shadows of the nearby trees alongside Makucha.

"Ahh!" The leopard grinned with delight. "There you are, your majesty. Long time no satisfying gut filling revenge."

“Would you look at that.” The jackal leader said to her husband before ducking behind the tree they are hiding behind. “A golden zebra.”

“I didn't know they came in different flavors. What you think it tastes like?”

“Only one way to find out.”

"Couldn't have said it better..." Makucha commented with said feeling mutual on something they can agree on for once. "...now let's carry this out and get this over with."

Back with the others…

“Fuli! Let 'em tug your tail again!” Tiifu jokingly urged of the cheetah.

But before anything else can happen they all found themselves alerted to Reirei’s voice as she commanded her pack to attack. “Jackals! Get 'em!”

“Oh, horse crud!” Rainbow remarked with annoyance. “Not these clowns again!”

Upon seeing them everyone else minus Fuli all screamed with fright while the baboons screeched and scurried back up the nearest tree for safety.

“I never thought I'd be happy to see jackals!”

“Me too! Now it’s flank kicking time!

Both speedsters happily expressed before getting ready to fend of the pack coming their way.

“Huwezi! Nobody gets passed me!”

“Or me!”

They both fiercely stated much to the delight of the zebra queen.

“Bravo! My loyal guards! Defend you're queen!”

Given that both Zuri and Tiifu don’t have any fighting experience, they moved to still stand beside or more accurately behind the queen themselves.

“We'll be back here, uh protecting the rear.” The former expressed while still standing her ground along with the latter.

As the jackals made their way towards the group, both Fuli and Rainbow bared their teeth and pounded their hooves together ready to take them down.

At that moment Ono managed to spot them from up high and ahead. “Hapana!” He gasped before quickly flying back to warn everyone about it. “Everyone! I found Dhahabu! So have the jackals!”

“Let's go!”

“Till the Pride Lands and Equestria’s end…”

“Lion and Pony Guard defend!”

“What are jackals?” Raha asked to which Kyoga was quick to answer for them.

“They’re wild predators who serve for a greater enemy in the Outlands. And from the looks of it said ringleader has put a big price on your queen.”

“I’ll say. Especially since they found Dhahahbu.” Starhe replied before moving along with Raha and Kyoga on over to where the danger is ready to help defend in anyway they can.

Back with the queen’s guard where Fuli and Rainbow are still standing their ground...

“I'm warning you. Stay back!”

“Last chance to back away while you still can!”

Reirei however dismissed it high to the sky. “You both might be fast but you can't be everywhere!” At the same time this distraction was proving to be just what the sneaky leopard needed to carefully and stealthily make his way behind the golden zebra so he can attack when she along with her companions least expect it and are unprepared for it.

“True! At least not separately.” Rainbow didn’t even deny it before smirking along with Fuli. “But together we actually can do just that.”

“And since you all asked for it…” Fuli then added before setting her sights to the side of Reirei. “Huwezi!” She quickly moved run circles around the pack while Rainbow was quick to do the same in the opposite direction.

By working together they were both able to create a powerful twister that spun and pulled the jackals off of their paws. Said twister managed to speed off and send them plowing into a far off tree from a distance.

By the time the jackals had managed to recover and find them, the Lion and Pony Guard was already there to greet them.

“And if that wasn’t enough…” Kion began.

“...then there’s more where that came from.” Twilight finished much to Reirei’s shock.

“The Lion and Pony Guard!”

“Yep!” Applejack stated while using her lasso to give the jackals a good ole whiplash before sending it flying. “Giddyup you little doggies!”

“We’re jackals you farm girl!” Reirei snapped.

“I know that!”

“Twende kiboko!” Beshte declared before moving to knock another jackal away.

“Zuka Zama!” Bunga declared before tackling down Goigoi before he could get the chance to catch Beshte and Applejack off guard.

With Reirei alone in the ongoing battle, she found herself having to duck when Ono tried to fly in and peck her head. “Knock it off, ya pesky bird!”

“You think he's pesky?” Fluttershy angrily returned before giving the jackal herself the Stare. “Well I think you should get on going before we send you flying back to where you can from!” She fiercely stated just when Fuli moved to knock down Reirei while disoriented with Rainbow following it up with a tail powered whiplash to knock the jackal away.

“Way to go Fuli!”

“You too, Rainbow Dash!”

Both leaders complimented upon seeing.

While the ongoing chaos was going on, Raha and Starhe who fell behind finally managed to arrive to see the ongoing battle.

“How dreadful!” Raha commented in worry as they see their queen is standing by along with Tiifu and Zuri. “We must find our queen and…” He gasped when he spotted something startling.

“Oh no!” Starhe also gasped upon catching a glimpse of Makucha sneaking up on Dhahabu from the bushes in the rear. “Our queen is in danger! It's time to...”

“Kick and stomp!” Both Straehe and Raha declared before moving to go after the leopard before it’s too late with narrowed eyes and a fierce snort from their nostrils.

“Easy does it. And with a steady pounce that golden treat is good is mine…” Makucha said to himself before finding himself cut off by both Starehe and Raha along with getting a well-deserved butt kicking for the attempt.

“Kick and stomp! Kick and stomp!” The two repeated while repeatedly kicking around the leopard which caught both Kion and Twilight’s attention after they both just got done blasting away a couple jackals that tried to come out them. And seeing him sparked an alarmed reaction in their eyes upon seeing the leopard growling at them for fouling up his hunt.

In response, Makucha growled and snapped his jaws on Starhe's leg and then moved to whack the other zebra aside like a baseball bat to knock them both out of the park. But by then, the attack distracted him enough for both Kion and Twilight to quick restrain him in a bubble of magic.

"Makucha! Long time no see!"

"And quite a surprise seeing you here! That is if you weren't catching you trying to pull a sneaky one on the queen!"

"Feeling's mutual your majesties. What else is there to say?" Makucha mockingly returned as if he doesn't have any other choice now along with refusing to cower and beg for mercy like the other cowardly members of Scar's army would do in his paws.

"Not much!"

"Other than you're going to have to try harder than that next time. All of you, actually."

Upon seeing the glares and scowls from both leaders of the Guard, Reirei had wisely decided that everyone here had dealt with enough punishment before wisely calling for her pack to retreat. “Jackals skedaddle!”

To cap it all off Pinkie Pie herself moved to scoop up the defeated jackals that got captured into her party cannon. “That's right! and stay skedaddle!” She shouted before firing the cannon and sent them flying right into Reirei. Upon spotting one more, she then called out. “Hey zebras! Right over here!”

Kion and Twilight both working together with their combined magic hurled the neutralized leopard like in shot putt before blasting him away in the distance in the same direction towards the retreating jackals. When the leopard landed on the ground he ended up crashing and tumbling into the entire pack causing to all groan in pain when it happened.

"Ow!"

"My leg!" Goigoi screamed in agony.

"Goigoi!" Reirei kicked in the face. "Your leg is fine!" To prove her point she used her tail to lift up who immediately found himself being able to move around just fine.

"Oh, yeah!" Reirei kicked in the face once more. "Ow!"

"Let's just get going before the Lion and Pony Guard ensure that this meal isn't worth it." Makucha commanded of him.

"Well said." Reirei agreed before she and everyone else all ran off together without sparking further attention from the Guard.

After the danger had passed everyone grouped to make sure Queen Dhahabu was okay.

“Are you hurt my queen?”

“Please tell us you're all right.”

The queen’s most loyal zebras asked in concern.

“All right?” Dhahabu asked as if something bad happened. “I'm exhilarated!” She happily exclaimed. “Thanks to the queen's guard! Fuli, Rainbow my champions! You were magnificent! You single handedly held those jackals at bay.”

“Well that’s true…”

“Thanks but…”

Both Rainbow and Fuli humbly returned but with not enough time to fully finish what they were going to say.

“And where are Tiifu and Zuri?”

“Here you're majesty.”

“Both present and accounted for.”

Both girls replied like nothing had happened.

“You two stopped that wreatched creature from attacking me from behind!”

“We did?” Tiifu returned in surprise.

“Thanks, but…” Zuri tried to speak up to correct and clarify that before being cut off.

“You are being far too modest.” The queen zebra replied having none of it.

“But you're Majesty…”

“With all due respect…”

Both Kion and Twilight tried to say before being cut off too.

“Yes yes yes Kion, Twilight. Your guard helped too. There's plenty of credit to go around.”

“I know but we saw Starehe and Raha... “

“And they were the ones who…”

Once more, Raha and Starhe quickly rushed over to correct them mid-sentence.

“Who managed to ensure that we were safe. And we thank him. Both Kion and Twilight.”

“Yes thank you Kion and Twilight.”

Both Kion and Twilight looked on with shock that they’d rather allow it instead of being rightfully credited for the assist in protecting their queen.

“This remarkable day has made me come to a realization.” The golden zebra then declared. “My queen's guard must be permanent.” Everyone all looked on in shock by that declaration. If they could all they would be screaming “WHAT?!” together. “Fuli, Rainbow, Tiifu and Zuri will remain by my side. Always!”

“Huh?”

Both zebras uttered with lowered ears feeling completely shattered and heartbroken by the very statement their queen had just uttered. But even still they both tried to be very good sports about it.

“We celebrate your wisdom, my queen!” Starhe responded with a forced smile.

“Then so shall I! Frolic and romp, with me.”

The zebras then followed suit together. “Frolic and romp! Frolic and romp.”

After the zebras went ahead both Fuli and Rainbow quickly rushed over to their leaders in a desperate plea for them to help them out of this.

“Kion, you have to do something! No way I'm leaving the Lion and Pony Guard.”

“And the same goes for me! Please, Twilight. You gotta help us!”

“Us too!” Tiifu also pleaded. “We don't wanna be here new guards either.”

“Yeah.” Zuri said in agreement. “She actually expects us to guard her! And we’re not fully fit for battle.”

“Please tell us you have something to keep the team from breaking out, Kion and Twilight?” Rarity urged of them while sounding desperate herself.

“Yeah!” Pinkie also insisted while grabbed ahold of both the alicorns by the cheeks. “Not only will our team be broken up, I will also have no time to properly prepare a going away party for them!” Everyone looked on in disbelief and bewildered stares. “You know what I mean! Come on!”

“Kion? Twilight?” Bunga also wondered what they are thinking to resolve this.

“Fuli's part of the team.” Beshte then pointed out.

“And so is Rainbow Dash.” Applejack added.

“But you can't offend the Queen.”

“Remember the water treaty?”

Both Ono and Starlight reminded.

“Of course we do.” Twilight replied to acknowledge that before smiling to assure everyone they have a plan to resolve this. “And how we’re going to get around is something we got an idea on how we’re going to do it.”

“This way it’ll give everyone what they want.” Kion added. “But we’re gonna need a little time.”

“Oh Queen's Guard!” Dhahabu cheerfully called out which prompted the four apart of the team to reluctantly walk on over to her.

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“What can we help you with now?”

Both Fuli and Rainbow reluctantly asked.

“Show me to the nearest watering hole. I must refresh myself before tonight's event!”

“Of course.”

“This way.”

Upon her wishes, Fuli, Rainbow, Tiifu and Zuri all moved to take Dhahabu to the Watering Hole which just so happens to be a small one a fair distance away not to mention an area that Scar hasn’t already conquered, thankfully.

With the time needed already granted to them, both Kion and Twilight moved to talk to both zebras in the meantime.

“Raha? Starehe? We saw what you did to protect Dhahabu.”

“Why wouldn't you let us tell her about it?”

The two zebras glumly replied and confessed.

“The queen loves us because we're happy and carefree.”

“She wouldn't want us to see us acting like that.”

“Acting like what?” Beshte asked as he and the others moved to approach them.

“Kion, Twilight, what're you talking about?” Ono then asked.

“And what is talking to both Raha and Starehe going to accomplish?” Rarity then asked.

Kion turned to the others to answer that last one. “We think Raha and Starehe would make a great queen's guards!”

Said reply sparked surprise among everyone.

“Them?”

“Us?”

“Hold that thought.” Pinkie randomly spoke up with a raised hoof before grabbing a cup of water. She then drank from it and then did a spit take which everyone thankfully dodged in time from especially Starlight. “Them?”

“Yep.” Twilight nodded. “And here’s how we’re going to accomplish that…”

Elsewhere, the four assigned protectors are all watching on as they oversee the golden zebra happily playing in the water. “This water feels divine!”

“How can she be so happy? Can't she see we're miserable?” Tiifu expressed feeling very confused and unhappy herself.

Seeing this sparked confusion from the two speedsters.

“Why are you two so upset?” Fuli asked. “I thought you loved hanging out with royalty. And Dhahabu's a Queen!”

“Which is something that you’d both kill for as much as your first eventual hunt.”

“It was fine for a day.” The former admitted.

“Before the jackals showed up.” The latter added.

“But we can never leave Kiara. She's our best friend.”

“Besides, someday she will be a queen too.”

“And it's up to us to help her be a good one.”

“Right, of course.” Rainbow uttered feeling surprised by that confession along with Fuli.

“Wow I never realized you felt so unhappy with all of this. It’s not something I’d expect from the two of you.”

“Well, in all fairness, we hardly bothered to actually share that with any of you just because.”

“Because why?”

“Because we were a bit too proud and shy to admit it.”

“Makes sense.” But before she could give some heart to heart advice that Fluttershy would give if she were here, she then heard the sound of familiar growling from up ahead. “Uh oh, Look who's back.”

Zuri sighed and rolled her eyes upon seeing the jackals here to try to take out the golden zebra again. “Not again.”

“So much for a heart to heart conversation.” Rainbow remarked with annoyance more at the jackals interrupting the moment before getting ready for another fight.

Back with the rest of the Guard, both Straehe and Raha are left at a loss after both Kion and Twilight explain to them how they can prove to their queen that they are more qualified to be her royal guards than the team she has now.

“But our job is to frolic and romp.”

“That's all the queen ever wants us to do.”

“She might think differently. If she saw you two in action like you both did earlier against that leopard that tried to get the drop on her.” Kion said otherwise.

“And when she does she’ll want to appoint you two to be her new guards sworn by oath to protect her queen.” Twilight then said next optimistic and sure that it’ll work. “Now can you show us that you have that fierce determination for the job?”

“C'mon!” Bunga encouraged. “Show me what you got!”

After a moment the zebras acted but not in the way that they were expecting...

“Frolic and romp! Frolic and romp!”

“I give up.” Bunga frowned in disappointment.

“Not that kind of action.” Starlight corrected while trying really hard not to blow her top at seeing that kind of action again. “Fighting action, you know whenever you get angry and fierce like me or Kion or Twilight here.”

“Sorry.” Raha apologized. “We can't just turn it on and off. At least not like your pink pony friend there.” Said pony is making happy and angry faces like an on and off switch.

“Something has to make us really angry.” Starhe added.

“Okay, so what would it take?” Beshte then asked.

“Another jackal attack?” Starlight also asked.

“Well let’s see…” Ono moved to check out their nearby surroundings and just so happened to spot them out again. “Hapana! The jackals are back! They're attacking the watering hole! Dhahabu's in danger!”

“Dhahabu's in danger?” And that’s what got both Raha and Starehe kicking it into the gear that was needed to get into fighting. “Kick and stomp! Kick and Stomp! Kick and Stomp!” The two then moved to head on over to the watering hole first.

Seeing this spark delighted surprise among the Guard.

“Woah!”

“Okay, now we’re talking!”

“Well, now we know what it takes.”

“Yep.”

Beshte, Starlight, Bunga, and Applejack all commented.

“Come on…” Kion stated before leading the team on after them. “Till the Pride Lands and Equestria’s end…”

“Lion and Pony Guard defend!”

Back at the watering hole, the jackals growled fiercely as they prepared for another fight again.

“We wanna help.” Tiifu voiced mentally readying herself for that fight.

“Then stay by the Queen!” Fuli ordered. "And keep an eye out from behind."

“We won't leave her side!” Zuri vowed before she and Tiifu moved to stand by the alarmed zebra and even turning back to make sure Makucha isn't around to try to pull the same stealthy trick again.

“You should have come back, Reirei! You've already been beaten once today!”

“And don’t even think this fight won’t be able different because we can do it again!”

Both Fuli and Rainbow angrily declared.

But even still Reirei wasn’t backing down nor dropping that smug grin of hers. “But this time we brought some extra teeth!” Said extra teeth just so happens to belong to someone mean and green.

“Crocodiles!” Tiifu and Zuri screamed upon seeing them coming up from behind.

“Surprise surprise surprise!” Goigoi commented with glee with numbers now on their side.

But at that moment they were all drawn to the sounds of Raha and Starehe’s voice coming up on the horizon. “Kick and stomp! Kick and stomp!”

Upon turning towards each other the two smirked before wising backing away.

“You're in for a surprise all right.”

“And I hope you like parties because you’re in for a special treat for this one.”

“Kick and stomp! Kick and stomp!” The two repeated as they arrived on the scene.

“What in the Outlands?” Before Reirei and her pack could react they found themselves suddenly trampled by the two.

Not only that they proceeded to effortlessly take out the crocodiles attempting to attack the queen. Yet little do they realize is that Makucha himself has found a nice strong tree to give himself a flying boost to attack in everyone else's blind spot.

“Raha? Starehe? Is that really you?” Dhahabu asked in surprise upon seeing them in action like this especially after kicking the crocodiles right on top of the jackals.

“I told you those striped varmints was mean!” Goigoi commented to his wife who likewise felt they needed to cut their losses for good this time.

“Jackals! Skedaddle!”

Both the jackals and crocodiles proceeded to do just that much to the amused surprise of the Guard watching on.

“That was the most easiest fight ever.” Bunga commented.

“No kidding!” Pinkie agreed before looking at a watch she had handy. “And it only took fifteen seconds to beat them. At this rate, they’ll be on par with doing it as fast as Rainbow Dash can clear the clouds from the skies and that’s ten seconds flat.”

“We’ll see, Pinkie Pie. We’ll see.” Rainbow replied to remind her friend not to get ahead of herself in that regard.

At that moment, Makucha made the sling shot leap towards Makucha while everyone's back were turned. Something that both Zuri and Tiifu managed to actually spot out.

"Your majesty!"

"Heads up!"

"Huh?" The golden zebra moved to do exactly that in time to see the leopard himself coming right at him. Luckily she quickly able to spin around kick him away before he could strike. Upon landing and tumbling across the dirt, she moved to place a firm hoof to pin the leopard down to keep him from making another move against her. "Hi." She pleasantly greeted. "Long time no see." Makucha could only grunt in dismay in response rather than repeat the earlier exchange with both Kion and Twilight. "Wish I could say it better but given the circumstances I can't find it in my heart to do so. Now..." She turned to the leaders of the Guard. "...Kion. Twilight? What do you both suggest for a proper "Get out of here! message for our enemies?"

"If I were you in your hooves..."

"I'd go with the Iron. The 3 Iron."

With a magical spark, the two were able to conjure up golden colored iron horseshoes for the golden zebra. And after a little frolic and romping she moved to turn herself around to give the defeated leopard another swift and powerful kick like she is teeing off to send him flying off yelling in pain.

After the danger had passed, Dhahabu approached both Starehe and Raha in astonishment with what she saw just not. “Raha! Starehe! I've never seen you like that.”

Both zebras looked on feeling apologetic and embarrassed in response.

“Sorry, oh queen.”

“So embarrassing.”

Dhahabu however said otherwise feeling like she has some apologies she needs to give herself while giving her fellow the zebras the praise they fully deserve. “Embarrassing? I don't think so.” Turning to the four she assigned to protect her up until now. “Fuli, Rainbow, Tiifu, Zuri. I'm sorry, but I no longer need you to be my Queen's guard. It seem I've had a Queen's guard all along. I just never knew it. Until now.” She then added. “That is of course if you’re up for the job along with being willing to accept my apology for not realizing it sooner.”

It didn’t even take a second for the two to make up their minds on that.

“Of course we accept your apology.”

“Who are we to give our queen the cold shoulder?”

“Certainly not me.” Starlight chuckled. “You know I’m kidding right?”

“Of course, Starlight. We’re all friends here.” Dhahabu giggled taking it with a sense of humor.

At sunset everyone has all regathered at Pride Rock where Dhahabu makes her speech after cementing the latest negotiations in order to ensure that the pact between the Pride Lands and the Back Lands will thrive for many dry seasons to come.

“And I hope this water treaty may allow friendship and goodwill to flow between our realms forever!” She declared much to the cheering delight of everyone in attendance.

As the Pride Landers and ponies all cheered, Dhahabu turned to smile at Starehe and Raha knowing full well that she can trust them to protect her going forward with even more trust between then before.

“Welcome back to the Lion and Pony Guard, Rainbow and Fuli.” Twilight happily said to the two standing by their side. “Did the queen at least treat you well enough while serving as her guards?”

“At least enough to make it worth our while.” Rainbow replied with content in her tone of voice as she said it to showcase she's pleased that it all worked out in the end.

“You gonna miss being Queen Dhahabu's guards?” Kion then asked to make sure they're both really okay with the golden zebra's decision.

“I'm happy right where I am.” Fuli replied already not sweating about not being apart the queen’s guard. “Home sweet home.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Same here.”

All while this is going on, Scar’s watchful eyes looked on narrowed with disdain upon seeing the water treaty still going. But still wasn’t bothered too much since he knows for a fact that there are bigger prizes on the horizon with more pieces of the Pride Lands that have yet to be claimed. And by keeping his army on the down low, they have the ability to maintain that element of surprise they need in order to obtain it.

Author's Note

Here in this episode, the Golden Zebra herself makes her return as she travels to the Pride Lands for an important negotiation with the lion king himself along with the princesses in order to ensure the ongoing Water Treaty stays intact. Along the way she finds herself taking up Fuli, Rainbow, Tiffu, and Zuri as her new formed Queen's Guard after being saved by a fire caused by dry lightning.

A decision that her most loyal zebras feel left out because of it and left feeling they need to further prove their worth to her. Which they thankfully manage to do when Scar sends some of his army after her in an attempt to sabotage the treaty and spare the reluctant Pride Landers and pony from the Guard from being separated from home. By the end of the day, it all worked out and the Treaty still stays intact.

Up next we will have another filler episode in place and if all goes right I may have it ready in time for Christmas so stay tuned until then...

Episode 35: The Pony-napolis 500

Episode 35:

The Pony-napolis 500

Somewhere, inside is in a area of pitch dark blackness where a certain voice is heard inside taking deep breaths inhaling and exhaling.

“Okay, here we go.” Rainbow said to herself trying to be as calm and cool as the color on her coat. “Speed! I am speed.” He briefly envisions cars on the track going at incredible speeds. “One winner. 42 losers. I eat losers for breakfast.” He envisions a very familiar car whizzing past on a racetrack. “Breakfast? Wait, maybe I should have had breakfast?” She then thought to herself now distracted from what she was focusing on. “A little breaky could be good for me.” She then shook her head. “No, no, no, stay focused. Speed!” She then envisions the cars whizzing and racing on the track at top speed briefly. “I'm faster than fast, quicker than quick! I am Lightning!”

Just then she heard a knock on the door. “Correction! You’re name’s Rainbow Dash! Silly!” Pinkie’s voice happily voiced as she giggled.

“Anyways…” Fuli spoke up continuing forward. “...you ready?”

The trailer door opened thus allowing Rainbow to emerge into the light along with whatever she has prepared and in store for what’s about to happen today. “Oh! The Dash is ready!”

Slowly and surely different parts of a body for a car emerge from the trailer. A car that is shining bright blue on the exterior, with a huge lightning bolt matching her cutie mark painted all across both sides of the car. In addition to the black and red racing tires, her racing car sports a number on the sides too. Number 1.

Upon emerging from the shadows, cameras were all over Rainbow Dash and her car as she looks on at the huge crowd in the stadium. Everyone from the Pride Lands and Equestria have all gathered here together today to watch her as she tackles on this very race. And yes, they all made sure to get her good side and good looks as she briefly posed for the cameras. All while wearing her dark blue Wonderbolt suit fit for racing.

“It’s going to be a great race.” Fuli said to the others as like Rainbow Dash, she along with Applejack and Rarity all wearing their racing suits all watched on as their friend basks in the attention she is getting right now.

“Oh, yeah!”

After a fair minute of pre-race pics and posing, the crew dispersed allowing Rainbow to speak to her friends who will be joining her in competing in this race too. “Ah!” Rainbow happily sighed. “They just never get enough of me do they?”

“Nope.”

“Not you.”

“Not in many years to come.”

“But still isn’t this sweet?!” Rainbow could hardly hold down her excitement. “The first ever Pony-napolis 500 is finally here!”

“It is sweet!” Fuli agreed before sporting an equally competitive smirk. “Because I’m also already looking forward to it myself!”

“Even sweeter…” Applejack then spoke up. “...the winner of this race wins that sweet cash prize in the end. Something that you’re already looking forward too!”

“Heck, yeah!”

“And that is by your definition, a million bits?” Rarity asked already amused herself.

“Of course, Rarity! Because it is a million bits!”

“Enough to fund you for life. Or in my case should I get lucky enough to win, money to buy me necessities for my growing fashion business along with funding for when dear Sweetie Belle goes to college.”

Applejack chuckled. “Nice to see ya’ll speaking ma language because it’s like my needs too only more of an apple farm business than fashion, of course.”

“Along with mine in being able to be set for life myself, at least with a living in Ponyville. Outside of that, I wouldn’t know what else to do with all of that money.” Fuli chimed in herself.

“Well in any case…” Twilight’s voice spoke up as she appeared with both Kion and Shining Armor following behind her. “...as long as you all are having fun and being safe, that’s all that matters, win or lose.”

“Not only that by participating and putting forward the money to help make this happen, it is all going towards a good cause as we keep raising money needed in order to keep funding this ongoing war against Scar and his followers.” Kion added.

“Right, of course. The important good stuff to always remember.” Rainbow returned in a friendly manner where if this was years ago, she would have wasted no time mocking that very wisdom word of word.

“And what about you two?” Applejack then asked. “Aren’t you two racing?”

“Nope.”

“Not us.”

“But he is.”

“Shining Armor?” Fuli asked said stallion already dressed up for the occasion.

“Yep! That’s right! I can say right now I’m already looking forward to racing alongside you all here today! It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do when growing up! Only I just never had the time do it until now.”

“Does Cadance know you’re here?” Applejack curiously and suspiciously asked. “Because it doesn’t sound like it is her kind of thing she would want to see you doing, from what I’ve heard.”

“Shh!” The older unicorn quickly hushed her. “As far as she knows I am out shopping for things I need to keep up with security for this kingdom and that alone.”

“Uh-huh. And you aren’t worried this will come back to bite you in the rump?”

“Of course not! What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her and even if she did find out later on she’ll find there is nothing to worry about.” He then added confidently. “Not only that I’ve been sure I did my homework on this race before coming in here today.”

‘And by that, he means that I’ve been helping him memorize the rules to the T along with making sure his race car is race eligible. Which is why I am here to serve as his crew chief for this race.”

“And I will be serving as Applejack’s crew chief!” Kion added. “Not only that Ono has agreed to serve as Rarity’s crew chief too.”

Turning to Fuli, Rarity asked. “And what about you, Fuli?”

“I’ve got Kyoga backing me up for this race.” Fuli answered. “So not to wonder, I have my bases covered even knowing this race forward, reverse, neutral, sideways, front ways, back ways, along with every other direction you can think of. Either way, I’m ready.”

“Then I hope you all are hungry, because you’re all going to be eating my dust!” Rainbow boasted before moving to get his ride ready for the race.

As for how the race turns out, it’s anyone’s guess for how this race turns out whether it turns out the way one hopes. And one thing’s for sure is that it’s going to be a hay of a race for everyone involved.

The day of the race indeed attracted a significant crowd to the site of the race track, which was located in an open area a way away from both Canterlot and Ponyville. While it was a bit of a flight and walk for others, it was a necessity if they wanted to find a big enough area to be to build this their speedway and stadium. Every seat in the stands was packed, with the audience from both kingdoms both young and old.

From high above, the familiar hot air balloon carried Pinkie Pie, Bunga, and Spike, as they looked down at the race track down below as the drivers are all getting ready to get in their vehicles. From down below, Starlight is standing off to the side before moving to project her horn to generate a powerful magical projection screen.

"Hello and welcome one and all to the first annual Pony-napolis 500!" Spike greeted from up in the balloon, using a microphone! "The very first race where racing champions from all over the two kingdoms get together to show everyone how fast they are all really are! I'm Spike here with my good co-hosts Pinkie and Bunga!"

"Hello!”

“Hi!”

“As you can see, everyone here is all gathered together for what is expected to be the biggest event in the history of racing!”

“Yep!” Bunga nodded taking his turn to speak. “As you can see this whole new stadium is packed. Right here in Los Pegasus Motor Speedway! Tickets for this race are hotter than sales than the annual bake sale!”

“Right you are, Bunga!” Pinkie happily said in agreement. “43 drivers in a 500 lap winner take all race, where the winner will win the big trophy and large one million bit cash prize that comes with it!”

And I'm Pinkie Pie." Pinkie announced. “And for those who have the misfortune of being unable to watch this race not to worry, our good friend Starlight Glimmer will be broadcasting and recording this race so you can all watch it from afar.”

“That’s right!” Bunga spoke next. “And you know, I have went through a lot of missions, excitement, and action, but I can tell you right now, I’ve never seen anything so exciting like this!”

“Me neither!” Spike shook his head. “In fact, the whole country has almost shut down to watch what many experts are calling the race of the century.”

Among the audience, Cheerilee herself had a big bow tied to the back of her head, that was purple and yellow in color, and she had on a white cheerleader outfit with yellow trim, and yellow and purple stripes, as well a yellow skirt with purple lines to it. She also had two yellow pom-poms currently in her hooves, and it was obvious she was even more cheerful and upbeat than she normally was all while joining the other cheerleaders who have agreed to perform for this very race.

Pinkie beamed, as she looked down as the pace car leads the field of racers are exiting pit lane as they all line up single file. “And now for our champion racing contenders for this race as they all make up the front rows of this opening lineup. Starting with one the biggest favorites of this race and that is none other than Rainbow Dash herself. Sporting the rocking sky blue and red color scheme accompanied with her trademark rainbows in the Number 1 car hoping to take this race in flying colors from the pole position.”

“We know she does have the speed to pull it off, though she tends to struggle a little on corner entry which could be a problem if she is not careful enough.” Spike added with his analysis.

“But come on!” Bunga insisted otherwise. “Let’s not forget she has been very keen on watching on for every little detail and factor that could prove crucial here so I think it’s safe to say the Dash will be prepared for this race every straightway and every corner for this race.”

Pinkie then moved on to the next racer seeded in second place. “And as always there is always racing by her side, Fuli sporting the yellow and red paint scheme on her car. She is also a front runner hoping to have a say about that as she prepares to race it out in her number 75 car.”

“I wonder why she choose that number?” Bunga asked.

“Because that is the fastest speed she has ever recorded while running.” Spike answered. “So it makes sense since that is the current fastest record for the fastest cheetah in Savannah.”

“And she is still young, we can see more records achieved in no time at all! Who knows?! Maybe she actually reach triple digits at her peak!”

“We’ll see.” Pinkie then moved on to the next row. “Though those starting behind them might have a shot at the title, with the driver backing the one in the pole position being none other that Shining Armor himself who has come all the way from the Crystal Empire to join in on the fun! Sporting the royal purple and yellow color scheme with the number 11 on his ride to race!”

“You’re right about that, Pinkie.” Spike commented. “The Knight in Shining Armor himself came into this race with a desire to fulfill a fillyhood passion. And now he is finally getting to live out his dream here today.”

“Will he be able to go all the way to bring home the trophy himself and reap in all of the royal rewards that come with it?” Bunga asked as he commented.

“Who knows?” Pinkie shrugged. “The same can be said for Applejack making up the second row riding along in the tiger mobile. Sporting the number 16 with black stripes, the well known apple farmer is seeking to earn herself dough to feed the entire Apple Family.”

“And judging from the look on her face and stripes on her car, she is looking mighty serious about this race.” Bunga commented while growling like a tiger. “Hoping that she is lucky dog winner with the speed and fierceness that comes with it.” Just then they heard a real tiger’s growl from nearby. “I didn’t mean it as an insult, buddy so calm down! Geez!”

“Anyways…” Spike continued. “...it’ll take a lot of luck and power for the Apple Family’s golden girl to pull it off and win all those golden apples so let’s hope endurance can keep pace with speed itself.”

“We can only hope where time will tell, and speaking of time, we have another pony who rounds off the top five here today and that so happens to be a friend you all know." Pinkie happily exclaimed. "Rarity herself, who like Applejack has a ride built for endurance. The old fashioned or newly fashioned diamond colored car with the number 89. Completely white and divine of brightness as she would describe it.”

“That’s right, couldn’t have said it any better.” Spike commented. “Hard to believe that the pony of fashion would know a thing or two about driving a race car. But she has proven it with her qualifying times to earn her place in the starting lineup.”

“She sure has!” Bunga agreed, “Hopefully she is able to back up all of her boasts with a strong performance here in this race along with not trying to bribe her way to victory lane!”

“When has she ever done anything like that?!” Spike asked incredulous at that last statement.

“Never.” Bunga shrugged. “I was just joking around for entertainment.”

“Moving forward…” Pinkie continued. “...with the rest of the field compromised of many new and unknown faces from the mean and green Makuu in the 68, or the , there is going to be only one winner taking home the trophy here today.”

“And with things about to get underway we are getting ready to wave the green flag in just about one more lap.” Spike then said next.

“So get ready everyone because this race is about get underway!” Bunga declared as the drivers all lock eyes on the track ahead of them while side glancing each other as they round the track one more time before getting ready to race. And as the round the last corner, the pace car got off of the track allowing Rainbow Dash to lead the field while the green flag waves for the first time today. “Boogity, Boogity, Boogity, let’s go racing, boys!”

All ready in the opening laps, Rainbow felt that energy and passion while riding at top speed, from picking it up gear by gear, increasing miles per hour, and pulling out ahead, she was all ready in the zone. But she wasn’t alone thanks to both Shining Armor and Fuli both being hot right on his rear bumper. Both drivers found themselves taking turns finding openings they can seize to try to get by him.

After ten laps of Rainbow managing a slim lead, both Shining Armor and Fuli made a run on her. The former is now looking into the inside while the latter is looking in on the outside. Rainbow found herself riding the middle in an effort to keep both drivers at bay though it wasn’t easy due to having to be careful with how she maneuvers the car and maintain speed since the corners are sharp enough to send someone into the wall. But she was able to keep them both at bay and prevented them from passing.

“Ten laps in, and the pole sitter is still holding a slim lead.” Spike commented.

“Hey look, both Fuli and Shining Armor’s got a run on her!” Bunga then pointed out. “They’re looking to the inside and outside! Oh! Rainbow’s got her bases covered and she barely keeping the doors closed on them!”

“Yep!” Pinkie nodded. “Rainbow’s not making it easy on them today!”

“But wait...those two behind her have got other ideas up ahead!”

Seeing that this approach isn’t working had the two changing tactics by switching the attempts of riding the inside and outside. Upon seeing this had Rainbow react accordingly while moving to block off Shining Armor, it moves to pave way for Fuli to sneak on by the inside and pass on by for the lead.

“Huwezi!”

“Hold on there!” Rainbow moved to work her way behind Fuli’s bumper before moving to retake the lead back from her on the back straightway.

The cheetah then maneuvered her car around so that she can keep on the Peagsus’s bumper before forcing her way inside. By the time the two were rounding back onto the main straightway the two were neck and neck crossing the finish line together.

“Whoa! What a move by Fuli and just like that they are both neck and neck for the lead!” Bunga commented with excitement.

“But they’re not alone! They still got Shining Armor close behind him, but it looks like he is bidding his time right now.” Spike then commented next.

“That’s right! Pinkie noted. “Especially considering that he nearly didn’t make qualifying and nearly didn’t pass inspection beforehoof.”

All while Shining Armor keeps a close and comfortable pace behind them. And that’s because he has his crew chief guiding him from these early laps. “You’re doing great, big brother. Just keep close behind.” She advised through her headset while stationed on a booth over his pit stall.

“But what if I find another opening?”

“If you can find a way to clear them without getting caught in a three wide situation, go for it. If not, steer clear until them. Remember there are the times when you bring it to pit road where you can gain the advantage over them. A good pit stop could mean the difference between victory and defeat.”

“Okay, I will take your word for it, Twily.”

And sure enough the time for the first round of pit stops came after the first forty laps had passed.

“Now comes the first round of green flag pit stops where the first test of strategy comes to play in these next five laps.” Spike then said next as the first to come to pit road are both Applejack and Rarity who are both close together even when it seems that the gap would be much larger. “Up first are Applejack and Rarity who are still couple car lengths apart from each other.” Upon entering their stalls, they both got four freshly changed tires and a full tank of full. “And it looks like Rarity will beat Applejack off of pit road after a clean graceful stop here.”

“Yep. Unfortunately Applejack’s tire changer didn’t properly secure the lug nuts, and that’s going to cost her big time.” Bunga then noted.

“Oh! Tough break for the Apple Car!!” Pinkie commented upon seeing the grunts of frustration from said earth pony having to wait longer in order the tires are fully secure.

“Don’t worry, Applejack!” Kion assured over the radio. “We got a faster car now so we should be able to make up ground in no time.”

“I’d better hope so.”

Next up is Fuli and Shining Armor, both giving up the chase after Rainbow Dash so they can pit.

“Up next both Fuli and Shining Armor are both coming in, giving up their pursuit of Rainbow Dash who remains out in front.” Spike then commented next. “And they are both getting four new tires and a full tank of fuel.”

“Over forty laps in and these green flag pit stops are already heating up, just look at the speed the pit crew is working at in order to ensure they execute this perfectly!” Bunga commented next.

“And for a pony who has been playing sports, he sure has been doing his research! Or more accurately, that’s because he has the best crew chief a pony could ask for!” Pinkie giggled as they watch Twilight carefully monitoring their progress accordingly.

So far the alicorn was liking what she was seeing and soon enough, her brother was out of the gates faster than Fuli who is now a couple car lengths back herself.

After forty-five laps, Rainbow was the only one who has yet to come in to pit road. She still kept pouring the speed into her car while trying to lap the entire field, but deep down she knew was a lap to two away from running out of gas and that she had to come in.

"All right, Dash!" Spitfire's voice called out through her intercom serving as her crew chief with her fellow Wonderbolts serving as her pit crew. "Bring her in, now."

“After holding out as long as she could, Rainbow is finally going into the pits.” Spike commented first.

“And with a lot of rubber worn, she is going to hope her lead was big enough to hold on to it.” Bunga then added next.

“Here she goes...with the four-tire stop and fuel…” Pinkie then said as they all watch as the race leader’s pit stop is underway. “So far so good...all four tires are coming along nicely...and she’s off. What a pit stop by the Dash!” Rainbow carefully watched her speed until she exited pit road before taking off and getting back on the track just a few seconds ahead of both Shining Armor and Fuli. “And she’s still got the lead!”

“Amazing that actually worked since those with fresher tires tend to gain more time and speed on those who stay out longer.” Spike noted next. “But someway somehow she’s managed to make it work. Apparently she knows something we don’t know.”

“We sure don’t! And this is only the beginning now that we’ve completed fifty laps thus far with much more action and drama to come!” Bunga commented next.

"Nice job, Wonderbolts!" Spitfire complimented the team. "Keep it up!"

And sure enough there is more to come when the leaders speed is so fast that they all managed to start hitting lap traffic and that happened thirty laps later.

“Eighty laps in and we’re already starting to hit the first wave of lap traffic!” Spike then commented as the leaders first encounter the tail end of the competition up ahead.

Said competitors happen to be Basi, Laini, and Derpy who are still keeping themselves on the course even with their struggles.

“Oh, yeah! Here we go! All of the navigating, evading, and careful driving as they all rush to hold their positions!” Bunga added with a look of excitement as the top three drivers are the first to make their moves to get by.

Rainbow Dash with the swift and cocky demeanor cleared the three like he is playing a video game here. She then proceeds to move on ahead to the next three drivers in line who all happen to be Muhangus and Bulk Biceps, who both likewise were smart enough to stay clear of the faster traffic.

But the same couldn't be said for the two rhino drivers who were literally blocking off the lane. Fortunately, for her, She moved her car to ride the fence a little before moving on right in front of them much to their surprise. All while smiling and winking on to his fans watching her on the big screen.

“And look at Rainbow Dash, carrying on like this is an ordinary day on the practice field with the Wonderbolts!” Spike commented as she speeds her way through lap traffic with a sizable gap for the lead now.

“Although she is still not completely out of the woods since Shining Armor and Fuli are still trying to keep up with her.” Pinkie reminded as said racers are moving their way through traffic despite not having an easier time than Rainbow Dash.

Shining Armor found himself having to be patient about passing before finally getting by and Fuli herself was finding herself a bit more agitated due to trying and failing to make moves to get by them. It helps for the former thanks to his crew chief's constant coaching on the matter.

Applejack who had managed to use this to advantage to regain ground was able to pass Rarity and then later Fuli during the clustered up parts of the race. Seeing this prompted the latter to follow her line in an effort to keep herself from losing anymore ground then she already has.

Then came the second round of pit stops, where everyone makes their way to pit stop for their next stops even during the hectic traffic and commotion all around them. Much like the last round of stops most of the competition stuck to their strategies although Fuli herself frustrated from the lost time spent in lapped traffic opted to stay out as long as she can until she had to come in. And when she did…

“Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on!” She roared as her crew got together for the quickest stop they can do. “Faster! Come on! I got to get back out there before she does…” Said someone is Rainbow Dash on the verge of lapping her. “...Hurry up!”

“You’re good! You’re good!” One of the pitties reported allowing Fuli to take off from her stall.

“Whoa! Look at the pressure Fuli’s feeling!” Bunga commented as she makes her way across pit road before furiously roaring her car back onto the track. “And yet a remarkable stop that’s good enough to keep herself from being lapped!”

“And yet Rainbow still has yet to pit!” Spike pointed out. “Which should be in another lap or two!” When the time comes. “And here she comes now after another forty-five laps!”

“Oh! Here we go!” Pinkie happily commented next. “She’s coming in strong like before!” She sees her move into her pit stall for the same stop as before. “She’s getting her tires and gas as strong and fast like before!” After a good quick stop, she was already taking off. “And she is making her out as quickly as last time!” She then sees her make her way back on the track with a larger gap over the second and third place drivers than last time. “And with a larger lead than before!”

“About a whole straightway now!” Spike added. “And we’re only a hundred laps in this race!”

“At this rate, it’s going to take something that Rainbow has no experience at to close the gap on him!” Bunga then commented next just amazed as said pony is just cruising and building her lead with every passing lap.

Said challenge happened to be Spoiled Rich who happened to be riding the 86 with her white and slightly yellow and greenish car who happened to be the most frustrating competitor who even happened to get into the racing field. The former member of the school board was managing just fine as if she was aggressively driving on the highway in another dimension. She was racing fine and had managed to work her way to around the top 10, but not without getting a little pushy with the other drivers. And by that it involves actually bumping into others to get them to spin out yet in a way that it ‘looks’ like an accident. All while carrying on with a mean grin to show no remorse for her overly aggressive attitude.

Considering of how she managed to make it convincing in an angle that the race officials didn’t quite get a solid look at it, it’s amazing that she hasn’t been black flagged for it. And that came to the test when Rainbow Dash appeared on the outside ready to lap her all while smirking and raising her eyebrows as if it’s to mock her.

Upon seeing her had the snobbish mare try to pick up the pace to avoid being lapped by the lead racer. “No, you don’t!”

After allowing her to pull ahead while on the outside, Rainbow moved to change lanes before passing on the inside lane. All while chuckling before pulling ahead. “See ya, later, alligator!” A familiar reptile, Makuu glared at her in response as the Pegasus pony passed by. “I said alligator, not crocodile! Geez! Can’t a pony say phrases that don’t involve you and your kind directly?!”

“No! But it’s still disrespectful!” He bluntly returned just as Spolied Rich moved to gain on her.

With a mean grin, she gave Rainbow’s car a bump causing her to slide off of the track and into the infield. But before that could happen, Rainbow however was able to turn her tires in a way so she is still sliding yet still moving forward without losing a lot of speed. And then she was able to hold it long enough to regain her ground and stay on the track while still maintaining the lead.

“Oh! And what a save by the Dash!”

“And she’s still got the lead by a mini mile!”

“But now she’s hungry for payback for what Spoiled Rich did and she is not happy!”

In quick time with the upcoming lap traffic, Rainbow was able to maneuver her car back up to Spoiled Rich’s back bumper before moving to find another way to get around her. And that was giving her a little ‘excuse me’ and ‘thank you’ nudge to get by her quickly along with Makuu before flying right by to prevent her from getting that chance again.

Frustrated she moved to body slam her car into another car that tried pass her from behind, someone that just had the misfortune of riding beside her, causing said driver to crash into the other drivers. "Get through that, superstar!"

“Oh! And Spoiled Rich is causing more problems for the other drivers again!” Pinkie exclaimed in shock.

“With trouble on Turn 3!”

“Along with a huge crash in the mix!”

Both Spike and Bunga added.

The crowd gasped in shock with others jeering Spoiled Rich for what she just did even when she feels she did nothing wrong. “Ah, suck up you big fillies!” But even still that was more than enough for the officials to throw her the black flag with a white “X” on it to signal to her that she has been disqualified from the race and is ordered to park it immediately. “Are you kidding me?! Why?!” She angrily demanded while moving park her car at the start/finish line with the yellow flag also being waved for the rest of the field.

“Oh boy, Spoiled Rich is now making a scene at the start/finish line!” Bunga commented first on the spectacle. “And it’s not pretty!”

“Reminds me of a time she got herself arrested shortly after being fired and she snapped at an officer for something that was also clearly her fault.” Spike then recalled. “And boy, she was red with anger as much as her eyes from the pepper spray she took in that day!”

“No kidding! And pepper spray does not taste great on eggs let me tell you!” Pinkie added while recalling her eyes getting watery and red due to actually doing just that.

The others blinked in confusion while looking at her.

“Wait?!”

“You what?!”

Back then, she had just placed it on her eggs. “Hey!” An officer quickly rushed over to the table at the cafe she was sitting it. “Give me my pepper spray back!”

“Oh, come on! One squirt and you’re south of the border!” She protested before taking a bit from her scrambled eggs. “Mmm! Incapacitating!” She said with cheery delight even while her eyes are turning red.

The cop just shook her head before gently guiding the pony away from her plate. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you get to the hospital safely!” She then muttered to herself. “Gotta learn things the hard way these days!”

“But I’m fine! Really!”

“No, you’re not!”

"Ah, yes. Good times." Pinkie blissfully thought nothing of the trip to the hospital and doctor's recommendations going forward from the whole experience.

"Okay..."

"Thank you for sharing that with us..."

Both Bunga and Spike awkwardly returned while opting not to question it any further before moving ahead with the current ongoing situation on the race track down below.

Back on the race track, most of the field is sent crashing and flying around across turns 3 and 4 of the speedway along with one losing a tire in the process. All while screaming and unable to stop the inevitable from happening.

At one point two cars stopped literally facing one another trying to share a good laugh with one another. Only for the moment to be cut short when two drivers came their way with the former being crashed by Bulk Biceps and the other being crashed by Derpy with the latter riding on top of car she crashed into.

Among the chaos are the three leaders where the former is effortlessly driving through and evading the chaos in front of him even with zero visibility in the area.

“Wait a second, Bunga, Pinkie! Rainbow along with Shining Armor and Fuli are in the wreckage!”

“What?! Really?!” Pinkie exclaimed in shock.

“There’s no way they can make it through! Not in one piece that is!” Bunga also commented while loving the craziness that is happening but feeling worried for his friends down there.

“But just look at those evasive maneuvers!” Pinkie excitably commented. “Zig-zag! Zig-zag! Zig-zag!”

“No! No! No!” Bunga shook his head. “It’s more like squiggly squigg maneuvers! Squiggle Squigg!”

Fortunately for him, those worries were quelled when the three, one by one, managed to clear every car that came right at them, going left and right, zig-zag, swerving, and even little etch and sketch here and there…

...then came a couple cars crashed and parked in the middle of road ahead of them.

Seeing this prompted each and every one them preparing themselves to jump by hopping their cars up onto said cars before using that momentum to leap themselves up into the air. From the corner of Turn 4 each and every one of them emerged from the smoke and dust that had accumulated from the massive wreck.

Rainbow made sure to give the crowd a pose and wink before landing. “Yeah!”

“Yeah! Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo cheered from the stands.

“Would you look at that! Rainbow along with Shining Armor and Fuli all made it through!” Bunga commented just amazed with what he just saw with each of the top three drivers one by one driving on towards the start/finish line where they got to witness Spoiled Rich being dragged away in cuffs after being pepper sprayed in the eyes again.

“No kidding! That was most 120% spectacular racing I have ever seen!” Pinkie happily yelled.

“You said it!” Spike agreed. “And a spectacular move by the top three drivers in this race! Fuli, Shining Armor, and Rainbow Dash!”

“Aw, yeah!” Rainbow cheered while basking in the glory of his ongoing success by her many fans in attendance.

“Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash! Yeah!”

“Yeah! Rainbow Dash!”

“And with this caution coming out just around the window for scheduled pit stops 125 laps in, everyone will be coming in!”

Before the green light could be given for racers to enter pit road, a tow truck has been called to tow the damaged beyond repair vehicles into the garage to retire for the rest of the race.

Much like before the pit stops, went through with the usual stops. Rainbow Dash’s team of Wonderbolts got her out as quickly as possible so she could continue holding onto the lead. Since they knew how to work fast and well together as a team, they definitely had Rainbow’s back in ensuring the fastest car of this race stays out in front.

Other stops varied like before since some of the drivers decided to opt for two-tire strategy's in an effort to gain some short term speed to compete with Rainbow. Said change up caused both Shining Armor and Fuli to be caught up in the pits.

“While Rainbow Dash once more retains the lead, both Shining Armor and Fuli got caught up in the pits!” Spike commented first.

“That’s right, with the excellence and awesomeness Rainbow has shown others are now changing up their strategies opting for only two tires this time around going forward.” Bunga commented next.

“And with others like Shining Armor and Fuli still sticking with four tires, they're going to have to hope that this race stays green because they’ve got a lot of ground to make up.” Pinkie added as the lights on the pace car come off after crossing the start/finish line once more. “Get ready everybody and everypony, we’re coming to the restart!”

Upon rounding Turn 4, the pace car pulled over to the pits, and the race official at the start/finish line waves the green flag. Upon seeing it had Rainbow Dash driving out through the gates and in full throttle in the lead.

The race itself continued to progress with little to no problems which proved to be just the kind of racing both Shining Armor and Fuli needed as they worked their way up through the field.

After 20 laps of racing, the two tire stop strategy has worn thin for the half dozen drivers that pursed that move, allowing Shining Armor to make his move back into the top 5 on lap 146. Fuli would then follow suit on lap 148.

Ten laps later, both Applejack and Rarity are finding themselves working their way back up into the top 15 though both of them had to find themselves being patient in dealing with them which thankfully only took a few more laps at best.

After another round of pit stops, Rainbow finds her excelling lead has grown into a half a straightway once more before beginning lap 188 of the race. At the same time, Shining Armor managed to make his way back up to third while Fuli manages to make her way into fifth.

By lap 230, Rainbow’s lead has amounted to a full straightaway once more. By then Shining Armor and Fuli are now back up to second and third respectively. In addition both Applejack and Rarity having traded places in the long term have managed to get back into the top 10 placing eighth and ninth respectively.

“Oh boy! Just look at Rainbow Dash! She is clearly in a class of her own! And just driving through this like it’s an ordinary Sunday flight at flight camp!” Bunga commented with amazement as they watch her drive and pit with speed and style.

“No kidding! And yet there is still plenty of racing left here today!” Spike commented next. “Question is can anyone challenge Rainbow Dash at all here today?”

“I don’t know!” Pinkie returned feeling unsure herself. “It depends on what it all comes down to when we reach our closing laps of this race! And that’s still a way’s away! And who knows maybe that’s a question she wouldn’t have to answer herself.”

Sure enough, that last statement is proven true come lap 499 of the race where Rainbow Dash is still leading. On Turns 3 and 4 most of the remaining lead lap drivers, which is now amounted to a half dozen drivers, Shining Armor, Fuli, Rarity, Applejack, Bupu, and Laini. In addition, Makuu, Derpy, the hippos, and the rhinos are all still on the track even while a couple to few laps back from the lead lap drivers as they all cross the start/finish line once more.

Just seconds afterwards, Rainbow Dash rounded the last corner before driving across the start/finish line with the race official standing there waving the white line looking equally ecstatic at the excelling performance of said pony now.

“This is it! One lap to go in this marathon long length of racing and Rainbow Dash has a huge lead.” Spike commented first as said pony beginning to round of turns 1 and 2 just right behind the entire race field.

“After all of that green flag racing, changing strategies and tactics, and navigating through all of that traffic it all comes down to one more go around of 120% awesomeness!” Bunga cheered already excited to see of how close his friend is from pulling off an absolutely dominating performance here today.

“Oh yeah! She’s got this in the bag! Call in the dogs and put out the fire! We’re gonna crown us our first Pony-napolis 500 winner here as she makes her way out onto the back straightaway!”

As Rainbow moved to do just that, the crowd all cheers and whistles for her as she moves closer and closer to victory that is now less than a mile away for her.

“Checkered flag, here I come!” Rainbow confidently declared while rounding Turn 3…

POP!

...Courtesy of a left rear tire on Rainbow’s car blowing out causing her nearly spin out of control before regaining control. But not with said rim skidding on the ground much to the shock of everyone watching.

“Oh, no! Rainbow’s blown a tire!”

“How did this happen?! She performed her stops perfectly!”

“And with only one turn to go! Can she make it!”

“Spitfire!” Rainbow voiced through the radio while she still kept pushing as fast as she can but not without panic in his voice. “Any advice here?!”

“Just keep doing what you are doing, Dash! You can still make it from here!” She voiced while keeping her cool yet determined to want to find out how this tire malfunction happened after all is said and done.

While Rainbow rounds the last turn with one less tire, both Shining Armor and Fuli are rounding Turn 2 and are both just getting word of this shocking development.

“Rainbow Dash’s blown a tire! Rainbow Dash’s blown a tire! Go, go, go, go, go go!” Twilight voiced through the intercom.

“Get her!” Kyoga also voiced through Fuli’s intercom as both drivers are quick to drive a gap away from the others heading onto the back straightway.

By then, Rainbow was able to make onto the front straightaway but not without struggling grunts along the way…

POP!

“Ahh!”

“How is this even possible?!” Bunga exclaimed in further shock.

“She’s lost another tire!” Pinkie exclaimed while completely thrown off by what is happening. “Not only that Shining Armor and Fuli are coming up fast!”

“They’re entering Turn 3!” Spike reported as said drivers are doing just that right now.

“Come on!” Rainbow grunted before shifting her body weight so that the rims on her back wheels are hardly touching the ground allowing her to have some speed heading into the final stretch.

“I don’t believe what I’m watching!”

“Me neither! And yet Rainbow is still making her way to the finish line and is not giving this up!”

“And right now she is 100 feet from her victory!”

By then both drivers are rounding Turn 3 before tackling Turn 4. Upon rounding the last corner, Fuli who was tailing Shining managed to make a move inside to allow herself to get beside him as they approach the main straightaway.

“Both Shining and Fuli are now rounding Turn 4!”

“It’s going to be close! Oh! I can hardly watch!”

“And down the stretch they come! And it’s… And it’s…”

Rainbow had just managed to lunge her car just in front of both drivers as they just managed to get on by her after crossing the start/finish line.

“And against all odds, Rainbow Dash has actually done it!”

“By just one car length, too! Way to go, Rainbow Dash!”

Both Bunga and Pinkie cheered along with the rest of the crowd.

On the track, Rainbow could only sigh in relief that she actually did before parking her car just in front of the start/finish line before turning to everyone all cheering her name and basking in her hard-fought victory. Even with the near-costly miss towards the end.

She then moved to obtain the checkered flag from the booth before posing and waving to everyone in the stands. In addition, both Shining Armor and Fuli were quick to congratulate her with hoof and paw shakes all around.

“The most spectacular, amazing unequivocally, unbelievable ending in the history of the world!”

“And it was still won by the most dominant driver making the impossible possible!”

“Thank goodness for all of the miracles in the entire kingdom!”

Afterwards, the awards ceremony along with the podium standings for the three drivers have been held. Pictures, trophies, and prizes all handed out accordingly.

But at the same time, a thought had been stirring Rainbow’s head that prompted her to fly off ahead back onto the track to investigate the source of her tire malfunction back on Turns 3 and 4 on the very last lap of the race. She then scouted out the ripped up shreds of tires before spotting out something that proved to be the culprit.

A bullet! Not just a bullet! Two bullets! One for each tire!

“Interesting…” She thought to herself as she examined said culprits in question.

“What’s interesting?” Twilight asked as she moved to catch up with her. Upon seeing said items had Twilight’s curious and positive demeanor vanish into a grim and serious one. “I see.”

“Do you happen to recognize these?” She asked as her friend levitated the items for a closer inspection.

“I wish I knew.” She replied as she moved her hoof to give herself an accurate trajectory of how those bullets managed to puncture the tires of Rainbow’s race car. “Along with how this race was nearly manipulated to become a race you almost lost.”

“But who?! Who wanted me to lose this race?!”

As she look at the bullets and towards the sky of darkness she could say. “That’s what I need to know…”

As for the answer to that question, the only clue they could get out of that on cue is sound a whistle that sounded awfully familiar to them yet new at the same time, as if supernatural forces of nature are at large lurking around. One disguised in the shadows of the black colored darkness with ominous and sinister blood red eyes.

“Twilight…”

“Yeah?”

“Did you hear what I thought I just heard?”

“Yep.”

“Shall we get out of here while we still can?”

“Let’s.”

Both ponies looked around before slowly backing away from where they stand now before bolting away from the track itself not wanting to stick around for whatever danger is lurking around them anymore...

Author's Note

As you have read it's the Pony-napolis 500 here in Equestria with some of the main characters engaging in the equivalent of the Indianapolis 500 with inspiration from a Pixar movie written into how this race plays out. A nice little filler in place of "The Cart Before the Ponies." which had Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity all acting uncharacteristically (too much at this point in the story) in hijacking their little sisters rides in pursuit of their selfish desires.

In short, true to the film these scenes are based on, it paves way for a great race with multiple events of action and drama at every turn and every lap, all to make the inaugural running of this race a sight to behold. And as for the mysterious tire malfunction, that is another mystery for another day.

Next up upon the new year, Starlight will get another focus episode when "Every Little Thing She Does." comes around, and as for those who think what is going to happen, please do not start a riot because I have something different in mind for it so stay tuned until after the new year and Merry Christmas everyone.

Episode 36: Every Little Thing She Does

Episode 36:

Every Little Thing She Does

It was early in the morning in Ponyville, and already both Twilight and Starlight were up along with Kion and Spike as they all meet outside as Celestia’s sun has started to rise over the horizon. After they all downed a bottle of water along with snack they were ready to get started with what they are about to do.

After letting lose a yawn, Twilight pulled out her list before speaking up with what she has planned for everyone here. “Okay, everyone. I have a full list of spells and training exercises for you all. You all have been doing great, but now it’s time for a real challenge. So I hope you all are ready?”

Everyone all voiced the fiery drive to confirm that they are ready for whatever their friend has in store for them. After all, they have been itching to try to keep up with her upon learning of how she she was taught and self-taught during her time away from home.

“I’m ready!”

“Oh, yeah! Bring it!”

“Oh-ho-ho! It is on! Where do we begin?”

“Teleportaion Multiple locations! Try to keep up!”

The first teleportation had the three magic users transport to outside of the front of the castle. Twilight appeared first with both Starlight and Kion appearing a second apart from each other, along with separate spots the air from where Twilight’s floating.

The second teleportation had them appear in the Everfree Forest with similar results. Both with both Starlight and Kion being able to keep up with her both appeared at the exact same time. Right next to each other on the tree branch from above the ground where Twilight is standing.

The following teleportations took them to rocky mountains in Equestria, snowy mountains in the other world, the Pride Lands lush terrain, underwater under a deep part of the ocean in Equestria, and then later inside a bat cave hanging upside down with the bats (before they woke up of course), in addition a brief sneak peak in the Outlands (to which nobody living there saw), before teleporting back to the castle in perfect sync.

"Transfiguration!" She instructed, while focusing her horn on transforming an apple on the desk into a nest full of eggs with one of them hatching.

Starlight moved to perform the same spell to transform a pile of books into a single tea cup. And following that, Kion moved to use his magic to transform a table into a coat rack.

Next Twilight used her magic to turn a quill and little ink pot into a top hat while Starlight used her magic to turn a candlestick into a carrot dog, while Kion used his magic to turn a vase with flowers into unique pottery.

From there the three were all rapidly using their magic to transform multiple items. Twilight used her magic to transform a tall book and a picture into a watermelon and a banana. Starlight transformed a scroll and a flower pot into a tea pot and a set of fake teeth and then blowing the smoke of her horn.

Kion transformed the table they were all standing on into a flat board of wood and then moved to turn the carpet into a bear skin rug (Not Fluttershy’s bear friend). Though he quickly reworked into turning into a couch pillow. He sheepishly grinned in embarrassment. “How did that happen?” He thought to himself.

"Shields!" Twilight instructed to both magic users as they then got into stances into the center of the library forming a wide three way circle together. Twilight started it off by sending a blast towards Starlight who almost got struck by the hit before she conjured up her shield before redirecting it towards Kion who then tried to fire it back at Twilight.

Twilight deciding to change tactics moved to redirect it right back at Kion who found himself pushed backwards before managing to stand his ground and fire it back towards Twilight. She then moved to do the same to Starlight who found herself pushed backwards too. In the process, she managed to fend it off while letting loose a flash of light causing a huge magical explosion, leading to the entire library having all of its books blown off of the shelves.

"Whoo! I am on fire!”

“Same here! What’s next?”

Both Starlight and Kion spoke up feeling warmed up already.

“As soon as we get the library cleaned up, we will get started on the training exercises.” Twilight then said just when the ladder hanging on one of the bookshelves fell down onto the floor. “Probably should have done this spell outside.” She mentally grunted for not thinking of that before hoof. “But then again it’s probably better than causing a panic attack among the ponies in Ponyville should they see and or hear it.”

"Not a problem! I can fix that in a jiffy." Starlight quickly assured just as Spike entered the room ready to get starting on his training too. "As you know, speed spells like Accelero are not easy. But if done correctly, they can allow you to be much more efficient with your day."

Starlight then zoomed around the library at quick speed, quickly putting the books back on their proper shelves.

"Wow! Way to go, Starlight!" Spike complimented. “So, are we ready to get started on those exercises?”

“Yep! Now that both Starlight and Kion are both warmed up and ready for action, they are ready to train the way I was taught…”

Both the half alicorn and unicorn looked on with eager and confident smiles ready for the challenge…

...which faded into surprised and startled expressions upon struggling with said exercises a little outside the castle.

“This is how you learned to fight?!”

“Without magic?!”

“Of course!” Twilight returned with a confident smirk. “This way in case any of us can’t rely on magic should it be disabled in battle, or because we were stripped of our cutie marks...,” Starlight looked aside with a small blush in response. “...or suffered some kind of injury and or handicap while fighting.”

Both Kion and Starlight cringed while looking at each other in disbelief upon realizing just how much they are in for in regard of what they’ll be enduring now.

Outside the castle, the three were all conquering an obstacle course that had them maneuvering around and fighting magical run dummies trying to blast and attack them from all angles. At not one point were any of them allowed to use magic back at them.

Thankfully, Kion given his prior experience of fighting without magic was able to clear the obstacle course with little to no trouble. With the exception of a couple dummies that knocked him back a little he was able to keep close behind Twilight who was in the lead. Spike who has had prior experience at expert dodging along with handy dragon fire at his disposal was able to keep pace alongside Kion.

Starlight on the other hoof didn’t quite have the same luxury due to being actually pushed back hard multiple times. In addition she found herself barely able to get herself moving without stumbling or falling before finding herself taking on multiple beatings and burns from the dummies all together.

While this was going on the other three all watched on with cringes along with winces of sympathy for what she is forced to endure due to her inexperience. Clearly to them, especially Twilight, the mare has not had enough field work in relying without magic in battle.

After a little while longer she finally managed to make it across, albeit while crawling and limbing her way to the finish line. All while sporting burns and bruises on her mane and coat with a little flame still lit on her horn to which Spike kindly moved to pinch it to put it out.

“You okay, Starlight?” Spike asked while trying to help her up to her hooves.

“Never better.” Starlight weakly replied before accepting the little dragon’s assist in standing up. “Ugh, what happened?”

“Nothing terrible.” Kion tried to console. “You just didn’t quite do well on that last exercise.”

“No kidding. It was like I got tossed around like a rag doll.”

“Well I’d say more like got constantly pushed back and relentlessly attacked without any means of defense.” Spike corrected. “But yeah, point taken.”

“It’s okay, Starlight.” Twilight comforted. “We can try this again tomorrow if you are up for it.”

“Yeah. Probably for the best.” Starlight glumly replied while still looking down and upset with herself, feeling very inferior compared to the others along with disappointment for failing so miserably and something she should have learned by now.

“Tell you what?” Twilight then offered. “While we continue these exercises, you can keep working on sharping up on mastering your magic. Surely there’s a new spell you’re really interested in wanting to learn?”

“That is true.” Starlight returned with a small smile before moving to do just that. “And I can promise you I will have a new mastered spell or two that’ll surprise you.”

“Can’t wait!” Twilight happily replied just as Starlight moved to do just that.

Later on when the three met up with Starlight back in the library, she stood in the center ready to show them what she just learned on her own. “Okay, everyone. Are you ready for this?”

“Sure.”

“Ready.”

“Surprise us.”

To showcase her newest display of magic she began rushing all over the library, hastily picking up books in the blink of an eye and placing them back on their proper shelf in a matter of seconds. "Speed spells like Accelero are not easy. But if done correctly, they can allow you to be much more efficient with your day."

"Wow! Very impressive trick!”

“Way to go, Starlight!”

Both Kion and Spike complimented.

Starlight laughed as she continued. “But I'm not finished. I also discovered a very old spell something that you have done in the past when combined with Accelero in just the right way," She said as she duplicated herself into two equal versions of herself. "You can literally be in two places at once!" They said in perfect sync before undoing the spell and sighing. "Now I'm finished."

"I have to admit your skills with magic really are nothing short of amazing.” Twilight said impressed with her pupil. “Reminds me of someone I knew before meeting you.”

“Who, yourself?”

“Yep.”

“Figures.” Twilight blushed a little in response knowing full well that she sees herself in Starlight fully in the flesh. "Well, I've always been something of a natural I guess." Starlight humbly replied.

Twilight nodded back. "No question about that. And I would've never thought of combining spells the way you just did. You certainly know how to think on your hooves," Then she used her magic to pull out a clipboard, and after eyeing it she declared. "Though aside from your severe flaws in handling yourself without magic in combat, I just noticed yesterday that you apparently haven't tackled any friendship lessons since you met Trixie."

At that, Starlight Glimmer gulped and took a step back while briefly examining the clipboard itself to make sure she seeing and hearing things correctly. "Are you sure?" She briefly stammered. "I could've sworn there were a couple in there somewhere."

Twilight moved to take magical control of the clipboard back. "I’m sure. And believe me when I checked, double checked, and even triple checked." Twilight explained before putting the clipboard away. "Look, I know things have been very busy with what has happened recently. With Rainbow Dash and Ono becoming Wonderbolts, Rarity opening a new boutique in Manehattan, getting the map up and running again, the whole 'Guys' Night' incident, and of course dealing with the ongoing war against Scar. But I think it’s time you start making time in getting to work on a new friendship lesson." She then said with a quirked brow.

Starlight seemed to shrink from Twilight's gaze, almost like she was trying to hide something. But she managed to maintain a somewhat sincere smile while replying. "Right of course. I'll... get right on them! Guess they just slipped my mind due to being so busy lately. So many commitments. I’m try to find some time in my schedule to manage that." She gave a slightly nervous laugh as she finished that sentence.

"Great! No time like the present!" The princess smiled. "You know, today would actually be a great day to tackle a friendship lesson all on your own. Consider this a pop quiz on friendship."

"You mean, this is something I can do on my own unlike back when dealing with that important dinner back then?" The unicorn asked now completely surprised.

Twilight nodded. "Yep. After all if you can learn new magic on your own, then you should be able to take the initiative to learn on your own." And she added. "Besides, it'll give you more freedom to do so which you’ll be given since Spike, Kion and I are going to be away for the day."

"Why? Where exactly?" Starlight questioned with concern.

"Because..." Twilight explained. "I've been asked by Princess Celestia to give her students a quick overview on the history of enchanted objects in Equestria. Spike, like always, will be there to help me manage my notes. And Kion will be needed to provide said demonstrations while the lecture is in process. But not to worry we won’t be gone long. We should be back after the presentation, which should be..."

"Twenty moons from now?" Spike appeared as if he is joking slightly.

Twilight retorted rather annoyed in response. "Tonight. Especially since it'll be a quick presentation and lecture, and it will give you the opportunity to ensure my notes are trimmed straight down to the point but not rushed in any way.”" She then said to her student. "So when I come back, I hope you will have made at least some progress on a friendship lesson whether it is one my suggestions or something you thought of yourself. Shouldn’t be too difficult. After all, there’s always going to be some kind of problem with a friend of theirs, one friend to another whether it’s here in Equestria, or there in the Pride Lands." She gestured to the direction of the portal with a stretched out hoof.

Reluctantly, Starlight agreed to what was asked of her. "Of course! No problem!" She seemed to nervously chuckle and then took off while declaring "I'll get right on it, Twilight! I will make sure of that no matter what happens not even the smallest distraction in sight."

But as soon as the mare was out of sight, Spike sighed and commented to himself. "This is sure going end well.” He said with sarcasm.

Twilight, having heard the remark responded with. "Come on, Spike! This is the pony you see as your big sister. Surely there should be no reason to worry about what she’ll end up doing over a simple friendship lesson. Something she’s doing at her own pace and will show be she’s taking her friendship studies seriously."

“Shouldn’t be.” Kion replied in agreement. “I mean how much trouble can Starlight get herself into with our backs turned?”

“You wanna bet on that?” Spike tempted with a stretched out claw ready for that bit exchange.

Twilight cleared her throat before gesturing to a stack of note cards. "Anyways Spike, could you please help me color-code these cards according to time, place, and object."

"Sure." The little dragon reluctantly agreed. But he couldn't shake the feeling that Starlight Glimmer was on course to get herself into trouble much like Ono did when Makuu was asked to help train the Pride Landers and Equestrians. After all it takes past experience for him to spot out that kind of nervous behavior.

Later that day, Starlight had retreated to her own bedroom within the castle. Inside there are kites and kite flying equipment scattered on the floor, and the unicorn herself was currently occupying herself by levitating some blocks with her magic. Near her bed was a framed picture of a pony that looked like Trixie. And near that framed picture was an equal sign with a red circle and line drawn through it.

Briefly, the unicorn's thoughts were left in a mix of feelings about her greatest weaknesses. Her inability to defend herself without magic, inability to completely master friendship, and learning how to take charge of the situation when called upon.

Just then, the unicorn's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Frantically, she quickly dropped the blocks and rushed over to a small desk with scrolls nearby. She proceeded to pull out some small note cards Twilight had given her earlier, the suggestions for possible friendship problems that Starlight had yet to consider. Each and every one of them involved one of Twilight's friends. In addition, she had note cards for potential leadership tasks and how to defend herself without magic. The door to her room opened, courtesy of Spike.

Starlight made it look like she was busy pondering the suggestions Twilight had given, murmuring and humming to herself while trying to appear to be deep in thought. The note cards floated around with her glowing horn. "Oh, yeah. Mm-hmm. That’s a good one, maybe I’ll do that." She commented out loud and intentionally.

Spike just cleared his throat to catch Starlight's attention. "Hey, Starlight. Just thought I’d check in before Twilight, Kion, and I leave for Canterlot. You need anything before we go?"

The unicorn mare kindly shook her head. "Nope. Everything’s good. Nothing to worry about here."

The little dragon looked on still not buying it. "Uh-huh. So... what are you doing, exactly? You know you can talk to me if you have any problems that neither Twilight nor Kion have noticed yet."

"No, that’s okay." Starlight laughed it off with seeming innocence. "That won’t be necessary. All I trying to do now is just figuring out which one these possible assignments to do."

Spike raised an eyebrow as he looked at the unicorn. "The possible assignments that you haven’t tried to tackle at any point since making friends with Trixie?"

"Y-yes.” Starlight honestly answered in the hopes it would send the little dragon away.

It didn't, Spike just seized the note cards and noticed the little drawings of five mares, one for each card along with her additional note cards. And they corresponded to what Twilight had in mind for helping that mare out along with her pupil’s own ideas. "Let's see here: 'Bake a cake with Pinkie Pie', “Helping the rhinos be more calm and brave in battle”, 'Scrapbook with Applejack', “Get the zebras to be less stupid”, 'Sew with Rarity', Help the other Pride Landers in battle, 'Help an animal with Fluttershy', Learn how to master combat without use of magic, or 'Chillax with Rainbow Dash'. What even is chillaxing anyway?"

Starlight Glimmer shrugged her hooves. "No idea, really. Her words not mine."

Spike blinked slowly. "Riiiiiiight," Then he looked back to Starlight and in a gentle tone of voice he said to her. "You know, uh, if you're nervous about your friendship lessons or training exercises or even leadership lessons, it's totally okay to say so. Twilight will understand, and so with Kion."

But in response to Spike's attempt to give her advice, Starlight threw back her head. "Nervous, me?" She tried to laugh as sincerely as possible, but it didn't sound very convincing. "Oh, Spike, you really are hilarious.” Then she boasted. "You seriously think I'm nervous that I'm somehow gonna fail something as simple as baking a cake?"

The light purple scaled dragon rolled his eyes. "I never said that considering you just told me yourself. And if they just so happen to be so simple, then you should've been able to do them all by now. So if you aren’t nervous, then go ahead and just pick one and get it over with! You've got all day."

"That’s true! I do!" Starlight insisted as she puffed out her chest! "In fact, 'll do so well on my friendship assignment that you, Kion, and Twilight will be even more impressed than before! And that’ll prove that magic isn't the only thing I'm great at!" And with that, as if to make herself heard, she picked up the note cards and trotted away to seemingly make a decision.

“Spike! You ready?!” Kion’s voice called out to him.

“Yes, Kion! I’m coming!” Before leaving Spike could only groan and put a claw to his forehead knowing that he was right. Starlight’s now bound to get herself into trouble. "And I thought Twilight was the master of the freak-out." He muttered to himself while also resigning himself to the fact that this time he wouldn't be around to keep Starlight Glimmer at bay.

Starlight Glimmer thought she had done a good job of masking her fears and insecurities around Twilight, Kion, and Spike. At least, that's the way it seemed when they left for Canterlot and left her alone in the castle without being questioned on what her friendship assignment was going to be.

Yet once the unicorn was sure that she was alone, the start of the time frame to tackle just one friendship assignment for Twilight, her confident mask crumbled. Instantly, she started to panic and hyperventilate. That is, mentally calmed herself down! "Come on, Starlight!" She said to herself. "You can do this!"

All she had to do was pick just one of the five assignments and commit to it. But there in lies the problem, as much as she wants to choose one she couldn’t help but want to do more than that. She wanted to be able to take the time to do the optional side options such as being able to improve her combat skills and step up to the plate in regards to leadership.

"Think, Starlight, think," The unicorn mare declared while pacing back and forth, trying to think of a solution. "There's got to be a way to tackle these assignments and impress Twilight. Just one isn't gonna cut it." Then she remembered Spike's comment about how she could've had them all done by now if they were so easy. That was when she got an idea. “Maybe I can chillax with Rainbow Dash and with the help of a duplicate I can try to extend my ability to fend off without magic. Oh, it’s perfect, it’s like I’ll be able to do two things at once.” She smiled, then lit up her horn in preparation for a teleportation. "Let me just make sure."

She then proceeded to use her magic to run and then fly on over, courtesy of using her magic to give herself boost upwards along with using her cloud walking spell to help her leap upwards. All while finding herself having to dodge multiple ponies that nearly got in her way along with a few Pegsai ponies that flew right by her. It took the wind out of her, but she managed to make it on over to Rainbow Dash's cloud house, and only just remembered to cast the cloud walking spell before she would've fallen straight through.

Fortunately, the brash speedster was around having opened the door to her house upon hearing her outside. "Hey, Starlight?" She greeted before questioning her upon seeing the troubled look on the unicorn's face. "Doing okay, because you look like you’ve been having a tough time lately?”

"Whom me? No! Not today! Really!" Starlight nervously insisted and immediately questioned. "Though I just so happen to be in the mood for chillaxing today, if you got the time today.”

Rainbow Dash nodded. "Yeah, definitely. After all, you look like you really need to chillax considering you’ve been hauling yourself on up here. Seriously though, you look like you're about to pass out."

"Sorry," The unicorn panted. "Although I will admit I could really use something to unwind from today. Just had a very busy morning with Twilight and Kion today!”

“That’ll just about do it!” Rainbow accepted that as a valid reason to want to chillax. “It’s honestly amazing that’s how she learned to how fight without magic. I could remember a time back when Twilight used to mostly rely solely on magic to fight.”

“Really?”

“Yep. But that’s a story for another time. Right now we need to focus on finding a proper set up for optimal chillaxing. Because chillaxing is very different from relaxing and right outside here isn’t one of them. Unless, you want to have a near high dive accident in case your cloud walking spell fails. And trust me, when we really get into the chillaxing vibe, we're gonna be there for a while." She proceeded to grab what looked like a sleeping bag and sunglasses.

"Okay, you get set up and I'll...make sure I have everything I need before we get started!" Starlight Glimmer replied as she lit up her horn again. Then she teleported away yet again, heading back to the castle again.

The rainbow maned Pegasus could only shake her head. "Better make sure of that before you hurt herself."

Upon arriving back, she took a deep breath feeling relieved that she managed to get the first hard part done.

“Phew! Easy part! Done! Now the hard part!”

Now that’s left is to get the next hard part that requires her magic in getting more of herself to go around in regards to being able to try to train and try those non-magical combat exercises again, in addition help keep an eye on the Pride Landers trying to prepare themselves in case Scar’s army attacks again.

“But wait…” She realized before thinking of something else. “Maybe I better have one or two more of me in case something happens in Ponyville.” Then she got deep in thought. “After all I need to be in more than two places at once.” She said while pacing back and forth within the castle's front hallway.

Then, suddenly, an idea came into her head. She remembered those spells she had combined together earlier in the day. "Of course!" She giggled to herself. "If I can be in multiple places at the same time. It'll be like I was always there, nopony will ever know!" Then she took a deep breath. "I just gotta concentrate and remember the right spell."

Concentrating deeply, Starlight Glimmer lit up her horn and surrounded her entire body. She had just perfected the combination of Similo Duplexis and Accelero. Eventually, she saw a perfect replica of herself appear beside her. "Perfect!" She declared but the glow around her horn and body didn't stop just yet since she wasn’t finished with it yet.

At last, five Starlights (including the original) stood in the Castle of Friendship's front hallway. One glance and you wouldn't be able to tell just by looking at them, they were completely identical in every way, right down to every little detail.

The original Starlight smiled as she said to herself. "Congratulations, Starlight. You're a genius," And now it was time to give the copies their orders. "Hear my voice and listen!" She declared in the most dramatic tone possible! "Each of you is going to be given an assignment, and each of you is to carry it out. When it's done, report back to me here at the castle so that it'll seem like I was there all along."

"Yes, Starlight." The four clones all said in unison.

The original unicorn smiled. "Excellent. Now I can chillax with Rainbow Dash, should be easy from here." Then she turned to the other Starlights and approached each of them one by one. "I want you all to do whatever you're told to do by the pony I assign you to work with," From left to right she then said to each clone. "Starlight One: Go to the Pride Lands and check up on the kingdom. Starlight Two: Check up on any Pride Landers and ponies learning how to train for battle. Starlight Three: Go to Ponyville and scout the perimeter. Starlight Four: Scout outside of Ponyville from top to bottom."

"As you wish, Starlight." Each of the copies declared all at once.

"Excellent!" The original Starlight Glimmer smiled, though it didn't last long when she saw the clones still standing around with blank expressions on their faces. "Well, what are you all waiting for, get a move on!"

But the first Starlight clone replied in a matter of fact tone. "We do not know where the location of any of those places you just mentioned are. We only know what you have told us." And the other three Starlight's nodded in agreement.

The original Starlight frowned before groaning and moving to direct them in the right way. "Ugh, fine. I'll show you each the way, but we have to be stealthy and sneaky about it so nopony and nobody suspects somethings up."

"And how will we get in touch with you?" The second Starlight clone questioned.

"You can all teleport! Remember the castle and teleport back here as soon as you are finished with your assignments," The original Starlight explained to them. "Now come on! We're wasting time standing around here." And she grabbed each of the clones with one of her hooves, then teleported away to direct each of them to their designated locations.

The first stop for Starlight on her journey was the Pride Lands, specifically the open terrain of the Pride Lands where there are a lot of animals carrying on like it is an ordinary day for them in peace. “See what’s all around you?” The original Starlight said to her copy before instructing. “Just scope around from here to Flat Ridge Rock and make sure there are no signs of trouble. If there is tackle it head on. Got it?”

“Got it.” The clone stated before setting out to do so.

“Good.” And she teleported away to help the other clones.

From there the Starlight clone moved to trot around the kingdom to look around for any signs of trouble and distress around her. “So far, so good.” The clone thought to herself up until she came across the galagoes carrying on together before coming across the antelope herd. “Hello? What do you we have here?” What she sees from her perspective is the little critters racing and managing to get up onto the antelope leader, Bupu.

“Let’s go, galagoes! On the double!”

“Yes, sir!” Laini happily returned before riding on like a race horse off towards the distance.

The Starlight clone watched on as she saw the charging party head on towards what seems to be a pack of hyenas in the distance. Seeing this sparked a sense of urgency inside the clone before rushing onward to ‘save’ the Pride Landers charging into danger. Working quick with her magic she teleported right on over there and used her magic to release an atomic bomb that exploded the hyenas in an instant.

Upon arriving the antelope and galagoes were looking on shocked with what they saw and what they did after seeing the large black crater of smoke and ash right in front of them.

“Huh?”

“What the…?”

“Starlight?”

“What did you do?!”

“I took care of the hyenas caught lurking in the Pride Lands.”

“Um, Starlight…there wasn’t any real danger.” Laini spoke up trying to nice while correcting her mindset. “Now don’t get us wrong, we do appreciate you wanting to try to help us but…”

“We didn’t need your help.” Bupu bluntly said. “And those hyenas you destroyed just so happened to be hoof crafted training dummies.”

“Training dummies?” The clone flatly repeated much to the two’s confusion.

After exchanging a look the latter moved to explain it more without losing his patience and politeness. “Yes, training dummies. Something that we and everyone else who wishes to train can use them train with them. By using them they can help us practice our fighting technique.” With a sigh he added. “At least until you showed up.” He said while pulling up a piece of uncharred pieces of the training props.

“These right here.” Starlight asked still looking on like she is not completely understanding what she is seeing nor hearing.

“Yes, Starlight. These.” Laini replied while holding up the uncharred pieces herself. “But don’t worry. We can just get ourselves some new ones.”

“Assuming they’re around to replace them today.” Bupu muttered in annoyance before the two moved to walk off ahead leaving the clone behind still blinking in confusion with what’s going on around her.

The second Starlight clone was brought to another portion of the Pride Lands where a handful of the Pride Landers are all working on excerises much like the Lion and Pony Guard taught them along with Makuu who is also there supervising them today. Fortunately, he was able to help incorporate the non crocidle traits into ways they can pull it off similar and effectively as he and the other crocs would. All with even more patience than before when they didn’t quite get it right this time.

“Okay, now with what allows you to get the best range in motion. Reverse tail whip.” He demonstrated said move with his tail. Since the other Pride Landers didn’t have tails like before they managed to make up for it by using their trunks (in the elephant’s case), their horns (in the rhinos case), and everyone else whipped around and delivered a swift kicking motion with their legs. “Very good. Remarkable improvement since last time and very quick improvisation with the legs.”

“What about our horns, Makuu?” Mbeya asked. “Do they work as well.”

“Not quite.” Makku couldn’t sugarcoat it any better before assuring. “But it’s all good. No worries. We just need to find something to help you and your rhino friends to get a better range in motion in quicker speed.”

“Like what?”

“Hmm…” Makuu gave it some deep though before looking around to their surroundings before spotting the Starlight clone unaware that she is actually a clone. “...maybe someone from the Pony Guard might have a trick or two that’ll surprise you.” He then excused himself before moving to greet the pony clone. “I see you’ve caught a glimpse of the work in progress here.”

“Of what?” Starlight blankly replied.

“The improvised training of the Pride Landers. Of how to incorporate crocodile style moves in their fighting skills.” Makuu tried not to show it but couldn’t help but wonder what the unicorn’s deal is. “Something that both your superiors asked of me to help them work on.”

“Oh, right.” Starlight replied still speaking in a blank tone of voice. “Now I remember, I’m here to ask if the Pride Landers need help in their training today.”

“As long as you keep the needless questions to a minimum I’ll accept your help in what I am doing right now.”

“Like what?”

Makuu could only give the clone a look before moving to explain what he is doing. “Here, I am trying to help the rhinos with performing the reverse tail whip.” He demonstrated said move to her by slamming his tail onto the ground. “But since the rhinos don’t have tails that’ll allow them to perform the same feat with them. They are moving to use their horns to be able to replicate the similar motion it takes for it to work.“ He directed her eyes toward the small tails and large curved horns of the rhinos as proof. “So, would you happen to have any ideas of how to get these rhinos to move their horns faster?”

“Maybe…”

“Okay? And…” Makuu looked on expecting an answer. “...you plan on showing me how? Like now?”

“Yes, now.” She moved to do so by pulling together some blades along with some chains and medieval weapons as ideas she plans to use for the rhinos.

An idea itself that has the crocodile leader with perplexed feelings about. Whether or not it’s a good idea or a bad idea along with wondering if the pony he is dealing with actually knows what she is doing. But he none of the less moved to allow her to give it a try thinking maybe it won’t be that bad...

With the Pride Lands stops taken care of, Ponyville was up next on the list of stops Starlight needed to make with her clones.

“Okay, Starlight Three…” The original pony then instructed as they made their way towards the obstacle course that she struggled at earlier this morning. “...your job here today is to run this here obstacle course without using any magic.” She said with emphasis on any. “Complete as many times as you can and remain there until you can beat this time here…” Starlight shows her the magic number on a piece of paper she written on. “Got it? Good.”

Turning to the last remaining clone she turned her with this last set of instructions for her. “And as for you, Starlight Four. Same thing with Starlight One scout Ponyville and every part of Equestria to the border to make sure there are no signs of trouble. You think you can manage that?”

“Yes, Starlight. I can watch over here no problem.”

“Great! Now get to it!”

After the last remaining clone set out to do so, the original Starlight Glimmer then moved to do the one thing she plans to do in the meantime. Chillaxing with Rainbow Dash. She then teleported from Ponyville to Cloudsdale and started scanning the skies and ground around her from above.

Fortunately for her, it didn't take too long for the unicorn to find her Pegasus friend. Rainbow had gone ahead and set up on a small hill not too far away from her cloud house. She'd even set aside a separate folding chair next to the one she was seated in, and she hadn't taken off her sunglasses. In addition, she had a friend joining in on their chillaxing session together.

“Starlight!” Fuli happily greeted while briefly tilting her sunglasses to glance at her. “You made it!”

“Yep! I did!”

"So, you ready to chillax?" The brash speedster inquired as she got up and briefly stretched her limbs. "Because we got the whole setup arranged and everything ready to do this. And so is Fuli."

"I sure am.” Starlight giggled and grinned. “After the hardships I’ve endured recently I am ready to put everything in the past behind me for now.”

“Glad to hear to it because that is the mindset we want to hear for this specific exercise here.” Fuli returned with a grin.

Starlight then asked. “So that said now that I have the time to learn how to chillax, what do we have to do?"

"It’s really quite easy, even more so with that mindset you’re carrying right now." Rainbow Dash declared while gesturing a hoof to the chair beside her and Fuli. "Just lay down and forget about everything for a while. It's not a simple process, it's a state of being. We'll chillax together for however long I decide and not a minute longer nor a minute less."

“Got it.”

“Let’s do this!”

The unicorn mare obeyed, trotting over and laying down in the folding chair alongside Fuli the same way she saw Rainbow laying. Then she put her hooves around her head and leaned back, soaking in the rays of the afternoon sun. To think that if she just put in that much effort here, then her following friendship assignments soon to be tackled can be done with ease, with the right mindset and determination.

Starlight Glimmer smiled and sighed as she felt her worries leave her for the time being. "Mission accomplished!" She confidently thought to herself. "Now I'll just wait for the other mes to complete their tasks, then I'll teleport back to the castle in plenty of time to clean up before Twilight, Kion, and Spike get back. If they’re really helpful maybe I’ll make more copies of myself more often."

Little did she realize is that her clones were going to be anything but helpful by the time all is said and done.

Back in the Pride Lands, the first clone continued forward making rounds on the Pride Lands. Following the accidental trashing of the training dummies that Bupu and Laini were going to use, she then decided to move on like the moment never happened before continuing her scouting of the kingdom in order to find something she can do to help her friends in this kingdom.

She trotted around the grazing grounds just in time to spot out the giraffes sticking their necks up at the nearby trees. From the looks of it to her, it looked like the giraffes were having trouble sticking their necks out for something and were doing it for several seconds straight now.

“Come on!” Twiga groaned voicing out her literal stretched out pain while trying to use her tongue to get some very hard to reach parts of what she is trying to get up high. “Just a little higher! Ugh! Of all days for when I could really use assistance from the Lion and Pony Guard right about now.” Though little did she realize was that someone from the Pony Guard just so happened to someone while technically her but is actually a clone in her place. And she managed to ‘help her out quite a bit to say the least when she worked her magic in blasting the tree that Twiga was struggling with. Said blast was strong to the point it ended up breaking and falling backwards upon impact.

“Huh?” Twiga looked on in confused with her mouth full of leaves from the tallest branch she was going to eat from before turning to see who she thought was the real deal. “Starlight?”

“Yes. I helped free you from the tree you stuck in.” She flatly said to the surprised giraffe leader.

“Me? Stuck?” Twiga quickly shook her head before munching and swallowing the leaves that were in her mouth. After downing them, she properly explained herself. “Oh no, Starlight you misunderstood! See I was just trying to reach the leaves from the tallest tree branch because they usually taste the best when the sun is at it’s highest point.” She then sighed in dismay upon seeing the tree is now destroyed. “Well, at least until you showed up and knocked it down.”

Even still the Starlight clone looked on like this is all very confusing to her. “But I just wanted to help you. I thought you were stuck.”

Twiga’s eye twitched in response before trying to speak the zoned out clone again in a way that makes sense to her without snapping at her. “But instead you caused me and my herd to lose food that usually grows on this here tree because of what you just did! Trees don’t grow as quick as plants and flows do you know! Things like this take years and years of growing before they grow all big and strong.”

“Then let me just reattach the tree back in it’s proper place.” The clone then offered before finding the tree put down in it’s current place by Twiga who has already seen enough with what had just happened.

“No! No! No!” She sighed. “Please, just go away and don’t come back for the rest of the day!”

“Okay.” With that the clone took her leave without acknowledging what she did and why the giraffe was so upset with her.

“What is wrong with her, today.” She said to herself before moving on ahead in hope for answers for this bizarre and out of sorts behavior from the unicorn today.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Pride Lands, the other Starlight clone sent to help out had just managed to make the finishing touches on what she attached to the rhino’s horns. And they were something that had Makuu himself raising eyebrows at what he is seeing and for a good reason.

“There we go!” The clone declared triumphantly while showing Makuu her idea which happened to be nut chunks and and heavy balls with spikes attached to long chains on the rhino’s horns. “Two rhinos ready for battle.”

“Um, what are these…?”

“...And are they safe…?”

Both rhinos asked upon eyeing the weapons now tied onto them while equally unsure about the idea presented in front of them.

“Of course!” The clone still smiled. “As long as you know how to use them right.”

“And by that, how exactly do you expect them to use them?!” Makuu inquired with a suspicious eyebrow directed at the unicorn who doesn’t seem to be fully paying attention to him. “Then again, let me rephrase it in a way that you understand since your eyes seem not fully seeing things clearly. Do you even know how those things, those weapons, you tied onto the rhinos even work?!”

“Of course.” Starlight still smiled like she knows what she is doing before moving towards the rhino so she can hold onto said items so she can properly explain it more. “And they’re really easy to use. All you both have do you is swing them around a little when charging. Then when you see an Outsider or any other enemy of yours, swing them and send them flying right at them and BAM! Then they be sent flying away and out of harm’s way on your side of the border.” Upon seeing the skeptical looks of the cautious rhinos and wary crocidle leader she then motioned at the nearby dummies up ahead that look like Kiburi and his float. “Go on! Give it a shot, guys!”

Both rhinos looked at each other in confusion before reluctantly moving to entertain the idea presented to them.

“Very well.”

“We’ll give it a shot.”

Makku looked on like what is about to happen is one of the worst ideas that is ever going to put into play but after learning to give others the benefit of the doubt, he moved to allow it. But not without moving to make sure everyone is out of harm’s way by nodding towards the other crocodiles and trainees wishing to watch to back away.

