Earlier that day…..

In Sweet Apple Acres, Izzy was under an apple tree typing on his laptop which surprisingly easy with his hooves. Just then, Shine Boy, Serenity, and Gamer walked up.

“Hey, Izzy.” Shine Boy greeted.

Izzy looked up. “Oh hey, guys. When Applejack told me we had enough apples for today, I figured I’d do some research.”

“Yeah. About that. How are you keeping your laptop charged without electricity?” Serenity asked.

“Princess Twilight showed me a spell to replenish the battery. She uses it on her T-Phone.”

“Makes sense.” Gamer then looked over Izzy’s shoulder. “So whatcha researching?”

“I’ve been trying some cross references on that gem Spike ate that made him grow big. The shard we used to make an antidote turned to stone. Maybe, I can find a clue to where it originated from.”

“I hope it doesn’t take too long that you miss out on our stay in Equestria.” Tentomon chimed in as he walked by carrying a basket of apples following Applebloom and Big Macintosh who were doing the same.

“Eyup.” Big Mac agreed.

“I’ll stop in a bit. Besides, we should share theories with Twilight and Donatello later today, Gamer.”

“Agreed.” Gamer nodded.

“In the meantime, I made you all apple fritters.” The ponies looked to see a violet unicorn with curly purple mane and tail who levitated a tray with apple fritters walking up next to Applejack.

“Thanks, Sugar Belle.” Thanked Serenity as they all took a fritter and took a bite.

“You’re very welcome.” Sugar Belle smiled.

“We figured y’all deserve a break after working hard all morning.” Applejack explained.

“Eyup.” Big Mac agreed.

Izzy took a bite of the fritter. “Mmm. This is good.”

“I’ll say. It’s delicious!” Gamer said while chewing.

“I could eat this all day long!” Tentomon said as well.

“This is good stuff. You and sugar belle of course.” Shine boy complimented the apple siblings and Sugar Belle.

"Thank you, Shine Boy." Sugar Belle smiled. "Looks like my baking lessons with Mrs. Cake are really paying off."

"You always did bake wonderful things." Big Mac complimented as the two smiled.

After a while of talking and eating fritters, Shine Boy, Serenity, Gamer, Izzy, and Applejack’s cutie marks began to glow.

“Hey, what’s going on?” gasped Serenity.

“Why are we glowing?” Gamer wondered. “Kinda reminds me of a show we used to watch about those bears.”

“It could only mean one thing.” Applejack guessed. “We’re being called for a friendship mission!”

“Prodigious!” Izzy got up.

“You guys go on ahead.” Big Mac told them. “If anything, Applebloom and I can finish.”

“Thanks, Big Mac.” Shine Boy thanked as the group left waving goodbye.

“Cool! Your butts are glowing too!” Davis chimed, irritating Applejack before hitting Davis in the flank. “Ah!”

“WILL YOU STOP CALLING THEM THAT!” She snapped.

“What’d I do!?” Davis exclaimed while Mikey and Casey laughed.

“You guys have Friendship Problems too?” Shine Boy spoke. “What’s going on?”

“Must be a big problem if it needs all of us.” Karai figured.

“Well, first let’s find out where.” Twilight watched as visions of everyone’s cutie marks floated above the table map.

To everyone’s surprise, the cutie marks separated into groups and floated above four different locations. The cutie marks of Leo, T.K., Cody, Josh, Shine Boy, Pinkie, Raph, Karai, and Keno were floating above Yakyakistan. Kari, Mimi, Shini, Shine Girl, Permafrost, Ken, Fugitoid, Fluttershy, and Spike’s marks were above the Dragons Land. Izzy, Starlight Glimmer, Willis, Love Shine, Twilight, Rarity, and Trixie’s marks floated above the Changeling Hive while Davis, Yolei, Marie, Gamer, Serenity, Mikey, Donnie, Casey and Rainbow’s mark were above Griffonstone.

“Four different problems at once?” Twilight jawdropped.

“That’s a first.” Spike muttered.

“Wait a minute! What if Discord is fooling us like last time?” Raph suspected.

“He Pinkie Promised that he wouldn’t do that again.” Starlight assured.

“Hmph. Well he better be. Otherwise, I don't wanna have to deal with this crazy stuff again.” Raph muttered.

“Not making me like him any more than I do now!” Yolei huffed, unaware Discord’s hand popped up behind her head holding a sign that said ‘I’m not doing this.’ Then turned the sign over and it then read ‘Ken x Yolei, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!’ before disappearing without anyone noticing it.

“So, what are the locations?” Shine Boy asked.

“That’s Yakyakistan, the homeland of the Yaks like Yona.” Pinkie pointed to her group’s location.

“And that’s the Dragons Land.” Spike pointed to his group’s destination.

“We’ll be heading to the Changeling hive.” Twilight pinpointed her group’s point of direction.

“While the rest of us are heading to Griffonstone.” Rainbow noticed her group’s destination.

“Alright, guys, let’s get ready.” Leo said as everyone headed out with their groups.

Soon, everyone was ready in their group for their Friendship Problems. Gamer spoke to Izzy.

“I guess that research will have to wait.” He shrugged.

“True, but this could also be an opportunity to find new info.” Izzy figured.

Tentomon buzzed past his partner. “That and we can visit more of Equestria.”

“I can multitask.” Izzy smiled.

Leo held Twilight’s hooves. “See you when I get back.”

“Good luck on your friendship problem.” Twilight smiled before the two kissed.

“Get a room, you two!” Trixie called to them, irking Twilight.

Mimi talked past Trixie smugly. “What’s the matter, Trixie? Jealous?”

“Oh please! The Great and Powerful Trixie doesn’t know the meaning of the word jealous.” Trixie scoffed.

“Really?” Palmon asked.

“She’s totally jealous.” Mimi whispered to her partner.

“I’M NOT JEALOUS!” Trixie bellowed while Mimi and Palmon smirked.

