Queen Chrysalis: Give it up Princess Celestia! We're too strong for you.

Princess Celestia: Never. I will protect everypony in Ponyville.

Queen Chrysalis: How cute.

Princess Celestia looked over to her right and saw the mane six, André and Babe sneaking out of the barrier with the hot air balloon. Twilight and Rarity were carrying the balloon using their magic.

Princess Celestia: It's all up to you now.

Queen Chrysalis: What're you going on about? Just give it up.

Princess Celestia began to lower the barrier but it wasn't from weakness. She absorbed it to form a pink sphere that covered her body. She launched herself up into the air and tackled the changelings in the magical barrier.

Queen Chrysalis: How long can you hold on?

Princess Celestia: As long as I have to!

Queen Chrysalis: Fine. Let's see how long you can protect those you care so much for!

Chrysalis laughed maniacally as a horde of changelings charged straight for Princess Celestia. Farther away from Ponyville Twilight and the others continued their race against time. They were moving as quickly as possible.

André: Twilight, Rarity. The balloon isn't too heavy is it?

Twilight: No. It's not heavy at all.

André: Ok, great.

Fluttershy: How much farther is it?

Babe: Not too far Fluttershy. We'll get there and be back in no time.

Applejack: Ah hope so. We don't want to keep Princess Celestia on hold.

André: Right. We'd better motor.

Rainbow Dash: I heard that!

Pinkie Pie: Are all the changelings back in Ponyville helping their queen?

Babe: Should be, it was a whole army of those things. I doubt they'll be any at the tower.

André: I hope not anyway.

Twilight: What's that up ahead?

In the distance was a large black tower in the desolate location.

Babe: That's the tower! Wow, we actually made it in good time. Nice!

Twilight: Alright everypony, let's hurry!

Back at Twilight's house the CMC's were safely hiding inside the house along with Spike thanks to Twilight's barrier.

Apple Bloom: Ah hope Applejack and the others make it back soon…

Scootaloo: I wish they had let us come with them. It's not fair, they think just because we're little we'll get in the way.

Spike: They're just worried about your safety. I'm sure they didn't do it on purpose.

Scootaloo: Still…

Sweetie Belle (looking out the window): Guys, Princess Celestia's in trouble!

Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Spike ran to the window. The changelings were outnumbering Princess Celestia. They surrounded her magical sphere and rapidly tackled into it with great force. Cracks began to appear around the sphere.

Queen Chrysalis: Futile, you cannot defeat us.

Princess Celestia: Every ounce of my power will be spent trying…

Everything in Equestria began to go dark. Princess Celestia's sun began setting.

Queen Chrysalis: The sun's going down already? Hahaha! What's the matter Princess? Growing weak?

The changelings took one final step back. Princess Celestia braced for impact as the changelings made a head on charge into the sphere. The sphere is destroyed and caused a small explosion. All the ponies who were watching eyes widened. Their jaws dropped in disbelief. After the explosion Princess Celestia slowly floats down to the ground. She weakly stood her ground. More changelings surrounded her. Their queen stood before Celestia.

Princess Celestia (panting): …

Queen Chrysalis: How does it feel to be helpless against us?

Princess Celestia (panting): …

Queen Chrysalis: What's the matter? Changeling got your tongue? I think it's time for me to rightfully rule over this land, don't you?

A dark purple beam of light struck the ground between Princess Celestia and Queen Chrysalis. Chrysalis jumped back from the beam.

Queen Chrysalis: What? Who dares interferes!?

Princess Luna (standing beside her sister): I do. I won't let you get away with it.

Princess Celestia: Luna…

Princess Luna: I'm sorry I'm late. Let's handle this, together.

Princess Celestia: …I would love that.

Queen Chrysalis: Huh?

The two sisters placed their horns together. Their combined power shocked the changelings and their queen. Princess Luna channeled some of her power with Princess Celestia and together the two were ready to fight.

Queen Chrysalis: W-Where did you get such power?

Princess Luna: We're going to protect everypony and see this problem through.

Princess Celestia: Together we stand, united we fall.

Queen Chrysalis: N-No….

As the two co-rulers of Equestria prepare to battle Queen Chrysalis and her army Twilight and the others were making their way up the incredibly huge changeling tower via the hot air balloon.

Babe: The sun was out just a second ago, how come its twilight?

Twilight: Princess Luna and Celestia must be joining forces to put an end to Chrysalis!

André: Seriously? Those two together in action! Awesome! Wish I could've seen that.

Babe: Seen it? I wanna be it!

Rainbow Dash: Twilight, can we speed this up a bit? I can't even see the top from here.

Twilight: Yes, just let me ignite-

Babe: Hold that thought, we've got company!

A group of changelings appeared and began to attack the balloon. One of the changelings used its magic to blast the side of the basket. The left side of the basket was destroyed. All the ponies moved to the right side but Applejack lost her footing and began dangerously balancing herself on the ruined side. The changelings who caused the disaster laughed and disappeared.

Applejack (falling off of the edge): WAA-

André (reaching out his hand): APPLEJACK!

Applejack (falling off the side): NOO!

Twilight: Applejack!

André: NO!

Applejack (falling): AAAAAHHH!

As she continued falling Applejack looked down toward her impending doom…

Applejack: W-Well….looks like this is it!

André (wrapping his arms around Applejack): Gotcha!

Applejack: HUH?!

André: I've got you Applejack!

Applejack: You jumped after me? Why would you-

André: If you can't help a friend then you can't save any!

Applejack: …

Thanks to Twilight's quick thinking she uses her magic and stopped both André and Applejack from falling. She also managed to create a purple barrier around the hot air balloon to protect herself and her friends from any further changeling attacks. Twilight safely put them on a
nearby balcony on the changeling tower. The balcony led to the large spiral staircase inside the tower.

André: We're alive? Twilight must've used her magic to save us! (Watching the balloon ascend) But it looks like they're not stopping either so we're going to have to go the rest on foot and hoof.

André released Applejack from his protective hold.

Applejack: You actually jumped after me….

André: Of course. If a friend needs me to be there I'll be there.

Applejack was filled with extreme joy and threw herself into her friend's arms. He chuckled and hugged her back.

André (petting her head): Hey, I don't know about you…but I think it's time we got a move on, we've gotta meet Twilight and the others at the top.

Applejack: Of course!

The two stood up and made their way inside the tower.

Twilight: They're safe! Thank Celestia. That was a close one.

Fluttershy: Will they be ok? What if there are more changelings in there?

Rarity: No need to worry about them, they can handle themselves.

Babe: How do you guys think Princess Celestia and Luna are doing?

Pinkie Pie: If they're together that must mean Chrysalis is getting what's coming to her!

Babe: Here's to wishful thinking.

Rainbow Dash: Look! We're nearing the top!

Babe: Cool! Let's get ready to land this thing.

Twilight: (Princess Celestia, please just hang in there. We're on our way.)

To be continued