The two rhinos then locked eyes with the training props on their horns. They both remembered both Beshte and Fluttershy’s words of advice while dragging their hooves on the ground. Upon finding the mentality they need to get calm and serious the two then made their charge.

The two then swung their weapons around a little and they seemed to be already getting the hang of it after a few seconds of charging and swinging. Then the two pressed forward ready to make the offensive charge that’ll come in handy whenever their opponents try to make a move on them. They both charged and drew closer to their targets, and then with a good and powerful long swing they made their moves towards the targets when…

“OW! MY LEG!”

Courtesy of the chains snapping and actually managing to strike Thurston in the leg and then got knocked out in the head by the medieval weapons striking him accidentally.

“Thurston!”

“Oh my goodness!”

The two rhinos quickly rushed over to the downed zebra just as he dropped down onto the ground.

Upon looking up and seeing them he managed to see them just as they are both looking over his shoulder along with Makuu who just rushed over to them too.

“Thurston. Are you okay?” Makuu urgently asked.

“We’re so sorry!”

“Can you see us okay?”

The rhinos both asked with deep regret and horror for what they did while removing the weapons from his body.

“Sure I can, Mr. Three Horns!” The zebra replied in a dizzy and shaken up manner. “The same goes to you and your three other rhino buddies and those two crocodiles right behind you.” He uttered due to seeing double vision now. “Oh, I should...no...you should...panic...and...run…” He ended up trailing off and passing out due to his injuries.

After Thurston had passed out, Makuu had turned to angrily glare at the unicorn who still looked on blankly like nothing had happened nor registered in her head. “What?” She innocently asked,

“What?! WHAT?! What the buck were you thinking?!” Makuu angrily stated. “You said you knew what you were doing when you attached those dangerous weapons to those rhinos.”

“I did.”

“Well thanks to your so called assurance that things would turn out fine, which they didn’t. An innocent Pride Lander… “ He then muttered. “...even if he is an annoying pain in the neck who deserves it half the time...” He then resumed berating and chastising the unicorn clone. “…got injured because of you. And we don’t even know for sure how badly damaged he is now because of it.”

“At least it wasn’t fatal since it didn’t impale him on the head nor crack his skull open.” The clone then pointed out much to the Pride Landers exasperation.

“Yeah, yeah, lucky you.” Makuu sarcastically remarked while moving to get face to face with the unicorn. “Now do us a favor and get out of here before you get someone else killed or your case killed yourself. And consider yourself lucky that Twilight and Kion’s isn’t wishing death upon you for reckless endangerment of animals.”

“What’s reckless endangerment?” The clone again asked flatly and blankly which irritated Makuu down to his last nerves.

“Good question, Starlight. Here let me show you.” He demonstrated it by giving the clone a good old reverse tail whip which sent the clone flying away on towards and through the portal. “And here I thought some of my methods of training were considered crazy.”

Back in Ponyville, the first clone currently is doing the training exercise, mainly the obstacle course the original Starlight struggled and failed to complete this morning. Only, if anyone like both Bupu and Laini had witnessed as they walked on over would leave one wondering what the hay she is doing.

What the two saw her doing is running the course all right, but more accurately finding herself getting plowed by one of the dummies halfway in and sent flying backwards and tumbling across the grass. Then when she gets up, she shrugs it off like it didn’t happen and proceeded to run it again, only to repeat the process again as if she didn’t pay complete attention to what happened the last time she tried to tackle it with the same approach.

“What the…?”

“Starlight?”

Upon hearing their voices, Starlight turned to greet them. “Oh, hello you two! What are you doing here?”

“Well, we were going to kindly ask Kion and Twilight if they could get us together some new training props that you destroyed just earlier…” Laini kindly began.

“...only to find you instead doing some kind of training yourself. And doing a rather poor job performing it if I do say so myself.” Bupu bluntly finished.

“By poor you mean terrible?” The Starlight clone blankly asked.

“Yes. I mean are you even paying attention to your own form and approach to what you are even trying to do here?”

“Of course.”

“Then show us.”

The Starlight clone obliged before moving to run the course again, with the same approach as she did before and repeated the same result she literally ran into again and again.

Upon seeing that this is going nowhere and there is no indication that both Twilight and Kion were around if this is actually happening right now before their eyes the two decided to do the only thing they can do.

“Well good luck, Starlight!” Laini called out to the oblivious clone constantly hurting herself and constantly enduring pain while she is at it.

“Ugh. That pony is 0-2 today. Is the third time the charm?” Bupu then sarcastically asked.

To answer his question the other Starlight clone kicked through the portal happened to wind up crashing into the other clone causing the two to get entwined and crashing into all of the other obstacles. Followed up by a huge explosion that left a huge burnt up crater in the middle of the yard.

“I had to ask.”

And even in other parts of Ponyville, other ponies were beginning to run into their own problems with what was (unknown to her) a copy of Starlight Glimmer. Someway, somehow, she managed to cause a scene as evident by the many ponies screaming and running for their lives from whatever has really gotten them scared and frightened.

“EVERYPONY RUN!”

“WE DIDN’T DO IT! SHE’S THE ONE WHO DID THIS TIME!”

Both Snips and Snails screamed much to the confused Trixie as she wonders what exactly has gotten them along with a few other ponies so worked up in full panic mode.

“Excuse me? But Trixie demands an explanation for all of this frolicking you’re doing now!”

In answer to her question came in the form of an Ursa Minor who roared greatly much to the unicorn’s startled shock and surprise. “AH! Sweet Celestia! Trixie didn’t do anything to you this time! Trixie didn’t even make such arrogant boasts about being able to vanquish you! Now stay back! Please!” She fearfully voiced to the creature who still looked on angrily towards her while advancing closer and closer. Upon seeing that the creature is not backing off she then did the only thing she can do. “Okay, you want a trick? Trixie will give you one.”

Acting quickly she pulled out a jar of little balls and then slammed it hard into the ground to create a large smoke screen big enough to give her cover to escape. By the time, the smoke cleared, the large creature could not spot out where the blue unicorn had went. It was one of her finer tricks in years.

But before the Ursa Minor could wreak further havoc on whoever was responsible for angering him, he was suddenly tamed when he was faced with taming music and placed in a magical aura. One that belongs to Kyoga herself along with her siblings in a complete teamwork and concentrated effort.

“Easy there, big guy!”

“Nobody here did anything to you so no need to get upset.”

“So just go on back to sleep while we guide you on back to where you came from.”

The three each and all said to him before guiding him back to the cave with a combined display of strength to rival Twilight’s single handling of it years ago.

But even with the Ursa Minor gone for now there was still the matter of damage not to mention emotional damage in regards to the terrified ponies now running around trashing the town in the midst of their panic.

Kyoga groaned before using her magic to summon Ono. “Yes, you called?”

“Kindly gather and call in the rest of the Guard along with the fire department, again.”

“Will do!” Ono proceeded to fly off and do just that while watching on as the town is starting to produce a large flame overhead every building like one huge fireball is engulfing the place.

All while the Starlight clone watches on like she is confused and does not comprehend the severity of the situation along with the massive damage done to Ponyville.

And while all of this was ongoing, the real Starlight Glimmer was enjoying her chillaxing session with Rainbow Dash.

Or at least, the mare was until she felt an ominous tingling in her horn. Something was up with all of those duplicates she had sent them! It appeared that the spell enabled her to share a mental link of some kind as the clones, seeing as she could sense that each of them was declaring that they had experienced trouble with their assignments.

But just before Starlight could think of rising from her chair, another voice appearing before them beat her to the punch. “Rainbow! Fuli! Starlight! Oh thank goodness I found you all! We got a big problem!”

“What is it, Ono?”

“And what could be so urgent for it to decide we are done chillaxing?!”

Both Rainbow and Fuli irritably asked.

“We got a Code Red at not just in the Pride Lands but in Ponyville too!”

“Code Red?!”

“What exactly is going on?!”

“From the reports of an angry mob from both Pride Landers and ponies, it would seem that there are multiple complaints about a certain somepony causing trouble.” Then eyeing the unicorn himself he added. “And it would seem that said somepony is you from each and every point from here to the borders.”

“What?!” Starlight exclaimed in shock with the sunglasses popping off of her head when she leaped from her chair. “No! It can’t be!” She then collected herself enough to say. “Okay! No problem! I’ll take care of that part right away!” She hastily declared before lighting up her horn and teleporting away!

After she teleported away, Ono blinked in confusion before asking the others. “I’m guessing that Starlight managed to create copies of herself and they somehow managed to cause trouble while she was with you two?”

“Yep.”

“Sure sounds like it.”

“And now we got to get the rest of the Guard to help clean up whatever mess and trouble she caused.”

“Again.”

Starlight Glimmer teleported back to the castle and quickly summoned all the clones with her magic. "What happened?!" She questioned them. "I thought I told you all to do what I ordered you to do."

"We did exactly what you told us to do, Starlight Glimmer." The duplicates all stated together.

"Then why does it look like you all had problems?" The original Starlight frowned, taking notice of a particular detail about each clone: The first one sent to the Pride Lands was covered with tree leaves and coated with burn marks on her mane and coat. The second one had sharp spikes lodged into her mane and coat all while looking on like her hearing has been impaired. The third one sent to train in the castle backyard had broken pieces of training equipment on her hooves and the fourth one had markings that indicated snakes and spiders had been crawling all over her.

Again, however, the copies just stated. "We did exactly what you told us to do."

"I helped every Pride Lander with whatever danger they were facing. The hyenas and jackals were spotted being faced off with some of the Pride Landers.” The first clone reported.

"I helped the crocodiles train the rhinos in giving them a wild range in motion with their horns.” The second clone reported next.

"I kept training on the course you told me to run through again and again and again.” The third Starlight stated next.

"I gathered up all the animals that Fluttershy told me to gather." The Starlight with markings explained.

The original Starlight Glimmer groaned. "I didn't mean literally do everything they told you to do," And then she lamented. "Great, now everyone in both kingdoms are gonna come knocking on my doorstep for what I did. I mean, in a way I technically kind of did but...not all of it!" Putting a hoof to her forehead she complained. "How am I gonna make this up to them now? How could things get any worse than this?"

As if in answer to that question, at that very moment the castle doors flung open and in strolled Twilight, Kion, and Spike just when the angry mob of ponies and Pride Landers appeared right at their doorstep just seconds later.

Twilight immediately caught a glance of the five Starlights, and when she did she was anything but pleased! "What is going on here?!" She furiously demanded of her student as her eyes narrowed! "Starlight, what did you do now?!"

Sheepishly, Starlight dispelled the clones with a flick of her horn as she tried to defend herself. "Uh...nothing. Just a little experimenting I just did here."

"Uh-huh. Sure it was." Was all Twilight said in reply, and the way she delivered it conveyed more than more words could about the trouble her student was in.

“Starlight what happened while we were away? And by that I mean the truth that explains why we have an angry mob at our doorstep?” Kion then asked sternly to further press the unicorn for answers that aren’t good ones but the truth they needed to hear.

“Nothing out of the ordinary.” Starlight weakly tried to say and further defend herself.

“Out of the ordinary?!” Bupu returned as if it is a blatant lie. “One of your look alike clones destroyed the training dummies me and Laini were going to use to train in preparation for the next hyena attack at our doorstep!”

“Not to mention that other Starlight that was around was little to no help in finding us quick replacements since both Kion and Twilight weren’t around today.” Laini added.

“Another one of your clones caused the rhinos to nearly kill my float by flinging medieval weapons at the nearby bystanders trying to train as well.” Makuu also added and complained.

“Not to mention destroyed and tore down one of the trees in my grazing ground” Twiga added equally upset along with everyone else.

“Another clone nearly upset the wildlife and nearly brought to us an Ursa Minor!” Trixie then chimed in. “And that someone wasn’t me!”

The other ponies then complained angrily with the following things to say.

“What the hay is going on with Starlight today?!”

“Yeah, why the hay is she being a menace today?!”

Quickly both Twilight and Kion were quick to calm the crowd down and rushed to Starlight’s defense.

“All right everyone, everypony, calm down! We’re very sorry with what Starlight and her clones did today, but rest assure we will handle things from here.”

“So if everyone could just please go home for now, and Starlight will swing by later to personally make it up to you all. Okay?”

The crowd groaned and complied with their wishes before moving to disperse and once they did the two alicorns moved to shut the castle doors closed before turning to face Starlight with a much needed talking to they need to give the unicorn. And with the frowns they displayed, the unicorn can only emit a nervous gulp in response knowing just how much trouble she is in now.

So it was that Starlight Glimmer reluctantly told her mentor and best friend everything, explaining what purpose the clones had served and how it had all gone so wrong.

"So let me get this straight," Twilight spoke up as she questioned her student a short time later. "While you were tackling that one friendship lesson you decided to do, you decided to do resume combat training, patrolled the Pride Lands and Equestria on your own, and decided to take up leadership. Not to mention nearly endangering some of our own due to one your clone’s deciding it was a good idea to go to the border?"

Spike put a claw to his face. "I was afraid this would happen! Like mentor, like student, a near catastrophic incident that requires the prince and princess to both step in before it got worse. Seriously, you really seem to take after Twilight."

“What you were thinking, Starlight?!” Kion then scolded. “What made you think that any of this was a good idea?!”

Starlight found herself stammering and at a loss for words as she tried to explain herself. “Well it seemed like a good idea in my head at the time. At least up until the clones proved to be less than competent than I had hoped. It’s not an excuse, it’s just a summed up explanation of what happened.”

Twilight simply shook her head from side to side and sighed deeply. "Just so you know Starlight, I'm not mad. Not like back when you went behind my back with Trixie. But I am disappointed. I thought I taught you better than this and that you had learned by now that you can't use magic as a shortcut to solve your problems. Hence, the reason why that obstacle course is designated so that you can’t use magic to work your way across it."

"But you use spells yourself in the past!" The unicorn weakly protested.

The young alicorn nodded in agreement. "No denying that. And even back then that’s come to bite me in the rump many times especially the “Lesson Zero.” incident. That's why I don't want you making the same mistakes I made." Then she commented. "And what I’m really disappointed is the fact that I can’t even turn my back for even a few hours to trust you on a simple friendship lesson. Especially since you’ve been doing so well before hoof. I gave you a simple instruction: Just pick and do one friendship assignment. Instead I come back to have to clean up a mess you created because you decided to tackle on more than what was expected of you. You didn't have to go above and beyond like that to impress me."

Starlight shuddered. "I'm sorry, Twilight. I really am. I kept meaning to do a friendship lesson or act on those suggestions you gave me along with trying to master that training exercise. But…"

“But what, Starlight?” Kion asked. “Is there something more than what you’re letting on here?”

“Even after we had the talk about no secrets in between us and the inner circle.” Spike further reminded.

The unicorn mare gulped and swallowed hard, nearly frozen in fear before pushing herself into confessing. "I’ve been avoiding doing them out of fear that your friends don’t see me as friends the same way they see you as a friend. I thought to myself, do they really see me as friends even after all was said and done in the past or is it only because you Twilight declared it from day one? Unlike you, they weren’t there when we were traveling through time and you Kion, were in a coma at the same time. Back then, they and you didn’t see me for who I am now, but only when I was fighting alongside the enemy."

"Starlight, it's all in the past. You were forgiven, not to mention shortly after returning back to the present you helped me escape Scar back when we were fighting in the volcano." Twilight pointed out. "My friends and I were willing to forgive Discord even after he betrayed us and sided with an enemy and they did the same for me when I did the same too. Friendship is all about second chances, after all. Something that was taught from when meeting and befriending Trixie?"

"I know! I know! It's so silly and stupid that’s it taken this long for me to realize it!" Starlight tearfully confessed. "I know I should be better than this! I know I should be above thinking like this! But it just keeps surfacing up no matter how many times I try to steer away from it! And it seems like whenever I try to take the lead on my own when it comes to friendship, it always goes wrong! Just like what happened here today! I tried to talk myself out of meeting Sunburst, I didn't tell you where I was when I was hanging out with Trixie and now this. When am I really going to learn? When am I really going to change if I can?!"

"Now come on! Don’t say that, Starlight!" Spike protested and insisted against that very notion. "You stood up for Thorax in the Crystal Empire all by yourself. That shows that you have changed, that you're not who you used to be,"

Kion then added. "Not only that you have been a great help to us ever since you joined the Guard. If anything, if anyone knows what it's like to be hard on yourself, it's me. I've been where you've been and so has Spike. And it’s up to you to stop beating yourself over what happened in the past. You’re a good pony now, Starlight. So what’s still holding you back from seeing that?"

Starlight Glimmer could only answer with. "I wish I knew, Kion. I want to believe I've changed. But that's not easy to do when I was given twelve friends in the blink of an eye and told that everything I'd done before didn't matter any more."

There was a long pause afterwards as Twilight, Kion, and Spike silently exchanged looks, as if daring the other to speak. At last, it was Twilight Sparkle who broke the silence as she simply told the troubled unicorn. "Well, at the least you owe your friends along with our fellow ponies and Pride Landers an apology for all of this. Regardless of how you feel, they've let me know in no uncertain terms that they consider you a friend. And so do I. Part of friendship means owning up to when we hurt our friends, whether we mean to or not. It's never easy. Trust me, I speak from experience on that right down to the scar over the eye. But it's something we must do in order to make amends with them and ensure our friendship strives through and through."

Starlight reluctantly sighed in agreement as Twilight points to said scar over her eye to show much she can relate to what she is going through now. "You're right. I do have to apologize," She began to light up her horn. "And maybe it's not too late for me to salvage something from what I tried to do earlier." Then she teleported away to do just that.

Starlight Glimmer went about spending the rest of her day and the following day apologizing to the rest of the Guard along with the Pride Landers and ponies she had unintentionally harmed with her actions. And she did her part to make up for it with each of them:

From helping Pinkie and Bunga clean up the mess in Sugarcube Corner's kitchen, helping Applejack decide on an order to put the photos in for the scrapbook, making a proper dress with Rarity and Ono, tending to the animals that had been frightened with Fluttershy and Beshte or spending what remaining daylight time she had chillaxing with Rainbow Dash and Fuli. Beforehoof there was also the matter of doing the same for the Pride Landers and ponies who fortunately were kind and forgiving enough to take her up on her offers. From repairing the damage done to the trees in the giraffe's home, to making sure Thurston is going forward all okay, properly giving the rhinos weapons and means to perform crocodile moves without endangering others, and replacing the dummies for the antelopes and galagoes after one of her clones accidentally destroyed them.

By nighttime the following day, Starlight returned to the castle to deliver her unofficial progress report to the alicorn to whom she owed so much.

Twilight was waiting for her student when she returned to the castle alongside Kion. "How'd it go?" She asked in a hopeful tone of voice.

"Thankfully, very well. At least well enough that everyone was willing to carry on like the incident didn’t happen and we’re still on good terms.” Starlight answered sincerely before asking. "So what’s next for me? What new friendship lesson is next on the agenda for tomorrow?"

"Actually," Twilight spoke up with something else on her mind but still smiling. "I think it’s time we put future lessons on hold for now. Consider this giving yourself a chance to truly rest and take your mind off things. Something you haven't had since you've become my student, whether it’s spending time with the Guard, dealing with the ongoing war, and everything else you do that keeps you bust here in both Ponyville and the Pride Lands. So that said I've arranged for you to have vacation time in the Crystal Empire. You'll be able to see Sunburst, and Princess Cadence will keep an eye on you.”

“But what about my responsibilities to the Guard?” Starlight brought up and asked.

“It’s only for a little while.” Kion assured it’s no big deal she takes time off. “You’ll still be allowed to accompany the Guard on missions and patrols once you return.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. The Guard has managed without a member or two and we can do the same while you take time off.”

“Okay.” Starlight accepted the decision. “As long as you’re all so sure.”

“We’ll call and summon you if something comes up.” Twilight also reminded and assured. “And if there is, you can come on over in an instant.”

“Okay. Then I guess it’s settled.” Starlight then said feeling better about the arrangement before asking. “So, when do I head out?"

"First thing after breakfast. Something that is specifically arranged since it is a going away breakfast with Spike, Kion, and I." Twilight answered and explained. "After all, you're part of the family. And you will be missed while you’re away."

Spike then teased. "On the bright side, at least you can see this an opportunity to play catch up and start up a spark between you and your special childhood friend."

Starlight playfully rolled her eyes. "You wish, Spike?"

The little dragon playfully teased back. "Oh, I don’t wish it, Starlight. I know it will happen."

"Very funny, Spike." Was all the unicorn could say in response while the others giggled at the sibling like teasing. At least it’s one thing she'd won’t miss while she is away at the Crystal Empire. And that she is definitely looking forward to seeing Sunburst again. Hopefully, he wouldn't have his hoofs to full with foalsitting Flurry Heart to be able to time with her. Hopefully…

Author's Note

Here in this episode, Starlight herself is the focus once more as she tries to do another one of those impossible things in life possible. And by that we mean, trying to do five things at once. But...

...it is not with hypnotizing others into doing her bidding like in cannon, which was deemed a controversial within the episode. And likewise, said flaw with the clones lead to an inevitable snowball effect with the end result being having an angry mob at the castle doorstep by the time Twilight, Kion, Spike have all returned. Something that led to an emotional confession when backed into a corner.

But thankfully after a day of apologies and properly doing said tasks along with spending time with the rest of the Guard to atone for her recent mistakes all is good between both kingdoms and still in better standing between one another.

While Starlight is off on a little breather, the Lion and Pony Guard will carry forward with another hot sizzler on the horizon as far as the war against Scar and his army is concerned, so stay tuned until then...

Episode 37: The Fall of Mizimu Grove

Episode 37:

The Fall of Mizimu Grove

On a fortunately (so far) quiet day, Basi and his Pod are currently hanging out at the big lake in Ponyville. Due to Big Springs being conjured by the Army of Scar, the whole family has been taking up residence there in order to have a vital source of water when they need it.

Luckily for them, there just so happens to be another pool on the outskirts of Ponyville and it just so happens to be nearby where Makuu and the crocs have been residing whenever they aren’t occupying the lake they have resided in during the first dry season.

Upon making their rounds, Beshte along with Applejack and Fluttershy swung by to check up on the former’s father who is looking on at his pod like he is making sure everything’s fine. “Everything okay, Dad?”

“So far.” He positively answered to his son. “But with all the recent attacks from the Outlanders, any unexpected sight or sound has us spooked.”

“I reckon it would and it’s not just you, Basi.” Applejack then said. “The same can be said for many ponies from here to the borders. And that’s usually the animals on ma farm’s job along with Fluttershy’s.”

“Sad but true, even with multiple ounces of courage injected in me it still happens from time to time.” Fluttershy herself admitted.

“And that’s nothing to be ashamed of, Fluttershy.” Basi gently consoled. “Overcoming things like this take time up to including years if one’s been adopting these habits for as long as you were born. Like I always say and I’m sure Princess Twilight would agree with me on is that when you have friends by your side, you always have the courage to take big steps in overcoming your biggest obstacles in life.”

That got Fluttershy smiling and even giggling a little. “That is so what Twilight would say and agree on.”

“She sure would.” Applejack nodded before turning to the Lion Guard’s Strongest. “And pretty wise advice your dad has, Beshte.”

Beshte humbly shrugged. “Constant resolution, it what’s he does.”

Just then the peace is suddenly interrupted when the sound of water bubbling is heard in the pool of water the hippos are in and Fluttershy gasped upon hearing it. “Someone’s underwater!”

“Everyone, out of the water! Now!” Basi ordered to which every hippo was quick to obey upon seeing it.

Beshte moved to jump and dive into the water to handle the mysterious source himself while Applejack stood by with her lasso at the ready. “Twende Kiboko!“

“Beshte? Beshte!” His father called out when nothing happened once he reached the source for a few seconds.

“Everything okay down there?” Applejack also called out.

Thankfully, he emerged underwater with the source that spooked them. And it is the good relief kind of deal for them. “It's okay, Dad. It's just little Kiazi!”

The little hippo laughed while the rest of pod sighed in relief as Beshte moved to let the hippo slide back down into the water.

“Phew!” Fluttershy wiped the sweat off of her forehead. “What a relief! Not to mention, a very cute little hippo!” She briefly gushed at the sight just when the rest of the Lion and Pony Guard showed up having heard the commotion from nearby.

“Basi? Beshte? Everything okay?”

“Applejack? Fluttershy? What’s all of the commotion this time?”

Both leaders urgently asked upon arriving.

“Nothing really.”

“Just another false alarm.”

Basi chuckled before speaking up to clear the air in an apologetic manner. “Uh...Sorry, Lion and Pony Guard. That was my fault. There's no real danger.”

“Oh, that's okay.” Kion said in a forgiving manner. “As long as you are all okay that’s all that matters.”

“I’m sure you’re not the only ones in the Pride Lands and Equestria has been on edge lately...” Before Twilight could continue everyone all turned and saw the nearby grass rustling. “Speak of the devil.” She then raised a hoof as she said. “Shh!”

“Lion and Pony Guard! Something in the grass.” Kion then said as every got in offensive positions as they prepared for said something to emerge from it.

Once again it was another false alarm as it was only Timon and Pumbaa in a very good mood as evident by their singing and humming.

“It’s just our friends again.” Twilight said with a sigh while motioning everyone to stand down.

“Uncle Timon? Uncle Pumbaa?” Bunga spoke in surprise upon seeing them carry on life nonchalantly.

Upon seeing him and the Guard sparked their full attention to them.“Oh, hey, kids!” Pumbaa greeted. “Uh... What are you doin' here?”

“We’re here on patrol like we do every day.” Rarity answered but that was all she could get in before the conversation got cut short.

“Pumbaa! No time for chitchat.” Timon sharply reminded. “We're on the trail of a slug-fest. Remember?”

Upon seeing the slug slithering in front of them, Pumbaa was quick to move on and focus on what they need to do right now. “Oh, right. Later, kids!”

The two then proceeded to sing and hum to themselves while carrying on their way together.

“Nice talking with you.” Rarity called out somewhat irritated by the sudden and abrupt departure.

“It’s okay, Rarity.” Pinkie assured it’s nothing to fume over. “Hakuna Matata!” She reminded.

“It’s what they do.” Kyoga added while feeling and sharing the unicorn’s frustration.

Just then Makini showed up with something exciting to share with them all. “Lion and Pony Guard! Lion and Pony Guard!”

“Makini? What's wrong?”

“Is everything okay?”

Both Kion and Twilight urgently asked of her.

The young mandrill however had quite the opposite mindset as evident by her confused expression upon looking at them. “Wrong? Why would anything be wrong?”

“Considering that everyone is on edge in case the Outlanders make another move whether it’s here and or the Pride Lands, it should raise some valid concern.” Kyoga pointed out.

Fuli smirked seeing the flip flop of emotions around them. “Hmm. It's gonna be one of those days.”

Said moment aside, Makini continued with what she had to say while presenting a plant she is currently carrying. “Anyways, I just wanted to invite you all to my Mpando mpya!”

“Empanada what?” Pinkie uttered with her tongue literally twisted upon saying that.

“Yeah, what she said.” Bunga said while pointed at the pink pony standing beside her.

“Mpando mpya!” Ono clarified while landing beside them. “It's the planting of a new baobab tree in Mizimu Grove!”

“Yes! Every baobab tree in Mizimu Grove was planted by a Royal Mijuzi while they were training. And tonight I get to plant mine!”

“Poa!”

“Well that’s sounds like a mighty accomplishment worth looking forward too, Makini!”

“Yeah! Congratulations, Makini.”

“We’re all so very proud of you!”

Beshte, Applejack, Fuli, and Fluttershy all complimented.

“Indeed!” Ono also complimented. “An mpando mpya doesn't happen very often!”

“Would you say it’s a Rarity?” Starlight asked with glimmering eyes to which had said rolling her eyes while resisting the urge to laugh.

“Yes, Starlight. It is indeed.”

Basi having heard their conversation moved to approach the Lion and Pony Guard wishing to join in on the conversation. “You said it. I remember my dad telling me about Rafiki's.”

It was there Makini saw an opportunity for the hippos. “Ooh! Basi! You and your pod are welcome to come too!” She eagerly offered.

And it was an offer Basi was more than happy to take her up on. “We'd love to. I'm sure it would lift the whole pod's spirits.”

“Actually, it sounds like a chance to lift everyone's spirits!” Kion then said already liking where Makini is going with this.

“It is Kion. A perfect opportunity indeed.” Twilight also agreed.

“Kion?”

“Twilight?”

Both Fuli and Applejack asked wondering what’s on their leader’s minds.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Pinkie also eagerly asked getting the same idea along with Makini.

“Yes, Pinkie.” Kion confirmed with a smile. “We should invite everyone to Makini's mpando mpya!”

“And by that we mean a nice little party to celebrate this historic occasion.” Twilight added much to the pink pony’s squeeing delight.

“You really think everyone's gonna want to watch Makini plant a tree?” Bunga couldn’t help but ask before turning towards the glaring farm pony who took offense to that question. “No offense.” Said pony gave the eye am watching you gesture in return which left Bunga raising his arms apologetically for striking a nerve with that remark.

“Of course!” Twilight positively replied. “As long as we can we turn into a big event they will.”

“And while we’re on the subject. Hang on! “Kion upon getting another idea moved run into the grass where he catchs and intercepts Timon and Pumbaa both still singing and humming their merry way. “Timon! Pumbaa! I have a favor to ask.”

Timon however was quick not to express interest with whatever he had to say. “Not now, kid. Kind of busy here.”

“It's about you two putting on a show at Mizimu Grove.” Upon hearing that had the meerkat quickly change his tune.

“A show?” Pumbaa asked already on board with the idea.

“Well, why didn't you say so in the first place!”

“It's for Makini's mpando mpya.” Kion then explained just when the rest of the Guard along with Makini join up with them. “I think if we turn it into a big event, it might cheer everybody up. Maybe you two could start it off with a song?”

It didn’t take even a second for the two to give the leader of the Lion Guard their answer.

“Ooh! That sounds like fun!”

“You said it, Pumbaa! Nothin' like a song and dance to liven things up!”

“Then you'll do it?”

“Of course we will!”

“Ooh! This is going to be so amazing!” Makini then made her complete gratitude clear to them. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“Spread the word, kids! Nobody's gonna want to miss a show like this!”

And that mention got the skinks who happened to be nearby to watch and listen their full attention.

“Sounds like something Scar won't want to miss, either.” Shupavu commented seeing that as something intriguing to the point a very good opportunity has popped up out of it.

“With an opportunity like that I’m sure he won’t.” Njano said in agreement.

Indeed, Scar himself is already taking intrigued interest when the skinks personally reported to him in the Outlands Volcano. “An mpando mpya.” The sinister half lion/alicorn chuckled in his fiery form. “Even I've never been to one. At least, not yet.

“And the Lion and Pony Guard is personally inviting animals from all over the Pride Lands!”

“Not only that ponies from all over Equestria!”

Both skinks further informed their boss.

“Hmm.” After some thinking Scar had another idea in mind to seize on this very opportunity. “So. Lots of Pride Landers gathered in one place at the Lion Guard's request?” Both skinks nodded to confirm it’s true. “Surely they won't object to a few uninvited guests. And one very special guest!” He moved to evilly laugh with what he’s about to do next when the time comes again while skinks watch on knowing exactly what he is thinking now.

Later at sunset at Mizimu Grove, the whole party had arrived. Many Pride Landers and ponies from Equestria have gathered all ready to watch the show along with enjoying the refreshments provided by the party pony herself.

Rafiki standing on the stage beside his pupil moved to start of the greeting. “Hello, Pride Landers! And welcome to Makini's mpando mpya!” Everyone all cheered with eager anticipation. “As you know, every tree in Mizimu Grove has been planted by a Royal Mijuzi. In fact, the tree I planted is right over there!” He gestured to said tree on the side which happens to be the biggest of them all. “It is much bigger now!”

Then the lion king himself stepped forward to continue the welcome speech. “Today the Circle of Life continues, as Makini plants her baobab tree. And, to help us celebrate this occasion, two very dear friends of mine have agreed to perform a song. And so, without further ado, please welcome Timon and Pumbaa!”

Everyone all cheered as the two made their on stage while the others moved to get off of it to allow them both to perform their song together. After sharing a bow to the audience, Octavia and Vinyl moved to make their way onto the stage with their equipment and instruments at the ready to provide music for the lead duo’s singing performance.

And as a special treat for the audience, Twilight is also joining them on the stage with her piano in tow something that also sparked interest in the audience especially her friends since they have only seen her play it once before, and now they get see her perform for the first public showing. For the occasion she sported a lavender colored tuxedo (jacket and pants included) to match her coat, accompanied with a black vest and bow tie.

Once they were ready the three then started up the music with slow piano music to kick start the song.

Timon:

“When the Savannah seems set against you...”

Pumbaa:

“And things all around go wrong...”

Timon:

“Don't be feeling scared and lonely...”

Pumbaa:

“Instead hold on to this song!

Things will get better when we work together”

Both:

"Things will get better when we work together”

Then the music started to get upbeat when Vinyl got the upbeat music playing with Octavia starting play notes on her cello.

"Tujiinue

Is all you got to say

Tujiinue

When things don't go your way.

We'll lift ourselves up today.”

The Pride Landers and ponies definitely got their heads shaking as they danced to the beat as well. And that was before the music turned back to the slow and somber tune from Twilight’s piano that has some of her friends eyes watering, in Celestia and Rarity’s case, and brighten the smiles on the others, especially Applejack, Luna, and Kyoga’s faces.

Pumbaa:

“So look at all the friends around you.”

Timon:

“You know they're on your side.

So when we all stand united.”

Pumbaa:

“We'll sing this song with pride!”

Then it’s back to the upbeat music once more as both Kion and Fuli exchanged an equally proud and lovely smile together.

Timon:

“Things will get better when we work together.”

Both:

“Things will get better when we work together

Tujiinue

Is all you got to say

Tujiinue

When things don't go your way

We'll lift ourselves up today.”

Timon:

“Let's lift ourselves up!”

Pumbaa:

“Let's lift ourselves up!”

Both:

“Spirits so high

We can touch the sky!

Tujiinue

Is all you got to say!”

While the Lion and Pony Guard are all dancing to the beat, the Army of Scar spies and sneaks up on the Pride Landers and ponies all gathered at the Grove.

Upon getting a good look at the occupied crowd, Janja turned back to the others ready to take charge instructions for the others. “Okay. We all know the plan. Crocs on the left, jackals on the right, fliers up high, hyenas along with the leopards up the middle. Drive 'em towards that big rock at the other end.”

Chunhu giggled with delight with what they are about to carry out. “This will be a show they'll never forget!”

“Right. Now let's go!”

As the song was coming to a conclusion, the hyenas moved to make their appearance known first by the sound of their leader’s cackling laugh.

“Hyenas!” Kion stated fiercely before moving to face off with the first of uninvited guests showing up to the party.

“Heya, Lion and Pony Guard.” Janja greeted. “Hope we aren't interrupting.”

"Because we heard that there is a big feast going on. Surely you can't say no to us dropping by." Makucha added with a mean grin.

Acting quick both Ono and Rainbow flew up to scope out the Grove around them and found something that sparked and required divided attention.

“It's more than just hyenas!”

“We've got crocs and jackals, too!”

“Not only that…” A pony’s voice stated before flying by at lightning speed to which Rainbow narrowly dodged. “...ponies too!”

“Well, well, well.” Rainbow returned with narrowed eyes and a bitter tone. “Lightning Dust and Wind Rider. Here to cause trouble again.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah!” Lightning returned with a blah blah expression. “Let’s cut the horse crud and get this over with!”

“Gladly!” She whistled for both Ono and Fluttershy to come over to assist him in this fight. “Ono! Fluttershy! You’re with me!”

“Count me in too!” Rarity also fiercely shouted. “I have a score to settle with the pony who had the nerve to dump water on me during our last encounter.”

With a boost of her own magic she gave herself a boost while trying a fire a few offensive blasts herself at said pony who found herself dodging the attacks. In addition left caught off guard by how well she has improved in said category of fighting since she has only applied it to her martial arts technique.

After shaking off the impressed shock both Ono and Fluttershy moved to fly by to help Rainbow fight the antagonistic fliers that let the others to decide who they’re planning to take on now.

“Fuli, Applejack, Kyoga, crocs!”

“Beshte, Pinkie, Bunga, jackals!”

“We'll take the hyenas!”

“What about them?” Applejack asked pointing to the other Pride Landers and ponies who have gathered seeking to fight too.

“This is what we trained for, everyone.” Ma Tembo reminded before moving to be all ears for how they can help in this battle. “Just tell us where you need us, Kion and Twilight.”

“All of us.” The lion cub’s father added.

“We’re ready.” The white alicorn confidently stated.

“So, what’s the call?” The dark blue alicorn then asked.

After sharing a look and nod together they both gave out instructions for everyone else willing to fight.

“Hippos with Beshte and Pinkie…”

“Galagos and antelopes with Fuli and Applejack…”

“Princess Luna, Elephants, help Bunga and Kyoga protect the rest of the herds...”

“Dad, Celestia, we'll take the hyenas and leopards.”

“And as for the Cutie Mark Crusader and friends…” Twilight said gently to the kids present. “...stay hidden and only engage when spotted. And if so…” She hands each of them little bombs and matches. “...light these and pitch them as far as you can right at them then run as fast as you can in the opposite direction.”

“As far as we can?!” Mtoto and Apple Bloom eagerly asked.

“As far as you can!”

"And as fast as we can?!" Scootaloo also eagerly asked.

"As fast as you can!"

“But for now…” Kion then said while directing his eyes towards the nearby trees and blind spots. “…go hide.” The kids all move to do so leaving everyone else ready to fight this battle that’s right on their doorstep. “We'll fight for what's right!”

“Pride Landers and Equestrians Unite!”

“Timon, what do we do?” Pumbaa then asked.

“Only one thing to do, Pumbaa.” Timon replied before drawing a sword and shield. “Keep singing!” Then he remembered. “Oh and of course join in and fight!“

“Oh, right! But either way the show must go on!”

The two proceeded to let loose a battle cry and charge into the thick of danger, all while continuing to sing along the way.

“Tujiinue

Is all you got to say.”

As the battle commences, Kion wastes no time in taking action against the hyena leader once more. “Go back to the Outlands, Janja!” He fiercely demanded of the arrogant leader once more.

But even so he still didn’t back down. “You kiddin'? And miss the big show?” Even while getting tackled by the leader of the Lion Guard doesn’t deter him.

At the same time, the leader of the Pony Guard was quick to face off against the leader of the leopards herself. "Sorry, Makucha. But dinner's canceled."

"We'll see about that." Makucha growled in returned before moving to make a charge against her before finding herself gracefully dance maneuvering around the leopard's attempted attacks before firing off a few of her own with the last one connecting and sending him tumbling and crashing into the nearby tree.

Chungu and Cheezi themselves were chasing after a young aardvark before being intercepted by the lion king himself with a stern expression enough to get them quivering with fear. “Going somewhere?

“Uh, yeah! This way!”

“Cheezi! Wait for me!”

The two proceeded to run off in the opposite direction with Simba pursing them.

At the same time, Nne and Tano along with Makucha's leopards found themselves eyeing and cornering Moon Dancer, Minuette, Lemon Hearts, and Twinkleshine along with Makini who found herself forced to drop her mpando mpaya and retreat up a nearby tree for safety because of them. But before they could perform a sneak attack on them they were quick hoisted away by Twilight’s magic and right into her hooves.

“Nice try you sneaky hyenas and leopards!” She proceeded to slam the two hyenas together for a head on collision before pitching them up in the air with her magic. “Heads up, Celestia!”

With a swift and graceful work of her horn she sent the two hyenas flying away from the Grove like she was out on the baseball field.

“Home run!” She proudly declared before moving forward with the ongoing fight.

Minuette giggled. “That ought to keep them out of the park!”

“Thanks, Twilight!” Moon Dancer gratefully said to the princesses.

“Don’t mention it.” She proceeded to quickly flip around to kick the leader of leopards away before he could even touch her. "Just keep doing what you do best."

“And by that you mean keep focused and fighting.”

"Exactly!"

The two responded before taking off in flight together.

Already the unicorn team managed to keep to their word by instantly blasting aside the jackals that tried to attack them from every corner leaving them to be bucked aside for the antelope coming in to assist them.

Bunga moved to grab onto Goigoi's tail while Pinkie moved to do the same for another jackal.

“Whee!”

“Let go, ya pesky varmint!”

“Yeah, what he said!”

The two jackals desperately demanded.

Upon sharing a look together they both complied. “Okay!“

But when they did they caused to crash into each other head to head right up against the tree Makini climbed.

Said mandrill lowered herself down to give the jackals a good whack with her staff. “That's what you get for spoiling my big night!”

Rafiki laughed with pride for what she just did. “Well done, Makini.”

Makini upon turning to face him barely had time to thank her when something caught her attention. “Rafiki, look out!” She alerted to a crocodile trying to attack him from him.

Acting on natural instinct, Rafiki was able to flip the crocodile with his staff and right into Pinkie’s party cannon.

“Bombs away!” In a huge blast of confetti the crocodile was sent flying away from Mizumi Grove.

Ma Tembo herself was making Reirei run for her life with her massive sized charge. “Get outta here, jackal!” She then proceeded to give the jackal leader a good whack that sent her tumbling across the grass and right past Thurston who just stood and watched.

“I do say! I've never seen a trunk do that!” And that was before finding himself backhoofing another jackal that tried to perform a sneak attack without realizing before carrying on his merry way.

Meanwhile Kiburi himself is facing off against Fuli and Applejack who are both ready and waiting for the arrogant crocodile leader to make another move. Both locked eyes with the croc himself who did the same in return while snapping his jaws at them and still kept their guard up when…

“Watch out, Fuli! Applejack!” Laini alerted while riding on Bupu once more with a battle cry accompanying it.

Thanks to Bupu, Kiburi found himself trampled which allowed both Applejack and Fuli to subdue him.

“Thanks for the heads up, Laini!”

“Very much appreciated!”

Both the pony and cheetah thanked before the farm pony proceeded to buck the crocodile the heck out of dodge from the Grove.

By then, with her friends help Rainbow was able to send both Lightning Dust and Wind Rider packing.

“Better luck next time, losers!” Rainbow taunted after them while seeing them go. But at the same time her victory was short lived when she along with Ono managed to spot the fire bombs courtesy of the vultures. “Oh, no!”

“Kion! Twilight! Look!”

The two fliers then alerted their leaders who both reacted in alarm.

“Heyvi kabisa!”

“It’s raining fire!”

“Beshte, fire!”

“Rarity with me!”

The two then commanded of said hippo and pony who both hurried over to help do their part in dousing the ongoing fires.

“Got it, Kion! Hippos with me!”

“And I’m ready when you are Twilight!”

While Beshte and the hippos moved to create burrows to bury the fires on the ground, both Twilight and Rarity moved to do their fire and water tango dance to douse the fires from above.

“We'll lift ourselves up today.”

At the same time, Timon and Pumbaa took notice of the fire bombs and decided to do something about them.

“Stage lights! Why didn't we think of that?”

“Yeah! Great for tossing a few props around!”

The two proceeded to juggle them around before spotting the vultures from above.

“Hey vultures! Ready to play a game with us!”

“It’s called shot put!”

Before the vultures could get a word in, Timon launched the fire sticks upwards and right in front of Pumbaa’s rear end. Said combo move lead to the vultures instantly getting fried and knocked down to the ground. Upon standing up the two found themselves covering their featherless bodies in horror along with multiple laughs from the various ponies and Pride Landers passing by.

“Now that’s what I call Mongolian barbecue!”

“You said it!”

“Permission to run away in humiliation sir!” One of the vultures asked their leader who was quick to say yes to that request.

“Permission granted!”

The vultures all proceeded to run away while still covering their shame much to the delight of their enemies.

With that taken care of, both Timon and Pumbaa continued to sing and dance together.

"Tujiinue

When things don't go your way!”

After that had happened, Basi and his pod managed to create effective fire breaks that put out the fire from the ground. In addition, Twilight and Rarity have successfully performed a tango that put all of the fires out from above including the trees in the Grove.

“There we go!”

“Poa! Great work, Dad!”

Both father and son exchanged.

“Like before great job, Rarity!”

“You too, Twilight! Along with another divine and eloquent tango, darling!”

Upon catching up with Kion, he is just getting a glimpse of what he is seeing and that is a successful stand against the Outlanders. And sure enough, the Outlanders were soundly defeated. But there was still a fighting Outlander not finished yet.

“Kion. Twilight.” Janja called out to them.

“Look around, Janja!”

“You're losing!”

The two returned with fighting stances ready for another fight with him.

“Oh, yeah?”

And to answer why Janja feels certain they are not losing this fight once more is because of the one very special guest arriving at the party. And he is all sparked up fiery energy himself and gaining the attention from the Pride Landers and ponies having just got done defeating his army.

He then proceeded to unleash a wave of fire that set the place ablaze once more before slowly making his way into Mizimu Grove with a slow and ominous walk with a killer look in his eyes. One look at him would give the impression he had just emerged from the fiery pits of the underworld and is the devil coming to collect souls while he’s at it.

“Oh, no! Rafiki, your tree!” Makini exclaimed in horror as they both see the very sight right in front of them.

With his appearance made clear to everyone, Scar then addressed the leaders of the Guard himself. “On the contrary, young leaders of the Lion and Pony Guard, this battle is not yet over, for you all have yet to face the boss level of this fight. And I’m ready for that. Question is, can either you two say the same?”

Both leaders looked on as if he hadn’t said that or something similar in the past.

“What do you think, Scar?”

“Bring it.”

Just then the others moved to stand behind Kion and Twilight ready for that fight, despite most of them being internally scared of Scar.

To kick start the battle, the antelopes were the first to make the charge against Scar himself with the whole herd along with galagoes in for the ride. But the more speedier and agile enemy was quick to fly up to dodge the attempted charge.

Scar then moved to to put up a force field shield when the hippos tried to make a charge themselves before focusing his attention on the antelopes who are all trying to push through their fear to try to take him down. With swift martial arts moves he managed to take the antelopes from every angle. Even when faced with galagoes who tried to pull off a high fly attack, he simply grabbed each and every one of them by the necks, one per claw.

From there the galagoes could hardly do anything before being thrown away and then tossed right into the hippo’s eyes once the shield dispersed. That managed to blind them and left them no time to realize until too late they were in a collision course towards the antelope who all got bowled over as a result.

The elephants then tried to make a charge at Scar sure that their super strength can’t be matched against him. But they immediately found themselves proved wrong when they found themselves yanked down into the ground and viciously pummeled and sent crashing into the nearby burning trees.

Upon glaring his eyes at the ponies, zebras, and aardvarks who have yet to try anything against the commander of his own army are all frozen in fear. All upon witnessing the carnage and bloodshed as if they are having flashbacks of him trying to hunt them down in the past.

“What’s the matter? Lives flashing before your eyes?” He mockingly asked of the remaining fighters before tossing forward a magical sword right at their paws and hooves. “Pick it up! Pick! It! Up!”

After much rapid heart beats along with wide eyed panic Minuette asked with terror in her voice towards the others who have yet to respond. “What do we do?!”

Immediately Thurston shouted. “Panic and run! Panic and run!” The zebras all did just that before hightailing out of Mizumi Grove.

“Given that the zebras for once have the right idea…” Twinkleshine calmly spoke before shouting. “Let's get out of here!”

“Wait for me!” Lemon Hearts shouted while following after them along with the antelope herd, the giraffes, and most of the elephants.

Not even the brave kids were willing to take their chances against Scar before fleeing the Grove in a panic along with dropping their weapons and matches.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?!”

“Yep!”

Both Apple Bloom and Mtoto shared.

“Let’s…”

“Run for it!”

Both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo then said before fleeing the Grove too just as the accidentally lit bombs created a massive implosion of smoke that left the massive patch of dirt itself reduced to nothing more than ash including the surrounding trees within the blasts range.

“Elephants, stop!” Ma Tembo futilely called out to her herd who still refused to listen out of their crippling fear of Scar instead opting to retreat through the huge cloud of smoke.

“Apple Bloom!”

“Sweetie Belle!”

“Scootaloo!”

Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow all called out to them with worry for their younger siblings.

“Come on, everyone!” Basi ordered of his pod before making his way out too with them together.

All while the Army of Scar looks on with triumphant grins accompanied with Janja’s cackling satisfaction.

Seeing this sparked the leaders of the Guard to take divided action.

“Lion Guard, go calm the herds! We’ll take care of Scar and the Outlanders.”

“Pony Guard, go with them! We can take things from here!”

Both Fuli and Applejack were quick to carry out their orders.

“You got it, Kion.”

“We’ll get ‘em, Twilight.”

“'Til the Pride Lands' and Equestria’s end…”

“Lion and Pony Guard defend!”

After most of the Lion and Pony Guard went after the others that had fled, that left Kion and Twilight, along with Simba, Celesita, Luna, Ma Tembo, Rafiki, and Makini left alone to deal with Scar and his army.

Janja wasted no time in laughing in delight with what their leader managed to accomplish. “They've all run away! Mizimu Grove is ours!”

“Not if we have something to say about that!”

“Because now we are no longer messing around!”

Both Celestia and Luna stated ready for another fight with the kingdom’s arch-nemesis.

“And there is no way we’re surrendering to you, Scar! Not this time!” Simba added equally furious yet collected while baring his claws at his treacherous uncle.

“Rafiki, Makini, Ma Tembo! You take of the remaining Outlanders…”

“..meanwhile we’ll take care of Scar.”

Both leaders firmly stated with the purple alicorn moving to rip off her tuxedo suit so she can properly engage in this upcoming fight herself.

“Yes, your majesty!”

“You got it, Twilight, Kion!”

“Let’s do this!”

To kick start this battle once more, Kion then stepped forward with this to say. “Now that everyone's gone, I can do this!” With the power of the clouds by his side and locked eyes, Kion used the Roar of the Elders to blast most of the Outlanders away before charging at the ring leader himself with a fierce drive to defeat him this time around.

A ways away from the Grove has most of the Lion and Pony Guard on the run in search for the panicking ponies and Pride Landers that have fled from the ongoing fight where Scar is now. All trying to spot out and search for the herds all still running away.

In Kion and Twilight’s absence, both Fuli and Applejack are in charge of coordinating the Guard’s moves from here.

“Ono, Rainbow do you see them?”

“And are headed towards danger?”

After a quick second of scanning the skies they were able to spot them out.

“Affirmative!”

“We got them! Most of them are straight ahead.”

“But the zebras are veering left. Hapana!” Ono then spotted something else in alarm.“ And the antelope are running right toward Poromoko Crevasse!”

“That's not good!”

“That’s a disaster just waiting to happen there!”

“Beshte! Fluttershy! Stop the hippos!” Fuli then commanded of them.

“You got it.”

“Will do.”

Both obliged without question.

“Ono, Rarity, calm the elephants and ponies!” Applejack then commanded of them.

“On it.”

“Will do.”

“Bunga! Pinkie! Zebras! Applejack! Kyoga! You’re with me while we go after the antelopes.”

“Zuka Zama!”

“Yes, sir, ma’am, sir!”

“Let’s do this!”

“Lead the way!”

“Huwezi!” At top speed Fuli managed to go lead the way on over to the retreating antelope herd where she managed to catch up to Bupu in very little time. “Bupu! You have to stop!”

Even when it’s a urgent manner, Bupu still refused to listen. “I don't take orders from you!”

Laini while still in a panic was quick to back her up there. “Take her orders! Take her orders!”

“You're about to run off a cliff!” Applejack shouted after she managed to catch up to the herd herself along with Kyoga.

“We are?” Both asked in unison before spotting out the dead end up ahead.

“Yes!” Kyoga shouted before teleporting herself on the edge of the cliff with Fuli quick to join up beside her in a last ditch effort to get them to stop before they throw away their lives.

“Everyone! Please! Stop, now!” Fuli urgently implored of them.

The antelopes moved to screech to a halt, but not without crashing into the magical barrier Kyoga threw up to keep them from going head over the cliff. Along with Bupu himself accidentally bumping and knocking Fuli down the cliff himself.

“Whoa there!” Applejack shouted before working her lasso in Fuli’s direction.

“Fuli? Fuli?” Bupu gasped in horror upon seeing what he had just done. Fortunately for him, Fuli was able to climb back up the cliff safely after being saved from a nasty fall from being caught by Applejack’s lasso. “Oh thank goodness, Fuli. I’m so sorry!”

“I'm fine.” She breathed in relief before smiling. “Just glad I remembered to say "please."”

“Along with having someone to have her back before she could break it.” Applejack added just equally relieved that there was no harm done even though it was a very close call there.

“No kidding!” Kyoga said though not without a shred of irritably at the antelope’s stubbornness that nearly caused it in the first place. “Are you ever going learn, Bupu?”

“If there is ever a day where I feel I can afford to go without hearing please, I will...eventually.” That answer leaves one to question when exactly that is going to be.

Elsewhere, both Beshte and Fluttershy have managed to catch up to Basi and his pod.

“The danger has long passed, Basi!”

“Yeah Dad, you can stop now!”

Both the Pegasus and hippo called out to them.

“Huh? Okay, Beshte, Fluttershy! If you say so.” With a simple skid and stop, the hippos along with the giraffes managed to cease running without much trouble. “Thanks, son. Fluttershy. I was getting tired.”

Elsewhere, Ono along with Rarity had managed to catch one of the two groups that had managed to stray away from the whole group.

“Everyone! Everyone! Why are you running? Nobody's chasing you!”

“The danger is long gone now!”

“Oh.” Mtoto’s mom realized. “How embarrassing.” She proceeded to trumpet to the other elephants to get their attention. “Everyone, stop!”

The herd all proceeded to stop with Mtoto himself wound up bumping into his mother accidentally along with the little fillies that retreated alongside them .”Did you say, "Stop"?”

“Yes, Mtoto. I did.”

“Phew! What a relief!”

“You said it!” Sweetie Belle said in agreement before being scooped up by her big sister who is equally relieved that she is all right.

“Couldn’t agree more, darling!”

Elsewhere, Bunga and Pinkie have managed to catch up to the zebras where the former managed to leap onto Thurston's back by using the tall rocks ahead to help give him a ramp boost. “Zuka Zama!” Once he was riding, he then moved to calm the zebras down himself. “Whoa, zebra-deebras! You don't have to run anymore!”

“We don't? Why not?”

It took a second to give the normally dimwitted zebra a good reason before going with. “Uh, 'cause you won the race.”

“We did?”

“Yep!” Pinkie presented and waved the checkered flag right over the checkered paint finish line she had just painted right over them. “Congratulations, zebras!”

And that was enough to get them to comply. “Well, did you hear that? We won!” The herd proceeded to skid to a stop. “I always knew we would.”

By then the rest of the Guard had managed to group together with all of the ponies and Pride Landers that had fled all accounted for and present.

“Here comes Fuli, Applejack, and Kyoga with the antelopes and galagos.”

“Along with Rarity and Ono with the kids!” Rainbow was quick to fly over to scoop up Scootaloo for a great big hug. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re safe!”

“Same here!”

“Apple Bloom!”

“Applejack!”

The two siblings shared before tearing up in a heartfelt hug.

“Now to check to see how the others are doing against Scar.” Fuli then declared before turning their attention towards the direction of Mizumi Grove where the battle was still going at the time.

Back at the Grove, like before Scar was able to withstand the power of the Roar before sending one massive fireball right back at his grand nephew. Fortunately he had enough time to dodge the attack by performing a back flip to get himself out of the way. But even still he wasted no time in getting back in the groove before engaging in a fire duel with the ringleader who likewise was ready to do the same.

The two were equally matched in regards to managing to dodge each other’s attacks along with getting offensive moves in the mix, up until Scar increased the intensity of his attacks forcing Kion backwards. Seeing this spurred Twilight to take to perform a super magic powered punch to the face to send him flying backwards before he could seize on the opportunity to do anymore damage to his grand nephew aside from a hard landing on his back.

After shaking off a little blood from his jaws, he proceeded to make a charge at Twilight himself who likewise proceeded a magical shield to fend off his attempted attacks. She then countered by using a surge of magic to repel Scar away from her before flying up and delivering a drop kick right on her opponent’s head. Upon quickly recovering Scar growled in response before quickly charging right at her for a tackle to throw her right into one of the trees and then proceeded to return the favor with a super powered punch to the face himself.

Seeing this enraged both of their parental mentors who were quick to take attack against Scar. Simba proceeded to charge and tackle him by using the nearby smoke and dust for cover. The two proceeded to wrestle and sink their teeth into each other’s manes on the ground until the lion with the red mane proceeded to perform a flip kick to send Scar flying backwards.

He quickly regained his traction before finding himself little time to prepare himself with a shield to fend off Celestia’s attacks when tried to attack him from above with great intensity like Twilight and Kion attempted to do to Tirek a while back. Much like before the attack forced Scar backwards but remained unharmed when the attempted blast stop. And by using the cover it provided him, Scar was able fly right by, used his magic to hoist the alicorn by the neck before tossing and slamming her right into another tree and crashing right on top of his nephew upon the impact.

Next up Princess Luna herself moved to engage in battle against Scar herself by unleashing blasts of magic to which Scar himself was able to dodge but not with ease like before but was able to keep himself from being pushed by like the others have did before her. He then proceeded to unleash a series of magical attacks in return to force the younger royal sister on the defense.

While she found herself having to fly around to avoid getting hit, she was able to dodge each and every one of them before she was able to swirl up a big tidal wave of magic right back at him which connected and caused the half lion/alicorn to stumble backwards.

At the same time, Ma Tembo, Rafiki, and Makini were all able to hold their own on the remaining Outlanders, making sure neither Janja, Reirei, Makucha, nor Kiburi got the drop on them before sending them packing and out of the Grove. A combined attack with the mandrills whacking the former two with their staffs right into Ma Tembo’s truck just after beating down Kiburi and slamming him right into the leopard who them trumpeted all four predators out and away with one huge trumpet.

Inspired by this sparked a quick command to the others ready for one more charge left in them. “Now!” Luna commanded as the five advanced on Scar once more.

Scar who had just been stung by the last attack, was left little time to defend himself again when he found himself slapped aside by his own nephew. Then, Kion managed to fire a blast to send him tumbling across the dirt. Followed by both Celestia and Luna tying Scar before spinning him like a top. And last but not least, Twilight herself dealt with the final blow by delivering a powerful magic fueled punch kick that sent Scar flying away into the Outlands.

It took a lot of them, but they were able to do it, albeit bruised and beaten down from the injures they’ve endured. But by then the damage has been done. Mizimu Grove has fallen and is now under Scar’s control for he will be back to reclaim it tomorrow and there is nothing anybody can do about it.

“Well done, Kion.”

“Great work, Twilight.”

“It wasn’t easy, but we did it. And that deserves some recognition for each and everyone of us.”

Simba, Celestia, and Luna all complimented both the prince and princess.

“I know, Celestia, Luna.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Both Twilight and Kion returned thinking nothing of it even though defeating Scar in a battle together is a major achievement in it’s own right. But it is very clear, that Scar himself in a way still won by destroying Mizimu Grove and will be ready to claim it for himself tomorrow. Not to mention he plans on making good on that threat himself and their somber and downcast expressions showcase that they know it without saying it and that's not getting into their silent solemn reactions upon seeing the burnt trees all around a once sacred hollow portion of the Pride Lands.

“Too bad Scar managed to achieve what he set out to do.”

“Not to mention it has done little to put a stop to him for good.”

“I understand.” Simba sympathized with them. “Because the damage has already been done.”

At that moment, Ma Tembo moved to approach the lion king with something she needs to say to him. “Simba. We need to talk.”

“Yes. I know.” The lion king acknowledged. “Kion, Twilight, go help the rest of the Guard calm the herds. Ma Tembo and I will catch up in a bit.”

Both leaders of the Guard nodded at the lion king before setting out to do so.

Makini herself is now crying and devastated with what has happened which has attracted her mentor’s attention. “Makini? Are you okay?”

“Yes, but the whole grove is ruined!”

Rafiki however was able to help her feel better by remind her. “Shawri, Makini. Be calm.”

“Yes, Rafiki. Shawri.”

At the same time, Timon and Pumbaa pop their heads out from their hiding place while seeing that everyone is all gone from the now burned down Grove.

“Uh, doesn't anyone wanna see the big finish?” Pumbaa asked everyone present who directed looks at him and Timon in response. “Oh, right. Sorry. Now’s not the time.”

It wasn’t long until Twilight and Kion were able to catch up and reunite with their team who have succeeded with their task.

“Lion and Pony Guard? How'd it go?”

“Is everything all right?”

“Yep. Everyone’s all here and accounted for.”

“And most importantly, everybody's okay!”

Both Fuli and Applejack confirmed with proud smiles.

Bupu however said otherwise as he angrily retorted. “Okay? No, we're not okay!”

“We lost Mizumi Grove to Scar!” Muhangus just as angry added. “How is that even possible?!”

“Even after we all of that training we did in the face of Scar in the flames.” Laini fearfully added.

“Well, it's kind of hard to explain.” Kion replied unable to describe it well himself.

“Kind of impossible!” Bunga added.

“Surely that can’t apply to stopping Scar himself in the long run?” Twiga then promptly asked of both Kion and Twilight.

“Along with future fires he might start for further attacks to come?” Mtoto’s mom added.

“Surely nothing is impossible applies to dealing with the Outsiders themselves?!” Bupu also asked like it should be an easy yes answer.

While Kion struggled to answer, Twilight moved to answer those questions. “Of course not! Even when things seem to be stacked up against us!”

“What will we do without Mizimu Grove?” Muhunga then asked still feeling fearful and uncertain knowing Scar is closing in on them,

“What if our grazing ground is next?” Thurston also asked fearfully.

“Kion. Twilight. Most importantly, is there even a way for us to defeat Scar himself right?” Basi then asked and prompted a confident reply from the leaders of the Guard.

“I…”

“Like I said, of course there is.” Twilight repeated. “We just have yet to find the best approach to deal with him for good.”

“Not yet?!” Bupu returned still not feeling satisfied. “Well, if that’s the case then how much longer until you actually do have the answer?”

“Yeah!” Laini agreed already dreading the very thought. “How many more losses do we have to endure before that actually happens?”

“Little to none!” Twilight sharply answered upon sensing the growing distress among the crowd. “Come on everyone, please calm down!”

“But how can we stay calm even while we keep losing land with every passing encounter to Scar?” One of the ponies asked.

“What if any of our homes are next should the Pride Lands fall?” Another pony also asked.

“And that I can assure you that day will never come!” Twilight kept asserting through firm answers in the face of the more frantic questions others keep giving them. “No matter what, good will always triumph over evil, no matter how many times they win a battle!”

“Twilight is right!” Simba also stated to back her up as he, Ma Tembo, and the royal sisters moved to stand tall over the nearby hill to back her up there. “And I know that this is a very concerning issue, but we can’t just give up even when things seem bleak.”

“And in answer to one of your previous questions, answers like these take time.” Princess Celestia added.

“Well that’s encouraging… considering it’s time we don’t have.” The pony irritably replied to which had everyone else agreeing under their breath.

“Now come on, everyone!” Luna insisted that they don’t think like that. “Even still what you all need to understand that as leaders it is our job to protect every pony! We cannot do that if you are not in Equestria and the same goes for the king himself in regards to everyone in the Pride Lands.

Basi however retorted to convey his lack of trust in the king, prince, and princesses with a tone of anger and disappointment he rarely shows. “As leader of the hippos, it is my duty to protect my pod, whether that's in the Pride Lands or somewhere else.”

“Somewhere else?”

“Like outside of the Pride Lands and Equestria?”

Both Beshte and Fluttershy asked in shock by that statement of his.

“You're right, Basi.” Simba admitted. “I never want to lose a Pride Lander. But I will always respect your decision. Including the decision to leave.”

“And the same can be said for those in Equestria.” Luna added.

“This is something every herd must decide for themselves along with every pony as well. And you'll need time.” Princess Celestia then told everypony.

“Come to Pride Rock tomorrow morning. You can tell me your decision then.” Simba then concluded before leaving the others to their thoughts along with both Celestia and Luna by his side.

After their king left, the herds move to talk to each other with what they plan to do going forward.

With the antelopes, it is already a solid decision given their leader’s stance on the matter. “There's nothing to discuss.”

With the elephants, no decision has been made, but it is still at a neutral standstill. “I want to hear from each of you.“ Ma Tembo told her herd.

“Who thinks we should stay?” Basi asked of every hippo in his pod.

“What do you think they're talkin' about?” Bunga asked his friends upon seeing this.

“Nothing good, I’m afraid.” Pinkie glumly admitted feeling her mane and tail deflate a little. “Considering they’re all considering leaving the Pride Lands and not even thinking about seeking refuge in Equestria.”

“What should we do, Kion, Twilight?” Fuli asked of both leaders of the Guard with concern and worry.

“Anything we can do to convince them to reconsider leaving and restoring their faith in us?” Fluttershy also asked in worry.

Sadly, neither leader could provide a positive answer in response. In addition the ponies had all took their leave from the Pride Lands only set on returning tomorrow morning to see if they have to say goodbye to any of the Pride Landers they have befriended along the way.

“Nothing else we can do. It's up to the herds now.” The princess answered.

“Everyone, go get some rest. I'll see you at Pride Rock in the morning.” Kion then told the team before setting off on his own much to the others great worry seeing that he is at another low point once more.

“I’ll go check up on him.” Twilight vowed before following suit.

By the time the sun has set, the cover of darkness loomed over the Pride Lands. There, both Kion and Twilight have returned to Mizimu Grove which is currently and still in a state of rising smoke and dust, leaving a near colorless atmosphere in the area around them.

“So much destruction...”

“I know.”

Both leaders shared before the former decided to make a call out to the skies.

“Grandfather Mufasa?”

Like before, said lion emerged from the heavenly clouds to answer his grandson’s call. “Yes, Kion, I'm here.”

“Grandfather, I'm worried. Things have been bad since Scar returned. But I never thought it would be so bad that the Pride Landers would want to leave and not want to trust living in Equestria going forward. I know they just want to protect their herds, but I wanna protect them, too. I guess I feel like I failed.”

Twilight was quick to shake her head against that notion. “You have not failed them, Kion. Nor have you shattered their faith in us.”

Even in the face of his grandson feeling down. Mufusa still delivered his usual warm and gentle advice to him. “Your ability to understand the Pride Landers, even when it's difficult, makes you a good leader.”

“But I can't lead them if they aren't here or Equestria. What am I suppose to do now? What are we supposed to do now?”

“Even on the darkest day, Kion, you can find hope.” Mufusa warmly advised.

“Where there’s a will there is a way.” Twilight chimed in to which Mufusa nodded in response.

“Thank you, Grandfather, Twilight.” Kion thanked before Mufusa disappeared back in the clouds. He then leaped down from the tall rocks before moving look around the Grove to find what his best friend and grandfather meant before spotting something. “What's that?” Upon seeing what he found he then smiled with delight. “Heyvi kabisa! I don't believe it.”

“Me neither.” Twilight also smiled before turning to Kion who both are on the same page on what can be done now.

The next morning, the herds have all gathered at Pride Rock having reached a consensus on what they plan to do going forward.

The lion king moved out from his den to greet the herds and ponies alongside both the royal sisters standing by his side. “I trust you've all made your decisions?”

Nobody answered to completely confirm it immediately, but the looks on their faces even Bupu, Muhungus, and Basi have all confirmed that they aren’t the answer that their king would hope it would be.

But none of the less Basi moved to step forward with his decision on behalf of his pod. “The hippos have reached a decision.”

“Dad?” His son spoke in sadden surprise at his reply.

“Oh, no.” Fluttershy whimpered like she is going to cry with both Pinkie and Rarity’s hoofs of comfort.

“It looks like…”

At that moment both Kion and Twilight have arrived on the scene to have one final say in the matter. “Pride Landers! Wait!”

“Kion?”

“Twilight?”

Both Simba and Celestia spoke in surprise upon hearing and seeing them.

“Everyone, please. If you decide to leave, I understand.” Kion started.

“And so do I.” Twilight added. “But before you do, there's something we'd like to show you.”

With that both Kion and Twilight lead everyone back to Mizumi Grove both stopping at the very spot that had the former smiling with confidence once more.

“Here.” Kion told everyone to which had all eyes looking upon what he is seeing.

Said sight had Makini gasping in delighted surprise. “Oh! My Mpando mpya!”

Kion then continued before leaping on a nearby log to continue with what he has to say next. “Makini's tiny sapling survived the attack on Mizimu Grove. And if it survived here and managed to withstand a fight against Scar, there's no reason we all can't. If we stay together, we'll be stronger.”

Twilight then continued next. “Yes, Scar has returned and is stronger than before. And I know you're scared and that he is very tough to defeat nowadays compared to the rest of his followers. But the last time Scar was around…” Both she and Kion moved to stand by their friends. “...there wasn't a Lion Guard nor a Pony Guard. There is now. And we're here to protect you.”

Kion then finished. “Even on the darkest day, there's hope.”

Moved by their words had Basi immediately reconsider his position. “Kion and Twilight are right. We're stronger if we stay together. We do have hope. The hippos are here to stay.”

Hearing that sparked relief and happiness in both Beshte and Fluttershy’s hearts.

“Poa.”

“Aww, how sweet!”

And that decision moved the other leaders to do the same.

“So are the elephants!” Ma Tembo happily stated while sharing a trumpet with her herd along with spurring a group hug amongst the youngsters together.

“Giraffes too!” Twiga stated next.

“As are the zebras.” Thurston also voiced on behalf of the herd.

“And the aaradvarks.” Muhunagus added.

“Count the galagos in!” Laini happily did the same while nudging of Bupu the most stubborn of the bunch to do the same.

After a brief sigh, he then smiled before warmly responding. “The antelopes will be staying as well.”

“I'm happy to hear that.” Simba shared to everyone who now have restored faith in him and his son.

“So am I.” Celestia warmly added.

“Along with knowing that the faith amongst us is still as strong as before.” Luna added feeling very positive herself while smiling herself. “For we will be very welcoming of you all even during our darkest days.”

“So, uh…” Bunga then voiced unsure himself. “...what do we do now?”

Rafiki moved to poke the honey badger with his staff as if it’s an easy question to already have the answer too. “What else, honey badger? We have Makini's Mpando mpya!”

Hearing that sparked Makini’s interest. “Ooh, can we? Right now?”

“I can't think of a better way to celebrate this moment.” Simba replied seeing they still have the time to do it even knowing of when Scar will be back to claim the land as his.

“I couldn’t have said it better myself.” The sun princess said in agreement.

“Me neither.” Luna added with nothing to say otherwise to which everyone all cheered all ready to see it themselves.

“Too bad Timon and Pumbaa aren't here to sing their song.” Kion commented.

“They're still at Hakuna Matata Falls.” Bunga replied to answer the question in his friend’s thoughts. “Somethin' about needin' beauty rest?”

“Can’t blame them.” Rarity said quick to understand why they feel they need it. “Especially considering they did a lot in helping us against the fight last night.”

“Not to worry.” Fuli was quick to assure everyone retrieving them won’t be necessary. “I think we can help you out there.” Turning to Fluttershy who looked on in surprise at what she is thinking before realizing what she means by it. “Ready, Fluttershy? Because I think you’re now ready for it.”

It took a second for the Pegasus to think about before giving her answer, mainly for the sake of the occasion and her growing confidence. “Ready.”

Twilight was quick to pull out her piano (after making quick magical repairs to it), ready to play on it to help with the music to it along with Vinyl and Octavia who also had their instruments prepped up and ready to go too. “Ready when you are.”

Upon seeing the look from both Fuli and Twilight that’s telling their usually timid friend to go for it, Fluttershy took lead in the singing.

"Tujiinue

Is all you've gotta say…”

Makini proceeded to plant her Mpando Mpaya with Rafiki putting his hand on her shoulder for comfort and pride in her pupil as they watch on as Fluttershy continue to sing before Fuli joined in.

“Tujiinue

We'll lift ourselves up today.”

While the sun shines even on the Pride Landers and ponies darkest day, Scar himself looks on still seeing the glimmering hope in their hearts. Deep down, he knows the potential threat it continues to have to his plans, but still remains certain that things will continue going his way. Especially with the ongoing momentum he has going now.

“Go ahead and enjoy this moment, everyone.” Scar said to himself while watching on from afar. “Because along with taking control of this area, I am going to enjoy taking control of more of the Pride Lands for the following days to come, including all of Equestria as well…” He then chuckled evilly as he proceeds to make plans for himself to make that happen in his sinister and devious mind.

Author's Note

Here in this episode is one where the Pride Landers and Equestrians try to take time to unwind from the ongoing stress and anxiety the ongoing war has caused. Only for it to serve as another opportunity for Scar to strike when he decides to crash the party. And despite the valiant efforts of the Pride Landers and Equestrians, it took Scar's appearance alone for things to go downhill once more to the point Pride Landers are considering the thought of leaving.

Said fact which given what was already done in this series is changed to the fact of the actual success rate on Scar's rate rather than keeping his return a secret (which how it was handled was 50/50 in my opinion).

But enough said, it took some much needed heavenly wisdom from Mufusa to give his grandson the assurance and motivation to keep striving even during it's darkest hour, followed by an uplifting performance as the Mpando Mpaya finally takes place.

Up next is dealing with the aftermath of said attack followed by a new friendship lesson to tackle for those who still have much to learn. A heads up this upcoming episode is taking P.P.O.V, Pony Point of View's place, so stay tuned as the final batch of episodes for this season starts rolling out this month.

Oh, and Happy New Year's!

Episode 38: Griffon the Atoner

Episode 38:

Griffon the Atoner

In the following days since the Fall of Mizimu Grove another summit has been called upon in light of the growing emergency they are now facing. Said summit is held once more at the Canterlot Castle where all of the leaders from both kingdoms have gathered together in the war room so they can discuss their new best course of action going forward.

“Thank you all for coming here on such short notice, everyone.” Princess Celestia warmly greeted. “Normally we had hoped that this wouldn’t have had to come until later this month. But as you all of heard and or seen, there have been recent and sudden changing developments have warranted this summit to today.”

“And that said change is that Scar himself and his followers have been increasing their control over the Pride Lands with every passing day.” Simba then explained next. “So now our main concern is to figure out how to re-strategize in order to put a stop to this before it gets any worse, or at least slow it down to keep the Pride Lands from falling anymore than it already has, twice.”

“Assuming that there is a way to defeat him.” Gilda sarcastically remarked as if to kill the little hope in the room. Upon seeing the looks from everyone she defensively stated. “What?! I mean don’t get me wrong but it seems to me that every time we try to mount a counter defense against him, we ended up having on the losing end on each and every battle against him.”

“Gilda…” Twilight scolded. “...we’ve talked about this. It’s because we’re dealing with someone who keeps outsmarting us each and every time. And before you ask, we already tried sneaking into enemy territory. He’s already cracked down hard on security ever since.”

“But didn’t you make it out there more than once?”

“We got lucky more than once.” When Gilda prepared to speak she continued. “And before you ask, they’re long complicated stories that are for another time. Anyways…” She then said moving forward with the main topic in hoof. “...we need a change in strategy in how to deal with the threat of Scar going forward.”

“So, anyone have any new ideas or suggestions of how to turn things around?” Kion then asked but before letting the others speak he added directly to Thurston when he was about ready to say something. “That doesn’t involve panicking and running away?”

“How about extra security around the borders?” Ma Rembo asked. “I believe I have some elephants who’d be willing to volunteer for it.”

Kion shook his head in response. “We already had that covered. Besides we need you and your herd at full strength for when the Outlanders do try to attack again.”

“Whenever that is.” Gilda muttered under her breath which did not go unnoticed by Twilight and the other leaders.

“How about a new spy that’s willing to infiltrate the Outlands and give us the heads up on whatever Scar is preparing to do next?” Makku then suggested.

“Ooh! Ooh!” Hodari raised his arm up (with Makuu lifting him up on his tail so all eyes can see him. “I would be happy to do it!”

Twilight had to hold back a chuckle at his enthusiasm before regaining her composure to properly address him. “As much as we appreciate the offer, I’m going to have to decline it because the best spies we could get to step up barely escaped death each and every time we’ve tried to do that.”

Kinyonga who was also there had to agree with the alicorn princess on the matter. “Trust me Hodari, that’s nothing something with your expertise should be tackling if I were you.”

“Okay.”

“I’ve been keeping the antelopes in top form with their training as much as Makku keeps his float in top form.” Bupu then brought up next. “But that’s all I am pushing them into doing. Unless of course we’re being paid overtime for it.”

“Um, Bupu.” Kion quickly spoke up. “Even during your time here, you’re not even getting paid at all since the Pride Lands doesn’t operate on foreign currency.”

“Exactly my point, Kion.” Bupu bluntly stated. “It’s not worth our time to risk injuring ourselves and literally become prey to our enemies and that’s final!”

“Okay…” Twilight then tried to move forward with the main issue at hoof. “...anyways…anybody else has any other ideas?”

“I guess that depends if there are any other ideas we haven’t tried yet.” Basi then said next. “We tried putting an inside friend and ally inside enemy territory, we’re training every chance we can get in, have as many patrols around both kingdoms 24/7, what else is left?”

All while Gilda is just rolling her eyes in exasperation before speaking her mind. “Oh, for the love of pony feathers! Forget all of this talk of staying on the defense! Since this has been the tactic we’ve been going on since this war started back up again, why don’t just oh you know, flip the script on them!” All eyes are looking on like it’s the most shocking thing they have ever heard.

“Young griffon…” Princess Luna sternly addressed first after her outburst. “...it’s impolite to not use your indoor voice and talk out of turn like that.”

“Hmmph!” Gilda scoffed. “Well excuse me for trying to voice the answer to our big problem.” Upon seeing the night monarch's stern glare she quickly realized she needed to backpedal and choose her next words more carefully. “I mean, excuse the way I phrased it just now but think about it. If we’ve been on the defense this last year or so, why not make that the change in strategy. Instead of waiting for the Outsiders to come and take another part of either the Pride Lands or anywhere in Equestria, why not take the fight with them into their territory? One fight with them in their territory and they have to surrender for good. Problem solved, right.”

“Because…” Twilight calmly spoke first as she found herself having to properly explain otherwise while at the same time diffusing the brewing argument before it could boil over. “...there is one major flaw with that plan. And that is defeating Scar himself.”

“Exactly!” Kion stated to back her up there. “Even being able to beat him comes at a heavy price against us.” He then moved to look at his wings and horn. “And for someone who briefly died after trying to fight him once I would know of what could have been if it weren’t for a stroke of luck in my favor.”

“Right…” Gilda’s expression soften a little upon hearing that last bit especially after catching a glimpse of Fluttershy herself looking very uncomfortable at the near spectacle within this very room yet with a strong desire of potential courage burning inside of her wanting to emerge as much as the griffon's potential kindness. “...that.” Trying to get everyone else on board with what she is pitching. “But even still this idea still has merit to work out, and as for Scar, get every powerful pony and Pride Lander to go up against him. There should be no way Scar is that invincible.”

“But didn’t we already try that?” Mbeya asked. “Did you not hear or see what happened when he took Mizimu Grove?”

“Yes and no. I meant every powerful pony and Pride Lander leader we have.” She said with eyes directed at each and every powerful figure present in the room. “If teamwork and all power combined can bring you back from the dead, then why can’t it do the same to defeat Scar for good?”

“Gilda…” Luna spoke up trying to be fair yet still firm. “...while we do see the merit in your words, there is the matter of understanding just how dangerous Scar truly is.” She looked around the very room they are in now to make sure they aren’t being watched right now. “Regardless of whatever we plan, Scar always has eyes and ears around us so he can surprise us with however he plans to flip the script against our favor.”

“But…” Simba spoke up earning surprise from the others. “...we are however willing to give this idea of yours a shot.”

Hearing this spark shocked voices among the Guard standing to the side.

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Hapana?”

“Seriously?”

“Are you for real?”

“You sure you didn’t receive hurt your brain from your last battle with him?”

“Sounds mighty risky if you ask me?”

The others however thought it is something they should do going forward.

“I never thought I’d hear you say it is time.”

“Me neither! About time if you ask me!”

“It is time!” Simba firmly stated with full confidence. “Time to defeat Scar and his followers once and for all.”

Everyone else eyed everyone in uncertainty before looking on with something that needs to said.

“I suppose there is reason to consider this plan.” Makuu spoke first among the Pride Lander leaders. “Especially since the clock is ticking with no way of knowing how much time is left before Scar completely secures victory over us, again.”

“As long as it’s something we can handle, me and the rest of the rhinos are willing to give it a shot.” Mbeya said next.

“And the same can be said for the antelopes as well.” Bupu then said now moved by the idea himself.

“Us too! The galagoes are in!” Laini happily declared.

“So are the elephants!” Ma Tembo also declared feeling very sure of herself and her herd’s abilites.

There it just left the royal family’s voices on the matter.

“Then I guess we’re in too!” Twilight voiced first. “Regardless of whatever happens next, I’ll reach out to my brother, sister-in-law, and niece to see if they’re willing to help us out.”

“If everyone who respects the Circle of Life is willing to fight this battle is willing to help us.” Kion then said next. “If my dad is willing to invade the Outlands, then I will too!”

“So will us.” Celestia voiced next feeling sure of it herself.

“Although we do need to be fully prepared for when we do make that attack.” Luna then cautioned with especially a deep focused stern look directed at Gilda. “And do keep in mind we are putting a lot on the line here, so be warned of what to expect while in the Outlands because it’s going to be tough.” The leaders all nodded to mentally say “Understood.” With the full voted agreement made. “Then with that this meeting is adjourned for now. We’ll meet up next time around to discuss the plan once we have a full team assembled and ready to fight that very battle.”

With that everyone declared. “Pride Landers and Equestrians Unite!”

After the meeting had ended, Gilda was about to head before being called out by the leaders of the Guard. “Hold on, Gilda.” The pony leader said with a raised hoof with both Kion and Rainbow by her side. “We need you to hang back for a moment.”

“About what? Talking out of turn for speaking an idea that can actually work?” Gilda asked like she expected that.

“Not that. At least not right now.” Twilight however shook her head. “But we could use your ‘inspiration’ of yours to do the same for the ponies in Ponyville.”

“Not only that we’ve also got extra company to agree to join us for a trip to Griffonstone to help train and prepare the griffons for battle too.” Kion added. “So we’re going to need to spark you’ve created earlier to get everyone ready for the most important battle of all.”

“Isn’t that great?” Rainbow eagerly asked.

“I guess. Sort of.” Gilda replied indifferent like before. “I was just telling others what I thought they needed to hear.”

“Well of course what you did back there was bold yet wasn’t quite your turn to speak out at the time…” Rainbow spoke while acknowledging both sides of the matter. “...but the point being that Scar has been still winning bits and pieces of the Pride Lands with every battle and plan he concocts did warrant that push we need to finally start turning this around.”

“And while we will have a talk about displaying better tact and manners later on, you do have a bold and brave mindset of a leader.” Kion then said next.

“Really? Well that’s…” Gilda started to say feeling pleased for once before Twilight spoke up mid-sentence.

“But you as said before you lack tact and a level-head to think clearly.”

Hearing that had the griffon taken aback. “Excuse me?” She asked more surprised than offended.

Twilight continued remaining firm with what she said before scolding her. “While there are ways to get your point across, talking out of turn is not the way to do it. If this was when you first came here, you would have been disciplined severely for doing what you did back there.” She then soften a little. “Just keep in mind, it’s to insult or criticize you. But it’s something that should be taken to heart going forward to improve yourself on. You do have potential for being a leader someday, but you’re not going to get much success and respect if you’re not willing to show said respect in return.”

“I don’t get it?”

That’s where Rainbow once more stepped forward to clarify, “What Twilight means is you have the courage and character, but you don’t quite have the heart yet to be a true leader.” The others looked at her like they never expected said words to come out of her mouth. “If you watched that Christmas movie Sunset shared last Hearth’s Warming you know what I’m talking about.”

Both leaders immediately got it from there.

“Right, right of course!”

“That movie!”

“Okay…” Gilda then turned her attention back to the others. “...so back to my ways of growing leadership. You said I need to improve my attitude, is that you are saying?”

“Yes.” Kion nodded. “Which is why your response was not quite well received with everyone especially Princess Luna.”

“Right…that.” Gilda acknowledged still feeling the cringe from the princess’s glare that could have killed her on the spot if looks have the power to do that.

“But that we can we work on as we make our way to Griffonstone.” Twilight assured before leading the way on over to the train station.

Once they arrived at the train station they are greeted by familiar faces some the griffon’s already met and some she hasn’t been acquainted with yet. And said faces are Fluttershy, Jasiri, and Makuu.

“Hello, Kion. Twilight. Glad you could make it!” Jasiri happily greeted first while hugging the two. After breaking up the hug she turned her attention to Gilda. “And nice to meet you too, new friend of the Lion and Pony Guard.”

“Um...thanks. Good to meet you too.” Gilda awkwardly replied just for the sake of appeasing her other friends before moving to do the same for Makuu. “Same to you too, um…”

“Makuu.” The croc comfortably replied before returning the greeting. “And it’s nice to meet you too.”

“Nice to see you again.” Fluttershy then followed suit although she meekly added. “Even though you roared at me and made me cry the last time around.”

“Wonderful! We’re all present and accounted for!” Twilight quickly spoke up while leading everyone towards their ride to Griffonstone before anything else can happen. “Let’s go!”

Everyone all moved to did so with Kion himself quick to understand why they cut the greetings short considering Gilda’s already getting a heavy helping of humble pie herself due to their just recent discussion they've just had.

“You’re sure she knows what she is doing here, right?” Kion whispered to Rainbow.

“Totally!” Rainbow stated fully sure of that. “If anyone can read others like a book it’s her!”

In answer to his question of how well it’s really going to turn out, that’s up to his best guess in their upcoming journey back to Griffonstone.

The train ride to Griffonstone, went through without much trouble. Twilight along with Kion and Fluttershy managed to share some giggles and chuckles as they recalled their latest stories since the last time they saw each other. At the same time, Gilda just kept her distance from the group not interested in wanting to join in out a guilt complex due to remembering how she made Fluttershy cry and then recently Twilight’s chastising words for her curt display of manners at the war meeting. Makuu who was also in a solo seat because he wasn’t interested in joining on the conversations got a good glance at the lonely griffon in question. And said look was enough for his usually grumpy look to soften as if he was looking at himself in a mirror for a second.

After some time, the group had finally reached their destination and little later on, Griffonstone itself.

“Well here we are!” Gilda spoke up as they walked under the arch. “Griffionstone! Home of the griffons, gold diggers, best-selling scones, and fliers on this side of Equestria.”

“Wow!” Jasiri remarked as she took in the sights of the place itself even though it’s still not quite like seeing the streets of Ponyville and Canterlot. “How very descriptive!”

Makuu on the other hand, just looked on indifferent about it like always. To him it’s just another place in Equestria. “For a place that could some work around here.” He muttered to himself before speaking up as if Twilight and Rainbow heard and read his lips. “But from what I have heard it’s quite an improvement.”

“Thanks.” Gilda returned as if it’s something worth taking in. “I know it’s not quite like what either of you have been accustomed to since your stay back in Ponyville, but it’s still better compared to when ponies and Pride Landers first started coming here.”

“That’s true.” Rainbow acknowledged and she said whispered to both Jasiri and Makuu. “Even better now considering we managed to fix up the library so Twilight doesn’t have one of those episodes of hers.”

“And what episode would that be, Rainbow Dash?” Twilight curiously asked.

“Oh nothing in particular…” She returned somewhat awkwardly with nervous sweat on her forehead. “...just the ones that involved books being tampered and or destroyed.”

“Oh, those.” Twilight casually replied. “Well hopefully it’ll be quite a show for you. That is if it was another me.” She quipped before setting off ahead leaving the Guard’s Fastest and Loyal pony baffled by what had just happened.

Jasiri then giggled. “Looks like Twilight’s picking up the pace on surprise hi and bye cues you’ve given her in the past.”

“Yeah. She has.”

“And it sounds like you need to start stepping it up if you want keep surprising her.” Makuu then suggested. “Otherwise she isn’t going to feel challenged anymore herself.” After that little bit of humor passed by, he then focused on the griffons that are waiting for them ready to get down to business. “And speaking of challenge, shall we get this over this?”

“Let’s.” Gilda agreed before summoning the griffons over. “All right, griffons! I’m back!” She roared. “Now that we’re all here, we’re going to start up training again!” The griffons then all lined up ready to resume said training. “Now! For today, I’ve brought some friends with me here today to help oversee it and help us out. Of course you’ve met the Lion and Pony Guard…”

“Hi.”

“How are you all doing?”

“Good to see you all again.”

“...not only that we have other leaders here with us today. Jasiri the hyena.”

“Hello!”

“...and Makuu the crocodile.”

“Nice to meet you all.”

“All right.” Gilda then said feeling there has been enough said. “Let’s get started.”

So with that the griffons were quick to start learning and practicing their technique and form which was something that got all eyes pleased with the teamwork and coordination they shared together. They were in perfect sync together, they performed the exercises perfectly, and they even obeyed Gilda’s commands without question.

One look would have them thinking they have a perfect team ready for battle, yet a minute later one would see the lack of emotion and satisfaction in the griffon’s eyes. “All right! Good job, griffons! Now it is time to incorporate some of those moves into crocodile moves which Makku will now teach you all. I will be back in a little bit to check up on your progress, and in the meantime, I expect you to give Makuu your full cooperation and respect as much as you do to me. Are we clear?” The griffons all nodded and said “Mmm-hmm. Yes, Gilda.” “Good.”

It was there said crocodile stepped forward to take charge in the matter. “Thank you, Gilda.” Turning to the griffons. “Okay, everyone. First moves we’re going to try out are the jaw vice and the reverse tail-whip Any questions on how to accommodate what you don’t have compared to me should be brought up ASAP. Any other questions before we get started?” When the griffons mostly shook their heads, he then said next. “Good. Now get to it!”

In the meantime, Gilda had retreated to a private area in Griffonstone where once she was sure she was along she let loose a sigh of relief while dropping the mask she put forward in front of everyone. In addition a groan with a solemn expression to match.

“Doing okay?” A voice asked from nearby.

“Yeah, yeah. Doing just fine…” Gulda started before yelping in shock upon seeing said voice happens to belong to Jasiri who she intially though was someone else. “AAH!”

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you there.” Jasiri apologized.

“What are you doing here?!” She returned while trying to catch her breath from her spiked heart rate. “I’d thought you’d be checking up on the other griffons by now.”

“That’s already covered since Twilight, Kion, and Fluttershy are around to keep things under check in case tempers flared between them.” Jasiri explained. “Besides, I figured you could use a listening ear for whatever has got you out of sorts, today.”

“Who, me? I don’t think so. What makes you think I’ve got a problem with anything?” She returned rather defensively.

“Because it doesn’t take a simple look to see that you weren’t entirely there when training the griffons just earlier.” Jasiri calmly replied. “You clearly got more on your mind that just preparing for an important battle.”

Gilda sighed in defeat. “All right. Fine. You got me, It’s because I do.”

“Anything in particular, like what happened at the meeting earlier? Because if that’s so you know Twilight only said what she said to you to help you become a better leader.”

“Not just that. But also Fluttershy that pony that has accompanied Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Kion.” She along with Jasiri managed to eye the Pegasus giving Makuu and the griffons some much needed kindness coaching with both Twilight and Rainbow behind them ready to discipline and throw down if they misbehave.

“Hmm.” Jasiri then asked upon seeing another bigger potential root of her internal struggle. “Any idea why?”

“Well...back when I first met them, I wasn’t exactly the friendliest griffon one could meet unless you’re Rainbow Dash. And because of that mindset I had, I roared at the yellow pony, made her cry, and fly away.”

“Hmm…” Jasiri nodded while taking in what she is being told in. “...that is quite a reason.”

“Tell me about it.”

“But it’s all in the past now.” She then assured. “So maybe what you just need to do is try to talk with her and apologize for how you treated her back then.”

“I don’t know.”

“Never hurts to try. Plus it might make you feel better, might make her feel better too. And it might help you better grasp that kindness and compassion that helps Twilight and Kion strive to become better leaders in their own right.”

Gilda looked aside still unsure about the idea itself, but was truly sincere in wanting to change herself for the better so she didn’t dismiss it entirely. But before she could give it some thought another familiar voice came out calling for them.

“Gilda! Jasiri!” Rainbow’s voice shouted before spotting them. “There you are!”

“Yep, you found us.” Jasiri smiled in contrast to Gilda’s deadpan enthusiasm.

“Hooray.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll give it to you straight.” Rainbow then continued. “Good news is most griffons have picked up on the crocodile style moves.”

“And the bad news?” Gilda asked.

“Some of the griffons still have yet to fully grasp them, nearly tested Makuu’s patience…” She then whispered. “...which has improved remarkably by the way.” Then pulling away. “...and could use a more friendly face teaching them.”

“No worries.” Jasiri replied feeling sure she can straighten this out. “I got this!” With that she made her way back over to the field where everyone else to apply some positive reinforcement on the griffons to get them motivated to keep trying where they failed.

All while watching, Gilda is left amazed and speechless with how well both Jasiri and Makuu were able to train them separately. She got to see the differences and the similarities between the two styles of leadership training. It was like she found herself in the middle uncertain of just how she was going to balance them out if only she could combine both the pros together in one solid approach.

For Jasiri herself, she barked firm yet gentle orders to the griffons like she is still treating them like their her family. While Makku on the other hand, is still firm and serious like before yet still has the griffons needs in mind as evident when he doesn't get all ruthless and callous towards them for not picking up the exercises as quickly as his crocs do.

“Wow.” She breathlessly spoke as if she is watching the Wonderbolts like she did back when she was at flight camp.

“Wow, indeed.” Makuu replied standing next to her. “It’s like watching what you wish you could do yourself.”

