My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic — Season Ten

"So..." Chrysalis began. "You want to take a shot at overthrowing the princess? A tactic we all tried and failed?"

"Yes," Crimson cooed.

"How? When they have Discord on their side?"

"Discord is susceptible to my magic just like everyone else is. He won't be a problem."

"And what makes you so confident, huh?! What makes you think you can succeed where we have failed?!"

Tirek and Cozy Glow stood nearby and watched. "Should we... stop her?" Tirek asked.

Cozy shook her head. "Nope. I don't wanna get on that alicorn's bad side."

Crimson's eyes narrowed. "If you feel so uncertain in my abilities... try and hit me."

"What?" Chrysalis growled. "Are you serious?"

"Quite. Unless you're afraid."

Chrysalis growled and fired her magic at the alicorn. The attack seemed to go through the alicorn and turn her to smoke. The changeling gasped and stared where the alicorn once stood.

"Nice attack, Chryssie," Crimson's voice cooed.

Chrysalis gasped and looked all around as the light from the world around her began to turn red as a black smoke filled the area. She stumbled through the smoke, trying to see anything.

"It's quite a mess in here," Crimson sighed from somewhere unseen. "Ooo, this looks interesting."

Chrysalis whipped around to see a young changeling get thrown to the ground by a group of other young changelings.

"Look at her," one of the changelings chuckled. "She can't even fight back."

"I can't believe I ever wanted to be her friend," another muttered.

The third scoffed. "So weak."

"What is this?!" Chrysalis shouted as she heard a noise behind her and whipped around again. She gasped when she saw a taller changeling that resembled her, but had a slightly shorter mane and a differently broken horn. "M... Mother?"

"How could you let your sisters push you around? Why don't you fight back?"

Chrysalis blinked and found herself the size of a filly. She looked up at her mother with tears in her eyes. "I tried. They're just better than me!"

"That's no way for the future queen to act! I chose you as my successor because I sense a great magic within. I need you to tap into that potential and stop letting them bully you."

"STOP!!!" Chrysalis yelled as she fired a magic bolt at her mother.

The ghostly image disappeared as Crimson walked up beside her. "That explains your lack of trust in friends," the alicorn said with a sigh. Chrysalis realized she was tall again and started to turn to attack, but Crimson bumped her with her wing and knocked her over. "That urge to push yourself. You were nothing. You were weak."

Tears started to fill Chrysalis' eyes. "Stop it now!"

"Or what? You can't beat me just like you couldn't beat your bullies of the past. Or the current princess. Or me. You are a constant failure." Just when Chrysalis was about to lash out again, the queen watched the alicorn squatted down beside her. "I can help you. I can help you get your revenge on Twilight Sparkle."

Chrysalis' breathing began to slow back to normal as she sniffled. "And Starlight Glimmer."

Crimson smiled and stood up before she held out her hoof. Chrysalis accepted it and stood up, the two staying at each other. Chrysalis seemed nervous while Crimson appeared calm. The alicorn then leaned in and put her foreleg around the changeling, hugging her.

“I think this is the start of something beautiful,” Crimson cooed into the changeling’s ear.

Twilight and Luster stood on the path leading back to Ponyville. They could see the town and various ponies trotting about. "You'll need friends if you expect to stand up to Crimson."

"Why can't you deal with it? Or Celestia or Luna?"

"We won't always be here to help you. You'll eventually need to make decisions for yourself. As I have had to do."

Luster sighed and closed her eyes. "Alright. I'll try."

"Even if there wasn't a threat, you still need friends, Luster."

"Alright," the young unicorn said as she began to trot forward. "Wish me luck."

"I don't think you'll need it."

Luster made her way through Ponyville until she found Shade hovering by a music shop window. Luster took a deep breath and moved closer. The griffin noticed her and landed before she turned to face the unicorn.

"Hiya, Shade," Luster greeted.

"Luster," Shade replied in a gruff, (the pony equivalent of) British voice.

"I was wondering if... you'd like to hang out?"

"I... was actually plannin' on practicin' my music later."

"Oh. Maybe tomorrow, or... not, I guess. I don't know." Luster then gasped loudly. "Can I watch you play?"

"I don't... exactly like an audience..."

"I can be quiet."

Shade raised an eyebrow. "Um... Okay, then. Meet me by the big tree in the Prairies."

"The Prairies?"

