The following takes place between 9pm and 10pm

In Twilight's Castle, Brave Lance, Dark Spear and Jack Bauer, discussed on what they know. Mane 6 and Spike listened in, they're aware of Sect's existence and want to know more. They gathered around a table with ESCT's records of their findings. Jack examined the symbols that each member of Sect wore on their flanks.

"They're letters of the Greek alphabet," Jack explained.

"How did you know?" Spike asked.

"We have different languages back home. They're twenty-four letters, now there are twenty-three left."

Dark Spear placed his hood on his ear. He's receiving a message from another ESCT agent. He has a minute earphone. He told them he's been an update. "They found Beta's dead body outside of Princess Celestia's bedroom."

"Which makes that twenty-two," said Rainbow Dash.

"Does the princess know?" asked Twilight.

"Apparently he's killed quickly and painlessly," Dark Spear replied.

Brave Lance stroke a line across Mu and Beta's names, along with their Greek letters. During their years of investigating and maintenance, ESCT slowly gathered their names. Sect's very secretive like them, which prevented them from finding every one of them.

"Hope Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are OK," worried Applejack.

"They're fine. Besides they're under those ponies' protection." Pinkie Pie did her best to comfort her.

Twilight's worried about Celestia. This was her first time seeing her in a state of fear. She pictured her as a faithful ruler. It's like she's taking her for granted.

"Are you alright Twilight?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes," Twilight spoke worryingly. "It's that I haven't seen Princess Celestia in this predicament."

Dark Spear and Brave Lance read through the list of items being delivered. They began to wonder why the post office of all places. They could have delivered whatever they're planning secretly.

"Their cargo's disguised as art supplies? Can't say I'm surprised," said Brave Lance.

"We can already imagine what Sect will do to use them," replied Dark Spear.

Spike felt a sudden rumble in his stomach. It slowly climbed up his oesophagus, it felt like a lump. When it reached his throat, Spike leaned his head back. He shot forward, breathing green fire from his mouth. A navy orb floated in midair and landed on the table.

Brave Lance and Dark Spear became cautious. They rarely saw a dragon cough up an orb. Another reason is the swirling clouds in it. A pair of eyes emerged, opening its eyelids, revealing dark green iris. They stood there in surprise.

"I had no idea I can send and receive orbs," said Spike.

"Dark Spear, Brave Lance, it's a pleasure to meet at last." It spoke in a deep, brooding voice.

"You're the leader?" Applejack asked.

"Already jumping the gun, that whoever's speaking is a leader."

Applejack took it as an insult.

"Sect doesn't have a leader," Brave Lance told them. "They work democratically. They rely on each other."

"Glad to see you're teaching them something that they don't," said the voice.

"Are going to explain why you're here, or are you going to keep taunting us?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Pinkie Pie began to feel excited. "Can't wait to see the villain's master plan."

"How could you be excited?" Rarity asked.

"We'll get to see why they're terrorising Equestria."

Brave Lance and Dark Spear were speechless. They never saw a pony this stimulated.

"I knew you have a human companion, helping with your deeds. Killing off one of our own caused quite a stir," the voice continued.

"Are going to tell us what you want or are you going to explain today's news?" asked Spike.

The eyelids lowered, making them half closed, and shifted to Spike. It didn't scare him, he just twiddled his fingers and smiled. The eyes returned to the centre of the orb and opened its eyelids. "Our loyal members are presently incarcerated in ESCT's custody. Release them and we won't bring any harm. Since we don't get along with authorities, this job goes to those six."

Dark spear began to worry. "They're getting smarter. It's like they already know everything."

"Why us?" Twilight asked.

"It's not just for Equestria's sake." The eyes went behind the clouds revealing, Tank, Opalescence, Angel Bunny, Gummy, Owlowiscious and Winona held captive.

They all gasped. Rarity screamed the most. "Opal?! Let her go fiend!"

Rainbow Dash stopped her from charging. "Hold it Rarity. You don't want to lose it."

"Release our pets now!" shouted Applejack.

"Complete our demand and we will. Don't bother bringing ESCT, otherwise your pet animals will be our own. Bring Iota, Omicron, Tau and Nu to Ponyville in thirty minutes. I'll be sending ponies to watch over."