“Huh?” Gilda returned while tilting her head in surprise. “How would know what I am thinking of right now?”

“Young griffon.” Makuu replied as if he can see right through her. “It’s because I can read you like a book. Your family never understood you, your friends they all turned their backs on you. You couldn’t take it anymore so you opted to sulk through life going forward.”

“Wow!” Gilda returned with nothing to say in her defense. “You’re good.”

“Eh.” He simply shrugged. “Technically, but still not someone you’d want to catch in a bad mood. Nobody likes to picture that in their heads. Trust me, it’s not a pretty picture.”

“And I’ll take your word for it.”

“But all joking aside, not really, you doing okay yourself?”

“Yeah. Why won’t I be?”

“Well considering that you’re not being yourself today along with feeling like you wish you could do more to own to leadership yourself. It’s not hard for me to see why.”

“Oh, really?”

“Mmm-hmm. And what you ask is quite simple. Because I was just recently down that road myself before.”

“Really?!” She returned quite astonished herself with that revelation.

“Yes, and it was indeed a humbling experience I will admit.” Makuu then recalled as he led his float during the first wet season with the Lion and Pony Guard around to witness his rise to power. “Especially when coming to learn of what is best for your followers than just yourself.” During said flashback he did some serious thinking to himself when he got word of the upcoming dry season is around with King Simba himself personally inviting him to come to the upcoming Savannah Summit. “And antagonizing a few neighbors along the way can be really messy over time. Along with that you wind up coming to terms and taking to heart of what wiser leaders before you have tried to tell you only for it to kick in after stirring up a fair share of trouble.” He then recalled the various times the now wiser and affable Pua has said and did reasonable and wise decisions after mellowing out. Thinking of it now, had Makuu started seeing the errors of his ways and why the former leader mellowed out when he did. “So I too know what’s it like to make some regrettable decisions and left knowing you can’t take them back after all is said and done.”

“But how did you get through it?” She asked.

“I just moved on, made steps to regain the trust of the Pride Landers, apologizing to each and everyone for what I did back then, and then made peace that I’m becoming a better leader than I was before.”

“But what about the Lion and Pony Guard along with the Pride Landers you previously caused trouble for?”

“It did take some time for them to come to terms with my atonement, but gradually they came to see me as an ally in due time.”

“What about Fluttershy?” She specifically asked which clued the croc in of where she is going with this.

“She needed some time to accept my apology, but came around a little while later. And if you ask me, I’m sure it’ll work out as well with you if you’re willing to give it a chance.”

“Huh? What?” She returned once more baffled and taken aback. “You mean you know about that too?!”

Makuu nodded once more. “Through direct and indirect means of communication whether it’s you or the pony herself. Like I said there are more than one ways for someone to put two and two together. And I feel that if making amends with those you had hurt in the past is what it will take for you to become a better leader, then I think you should pursue it.”

“Maybe.” Gilda sincerely replied as if she is taking more mental steps in doing so. But even then, she still felt unsure of how to approach the mare in question.

Though at least for everyone, their lunch break came around which allowed everyone to take a breather and fuel up as they prepare for the next round of training together. During which Gilda saw a first potential opportunity to try to make amends with Fluttershy who is currently eating lunch with Twilight, Kion, and Rainbow Dash.

“Hey girls, Kion, um…” She spoke up to get their attention. “...think maybe I could join up all by any chance?”

It didn’t take a second thought for the former two to consider it.

“Of course.”

"Go for it."

“Sit away, captain!”

“Huh?” Gilda spoke confused at what Rainbow said to which had Twilight correct her in a whisper.

“It’s sit down, Rainbow.”

“Really? Because I thought I meant it as “Go for it! Or “Fire away!” Twilight shook her head. “Oh, oops! Sorry, Gilda!”

Gilda instead opted to say nothing as opposed to saying whatever to avoid sparking up anymore word play trouble on her end. After getting settled in along with eating her lunch she then tried breaking the ice by trying to speak to Fluttershy.

“So...Fluttershy, right?” Fluttershy nodded. “What do you think of Griffonstone so far? Is it um, all right?”

“It is. I guess.” Fluttershy replied still feeling as awkward as ever. “That isn’t a problem is it?”

“No, no, of course not!” Gilda quickly responded while shaking her head. “I was just asking along with just making sure you are okay so far.”

“So far, yes.” Though the still somewhat upset tone made it an uneasy atmosphere for the two while both Rainbow and Twilight see that they are having a tough time clearing the air with one another. “Are you going somewhere with this?”

“Me?! No! Of course! Can’t a griffon ask a question without one worrying if there are any ulterior motives behind it. All I was just trying to do was greet and say Hi, you know check up to see if you are enjoying your stay. Not me just trying to build up on for silly reason.” She nervously giggled a little before realizing she is starting to sound silly herself along with digging a hole here. “Oh, who am I kidding? Forget I asked.” She then slumped in defeat before continuing on without another word.

At the same time both ponies looked on at each other and both the other two looking very concerned and sympathetic for what they just saw. An attempt at conversing and then making amends which all ended up falling flat all in one sitting. So with that the two moved to discuss it themselves in private.

“Excuse us.”

“We’ll be right back.”

"Kion, would you mind...?"

"Not a problem, Twilight." Kion returned with a smile before nodding at them to go ahead with what they have in mind.

Upon retreating to a nearby straw house where no one will hear nor see them they started talking.

“She’s still reeling over what happened back then isn’t she?”

“Oh, yeah. Totally!”

“Hmm…”

“Got any ideas on how to fix this?”

“I’m thinking! I’m thinking!” Then an idea struck her like a brightly lit light bulb. “Got it! The gold simple talk, smooth, and push plan.”

“Oh! That’ll totally work.”

“Yeah!”

Just then they found themselves barely ducking their heads when a griffon who happened to be inside chucked a plate at them. “Hey! What the hay are you two bucking clowns doing in my house?!”

“Nothing alarming! Just talking in private!”

“Thought this was a vacant house. But it’s not.”

“You’re dang right it isn’t! Now beat it!” The griffon then tossed another plate at them while forcing the two out the door.

“Okay, okay, we’re going! And we’re sorry!”

“No need to throw things at us, and consider yourself lucky we’re not filing charges up your flank!”

Twilight quickly pulled the hot headed pony away before it could escalate any further. “Okay, that’s far enough. Goodbye.”

Upon returning back where Kion, Fluttershy, and Gilda are they moved to put their attempt at resolution in action. Upon sharing a look the two split apart to speak with one another. Twilight moved to speak to Fluttershy while Rainbow moved to speak with Gilda again.

“So, Fluttershy. I know you and Gilda didn’t interact on the best of terms in the past, but I’m sure you know that she has been making effort to change herself for the better.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“And that even if she isn’t the most sociable ally in Equestria, she is trying hard to make amends with those she has hurt in the past, right?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“So that said, given that Makuu was able to do the same, I think maybe you can do the same for Gilda, don’t you think so, too?”

“I guess I could try to talk it out with her a little more.”

“Feel free to do so whenever you are ready, okay?”

“Okay.”

“And Gilda, I know that Fluttershy isn’t exactly a pony who is quick to pick up on certain cues but I’m sure you know that she doesn’t have any bones to pick with you.” Suddenly a literal bone flew right past them. “Whoa! Or actual beef! Whoa!” She dodged a literal ham bone. “Or even a literal axe to grind against you.” She found herself narrowly dodging an actual axe. “Okay! Who keeps doing that?!” Said culprit happens to be the same grumpy griffon still mad at her for accidentally entering her house without permission. “You again?!”

“Yes! Got a problem with it?!”

“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!” Gilda quickly threw herself in between the two. “What are we talking about here?”

The griffon moved to point a claw at her, angrily and accusing. “This arrogant hotshot strolled into my house for a little private time. No doubt to make out or something.”

“No! As in I don’t make out with her, and even if I did, I would have done it at home. And you know dang well that we stumbled in there by accident.”

“Yeah, right?”

“No, seriously. We didn’t even see or know that you were actually still living in there!”

“All right you two, break it up!” Gilda commanded before speaking more level headed then before. “Now, Rainbow Dash. You did say you’re sorry right?”

“Right.”

Turning to the griffon. “And you do know that was an accident, right?”

“Right.”

“So don’t you think you should let bygones be bygones?”

“I guess.”

“Good. Now go on, shake and make up.” Both pony and griffon proceeded to do so though the latter still a bit reluctant on her end before taking her leave. “Phew, talk about looking at yourself in a mirror, am I right?” She then asked rhetorically.

“Yes, you are definitely right!” Rainbow however complimented the surprised griffon. “And you just told yourself what you needed to hear.”

“I did?”

“Yeah! Come on!”

Upon rushing back to regroup, they have also found that both Jasiri and Makku have also grouped up there too, having waited for them themselves for a bit.

“Makuu!”

“Jasiri!”

“What’s up!”

“What’s going on?”

"Is there something we should know about?"

The five all asked upon seeing them.

“Oh, nothing overly important other than we are ready to start the next round of exercises and drills together.”

“That is assuming you all are up for it.”

The two replied with contrasting tones and demeanor.

“Of course!”

“Absolutely!”

“We’re coming!”

“Definitely!”

"Ready when you are!"

The five all replied much to the former’s delight and the latter’s satisfaction.

“Great!”

“Then let’s go!”

“Um…” Twilight quickly spoke up as she and Rainbow quickly got close to the two. “...if you don’t mind, I would like to make a little suggestion and proposal before we get started.”

“Oh…”

“Like what…?”

The two curiously asked as the two ponies moved to whisper into their ears of what they have in mind and specifically what they can do to help them out.

“Hmm. Oh. Okay. I see where you’re heading with this.”

“And that I suppose we can do.”

The two replied after they were doing whispering.

“Great! Thanks!

“And now, is the part where everything becomes smooth sailing from here!” At that moment a bird let loose something from above which is thankfully caught by a sparkling aura of magic. “Starting now.”

Upon returning to the field where training is taking place both Jasiri and Makuu together took lead on the next round of exercises. And it was something that Gilda herself was paying full attention to courtesy of both Twilight and Rainbow wanting her to do so.

“Pay close attention, Gilda.”

“Because seeing this is very important with what you need to learn.”

Both reminded.

“Okay.” Gilda replied ready to take their word on this one before allowing the hyena and croc to both take lead on the next round of exercises and drills.

With a nod, both Jasiri and Makuu were ready to begin.

For their demonstration, they moved to oversee the griffons perform a flight maneuver followed by a simulated aerial attack scenario.

"All right, griffons. Fly high!"

"And attack!"

The griffons moved to do just that by flying up high before moving to charge at each other after splitting up into two parties followed by obeying a series of commands from both leaders from down below.

"Go for the face!"

"But not too hard!"

"Hit him and her low!"

"Not too low! Remember the gut! Not the batteries!"

"Sweep them off of their paws!"

"Knock them dead!"

"Not literally!"

Together they both commanded.

"And finish them off!"

"Quick, Decisive, and Firm!"

Both parties did just that with each other which resulted in said defeated griffons while sparing soundly with one another. And just like that, a nice balanced showing of yin and yang like sparring between two differing styles of leadership was shown for all eyes present to see.

Afterwards, everyone was left feeling very impressed by the teamwork in leadership that one could call it a training exercise nobody will ever forget.

“Wow!” Fluttershy uttered in amazement. “Those two really do know how to work together.”

“Amazingly, yeah.” Gilda admitted before noticing the Pegasus moving to turn to walk away. “Fluttershy, please stay for a minute…” She then spoke up hoping she’d stop and listen to what she has to say next. Fortunately, she did when asked. “...about that day back when we first met, griffons have not been known for being friendly, and it wasn’t until recently that I was able to start seeing things in a better light. Ever since meeting up with your friends when they first came here further helped me become a better griffon myself. In other words, what I’m trying to say Fluttershy is, I’m sorry for making you cry back then. It was wrong and there is nothing else I can say about it.”

“Well, true…” Fluttershy began to acknowledge. “...but other than that it’s okay.”

“Just okay? What do you mean by that?!” Gilda said now sounding a little frantic.

“I mean…” Fluttershy quickly calmed her down. “...it’s all good. You are forgiven.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s really okay now.”

“Oh.” She then sighed in relief. “For a second there I thought you meant otherwise.”

“Nope.” She shook her head much to the griffon’s surprise when. “We’re good!” She smiled to which had the griffon chuckle in response.

“Good one!”

“Well, well, well…” Rainbow spoke up having witnessed this along with the others with a smirk on her face. “...look’s like somebody’s finally made up.”

“We’re very proud of you both.” Twilight complimented. “That sure took a lot of courage for the two of you to make that push together.”

“It sure did.”

“No kidding.”

"And it is a very big step in regards to improving on friendship and leadership all in one day." Kion also said with compliments to share himself.

“So that said Gilda,…” Twilight then continued. “...do you think you’re ready to balance out what both Jasiri and Makuu showed you in an effort to be a better leader?”

“Yes, I do.” Gilda nodded before asking with one small glimmer of uncertainty surfacing. “But what if I do by any chance slip up?”

“Easy!” Rainbow answered while turning to his childhood friend. “Fluttershy can help you out there. One friend to another?”

Fluttershy beamed up feeling ready to step up to that too. “Yes!”

“Well, what are you waiting for? Go for it!” Twilight encouraged.

Both fliers moved to fly forward and take charge of the next portion of the drills. With Fluttershy proving kindness here and there, Gilda was able to balance out the yin and yang just like Jasiri and Makuu showed minutes earlier. And by extension what Twilight had wished for the griffon to strive for from the beginning.

"Go for the face!"

"But not too hard!"

"Hit him and her low!"

"Not too low! Remember the gut! Not the batteries!"

"Sweep them off of their paws!"

"Knock them dead!"

"Not literally!"

Together they both commanded.

"And finish them off!"

"Quick, Decisive, and Firm!"

Along with Rainbow, Jasiri, and Makuu they were all seeing a new leader becoming stronger and better right on the spot right in time for Princess Luna herself to drop by.

"Seems I've arrived just in time to seek an apology from the young griffon?" Luna asked the others.

"You could say that for sure." Twilight replied with a positive smile and nod. "You can even say she learned how to balance out her positive and negative energies inside of her."

"Sounds quite like the talk of balancing light and dark, but also so very true and very well done, Twilight Sparkle." Luna returned with a small and proud smile herself towards the younger princess and on towards the changing griffon.

“She is sure is shaping up to be a good leader isn’t she?” Kion asked the others.

“She sure is.” Jasiri happily agreed.

“It’s a start.” Makuu voiced otherwise before smiling to feel it is worthy of praise. “But all and all an excellent start. Maybe even better than when I started to improve myself.”

“Don’t you know it!” Rainbow returned with a friendly jab before narrowly dodging a snap from the irritated croc’s jaws. “Okay, okay! Pushing it! Sorry!”

“All and all it certainly feels good to see everything all playing out exactly as planned.” Twilight happily expressed.

“Yep! Once again, you read my mine!” Rainbow happily returned as they all continue watching what is beginning of a golden era for the griffons and especially Gilda herself with the major steps she has taken into becoming a better leader.

Author's Note

As you all have read, this is the replacement episode for Pony Point of View which consisted of another childish spat within the Mane Six in regards to a boat trip gone wrong (right before heading out to boot). Instead is another episode focusing on further training among the Pride Landers and Equestrians one where the most important lesson of all when dealing with the griffons is one who needs to learn to be more patient and empathic of the situation. One where in order for a certain griffon to learn and overcome her struggles requires her to make peace with someone she's hurt the most and that someone is the kindest of the bunch herself.

Of course when two parts of the road need to be put together in order for the bridge to be created, there is much needed support to help push them to come together. And who better than both Jasiri and Makuu who managed to combine each of their coaching to help balance out it like yin and yang. And needless to say it works out perfectly.

Up next the remaining members of the Guard will head on over to the Wonderbolt Academy when another friendship mission comes up one where thunder and lightning strike once more so stay tuned...

Oh before and forget, "Where Your Apple Lies.", won't be included as part of Season 6 in this story so just a heads up before any of you start wondering and questioning me why it's not popping up here. Okay. Great.

Episode 39: Top Bolt

Episode 39:

Top Bolt

Inside the compound at Wonderbolt Academy, Rainbow Dash and Ono were cleaning out their lockers. To them it was their first major period of time off since being accepted into the Wonderbolts' ranks not too long ago. As they did so, the former couldn't help but brag to the others about what she was going to do during their time off.

"Spring training with the Wonderbolts was awesome, but I can't wait to get back to Ponyville and see my friends." She told them in no uncertain terms. "I going catch up on Daring Do with Twilight, help Applejack make my favorite cider, and even have a sleepover with Pinkie."

“And after catching up on Daring Do alongside both Rainbow and Twilight, I’m going to try to challenge and win a race against Fuli again…” That declaration sparked some snickering from the others to which he ignored. “...then I’m going to have a sleepover with Beshte myself.”

"We get it, Dash, Ono, you both have a fun week planned," Misty Fly grumbled. "It's all you two have been talking about for the past few days."

"Better make the most of it, newbie," Spitfire commented, trotting past. "Because meanwhile I'm stuck here running trials week at the academy."

"But you love yelling and blowing your whistle, don’t you?" Rainbow asked and pointed out.

“Yeah, it’s all part of the job you love.” Ono also pointed out.

Spitfire grinned, as she opened her locker. "Another little birdie told you that, didn't he? Well you got me there. Plus somepony’s gotta whip them into shape and I’m the best pony for the job."

"I hope they aren’t given too much whiplash.” Ono commented which got Rainbow Dash snickering for his select choice of words.

"Easy, Ono, this isn't the first time I’ve conducted trials week. And if I need your firm but fair help, well I'm sure you'll know when you get the call." Spitfire laughed in reply. "But in the meantime, you both better get going if you want to enjoy your time off. And I hope I'll see you here bright and early when your week off is over."

"Yes ma'am!" Both Rainbow and Ono saluted, and once theyd cleaned out their lockers and put on her flight jackets, they took off.

"This is going to be so much fun!"

“You said it!”

Both fliers stated feeling happy already once they were free for the week.

But they had barely left academy grounds when their cutie mark started to glow. In fact, a giant projection of their cutie marks suddenly appeared in the sky.

"Huh? Oh, the map! All right! It’s about time we were called!”

“I wonder what this is all about this time."

With that the two zoomed towards Twilight and Kion's castle as fast as they could.

Twilight was waiting for Rainbow when she arrived, as were Kion, Spike, Bunga, and Starlight (who had just come back from the Crystal Empire). "Good, you're here." Twilight smiled.

"We came as soon as we got the call and signal," Rainbow replied to Twilight, and then she asked. "So, where's the map calling us this time for our next mission?”

Kion looked on hesitantly before moving to speak. "Well, that depends if you want the good news or the bad news first?"

Rainbow sighed along with Ono, for they both already a bad feeling about where this was leading. "We’ll start with the good news first." The former decided.

“Makes whatever road or fly block in front of us less harder to hit.” Ono added in agreement.

"Well, the good news is, we along with Bunga have been called by the map." Twilight beamed happily, displaying her glowing cutie mark.

“That’s right! Check this sparkling and dazzling baby out!” Bunga proudly remarked upon showing off his sparkling mark along with his Mark of the Guard.

"Cool, another fun friendship bonding experience together! Both you and Twilight!" Rainbow cheered.

"And the bad news?” Ono asked now ready to expect whatever they're about to hear next.

"The location in question you both are being summoned to." Kion answered feeling unsure himself how well they are going to take it. "A place that definitely rings a bell to you both."

"Where exactly?"

Rainbow and Ono looked at the map and saw the symbols depicting her cutie mark along with Ono, Bunga’s, and Twilight's cutie mark, were currently hovering over the symbol for Wonderbolt Academy up in Cloudsdale. Both Rainbow and Ono groaned in response.

"Are you kidding me, we were just there!”

“Yeah! To think had that happened a few minutes earlier we could have been spared the flight we just took getting here!"

Twilight, Rainbow, Ono, and Bunga all quickly made arrangements to head up to Cloudsdale, even though Rainbow warned Twilight and Bunga. "Spitfire's running trials week for the new recruits. While we have no doubt most of them will become new Reserves, Spitfire is not going to want to be bothered anypony and anybody disturbing her." Eyeing Bunga specifically she added. “Hopefully that’s not going to be a problem, right?”

“Of course! When have I ever caused trouble…” Upon seeing the look he added. “...recently.” When the expressions failed to change he then protested. “Oh, come on! It wasn’t me, Twilight was the one who pranked everyone from here to Pride Rock! All I did was create the icing for the cookies for the prank I was going to pull off back then.”

“Which still left everyone rainbow colored stains that took the whole night to clean off of our mouths.” Ono returned still glaring before turning that look to Twilight. “And this was right after tricking us into humiliating ourselves in front everyone in front of the whole kingdom.”

“Hey!” Twilight returned a playful grin. “I didn’t humiliate anyone. Nobody told any of you that you had to go and do it. You brought on yourselves not to mention by choosing to take the bait when presented in front of you.”

“Yeah, okay.” Ono replied still put out by what happened that day.

“Anyways…” Twilight then said focused on their task at hoof and paw. “...we’ll just tell Spitfire we’re just here on official friendship business, and that we'll do our best not to interfere with her work." Turning to Starlight and Spike she then asked them. "I trust you two can manage by yourselves until we get back, right? I don't have to worry about being confronted by an angry mob again because of something you did, right, Starlight?”

“Of course not Twilight! And that was just a one time thing I never meant to cause in the first place!" Starlight whined.

Spike just played it off and reassured Twilight. "You don’t have to worry about that, Mom. Besides, I also have big brother Kion to help watch after both me and Starlight for you. All you have to worry about is that friendship mission of yours. In fact…” Spike smiled when he got another idea in his head. “...this could also be an opportunity for us guys to have the time of our lives together."

"Oh, no!” Starlight quickly protested and shook her head. “I am not playing this little game of yours. Not after what happened last time!"

"Who says you have to? Plus, there’s always room for girls you know?"

Starlight shook her head to remain firm with her decision. "Thanks, but no thanks."

"Your loss." Spike shrugged, as he and Starlight watched Twilight, Bunga, Ono, and Rainbow Dash set off for the Wonderbolt Academy.

“Good luck!” Kion waved while wishing the best of luck for their endeavors.

"So, what kind of friendship problem have we been called for this time?" Bunga eagerly asked both Rainbow and Ono, as the two along with Twilight approached academy grounds, while riding on the alicorn’s back. "Helping some of the recruits, or the Wonderbolts' themselves with whatever issues getting them in a funk?"

"I wish I knew.” Ono merely replied.” After all we weren’t expecting a map mission so soon after being granted time off especially since we’re both on the bottom of the chain of command.”

“None of the less, I’m sure Spitfire can clue us in if she can. After all no pony knows this place better than her.” Rainbow added.

Suddenly, just as Twilight, Bunga, Ono, and Rainbow had touched down on academy grounds, a Pegasus mare with a pinkish-white coat, a two shaded pink mane and tail styled loosely (with a pink bow in the mane), and blue eyes came up to them and said specifically to the ponies. "Um, I just wanted you to know, you two are my favorite ponies in all of Equestria."

But just as the mare had said this, another female voice spoke up. "Oh well isn't that sweet? Now get going on those laps now, Angel Wings! On the double!" The voice was enough to scare Angel Wings into the air, and the owner of the voice happened to come from Spitfire, sporting her whistle, sunglasses, and most importantly her academy outfit. "Ah, Rainbow Dash, Ono, Bunga, Princess Twilight, what a surprise," She greeted in a friendly tone. "What brings you here? I hope you it’s not something time consuming on a time like trials week, because I'm extraordinary busy right now."

"We're here to solve a friendship problem," Twilight explained.

“Official friendship business, you might call it.” Bunga proudly chimed in with before letting the princess continue.

"Have you by any chance noticed any of the cadets having trouble with friendship lately?"

Spitfire shook her head. "I'm just their drill instructor, my job is to put them through their paces and make sure they know what's expected of them. Therefore, I don't have time to concern myself with their personal relationships, not that I've noticed any of them quarreling with each other."

"What about the Wonderbolts?" Rainbow asked Spitfire. "Any of them dealing with a friendship problem that might need a second look at."

Just then, as if in answer to Rainbow's question, there came the sound of a rather audible argument. And the voices arguing sounded very familiar. "How many times must you be told, Flatfoot? I'm in charge while Spitfire's away, and that's final!" A masculine voice argued.

"But I’m Spitfire's right hoof pony who by the way gets to take charge whenever she's not available! So you’re not the boss of me!" A feminine voice argued back.

Spitfire groaned, putting a wing over her face. "Good grief! This again!" She remarked already exasperated as if she hadn’t had enough to deal with already.

Both Rainbow and Ono realized at once who the voices belonged to, and when she and Twilight (along with Spitfire) drew closer, they could see that the ponies involved in the argument, were none other than Soarin and Fleetfoot.

“Oh, great! Them!” Ono placed a wing to his face upon hearing the dispute itself.

Turning to Spitfire, Rainbow asked. "And they been at this more that once recently?"

Spitfire reluctantly nodded, and sighed. "I’m afraid so. Every time when I'm running trials week or busy with something else that goes on at the academy. Always arguing with the both of them thinking that they should be in charge because of their position. I've tried to get them to knock it off, and so have the other Wonderbolts, but nothing seems to be getting through to them."

Twilight and Rainbow exchanged glances along with both Bunga and Ono. "You don't think this is the problem we've been called here to solve?" The princess asked. "Seems pretty obvious if you ask me."

“Yeah, very obvious.” Ono seemed to see where she is getting at.

"Maybe, but it's the first yellow flag we've seen since we got here," Rainbow also pointed out. "And all of the cadets seem to be getting along just fine with one another." Said cadets were flying about without any signs that they were at all unhappy or upset with one another. All while going on with excited buzzing and zooming around back and forth overhead.

“I say let’s check it out!” Bunga said already keen on going over there. “It could at least give us a clue in the right direction from there.”

"If you four wanna to give a try, go for it." Spitfire spoke up, eyeing the arguing Soarin and Fleetfoot from afar. "But you're on your own going forward. I on the other hoof have drills to conduct for the new recruits. Good luck, you’re going to need it," And with that, she flew off while barking out. "Hey, no lolly gagging! This is training time not fun time, now move it!"

Rainbow, Ono, Bunga, and Twilight all quickly approached Soarin and Fleetfoot, both of whom were still arguing as though they had nothing better to do with their time.

"I'm telling you, Soarin. Spitfire doesn’t look kindly at ponies spending their time always sneaking pies for a quick snack, especially when on the clock. That's why I should be in charge when she’s not around." Fleetfoot argued.

"Like you’re one to talk, Fleetfoot?" Soarin snipped. "You may be the fastest Wonderbolt, but you're always the first one to tire out or rush ahead. Which by the way is also something Spitfire frowns upon as a leader. And let’s not forget, I was placed in charge when Wind Rider sent Spitfire away and tried to frame Rainbow Dash for her disappearance. Not to mention, I’ve been around longer."

"Only because you and Spitfire were childhood friends and both joined the Wonderbolts at the same time together!" Fleetfoot protested. "Therefore you got through the ranks easier compared to me while I had to work from the ground up to get to where I rank now!"

"You know just as well as I do that Spitfire doesn't play like that!" Soarin snapped back. "And how dare you imply that!"

Just then, a powerful voice echoed out! "Enough!" Soarin and Fleetfoot both turned to look, as they saw Twilight, Ono, Bunga, and Rainbow Dash approach them, Twilight using her magic to effectively silence the two arguing Wonderbolts and thus get their attention.

"Just what is going on?!" Rainbow inquired. "Why are you two arguing about who should be in charge while Spitfire's running trial's week?”

“A position that is for the record temporary and only when Spitfire is not around to take charge.” Ono added.

"Because Fleetfoot's out for my position on the team and she knows it." Soarin snorted, once allowed to speak. "She once tried to boot me off when we competed for Cloudsdale at the Equestria Games, but Spitfire wouldn't let her."

“But that was four years ago!” Bunga pointed out. “Is it that time for you two to make another mud slinging voting contest?!”

Both ponies glared at the honey badger with this to say in response. "No!”

“Well excuse me!” Bunga returned with raised hands clearly offended by the way they spoke to him like that. “No wonder Bupu gets all grumpy with this sort of thing every now and then.”

“Anyways, I was trying to help you, Soarin," Fleetfoot insisted. "Considering the circumstances back then put extra pressure on you back then. From having to fly for your friend who couldn't be there, and one of our Reserve members? And have you ever considered that maybe just maybe that being number two doesn’t make you untouchable to the other flyers. There's always somepony from down below just waiting to rise to the occasion when you least expect it."

"And talking like that is why I'm in second in command and co-captain, and you're just Spitfire's right hoof mare," Soarin snarled, sticking out his tongue. "Come on, Crash, Bono, tell her."

Fleetfoot snapped back. "Don't listen to him, Crash, Bono! I'm right and he’s wrong, right?"

Both Rainbow and Ono weren't sure how to respond to it, since neither of them are fans of having to pick sides in an argument like this.

“Well when you each put it that way, I’m honestly not sure.” Ono started.

“Think maybe this is something worth talking to Spitfire about once trails week is all done?” Rainbow then suggested.

"Or maybe you two could share the role together?" Twilight also suggested. "Whatever your differences are, something as little and silly as this shouldn’t be worth fighting for. As far as I’m concerned you’re both equals, and I'm sure you both can manage sharing the leadership role while Spitfire's busy."

But Soarin and Fleetfoot both glared at each other and turned away with crossed arms. “Not a chance!"

"But..." Ono began in protest only to be cut off and not allowed to get another word in.

"I mean it." Soarin asserted. "I'm not going to tolerate this anymore. I’m right and she’s wrong and she’ll come it to see it that way." With that he flew off angrily.

"Like Soarin’s one to talk." Fleetfoot remarked with a glare. "On the contrary, he'll be the one coming around eventually. After all I'm smart he's dumb. After with him finally acknowledging what I tried to do for him back then." And with she too flew off, leaving Twilight, Bunga, Ono, and Rainbow to just look at each other with concern and confusion.

"Well, that could've gone better." Twilight unhappily sighed.

“Couldn’t have said it any better.” Bunga commented also sighing but more being irritated than disappointed by the dispute itself.

Rainbow, Ono, Bunga, and Twilight all tried to look for Soarin and Fleetfoot off they flew off, but there was no sign of where they last went off to. It quickly dawned on them that, wherever they might be, they didn't want to be found. After scoping the academy grounds for a long hour, both Rainbow and Twilight were forced to give up, their wings having reached their limit for the time being. Before then, Ono was already worn out to the point he flew on Rainbow’s back while she and Twilight continued their aerial search.

“Who would have thought that of all exercises we were given, this is of all things actually worn us out?” Ono asked the others.

“Probably because you two were really working in training at it last week along with dealing with the aftermath of the Fall of Mizimu Grove.” Bunga noted.

“Ugh, don’t remind me.”

"Why does the map have to make it so hard for us every time?" Rainbow asked Twilight, as the two landed on the runway, panting heavily. "Just find the problem and solve it in no time flat, is that too much to ask for? Is it? At this rate I might as well forget about being able to enjoy my week off."

"I hope not," Twilight panted. "Especially now that Starlight has returned and I have to start putting forward for her more friendship lessons in order to prevent a repeat of what happened last time. There’s got to be something we’re missing here, though it can’t be as difficult as getting as two families to stop fighting with one another."

"Or trying to patch things up with Gilda while in Griffonstone." Rainbow added in agreement.

“Along with having knock sense into those who care more about gold than helping others out when it matters.” Bunga added recalling the very memory he literally did just that to an apathetic griffon that day. “Surely, it can’t be that hard, right?”

Just then, Spitfire blew her whistle. "Hey, you four! Off of the runway, now! I've got cadets coming in any minute, and they need a clear landing!"

“Whoops!” Both Bunga and Ono yelped before ducking their heads.

"Sorry, ma'am!" Twilight and Rainbow both apologized, and got off the runway just in time before the cadets came swooping down and skidded to a halt on the runway.

“Phew! Talk about a last minute heads up.” Ono remarked with relief and slight annoyance. “Makes me wonder if she really knows her math nowadays.”

Bunga simply shrugged it off. “Eh. Hakuna Matata. Especially considering we nearly so happened to be in the way of things.”

"True. Not to mention, they’re really getting off to a great start this year. "So adorable. Full of so much hope and competition. Yet, their technique could use some work, though.” Rainbow commented softly. "It seems like it was only yesterday when I was just a cadet. Even if it was really four years and that was back before you had wings, Twilight."

Twilight blushed. "Along with all of the crash landings in the Golden Oak Library that can before that. And that was before the whole fire storm brewed through and got me learning how to use my wings on the fly.” Both Bunga and Rainbow burst into laughter at what she just said. “What? What’s so funny?”

“Wings on the fly!”

“That’s actually a pretty good one there, Twilight!”

Twilight blushed once more. “Aw, thanks.”

“But all joking aside…” Ono continued. “...it sure does feel weird of how time flies so fast whether it’s four years, or four months, or even four days and four seconds of time.”

“I know right!” Bunga replied to agree with him there. “And we’re still about the same age and size after all this time, although Kion’s voice is starting to get deeper now.”

“It sure is.” But the happy reminiscing was cut short, when an angry looking Spitfire approached the four, her raised stern eyebrows glaring directly at them. “Although I feel like we de-aged four years just now.” He then muttered to himself. “Oh, pigeon bricks!”

"Okay, what gives?! I told you four to stay out of my way during trials week, and the next time I come across you all is you all blocking the runway! She then demanded. "You better have a good explanation for this!"

Rainbow immediately took the blame. "Sorry, Spitfire, ma'am," She saluted along with Ono. "We were just exhausted from looking for Soarin and Fleetfoot. We tried to get them to settle their differences but we couldn’t get them to make peace with each other and they just flew off."

"We searched high and low, and everywhere in between for the last hour but we couldn’t find them." Twilight added. "It's like they've just vanished into thin air just to avoid continuing to talk us about it."

"Oh, that it?" Spitfire asked, her tone changing from angry to sympathetic instantly. "Well, it’s nothing really to sweat about it. You gave it your best shot. Knowing those two, they'll turn up eventually," Then she sighed back to being serious. "But right now I don't have time to mount a search party for them, I've got these new recruits to train. They really have the most promising talent so far, but they're so sloppy. Which means I'm gonna have to drill them all on basic technique in the classroom portion of the training."

Twilight's eyes lit up with excitement upon hearing that! "Classroom portion?!" She asked, hoping she hadn't misheard that.

Spitfire nodded and sighed. "Yeah. It's everypony's least favorite part of trials week, but it has to be done. And since Soarin or Fleetfoot aren’t seeing eye to eye with each other, it looks like I have to step up to the task myself After all, one of the cons of being a captain you have to own up too as much as the pros.”

“Quid pro quo.” Ono quipped in return knowing that feeling for both Twilight and Kion all too well.

But Twilight suggested already eager to want to help. "Well, maybe we can help!"

"What do you mean we?" Rainbow asked Twilight. "No offense, but I'm not an egghead like you and Ono."

"True. But you know everything there is to know about flying," Twilight explained. "Between your and Ono’s knowledge, Bunga’s positive enthusiasm, and my teaching skills, I think we can really help them learn all that there is to it. Plus, once they get to know us more, they'll be more comfortable coming to us with their friendship problems!"

“That is true.” Ono acknowledged first.

“You may be on to something with this.” Rainbow started to realize it herself.

“Of course she is! When is she not?!” Bunga returned feeling it should be obvious at this point.

"So, I can count on you to teach the new recruits?" Spitfire asked the four. Twilight and Bunga eagerly nodded, but Rainbow and Ono nodded very reluctantly. "Very well, but be warned they’re your responsibility now." Blowing her whistle, Spitfire shouted. "Alright, newbies, line up for classroom portion!" All the cadets started pushing, shoving, and tripping, as they tried to assemble themselves into a line. Spitfire just shook her head with what she saw and whispered. "I hope you know what you’re doing here because you’re in for a treat here."

"Not to worry. We'll do our best, Spitfire," Twilight promised. "In the meantime, maybe you could try to find Soarin and Fleetfoot and see if you can talk some sense into them? Maybe they'll listen to you more than they listened to us."

"I’ll try, but no promises," Spitfire replied, as she began to flap her wings. "Good luck."

Sometime later, as Twilight, Bunga, Ono, and Rainbow prepared to head into the academy classroom (which was set up opposite of the barracks and mess hall), Rainbow was commenting to Twilight. "Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for helping the cadets and all, but why do we need to take Spitfire's place in teaching the cadets. What exactly is the point of all of us? If you ask me you learn more by experience than you by reading a textbook."

"True, but this gives us a chance to scour for new friendship problems here," Twilight explained to Rainbow. "I'm sure Spitfire can talk some sense into her teammates, and that can't be what the map called us here for. We'll find a friendship problem among the cadets a lot quicker if we put ourselves in a place where we can interact with them," She then asked Rainbow. "Did you bring that secret weapon of yours?"

Rainbow smirked, pulling out an air horn. "Sure did. I catch any cadet falling asleep or slacking off, I give 'em a good ole blast to wake them up!" She demonstrated by pushing on the air horn, causing it to let out an audible blast.

"Just don't get carried away there. Okay?"

“Okay.” Twilight laughed, and then she, Bunga, Ono, and Rainbow all headed into the classroom.

But as soon as the door swung open, Rainbow couldn't resist blaring the air horn again as she proclaimed! "Wake up, newbies! Class is in session!"

“Yeah! You heard her! As of this very moment we are in charge of your lives!” Bunga added with the same energetic and serious vibe before friendly adding. “But enough said, hello everypony! Nice to meet you all! I’m Bunga the Lion Guard’s Bravest and I’m here to provide each and every one of you positive reinforcement through this class, so think positive thoughts everyone!”

The cadets were all talking and chattering amongst themselves, and it was pretty obvious what they were all thinking. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship and the Pony Guard’s leader and fiercest of the group. And these are my good friends, Rainbow Dash and Ono, the youngest and newest members of the Wonderbolts not to mention the Pony Guard’s Fastest, and Lion Guard’s Keenest of Sight." Twilight greeted, taking her turn in introducing herself to the cadets.

"But you can call us T-Sparks and The Dashinator!" Rainbow boasted. "And like Bunga said we're going to be your substitute teachers for the classroom portion of your training, so no snoozing! 'Cause if you do-" Rainbow blared the air horn once again. "So, any questions?"

"Yeah, where's Spitfire?" A male cadet asked. "I thought she was going to be teaching us."

"Spitfire had a 'Wonderbolts Emergency' to tend to on short notice," Ono quickly answered. "But not to worry, she believes that we're qualified enough to teach you here today.”

“So…” Twilight then continued. “...now that we told you our names, let’s tell us yours. And then we'll begin the lessons, okay?" The cadets all nodded slowly all ready to comply with her on that matter. "Good," Twilight smiled. "So, who wants to go first?"

The classroom portion flew by quicker than either Twilight, Bunga, Ono, or Rainbow would've liked, and one by one all of the cadets filed out of the classroom and back into the sky.

"Well, I guess there were] a few problems and hiccups, though none of them friendship related," Twilight commented. "But all and all I'd said that went pretty well."

“Couldn’t have said it any better, Twilight!” Bunga happily agreed. “All thanks to positive reinforcement through and through.”

"Yeah, nopony fell asleep," Rainbow yawned, and when she saw the looks the others were giving her she corrected. "What? I'm not a student. And I didn’t even doze off myself, even with one or two moments of temptation thrown at me along the way."Twilight didn't even bother to question it as she, Bunga, Ono and Rainbow just headed back to the runway.

"I hope Spitfire had better luck in dealing with Soarin and Fleetfoot's feud?"

Just seconds later, Spitfire touched down on the runway, looking quite exhausted herself, and without either Soarin or Fleetfoot anywhere near her. "I’m going to have to go on a limb and say no there, Ono?" Bunga whispered to Ono, as they quickly made their way over to the Wonderbolt captain.

"I tried my best." Spitfire informed them. "I'm sorry, but not even threatening to put Misty Fly in charge while I'm gone wasn't enough to get them to stop. Like said it before and I’ll say it again, I'm the captain of the Wonderbolts, not a friendship counselor. So, how did teaching go? Any cadets that might need extra help?"

"Nope, all of the cadets seemed to be pretty quick learners," Twilight reported to Spitfire. "Although there was this one stallion, Sky Stinger who seems awfully full of himself, even going as far as boasting that he was the best flyer where he came from."

Spitfire just rolled her eyes. "Figures, there's always at least one hot shot who thinks they're the best of the best.”

“Sounds familiar.” Ono quipped towards Rainbow Dash which garnered snickers from the others in response.

“Hey! I heard that!”

“Anyways…” Spitfire continued. “...I’m sure he learn later on that even while able to back up all of your talk, he is still a small fish in a big pond who has a lot to learn about being a Wonderbolt. Guess he'll learn that soon enough."

“I hope so.” Ono commented in agreement. “And I hope the same can be said for his partner, Vapor Trail who seems awfully concerned about him. I know she really wants him to make it in but I wonder if her undying support is going to lead to her reaching new heights to go on about.” He quickly added “And I don’t mean that as a joke.”

"As if I hadn’t had enough problems to deal with this week." Spitfire sighed again. "At this point, I give up. I don’t what else to do at this point nor have the time for this. Right now I have cadets and trials week and they come first," She then ordered. "Alright, cadets, back to work in the sky! You know the drill!" And all of the cadets lined up as Spitfire had ordered, with the ponies heading up into the skies one by one.

"Well, looks like we're back to square one," Twilight said to the others.

Ono sighed and muttered. “Right. And that’s getting Soarin and Fleetfoot to reconcile their differences and stop arguing."

"But how can we knock sense into them after we along with Spitfire already tried talking to them at the same time." Rainbow questioned.

“Oh, oh, oh! I got one!” Bunga eagerly proposed with a raised claw before pulling out a baseball bat from out of nowhere. “Just tell where to find them and I’ll take it from here!”

“What?!”

“No?!”

“Absolutely not!”

The others all exclaimed shaking their heads against the idea while Twilight was quick to confiscate the bat from him.

“Oh, come on!” Bunga whined. “If you just let me then the two will forget their childish dispute will have ever happened and then they’ll be friends again!”

“Yeah, but then when they regain their memories they go back to fighting each other again!” Twilight first pointed out.

“Not to mention they’ll be in the hospital for an indefinite amount of time due to potentially severe brain damage!” Ono then added.

“Oh, come on! How can you be so sure?!” Bunga protested with raised arms.

“Considering I had been injured twice which took two lengthy recovery's to bounce back from, Applejack also had a similar injury with an equally lengthy recovery, and Twilight barely avoiding death and still required a trip to the hospital. We’re pretty sure it won’t end well if you try it.”

Bunga pouted with crossed arms. “Man! I hate it when you guys are no fun!”

Moving forward, Rainbow then spoke back to the primary concern. commented, hanging her head. "Anyways, anyone else got any other and better ideas? Because I don’t have the magic nor authority to make them get to together myself."

Twilight then put a hoof to her chin gave it some thought before coming with something else they can try. "We could try a more gentler approach. Instead of trying to force them to get back together and take sides, we split up and talk to them separately." She then suggested. "From there we can help find some common ground we can use to help them rebuild their friendship."

Rainbow tapped a hoof to her chin, as she pondered it deeply. "I suppose we could do that. Ono and I can try to talk to Fleetfoot while you and Bunga go talk to Soarin."

“Okay, but why me with her, and you with him?” Bunga asked while pointing fingers towards both Twilight and Ono.

"Fleetfoot has my kind of personality and a lot of common ground together, and Ono's known her as long as I have so she’ll listen to him too." Rainbow explained. "Soarin has both you and Twilight’s kind of personality and common ground. So I think you'll both have better luck talking with him."

“Well when you put it like that, that does kinda make sense.” Bunga returned coming to agree with her words. “All right.” He moved to hop onto Twilight’s back. “Let’s do this!”

"We should try to meet back here once we’re done so we can discuss it together." Twilight suggested.

"Right, we'll meet up back here in no later than a half an hour!" Rainbow firmly replied before dragging Ono by the wing in search of their pony together.

"Wait, Rainbow they...” Ono spoke up just before being dragged away in a rainbow flash.

Twilight just sighed, finishing exactly what he just said up high and far. "...don't know our way around the academy like you two." She then groaned. "Looks like we’re going to wing it here.” Bunga snickered at the joke she just made. “Bunga!”

“Oh, come on! That was funny!” Bunga laughed. “And remember, positive reinforcement!” He added while putting his thumbs up while putting them on her lips to get her to smile.

Twilight moved to keep it once Bunga let go before moving to fly on ahead in the opposite direction. “You’re right.”

On the plus side and as luck would have it, Twilight ended up bumping into Soarin, quite by accident. "Oops! I'm so sorry, Soarin. I didn't see you there, really!" Twilight hastily apologized.

"It's alright, as long as you’re not the pony I don’t want to see we’re good." Soarin replied, as he and Twilight touched down on the ground near the classroom. "That being said, I hope and your friend aren’t here to try and talk me into patching things up with you know who.”

“Nope.” Twilight shook her head along with Bunga. “We’re just here to ask you a few questions.”

With that Bunga added as she hopped off Twilight’s back. “Mainly, how and why things got so bad between you two because from what we heard a one time thing over leadership hasn’t improved since then.”

Soarin sighed and shook his head. "It was more than that. From the day Fleetfoot entered the academy, she came in with headstrong blowhard attitude, always boasting about her speed as if every flight and accomplishment was worth praise near and far." He spoke with controlled yet brewing anger. "If I wanted to I could outfly her easily.”

“If that’s true, then why did you let her win most of the time?”

“Most of the times were because many those derbies are for charity and entertainment, yet Fleetfoot never understands the importance of pacing yourself. She always gave her all even when she didn’t have to."

Twilight was busy writing down notes on a sheet of paper, as she encouraged with a nod. "Okay. And your thoughts about Fleetfoot being Spitfire's right hoof mare?"

"Truthfully, I didn't mind Fleetfoot getting that promotion, I really didn't." Soarin answered. "After Misty Fly returned from time off for personal matters, she chose not to reclaim her title she used to hold. And in all fairness, Fleetfoot more than proved herself to be a worth pony, even if she could be a bit rash. What I did mind, was the sudden inflated ego she gained once she got that promotion. With that she became even more boastful, hotheaded, and arrogant than before even going as far as saying the Wonderbolts would be nothing without her.”

"Did you try to talk to her about it?" Twilight asked Soarin. "I mean it’s not like your teammates are mind readers to pick on cues to know what you’re thinking."

"Of course I did, but even then she didn't listen. She thought I was just jealous of the fact that Spitfire picked her to replace Misty Fly, never mind the fact that I'm happy being the Wonderbolts co-captain alongside her." Soarin remarked, his eyes narrowing in anger. "And in return she goes and tries to pull that stunt on me right before the Equestria Games!" Soarin then sighed. "It's a really pity because back when Fleetfoot was among the junior Wonderbolts, she seemed to be a lot nicer than now. Shame on me for thinking it would stay that way even when moving up the ranks."

Twilight made sure to jot down everything she deemed important, working her quill to the point where it nearly caught fire as a result. "Interesting." She commented to Soarin. "Well, thank you for telling us. And if I could impart this advice to you, I think you should try once more to tell Fleetfoot how you feel. Maybe she’ll listen this time."

“Yeah!” Bunga agreed. “Just appeal to her good side and better nature and you two will be flying and seeing eye to eye better than Mzingo’s flock!”

Despite that getting a chuckle from Soarin he still grumbled at the idea of talking to Fleetfoot again. “I can try, just for you two.” He replied to the two while sounding very reluctant to go through with it. “Bur I doubt, it’s going to work wonders this time.”

“Doesn’t hurt to try.” Bunga reminded before hopping back on the alicorn’s back as the flyers took to the sky again.

While Twilight and Bunga were busy talking to Soarin, Rainbow and Ono had the similar and fortunate stroke of luck to run into Fleetfoot as she was hanging out near the mess hall. "Hey, Fleetfoot! You got a minute?!" Rainbow called, landing beside the mare.

"Oh hey, Dash, Ono. It's only you two." Fleetfoot said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Sure, I can spare a minute or two. As long as it doesn’t involve that pony who I think you wish to speak to me about."

“Sorry, Fleetfoot. But that’s precisely why we’re here. And honestly, I think it’s time you two settled your dispute with Soarin.”

“Yeah!” Rainbow agreed and then pointed out. “Whatever your issue with Soarin is, it’s not worth tossing your friendship with him to the trash.”

"That’s putting it mildly.” Fleetfoot scoffed in response. "I fail to see how it’s my fault considering all I’ve ever did was try to help him that one time and this is how he repays me. All because he thinks his position as co-captain makes him feel more suited than me at times. All that talk about he’s been around longer and that seniority makes him more qualified than someone younger like me!"

Rainbow tried to put a wing around Fleetfoot as she tried to speak heart to heart with her. "From somepony who’s been there before, I get it. I truly do. But you know that mindset is not how the Wonderbolts operate. I had to learn the hard way that standing out wasn't always the right thing to do, that there's no I in team. And believe me, that Fuli herself knows that too having been through the same experience I went through back then." She said gently to her friend. "And just look at the position you have now. A lot of ponies including me would kill to be in your position at a very young age."

"Try telling that to Soarin." Fleetfoot retorted unconvinced. "There's no winning an argument let alone race with him. Whenever I try to prove I could beat him in a race fair and square, he claims he lets me win because I don't pace myself. I tell him that being co-captain doesn't always mean he outranks me, but in return he claims I'm lucky to be in the position I have now. As far as I'm concerned, he's ungrateful in my eyes which wasn’t always the case. Back before I got promoted and back when I was a junior member of the Wonderbolts, he would always stick up for me and support me. I should've known it wouldn’t last forever."

Rainbow was unsure just what to make of all this and neither did Ono, so the latter just said the first thing that came to his mind. "Maybe you just misunderstood. Maybe he was just trying to help you and you didn’t quite see it that way.”

“That is possible.” Rainbow agreed. “I know Soarin, and I know he's not arrogant or a jerk. Maybe you two just need to do a better job of talking things out with each other."

"I doubt it. But since you’re both here and we’re all friends here I’ll show you so you both can see it for yourself, and know exactly what I’m talking about." Fleetfloot said while swallowing a bit of her pride for the moment. "Just don't be surprised if I say something along the lines “I told you so.” after all is said and done." And then she followed Rainbow and Ono, as the three Wonderbolts headed across the academy grounds.

Despite not having arranged to bring the two feuding Wonderbolts to the same place at the same time, Twilight, Bunga, Ono, and Rainbow were all left to hope that things would work out, as they both gave each other nervous glances and waves.

"What is she/he doing here?!" Soarin and Fleetfoot both demanded at the same time, refusing to make eye contact with each other.

“What do you mean?” Bunga innocently shrugged.

“Him. Her. Meeting here with me just after we talked together!”

“Like we planned thus?! Come on! It was merely coincidental that we all happened to meet up here all together!”

Both Soarin and Fleetfoot exclaimed at the same time. "What?!"

Rainbow and Ono both immediately swooped in, as she forced the two Wonderbolts to look at each other and said to them. "Look, whatever problems you have with each other, let’s not forget you're both Wonderbolts. You're both on the same team, and you both want to be the best you can be. But it's time you talked things out and tried to explain to each other just what it is that's driving a wedge between you both.

“Plus, the other Wonderbolts are all already tired of you fighting constantly and refusing to speak with one another. Don't you think this has gone long enough?"

Neither Soarin or Fleetfoot said a word, they'd been so busy thinking about themselves that they hadn't stopped to think how their teammates might feel, or the kind of example they might be setting for others.

But before either one could speak, a Pegasus mare with an extremely light greenish-grey coat, a light grey/light greenish-grey/pale green mane and tail styled up like wispy clouds, light-grayish turquoise eyes, and a cutie mark depicting a shooting star, came rushing out onto the runway.

Spitfire upon spotting her recognized the mare. "Vapor Trail?! What are you doing out here?! And where's your partner, Sky Stinger?!"

Panting heavily, Vapor Trail explained. "I don’t know! Long story short, I told him he wasn't all that good a flyer he claims to be and he needed a lot more practice. Instead of listening he gave me an argument and completely flipped out on me!" Vapor appeared to be so unnerved that she was speaking quite loudly. "Then he flew off somewhere to prove he can handle his own flights! Oh, if only I hadn’t covered for him then none of this would be happening right now!"

"What?! You mean to tell me that Sky Stinger left academy grounds, without authorization?!" Spitfire exclaimed, her sunglasses sliding off her face in shock.

"Please, you've got to help me find him! There’s no telling of what danger he could be getting himself into!" Vapor Trail pleaded! "He's a little taller than me, moderate cerulean coat, a light sea green mane and tail styled into a set of bangs, eyes a light sea green in color, and a cutie mark that depicts an upside-down lightning bolt! I think he took off towards the southeast!"

"We'll do what we can, Vapor Trail," Spitfire assured the frightened mare. "I'm going to go assemble a search party immediately. And when I find him, I'm gonna make sure he learns his lesson for leaving the academy in the middle of trials week!"

Just then, they heard a high pitched whining across the skies. Everypony seemed to stop what they were doing, as Spitfire recognized already what that sound meant. "It's an academy emergency, something must be up!" She realized, and instructed to the recruits. "Everypony stay here unless I say otherwise, I'll be back!" Staying true to her word she was out and back in the blink of an eye although with bad news. "A couple of storm clouds somehow slipped out of the weather factory and now they've banded together in the southeast," She informed, taking off her sunglasses. "Which means bad weather's on the way, heading right for the academy. Thankfully, it's nothing too serious and it's expected to pass very quickly, but I'm not taking any chances regardless! I want everypony inside until the storm has safely passed, no ifs, ands, or buts!"

"But what about Sky?! He's still out there all along and needs help!” Vapor Trail pointed out and protested.

"I'm sorry, Vapor Trail, I can’t make exceptions and risk jeopardizing the safety of the recruits or the Wonderbolts," Spitfire said with a shake of her head. "Flying through a storm is very and too dangerous to tackle even for experienced pegasi. He’s just going to have to dodge, avoid, and evade and hope it sticks until the storm has passed. I don't like the idea as much as you do but it’s not worth the risk and the storm is going to be here any minute now, with not enough time for me to the most qualified ponies for the job.”

"Then I guess it’s up to me to save him!" Vapor Trail vowed, as she quickly donned a pair of flight goggles and took off in the direction of the approaching storm!

Spitfire could hardly believe her eyes! "Is she crazy?!” She exclaimed, shaking her head at the very sight of what she is doing now before turning to the other recruits. "I hope none of you are getting any ideas! Because I’m not about to have a cadet get injured on or near academy grounds! Now get inside! That’s an order!"

All the cadets quickly rushed for the nearest shelter that they could find, but Soarin looked at Fleetfoot and said to her. "Come on, we gotta go help them! They're never going to make it out alive!"

"But Soarin, that's dangerous! You know the risks with flying in storms as well as I do, especially ones like this that pop up unexpectedly!" Fleetfoot protested with worry. “What if we get caught up in that storm?!”

"It’s possible we might, but we're Wonderbolts, and it's our job to help ponies in need no matter what the risk is!" Soarin vowed and reminded. "And since we know a thing or two about that, we should be fine. We’ve dealt with them before and we can do it again." With a wink he then added. "Unless of course the high and mighty Fleetfoot of all ponies is all just big talk and not the fearless leader she thinks herself to be?"

Fleetfoot groaned as she looked at Soarin, sporting that massive grin on his face. "Oh, I hate when you’re right!" She grumbled. "Fine! But if I get hit by a lightning bolt, I’m not being held accountable for the bill!" And with that, she and Soarin took to the skies, forgetting all about their feud in a flash.

Having seen all of this, Rainbow Dash was quick to dig into her saddle bag and pull out her flight goggles along with Ono’s. "I had a feeling I might need these someway somehow." She said to Twilight and Bunga moving to give them each a pair of goggles too to put on. "Come on, everyone! Those guys need our help!"

“Wait?! What?! You want us to help you go out there and what?!” Ono exclaimed in shock at what his friend is proposing.

"But Rainbow, you heard what Spitfire said," Twilight protested and reminded while still reluctant to put them on. "Please don’t go out there! They have enough help coming their way!”

“Yeah!” Bunga also agreed for once along with moving to do the same as the princess. “I may be reckless and I’m still from time to time but I’m not crazy!”

"Maybe, but I've got lots of experience with storms, especially these ones!And given your training, I’m sure you can handle it too!" Rainbow firmly vowed. "We got to make sure they can find their way out! I promise that we’ll make it out unharmed together!"

Reluctantly, Twilight decided not to argue along with both Bunga and Ono before putting on the given goggles. "Okay. I’ll trust your judgment here while I hope to Tatartus you’re making the right call!” With quick works of her magic she worked up a tighten seat belt for Bunga to use while riding her along with a iron clad leash for Ono so he stay close to Rainbow Dash without getting caught up in the storm. “Hang on and sit tight, guys! This is going to be rough!” With a super charged speed, both Twilight and Rainbow took to the skies with their close Lion Guard friends for company.

Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Soarin, and Fleetfoot, all caught up to Vapor Trail, just as they reached the outer edge of the storm. High wind and heavy rain soon battered them, and were it not for their flight goggles they wouldn't have been able to see a thing. Something that not even Ono’s Keen Sight can see thoroughly on it’s own. Soon, they were seeing the flashes of lightning and the crackles of thunder, as the wind and rain only picked up with increased intensity with every passing second.

Suddenly, amidst the roaring wind and booming thunder, Vapor shouted. "There he is!" And sure enough, there was the stallion Vapor had described has just been spotted. And from the looks of it, he seemed to be trying his hardest just to stay in the air, but with every flap of his wings he was already exhausting a lot of energy.

"Sky!" Vapor called out, flying towards her partner with Ono stretching out his chain to lasso the stallion away from a ill timed bolt of lightning in time.

“Hang on, Vapor! I got you!”

"What now?!" Sky snorted still refusing to hear her out. "Come all the way out here to say “I told you so?!” Because you have every right to now. In fact I'm not Stratsburg's most promising flier! I am indeed the worst who should have been left there to stay grounded!"

Vapor shook her head. "Don't think that way, Sky! And I didn’t come all this way out here to do just that. I came back to you because I'm not giving up on you!" She then pleaded. "Please, let me help you! We can work on your flying skills together going forward, but first we need to work together in order get out of this storm! Holding onto that pride you carry every day isn’t worth it!"

Said pride melted away by just looking into Vapor's eyes. "Okay, fine, you got a deal!" Sky promised. "Now please tell me you know how to get us out here!"

"Good thing I didn’t come alone! I instead come with three of the best Wonderbolts right here with me along with the princess herself!" Vapor Trail smiled.

“Yep, she did indeed, now…” Bunga proceeded to grab onto the two ponies to drag them away while shouting seriously. “...let’s get out of here before the storm makes a meal out of us!”

“Come on!” Twilight nudged her head towards Rainbow who is ready to lead everyone out of here.

"Fleetfoot, you stay with Sky and help guide him, I'll take care of Vapor!" Soarin instructed as Bunga moved to hold his grip on Vapor’s right hoof while Ono moved to get a grip on Sky’s left hoof with said ponies moved to do the same for the other open ones.

Fleetfoot nodded. "Right, and we'll both follow Rainbow Dash's lead!” Turning to said pony. “We’re ready when you are, Dash! Both you and the princess!”

Despite the conditions, Rainbow smiled and so did Twilight. "Ready, Twilight?”

Twilight returned it in kind. “Ready!”

Flying back through the storm (which was now directly over the academy grounds) was a frightening, harrowing experience the likes of which the six ponies, honey badger, and egret involved in it would never forget. Often times the fliers had to divert their route a little, as a straight forward path was too turbulent for them to attempt. The whole time, Soarin and Fleetfoot, though they occasionally separated, shouted orders and directions back and forth to each other, as if they'd never been fighting at all.

At last, the storm finally moved on from the academy, and the sky was beginning to brighten, the five pegasi, alicorn all touched down carefully on the still soggy runway along with the equally drenched honey badger and egret. All of them exhausted, but triumphant. Everypony came rushing out to see them, cheering loudly and asking questions.

"That was a very close call back there," Sky panted, very much out of breath. "Thanks for not giving up on me, Vapor Trail. I'm sorry I got so mad earlier and stormed off like that."

"That's alright, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth earlier," Vapor replied and apologized too, hugging Sky tightly. "And whatever punishment we’ll get for this, we'll face it together."

Just then, Angel Wings came up and said to the two. "Um, I just wanted you to know. You two are my new favorite ponies in all of Equestria."

"Hey, I heard that!" Rainbow remarked irritably with a glare, causing Angel Wings to flap off into the sky before it could get worse for herself.

"Well, we'd never have made it out of there if it weren't for the help of the Wonderbolts," Sky commented, turning to Soarin and Fleetfoot. "You two especially, thanks for helping guide us out."

"You're welcome." Soarin and Fleetfoot both nodded.

Just then, Spitfire pushed through the crowd, turning her attention to Sky and Vapor. "Alright you two, fun’s over!" She began speaking sternly. "While I will admit, you just performed some pretty good flying back there. But you both still disobeyed Wonderbolt protocol, and engaged in reckless behavior that can’t be overlooked." Both Sky and Vapor gulped, as Spitfire added. "I still think there's a spot on the Reserves for the both of you, if you can prove in the evaluations that the flying skills you displayed back there weren't just a fluke. But if and when you join the team in any way and any position, you'll be both on probation for three months. In the meantime, I expect you both to study hard, and I'll be expecting great things from you in your solo evaluations. Is that clear?!"

Sky and Vapor both nodded. "Yes ma'am." They both said at the same time, and then they turned and trotted off.

Once the crowd had dispersed, Soarin and Fleetfoot turned to Rainbow Dash, Ono, Bunga, and Twilight. Soarin was the first one to speak. "Thanks for helping us settle our dispute. If you hadn't brought us out here, we wouldn't have been here to help rescue Sky Stinger and Vapor Trail in that storm."

Fleetfoot then chimed in to add on to it. "And we never would've remembered how great we are when we work as a team. Or that we need to do a better job of talking to each other whenever things go wrong," To Soarin she apologized. "I'm sorry for what happened back when it all started, Soarin. Back with happened at the Equestrian Games."

"And I'm sorry I took my position for granted, and that we both forgot about how close we used to be when you were a junior member," Soarin also apologized. "I hope we can start over like we did back in the past, co-captain?"

Fleetfoot hugged Soarin tightly as she insisted. "Of course we can, co-captain!"

At that moment, Rainbow and Twilight felt a tingle on their flanks at the same time Ono and Bunga felt a tingle on their shoulders. Turning to look, they saw their cutie marks glowing brightly, and they knew what that meant.

“We did it! Hooray!” Bunga cheered with raised arms.

“Mission accomplished!” Ono said wearily before passing out from all that has happened.

“Another job well done." Twilight said with a smile while giving everyone a pat on the back.

Rainbow nodded in agreement. "Couldn’t have said any better myself. And now that we are officially done here, let's go home. I can't wait to catch up on Daring Do, make cider with Applejack, and do all the other things I was so looking forward to on my week off from the Wonderbolts."

“Me neither.” Twilight giggled before moving to pick up Ono and then handed him to Bunga to hold onto for the ride back home.

As Rainbow and Twilight neared Twilight's castle a short time later, Twilight was wondering to herself. "I wonder how things are going with Spike and Starlight while we were away?"

"Knowing them and that Kion has been keeping an eye on them, I’m pretty sure he is having fun too and still keeping both Spike and Starlight in line from doing anything too crazy.”

“Like something I did?” Bunga asked which earned him a shake of the head from both ponies. “Oh, thank goodness! You almost had me there for a second.”

Upon arriving in the main hallway of the castle (after pushing open the front doors), Twilight called out. "Spike! Starlight! Kion! We're back!" But there was no reply, and nobody moded to rush forward to greet them.

“Huh? Guys! Girls!” Ono spoke upon coming too. “Where are they?”

It only took them a second to figure out what is really happening and why. Upon entering the throne room to set their saddle bags aside and empty them out, Twilight, Bunga, Ono, and Rainbow were all surprised at the sight in front of their eyes.

Spike had set up the fantasy world of Spiketopia in all its paper and cardboard glory, as his custom made character Garbuncle the Wizard rested in the middle of the board, which draped over the table map. Spike himself was sitting in Twilight's throne, the character guide for Ogres and Oubliettes resting nearby alongside several different colored dice.

Seated across the table, in Rarity's throne, was Starlight. And in his own throne, was Kion himself. They both had her own fictional character who appeared to be designed to look like the rogue character type, if the hood and leather jacket were any indication. And they seemed to be completely engrossed in whatever sort of quest her character was intended to complete, as it rested besides Garbuncle.

Twilight barely resisted the urge to gasp, instead opting to clear her throat with Bunga having to fight back a snicker threatening to let loose from his lips. Spike and Starlight both turned in surprise upon seeing them.

"Oh, hey guys and girls!" Spike quickly greeted, as Starlight nervously waved a hoof. "You're back already?"

“Yep! We’re back already!” Bunga happily greeted.

Twilight and Rainbow just smiled, opting to say nothing while Ono still looked on stunned before dropping his jaw and passing out while falling flat on his back while doing so.

Author's Note

Here in this episode, Twilight, Rainbow, Ono, and Bunga now have their turns at solving their second friendship mission together and it's at the Wonderbolts Academy this time around. Said friendship mission happens to be settling disputes between experienced teammates while rescuing rookies seeking to join the academy along the way.

While it indeed took some time for both sides to finally see eye to eye, they finally buried the hatchet on the matter and decide to share said position together going forward so both can help each other side by side and in a friendly manner.

Up next the Lion and Pony Guard will be turning to a new flying friend as they combat Scar and his flying friends setting fire from the sky along the way so stay tuned later this week for that as Season 6 is rounding off the last TLG Season 2 episode before heading into the finale because it is another hot one in the Pride Lands.

Episode 40: Fire in the Sky

Episode 40:

Fire in the Sky

Ever since Starlight had returned to the Lion and Pony Guard, she’s been informed of how Scar had recently conquered Mizimu Grove in her absence, she’s been doubling down and keeping her guard going forward. On her end it feels to be a more self obligation given that she wasn’t there when it happened never mind the fact that it would have been the most unfortunate victim of a death battle that the others had good fortunate to luck out on. Even though both Twilight and Kion don’t hold anything against her and there really was not much that could have been done to prevent it, she still feels responsible for what happened while she was gone.

So far today, it seemed to be a peaceful morning which is very fitting for the giraffes having lunch from the trees in their territory. Until…

“Incoming!” Both Ono and Rainbow’s voices alerted them just when fire bombs started appearing from the sky with the latter managing to snuff out the first one while doing so.

“Fire! Fire from the sky!” Twiga exclaimed in alarm.

“Fire? No!” One of the other giraffes Shringo panicked.

“Does that mean Scar?” The other female giraffe also asked.

“Afraid so.” Applejack bluntly replied before getting ready to hear orders from the leaders on how to tackle this.

“Beshte! Ono! Bunga! Take care of the fire! Fuli, we'll get the giraffes to safety!”

“Rarity! Kyoga! Pinkie! Rainbow! Starlight! You’re on fire catching and extinguishing duty! Applejack, Fluttershy, you’re with me, Kion, and Fuli!”

With the call decided, Kion and Twilight took lead in guiding them to safety. “Giraffes! This way!” The former ordered while setting his eyes on the closet place to retreat to safety.

The giraffes were quick to obey without question. “Everyone! Follow Kion and Twilight!” Under their guidance they were able to retreat to a nearby slated rock for them duck and cover until the attempted fire storm is over.

“I got this one!”

“And I got this one!”

Both Beshte and Bunga positively reported while using the dirt in front of them to do it with ease.

Ono however squawked in response. “And that one almost got me!”

Rarity was quick to pull out her magic to extinguish it like a hose. “But it didn’t for me!”

“Or me!” Pinkie happily reported while easily being around in a Rainbow Dash like fashion in snuffing every fire bomb that tried to hit the ground every split second they appeared.

“Or me!” Starlight also reported while trying to get a good look out for anymore fire bombs from the sky along with Rainbow Dash who is high up in the sky trying to spot out the culprits responsible for this.

Back with the giraffes, Applejack, Fuli, and Fluttershy were to assure them they have them where they want them to be now.

“Don't worry. You'll be safe here.” Fuli was the first to assure them.

While trying to move her neck around she ended up hitting her head on the rock right above her. “OW...”

“Safe from the fire, at least.” Fluttershy apologetically added with a small smile.

“Which shouldn’t be long now.” Applejack added turning towards their grazing grounds hoping that’s the case.

Upon seeing the rest of the Guard approaching them, Fuli could definitely confirm it. “Right on cue!”

“All clear, Kion and Twilight!” Beshte happily reported. “Fire's out!”

“Okay, giraffes. You're good to go.” Twilight told them who are happy and glad that’s it all over.

“Ah! Thank goodness!” Twiga expressed in relief before leading her friends back to their peaceful lunch in their home.

After the giraffes had left, the team moved to discuss what had just happened back there.

“Scar's gotta be behind all this fire falling from the sky.” Kion expressed first.

“No question about that.” Applejack replied in agreement.

“But how's he doing it?” Beshte asked.

Kion moved to turn to the blue Pegasus. “Rainbow? Any ideas?”

Unfortunately, Rainbow herself didn’t have the solid answer to that. “I mean… we know who’s he’s put up to actually doing it, but the problem with that is that I haven’t been able to see Mzingo and his flock in the act of actually doing it today! Whenever I’ve been able to catch many of the fire bombs that tried to fall down to the ground whoever is doing it is just moving too fast for me to spot out.” Turning to the princess she wondered. “Would you call me crazy if I were to guess that Scar himself is actually starting the fires himself now?”

“No.” Twilight shook her head. “And knowing that he knows that we’re now investigating these fires means he’s deciding that this is something he wants to deal with himself given he actually does have the power to get around in a flash, literally.”

“Would make sense given that he took a more active role in the fight by getting us to split up in order to keep you all distracted from his true targets.” Starlight chimed in having had past experience of servitude to Scar. “I guess the question now is, how do we deal with him this time?”

“Simple.” Twilight replied while looking towards her friends Kion and Rainbow. “We’re going to try to stay on top of him by catching him in the act of doing it.”

Rainbow was quick to support that idea if that means getting a chance to throw down with Scar himself. “Aw, yeah! Count me in!”

Kion himself agreed to the idea since the Fall of Mizimu Grove along with the desire to beat him still fresh on his mind. “Sounds like a plan!”

“And now's your chance to act on. Look!” Applejack directed the three’s attention to more fire bombs falling down from the sky. “They're falling over Chakula Plains!”

“You both ready?” Twilight asked of both Kion and Rainbow as she spread out her wings ready for take off.

“I am! But first…” Rainbow moved to put on goggles while handing both leaders of the Guard goggles to wear so they can see through the smoke. “...now we’re ready!”

“Ready when you are!”

“Here we go!” Flying off ahead at top speed, the princess took to the skies with both Kion and Rainbow flying beside her.

“And we're back on fire patrol!” Fuli stated before leading everyone on over there. “Chakula Plains! Fast!”

In the skies, the lead trio flew higher and higher while moving above the clouds.

Upon spotting the culprit dropping the fire bombs himself, Twilight herself conjured a powerful blast of magic in his direction. But upon the blast itself powering through, the culprit showed no signs of being attacked as if he vanished into thin air. Twilight was left confused of where he went until being suddenly struck by her attacker with a counter attack of magic himself.

Seeing this sparked an angered growl from Kion who wasted no time in sending multiple blasts of magic in the direction of where the attacker’s last blast came from. But no matter the intensity and range of his attacks he couldn’t connect, at least until one shot he made was actually grabbed by the attacker who proceeded to send it right back at him following by a powerful punch to knock him out of the skies.

“All right!” Rainbow growled. “No more messing around, Scar!” She then proceeded to fly up into the smoke to conjure it all up into a tornado before swirling it up into a great big bowling ball shape.

She then proceeded to spot out Scar himself before using her super speed to instantly charge at him while riding on said bowling ball of smoke to give herself a speed boost. Upon getting close to the half lion/alicorn who still stood his ground she prepared another super powered punch ready to knock his teeth out…

...at least before finding herself halted with a well-timed grab to the neck while the smoke just rolled right by him.

Smirking he whispered to the pony in a taunting manner. “You’re going have to be quicker than that next time, Lightning!” He then proceeded whisk up the smoke cover before spinning the pony around like a yo-yo before sending the pony flying and screaming away. Turning back to the others he was quick to gloat to them. “You’ll have to try harder than next time, Kion and Twilight. That is assuming you can actually see me this time!” He then chuckled before disappearing all together in a flash before either one of them could do anything about it.

But with their friend on the very verge of flying into the trees, Twilight was quick to teleport herself and Kion over there before conjuring a magic bubble for her to safely land in.

“Phew! Thanks, Twilight!”

“No problem, Rainbow Dash!”

Kion then groaned in frustration. “But Scar still got away with it again.”

“I know.” Twilight sighed understanding why. “But he’s not causing anymore trouble for now. In the meantime, let’s regroup with the others and see if they managed to deal with the fires that managed to make their way down here.”

“Okay.”

At the same time, the rest of the Guard had managed fairly well on their own just having dealt with the last of the fires that managed rage in the area.

“There. That's the last one!”

“All fires here are all out!”

Both Bunga and Pinkie happily reported.

“Till the next one.” Fluttershy shuddered knowing that this will happen again and again until they either emerge victorious or concede in defeat.

By then the rest of their friends managed to find them all while heavily panting.

“Kion?!”

“Twilight?!”

“Rainbow?!”

“Are you all okay?!”

Fuli, Rarity, Applejack, and Starlight all asked in worry and concern.

“Good news, it is Scar that is really behind them himself…” Twilight began first.

“...but the bad news, he’s really skilled at using the power of fire along with it’s resources around him to his advantage…” Kion added.

“...and is making it really hard for us to properly breath, see, and be able to fight back.”

“In other words you all got smoked this time?” Kyoga asked.

“Yes.”

“I wish I could have been able to join you all…” Ono expressed wishing there was a way to help them. “...but I can only fly so high along with the other egrets. The air up at point is just too thin for me to breath through.”

“It's okay, Ono.” Kion assured it’s no big deal. “I know you’re doing your best as is.”

“Anybody or anypony got any ideas of how can we deal this threat without losing anymore territory to Scar?” Kyoga asked of the others.

“Like another pair of eyes that can help Twilight, Kion, and Rainbow navigate through the smoke and actually spot out Scar so they can actually stand a chance against him in a fight.” Starlight also added and suggested. “Hopefully one that is willing to help us even with all things considerd.”

Beshte thought about it before actually speaking up of an idea of who they can turn too. “Hey, wait. I know somebody who can fly really high. Her name's Anga.”

“I don’t think I’ve heard of her up until now.” Fluttershy spoke feeling intrigued. “What kind of bird is she?”

“Anga's a martial eagle!”

“A martial eagle! I think I did my research on them once!” She said her heart fluttering with excitement at being able to meet one.

Ono himself chimed in with his knowledge about them. “Indeed. Oh, they're amazing flyers. And they do fly high. Very high! Common knowledge, really.”

“You think she'd help us?” Kion asked Beshte.

“I think so. I don't know her that well. She doesn't talk much.”

“That’s okay.” Twilight replied taking no issue with it. “I’m sure we can work with that. Nothing unusual I can say for a fact.”

“True.” Kyoga acknowledged while turning to Fluttershy who is not much of a talker herself. “True. At least when you’re not in one of those moods of yours.”

“My moods?”

“Nothing personal it’s just…” Kyoga continued with the right words in mind to describe it. “...you’ve had some moments where you speak little to none at times yourself, and that’s only because something’s really getting to you.”

“That is true, darling.” Rarity noted. “Considering the time you were mad at us for the whole Canterlot Wedding debacle. The time when Discord managed to have fun with everyone expect you. And the time when you came across your…” She cleared her throat. “...ex-colt friend of yours.”

Fluttershy then chimed in with this to say. “What she means to say it’s just a little unsettling whenever you speak little to none at times. You know, because it’s so unlike you to be so out of sorts for whatever is truly upsetting you.”

“Okay, fair enough.” Twilight accepted and understood where her friends are getting at. “But still, maybe that how Anga likes to communicate with one another. Short, simple, and sweet to the point.” She quickly added to Pinkie. “No actual sweets involved.”

“Aww! Bumper!” She pouted.

“So enough said, it still doesn’t hurt to try to reach out to her. Especially when we still need a pair of eyes to help guide us in our next fight against Scar.”

“Well then what else are we waiting for?” Applejack then asked. “Let's go ask her!”

“Let’s!” Kion couldn’t agree more with wanting to do so right away.

Upon following Beshte, the Lion and Pony Guard all came across where said eagle is flying around.

“Anga? Anga?” Beshte called out upon seeing she’s not around. “Huh. I don't see her. But I'm pretty sure she lives in one of these trees…”

“Maybe she’s around.” Rarity suggested. “Up in the skies.”

Bunga and Pinkie quickly took a look upwards and saw something flying in the sky.

“Hey! What's that up there? Another fire stick?”

“Or is that the bird you were just talking about?”

“Let’s see…” Rainbow and Ono flew up a little to get a good look from afar. “...Thankfully, no.”

“It's a martial eagle.”

“That must be Anga.” Beshte recognized before calling out to her loudly. “Hey! Anga! Down here!”

Immediately the eagle was quick to answer his call. “Anga Lenga!” She moved to fly down towards them.

“Cool catch phrase.” Rainbow complimented.

“She's coming down pretty fast.” Fuli first noted upon seeing her really coming right at them.

“And right at us!” Ono exclaimed in alarm upon seeing the speed is she flying with.

“You do something to make her mad?” Bunga asked his hippo friend.

“Me?”

“Since when has Beshte ever angered someone?” Twilight asked with a skeptical brow in the honey badger’s direction.

“Um...good point. You got me there.”

“Regardless of what she’s thinking, I don't think she's gonna stop!” Fluttershy also expressed in worry.

“Hevi kabisa!” Kion exclaimed upon seeing that she is not slowing down in her descent. “Everyone, duck!”

Everyone all proceeded to either run to the aside and or duck out of the way, expect for Pinkie who still looked on in confusion. “But that’s an eagle not a duck!” She is quickly pulled down by Rarity once more just before Anga could make contact with her. Upon reaching the ground she ended up landing gracefully.

“Hi!” She politely greeted everyone who all looked up at the bird herself.

“Whoa!” Bunga was the first to break their silence. “That landing was un-Bunga-lievable!”

“Well timed I will say!” Twilight admitted.

“I agree. For once.” Ono also admitted.

“It sure is quite a greeting there.” Starlight commented herself.

“So quick and graceful in an instant.” Rarity also complimented. “Much more so than Rainbow Dash coming in for a landing like that.” That comment earned her a frown and glare from said pony. “What? It’s true. Remember the trips to the hospital you made because of earlier incidents when you did something similar?”

“Touche.” Rainbow admitted. “But still I will admit that was better than what I could have done I your position.”

With the compliments and praise of her landing out of the way Beshte moved to introduce his friends to her. ““Hey, Anga! I want you to meet Kion, Twilight, and the...

Anga was quick to cut him off mid-sentence to finish what he was going to say. “Lion and Pony Guard. I know who you are.”

“Okay…” Rarity returned rather taken aback a little by the manner she said so. “...you at least could have let him finish his sentence there because that was a little rude, don’t you think?”

Anga however still looked on stoically in response. “Nope.”

“Well…” Rarity huffed in response to which Twilight was quick to place a calming hoof on her shoulder.

“Easy there, Rarity. We can work on that later.” She assured before turning back to the eagle in question. “So you’ve heard about us, huh?”

“Yep.”

“'Course you do!” Bunga then proudly boasted. “We are the Protectors of the Pride Lands and Equestria. Defenders of the Circle of Life? “Uh…” Then he got confused before turning to the others. “...Aren't we?”

Fuli was quick to state it is indeed a fact, a very obvious fact that he’s been aware of for years now with a smirk. “Of course, we are. But if you knew who we are, why'd you buzz us like that?”

“Yes, very good question, Fuli.” Rarity once more irritably asked while having to be restrained by the princess. “Why did you buzz us like that?”

“Rarity!” Twilight scolded.

Anga however replied with the same expression as before while shrugging. “That's how I land.”

Rarity was about to open her mouth again with more furious words to say to her about that, before finding herself fully restrained by a very strong and firm hoof from the purple alicorn. “Rarity, be polite!” She ordered in a hushed whisper and gritted teeth. “We have more important things to worry about right now!” Now speaking calm and friendly she then smiled as she moved to properly speak to the eagle in question. “So, Anga. It’s really great to meet you, and I know this is quite a big ask but we were wondering and hoping if you could do us a huge favor.”

Kion then chimed in with said favor in mind. “We need someone who can fly really, really high and be able to see very clearly. Like you.”

Anga didn’t quickly respond still looking on with the same expression which sparked some uncertainty among most of the team.

“Sure seems like you're the right bird for the job.” Beshte then said in an effort to get her to speak.

“Did we mention it's a job with the Lion and Pony Guard?” Bunga also added.

“Something that anybody and anypony would kill for nowadays.” Rainbow also added before quickly throwing in. “Not literally, of course.”

“Of course, you don’t.” Starlight returned and quipped.

Anga still said nothing in response with the sane neutral expression.

“Let me talk to her, bird to bird.” Ono asked of the leaders before moving to do just that. “Anga, you would really be helping us out…”

“I'm in.” Anga quickly and finally answered before flying off into the sky.

“But you're the only one who can…” At that moment he realized what her answer really was. “Wait, did she just say she'd do it?” He asked the others.

“Sounds like it.” Fuli replied to confirm it.

“Yep.” Kion also nodded.

“Sure does have quite a weird way of showing it.” Rarity remarked with a scoff.

“I heard that.” Anga returned without a hint of annoyance or anger while returning to regroup with the others with Rarity briefly taken aback by her sudden reply. “So? When do we start?”

Both Ono and Rainbow looked up in the skies and managed to spot out another attack up ahead.

“Hapana! More fire sticks!”

“Falling over Embamba Canyon!”

“Then we start now! Let's go!” Kion stated with fierce determination to be ready to stop Scar this time.

“Kion, Rainbow, Ono, Anga, with me on pursing the source of those fire sticks are coming from! The rest of you put out the fires!” Twilight then commanded of everyone. “Now let’s go...Oh!” Anga already took off to the skies. “Okay. Great!”

“Still rude if you ask me…” Rarity whispered to the others.

“I heard that!” Anga’s voice called out in response which took her by surprise again.

“Seriously?! You can hear me from up there?!”

“Yep.”

“Maybe you should just stop talking smack about her.” Rarity advised to the white unicorn in a whisper.

“Good idea!”

The team split up to do as they were told with the fliers accompanying Anga after a quick catch up.

“They're coming from up there!” Ono informed while trying his hardest to keep pace with the others once he reaches higher ground. “Getting... Hard to breathe. Can’t go any higher.”

“Save your breath, Ono. I got this.” Anga assured before taking off ahead. “Anga Lenga!”

“Hang on!” Twilight also assured before working her magic to give Ono the ability to breath while flying higher. “Can you breath now?”

Ono moved to keep flying while finding he is indeed having an easier time breathing and flying now. “Affirmative. And thanks a bunch!”

"You're welcome! Now let’s go!”

“After her!”

Up ahead, Anga managed to catch one of the fire sticks with ease before using her keen sight to zero in on the true culprits. And this time, it wasn’t Scar.

“Hmm…” She uttered before catching her target. “Vultures? Those bone pickers! Anga Lenga!” Anga moved to fly after them herself.

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Hapana!”

The three other fliers uttered in surprise at what they saw too.

“It’s not Scar this time.”

“It’s Mzingo and his flock.”

“But how and why?”

“I don’t know.” Twilight was quick to take lead in flying after Anga. “But we better catch up to her before and in case Scar decides to show up again.”

“Good idea!”

“Let’s!”

It wasn’t long when Mzingo who had just dropped another fire stick managed to catch sight of what’s in their rear view mirror. “Oh, dear. Seems we've been spotted. By an eagle, no less.”

“Should we break off the attack?” Mwoga asked.

“Not without putting it to a vote.” He firmly replied just when the flock unwisely decided now is good time to stop and group up together.

“Oi! She's getting closer! And she’s got company! Lion and Pony Guard company!”

“Ah.” Mzingo calmly responded. “Then I propose we break off the attack and reconvene somewhere safe to discuss whether or not, we should break off the attack! All in favor?”

“Aye!”

By the time they all got retreating to the Outlands, Anga had narrowly managed to catch their leader who gasped at the near miss. Upon getting going, they were able to escape her with the others managing to quickly catch them.

“It’s okay, Anga. Let them go.”

“They’re no longer in our territory.”

Upon seeing the eagle’s frustration Rainbow further reassured. “It’ll be okay, Anga. We’ll get them next time.”

“Now come on, let’s go back and report to the others.” Ono then advised.

“Fine.” Anga relented while still having this to say. “They're lucky they’re no longer in the Pride Lands.”

“I know it’s tough, but it is for the best.” Kion said in an effort to help assure Anga that neither Scar nor his cronies are going to get away with it.

“Least you want to encounter an even bigger bird too much for you to handle.” Twilight added before leading the way back to where the rest of the Guard currently is. “Come on!”

Upon arriving at Emababa Canyons the four fliers landed before their friends who are all putting out the last of the fires.

“Everyone! Everyone! We figured it out!” Ono quickly informed everyone.

“Mmm?” Anga returned with a look to which had the egret quickly realizing his mistake.

“Or Anga figured it out, really. Uh, Anga? You want to tell them?”

Anga proceeded to toss over the fire stick she caught before explaining. “It's the vultures. They're the ones dropping the fire sticks.”

“Vultures?”

“That's why we couldn't spot them initially. Vultures can fly very, very high. Common knowledge, really.”

“And knowing Scar, he must’ve put them up to it this time around. He’s pulling the old shuffleboard move on us again.” Twilight added with a grim tone of voice.

“Well, it ends now.” Kion vowed with a serious expression and determination drive in his blood. “Now we know what we're up against. Thanks, Anga. We're not going to let Scar's vultures control the Pride Lands' skies.”

“That's right! Let me at them vultures!” Bunga said with raised fists ready to do some punching. For added humor, Pinkie quickly pulled out boxing gloves from out of nowhere for him and herself to use.

“Yeah! Let me at them! Let me at them!” She even remembered to propel herself upwards before being quick stopped when Twilight conquered a shield to bring her back to reality.

“Bunga, you can't fly.” Fuli reminded.

“And with a 50/50 chance of running into Scar again, that’s a risk we don’t need to take.” Twilight added to further back up that point.

But even still Bunga felt it was doable. “So? Anga or any one of you with wings and magic can carry me up. Then I'll send those vultures flyin'!” Turning to Anga. “Give me a lift?” Anga still looked on blankly and with a raised eyebrow as if he is crazy. “Is that a yes? No?” Turning to the others. “How about you, Twilight? Kion? Kyoga? Rainbow? Fluttershy?” None of them moved to allow him to hitch a ride on their backs.

“You know…” Kion spoke upon getting an idea out of what his friend said. “Bunga's right.”

“I am?” Bunga returned surprised himself.

“He is?” Fuli and Rarity both asked together

“Beg your pardon?” Applejack asked as if he is talking crazy there.

“Yeah, what she said!” Rainbow said in agreement.

“Yeah.” Kion confirmed with a smile before elaborating it. “If we're gonna fight the vultures, we need sky power.”

“Hear that? Let's go, Anga! Zuka…” Bunga moved to hop on Anga’s back before falling to the ground instead due to the annoyed bird moving out of the way. “Zama…”

“Not like that, Bunga.” Kion shook his head. “What we need are birds. And lots of them.”

Ono already liked the idea. “Yes! That could totally work! The trick is getting all of the birds to come together!”

“Yeah. Birds can be kind of flighty.” Bunga then quipped while flapping his arms. “Get it? Birds? They fly…” The others looked on with either dull and or annoyed expressions in response.

“I get it!” Pinkie happily giggled. “That was good.”

“Yeah...no.” Kyoga quickly shut down while shaking her head

“Anyways…” Fluttershy continued with said subject at hoof that needs to be addressed. “...anybody we know that can help us assemble a squadron of birds as soon as possible?”

Thankfully it only took a second for Ono to come with someone they know that can help. “Oh! I know! Hadithi!”

Hearing his name sparked a big smile on her face and got her wings spread out with eager glee. “Hadithi?” She then quickly composed herself upon realizing what she just said and did. “Interesting.”

“Ooh!” Pinkie giggled along with Rarity. “That got a smile from her!”

“No question about that, darling.” Rarity also giggled with mischievous intent. “Smoochy. Smoochy. Someone’s in love.” Said eagle glared at her in response which got her to shut up.

The idea itself proved worthy of a stamp of approval from the leaders of the Guard.

“Great idea, Ono.”

“Wherever Hadithi goes, birds follow.”

“Last I heard, Hadithi was hanging out near the Urembo River.” Beshte recalled.

“Okay. Ono, go ask Hadithi if he'd be willing to help.”

“Rainbow, go with him too. Just in case any balloons get overflated.”

“On it.”

“Can do.”

Before flying off ahead the Guard’s Keenest of Sight called out to Anga. “Thanks for your help, Anga. Nice meeting you.”

Anga however still fluttered inside about him was quick to be vocal about it. “I could come too! To find Hadithi. Or... Whatever.” She said with her stoic mask slipping a little.

Both fliers didn’t mind the company and were quick to accept her to tag along.

“Sure. Come on!”

“The more the merrier!”

“Fantastic!”

Once the three had left, both Pinkie and Rarity were giggling like gossip hens already cracking up at seeing Anga smile for the first time and is crushing over Hadithi himself.

Upon taking to the skies once more Ono along with Rainbow were able to make some small talk with Anga along the way.

“You martial eagles sure fly high.” Ono began.

“We do.”

“And you're a very impressive flyer, Anga.” Rainbow added.

“Thanks.”

“I wish I could do that fast swoop and sudden stop like you.”

“Me too. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about crashing into anyone again.”

“You do?” Anga asked now surprised by the duo’s wishes. “But you're Ono. Keenest of sight. And you’re Rainbow Dash, the Fastest known for great Loyalty towards other. You're really special! You both are! Any eagle can swoop and stop.”

“Oh, not just any eagle.”

“And it’s not a easy find and skill to master when you have super speed like mine.”

“Well, it's pretty easy. Come on, I'll show you!”

Along the flight over, Anga moved to show the two what she means by what she said through song to which the other two moved to join in themselves while passing by Ma Tembo and Twiga's herds and later a turaco nest along the way.In addition they soared through the skies and nearby canyons while pickig up what even the smallest ants are doing from afar with a combination of super speed and keen sight.

By the time the song ended, Anga was the first to spot their destination. “There's the Urembo River…”

Ono gasped upon seeing who they sought out. “And there's Hadithi!”

“Down on the tree talking to some fellow birds right now.” Rainbow added before moving to fly on down there.

“...and then I rescued the klipspringers from the hyenas.” Hadithi spoke to said birds who are all in awe with what they are telling him.

“Ooh!”

“Oh. I hope he's not back to taking credit for things he didn't do.”

“I hope not. If otherwise.” Rainbow pounded her fists together. “He’ll have to answer to me!”

No sooner that she said it they ended up hearing Hadithi continue on with his story telling. “Which I never could have done without Ono of the Lion Guard showing me how to be a real hero along with Rainbow Dash of the Pony Guard showing me how to be a loyal friend along the way.”

“Oh!”

“Huh! What do ya know?”

“Looks like that lesson of humility and bravery is truly sticking after all.”

“Come on, Anga. Let us introduce you!”

Upon flying onto the branch Hadithi is standing on, the latter was quick to happily eager greet them. “Ono! Rainbow! I was just telling these fine birds about our adventures. Everyone, meet Ono! Hero of the Pride Lands! Along with Rainbow Dash! Hero of the Pride Lands!”

“Ono. Rainbow.”

“Of the Lion and Pony Guard. Wow!”

“Yeah! Yeah! I know! We get that a lot here!” Rainbow proudly returned while doing some poses to show off to the group.

Ono on the other wing greeted them humbly. “Uh, hi, everybody. Um, Hadithi, this is our friend Anga.”

“Well, any friend of Ono and Rainbow's is a friend of mine.” Hadithi returned while ready to greet said friend of theirs. “What do you say, Anga?”

Anga for once nervously stammered a little instead of completely regaining her composure like before. “Uh... Um…” Then she broke out a huge smile with a fan girl tone and posture. “You're Hadithi!”

“Indeed, I am.”

“Wow!” Rainbow chuckled in delighted surprise. “Didn’t realize you’re one of those fan girls?”

But at this point Anga didn’t care complete being willing to sing his jingle. “He's Hadithi! Hadithi the hero! Hadithi the Hero! wherever he goes!”

“Yes. That's me.” Getting down to business the now noble bird moved to ask of the Lion and Pony Guard members. “So to what do I owe this honor, old friends?”

Both Ono and Rainbow upon getting serious were quick to cut to the chase of why they have sought him out now of all times.

“The Lion and Pony Guard needs you, Hadithi.”

“Actually, all the Pride Lands and Equestria need you.”

“Me?” Hadithi returned in surprise. “Why would the Pride Lands and Equestria need me?”

“Because…” Rainbow spoke up. “...the Lion and Pony Guard needs extra assistance in helping stop a very serious threat to our kingdoms. And you’re the bird for the job.”

“Not only that but you're Hadithi!” Anga excitedly reminded before covering her mouth with her wings in embarrassment.

