My Little Pony: The Human Chronicles

Episode 15: The Power of Friendship - Part 1

---

It was still night time in Equestria, and there was not a cloud in clear, midnight blue sky and the only thing that was up there was Luna's shining moon. Everything and everyone slept peacefully throughout the night. But unbeknownst to any of them, their peace was about to shatter.

In the Badlands of Equestria, inside Lord Tirek's floating dark fortress, the dark lord and centaur himself was standing in front of his large army of monsters, all ready for an attack on the land.

Lord Tirek's deep and grating voice begins to echo throughout the castle as he spoke.

"The time has come. The prophecy shall be fulfilled. Today, and only today will the portal be open and by the time dusk sets upon the land the first step towards my goal of total domination will be complete," Lord Tirek said.

"Soon, Equestria will be mine, and nopony, not even the elements of harmony OR their 'protectors' will be able to stop me,"

Hoof steps were then heard approaching him from behind.

Lord Tirek did not bother to turn around but he seemed to know who it was.

"Ah, nice to see that you have arrived my friend," Lord Tirek smirked.

"I am not your friend Tirek," the figured stated a bit angry.

"Careful," The dark lord warned his guest "Have the preparations for the portal been complete?"

"Yes, I will make sure Toby gets to it,"

"Excellent, then I will take it from there," The centaur smiled evilly.

"Just remember this, for doing as you commanded, I expect you to keep your part of the bargain. Is that clear?" The figure questioned.

"You bring me the kids and I will guarantee the safety of the thing you hold the dearest," Lord Tirek promised. "Now run along, you do have a job to do remember?"

The figure nodded and faded into the shadows. When the mysterious visitor left Lord Tirek faced his hidden army once more.

"It's going to be a beautiful day for the end of the world." He mused. "And once my secret weapon learns who he truly is will my endgame truly begin.

---

Back in Canterlot, Celestia's sun began to rise over the skyline, the light from the sun shined all over the land.

Standing on the balcony is Princess Celestia herself, who has just finished her duty of raising the sun. She looks out towards her rising sun both thoughtfully and sadly. A very chipper voice belonging to her sister spoke up behind her.

"Why hello, big sister," Her voice startled her, but she quickly regained her composure as she turned to her younger sister with a small smile.

"Oh, hello little sister," Princess Celestia said.

Princess Luna looks out towards the sunrise "I must say sister, while I may make a beautiful night, your day is far more gorgeous,"

"Oh Luna..." The Princess of the Day said bashfully.

Both sisters looked out towards the rising sun now as they stood side by side.

"Looks like it's going to be another beautiful day here in Equestria," Princess Luna stated.

Princess Celestia nodded in agreement, but hid her sad from her sister as she lowered her head, seemingly filled with shame.

---

Later that day, while the birds flew slowly and peacefully in the sky a certain Rainbow maned Pegasus zoomed right by them, knocking the feathers right off the birds, much to their dismay. Rainbow flew as high as she could, turned and started to fly straight down with both hooves forward. Energy began to crackle
around her until finally.

BOOM!

A super-sized shocked wave was released followed by a vibrantly colored ring of energy that expanded from the shockwave as Rainbow zoomed to the ground to where her friends were all watching. The girls and Spike had very happy looks on their faces while Toby's looked especially amazed, as he had his eyes wide open,
his mouth agape and a large smile on his face.

Rainbow Dash swiftly landed on the ground, proud of herself. Everypony clapped and cheered.

Rainbow bowed. "Thank you, thank you," she said before turning to Toby "And a Happy 4th of July to you Toe and Sophie!"

"Thanks! And awesome Sonic Rainboom by the way," Sophia smiled as Toby discreetly leaned towards Spike and whispered. "Uh, whose gonna tell her it's the middle of June?"

Spike shrugged. "Eh, who knows? Maybe this 'George Washington' guy you told us about really was born on June 17th,"

Toby nodded. "So true,"

Rainbow Dash laughed triumphantly "Ha ha! Did you guys see that? I did that! Whoo!"

"Yes Rainbow, we know, we were all there." Toby told her. A thought then popped into Toby's head, he turned to Spike "Oh, Spike I forgot to ask you something that's been bugging me,"

"What's that?" Spike asked.

"Who was it that found you as an egg in the first place and exactly where did they find you anyways?" Toby questioned.

Spike looked unsure himself "Beats me, all Twilight knows is that they gave her to me as an egg, she hatched me and that's it," he said.

"Haven't you asked the Princess?" Sophia inquired "She is the one who raised you after all, right?"

"Well, whenever I try, she's always so vague," Spike stated "And I have no idea why,"

"Maybe she doesn't know, or maybe she's trying to hide something from you," Toby suggested.

Spike raised a brow "You think so?"

"Dude, she's a figure of author, she's the figure of authority," Toby told him "Her secrets have secrets, of course she's hiding something,"

"Well whatever it is, I'm sure it's for everypony's own good," Spike assured "Besides, I don't need to find my family, when I already have one right here,"

Spike looked towards the cheery and happy female ponies talking to each other from a far. Toby smiled softy.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Toby said "Makes me kind of miss my family..."

"And mine, too," Sophia said.

Spike looked at Toby and Sophia sympathetically "Toby... Sophia..."

Spike suddenly burped out a small burst of green flames which took on the form of a scroll. Toby caught it.

"Cool, mail, although you might want to think of a less disgusting way of receiving them," Sophia told her dragon companion.

Spike shrugged "Hey, I'm dragon, not a mailbox,"

Toby undid the scroll and started to read it.

"Let's see, hey it's from the Princess! And it's addressed to us, Sophia!" Toby remarked as he continued to scan the piece of paper "Eh, blah, blah, blah, I believe I found a solution, blah, blah, blah, and by dusk tomorrow I will have created the portal that will send you both back to your world! Yes!"

"Wait, does that mean?" Spike started to say.

"Oh yeah, the Princess pulled through! I can finally go home and see my Dad and Mrs. Lawrence again!" Toby exclaimed excited.

"That. Is. Awesome!" Spike also exclaimed excitedly.

Sophia rushed over to the girls "Hey guys!"

"Yes?" they all asked in unison.

"I just got a letter from the Princess, she says at dusk today she'll have created the portal that will send us back to Brooklyn!" Sophia told them.