"I practice there at night since it's far from town."

"Alright, then. I'll catch you... later," Luster said before she trotted away. She exhaled sharply. "That was intense."

She found her yak friend, Brutus, by the town's water fountain. He pulled a sports hat out of a paper bag and set it on his head.

"I love it!" He proudly exclaimed, before he saw Luster Dawn. "Pony friend! What do you think of the hat?!"

"It's... lovely," Luster said as she trotted up to him. "Hey, Brutus? Care to hang out later?"

"What mean hang out?"

"Well, you, me, and a couple other friends hang out by that big tree in the Prairies and just... talk? Hang out? Get to know each other better?"

The yak stayed silent, hopefully in thought. "Okay. I will... hang out with you later."

"Great, cool, thanks," Luster said as she went to find Sundial and Moss Glow.

As Luster trotted through the town, she heard someone calling for her. She looked around and saw a cloaked figure in an alley. "Alright. This isn't creepy at all," she muttered to herself as she cautiously approached the figure. As the figure turned to head deeper into the space between the buildings, Luster caught a glimpse of the tail. "Luna?" She asked as she sped up.

When she arrived in the tiny alley, the figure turned around and lowered her hood. It was, indeed, the former princess of the night. "Luster Dawn. I have some bad news."

"Oh, no. What now?"

"Do you remember Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow?"

"Yeah?"

"We have word that their statue is gone. Twilight is afraid they may come after you, as myself and Discord came after her."

"Let me get this straight... Not only do I have Crimson to worry about... but now three of Twilight's villains, too?"

"Yes. We will help in any way we can, but you should be ready in case the worse should happen."

Luster groaned and rubbed her head. "Alright. I'll do my best."

"We know you will. Just... be on your guard at all times. Crimson likes to play with your mind. It will be hard to trust anything you see with her around."

"I understand." Luna gave her a smile before she teleported away. "Alright, well... good-bye, I guess."

Luster found Sundial and Moss Glow drinking smoothies by a café and trotted over to greet them. "Hey, you two," she said with a smile. "You busy later?"

"How later?" Moss asked.

"Um... like... in a couple hours, I guess?"

"I should be free."

"Me, too," the orange stallion replied. "What's up?"

"Just getting a few friends together by the large tree in the Prairies," Luster said as she waved the waitress over. "Though, I could go for a smoothie first." When the unicorn waiting on customers came over, Luster gave her a smile. "Strawberry, please."

The waitress nodded and went to fetch the drink.

"How's your magic training with Twilight?" Sundial asked.

Luster sighed and sat down. "Good, I guess. It's kind of intimidating, you know? Being trained by the princess."

"Sounds fun," Moss said as she sipped her blueberry smoothie.

Luster eyed the kirin before the waitress returned with the smoothie. Luster paid her and took the drink in her magic. "She's got me on another task, too, that... I'm not sure I'll be able to pull off."

"Like what?" Sundial asked, sipping his orange smoothie.

"I'd rather wait until we're all together to say it. It's... not something I wanna keep repeating."

The kirin nodded. "Fair enough."

Luster took a sip as she stared at the ground.

A couple hours later, Luster headed into the Prairies and found the griffin by the large tree. Shade saw her and waved her over before she sat down and held her guitar. "Hey, Shade," Luster greeted. "I hope you don't mind if I invited others."

"Others?" Shade asked, before she looked past the unicorn and saw the other three. "Luster, come on, I said I didn't want an audience."

"I know, I know. I have a very good reason for this. I promise."

"You'd better."

"So..." the kirin said with a smile. "you said you had some big news?"

"Yes," Luster said as she turned to face her. "Big news. I was visited by Twilight Sparkle."

"The princess?" Sundial asked. "What for?"

Luster looked at the orange stallion with a sigh. "Something big is coming, and she wants us to be prepared."

"Big?" Shade asked, leaning her guitar against the tree. "What do you mean?"

"Crimson Ash." The other four all eyed each other, not saying a word. "Crimson Ash," Luster repeated. "Really, none of you?"

"Sorry, Luster," Mossy apologized. "Never heard of a Crimson Ash."

Luster groaned. "She's only one of the most powerful alicorns of all time. She's been trapped for thousands of years and now she's coming back. And the only way to stand up to her is with friendship. So we all need to stick together in case she shows up."

"Why would she attack us?" Shade asked.