“Knock it off!” Raph called the two. “Leo wants to talk to everyone before we go!”

Leo then spoke to the groups. “Remember, have your T-phones ready in case things escalate on your ends. Also, listen to Twilight and her friends. They know these lands better than any of us.”

“You got it, Leo!” grinned Davis.

“May you all succeed in your friendship missions.” Twilight concluded.

And with that, the groups headed out to their locations.

Izzy, April, Starlight, Willis, Love Shine, Twilight, Rarity, and Trixie were making their way to the Changling Hive through the forest. On their way, April sensed they were being followed and they discovered they were followed by Ocellus. However, they decided to let her join them because it was her home they were going to. As they neared the Changling hive, Ocellus spoke to the group.

“Thanks for letting me come with you guys.”

“No problem, Ocellus.” Starlight smiled. “Though it’s great to see your training being paid off, next time just ask.”

“So, Starlight, You and Trixie have been to the Changling hive before?” Willis asked.

Before Starlight could answer, Trixie popped up between them. “Yes, Wilbert.”

“That’s Willis.”

“Whatever. In fact, it was thanks to The Great and Powerful Trixie and Starlight Glimmer that Pharynx could convert into his present form.” Trixie declared.

Starlight deadpanned. “You mean the advice you gave when Pharynx overheard us about him being a lost cause and resulting him leaving from the hive nearly leaving it defenseless to the maulwurf."

Trixie just waved it off. “Details! The point is we helped Thorax convince him to transform.”

Love Shine whispered to Rarity. “If Shine Boy and Gamer’s older brother was here, he’d probably bid Trixie against Davis to see who’s the braggiest.”

“After everything Starlight told us, I’d believe it.” Rarity shrugged.

“Here we are!” Twilight announced.

The group walked up to see a big rock like castle covered in greenery.

“Prodigious!” awed Izzy.

“Homey if I do say so myself.” Tentomon agreed.

“Very beautiful.” Rarity added.

“Reminds me of my mom’s flower bed.” Love Shine looked around.

“Kinda reminds me of home, eh Willis?” Terriermon figured.

“Mmm. Yeah. Just like the fields we played in.” Lopmon reminisced.

“Yeah. Good times.” Willis nodded.

“At least it’s better than when Chrysalis ruled here.” Starlight pointed out.

“And she was a bad guy? Or girl?” Tentomon corrected himself.

“Yep. She tried to rule Equestria. Twice!” Twilight recalled. “First by disguising herself as my now sister-in-law Cadence and then captured all of us.”

“And while Thorax was able to convince the other Changelings to reform, Chrysalis refused to change and left plotting revenge.” Izzy pointed out.

“Yep.” Sighed Starlight.

“Wait. That wasn’t there before.” Everyone looked towards where Trixie was pointing to. Near the hive was a giant webbed cocoon-like wad.

“What the hay is that?” April jawdropped.

“You don’t think that’s a spider’s nest, do ya?” Willis asked.

“Good point. I’m voting no.” Rarity quickly answered.

“Whatever it is, it could be threatening the other Changelings!” Ocellus worried.

“Don’t worry, Ocellus. We’ll do everything we can to help them.” April assured her.

“Okay, everypony. Let’s find Thorax. Maybe he might know what’s going on.” Twilight suggested.

“Agreed.” Starlight nodded.

“Let’s go!” April said as they headed toward the hive.

The group had entered the hive and were looking around when suddenly.

“HALT!” Trixie jumped as eyes opened on a rock she passed by. “Who is trespassing on this kingdom?”

“Pharynx?” Starlight gasped.

“Oh it’s you, guys!” Sure enough, it was Pharynx, who transformed from the rock.

“Pharynx, what’s going on?” Ocellus worried.

“Everything okay?” Love Shine asked.

“You guys couldn’t have come at better time.” Pharynx stood up. “Come! I’ll take you to Thorax. He’ll explain everything.”

“Of course.” Twilight nodded as they followed the changeling.

As they saw Thorax, he was on his throne looking worried. When he saw the group, he gasped in relief.

“Starlight! Twilight! Everypony! Boy, am I glad to see you.” He got up to greet them.

“Thorax.” Twilight walked up. “What’s going on?”

“And what’s with the nest nearby?” Izzy pointed to the spider nest in the distance.

“No idea. A couple days after Pharynx and I returned after we helped cure Spike, that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I sent a small group of Changelings to investigate, and they never came back.”

“Neither did the group who went out after them.” Pharynx added.

“I didn’t know what to do and now you guys showed up.” Thorax pointed out.

“Well, we were brought here for a Friendship Problem.” Twilight explained. “And I think I know what the problem is.”

“Twilight’s right.” April agreed. “Whether that thing is our Friendship problem of not, we can try to rescue the other Changelings.”

“You’d really do that?” Thorax perked up.

“But of course!” Rarity assured. “It’s the least we can do.”

“And what’s to stop that thing from attacking others?” Love Shine stated.

“Pharynx and I will go with you.” Thorax stood tall. “As ruler, it’s my responsibility to help those Changelings.”

“You are more than welcome to come.” Twilight patted his shoulder.

Pharynx turned to a couple Changelings. “You two guard the hive while we’re gone!”

“Yes sir!” the two nodded.

“Well then, the great and powerful rescue begin!” Trixie declared as they headed out.

“Save the theatrics for when we get there.” Willis deadpanned as he dragged her by the cape.

“Okay! Okay! Quit pushing, Wally!” Trixie glared.

“Willis.”

“Whatever!” Trixie snared.

Soon, the group stood outside of the nest ready to enter. Twilight then turned to the group.

“Remember, everypony, stay together. We don’t know what’s in there.”

“We know, Twilight. We all will stick together.” Starlight assured her.

Love Shine turned to Ocellus. “You sure you’re up to this, Ocellus?”

“Yeah. I think so.” She blushed.

“Just remember your training and you’ll be fine.” April coaxed.