"WHAT?" Pinkie Pie cried.

"You mean, your home?" Fluttershy inquired.

Toby nodded "Uh huh!"

"But how?" Rainbow Dash questioned "Twilight's been working on a spell to send you home for months!"

"And I'm not closer then when I started, I'm sorry to say," Twilight Sparkle apologized.

"Eh, no worries, it doesn't matter how or when you win the lottery as long as you win it!" Toby stated. "Come on y'all, let's head to our place to pack up our things,"

Toby and Sophia started to move when they stopped and noticed the glum looks on everypony's faces.

"Hey, cheer up girls, like Toby said; the Princess pulled through for us after all," Sophia said "Come on, we're finally heading home, isn't that great?"

"Uh, yeah, that-that's great and..." Applejack said slowly "Yeah, that's, that's really great."

Toby raised a brow "What's wrong?"

"Oh, it's it's nothing darling, it's just that, well..." Rarity started to say.

"We just don't think we're ready to see our friend go yet," Twilight Sparkle finished sadly.

Toby and Sophia then finally understood what they were saying, today was going to be the last time they would ever see each other and Toby and Sophia were so excited about leaving, they failed to realize until now how much they were going to miss them.

"Oh, right..." Sophia and Toby said slowly.

A period of sad silence set over them.

"So what now then?" Toby wondered.

Just then Pinkie Pie got an idea "Ooh! Ooh! I know! I know! I know what we should do! Do you know what we're gonna do?" she asked.

"I have a feeling your gonna tell me," Toby said both dryly and amused.

"A going-away party!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed before blowing a kazoo.

"Excellent idea Pinkie Pie, a going- away party is just the thing we need to celebrate young Tobias's time with all us," Rarity agreed.

Sophia nodded, "Sounds great, we should have it at our place, considering it's probably gonna be the last time I'll ever use it,"

"Ok, and we'll also bring a few other ponies that you know well to join us," Twilight Sparkle "You've already helped so many ponies since you came here, so it's important that we show you just how grateful we are,"

"Cool, sounds great" Toby smiled. "And let's make sure it's a going away party none of us will forget,"

Pinkie saluted "I'm on it!"

Pinkie zipped away then returned merely a second later with one of her party cannons ready to fire.

"Is that..." Toby started.

"Party cannon? Yeah," Rainbow Dash nodded.

"I'd duck if I were you," Applejack informed him.

Toby then noticed he was indirectly in the path of the cannon and yelped before ducking.

The party cannon fired straight towards Toby and Sophia's house, which was not too far from their current location. In merely a split second the entire interior and exterior of the house were decorated with party decorations and glitter.

Toby stood up and smiled "Good going Pinkie, nice shot!"

"Thanks!" she smiled.

"Alright everypony, gather everything and everyone you need and meet at our place, got it?" Sophia asked.

"Got it! Now let's do it y'all!" Applejack told the others as she put her hoof forward. The others follow suit, including Spike who put his fist forward.

"Absolutely!" Rarity nodded.

"Rock on!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"Yes, indeedily!" Pinkie Pie chirped happily.

"Yay!" Fluttershy cheered quietly.

"Alright then!" Twilight Sparkle added.

Toby was the next to put his fist forward and Sophia was the last. With that all nine of them hoof/fist bumped.

"Yeah!" they cheered.

---

Later that day, everypony was gathered inside Toby's house for the going away party, including practically every pony Toby and Sophia had met since he came to Equestria; Snips, Snails, Big McIntosh, Granny Smith, Zecora, The CMC, Cheerilee and the Cakes. At the front of the room, there is a giant banner that read 'Bye Bye Toby and Sophia! We'll Miss You!'.

Toby and Sophia walked through the crowd of smiling ponies saying 'hi' and shaking hooves as went along. When they reached the back and saw the entire crowd, they smiled sadly. Twilight then approached them.

"Something wrong, you two?" she asked.

"Nothing, it's just one of many things we're gonna miss about this world is kind of happy energy these folks always carry," Sophia said, "A day in Ponyville is like a day at the circus, in a good way,"

Twilight giggled, "Well, it certainly looks like everypony town is gonna miss you too," Twilight Sparkle stated.

"Yeah they've come a long way since the first day I came here," Toby remarked "Remember? They all ran screaming their heads off thinking I was a monster,"

Twilight giggled "Yeah, I remember."

"But when I came to this world, they didn't scream or run away." Sophia said.

Toby gave Twilight a thankful look, "By the way, we also wanted to thank you, for helping us with my magic, and taking us into your little group," he said "You're a good teacher,"

Twilight smiled sweetly, tears began to form in her eyes "Don't worry about, you're one of us after all and you're good friends, Toby and Sophia."

Toby returned her smile, "I know."

Twilight nudged him playfully, "OK, you're not THAT great."

Toby chuckled, "Gee, thanks."

Twilight, Sophia, and Toby continued to chuckle to themselves for a little while before a sad silence began to seep in. They stared at their group of friends who were all partying together with the others.

"Their gonna miss you to, ya know," Twilight Sparkle told him, "Especially me."

Toby nodded understandingly "I know, I miss you to an I'll be sure to tell the others each that before I leave," he assured her, he looked to the window and saw that it was about to become dusk "Speaking of which, we'd better get moving, we told the Princess we'd be where she instructed when it came close to dusk, gather the others, I'll meet you there,"

Twilight sadly nodded and walked away to gather up the others.

Toby and Sophia turned to the crowd, stepped onto the table and whistled to get their attention.

"OK, everypony listen up, this has been a great party and you've all been awesome, but like all good things it must come to an end," they said to the sad crowd "So, we'd like to end this little farewell party by saying goodbye and thanks for allowing to live amongst you, you've all been awesome and we're going to miss you folks a lot, so I guess we can say is 'until we meet again', in this life or a better one,"

Toby and Sophia then jumped off the table. They took both of their pets and gave everypony a smile and a two finger wave before zooming off. They all waved and each said 'bye' to him.

Apple Bloom looked out the door and saw his blue streak of light, she waved at him "Bye Mister Toby and Miss Sophia! I'll remember you!" she cried with tears in her eyes.

The other Cutie Mark Crusaders look out the door as well, tears also forming in their eyes as they also wave.