“Ah. Well yes, of course.” Even that was enough to convince him and the birds to follow Ono and Rainbow’s lead. “Well, then. Let's be off.”

While everyone else takes off, Anga briefly chastised herself for letting her emotions get the better of her. “"You're Hadithi." What was I thinking?”

“It’s okay.” Rainbow quickly popped by to assure it’s no big deal. “Tends to happen to those who are in love and or crushing on someone.”

“Love? Crush?” Anga briefly blushed pink cheeks in response. “I don’t know what you mean by that.”

“Of course you do! But we can talk about that more later, okay.” Rainbow then flew off ahead to keep up with the others. “But for now, let’s go!”

Meanwhile in the Outlands Volcano, Mzingo and his flock are all gathered inside appearing before Scar in his fiery form as the latter shows them the flock of birds Ono and Rainbow have managed to recruit.

“So sire…” Mzingo spoke up. “...how do you propose you want to handle this?”

“A very valid question, Mzingo. A very valid question, indeed.” Scar returned as he adopted his calculating expression as he formulates a way to deal with this himself. “With the Lion and Pony Guard onto the source of the fires responsible for some of the destruction in the Pride Lands we need to be smart about this. So, we’ll do it in a way that they can’t be all together to stop us in the act.”

“And that is…” Mwoga asked.

“...and by that I mean you will take your flock to Maumivu Thorn Patch and set a fire there. Once the fire touches those dry thorns there will be no way anybody from the Guard can stop it before it spreads everywhere at a very rapid pace.”

“Oh! I do love the smell of a good roast!” Another vulture spoke already liking the idea himself. But then he remembered something. “But what about both the alicorn prince and princess? Surely they have the power to end it in an instant and stop what we’re doing.”

“Even though I find your behavior frustrating at times…” Mzingo spoke before conceding to his point. “...I have to admit you make a good point there. With both Prince Kion and Princess Twilight around you’ll find your chances of causing that to happen go from a hundred to zero…” He snaps his talons to make a fingersnap sound. “...just like that.”

“Correction.” Scar spoke still certain about this plan. “They won’t be around to stop you, they’ll be trying to stop me while I divert them away from you all. While I take care of them both, you all take care of the fire. Does that make sense to you all?”

“Yes, Scar.” Mzingo answered on behalf of his team. “It does. Definitely so.”

“Good.” Scar smiled with satisfaction before making sticks with fire on them appear and standing right in front of them in a perfectly straight line. “Then proceed with the plan. Like before, Divide and Conquer!” He proceeded to laugh manically and evilly as the vultures pick up their torches one by one as they all gear themselves up for their next big battle.

In another part of the Pride Lands, Bunga has climbed up a nearby tree in an effort to spot them out alongside Twilight and Fluttershy who are all expecting them. And upon appearing on the horizon they were indeed able to spot them.

“I think that's them!” Fluttershy spoke first.

“Yep! They got Hadithi!” Bunga confirmed before moving to climb down the tree.

“Think we should tell all the birds about Hadithi?” Beshte asked the others.

To answer that question, Fuli founds herself greeted and surrounded by the flock accompanying Hadithi, Ono, and Rainbow Dash with two birds actually sitting on her head much to her annoyance. “I think they figured it out.”

“Aw, they really love you, Fuli.” Fluttershy giggled while every gathers in from of the long rock where the birds in charge moved to stand tall in front of everyone.

“Thanks for coming, Hadithi.” Twilight first thanked upon standing up on the rock alongside him and Kion.

“Yeah, it really means a lot to us” Now speaking louder upon being disturbed by the constant squawking and chirping from the other birds. “Uh, everyone?” He then tried speaking louder. “Everyone... Please listen!” But even still the birds still kept chirping and Fuli looks on still sporting the same annoyed expression.

Thankfully, Hadithi was able to get their attention by pulling his wing, which got them all to instantly stop chirping. “My fellow birds. It's good to see you all again.”

“We missed you, Hadithi!” One male duck happily returned.

“And I missed each and every one of you.” When the birds moved to resume chirping loudly again, Hadithi raised his wing to signal them to stop again. “But, I believe Kion and Twilight have something important to tell us.” He moved to step aside to allow them to speak to the crowd.

“We've recently learned that the fire sticks falling on the Pride Lands are coming from the vultures.” The birds all gasped upon hearing this.

“Not only that Scar himself is personally leading the attack!” The birds further gasped in horror upon hearing his very name. “Yes, I know. It’s a very scary thing we’re dealing with here. But you don’t have to worry as long we have your backs as much as you have our backs.”

“And that's why we've asked all of you here.” Kion added. “To help us stand our ground against Scar and the Outsiders.”

Hadithi further backed them up with this to say. “The Lion and Pony Guard has shown great bravery protecting you, especially on the ground. But now we need to control the skies. The Outlanders want to scare us. But I won't let that happen. Together we'll teach them not to mess with the birds of the Pride Lands!” Hearing his confidence and praise had all of the birds all on board.

“Are they cheering?” Bunga asked the others in confusion. “I don't talk bird.”

“I do.” Fluttershy confirmed with a smile. “And despite admitting that they are all scared of Scar and his cronies, they are all more than willing to brave the danger he poses over our heads.”

“Oh! Okay! Great!”

“Excellent!” Applejack smiled. “Glad to see you all are on board with us here! And I can’t wait to get started with you ya’ll.”

No sooner than she said it Ono along with Rainbow were the first to spot something amiss up ahead when they turned their backs from the others.

“Wait a tick…” Ono uttered while scanning what’s afar in his sights. “Anga? You see what I see?”

Anga used her keen sight to get a good look at what Ono spotted from afar. “Smoke trails.”

“And you know what that means!”

“Scar and the vultures are making their next move!” Rainbow growled with a frown. “Which means it’s now time to act against them!”

“So will you join me?” Hadithi asked each and everyone of his followers. “Are we together?”

“Vultures!” Rainbow quickly exclaimed and reported which got everyone’s attention.

“And it looks they're headed for the Maumivu Thorn Patch!” Ono further informed everyone.

“Those thorn bushes are so dried out they'll catch fire right away.” Kion noted and realized.

“And with all the sharp thorns? Once the fire's started, we'll never be able to put it out!” Fuli also added in worry.

Hearing this sparked the princess’s alicorn’s wings to spread out ready for another fight. “Hadithi, Rainbow, Ono! Don't let the vultures make it to the thorn patch.” Turning to the other leader along with her student. “Kion! Starlight! You ready for another rematch with Scar?”

Kion spread his wings out and sparked up the magic on his horn. “Ready!”

“Ready as always!” Starlight stated with a determined expression and flaring horn.

“Then let’s move out, everyone! On the double!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Affirmative!”

With a swift teleportation spell both the prince and princess instantly disappeared and then reappeared to wherever Scar is up high in the skies.

With their orders, Hadithi lead the charge. “Birds of the Pride Lands!” He briefly stopped himself when he thought of what he just said. “No, that doesn't sound right. Hadithi's High Flying Heroes!” That was more to his liking. “Follow me! Together, we will protect the skies of the Pride Lands!” Under his lead and command the birds all followed after him ready to take on the vultures.

“What I wouldn't give to be a bird right now.”

“Me too!”

Both Bunga and Pinkie wished and shared together.

“We can think more about what wishes we want in life later.” Kyoga spoke up and reminded the two out of their fantasy thoughts. “We still have plenty of work, to do down here, Bunga, Pinkie. Maumivu Thorn Patch! Let's go!”

Upon reaching the skies, Ono and Rainbow took charge in giving the birds directions on where to go.

“There!”

“Aim for the smoke trails!”

“All right, everyone. This is it.” Hadithi informed the others. “Let's stop them.”

“Hmm.” Anga however had a thought occur when she used her keen sight to pick up on the incoming vultures. “If we can see them coming... They can probably see us…” Upon seeing the sun above her, she smirked upon getting an idea to act upon.

Upon making their way to their destination, Mzingo spoke up to give his flock instructions on what their next mission is. “Remember, everyone, Scar wants this fire at Maumivu Thorn Patch. So don't drop your fire before then! Is that clear, Mwoga?” He added with a stern expression towards said vulture who looked on seeing another potential problem up ahead.

“Uh, yeah, Mzingo. But look!”

“Oh, dear.” Mzingo realized when he saw the flock of birds along with Rainbow Dash coming right at them. “Quite a few Pride Land birds coming right towards us. Not to mention the Pony Guard’s Fastest flying right alongside them.”

“What do we do?”

“What we always do.” He simply replied. “Fly higher then they can! Emergency resolution to gain altitude. Those in favor?”

“Aye!”

All of the vultures moved to do just that.

“Everyone! They're trying to fly above us!” Ono reported to the others.

“Not a problem!” Rainbow returned before going after them herself at top speed at a different angle.

Mzingo chuckled at the sight that he is seeing. “I do so enjoy looking down on Pride Landers and Equestrians.”

But said smug satisfaction was short lived when he and his flock found themselves in for a big surprise from both up high and down low.

“Then I bet you enjoy the feel of lightning!”

“Anga Lenga!”

Said surprise attack caught them off guard and kept the flock from gainer higher ground over their opponents.

“Was that your little friend?” Hadithi asked Ono.

“Little? No! Friend? Yes!”

“Indeed.” Hadithi then commanded of the birds. “High Flying Heroes! Engage!”

As the birds move to do so, most of the Lion and Pony Guard have managed arrive near the thorn bushes.

“Whoa! Look at 'em go!”

“I know! They’re all over them!”

Bunga and Pinkie happily shared.

“Which means a much fairer fight with them varmits this time around.” Applejack added now ready for that fight with her lasso at the ready.

“And here come the fire sticks!” Kyoga added upon seeing the first of many come headed their way.

Already Beshte was on it. “I got 'em, Kion. Twende Kiboko!” Just when the sticks landed Beshte was quick to kick dirt over them to keep them from growing the second they landed.

“Nice!” Fuli complimented.

“Way to go, Big B!” Bunga also complimented before spotting another one coming. “Uh-oh.”

“Another fire bomb at 11:00 or 10:00 I should say!” Pinkie reported.

“Roger that!” He quickly hopped on Beshte for a leap and then performed a spinning maneuver to catch it in mid-air before snuffing it out by stuffing it in the dirt upon landing.

“Great work.” Kyoga complimented. “Let's keep it up!”

Elsewhere in the skies, Scar himself was laying down the fire on the dry grass down below with nothing more than the power of conquering fire from his fiery paws. Said fires were enough to scare the nearby giraffes once more into fleeing.

"It's Scar! Run for it!" Twiga commanded of her herd before leading the way away from the evil lion himself.

Scar himself chuckled at the very sight. "Oh, how do I just love the smell of fear!"

"Then I hope you love the smell of defeat because that's what's going to happen next if you don't stop now, Scar!" Twilight's voice sternly said to him from behind with Kion by her side and Starlight following after them.

"So stay away from the giraffes and stand down now!" Kion then demanded of his great uncle.

"It's over." Starlight added ready for a fight if he doesn't obey the leaders of the Lion and Pony Guard.

Even still he continued to smirk while turning to face them. "Quite the opposite, things are just getting started and I'm not going anywhere until I set out to get what I want here." He then moved to charge his paws with fire as the others ready their horns charged with magic too. "You think you three have what it takes for another repeat performance like you two along with your other royal relatives did at Mizimu Grove?"

"What do you think, Scar?"

"Either way we're willing to take those odds?"

"So bring it on!"

"Very well. You all asked for it." Scar said before unleashing his fiery magic at them once more while creating the hard to see smoke all around them...

Back in the skies, Ono is taking on Mwoga by refusing to budge when he’s trying to get by. “Oi! Get out of me face!”

Upon seeing this Hadithi directed some available birds on over to the white egret currently in a deadlock battle. “Green Bee Eaters! Help Ono!”

Said birds chirped in response before moving to knock into the vulture causing him to drop his fire stick.

“Look what you made me do!” Mwoga groaned before being given a swift power kick by Rainbow Dash.

“Sorry, not sorry.” She then quickly gasped along with Ono upon seeing that fire stick is headed striaght for the thorn bushes.

“Hapana! Incoming!”

“Another one coming in at 4:00!”

“Got it!”

“Roger that!”

Both Bunga and Pinkie repeated before taking action with the latter giving the former the boost he needs to redirect it in time.

“Zuka Zama!” With a swift karate kick he was able to kick it into the dirt instead of the thorns where Rarity was quick to snuff it out with water she conquered up.

“Good form, darling. Your moves have improved I will say.” She complimented.

“Thanks!”

“Reconvene! Reconvene!” Mzingo quickly ordered of the flock before moving to retreat.

“Are they leaving? Did we win?” Hadithi asked both Ono and Rainbow who all managed to catch sight of it.

“I don't think so.”

“They're going back for more fire sticks.”

“Which means this battle is not over yet.”

Anga was quick to ensure they don’t get anymore ammo they can use against them by flying off ahead and after them. “We'll see about that.”

After Ono and Rainbow followed after her, Hadithi called out to the birds that just helped Ono minutes earlier. “Green bee eaters. Follow us.” Said birds willingly followed after him without question.

“Oh, dear.” Mzingo uttered with his worries further increased and now on edge than before. And those worries were justified when Anga and the Green Bee Eaters managed to subdue his fellow vultures flanking him. Not only that Ono, Hadithi, and Rainbow are all eyes directed at them ready to do the same to him. “Three against one? That's hardly fair.”

“Says the vulture who has no problem trying to take me and Fuli down only when we were worn out from running and flying?!” Rainbow scoffed before pulling ahead and yank him out of flight before flinging him away across the sky and into a neaby tree to crash head through a branch.

Elsewhere, Anga has proven to be a very capable bird in combat when she managed to subdue Mwoga by grabbing onto his leg and then flinged him into another vulture. “Hi-ya!”

“Whoa!” Both vultures screamed in pain when it happened.

Unfortunately for her she is blindsided when one of the other vultures nearby happened to play dirty by knocking down to the ground with her back turned putting her on a collision course down to the ground.

Ono just happened to nearby to witness it. “Hapana, Anga!” He moved to dive after her catching Hadithi’s attention as well. “Gotta dive faster! Just liked Anga showed me.” By folding in his wings for a faster descent he was able to catch up to Anga and managed to catch her. “I got you…”

“You got me? Who's got you?”

“Oh!” Ono groaned and strained as he tries and fails to keep himself and Anga from slowly falling to the ground. Luckily for him, someone else came to their rescue. “What?“

“I've got you both.” Hadithi assured having managed to catch them on his back.

But much like before, more vultures played dirty by bumping into the three birds causing Hadithi to crash downwards leaving both Ono to pull Anga’s weight himself.

“Hapana!”

“Oh, no!” Beshte gasped.

“Pull up! Pull up!” Bunga urged of the egret even though it’s a futile and losing struggle.

With her motherly instincts kicking in, Fluttershy swooped in the skies to catch the two with her hooves just managing to catch them in time. And with adrenaline still kicking in much like when playing buckball, she moved to fly up and catch Hadithi with her tail just before the same could happen to him too.

“Poa!”

“What a save!”

“No kidding!”

“Woo-hoo! Way to go Fluttershy!”

Beshte, Bunga, Fuli, and Pinkie all commented with the latter cheering for her.

“Phew.” Ono sighed in relief before turning to the eagle. “You okay, Anga?”

“Yeah, I am now. Thanks to one of your friends here.”

Fluttershy smiled sweetly in response. “Oh, don’t mention it. Saving and caring for animals is my specialty.”

“And that is something I am very grateful you have.” Anga complimented which got the Pegasus sporting pink cheeks in response.

“Same here.” Hadithi also commented despite feeling a twinge of pain in the wing he was hit on. “Thank you dear Fluttershy for saving us from those thorn bushes.”

Kyoga upon regrouping with them asked them if they’re all right. “Everyone okay?”

Anga regained her composure while separating herself from the others. “Fine. Just need a second.” She proceeds to do just that.

“I'm Hadithi. I'll be fine.” Said bird proudly boasted.

“But we still got those vultures still circling around the sky waiting for another opportunity to set this place on fire!” Applejack pointed upon seeing the vultures are now taking this moment to retrieve more fire sticks. “And it won’t be long until they’re back!”

Rarity sighed as they see how thin their options are now. “If only Kion and Twilight were here, they’d take care of this right away!”

“But they’re not here right now, they’re busy fighting off Scar right now.” Rainbow pointed out.

Fluttershy then asked. “What are we going do?”

“We gotta get back up there and stop those vultures.” Ono declared before spotting Hadithi struggling to maintain flight for a extended period of time. “Hadithi?”

“Oh, no. Please tell me that’s not what I think it is.” Rainbow pleaded.

Hadithi briefly gasped in pain while allowing himself to be caught by Fluttershy. “I’m sorry Rainbow, but I'm afraid I'm grounded for the moment. Those vultures laid some pretty nasty bruises on my wings.” Upon seeing this Kyoga quickly rushed to work her magic on the bird’s injuries.

“Oh! Dang it!”

“I wish Kion were here. He’d blast those vultures out of the sky.” Bunga expressed wondering how much longer is Scar planning on keeping him, Starlight, and Twilight at bay.

Kyoga shook her head against the idea. “Well even if he could, that wouldn’t do us any good.”

“How?”

“Use the Roar now and take out all the Pride Lands birds along with the vultures?” Fuli asked and reminded.

“Oh!” Bunga now realized. “Good point.”

“Not only that them vultures are too spread out.” Applejack added.

“But if the Pride Lands birds got the Vultures all in once place…” Ono then thought before turning to Rainbow Dash. “...then maybe you could perform one of your famous sky twisters to send them packing back to the Outlands!”

“Right! But we still need a new leader in place because I need all the time and focus and work up the energy to perform that maneuver!” Rainbow acknowledged and reminded.

Turning back to Hadithi and Kyoga. “How’s that wing coming along?”

“It’s getting better but it still needs a few more hours until he’s ready to start flying at full strength.”

“What!”

“Sorry.” Hadithi apologized not going to argue with her nor Fluttershy on it. “Even if I could fly right now, I'm not sure I'd be sky worthy to lead.”

Anga however knew someone that has potential to do the job himself. “You can lead them, Ono.”

That idea surprised Ono himself. “Me?” He then turned to the others to make sure she isn’t the only thing who thinks it’s a good idea.

“I think that’s a splendid idea!” Rarity voiced her approval first.

“Sounds good to me!” Applejack also liked the idea itself.

Ono still stammered at the proposal. “But...but...I mean...do I really have what it takes to do it?”

“Of course you do!” Rainbow quickly voiced her support. “As much as I see every Wonderbolt that has that spark in their eyes and you my friend have that in yours. That great sense of direction, the much needed confidence to lead, and knowing the right course of action with your current surroundings!”

Ono felt more confident than before hearing those inspiring words. “That is true. I do. That is if you really think so?”

“I know so. And I know you can do it even if you don’t think you’re ready.”

“And sometimes you have no choice, Ono. You just have to lead.” Hadithi added in agreement. “You just need to have faith in yourself to know what’s the next best course of action.”

Upon hearing what he needed to hear, Ono looked on with that very confidence of a leader. “Right. I'll do it.” He turned to the purple eagle with a condition to add to it. “But, Anga, I'll need your help.”

Anga was already more than ready to follow his lead. “You got it.”

The two birds along with Rainbow all took to the skies where the other birds are waiting for the vultures to return.

“Go get 'em, kids. I believe in you both.” Hadithi called out to them fully supportive and sure that they will succeed.

Hearing that sparked another smile in Anga’s heart and confidence. “Hadithi believes in me?”

“Better believe it!”

“120%!”

Both Rainbow and Ono stated before carrying this crucial mission together.

Elsewhere in the Pride Lands, the prince, princess, and protege are all braving the smokey area around them in their efforts to fight Scar. In order to do this they have donned flight goggles and had their heads covered with impenetrable bubbles to allow them to breath while avoiding inhaling the smoke around them. Thanks to being ready this time around they were able to put forward a better fight with their powerful opponent this time around.

At the same time Scar continued to use the ongoing fire and smoke around him to his advantage. With the magical powers backing him up along with the power of his wings he was able to spread it around him along with the giraffes grazing grounds like wildfire. That said he was equally on guard when he was able to multi-task by spending smoke and fiery magic right at them from each angles forcing each and every one of them to back off when they tried to get close to him. Even though none of them got struck yet unlike last time, they were able to keep the fire getting spreading more than it already has.

In an attempt to throw Scar off of his game, Starlight used the cover to create clones of herself and had them charge at Scar himself. Said strategy allowed Starlight to weave through the smoke so that when she managed to appear before Scar she was now in striking distance. Scar himself however, quickly moved to dodge the attempted strike, and managed to deliver a super powerful upper cut to the jaw. Said attack was so powerful that it knocked the magical bubble and goggles right off of her and completely knocked her out cold.

On instinct, Scar was able to teleport away before both Kion and Twilight could use the distraction to double team before moving forcing them to fly in opposite directions to avoid crashing into each other just a split second to spare. The two then had to skid downwards onto the ground creating a trench in their landing to avoid any injuries before the latter moved to whisk the knocked out unicorn from out under the smoke.

Upon ensuring she is safe and away from the fire and smoke, the two moved to try to challenge Scar again by trying to throw him off of his game. To do this, Kion moved to use his magic to whisk the smoke and fire away from the area around them getting his great uncle's attention.

Once all eyes were on him he moved to shoot it right at his face who likewise easily dispelled of it with a combined paw clasp before reigniting the flames and smoke around him. He then moved to engage against Kion with paw to paw combat which ended up with the younger lion swiped off his paws, caught by the back before being hoisted upwards into the air and then slammed down into the ground with a super powerful backhanded strike.

Instantly, Scar himself got drop kicked and then body slammed into the ground by Twilight herself before finding himself pinned down to the ground. "Still want to keep pushing your luck, Scar?"

In response Scar simply used beams from his eyes to blast the alicorn princess off of her before rounding enough with a powerful backhanded strike to send her crashing into a burning tree behind her. In addition he moved to create another magical dome over the giraffe's grazing grounds before using the smoke around him to shoot it right at his opponents before making his escape. But not with these last ominous words to them that echoed through the land around them.

"Not for now. But mark my words, Twilight, you, Kion, and all of your friends and family shall never see the light of another day for as long as you keep ensuring that I shall never be king. And that day will come soon for you all..."

While it wasn't exactly a repeat performance like back in Mizimu Grove, it was still enough to get Scar back off for now once the ongoing fires around them ceased to continue.

Starlight panted upon recovering. "And something I hope never comes."

"And as long as we can Scar on his toes that day will never come." Kion said in agreement upon groaning and shaking off the pain he endured along with Twilight.

"You said it." She alsoa agreed before leading the way back towards the others in flight. "Now let's go and see if the others have managed without us to help out."

"Let's."

Upon arriving at the sight of the birds all scattering around, chirping, and squawking amuck, Ono took charge to try to get their attention. “Everyone, everyone!” When that didn’t work, he cleared his throat for a more authoritative tone. “Listen to me.” Upon seeing that they are now all eyes and ears for what he has to say much to his and Anga’s delight, he then continued. “Here's the plan…”

From down below the rest of the team are already looking on feeling very proud of Ono themselves.

“He’s doing it!” Fluttershy spoke first already making her voice heard with a big wide smile.

“So powerful!” Pinkie briefly sniffed and cried.

By the time they were ready, the vultures have returned with more fire sticks handy.

“All right everyone! Get ready and reconvene!” Mzingo commanded ready for another attempt to set the Pride Lands ablaze.

But just when they arrived they found themselves in for a surprise themselves when the birds assembled together to circle around them.

“Ah, what now?” Mwoga asked while trying and failing to get around the birds surrounding them. Upon numerous spins and go arounds, he started to have his eyes spinning himself. “I'm gettin' dizzy.”

“I propose we fly higher.” Mzingo instructed to everyone who were all more than happy to follow his lead there.

“Aye!”

But Anga was once more a step ahead of them again, “Oh, no, you don't.” By maneuvering around them she managed to ensure that the vultures are all stuck together in one small circle.

“Pride Landers! Anga, clear out.” Ono ordered of them who all quickly did so. “All clear, Rainbow!”

“All right, vultures! Showtime!” By flying around and around as fast as she can around the vultures who can only scream and sport green faces as they are all circled around together. Rainbow then was able to create her super passionate rainbow twister that surrounded and hurling the whole flock away from the Pride Lands and into the Outlands.

Upon seeing they have won the battle, the birds all chirped with everyone else cheering victoriously upon stopping another potential threat to the Pride Lands with Rainbow and Ono high fiving each other in celebration together. With the threat taken care of they moved to regroup with Hadithi and most of the Lion and Pony Guard.

“I knew you could do it.” Hadithi complimented.

“Thanks, Hadithi.” Ono humbly returned. “That means a lot coming from you.”

“And that means a lot coming from you.” Hadithi returned in kind.

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Rainbow replied feeling proud yet humble about it at the same time.

By then Kion, Twilight, and Starlight have managed to return to where they are now.

“Hey, everyone!”

“We’re back!”

“How did it go?”

“It went amazing!” Rainbow happily and excitedly expressed to them.

“Oh, you should have seen it!” Pinkie happily chimed in before rapidly explaining everything. “The vultures were caught off guard thanks to the awesome teamwork of the birds with Hadithi leading them, and Ono managed to prove it just as much when he took command and lead them into surrounding the vultures long enough for Rainbow Dash to perform a super duper powerful twister to send the vultures flying back into the Outlands. Also, Anga really helped them out by flying higher than the vultures and getting the drop on them literally.” She giggled at that last part while some rolled their eyes in response.

“Well, that pretty much sums it up.” Starlight first spoke surprised yet impressed.

“It sure does.” Kion said in agreement before turning to Ono with a smile. “And I’m very proud of you, Ono. Your Keen Sight and training among the Wonderbolts has come a lone way.”

“We are all. For you are proving yourself a more and more capable protector of the realms with every passing day.” Twilight added with the same proud tone and expression to match Kion’s.

“And it’s nice to know that the vultures won’t be trying to set fire to the Pride Lands anytime soon.” Starlight then said feeling relieved for the time being.

“You can say that again!” Rainbow was quick to agree with her there. “Those vultures will think twice before coming back to the Pride Lands.

“And if they do come back, we'll be ready for them thanks to the birds of the Pride Lands.” Kion added feeling completely sure himself.

“Not only that in due time, the griffons will be ready should they ever try anything in Equestria.” Twilight also added with the events of the friendship summit and meetings with the griffons on the matter still fresh in her mind with the birds all chirping to vow their support and willingness to work with them going forward.

After all is said and decided, Ono turned to Anga along with Rainbow as the former asked the eagle. “So, Anga? How'd you like working with Hadithi and the Lion and Pony Guard?”

She gave it a little thought before replying with a warm and sincere smile. “I could get used to it.”

“That’s great to hear!” Rainbow thanked. “Because it’s something I can could get used to doing myself.”

Both leaders of the Guard moved to further touch upon that with this to say to her.

“And if we do have missions that require your help, you’ll be the first bird informed about it.”

“And that’s a promise! Pinkie Promise!”

“Pinkie Promise?” Anga returned looking on confused.

“Nothing complex about it, it’s just a little process where you make good on said promise going forward.”

“And by that we mean a promise you need to keep and uphold to the best of your ability as much as you are sworn under oath to tell the truth in court.”

“It goes like this…”

Both leaders moved to perform it word for word, move by move in unison.

“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!”

“Well…” Anga uttered before going with. “...okay. I’ll keep that in mind going forward.”

“Oh, you’ll defintely will be!” Pinkie cheerfully informed before briefly and ominously looking into the eagle’s soul. “I’ll be watching!”

Anga looked on unfazed before returning the glare in kind. “Will you?”

Seeing this got the pink pony to back off before sheepishly returning to her cheerful demeanor. “Mostly. Only when absolutely necessary.”

“Well that’s encouraging.” Anga quipped in return which sparked a group laughter among everyone gathered together right now.

All while Scar’s ominous eyes watched on from the comforts of the skies while invisible before disappearing and then reappearing back outside of Equestria where Zira and Chrysalis are waiting for him.

“Is it time, Scar?”

“For us to finally make our move on those Pride Landers and ponies?”

Both Zira and Chrysalis quickly and eagerly asked.

“Yes it is.” Scar confirmed while still sporting a serious expression. “It is indeed time for you two to lead another attack on the most powerful figures in both the Pride Lands and Equestria. But when they are all ready to try to make that very attack on the Outlands.” With that said he did move to look on at the both of them with a look that he is expecting the best of the best out of them. “Can I trust you two can work together as one big team in securing that very victory when the time comes?”

Both bowed before him to assure them of that and their loyalty to him. “Yes, Scar.”

“Excellent!”

Author's Note

Here in the penultimate episode of Season 6, the Lion and Pony Guard meet a new character who is capable of flying to new heights higher than Ono could ever hope to achieve who steps in to help them when Scar and the vultures start planting fire bombs from the skies.

In the typical Kansas City Shuffle maneuver, Scar lures the most powerful of the bunch away while taking more of what he wants while the vultures are left with the leg work requiring Ono for once to step up and take charge of the flock when the situation called for it. And he ended up doing so in flying colors with Rainbow around with a move to send them packing into the Outlands in place of Kion's Roar.

And with Scar closing in on Pride Rock, he is once more entering his endgame and with both his most loyal and powerful followers ready to do their part, he will be ready to enact it. Something that'll be seen when the season finale is published on Sunday January 26 so stay tuned until then...

Episode 42: Battle for the Pride Lands and Equestria and To Where and Back Again Part Two

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Episode 43: Battle for the Pride Lands and Equestria and To Where and Back Again Part Three

Episode 43:

Battle for the Pride Lands and Equestria and To Where and Back Again Part Three

Starlight Glimmer had only been back in Ponyville for a few weeks at most, so she hadn't been expecting much. At least up until Twilight informed her she’s officially making one of the guest rooms her very own bedroom to call home. Not only that, the terms of her probation is now finally over, therefore her debt to society is now over.

To Starlight, it was like the chains and cuffs she felt forced to carry with her since her reformation have been released from her body. It was like she was just wished free from her magic lamp. Given a feeling she never experienced since she was a filly like she had a burst of magic bursting and flowing from herself as said moment of freedom happened.

For Twilight, it was something she really felt she had earned by that point. Despite a few hiccups along the way, she had gone above and beyond with her friendship lessons and shown herself to be a great team member. As for being a leader, she has shown some potential at it, though she still has yet to find an opportunity to rise to the occasion. Along with not inciting an angry mob like before. When she asked will it be, the princess could only reply she’ll know when the time comes.

In the meantime, Starlight went about aiding Twilight and Spike as they carried the boxes to the unicorn's bedroom. While this was happening, Kion has taken the liberty to use his magic to put forward the basic setup for the unicorn’s room. With the Though he only did that just to allow Starlight the freedom to be able to decorate and design the room to her liking.

Afterwards, everyone was able to take a breather once the move was complete.

“Whew!” Spike sighed in relief while wiping the sweat from his forehead. “That’s everything! At least for someone who doesn’t have wings and or magical horns got a fair workout out of it.”

Kion chuckled himself. “Even still it doesn’t mean I don’t still do the heavy lifting from time to time.” He then looks on at the muscles he’s been developing since his daily workouts. “Much like how even with Twilight having wings herself she hasn’t gotten it floating around all the time like Rainbow does.” Spike chuckled in response while Twilight herself rolled her eyes playfully in response.

“All joking aside…” Twilight then said to her student. “Thanks for the help, Starlight. Spike and I really appreciate it."

"Hey, it's the least I can do!" The unicorn mare eagerly and humbly replied. "Especially for the pony who helped make the pony I am today by teaching me the value of friendship."

But the young alicorn simply replied. "Sure I have offered guidance, but you are responsible for making yourself the pony you are now. You've come a lot way since you changed your ways, Starlight, and you should be proud of yourself for that."

"Twilight!” Starlight protested while sporting pink cheeks herself. “Now you’re making me blush!"

"Sorry.” Twilight apologized and then declared. “But either way I'm honored to call you my student and my friend, and consider you part of the family,"

“Same here.” Kion also declared. “Lion, pony, cheetah, honey badger, or even a human. It doesn’t matter. Much like with the Sisterhooves Social as long as we have the spirit together then it doesn’t matter whether were related or not.”

“But what about those who are and don’t share the spirit of family. Like Scar?” Starlight felt the need to ask.

“Then it’s his loss for throwing away of what could have been and how happier things could have been had he not went down the dark path he is still on.” Kion simply replied with not much else to say about it other than what he just said.

‘Like I was once on.” Starlight quietly acknowledged. “And I hope you know I didn’t mean to touch up sensitive wounds by asking that.”

Kion was quick to assure her no harm was done. “Of course not. Although sometimes it does make one wonder of how things would be right now if Scar never turned evil himself.”

“If only he took to heart what his human counterpart stands for then a lot better definitely.” Twilight replied with the memory of him rejecting a chance to redeem himself when she moved to give him the chance still fresh in his mind.

“No kidding.” Spike agreed before spotting something out of the castle windows. “And not to change the subject or anything but, ever seen a honey badger fly?”

“Only when on top of one of our friends with wings. Why?” Starlight asked.

“Because he is riding along with Derpy to help him deliver the mail.” Kion answered like it’s nothing new before realizing along with Twilight.

“Which means he’s about to break something if we don’t do something about it!” Twilight further answered while reacting quickly when the two come flying on towards the window.

“Take cover!” Spike yelled out while moving to duck and dragging Starlight down with her in order to ensure she doesn’t get knocked in the head.

Reacting accordingly, Twilight and Kion were able to work their magic in creating a magical hoop, net, and cushion that immediately caught and halted the two dead in their tracks and instead flying through the hoop and into net.

“Aw, yeah!” Bunga cheered. “All the way from the back court! Talk about that for a game winner!”

“No kidding!” Kion returned like it was the craziest thing he’s ever done. “I can also take it helping Derpy out with the mail is going along like a breeze?”

Bunga laughed. “Good one, Kion! And in answer to your question, yes. Yes it has. Been able to cut Derpy’s accident rate in half and was able trim down the number of complaints his services have caused in the last year.”

“And yet it’s still there.” Spke remarked as if it is if any progress on his end.

“Yeah! At least it’s something, am I right?” He then continued to get down to buisness. “Anyways, while this was another accident…”

“Thankfully averted.”

“...coming here was on purpose for you see, a special someone’s got a letter to be delivered.” Derpy herself in her brown uniform with the logo of the Ponyville Post Office, didn't speak a word as she dusted herself off and produced a letter from the sack she had on her.

"Oh," Twilight commented in realization. "This is a surprise. Usually, I get letters via dragon mail."

"It is the fastest way to get mail!" Spike boasted before telling the post mare. "Uh, no offense.”

“None taken.” Derpy spoke for a moment.

Bunga then continued with what needed to be said. “And in answer to your question, it isn’t for you or Kion. This is actually for you Starlight.”

"For me?" She questioned as she reluctantly accepted it. "Who could be sending me a letter? I honestly wasn't expecting any mail today," Still, she opened it and read it to herself. As she did so, her curious and calm blue eyes turned into a look of dread while the unicorn nearly gasped. "I don't believe it! It's... the ponies from my old village: Cutie Markless."

"What’s going on there?" Twilight asked with concern along with Kion questioned with concern. "Are they in danger?"

“If it is, is it Scar’s doing?” Kion also asked ready for another fight if that’s the case.

"Or are they still upset with you?" Spike also inquired.

But Starlight shook her head. "No, thankfully. It's something worse!" She gulped. "They've invited me to the village's annual Sunset Festival! They actually want me to come and join them!" This was not the kind of news she had wanted to hear. Starlight Glimmer had her reasons for not wanting to go back to the village she'd once ruled over.

Little did Starlight or anyone else in the room imagine that things were about get worse than what they are now. Whether it takes another season or so for that to happen.

Back in the present day, Sunburst has noticed that Starlight has zoned out as they make their way through enemy territory. “Starlight? Starlight?!” When she didn’t answer he gently tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention. “Starlight! Is your hearing, okay?”

“Huh?” Starlight snapped to attention before turning to the stallion trying to speak to her. “Oh, sorry! Uh, no. My hearing is working just fine.”

“Are you sure?” Sunburst asked to make sure. “Because you seemed spaced out just earlier.”

“That’s because I was.” Starlight admitted. “I was just thinking about something a little while ago.”

“The Sunset Festival?”

Starlight looked on completely surprised that the answer came up so fast. “Yes, how did you know?”

“Because it’s the one thing you never made peace with ever since it happened.” Sunburst then added. “Plus I can also read other ponies like a book, too.”

Starlight sighed in defeat. “Of course, you do. Even though it was the other day after Kion and the rest of the Lion Guard hit their growth spurts. It still feels like it was only yesterday when we went over there.”

“Hard to believe that either one of them has happened, let alone both of them.”

“And here I am leading a rescue party that could decide the very fate of the kingdoms.”

“Yeah, I know that.” Sunburst then had to quickly clarify. “No, seriously. I really do know what’s it like considering the Crystal Empire wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me.”

“And I suppose you know what it’s like to owning up to leadership when destiny calls upon to answer it?”

“While it wasn’t easy, it was something that I was able to by simply believing that I can take charge of the situation. Like having to assure myself that I have what it takes even though I don’t feel ready.”

“And sometimes when it comes to leading, there are times when destiny calls upon you, you just lead.” Ono chimed as he flew beside them much to their surprise. “Hi. Sorry to interrupt. Just making sure you’re both still with us, because we are lagging behind a little.”

“Oh, right. Sorry.”

“Our bad.”

The two moved along like a rushing married couple while looking a little embarrassed knowing Ono saw that.

“But in all seriousness…” Ono then continued with what they are talking about. “...if you recall one of our earlier battles, the same can be said for me when I had to lead the birds towards a direct fight with the vultures…” He quickly flew up a little to make sure there aren’t any fire sticks coming their way.

“Coast clear?” Simba asked of him.

“Yep, all clear, your majesty.” Ono reported with a salute before turning back to both Starlight and Sunburst. “...I too didn’t feel like I could do it like Kion and Twilight. But after hearing encouragement from them along with the rest of our friends I was able to do it along with Anga.” He quickly flew up to give her a signal to let them know to still standby.

Said bird returned the “Copy that.” gesture with her wings before shaking her head towards Hadithi and the others. With those who are sleeping briefly peeking an eye up before shutting them closed for now.

“How did you know that you could do it along with Fuli?” Starlight asked.

“Like what Sunburst said in his and my case. From there I just never thought I couldn’t. And if Fuli were here she would say it just came naturally to her much like she did on a few occasions herself including the latest Buckball Match against Appleloosa.” He then briefly flew in close to further comfort her. “And I have no doubt that we can make this work even though I’m feeling uncertain myself.”

“Well said…” Simba said to the group before focusing their attention towards Thorax who is leading everyone over there. “How much farther until we get there?”

“Not long, we’re almost there.” Thorax reported as they navigated the outskirts of the hive together which is thankfully unoccupied.

“And if I could share this little advice something that my father would tell me if he were here…” Simba then said next. “...just stay true to who you are and trust your instincts. You’ll know when the time is right.”

“Okay, I’ll try…” Was all Starlight could say in response as she took a calming breath as they walked deeper towards their destination.

Along the way she had some more time to think about what had transpired back then. Mainly the dream she had the following night.

During which she was nervous as ever when she actually ended up going back to that village. Even though she internally wanted to decline the invitation outright, she still went through with it out of wanting to show good manners like Twilight and Kion had taught her. "Uh, hey there, everypony?" She greeted after nervously taking in a deep breath, hoping that none of them noticed. "I got your invite so here I am."

Party Favor was the first villager to turn around and face her. And said greeting was not what Starlight was hoping for. Evident when he sounded rather hostile and cold towards her. "Uh... Hey, Starlight. What are you doing here?"

The unicorn mare blinked in surprise, confusion and concern by his unwelcoming words. " I-I... I was invited. To the Sunset Festival? Remember?" She floated over the letter that had been sent to her.

Double Diamond spoke up next with a frown. "Uh, yeah, but we didn't think you'd actually show up. We thought you'd be smart enough to know the truth."

Party Favor proceeded to rip up the invitation with his hooves while he snarled and sneered. "You didn't think we really wanted you here, did you? Didn’t take a hint from first glance?! Well if you didn’t let us spell it out for you! We don’t want you her and that’s final!"

Starlight Glimmer gasped in disbelief as all the villagers suddenly seemed to turn on her. "But... I... apologized. I thought everything was fine. I didn't even want to come back, but I couldn't say no in response to your invitation. I've... changed, really." She was on the verge of tears.

None of the villagers moved to change their attitude nor show sympathy for the growing distraught and sincerity in Starlight’s eyes. Instead they all just gathered around and started laughing at her repeatedly. Mocking her. Some of them even jeered. "Oh, that’s a laugh! Starlight Glimmer actually has a change of heart now! You want to prove it then stay in Ponyville where you belong! Get the buck out of here, right now! And stop thinking this is your town anymore!"

A frantic Starlight began to feel awfully small as she put her hooves to her face and shuddered, crouching in fright and fear. "But...! That’s not true...! I really have changed…I...Please! Stop..." She cried and then shouted at the top of her lungs! "STOP!" That last line inexplicably echoed.

Suddenly, in a flash, everything and everypony else faded away. The village was no longer standing before her eyes along with the villagers. But she would find it wasn’t her own doing. "W-what happened?" She blinked before spotting Princess Luna approaching her. "Princess Luna?"

The princess of the night nodded and greeted her gently. "Dreams are my domain, Starlight Glimmer. And I sensed your distress. I am here because you need me to be."

The frightened unicorn began to ease up, breathing a much needed sigh of relief. "Oh, thank goodness it was just a dream. I thought it was all real for a second there."

Princess Luna simply went on to say. "It may only be a dream, but the feelings in it are real. Thus, in the dream realm your emotions become a reality here."

Starlight's happy mood faded as she sighed in realization. "Great. So I guess I'm more afraid of going back to the village than I thought. When am I going to learn to overcome this?" Hesitantly, she looked to the alicorn and asked. "That is since that my return there is inevitable. I can’t turn away an invitation even if I wanted to so I got a figure a way to prevent this from happening again."

The alicorn with a dark blue coat smiled. "I find it helps if you talk about deeply troubles you, particularly with those you trust the most," Visions began to flash in her memories as she recalled. "I have been helped before by six very special ponies along with five very special Pride Landers, including the one who you are currently a student of. I’m sure they would be the best ones to talk to about what you are dealing with right now."

"And I just take their advice and move forward?" Starlight frowned.

"Talking to them is a good first step, Starlight," Luna reassured the troubled unicorn. "But they can't make all of your decisions on your behalf. I can speak from experience when I say that the doubts you have are something that only you can truly defeat." Then she smiled. "I see a lot of myself reflected in you, and I too know what’s it’s like to trot down a dark path and finding myself led astray by pursing revenge and 'getting even'."

Starlight Glimmer quickly recalled and begged to differ. "Right, Twilight told me about the whole 'Nightmare Moon' incident.” But then she remembered. “And of course Twilight too went down that path too herself. But even still, you two were possessed by dark magic and evil, I willingly chose to become it."

Princess Luna shook her head to assert otherwise. "It was I alone who allowed those dark thoughts to enter my mind, just as you too chose to become consumed by your own worst instincts, And the same can be said about Twilight." She quickly changed her tone as she reassured Starlight. "But still, you know how my and Twilight’s story ends. We were both given a second chance by all, including the sister I once struck at and tried to overthrow, along with the latter betraying her trust. And you too were blessed with a second chance in life. You are not that very pony anymore. Things do indeed get better, Starlight Glimmer. You can trust me on this," Then she gave a bow before disappearing.

After waking up while it is still dark outside, Starlight who is now unable to get some shuteye moved to take a quiet walk to the balcony to clear her head much like her mentor would do whenever she is feeling down. During which she decided to sing to herself a little song to reflect her current emotions.

I'll Try!

Music and song starts at 0:20

Back in the present day, Starlight found herself waking up in the similar manner she did when she awoke from that very dream that night. Upon snapping to attention, she could only gulp as they finally reached their destination up ahead.

“Well, this is it.”

“Yep.” Simba nodded with a serious expression upon looking up the changeling hive and brewing green fire at the very top. “It is time.” With that he pressed forward with Starlight following alongside him even knowing who is expecting them from up high and watching with calculating eyes that blend into the hive itself.

Pulling out a walkie talkie he then said to the other follower on the other end. “The secondary unit of bees is now headed in the wasp nest.” He reported. “Do you read me?”

“Copy that.” Makucha returned on the end with his leopard pack standing by inside a certain area inside the hive. “My friends are all standing by waiting for their arrival.”

“And the same can be said for the jackals, too.” Reirei also reported from another part inside the hive.

“Me and my float are also standing by at the ready. Over.” Kiburi then reported.

“And the vultures after a preliminary agreement are taking up high overhead still keeping watch on the border.” Mzingo reported next.

“Along with me and Wind Rider.” Lightning made her voice clear while appearing alongside the vultures.

“Good.” Scar returned with a voice of satisfaction. “Keep standing by but do not engage unless you see them coming your way.” He then ordered. “Are we clear?”

“Read you loud and clear, Scar.”

“Crystal.”

“We get the message.”

“That we can follow to the tee without a group vote.”

“Even though I really want to kick some flank really badly!”

“And you’ll be able to do so when the time comes, Lightning Dust.” Scar assured. “But in the meantime, stand by, and that’s an order.”

“Yes, Scar.”

After that was settled on his end, Scar then turned to Zira who is also standing with Chrysalis and Ushari. “All right, Zira. Go on and get your pride in place. Especially knowing the lion you want will be coming your way.”

“Yes, yes he will.” Zira returned with eagerly as evident by the psychotic smirk on her face as she relishes in the idea already before moving out to fetch her lionesses to do so.

With that he turned to Chrysalis who already had a question in mind. “Shall I bring forward the lion cub so he can work on his most powerful roar you need for plan to work?”

“You shall indeed.” Scar returned with a wicked smile himself to match Chrysalis’s who moved to head on over towards where the prisoners are. After she left he then turned to only one remaining where they stand now. “That said, Ushari. It is time for you to get ready too, for Kion needs that little push in order to give in to the power of darkness.”

“Yes, of course he does.”

Unbeknownst to them, a masked spy just happened to be lurking around the corner before turning back before pulling out his walkie talkie. “Agent Sparkle, this is Agent Sweetie Drops, do you read me?”

“Quietly loud and clear, Agent Sweetie Drops. What’s going on over there?”

“Scar and Chrysalis are headed your way to take Kion away to where they keep the most honey in the hive. He’s planning on forcing him to milk out and use his powerful roar here inside.”

“Which would destroy everything and everyone in sight.” Twilight returned now seeing this as a major hurdle in freeing their friends in their cocoons.

“I know. We need to get Kion out of there before that happens.”

“I know. But at the same time it’ll alert everyone in the hive.”

“Well if you have an idea to get him out of there fast, you need to think of something quick because they’re heading your way now.”

Twilight quickly gave it some thought before thinking of something on the fly while Sunset is at work freeing their friends one by one. “Get Kinyonga on the line and tell her to distract them to buy us some more time! She can do just that since there is no magic here this time.”

“That’s true.” With that Sweetie Drops nodded before moving to get the chameleon on the line. “You hear that, Kinyonga? Work your slippery legs in keeping the enemy away from the nest. You read?”

“Got it.” Kinyonga returned before calming herself to the point she can pull it off. “One slippery distraction coming up.” By using her color changing abilities to her advantage she moved through the changing holes before making her way to find Queen Chrysalis herself. "Hello!"

"Huh?! What the...?! Who dares call for me?!" Chrysalis angrily demanded as she spotted the changing colors through the holes of her hive. "You!"

"Yep! Me!" Kinyona's returned as she kept ducking for cover and changing her colors so that Chrysalis can't catch her. "You want me! You got come catch me first!" She taunted which prompted a snarling changeling to follow suit all while Twilight looks on with relief and satisfactions that she was able to buy her and Sunset some more time to save her family and friends trapped inside the cocoons.

With that decided, Twilight turned to Sunset who had just managed to pull off the cocoons containing most of the Lion and Pony Guard crew down. “In the meantime, now would be a good time to get them out of here because we got company coming our way.”

“On it.” Sunset nodded before quickly moving to drag them out as quickly and quietly as she can. In the meantime, in order to speed up the process, she moved to pull out a switch blade dagger and launched it right at the stems containing the remaining captives so she can focus on dragging them all away before Chrysalis along with Zira and Scar return. But not making lay of the area itself which just so happens to be next door to where the caldera and lava pit is.

She looked around to her surroundings and moved to pace herself around the open area along with using her hooves to give a projectory look inside the other room so she can trace her steps as if she is preparing herself for another plan in place. And after giving herself a very good estimate of what she wants to do she moved to slip her gun right through one of the holes and right behind one of the tall rocks deep in the shadows. An area that not even Scar can spot out at first glance. Once she was sure everything was all in place she quickly took her leave from the part of the hive where she once stood.

Back at the entrance inside the hive, the rescue party had to find themselves stealthily slipping in one of the holes to avoid being spotted by two lone changelings keeping watch over their post. And to ensure that there is no going back, the hole they crawled into had shut itself behind them.

"Okay, I am definitely glad you came with us," Trixie whispered to Thorax. "I don't think we'd be able to find our way without you."

“Me neither.” Janja voiced in agreement. “As if making my way to the volcano isn’t bad enough at times. That is when Scar isn’t ready to burn my tail for whatever he failed to do.” Upon facing the others. “He didn’t actually do that but considering how dealt with others that have done so more or less, it sure felt like he was going to at times.”

"You definitely wouldn't," Thorax pointed out. "Especially considering how the hive shifts and changes just like we do. Entrances and exits and everything change all the time and makes it's easy to get lost if you’re not careful. Trust me , I’ve been there before even though we changelings are the only ones who can actually navigate it. It's total chaos for any non-changelings trying to find their way around."

“Good to know.” Ono returned which had him feeling it was better to opt to stay close rather than try to fly off ahead and try to scout the hive on his own.

Discord wasn't so convinced. "Well, it's decent chaos. I don't know if I'd call it 'total'. Considering this world of yours isn’t like how would envision mine." As he followed the others through the maze of caves and ever changing holes, he questioned to Starlight. "Are we sure that I'll get my magic back when we destroy this throne thingy?"

Starlight hesitantly replied. "If Thorax is right, then yes."

"And how are we supposed to destroy the throne assuming we find it?" Trixie asked.

"Good question, actually," Sunburst pointed out as he then asked Starlight. "Got any ideas on how we'll destroy the throne? Anything at all?"

But the reformed unicorn confessed. "I haven't gotten that far yet considering I never envisioned myself taking charge of the situation. So far I just thinking along as I go."

Trixie frowned. "Well that's reassuring,"

“Hey, come on.” Jasiri quickly defended. “At least have some faith in her since she is at least trying. Leading doesn’t come as naturally as coming with new tricks on the fly.”

Trixie sighed before relenting, but not without noticing Discord digging around through her saddlebags and asked him irritably. "What? Hey! What are you doing, Discord?"

The chaos maker returned and remarked. "Just checking to see if you brought any throne destroying tools along with these useless sideshow props of yours. To think that changelings along with their Outsider and Outlander friends would actually be into a magic show on today of all days?"

"This coming from the Lord of Chaos," Trixie retorted. "Who can't even go for a walk without whining nonstop and acting like an idiot."

"Uh, guys?" Sunburst tried to tell them, but he was ignored.

“Can we not do that now and here?!” Ono further pressed of the quarreling duo to still no avail.

Discord only hissed back at Trixie. "Yes, but at least when the throne is destroyed, I'll be able to rip the very fabric of reality to save our friends, while you'll still be a self-absorbed, below-average illusionist!" He promptly pulled down Trixie's hat to throw it over her face.

The magician did not take kindly to the chaos maker's insult, for she poked her head up from under her hat and snapped! "Self-absorbed?! You dare mock The Great and Powerful Trixie?! You take that back or Trixie will-"

“Enough!” Simba firmly interrupted with a audible but not overly loud to attract unwanted attention. “Both of you knock it off! We have more important things to worry about and those include you both needing to keep quiet and alert at all times!”

“Yeah!” Spike agreed. “If we’re going to save our friends then we need to learn to work together instead of always fighting and getting up in each other’s throats.”

“Spike’s right!” Jasiri spoke up. “Because if we keep this up we’re going to get ourselves captured than Janja can say “Furbrains.”

“Hey!” Jasiri smirked towards him to which he can’t even deny that it’s true.

“Yes, thank you, Spike, Jasiri." Starlight breathed a sigh of relief and then moved to take her turn to scold her two fighting friends. "Now will you two please cut it out?! I am just barely keeping it together as it is, and the last thing we need is getting caught because you two are constantly bickering like foals!"

“Now, go on!” Jasiri sternly urged. “Make up! Both of you!”

Trixie and Discord both muttered "Sorry" to each other but said nothing else and that was it. But even still for Starlight Glimmer that was enough for her to see they have made their peace enough to the point that there would be no further arguments.

“Honestly…” Ono grumbled to himself upon seeing this display of immaturity on their end. “And I thought dealing with Janja was troublesome enough.”

But just after that was settled, Starlight skidded to a halt along with Thorax. Simba upon realizing what is going on now as he asked. "Thorax? Is everything okay?"

"I... think we're lost." Thorax admitted.

Janja's eyes widened in horror. "What?! But I thought you said you knew your way around this place!”

The changeling sheepishly admitted. "I’m sorry, but like I said before, this place shifts and changes. Even the paths don't stay the same. And I'm really doing the best I can here. Especially since I haven’t been here in a long time."

Spike moved a claw to comfort the troubled changeling. "Hey, it's okay, no one's blaming you." And he further comforted Thorax by adding. "I used to get lost in the castle I live in with Twilight all the time. No seriously, that does actually happen when every hallway looks the same. You’d literally have to mark the doors just to be able to find your way around."

“Really? No kidding.” Janja laughed. “That’s me when I try to explore the Outlands outside my territory at times. And by that I mean, a lot of times.” He then admitted before saying. “So that said, I guess I owe you an apology for giving you a hard time just now.”

“Really?” Janja nodded.

“And before you ask, just leave it as is, since I’m still new at this whole reformation side of things.”

As Janja spoke, Spike caught a brief glimpse of a faint blush forming on Starlight's cheeks.

Thorax sighed with a smile. "Thanks. Even though I let everyone here down after getting you all to trust me, again."

"You’re not the only one." Starlight sighed in agreement as she hung her head. "And hearing this is exactly why I didn't want to step up to the mantle when handed the reins. Here we are after making my first big and tough decision and now we’re pretty much prey that has yet to be found."

Trixie grumbled and kicked at the ground with a hoof. "Great, just great. We might as well just sit here and wait for the changelings to soak up all of our love or whatever gross thing it is that they do," She shuddered and nearly gagged before looking to Thorax, with a question in mind since they first met just hours earlier. "How often do you all get hungry, by the way?"

Thorax turned his eyes towards Trixie and explained. "Actually, I haven't been hungry since I met Spike. Which is strange because changelings are always hungry. We can never get enough love. Only Chrysalis never seems to get hungry for some reason."

“I wonder why?” Ono pondered as if there is something amiss among all of this.

"Wait, so you aren't even a little bit hungry now?" Starlight Glimmer asked.

Thorax shook his head. "Not that I've noticed ever since the whole attack on Canterlot years ago. I guess once I made some friends, I just sort of forgot about the whole feeding thing. But I can still feel love."

Starlight then pondered drawing attention to her now changed wings which she along with everyone else didn’t give themselves time to due to the chaos that had been going on around them. "Is that about the same time your wings changed?"

The changeling answered. "I... guess so. You think there is something more to it, do you?"

But before anyone else could answer, Discord spoke up after yawning. "While I would love to just sit around chitchatting about feeding and not feeding, I have more important things to worry about," And he loudly proclaimed! "I came here to save the Guard along with the Royal Family, and especially Fluttershy!" His voice echoed off the walls and seemed to carry through every corridor of the hive's interior.

Simba then angrily spoke up in a hushed whisper! "Discord! Keep it down! This is the opposite of being quiet!”

“Yeah!” Trixie also angrily whispered. “Can you please lower your voice?! You're gonna get us all captured."

The draconequus dismissed the comment with a wave of his paw. "Oh, you say that, but I haven't seen an actual changeling since we got into this hive," And he boasted. "I bet none of them would even dare to try to find me the moment they heard I was coming their way!"

Suddenly, however, the silence was replaced by the sound of frantic humming and buzzing. It was distant at first but it grew louder with every passing second.

"Uh, can someone please tell that isn’t what I think I’m hearing?" Sunburst whimpered and asked of the others. "Because that doesn’t sound like a very good welcoming sound to me."

“It sure isn’t.” Ono returned while glaring at Discord for drawing unwanted attention right towards them.

But Thorax only frantically replied and confirmed. "It's a changeling patrol! And they’re coming right at us!" He then found himself panicking with Starlight moving to try to desperately calm him down.

Discord's earlier bravado and confidence leaked out as he then turned to look to the others. "This seems like one of those moments where we actually need a plan." He nervously hoped they have means to get themselves out of this one.

"What kind of plan?!" Trixie snapped back at him for being responsible for this happening. "In case you haven’t remembered, we don't have any magic, Spike's fire breath is no good here and all I've got are my stage props!"

However, as Starlight Glimmer looked to Trixie's saddlebag, she seemed to get an idea. "Actually, Trixie, do you have any smoke bombs by any chance?"

"What do you need those for, Starlight?" Trixie inquired even as she dug into her saddlebag and retrieved the requested items.

Starlight grinned. "Just a little 'misdirection'," And then she turned to Thorax and whispered to him. "Now here's what I want you to do."

“Nice…” Jasiri remarked feeling impressed herself. “...I like where you are heading with this, Starlight.”

“Me too.” Simba also complimented before moving to follow the unicorn’s lead on this.

It took the swarming changeling drones a little bit to zero in on the intruders they'd been alerted to. And that was all the time that was needed to set up a distraction.

Trixie was the only one still at the dead end when the changelings arrived. And she seemed rather confident as she just stood there, declaring with a smirk on her face. "Looking for somepony?" She then threw down a smoke bomb, which she used to cover up the fact that she was apparently teleporting.

"Get back here!" One of the changelings growled.

"Catch Trixie if you can!" Trixie taunted as she then threw down another smoke bomb and declared. "Is that you all got?" She repeated the process several more times until she was able to give the swarm the slip.

Unknown to the changelings, it wasn't really Trixie they were chasing. The real Trixie was watching safely from a ledge a ways away.

Even Discord seemed impressed by the distraction and how well it was pulled off. "Not exactly 'Great and Powerful', but still effective."

The real Trixie smiled. "From you, I'll take it." Then as she spoke the fake Trixie returned to the group.

Nervously, Starlight questioned. "Klutzy?"

And fortunately, the fake Trixie quickly replied. "Draconequus." Sharing a laugh with the real Trixie, Ono, Simba, Janja, Jasiri, Sunburst and even Spike as her disguise was dropped and she was revealed to have been Thorax all along.

Discord was still not amused by the password. "Ugh. I really think we need a better code word." He insisted with a pout. “It’s still really insulting to me.”

"Sorry.” Janja returned with no sympathy. “Everyone else in the whole group all voted for it so we are going to use it. And if this was the vulture flock we’re dealing with, you’d still be outvoted. So my only advice to you my friend is to suck it up and get used to it.”

Sunburst can only shake his head. “And here I thought Flurry Heart takes the cake when it comes to whining and she's only a baby."

Thorax quickly shut down the complaint, instead turning to Starlight Glimmer as he complimented. "That was a pretty good plan."

Spike smiled and gave Starlight a pat on the back. "No kidding. I can’t imagine anyone else here could have thought of that. Maybe you have what it takes to be a leader after all, Starlight."

"Maybe. We’ll see." The unicorn sheepishly declared.

“Oh, I think there is more to come out of you.” Simba said otherwise. “Something that maybe you just didn’t realize until now.”

“And if you ask me you are starting to peak at a very good time.” Ono further complimented.

Sunburst then commented next. "Well, regardless, we still don't know where we're going."

However, Starlight spoke up with another idea in mind. "Actually, we might. I noticed that two of thee changelings were chasing after Thorax broke off and didn’t go with the others. So they might be our next lead so far."

Thorax buzzed his wings a bit as a bright smile formed on his face! "Of course! With an intruder in the hive, they went to protect the queen! So we just go where they go and we're sure to find her! Good thinking, Starlight!"

“Not only will they inform and protect the queen.” The lion king added. “...they will unquestionably inform Scar too. So were going to need to be extra careful if and when we get there.”

“No kidding.” Janja commented in agreement before turning to the unicorn. “But still another pretty good plan there.”

Jasiri also agreed herself. “Yeah! And for someone afraid to step up to leadership, you’re really doing well so far, Starlight!”

Sunburst nodded. "Better than anything any of us could come up with." Again after hearing that, Starlight sheepishly shrunk from the spotlight feeling it won’t be long only her lucky streak runs out.

Regardless of how it had been discovered, a lead was still a lead. So the rag-tag rescue group followed it as best they could, venturing deeper and deeper into the hive. All the while, no one dared to speak a word exercising extreme precaution to avoid being overheard again.

Eventually, the team all encountered obstacle in front of them. The way ahead was now blocked by several changelings, some of which were even wearing blue armor around their heads. They all stood at the ready, looking almost completely motionless if not for the occasional blink or hiss.

“Oh no!” Janja whispered. “Of all obstacles that come between us it has to be this! Just what we need right now. And before any of you say anything that last thing I said was sarcasm, okay.”

“Read you loud and clear, although more quietly.” Spike whispered as the group peered out from behind the cover of a rock. It was obvious that they need another diversion or distraction to get past the changelings standing guard.

"So anybody or anypony got any bright ideas?" Sunburst whispered as the group turned to discuss their next move.

Starlight firmly declared. "There's only one thing we can do, we'll have to get inside and get past them! And that’s only if someone’s more than willing to be the next distraction for them."

Trixie glumly and regretfully informed her. "Hate to tell you this but... fresh out of smoke bombs. I wish I had packed more with me had I known I was partaking in an important kingdom saving mission."

Thorax whimpered. "I’m afraid I can’t step up to this one. They’re easy to fool like the changelings we tricked earlier and I’ll definitely freeze up on the spot if I even try to do anything do them."

“I’m afraid my claws and combat abilites are little use against sheer numbers.” The lion king admitted. “If I had a partner along with dealing with just a pack the size of Zira’s pride it’d be much easier.”

"If only it were that simple." Spike also admitted.

“Along with having keen sight spot out a perfect time to make a run past those guards.” Ono added feeling nervous and unwilling to risk giving it a try himself.

And Sunburst shrugged his hooves. "It seems we might be at the end of our rope here."

"Well we need to think of something if we want to be able to save our friends!" Jasiri insisted as her eyes narrowed. "Otherwise, we’re sitting ducks, and I don’t mean that literally." Just then a duck sound was heard from around which had every changeling freeze for a moment before resuming like it never happened.

After the moment had passed Discord reluctantly spoke up. "Normally, I'm the most distracting thing I can think of, but without magic..."

That was enough to give the unicorn an idea. "You shouldn't underestimate yourself, Discord," A grin formed on her face. "Maybe you can work that magic of yours like you did during the last Grand Galloping Gala on them.”

“And maybe the same can be said for you too Janja…” Jasiri added as she looked at him with the same grin thinking of the same idea. “...considering you can be annoying at times…”

“Hey!”

“...you can make yourself useful and back Discord’s act up all the way.”

“Jasiri…” Janja in return felt nervous about the idea. “...are you really sure that’s a good idea.”

“Positive!” Jasiri remained certain that it’ll work. “Think about your boys in trouble. Remember why you agreed to join this little rescue party?”

Janja can only groan in defeat knowing full well of how this mess happened. “Oh, all right. But you owe me big if we all get out of this alive.”

“Me too.” Discord returned in agreement. “I just hope that this show will actually draw a pleasing crowd.” He then turned to Trixie. “Um, don’t suppose you have a microphone I can borrow?”

“Two, please?” Janja requested.

"Go for it." Trixie replied as she hoofed it over to the draconequus and hyena.

And so, microphone in hand and paw, both Janja and Discord stepped out to confront the changelings as they tapped on the microphone.

"Hello? Is this thing on?" The hyena asked but received no reply since the microphone was not plugged in.

“Oh, no worries. I see you all can hear us loud and clear.” Discord then continued forward like it was actually working before going on talking. "Hello, changelings and changelettes! That's right, your eyes don't deceive you. Believe me, I was just as surprised as you are that I'm here!"

“And the same could be said about me. Here I was set to be burned alive in a fire at Pride Rock, yet here I am now.” Janja added with a nervous laugh.

The changelings gazed at the intruders who'd dared to show themselves, wondering just what their plan was. A few of them exchanged curious glances with one another. As a result, they didn't seem to notice as a few other creatures started to sneak towards them.

Discord kept on speaking into the microphone. "When I heard that I'd be playing for a bunch of changelings, I was beside myself! But then I realized, it was just one of you, so I had no reason to get all worked up."

All the changelings could offer in reply were annoyed hisses. But they didn't move an inch.

“Me neither!” Janja then added as he took a turn in speaking up. “I mean, we’re all friends here. All wanting the same goal in life. More food and more water. More than anyone here could ever imagine! Oh, you’d all would be drooling at the sight of it. Let me tell you, my boys would be doing the same if they ever saw a zebra as easy prey.”

"But, seriously, this isn't the toughest crowd I've ever been in front of," Discord said with a nervous laugh as he suddenly felt like he was being put under a very bright spotlight with a light so bright it’ll burn the eyes of those who dare to look directly at it. "But it's definitely the easiest to bug!" Again, he received no feedback aside from hisses and snarls. "'To bug'?" He repeated in hopes of a reply only to again be denied. He lost patience as a result, throwing down the microphone and gritting his teeth.

“Seriously, come on, guys!” Janja then angrily declared. “To think that even friends and enemies could at least share a sense of humor with one another. But instead we’re just shaking our butts around for some skinny jerks with no sense of humor!” Hearing that got a reaction all right! One that produced angry scowls from the whole crowd. Upon seeing this sparked an idea of how to goad them further. “Oh, no! I didn’t you all of you! Just that skinny lion king and queen you answer to. I mean really how do they manage to get around with actual weight to stand on!” He then laughed and taunted.

One of the changelings shouted! "He insulted our king and queen! Seize them!"

“You’ll have to catch us first!” Janja grinned before fleeing with Discord followig suit as they all chased after him! Fortunately, this gave his fellow rescuers the opening they needed to slip past the door that the changelings had been guarding.

Peering back out through said door, Trixie could only comment as she watched Janja and Discord try to shake off their pursuers. "It is absolutely ridiculous that that worked. Along with two creatures who actually have a terrible sense of humor."

“Maybe, but it’s better to just humor them considering they actually managed to save us for once.” Jasiri insisted and advised.

"Yeah!" Spike also protested. "We'll need to have them on our side when this is over."

Sunburst nodded. "Not only that they took one for the team. Something I can never imagine them doing ever."

“Me neither.” Ono agreed. “And this is coming from me who’s more used to seeing him doing the exact opposite if this were yesterday.”

“Nor would I believe it actually happening.” Simba also stated feeling very impressed and proud of them. “Took a little longer than I thought but it’s finally happening.”

As for Discord and Janja, they eventually managed to duck behind a wall as his changeling pursuers flew right by without looking.

The former wiped the sweat from his brows. "Oh, it's such a pleasure to have such dedicated fans," He said to himself as he began to head back to join the others. "I'll have to remember to come back here with some new material after this all said and done.”

“You said it!” Janja agreed. “And to think all of that running away actually does us some good for once.” He then prepared to head back too. “Now let’s go!”

Yet just as they prepared to leave, he heard a familiar voice softly cry out. "Please, help!"

Discord gasped and raced right to the source of the cry, finding a familiar looking butter yellow coated pegasus mare with a light pink mane staring back at him. "Fluttershy!" He gasped!

"Yes!" Fluttershy confessed as she whimpered while looking down at her hooves that were covered in a sickly green goop, and the same goop covered her wings. "Help me out! I'm stuck!"

Discord smiled. "You certainly are, and I should rescue you," He leaned down to do just that. But before he did, a thought flashed in his mind as he declared. "But..."

"But what?" Fluttershy sniffled in confusion.

The chaos maker adopted a knowing smile as he smugly and confidently declared. "But you are obviously not Fluttershy! Nice try, but you'll have to do better than that!"

"Oh." The fake Fluttershy commented as she realized she'd been had.

The witty draconequus could only go on bragging while ignoring Janja motioning him to turn his back on her. "Do you think I would fall for that? I wasn't born yesterday, I've been around long before your queen was ever around and hatched from... whatever ugly place it is. Not only that the same can be said for the evil half lion and alicorn and whomever gave birth to him. I mean, honestly, I'm separated from the group and just happen to come across the one pony I care most about? I can smell this setup a mile away," He turned to leave. "And the next time you see either one of them, tell them I send my regards for them to try harder next time."

“Yeah! What he said!” Janja returned while successfully moving to drag the draconequus away from the changeling. “Along with me giving you and them the bird!” To make his point across he raised his paw up at the changeling’s direction before turning to make their leave together.

The fake Fluttershy's sniffles grew louder as she burst into tears and wailed audibly. "No. You're right. There's no way you should trust me. Just go find the others. I understand!"

"Oh come on! Resorting to crying?! Are you kidding me?!" Discord snarled while refusing to look by while Janja moved to roll his eyes in response.

“Pathetic!” Janja only said to them while still walking away. “There is only one somebody that can get me quivering with fear and that someone is…”

“Me. Who embodies that very fear into your heart.” Scar’s voice said to him as he appeared from the shadows in front of him and Discord.

“Oh, crud!”

“You!”

“Yes me, Janja, Discord! And I will compliment and congratulate you both for getting this far in this daring rescue. It’s a far cry than your past self's that’s for sure.”

“It is?” Janja asked confused and whether or not he is being sincere or not.

“Yes.” He nodded before moving to open his sharp claws along with spreading his wings out. “Too bad I got to make an example out of you both considering the circumstances.”

“If that’s what you want…” Janja readied himself for that fight even knowing the odds are against him this time with narrowed and brave eyes. “...then let’s go!” He moved to make a charge at the half lion/alicorn who simply backhanded the hyena away sending him tumbling across the ground. When he recovered still looking steely eyed ready for another attempt he growled. “Okay. No more messing around!”

He moved to step backwards before making a running start this time. He moved to lunge at him with great speed only to strike air instead when his opponent simply dodged the attack looking like it isn’t the most impressive attack thus far. He then just lunged right at him, giving his all, while swinging and grunting at his former master who just betrayed him earlier. But even still, he was effortlessly blocking off the paw to paw combat like it was nothing.

“I see you have found a new resolve and drive! While impressive, but pointless in regards to me.” Scar commented while still blocking off the attempted attacks effortlessly. “Who would have thought that this would only get you this far after constantly running like a coward.”

“At least farther than anyone else you have following you!” Janja defiantly returned. “At least this time this coward is not running away from you. Especially after you had the never to double cross me back at Pride Rock!”

“Like I’ve never done that to a hyena before.” Scar returned without remorse.

“But why?! Why did you it even knowing I never did anything to you?!”

Scar simply chuckled as they kept sparring as he started going on the offense and started knocking and slapping the hyena around like a rag doll. “You know, considering your predecessors had no qualms of killing me the first time around, I stand to justify that as a very good reason. Not only that, considering you were also thinking of joining your new girlfriend after I spared you from death a number of times before, you and your clan were simply dead weight that was just waiting to dropped. So, I did everyone a favor by cutting out the middle man or the middle hyena I should say.” With the strongest and fastest charge he could muster Janja tried to charge at Scar one more time, only to be simply and swiftly grab him by the neck. “But considering you once more made yourself useful to me in luring those who are still willing to fight all the way out here as I finally finish putting every last piece of my takeover together, I’ll thank and spare you...for now.”

He then proceeded toss him up and then backhand him hard into the nearby rocks causing him to lose consciousness as the malevolent Reirei chuckles at his misfortune before moving to drag him away. “Night, night, crazy guy!”

Afterwards he then turned his full attention to Discord who is now surrounded by changelings who are all standing to look exactly like Fluttershy. All crying and sobbing, sniffling and saying through tears. "I'm the real Fluttershy."

Then the first fake Fluttershy seemed to smile with sadistic glee as she declared. "We're probably all changelings. You shouldn't rescue any of us. Yo should get out of here and get back to your friends. Unless, you think, maybe one of us might be the real Fluttershy after all. Ooh, now that would certainly be a nasty changeling trick to pull, wouldn't it?"

“I’m the real one.”

“I’m the real one.”

“I’m the real Fluttershy.”

“And what to do with you, Discord. Bringing my mother into this.” Scar gave it some thought before deciding with sadistic delight. “Oh, yes! I’ve got it!” With his expression turning from sadistically calm to viciously furious as he bared his claws to lay down the hurt on the Lord of Chaos with only the sound of roars, growls, snarling, along clawing and punches accompanied with the wincing looks of the watching changelings to go on about as they listen and watch the brutal cries and pains Discord finds himself enduring now by the sight of the nearby shadows the changelings are now seeing.

Starlight Glimmer was waiting anxiously and nervously for Discord as she tapped a hoof to the ground repeatedly and bit her lip. "Where the hay are those two?!"

Thorax reluctantly spoke up in protest. "We can't wait for Discord and Janja any longer. Between seeing him and Trixie, the castle will be crawling with guards soon.”

Starlight protested right back. "But if we do manage to destroy Chrysalis' throne, we'll need them, especially Discord. He can take on the entire changeling army by sneezing and snapping his fingers if he wanted to."

Trixie grumbled in response. "They’ve probably already been captured. And I bet if both Discord and Janja are fully reformed then we’re better off going ahead without them. At least now compared to yesterday."

“She’s right.” Simba agreed. “We can’t keep stalling here, since it’s taken this long, there’s no question that Scar and Chrysalis have already gotten them by now.”

Said statement was also backed up on by Spike who had to agree himself with it. “Sorry, Starlight. But we better get going before we get captured too. Our friends trapped who knows where are depending on us.”

But just then, Discord poked his head in through the door and said in an unusually cheerful tone. "Hello? Fellow rescuers?”

“Sorry to keep you all waiting." Janja added to which had sparked distrust in Jasiri’s eyes especially.

"You’re both right to sorry about that!" Sunburst remarked with narrowed eyes. "Along with having the need to continue making these dramatic entrances?!"

Thorax added. "We can't stay here, we have to find the throne before the guards seal it off!"

Discord spoke up as his smile seemed to grow wider somehow! "Ooh, funny you should mention that! I heard some of the changelings chasing me say that they know where it is!"

“Yeah! Me too!” Janja spoke up basically agreeing with him. “It’s right along this way!” He then began leading the way without caring nor responding to the suspicious eyes behind him.

Nervously, Sunburst inquired of the chaos maker and hyena. "Klutzy...?"

There was a brief period of silence as Discord and Janja didn't immediately respond or even wince upon hearing the comment.

The former then stated in the same cheerful tone. "Oh. Yeah," He briefly chuckled. "I-I can be klutzy."

Then the latter then said quick to acknowledge the comment. "And he is indeed a draconequus! The Lord of Chaos himself and the same can be said about me. Janja, the dim-witted hyena always causing trouble." Hearing and seeing what she saw definitely confirmed the red flags flying in the female hyena's head as looks on with a suspicious glare straight at the hyena she is seeing in front of him.

"That's right!" Discord chuckled before gesturing and continuing to lead the way. "Now follow us, please."

So they did, though Sunburst was quick to whisper the obvious to Starlight. "You know that's not the real Discord and Janja, right?"

Starlight nodded and whispered back. "Obviously. But we can't let the changelings know we're onto them."

“Even though it’s pretty clear Scar knows we’re here.” Simba quietly reminded.

A short time later, "Discord" led the rescuers right to a pathway that split off into two sections: One went to the left and the other to the right, and both involved passing through long, dark caves. He headed down the leftward path as he insisted to the others. "This way! We're almost there!"

"In a minute, Discord!" Thorax called after him.

“Well, don’t keep us in the suspense, furbrains!” Janja returned from the shadows.

Once they were both out of earshot, Thorax then urgently turned to the ponies, lion, egret, and dragon accompanying him as he whispered. "I know this trick. It's one of the hive's best ways for dealing with intruders. If they says to go left, we should definitely go right. They’re leading us to a swarm waiting to attack! We'll never be able to survive that without getting captured!"

Spike shuddered at the horrible image that conjured up. "Good to know. Now that we know what path not to take, let's go the way that really leads to the throne room."

But Thorax whimpered and shook his head. "It won't be as easy. The moment that happens we’ll have company coming right us to stop us in our tracks. And I mean they’ll respond with sheer numbers against our odds!"

Ono gulped. "Oh, great! So either another one of us gets captured or all of us gets captured.” With a calming breath despite his growing anxiety, he then said. “Okay. I’ll go. I’ll deal with the imposters.”

“Me too!” Jasiri also declared. “The moment we enter this tunnel you all run into the other tunnel and get as far away from here as you can! I'll.. be okay, I promise."

“What?! Ono! Jasiri! No!” Starlight cried as she began to hyperventilate a little. "You both don’t have to do this! Sunburst, I don't wanna lose you too! Or you Ono! And neither do I wanna lose Spike, Simba, or Trixie! If anyone should go it’s me! I'm the reason those impostors are with us. I’m the one who sent Janja and Discord to distract the changelings on their own thus leading for them to get captured!"

“Hey, furbrains!” The imposter Janja called out now sounding irritable with his patience running thin. “You all coming or what?!”

"Yeah?!" The impostor Discord called with his tone of voice not changing in the slightest. "Time’s running out here."

“Don’t worry.”

“We’re coming.”

Both Ono and Jasiri called back with the former turning to look at Starlight with this to say.

“It’ll be okay, Starlight.” Sunburst assured. “We just need to have faith in them.”

“But what if the next we know if the plan works and we do get by the next group of changelings and Outlanders after us, you will be next?!” Starlight looked on like she was going to cry. “You! My first friend I ever knew and never thought I'd ever see again after you left me when we were foals. I don't want lose you! Not again!"

In response, Sunburst pulled Starlight close and hugged her tightly. "Starlight, please listen to me." He cleared his throat. "It’ll be okay. You got us this far when we had no plan and no magic. You don't need magic to figure out what to do next. I know you're scared. But you're good at it. You're not the same pony you were when we were separated. So when your best friend, your childhood friend, tells yo that you can do this! Just believe in yourself the way I believe in you! And whatever happens, don't look back! Even if we do get separated again, I promise you we'll see each other again, I'm sure of it." He then ended the hug to allow her to accept Jasiri and Ono’s sacrifice.

“And you can't blame yourself for things that are beyond your control, Starlight. And when you look at me, I don't have your raw magical power or Trixie's skill with illusions. I also don't have Spike's fire breath and claws, or Discord's ability to warp reality. Even though I have my keen sight I don’t have a complete sight on the hive and Thorax on the contrary does and knows what we're up against. This team can afford going on without us."

"Ono, don't say that! What about that talk about being a good leader and how you rose to the occasion?!" Starlight desperately pleaded even as she saw him and Jasiri head towards the left tunnel! "Jasiri! Please talk to him! Tell him this is a crazy idea!”

Jasiri can only return a regretful expression as she told her. “I’m sorry, Starlight. But Ono’s right. And remember that when it comes to leadership you’ll know when the time comes and know when to follow others when it matters the most. You are learning right now. So keep leading. We’ll be fine.” Turning away from Starlight she then pulled something out of Trixie’s bag. “Sorry, but we’re going to need to borrow this?”

"Hey, what are you...?!" Trixie began to question.

"Just preparing the two a little magic trick I always wanted to try," Jasiri declared before she raced into the left tunnel to confront the Discord and Janja impostors.

“Good luck!” Ono called out as he yelled before the benevolent hyena leader moved to throw the magic handkerchief (colored red) over Discord's lion paw.

With that she boldly declared. "Alright fakers, the jig is up! I know you’re not Janja and you’re not Discord and you’re not fooling us. So tell us where your friends are and what you've done with the real Discord and Janja!" As soon as she finished speaking those words he heard the sound of hisses from above. "RUN!" Ono yelled to the others, all of whom obeyed without question.

Just like Thorax had predicted, a swarm of changelings was waiting inside the left tunnel as the fake Discord and Janja dropped their disguises.

“Oh, so very clever of you both to see through our little ruse.”

“Question is, do you both have what it takes to back up those brains of yours with a little much needed brawn?”

The two changelings taunted and questioned the surrounded duo with vultures appearing around them.

“All right committee, let’s put it to a vote…” Mzingo then said. “...we vultures will take on Ono while the changelings take on Jasiri, sound fair?”

All of the vultures and changelings all agreed to that finding that to be a fair proposal.

“Yeah!”

“Aye!”

“Okay…”

“...Bring it!”

Both Ono and Jasiri dared them as they all lunged at them at the exact same time creating a strong and powerful dust cloud of violence to appear in the tunnel. Even so, both looked on fearless regardless of the outcome.

Predictably after a brief and hard fought battle, both the egret and hyena were both captured and subdued due to the sheer numbers against them.

But just before anything else could happen, a mysterious ninja wearing figure appeared out of nowhere and swiftly took them all out without warning followed by a partner following suit. Upon recovering the vultures and changelings all looked on angrily before flying directly at them.

Said attempt ended up being countered when the two produced cans that contained spray that burned and stung their eyes really, really, badly to the point they screamed and collapsed in pain.

“Oye! Me eyes!”

“They’re burning!”

“No horse feathers they do!”

“Buck! That hurt’s!”

And that provided the distraction that was needed for the mysterious rescuers to drag both Ono and Jasiri out of the tunnel and away from the hive.

Meanwhile other changelings and Outsiders quickly pursued the other enemies of the hive on the run, forcing the group to separate even further: Starlight and Thorax went one way with the leopards on their tail, Spike and Trixie went another with more changelings following after them along with crocodiles accompanying them, while Simba and Sunburst himself went down another path with Zira and her pride following after him.

Unfortunately for Trixie and Spike, they soon found themselves with nowhere to run and the changelings fast closing in on them!

"Well, looks like this is the end, Spike!" Trixie said to the little dragon as she braced for what seemed like certain capture.

But Spike looked on confidently and bravely as he declared. “Not yet!” And without explaining himself further he took a deep breath and drew fire from his mouth. Said fire created a wall of flames to separate himself and Trixie as the changelings that had been pursuing them skidded to a halt. "As long as I am still breathing the very fire you all hate, it’s not over for us!"

At the same time, Simba and Sunburst both found themselves too cornered by the lionesses who all look on very eager and blood thirsty ready to exact vengeance on him for the wrong they accused him of.

“Why, Simba…” Zira began while smirking.

“Zira!” Simba returned with a growl.

“...such a delight to see you all the way out here and so… alone, again. Attack!”

Without warning the lions all rushed forward to attack him. But the lion king himself was quick to defend himself thanks to making use of the environment around him. From Simba using his claws to knock away the lionesses that come right at them, to Sunburst using the nearby rocks as weapons to fend off and even knock away their enemies trying to attack them on their blind spots. They even managed to back each other up vice versa much like Shining Armor did with Simba the last time Zira fought him.

Meanwhile, Starlight and Thorax were unaware of this development, as they instead silently agreed to split off again, and then made their way even deeper into the hive. All while Shupuava spots them from the hole nearby where Scar, Chrysalis, and Ushari are still standing near the throne room. With this sighting she moved to report it to them.

“Scar! Chrysalis! The remaining rescuers are being split up, but two of them have managed to avoid detection and are heading your way.”

“Perfect!” Scar commented still feeling pleased with what he is hearing. “Everything is going according to plan.”

“But what about those who managed to escape?”

“Oh, not to worry, Shupavu. I got that covered…” He turned to the changelings lurking in the shadows who appeared with the now captive Twilight restrained limb from limb, wing to wing. All while looking on defiantly and refusing to summit to defeat in the face of him...

Episode 44: Battle for the Pride Lands and Equestria and To Where and Back Again Part Four

Episode 44:

Battle for the Pride Lands and Equestria and To Where and Back Again Part Four:

The following night after her first dream of the village she was invited back to, she moved to follow through with Princess Luna’s advice. She informed Twilight of the previous night's events at breakfast, and she was quick to abide by her student's request.

When the whole Lion and Pony Guard had gathered in the throne room a short time later, the reformed unicorn wasted no time in explaining to them of the details of her dream and insecurities about going back to said village again, along with why she wished to speak to them on such short notice. "And that's my story on what happened." She informed them. "Princess Luna said I should tell you all how I was feeling. So... there it is. I'm afraid to go back to the village for the celebration."

Rarity was the first to offer feedback. "But why, darling? You went back to apologize. They accepted. Everypony has moved on."

“Yeah! What she said!” Bunga agreed. “It should be Hakuna Matata by now!”

Starlight was anything but convinced. "But have they? Have they really?" She sniffled. "Have I really changed as much as everypony says I have? I've made so many mistakes especially while fighting for Scar. For all they know it’s like whatever time away has done little to change me at all even with the magic of friendship, I’ve been supposed to have learned along the way."

Rainbow Dash immediately shot down the idea! "That’s ridiculous, Starlight! Of course you have changed for the better! You’re no longer that pony anymore. And I mean it when I say it!"

Applejack scolded. "Rainbow, there are nicer ways of saying it that what you just said there!"

The rainbow maned Pegasus asserted back. "But I'm being sincere about it! It’s a compliment even if it comes across as tough love which she needs to hear at this point now one friend to another!”

“This coming from the pony who’s upfront about honesty?” Ono returned with a raised eyebrow. “One who would have to come to terms of when tough love is needed?”

“No argument there.” Fuli noted before taking her turn to speak. “And if you ask me, you have nothing to worry about, Starlight. And you can trust me when I tell you that we’ve been there before. Even if it took a while, you did eventually come forward to apologize and make amends, and it all worked out from what we were told."

Fluttershy smiled as she added. "And if they sent you an invitation then there’s no reason to think they’re just baiting you into a trap for them just to be cruel to you on the spot.”

"Yeah!" Pinkie Pie chimed in! "Besides, you can't not go after you got an invitation. At least, not without a good reason. If they went through all the trouble of writing to you and asking you to come, you should go. Not going would just be bad manners like refusing a royal figure’s offer!"

And then Beshte moved to give his own opinion. "I really think you should go, Starlight. And if you're worried, just talk to them. I’m sure they’ll help accommodate you if you’re not feeling comfortable about all of this."

“I understand how hard this is for you and we speak from experience of what that’s like.” Kion then comforted next and then suggested. “And if you still really feel uncomfortable by then, then maybe you could talk and ask someone to come with you there.”

Then Twilight Sparkle spoke up already liking the idea. "That’s a a great idea, Kion! Starlight, maybe if you took a friend along, it might make things easier." She smiled and blinked her eyes as she suggested. "Like say, somepony you trust who would look out for you and be there for you?"

Said pony Starlight Glimmer ended up taking with her per Kion and Twilight's suggestion wasn't who the latter had been expecting. It was Sunburst who ended up receiving the invitation, meeting his old friend at the train station after she'd already packed up her saddle bags in preparation for the trip. "Thank you so much for agreeing to this, Sunburst," She said to her childhood friend. "Twilight said I should bring a friend, and the best pony I thought is you. My one and true friend with the very special bond with."

Sunburst blushed a bit. "Oh well, thank you. I’m glad you think that of me. But may I ask why me, and not Trixie considering you both are close friends."

Starlight explained. "I thought about Trixie, but last I heard she’s still on her whole Equestria wide tour with who knows when she wilI return."

The unicorn stallion with an orange coat moved to accept that reason. "Oh, that makes sense," And then he gestured a hoof towards the train arriving at the station. "Oh, train’s ready and here for pick up."

Starlight smiled. "Sure," Then she turned to her other friends. "Well, I'd best be going. The festival lasts a whole week, but I don't know if we'll stay that long. Oh and if something urgent comes up, you know where to find and get in touch with me." Soon afterward, she boarded the train with Sunburst. And all on the platform stood there, waving and saying goodbye to her until the train was out of sight.

The train ride lasted shorter than Starlight would've liked. Sooner than she was ready, she was departing the train in a junction just a walking bridge away from the outskirts of the village that she ruled over, Cutie Markless.

Sunburst's dark blue eyes soon took in the outline of the village as he and his fellow unicorn drew near to it. "So, that's it, huh? That's the town where you-"

"-Magically stole everypony's cutie marks, replaced them with equal signs and forced them all to hide their natural talents? Yes." Starlight willingly confessed and hung her head in shame.

Sunburst was surprised at her confession and commented. "Not quite how I would've put it, but I guess that’s true," He then noticed his friend starting to shake not unlike jelly or like she seriously needs to use the bathroom. "You sure you are up for this? It's not too late to turn back if you're not up to it. You seem more nervous than you were when we first met each other again for the first time in years."

The mare shook her head. "I can't turn back now, not after I told Twilight word that I'd go! Plus, I don't think my nightmares are gonna stop until I face this thing head on," She took a few steps towards the village while sighing in lament, listening as it seemed to carry on the wind. "I just want to... blend in. Be just another pony in the crowd enjoying the Sunset Festival with my friend. That's not too much to ask for, right?"

The glasses wearing unicorn stallion nodded his head in agreement. "No. I don't think so. Like any other tourists," But the two hadn't gotten far before he stopped and whispered to Starlight Glimmer. "If things get out of control, just let me know. I've got your back."

"What, is that a promise or something?" Starlight asked.

“Yep. The best promise best friends can put forward.” Sunburst assured.

“Okay. Here goes.” And summoning up what courage she could find on short notice, she trotted into the village proper.

Almost as if some unspoken spell had been cast that would command attention, all eyes in the village immediately turned to greet the newcomers in their midst. It took but a moment for them to recognize one of them, and Double Diamond was the first to greet. "Starlight, you came! Welcome!"

"Y-yes, it's me." Starlight nervously smiled and waved in reply and that was all she could muster up the courage to say.

Double Diamond then eyed the stallion standing besides Starlight. "And who is he? A friend of yours?"

Sunburst personally now wished he'd thought to at least trim his goatee so it wasn't so noticeable, and maybe shed that cloak of his that wasn't really needed in this very location. But he still found the courage to speak. "Yes. My name's Sunburst. Starlight and I were childhood friends, a long time ago. We recently reconnected about a year ago or so, and we've stayed in touch through letters since then."

Night Glider couldn't help but chuckle and tease. "Aw! That’s sweet, Starlight"

"Night Glider!" Starlight shouted as a raging blush formed on her cheeks!

"Just kidding!" Night Glider insisted as she backed off. "I was just teasing a little, nothing to get too worked up over."

The reformed unicorn mare's blush only deepened as she realized her rash response. "Sorry." She nervously insisted and said nothing further. Though nothing so far was helping improve her mood in any way.

Party Favor then sought to change the subject. "It's good you came, Starlight. We were hoping you could make it but we weren't sure if you could. Are you gonna stay for the whole week? We have different events planned for each day!"

"Oh, that's... good, I think." Starlight Glimmer commented as she tried to think of what else to say other that her small talk.

"What it's like living in a castle?" Sugar Belle questioned. "It must be quite lucky experience to be able to live with a prince and princess! And quite a sight for green eyes amon us."

At that Starlight stepped back a bit. "It is?"

Double Diamond chuckled. "Hard not since you seem to be doing pretty well for yourself since we saw you last."

The reformed unicorn nervously smiled and waved. "It's good to see all of you, too. Really."

Party Favor then spoke up. "Well, it's a good thing you showed up when you did. Because, we were hoping maybe you could help us with a few things with the festival. We don't really have a leader here, we all more or less live and work together," He then presented some banners as he explained. "We were having some debate about these banners, maybe you could help us? In your honest opinion, which one do you think feels more 'sunsetty' for lack of a better term?"

Starlight bit her lip, stepping back even more. "Oh, y-you don't really need my opinion. Just pick whichever one you think is best, Party Favor."

Double Diamond then proposed. "Well, at least will you help with the routes for the relay race tomorrow? Can you take a look at these spare pair of skis, and give me a second opinion about them."

Again, the mare hesitated as her lips started to quiver. "Really, there's no need. I don’t think I could even if I wanted to."

Sugar Belle then suggested. "But at least you'll help with the baking competition, right? One of our judges had to back out at the last minute and we're having trouble finding another pony in his place."

The unicorn mare with a grayish-purple coat nearly stuttered. "Oh no, I couldn't! Really, I just wanna enjoy the festival like any other pony."

Night Glider simply commented. "At least say yes to leading and assisting with something. Like with the fireworks show the unicorns have planned for tomorrow, Sugar Belle and Party Favor can only do so much. With Sugar Belle's busy running the baking competition and Party Favor unable to use his horn. You're pretty good with magic, especially while taking lessons from the Princess of Friendship and Master of Magic herself."

It wasn't long before all the villagers were crowding around the poor unicorn, who felt her eyes start to shrink as all the voices began to drowned out and be replaced by a loud buzzing noise. Everything started to blur! And her horn developed a mind of its own as she all but shrieked! "NO!" She pushed the crowd back and started trembling and shaking all over, her head felt light and her breaths began to become heavy and her vision started to become dark. It got bad to the point she couldn’t answer as she just continued to breath heavily to showcase just how distressed she was!

Fortunately, Sunburst (who had been nearby but just outside of the range of the spell) quickly spotted Starlight's symptoms of distress and was at her side in a flash. He threw his cloak around her and pulled her close as he helped her to slowly stand. "It's okay, Starlight!" He told her as he locked eyes with her. "You're gonna be okay!" Then he apologized to the villagers. "I'm so sorry. I think she might be coming down with something. We should probably get going before any of you catch it." And without waiting for a reply, he ushered his severely frightened friend away.