“Let’s go.” Willis said as they entered in the web.

Rarity was the last to enter and was beginning to debate and think about going back when Trixie pulled her in.

Soon they were trekking inside the web. The place looked like nighttime so Twilight, Starlight, April, and Love Shine to light their horns up.

“Well, this looks inviting.” Trixie deadpanned.

“Tell me about it. They could’ve at least given us horderves.” Terriermon joked.

Thorax looked around feeling a little afraid before accidentally bumping into Pharynx, who only rolled his eyes as Thorax sheepishly waved at him. Ocellus was equally afraid as she bumped into Love Shine who politely patted her head as if silently saying ‘it’s gonna be okay’ giving her some relief. Rarity shuddered before clearing her throat.

“Oh well. No pony here. Let’s head back to the Changeling Hive and strategize our next move-!” she was about to leave before Trixie yanked her back.

“Will you stop! you’re making Trixie nervous.” Trixie then realized what she said. “Not that Trixie is afraid to begin with.”

“There’s something in here. I feel it.” April felt her head.

Tentomon flew next to Izzy. “Uh I get this strange feeling that we are being watched.”

“Yeah. I feel that way too.” Izzy agreed.

“Izzy? Tentomon?”

“Yeah, Rarity?” the two asked.

“Shush!” Rarity scolded.

“Every pony!” Everyone turned to Ocellus, who was a little further ahead with Willis next to her. “Over here!”

“Come see what Ocellus found!” Willis added.

The group hurried to the two and gasped. There, wrapped in a cocoon dangling from above, was one of the missing Changelings unconscious.

“We better check him to see if he’s alive before we get excited.” Pharynx suggested.

Twilight flew up next to the Changeling and felt his neck before smiling. “It’s okay. I got a pulse. He’s just unconscious.”

“Look over there!” Terriermon pointed.

Everyone looked to see seven more Changlings unconscious and cocooned.

“It’s the other Changelings! And the search party!” Thorax smiled as they hurried towards them and he, Twilight, Pharynx, Willis, and Tentomon checked their pulses. As they did, Ocellus recognized one of the Changelings.

“Daddy?” she gasped. “Is he…?”

“Don’t worry. He’s still alive, just out cold.” Tentomon assured.

“They all are.” Twilight added.

“Great! Let’s cut them down and get out of here.” Starlight smiled before Love Shine noticed something above them.

“Uh, guys?” he spoke. “You might want to look up.”

Everyone looked up and were shocked at what Love Shine’s flashlight shown. Above them were big green creatures with one big eye and grass leaves like legs as they crawled around the walls like spiders.

“It can’t be!” Twilight blinked as Love Shine stopped Rarity from shrieking.

“What are they?” Izzy asked as Starlight shushed Trixie up.

“They’re Daddy Long Leaves!” Thorax said. “They’re leaf creatures like spiders. Their poison isn’t lethal but can numb a Changeling’s body.”

“But they don’t swarm in bunches let alone eat or attack Changelings. What is going on here?” Pharynx stated.

Suddenly, the Daddy Long Leaves stopped moving and stared down at the group.

“I think they see us.” Lopmon gulped.

“Can we freak out now?” Trixie shivered.

Suddenly, the Daddy Long Leaves began jumping down towards the group and started hissing at them, causing both Rarity and Trixie to scream in fear.

“SUPER SHOCKER!”

“BUNNY BLAST!”

“BLAZING ICE!”

Twilight, April, Starlight, Izzy, and Love Shine fired magic blasts from their horns to help the Digimon repel the Daddy Long Leaves before they could grab the group while Willis, Thorax, and Pharynx hit any that got passed the attacks away.

“Kinda reminds me of when we fought Dregg on his home planet.” Twilight told April as she slashed with her karmayari spear.

“Dregg!? Who’s that!?” Trixie exclaimed while avoiding the daddy long leaves.

“Long story!” Twilight shouted. “We can’t let ourselves get captured!”

“At least I’d rather fight these instead of the Vreen.” April said as she levitated her tessen to slice a couple more Daddy Long Leaves.

Starlight used her magic to levitate her bow and fire arrows at the leafy spiders before something shook the ground. “What was that?”

“Look!” gasped Thorax as the Daddy Long Leaves began to back away.

There stomping towards the group was a giant blue mole like creature as it roared at them.

“What in the world is that!?” Love shine asked.

“It’s a Maulwurf!” gasped Trixie.

“Something’s different about it!” Pharynx noticed his eyes spaced out.

“Think he’s responsible for the Daddy Long Leaves?” Love Shine bet.

“Not sure.” Izzy pondered.

“Over there!” April pointed.

Behind the Maulwurf was a giant plant-like monster where the sun shown in the cocoon.

“It looks like… A Biovine!” Pharynx gasped.

“But I thought those were legendary!” Ocellus cried.

“Not the flowers I’d want.” Starlight remarked.

“Y’know, I think I saw that thing in a movie once.” Love Shine muttered.

April felt her head. “That plant seems to be the one controlling the Daddy Long Leaves.”

“So we take it out and the Daddy Long Leaves will be free from its control.” Izzy concluded.

“Sounds simple enough.” Tentomon shrugged.

“Doesn’t explain the Maulwurf.” Pharynx pointed out. “They’re not plant related like the Daddy Long Leaves.”

Rarity was trying to pull herself together. “Ooh. I got to do something.” She took a deep breath as she spoke to herself. “Alright Rarity. You will be brave. You will be tough. Now all I have to do is go out there and help out- Ahh!”

“What's wrong, Rarity?” Willis asked.

“That!” She shrieked as she saw and pointed at a plant-like spider that has one orange eye on its body that is the size of a Maulwurf that appears next to the giant plant monster.

“Ahhh! It's a spa... a spee... a spid-d-d-d… an arachnid!” She then gave a loud shriek as everyone covered their ears.

“What is that thing?” Terriermon cried before Rarity stopped shrieking.

