Batmare and the foal wonder!

As our heroic trio entered the Bat-Cave proper, they passed the trophies of their conquests. A shattered fishbowl placed in a rolling cooler, one of princess Celestia's hoofboots, and in a place of honor, the shattered and twisted wreckage of the Bat-Train; now a cold and lifeless shell. The deeper recesses of the cave held the promise of better things, so onward they marched. Eventually, the three entered a large laboratory, with gadgets and gizmos strewn about in various stages of assembly.

"In our previous engagement with the Jokemare, I realized Pip here needs a few more options in weaponry. I've been spending the past few days ordering Equestria's best scientist to come up with some ideas for me. This, filly and gentlefoal..." Sweeping a hoof in an all encompassing arc, Luna proclaimed," is the Bat-Lab!"

Pip stared in wide eye wonder. "Wow, Batmare, you've been busy!"

"Indeed. Let's see what he's got for us. Dr. Ryder! Hello?"

Out of the darkness an abomination crept forth. Green, melted skin and a lab coat covered an upright body. Supported by four squat legs, it almost appeared as if it still had hooves, but all were deformed amalgamations of their former selves. The thing's face was frozen in a rictus of horror, hollow eyes stared unblinking. Yet, somehow, this revolting beast still had a familiar horn, which now glowed as it lifted some items and set them on a table in front of Batmare.

"D-Dr. Jack Ryder everypony... I think."

"Jack Ryder? You mean the talk show pony? He's not a doctor or a scientist! Ugh, what happened to him?" Poison Joke began to feel nauseous.

"He's reawwy quiet, it's kind of cweepy."

"Yes Pip old boy, I agree! Sorry Jack, but from now on you'll be Dr. Creeper!"

The good doctor hissed his assent.

Looking at the table, Batmare levitated one of the items toward the trio.

"That looks neat... what is it?" Pip had to put his forehooves on the table to see.

"That's easy old chum! It's a... that is... it... um...."

Hissing in impatience, Dr. Creeper took the item out of Batmare's magical grip and into his own. Carefully taking aim, he sprayed a solution onto the ground at Poison Joke's feet.

"Hey! Why are you spraying us? Stop tha- wooooah!" Unable to keep her hooving, the mare fell to the ground with a 'thump'.

"Sliding snakes, Batmare, that's some slippery stuff!"

Rubbing her hoof on her chin, Batmare looked at the spray gun thoughtfully. "Yes... yes it is... An appropriate target, doctor, I shall conduct my own experiments later..." The princess took the gun back. "in my chambers..."

Putting the gun into her belt, the Dark Nightmare levitated the next item.

"We don't suppose that item cleans this mess up?" Poison Joke asked hopefully.

"Quiet, you, or I shall spray you a second time-a!"

Once again, Luna turned the object around. Once again, Dr. Creeper grew impatient and demonstrated the product himself. He levitated the backpack onto Pipsqueak and pulled a cord on the top. Two bat-like wings popped out, ready for flight. A bit sprang out from the pack, as well, positioning itself in front of Pip's mouth. Tentatively biting down, Pip found he could control the wings. No more crash landings for him!

"Oh, now that's useful Master Pip!" Poison Joke remembered the sad state Pip had been in after his last 'high impact' landing.

Deciding to cut out the middle mare, Dr. creeper simply demonstrated the last device himself. It was a simple remote control with a single, red button. Still, the doctor doubted Batmare's ability to handle even this cognitive puzzle. Pressing the button, Dr. Creeper set the device down and waited. After a few seconds, the entire Bat-Cave began to tremble as the far wall of the lab began to separate. Slowly, the wall slid open with a rumbling protest, revealing a large, shadowy object, emanating a familiar red glow from the bottom.

A feeling of malevolence and dread instantly flooded the lab as the entirety of the construct became visible.

"But... but we thought it was dead! Didn't Spike..." Poison Joke was unable to finish. It couldn't be, this horrible essence...

"Ah, yes, they had to pump the poor dear's stomach. Gave him quite the bit of indigestion and food poisoning." Batmare stated matter-of-factly.

Poison shuddered at the very thought of something giving a dragon food poisoning.