All the villagers could do was stand there and exchange mutual glances of confusion as well as concern.

It wasn't until the two unicorns had retreated across the bridge and returned to the train station that Starlight managed to recover from her abrupt panic attack. And as the shock wore off it was replaced by a new emotion, and that is something she has been well accustomed too, shame. "Ugh, I can't believe that happened!" She groaned anew in annoyance. "Why is this so hard for me?! I should’ve been able to do this by now!"

"Sorry, but I had to do something, Starlight," Sunburst apologized. "You looked like you were having a breakdown or something. Whatever it was, it wasn't good."

But the reformed unicorn could only look at the ground in sorrow and sadness. "I thought I had moved on, but I was wrong, My past still haunts me even though it shouldn't," She let out a deep breath rather slowly. "And even when I think back, I now see why. I was horrible when I led that village! I couldn’t step up to being a leader without feeling like a complete monster!"

Sunburst didn't seem to think so with a firm shake of his head. "That's not true, Starlight."

"Yes it is!" Starlight snapped, before realizing how harsh that sounded. "Sorry, sorry. I didn’t for that to slip. I know you're just trying to cheer me up and make me feel better. But neither you or Trixie could truly understand what I used to be like," Thousands of memories long forgotten started flashing before her very eyes as she whimpered. "Twilight, Kion, and their friends are the only ones who know besides those villagers. I ruled with an iron hoof, I tolerated no dissent of any kind. And when my lies finally caught up with me, I lashed out at anyone and anything in my path. That's what drove me to seek revenge, to travel back in time."

The stallion adjusted his glasses. All he could bring himself to say was. "I didn't know it was that bad. I'm sorry."

Starlight looked up slowly. "That's why it was so hard to come back to that village. I was ready for them to still be distant, to not trust me fully. I wouldn’t blame them if that still were the case." She shuddered. "But for them to want to put me in charge again, even just for the festival? That's the worst thing that could have happened, even worse than if they never invited me or wanted to see me again," And she declared. "With what had happened, I never wanted be in charge of anything ever again! Because whenever I've had to make big decisions, they always backfire and end up being the wrong one."

"Why? You didn't back out of seeing me, and we ultimately opened up to each other about our pasts." Sunburst commented.

"Only because Twilight and Spike did most of the heavy lifting for me," Starlight confessed. "If it had been up to me, I would've backed out of it faster than the hyenas, jackals, crocs, and vultures fleeing on their high tails. That's how bad I a decision maker I was and still am."

Sunburst then commented as he pulled his friend close. "Don’t forget that you’re not the only pony who knows what it's like to actually fail. After all, I flunked out of magic school. I was the one living a lie when we met even though I had no reason to do so. You helped me to learn that we can't run away from our problems or our failures. What we can do is learn from them."

“Right something that Rafiki would say if he were here and so would Twilight if I were to tell her right now.” Starlight returned still hanging her head in shame. “I just hope she won’t be too upset with me for running away from my problems again."

Later on, come the night of the kidnapping and ponynapping by the changelings while the fire at Pride Rock was ongoing, The Pride Landers and Equestrian’s all came across a surprising sight upon waking up at the sound of footsteps. And it was a sight of relief and delight. It was their friend Sunset Shimmer who has managed to retrieve the Lion and Pony Guard (sans Twilight) with Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Shining Armor, Flurry Heart, Janja, Jasiri, Kyoga, Karabi, and Lite following behind them.

“Is that…?” Kifaru began while squinting like always.

“Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Shining Armor, Flurry Heart?!” Mbeya stated.

“Along with the Lion and Pony Guard! They’re okay!” Ma Tembo finished.

"Yep! We're all okay!" Pinkie cheerfully replied as she bounced her way out of changeling territory.

"Thankfully." Fuli replied still shaking off the weary effects from being in a cocoon for hours. "Ugh. That was so gross."

"You're telling me." Rarity returned feeling the same way. "I am going to really need a bath when all of this is over."

"Me too."

“But wait…?” Moon Dancer realized. “...where’s Twilight?” She then realized. “Oh, right. She’s still in there, isn’t she?”

“I’m afraid so.” Sunset regretfully returned. “Scar and Chrysalis busted her while sticking around long enough for them to catch her in the act. But at the same time, she saved everyone else…” She directed her eyes at those being freed from their cocoons. "...including me."

Upon seeing their leader, Cheezi and Chungu were quick to hug Janja.

“Janja, you came back!”

“We knew you would.”

“Furbrains!” Janja groaned in annoyance even though he still allowed it. After all, kindness and compassion is still not his greatest strengths just hours after defecting from Scar’s army.

Luna was able to help Celestia to her hooves after the long run and walk they did to get to safety. At the same time, Cadance and Shining Armor managed to hug their little filly in delight that they’re all together and all okay.

Upon spotting her former pupil, the sun monarch was quick to approach her. “Sunset. So good to see you again.”

“Good to see you too, Celestia.” Sunset returned though not feeling exactly warm as she would normally would due to the ongoing circumstances inside the hive.

“What happened? How did you get out the way out there and back still unharmed?”

“It’s a long story.” Sunset returned while apologetic that things are playing out this way. “I don’t know if we have time for it.”

“It’s okay.” She assured the distraught unicorn when she attempted to avert her gaze. “You can tell us. We got the time.”

Luna further added. “Especially if it means fully knowing how to navigate the enemy terrain and whatever Scar and Chrysalis have in store for us up ahead.”

Sunset sighed before obliging to their request with the rest of the Guard and the Royal Family all ears for her story. “It all began right around the whole changeling invasion to abduct everyone capable of defeating Scar’s army went down.” She then thought back to when she was doing homework at her desk in her room. “I was keeping up with my studies when I got an urgent house call.”

At the time a loud knock is heard on her door. “Huh?” She then sighed. “Who could be knocking on my front door at this hour? Is if I didn’t already know.” She stood up from her desk and then moved to put on her purple robe to match her pajamas as she irritably returned. “Rainbow Dash! I’ve already told you! You’re going to be just fi...Twilight!” Her eyes widen in surprise upon seeing the urgent girl at her doorstep and not the one with glasses.

“Hey! Sorry to interrupt at this hour but I need your help!”

“With what?”

“Scar along with Queen Chrysalis of the changelings.”

It didn’t take a second thought for Sunset to rush over to get dressed and then fetch themselves their backpacks filled with spy gadgets and weapons before taking lead on towards the gateway back to the other world.

Once they were back in the magical world, Twilight quickly teleported herself and Sunset out of the castle and as far away from the castle as possible to avoid the changelings inside to catch them in the act. Once they reappeared, they found themselves on the border leading into the changeling kingdom.

“She was lucky to avoid capture when the changelings tried to come after her but by then it was too late for everyone else. Without options limited at the time it was up to us to try to get in there undetected.”

She then recalled them making their way to the hive on foot with Twilight only flying when she could without being spotted by the changelings up until they got inside the hive. From there they made their way around through stealth, occasional use of spray and combat here and there when stealth isn’t an option, and use of smoke bombs to help decide which tunnels to take up until they got to the throne room.

“It is was remarkable of how tricky the terrain was once we got inside the hive. The holes and paths are constantly changing so we had to think up on our hooves to navigate it. If it weren’t for our weapons, we would have stood no chance against the changelings when they were together in massive numbers. Otherwise we wouldn't be here by now. And thanks to some extra help Twilight was able to call upon, we are able to get in and out of the throne room. Unfortunately, we didn’t time our sneak in and rescue operation right to the point that Scar wouldn’t catch us in the act.”

Said lion/alicorn appeared right in front of them just when they were making their leave.

“Going somewhere?”

“Yes. Home to my family and friends.” Twilight calmly replied.

“And what makes you think you’re going to pull this off even against all odds this time?” He asked while displaying his sharp claws.

“Simple. This.” She quickly threw down another smoke bomb and then rushed ahead of him with the half lion/alicorn in quick and hot pursuit of her.

While this was going on it left Sunset with the cocoons before doing the only thing she could do and that was using one of her weapons to tear a hole in the hive and make a great leap of faith from up high. Thanks to having prior practice, she was able to use the near rocks and ledges of the hive to her advantage in being able to slow down her descent. But not without having her weight forcibly pulled along the way due to the weight of cocoons dragging her down faster than she wanted to go.

Upon landing on the ground, Sunset had to shake off the impact of a small fall while the cocoons around her broke apart thus freeing most of the former captives who began feel free movements while regaining consciousness as a result. Just when most of the Guard began to recover and wonder what happened. They all turned their heads towards the sound of changelings all hovering around the top of the hive, no doubt all ganging up on someone who has angered them. Upon turning to the very conflicted unicorn who knows what this means, she then felt she had to make a hard decision now.

“I had to make a decision there. Try to go back and fight a battle I could not win. Or get everyone else to safety so we could fight another day. And that’s what I did.”

“Run.” She uttered to the others while motioning the others to help with the heavy lifting in regards to helping the others to their hooves before leading the retreat on out of there before the changelings could back and get them. While retreating, Sunset can only briefly look back with regret that Twilight couldn’t be saved at the time before pressing forward. But deep down she had to trust that she’ll be fine for the time being that carried forward to the moment she just finished recalling her catch up story to the others.

“Yes, I know.” She then told the others feeling guilty already and not being able to save Twilight. “But at the same time I couldn’t.”

“But you did what you had to do in order to save us.” Princess Cadance comforted with a hoof on her shoulder. “And so did Twilight so that she could ensure that we still have a fighting chance.”

“Which means we now have more firepower on our side in order to proceed with the attack on the changeling hive.” Her husband then stated firmly much like Simba would if he were here. “Now it’s a matter of leading the charge into the heart of the hive to get her back.”

“I just hope she’s okay.” Sunset returned still feeling deathly worried for her. “Along with anyone else that has actually tried to make it that far.”

“Question is who else went in there and managed to avoid capture if possible?” Kion then asked wondering the same thing.

"My guess is it depends on who else has managed to be very good at being stealthy up to this point." Fuli brought up.

"But who?"

Back in the present finally, Starlight Glimmer rounded a bend and found herself in a dimly lit room within the hive. Towards the back rested a throne that appeared to have been carved out of a black stone. The very room and throne Thorax had described. Then she looked up towards the ceiling, spotting numerous green cocoons that housed the likes of Discord, Sunburst, Kinyonga, and Bon-Bon. None of them could move or even speak. At the same time, numerous cocoons that were there were removed which sparked a sign for the unicorn. That meant someone else was there and helped them rescue them.

“But how and who?” She thought as she steadied herself, preparing to approach the throne in hopes of figuring out the best way to dismantle it.

But the mare had taken only a few steps when she heard an echoy voice cackle with glee, breaking the silence of the throne room. "One little pony all by herself," Nervously, Starlight looked up again and her eyes beheld a most frightening sight! Perched between two cocoons was none other than Queen Chrysalis herself, her head dangling upside down! "Oh dear, how will I ever prevent this daring rescue?" She declared with fake concern, right before several changelings descending and swarmed over Starlight as they bound her hooves to the floor with that sickly green goop.

Chrysalis made her way down to the ground a moment later after her head turned right side up. She smirked as she approached her latest captive. "Well, well, well. The Princess of Friendship's sole pupil herself. Isn’t this a delightful turn of events. I will say, I do compliment you for getting this far, too bad the same can’t be said it terms of being able to stop me. Nor did the princess didn't teach you how clever Scar and I can be, disappointing if you ask me."

"You won't get away with this!" Starlight squirmed as she tried futilely to break free of that which kept her hooves bound to the floor.

Queen Chrysalis could only laugh and taunt. "Oh no? You think you someone else is coming to rescue you now? Like whatever Pride Landers and ponies you got waiting at the border to make a charge on over here or even the princes or princesses themselves? Well don’t bother! Your little rescue group that accompanied you was all you had. And now, there's just you. You will share your mentor's fate." She then smirked as she then evilly said to the unicorn. “Though funny I say it because it just so happens you do have company right on the other side of this very room and wearing body armor as we speak!” She then motioned for the wall behind her to collapse to reveal another group of changelings holding Twilight hostage as Scar looks on at her face to face who is moving to pull and confiscate her belongings before tossing them backwards into the fire behind him while pulling aside a gun for himself. The changelings then released their grip and backed away, upon seeing the alicorn still not showing intimidation and prove that the body armor works Scar fired a shot at her causing her to stumble in pain briefly before managing to pick herself up.

Even still Starlight boldly replied. "Maybe I may have failed, but there's still someone out there waiting to take you down! His name is Thorax!"

At that the evil queen coldly hissed. "Don't you even think about mentioning that traitor's name in my presence, in my kingdom! He was a fool to leave and an even bigger fool to come back! If he was smart he would've stayed away, laid low, and never even bothered to come here! But since he’s actually bothered to return here, it's only a matter of time until I capture him! And when I do he'll learn just what happens to those who betray the hive!"

Starlight whimpered in fright at the comment.

Chrysalis smirked as she saw something be reflected in her eyes with that whimper from the captive unicorn. Her horn began to light up with that sickly green glow as she taunted. "And it seems I already have done so and that I don’t need to look far do I..." She quickly fired off a spell on Starlight, prompting a flash of magic that revealed that it was actually Thorax that was standing before the queen! "Thorax?!"

Thorax gulped even as he tried to bravely state. "Yes, it’s me!"

"I see!" The queen hissed anew. "And I also see that you have returned.” She then glared at the changeling. “That was a mistake. I warned you of what would happen if you returned. And Scar had done the same like he did with Sombra. And I will make good on that very warning!" However, she then became aware of a loud banging sound coming from behind her. She turned around and happened to see the real Starlight Glimmer frantically pounding away at the throne with a small rock.

Poor Starlight had no time to react before she was pulled away from the throne and brought before the changeling queen. "How very clever of you. I see Thorax tipped you off about my throne," She smirked as she threw the unicorn to the ground. "I very well can't have powerful ponies or creatures using their magic against me. You must think you're clever to have gotten this far, other would-be invaders have been lucky to even get inside."

"Your majesty," A changeling spoke up just as Scar floated over to approach them. "I just received word from the others: We subdued the magician and the dragon along with the crystaller and the lion king. The entire rebellion has been thwarted."

And to further gloat and rub her victory in the unicorn's face she proceeded to sing a song about how much the changelings look up to her without relying on the magic of friendship.

Don't Fall in Love

"Excellent!" Scar returned feeling delighted to hear it. “And now all that is left is for the remaining rescue party to try to come save you. And knowing Kion, he’ll no doubt be the one along his friends from the Lion and Pony Guard will be on their way here too.” Turning to the still defiant yet surprised alicorn he then said to her. “That’s right, Twilight. I still see what’s going on around here without magic and thanks to the skinks I know right now that your friends are now getting ready to mount an attack on this hive right this instant. And since you know just as well I do of the surprise I have in store for your dear friend Kion.” He then mockingly placed a finger over his lips. “Shh! Don’t tell! It ruins and makes it less fun for me.”

Back outside the border, Kion along with Sunset look on with what must be done as they look on at the rising sun along with Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadance standing behind them. Upon seeing the rising sun after hearing what they have been told. From everything that had happened during the Pride Lands distraction to the whole capture and rescue, to where and back again.

“It is time.” Rafiki declared as he Makini, Nala, and Kiara watch on as the others get ready to mount that will decide the very fate of the two worlds with the leader of the Lion Guard looking on at the very hide where their enemies are waiting up ahead.

“Till the Pride Lands and Equestria end…” Kion began.

“With all your friends…” Bunga added as they look back at the many Pride Landers and Equestrians including Karabi and Lite all standing behind them ready for that fight.

“...from both worlds.” Sunset finished with the leader of the Lion Guard ready to lead everyone over there.

“Ready when you are, Kion.” Shining Armor assured while getting ready to charge.

“Make the call.” Princess Cadance also encouraged.

Hearing that sparked the confidence he needs to make the call. “We'll fight for what's right…”

“Pride Landers and Equestrians, unite!”

With that Kion along with Sunset led the charge alongside the rest of the Royal Family as the whole army made their charge inside the changeling kingdom. Even without powers, those who aren’t used to magic still are ready to throw down when it matters.

In the opposing side nearing the hive up on higher ground, Mzingo managed to spot out the incoming opponents headed their way. “Here they come.”

“And it looks like Janja's turned against us.” Kiburi deduced upon seeing that he is among those joining the charge against them.

“Everything's just like Scar said.” Reirei said as if everything has been laid out for them.

“He's smart. And that's why we're gonna win.”

“I hope you're right.” Mzingo returned with uncertainty. “There certainly are a lot of them…”

Lightning Dust was quick to dismiss that concern with her arrogance rearing it’s head against her rival. “So? We can take 'em. Scar said so. Let’s go.” She then ordered of the others.

“Right behind you.” Wind Rider returned while following after her.

“Crocodiles, with me!” Kiburi then commanded while following suit.

“You got it Kiburi!” Tamaka laughed before following after him leaving Reirei and the jackals to do the same.

“Jackals! You know what to do.”

“Oh. Time to assemble the committee.” Mzingo then declared before moving to fetch his group.

While leading the charge Kion told the others. “Everyone knows the plan. Keep the Outlanders off us so we can get to the top of the hive.”

“That's what we'll do.” Ma Tembo declared on board with said plan.

“You got it, Kion.”

“Right.”

Both Jasiri and Janja stated ready to do their part to help them.

Turning to Bupu, Fuli asked with a smirk. “Do we have to say "please"?”

Bupu smirked back at her in response. “You just did.”

Bunga laughed upon seeing what’s now in front of them. “And here come the baddies.”

“Let’s do this!”

“Bring it on!”

Both Rainbow and Applejack stated ready to throw down with them and they wasted no time along with the hyenas in taking down the jackals and crocs that came after them. Among the fight, Reirei found herself in for a surprise when Ma Tembo whacked her with her trunk, causing her to tumble into Goigoi and couple other crocs who were likewise knocked away by both Rafiki and Makini swinging their staffs around.

Mzingo then joined on the fight alongside Lightning Dust with the latter eyes targeting Rainbow.

“Rainbow Dash!”

“Lightning Dust!”

The two briefly exchanged bitter towards each other as always before moving to get into a aerial hoof fight with one another. At the same time, looks was all that was needed to greet each other in regards to Wind Rider and Rarity once more before fighting.

At the same time, Anga and Hadithi led the birds into action against Mzingo and his flock once more.

“Anga lenga!” The former shouted before taking Mzingo head on with Hadithi following suit along with a few more birds against his flock.

Some of the vultures managed to get an opening before moving in on towards the Lion and Pony Guard down below. But Fluttershy herself quick to spot it out used her Stare to freeze in their tracks which allowed Ono along with Gilda, and some of the birds accompanying them time for the other birds to attack them before they could close in on them.

“The sweet pony’s off limits you scavengers!” Fluttershy smiled sweetly herself upon hearing that.

Upon recovering, Mzingo only had time see Anga before him before getting his tail feathers handed to him by both her and Hadithi to strike him down to the ground.

“Well done, Anga!”

“Thanks, Hadithi.”

The two birds exchanged with one another with no awkwardness on the latter’s end but still grinning and pleased like a lovebird in a sky.

Back down on the ground, both crocodile leaders find themselves face to face once more.

“Kiburi!”

“Bring it, Makuu!”

The two moved to tussle like there is no tomorrow while standing on their hind legs in the process with the dragons moving to punch away the crocodiles that tried to intervene on Kiburi's behalf.

"Left! Right! Up! Down! Punch!" Ember barked as she went down swinging. "Come on! Buck them up!"

Upon charging at Goigoi, Laini while riding on Bupu’s head moved to leap on the jackal’s face. At the same time Hodari moved to leap onto Tamaka’s snout.

“Hi! It’s me again.” Hodari greeted with winking with his eyebrows before moving around in a way so he can’t catch him.

“Gurgh!” Tamka screamed while desperately and futilely moving himself around to get him off. “Gecko!”

“Come on, kiddies.” Reirei then encouraged. “You know what to do.”

Said children of the pack were all pushing rocks down towards their enemies leading to the antelopes and galagos no time to prepare for what’s coming their way.

“Antelopes, look out. Whoa!”

Luckily for them, the unicorns had their magic at the ready to help steady their footing to keep them from falling face first on the ground and into the rubble.

Also, the young ones on the other side came to their aid with their special go-cart driven by Scootaloo. While she was riding the cart, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle launched rotten apples right back at them, followed by Gabby swiftly confiscating their rock ammo.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders! Go!”

In regards to the big rocks that have already fallen, Shujaa quickly rushed in head on to take them on. “Shujaa ponda!” He moved to punch several rocks that came at them before catching the very large rock and throwing it right back at them forcing the little ones to retreat.

And when one jackal pup tried to attack the gorillas blind spot, he is suddenly forced to retreat himself when the yak prince along with his fellow yaks made the charge against them. "Yaks defend Pride Landers! Yaks smash!"

Upon seeing the avalanche attempt averted, both the yak prince and gorilla both shared a victorious body slam with one another to celebrate this moment before getting serious and charging up ahead against the upcoming Outlanders attempting to hurt their friends and allies.

As the rhinos moved to charge they found themselves intercepted by both Cheezi and Chungu before being knocked aside by Janja for their stupidity. “Furbrains, we're good guys now!”

Immediately the two realized their mistake.

“Oh, right!”

“Sorry, rhinos. We forgot.”

“Keep charging, fellas. Won't happen again.”

With that they all carried on like nothing had happened.

The Outlanders continued their attacks as Pinkie herself got in on the action with her party cannon by charging ahead, she then shouted towards them for trying to come at her and her friends is, “Party time!” With a powerful blast of confetti the Outlanders were blasted away at the same time Jasiri pinned down another crocodile.

“You're all clear, Kion!” Jasiri returned.

“Right. Lion and Pony Guard, with me.”

Accompanying them is the other princesses who followed suit in flight along with Shining Armor, Kyoga, Karabi, and Lite so they can back them up for the fight that lies ahead at the top of the hive.

Upon seeing them sparked Shupavu into warning Scar about it. “Scar, the Pride Landers and Equestrians are winning. The Lion and Pony Guard along with the Royal Family is headed this way.”

“Then it's up to you and your skinks to stop them, Shupavu!” Scar then commanded.

“Which means it’s also your cue to do the same!” Chrysalis then shouted and commanded of most of the changelings in contrast to the cool-headed lion/alicorn. “Now go!”

Shupavu then smiled and realized why. “Yes, Scar. Chrysalis. Of course. Skinks, with me!”

“You heard the skink, let’s go!” Phyrnax then ordered of most of the changelings, leaving Scar, Chrysalis, and Ushari with Twilight, Starlight, and Thorax and only a handful of changelings guarding the nearby exits.

“You really think they'll be able to stop the Lion and Pony Guard and the Royal Family?” Ushari skeptically asked his boss.

Scar scoffed in response. “Of course not. But they all must believe that we don't want them to get here.”

“Not only that, my changelings have the ability to keep on their hooves and are ready for that fight. They have been preparing for this ever since that whole celebration day at Pride Rock.”

“Yes.” Ushari now understood how this works out to their advantage.

Turning back to the cobra, Scar then ordered. “Now Ushari, get in position. You know what to do when they arrive. More specifically when Kion arrives.”

“Yes. Yes, I do.” Ushari said ready to do that sinister deed of his.

“You know…” Twilight then spoke up to the three to get their attention. “...even if you do succeed in stopping them and poisoning Kion into using the Roar here you still can’t kill me or Starlight.”

“And why not?” Scar asked as if it is a futile statement to make.

“Because no matter what good always triumphs over evil no matter how long it takes. Not only that I haven’t really told you and your followers what I really think of you.”

“Oh! Perfect! You have one minute to make your case for them.” Scar returned willing to entertain it to further fuel a changeling swarm attacking her from all angles.

“Scar. For a excellent and intelligent mastermind capable of leading an army to victory, all you are is someone lacking potential in what it takes to be a true king.” As she spoke she moved around where she stands even with a gun pointed right at her. “As for your followers, they’re blind to follow your cause to the point they had been exiled from both kingdoms for very good reasons. To think if everyone else could have respected the Circle of Life instead of threatening to destroy it you’d all be getting along fine by now. Jasiri knows it and yet you all have refused to see it that way. From Kiburi and his crocs getting exiled, Reirei and her jackals fighting for scraps along with Zira and her pride, Mzingo and his flock burning grazing grounds here and there, and recruiting antagonistic Pegasus ponies, they all have no idea of what they could be doing with their lives instead of devoting to your cause like the hyenas you once led into the Pride Lands once before. And as for you Ushari, I find what you are doing very disappointing for we have tried to be very considerate towards you for accidentally stumbling across you at times. Now here you’re going along with his plan to burn the kingdoms down in a massive volcano eruption and injecting venom into Kion’s mind to achieve it? For shame.” Ushari angrily hissed in response and had to restrain using his venom against her in response. “And you Chrysalis, to think there are more ways for you and your changelings to satisfy your hunger rather than forcibly taking what you want, you and the others would also be living life much more differently now. My only mistake with you is not confronting you alone when we first met while you were impersonating my sister-in-law.” She as she stopped herself right in the very spot she wants to stand with her hidden gun and dagger within reach.

While Chrysalis hissed angrily, Scar simply shook his amused and briefly chuckled in response. “Big talk. You done?”

“No, not yet.” To prove her point she quickly scooped and flung dirt, rocks, and ambers in his eyes to temporarily blind him long enough for her to tackle him to the ground.

From there she wasted no time in engaging in a one on one fight with him. To make sure it stays that way she knocked the gun out of his paws and moved to fire rounds towards the others to force them to back off when they got trapped in the created pile of rubble that landed on top of them. By then, Scar was able to slap and force the alicorn off of her before moving to swing his claws at her who likewise had a dagger to be fend off his attempted attacks with her gun now tucked away on her belt.

Back in the parts of the hive leading up the throne room and caldera, the Guard and the Royal Family have managed to power their way through. From swift use of martial arts and using the environment to their advantage, Rainbow, Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack along with Shining Armor and the Lion Guard were able to punch and kick aside the changelings that came at them. At the same time the princesses were able to swat aside the skinks that appeared to try to do the same.

Back in the throne room and caldera, Chrysalis cackled with fiendish glee and turned her attention to the unicorn before her. "Now, what do you with you, Starlight? One small and helpless little unicorn like her teacher Twilight before her. No magic, no backup, and no friends around to help you out here. Not even Twilight who is currently facing certain death at the claws of Scar himself.” Then she had an idea spark in her mind. “I know! By finishing you off myself!"

Starlight did the only thing she could think to do given her current situation. She ran despite knowing that there was nowhere to really run to. She still opted to hide, taking shelter in the rotted out stump of an old tree. "Why?" She could only say in the face of the queen herself.

The changeling queen blinked in surprise. "'Why' what?"

"Why do this?" The unicorn asked. "To get revenge on Twilight thwarting your plans to take over Canterlot years ago? Or because you actually believe what Scar is telling you now."

Queen Chrysalis coldly hissed and pulled Starlight Glimmer close before explaining. "Why else? So I could feed, of course! Everypony will do as I command, and my subjects and I will feed on their love for generations! I have everything I need to make Equestria mine with Scar by side!" Then she laughed to herself, confident of her victory.

At the same time adjacent to the ongoing confrontation is said fight between both Scar and Twilight still fighting it out with blades, punches, and kicks in efforts to catch each other off guard as they continue flying around the pool of lava and fire down below them.

With use of the nearby rocks and ambers, Twilight aimed to fire them against Scar in her attempts to knock him off of his flight. But Scar himself was prepared for that before moving to swift dodge and redirect them right back at her. Twilight then had to use her dagger and hooves to block them off and redirect them to the side before leaping up high when Scar tried to lunge and tackle her.

Quick to use the momentum against him, she moved to quickly fly down, then twirled around to give him a good karate style kick to the face which knocked back down to the ground. Scar then had to maneuver his downfall so that he ended up the rocky terrain rather than fall to what could have been his fiery demise.

After shaking off the kick along with wiping the blood from his jaws he moved to fly straight her and managed to tackle her once more. After gaining his grasp over her, he moved to throw her against the wall of the hive causing her to feel that hard slam on her back. She then found herself having to drop herself to the ground to avoid Scar going for the kill causing him to plow his body right through the wall. Said impact created his imprint on the wall.

Scar then growled as he flew back through the hole while twisting his body around so that he could squeeze through the imprint he created before searching for his opponent once more.

At the same time Twilight is trying her hardest to hold up due to the gunshot wound starting to have some effect on her breathing. Fortunately she hasn’t taken in too many hits towards her weak spot but if Scar starts to exploit that very weakness it might be game over for her. Now she just has to quickly take him down before he takes her down first after enduring that last hit she took.

Nearby, her closet friends and family were nearing close to the throne room and caldera where Ushari has managed to squeeze his way out of the rubble and found a nice hiding spot so that those who arrived don’t spot him out right away. But the whole group are still having a tough time muscling their way through the changelings and later lions from Zira’s pride, especially since they still don’t have magic on their side. Although Kion himself managed to find himself an opening to squeeze through the ongoing fight in order to reach where Twilight and Starlight are. Upon seeing him the cobra then moved to stay close him through the shadows and rocks behind him.

At the same time for Starlight, while she ran and hid again from Chrysalis (even knowing she would still close in on her), Starlight's eyes became drawn to Thorax. More specifically to his sparkling changeling's wings. Something seemed to click in her mind when she saw them again, remembering what Thorax had told her about when they'd first took on their current appearance. "But what if you didn't have to?"

The mere suggestion enraged the evil queen, causing her to yank Starlight out of her hiding spot! "Ridiculous! The hunger of the changelings can never be satisfied! You don’t know have the right to say anything about the changelings or what it takes to be their leader," She proceeded to fling the unicorn hard into a wall as two changeling drones pinned her down. "I am the queen, I alone decide what is best for my subjects and not some mewling little grub like you! Besides you don’t have the power to destroy me, Starlight."

"What if you're wrong?" The unicorn inquired as she tried (and failed) to to reason with her. Deep down she is trying to channel the inspiration of her mentor calling out every one of her enemies on the spot to heart. "When Thorax escaped the hive and made it to Equestria, your actions made everypony fear him even when he didn’t do anything to them! If other changelings do the same thing he did, what happens to them?! If the Crystal Empire could be hostile, what do you think the rest of Equestria will be like? If anything you’re making things worse for your subjects than they are before. Thorax on the other hoof, is living a better life now because he made friends."

Chrysalis rolled her eyes. "Spare me your nonsense! Thorax was too weak and too scared to even do what was needed, much like Janja he was dead weight that was just asking to be disposed of when faith decided it was time for him to meet his end!"

"And that justifies how you treat your subjects?!" Starlight protested with the inner fire still burning inside much like Twilight. "How do you know Thorax is the only one who's ever actually sought to seek a better life instead?" And to the changelings all around her she pleaded. "You don't have to listen to her or Scar. Thorax found a way to share love without having to feed on it. Now he's no longer hungry. Wouldn't it be nice if you could the lifestyle that Thorax is now pursing?"

The changeling queen stomped her hooves down. "Since when and what do you know about being a leader?!"

Starlight shook her head. "Because from one leader to another who has actually been down that dark path you are on now, Chrysalis," And she explained. "I thought I knew better than anypony, and that I was capable of ruling. Only afterwards I realized I was wrong. A good leader doesn't rule over their subjects with fear nor force their subjects to deny who they are. A good leader thinks about what is best for everyone else instead of himself or herself. Something that makes both Twilight and Kion better leaders than Scar could ever hope to better! They celebrate what makes their followers unique and listens when one of them finds a better way!"

"T-that's true!" Thorax bravely stuttered! "Just because you can't feel love doesn't mean you should force the rest of us into living that way of life. It’s not too late to make that change if you just find it in your black heart to allow that love to flow freely inside!"

"Silence!" Chrysalis bellowed as she targeted her angry eyes towards Thorax. "The only thing you've accomplished is setting an example for those who dare to betray the hive!"

"No! Stop!" Starlight Glimmer pleaded! "You don’t know what you are doing!"

Chrysalis only replied by lighting up her horn and pulling Thorax close with that sickly green aura, all the while she began to open her mouth. "On the contrary, it’s you and your little friend who don’t know what they are doing. Only by now it’s already too late for you, it's too late for anyone! else" She coldly told her. "Don't worry, Starlight. I'm sure Scar would be more than happy to dispose of you, just as soon as I drain every ounce of love he has and show my subjects what a real leader is!"

At the same time, Scar has managed to press forward on the offense upon spotting Twilight lurking in the shadows. He moved to follow up a series of attacks to force the alicorn on the defense. He moved to slash the rocks she was hiding behind, reducing them into rubble before moving to violently knock the dagger out of her hooves and into the fire and lava down below with in her belt having the fortunate luck of not meeting the same fate.

From there it was just a multiple series of hoof to paw combat where the half lion/alicorn found herself barely fending herself against his aggressive attacks before finding herself enduring a few punches and bruises to the face. Followed by a wind blowing punch to the gut that sent her crashing down into the ground. All she could do at the moment was barely pick herself up as she finds herself at Scar’s mercy once more as he managed to obtain the gun that was knocked away during the skirmish.

A sight that was spotted nearby from the others fighting to get there but so far are unable to plow themselves on by the changelings and lionesses all keeping them at bay.

"Twilight! Starlight!" Kion screamed in worry upon arriving before trying to make a charge to stop him only to be quickly surrounded and blocked off by some of the changelings appearing right in front of him. With no other choice, Kion moved to bare his claws before tackling them all at once. But at the same time in no position to be able to channel and control the Roar without hurting his family and friends too even with his growing worry for the two ponies and anger at his enemies. All while Ushari manages to slither up to a nice spot where he can lunge and bite at the young lion from the sides.

Sure enough, even as Thorax whimpered, groaned and struggled valiantly against Chrysalis, he wasn't able to stop a bright glow from seeping out of his body. "I... I can feel the love slipping away! I'm so close to Flurry Heart's gift of love, more so than I've ever felt before! But I can't hold onto it!"

It was there that Starlight got an idea. "Then stop holding back! Sharing is love what made you different to begin with, Thorax. If Chrysalis wants that love so badly, then let her have it all! Share it!"

So Thorax did just that, the light escaping from him glowing brighter by the second. A sight that had Scar quickly don a pair of sunglasses while still keeping his eyes and sight on Twilight as he prepares to finish her off.

Chrysalis suddenly found herself overwhelmed before finding herself flung backwards, crashing into her throne as it began to crack. She weakly groaned as she tried to flap her wings, only to find that they had been robbed of lift.

Suddenly, Thorax was enveloped in a cocoon of bright light. There was a sudden flash and when it had faded, Thorax descended to the ground looking quite different. His body consisted mostly of a light lime green color, except for hints of orange around his chest (which is now and also the color of the two big antlers on his head). On his back was a dark purple shell like object with traces of dark green underneath it, and on each side are extended butterfly like wings a moderate blue and purple in color. Around his neck hung a series of white, crystal like objects.

Starlight took advantage of the opportunity (and of her captors' momentary befuddlement) to rise to her hooves. She trotted up to the transformed changeling as she nervously questioned him. "Thorax, are you all right? How do you feel?"

Thorax stared at himself, his now rose colored eyes taking in every inch of his new form in all its multi-color glory from his body, head, and antlers. "Yes… It is..." Then he commented. "This is so new to me yet strangely I actually like it. I actually feel so alive!"

Smiling, the unicorn turned to the other changelings while she gestured to Thorax and said. "Do you see now? This is what happens when you give love freely instead of taking it! Show Chrysalis what the changelings are really capable of!"

And so the changelings did, unleashing a massive wave of bright glowing magic as they transformed into varying shades of green, bluish-green and orange all the while their surrounding environment began to transform as well. It became much brighter and full of color, as well as filling up with fresh vegetation and plants.

Chrysalis had no time to react as the unleashing of love created an explosion that rocked the entire hive, shattering her throne completely while Ushari who had just tried to make his move found himself forced backwards when he got caught up in the growing mess flying right at him. At the same time, Twilight used the blinding light to her advantage to knock Scar backwards before making a quick flight and dash to her gun as her opponent moved to fire multiple rounds off in the direction she flew off too. In return, Twilight fired off each and every round her gun had right back at him from where she stood.

With the changelings having more or less "changed" it wasn't long before all their previously cocooned "victims" were set free. Every member of Starlight's rescue group, including Sunburst (who she was greatly relieved to see again). Upon arriving, the rest of the Guard upon arriving along with the Royal Family are all looking on in awe with the now beautiful landscape and transformation of the land around them. Discord himself was quick to reunite and embrace his best and dearest friends. “Flutteshy! Beshte! You’re both okay!”

“Thanks!”

“Um, good to see you too!”

Both kindly returned.

"Simba! Thank goodness you're okay!"

"We were so worried about you, Daddy!"

Both mother and daughter greeted the lion king with relief and happy tears flowing down from their eyes.

"I know. I missed you both too." Simba returned with a warm smile towards them.

And more importantly, the main group’s primary concern is wondering what happened to Twilight and if she is okay or not along with what has also happened to Scar himself.

“Twilight?”

“Mom?!”

“Where are you?!”

Kion, Spike, and Sunset all called out for her.

It didn’t take long for them to spot her out as she found herself looking on cautiously while taking slow and steady steps forward. She moved to toss the emptied out gun into the pit after pulling the trigger a few times to make sure she used up every bullet in it. With each and every step she made her way towards the sound of weak breathing up ahead at the edge of the cliff leading to the lava pit…

...Scar himself as Twilight manages to reach him before using one of her front hooves to pry the gun out of his paws and firmly on the ground. Twilight moved to look down where Scar lies now choking, bleeding, and grasping his own neck due to a bullet hole fired right through it. The two locked eyes with one another. While the princess looks on firmly and devoid of emotion, the former tyrant looks on surprised that actually happened before moving to chuckle in amusement at the sudden turn of events. He did so with his last breath before the remaining life leaked out of him. And with that and simple push over the edge, the now deceased body plopped into the lava down below to be burned and never be seen again.

Once that was done, Twilight could find herself sigh a breath of relief before walking backwards away from the ledge as it crumbled seconds later all with her back turned from it. It wasn’t easy like before but she did it. She defeated Scar even without magic. She managed to deliver the decapitating blow to finally end this very war again.

Upon turning back she found herself being embraced by the whole Guard and her family, all looking delighted and relieved to see she did it all.

“Twilight!”

“Mom!”

“Oh! Thank goodness you’re okay!”

“We were so worried about you!”

Kion, Spike, Shining Armor, and Cadance all expressed with relief and tears in their eyes as Twilight returned the embrace with the same relief and heartfelt tears coming out of her eyes.

“So was I.” Twilight returned. “I’m so glad to see you all again!” She said with a smile. She then turned to see Starlight who is looking equally relieved as everyone else. “So much as I am to see the pony who helped make this possible.” Once they broke apart from the hug with Flurry still clinging on and riding the back of her neck, Twilight moved to approach her student. "You've come a long way, Starlight. And it’s a good thing you managed to avoid capture when most others didn’t have the same luck you did."

Starlight Glimmer smiled somewhat nervously. "Y-yeah, me too. Thanks to me it looks like the changelings aren't going to be a threat anymore. Another ally for both Equestria and the Pride Lands in addition they have a new leader. That is assuming you are up for it, Thorax?" She then asked the changeling.

Thorax looked on confused in response. "Oh! I-I guess I am their new leader now..." He looked to the other changelings. "That is of course if you're all okay with that, right? Me being your new king or something similar, right?" The changelings nodded back to him in agreement.

“There they are!” Jasiri happily called out as she Janja and the rest of the Pride Landers appeared equally pleased to see everyone is all right.

“Twilight! Starlight! They’re both okay!” Ma Tembo happily stated as the two hyenas were quick to approach them.

Upon getting a good look at Twilight, Jasiri gasped at the bullet wounds on her chest and the left side of her stomach. “Twilight. You’re shot!”

“I know.” Twilight acknowledged even with the surrounding gasps of her closet friends and family. “I’ll be fine.”

“Well done, Starlight Glimmer. You too, Twilight.” Princess Luna then commented with a smile with what she is seeing. “Thanks to you both, Scar is finally gone. We’ve won.”

But at the same time, Spike brought up. "What about Chrysalis and Zira?" And he looked to Twilight with a nervous glance. "Think they’re still around? That was a pretty big explosion they were caught up in."

The young alicorn could only shake her head and sigh. "If my guess is right, they’ll have survived, unfortunately. I doubt that’s the last we’ve seen of them unlike the skinks along with Ushari if the cobra himself is blessed with enough luck on his side."

As if to prove Twilight's point, some rubble at the edge of a cliff began to stir. And from it emerged Chrysalis, slightly battered but otherwise unharmed along with Zira and Ushari. "You are all going to pay for this!" She angrily hissed, but her defiant attitude didn't last long when she saw all the changelings along with everyone from the Royal Family, Lion and Pony Guard, along with all of their allies who had all just arrived on the scene, with fists, charged horns, wings, at the ready with angry eyes. And that didn't even begin to account for the powerful unicorns or the presence of Discord, the lord of chaos now looking to get some payback on the remaining fallen leaders without Scar to back them up this time around.

"It's over, Chrysalis," Twilight declared to the defeated, now ex-queen with her eyes turning to the lioness who is now arriving looking on as if something is now right here. "You too, Zira and Ushari. Now the question is, how hard are you gonna make this for yourselves? Both of you. But either way you’re both are the one’s going to pay for your crimes against our kingdoms!"

"Never!" Chrysalis defiantly hissed. "I'm never going back to prison!"

“Me neither!” Zira angrily returned as she looked around hoping that Scar is still around to back them up like he always does. “Wait! Where’s Scar?! Scar? Scar?! SCAR!” She then realized upon seeing the burning body down below on a slab of rocks waiting to melt and fall into the lava. “NO!” Desperate to see him still alive, she moved down towards the lava as close as she can so she can help see too it that he really is okay. “Stay with me! Scar! Scar!” Zira screamed in tears when it was clear his body is now reduced to smoke and ash.

Ushari who emerged from the rumble and moved to see what has happened looked on equally horrified and devastated as the rock crumbled allowing Scar’s body to completely burn in the pool. “In answer to your question, princess. I choose to do this the hard way for you are going to pay for destroying Scar.”

Twilight simply sighed. "Of course you all would. Always defiant to the end." She began to approach the former queen along with the lioness leader and cobra.

Discord began to rub his paws together. "Oh, this is going to be fun!"

But Starlight shouted! "Wait!" And desperately lit up her horn! She then turned to Twilight and pleaded with her mentor before she and the others could decide to do anything to the defeated trio. "Please, can I talk with them. I've been where she's been, and I think I know how to reach them."

"Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Twilight asked.

“Because that sounds like a risk we don’t need to take.” Kion added also wary of them.

Starlight insisted to both alicorns. "Please, just this once. If I'm wrong, they’re all yours to take back to jail never to be seen again." Then she added. "Considering you gave me a chance, I think it’s the least you can do for me to give Chrysalis that same chance."

Twilight took one look at her student's eyes and could see the determination reflected in them. “Very well.” So she turned back to Chrysalis, Zira, and Ushari and told them. "Consider this your lucky day for the three of you. My student has something she would like to say. So if I were you listen very carefully or you all are going to regret doing so.”

“And by that we mean all of us!” Kion added with his claws bared ready to make good on the princess’s promise.

“Yeah! What he said! Especially you, Ushari!” Bunga added while ready to pounce on the cobra if any of them try anything on them.

Satisfied that her request had been granted, the reformed unicorn approached Chrysalis and somberly stated. "When Twilight and her friends defeated me, I chose to run away and seek revenge! But you don't have to, it's not too late for you to escape my fate!" She pleaded before offering her hoof. "Please, take my hoof. Let me show you a better way. And this way, you can become the leader you were meant to be. The leader your subjects deserve rather than the one they may need right now."

Chrysalis looked back to Starlight Glimmer and then down at the ground and so did Zira and Ushari. They briefly seemed to consider the unicorn's offer as the former she brought her hoof close. But as she did so she could see what had become of the changelings, and seeing their brightly colored state of appearance caused a frown on to form on her face. She then swatted Starlight's hoof away. "As if I'd let myself be consumed by the poison you injected into all of them?! You are sadly mistaken to think I’d give up what I once had until you came along and helped Twilight destroy it along with Scar who helped make this all possible."

"What?! No! That's not true!" Starlight protested. "What I’m really saying is that what's on the inside and not the outside that counts most! A better lifestyle to pursue than pursing hatred and vengeance!"

Chrysalis rolled her eyes. "I don’t even know the meaning of those horrible words!" Then she vowed. "Mark my words: There is no revenge you could ever conceive of that will come close to what I will exact upon you one day, Starlight Glimmer! Both you and Princess Twilight are someday going to pay for this and you’ll all regret it when that day comes!"

“Nor will I ever let it go!” Zira also angrily stated as she kept her claws bared and eyes targeted on the enemy she want’s dead the most.

“Same here!” Ushari firmly stated as he too locked eyes on the mare who killed his master. “This is for you, Scar!” With that he made a furious lung at the princess who was quick to dodge the attempted bite.

“Oh no you don’t!” Bunga quickly returned while running after him.

“Keep your claws off of her and back off, Zira!” Simba commanded while pursing the lioness himself.

Ushari then slithered his way up to Twilight again who is ready to fend off against him once more. But as he lunged, Bunga was quick to tackle him down causing them both to tumble into the lava pit both screaming as they fell down.

Thankfully, Kion was quick to use his magic to levitate the honey badger out and away from what would have been his fiery demise while Ushari found himself plopping into the lava himself just like his master just moments ago. At the same time, Zira found herself pinned down on the ledge beside them by the furious lion king himself with no means of being able to escape and free herself from it.

“Like Twilight said Zira, it’s over.” Simba then coolly and coldly stated to the pinned down and defeated lioness. “And now you’re coming with us.”

“That’s what you think.” Just then Chrysalis made a lunge at Simba in an effort to catch him off guard along with Twilight and Kion…

But at that moment, both Shining Armor and Princess Cadance were quick to body slam the ex-queen away and spiraling out of control in flight.

“If that’s what you thought you were going to do...!”

“Then think again!”

The two fiercely stated having none of her attempts to bring harm to Twilight who they very and deeply love dearly.

Because of the hit she took in, Chrysalis unfortunately had no means to steering herself properly before finding herself falling, screaming, and plopping down into the lava much like both Scar and Ushari before her. And as of now, the battle is finally over with them defeated as well.

But even still Starlight felt sad and disappointed that her attempt to reach out to them still wasn’t enough to get them to listen. Much like Scar himself they couldn't let go of their hate, and in the end it destroyed them. “So much for attempted redemption.” She glumly said to her teacher with the thought of them dying and rejecting redemption and friendship rather than accepting and living with it still fresh in her head.

Twilight however comforted her in response with a hoof on her shoulder and warm smile. “You did give it a try. Much like I tried to do with Scar once before. But what’s important now is that they’re gone while Zira’s going away for a long time. But more importantly…” She then flew up high towards the other defeated Outlanders along with their allies who came all the way up here to join their allies. “Everyone! Scar, Zira, and Chrysalis have been defeated! The Battle and by extension and war for the Pride Lands and Equestria is over!” Everyone all cheered in response to their ultimate victory over the Outlanders.

At that moment Cheezi had a sudden thought occur with this in light. “But if Scar’s gone along with Zira, who's in charge of the Outlands now?

“Ooh! Good question.” Chungu agreed.

“Yeah! What about us?” Reirei also quickly acknowledged. “If the changelings now have a new leader, who do we answer to now?!”

Janja himself moved to step forward to answer that question with a smirk plastered on his face. “If you ask me, there's only one animal that can keep the peace between the Pride Lands and the Outlands.”

“And who's that? You?” Kiburi asked as if he is crazy for thinking they’ll all listen to him with the mirroring expressions of the other Outsiders all set to agree with him there.

Janja however shook his head. “Nope, I ain't that dumb.” He then turned to someone else in mind. “From now on, Jasiri should be in charge of the Outlands.”

Jasiri looked on in surprise at the proposal. “Me?”

“Makes sense to me.”

“Me too. Can't think of anyone else better myself."

Both Kion and Twilight both liked the idea already with approving nods from the others in the Royal Family to assert that it is indeed a great idea she should step and take up.

Upon seeing this strong faith in her, Jasiri moved to step forward ready to take charge of things. “Outlanders, I know we can all get along here in the Outlands. Just so long as we respect the Circle of Life.”

“And if you don't…” Janja added to back her up. “...then you'll have to answer to Jasiri's new clan, which includes us.”

Reirei however was quick to assure that won’t be a problem. “Don't worry about us. If Jasiri's keeping you in line, the Outlands might actually be livable.”

Mzingo however felt the need to disagree. “Actually, we vultures would prefer a run-off election. The top seven candidates would be narrowed to three. And the eventual winner requiring a majority of no less than 72%…” Both Cheezi and Chungu were quick to growl him to shut up and accept this change. “Or we follow the Circle of Life, like Jasiri says. To the victor belong the spoils!”

Kiburi however remained indifferent to the change of leadership. “Don't matter who's in charge. My crocodiles can fend for ourselves. It's the crocodile way.”

"Same here!" Lightning Dust angrily returned but not without one more hateful venomous look towards her rival along with Wind Rider towards Rarity. "Mark my words, Rainbow Crash! We will meet again and by then you will pay for this insolence!"

"That's right. Because when that day comes I am going to enjoy making you pay for it by then, Rarity. And good day." Wind Rider stated before they both flew before anyone else could have a say in the matter.

As the Outlanders, they all make their leave too willingly knowing full well they have overstayed their welcome (with the sole exception of Zira and her pride who are all magically whisked up and teleported back to Tartarus in a flash by Princess Luna herself), Bunga waved them off with their backs turned. “There they go!”

"You said it!" Cheezi happily returned before turning to his leader. "I like the Pride Landers and Equestrians, Janja."

"Me too!" Chungu agreed. "Everyone's so happy."

"Yeah. I think we're on the right side now." Janja himself couldn't even deny it.

Jasiri returned a playful nudge to make sure he never forgets it. "You sure are." She laughed.

"You know, I think I could get used to that laugh."

And with one more thing left to do before all is said and done, Twilight floated over the lava pit and then worked her magic and making it rain a brief shower in where the former throne room once stood over the lava pit so the fires down there can harden into rock with nothing but vog and smoke left behind. And by doing so by extension it had the same effect to the Outlands Volcano to ensure Scar is not coming back in a fiery blaze of glory like before.

“Well I guess that settles that.” Simba then stated as the former animals of Scar’s army moved to leave in peace before turning to Thorax. “And with Scar finally gone once more, I look forward to discussing to how we can improve our relationship in the future.”

“Me too!” Celestia agreed. “However, for the moment, perhaps it is best that we leave the Changeling Kingdom to the changelings.”

Thorax then spoke up to agree but not without blushing. "Probably for the best, if you all would please? It’ll definitely take us quite some time for us to get adjusted to what has just recently happened here."

Discord smiled. "A splendid idea if you ask me!" And then he eagerly proclaimed! "Now, who’s ready to head back to Ponyville?! Because I could really go for some celebratory tea at Fluttershy's!"

Hearing that sparked surprise at the idea of a huge gathering at her place. “Oh! Uh, everypony and everybody!”

However, Starlight eyed the chaos maker and told him. "Actually, now that you've got your powers back and can send us wherever you like with a snap of your claws, could you maybe make two trips? One to the hospital to fetch some ponies to tend to Twilight…” She turned as everyone eyed the alicorn immediately nodding in agreement to that suggestion as she had stumbled down to the ground with her brother and sister-in-law quick to catch her due to the bullet wounds taking it’s effect on her.

"Of course! And what about the other one?" Discord then asked.

The reformed unicorn smiled. "That is something I feel is a better idea to go relax and celebrate, if you're up for it.” Everyone all looked on all eyes and ears for that proposal…

Things were going quite well in Cutie Markless. Despite Starlight and Sunburst's abrupt exit the day before, everypony in the village was enjoying themselves enormously.

Suddenly, however, all were surprised to see not just Starlight Glimmer but many of the Pride Landers and Equestrians that took part in the final battle against the Outlanders.

Upon seeing Starlight, Party Favor was the first to find the words and the courage to speak up. "Oh uh, hey, Starlight," He blinked in surprise. "What are you doing back here?"

Double Diamond spoke up. "You left in such a hurry before, we kinda thought you didn't wanna come. Does this mean you changed your mind?"

"You could say that," Starlight nodded before she explained. "I'm sorry about the way I acted yesterday. I know it must've seemed rude and concerning. But what got into me was that, I wasn't ready to be a leader again. Especially not for you ponies."

Night Glider blushed. "Right, that. Sorry about that. We didn’t mean to bring that up on you like that. We were just so happy to see you again."

"We hadn't heard nor seen you in ages," Sugar Belle explained to her fellow unicorn. "We'd only heard occasional stories abut you along with stories of how you’ve been helping out in fighting the war against the Outlanders. We wanted to show you how far we've come as a village since you left. And we really did need some extra hooves for some of our festival's activities."

"Yeah, I realize that now," Starlight acknowledged as she looked to her friends that had come with her. "I was afraid I might go back to being the pony I used to be if I was put in charge of anything again. I didn't realize I was still haunted by my past. But a recent experience has helped me to realize that I have changed. And sometimes, we have no choice but to step up and be a leader," She then offered. "So, I can still help out a little... if you are all still up for it."

Double Diamond smiled, pulling Starlight close. "Of course we do, Starlight. After all, if it wasn't for you we all would've ever met each other in the first place. So even at your worst, you did do something good."

The reformed unicorn smiled right back. "Yeah, I guess so. Life works in mysterious ways sometimes," And she chuckled. "By the way, I know it's sudden but I brought a lot of friends along. You already know Sunburst and Princess Twilight along with Prince Kion and their friends, but there's also Spike," She pointed to the baby dragon, and then to the hat and cape wearing unicorn beside her. "Trixie," She then pointed to the rest of the Royal Family along with the Pride Landers including Jasiri, Janja, and their clan. “Princesses Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Flurry Heart. Prince Shining Armor. Along with the Pride Landers who helped ensured the war is now over…” And then she gestured to the mismatched creature standing taller than everyone else. "And Discord. I hope you'll get to know them like I've known them. Discord especially."

"Well, we might have to make some adjustments to handle the larger crowd." Party Favor spoke up.

Night Glider added. "But with you helping us out, Starlight, we can do it!"

"Good," Starlight happily sighed before asking. "Now where's the baking contest? This pony needs a cupcake right now!"

And as Starlight Glimmer trotted off, most others spread out to enjoy what the village had to offer.

“So I'm able to rip the very fabric of reality again.” Discord commented to the others who joined Starlight in part of the rescue mission earlier.

“Yeah, yeah. And I'm still a self-absorbed, below-average illusionist, right?” Trixie scoffed like before.

“And even still I am the cowardly hyena who still has yet to learn how to be braver and more compassionate in the face of battle.” Janja remarked equally annoyed with Discord too.

“Actually, I was going to say a couple of those illusions were above average. And the same can be said for you too Janja, in regards to your bravery in dealing with the battle against those Outlanders.

“I suppose that is true.” Janja admitted.

Turning his attention back to Trixie. “If you ever need a little chaos in your act, let me know.”

Trixie once more laughed at the idea. “Ha! When pigs fly!”

“Your wish is my command!” With a snap of his talons he had a pig with wings appeared with Trixie finding herself on top of it.

“Oh!” Janja eagerly smiled. “I want in on this!” With another snap of his talons he found himself riding a flying pig too. “Aw yeah! Let’s ride!”

With a squeal as Discord slapped the bottoms of the flying pigs they all took off as fast their wings can carry them.

“Whoa! Whoooooaaaa!”

“I’m having fun already!”

Upon racing by most of the Lion and Pony Guard enjoying drinks and desserts who are all looking on like it is the most surprising thing they have seen all day, Rainbow moved to speak the question on everyone’s mind now. “Somebody and somepony is really gonna have to catch us up on what we missed.”

“Oh, yeah!” Fuli nodded. “Especially the part where Janja is now a good guy now. I mean who would have thought that would happen?”

“Not me.”

“Nor would I have guessed it.”

“Nor predicted it.”

Both Applejack, Rarity, Ono all voiced equally surprised.

“However it happened it sure must have took him long enough.” Beshte commented feeling pleased to see it himself.

“No kidding.” Fluttershy agreed feeling that day would have come sooner or later if not today.

“Hard to believe…” Jasiri spoke as she joined them with a pie in her paws. “...But it is true and is part of a story that was coming for quite a while.”

“And it’s a very relatable feeling too.” Sunset chimed in as she too is enjoying herself a pie and cake from the festivities.

“Really?” Pinkie returned feeling pleased to hear it. “Do tell.”

“Sure thing, Pinkie.” Jasiri giggled .

“Be happy to.” Sunset also giggled before they both helped themselves to their cake and pie before moving to explain to them how it all happened.

At a table right next to the others, Spike and Kion both looked to Twilight (now hooked to an IV and all patched up and treated for her injuries) who had tears in her eyes.

"Are you okay, Twilight?"

“Are those happy or sad tears?”

Twilight Sparkle nodded with a smile. "Yes, Spike. Kion. These are happy tears. Starlight has truly come a long way from the pony she once was. From a bad leader, to follower of Scar, to a good leader in her own right. I don't think she's a student of friendship anymore. After all she's done especially today, she has learned just as much about it as I have."

"So, what does that mean for her studies?"

“Like some kind of graduation ceremony?” Spike and Kion also asked with concern.

"That's a discussion for another time and place, Spike, Kion." Twilight replied. "For now, let's just let her enjoy herself. She's earned this victory as much as I have."

Deep down in said unicorn's mind before partaking in said events she sang herself the same somber tune she once sang to herself before it grew it a more hopeful and peaceful tune towards the end after seeing herself of what she has become since meeting the Lion and Pony Guard from Day One.

I'll Try! (Reprise)

Not only that another moment not too long along occurred in her head. The moment she found herself explaining to Twilight of what happened that day with Sunburst by her side.

"I'm sorry, Twilight. I really tried. The anxiety and panic I felt at that moment was too much." Starlight shamefully explained with her head and ears lowered to mirror her current expression. "I just couldn't do it. I have failed you, Twilight."

Twilight however shook her head, having none of that self-enforced notion she implementing on herself. "You have not failed me. And it's okay. Really." She then moved to place a gentle hoof on her chin to get her to look directly into her purple eyes of wisdom even while tearing up. "And do you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because I know what's it like to go through that." She then recalled. "Back after my return to Equestria I have found myself dealing with the scorn and contempt of the Pride Landers and rightfully so. Even defeating Scar wasn't enough for them to ease off that anger they had for me. At least until they can to their senses at the same time I grew more of a spine to stand up for myself more. From there we are able to make peace where our trust in one another was rebuilt and we all saw each other eye to eye better than before."

"Really? Wow." Starlight returned really seeing herself in a mirror now and someone she can strive to be if she makes the progressing steps to do so. "Do you really think I can do it if I tried again?"

"Absolutely. But only when you are truly really." Twilight returned with a warm smile.

Even while still feeling uncertain inside, she now is feeling more self assured than before to get herself smiling and ready to make the first steps into getting herself to cross the bridge once more. A day that would come the day she owned up to leadership and played a vital role in defeating Scar, Zira, and Chrysalis with the latter being someone she could have turned out to be had remained on the dark path she was on a year ago. A smile that happened to be on her face in the present day as she felt herself becoming a new pony now.

All while the ongoing celebrations at the village are going on, Zira and most of her pride (expect Kovu and Vitani) can only look on and growl at the sight of what has just happened. They have all suffered a big time loss unlike before and now they are with only what they have outside of the Pride Lands, Outlands, and Equestria. So with the only thing they can they all turned their backs away from the border with hopes and plans to be able to fight another day and hoping they can avenge Scar along with finishing off what he had started before disappearing in a flash of dark magic courtesy of Zira herself.

At the same time strong surges of magic are felt in the ongoing campfires near the beaches leading to Mount Aris. One that has the sound of a certain laughing enemy still lurking around even with the death of his physical body...

Author's Note

Okay, now that all is said and read here, now is the part of getting into on what quite a finale that was and what happened. Janja and his clan have performed a Heel Face Turn with the former making a solid start to redemption with what he did in this finale, The changelings (barring the Irredeemable Exception of course) all do the same with a new strive for pursing love. And oh yes, Scar is finally defeated, Ushari and Chrysalis are Killed off for Real, the Pride Landers Outlanders War is now over with the Legion of Doom disbanded, and Jasiri is the new Big Good of the Outlands.

As for what led up to this moment, I thought it would be nice to try to incorporate the primary and secondary characters together to give both sides a fair share to shine without being sided to a few lines here and there like minor characters do. And thanks to the addition of Sunset (Back for the Finale to boot), I was able to find a way for the Lion and Pony Guard to be able lead the invading attack on the Outlands (Changeling Kingdom in this case) like in cannon, without making it all about Starlight along with the rescue party, and of course giving Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Shining Armor, and Simba the time to shine they didn't also get in canon too.

Also for the record the Battle for the Pride Lands in my opinion the best episode of the Lion Guard, and for those disappointed by excluding what happens to Kion and Ono, I haven't forgotten about that. Why it hasn't happened now was because it wasn't in my interest for that occur at this time.

As for Scar himself, he is defeated or if the ending is any indication (for now) but that said he is not coming back against the heroes for Season 7 (barring some scenes here and there, which you will find out when it happens and only when it does.). And something for those questioning why he was still around for Seasons 5 and 6 for the sake of a forced plot understand this, his canon arc in the show was the spice that sparked many interested viewers to the show in the first place, so there's no doing away with it and respect it.

And although the war that has lasted for four seasons, four years both in the canon and real timeline, with Zira and her pride now exiled outside of both the Pride Lands and Equestria, there will be another war coming up with them leading the charge coming the Pride Lands and Equestria's way.

Speaking of Season 7 to how I am going to tackle that, you'll have that answer on my next blog but it will be a while until that happens. But for now stay tuned...

Episode 1: The Crystalling Part One

Episode 1:

The Crystalling Part One

Back before things were all full of bright colors and exceptional talent back at the village where Starlight Glimmer once ruled. Said mare herself was personally relishing at what she has accomplished as she walks around town viewing in her mind the perfect village and utopia. No cutie marks, nopony and nobody stands out from one another, and with everyone all treated equally.

As she walked across town she’s greeted with forced and friendly smiles just like she wanted them to.

“Welcome!”

“Welcome!”

“Welcome!”

“Welcome!”

“Welcome!”

“Thank you, very much everypony.” Starlight kindly returned to them as she made her out of town. “Be back in a little while.”

As said mare went off, the other mares particularly those who personally didn’t agree with this lifestyle and wishing they could be able to more than what they are capable of now look on in relief that she is gone for now. But at the same time, saddened since she is heading up the path that leads towards that secret cave of hers. The one and only one where she has contained each and every pony’s cutie marks of all of the ponies that currently live in her village.

Once inside her cave, she looks on at each and every cutie mark as collectible trophies to remind her of how much power and control she has over them. The very thing that led to the heartbreak of never being able to see her childhood friend again. Though at the same time, a part of her is downhearted, and wishing she could be able to reunite with him and rekindle her friendship with him. But at the same time, she doesn’t know how and where can she find and be able to do so. After all, as she last recalled she is off fulfilling his dream to become a big and important master of magic wizard. A dream that he has always wanted his entire life.

“If only wishes are that easy to make come true…” Starlight said to herself just when she heard a voice inside her cave that would go on to change her life forever.

“Depends on who you ask, Starlight Glimmer.” A certain voice said to her. Starlight upon hearing that voice quickly yielded her staff with her magic at the ready to attack whoever is inside the or just outside the cave when needed.

“Where are you?! Show yourself!”

“Now, now, now, no need to resort to violence and hostilities.” Said voice continued to speak to her as she looked around the cave trying to spot out the intruder. “Especially when there’s a golden opportunity in life right in front of you.” Said voice made it’s appearance clear as crystal when Scar appeared right before her very eyes as a reflection from where the cutie marks are being contained.

“Like what exactly? And who are you supposed to be?” Starlight skeptically asked as she looked on finding herself at a standstill given where he is now appearing since trying to attack him right there would destroy her hold on every cutie mark she has in her grasp.

“Someone who has something worth hearing out. Specifically something or someone that stands in your way of obtaining the perfect village you have always desired.”

Hearing the right words had Starlight considering this is worth her listening ear. “Go on.”

“Residing right in the heart of Equestria are a group of ponies along with companions who work together in bringing peace and unity to the whole kingdom.”

“Okay.”

“Each and every one like you, all have cutie marks, very special and fascinating cutie marks that would make your growing collection look even more better than before.”

“Hmm. Tempting. Tempting. And this is worth my attention, how?”

“Because Starlight as of recently, the Lion and Pony Guard are starting to answer calls towards friendship problems expanding beyond Ponyville. Which means sooner or later, they’ll be coming right up to your doorstep and will uncover your secret. The secret of you having a cutie mark beneath that very equal sign on your flank.” To prove that he knows, he simply blew on it to make her true mark show for his eyes to see.

Starlight groaned as she quickly covered it up like that moment never happened before voicing her thoughts about what she is just told. “Okay. That is definitely worth my attention. Especially when you put it that way.”

“Indeed.” Scar smirked as he prepared to make her an offer she can’t refuse. “Now if you want to ensure that doesn’t happen…” He said as he showed Starlight a visual of castle throne room. “...I can help you out.”

“How?”

“Just listen to my instructions and follow them to the T and you’ll find your life changing for the better. Now, are you in?”

After a moment, Starlight gave him her answer. “Yes.”

“Excellent.”

Interestingly and ironically, things did work out for the better as Starlight is now working to be a redeemed pony having just become the Princess of Friendship’s new student. While she is still facing legal trouble given her involvement with Scar, she has nothing to worry about other than mandatory missions and patrols with the Guard while under probation, thanks to her last second decision to accept Twilight’s hoof in friendship and reformation. A decision that allowed her to save everyone when it seemed like half of the Royal Family nearly succumbed to their near fatal injuries and the whole Guard was about to burned to death over a pool of lave inside the Outlands Volcano. A decision that is now leading her on towards the beginning of her first friendship lesson instead of spending life in the Canterlot Dungeon.

For Starlight herself, it is definitely a start to a brighter future.

"Okay. Library... Library... Where did they put the library?" Starlight Glimmer asked herself as she wandered around through the castle hallways albeit while feeling lost. The castle itself is so large with tall ceilings and long endless hallways with a variety of doors that all looked identical to one another. She opened the first door which she believed was the library, or would at least lead her to it. When she did, all she saw was yet another line of hallways in opposite directions. The unicorn sighed in annoyance.

"This castle looked a lot smaller from the outside." She said to herself before closing the door and turning to open another one with her magic when she did she heard the sound of running water. Inside, Spike was brushing his teeth in front of a mirror, wearing a towel around his waist and fuzzy slippers on his feet.

"Morning, Starlight!" He greeted with a muffled sounding voice due to the toothpaste in his mouth.

"Whoops!" Starlight Glimmer quickly shut the door and shielded her eyes in response to what she saw.

Even while Spike never really wears clothes, and he didn't appear embarrassed about seeing the unicorn and mind at all, Starlight didn't feel right about interrupting someone while they were in the bathroom. At least she caught him brushing his teeth instead of anything else.

"Sorry, Spike! I guess I'm still trying to find my way around. You don't happen to know where the library is, do you?"

Spike poked his head from the door and pointed with his toothbrush. "Next door on the left!" He said, his voice still muffled and full of toothpaste.

Starlight turned her head to the door that was right in front of her coming to realize that she was standing in front of the library this whole time. "Oh. Thanks!" Using her magic, Starlight opened the door and walked right in to see Princess Twilight looking over some scrolls. Once she noticed the company, she stopped and greeted her friend.

"Starlight, good morning, come in! What brings you here? Everything alright?"

It hadn’t been long since Starlight had reformed and joined the Lion and Pony Guard even if it was a requirement under penalty of law. So far, she was accustoming nicely to her new lifestyle. While under pony supervision her time on patrol with the Lion and Pony Guard has been off to a smooth start. At least while encountering various animals she’s terrorized from serving as Scar’s right hand pony none of them moved to jeer, scream, shout, yell, insult, curse, and throw rocks at her. But then again, it could be because Twilight and Kion insisted against it since she’s already being punished enough for her actions.

Aside from that, with Starlight using her powers for good now, her magic proved vital in helping spot out the Outsiders whenever they try peering from the border. It also does help that she does know the ins and outs of the Outsiders sneaking around given her recent past experience and knowing exactly how Scar’s cronies operate.

“Yep. Everything’s all peaches and cream!” Starlight replied. Though, Twilight could tell from the tone of her voice that this was not the case.

"Expect...?" Twilight asked with a raised an eyebrow to prompt her to open up about what’s really troubling her right now.

Starlight sighed before replying with, "Sunburst."

"What about him?” Twilight asked with concern.

"Nothing other than the fact I really miss him. It wasn’t until relieving the last time I saw him it started surfacing up in my mind. Now that I do, ever since I’ve wished I could have gone back to the many opportunities I had to reconnect with him and took it. And before you say anything, I’m not asking for another time travel spell so I can go back in time and change it, it’s just what I now see as one of my biggest regrets in life.”

“I understand.” Twilight replied with a tone of sympathy. “And you’re not the only pony who feels that way.”

“Really?” Twilight nodded as Starlight figures out instantly that she is talking about herself. “Do you have any big regrets?”

“Yes, I do. Two actually. The day I decided to join Scar in his campaign to take over the two worlds in the name of revenge and the day and the way I handled things leading up to my brother’s first attempt at the wedding which I regret the most.”

“You mean how Chrysalis tricked every pony into believing that she was Cadance and got you acting irrational to the point you got into a heated argument with her and then your brother chewed you out and kicked you out of the wedding all together along with your pony friends all ditching you in the dust?” Starlight asked before quickly adding to assure she isn’t trying to hurt her feelings. “Just asking because Scar kinda already told me what he did and how he orchestrated Chrysalis’s plan to work in his favor along with giving you that scar on your face.”

“Yes.” She replied with closed eyes of shame. “Had I not acted so rash and irrational back then, the Pride Lands and Equestria wouldn’t be at war with Scar, and everyone wouldn’t be at edge waiting for when he might attack again.”

“I see.” Starlight shifted her eyes uncomfortably feeling she reopened that wound of hers. “You know I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad, right?”

“I know.”

“I was just thinking of how while Sunburst didn’t mean to ignore, you however didn’t have the same fortune as your friends deliberately ditched you even Princess Celestia. And if they hadn’t done so you never would have gotten hurt and wouldn’t have reason to turn against them. You know what I’m saying.” She further explained while hoping her honesty isn’t pushing the subject too far. “I’m sorry. I’m just curious is all.”

“It’s okay, Starlight.” Twilight assured not bothered by her questions. “Both of those statements are true but even still I don’t use that as an excuse for what I did up until I reformed myself. Because at the end of the day I ended up being no better than Scar himself and I nearly did something unforgivable because of it.”

“Right, right, the whole Midnight Sparkle rampage.”

“Mmm-hmm.” Twilight nodded.

“Wow.” Starlight breathed astonished with how much they can relate. “Amazing of how much we’re the same deep down, huh?”

“Yep. Sisi Ni Sawa.” She then turned to a pile of papers she had placed on the table. “And if you want, one reformed pony speaking out to another, I have something that can help you out with that.”

“Like what?”

“Since we’re planning on going to the Crystal Empire for the upcoming Crystalling, you could use the time before then after we arrive to meet with Sunburst since he is now currently living there.”

“Really?!” Starlight’s ears perked up with hope upon hearing this. “You mean he actually lives there?!”

“Yep.” She presents a card with his home address on it. “That is of course if you’re up to it.”

“I’d have to think about it a little, but I might be open for it and consider it my first friendship lesson.”

“Okay. Just let me know before we leave so I can arrange it. In the meantime, why don't you go join the others in the throne room? They're planning our trip to the Crystal Empire when Shining Armor and Princess Cadance host the Crystalling ceremony!"

"Throne room! Got it!" Starlight quickly made a mad dash out of the library and headed for the throne room…only to return a few seconds latter, "Um, which way is the throne room again? All these doors look the same." She asked with a nervous and apologetic laugh and smile, making Twilight sigh and roll her eyes with a smile as she gave her the directions to said room.

Starlight Glimmer entered the throne room and, like what Twilight said, all of the Lion and Pony Guard are present. Each and everyone from the team all sat on their respected thrones.

"Well, I think we should leave ASAP." Rainbow Dash suggested as she sat on her respected throne. "I don't want to miss the Crystalling!"

"But we haven’t been invited yet, Rainbow Dash." Ono voiced against the idea while shaking his beak. "And it would be considered rude for friends of family to show up without an invitation."

“Hate to break it to you, Rainbow, but Ono’s right.” Fuli said in agreement.

“And I’m sure it’ll come soon enough.” Beshte assured.

"Frankly, I'm not exactly clear on all the customs and traditions of the Crystal Empire, especially when it comes to a Crystalling." Applejack commented while sitting on her throne.

"What's a Crystalling?" Starlight Glimmer asked just as she walked in.

Rarity was the first to answer her question, "Well, that's just it, darling. While Princess Cadance and Shining Armor's baby is already here, we're still not sure of when it’s going to be in light of the drama that has happened recently. I mean it’s still going to happen, it’s just a matter of timing it perfectly so that Scar doesn’t try to turn it against us...again. And even with that we’re still not sure. The Crystal Empire was gone for a thousand years. A lot of their customs are a bit murky."

“But we do know it’s got something to do with the new baby." Bunga spoke up.

"And a party!" Pinkie Pie said rather quickly as she poked her head from underneath the rounded table, surprising both Starlight and Bunga with the latter more delighted than shocked. The pink pony smiled widely with her nose now touching Starlight’s.

"And the Crystal Heart." Fluttershy added.

"And a party!" Pinkie repeated while frightening Fluttershy.

"And some kinda cool energy." Rainbow Dash said last, only to have Pinkie Pie appear on the table.

"And… a party!" She repeated again while exploding confetti everywhere. Rainbow Dash returned an annoyed and deadpan look, while Starlight looked on in confusion.

"It's not hard to understand. Most things in the Crystal Empire aren't." Spike explained as he and Kion entered the room with the latter’s tail tightly clinging onto something very delicate. An ancient purple colored vase with beautifully artistic images painted around it. Spike jumped onto his throne and unfolded a scroll he was carrying, revealing an image of himself holding the Crystal Heart. "Like how I'm a big hero there, for example!"

Said reminder was met with indifferent looks from the rest of the group, while Rarity stifled a giggle. Kion only rolled her eyes and placed the vase onto the table very carefully. "Plus, me and Twilight did do a lot of research on Crystallings."

He then moved to explain of how the Crystalling works as Kion worked his magic to make the drawings of said event come to life much like Makini’s staff.

"Whenever a baby is born in the Crystal Empire, the parents bring it before the Crystal Heart. They get the purest shard of crystal they can find, then pick a crystaller to present the baby to everypony who comes. Then they all share the light and joy they feel, feeding it into the crystal that joins with the Heart, and increases its power! And this is going to be a royal Crystalling, so pretty much the whole empire will show up. That hasn't happened in a millennia!"

"What do you mean it increases the Crystal Heart's power?" Starlight asked.

"It increases the energy powering the magic it uses to protect the Crystal Empire. Without, the entire place would be lost to the Frozen North with a never ending blizzard of snow." Kion answered while moving to explain to everyone how he knows. “I’ve worked with Twilight as she explained it to me.”

“Before gushing over being able to spend more time with her new little niece.” Fuli asked with a teasing grin.

“Yep.”

“And what about you, Kion? You excited to see your little niece, too?”

“Oh, yeah!” Fuli looked on not totally convinced. “I am really! I’m just still taking in of how unique she is.”

“Like her being an alicorn baby?”

“Yep.”

“Do tell.” Bunga then further pressed on his best friend while grabbing him by the cheeks. “Seriously do tell!”

“Okay, okay.” Kion relented as he recalled the memory of first meeting her while her parent’s were recuperating in the hospital while shaking Bunga off. “It wasn’t until the parents were healed enough to allow company outside of family that I was able to finally to see their new baby. And when I did she sure was quite a sight.”

“And since we were there that’s something I definitely remember.” Ono remarked while recalling said memory himself.

The entire group walked into the nursery, where the new mother, Cadance, new father, Shining Armor, and the alicorns, awaited. Rafiki gestured to the bed while standing to the side to allow the group to walk in the room and greet the adorable little bundle of joy, wrapped around in her blanket. Twilight moved to greet the child once more, with Kion by her side since he is the baby’s honorary uncle.

After all of that drama from recently, Twilight herself was rewarded by being able to greet her very own niece for the very first time as an aunt. Everyone in the team was absolutely amazed and adoring the newborn child. Said filly was colored of light pink in coat color with a long unicorn horn, light purple hair with light blue streaks, and a cute tiny little nose perfect for giving nose kisses. And Kion was especially delighted to see the little one since this is the first time he gets to see a baby pony. To him it was just as beautiful as when Muhimu had her foal.

“Hello there! It’s me Aunty Twilight!”

“And this is your uncle Kion, little one. Here to welcome you to the family.”

The baby foal upon seeing them babbled in delight as she wiggled herself out of the blanket she is tucked in.

“Aw, so cute!” Bunga gushed with clasped paws while the others looked on equally awe-struck at the lovely sight.

Even Fuli and Kyoga couldn’t help but smile and look on with amazement at seeing the little pride and joy of the Royal Family.

“Seriously, how can you be so cute and adorable.”

“I know, right!”

“Comes and goes with each and every baby. Common knowledge, really.” Ono replied with sincerity and happy eyes locked on the filly. “Like father, like daughter.”

The little fill then wiggled the blanket off of her body to reveal her body from her adorable hooves to her tail and ears earning a whole crowd of gasps.

“Or I could be wrong.” He then uttered just completely stunned at what he along with the others are seeing.

However, it wasn't the hooves or ears everyone was looking at nor the blue diaper she is wearing. The real shocker is...her wings. On her back appeared a pair of large pink feathered wings that spread out in an open span the moment the blanket came off of her body.

Twilight on the other hand, only looked on in confusion, not gasping or gazing in shock, just trying to comprehend the expression’s on her friend’s faces. “What?” She asked with an arched eyebrow including at the jaw dropped Kion. “Why are you all staring me like this is the biggest shocker you’ve ever seen?”

“Um, because, how can I say this…” Ono began.

“Because the baby has wings!” Bunga exclaimed with his arms both spread out both directed at the wiggling foal herself who simply let out a burbling sound its mouth and began sucking on her little hooves. “But she is still very cute, though.”

“No questioning that.” Fuli commented with a shrug after getting over her brief shock first before moving to get close with the filly herself. “And aren’t you such a cute and silly girl. Yes, you are! Yes, you are!” The baby giggled as she attached her tiny hooves onto her nose with Fuli moved to hold her as she did so.

Twilight along with Cadance and Kion both chuckled in amusement with how well they are getting along. And this is a cheetah who normally would knock whoever tried to hug or touch her like that off of her body with zero hesitation.

“Okay, great!” Ono expressed with a mixture of sincerity and confusion. “But that doesn’t explain how this foal became born an alicorn. I thought that had to be something earned.”

“Exactly.” Rarity stated in agreement. “Only by accomplishing a great princess worthy deed, darling."

“That’s what we thought too.” Shining Armor commented. “It would seem Cadance’s magic might have something to do with along with Princess Luna’s magic in her efforts to keep us alive long enough for us to be cured.”

“I’m afraid he’s right.” Luna admitted. “For it took every ounce of my magic just to barely keep everyone in the room from passing on and meeting an unfortunate end due to dire circumstances.”

“And there’s nothing wrong with that.” Kion quickly assured. “You did what you had to do.”

“And by doing what you did you saved everyone.” Beshte added in agreement.

“And for that I thank you greatly, sister.” Celestia warmly shared to which had her sibling feel much better about herself.

“Me too.” Cadance shared feeling very grateful herself. “Admittedly, it’s something that’s a surprise to us to, Rarity.” Cadance explained. “Especially with what else we discovered she can do.”

“Like what?”

“Well…” Shining Armor began just when the baby’s nose crinkled.

Everyone looked on eagerly awaiting for a cute little sneeze when...

...A powerful beam of light came shooting out of the baby's horn the moment she sneezed, shocking everyone in the room, forcing them to step back. Their eyes widening in shock as the beam blew a hole right through the ceiling. One of the pony nursemaids poked her head from one of the floors, the top part of her hair completely singed.

All eyes fell back on the baby, eyes wide and jaws dropped. The baby rubbed her nose and went to sleep.

“...there is that.” The baby’s father finished rather sheepishly.

“Hapana!” Ono exclaimed in shock. “Did she just do that?!”

“Yep.” Fuli replied while handing the baby on over to Twilight out of precautionary measures since she was dangerously close to getting singed herself.

“And that was something I was not expecting at all.” She commented as she gently gave her former foal sitter her baby back.

“It appears her magic is more powerful than that of a newborn unicorn. Perfectly normal for alicorns, but a tad dangerous for normal ponies." Princess Celestia commented as she observed the child snuggling and sleeping under her mother’s care. “But nothing that can’t be tamed with the right and proper care.”

Pinkie Pie then popped up already excited. "Wow! A unicorn, and a Pegasus! So she could be a super-strong flyer and have crazy baby magic!"

"Well, I know all about super-strong flying!" Rainbow Dash remarked as she made a soft air flip to emphasize her point, crossing her hooves and smiling confidently.

"And Kion, Kyoga and I can help keep tabs on her magic!" Twilight vouched, as the baby cooed with her little hooves reaching out to her aunt.

“Well I can assure you all that you’ll have that chance when the upcoming Crystalling happens…” Shining Armor assured before adding in a somewhat unsure in his tone and expression. “...assuming current events and circumstances will allow it.”

“Any idea when that might be?” Applejack asked.

“Not sure. At least when we’re completely sure Scar doesn’t have any plans to use this to his advantage.”

“Maybe that is for the best.” Fluttershy agreed. “Considering that every time we try to celebrate something there’s always something that Scar will take advantage of and nearly take over our kingdom’s.”

“Yeah.” Kion nodded as he began to connect the dots dating back to the first Canterlot Wedding. “He always does.”

“Well, hopefully he won’t.” Bunga optimistically commented. “And there can be another wonderful party all across the Crystal Empire.”

“We’ll see, Bunga. We’ll see.”

Back in the present, with the memory having already processed in their heads, Pinkie was the first to speak her mind of what’s come.

“And to think that any day now since Scar hasn’t been causing any trouble recently…” She pulled out an empty green balloon and blew on it, inflating it instantly and wrapping a string around it so she can float from the ground. “...This Crystalling is gonna be some party!" She said just as the balloon popped a few seconds later.

“Pinkie…” Fuli said not feeling comfortable with having to break it to her like this. “One good week after a near-death experience doesn’t mean it’s going to happen like nothing happened.”

“Do you think they’re going to call it off?” Bunga asked unsure of what to do himself.

“I would like to hope not.” Rarity expressed feeling unsure herself. “I can't imagine canceling such a beautiful and important ceremony over something so potentially adorable!"

“Yeah so are ponies who can be capable of deceiving anyone without them being aware of what’s happening until it’s too late…” Fuli quickly turned back to both Twilight and Starlight apologetically. “...no offense.”

“None taken.”

Both girls replied in unison though Starlight still feels guilt surface up due to playing a part of Scar’s campaign for world conquest.

“Point being…” Twilight quickly spoke up. “… it’ll happen when it happens and all we can do now is hope that things will work out in the end.”

“I suppose.” Starlight replied hoping that’s the case. Though a part of her can’t even deny that someway somehow things will rear it’s ugly head one way or another.

Unbeknownst to the heroes, Scar himself is looking alongside Sombra through magical surveillance, both looking on feeling certain about their next move, with the Crystal Empire being the next target on their minds.

The days throughout the following week went like time was moving along. On one day Starlight was once more dreading the very potential day when Starlight would find herself reconnecting with Sunburst, all while still struggling to navigate the castle's many confusing hallways. And it she had the misfortune to happen to open another door and find Spike posing, flexing his muscles in front of a mirror with a smile on his face.

"Ugh! I swear, I am never gonna find my way around this place! Never!"

Spike quickly hopped down from the stool he'd been standing on to use for his posing, rushing up to the insecure unicorn and comforting her to the best of his ability. "Everything okay, Starlight, aside from constantly getting lost around here? If so, there’s nothing to worry about. It just takes time to know your way around.”

“No...it’s just...this is still all a shock to me.” Starlight honestly admitted. “It was only just recently I went from being enemies to becoming friends and the student to the very pony I focused my hate-filled vendetta against.”

“But it’s all in the past now.” Spike reassured. “Not only do I see you as family but Twilight sees something in you that not every pony does.”

Starlight Glimmer only returned a glum look as she replied. "Right. Potential. The very drive to got me to despise cutie marks in the first place, and try to get revenge against Twilight for showing up and exposing me in front of the village I used to rule over along with their cutie marks, and nearly help Scar take over both worlds.” She sighed. “It’s not that I am not grateful for the fact that I now have friends and not spending time behind bars. Not even being in good graces with the princesses and king I conspired against is that. It’s just…”

“Yeah?”

“...one of the potential friendship lessons involves meeting up with the one pony I hadn’t seen in years along with confessing to him of what I’ve done since yet is.”

“Have you told Twilight that? I’m sure she wouldn’t put you up to it if you don’t want to see Sunburst.”

“I did. It’s like a part of me doesn’t want to go but another part does and wants to try to reconnect with him.”

“Right a split decision. I see what you’re saying.” Spike nods sympathetically very understanding of her thoughts. “So I guess the real question now is, do you really want to reunite with Sunburst or not?”

At that moment, Starlight began to recall the memories she had with Sunburst when growing up together as foals. Back when they were living in that small village and back when Starlight had her mane worn in pigtails instead of her current style. Including the one memory of the day Sunburst got his cutie mark, the very last day they ever saw each other.

"Well…” Deep down she was about to say no, at least until she remembered how much Sunburst meant to her. How much he helped and encouraged her even when things didn’t match up to the bar he was setting. “...the more I think about him, it’s like the more I’m leaning on wanting to say yes. But I just can’t because chances are I tell him the truth and he’ll just turn me away for good.”

“Never hurts to try.” Spike said otherwise as he advised. “And if not, Twilight won’t take any offense to you saying no you’re not up for that. In fact, it took her weeks before she regained the courage to come back to Equestria.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. And considering she knows what it’s like coming off the heels of being a bad pony, she’ll be very understanding of whatever decision you make.”

“Hmm...maybe so…” Starlight came to agree herself as she more and more feels that Twilight truly can relate to her.

“Go for it, Starlight.” Spike encouraged as he gestured towards the library which isn’t far from the room they are currently standing in.

In short time, Starlight managed to find her way back to the library where she managed to come across Twilight once more looking over some papers. And judging from the look on her face along with the reduced number of papers, it would seem things have been narrowed down for her.

“Twilight.” Starlight greeted.

“Oh hey, Starlight.” Twilight greeted happily.

“What have you got there?”

“Oh, funny you mentioned it. Because I just going to call you.” She then turned to face her new student as they moved their talk out towards the balcony. “I did some thinking and I’ve thought of some other options that you can do for your first friendship lesson.”

“Oh, really?” Starlight looked on hoping it’s something that’s actually worth pursing. “Like what?”

“Other than reuniting with Sunburst, there’s a potential trip to Griffonstone, making friends with any griffon can be a challenge in and of itself. And there is also having you tag along with the CMC the next time they try to help somepony find their special talent.”

“All right.” Starlight commented feeling intrigued yet still not fully committed to a decision. “That’s something.”

Starlight’s hesitation to fully commit quickly brought her teacher’s attention. “Still thinking about Sunburst are you?”

“Yeah.”

“Any thoughts whether you want to do this because there is no shame in saying no. There is always other friendship lessons we can work out for you to try.”

“Well…” She still hesitated with a nervous smile before continuing her thoughts. “...I mean...they’re all very good options it’s just so hard to choose from just one. And right now I’m starting to consider the option with Sunburst.”

“Are you sure you are up for it?”

“Believe me, I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I’ve come to decide that I’ll give it a try. I mean worst thing he could do is say no and I’ll have to wait another day until he’s finally ready to reconcile with me, right?”

One look in her eyes can tell that she feels committed for the most part of wanting to pursue this reunion. “If you’re sure you are up for this, then I’ll go ahead and start writing up your lesson plan for when we visit the Crystal Empire.”

Starlight calmly replied in just a second after her mentor had finished talking. “I’m sure.” Spike having witnessed their conversation looked on proudly.

Twilight smiled seeing the courage inside Starlight for wanting to do this along with feeling comfortable enough to tell her what she really wants. “From one pony to another, I can understand of how hard it was to work the courage in facing someone you don’t feel comfortable with seeing. And I can tell you right now that you are making the right decision making those big steps.”

“Thanks.” Just then a cold wind blew in their direction. But unlike any normal wind chill, it was completely different. It’s actually a snowflake sparkling as it floated towards them. And to Twilight as she smiled in delight. "Spike! Kion! Come quick!" The dragon peeking from the corner immediately ran over to her side just when the snowflake landed on the alicorn’s hoof.

“What is it, Twilight? Everything okay?” Kion asked with a look of worry and hoping nothing’s wrong.

“Yep!” She gleefully presented the snowflake in her hoof. One that is made of paper, the edges designed with crystal styled hearts. It also doubled as an envelop, opening up in four pieces with a note inside. ‘

"The official Crystaling invitation!" Spike said excitedly upon seeing the letter.

"Shining Armor’s a father and Princess Cadance is a mother!” Kion happily declared.

"And I'm an aunt!" Twilight exclaimed, equally thrilled as she levitated the letter, "Not to mention, you’re an uncle, Kion. And the official Crystaller for the baby!"

“What?!” Kion seized the letter back, reading the words once more. “Wow! Pinch me I must be dreaming.” Suddenly he felt a literal pinch. “Ow! Bunga!”

“Guilty as charged.” He replied as he appeared right behind him. “But for the better as a pinch helps you grow an inch.” Kion looked on still somewhat annoyed. “What? It’s true.”

Starlight smiled for her friends in response. "I'm so happy for you both!"

"So am I!" Spike stated very pleased with how well things are turning out right now.

“Me too.” Scar ominously voiced while watching the scene unfold from above unnoticed with an equally pleased yet evil smirk before disappearing.

The day had finally arrived and The Lion and Pony Guard were already on their way to the Crystal Empire for the Crystalling of the newborn child. Each member came with a bearing a gift for the child. Fuli with Rarity and Kion’s help was able to create a jeweled and golden tiara. Both Beshte and Bunga got the baby two blue and red fish plush toys respectively. And Ono with Twilight’s help was able to craft together a magic-proof rattle.

Rainbow Dash yawned from her seat, waking up from her nap, looking over at Applejack's gift, which is currently covered by a blanket. "Um, Applejack, what is that?"

"Oh, just a little somethin' for the young'un." Applejack pulled the blanket off, using her mouth, to reveal a wooden baby crib with apple imprints on it. "Made from genuine Sweet Apple Acres apple trees. We make 'em for all the Apples, and anypony related to Twilight is practically family." Twilight felt deeply touched by both the gift and the comment.

Rainbow Dash, on the other hand, rolled her eyes in response. "Yeah, it's okay... But it's no Cloudsdale mobile! Bam!" The pegasus proudly unveiled the baby mobile with rainbows, clouds and lightning bolts hanging off of them.

"Ooh! Pretty!" Pinkie commented as she taped on one of the hanging lightning bolts. The touched caused it to fall off and shatter on the floor earning herself an irritated look who smiled apologetically.

"Well, a mobile is real nice... as long as you have somethin' to lay in so you can look at it." Applejack commented while tapping her hoof to the crib.

"And a fetching blanket to keep you warm." Rarity added as she placed a blanket she had made for the child and placed it neatly on the bed of the crib, making it look even more fitting and adorable.

"I'm sure Shining Armor and Princess Cadance will love all our gifts." Twilight assured. "But I think they're more happy we'll be attending the baby's Crystalling."

“Especially since this is the first celebration the Crystal Empire is having since the Equestrian Games.” Ono chimed in before quickly adding in Twilight’s direction upon realizing what he just said. “No offense.”

Twilight this time wasn’t bothered by that comment. “None taken. After all, I’m not one to dwell on the past anymore. And even if I did have the opportunity to go back in time and see to it getting this scar never happened, I wouldn’t take it.”

“Why not?” Starlight curiously asked. “Even with all things considered?”

“Because Starlight, even if some things don’t happen the way you want them to go down, whether we made mistakes or have regrets, it something we have to learn going forward. Maybe things happen for a reason.”

“Like keeping both worlds from falling into chaos due to a little time travel change?”

Twilight nodded in response seeing that her new student is getting the idea. “Exactly!”

“Right. And I don’t suppose that applies to my upcoming friendship lesson does it?”

“Well, with all things considered I think it came at a perfect time by combining this with the Crystalling. For your benefit and my benefit. And once the hard part is over, things get easier from there.” She then spots their stop coming up on the horizon. “Speaking of which…”

“We’re here.” Ono stated with his keen eyes locked on the incoming train station in front of them. “And so is your brother, Twilight.”

“My brother?” Twilight looked on surprised as she spotted what the Guard’s Keenest of Sight is seeing too.

Her brother is indeed there and sleeping. Not to mention his mane is messy and his eyes have circles and bags under them.

“Is your brother okay, Twilight?” Beshte asked upon noticing him like this.

“I’m sure he is, Beshte.” Twilight assured. “Aside from going through an adjustment period.”

“A what?” Bunga asked looking on like it is the most disturbing thing he has ever heard in his life.