“It’s an Arachnispore!” Cried Thorax. “A giant plant spider that can control giant creatures, but I thought it was only a legend!”

“Anybody feel like that line has been used a lot lately?” Lopmon asked.

“Okay. So we got these pony sized Daddy Long Leaves, a Maulwurf possessed by that bigger spider, which is controlled by that Biovine, and we have Changelings to free.” Starlight deadpanned. “Anyone got a plan since Leo isn’t here?”

“I do.” Izzy stood up as he drew his sickle spear. “I’ll have Tentomon deal with the plant monster. Love Shine, Thorax, Willis, and Pharynx get the Arachnispore off the Maulwurf while the rest of us fend off the Daddy Long Leaves. Rarity, you take Trixie and Ocellus and free the Changlings and get out of here.”

“Eh. Better than no plan.” Starlight smiled.

“Let’s do this!” April declared.

“Leave it to me!” Tentomon flew up as Izzy prepared his Digivice.

TENTOMON DIGIVOLVE TO…. KABUTERIMON!

“Terriermon! Lopmon!” Willis held up his Digivice. “Let’s show’em how we tend the garden back in Colorado!”

TERRIERMON DIGIVOLVE TO…. GARGOMON!

LOPMON DIGIVOLVE TO…. TURUIEMON!

Pharynx turned to Thorax. “I think we should activate those suits Gamer gave us.”

“Oh yeah. Almost forgot about those.” Thorax smiled.

The two pushed the buttons that activated the nanites which morphed into their suits from before.

“Since Leo’s not here…” April levitated her tessen. “Let’s take’em down!”

Kabuterimon flew towards the Biovine while Gargomon and Turuiemon tag teamed with Thorax and Pharynx against the Maulwurf and trying to aim for the Arachnispore. April, Twilight, Starlight, Izzy, and Willis dealt with the Daddy Long Leaves as Rarity, Trixie, and Ocellus hurried to the captured Changelings.

Trixie felt one of the caccoons. “So how do we free them?”

“Well, first, we should get them down gently.” Rarity blasted a beam from her horn to free a cocoon and levitated down gently. “Or maybe you can help out so we can leave sooner!”

Trixie rolled her eyes as she helped free the cocoons.

“ELECTRO SHOCKER!” Kabuterimon fired his blast of electricity at the Biovine. As the smoke cleared, the plant responded by firing a bright blast at Kabuterimon who barely dodged.

“I don’t burn but I still shed!” he growled.

“GARGO PELLETS!” Gargomon fired at the Maulwurf who roared in pain before Thorax and Pharynx double punched it in the gut.

“NINJA CLAW!” Before the Maulwurf could attack with his claws, Turuiemon blocked it with his claws. Pharynx then changed into the purple giant bug he turned into when dealing with Spike. He then hit the Maulwurf causing it to recoil.

“Is it me or is the Maulwurf stronger than last time?” Thorax wondered.

“We got to get that Arachnispore off it!” Pharynx stated.

Over to the Changelings, Ocellus used her tessen to free the Changelings from their cocoons after Rarity and Trixie broke them down. As the Changlings wobbled as they tried to stand, Ocellus spoke to them.

“Please, we got to hurry! I know the Daddy Long Leaves’ poison have made you all weak, but we got to get out of here and back to the hive!”

Just before a Daddy Long Leaf could tackle her, Love Shine sliced it with his photon blade. “She’s right! You got to get outta here! Trixie! Rarity! Hurry!”

He then went back while Ocellus led the Changlings who gathered enough strength to hurry and follow her to the exit. Trixie followed behind as Rarity looked back to see the others fight the leafy spiders.

“Rarity! What are you waiting for? Let’s get outta here!” Trixie called.

Rarity then looked determined. “GO! You help them get back! I’m through acting like a coward! GO!”

“Your funeral.” Trixie deadpanned before hurrying with the Changelings.

Rarity ran towards the others fighting with the Daddy Long Leaves fighting with her magic blasting them hysterically. They splattered green goop upon being destroyed. “ICKY! LAZY! CREEPY! MONSTROSITY!” She continues to attack them with her martial art skills as she kick one of their chest to pierce it and stomp their heads to crush them with her hooves while trying her best not to be disgusted in being dirty.

“Rarity?” Twilight raised her brow while the others looked equally confused.

“What got her uptight all the sudden?” Starlight asked.

“I think she just wants those things gone more than ever.” April guessed as Love Shine shrugged.

“Back OOOOFFF!” Rarity blasted a beam towards the Daddy Long Leaves causing them to run and hide. After panting, Rarity saw the others looking at her and straighten herself up while being slightly being covered in green goo. “Sorry. Just had to work off some tension.”

“And I thought Mimi had issues.” Izzy mumbled.

“NINJA CLAW!” Turuiemon slashed at the Arachnispore trying to get it off of the Maulwurf while Thorax and Pharynx, as bigger bugs, fought the Maulwurf to distract it.

Gargomon jumped in and began whacking it. “BUNNY PUMMEL!”

Meanwhile, the others watch as the Biovine shoots at Kabuterimon knocking the bug Digimon down.

“Kabuterimon!” cried Izzy.

“That Biovine is too strong!” gasped Willis.

“How is it firing at Kabuterimon?” wondered Love Shine.

April observed as the Biovine fired another beam as Kabuterimon dodged. “Let’s see… those beams look like sunlight… and it’s under the only beam of light shining down in the cocoon…”

“That’s it!” Twilight caught on.

“It’s photosynthesizing its attacks!” the two concluded.

“Photosynthesizing? I remember Sunburst told me about that!” Starlight recalled. “That’s how plants turn sunlight into energy so they grow, right?”

“Exactly!” Izzy confirmed.

“So its using its source of energy as attacks.” Love Shine guessed.

“If we block the sun, we can weaken it enough for Kabuterimon to finish it off!” Willis added.

“Right!” Rarity pumped a hoof.

“First things first.” Izzy levitated his Digivice. “Kabuterimon! Digivolve!”