Before them was the same menacing glow. The execration of existence, the jewel that should not be! Bonded now to a mechanical monstrosity that dwarfed even the mighty Bat-Train!

Horseplay smiled as she neared the cottage, the only other house-tree in Ponyville. Her first ally needed to be somewhat predictable, that ruled out Pinkie, for the time being. The unicorn knocked softly, so as not to disturb the occupants.

"Coming!" A soft voice called, barely audible through the thick wooden door. "Oh, hello... Twilight?" Fluttershy asked, as she opened the door.

"Nope, it's Horseplay this time."

"Oh, how nice. Um... hello Horseplay."

"Hiya! Mind if I come in? Thanks!" Without waiting for an answer, the purple pony pushed past her pusillanimous pal.

"Um... actually, if you don't mind. I... oh, okay."

"So Discord's back, but Celestia can't know or she'll send me to the moon. I need you to be Polar Mare again, okay?"

"Oh, that's terrible! But I can't be Polar Mare, I don't ever want to be that mean again. I'm sorry Twilight... oh, um, Horseplay."

"Well, okay, thought I'd ask. Just don't come running to me when Discord starts causing chaos with the climate! Think of all those poor Polar Bears and Penguins, suffering from heat exhaustion! Oh well, nothing you can do!" Horseplay began to happily prance out of the house when Fluttershy stopped her.

"No!" Already her fur, mane and tail were beginning to turn a pure, snowy white. "There is something I can do! And you're going to help me!"

"Woah there, missy. I'm the boss of this here operation, see?" Horseplay raised an eyebrow as she pointed a hoof to her chest.

"Not anymore, not when there are cute, polar-based creatures to protect! I've got a plan, and I'm going to carry it out my way, with or without you."

"Sorry Polar Mare, but if that's how it's gonna be, you're on your own."

**That* didn't turn out as planned.* Horseplay thought to herself as she trotted angrily away from Polar Mare's lair. I just *know** Zecora will see things my way.*

The door to the Carousel Boutique shattered under Bane's powerful kick.

"Oh my goodness! What is the meaning of this?" Rarity demanded, slightly fearful. "B-Big Macintosh?"

With a mixture of Discord's voice and his own, Bane spoke. "I am now Bane. Answer my riddle and I'll leave you be." Apparently, Big Macintosh was fond of riddles... Discord found this intriguing, as he had written up the stallion as an oaf. Spending some time in the brute's brain had given him the idea to start using them himself. It would be so much fun!

"What do you mean? Why did you break my door?"

Ignoring the question, Bane spoke. "I have come for neither dress nor jewel, yet what I wish to claim has great value."

"I... my sewing equipment?"

"Wrong... Rarity, I have come for you."

"Oh, my... this is all so sudden!" Rarity blushed as Bane closed the gap between them. Her heart raced, he was so forceful, so daring! "Oh, but darling, I'm so sorry! I'm simply not that way! There is another...oh!"

Bane pushed Rarity to the floor and stood over her. The unicorn's eyes widened as she realized this wasn't a situation where she could say no. She began to tremble, "B- Bane, please, not like this..." She squeezed her eyes shut as Bane leaned closer.

Discord rolled his eyes, the poor thing really was scared. Deciding to get this over with, he licked her horn. "Bane, no! Oh... that does feel good." The vibrant purple of Rarity's mane and tail were now muted. She opened her eyes and stood, pushing Bane to one side. "Very good..." Discord raised an eyebrow, his corrupting influence unerringly worked to sway ponies in the direction he wanted, but the effect was always different. It kept things interesting. The unicorn mare sauntered over to a table and folded some black cloth, which she placed on her head. The effect was not unlike giving her a pair of cat ears. "In fact... it makes me want to purr."

Uh oh, looks like our heroes are going to have their hooves full! Will Horseplay be able to get back up from any of the old Rouges? What is Polar Mare's chilling plan? Will Discord, Bane, and this strangely catty Rarity take over Ponyville? Why don't any of you ever answer my questions?

To mine out this mystery, you'll have to stay tuned. Same Bat-time, same Mare-channel!