---

Later, The Mane Six, Spike, Sophia, and Toby were all gathered in the clearing that Princess Celestia instructed them to meet at. The six ponies and the dragon all stood in front of Toby and Sophia, each ready to say their goodbyes.

"Well, guys, I guess this is it," Sophia said to her seven friends, who were all struggling very hard not to cry.

Spike was the first to step forward, "Well I guess I'll be seeing you Toby and Sophia."

Toby nodded, "Guess so."

As they both tearfully shook hands, Toby looked at the others and then at Spike, "You take good care of them, ok bud?"

Spike nodded and saluted "You got it!" he exclaimed, the next thing he said was in a much sadder tone "Goodbye bro,"

"Bye, brother," Toby echoed hugging Spike. Sophia also hugged Spike.

Applejack stepped forward next "Well, sugarcubes, it sure has been interesting," she remarked.

"Eh, I'm sure things will be just as interesting here even if Sophia and I are gone, trust me. I've seen the group's track record, it ain't pretty," Toby quipped.

Applejack smiled amused, but that smile also faded "Well the truth is, everything kinda won't be the same since you're not gonna be with us anymore."

"Trust me, A.J, we'll be with you, even we'll a million, trillion miles away," Sophia assured her.

Applejack nodded "Thanks partners, oh and just to let you know; you're definitely 'A' Grade applebuckers in my book,"

"Coming from the master herself, that means a lot," Toby smiled before he and Sophia hugged her as well.

Fluttershy walked up to him next, she looked a bit nervous and sad at the same time. Part of her mane also covered half her face.

"Hey, Fluttershy," Toby said "So, still think I'm scary?"

Fluttershy looked up at him with a smile, "Not even a little bit," she said.

"Glad to hear it," Sophia smiled brushing part of her mane out of her face so he could see her face fully. "You keep taking care of those animals, ok?"

Fluttershy sniffed and nodded "Ok..."

Toby and Sophia could sense she wanted a hug and held out their arms, she lunged for them and hugged them tightly while crying into Toby's shirt and Sophia's dress. Toby gently patted her on the back while Spike and Applejack guided her away.

Pinkie Pie then popped up, much to their surprise.

"So what are we gonna do tomorrow?" she asked excitedly.

"Uh, Pinkie? I'm not going to be here uh, let me explain..." Toby started to say, trying to think of the right words to say to the party pony before she nudged him playfully.

"Oh, I know your leaving forever silly! What do you think I am? A ditz?" Pinkie Pie giggled.

Toby smiled, "Not even for a second,"

Pinkie Pie's face then became very sad and teary eyed before she gave Toby and Sophia a very tight hug "Oh! I'm going to miss you!"

"Ugh, I'm gonna miss you too, Pinkie Pie." Toby squeaked as Pinkie Pie continued to squeeze with her bear hug "OK, we can't breathe..."

Reluctantly, Pinkie released him.

Next up, was Rarity.

"Darlings, thank you so much for looking out for all of us and for giving me such fabulous ideas by showing me your clothing," Rarity said.

Sophia nodded, "It's our pleasure, and we'll be sure to take care of ones you made for us,"

"I had better hope so, Tobias and Sophia," Rarity stated.

"Don't call me ugh never mind, call me whatever you wish Rare," Toby told her sweetly.

"Likewise, dear," Rarity smiled teary eyed as she and Toby hugged.

Finally Rainbow Dash stepped forward with a smirk.

"Well ain't this funny, I'm first pony you met when you came here, and I'm the last one you'll see before you leave," Rainbow Dash remarked.

Toby chuckled at the coincidence "Yeah, ain't life funny," he smirked.

Rainbow turned slightly trying not to look him in the eye "Listen, you know I'm not good at the whole mushy fair well junk so later, I guess,"

Sophia nodded understandingly "Yeah, later."

They smiled at each other and did a respectful hoof/first bump. Toby then noogied her head playfully.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do, Rainbow," he told her.

Rainbow nodded, "Count on it!"

Toby thought for a second "Come to think of it, don't do anything you'd usually do either,"

Rainbow gave him a slightly annoyed look before suddenly giving him a hug, much to his surprise, though he returned it anyway.

"Take care of yourself, monkey boy," Rainbow Dash smirked.

"You too, Skittles," Toby smiled.

Twilight smiled sweetly at the scene then noticed something about the sky.

"Hey, everypony," she said, they all turned to her "It looks like it's dusk now."

Everypony looked around expecting to see the Princess but it looked like she hadn't arrived yet.

"The Princess sure is late," Sophia remarked.

"Maybe she's in middle of something right now?" Spike suggested.

Toby shook his head, "Nah, it's not like her to stand us up, you sure we got the time right?"

Twilight nodded. Then suddenly the area they were standing in seemed to darken around them and only them.

"Huh, that's weird..." Toby commented.

Eerie and creepy like sounds were then heard all around them. Everypony aside from Toby and Sophia looked scared.

"Ok, not exactly 'farewell music', more like 'horror movie' music," Toby joked, trying to lighten the mood, and failing.

An evil chuckle then echoed around them.

"Ok guys, it wasn't that funny..." Toby said.

"I didn't laugh," Twilight Sparkle shook her head.

"I didn't either," Sophia said.

"Not me," Spike added.

"Or me," Applejack stated.

"Or me, or her, or her," Pinkie Pie finished gesturing to herself, Rarity and Fluttershy.

The deep and grating voice chuckled once more.

"You think your world is safe? You're wrong. It is but an illusion. A comforting lie told to help you all sleep at night." The voice told them "So all you had better say your prayers, kiss your children goodnight, because is nothing in this world that can save you!"

Toby stepped forward "Yeah? Says who? Show yourself!"

"As you wish,"

In a flash of red light Lord Tirek himself appeared above him, in the flesh and smiling evilly. Everypony gasped.

"Holy Guacamole! It's you! You're the voice I heard when those thugs attacked me!" Toby realized.

"At last we meet face to face, the boy that has caused me so much trouble!" Lord Tirek said.

"Who are you?" Sophia demanded.

"I am Lord Tirek, evil incarnate and master of darkness!" Lord Tirek bellowed.

"So, not one of the good guys..." Toby said slowly.