KABUTERIMON DIGIVOLVE TO….. MEGAKABUTERIMON!

As Kabuterimon digivolved into his ultimate form, Izzy’s cutie mark glowed as his Digivice turned purple.

“Amazing!” awed Twilight.

“Woah! Now that’s way cooler!” Pharynx said in amazement.

“They evolved or digivolve into the next level?” Thorax asked. “I have no words on how amazing Tentomon is becoming!”

“I know, right?” Starlight smiled.

April saw giant leaves at the trees nearby. “Quick! Grab those giant leaves! I got a plan!”

MegaKabuterimon used his shell to ram the Biovine, who roared and was about to attack with its sun blast before a shade loomed over it. It looked up to see Twilight and April levitated giant leaves to block the sun.

“No sun. no power!” April smirked.

The Biovine responded by having its roots crawl to them. But before they could ensnare the two, Love Shine ran up and slashed the roots with his photon blades.

“Keep blocking that sun!” he cried as Starlight, Izzy, and Rarity levitated more leaves as Willis flew up with a leaf blocking the last the sun.

“Now!” Izzy called to MegaKabuterimon.

“HORN BUSTER!” MegaKabuterimon fired an electric attack from his horn at the Biovine which roared in pain, combusting into flames.

Back at the Maulwurf, Turuiemon and Gargomon finally got the Arachnispore off the giant creature. As the giant spider got back up, it was ready to attack when Turuiemon flipped over it slashing at it.

“NINJA CLAW!” He then saw MegaKabuterimon burning the Biovine. “Get him into that flame!”

“GARGO PELLETS!” Gargomon fired at the Arachnispore as Thorax and Pharynx became duplicates of him and helped fire. Their fire power was enough to force the Arachnispore into the flames burning along with the Biovine. As the two burned to ashes, the flames died down when a wisp of black magic merged from the ashes and flew away, but not before disintegrating the cocoon making everything look like nothing happened.

“What was that?” Izzy asked.

“I’ve never seen magic like that before.” Twilight blinked.

“All I know is that something felt off about it.” April felt her head.

“Anypony else feel like this’s only the beginning?” Love Shine spoke.

“Whatever it is, I don’t like it!” Pharynx huffed as he and Thorax turned back to themselves.

“The important thing is we saved the missing Changlings and stopped this menace.” Thorax smiled.

“And the Daddy Long Leaves are heading back to their regular nesting grounds.” Starlight pointed to the leafy spiders leaving into the forest.

“Though who do you think controlled them? The Arachnispore or the Biovine?” Izzy pondered.

“Whichever it was, we destroyed it.” Willis smiled.

“What about the Maulwurf?” Rarity pointed to the Mualwurf as it got up. It looked around confused. It saw MegaKabuterimon looming over it.

“Uh… boo.” Megakabuterimon told the Maulwurf.

It shrieked in fear before running far away and begins to dig underground to get away from the giant Digimon. It was long gone when MegaKabuterimon reverted to Tentmon as Gargomon and Turuiemon return to Terriermon and Lopmon.

“Guess that answers that.” April smiled.

Tentomon plopped down. “I must be more tired. You all look like you’re glowing.”

Everyone looked to see their cutie marks were indeed glowing.

“Is this natural?” asked Willis.

“It means we solved our Friendship Problem!” Twilight cheered followed by everyone else.

“Let’s head back to the hive and get Trixie and Ocellus.” Love Shine suggested.

The group agreed and headed back. Back at the hive, the group awaited as another Changeling walked out of a room.

“I gave each Changling the antidote to the poison. They’ll be better in the morning.” She smiled.

“Can I see my daddy?” Ocellus asked.

“You can but keep it short. He needs his rest.”

As Ocellus entered, Twilight turned to Thorax. “Once she’s ready, we’ll be heading back to Ponyville.”

“I can’t thank you all enough for helping us.” Thorax thanked.

“Hopefully, this won’t happen again.” Trixie huffed.

“If it does, we’ll just have Rarity go ballistic again.” Joked Willis.

Rarity flipped her mane. “Well, a lady can take only so much before putting her hoof down. She then looked at herself and she’s still being covered in goo from all the fighting with daddy long leaves. “Ugh. I am SO getting a nice, long bath when we return home.”

“In the meantime, we’ll try to figure out what caused all this and prevent it from happening again.” Izzy spoke.

"While we wait for Ocellus, I think I'll help myself to some of the dishes the Changlings made." Tentomon flew to the table and started eating some of the food the Changelings, much to the ponies disgust.

“If you need help, let us know.” Pharynx offered.

“And we’ll help you should something like this ever happens again.” April promised.

“That’s a promise.” Love Shine confirmed as they waited for Ocellus before heading back.

In the canyons, Kari, Mimi, Shini, Shine Girl, Permafrost, Ken, Fugitoid, Fluttershy, and Spike were making their way to the Dragon’s land to solve their Friendship Problem. As they climbed the hills, Spike was telling the group about his adventures in the Dragon Lands as he rode on Shine Girl.

“And that was how Raph, Rainbow, and I obtained Flash Magnus’ shield.” He finished.

“Yeesh! Who knew how mean dragons can be?” Shine Girl winced.

“I bet they would think Veemon was a pushover if Davis was with us.” Gatomon mentioned as she rode on Kari.

“Still, better than some of the Bang Babies I dealt with back home.” Permafrost shuttered.

“Well, Karai and April were here last time to resolve an argument between Ember and her father, the former Dragon Lord before her.” Shini recalled what Karai told her.

"I wonder how big the former dragon Lord is?" Mimi wondered.

"Oh. He's way bigger when April and Karai told us about it." Fugitoid answered.

“Well, hopefully, Ember can help us find our Friendship Problem.” Fluttershy hoped.

“Well I just we don’t run into Garble again.” Spike huffed.

“He sounds like Ken had more class when he was the Digimon Emperor.” Wormmon put in.