“Celestia and Luna’s enemies became Twilight’s enemies. Now Twilight’s worried that her enemies will become mine.”

Mossy thought for a moment. “Twilight’s enemies? You mean those three that took over Canterlot thirty years ago?”

Luster nodded. “Those ones, yes.”

“Is it, like… too late to back out of this friendship?”

“Come on,” Luster said with a smile. “We can do this.”

“How?” Shade asked. “You’re the only one with magic. What can we do?”

“I don’t know, just… trust me? Stick with me? I can’t do this alone.”

Shade, Sundial, and Mossy all eyed each other. Brutus was the first to speak. “Pony liked my hat. I like pony.”

Luster gave him a smile, when suddenly black smoke began to fill the area. Luster and the others all looked around as they sky turned red. "She's here," Luster gasped.

"So, you're Twilight Sparkle's protégé?" Crimson asked.

Luster couldn't find her in the smoke. "What do you want?"

Crimson dove through the smoke and held Luster's cheeks. "I want you, dear. I can sense a strong magic inside of you just waiting to come to fruition."

Luster pulled away and backed up. "You know others have tried to take over Equestria, right? And they all have failed."

Crimson smirked. "I'm not others." She then eyed Shade, Mossy, Brutus, and Sundial. "Trying to work on your friendship? So it can protect you?"

"I was making progress before you showed up."

"Oh, really," Crimson cooed evilly, before she disappeared.

"W-Where'd she go?" Shade asked.

"She's still here!" Luster called out. "She's just making us think we can't see her!"

"But, we can't see her!" Sundial said as he backed up, looking all around.

"Ooo, this is interesting," Crimson cooed as Luster felt a piercing pain in her head. "Are you only being friends with them so you can stand against me?"

"No!" Luster yelled with a pained groan.

"What's she talking about?" Asked Mossy.

Crimson chuckled. "You think they're annoying? Impossible? Those aren't thoughts a friend should have, is it? And, worst of all, you're only using them for your own benefit. So sad."

"Shut up!" Luster yelled as she frantically looked all around before she fired a magic bolt.

Sundial jumped to the side to avoid being hit. "H-Hey, watch it!"

Luster gasped and backed up before she turned around. She saw Crimson and quickly fired at her. Shade let out a yell and ducked, avoiding the attack.

"Hey!" The griffin yelled.

Luster stumbled backwards and fell on her flanks, staring in horror at what she almost did twice now. "She's... She's in my head!"

"I'm everywhere," Crimson cooed as the smoke around them swirled and danced. "But it's not your fault they don't like you, Luster. You've always been bad at making friends. Always using them and then discarding them when you no longer need them. And I thought I was evil."

Tears filled Luster's eyes. "That's not true!"

"Isn't it? I might be assuming some things but your memories don't lie. You do."

The smoke cleared as Crimson appeared standing in front of the crying unicorn. "You're nothing right now, Luster. But I do find you interesting. I will give you a chance to get stronger. I could use the energy boost." She then unfurled her wings and shot off into the sky.

Luster slowly and shakily got to her hooves as she looked at the others.

"You're just using us?" Shade asked. "Because friendship will protect you against her?"

"N-No, that's not..." Luster stammered. "That's not it at all."

"I thought pony liked my hat," Brutus said as he turned and began walking back towards town.

"I-I do!" Luster pleaded.

Sundial joined Shade as they followed Brutus. Luster looked over at the kirin, who just shook her head and joined the others. Luster fell on her flanks and just watched them leave.

Crimson landed near the Foalorado River where Chrysalis and Tirek were waiting. "I don't think she'll pose much of a threat, even at full power."

"I still think you should just take her out now," Chrysalis said as her eyes narrowed. "These protégés always seem to come out on top."

"I concur," Tirek said as he crossed his arms. "Best to eliminate the threat before it can pose a problem."

Crimson sighed, before she looked at the filly. "And what about you, tiny pony? Anything to add?"

"As long as I get to have my revenge on those school creatures, I'm fine with whatever you want."

"I see you all have grudges. Chrysalis and Starlight. Cozy Glow and the school creatures. And Tirek?"

"It used to be just Celestia and Luna," Tirek said. "Then I added Twilight to the list."

"Well... If you follow me, I can guarantee that you will have your revenge. It may not be this week, or next week... but it will happen. Equestria... and the lands beyond... will be ours."

TO BE CONTINUED