Lord Tirek nodded. "Correct, but you are definitely the hero in the prophecy"

"And I assume you are the villain of the prophecy?" Toby inquired, Tirek simply smiled and didn't say a word "Look, I don't know much about this prophecy but no matter who it is I am going to destroy the destroyer!"

Lord Tirek suddenly started to laugh maniacally.

"Did we say a joke?" Pinkie Pie asked confused. "I didn't say a joke and I like jokes!"

"Destroy the villain, eh? That's going to very hard for such a good soul like you." Lord Tirek stated.

"What do you mean?" Toby wondered.

"What I mean is, I am not the villain you are looking for, think of me as the part the ones who wrote that prophecy didn't see coming," Lord Tirek explained.

"Talk ya big ugly brute!" Toby demanded. "Who is the villain of the prophecy!?"

"Big ugly brute is right! He's even fouler looking then Iron Will!" Rarity remarked.

Lord Tirek smiled a very evil smile. "Do you really want to know?"

"Stop jerking me around and talk!" Toby shouted

"As you wish, the villain of the prophecy..." Lord Tirek started before pointing in their general direction. "Is standing right there!"

Everypony turned and to their surprise they saw that he was pointing straight at Spike, whose eyes widen to size of dinner plates as his eyes shrunk.

"Spike?" Sophia breathed shocked.

"What? No!" Spike said slowly.

"Yes, by time it is dusk today you shall become the villain you were always meant to be," Lord Tirek stated. "There is no denying it, Spike's time is over!"

Spike dropped to his knees and dipped his head, horrified beyond belief.

Twilight however refused to believe it. "No! There's no way! Spike is no villain!"

"Maybe not anymore, but you see, the Spike you know is but a mere shell," Lord Tirek told her "A container to hide his true form,"

"You see many years ago, after the original savior defeated him he transformed himself into an egg, then sent himself here to hide amongst you vermin until the time was right, this is where he landed, this is where he was found and where he shall be reborn," The Dark Lord continued.

All of a sudden Spike's body started to shake like an earthquake and he began to growl like an animal, which frightened the others.

"Spikey-wikey?" Rarity asked slowly.

"No!" Twilight cried.

Spike starts to writhe. "Get away from me!"

"What is..." Fluttershy started to say.

Before she could finish her question Spike's eyes slit like a reptile's as he began to transform and grow. The gang looked upwards as Spike's shadow began to loom over them all. He had now taken on his fifty foot dragon form only now the colors on his scales were a darker shade of purple and green and his eyes were blood red. It also grew a pair of large and menacing wing that stretched over fifty feet as well and were riddled with holes.

"Spike no!" Twilight Sparkle screamed.

"I-I don't think Spike's there anymore..." Applejack told her nervously.

Spike roared a menacing roar.

Toby gasped sharply. "Spike!? I hardly recognize him!"

Lord Tirek laughed "Pay close attention boy, this is what true terror looks like!"

Spike then let out a large gust of green flames towards town which torches several houses in Ponyville. The inhabitants all screamed and started to run for their lives as Spike continued to destroy the town.

"Spike! STOP! STOP!" Twilight Sparkle screamed.

Toby points at Tirek threateningly, "You!" he yelled before his limbs increased in size and length, "You turned him into this!"

"I merely aided in an evolution he was already destined for," Lord Tirek stated.

"Why?" Toby question angrily.

"Because I have seen for myself what he becomes and I know together we will rule this world!" Lord Tirek bellowed.

"Yeah, well the only thing I'm going to bring forth is an end to your madness!" Sophia cried as she and Toby cupped their hands together and began to create a crackling light blue and green magical energy balls and aimed it at Tirek.

The Dark Dragon Spike then placed himself in between Tirek and Toby and Sophia, who froze upon seeing their old friend.

Lord Tirek smirked confidently "I don't believe you have the guts to fight your dear old best friend,"

The energy in Toby's hand's quickly faded as Spike growled at him menacingly. The girls looked at Spike then at Toby worriedly.

"Toby..." Twilight breathed.

Lord Tirek noticed Toby's shaking hands and Sophia's shivering legs and laughed "I don't think I've ever seen you so scared, what would the Princess say if she could see you now?"

"This isn't fear!" Toby yelled, "It's anger and your about to learn the difference!"

"Sophia, what's Toby gonna do?" The purple unicorn inquired concerned.

"Not sure, but I just hope Toby beats Spike without hurting him too badly," Sophia said.

Toby launched himself upward till he was at eye level with Spike.

"Sorry bro, this is for you own good!" Toby told his now monstrous friend as he brought both his giant fists down onto Spike's long snout. Giant Spike roared in pain.

Toby fell downwards then created his energy butterfly wings and flew directly into Spike's chest, knocking the air out of him. The two of them flew crashing into a mountain.

When the dust clears the girls could see the two of them batting it out.

Lord Tirek just stood there in mid-air looking amused "How ironic, the very kind of creature he first fought and has been fighting constantly in this world will be the final monster he battles and the one that will end his existence permanently,"

"Spike is no monster!" Twilight demanded.

"Tell that to him," Lord Tirek said gesturing to Toby getting slammed into the mountain thanks to Spike's long tail, he screamed in pain.

"Toby!" Rainbow Dash cried "Come on girls, let's go help him!"

They begin to make their way to the mountain when suddenly a ring of fire followed by a tall red barrier that reached for the sky appeared around them, they all let out a startled cry. Lord Tirek waved a finger and tuts.

"Uh uh uh, this battle is between the villain and the hero only," Lord Tirek told them "No one knows who will win, only that one will die,"

The girls watched on fearfully as the battle continued. Spike knocked Toby in the air only for Toby to retaliate and punch Spike in the jaw, cracking one of his teeth. Watching the two constantly trade blows made Fluttershy tear up and shield her eyes.

"Oh, make it stop! Please!" she begged.

"Sorry my dear, but unfortunately for you it's about to get much worse," Tirek promised.

Toby leapt onto a flat piece of rock as Spike approached him.

"Come on, Spike. Fight it! You're not a monster! Your one of us! You're my friend!" he told him. "SPIKE!"

Toby's shouting suddenly caused the monster Spike to freeze, he growled then roared into the air as his eyes turned back into the green color.

"Your eyes those eyes are your eyes, Spike!" Toby smiled relieved.

But suddenly Spike's eyes began to flash from green to red constantly, he groaned in pain.