“Even I can’t deny that.” Ken agreed.

Kari then sniffed the air. “Pew! You guys smell that?”

“Okay, who blew a big one?” Palmon waved.

“Actually, this kind of reminds me of when we found those dirty hot springs with that refrigerator full of eggs.” Mimi remembered.

“You know, I don’t know which world fascinates me more. Equestria or the Digital World?” Fugitoid said.

Spike smelled the air. “It’s brimstone. We’re almost there! Should see it over that hill!”

Shine Girl then noticed something in the sky. “Hey, guys! Look up there!”

They all looked up to where she pointed to see a figure flying towards them.

“It’s getting closer!” Shini noticed.

Just when everyone drew their weapons, the figure tackled Spike off Shine Girl’s back and on his back.

“Hey!” Shine Girl cried.

Everyone stood ready as the dust cleared. To their surprise, and relief, the figure who tackled Spike was Smolder.

“Smolder?!” gasped everyone.

“Hi.” She greeted.

“Smolder, what are you doing here?” Spike asked as she let him up.

“Well, me and the others overheard you guys were going home to solve Friendship Problems, we wanted to help. Ocellus went with the group to the Changeling Hive, Gallus followed the group to Griffonstone, Yona had gone with the group to Yakyakistan, so I followed you guys.”

“It could be dangerous, Smolder.” Kari warned.

“So? I’m a ninja dragon.”

Everyone looked at each other before Fugitoid spoke up. “Very well, Smolder. You can come. But stay close to us.”

“You got it!” Smolder smiled.

“Now that that’s settled, let us head to the Dragon Lands.” Fugitoid smiled.

As they headed closer, Fluttershy began to warm herself up. “Um, isn’t it supposed to be warmer in the Dragon Lands?”

“Oh good it’s not just me.” Mimi shivered.

“I’m with fur and I’m freezing my tail off!” Gatomon huffed.

“Usually, yes.” Spike rubbed his arms. “I don’t think we took a wrong turn and ended up in Yakyakistan.”

“No. This is definitely the way home.” Smolder looked at the black clouds above. “Those are definitely smog clouds.”

“Even my powers couldn’t freeze a hot place like this!” Permafrost admitted.

“How strange.” Shini wondered.

“Guys! Up here quick!” Everyone heard Ken cry on the top. The moment they made the top, the group gasped to find the Dragon Lands with snow and ice. Even the lava beds were cooled to stone as dragons everywhere were trying to warm themselves.

“Well, this is unexpected.” Fugitoid observed.

“What the heck happened here?” Spike jawdropped. “No way such cold could freeze this place!”

“Maybe the lava flow lowered and it’s like a mountain here.” Shine Girl guessed.

“I don’t know. It was warm enough to melt boulders here last time I was here.” Smolder looked around.

“Spike! Smolder! Everyone!” Everyone looked to Ember fly up to them. “Am I glad to see you!”

“Ember! What’s going on?” Kari asked.

“Your guess is as good as mine.” Ember explained as she landed. “Everything was fine when I returned from the last time we met. Then, we woke up. It’s cold enough to freeze your tail off! I've never seen anything like it!”

“How odd.” Fluttershy pondered.

“Despite our predicament, What brings you all here?” Ember tried to be polite.

“We were brought here for a Friendship Problem and the map pointed us here.” Spike explained before realizing something. “Hey. Maybe the map knew about your ice problem and wanted us to find who’s responsible and fix it.”

“I hope so. I was never taught on what to do if this ever happened.” Ember looked around.

“Well, where does the lava originate from?” Mimi blinked at her question. “Oh great. Now I’m starting to sound like Izzy.”

“Well, you have been hanging out with him recently.” Palmon pointed out.

Ember pondered before sighing. “Let’s ask my father, the former Dragon Lord. Maybe he knows something I don’t. Follow me.”

Ember led the group through the now snowy Dragon Lands. They all watched as some dragons try to warm themselves up while others go by their normal lives.

“I guess this is normal dragon behavior, Spike?” Gatomon asked.

“Yep.” Spike nodded. “You see dragons were usually lived by strength and greed.”

“Hate to have them with a dark ring.” Ken cringed.

“Back when my father ruled.” Ember continued. “Then we had our usual dragon games to pick the new Dragon Lord. I put on the dragon armor color my scales green so that I can compete the gauntlet of fire behind his back because he said it takes a big and strong dragons to participate in this game. Spike won but gave me the scepter and I rule. Because of Spike’s generosity, I wanted dragons to learn about friendship and live with other creatures.”

“And I’m the representative of the dragons at the School of Friendship.” Smolder boasted.

As they passed two dragons arguing over gems, Mimi saw a pile of gemstones and saw a couple of gems that made her awe. She crept up to the pile and was about to grab a couple when she heard a snort behind her. She turned to see the dragons glaring at her and chuckled nervously.

“STAY AWAY FROM MY LUNCH!” one dragon roared sending her tumbling back to the group.

Ember stood forward. “Everything okay here?”

“If that pony stays away from my gems, we won’t!” the dragon huffed.

“I will talk to her.” Ember assured them as they stomped away.

“You okay, Mimi?” worried Palmon as Kari helped Mimi up.

“I just wanted a gemstone for a souvenir.” Mimi groaned.

“Well, we did warn you.” Smolder recalled.

“Come on.” Ember gestured.

Fluttershy saw some dragons trying to keep the dragon eggs warm. “We got to get it warm soon or those dragon eggs won’t hatch.”

“First we got to find the source.” Shini added.

“Here we are.” The group stopped in front of a giant cave as Ember walked up to the entrance and called in to it. “Dad! You home?”

“WHAAAAT?” yelled a booming voice, causing Wormmon to hide behind Ken and Mimi and Fluttershy to hug each other as the former Dragon Lord Torch stomped out. “CAN’T YOU SEE I’M FREEZING MY-! Oh. Ember. It’s you.”