“Adjustment period. Meaning life taking care of the baby must be more difficult than he imagined.” Twilight explained with an annoyed and disgusted look on her face.

“Ooh!” Bunga expression turned into a more understanding look now that he knows whats really going on. “For a second I thought you were talking about…”

“No!” Fuli abruptly stated while shaking and her head against finishing that sentence. “Just don’t go there!”

The train came to a stop and the team boarded off. Twilight immediately called out to him upon being the first to depart their ride. "Shining Armor!" She exclaimed joyfully, which woke her snoring brother up.

"Twilight…!" He eagerly greeted with a smile while shaking his sleepy head, with his voice sounding incredibly tired to match his equally exhausted body.

"I didn't know you were meeting us!" Twilight commented still pleased to see him either way.

"Of course I am! It's me, right here. Here I am. Why wouldn't I come meet my sister? Though we have met before, heh-heh…"

"Are you alright?” Kion asked with an arched eyebrow. “Because you look like you haven’t slept well recently."

"Never better! Being a father is amazing! And wonderful, and amazing, and confusing, and amazing, but surprising too, you know? I mean, not that you'd know. You wouldn't know, I know... You know?" The exhausted prince assured while stills smiling, rather wide and forcibly. He then took a calming breath as he sighed and honestly admitted his current struggles. "Sorry. I haven't really slept since Cadance had the baby. Come to think of it, she hasn't either. It sure would be great to get a break."

"Oh, of course!" Twilight said, placing a hoof on her brother's shoulder, "I don't know what I was thinking! You two probably need all kinds of help! Especially after seeing the baby once before."

“Yeah, and about that invite…I actually meant to send you a letter requesting your immediate help...but I ended up sending the Crystalling letter over by mistake.”

“You mean…?”

“Aw, man!”

Both Bunga and Pinkie pouted in disappointment.

“Sorry, but the Crystalling can’t happen until we figure out how to get the baby under control.” Just then they heard an explosion coming from the castle. “Which might take a while.” He then said with an exasperated cringe. “Oh, no. Don’t tell me.”

“Tell you what?” Beshte asked.

“Rhetorical question, Beshte.” Ono remarked before feeling a sudden chill down his spine. “Brr. Wait? Why does it feel colder than usual?”

“Brr, good question, Ono.” Kion commented as she too felt a shiver herself along with Fuli. “That should only happen should the Crystal Heart be missing or…” His eyes widen in horror as the realization is dawning on him.

“Oh, no.” Shining Armor commented in horror. “Come on!”

With that he quickly led everyone on over back to the castle leaving Twilight to have to deliver the regretful news of what this sudden emergency means for her. “I'm sorry, Starlight, but I guess combining your first lesson with this visit wasn't such a good idea after all."

"It’s okay, Twilight. It just happened." Starlight replied as she tried to sound sympathetic. "I’m not worried too badly about it. Besides, you're an aunt now! And that's way more important than some friendship lesson."

Twilight smiled at her student for being very understanding as she sighed. “I just wish there was still a way to do both.”

Spike then suggested. "Maybe there is, Twilight?" He picked up and presented the scroll. "You’ve already done the work for Starlight’s lesson with this list. All we have to do is follow it.”

Starlight put a hoof to her face as Twilight declared. "Spike, you're a genius!" But then she dropped her smile when she then thought. “But wait! Are you sure you have time for this?”

“Absolutely!” Spike quickly assured. “Shouldn’t take too long. And with you having thought of everything through here, we’re bond to get it over with sooner than the mad king could take over.”

“Very well.” She relented deciding to put full faith in him. “But if things start getting dire, I want you both to head on over to the castle, pronto!”

“Understood.”

“Got it.”

Spike saluted while Starlight forced herself to smile as she is still dreading over seeing her childhood friend again, even while personally promising she would commit to facing him.

“If only things were easier said then done.” The unicorn muttered to herself before she and Spike went their separate ways from Twilight who turned to regroup with her brother and friends en route to the Crystal Castle.

The two then made their way way through the Crystal Empire, doing their best to ignore the cold that seemed to follow them everywhere they went all while the unicorn mentally pushes through on her promise to Twilight that she wouldn’t run away from this meeting. Something that Spike would remind her had she brought it up.

“Brr. I’m sure glad no pony has to endure living in extreme cold. Starlight commented with a shiver. “Had I known I would have brought a coat with me.”

“Whatever is going on just happened, Starlight. Sometimes mother nature does what it wants no matter how it works out.” Spike replied as he looked at the directions to Sunburst’s place. “Hopefully it isn’t the worst case scenario and it was just a brief breeze from the nearby mountains.”

“Hopefully…” Starlight personally wished with an uneasy expression to which Spike took notice of.

“I know you’re still worried about this reunion, but I'm sure Twilight's got everything covered.” Spike reassured.

“I know it’s just I wish it was as easy as casting spells.”

“It’ll be once you keep pushing forward with it. Like what Twilight would say if she were here is to just trust the lesson.”

“Of course.” Just then Starlight noticed something that caught her eye. Mainly the huge crystal statue of Spike that stood out in the center of the empire itself. "Wow! That’s quite a statue! It’s like the ponies here think of you as a great hero.”

"That’s because Spike the Brave and Glorious saved us all from King Sombra's wrath!" A crystal earth pony with a yellow coat and red violet eyes excitedly excitedly.

Another crystal earth pony, this one with a blue-purple coat and purple eyes exclaimed in an equally excitedly. "And then again during the Equestria Games! Twice he has saved our empire from certain doom! We owe everything to him!"

"Really?" Starlight questioned and turned to Spike rather intrigued with this discovery. "When were you going to tell me about this?"

"When we didn’t have our hooves and claws full of things that need to be done." Spike humbly replied. "Now come on, we need to get to going!"

"Oh, no." Starlight shook her head and protested as she conjured up a red and white folding chair with her magic and also produced a box of popcorn. "I think hearing the whole story behind all of this is in order."

Seeing that she wasn’t budging, Spike reluctantly sighed and gave into her request. "All right. But after this we’re going straight to Sunburst’s.” He firmly stated before he began to tell his story.

Meanwhile back at the Crystal Empire…

The others have just arrived inside with Shining Armor leading everyone on over to where he thought the source of the loud noise came from and true to his concerns, the worst and unthinkable happened.

The Crystal Heart itself had indeed shattered to pieces with the shocked and horrifed expressions of Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Simba, Nala, and Kiara to back it all up this is indeed happening before them right now.

The baby itself burbled as she landed on her mother's extended hoof, all the while she and the others stared in horrified shock.

“I'm guessin' that's gonna make it harder to do the Crystalling." Applejack was the first comment upon seeing this.

"It's worse than that." Twilight replied with great worry as she looked out the nearby window as the dark clouds, cold winds, and heavy snowflakes grew more powerful by every passing second. “Without the Heart, the Crystal Empire's about to be buried under a mountain of ice and snow!"

Rarity's ears lowered in despair at hearing and seeing what is happening. "So… not only can we not take part in a fabulous ancient ceremony, but we're also about to be frozen solid!"

“But how?!” Ono exclaimed in complete shock like he is on the verge of mentally shutting down. “How does an alicorn baby of all ponies manage to actually break and literally shatter an ancient hard to break and powerful relic?! Just how?!”

“Because even for an alicorn baby her emotions are equally powerful.” Celestia answered and explained. “Powerful but very, very, unstable that proved to be too much for the Crystal Heart to handle.”

“Indeed.” Luna commented in agreement. “And without the Crystal Heart, the dangerous and harsh blizzards from the Frozen North will surely take over and transform this kingdom into an uninhabitable snowy tundra nopony and nobody can endure.”

"But what about when King Sombra ruled the Crystal Empire and the Crystal Heart was missin'?” Applejack brought up. “The city wasn't covered in snow then!"

"Because Sombra just hid the Crystal Heart away, he didn’t break it.” Twilight explained. “And even he knew that it’s very power is important to allow him to be able to have this kingdom to rule over.”

Shining Armor then shared. "Twilight’s right. Good thing we've already told everyone that the Crystalling is not happening today and to stay inside. But now we got two problems to deal with at the exact same time.” He groaned due to his sleep deprived fatigue. “Ugh, and at the worst possible time.”

“Not to worry Shining, we’ll figure something out.” Cadance assured while making sure her daughter is deep in her sleep for now.

“And we can start by having you two go ahead and get some rest while we watch over the baby.” Twilight advised. “Because you two have already endured more than you can handle for the time-being.” She then turned Celestia and Luna. “Celestia, Luna. Can you two hold off the storm?”

“Yes, for some time.” Luna answered. “But even our magic will eventually succumb to the power of the Frozen North.”

“We will do what we can to hold this blizzard, but you must hurry. Because it won’t be long until it’s power grows too strong even for us. Not to mention I’m still a little out of it from that coma I just recovered from.”

Rainbow Dash looked out a window, impatiently flapping her wings ready to join them. "Well in that case...just leave it to me! I could totally bust those clouds by myself!"

"I must strongly insist and advise against it." Princess Luna warned while shaking her head against it. "Those storm clouds are not like the ones you know. This far north, the weather has a will of its own, more powerful than you, Rainbow Dash.”

“And from the looks of it you’re going to need more firepower from us lions.” Kyoga stated as she and her siblings stepped forward to offer their assistance. “We’ll help you hold the blizzard alongside you while Twilight and the others find a way to repair the Heart and keep an eye on the baby.”

“That we can do!” Twilight stated before turning to the others. “Simba, Nala, Kiara, Kion you’re with me on watching the baby while the parents are asleep.”

“Right.” Kion stated in agreement before turning to the others. “In the meantime, the rest of you head on over to the library and start looking for books that might help repair the Crystal Heart so we can stop the Crystal Emprire from succumbing to a never-ending winter storm.”

“Wait?!” Bunga spoke up confused. “Isn’t research your thing?”

Right on cue, the baby started waking up from her nap, started giggling, and without warning immediately disappeared in a golden flash.

“Does that answer your question, Bunga?” Fuli asked with a deadpan look.

“Yep.” Bunga answered, defeated with nothing else to and can say about it before pursing the baby.

“Come on! Let’s go!” Simba firmly stated before following after Twilight as they desperately look around for the baby while the others head on over to the library like they are instructed too with Celestia and Luna taking flight to the skies with Kyoga and her siblings joining them with the former carrying Karabi and Lite on her back so they can withstand and hold off the blazing blizzard as long as possible.

Meanwhile, back with Spike and Starlight, the latter along with the nearby crowd of ponies that had formed along the way were all pretty fascinated with Spike's tale about how he saved the Crystal Heart.

"…and that's how we found the Crystal Heart, defeated King Sombra, and saved the Empire." Spike concluded. The crystal ponies cheered for their hero.

A couple of crystal fillies chanted, "We love you, Spike!"

"Tell the one about the Equestria Games!" One of the fillies eagerly asked.

"Well, as much as I love reliving my heroic deeds, Starlight and I have an important lesson to do, by order of the Princess of Friendship!"

"Awwww!" the little fillies sighed in disappointment. Starlight looked on with equal disappointment but had to remind herself, a deal is a deal. And now they need to get this moving along as the ponies all dispersed.

“Are you sure you can’t tell me about the Games too?”

“Let’s go, Starlight.” Spike firmly said to her while leading the way on over to Sunburst’s house. “Besides…” He presented Twilight’s list “...it says right in step 3, to, uh, "Deal with your fears by facing them, not by putting it off."

“Okay.” She relented while getting out of her chair and followed after him trying to mentally prepare herself for the inevitable.

So it was that the two made their way through the Crystal Empire again (reluctantly in Starlight's case). And it wasn't long before they finally reached Sunburst's house, which stood out for having a green hue, and an orange hat like structure above it. Fitting for a grown up wizard himself.

Starlight steadied herself, reluctantly preparing to knock on the front door. "Well this is it." She aid to herself.

Yet at that very moment, Spike shouted out to stop her. "Wait!"

The unicorn mare turned around and eyed the little dragon with confusion and uncertainty. "What?"

"This is part of the lesson before you knock on the door," Spike explained as he read over the scroll. "It says here: 'Before they see each other, be sure to highlight the importance of the meeting.'"

Starlight looked on like it’s pretty unnecessary. "Are you sure even though I’m fully aware of the significance of this?"

"I’m sure. Especially since it's your first friendship lesson. And before you say anthing, yes, I know Twilight can be a little nit-picky about this stuff but it’s important that we follow this to the T." Spike firmly and sympathetically replied. "And if we skip over that step the whole lesson could go south, and then you might never be able to learn anything about friendship at all! Your whole future could depend on this very moment!" And he pulled the mare close, so close that it would look like from first glance he is trying to kiss her. "Okay, that takes care of 'Highlighting the importance of the meeting'." He said at last, crossing it off on the scroll.

Steadying herself again, the unicorn mare reluctantly reached out a hoof and knocked on the front door of Sunburst's house. All while secretly hoping she might catch a break that maybe he’s not home and could get away with not having to see him again right now.

Alas, the mare's hopes were dashed when the door opened slowly and the face of a very familiar looking unicorn poked its head out from the darkness from behind the other side of the door. The unicorn stallion had an orange coat, his mane and tail has two shades of orange in color that was styled into a loose curl, and had dark blue eyes. Just like Starlight remembered him looking as a colt, the only differences are being that he has a now messy mane, and has grown a goatee underneath his chin, along with sporting silver glasses in front of his eyes. And is also wearing a blue-green robe with colored stars and a brooch on it.

"Sunburst? Are you there?" Starlight reluctantly and nervously asked.

Sunburst answered back equally reluctant and nervous. "Yes, that's me. Who are you? Do I know you?"

Starlight gulped and swallowed hard as she presses forward with this moment. "Actually yes. It's me, Starlight Glimmer. We used to be friends back when we were young."

It only took a moment for Sunburst to realize this before his eyes lit up and he happily exclaimed. "Starlight? Oh yes of course, Starlight! My goodness, it-it's been a long time! What, uh, what have you been up to?"

Nervously, Starlight stepped back a bit as she answered his question. "Me? Not much, nothing of interest. Though right now, I'm sort of the new student of the Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle. In fact, this is kind of my first lesson."

"Really? That's nice." Sunburst sincerely commented.

"I know right." Starlight nervously chuckled. "Anyways, I just happened to be nearby and I thought I’d stop by to catch up with what you’ve been doing. That is of course you aren’t very busy."

Sunburst blinked in surprise and confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you always talked about being a big, important wizard after graduating from magic school and you must be doing important wizard work here if you are now living in the Crystal Empire."

The unicorn stallion blinked again. "Oh. No. Y-Yes! Uh, y-yes, that's me, yup.” He nervously chuckled. “Important wizard! Really busy with lots of, uh, wi-wizarding... stuff.” After a moment of awkward silence. “Right. Uh, well... good to see you again. Bye." He then backed away from the door very slowly before closing the door.

Starlight looked on confused yet disappointed before sighing unhappily. "That’s what I thought. So much for a long awaited reunion." She then turned and prepared to leave. "Well, I guess that’s that, Spike."

But Spike wasn't about to let Starlight give up on the lesson so easily! "Oh no it’s not!” He stubbornly and firmly declared. "Come on, Starlight. We have to at least explain yourself to him and let him know what Twilight wants!"

Starlight groaned like Twilight would do when annoyed before moving to knock on the door again, where Sunburst was quick to answer it.

All Starlight could do was stand there and nervously smile before preparing herself to continue talking to him. She wasn't looking forward to it, but has no choice in the matter.

Meanwhile, the lions along with Twilight, Kion, and Pinkie Pie have their hooves full in reigning in the alicorn baby as she is proving to be a very magical and energetic child. But thankfully, a certain lioness had a calming paw on the filly’s wild ride.

“Now take it easy there, little one.” The baby stopped focusing on the castle in front of her road before turning her attention to the lion looking at her with the calm blue eyes. “You had enough excitement for one day. Now, it’s time for a nap.”

The baby babbled in protest before pouting with crossed arms...at least before looking into her eyes and found herself seeing eye to eye with her like a loving and caring grandmother would care for her. Instantly, that pout melted into a cute and eager smile as she moved to float down in the lion queen’s paws before snuggling with her. Nala looked on with a proud smile like any other grandmother being able to tame their grandchild while the others look on in disbelief and like they went through a wild ride together along with the rest of the room.

The room itself had some scorch marks on the walls since the baby had already learned how to use her horn and managed to shoot magical yellow beams around the place. Twilight and Kion managed to keep her in check with Simba and Kiara leaping forward to make sure she didn’t hurt anybody with her magic, and even Pinkie Pie tried to hold her down when she was flying everywhere, but only did Nala’s gentle and firm approach actually calmed her down.

“Phew! What a relief!” Bunga stated before passing out and falling onto his back in relief.

“How does she do it?” Twilight asked the lion king who looked on impressed with what she did.

“It takes being around an equally mischievous and energetic lion to know how to tame one.” He replied as he chuckled rather embarrassed when his wife gave him the teasing and smug look.

“And said lion was you, Simba.” Nala moved to embrace the lion with a nuzzle to which the baby moved to giggle and clap at the lovely sight much to Twilight’s delight at seeing the two together like this and their cubs uncomfortable and cringing disgust.

“Why of all times, must they do this, Kion?” Kiara asked her brother who couldn’t come up with a better reply.

“Good question, Kiara.” Kion returned as Twilight giggled at their expense.

“You know both of you will find yourselves doing what your parents are doing when of course you find your special someones in life.”

Both siblings stammered in embarrassment and confusion of what she was implying while blushing.

“Huh? What?

“What do you mean?”

Twilight then turned her head towards Kion as she continues to elaborate on what she is saying. “I mean that someday somehow you’ll meet your special lion whether it’s here in the Pride Lands or somewhere outside of the kingdom. And when that happens you’ll come to understand and appreciate love more.” She then turned her attention to Kiara. “And as for you, it is my understanding that you already have found the future lion of your dreams.”

“Lion of my dreams?”

“You know? The dark furred lion with a dark brown mane and emerald green eyes that regularly visits Diamond Valley along with Kyoga’s siblings and Thorax. Kovu.”

“What?!” Kiara was now flustered. “But Kovu and I are just friends!”

“For now.” Twilight returned with a smug smirk. “Pretty soon you’ll both be something more together.”

“I doubt that.” Kiara said in denial and eyes looking aside and cheeks still pink from embarrassment.

“Anyways…” Kion then said trying to change the subject now that the baby is now calmed down and sleeping maybe we can…” Suddenly the baby suddenly disappeared when everyone least expected it. “...join the others in doing research in the castle library.”

“I’m afraid that’ll have to be put on hold.” Twilight said, to which she personally wished she’d never have to say before looking around the castle for the powerful baby once more on the loose. “There she is!” She managed to spot her flying, giggling, and blasting her horn once more in the air right above them.

"Well… at least she's having... fun!" Pinkie said as she, once again, tried restraining the child who flew around the room once again, shooting more magical beams everywhere. Both Kion and Twilight managed to keep the beams at bay, by countering them with beams of their own.

"Pinkie, hold her still!" Twilight exclaimed.

"I'm tryiiiiiiing!" Pinkie cried out, her hooves screeching across the floor as she held onto the flying baby.

It was only when Simba grabbed onto the struggling mare’s poofy tail that the baby finally was stopped in her tracks.

“Wow! And I thought I was troublesome.” Simba remarked as he maintained his grip on Pinkie and the flying foal.

“More than spending time trapped in a sinkhole with Bunga?” Kion asked his father.

“Yes even the more troublesome honey badger himself.”

“Hey! How is that more troublesome than me? She’s just a baby.” Bunga spoke and stood up looking offended before nearly having the hair on the top of his head singed from the baby’s playful flying around. “Okay. Never mind. Point taken.” He then moved to help the others by trying to hop onto the foal’s back with the hopes of getting the baby to stop causing mayhem wherever she goes. “All right, princess. Play time is over.”

The baby however treated it as an innocent joke by swinging her head around to keep the honey badger from getting a good clasp on her horn which is continuing to leave scorch marks around the castle hallways. And at one point she managed to zap the honey badger off of her and ended up falling backwards on Pinkie’s back to Simba’s back. Upon recovering, he could only give a sheepish grin to the lion king upon seeing the baby in action along with seeing the karma himself inflicted on himself for a change before resuming their focus on the baby that Simba has now grounded with Pinkie’s help holding it to her. All while Twilight and Kion still maintain their control over the baby’s magic.

All while this is all going on both Scar and Sombra both wearing black cloaks and full body suits to protect themselves from the cold look as all of this chaos in the Crystal Empire unfolds.

“Ready for this?” Scar asked Sombra who nodded ready to do his part in the next part of their plan.

“Ready.” He said with a determined expression.

“Time for the Cold War to begin.” With equally determined eyes the two all powerful villains moved to advance towards the blizzard surrounding the Crystal Empire where another battle awaits...

Author's Note

Here we are back in action as Season 6 gets underway where things pick up right where we left off in regards to the story thus far. And with a new baby in the mix it didn't take long for it's powerful magic to be more than a handle for the main cast. Especially when said infant manages to blow up the Crystal Heart all by herself.

At the same time, Starlight is tackling her first friendship lesson with her upcoming reunion with Sunburst (to which is done on her own terms with Twilight giving her leeway to do so when ready) which is coming across slowly rather than smooth and efficiently like she hoped.

At there is also the matter of Scar returning to make a statement with none other than King Sombra by his side ready to remind everyone of why his latest loss is not something to feel accomplished over.

So all that's left is seeing how it plays out in Part Two...

Episode 11: A Hearth's Warming and Christmas Tale

Episode 11:

A Hearth's Warming and Christmas Tale

In Ponyville once more winter had arrived. And once more it was that time of the year. Something that Equestrian ponies, citizens, and Pride Landers all can celebrate together with. And that is the combination of Christmas and Hearth's Warming.

And much like last year Princess Twilight Sparkle was hosting another huge party on Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve and on into Hearth's Warming and Christmas Day. A party that was to take place at her castle, with plenty of room for as many guests that want to attend it.

When the big day (and night, rather) came once more, ponies and non-ponies all made their way towards the castle in order to partake in the festivities. The crystal tree castle had been re-decorated inside and out for the occasion. And as the guests made their way over to the castle for the party, many could be heard singing a merry little tune that quickly became a chorus.

Pony voices fill the night.

Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve is here once again!

Happy hearts so full and bright.

Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve is here once again!

Oh, what a sight.

Look at the light.

All for tonight.

'Cause Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve is here once again!

Much like previous Hearth's Warming’s and for the second Christmas celebration, there is snow all around. Thanks to the local pegasi with the all of the fliers from the Pride Lands were all happy to follow Rainbow Dash and Ono’s lead in making it happen. While leading the weather team in gathering as many dark clouds full of snow as possible they got the chance to sing themselves with Rainbow and Ono both leading the chorus.

Clouds arranged 'til they're just so.

Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve is here once again!

Gonna make some awesome snow!

Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve is here once again!

The chill wind blows.

Making a show!

Snowflakes aglow.

'Cause Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve is here once again!

The earth ponies, particularly Pinkie Pie and Applejack, also had reasons to be especially cheerful on this very day. And they too were singing as presents were brought in with food and drink provided for all of the guests inside the castle. Both Beshte and Bunga both around to help assist with the ongoing deliveries and they too got into the singing spirit like their pony friends.

A day that's filled with songs to sing,

Ding-dong, ding-dong-ding!

Cakes and pastries we shall bring.

Ding-dong, ding-dong-ding!

We're so busy making merry,

The windigos should all be wary!

And as our mighty voices carry!

Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve is here once again!

Even Rarity, Fuli, Kyoga all found reason to be even more cheerful than usual. And even they were singing their own parts while assisting with last minute decorating for the castle interior with Fuli and Kyoga around to assist her alongside her cheetah friends and lion siblings.

Decorations we shall make.

Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve is here once again!

Perfection you just cannot fake.

Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve is here once again!

Not one mistake.

No, don't let that break!

Oh, for goodness' sake!

As the party got underway, everypony and everyone of all ages gathered 'round. And together they all sang together.

Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve is here once a—

Happy, happy Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve

Happy, happy Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve

Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve is here once again!

It was indeed another splendid and joyous celebration going on in the castle. And from a second floor balcony, the castle's four primary occupants: Twilight Sparkle, Kion, Spike, Sunset, and Starlight Glimmer were all watching the festivities and preparations. For Starlight, this was her first experience of Hearth's Warming in Ponyville and her first experience of the holiday including Christmas while Sunset herself gets to see how the mingling of Hearth's Warming and Christmas has progressed since last year.

For Twilight, Kion, Spike, and Sunset they were all eagerly looking forward to joining the party, celebrating well into the night. And with both parties well acquainted with the combination of the two holidays everyone was blending in wonderfully together.

"Wow!" Sunset remarked in amazement with what she saw before her eyes. "And to think so much has happened over the last year here."

"It sure has!" Twilight returned equally amazed herself. "And we definitely have you to thank for it along with being able to join us here today."

"Eh." Sunset humbly shrugged. "It's the least I could do. I mean who am I to refuse an invitation to a holiday party from the Princess of Friendship herself?"

"Not me!" Kion stated happily as everyone shared a collective laugh together.

Twilight then turned to Starlight the only one who didn't laugh and joke alongside them, innocently asking her. "So Starlight, you ready to celebrate your first ever Hearth's Warming and Christmas here in Ponyville along with your new family?"

"I know I am." Sunset returned just as eager as one of her best friends beside her.

"We’ve really been looking forward to this for months, it really helps that this only comes around once a year!" Spike happily added.

“All the more reason to make this along with Christmas even more special.” Kion added feeling the same holiday upbeat mood everyone else is feeling before noticing that Starlight isn’t sharing the same enthusiasm as everyone else. “That is assuming you really are up for it right, Starlight.”

To the surprise of both alicorn and dragon, Starlight slouched her shoulders, sighed and shrugged her hooves. "Well Kion, Twilight, I was thinking maybe I could just skip the whole thing."

Both Twilight and Spike were shocked to hear such a statement from anypony leaving them along with Kion and Sunset to all wonder why she would say and think such a thing.

Regardless, Twilight was going to make it today’s goal to find out as she already had an idea in mind about how she might be able to convince her new student to reconsider her stance about Hearth's Warming and Christmas. Question is will it work.

Spike was the first to speak up once the shock of what Starlight said had worn off. "Skip Hearth's Warming and Christmas?! Please tell me you’re joking!”

"I wish I was but I’m not." Starlight replied honestly and somewhat bluntly. "I'm sorry, but I never really indulged it including from when I was young, and when I had my former village under control without magic and happiness. Plus to me Hearth’s Warming and Christmas is mostly just a day for candy and presents, isn’t it?"

The little dragon still couldn't believe what he was hearing as he replied. "And why would you want to deny yourself candy and presents? That’s crazy talk! And there’s so much more to it than that."

Twilight then spoke up to clarify her point more. "I think what Spike is trying to say, Starlight, is that Hearth's Warming and Christmas are holidays worth celebrating. It’s a time to spend with friends and family you very care deeply for.”

“Not only that it celebrates a very important day in the history of Equestria and as of last year the history of the Pride Lands when both holidays were combined to create one big celebration for both worlds to enjoy together.” Kion moved to gesture of how many ponies and Pride Landers have gathered here today to celebrate the holidays together including his family down on the first floor foyer.

Starlight reluctantly did so, but the very things she thinks of the holiday is only confirmed with what she saw from above. "Well, if you ask me, it seems like most ponies just see it as an excuse for silly songs and fun." Then she let out a sigh as she began to turn away. "Anyways, don’t let me get in the way along with souring your festive mood. I wouldn’t want to let one pony’s thoughts to crash the party when everyone is at their happiest.”

However, Twilight wasn't about to let her student just walk away and turn her back on the most important holiday just like that. She teleported in front of the unicorn and said to her. "Well, maybe you just haven't heard the right Hearth's Warming Eve story yet!"

Starlight scoffed in response. "Earth ponies, Pegasi, and unicorns sing songs around a hearth to fight back an eternal winter caused by the mythical windigos. Heard it along with the recent story of how both this holiday along with Christmas a holiday celebrated from another world came together as one big super duper happy holiday. Doesn’t take long for this mare to put two and two together."

The alicorn princess shook her head from side to side as Sunset herself looks on completely understanding of why Starlight is thinking the way she is thinking. "No, not that one. A story that happens to me my favorite Hearth’s Warming story. A Hearth’s Warming Tale.”

Hearing that, already had Spike on board with the idea. “Oh! I love that one!”

“That good, huh?” Kion asked out of curiosity.

“It sure is.” Twilight nodded. “Another holiday family tradition of mine is that every year on Hearth’s Warming Eve. And said story would be read whether it’s my mom reading to me and my brother when I was young along with what me and Spike read together ever since we moved to Ponyville.”

“Wow!”

“And the best part is, getting the hear the voices of the characters, mimicked to perfection.” Spike happily added.

“Really?!” Hearing this had Kion intrigued. Surely it must be great, if it’s worth reading every year while growing up.

"Now this is something I interested in hearing." Sunset piped up already intrigued by the story in question.

“Yep.” She then turned to Starlight. “So I think this story might get you to change your mind."

“We’ll see.” Starlight replied with a reluctant sigh. “Since you’re not going to take no for an answer, I might as well try to entertain myself.”

“Great!” Twilight said with a smile before leading her on over to the library by the hoof. “Now to just find that book my mom sent me two years back and then we’ll get started.”

“Count me in.” Kion voiced as he tailed after them along with Spike. “Must be a great story if it’s read every year.”

“Oh it is, big brother. It is.” Spike assured that he is indeed in for a fascinating story to be told.

The ponies, lion and dragon then made their way to the castle's library where there is magic used to light a small fire to add to the mood. Once everypony and everyone was sitting comfortably, she flew over to a specific book shelf and retrieved a heavy, old, and worn book with her magic. After sitting down next to Spike and making sure she had Starlight's attention, the alicorn princess carefully opened the book.

Clearing her throat, she began to read aloud. "This is the story of a unicorn. One very powerful unicorn named Snowfall Frost who hated Hearth's Warming all together.

Starlight did her best to listen with intent. But the first few sentences of the book had her feeling that her character is based off of hers.

Without looking up from the book, Twilight continued to read. But not before explaining: "It helps more by picturing the characters in your mind, like Spike and me do, along with with when I was living with my brother when I was young. Snowball Frost herself is something I pictured you being ever since the day we first met. Only difference being she has a top hat, a fine jacket and glasses," After getting that out of the way, she continued reading. "Our story begins in Canterlot, a long time ago, on Hearth's Warming Eve. Every home in Canterlot was filled with the holiday spirit. Every home, that is... except one. It was said of Snowfall that she was almost as studied as Starswirl the Bearded. Almost being the key word, since everypony knows that Starswirl was an expert at everything from transfiguration, dimensional calibration, teleportation—"

Spike interrupted as he had to resist the urge to roll his eyes while Sunset cleared her throat a little to emphasize the urge that enough's enough. "Twilight, we get it. Star Swirl is awesome. Please get on with the story?"

The young alicorn blushed as she admitted. "Right." Then she cleared her throat. "Anyway, the point is is that Snowfall was also a powerful unicorn. She wanted to be perfect. Anything that got in the way of that was a waste of time and that included Hearth's Warming, especially so. Little did she know that on this particular day, her outlook in life was about to change forever."

As Twilight continued to read on, the story took shape in the minds of all who were hearing it. And this is how the story took place.

Snowfall Frost had the same coat, mane and tail, and eye colors as Starlight Glimmer. And as Twilight described, she wore a top hat and glasses. The coat she wore over her body to match her top hat was red with a white collar, and matching colored glasses. With the same magical glow Starlight has, Snowfall was hard at work within the workspace she had created inside her own home. True to form, she was hard at working attempting to use her magic to turn a piece of coal into a beautiful bulb.

Unfortunately for Snowfall, the sudden ringing and jingling of bells on the street below interrupted her focus for but a moment. And that moment was enough to cause the bulb she'd created to shatter and break into tiny pieces! Groaning, she remarked to herself. "Great, another batch ruined," She then shouted instantly. "Robert Thatch!"

Robert (aka Bob) Thatch was just like Ono as a pony: A short Pegasus pony mare with a bright white coat, and an orange mane and tail to like a fiery flame. He wore a sky blue sweater with white business shirt and sky blue tie when he arrived. "Reporting for duty, Snowfall." He spoke while shuddering a little from the cold.

The unicorn levitated a dustpan and broom for him to use. "Get this mess cleaned up, now if you please. Those foolish ponies were ringing those blasted bells outside the window and I lost my concentration!"

"Ever considered that maybe just maybe they did it out of joy for celebrating Hearth’s Warming Eve?" Robert Thatch grumbled to himself as he nevertheless carried out the task he was assigned. After sweeping up the broken pieces he then discarded them in a nearby wastebasket. He then moved to leave but he didn’t get far when Snowfall Frost noticed something in one of his sweater pockets.

"And just what do you think you’re doing?!" She sternly addressed of the stallion while using her magic to pull the object she caught sight of. A lump of coal just like the one she'd been trying to transform. "You care to explain?!” He chided while holding the object to his face seeking a justification for the attempt of sneaking it around unnoticed up to this point.

“Oh that?” Ono blinked in surprise. “I’m sorry. I was just using and keeping it close to keep myself warm.” He shivered and shuddered once more. “It is remarkably quite cold this year more so than the past.”

“Uh-huh. Sure.” Snowfall returned unsympathetically as she then scolded. “See to it that it doesn’t happen again because these things cost money along with heat. And I don’t need to remind you what the penalty is for stealing.”

“Of course not.” Robert apologized. “I would never dream of doing anything like that. Especially not on a time of giving and celebrating.”

“Today is nothing to celebrate.” Snowfall coldly replied. “Hearth's Warming Eve is a menace. A dangerous day for all of Equestria.”

“Dangerous?!” Robert looked on like that’s crazy talk. “Are you kidding?!Hearth’s Warming is a wonderful day in all of Equestria! It's the day we remember how unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth ponies came together in friendship to defeat the windigos!”

“That silly legend is the problem!” Snowfall scoffed once more. “Telling everypony that "singing songs and being nice" will solve anything? I've spent years studying magic, and that's not how it works.”

“Oh, really?” Robert raised an eyebrow. “How does it work out the way you were taught?”

Snowfall gladly moved to lecture his assistant about it. "Work hard, learn and use your skills to better Equestria. And consider this a warning, after taking you in as a partner after losing my previous one. So don’t you forget it.”

“I sure wouldn’t forget.” Came an unexpected voice making her way inside the building as the door suddenly swung open.

A finely dressed Pegasus mare with a golden yellow coat, short brown mane and long tail, and green eyes that shined like emerald diamonds. She wore red velvet jacket and equally matching winter dress that razzled and dazzled compared to the clothes the other ponies were wearing.

Snowfall immediately frowned upon seeing her. "Cousin Felina," She greeted with contempt. "Of course.”

“Nice to see you too, Aunt Snowfall.” She sarcastically returned while trying to say it in good humor even though her relative isn’t ever in a joking mood.

“What brings you back here this time because I already gave you your allowance for the year?!”

“Me? Nothing other than to just come by to wish you a happy Hearth's Warming, Aunt Snowfall!" Felina kindly returned.

"Bah humbug!" Snowfall coldly returned.

“I see you haven’t changed since last Hearth’s Warming Eve.” Fuli returned looking on like it’s nothing new but disappointing to see. “I had hoped you would start finding time in your busy schedule to try to spend some time with me.”

“What are you talking about? Of course I do.”

“Only when I ask of you for financial support which is pretty much the only thing you’ve been generous about.”

“Only because the law requires that I do considering you’re the only pony who has to be in my will by virtue if being my only living relative left.”

“Oh, lucky me.” She returned with faint praise before looking on genuinely unhappy with her ongoing bitter attitude. “Consider me not wanting you dead a blessing. But enough said, I didn’t come here for money nor wishing death upon you. I came here because I am personally holding a Hearth’s Warming party at my house tonight and I was hoping that both you and your associate would be kind enough to join this evening.”

“Sounds like fun to me. I don’t see why not?” Snowfall’s assistant happily accepted.

“I do.” Snowfall however said otherwise. “Because I clearly have more important things to worry about other than attending a silly party of yours.”

“Not even if that provides you an opportunity to earn my forgiveness for blowing me off for the last three years I tried to invite you over to come?”

Snowfall's response was to simply say. "Let me think about that.” Before quickly and sharping replying. “Yes!”

“Well…” Felina kept her composure but not without continuing to voice her disappointment at her refusal. “...then I guess I won’t even bother giving you a wedding invitation while I’m at it.”

“You’re getting married?!” Snowfall voiced in shock.

“Yep.”

“When?!”

“On the first day of Spring, right after Winter Wrap Up is all taken care of.” She happily replied before showing no surprise towards her in return. “Surely you would have known had you even bothered to come out of your place of work more often but of course, you’re always too busy making yourself rich to even try. And you know what else…?” She then continued. “...regardless of what you think, I truly think that Hearth's Warming is a blessing that should truly be cherish along with friendship and love. While I may not be as rich as you, at least it provides me of what’s really more important in life and helps me remind myself of that every year. Something that you yourself never allow yourself to do or at least what you used to have if I remember right. So consider that food for thought and ask yourself this. Is a life of wealth really worth more than the more simple and important things in life?” Robert looked on smiling and clapping his hooves in approval.

“Felina…” Snowfall returned with a calm but seething tone. “...get out of my office.”

“Don’t worry, Aunt Snowfall. I’m on my way out. And good day!” With that she left but not without loudly slamming the door behind her.

A short time later, however, the door swung open again as two ponies: One a unicorn stallion and the other an earth pony stallion trotted in.

The unicorn sported a yellow coat, red mane and tail, red eyes, and a cutie mark depicting a mighty roaring lion. He also wore a red business suit and matching tie with a white dress shirt, a black winter hat and gloves.

The earth pony, had a light gray coat. His mane and tail were black. He had blue eyes and a cutie mark depicting big heavy boulders. He wore a dark gray suit with a cool blue shirt and matching tie with a similar black winter hat and gloves along with a blue scarf.

Snowfall Frost reluctantly turned to face the new visitors while sternly questioning them with a tone clearly not interested in anymore visitors. “Can I help you two with somewhat?” She crossly asked.

The red suit wearing pony spoke up first with a friendly smile. "Yes you can if you want. You see, we’re going across town on a little business venture seeking to promote and benefit charity by asking generous ponies for donations to give to help them. While some have been generous enough to give us some bits, others however have not. And we were hoping you could do us a favor and spare a considerable donation yourself.”

“Why would I?” Snowfall asked like it is an incredulous question.

“Because not everyone has been more than willing to do the same.” The darker suit wearing pony answered hoping that she would reconsider. “We even asked many kind and reasonable ponies all across town. If we don’t find anyone who has plenty of bits to spare, then there is not much we can do for all poor ponies that need help.”

Snowfall still refused to give in and only coldly returned. “Well then, I suggest you find some other rich pony that actually does care about the homeless along with the holiday’s. Now…” She gestured towards outside. “...off with you both.”

“Oh come on, Snowfall. Can’t you at least pretend to have a heart? They're trying to make an effort here.” Robert spoke up as he trotted over to the two with a small bundle of coins to spare to them. “Here. I know it’s not quite as large as you hoped, but I think I can afford to help you both out this time around.”

The red suited stallion smiled. “Thank you very much, sir.” Then he bowed. "Happy Hearth's Warming," Motioning to his partner he then declared. "Come on, let’s go find more houses to visit.”

“Hopefully there are more willing to be as generous as him.” The gray suit wearing pony said with optimism. “And this donation will sure help out quite a bit at the very least. Happy Hearth’s Warming." The two visitors then took their leave leaving both ponies alone and allowing them to continue working with further interruptions.

Though Robert could only look at his boss with a disapproving glance without inciting another argument where she could easily fire him if she wanted to. After all, the holidays are all about sharing, caring, and giving. Not thinking about only themselves.

At last, the end of the day came where it was time for the two partners to close up shop for now.

"Well then." Snowfall declared to Robert after everything is all settled. "I'll see you same time as always tomorrow morning."

But Robert nervously stuttered a little in response. "Um, Snowfall, boss? Tomorrow is Hearth's Warming Day, you know that right?"

“Yes. Your point being.”

“Point being, I was hoping I could actually have the day off tomorrow.” Robert answered with courage. “As far as the eye can see, nobody else is going to be open tomorrow, and it might help keep me away from all of that expensive coal you really want to be saving.”

The glasses wearing unicorn snorted in response. "It sure could couldn’t it even if I’m the only pony who sees what you’re trying to do. But, by all means, if you want to just stay at home, ignore all of the work you have, and spend the rest of the holiday-"

"Great, thanks!” Robert smiled with a salute before happily trotting out the door leaving her boss at a loss for words at what just happened before settling for it as one less thing to deal with tomorrow.

She then proceeded to head back into her house and shut the front door behind her. After fixing herself up dinner, she moved to her desk so she can continue reading along with doing some last minute book keeping, and take the time to calm her mind in being able to perform that spell she was last trying to do. After some time, her ears perked up when she heard what she was a moan.

But as the seconds wane by, she found that the moaning grew louder in volume until she ended seeing what she has never seen before. Accompanying the wail was the sound of rattling of chains and the thumping of a heavy chest and a very vague and familiar voice. "Snowfall? Snowfall Frost?"

“Who are you?!” Snowfall demanded as she leaped from her chair while feeling sudden anxiousness while looking around for the source of the strange voice and sounds. “How do you know my name?!”

“Because I am someone you know, Snowfall.” The voice replied as the candle in her room blew out when the door opened accompanied with a cold gusty wind. Said source happened to be a glowing pale blue ghost-like figure. The figure in question wore a sharp business suit and tie, complete with a top hat and a cane, but with the body where every match is mismatched from various creatures. And for some odd reason, his body was also carrying also appeared to be surrounded by a long chain t chains that are cuffed to a large heavy chest that is dragging right behind him. “Your old business partner. The one and only Mr. D.”

“What?” Snowfall audibly yet softly gasped in surprise and shock upon locking eyes with said figure in front of her in spirit. “Oh my gosh, it really is you.”

“Yep. In spirit.”

“I...I haven’t seen you since…”

“...since my disappearance from our little business practice many moons ago?”

“Yes. What… what happened to you, old friend?”

“Oh, it is a long and sad story, Snowfall.” Mr. D replied with a paw placed on his forehead. could only reply. "As you recall I went out on a little buisness trip, alas on the way I found myself stranded in the middle of nowhere with no place nearby to go when my ride wound straying from the main road. And despite my best efforts to navigate the snow I ended meeting my end from down below. Ice, trees, rocks, and a pack of vicious animals that mauled upon first sight and the very bottom of the ravine.”

“Good lord.”

“That’s what I said. But admittedly it was a fitting end for me especially considering of how I acted up to that point, much like you now. And that’s why I’m here, Snowfall. For you are headed down the same dark path I went through, one where death will be knocking on your doorstep if you don’t repent.”

"What do you mean?" Snowfall inquired with a suspicious brow while eyeing the chains and locked up chest. "And does this have something to do with the chains and locked chest you’re carrying?"

“Indeed it is.” He said in response, before groaning in pain from the tighten chains pulling him back. “For these are symbols of my biggest and deepest regrets in life. All because of my greediness and selfishness. So now because of the path I choose, I now must wear these and carry the bulk of my shame where all I can do now is hope others don’t make the same mistakes I made. Sad as it may be, alas every good deed and every sin we’ve all done in life must be accounted for every departing soul from the mortal realm. And because my numerous sins outweigh my very little good deeds in life, this is how I have to and choose to appear going forward.”

Snowfall sympathetically replied. "Oh come now, Mr. D. Surely your sins or whatever bad deeds you’ve done shouldn’t warrant you carrying around those chains all the time. You are a man of business after all. So if you have a key around just use it on those locks so you can roam free as you please."

Mr. D bitterly and firmly waved a paw up in absolute refusal. “I most certainly will not! And you’re missing the point, Snowfall. For all of my success in business had consequences that force me to endure the burden of this heavy lifting.”

“Meaning…”

“Meaning that I don’t mean it literally, I mean literal, emotional, and moral obligation that I didn’t realize was heavily weighing me down until it was too late. Something that you yourself are carrying without realizing it and if you don’t listen to me and change your ways. Otherwise, you’ll end up like yours truly.” When Snowfall looked on showing no fear or repentance he morphed into a scary Tirek-like demon from the depths of Tartarus which had Snowfall looking on like she had the fear of an alicorn ruler instilled in her. “Trust me when I tell you that it’s going to be scary at first, but it’s for your own good. Because before the night is through you’ll be visited by three more spirits.”

“What?!” The glasses wearing unicorn gulped. "But why bestow this upon me?!"

Mr. D simply went on to say. "Like I said, it is so my fate doesn’t become yours too. At the stroke of each hour starting at one you’ll expect each and every one of them to come your way. And you listen and look hard because this will be a very important lesson if you care to reform.”

“Can’t we at least talk about it before sending more ghosts my way?!” Snowfall fearfully pleaded.

“Nope for it is decided.” Mr. D once more hook his head in reply before making his leave towards the door. But not without adding while bidding farewell to her former partner. “I only hope by the end of this very night, that you take what has to said to heart, Snowfall because your life depends on it. Care, grow, reform, change!" And just like that he disappeared into thin air.

The lone candle that had previously been blown out flickered back to life the moment Mr. D disappeared leaving Snowfall to wonder if she truly imagined it or not.

The moment ended up being cut short when she instantly heard the sounds of children laughing and ponies singing carols on the street corner outside. The ringing of bells further aggravated her and reminded her of why she despises the holidays in the first place. "Ugh! I HATE Hearth's Warming! Honestly! All of Equestria would be much better off if we just skipped the day entirely." And there was she suddenly had an idea on how to deal with going forward. “And maybe there is actually a way to do it." And then she started singing to herself:

'Happy Hearth's Warming!', they say in the street.

'Happy Hearth's Warming!', oh they think they're so sweet.

Words said so often that they lack any real meaning.

So why should I join in when I could be intervening?

Everypony loves this cursed holiday.

But would they be better off with it out of the way?

The unicorn quickly flipped open a page in a spell book, placed a cauldron over a burning fire and poured some chemicals in to create a thick, green mist.

Well, okaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy!

Say goodbye to the holiday.

With my magic, I'll erase it!

The greatest gift that I give today.

And everypony will have to face it!

No more little games for you to play.

After you say goodbye to the holiday!

Using her magic, Snowfall started depositing various items into the cauldron in preparation for the spell she was to cast. These included the discarded toy she had picked up earlier, a Hearth's Warming reef left above her front door and even some empty presents all wrapped up with nopony to be given to.

Goodbye, Hearth's Warming. You had a good run.

Goodbye, Hearth's Warming. It's over, you're done!

Finally set free from your forced celebrations.

Now's there no need to reply to your trite invitations.

The calendar shorter by a single day.

But is my magic up to the test?

Time to see, I can't delay!

Snowfall's voice rose into a triumphant chorus as she found the page she wanted, and started mixing chemicals into the cauldron's brew.

Say goodbye to the holiday!

Prepare the spell, no hesitation!

All memory shall fade away!

See Equestria's new transformation!

And no more shall anypony say:

'Happy Hearth's Warming'... after today!

As she sang, Snowfall briefly thought she saw what looked like a horse made purely of ice and snow. But when she turned to look she couldn't see it anywhere, and so to her the moment came and go like it was something she just imagined.

When she was finished singing, the cauldron was bubbling fiercely like lava in a volcano. Snowfall stood over it and relished her hard work with a devious grin along with rubbing her hooves together with delight. "Once this spell is cast, all of Equestria will be better off, and they'll have me to thank for it! Oh! This is going to be great!”

"Wait a minute!" Starlight suddenly spoke up, interrupting the story to give her own input. "So, let me get this straight: Snowfall doesn't like Hearth's Warming Eve so she decides to just cast a spell to get rid of it all together? That seems a little extreme, even for me."

Spike only muttered to himself while enjoying some hot chocolate he'd been drinking from a mug. "Says the pony who tried to make everypony the same by replacing their cutie marks with equal signs, among other things."

Said remark happened to be overheard by Starlight, as she narrowed her eyes looking on very much offended in response. "Excuse me?! At least I never resorted to getting rid of the holiday all together even when I don’t like it!”

"But still went as far aiding Scar in his attempts to take over the Pride Lands and Equestria from hidden assistance to nearly assassinating half of the Royal Family to the whole Lion and Pony Guard, and rewriting history just because Twilight and her friends exposed you as a fraud for stealing every pony’s cutie marks." Spike pointed out. "Yeah, don’t think we don’t know what you did.”

“Says the dragon who turned into a greedy giant after receiving one birthday present too many and later on gets rewarded with being able to open presents early?” Starlight retorted. “Such big talk if you ask me.”

“Oh yeah?!”

“Yeah!”

Twilight and Sunset both immediately moved to break up the argument before it could simmer any further.

"Enough! Both of you! You've both done things in the past that you both regret. Therefore, you have no right to judge other for it. And the same can be said for me, since we’re on the same page here."

"And for someone who's also been there before, fighting like this is not going to do any of us any good, that is unless any of you want a repeat of the holiday clash last year. Not to mention, is this any way for best friends and family to behave on Hearth’s Warming and Christmas?"

“Absolutely not!” Kion stated in firm agreement. “And I’m sure everyone and everypony has their reasons for doing things we can’t understand. Even Snowfall.”

“Well said.” Twilight thanked his best friend. “And if I could continue without being interrupted, we might just see what they are."

Spike and Starlight said nothing further. They just looked across to each other with nothing but glares towards one another when both Twilight and Kion weren’t looking before dropping it completely to allow Twilight to continue.

Clearing her throat, Twilight Sparkle looked back to the book and proceeded to pick up from where she had left off. "Snowfall was all set to cast her spell that would erase Hearth's Warming for all time. When a voice from the hearth suddenly caught her attention.

"Still going through with are you, huh? Even after being warned of what fate is coming your way of you continue pursue this dark and unholy path?" An unfamiliar, young, and heavenly voice called out guess this calls for me to convince you otherwise. Or at least, shed some light on your motivations?"

Snowfall spun around as she eyed the bubbling cauldron, freezing dead in her tracks. "Huh? Who’s there? W-who said that?!" As she spoke she suddenly heard bells in the distance. The bells of the great big clock tower in the center of town.

Immediately, Mr. D's voice echoed in Snowfall's mind: "When the clock strikes one, the first ghost will come your way." And no sooner than he said that, the entire room was bathed in a blinding, brilliant pure white light.

When the light cleared up, the spirit herself is revealed to be a young and slender pony with the wings of a Pegasus and the horn of a unicorn. She appeared with a white coat with a matching white robe and night cap , a small green reef , and a golden yellow halo.

Snowfall Frost eyed this mysterious pony before realizing what this means to her. “Are you the first of three spirits I was told to expect?” She asked.

"Yes I am, Snowfall Frost." The glowing pony responded as her voice seemed to echo in a soft, soothing and warm tone. "For I am the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Past."

"Hearth’s Warming Past?" Snowfall questioned. "And exactly what lesson of the holiday am I to be missing aside from knowing the story by heart, may I ask?” She then asked some sarcastically.

The spirit returned with a frown. "In answer to your rude question, Snowfall. We’re talking about a much needed lesson on your past. You don't think a spell like that would get by without some powerful forces noticin'? You've got our attention, Snowfall Frost, and we've got some pretty strong opinions on this spell of yours."

The unicorn humphed in response. "And why do you think I need this lesson you do speak of? One that interrupts me from continuing on with my work because I didn’t cast any spirit summoning spell?”

The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Past simply explained. "Because your current pride is blinding you from seeing the bigger picture in life and what you’re about to do is about to disrupt the very balance us spirits are trying to keep in all of Equestria. For we see everything from above, each and every good deed and sin including yours Snowfall Frost."

“That’s a great discovery, but it doesn’t explain why you’re other than Mr. D’s spirit foretelling your appearance to me?”

"Because your life depends on it." The spirit pony simply replied as she approached Snowfall. "Now come on Snowfall, let’s go! There is a lot we have to see, and very little time to see it!" As she spoke, the window at the other end of the room was suddenly opened. A cold gust of wind blew past, though it wasn’t strong enough to put out the flames on the hearth.

Eyeing the window, Snowfall nervously questioned. "You’re joking right?”

“Do I look I’m joking?” Was all the spirit had to say in reply.

“Do I look like I’m going out through that window? Forget it. I’m not a spirit and I’ll simply plop to the ground and injure myself, assuming the fall isn’t big enough to kill me.”

"I can assure you, Snowfall Frost, you will not fall. For as long as you take my hoof I shall personally see to it," The spirit explained as she slowly brought one of her other hooves towards the unicorn.

Hesitantly, Snowfall reached out and placed her hoof on the white spirit pony’s. When she did so, she felt a faint tingling sensation inside of her. And then, suddenly, without her own magic, she was already floating like a spirit before being whisked out the window and away to where the spirit is guiding her towards out into the cold night ahead of her.

Suddenly, in Snowfall Frost's very eyes, she saw things began to change! Buildings flashed by in the blink of an eye, and it seemed as if everything was going backwards with ponies de-aging around her even as she herself remained the same.

But the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Past wasn't afraid or surprised in the slightest. She just began to sing as she led Snowfall along back in time.

As a young thing, life sure is something.

You go 'bout making choices large and small.

Always growing like a young thing.

And playing is like dreaming.

And then before you know it, big and tall.

Yet every little bitty choice you make.

Sends you down a path to who you are today.

So let's take a little trip down memory lane.

And see just what the past has to say.

When the singing stopped, Snowfall felt her bout of weightlessness end as her hooves touched down and felt the soft crunch of snow beneath them. All around her were trees, their branches bare and covered with snow. Just ahead of her was a small stone bridge. And if she squinted her eyes just right, she swore she could see a one story brick building in the distance.

"Do you know this place?" The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Past questioned.

Looking ahead and concentrating deeply, Snowfall began to make out more details of the building. And then, like a snowball, it hit her hard as she gasped! "I do! But I don't believe it! It's just like when I was a filly! That must be..."

The spirit nodded. "Indeed. It is your old boarding school," Then she noticed something dripping down the side of Snowfall's face. "Say, what's that upon your cheek, Snowfall? And why do yours lips appear to be quivering?"

"It's... nothing, spirit!" Snowfall insisted as the unicorn quickly wiped away the tear that had leaked out from her left eye!

Rather than press Snowfall on her obvious denial, the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Past simply pointed one of her hooves a ways down the road as she asked. "Do you know the way?"

"Yes, spirit," Snowfall agreed. "I haven't forgotten," Still, she was surprised when, in an instant, she found herself in the school yard proper. Then, to her surprise, she saw a familiar looking pony with the same mane and coat along with the matching colored eyes that are the most innocent of the buncg playing around. Back then she wore a white winter hat and matching boots, as well as a cute little light purple colored shirt with a red bow. "That's... me!" She realized.

Then, the present Snowfall watched as her past self was chased along by four other ponies her age. A white coated earth pony colt with blue eyes, a light blue coated unicorn colt also with blue eyes, a pink-purple coated unicorn mare with purple eyes, and a dark blue coated Pegasus mare with light blue eyes, all darted past (each dressed for the cold weather around them with matching hats, boots, and scarves). "Hey! Over here!!" She called out, only to watch them run right through her as if she were nothing. “Huh? What?”

"This is when we’re back in the past.” The spirit explained in the whisper. “While we can see them in spirit, they cannot because they can’t see spirits and prefer to be seen only when they want be.” She then smiled. "And you sure were quite as happy as any other filly back then on Hearth's Warming Eve.” But then she turned to a more mocking voice as she imitated the present Snowfall Frost. "Happy Hearth's Warming indeed. Not the same pony you were back then."

"Well… I admit that Hearth's Warming was wonderful back then." The present Snowfall Frost feebly defended. "I just came to lose that same excitement over the years."

“Clearly.” The spirit replied unconvinced and somewhat sarcastic before leading her inside the school. “Growing up without a father in your life along with growing up with no friends certainly took it’s toll on you. But even still it wasn’t the only thing that pushed you into becoming a bitter pony yourself."

As Snowfall found herself being brought inside the old schoolhouse, she swore she could hear the spirit singing:

Seeds of the past.

They grow pretty fast.

Just look at who you were back then.

These seeds, as they grow.

Look what they can show.

Reveal the truth time and time again.

Upon entering the school, they found the filly Snowfall Frost inside the classroom, all by herself and still here, even after school hours. The reason for that is because Snowfall Frost volunteered to decorate the classroom by hanging up the holiday decorations and ornaments.

All of a sudden, she accidentally hung an ornament on a unicorn stallion who had a rather pronounced frown. His coat, mane, and tail was light silver gray, wore a dark black coat with two buttons, purple eyes that looked on disapproving to match his expression. "Just what do you think you're doing, Snowfall?" He demanded sternly and coldly.

The filly with her mane in pigtails innocently replied. "Decorating the classroom for Hearth's Warming Eve, Professor Flintheart."

Professor Flintheart rolled his eyes. "I see. Apparently it’s so important that you chosen to stick around here instead. Didn't you say you wished to become a powerful unicorn, one of the best of the best, did you not?"

Young Snowfall nodded and brightly smiled at the professor. "I did. And I know word for word of what it takes to become a powerful unicorn." Clearing her throat, she recited from memory. "Work hard, learn and use your skills to better Equestria."

The present Snowfall Frost could only look aside to avoid looking at the glare the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Past was showing.

Professor Flintheart didn't smile or change his tone even as he scornfully said as he took the ornament off of his horn. "And how do these silly things help you learn magic?"

"I wanna be strong enough to stop windigos and help ponies!" Young Snowfall answered still smiling.

The older unicorn snorted in disappointment. “Big talk for somepony who’s investing in a grand waste of time.” Snowfall’s smile dropped when he stated this along with sharply glaring at her like she did something wrong. “That story about Windigo’s is just something we tell little ponies just to get them motivated to learn. Windigo’s don’t exist and especially not ponies like Santa Hooves.” Professor Flintheart promptly shattered the ornament into a million tiny little pieces with his magic while telling the filly. "Real magic takes time to learn, and through a silly holiday not worth celebrating. It’s your choice, Snowfall. Spend your time learning to become a powerful unicorn," He then kicked the box of decorations towards her as he turned his back to her. "Or play with your toys and make nothing of yourself." He then left the room, leaving young Snowfall alone with her now broken heart.

“And it was that day on where t all started, the day you turned your back on the holiday, all while taking the pony’s words to heart like he was your father worth listening to.” The spirit said to Present Snowfall, with a disappointed tone of voice. “But it would seem that is not the only reason why you continued on with this dark path of yours. For there is another Hearth's Warming memory to see and revisit."

As the years go back forward, everything and everyone around her began to age in the blink of an eye, the present Snowfall Frost shed a single tear as she unhappily sang:

Just seeds of the past.

We grow up so fast.

But some hurts, they never go away.

The glowing winged unicorn/horned Pegasus then sang:

The seeds, as they grow.

But this we can't let go.

All tied to this one holiday.

Suddenly, the scene changed, and as she watched the years go by she watched her young self grow up. All with both eyes focused nose deep in her books and ignoring everything and everyone else around her. The only times she did get her mind was when she was opening up her solo practice for a new business which struggled at first before slowly bur surely moving to progressively turn up profits.

During which when she was out night, she found herself eyeing a male stallion who in return shared the same loving gaze in return as they shared their first dance together under the town tree late in the night when everypony was sleeping. One with a yellow-orange coat, orange mane and tail, and a navy blue business suit. To them it was love at first sight that happens only once in a lifetime. The sight itself had Snowfall briefly smiling upon recalling the day they met with a blossoming relationship growing between them in the passing one to two years. By then she removed the pigtails before donning the attire her current self now wears.

Sadly, the brief happiness faded to a sadden look of tears upon recalling the day they had a fallout thus the last time they ever saw each other. And it was pretty clear from the silent interactions that she had no one but her greater desire to earn more money than pursing what’s more important in life. All before the day they could pursue marriage with who knows what kind of family they could have had together. Especially after learning he married another unicorn mare shortly afterwards too.

The present Snowfall was now reduced to tears without even trying to hide them, before glaring at the spirit of Hearth’s Warming Past for subjecting her to these heartbreaking memories that she wished were forgotten. “Why are you doing this to me? What did I do to deserve this?”

The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Past only shook her head as she replied. "I have told you already, Snowfall. It is so you can see the errors of your ways and see what your current self has cost you. Not only that but how much worse you’ll become if you proceed with this spell of yours if you still choose to refuse to listen to me." She then said sincerely. "Even if you do succeed, it won’t make you any happier nor erase the pain and suffering you brought upon yourself. So consider yourself warned because now I must go since my time with you is up."

The unicorn was left no time as she found herself surrounded and consumed by the same bright white light that the spirit herself used to make her appearance…

Back in the real world, a knock on the door is heard where Ono appeared at the entrance. “Kion! Twilight! We got a big problem!”

“What is it?”

“What happened?”

Just then they heard loud elephant trumpeting along with the sound Zito’s voice acting grumpy and furious downstairs.

"What a bucking cinch!"

“Zito?” Kion asked.

“Zito.” Ono returned looking like a mess of trouble is stirring up like before with him.

“Oh. Not Zito again. Always something with that elephant.” Sunset sighed in annoyance with the alicorn princess gently putting the book down on the side table before joining her friends to get a handle on the situation before it gets out of control.

“Sorry Starlight. But we’re going to have to take a short break from this story so we can calm this year’s holiday Scrooge down." Twilight apologized while assuring. "But don't think that won't mean that's the end of this story because there's still plenty to tell."

"Along with putting out a fire before it spreads out of control." Sunset also chimed in herself. "And I don't mean, literally.” She quickly added with a light chuckle.

“Good idea.” Spike agreed before leaping down from his seat with his empty mug in his claws. “Because I need to refill my cup…” His stomach growled. “...along with taking care of some much needed business.” He then rushed off to do so leaving Starlight very anxious to wonder what’s going to happen next.

“Don’t worry, Starlight. We’ll be back.” Kion assured before leaving while Starlight patiently awaits for their return along with being able to listen to the story she is now invested in.

It took a fair amount of time, but Twilight, Kion, and Spike all returned back to the castle library with the latter now having a freshly filled mug of hot chocolate complete with two marshmallows floating at the top.

“Sorry about that, Starlight.” Kion apologized on everyone’s behalf. “There was just a minor hiccup in regards to our cranky guest downstairs.”

"And that's putting it lightly." Sunset added feeling like she was spared from losing it because of him as she took in deep calming breaths. "Reminds me of the time of when he complained when there wasn't enough water to go around the watering hole during the dry season in the Pride Lands. At least he didn't make any discouraging remarks about me this time."

“But he’s doing better now.” Twilight added in assurance while secretly thinking to herself. “Hopefully.” Speaking up again she asked her student with a smile. “Now, are we ready to continue on with the story?”

“Yep. Ready when you are.” Starlight replied with a firm nod. “It just took a while for me to get me interested. Now I want to know what happens next.”

Twilight grinned as everyone got back in their seats while using her magic to pick up the book she left on the side table. “Now that we’re all settled in, we can now find out together. And believe me when I tell you it gets better from here."

“Can’t wait!” Spike stated while resting his head on Twilight’s wing and sipping his beverage.

“Me too.” Kion agreed before remarking. “Because this really is quite a story.”

“It sure is.” Twilight replied before continuing on with the story. “When the flash of light faded, Snowfall Frost found herself back where she last was. Right when she first meet the first spirit. And with two more spirits left to visit her, she is left wondering what will happen next.”

Snowfall had to take a moment to gather her senses trying to comprehend what she’d just witnessed and everything she'd been told. She was absolutely sure it was no dream but couldn’t be really sure whether it was real or not.

Then the clock chimed once more signaling another hour has passed. It chimed twice this time around. And when it stopped, she heard another pair of hoofsteps coming her way. It got louder and louder as the sound made it’s way upstairs towards where she is standing now.

So she instinctively turned her head towards the steps where said figure made her appearance known with her shadow appearing and drawing closer to her. Snowfall moved to have her horn illuminated in order to properly see the stranger suddenly making her way up the stairs without even opening the door like she just appeared in thin air.

And like the previous visitor and much like the previous spirit she looked to be a heavenly figure. One that is definitely sporting a warm and inviting aura in her presence. So bright that Snowfall couldn’t quite get a good make out of who’s greeting her before finding herself whisked inside a magical door that appeared out of nowhere.

“Do not be afraid, Snowfall Frost. Hold on.” The voice told her as she found herself closing her eyes bracing for what’s coming her way before finding the courage to open them up when she was sure whatever magical thing was happening around her stopped.

Now Snowfall found herself in a room that sported a huge tree decorated with lights and with a shining star hanging on the top. There was a large lit fireplace, giving the room a very equally warm and inviting feel to the place.

And when Snowfall looked up, she gasped at what she was seeing before her eyes. A large pony bigger than the first one. This one too has wings and a horn just like the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Past. Beneath her golden yellow robe and the green reef on her head, is a white coat is bright a cloud on a sunny day.

The pony spirit then looked down, locking eyes with her visitor through her light pink eyes. She gave a jovial laugh and flashed a bright smile as she spoke with a jolly and cheerful tone. "Greetings, Snowfall Frost. I am the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Present! Do not be afraid to look at me like I am Death for this is not the case here right now."

Snowfall Frost moved to do as she is told, but not without saying. “Okay…” She then admitted. “Wow! You’re really quite big for a spirit. No offense.”

The spirit smiled and laughed again as she replied. "None taken. It’s quite common for others to say that about me when they meet me for the very first time." But then she said. "But enough said, I believe I am here because I have something important to show you.”

“In regards to why I shouldn’t cast the spell that I was about to do?” The glasses wearing unicorn inquired.

“That is correct my dear.” She nodded before presenting her robe. “Now in order for us to continue with this much needed arrangement. And don’t think I’ll take no for an answer because I not going to.”

With that telling her that this request is practically an order, Snowfall reached out and grabbed onto the spirit’s robe. Then suddenly she was then whisked away by force.

When Snowfall Frost opened her eyes again, she found herself standing beside the Spirit of Hearth Warming's Present on a street corner with the sun now currently setting. Upon arriving the two found themselves overseeing many ponies trotting the streets they are now standing on. All chattering either among themselves or to and with others.

But while sightseeing Snowfall happened to notice something she wasn’t quite expecting, particularly their choice of wardrobe. "And this is the richest area in the city?” She questioned rather skeptically.

The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Present returned firmly. "Yes it is. Rich in a pony’s true passion and happiness, for embracing the holiday spirit as they all celebrate Hearth's Warming every year. Something that ponies like you don’t notice because you never bother to see for yourself of what life’s like on the opposite side of the town. After all, you said it yourself. Dealing with the poor is a grand waste of time, right?"

Snowfall was left stunned into silence knowing full well those were the exact same words she said when dismissing two business ponies seeking a generous donation earlier. “But how? I mean why is that so even in the very heart of Canterlot? You would think there would hardly be a single pony who wouldn’t have trouble meeting meet’s end?”

“You would think would you?” The spirit returned with a look of disapproval. “While it’s true for the most part, even among the richest of ponies have their own personal struggles that make it difficult to reach the bar other ponies set. And much like one rich pony in a town of poor ponies that everything is all sparkles and sun shines as one would assume.”

“What do you mean? That rich ponies are not all as happy as they seem and poor ponies do have more blessings in disguise.”

“Indeed.” Celestia nodded seeing that Snowfall is slowly getting it now. “For there is more truth within the eye of the beholder that you are not quite seeing clearly.” Then suddenly, she noticed a pink coated earth pony filly whose coat was stained by dust and scratch marks. But regardless, she still maintained a cheerful demeanor to match her innocent blue eyes. "Perhaps the perfect example should help you understand more.” She smiled as she leaned her head towards Snowfall. "I think a song is coming on!"

And sure enough, the filly began to sing as she bounced and trotted along, even while doing so on her own. Even still she took great pleasure in performing to herself as she happily sang loudly with great pride.

Just take a look at everything around you.

All the smells that surely will astound you.

Open up your heart, and it will surround you.

In the magic of Hearth's Warming!

It's the little things that make it better.

Little ponies spreading cheer.

Give a toy, a hug, or a sweater.

Memories will last all year!

The present's always filled with presents!

Large, medium and small!

And sometimes the most important things.

Aren't very big at all!

As the filly sang, her joyful attitude extended to other ponies left and right to the point everyone around her were singing and dancing to the imaginary beat, as the filly did a tap dancing solo.

Then, the filly's eyes locked on with eagerness and wonder as she passed a house and gazed into its brightly light window, observing an ongoing Hearth's Warming party inside.

What a party, there's so much to see here.

Who wouldn't want to be here?

You'd have a blast, that I guarantee here.

For this is the spirit of Hearth's Warming.

Cider's flowing, this is living.

Come on, feel the beat!

Life is better when you're giving.

And each time you do it feels sweet.

The present's always filled with presents!

Come on, open up your eyes!

Spend time with ponies just like you.

And watch as your spirits rise!

The present's always filled with presents!

Take a look around!

The reason for the holiday.

Is quite easily found!

Yes, the real reason for the holiday.

Is quite easily found!

And the reason is to be with your friends!

As she finished singing, the filly put her hooves together and made a shower of confetti suddenly appear between them.

"And the reason is to be with your friends!" Twilight sang out, her tone of voice sounding like Pinkie Pie. However, she stopped upon noticing that Starlight was smirking at her. "What?"

“You know you were doing your Pinkie Pie voice right?” She asked her teacher while trying hard not to laugh.

"I was not!" Twilight insisted even her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment. But she knew she couldn’t deny it when her other friends were laughing about it.

“So…” Kion chuckled before calming himself down along with Sunset.

“...what happens next?”

Once her cheeks returned to normal color the alicorn continued reading. “Upon seeing the party in front of her, Snowfall moved to see what’s inside that very house, with more that meets the eye than she originally thought.”

Said sight that really stunned her, was the host of said party. A very familiar Pegasus mare with a golden fur coat and emerald green diamond colored eyes. Her cousin Felina, her only living relative. The very party she declined the invitation to earlier.

"Believe or not, she actually said it." Felina laughed while chattering with some of the party guests interested in what she had to say. "Not only did Auntie Snowfall really declare “Bah humbug.” in the face of the holiday. She also found me finding love that I’ll soon to marry the most incredulous thing’s she’s ever heard. Several of the party guests broke into hard laughter. “I know right. She has no idea what she’s missing out on. If she were here she would see how wrong she was about her vision of a perfect Equestria and what it’s really like." Then she added. "And to prove my point, I’m going to start up my own business here and help all of these poor ponies with their troubles. It might be difficult but I’m certain business will thrive with the biggest bit of gold is being able to do something to help them out. And at the very least do much more than my greedy old aunt who has plenty of bits to spare but none to give herself."
Snowfall looked on like guilt and harsh honesty punched her right in the face. Hearing those words left her wondering if this is what others really think of her when she’s not around and that she’s not as highly spoken of as she thought she was.

“Sure is quit hurtful isn’t it?” The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Present spoke up, snapping Snowfall out of her mental thought process. "Especially when hearing the harsh truths in life."

"I... never knew that this is what others truly think of me." Snowfall admitted as she tried to put together the right words for her thought about what she just saw. "I thought that own solo work in pursing great magic and great feats would actually mean significance to everypony. I never once thought that I may have been going all about my life’s goals all wrong. Have I?"

The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Present just replied. "In ways one can achieve it, but not in the ways that one would think they could do so. While it’s true one pony can’t do everything by themselves, certain actions of one pony that inspire others, can make a difference in life." Then she gestured to the window. "And now this is one more stop we need to make in regard to that filly that just sung earlier. Surely you must be wondering what goes on in her life, are you?"

Snowfall nodded her head. "Yep."

"Well, then let’s go." The spirit said as she held out her robe again. "But what you’ll see next is something you may not like depending how pure or dark your heart is."

Still a bit hesitant, Snowfall Frost moved to touch the spirit's robe once again and felt herself flying along through the city skyline. But the journey soon ended as pony and spirit touched down outside an certain house far away from the very heart of the city of Canterlot. It was located on the city's outer limits, and the only house with lights still on at this very hour...

"Wait!" Spike called out as he interrupted the story again. "Could we take a quick break? I need to refill my cocoa."

"Again?" Twilight looked on at Spike like that came out of nowhere questioned. "I thought you just filled up minutes ago?"

Spike willingly admitted. "Yeah, well, I ended up drinking it already. I’ll be back and I make sure this next cup lasts for the rest of the story. I promise.” He jumped down from his seat and ran off.

Reluctantly, the alicorn agreed even as she groaned. "Fine, but hurry up. You know we're getting to the best part of the story! And the most important part, I might add."

Luckily for everyone, Spike was in and out quickly and with a fresh full mug of hot chocolate. He got back into his earlier position, got comfortable and nodded to Twilight. "Okay, I'm ready."

"Okay then," Twilight Sparkle agreed and cleared her throat. "Snowfall eyed the humble little brick building with curiosity. Something about it nagged at her, refusing to leave her alone."

Snowfall Frost was deep in thought as she looked into the window, pressing her face up against the glass. She could see what another pony inside the kitchen, and there stood a tall and sturdy looking earth pony mare with a purple coat. Her mane and tail were black with lavender colored streaks in it, and her eyes were light blue. In addition her cutie mark depicts a keen looking expression that’s lavender in color and she is also wearing a lavender colored jacket that sported many torn patches on it.

By her side are two foals. One was a Pegasus colt with a dark blue coat, dark blue eyes and a white mane and tail. And the other was a unicorn filly with a light gray coat, chocolate brown eyes, and a light gray mane and tail with brown streaks. Their cutie marks depicted birds that fit their respective personalities.

"Mother?" The Pegasus colt asked out of the blue. "Is Father coming home? We’re ready to eat now."

"Yeah!" The unicorn filly chimed in agreement. "I’m ready for food too!" And she licked her lips and sniffed the air. "Oh, I can it smell it!"

The mare looked down and chuckled slightly as she playfully and firmly reminded. "Now Tim, Tilly, you know that can’t happen yet. Your father isn’t home yet, and we always wait for the whole family before we eat. Your little sister especially needs more compared to the rest of us." In a more serious tone of voice she added. "And you know what happens with her given her current condition, especially when she gets excited."

Just then, Tim looked out the very same window Snowfall was looking into. He couldn't see her or the spirit, but he could see the faint outline of two earth ponies in the distance. He buzzed his wings in excitement as he shouted! "I see her! I see Father! And he's got Tiny Timantha with her!"

Tilly ran to the same window, and sure enough she could see a lean Pegasus with a white coat and orange mane and tail made to look like firey flames. Atop his mane was resting a pink coated filly with a mane and tail that greatly resembles Pinkie Pie. Said filly was holding onto a crutch as she bounced up and down on the elder earth pony's mane with every step.

It was then the dark blue colored filly got an idea! "Quick!" He shouted to his sister and his mother! "Let's hide and surprise them! It’ll be fun!"

"That does sound like fun!" Tilly agreed. "And I know the perfect hiding spot. Come on!” And all three ponies quickly hid behind the nearby walls that keeps them hidden from the front door.

As all this was unfolding, the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Present was looking to Snowfall with the most unusual expression upon her face. It was like she knows something that she doesn’t quite understand just yet. But she still asked her. “You recognize this place and who’s home this is?”

"No. Should I?" Snowfall honestly answered.

The spirit snorted a little before answering her question. “I’ll give you a hint, Snowfall Frost. It’s the home of someone you know at work.”

At that, the unicorn gasped! "Robert Thatchet! And this is his...house? His family?!"

The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Present nodded. "And even while not quite as rich as you, deep down there are rich inside. Rich in spirit. Which you will see as they truly embrace the true spirit of Hearth's Warming." And she brought up a hoof in a shushing motion. "Now, watch and learn."

Robert Hatchet and the filly Snowfall assumed was the "Tiny Timantha" the colt had spoken of approached their house. When they were close enough to the door, Robert let Timantha down gently and trotted alongside the little filly as the two made their way to the front door.

Once they made their way inside, instantly the lights flickered on. That was when Tim and Tilly emerged from their hiding place, shouting together! "Surprise!"

And Robert Hatchet's wife Helen trotted quick to hug him just seconds afterwards, along with giving him a greetings kiss on the cheek. "Welcome home, Rob." Then she asked. "How was little Timantha today?"

"Quite punctual as always." Robert Hatchet sincerely answered while patting the little filly gently on the forehead. "I wish you could've seen it, Helen. The way she carried herself on the way back was enough to make her seem stronger than most of the blind and crippled ponies combined.."

"And I saw the biggest, bestest, most awesomest Hearth's Warming party ever!" Tiny Timantha excitedly exclaimed, only to start coughing consistently as a result.

Seeing this had Robert Thatchet quickly speak up to settle the filly down. "Easy there, little one. Let’s try to keep that enthusiasm down. You know what happens when you overdo it. It's not good for your health.”

The pink coated filly seemed to oblige to the older pony’s wishes, ceasing in her excited prancing and taking a few deep breaths. "I know, Daddy. But that was an amazing party! I wish I could throw something like that for all of us! Just think of the fun we could have together."

"And trust me when I tell you we can have as much fun as the big Hearth's Warming Day feast we’re about to have.” Helen assured with a warm and friendly smile. "And that includes all of your favorite dishes and treats."

Hearing that, had Tiny Timantha's eyes widen in delight. "Oh, Mommy, you shouldn't have!" She leapt up and immediately gave the mare the biggest hug she could give.

Helen Thatchet smiled as she gently placed the fily back down on the ground. "Believe me when I tell you I just did. Now you and your siblings go wash up, before meeting us in the dining room. Then we’ll have dinner together."

The pink coated little earth pony gave a salute. "Can do!" Then, with the aid of her crutch she walked away as fast as she could, leaving the adults alone with each other.

Snowfall had seen the whole thing unfold, all while having to mentally remember that she could see but not touch or speak when viewing the lives of other ponies. All they could do was watch in silence and while invisible.

While watching Snowfall Frost couldn’t help but notice something she wasn’t quite expecting as she watched the Hatchet family get ready for dinner. Particularly is that they actually have very little in the way of food and that their "feast" was void of what many would expect for such a very special occasion. "Even with so little compared to Cousin Felina. And yet they are all still cheerful, filled with hope and strive for a better life."

The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Present looked towards Snowfall and said bluntly to her. "Harsh truths, Snowfall. Takes one pair of eyes to see things differently."

It wasn't long before the entire Thatchet household were all seated at the table ready to begin their meal together.

Yet before anypony could think of digging in, Robert Thatchet tapped a spoon against her glass and cleared her throat. "Everypony, before we begin to enjoy this delicious meal together, I'd like to propose a toast. To the one pony that made this possible."

"To who?" The kids all wondered.

Robert Thatchet smiled as he answered. "My boss, Miss. Snowfall Frost."

Helen Thatchet immediately snorted and rolled her eyes in disgust. "Her. Of all ponies, what has she done to ensure that she truly deserves an honorable medal on today of all days?"

Robert Thatchet simply and calmly assured his wife. "Well, despite her cold and icy heart, she was kind enough to give me the day off. For the first time in years. At least there’s some shred of decency inside of her."

Helen Thatchet's mood didn't change as she bitterly remarked. "Well that’s encouraging. Why I’d have half a mind and tail feather to shove her hat right up down her throat if she dared to make you work today and allow you to be able to at least have time to spend time with us. She should know of how much the kids need their father around to spend time with."

“I know, dear.” The lean Pegasus acknowledged but still insisted on a more pleasant attitude. “But today’s Hearth's Warming Day. All’s good know and even if she were here, I still won’t come to work on Hearth’s Warming Day even if my life depended on it."

The mare only replied. "Better not. Especially on a day like today.” And she wasted no time in laying down exactly of what she thinks about Snowfall Frost. “That mare is just one of the most mean, selfish, cruel, money-grubbing ponies I’ve ever dealt with." Then she sighed deeply and sank back into her chair, trying to restrain herself from potentially cursing in front of the children. "But I know for sure you know when to stand up for yourself when it counts, Rob."

"That’s true, I do and thank you, Helen.."

“Very well.” The wife moved to raise her glass for his sake. “I'll toast to her for your sake and for the holiday, but that’s it." She then instructed the children to do the same. "Everypony, a toast: To Miss Snowfall Frost, for at least having a heart big enough to allow the man of the family to be with us here tonight of all night, on this Hearth's Warming Day!"

"To Snowfall Frost!" Ash Hatchet and the children all said in unison as they lifted their glasses, lightly tapping them against each other. Then they set them back down before beginning their meal together.

Unknown to the family of five, Snowfall had seen and heard everything. She hadn't expected what she heard to dig into so deep into her icy heart that the coldness would crack and sting upon contact. Looking down at her own hooves, she seemed to be thinking to herself of how much she’s really missing out along with showing the worst of herself all these years.
Suddenly, as if she knew what the pony herself was thinking, Tiny Timantha after swallowing her food, spoke of her thoughts in regards to Snowfall Frost. "Surely Miss. Snowfall Frost can't be a truly awful pony. Maybe she’s just feeling bitter and cold from not not having happy Hearth’s Warming experiences. Just her by herself with nopony to call her friend, and only one cousin for family sounds like a very sad life for anypony even her, especially on Hearth's Warming Day," She then proposed. "I think we should all get her a Hearth's Warming gift to help her feel better."

Helen Thatchet couldn't stop herself from smiling a bit feeling touched by her words herself. "Maybe we can. And it’s quite a gift that you have such a big heart even when others truly don’t deserve it. Always fully in spirit no matter what."

"Yep! That’s me, Mommy," Tiny Timantha said with a wide and bright smile. "It is Hearth’s Warming Day where no pony should have ever have to feel left out. It would be a crime for a pony with hurt feelings to roam town feeling like that." But as soon as she finished speaking, she began coughing once again. And then she had to calm herself once more. "Sorry. I’ll stop now."

Now feeling greatly worried for her, Snowfall Frost nervously turned towards the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Present. “That doesn’t sound great. Will she be okay?”

The spirit simply looked upon the little filly and then replied unsure with the current path their future holds. “That I can’t say for sure. But I do know this, Snowfall," She looked towards the child and answered. "With her current condition and without proper medicine and care they can afford, it is not looking she’ll live long to the point she’ll grow up to live her life to the fullest.”

"No!" Snowfall gasped in horror.

The spirit then coldly went on to say. "But then again, why would a pony like you care? It’s not like you truly care for others let alone have the bits to make a difference in her life. Much like with all of the poor ponies who have little to nothing to help them get by these troubling times." She then concluded as she spun around to look directly at Snowfall Frost. “Weren’t those your exact words?"

"Well yes, but that was before seeing things clearly!" Snowfall admitted as she started to tear up herself. "She's too young to die prematurely! She deserves to live as much as any other pony around her!" She then pleaded to the spirit. "Please tell me that there is a way for things to get better before it could even happen. Please tell me, great spirit!” But before she could get that answer, the clanging chimes and the ringing bells of the local clock tower rang out, signaling that her hour has already passed by.
As the chimes echoed across the land, the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Present began to age and fade as an ominous white mist began to set in around her. "I’m afraid I’m out of time to answer that question, Snowfall. If you do decide to take fate upon yourself, you know now of what you can do to make sure death doesn’t fall upon her too soon.” As she spoke her last words her long and flowing, rainbow colored mane and tail began to turn a dull shade of gray. "But for now, I must go and leave you in the hooves of one last spirit to face. The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Yet to Come. Her lesson will be the hardest to learn. And I hope you do, for your sake."

"W-wait!" Snowfall pleaded as she tried to stop the spirit from leaving to no avail. “Great Spirit!” Instantly, the Spirit of Hearth’s Warming Present quickly and mysteriously vanished leaving Snowfall herself completely consumed while the white and mysterious ominous mist once the chiming had finally stopped.

Snowfall then found herself surprised when she was not brought back to her house and to her study as she had when the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Past had left her. Yet she could hear the clock chiming yet again, three times to be exact. It was made clear to Snowfall that what she saw only took an hour at a time, twice, even though it was a full length day’s of Hearth's Warming festivities.

Now, however, she could see nothing at all except snow. Snow that fell all around her, blown strongly and harshly by extremely cold winds that hurt the exposed parts of her body with nothing but fog around her.

Suddenly, as Snowfall Frost took a step back, she accidentally bumped into someone. She turned around, finding herself facing a tall, dark figure wearing a long, black, cloak that covered her entire body. And this mysterious figure had yet to say a word despite her towering and imposing appearance.

Assuming correctly, the glasses wearing unicorn plucked up courage to speak first. "Are you the Spirit of Hearth's Warming Yet to Come?" She asked only receiving a nod in response. "So then… what lesson are you trying to teach me now. Of what will happen should I cast the spell that I was recently working on and or if I still don’t value Hearth’s Warming like everyone else?” The spirit merely nodded before pointing a hoof as the blinding snow and fog cleared up a little, showing a very familiar looking sight ahead of her. Said sight happened to be her own home. Except with no light and signs of life. "I don’t know if that’s really necessary.” She insisted against seeing what the spirit wants her to see whole standing still in place.

But the spirit without words still, wasn’t taking no for an answer before ushering Snowfall Frost towards the door inside. Instantly, bad images flowed through her mind as the unicorn thought about what terrifying things might be inside her own home. “Really! Please don’t make me see what’s inside. I already got a good idea what fate is in store for me should I not come to appreciate the holidays. So please, anything but that.” She pleaded.

The spirit complied with her desperate wishes, leaving the unicorn to wonder what else she has to see as she looked up to the spirit glaring down into her soul. “So what now? What about the others? The Thatchets along with the little girl Tiny Tamantha. Surely they didn’t suffer because of me.”

However, it was then that the spirit moved to reveal her face, revealing itself as a dark blue coated winged alicorn as she spoke coldly with an echo to back it up. “I’m afraid I cannot do that, Snowfall Frost. For the future has already been changed. All sealed and set in stone."

"W-what? Why not?" Snowfall demanded an answer. "And what is up with all of this blistering blizzard?"

The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Yet to Come replied in the same cold tone. "Because of what happened, Snowfall Frost. The answer lied within your very home before it all happened. There are no Hearth's Warmings left for me to show. You will succeed in erasing the holiday for all time, as you wished."

The glasses wearing unicorn gulped. "If that’s so then what happens to everypony else?"

Instead of replying with words, The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Yet to Come sang in a dark and ominous voice:

I see a cold wind blowing through.

And I see days neither fun nor free.

I see a future caused by you!

Yet I also see a path not meant to be!

But the days ahead are only dark and tragic.

There's no time for hope when all is strife!

Whatever there might have been.

All the dreams that ponies share.

Now, because of you, Snowfall Frost!

The future is only a cold nightmare!
As the spirit finished singing, Snowfall's eyes locked on a very eerie sight that almost made her drop dead from fright. Horses made of clouds, snow and ice. One look at them had her realizing exactly what they were. "Windigos?!" She gasped in disbelief, watching as the mythical creatures and the blizzards continue creating a frozen lifeless tundra around them. "But...how?! They aren't real! They're just a fairytale, a little filly's story!"

The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Yet to Come could only shake her head as she then scolded firmly. "They are all too real, Snowfall, and your actions will allow them to return. The future of Equestria shall be bathed in a blanket of eternal snow and ice! That is the fate that is store for everyone, all because of you, Snowfall Frost. This is what will happen as long as you continue your misguided ways! And once it happens I cannot change it or stop it!"
Snowfall had seen and heard enough as she moved to approach the spirit pleading for her to hear her out with a voice of desperation. "No! I never meant for any of this to happen! I didn't know! But I see now! I understand! I didn't see how important Hearth's Warming really was until now!" The Spirit of Hearth's Warming Yet to Come said nothing in response leaving the mare to continue pleading drastically and desperately. "Please, spirit! I can change! I haven't cast the spell yet! Is there still time?! Tell me there's still time to make things right! I'm sorry! I won't try to nor plot to create a catastrophe like this ever again! Whatever I did wrong that led to all of this, it doesn't mean it has to define my future or Equestria's future! Please, just send me back!" And then she fell to the ground with tears in her eyes. Then everything went dark.

Slowly but surely, Snowfall Frost opened her eyes. She found herself back in her workshop in her own home once again. Looking down at herself, she saw that her hooves were solid clearly indicating to herself that she is still alive and well.

While wondering whether or not it is was a bad dream or not, she came to realize that it actually happened. And that she actually dealt with actual spirits telling her the best course of action to salvage her own spirit. So with that she quickly used her magic to take the cauldron containing her spell off the burning hearth. She then proceeded to dump the contents down the kitchen sink so it can never be utlized ever again. Especially after seeing a windigo emerge from the drain floating her way back to the skies never to be seen again.

“What was I thinking?” Snowfall said to herself with terror in her voice with what she had just witnessed. She then moved to open her bedroom window as she looked down on the streets below. One look let’s her know that today is still Hearth’s Warming Day, much to her delighted relief. “There’s still time!” She then proceeded to don her top hat and straightening her scarf, along with collecting a huge sack of bits to carry with her before setting off outside for some much needed errands and things to do.

The unicorn's first stop was to greet the two ponies that tried to get her to donate to charity earlier who both happened to be on a nearby street corner not far from her house. "Greetings, my fellow ponies." She cheerfully greeted.

The two ponies jumped back in surprise with her sudden appearance.

"Miss Snowfall Frost. This is sure is quite a surprise."

“It sure is.”

“It is, isn’t it.” Snowfall replied as she then said next. "Also, I just wanted to come by to reconsider my earlier position about donation." And she pulled the two ponies close and whispered into their ears of what she’d like to offer to them.

The red suit wearing pony’s eyes went wide. “Really! You wish to donate that much?!”

“Are you sure?” The gray suit wearing pony asked to make sure this is all sincere and true.

“Yep.” Snowfall Frost replied as she opened up the sack of bits. "Consider it a very much needed act of generosity and an apology for my earlier behavior. I’m sure the poor will greatly benefit from this. Just make sure it’s spent wisely and fairly, okay?” And then she trotted off, all while happily humming to herself.

Soon afterward, Snowfall had the good fortune to bump into her Cousin Felina who was on her way back to her house. "Aunt Snowfall?" Glow blinked in surprise.

Snowfall smiled. "Yep, and hello again cousin. I just wanted to come by and reconsider my intial stance on that big Hearth's Warming party you're throwing. Meaning that I would be more than happy to accept your invitation this time."

Glow could hardly believe what she is seeing and hearing. "Really? You mean it?”

“Absolutely!” Snowfall firmly nodded.

“Wow!” Felina returned with delight in her voice. “After all these years you’re finally coming out your shell. I really hope this means we’ll see more of this side of you for the years to come.”

“You can count on that.” The glasses wearing unicorn assured. "And to prove it, here. I got you a little something. It's the best I could I do on short notice." She sheepishly admitted.

Glow ripped open a large package presented to her, and in her magic she took hold of a bottle of a strange, pink-purple colored liquid. She read the label: "Dragon Toenail", and blinked slowly.

Snowfall Frost blushed. "Sorry. I promise I'll do better next time."

Glow only chuckled. "That’s quite all right, Auntie. It's the thought that counts after all." She then asked. "How long can I expect to wait for you to show up for the party?"

"Not for a while." The unicorn mare with the top hat and glasses replied. "I’ll be over as soon as take care of one more thing first. Something that I should have done a while ago." And off she trotted again.

Said stop happened to bring her to the house of the Thatchets. The most important stop of her journey so far. She took a moment to compose herself, adjusting her glasses and her top hat before mustering the courage to knock on the door.

The door was answered by Robert Thatchet, who looked on at her with a frown. "Oh, hello, boss." He bitterly and sarcastically remarked with narrowed eyebrows. "Let me guess, you’re here to have me come work on Hearth’s Warming, are you? Or am I being fired on today of all days?”

“Honey…” Helen Thachet his beloved wife said to him as she moved to trot up towards the front door. “...everything okay? Oh…” She then said upon seeing his employer at their front door step. “...this sure is an unexpected surprise.”

“It sure is.”

“I know, I know, but in answer to your question Robert, I’m not here to fire you nor make you work today of all day’s.” She quickly assured. “I came because I wanted to apologize for my previous and regrettable behavior.”

“Oh, really?” Robert returned unconvinced feeling this is just to lure him into a false sense of security. “Sure took you long enough.”

“Believe me, it did take me a while for me to see things clearly, but I am now.” She briefly cleaned the lenses of her glasses before continuing. “And to prove that I have really changed, I have something to say that is much overdue at this point.”

“Like what? Like I’m being fired?”

“Close.” She answered saying otherwise. “I’m raising your salary.”

“Oh, I knew it!” Robert returned before going off into a rant. “I knew you would say that! Well you know what if you’re going to cut my pay then I…” But then she stopped when he realized what she actually said. "Wait? What?"

The glasses wearing unicorn firmly nodded as she embraced Robert in a hug. "I said I’m raising your salary.”

“Really?”

“Really. No strings attached. In fact I’m also making you my new partner. Snowfall Frost and Robert Thatchet is the name of our new buisness which I’m sure we’ll find a more suiting name in time." Then she added. "Also, I heard about the child you and Helen are taking care of: Tiny Timantha." Both Robert and Helen blinked in surprise before Snowfall continued with a smile. “So I also plan to see to it that she has access to the best doctors and medicine that ponies here have to offer along with much needed trips to the beach to help out her lungs.”

“Wow, you really shouldn’t have.” Robert said very astonished himself. “Meaning this is really one of the best gifts we have ever received in a long, long time.” He then moved to hug his boss with great appreciation. “Thank you, boss. For everything tonight.”

“My pleasure.” She happily returned as she finds herself settled into a group hug with the rest of the family who all are now seeing her as family now.