"Spike? What's wrong?" Toby questioned.

"Hmm, it seems that his will is stronger than I thought," Tirek remarked. "Not that it really matters anyway,"

Spike groaned loudly then began to speak in a deep voice "Toby, I can't control it...I'm, I'm sorry!"

"You do not have permission to surrender, solider!" Toby shouted.

Spike tried to smash Toby with his giant claws but Toby blocked him each time, with much difficulty.

"Spike, it's me! Don't make me hurt you!" Toby told his friend desperately.

A swing of Spike's tale sent Toby flying but Toby suddenly stopped in mid-flight and formed his energy wings once more. He then noticed that the burning energy he was generating was starting to slowly burn every part of his body, especially his bandaged right arm.

"My right arm, I can't feel it anymore! Ugh, I don't have much time!" he muttered under his breath "Gotta finish this!"

Spike eyes flashed back to red as flew up with his large wings. Toby flew up as well just as Spike roared right in his face, blowing his hair back. Toby maintained his ground and gained a steely look on his face.

"You'll thank me for this later, bud, I'm sorry," Toby said to his old friend before giving him a strong upside kick in the jaw, knocking him onto his back.

Toby's wings then disappeared before he dropped down right onto Spike's stomach. Spike roared in pain while the girls winced with sympathy. Toby jumped up again, enlarged his fist and aimed right for Spike, his body glowing with a blue aura.

"That's it boy, use the power within you, use it all!" Lord Tirek said quietly before he noticed Sophia, in her Sibyl form, standing on the railing.

"Sorry, Tirek. But I'm not taking any chances," Sophia yelled before she fired a green beam surrounded by multi-colored flowers at Spike.

And with that, Toby slammed his giant palm right into Spike's chest while the beam Sophia fired hit at the same area. The two impacting forces created a giant crater as well as a huge shock wave that blew everypony's mane's back and knocked some of the leaves from nearby trees off their branches. The impact of the hit awakens the good part of Spike buried deep within as his eyes changed from red to green.

When the shock wave ended Spike reverted back to his unconscious baby dragon form, as he laid in a crater that was the shape of an egg.

"Well what do you know, the boy managed to end it without killing his friend," Lord Tirek remarked.

"He did it!" Rainbow Dash cheered.

"But Spike, is he..." Twilight Sparkle started to say worried.

Sophia put a comforting hand on Twilight's head, "He's fine. He just needs rest, that's all,"

Toby ran back and quickly stood in front of his friends, "Alright Tirek, I don't know why your still here but I don't care! Now leave my friends out of this and let's settle this man to freak show!"

"Oh, I'd be more worried about yourself, boy," Lord Tirek told him "Because you are coming with me now,"

"And why would I want to do something like that," Toby questioned.

Lord Tirek smirked "My dear boy, who said anything about it being your choice?"

Toby raised an eyebrow at his last statement, then before he knew it he became encased in a floating golden magical orb. Sophia was also inside the same orb.

"What the hay?" Toby inquired surprised.

"Hey! Let us out!" Sophia demanded.

Toby and Sophia pounded on the walls of the orb but nothing happened.

"TOBY! SOPHIA!" Everypony cried.

Suddenly they were all struck by a bolt of crackling energy, dragging the ponies and the dragons screaming off their hooves.

"NO!" Toby and Sophia cried.

A dark figure with a horn glowing with a golden aura, the one magically lifting all six of them up stepped forward as they were each pushed slowly away. Toby and Sophia looked closely and to their complete shock they saw that it was Princess Celestia that had just encased them and knocked everypony out.

"Princess Celestia!?" Toby exclaimed shocked. Sophia was also shocked at this revelation.

The Princess then lowered their unconscious friends slowly to the ground as he stepped forward.

"Forgive me, my little ponies..." she said softly and ruefully.

"Princess! What's going on here? What's happening? What is this!?" Sophia demanded.

"So, it looks like you are going to fulfill your side of the bargain after all Princess," Lord Tirek said.

"Unfortunately so..." Princess Celestia said full of regret.

"What 'bargain'?" Toby questioned.

"I'm sorry Toby and Sophia, but you two are far too dangerous to be kept in Equestria," Princess Celestia told them sadly.

"Exactly," Lord Tirek nodded "And in exchange for the safety of her land, she will give me the two things I need: you."

Toby's and Sophia's eyes widen.

"Now, I believe it's time for us to go, kids," The centaur said, "We have much to discuss."

Lord Tirek then suddenly opens up a swirling portal and magically tossed Toby and Sophia towards it.

"Whoa!" Toby and Sophia cried as they flew through.

"What exactly do you plan on doing with him?" Princess Celestia asked.

"That is none of your concern, just be thankful that I will be honoring our part of the bargain, Princess," Lord Tirek told her, before walking towards the portal, he then stopped and turned to her "Oh, and it's a pleasure doing business with you,"

Tirek goes through the portal which vanished behind him leaving Celestia alone. A single tear drops from her face.

"Toby, Sophia, I'm so sorry..." she said quietly.

---

It took a while before Toby and Sophia regained consciousness and when they did, they saw Lord Tirek standing right in front of them. Startled, they gasped sharply.

"Well good morning, sunshine," Lord Tirek said mockingly.

Toby and Sophia looked at their surroundings and could see that they were in some kind of dungeon made out of stone with Toby's wrists in handcuffs which were being held up by chains attached to the ceiling. Sophia's feet were cuffed at the ankles and the chains were attached to the floor.

Toby groaned. "Explain it to us Tirek, I don't get it. Why haven't you killed me and/or Sophia yet?"

"Ha! You really think I've wanted to kill you both all this time?" Lord Tirek asked him slightly amused.

"Well I did, right before you chuckled like that... Sophia admitted. "But still I want some straight answers pal! What's your game?"

"Hmm, I suppose I could offer that as your final request, from the Ultimate Predator to the Ultimate Prey," Lord Tirek said "First, consider how you got to Equestria; do you think the reason you got there was an accident,"

Sophia's eyes widen "Wait, it was you. You brought Toby here. You brought me here, too. I bet your responsible for all those monster attacks, aren't you?"

"Ah, bright girl," Lord Tirek mused.

"Spill, ugly!" Toby demanded.