“I remember Karai and April telling me he was huge, but never expected him this huge.” Shini whispered to Spike.

"He's almost the size of a mountain." Gatomon whispered in shock.

"Remind me not to get on his bad side." Wormmon said while shaking a bit.

“Kinda reminds me of ShogunGekomon. But less of a frog and more of a dragon.” Mimi gulped.

Torch saw the group of ponies and bellowed. “WHY ARE THERE PONIES IN OUR LANDS?”

Spike hurried up. “They’re with me, your former greatness.”

Torch looked down at the little dragon. “Oh, Spike. Very well. Why are you here? Do you know why the Dragon Lands is so cold?”

“We were hoping you’d tell us.” Ken smiled.

“We came here for a Friendship Problem when we saw this place so snowy. There’s a possibility that this cold could be our problem.” Spike explained.

“We were wondering if you knew where the lava usually flows from.” Ember added.

Torch breathed. “Maybe I do.”

“Of course, whoever is responsible might think they could take on the former Dragon Lord, believing you’re a has been.” Mimi commented.

“They said WHAT?” Torch roared.

“Mimi. What are you doing?” Spike whispered.

“They might be thinking you’re nothing but a wash up. Weak matches. Out of style. And that your daughter is doing a better job at ruling.” Mimi kept going.

Torch roared before speaking calmly. “Okay, that last part I might agree with, BUT THEY WILL RUE THE DAY THEY MOCK TORCH!” He then began flapping his wings. “Come with me.”

As they followed him, Ember spoke to Mimi. “How’d you know that would work to getting my father to help us?”

“I learned how to use that and my charm to make Digimon help me and my friends in the past.” Mimi explained.

“You’d be surprised how many Digimon had a crush on her just by looking at her.” Palmon added.

Mimi then spotted two dragons talking and saw a pile of gemstones behind them and gleamed.

Before long, Torch landed and turned to the group. “This is where lava is flown which streams down to our Dragon Lands. What in blazes!”

Everyone looked where Torch glared and gasped. There, near a lava port, was a big lengthy lizard with ports on its back absorbing the lava from it.

“It can’t be!” Ember widened her eyes.

“I uh don’t suppose that’s another dragon?” Shine Girl asked.

“No. it’s… a Magmalander!” Spike shivered.

“A Magmalander?” gasped Kari.

“What’s a Magmalander?” asked Wormmon.

“I’ve heard of them. They’re legendary creatures said to have fought over heated areas with dragons centuries ago.” Fluttershy explained.

“I’ve heard of them too, but they were only bedtime stories.” Ember nodded.

“Seems a lot of legends are happening lately.” Ken muttered.

“HEY YOU!” Torch roared getting the Magmalander’s attention. “HOW DARE YOU ROB US OF OUR LAVA AND MOCK THE FORMER DRAGON LORD TORCH! GET OUT!”

The Magmalander responded by firing a hot rock at Torch. It didn’t hurt him, but it made him very angry as he fought the lizard. As Torch struck, the Magmalander covered itself with lava to protect itself from attacks. It then ate a rock and fired lava at the former Dragon Lord who fell on his back.

“So that’s why it’s absorbing the lava. It’s how it attacks and defends.” Ken pointed out.

“We gotta help my dad!” Ember readied her scepter.

“But how?” Fluttershy asked.

“I don’t suppose any of you got a water form with your Digivolution stuff?” Smolder winced.

“Only Cody. And he’s in Yakyakistan.” Kari mentioned.

“Maybe Not.” Everyone turned to see Shinigami use her magic to form a big snowball. “But we can still fight.”

“I’m with Shini.” Mimi agreed. “The dragons need their heat so we won’t give up!”

"I'll help." Permafrost nodded.

“And I believe I have an extinguisher Twilight’s counterpart equipped to me when she built me a new body.” Fugitoid checked as his arm morphed until it formed a nozzle. “Ah! There it is.”

“And I still got that suit Gamer gave me.” Ember pushed her necklace which activated her suit Gamer gave her.

“Let’s turn it up a notch!” Ken declared as he and Kari took out their Digivices and shouted. “DIGI ARMOR ENERGIZE!”

GATOMON ARMOR DIGIVOLVE TO… NEFERTIMON! THE ANGEL OF LIGHT!

WORMMON ARMOR DIGIVOLVE TO…. BUCHHIEMON! THE HEALER OF KINDNESS!

As the two merged with their Digimon like before, Mimi stood with her Digivice. “A lady can only take so much before putting her foot down!”

PALMON DIGIVOLVE TO… TOGEMON!

“As Shine Boy would say, Let’s shine!” Shine Girl declared.

Everyone scattered around the Magmalander after it knocked Torch on his back. Smolder spun her fundo and whacked the Magmalander on the back before flying away. Mimi, Shine Girl, and Shini made enough snowballs which Fluttershy and Spike drop on the Magmalander as they fly pass it. Ember flew on the Magmalander breaking the hardened lava off the creature.

“ROSETTA STONE!” Nefertimon fired her stone tablets at other weak parts as Fugitoid sprayed his extinguisher on the lava shield with Permafrost helping with her ice power.

Togemon then held a giant snowball and threw it on the Magmalander covering it in smoke.

“LIGHT SPEED JABBING!” As the smoke cleared, the Magmalander was scene thrown off the lava with Togemon jumping out as well.

“Did we get it?” Spike asked.

“No. It’s getting back up!” Fluttershy pointed as the Magmalander was getting back.

Torch managed to pick himself up. “We need to keep it from getting back in the lava port! It’s the only way for the lava to return to the Dragon’s land!”

Bucchiemon flew up right in front of the lizard. “HEARTNER BEAM!”

He fired his beam at the Magmalander’s face. Flinching at first, the lizard began to resist.

“He’s resisting my beam like Spike did!” Bucchiemon sweated.

“It’s enough for me to do THIS!” Torch ran up and tail whipped the Salamander away from the lava port.