"And from then on, it was always said that of all the Hearth's Warming Eve celebrations, Snowfall's was the Hearth's Warmingest." Twilight concluded as she finished reading the story.

“So I take it Tiny Timantha had a happy ending too?" Starlight asked.

Twilight smiled as she read a little bit further to be sure of that. "She did indeed. Thanks to Snowfall Frost looking out for her like an aunt she did get better and she along with everyone lived happily ever after. The end." Then she closed up the book, and used her magic to carefully return it to it’s proper shelf.

"Wow!" Starlight Glimmer exclaimed in amazement as she slowly rose from her seat. "That sure was quite a story to tell. Kind of makes me wish I had came across it much sooner."

The young half alicorn prince smiled. "At least you got to hear it now.”

”Better late than never I always say.” Sunset added in agreement. "Although..." She then thought as she saw the similarities between this story and another she's thinking of back home. "...I wonder what help make way for a good Christmas version of this story?" Just then they all heard trumpeting from downstairs again. "I guess that answers my question. Maybe I'll write about it when I get back to the other world."

"Feel free." Spike returned open to the idea himself. "Then we can read all about how Zito himself fits being the Christmas Scrooge himself who turned himself around."

"Sounds like a plan."

Twilight smiled as she then said next. “And thanks for letting me read you the story. And you can look forward to hearing it every year on Hearth's Warming Eve and Christmas if you want.”

“You mean that?” Starlight asked feeling touched inside.

“Of course, you're part of my family too. Starlight." Twilight replied with a nod.

“Me too, Starlight.” Spike added while wrapping his arms around one of the unicorns legs. "Like brother, like sister."

Then Twilight told her student. "Well, Starlight, you're welcome to come and join the fun downstairs if you want. Or you can call it a night. Spike, Kion, and I will try to keep the noise down as much as we can, though we can’t guarantee it."

“Especially since we have elephants for company.” Kion added in agreement before the thought of them resurfacing. “Assuming they have settled down enough.”

The unicorn mare then watched as alicorn, lion, and dragon all left the library and headed back downstairs to join the gathered crowd in celebrating Hearth's Warming with Sunset herself lagging behind. For a while, the lilac mare just stood there. Then, she trotted over to a balcony overlooking the main foyer, now contemplating her options more than before as Sunset walked beside her.

"I take hearing that story has really opened your heart up now hasn't it, Starlight?" Sunset asked, correctly figuring that's what's on her mind now.

"It actually has." Starlight admitted.

"And it must be a blessing to have a friend like Twilight on a day like today? Along with taking the time to read it to you?"

"No kidding. Though I have to ask, why are you asking me these curious questions?"

"Because for a mare who didn't celebrate the holidays much like you before meeting Twilight. With the one attempt before last year turning into a massive scandal that drove me away from the other world in tears along with having an emotional outburst on the following attempt shortly afterwards, could tell that having friends who see you as family is something worth cherishing especially at this time of the year. Without Twilight around to show me the error of my ways, I would be living a life a loneliness and still mistreating my classmates all for the name of a title which is really just an empty crown for me."

"That bad. huh?"

"Yeah. And petty the more you think about it." Sunset sighed as she processes the flashbacks of her past self which she still isn't very fond of now. "So I too know what's to not be able to value that holiday spirit along with friendship in general before turning myself around. That being said, I really have Twilight who sees me as family too to thank for helping me become the pony and girl I now am today because none of this right now would be possible without her." With that said she then concluded. "Anyways, I'll let you think about it and if you decide you're up for it, you know where to go from here." With that Sunset followed down the stairs next leaving the other unicorn alone for a minute to process it all.

After listening to that heartfelt story along with Sunset's talk, Starlight found herself unable to turn her thoughts of the holiday away. She thought deeply of memories that came to her in an instant. Memories of Hearth's Warming spent with Sunburst and his family, waiting long into the night and finding it hard to sleep as she waited for the coming day. Along with memories with her own family, with her father coming home from work to spend it with her no matter what.

Starlight soon realized that she really longed for those memories now more than ever. She realized that the holiday spirit hadn’t truly vanished, since she still has it inside of her. And that was got her to reconsider her thoughts of Hearth’s Warming along with Christmas herself.

With her mind made up, Starlight Glimmer trotted downstairs as she was first warmly greeted and noticed by none other than Twilight Sparkle and Kion.

With a smile on their faces, Twilight extended a friendly greeting towards the unicorn. "Welcome to the party! Happy Hearth's Warming and Christmas, Starlight."

“Glad you could join us!” Kion happily added.

"The more the merrier." Sunset equally happily added.

"Happy Hearth's Warming and Christmas, Twilight, Kion, Sunset." Then, with joyful holiday spirit just like Snowfall Frost in the story, Starlight began to sing herself.

Hearth's Warming Eve is filled with presents.

And some take you by surprise.

A story shared by your good friends.

That makes your spirits rise.

Sometimes you just let go of the past.

And enjoy the present while it lasts.

And really it's not that much to ask.

With good friends by your side.

Oh, now it's time to celebrate!

"Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve is here once again!" The chorus chimed in.

All together, feeling great! Starlight happily sang back, and joined the choir in singing!

Hearth's Warming Eve is here once again!

Then Starlight took lead in singing her own part:

Can hardly wait!

We'll party 'til late!

It's our favorite date!

And then, joining hooves and paws with Twilight, Spike, Sunset, Kion, and countless others, Starlight joined the crowd in singing triumphantly all at once.

Hearth's Warming Eve and Christmas is here once a—

Happy, happy Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve!

Happy, happy Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve!

Hearth's Warming and Christmas Eve is here once again!

Thus, Starlight Glimmer found herself experiencing true happiness on Hearth's Warming Eve for the first time in years much happier than before.

Author's Note

Okay, everyone. After catching up with the Friendship Games, we're now back to more of this season, starting with a holiday special of how Hearth's Warming changed the life of a powerful and magical mare in a Christmas Carol's fashion.

As for the changes I made to this version, for starters, there was of course taking notes and getting the story more of what should have been had it not been a simple 22 minute episode.

And next there is the addition of Sunset Shimmer, which after much consideration felt fitting to be a part of this episode since because of her both Hearth's Warming and Christmas has come together as the new Pride Lands and Equestria tradition not to mention be able to see eye to eye with Starlight when she too was experiencing being the holiday scrooge herself and how much Twilight means to them for being to turn themselves around.

And thanks to all of that, Starlight herself is now more than happy to join in on the celebrations as they all celebrate a happy Hearth's Warming and Christmas together.

Next up is another episode focused on the Cutie Mark Crusaders and the Lion Guard fan club as they focus on their new drive in life and face their first big challenge, trying to help a griffon gain a cutie mark after realizing her true purpose in life. Think that's possible? Only one to find out.

Also, if any of think a version of this story with Zito as the holiday scrooge is a good story worth writing about, let me know down in the comments, and I'll see if I can put it together sometime in the future. So stay tuned, until next time...

Episode 17: Flutter Brutter

Episode 17:

Flutter Brutter

Even though it hadn't been that long since they joined the Wonderbolts, both Rainbow Dash and Ono were still glad to be given the opportunity to get away from it all for a while. And as such, they had accepted Fluttershy's invitation to come up to Cloudsdale and visit her (that is to say Fluttershy's parents) Spring Breeze and Gentle Breeze.

The house in which the two elderly Pegasi lived was a relatively modest little house of blue and purple bricks. And the interior was comprised of walls in colored shades of green, yellow and orange.

Not long after Fluttershy, Ono, and Rainbow Dash arrived, they were treated to a delicious lunch prepared by the parents themselves. Spring Breeze was the stallion with a green coat and a light gray mane and tail in which the mane was styled like mint chocolate ice cream. He had grayish and turquoise green eyes, wore a blue sweater, had a light gray mustache, and a cutie mark depicting three clouds. And Gentle Breeze was the mare with a light grayish-gold coat and a moderate raspberry red mane and tail styled into a set of lovely curls. She had equally deep red eyes hidden behind a pair of blue-green glasses, a small necklace of yellow beads that hung around her neck, and a cutie mark depicting three flowers.

Gentle Breeze smiled as she set the plates on the table in the dining room. "We're so happy you could come have lunch with your father and I, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy smiled back. "Well, I'm glad you asked. It's always nice to get away and see family again."

Rainbow Dash, at the same time, added. "And it was super awesome of you to invite me too! It’s always nice to see friends of the family to be gifted with such a welcoming hoof extended to us." She then sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Things have been so busy with the Wonderbolts lately, so it's great to get a chance to just relax someplace quiet."

“Same here.” Ono agreed. “It’s not every day you get this opportunity in life even with all things considered.”

Spring Breeze happily nodded understanding what they are saying. "That's exactly what I plan to do now that I've retired. It sure took a little longer than I thought but I was finally able to save enough to be able to do it.” Then he let out a content sigh. "But with that in the past, I now had time to do the first thing on my list. I converted the back house to showcase my cloud collection."

"I look forward to seeing it, Dad," Fluttershy smiled again. "Along with Mom's flower beds."

Spring Breeze nodded again. "Yes. I have my clouds, your mom has her flowers, you've got your animals, and your brother..." He paused, apparently trying to think of something nice to say about his son.

Gentle Breeze gently finished for her husband. "Zephyr Breeze has his... interests," She gave a nervous laugh. "Interests I’m sure he is trying very hard in turning himself out to be a very successfully independent pony in life."

“Oh, is that right?” Ono curiously asked as he turns to the others hoping for more elaboration on the subject. “Just one of this late bloomers in life trying to fly out of his nest?”

Rainbow Dash giggled seeing that the egret managed to make a really funny joke without realizing it. "From someone who knows him from past experience, he sure is.” Then she smirked as she added. "Hey, remember when Zephyr was convinced square clouds were going to be the next big thing? Even after I warned he ended up falling flat on his face if he tried to pursue this investment he still went through with it. Should have listened.”

“Wow.” Ono remarked feeling amazed by that blunder in life. “That sure is quite an accomplishment on his part.”

Gentle Breeze sweetly commented. "He's matured a lot since then, I’m sure of it. He really is trying to get his life straighten out."

Then Spring Breeze added in a somewhat nervous tone as he joined his wife and held her hoof. "Actually, it's funny you bring Zephyr up now..."

Almost immediately, Fluttershy clued in to what her parents were implying. And when she did she could only groan and put a hoof to her head. "Oh no, not again! I thought you said he is trying to take his studies seriously?!"

Gentle Breeze reassured her daughter. "He is, Fluttershy. He is. He just..." She paused before adding. "Still trying to find a solid roof to live under along with enough revenue to live out on his own. Besides, it's only for a little while. Just until he gets back on his hooves."

A sense of dread filled Rainbow Dash as she nervously asked. "Wait, you don't mean…"

“That he’s…” Ono then said next...

At that moment, the front door of the Breeze family house swung open. And a Pegasus stallion of tall but lanky build strolled in, a large camp bag slung over his shoulders. He had a coat colored in sea green, eyes a shade of light gray and purple, and a blonde mane and tail in which the mane was styled like a mop top while the tail hung loose. His cutie mark was an orange feather with two green flourishes on either side of it. Around his chin was a noticeable five o'clock shadow. Zephyr Breeze himself had just arrived.

"Guess who's home?!" Zephyr Breeze spoke in a loud and obnoxious tone of voice. And without waiting for a reply he declared to Fluttershy. "That's right, big sis, it's your one and only favorite little brother, moi."

“Oh, no.” Rainbow remarked clearly displeased with his presence along with Fluttershy. in noticeable displeasure.

“...moving in.” Ono finished as he looks on seeing that this pony here is bad news for the Shy family. And with what he’s heard just now, it seems pretty clear to him that this pony is one of those birds who hasn’t properly managed to live a life outside his birth nest and it is clearly proving to be a big problem for them all.

Regardless of what his abrupt return was greeted by two of his guests, Zephyr Breeze went ahead and immediately plopped his huge blue colored camp bag down on the table. "Hi, Flutterbutter! How's the bestest big sister ever?" He greeted and began ruffling along with playing with her mane.

"Fine.” Fluttershy muttered. "Even though I’m still trying to understand why you are back so soon from mane styling school...again!"

Zephyr Breeze immediately retorted and replied. "Yes, I know this is hard to believe but I didn’t dropped out like you would think. I just had some time off from classes, and I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to visit and stay with my family again." He subsequently pulled out a huge book showing off pictures of various mane styles, and with a swish of his tail he retorted. "Along with showing off all these styles they want me to do. Even though I've got my own style that works wonders!" He proceeded to plop down the head of a ponyquin that displayed one of his "creations", a rather unappealing mane style in a tacky orange color. "Sure it may seem not quite as appealing as one would think but with the right touches I can make this work no doubt. In fact, it might just be enough to pull off acing my final exam needed to pass my class."

Gentle Breeze blinked slowly, trying not to show how disgusted she was by what she was seeing. "O-Oh, that's uh... lovely, dear. I'm sure you have what it takes to do it."

Rainbow Dash didn't bother to hide her disgust and displeasure. She turned her head and made a gag motion as she remarked. "Blugh!"

Just then, Zephyr happened to catch eye of the rainbow maned Pegasus. And with a teasing smirk he greeted. "Well, well, if it isn't Rainbow 'The Best Flyer There Ever Was' Dash herself, in the flesh."

Rainbow sighed and rolled her eyes. "Oh gee, this oughta be something." She groaned and already Ono was beginning to see why this pony is bad news for everyone around them.

Zephyr seemed to ignore that comment before moving to apologize for what he said. "Sorry, sorry, I know I shouldn't tease ya. After all you’re now a full fledged Wonderbolt now and given my position I’m not one to judge you anything less than being the most awesome flier in Equestria."

Rainbow arched an eyebrow upward. "I’m not accepting a date from you if that’s what you’re getting at, you know."

The lanky stallion chuckled. "Well, either way, it’s much appreciated that you were able to make it here today, it really means to a lot to me." Then he began to trot around the table while saying as he eyed Ono. "And I see you brought another friend with you today. This your little fellow Wonderbolt partner, yes?”

“Affirmative. That’s me.” Ono returned trying hard not to show visible disgust towards the pony himself.

“Interesting, nice to finally meet you.” Zephyr shook his wing rapidly. “Always nice to bring a face to the name, don’t you agree?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean it’s nice to see you’re a bird of business given your name. Say, you think you can answer me this question? And that is if I were to open up a business with my current mane styling line, how much to do you think I can make?”

“Hmm…” Ono gave his model a glance before answering. “Well...unless you’re willing to get a full education in your current studies…” The stallion nodded. “...aside from crunching some numbers, if you were to spend like a thousand bits on your place of business, you’d lose your entire investment in an hour.”

“A whole hour?!” Zephyr exclaimed in shock as the egret nodded in response. Then he said casually. “Okay, I’ll try to see if another investor is willing to help out more.” He casually walked aside much to the egret’s baffled shock even with solid honest financial advice blown aside like that.

“See why he’s not exactly a family favorite?” Rainbow casually asked like this is nothing new to her.

“I am now.”

Fluttershy having seen enough and not in a good way as evidentby her frown, she turned to her parents and told them. "Um, Mom, Dad, can I have a word, please?"

Both Mr. and Mrs. Breeze were not the kind of ponies who could say no to their children. So they agreed to Fluttershy's request, and moved to another part of the house so they could talk in private.

Gentle Breeze tried not to look intimidated as she asked her daughter. "What is it, honey?"

Fluttershy sighed and took a deep breath as she prepared to speak her mind about the whole situation rationally and calmly. "I'm not so sure it's a good idea for Zephyr to come back home like this. Every time he says he’s going to try to apply himself, he always quits when the going gets tough. I know you want to help, and you don’t want to turn him away, but I think he’s not take this downtime seriously."

"It’s nothing a few days won’t hurt, don’t worry, Fluttershy." Gentle Breeze insisted and assured while adjusting her glasses. "Zephyr's just trying to find his place in the world. We didn’t treat you any differently when you tried and failed at one of your initial calling as a veterinarian?"

Fluttershy only shook her head to assert the difference back then. “But unlike Zephyr, I really tried to apply myself only to come up just so short. Even then I didn’t allow myself to push you around when growing up, but with Zephyr you never made him do anything if he didn't feel he was ready. And you know where that led. Ever since then he’s kept repeating the same mistake over and over again because he knows he can do whenever it suits his needs to the point he is clearly dependent on you both.”

Spring Breeze reassuringly replied. "I know, Fluttershy. I know. Even though he has done this multiple times, more than enough, he’s still alive and doing well enough to get by. It’s not easy to make a living these days. He seems really passionate about mane styling, and he just really needs some convincing to keep pushing through even when bumps come along the way. We may not be as bold as you are now, but we do now how to stand up for ourselves. And we will ensure that if Zephyr does flunk out of mane styling school one more time, he will be on his own going forward, and that’s a promise."

Fluttershy wasn't so convinced but accepted their reasoning enough to take their word for it. "Just please make good on it. Last thing I need is seeing myself when I dealt with the breezies a while ago."

Spring Breeze promised. "We will, Fluttershy, we will.”

More or less satisfied with the conversation, Fluttershy and her parents returned to the kitchen only to find that Zephyr Breeze and Rainbow Dash had already left. They were now in the living room, Zephyr hanging over Rainbow on a green sofa chair and rambling on at length, all the while Rainbow was occupying herself with a Daring Do book.

Zephyr seemed to be in the middle of a rant if his speedy talking was anything to go by. "And they were all like: We love your free spirit, Zeph! And it would be wrong to cage that! Go follow your dreams! Be free, like a bird!"

Rainbow simply replied without a care in the world. "Yeah yeah, tell it to somepony who’s actually interested it what you have to say."

"I’m already looking at one.” Zephyr replied with a smile, before noticing Fluttershy. "Oh, hey big sis. Everything all good with you along with Mom and Pop? Rainbow and I were just talking together too, and it is quite a conversation, wasn’t it, Rainbow?"

The brash speedster groaned and rolled her eyes. "Zeph was just telling me all about the ins and outs of mane therapy school.”

Ono who was floating to the side while listening in completely attentive to the whole conversation even without a word said himself had this to chime in with. “And about how much he needs to do well on his upcoming final exam. Meaning that if he doesn't pass it with flying colors…” He quickly said to Rainbow. “Not literally.” Rainbow simply shrugged taking no offense to that comment before continuing. “...he’ll fail his class and he won’t be able to graduate."

Zephyr shrugged his hooves. "Hey, it’s not my fault that other ponies there can’t see eye to eye with my inspiration. If they got a problem with it, that’s their fault for pushing away true talent like myself.” Ono grumbled while shaking his head in disbelief as the pony let out a yawn. "Anyways, good talk, everypony, Ono…” Ono looked on with an annoyed frown like Spike would at times. “...Always nice to catch up. Now if you'll excuse me, this breeze needs his Z's." And he began to trot away towards a staircase.

Ono looked on blankly as he then spoke up and said. "Uh, you know it's the middle of the day, right?"

The lanky Pegasus stallion chuckled. "Just a little power nap, that's all. You know me. Siesta!" And after making a motion, he went upstairs, all the while leaving his bag and his mane styling project behind. He didn't bother to pick them up and take them with him.

Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Ono all left for Ponyville not long afterward. The flight back home passed in silence, much to the surprise of both Rainbow Dash and Ono. Looking across to Fluttershy when they drew near to Ponyville, they spoke up.

"I know you weren't expecting to see your brother again, but you've been kind of quiet, even for you."

“Yeah, much like Twilight whenever she is trying to be emotionally distant. And we all know what that means.”

Fluttershy's eyes narrowed as she began to grit her teeth. "It’s because he is exactly why I’m this upset! Every time so much as a hurdle or a bump in the road comes right up towards him, he acts like a baby towards it and comes right back home! And both Mom and Dad aren’t doing anything about it!" She felt her anger boiling over as she remarked. "I'm sorry, but I am just so... so... peeved right now!" Then she gasped and covered her mouth with her hooves, realizing she had accidentally said that word within earshot of children. Doing her best to ignore the glares coming from the parents, she profusely apologized. "Oh, excuse my language!" Even so, both Rainbow and Ono were taken aback by it as they find it very uncharacteristic of her to do so even while upset.

Just then, the two Pegasi happened to fly right past both Pinkie Pie and Applejack accompanied by Bunga and Beshte without saying a word.

Pinkie Pie, never one to let her friends pass by without at least saying hello, waved and called out to them. "Hey, Rainbow Dash! Fluttershy! Ono! It's me, Pinkie Pie!" But she received no reply. It was as if the three fliers couldn't hear her despite how loudly she was shouting.

Fortunately, Applejack knew how to get the attention of the Pegasi. Putting her hooves to her lips, she gave a sharp whistle. And that got their attention as Ono, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash stopped in mid-flight and flew down to greet their friends.

Fluttershy was the first to speak up, and she apologized. "Oh, sorry about that. I just have a lot on my mind right now."

“No worries.” Beshte assured. “It happens. Anything in particular?”

“Oh, yeah!” Ono nodded in reply.

Rainbow Dash then explained. "Yeah. We just had lunch with Fluttershy's parents, and you'll never guess who showed up unannounced."

Pinkie Pie replied by pulling out a wallet lined with photos of various ponies and non-ponies. And she pointed to each of them one by one as she listed off. "Mayor Mare? Cranky Doodle Donkey? Cheese Sandwich? Ms. Harshwhinny?! Thurston? Bupu? Kiburi? Scar?!"

“None of the above.” Ono shook his head as he is quick to answer who exactly. “Zephyr Breeze."

Pinkie quickly realized her mistake. "Oh, yeah, that makes more sense." Then to Fluttershy she added. "And that does explain why you were so distracted to the point you didn’t see us at first."

“Yep.” Ono once more nodded.

Beshte then commented. “And I take it you don’t have a pretty good relationship with your brother, do you Fluttershy?”

“She doesn’t?”

Applejack then figured out why. "And I'm guessin' it's because it’s another one of Zephyr's extended stays?"

The rainbow maned Pegasus nodded and whispered. "Yup, and she's a bit peeved.”

“Please excuse the language.” Ono added as both he and Rainbow tried their hardest to ignore the glare a nearby earth pony mare was shooting her, apparently having overheard the former while Beshte already sees what he heard enough to know how this is greatly aggravating her sweet friend.

Fluttershy, however, took a deep breath and calmly stated. "Zephyr's my brother, and I love him. But he's never learned to do anything for himself. He promised me he'd take his education seriously, that he'd actually commit to it this time. But once again, he failed to like up to his promise and has managed to get him into trouble. And at this rate, he’s going to find himself backed into a corner with no around to help him out of it, not even our parents." Then she pondered. "If only there was some way to change that."

The farm mare proposed. "Sounds to me like he needs a job, and maybe a change of scenery. Something new to look into outside of what he is trying to apply himself for."

At that’s where Fluttershy had an idea come into her mind, complete with a gasp. "And you know what?! That could actually work! And with the right motivation, he want to take his studies seriously so he can pass his class and finally graduate."

“Sounds good to me.” Beshte approved.

“Hopefully…” Ono said to himself unsure how much it’s actually going to take for that pony to listen to reason.

Fluttershy having heard that, remained certain as she is quick to assure him of that. “Trust me, Ono. He will even if he has to learn it the hard way.

The very next day, Fluttershy flew back up to Cloudsdale and to her parents' house, ready to make good on putting her plan in action with Ono accompanying her for assertive assistance.

Zephyr Breeze himself, was more than a little surprised to see his big sister back so soon. "H-hey sis, friend of sis." He greeted cheerfully the two. "You arrived just in time. I was just about to get Mom and Pop to convert that old shed back there," He gestured to the small little hut a ways away from the house. "Into my new art studio. That way I can work on my project in peace. Of course, Dad's gonna have to relocate his cloud collection. A minor formality, really.?"

Fluttershy narrowed her eyes. "And that is something he most certainly will not do, not in your lifetime!”

“Why not?”

“Because…” Ono spoke up. “...your father worked long and hard building up that collection, Zephyr and you know that.”

“And no matter what you say, you’re not getting your why and taking advantage of Mom and Dad like this. I don't care if they've always let you do whatever you want, you're not doing that here, again!"

The lanky Pegasus stallion just innocently replied. "Oh, really? Then where else do you expect me to do it, huh?"

Fluttershy replied by telling her brother firmly and assertively and in no uncertain terms. "You're going to stay with me at my place, in Ponyville. I've already talked it over with Mom and Dad, and they agreed."

"Oh, really?”

“Yep, with enough space for you to create and make your special art needed for your final exam project.” Ono then added next before raising a wing. “Under one condition.”

Zephyr Breeze frowned in response. "And what’s that?"

Fluttershy then somberly and seriously stated. "You have to get a job. Then you are going back to mane styling school, and then passing your final exam with flying colors. And before you even think it, understand that we are not accepting failure again this time from you."

The lanky Pegasus stallion sighed as his frowned deepened. "Cracking the whip like this, huh? Sometimes you are just always so bossy." He remarked as he ran a hoof through his sister's mane.

Fluttershy brushed off the hoof and shot her brother a glare then further warned him! "Zephyr Breeze! I mean it! It is either that, or the deal to stay with me is off!”

Zephyr reluctantly complied. "Kidding, really! I will get a job in Ponyville while I work on finishing up my project for class and that’s a promise."

“It better be, for your sake.” Ono further warned as he is going to need a lot of help to make sure of that. “Now pack your things so we can go!” As both she and Fluttershy watched as Zephyr went away to do just that the former commented. “Is he always this difficult even when you were fillies?”

Fluttershy responded with a weary reply. “Oh, you have no idea.”

The rest of the day went on by as both Fluttershy and Ono helped Zephyr to move into her cottage, making sure that she had a guest bedroom well furbished for him while also giving him enough space to set up a small studio to work on turning that tacky mane style into something beautiful (or at least decent, as long as it was something he could work with.).

Early the next morning, however, the two pegasi along with the egret woke bright and early. Zephyr Breeze found himself very puzzled by this, especialy once Fluttershy instructed him to follow her into Ponyville towards an unknown destination. "Where are we goin' so early? You have no idea how bad morning sun is for your mane." He complained as he took a moment to style his mane of blonde locks, making sure it looked presentable.

“Is that something you learned in class?” Ono asked.

“Oh, yeah. In fact, it’s something they stress greatly when teaching at mane therapy.”

“Interesting…” Ono remarked finding it very odd. “...and yet someway somehow your grades don’t reflect on that. Is there anything in particular why you’re not translating your knowledge to passable results?” He then inquired suspiciously.

Zephyr’s confident expression immediately vanished when asked that as he nervously replied. “Of course not. I mean school can be difficult that is if you actually see me in class for a day that is. One thing I can tell you is that they expect you to demonstrate their techniques almost as soon as you've learned them. It’s like all so sudden and like not enough time has passed enough for me to process and learn it to perfection!"

“Is that so?” Ono returned not convinced along with Fluttershy. “Or maybe it’s because you haven’t been playing attention enough in class to care to actually apply yourself?” When Zephyr didn’t answer, one look was more than enough for the egret to see the truth with his own eyes.

Fluttershy only shook her head as she then said. "In the meantime… remember how we talked yesterday about you getting a job?"

The lanky stallion reluctantly nodded. "It's totally on my to-do list, but you can't possibly expect me to find something befitting my awesomeness overnight. I mean I just got here!"

The animal loving Pegasus chuckled as she approached a very familiar (to her and Ono) carousel building. "Thought you might say something like that, so I went ahead and did it for you.

“And you're welcome." Ono added as Fluttershy trotted up to the front door and pushed it open, with the door bells jingling ringing when she did so. Out trotted a pony Zephyr had never seen before and that is the good fashionista friend of Fluttershy and Ono’s, Rarity herself. “Hello, Rarity.”

“Hello, Ono, Fluttershy, and this must be Zephyr Breeze, your little brother. The one who is set to start a new job here at Carousel Boutique. If you just follow me we can get started on your assignment.” She gestured a hoof to direct the lanky Pegasus pony the stairs to her workshop, proudly pushing open the door with her magic. "These fabrics all need to be dyed," She explained, pointing to a series of long, blank white fabrics. "There's a color sheet and paints right over there," She gestured to a small stand nearby. "Just follow the sheet to the letter for each fabric. Simple as that."

Fluttershy then asked her brother. "Think you can handle that?” I’d think an artist of your skill should find it pretty easy himself.”

Zephyr swallowed a lump in his throat. "I... I think so."

“Good!” Fluttershy smiled with satisfaction. “You go ahead and get started." She turned to leave with only Rarity and Ono by his side.

“Shall we get started?” Ono asked. “Because Fluttershy has already done all that she can here. And aside from a pair of helpful eyes, my wings are offically tied going forward.”

Zephyr Breeze hesitantly replied. "Let’s."

Rarity donned her ruby red sewing glasses and cleared her throat as she began walking her through the process step by step. "Now, here’s how this done..."

At first, everything went smoothly. Zephyr soon learned what he had to do, and both Rarity and Ono were very helpful and generous in explaining to him how best to do it.

The first two sheets of fabric were dyed with no trouble at all. It was clear that the stallion was indeed an artist and knew his colors. Rarity seemed to be impressed if the big smile on her face was any indication and Ono looked on seeing it as a nice work in progress.

Unfortunately, when it came time to dye the third fabric, that's when the trouble began. He started carelessly allowing the paints to get too close to one another, and are all on the verge of getting mixed up together.

"You're going to get your colors mixed up!" Rarity sternly warned.

"Am I?" The lanky stallion blinked in confusion.

“Yes!” Ono was quick to fly over and correct that before the paints could blend together. “Phew! That was close! Zephyr, you really need to be more careful!”

"But I thought I was leaving enough space?” Zephyr returned like he is drawing a blank. “I mean art can get a little messy every now and then, am I right?"

“No.” Rarity sighed before collecting herself before she finds herself at a wit’s end. “Zephyr, I’m not mad. I’m just a little mind boggled is all. You started off very well those first two pieces of fabric before you blanked out on the very next one. What happened?”

Zephyr’s response, instead of a retort, reluctant agreement, like one would expect. Instead, he looked on like he had froze right where he was standing like a deer in the headlights. "I... I…"

“Zephyr?” Ono asked as he waved a wing in front of his face to make sure nothing was internally wrong with him. Instead, of properly explaining himself or even answering, he just turned around and bolted straight for the door, fleeing in shame. Leaving both the Keenest of Sight along with his employer very bewildered.

Fluttershy soon found out what had happened when her brother quite literally ran into her, looking like he'd just seen a ghost! "Zephyr, what happened?! Why aren't you with Rarity and Ono?!" She furiously demanded of him! "It hasn’t even been five minutes and here you are now!"

The stallion blinked slowly. "No. I was just sparing myself the trouble of being fired before it could happen.”

"Fire you? For just one thing wrong?" Fluttershy questioned with concern. "It hasn’t even been a day."

"Yeah, and she already expects perfection!" Zephyr Breeze insisted. "I knew it was going to happen!"

The animal loving Pegasus frowned and shook her head in disapproval. "Rarity would never fire somepony she just hired. One little mistake doesn’t define the end of your career, Zephyr," She looked him deep in the eyes as she pondered his next course of action. "Tell you what,I have another idea that’ll work out. Come on.” She then grabbed her brother by the hoof and dragged him off to their next destination.
Fluttershy led her brother across town to the crystal castle where Twilight and Kion live in (half the time in Kion’s case). She brought him to the castle's throne room, where Spike, Kion, and Twilight were already waiting for them. And Spike had a bucket of water and some other cleaning tools.

What caught Zephyr's eyes, however, was the sheer scale of the throne room's windows! "Whoa! Those are tall!" He exclaimed!

Twilight Sparkle suppressed a giggle as she told the stallion. "I'm glad you noticed, because they're your new job.”

“And that is cleaning them.” Kion added.

The Pegasus stallion could hardly believe his eyes and ears. "W...wha?" He blinked slowly, before turning to Fluttershy. "I thought you were taking me to tea with the prince and princess."

Fluttershy quickly corrected. "Well, I'm having tea with them. You, on the other hoof, are going to work. And Spike is here to show you how to do it."
Spike nodded, before telling Zephyr. "Yeah, but I'm only gonna show you once, so you'd better pay attention because last thing I need is to have my work load doubled because of one missed instruction."

Twilight chimed in, telling Zephyr sweetly. "And given how hard Spike works around here, it’s much appreciated that you’re willing to step up for him." And she reassured him. "And don't worry, it's really quite simple: I just need a Pegasus pony like yourself to fly up, and wipe down each window from top to bottom."

Kion then added. "It’s a simple and straightforward job, compared to having to dye fabrics. Plus, it’s a well paying job, that even you can’t mess up.

“And if you do run away again..." Fluttershy then ominously warned. "You'll force me to take drastic measures to ensure you’ll get a job that you'll stick to." Then she, Twilight, and Kion left the throne room together, leaving Spike and Zephyr alone with each other.

The little dragon then gestured to his bucket and cleaning supplies. "Well, shall we get started?" He asked of the Pegasus who looked on ready to try it though more hopeful that certain it’s doable in his mind.

All seemed to go well for Zephyr at first. Watching Spike as he hoisted himself up via a little harness and taught the Pegasus how to clean the windows was simple. And it seemed so easy.

Eventually, Spike came back down. "Okay, now, time to put that into practice!" And he handed over the cleaning supplies.

Zephyr Breeze took the supplies, hastily strapping a small pouch around his hindquarters so he could better hold them all. It took him a minute to get used to flying with the added weight, but once he did it was no trouble at all to fly up to where the tall windows were and start wiping them down.

Spike leaned back in his little chair and watched, all the while encouraging. "Good work! Keep it up."

Zephyr did so. And already, some ideas were starting to come into his mind. In his mind the window washing was just the thing to clear his head. He was certain he'd have no trouble at all finding what he needs to work with for his mane styling project. But would it be good enough to get him a passing grade? It was there, a wave of fear started rising up in his end wondering and suddenly worrying about the worst case scenario he could face if he failed.

Spike suddenly noticed that Zephyr's mind seemed to be wandering and causing him to falter his work in progress. "Hey, what are you doing?!" He shouted at the Pegasus stallion.

"Huh?" The lanky stallion blinked in surprise and spun around, apparently confused.

The little dragon put a claw to his face. "I just explained it you literally two minutes ago! Now we need more water and cleaning solutions to get the job done." As Zephyr struggled to say anything in his defense, Spike just sighed. "It's okay. I'm sure Twilight will understand. Just come down and take a break for a minute."

Zephyr Breeze slowly but surely fluttered his way back down to the ground. But once he did so, he hurriedly yanked off the pouch he'd strapped on earlier, and then took off again in a flash.

"Hey! Zephyr! I said you could take a break not that you could leave!" Spike shouted, only to be ignored.

Like last time, Zephyr again happened to bump into Fluttershy after fleeing from his job. And once again, Fluttershy was mildly exasperated and annoyed. "Zephyr, are you kidding me?! It didn’t even take more than five minutes just to wash windows?!"

"Well apparently, the prince, princess, and I weren’t seeing eye to eye on what they wanted so, I thought it was best to turn away before things could get worse."

The animal loving Pegasus snarled and glared. "You didn't do it at all! You just looked for an excuse to get out of doing it and that’s not acceptable!” Then she paused to catch her breath and compose herself before smirking. "Not to worry because I can guarantee there won't be any fooling around on the next job. And if you run away from this one, then you're on your own and that’s it for you."

"And what is my 'next job'?" Zephyr nervously inquired as he wiped the sweat from his brows.

Just then, there came a whoosh, courtesy of Rainbow Dash herself. "Something that’ll be greatly provided by yours truly…” She then quickly added seriously. “...and I don’t mean really or in any other romantic way. So don’t even get started. Anyways...” She returned to her proud tone of her voice as she then said. “...you’re in luck, because you're comin' with me to your new job."

Zephyr Breeze smirked as he teased. "Aw come on, Rainbow, you don't need to come up with an excuse just to hang out and fly with me."

Rainbow was not amused in the slightest by Zephyr's attempts to flirt with her yet again. "I’m not. And I already told you, Zephyr, no flirting with the coworkers, especially on the job. And that job is at the Wonderbolt headquarters. A job that even you can’t weasel your way out of. And if you do, I'm gonna zap you with a storm cloud! Got it?"

The lanky stallion slowly nodded, forcing back a nervous gulp. "Y-yeah, I got it."

"Good. Now let’s get going!"Rainbow insisted as she unfolded her wings and took lead. "Come on! Time’s a wasting!" Zephyr reluctantly followed, waving goodbye to Fluttershy before doing so.

Feeling absolutely sure that her latest job will be a success, Fluttershy returned to her cottage to do some much needed cleaning. She dusted, she swept, she picked up some discarded paper balls courtesy of her brother and tossed them in the trash.

Fluttershy sighed wishing that she didn't have to be so hard on her brother. She even acknowledges that’s unlike her to act in this manner. But it was a necessary cruel to be kind deal in order to get him to hold down a part-time job without quitting. If only he had kept his word and taken his education at mane styling school seriously from the start, then they wouldn’t be having this conversation…

Suddenly, a loud boom split the air! It sounded almost like the crackling of electricity! And that led to only one conclusion of what that meant. "Oh no. Not again!" She thought to herself hoping that’s not the case.
Alas, those worries and concerns came true when the pony himself came strolling up to her cottage was a very battered looking Zephyr Breeze, his mane and tail standing up straight and his entire coat covered in black singe marks.

"Rainbow Dash is crazy!" He complained. "I didn't think she'd actually do it to me! I thought she meant that as an empty threat and just so I’d obey her!”

Fluttershy groaned and narrowed her eyes. She was losing all patience she previously had and hit her breaking point. "So you just quit, AGAIN! Even after having everything work in your favor to the point you could actually do it if you applied yourself?!” Zephyr, I can't believe you! I have given you plenty of opportunities, plenty of part-time jobs that would pay nice while giving you time to work on your project! But all you've done since you've got here is slack off like you always do!"

"It's not like that at all!" Zephyr insisted while tearing up. "All I wanted was just to try a few things my way just so those who constantly picked on me would be immediately proven wrong. And if I have to not follow the rules to the letter and to the T, so what?! What’s the harm with wanting to do that?!”

Fluttershy snapped in response. "Because that way of living your life is not going to get you anywhere, Zephyr. There is a reason why you need to follow instructions exactly instead of trying to cut corners. How do you think big business companies get themselves into trouble from time to time?!”

“Um...because nobody appreciated their ideas?”

“NO! They got sued and lost all profit they just tried to make out of it! Which is exactly what will happen the second you try going on about your business with that current attitude of yours!” She then added. "And since you’re not not even going to try to improve yourself, then I guess there is nothing left to discuss. I’m sorry, Zephyr. But we had a deal and that is now broken juts like your promise.”"

Zephyr Breeze wiped away the tears and did his best to brush off the soot clinging to his coat. "Fine!" He hurriedly went about gathering up the ponyquin displaying his mane styling project, and the bag he'd had when he came home from mane styling school the other day. "I'll go live in the woods like my foreponies before me! Guess the only breeze this zephyr can count on is his own!"

"Zephyr, wait!" Fluttershy frantically called as she tried to chase after her brother and prevent him further throwing his life away. Alas, she found herself getting the door to her cottage slammed shut in her face. All she could do now was stare at the ground in shame at having to do what she just did.

Rainbow Dash along with Ono arrived at the cottage a short time later. One look at Fluttershy's face told them of what just happened and what’s going through her head.

"I’m sorry, Fluttershy.” Ono apologized.

Fluttershy sorrowfully sighed. "Not your fault, Ono. I just wish I could understand why a simple thing in life is so hard to do. Why is it so hard just to listen to instructions thoroughly?"

Rainbow could only shrug her hooves. "I wish I knew." She then recalled. "He was doing a fine job with cloud busting, at first. Then, as soon as we were told to pick up the pace, he just froze up. And then he decided to just quit. It was like he was a completely different pony, like all that confidence just completely vanished in thin air. And I don’t mean literally."

The animal loving Pegasus' sigh deepened. "And yet he doesn’t realize how important it is to make a decent living while living independently? And how he can't be a good mane stylist if he always quits?"

Rainbow replied. "Look, Fluttershy, I know it was very hard to have to send him away. But you did do the right thing.”
“Yeah!” Ono chimed in. “You gave him plenty of chances to improve himself and allow him to do what he promised to do. It's not your fault. You had to stand up for yourself, he had to be told no."

"I just wish I didn’t have to really go through with it." Fluttershy lamented.

Just then a knock was heard on the door which opened seconds later, courtesy of Kion flying on inside. “Hey! Rainbow! Fluttershy! Ono!”

“What is it, Kion?!”

“What’s wrong?!”

“What’s the emergency?!”

All three asked.

“Dust devils! In the Pride Lands!”

“Ugh.” Ono groaned knowing full well that they are in for a long day now when he took a look at the nearby clock. “And it’s not even noon!”

“Tell me about it.” Rainbow couldn’t feel more annoyed than anyone else suddenly called over for an emergency on such short notice.

“Looks like this will serve as the perfect time for Zephyr to really get his thoughts together.” Fluttershy said to herself before huddling together with Kion and the others before the alicorn moves to teleport everyone on over there.

“Hang on and try to bear with me here!” Kion warned before working his magic on everyone. And in an instant, he successfully managed to teleport the group on over to where everyone else was waiting for them, nearby Ukuni Woods. “Phew! I did it!”

“Congratulations!” Twilight complimented as Ono and Rainbow both flew ahead and spotted the hyraxes in danger due to the forming dust devil nearing their direction. “Let’s go!”

“Come on!” Kion also encouraged as both he and Twilight led the way to go save the hyraxes.

“Perfect timing!” Fuli complimented. “Because this is just the third dust devil we encountered today since we got here!”

“Well, the conditions are perfect.” Ono commented as he managed to get a good analysis of today’s weather. “Fair skies, no wind. Hot air rises and starts to rotate and... Hapana!” Ono’s eyes managed to pick up sight of the dust devil’s next appearance with two hyraxes spotted fighting over a single fruit together. “It's headed for Ukuni Woods.”

“That's where the hyraxes live.” Beshte noted.

“They better hang on to their branches.” Bunga added.

“And that’s no joke.” Starlight also added as she is not one to laugh at a time of urgency.

And even with their best efforts to hang on to the branches they were standing on allowed them to be spared from the ruthlessly strong winds the dust devil produced before finding themselves flying and falling off of the tree.

“Hurry!”

“Here come the hyraxes!”

Both Kion and Twilight alerted as they were the first to brave the dust devil’s winds and managed to resist being blown away. But Pinkie, Rarity, Ono, and Fluttershy all weren’t so lucky.

“Whoa! Whoa!”

“Hey!”

“Not my mane!”

Ono, Pinkie, and Rarity all screamed as they were blown aside before being quickly caught by Starlight’s magic formed into a butterfly net.

“Gotcha!”

Fortunately for them, both Bunga and Beshte were quick to catch the hyraxes.

“Gotcha!”

“And I got you.”

The dust devil then dissipated as soon as it got here.

“There it goes.” Fuli remarked in relief.

“And good riddance.” Rarity said in agreement as she quickly combed her mane back into it’s fashionable and curly state. “All joking aside, they sure don't last long, but they sure make a mess.”

“There you go, little guy.” Beshte gently said to the hyrax as he and Bunga placed the two hyraxes down onto the ground near their home.

“And I think this is yours, little critters.” Applejack said to them while handing them the fruit they were trying to enjoy before the dust devil came by to which they gratefully took with happy faces…

...before they started wrestling with one another over it, prompting Applejack to give the fruit a little whiplash to slice it in half to resolve the dispute. “Something tells me we're gonna be chasing these things all day.”

“Great!” Bunga remarked with satisfaction. “I love catching hyraxes.”

“I think Applejack meant the dust devils, Bunga.” Kyoga corrected.

“Right.” Twilight stated before turning to two of the flyers. “Rainbow, Ono, keep an eye out.”

“You got it!”

“Affirmative.”

The Guard sets out to do so while a downcast Fluttershy is the last to follow, with the only hope that her little brother is doing fine on his own.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the Lion and Pony Guard, Zephyr Breeze had somehow managed to put together a rather hastily made campsite in the Outlands. His sleeping tent propped up by a single, large stick. He'd also surrounded some other sticks with small rocks to form a small fire pit. And of course, he still had his unfinished mane styling project, which he was now talking to as if it were alive.

"See, Wigford?" Zephyr spoke to the unfinished art. "The Breeze needs nopony! This area is perfect, for a truly talented artist like myself for me to do whatever I want! I'll show them, I'll show them all!" He gestured a hoof. "We’ve got food, water, shelter, everything we need here. Now, I just need to put the old kettle on, and the creative juices will be flowing in no time."

The lanky stallion proceeded to rub some rocks together for a bit, then threw them down at the sticks in the fire pit (above which was hanging a tea kettle). But nothing happened, the sticks did not ignite. The pegasus was most unhappy about this, frowning as he approached the pit and grabbed one of the sticks. "Come on, sticky-sticky, make with the sparks already!" He tried rubbing the stick against the others, to no avail. Frustrated, he started banging it against the tea kettle, which only served to spill its contents out! "Ugh, come on!" He complained aloud! "What's a pony got to do to find a decent stick around here?!" And in his anger, he accidentally knocked down his tent.

From nearby, two hyenas happened to be around to witness this. And both just happened to take an interest in his “activities.”

“Did you see that?” Cheezi asked his partner.

“Yeah.” Chungu nodded. “Who knew ponies could set up campfires?”

“And who knew a pony would actually wander all the way out here?” Then he realized something. “Wait? Isn’t he not supposed to be not here?” Chungu brought up.

“Uh, yeah!” Cheezi nodded. “Not very smart if you ask me.”

“I wonder what it would be like being smarter than like that.” Chungu then asked.

“If we were smart, we'd be in that big meeting with Janja and Scar.”

“The one Janja said we couldn't go to 'cause we're not smart enough?”

Cheezi chuckled in response. “Yeah. They're trying to figure out how to beat the Lion and Pony Guard.”

“Oh! Ooh! But that pony seems to be associated with the Lion and Pony Guard. At least associated enough that he is a pony worth saving.”

Cheezi laughed as he realized. “Oh, yeah! If we took that pony to Scar, the Lion and Pony Guard wouldn't want to fight us in favor of saving him!”

Chungu gasped. “Cheezi, didn't we just get an idea?”

Cheezi laughed in agreement. “Our very first one. Let's go get that pony.”

The two wasted no time in making their way over towards the rambling and struggling pony trying to make a living here.

“Psst.” Chungu whispered to him. “Hey, you, pony.”

“You're coming with us.” Cheezi added in a somewhat menacingly tone.

Zephyr turned his head towards them and looked on thinking they’re nothing more than harmless stooges. “Sorry I know you?”

“Of course you do.” Chungu assured. “We’re your friends.”

The stallion wasn’t convinced. “Friends? And what makes you both think that way?”

“Well, for starters, we didn’t try to eat you right away.”

“I suppose not. Assuming I’m not dead already.”

“Nope.” Cheezi shook his head. “You’re still alive in the flesh.”

“Mmm.” Chungu slurped his lips together along with his wet saliva filled tongue. “Meaty flesh.”

“Okay…great.” Zephyr returned very creeped out even when mentally unstable inside. “So how about sparing me the disgusting details and tell me why you are both trying to take me somewhere.”

“We're taking you to a big, uh, party!” Chungu answered after a little struggle choice of words.

“Yeah, right!” Cheezi agreed. “And you'll be the guest of honor.”

“Will there be snacks?”

“There will be if you're there.”

It was there Zephyr had enough reason to believe them. “Hmm...Sounds like fun. Lead the way. I can honestly tell you I was not looking forward to another afternoon with the pack. Oh, they're nice and all but they always expect you to stick to their way no matter what. It’s like they don’t allow anyone to break out and be able to prove themselves worthy of being able to succeed on your own. Like skills surpassing someone else including the alpha wolf is a crime. I mean can you imagine what it’s like to be in my hooves or paws in this case?”

“Oh, that sure sounds something we go through all right.” Cheezi laughed. “In fact, that’s pretty much our story every day here?”

“Oh, really? How so?”

“Whenever we try to go into the Pride Lands to get some food, the Lion and Pony Guard are always around there to stop us from getting what we want even when we just trying to get a measly zebra to keep ourselves from starving to death.” Chungu explained.

“Gosh. That’s sound awful.” Zephyr returned with pity towards them.

“I know right? Cheezi returned seeing that they understand one another. “Even when it’s just a single animal, all laser eyes are pointed towards us like we wiped out an entire pack. Can you believe it?”

“I find the whole thing hard to swallow, especially the Lion and Pony Guard part.”

“Us too.” Chungu returned in agreement.

As the three had a conversation, Zephyr found himself drawing closer and closer to the Outlands Volcano, a sight that seems out of place for him in his definition of a forest. “Say, have I been here before?”

“I think you was here with the Lion and Pony Guard once.” Chungu answered.

“Hmm, odd…” Zephyr couldn’t help but question their judgement a little. “I don’t remember seeing that in the forest. Unless…” The hyenas look on wondering if he has truly caught on. “...this just so happens to be that jungle Daring Do traveled through.”

“Daring Do?”

“Yes. I remember the Lion and Pony Guard once went through these parts of the jungle in their quest to help Daring Do. Led by their fearless and speedy friend of theirs Rainbow Dash, who has yet to reciprocate my feelings for her.”

“Wait, wait, wait. Rainbow Dash is in love with you?” Cheezi curiously asked.

“Oh, my, yes.” Zephyr chuckled in response. “I can tell it from first glance that she deep down wants me badly but yet she just manages to reign herself in enough to keep herself from pursing my awesome and handsome looks.” Both hyenas chuckled as they see themselves connecting with him from personal experience with their own friends.

“Sounds familiar.” Cheezi chuckled.

“Yeah!” Chungu laughed. “Sounds like Janja on any given day.”

His partner was quick to shush him right then and there. “Shh.” He looked around to make sure Scar’s eyes and ears didn’t pick that up. “Not when we’re here.”

“Oh, right.” Chungu realized before moving things forward. “So… you think if he heard that you were in trouble she would could flying on towards you?”

“Absolutely!”

“Cool!” Cheezi said in delight before moving to speak more, intrigued of how much he knows the Lion and Pony Guard. “Anyone else from the Lion and Pony Guard could do the same for you?”

“Oh, yes. My big sister, Fluttershy.” Zephyr frowned upon remembering their earlier argument. “That is of course, if she actually cares about me.”

“I’m sure she does.” Cheezi assured. “It’s probably her way of trying to look out for you so that you don’t wind up being led astray out of desperation.”

“You really think so?” Zephyr asked like the hyenas is onto something here.

“Yep.” Cheezi nodded before moving to pull Chungu aside. “And if you’ll just excuse us for a moment?” The pony nodded as he patiently waited and pondered the hyena’s advice.

“You hear that? This pony just so happens to be Rainbow’s boyfriend and Fluttershy’s brother. Do you know what this means?”

“Um...does it involve something like kissing between siblings?”

“What? No! Eww! Not Rainbow and Fluttershy and especially not Fluttershy and this hippie pony! I mean that pony is our meal ticket. If we bring Scar the pony, then he can use him as a bargaining chip to get the Lion and Pony Guard into accepting his deal that’ll ensure he can take over the Pride Lands.

It was there Chungu realized the potential of this plan. ““Ooh, he'd like that even better!”

“Exactly!” After saying what needs to be privately said, the two moved back towards Zephyr who didn’t even hear a word they said together. “Okay, we’re ready to continue on towards the party?”

“Ready when you are. Pony’s honor.” He said before allowing the hyenas to guide on over to the Outlands Volcano.

At the same time, Kinyonga who was passing on by, looked on in shock before hurrying her way out of the Outlands in order to alert the Lion and Pony Guard before anything bad can happen to the misguided pony.

Back in the Pride Lands, another dust devil has struck another part of the kingdom and has dissipated once more when the Lion and Pony Guard had arrived on the scene.

“There goes another one.”

“Bye-bye, dust devil.”

Both Bunga and Pinkie commented with the latter literally waving it off like any other friend.

“What's the damage?”

“Anybody hurt?”

Their leaders asked.

“Over here!” Fuli reported as she is nearby a fellow Pride Lander alongside Fluttershy. “It's a pangolin He's rolled up under all this stuff.”

“Aw. Poor little fella.” Fluttershy said with great pity. “It’s a very good thing they can do that whenever there is danger around them.”

“Actually…” Ono commented as he took notice of the extra sad look in her eyes along with Rainbow Dash. “...it's a very effective defense strategy. You can relax now. The danger's passed.” He gently then told the pangolin who all unrolled themselves and got up on their feet.

“You okay?” Fuli asked with worry.

The pangolin grunted as Ono moved to reply being able to understand what he is trying to say to them. “Were there other pangolins with you?” The pangolin grunted once more to clarify that he got seperated from them. “Oh… you got separated from the pack.” The pangolin grunted again to confirm that’s the case.

“That sure is tough.” Starlight commented with pity.

“They could have rolled off anywhere.” Kion commented before turning tot the fliers once more. “Ono. Rainbow.”

“We’re on it.”

“Come on, Fluttershy.”

Seeing that their friend is out of sorts considering she didn’t translate for them this time due to how greatly the pangolins plight hits home for her, the blue Pegasus pony moved to pull the pony along for the flight, rather forcibly, since she wasn’t budging from her place.

In another part of the Outlands, Goigoi is currently lying on his back sleeping…

...that is until he heard the voice of his wife talking to him. “Goigoi! Wake up!”

Goigoi did as he was told before snapping to attention. “Huh? Honey Paws? Why you roustin' me?”

“Scar's called a big meeting for all of the pack leaders.”

Slowly but surely he moved to get up on all four paws. “Okay, okay. I'ma comin'.”

“You're not invited.”

“I'm not? Phew!” He moved to fall back asleep only to be kicked in the face for doing so. “What is it now, Sugar Snout?”

“I woke you, 'cause I want you to round up some supper.”

“Me? Hunt?” He returned like it is the hardest task he has ever been given.

“That's right. Make yourself useful for a change.” Reirei advised before moving to warn him. “If I come back and find no food, I better not find you here either, you do-nothing lollygagger!” She then took her leave towards the volcano, leaving the now disgruntled jackal behind.

“Do-nothing? Lollygagger? It's like she thinks I can't do nothing. Well, I'll show her. I'll do something so amazing…” He moved towards the nearby edge to spot Cheezi, Chungu, and Zephyr all making their way towards the volcano’s path as well. “I'll be a baboon's brother. That there is a month's worth of fine dining. Once I bring it home, Reirei will have to admit I've done something.” He growled before preparing to fight the hyeans for it by making his way down the rockpath before slowly approaching it predator style.

“Oh! Well, hello there.” Zephyr casually greeted while the hyenas quickly adopted defensive growling stances in return.

“Eh... Howdy, stranger.” He chuckled in return casually too. “What's a big juicy, uh... handsome fella like you doing in these parts?”

“My hyena friends here are both taking me to a big party.”

“A party?” Goigoi blinked in surprise.

“Yes. Because I'm the guest of honor there, as expected for someone who happens to be the kind pony’s brother and the speedy pony’s boyfriend. The hyenas especially enjoyed hearing all about it.”

“Fluttershy has a brother? And Rainbow Dash has a boyfriend?”

“Yep.”

“He sure is and does.”

“Really?” After seeing and understanding why the hyenas are protecting him as if he is needed alive, he is quick to join on in. “Do tell.”

“Gladly.”

In the meantime, the Lion and Pony Guard have managed to managed to clean up the mess the latest dust devil did to the pangolin’s home, and the good news is that none of them were harmed like that one that got separated from the others.

“Twende Kiboko!” Beshte managed to lift up a long branch that landed on one of the pangolins to allow Pinkie to scoot it to safety.

“Hey, pangy-angolin.” She moved to pick it up with her tail. “Everything is okay now. You're good to unroll and relax.”

“He might be more willing to relax if you stop shaking him.” Fuli gently reminded as Starlight was quick to use her magic to freeze the honey badger and pangolin in place.

“So, if you please, Bunga, Pinkie...”

“Oh, right. Good point.” Pinkie happily did so thus allowing the pangolin to feel more at ease and comfortable in coming out of his shell. He then regrouped with the other pangolins before they all made their leave together.

The sight itself brought happy tears in Beshte’s eyes. “Aw. I love a happy ending.” He said with a sniffle while Fluttershy was on the very verge of bawling her eyes out.

Luckily before anyone could notice it, both Ono and Rainbow spotted something up ahead.

“Hapana! No time to wonder!”

“We've got another dust devil up ahead.”

“Lion and Pony Guard…”

”...let's go.”

They all went off after it, all while Kinyonga herself follows after them trying and struggling to keep pace with them as she tries to tell them of this sudden emergency that’s about to happen.

Elsewhere in the Outlands the crocodiles minus their leader Kiburi are all lazing around at their watering hole and both crocs are left alone with their thoughts.

“So did Kiburi say why we couldn't go to Scar's big meeting?” Tamaka asked the other croc Nduli.

“Yeah. Something about us having fish for brains.” The other croc recalled.

“Hey, speaking about fish, let's go find something to eat.”

“Ooh! That sounds good. What you in the mood for? Hyrax? Lizard? Mole rat?”

It was there Tamaka just spotted Zephyr who is walking alongside both the hyenas and jackals.

“Uh, how 'bout a pony?

Nduli looked on in confusion. “Tamka, there ain't no ponies in the Outlands. Unless you count those ponies from the Pony Guard wandering into our territory.”

“So what about him?” Upon seeing him along with the others sparked confusion wondering why he hasn’t been eaten yet. “Hey! Pony! Ain't you gonna panic and run?”

“What? And miss the big party?”

“Party?” The two crocs shared a confused look with one another before asking. “Eh, you mean the big meeting? You were invited?”

“Not just invited, I am the guest of honor. Because I just so happen to be a friend of the Lion and Pony Guard. Fluttershy’s brother and Rainbow Dash’s boyfriend.

“Really?”

“Yes, really. I know everything about them.”

“Oh, do you.”

Both crocs returned knowing smirks as they come to see themselves seeing eye to eye with the other Outsiders on what is going on now.

Tamka wasn’t completely sure about it but if it meant keeping the pony away from the Outlands Volcano he went along with it. “Uh, okay.”

“Very well. As I was saying and explaining to your friends here that how much that speedy pony Rainbow Dash loves me so much that she would do anything for me, and as for Fluttershy she is the kind of pony who may seem bossy especially towards me, but is as sweet as pony can be.”

“Yeah I get that.”

“At least when she is not staring at us to death.”

“Yeah, you’d have to be pretty strong willed and have nerves of steel to be able to resist her scowling eyes of her because if looks could kill you’d all be dead.”

“No kidding.” Goigoi returned knowing full well of how true it is. “It’s like sometimes that pony gives me the creeps to the point I can’t sleep at night.”

“Well that’s what you get when you don’t do your homework, so feelings mutual, buddy.”

“Buddy?” Goigoi returned like he is hearing one of the kindest things he’s ever heard in a long time.

“Well that’s really nice, pony. And look…” Cheezi commented as they arrived at the Outlands Volcano. “...we’re here.”

“Already?!”

“Yep. Welcome to the party just inside that temple there.” Chungu happily added.

“Okay. Lead the way in. I’m ready.” Zephyr told them as they all made their way up towards the volcano where Scar is holding an important war meeting with their pack leaders.

Back in the Pride Lands, the dust devil has managed to continue it’s chaos just as the Lion and Pony Guard arrived on the scene at a nearby gully.

“That's right. Keep going, dust devil.”

“The Lion and Pony Guard's here.”

Both Pinkie and Bunga told it off before tending to the current crisis in front of them accompanied with their cries for help. And that is the ostriches themselves are stuck in dirt there buried with only their heads sticking out.

“Heyvi kabisa!” Kion exclaimed in shock. “What happened to you guys?”

“The dust devil caught us in this gully.” Mbuni explained. “At least, it was a gully until all the sand blew in.”

“Don't worry. We'll have you out in no time.” Twilight assured before she and everyone else got to work on digging them out. “And Bunga, Pinkie…” She quickly spoke up when they were looking on like they were about to tell a joke. “...please don’t.”

“Okay.”

“We won’t.”

The two reluctantly replied in defeat as they both really wanted to tell it before they could even get a word out of it.

While they were digging, Kinyonga was able to take this time to finally close in on them.

“Don't worry, Mbuni, we’re almost there!” Bunga assured as he and Applejack worked hard in freeing her.

Once she was free, the ostrich herself exclaimed feeling free as a bird. “Oh, at last. Thank you, Lion and Pony Guard. Thank you.”

“Our pleasure.”

“Just doing our job.”

Both leaders humbly replied.

“We won't be needing another dust-bath for a while.” Mbuni commented as she and the other ostriches take their leave.

“Okay, everybody, time for a break.” Kion told the whole group.

“Phew, about time.”

“You said it.”

Both Applejack and Rarity returned as they both took the time to tend to their own needs. For the former, she snacks on an apple, and as for the latter, she blew the very dust that accumulated on her snow white coat until it was sparkling white again.

At that moment, Kinyonga once more made her invisible call nearby. “Lion and Pony Guard!”

“Kinyonga!” Both Twilight and Kion exclaimed upon seeing the chameleon once more.

“Yep, it’s me! And we got a big problem!”

“What is it?”

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s a pony being led into the volcano right now as we speak!” Kinyonga urgently reported.

“A pony?”

“Yep.”

“What did he or she look like?”

Hearing this had sparked sudden worry in Fluttershy’s heart as she is hoping that is not who she thinks is in danger.

“A tall and lanky looking Pegasus stallion with a turquoise coat, a blonde mane tied up together in a bun, with a five o clock shadow on his chin, looked like one of those ponies you see when they get together and mellow out with a smokey product of theirs.”

“Oh, no! Zephyr Breeze!” Fluttershy exclaimed in horror while face hoofing herself. “How the buck did he even manage that!” She briefly stopped before quickly turning to her concerned and shocked friends. “Oh, excuse my language. Again.”

“I’m sorry, is this somepony you know?”

“I’m afraid so. Zephyr Breeze is my brother.”

“Oh...he really means a lot to you.” She then turned to Rainbow Dash. “And who is he to you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Is he your...you know, your boyfriend?”

“What?! No?!” Rainbow groaned as the other had to stifle their chuckles and keep straight faces as they are told these urgent news. “Great! Now everyone in the Outlands is going to spread that slanderous rumor about me!”

“Sorry.”

“No, no, it’s not your fault. He is just so stupid.”

“Got it.” Kinyonga then got everything back on track by adding. “But enough said and now that you all know what’s going on. We have to save him before he is used to force your hooves and paws into surrendering to Scar.”

“Then let’s go!”

“Now!”

Both leaders stated before leading everyone on over to the Outlands towards the very volcano where it’s all going to go down, again.

Inside the volcano, is where Scar himself is appearing in his fiery form as he converses with Janja, Reirei, Kiburi, Mzingo, Ushari, Lightning Dust, Wind Rider.

“So far Kilio Valley is still under our control, and the Lion and Pony Guard are all carrying out with their daily patrol as usual. The princesses along with their king and queen are all standing close to their homes in case something happens to their subjects heavy guarded by their soldiers.” Scar explained to his followers. “But now it’s time to make our next move to further retake the Pride Lands and Equestria.”

“What are you suggesting we do next, Scar?” Ushari asked.

“And what part of the Pride Lands are we taking next?” Kiburi also asked.

“Somewhere where the Pride Lands are at their most vulnerable, somewhere where tension is at an all time high.” Scar then looks on from one of the openings from the volcano as he glanced at various areas in the Pride Lands that are up for grabs through force. “Somewhere out there the truth to that answer lies within the eye of the beholder. Somewhere...”

Just then, Scar managed to catch sight of the clan members peering through the entrance to the caldera. Upon seeing this had him frowning and glaring at them since it was made perfectly clear that they are not invited to bear eyes and ears to this meeting.

“Hyenas, Jackals, Crocs! At the opening to the caldera! What are you doing here?!” He stated loudly enough to get all ears and eyes inside the volcano directing their attention to them. “You know you all aren’t invited to this meeting!”

“You better have a good explanation for this, boys!” Janja added as he angrily growled at his companions for deliberately disobeying him.

“We do! We do!” Cheezi insisted albeit nervously. “In fact, we have someone outside that might of interest to you.”

“Like what? Dinner for everyone here?”

“If it is, Goigoi. It better be plenty for all of us! For your sake!” Reirei chimed in with daggers directed at her husband feeling this is another one of stupid attempts to make himself look good.

“Yeah!” Kiburi stated menacingly as he moved to approach them. “Show us the meat you conjured before we eat you!”

Scar was quick to interject by barking out a command to the crocodile leader. “Stand down, Kiburi! There will be no eating each other here!” Turning his attention back to the dimwitted members of the army he then said sternly. “So? Who’s this special someone you brought all the way out here that’s worth daring to drag your idiotic heads in here at in inopportune time?”

“It’s a pony.” Cheezi then answered.

“A pony. Okay.” Scar motioned his head expecting more details about this particular pony. “Go on.”

“He just so happens to know the Lion and Pony Guard.” Chungu added.

“How so?”

“This pony just so happens to be that kind pony from the Pony Guard’s brother.” Cheezi then said next.

“Really?” Scar looked on intrigued with that little detail brought up.

“Yeah!” Chungu eagerly stated. “And that speedy pony from the Pony Guard’s boyfriend.”

“Interesting.” Scar then moved to disappear and then reappear in his physical body at the edge of the cliff before making his of it while the others stood to the side to give their leader his space. “Bring him in here so we can all get more acquainted with him.” He then turned to the leaders. “As for the rest of you, stand by in the shadows for cover. I would like to have the room with him. Alone.”

“Of course.”

“You got it, Scar.”

“Will do, boss.”

“Read you loud and clear.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.”

Ushari, Janja, Mzingo, Lightning Dust, Wind Rider all complied without questioning it.

“And if not…” Reirei then said next as Kiburi finished.

“...he won’t know what’s happening next before it has already happened.”

Once everyone was out of sight and well-hidden, Scar then turns to the others waiting to guide Zephyr Breeze in. After giving them a nod, they proceeded to follow through with bringing their guest inside the caldera.

“Right this way, pony…”

“...inside where the party is…”

Both Cheezi and Chungu instructed.

Zephyr complied and went inside the caldera without questioning it himself even with strange vibes that something isn’t quite right for him. “Hmm...A funny place to host a party.” He thought to himself before walking on forward inside.

By then from the nearby cover of rocks and just on the hidden pathway leading to the entrance to inside the hottest part of the volcano is where the Lion and Pony Guard are all hiding to avoid being seen. And all while catching a glimpse of the misguided pony going inside to a certain trap.

“Great. A full welcoming committee just waiting for us inside.” Rainbow sarcastically quipped upon seeing the whole army inside there. “What are we going to do now?”

“I don’t know but we do have to do something about it.” Fluttershy returned equally unsure as both Kion and Twilight ponder the situation on how they can pull this off.

After some quick thinking, the princess immediately thought of an idea as she turned to the pony’s sister in question. “Fluttershy, tell me…”

“Hmm…?”

“...is your brother a smooth talker?”

“Yes.” Hearing that gave the certain confirmation she needed before proceeding with what she’s about to propose next.

“Then I think I know how we can get him out of there in a flash."

“How?”

“By putting out all the lights before it all happens.” Starlight answered as she too got the idea. “And given of how Scar covers his bases, it doesn’t take much to know where he’s placed inside.”

“So split up, everyone.” Kion then said next after knowing the plan from there. And everyone did just that right after the sorcerer and sorceress’s of magic worked their invisibility magic on everyone before sneaking inside the volcano.

While this was going on, Zephyr had managed to meet up with Scar, foot to foot, face to face.

“So...your the special pony and friend of the Lion and Pony Guard my followers were talking about, huh?” Scar began and asked.

“Uh, yeah. That’s right. That’s me.” The pony returned honestly and taken aback by the guy’s creepy appearance.

“Well that’s good to hear, it’s always a pleasure meet someone who’s closely associated with the Lion and Pony Guard. It really means a lot to them to have someone they can rely on and trust when it matters.”

Zephyr looked on feeling even more awkward as while he seems honest word for word, he doesn’t seem like he is someone that can be trusted along with dealing with something the pony himself isn’t sure he believes is true or not. “Uh, thanks, um. Good to meet you too.” When he sees that he is only a couple feet away from the half lion and alicorn and he scooted a foot backwards while trying not to make himself look rude and inconsiderate.

Luckily it seemed Scar got the message. “Oh, excuse me for being so eager to meet you. I just wanted to get to meet with you one and one is all. With me, I usually like doing business face to face on even footing. In fact…” He pulled out a documented form. “Just so we know understand each other better, sign right here.” He pointed to the blank line on the bottom of the paper with a levitated pen for him to sign with.

Zephyr responded by laughing it off. “I don’t know about you, but this pony likes to read waivers and contracts before signing them. No offense, mister pony of business.”

Scar simply nodded before replying. “Fair enough.” He vanquished the first document before presenting a new document. One that is blank. “And your name is…”

“Zephyr.”

“Zephyr, can you spell it out for me, please?”

“Sure.” Zephyr complied before signing the blank document with his full name. “Here.”

“Oh, okay! Nice!” Scar then vanquished said items before continuing.

“Yeah, congratulations.” Zephyr sarcastically returned. “So not trying to be rude or anything, but where’s this big party your friends or followers told me was happening inside here, right inside the hottest place in the world?”

“Right here.” Scar replied before making a party set up appear right before him, much to Pinkie’s enraged dismay who had to be restrained and moved aside by Applejack and Rarity so they can make their way on over to the Outsiders waiting to corner and ambush the pony soon to be hostage. “It usually takes me only a second for me to get it set up with my magic so no need to waste time in making a big fuss getting together.”

“True, true, though…” Zephyr noted before voicing his opinion on the matter as the ponies and Pride Landers not capable of magic sneak their way inside while the others hold up the barrier to ensure it doesn’t go off and trap them inside to taste it. “...some things can’t be rushed.” He moves towards the cake on the table. “I mean without proper baking, the cake won’t probably taste as great as it looks.” He then turns to the balloons which deflated and popped due to the extreme heat. “Good balloons need good helium and snacks need to be in good quality… and fresh.” He moved to taste one of the snacks which he cringed in disgust after one bite. “Not criticizing or anything but just saying like art party preparations can’t be rushed.”

“Ah.” Scar returned impressed and delighted at the pony’s intelligence as Pinkie had to be restrained once more by her friends from openly gloating at an inopportune time. “All very good points, young pony. You’re smarter than you look. And to think you may actually get somewhere in life if you actually apply yourself as an artist seeking to succeed.”

“How did you know that I was seeking a career in art?!” Zephyr suspiciously asked.

“You just told me.” Scar simply and correctly pointed out. “And I just put everything I seen here today along with visit here in the Outlands together as I connected the dots to who you are and what you want to do in life. I’m just that kind of guy.” During which the Outsider leaders all got knocked out without warning. Bunga took out Ushari, Pinkie took out Kiburi, Rarity took out Wind Rider, Rainbow Dash took out Lightning Dust, Ono took out Mzingo, Fuli took out Janja, and Applejack tied them all up with a handful of rope she hand handy along with bucking them all out into passing out. “And judging from how you’ve been able to smooth talk a conversation with me like us, I can also tell what you’re trying to do.”

“You do?”

“Yes.” Scar then simply hoisted the pony by the throat with his magic. “Trying to distract me so you can avoid getting out of this fishing trip with me.” He then proceeded to whack and backhand Fluttershy who felt enraged to the point of trying to attack him head on. “So your sister and your friends can come to your rescue.” He then used his magic to snag everyone all in hiding on over towards him and had them floating in front of them in a magical dome together. “While impressive effort on your part, it was still futile from the start.”

“Not quite.” Twilight spoke up before using her tail to smash a vial down through the bubble and on the ground and then used her wings to spread the growing smoke towards Scar to allow her to break herself and the group of their magical binds before disappearing in a flash by the time the smoke cleared.

Even after seeing that everyone has escaped, Scar simply brushed it off like it was no big deal as the pony’s signature on the paper he signed was enough to feel content with another advantage he can use against the Lion and Pony Guard going forward.

After the danger had passed, and everyone was all safely back in Ponyville, everyone all took a minute to catch their breaths before talking it all out.

“Are you okay, Zephyr?” Fluttershy asked in concern towards her brother.

“I am now.” Zephyr replied as he realized how close he was to encountering death that time around. Just then Fluttershy punched him in the arm. “Ow! Hey! What did you that for?!”

“For really scaring me!” Fluttershy snapped. “Going out all the way to the Outlands right in the very heart of danger is one of the stupidest things you’ve ever done!”

“I know.” Zephyr returned without any of his prior arrogance and cockiness. “It was very stupid of me to trust strangers I didn’t know right off of the bat. Then again, had I put that lesson from class to put that into practice, I would have known to say no from the very moment I was lead on towards that volcano.” He then sighed. “Which is quite disappointing considering the Outsiders I talked to were quite friendly, even when they were leading me to the biggest crime boss the world has ever seen.”

“Looks can be deceiving.” Starlight chimed in while being very understanding of what was going through his head. “Sad but true. Even if not everything is all black and white.”

“Like a zebra?”

“No. And don’t get us started on that one particular zebra.”

“Ugh. Thurston.” Fuli groaned knowing full well of who in particular that zebra is.

“Did someone call?” Said zebra asked as he appeared out of nowhere.

“No, we were just talking about how thirsty we are after a long hard working mission.” Fuli returned sarcastically to which the zebra didn’t pick up on.

“Oh, okay. I just thought you were interested in the new song I have proposed for the Pride Lands’s next musical performance.” He then started to dance and to the music starting up around them.

“The Lion and Pony Guard might be tough

But they're really not that bright

That's why they talk to me

I help them make things right

I know so many things like…”

POOF!

And in an instant, the zebra was poofed away from the group courtesy of Starlight’s magic.

“You read my mind, Starlight."

“Mine too.”

Fuli and Kyoga both said in response to the unicorn blowing the smoke off of her horn.

“Sorry everyone, but he was already getting on my nerves.”

“Anyways…” Fluttershy then said moving her attention back to her brother. “...I hope you learned your lesson today, because I was so worried about you. I almost I thought I was going to lose you, today.”

“If it weren’t you and your friends, you sure would have. And I’m sorry I allowed this whole thing to happen.” Zephyr apologized not even denying how he nearly and royally screwed up. “And in answer to your question why I haven’t been able to master the first speed bump a pony with wheels like can and should handle, it’s because…” He then broke down and confessed. “I’m scared. I’m scared of failure. No matter what I can get over the first hurdle life throws at me. I can't do this. I can't do anything."

Fluttershy leaned down next to her brother, trying to reassure him otherwise. "Sure you can, Zephyr. You're smart and talented, and you have what it takes to succeed in life. All you need to do is just remove the chains that are weighing you down from continuing to keep trying.”

Zephyr only whimpered further. "But everypony always looks down on me because everything I tried to do in my life was a failure even when I proved otherwise at times. I thought mane school would finally be my true calling, but instead I’m now about to fail… again. And once my project is presented. I’m sure to be the laughing stock for everypony… again!”

Rainbow Dash shook her head from side to side as she asserted otherwise. "With that way of thinking, then of course you're going to fail. And if you never try, you'll never be able to succeed or do anything.”

“And while it does seem scary pushing forward into the face of danger...that is when not actually looking for trouble of course.” He muttered to himself before resuming out loud. “...Is what you need to do if you ever want to conquer your fear of failing, even when things get tough.”

The lanky Pegasus stallion only protested. "Like I expect you along with everyone else to understand. You all are heroes out traveling the two worlds and saved both Equestria and the Pride Lands a dozen times…”

“Well…” Pinkie chimed in. “...it’s actually thirteen including the three times we saved the Crystal Empire, but hey! Who’s counting?!” She giggled as everyone took a moment to let that random fact moment slide.

“That being said…” Ono continued and then pointed out. “...that doesn’t mean we are exempt from our share of failures. Not even the prince and princess themselves can say otherwise.”

“That’s true.”

“Can’t say we haven’t.”

The two shook their heads before chiming in with their words of wisdom.

“But even when there have been days where we have failed, we still never gave up and kept trying, again and again…”

“...even if takes times for us to get things right and in order. And even when it seems it may never be possible we still kept persisting and never gave up.”

“And for somepony who’s also been afraid that I might fail…” Fluttershy then said next. “...I never let it decide that it would be the end of my time with the Lion and Pony Guard, even when I’m not exactly the bravest, strongest, fastest, fiercest, or even fearless, and most magical of ponies and Pride Landers. And the same can be said for you too Zephyr, as all as you are willing to listen and keep trying yourself.”

“And if you ask me, it’s better than quitting, because it would mean you’d be proving those who doubted before you right.” Rainbow added and pointed out. “And trust me when I tell you that it comes from a true story from someone I know.”

It was there Zephyr began to concede to their point. “That is...true. I guess.”

The animal loving Pegasus then proposed. "Rainbow Dash, Ono, and I would be more than happy to be your volunteers while you practice your mane styling and figure out a unique style that works for you…”

“Provided that you don’t make what almost happened in the Outlands happen again.” Ono quickly threw in.

“That too.”

“Which would be very much appreciated until further notice…”

“...meaning for now, just don’t even think about dragging yourself on over to the Outlands again, even when things don’t work out again.”

Both leaders kindly implored of them.

“That you can be sure of, especially after what their leader almost did to me.” Zephyr promised.

“Great.”

“Good answer.”

“So…” Fluttershy once more continued. “Do we have a deal?”

Reluctantly, Zephyr agreed. "Deal." He then suggestively hoped as he proposed looking at the rainbow maned Pegasus’s direction. “Along with the added stipulation that we could maybe…”

“No, Zephyr! Not even off a random rumor you planted in the small minded heads of the dim-witted Outsider’s heads.”

“Okay, okay. Never mind.”

Their friends all snickered at the pony’s expense who likewise knows she is not going to live this down and neither are the Outsiders (most of them that is).

After all is said and done, Zephyr Breeze returned with Fluttershy to her cottage. She managed to modify one of the rooms in her cottage so her brother could use as a saloon to practice his skills.

Rainbow Dash wasn't exactly thrilled with having to offer her mane up to be his test pony and neither was Ono, but nevertheless both cooperated the best they could with the latter taking the time to quiz Zephyr with every given opportunity he could.

Slowly but surely, as he kept working on the two Pegasus mares' manes along with the egret’s, Zephyr felt more confident with every passing minute. Eventually, inspiration came to him as he knew what he wanted to do, and how he can pass his exam.

Grabbing scissors, a comb and some styling gel, Zephyr Breeze worked hard and fast to style the mane on his ponyquin head, until finally it had been molded into a unique, one of a kind style that combined curly and shaggy together. The very next day, he packed up his things and set off back to mane styling school, ready to take his final exam.

Fluttershy, Ono, and Rainbow Dash were all quite relieved when they heard the news from Spring and Gentle Breeze, Zephyr had passed his exam and is now officially a certified mane stylist.

"Thank you dear, for helping Zephyr regain his confidence, Fluttershy." Gentle Breeze spoke to her daughter upon hearing of Zephyr's success. “Not to mention not giving up on him even when things got tough.”

Spring Breeze nodded in agreement. "It’s like he’s a completely different pony. Like he’s just like new filled with drive of determination."

“Our pleasure.” Ono nodded his head in response as it is nothing new to him. “We’re just glad we saved him before it was too late.” The three share a knowing wink as they promised each other along with Zephyr they won’t tell the parents about what happened in the Outlands.

Rainbow Dash, for her part, just wiped the sweat from her brows. "I'm just glad that Zephyr is now out of my hair, literally."

Just then, the front door of the Breeze family home swung open. And in strolled Zephyr Breeze, wearing a black cape and gown. "Guess who just graduated with honors?!" He proudly declared. "That's right, me! And that’s not all! Thanks to good word from friends from the Lion and Pony Guard." He turned to Fluttershy and Ono, looking at them with a thankful smile. "I got a new job working for Sapphire Shores who just so happens to in Ponyville before heading out on her upcoming tour."

“Cool!”

“Hah, awesome!”

“Congratulations, son!”

“You look so handsome!”

"Oh, I am so proud of you, Zephyr!" Fluttershy cheerfully exclaimed the happiest and proudest of them all. "Looks like your dream is something to look forward after all, Zephyr. You really turned yourself around."

Zephyr nodded. "All thanks to you, Fluttershy. You, Rainbow, and Ono. I couldn't have done it without you greatly encouraging to put more effort and work into my studies even when things got tough. And you all deserve the credit that much." He then smugly grinned at the rainbow maned speedster. along with the white egret. “That being said, Rainbow...”

"Don't even say it." Was all Rainbow Dash could bring herself to say in reply while turning aside with flustered red cheeks due to the embarrassment she endured because of that rumor. “I swear if he tells everyone that false rumor I am going to kill him.”

Both Fluttershy and Ono giggled themselves once more before looking on in pride with what Zephyr has just accomplished.

Elsewhere, back in the Outlands Volcano, Scar is back in his fiery form as he is greeted with two faces inside the caldera.

“Are your followers all ready?” Scar inquired of the two.

“Ready.”

“As always.”

Both King Sombra and Queen Chrysalis replied with sure confidence.

“Good. Because now is the time to put forward another attack that’ll ensure no help from the outside can come to their aid.” He then said as he sets his magic and sights on a visual of the upcoming festival preparations going on in the Crystal Empire along with their very special Crystal Heart. “An attack that’ll certainly change everything going forward.”

“And something I’ll never forget and enjoy.” Sombra added with an equally hungry and vicious grin as he prepares himself for something he has long awaited for ever since the day he fled that very empire...

Author's Note

Okay, before I begin I would like to start off by saying that due to the headache Thurston gives the episode "The Zebra Mastermind." is not part of the series. That said I was able to rework the episode portion itself into this episode with Zephyr as the one guided by the dim-witted Outsiders instead. So that said thank MLPBOY2006 for the suggestion.

Aside from that, this episode pretty much follows to the T aside from a few minor adjustments here and there as said brother of Fluttershy comes to learn a hard lesson about applying himself seriously even when challenges occur. And yes, one scary encounter in the Outlands is more than enough to do the job.

Now that the family of Fluttershy's has something to be celebrate over, next up is another party in the Crystal Empire where King Sombra himself is the guest of honor in this upcoming 4 parter mid season finale so stay tuned for when it happens sometime in August as this series is about to reach 200 episodes thus far so another major milestone coming up here.

And one more thing before I close things off for now, I would like to make it crystal clear that any comments bordering on begging and pleading for this upcoming episode will be stricken from the comments sheet (and yes, I know who), so keep this warning in light before you try.

But enough said, that's all have for now, and stay tuned...

Episode 21: The Siege of the Crystal Empire Part Four (the 200th episode)

Episode 21:

The Siege of the Crystal Empire Part Four:

“Go! Go! Go!” Twilight commanded of everything as they all quickly made a charge towards the portal she and Kion just conjured up with their magic.

One by one everyone managed to make their escape…

...up until Twilight and Kion, the last ones that have yet to escape from harm’s way, were suddenly ensnared by dark magic courtesy of both Scar and King Sombra firmly and tightly grasping their bodies and wings together.

“Dad!”

“Kion!”

Both father and son cried out as they barely managed to grab onto each other’s paws. The two tried so desperately to maintain their grasp on each which lasted for several seconds until Scar managed to firmly yank the younger lion away from his father. From there the two can only look on helplessly at one another as they are separated where the former is now in the paws of someone who has no qualms of killing him on the spot.

“Dad!”

“Kion!”

“Twilight!” The others screamed especially Spike once more even more horrified than before as he is now on the verge of tears just like Simba upon seeing his son at his evil uncle’s mercy.

“It’ll be okay! We’ll be fine! Just go get help! We believe in you all!” She called out after them while showing no fear as the portal closes just as Scar yanks her back towards him leaving her along with Kion both face to face imprisoned in a dark bubble of magic with both Shining Armor and Cadance both at the two powerful ruler's mercy. While Sombra looks on furiously especially at Kion by glaring daggers at him, Scar himself looks on at Twilight with a delighted and satisfied evil smile knowing that things keep on coming more and more together with every passing second.

As soon as the Umbrum are released, they wasted no time in conquering the Crystal Empire in Sombra’s stead. And they wasted no time in capturing and arresting the Royal Family for their ‘crimes’ against them. To the Umbrum along with Scar, they all find it necessary in order to prevent them from utilizing whatever power they have to stop and defeat them. To Sombra himself, he felt it was fitting for all he suffered because of them (mainly Kion for hurting Hope).

The good news, is that the Lion and Pony Guard along with Simba all managed to escape the Umbrum’s grasp thanks to Twilight using her magic in teleporting them all to safety. The bad news, is that their leaders Twilight, Kion, Cadance, Shining Armor, all have been captured as Scar was quick to ensnare them with his magic before they could make their escape. And now the four were left to answer to the Umbrum, along with both Sombra and Scar themselves as they prepare to see to it that they are executed for their ‘crimes’ against them. With one left to wonder of how it is going to play out now.

“Bring forward the prisoners!” King Sombra commanded as inside the castle throne room with dark purple mist encircling the area outside and inside the castle.

On his command, Twilight, Cadance, and Kion were brought forward chained limb to limb and by the neck much like the former before. Only this time there were dark crystals on their horns to prevent any attempt and use of magic on their end. In addition for Kion’s chain he has dark crystals fused inside on the one around his neck in order to keep him from being able to use the Roar against them at any point on his enemies. Regardless, the three all look forward with defiant glares and adamant refusal to kneel over to them, along with knowing full well that help is coming their way.

“Bow to your ruler!” Ira commanded.

“No!”

“Forget it!”

“I will never bow to him or him!”

“Fools!” Rabia angrily roared in the face of their prolonged defiance. “You will learn…”

“At ease, Rabia!”

“Save your magic!”

Both Scar and Sombra commanded.

“They’re all in chains unable to use any sort of advantage to escape this very room and they are no threat to us to warrant this kind of aggression...yet.”

“Scar is right!” Sombra then stated as he took his turn in talking. “After all, this is a sentencing hearing, not a trial. It’s not if they can save themselves even if they wanted to.”

With Rabia standing down on their orders, her daughter then stated. “All hail Emperor Sombra!”

“Emperor Sombra?” Twilight responded looking on in disbelief. “What happened to King Sombra?”

“Objection!” Rabia angrily stated only to be stopped when Scar raised a paw to get her stand down once more.

“It was decided it was a more fitting title for him, Twilight. Given his newly acquired status here in the Crystal Empire that helps feel more empowered.” Scar answered.

Twilight however scoffed in response. “Of course it would.”

“Well, hopefully that answers your question.” He then gestured Rabia to continue. “Proceed, Rabia.”

The mother then went on to serve as the executioner as she moved to address the defendants. “Twilight Sparkle, Mi Amore Cadenza, and Prince Kion the so called princesses of Equestria and Prince of the Pride Lands. You are all charged with treason.”

“Like you’re to talk all high and mighty in that regard!”

“And you’ll never get away with this!”

Both Kion and Cadance growled in response.

Rabia ignored them as she moved to direct her attention towards the purple alicorn. “Twilight Sparkle, you are charged with attempted attack of Emperor Sombra, attempted escape from prison, aiding your accomplices and enemies of the Empire to escape with the destruction of the railways to cover their escape, and opening defying Emperor Hope.”

“Objection!” Twilight herself defended just looking on more annoyed than threatened. “For starters, that last charge is not even real and you have got to be kidding us to think if that’s going to stick.”

“Sustained.” Scar accepted as he and Sombra shared a nod together before allowing Twilight to continue having her say.

“And second and most importantly, Empress Hope? Really?! She doesn’t want to be a part of this anymore than we do.”

“Then it is a shame she has not spoken since your friend…” She gestured to the younger lion and alicorn hybird himself. “...used his magic on her.”

“Well maybe that wouldn’t have happened if Scar…” Said lion angrily gestured to his grand uncle simply standing stoically beside Sombra. “...hadn’t moved out of the way. He did that on purpose and he knows it!”

“Objection! Said defendant being addressed was Twilight not you Kion!”

“Sustained!” Scar agreed much to the growling fury of his grand nephew. “You will not speak unless spoken to, Kion. But since you have something to say in the matter, then you will get your turn to speak after we discuss the charges against you.” He turned to the lead Umbrum. “Proceed again, Rabia.”

“Thank you, Scar.” Rabia then focused her attention on the unicorn’s attacker herself. “Prince Kion, you are accused of attempted attack of the Emperor, and injury to Princess Hope. How do you plead?”

“120% not guilty!” He fiercely declared. “Because like I said Scar’s the one who purposely moved out of the way knowing that Hope would get injured because of that. He’s the one who should be standing here, not me!”

“But regardless of how it happened, the charge still stands as called since your magic still injured Hope and it was aimed directly at Sombra with the aim to harm and or kill.” Rabia stated with no sympathy nor showing any fairness towards him before turning to the last defendant in attendance. “Mi Amore Cadenza, you are accused of assault on the emperor, and attempt to brainwash the empress into attacking her subjects.”

“Hope thought she was helping the good honest creatures you tricked her into believing you were.” Cadance herself defended. “Not the monsters you are!”

“As I said brainwashing.”

With the charges addressed, Rabia has turned towards Scar who took his turn in speaking once more. “The wise emperor himself has agreed to make your sentencing easier if you give us the locations of the eleven rebels you aided in escaping.”

“I’m not telling you where my friends are! I don’t care what you do to me!”

“Neither am I. Turn me into stone if you like.”

“Same here. So go ahead, do your worst, and we’ll see if your so called sense of justice stands.”

“Very well…” Scar accepted that response as it is nothing he won’t expect from them. “...if that is your decision.” He then nodded towards Rabia, allowing her to speak again.

“Bring out the prisoner!”

Said prisoner that her daughter pulled forwards by the leash and chains around his neck just so happens to be Shining Armor himself. Much to three’s horror.

“Cadance! Twily! Kion! You’re all right!” The unicorn expressed in relief even when their enemies are preparing pass judgment on him.

“Quiet you!” Rabia ordered. “He’s a cute one, isn’t he? He’ll make a wonderful statue.”

“Stay strong, girls, Kion!” Shining Armor told them. “Whatever they do to…” And that was all he could say before being…

ZAP!

...and turned into stone himself much to three’s horror.

“NO!”

Deep down and internally, they were crying that they had to see that. But they were not going to even though they really wanted to. Twilight, had her nerves steeled to the point she didn’t show anything other than that scream of shock. Cadance came the closest to cracking. And Kion himself, had a spark of dread and worrying of that being the worst case scenario for his father to the point a seed of paranoia and anxiety felt planted inside his body.

“Yeah, I know. A pity he couldn’t completely get his last words in. But you know the Umbrum as well as I do that they really don’t waste time in getting down with the execution.” Scar said with false pity towards them. “But don’t worry, as for someone who understands your grief from having a lost a loved one, your pain will soon be over. For now it is your turn to share his fate alongside him because now it is your turn.”

Rabia then spoke to Sombra himself. “When you’re ready, Emperor.”

Sombra prepared to work his magic so he can do the same to all three standing before him in chains. “Say good…”

“Wait!” Twilight spoke up which got him to stop and got his along with Scar’s attention.

“Yes, Twilight?” Scar inquired of her with a hopeful smirk that she is finally seeing things his way again.

“We’re the last princesses of Equestria and he’s the last prince of the Pride Lands!” She explained. “If you do this here, no one will believe the statues are really us. You’ll never be able to stop the rebellion.”

“Hmm.” Rabia gave it some thought before turning to both Scar and Sombra. “She has a point.” Scar looked on thinking otherwise, knowing full well of what she is trying to do.

“Go on.” Scar gestured for the pony to continue talking.

“Trust me! I’ve read about dozens of revolutions. The only way to end all of this is to do it in public. Somewhere where everyone can see.” She then thought of an idea. “I’ve got it! Turn us into stone on the Crystal Square! Right where the Crystal Heart used to be! The same place they used their weapon to lock you up is where you crush their spirits!”

“And the very place where your rescue party will try to want to find you both.” Scar then said while seeing this as something he can work to his advantage while smiling in approval of the idea itself.

Rabia herself also liked the idea while feeling impressed herself with what Twilight had just said. “I like your style! You should really consider becoming a villain.”

“Oh, believe me. She is really good at it. And she still can become one again if she can start coming to agree to my terms once more. In fact I might even consider sparing her from this very fate.”

“I honestly can’t imagine an even worse fate than death.” Twilight returned sarcastically to which Scar chuckled in response to it.

“Not to mention has a quite a sense of humor I might add.” Scar then cleared his throat before turning to the other Umbrum. “Very well. We will move the execution for the public to see and given that your rescue party wherever they are planning on coming, they are all invited to attend. Oh…” He then raised a finger to add on something. “...and in order to ensure none of your friends try to interfere, I do plan on taking more secure measures to make sure they can’t just show up and free you all from your bonds.” He then turned to the Umbrum. “Now let’s get going.” While taking lead the Umbrum proceeded to follow after him while escorting the prisoners on over there. But then he noticed that Sombra is still deep in thought. “Emperor Sombra? You coming?”

“Of course.”

“Still worried about Hope?”

“Yes.”

“Understandable.” Seeing that look in his eyes had Scar give him some time to mentally prepare for what he’s about to do. “Go ahead and check up on her and make sure she is okay. Then join us where the Crystal Heart is when you’re ready, okay?”

“Will do.”

Elsewhere, the rebels and escapades have all managed to find themselves relocated back in Ponyville where they all took the time to process the relief of barely escaping with their lives along with the worry and need to take action to save their friends who weren’t so lucky to avoid being captured.

“Is everybody okay?” Simba asked as everyone all replied and nodded to confirm they are.

“Yep.”

“We’re good.”

Both Applejack and Fuli replied on behalf of the team.