Tirek gripped Toby's neck threateningly. "You aren't really in a position to make demands, but if you insist,"

Lord Tirek released him and stepped back as he began to explain himself.

"First, did you feel anything when you were crossing dimensions?" he asked.

"You mean that rainbow tunnel, yeah, I think I did feel something, why?" Toby questioned.

"Well that something was called the Rainbow Power, in the hands of a good person it becomes the Rainbow of Light, in the hands of a evil being, it becomes the Rainbow of Darkness," Lord Tirek explained.

"So that's what made me so powerful when I came here!" Toby realized.

"Exactly," Lord Tirek nodded. "I had the power in it's pure form once, but first it needed to be attached to a living being from another dimension before it could work, so I used the Princess' magic to send a little gift to your world in the hopes of someone finding it and then bring whoever it was there,"

"The locket..." Toby whispered reminiscing the moment where he found and picked up the locket off the sidewalk. Sophia also remembered the same locket.

"And sure enough, someone did find it, but I never could have guessed it be the savior from the prophecy," Lord Tirek stated.

Toby raised a brow. "Didn't go the way you expected it, did it?"

"Hardly, it was merely a minor setback," Lord Tirek assured him "Now with the Rainbow Power inside you, all I needed to do was make it grow till it reached maturity and to do that, I sent those monsters after you to test your skills, increase your power and, well I'm sure you can guess the third reason,"

"Actually, I really can't," Toby confessed.

"So you already know about Toby's powers but I bet you know about the seventh Element of Harmony," Sophia reminded Tirek.

"Of course, Sophia. When you arrived here in Equestria, I left you a small gift at the forest where you landed. When I realized that you're a friend to this boy, I also send monsters to attack you," Lord Tirek answered.

Lord Tirek then glared at the two kids evilly, a red light began to shine behind him revealing the army of all the monsters Toby had fought since he came to Equestria, especially the monsters Sophia fought.

"Do I have to spell it out for you, kids?" he asked "Have you forgotten what the Princess said to you? Why do you think she thinks you're so dangerous?"

Toby thought for a bit.

"Let it sink in..." Lord Tirek told him "Two, three."

"OH!" Toby cried understandingly.

Tirek smirked "Atta boy,"

"So after you sent most of those monsters you revealed to Celestia that it was you who were sending those monsters after us and because she is so protective of her kingdom you convinced her that the longer we stayed here the more monsters you would..." Toby began to say.

"Now your catching on," Lord Tirek said. "And it was a simple deal really, I get you two in exchange for leaving Equestria alone."

"I take it you're not exactly gonna keep your word, are you?" Sophia inquired.

"Afraid not, since I failed to mention to the Princess of the power that I needed from your friend," Lord Tirek replied as he approached Toby, "And now that I have it I can take it away!"

Tirek suddenly phased his palm right through Toby's chest which made him gasp sharply. In mere moments Tirek took his hand out of Toby and held in his hand an orb filled with rainbow colored energy that quickly turned gray and dark.

"What can I say? Desperate ponies do desperate things," Tirek said.

"Ok, so you got your precious rainbow of darkness, so what now?" Toby questioned.

"Now, it's checkmate," Lord Tirek told him "With this Rainbow of Darkness, I will finally have enough power to completely dominate the land of Equestria and everypony in it, in way you could say I am bringing about the end of the world. And your silly little Element of Wisdom will be rendered useless and ineffective on this baby."

Tirek then drained all power Sophia has and the rose-shaped gem on her bracelet lost its amaranth shade.

Toby gulped horrified, his fear then shifted to anger "Why? Why are you doing this? These creatures have done nothing to deserve this! So why?" he demanded "Revenge? Greed? TELL ME!"

Tirek turned to him "Well, it's pretty self explanatory but I can tell you my motivations aren't driven by greed or revenge. The reason I want to destroy this world, is because I want to and now I can. Basically, I just want to watch the world burn,"

Toby growled "You're a monster!"

"Thank you," Lord Tirek said thankfully.

"Just so you know, our friends won't let this happen!" Sophia told him. "They'll stop you, even without the Element of Wisdom!"

"Please, they'll never see what's about to happen coming." Lord Tirek stated, "Meanwhile, you've got your own problems,"

"What? You gonna torture us?" Toby inquired bravely.

"Yes, but not your bodies. Rather, your souls," Tirek said as he suddenly opened up a swirling portal and in the swirling vortex several buildings and a street, as if the whole thing was a big TV screen. "Your home, is it not?"

"What?" Toby and Sophia breathed.

"I will send you both to the place you so desperately wanted to return to, leaving you both powerless to stop what's about to come, you can imagine me torture an entire planet," Lord Tirek said, "Then when Equestria and everypony in it is ashes then you'll have my permission to die. Goodbye, Toby Morrison and Sophia Lawrence."

Tirek undid the cuffs around Toby's wrists and Sophia's ankles before magically and forcefully tossing them through the portal which closed right behind him.

"Not that they are out of the picture, the endgame can begin," Lord Tirek stated as he magically knocked over the White King on the Chess Board nearby. Then he phased the Rainbow of Darkness into his own chest which made his whole body glowed brightly with red energy as he roared to the heavens. Outside his floating castle a pillar of red energy shot out into the sky.

All over Equestria, the pillar of red light could be seen by all, including the folks in Ponyville, Cloudsdale and Canterlot. Princess Celestia gazes upon the red light with regret and sadness. Princess Luna then rushed over to her.

"Sister! That red light, what is it? What's going on?" Princess Luna asked worried.

"I'm afraid I have made a terrible mistake," Princess Celestia replied ruefully.

"Shall we gather Twilight and her friends and bring out the Six Elements of Harmony?" Princess Luna inquired.

"I'm afraid the power of the Twilight and her friends' elements won't be enough to stop what is about to happen, but I know who and what can." Princess Celestia stated as she rushed off.

"Celestia!" Princess Luna called out.

Princess Celestia ran as fast as her hooves could carry her as she dashed towards the Canterlot Archives.

"Please, just give me enough time," she muttered to herself.

---

Meanwhile, the first thing Toby and Sophia saw was pitch blackness then something wet hit their faces, waking them up. They snapped their eyes open and saw a dark and stormy sky with rain falling down. They gazed at their surroundings and saw that they was lying flat on their back and front, respectively, on the side of what appeared to be a road.