“Go Dad.” Ember smiled before seeing the Magmalander getting back up again. “It’s still moving!”

“And our ammunition is melting!” Shini pointed to the now melting snow.

“I’ll try to keep it cool with my powers long enough to finish it.” Permafrost fired a beam from her horn trying to keep the snow cool.

“Then let’s hit’em with everything we got!” Shine Girl stated.

Mimi turned to Togemon. “Togemon! You better digivolve again!”

“I hear ya!” Togemon glowed as Mimi’s Digivice and cutie mark glowed simultaneously.

TOGEMON DIGIVOLVE TO….. LILLYMON!

“Woah.” Ember said as she observed Lillymon.

“Now this is really something.” Smolder said in amazement.

“She’s so beautiful!” awed Permafrost.

Both Torch and Spike jawdropped at the ultimate pixie Digimon before Torch shook it off. “Time to end this!”

“Every creature! Lure it at that big boulder there!” Nefertimon pointed to a giant round boulder near where the Salamander stood.

“FLOWER CANNON!”

“TALON ARROW!”

“CAT’S EYE BEAM!”

The Digimon all fired their attacks along with Shine Girl firing her Shine Power from her horn causing the Magmalander to back up closer. Smolder and Shini used their ninja weapons to strike at its feet. Spike and Ember fired fireballs with Ember’s fire that was now access to explode on contact like a cannonball thanks to the suit while Fugitoid kept spraying extinguisher and Permafrost fired icicles at it. The Magmalander roared in pain before it noticed a shadow looming over it and looked up to see Torch lifting the boulder over his head.

“Never. Take on. A dragon!” he roared before throwing the boulder crushing the giant lizard. Everyone gathered at the lifeless Magmalander as it laid under the boulder.

“Is it…. Dead?” Smolder asked.

“Hard to say.” Shine Girl answered, trying not to make Fluttershy cry.

“Look!” Everyone looked where the shy pony pointed to see the Magmalander twitching.

“It’s alive!” Spike gasped.

Then, a black wisp of magic oozed from its mouth and floated in the sky before floating away.

“What is that?” asked Lillymon.

“I was hoping someone might know.” Ember added.

“Guys! Look at the Magmalander!” Bucchiemon pointed.

Everyone looked and, much to their surprise, the Magmalander was now a tiny lizard as it got up looking around.

“The Magmalander’s… just a normal lizard?” Spike jawdropped.

“I guess it’s safe to say whatever the black magic was causes weird transformations into dangerous creatures.” Permafrost guessed.

“I think you might be right there, Permafrost.” Shine Girl agreed.

Fluttershy picked up the lizard. “Don’t worry, little one. I can give you a nice home where no pony can harm you again.”

“Look! The lava!” Spike pointed to the pit as lava began oozing out of it.

Soon, the Dragon Lands were warm again and back to normal. Nefertimon and Bucchiemon separated back to Kari, Gatomon, Ken, and Wormmon while Lillymon reverted to Palmon.

“Thank you all for helping to defeat that Salamander.” Ember thanked.

“It was our pleasure, Ember.” Fugitoid nodded.

“And thank you for helping us too, Mr. Torch.” Permafrost looked up at the former Dragon Lord who blushed.

“Yeah, well, My daughter may be in charge, but I can still help my home. Not bad for a has been, right?”

“Not bad at all.” Mimi grinned as she hoof bumped with Shini.

Just then, the ponies’ cutie marks began glowing again.

“You’re glowing again, Ken.” Wormmon pointed.

“Is that a good thing?” Ken asked.

“It means we solved our Friendship Problem.” Fluttershy smiled.

“We did it!” cheered Kari.

The group cheered.

Torch yawned. “Now that that’s taken care of, I’m going back to my cave.”

“Good night, Dad.” Ember waved as Torch flew away.

“Well, I guess we’ll be heading back to Ponyville.” Shine Girl figured.

“We should tell Twilight about that black magic.” Ken added.

“If you learn anything, let me know.” Ember requested. “Whoever was responsible for the Magmalander has made a powerful enemy this very day! So I will help you if needed.”

“We’ll certainly let you know, Ms Ember.” Fugitoid promised.

Just when the group were ready to leave, one of the dragons tapped Mimi on the shoulder to get her attention. She looked at them and they were glaring at her.

“What?” she asked.

“Uh, Mimi?” Smolder spoke up. “Did you happen to have snuck a couple gemstones from one of their piles earlier?”

The dragons responded by holding out their claws as they demanded to return the gems over to the dragons.

“Oh, come on! Can I at lease bring some of them home with me? They would make a fine jewelry for my collection.” Mimi pleaded.

“Mimi. Just give em back.” Spike deadpanned.

“Aww. Maybe just one gem with me?” Mimi batted her eyes.

But the dragons kept glaring at her. Then Mimi sighed and gave them back to the dragon. “Ok fine. Just take them back.”

“We better get a move on before she grabs more.” Shine Girl suggested before the group laughed.

As Ember waved the group goodbye, Spike whispered to Mimi. “Don’t worry. You can come with me and Rarity next time we go exploring in caves for gems.”

“Sounds like fun!” Palmon smiled. “Maybe you’ll find your souvenir yet, Mimi!”

“Sounds great.” Mimi nodded as they headed back to Ponyville.

To be Continued.

Author's Note

Now that the Friendship Problems are solved, can they solve the mystery of the black magic and stop whoever's responsible? Find out Next time!

Fun Facts-

• The Daddy Long Leaves and Aracanespore are based on the spider creatures from Legend of Zelda Orcarina of Time.

-The Biovine is based on Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors.

• The Magmalander is similar to Yang (Experiment 502) from Lilo and Stitch the series

-Thanks to an anonymous user who helped me with the dialogue in this chapter. we also came up with the Tsunamatross.

-Rarity makes two references from An American Tail Fievel Goes West and The Hobbit the Ranklin Bass version.

Next Time: Deep Blue Trouble!