Dark Spear couldn't hold it inside. He spent his life hunting Sect. He didn't give any thought. "No amount of your kind will keep us from free will."

"Now I know why that chose use and not them." Pinkie Pie sneaked over to Twilight, just to talk quietly in her ear.

"Our reign will overshadow Equestria's own." The eyes closed before being engulfed by the clouds. The orb glowed and disappeared leaving no trace.

"What did he mean by that?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"They want to change Equestria's ways by becoming a new monarch," explained Brave Lance.

Jack heard it all before, he knew there's a political side of this fantasy world. For a place with magic and talking equines, it has a long history. He became more interested in Equestria. Not just for stopping the threat, it's also for going inside everything about it. He can see through the ponies' reactions to any danger.

While Rarity got overdramatic, Fluttershy grew worried about Angel. Her eyes began fill up. "They have Angel. They going to hurt him and I feel helpless."

Jack watch Fluttershy break down and cry. He saw the other ponies busy talking, not noticing one of her friends in distress. He couldn't let her sob while nobody notices. "Fluttershy? You're OK?"

"Don't know," sniffed Fluttershy.

"Angel means a lot to you, doesn't he?"

"Yes Jack. I also fear for the other's pet's lives, I'm more concerned about mine. For once this is where I find myself the most helpless."

"You're not helpless. You're just shocked from seeing Angel in Sect's captivity." Jack couldn't find another way of helping her, this was the best he can do.

"What made you say that?"

"I had years of experience with CTU and seen shocking events. There comes a price when you try to save lives." Jack wiped the tears from her eyes.

Fluttershy slowly felt better. She's glad she's the first pegasus to find Jack. She hugged him and whispered into his ear. "I'm glad we got to know each other."

Jack slowly placed his arms around her. He pretended that it's his daughter Kim. "Could you do something for me?"

"What is it Jack?"

"Whenever you see your friend in peril, will you think of me and be brave?" Jack never gave an anecdote like this in his life.

"I will," she said quietly.

Twilight noticed them and wondered what's going on. "Is something wrong?"

"Just talking," said Fluttershy.

Brave Lance told them the plan. "Listen, here's what you'll do."

9:25pm

Once they released Iota, Tau, Nu and Omicron, they had collars linked to each other. Brave Lance and Dark Spear attached them to their necks. They're made to prevent them from injuring the Mane 6. They're attached to each other so if one goes, the rest will follow.

They arrived at Ponyville, just a few minutes earlier. They felt nervous, they don't how it's going turn out. Phi, Sigma and Rho arrived with the pets. They have them in custom-made force fields.

"OK, here's what we'll do. You'll bring our pets while bring your pal from Sect. At the same time. And no funny stuff, believe me that's my speciality."

"Based on your cutie mark we can see why," said Rho.

Iota brought the pets and Applejack brought ESCT's captives. Once they met each other, Iota deactivated the force fields, Applejack unlocked the collars. All the pets ran to their respective owners. Nu, Tau, Iota and Omicron just rejoined the others.

"Since when do know how to use those collars?" asked Phi.

"We had help from Brave Lance and Dark Spear. Hope you're familiar with them." Rarity embraced Opal while angrily at them.

Sigma used his horn to scan them. He found nothing on them. "They're clean."

"Good to know that they've taken our word. Otherwise we would have to double cross," Phi spoke grimly.

"So you won't double cross? No way of keeping our pets while you keep your pals?" Pinkie Pie asked while staring closely into Phi's eyes.

"No, just don't come closer and get this crocodile off my wing." He found Gummy gnawing at his wing.

"Actually he's an alligator," corrected Pinkie.

They watched them disappear via Omicron's magic. Even though they got their pets back, something's amiss. Jack came out from hiding behind a house. "I'm surprised they didn't see me."

"Apparently they care about ESCT more than you," theorised Twilight.

9:43pm

"Tau?" Sigma asked. "Have you noticed some pony's watching us?"

"Unless you're talking about those guards, not a chance," Tau answered.

"What is it you're telling us?" Omicron wondered.

"When I was undercover in Celestia's castle, I saw a figure swoop pass a window. I was watching both Alicorn sisters."

"Do you think it might have something to do with us?" Nu shapeshifted to different ponies to demonstrate their powers.

They all agreed on his theory.