They also saw multiple buildings and a few cars race by. It didn't take them long to figure out where they were.

"It's Brooklyn. we're back in our world," Sophia mused.

As they stood up, Toby noticed something else as well. He was wearing the exact same clothes he wore when he first got to Equestria. He also remembered that it was raining when he left as well and his right arm wasn't bandaged.

"I don't believe it, this is the day that I left," Toby realized "I've come back on the same day I left for Equestria! Yet somehow your time of arrival to Equestria has combined with my own time of arrival."

Sophia was shocked at Toby just said. She is also wearing the clothes she wore when she first arrived in Equestria. Coincidentally, it was also raining when she left and she had her green and pink shoulder bag and blue umbrella.

They turned and saw that Toby's father's black car was parked in a driveway nearby.

"Hey, it's Mr. Morrison's car," Sophia said.

"Dad..." Toby said slowly before he and Sophia stood up, "Well, I guess we'd better go home. I'm also guessing you're Mom is here, too."

Toby and Sophia started to walk towards their old house but as they made their way down the sidewalk, memories of the good times they spent with Spike and the rest of the Pony Gang flashed in their minds constantly. They began to tear up because of those memories, they tear up even more when they thought of the destruction Tirek might be causing at that moment while they were away.

Eventually all rushing memories and thoughts of what might be happening became too much for them as Toby dropped to his knees and pounded the pavement and Sophia lowered her head in sadness and defeat.

"Man, this ROTS!" Toby shouted while sobbing, "We're all out of miracles and now that we're stuck here there's nothing we can do to stop Tirek!"

Toby noticed a smell pebble and picked it up, he tried to crush it with his bare hands but nothing happened due to him having no super strength.

Toby growled in frustration "I can't even break this stupid rock! Ah who I'm I trying to kid? Trying to save a whole world? What a joke!" he exclaimed, "Sophia, we got totally schooled and now everypony in Equestria is gonna suffer because of us!"

Toby's fist shook as he continued to try to break the pebble "Come on! Why won't you break!? Ugh! It's not fair!" he proclaimed.

Sophia then said, "The whole world's gonna be destroyed, Toby. We failed everypony. It's our fault."

Tears streamed down Toby's and Sophia's faces like waterfalls and Toby stood on his hands and knees sobbing. Two tall shadows loomed over their and two soft spoken voices spoke up.

"Toby."

"Sophia."

The now nine-year-old kids recognized those voices.

"What are you two doing out here in the rain?" the male voice asked.

The two kids looked up and saw the face of a thirty-two-year-old man named George Morrison, Toby's father, and a thirty-one-year-old woman named Clara Lawrence, Sophia's mother.

Mr. Morrison was a tall, rather well-built man, standing in at least six feet tall at first glance. He had the same red hair as his son but had brown eyes instead of blue and mature facial features. He wore square shaped spectacles, a long brown coat over his white dress shirt and black tie. Black trousers on his lower body and black dress shoes. As for Nurse Clara, she is 4 inches taller than her daughter. Just like Sophia, she has blonde hair - albeit longer and waist-length - but instead of green eyes, she had blue eyes. She appears to be younger for her age and is wearing a yellow dress, blue cardigan, and blue heels.

Toby's eyes widen, "Dad..."

"Hello, son," his father smiled as he helped his son up.

"Mom," Sophia said, walking up to her mother and hugging her, "Mom, I miss you."

"I miss you too, Sophia," her mother replied.

"Your, your home early." Toby said slowly.

"Sure am, you know I realized not too long ago just how long you really were and I know that things have been rough for you since your mother passed and for that I am truly, truly sorry," Mr. Morrison said.

"It's fine, Dad," Toby stated.

"No, it's not fine," his father said firmly, "I left you right when you needed me the most, I wish I could change that but I can't, think you can forgive me son?"

Toby paused before speaking, "Yes," he finally said, his father looked surprised.

"Just like that? You'll forgive me that easily?" Mr. Morrison inquired surprised.

Toby nodded, "It's not the first time someone's done something to break my heart, but I know that if I don't forgive the person who did that I'll lose them forever and I don't want to go through that again."

Mr. Morrison noticed something else in Toby's eyes, something that told him that his son wasn't just talking about him.

"Son, what's wrong? Why are you and Sophia really out here?" Mr. Morrison questioned.

"You wouldn't believe us." Toby said slowly, then he noticed his father holding a golden locket, the one he found that sent him and Sophia to Equestria.

"Try us," Mr. Morrison whispered as Clara nodded. Toby and Sophia smiled small smiles.

---

Later on, back at the Morrison-Lawrence house, Toby and Sophia told their respective parents all about Equestria, their friends and the adventures they had there while they were all sitting on the couch together, although they didn't think their parents would believe them, they were still excited to tell them all about it.

"And that's pretty much the whole story, we know it sounds crazy but we're telling you the whole truth," Toby insisted "And now because we're stuck here we can't do anything to help my friends, we know it's partially the Princess's fault this happened but we don't blame her, she was just protecting her people, we probably would have done the same thing in her place. The point is that we're there with our friends and thanks to them we know what real friendship is like, it's not about chocolate or magic tricks, it's about caring. Anyways, that's the whole story in a nutshell, and we wouldn't blame you all if you didn't believe us, it does seem..."

"We believe you," Mr. Morrison said. Toby looked at him surprised.

"Really? All of it?" Toby and Sophia inquired, shocked.

"Of course we do! We're your families, remember?" Clara reminded them, "Besides why would you ever come up with a crazy story like that?"

"We also saw the whole thing from the house," Sophia's older sister, Holly, replied as she and Sophia's younger brothers, Alistair and Jeremy, approached. Holly is thirteen years old and has blonde hair and blue eyes just like her mother, although her hair only reaches to her shoulders. She is wearing a white blouse with flower prints, a blue denim skirt, and brown boots. Alistair is six years old, and has green eyes just like Sophia and brown hair. He is wearing a bright yellow shirt with a small number 13 printed on the right shoulder, green shorts, and blue sneakers. Jeremy is five years old, has brown eyes and brown hair just like Alistair and is wearing a green sleeveless shirt with a basketball printed on the middle, yellow shorts, and red slippers.