“But not Twilight, Kion, Cadance, and Shining Armor!” Spike urgently pointed out. “They’re all still in trouble!”

“I know.” Starlight acknowledged.

“Not to mention Sombra has managed to release whatever those dreadful and horrific demons from Tartarus or wherever they came from.” Rarity then shuddered as the very look into their eyes screamed death inside of them.

“But at least we managed to get away when we did, otherwise we’d all be sweet, sweet, cupcakes for them to munch on!” Pinkie nervously giggled before seriously added. “And I don’t mean actual cupcakes.”

“Bummer.” Bunga pouted before speaking up on what needs to be done. “But aside from that, how are we going save them before Scar and Sombra do anything to them?”

Simba taking charge spoke up of the situation. “We are going to call upon our allies to help us take the fight to them!”

“Really?” Beshte asked in astonishment as Fuli, Fluttershy, Ono, Rainbow Dash, and Bunga all voice their surprise at the call.

“Seriously?”

“Oh, my.”

“No kidding.”

“All right! That definitely sounds like something I would say if I were in charge!”

“Me too! About time some thought to think that’s a good idea!”

“Yes it is.” Simba nodded much to Bunga’s delight. “Because I am not about to let Scar take my son away from me like he did to my father. And he’d want us to do the same if the roles were reversed.”

“He along with Twilight did save all of us…” Fluttershy pointed out.

“...and who are we to not to go back in the thick of danger to help them out in return?”

“Not us!” Rainbow firmly declared before deciding on who he can go to and request their immediate assistance. “I’ll go and see if the griffons will be able to help us. Come on, Ono!”

“Okay, let’s goooooo….!” Ono uttered before being whisked away at top speed.

“I’ll go and try to find Discord.” Fluttershy then said next as she along with Fuli flew/ran off together.

“Count me in!”

“I’ll be back after I rally the lioness.” The king himself stated before leaving himself too by running towards the portal. “I’m sure Nala would be more than willing to want to join the fight against both Scar and Sombra.”

“I’m quite sure she will be.” Rarity said to confirm that’ll be the case. “ Especially after hearing her son has been captured by the paws and hooves of her worst enemies.”

“I guess in the meantime the rest of us will fetch and see if anyone in Ponyville’s willing to help us out.” Applejack then proposed next before realizing something. “Oh, shoot. I just forgot. Howare we supposed to defend ourselves against those creeps holding our friends hostage along both Scar and Sombra themselves? Especially when we don’t have a lot of magical assistance on our side?”

“Not to worry, Applejack.” Kyoga quickly assured. “Where there’s a will there’s a way.” She then worked her magic in conjuring a portal to allow her to summon both Karabi and Lite along with the stone statues of both Celestia and Luna. It took a lot of energy and strength on her end along with her siblings but it was doable with little to no strain on her body. “And with additional assistance on our side. We should have a fighting chance this time around.”

“All right! That’ll work!”

“Now we’re talking!”

Both Ono and Bunga commented already liking what they are seeing so far.

“Think we can free them, without the Elements?” Starlight asked and brought feeling unsure if it’s possible without their fearless leaders to help them out there.

“It might be difficult, but shouldn’t be a problem.” Kyoga replied feeling like it’s possible. “It’s not like Sombra used it’s very magic to seal them inside here when he did.”

“He didn’t. And point taken.” Starlight said having being stood corrected. “I just hope I have what it takes to help out now.”

“I think you do, Starlight. More so than you think.” Kyoga replied with a confident and complimentary smile.

“Really?”

“Really. In fact, we need you to take lead on this along with me. Start off this spell by giving that spark of magic like Twilight would as we both work on combining your magic to make the spell work.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait a second! You mean you want me to help take lead on this?! I mean understand why but really why?!”

“Because deep down you have potential for it.” Kyoga explained. “And someday it’ll come in handy when it is needed the most.”

“While I still don’t know exactly how and what that means entirely for me, okay, I’ll still give it a shot.” Starlight truthfully wanted to voice her disagreement over the idea of leading once more given the last time she took the mantle. But considering her friends lives are at stake, she didn’t have time to argue over it. And if this is what it takes to save her friends then she’ll do it.

“Then let’s get to work.”

Starlight then took a deep breath as she stood alongside Kyoga and her siblings as they circled around the statue mentally preparing to work her magic on the Two Sisters. At the same time the others got to work in fetching allies who are willing to make the journey to fight to save their friends and the Crystal Empire.

Back at the Crystal Empire with King Sombra...

Making his way to his room where his childhood friend has been placed inside to recuperate in, he moved to knock on the door first, as any polite gentleman would do whether it’s a hero or villain. “Hope, are you awake?” He asked before moving to make his way inside where he finds that the unicorn is indeed awake and okay much to his relief. “There you are. I was worried that I would wake you or come across you still in a coma. Should I have someone bring you dinner?” Hope didn’t respond as her mind and face was more directed at the very horizon of the Crystal Empire. All while looking on unhappy, unsatisfied, and most of all with regret and disappointment written all over her face. “Why do you look out there. Hope?” He asked out of confusion and slight concern. “It only seems to upset you. Why don’t you come with me and watch as the ones responsible for what nearly happened to you pay for their crimes against you.” Hope still didn’t say anything in response. “We’ve just turned the prince of the Crystal Empire to stone and we’re about to do the same to the other prince along with the remaining princesses out in the center of the Crystal Empire.”

At last Hope finally spoke. “In the very heart of the Empire where the Crystal Heart was held?”

“Yes. We put an end to them where everybody can see them. And with this victory out for the public to see, nobody and nopony will ever dare question my power, not even the great and powerful rulers out there that have yet to be defeated.”

Even still, Hope didn’t take sadistic pleasure like both him and Scar with her current expression not changing in response. “That will be good. Then you’ll have won, right? Both you and Scar. Then we can live here happy together?”

Hearing this sparked shock and surprise inside of him, like a very rare stroke of empathy sparked inside of him. “Well, not quite yet.” He admitted. “We will of course have to aid Scar as he proceeds to conquer both kingdoms he desires in return for his aid in helping us conquer our’s.”

“Oh, so then you’ll be done, then?”

Now, Sombra himself was taken aback by this new attitude Hope was giving him. “Hope! This is only the beginning! Then there’s the griffons and the yaks who are both allies of the Pride Lands and Equestria!”

Hope then moved to turn around to finally face him, only for the first time in years it was a face of anger and guilt looking right into his eyes as opposed to the optimistic and namesake nature she’s shown up to this point. “And I am to be your empress in this? I’ll stand by your side and watch…” She groaned in anger similar to what Twilight would have done if she were in her hooves.

“Hope!” He tried to place a hoof on her to calm her down only for her to angrily rebuff it much to his growing shock.

“Get back!” She warned. “I’ll do it myself! If I’m going to be an Empress of monsters, I ought to at least be able to stand up on my own.”

“Hope, I’m sorry. I really am.”

“Are you? Are you really, Somra?” Hope returned still not buying it. “They told me that this was who you would become, but I didn’t believe it. I knew there was something better in you.

“But, Hope I…”

“No! I was a fool! You told me yourself that you were a monster. A monster that was more than willing to help another monster conquer kingdoms and declare war on other kingdoms. A monster that I ended trusting too because I thought he really was trying to help me achieve what I wanted. Yet he was only doing it just so to help himself in the end. I was a fool. I should have listened but I had...hope. Foolish...foolish hope that influenced me into doing a lot of things that I now regret ever doing.”

Sombra could only sigh in response as he tries to explain and justify his reasons. “You don’t understand! When we looked into the Crystal Heart that day I saw this! I saw what I am now! I saw my destiny! Rabia, confirmed it. She told me I was a weapon. They made me the way I am so I could release the other monsters! I was born to be a monster.”

Hope however was not having it. “Look at me.”

“What?”

“When we looked into that heart, you hid what you saw. I told you what I saw. What did I see Sombra?”

Sombra looked aside in response. “You saw yourself as a princess?”

“And am I princess?”

“Aren’t you?”

“No! After what happened with you, I left my training. I went out to try and find you to try to help you.”

Hearing more and more of this confession sparked further surprise and shock inside Sombra. “So, you never became a princess because of me?”

"That’s right.”

“Hope, I’m so sorry. I wanted to hurt you for turning on me.” He desperately tried to apologize as she sat down on the floor. “I never dreamed I’d rob you of your destiny.”

“Sombra you’re a fool!” Hope angrily returned in response to his attempted apology while placing her hoofs on the temples of her forehead.

“What?”

“You didn’t rob me of anything, I chose. I had a choice between my destiny and you I chose you. All while disappearing from the face of the Earth for a thousand years in an attempt to do so which I now see as futile. Not only that I ended listening and believing the lion you’re friends with to the point I ended up helping him and made a lot of unforgivable choices I now can’t take back all because I wasted my time in trying to believe in you, Sombra.”

“But…”

“No more talk about destiny, Sombra. I’ve never believed in it. You were the only one I’ve ever believed in up until now. And it seems I’ll never be able to make up for any of it at all thanks to you.” She then stood up and stormed off ahead.

Sombra could only look on speechless with what he was just told and what had just happened, all while Scar watches on from behind unnoticed as he looks on at the stung unicorn who is now feeling very conflicted with the choices he’s made up until this point in his life.

Sensing that this may influence things against his favor, Scar moved to reappear at another part of the castle close to the main doorway as he called out to him. “Sombra! You ready?”

“Yes, Scar. I’m ready.” He called back as he followed after Hope and made his way to where Scar was waiting for them, acting like he heard and saw nothing.

Together they went on towards the center of the Crystal Empire where the three prisoners have now been gathered all while the Umbrum are all surrounding them so they can be ready should any of them try anything even while in chains.

“So, before we begin…” Scar then spoke as he approaches them alongside Sombra. “...does the condemned have anything to say before your sentence is carried out? Any or all three of you?”

“I do.” Twilight spoke up once more with a raised hoof. “I just you are all prepared for what’s about to happen next.”

“Prepared for what…?” Rabia asked before narrowly dodging a blast of magic herself. “Whoa! What the buck?!”

“Preparing for your last fight here before we send you back to where you came from.” Princess Celestia’s voice firmly stated as she and Luna floated over everyone. Both looking on sternly and furiously at every single one of their enemies holding the younger princesses and prince hostage.

“What?! But?! How?!” Hope stammered as she recalled seeing those two get turned to stone just hours ago.

At the same time while surprised themselves (mainly both Celestia and Luna here in the flesh), both Scar and Sombra look on at the huge army standing before them. They both mentally dismissed it as another easy fight for the most part. Said army itself contained, Ponyville residents that the rest of the Lion and Pony Guard have assembled, including Simba, Nala, Kiara,Timon, Pumbaa, the royal pony guards, and the other lionesses all looking on ready for another fight.

“We have you all surrounded, so release Twilight Sparkle, Cadance, and Kion all at once!” Princess Luna then commanded.

Scar simply shook his head in response. “Oh, Celestia, Luna, and Simba, why do you keep doing this? Even knowing that this is your fight to lose, you still keep coming and coming back to try to challenge me. It’s getting really quite boring, if you ask me.”

“Does that mean what I think you’re saying?” Simba inquired as he is ready to fight again.

“That depends, Simba. You here and ready for another rematch?” Scar asked as the Outsiders present here moved to appear by his side ready for another fight.

“Ready when you are.”

With that both Scar and Sombra gave the command.

“Attack!”

“And don’t let them get anywhere near the prince and princesses!”

To prove their point a large dark magic powered dome was placed over them to ensure that they are untouchable.

On their command, the Army of Scar charged forward as they had their eyes set on the Lion and Pony Guard who likewise were prepared for their attack this time around.

“All right, ponies. This is the final line between light and darkness.” Pinkie stated to her sister Marble, along with the Cakes.

“We are the night light that keeps the world safe from monsters. We are the defenders of that line.” Bunga then said next as he stood by her side. “Now, we are going to do exactly that. So that said…” Bunga pointed his fingers towards his friend so she can say the command.

“Fire!”

On her command, they all fired their cannons right at the incoming Outsiders who just happened to be Janja and his pack of hyenas who did not see them coming up until the very last second.

“Oh, no!”

“Not again!”

“Oh, party favors!”

The three hyenas all uttered and cringed before getting blasted aside by the hard hitting confetti that came speeding right towards them and as for the remaining hyenas, Bunga was quick to perform a drop kick and fists against them without warning.

“Zuka Zama!”

Rarity along with Fuli and Ono all stood their ground alongside a few of her brave employees willing to put their lives on their along as Reirei and her pack of jackals all moved to charge at them. All while wearing bright orange sparkling and dazzling capes around their necks.

“Jackals at 12:00!”

“All, right ponies! That’s our cue!”

“Let’s hit them with the fabulousness!” Rarity then said as she led them all in flashing the hot and blinding light their capes produced. “Eat fashion, you jackals!”

“Ahh! My eyes! I can’t see!”

“Too bright! Too fabulous!”

“You’re darn right they are!” Fuli confidently stated before making her move against them. “Huwezi!”

Both Reirei and Goigoi screamed as they ended up skidding to a halt causing the rest of their pack to crash into them. And once their eyesight became partially recovered to the point they could see again, they found themselves kicked and knocked aside by Rarity, Fuli, and Ono all together. And to add insult to injury, the guards came plowing right through them like they are out at a night in the bowling alley.

Applejack along with Beshte had managed to rally the rest of the Apple Family in fighting by her side as they prepare to go up against Kiburi and his float who are all going all out in their direction.

"All right Apples, let’s tie up these crocs up and tie them down!”

“We’ll just see about that because this time I’m going to put you and the rest of your family to sleep for good!” Kiburi growled as he closed in on them.

“I don’t think so, Kiburi!” Beshte fiercely stated before going in for the charge himself. “Twende Kibiko!”

And with both combined teamwork from both Applejack and Big Mac, they were able to plow the crocs that tried to come directly at them down with the latter himself taking down Kiburi himself thus allowing them to tie him up right on the spot.

“Soon as we’re done, everybody get to Fluttershy! She’s gonna need our help!”

“Yup!”

“Applejack, duck!” Her sister called out as she and her friends moved to pelt the crocodile that tried to pull a sneak attack on her sister with rotten apples while riding a cart.

“And don’t even think of trying that on Beshte, you big green and mean crocodile!” Mtoto yelled out to the other croc that tried to do the same on Beshte with another cart with his friends also along for the ride.

“Poa!”

“Nice work, little ones!”

Both Applejack and Beshte complimented with both their little leaders both saluting before resuming their jobs to help fend off the Outsiders.

Fluttershy herself now face to face with Mzingo and his flock has patiently bidded her time as they all circled around her as she kept her guard.

“Okay, we’re ready now!”

“Ready for what?”

“Ready for us to finally give in and allow us to have our dinner tonight.” Mzingo eyed the critters beside her who all looked on with crossed arms at the very idea.

Fluttershy’s frown intensified as Discord himself appeared before their eyes. “On the contrary my good birds, it is you who will be leaving, you and your fellow flock members. For if there is one thing I don’t tolerate is anyone daring to try to inflict and even threaten harm on my friend.” With a snap of his fingers a giant hawk appeared over them. Upon seeing the vultures, it shrieked ready to attack them.

“Um, sir…”

“Permission to take a vote to fly for our lives…”

“Permission granted!”

With that the vultures all screamed as they all flew away with the hawk itself flying close behind them.

Back towards the magic shield imprisoning Twilight and Cadance, Scar himself along with Sombra met with Princess Celestia, Luna, along with King Simba once more. In addition, they have the Ubrum army by their side as stood behind their leaders just as Kyoga and her siblings appeared to back their leaders up.

With sheathed claws the two fully grown lions roared and charged at each other to initiate the serious side of the ongoing battle around them. The two proceeded to exchange swipes as the two tried to maul each other down to the ground. Along the way Nala along with all of the other fully grown lioness’s all engaged in the same brawl against Zira and her pride and they all did so quite viciously with one another.

At the same time Celestia and Luna both squared off with King Sombra once more and even with two against one. Sombra himself wasn’t intimidated in the slightest as he was able to unleash his magic efficiently and quickly keeping on his toes. Sombra growled as the two sisters managed to get some hits in before moving to twirl around like a misty tornado before proceeding to suck them inside of them to toss them around and then slam them into the nearby dome. But even with the stronger showing since a thousand years ago, both alicorn sisters weren’t about to give up and let this guy have his way. The fate of the Empire depends on them to make their win count this time.

As for Kyoga and her siblings, they went up toe to toe with the Umbrum who proved to be quite powerful and fast as they were told. And the same can be said for the lions with magic who proved to be exceptionally talented at magic and combat to the point they could keep pace with them. With the moves from paw swipes to counter the attempt of teeth bites and misty and ghostly coil ups were all countered with quick evasiveness, counter blasts of magic, and multiple attempts of offensive magic and attacks. It was literally a deadlock between them all.

All while this is going on Starlight along Spike and Rainbow snuck around the battlefield to avoid being spotted as they made their way towards their target. Which just so happens to be the prisoners stuck in chains as they watch the battle unfold. Twilight herself is being calm and patient about the whole thing even when kept on a tight leash. Cadance herself is following her sister-in-law’s example since the former knows what she is doing here. Kion himself is unsure of how they are getting out of this but still has the same faith in Twilight that Cadance is giving her, all while hoping it works.

“There they are.” Rainbow noted as they managed to get close to the alicorns before standing by at the nearest hiding spot where the Umbrum can’t see them.

“So far so good.” Starlight commented as she got herself in a ready position waiting to act on her next move with the keys hidden and tucked inside her mane.

“Now we just wait for the signal.” Spike added with a raised claw while trying to keep his composure at seeing his adoptive mother still being held captive.

All while this is going on, Hope looked on seeing that this is what it’s all come down too. All while looking dismayed and guilt ridden for ever believing the summoned and released creatures here in this world in the first place. And after seeing and deciding enough is enough she moved to slink away from the battle with a determined resolve to take matters in her own hooves to try to fix all of this. But not without catching the eye of the lion king’s daughter, Kiara who proceeded to follow after her. In addition Rabia's daughter managed to catch sight of them before following after them herself.

As she made her way down the hallway, Kiara took a determined and serious expression as she moved to keep up with her. “Hold it right there!” She demanded as she managed to close in the unicorn.

Hope moved to ignore her as she kept trying to outrun her which didn’t last long when the young lioness proceeded to sprint after her and proceeded to tackle her to the ground. “What are you doing?!”

“Stopping you from causing anymore damage then you already have!” She firmly stated not letting go of her grip against the unicorn.

Normally she would use her magic to escape from her current position, but because of her current view and outlook in life has changed she instead moved to keep trying to reason with her without fighting back. “No! You got it wrong this time. I’m actually trying to do the exact opposite this time around! Really!”

“Try me!” Kiara stated expecting more to go than a simple plea for mercy like the cowardly Outsiders would resort to.

“I’m telling the truth!” She asserted and insisted. “It wasn’t only recently did I realize I was wrong to seek out the Umbrum in the first place to the point I didn’t look into myself whether they were telling the truth or not from the beginning.” As she continued Kiara’s hardened expression softened a little as she feels she is indeed being honest with her. “Back when we were young I had such a connection with Sombra I’ve always tried to be hopeful of him even after he succumbed to his biggest and darkest fears.” She recalled flashbacks of her young self as she looks on in concern over Sombra’s mental and physical well-being. “But as every passing day since looking inside that mirror, I’ve found it all coming together in the worst way possible to the point I alerted both Princesses Celestia and Luna of what has become of him.” She managed to witness said battle that shook the Earth for several minutes until the dark-magic fueled tyrant was magically vanquished away. “If only I had took more action in trying to help him back then, none of this would have happened and I wouldn’t have become so desperate and willing to make deals with others I should never have dealt with in the first place in my attempts to remain hopeful of saving Sombra. But now I see it was all for nothing and there is really no hope for him now.” She then pleaded of the lion princess. “All I want now is to be able to help put an end to this and move on from all of this, even if it means having to accept whatever punishment I’ll have to take for what I did.”

While still a tad suspicious given that she hardly knew her until now, Kiara still moved to consider follow listening to her heart that was telling her that deep down she does want to be to repent for all she’s done and that if she wasn’t she would have blasted her away already.

“Very well.” She spoke while releasing her grip on her. “Now, what exactly are you thinking of doing and why and where are you running off in here?”

“Because I’m trying to find Shining Armor along with his daughter Flurry Heart so I can free them so they can save the princesses along with the prince who happens to be your brother, right?” She explained as she stood up while looking around the place to find them. “If I can channel my magic hard enough much like Sombra did then maybe I can cancel out the magic used to immobilize them.”

"Are you sure about that?" Kiara asked not completely sure she can do all by herself. "Even though I don't have magical powers like you I know from research that's a really advanced and difficult spell to try on even a single powerful unicorn. How do you plan on tackling it without straining yourself?"

"Simple." Ira spoke up to which suddenly spooked them. "You don't," With a roaring charge she made her way right towards them at full speed ready to mow them down to the ground literally.

"I'm sure I'll figure something out when we get there. But for now...RUN!" Hope screamed before bolting ahead down the hallway.

“Sounds like a plan.” Kiara said in agreement and feeling genuinely terrified before following after Hope herself. “Lead the way!”

"Get back here!"

The two quickly made their way down the hallway at top speed as fast as their legs can carry them with Ira still hot on their tails, literally. Dark clouds in the shape of tidal waves formed right behind her as she pursed them. She then fired clouds in the shape of whips at them forcing the two to maneuver and dodge with each and every blast. But even still to her name sake she still didn't lose hope as she kept running and dodging before catching a cloud to use as a smoke screen to throw the Umbrum off of their trail.

She was able to quickly recover and dissipate the cloud cover before just barely managing to pick up on the lion and unicorn's trail as they just managed to reach the room they are looking for. At full throttle she made her charged up her most powerful blast of magic right at the two who just narrowly missed but knocked off their paws and hoofs. At that point she had just managed to ensnare the two in her grasp who both still only unfazed even while captured.

"I finally got you both now! And to think you actually thought you could outrun and take on an Umbrum." She said as she prepared to finish them off.

"Not really. But that wasn't what I was aiming for." Hope confidentially replied.

"Is that so?"

"Yes! Very much so!" Shining Armor now free from his stone prison thanks to Ira firmly stated before using his magic to blast the completely caught off guard Umbrum into dust with a super charged spell. After blowing the smoke off of his horn he turned to the two. "You both okay?"

"Yeah."

"Much better now."

"Good." Turning to the unicorn while grateful, he still had to stern for the pony for what she has done. "Because I'm sure the princesses will be more than happy to decide what faith comes your way after all this is done."

"I understand. Just at least work with us so we can save your baby and foal-sitter along with everypony else that's about to buried alive under a huge blanket of snow?" Hope pleaded of the pony to put aside emotion in favor of reason.

Thankfully, the stallion is that kind of guy willing to do just that. "Only because you kindly asked." He firmly replied though his expression soften a bit upon seeing that Kiara trusts her judgement this time to which the lionness smiled in response for.

With that the three then made their way to rescue Flurry Heart along with Sunburst before joining in on the battle going on outside.

Back outside the castle where the battle is still ongoing, Spike, Starlight, and Rainbow all watch on the battle as they see the alicorns, Simba, and the lioness’s all fiercely duking it out. As they all watch they couldn’t help but witness as their allies were struggling quite a bit as their enemies managed to lay down some vicious blows that would have knocked them out of the fight if it weren’t for their strong endurability. Deep down they feel they should go out there and help them but had to remind themselves that they need to stand by where they stand because Twilight, Kion, and Cadance’s freedom is counting on them.

“How much longer?” Rainbow whispered to the others in order to ensure their enemies don’t see them.

“Can’t say.” Starlight replied in whisper. “They said to wait for the right moment which involves this magical barrier keeping them inside.”

“And if our hunch is right then that moment should come…” At that moment Celestia and Luna both managed to land a square hit to Sombra’s chest which slammed him backwards into the barrier thus shattering it along with it’s magic that kept it up and running. “Now!”

Wasting no time, Rainbow Dash quickly sprinted at Sonic Rainboom speed as she swooped in and swiftly whisked the three away from where they were forced to stand. Though at the same time, Rabia was quick to spot this herself during her fight with the lionesses.

“Not so fast!” She roared before shooting beams from her eyes to blast her mid-flight causing her to come to a crash landing with the captives quick to use their hooves and paws to catch her before she could hit the ground and literally eat dirt.

But before Rabia could do anything else about it, Starlight was quick to use her magic to teleport all four of them out of there in addition that paved way for her to be blasted aside by Kyoga with her magic to keep her from doing anymore harm to her friends.

Immediately, Starlight appeared along with the other royals on the opposite side of the castle just as Spike managed to find and catch up with them. Once there were all together and safe, Spike and Starlight moved to work the keys and magic needed to remove the chains and dark crystals around their bodies.

“Once again, you three really helped bail us out of trouble.” Twilight proudly complimented to the three as Spike moved to give the pony a great big hug he would give to a beloved parent.

“We’re just so glad it really worked this time. We really thought you were a goner this time.” Spike cried tears of happiness, relief, and joy.

“Not this time.” She happily returned before returning the hug.

After that brief heartfelt reunion all eyes were focused on the sounds of roaring magic and screams of pain on the other side of the castle.

“Now that we have the whole party together, what do you see we crash it together?” Rainbow eagerly asked the others ready to start fighting once more.

“Let’s.” Twilight said in agreement ready to bring it herself.

“For the Crystal Empire.” Cadance fiercely stated equally ready for that fight.

“And for the whole world!” Kion also equally fierce and determined stated as they proceeded to rush on over to the other side of the castle to join in on the fight now that they are no longer bond to magic restricting chains anymore.

Upon recovering from the alicorn sisters latest attack, Sombra turned his attention the furiously growling leader of the Umbrum. “Rabia! What’s happening?!”

“Those pathetic ponies along with their friends distracted us to help the princesses and prince escape!”

Sombra looked on furiously as he is quick to blast aside both Celestia and Luna before they could try to attack and pounce on his moment of distraction along with knocking aside Kyoga and her siblings in quick succession. “Keep fighting the others while I bring them back myself!” He angrily demanded.

The Umbrum while terrified were quick to carry out these orders while picking up where Sombra had left off the fight in regards to the remaining princesses along with Kyoga and her siblings.

King Sombra now fueled with insane rage transforms into a cloud of purple mist as he speeds over the castle as he tries to spot out the three that just escaped with their friends. He locked eyes all around the perimeter of the castle searching inch for inch as he tries to spot the alicorns from above. After scouting the perimeter he then transforms back to his pony form as he begins to wonder where they went to exactly…

POW!

...courtesy of Kion blasting magic in his face before tackling the pony off of the dark crystal platform he had just created causing him to crash down on another crystal platform nearby.

The two wrestled with one another as they used their magic to reinforce and assert their grasp and strength over one another until Sombra used a beam of magic from his eyes to return the favor. In addition he backed it up with giving the young lion a solid magically powered punch to the arm which had him scream in pain as the pin was reversed so that he is now pinned down.

Fortunately before Sombra could do anything else to him as he moved to choke him to death along with fire off another beam to finish him off, Princess Twilight herself used her magic to deliver a super hard magically powered punch herself to force Kion off of him. The unicorn king himself ended up knocked away so hard he ended up crashing into the nearby statue before crashing through the glass ceiling from a nearby building. Kion who found himself tossed mid-air was quickly caught by his friend, bridal style, who was quick to get him up and flying once more.

The two then turned their attention back to Sombra as he furiously drove himself into trying to plow right at the purple alicorn into the wall of a nearby building. Twilight was quick to use her magic to teleport out of his grasp before returning another blast right at him where it hurts. Sombra then engaged in a magic battle between one another as the two traded beams with one another while taking their flight to the skies with the former using crystal platforms to help him keep pace with Twilight. Just when it seemed Sombra himself was finally able to catch Twilight when she was taking flight away from him. She quickly turned and flew to the side which left her confused opponent no time to react when…

POW!

...From Princess Cadance herself this time around with a blast of magic so hot and powerful that Sombra was knocked off of his balance and he ended up crashing hard into the ground when he fell from the high platform he just lost his footing on.

Just as Sombra grunted and recovered from the attack he finds himself surrounded by the very three opponents who he had just on a literal leash all forcing him on the defense with literally no breathing room in between. From Kion’s quick charging and use of his claws, to Cadance’s reliance on magic, to Twilight’s mixed balance in between, Sombra was now finding himself on the losing end of this fight. At this point forward, he is now in trouble with no one around to help him out of this corner.

“Give it up, Sombra!”

“You have no chance to win this now!”

"It’s over!”

Sombra growled as he looked on defiantly even while grunting and breathing heavily from the hardest hits he’s ever endured in his life. “As long as I am breathing and I still have a few more tricks to pull, it’s not over!” He then roared out to the skies summoning all of the Umbrum to his command. Upon hearing that, they all acted accordingly.

With the power of the Crystal Heart at his command, he surged his dark magic inside of it which greatly enhanced the demonic power inside of the Umbrum who grew to new heights of darkness and monstrosity never been seen.

“Uh-oh.”

“Hapana!”

Both Rarity and Ono fearfully gulped upon seeing the group of Umbrum before them transform into a giant hulking creature similar to the one at the swamp in Ponyville, only more powerful and dangerous.

At the same time, the Apple Family found themselves face to face with the Umbrum as another group form of a giant cobra with multiple large snake companions side by side with the giant one.

“By golly, they’re huge!”

“And very scary looking!”

Both Applejack and Beshte fearfully shared as they found themselves forced to back away from the defeated crocs at the same time, Rarity, Fuli, and Ono were forced to back away from the defeated jackals.

“Shall we run for our lives, darling?” Rarity asked Applejack while trying to mask her sudden horror to her friend with a pleasant yet forced smile.

“That’s actually a very good idea let’s, Rarity. Let’s...” Applejack returned with the same expression. “Run for your lives, everybody!”

“Yup!”

The two instantly both screamed while dropping their smiles before taking lead in getting the two groups to retreat to safety.

Upon returning after forcing Mzingo and his flock to retreat away from the Crystal Empire, Discord sicced the giant hawk right towards the giant Umbrum while Fluttershy hides behind him for safety. Only upon meeting face to face with an equally giant and menacing red coyote did the giant bird itself despite it’s size squawked and flee away in fear before dissipating into nothing. And with that, all Discord himself could do was arm himself along with preparing a perimeter to keep his dear friend out of harm’s way as he prepares for what they try to do next.

With one fellow swoop, both Celestia and Luna were knocked aside and could only get back up along with Simba who had just been knocked aside by Scar as he takes great pleasure at seeing his most powerful allies reach their true potential as they ensure that they have their opposers right where they want them.

“Um girls, what is that?” Mtoto asked now scared upon seeing the Umbrum produce a giant cannon in front of them.

“They created some sort of tube it looks like.” Apple Bloom replied and reported seriously.

“A cannon, to be more precise.” Shakku chimed in equally serious.

“Doesn’t matter! Take them down!” Sweetle Belle then said next ready to give it her all.

“With pleasure!”

“Roger that!”

Both Shakku and Gumba replied before firing the cannons alongside the Crusaders.

But even with the kids best and brave efforts in actually trying to assault the Umbrum with rotten apples and vegetables they could gather before traveling here, they were easily repelled right back at them and left with said produce splattered right in their faces.

“Well this stinks.” Apple Bloom remarked in disappointment and disgust that happened.

“No kidding.” Gumba agreed. “This is worse than the time we helped and tried to put together that talent show for you girls in your bid for your cutie marks.”

“Which show?” Scootaloo asked before realizing. “Unless you mean the one where we attempted to perform with juggling and balancing while dressing up.”

“That’s the one!” Shakku confirmed. “Though I still can’t help but wonder why they kept booing at the giant cat. We loved that guy’s character.”

“Maybe that’s because of how he was portrayed in that live action remake and not the animated version.” Kwato voiced speaking her thoughts on the matter.

“Not to mention not exactly some role model you would expect like Daring Do.” Kambuni added. “I wonder what led to that movie happening?”

“Good question.” Scootaloo replied unsure herself.

“I’m sure we’ll find out...that is assuming we find a way out of this one.” Sweetie Belle then said next now scared as they find themselves surrounded by the Umbrum.

“Me too!”

“Me three!”

Both Kambuni and Kwato fearfully returned with the former trying hard to look like she is going to lay eggs with their lives flashing before their eyes.

With the remaining fighting party down with only Twilight, Kion, Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Kyoga, Karabi, and Lite able to have the power to challenge them as the others stand behind them for safety, Scar moved by Sombra’s side as he remains confident and sure that their victory here is cemented.

“Good!” Rabia commented feeling very pleased with this sudden turn of events. “With the resistance at bay, the tanks are down, and the cannons soon to be wiped out, now is the time to ensure our freedom here!”

"Wanna bet on that?!" Discord spoke up while snapping his talons ready to counter with chaotic creatures at his disposal.

"Are you serious?" Rabia chuckled at the very idea upon seeing the Lord of Chaos himself actually wanting to get serious himself. "Okay." Turning to the other Umbrum. "Attack!"

The Umbrum all charged at him at full force but much to their surprise they have found that the Lord of Chaos was not someone to be trifled with as he had just managed to send multiple flying razor sharp discs right at them that actually cut off their cloudy bodies in half.

The shocked group of creatures had to take a quick second to literally pull themselves together before moving to try getting him at every possible angle. But even he still had his bases covered by managing to produce a shield that repelled each of them with pepper spray for those who tried to literally backstab him. Which was literally half of the entire force of the Umbrum.

DIscord then proceeded to have his magic form multiple warriors who proceeded to effortlessly punch, kick, and blast each and every Umbrum that comes at him before taking charge himself by using a paralyzing use of magic to stun the remaining group that tried to face him head on. He then proceeded to perform a spinning maneuver that allowed him to finish off the remaining creatures that were still picking themselves up of the ground and left them as nothing more than clouds that can barely form for the time being.

While impressed, Scar himself still felt this was still a waste of time before displaying the Crystal Heart while locking eyes with Discord who was ready to go all out on him with a glare of his own. "Game set and match!” He declared as Sombra prepares to cement it with the Crystal Heart in his magic. “Go ahead, Sombra!” He then said continuing to give him the go ahead to do what needs to be done with Discord still not backing off even if it were to happen. “Put an end to this along with your pain and suffering once and for all! Yes!” He encouraged as Sombra has his mind set on going through with it. “Do it! Smash it!”

With those remaining in the fight uncertain of how to approach this without risking the very important thing that keeps the Umbrum contained and the everlasting winter storms from brewing over the area, it seemed there wasn’t much anybody could do at the time…

“STOP!” Hope’s voice called out just as she appeared at the front doorway with Kiara and the now free from stone Shining Armor by her side just before Sombra could carry through with it. In addition Sunburst is also standing at the door while making sure Flurry Heart is around to see and witness the terror and craziness outside. “Please, Sombra. If you do this then you destroy all hope that is left in this world. Without the lock keeping the Umbrum locked away then they’ll be free to wreak havoc on everyone outside of this very Empire. Not to mention of what kind of weather related chaos would be unleashed here without the Heart together in one piece.” She then moved to approach the one holding the ancient relic hostage before moving to implore of him not to go through with it. “Please just this once, look inside of it and see if this is what you really want in life?”

Scar then was quick to whisk her away from him with his magic to get her to stop before speaking up. “I’m pretty sure he’s already made up his mind on the matter. Now, let’s get this over with, Sombra.” But to his surprise he finds he is now not as quick to do so upon command. “Sombra? Sombra?!”

“What are you doing?!” Rabia also demanded as Sombra is instead looking at his own reflection inside the Crystal Heart.

“Just remembering the first time I looked into this thing. I saw myself as a monster.”

“What do you see now?” Rabia inquired.

“Just me. Just my reflection.”

“Maybe it doesn’t work if it’s not fully powered up.” Rabia attempted reason with him. “All the more reason to destroy it.”

“Exactly.” Scar said in agreement. “You’re not seriously telling us that you actually now care for everyone here now, do you? Sombra?!”

“No.” Sombra instead shook his head. “I think it is working fine. And as what I am telling you both now, after the first time around compared to now, to put it like this while did see myself as something I became…” He then sighed. “...now I don’t see that in myself anymore.” He then turned to the pony who encouraged him to take another look at himself. “Hope?”

“Yes, Sombra?”

“Thank you.”

Scar widen his eyes in shock and horror as Sombra makes the Crystal Heart glow it’s normal crystal blue color knowing exactly what’s going to happen as he puts it back in it’s place.

“NO! SOMBRA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Rabia demanded in a panic.

“Making my own destiny.”

With the Crystal Heart back in it’s proper place, the Umbrum were all forcibly yanked and dragged back inside the castle and back towards the very room, the very portal and prison that allowed them to cross into this world before being all sealed inside. Where none of them will ever be able to return to threat or wreck havoc on anyone ever again.

“ARGH! NOOOOOO! SOMBRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!” Rabia screamed before being the last of her kind to be locked away forever.

But just as Sombra had looked on at what he just did, he was then suddenly struck and impaled by Scar himself when he bared and slammed his dangerously razor sharp claws into the unicorn's heart and forcibly ripped it rip out of him. Sombra then gasped breathlessly before collapsing down on the ground. And say everyone else was shocked and horrified by that very sighting would be an understatement for it is one of the rare times they have actually seen Scar himself commit such an act this vicious and terrifying to the point it'll give everyone nightmares after witnessing it. Especially when he is greatly enraged by what just happened.

"NOOOOOO!" Hope screamed with tears streaming down her face before rushing to his side and still looking on devastated between the fatally wounded pony and his killer.

"You foolish pony!" He berated without raising his voice. "You had total victory right in front of you and instead you decide have a conscious at the very last second! I hope you enjoy your afterlife because by choosing your own destiny you have also chosen your own demise." With the heart in the palm his paw, he proceeded to teleport away from the scene before the shock from everyone else could wear off while leaving the fallen king to bleed to death in a pool of his own blood.

After the danger had passed, said injured pony who made sure of their fate then turned to Hope once more even while dying inside. “Thank you for believing in me, Hope. I never believed in myself but I trusted you even after all has been said and done. And if you…”

“Oh, Sombra! Stop it!” Hope spoke now astonished by this change of heart that was finally happening even while still crying. “You see I was right! You’re not a monster at all! You saved everyone! You’re a hero!”

Even so, Sombra rightfully shook his head as he asserts it’s nothing to be proud of. “I’m also the reason they were in danger.” As he spoke his body started of fade and dissipate. “While it may be too late for me, it’s not too late for you. For you can do so much good in this world.”

Hope was left stunned as the reality sinks in for her as his body continues to fade away. “No...Sombra. Don’t say that.”

“Hope, I need you to promise me something. And that is that you won’t run away again.”

Hope as she found herself holding onto Sombra’s body could only solemnly tear up. “I will.”

“At least…” Sombra then said now speaking at peace with himself. “…I know got to see what happens with the Crystal Faire. Even if it only took a thousand years for that to finally come true for one time.

“What do you think?” Hope asked as she smiled while looking at him in the eyes as his spirit turned crystal blue.

“It’s more beautiful than anything I could have imagined.” He spoke just before his dissipated away into thin air. All while Hope could only look on as tears streamed from her face as she can only watch as heartbreak and devastation surfaces up upon seeing him go for one last time.

“Those watching could only look on with sympathy even when there’s not much that can be done now. He made his choice and by the time he finally came around he had already left enough of a black mark to be deserving to be allowed to walk free. But after both Cadance and Twilight shared a look with each other as they both come to quickly find a reasonable solution to the matter.

With a strong burst of magic from both alicorns horns the two were able to use it to summon the very magic containing Sombra’s spirit back to them and managed to keep it from vanishing into thin air for good. Upon seeing this act, both Celestia and Luna were quick to join in to assist them so they can salvage his spirit. With the combined magic working together they were all able to resurrect his spirit into something that even surprised him himself.

Sombra himself is now a unicorn. A normal unicorn with the red razor sharp Umbrum horn and vicious, jaggered teeth. His eyes now glowing a normal green eyes in contrast to the bright neon of Scar’s and his mane and tail is now short and black in contrast to the flowing fiery flame he once had.

Upon seeing and feeling what has happened to him, he could not help but feel astonished with what was just granted to him. To him, it’s like he is now a new pony.

“Am...Am I really here…?” Sombra gasped as he processes his new transformation with a newly mended body and new heart inside.

“Sombra!” Hope cried tears of joy as she rushed over to hug him.

Still stunned, Sombra turned to the ones responsible for making this possible. “...you saved me?”

“Of course we did.” Princess Cadance positively answered on behalf of the Royal Family. “It’s the least we can do after you helped save the Crystal Empire. You’ve earned it.”

Hearing why he has been gifted with this token of appreciation has left him stunned that he was even given it in the first place. “Wow I…I really don’t know what to say. I don’t even know how to thank you or apologize.”

“A simple thanks and sorry is a good place to start.” Princess Celestia replied as she thought nothing of it.

“And as for beyond that, that will all be decided when we hear your case when you stand trial here.” Princess Luna then added as she adopted a firm but fair expression and approach in the matter as she carefully moved to break the bad news to the two. “You realize of course that we still have to take you in for your past actions. Both you and Hope, right?”

Twilight then spoke next agreeing and siding with Luna on this. “Believe me when I tell you I don’t exactly like it either and I’ve been then before. But a long list of crimes from both a thousand years ago and the present day is just something that even we can’t overlook and they are something you’re going to have answer for one way or another and that extends to unintentional assistance and associates of the masterminds behind it all. You both understand what I mean, right?”

Both Hope and Sombra looked at each other before giving their answer as they are both accepting of what will be coming their way.

“Yes, your majesties.”

“So I take it this means we’re going to jail…” Hope then spoke up with what is now expected of them. “...since we are going to have to take full responsibility for our actions in this whole mess?”

“I’m afraid so, Hope.” Princess Celestia solemnly and firmly answered. “Even with your past as a former student of mine this is how the way things have to be.” She then spoke a little more softly to allow them the time to fully take it all in before. “But as part of our thanks for saving not just the Crystal Empire but the fate of the two worlds we’ll allow you both to enjoy and marvel in the Crystal Faire under both Princess Twilight’s and Prince Kion’s supervision before we take back to Canterlot into our custody.”

She along with her sister proceeded to step to the side while both Twilight and Kion stepped forward while both nodding at their respective leaders of what is expected of them while this. During which both leaders of the Lion and Pony Guard got the time to exchange some words with them.

“You know…” Kion first spoke up. “...for someone who’s just enslaved the Crystal Empire, I never thought you actually have the heart to actually do what you just did to save the day on a universe level scale of things.”

“Well it was the right thing to do.” Sombra returned like it’s merely a humble gesture. “And it was the least I could do after everything I’ve done.”

“Well regardless of what you think of it, we are very proud of you. Not only did you do everyone a huge favor, you also managed to help ensure that Scar didn’t secure total victory over us. Which is quite surprising considering how much you two seemed to get along well with one another.”

“That is assuming that you two saw each other that way.” Kion added unsure considering of how friendship varys between one bad guy to another.

“We do.” Sombra admitted. “Or at least until I started questioning my recent choices in life along with the fact Scar was convincing me to unleash the Umbrum on everyone while knowing full well of what they are capable of.”

“That along with him intentionally stepping aside so that Hope got injured in order to provoke you into releasing them?” Twilight asked to which had Kion look aside very nervous and awkward with said moment brought up.

“Yes.” Sombra responded with a deep sigh as he recalled that very moment yet was blinded by anger at her attacker rather than the instigator. “It would seem my long lost love for Hope really got me into thinking twice about my recent decisions and just how lost I was in my own inner darkness.”

“So does this mean you accept my apology?” Kion hopefully asked of the pony as they see eye to eye for the moment.

“Yes, I do.” He answered much to the young prince’s surprise and relief.

“And so do I.” Hope chimed in. “Especially considering it was an accident and you were trying to get the guy who really caused it to happen.”

“Thank you, both.” Then he had another question in mind. “By the way, Hope. What really inspired you in doing what you did to help ensure that this would all happen?”

“Oh, that. Well actually, the answer is not a what but who. And this is your sister.”

“Wait! You spoke with my sister, Kiara?”

“Yes. While she does have that side of her that has me understand what and why I did was wrong and I needed to take full responsibility for my actions she did encourage me to still do the right thing not give up on doing so. Even when it all seems like a lost cause.”

“Wow.” Kion spoke now amazed of how much he now owes her and how it actually paid off well for everyone here. “I’ll have to make sure to thank her first chance I get.”

“But in the meantime before you have to go away for some time…” Twilight spoke next. “...are we ready to enjoy the Crystal Faire together. There’s still a lot of planning that needs to happen in order to ensure the event goes on to be a sparkling success.” She giggled while Kion friendly jabbed her in the elbow for that joke. “That is of course if you both are interested?”

“I would love that.”

“Me too.”

Both Sombra and Hope happily returned ready to embark and bask in the Crystal Empire’s glory one last time before fate decides of how they spent the aftermath of this whole mess together. But on the bright side, they’ll at least be able to spend time together even in a jail cell.

"Interesting..." Discord then commented with a bag of popcorn in his talons. "...not quite what I was expecting and this special still could use some work but in any case." He couldn't help but take heartwarming joy at the sight itself. "Still so sweet!" He said while using a free talon wipe any tears off with a tissue from his eyes.

“Once upon a time, there was a young pony who wasn’t like the other ponies. All he wanted was a friend. And then, he found one, she was the first and most amazing friend that any pony could have asked for. He loved her, and she loved him. But he didn’t love himself. He was worried he was a monster. And how could anyone ever care about a monster? That’s the thing about friendship though. Your friends are friends because they can see the great things you have inside. They can see past looks and family and even you own monsters. And they can see the goodness inside of you, even if you don’t see it yourself.”

“Race ya!”

“You’re on!”

Throughout the following day, the two spent time helping the Lion and Pony Guard putting together the preparations for the Crystal Faire before happily enjoys the various activites it had to offer. At each area, each and every one from the Lion and Pony Guard got to chat and bond with them. And while they did have to leave in Princess Celestia and Princess Luna’s custody en route back to Canterlot they all left in good terms with them. With the small hope that someday that they’ll come off to live their newly earned freedom to the fullest come the day they have finally paid their debts to society, the two still carried on with optimism that it won't be too long until that happens and for them, every day going forward is worth it. Worth to keep striving and hoping for the best.

At the same time…

Scar himself is looking on at the very sight with his surveillance magic having retreated back to the Outlands Volcano just barely keeping himself together before making the volcano erupt himself again with his erupting anger. The anger of one of his best allies and support to the point he actually considered him a friend at one point actually turning his back on him and choosing to save the Crystal Empire and both Equestria and the Pride Lands all in one fellow swoop unexpectedly. All while his remaining followers remain out of harm’s way until he got it all out of his system. When that happened he was quick to summon them inside.

“In light of what has back at the Crystal Empire, it is now time we continue moving forward.” Scar informed of them as everyone while fearing him still obeyed his orders and command without question. “For we will not let this one loss change everything even our winning drive to success. The war is still not over...”

Author's Note

Here in this milestone episode, we get the epic conclusion of this mid-season finale as the battle with the Umbrum along with the Army of Scar squares off in the Battle for the Crystal Empire. And it was a very valiant effort on the heroes part in an effort to combat them, but unfortunately the opposing army was just too powerful in regards to their leaders. In fact, it took an unexpected turn of events to turn the tide in the heroes favor...

...just not the way they expected it to turn out.

And before any of you start, I personally thought about it and felt it works out when I was writing down the script for this special. In addition, there is the extra much needed characterization for Radiant Hope considering how she was portrayed in the comic itself. Extra emotion, remorse, and more than willingness to own up when called upon it.)

Anyways, regardless it really got under Scar's skin in displaying another and even more terrifying feat of nightmarish villainy never seen before with what he just did to Sombra who is only spared from death through an act of kindness and mercy on the Royal Family's part.

Though I will say even with the new appearance, it doesn't mean that Sombra nor Hope are both off the hook for their actions, not that they care as long as it means they get to spend time together rekindling their long lost love.

Since it took me over a month to get this all put together to near perfection, I will be taking a brief break so I can get started on the next batch of 10 episodes for this season. When they will come it is yet TBD, but hopefully by the time the new season comes around so until then stay tuned...

Episode 41: Battle for the Pride Lands and Equestria and To Where and Back Again Part One

Author's Note

Hello everyone,

Before I begin and as the title says yes I am combining the Battle for the Pride Lands special with the FIM Season 6 finale together for this 4 part finale.

Also, a heads up before reading I had to rearrange parts of the episodes here and there. Changes to what happened in canon, scenes appearing at a different point, more songs to be evenly spread out through this finale (because of the special), new scenes, and scenes that have yet to be fitted for a later point in the story.

So without further ado feel free to delve into the first of the final four episodes of Season 6 and enjoy the show

Episode 41: Battle for the Pride Lands and Equestria and To Where and Back Again Part One

Episode 41:

Battle for the Pride Lands and Equestria and To Where and Back Again Part One

On the dawn of another morning in the Pride Lands, Simba looks on the horizon of his kingdom as the very sunrise touches every inch of where his control stands. With the exception of the very magical domes and marks of where his evil uncle has already laid claim to, he looks on with a grim expression just knowing that inside the Outlands Volcano, Scar is there plotting another scheme with more of his land at stake.

Rafiki who was also up at this hour was quick to place a comforting hand on his shoulder to assure him he can have faith in not only the Lion Guard but the Pony Guard. A very fact that one comforting look from the sun monarch herself can confirm as she joins them on the very edge of Pride Rock.

In one of Scar’s claimed portions of the Pride Lands, Janja looks on up ahead with a look of satisfaction as they await for another day of gaining more terrain under his boss’s orders while his clan sleeps through it until then.

In one of the other claimed portions of the Pride Lands on the very inside shows a slight recovery from the fiery battle with Scar not too long ago. And standing just outside of the very dome with Mizimu Grove’s trees is Makini’s tree which has shown some growth itself to the point it could stand tall like a baby learning how to walk on it’s own. A sight that the Lion and Pony Guard managed to catch sight of while passing by with Spike accompanying them and along for the ride.

“The Pride Lands will never end while the Lion Guard is here...” Kion began.

“And with the Pony Guard by their side much like this tiny tree, we'll keep growing stronger.” Twilight added.

”Scar will never defeat us…”

“...Again!” Twilight finished voicing it as a serious vow herself.

“We'll never give up!” Fuli also vowed next along with the others.

“No we won’t!” Rainbow boldly declared by her side.

“We'll fight for what's right.” Beshte then vowed next.

“Your darn tootin we will!” Applejack confidently declared next by his side.

“We'll defend the Circle of Life!” Ono vowed next.

“Along with all of the magic and harmony in Equestria!” Rarity then firmly stated next by his side.

“Yeah! What you guys said!” Bunga then bravely declared with a pumped fist in the air.

“Absolute Tootly!” Pinkie happily stated by his side before sucking up all of the juicy candy encasing the tootsie roll in the very center before chomping and munching on it.

“Wherever there’s trouble, we’ll be there!” Starlight then vowed herself.

“Me too!” Fluttershy also vowed and promised even while scared inside.

“No matter what happens next I’m in!” Kyoga voiced her vows on the tail end of the group.

"Same here!" Spike also vowed. "Question now is where do go in order to keep that very peace from shattering?"

Just then one of their friends and allies, Anga came flying in to answer that seconds later. “Lion and Pony Guard!”

“Anga? What's going on?” Kion asked.

“One of the bird patrols spotted Scar's army. Near Mapango Cliffs.” Anga reported.

“Then that's where we're going.” Twilight then stated.

“Till the Pride Lands and Equestria's end…”

“Lion and Pony Guard defend!”

[url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqxPJcPIte4&pp=ygUbdG8gdGhlIHByaWRlIGxhbmRzIGVuZCBzb25n]To the Pride Lands and Equestria's End

Upon arriving, the Lion and Pony Guard wasted no time in kicking Janja, Reirei, and Kiburi’s butts along with the rest of their packs. Fuli swiftly took down Cheezi and Chungu with Rainbow quick to send the two hyenas flying off of their paw.

Ono himself took on Janja with Rarity around to assist him with her karate moves to keep the hyena from getting a bite in on the egret’s feathers.

While this was going on Kiburi and his float are all attempting to attack the oyrxes while they’re at it. But thankfully for them, both Beshte and Applejack were around to keep them at bay with the former charging right at them with the latter lassoing the ones that nearly managed to bite their fellow Pride Landers.

Along the way, both Bunga and Pinkie were both riding the jackals like they jet-sking in the lake before finally letting them go causing them to crash into Reirei and another jackal in the process. After what had happened, the jackals were quick to throw in the towel before getting the heck out of the Pride Lands.

But neither Janja nor Kiburi were just about giving up along with Lightning Dust and Wind Rider who both flew in to back them up. Much like in past match ups both Rainbow and Rarity were quick to deal with them and they were both dealt with rather quickly with Spike following it up with a scorching hot breath of fire to send them both packing with the smell of singed and burnt defeat.

And as for Janja and Kiburi along with their respective groups, Twilight and Kion were quick to take lead in dealing with their leaders while both Kyoga and Fluttershy were quick to follow suit. The former moved to back the Pony Guard leader up with magical attacks of her own incorporated in her lion fighting style that Kion himself is using. The latter moved to stare down the Outlanders long enough so that Kion himself could take them down while they’re mentally weakened.

And to make sure the Outlanders are forced on the defense to the point they couldn’t get even a sneak attack in, Jasiri along with Ma Tembo, Mtoto, Moon Dancer, Minuette, Lemon Hearts, and Twinkleshine joined in on the battle to keep them at bay. Once they joined in, the Outlanders found themselves retreating to the Outlands.

In the following seasons that have come and gone, the Lion Guard themselves have grown up to the point they have started to reach their growth spurts once they have become teenagers. One look at the proud group of warriors standing beside the group of ponies that hardly aged would tell they have really grown just recently with the notable differences being Beshte starting to grow himself some hair along with Bunga and Kion with the latter’s mane starting to reach the back of his head and neck.

Another one of their battles consisted of helping Jasiri and her clan fight Janja and his clan once more. A fight where Janja himself nearly slipped and fell over the edge of a cliff had Jasiri not had the kindness to save him while they were retreating.

Even though Janja continued to flee, one look would tell that the hyenas himself is still needing that very push to convince himself to start turning over a leaf. Something that a brief silent exchange between Kion, Twilight, Spike, Jasiri, and Fluttershy that no words were needed to convey the message.

Another battle to which Nne and Tano tried to take lead on quickly forced them into retreating when Beshte and Applejack led the rhinos and Apple Family into charging against them. Though needless to say of the displeased and disappointed look of Scar’s eyes when Janja was forced to report this failure to him.

And last but not least, came another battle where Kion himself unleashed the Roar of the Elders on them to send them away. And with the size difference, the Roar itself has the power to crack the very rocks the Outlanders were standing on aside from blowing them all away and back near the volcano where their master resides in his fiery form.

Once they were far and gone for now, the Lion and Pony Guard along with Jasiri and Anga were all standing tall and proud after another eventful morning of victorious fighting.

“Well done, Kion, Twilight, Lion and Pony Guard!” The lion king complimented while arriving and approaching the group with Rafiki, Celestia, and Luna by his side.

“Couldn’t have said it better myself other than another job well done!” Celestia herself also complimented.

“Your majesties!” Ono bowed.

“Thanks, Dad!”

“Thanks, Celestia, Luna!”

Both leaders humbly returned.

“The pleasure is ours, especially after seeing how long and far you all have become during your journey together since we all first met.” Luna then said with a proud smile herself.

“Yes, yes!” Rafiki happily noted and agreed. “Kion and the Lion Guard are growing up alongside Twilight and the Pony Guard. And Kion's Roar is more powerful than ever.”

“Yes. That's true.” Simba agreed with something in mind to which both Kion and Twilight were quick to pick up on.

“Dad?”

“What is it?”

“You and the Guard have proven you can defend the Pride Lands and Equestria.” Simba began with a smile before dropping it when speaking and getting to the point in a serious manner. “But it hasn't stopped Scar's army. Most of the Pride Lands have now been claimed in his name with very few places left in the Pride Lands.”

“Are you thinking what I you’re thinking?” Twilight asked already seeing where he is going with this upon seeing the various magical bubbles Scar has conquered has concentrate proof of his statement. “Is it time?”

“Yes, Twilight.” Simba confirmed while moving to look on at the Outlands Volcano before turning back to face everyone once more. “It is time. Time to take the fight with Scar into the Outlands. Time to defeat Scar and his followers once and for all.”

Hearing sparked gasps of surprise from both Jasiri and Anga as they both see that he is very serious about wanting to proceed with this plan. They had talked about at one point, but it was decided they needed time for their allies and armies to prepare themselves because said battle is a one shot make it count move. It wasn’t until now that Simba had decided that now is the time to make that very strike.

“Are you sure you are ready to make that call?” Kion asked once more to ensure that this is the real deal and that he feels that they are all really ready.

“Absolutely!” Simba stated with a resolute tone. “Without his followers, Scar will be powerless and we can have peace in the Pride Lands once again.”

“And as for Scar himself, we’ll be there to make sure he stays powerless forever and for many moons and generations to come. Never to threaten the peace of Equestria again.” Princess Luna then firmly stated with a deep resolve to want to finish what she accidentally started many moons ago.

“Okay.”

“We will start making those plans.”

Both leaders stated all ready to accept the decision without protest.

“And we can help, too, Your Majesty.” Jasiri spoke up being the first vow her support for the plan while leaping down from the rock she was on. “Even though it’s been a while, my hyenas know the Outlands better than anyone.”

“Thank you, Jasiri.” Simba returned with deep gratitude for the hyena.

“As long if everyone who respects the Circle of Life helps us…” Kion began with Twilight finishing for him.

“...then we’ll definitely have the winning edge to pull this off.”

“Yes! Yes!” Rafiki encouraged. “Everyone can help!”

“Right.” Turning to the others, Kion informed them. “Lion and Pony Guard, we need everyone who's willing to fight.”

“And by that we mean everyone from here to Pride Rock, to every inch of Equestria.” Twilight added before turning to one of her friends. “Pinkie, you’re with me in getting help from the Crystal Empire. While I fetch Shining Armor, Cadance, Flurry Heart, and Sunburst, you fetch the yaks.”

Pinkie saluted. “Yes, sir, ma’am, sir!”

"I can go to the Dragon Lands and see if Ember's willing to help us out!" Spike then volunteered with a raised claw. "Or at least have some dragons willing to brave the fiery depths of Tartarus with her."

“I'll get the crocs and antelopes.” Fuli vowed next.

“While I talk to the other unicorns and get them to help out too.” Starlight chimed in with a willingness to do her part in helping out.

“I'll talk to the elephants and rhinos.” Beshte then declared next along with Applejack.

“While I talk to my family and get them to gear up for what we’re about to do next.”

“Anga and I will assemble the birds.” Ono then vowed next.

“While Fluttershy and I make sure the Crusaders and their friends are all level-headed enough to fight a dangerous battle.” Rarity said next.

“I’ll make a quick trip to Diamond Valley and get my siblings to pitch in.” Kyoga promised.

“While I recruit the Wonderbolts to join in too!” Rainbow also declared.

“And I'll get the galagos.” Bunga finished before immediately setting off to do so. Something that had Fuli briefly question Kion herself.

“Galagos?”

“I know what you're thinking and the same can be said for the young ones too.” Kion understood his friend’s concerns. “But if we're invading the Outlands, we'll need all the help we can get.”

“That I can agree on.” Rarity herself couldn’t deny before heading away from the border along with everyone else. “As long the fillies know what they are getting themselves into here.”

Unbeknownst to all of them, the skinks were all watching and secretly observing from the comforts of a nearby tree to see and hear every word that was just discussed between them.

“Invade the Outlands?” Shupavu voiced to her partner who nodded.

“Sure sounds like it. And it sounds like tomorrow’s the due date.”

“It is isn't it?" Njano nodded. "We better tell Scar.” Shupavu declared before she and Njano moved to do just that undetected.

Elsewhere in the Pride Lands, Killio Valley to be precise, are where Janja and his clan, And despite the recovery in the place, not one hyena is satisfied with where they stand and or sit.

“Janja! Why can't we go back to our den in the Outlands?” Cheezi complained to his boss.

“Yeah, it's nice and warm back there.” Chungu commented in agreement.

“'Cause Scar wants us to guard this place, and keep watch in case the Lion and Pony Guard tries to reclaim it for the elephants.” Janja could only explain the best he could despite being just as unhappy about the arrangement. “Also it serves as our punishment for our recent failure’s in holding our own against the Guard.”

Chungu grunted in response. “The Lion and Pony Guard? I'm tired of always havin' to fight them.”

“Yeah!” Cheezi agreed. “They keep kickin' our tails!”

“It's even worse now that the Lion Guard’s bigger. As big as the Pony Guard”

“Kion's roar has gotten bigger, too.”

“And he's got lots of other animals helping him!”

“Even Jasiri and her hyenas.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know. I know.” Janja once more acknowledged after hearing the long list of complains his followers are rattling off the top of their heads before walking away so he can think to himself alone. “Maybe Jasiri was right.” He said to himself. “Her hyenas seem to be happy working with the Lion and Pony Guard. Wonder if we would be, too. Why am I so confused? Oh. It all used to be so simple! What changed? Think!”

A New Way to Go

He proceeds to voice his current thoughts in song from wondering what he would truly be better off going forward. Continuing his part in waging war for Scar, or turning a lead and joining Jasiri like she offered at a point after saving him the first time. During which he could hear Jasiri in his head singing in unison with him at several points as if she is still encouraging him to make that change inside and that it’s never too late to reconsider his current position.

After singing he then thought to himself in conclusion. “Maybe we are on the wrong side.”

Both Cheezi and Chungu managed to hear that and naturally it piqued their interest.

“Wrong side?”

“The wrong side of what, Janja?”

Janja however decided it was not worth talking about let along thinking about it before walking off again. Deep down, he knows they are on the wrong side of this fight. But at the same time he doesn't have the courage to stand up to and defect from Scar leaving him feeling there is nothing he can do about it.

Though much like before this did not go unnoticed by the other skinks, Nyeusi and Nyata, who both slink away unnoticed before reporting this Scar as well.

Inside the Outlands Volcano, Scar in his fiery form is taking in what the skinks have just informed with Ushari for company. “What an interesting turn of events.” He commented with amused intrigue. “Wouldn’t you say so, Ushari?”

Said cobra however didn’t feel the same way as his boss. “With the Lion Guard preparing to attack the Outlands? And Janja thinking of joining Jasiri? I'm not sure "interesting" is the word I'd use…”

“Oh, don't worry, Ushari. I'm always two steps ahead.” He assured to show he is not deterred even with this news in light. Just then he sees someone arriving inside the volcano. “Ah! Janja! There you are!”

Said hyenas is being guided inside by Shupavu right now. “Uh, yeah.” He confirmed before asking somewhat nervously. “You, uh, wanted to see me?”

“Oh, yes. It's time for another attack on the Pride Lands.”

“Another attack? But the Lion and Pony Guard just kicked our tails this morning.” Janja argued without showing any blatant disrespect before suggesting. “Maybe we could lay off of 'em for a bit? Give me and the boys some time to recover?”

Ushari however was quick to state why this is a necessity. “The Lion and Pony Guard is planning to attack the Outlands.”

“Perhaps they've learned that Kion is now powerful enough to destroy me.” Scar then voiced with concern.

“Kion can destroy you?” Janja asked sounding highly surprised with this shared knowledge.

“Oh, yes.” Scar nodded. “But Kion would have to use the most powerful roar he can muster. And it would have to be here, in the Caldera. The fire of the volcano would utterly consume me.” He then looks on grimly and solemnly. “I'd cease to exist.”

“Really? Oh…” Janja returned with sympathy.

With enough said on his part he continued now back to being suave and upbeat with a smirk on his face. “So… It's time for the final battle against the Pride Lands. Time to say goodbye to Simba and the Royal Family! But…” He then said while making sure Janja is paying attention with what he is about to tell him next. “I'll need the hyenas to distract the Lion Guard for the plan to work.”

“Just distract them?” Janja returned feeling pleased at a really easy task given to them for once as opposed to another hard and harsh task for whatever screw up they did.

“You merely have to lure them into their Lair and keep them there, while the rest of the plan unfolds.”

Hearing that has Janja feeling like it’s something he can work with. “I suppose we could do that…”

“Excellent!” Scar said feeling pleased with his continuing cooperation. “Shupavu will lead you to Lion Guard Lair tonight. Now, go! Prepare your hyenas!”

“Uh, okay, Scar.” Janja proceeds to head out ready to do so.

“In the meantime, Shupavu…” Scar then said to said skink before she can guide Janja out. “...fetch me Reirei, Kiburi and Mzingo. We will need their help as well.”

“Yes, Scar.”

Once they had left, Scar then said to Ushari in private. “If the plan works, we'll soon be rid of the Royal Family and, the Lion and Pony Guard. And a potential hyena revolt.”

“And if the plan doesn't work?” Ushari asked still wary. “And what about those who aren’t caught in the crossfire?”

“I'm two steps ahead, Ushari.” Scar reminded confidently. “I already have another plan in place.” He then evilly laughs as he prepares for what’s about to go do tonight.

At Pride Rock, Zazu flies overhead as he witnesses the ongoing sparring sessions and last minute training the Pride Landers and Equestrians gearing up for tomorrow’s attack on the Outlands.

They got the elephants, antelopes, and crocs sparing. During which, Zito managing to knock a log off of his partner’s trunk without injury. The birds under Ono and Anga’s supervision are all in perfect sync with their flying. Kifaru’s form in drawing against the tree to perfection much to Beshte’s liking. And the same can be said with both Fuli and Makuu as they watch the crocs spar with one another.

As for the Pride Landers, Applejack is liking what she is seeing in regards to the Apple Family’s training. Big Mac’s form in bucking trees and balls without breaking them is perfect. Apple Bloom and the Crusaders are gathering together the supplies and weapons they need to carry their part in the attack against the Outlands with Pinkie around to supply with said material they need for what they intend to do with it.

Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Gilda are both overseeing the griffons perfect their flight pattern together. At the same time, Princess Luna is overseeing the unicorn’s including the graduates from Celestia’s school practice their magic against targets from a distance like the Equestrian Games did with ice archery. Each and every one of them are all managing to nail perfect bullseyes just milliseconds apart from each other. In addition, Rarity herself along with Kyoga and her siblings are partaking in the exercises since they all want to make sure their magic is ready for when they partake in the final battle against the Outlanders and be ready especially for whatever Scar has in store for them with Ember and a small handful of brave dragons willing to spare with them thanks to magic proof shields they were given ahead of time.

The hornbill then flew up ahead to Pride Rock where Simba, Kion, Twilight, and Celestia are all standing overseeing the current ongoing training in progress. This after seeing to it that Hadithi along with Shujaa have returned to the Pride Lands

“Zazu, report.” Simba said to his royal advisor.

“Hadithi has just arrived with the gorilla warrior, Shujaa.”

“That's everyone.” Kion noted.

“Indeed. The Lion and Pony Guard has gathered all the other herds.”

“And both Shining Armor and Cadance have informed me that they’ll be here by then ready to partake in the attack along with Flurry Heart and Sunburst.” Twilight chimed in.

"Oh!" Pinkie spoke up as she suddenly appeared. "Also Prince Rutherford has informed me that he and his yaks will be ready to join us by then. In fact they''ll actually be here shortly!"

"By shortly you mean..." To answer her question the yaks arrived at Pride Rock seconds later with their traditional yak luggage and necessitates to help make themselves feel more like at home. "...okay, great! That sure answers my question."

“Excellent.” Simba spoke with satisfaction in his eyes. “Zazu, tell everyone to get some rest. We'll need them at their best in the morning when we lead the attack first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, sire.” Zazu proceeded to do as he was told while flying away.

“With this many animals and ponies here, I'm sure Scar will know we're coming.” Simba then commented while looking on in the direction of the Outlands Volcano up ahead where Scar currently is residing in his fiery form.

“I’m sure he already knows.” Twilight replied looking on with the same look as the king. “And he already knows what’s coming his way when this very sun rises up one more time.”

“I’m sure he does.”

“Indeed.”

Both royal sisters said feeling the same way given their past history with Scar.

Upon turning to his son, he noticed that he too is looking troubled himself. “Are you okay, son?”

Kion then voiced his concerns with what they are about to do. “Everyone knows the plan against the Outlanders. I just wish that this fight goes as well as we hope it’s going to turn out including defeating Scar himself.”

His father was quick to assure that it will indeed be the case tomorrow by affectionately patting his head and mane. “Don't worry, Kion. I know you, Twilight, and the Lion and Pony Guard will succeed. I wouldn't ask you both to do this if I wasn't certain.”

“Plus…” Twilight chimed in once more. “...you won’t be alone, we have the entire Royal Family backing us up in this upcoming fight. We managed to fend off Scar just recently, we can do it again and ensure that he won’t be coming back after all is said and done.”

“That’s true.” Kion noted now feeling much better now when Twilight moves to hug him. “Thanks, Dad. You too, Twilight.”

“Anything for a friend, Kion.”

“Now, go on.” Simba then said to his son. “Don't forget, you'll need to get some rest, too.”

“And the same can and will be said to you too, Twilight.” Celestia also reminded while giving her a firm and playful look like any mother would to their child. “And that’s an order.”

Twilight groaned in response like a child would in this situation. “Stay up late and awake for three straight days one time, and it’s never forgotten is it?”

Kion chuckled and wasted no time ribbing it at her expense. “Apparently not.”

After giggling at her pupil’s expense she moved to fly off along with Luna so they can perform their duties in lowering the sun and raising the moon while both Kion and Twilight move to get the much needed rest they need.

So the two move to take one last walk through the Pride Lands as they pass by the training Pride Landers and Equestrians as the sun is currently setting. During which they strike up another conversation together.

“You know…” Twilight started. “...it’s okay that you’re feeling scared inside. Both kingdoms have been frightened by what’s happened since Scar’s return.”

“I know.” Kion returned not even denying it. “I just really don’t want another repeat of what happened to when Scar actually did win and take over the Pride Lands that one time.” He looks on at Twilight when he says it along with having deep focus on his friend’s scarred eye. “That one time where I nearly thought all was lost!” He added while trembling a little and trying hard not to cry.

“I remember.” Twilight replied with the memory not lost on her. “And I can assure you it won’t happen again.” She moved to place both of her hooves on his shoulders gently. “As long as I am by your side, as long as we have each other. The Pride Lands along with Equestria will never fall. Never again.”

Kion immediately felt the much needed comfort in her words but even still felt the need to sing his heart out about the growing anticipation of the very last night before the next big battle that’ll decide the fate of the kingdoms once again.

On the Last Night

The very sight along with Twilight following after him caught the attention of one of best friends Fuli who sings her concerns about the ongoing distress of the leader of the Lion Guard, followed by Beshte, Bunga, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie singing together.

Flying along the skies are Rainbow Dash, Ono, and Fluttershy who are giving the skies in the kingdom one last look around before calling it a night who like the others are singing their thoughts as they do their aerial survey together.

Still sticking by Kion’s side, Twilight moved to sing herself to acknowledge his validated concerns before reassuring him even while looking on at that very volcano that lies their biggest upcoming test in life. Then the rest of the Guard have gathered together all to finish the song with a grand dose of confidence that they will be ready for when Celestia’s sun rises and when they all go into the Outlands for that fateful battle. And with that it’ll seem that all will be fine for a peaceful night of rest tonight.

Or so it seems with multiple creepy eyes lurking in the shadows and not just Scar’s eyes. And they're all directed at the whole Pony Guard as they all made their way back to Equestria before going their separate ways until tomorrow morning. Or what they think is going to happen…

Later that night, Shupavu herself has guided the hyenas through the tall grass to Pride Rock. “Lion Guard Lair is this way.”

With Pride Rock in sight, Janja took the time to repeat what’s expected of them in this upcoming attack. “Remember furbrains, we need to keep the Lion Guard distracted for Scar's plan to work.”

“Oooh!” Chungu took notice of the many faces from a distance. “Sure are a lot of Pride Landers and Equestrians gathering at Pride Rock.”

Janja was quick to pull him back down when he started poking his head up too high. “No kiddin', furbrain. That's why Scar's havin' us attack 'em now.”

“Shhh.” Shupavu joined in while hushing the dimwitted hyena. “We don't want to give ourselves away.”

Just then they heard the nearby grass rustling.

“Ooh. What's that?” Chungu asked before being pulled down to the ground once more by his boss.

“Shhh!” Said someone turns out to be Goigoi with branches and dry grass in his mouth. “Goigoi? What are you doing here?”

“Gettin' branches for the big fire.”

“Fire?” The hyena asked while approaching him.

“Yeah.” Goigoi confirmed while briefly putting said branches down. “Things are gonna get real hot for Simba and the Royal Family.” He then said with a slightly malicious chuckle.

“Oh. Guess that's the other part of Scar's plan.” Janja realized.

“Yep. I gotta get goin'.” Goigoi moved to pick back up the branches and dry grass before heading out. But not without needlessly asking. “Which way to Pride Rock?”

Shupavu sighed in annoyance before turning her and his head in the right direction clearly and obviously in plain sight. “Uh, it's right there, Goigoi.”

“Oh. Right.”

With that taken care of Shupavu moved to continue leading the hyenas towards the Lion Guard lair undetected. “Come on. We're going around the back.”

Elsewhere, Kion is now looking up in the skies with Twilight still around for company. The former moved to speak out to the clouds in need of heavenly wisdom. “Grandfather Mufasa?”

Said spirit appearing from above ready to give him that with a warm smile. “Yes, Kion. I'm here.”

“Dad is planning on having us help lead the Pride Landers and Equestrians into the Outlands tomorrow, to fight Scar.” Kion explained.

“And this worries you?”

“Yeah. I mean, even though we have numbers on our side and the power to beat Scar. I don't even know if he can be beaten.”

“All evil can be defeated.” His grandfather assured.

“Even when it's a lion who’s half alicorn and has the ability to appear in the form of fire?”

“Absolutely!” Twilight quickly answered and asserted. “And even when he’s two steps ahead we always come through in the end. If I can do it, then I’m pretty sure you can too. We all can if we work together on this one.”

“Right you are, Twilight.” Mufasa said in agreement. “For I too believe you can do anything, Kion. Just stay true to who you are inside. And remember: You can't fight fire with fire.” With what is needed to said spoken, Mufasa's spirit disappears and returned back deep into the skies leaving his grandson pondering of what he means by that.

“Can't fight fire with fire…” Turning to Twilight. “...any idea what he meant by that?”

“What he means is to not sink to Scar’s level of brutality and viciousness. Whatever lows he’ll sink to if that’s what it takes to win, he’ll pursue it no problem. That’s what defines Scar evil nature. We however don’t. At least not me, anymore.” She then quickly said to remain on point to avoid Kion further self doubting himself. “Point being, when it comes down to the kill, don’t go for it for vengeance, but self-defense.”

“Like with the first band of Evil Lions of the Past?” Kion asked referencing the Battle of the Bands in the other world.

Acknowledging of what he is talking about, she went on to clarify. “Yes, even when the circumstances were different back then.” She then assured. “You’ll understand when the time comes. And who knows maybe Starlight will too.”

"How is she by the way?" Kion then asked upon mention.

"She's fine. She's recently been getting comfortable in her new room in the castle."

"Okay. And what would be the reason it took these recent months for that finally happen?"

"Well you know, still mentally adjusting to being finally placed off of probation along with still being shaken up from her recent and brief return to her home village."

"Oh, that." Kion remembered. "Was it that bad?"

"To her, I'm afraid so." Twilight admitted feeling pity for her pupil. "And I don't blame her since it is something I've been there before."

"Hopefully she can put that aside in preparation for tomorrow's attack on the Outlands." Kion expressed hoping that'll be the case.

"Oh, yeah. Definitely! Knowing her, she'll be quick to want to focus on something else other than her past."

"Even though she knows she can't run away from it forever!"

"So very true!" Kion briefly chuckled after finding it admittedly funny after getting used to the unicorn's comedic side himself.

Sure enough after a long day yesterday, Starlight herself is already inside the castle seeking to get some rest so she too can be prepared for tomorrow's battle against Scar along with Spike.

As she tried to get some sleep, she then found herself back in Cutie Markless. Something that is no doubt in her dreaming mind ever since her earlier visit from the other day. Seeing a practice opportunity to be able to make small steps in someday crossing the bridge she had trouble crossing the other day she moved to approach some of the villagers trotting to and from in front of her. "Hey, I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier," She declared only to be ignored, the villagers passed by without even acknowledging her presence. "Hello? Can anypony hear me? Is anypony out there?"

Then, without warning, the rather angry sounding voice of Twilight Sparkle split the silence. "I thought I told you you could never speak to them again!" And sure enough, she appeared before Starlight in all her indignant glory.

"What?! Twilight?! How did you get here?! Who even told you I was coming here?!" Starlight questioned sounding alarmed and frightened as she began to back up.

"How I know and who told me is not important! What is important however is that I make sure you do what I say!" Twilight then angrily demanded. "And by that I mean making sure you stay your distance away from this village forever!"

Starlight became frantic and unsettled as the angry alicorn approached her. "You're not acting like yourself, Twilight. This doesn't seem right," And then her next line echoed around her. "Something is wrong!" Just like that, everything was dispelled into a misty darkness (with the sole exception of Starlight herself), and a gentle calming wind began to blow. She quickly realized what this meant. "Another dream? But what does this mean?"

Mere seconds after speaking that question, the unicorn heard a familiar voice whispering to her. "Starlight Glimmer?"

The unicorn looked up to the sky, and gasped when she saw none other than the princess of the night materialize within the moon! "Oh, good! I'm so glad you're here again."

"Yes. But there isn't much time?" The night princess returned rather urgently and uneasy as if something is lurking behind her.

"Why? What's going on?" Starlight asked as she slowly started to pick up on her tone and expressions. "This is all a dream, isn't it?"

"Yes, but not in the waking world there is trouble," Princess Luna explained. "Scar has ordered the changelings to attack throughout Equestria. "They've already taken my sister and I! It's worse than the last time! Your dream called to me, and I was able to break through! You must find help for the Lion and Pony Guard might be next!"

Starlight gasped! "Oh no!"

Princess Luna then cautioned. "Be mindful of who you trust, Starlight. You'll need all of the help you can get. You must find out what the changelings have done with your friends from the Lion and Pony Guard and where they've taken them if they haven't been already captured too!" Then she turned and saw changeling hooves wrestle with her forcing her to grasp through the hole she is barely holding on to. "Hurry! Before it's too late...!" And that was all she had time to say before her connection with the unicorn has been cut off.

"Princess Luna!" Soon afterward, a frantic Starlight Glimmer awoke in her bed! "They've already made their move on my friends! What am I gonna do?!" She exclaimed to herself now frightened.

At that very moment, the bedroom door swung open and Starlight dove for cover (literally, under the cover sheets of her bed)!

"Starlight?" A familiar voice whispered. "It's alright, I'm not one of them. I know what's happening."

The unicorn reluctantly surfaced from the sheets, breathing a small sigh of relief when she locked eyes with Spike. "Oh, thank goodness it's you!" She happily commented. "Then I suppose you got the same message from Princess Luna too?"

"Yes." Spike then whimpered. "We have to warn Twilight, Kion and the others!"

"Right." Starlight agreed as they emerged from her bedroom along with Spike. "Hopefully we can reach out to them before the changelings get them too! Whoa!" She was suddenly yanked into the nearby corner so they can avoid being seen by someone the little dragon managed to spot out.

"Uh, Starlight..." Spike nervously uttered with what he is seeing.

"What...?"

"I'm afraid we might need to bide our time a little on this one." Starlight moved to get a peek of what Spike is seeing and managed to spot a very frightening sight. The whole Lion and Pony Guard coming inside the castle and all looking on with mean and untrustworthy eyes that glare daggers sharp enough that they would be killed on the spot if they locked eyes with them...

Meanwhile Shupavu has managed to direct Janja's clan towards where the entrance to the Lair of the Lion Guard is. “That opening in the rocks is the Lion Guard Lair.”

“And we need to keep the Lion Guard distracted for Scar's plan to work.” Janja said next.

“Which means you'll need to get their attention.”

“How're we gonna do that?” Cheezi asked his boss.

In response, Janja had an easy answer to that question from past experience. “Oh, I know how…”

At that moment, Ono is making his last aerial scout of the Pride Lands before calling it a night. “All seems quiet…” At that was when he heard Janja’s audible laughter. “Spoke too soon.” He quickly spotted Janja and his hyenas making their way towards Pride Rock “Oh, gotta tell Kion and Twilight.” In short time he was able to quickly find them nearby. “Kion! Twilight!”

“Ono?”

“What is it?”

“I've just spotted Janja and his hyenas. It looks like they're headed for Pride Rock.” Ono reported.

“What?” Kion reacted in surprise before giving the egret an order to work with. “Get the rest of the Guard!”

“Affirmative!”

Twilight then flew off ahead. “You go ahead, Kion! I’ll go fetch the girls along with Spike!”

“Will do, Twilight!” Kion accepted her decision without question.

At the entrance to the Lair, Cheezi had a sense of uneasiness surge up to the point he asked his boss as if this is a red flag literally waving in their faces. “Uh, you sure about this, Janja?”

“Sure, I'm sure. It's all part of Scar's big plan.” Janja replied in a manner to assert so, yet unaware of what he is walking into here.

“Hold it right there, hyenas!” Kion barked at them with the rest of the Lion Guard backing him up.

“Janja, The Lion Guard!” Chungu warned.

Even still Janja asserts that they know what they are doing. “Yeah, I see 'em, furbrain. But they can't stop us from gettin' into their Lair. Come on!” He then proceeded to run off towards the entrance of the Lair.

“They're headed for the Lair!” Bunga noted in surprise

“Why would they do that?” Fuli asked feeling puzzled herself.

“I dunno.” Kion replied unsure of what their motive behind it is. “But I'm sure Scar's got 'em up to something. Come on.” With that he proceeded to lead the Guard after them.

After the Guard was well inside the Lair, Kiburi and his float moved to pile up dry grass and branches right in front of the entrance. “Keep movin'.” He ordered of his dimwitted crocs. “We gotta pile up a lot more of this stuff before the vultures arrive. Scar wants to get rid of the Lion Guard and Janja's hyenas.”

“But what about the Pony Guard?” Tamaka asked and brought up still confused as always. “They didn’t go in along with the others already inside?”

“Don’t worry about that.” Kiburi insisted while leading his float away so they can ensure they have enough dry grass and branches piled up for when the vultures set Pride Rock on fire. “Scar’s got that covered too.”

Inside the Lair of the Lion Guard, the hyenas managed to get a good look at the paintings on the walls from the image of Scar’s head appearing from the top of the volcano to the paintings revolving around Scar leading his Lion Guard until destroying them and losing said Roar for evil purposes.

“Hey! This place is nicer than our den.”

“Lots of pretty pictures, too.”

Both Cheezi and Chungu commented before finding themselves face to face with the Lion Guard.

“That's far enough, Janja.”

“Yeah! Get outta our Lair.”

Both Kion and Bunga fiercely and bravely warned.

Janja once more laughed it off. “You kiddin'? We just got here. Boys, scatter!” The entire clan proceeded to split apart running and laughing like crazy.

“What are they up to?” Fuli asked now feeling they have really lost their minds at this point.

“They must be after something in the Lair.” Ono replied with his best guess.

“But what?” Beshte asked.

“Doesn't matter.” Kion replied not in the mood for games right now. “Let's round 'em up, and kick 'em out.”

“With pleasure.” Bunga stated while pounding his fists together before being the first to leap into action. “Zuka Zama!”

“Glad he's on our side.” Fuli said to the others with a smirk.

“Let's go!” Kion commanded.

“Huwezi!”

“Yaaaaaah!” Bunga yelled before tackling Cheezi.

“Keep goin'! Get outta here!” Fuli barked at Nne and Tano while close behind their tails, literally.

“Keep runnin' boys!” Janja commanded of his two closet followers with Kion in hot pursuit of them. “Anywhere but out!”

At this point, Kion growled in annoyance with what they are doing. “Janja!”

With his head briefly turned, Janja was not prepared for when Beshte immediately stood in his path ready to block and rebound the hyenas away. “Twende Kiboko!”

“Yahhh!” Ono cried while pursing Chungu, but then he nearby flew right into a fire stick that dropped down inside the Lair right in front of him. “Wha?” He then gasped in horror upon seeing the fire starting up from above. “Hapana! Kion, we have a problem!”

Upon recovering, Janja noticed something up ahead towards the entrance of the Lair. “What's that?” He then sees a fire stick landing on the branches and dry grass starting the fire to trap them all inside. “Huh? Scar didn't say nothin' 'bout a fire while we was in here.” Acting quick, he turned to his clan. “Fellas! Follow me! Now!” The hyenas were all quick to follow after him.

Janja managed to leap out and escape the Lair with a swift leap over the starting fire. But a nearby tree set on fire fell right in front of the lair before the rest of his clan can do the same blocking the entire entrance with a wall of fire.

“Janja!”

“What about us?”

Cheezi and Chungu cried out from inside just as Janja turned back to see if the others were able to make across safely too.

“Furbrains? Oh, no!” Janja looked on in horror upon seeing his clan trapped inside. “But Scar told us to go in there…” Janja remembered before realizing the true intent behind it. “We've been double-crossed! I gotta get help.” But before he could go anywhere he quickly realizes how limited his options are. “But the Pride Landers won't trust me. And I can't trust Scar's army!” But then he thought of someone. “I know who to trust.” With someone to turn to he set off ahead. “I’m coming back for you, guys! I promise!” He yelled back before running off and away. “I hope to hay, she’s willing to listen to me.” He mentally thought to himself along the way.

Back inside the Lair, the now trapped hyenas are all looking on at the fire and smoke keeping them trapped inside.

“Ya think we should jump through it?” Cheezi asked Chungu.

“No!” Chungu immediately shook his head. “That fire's too hot. Even I'm not that dumb.”

“Hyenas!” Kion called out to them while running up to them with the rest of his Guard by his side. “Get away from the fire! If it doesn't hurt you, the smoke will.”

“Common knowledge, really.” Ono chimed in with.

“Kion? The whole Lair is filling with smoke.” Beshte warned.

“Use the Roar to blast us outta here.” Bunga eagerly suggested.

“And risk having the whole Lair collapse on us?” Kion shook his head. “I don't think so. There's gotta be another way out.”

Fuli found herself starting to cough due to the smoke. “Well, we better find one soon…since it’s clear that we are without magic on this one.”

“Yeah, it looks like all of Pride Rock is on fire.” Beshte took notice of said fire going on outside.

Kion too took notice that no one from the Pony Guard is around to help them out of this. But as much as he wanted to know what’s going on with them, he then turned to the Guard’s Keenest of Sight with an important order to carry out. “Ono! Fly out of here and make sure my mom, dad and Kiara are okay.”

“Affirmative!” Ono was quick to carry this out and make his way out of the Lair but not without narrowly dodging a flaming branch that nearly hit him. Upon emerging he managed to catch a glimpse of the rest of the Royal Family but not the good sight he wanted to see. “Hapana... Oh, no!” By then it was too late, for said lions are all trapped in the proximity of the fire at Pride Rock.

“Ono!” Anga called out with relief in her voice. “You're okay!”

“Anga?”

“We along with the Wonderbolts and griffons chased off the vultures. But not before they hit Pride Rock.” The purple bird reported before seeking the next best course of action. “What do we do?”

“Kion's already given me orders. We have to help the Royal Family.” With that they flew down towards where Simba, Nala, and Kiara are. “Your majesties, are you okay?”

“For the moment.” Simba returned calmly. “You wouldn't have any idea how to help us get down from here?”

“No. I'm afraid not.” Ono admitted. “Though I wish our flying friends from the other world are around to help us out right now.”

Fortunately for them, Anga had a quick solution. “I do. You first.” Without warning she quickly picked up Kiara.

“Hey, wait! Whoaa!” She screamed upon being lifted.

“Uh, Anga? Be careful!” Nala called out with motherly concern.

“Always am!” She cheerfully reassured before flying off. “Be right back. Don't go anywhere.”

Back inside the Lair…

“Kion?” Bunga coughed. “Any ideas?”

“The fire's too hot to get close.” Kion tried working his magic with little sparks coming out. “And something is up with my magic to prevent us from teleporting us out of here. We'll need to wait it out."

“Hey!” Bunga came up with an idea. “We could use the water from Beshte's pool to put it out.” He moved to splash water from the nearby pool in front of them. “See?”

As luck would have it, Fuli had the unfortunate luck to be right in front of the water’s path and ended up being splashed herself. “Seriously?”

“Once the fire gets close enough?” He sheepishly returned with an apologetic look in return.

“I was thinkin'…” Beshte then thought with an idea in mind they can try. “The water in my pool has to come from somewhere.”

“Like somewhere outside the Lair?” Fuli asked.

“Sure. The stream that leads to Lake Shangaza's not too far from here.”

Already Kion was quick to give the idea a try. “Seems like a good time to find out if it does.”

“Be right back.” With a dive into the pool, Beshte set out to see if it’s their escape hatch here.

Back outside, Hadithi has arrived by Anga’s side ready to help both Simba and Nala out. “Your majesties.” He greeted with a bow. “Anga says you could use a lift.”

“You could say that.” Nala returned trying to treat it as a casual greeting.

“Well, Anga. I think the two of us can handle one lion.”

“Who's next?”

Simba turned to his wife with his mindset on who is. “Nala?” Said lioness was not pleased in response to be volunteered like that.

“Excellent!” Turning to the other flier. “Ready, young Anga?”

“Always.”

Elsewhere inside the Outlands is where Jasiri and her clan are residing in and currently sleeping…

...at least until only Jasiri picked up a familiar scent nearby. “Janja!” She stated with her protective side being sparked in time for said hyena appearing. “What are you doing here? This isn't your territory.” She demanded a very good explanation as he moved to approach her.

“Yeah, I know. I just, uh…” He began and then struggled with what to say next.

“You what?”

After taking a deep breath, Janja found a good starting point. “I've been thinking. 'Bout something you said to me a while ago.”

“And what's that?”

“Aw, you know…” He then said and briefly singed after putting aside his stubborn pride. "Sisi ni sawa, Means we're the same.”

Jasiri laughed in delight upon seeing it. “Well! I never thought I'd hear you say that.”

“You were right. Scar don't care about us hyenas.”

“And what made you realize that?” She asked still smirking since it is has taken him this long for him to come to his senses.

“The rest of my clan is trapped. In a fire at Pride Rock.”

Hearing caused the smirk to drop instantly. “A fire at Pride Rock?”

“The Lion Guard's trapped, too.” Janja added.

“And you're standing here singing?!” Jasiri asked mentally exasperated that wasn't the first thing she was told, quickly ran off ahead in that direction. “There's no time to lose! Let's go!”

While taken aback with what she said, he none of the less followed her lead without question. “Uh, okay. Whatever you say Jasiri!”

Back inside the Lair, Beshte returned and emerged from the water on the inside just as the smoke started to heavily increase. “Guys! Come on! This is our way out!”

“Great work, Beshte.” Kion complimented.

“It's a bit of a swim. So hold your breath and follow me.”

“Swim?” Fuli returned as if the smoke is starting to make everyone feel and act crazy. “Uh, guys? You know me and water. We don't exactly get along.”

“You'd rather be stuck in all this smoke?” Bunga asked to point out they have no other options here.

Luckily for her, Beshte had a solution to arrange for that. “Don't worry Fuli. You can just hold on to me. I'll get you through.”

Hearing that, sparked comfort for the cheetah to comply and work with. “Thanks Beshte.” And seeing this got the rest of Janja’s hyenas attention.

“Uh, Kion? Can we come too?”

“Please.”

Both Cheezi and Chungu pleaded.

It didn’t take even a second to give the hyenas the green light in response to their pleas for help. “I still respect the Circle of Life, even the lives of those who don't.” With that he commanded of them when they looked on briefly confused. “Come on.”

Once Fuli was hanging on tight to her back, the Lion Guard’s Strongest led the way. “Twende Kiboko!”

Next up is Bunga. “Zuka Zama!”

With a deep breath and sharp inhale, Kion and the hyenas followed after them.

While underwater, Beshte was able to walk along swimmingly, while the other floated along like they were fish for a change.

After a little while, Beshte was able to find a bright ray of light up ahead before floating up towards it and there they submerged out into the lake safely away from the fire at Pride Rock.

Once they were up and out from under, Fuli took multiple breaths of relief after holding it in for that long.

“There. Told ya it wasn't so bad.” Beshte assured.

“Ugh, speak for yourself.” Fuli groaned in response before softening up with a grateful smile. “And...Thanks, Beshte.” Once they were back on dry land, Fuli got off of her friend and shook the water off of her body.

Seconds later, Kion. Bunga and Janja's clan emerged from the Lake too.

“Woo-hoo-hoo! That was fun!” Bunga cheered. “We gotta do that again sometime.”

“Yeah.”

“We should.”

Both Cheezi and Chungu agreed with the honey badger for once.

But said thoughts of contemplating it were put aside when Kion saw what was going on at Pride Rock. “Oh, no!” Turning to his team. “Come on! We gotta over there and make sure my mom, dad, and Kiara are all okay!”

But just Kion started to set off ahead, he found himself quickly subdued along with everyone else by slimy green gooey restraints that quickly restrained them in their movements due to them binding themselves on their ankles and wrists.

“Ah-ah-ah!” A very sinister and familiar female voice spoke to them. One with sickly green eyes that appeared over their heads. “Absolutely not! For you all see now, that your meddling in this plan is finished!”

“Oh, so very finished, Kion!” Another female voice with red eyes voiced to the struggling and shocked group as she appeared by the changeling’s side. “For you and your friends aren’t going anywhere, again…”