"We thought it was just someone shining a flashlight through all that rain," Alistair said.

Jeremy then stated, "But when we saw a locket, your bag, and your umbrella on the ground, we knew that you were gone, Sophia."

Sophia nodded, "Good point."

The now nine-year-old boy sighed sadly, "But it still doesn't help the fact that I'm stuck here while my friends are in trouble."

For the first time in a long time, Toby removed his hat from his head, "It's hopeless..." he muttered before tossing the hat across the room.

His father looked at him and sighed before getting up, walking over to his hat and picking it back up again. He loomed over his son again.

"Toby," he said. Toby looked up at him "I never thought you were a quitter,"

He slapped Toby's hat right back on his head, Toby smiled as he adjusted it.

"That's it, when things are at their worse, you need to try harder," Nurse Clara told him, "And while life may knock us down, we can choose whether or not to get back up again, so are you gonna sit there or are you gonna stand?"

Toby paused before he slowly got off the couch and stood firmly on his feet. Sophia also stood up with great and utter confidence.

"Good," Mr. Morrison smiled "So, are you two gonna quit?"

Toby and Sophia smiled back, "Try and make us! And so, I guess we have to go back to Equestria in order to save it!" Toby proclaimed before a thought reminded him of an important fact, "Which we still have no idea how to do,"

Mr. Morrison thought for a moment before an idea, he took out the locket again.

"Well, if you said this locket got you to this world once I'm betting it can do it again, don't you?" he asked his son and Sophia as he handed them the locket.

"Perhaps, but the last time the bad guy made it work, how are we supposed to get to work without the magic of the Rainbow?" Toby questioned.

"It's obsolete right now. And so is my Element of Wisdom," Sophia added.

"You don't need those powers to get to work," Mr. Morrison told Toby and Sophia, who are both surprised.

"Those powers may have helped both of you defeat all those monsters you talked about, but it wasn't the powers that were special, it was you," Holly stated.

"The way we all see it, you will have to get to work using the most powerful magic there is, and we think you know what we're talking about," Clara said with a small smile, "Friendship."

Toby's and Sophia's eyes widen with realization, "That's it! Your right! And the magic of friendship doesn't just exist in Equestria! It's everywhere!" Sophia proclaimed, "So..."

Toby and Sophia put all their hands on the locket and began to concentrate. The locket began to glow, just as it did when it sent them to Equestria from the start.

---

At the same time, the Princess had just reached the magical archive room. She took out several scrolls looking for a certain spell till eventually she found it.

"Yes! Now please let this work..." she begged quietly as her horn glowed with a magical energy.

Just then, the bodies of the Mane Six, as well as Spike became covered with a golden and protective aura while they slowly awoken.

"Ugh, what happened?" Applejack asked dazed.

Rainbow Dash groaned "Oh, my head!"

"I feel just awful!" Rarity proclaimed.

"Me too!" Fluttershy added.

Pinkie Pie babbled a little bit before falling back over again.

Twilight was the last to awaken "Ugh, where's...

She then noticed the golden aura around them.

"Huh?"

The purple unicorn then saw that her friends were covered in the same aura as well as Spike, who still laid unconscious in his crater.

"Spike! Are you?" she began to cry out before she and the others noticed the red pillar of light stretching towards the sky.

"Uh, what is that?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Trouble," Twilight muttered.

Just then the girls all saw a mammoth sized red hand and arm emerging from the pillar of light and curling into a fist. They back up a bit as the owner of the arm; Tirek steps out of the pillar and loomed over them all.

"EQUESTRIA. IS. MINE!" he bellowed.

He spat out a shock wave as he roared that vibrated the entire area on its way toward the Mane Six but instead of being torn apart, they each find themselves protected by the golden aura, Spike as well.

---

Back on Earth, while Tirek was beginning his conquest, the locket in Toby's and Sophia's hands was now glowing brightly as beams of light shined out of it before suddenly a portal appeared in front of them.

"It worked!" Toby cried happily.

Mr. Morrison nodded, "Yes it did, now we all believe you two have a world to save, don't you?"

Toby turned to his father with a sad look on his face, "But Dad, you know I might not come back right?"

"Same goes for you, too, Mom. And you, too, Holly, Alistair, and Jeremy," Sophia said, who is also sad.

Mr. Morrison and Clara moved up to look at their respective kids in the eyes.

"I know, but right now your friends need you!" Nurse Clara told them "Now go get 'em. It is what your mother would say if she were here,"

"Yeah, she was pretty smart that way." Toby said "I miss her Dad,"

"So do I," Mr. Morrison said sadly.

"You know, Sophia, your father would be so proud of you. That is, if he gets out of prison earlier than expected," Nurse Clara said.

"I really miss him, Mom," Sophia replied.

"Me, too," Nurse Clara replied back as Holly, Alistair, and Jeremy hugged her.

"Now go, there isn't time," Mr. Morrison and Nurse Clara said.

Toby and Sophia nodded as they gave them tender smiles with tears in their eyes. Mr. Morrison, Nurse Clara, Holly, Alistair, and Jeremy took a few steps back as Toby and Sophia approached the portal. Their respective families were the last things Toby and Sophia saw as they moved into the gateway. It closed behind them and winked out.

---

Before long, the portal opened back up in Equestria. Toby and Sophia were dumped out to landed in huddled, kneeling positions. They looked around and saw that they were back in the magical land.

"Yes! Made it and just in..." Toby started to say before he and Sophia saw something that changed his tune, "Oh no..."

In front them, Toby and Sophia saw a big ball of red light growing in the distance and expands rapidly, tearing the land apart with the force of a nuclear warhead. A golden aura then appeared around them as the wave approached them as well.

"What happened?" Sophia muttered with shock and fear.

The instant devastation spread like wildfire over the entire surface of the planet where Equestria was set. What remained was a charred, smoldering ball that looks more like a piece of burning coal rather than a planet capable of supporting any kind of life. Tirek had won.

Or had he?

To be continued...

---

Voices

Chris Pratt as George Morrison

Ali Hillis as Clara Lawrence

Kelly Sheridan as Holly Lawrence

Kate Higgins as Alistair Lawrence

Veronica Taylor as Jeremy Lawrence

---

Author's Note: The monster used in this was inspired by an alien monster from "Ben 10". I do not own it.